A/n: Sorry for not updating in a long time, I've been busy with school work since it's my last year. But I've literally got a week left before my last day and two weeks before my graduation ( > < ). It's gone so fast! SO I had time to finish this chapter! I promise that the next update won't take as long as this one did–a month max–that I can guarantee. But I've still got 4 WACE exams in November though so I will have to give priority to studying...sadly.

I will also try to speed their relationship up within the next four or so chapters and I will try to update two chapters at a time after my WACE exams are over–which the last two are on the 14th of Nov, so after then.

SO for now, enjoy this chapter~.

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Recap From Chapter 8

"I-i need the toilet, i'll-ll be right back."

Author

Jungkook sat on Taehyung's bed bored, Taehyung still hadn't come back and it had been almost ten minutes. He had found it strange how the other reacted, it was a simple accident it wasn't as if they had done something inappropriate like kiss. He honestly did not understand why the other was so flustered when leaving the room and was very happy to hear three knocks on the door before the handle began to turn letting the other in.

"Oh Jungkook, where's Taehyung?" It was Mr Kim, he had been ordered to collect the two for dinner by Mrs Kim.

"Ah, Mr Kim. He went to the toilet about ten minutes ago, he hasn't come back yet."

"Well let me tell you a motto of mine, 'a man always takes his time', if you get my drift." Mr Kim chuckles at this and Jungkook couldn't help but chortle at it as he definitely understood what Mr Kim was implying, Taehyung was taking a dump. "Okay, well I was told to come collect you two for dinner. If you want to head downstairs, I'll go check on–" Mr Kim was cut off by a constant buzzing sound, his phone was ringing, "ah-excuse me. I have to take this, could you please let Taehyung know for me?"

"Sure thing, Mr Kim." Jungkook offered a polite smile before bowing his head politely as Mr Kim took the phone call heading downstairs. 

Jungkook sighed quietly, leaving the bedroom he attempted to find the bathroom, after opening two of the four rooms with unsuccessful attempts of finding the bathroom, he finally found it as he knew the final room was Taehyung's bedroom.

Knocking three times he called out, "Taehyung? You in there?"

After receiving no response, he tried the handle only to find it locked. Taehyung watched the handle turn a few times, looking in the mirror he sighed. He couldn't get over the incident that happened between them, he could not understand why his heart was beating fast like that. He knew he had been in the bathroom for more than necessary but he couldn't convince himself to move, his courage depleted with every wild thought. What if he thinks I like him, surely he misunderstood? Embarrassing. Wait, was I blushing then? Did he see me blush? Oh god of talking mushrooms, what if he hates me again? I should have never taken his photo! Taehyung couldn't think straight and he did not even bother answering his own internal questions, it was better that way as he never had the answers to them–at least most of the time he didn't. Taehyung snapped his head to the bathroom door when he heard someone knocking. It was Jungkook. Of course, it was with his calming tone Taehyung couldn't help but know it was him immediately. He figured if he kept quiet the other would go away and not bother him. He knew how determined the other was when he set out to do something, it was pretty clear when the younger began to ignore him at school. His heart still clenched at the thought, but he had fixed their newly found friendship, or at least he thought he did, he might have stuffed it back up again by now.

"Taehyung, I know you are in there the door is locked. I came to tell you dinner is done, so will you come out please?"

Taehyung clenched his eyes together, he knew that he couldn't remain quiet. Jungkook knew. So, he meekly muttered a response, "I-i'll be down in a minute, don't wait for me." 

"No, I'm not going down without you," Jungkook voiced back strongly, "besides, what happened was an accident there is no need to be so awkward about it Tae."

Tae. The nickname had come out so comfortably, Jungkook didn't even take notice of it but Taehyung did. He had heard the nickname and it caused his heart to skip a beat, of course, unintentionally. He let a small smile reach his face and he realised that the other had answered his thoughts for him and so he stared into the mirror feeling a little chirpier. The other didn't hate him, they were still friends and Jungkook was still kind to him. Giving himself a confident nod, he backed away and decided he was being silly, whispering to himself some encouraging words, "it didn't mean anything, everything is okay. Jungkook isn't that person. There were no ulterior motives. Besides, Jungkook wouldn't lead me on and he definitely is straight, like ruler straight. So, no need to freak out about an accident. You can do this." 

It was a habit of Taehyung's, talking to himself, but he found it oddly comforting and he knew that if he had found haven in it then many other's did too, so he continued doing it. It was also the only way he could convince himself to do things and think them through clearly–his inner thoughts were always hyped up and messy, swirling about in his head. Taehyung walked over to the door, taking a breath before unlocking the door and facing Jungkook.

"Yeah, you are right. Sorry, I guess I was just embarrassed. I didn't think of the consequences when I pulled you in for the photo." Taehyung giggled quietly, "sorry, Jungkookie."

"Jungkookie?" he frowned whining, "that sounds so babyish!"

If Taehyung was giggling before, now he was belting out a y laugh. The younger had just whined at him, Taehyung couldn't help it when the other suddenly pouted. He reminded him so much of a child. It was adorable, actually.

"Yeah Jungkookie, earlier you called me Tae so. It's only fair." He replied cutely.

Jungkook huffed quietly, "but you called it me earlier in front of your mum. Besides, I didn't call you Tae." 

"Uh, yes you did. I heard you and if it wasn't for that I–nevermind." Taehyung cut himself off before finishing what he was previously saying, receiving a confused look from Jungkook, ignoring it he went back to the main point, "look, I'm telling you called me Tae. You said, 'there is no need to be so awkward about it Tae'. Not Taehyung, but Tae."

Jungkook puffed out his cheeks he knew the older wouldn't let it go, so he stubbornly turned his head puffing out his cheeks. "Can't you at least call me Kookie? It sounds a bit more, less...lame when you say it."

"Okay but only if you keep calling me 'Tae'."

Taehyung watched amusedly as Jungkook contemplated it before nodding, "okay."

Not long after the two joined Taehyung's parents for dinner. Dinner was relatively peaceful, only the clinging of cutlery and plates could be heard. Mr and Mrs Kim didn't want to scare off their son's new friend by questioning him too much and settled on talking after everyone had finished the homecooked meal. Jungkook didn't mind the silence too much, he practically lived it when his mother was not home. It wasn't long before everyone had finished.

Jungkook was the first to initiate the chatter smiling at Mrs Kim, "Thank you, Missus Kim. It was delicious."

"You are welcome honey." She replied before giving a soft look to her husband.

Of course, Mr Kim understood what she was silently asking, "so Jungkook, how did you and Taehyung meet?"

Jungkook made eye contact with Taehyung, who simply smiled at him nodding, "well we have a few classes together, but we sit together in Korean Studies."

"I see, and how long have you lived in this neighbourhood?"

Jungkook took no time to answer, "I've lived here my whole life. My mum and I moved here when I was eighteen months old."

"I hope I'm not prying too much but you said 'my mum and I'. What about your father?" Mr Kim asked politely.

"Ah, it's fine. No, he's not, my Mum said he died eight months after I was born." Jungkook didn't bother looking up from his plate, he didn't want to see their faces full of pity, "but it's okay since I never really got the chance to know him personally. But from what my mum told me, he was the kindest man she had ever met." 

In all honesty, Jungkook loved when his mother told him stories about his father. All the adventures they went on together, all the happy memories that even he was apart of as a baby. He especially loved the days where she would sit and explain the story behind every single photo. It felt as if he was there for every single photo and that he truly knew his father on a different level–a personal one. Jungkook smiled fondly at the thought.

"Well, you've turned into a fine young man regardless of how much you've already been through. Your mother should be proud. Raising you all by herself must have been hard." Jungkook was definitely surprised by their words and looked up. No trace of pity laced their features and he had to admit that he felt the inside of his chest fill with happiness and pride in both their words and reactions. His mother had done an amazing job, it was inevitable. He was in one of the best schools in his hometown, his mother had sustained an office job which earned her a lot of money that she could afford to send Jungkook to nursery school with other children, to middle school and to high school. She was–is–his role model, he is lucky to have someone like her in his life. 

"Okay, well that's enough talk for today." Mrs Kim intervened with a stern but, never-the-less, kind voice, "it's getting very late and I'm sure your mother will be wondering where you have disappeared to."Jungkook was positive that his mother wouldn't be home for another hour or two, but he didn't feel the need to say it. Today had been a long and extremely strange day. He was kind of looking forward to coming home to a silent house for once. It was definitely a change. With that, they all stood up from the table. After bidding goodbye to Mr and Mrs Kim, they went back inside to clear the table, leaving the two to say proper goodbyes. Taehyung was the first to move outside the house, letting Jungkook follow quietly. Turning to the younger, he wrapped his arms around him pulling him into a short hug. 

"Bye Kookie, I will see you tomorrow."

Pulling away, Jungkook mumbled his goodbyes suddenly feeling shy. "Bye Taehyung." 

Jungkook began walking to his own home next door when he heard Taehyung begin to head back inside, before he registered he was already calling out the older's name, "Taehyung?"

"Yeah, Kookie?" He replied looking back at the other with a curious expression.

"Do you want to walk to school with me tomorrow?" He asked shyly.

Jungkook watched as the elder's face morphed from a curious expression to a shocked one before finally settling with a charismatic and triumphant boxy grin, "yeah, that would be awesome."

"Okay then, I'll see you tomorrow morning at 8am. Good night," Jungkook smiled back at the other, "Tae."