Chapter Text
Drenched, Jungkook followed Taehyung into the room. There were dripping water drops from his clothing and from his hair, Taehyung was the same. For their luck, they were already close to the studio when the clouds went mad and decided to make it rain all of a sudden. The rays of sunshine from not long before had disappeared so quickly there was no time to take shelter before they were already soaked.
“Kookie, lets run!”
Taehyung said, giving the other boy no time to register the words as he burst into a fast pace. Though they were only a couple of edifices away, and though they were already wet from their heads to toes, he ran as fast as he could.
If Jungkook thought he would be able to stop and catch his breath when he got inside, he was wrong. There was no time to ask the older where they were going before he burst into his mad running inside the building, but Jungkook recognized the familiar route, and soon figured out they were heading towards the practice room. Once inside, the younger couldn’t see any sign of the other members as Tae hurried to a cupboard and grabbed some towels.
“Let’s get you dried up!” He said, pressing one towel to the younger’s hair. The soft texture felt nice on his scalp, though he could probably dry his hair alone instead of having Tae do it for him, and mentally cursed himself for that bubbly smile curling up his lips. As the singer was still trying to fight that smile, he saw a hand reaching for his chest, pulling down the jacket’s zipper. Staggered, he jumped backwards.
“What are you doing?!”
“Seeing if your jacket is really waterproof, obviously.”
Taehyung had a malicious gleam to his eyes, but Jungkook had no idea what was passing through the older boy’s head. What if knew how Jungkook felt and started playing along? The idea was easily shrugged away, because as mean as Taehyung could get wouldn’t be to the point of messing around with Jungkook in such an oblivious way. It was more like fanservice, only in that case Jungkook felt like it was directed towards him (also because there were no fans to watch).
“Well, I can guarantee you it is.”
But Tae just moved forward again, and seeing that Jungkook had been startled by it made a devious grin take form on his lips.
“Ah Kookie, let me take your jacket off”
Leaning in, long fingers slid down the zipper while his other hand pulled down the jacket in a way that would have exposed Jungkook’s shoulders had he been wearing a sleeveless shirt. The younger was biting his upper lip, relieved Tae couldn’t see how his heart was almost exploding from his chest.
This was all too much. Too sudden, too close. Having the boy he probably had feelings for stepping forward, reaching to him and looking like something was about to happen just didn’t seem something possible outside of his head. Tae’s scent never seemed so strong to him, but now it was all over the place, making Jungkook want to drown on it. Made him want to go closer, smell Tae’s neck just behind the ear, have him shiver under his arms.
No. He should keep his calm and remember to breathe, because Tae was suffocating, was suffocating him. He needed air and needed to get his mind to actually work, to stop this haze.
“Stop that! Seem’s like you’re…”
“I’m what?”
Taehyung had moved too close, their foreheads were almost touching and that stupid grin was still stamped on his face.
Jungkook wondered what he was going to say, because words were something his brain couldn’t come up with right now, not with Taehyung’s face so close and body almost pressing him against a wall. Tae’s own hair was still wet, fringe falling over gleaming eyes.
You’re making me insane.
If you’re not going to kiss me, stop looking at me like you will.
But what would happen if Tae in fact kissed him? Despite being 5 centimeters from the other boy , Jungkook still found it hard to believe he would actually do something like that. However, as the scene wouldn’t disappear from his mind, he let himself drown in a fantasy where Taehyung leaned closer, touched his cheek, their lips brushed. He wondered how that kiss would taste in real life.
He would have to keep wondering, because the dream was broken by a sound at the door, and Taehyung drifted away. It was so sudden Jungkook missed the closeness in the instant the other backed away, his surroundings felt too empty, leaving him with only the impression of Taehyung and the dream-like haze that reality wanted to dissipate.
“Hyung!” He said. That haze wouldn’t allow Jungkook to see or to hear properly, as if everything was blurred by a mist that slowly started to dissolve. As things started to become clear again, Hoseok’s voice cut through the fog.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Yes.
“Not really. Were you dancing, hyung? You’re all sweaty, gross.”
“You’re not much better yourself, if you’d like to know. And yeah, I just got out but left my phone here and- oh great, clean towels!”
Hoseok advanced to Taehyung and stole one of the towels he was holding, using it to clean his forehead. Tae protested, saying he had grabbed the towels with love and compared it to Hoseok stealing little kids from their father, making the other laugh loudly. Meanwhile, in some corner of the room, Jungkook had been left staring at them both.
His gaze was centered on them, but his mind was screaming to look away. Finally managing to look down, he tasted the bitterness of the silent laugh that escaped him.
”Kookie, you alright?” Hoseok said, looking his way.
It took some moments for the younger assimilate he was being talked to. Jungkook brushed away the negative expressions from his face, leaving only a blank smile as he replied.
“Me? Yeah”
Hoseok took some moments staring at the younger,and as he was deciding whether to insist or not, Taehyung interrupted.
“Ok, maybe we should get going. Jin called us here, it seemed important.”
“Oh? Actually he just called me a while ago too. I just had to stop to talk to the manager about a photoshoot, then I remembered I left my phone here and came back. That was quite a while ago though, but I guess it’s alright since you just arrived too. Also, what happened to you?”
“The wrath of the gods.”
The three started towards the recording studio, where the others were. Jungkook walked silently, contemplative as the other two talked their way to the studio. He didn’t really pay attention to their words, but did to the way they comfortably exchanged words, wished he could join in, couldn’t find the will to.
Before he realized, there was already a Namjoon standing in front of them. Scanning the room, he saw that Jimin and Yoongi were also there (though the later was shoved in a corner, a hand covering his face as he does when he’s embarrassed).
“Oh wow we have like a meeting here. Cool.” Hoseok said clapping his palms one time, looked exited to know what was going on.
“What’s this about?” Namjoon asked, quite lost among them; turned his gaze to Jin, expecting some sort of explanation.
“Jimin has something he wants to tell us” Was all he said.
All eyes turned to the boy as he became bright red, big eyes that didn’t anticipate the sudden turn of attention.
“Me? I thought you would…” He mumbled “Ah, fine. It’s just… I’m- Yoongi is… Aish, ok, yeah, that day you guys were acting weird, Jin said what you saw and… yeah. It’s… true.”
Jimin kept his head down as he spoke, gave a little glance upwards to see what kind of reaction the boys were having. Maybe he thought they would think it was a joke, or think they would try to demonize him. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but this was definitely something that wasn’t easy to say. If it had been Jungkook in this situation… He stopped the thought before getting to the point he knew it would, the point named Taehyung.
“Woah are you actually admitting it? Should I get this on camera?” Tae said. Having felt how tense the boy was, he started trying to relieve the atmosphere.
“Aish just shut up, Kim Taehyung.” He finally looked up, a faint smile curling up. Still, he was too embarrassed to spare one look to Yoongi, who had sinked farther into his chair, probably hoping to be absorbed by it.
“Ok, but… since when?” Hoseok asked “When did this start?”
“Well… That day was actually the first time. Before that we just um… I think we were just kind of unknowingly flirting? I was anyway.”
“Oh, please shut up” Yoongi’s voice was finally heard from his corner.
“The only thing you don’t want the group to find out is accidently discovered. I guess it’s karma, right Yoongi?” Hoseok joked, and received a mortal look in response.
“Guys?” Namjoon said “Can someone tell me what’s happening? Because I’m kind of lost here”
All the boys looked his way. Only now they realized no one had yet told Namjoon what was happening, and they couldn’t really expect him to figure out on his own. If the boys wanted to blame someone, all of them would say it was Jin’s job to tell their leader, but couldn’t deny they had all overlooked it.
“Where have you been these few days Namjoon?” Yoongi said in a crisp tone, but not incredulous. It was so likely for their leader to be the last one to know about the schemings of the group he couldn’t help laughing a little.
“Working? Though you guys seem to have been on a TV drama or something”
Jungkook was almost laughing, but Jin sat beside the rapper and started explaining the whole situation, as the taller one made sounds of disbelief. He just looked Jimin and Yoongi, contemplating.
“Ah, that’s why everyone was giggling around the halls. I even catched Yoongi with a stupid bubbly smile these days. He said it was because of something he saw on the TV” He said, finally, smirking.
“Just leave me alone” Yoongi buried his head on his hands again, and Jungkook thought he might actually get his wish granted and dissolve onto his chair.
After all the commotion, Seokjin and Namjoon had wasted quite a good time of recording with something Namjoon had called ‘group gossip’, also complaining he was never included. When they started again, it was a little hard to concentrate, especially to the younger, who hadn’t known anything in the first place, but it started flowing again after some minutes. When quite a few hours more had passed by, Namjoon talked again about non-work-related things.
“So what about now? It will be Hobi and Kookie?”
“More like Tae and Kookie” Jin answered with a silly smile.
“Oh? I thought it would be you and Tae but ok”
“No, actually Hobi said you and I were secretly married, he was really upset because he would be alone”
“What? But we’re not secretly married, that sounds crazy right! Unless you want to, I mean, I don’t have anything against it and stuff and… ok I’ll just stop talking right now” Sighing, Namjoon turned his attention back to the computer screen, looking at the recorded tracks. Better change the subject before saying more awkward nonsense. “Do you want to record more? Because I think our material by now is great.”
“Maybe I could record the intro once more?”
“It’s your call. I’ll treat you some hot cocoa when we’re done”
“I’d like that”
Jin smiled, and was reattributed with such a warm expression from the other he was almost overwhelmed by how happy Namjoon stared at him. And almost overwhelmed by the soft touch on his shoulder as Namjoon got up from his seat and started gathering his belongings from the studio.
Almost felt something flutter on his chest.
X
Some days had gone by since the “meeting” in the studio had occurred. It was good that the gossip atmosphere was gone now that everyone was on the same page, and gave room for a lot of mocking from the boys’ part towards the couple.
Aside from that, Jungkook’s situation, for his disappointment, had not gotten any better. When Taehyung came and required his attention filled his spirit with joy; In the other hand, when he did the same to other people, that unquiet feeling came back and burned through Jungkookgs stomach. He knew very well that Tae was just like that, getting all over everyone. He knew he would be disappointed every time, but was there any way to avoid the feeling?
Seokjin had told Jungkook to approach the boy, but it was hard. He didn’t know how to approach people, it was the people that approached him. That’s why he was so glad when Tae came out of his way just to stand next to the younger, because he did want the attention, he wanted it very badly, but couldn’t make himself ask for it. Couldn’t initiate anything, that’s why it wasn’t unusual for Tae to think he was being ignored.
“Hyung, but I don’t know if he wants me to be clingy or anything. He would think it’s weird”
“It’s Taehyung, he would actually like that”
Jin had said, but it was still difficult. Because maybe he wouldn’t think it’s weird, but how would Jungkook ever know if his feelings were being reciprocated when Taehyung treated everyone in such an affectionate way? It was all so confusing, because he came, hugging and touching the younger, and in the next second he was all over the next person passing through them.
The most frustrating thing was that he couldn’t make himself do anything about it. He didn’t tell Taehyung he wanted the attention, all he managed was starting random conversations with the older, standing next to him whenever he could , but mostly he just gave chances for Tae to approach him and as well as he wasn’t moving a finger to change that, it was on his mind all the time.
It was recurrent on his mind thoughts of what if it wasn’t his imagination when Tae came close to him, when he let Jungkook get a little closer to him then he got to the others. What if he noticed Jungkook’s gaze softened to the sight of him, how he melted under the hugs. Then, the way he acted now was acceptation? Was it mocking or did he actually not mind? And if he didn’t mind, did he like Jungkook back or was he just willing to go along with it?
Jeon Jungkook liked Kim Taehyung. It was even difficult to say it in his mind, how would he ever be able to say it out loud? How would he say it in front of the person in topic?
And that lead him back to the point, because he wouldn’t. And that burned him to ashes inside, but he figured he would just have to take it.
“Kookie! You didn’t hear anything I said, did you?”
Taehyung asked, bumping him on the shoulder, and it burned in the location. He had completely spaced out while looking at Taehyung, watched him talk excitedly about something he wasn’t too interested about. All he cared was that Tae was so happy, he couldn’t help but smile himself.
“Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking”
“About what?”
Tae stared into his eyes. For a brief moment, he thought about saying the truth. Letting out a blunt answer seemed so tempting, yet so unreachable. Because as soon as he said a word, he wouldn’t want to know the answer. He knew what the answer would be.
“You” The word escaped him, so he took a breath. Couldn’t bare to see what expression the other had assumed. “You look stupid in that sweater”
“Aish Jeon Jungkook, aren’t you too much?” He laughed, then said something about looking handsome in the sweater.
Jungkook didn’t pay attention again, because now Taehyung was smiling.
Somehow it was enough, for now.
They walked side by side, and in their way to the dance practice room, two other members joined them.
The familiar routine was back now that their concerts came closer to date. Rehearsals were daily and almost harsh, but all the boys avidly gave all their effort into practice. And as they walked side by side towards the practice room, they spotted other two boys making the same way, and approached them.
“Jung Hoseok, listen when your hyungs are talking to you” Jin scolded.
“Yeah, Jung Hoseok, listen!” Taehyung repeated next to Jin, simply joining in the conversation.
“What the hell? You’re not even my hyung, Tae, shut your mouth!” He replied, shoving Taehyung by the shoulder as he laughed.
“He’s spacing out because of that photoshoot. Or, more specifically, the photographer.”
Jungkook and Taehyung both turned their heads to Hoseok, whose eyes had become wide. He tried to say something, but only some mumbles came out.
“The guy was French, and gave Hobi his number, now he’s like that. André, was it?”
“W-what? This has nothing to do with anything, what are you-”
“What, Hobi-hyung, are you embarrassed? I mean, you out of all of us is the one to get most male fans, right? Seems fit” He laughed.
Those words were mean. It may not have had any malicious connotation, but Hoseok looked away and didn’t reply. Jungkook thought that Taehyung’s laugh had been something sweet to hear. Kind of like an over matured fruit; it was rotten.
Jungkook pretended not to notice that Tae’s remark had been too unpleasant, or that he thought he heard a little lint of hurt in those words.
Jungkook did not acknowledge it.
“Shut up already, let’s go practice.”
They all got going. Jin casually tapped Hoseok’s shoulder, Tae and Jungkook walked one step behind.
And they were almost there when, for one second, Jungkook dodged his gaze so instinctively from Taehyung when the older looked his way; almost reaching their practice room when Jungkook’s eyes found a random room.
It was supposed to be empty, but it seemed like Jungkook’s eyes were just attracted to the things he shouldn’t stare.
Taehyung didn’t notice. No one did, really, but the scene just made him stop in the middle of the corridor. Tae was the first to stop.
“Kookie? What...”
His eyes traced Jungkook’s gaze. The other two questioned what was going on, came back to see what the youngers were looking at.
Far up the room, in a corner behind some desks, two boys were unbelievably close to one another.
Their backs were facing the door, but everyone got it in the moment they saw. It didn’t prevent them from being surprised though.
Because even though everyone knew, Jimin and Yoongi didn’t make it an habit to show affection in front of people: and there they were, so casually close, their grip to one another was delicate and caring.
“Hey you all! I was waiting in there but no one arrived-”
All heads turned in the voice’s direction. Namjoon was standing in the corridor, walking towards them.
Seokjin shot him a look that made him stop.
“What? What’s happening?”
Tae and Jungkook alarmingly looked at each other. Before fulfilling their impulse to run, they quikly spared a glance inside the room.
And the two inside were looking their way from their corner, frozen in place. Yoongi’s hand still lied on Jimin’s lower back when he spoke.
“Evasedroping, are you?”
“W-wh wha- no no, we just”
“We were passing by and then-”
“Namjoon came here”
“Hey how is this my fault now?”
As Namjoon finally looked at Yoongi, seeing where he and Jimin stand, he realized why everyone was moveless in the corridor.
“Ooh. Oh ok.”
“Namjoon. You’re too slow” Yoongi said, grabbing Jimin’s hand. The younger seemed a bit embarrassed but let himself be pulled by Yoongi even so.
As they moved, the rest of the group started towards the practice room again until only Namjoon and Seokjin were left behind.
“Too slow” Jin repeated, mostly to himself.
“Me? Are you dissing me too, Jin? Even you?”
“You, Tae, Kookie. I think things will work out once we’re on the same pace.”
“I don’t think I follow, but you’re probably right? Let’s go.”
Namjoon’s hand found a grip on Jin’s wrist in a casual gesture. They started walking side by side, Namjoon didn’t let go.
Jin smiled.