Chapter Text
“Take the next left, honey.”
“Okay - straight down?”
“All the way.”
“Fantastic.”
The little domestic dialogue Yoongi hoped would stay between him and his right-hand man spilled through the minivan, Jungkook frowning at the sappy way his friends spoke to each other, completely disregarding the other five.
“It’s cute, in a way,” Jimin shockingly defended them, earning a smile from Hoseok that could certainly put an end to most current world affairs. “But I’ll never get used to Yoongi not grumbling. And it’s been months.”
“I’ll never get used to seeing Seokjin’s tongue down your throat at every given moment, but you never hear me complain.” the driver peeped, much to everybody else’s amusement. Though, Seokjin simply waved a dismissing hand, beaming.
“We’re simply showing you how it’s done.”
“I’d rather not see.” said Namjoon, tearing his eyes from the pages of Kafka on the Shore just as the eldest whipped his head around.
“Silence, de novo virgin.”
There was a split second of silence as the advanced insult diffused into the crevices of the other five brains, followed closely by Jungkook screaming, Hoseok and Yoong close to tears, Jimin planting a kiss on his man and Taehyung simply holding his head in his hands, feeling his friend’s pain.
Namjoon was stoic, lips pressed to a thin line.
“Oh Lord, he’s doing the awkward white person smile; you’ve hurt his feelings!” Taehyung threw his arms around him protectively. “Don’t listen to them, the right person will come along, Joonie.”
“That’s like, the last thing any single person wants to hear,” Hoseok turned his head to the back, shooting him a wink. “Just do you, okay?”
“Whatever you say.” he sighed, turning back to his book, and probably regretting every life choice he ever made, Taehyung still attached to him.
It was early August, and they were on the final stretch of their hometown tour, starting sometime in late June with Gwacheon, then Daegu, Gwangju, Ilsan, Busan and now Daegu again, this time ditching the city for a camping park on the outskirts of town. It was Taehyung’s brilliant idea, and a breather for their wallets as they were due to stay in a fancy hanok in a few weeks in Busan again.
Summer had been full of interesting occurrences, and several new bonds had been formed throughout the weeks they’d spent together. Parents were met, towns were explored, and Taehyung could safely say that he was having the time of his life with his boyfriend and best friends and dreaded the day they would have to put their suitcases away. So, eager to make even more new memories, the seven packed into a minivan and made their way over, Yoongi parking up at the camping site.
“You ok?” Jungkook laid a gentle hand on Taehyung’s thigh, catching his attention as the minivan was vacant save the two of them.
“Yeah, just worried about Joon.”
“Because of what Seokjin said? I think he has way thicker skin than that; I say worse to him every day! The other day I said there were cobwebs in his-”
“Jungkook.”
He bit his lip. “Sorry. But we can keep an eye on him? Make sure he doesn’t feel left out.”
“I think he will, no matter what we do,” he sighed. “that’s probably the only downfall of being so perfect.”
“Takes one to know one,” Jungkook kissed Taehyung’s cheek, a pink blush spreading across his cheeks much to his delight. “I’ll be helping them with the bags, yeah?”
Taehyung stepped out, stood beside Hoseok and Seokjin as the rest made haste with their luggage, Jungkook carrying at least three suitcases at one point without breaking a sweat. He leaned over to Hoseok, still entirely mesmerised (and really fucking thankful) by his arms, hoping Jungkook had packed more basketball tanks with him. “You ever just want to be manhandled?”
“I knew Yoongi was going to the gym, but-” he paused, inhaling. “I can’t say it. The sun hasn’t even set.”
“Your thirst can be felt all the way from over there,” they were approached by Namjoon, phone in hand. “I have a friend who moved here and wants to see me, so I’ll be gone until tonight, ok? Just throw my suitcase into my tent, and I’ll see you at dinner!”
“You want me to drive you to a main road?” Seokjin volunteered, partially motivated by guilt.
But Namjoon shook his head, a taxi pulling up before him. “They sent me a cab!”
As the black Mercedes pulled away, the rest of the muscle joined them, watching eagerly. Jimin hummed. “I wonder where he’s off to. He’s taken a small bag with him.”
“Probably cash and stuff, right?” Jungkook asked nobody, but there were mumbles of agreement.
“Booking for Kim?” A staff member walked to them, clipboard in hand. Taehyung nodded, stepping forward with a smile.
“Yeah, should be Kim Tae-”
“We haven’t been able to get you the fourth single tent due to some scheduling issues, but we did give you a three-people tent, and would like to apologise for the inconvenience. May I take the names of who’s going in which tent?” the girl droned, visibly uninterested.
They eyed one another, gears turning at speed. Taehyung turned again, smiling apologetically. “May we do that in a few hours? We need to make some decisions.”
“Fine.”
The remaining six gathered before their assigned tents, eyeing it curiously. “We don’t mind.” Taehyung spoke for him and Jungkook.
“Neither.” Yoongi said quickly, followed by Jimin.
“Ok, rock, paper, scissors. I didn’t think it would get this far but clearly we all have filthy agendas,” Jimin placed his tiny fist at the centre of their circle, Hoseok and Taehyung copying. “Rock, paper, scissors.”
Paper, paper, and scissors; Hoseok stepped back.
“Rock, paper, scissors,” Two papers. “Rock, paper, scissors.” Paper and a rock. Jimin stepped back smugly.
“We don’t mind!” Taehyung nearly yelled, concealing the fact they did mind just a little. But not that much; Namjoon was easily the glue and voice of reason of the friend group, condensed into a cuddly six-foot tall, wise man. “It’s okay. Namjoon’s fun, and we can keep our hands of each other for a few nights.”
“Yeah, no.”
“You can’t.”
“Not a chance.”
“You forget we’ve been ‘living together’ for almost a month, altogether.”
Seokjin gave his two-pence in the form of fast, high pitched gasps that were supposedly Taehyung. Jungkook turned to him with an unreadable expression, further digging their grave.
“I’d get it out of your system before he’s back if I was you.” Yoongi murmured as they retreated to their own tents, leaving Taehyung to fall dramatically into Jungkook’s arms.
“Do I really sound like that?”
“No, baby. You sound like the gates of heaven opening, and there’s like, an angel choir and shit.”
Taehyung’s eyebrow arched curiously, though he was mostly flattered. “And what does that sound like?”
Beside him, Jungkook blinked, big ass eyes staring back at him. “A bit like Seokjin just now.”
Tent 1
Yoongi had the summer of a lifetime planned; a freshly graduated bachelor living his absolute best life, motorboating a different person every night (male, female or neither, because he genuinely didn’t care). He eagerly awaited the warmer months just to relax without any academic pressure on his shoulders and hoped to end it off laying by crystal clear waters and a nice book.
Little did he know, he’d come to long-term rent a minivan to drive him and his closest friends up and down the country like their father and watch on proudly as they enjoyed themselves at each destination. He also didn’t expect Apollo himself to cross his path early in the year and hijack every thought that crossed his mind. Hoseok came into his life with the force of sixty hurricanes, but the peace of a gentle summer breeze, gently laying across his chest and with a content smile.
And sure, Yoongi’s summer of mischief looked a lot more different than he expected, but he wouldn’t exchange silent moments like these for the world. Hoseok turned his head, platinum strands falling into his eyes. “Do you have any single friends?”
“Excuse me?!” he sat up a little, almost rolling him off his chest.
“I don’t know, I was thinking about Namjoon. I’m not one to judge or shame anybody for being single - before I met you, I was very content being alone, and I made it clear, but” he sat up, concern painted on his face. “I know what it’s like to crave someone occasionally. Even if it’s just on a lonely night, but it’s still devastating to not have that connection when you need it most. And, being surrounded by couples, it’s so easy to feel like you’re alone by default in this life.”
Yoongi smiled, you’re so good with words, babe. “I know. But I wouldn’t worry too much. It could be a personal decision too - Namjoon is like, the perfect guy, who wouldn’t want to be with him?”
“Looking in the wrong place may make you feel that way,” Hoseok brought his knees to his chest. “We don’t make him feel left out, do we? The way he was so quick to take off?”
“I don’t think so, Hobi. Take it from his friend; Joon doesn’t give a fuck about being surrounded by couples. He probably looks down on us for having feelings for someone else, but I can speak to him if you’d like. Without making it weird, just checking if he’s okay.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.” his boyfriend nodded, leaning into his hand as he gently patted the back of his head.
Moments I wouldn’t ever give up, thought Yoongi, the sun illuminating the tent a pale shade of red, perfect against Hoseok’s skin.
“You know I’d do anything for you, right?”
The statement, simple in all but it’s impact, caught Hoseok off guard, lips slightly parted as he turned to Yoongi. The latter remained still, blinking slowly.
“You have to give me some warning before you attack me like this,” Hoseok laughed melodiously. “but I had an inkling, I guess. Call it a hunch.”
“Oh, a hunch,” Yoongi said coolly, scooting closer to him. Hoseok responded almost immediately, climbing into his lap with a giggle. “And can your hunch tell you what I’ll do next?”
“Hmm, I have a slight clue.” he smiled, kissing him like he had all the time in the world.
All the expectations, all of the plans he had melted away just a little more with each kiss he got from Hoseok, hands slowly creeping past the hem of his t-shirt to rest on the warm skin of his waist. The younger opted to thread his hands through his dark hair, the temperature inside soon to match that of the Daegu summer outside.
Until the tent was zipped open.
It was poetic really; Hoseok with Yoongi’s bottom lip between his teeth, Yoongi working the drawstring of his shorts, a tween with eyes the size of dinner plates staring back at them. The world caught up to speed soon enough, the kid yelling a hurried, traumatised apology before zipping the tent back up, audibly sprinting away.
Yoongi looked up at Hoseok, who looked down at him with a sigh before kissing the tip of his nose.
“I’m going to hurt that child.”
“He was easily 14, and I’m sure he’s scarred for life - how many guys about to do it do you think he’s walked in on?” he laughed, reaching for his sunglasses, and suddenly, Yoongi’s thigh. “Care to join me on a walk to the lake? The lake, which is um, very quiet, and vacant. The same lake that has tiny lake houses for the use of those at the campsite, and the same lake that will likely be empty because it’s nearing lunch time and there is a huge volleyball match going on. That lake.”
Yoongi’s lungs shut down momentarily, but he smiled at his boyfriend. “You’re a menace to society.”
“You love me, really.”
He laughed, running behind him. That I do.
Tent 2
“You and I have very different ideas of making oneself at home.” Jimin murmured as he dragged in their suitcases across the (actually really big) tent, Seokjin’s lips latched to his neck as he held him from behind.
“Well, this is us at home at all times anyway, why change things now?” was his reasoning, planting a kiss on his jaw for good measure before he sat down in front of the fan, looking a little more prince-like than usual in the weak breeze.
Jimin whipped around. “So, you agree that - never mind.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” he smiled, swallowing the lump forming in his throat. “Ignore me.”
“I don’t want to, hey, Jimin. Jimin?” he neared him again, prying his hands away from his tear-stained cheeks. Seokjin looked as if the world was imploding, only making Jimin’s heart ache further. “Hey, come here. Why are you crying, Jimin?”
Perhaps today was the day they’d witness a blue moon, as the occurred as frequently as Jimin let his emotions get the best of him. He took pride in keeping his feelings in check and looking generally collected, but this was a culmination of emotions that had boiled over; both due to Seokjin’s nonchalance and oblivion to everything and the mugginess of their tent.
With soft whimpers, he allowed himself to be held as he cried a perfect circle into the eldest’s shoulder, who silently stroked his hair and watched with furrowed eyebrows as Jimin’s sobs began to subside. He was eventually more mortified than upset, but his chest was still tight when he sat himself down on the ground.
Seokjin sat directly in front of him, passing him a water bottle. “Talk to me. That was really unlike you just now, and I’m worried.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to - um - explode on you,” he wheezed sheepishly. “but what you said just kind of brought it about.”
“What I said? About being normal?” Jimin nodded. “I’m not following.”
“When you said that being that close and just all over each other was normal, it made me think that you’re right. It is normal, we’ve been hooking up for close to four months now, but we’ve overlooked and overstepped every boundary we set for each other. We go on dates; we hold hands in public; we even kiss nowadays. Us being together is nice, it’s normal.”
“It is, and I’ve loved the last few months, Jimin. You’re amazing inside and out,” Seokjin articulated. “but I’m still confused as to why that made you cry.”
“I cried because even though we both agree we’re good together, we never make any effort to move from that, and it makes me feel like I’m being used but I know you would never use me, so I started to feel bad for even considering it and it’s just so fucking hot in this tent-”
“Whoa, hey,” Seokjin seized him by the shoulders, Jimin watching him with wide, watery eyes. “I hate that you feel that way, Min, and it was never my intention to make you feel that way. Sure, you’re like, ridiculously handsome, and I do enjoy the hooking up part of what we have but that isn’t what made me stay. It’s the way you mumble to yourself just before you fall asleep, or how your face lights up at the sound of music. The way you always laugh at my jokes-”
“No matter how bad.”
This time Seokjin laughed, a low, beautiful thing that made Jimin’s heart do an aerial in his chest. “Exactly, exactly. And the way you’re so kind and loving to everybody. I want to be around you at all times, and I miss you even when I’m sat here looking at you.”
Seokjin could pride himself on being one of the few souls that has witnessed a less than funky fresh Jimin. Today was merely the second time; the first dating back to a rainy April evening, Jimin appearing at the doorstep of Seokjin’s fancy high-rise trying to speak through full-body sobs. To his luck, Seokjin just silently hugged him, as if he was desperately trying to piece him back together despite being unaware of what was making him cry this way. He never pressed for answers and chatted to him like nothing happened when Jimin started to feel better, sat on the sofa with some ramen and a fresh change of clothes he provided him with after he took a shower. He also gave him free reign of the TV and didn’t remove his arms from around him once the entire night, leaving such gentle, tiny kisses on the crook of his neck as they fell asleep that Jimin often wondered if he imagined it. Even when he’d opened about his fears for the future the next morning over eggs, he just listened.
Seokjin was simply there, and Seokjin felt like home.
His breath caught in his throat, Jimin’s bottom lip quivering as if he was about to cry again and Seokjin panicked. “God, you’re a softball inside. But I stand by what I said; I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about someone before, and I want you, in every way.”
“Kinky.” commented Jungkook as he passed their tent, a smug grin on his face.
“Remind me to beat him later, but for the sake of not ruining the moment,” he slid his hands down his bare arms, leaving goosebumps all over until he reached his hands. “I want to be with you, officially. Do you want to be with me, Jimin?”
Jimin’s lip was fully quivering at this point, and he threw his head back to produce a sound that could only really be compared to a wail, Seokjin immediately laughing. “Of course I do!”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that, my treasure.” he began to run his hands through his blonde hair, and Jimin froze.
“It’s giving me 19th century; baby will do,” he giggled as he allowed himself to be pulled in, Seokjin kissing his forehead, chin, and lips in that very order. “I’m sorry that I kind of sprung that up on you, part of me feels like I pressured you to be exclusive.”
“It’s been on my mind since April, Jimin. I guess a part of me always knew that we’d end up together, but I didn’t want to freak you out. You always struck me as a free spirit, and I didn’t want you to feel tied down.”
His eyes glinted. “Only to you.”
“If you two don’t pack up this disgusting love fest,” Taehyung materialised beside them, probably coming in whilst Seokjin kissed him. “we’re going to grab lunch, so I came to get you guys.”
Lured by the promise of Yoongi’s budae jiggae, they followed him to a makeshift eating area, the rest already crowded around a camping stove. Seokjin eyed them closely, the back of Hoseok’s hair slightly dishevelled as an obvious blush covered his cheeks.
“I guess you’ve christened the tent.”
“Lake house,” Yoongi said calmly, and Hoseok sighed, losing the will to live. “Some kid came into our tent accidentally, so we played it safe.”
“It’s like knowing my parents are having sex.” Jimin shook his head, and Hoseok looked up.
“We’ve been almost everywhere in the country together, and we’ve all definitely heard or at least suspected of each other.”
Jungkook picked up his chopsticks slowly. “No sexy time talk before the sun is down. Anybody heard from Namjoon?”
“He posted on his story, he’s downtown at a bar with some people,” Yoongi said. “Which reminds me, what’s the plan for today, or are we just chilling?”
“I saw something about canoes at the lake.” Taehyung piped in.
“We may venture into the city to shop, if we don’t feel tired.” Seokjin grinned, the pronoun carrying a whole new meaning to the two of them. Jimin winked at him, offering him meat from his plate.
“Ooh, we’re all going out separate ways,” chuckled Hoseok. “But I guess we can meet up for dinner and kick it, if you’re not too tired.”
Agreement came from the other five just before they delved into random conversations, and there was only remnants of noodles and soup to tell the story. Yoongi and Hoseok departed first, the latter immediately befriending a group of parents playing volleyball as the former watched on, book in hand. Seokjin and Jimin followed suit, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung sat around a bottle of soju.
“We look pretty sober, no?” the younger asked, receiving an eager nod in response.
“Sad if we didn’t, we had two shots each and we all know you can do better than that, baby,” he giggled, Jungkook smiling proudly. “that’s why I’m so okay with getting a canoe with you; you’re good at everything anyway. So, should we go, my dear?”
“Absolutely.”
Tent 3
Mistakes were fucking made, Taehyung thought as they slowly trudged back to their tent, soaked to the bone. Jungkook trailed behind him just as wet, silently defeated.
Yoongi acknowledged them first, Hoseok peeking out of the tent at the sound of his laughter. “Did you go canoeing or swimming?”
“I’ll kill you in your sleep,” Taehyung hissed, entering the tent with a sigh. “it’s okay, at least we didn’t drown.”
“Man, fuck them kids! Why did they have to crash into us?” Jungkook suddenly yelled, wringing the hem of his t-shirt angrily.
Despite being slightly irritated, Taehyung still laughed, mostly endeared. “We crashed into them. You steered us in their direction, remember?”
“Details,” he huffed adorably. “I’m sorry I ruined our afternoon.”
“Are you kidding? It’s ok! It was fun to like, swim a little, as impromptu as it may have been,” he walked over to his boyfriend, arms around his waist the second he was close enough. “I love you too much to get mad at you.”
Jungkook stiffened. Taehyung froze. The world exploded. Sirens. Children screaming. Yoongi sleeping through it all.
It was no secret that Jungkook and Taehyung were rock solid since that night back in May. The months apart had only made their hearts grow fonder, and with every passing day, Taehyung fell deeper for Jungkook and Jungkook couldn’t even imagine life without Taehyung again. Not to undermine what they had before, but that could all be boiled down to a honeymoon period; they’d seen each other at their highest and lowest over the last few months and have grown individually and together. They were solid.
However, the three words of doom had yet to be uttered; properly, at least. The first time was an early morning in June - Taehyung had Jungkook seeing both stars and black dots in his vision, and he moaned the words against the skin of his shoulder out of sheer bliss, but they pinned it as simply being caught in the moment.
This time, there wasn’t anything of the sort going on. It was early afternoon, and Taehyung had said it loud and clear. He couldn’t make out what was going through Jungkook’s mind, who stared back at him silently.
“Please say something before I go back to the lake and drown myself.”
“I-yeah. Sorry, you just really caught me off guard,” he smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before.”
“It’s too soon, isn’t it?” Jungkook faltered for a second, and that was all it took for Taehyung to immediately step away, laughing loudly to disperse the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. “I understand! Forget I said anything, let’s just dry off and take it easy before dinner, ok?”
“Taehyung.”
“Yeah?” he turned around again, worry distinctly painted on Jungkook’s face. “It’s okay, honey.”
Somewhat in autopilot mode, Taehyung quietly changed into some dry clothes, noticing Jungkook typing furiously into his phone. He flashed him a smile when he noticed him, walking over to kiss his lips. The kind of kiss that melted away any doubt he could have.
Words don’t hold that much meaning, right? Not when everything feels right at the mere sight of someone.
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“Give me an hour,” Jungkook grinned mischievously, Hoseok and Jimin waiting outside. “Then you can come back, okay?”
“Jungkook-”
“Do you trust me?” Taehyung nodded immediately, earning himself a kiss on the cheek. “Then, come back in an hour.”
He didn’t bother questioning him any further, allowing himself to be dragged away by his best friends. They sat on the deck at the lake, feet in the water as the sun shone on them. Hoseok laid down, throwing a hand over his eyes. “So, you’re a thing now?”
“Not just any thing, we’re dating,” Jimin announced proudly as he slapped hands with Taehyung. “I’m actually dating Kim Seokjin.”
“I’m all for this,” he commented, Jimin kicking his feet in the water. “I’m glad the trip is going well for you both; you especially looked like you saw God when we were eating.”
“I did, and Ariana was wrong; he’s a man,” Hoseok replied with a dreamy sigh. “but did something happen?”
“I accidentally told Jungkook I loved him.”
“Right,” Jimin said slowly, trying to save the ice cream melting in his hand. “a regular day.”
“Not quite, it was the first time I said it.”
“And what did he say?”
“Nothing.”
More silence. More sirens. Children still screaming. Yoongi had yet to wake up. Hoseok sat up slowly. “What?”
“He just looked really shocked, so I told him to just forget about it. A part of me forgot this is probably his most solid and long-lasting relationship, and there are some things he just isn’t used to,” he said. “it’s on me, really. I shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it.”
“You didn’t! It’s been a few months now, including before you went away - it’s not very farfetched to assume that you love each other.”
Taehyung raked his hands through his hair, making it stand up at odd angles. “Then, why did he not say anything?”
“Well, we have to remember that despite his appearance and how well we know him now, Jungkook is primarily shy and emotionally constipated. Maybe he just needs more time; if this holds a lot of meaning to you, imagine to him. His first ‘I love you’.”
Hoseok, like always, was spot on.
“It doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel the same way.” Jimin added softly, for good measure.
“Namjoon has some competition for being the best at giving advice,” he giggled. “I wonder what he’s up to, actually.”
[taehyung, 15:23]
stink
[namjoon, 15:27]
Taehyung
heyyyy
[taehyung, 15:27]
that was 4 minutes too long what are you doing
come back I miss u
we all do
[namjoon, 15:45]
cute :(
n I will dw haha
[taehyung: 15:45]
HAHA?
knj where are you
[namjoon, 15:52]
heaven bro
For the remainder of their time at the lake (which stretched way past one hour; Taehyung underestimated just how much he needed to just unwind with his two best friends), they threw around potential hypotheses regarding Namjoon’s whereabouts, going as far as checking his story updates and who was tagged in them.
“Right so this girl that was with them just posted; they’re at someone’s house now,” Jimin said, pushing his glasses further up his nose bridge. “Nice place too.”
“Oop. Our time is up,” Hoseok piped up excitedly, beckoning Taehyung to his feet. “Follow us, but keep your eyes shut.”
Though curious, he complied, taking their hands, and allowing himself to be led back to the camping site. They released him somewhere in front of the tent, Jungkook’s fabric conditioner in the air.
“Hello.”
He jumped six feet in the air at the sound of his boyfriend’s voice, who was giggling now. “You can’t sneak up on me like this, my eyes are literally shut!”
“I’m sorry baby, not for long though. Let me lead you in,” he felt his soft hands rest over his eyes, Jungkook pressing himself to his back to prompt him inside. “Ready?”
“Yep!”
He moved his hands slowly, revealing their giant tent to be illuminated with tiny, twinkling fairy lights. Namjoon’s bed served as a table, topped with a few side dishes, but most importantly, a pot with fresh, cheesy ramen. The ground was imperceptible, covered in rose petals. Taehyung leaned back into Jungkook, turning his neck to him. “You did all this?”
“For you,” he chuckled. “Took longer than an hour because we almost started a fire with the lights, but yeah. I thought we could have an early dinner together and just talk. We’ve been together throughout this trip, but not together, and I guess I miss you.”
They sat at opposite sides of the ‘table’, food apparently courtesy of Seokjin, and the decorations which were purchased last minute, Yoongi driving them downtown. Taehyung listened closely, offering him most of his pork belly because his heart could explode with love. Sure, the gesture was lovely, but what warmed Taehyung’s heart was the time they’d spent together. Usually, they would all always hang out until night-time, and he did enjoy it - but being alone with Jungkook was simply healing.
Yoongi dropped by with some soju, and after two bottles, they’d ditched either side of the ‘table’, Taehyung lying beside Jungkook as the younger cuddled into his side.
“He told you he was in heaven?!” Jungkook screeched, looking up at him with even wider eyes than usual. “What if it was his ghost?”
“Then I hope, for your sake, that ghost can pay rent.”
He laughed, wiping away a tear. “God, I love you.”
Taehyung sobered, sitting up. “If you’re saying that just because I did-”
“I thought that at first, but it got me thinking. I always thought I had to make this grand gesture to tell you that I loved you, and that it would be somewhere like the top of the Eiffel Tower. But, being here with you, in a three-person tent in the outskirts of Daegu in the middle of a sticky Sunday afternoon, and you just said it so casually but with all the meaning in the world. It inspired me. The decorations were just a plus, but you made me realise grand gestures don’t mean much in the face of pure, genuine love. And, good God, Taehyung,” he sat up, the world and the stars aligning. “My heart only beats for you.”
Words would have never sufficed, so Taehyung calmly skipped over them, pulling Jungkook to his lips by the back of his neck. It wasn’t their first kiss by any means, but it felt like it. Taehyung smiled into the kiss, realising that maybe, this is the only person he wanted to love until the end of his days. He knew Jungkook’s emotions mirrored his, hands finding their way into his own.
“I love you.” Jungkook whispered, pressing their foreheads together.
Taehyung beamed. “I love you too.”
***
Namjoon’s booming voice pulled them out of their tents at dusk, a large campfire set up some metres from the tents. He looked as if he’d won the lottery, grinning from ear to ear. “I have arrived!”
“Oh, how I missed you.” Jimin ran over to hug him, the rest crowding around him with a smile.
“Where were you? You were gone all day.” asked Jungkook.
“Just, um, out.” he replied hesitantly.
Yoongi cleared his throat elaborately. “Now, Taehyung, my fellow Daegu resident, correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure the air here does not give you hickeys.”
“You’re right, Min Yoongi,” Taehyung pulled at Namjoon’s collar, and he paled. The others mumbled in shock. “Hickeys tend to come from people, not being out and about.”
“These are old. I didn’t do anything.”
“We didn’t say otherwise, Kim Namjoon,” Hoseok said softly. “But if you did, it’s okay.”
“I’m actually living. I would have never pegged you as-n”
Namjoon suddenly shivered at Jimin’s words, and Taehyung’s stomach dropped. The others remained silent, fully confused.
“Pegged?” Namjoon’s eye twitched. “Namjoon, did you get p-”
“I told you I was in heaven, bro.”
The discourse that followed was of astronomical proportions, Jungkook and a Taehyung practically on the floor wheezing as Namjoon was thoroughly interrogated. At the end of it all, Yoongi passed him a beer, and they began to make their way to the campfire.
“Who would have fucking thought?” Jungkook sighed, eyes sparkling with tears.
Taehyung nodded. “What have we dragged each other into, honestly.”
“Hey!” Hoseok shouted, a few feet ahead from them. “You coming?”
Taehyung took Jungkook’s hand with a smile, the way it was always meant to be. The way it will always be. “Coming!”