Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kim Taehyung lives in a world where meeting your soulmate isn't a good thing.

            Even before being born, everyone is connected to someone. Someone who they might or might not meet during the course of their lives, although, most of times, the universe works so the meeting will happen, because, apparently, it's part of the universe's pleasure to see people suffering.

            The first time Taehyung learns it comes from his parents.

            His mother is undeniably and entirely in love with his father. She has always been, ever since the moment they met, and she will always be, until the day of her death. His father, however, has never been in love with her, and will never be, not even in the day of her death. That's how soulmates work in the awful world Taehyung lives in; once soulmates meet, one of them is faded to fall in love forever with their soulmate, while the other one is faded to never fall in love with the latter.

            It sucks, in Taehyung's opinion.

            To prove his point: the second time he learns about it comes from his best friend, Park Jimin.

            Jimin met his soulmate, a really nice guy named Kim Namjoon, at the age of fifteen. He is twenty-one now, which means they already had plenty of time together, and anyone who looks at their relationship from the outside would say they are perfect together. Well, of course, if they didn't know that they are soulmates, and that only one of them can be in love.

            Namjoon is.

            Jimin isn't.

            Taehyung detests how much it hurts Jimin. Taehyung knows that Jimin wants to love Namjoon with all his heart — not like a friend, nor like a brother, but love him the right way, like a lover, like someone to marry him and build a life together. Although Jimin knows it's not possible, ever since his sixteen years, he has been trying. He started dating Namjoon five years ago, ignoring his feeling for the sake of Namjoon's happiness, and, everytime Namjoon tried to put an end to it, Jimin would simply kiss him, shush him, and Namjoon wouldn't resist it. The worst part was that Taehyung couldn't be angry at him.

            Sometimes, he finds himself wondering what must be worst: to be the one to love forever, or the one to never love.

            He's thinking of it in the middle of a philosophy class — because, well, the subject fits well, and it's college, where no one but him pays attention at that time of the day — when he hears Jimin giggling at his phone. Taehyung's eyebrows furrow and he leans forward, trying to see whether made his friend react like that, but Jimin simply stares at him from above his shoulders and squints.

            "Go back to your lesson," Jimin whispers to him.

            "No," Taehyung answers, "What is it? Who are you texting?"

            "Namjoon-hyung, obviously."

            Taehyung frowns, "Are you sure?"

            "Aish, Taehyungie," Jimin pretends to hiss, "Do you think I'm cheating on my boyfriend or something?"

            Taehyung wants to say that it's okay for Jimin to tell him if he has a crush, and that Taehyung won't blame him or judge him, because he deserves to have someone that way, but another text arrives and the glimpse of Namjoon's name on Jimin's screen is enough to get Taehyung to return to his previous posture, sitting straight and facing the front of the class.

            It's not like Taehyung already met lots of people who found their soulmates. It's not that usual. Sometimes, people just spend their whole lives without ever meeting their another half, and they are perfectly glad with that. Dating or marrying someone who loves you just the way you love them, whether you are meant for each other or not, seems better than being faded to love or not love someone who will always be around you and whose feelings will never be the same as yours.

            "You look far away, Taehyung," his professor, Mrs. Choi, says, one eyebrow raised, and Taehyung feels himself getting smaller. Usually, he is a good student, who answers questions and participates. He understands the concern, but he is also annoyed that Mrs. Choi is the kind of person to interrupt a class to ask for a student's attention, although it shouldn't be needed in college anymore, "Is there anything in your mind that you would like to share?"

            All the eyes are on him. He takes a deep breath, and looks at Jimin, who is also paying attention at him, before finally choosing to speak, "I was thinking about soulmates."

            "Taehyungie," Jimin mutters in a tone that is almost reproachful.

            "What were you thinking on the subject?" The professor returns to ask, "I'm sure we'd all like to see your point of view."

            Besides Jimin, there is one more person in class he found their soulmate. It's a boy named Moon Jongup, destined not to fall in love with his soulmate for the eternity. The girl, whose name Taehyung doesn't know, usually follows him around everywhere, and it seems extremely suffocating, but, if it is, Jongup doesn't let it show. He is great — the question is whether he is a great person or a great actor.

            "I think the way the soulmate connection works is shitty," Taehyung spits out, too annoyed to contain the urge of vomiting all those words that keep on surrounding his mind, "I think we should all have the right to love whoever we want, or not to love whoever we don't want to love."

            Jimin is glancing at Taehyung through his eyelashes, and his eyes are sad.

            "I see," the professor says, "Have you, by any chance, met your soulmate, Taehyung?"

            Taehyung breaths, "No, I haven't."

            "Well, I have," the woman says, and half the students let out strangled noises of surprise. Out of all the histories she ever told them to explain and prove points, a soulmate was never, ever mentioned, "He is an amazing person, and I really appreciate him. Can you tell me where things go wrong from here?"

            Taehyung feels his mouth and throat dry as he answers, and his voice sounds weak, "You can't be in love with him."

            She nods, eyes running through the students carefully, "Those who already met their soulmates, raise one of your hands, please."

            Jongup does, and Jimin looks at Taehyung, shaking his head with an unhappy countenance before raising his as well.

            "I'm sorry," Taehyung mouths, but Jimin is already turning his head back towards the professor.

            "Jimin," the professor starts, looking down at him, and Jimin's chest goes up and down, "Would you mind to share with us how your relationship with your soulmate works?"

            Jimin stares at his own feet, but he nods, "His name is Kim Namjoon. We've meet six years ago. And, since five years ago, we... we're dating."

            That causes collective comotion. Soulmates trying to date for one or two months aren't unusual, but five years is a different thing. That means one of them has been spending years and years of his life with the mission of making someone happy; someone who isn't himself.

            "You're dating him?" The professor echoes, and Jimin nods quietly, "Why?"

            Jimin shrugs, uncomfortable, and Taehyung can tell that there are tears pricking the corners of his eyes, "Because I love him."

            The professor squints, "How?"

            He looks at her, trying to gather boldness to speak out loud, "I want him to be happy."

            A few laughs can be heard around them. There's always that kind of person; the ones who haven't felt it, therefore, don't mind it. It's funny to them, seeing that Jimin has been leaving his own heart behind to protect his soulmate's.

            "One more question, Jimin," the professor requests, "Is it worth it?"

            "Stop," Taehyung says, and it's loud enough for everyone in class to hear it. He stands up and bends down in Jimin's direction, arms surrounding his best friend's shoulder and chest protectively, "Why are you doing this? You're hurting him."

            Jimin doesn't move away from Taehyung; he never does. The professor stares at Taehyung blankly, "The next time you want to think about something that you haven't felt and, therefore, does not understand, I suggest you do it during another class, Taehyung."

            "It's worth it," Jimin says, and it's barely a whisper, but then he raises his voice and the whole class tenses, "It's worth it, yes. If you don't know how good it feels like to see your soulmate's smile and to know that you were the cause of it, then you are the one who does not understand it."

            Everyone has gone frozen. Responding to a professor was never part of Jimin's temperament, Mrs. Choi essentially, because no one dared to challenge her. It was common knowledge in the campus, and they have all once agreed that it was better to shut up and learn during her class. Therefore, it takes the woman a few seconds to react after Jimin's confrontation.

            "I see," she says, nodding nonchalantly, "Well, then, I suppose this means you're questioning my knowledge on the subject."

            Jimin catches his breath, "No, wait, that's not what I—"

            "In this case," she proceeds, ignoring him, and starts to move around the class, pausing only for a second so her eyes can travel to Taehyung, who's still holding Jimin, "Would you like to take a seat, please?"

            Taehyung's Adam apple goes up and down as he falteringly returns to his seat, jaw stiffened and shoulders tense. The woman starts walking towards each student, and it seems like a threat in every possible way. Jongup even looks away once Mrs. Choi is near enough, and Taehyung resists the urge to roll his eyes. Doesn't matter how powerful she is as a professor, is it really her right to intimidate the students that strongly about such a delicate subject?

            "Now, since your classmate has made his opinion about soulmate's perfectly clear for us all to learn with it," she says, and it's almost like, if someone looks close enough, they can see the poision dripping from the corners of her lips, "I suggest we take academic advantage over that. I want a report from each of you about the history of soulmates all over the world, from the very moment people gave a name to the sickness that it is to have someone connected to you since your birth, to the very moment society started to act like it was somewhat normal. I also want at least five depositions taken in person, not on-line, from people who have met their soulmates, and their opinion on it. Don't try to fool me, I've got resources to check the provenance of each deposition. As to the ones who have already met their soulmate, I'm taking the five depositions plus your own. I'll take it next week."

            The whole class is split between sending their death glares to Mrs. Choi and Jimin. It's pretty obvious to everyone that Mrs. Choi doesn't take anything for a good job, and they do need that grade if they want to keep going on their futures with the correct career. The last thing they need is an assignment due a fight between professor and student.

            "Can she do that?" Taehyung mumbles to Jimin, not even a bit intimidate, "Honestly, can she?"

            "Yeah," Jimin whispers back, seemingly irritated, "Yeah, she can."

            It's time to leave before Taehyung can swear at her, but he spends no death glares while moving to the hallways, and he slips one arm around Jimin's shoulders, pressing their sides together, leading the elder to support his head on Taehyung's shoulder sloppily. Every single time the soulmate subject is brought up, it's difficult for both of them — which, of course, is an overstatement, since it's pretty obvious all about that hits Jimin much stronger than it does to Taehyung.

            They head to meet with Namjoon right over at a park nearby where they spend every possible break. Sometimes, when it's all just so tiring, they text each other and leave the classes together, meeting there — doing nothing, doing a lot, just being there for each other — and things eventually fit back in place. Taehyung wishes the whole soulmate bond was that kind of problem, the kind you can get over after an afternoon cuddling and bonding with your best friends.

            Unfortunately, the universe and Taehyung have plenty of clashes due their distant points of view.

            "I'm sorry, Jiminie," Taehyung finally says before they can reach Namjoon's spot, "I shouldn't have brought that up like that, I should have known she would hold it against you."

            "Don't blame yourself," Jimin says, shaking his head, "She's an ass, you aren't. It's not your fault."

            But it is.

            "Okay," Taehyung says, shrugging, and he spots Namjoon only a few feets away, "Hey, your boyfriend."

            Jimin smiles, walking towards Namjoon's direction, "Yeah. Thanks."

            It would have been beautiful to see. The way Namjoon's face lightens up when Jimin walks to him, the way Jimin tangles his fingers around Namjoon's neck while kissing him kindly on the lips and the way Namjoon's arm rests on Jimin's waist even once he moves away. It would be the prettiest thing in the world, if it wasn't in Taehyung's point of view. All he can see, though, is his best friend kissing someone who he doesn't feel the urge to kiss and feeling happy about it just because it makes Namjoon happy, and it tears Taehyung's heart apart.

            "Hey, Taehyung-ah," Namjoon says nicely as he sees Taehyung.

            Taehyung smiles, "Hey, Namjoon-hyung. How have you been doing?"

            "Quite okay," Namjoon answers, "You?"

            "Guess just the same."

            "Our professor was an idiot today," Jimin says as they seat down, adjusting one of his legs above Namjoon's absently, "Mrs. Choi. She pressed Taehyung about his thoughts just because he was distracted during her class and gave us a huge assignment to next week because I disagreed with her."

            Namjoon frowns, "Is there anyone who isn't distracted during her class? She's so freaking obnoxious; sometimes I pretend to fall asleep while she's teaching just to annoy her. What did she do to you, Taehyung-ah?"

            Taehyung takes a deep breath, "I was thinking about the whole soulmate thing and, when I exposed my opinion, she basically said that, since I haven't felt it, I can't understand it."

            "What?" Namjoon asks, "Where does that came from? You don't have to have experienced things to have an opinion on them. What is it that you said that got her so uneducated?"

            "I—" Taehyung starts, and he looks at Jimin to make sure it's okay to say it. His best friend nods and he proceeds, "I said the whole soulmate connection thing is shitty. I said we shouldn't be forced to love or not to love anyone."

            Namjoon nods, and, for a second, he nearly looks sad, but then he speaks, looking at Jimin, "Was that what you disagreed about?"

            "Yeah," Jimin says, in a low tone, "She doesn't think it is worth it; dating our soulmate and all."

            "What do you think?" Namjoon asks him, and it's honest and fearful and it makes Taehyung want to cry.

            Jimin blinks, staring at him, lifting up one of his hands to touch Namjoon's cheekbones and carress his skin, "It's worth all of it. Actually, I wish they could give me three hundred chances to choose," he leans and kisses the corner of Namjoon's mouth, "And I would choose to fall in love with you in each one of them."

            Taehyung's heart tightens, and he knows Namjoon feels the same, because he pauses for a few seconds, eyes focusing on Jimin's, and then he smiles, and it's a broken smile.

            And it's so unfair.

***

            The next day feels just the same as the others.

            Taehyung wakes up, then brushes his teeth and takes a shower. He dresses up and leaves the dorm alone, because Jimin slept at Namjoon's dorm, since Namjoon's roommate is travelling, and there's nothing better for him to do during the afternoon. In fact, he would rather go out with Jimin and Namjoon, but they already have plans for tonight — and Taehyung can't help but smile at how kind it is of Namjoon to invite him along despite the fact that they need their time alone —, which means the rest of the day is up to Taehyung's criativity.

            He likes coffee. A coffee shop should be a nice idea.

            The place isn't exactly crowded, but there's a line, and there's about three people before him at the point he chooses.

            While everyone else seems impatient to wait in line, Taehyung couldn't be more calm. There are some things that are necessary, and a few moments moving little by little while waiting for a hot drink might be included on it. He enjoys the warm steam coming out the machines absently, and even dares to close his eyes for a second, inhaling the delicious scent of coffee.

            Once he arrives at the point where there should be a clerk to get his order, there is already another costumer receiving a drink by his side; therefore, he goes back to quietly waiting. As soon as one of the many employees notices Taehyung, she exclaims to someone who is behind the counter, "Jungkook, a costumer for you!" and gets a masculine "Okay" as an answer. Oddly, the voice that says it causes electricity to go up and down Taehyung's spine, and it's too late to wonder why when the guy appears in front of him.

            Taehyung can feel the whole world pausing. The boy, whose name is indicated on the name tag as "Jeon Jungkook", is standing right there, facing him from behind the counter, and there are millions of feelings going through Taehyung's body. He can tell Jungkook feels the same, because he is also frozen, lips slightly apart, like he just forgot anything he was supposed to say.

            "I'm—" Taehyung starts, and he feels his mouth suddenly dry. Isn't he supposed to feel something already? Not the unsteady beating of his heart and not his suddenly shaky hands, but something else. Butterflies in his stomach, a knot in his throat; anything that would indicate that he fell in love at first sigh; literally. He notices now, after so many years, that he never asked someone what it felt like, being the one in love. All of sudden, he feels the urge to know. "Are you—"

            "Your— your soulmate," Jungkook completes it for him, and his voice isn't half as deep as Taehyung, but it's definitely sweet and smooth. Feel something, Taehyung tells himself in his mind, feel something for him now, "I'm— Uhm, I'm Jeon Jungkook."

            He is stretching out his hand in a second, and a few people around them are observing, probably because they just heard the word "soulmate" and noticed the two frozen males in front of each other; and everyone loves a soulmate drama, if it's not about them. When Taehyung brings his hand to Jungkook's, he waits for something that never comes. It's warm, and it's familiar in a way that shouldn't be normal, but there is no sparks between them or worship in his eyes.

            It hits him, just like that. It isn't him. He isn't in love.

            He should be, but he isn't.

            "Kim Taehyung," he finally introduces himself, feeling slightly sick, "It's— It's amazing to meet you."

            There is a small smile spreading through Jungkook's face, and Taehyung almost mirrors it; it's an immediate reaction, like seeing his soulmate's smile can also help him to be happy. It's scary.

            "I honestly can't believe this," Jungkook says, in clear disbelief, "You're different than what I thought."

            Taehyung blinks, "Different?"

            Jungkook gulps, "You're better."

            Taehyung takes his breath, and, before he can think straight, he is moving his fingers on the palm of Jungkook's hand, and tangling their fingers together, squeezing firmly, "You're better, too."

            There's still people watching them, and Taehyung is starting to become aware of it. He shakes his head a bit, "Do you want me to, I don't know, wait for you outside until the end of your shift? I mean, just in case we are going to talk or anything, and I—"

            Jungkook laughs softly, and it somehow manages to shut Taehyung up, "You're acting like you're the one who has to be nervous."

            He noticed. Taehyung wants to hide himself because Jungkook already noticed.

            Taehyung tries to take back his posture, "I do have to be nervous. You're really cute."

            Jungkook smiles, "So is a bunny. Listen, I'm sure my boss won't mind me leaving earlier because of my soulmate, so, in case you're free now, we could— uhm, talk outside."

            Taehyung nods, "I'm free."

            Yes, he is free, and he is also confused, upset with himself, shocked that his first meeting with his soulmate happened like this. For all he knows, things should be a little more exciting than this — not in the inside, that's pretty intense already, but largely in the scenario. He knows Jimin and Namjoon met at a pretty dramatic moment, when Jimin was about to beat a dancing contest and Namjoon showed up at the crowd, and then Jimin interrupted his own performance and ran to him and there were people cheering around them non stop. Even nowadays, Jimin insists that he has never been so glad for losing a contest.

            In some such way, the idea of meeting his soulmate at a coffee shop, waiting on the line, stupidly staring and talking to him like a robot, and then claiming that his reason to be nervous was that the guy was "really cute" sounds wrong in his mind, nearly like that's now how this is supposed to happen.

            "Okay," Jungkook says, freeing Taehyung from his disturbing thoughts for a few seconds, "I'll just let him know. You can, uh, take your order with Jieun-noona. Noona!"

            "Coming!" The female clerk from a few minutes early exclaims, finishing another costumer's order and politely bowing while being handed out the money. Then, she calls for another clerk who seems to be inside the kitchen, and, as he emerges behind the counter, moving to go grab her line's orders, Jieun walks towards Jungkook, "Yeah, Jungkook-ah?"

            "This is, uhm, my soulmate," Jungkook says, and her eyes widen slowly. Taehyung can tell how amazed she is by her look, "Taehyung-ssi, this is Jieun-noona. Noona, this is Taehyung-ssi."

            His way of introducing them to each other is shy, and Taehyung finds it adorable. He gives Jieun his best smile, glad to be able to be friendly to his soulmate's friends that soon, "It's really nice to meet you."

            "Equally!" She says, enthusiastic, "Jungkook-ah, what are you still doing here? Go tell Mr. Kim that you're going out! Aish, this kid, your soulmate is here, hurry up!"

            Jungkook laughs softly, but it sounds shaky, nervous, and Taehyung smiles due that, "I'll be right back, Taehyung-ssi!"

            "Hurry, Jungkook-ah," Jieun insists, and he spins on his heels, running to the inside of the kitchen. Jieun chuckles, seemingly excited, and turns back to Taehyung, "I'm so glad Jungkook got to meet you, and you look so nice! He surely deserves someone like you."

            Taehyung gives her a smile and looks looks down, at his own feet, "Does he?"

            Jieun takes a few moments to understand it, "Oh. Oh, I get it. You don't have to blame yourself."

            There it is; that twinge dripping from her voice, the feeling of knowledge, and Taehyung knows exactly where it comes from. He's heard it before, when someone who had already met their soulmate talked to Jimin about Namjoon, and every single time anyone tried to explain to him how the sensation of meeting his soulmate would be like.

            "You've met yours too," He recognizes, and she squints, "Haven't you?"

            "Yep," Jieun says, "By the way, although it does look pretty cool to be talking to you and all, you should order or the costumers behing you might get mad. Trust me, you don't want to see an entire line getting angry, it's not pretty."

            Taehyung nods, comprehensive, "Sure. I just want an Americano, please."

            "On it."

            He moves aside as soon as she leaves to take his order, making sure the next person on the line will have their chance as well. He catches the glimpse of a few people staring at him, pitying him, because he was born in a world where meeting your soulmate is a reason for people to feel like you've been cursed. He wants to be part of the histories sold in books, where people meet their soulmates and their eye colors change or their destiny is traced or they can see the universe inside each other's eyes. He wants to be from another world, one that isn't cruel and unfair.

            Taehyung escapes his own thoughts as Jungkook returns, nametag gone and hair slightly messed up as he runs his fingers through it more than once before arriving to where Taehyung is. He approaches slowly, definitely unsure of how to start a conversation, so Taehyung decides to try and make it easier for him.

            "Hey," he says, nicely, "I'm just waiting for my coffee and we'll be right out, okay?"

            "Yeah, sure," Jungkook nods, "What did you order?"

            "An Americano," Taehyung replies, "Do you like it?"

            Jungkook shakes his head, "Not really. I guess I prefer cold drinks, including coffees."

            Taehyung smiles, "Like what?"

            "Any other type of coffee that can be completed with something cold instead of hot," Jungkook answers, "It's kind of an habit. I can't really seem to enjoy hot drinks, no matter how good everyone else thinks they are."

            "That sounds like a terrible way to live," Taehyung jokes, and he feels relieved as Jungkook laughs softly, "Who knows? Perhaps we'll find a nice hot drink for you sometime."

            He knows exactly what he is implying; that, from now on, they are going to be hanging out, and trying things, and learning with each other, because that's what every soulmate should do. It's the rule and path of everyone in life, and Taehyung is way too uninspired to try and change anything about that.

            "Taehyung-ssi," Jieun calls him from the counter, extending him his cup of coffee with a kind smile, "Here you go."

            He grabs the money from his pocket and hands it to her with an equally sympathetic expression, "Thank you."

            "You're welcome," she says, winking at Jungkook, "Behave, Jungkook-ah."

            "I will, noona," Jungkook assures her, and she nods before walking away, back to the other costumers. Then, Jungkook returns his attention to Taehyung, "Uhm, shall we go?"

            "Yeah, of course," Taehyung says, gesturing for Jungkook to walk by his side as he makes his way towards the exit of the place, "Do you know anything around here? I'm not exactly a frequent attendant."

            "There's a few parks around," Jungkook starts telling, "We could go there, I don't know, talk, maybe? There's plenty of benches."

            He sounds nervous. It's cute, it's adorable, it's heartbreaking.

            "Sounds good to me," Taehyung agrees, "Lead the way."

            And Jungkook does, gesturing for Taehyung to follow him, and Taehyung complies. They talk on their way — the most basic things, the ones every soulmate asks about, like their age — Jungkook is twenty, Taehyung is twenty-two —, where they live in the city, what they do for living, and it goes on. Surprisingly, Taehyung finds it rather easily talking to Jungkook, like he is talking to someone who he met years ago.

            "Do you think we should know couple-ish stuff?" Jungkook asks, and Taehyung's eyebrows furrow, "I mean, like, favorite color, favorite food and all that stuff."

            "Favorite color?" Taehyung asks.

            Jungkook hides a smile, "Red, white, black."

            Taehyung laughs softly, "White, black, green. Ah, that's too bad. Our favorite colors don't match."

            "Do they have to?" Jungkook asks, and, as Taehyung looks into his glistening eyes, he shakes his head, smiling sweetly.

            "No, they don't."

***

            Taehyung and Jungkook go to separate ways after a few hours, with nothing but a shy hug and sweet smiles to each other. Taehyung glances at his cell phone, at the new added number, and sighs.

            This is nothing how he planned things to be.

            Taehyung wishes he could go meet with Jimin after meeting his soulmate; that's what he always said he would do. According to his plans, right after he said "see you later" to his soulmate for the first time, he would call Jimin, and they wouldn't tell each other anything by phone because they would go to one of their houses and talk about that for ages. In his mind, it would be fun.

            Right now, he wonders how many times the universe silently laughed at him while he planned, because the sensations overflowing his mind are everything but fun. Jungkook is the most amazing person Taehyung has ever met and the feeling that he will never be able to love the boy back romantically makes him feel sick. Somehow, he is trying to convince himself that it isn't his fault, that it was the universe's crappy choice, and not his; but, at the same time, that thought can't seem to win over the bad ones of his head. He feels like the worst person in the planet.

            Which is why his plan of going straight to Jimin after saying bye to Jungkook is completely shattered.

             Thing is, in case he actually opens up himself to Jimin and say he feels like a monster for knowning that he won't ever be in love with Jungkook, he will be basically calling Jimin a monster as well for never being able to fall in love with Namjoon. No, to talk about that, he needs someone who won't be offended, who will tell him what it feels like to be on the other side.

            He calls Yoongi.

            Without handing all the details, Taehyung makes his message pretty clear, and Yoongi tells him to come over as soon as he can so they can talk, and so Taehyung does. He sits in his car, stares at the street in front of a him blankly for a few seconds and then drives to Yoongi's apartment, wishing that this conversation will help him clear things out in his mind.

            Yoongi doesn't live far — at least, not uncommonly far. Within twenty minutes, Taehyung leaves his car at the parking lot of the building and climbs up the stairs, sighing as he stares at the door before actually knocking, aware of how deep this conversation can turn out to be.

            When Yoongi answers the door, he is dressing sweatpants and a loosen shirt, and even his hair is messy. Anyone else who saw him like that would think he had just spent the entire day sleeping or something like that, but Taehyung knows pretty well about all the hard work Yoongi does, not only at his work place, but also at home. Sometimes, he is overloaded by work and refuses to stop until Taehyung or Jimin hurry to his house to take him off his misery. However, the only way Taehyung and Jimin get to know about Yoongi overdoing himself is through Hoseok, because the boy knows Yoongi won't be comfortable about being helped by him, so he calls them instead, just to make sure his soulmate will be okay.

            "Hey," Yoongi says, moving aside so Taehyung walks inside, "So, who's the lucky guy?"

            "His name is Jeon Jungkook," Taehyung replies, moving towards Yoongi's couch like he owns the place — which he nearly does, since there's no boundaries placed with his friends, "And I wouldn't call him lucky."

            "Bet you wouldn't," Yoongi says, finding his seat beside Taehyung, staring at his friend while squinting, "Are you feeling okay? You look kind of sick."

            "I feel kind of sick," Taehyung answers, shrugging, "You won't find a fever on me or something like that, though. It's all in my mind."

            Yoongi nods, "What does it feel like to be on the other side? I always kind of wanted to ask Jimin that, but I didn't feel like he would handle the question well. He has been dedicated to Namjoon from moment one."

            Perhaps, to some people, hearing that from Yoongi would be offensive, like he was claiming that he took care of Jimin's feelings rather than Taehyung's. Taehyung knows him well enough, though, not to feel outraged at all; first of all, he admires Yoongi for his honesty. Second of all, he knows what his friend means. Whatever linked Jimin to Namjoon was way too strong, and Jimin has always been determined to try for his soulmate whenever he found them. Once he met Namjoon, none of his friends had the guts to question his feelings, not even slightly.

            "It feels somewhere between ungrateful and a terrible person," Taehyung replies, spinning on the couch so he places his head absently on Yoongi's right leg, "Sounds like a lot of fun, huh?"

            Yoongi laughs shortly, "Can't believe I'm missing out all that fun."

            "Yeah, I don't think we can add you to our little fun club, though," Taehyung says, "We're only taking monsters."

            "I'll let Jimin know you said that."

            Taehyung groans, reaching for a random pillow laying on the couch and pressing it against his own face, his voice coming out muffled as he speaks, "Jungkook looks so nice, hyung, what is wrong with the world?"

            "The world itself is wrong, Taehyungie," Yoongi replies, calmly removing the pillow from Taehyung's face, "And, jokes aside, you should know you are nothing like a monster. Whatever you feel or don't feel isn't your fault."

            "Isn't it?" Taehyung asks, sighing, "Why do I feel like that's bullshit? Like, maybe, if we didn't all just surrender to what the universe wants, we would have a choice?"

            Yoongi frowns, "What are you talking about? People fight the soulmate bond all the time."

            "Yeah, after it's already established and they've already met their soulmates," Taehyung says, "But what about before it? Does anyone fight it before their soulmate actually meets them?"

            "Taehyung," Yoongi starts, and it's severe in a careful way, "People have tried everything, okay? Every single scientist in the world has tried before and the number of people to actually get a result was always discouraging. There's still people searching, but we all know they aren't getting any development. The soulmate bond is restrict and and unalterable. Now, the only thing we can do for each other is be there until the moment of adaptation and move on from there."

            Taehyung shrugs at that, predominantly because he knows Yoongi is right, and that's what he has always admired the most about his hyung; he could never lie to them, it didn't matter how harsh the truth would be. Nevertheless, he can't help but wonder whether the soulmate bond is so established that even the best part of science can't create anything against it.

            "Did anyone ever break the soulmate bond?" Taehyung asks, and Yoongi frowns, "Listen, hyung, you work with this kind of stuff, right? News and all. If there was ever a case, you would let me know, right?"

            Yoongi sighs, and Taehyung gets his answer, "Twice."

            Taehyung frowns, moving so he's now sitting and facing Yoongi, "What?"

            "I said twice. That's how many times we heard about people actually managing to break the soulmate bond, ever since the newspaper started being released, in the whole freaking world. Just two cases, Taehyung."

            "Where are them now?"

            Yoongi shakes his head sadly, "I'm sorry, Taehyung. The first guy who tried broke the soulmate bond, but died in the process. The second one lives in Australia and I am not authorized to give you his name or address. That's why we never gave people that kind of new, because their families opted for never letting it out to the world."

            "Why?" Taehyung questions, in disbelief, "Why would them keep it from us?"

            "Because it's freaking dangerous, that's why," the elder argues, and his voice goes an eighth higher, "People near them have tried and done so much shit with it, Taehyung. They've killed themselves, killed people next to them, hurt people who mattered, and all with no result. There were only two cases of soulmate bonds being broken and even scientists can't come to the conclusion of why that happened."

            He makes a pause, sighing deeply, and his eyes turn softer and melancholy as he watches Taehyung's confused expression.

            "Listen, Taehyung," he starts, "You've met the guy a few hours ago, okay? Please, don't start freaking out about it so soon. If I knew you would react like this, I wouldn't have talked to you in first place, so now I want you to tell me that I can trust you not to do something stupid for a guy you've met for less than twenty-four hours."

            Taehyung stares at him through his eyelashes, "He's my soulmate."

            "You barely know him," Yoongi sustains, "Give time to time, okay? If years go by and you still think he's worth it, I'll help you. Otherwise, I'm trusting you to stay away from this kind of bullshit. I like my best friends alive and safe, thank you very much."

            Taehyung is about to fight, but the words "best friends" get under his skin and he finds himself uncapable of denying Yoongi that kind of safety, chiefly after coming to him with such a huge drama and having it all listened and understood.

            "Okay," Taehyung says, shrugging slightly, "I'll stay away from that. I won't try anything stupid."

            Yoongi doesn't get the chance to say anything else as Taehyung cell phone starts buzzing, the familiar and annoying ring of a call hitting his ears. He reaches for the phone in his pocket and wrinkles his nose at the screen.   

            "Is it him?" Yoongi asks.

            "No, it's Jiminie," Taehyung replies, quite hesitant, picking up with the most careful expression of all, "Hi, Jiminie."

            "Don't 'hi, Jiminie' me. Where are you?"

            "I'm at Yoongi's," Taehyung answers.

            "What are you doing at Yoongi's, Taehyung? I thought we were supposed to go out together today, remember?"

            Taehyung's eyes widen. Dammit, the dinner with Namjoon.

            "Oh, please, give me the phone," Yoongi complains, extending his arm and not waiting for Taehyung's permission before taking the cell phone out of his hand and putting it against his own ear, "Night, Jiminie. Yeah, Taehyung forgot, but, if it makes it any better, I was the one to call him. Because Hoseok came over today and I got stressed."

            Yoongi proceeds with justificating to Jimin, but Taehyung has his eyes fixed on him now, incredulous with what he just heard. Hoseok came over and here Taehyung was, talking about his problems with the soulmate he just met, ignoring the fact that Yoongi has known his soulmate for much longer and could be having problems with him as well.

            "Yeah, sure," Taehyung hears Yoongi saying while shrugging, although Jimin can't really see him, "We'll be there."

            As soon as he hangs up, not bothering to let Taehyung finish talking to Jimin, he hands the younger male his cell phone back.

            "Jiminie wants to see us at the restaurant in an hour," Yoongi says, standing up, "I'm gonna go take a shower, if you want to borrow a jacket or something—"

            "Where did you see Hoseok today?" Taehyung cuts him, and Yoongi's attention is drawed to him, the elder's jaw immediately stiffening, "And why didn't you tell me about it?"

            "There was no need to," Yoongi replies, shrugging, "I saw him like I usually do when I have to go downtown, so it's really not a big deal. Besides, I have to see him one in a while if I want to survive."

            There. Another point of the soulmate bond that annoys Taehyung so much. If someone has already found their soulmate, they cannot spend a huge amount of time away from them, otherwise they shall start losing strenght and vitality. Yoongi tried once, and, one month after, Hoseok had to live with him for a few weeks until his healthy went back to normal.

            Taehyung pouts — he actually pouts, because there is no way other than being childish that can help him deal with Yoongi at the moment, "Yoongi-hyung, I never meant to get so caught up in my problems that you wouldn't tell me about yours as well."

            "We weren't even done talking," Yoongi says, "Come on, Taehyung, your day was unbelievable more complicated than my entire week, stop acting like you took away my right to speak or something. Hoseok and I aren't as close as soulmates should be and that's the only reason why I'm not as cheerful as I presume I should be, but I am fine, okay?"

            No, there is nothing okay about anything. Taehyung is mad, mad at the universe for being so freaking unffair; not only people were damned to love forever someone who would never love them back, they were also forced to be near them so their healthy could be perfect. Taehyung still remembers all the fights when Yoongi declared that he wasn't going to meet Hoseok once a week or move near his place. All the lack of spending time together or at least being close was too damn much, and Taehyung has to admit he worries for the day the universe decides to press Yoongi harder than that.

            "Okay," Taehyung lies, "Where are your jackets?"

            "Same closet as always," Yoongi says, already on his way to the bathroom, grabbing some clothes over his bed beforehand, "Make yourself home."

            "I always do," Taehyung barely mumbles, opening the doors of Yoongi's closet, which isn't humble, but also isn't too huge, and taking a look at his jacket gathering or whatever he calls having that many similar things all together. Belatedly, Taehyung options for a jacket that will fit him — because he is taller than Yoongi.

            He is about to put on the jacket when Yoongi leaves the bathroom, wet and messy hair falling on his forehead, and wrinkles his nose, "For real? You're going with that shirt? You had that on all day."

            "You said I could borrow a jacket," Taehyung argues.

            Yoongi rolls his eyes, "I meant you could borrow whatever you need, Taehyung. Here, I've got a t-shirt that will probably fit you."

            He moves across the bed and grabs a white shirt from the desk, one that is clearly a little too long for him, and throws it to Taehyung.

            Taehyung clears his throat as he checks the shirt in his hands, "Isn’t this one of your favorite shirts?"

            "Yeah, so?” Yoongi’s eyebrows quirk up, “Just put it on.”

            Taehyung sighs, knowing it is for the best not to discuss, “Thank you, hyung.”

***

            The restaurant isn't fancy or cheap. It's medium, with good food and no exaggeration. Taehyung doesn't feel displaced due his clothes, firstly, because Yoongi's jacket is pretty cool, and, second, because no one's amazingly dressed. Not even Jimin and Namjoon, who are already seated at their proper places, hands tangled to each other. Every time Taehyung sees them like that, he feels a mix of feelings wash over him — part of him thinks he should look away and leave their moment, allowing them to have their privacy, but, then, another part urges him to break the atmosphere, not wanting Jimin to dive even deeper into that relationship, not when it cannot last forever.

            "Are you telling Jimin now?" Yoongi asks Taehyung as they enter the restaurant.

            "Yeah," it's Taehyung's short reply. He has never been one to keep anything from Jimin, and he's not about to start.

            As they move towards the table, Jimin notices their presence real quick, smiling happily as his friends take their seats in front of him.

            "So, you guys made me wait, but I'm okay with that because I'm an amazing person," Jimin says, and Taehyung laughs softly.

            "Have you guys ordered yet?"

            "Nah, not yet," Jimin shrugs slightly, "I figured we would wait for you and do it together."

            Taehyung nods, "I see. Should we do it, then?"

            During the whole ordering process, Taehyung feels Yoongi's heavy gaze on him. He is aware that most of it isn't intended to add pressure to his shoulders — not the way it does — but to double-check his certain on telling Jimin there. Once the waiter moves away, notebook drawned with their order, Taehyung inhaled deeply before talking.

            "Jiminie, there's something I want to tell you," he nearly blurts out, drawing Jimin's attention to him immediately, attracting Namjoon's eyes along with it, "I— I met my soulmate today."

            There's a pause. The kind of silence that could be described as thick mix between awkward and burdensome. Jimin blinks — once, twice — and lets out a breath that Taehyung hasn't realized he was holding.

            "You met your soulmate," Jimin echoes, and Taehyung nods mechanically, "Today."

            "A few hours ago," Taehyung proceeds, "His name is Jeon Jungkook. He's twenty. He's very sweet, and he works at a coffee shop—"

            "Can we go outside?" Jimin cuts him, blinking with a blank expression, and Taehyung tries to cover how thickly he swallows.

            "Yeah, sure."

            And so they do, leaving behind two very tense friends. Yoongi and Namjoon aren't extremely close, but they've always felt comfortable around each other, which causes their concerned exchange of glances much less awkward.

            Taehyung follows Jimin outside, and, as soon as the restaurant's door closes behind them, he starts speaking, spilling everything, "Listen, Jiminie, I know we've always said you would be the first to know, and I am really sorry that I didn't come to you immediately, but I just felt like I had to—"

            "Taetae," Jimin stops him, and Taehyung blinks, confused. Jimin doesn't call him 'Taetae' when he's mad. "Are you okay?"

            Taehyung stares at him, "What?"

            "You've met your soulmate," the elder speaks, carefully, and Taehyung's chest tightens as he realizes this isn't about Jimin being mad at him; it is about Jimin being worried for him, "You know how the bond works. Are you— I mean, do you—"

            "I'm not in love," Taehyung smiles sadly, and Jimin's features break, "I'm not. Jungkook is. And, I mean, I know everything, but I guess I am— fine?"

            Jimin doesn't say anything. He reaches for Taehyung's shoulders, wrapping his own arms around them, and brings Taehyung closer until they're hugging, and having his best friend so close after that exhaustive day means so much Taehyung feels the urge to cry. He holds himself back by burying his face in the crook of Jimin's neck, feeling Jimin's hand resting on his scalp, the most comforting gesture he has felt the whole day.

            "You're gonna be happy," Jimin mumbles, and Taehyung chuckles nervously against his skin. He resembles the exact moment when Jimin started dating Namjoon and Taehyung told him that same phrase.

            Somehow, having it brought up at the moment helps. He feels better.

            "I know," he replies, sighing, "I'm gonna be happy."

            At least, he hopes so.

***

            The morning after, Taehyung wakes up to a few texts from his soulmate.

            From Jungkook-ah:

            good morning hyung

            i hope i'm not waking you up

            i was just kind of

            anxious

            i guess

            to talk to you

            it's nothing important really i was just kind of wondering

            when we can meet again?

            The corners of Taehyung's lips curve slightly into a fond smile as he observes the screen. Jungkook has a tough and composed mein, but he is, as a matter of fact, one of the most adorable people Taehyung has ever met during his life. Not only his posture in person exhales a warm feeling of gentleness, he seems also amazingly careful with the things he says. Taehyung's smile grows widder unwittingly as he realizes he intends to show Jungkook he can loosen up around him.

            To Jungkook-ah:

today would be fine by me, you know

if ur free?

            From Jungkook-ah:

            oh i

            i thought you had college?

            Oh, right. College. Taehyung groans, staring at the books' piles on the table and rubbing his face with his hands.

To Jungkook-ah:

right

i'm not attending today

            From Jungkook-ah:

            u sure?

            To Jungkook-ah:

absolutely

if you're free, of course

            From Jungkook-ah:

            i am

            where and when

            To Jungkook-ah:

i'll let you decide

            From Jungkook-ah:

            oh well

            let's see

***

            That's how Taehyung ends up at Jungkook's place of work for the second time, although, this time, Jungkook isn't behind the counter, but standing in line with him, waiting like every other ordinary customer — because his boss decided to give him the week off due the fact he has met his soulmate and needed the time to 'recover from the shock' — while they absently talk, getting to know more about each other every second.

            "Really? You like anime?" Taehyung asks at some point, a glimpse of excitement lighting up his face.

            "Yes," Jungkook replies happily, "I love it! In fact, it's not my favorite thing in the world only because I can't compare it to my favorite movies, but I truly love it."

            Taehyung smiles, "Oh? Which movie is your favorite?"

            "Iron Man," Jungkook says, and he sounds like a enthusiastic child while talking, "I love the plot and the whole structure of it. Do you like it?"

            "Well, lucky for you, I do," Taehyung says, "Imagine what a disaster it would be if I was an Iron Man hater right now."

            "We'd have to find a way to break the soulmate bond, that's for sure," Jungkook jokes, and Taehyung laughs along with him, but there's a tiny sting in his heart as he reminds himself that it was his intention just a couple of hours ago, and perhaps, it isn't completely discarded yet.

            "Oh, hi, you two," Jieun says as soon as their turn arrives, a smile spreading through her face, "How's life now?"

            Jungkook smiles, "Good, noona. Thanks for worrying."

            "Anytime, Jungkook-ah," she replies, smiling, "What can I get for you?"

            "A frappé coffee, please," Jungkook says, and, before Taehyung can say anything, the dongsaeng smiles, "That's for you, hyung. Of course, unless you don't want to try it, I won't force you, but you just said you don't like cold drinks and I thought we could try—"

            "It's fine, Jungkook-ah," Taehyung assures him, smiling warmly, "I don't like it, but I'll try for you."

            Taehyung tries his best to ignore the glistening glance Jungkook gives him before smiling at Jieun again, "A frappé coffee, please."

            Once Jieun hands him the cup, Taehyung immediately regrets, feeling the cold drink under his fingers, but there is no more time to regret it now. Jungkook tells him to leave first while he goes inside and lets his boss know he won't need the whole week, and so Taehyung does.

            Taehyung waits patiently for Jungkook outside, swirling the cold drink with the straw, frowning as he stares at it, wondering whether Jungkook truthfully has an amazingly bad taste and opted for these things instead of a hot drink because he never stopped to wonder about what he was missing.

            "I'm here," Jungkook says as he emerges from the place, smiling shyly as he notices Taehyung's glare on the drink, "You know, you don't really have to drink it if you don't want to."

            "No, you bought it for me, I'm drinking it," Taehyung protests.

            "It was on the house, it's different, Jieun-noona lets me do that," Jungkook tells him, folding his arms calmly, "You really don't have to try it."

            Taehyung lifts up an eyebrow, "I'm gonna try this, Jeon Jungkook."

            As to prove his point, he brings the cup to his mouth and turns it, taking a long swig, eyes fluttering closed due his mistrust. The liquid is freezing as it slides down his throat, and the taste left in Taehyung's tongue is even bitter than hot coffee itself, perhaps as an answer of his own denying the drink entirely. He moves the cup away and swallows, opening just one eye, pressing the other down strongly.

            "Oh, my, Jungkook-ah, this is terrible," Taehyung exclaims, and it's the truth. The taste surrounding his entire mouth is completely strange and by far one of the least delicious things he has ever tried.

            Nonetheless, his face must have wrinkled in a funny way as he said that, because Jungkook can't seem to do anything but laugh, trying to cover his mouth with his hands, but it's already too late. His shoulders shake from the laughter and his eyes are shiny, and he looks so content like that that Taehyung even forgets about the awful taste in his tongue.

            "You see how I would've reacted with something hot now, hyung," Jungkook argues while he's still laughing, "But, hey, nobody's perfect, I'm not blaming you for not enjoying something so nice."

            "Aish, how could I ever have imagined my soulmate as someone with such disrespect?" Taehyung says, but his voice is now dripping humour too, because Jungkook seems happy, so he finds it fair enough to mirror his emotions. He stretches out the hand that is holding the cup, practically pressing it against Jungkook's chest — which he finds to be rock solid, unsurprisingly, since it's pretty clear Jungkook isn't one to stay away from a gym for too long, "I can't even feel your heart, I bet you don't have one."

            "Hey, don't be mean," Jungkook requests, laughing softly. He brings his hand up to place it on Taehyung's wrist, and, although the elder figures he is going to move it away, all he does is leave it there, "I have a heart, you just can't feel it because your hand is frozen by one of the best drinks of the world."

            "If this is one of the best, I'd rather not drink anything else during my life," Taehyung jokes, causing Jungkook's nose to wrinkle, "I'm sorry, Jungkook-ah. I'm sure there's gotta be something you like that is actually good."

            Jungkook smiles, "I bet we'll have plenty of time to figure that out."

            Taehyung's breath gets caught up in his throat at that, the — now getting familiar — feeling of guilty washing over him, but he forces himself to nod, "Of course we will."

***

            Later, they head to Taehyung's place.

            Jungkook claims to be anxious to meet Jimin after everything Taehyung has been telling about him, mainly at the moments their friends were mentioned, and Taehyung can't deny he is looking forward for Jungkook to be part of his group of friends as well. They have always been welcoming, and he is pretty sure it's not going to be different with his soulmate.

            Taehyung thinks of texting Jimin to let him know that they are coming, but it would be unusual for the boy to have anything else to do that wouldn't have informed first, because he isn't fond of the idea of letting his best friend unaware of pretty much anything, so there's no point in warning Jimin first.

            Unless Jimin and Namjoon were together, which could turn out to be both, good and bad. It would definitely be a nice opportunity for Jungkook to meet another of Taehyung's friends, but it would be so embarrassing if they were doing anything personal. Taehyung doesn't even like thinking about the possibility.

            "So, I must warn you," Taehyung says as they pause before his door, "Jiminie is an amazing person, but he can be quite intimidating if he's trying to protect one of his friends."

            Jungkook smiles, "I'm fine with it."

            Taehyung nods, inhaling as he unlocks the door, "Welcome to my dorm room, then."

            Jungkook follows him inside, quietly and timidly at first, looking around with round, curious eyes. It's adorable, like everything he does. He smiles softly as they walk past the narrow hallway, "It looks comfy."

            "Thanks," Taehyung smiles back, "Hope it gets comfy for you as well. Now, come on, Jiminie must be watching TV."

            And there he is, head slightly dropped to the left, supported on one of his most cozy pillows, smooth hair strands forming something similar to a halo on it. He looks peaceful, although bored.

            "Jiminie, I'm back," Taehyung announces, smiling as Jimin looks above his shoulder, "And I brought my soulmate with me."

            Jimin's eyes widen slightly as he leaves his spot on the couch, practically jumping from it and moving towards them, a wide smile spreading through his face, "Hi, Jeon Jungkook, right?"

            Jungkook smiles, shy, "Yes. Park Jimin, right?"

            Jimin's smile brightens, "Affirmative. I'm really glad to meet you."

            "Me too," Jungkook nods, "You look nicer than Taehyung-hyung said you'd be."

            "Taehyung lies about everyone, don't worry."

            "Hey," Taehyung complains, eyes widdening, "Don't gang up against me!"

            "So, tell me more about yourself,” Jimin says, throwing one of his arms around Jungkook’s shoulder, and Taehyung is surprised by how welcoming his best friend can become out of nowhere, “I bet you’re more interesting than your soulmate.”

            Jungkook smiles, “Is that a thing?”

            “Well, everyone kind of is more interesting than Taehyungie, but, as his best friend, I’ve been telling him otherwise all these years—“

            “Hey!”

            Jimin’s laughter is followed by Jungkook’s, and Taehyung can’t help but smile as well, glad that his best friend and his soulmate are already getting along incredibly well. He is satisfied, pleased even.

            This time, he allows himself to think that maybe he will, indeed, be happy.

***

            Taehyung invites Jungkook over one more time within a week.

            It’s been two days since he delivered Mrs. Choi the report, and she hasn’t been sending him glares or rude words since then, which might be explained by the fact that she is surprised that, within the few days she has been thinking of a way to put him down, the universe itself tried the same. The report wasn’t sad, though. Taehyung talked about Jungkook cheerfully, and even cherished Jimin and Namjoon’s relationship just as much. He guesses that means he aced it.

            “Jimin’s out, hanging out with Namjoon-hyung,” Taehyung says as he moves aside from the door, giving Jungkook room enough to enter, “Guess that means it will be just the two of us.”

            “Fine by me,” Jungkook smiles, and Taehyung mirrors it.

            “Yeah, I agree.”

            They join each other on the couch as Taehyung turns on the TV, putting on the first movie he finds, which happens to be an action movie, and he finds out Jungkook enjoys it quite a lot as the dongsaeng relaxes through the scenes, barely blinking whenever something exciting happens, and Taehyung can’t help but smile in response.

            “You seem excited,” Taehyung whispers at some point, and he doesn’t realize they’re sitting so close to each other until Jungkook turns his head to look at him and their noses brush. Taehyung smirks, “Enjoying the movie?”

            Jungkook blinks, eyes falling to Taehyung’s lips, “Yeah, the movie.”

            Taehyung smiles and Jungkook moves.

            It's nothing but an innocent, experimental kiss at first, and Taehyung takes a moment to appreciate how soft Jungkook's slightly chapped lips feel while melting against his, his fingers tracing the line of the dongsaeng's jaw gently as he moves away the slightest, eyes searching for Jungkook's, curious about the other's reaction to this.

            Jungkook's eyelashes flutter opened and he stares at Taehyung for a second, lips parting like he means to say something, but he seems to give up on it as he closes his mouth and the corners of his lips curve into a sweet smile.

            Taehyung's heart aches at the clear view of Jungkook's happiness, mainly because, although he can't say he didn't enjoy the kiss, he knows it feels different to Jungkook, he knows it means more. To prevent himself from overthinking, he leans in for one more kiss, this time with a bit more force, adding some pressure to the hold of his lips on Jungkook's.

            He doesn't plan it to go any further — genuinely, he doesn't —, but he can't help it when Jungkook tilts his head, granting the kiss a better angle, and, before he thinks about it, his lips part under Jungkook's, tongue sliding into his mouth, sending waves of electricity all over his body. He doesn't get a chance to think too much before he's tugging at Jungkook's t-shirt, inducing him to move closer, creating a nearly uncomfortable bend of their necks. Gladly, Jungkook seems to have a solution for that, preventing them from having to deal with a difficult angle as he spins around on the couch, legs straddling Taehyung's hips as he positions himself on his lap.

            Taehyung guesses this might be seen as wrong somewhere, while talking to someone, as if the fact that this is happening is a way to give Jungkook further hopes on their relationship, but, as cruel as it might sound, Jungkook is a grown ass man, aware of the reality they live in — he knows Taehyung is trying too, he knows he is the only one in love, although Taehyung is trying. And he doesn't intend to stop trying.

            Eventually, they pull apart, Jungkook's lips a few inches away and forehead still pressed against his as they pant quietly. The room is so silent their breath can be heard — although Taehyung imagines it wouldn't take a lot of silence so they could be heard, not after the way they were kissing.

            Jungkook's eyes meet Taehyung's, glistening, as he moves a few inches away, and a smile spreads through his entire face, "I guess that means we're not sticking with 'friends', unless you want to work with 'friends with benefits' or something like that."

            Taehyung chuckles softly, leaning so he places a small kiss on Jungkook's lips, "No, we're not sticking with 'friends', Jungkook-ah. And I don't think 'friends with benefits' is gonna work either."

            "Okay," Jungkook says, eyes full of tenderness, "'Cause, you know, it'd be really awkward in case you said something else, with me basically sitting on your lap and all."

            This time, Taehyung lets out a genuine laugh, and he can see Jungkook smiling due that, "Indeed, that would make it really awkward."

            Jungkook's smile doesn't leave his face as he leans to kiss Taehyung's cheek gingerly before slipping off of his lap, returning to his previous position on the couch, except for the fact that he now allows himself to relax, the exhaustion of the whole day hitting him all at once. He slips his way down until his head is supported on the couch arm and his eyes are fluttering closed. Taehyung smiles while watching him, stretching out one of his arms so he delicately removes Jungkook's bangs from his forehead. He stops as Jungkook grabs his hand, causing him to stand still.

            "Hyung," he says, although it's barely a whisper, "Do you think it is possible to break the soulmate bond?"

            Taehyung's breath gets caught in his throat as he blinks, glad that Jungkook's eyes are closed and he can't see him hesitating, "I think anything is possible, Jungkook-ah."

            Jungkook hums, bringing Taehyung's hand to his lips and kissing his knuckles, causing Taehyung's heart to ache, "I hope it is possible."

            While refusing to move his hand away and shatter the moment, Taehyung simply nods, giving Jungkook's fingers a reassuring squeeze, "Me too, Jungkook-ah."

***

            Jungkook’s apartment is way more comfy and neat than Taehyung’s own.

            He finds that out about a week later, when Jungkook is the one to invite him over, and, once he arrives, he can’t help but laugh out loud as he watches Jungkook grabbing a cup of something that looks a lot like a frappé coffee — Taehyung knows that’s what it is, but he allows himself to imagine his soulmate wouldn’t do that to him.

            “I can explain, though,” Jungkook says, as soon as he notices Taehyung’s wrinkled nose, “I also bought an Americano, which means we’re both trying something bad today.”

            “Or,” Taehyung starts, blinking innocently, “We could both drink our favorites and everyone ends up happy.”

            Jungkook squints, “I like my idea better.”

            “Oh, come on, Jungkook-ah.”

            Jungokok stretches out his hand, smile on his face, and Taehyung sighs before grabbing the cup and taking a swig, not daring to procrastinate, aware of Jungkook’s humored expression watching him. This time, against expectations, the drink seems less toxic to his taste, but it’s still nowhere good. As soon as he finishes drinking it, he raises the cup as a sign of victory, and Jungkook bursts out in laughter.

            “I’m sorry, hyung,” he says, but he doesn’t sound sorry at all, “Your face was just so funny.”

            “Your turn, Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung says, nose wrinkled, “Honestly, the things I do for you.”

            Jungkook smiles, although it shakes as he reaches for another cup, this one clearly hotter as Taehyung watches the steam travelling through the air, and Jungkook inhales deeply before taking a swig — Taehyung has no time to ask whether drinking too fast is going to give him a burn or not. The dongsaeng’s whole face contorts as he drinks, and it’s Taehyung’s turn to laugh, incredibly well-humored out of sudden.

            “That’s really mean of you to laugh,” Jungkook protests, placing the cup back on the table, “You know, I actually bought you this, and here I was, thinking you would start enjoying—“

            He is cut as Taehyung’s fingers wrap around his wrist, pulling him closer delicately and placing a quick kiss on his lips. Jungkook blinks, caught by surprise, and Taehyung smiles, “Cat got your tongue?”

            Jungkook’s surprised expression dissolves into a smirk, “You calling yourself a cat?”

            “It depends,” Taehyung smiles against his lips, “Are you saying I got your tongue?”

            Jungkook’s nose wrinkles, and he leans in, capturing Taehyung’s mouth once again, and they stumble their way to his couch, both pulling away to laugh as they fall on it, noses just a few inches away, and it’s a really warming sensation. Taehyung tries not to imagine what it feels like to Jungkook, rather than to himself.

"Wait," Jungkook whispers against Taehyung's lips, "Let me just—"

            He doesn't finish his sentence with words, choosing actions instead. He places a careful hand on Taehyung's back and turns towards him, leaning in in a way that causes Taehyung to slip his way down the couch's arm, head resting on it as Jungkook climbs his own way on the couch, body now hovering above Taehyung's, legs straddling his hips.

            Taehyung watches, eyes glistening in anticipation due Jungkook's sudden boldness, as the dongsaeng smiles at him fondly.

            "This okay?" Jungkook asks softly.

            Hah, Taehyung thinks, you don't even have to ask.

            "Yeah," is all he replies, though, fingers curling at the small strands of hair on Jungkook's nape as he pulls him down, lips meeting his once again, and he feels a shiver running down his spine as Jungkook licks into his mouth. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if he heard Jimin's laughter in the background. All the times Jimin told him about how much he loved to kiss Namjoon, about how the feeling of being that close to him made him feel like falling in love was, indeed, possible all those times he wrinkled his nose and doubted such a feeling — he was always wrong, and Jimin was always right. Because, if the overwhelming sensation of being that close, making him happy — and, somehow, being happy as well — isn't the best experience in the world, he's not interested in whatever it is.

            Perhaps it's about the burst of feelings and sensations overflowing his entire self and the way he is pretty sure Jungkook can feel at least half of that, the whole atmosphere around them emanating a mix of his and Jungkook's senses. Perhaps it's just the moment and how emotional — and intimate — it seems to be. Either way, as he pulls away the slightest, face only a few inches away from Jungkook's, and raises his hand to touch Jungkook's cheekbones, he feels — and, therefore, sees — the tiny tear that leave the dongsaeng's eyes. Taehyung pauses, frozen, and Jungkook hurries to wipe the tear away.

            "I'm sorry, I—"

            "What happened?" Taehyung asks, suddenly concerned, "Is everything okay? Are you—"

            "Everything's fine, hyung," Jungkook lets out a nervous laugh, moving so he isn't above Taehyung anymore, but sitting on the couch, rubbing a few more tears away, "Nothing happened, I don't know why I'm crying."

            Taehyung blinks, getting up from his previus position slowly and touching Jungkook's shoulder, squeezing tenderly, "What are you feeling?"

            "I— It doesn't make sense. I'm happy. Like, really happy. Why am I crying?"

            Taehyung feels his throat dry. He has heard about something like that from Jimin before, when he got into a moment that was so emotional with Namjoon that the elder shed a few tears. He had never understood that until now. Apparently, whenever a soulmate feels too much — too overwhelmed, too sentimental — about anything realted to their soulmate, that's what happens.

            "Hey, everything's okay, that's normal for... passionate moments, I guess," Taehyung says, reassuring, hand rubbing softly at Jungkook's shoulder.

            Jungkook smiles slightly, rubbing his eyes, "Passionate?"

            "I couldn't find a better word, okay?"

            It's stopping. Jungkook's crying is stopping. Taehyung can't help but let out a sigh of relief — in first place, he was never fond of dealing with people crying, except for Jimin, but that's only because he is used to every situation with Jimin. Then, he doesn't like seeing Jungkook cry. He just found out about that; it makes him feel weak, powerless, because he only wants to see Jungkook smiling, but, apparently, things don't always work like that.

            "Ugh, I feel ridiculous," Jungkook mumbles, face burying in his hands, and Taehyung finds it nearly adorable. He recovers from the sudden worry slowly, fingers reaching for Jungkook's chin as he induces the dongsaeng to look away from his own hands and straight into Taehyung's eyes.

            "You're not ridiculous, alright? Like I said, that's normal. We have a lot of time to learn how to deal with that kind of thing," Taehyung says, assurance all over his expression, and he leans in to place a soft kiss on Jungkook's mouth as to finish his statement.

            Jungkook sighs, defeated — in a good way, as soon as Taehyung moves away to look at him,"Alright. We'll learn, then."

***

            Taehyung wakes up to the feeling of Jungkook's hand squeezing his shoulder.

            Last night, after they most intimate make-out session, Jungkook claimed that it was too late for Taehyung to go home, which meant he had to sleep over. Not looking forward to push things, though, Jungkook chose to sleep on the couch while Taehyung slept on the bed, and, in all honesty, Taehyung fought him and tried his best to convince Jungkook that there was no need for that and that the couch was good for him, but, in the end, Jungkook's conviction was higher than he thought.

            Which means Taehyung wakes up in bed.

            "Hyung," Jungkook says, and Taehyung's eyes snatch open as he notices the slight concerned tone of the dongsaeng's voice, "Jimin-hyung called you. I mean, he tried calling you, but you were asleep and didn't hear it, so he called me. He wants you to go back."

            That's enough for Taehyung to jump out of bed, standing up in a second, ignoring the sudden vertigo that hits him due the movement. Jungkook's hands hold his shoulders gently, helping him to regain his posture.

            "What happened to him?" Taehyung asks, aware that Jimin wouldn't have called for Jungkook as well unless he truly needed him.

            "Hey, calm down, hyung, he's safe," Jungkook assures him, staring right into Taehyung's eyes, and he makes a short pause before explaining, "He just said he needs you there now, because... Namjoon broke up with him."

             Taehyung pauses, blinking as he stares blankly at Jungkook, doubting his own ears, "What?"

            "I don't know what happened, hyung, he wouldn't tell me," Jungkook sighs, "I think you should go. He sounded like he really needed you."

            And so Taehyung does. This time, he doesn't kiss Jungkook goodbye, but that's okay — he is pretty sure Jungkook understands. He even asks Jungkook whether he would like to come along or not, but Jungkook simply waves his hand and says that he thinks this should be a moment between Taehyung and Jimin. Which, to Taehyung's surprise, seems to be just right. Because, if Namjoon did break up with Jimin, Taehyung can't even imagine how broken Jimin must be feeling, and there's no one who's going to understand him like his best friend does.

            Even while Taehyung heads to the dorm, it's all numb, and it's all so freaking perplexing. Namjoon is in love with Jimin. He has been for years and he is fated to be forever, because that's how the soulmate bond works. Then, why would he break up with the person he is in love with, mainly with the way their relationship has been for the past few years?

            Taehyung's throat goes dry at the possibility that haunts his mind.

            What if Namjoon managed to break the soulmate bond?

            No, that wouldn't happen. Namjoon wouldn't dare to try, not while hiding it from Jimin, and Jimin would most definitely have told Taehyung in case they were trying to do something like that. No, that didn't happen. Whatever caused Namjoon to break up with Jimin was something else.

            He reaches the dorm with his chest going up and down and out of breath, but, as he opens the room's door and sees Jimin, knees pulled against his chest, arms around his own legs, eyes hidden underneath his bangs, all of it goes away, because all he can care about is his best friend.

            "Jiminie," Taehyung says, walking towards the bed, crawling on it so he can wrap his arms around Jimin's shoulders, bringing him closer, and, as expected, Jimin makes no mention to move away — it's the other way around, actually. He simply moves closer, tugging at the front of Taehyung's shirt, hiding his face on his shoulder. Taehyung observes that Jimin isn't crying, although he would have all the right to, but he doesn't intend to remark that. All he does is rub Jimin's back reassuringly, trying his best to comfort him, no words needed at the moment.

            After a few moments, he hears Jimin inhaling sharply and waits for him to say something — anything.

            "He broke up with me," Jimin mumbles, and it's like he's dizzy, still trying to digest the information properly, "I'm not dating Namjoon anymore."

            Taehyung takes a deep breath, "Do you want to talk about it, Jiminie?"

            "He said he can't make me suffer anymore," Jimin abruptly lets out, causing Taehyung to frown as he stares at him, "He said he can't force me to go through 'all this pointless acting' for any longer. He thinks I've been forcing myself to date him, and he thinks I don't love him, and it's all because I'm not in love with him. Is being in love that important? I love him, I do, I love him so much and yet— Yet it is not enough."

            He doesn't manage to finish his sentence accordingly as a hiccup leaves his lips, and he simply presses his eyelids together, trying to hold back the tears, his jaw stiffening as his hand clenches in a fist on Taehyung's chest, not even putting any pressure, but holding himself back.

            "It's okay to cry," Taehyung says gently, "Let it out, Jiminie."

            That does it for Jimin as he bursts out in tears, returning to hide his face on Taehyung's shoulder, and Taehyung can only tighten his grip around Jimin's back, soothing, doing his best to not get affected by Jimin's previous words. He can feel the knot in his throat, he can tell his heartbeat's sudden increase happens due the fact Jimin's words seem to get him right where it is still sensitive: Jungkook and their soulmate bond.

            Then it hits him.

            "Hey," Taehyung says, hands stroking gently at Jimin's nape in an attempt to ease the pain, "This— This has nothing to do with me and Jungkook, right?"

            Jimin's grip on Taehyung's shirt suddenly loosens and the younger male's breath gets caught in his throat.

            Then, slowly, still trying to hold back tears while using the back of his free hand to wipe away the tears, Jimin speaks, "It's not your fault, Taetae."

            Taehyung blinks, "It's not my fault, but it has something to do with me?"

            "Not because of you," Jimin says, shaking his head, "It's bullshit, Taetae—"

            "Tell me Namjoon didn't break up with you because he thinks I'm suffering because of Jungkook."

            "It's not like that," Jimin keeps on rubbing his eyes, shuddering, "He just— He saw what you've been through to break the soulmate bond and he knows it's making you hurt and he thinks it means I am suffering like that as well, but it isn't your fault, Taetae. You have nothing to do with it, not— Not at all."

            He pauses from moment to moment, the hiccups preventing him from completing each sentence with the necessary amount of confidence, but Taehyung gets it as his cue to quit thinking so much about himself and caring for Jimin's problem instead. Taehyung lets out a deep sigh, nodding, hugging Jimin once again, placing a hand on the scalp of his head.

            "It's not your fault either," Taehyung says, and Jimin's muscles relax due his renewed comforting tone, "It's no one's fault. We'll be okay. All of us."

            Jimin doesn't stop crying immediately. His shoulders tremble a bit more, and he wipes his tears away a few more times, until, eventually, with his eyelids clearly tired and the exhaustion of everything crashing against his shoulders, he falls asleep. And Taehyung holds him through it. He holds him through it all.

            He takes a moment to inhale deeply while Jimin sleeps, glancing at the ceiling with a frustrated expression. He is exhausted and he is pretty sure he has had enough of his loved ones crying for a whole year.

            He can only hope it will be all smiles from now on.

***

            It takes Jimin a whole week until he has the guts of facing Namjoon — besides, it's not like he is given a choice. Due the frequency of their meetings before, the entire five days without Namjoon around had been making Jimin weak. He eats properly and hasn't been lacking on either sleeping or hydrating himself, and yet, he feels unmotivated as to everything he has to do.

            It's when Taehyung and Jungkook are talking to him at the dorm that Jimin decides they are right. He has seen Yoongi succumbing to the weakness only so he could have some Hoseok-free time, and he definitely doesn't want that to happen to either, himself or Namjoon.

            "I'll call him today," Jimin says, and Taehyung squints, "I'm serious! I'm gonna call him and ask him to drop by. I'm pretty sure we still have to talk it all out."

            "Is that a polite way to kick us out beforehand, hyung?" Jungkook jokes. Taehyung has been very glad to notice how friendly Jimin and Jungkook are to each other, each one of them growing on the other's heart very quickly.

            Jimin laughs, "Yes, Jungkookie, I want you out of here."

            "You hurt my feelings," Jungkook says, "You know, you guys can even talk about the break-up. I mean, the reason why it happened and all."

            Taehyung and Jimin exchange a quick, uncertain glance at that. Taehyung haven't told Jungkook about the reason why Namjoon decided he was hurting Jimin yet, and, sincerely, he doesn't intend to do it so soon. It's not like he's looking forward for Jungkook's reaction, anyway.

            "I guess you're right," Jimin shrugs, "I'm not anxious, though. I haven't seen soulmates breaking up before, I have no clue about how things are going to be when we get... reunited again."

            Taehyung sighs, "Aish, sometimes I think this whole soulmate thing should have come with a book of instructions. It would help a lot, with a lot of things."

            "Oh, the two of you haven't seen anything yet," Jimin jokes, but there's a hint of pain his voice, something Taehyung guesses isn't as audible to Jungkook as it is to him, "Namjoon and I have, like, a lot of stories to tell when we grow old. I imagine— That's a good thing, right? We're not leaving this without anything good."

            Taehyung smiles softly and reassuringly as he leans to grab Jimin's hand and squeeze lightly, "You're leaving with a whole lot of good things."

            "I really do hope so."

            Taehyung and Jungkook leave within the next minutes, trusting Jimin's assurance that he will talk to Namjoon later that night. While they're walking through the hallway, though, Taehyung grabs Jungkook's wrist, causing the dongsaeng the stop, and his eyebrows furrow as he notices tears pooling in Taehyung's eyes.

            "Hyung?" Jungkook calls, "Are you okay?"

            "You're not making me suffer," Taehyung blurts out, receiving Jungkook's concerned glance in response, "You're not making me suffer and you're not to blame for anything that happens. So, please, don't do what Namjoon did."

            Jungkook blinks, chin slightly dropped. He reaches for Taehyung's shoulders, arms wrapped around him, and strokes Taehyung's nape reassuringly, "Hey, hyung, I won't do it. I won't break-up with you unless that's what you want me to do."

            "It's not," Taehyung whispers against his shoulder, "I want to be with you. I'm— I'm not in love with you, but I love you. It should be enough, right? It can be enough, right?"

            Jungkook sighs,  "It is enough, hyung. It's all I need."

            Taehyung wishes he didn't fall for that, aware that it's nothing but a lie. Nevertheless, that's what he wants to belive, so, once again, he allows himself to be fooled.

***

            Yoongi invites his friends over a few days ago. Namjoon declines the offer, having told Jimin they are fine, but not going back together, and that he needs his time alone. Jimin tells Taehyung and Jungkook right away, trying his best not to sound weak as he explains that Namjoon is spending a while at his parents' place in his hometown. After all, Jimin is improving, little by little, and Taehyung can't help but feel pleased by Yoongi's invitation, knowing that that kind of reunion might help Jimin to feel better.

            That's how, that afternoon, they end up at Yoongi's apartment, sitting on the ground, staring at Yoongi's TV while they share the elder's huge blanket. Taehyung accommodates between Jungkook and Jimin, head resting on Jungkook's shoulder, and he wonders whether most of the warm feeling he gets is due the blanket itself or Jungkook's body next to his. Jimin is also sitting near Yoongi, and, although most people would think Yoongi isn't fond of skinship or any kind of nearness, his fingers are tangled to Jimin's and their sides are pressed together. Somehow, Taehyung imagines they can feel each other's problems. Jimin will never love, and Yoongi will forever love too much, and it has nothing to do with each other. It must be refreshing, Taehyung guesses.

            At some point, Yoongi's cell phone buzzes, and he withdraws his fingers from Jimin's to reach for it, eyebrows quirking up immediately.

            "What is it?" Taehyung asks, frowning.

            "Hoseok is coming over," Yoongi says, and Taehyung frowns, "He said he wants to give me something."

            "Give you something?" Jimin echoes, getting a tiny nod from Yoongi as an answer, "What is it? I mean, he's your soulmate, he kind of has to right to give you gifts or whatever once in a while, but what exactly and why now?"

            Yoongi shrugs, sighing, "I have no idea. I can only hope he won't bring Seokjin with him."

            As soon as Yoongi finishes saying that, guilty washes over his features, and Taehyung can't help but feel terrible for him. Despite everything, Yoongi has nothing against Seokjin, mainly because the elder has always been really nice to them, even more nice than Taehyung thought he would manage to be to his boyfriend's soulmate. Thing is, no one can blame Yoongi. He is forced to stay near his soulmate and watch him love someone else. Taehyung can't imagine how torturing that is.

            "Perhaps we should go?" Jungkook suggests, and it draws everyone's attention to him, "I mean, of course I don't want to leave hyung alone, but I imagine it could be something personal."

            Jimin chews on his bottom lip, blinking, "Well, that's a chance, but I guess it relies more on whether Yoongi-hyung wants us to stay or not."

            "Yeah," Jungkook agrees, timidly, "It should be his call, knowing his soulmate will be here and maybe it's just between the two of them."

            "No," Taehyung cuts them, voice firm and stubborn feature, "No, Yoongi-hyung, I'm sorry, but you don't get a say in this. The last time we left you and Hoseok alone, you cried."

            Yoongi's eyebrows furrow, "It was a year ago."

            "Life is still the same," Taehyung argues, "If there's anything he has to say, it can be said with all of us here."

            "Hyung," Jungkook calls calmly.

            Taehyung sighs, "Sorry, Jungkook-ah. You guys are not changing my mind. And you know I'm just trying to be a good friend, hyung."

            Yoongi rolls his eyes, although he seems pretty shakened already by the thought of meeting with Hoseok alone, at his place. It usually doesn't happen like this, and it usually has nothing to do with gifts or whatever.

            It takes Hoseok ten minutes to knock on the door.

            When Yoongi opens, he finds Hoseok isn't alone, but Seokjin isn't the one with him. In his arms, peacefully

            breathing and looking around, there's a puppy. His color is somewhere near brown and his paws resemble Yoongi slightly of fried chicken.

            "Seok-ah," Yoongi says, frowning, "Who's this?"

            "Hey, Yoongi-yah," Hoseok says, tenderly, "This little guy here is for you."

            Yoongi's eyes widen, and Taehyung himself can't believe his own ears, "What? Seok-ah, this is too much—"

            "Let me explain this straight," Hoseok interrupts him softly, "He's not for you, he's for us."

            Yoongi blinks, moving aside so there's room for Hoseok to enter, "Now, you're definitely confusing me. Come in and let's get this story straight. My friends are here, by the way."

            Hoseok greets them with a bright smile, fingers caressing the puppy in his arms' delicately, "Hey, everyone. Oh, I don't know you."

            Jungkook's lips purse into a smile, "Yeah, you don't. I'm Jeon Jungkook, Taehyung's soulmate."

            Hoseok blinks, eyes widdening, "For real? Taehyung-ah, I didn't know you had found your soulmate."

            Taehyung smiles weakly, "Too much happening at once, kind of forgot to tell you."

            "Seokseok," Yoongi says, and Hoseok's whole face lights up at the nickname. Taehyung kind of detests how much that small thing affects the elder, because he knows it means that Hoseok cares about Yoongi just as much as Yoongi cares about him, although not in the same course, "What is going on?"

            "I know you probably heard of this before," Hoseok starts, "But two soulmates can be apart for more than just a few days in case they have a string keeping their souls attached, or something like that. Which means, basically, that there are a few things that can keep two soulmates together in soul, even if not in person, as long as it is given from one soulmate to another."

            Yoongi's nose wrinkles, "That doesn't work like that. It would have to be something your soulmate needs too much, something that would nearly save his life."

            "What makes it so different?" Hoseok frowns, "I'm your soulmate, and I know you, remember? I'm not doing this like I'm just giving you a puppy, I'm not thinking of it like that. You need someone to keep you company, Yoongi-yah, doesn't matter how much you try to deny it. So, let's not think of this little guy as a puppy. Think of it like we're adopting a child together."

            Yoongi scoffs, "I bet Seokjin would love to know you're adopting a child with other man."

            Hoseok laughs weakly, and there, Taehyung knows Yoongi noticed something's off.

            "You and Seokjin are still together," Yoongi starts, slowly, "Right?"

            "Yeah, we are," Hoseok affirms, "It's just been— complicated, I guess? I mean, he doesn't exactly want to admit how much he wishes he could meet his soulmate as well, and I can't hide how much I worry about you. It gets hard sometimes, but we'll manage."

            Yoongi's lips tremble, "I'm sorry that I've been making things complicated between the two of you."

            Hoseok smiles gently, "It's not like that, hyung. Listen, accept to do this with me, please? I don't want you to be forced to meet me every week just to gain your strength back, and you need a company—"

            "Don't you want to see me anymore?" Yoongi asks, way too low, but Hoseok catches it anyway.

            "What? No, hyung, that's not it," Hoseok says, and he supports the puppy on one hand while reaching to squeeze Yoongi's own with another, "All I want is for you to be happy, alright? I love you, you know that. I love you and I think his company will be good to you. Come on, hyung, you know you work too much, you overdo yourself, and I'm gonna trust him to make you realize maybe you need someone there while living."

            Yoongi chews on his bottom lip, "Are you saying this doesn't mean you'll disappear from now on?"

            "I wouldn't, even if I wanted to," Hoseok assures him, sighing, "You're part of me, hyung. Please, don't doubt this."

            "I'm sorry to interrupt," Taehyung says, finally getting enough, and he feels Jungkook's hand squeezing his own, but decides to ignore that for a second, "But it does look like you're implying that Yoongi-hyung needs company because he doesn't have any, which, as you may realize, isn't the truth. Hyung, you're his soulmate, but you're not the only damn person who cares about him."

            Hoseok blinks, suddenly absorbing Taehyung's words, "That's none of what I meant, Taehyung-ah. I'm sorry if that's what I made it feel like— but you guys won't be here all the time. None of us will. There are moments where Yoongi needs to be by himself, but this little guy, his presence itself, it can help him. It can comfort him."

            "Why isn't my opinion requested?" Yoongi quirks up an eyebrow, "This is my life, after all."

            Hoseok sighs, "Hyung, all I want is for you to be okay. You know that."

            Yoongi blinks, "I do. I trust you, you know. I just— I don't want you to disappear. I know that's probably selfish, but I want to see you. I want you near, Seokseok."

            "And I will stay around," Hoseok says, "All the time, every moment you need me. I'll never leave your side, hyung."

            "Alright," Yoongi says, after a few minutes, stretching out his hand to caress the puppy's ears, smiling weakly at the welcoming reaction he gets from him, "What did you name him?"

            "I didn't," Hoseok replies, shrugging slightly, "Figured I'd leave it up to you."

            Taehyung, Jungkook and Jimin exchange a glance as Yoongi's fixed gaze remains on the puppy, eyes sparkling the slightest, and, once he lifts up his chin and looks into Hoseok's eyes, they nearly feel like they're in different dimensions, while Yoongi and Hoseok are on their own world for a second.

            "Holly," he says, shrugging slightly, "I've heard people of my family saying that name in case we ever got a dog before, and it's—"

            "It's great," Hoseok finishes up, smiling brightly, "He's our Holly, then."

            Yoongi inhales and Taehyung can see his face lightening up, "Yes, he is."

***

                Taehyung could never imagine it would only take Yoongi’s new peaceful-self thanks to both, Hoseok and Holly and Jimin’s quiet and slow adaptation to Namjoon’s absence so they could be in peace, but, apparently, things were easier than he had imagined. In fact, Jimin hasn’t talked about Namjoon in weeks — although Taehyung can see him struggling over it inside — and Jungkook has spent most of his time off-work by Taehyung’s side, and, well, despite Mrs. Choi class, everything is fine.

            Despite Mrs. Choi class.

             “Does she ever get tired of speaking her mind about soulmate bonds?” Jimin whispers at some point, clearly bothered, “I mean, it was one report and she got all stressed. It’s a good thing she hasn’t heard about me breaking up with Namjoon-hyung, or we would have a lot to hear.”

            “Definitely,” Taehyung laughs lowly, “But don’t worry, I’d defend you again.”

            “Last time didn’t go very well.”

            “I’m a learning boy.”

            “The soulmate bond has never been broken during history,” Mrs. Choi proceeds with her class, eyes falling on the two of them once in a while, “Not even once. The registers affirm that it is impossible; hence, nothing related should be ever tried. Scientists have affirmed it would be both, dangerous and imprudent to dare and try to break the bond.”

            Taehyung’s eyes nearly roll to the back of his head. He knew he would hear this kind of bullshit occasionally, but it gets under his skin either way. He knows the truth — because he also knows Yoongi wouldn’t lie to him — and he intends to make use of that, regardless of what his professors might imply.

            By the end of the classes’ day, Jimin leaves for the dorm while Taehyung goes to wait for Jungkook at the campus, having invited the boy over once again. In all honesty, he used to think Jungkook’s presence could bother Jimin if it happened with too much frequency, but he was wrong. Jimin has grown a lot fonder of Jungkook than of most people in that short amount of time.

            “Hey,” Jungkook sings quietly as he approaches, and Taehyung smiles. Jungkook is wearing a hoodie, and it’s one of his most adorable outfits, “How are you doing today?”

            “Great,” Taehyung says, fingers curling around the hoodie to urge Jungkook closer, “How about you?”

            “I’m just great,” Jungkook replies, smiling sweetly against Taehyung’s lips, “What are we gonna do today?”

            “I thought of pizza,” Taehyung says, “And movies.”

            “Pizza and movies it is.”

            Once Taehyung arrives at the dorm, he finds Jimin’s note saying he’s gone for today, accompanying Yoongi to some kind of interview he has with a local farmer, and won’t be coming back in a few hours. Jimin also added a wink face to the note, which Taehyung didn’t fail to comprehend, simply laughing as he shows it to Jungkook.

            “Jiminie-hyung can’t get enough, can he?” Jungkook laughs, throwing his head back as he lays down on Taehyung’s bed. Taehyung is genuinely glad with the way Jungkook has adapted, turning their relationship into something so much more natural now that they feel completely comfortable around each other.

            “No, he can’t,” Taehyung chuckles, laying right beside Jungkook, enlacing their fingers, “Still up for pizza and movies?”

            “Always up for pizza and movies,” Jungkook replies, eyebrows furrowed with fake resentment, “Why would Jimin-hyung’s absence change any of that?”

            Taehyung smirks, turning around and supporting one of his elbows on the mattress so his body is now closer to Jungkook’s. His hand slowly slides its way to Jungkook’s jaw, inducing their eyes to meet into a powerful and burning glance, and he leans in to place a soft kiss of Jungkook’s lips. The dongsaeng immediately melts under his touch, surrounding in a second as he parts his lips, allowing Taehyung’s tongue in and lifting up his hand to curl around Taehyung’s nape. Taehyung smiles affectionately against his lips and tries his very best not to break the kiss as he moves his body, turning on a way that his body is now hovering above Jungkook’s, and he tell the dongsaeng isn’t about to complain, but he moves away nevertheless, staring into Jungkook’s darkening eyes.

            “Is this—“

            “Are you actually going to ask me whether this is okay or not?” Jungkook chuckles, shaking his head as he pulls himself up on his elbows, lips just a few inches away from Taehyung’s own, “Yes, Kim Taehyung, this is okay, it’s all okay, it’s more than okay—“

            Taehyung doesn’t allow him to finish as their mouths meet again, setting up a rhythm, and Jungkook keeps up with Taehyung’s pace effortlessly, in a way that gets the elder suppressing a groan — not for long, though, because, soon enough, he isn’t capable of holding back sounds anymore, Jungkook’s hands on his sides turning things harder and hotter. Instead of repressing himself, Taehyung chooses to move his lips away from Jungkook’s — a difficult task, if anyone asks him — and drop to his jaw, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses. When he gets to Jungkook’s collarbone, he nips at it, feeling it in his skin as Jungkook lets out a nervous, breathless chuckle.

            “I think,” Taehyung starts, a little out of his breath himself, “I should text Jimin-hyung and tell him to sleep over at Yoongi’s.”

            Jungkook nods, and Taehyung smiles to himself at the look on his face, “Yeah, definitely.”

            Taehyung laughs softly, reaching for his cell phone beside the bed and typing Jimin a quick text, Jungkook’s hands gripping the collar of his shirt and bringing him up to kiss him on the mouth one more time as soon as he finishes it.

            “What happened to pizza and movies?” Taehyung jokes, lips never leaving the dongsaeng’s.

            Jungkook blinks, and it’s more breath than sound when he speaks, a few moments before pulling Taehyung close to kiss him again, “Later.”

            Later it is.

***

            A few days later, once Taehyung is starting to get used to the feeling of waking up next to Jungkook, Yoongi drops by with an unwanted surprise.

            “I tried calling the guy in Australia for you,” Yoongi says, cocking his head to the side, “I know how much you’re trying to make things right with Jungkook, and, honestly, I thought myself this was worth it. However, all I got from him were empty answers. I even lied, said it was because of my soulmate but he said there isn’t a specific way of breaking the soulmate bond. He said, one night he went to sleep to the thought of his marriage with his soulmate, and the morning after, it was broken, and he just knew it. But I can assure you picturing your marriage isn’t the way to get out of this; trust me, I’ve seen people picturing more and nothing happened.”

            Taehyung blinks, trying to absorb everything, “What does that mean?”

            “It means, apparently, the universe randomly chooses people to break their soulmate bonds,” Yoongi shrugs, “I’m sorry, Taehyung. It’s not a certain, not even close to this. We can all simply hope the universe will choose us, but it’s pretty unlikely.”

            Taehyung’s lips purse, “You can’t think I’m giving up because of that.”

            “I wouldn’t,” Yoongi smiles, “I know you, Taehyungie. I’m just letting you know I tried my best, but, apparently, from now on, it’s up to you.”

            “Thanks, hyung,” Taehyung says, and he means it as he reaches for Yoongi’s hand and squeezes, “Means a lot that you’ve done your research for me.”

            Yoongi’s smile gets wider, “You’re welcome, brat. Good luck. Really.”

            “Thank you.”

***

            Taehyung doesn’t tell Jungkook about Yoongi’s words. In fact, there is no reason for him to. Jungkook hasn’t even heard that Taehyung intends to break the soulmate bond in the first place, but Taehyung knows he’s doing it for both of them, which means he should not give up.

            He asks Jungkook out on a proper date — not only a teenager date where they go out for coffee or pizza and movies, but a restaurant date, where he tells Jungkook to dress nicely, although they both now it’s nothing but a joke, and where he picks up Jungkook with a fake fancy glance on his face.

            “You look great,” Jungkook tells him, smiling fondly, “How fancy is this? I don’t think I’m completely ready.”

            “Oh, you are,” Taehyung smiles, “You’re always ready.”

            “Damn, you’re so cheesy,” Jungkook jokes, nose wrinkling, “Are you sure, though? I don’t want to either overdress or underdress.”

            “You won’t, trust me,” Taehyung assures him, arm folded, “Let’s go.”

            Therefore, they do. Taehyung is the one to open the door for Jungkook, which could only get a laugh from the dongsaeng, although his smile is pretty much worth it for Taehyung, and, as they enter the restaurant, he is glad to know their outfit is properly adapted. They sit right in front of each other and order quietly, and the calm and comfortable atmosphere around them pleases Taehyung. It’s a rare moment, in which Taehyung doesn’t feel the urge to change anything, in which he thinks they could easily be mistaken by an usual couple, and the idea sends warm waves of happiness through his veins.

            “Oh, Yoongi-hyung called me today,” Jungkook informs at some point, and every single muscle of Taehyung’s body freezes.

            “Oh, really?” Taehyung asks, trying his best to act natural, “What for?”

            “He found me a job at a dance studio,” Jungkook says, and Taehyung suppresses a relieved sigh, “Hoseok-hyung works there, and, apparently, since they’re in good terms now, all Yoongi-hyung had to do was ask. Moreover, I love my job at the coffee shop, but it’s not actually something I dreamed of doing, you know. Now, dancing, that’s more like me.”

            Taehyung’s faces lightens up, “That’s great, Jungkook-ah! I’m really happy you’re managing to find your way to something better.”

            Jungkook smiles, gentle, and it’s not warning enough for his next sentence, “He also told me you’ve been meaning to break the soulmate bond and recently found out it isn’t exactly possible.”

            Taehyung’s breath is knocked out of his lungs as he lifts up his chin, eyes slowly meeting Jungkook’s own, overflowing with the sudden flood of fear. He never meant for Jungkook to get that impression, the thought that he didn’t trust him to tell something like that.

            “I can explain,” Taehyung says, slowly, and Jungkook’s gentle smiles remains on his smile, concerning Taehyung.

            “I’m not mad at you, hyung,” he tells him, “Trust me, I’m not. I just wish you had talked to me about it, you know. I want the soulmate bond to the broken just as much as you do.”

            Taehyung chews on his bottom lip, reaching for Jungkook’s hand over the table, and he stiffs for a second before he’s certain that Jungkook won’t move away, “I didn’t want you to think this is me trying to get rid of you. You know, like Yoongi-hyung thought when Hoseok-hyung first showed up with Holly.”

            Jungkook sighs, “You could have explained it to me.”

            “I know,” Taehyung’s lips purse, “But I was scared. I don’t want to lose you, Jungkook-ah. I’m willing to take all the risks of breaking the soulmate bond as long as you can get rid of the weight of being in love with me against your will.”

            “What?” Jungkook blinks, grip tightening around Taehyung’s fingers, “First of all, being in love with you isn’t a weight, I don’t want to think that. Also, what’s with the ‘risks of breaking the soulmate bond’ thing?”

            Taehyung blinks, “Oh, it’s— It’s kind of dangerous, I guess. Some people hurt themselves or ended up getting worse than that while breaking the bond. But it’s a small chance—“

            “I don’t want you to do it,” Jungkook cuts, and it’s firm, “I don’t want you to risk your healthy for me, alright? Can you do that?”

            “I just want us to be happy.”

            Jungkook’s features soften and he sighs, kissing Taehyung’s knuckles slowly, leaving him breathless, “We are going to be happy, doesn’t matter what happens.”

            Taehyung blinks, nodding. Once again, he believes Jungkook.

            This time, though, he doesn’t feel like he’s being fooled.

            And, that night, Taehyung thinks of Jungkook.

            It’s not really a first, but it’s deeper than the usual. He falls asleep to the thought of Jungkook’s sparkling eyes whenever he does something he likes, of Jungkook’s lips, of Jungkook’s voice, and everything about Jungkook. He knows he would do pretty much anything for Jungkook’s love not to be unrequited, and all he wants is for the soulmate bond to be broken, not for his own happiness, not for his own sake, but for Jungkook’s. Because he wants Jungkook to be happy.

            That’s the thought he falls asleep to.

****

            When he wakes up, something has changed.

            Taehyung doesn’t quite understand what it is, but he hasn’t dreamed all night, and, once he wakes up, there’s a weird, heavy feeling in his chest — and, although it is extremely resident, it doesn’t feel bad. For a moment, he places his hand over his heart, tries to understand what’s happening. It’s a strange sensation, spreading all over his body. His mind works faster than ever, and, after a few moments, he realizes what it feels like. It’s the unfamiliar, although pleasant feeling of owning something that you thought you were never manage to have.

            Taehyung blinks, absorbing slowly, and, little by little, words insert themselves inside his mind. Just like that, all of sudden, he knows what’s happening.

            He laughs nervously and cheerily.

            The soulmate bond is broken.