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“Uhm, are you sure about this?”
Jimin watched as his childhood best friend, Taehyung, meticulously handled his friend’s – Tae’s boyfriend – camera as they both walked into the nearest Starbucks. Coming to the café had become their own mini tradition as soon as they found out that it was a walking distance from their dorm. To their delight, the coffee served there was a lot more enjoyable, albeit a bit more expensive, than the dorm’s coffee no thanks to Kim Seokjin, who’s hands could create the most delicious of drinks and the best baked goods. It was also a nice welcomed change from the slightly freezing afternoon weather outside as the winter season picked up. It had come to the point where Jin already knew the exact drinks they wanted – Iced Skinny Mocha for Jimin and a White Chocolate Mocha plus a bean scone for Tae, please and thank you.
Taking a seat in the nearest booth after ordering their drinks, Taehyung only chuckled and raised the camera to snap a few pictures of the place, too enthralled to really answer Jimin. For someone who was majoring in studio art, Tae really enjoyed photography and could easily go into his own world when a camera was placed into his hands. Usually the poor thing came in the form of his smartphone but today, his victim was Jeongguk’s prized possession, his Canon Mark IV camera. It was no wonder to Jimin as to why Tae and Jeongguk got along and how they even came to meet.
The whole thing was rather sweet, almost too sweet in Jimin’s opinion. They both had been walking around the Student Services building on campus during freshmen orientation at the request of their advisor who asked if they could help give tours. After the freshmen they were responsible for made their way back to their buses, the two friends continued to hang around and Taehyung being himself began to take photos of the passersby. It was only until he accidentally bumped into someone that he stopped. The two had clicked instantly as soon as Tae saw Jeongguk’s camera hanging from his neck and from then they had been inseparable. He had later described it as “Jiminieeee I think I just met my soulmate” and Jimin faked gagged but laughed as Tae swiped over the few selfies he had taken with their new friend. That had been a year ago and their relationship was going strong. Jimin figured they’d never break away from their ‘honeymoon phase’ and could honestly only thank them because he met his own boyfriend, Yoongi, through Jeongguk.
Presently, Tae was still busy playing around with the camera settings and Jimin sighed, placing his chin on his hand, looking out the window to enjoy the scenery. Tae took the chance to photograph him and the flash went off before he could protest.
“Yah! This isn’t the time to take pictures, Tae. As your best friend, I’m trying to save you from getting brutally killed by your boyfriend.”
He huffed and the sound of laughter pulled both of their attention towards Jin who was making his way towards their booth with their drinks and Tae’s scone in hand. He carefully set everything down and sat next to them after making sure there were no new customers trailing in.
“So, what’s this I hear about Jeongguk killing Taehyung? What did Tae do this time?”
Tae choked on the piece of scone he had been chewing and took a large sip of his drink, sending a small pout towards Jin while Jimin giggled.
“This time? Hyung, I’m completely innocent here! Gukkie is the one who’s always pulling pranks so this time I’m going to get him back.”
Tae smiled triumphantly, looking over the camera he had set down on the table with almost a glow in his eyes.
“He’s planning on telling Jeongguk that he broke his camera as a prank, Jin hyung. The one camera he’s always bragging about and probably still paying off. Please, for the love of everything, explain to him why this could end up with him in a grave.”
As they were getting to know each other, both Taehyung and Jeongguk realized that both had a very competitive side but it was the latter who would constantly win the challenges they’d set up much to Tae’s chagrin. It didn’t help that Jeongguk had set up a YouTube account to showcase his works and his growing fanbase also led to him setting up an account where he played games and yes, put up videos of him pranking Taehyung. But since the youngest of the two had been slightly busy as of late, Tae had decided it was time to turn the tide to his favor and get his sweet, sweet revenge. He could practically taste it alongside the chocolatey goodness of his coffee.
Jin furrowed his brow as Jimin explained the situation and let out a small hum afterwards, rubbing his chin as he thought it over. Both Jimin and Tae figured he had gotten that small habit from Namjoon, the ever-philosophical boyfriend of Jin’s. It was cute and it reminded them how much of a mom and dad friend both Jin and Namjoon could be. Together with the entire group, they were practically a family: the parents and their five kids. Well, a platonic family seeing as half of them were dating each other.
“I mean, Jeongguk is pretty whipped–“
This earned another small choke from Tae and a small puff of laughter from Jimin.
“-but I’m not too sure about this. Didn’t he mention that he had a portfolio due in the next few days? He might react badly if he believes you broke his camera.”
Taehyung sighed and took another sip of his drink before pointing at the two of them.
“Why are you guys acting as if I’m actually going to break his camera? I’ll only let the prank run for a bit. Yea, he might be a little pissed but it’ll be fine once I tell him the truth. I’m even planning on recording it to prove it to you guys!”
Jin and Jimin looked at each other and collectively sighed. They knew how passionate Taehyung could get about something once he put his mind to it and figured that they’d probably get nowhere if they tried to convince him otherwise. They had learned that the hard way when Taehyung had come across a pet store while the group was shopping at their local mall. It had taken a nightmarish amount of convincing on their behalf and even then, Tae came out happily skipping with a new pet fish. They all agreed behind his back to never walk around that area of the mall ever again in fear that the next time he’d buy the entire store.
“By record, you mean so that you can put it up on that youtube channel, you liar.”
Jimin rolled his eyes and Tae smiled, not even minding one bit that he’d been caught.
“Well, just let us know how it goes so we know not to send the police over.”
----
“Okay guys aaaaaandd I think I’m done properly setting this up. Can you guys see the room?”
Taehyung stepped out of the way of the webcam and checked his phone to read the comments people were leaving on the video. He had ultimately decided to livestream everything and had turned to his trusty phone and YouTube app to do so because having a laptop open would ruin the prank. Tae had made sure everything was set up so that everyone watching could get a good view of the room which only really contained two beds – one which was his and the other was Jimin’s. Bless his chim chim for letting him use their dorm room for this prank. Of course, he had made sure to clean up as much as he possibly could so that no one could judge them but he also tried to not make it obvious or else Jeongguk would notice. As soon as he started to get confirmations from his viewers, he smiled and pulled a chair close to the webcam to sit in while he explained his elaborate plan.
“As you guys know, Gukkie is constantly pulling pranks on me sooooo today I decided to get him back! The prank is actually super small since I didn’t have time to really think of anything complicated but it does include this!”
He brought Jeongguk’s camera into view and smiled at the webcam as he continued.
“This is Gukkie’s camera and I had asked him to let me borrow it today while he was on a trip with a few of our friends. Its honestly his favorite, he carries it with him everywhere we go, and I’m pretty sure it was super expensive. I texted him earlier telling him to come to my dorm and as soon as he walks in, I’m going to tell him I broke it.”
He laughs and continues to check the comments as they fly by: some laughing alongside him and others, who knew about Jeongguk’s photography experience, expressing concern for his wellbeing. It struck Taehyung that some of the viewers had followed Jeongguk from his photography account to his entertainment one and it was nice to see how many of them were that loyal. He smiled and inwardly thanked them for supporting his Gukkie in all his interests.
“I don’t think Gukkie will get too mad at this so I’ll be fine. He might be a tough kookie,” he let out a small giggle at his own joke, “but I have the best doggy eyes to rival a puppy. He won’t know what’s coming his way.”
He grabbed the camera again and stood up, leaning towards the webcam and hiding it behind it.
“Okay so I’m putting it behind the webcam and I’m gonna cover both with some school stuff and a shirt and yes, don’t worry, I’m being extra careful not to put pressure on Jeongguk’s precious.”
Taehyung began to search through the room for some school materials, namely light things like folders and syllabi and grabbed his favorite jacket before making his way back to the webcam. He carefully rearranged the school things on top of the cameras first before bunching up his jacket and laying it on top. He sat back down on the chair, pleased to see that they were hidden well and did a quick wave.
“Can you guys still see? I tried to place thing around the lens of the webcam but let me know if anything is covered.”
Once again, after getting more confirmation that yes everyone could still see the room, he smiled and continued to explain his plan. Before he could get a word out, his phone loudly blared out Celine Dion’s voice smoothly singing How Does a Moment Last Forever and he quickly recognizes it as Jeongguk calling him. He holds up a finger to the webcam before getting up and answering the call.
“Hi Jeongguk. Hm? Yea, I’m at my dorm right now. In a few minutes? Yea, yea I’m here. No, nothing’s wrong… no you didn’t do anything wrong, you silly bunny. I’ll- I’ll let you know as soon as you get here, okay? Bye, love ya.”
As soon as he ended the call, Taehyung rushed to the seat and began digging through his pockets and took out a small bottle of eye drops.
“Okay, wow, somehow I pulled off sounding sad on the phone perfectly but I forgot to tell you guys that I’m gonna put some eye drops to make it seem like I’m crying. He’ll be here in a few and he’s probably rushing now so here goes nothing. Wish me good luck.”
He smiled once more at the webcam and dropped a few eye drops in each eye before making his way to his bed, silently looking through his phone. Not even a minute later, he heard a knock on the door and he made his way to open it, letting Jeongguk in and drop his things off. As he youngest was starting to unravel his scarf, Taehyung let out a small sniffle and flopped down on the bed again, making sure to keep his face turned away from Jeongguk. The latter froze and quickly looked at him and practically ran to Tae’s side.
“Hey, hey. Babe, what’s wrong?”
Jeongguk softly turned Tae’s face towards him and let out a small gasp when he saw that he was ‘crying’. A+ acting Taehyung, he was going to pull this off.
“It-s, it’s nothing, really…”
At the small voice crack, that even surprised him, Jeongguk pulled Taehyung close enough so that their noses were touching. Tae sniffled again and kept his eyes down, making some of the eye drops stick to his eyelashes and slowly make their way down his cheeks. He better be getting an Oscar after this.
“Did someone bother you today? Hyung, please tell me what’s wrong.”
Jeongguk let out a small whine, using the edge of his scarf to wipe at Tae’s cheeks. A small urge to laugh began to make its way up Tae’s throat and he quickly covered it with a sob and hid his face on Jeongguk’s shoulder.
“Hyung, please. Let me help you. I hate seeing you sad. I’ll start crying with you.”
He sniffled one more time before lifting his head to look at Gukkie.
“I… I accidentally broke your camera.”
He practically whispered it with a few sobs in between. Jeongguk looked at him and blinked once. Then again.
“Camera?”
Tae nodded and looked down.
“The- the one you let me borrow. I accident- ally broke it while at the café wi- with Jimin.”
He tried to hide his face again to make it more believable, and to hide the small smile that was trying to creep its way onto his face, but Jeongguk kept a hold on his cheeks.
“Taetae hyung, we can just take it to the repair shop, it’s okay.”
He shook his head as much as he possibly could with the way Jeongguk was holding him and thanked the god of eye drops for creating this brand because wow they really stuck to his lashes.
“I don’t think they can fix it, Gukkie… It’s completely smashed.”
“Smashed? How do you smash a camera?”
Taehyung let out a louder sob at that.
“I-I’m really s-sorry.”
Jeongguk, seeming to understand that he made matters worse, kneeled so that they were at eye level and began to wipe at Tae’s eyes.
“No, no, no, hyung, please don’t cry. It’s only a camera. It really isn’t that big of a deal, okay.”
He let out a small huff of laughter as Tae looked at him with pleading eyes. He would definitely choose Taehyung over a camera any day.
“It wasn’t even that good of a camera. I’ll get another one. I only care about you, babe. Please don’t cry over this.”
He pulled Tae closer to him again, making sure to pepper a few kisses on his face, starting with his nose and then his cheeks. By the end, Tae was softly laughing alongside him although he was still clutching at Jeongguk’s jacket. After a few seconds of silence, Tae spoke up again.
“I’ll buy you a new one. How much was this one?”
Jeongguk was already shaking his head before Tae could finish his question.
“No, hyung, it’s nothing to worry about. You don’t have to do that. It was an accident.”
“Yea, but don’t you have your portfolio due in a few days. Gukkie I can’t let you fail your class because of me.”
Jeongguk pressed Tae’s cheeks together and gave him a quick peck on the lips, smiling the entire time.
“I’ll just ask one of my classmates to let me borrow theirs. I do have friends, you know, aside from our group. They won’t mind.”
They both laughed at that and fell into a comfortable silence, with Jeongguk still kneeled in front of Taehyung. He grabbed his scarf again and wiped more tears away from Tae’s face, before taking it off completely to wrap around and pull Tae on his lap. The elder gasped and put his arms on Jeongguk’s shoulder to balance his weight so that he wouldn’t send Gukkie flat on his back.
“If something like this bothers you again, let me know, okay tae tae. I love you more than anything.”
Taehyung hid his face again but he was sure Jeongguk already saw the blossoming blush at the words.
“I do have one more thing to tell you, actually… a small favor.”
He said against Jeongguk’s neck.
“Do you want to borrow another camera?”
Tae snorted and lightly hit Gukkie in the arm.
“Yah! That’s so mean of you, Jeonggukie.”
“Ow, sorry, sorry. What’s the favor?”
Taehyung stood up, pulling Jeongguk up with him and made his way towards to where the webcam was at.
“Can you, maybe, wave a bit? Wave hi towards this direction.”
Jeongguk looked at him weirdly before awkwardly waving. Taehyung laughed at him and before Jeongguk could ask why he was, he reached over and pulled the camera from under his jacket and school materials. In the process, the webcam also came into view and Jeongguk looked at both in utter surprise.
“The camera… it isn’t broken?”
“Nope! Say hi to the viewers. You’ve just been prank'd!”
---
“I saw the whole thing online. You guys are such saps and I hate you both.”
Taehyung laughed as Jimin sipped on his coffee. The whole group was sitting at the Starbucks peacefully enjoying their drinks and talking about the prank.
“I did amazing and you’re just jealous I pulled it off. And you guys thought Gukkie was going to get mad.”
He turned towards Jeongguk who was sporting a pout at being bested. He had to admit, Taehyung had done a really good job. There was no way he would have been able to figure out that it was a prank.
“’I love you more than anything.’ Ahh, that was honestly so romantic. Namjoon, you need to step up your game.”
Jin looked over at Namjoon and he dreamily sighed. Jeongguk only blushed and hid his face in his hands while the rest of them laughed.
“I’m so getting you back, Taehyung.”