Taehyung hadn’t cried so much in his life. And honestly he didn’t think he’ll ever stop. So when he eventually did, he couldn’t feel anything except that he felt much lighter now. It still hurt his heart every time he thought of his grandmother but now he was able to at least think about her instead of trying to keep her out of his mind. He was still having a hard time dealing with his grieve though but that’s why he was thankful for the support the people he loved gave him. It was as encouraging as it was scary. Taehyung didn’t try to keep it all in anymore thankfully. That was why, he was now sitting in his room with Grandma Sul Ki and his friends, which was more like a family to him, willingly listening to them.

“Taetae, you know that we love you right? And we loved your grandma. She was family to us too. So you know that if you cry we’ll cry with you. No matter the time” Hoseok said, rubbing reassuringly Taehyung’s back. A gesture, Taehyung felt touched by. With a nod, he said

“I know. I’m sorry for worrying you all. And sorry for making you come all this way Grandma Sul Ki.”

“Don’t apologize my dear. You’re like a grandson to me. And even though I will never be as amazing as your grandmother, I still love you. And of course I’ll come running if you’re in trouble. Much slower than your friends here but still.” Grandma Sul Ki joked, instantly earning a small laugh from Taehyung.

“Just like you’ve been there for us, we’ve got your back. That’s what family does anyway right?” Namjoon said with a grin, affectionately ruffling Taehyung’s hair. Followed by Ga Yeon noona who gently patted Taehyung’s head, saying in a loving way which only her had the secret of

“So don’t ever push us out again ok? No matter how hard things are, we rely on each other. And as our lovely maknae^[1], this is a must for you, got it?” And it was all he needed to finally feel more alive than he had been ever since his grandmother passed away. Even better Taehyung had found the courage to do something he hadn’t been able to do before.

Walking toward his night stand, he grabbed an envelope in the drawer and walking back to his seat, he said

“Grandfather gave me this. It’s from grandma. I didn’t have the courage to open it so I’ve kept it in my night stand. But I think it’s time for me to do this.” Taking in a deep breath, he was about to open it when Jimin said softly

“Taehyungie, you don’t have to do it now if you’re not ready. You’ve done more than enough already.” Smiling a bit in response, Taehyung said

“No. If I don’t do it now, I don’t think I’ll ever have the courage to do it anytime soon.” Sadly nodding in return, Jimin released the hold he had on his wrist and so Taehyung silently opened the letter. Biting back the tears that were threatening to fall, he read in a chocked tone

“My dearest Taehyungie,

When you’ll read this, I might not be in this world anymore. I’m sorry for not waiting for you. I hope you won’t be too angry because of it though. Just know that I’ve lived my life and so it’s time for me to go. But it doesn’t mean that I love you any less. Or that I’m abandoning you. I know you’ll do just fine and that… And that you’ll get through this. Please take care of your grandfather. Don’t let him stay outside for too long. And once in a while cook him his favorite stew soup, ok? He’ll pretend that he’s fine but I know… That he’s a tender heart. Like you. So I hope you’ll be there for each other like you always do. Taehyungie, don’t work too much, ok. I know you love your job but you also need time for yourself. Don’t push yourself too much, don’t be sick and don’t be picky with food…

But more importantly, Taehyungie, I know that you are scared of love because you feel like the people you love will eventually leave your side, like your father. But that’s not true… I will never leave you. From where… From where I’ll be, I’ll watch over you. Even if you don’t see me I’ll …”

Stopping abruptly, Taehyung took his head in his hands and bursting into tears, he pathetically called out again and again for his late grandmother, unable to continue further in his reading. Or simply keeping it together. He could feel someone hug him from behind but he couldn’t really tell who it was.

God, it hurt so much.

A week went by since then. And during that week, the camp has ended and everyone had went back to their normal lives. Well, everyone except Minho, who because of Taehyung’s intervention got him seriously punished by his chairmen, Taehyung himself and surprisingly, Jungkook.

Taehyung because, he had to return to his family’s side in Daegu, not only for the ten days of his grandmother’s death but also to take care of his grandfather who had fallen ill soon after. Ever since the end of the camp, Taehyung hadn’t seen anyone from the hospital beside Yoongi, Jimin and Dr Kang who had visited him. Along with his other friends. Something Taehyung was particularly grateful of, even though, he had quickly shooed them away knowing that they couldn’t stay away long from their duties. So when they did leave, Taehyung returned back at the reception hall where he had rented in his grandmother’s honor and made his way to his grandfather who was sitting with a couple of his friends. Taehyung then whispered calmly in his ear

“Gramps, do you want to go home?”

“It’s ok, Taehyungie. I want to stay here a bit more.” The older man replied, intently looking at the photography of Taehyung’s grandmother hanging on the platform. Gulping difficultly his spit, Taehyung forced a smile to his old man and agreed halfheartedly

“Ok.” Walking away to help his mother with serving the other guest, his mother suddenly took him apart and said

“Hey, don’t worry about your grandfather ok? I’ll take him with me.”

“Are you sure mom? I don’t mind having…”

“I know you don’t but you work every day. And grandfather shouldn’t stay alone. Besides i have someone taking care of the restaurant for me now so I can take care of him.” Taehyung was about to protest but his mother hastily ended their conversation by greeting some new comers who had just arrived. Sighing exasperatedly at his mother’s dexterous escape, Taehyung turned too to greet the new comers with a resigned expression, when he stood completely dumbfounded at the recognition of the four new comers. Guests he hadn’t expect to see at all.

“Oh hey honey, look who’s here it’s your interns. It’s really nice of them to come all the way here don’t you think? Make sure to repay them with a nice meal.” Her mother gratefully said, accepting the younger kids bow, missing the lost look her son had on. She continued however

“I’m really grateful that you all came. Even if you didn’t know my mother I’m sure she would’ve been happy to see Taehyungie’s students.”

“Dr Kim is an amazing person. When we heard the news we had wanted to pay respect to the woman who helped make our professor the person that he is. We are really sorry for your loss sir.” Myungjae finally said turning towards Taehyung with a bow, followed by his fellow teammates. And surprisingly Jungkook also did bow. Regaining his composure, Taehyung bowed in return and answered unsure

“Thank you for coming. But how come you are all here instead at the hospital? Did you…”

“Dr Kang gave us the permission.” Somehow, Taehyung wasn’t surprised by it at all. With a fond smile at the remembrance of his professor, Taehyung softly chuckles

“I see. Well, come in and eat something then.”

“Thank you sir. But first, would you mind if we greet your grandparents?” This time came the voice of none other than Jungkook. And Taehyung really wondered if he was being delusional somehow. Because for Jeon Jungkook to be this polite and not actually glare at him or disrespect him, he must be out of his mind. And yet, Jeon Jungkook was indeed politely talking to him. Taehyung guessed it was because of the circumstances, so he only nodded in response and allowed his interns to bow to his grandmother then his grandfather who happily waved them to his table. Shifting his eyes away from the unexpected guests, Taehyung discreetly turned away from them and returned to his duties. Unaware of the pair of eyes that subtly followed his every movement.

Well it was not so subtle to Myungjae alas. But come on, you’ll have to be blind not to notice the way Jungkook was looking at Taehyung. And it wasn’t your typical student’s look to his professor to say the least. Frankly, the look was more of…? Myungjae interrupted his thoughts though, shaking vigorously the absurd idea from his mind. Smiling at the questioning look the girls gave him, he discreetly glanced over to the still very absent minded Jungkook. The urge to suddenly got itchier but Myungjae reluctantly refrained to give in. This was no place for such things after all. Plus he had only his speculations to back him up. And as a doctor, speculation was a no-no. Thus, Myungjae returned his attention to Taehyung’s grandfather who was telling them one of his and his wife's stories. But, one thing for sure, Jungkook was so going to get it later, he thought mischievously.

At the end of the ceremony, only Taehyung, his students, his grandfather and his mother were left behind to clean. Taehyung didn’t let his mother or grandfather do any cleaning though. Instead, he told his mom

“Mom, you can go home with grandfather. Don’t worry I’ll clean this up.”

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“Positive.” Turning to his grandfather, he said tenderly

“Gramps, you’re going to go home with mom ok. I’ll come by later tonight, alright?”

“You don’t have to. I know you’re tired too, son.”

“No I’m not. Don’t forget that I’ve taken after you. So you’ll have to knock me out cold to get me to sleep.” Laughing at the odd representation, his grandfather waved Taehyung goodbye and thanking the interns once again, he finally left with Taehyung’s mother. After taking in a breath, Taehyung turned to his interns who were busy cleaning the tables and said honestly grateful

“Thank you very much guys for coming. You can just leave that, I’ll do it later. I’m sure you all must be tired for the ride till here. You all have a way to return back to Seoul I suppose?”

“Yes sir.”

“Well, you guys should get going then.”

“Are you sure sir?” Ahn asked uncertainly.

“Yeah. Really thank you for coming here. Now go home and rest. When I’ll get back you better be in shape.” Taehyung said and so Myungjae, Jinyoung and Ahn, hesitantly, put aside the tissue they were using to wipe the table and headed to the door. Taehyung, who was individually having his interns thanking him was suddenly caught off guard, when Jinyoung, the usual stoic member of the team, took him in her arms and whispered loud enough for him to hear

“Thank you. For my watch and I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Taehyung didn’t know what to do at first, but eventually figuring out that a simple hug wouldn’t hurt, he returned the hug only humming a soft yes, assuring the woman he did hear her, in response. When they were out the door, he turned his attention to the last, and instantly frowned when he found Jungkook busy in wiping the table instead of getting ready to leave. With a sigh, Taehyung asked

“And why are you still here? I told your friends that you can go you know.” Without looking at Taehyung, Jungkook carried on with his task as he said

“I do but I want to stay.”

“Why?” Taehyung asked with a frown. For a second, he saw Jungkook’s shoulder tense but it lasted only for a second so he wasn’t sure if he really did see it. Seeing as Jungkook didn’t seem like he was in any way going to comply, Taehyung proceeded then in clearing the table from empty bottles of soju and trays, slowly allowing them to fall into silence. But somehow, not in an awkward one. At least for Taehyung it wasn’t. Without much in his mind, Taehyung was diligently cleaning up the hall when Jungkook suddenly broke the silence when he said out of the blue

“I’m sorry.” Taehyung didn’t know why he was apologizing for nonetheless. Consequently he let them fall once again in another silence. Taking Taehyung’s silence as sign to continue, Jungkook said

“For everything. For having been a brat to you and disrespecting you. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have question your ways of doing the way I did. But it’s just that I’m not used of having things not going my way. I know it’s not an excuse but I’ve never really had someone like you in my life before.”

“Someone like me?” Taehyung couldn’t help but repeat intrigued by the way he was described. Jungkook must’ve thought that Taehyung was offended or something for he immediately said

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that I’ve never had anyone who was actually this complex.”

Laughing a bit at the weary look Jungkook was wearing, Taehyung reassured

“Calm down I’m not mad. It’s just that it’s the first time someone actually said something like that to me. But what do you mean by I’m complex? Do you mean confusing?”

“Something like that. You probably don’t know but all my life I’ve had things handed to me. No matter what I did, I always perfectly knew the outcome. Nothing was a challenge. Either with school, my personal life or else, I always knew how to get the things I wanted. To the point that it was dull. But then I met you. And you are… Basically driving me insane.”

“I can tell the same about you.” Taehyung said, missing the strange emotion that crossed Jungkook’s eyes when he said that. As he finished putting the trays and the cup in the cartons, Taehyung turn his back to Jungkook and continued

“You’re not exactly an angel you know? But I must agree with you in one point. I am quite difficult. But who isn’t? So it’s ok, if you don’t understand me sometime.”

“The problem is that I’m starting to not understand myself too.” Jungkook said quietly but that unfortunately went unheard because of the sound of a truck outside. Without sparing Jungkook so much as a glance, Taehyung glimpsed briefly outside and coming back to grab the carton, he finally went outside and greet the man behind the wheel, followed closely by Jungkook. After helping the man to load the truck, Taehyung paid the man and waving him goodbye, he turned to Jungkook and said

“Thanks again. Did you drive here? Come to think of it, is it ok for you to drive now? Do you feel better?” Simply nodding in response, Taehyung gave him a friendly smile and said

“That’s a relief. Well I’ll see you back at work then.” Taehyung was then about to leave, when he felt a hold on his wrist. Frowning back to the author of the gesture, he questioned Jungkook silently, not really sure what to make of this sudden physical contact. The said man seems to have realized his action, for he immediately pulled away his hand, stuttering lamely

“Oh, I’m… I didn’t mean… I mean sorry. It’s just that I was wondering if you needed help with anything else. Or maybe if you want to, well you don’t have to but we can go for a drink. Or maybe not. I just wanted to apologize for that time at the camp. I really shouldn’t have said what I said. I’m sorry, back then, I thought you didn’t care about us. I know you do now. I mean that still doesn’t excuse how i…”

“Whoa, chillax kid. You know you should breathe between phrases. That’s why we have punctuations.” Taehyung said with an amused tone, relatively getting what the younger man was trying to say. And to be honest, Taehyung really didn’t know how to feel after hearing the man’s apology. The truth is he didn’t expect it at all. It’s not like he does things to earn an apology later on. After all, he was the one who had been misleading to begin with. So it was only legit for the kid to misunderstand him.

Jungkook was basically blathering. And it was something he was certainly not used of doing. Receiving yes, but doing it, it was a totally different thing. And for goodness sake, he sounded so stupid even to his own ears that he wondered if he would ever shut up. Just what was wrong with him? Ever since he came here, he had caught himself staring way too much at his mentor, and doing things he ordinarily didn’t do. Ok, now for the weird way he was acting, he had only himself to blame. But can anyone really blame him for the staring? He wasn’t really used of seeing Kim Taehyung so… Human? Even back at the forest, Kim Taehyung hadn’t seem human to him. In fact, he had been so strange that Jungkook was basically still pondering on whether those events actually happened or it was only a figment of his imagination. And before he could actually get himself around the idea that his professor was probably bipolar, though a caring and selfless one, Kim Taehyung adds on more by proving Jungkook that he was more than what he had initially thought Taehyung was. Seeing the older man take care of his family so well, Jungkook couldn’t help but rethink of how Taehyung had taken care of him. Someone he was arguing with more often than he cared to admit. Two totally irrelevant things but somehow the thought just popped into Jungkook’s head. And he couldn’t just shake it off.

Unconsciously comparing how Taehyung had been with him and his family, Jungkook came to the conclusion that Taehyung was really just that kind of a person. The type that would naturally be considerate regardless of his personal appreciation for the person. Which in Jungkook case, shouldn't be much at all if not, inexistent.

”Thanks. But you don’t have to do that. Apologizing I mean. And you did enough…”

“Please?” Jungkook suddenly said and even to him, the words sounded so foreign. Jungkook wasn’t exactly known for his pleading to say the least. It’s not like he had ever really needed to plead for anything in his life. Truth is it was his first time. But somehow, many of his first time was because of this one man, looking somewhat puzzled. Taehyung didn’t stay long perplexed thankfully. With a brief nod, Taehyung said

“Ok, I know a good place.” Jungkook instantly brightens up, don’t ask him why he was so happy he didn’t know himself, and in a relieved tone, he asked

“Should I get my car then?”

“No, need. Its three blocks from here. We can just walk there. Unless you want to take your car.”

“I don’t mind walking.” With that said, Taehyung exchanged a few words with the owner of the reception hall, and making his way back to Jungkook, he said curtly

“Let’s go?”

While going down the street, Jungkook noticed or rather spotted a rather interesting thing about Taehyung.

It made him wonder just how on earth he had never noticed the mole, the older man had on his nose. It was pretty evident too. He must’ve been staring for quite some time, for Taehyung suddenly pointed out to Jungkook’s embarrassment

“Do I have something on my face?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been staring.” Immediately turning away, Jungkook shoved nervously, again why the was he nervous to begin with? , his hands in his pockets and he asked tentatively, hopefully it would switch his attention elsewhere

“Are we there yet?” Nodding in response, Taehyung said thankfully changing the subject

“Yeah. It’s here.”

Discreetly releasing a sigh of relief, Jungkook briefly ran his eyes at the place, and for better words, the place weren’t that fantastic. It was just an open stand. Yet, the moment Taehyung greeted the old lady cooking behind her barbecue, grilling pork meat, Jungkook realized that no matter how unimpressive the place was, it must’ve held some sort of emotional value to Taehyung. Somehow knowing that warmed Jungkook’s inside. He refused to find out if it was his heart or just his stomach having an indigestion however.

“Oh, isn’t that my little Taetae? It’s been quite a long time since I’ve seen you here.” The friendly older woman said with a loving gaze. Taehyung smiled in return and answered

“Yeah it has been. I’ve really missed your cooking aunty.” The woman laughed pleasingly and shooing him to the only table set a bit further from her stand, the woman said

“I guess you’ll have the usual then.”

“You sure know me well. And two bottle of soju please.”

“It’s coming right up.” Seeming to finally notice Jungkook’s presence, the woman kindly smiled at the younger man and asked

“Oh my. And who is this handsome friend of yours?”

“He’s my student.”

“Oh is he? Tell me handsome student would you be interested in meeting my daughter?”

“The handsome student don’t have that much spare time unfortunately. And Eunji noona wouldn’t like it very much if you try to set her up again.” Taehyung scolded softly, slightly pushing Jungkook away from the older woman’s view and to his seat. The older woman only laughed in reply and handing them two bottle of soju, Taehyung finally sat on the chair facing Jungkook and said

“So it seems like you sure are the son in law material.” Smiling awkwardly about it, Jungkook answered

“Well that’s before they get to know me. After that, it’s a whole different story.”

“I doubt it. With a face like yours, you can be the biggest jerk in the world and yet girls will still dig you.” Taehyung was then about to pour them a glass of soju but Jungkook stopped, took the bottle from the older man’s hand and did it instead. Under Taehyung’s surprise, though in a good way, gaze, Taehyung added

“You’re a tsundere aren’t you?”

“A what?” Jungkook questioned with an eyebrow arch.

“A tsundere? Someone who acts cold at first but gradually warms up.”

“Says the man who has mentally tormented us in doing things his way and being so stubborn as to scold us whenever he could, then suddenly out of nowhere, turns into a mother hen caring for her chick.” Jungkook retorted vehemently, an amused smile on his face. Taehyung took gratefully the cup Jungkook was handing him, set it down and chuckled

“Yeah well it’s my job to scold and teach you.”

“Does it mean you’ll still be the tyrant of professor that you were?” Laughing at the adjective supposed to describe him, Taehyung said

“Tyrant? Seriously? I admit that I’m strict but isn’t it a bit farfetched to call me a tyrant?”

“You made us stay up all night just to clean your office.” Jungkook argues as if to make a point. And he did have a point, unfortunately for Taehyung. Clearing awkwardly his throat, Taehyung explains or at least tried to defend himself

“Oh well it… Ah… It was part of your training. Yeah absolutely. The truth is I wanted to teach you how to be… Orderly.” Jungkook gave him a seriously-you-think-I’ll-buy-that look and so Taehyung admitted with a laugh

“Ok, fine. I admit that at that time I went a little overboard. But I was just extremely annoyed.”

“By who?”

“Can’t you guess?” Taehyung retorted as if the answer was so evident. And it was. Laughing despite his best effort not to, Jungkook said

“I’m sorry.”

“For annoying me that time? Well you should. Now I hope you’ll be more docile.” Taehyung playfully responded before downing his cup of soju in one go. He was about to pour himself another glass but Jungkook beat him to it and poured him instead a cup while saying

“Well if you are going to remain as strict as before, it’s only right if I remain annoying too.” Glaring playfully at Jungkook, Taehyung began

“Aish, you little…”

“I’m not done.”

Taehyung scoffed “Sure you’re not.”

“Like I said I’ll be annoying. But annoyingly obedient.”

Silence.

“You’ve got me on a leash, Professor Kim Taehyung.”

“Taehyung ah?” Auntie’s voice snapped Taehyung out of his daze. Or more like from whatever trance he was in. But seriously, this kid was so strange. Yet adorable. Well, Taehyung wasn’t the type to call just anyone adorable and the fact that he found the young fellow adorable left him more speechless than anything else. Moving over to grab the plate of grilled pork as well as ordering his thoughts, he softly says

“Thanks auntie.”

“No problem. Hope you’ll enjoy it.”

“I’m sure we will.” Taehyung replied before returning to his seat. Taehyung ignored the somewhat warm feeling that rose in his chest at the knowledge that he somehow managed, only God knows how, to win Jeon Jungkook’s favor. Taehyung wasn’t dupe enough to take it for granted though. He knew all too well how much it must’ve cost the kid to actually approve of someone. And that’s how Taehyung felt like. That he was approved.

“Here” Taehyung smiled and offered his student pork meat, as a silent way to thank the other for his acceptance. Something Taehyung had seriously doubted that will ever happen. They hadn’t had a very good start for any kind of friendship after all.

“I guess that now that we’ve made peace I should apologize too.” Taehyung smiled at the confused look Jungkook had and continued

“I’m sorry for failing you. For making you feel uneasy with the way I’ve handle things. I’m not proud for saying this but I’m the type that easily loses my temper and so I tend to make things worse by lying. Or inventing another truth only to deceive and obviously hurt the other. That’s what happened when we first met. Actually, our personality clashed to stay the least.”

“Yeah i remember that.” Jungkook agreed with chuckle. Taehyung nonchalantly put his arms behind his head, and leaning more comfortably at the back of his seat, he added

“I can’t believe you mistook me for an intern. Geez, how could you anyway?”

“Well, you weren’t wearing your blouse and plus you do look like kid. Hell, I thought you were younger than me.” Jungkook retorted and Taehyung feigned disbelief for a moment before they both burst in laughter and Taehyung admitted, half-heartedly

“Ok fine. I do admit that with my face it’s hard to believe that I’m twenty six. It’s a gift from my grandmother. You know that when she turned forty, people still thought she was in her twenties?”

“No way.” Came Jungkook's response, his mouth stuffed with pork meat.

“Yes way.” Taehyung replied, grinning from the bunny image Jungkook somehow gave him with his cheek stuffed like that. Could this really be the first step to a better student/teacher relationship with the untamed boy? Taehyung sure hoped so.