Upon hearing Yejun and the others will be coming over to celebrate the festival together, Taehyung's heart was so frazzled it wanted to jump right out of his chest! He was even more nervous than he had been when he went to visit the Jeon family for the first time. The only difference between these two occasions was that, this time around, excitement is what he felt more than anything else.
"Seriously?" Taehyung, not daring to believe this news, asked incessantly, "Aunty Su and the others are really coming here? You're not pulling my leg, right? What about grandpa Jeon? Is he coming with them?"
"Of course he'll be coming with them," Jungkook tsk-ed, reaching out to pinch the chattering man's cheek before adding, "Didn't I already mention that?" Didn't you want to celebrate New Year's together with everyone? Aren't you satisfied?"
"But, but..." Taehyung babbled incoherently, grabbing that spendthrift, named Jungkook—tightly. "But here is so far away, and it's also so cold. How are they, how c—"
"How-how-how-how," Jungkook interrupted him, saying coldly, "See that, I stuttered out the rest of that word for you, so for the love of God, can you please not say it again."
Right now, Taehyung ignored that sharp tongue of his, only feeling how his own brain had become a muddled mess while he gazed at Jungkook with eyes full of yearning. Thus that man, who was unable to bear such a eager gaze directed towards him, conceded. "I told them that your grandfather already knew about us, and since the desire was there for both families to get together for a meal, they felt there couldn't be a better auspicious day to meet so they might as well do so during the celebration of the new lunar year. Both families will unite. Is all of it clear now?"
Taehyung nodded, then immediately shook his head right after. Obviously, he understood what was said, but he still nonetheless felt shocked! But without a doubt, what he felt the most was touched—as well as excited. Grandpa Jeon, along with the others, going as far as journeying to such a distant place to observe the Spring Festival together with them was simply something he would not even dare think!
Seeing a stupefied look still sprawled all over the lad's face, Jungkook gently stroked his hair as he said, "Don't go crying again, you crybaby."
"I won't," Taehyung rebuked, though the tone of his voice had a very tiny difference in how it sounded normally.
Reaching out to take the smaller man into his embrace, Jungkook went on to say, "Granddad said he was worried about letting Grandpa go over there on his own, he was worried your grandad wasn't accustomed. Plus, since he himself had been travelling all over since his youth, making the journey here wouldn't be, in any way, difficult for himself."
"But, this will be too taxing on granddad and your parents, on top of that, it's the dead of winter." Taehyung was still very sorry for the inconveniences they would face.
"Last winter, grandad went up the mountain with some guys to see the snow, so if he were to climb the mountains here, you're the one who'd most likely be unable to catch up to him."
"..." Taehyung chose to remain silent. Truthfully, he really could not climb.
What the lad never expected though, was that Grandpa was also aware of granddad and the rest's arrival. From the beginning, Jungkook had informed Grandpa a couple of days in advance, and the two of them simply kept it from Taehyung, and nothing more. Although the younger man was taken aback by them keeping him in the dark, he also felt that apart from this Kookie, who else would express such sneaky behavior?
That afternoon, Taehyung and Jungkook made their way to the train station to pick up the three family members. When the lad saw the eldest man arrive, he could not help but rush over and embrace the old man. Shocked by the youth's embrace, grandpa Jeon looked over to Jungkook who just shrugged in response, followed by a tear-wiping action.
In an instant, he understood. Now patting Taehyung's back, he laughed, "Why do you look so much like a kid right now?"
That kid released the older fellow, then called out to Yejun as well as Jihoon at their side, "Aunty, Uncle."
"Hiya," Yejun replied with a laugh, with Jihoon also responding with a nod.
Taehyung and Grandpa lived in a two-bedroom, single-living-room flat; therefore, it could not accommodate this many people. Plus, Taehyung was embarrassed to make them stay in such a humble house, so he looked for a cozy and clean hotel in the town, which also had to be close by, to book a room for them.
The two then accompanied granddad and company for a meal, and afterward, they sent the older folks off to their hotel, as after the long and hard journey, they were all a bit tired.
"Aunty, to you and the others, thank you for taking the trouble to come, really," with reddened eyes, and before they parted, Taehyung confessed to Yejun.
"We're all family here, so there's no need to say such things. All I hope is that we're not causing trouble for you and your Grandpa." Yejun gave him a doting smile.
"You're no trouble, at all. Grandpa is very excited. He said the house was now very lively, so please don't worry yourself over it." Taehyung shook his head as he spoke.
"Then, that's good. It's getting late now, so hurry and get back home, okay." Yejun patted his shoulder.
"Alright. I'll come tomorrow to pick all of you up then," Taehyunng declared.
On that very night, when it was Taehyung's turn to fall asleep, he could not. With his arms wrapped around Jungkook's neck intimately, he declared excitedly, "Did you know, that in my family, there's never been this many people to celebrate the new year with? Just the very thought of granddad and your parents eating the spring festival's eve dinner together makes me extremely excited."
"Such a small gift makes you this happy?" Jungkook wore a raised brow as his fingers tapped gently against Taehyung's waist.
Taehyung pondered on it for a while, feeling he should properly reward this Kookie. Therefore he took this opportunity to nip at the man's ear, then whisper a few words.
That man's tapping fingers stopped, moving to firmly grip the lad's buttocks instead, his voice low as he spoke, "Those were your words—you can't back out or beg for mercy later."
Every time Jungkook spoke in that gritty, low tone carrying those slivers of sensuality, it caused all kinds of titillation in his heart; making his face flush for a moment before he compliantly responded, "Whatever you say."
Those words allowed that place below Jungkook's abdomen to grow heated; while his hand grew forceful—pressing the other tightly onto his own lower waist, then pulling away those hinder some trousers of the lad before he nimble snuck his hand in.
Taehyung's neck contracted; the heat of his entire body increasing thanks to that man's actions, while the thing between his legs stiffened. Fearing the elderly man would detect his voice, he was left with the sole option of tightly clenching his teeth so as to not make a sound.
Jungkook held both of theirs together, using the friction between them to achieve a mutual release, resulting in a slick-covered palm.
taehyung leaned against him, panting lightly, as Jungkook used a paper towel to help the younger man wipe himself clean, followed by going off to wash his hands; returning to lie on the bed and then holding the other man in his arms.
"Accept this bit as some interest paid in advance. When we return, I'll sort you out properly." Jungkook kissed the top of his head. "Let's get some sleep."
"Goodnight, Kookie." Taehyung snuggled against the man, drifting into sleep perfectly satisfied.
"..." Jungkook remained silent for a few seconds before issuing his reply: "Goodnight."
The next day, Grandpa borrowed a vehicle from his neighbour's family so Jungkook and Taehyung could go pick up grandpa Jeon and the two others to bring them all back to the house.
When they all arrived back at the front yard, Grandpa put aside his work, and going outside to welcome them. Walking towards him, grandpa Jeon faced the other old man waving and joy in his voice, "Old friend, hello there."
"Hello, hello." Grandpa also walked forward, the two old men shaking hands and then patting each other on their backs.
Jihoon and Yejun, who stood beside them, also both said their hellos, while Grandpa nodded happily, greeting them all and then ushering them all inside to sit. Taehyung and Jungkook also followed along, before going to make them tea.
While waiting for the tea to brew, those two old men chatted away, with Grandpa going to the cupboard to grab his chess board sometime in between, intending for them to swap pointers during a couple or more games. Grandpa Jeon from the start had thought the two of them would hit it off right off the bat, as they now started a game of chess on the side.
Yejun and Jihoon also chatted with each other while warming up by the fire.
After giving them each a serving of tea, Taehyung took a seat beside Yejun, a bit of awkwardness around him, "Aunty, this house is simple and crude, so please don't mind it."
"What are you talking about? It's quite alright," Yejun said happily, taking a gander at the two old ones playing chess before adding, " Granddad had been talking non-stop about wanting to play a few rounds with your grandad. Right now, he's as happy as can be."
Taehyung smiled along with her, keeping her and Jihoon company as he sat next to them conversing.
At noon, everyone ate a simple meal. After Taehyung ate his lunch, he then began preparing the family dinner. Before, only he and Grandpa made it together, but today that man was in charge of accompanying granddad in a round of chess, so Taehyung made Jungkook his second in command in terms of assisting him.
"Tae, where are you off to? I'll come to give you a hand." Yejun rolled up her sleeves.
"Oh...no—you don't have to do that, you and Uncle should just sit back, and take it easy," Taehyung hurriedly waved. "Jungkook is quite awesome, he can light the fire."
"I for one can for sure only sit back since I'll just be more of a hindrance than any assistance. But with that said, just let Yejun help you out, alright? Her cooking is very delicious," Jihoon said joyfully.
"Kookie lit the fire? And he didn't burn down the stove," Yejun teased.
"Then I'm sorry for troubling you, Aunty," taehyung, stifling back his laughter, nodded, declining the invitation no longer. Jungkook really was not that much help, and as he thought about it, his eyes turned to Jungkook, his head shaking from side to side in disappointment.
Taking a radish to peel, Jungkook, after he understood what that boy had meant, had another type of radish he was itching to grab hold of by its root and slice clean off.
Having the god-teammate: Yejun providing aid, Jungkook: the pig teammate, was thus exiled to the yard to wash the vegetables; and even before his departure, he was given the cold shoulder by those two.
As he washed the huge pile of vegetables before him, that kookie was already filling up the bill in his heart, just biding his time until they went back after the new year so that Saltfish could settle this bill.
When Taehyung went out to take the green veggies he saw that man sitting on the short stool, his tall back bent slightly at the waist, with his feet apart as he washed the radishes, celery, scallions, and napa cabbage clean.
He walked over, rubbing Jungkook's back from behind, leaning over closely before looking over and asking, "Are you done washing them?"
Jungkook was in no mood to pay attention to him, simply putting a head of napa cabbage into the water while remaining indifferent.
Thinking an angry Kookie was extremely cute, Taehyung, taking advantage of the empty yard, wrapped one arm around Jungkook's neck then reached into the vegetable washing basin with the other, grabbing the taciturn man's hand while asking, "Is the water too cold? Do you want me to get you some hot water to add to it?" Afraid Jungkook would not be able to endure washing the veggies in the cold, Taehyung mixed in some water to make the water warm on his behalf.
Jungkook scoffed, saying, "Cold-hearted."
"Pfft!" Taehyung was unable to stop his laughter from escaping, moving to embrace him and ask, "Why are you mad, huh?"
"Hmph." Jungkook tossed the napa cabbage into the water, "Do you believe I won't sort you out right now?"
"I believe it—I believe it!" Taehyung kissed his neck to curry his favor, saying, "Even though your fire lighting technique for the stove needs some work, the soups you make are my absolute favorite."
"It's too late for that," Jungkook huffed, leaning his head to the side because the places where Taehyung kissed grew ticklish, saying, "My neck itches."
"I'll scratch it for you then, " Taehyung said, reaching over to help him scratch it just as the man added, "Use your mouth."
"..." Taehyung shoved him, "You're too much!"
"My neck itches," Jungkook repeated.
Taehyung knew he would again kick up a fuss in order to be coaxed, so after glancing back at the house and noticing no one was paying any mind to where they were, he moved closer to Jungkook to kiss his neck; to his surprise, before he met that place, that man turned his head abruptly causing Taehyung's lips to land on his own in the end.
"..." Taehyung yanked himself away from him, glaring at him with widened eyes, "How could you!" then picked up the vegetables and returned to the kitchen.
Looking on at his retreating figure, with lips raised into a curve, Jungkook revealed a smile saying: I got away with it while saying cheerily, "You wanna take me on, as if."
Taehyung and Yejun packed the large table with dishes. There were at least two dishes of everyone's favorite dish, meat-based dishes, vegetable-based dishes, main staples, snacks, desserts, and whatever else could be thought of there. The entirety of that huge circular table was packed full.
"It's been a long time since this house had been this lively," Grandpa sighed. "For the years that have passed, Tae and I were the only two celebrating the festival, and this old man here even had to endure keeping this ritual by himself for some years."
"To make sure it'll always be this lively, tell me when you'll be dropping by to play with me old friend?" granddad asked.
"When there's a chance, I'll go," Grandpa laughed, lifting a cup to toast, saying, "Come, come, come—let's touch glasses. Thank you all for traveling from far to come to visit us here, this is our Tae's good fortune."
"We're family, there's no need for such courtesy between family. Kookie being able to be together with Tae is his own good fortune." Grandpa Jeon said from beside him in a toast.
"I am blessed," Jungkook stated, his hand gripping Taehyung's under the table.
Taehyung looked towards him, quietly gripping his in return.
Afterward, the big family sat together chatting and watching the broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala. When it was past ten o'clock, Jungkook dropped grandad and his parents back at their hotel.
Before leaving the hotel, Yejun gave Taehyung three red envelopes, explaining, "There's one for each of you two, along with one to give to your grandad."
"... No, I can't take these," Taehyung replied urgently, but at the same time, Jungkook reached over and took them. "Thanks, Ma."
Taehyung glanced at him, silent. Left with no option but to say to Yejun, "Thank you, Aunty."
Yejun chuckled, "Why are you still calling me Aunty?"
Taehyung's face flushed, as he then whispered, "Thank you, Mom."
"Aye!" Yejun nodded satisfyingly, "What a good child."
Upon their return to the house, Grandpa has already turned in and all the lights in the house along with the television were still left on. As per the village's custom, from Festival's Eve till the second or third day of the year, leaving the lights and television on would allow the god of wealth to come in.
Taehyung went to Grandpa's room, placing the red envelope at his bedside. Three of the packets in total: one for him, one for Jungkook, in addition to one for the elderly man.
Once he came out of the room he saw Jungkook sitting by the fire, fiddling with something. Walking over to take look, he noticed the other was turning over two sweet potatoes that were put into the fire to bake, shaking off the ashes, then resting them on the ground beside him.
Taehyung sat beside him, taking a sweet potato to begin peeling, and reminiscing about the day's earlier events. Jungkook sat by quietly, listening, waiting for him to finish speaking before lowering his head to touch the one belonging to the lad, saying: "Later, I'll accompany you in seeing the festival."
"Okay." Taehyung's eyes curved as he smiled, "You're very kind."
"Mhm." Jungkook gave him a "you know it well" expression in return.
As midnight approached, firecrackers and fireworks had begun being released throughout the village. Taehyung and Jungkook, therefore, took the fireworks they prepared to the roof, lighting them.
The firework emitted a high-pitched cry, shooting high into the sky, then "BOOM—", exploded. The first explosion, after it, a second one followed—briefly dyeing the night sky in every color under the sun, transforming it into a truly splendid sight.
Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jungkook, tiptoeing slightly to say beside his ear, "I love you."
Reaching around to hold his waist in return, Jungkook leaned, kissing his cheek, "I love you too."
END OF THE MAIN STORY