𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕠

[lovestrippedbare]

There are times, Jungkook thinks, when unexpected changes in plan work out for the best. Giving up on the idea of Busan during winter break wasn't the easiest choice at the time — Jungkook had expected it to be the highlight of their winter, and giving into the pressure of Yeongwook's blackmailing hurt on multiple levels. But distance seemed safest. Planning, biding their time, having Jungkook carefully siphon a portion of his allowance over to Yoongi for safekeeping, every passing day made the trip feel more viable again, until the two of them suddenly realized that Yoongi's birthday would be an easy occasion to leave for, and that was that.

They've picked up memories along the way. The first night Jungkook had Yoongi stay over. The first dinner together with his mother, with her offering countless thanks for helping her youngest with his studies. A trip out to a nameless beach, all seven of them together, huddled and bracing against the last of the winter winds.

Getting to March isn't as difficult as Jungkook expected it to be, and now that they're here, the wait has made everything all the sweeter.

He takes countless pictures with his camera — of their seats together on the train, of the little box meals they buy from the lady with the cart. Of the ramyeon they buy an hour later, when it's clear that the box meals are more packaging than substance.

Of Yoongi, staring out the window of the train car, a soft smile on his face.

At first, Jungkook struggled with the idea of spending much of Yoongi's birthday on the train, but the trip to Busan takes several hours at best, which would have required missing class on Friday. Seeing Yoongi's peaceful expression on the train helps to set a little of that regret to rest, as does the stifled laughter they share as they stumble down the hall to their room in the hotel.

"Hotel Elysee," Jungkook says with a flourish as he waits for Yoongi to swipe their room key. "Is that, like, French?"

Comments

[likedriedflowerpetals]

The days and miles fly by faster than Yoongi ever would have imagined, and each one has been its own kind of gift, more than Yoongi would have dared to ask for this time last year. It would be nice if he could say that each of those days was easy; it's better still to be able to say Jungkook helped him get through all of them. He's been holding onto the idea of this trip for a while now, excited to get out of town for a little while, promising the others they would celebrate on another day. Today, this journey, it's just for him and Jungkook.

When he's thought of it, he's imagined freedom. Maybe not absolute, but enough. Being somewhere no one knows them, they can be exactly who they are, freedom granted through anonymity. He's hardly about to make out with Jungkook in public, but there won't be any need to look over his shoulder here before kissing his cheek or holding his hand. He couldn't ask for a better present, even if it means getting up early on a Saturday. It's worth it.

As they make it to the door of their room, Yoongi laughs. "Like French," he agrees. "I'm not sure it actually is French, but who cares?" It sounds like that one big street in Paris, Champs Élysées. He's never had a particular desire to go to Paris over other various options, but he'd like it, he thinks, if they went together. For now, he's happy just to swipe the card and let them into their room. Letting out a contented sigh, he takes off his backpack and flicks on the light switch, dumping his bag near the wall before reaching back for Jungkook's hand.

For the first time, even if it's borrowed, they're in a room that's entirely their own.

"All ours."