There are moments when Jungkook suddenly sees his life in sharp relief. Moments when he looks back and realizes how much he's been training to hold things together — the ache in his shoulders that drives down deep to the bone. Recently, it's been easier to reflect, and it feels like both a blessing and a curse. Knowing the struggles Yoongi's been through, Jungkook can start to recognize some of them in himself, those times when he's been so tired. When he's wanted everything to stop.

He wonders, distantly, where he'd be if it weren't for his hyungs. Where he'd be if he didn't have his love for Yoongi to hold onto, if it hadn't been filling his life in the way that it did even in the months before they were officially together.

Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut, not liking what he imagines. He focuses instead on the arm around his waist, on the softness of the mattress as they sink down on it together. On the way Yoongi's hair falls to the side as they lay down, legs entwining naturally.

"Yoongi-ah... you're so beautiful, you know that?" Jungkook asks, voice barely above a whisper.