"How much is this?" Asked Tae's mom, she was referring on the crab.

Tae was still quite distracted about the place, it was clean and tidy. There are lots of things you can buy, and of course people too.

But not as much people in the future.

They bought the crab, and went to look for more food in the market.

"Would you like anything, honey?" His mom asked and Tae immediately thought of something.

He saw not much far, a stall with scallops as their product. Oh damn, he love scallops.

"Can I buy some scallops?"

His mom nodded and Tae happily went to the stall, leaving his mom waiting not from afar.

He took a look at scallops and inspected it to see if its fresh and fine.

Surprising, all of the scallops are looking fresh, and it looks like it just came out from the sea.

Unlike in the future, err...better not say.

But even if all looks so fresh, you need to pick the best among them.

He quickly bought a kilo of it and grabbed the plastic as soon as it was ready.

He turned to his mom and as to his surprise, she was talking to someone.

Even though that person is back-facing him, Tae's heart immediately jumped as soon as he realized who it was.

Smiling, he went towards them and his mother immediately noticed. "Oh! I forgot to say, Taehyung is with me."

Both met gazes & they couldn't control their smiles.

Jungkook bowed his head a little as a sign of acknowledgement. "Good morning, Mr. Kim."

Tae did the same, "Good morning too, Captain." His mother felt a bit confused when they started giggling at each other, but she did not show it.

Because maybe, she knew.

"I should get going, Mrs. Kim. Have a nice day." Jungkook once again said before leaving.

As soon as it, Tae immediately asked her. "Why is Captain here?"

They started walking to find some more food. "He said he had an inspection in the nearest camp."

"I was fixing the things we bought and I was struggling a bit with the tomatoes so he came to help me."

Tae was smiling all along while his mother was telling him what happened.

And his mother noticed to she tried to catch things.

"Captain looks quite glowing these days, maybe he's inlove."

Tae's smile became wider but he noticed it so he immediately sucked the insides of his mouth to control his smile.

His mother looked away then lowkey smiled and nodded.

You know, a mother's instinct?

It was all a blur, Tae and his mother were still looking for some food and just a few more and they'll be over.

"Have you seen some potatoes? I need some." His mother asked, and Tae immediately looked around the place to search for some.

And he spotted one, "There!"

They went towards the stall and started picking some potatoes.

"Good morning, ma'am, sir, you're on the right stall because we sell the best and delicious potatoes in the town!"

He chuckled at the tagline, but the voice felt too familiar for him to ignore.

He immediately looked up, only to see Bogum on a simple shirt, with a big smile on his face while saying the tagline.

"Bogum?" He said and it caught his attention. He looked surprised. "Taehyung?"

He immediately bowed at them as soon as he saw Tae's mother.

They're one of the most known families in the town, might as well show respect, eh?

"Good morning, Mrs. Kim!" He greeted, "You look wonderful, ma'am. No wonder why your son is handsome."

Tae's mother laughed at the words. "You have humor, don't you?" She said.

He giggled, "But I'm telling the truth ma'am."

Tae's mother felt touched and she felt that he's sincere. "Thank you. And quit the formalities, you can cal me auntie since you're friends with my son." She said.

Tae heard it and he blushed a bit.

They bought the potatoes and Tae's mom paid much than the price. "Here's the change ma'am—"

"No, keep it. You're working hard, keep it up." She smiled and handed him back the change.

"Oh, just a sec. I'll just buy an apple there. Wait for me here okay?" She told Tae.

As soon as she left, they chatted. "You work here?" He asked and Bogum chuckled. "Well, yeah. I wanted to help my parents too while I'm in the camp."

Tae nodded and looked at their other products. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"You thought I'm rich?" Tae laughed.

"Well, I did somehow."

Bogum kept his smile and sighed. "Sorry to say, but I'm just an average guy. We're just poor, but I'm still thankful that we get to eat three times a day."

Tae felt a bit sad, "That's not to be sorry of. You're helping your parents while training in the camp. That must be hard. And I hope you won't be ashamed of this. It's a decent job. Keep it up."

Tae cheered him up. Bogum smiles all the time, but he never knew that his life was like this. It must be hard, but at least, he's grateful.

They left the market as soon as they completed the foods to buy.

They rode the callesa on their way home. But since his mother was curious of things, he asked Taehyung.

"Hows your heart, son?" Tae felt surprised coz of the sudden question.

"Huh?"

She let off a smile. "Are you inlove?" She said, and Tae let out a nervous laugh.

Just by the laugh, she knew her son was inlove.

She immediately held his hand to make him feel comfortable about the topic.

"You know you can tell me anything right?" She said.

Tae just nodded, but he's still silent. He knew his mom knew that he's inlove. But he's afraid to say that he's inlove with a MAN.

What if he disappoints her?

"You know, whoever you're inlove with, any person, any gender — I will always support you, okay?"

By her words, Tae felt a bit relieved. He felt like crying because even if he didn't say it directly, he felt like he finally came out to his mom.

He smiled. "I love you, mom."

Her mom smiled back & she kissed his forehead like he's still her baby.

"I love you too, son.

[ TIME SKIP : JUNGKOOK GOT MARRIED ]

"Everyone, gather around." The trainer said, catching all the soldier's attention.

Tae stood up on his feet, but he was feeling so down today. He hasn't seen Jungkook yet, even after a week.

And now, he's leaving.

He felt like crying. But he couldn't.

"As you all know, Captain Jeon just got married. He did a great job on the field and everything — and now, its time to have time for himself,"

The trainer said, Tae saw Jungkook standing in the front, but he did not look at him.

Or else, he knew he'll burst into tears.

"He's leaving to the US. But it won't be long, he'll be back in a week. For now, he's here to give his temporary farewell speech."

Jungkook stood forward, replacing the trainer. He took a look at his people, and then Taehyung.

He felt an ache in his heart.

"Just two more weeks to go, and you're gonna be the soldier you're made to be. I have no more else to say, but whatever happens — choose to protect your country, as you'll also protect your family."

Everyone clapped at his short speech, until then, everything went to normal.

Tae went back to his bench since it was a water break. He kept practicing taekwondo since its their last training.

But actually, he just wanted to distract himself.

He feel so angry, so sad and everything.

He didn't want to cry, he hated himself for being so weak.

"Tae, you should take a rest first." Hoseok commented. He obeyed him because his legs were feeling quite exhausted.

He sat on the bench and Hoseok looked down to his bowing face. "Are you okay?—"

With that three words, Tae bursted in tears.

"Oh my, I'm sorry—did I say something wrong?" Hoseok was quite startled since its the first time he saw a man crying.

Tae immediately wiped his tears. "No, youre not on fault. I just got something on my eye, haha." He faked a laugh, but Hoseok knew he wasn't okay.

"Tae, you can talk to me okay?" He said and caressed his back. He's not good at words, but listening...of course.

Tae shook his head while keeping a smile on his face.

"Hey! I'm fine! I'll just go to the washroom, I'll be quick." He quickly stood up and ran away.

As soon as he knew people couldn't see him anymore, he hid himself behind a wall and started crying hard.

"Why am I like this? Why am I so weak? Fuck you self! Can you atleast stop being a cry baby for once?!" He exclaimed, but quiet enough for people not to hear him.

Just as he thought he's gonna be okay, a pair of hands snatched him into a dark alley.

Tae was shouting in panic, but it's useless since his mouth was covered with a hand.

"MRFHRDHAJD!" He cried.

Is he being kidnapped again? Oh god, not again please.

"Hyung..." he immediately stopped when the person whispered. "Its me, Jungkook."

He can feel his breath near his ear, and with just that voice — its enough to make Tae weak on his knees, and for tears to fall again.

Jungkook slowly let go of his mouth and faced Tae.

Even though Tae was crying and his eyes were blurry, and also the darkness of the place, its still enough for him to see Jungkook's glistening eyes.

Was he crying?

"Hyung...I'm sorry." He whispered and it cracked.

"Are you crying?" Tae asked and cupped his face.

And he confirmed that he's crying because as soon as he held his face, a tear fell down.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry for not talking to you." Jungkook held his hand on his face.

"Lisa's father had his eyes on me. He's making sure I'm not doing anything against them."

"I had no choice but to avoid you. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry." He kissed Tae's palm on his cheeks.

And by that, Tae knew he had a reason. Jungkook would never do that unless something really happened.

He trusts him so much, and he's not regretting.

"I understand if you're mad. You have the right to be. But I just wanted to say sor—"

Tae immediately aimed for his lips without any hesitation.

Its been a week, and he missed him so much — they missed each other.

How can fate be this cruel to people in love?

Why is it always the ones who's done nothing?

Why does fate needed to put pain in between the sweetness? For a lesson?

Fuck the lesson. I hate the lesson so much.

Why can't it just all be easy? Why can't we just have peace? How long would we beg for it?

They parted in the kiss even though they did not want it to end.

They lean onto each other's forehead with eyes closed, and hearts hurt. "I understand."

Tae muttered, but Jungkook knew he's hurt him.

"I'm leaving in a few."

"Can you promise me one thing?"

It was so sudden, but Jungkook — he'll do anything for him as to this moment.

"What is it?"

"Promise me you'll  come back, alive and healthy."

Tae's heart ached at his own words. He's not sure of whats gonna happen, and he's so scared.

Jungkook placed a kiss on his forehead. "I promise," he paused.
"But can u promise me one thing too?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me u wont fall in love with anyone while I'm away."

Tae giggled at his word, "I don't need to promise. My heart is all yours."

The moment was a blur, and it was time for him to leave.

"I know you'll