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Chapter Text

Jeon Jungkook was only 5 years old when he learnt how to ride a bike. He didn’t even own one at the time, but was curious enough ever since he saw one on TV in one of the Korean dramas his brother likes to watch. Curious, and dumb enough, to borrow his friend Eunwoo’s bike during one of their weekly playdates and inevitably hurt himself while trying hard to balance the damn machine.

With purple bruises on his cheeks and elbows, Jungkook was already prepared to get the nastiest scolding of his long, 5-year life but ended up getting surprised when his mother just took him in her arms, cradling his head while gently applying ointment on his wounds. Only then did Jungkook let out the cries he’s been holding in, letting his mother pamper and coddle him into a slumber. Back then, Jungkook didn’t understand the disapproving look from his father and his silent mumble of his wife spoiling their youngest son too much, but much much later when he’s older, when he no longer needs his mother to soothe his pain, when his parents get a divorce after 10 frustrating years of marriage, when his father moves out of the house and simultaneously Jungkook’s life, does he finally understand.

Now, Jungkook is only 23 years old when his life came crashing down.

Okay, he’s exaggerating, but it sure felt like it the night he was staggering into his family’s bungalow completely inebriated out of his mind after what was supposed to be a sober night out with his friends. He should have known any hang-out with them involving alcohol would not end well, but if there’s one thing Jungkook can’t turn away from is his rowdy group of friends.

“Fuck Mingyu and your mom.” He mumbles to himself as he slowly walks up the stairs to his room, careful not to bump into the glass vase his mother had decided to put in the hallway. His patience was already drawing thin, the urge to plop himself on his king-sized bed rapidly growing as the pounding in his head catches up to his body.

He blinks. The door to his room is already wide open even though he knows he closed it before going out. And the maids couldn’t have forgotten as Jungkook had always emphasised on how important his privacy was to him. People would say he’s just being bossy, but it was just the way he did things around here.

Weary, he takes a peek into his room and screams when he sees a figure standing in the dark right beside his bed, waiting.

He reaches out for the light switch, and feels his heart steadying as he comes face to face with the figure which turned out to he his mother. His very furious-looking mother.

“Eomma! What on earth are you doing, you scared the shit out of me!” The frown on his mother’s face grows deeper and Jungkook can practically see the smoke coming out of Jeon Hyerim’s head, with her doe-like eyes twitching. It’s been a while since he’s ever seen his mother so furious with him.

“Where have you been the whole day Jeon Jungkook?” Her voice was soft, but angry. “Did you forget what today was, what I asked you to do?” Jungkook rewinds back today’s events in his head and blanches as he thinks back on his mother’s words that morning at breakfast.

“Jungkook.” His mother’s voice breaks him out of his trance. He stares up from his kimchi jjigae, eyes bleary. He was still suffering from yesterday’s hangover. It’s been 20 minutes since he had woken up, and he hasn’t had his morning coffee yet, so he was more befuddled than usual.

“I need you to pick up our car from the workshop. It’s inconvenient going to work with a taxi, and those blasted drivers like to charge high prices on purpose. After that you need to pick up Si-Hyuk Ssi. Try to do it as early as possible, so tomorrow won’t be a hassle.”

Jungkook rubs his eyes as an answer. “What’s tomorrow?” His mother merely takes one last sip of her coffee, gathers her suitcase and phone from the counter. “Just do it darling. I expect a car and our driver here when I get home. Love you.”

Jungkook tries to remember if he had seen the car on the way up, but he was too distracted trying to differentiate his right foot from the left one.

Jungkook shuts his eyes in regret. “I’m so sorry Eomma, I truly forgot about it, I swear. I won’t do something like this again, I promise.”

Usually when Jungkook apologises for a mistake he’s made it doesn’t take long for his mother to calm down and eventually forgive him. She’ll scold him one last time, pats his shoulder saying that what’s done is done and there’s nothing they can do about it.

It doesn’t happen this time however, irritation still evident in his mother’s features, and Jungkook doesn’t know what to do so he resorts to looking down at the floor and fiddling with his sweaty hands. His mind doesn’t feel muddled anymore, trust his mother to single-handedly scare him to sobriety.

His mother sighs. “I can’t stand it anymore, Jungkook. You’ve gone too far this time.” Jungkook flinches. Never in his life has he ever heard his mother so disappointed with him. Sure, he fucks up every now and then, but Jungkook always makes sure to be perfect in everything he does. He excels in his studies, was the captain of his high school’s baseball team and valedictorian, and is now following in his mother’s footsteps to work in her business. What more does she want from him?

His mother’s next words answer the questions in his head. “You’re too self-centred, always in your own little world. You care too little of others and expect everything to go your way. Your appa was right, I do spoil you too much.”

When they were married Jungkook’s parents could hardly agree on anything, every conversation of theirs leading to a fight, sometimes he wondered how they got along in the first place. Hearing his mother openly side with his father when he’s not even around is jarring, to say the least.

Jungkook doesn’t think he’s spoiled. He was the youngest son from a rich family, what was he supposed to do? It’s not like he had ever done anything to tarnish the family’s name unlike some of the rich kids he got to know through his mother’s work events. In fact, he always went out of his way to prove he was not like any of them at all. He works tirelessly for his achievements, hell, got into Harvard Law without having his mother use her connections or money.

Unsure of what to do with his silence, Jungkook’s mother speaks up again. This time her tone is undeniably softer. “Look, darling, I know that you plan to have fun and party and whatever you kids like to do before you go off to university, but I can’t help feeling like you’re not…ready.”

It was Jungkook’s turn to frown. “What do you mean?”

His mother takes his hand and guides him to sit beside her on the bed, “Jungkook, you’ve never even cooked a proper meal before.” He opens his mouth to protest but she cuts him off. “I think everyone is capable of making scrambled eggs, darling.” He deflates.

“And you’ve never lived by yourself. You don’t do your laundry, or wash the dishes, or handle your clothes. You don’t even feed Gureum! And it was you who wanted a pet dog in the first place. How am I supposed to feel safe sending you off abroad all by yourself? With no one to help and clean up after your mess?”

“What’s the point of hiring maids in the first place then.” He grumbles.

“That’s not the point. I admit that I’m partially at fault here for providing you too much help, but you can always learn how to do these things on your own. I think it would be good if you take a break, you know, have a change of scenery.”

He doesn’t like where she’s going with this. “You mean, like, on a holiday?”

She huffs. “I think a hotel is barely what you call a transformation from your normal life, no?” He agrees in his head. She moves away to grab something on his nightstand, handing it over to him to get a closer look. When he reads the words on the thick piece of paper, he gasps.

His mother had printed out a ticket for a bullet train ride from Seoul to Daegu, the big number 1 at the right side indicating that she had only booked a seat for one person. But that was not what caught his attention. The train was scheduled to leave Seoul tomorrow at 10 in the morning. Utter madness.

He grips it tightly. “I don’t understand. Why Daegu? Why are you doing this? This isn’t even necessary! You’re being dramatic, Eomma!”

Despite his increasingly frantic state, his mother stays calm. “I’ve made plans for you to live with Halmeoni for two months. She owns that hostel, remember? It would be a good experience for you, living there, being independent. And she’ll teach you a lot of things and you can learn how to live with other people aside from me. Your brother can do it, and so should you.”

Namjoon had left for medical school in New York a year ago. Jungkook had cried so hard when their family sent him off at the airport, not caring for propriety as he was too affected from the idea of his brother leaving him behind. He loves his mother, don’t get him wrong, but she’s infuriating sometimes, while he and his brother always understood each other.

They had completely different personalities, Jungkook tends to act on his reckless side, while Namjoon was calculative, steady. Everyone thinks it’s a wonder how they had formed such a strong camaraderie despite being opposites, but Jungkook doesn’t think so. Namjoon has always been easy to love, and he loves easily. Which is why Namjoon can gladly accept Jungkook, rules and tantrums and all.

Jungkook admires his brother, his mother knows this and uses it to her advantage. At the mention of Namjoon Jungkook’s complaints dies down and he begins to actually comprehend the thought of going to Daegu.

“I have all the things you need already packed in a suitcase, love, so you don’t need to worry about that. Just get some sleep and we can go to the station together tomorrow. Now go and take a shower, you smell like alcohol.”

His mother already had his things packed. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. He tries to choose his next words carefully. “How long have you planned this? Were you just waiting for me to fuck up so you have an excuse to send me away? Is that it?”

Seeing his mother not even attempting to deny his accusations was already enough.

“I’m only trying to help you, Jungkook. Yes, I’ve been thinking about this, I was just finding the right time to tell you. You still disappointed me today, and I was really mad at you. But it has little to do with sending you to Daegu. And don’t swear at me, I’m your mother.”

Jungkook takes in a deep breath. The tiredness is starting to catch up to him, and God knows how long an argument with his mother can last if he didn’t back down first.

He lies down on the bed, curling his body, making him look smaller on the large bed. “I’m sleepy.” His mother can have her way, send him to Daegu for all he cares, but he’s not going to take a shower no matter how disgusting he feels right now. It would be a symbol of defeat.

His mother sighs like she had known his whole thought process, and silently pulls a blanket over his figure while giving him a forehead kiss goodnight. Like Jungkook’s best friends would say, “Not spoiled, my ass.”

“You sure you have everything?” Namjoon’s voice through his phone’s speaker breaks the silence in the otherwise silent car ride.

He doesn’t know how, but he wakes up to find the car and driver Si-hyuk at the front yard. Obviously, Jungkook’s mother didn’t need his help in the first place.

“Well I wouldn’t know, since people were packing my stuff behind my back.” Jungkook answers, not hiding the sour look he sends to his mother from the backseat. Usually she sits beside Jungkook while their driver sits alone at the front, but the tension between them today was thicker than usual.

Nobody wants to be near an angry Jeon Jungkook.

He noticed Namjoon getting ready, putting on the red beanie Jungkook got him as a “going away and you better come back or I’ll personally murder you” gift. Namjoon grinned and gave him a kiss on the cheek when he said that.

“You going somewhere?” Namjoon picks up his phone and shoves his face into the camera. He’s smiling! On the most miserable day of Jungkook’s life? And he’s supposed to be the self-centred one.

“We’re going to this night festival near our university. There’s gonna be cheap beer and trashy music. It’s very classy.”

“Don’t you have mid-terms to worry about?“ Jungkook asks, but Namjoon ignores his question.
“Have a safe trip, loser. Try not to piss Halmeoni off on the first day.” His brother teases.

Jungkook sticks out his tongue at him, a real mature move. “Halmeoni loves me. You’ll see. In two months I’ll take away your favourite grandson title, and she’ll forget she even knew a Namjoon.”

His mother’s deliberate cough cuts their conversation, and Jungkook looks out the car window to see they had already arrived at the train station. He says goodbye to Namjoon, and they end the Facetime call.

Jungkook pointedly doesn’t look at his mother as their driver takes out his big-sized suitcase from the trunk while giving Jungkook a large smile he could barely reciprocate. Was everyone silently celebrating him leaving? Did Si-hyuk ssi also think of him as an irresponsible, selfish guy too spoiled for his own good?

As they take the escalator to the train platform, Jungkook’s mother brushes his hair off his forehead. She had expressed her dislike of his decision to grow it out, saying that it would be nice to see her son’s eyebrows every once in a while, which motivated Jungkook to not cut his hair even more. He’s glad that he did something against his mother’s wishes today, contrary to him going Daegu, doing exactly what his mother wants.

“Call me when you reach, okay? And you remember the hostel’s name, don’t you? I don’t want the taxi driver to send you off in the middle of nowhere. Some parts of the countryside are better to stay away from.”

She continued to ramble on, and Jungkook offhandedly listens, his eyes too busy scanning his surroundings. The platform was crowded, with the number of bags being carried around seemingly more than the actual people. Most of the crowd were families with children, the excited look on their faces contrasting the sad downturn of his lips.

He knows he’s being petty, but he likes it here. He’s comfortable with his routine, having breakfast prepared by his maids, meeting his friends, going on walks with Guruem, going to the gym, visit the bar Mingyu works at if he feels like getting drunk, go to sleep, and repeat it again the next day. Others might find it mundane, but he thinks it’s neat that he has something to do everyday.

What’s going to be his routine when he’s living the countryside? He doubts that the village his grandmother lives in has a functioning gym or a bar that doesn’t smell like old people.

An announcement rang from the speakers alerting that the train was leaving in 10 minutes, and that passengers need to be on board by five. Jungkook gives his mother a farewell bow, not meeting her eyes. But before he could turn his back on her, she wraps her thin arms around Jungkook hesitantly, trying to coax the warmth out of him. It’s a known fact that it’s hard for Jeon Hyerim to ever resist her youngest son’s wishes, but what few knows is that it’s much, much harder the other way around.

After what feels like an eternity Jungkook returns his mother’s embrace, and for that one millisecond, he was that 5 year old who came running to his mother for comfort after a particularly hard day.

“I love you.” She assures him, tiptoeing higher to pat his head. If Jungkook wasn’t hugging her tightly before, he definitely was now. “Love you too.” He murmurs so softly that she almost never heard him.

They let go of the hug, and Jungkook doesn’t miss the wetness in his mother’s eyes. “Be a good boy. Don’t give halmeoni a hard time, alright? Take care of her.”

Jungkook nods. “I will. Bye, Eomma. See you in two months.”

Even when Jungkook has settled down in his seat by the window, he twists his head to see his mother still at the platform, waving excitedly when they make eye contact. He rolls his eyes, but waves back nonetheless. The train doors beep before sealing shut. He was about to put on his headphones when he noticed familiar figures running towards the direction of the train, one of them (he later learns, is Mingyu) holding a signboard that clearly says his name.

Fuck. He should have known his friends would be dramatic about this. He can’t hear anything they’re saying because of the soundproof windows but he guesses it’s along the lines of “have a safe trip” by Deokyeom, a “come back soon fucktard” by Yugyeom accompanied with Eunwoo’s middle finger while Mingyu waves the signboard around.

He takes a picture of the scene while waving at them, giggling uncontrollably. Before he knew it, the gate outside the train blocks his view, and he was already off to Daegu, his heart pounding wildly against his chest.

Chapter Text

Jungkook was definitely not in a good mood as he gets off the train and hails for a taxi.

He feels his eyes become droopy 30 minutes into the ride, the slow speed of the taxi and the soft music playing from the car’s speakers lulling him into a deep slumber.

He doesn’t know how but he wakes up exactly when the driver makes the final turn to their destination and secretly wipes off his drool onto the black graphic t-shirt he’s wearing. He drops Jungkook off at a small shelter with a rusty sign that says “taxi”.

“All the hostels are over there.” The man points to a hill nearby.

Jungkook makes his way to the hill, slowly regretting his choice of thick baggy sweatpants, making the summer heat more unbearable. He hopes that his grandmother’s hostel has an air conditioner because he doesn’t know how he’s able to withstand this icky feeling for two months.

He’s not weak, his daily gym sessions ensures that, but he still pants a little after going up the steep cobbled staircase leading to the hostels. He tries to ignore the obvious stares directed towards him, probably thinking how out of place someone like him is, with his platformed oxfords and Rolex watch donning his wrist.

Reading each hostel’s name, he scowls when he realises that none of them was his grandmother’s. Did the driver drop him off at the wrong place? His hands start to feel clammy, and it’s not just from the heat of the sun.

He scans the area to ask for help, and notices a group of old ladies gathering around a round table overlooking the village and approaches them warily. “Um. Excuse me?”

They all turn their heads towards him, eyes scanning him like hawks looking at their prey. He speaks up again. “Do you know where the Hyerim Hostel is? The taxi driver told me it would be here.”

Their faces light up in recognition, looking at each other as if it was an inside joke. “Hyerim Hostel is quite a long way from here, son. You have to walk on the road further, there’s another village near the mountainous area over there.“ One of them says.

“Is it possible to call a taxi? Weather’s very hot right now, I don’t think I can walk the journey.” He lets out a forced laugh.

They all seem to find his troubles amusing however, smiling knowingly. “Taxis come here once in a blue moon, boy. The only way you can get one is if you come here with it. But don’t worry! We ahjummas are always walking to that village. It’s good exercise. Young men like you need to start living healthy or you’ll get sick easily.”

Jungkook tries to bite back an argument that they don’t need to make the journey with a heavy suitcase but he doesn’t want them to kick him out of the conversation.

Then, one of them catches sight of something, or someone, going up the hill and beckons them towards the table enthusiastically. “Taehyung-ah!”

“Son, it’s your lucky day. Taehyung lives at that part of the village, always walking to and fro. He can take you there. Don’t worry, he’s a nice man.”

Jungkook turns his head towards this Taehyung who’s walking up the hill, and he freezes when they lock gazes with each other.

Taehyung is, to Jungkook’s surprise, a (beautiful) young man with glistening tanned skin and wide shoulders, black hair falling over sharp eyes. Yeah sure, Jungkook gasped a little at the sight of him, but no one has to know that. He’s only wearing a plain white shirt and a pair of brown corduroys, but Jungkook can’t bring himself to look away.

He does eventually though. He doesn’t want to seem like a creep in front of what may be the hottest man he’s ever seen. Said man places himself beside Jungkook, his presence large but warm. He glances at Taehyung’s side profile, and oh my god is Jungkook blushing right now? Get over yourself!

“Can I help you?” Taehyung smiles, eyes focused on the aunties like he couldn’t even see Jungkook there. Jungkook huffs, crosses his arms at the lack of attention.

“This young man is searching for Hyerim Hostel. It’s on your way home right? You should make sure he finds it.” Jungkook tries to look at Taehyung from the corner of his eye to see his reaction. Taehyung catches his gaze however, it’s only their second eye contact of the day and yet Jungkook’s mind is already in a frenzy. “If you don’t mind.” Jungkook adds.

Taehyung bites his lip as if in thought, “I don’t mind. As long as you can keep up.”

Jungkook scoffs. Typical. Go ahead, underestimate the city boy, see what happens. “I’ll be just fine, actually.” He pulls back his suitcase, bows to the aunties and heads to the staircase. He’s not afraid of heights, but the steepness of the stairs combined with the suitcase’s heavy weight makes him hesitate a little. He was about to grip the railing when–

A hand snatches the suitcase away, and Jungkook just…stares. His mouth hangs open when Taehyung drags his suitcase down the hill by the grass, something Jungkook should have done before. Taehyung sends Jungkook a deadpan look once he reaches the bottom, as if to call Jungkook dumb.

I’ll show him how smart I can be, Jungkook thinks.

He catches up to Taehyung, not before using the opportunity to stare at Taehyung’s forearms in the sun and his hair tousled from the wind. “I can do it myself, Taehyung-ssi.” Jungkook says petulantly.

Taehyung ignores him. Doesn’t even look at Jungkook as he says his next words. “Do you know that we’re experiencing a heat wave right now? Did you check the weather forecast?” Jungkook frowns at him. He still doesn’t spare Jungkook a glance.

“What makes you think I didn’t? Not like the weather in Seoul is much different anyways.” Except in Seoul, Jungkook doesn’t have to do this much walking and barely spends time under the sun, but he refuses to admit this to Taehyung.

“You’re from Seoul? Should have expected that.” Taehyung finally turns to look at him  

Jungkook frowns. “Born and raised. You have something against that?” The growing smirk on Taehyung’s face is obvious, Jungkook thinks he’s so annoying. Taehyung was obviously about to respond, but a loud thunder interrupts him.

It’s then Jungkook notices how dark the skies were turning, grey clouds covering up what was once a clear blue canvas. They have already reached the roads, the previous part of the town out of sight, but Jungkook knows that by the time they reach the hostel, they will be drenching wet from the rain.

At least we’ll both be wet, Jungkook figures, until Taehyung takes out something from his pocket which at first looked like a small red bag but quickly transforms into a raincoat which he puts on himself.

Meanwhile, Jungkook stares. Of course he didn’t have a raincoat. Hell, he didn’t even bring an umbrella.

Taehyung stops when he notices Jungkook pause in his tracks. It has started to drizzle, and he wants to cry. “Do you not have anything to shield yourself?” Taehyung questions. Jungkook shakes his head weakly, and Taehyung sighs. “Well then. We’d just have to continue walking. Let’s not waste more time, yeah?”

Taehyung takes a step forward, but Jungkook won’t have it. “Taehyung-ssi.” Taehyung blinks. “Yes?” Jungkook feels the rain get heavier and feels water seeping into his clothes. “I-I- get colds very easily.” He admits. He can’t believe what he’s about to ask, embarrassment creeping in and his cheeks warm despite the cold. He decides not to say anything else, reaches out closer to Taehyung, “I mean, aren’t you used to the rain?”

Taehyung’s eyes enlarge in understanding, but he doesn’t move to take off his raincoat and give it to Jungkook like Jungkook so desperately wants.

This is the part where the person would drop everything just to get Jungkook whatever he wants, the second Jungkook shoves his doe eyes at their faces, pursing his lips into a small pout if necessary. It’s supposed to work, and yet, Taehyung doesn’t seem to fumble.

Then the man gives him a warm smile which makes him hopeful, but Taehyung breaks that feeling in an instant. “Well damn man I can’t control the weather.” And he walks forward again. His jaw slacks. That bastard!

Jungkook starts imagining different scenarios of him sending Taehyung to his death, ranging from him getting electrocuted to getting hit by a car in the middle of nowhere. Just mild things, really. He sends daggers to Taehyung’s back, as if his eyes could kill Taehyung by themselves. Jungkook can’t help throw a middle finger while he’s at it.

They walked for what seemed like miles, going through long, zig-zagged slopes made of uneven cobbled paths and finally stops at a two storey house that looked like it came straight out of Jungkook’s nightmare, only because it made everything more real.

Jungkook was also very, very, wet. Taehyung goes to open the sliding door to Halmeoni’s hostel, Jungkook practically glued to him in tow. He’s already shivering by now.

They are invited by two curious eyes in what seems to be the common room with a low table in the middle and a TV that looks like it came straight from the 90s. Their eyes skim over to Taehyung and one of them, a blonde-haired man, finally notices Jungkook and nears him. “Hey, you’re shivering!”

Jungkook opens his mouth to dismiss it, but the guy is already moving upstairs. “Wait a second, I’ll go get you a towel.”

The other man in the living room gives Jungkook a careful smile. “I’ll fetch you hot water.”

He finds Taehyung looking at him. “You should take a bath. You’ll get colder if you stay in these clothes.”

“Oh, so now you care?” Taehyung shakes his head. “You’re making the carpet wet.”

“Jungkook-ah!” A voice that he has not heard for a breaks their intense eye contact, and Jungkook’s grandmother practically leaps from the stairs to embrace him.

“Hi, Halmeoni.” Jungkook has to severely bend down to hug her now, but when he wraps his arm around her shoulders, she still feels sturdy as ever.

The hug didn’t last long though as his grandmother hurriedly pulls away. “My heavens you’re soaking!”

Just then the blonde-haired man comes down with towels wraps one around Jungkook’s shoulder and one draped on his head.

They bring Jungkook to sit and the other man from before comes out of the kitchen with a whole tea set. “Hasn’t been 10 minutes since you got here and the weather is already unkind to you. Here, this is good tea.”

His grandmother pats his cheek. “I’ll heat up porridge.” He opens his mouth to protest but his grandmother is already up to the kitchen. For an old woman, she moves fast.

“So…did Taehyung find you?” The blonde-haired man asks. The man of the subject has already ditched his raincoat to the side and goes to sit opposite Jungkook. Jungkook makes eye contact with him again while carefully sipping from his cup.

“Do all of you live here?” Jungkook asks instead. He’s genuinely curious. Jungkook expected Halmeoni’s few guests to be tourists around her age but these man look so comfortable around her and are definitely only in their 20s.

“Me and Hoseok do. We work at the barber shop nearby. I’m Jimin by the way.”

“Thank god Taehyung found you. It kinda slipped off our minds you were coming today, or else we would have fetched you. Hope Taehyung didn’t bore you too much.” He’s obviously teasing the other man, who only makes a tsk sound at Hoseok, but his eyes are smiling.

“You don’t live here?” He directs the question to Taehyung. Jimin scoffs. “He has a mansion overlooking the entire town, anywhere else is way below his level.”

“Shut up, it’s not a mansion. Gosh, why do i still hang out with you guys?”

“You loveeee us.” Hoseok sing-songs.

Jungkook finds himself staring at Taehyung’s small smile as he interacts with Jimin and Hoseok. He seems so much more at ease than he was with Jungkook earlier, looking like the opposite of the man with tense shoulders and permanently furrowed, but beautiful eyebrows.

They make eye contact again, but it was as fleeting as it was tense. Taehyung moves to get up and he isn’t looking at Jungkook anymore. “I need to run some errands. The electricity in Yoongi’s house might go off again.”

Hoseok lets out a snicker. “Better hurry or he’ll get grumpy if he stays away from his books for too long.” Taehyung peers his head inside the kitchen to say goodbye to Halmeoni, waves to the three of them and leaves in a flash. Jungkook notes that it’s still pouring outside. “Is he always so…”

“Awkward?” Jimin offers. “Taehyung doesn’t do well with new people, don’t worry. It took him 2 months for him to stop calling me Jimin-ssi when i first moved to town.”

“It took him a month for me.” Hoseok retorts.

“Anyway…” Jimin ignores him. “He’s a good guy though. Has a stick up his ass 90% of the time but that’s life when you’re gonna be the next town chief.”

Town chief? Is that why he has a so-called mansion? He’s about to ask but his Halmeoni comes out bringing a huge pot and practically forces the food down his throat.

Conversation flows easily between his grandmother, Jimin and Hoseok. It’s clear they see each other as family, with the way they tease and joke around.

Jungkook just listens to their conversation, not contributing aside from a few nods because he just feels so warm. He can sleep right then and there now that his teeth is not chattering anymore.

“Hey, Jungkook! Come on you should take a bath. You’re gonna get a cold, goodness.” Jimin and Hoseok drags him to the bathroom. He giggles inwardly as he feels like they’re coddling him like a baby. 

He steps foot into the bathroom, but freezes as he realises something. “Is there…is there no hot water?”

Jimin and Hoseok look at each other. “I think less than 5 people in this town even have a heater. We’re so used to cold showers now.”

“And I heard cold water is actually healthier for your body!” Hoseok grins as if this isn’t the 2nd worst news Jungkook has heard in his whole life.

“Don’t use too much water!” And they close the bathroom door. Jungkook falls to his knees and lets out a silent scream.

He spends less than 5 minutes trying to bathe himself, wincing every time the cold water hits his skin. 

When he’s done, he finds the hostel pitch black except for the light from the kitchen and goes up to his room. It’s definitely a downsize from his room at home, with just a single bed in the middle and a wooden dresser near the window.

“Jungkook-ah.” He lets out a yelp when his Halmeoni suddenly appears at his doorway.  “You scared me.” 

She smiles fondly. “Don’t forget to tell your mother you’ve reached here. I already called her, but I know she’s still worrying about you.”

Jungkook chuckles with her. “You’re right. I will, Halmeoni. Good night. And…thank you for letting me stay here.” He bows 90 degrees at her. 

“Tsk, you’re not a guest Jungkook.” She rolls her eyes. Seems like the attitude runs in the family. “You’re family. I don’t want you to feel like this is some sort of boarding school who’s tasked to straighten you out.” 

He pouts. “Hey! What did Eomma tell you about me?”

His grandmother smiles. ”Goodnight, kookie. We need to wake up early tomorrow. And call your mother.” She reminds sternly before closing the door, leaving Jungkook alone. 

After he settles down on the bed, he texts his mother. The signal is terrible, as expected. 

To: Mom

I reached a few hours ago. going to sleep now

When the message gets through, it’s read immediately.

From: Mom

Finally messaged me!! Love you darling. Miss you already

He sends her a heart thumbs up emoji just to be petty, but immediately feels bad. 

To: Mom

Yeah ok love you too i guess

He unconsciously drops his phone from his hand as he goes off to dreamland for a few hours, before having to go back to his real life nightmare.