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“I miss you,” Jeongguk mutters, holding the phone between his shoulder and ear. He hears Taehyung sigh from the other end of the line.
“I miss you too, babe, but it’s only two more days. And, plus, we need this; if I can land this job, you can quit working at the store.” Taehyung says. Jeongguk flops down onto their bed, being careful not to spill his ramen. Since Taehyung’s been gone, it’s all he’s been able to eat. He feels weird cooking a meal and sitting down at the table if Taehyung isn’t there to do it with him.
“I told you that I didn’t need you to support me financially, Tae.” Jeongguk says. They have a fight about money probably once a week, when Taehyung insists on paying every date night and only lets Jeongguk pay for desert afterwards. “I’m a big boy, I can handle a job, I shouldn’t have to depend on you for money.”
“Jeonggukie, I know. I know you don’t need my help, but I want to be able to provide for you. You’re in you last year of college, you should be getting shit-faced and having fun, not worrying about balancing classes and a job — especially not at a place where they treat you like vermin.” The words roll off Taehyung tongue dripping in contempt, and Jeongguk smiles softly.
“I love you.” Jeongguk says, then he sips on his noodles lightly. He can hear Taehyung sigh again, but instead of it being exasperated, he sounds content.
“I love you too — and I’ll be home soon, promise. When I get back we’re going to catch up on Game of Thrones, right? You haven’t been watching it without me?” Taehyung asks, and Jeongguk laughs, shaking his head before realizing Taehyung can’t see him. Jeongguk opens his mouth to reply, but then he hears yelling from the background on Taehyung’s end.
“Break over?” Jeongguk asks, moving his fork through his noodles disinterestedly.
“Break never started, I’m in the bathroom.” Taehyung says quietly. Jeongguk laughs and smacks his palm against his head. He can picture Taehyung’s sheepish smile in his mind. “I wanted to talk to you before you went to bed, but I have to go now. I love you.”
“Love you too, Tae.” Jeongguk says. Taehyung makes a disgusting kissy sound into the speaker before hanging up, leaving Jeongguk with a love-sick grin on his face for the rest of the night.
***
Jeongguk is positively bouncing with energy as he waits in the airport, holding a sign that reads, Kim Taehyung — worlds cutest upcoming model. The people waiting next to Jeongguk regard him warily, probably because he’s pacing back and forth fervently and grinning like a madman. Jeongguk checks his watch — Taehyung’s plane landed nearly ten minutes ago, so it shouldn’t be long until he’s out of baggage claim and—
“Jeonggukie!” Jeongguk doesn’t even have enough time to look up before he’s knocked to the ground, his boyfriend sprawled out over top of him, holding onto him tightly. Taehyung is nearly choking him with how tight he’s clinging onto Jeongguk’s neck, but Jeongguk finds that he almost likes the feeling after three weeks of not having it — the familiar weight of Taehyung on his chest and his arms around Jeongguk’s neck is comforting.
“Hi,” Jeongguk mutters against Taehyung’s neck, and the older boy giggles before sitting up in Jeongguk’s lap. People are staring at them, but Jeongguk doesn’t care, not when his whole world is sitting atop him, giving him a smile brighter than the sun and moon and all the stars.
Taehyung’s gaze drifts to the sign Jeongguk made, and he picks it up gently and wipes some of the dirt of it. It’s not very well made, just some purple sharpie on the back of a rubric for one of Jeongguk’s overdue projects, but Taehyung starts to well up over the stupid piece of paper right in the middle of the airport.
“Oh my god, Tae,” Jeongguk says, sitting up and holding his boyfriend in his arms. Taehyung laughs, but it comes out watery and Jeongguk knows he’s nearing the edge of tears. Jeongguk reaches up and cards his fingers through Taehyung’s hair. “You’re so lame, it’s just a shitty sign.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Taehyung says, wiping his eyes with the ends of his sleeves. Jeongguk notices that Taehyung’s wearing the sweater he’s been looking for, but doesn’t say anything. “I just missed you so much and this is so cute my emotions are just freaking out.”
“It’s okay,” Jeongguk says. He kisses Taehyung’s temple softly and noses at his hair before unwrapping his arms from Taehyung’s waist. “Come on, the others are waiting for us at the restaurant, we all decided you could probably use some real barbecue after spending so much time in America.”
Taehyung’s eyes light up and he places an excited kiss on Jeongguk’s nose before scrambling to his feet. “You guys are awesome, I love you all.” Taehyung says, and Jeongguk hands him the sign before taking Taehyung’s bag in one hand, and tentatively lacing their fingers together with the other.
“But you still love me the most, right?” Jeongguk teases, but Taehyung seems more focused on their hands than what Jeongguk is saying, and Jeongguk blushes. He’s usually not the type to initiate skinship, that’s more Taehyung’s expertise, but being away from Taehyung for so long has made Jeongguk realize something — he doesn’t want to be away form him ever again.
After a moment, Taehyung seems to gather his bearings enough to ask a very eloquent, “what?” Before realizing what Jeongguk asked. “Of course I love you the most! Why else do you think I put up with your blanket-stealing, refuses-to-watch-any-movie-that-isn’t-Iron-Man ass?”
“I watch RomComs with you all the time!” Jeongguk insists, a pout making its way onto his face. Sure, he likes Tony Stark way more than he’ll ever like Noah Calhoun, but he puts up with cheesy love films and cliche kisses in the rain for Taehyung all the time.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry.” Taehyung says, but he’s smiling, and Jeongguk knows that he really isn’t very sorry at all. The walk to the car is quiet, the two of them falling into a comfortable silence as Taehyung clings onto Jeongguk’s arm and Jeongguk lugs both Taehyung and his bag towards the car.
The ride was equally as quiet, Taehyung watching Jeongguk intently as he drives, and Jeongguk keeping his eyes on the road to keep himself from blushing too hard. “What are you staring at?”
“You,” Taehyung says, then he leans against the console and kisses Jeongguk’s cheek lightly. “Just you, only ever you.”
“This past month has made you kind of soft, huh?” Jeongguk teases, reaching over to punch Taehyung’s arm. Taehyung catches his wrist, however, stopping him mid swing. Taehyung runs his thumb of the back of Jeongguk’s hand before kissing his knuckles lightly.
“Yeah, I guess it has.” Taehyung says. Jeongguk pulls into the parking lot of the restaurant, but doesn’t make any move to get out of the car after they’ve parked. Taehyung still has a hold of his hand, and when Jeongguk looks over, he finds Taehyung’s face mere inches from his. “I missed you a lot, Jeonggukie.”
Instead of replying with I missed you so much it felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest or something equally as cheesy and gross, Jeongguk reaches up to cup the back of Taehyung’s head before leaning forward and slotting their lips together.
Taehyung reaches forward and twists his hands into Jeongguk’s shirt, pulling him closer until Jeongguk’s stomach is pressing uncomfortably into the center console. Jeongguk holds the back of Taehyung’s neck gently in both of his hands as Taehyung licks into his mouth, a content sigh escaping him. Jeongguk rakes his fingers through the hair on the back of Taehyung’s head, and Taehyung makes a move to crawl over into Jeongguk’s lap, but then Jeongguk’s phone vibrates.
“Wait, wait,” Jeongguk says breathlessly, and Taehyung pulls back with a pout. He watches as Jeongguk fishes his phone out of his back pocket and slides it open.
From: jiminie
we can see you two from the table, get in here
before we all start barfing
Jeongguk shoves his phone back into his pocket, blush high on his cheeks when he makes eye contact with Taehyung. Taehyung smiles crookedly at him, tilting his head to the side. “Who was it?”
“It was Jimin. He— um can, they all uh—“ Jeongguk stutters, and eventually points weakly out the front windshield. Taehyung follows his finger until he’s met with the view of all their friends, sitting at a table near the window. They all wave coyly, their eyes gleaming with amusement. Jimin and Hoseok’s faces are red with laughter.
“Oh, I see,” Taehyung says, then he purses his lips in thought. It’s still for a moment, until Taehyung turns his head quickly, catching Jeongguk off guard as he kisses him one last time before shoving the car door open. Jeongguk stumbles out after him, slamming is door shut and locking it as Taehyung makes his way towards Jeongguk. “You’re blushing, babe.”
“Am not,” Jeongguk says, but his ears seem to burn hotter after Taehyung points it out. Taehyung grins and reaches down to grab Jeongguk’s hand. Jeongguk pauses and Taehyung moves to let go of him, but then Jeongguk smiles and pulls Taehyung towards the restaurant.
“Hey, assholes!” Jimin yells as they enter the restaurant. Jeongguk freezes when everyone in the restaurant seems to turn around to glare at them, and Taehyung squeezes his hand comfortingly and drags him towards the table. Hoseok reaches up and pulls Taehyung down next to him, ruffling his hair harshly. Jeongguk, in turn, it pulled down into the booth after him, even though there’s no room left, because Taehyung hasn’t let go of his hand.
“Tae, you have to release me.” Jeongguk says, laying awkwardly over Taehyung’s lap, half slumped onto the table. He’s wedged completely between his boyfriend and the food, face dangerously close to the grill sitting in the middle of the table.
“But you’re holding my hand, Jeonggukie, I have to relish in this moment while it lasts.” Taehyung says, pulling on their linked hands as if to make his point.
“Wow,” Yoongi says nonchalantly as he flips the meat. “You’re actually acting like a pair of boyfriends — never thought I’d see the day.” Yoongi’s arm jerks when Jimin punches his shoulder, and Yoongi hisses when his wrist touches the hot grill.
“Shut up, hyung. Jeonggukie’s just shy, stop being a dick.” Jimin scolds, then he shimmies his way over Hoseok, Taehyung and Jeongguk until he’s out of the booth. He plops down next to Namjoon, who smiles down at him, dimples on full display. “I’ll just sit over here so Jeongguk and Taehyung can sit together.”
Yoongi grumbles as he watches his boyfriend sidles up close to Namjoon, Jimin throwing a wink at Yoongi from across the table before turning towards Taehyung expectantly. “Obviously, we already ordered the meat. Is there anything else you want? We ordered lettuce but it hasn’t come yet…”
“Yeah,” Taehyung says, and Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s eyes burning holes in the side of his head. “Just having a look at the menu.” Jeongguk blushes and Seokjin laughs loud enough to draw attention back to their table. Jeongguk glares at Taehyung out of his peripherals and Taehyung smiles cheekily at him.
“Can you two stop being gross for two fucking seconds so we can eat in peace?” Yoongi mutters, dropping a few pieces of meat onto everyone’s plate. Taehyung frowns and rests his head on Jeongguk’s shoulder, Jeongguk’s hand immediately finding its way to the nape of Taehyung’s neck.
“Yoongi hyung is just mad Jimin came over here to sit next to me instead of next to him.” Namjoon says, puling Jimin in for a side-hug. Jimin laughs and pats Namjoon’s stomach, silently asking him to let go before Yoongi incinerates all of them with his glare.
“Let’s just eat, guys, we’re better friends when none of us talk.” Hoseok says, and everyone laughs before digging into their food. Every once and a while Taehyung would hold up a piece of his food to Jeongguk’s mouth, and Jeongguk would gently pull it away from the chopsticks and Taehyung would smile. The first few times someone would groan and tell them to cut it out, but eventually their friends started ignoring them in favor for starting their own conversations.
“I missed you,” Taehyung says as he lays his head on Jeongguk’s shoulder, dropping his chopsticks unceremoniously onto the table. Jeongguk laughs and wraps one arm around Taehyung’s waist, reaching around to hold his hand.
“You said that already.” Jeongguk mumbles, and Taehyung pouts up at him. Jeongguk laughs lightly and rests his chin on Taehyung’s head. “Yeah, I missed you too.” Jeongguk closes his eyes, letting the chatter around him and the warmth of his boyfriend relax him. Jeongguk nearly falls asleep right there in the restaurant, when he hears the sound of five camera shutters going off at once.
“Fuck you,” Jeongguk says without opening his eyes. His hyungs laugh and Jeongguk feels Taehyung squirm against his shoulder until his nose is tucked into Jeongguk’s neck.
“Do you think that, now that Jeongguk is comfortable around Taehyung, they’ll always be gross?” Jeongguk hears Jimin ask, and Taehyung laughs against Jeongguk’s neck, making the younger boy shiver.
“You and Yoongi practically swallowed each other whole when you guys started dating, I don’t want to hear it.” Taehyung says, and the whole table erupts with laughter. Taehyung smiles up at Jeongguk, who disconnects their hands for a moment to give Taehyung a high-five before lacing their fingers back together.
“At least Yoongi had the balls to ask me out, I felt like I was back in third grade watching you two dance around each other — Jiminie, do you think Jeonggukie likes me? this and Jimin hyung does Taehyung hyung always use this many emojis or is he flirting with me? that. Honestly, I felt like a messenger pigeon.” Jimin grumbles, and Taehyung rolls his eyes and pats Jimin’s hand in fake sympathy.
“Boo hoo, you’re just mad that Jeonggukie and I were late to your birthday party.” Taehyung says, and he reaches up and grabs another piece of lettuce to make a wrap, despite groaning about how full he was ten minutes prior. “And that was over a year ago.”
“Has it really been over a year?” Jeongguk asks, hand stilling where it had been trailing up and down Taehyung’s arm lightly. Taehyung nods against Jeongguk’s chest, and Jeongguk whistles lowly. “Time flies.”
“Taehyung, you never told us how America was.” Seokjin says after the table falls into silence. Taehyung’s eyes light up and he leans forward, hair static-y from where he’d been laying on Jeongguk’s shirt.
“It was great, hyung. We took pictures in the most beautiful places, one time I even got lost because I was wandering around and wasn’t watching where I was going. There was so much to see, I almost didn’t want to leave.” Taehyung says, and Jeongguk frowns lightly. Jeongguk is sure that Taehyung didn’t mean it in a callous way, but Jeongguk had spent every minute Taehyung was gone waiting for him to come back, while Taehyung was off frolicking in American meadows, not even thinking about him.
“Do you think you’ll have any spreads?” Namjoon asks, and Taehyung deflates a little bit.
“They’re doing the interviews for Marie Claire tomorrow.” Taehyung says, his voice despondent. Hoseok raises an eyebrow and puts down his drink in favor of holding his chin in his hand and looking at Taehyung.
“Then what are you doing back so soon? I thought they wanted to do a page spread on everyone? At least, I figured they would interview everyone.” Hoseok says.
“My flight was scheduled for today.”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow. “And they couldn’t get it changed? I thought models changed their flights all the time. They couldn’t bump a flight back a few days, not even for their best model and assistant designer?” Yoongi asks.
Taehyung smiles ruefully and takes a sip of his drink. A rock rolls over in Jeongguk’s stomach. “Guess not, but that’s okay. I’m sure there will be a next time, I can just get a spread there.”
“But—“
“No buts,” Taehyung says, putting his cup down on the table. “I’m here now, so can we celebrate my coming home now? Let’s go get drinks or something. I’ll pay.”
***
Jeongguk helps Taehyung into their apartment, holding him gently by the shoulders as he guides him into the hallway so he can shut the door. Taehyung hadn’t drank much, just enough to where he could drape himself over Jeongguk’s lap and ask to be carried home without Jeongguk putting up much of a fight — not like he would deny Taehyung anything, anyway.
“You’re mad at me.” Taehyung says as he pulls off his shirt. Jeongguk, who’s in the middle of pulling on his pajama pants, looks at Taehyung quizzically. “You’ve been quiet since dinner.”
“I’m just tired, Tae.” Jeongguk says. He crawls into bed ad pulls back the covers, inviting Taehyung to lay next to him. “You probably are, too, jet-lag and all that stuff.”
Taehyung joins Jeongguk in bed, but doesn’t make any effort to sleep. Instead he burns holes into Jeongguk’s back with his eyes until Jeongguk sighs and turns over, his eyes sad. Taehyung frowns. “You missed out on Marie Claire because of me.”
Taehyung’s eyebrows furrow. “What? Jeongguk, no—“
“Yes, Taehyung,” Jeongguk says. He rolls onto his back and covers his face with his hands. “They could have easily changed your flight. If maybe I hadn’t called you everyday… if I had been less clingy maybe you’d have your spread and you’d still be in America and—”
“Jeongguk,” Taehyung says quietly, pulling Jeongguk’s hands away from his face. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I wanted to come home? That I missed Korea and all the guys — and you — much more than I liked exploring America by myself?”
“But you said that you didn’t want to leave.” Jeongguk says, frowning. Taehyung runs his hand up Jeongguk’s arm and into his hair, pushing back his bangs gently.
“I said that I almost didn’t want to leave. But every night I’d come back to the hotel and count down the days until I didn’t have to sleep in a big, unfamiliar bed all alone.” Taehyung whispers. He gently pushes one of his legs between both of Jeongguk’s, slotting them closer together. “I wasn’t lying when I said that I missed you, Guk. I missed you so much.”
“I thought you were missing out on an amazing opportunity because I wouldn’t leave you alone.” Jeongguk admits, and Taehyung laughs quietly. There’s a hint of soju on his breath, and Jeongguk realizes that Taehyung probably drank a lot less than he let on — he was probably too busy watching Jeongguk’s mood to properly have fun.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but stop.” Taehyung says quietly. His lips ghost over the shell of Jeongguk’s ear, and Jeongguk shivers. “Listen, I love you so so much, Jeon Jeongguk, even if you don’t like pda and probably have more wet dreams about Tony Stark than you do me. And I didn’t stay for Marie Claire interview because I wanted to see you, and I was tired of sleeping alone. I love you, okay? Stop doubting me and go to bed. I love you.”
It’s silent for a moment, and Taehyung thinks that Jeongguk fell asleep during his little speech, but then he hears an indignant huff and,
“I do not have wet dreams about Tony Stark.”
“Sure you don’t, babe. Sure you don’t.”