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slamming the door open, taehyung let out a loud groan. the noise filled the apartment, masking the sound of the television playing the next room over. slowly making his way through the apartment, taehyung mourned his aching legs with another loud noise. hoseok had decided that taehyung needed to come into the studio for another practise for the new choreography, much to taehyung horror. their managers had called up last night and said they could have a couple of days off before their schedule with their newest sins was out, so taehyung had eagerly been hoping for another few hours in bed. but there was no rest for the wicked. the final nail in his coffin was the fact that the rest of the group were otherwise preoccupied, leading each of taehyung’s mistakes. they were cringingly obvious to the choreographer, who had no qualms about letting taehyung know about exactly how the dance should’ve been. the practice had left the staff happy, taehyung sleepy and his limbs screaming in agony.
blindly fumbling through the apartment, letting his bag fall to the ground with no concern (he would deal with jin’s scolding after) he stumbled into the lounge, the hum of the television comforting. taehyung let himself fall sprawled over the couch. a loud familiar squeak made him grin, rolling over and opening his eyes to a slightly flushed jimin.
“jiminie” taehyung cooed, grinning up at his best friend. the shorter boy huffed at him, flicking him on the forehead with a slight frown. tae yelped dramatically, throwing his arms up in a stretch and felt his arm his hit another person, who let out a surprised huff.
“tae! don’t bully the maknae!” jimin lightly scolded, a small grin pulling at his lips despite his words.
“‘m not jiminie! sorry jungkookie.” tae twisted himself around so he could look up at jungkook, who looked slightly on edge. both jimin and him were swaddled up in blankets, jungkook’s cheeks slightly flushed, a slight gap between the two of them. jungkook opened his mouth to reply, but seemed to hesitate in favour of simply shrugging at his hyung.
“you’re interrupting our movie session, taehyung. go annoy the hyungs.” jimin huffed, playfully nudging taehyung with his knee. “you’re all sweaty and we just showered tae!”
pouting, taehyung ignored jimin’s objection and instead pulled himself up further into the couch. squeezing in the gap beside the two of them, half lying across jimin and leg swung over jungkook’s lap. content, he blinked innocently at jiminie's disbelieving expression.
“taehyung-” jungkook interrupted jimin's whine with a quiet cough, cheeks turning red as the two vocalists glanced over at him.
“it’s okay jimin, the more the merrier, right?” taehyung watched how jimin’s frown melted and a soft smile crept over his face. reaching over to squeeze jungkook’s leg, jimin fell silent and cuddled closer to the two of them. taehyung closed his eyes and revelled in the warmth of the two of them, dozing off immediately, missing the exchanged look between jungkook and jimin above him. the two of them cuddled him closer, jimin pulling taehyung’s hand out to link fingers with his own, and how jungkook tugged taehyung loser into his chest, and the small sigh that fell from taehyung’s sleepily content lips.
sitting in a chair, his head lolled back, taehyung tried to ignore the throbbing pain right behind his eyes. fatigue was not an unknown enemy, especially during comeback weeks when the dances were endless. the noise pulsing from the back room was already grating on taehyung's ears, and he let out a quiet whine, lifting his hands to rub at his temples. a familiar click of heels had taehyung glancing back down, his grimace back full force at the sight of a sheepish looking makeup-noona.
“sorry, taehyung-ah.” she said softly, guilt clear in her eyes. “i know you’re tired, but-”
“it’s alright noona.” taehyung cut in softly, sending her a half-smile. “you need to do your job.” watching as the woman nodded her head, a small smile on her lips and she hovered around, gently tilting taehyung’s chin to work her magic. letting his eyes flutter closed, taehyung hummed quietly to himself, until he felt a familiar set of hands work their way into his hair, softly massaging against his head.
“jiminie.” taehyung rasped, tilting his head back, only to hear the clucking of the makeup-noona, and quickly readjusted his head. “what are you doing?”
“my makeup is done, and i noticed you seemed a bit off.” jimin said evenly, letting his hands rest in taehyung’s hair, unknowingly soothing the ache. “anyway, jungkookie is off filming already, and i was lonely.”
taehyung let out a quiet giggle at that, and jimin gently ran his hands through his hair. a slight pressure against the singer’s closed eyes made him flinch slightly, and he felt jimin stiffen slightly behind him as the noona whispered a quick apology, before drawing a line over his lids.
“are you sure you’re okay, taetae?” jimin whispered, and after a pause, drew slightly away from taehyung. silently mourning the loss, taehyung's eyes fluttered open to the noona who was looking with unconcealed disapproval at his hair. letting out a quiet (but fond, taehyung could tell) sigh, she shooed taehyung off the chair. spinning around, taehyung smiled and faltered at the sight of jimin. he looked ethereal. dyed silver hair styled perfectly, his eyes slightly smoky and his jawline- taehyung swallowed thickly as a weird feeling ballooned in his chest at the sight of jimin, who raised an eyebrow at him in a familiar confusion.
“what’s wrong, taehyung? is my makeup-”
“no, you look, well, incredible hyung.” taehyung blurted out, cheeks suddenly burning.
jimin shook his head at taehyung, lips quirked up at taehyung’s outburst.
“you look pretty good yourself, taehyung.” stepping forward, jimin pulled his best friend into a hug, moving taehyung around like an oversized doll, slinging the other’s arms around his shoulders, jimin’s arms wrapping around taehyung’s waist and pulling him in close, with jimin’s head firmly against taehyung’s chest. then taehyung could feel himself melting, nearly falling into jimin who rubbed small, warm circles on taehyung’s waist.
“don’t stress yourself out, okay tae? it’s tough, but you can take a break.”
taehyung curled further into the hug, craving the heat the smaller boy emanated.
a quiet cough drew the two friends apart, taehyung blinking at jungkook, who looked a mixture between shy and impatient.
“jungkookie, you’re finished?” jimin cooed, pulling away from taehyung and moving to wrap himself around the maknae. jungkook’s look quickly changed so something oddly vulnerable as jimin pressed himself closer. he dipped his head at and hummed into jimin’s hair in confirmation.
taehyung felt like he was missing something.
or maybe it was just the warmth of jimin that jungkook had stolen from him.
“oh, hyung.” jungkook said, his voice cutting through tae’s train of thought. “the director wants you in there now.” nodding quickly, taehyung rushed off, listening the low thrum of jungkook’s voice and jimin’s warm laughter. lancing behind, he felt his cheeks warm as jungkook watched him leave, jimin pressed against his side and watching taehyung leave with a fond smile.
his chest squeezed tightly, as though the balloon in his lungs was pressing into the walls of his chest, trying to break free.
crammed into a small booth, huddled close with thin curtains drawn back, taehyung was shoved right up against jungkook, his other side pushed against the wall. their regular trips to japan left them well versed in the local cuisine, as well as the restaurants that were often deserted. the seven of them were the only ones in the tiny curry restaurant, the smell making them even more impatient for their food to arrive. glancing across the table, tae grinned as jin and namjoon were pressed shoulder to shoulder, yoongi nearly draped over jin as he blinked slowly, sleepiness obvious in every movement. namjoon sat on the other side of jin, hoseok pressed close to his side. the seven of them spoke quietly among themselves, taehyung grinning and laughing wide at jimin who was doubled over at one of jin’s ridiculous puns. While exhaustion seemed to drip from the shadows underneath namjoon’s eyes and jungkook’s quietness, taehyung still couldn’t help but feel content, warm for the first time in days. caught up in his own thoughts, taehyung almost missed the weight against his shoulder. fidgeting under the weight, tae glanced down at jungkook, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder. his fringe had fallen over his eyes, letting out quiet huffs of hair and he slouched further over tae. gently adjusting jungkook’s head, so the angle wouldn’t be so tough on his neck, taehyung ignored the quiet laughter from his hyungs around the table. the weight of jungkook was so warm against him, taehyung could feel himself growing tired watching the maknae.
“our maknaes are both sleepy, huh.” namjoon said softly, smiling over at tae who smiled tiredly back.
“so cute!” jin cooed, and taehyung could feel his cheeks growing red. he was no stranger to his hyungs adoration, but it felt different pressed against jungkook’s side. Perhaps it was the familiar ballooning feeling in his chest that grew the closer he looked at jungkook. how his eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly as he slept, how his small breaths brushed taehyung's neck and made him more awake. the way that jungkook made him feel, like he held felt under jimin’s attention back a few weeks ago.
like he was loved. taehyung stiffened at that thought, felt a lump suddenly rising in his throat as he shoved the thought away. of course, he loved the others. they had debuted together, travelled together, spent nearly every day with at least one of them in the time they had been trained until now. but watching the soft curve of jungkook’s neck, hearing the soft chatter of jimin’s voice made taehyung want to cry. he was in love. but somehow, with both of his best friend. caught up in his sudden realisation, taehyung didn’t feel jungkook shift on his shoulder moving to bury his face closer into taehyung’s beck and let out a quiet whine. his lips brushed tae’s neck, who barely held back a shudder at the feeling. a loud clap brought taehyung out of his daze and jin passed plates of curry to the back, of the table, jimin quietly rousing jungkook from his place against taehyung as taehyung stuttered out his thanks and pulled his bowl close. jungkook was still pressed against his side, and taehyung ate his food silently, ignoring the looks jungkook sent his way, or how jimin’s hand curled over jungkook’s under the table beside him.
taehyung’s realisation that he might be a little in love with jimin and jungkook didn’t deter him from being around them. if anything, taehyung made the extra effort to be loud and obnoxious, to tease jimin and annoy jungkook to keep up a facade. that everything was fine, that taehyung was fine and wasn’t at all worried. it seemed that his attempt was successful. jimin and him were still attached at the hip, and jungkook still played video games with him, pouting whenever taehyung beat him. it was familiar. but he couldn’t help feeling more on edge, extra aware of the way jimin’s shirt would ride up at practise, the way sweaty skin made jungkook’s white shirt practically see through after a few hours of dance. the way jimin would wrap an arm around his waist, pulling him close and how jungkook would sprawl himself across their laps, smiling bunny-like up at them.
taehyung also noticed how gazes would linger, not just his. how jimin’s eyes would trail over jungkook’s reflection as he danced through another room, how jungkook would stare at jimin as he tilted his head back, that bobbing as he drank. lingering touches ad even longer stares at each other, taehyung could feel paranoia digging its claws in. did they like each other? was it taehyung’s overactive imagination, his desperation to hide his own feeling? regardless, taehyung could feel the last of his nerves fraying. exhaustion had set in as their tour started up, with intense dance and vocal practises nearly leaving taehyung hoarse by the end of the day. stumbling into the apartment, taehyung didn’t notice the odd quiet of the apartment. dead on his feet, taehyung slowly made his way to his room, swinging the door open with a loud thump, glancing up and freezing.
jimin’s shirt was rucked up, jungkook’s hands pressed on his back pushing jimin’s body down on to jungkook’s. the maknae was also shirtless, and taehyung could see the hickeys scattered across his collarbones. they were so caught up in each other, the way jimin pressed so seamlessly against jungkook, the way jungkook’s hands spread across jimin’s waist. jimin’s lips were against jungkook’s neck, who’s head was tossed back, fringe sticking to his forehead as he let out a quiet whine.
taehyung choked, stumbling back out of the room and knocking his bag against the doorframe. the two didn’t pause and taehyung caught a last fleeting glace as jimin drew back, the languid way jungkook opened his eyes to gaze up at jimin. the ballooning feeling in is chest grew into his throat, his breath ragged and he ran into the lounge, throwing himself down and steadying his breath. a sob worked his way up into his throat and taehyung pressed his hands into his eyes.
they were together. it all made sense, the looks they gave each other, the times taehyung had found them curled on the couch. how jimin would smile softer at jungkook, how taehyung was left of the edge of the two’s teasing jabs and inside jokes. letting out a quit sob, taehyung angrily wiped his tears away.
a sudden weight beside him on the couch had him flinching away, glancing up and immediately regretting it as jimin shuffled closer to him, concern painted across his face.
“tae? what’s wrong?” he said, reaching towards taehyung, who turned quickly away.
“I’m fine, jiminie. go b-back to jungkook, okay?” as soon as the words left his mouth, how jimin’s uncertain features morphed into shock, how he moved even closer to pull taehyung into his chest
“taehyung, listen okay baby?” jimin whispered, the pet name making taehyung freeze and jimin laced their hands together. “jungkookie and i- we’re…”
“it’s okay, jiminie. you don’t-” he tried to interrupt, much to jimin’s frustration who cut in.
“we do, tae, please listen to us. i-”
“we, hyung. we.” jungkook’s soft voice made taehyung jump again, as the maknae slid on the couch on taehyung’s other side, slowly placed a hand over jimin and taehyung’s joint ones.
“we’re sorry, tae.” jimin said softly. “we should’ve told you, it’s just that we weren’t sure…”
“how to ask you.” jungkook finished, running his hand over taehyung’s knuckles.
“a-ask?” taehyung whispered, the tension leaving his body as jimin’s soft hands moved from his hand up to his chin, tilting his head up to look at taehyung.
“i love jungkook, tae. but i…” jimin’s gaze slid behind taehyung, and tae felt jungkook’s lips gently press against his neck. “...but we love you as well, taetae.”
taehyung let out another hiccupping sob, and moved forward, out of jimin’s hands to press his lips against his. it was soft, and wet with the tears taehyung had blemishing his face but it was so warm, so jimin. moving back, taehyung couldn’t stop the giggle building in his throat as he spun on the couch and launched himself at jungkook, who let out a startled noise as taehyung kissed him with fevor, jimin’s soft laughter behind fuelling him as he pressed himself closer to jungkook, who’s hand pressed warm on his back, sliding underneath his shirt. taehyung pulled back and let out another hiccup.
“i love you too. so much, i love you so-” taehyung c tiff as jimin tackled him behind in a hug, pressing kisses all down the side of his neck.
“we’re sorry baby. we didn’t tell you, and we should’ve.” jungkook murmured, and taehyung felt warm at the pet name, reaching out an arm to tangle his hand in jungkook’s hair.
“i forgive you. just...” taehyung paused to pout a little. “how long have you two been…”
“that movie you crashed was out first date.” jimin hummed, lips still exploring the expanse of taehyung’s neck. “you’ve always been part of it tae.”
a grin stretching across his face, tae gently tugged jungkook’s hair to bring him closer, tracing butterfly kisses down the younger’s nose and jawline.
“good. now kiss me like you were kissing jimin earlier, jungkookie.”
jungkook smiled, and leant close to brush their lips together.
“with pleasure.”