#sip trunking provider

[ringflow]

Ringflow : Sip Trunk Providers- 4 Dynamic Strategies for Positive Growth

Welcome to Ringflow, the leading provider of SIP trunking services. In this article, we will explore four dynamic strategies for achieving positive growth in the SIP trunking industry. But before we delve into these strategies, let's first understand what SIP trunking is and the benefits it offers to businesses.

SIP trunking is a technology that enables businesses to make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. It provides numerous advantages, including cost savings, scalability, and flexibility. With SIP trunking provider, businesses can streamline their communication infrastructure and increase efficiency.

As SIP trunk providers, Ringflow plays a crucial role in delivering reliable and scalable solutions to businesses. From wholesale termination to high-quality VoIP services, we are committed to helping our clients achieve their communication goals. Our mission is to empower businesses with the tools they need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.

Now, let's dive into the four dynamic strategies for positive growth in the SIP trunking industry. By implementing these strategies, businesses can optimize their communication infrastructure, expand into new markets, enhance call center operations, and optimize wholesale VoIP services. These strategies are essential for staying ahead of the competition and driving business growth.

Join us as we explore each strategy in detail and discover how Ringflow can support your business's growth in the fast-paced world of SIP trunking.

Understanding SIP Trunking and its Benefits

SIP trunking is a communication technology that allows businesses to transmit voice and multimedia sessions over the internet. It replaces traditional phone lines by utilizing virtual phone numbers, which are connected to the business's Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system. This enables businesses to make and receive calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency.

One of the key benefits of SIP trunking is its ability to provide scalability and flexibility. With SIP trunking, businesses can easily add or remove phone lines as per their needs, allowing them to adapt to changing communication requirements without the need for physical installation or equipment changes.

Another advantage of SIP trunking is the cost-effectiveness it offers. By leveraging the internet for voice communication, businesses can significantly reduce their phone bills. SIP trunking eliminates the need for separate circuits or lines for voice and data, resulting in lower costs and simplified infrastructure.

SIP trunking also provides advanced call routing and management capabilities. It allows businesses to route calls to different locations or devices, ensuring seamless communication across multiple branches or remote teams. Additionally, SIP trunking enables the use of toll-free numbers, making it convenient for customers to reach businesses without incurring any charges.

Overall, SIP trunking offers numerous benefits to businesses, including cost savings, scalability, flexibility, and advanced call routing capabilities. By adopting SIP trunking services, businesses can optimize their communication infrastructure and enhance their overall productivity and customer satisfaction.

The Role of SIP Trunk Providers

SIP trunk providers play a crucial role in delivering reliable and scalable SIP trunking solutions to businesses. As one of the leading providers in the industry, Ringflow offers a comprehensive range of services, including wholesale voip termination and wholesale VoIP, to meet the communication needs of businesses of all sizes.

Wholesale termination services provided by SIP trunk providers like Ringflow enable businesses to connect with their customers through cost-effective VoIP solutions. By leveraging Ringflow's network infrastructure and advanced technologies, businesses can enjoy high-quality voice communication that ensures a seamless and uninterrupted calling experience.

Moreover, Ringflow's wholesale VoIP services allow businesses to streamline their communication processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. With flexible rate plans and competitive pricing, businesses can optimize their communication expenses without compromising quality.

By partnering with a reliable SIP trunk provider like Ringflow, businesses can benefit from their expertise, extensive network coverage, and dedicated customer support. Whether it's managing peak call volumes, expanding to new markets, or enhancing call center operations, Ringflow provides the necessary tools and solutions to drive positive growth in the SIP trunking industry.

Dynamic Growth Strategy 1: Streamline Communication Infrastructure

Streamlining communication infrastructure is a key strategy for achieving positive growth in the SIP trunking industry. By optimizing SIP trunking configurations, businesses can improve call quality, enhance network efficiency, and ultimately elevate their overall communication performance.

When it comes to streamlining communication infrastructure, businesses should focus on several essential factors. Firstly, optimizing SIP trunking configurations involves ensuring that the network is properly set up and configured to handle the organization's communication needs efficiently. This includes eliminating any unnecessary connections, consolidating communication channels, and implementing effective call routing strategies.

Moreover, improving call quality is another crucial aspect of streamlining communication infrastructure. By investing in reliable network equipment, leveraging high-quality voice codecs, and implementing intelligent call prioritization techniques, businesses can ensure crystal-clear voice communication, minimizing disruptions and enhancing overall user experience.

Maximizing network efficiency is also fundamental to streamlining communication infrastructure. This involves adopting advanced technologies such as session border controllers (SBCs) and traffic shaping mechanisms to optimize network utilization and reduce latency. Additionally, regularly monitoring and analyzing network performance metrics can provide valuable insights into areas that require attention and optimization.

Overall, streamlining communication infrastructure through optimizing SIP trunking configurations, improving call quality, and maximizing network efficiency lays a solid foundation for positive growth in the SIP trunking industry. By implementing these strategies, businesses can enhance their overall communication performance, enabling them to deliver seamless and reliable communication experiences to their customers.

Dynamic Growth Strategy 2: Expand into New Markets

This section explores the second dynamic growth strategy for positive growth in the SIP trunking industry, which involves expanding into new markets. Expanding into new markets presents businesses with the opportunity to reach a wider customer base and tap into previously untapped revenue streams.

One of the key advantages of expanding into new markets is the potential for increased business growth and profitability. By targeting specific industries or geographical regions, businesses can tailor their SIP trunking services to meet the unique needs and preferences of customers in those markets.

Benefits of Expanding into New Markets:

Access to a larger customer base

Opportunities for increased revenue and profitability

Exploration of untapped markets and potential niches

Reduced dependency on a single market

Increased brand visibility and market presence

With the help of SIP trunking services provided by reputable providers like Ringflow, businesses can expand their reach and establish a strong presence in new markets. SIP trunking enables seamless communication and connectivity across different locations, allowing businesses to deliver their services efficiently and effectively.

This expansion strategy requires thorough market research and analysis to identify the most promising markets and understand the unique requirements and preferences of customers within those markets. By leveraging the scalability and flexibility of SIP trunking, businesses can tailor their offerings to meet the specific demands of each new market, positioning themselves for success.

Expanding into new markets not only allows businesses to reach a wider customer base but also helps mitigate risks associated with market saturation or economic downturns in a single market. It diversifies revenue streams and provides opportunities for ongoing growth and expansion.

Dynamic Growth Strategy 3: Enhance Call Center Operations

Enhancing call center operations is a vital strategy for achieving positive growth in the SIP trunking industry. By leveraging the power of SIP trunking, businesses can significantly improve call center efficiency, seamlessly integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and elevate the overall customer experience.

Implementing SIP trunking in call centers allows for more streamlined communication and increased productivity. With SIP trunking, call centers can effectively manage incoming and outgoing calls, ensuring prompt and efficient customer service. The scalability of SIP trunking also enables call centers to handle high call volumes during peak periods without compromising call quality.

SIP trunking offers seamless integration with CRM systems, providing call center agents with valuable customer data and insights. This integration improves the efficiency of call center operations by enabling agents to access customer information quickly, personalize interactions, and provide more targeted solutions. As a result, customer satisfaction levels increase, leading to improved customer retention and positive business growth.

The enhanced call center capabilities provided by SIP trunking also extend to outbound communication. Call centers can take advantage of features like local number portability and toll-free numbers to establish a local presence in different markets and expand their customer reach. By utilizing SIP trunking to optimize outbound calls, businesses can attract new customers, increase sales, and achieve a competitive edge in the industry.

Implementing a dynamic growth strategy that focuses on enhancing call center operations through SIP trunking enables businesses to deliver exceptional customer service, improve operational efficiency, and drive positive growth in the SIP trunking industry.

Dynamic Growth Strategy 4: Optimize Wholesale VoIP Services

In order to achieve positive growth in the SIP trunking industry, businesses must focus on optimizing their wholesale VoIP services. This strategy involves implementing competitive pricing, flexible rate plans, and comprehensive support to attract and retain wholesale VoIP customers.

Competitive Pricing

One key aspect of optimizing wholesale VoIP services is to offer competitive pricing. Businesses should conduct thorough market research to understand the pricing trends and ensure that their rates are aligned with industry standards. By offering affordable and competitive pricing, businesses can attract more customers and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Flexible Rate Plans

Another important element of optimizing wholesale VoIP services is to provide flexible rate plans. Businesses should offer a variety of plans and packages that cater to the diverse needs of their customers. Whether it's pay-as-you-go, bundled minutes, or customized packages, having flexible rate plans allows businesses to meet the unique requirements of their wholesale VoIP customers.

Comprehensive Support

Optimizing wholesale VoIP services also involves providing comprehensive support to customers. Businesses should be readily available to address any issues or concerns that customers may have. Offering 24/7 customer support and technical assistance ensures that customers receive prompt assistance whenever they need it. This level of support builds trust and loyalty, leading to customer retention and further growth.

By focusing on these strategies, businesses can optimize their wholesale VoIP services and position themselves for dynamic growth in the SIP trunking industry.

Key Considerations When Choosing SIP Trunk Providers

When selecting SIP trunk providers for your business, there are several key considerations that should be taken into account. These factors can help ensure that you choose a provider that meets your specific needs and provides reliable and scalable services. Here are some important aspects to consider:

1. Network Reliability: The reliability of the provider's network is crucial for uninterrupted communication. Look for a SIP trunk provider that guarantees high network uptime and has redundant infrastructure in place to minimize any potential disruptions.

2. Scalability: As your business grows, your communication needs may change. It's important to choose a SIP trunk provider that offers scalable solutions, allowing you to easily add or remove channels as required. This flexibility ensures that you can adapt your communication infrastructure without any hassle.

3. Customer Support: A reliable and responsive customer support team is essential for any SIP trunk provider. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 technical support to address any issues or concerns promptly. Having a dedicated support team can greatly minimize downtime and ensure a smooth communication experience.

4. Range of Services: Consider the range of services offered by the SIP trunk provider. Apart from basic SIP trunking, do they offer additional features such as call recording, auto-attendant, or virtual phone numbers? Assess your business requirements and choose a provider that can deliver the services you need to enhance your communication capabilities.

By carefully evaluating these key considerations, you can select a SIP trunk provider that aligns with your business goals and communication needs. Partnering with the right provider, such as Ringflow, can ensure that your communication infrastructure is reliable, scalable, and equipped with the necessary features to support your business growth.

Want to learn more about SIP trunking and its benefits? Check out our previous section, Understanding SIP Trunking and its Benefits.

Top SIP Trunk Providers

Ringflow - Ringflow is a telecommunication company that provides wholesale telecom solutions and services. They are a pioneer in the VoIP wholesale telecom industry and offer services such as Competitive VoIP Termination. 

My Country Mobile - Offers competitive rates for wholesale VoIP termination services

Verizon – As one of the largest telecom companies, Verizon offers advanced VoIP solutions through its global network covering over 150 countries. Verizon caters to large enterprises, government agencies, and wholesale partners.

Bandwidth – A leading global wholesale provider with a presence in the country through VoIP network coverage and number provisioning. Bandwidth provides VoIP, PSTN, and toll-free call termination.

Rozper – Rozper is a leading international communications enabler with a global VoIP footprint. Their worldwide network covers Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.

Ace Peak – Ace Peak offers global VoIP termination services with POPs located across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They provide reliable call routing worldwide.

These providers have the scale, coverage, and technical capabilities required to serve major wholesalers and carriers across different regions. They enable global voice connectivity through their extensive VoIP networks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing dynamic growth strategies is crucial for SIP trunk providers and businesses in the SIP trunking industry to achieve positive growth. By streamlining communication infrastructure, businesses can optimize their SIP trunking configurations, improve call quality, and maximize network efficiency. Expanding into new markets allows businesses to tap into untapped opportunities and increase their customer base.

Enhancing call center operations through SIP trunking enables businesses to improve efficiency, integrate with CRM systems, and enhance the overall customer experience. Moreover, optimizing wholesale VoIP services by offering competitive pricing, flexible rate plans, and comprehensive support helps attract and retain wholesale VoIP customers.

By partnering with reputable SIP trunk providers like Ringflow, businesses can achieve their communication infrastructure goals more effectively. Ringflow's expertise in delivering reliable SIP trunking solutions, wholesale termination services, and high-quality VoIP ensures a seamless and scalable communication experience.

[phonesuite]

In this blog post, we discuss the benefits of modern mobile payments integration with the property management system and the opportunity to incorporate mobile payments into hotel industry operations at the front desk. Learn More....

[a1routes]

Are Your Business Communication Services Holding You Back—or Helping You Grow?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, communication is at the core of every successful business. Whether you're managing customer relationships, collaborating with your team, or closing sales, the tools you use to communicate can either accelerate growth—or create costly bottlenecks. That’s why it’s important to ask: Are your business communication services holding you back, or helping you grow?

For businesses in Hyderabad, this question is more relevant than ever. With increasing competition and rising customer expectations, outdated or inflexible communication systems could be silently stalling your progress. That’s where A1 Routes comes in, offering cutting-edge business communication services tailored for today’s needs.

What Are Business Communication Services?

Business communication services refer to the tools, systems, and platforms that companies use to exchange information internally and externally. These include VoIP calling, cloud PBX, SIP trunking, video conferencing, messaging, call analytics, and more.

The goal of modern communication services is to keep your teams connected, your customers engaged, and your business running smoothly—no matter where your staff or clients are located.

Signs Your Communication Services Are Holding You Back

If you're still using legacy systems or juggling multiple disconnected platforms, you could be missing out on key benefits. Here are some warning signs:

Frequent Call Drops or Poor Audio Quality

Lack of Scalability During Growth Phases

High Monthly Bills for Outdated Services

Difficulty Supporting Remote or Hybrid Teams

Inability to Track or Analyze Communication Data

Any of these issues can lead to lost opportunities, frustrated customers, and reduced productivity.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Business Communication Services in Hyderabad?

At A1 Routes, we specialize in delivering reliable, affordable, and scalable business communication services that empower organizations across Hyderabad to operate more efficiently.

Here’s why businesses choose us:

Unified Solutions: From VoIP to SIP trunking to cloud PBX, we offer an integrated communication platform that supports all your needs.

Custom Packages: Every business is unique. We build flexible, cost-effective plans based on your size, industry, and goals.

Scalability: Add or remove lines, users, or features anytime—without disruption.

24/7 Local Support: Our team is based in Hyderabad and available round the clock to keep your systems running.

Helping You Grow, Not Hold You Back

The right business communication services don’t just keep you connected—they fuel your growth. With tools like call analytics, voicemail-to-email, and CRM integration, A1 Routes gives your team the edge to work smarter and serve customers better.

Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, we’re here to future-proof your communications and help you grow with confidence.

Let’s Talk

If you’re ready to replace outdated systems with a modern communication solution built for growth, we’re here to help.

Call A1 Routes today at 9246461828 and discover how our business communication services can take your operations to the next level.

[aplusvoip]

Business Telecommunications Services - Aplusvoip

Business Telecommunications Services play a crucial role in supporting business growth and efficiency. These services cover internet, voice, and video communication to ensure seamless operations. A secure and scalable network boosts internal and external communication. Improved customer service and operational efficiency are key benefits. Investing in high-quality telecom services drives business success.

[telerainincphil]

How to Integrate Social Media, Chat, and Voice for a Seamless Omnichannel Strategy?

The digital-first world is here! Everyone, including customers, anticipate unified communications engagement on multiple channels. Whether they contact via social media, chat, or voice, they expect a coherent and unified experience. Businesses that fail to unify these touchpoints have disconnected communications, which leads to poor customer satisfaction and lost opportunities.

Understanding customer preferences is the key to business success.

A unified communications platform and omni-channel contact center can help here. Organizations can offer synchronized and seamless interactions. Through the services of SIP trunk providers, enterprises can consolidate communication infrastructure and reduce operational costs.

Why Integration Is Necessary in an Omni-Channel Contact Center

A disconnected communication strategy brings about frustration to both customers and support teams.

Without integration, businesses face issues such as:

Customers ask questions multiple times on multiple channels.

Lack of context when switching from chat to voice calls.

Boosted operational inefficiencies and service delays.

With unified communications, companies can break down these silos so that all interactions are grabbed and handled within a single system. This omnichannel functionality improves efficiency and delivers an enhanced all-around customer experience.

Here are the steps to Integrate Social Media, Chat, and Voice for an Omni-Channel Strategy

1. Deploy a Unified Communications Platform

Businesses must use a unified communications platform that integrates social media, chat, and voice into a single system to achieve seamless integration. This approach allows agents to receive real-time information to fully understand previous interactions.

2. Implement an Omni-Channel Contact Center

An omnichannel contact center enables businesses to:

Manage several customer interactions simultaneously without interruption.

Route inquiries to the correct agent automatically.

Deliver a consistent experience across touchpoints.

By deploying an omnichannel contact center, businesses can effectively bridge the gap between social media, chat, and voice, allowing for a seamless customer transition between these channels.

3. Use SIP Trunk Providers for Scalable Voice Integration

Voice remains a core customer support channel. Traditional telephony infrastructure, however, isn't agile enough for modern omnichannel strategies. That's where SIP trunk providers come in.

With SIP trunking, companies can:

Reduce communication costs compared to traditional phone lines.

Scale voice services with ease to accommodate business growth.

Enable remote and global connectivity without additional infrastructure costs.

4. Integrate AI-powered Chatbots with Live Agent Support

Automation plays a crucial role in simplifying customer interactions. Businesses can leverage AI-powered Chatbots to handle routine queries while offering a seamless escalation to human agents whenever needed.

Best practices to implement Chatbots:

Make sure Chatbots provide accurate, pertinent responses.

Provide easy escalation to live agents where required.

Personalize interactions according to customer data.

With Chatbots integrated into an omnichannel contact center, organizations can optimize response times and reduce operational workload.

5. Maximize Social Media Engagement with Real-Time Monitoring

Social media is no longer just for marketing alone—it's now a significant customer service channel. Customers expect companies to promptly respond to their questions, complaints, and feedback on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

How to use social media effectively:

Use social listening tools to track customers' mentions and sentiments.

Automate FAQ answers but allow personalized agent interactions.

Connect social media channels to the omnichannel contact center for ticketing and resolution tracking.

6. Leverage Cloud-Based SaaS Solutions for Accessibility and Compliance

For healthcare, finance, and e-commerce businesses, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS compliance is a must. A cloud-based unified communications solution enables:

Automatic compliance with secure recording and archiving.

Location-independent supervisor and agent access.

Reducing costs by avoiding costly on premise infrastructure.

A SaaS-based unified communications system, such as Telerain's integrated cloud-based software, ensures that businesses meet regulatory requirements while delivering secure and scalable digital communications.

Benefits of a Fully Integrated Omni-Channel Strategy

1. Better Customer Experience

Customers can easily transition from social media to chat to voice.

One-to-one interaction creates a more personal brand relationship.

Faster response times increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Improved Operational Efficiency

Agents handle multiple interactions without confusion.

Automation with AI reduces workload and enhances productivity.

Centralized data ensures quick and accurate responses.

3. Cost Savings and Scalability

SIP trunking lowers telephony costs and offers flexibility.

A cloud solution wipes away expensive infrastructure investments.

Companies can expand operations without significant interruptions.

Wrapping Up

Adopt an omnichannel strategy! Integrate social media, chat, and voice seamlessly into a unified communications system. Select an appropriate omnichannel contact center to improve customer engagement, be more efficient, and decrease outlays.

With SIP trunk providers and hosted solutions like Telerain's unified communication software, businesses can future-proof their company and remain competitive in today's rapidly transforming setting.

Are you ready to build a perfect omnichannel strategy?

Contact us now.

About The Author: Telerain, your trusted partner in streamlined digital business communication solutions. Our integrated cloud software service combines a comprehensive suite of channels, including voice, SMS, fax, video, chat, and email, ensuring your business stays connected most efficiently and securely.

At Telerain, we prioritize the security and compliance of your communications. Our platform automatically addresses GDPR, PCI DSS, and HIPAA regulations, guaranteeing that all interactions are recorded and archived compliantly. It means you can focus on your business, confident that your communications meet the highest data protection and privacy standards.

Our user-friendly per-user-per-month Software as a Service (SaaS) model ensures flexibility without the burden of legacy technology costs and complexities.

[mycountry112]

My Country Mobile : Wholesale VoIp Providers - The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Wholesale VoIP Providers

Unlocking the Benefits of Wholesale VoIP Providers for Your Business explores how wholesale VoIP providers revolutionize business communication by offering cost-effective, scalable voice solutions. It delves into the advantages of services like SIP trunking, termination, and origination, highlighting how businesses can enhance communication, reduce costs, and expand their global reach. This guide also provides insights on selecting the right provider and setting up wholesale VoIP services to maximize business efficiency and connectivity.

Key Takeaways:

Wholesale VoIP providers offer businesses a cost-effective and scalable solution for their voice communication needs.

Services such as SIP trunking, termination, and origination provided by wholesale VoIP providers enhance communication, reduce costs, and expand global reach for businesses.

When choosing a wholesale VoIP provider, businesses should consider reliability, pricing, and additional features to ensure efficient connectivity for their communication needs.

What Is Wholesale VoIP?

Wholesale VoIP refers to a business model where providers offer large-scale voice communication services over the internet, enabling businesses to access cost-effective and scalable solutions for their communication needs.

By leveraging the power of internet protocol (IP) networks, Wholesale VoIP allows businesses to transmit voice data packets efficiently, bypassing traditional phone lines and reducing operational costs significantly. This technology not only offers substantial savings but also provides enhanced call quality and reliability, making it a popular choice for businesses seeking reliable communication solutions.

The scalability of Wholesale VoIP enables businesses to easily expand their communication capabilities as they grow, accommodating increased call volume and adding new features without the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades. This flexibility makes Wholesale VoIP an attractive option for businesses of all sizes looking to streamline their communication processes.

How Does Wholesale VoIP Work?

Wholesale VoIP works by routing large volumes of voice calls over the internet through advanced technology and robust infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity and communication.

Wholesale VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, leverages the power of the internet to transmit voice data packets efficiently. These voice packets are converted into digital signals and transmitted over IP networks. This process involves converting analog voice signals into digital data packets, transmitting them over the internet, and then converting them back to analog signals for the recipient.

Internet connectivity plays a crucial role in Wholesale VoIP operations, as it determines the quality and reliability of voice calls. Quality of Service (QoS) protocols are often implemented to prioritize voice traffic, ensuring that voice calls are clear and uninterrupted despite the high volumes being routed. Routing technologies such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are used to establish, modify, and terminate VoIP connections, managing the flow of voice traffic efficiently.

What Services Do Wholesale VoIP Providers Offer?

Wholesale VoIP providers offer a variety of services, including SIP trunking, call termination, and call origination, to enhance business communication and provide comprehensive voice solutions.

SIP Trunking

SIP trunking is a service provided by Wholesale VoIP providers that allows businesses to connect their private branch exchange (PBX) to the internet, facilitating efficient and cost-effective voice communication.

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Termination

Termination services in the Wholesale VoIP industry involve routing voice calls from one provider to another, typically for international communications, ensuring competitive rates and high-quality connections.

When a call is made from one country to another, it enters the network of the originating provider and is then handed over to the terminating provider for completion.

This process plays a crucial role in international calls, as it allows for seamless connectivity across different telecom networks.

By leveraging efficient call termination services, providers can offer their customers global reach while optimizing costs through interconnections with various carriers.

Origination

Origination services provided by Wholesale VoIP providers involve allocating Direct Inward Dialing (DID) numbers to enable businesses to receive inbound calls over the internet.

These DID numbers play a crucial role in simplifying inbound call management for businesses. Through these unique numbers, customers are able to directly reach specific departments or individuals within an organization, streamlining communication processes.

DID numbers enhance call routing efficiency by allowing companies to create customized call flows based on different criteria like time of day or caller location. This level of flexibility ensures that incoming calls are directed to the right destination, improving customer experience and overall operational efficiency.

What Are the Benefits of Using Wholesale VoIP Providers?

Using Wholesale VoIP providers offers numerous benefits, including cost-effective communication solutions, scalability to meet business needs, and the ability to expand global reach with reliable voice services.

Cost-Effective Communication

Wholesale VoIP providers enable businesses to achieve cost-effective communication by offering competitive pricing and efficient voice solutions.

By partnering with Wholesale VoIP providers, businesses can take advantage of flexible pricing models that scale according to their needs, whether it's a small startup or a large enterprise. These providers leverage economies of scale to offer lower rates than traditional phone services, making it an appealing option for organizations looking to cut down on communication expenses.

Wholesale VoIP providers streamline communication processes by integrating various features like call forwarding, voicemail, and conferencing into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple service providers. This consolidation not only reduces costs but also enhances efficiency by providing a centralized system for all communication needs.

Scalability

Scalability is a key advantage of Wholesale VoIP services, allowing businesses to easily expand their communication infrastructure as they grow.

Having a scalable VoIP system provides businesses with the flexibility to accommodate both current and future needs without facing major disruptions or overhauls.

One of the great benefits of scalability in Wholesale VoIP is the ability to add new lines, users, or features quickly and efficiently, ensuring that communication remains seamless even during periods of high demand.

Businesses can also benefit from cost savings as they only pay for the resources they use, reducing unnecessary expenses and improving overall efficiency.

Scalability ensures that companies can respond swiftly to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and shifts in user preferences, staying competitive and agile in the fast-paced business landscape.

Global Reach

One of the significant benefits of using Wholesale VoIP providers is the ability to achieve global reach, enabling businesses to connect with international customers seamlessly.

Having a global reach can revolutionize the way businesses communicate, breaking barriers and expanding opportunities beyond traditional borders. Through the power of Wholesale VoIP, companies can establish virtual communication channels worldwide, fostering real-time interactions and collaborations. This enhanced connectivity not only improves customer service but also opens doors to new markets and partnerships.

How Can Businesses Benefit from Wholesale VoIP Providers?

Businesses can benefit significantly from Wholesale VoIP providers by enhancing their communication capabilities, reducing costs, and expanding their global reach with reliable voice services.

Enhanced Communication

Wholesale VoIP providers offer enhanced communication quality, ensuring businesses can maintain clear and reliable voice connections.

By leveraging innovative technologies and robust infrastructure, Wholesale VoIP providers are able to deliver exceptional voice services that exceed traditional telephony standards. The use of dedicated networks and optimized routing protocols ensures that calls are crystal clear and free from interruptions. With Wholesale VoIP, businesses can experience enhanced call stability and reduced latency, resulting in superior call quality and improved overall communication efficiency. These providers prioritize reliability, offering seamless connections that enable organizations to engage with clients and colleagues without any disruptions. The consistent high-quality voice services offered by Wholesale VoIP providers are invaluable for businesses looking to enhance their communication capabilities to stay competitive in today's fast-paced market.

Reduced Costs

By leveraging Wholesale VoIP services, businesses can significantly reduce their communication costs thanks to competitive pricing and efficient call routing.

Wholesale VoIP not only offers cost-effective solutions but also provides businesses with the ability to scale their communication infrastructure according to their needs. With competitive pricing models, companies can enjoy substantial savings on their monthly communication expenses. The efficient call routing feature ensures that calls are seamlessly directed to the most cost-effective route, further optimizing operational costs.

Expanded Global Reach

Wholesale VoIP services provide businesses with the opportunity to expand their global reach, facilitating seamless international communication with customers.

This is particularly beneficial for businesses that have operations or clientele scattered across different countries and continents. By utilizing Wholesale VoIP services, companies can efficiently manage their communication networks on a large scale, ensuring that they can stay connected with their international customers at all times. The cost-effectiveness of Wholesale VoIP services also allows businesses to reduce their communication expenses significantly, especially when compared to traditional phone services for international calls.

What to Consider When Choosing a Wholesale VoIP Provider?

When selecting a Wholesale VoIP provider, businesses need to consider several factors, including the reliability and quality of service, pricing and packages, and additional features and services offered.

Reliability and Quality of Service

Reliability and quality of service are critical factors when choosing a Wholesale VoIP provider, as they ensure consistent and high-quality voice communication.

Business communication heavily relies on the reliability and quality of service provided by Wholesale VoIP providers. Customers expect seamless connectivity and crystal-clear voice quality, which can only be achieved through a dependable service. A reliable VoIP provider ensures that calls are not dropped, and messages are delivered promptly, fostering trust among clients. Consistent service quality enhances the overall user experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Pricing and Packages

Evaluating the pricing and packages offered by Wholesale VoIP providers is essential for finding cost-effective solutions that meet business needs.

When comparing pricing and packages, businesses need to consider not only the upfront costs but also the long-term value they will receive. A thorough analysis can reveal hidden fees or extra features that may sway the decision-making process. Value for money is crucial in ensuring that the chosen VoIP provider can deliver the necessary services without compromising on quality. By exploring different options, businesses can find the right balance between cost and features, ultimately leading to a more efficient and productive communication system.

Additional Features and Services

Plus the core services, many Wholesale VoIP providers offer additional features and services that can enhance business communication.

These additional features can include call recording, voicemail-to-email transcription, conference calling, and customizable IVR systems. Call recording can help businesses monitor and improve customer interactions, while voicemail-to-email transcription ensures important messages are never missed. Conference calling facilitates collaboration among teams regardless of their locations. Customizable IVR systems allow for personalized customer interactions, enhancing customer service levels. Some providers also offer CRM integration, mobile apps for remote accessibility, and 24/7 technical support, ensuring smooth and reliable communication for businesses.

How to Set Up Wholesale VoIP Services for Your Business?

Setting up Wholesale VoIP services for your business involves selecting the right provider, configuring your network infrastructure, and ensuring compatibility with existing communication systems.

First and foremost, research and evaluate different Wholesale VoIP service providers to find one that offers competitive pricing, reliable service, and optimal call quality.

Once you've selected a provider, establish a partnership and set up your account.

Next, assess your network infrastructure to ensure sufficient bandwidth and low latency for smooth VoIP communication.

Implement Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize voice traffic and minimize latency.

Configure your firewall and network security settings to protect against unauthorized access and ensure data privacy.

Global Wholesale VoIp Providers 

My Country Mobile: Offers competitive rates for wholesale VoIP termination services

Verizon – As one of the largest telecom companies, Verizon offers advanced VoIP solutions through its global network covering over 150 countries. Verizon caters to large enterprises, government agencies, and wholesale partners.

Bandwidth – A leading global wholesale provider with a presence in the country through VoIP network coverage and number provisioning. Bandwidth provides VoIP, PSTN and toll-free call termination.

Rozper – Rozper is a leading international communications enabler with a global VoIP footprint. Their worldwide network covers Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Ace Peak – Ace Peak offers global VoIP termination services with POPs located across the Americas, Europe and Asia. They provide reliable call routing worldwide.

These providers have the scale, coverage and technical capabilities required to serve major wholesalers and carriers across different regions. They enable global voice connectivity through their extensive VoIP networks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Wholesale VoIP providers offer businesses a range of benefits, including cost-effective communication, scalability, and the ability to expand their global reach with reliable and high-quality voice services.

When companies opt for Wholesale VoIP providers, they can enjoy significant cost savings as these services usually offer competitive rates for both domestic and international calls. The scalability aspect allows businesses to easily adjust their communication infrastructure according to their needs, without the hassle of traditional phone systems. By partnering with Wholesale VoIP providers, organizations can effortlessly reach customers across borders with crystal-clear audio quality, improving customer satisfaction and creating opportunities for international expansion.

[wholesalevoice]

Wholesalevoice: Sip Trunk Providers Unleashed- 5 Essential Strategies for Success

Are you looking to optimize your business communication systems? Look no further than Wholesalevoice, a leading provider in the industry of Sip Trunk Providers. In this article, we will explore the essential strategies for achieving success with Sip Trunk Providers and how Wholesalevoice can support your business needs.

Understanding Sip Trunk Providers

In today's digital landscape, businesses require robust communication solutions to connect their Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems to traditional phone networks. This is where Sip Trunk Providers come into play, offering a cost-effective and flexible solution for businesses of all sizes.

Sip Trunk Providers enable businesses to establish virtual connections between their VoIP systems and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). By utilizing Sip Trunking technology, businesses can seamlessly transmit voice, video, and other multimedia data over the internet, eliminating the need for physical phone lines.

One of the key advantages of Sip Trunk Providers is their cost effectiveness. Unlike traditional phone lines, which require significant hardware investments and long-term contracts, Sip Trunking allows businesses to leverage their existing internet connection to make calls at a fraction of the cost. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to save on communication expenses.

Sip Trunk Providers also offer unparalleled flexibility. Businesses can easily scale their communication infrastructure up or down based on their needs, without the constraints of physical phone lines. This means that businesses can adapt to changing customer demands and optimize their communication resources accordingly.

Moreover, Sip Trunk Providers offer a wide range of features and capabilities that enhance communication efficiency. From call routing and disaster recovery to advanced analytics and reporting, businesses can leverage these features to streamline their communication processes and improve customer experiences.

In conclusion, Sip Trunk Providers play a vital role in connecting business VoIP systems to traditional phone networks. With their cost effectiveness, flexibility, and powerful features, businesses can achieve seamless and efficient communication, leading to improved productivity and customer satisfaction.

Choosing the Right Sip Trunk Provider

When it comes to selecting a Sip Trunk Provider for your business, there are crucial factors to consider. Finding the right provider can significantly impact your communication capabilities and ensure seamless connectivity. One of the key features to look for is the provision of virtual phone numbers, which can enhance your business's reach and efficiency.

Virtual phone numbers, offered by reputable Sip Trunk Providers, allow you to create a local presence in different geographic locations or establish a centralized call center. These numbers are not tied to a specific physical phone line, giving you the flexibility to manage calls from anywhere. Whether you need to establish a local customer base, expand into new markets, or improve customer service, virtual phone numbers empower your business with the necessary tools.

By having virtual phone numbers, your business can easily streamline communication processes and centralize call handling. Calls can be efficiently routed to the appropriate departments or individuals, ensuring prompt customer service and higher customer satisfaction. Additionally, with virtual phone numbers, you can track and analyze call data, enabling you to make informed decisions based on call volume, location, and other valuable metrics.

Moreover, virtual phone numbers can enable your business to offer toll-free numbers to customers, allowing them to connect with you easily and free of charge. This enhances your professional image and customer experience, as it eliminates any hesitations customers may have about contacting you.

When making your decision, ensure you choose a Sip Trunk Provider that offers virtual phone numbers tailored to your business needs. Consider factors such as scalability, pricing plans, customer support, and the ease of integration with your existing communication systems.

So, take the time to evaluate your options and make an informed decision. Choosing the right Sip Trunk Provider that offers virtual phone numbers can enhance your business's communication capabilities, optimize customer service, and drive growth.

Maximizing Efficiency with Sip Trunk Providers

When it comes to VoIP services and call centers, maximizing efficiency is crucial for businesses. With the help of Sip Trunk Providers, companies can unlock a myriad of features and capabilities that streamline operations and improve productivity. One key advantage offered by Sip Trunk Providers is wholesale voip termination, which allows businesses to handle a high volume of voice traffic efficiently.

By utilizing wholesale voip , businesses can benefit from cost savings and improved call quality. This service enables companies to route their calls over the internet, eliminating the need for traditional telephone lines. With lower costs and enhanced call clarity, businesses can optimize their communication processes and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

In addition to wholesale voip termination, Sip Trunk Providers offer effective management of cc routes. CC routes, also known as call center routes, are essential for businesses that operate call centers or have high call volumes. Sip Trunk Providers simplify the management of cc routes by providing comprehensive tools and resources to handle incoming and outgoing calls efficiently.

By leveraging the capabilities of Sip Trunk Providers, businesses can optimize their voip call center operations. These providers offer advanced call routing features, such as intelligent call queuing and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, which help improve call handling and reduce customer wait times. Additionally, Sip Trunk Providers offer scalability, allowing businesses to scale their call center operations as per their needs.

Overall, businesses can achieve maximum efficiency by utilizing the features and capabilities offered by Sip Trunk Providers. Wholesale voip termination and effective management of cc routes enable companies to handle voice traffic effectively and enhance their communication processes. With improved cost savings, call quality, and call center operations, businesses can stay ahead in today's competitive landscape.

Expanding Reach with Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers play a crucial role in expanding a business's reach and enhancing the overall customer experience. By providing a convenient and cost-free way for customers to reach out, businesses can improve their accessibility and build strong relationships. When it comes to obtaining and managing toll-free numbers efficiently, Sip Trunk Providers offer the necessary tools and services.

With the assistance of Sip Trunk Providers, businesses can easily acquire toll-free numbers that reflect their brand identity. These numbers can be set up quickly and seamlessly integrated into existing communication systems. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted flow of calls from customers, regardless of their location.

By leveraging the expertise of Sip Trunk Providers, businesses can also effectively manage their toll-free numbers. They offer advanced features and functionalities that allow businesses to customize call routing, track call data, and efficiently handle high call volumes. This level of control and flexibility empowers businesses to optimize their toll-free number usage and provide exceptional customer service.

Enhancing Customer Experience

One of the key benefits of toll-free numbers is the positive impact they have on customer experience. By offering a toll-free number, businesses demonstrate their commitment to providing exceptional customer service. Customers appreciate the ability to reach out to businesses free of charge, which encourages them to engage more frequently and build trust.

Toll-free numbers also eliminate the hesitation that customers may have when it comes to reaching out for assistance or making inquiries. The absence of call charges removes any potential barriers, allowing customers to communicate freely and resolve their concerns without hesitation.

Sip Trunk Providers enable businesses to integrate toll-free numbers seamlessly into their existing communication infrastructure, ensuring that customer calls are directed to the right department or agent. This level of customization and efficiency minimizes hold times and enhances the overall customer experience, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.

Expanding Geographic Reach

Toll-free numbers are not limited by geographic boundaries, making them an excellent tool for expanding reach. They enable businesses to connect with customers across different regions without the need for multiple physical locations. By using toll-free numbers, businesses can create a nationwide or even global presence, attracting customers from various areas.

Sip Trunk Providers facilitate this expansion by offering toll-free numbers with wide coverage and competitive rates. They ensure that calls are seamlessly routed to the appropriate destination, regardless of the caller's location. This allows businesses to cater to a wider audience and tap into new markets, driving growth and increasing brand visibility.

In conclusion, toll-free numbers are a valuable asset for businesses looking to expand their reach and enhance customer experience. With the support of Sip Trunk Providers, businesses can efficiently obtain and manage toll-free numbers, customize call routing, and provide exceptional service to customers across different regions. By leveraging this powerful communication tool, businesses can strengthen their brand presence and foster long-term relationships with their customers.

Wholesale Voice Termination for Enhanced Connectivity

One of the key advantages of partnering with Sip Trunk Providers is the opportunity to leverage wholesale voice termination services. By utilizing this feature, businesses can achieve enhanced connectivity and significant cost savings.

Wholesale voice termination refers to the process of routing voice calls from one network to another, allowing businesses to connect their VoIP systems seamlessly with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). With Sip Trunk Providers offering wholesale voice termination services, businesses can establish reliable and high-quality voice communication channels with their customers.

This service is particularly beneficial for businesses that handle a large volume of voice calls or operate in call center environments. By utilizing wholesale voice termination, businesses can effectively manage call traffic, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted communication.

Furthermore, wholesale voice termination offered by Sip Trunk Providers enables businesses to take advantage of cost savings. By leveraging economies of scale and partnering with reputable providers, businesses can benefit from lower call termination rates and overall reduced telecommunication costs.

In summary, wholesale voice termination provided by Sip Trunk Providers offers enhanced connectivity, improved call management, and cost savings for businesses. By taking advantage of this service, businesses can optimize their communication capabilities and create seamless connections with their customers.

Analyzing Wholesale VoIP Rates

When it comes to choosing a reliable Sip Trunk Provider, analyzing wholesale VoIP rates is of utmost importance. understanding the pricing structure can help businesses optimize cost savings and make informed decisions.

Wholesale VoIP rates refer to the charges imposed by Sip Trunk Providers on the wholesale delivery of voice calls through VoIP technology. These rates can vary depending on several factors, such as call volume, destination, time of day, and quality of service.

By analyzing wholesale VoIP rates, businesses can compare and evaluate the pricing offered by different Sip Trunk Providers. This analysis involves examining the per-minute rates, any additional fees or surcharges, and the overall value offered.

While cost is a significant factor, it should not be the sole consideration. It's important to balance price with the quality of service provided. A provider offering extremely low rates may compromise call quality, leading to voice distortion, dropped calls, or poor connection.

To make an informed decision, businesses should evaluate the quality of the provider's network infrastructure, their level of technical support, and the overall reputation in the industry. It's essential to choose a Sip Trunk Provider that offers competitive wholesale VoIP rates without compromising on service reliability.

By partnering with a reputable Sip Trunk Provider that offers competitive wholesale VoIP rates, businesses can maximize cost savings while ensuring high-quality voice communication.

The table below illustrates a comparison of wholesale VoIP rates offered by top Sip Trunk Providers:

Leveraging Wholesale Termination for Cost Efficiency

Wholesale termination is a powerful solution provided by Sip Trunk Providers that enables businesses to achieve cost efficiency in their communication systems. By leveraging wholesale termination, businesses can streamline their voice traffic, optimize call routing, and reduce expenses associated with long-distance or international calls.

One of the key benefits of wholesale termination is the ability to access highly competitive rates for voice termination services. Sip Trunk Providers, such as Wholesalevoice, negotiate favorable rates with multiple carrier networks, allowing businesses to enjoy significant cost savings. This cost efficiency is particularly beneficial for organizations that handle a high volume of voice traffic, such as call centers or businesses with international operations.

When integrating wholesale termination into their communication infrastructure, businesses must consider certain factors. Quality of service is crucial, as it directly impacts the user experience and customer satisfaction. It is essential to choose a reputable Sip Trunk Provider like Wholesalevoice, known for their reliable network and excellent call quality.

Additionally, businesses should assess their specific communication needs and select a wholesale termination plan that aligns with their requirements. Customizable plans offered by Sip Trunk Providers allow businesses to optimize their voice services and ensure optimal cost efficiency.

By leveraging wholesale termination offered by reliable Sip Trunk Providers such as Wholesalevoice, businesses can achieve significant cost efficiency in their communication systems. The combination of competitive rates, reliable network infrastructure, and tailored service plans makes wholesale termination an essential strategy for organizations seeking to optimize their voice services while reducing costs. Implementing wholesale termination can deliver long-term savings and enhance the overall efficiency of business communication.

The SIP Trunk Providers

Ringflow - Ringflow is a provider of wholesale voice termination services. They use a network of interconnected carriers to route voice messages to the most efficient and cost-effective paths. 

My Country Mobile - Offers competitive rates for wholesale Voice termination services

Bandwidth – A leading global wholesale provider with a presence in the country through voice network coverage and number provisioning. Bandwidth provides VoIP, PSTN and toll-free call termination.

BICS – A prominent international wholesale carrier providing voice, SMS, and data services globally. BICS offers domestic and international voice termination and origination over IP and TDM networks in the country.

Verizon – The Verizon Wholesale division provides voice and data services to businesses and carriers in the country. Verizon offers reliable voice termination, toll-free services, and global connectivity through partnerships.

Ace Peak – A wholesale voice carrier focused on providing reliable call termination and toll-free solutions. Ace Peak has a significant presence for call routes in the country’s major cities and regions.

Rozper – An emerging wholesale voice provider based in the country. Rozper offers competitive voice termination rates and quality routing to drive down costs for operators.

These providers have established themselves as industry leaders due to their extensive networks, technical capabilities, and commitment to delivering high-quality voice services on a global scale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sip Trunk Providers play a crucial role in enabling businesses to connect their VoIP systems to the Public Switched Telephone Network. Wholesalevoice emerges as a reliable and leading provider in the industry, offering essential strategies for success with Sip Trunk Providers.

By understanding the concept of Sip Trunk Providers and the flexibility they offer, businesses can enhance their communication capabilities while minimizing costs. Choosing the right Sip Trunk Provider with virtual phone number options further improves connectivity and customer experience.

Maximizing efficiency through features like wholesale voip termination and effective management of cc routes enables businesses to optimize their VoIP services and call centers. Toll-free numbers provided by Sip Trunk Providers expand reach and support enhanced customer experience.

In addition, wholesale voice termination facilitates superior connectivity and cost savings. Analyzing wholesale VoIP rates and leveraging wholesale termination are essential steps towards achieving cost efficiency and maximizing benefits with Sip Trunk Providers.

Implementing these strategies and partnering with Wholesalevoice as a trusted Sip Trunk Provider empowers businesses to succeed in the ever-evolving world of communication. By choosing Wholesalevoice, businesses can unlock the full potential of Sip Trunk Providers and drive their communication infrastructure towards success.

[ezaccesscommunications]

Website: https://www.ezaccesscommunications.com/

EZ ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS is a reputable telecom expense management specialist, offering a range of services including expense management, network solutions, IT solutions, mobility solutions, voice solutions, and security solutions. With over 50 years of experience, the company is known for its efficient, honest, and professional approach. EZ ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS provides unbiased consultations and strives to deliver the best in-class telecommunications services, ensuring customer satisfaction through open communication and expert support.

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/savacom-palm-coast

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[markalison231]

VoIP Service Providers in India,Internet Service Providers in chennai

Siplink is one of the best solution for VoIP service providers in Chennai, India. We are one stop solution for Call Centre Solutions, Internet Service Providers, VoIP communication,  Broadband Internet Service Providers, internet leased line service, SIP Trunking Service, business VoIP service in chennai. Visit https://www.siplink.in/

[ringflow]

Ringflow: Transforming Communication-10 Dynamic Tips with SIP Trunk Providers

Looking for ways to enhance your communication systems? Ringflow, in partnership with wholesale SIP Trunk providers, offers a game-changing solution. With Ringflow's cutting-edge technology and the expertise of wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can revolutionize their communication processes to stay ahead in today's competitive landscape.

Understanding Wholesale SIP Trunk Providers

In today's fast-paced business environment, reliable communication networks are crucial for maintaining seamless operations. This is where wholesale SIP Trunk providers come into play. These providers offer businesses the opportunity to establish cost-effective and dependable communication systems, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Wholesale SIP Trunk providers act as the bridge between traditional telephone lines and internet-based communication, allowing businesses to transmit voice, video, and data over the internet. By utilizing this technology, companies can optimize their communication infrastructure while reducing costs associated with traditional phone lines.

One of the key advantages of partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers is the availability of virtual phone numbers. These numbers are not tied to a specific physical location, enabling businesses to establish a local presence in various regions or countries without the need for physical offices. This enhances customer reach and enables businesses to expand their operations globally.

Furthermore, wholesale SIP Trunk providers also offer wholesale VoIP termination services. VoIP termination refers to the process of routing calls from the internet to a traditional telephone network. By utilizing wholesale VoIP termination, businesses can save significantly on long-distance and international call charges, as well as access competitive pricing for their communication needs.

Advantages of Wholesale SIP Trunk Providers

Partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers can offer numerous advantages for businesses looking to enhance their communication systems. These providers offer a range of benefits that can improve call center functionality and enable businesses to expand their customer service capabilities through diverse CC routes.

One of the key advantages of wholesale SIP Trunk providers is the improved functionality they bring to call centers. By implementing SIP Trunking technology, businesses can streamline their call center operations, ensuring efficient call routing and management. This technology enables businesses to handle a high volume of incoming and outgoing calls, leading to improved customer satisfaction and reduced wait times.

Furthermore, wholesale SIP Trunk providers offer businesses access to diverse CC routes, which can significantly enhance their customer service capabilities. CC routes allow businesses to establish connections with customers in different regions, ensuring reliable and clear communication. This flexibility expands the reach of businesses, enabling them to serve a broader customer base efficiently.

To illustrate the benefits visually, take a look at the following image:

By partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of their communication systems. With improved call center functionality and access to diverse CC routes, businesses can enhance their customer service capabilities and provide seamless communication experiences.

Choosing the Right Wholesale SIP Trunk Provider

When it comes to implementing wholesale SIP Trunk solutions, selecting the right provider is crucial for businesses. The choice of a reliable and efficient partner can significantly impact the success and effectiveness of their communication systems.

One primary consideration when choosing a wholesale SIP Trunk provider is reliability. Businesses should thoroughly assess the provider's track record and reputation in the industry. Evaluating customer reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insights into their reliability and service quality.

Scalability is another key factor to evaluate. As businesses grow and evolve, their communication needs may change. It is essential to choose a wholesale SIP Trunk provider that offers flexible scalability options, allowing the business to easily adjust their capacity as required.

Additionally, the availability of toll-free numbers is an essential consideration for many businesses. Toll-free numbers enhance customer accessibility and demonstrate professionalism. It is crucial to select a provider that can offer toll-free number options, ensuring seamless communication with customers.

To aid in the selection process, businesses can seek recommendations from industry peers or consult with experts in the field. Conducting thorough research and comparing different wholesale SIP Trunk providers based on their offerings, pricing, and customer support can help businesses make an informed decision.

By carefully evaluating reliability, scalability, and toll-free number availability, businesses can choose the right wholesale SIP Trunk provider that aligns with their communication needs and supports their growth objectives.

Integration with Existing Communication Systems

One of the key advantages of partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers is the seamless integration of their systems with a company's existing communication infrastructure. By effortlessly connecting to the company's PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or IP-PBX (Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange) systems, wholesale SIP Trunk providers enable businesses to optimize their communication processes.

Through this integration, businesses can harness the power of wholesale SIP Trunking alongside their current communication systems, leveraging the existing infrastructure for enhanced efficiency and cost savings. This eliminates the need for complex hardware installations and allows for a smooth transition to the new technology.

By incorporating wholesale SIP Trunking, businesses can benefit from advanced features and functionalities such as call routing, call recording, and call analytics within their existing systems. This enables them to streamline their communication processes, improve customer service, and increase overall productivity.

The integration also offers potential cost savings by replacing traditional phone lines with more flexible and cost-effective SIP Trunk connections. By eliminating the need for separate voice and data networks, businesses can reduce their communication expenses and consolidate their services through a single, unified infrastructure.

Maximizing Efficiency and Cost Savings

With wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can optimize their communication systems and realize significant cost savings. By seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure, they can avoid costly disruptions, minimize downtime, and enhance overall efficiency.

Furthermore, the integration of wholesale SIP Trunking allows businesses to scale their communication capabilities as per their evolving needs. Whether it's adding new lines or expanding to multiple locations, the flexibility provided by wholesale SIP Trunk providers ensures that businesses can meet their communication demands without hassle.

Security and Reliability with SIP Trunk Providers

In today's digital landscape, security and reliability are paramount when it comes to communication systems. When using wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can rest assured that their data and voice transmissions are protected through robust security measures. These providers have implemented stringent protocols to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of communications.

Wholesale SIP Trunk providers prioritize the security of their networks by leveraging encryption technologies, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP). These protocols safeguard against unauthorized access and eavesdropping, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure throughout the communication process.

In addition to encryption, wholesale SIP Trunk providers employ various other security measures, including firewall protection, intrusion detection systems, and regular system monitoring. These measures help detect and prevent potential threats, ensuring the continuity and reliability of communication services.

Furthermore, reputable wholesale SIP Trunk providers comply with industry standards and regulations, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This ensures that businesses can confidently transmit and store customer data in accordance with legal requirements.

By partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can mitigate security risks and focus on their core operations. The trust and reliability provided by these providers allow businesses to streamline their communication processes and strengthen their overall security posture.

To further illustrate the importance of security and reliability, here is an image that showcases the key elements of a secure and reliable communication network:

Next, we will explore the scalability and flexibility benefits offered by wholesale SIP Trunk providers in Section 7.

Scalability and Flexibility Benefits

One of the key advantages of partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers is the scalability and flexibility they offer to businesses. With traditional communication systems, expanding capacity or making adjustments to meet changing business needs can be complex and costly. However, wholesale SIP Trunk providers enable businesses to easily increase or decrease their capacity based on their communication requirements.

This scalability and flexibility provide businesses with the agility they need to adapt to fluctuating call volumes, seasonal demands, or unforeseen circumstances. For example, during peak periods, such as holidays or promotional campaigns, businesses can quickly scale up their capacity to ensure seamless communication without experiencing any disruptions or bottlenecks. Conversely, during quieter periods, they can scale down their capacity to optimize resources and reduce costs.

By leveraging the services of wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can access a comprehensive suite of scalable solutions that cater to their unique needs. Whether it's adding phone lines, expanding geographical presence, or integrating additional communication features, wholesale SIP Trunk providers can accommodate these evolving requirements effortlessly.

Moreover, the flexible nature of wholesale SIP Trunk systems allows businesses to integrate various communication channels seamlessly. Whether it's voice, video, or messaging, businesses can choose the channels that best suit their customer preferences and optimize their communication strategies accordingly.

Overall, the scalability and flexibility benefits provided by wholesale SIP Trunk providers empower businesses to adapt and grow without being constrained by their communication systems. By harnessing the power of wholesale SIP Trunking, businesses can stay agile, enhance customer experience, and drive operational efficiencies.

Cost Savings with Wholesale SIP Trunk Providers

When it comes to communication systems, businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs without compromising on quality. This is where wholesale SIP Trunk providers come in. By partnering with these providers, businesses can unlock significant cost-saving advantages.

One of the most notable cost-saving benefits of wholesale SIP Trunk providers is the elimination of expensive traditional phone lines. With traditional phone systems, businesses are burdened with high upfront costs, ongoing maintenance fees, and costly long-distance charges. By replacing these outdated systems with wholesale SIP Trunk solutions, businesses can significantly reduce their communication expenses.

By leveraging the power of the internet, wholesale SIP Trunk providers enable businesses to make calls, send messages, and conduct business meetings using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. VoIP allows for the transmission of voice and multimedia content over the internet, eliminating the need for costly physical infrastructure and long-distance charges.

In addition to eliminating old-fashioned phone lines, wholesale SIP Trunk providers also offer businesses the potential for reduced communication costs. Through their scalable pricing models, businesses only pay for the exact amount of SIP trunks needed, ensuring that they are not overspending on unnecessary communication channels. This flexibility allows businesses to align their communication expenses with their actual usage, avoiding wasted resources and optimizing their budget.

Furthermore, wholesale SIP Trunk providers often offer discounted rates for international calls, making it more economical for businesses to connect with clients and partners across the globe. This can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses with extensive international communication needs.

By embracing wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses can enjoy substantial cost savings compared to traditional phone systems. The elimination of expensive phone lines, the adoption of VoIP technology, and the flexibility in pricing all contribute to reduced communication costs. With these savings, businesses can allocate their resources towards other critical areas of their operations, driving growth and success.

Enhanced Features and Functionality

Wholesale SIP Trunk providers offer businesses a wide array of enhanced features and functionality that can greatly improve their overall communication effectiveness. These features enable businesses to streamline their operations, enhance customer experience, and optimize their communication processes.

One of the key features offered by wholesale SIP Trunk providers is call routing. This feature allows businesses to intelligently route incoming calls to the most appropriate destination based on various criteria such as caller location, time of day, or availability of agents. By implementing call routing, businesses can ensure that each call is efficiently handled and directed to the right person or department, improving customer satisfaction.

Another valuable feature is call recording. Wholesale SIP Trunk providers enable businesses to record their calls for various purposes such as quality assurance, training, compliance, or dispute resolution. The ability to capture and review conversations can help businesses analyze their communication processes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Furthermore, wholesale SIP Trunk providers offer call analytics capabilities. This feature provides businesses with detailed insights and data about their call traffic, including call volume, call duration, and peak call times. By leveraging call analytics, businesses can gain valuable information to make data-driven decisions, optimize their communication strategies, and allocate resources effectively.

Overall, the enhanced features and functionality provided by wholesale SIP Trunk providers empower businesses to take their communication systems to the next level. With customized call routing, call recording, and call analytics capabilities, businesses can improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and drive better outcomes.

Continue reading to learn more about real-world case studies of businesses that have successfully implemented wholesale SIP Trunk providers and the key considerations to keep in mind when implementing this transformative communication solution.

Key Considerations for Implementing Wholesale SIP Trunk Providers

When implementing wholesale SIP Trunk providers, businesses need to consider several key factors to ensure a seamless and successful integration. Proper planning, compatibility with existing systems, and the ability to support toll-free numbers and voIP call center requirements are crucial considerations.

1. Proper Planning

Prior to implementing a wholesale SIP Trunk provider, businesses should carefully plan their communication needs and objectives. This includes evaluating the number of users, expected call volumes, and desired call features. By identifying these requirements in advance, businesses can choose a provider that aligns with their specific needs.

2. Compatibility with Existing Systems

It is essential to assess the compatibility of the wholesale SIP Trunk provider with existing communication systems. This involves evaluating the compatibility of IP PBX platforms, SIP-enabled devices, and software applications. Choosing a provider that seamlessly integrates with current infrastructure ensures a smooth transition and maximum efficiency.

3. Support for Toll-Free Numbers and VoIP Call Center

For businesses that rely on toll-free numbers and operate voIP call centers, it is crucial to select a wholesale SIP Trunk provider that can support these requirements. Toll-free numbers enable businesses to enhance customer service and provide a professional image, while a voIP call center facilitates efficient call routing and management. Ensuring the chosen provider offers these capabilities is paramount for a successful implementation.

By considering these key factors, businesses can implement wholesale SIP Trunk providers effectively and optimize their communication systems. Taking the time to plan, evaluate compatibility, and select a provider capable of accommodating specific needs will result in a streamlined and efficient communication infrastructure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wholesale SIP Trunk providers like Ringflow offer businesses a game-changing solution to enhance their communication systems. By implementing the tips and understanding the benefits covered in this article, businesses can transform their communication processes and stay ahead in today's competitive landscape.

Partnering with wholesale SIP Trunk providers enables businesses to establish reliable and cost-effective communication networks. The availability of virtual phone numbers and wholesale VoIP termination services further enhances the efficiency and reach of these systems.

In addition to improved call center functionality and diverse CC routes, businesses can benefit from the scalability, flexibility, and cost savings offered by wholesale SIP Trunk providers. By seamlessly integrating with existing communication systems, companies can achieve greater efficiency and reduce expenses.

With the assurance of strong security measures and reliable performance, businesses can confidently adopt wholesale SIP Trunk solutions. The enhanced features and functionality, such as call routing, recording, and analytics, further contribute to the effectiveness of communication processes.

[phonesuite]

In this blog post, we will discuss what sip trunking is and harness the advantages of modern communication technology. SIP trunking plays a crucial role in communication infrastructures. Learn More...

[a1routes]

Looking for the Best SIP Trunk Providers? What Should You Really Be Comparing?

In the age of digital transformation, businesses are upgrading their communication infrastructure to stay competitive. One such upgrade is SIP trunking—a cost-effective, scalable solution that replaces traditional phone lines. But with so many options available, many companies are left wondering: Who are the best SIP trunk providers, and what should you really be comparing?

For businesses in Hyderabad, the answer lies in choosing a provider that delivers both performance and personalized service. That’s where A1 Routes stands out as one of the best SIP trunk providers in the region.

What Is SIP Trunking?

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking enables voice calls over the internet using a business's existing PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system. Instead of using physical phone lines, SIP trunks connect your communication system to the internet, resulting in lower costs, better scalability, and improved call quality.

The key advantage? SIP trunking gives your business the flexibility to grow without being held back by legacy systems.

What to Compare When Choosing the Best SIP Trunk Providers

With numerous providers claiming to be the best, it's essential to look beyond the marketing buzz. Here are the core factors to evaluate:

Call Quality and Reliability Look for a provider with a proven track record of high call quality and network uptime. Dropped calls and poor audio can damage your brand’s reputation.

Scalability The best SIP trunk providers offer the ability to scale up or down easily. Whether you're adding 10 or 100 lines, the process should be seamless.

Security and Compliance VoIP systems are vulnerable to cyber threats. Ensure your provider follows strict security protocols and complies with industry regulations.

Pricing Transparency Choose a provider that offers clear, competitive pricing without hidden fees.

Local Support A provider with a strong local presence—like A1 Routes in Hyderabad—can offer faster, more personalized support when you need it most.

Why A1 Routes Is One of the Best SIP Trunk Providers in Hyderabad

At A1 Routes, we understand that communication is the backbone of your business. Our SIP trunking services are designed to be robust, flexible, and affordable—making us one of the best SIP trunk providers trusted by businesses across Hyderabad.

Here’s what you get with A1 Routes:

Crystal-Clear Call Quality across local, national, and international lines

Seamless Integration with your existing PBX system

Instant Scalability to match your business growth

Advanced Security Protocols to protect your data and privacy

24/7 Support from a dedicated local team

Let’s Simplify Your Communication

Whether you're upgrading from analog lines or looking to optimize your existing VoIP setup, A1 Routes is your go-to partner. Our expert team will help you evaluate your needs and tailor the ideal SIP trunking solution for your business.

Call us today at 9246461828 to schedule a free consultation and see how much you can save.

[comtecsystems]

What is PRI? The Ultimate Guide to Primary Rate Interface

PRI (Primary Rate Interface) is a form of a digital circuit that’s used for transmitting data and voice over conventional phone lines. But what exactly is this digital circuit, how does it work, and what benefits does it offer to businesses? We’ll discuss this in the ultimate guide to PRI and answer all the questions you may have about PRI.

PRI Explained

As mentioned, it is a digital circuit, which offers around 23 voice channels, as well as one data channel. This makes a total of 24 channels for transmitting both data and voice over conventional copper phone lines. Typically, medium to large-sized firms use PRI for their telephone systems to ensure they can easily manage a large volume of calls without any hassle.

For More information Visit us at https://comtecsystems.net/what-is-pri-the-ultimate-guide-to-primary-rate-interface/

[aplusvoip]

Telecommunications Service Provider

Aplus VoIP is a trusted telecommunications service provider offering innovative VoIP solutions tailored to meet business communication needs. With reliable technology, crystal-clear call quality, and cost-effective plans, Aplus VoIP ensures seamless connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Choose Aplus VoIP for efficient, scalable, and future-ready telecommunications services.

[ahundredtimesover]

Something About You (03) | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: friends au, vacation au, slow burn, romcom-ish vibe; adulting; inspired by AYS; PE teacher!JK and researcher!OC; fluff, comfort, smut (?)

Chapter Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption, minor injury (18+)

Word count: 17.9k

Series Masterlist

Status: Ongoing

Series Summary: You and Jungkook have been friends for a decade. And while he’s the charming and dependable, often reserved boy-next-door, he’s also just been a friend - a constant in your life, a part of a whole, and someone who’s seen all the flawed and probably unattractive sides of you.

A resumption of your friend group’s out-of-town trips has caused you to spend more time with him. And somewhere in between the morning coffee in the forest, running around in the snow, and watching the sunset on a boat, he’s become something more. And you’re not quite sure how to deal with it.

🎶: Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney || Yes or No by Jungkook

A/N: My favorite Koo look! Hope you're enjoying this series so far!

[From: kook] Leaving in a bit. Be there in 20.”

You turn off your laptop camera and quickly give Jungkook a call, wanting him to hear your cutesy, pleading voice for this request.

“Hey, what’s up?” He asks on the other end.

“Hello to my amazing friend. I’ve run out of tea and I really need one,” you cry out. “Do you think you can get or make me a cup? Please?”

“Sure, there’s a cafe near my place,” he chuckles. “Anything specific?”

“Chamomile or jasmine,” you respond. “Thank you! I’ll see you in a bit!”

You end the call and quickly get back to your meeting, your fourth one of the day, and it’s only been seven hours since you clocked in at work. You’re thankful for work-from-home Fridays but somehow they’re even more tiring, at least recently, given the upcoming holidays and people taking their respective leaves. 

Like many at your firm, it’s your last day before you take a few weeks off then return in early January. Everyone’s doing end-of-year meetings and pre-planning for next year. There are financial reports to submit and project updates to consolidate. You were able to get all the paperwork done overnight so you could focus on your meetings during the day and you just can’t wait for it to be over so you can completely switch off.

“I guess that wraps it up,” your manager says after you provide a progress summary of all your ongoing research projects. “You got everything on-track and we’ll be starting next year on a good note. Thank you, ___. You deserve this break.”

“We all do,” you smile. “Enjoy the break, everyone! I’ll see you next year.”

You end the meeting and drop your head on your desk. Today was a marathon and you feel like you’re still running on adrenaline so you take deep breaths to calm yourself down. You’ve got a couple of days of vacation with your friends and then several more with your family when you go to your hometown and that technically starts right now. 

So you turn off your laptop, clear out your desk, and do a final check of your things before dressing up in time for Jungkook’s arrival in five minutes. 

He’s already standing by the trunk of his car when you scurry down the driveway and drag your luggage to meet him. You apologize for making him wait but he waves you off to say that it’s okay. You load your things and quickly get into the passenger seat.

“Here’s your tea,” Jungkook says, handing you a hot cup that you excitedly receive. 

You take a sip and hum in satisfaction at its warmth. The scent and the taste are already making you feel better, and you sink in your seat at the comfort it gives you. Releasing a drawn out hum, you feel your muscles slowly relax.

“Looked like you needed that, huh?” Jungkook says as he starts driving.

You’re both headed to the airport where you'll meet your other friends who are on their way there after work, too. Living close to Jungkook, he offered to pick you up so that there’s only one of your cars you’ll leave at the parking for the duration of your trip to Sapporo.

“Totally. I was up until 4AM getting all of my paper work done,” you sigh.

“And what time did you wake up?”

“7:30.”

“Yah, that’s not a healthy sleeping habit,” he reprimands you.

“Says the guy who used to do exactly that,” you point out.

“Those were college days. I’m an adult now, you know? I get at least seven hours of sleep because any less and I’d be a dysfunctional mess.”

“It’s so weird how we’re at that age where we require a lot of hours of sleep but then in 10 years’ time, our body will just decide it can survive with four.”

“We produce less melatonin as we age,” he informs you. “But you know what’s funny about my 4 - 10 AM sleeping pattern before? People thought I was up studying but I was really just playing video games for most of it.”

“Oh I’m not surprised,” you shake your head. “I already knew you're the one who influenced Jimin’s sleeping habits. He used to follow a strict curfew and then you messed it up.”

“Yeah and now he thanks me because he’s now used to it. He says it’s how he survives his job.”

“Working in advertising requires that, I guess,” you frown. “At least he gets to have a break. At least we all do! I am completely shutting off so please call me out if I talk about work.”

“Sure, that’ll be fun,” he chuckles. “Can I call you out on other things, too?”

You make a face at him and say he’ll do that anyway even if you tell him not to.

You yawn for the third time in the past minute and Jungkook turns to you. 

“Sleep. It’s a long drive so might as well get some of your energy back,” he says. “I’ll wake you up when we’re there.”

“Okay,” you say as you yawn again. “If I snore… just suck it up.”

He playfully rolls his eyes then points to the lever that adjusts the seat so you can lie down more comfortably. He puts some mellow music on and you fall asleep instantly, curled against your arms and soft snores escaping you. 

Jungkook can only laugh to himself as he sneaks glances at you during the ride. It was about a month ago when he told himself that the way to deal with this maybe harmless and fleeting crush he has for you is to spend less time together. That was only slightly possible because there was some lunch or dinner with your friends every weekend, but it wasn’t as if not seeing you meant he wasn’t thinking about you. 

Of course he still was. He thought about you a lot and wondered how you were doing. For the first time, he was thankful for his stressful job and the busy days of making student reports for the end of the semester, which meant he couldn’t always meet you every time you asked if he was done with work or if he was in the area where you were. He was always tempted to just drop things to see you but he knew that would make things more complicated for him. 

But then again, he hasn’t even fully grasped exactly what he feels yet. Is it admiration? A newfound fondness? Did he just need to rid himself of some past baggage that he didn’t even realize he was carrying for things to make sense to him? 

Regardless, he knew that spending more time with you - for an extended period of time, and in close proximity - isn’t going to make things easier. But Taehyung just had to spring this trip on all of you and no one could refuse because he’s actually the other baby of the group that everyone has a soft spot for and he’s leaving for who knows how long again in a few months. 

Jungkook’s not complaining at the least because he’d go anywhere with his friends. He just finds it a bit comical that this is exactly what he said he shouldn’t be doing but here he is now - on another long drive with you asleep next to him, with a two-plus hour flight ahead to a city he always wanted to go to, and a few days of winter coldness that might cause him to seek your warmth in one way or another. Or you might seek his for all he knows and that might actually be worse.

He just shakes his head and focuses on the road after glancing at you again. He’s not really the type to overthink things. He’s fared well in most aspects of his life by going with the flow and dealing with whatever comes his way. 

Though his relationships are another story, he supposes those youthful years were characterised by a level of insecurity and lack of trust in himself that made him hold onto things that didn’t feel right. He thinks he’s a lot more mature now - he’ll have conviction in whatever he feels for you, whatever it is, and he’ll accept rejection if that’s where it’ll lead to. 

He’ll see where things go but for now, what matters is that he, you, and all of your friends get to enjoy this trip as much as possible.

Jungkook finally makes it to the airport and checks in his car for a few days of parking. He wakes you up and you take a while to open your eyes. He pats your head when you do and reminds you that you’ll have more time to sleep on the plane.

You dazedly drag your luggage and you pout at Jungkook who giggles at your sleepy state. 

“I’m so tired,” you pout at him as you both make your way to the check-in area where the rest of your friends are waiting.

“I can tell. Let’s just get through the gates and then you can sleep somewhere there, okay?”

You nod as if you’ll cry any moment, and part of him wants to just pull you close so you can lean on him while you sleep but that might be too unexpected so he just puts his hand on your shoulder to stop you from falling. 

“Princess can’t stay awake?” Jimin’s voice cuts through the airport chatter.

“She barely got any sleep last night and she had meetings all day,” Jungkook informs your friends who have gathered where you are. 

“Aww, poor thing,” Jimin hums as he hugs you, and you respond by hugging him tighter.

“Let’s get to the gates then,” Yoongi orders. “There are lots of places we can eat and rest at.”

You all line up and slowly get through the check-in line before you’re able to head to the gates. Gyu-rim finds a table big enough for 12 at a restaurant and while all of them order their meals, you stay seated, with your head on Jimin’s shoulder and on your way to dreamland once again. 

“Let’s take turns,” Mo-eum tells him, as she finishes her rice bowl first then shifts your head to lean on hers after.

You briefly wake up to have a few spoonfuls of your bulgogi before offering the rest to Jungkook and then taking quick naps again. You’ve seriously never been this tired. But you feel like your body knew it could afford to just shut down because you’re on vacation. It just didn’t plan it well enough because you’re in the middle of the airport, just randomly dozing off. 

You finally board the plane and find that you’re seated next to Jungkook who’s on the window seat, and Taehyung and Mo-eum are on the row in front of you, while an aisle separates you from Jimin. It’s a good enough arrangement, and Jungkook helps you load your carry-on in the overhead compartment before you take your seat and immediately rest your head on his shoulder.

It’s a natural thing for you to do, and you suppose your friends are used to you by now. You make yourself comfortable then look up to smile at Jungkook.

“I’m gonna fall asleep once we take-off,” you tell him.

“I’m sure you will,” he chuckles, as he looks through the emergency instructions. 

“Have we sat next to each other on a flight before?” You ask.

“Uh, I think this one flight to Jeju,” Jungkook responds. “But that was some time ago. I might’ve been asleep then.”

“Hmm, that’s why,” you hum.

“What?”

“I didn’t realize how comfy you are.”

“It’s probably the clothes, ___,” he reasons, more to himself. “I need them to be fluffy and warm because it’s winter.”

You adjust yourself again before resettling your head on his side.

“Maybe.”

Jungkook doesn’t overthink it. You’ve leaned on his shoulder lots of times before. This isn’t out of the ordinary. But with you pointing out that you haven’t really sat next to each other on flights before reminds him again of how you’ve always just been part of the whole. And now he’s got this time and proximity with you and it’s comforting but also exciting.

Even if yes, he’s just playing games on his phone while you flick through the airplane magazine while waiting for take-off. Once you’re up in the air and the seatbelt light has turned off, you push back your seat and start dozing off.

Your head keeps slipping from the position it’s in, even as he tries to straighten it so you don’t hurt your neck in the process. Perhaps out of discomfort, you briefly wake up to unlatch the table then lay the pillow and your head on it. Even then, it constantly bounces from the slight turbulence so you sit back again and shift your body in search of the right position. 

Jungkook sees you cross your arms against your chest and assumes you’re cold, but just as he’s about to cover you with his airline-provided blanket, Mo-eum peeks her head from between the seats. 

“She needs to hug something when she’s asleep,” your best friend says. 

“Oh, uh—”

You curl your body in the seat and snore softly, and Jungkook can sense your body’s need for a proper position. So he lightly taps you awake, grabs a spare hoodie from his bag on the floor, then places it on his lap. He gestures towards it and you take the offer, immediately pulling up the arm rest and laying half of your body on top of his. 

You bend your legs and adjust yourself. You have your pillow on top of his jacket that’s on top of his lap, your blanket over you and then his blanket for you to hug. You release a low moan then your breathing steadies. Figuring out your position must’ve tired you, but with how fast you’ve fallen asleep, he figures you’ve found the right one.

Is he glad it’s on his lap? Not exactly, and only because it’s a kind of closeness he’s not used to with you, and he’s worried he’d look for it. But it doesn’t matter because you’re comfortable and he’d gladly help you get that much deserved rest in whatever way. Even if it’s at the cost of his stupid heart. 

Mo-eum peeks again to check on you and giggles when she sees where you ended up. She turns around and kneels on her seat to take a photo of you slumped on Jungkook’s lap while the said man poses. 

“Cute,” she smiles, before sitting back down and showing it to her seatmate.

It prompts Taehyung to turn around, too, laughing under his breath at how Jungkook is trying to figure out where to place his hands, now that you’ve hijacked his personal space. 

But Jungkook does figure it out, as he holds onto your arm to keep you from falling in case there’s another turbulence. Thankfully there isn’t, and when it’s announced that the plane will now start its descent so everyone must sit upright, he wakes you up and tells you that you’ll be landing soon.

You were in deep sleep and having a good dream that you don’t remember and the next thing you know, someone’s shaking your arm and telling you to wake up. Feeling like you’re on a bed, you shift your body and stretch your arms. But then you hear a groan and you look up to see Jungkook glaring at you.

“Did I hit your face?” You gasp, suddenly sitting up then turning his chin to check any damage. “I’m sorry! Are you okay?”

“You hit my jaw,” he groans. “But yeah, I’m fine.”

“Oops,” you sweetly smile. 

“Hey, you don’t apologize like that to me or Jimin when you hit our faces,” Taehyung remarks, turning his head and cocking his eyebrow. 

“That’s because Kook has a precious nose that must always be protected,” you reply with a straight face. “You don’t.”

“Yah!” Jungkook exclaims, knowing it’s a running joke in your group.

He pinches you in retaliation but you giggle at him and pinch his cheeks in response. 

“I’m kidding. Thanks, Kook. I’ve regained my energy and now I feel ready to take on the day,” you confidently say.

“___, it’s 9:30 PM,” Jungkook deadpans. 

“I’m really hungry, too,” you add, disregarding his statement.

“So now we have to deal with an energetic and hungry you? At this hour?” Jungkook groans. 

“Order food with me when we get to the hotel?” You ask, not minding his complaints. 

“And if it’s closed?”

“The convenience store, then!”

“Now I’m the one who’s tired.”

“No, you’re not! You can’t be!” You pout at him with your puppy eyes.

“Fine, whatever,” he gives in as he always does.

You’re talking about the dream you don’t remember when the sight of the snow-capped streets catches Jungkook’s attention. You see his doe-eyes go wide and he looks so innocent,  but you understand the amusement - it looks stunning outside and you can’t wait to bury yourself in the pillowy ice and breathe in the chilly air.

Both of you just look out while waiting to land and disembark. You manage to get all your luggage quickly then head to three separate rented cars to drive to your lodging for tonight.

The hotel restaurant isn’t taking orders anymore so you announce to the group that you and Jungkook are going to the convenience store across the street. Jimin, Namjoon, and Suhyeon join you, and you’re skipping out the lobby to get your snacks in no time. 

Jungkook tells you to be careful because the roads are slippery but you show-off your sliding skills that make you feel like you’re ice skating. He copies you and shows off, too, speeding his leg movements as he walks down an icier path.

But then he slips and falls to the ground, and you can’t help the way you laugh at his mishap. You can hear your other three friends laughing as they walk towards you, and Jungkook remains lying on the ground, laughing, too.

“You’re so clumsy,” you mock him, as it’s one of the things he says to you whenever you fall or hit something. 

“I was just trying to show you what not to do,” he makes a face before taking the hand you’ve reached out for him to take. “So don’t go skating and shit, okay? You might hurt yourself.”

“I won’t. I’m not a show-off nor a klutz,” you say and stick your tongue out.

He frowns at you then pulls you by your cheek to enter the store.

You, Jimin, and Jungkook stay together while you go around and drop various things in your basket that you think Taehyung and Mo-eum would like, too. You all get some chips, matcha cookies, chocolates, mini-cakes, instant ramen, beer... and about a dozen tuna mayo triangle kimbap because Jungkook is obsessed with them. You meet Namjoon and Suhyeon at the counter where they’ve filled their basket with a bunch of other things as well then head back to the hotel.

As is often the arrangement, the five of you share a suite while your seven other friends share one as well, and you make your way to the living room where all your purchases have been dumped on the table. 

Being that you barely had dinner and Jungkook’s stomach is a bottomless pit, both of you make ramen and get one rice ball each while the rest munch on snacks and dessert. Spread across the couch and the floor, you all hold up your beer cans and make a toast to this trip. 

Later that night, you watch the snow fall from the window as you sip the chamomile tea that Jungkook bought for you at the store. The city is beautiful at this hour and it feels cozy and romantic and exciting yet peaceful all at once. It’s a kind of feeling you’ve always wanted to experience, and now you know how a place can make you feel that way. 

Like all the times your mind has travelled somewhere, you suddenly wonder if it’s possible with a person. And if maybe, somewhere in this town, they’re right by their window, thinking the same thing, too.

You wake up to the sound of your alarm the next morning. For the brief moment right before you open your eyes, you feel that sense of relief over what turned out to be a really good sleep. 

Despite being knocked out the whole flight then eating and drinking late at night, you managed to get enough rest. You’ve truly switched off now. All you can think about are the sights you’ll see and food you’ll eat and all the time you’ll spend just walking through the snowy streets. 

The last time you all went to Japan, it was an action-packed trip. You went to amusement parks and went partying at night. This time, everyone decided on taking things slow. Sapporo’s perfect for that, and you suppose it’s what you all need.

Sitting up from the bed, you see that you’ve kicked your blanket off the edge while Mo-eum is cocooned under the sheets. You like the cold and you wish you had the aircon at a lower temperature, but your best friend freezes easily so you let the room stay warm. 

You tap her on the foot as an attempt to wake her up before heading out to the living area. The boys are in the other room and they seem to still be asleep. Wanting to see how the sun shines on the street outside, you pull open the curtains to let the light in and the way it does makes things look more enchanting.

But then a grunting sound disrupts your moment, prompting you to turn around.

It takes five seconds for you to notice Jungkook, who had camouflaged on the black couch with his black shirt and sweatpants and his arms behind his head. He seems to have slept there, as evidenced by the rearranged pillows and his half-lidded eyes gazing at you. The sun probably woke him up, so you apologize and try to close the curtains but he tells you it’s okay.

“Did you sleep here?” You ask, as you sit on the other end of where he is.

He groggily nods his yes.

“It was too hot in the room. Tae and Jimin had the aircon on fan mode.”

“Oh, that sucks,” you say. “Mo-eum had the temp high, too, and I ended up kicking my blanket on the floor. I like it cold.”

“Me, too,” Jungkook hums. “Good thing the couch is comfy.”

“You and Mo-eum can just switch places then,” you suggest. “The three warmies can stay in one room and you and I can enjoy a cold night.”

If Jungkook wasn’t awake five seconds ago, now he is. It’s not like he’s never shared a room with you before but with his little feelings recently, it might as well be the first time. He knows he can stay up with you just talking or saying nothing at all. You could also pass out and snore like crazy but then again, he wouldn’t mind that either. It’ll just be something new he’d tease you about, as if your snoring video that he shows to your friends isn’t enough.

“Sounds good,” he manages to say. 

Yawning as he stretches, he asks you what the itinerary is for the day.

“Do you not read the group chat?” You laugh at him. “The schedule is pinned on there.”

“Not really.”

“How do you ever know what’s going on, then?”

“I wait for Jimin or Tae to tell me when it’s about something important because they know I don’t check messages,” he shrugs. 

“You’re weird,” you playfully roll your eyes. “But anyway. We’re gonna have lunch, go to a beer museum, go to a mountain, check the–”

“You’re climbing?” He exclaims.

“We go by cable car, duh! Do you expect me to climb? In this weather?”

“You wouldn’t do it either way.”

“Excuse me, I climbed that mountain in Chungbuk,” you remind him.

“You mean I dragged you,” he chuckles. “And come on, ___. That wasn’t a mountain mountain. It was a short hike because we were already on the mountain. I just wanted to know if I had to drag your ass again or something.”

You make faces while he talks, prompting him to hit you with the small pillow.

“Yah!” You whine, hitting him back. 

Jungkook turns into a childish man when he’s challenged or provoked. He tends to be nonchalant about most things but you also know that he likes to play around and tease. He also likes to show off his athleticism and agility because now, as you try to hit him back again, he’s effectively dodging you while landing his pillow shots on your face.

“Kook, I’m gonna get your annoying ass,” you groan, grabbing the bigger pillow and then hitting him a little harder, knowing it’s not gonna affect him anyway. 

This dude is built like a brick. It just doesn’t seem like it because he’s always in loose clothes, but you know enough that not much hurts him. But you’re so into the pillow fight that he ends up lying down on the couch while you sit on top of him, your legs wrapped around his waist, and he’s there chuckling and blocking your hits. 

You take a rest, essentially giving him an opening. But instead of attacking, he turns to you and places his hands behind his head.

“Okay fine, I’ll let you make one last hit then we call it quits,” he says, challenging you.

You consider it, and as you act like you’re going to smack his face, you instead drop the pillow and make a tiny pinch on the sliver of his stomach that’s been exposed from all his movements. He yelps in pain and you manage to get off him in time, or else he would’ve easily wrestled you or turned you over.

He chases after you to the kitchen though, and you’re definitely not fast enough for the Jeon Jungkook. Before you know it, you’re getting pulled by your shirt and being tickled in your torso that you easily give up, facing him in submission then catching your breath.

“You’re such a brat,” he frowns. “That hurt.”

He slightly raises his shirt and discovers the red mark on his stomach that you caused.

You gasp in surprise; you didn’t realize you hurt him that bad. You pout then hug him - a reflex almost because this is how you apologize to your friends when you get a little too intense - and apologize.

“Nah, a hug won’t cut it,” he says, not returning the act.

You look up at him with sorry eyes.

“Coffee?”

“Nope.”

“A 6-pack in the beer museum later?” You sweetly smile, knowing that’s his weakness.

He gives in. “Deal.”

“Wow, that was easy,” you chuckle as you let go of him. 

“You leave a mark, you get me beer. It’s that simple,” he shrugs. 

“I bet it didn’t even really hurt,” you cock an eyebrow.

“___, it’s literally red. Look. It might even have a bit of your nail stuck in there.”

He pulls up his shirt again to show you the crescent on his abdomen and though you feel sorry, you also can’t help but tease.

“Show-off,” you stick your tongue out.

“Hey, I worked hard on that.”

“I’m sure, and they look great,” you flash a smile. 

“Kook, why are you giving ___ a private show this early in the morning?” Jimin says as he enters the kitchen. 

Jungkook tries not to look scandalized at the comment even if he knows it’s just his best friend’s way of teasing.

“She pinched me.”

“The tiny, painful kind?” Jimin asks.

“Yes. And I was just showing her the damage.”

Jimin turns to you with a disapproving look. “You’re a brat.”

“I said I was sorry,” you pout at Jungkook again. 

You look adorable and he can’t really be angry. 

“She’ll make it up to me with beer at least.”

“That’s not too bad,” Jimin laughs. “Just be her punching bag and you’ll end up with lots of free things.”

Jungkook chuckles in agreement and proceeds to boil water for coffee. It’s 10:30 AM and you’re set to meet the rest of your friends in an hour for lunch, so you munch on another triangle kimbap and some snacks then get dressed.

As you’re going down the stairs to the lobby, you slow down to walk with Jungkook and you turn to him.

“You’re not mad, right? I’m sorry again,” you say softly.

There’s an innocence in your eyes as you utter the words and Jungkook has to stop himself from engulfing you in a hug. 

It’s fondness, he convinces himself. It’s this tenderness that always cuts through at the end that gets him. You can be playful and rowdy and unforgiving sometimes but you’re affectionate and gentle and it catches him off guard. He doesn’t know why it’s never affected him like this before because he knows you’ve been like this to him before.

“I’m not,” he says, nudging your shoulder in assurance. “It’s stopped hurting and your nail marks will go away. You’re all good.”

“Good. We don’t want blemishes on those pretty abs,” you wink.  

He laughs in your wake. He hopes the fondness he feels for you stays. He also hopes that’s all there really is.

The ramen place you find for lunch is a tiny restaurant that manages to fit all of you. You and Taehyung moan in satisfaction at the richness of the broth, content with your weak people’s palette that can only handle the lowest level of spiciness, whereas Jimin next to you winces because he definitely didn’t expect his level 7 to be that hot. But still, he says it’s one of the most delicious things he’s ever eaten and you’d have to agree. 

The restaurant is buzzing in chatter and laughter because of all of you, especially when Gyu-rim calls out Jungkook’s bottomless pit of a stomach once again.

He ordered chashu don with his ramen but is on his second serving of the rice bowl after Suhyeon offered the one she couldn’t finish. 

“You know how normal people stop eating after they’re full?” He says. “I end up eating five more portions.”

“Oh, we know,” most of you answer in unison. 

“How good is it anyway?” You ask.

“Dude, it’s so good,” he moans, furrowing his brows; he tends to look angry when the food is delicious.

You open your mouth to signal that you want to try it and Jungkook prepares a spoonful for you. He’s about to hand it over but then you stand and lean over the table, so he feeds you and tips the spoon to make sure you get everything in your mouth.

It’s something he’s done with you lots of times before but this feels different. There’s that fuzzy feeling of doing this intimate act for you, even as a friend. 

Because it’s just that, he reminds himself - an act of affection towards a person dear to him.

You hum with a full mouth with how good it is and urge Mo-eum to try as well, so Jungkook feeds her, too - something completely normal that doesn't elicit any unusual warm feeling. But he can’t keep his eyes off you still chewing your food while asking for another spoonful with the ramen broth this time after he said it was even better together.

You lean over again and Yoongi tells you to just order your own. 

“We’re not in a rush. We can stay here for as long as you all want,” Hoseok - the one who keeps you all on track with schedules during your trips - says.

You smile in response then scurry to the ticket machine to order more. You’re served two bowls not long after, and you announce that you got another one so each person can try it at least once, starting with Jimin who gets two spoonfuls. 

You prepare one yourself and lean over to Jungkook to feed him this time. He’s caught off guard but he opens his mouth in time before you complain that he’s taking too long. Returning to your seat, you get another bite for yourself then another.

“Yah, I gave you two spoonfuls,” Jungkook reminds you.

“Get from the other bowl,” you frown at him. “That’s why I got two!”

He laughs, only wanting to rile you up, but he does finish what your friends couldn’t, and there he goes again with his unnecessary fifth portion.

Once you’ve finished, you head to a local park that’s covered in snow. Jimin immediately runs and dives on one of the mounds he sees and you follow, loving the pillowy ice almost as much as he does. Soon enough, Mo-eum, Jungkook, and Taehyung are next to you, lying down and making snow angels, all the while giggling like little kids.

Your seven older friends all stand around and watch with the softest smiles on their faces.

“This is why we came here, right?” Hoseok hums. “To watch them be like this?”

“It’s like I’m watching our grown up children,” Yoongi says.

“We’re two years apart,” Gyu-rim points out. “They’re not that young.”

“I don’t know. I kinda feel like they are,” Yoongi replies.

“You’re just old,” she counters, quietly laughing when the other man chuckles to himself.

It’s a struggle getting off the ground when it’s so soft and cold. But your jacket is also added weight and you’re scolding yourself for not being agile like your friends who can easily get up and then run further into the park.

“Kook, help me,” you plead with your legs bent to your sides and your one arm raised. “I can’t carry myself.”

Jungkook sighs but pulls you anyway. You pant as you try to walk towards the frozen pond and he teases by saying that you probably need a piggyback ride or something.

“Will you give me one?” You smile sweetly.

“Nope,” he smiles back, and you pout at him in return. 

He easily could, but Jungkook - normally - likes to tease you. He gives in most times, but he’s been trying to recall how he was prior to these possible feelings surfacing and he remembers that there were times when he turned you down or argued with you first before granting your request. 

He’s trying to balance it out for that sense of normalcy he wants to maintain. He can’t have anyone, especially you, suspecting him of treating you differently, even if deep down, he wants to give you that piggyback ride or hold your hand while dragging you all the way to the center of the park. 

But he goes with the latter. Similar to what he did during your hike months ago, he pulls you by the wrist until you reach the pond. 

He watches you look around in awe. He does the same while stealing glances and he hopes no one notices. He’s not really ready to explain himself to anyone about something he’s still trying to make sense of.

The hour flies by. You spend it just walking around and having mini snowball fights where you all ban Jungkook because he was making snow boulders and burying Jimin in them. You buy coffee from a park stall and finish it by the time you’re back in your cars.

You head to a Beer Museum after. The building itself is stunning and you spend time just admiring it. Inside, you explore Sapporo and Hokkaido’s history and take time reading and watching the information presented. Jungkook, of course, heads straight away to the tasting section and begins eyeing which drinks he wants to sample.

He loves beer, which is ironic for a PE teacher who teaches his students about healthy living but like he says, too much of something is what makes it unhealthy. Plus, there are doctors who have worse vices and so he gets a pass. 

And maybe he’s right. Jungkook has a high tolerance for many things and he knows when to stop but you also know he truly enjoys the taste, and not just the social aspect of drinking it. 

You’re still exploring, as you’re more interested in learning more than drinking, but most of your friends have already gone ahead, with only Suhyeon and Hoseok walking alongside you.

“Don’t forget that you promised me a six-pack,” Jungkook reminds you once you get to him.

“Why, what did you do?” Gyu-rim asks you, knowing that’s the only reason you’d agree to buy Jungkook something.

“She pinched me on the stomach this morning and it left a mark,” Jungkook narrates. “It hurt like hell.”

“Is that why you were showing your abs to ___ in the kitchen?” Taehyung asks. “I was half asleep but I saw you. I thought you were being kinky or something.”

“I said the same thing!” Jimin exclaims, causing your friends to laugh.

“Yah! I had to show her proof because she didn’t wanna believe me!” Jungkook defends. 

“Because you don’t even get hurt!” You answer back. 

“Wow, that’s deep,” Jimin hums. “And totally off-mark. Kook is a sensitive one.”

“Yeah, but his body isn’t,” you pout, knowing exactly what your best friend means. 

Jungkook laughs it off then returns to his beer tasting, claiming that he wants three cans of two different exclusive flavors. You agree and taste them at his insistence and decide to buy a variety of alcohol as well. 

It’s close to sunset when you finish, then you all head to Mt. Moiwa for some scenery. It’s a chilly and entertaining ride to the top, with Hoseok and Jimin going from amused to terrified in seconds, and you’re glad you decided to join their cable car instead of Jungkook and Mo-eum who’d probably be dancing around because they’re not really scared of anything.

As you expected, the view is pretty special. Everything is blanketed in snow and the city lights add that urban charm. You stay there until the sun has completely set before going to your final stop of the night - the Christmas Market. It’s something you’ve always wanted to experience, so all of you walk through the streets and look at every stall for something to buy or taste.

Jimin and Yoongi try some mulled wine and Namjoon buys some cute figurines. Seokjin and Hayoung buy something to commemorate their last overseas trip before getting married, and you and Suhyeon munch on a pretzel. 

And then there’s Jungkook - a gourmet sausage on one hand and a donut on the other. 

“Kook, we still have dinner. You know that, right?” Hoseok laughs from next to him, clearly amused at how his younger friend can still have an appetite. 

“Of course he does, that’s why he’s eating all this now so he has space for more later on,” Gyu-rim states. “Go on, Kook. Eat to your heart’s content.”

You stand next to Jungkook as you wait for Suhyeon who said she’ll order hot chocolate for you.

“Is it good?” You ask.

“Yup,” he mumbles. “Try some!”

Like always, you open your mouth and he feeds you the donut, prompting you to complain that sweets always go last. He just laughs at you and waits for you to finish chewing before letting you bite off his sausage.

“That’s good,” you hum, uncaring about the juice that drips on the side of your mouth.

“Yah,” Jungkook groans. He takes his napkin and wipes it off your face. “Are you a child?”

“You literally eat with sauce all over your face,” you call him out.

“And you’ve never wiped them off. Gee, thanks,” he counters.

“You’re an adult.”

“And so are you,” he chuckles while he continues to wipe you clean. 

You stand there, clad in a loose jacket and a beanie that makes you look adorable, and he can’t help but smile once again. You’re such a handful sometimes but he likes this. He likes giving in to your requests and watching you enjoy it and maybe cleaning up your mess, too. He likes seeing you appreciate the things that he does. He likes knowing you’re curious about what he’s up to and then sharing it with him.

He doesn’t recall ever caring this much but he’s down that slope of finding everything you do so captivating that he might as well smile every time you breathe.

Suddenly he feels silly, and he makes a face at you to mask whatever he’s feeling. 

You leave him once Suhyeon calls and Jungkook’s left there to shake his head and internally scold himself to get it together.

You return to the hotel, drop your things in your rooms, then head to the restaurant for dinner. It’s a spread of premium meat, hotpot that tastes like cabbage water, and some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever had. 

You jump in your seat in delight and Jungkook does the same. After all the bickering, you know that both of you love food so much even if he enjoys it because he knows how it’s supposed to taste, whereas for you, most things are just delicious. It’s just funny that you’re only realizing now that both of you react to things pretty much the same way.

You’re back in the suite by 10 PM, and the five of you take turns in the bathroom while the boys play a card game with push-ups as punishment for the loser while you and Mo-eum act as both penalty enforcer and cheerleader. 

The tiredness from the day slowly creeps in so you all retire to your rooms, upholding this morning’s agreement about who’s sleeping where. 

Jungkook lies down on Mo-eum’s bed and half wishes that he’ll fall asleep soon so that he doesn’t have to spend more of this time alone with you. The last time that happened, his heart was doing weird things and now that might just happen again.

He starts to slowly doze off when your voice wakes him up.

“Do you want to put on a face mask?”

“Uhm, okay,” he stupidly gives in easily.

You grab two packs and a mirror from your pouch then try to put the mask on properly. You turn to Jungkook who now kneels next to you, as if asking him to fix it. He shifts it a little before putting one on himself. He turns to you as well and you flatten the edges, making sure you spread the serum from his jaw down to his neck, completely unaware of how you’re affecting him.

For some reason, you decide to sit in the space between the beds so Jungkook follows suit. There’s not much distance between the both of you but this isn’t the first time. He supposes he’ll just keep doing what he’s been trying to do - try to act normal while also figuring out exactly what he feels without making it obvious that something has changed. 

“Today was good,” you hum. “I liked playing in the snow and walking around. And now it’s 12 AM but we’re not passed out. What a change from years ago.”

“Such a change,” he laughs, reminiscing about your post-university trips where you were finally earning money and spending it on shopping and partying. “Hong Kong was the worst.”

You and Jimin were drunk and entered the wrong hotel, and Jungkook was the one who looked for you and dragged your asses out of there before you fought the hotel staff for not letting you into your room.

You remember that night and smile behind your mask. “Oops.”

“So yeah, this trip is good,” he chuckles. “We just get to relax and do whatever we want and actually remember everything and you know, not end up fighting strangers and stuff.”

You laugh in response.

“I liked the park, too. And my free beer. Thanks again, ___.”

You’re reminded of your comment from earlier about him not getting hurt. It’s not that deep but given the conversations you’ve been having with him and the things you know that the others don’t, it may not have been the best thing to say.

“What I said when we were at the museum…” you start. “I know it might have a double meaning but you know what I meant.”

It takes a while for him to figure out what you’re referring to but when he does, he just shakes his head. 

“I know what you meant and it’s totally fine. I didn’t take it the wrong way.”

“But still, I’m sorry,” you mutter. 

“It’s okay. Why are you always apologizing though?”

“Because I… don’t wanna do or say anything that’ll hurt you,” you admit. “I mean duh, I don’t want to do that to any of my friends but with you, it’s different.”

Jungkook’s thankful that of all the times he agreed to put on a mask, it was tonight, because at least you can’t see the way his face falls at your statement.

Different? What does that mean? Surely it can’t mean the same different he feels towards you because you haven’t acted out of the ordinary with him at all. 

But you’re unpredictable sometimes and he doesn’t really know what to expect.

“What do you mean?” He manages to ask.

“Like… it’s simple and unproblematic. We bicker, we tease, we comfort each other… You’re there when I need you; I’m there when you need me, but we don’t need each other all the time. You get what I mean? We’re close but not–”

“Too close?” He finishes.

“Yeah, and it’s a good thing,” you clarify. “It’s not like with Jimin where we get on each other’s nerves all the time but we worry about the other just as much. But that’s always how we’ve been. And with Tae… I miss him so much when he’s away but I can’t tell him that because I don’t want him to worry. And he worries a lot and that affects him.”

“Tae does worry a lot about you. At one point I thought there was…”

“Something more?” You chuckle, and Jungkook nods in response.

It’s something he asked his friend years ago but Taehyung insisted there wasn’t anything.

“I pushed myself so hard in university. And when I worked there after graduation, I lost myself for a bit and Tae was just always there. I guess I became dependent on him as a friend to an extent,” you explain. “So a bit of that still lingers. I want to tell him things but not every little thing so he doesn’t worry. And Jimin’s like family and families fight sometimes. All of that said, you and I have always been… normal, for lack of a better term.”

Jungkook hums, as he tries to find the right words to say. But he gets it. It’s not like he was ever jealous about your closeness with Taehyung or Jimin; it was just a fact he accepted because it had always been like that. A big part of it was definitely because he had Joo-yun early on, and that kept him from developing a closer bond with you unlike his friends. 

And while he regretted the part where he could’ve gotten closer to you much earlier, he supposes maybe it wasn’t that bad. Like you said, what both of you share is simple and unproblematic. There are no expectations, no fights, no secrets.

Well, maybe now there is, and Jungkook is a little guilty for feeling things while you continue believing that everything between both of you is simple. He reminds himself there are no expectations on his end and that as far as he knows, he’s not fully acting on whatever he feels. He’s just… going with the flow.

He recalls that conversation at your apartment about both of you wishing you’d been better friends to each other back then. For him, it was about knowing your struggles and being there for you. Perhaps it was that distance that led to this kind of friendship you have now. He stops himself short of thinking that while this is normal, so is getting used to each other and developing feelings. You’re not a believer of friends turning into lovers so maybe your definition of normal is also different.

He wills his thoughts to stop forming right now, not when you’re in the middle of something pretty serious. He wants to assure you that he’ll keep that unspoken promise you made about being better friends to each other. On one hand, that could mean not crossing any line and keeping things simple, like you said. On the other hand, it might also mean just being honest and making you feel comfortable in being the same.

“I don’t want to do or say anything that’ll hurt you, too,” he finally says. “Tell me if I do, yeah?”

“I will,” you nod, and he can sense a smile behind the mask. “Can I be honest though? It’s hard to continue being serious when you look like that.”

He nudges your knee. “You’re the one who wanted to put this on!”

“I know, but then I got carried away,” you laugh, pulling the sheet mask off your face now and throwing it in the trash. “We’ve been having more deep conversations lately, Kook. It’s like we turned 28 and then poof, we became mature.”

“It doesn’t work that way but sure, ___,” he chuckles, clearing his face now, too. “I think experience does that. We realize what we want for ourselves and others, what we’re willing to tolerate, and what we want to focus our energy on. And we’re barely 30. We’re not even close to our peak.”

“So I’m gonna be even more mature?” You gasp. “Are you gonna be ready for that?”

“Okay, much as I’d like to tease you, you honestly don’t give yourself enough credit. You’re wise and mature and deep and shit, and not just because you’re an intellectual,” he clarifies. “You’re a smart person who also feels things, and I think maturity stems from that.”

“Hmm, I suppose,” you say, yawning as you crawl into bed. “But you’re a lot more mature than I am.”

“I’ll take that,” Jungkook smiles. 

He lies in bed and turns off the night light. There’s a beat of silence before your sleepy voice echoes in the room.

“Kook?”

“Hmm?” 

“Thank you for always making me feel better about myself. It means a lot.”

Your deep breathing follows and he supposes you’ve already fallen asleep. He wishes he’d said something right away but he couldn’t find the words, like always. 

He holds onto the fact that that was your last thought before you knocked out and he was at least awake to hear it. He’s sure you know he heard you and that should be enough.

You wake up much better the next day, given that the room temperature was what you wanted. You were curled under the covers with your feet warm from your socks, and there’s just something refreshing about feeling cold in the morning. 

It’s a much earlier call time today, as you’ll be taking a train to a nearby town. You all get ready, and you’re doing your makeup in the living room while you glance at Jungkook doing his morning skincare routine. 

You remember a time when Hayoung used to scold him for not wearing sunscreen despite spending all day outdoors. Eventually he developed that habit, including putting on toner and moisturizer. He has a headband on and it causes you to giggle. 

Even without trying, Jungkook looks adorable sometimes. His oversized tan hoodie swallows his body. The way his hair falls over his forehead and his large, bright eyes make him look like a boba ball. There’s something so endearing about him as he alternates between two pairs of sunglasses because he can’t figure out which to wear. 

“Second one,” you call out. “It settles cutely on your nose.”

“I can’t tell if that’s an insult or…”

“I’m disappointed you’d even think I would ever insult your nose!” You gasp.

Walking towards him, you adjust the black jacket over his hoodie and fix his bangs.

“You’re so dramatic,” he chuckles, feeling his throat immediately dry up with you being so near him.

It’s another one of those normal things you do often that suddenly means more to him now. You’ve also always looked nice barefaced but when you’re made up and this close to him? He wonders if you’ve always been this pretty. 

“I mean it. This nose has super powers,” you say, pinching them out of reflex.

“And what does it do?”

“It keeps me from getting angry when I’m hungry. Too cute.”

“You’re so annoying,” he groans, as you laugh and yell out for your other friends to finish up.

They eventually do and you decide to separate from the older ones at least for today’s coffee run. You find a nice cafe and order some drinks and fluffy pancakes that’s perfect for this weather, and then you meet the rest in the train station for this morning’s little excursion.

The coastal train ride to Otaru, especially during winter, is apparently a must-do. And you agree, as you lean your head on Taehyung’s shoulder while the ocean comes into view. It’s so scenic, as the waves crash on the shore, just like that famous painting, and there’s that enchanting feeling once more in seeing the snow-covered town.

The 45-minute trip is spent looking at the views while talking to Mo-eum who sits in front of you, and occasionally taking photos of Jungkook and Jimin right behind you. You savor the simplicity of the experience and the fact that over a decade in, you still get to enjoy this with your friends. To remain this close and to have them so constant is a blessing, and something you don’t ever want to take for granted. 

You arrive in the port city and immediately fall in love with it. From the architecture to the historical mansions and quaint streets, it gives such a unique and warm vibe despite the icy winds and snowfall. 

You all decide to get hot drinks while you make your way to the frozen canal. There’s so much to see and just like yesterday, you take your time in taking in your surroundings, with the occasional snowball fight care of Jungkook at the expense of poor Jimin. It’s one of the few entertainment sources of the morning. There’s also making a Yoongi snowman and trying your butts at snow sledding using your puffer coats. The film cameras that Jungkook and Hoseok bring capture it all.

The group separates into two when you find a Music Box Museum that you want to explore while Jungkook and Yoongi choose a brewery to taste their season-exclusive drinks. Jimin and Gyu-rim join them so the rest of you head to the stunning building and look through thousands of music boxes and Christmas decorations. You reconvene after two hours and aren’t surprised when the other group brings back a few bottles of liquor that they said they wanted to try tonight.

You choose one of the dozen seafood restaurants on a popular street for lunch and you really can’t go wrong. This, for certain, is the freshest seafood you’ve ever had, and you spend the majority of your time eating just humming in satisfaction at everything you put in your mouth. And laughing, because while you admit to being dramatic sometimes, your friends overtake you in the eating department.

Because there’s Hoseok clapping after every new dish, there’s Jimin bowing his head down while moaning after every bite, there’s Gyu-rim cursing every five minutes, and then there’s Jungkook jumping in his seat and making the most bizarre hand gestures to express how delicious the food is. 

It was definitely an experience, and you’re glad that Taehyung insisted on doing this. 

You all walk back to the station to look at the other structures and to digest everything you ate. In less than an hour, you’re back in Sapporo and in your hotel room, needing the short break before the long drive to your next destination.

It’s hilarious Japanese reality TV shows and more convenience store snacks for an hour and a half in the living room before you leave late in the afternoon to head to another town. 

You decide to sit in the backseat with Taehyung and Mo-eum this time. If it were with any of the other two guys, there’ll definitely be a lot of smacking and pinching and you can’t afford to be violent during the drive. It’s peaceful enough, as you spend it just talking about random things and before you know it, you arrive at a restaurant for your yakiniku fix for dinner. 

The sun has set and you spend most of the ride with the windows down. The cold doesn’t seem to bother anyone and it’s just quiet - perhaps sentimental, too - until you reach your rented home for the next three days.

The place is stunning and you all thank Taehyung and Seokjin’s parents for covering your lodging because they said it’s been a while since you’ve been complete and you deserve the luxury this place brings. It’s something they often did and you suppose it’s just a rich family thing to do and you’re not one to complain. 

All four bedrooms are on the first floor and like always, the five of you younger ones take the biggest of them, which already has the mattress on the floor anyways that Taehyung calls dibs on. You climb up the stairs to the living and dining rooms and find a huge open space that’s perfect for all of you. It opens to an outdoor area that houses the hot tub and sauna.

You’re glad it’s a detached house. That way, you can laugh and stay up late as much as you want and it won’t bother anyone. You can’t wait to spend your nights here.

It’s just past 8 in the evening and Jimin suggests going for the hot tub and taking turns because not everyone’s gonna fit.

“Well, not everyone’s gonna dip,” Yoongi shrugs, as if you all don’t know he’s one of those people.

But he’s right. Seokjin, Hayoung, and Hoseok join him in being spectators as they sit on the table outside while the rest of you take a spot around the tub and take turns on entering it. 

You feel comfortable in your olive green bathing suit. Despite being out in the open, the heat from the water is enough to balance things out. There’s a spread of alcohol and other snacks that you pick from and like you expected, it’s a lot of laughter and reminiscing and discussing plans of future trips. 

You look at each of your friends, the people who have been with you for over a decade, and you think about all the years in between. You’ve all definitely matured. It’s not just in the wrinkles or the responsible alcohol consumption or the complaints about sore legs after today’s walking spree. 

It’s in the comfort of each other, the fulfilled promises of making time to be together despite the busy schedules and the distance. It’s in indulging what one person wants because doing anything as a group is the priority. It’s in the relief in your eyes knowing that at a time when people tend to lose sight of the important things, you’ve all made it a point not to lose each other. 

That brings you to another thought, something you voice out.

“We are such a good looking group of friends,” you state, almost out of nowhere. 

But really, from the camping trip that had you all looking a bit raggedy to this trip where you’ve been bunched up in thick clothes or with barely anything on, like right now, it’s something that just entered your mind.

“I’m surprised no one else decided to date each other apart from Seokjin and Hayoung,” you continue.

It’s not an uncommon topic amongst you. In fact, it’s one of those things you like teasing each other about, given all the history.

“Yoongi and Gyu-rim will. In 10 years,” Jimin states, and the people in question just shake their heads in response because this isn’t the first time and they’re unfortunately used to this. 

“Mo-eum and I have a pact that if we’re still single at 55, we’ll marry each other,” you announce.

“___, I was drunk when I agreed,” your best friend laughs.

“No taking it back. We pinky promised,” you glare at her.

“Yah! Both of you will surely find someone before then,” Taehyung exclaims.

“Well, it could’ve been you,” Mo-eum tells him.

A round of “oohs” echoes in the room, prompting her to smile sweetly and Taehyung to chuckle and say that’s probably true. 

It’s that kind of history you all like unearthing and resurfacing every once in a while. Come to think of it, it was over five years ago during your trip to Tokyo when your best friend revealed that she actually liked Taehyung during your junior year of college but she never had the guts to say anything, only for him to start liking her right after she got over it. 

The confession shook everyone because no one knew, even you. And knowing how your best friend is, it would’ve been something she was really shy or nervous about if she never told anyone. 

“Hoseok, care to top that?” Jimin teases now as he smirks at Suhyeon, who understandably splashes him with water. 

“No, I don’t,” Hoseok laughs. “Brat.”

“Well, that ship could’ve sailed if someone wasn’t such a coward about it,” Seokjin eyes him. 

Hoseok’s “what-if” with Suhyeon happened in real time, where everyone knew they had feelings for each other except for both of them. Despite all of you urging them to just make a move, one made a small step but the other was too scared to risk things and it didn’t fall through. 

Both of them now have partners outside of your friend group though, and they’re even better friends this time, something that Suhyeon points out.

“When you think about it, it’s really just about timing,” Namjoon reflects. “Whether it’s liking someone at a certain point or believing you’re ready enough to go for it, it’s about the other person being on the same boat - liking you at the same time and being ready when you are.”

“True. I mean, Hayoung and I luckily liked each other at the same time,” Seokjin nods.

“Liar. You had a crush on her the year before she admitted her feelings,” his younger brother calls him out.

“It was harmless!” Seokjin argues. “We went to a farm where the chickens chased her and she started running and yelling like crazy and I thought she looked adorable. It didn’t mean much until she couldn’t hold herself back from saying that she thought I was handsome.”

“It was still a crush,” Taehyung points out. 

“And it materialized a year later! That happens, too. Admiration or affection for someone doesn’t always mean it has to be something more right away,” the older man counters. “Sure, we could’ve dated much earlier if I’d said something but it also could’ve gone nowhere if I went for it right then. Or she could’ve rejected me. I didn’t wanna pressure her or make it feel like she had to return the feeling, which really was just a crush.”

“True,” Hayoung hums. “I probably would’ve thought he was unserious about it or I would’ve kept my distance because I didn’t feel anything then. Like Joon said, it’s about timing. Seokjin held out and thankfully, I got to him in time.”

“She ended up falling more in love with me so… it all worked out well,” Seokjin winks.

Everyone just laughs because you all know the truth - Seokjin is crazy about Hayoung. It’s a given that he’ll be the one bawling his eyes out during their wedding.

Jungkook laughs along as the teasing continues, thankful this time that given his history, people are a bit cautious of asking him about his thoughts when it comes to relationships. 

But his friends’ words linger in his mind, even as the conversation shifts to something new. 

Seokjin and Hayoung’s love story always seemed so simple to him - two friends who always got along well and one day realized they felt something more. Looking at how they are, it’s as if there’s really no one else made for them but each other. 

But of course, it’s never as simple as just confessing their feelings and being lucky that the other person felt the same way. It’s also about knowing what’s worth risking and when to do so. It’s about being ready to deal with the consequences, whether you’re taking a step back, forward, or staying right where you are. 

Like what Seokjin said, it isn’t always about being something more right away. Jungkook thinks that maybe feelings aren't something you just have; it’s something you settle into. 

The hours pass and Jungkook doesn’t notice them flying by. Between the conversations, the premier Japanese liquor and convenience store snacks, and lying on the snow by the edge of the deck then retreating to the hot tub, there’s a lot going on.

But he’s far from tired, and even if the temperature has dropped even lower, he still wants to stay out here and let his body relax.

The others have gone ahead to wash up and get ready for bed but there’s still you, Jimin, and Gyu-rim with him outside, talking about the latter’s non-existent but probable relationship with Yoongi. 

“You’re the most comfortable when you’re together and it’s the same with him,” Jimin points out. “That doesn’t happen overnight and it certainly doesn’t happen with just anyone. I’m just saying that it’s something to think about. Finding someone new isn’t the only option, you know?”

Gyu-rim, who surprisingly hasn’t smacked Jimin yet for all the years he’s been insisting on this, just chuckles in response. 

“I admire your commitment to this ship,” she concedes, knowing it’s better to just go along with the teasing than to react negatively. 

It’s Yoongi anyway and there’s nothing to feel negative about.

“Let’s just say that I have deep love for my friends and I want them to be with people who know how to love them, or would learn how to,” Jimin responds. “I’ll shut up about it after this but I just wanted to give you that nudge. I’ve learned my lesson with the two what-ifs in our group because we just all stood by.”

She argues that sometimes, standing by is the better option but that she’s also at that age where she just wants a companion. Jimin says that he knows that Yoongi does, too. 

Both of them eventually decide to retire for the night and you say you want to stay a little longer since you barely stayed in the tub. It’s just you and Jungkook now and with two people left, you take the chance to stretch your legs and submerge yourself in the hot water that you’ve slowly gotten used to. It even starts snowing and somehow that adds to your relaxation.

“So,” you turn to the man next to you who seems to be in awe of the snowfall as well. “You were quiet during all the relationship talk. You okay?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook replies, his head leaned back but facing towards you. “I guess I’m like you when I’m with more mature people. I just listen.”

“And reflect?”

“A bit of that,” he hums, shifting his gaze towards the trees now.

With you in that bathing suit next to him, it’s just another version of you that he suddenly finds pretty.

“About what?” You ask. 

“Settling into feelings, I guess. How we don’t always need to act on them right away because they could be mild or fleeting or confusing or just… something that develops over time and that needs time for it to be right or enough. Or certain.”

You let his words linger. It’s something you definitely can’t relate with.

“Wow. I wish I knew that before my past relationships that failed because of my feelings that I immediately acted on,” you laugh, almost mockingly, at yourself.

“Acting on them isn’t always wrong, though. You shoot your shot when you can and you don’t always have time,” Jungkook tries to comfort you. “You could lose your chance completely.”

“That’s true but then like I said before, I get excited and impatient. Looking back, I guess I never really settled into my feelings for the people I liked because, well, it wasn’t something I thought about.”

“Me, too. It’s just something that got to me while listening to them earlier. Nothing too deep. I guess time and experience make you see and realize things that were always there but never really thought much about,” Jungkook states. “Suddenly they mean a lot more now.”

It’s the closest to being honest he could be with you about the thoughts he’s been having. Somehow this makes him feel better. He’s not lying to you or anything. He’s just settling into these newfound feelings for you. 

Maybe they are fleeting or mild or confusing. Maybe it just needs time to develop into something that could be right and good enough for you, if it ever gets to that point. 

Being with you right now, he’s trying to figure out what it is. It’s still a mix of everything but he’ll be patient this time. One thing is for sure though - he doesn’t want to scare you. If anything, he just wants to keep you close enough for a little while longer. 

As you both lie in your beds later in the night - you next to Mo-eum and him next to Jimin - there’s space in between that perhaps resembles where you both are right now. You’re both lying on your sides and you stick your tongue out at him as good night right before you turn the light off. 

He smiles to himself. It’s a good view from where he is.  

It’s a little chaotic in the morning as all 12 of you take turns in the three bathrooms to get ready. People are washing their faces and brushing their teeth next to and behind each other. The men are dressing up in the hallways and in the living room while the women are behind closed doors. 

And then there’s Hayoung and Suhyeon making sure there are enough water bottles for everyone and Hoseok who’s reminding you all about the proper outerwear and boots for today’s activity. 

Right as you’re dressed, you feel the energy surge through you. You haven’t gone skiing in years and you’re looking forward to trying it again this time. Everyone else seems to feel the same way, especially Jungkook who keeps mumbling that he’s excited and pretty much skipping all around the house.

You put your heavy coats in the trunk and head out for a fairly long drive. You call shotgun because you like getting a wider view of the snowy streets and everyone agrees because it’s you. Jungkook drives like always, insisting that he genuinely enjoys it.

You arrive at a rest stop shortly after, as you all decided to just get snacks from there for breakfast. You divide and conquer - Jungkook orders the food and you join him because you’re curious, while the rest get the drinks. 

Ordering at the ticket machine, you and Jungkook get excited about which snacks to get, even if you were confused about which buttons to press and when to pay. But you manage and buy a few flavors of the fried rice balls and croquettes then head back to the car. You start eating before Mo-eum and Taehyung return with the rest of the drinks and by the time Jungkook restarts the engine, he’s already devoured two of them.

He keeps both hands on the wheel and his eyes focused on the road while the rest of you munch on the food, humming in satisfaction and singing your praises. 

You see his gaze constantly flit to the rice cake you’re eating. You think he’s probably itching to have one right now but he doesn’t want to risk putting you all in danger so you take out a piece for him to eat. Knowing he’s wary of the drive, you feed him and cup your hand under his mouth in case a piece falls. 

“Hmm, that’s so good,” he moans, angling his head to the side for another bite.

You chuckle as he tries to get as much of it in his mouth so you appease him and say you’ll feed him so he can still eat them while they’re hot. He beams at you so endearingly and with his blue beanie and loose jacket on, he looks like a kid with his bunny smile and innocent doe-eyes. 

It’s a complete shift from last night where he was half naked in the tub, toned abs and tattooed arm on full display. Like boys do, he, Jimin, Taehyung, and even Namjoon were all showing off their biceps and posing ridiculously like bodybuilders, triggering a pose-off and tummy ache-inducing laughter from the rest of you. 

You can’t say it’s something that surprised you. Jungkook’s always been an athlete. You watched some of his swimming competitions when you were in college. You’ve also had dozens of beach trips. Toned bodies like what your friends have are normal to you and you’re often unbothered. They’re used to walking around without a shirt on and they have never felt shy around you; none of you girls ever felt bothered by it, either. 

But you’re still a woman with fully functioning eyes and can appreciate a pretty physique when you see one. Jungkook just happens to possess it and being in close proximity to him reminded you of that. It’s just a funny thing to remember seeing how he is now. There’s just something so charming about him that makes you smile.

You continue feeding yourself and him throughout the drive, with him losing it with the cheese croquette, his favorite one out of everything. You bring up his iced americano to his lips, too. It’s your way of thanking him, you tell yourself, as he’s been taking on the long drives like always. 

You finally make it to the ski resort and Jungkook skips all the way to the lobby. You all rent your accessories and equipment then head to the gondola all the way to the top. Despite the powdery snow, there’s still so much of it that it’s a struggle to even walk.

The view is stunning and the weather is cold and bright yet you already know you’re gonna suffer. But it’s the good kind. You’ll just brace through all the falls and face plants you’ll make but you’ll at least have fun.

It’s a group decision to snowboard first. As expected, there’s the group that can do it, and another that can definitely do better. The Kim brothers grew up doing this so their skills are not a surprise. Hayoung has done it a few times since dating Seokjin so she’s not bad at all. Namjoon is surprisingly good with his balance, Mo-eum is just good at anything sporty, and Jungkook obviously quickly relearned the ropes even though it's been years since the last time he’d done it.    

And then there’s Yoongi who settles with little hops down the mountain and Gyu-rim just laughing along as they semi slide all the way. There’s Suhyeon content with cheering you on despite constantly landing on her butt, Jimin who falls after every turn, and then you who falls right behind him. 

You’re just as tired at laughing at your mishaps than you are with all the face planting and swimming through snow you’ve both been doing. But you always end up turning on your back and marveling at your surroundings and the feel of the snow under you. At one point, you and Jimin almost give up.

You do manage two rounds down the slope while the others end up with a few more. You all rest at the cafe for a bit at Yoongi’s request and watch the few clips some of you managed to get of each other going down the mountain. 

Skiing is a lot more doable. It’s something you’ve done more than once so it’s not hard to relearn it. But with now-sore legs and overworked muscles from all the laughing and tensing up, it’s still definitely a lot more than you can handle. But you push through because it’s seriously a lot of fun. 

The snow is falling hard by the time you finish. Your hands feel frozen and your nose feels numb. Your legs and knees are definitely sore, and you feel the pain once you start going down the stairs. 

Hayoung, who overdid herself a little, climbs on Seokjin’s back. You whine because you’re in pain, too, but you don’t want to trouble any of your friends who might be just as tired.

Taehyung stands next to you and chuckles at your pouty face and your eyes that are focused on your cousin and his brother.

“Do you want a piggyback ride, too?” he asks.

You nod and give him your puppy eyes, waiting for him to offer you one.

“Okay. Kook!” he yells out behind him. “Our princess needs a ride.”

Jungkook looks at him questioningly then you. “What?”

Taehyung eyes the couple not far ahead and Jungkook takes the hint.

“Ah,” he says, looking at your tired form. “Your legs hurt?”

“I can’t feel them anymore,” you wail.

You’re so dramatic that it makes Jungkook chuckle, prompting you to weakly smack his arm. But he gives in this time, seeing how helpless you look.

“Fine. Jump,” he tells you, bending low to help you get on his back then gripping your thighs to keep you steady.

It’s not a long walk back to the car but it isn’t an easy one, so you constantly apologize in between your grumbles of being in pain. 

“I’ll pay for your drink at the whiskey museum tomorrow,” you promise him. 

“Tempting but you don’t have to,” he says. “It’s fine. Being your carriage is totally a normal thing.”

“Hey,” you cry out. “Please? I’ll treat you something.”

“Or you can just say thank you. Really, ___. You don’t have to pay me back for every good thing I do for you.” He slowly puts you down and turns to face you. “Just… stretch and relax. The hot tub will help so get on it later. And maybe don’t snore too loud tonight.”

You laugh at the last part because of course he’ll sneak that in even if it’s unrelated, but you agree.

Sitting at the back this time, you lean your head on Taehyung’s shoulder as you slowly doze off. He opens the window to let the cold air in to wake you up a little but you still fall asleep shortly after.

Jungkook glances at you from the rearview mirror. His heart did a thing again earlier when you had your arms around his neck, and then again when you sweetly smiled at him and said thank you before you entered the car. 

It’s a little different this time though as it feels more like floating. Looking at you peacefully napping, it continues to do just that.

The famous soup curry is famous for a reason. It’s rich despite the thin broth and the meat is soft and tender. It’s exactly what you need after this morning’s adventure and paired with the draft beer, it’s every bit satisfying. 

You gain a bit more energy after lunch, which you quickly expend during the car ride. Taehyung is the designated driver this time. Jungkook couldn’t resist the beer earlier, so you sit between him and Jimin and they alternate between teasing you mercilessly and cooing at you. 

You play the injured card, quickly clarifying that it’s your ego that's bruised after face planting so many times. Mo-eum from the front says everyone was laughing at Jimin and Yoongi more than they were laughing at you. They expected you’d fall but that the other two looked like adorable baby pandas who couldn’t get their shit together in the snow.

It’s mid-afternoon by the time you get home, which is where you’ll be staying for the rest of the day. Everyone picks their spot in the common room and you take your place on the large couch next to Hayoung. The Switch is turned on and a battle begins but you can barely keep up as not long after, you doze off.

Jungkook manages to win one game of Mario Kart before he heads out with Yoongi to buy what they’ll need for tonight’s dinner. It’s an hour later when they return and when they do, you’re still lying down on the same spot, softly snoring and getting some needed rest. He brings out the muscle spray he bought at the pharmacy and Jimin is the first one to take it. It’s passed around and when it’s returned to him, he briefly looks at you to check if you’re already awake.

You aren’t, even with the shrieking going on because of everyone’s epic fails on Fall Guys.  You have your hands together tucked under your cheek and your head laying on a pillow on Hayoung’s lap. There’s this urge to tease you about still being so tired but also to move your hair out of your face and caress your cheek.

He’s a little alarmed when you start opening your eyes, paranoid that he might’ve said something while fondly looking at you or if telepathy is actually real and you’d read what was going through his mind. But you mumble something instead and shift your body for a more comfortable position. He kneels down next to you and asks what you were saying.

“Did you beat Hoseok?” You mutter.

“Yeah, earlier,” he replies. “But I haven’t played since. Yoongi and I bought stuff at the supermarket. I got muscle spray for soreness, too.”

That piques your interest, as you open your eyes wider and ask where it is. 

“Jimin’s hogging it. Let me get it from him.”

He gets back to you with the bottle and you lift your pajama pants to expose your legs. Your puppy eyes tell him that you want him to do it for you. He chuckles but gets to it right away, gripping your foot and spraying the liquid on your limbs. You linger, and Jungkook instinctively sits down and lays your legs on his lap, gently massaging them. 

You moan in satisfaction and urge him to continue, earning you another chuckle. He works on your joints and your calves, knowing they just need to relax and that you’ll feel better soon enough. You’re lying on your back this time, but then Hayoung says she’ll go to the bathroom so you sit up and watch Jungkook work on your legs. 

“You would’ve been a good therapist if you chose that path instead of teaching,” you tell him.

“My dad said the same thing. I used to massage him after a long day of laboring when I was younger,” he laughs. “Glad I haven’t lost my touch.”

“You’re good. I approve.”

Your face contorts in pain when he kneads the tender parts and you try to move his hand towards a different area.

“But that’s where it hurts,” he insists. “I’ll go gentle, I promise.”

You let him, but your hand remains gingerly on top of his just in case. He keeps his word and goes easy on you. 

“Get in the hot tub later, yeah? That’ll help,” he advises.

You nod and instead of lying back down, you lean on his shoulder while he continues massaging you. You think you can fall back asleep with how this feels.

But then Gyu-rim suggests watching a horror movie because the last time you did that in the forest was so memorable that she wants to laugh at the scaredy-cats again. 

So Taehyung puts some Japanese thriller he finds on the shelf and dims the lights, resulting in 90 minutes of shrieks, curses, the occasional “I give up” from Hoseok, and the timely laughter from the horror enthusiasts. It’s quite the experience but it’s the perfect build up to dinner.

Yoongi lays out a spread of sushi and various salads for your appetizer while baking slabs of premium beef in the oven. Jungkook makes a Japanese pork offal and vegetable soup dish that sounds so perfect for tonight. Everyone else is busy drinking and eating while he’s glued next to the pot so you go to him.

He turns to you and eyes the plate of sushi you’re holding.

“Is it good?” He asks.

“So good. So fresh,” you hum. “Here, have some before they finish it all.”

You feed him some, an act that’s somehow become reflexive for you these past days, and he nods in approval. You get a few more pieces and alternate between feeding yourself and him.

The aroma of the broth wafts through your senses and you can’t wait to dip your rice in a bowl of all that goodness.

“Is it done yet?” you peek inside the pot.

“You wouldn’t know even if you tried,” he teases,

“Oh shush,” you nudge him. 

He laughs but he takes out a spoon, fills it with broth, then blows on it before feeding you. 

“Yup, my chef palette says that’s good.”

To his surprise, it is, and you make a claim that you’ve gotten better at this. 

It’s at the same time when Yoongi says that the meat is ready so you all gather at the dining table and have dinner. You finish with matcha tiramisu and cheesecake for dessert.

You start cleaning up with Namjoon and Taehyung while the rest of your friends either move back to the living room or head to the hot tub. You can hear them laughing and playing around outside, no doubt lying on the snow again or doing something silly, but you focus on your task then get dressed before heading out the deck.

You sit with Jimin and Suhyeon while the others take a rest. Just like last night, you alternate again so everyone gets a chance to take a dip. You end up staying a little longer, hoping the hot water will relax your muscles and get you feeling better for your last full day tomorrow. 

One-by-one, your friends leave the tub to wash up, as the temperature continues to drop. You’re left with Jungkook once again and he sits next to you, both of your heads rolled back, and the sounds of the wind and bubbling water filling the space.

“Feel better?” He asks.

“Yup. I wanna stay here longer but I don’t wanna stay up too late and I still wanna drink,” you say, somehow feeling like the day is too short for you to do everything you want, even if you’ve done so much already.

“We can stay for a couple more minutes. Being here for too long isn’t good, anyway.”

“Fine,” you agree. “But today was a good one. Thanks for my massage.”

“What have I not done for you at this point?” He laughs. 

“I’m a spoiled brat, aren’t I?” You call yourself out. 

“A little bit,” he playfully shakes his head. 

“Well, thanks for putting up with me,” you mumble, and he assures you that it’s not as bad as you make it sound.

Namjoon, Yoongi, and Gyu-rim go out to drink at the picnic table on the other end of the deck and they raise their glasses to you in acknowledgement, warning you of Jimin possibly finishing off the sake if you don’t stop him.

You say you’ll wash up soon but remain on your spot, occasionally stretching your legs, until you return your focus to Jungkook and shift to face him. 

With his whole lower body submerged in the water and only his neck and his damp hair on the surface, he doesn’t look as intimidating so you start playing around with his hair and attempt to tie a ponytail at the top, resembling a sprout. He grumbles under his breath but he doesn’t say a word. He just closes his eyes and lets you do what you want.

For Jungkook, an attempt to stop you would be futile. That would entail fighting you off and getting a little too close in such a small space, which again would be deemed normal if it wasn’t for his growing fondness for you. He tries to just watch what you’re doing but given your proximity, he thinks that closing his eyes would be better for his stupid heart.

“Ooh, you’re letting me tie your hair,” you point out. “That’s new.”

“I’d have to pry you away for you to stop and I don’t want you falling out of this tub or something,” he reasons.

“Hmm, you have a point.”

You giggle when you finish, and it’s at the same time that Taehyung appears behind the glass door and waves. He spots Jungkook’s sprout and starts laughing, too. Opening the door, he coos at his friend and pulls up his phone to take a photo.

You immediately scoot closer to Jungkook and pose multiple times before your friend gives a thumbs up sign and walks back inside the house. You can see the rest of them still in the dining room, looking like they’re playing card games and downing the remaining bottles of alcohol you’ve all been buying since you arrived.

Jungkook stands up from the tub and turns to the door to see what he looks like through his reflection. He frowns at you in response.

“Okay, sprout off,” you say once he sits on the ledge. “It doesn’t fit the muscle bunny Jungkook vibe.”

“What?”

“Your hair has to match your body. It looked fine when you were submerged in the water,” you reason, pulling the hair tie off him. “Now with these muscles and these abs and this tattoo sleeve, it’s a mismatch.”

“How is it that you analyze even these things?” He questions.

“It’s my brain. It just does.”

He descends back down once the cold air becomes too much and you’re just there, so close yet so far like many times before. There’s that urge to get even closer and just examine your face, now that he’s looking at you in a new light. 

Settling in the feeling, he reasons to himself. Figuring out if it’s fleeting or something more. 

He repeats the words in his head as he watches you flounder in the tub. You move to the end near the railing and the snow lightly falls on your head. It almost feels romantic, as you sit there with a soft look on your face and a sweet smile as you let the snow touch your skin. 

But with you, unpredictability is a thing. Before he knows it, you’re scooting back close to him. You lift his right arm from under the water and start pointing out the tattoos that you think are new.

“I just had them colored. Some were redone,” he explains.

“Ahh,” you reply, wiping off the droplets on some areas so you can see them better, unknowing of the shivers you’re causing. “So do you just wear a jacket every time you’re at the school?”

“Pretty much,” he hums. “When it’s hot, I wear a shirt and then an arm sleeve to cover it up. Thankfully they weren’t too strict about it, although I was almost not accepted because of it. I just made up some story that I was trying to be cool in college so I got them but I straightened myself out and wanted a fresh start so I became a teacher.”

“Wow what a liar,” you respond. “You were getting new ones even after you got the job.”

“I know. But they don’t know that,” he laughs.

“I think it looks cool on you.”

“You called it a muscle bunny vibe,” he deadpans.

“It’s because you have an adorable bunny face but your body’s ripped. Bunnies are fluffy, chunky babies. They have puffy cheeks. They don’t have abs.”

“They could. If they exercised.”

His comment sounds ridiculous and it makes you laugh, as an image of a bunny doing crunches flashes in your mind. You think he imagines that, too, as he laughs right after. It’s a silly thing but it’s one of many things that you talk to Jungkook about. One evening you’re reflecting about feelings and relationships and the next, you’re picturing bunnies exercising. 

“Yah, you two,” Yoongi’s voice cuts through your muffled laughter. “It’s getting too cold. You might get sick. Wash up soon.”

“We will already, uncle,” you grin at him. 

You stand up and slowly make your way to the steps but Namjoon tells you to stop so Jungkook can help you down and avoid a probable accident. So he does, walking ahead of you then down the stairs before you take his hand and follow him. 

Your room is still empty when you get your clothes. When you return after your bath, Mo-eum and Taehyung are on your bed, watching something on the laptop. Clearly yesterday’s conversation about their history didn’t change anything between them, as they’re as comfortable next to each other as they’ve always been. 

There are still a few people at the dining table when you go there for a few drinks. You get the sake before Jimin finishes the bottle and you drink it and then some. 

One-by-one, they start to retire for the night. You have a glass of beer that you want to keep drinking whereas Jungkook lost to rock-paper-scissors so he’s finishing the cup of mixed alcohol as penalty, so you both stay behind.

You tell him that he can throw it down the drain and you can keep it a secret but he honors the rock-paper-scissors code, he insists, so he’ll finish it off.

Keeping each other company has become a pattern for both of you recently, but you suppose it’s just the timing of everything. He moved into an apartment his cousin owns that’s closer to his school last year; it also happens to be 15 minutes away from you. 

Both of you aren’t in relationships so it’s easier to hang out. Plus, you committed yourself to maintaining a work-life balance after you suffered burnout some months ago, and that’s meant switching off during the weekends and being a lot… calmer, you think. Probably less erratic and maybe more bearable.

All of those circumstances just happened to take place around the time Taehyung came home and commenced his role of being the trip planner. Before then, you and Jungkook were either in a relationship or neck-deep into your job or both. 

You were definitely a different person back then and you suppose he was, too. Now, you get to spend time together and just enjoy each other’s presence, something you always have but something you get to experience differently this time. 

And it’s a good feeling, something that you don’t express out loud. Not that you think he’ll judge you or anything but only because somehow, you think he’s thinking the same thing. 

You do your final cheers then clean up before brushing your teeth and heading to your room, ready to finally rest.

Except when you get there, you find Jimin sprawled on the mattress on the floor this time with the phone on his face, no doubt having fallen asleep while playing his games. Mo-eum and Taehyung are fetus-curled on either side of your bed, softly snoring. 

That leaves one bed for you and Jungkook, and the realization that this has never happened before hits you. Not that it’s uncomfortable; it’s just that you’ve always been closer to the other guys and he’s always been closer to Mo-eum. Still, you don’t mind but he seems like he does.

“I can sleep on the couch,” he mumbles.

“It’s soft but not as soft as this bed. We can just stay here. You need proper sleep and this is big enough for both of us,” you insist. “Is that okay with you? I mean, I’ve slept next to the guys before.”

“Yeah, and you’ve either elbowed or kicked each one of them. More than once,” he reminds you.

“Is that why you don’t want to sleep here?” You ask worriedly.

He hates it but Jungkook half-lies.

“Yup.”

You think about it for a second but still insist. He’s already slept on the couch in the other hotel and you don’t want him to do that again.

“Nah, you’re strong. You can handle me,” you wink.

“Fine,” he grumbles, mockingly laughing at himself for giving in so easily once again.

“Don’t worry, there’ll be a pillow between us,” you assure him.

“Yeah, whatever. By the way, they left the blinds open. You don’t like the light, right?”

“Hmm, I usually don’t and I know you don’t, too, but uh… Can we leave it up? I wanna fall asleep and wake up to that sight,” you say, gesturing towards the snow-covered branches of the trees right outside the window.

“Sure.”

Jungkook climbs in bed next to you with the pillow in the middle, even if he knows you’ll hog that, too, because apparently, you like hugging something when you sleep. 

You’re on your side with your eyes glued to the window and he lays on his side as well, facing you.

“I’ve been so enchanted by this city and how the snow covers everything,” you whisper, no doubt being sentimental at this time. “I just want to ingrain the image of this place in my mind as much as I can. Jimin got me so fascinated with snow. I used to not care much about it.”

“I’ll get you a snowglobe in one of the shops tomorrow then,” he smiles. “That might help.”

“It will,” you groggily smile back. “You’re so sweet, Kook. I’m glad we–”

And just like that, you’ve fallen asleep.

It’s fitting how the night ends, he thinks. There’s a short distance separating both of you but so many years and memories in between. You’ve always been there just as the snow has always been around, yet it takes something, or someone - perhaps a moment - to make him look at things in a different light.

Has it always been like this? Have you always been like that? What was it these past months that made the difference? 

He’s unsure but he doesn’t want to overthink. Just like you, he wants to ingrain this in his mind as much as he can. He’ll deal with whatever comes after when it comes.

The first sliver of light cuts through your eyelids and you curl yourself closer to the pillow to hide your face. It works only a little, and you mentally curse yourself for leaving the blinds up. No one else seems bothered because no one’s put them down yet. It would’ve been Jungkook but you suppose he’s too exhausted.

You turn to your side and find his tattooed arm over his eyes and you kind of feel bad. So you get up and walk towards the window, marvel at the trees for a few seconds, then pull down the blinds. You return to bed and go back to sleep, knowing you’ll see it again later on. And tomorrow, too, for the last time.

You wake up two hours later to Jungkook saying that the guys have made breakfast. You stretch your legs and ask him if he can put on the muscle spray again even if you’re feeling a little better. He does, and you smile when he briefly massages your calves before he pulls you up from the bed.

Everyone else has gone up so you head to the dining table and find a spread of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausages, toast, and pastries. Hayoung and Gyu-rim apparently watched a cooking show this morning and immediately craved a Western breakfast, so Yoongi and Seokjin went to the supermarket to grab ingredients and cooked them. 

It smells amazing, and you hum in delight at how good it is. It feels so foreign yet it tastes like comfort. 

There’s no rush in spending your last full day. You drive to explore a quaint town then hang out at a cafe to play with cats and drink coffee. You go to a whiskey museum and laugh at Jungkook and Jimin doing some role play by the bar. 

You try some samplers and end up getting Jungkook one of the bottles he chose not to get because he’s used up all his alcohol budget for this trip. You give it as a surprise while walking back to the car.

“___, I told you you didn’t need to get me anymore,” he groans.

“Yeah but.. You carried me, you've been massaging me… And you’re gonna drive me home tomorrow,” you say.

“So what, should I expect you to get me something every time I do something for you?”

“Uh… no.”

“Exactly, so there’s no need to.”

“Too bad, it’s already paid for,” you shrug. “Plus, you looked so sad when you had to give it up. You were pouting your lips and pep talking yourself into accepting that you weren’t gonna get it.”

“I’m also an adult who’ll get over it,” he points out.

“Well, just think of it as a birthday or Christmas gift or something.”

“You’ve never gotten me either of those,” he deadpans.

“Exactly! So here,” you chirp, placing the bottle in his hand. “Belated happy birthday and advanced Merry Christmas.”

He laughs at your persistence but accepts that this is how you are. Again, it’s the tenderness of your personality that he’s been experiencing these past few weeks that builds on the fondness, that makes him enjoy being around you.

“Fine. Thank you,” he finally smiles and accepts. 

Not long after, you go to a street lined with local shops. That’s where Jungkook finds you a snowglobe of this town. He gets you another one of a tree with a deer next to it. He’s also never gotten you a gift so he says it’s for all the years that he missed out on. 

Later in the night, after having dinner at a hotpot place and spending the rest of it reminiscing about the trip over tea and milk, you lay on your side next to Mo-eum, as you’ve returned to your original sleeping arrangements. You place both snowglobes on the night table next to you, as if in replacement of the view from your window. 

“Careful, you might hit and break them,” Jungkook warns from not far away.

“I think my body can only recognize body parts when it’s hitting something,” you laugh. “But don’t worry, they’ll be safe.”

“They better. They’re your reminder of this place.”

“Well, years from now when I still feel my sore joints, I’ll be reminded of Sapporo,” you laugh. 

Jungkook laughs, too, and thinks that while you’ll have those as a reminder, he has this other than the bottle of whiskey you got him - this view of you smiling at him as you fall asleep.

Even if you remain as friends, years from now he’ll think of this trip and how you made it enchanting for him with the moments, the silence, and all your unspoken words.

You leave Sapporo the next afternoon.

It’s quite a drive to the airport and you savor the scenery as you pass the snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes for the last time. 

You sit next to Jungkook again on the flight home, with your head leaned on his shoulder while you both look at the photos in the shared photo album. He drops you off at your apartment after you all have dinner at a restaurant and the entire drive had you laughing and teasing each other, same as how you spent the entire trip.

He helps you unload your luggage and walks it up to the entrance to your apartment building.

The snow starts falling at this time and you ruffle Jungkook’s hair and call him out for not wearing his beanie.

“I’ll live,” he laughs.

You just smile in response, thankful that you spent the past week making new memories with this man you feel you don’t have enough of. It’s weird how a trip can do that - make you experience someone you’ve known for a decade as if for the first time. 

But you suppose life is like that. We focus on certain things at certain points of our lives depending on who and where we are at that time. We rediscover people and feelings and friendships and maybe that’s what living means. Those that remain are the ones that matter.

“Enjoy the holidays, okay? And have a safe trip home tomorrow,” he says.

You’re riding with Hayoung to Gwangju in the morning and Jungkook’s driving to Busan with Jimin in the afternoon. 

“And don’t hurt yourself. Your legs are still a bit sore,” he reminds you.

“I’ll be alright,” you say confidently. 

He chuckles and heads back to his car. You wave him goodbye for the last time then head to your apartment.

Five minutes later, you text him.

[To: bunny kook] I stubbed my toe on the couch 🙁

He laughs out loud and decides to call you. You don’t need him to come back, you say, but you wail that you miss him already.

He knows what you mean but it doesn’t stop his heart from doing that thing again. He ends up talking to you on the phone throughout his drive and while you’re both unpacking and then packing again for your respective trips. 

You hang up first and Jungkook already dreads what these next few weeks of being away from you would mean.

Settling into the feeling could mean accepting that proximity is the biggest factor and that being physically apart is what’ll make him get back to how things used to be. He could also be convinced it wasn’t much anyway. 

It could mean settling into the idea that both of you have changed over the years and have truly committed to just being better friends for each other. 

Or it could mean that there really is something more, and he’s gonna have to figure out how to live with that, whether or not you feel the same way.

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