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Hyunsik knew his job was a pain in the ass. Driving idols around at all hours of the day or the night, being at their back and call; it wasn’t easy, but the money was good, so it compensated for the hassle.
He worked for several agencies over years, choosing to not renew his contract whenever it expired. He didn’t want to grow attached to any of them, loving the ability to work here and there, change scenery, see new faces, discover new secrets.
His fate led him to Big Hit after working for Cube and JYP, and truth to be told, he liked it with Big Hit. The atmosphere was nice, the staff was nice and he was only in charge of one idol group: BTS.
His contract was for two years. Bangtan had already debuted two years ago, so he was in with them for the upcoming two. And during, he had come to realize several things.
First, Bangtan were friendly and very polite, unlike any other idol groups he worked with. They were genuine and very kind.
Not that Hyunsik engaged in long talks with them. He was a quiet guy who responded to polite greetings and thanks, but kept to himself most of the time, choosing to only listen to murmurs and follow conversations if they were loud enough.
Second thing he realized was that Bangtan were really close. Their chatter filled the van whenever they stepped inside and it was mainly about them worrying over each other, cheering up for one another, trying to keep going with a smile despite their hectic schedule. They were also very touchy, so you would see them cuddling, caressing each other’s hair or holding hands. Hyunsik found himself smiling whenever he caught sight of such a scene.
Last thing he came to know was that the two youngest of the bunch shared a special bond nothing like the rest.
Hyunsik remembered the first time he picked them up to drive them to Inkigayo, the boys all welcomed him with gentle smiles and handshakes, but Taehyung was the warmest. He bowed to him when he stepped inside and gave him a hug, smiling blindingly. Hyunsik was touched and couldn’t help but hug him back.
“Welcome, hyung,” Taehyung said.
“Thank you,” Hyunsik replied and looked over Taehyung’s shoulder to see Jungkook.
“Move, Tae,” The maknae said and pushed Taehyung aside so that he could shake Hyunsik’s hand. “Welcome, hyung,”
Hyunsik raised an eyebrow at the lack of honorfic, but shook Jungkook’s hand nevertheless. “Thank you,”
Taehyung then grabbed Jungkook’s arm and pulled him to the back before they sat down next to each other and engaged in a long conversation until they reached their destination. Hyunsik watched the entire scene through his mirror.
They seemed closer, leaning into each other when talking, staring at each other longer than necessary, smiling knowingly as if they knew something the others didn’t.
Hyunsik was curious to know if this scene was a regular thing.
-=oOo=-
It was.
It continued for the entire duration of his contract.
Hyunsik was amused to see their friendship blossom into something more right in front of his eyes.
-=oOo=-
“How do I look?” Taehyung inquired as he sat next to Jungkook.
Hyunsik looked at him through his mirror, impressed by Taehyung’s new red hair.
Jungkook had similar thoughts and some more. “You look so beautiful,” he whispered. “Red looks dashing on you.”
Taehyung preened and clasped his hand. “Thanks, Gukkie,”
Jungkook leaned in to nuzzle Taehyung’s neck. Taehyung closed his eyes, sighing into the ministrations.
Hyunsik looked away, feeling that he was intruding on a private moment. It wasn’t like he was homophobic; he believed that to each their own, but he sensed that the moment was too precious to spy on.
That was one among many more he came to witness.
-=oOo=-
A year into it, Hyunsik started to look forward to seeing the boys, especially Taehyung and Jungkook. He never grew attached, one of the reasons why he changed agencies, but he could see himself sticking around, if only to be around the two.
They had an aura about them that just drew anyone to them and their dynamics. And that irked Namjoon.
“Did you really have to say that?” The leader hissed once Hyunsik started the engine and drove away.
Taehyung looked away.
“We all know you and Jungkook share a room, but did you really have to hint it in the interview?” Namjoon sounded miffed.
“It just slipped,” Taehyung didn’t look remorseful. He looked tired. It felt like he had been through this before even if it was Hyunsik’s first time witnessing it.
“Just slipped?” Namjoon laughed coldly.
“Hyung,” It was Jungkook interjecting. “Please!”
“Please what?” Namjoon glared at him. “I won’t tolerate any of this shit anymore. Management gives me hell whenever the two of you slip.”
“We’ll be careful,” Jungkook promised as Taehyung scoffed, looking bitter. Hyunsik had never seen him like that. “Just…please!”
Namjoon sighed. “Listen, I love you, guys, and I hate to do this every time, but you leave me no other choice.”
“It won’t happen again,” Taehyung spoke, looking into Namjoon’s eyes. “It won’t.”
Namjoon sighed again and nodded. Taehyung looked away. Jungkook looked between the two before he moved to grab Taehyung’s hand only to be brushed off. His face crumbled, and after Taehyung continued to ignore him, he changed seat and sulked alone. The boys kept quiet, knowing that the two would work it out later.
Hyunsik believed the same.
The two always found their way back to each other.
-=oOo=-
As his second year drew close to an end, Hyunsik learned how to read them. He knew when they were tired, when they were happy, when they were focused, when they were lost and when they were sad.
He had been through it all and he realized that he had grown to care for them. Their happiness made him happy, their sadness made him sad, their tiredness made him restless, and Taekook’s love made him sappy.
He watched as their mood aligned, shifted and slotted into each other, so comfortable on a level so deep that not everyone could understand. It was in the slightest behavior, like Taehyung’s head slumping on Jungkook’s shoulder as he snored and Jungkook smiling but never shaking him off. It was in their laughter going quiet and intimate, getting on the verge of be it flirting.
Hyunsik managed to hear just bits of their conversation, his eyes glancing at them every now and then.
“Really?” Taehyung sounded surprised. “How?”
Jungkook’s reply was whispered into Taehyung’s ear.
Taehyung beamed and Hyunsik watched as Taehyung’s hand came up to cup Jungkook’s chin as they kissed.
Hyunsik looked away, feeling his heart ache for them. He knew it wasn’t easy hiding what they had. Seeing them so in love made him happy but also apprehensive. If the news leaked, the guys could kiss their careers goodbye. It pained him that something beautiful as them being in love could be their downfall.
But it wasn’t his business, so he kept his thoughts to himself and smiled when he got the boys to their destination and spotted Jungkook’s flushed face and Taehyung’s smirk.
On the way back to the dorm, they were all over each other. Hyunsik kept his eyes on the road but he could hear muffled noises, cut-off snickers, undeniable gasps and the rustle of cloth. The rest of Bangtan were acting ignorant, so used to the couple’s antics. Hyunsik did the same.
When he dropped them off to the dorm, they separated on the way out and walked apart.
Hyunsik sighed at the sight.
He was rooting for them even if it was none of his business.
-=oOo=-
The relationship wasn’t always chocolate and roses.
Hyunsik picked them up on some days where they looked gloomy and sat apart, each looking out at the window to ignore the other.
It made Hyunsik upset, dying to know what happened.
“Jungkook,” Jimin whispered.
Jungkook turned his head towards him. “What?”
Jimin motioned his head towards Taehyung. “Talk to him,” he whispered so that Taehyung couldn’t hear him. “He’s been miserable for days now. Do something!”
Jungkook chuckled bitterly. “He’s an idiot,” he said loudly for everyone to hear. “He shouldn’t have doubted me, after everything we had been through.”
“Can you blame me?” Taehyung interjected, glaring daggers at him. “Put yourself in my shoes; you had to act in love with her, but you took it too far. Was I supposed to throw a party in celebration?”
“You should have trusted me and known that it was just acting. Management made me do it. Plus, she knows that I’m taken,” Jungkook shot back. “But no, you chose to throw a fit and embarrass us both.”
“Whatever!” Taehyung huffed and looked away.
“See?” Jungkook told Jimin. “He’s an idiot.”
“Fuck you,” Taehyung spat.
“Fuck you,” Jungkook spat back.
“Guys,” Namjoon tried to pacify them both, but they ignored him.
Hyunsik didn’t know whether to feel sympathetic or laugh at him.
“Leave them be,” Yoongi told Namjoon. “It’s their mess. They’ll fix it on their own.”
“Just go to sleep, hyung,” Jimin rolled his eyes.
Yoongi didn’t look upset to be brushed off like that. If anything, he did as told, dozing off instantly.
The tension was only broken after Taehyung sniffed. The boys didn’t even notice when he started to cry. The sight broke Hyunsik’s heart. And it did the boys as well, except Yoongi who was now sound asleep. Jungkook took it the worst.
“Fuck,” he swore and moved towards Taehyung, grabbing his arm and pulling him into his lap. Taehyung went willingly, melting into him when Jungkook wrapped his arms around his waist. “You’re an idiot,” he said again.
Taehyung continued to cry, but he clung to Jungkook now, hiding his face in Jungkook’s neck.
“Stop crying,” Jungkook pleaded. “You’re breaking my fucking heart,”
Taehyung whimpered and hugged him tighter. “I’m sorry,”
Jimin cheered. Seokjin chuckled and high-fived Hoseok. Namjoon sighed in relief. Hyunsik continued to watch the scene unfold.
Jungkook smiled. “Finally,”
Taehyung hit him slightly on his chest. “Shut up!”
Jungkook chuckled. “Apology accepted, baby,”
Taehyung pulled back to look into his eyes. “I went overboard, but I was so jealous, Guk. Seeing her all over you drove me crazy.”
“She means nothing to me, Tae,” Jungkook spoke softly. “I can’t imagine myself with anyone but you. I love you, Taehyung.”
Taehyung smiled though his tears. “I love you, too. Please, forgive me. The past few days had been hell without you.”
Jungkook’s response was to draw him for a long kiss that left them both breathless and craving for more.
Hyunsik was sure they worked on the ‘more’ part the moment they made it to the dorm.
-=oOo=-
Hyunsik got a call from his agency, telling him that SM had a position for him. The pay was better and his contract with Big Hit was expiring in two days, so the decision was already made.
Now, if only he could stop feeling sad to part with Bangtan.
-=oOo=-
“We’ll miss you, hyung,” Taehyung confessed as he dropped them to their dorm for the last time.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Hyunsik said and meant it. That was a first for him.
“Take care of yourself, okay?” Jungkook said. “You’ll be missed.”
Hyunsik was touched as he accepted hugs and well wishes from the rest of Bangtan.
It was only after they were leaving that he decided to say something that had been on his mind for so long.
“Taehyung,” he called out. “Jungkook,”
The duo stopped in their tracks, turning towards him, then making their way back into the van. The rest of the boys walked away.
“What is it, hyung?” Taehyung wondered, smiling gently.
Hyunsik loved that smile so much. No wonder Jungkook was so whipped for the man. That smile could make anyone do anything.
“I never told you this and I know that it’s not my business, but…,” Hyunsik hesitated, not knowing if he had the right or not. “I really support your relationship. You two belong together and deserve all the happiness in the world. Don’t break up, okay? No matter what happens and no matter how hard they try to tear you apart. You love each other enough to overcome all obstacles.”
He got two different reactions in response. Taehyung’s eyes welled up with tears and he threw himself at Hyunsik, whereas, Jungkook pursed his lips tightly and nodded in gratitude. Leave it to Taehyung to be the hands-on man.
“Thank you, hyung,” Taehyung said through his tears. “You have no idea how much your words mean to us. Right, Gukkie?”
Jungkook nodded and gave Hyunsik a brief hug. “Thanks, hyung,”
Hyungsik hugged him back and waved them off as the duo made their way out. “Good luck!”
“Good luck to you, too,” Jungkook answered as Taehyung rested his head on his shoulder and waved back.
Hyunsik drove away with a light heart. He watched from his mirror for the last time as the two shared a brief kiss before they made their way inside the dorm. It was reckless to do it out in the open, but he saluted their bravery. Even then, he was still rooting for them. He knew he would for years to come. The two were that precious.