Chapter Text
"What?"
Jimin knows he heard his mother right, but he can't help but ask for clarification anyway, everything within him hoping that he somehow misunderstood her. It has barely been a month since he presented, they can't possibly have found someone this fast…
His mother doesn't actually repeat herself though but just happily babbles on, sounding as if she's playfully admonishing him: "Quite sneaky of you, by the way, to put your own demands through like this… But if that's what it takes to make this union a success we of course don't have any objections. I'm rather pleased actually: you've always been close, I'm sure you'll work well together".
Jimin isn't sure whether his brain just froze to the point of not understanding speech anymore or if his mother is actually talking in riddles.
Putting his own demands through?
How?
The best he can do for now is just repeat his earlier question: "What?"
"You know, the whole thing about wanting to finish your studies and waiting with actually tying the knot until you've both graduated: pretty clever. We still need to hash out some details but of course we agree to those terms, and I therefore don't see a reason why we should have any hesitation to go through with it at this point. So I think congratulations are in order!"
At this point, Jimin can only manage to somehow make his way over to a nearby bench – he's on campus for Christ' sake, what a great location to have the rug pulled out from under you –, all his limbs trembling as he collapses on it.
It's from there that he manages some sort of semi-coherent reply: "Mom, I – I'm going to… Just –" He shakes his head, breathing out deeply. "I'm going to need some explanation. Because what? How was I clever? How – Who -?"
Only to have his world really come to a halt when his mother replies: "Taehyung, my dear, who else?"
"Taehyung? My – my Taehyung?"
Jimin is pretty sure he sounds completely hysterical by now, but he just doesn't understand, his mother can't possibly be talking about his Taehyung –
"Yes, your Taehyung, how many other Taehyungs do you know? When he approached me out of the blue about a marriage proposal I assumed you two had talked it through? I mean, how else would he even know about our search in the first place?"
His Taehyung.
His best friend Taehyung. That Taehyung actually asked Jimin's parents for his hand in marriage.
No way.
There has to be some kind of misunderstanding, Taehyung wouldn't –
Jimin's train of thought comes to an abrupt halt when he realises: fuck, maybe Taehyung would. He had been suspiciously quiet about the whole thing during the past few weeks, only insisting to Jimin that things would turn out fine whenever Jimin brought the topic up, but Jimin had never expected this to be the reason…
It makes it very clear where Jimin's current priorities need to lie, and he therefore doesn't even feel guilty when he shortly says: "Mom, I've got to go".
Despite the way his fingers shake Jimin manages to hang up and pocket his phone, and then he's making his way to Taehyung's apartment, speeding up with every step.
This is absurd. Jimin understands that Taehyung would want to protect him, but to go to such lengths…
Jimin can't let that happen. Even though the gesture warms him to the core, he can't deprive Taehyung of a happy future with someone he actually loves. It's not Taehyung's burden to bear: it's Jimin's and Jimin's alone.
With the way he's marching over campus like a man on a mission – which he is – it takes Jimin no time to get to Taehyung's apartment, and then he's ringing the bell insistently, heart speeding up further with every second. He knows Taehyung doesn't have class this afternoon and is probably in his art studio; he should be here.
And apparently he is, because it doesn't take long for the door to open.
Of course, Taehyung takes one look at him and directly starts rambling happily, already moving back into the direction of the living room.
"Jiminie! Why didn't you just use the code like normally? Forgot the digits? Seems like something I would do, honestly… Anyway, you should totally come have a look! I painted Yeontannie but then re-imagined as a little blue alien with green dots, it's fabulous –"
Taehyung finally breaks off and turns back around when Jimin doesn't move an inch but just continues to stare at him, his hand still on the doorframe next to the bell. Because Jimin only realises now that he hadn't actually prepared how to go about this, and just seeing Taehyung in his paint-splattered loose clothing, all happy smiles and chaotic rambling, makes his chest ache.
Taehyung has been trying to save him in secret, by marrying him, and that's so wild, so unimaginable –
"You okay?"
Taehyung has stepped up closer again now, looking at him with big, worried eyes, the seriousness of his expression only slightly compromised by the large stripe of blue paint across his cheek.
"You look a bit pale, maybe we should –"
"You want to marry me?"
Jimin's words are almost a screech now that he has found his voice, and the sound seems to echo through the hallway as they stare at each other in silence for a moment, but then Taehyung blinks a few times, visibly pulling himself together.
Then, he manages to almost sound casual of all things when he replies: "Ah, your mother must have already informed you, that's unfortunate… I asked them if they could wait until the deal was through before telling you so I could tell you myself before that time instead to check if you agreed with the plan..."
The attempt at nonchalance is wasted on Jimin, and his voice still sounds slightly deranged when he says: "What the fuck, Tae, why?"
There's a resigned sigh from Taehyung, and then Jimin is pulled into the apartment by the front of his sweater, watching on impatiently as Taehyung calmly closes the door, walks into the living room, and casually sits down on the arm rest of the couch, throwing one leg over the other and fluffing his hair with one hand, before finally speaking up.
"Well, who wouldn't want to marry you? You're funny, attentive, far smarter than you give yourself credit for, cocky but in the most endearing way, you have a great sense of fashion, and of course you're absolutely gorgeous… –"
At this, Taehyung gestures from Jimin's head to his feet, " – I mean, you're clearly a catch".
"Okay", Jimin responds with exasperated sigh when it's clear that that's all Taehyung is going to give him, "but why do you want to marry me? We're – We never – You've always wanted romance, and now -?"
Taehyung shrugs.
"Well, as I just said, you're funny, attentive, smart, and so on…"
He fades out into silence, for the first time starting to look a bit nervous as he glances away and scratches the side of his face, his next words leaving him in a rush: "And I might also have kinda been in love with you since, like, forever, so..."
"What?!"
Taehyung stays silent, now looking down at where he's scratching the paint off of one of his fingers in his lap.
So Jimin takes a single step forwards, toning down the shock in his voice and switching to empathy instead as he says: "You love me?"
That seems to bring Taehyung's confidence back, since he scoffs loudly as if Jimin just said something ridiculous, rolling his eyes before he settles his gaze on Jimin.
"Well, obviously I've always loved you, as my bestie, as my soulmate; it has just kinda grown into, you know, the in love kind at some point?"
Jimin still feels completely shocked, staring at Taehyung with big eyes.
"When?"
"Since, like, four years ago maybe?"
Taehyung is clearly trying his best to act casual with a mellow hand gesture and calm voice, but Jimin sees that he's nervous by the rigidity of his posture.
"Four years? Tae -"
Taehyung casts him a fiery gaze. "Look, it was hardly useful to confess my undying love to you before we even presented, so –"
Jimin can't help but interrupt, a crazy thought suddenly entering his mind.
"Wait. Is that why you hoped I'd be an omega? So that we had a chance of being together? Oh my god, Tae, all that talk about how –"
"Chim, stop distracting me from my speech!"
Taehyung throws him a reprimanding look before continuing, a bit petulantly: "As I was saying: it was hardly useful to confess my love before we even presented, plus it's not like I've ever been dissatisfied with how things were between us: I love how we are as friends and I'd never pressure you into something more than that…"
There's a look into Jimin's direction, Taehyung's eyes conveying his sincerity, before he clenches his jaw, his scent spiking. "But I also can't let you get married off to some stuck-up, filthy-rich random asshole who will treat you like arm candy to breed and keep at home, and if I have to marry you to stop that from happening so be it".
A moment of silence as Taehyung takes a calming breath, clearly collecting himself, and then: "And if you grow into falling in love with me too that'd be great – in that case I think your slick would come in pretty handy –"
"Tae, oh my god!"
There's a boyish grin on Taehyung's face as he continues, clearly having gotten the reaction he was going for.
"But if not that's also fine, and we can just stay friends. But then married friends, which, you know, doesn't have to be a big deal. You could date whoever you like, could live however you like; the whole marriage thing would just be to get your parents off your back. I just couldn't sit by and do nothing, Chim, and this was the only option I saw… You're smart and talented and wonderful and so deserving of living your life as you please; I couldn't let your parents take that away from you…"
Somewhere along Taehyung's speech tears had started gathering in Jimin's eyes, all the fight draining out of him, and his voice comes out shaky as he says: "You'd really do that for me?"
Taehyung is in front of him in two big steps, cupping his cheeks and looking him deep in the eyes as he says: "Jimin, I kind of hoped that by now you knew that I'd do anything for you… You're my Jiminie, my soulmate, I'm always going to protect you in whatever way I can…"
Taehyung isn't even completely done talking when Jimin throws himself into his arms, a little overwhelmed sound leaving him as he squishes himself against Taehyung's chest. This is all so much to take in and so unexpected, but god, he loves Taehyung for being the best friend, the best ally, ever, hardly feeling deserving of it.
And so it's with tears flowing down his cheeks that Jimin says: "Thank you. Thank you so, so much. I love you too, I love you so much…"
He pulls back to lean his forehead against Taehyung's, hands coming up to frame Taehyung's face, and his voice wavers as he quickly continues: "I don't know if I can do the in love thing too, but – But let's just see, okay? If you really made my parents agree to us only marrying after we finish studying we still have years to figure things out, we can just… We –"
Jimin honestly isn't sure what they can do, just knows that he desperately wants things to be okay, so he shakes his head before saying: "We'll make it work somehow, I know we can make it work somehow. I just – I really, really don't want to hurt you. You're my favourite person, as you said: my bestie, my soulmate; I'd hate hurting you… Maybe I can just not date, maybe –"
"Jiminie", Taehyung interrupts, soothing: "You won't hurt me, I know you won't… We'll be fine, I promise".
As he finishes he pulls Jimin back into his arms, and for a while they just hold each other, Jimin trying to calm himself down by focussing on the comforting, familiar feeling of Taehyung's body against his, on Taehyung's scent enveloping him.
But then Taehyung breaks the peace: "So is that a yes?"
For a moment Jimin doesn't know what he's referring to, a confused "What?" leaving him, but Taehyung is already rambling on.
"Ah, wait, I haven't actually asked the question yet, silly me. Wait a second…"
With that, Taehyung is suddenly slipping down from Jimin's hold, and Jimin watches on in complete shock as Taehyung slides down to one knee, grinning up at him.
"So, my lovely, amazing Park Jiminie, will you marry me? For freedom, for friendship, for the hell of it?"
It's such an unreal situation that Jimin is left gawping, and he only startles from his daze when Taehyung tugs on one of his hands, still looking amused if not a tiny bit more insecure as he says: "Aish, Jimin-ah, I thought that after all the Disney movies we've seen together you'd be better at this part. What is thy answer, oh princess?"
That startles a laugh from Jimin, and it's with a racing heart and a still awe-struck mind that he manages to mumble: "This is so insane, what the fuck… But fine, yes, you dork. I can't believe we're actually doing this –"
He's cut off by Taehyung leaping up again and wildly pulling him into his arms, twirling him around for good measure, and there's a weird mix of bewilderment and euphoria rushing through Jimin's veins by the time Taehyung lowers him down again.
They're engaged.
Holy fuck.
Taehyung's blinding grin and enthusiastic rambling make it easier to not think of any doubts that come with that realisation for now, just revelling in the holy fuck I'm getting married?! for a bit, and for a crazy moment Jimin has the overwhelming inclination to kiss Taehyung to seal the deal – a thought that makes a spike of nerves rush through him and makes his smile freeze for a moment.
Wait, what?
That's not something that ever entered his mind before, so… It must just be the heat of the moment talking, right? Something that popped into his mind just because it's what tradition dictates is a logical thing to do in this situation?
Jimin is happy that Taehyung hugs him again with an excited squeal before he can get lost in his weird thoughts, and he listens on with half a heart, still processing everything himself, as Taehyung babbles happily about rings, telling his parents, etcetera.
It's just such a ridiculously big decision, one that will change everything, and Jimin needs some more time to catch up, to think through what he actually just signed up for.
Marriage isn't something that you just jump into lightly, he knows that, it's something that will be for the rest of their lives. And sure, the whole thing with Jimin's parents makes their situation far from standard, but that doesn't make it any less of a huge deal. If anything, it only makes it an even bigger deal.
When Taehyung finally does pull back from the hug though, only to take him by the hand and drag him towards his art studio with an excited "Come see my painting!", Jimin starts to believe that things might actually be okay.
Whatever crazy thing they've gotten themselves into, they're still Taehyung and Jimin, best friends since forever. Taehyung is still exactly how he's always been, is still so endearing and funny as he proudly shows Jimin his painting, is still his normal playful self as they talk about their day and order dinner, is still just Taehyung, the boy he knows better than anyone.
Which means that things have to turn out fine.
Right?
In the days that follow, Jimin finds out that things aren't that easy.
Yeah, Taehyung is still exactly the same, still looks at him the same and is still silly and funny and cute in the same way, but Jimin can't help but interpret everything differently anyway.
Just the idea that Taehyung has been in love with him for years is such a strange concept. What does that mean, in terms of what Taehyung thinks about him, feels about him, maybe even fantasizes about him? Should Jimin have noticed it? Were there signs that he somehow missed, and if so, what were they?
He finds himself looking for them now, observing Taehyung, observing himself, their interactions, and it just makes him more and more confused.
Because Taehyung doesn't do anything that Jimin hadn't done himself too before the whole confession thing. They're equally clingy, have an equal tendency to seek each other out, to text each other, call each other, sit next to each other, feed each other stuff, you name it: their behaviour is the same.
So where does that leave them?
Suddenly, all those comments that they'd received over the years about them being so couple-like resurface, and Jimin feels like everything he knew is slowly being turned upside-down.
If Taehyung did all those things because he's in love with Jimin, what does that say about Jimin's feelings for him? Is he somehow in love with Taehyung too without even having realised it? Or do they just have a very intense friendship and does Taehyung have additional feelings that somehow don't translate into any extra glances and touches on top of what they normally already do?
Jimin knows that all his ruminations and confusion make him act weirdly, but he can't help it.
Every touch from Taehyung startles him now, every eye contact they share has Jimin blushing and looking away, because what if Taehyung feels something else when they engage in those behaviours than Jimin himself does? And more scarily: what if he doesn't?
Even though he knows he's making Taehyung sad and confused with his behaviour, Jimin is still too confused about it all himself to bring it up in conversation in the days after the confession – and their engagement, what the hell –, but of course he should have known that that would only mean that Taehyung would bring it up instead.
They're on Taehyung's couch one evening, both studying on opposite sides of it, Taehyung sitting sideways with toes tucked under Jimin's thigh to keep them warm, when Taehyung speaks up.
"Jiminie?"
Just by his tone of voice it's clear that Taehyung wants to discuss something serious with him, and Jimin already finds himself growing anxious before he even knows for sure what it will be about.
Because there are so many out-of-character things Jimin has done in the past days to pick from: sleeping at his own place more often than normally, not being as touchy, flinching whenever Taehyung startles him with an unexpected touch… Jimin has been acting horribly awkward and weird, he knows, and the shame at his own behaviour makes it difficult to lift his gaze to Taehyung's as he hums questioningly.
The sad, insecure look on Taehyung's face he sees there when he does look up only makes Jimin feel worse, as does the pain in Taehyung's voice when he says: "You know I would never do anything you don't want, right? I mean, you can of course take your distance from me if you want to, but you know that I would never cross your boundaries in any way, right? I mean –"
"I know".
Jimin had interrupted before even thinking about it, Taehyung's expression so deeply sad that he couldn't stand the pain of seeing him like that any longer, and he scrapes his voice before repeating: "I know. I'm sorry, it's nothing you do, I trust you, so much, it's just –"
He sighs deeply, raking his hands through his hair in frustration while trying to order his thoughts.
"I'm just confused, and overwhelmed, and it makes me act weirdly. I know it does, and I'm sorry…"
He's still thinking about how to continue when Taehyung speaks up, his tone soft: "Hey, I get it, you don't have to apologize… But just – if you feel like it would be better for you to take some more distance from me for a while that's okay, you know? You don't have to force yourself to be here, and if you want me to stop with certain behaviours I will; I don't want to make you uncomfortable…"
His voice is pleading, almost breaking, as he continues: "You can just tell me honestly, okay? Tell me if you need space, or if you maybe don't want to see me at all anymore for a bit, -"
The idea alone that Taehyung thinks that Jimin doesn't want to be near him anymore makes Jimin's stomach drop, and he's moving before he even registers it, leaping over to where Taehyung is sitting and cupping his cheeks while his knees find a place on either side of Taehyung's legs.
"No! No, I don't want that, I don't want space and you're not making me uncomfortable, I'm sorry…"
The tears that he now sees in Taehyung's eyes make him feel even worse, and he shuffles further forwards, sitting down on Taehyung's lap and hugging him to his chest.
"Is not that, I swear it's not that", he soothes, burying both his nose and a hand in Taehyung's hair and holding him close. Jimin himself is close to tearing up now too, sounding choked up as he continues: "I don't want to not be close, I just – I don't know what everything means anymore, and that makes me awkward, that's all… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad; I never want to make you feel bad…"
It's silent for a bit as they both process, Jimin feeling relieved at how Taehyung's arms wrap around him too, squishing them even closer together.
And it's only then, so tight in Taehyung's embrace, that Jimin feels the tension of the past days leaving him, causing him to whisper: "God, I missed you… I missed this, missed having you close, I'm sorry…"
While he talks, his nose automatically finds Taehyung's neck, softly scenting it just the tiniest bit. The way Taehyung directly sighs out in relief and tilts his head to the side sets him even more at ease, as does Taehyung's mumbled response: "Missed you too… Sorry if I made things awkward, didn't mean to…"
It feels so natural and nice to just sit there like that for a while, keeping each other close and breathing in each other's scent, and Jimin is slumped into Taehyung's hold, feeling sleepy and boneless and having no idea anymore how much time has passed, by the time he finally asks: "Taetae, what's it like to be in love?"
To Taehyung's merit he doesn't laugh at Jimin's silly question, but just hums thoughtfully as he cards through Jimin's hair.
"I guess it feels different for everyone, but for me… It feels like I want to be near you all the time. Want to share everything that happens with you and hear everything that happens to you from you. Want to have your scent on me and my scent on you, and I want to see you happy, to see your smile, to know that you're safe".
Jimin feels his heart starting to beat faster, and automatically nuzzles closer to Taehyung's scent gland to stay calm.
That sounds familiar.
Very familiar.
Taehyung speaks on though, a bit more carefully and hesitantly: "And… It's sometimes thinking that it might be nice to kiss you too, to make you feel good in, you know, ways. And it's wanting and hoping to stay together like we are now forever, disliking the thought of someday not sharing a bed with you anymore because you'll have someone else you'd rather share it with…"
Taehyung stays silent for a bit, Jimin feeling how he swallows heavily, before he concludes: "It feels like that. It feels nice, most of the time. Warm, and exciting".
For some reason, Jimin has a lump in his throat by the end of Taehyung explanation, thoughts racing in a way that makes him wonder how long he has let the silence stretch before he even manages to reply.
"Oh".
That conversation changes something between them, and in the days that follow they fall back into their old routine, the awkwardness gone. If anything, they're even more clingy now, constantly seeking each other out, hugging, scenting, revelling in each other's closeness.
The thing that isn't gone though is Jimin's confusion.
Because Taehyung's words keep floating through his head, coming to him in all kinds of inopportune moments.
They'll be having lunch with their friends when Jimin will suddenly remember 'want to make you feel good in, you know, ways', and his brain will helpfully supply him with possible ways Taehyung might have been talking about, and he'll be left having to explain why he's red like a tomato all of a sudden.
He'll see Taehyung cheerfully chatting to some omega classmate on campus and will remember the part about finding someone else with whom they'd rather share their bed, and he'll have to stop himself from stomping over and doing something as bad as growling at the poor omega.
Which makes him realise that maybe he has been a bit oblivious about certain things.
It's just that Taehyung has always felt different than everyone else: how should Jimin have known that that meant something more than Taehyung simply being more awesome than anyone he'd ever met?
How should he have known that other people aren't quite as happy and excited to see their friends as he is seeing Taehyung? (He secretly interviewed Hoseok and Seokjin about how they felt towards their friends and well, it led to some realisations, and a lot of teasing from his friends.)
And as for the kissing – and more – thing, Jimin now realises that he honestly hadn't really thought about stuff like sex before. It's normal for such feelings to properly develop after presenting, so it's not as if he'd had a lot of time to get to that point.
He had playfully, drunkenly kissed a few people at college parties in the past months, but it had never meant anything, and he had definitely never had the inclination to take things further. Had never experienced a proper crush or sexual attraction to anyone.
But now that the thought has entered his mind, he can't help but wonder what it'd be like to kiss Taehyung. He can't deny that there are moments in which he thinks it could be nice, properly nice, moments in which he feels a tingling sensation in his guts that he is coming to realise might be the butterflies everyone is always talking about.
He also knows that he might just be talking himself into something though, because there obviously is quite a bit of pressure on him to at least try to see if he has feelings for Taehyung, even if Taehyung himself doesn't mean to pressure him.
It simply would make things a lot easier if he did end up liking Taehyung back.
So to what extent can he trust what he thinks he feels?
As time passes though, Jimin finds out that his feelings only get more intense. It soon gets to the point that he can't even look at Taehyung without his gaze somehow dropping to Taehyung's lips, his mind playing out scenes of them getting closer, Taehyung's hands dropping to his hips, Taehyung's nose brushing his as he leans in…
They'll be at a bar with friends and all Jimin will be able to think about is the heat of Taehyung thigh pressing against his own under the table, the way Taehyung's pretty fingers absentmindedly play with the straw of his mocktail in a way that Jimin feels is decidedly sexy somehow.
They'll be lounging on the couch together and Jimin's hands will practically be twitching with the need to reach out, to trace Taehyung's brow and cheek bones and cupid's bow.
They'll be sharing a bed like they normally do, and Jimin will feel himself getting aroused out of nowhere, just the knowledge of Taehyung being next to him in the dark enough to set his insides aflame, making him fight to keep his scent under control so Taehyung doesn't notice.
Okay, so maybe it's more than Jimin just talking himself into a crush.
Maybe he really has a crush. Or maybe even something a bit more intense, something that feels a lot like love.
Which, you know, is actually really nice. And convenient. And exciting.
It's also terrifying though, Jimin's mind not being able to let go of the fear of him somehow ruining things, of him somehow disappointing Taehyung or hurting him with his inexperience and doubts and ineptitude regarding everything that has to do with love.
But as it becomes more and more clear that Jimin can't focus on anything but Taehyung and his fantasies about him, to the point of not being able to focus on uni anymore, it also becomes clear that things can't go on like this. And it's when they're in Taehyung's bed, ready to go to sleep, that Jimin finally gathers the courage to speak up, his heart beating wildly in his throat.
"Taetae?"
He gets a sleepy hum in response, Taehyung's face barely visible in the dim light from where he's lying on his side facing Jimin, his hair a dark cloud against his pillow, and Jimin hears how his voice shakes as he whispers: "Can you kiss me?"
He hears Taehyung's shock more than he sees it, an audible gasp sounding from next to him, and as Taehyung makes to push himself up to his elbow Jimin quickly rambles on.
"I just – maybe it's a stupid idea, but I think – I think I would like it? And I can't stop thinking about it, and I'll never know if we don't try it and then I'll just keep on driving myself completely crazy, but I also don't want to hurt you if it turns out that I don't –"
A finger against his lips makes Jimin stop abruptly, his eyes wide as he gazes up at Taehyung, who is now leaning slightly over him.
Taehyung's voice holds a mixture of fondness and amusement as he says: "Breathe, Chimchim, breathe".
There's some shuffling, Taehyung moving away for a bit, and then the warm light of the bedside lamp spreads through the room, giving Jimin a clear view of how Taehyung moves back to lie on his side beside him, leaning on his elbow with his head in his hand.
The way Taehyung looks at him attentively without saying anything, his gaze soft, makes Jimin feel naked, his cheeks heating up as he properly realises what he just did. He just asked his best friend, who is in love with him, and who he is engaged to, who he maybe is in love with too, to kiss him, oh god. What if it was a mistake? What if it wasn't a mistake?
His growing panic must be clear because there's a soft chuckle, and then Taehyung's hand finds its way to the side of Jimin's head, gently caressing his hair.
"Hey, no need to be nervous, it's okay. It's just me, remember?"
Those words alone are enough to make a lump grow in Jimin's throat, and he nods shakily as he tries to calm himself down. It's not a big deal, he's just casually lying in bed with Taehyung, his Taehyung, about to maybe take a huge, terrifying step in their relationship –
"Okay, okay", Taehyung's voice brings him out of his growing panic, Taehyung's body shifting closer so that their foreheads are leaning together, Taehyung's hand moving to cup his neck with his thumb rubbing soothing circles into his skin.
"Chim, hey, look at me".
It's difficult to meet Taehyung's gaze, Jimin feeling so vulnerable all of a sudden, so unguarded, but he glances up anyway, breathing out a shaky breath.
He's awarded with a big smile.
"That's it, see: it's just me, it's just us, there's nothing to be nervous about".
Taehyung sends him another reassuring smile before softly saying, as if trying not to spook him: "So you wanted to try kissing?"
Jimin is pretty sure his cheeks are about to catch fire by now but he manages a nod, scraping his voice but still sounding raspy as he stammers: "I – yeah? Maybe? I just – I just want to know; I think – I think I would like it…"
"Okay, then we can try it".
It's such a simple and confident response that for a moment Jimin freezes, wide eyes locked on Taehyung's.
"Really? I – But – But what if I don't like it?"
Taehyung shrugs, a picture of casualness.
"Then you don't, and we know what not to try again. That's fine, I wouldn't feel offended or sad or anything, I promise".
"Oh".
It takes Jimin a few moments to process the turn of events enough to follow that up with a shaky "Okay", feeling both comforted and extra nervous.
They're actually doing this. Oh lord. Is he supposed to do something right away? Should he lean in? Wet his lips? Tilt his head? It's weird how he suddenly feels like an inexperienced prude next to Taehyung, while he does have some experience. Just… Just not like this, not with actual, proper feelings and expectations and hopes attached.
It's therefore that his heart feels like it's about to jump right out his chest when Taehyung leans in just a bit closer, their breath mingling as he whispers: "You sure?"
But Jimin is sure. He knows he wants this, can feel sparks of electricity race through his veins even despite his nerves, and so it's without any doubt in his mind that he nods, already closing his eyes in anticipation.
Only to spring them open again when instead of the soft pressure on his mouth that he expected there is a tiny kiss on his nose.
"Tae!"
He's met by Taehyung's blinding grin, as if Taehyung is actually proud of himself, but before Jimin can react further Taehyung leans in again, and now there's a soft kiss pressed against his cheek.
It's there that Taehyung whispers: "Can't just go straight for the end goal, Jiminie, gotta work up to it… Can't have you decide you don't like it just because I didn't do my utmost best, hm?"
And then Jimin is left speechless as Taehyung continues his gentle attack, pressing Jimin further onto his back by pressing kiss after kiss to his face. One just in front of his ear, one on his left eyebrow, one right in the middle of his forehead, one on his jaw.
For a few seconds Jimin is just shocked, the sequence of events so different from what he expected, but within moments he has to admit: this feels really nice, and it's far less daunting than actual kissing.
In fact, he feels himself relax more and more as Taehyung continues his soft ministrations, feels how his breath hitches with each press of Taehyung's lips, with how Taehyung's hand is still cupping his neck, his thumb softly caressing his jaw while the rest of his hand keeps him steady in Taehyung's hold.
There's something incredibly exciting about having Taehyung this close, closer than ever, caging Jimin in with one elbow leaning next to Jimin's shoulder, and knowing that this is just the build-up, that at some point they're actually going to kiss.
Soon, he finds himself gasping softly whenever Taehyung's lips find another spot to caress, feels a shudder run through him when his head is tilted sideways and Taehyung kisses a trail from his collarbone to his ear.
He's starting to feel hot now, feels his breath quickening from something other than just nerves, and he can't help but whimper with how overwhelmed he feels, one hand coming up to bury itself in Taehyung's curls and pull him closer.
It just feels so good, good in a way that he has never felt before, and they're not even actually doing anything major yet. But he's very much starting to feel that he wants something major, wants Taehyung to kiss him properly, to touch him, to pull him even closer.
And it's when he feels like he could explode from the intensity of his feelings, of his desire, wriggling on the bed in an attempt to press his body even closer to Taehyung's and nosing his way into Taehyung's neck while breathing out a desperate-sounding "Tae", that Taehyung finally takes mercy on him.
By now, Taehyung has somehow ended up straddling Jimin's hips, both of them partly covered by the blanket that's hitched up Taehyung's back, and Taehyung's breath comes heavy when he moves back from where he was kissing the side of Jimin's face to rest his forehead against Jimin's.
There's a timeless moment in which their gazes meet, Jimin drinking in the wild look on Taehyung's face, how his lips are kiss-swollen already, how his messy curls frame his face, and then Taehyung is leaning in; really leaning in this time.
Jimin directly finds out that kissing Taehyung is nothing like kissing those other faceless people. It's soft, so soft, it's tender, and it's probably the best thing Jimin has ever experienced.
Somehow, just the warmth of Taehyung's lips, the intimacy of him being so close, spreads a wildfire through Jimin's veins that has him gasping for air in the best way, and every movement of Taehyung's lips against his, even in all its tenderness, sends sparks all the way down to Jimin's toes.
It takes him several long moments to even remember to properly kiss back, to regain the use of his hands and re-establish his hold on Taehyung's shoulders; it's so incredibly overwhelming.
It's easy to lose sense of time, sense of himself, of his thoughts, of anything really outside of Taehyung kissing him and the weight of Taehyung's body on top of him. All Jimin knows is that this is amazing, and that he wants more, wants it more intense, wants it closer, and so he whines, pulls Taehyung closer, bucks up his hips to get rid of the last distance between them.
Which gets him a breathy chuckle against his lips, and then to his confusion Taehyung is pulling back, dodging when Jimin's lips chase his.
"So, did that answer your question?"
"What?" In his dazedness, Jimin has no idea what Taehyung is talking about. "Why –"
He tries to pull Taehyung back, not liking this new talking thing, but Taehyung just chuckles again, leaning in only to press a soft kiss to Jimin's forehead.
His eyes sparkle as his gaze finds Jimin's again, the softest, fondest smile on his face. "May I assume from that that the experiment was a success?"
"Oh". Jimin's cheeks heat up, realisation only dawning upon him now. For a moment he feels embarrassed, having gotten so lost in the kissing thing, but then he feels the biggest grin splitting his lips, radiant happiness flowing through him.
"Yeah. So what about you kiss me some more?"
And Jimin is pretty sure Taehyung has never looked so pretty as he does right now, leaning in with love in his eyes and a debauched look to him, cheekily whispering just before their lips meet: "Your wish is my command".
When Jimin wakes up it's to the feeling of Taehyung's hair tickling his neck, both of Taehyung's arms around his torso keeping their bodies flush and their legs intertwined. He feels languid and loose-limbed in a completely new way, a very good way.
Memories of the night flash before his eyes, how they'd made out for hours, kissing and touching and discovering each other in amazing new ways, and Jimin is pretty sure he has never felt quite this happy before.
He's in love.
With his best friend, with the most amazing, thoughtful, kind, funny and inspiring person he has ever met. Who loves him back.
He had never, ever seen this coming, but it couldn’t have been much more perfect than this, and Jimin can't stop from grinning like an idiot, turning around in Taehyung's hold and hugging him as close as he can, even if it gets him a sleepy grumble in response.
He has seen Taehyung wake up countless times, but this time he feels mesmerized as he watches Taehyung's eyelids flutter open, feels like his heart might just burst from affection at how soft and sleepy he looks.
"Hi", he breathes out, one hand carefully reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind Taehyung's ear. "Sleep well?"
Taehyung's response is a contented hum as he leans in to trail his nose across Jimin's neck, pressing a soft kiss to Jimin's jaw before pulling back until they're nose to nose.
One finger comes up to trace Jimin's smile as Taehyung says: "You look happy?"
That only makes Jimin grin wider. "I am. Really, really happy. The happiest".
It gets him a grin back that's similar to his own, and Jimin feels a bit like back when they were still kids, hiding in bed together with some silly secret, grinning and giggling together. Somehow the secret in question just shifted from pranks on their parents to having made out through half the night…
Which makes him only happier: they've always been together, have always understood each other better than anyone else. It suddenly feels like the most natural thing in the world that they would also understand each other the best in this way, fit together the best in this way.
"Hey", he finds himself saying, "You know what?"
"What?"
"I'm really happy being an omega. I think it works out pretty frigging well".
He squeaks as Taehyung's lips directly press against his, giving him a passionate kiss before pulling back, Taehyung's grin somehow even being more blinding than before.
"Said so", Taehyung whispers, his gaze serious even with the smile still on his face, "You're perfect. Just the way you are".
They look at each other in silence for a second, Jimin just knowing that Taehyung's brain is taking the same associative path as his is, and yes, before he can silence him Taehyung is jumping up to his knees, dramatically throwing his arms up in the air as he belts:
"Cause you're amaaaazing, just the way you are!!"
Jimin jumps right after him, a fake-annoyed "Oh my god, shut up!" leaving him as he tries to grab for Taehyung, but Taehyung just blocks the attack, carrying on with his serenade.
"Your eyes, your eyes, make the stars look like they're not sh–"
Somehow Jimin manages to get his hand over Taehyung's mouth temporarily, muffling him for a second, but the fight continues, limbs flailing everywhere and their cackles mingling with shrieks and parts of lyrics from Taehyung's side.
And as Jimin's belly starts hurting from laughter, he realises that he really meant what he said: he's here with Taehyung, his soulmate, his everything, and in that light silly things like presentation really, really don't matter. Because they're just Taehyung and Jimin, two childhood friends, two lovers, and they're perfect just the way they are.