𝕘𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠

[lovestrippedbare]

The phone slips gently from Jungkook's hand, coming to a rest on rumpled sheets as he picks himself up, sliding his legs out of bed. It's hard to remember exactly what he's done over the past couple of days, ever since he returned home from dance practice. Distantly, Jungkook remembers meals. Remembers a slight sheen of sweat over the back of his neck, palms clammy as he sat in front of his parents, in front of Yeongwook, exchanging pleasantries over a family dinner. What he doesn't remember are the more important details — what his father's gaze looked like, whether or not there was any ire. Whether or not anyone noticed, aside from his hyung, how preoccupied Jungkook's been.

He's kept himself busy mostly with small chores around the house, keeping everything clean as a good start to the new year. When he runs out of things to do, Jungkook sleeps. It's the easiest way to pass the time, Jungkook eager to while the hours away until it's reasonable to leave the house again, to see anyone who demands more than his cursory attention.

That the phone rings with Yoongi's tone is both a blessing and a curse. There's no one Jungkook wants to see more, and yet Jungkook also fears what might happen if Yoongi might see him. If a glance will immediately reveal what's wrong. It's not that Jungkook wants to hide anything. He's just tired.

Doesn't want to think about it when there's nothing to be done.

It's been weeks since Jungkook's previous bruises healed, but he detours to the bathroom nonetheless, locking the door before lifting the hem of his shirt to examine his skin in the mirror. Mottled pink and purple stretching across his ribs and abdomen, still fresh and almost pretty, Jungkook thinks in spite of himself. The pattern is different than the one his father usually leaves; Jungkook isn't sure whether or not Yoongi will be able to tell the difference.

Maybe he'll be lucky, Jungkook tells himself, and things will stay out of sight. They're only going shopping, after all. There are a million reasons Jungkook can give for needing to stay at home for dinner, and he's pretty sure Yoongi would understand every one, never holding them against Jungkook. They both know that any obstacles aren't of their own making. Not for the next two years, at least.

He spends the entire walk to Yoongi's house forming excuses and explanations, winding little paths that barely stay within the range of truth, carefully avoiding any direct lie. An unfocused gaze trails lazily after the way his breath fogs in the air, Jungkook's steps keeping him to the side of the path and out of the way of other passersby. By the time he reaches Yoongi's house, Jungkook has decided that the simplest explanation is the best — that his mom asked for him to stay home for dinner today, that he should be there because his dad and brother will both be, and he doesn't like being the only person absent from the roster.

The excuses fly out of his mind seconds later, as soon as Yoongi's door opens, Jungkook's shoulders just a little too tense, his brow a touch too tightly knit. Hands stuffed in his pockets, when he'd rather reach out with them, wrap his arms around Yoongi and hold on until everything else melts away.

"Hey," Jungkook says instead, his smile on the cusp of reaching his eyes.

Comments

[lovestrippedbare]

When Yoongi beckons, Jungkook easily throws his leg over to straddle him on both sides, carefully lowering his weight until they're pressed hip to hip. The heel of his palm sinks a touch into the bed, helping to keep Jungkook propped high, his expression softening as soon as he gets a better look at Yoongi's face. His lips press together in a small smile as his free hand skates over Yoongi's skin, fingertips gently nudging his hair to the side, running along the line of his jaw. There have been a couple of times when Yoongi's sent him pictures from this angle; maybe that's part of why Jungkook loves being in this position as much as he does.

The real thing is so much better.

"I don't think it's your soap and shampoo I'm attracted to," Jungkook points out, fingers now roaming by Yoongi's collarbone, nudging his shirt out of the way. "It's what's underneath all of that. Just — I don't know. The boyish smell? Does that even make sense?"

[likedriedflowerpetals]

Yoongi shifts underneath him, head tipping to the side as he enjoys the gentle touch. "Mm," he says. "Yeah, makes sense." He likes the things layered over Jungkook's scent, too, but it's what's underneath it that he loves, the smell that's purely Jungkook. It stands to reason that Jungkook would feel the same about Yoongi.

Hand lifting to comb through Jungkook's hair, he tugs him closer, head lifting to catch his mouth in a quick kiss. Falling back against the pillow again, he grins. "Harder for me to give you that, though." Even if he could, he thinks, the real joy of it is having Jungkook close, being able to bury his face against the other boy's skin and breathe him in. Nothing else is the same. One day, though, he reminds himself. One day, they'll live together and there won't be a day they don't get to have that.

[lovestrippedbare]

Jungkook hums, pleased with the brief kiss, lips spreading into a smile as he hears Yoongi drop back onto the pillow. Quiet moments like this are some of Jungkook's favorites, the two of them simply wrapped up in one another, not talking about anything major — moments when they're simply enjoying each other's company, first and foremost. His fingertips skate down from Yoongi's collarbone to the hem of his shirt, slipping briefly underneath to skate along Yoongi's side. His eyes skirt down, pushing up the shirt to admire the contrast of their complexions.

"Yeah. Guess that means I should just come over more often. So that your smell never fades," Jungkook murmurs, leaning down until their foreheads touch. He pouts, tilting his chin down until he's able to steal another kiss, this one longer. Lingering. "Wish my bed smelled like you. I should just... have you over sometime."

[likedriedflowerpetals]

"I can just come over and roll in your sheets for a while," Yoongi teases. He's not sure how safe it is for him to be at Jungkook's, knowing what they suspect about Jungkook, but he's not going to say no. Any chance they have to be together is worth taking. He'll just have to be cautious any time they might not be alone. It would be worth it, he figures, to have a chance to get to know Jungkook's mother.

He pulls Jungkook back down for another kiss, tugging his lower lip gently between his teeth. "Just roll around until the bed smells like me." If he had this way, Jungkook would just stay here, but the days when they'll get to live together are still a long way off. For now, it'll have to be enough that he stays over at all.

[lovestrippedbare]

The image of Yoongi rolling around in his sheets is at once funny and endearing, and already Jungkook's turning over thoughts in his mind, trying to figure out how he can make an excuse to invite Yoongi over. Yoongi's been helping him with his studies — that much is indisputable. Maybe if Jungkook plans around the days where Yeongwook's likely to be out of the house, it won't draw as much attention. Maybe if they're quiet, his parents won't notice if Yoongi gets sneaked out of the house early in the morning, rather than late at night.

They have to be able to figure something out, Jungkook thinks. They need to have a way to ease into it, especially if he plans on eventually coming out to his mother.

For now, the tug of Yoongi's teeth is enough to pull Jungkook out of his thoughts, arms sliding further up the mattress to bring himself further flush with Yoongi's body.

"You know what's even more effective at making the bed smell like you?" Jungkook murmurs, rocking his hips for emphasis.

[likedriedflowerpetals]

Yoongi grins, reaching up to trace his fingers along Jungkook's cheek. "Insatiable," he teases. It's hardly a complaint. If they're ever going to have sex in Jungkook's bed, they'll have to be much, much quieter than they usually are, but he's not going to complain about that either. As much as the sounds Jungkook makes are part of the fun, there's a certain appeal in straining not to get caught, too.

Besides, he wants that. Wants to spend the night in Jungkook's bed for once, just to fall asleep in his room. Even if that means all they do is study and sleep, he won't mind.

A hand settling on Jungkook's ass, he tilts his head up, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "But you're right, much more effective."

[lovestrippedbare]

"Can you blame me?" Jungkook asks, his smile widening, cheek pressed against Yoongi's fingers before he leans down, lips tracing along the line of Yoongi's jaw, kisses pressed against the hollow of his neck. It's one of his favorite places, warm enough to press his nose into as they drift off to sleep, Yoongi's scent noticeable all the while. The skin there is softer as well, delicate, veins visible just underneath the surface.

He pulls back, far enough to focus on Yoongi's face, the dark fan of lashes. It's a delicate balance, the way his emotions shift from the flickering heat of want and the softer, sweet ache of awe. There's no denying the love between them — so tangible that Jungkook doesn't think he'll ever forget the way his lips feel, the trace of his fingertips. But he still wonders sometimes.

How it's even possible that he could enjoy a love like this.

Wordlessly, Jungkook raises a hand again, fingertips gently mapping over Yoongi's every feature.

[likedriedflowerpetals]

"Not even a little," Yoongi says, eyes fluttering shut as he enjoys the gentle brush of Jungkook's fingers over his skin. It feels like Jungkook is memorizing him, trying to tuck away every last detail, and while it's entirely unnecessary, it's sweet, too. Gazing up at him again, he runs his fingers gently through Jungkook's hair. It's nice sometimes just to lie here, barely having to speak. The way Jungkook looks at him says more than enough.

Sometimes that makes Yoongi feel all but invincible. They've been lucky enough to find each other, to fall in love. What could possibly stop them now? Today, though, everything feels softer, more delicate. They've been so fortunate, it's hard not to wonder if their luck might run out. Even if it does, he tells himself, they'll still have each other.

"I mean, I want you all the time. Can't fault you for the same."

[lovestrippedbare]

Yoongi wants him all the time. That reminder is enough that Jungkook's expression melts, his smile widening, a soft exhale falling from his lips. It's hard to imagine how someone like Yoongi — so talented, so unique, so beautiful — would fall for Jungkook. How someone like Yoongi would want Jungkook so much. Jungkook knows his own strengths, knows that his work ethic is an asset and it's let him dip into so many different areas with relative ease, but sometimes all that effort makes Jungkook wonder if he really has a natural spark of his own.

Over the past month, Jungkook's seen enough from Yoongi to believe in his love. To know that there's a deeper tie between them that won't be easy to break.

It doesn't stop him from wanting to be special, wanting to be enough for Yoongi. He smiles still, his cheeks aching as he cups a hand around Yoongi's cheek, leans down for another kiss. Pulls back enough to focus on Yoongi's gaze again.

"You have me, all the time," Jungkook finally says, licking his lip. "Even when we're apart, you have me. I'm yours."

[likedriedflowerpetals]

I'm yours. It's not news, exactly, but still, Yoongi's heart skips a beat at the words, a grin crossing his face, pure and pleased. "And I'm yours," he says, hands smoothing over Jungkook's back. "Entirely." It's comforting to think of. His mind flickers back to what they said earlier, how it should be frightening, but it's not. It's soothing. There's someone he belongs to, body and soul. There's someone who loves him with everything he has. "You're my home, Jeon Jungkook. You have me."

It's not like this house means anything. He hasn't had a real home since his mother died, not until now, not until this boy came along and swept him off his feet. Walls and roofs mean nothing. He learned that years ago. It's the people within them that count. Everything else is just set dressing.

Propping himself up a little, he tips up his head for another kiss. If Jungkook is his home, then he hopes he can be something of the same for him. A second home, at least, someone who can give him the strength and comfort he needs and deserves.