Archive of Our Own ^beta

Three knocks was all it took for the door to swing open, revealing his best friend’s mother from inside the house. She opened her arms, and Kim Taehyung, who was more than used to this, happily accepted the embrace with a smile. Behind his best friend’s mother was Jeon Jungkook, Jimin’s step brother for two years now, who was hanging out with his friends in the living room. His best friend’s mother told him that she was glad to see him, and that was Park Jimin’s (“Don’t call me Jeon Jimin. It sounds kind of gross, and it reminds me that I’m somewhat related to that weirdo”) cue to trample down the stairs, almost tripping, like he always did.

Park Jimin was Taehyung’s best friend, and they have been best friends since grade school. Taehyung has been over countless times, and everything was going as routinely as possible. Without another word from his mother, Jimin latched his hand onto Taehyung’s wrist and dragged him up the steps to his bedroom, preventing him from further conversing with his mother, and most especially seeing Jungkook.

The duo entered the pastel yellow and white bedroom that Taehyung knew all too well, reminiscing over their countless sleepovers and all the mischief they created in this room. As he took a seat on his bed, he ran his fingers over the crack they created in the wall when they were children (long story short, slingshots and walls don’t mix well) and looked up to see Jimin, a big smile on his face. “I’m guessing you didn’t call me over to study, but to gossip, didn’t you?” he started, chucking his backpack off to the side.

Jimin gasped, jumping onto his bed to lay beside him. “I would never! How could you say that?” he replied sarcastically, to which Taehyung responded with a snort. “But I did, and you will not believe what juicy gossip I have for you today.”

Taehyung gave out another laugh, encouraging him to start. Jimin was one of the popular kids at school, so he was in the direct center of all drama going on. He knew everything that went on drama wise, and he always came to Taehyung with frequent updates. “You won’t believe me when I say this, but BamBam came out to his parents, and apparently he’s living on the streets now.”

The redhead scoffed and shook his head in disbelief, just as how Jimin expected him to. “That’s fake,” he said, leaning back so he laid on the blonde’s stomach. “I saw BamBam at the mall with his mom and sister.”

“That could mean anything!”

“Oh, like how they accept their son and brother?”

Jimin pursed his lips and slapped him on the chest. “You always repudiate my gossip,” he noted, moving to retrieve his backpack from off of the floor.

Taehyung shrugged, sitting up straight and reaching for his own bag as well. “Maybe because I’m always right?” Without another word, Jimin clicked his tongue and opened his textbook. Taehyung did the same.

“So...your brother.”

“My brother? What about him?”

“He’s with his friends again?”

“Yeah, his stupid garage band. You know. Like those things you see in cheesy Rom Coms, never thinking it would happen in real life. Well, my brother decided to pursue it.”

“Yep.”

“Why do you ask?”

Taehyung glanced down at his textbook. “No reason.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, um, I’m going to get myself a water bottle, so…”

“...Okay. But hurry back and help me with this last problem.”

Taehyung leaped off of the bed, and with a swift move, he quickly opened and closed the door. Before stepping down the stairs, he looked down and saw Jungkook laughing, the same old bunny smile on his face. He turned as red as his own hair and ran to the bathroom. He checked himself out for a second, adjusting the black and white bandana under his hair, which pushed his hair up and exposed his forehead. The redhead looked at himself one last time before nodding and leaving.

He bounced down the stairs, and, as he turned, he and the brunette locked eyes. His heart skipped a beat and he ran a bit too fast towards the kitchen, almost running into their expensive fine china collection and tripping over his own feet. He opened the fridge in search of a water bottle, but, to his dismay, none were there. The redhead figured that he should check the pantry for some, but that would require him passing Jungkook again. He stood there for a moment, trying to think of something quickly, but nothing came to mind.

“Catch!” 

Taehyung jumped at the sudden command and reflexively opened his arms wide. He saw a certain brunette tossing him a water bottle with a big smile on his face, and he turned pink, catching the bottle with his right hand. “Sorry, I just thought you were looking for a water bottle. Honestly, my mom asked me to put some in the fridge, but I forgot, so, that’s a mistake on my end.”

He returned the smile back to him. “It’s alright,” he assured, simultaneously switching the bottle from hand to hand repeatedly. “Thanks.”

“Of course,” he told him, moving back to the couches to greet his friends once more. Taehyung inhaled sharply, trying to breathe the embarrassment away. He must had made a fool of himself in front of him, standing dumbfoundedly in front of the fridge like that, looking like some sort of maniac. The redhead reached his hands up to his hair and started to ruffle at it, trying to get his mind off of it. By now it was safe to say that this little crush he had on Jungkook was growing immensely.

And it wasn't like he could do anything about it.

He opened the bottle and took a long sip, soon deciding that he had been down there for long enough and that he should get back to Jimin before he came looking for him. Taehyung stormed past Jungkook and his friends and made his way back to Jimin’s bedroom. Jimin looked up at him and furrowed his eyes at how pink he was. “You okay?” he inquired, flipping a page in his textbook. Taehyung glanced at the water bottle in his hands and then back to the blonde.

“Yeah.”

--

Jungkook, who was strumming the guitar his past mother gave him a few years ago, suddenly stopped when he heard his brother’s ringtone through his door. He waited for it to ring out, and he continued to play until the ringing resumed, signaling that another call was coming in. He clicked his tongue irritably, knowing Jimin was unable to answer it because he was in the shower. “Yah! Jimin! Your stupid phone is ringing!” he screamed loud enough for Jimin to hear.

He heard the bathroom door open after a second. “Then answer it, idiot! Do I look like I can pick it up right now?” he hissed, shutting the bathroom door and resuming his shower.

The brunette rolled his eyes, placing his guitar on his bed and swinging his legs over to make his way to Jimin’s room. He searched for his phone for a few seconds before catching sight of it on his white desk. He scooped it up and slid the answer button, picking up the call and placing the phone to his ear.

“Jimin? I hate you. You take so long to pick up a fucking call and I even bought you doughnuts. Doughnuts! Dude, you’re so lucky I lov—“

“Hyung?”

“...Jungkook-ah?” His cheeks flushed, and he thanked God that Jungkook was unable to see how red he was.

“Yeah, uh, Jimin isn’t available at the moment because,” his voice rose to a louder volume as he continued, “he’s a dumbass and doesn’t know when he’s expecting a call!” Taehyung could hear nonsensical screaming (presumably from Jimin) from the other side and he smiled, giving out a loud laugh.

“It’s alright. Tell him if he wants his doughnuts then he’ll have to come to me.”

“No promises, Tae,” His heart skipped a beat at the nickname. “But I will, for you, since you’re the one that brought the doughnuts.”

“Thanks.”

“Under one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“That I get some doughnuts, too.”

Taehyung hummed, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “I’ll bring them to you on Monday, Jungkookie.”

“Thanks. See you, hyung.”

“Anytime. Later!”

Jungkook ended the call and Taehyung stared down at his phone. That day marked the first time they’ve spoken for longer than a few seconds. In real life, they only exchanged a few greetings, but nothing beyond that. His heart throbbed, remembering how soothing his voice was. He set his phone down and looked at the mirror on his wall, staring at himself for a few moments.

God.

He was way too whipped.

--

the older soulmate: can you pick me up???

the younger soulmate: must i

the older soulmate: please i love you

the younger soulmate: lol ok but you’re paying for gas

He launched himself off of his bed and grabbed the cleanest thing in his closet. Taehyung hasn’t done his laundry since his mother refused to do it for him, so a baggy shirt that reached halfway down his three-day-old ripped jeans would have to do. He threw on his jacket, glanced outside where the sun was nowhere to be found, and figured that it was pretty cold outside. The redhead would never understand why Jimin wanted to go to the mall that Saturday. It was still pretty cold outside, but at least his best friend would be happy.

The boy told his mother that he would be leaving, and she told him to return home before dinner.  He grabbed the keys to the car his mother gave him on his eighteenth birthday and left the house after wishing goodbye to her. Taehyung turned the radio on and made his way to Jimin’s house, which was a few blocks down.

As he made his way down the road, he saw the garage door open and he raised an eyebrow. The lights were on and he was sure that he could hear music from the garage. He turned the radio down and stopped a few blocks away, sinking down in his seat to observe...Jungkook’s garage band.

His heart skipped to the beat of the drums and, for some reason beyond him, he left his car and walked to the garage. Jungkook was laughing with one of his friends when Taehyung came along, hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. Jungkook looked up at him and returned the smile. “Oh, hey, hyung. Uh, my brother’s not here.”

Taehyung nodded. “I know,” he replied.

Jungkook glanced to the side, unsure about what to say. “Not to be rude or anything, but why are you here?”

“...For fun.”

“Fun?”

“Well, I have to pick up Jimin but I’d rather be here.”

“Um...okay. Want to see us practice?”

“If you’d like me to.”

“It’s more like if you want to.”

“If you want me to want t—”

“Alright! Well, this first one is called DNA!” Taehyung flushed red in embarrassment, unbelieving the conversation they just had. He thought he looked like an idiot and mentally cursed himself for it. Jungkook looked at the other members and counted down. He hovered his drumsticks over the drums. “One, two, one, two, thr—“

“Taehyung!”

Everyone stopped what they were doing, and Jungkook rolled his eyes. All eyes laid on Jimin, who had his hands on his hips and an irritated expression on his face. “I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes and you were here the whole time? In my own house?”

The redhead gave out a laugh, trying to cover up his disappointment. “Sorry,” he grumbled as Jimin made his way over to his side. Jungkook and himself made eye contact and he turned redder. “See you later, Jungkook.”

The brunette nodded. “Yep,” he said, popping the ‘p’ and moving to tend to his drum set. Jimin took Taehyung by the wrist and dragged him away, waving goodbye to his boyfriend, Yoongi, who was the main rapper of Jungkook’s band, before he left.

Taehyung unlocked his car and Jimin plopped himself down on the passenger seat. “You didn’t tell me you were here,” Taehyung shrugged, not knowing how to reply. ”You chose my weird brother over me? He’s not even that cool. Why were you there?”

The redhead turned to the road and started the car. “No reason,” he grumbled. Jimin raised an eyebrow and didn’t believe what he said as Taehyung started to drive towards the mall.

 --

Jungkook, like his older brother, was one of the popular kids at school, especially because of his band and ability to use all instruments. Not to mention his good looks, too. He would usually hang out in the corner of the lunchroom, a bunch of girls and boys standing around him, complimenting him and swooning over him. He was the center of attention because of his handsome face as well as his intellect.

And Taehyung hated it.

He hated how red Jungkook became when girls touched him. He hated seeing him smile and laugh at their jokes. He hated seeing Jungkook accept all of their gifts. He hated how kind he was, how he let everyone join him at his lunch table. He hated whenever they would feed him food. He hated how cute he looked, showing himself to everybody like that.

But he loved him.

Taehyung won’t deny it anymore. He loved Jungkook to the point where he was unable to explain it in words. Every time someone would talk about him, all words would leave his mouth and he had an inability to speak. It seemed crazy to him, but he has never felt this way. He loved how the boy smiled, how he walked, and how he laughed. He loved how sweet he was, never being bossy or pushy to anybody, even Jimin. Somehow he can’t seem to get his mind off of him, and he was desperately in love with him. In other words, Jungkook left him speechless and dumbfounded.

When he was walking with Jimin to their lunch table, they passed him in the lunchroom, and Jimin rolled his eyes. “Ignore my stupid brother,” he told him, looking away from the brunette and the girls and boys surrounding him.

But Taehyung did the opposite, walking over to him and pulling out a box from his backpack. Jimin yelled for him to come back, but he didn’t; he walked over to him, and when he and Jungkook locked eyes, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, all eyes on him, allowing Taehyung to easily walk through them.

He took the box and slid it across the table. Jungkook stared cluelessly at it for a moment, wordlessly wondering what it was. “As thanks for telling Jimin the other day,” Taehyung explained with a smile.

Jungkook laughed, remembering what he had asked him the other day. “Thanks,” he said, a big grin on his face, and the girls around him sent Taehyung a glare. “I appreciate it, Tae.”

Taehyung’s heart raced at the nickname again. They’ve known each other for some time, but they were acquaintances more than friends. It was a weird feeling to have a nickname from Jungkook. He had a sum of nicknames that Jimin had given him (including soulmate, bae, and tae-baby), but having a nickname from Jungkook was something different. Unlike Jimin’s names, it felt endearing and it made him flush with red.

The redhead nodded. “You’re welcome,” he replied, turning on his heel to meet Jimin again. Jimin narrowed his eyes at his best friend, and Taehyung sent him a smile.

--

chimmy: tae?

tea: yeah

chimmy: can i tell you something??

tea: sure

chimmy: ive been noticing something

tea: whats that

chimmy: okay so

chimmy: dude.

chimmy: you’re a little bit /too/ in love with my brother

tea: im sorry what

tea: im not in love with your brother man

tea: i mean like look at him

tea: with his bunny like smile, nice hair, charming looks, and funny jokes

tea: me? like him?

tea: hahah

tea: nah

chimmy: youre that whipped huh

tea: excessively

chimmy: ugh why him

tea: nrabgnl;snh;s

tea: how does one answer that

chimmy: i dont see the appeal

tea: YOU’D GET ME IF YOU WERENT RELATED

chimmy: HARDLY

chimmy: MY BROTHER’S FUCKING GROSS

tea: HES SO NICE!!

chimmy: HE ALMOST THREW ME ACROSS THE LAWN THE OTHER DAY

tea: MAYBE THAT WAS YOUR FAULT

chimmy: bruh honestly idrc that you like my brother

chimmy: in fact ill help you

tea: aw cute

tea: but what can /you/ do

chimmy: im pretty good at threatening/bossing him around.

chimmy: getting him places by means of driving him out of the house

chimmy: you know

chimmy: the usual

tea: lol ok

chimmy: i got you bro we’re going to make you guys official

tea: we’re?

chimmy: me & yoongi

tea: ….im not going to ask

tea: but id rather you not get involved thanks

chimmy: not an option

chimmy: im gonna get you a mans

chimmy: i got your back like chiroprac bro

tea: okay fine

tea: whats the plan

--

“Getting milkshakes at your favorite diner was the plan?”

“What did you have in mind?”

Taehyung took a long sip of his strawberry milkshake, thinking of a way to slyly repel. “Nothing” was his response because he really didn’t have anything in mind besides wallowing in the corner of his room and doing nothing.

Jimin’s eyebrows raised with a giggle. “Then I’m doing better than you, dude,” he replied with a smirk. He brought his lemon milkshake forward and took a sip himself.

The redhead stared at him. “Lemon?”

Jimin smiled. “I like sour things.”

Taehyung nodded, and he caught figures moving towards them from the corner of his eye. He didn’t pay attention to them much, but they came closer and closer to the point where he had to look up to see who it was. Before he could catch a glimpse of the first figure, they already slid their way next to Jimin, wrapping an arm around him. Jimin squealed when he caught sight of his boyfriend, and moved his hands to cup his hands around his face and place a kiss on his lips. As far as Taehyung could tell, it was Yoongi, but the boy who stood next to him made Taehyung want to jump out of his seat and start running.

Jungkook stood there, smiling down at him.

His gaze made his heart thump, and Taehyung stared back at him. “Hey,” Jungkook murmured to the point where it was a faint whisper, but Taehyung could still hear him clearly.

“Hey,” Taehyung said back, his voice cracking slightly. He cursed himself for doing that, and he smiled at the brunette.

Jungkook gestured to the open seat next to him in the booth. “Can I sit here?” he asked. Taehyung’s eyes widened. Never, in his eighteen years of life, did he expect Jeon Jungkook to want to sit next to him. Taehyung quickly nodded and shifted over, allowing him some more space. Jungkook thanked him, and he nodded again. Jimin watched the whole exchange with a snort. The redhead glared at him and tugged his phone out. Jimin did the same, knowing Taehyung would be texting him. Taehyung moved so Jungkook was unable to see his screen.

will get a mans: did you tell jungkook that we’d be here?

has a mans: dude I don’t even send a glance to my brother on most days do I look like I’d tell him??

will get a mans: you did didnt you

has a mans: bingo

has a mans: but not really i asked yoongi to come and he brought jungkook w him so

He looked like he was going to fume. Taehyung and Jimin looked up from their phones to make eye contact; Jimin wore a smirk on his face, and Taehyung shook his head as the waiter came over. Taehyung typed in one last thing:

will get a mans: …...i hate you but thanks

Jimin glanced back at his phone and smiled, shoving it away in his pocket. Since they were avid customers to the small diner, the same waiter tended to their table every time they came. “Alright, I’m back. Oh, hey, Yoongi, cheese fries again?” Their waiter asked, and Yoongi nodded.

“Yep. Thanks, Hoseok,” Yoongi replied, not looking away from his phone.

Hoseok leaned his hands against the table and turned to the brunette. “Oh, you’re new. I haven’t seen you around very often. What can I get for you?”

Jungkook smiled sheepishly, embarrassed about being the only one called out. “A strawberry milkshake, please,” he answered, and Taehyung glanced at his own milkshake.

The waiter winced. “Sorry, kid, but Taehyung over there took the last of the strawberry. But, if you want, I can get you another flavor? We have chocolate, vanilla…” he trailed off, waving his hands as he gave different suggestions.

Jungkook shook his head and sent a glance to Taehyung. “Nah, it’s okay, but can I get a straw?” he asked, and Hoseok didn’t question it when he took one out of his apron’s pocket. Jungkook thanked him, and Hoseok walked away to get Yoongi’s cheese fries. Jungkook grabbed the straw and took the wrapper off. Jimin and his best friend watched in confusion, and Yoongi continued checking something on his phone, not caring what was happening around him. The brunette turned to face Taehyung. “Mind if we share?” he asked him, gesturing to his milkshake, and Taehyung shook his head without words. He leaned over him, his chest hitting the redhead’s arm, and grabbed his strawberry milkshake. Taehyung turned red and watched as he slipped the straw into the drink and took a long sip. He looked up at Jimin, who gestured for him to take a sip with him using his eyes, and Taehyung’s eyes widened. He shook his head, and Jimin continued urging him. The boy relented after a moment and ducked down to sip the milkshake with him. When they shared the drink together, they made eye contact and Taehyung pulled away with an embarrassed giggle. The way he laughed made Jungkook’s heart race, and he turned pink.

“Do you like strawberry milkshakes that much that you wouldn’t take the other flavors?” Taehyung asked with a smile on his face.

Jungkook laughed, crossing his arms. “Kind of,” he replied, leaning back into his seat. “I’ve liked strawberry since I was a kid.”

The redhead cocked his head to the side. “Me too!” he exclaimed, and from the other side of the booth, Jimin was hiding his smile behind his hands. He could see how Taehyung’s eyes lit up whenever Jungkook laughed and smiled.

Hoseok came along and placed the basket of cheese fries in front of Yoongi. He thanked him and started to dig in. “Anything else?” he asked, and the others said that they were fine. He nodded and faced Jungkook. “Turns out we have still have more of the strawberry milkshake. Want some?” he offered with a smile.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung and reached around to place his arm behind him. “I’m good, thanks,” he said, and Hoseok nodded again and left. Taehyung turned red and tried not to make any sudden movements. He watched as Yoongi fed a cheese fry to his boyfriend, and Jungkook grimaced at that. He wondered how it feels having your best friend date your brother, then he noticed that Jimin would feel the same way if he and Jungkook began dating. Taehyung buried his face in his hands at the thought. Jungkook noticed this and patted him on the shoulder puzzledly, wondering what was wrong. “Are you okay?”

He jumped at his touch and nodded. “Yeah, yeah,” he assured him. “I’m fine.” He reached over to Yoongi’s basket to grab one of his fries, but Yoongi swatted his hand away and Taehyung let out a laugh. He started to beg Yoongi for a fry, but he kept refusing to give him any. From where Jungkook was sitting, he could see Taehyung’s profile clearly, and he couldn’t understand why he was unable to see this sooner, but Taehyung was beautiful. He wore glasses that day, which sat nicely on his small, cute nose, and his red hair looked stunningly messy. His lips and cheeks were pink, making him look a little younger than he actually was because of it. The brunette kept staring, and when he saw his striking box smile, his heart raced. His face flushed with red, and Jimin watched him stare. He held in a laugh and looked back at Taehyung, who was still trying to coax his boyfriend into giving him a fry. Jungkook decided to ignore the thumping in his chest, thinking that it was nothing, and took another sip of their shared milkshake.

 --

Taehyung started to giggle. “I think that that’s completely and utterly idiotic,” he said, covering his mouth so none of the chips he was eating would fly out.

His best friend’s eyebrows knitted irritably. “What’s idiotic about getting chocolate and a well-written poem from Yoongi on our eight-week-aversary?”

“Because you call it an eight-week-aversary, and you give each other a gift literally every week. Where do you even get the money?”

“It’s how we show our love. You’d know if you got yourself a boy.”

“Haha, right, okay. It’s not like you’re crazy or anything.”

“Giving presents to people I love is crazy now? Well then, forget your birthday present, ugly.”

He gave out a breathy laugh. Taehyung stood from his seat on Jimin’s bed and gestured to the bathroom, signaling that he was going to go. Jimin sent him off with a nod and a wave of his hand. He placed his hand on the doorknob and left, walking down the hall to the bathroom. As he came closer to Jungkook’s room, he held his breath and tried to tiptoe past, but then a door hit him in the face with a loud bang and he went flying back, landing on the floor. He looked up to see Jungkook, who ran to his side after seeing him rubbing his back on the floor. “I’m so sorry, hyung! I wasn’t looking and...oh God, your nose is bleeding!” Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows and raised a hand to feel his bloody nose.

Taehyung sighed but gave him a weak smile. “It’s alright,” he replied, bringing himself to his feet. “It’s not like you meant it, so it’s not your fault.”

“Wait,” Jungkook stopped him before Taehyung could walk away. “The bathroom’s all the way down the hall, and if you go down there, you might mess up your outfit. Wait here,” Taehyung watched cluelessly as he ran back into his room and quickly came back with a rolled up shirt in his hands. “Use this,” he offered the shirt to him and Taehyung raised an eyebrow, not knowing what to do with it. “It’s old, probably dating back to when I was, like, eight, so, if it won’t do any good for me, it’ll do some good for you. Besides, it's softer than the tissues we have.”

Taehyung nodded and took it from his hands. He pressed it to his bloody nose and quickly cleaned it up. He tried to say “thank you” but it came as “thwank twyou” due to the pressure of the cloth being pressed up against his nose. Jungkook giggled at that, and red painted over his cheeks. He felt his heart thump again, and he nodded to him. “Sorry again.”

He shook his head and released the shirt from his face. “I said it’s fine, you big baby,” Taehyung replied, hitting him on the chest and returning the cloth back onto his nose. Jungkook laughed and waved to him before turning his heel and making his way to the bathroom. Taehyung concluded that he wouldn’t be going anymore, or at least not now.

He turned back to Jimin’s room, and when he opened the door, Jimin stared at him with wide eyes. “I let you go to the bathroom for five seconds and you come back with my brother’s shirt glued onto your face,” he shook his head incredulously. “You bastard.”

Taehyung shrugged. “Whoops.”

--

He sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The girls were starting to become bothersome. Jungkook tried to keep them from following him around and begged them to leave him alone, but it was no use. As he turned the corner of the hallway, a group of girls looked up from where they were conversing and started to chase after him. He ran in the other direction, but the girls were still relentless.

Jungkook decided to disappear into a classroom in the hopes that they would lose him. He swung open the closest classroom door, and then he heard a loud bang similar to the one he heard the other day. He shut the door and saw Taehyung with his face in his hands. His eyes grew to the size of saucers, and he caught him before he fell backward, placing a hand on his waist and tugging him forward onto his feet. “Oh, God, hyung, not again,” he said, trying to not to laugh. “I’m really sorry that we keep meeting each other like this.”

Taehyung laughed and it made Jungkook’s heart flutter. “It’s okay,” he said with a smile. “At this point, I’m used to it.”

The brunette giggled at his jape and realized his hand was still on his waist. He released his grip and placed his hands behind his back. ”How ironic that you were in this classroom at the same time that I walked in,” he remarked.

The elder shrugged and let out a gentle laugh. “Some teacher asked me to drop something off in here,” he gestured to the stack of papers on the desk. “I was just about to leave.”

“Right,” Jungkook replied with a nod. The bell rang, signaling first period. Jungkook looked up and sighed. “Sorry for making you so late.”

Taehyung chuckled. “You like apologizing a lot, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “I guess I do.”

The way Taehyung smiled then sent Jungkook’s heart racing. He looked stunning, even if he was just in his school uniform. “I’ll see you around, Jungkook-ah,” he said with a laugh.

Jungkook saluted towards him, and Taehyung moved around him to reach the door. When he was sure Taehyung was far enough, he brought his knees to his chest and stayed there for a moment, wondering why his heart was beating so fast.

--

“How do you get yourself sick in the spring?” Taehyung asked as he placed the damp towel on his best friend’s forehead. “You’re unbelievable, kid.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “I’m not sick,” he groaned irritably.

Taehyung snickered as he retrieved a thermometer. “Sure you aren't, snot brain,” he replied, earning a small pillow being thrown at his head. He laughed and opened his mouth, saying “Ahhh” as he did.

The blonde looked up at him. “If you want me to open my mouth, use your words,” he said to him. “You’re making me look like a five year old.” Taehyung didn’t reply, he just kept his mouth open wide and gave a satisfactory smile when Jimin opened his mouth. Taehyung placed the thermometer beneath his tongue and it beeped after a moment. He marveled at the high number.

“Jesus, Chim,” he started as he set the thermometer down, “you should really get to sleep or this fever of yours won’t leave anytime soon.”

Jimin scoffed. “I’m fine.”

“That’s not what one hundred and one degrees says,” he replied, carding his fingers through Jimin’s hair. “If you sleep, I’ll make you tteokbokki.”

Jimin pushed his hand away. “You can’t cook for shit.”

Taehyung slapped his thigh. “I made you cookies once.”

“They were burnt to a crisp.”

“Just how you like them.”

“Since when did I like them burnt and in shambles?”

 “I’m making the tteokbokki regardless.”

“Dude, just buy it from the store or something. I don’t care anymore.”

“Well, I do, and it won’t be warm if I buy it from the store.”

“What the hell? There a thing called a microwave.”

“Sorry, don’t know her.”

And with that, Taehyung left the room and a sick Jimin behind to make tteokbokki. He made his way down the stairs, and as he turned to get to the kitchen, he saw Jungkook sitting on the couch, a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other. He didn’t look up as Taehyung passed him, so Taehyung figured that he should just leave him alone. Jungkook looked too gorgeous caught up in thought to be interrupted anyway.

Taehyung was well acquainted with kitchen, considering that Jimin’s place was like his second home, so he knew where everything is, not to mention the countless times Jimin’s mother asked him to help her cook dinner. After finding a recipe online, he found the rice cakes in the fridge and grabbed a deep pan to boil them. The boy placed several of the rice cakes into the water and waited two minutes for it to boil. He was inexperienced in making tteokbokki, but it seemed simple enough. He then drained the rice cakes and started making the sauce for it. He mixed gochugaru, oil, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic powder and black pepper into a bowl and tossed the rice cakes around to ensure that all the rice cakes were well coated.

He took the pan and placed the rice cakes onto it, knowing that he would have to wait a few minutes for it to saute. As he turned the gas range to medium heat, he heard a guitar being strummed near him and he raised a curious eyebrow.

The redhead peeked outside of the kitchen to see Jungkook, silently singing to himself as he strummed the guitar. He tried to open the door a bit more to see him clearly, but it let out a loud creak, making Jungkook stop his strumming and look up at him with a smile. He gulped nervously. “Hey.” he said to him.

“Hey,” the brunette echoed, looking back down at his guitar. “You’re taking care of my brother?”

Taehyung nodded and fiddled with the blue bracelet on his wrist. “Someone has to,” he answered, and Jungkook gave out a laugh. “What’re you doing?”

Jungkook glanced at him again and patted the vacant seat next to him, ushering him over to take a seat next to him. Taehyung almost tripped as he walked over to his side and awkwardly sat down next to him, and Jungkook let out a chuckle. “Trying to figure out some lyrics,” he answered, handing him his notepad. “But nothing’s coming to mind.” He began strumming the guitar again.

Taehyung raised his eyebrows in interest and took it from his hands. He read over the lyrics and became impressed about how well-written they were. “It’s a love song?” he asked, flipping through it once more.

“Yep,” Jungkook replied, moving the capo around. “It’s just what’s been running through my mind lately.” The brunette looked up at him with a sheepish smile.

Taehyung went silent for a moment. He reread the lyrics and found that it described someone he didn’t think he knew. It mentioned their stunning looks and beautiful eyes, and Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows at it. “D-Do you have a crush on someone?” he stumbled over his words.

Jungkook’s eyes widened and he turned his head back to his guitar, his cheeks flushed with red. “In a way, I guess I do,” he replied with a smile. He didn’t think it was humanly possible, but he swore he heard his own heart shatter at that moment. Jungkook had a crush, and it started to tear Taehyung apart. He watched as Jungkook kept on smiling and scratching at his neck. He didn’t know what to say, and nervousness rushed through his veins.

“Why don’t you, uh, tell me about them?”

“W-What?”

“About your crush…” he stopped himself and placed a hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry, that’s really personal and I shouldn’t be asking.” He looked away in embarrassment and Jungkook placed his hand on his.

Jungkook shook his head with a chuckle. “It’s alright. I’ll tell you about them, hyung,” he assured him. Taehyung nodded and listened intently. “First of all, they’re really…they’re really, uh…” he let out a breathy laugh as he faced Taehyung and began to stare into their eyes, “God, I can’t explain it in words...it’s just that they’re breathtaking. It’s like whenever I see them I lose all the words I was saying, and I lose track of everything. They’re so beautiful that I’m left helpless whenever they’re around me.”

Taehyung tried not to sound upset when he looked down at their hands. “Who is it? I promise I won’t tell.”

Jungkook smiled. “That person is y—“

“Hey,” the two moved their heads to see Jimin in his pajamas, dragging the yellow duvet with him as he looked down at them from the top of the stairs. “Why do I smell something burning?

The redhead sniffed and his eyes suddenly widened at the scent of something familiar, yet nasty. “Oh, shit, the tteokbokki!” he screamed as he leaped off the couch and ran to the kitchen. Jungkook looked down disappointedly, but quickly shot his head back up at Jimin. Jimin smirked and turned back to to his bedroom without another word. He suddenly became alarmed when he heard Taehyung yelp. Jungkook threw his guitar next to him and ran to the kitchen. There, Taehyung was wincing and looking down at his red hand. The rice cakes were burned to the point where they were all black, and the smell was awful. Taehyung tried to hold back tears, which was a challenge due to the excruciating pain as well as the news about Jungkook’s crush. Jungkook quickly turned off the gas range and ran to Taehyung’s side.

“Hyung, what did you do?” he asked as he dragged him to the sink. He turned on the cold water and gently shoved his hand under the running water.

He winced again and Jungkook stared at him. “I tried to turn it off, but then my hand hit the stupid pan by accident. Ugh, Jesus fuck it hurts!”

Jungkook sighed. “You tried making tteokbokki for my brother?” he asked, and Taehyung responded with a nod. “Why?”

“They’re believed to cure the sick,” he defended himself as the cold water continued to splash against his skin.

He released his grip on Taehyung’s wrist and eased into a smile. “How about you try making chicken noodle soup instead?” he suggested as he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows. “Do you know how to cook?”

Taehyung shook his head and Jungkook chuckled. “Alright, I’ll teach you then. Is your hand okay now?” He turned the faucet off with a nod. “Get yourself a bandaid from my room and then come back so I can teach you how to make it. They’re probably somewhere in the drawers by my bed.”

Jungkook turned away to acquire the ingredients, and Taehyung made his way up the steps to Jungkook’s room. He peeked into Jimin’s room, hoping that he went back to sleep, and he was happy to see that he was sound asleep on the bed, snuggling the cookie pillow that Yoongi got him for their three-week-aversary. He continued down the hall to Jungkook’s room, and he didn’t know what to think; he had never been in his room before.

Jungkook’s room was painted all black and white with a T.V. on one wall and a big black bed up against the wall across from it. Band posters adorned the walls, and even the curtains were black. He walked over to the drawers beside his bed and opened one. In it was a Polaroid camera and polaroid photos of him and an older woman. He was younger, maybe eleven, so he deduced that was his past mother. He decided to leave it alone and close it. The next drawer had some of his folded clothes, so he ignored it, and when he reached the last drawer, he saw Kumamon bandaids and picked one up. He laughed at it before leaving his room and meeting him back in the kitchen. Jungkook was on his phone, and he immediately put it away when he saw Taehyung. He didn’t want to question it; he already asked him too many personal questions that day.

“I found a simple recipe,” he said, turning to him. “Did you find the bandaids?” Taehyung showed him the bandaid and Jungkook nodded after turning pink. He must have forgotten that he had Kumamon bandaids. Jungkook held his hand out, and Taehyung handed it to him. He ripped it open and Taehyung offered his shaking hand. “Are you cold or nervous?” he asked him, chuckling at his trembling body. He placed the bandaid on his burn and smoothed it into his tan skin with his thumb.

“I’m nervous about cooking,” he lied. “I’ve never cook for real, you know? The most cooking I’ve done is with an Easy Bake Oven, and even then everything fell apart. I’m better off just eating and keeping my hands to myself.” He knew he was telling excuses, but he didn’t care. What would he going to say? ‘Oh, no, I’m just so madly in love with you that I’m shaking’? Taehyung mentally shook his head. Nope.

Jungkook let out a laugh. “Well, nobody’s perfect,” he told him as he set his hands down at his sides.

“I think you’re perfect,” Taehyung’s eyes widened right as he finished his remark, regret washing over him.

He laughed again. “I’m not perfect,” he replied, moving to get a pot. “I’m a complete mess.”

Taehyung looked down at his feet. “Well, I don’t think so…”

“Did you say something?”

“Who? Me? Nope, nothing.”

Jungkook nodded. “Right,” he said. “Let’s start cooking.”

“Jungkook-ah?” He looked up to Taehyung and raised an eyebrow. “Can you try this?” he presented him a ladle with some soup in it. Jungkook nodded and leaned forward, allowing him to feed him some. Taehyung turned red and fed him some, placing his hand under the brunette’s chin in case any spilled out.

Jungkook gulped it down and hummed. “Is it good?” he asked, and Jungkook nodded, giving him a double thumbs up. Taehyung beamed and continue to stir the soup, smiling to himself.

Jungkook patted his back. “Great job,” he complimented, and Taehyung could feel his heart jump out of his chest. “It should be good now. Wait a few more minutes for it to cool and then you can give him some.” Taehyung nodded, turning the gas range off as Jungkook walked to the sink to wash his hands.

Taehyung took it off of the stove and placed it on the counter. He took a bowl from off of the cupboard and left it next to the pot. Taehyung stared at the pot for a moment before saying “Hey, Jungkook?” Jungkook hummed and they made eye contact. “Thank you. For everything.”

Jungkook gave him a nod. “Anytime.”

He was about to walk away, but Taehyung grabbed his bicep, preventing him from walking away. Taehyung tried not to freak out, for he put his hand on him without thinking about it. “No, Jungkook, really. Thanks.”
Jungkook smiled and glanced down at the elder’s hand. “You’re welcome, hyung,” he said and Taehyung gave him a smile. “Now, if you excuse me, I’ll be in my room trying to figure out some more lyrics.” He began to walk again and Taehyung let him go.

“If you ever need help with the lyrics,” Taehyung started before Jungkook could leave the kitchen, “you know where to find me.” Jungkook turned around to see Taehyung facing him.

Jungkook nodded. “Of course,” he said and left the kitchen.

--

“Tae?”

“Yes?”

“You burned the tteokbokki?”

“Maybe.”

“I told you you couldn’t cook.”

“Shut up and eat your fucking soup, booger boy.”

--

Jimin had called Taehyung over to help him with his homework that Friday, and Taehyung, who had already done his homework, sat on his bed and pointed at what he was doing wrong. The blonde watched as Taehyung jumped when Jungkook passed by. Thankfully, Jimin’s door is always closed. Jimin glanced at the door. “What did that kid do that made you like him?”

Taehyung looked back at him and crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t really know,” he replied. “Love at first sight?” Jimin rolled his eyes and Taehyung chuckled. “Fine. Two years ago when your mom introduced him to me—“

“Wait, my mom introduced him to you?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought it was me?”

“Was it you?”

“It was someone.”

“Whatever,” Taehyung said, waving his hand to dismiss his interruption. “When he introduced himself, he looked so cute hiding behind his dad like that! And he was so nice and innocent. I never really talked to him, though, but he seemed like my type.”

“He was, like, fifteen.”

“Yes. A fifteen year old that went from a snack to a whole entire buffet.”

“You have to stop talking. Just shut your mouth, please. I’m going to vomit.”

Taehyung laughed, but then gave out a sigh. “He has a crush on someone else, y’know.”

Jimin sniffled since he was still recovering from his fever. “What?” he asked, wiping his nose with the sleeve of his sweater.

The redhead fiddled with the bracelets on his wrist. “Jungkook,” he whispered, knowing that Jungkook’s could be anywhere, and letting Jungkook hear their conversation was the last thing that he wanted, “has a crush on someone already.”

His best friend scribbled something down onto his worksheet before looking back at him and shaking his head. “Doubt it,” Jimin deadpanned, reading over the next math problem.

Taehyung stood up and moved next to him, he covered them with the blanket. “What do you mean? He literally wrote a song about her,” he replied, pointing at his previous answer. “That’s wrong, by the way.”

Jimin sniffled again and erased his answer. “Nah,” he replied. “He likes you.”

“He doesn’t. You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“Nope, I’m telling the truth.”

“Well, how do you know?”

“I’m not telling.”

“What? Why not?”

“Not telling you that either.”

“God, you’re annoying.”

“You love me.”

“I love your brother more.”

“Ew.”

Taehyung stuck out his tongue.

“Trust me, he likes you.”

The younger boy rolled his eyes as he laid his head on Jimin’s shoulder. “ Suuure .”

They heard knocks as the door swung open, Jungkook stood there, not needing permission to step in. Jimin stared at him. “Mijeong-noona wants me to call you down for di—“ Jungkook stopped at the sight of the redhead and bit his lip.

“...Taehyung.”

“Jungkook.”

“I didn’t know you were here.” He glanced at Taehyung laying on Jimin’s shoulder.

“W-Well, I am here.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Jimin looked at both of them before snickering. He moved his head to Jungkook. “Quit calling my mom by her name.”

Jungkook glared at Jimin. “She doesn’t mind.”

“I do.”

“But you’re not Mijeong-noona, are you?”

“Sure, I’m not my mom, but she’s still your mo—“

“Alright!” Taehyung exclaimed over their bickering. “We’ll be down there in a bit, Jungkookie, thanks.”

Jungkook slowly turned his head towards him and nodded with a smile. “I’ll see you down, then,” he said before leaving.

Jimin scoffed. “You guys are gross,” he said as he pushed his head away.

The younger boy laughed. “C’mon, Chim,” he said as he got off the bed. “Let’s eat some dinner.”

--

He looked at himself in the mirror and narrowed his eyes at himself. “Are you in love with Kim Taehyung?” He nodded instinctively and slapped himself in the face. Jungkook shook his head and ruffled his hair. “No, you’re not.”

Jungkook sent a glance out the window and bit his lip. “Are you sure, though? I mean, he’s really cute and—” He brought his hand up and slapped the other side of his face. Jungkook shook his head again and stared holes into his reflection. “I’m straight.”

The brunette furrowed his eyebrows, as if he was confused but at the same time angry with himself. “Am I straight?” he looked down at the sink. “Am I gay? Am I gay for Kim Taehyung?”

“I don’t know, are you gay for Kim Taehyung?”

Jungkook jumped out of his skin and turned to the man at the door. “Jimin,” he said. “What are you doing here? I thought you were with Yoongi-hyung.”

Jimin smiled and leaned against the doorframe. “I was with hyungie until I heard you screaming about my best friend in the bathroom,” Jungkook turned away and made eye contact with himself in the mirror. “But answer me.”

“What?”

“Do you like Tae or not?”

Jungkook moved his head to face him. “I don’t know,” he replied, leaning his hands on the sides of the sink. “Maybe?” Jimin hummed with a smile and cocked his head to the side. “Fine, I do. Don’t tell him, though, or I’ll kill you.”

Jimin snorted. “No promises.”

He narrowed his eyes at him. “I’m not kidding.”

The blonde turned away, and as he left and closed the door, he said “Sure you aren’t.” The brunette rolled his eyes before splashing his face with water and drying his hands.

--

He swung the door open with a smile. “Hey, Ji—” Taehyung paused at the sight of Yoongi in his bedroom, and he took a step back. “Did I arrive at the wrong time?”

Jimin shook his head, standing from his seat on the bed. ”Nope,” he replied, placing a hand on his boyfriend’s back. “Hyungie was here anyways, so I just called him over before he went down the garage.” Taehyung looked down at the tools in Yoongi’s hands, and he raised an eyebrow. “I called him here because my dumbass brother tried to show me a cool karate move and busted the lock on the door.” He gestured to the doorknob Taehyung had his hand on, and Taehyung took his hand off.

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“Jesus.”

“But now that you’re here, can you do me a favor?” Taehyung nodded. “We forgot to grab the screws and stuff from the garage. I’d appreciate it if you got them. And bring the whole container thing, please, we don’t know which one will fit.”

Taehyung stared at him wordlessly, only blinking, for a few seconds. “I-Isn’t Jungkook in there, though?”

Jimin nodded. “Yeah,” Taehyung gulped and he gave out a sigh. “Look, Tae, if you don’t want to do it, that’s okay. I can do it.”

Taehyung shook his head. “No, no, I’ll get it!” he screamed, stopping Jimin from moving any further. “They’re in one of the cabinets, right?” Jimin sent him a nod, and he ran out of his room, making his way down the garage.

“You’re really going to do that to him?”

“Yeah.” Jimin smiled.

“Cruel, baby, cruel.”

“He’ll survive.”

“Will he though?”

“No, not at all.”

If there was one thing that was racking at his brain the whole day, it would be whether or not he should ask Taehyung for his number. He wanted to do it badly, but it felt absurd. Why would he ask his brother’s best friend for his number? What would his reasoning be? Just in case he couldn’t contact Jimin? Really? No way. Jungkook had begged Jimin to just give it to him for two days already, and Jimin had yet to relent. All Jimin did was make fun of his crush on Taehyung and walk away. Jungkook figured he wasn’t going to get it out of him. After setting his guitar down, he settled down onto the seat in the back of his drum set, slowing patting his drumstick against the snare drum. “Jungkook?” His head shot up to Taehyung, and he turned red. The latter’s wore an oversized, blue sweatshirt with the word ‘precious’ spelled on the front of it in pink letters. On his legs, he wore ripped up black jeans, and Jungkook felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of it.

“Taehyung,” he muttered, throwing his drumsticks onto the flat snare drum, “w-what’re you doing here?”

He looked around for a moment, and he connected his hands behind his back. “J-Jimin asked for the screws and stuff,” he answered, avoiding eye contact. “Any chance you saw them?”

Jungkook stood from his seat and made his way to one of the cabinets. Taehyung watched as he opened it, and took the container out. “Here,” he said, outstretching his hand to hand it to him. “Why does he need it anyways?”

Taehyung fell silent. Should he tell him because he was a dumbass? Or lie? He looked down at his feet. “Uh...I don't really know.”

He was skeptical, of course, but he decided not to say anything about it. “I see,” Jungkook replied, and Taehyung took it from his hands. Their fingertips touched, and both of their cheeks burned in humiliation. Taehyung thanked him and turned towards the door to leave. He already had his hand on the doorknob when Jungkook yelled out “Wait a sec!” making the red haired boy startled. Jungkook jogged towards him, pulling his phone out of his back pocket as he did.

“What’s up?” Taehyung asked. Jesus, that sounded gross, he thought to himself as he stared at him.

Jungkook grinned. “I was just thinking that we could...we could, uh…” he scratched at the back of his neck sheepishly, “exchange numbers?” He let out a breathy laugh that sounded painfully awkward, and he mentally cursed at himself for it.

He felt relieved when he saw Taehyung’s striking box smile, and when the boy beamed, oh God, Jungkook could feel his heart leap out of his chest. “Sure!” Taehyung exclaimed, setting the screws on the ground and fishing out his phone. He put his password in and handed it to Jungkook; Jungkook handed his own to him as well. The brunette finished quickly, typing his phone number within several seconds of having his phone in his hands. He looked down at Taehyung, who was pretty slow at typing it in, and the way he looked at the moment made him want to throw him against the wall and just start bombarding him with kisses.

But, thankfully, with all the power within him, he held back.

Taehyung handed him his phone back, and Jungkook did the same. “Thanks,” Jungkook said, “it’ll be fun sending you a random meme everyday.” Really, Jungkook? Memes? Right after you got his number? Memes!? He thought to himself as he let out another awkward laugh.

The redhead giggled. “You’re funny,” he replied, and Jungkook turned redder. Taehyung looked away. “As much as I’d love to stay, I should, uh, get back before they start to worry about me.”

Jungkook sent him a nod, and Taehyung stepped a foot outside of the garage. “Wait!” he screamed yet again, and Taehyung looked puzzledly back at him. He picked up the screws from off of the floor and handed it to him. “You almost forgot this.”

Taehyung chuckled and took it from him. “Thanks, Jungkookie,” he said with a smile, closing the door behind him. “See you later!”

Jungkook nodded again and fell to his knees. He stared at the number in his phone and labelled it “soon to be my bf.” He smiled down at it, and when he heard that Taehyung was far enough from the garage, he pumped his fists in the air and yelled, “Woohoo!” at the top of his lungs.

--

When the two heard the door creak, they looked up from their seats on the bed and stared at him. He had the container of screws in one hand, and his phone in the other. Yoongi was equally confused as he swung his legs off off the bed to look at him clearly. Jimin furrowed his eyebrows, noticing his extremely red face. “What happened…?” he inquired, staying still in his spot.

Taehyung lifted his hand to show his contact list. “He gave me his number” was all he could say before laughter erupted in Jimin’s throat.

--

shorty: alright tae

shorty: wanna come to the carnival w me

got his number: do you think i have anything else to do

shorty: nope.

got his number: then yes i’ll go

shorty: sweet

shorty: bring money

shorty: 3.5k won is good

got his number: wtf why so much

shorty: it’s a carnival. theres a lot of fucking food and you need to buy a ticket.

shorty: and thats like saying you /dont/ want deep fried oreos

shorty: not to mention

shorty: like

shorty: the tickets for the rides

got his number: akhfosigj fine i’ll ask my mom

shorty: sweet!! meet me there at 7

got his number: k

--

yoongi hyung: hey kid

kook: yeah

yoongi hyung: doing anything tonight

kook: besides trying to make lyrics for the stupid song im writing

kook: no

kook: no i am not

yoongi hyung: nice. want to come to the carnival??

yoongi hyung: its just for the food i assure you im not getting giddy over cotton candy and baby rides

kook: lmao

kook: sure

yoongi hyung: remember to bring money

kook: is 5k won ok

yoongi hyung: well thats a little bit /excessive/

kook: ah youre right

yoongi hyung: 4k or whatever is fine though

yoongi hyung: but really its up to you

yoongi hyung: ill meet you there at 7

kook: okay, see you there!

yoongi hyung: catch you later, kid

--

chimmy: babe

hyungie: yeah

chimmy: are we being a little /too/ cruel???

hyungie: …

hyungie: nah

--

Jungkook arrived at the carnival a few minutes before seven in anticipation that his best friend would already be there. However, to his dismay, he was nowhere in sight. Jungkook figured that in the meantime he should just pay for his ticket and keep waiting. He waited ten minutes more, and Yoongi still failed to show up. He pulled his phone out to text him, but before he could type anything in, he heard a voice from behind him. “Jungkook?” someone said, and he whipped around to see who it was. His heart started to beat at the sight of him wearing a “The Rolling Stones” shirt and skin-tight leather pants.

“T-Taehyung,” he mumbled as his voice hitched. Wind blew through the air, and he had to push his hair out of his eyes to see him clearly. “What are you doing here?”

He chuckled, kicking his feet into the dirt awkwardly. “I could ask you the same thing,” he replied, and Jungkook smiled gently. “Jimin stood me up. He told me to meet him here, but I don’t see him anywhere.”

“Yoongi stood me up,” he told him, and they shared a laugh at their similar situations. “What’re we going to do now?”

Taehyung hummed, fumbling with the hem of his shirt. “I don’t know,” he whispered, looking down at the dirt. “I was just going to go home and yell at him...but...did you already buy your ticket?” Jungkook nodded, showing him the yellow slip of paper.

“Me too,” he sighed, bringing his own ticket out of his pocket and meeting eyes with him. Under a second, a smile suddenly formed on his face. “I have an idea!” he announced.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Taehyung walked closer to him so they were clearly looking eye to eye, but keeping a respective amount of space in between them. “Let’s make the most of tonight,” he proposed as he cocked his head to the side. “After all, we already bought the ticket.”

The two laughed together. “Sure,” Jungkook replied with a grin on his face.

The redhead nodded. “Great,” he said, motioning over for Jungkook to follow him. “Let’s get to the House of Mirrors before the line gets too long!” He started to run to the ticket booth, and Jungkook trailed behind him with a laugh.

“I heard there’s a haunted house here,” Taehyung mentioned as they made their way out of the exit of their fifth rollercoaster ride.

Jungkook looked back at him and chuckled. “Oh, really?” he asked, and Taehyung nodded in confirmation. He then pointed to a dark building near the food stands. “Woah, okay. Want to go?”

Taehyung’s eyes widened, and he turned back to Jungkook. What? Is he scared? He thought, and he held a smirk from forming on his lips. Good for me then. He’ll be clinging onto me so much. “Can we?” he asked excitedly, and it wasn’t the response Jungkook thought he would get.

The brunette blinked for a moment. “S-Sure,” he muttered as a blush crept onto his cheeks. Taehyung jumped vivaciously, and tugged his arm all the way through the crowd to reach the haunted house. Jungkook couldn’t wait for Taehyung to cling onto him, letting Taehyung view him as such a brave, courageous man. He smirked to himself as they entered the line.

But, unfortunately for Jungkook, Jungkook realized that he’d be the one clinging onto him after the entering the haunted house. He screamed everytime a “monster” would come even remotely close to him. Hell, they could breath in his direction and he would screech like there was no tomorrow. Taehyung looked down at the boy, who was hugging his right arm close to his chest, and started to laugh. Taehyung was unfazed through the whole thing, and Jungkook couldn’t even fathom the idea of being unfazed during a time like tthat.

They left the haunted house after seven minutes of Jungkook’s uninterrupted screaming, and Taehyung whispered an apology to those waiting outside. Their eardrums must be broken now, he thought in his head. He looked back at Jungkook, who was leaning on his hands, that were supported by his knees, and panting. “You alright over there?” he asked, leaning down to pat his back.

Jungkook’s eyes seemed drained and dead, and when he looked back at him, he frowned. “Peachy,” he replied, and Taehyung giggled. Jungkook looked up at one of the food stans with a big ice cream cone on top, and he straightened his posture. He cleared his throat. “I handled the haunted house pretty well, huh? And don’t answer that. How about we get some ice cream?” Taehyung nodded in agreement and followed him to the ice cream stand.

“Thank you,” Taehyung said as Jungkook set the small cup of chocolate ice cream in his hands. He took a seat next to him on one of the benches, and together they started to eat their ice cream. Jungkook paid because he felt bad for yelling in his ear for seven minutes straight. It was quiet between them, and they ate their ice cream silently. Jungkook decided to break the silence. “Hey, hyung,” Taehyung looked back at him and raised an eyebrow, “how does the chocolate taste? I was going to get it, but I didn’t know.”

Taehyung glanced at his ice cream. “It tastes like chocolate,” he replied. “I mean...you know...how do I describe the taste of chocolate? I don’t know what to say either than want to try it?” Jungkook nodded, and as he lifted his spoon to scoop some off of his cup, Taehyung was already presenting him a spoonful of ice cream.

“Uh...”

“Oh, you didn’t mean it like...Jesus, I’m so sorry, go ahead.”

“No, it’s okay, y-you can feed me.”

“O-Okay.”

And with that, Taehyung gently pushed his hand towards him, and Jungkook leaned forward, engulfing the scoop of ice cream into his mouth. The redhead turned as red as his own hair, and pulled his hand away as Jungkook pulled away as well. “It’s good!” Jungkook exclaimed with a smile, covering his mouth as he did so. Taehyung nodded, and as they finished their ice creams, Jungkook turned to him and asked, “How long have you been friends with my brother?”

Taehyung blinked. “Uh...more than a decade. We met some time in grade school, I think.”

“Really?” he pressed, scooching closer.

He nodded. “Yep. What about you? How long have you known Yoongi?” he inquired.

Jungkook took a moment to think. “Only a few years. Maybe three, four?”

“Where’d you meet?”

“Um...an instrument shop or something. I was buying the drumset and he was buying himself a keyboard.”

“Oh, that’s cute.” Taehyung smiled.

His cheeks heated up, and he grinned as well. “Yeah, but there’s nothing cuter tha—“

“Holy fuck that’s that's the biggest bunny I've ever seen.”

Jungkook came to an abrupt stop and watched as Taehyung stared at one of the prizes a few feet away. He was right; it was a humongus bunny with strong eyebrows and fluffy, white ears. Taehyung caught himself after he interrupted him and slapped a hand over his mouth. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt! It’s just that…” he trailed off, staring back at the bunny, “it’s huge. Have you ever seen something so cute and...and that huge?” I mean, besides you… Taehyung thought, but forced himself not to say it out loud.

The brunette gave out a laugh, and Taehyung turned red in embarrassment. “No, it’s okay. I wasn’t saying anything important anyways,” he replied with a smile. “But I do agree. It’s huge. Do you want it?”

“I...But the only way you can win it is through the High Striker over there,” he said with a pout on his lips, looking down at his arms. Jungkook glanced at the strength test machine and smirked. “And these noodle arms of mine won’t get me anywhere close to winning it.”

Jungkook chuckled, standing to his feet. “Who said you’ll be the one playing it?” he asked, grabbing onto Taehyung’s wrist and running. “Come on, let’s go!” he screamed, and before Taehyung could even say a word of protest, he was already dragged halfway there, and he relented with a giggle.

Jungkook paid the tender two of his white tickets, and the tender sent him off with a word of good luck, handing him the hammer. The hammer was heavy, but he was sure he could get it in one shot. He gestured for Taehyung to take a step back and watch, and Taehyung complied without complaint. Jungkook wrapped his long fingers around the handle and gripped hard to ensure that it wouldn’t go flying out of his hands and potentially hit the boy next to him. He lifted it above his head, and, with one quick move of his arms, he slammed it down onto the black button. The small ball inside of the machine skyrocketed, reaching the highest number at the very top. Taehyung’s eyes widened, and his mouth was left agape.

The tender was surprised as well and walked over to Jungkook. “What prize would you like, sir?” he asked, pointing to the large prizes above them. Jungkook glanced at Taehyung, who was still recovering from the shock, back up to the prizes.

“The pink bunny, please” was Jungkook’s response, and the tender quickly took it down to hand it to him. Jungkook thanked him and returned to Taehyung. He stood in front of him and handed him the bunny. “Is this one what you wanted?” he asked, and all Taehyung could do was nod.

Jungkook pushed it towards him so he could take it, but Taehyung shook his head and took a step back. “I am not taking that,” he said seriously, staring at the bunny in his hands. “You won it fair and square. I’m not going to just take it from you!”

“But I won it for you.”

Taehyung turned red, and his heart started to beat at an abnormal rate. But I won it for you. The same words started to repeat over and over again in his mind. But I won it for you. But I won it for you. It seemed never ending until Jungkook gave him a smile and placed it in his hands. “You heard me, right?” he asked, chuckling. “I won it for you, so it’s yours.”

He couldn’t do anything but obey him at that moment. He hugged it to his chest. “Thanks, Jungkookie,” he whispered loud enough for Jungkook to hear.

Jungkook gave him a salute before pointing to the merry-go-round. “Let’s ride that next, shall we?” he inquired, and Taehyung agreed, walking next to him as they made their way to the brightly lit children’s ride.

The brunette helped Taehyung mount onto the pink horse, and he took his seat next to him, on a brown horse. The ride started after a few seconds, and Taehyung beamed as the speed picked up. He started to fool around, standing whenever his unicorn went up, and even though Jungkook told him to be careful, he kept going. He looked beautiful as he laughed and threw his head back, enjoying the moment as the wind blew through his hair.

As his pink horse went up for what seemed the last time, his shoe slipped, and he almost fell to the ground. Thankfully, Jungkook caught him by the waist before he could fall, and when Taehyung looked up from the floor, they locked eyes. The ride started to come to a stop, and they slowly started to lean in, their lips almost locking before the ride came to a complete stop and all the children on the ride leaped out of their seats.

“Look, mommy! Those boys are kissing!” Their eyes widened, and their heads shot back to a little girl clinging to her mother’s blouse and kicking.

“Hush, Hyejeong,” the mother hissed, turning to look at them. “I’m sorry for ruining your date, boys. My daughter is unbelievable.”

Date? Date? Neither of them thought of it that way. At all. Now that it came to mind, they did look extremely lovey-dovey on the lines for the rides and as they laughed while eating deep fried oreos by the petting zoo.

Taehyung gulped. “Uh, no, we’re not dati—“

“It’s alright, ma’am.” Jungkook said instead, speaking over Taehyung’s voice. Taehyung blinked, looking back up at him, not having a single clue about what he was thinking. He smiled, though, and looked down at his shoes sheepishly.

After getting face paint of butterflies on both of their cheeks and cleaning whipped cream out of their hair from their game of Pie Face, they both decided they were hungry. In their defense, deep-fried Oreos and lemonade can only get you so far if you’re walking and playing around for three hours straight. They settled for some nachos and sodas near the haunted house. As they waited in the line, they entertained themselves on the screams coming from the haunted attraction next to them.

“Haha, that guy probably pissed his pants.”

“Don’t laugh at him, you probably did the same thing.”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

Jungkook let out a defeated laugh, and, eventually, they got their food. They took their seats at a small table only meant for two and started to give in. They decided to share the nachos because a) they were broke and b) the amount of nachos they sold was enough to feed a cow and her eighteen calves. “All I’m saying,” Jungkook started as he wiped his fingers with a napkin, “is that Jimin can be so, so gross.”

“Oh, I know,” Taehyung responded, taking a sip of his root beer float. “Think I didn’t know that? I watched him eat four bugs once.”

“Ewww.”

“Yeah. But we were, like, eight, so.”

The brunette gave out a laugh again, and as they finished their dinner, the night began to get colder and colder. The wind blew through their hair, and Taehyung shivered. Jungkook noticed him run his hands over his bare arms, and he furrowed his eyebrows. “Are you cold?” he asked, and Taehyung shrugged.

He glanced down at the empty basket of nachos. “Yeah, kind of,” he replied, giving out a chuckle.

Jungkook smiled and shimmied his black bomber jacket off. He offered it to him with a smile. “Here,” he said.

Taehyung stared at the jacket in his hand. “...I couldn’t.”

“No, please do, it was getting too hot for me, actually.” he lied. He was freezing.

“N-Really, I shouldn’t.”

“You said you’re cold, right?”

“Y-Yeah…”

“Then you should wear it.”

Taehyung let out a defeated laugh and relented, outstretching his arm to take it from him. He slid his arms into the jacket, and as he placed it on his shoulders, it seemed way too big for him. Jungkook blushed at that and cleared his throat as he stood up and tossed the empty basket away. “Thank you,” Taehyung whispered when he returned, and Jungkook set him a nod.

The redhead stood up as well, and together they started to traverse through the carnival, looking for more to do. Taehyung caught sight of a claw machine, and he ran towards it. Jungkook had to sprint to catch up to him, and he threw himself against the machine. He pointed at a galaxy ball and smiled. “I’m going to win that for you,” he said, already putting in some coins before Jungkook could say anything about it. Jungkook chuckled and watched as the claw inside of the machine moved around, matching the movements of the joysticks. He hovered over the ball, and when he was sure he was directly over it, he slammed the yellow button down. It missed, grabbing the air next to it, and Taehyung pouted.

He pulled out a few more coins, and Jungkook placed his hand over the coin slot. “You know, hyung, you don’t have to do this.”

Taehyung stared at him. “But I want to,” he replied, cocking his head to the side adorably. Jungkook’s face turned a crimson color, and he shut his mouth immediately. He moved his hand away and shoved them into the pockets of his jeans.

Taehyung tried again, and it resulted in another failure. Before Jungkook could tell him that it was fine, he was already shoving in more coins. He repeated the same process for the third time, and it was finally successful. He beamed when the ball fell down the hole. The boy picked it up and handed it to Jungkook. “Have a cool ball in return,” his smile was wide, and his face was red. Jungkook couldn’t tell if it was from the cold or not.

“Thanks,” he replied with a laugh, “but I think it’s time we get home. Did you drive here? I took my moms car.”

Taehyung giggled. “Oh,” he mumbled, “I just took an Uber.”

Jungkook guffawed, pulling his hands out of his pockets to reveal the car keys. “It’s settled then,” he told him, jingling the car keys in front of his face. “I’ll be taking you home.”

And before Taehyung could respond, Jungkook was already leading him towards the exit. Taehyung couldn’t refuse him; he figured there was no getting around his statement anyways.

It was almost eleven when Jungkook stopped in front of Taehyung’s house. Taehyung held the bunny Jungkook had won him close to his chest and leaned his head on it. “I had a great time, Jungkookie,” he remarked, staring into his eyes. “Thanks for staying with me. It was better than going home and watching Netflix as I scarf down four gallons of ice cream.”

Jungkook laughed at his joke with a nod. “Of course,” he replied. “I enjoyed myself, too.”

Taehyung hummed and unlocked the door. “I’ll see you soon?” he asked, and Jungkook set him another nod. He opened the car door and left. “Good night, Kook.” he wished as he turned on his heel towards his front door.

“Night!” Jungkook exclaimed as Taehyung walked down the gravel path. Taehyung laughed and turned back to him. He waved to him when he reached the front door, and Jungkook waited for the door to disappear behind him before driving off.

Taehyung watched as he left from his widow and he smiled to himself. He was about to make his way up to his own room, but then he stopped halfway up the stairs. Shit, Taehyung thought as he looked down at Jungkook’s jacket. I forgot to give his jacket back to him. Taehyung bit his lip with a grin. He shrugged to himself and continued up the stairs.

Whatever, I’ll just give it to him tomorrow or something...I’m sure he won’t mind. And with that, he wrapped it right around himself and opened the door to his room.

--

shorty: did you like your date

got his number: fuck you

got his number: i did

shorty: ur welcome.

--

kook: hyung

yoongi hyung: yeah what up

kook: where were you

yoongi hyung: oh sorry kid

yoongi hyung: something came up so i forgot to tell you i wouldnt be coming

kook: oh yeah?

yoongi hyung: ...ya

kook: right...its not like u were trying to set me up w taehyung right

yoongi hyung: whos taehyung?

kook: ugh

kook: thanks tho

yoongi hyung: np

--

Taehyung, who still didn’t know how to use the washing machine, decided it was fine to just return it to him when he went over to Jimin’s house the next day. It wasn’t dirty anyways. It was just...slightly used. It’s not that Taehyung accidentally fell asleep in it and had the best sleep in his life or anything. Since Jimin’s parents are rarely ever there, and Jimin is way too lazy to come down and open the door for him, he let himself in, setting a few knocks on the door to let them know that he was there like he always did. Jungkook’s bomber jacket hung on his forearm, and he heard giggling as he went up the stairs to Jimin’s room.

“Bonjour,” he said as he opened the door to Jimin’s room. Jimin was on the phone with someone, presumably Yoongi, and he whispered an apology as Jimin looked up at him. The blonde gestured to the jacket on his arm and pointed to his wall, signaling that Jungkook was in his room. “Should I give it to him now?” he mouthed, and Jimin nodded after a moment.

Taehyung sighed, glancing at his closed door. “Fine,” he muttered, closing Jimin’s door and making his way to Jungkook’s room. He heard the acoustic strums of the guitar emitting from the walls of his room, and he gently knocked on the door twice. The strumming stopped and he heard Jungkook yell “Jimin, I don’t care if Yoongi has a cute dog! You’re staying here because mom and dad said so, and that’s final!” He continued strumming the guitar, and he knocked again. He heard Jungkook sigh and toss his guitar away. As he opened the door, he started to say “How many times do I have to tell you this? You’re not going to see—“ but stopped himself immediately after he saw Taehyung instead of his brother. “Taehyung? Oh, God, I’m sorry for thinking you were my brother, I just—“

“It’s alright,” Taehyung spoke over him, ending his rambling. “I was just dropping this off.” He shoved his arm towards Jungkook, offering for him to take it out of his hands.

Jungkook stared at his jacket, suddenly remembering that he had lent him it the day before. “Right,” he breathed, taking it off of his arm and tossing it onto his bed. They stood in silence until Jungkook asked, “Hyung, remember when Jimin was sick and we made him some soup in the kitchen?”

Taehyung nodded. “Yeah, what about it?”

“You said that if I needed any help with the lyrics,” he turned red, “that I knew where to find you? Do you remember that?” Taehyung nodded again. “Are you...are you doing anything after school tomorrow?”

Taehyung paused for a second. “I don’t think so,” he answered. “Why?”

“Well,” Jungkook started, “I was just wondering if you’d like to help me with the lyrics?”

Taehyung’s heart fell to his stomach. He didn’t feel like helping him write lyrics for someone else, but he didn’t mind helping him. “I would,” he replied, a forced smile on his face. “I would love to help you.” He was telling blatant lies at this point, and he felt bad, almost guilty, for it.

Jungkook grinned. “Thanks,” he said, his eyes turning into crescents and wrinkling his nose. “I’ll meet you on the rooftop after school on Monday, alright?”

Taehyung responded with a nod. “I’ll see you there” was all he could muster before he ran back to Jimin’s room to prevent himself from crying in front of him. Helping the person you love write something about someone else hurt, but he didn’t want to be so straightforward to decline for no reason. He sighed and buried his face in a pillow. Jimin didn’t know what happened, but he reached over and patted his back solemnly in consolation.

--

When Jungkook reached the rooftop after school, Taehyung was nowhere to be found. He got there fairly early, so he decided to wait a few minutes for him. He looked down at the notebook in his hands, and he smiled to himself. Hopefully, Taehyung would like the lyrics he already had down. They seemed great already, but Taehyung’s input would be nice. He waited for about ten more minutes, but he started to become worried. Did he forget? Did he decide to just forget him and run away with his friends? Jungkook didn’t know, but what he did know was that he was nervous. What if he found out that Jungkook liked him and didn’t want to see him again? The thought of that made Jungkook’s heart drop, and he couldn’t get his mind off of it.

He looked down at the sea of kids still leaving the school, and he caught sight of Taehyung talking to Seokjin by the gates of the school. Apparently, Seokjin was the most popular guy in school, and the sight of them talking together made Jungkook want to scream. Taehyung was giggling, covering his mouth with his right hand. His smile was wide, and his eyes turned into half-moons. Seokjin was smirking as he ran a hand through his hair, and he had one hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. Jungkook fumed and stuffed his notebook under his arm. He ran down the stairs to where Taehyung and Seokjin was, and he watched as Taehyung waved goodbye to Seokjin. As he turned, he bumped into Jungkook, whose eyebrows were furrowed and teeth were gritted.

“Jung—“

“Where were you!?” he screamed, interrupting Taehyung from speaking.

Taehyung jumped at his booming voice and took a step back. “I-I was talking to Seokjin-hyung…” he answered nervously. Jungkook was different today. He was never really like this, and he had been hanging out with him for a few months already.

Jungkook crossed his arms. “So what is it? Is Seokjin more important than me? I was waiting for twenty minutes up there!” he yelled, and Taehyung frowned. “And when I look down I see you giggling with Mr. Popular? Really?”

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows. “Listen, Jeon Jungkook,” Taehyung hissed, and Jungkook was shocked when heard his full name, “I don’t know why you’re acting like this. I was only talking to my new friend, but just because I was talking to him doesn’t mean that I forgot about you. I was about to go up there, you know? And I’m sorry that I took a long time, but that doesn’t allow you to storm down here and start yelling at me!” Jungkook was brought to silence, and he didn’t know what to say next.

“Taehyung?”

The two shot their heads to where Jimin stood, an arm linked around Yoongi’s and a confused expression on his face. Taehyung sighed and turned his head back to Jungkook. “I don’t know what I can do to help you anymore, Jungkook. I’ll see you later,” he said, running to Jimin and tugging him away from Yoongi. The two ran outside of the school gates, and Jungkook looked at Yoongi, who only shook his head at him and followed Taehyung and his boyfriend.

--

babe <3: what happened now

jiminie: OK SO

jiminie: APPARENTLY KOOK ASKED TAE TO MEET HIM ON THE ROOFTOP AFTER SCHOOL

jiminie: BUT THEN TAE WAS SO CAUGHT UP WITH ASKING SEOKJIN WHAT THEY HAD FOR HOMEWORK IN ONE OF THEIR CLASSES THAT HE DIDNT SEE THE TIME

jiminie: AND WHAT WORSE IS THAT JIN HELD HIM BACK BY TELLING HIM A FUNNY JOKE

jiminie: AND EVEN THOUGH TAE THOUGHT IT WASNT FUNNY HE STILL HAD TO LAUGH AND STUFF BC HE FELT BAD

jiminie: AND THEN JUNGKOOK CAME RUNNING IN AS HE WAVED BY TO JIN AND HE STARTED SCREAMING AT TAE

jiminie: TAE WAS ALL LIKE ??? SO HE TOLD KOOK OFF AND RAN AWAY

babe <3: fr

jiminie: YEAH

babe <3: so now what

babe <3: is their potential relationship over now

jiminie: not if we do something about it

babe <3: what are you talking about

jiminie: babe :)

babe <3: youre going to ask me to talk to him arent you

jiminie: pls

babe <3: fine ill try

jiminie: ly

babe <3: ik

--

During lunch a few days after, Yoongi caught sight of Jungkook staring at Taehyung, who was a few tables away from him, and he sighed. He could see love, admiration, and despair in his eyes as he stared at him, and he almost felt bad for him. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was Jungkook’s fault that this whole thing was happening, Yoongi would be able to sympathize. However, since the whole thing was his fault, the only thing Yoongi could do was shake his head disappointedly.

Taehyung had been hanging out with Seokjin and Namjoon more often, and he even sat at their table during lunch. He watched Jungkook grimmance whenever he laughed at Seokjin’s jokes, and how he frowned each time they shared food. Yoongi scoffed when Jungkook almost threw a baby carrot at Seokjin’s face, but, thankfully, one of his friends at his table stopped him. Jungkook was ignoring the girls around him, no longer accepting gifts or compliments, only keeping his eyes set on Taehyung the whole entire lunch period.

Jimin also reported to him that Jungkook had tried on several occasions to talk to him, but Taehyung was always talking to someone else or making his way into his next class. As Yoongi kept staring at him, they suddenly locked eyes, and Jungkook jumped. Yoongi brought his phone up and tapped at it. Jungkook nodded and pulled out his phone as well.

kook: why are you staring at me

yoongi hyung: why are you staring at taehyung

kook: im not

yoongi hyung: riiiiight

yoongi hyung: anyways

yoongi hyung: you know youre an idiot right

kook: UGH i know

kook: ofc i know

kook: i fucking blew it w him bc my dumbass decided to yell at him for no reason

kook: im the biggest idiot on earth

yoongi hyung: yep

yoongi hyung: when was the last time youve talked to him

kook: a few days…

yoongi hyung: dude

kook: A WEEK OKAY

kook: HES SO MAD AT ME RN AND I DONT WANT TO MAKE IT ANY WORSE THAT IT ALREADY IS

yoongi hyung: yeah youre officially the stupidest person on earth

yoongi hyung: you really got your petty jealousness get to you just bc he was talking to jin

kook: jin?

yoongi hyung: seokjin

kook: how are you on nickname basis w seokjin sunbaenim

yoongi hyung: bc hes my friend lmfao

kook: ???? you too??

yoongi hyung: well im only his friend bc hes namjoons boyfriend

kook: WTF

yoongi hyung: ya

kook: WHEN

yoongi hyung: thats besides the point. the point is that youre an idiot w a problem and you have to fix it

kook: HOW????

yoongi hyung: idk figure something out im no genius when it comes to love

kook: ……

yoongi hyung: get to it ok

yoongi hyung: i’ll see you tomorrow at 8

kook: tomorrow at 8??

yoongi hyung: ...yeah

yoongi hyung: we have this thing called “our first actual gig thats not at a 5 y/o’s birthday” that we need to attend to tomorrow. namjoon you and i and such

kook: oh god youre right

kook: im sorry hyung my mind has been on taehyung this whole time i wasnt thinking

yoongi hyung: ik it has

yoongi hyung: see you

Jimin suddenly started to lay his head on his shoulder, muttering some complaints about some girls by another table. “What are you doing?” he asked, snuggling up comfortably next to him.

Yoongi leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead. “Trying to get Jungkook to try harder while I remind him about our gig tomorrow,” he answered, looking back at his phone.

kook: wait where is it again?

yoongi hyung: its like

yoongi hyung: that underground thing??

Jimin hummed. “Can I tell you something? I have something that’s troubling me,” he whined, playing with the cuffs on Yoongi’s sleeves. “Wait a second” was Yoongi’s response before he had to type a farewell to Jungkook.

yoongi hyung: ill send you the address in a sec, but rn i have to go see whats wrong w jimin

kook: right sorry

yoongi hyung: its ok

kook: wait so we have to preform and stuff…………

yoongi hyung: YES KID GODDAMN

kook: IM SORRY ITS JUST LIKE

kook: wait

kook: can i bring a friend?

yoongi hyung: you got an idea didnt you

kook: yeah…

yoongi hyung: bring whoever you want

kook: thanks hyung

yoongi hyung: anytime

yoongi hyung: so if the questionnaire is over now i have to go back to jimin before he starts whining again

kook: sorry haha ill see you tomorrow then

yoongi hyung: yep

And with that, he turned back to Jimin and kissed his forehead again.

“Mission accomplished?”

“Pretty much.”

--

Before last period, Jungkook was asked to hand some papers to a teacher, and he happily accepted the request. The classroom was near the third year side, and he was pretty acquainted with the area although he was only a second year. He remembered the days where Taehyung and himself would walk around after school by the third year side. He remembered when Taehyung laughed when he saw one of the janitors slip next to the wet floor sign. He helped them up after regaining his calmness, and his kindness made Jungkook’s heart flutter.

He set the paper down on the table, and as he opened the classroom door to leave, he heard a loud thump, and his eyes widened at the sight of the redhead on the floor. He scrambled down to the ground and helped Taehyung up. Taehyung was silent as he patted the dirt off of himself and started to walk off. Jungkook caught him by the arm and placed his hands on his shoulders, forcing him to face forward. “Hyung, I’m so sorry,” Jungkook said, staring into his dark brown eyes. “I shouldn’t have acted like that and I really didn’t mean to yell at you at all. It’s just that...seeing you with Seokjin-hyung makes me…” he trailed off and bit down on his bottom lip.

He felt Taehyung take a deep breath. “Jungkook,” Taehyung spoke, and Jungkook’s eyes widened. He hasn’t heard his soothing, deep voice in so long that he felt like his heart was going to burst at the sound of it. “I’m sorry, too. I overreacted, and even worse I ignored you for so long. I was stubborn and so unforgiving. Thinking back now, I shouldn’t have said the thing I’ve said either. I can still help you, though, and I didn’t mean it when I said I didn’t know if I could. I’m so sorry that I—“

“No,” he interrupted, releasing his hands from his shoulders and slipping them down into his hands. Taehyung turned red, his eyes threatening to look down at their hands and marvel at how well they interlocked. But Taehyung knew he didn’t like him that way, so he just kept staring into his eyes. “You have every right to be angry at me. I was the one that overreacted. I should have let you explain yourself before jumping to conclusions.”

Taehyung laughed. “You really don’t have to take all the blame for this, I was equally in the wr—“

Jungkook squeezed his hands, forcing him to come to a stop. “Hyung, really, I’m sorry. And I’m not leaving until I know I am the one to blame.”

Taehyung couldn’t help but smile at that moment. He was relentless and wouldn’t tear his attention away from him. He nodded. “Alright,” he whispered. “But you’re still forgiven, so let’s just forget about this. Please?”

He chuckled with a nod. “Agreed,” he replied and let go of his hands. Taehyung held back a disappointed frown. He liked the feeling of his skin against his. “While I’m still here, hyung, can I ask you something?”

Taehyung hummed. “What is it?”

“My band has a gig tomorrow. I’d appreciate it if you came and checked us out. Jimin’s coming, too, but I’d really like if you, especially, would come,” he answered, a sheepish smile on his face. “It’s our first one. Well, if you don’t count playing Twinkle Twinkle Star for a five-year-old on her birthday.”

The tanned boy giggled, connecting his hands together behind his back. “Sure. I’ll come,” he replied with a nod, and Jungkook became ecstatic.

Jungkook’s grin widened. He asked “Really? You will?” and Taehyung nodded again. He tried to hide his happiness, but somehow it didn’t work. He found himself jumping excitedly. “Thank you! I’ll send you the address later but right now I need to get to class before my teacher gets suspicious!” Taehyung laughed, and Jungkook ran out of the room, pumping his arms in the air and screaming, not caring about the scolds he got from teachers around him. He finally talked to him after a week and successfully got him to agree to come to his first gig. It was safe to say that he, Jeon Jungkook, was finally having a good day.

--

jim: everything alright w jungkook now

taee: yeah

jim: yeah as in “yeah its alright” or yeah as in “yeah he invited me to watch him play in his band tomorrow and im totally chill about it”??

taee: both

jim: figured.

--

jungkookie: hey hyung

jungkookie: here’s the address

jungkookie: [Location Attached]

tae-hyung: nice

jungkookie: but you can also just catch a ride w jimin and yoongi if you want

tae-hyung: maybe

tae-hyung: if they let me

jungkookie: hahaha unlikey

tae-hyung: hahah

tae-hyung: sorry to cut this short since im in the middle of doing my hw

tae-hyung: but i’ll see you there, alright?

jungkookie: yeah

jungkookie: yeah of course

jungkookie: night hyung

tae-hyung: night jungkookie

Jungkook smiled to himself and hugged his phone close to his chest. He might have been acting a little childish, but his heart always swelled up with happiness whenever Taehyung gave him that nickname. He checked that everything was ready for the next day before getting ready for bed. He stared at the ceiling for a moment, unable to get to sleep. As he turned on his side, he grabbed his lyric sheet. He had finally finished it a few days ago, and he reread all the lyrics over again. He grinned and put it back on his nightstand. Jungkook switched off his lamp’s light, and only then was he able to sleep.

--

“Calm down,” Yoongi groaned, tuning his guitar. Jungkook was worrying for two hours about the performance, afraid that he would mess up in front of such a large crowd of people. “You’ll be fine.” Yoongi kept telling him, but it never reassured him. He started pacing around, something he would always do when he was nervous.

Jungkook sighed and threw himself against the wall, leaning his back onto it as he held his head in his hands. “I can’t calm down!” he screamed, staring holes into the floor. “If I mess up, I’m done for!”

Yoongi rolled his eyes. “Kid, really, you won’t mess u—“

“Jungkook.”

The two in the backstage room looked up at Taehyung, who was standing in the doorway with flowers in his hands. “Tae,” Jungkook breathed, leaving his hands to swing at his sides. “W-What’re you doing here?” He glanced at the flowers in his hands, and his breath hitched.

Taehyung walked over to the brunette and outstretched his arm to hand it to him. “These are for you,” he said, placing multi-colored roses in his arms. Jungkook whispered a “thank you” and admired the fragrant flowers in his trembling hands. Taehyung noticed this and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I heard you’re nervous.” he mentioned, staring into his eyes.

Jungkook let out a laugh and returned the gaze, locking their eyes together. “Is it that obvious?” he asked, running his hand down the side of the bouquet. “But yes, I am very nervous.”

The redhead chuckled. “You don’t have to be,” he said, patting his shoulder. Jungkook was about to shake his head and say something along the lines of it being inevitable, but Taehyung cut him off by cupping his face in his hands. His eyes widened at the feeling of Taehyung’s soft skin against his hot cheeks. “Listen, Jungkookie, if you ever get nervous, I’ll be right there in the crowd alright? Right in the middle for you to see me, okay? I’ll always be there for you, so it’s okay. Don’t be so nervous.”

Jungkook nodded, and for the first time that night he felt the nervousness and worry leave his body. He smiled and set the roses on the table next to him. He cupped his own hands around Taehyung’s and he let out a breathy laugh. “Thank you,” Jungkook said, and Taehyung hummed.

“I need to get going now,” Taehyung said with a smile. He let go of his face, and he connected his hands behind his back. “I have to go meet Jimin before he starts calling me again. Good luck, Jungkookie.” Jungkook nodded and waved goodbye as Taehyung left the room. Yoongi saw the grin on Jungkook’s face, and he snorted.

“You are so whipped.” Yoongi remarked.

Jungkook shot his head back at him and threw a nearby capo at his leg. “Shut the fuck up.”

--

“—and with that being said, let’s hear it for the new band...” he gestured to the curtain behind him, “Bulletproof!” The crowd erupted with cheers and applauds. Taehyung stood there with JImin, who was screaming at the top of his lungs. He watched in awe as Yoongi stepped up behind the curtain first, wearing a camouflage hoodie, grey sweats, and a red bandana around his head. Namjoon was next, wearing a green, oversized hoodie, orange pants, and a cap. Though he was never the greatest friends with Namjoon or Yoongi, he could tell that they were both incredibly passionate about their band, considering there were wide smiles on both of their faces. As he watched Yoongi slip the electric guitar strap onto his shoulder, another figure entered the stage, and he could hear girls screaming from the front row.

Jungkook stepped in, a camouflage bomber jacket adorning his wide shoulders. His hair was slightly messy, and his fair skin shown in the spotlight. The screaming drained after a moment, and when Jungkook looked up, he locked eyes with Taehyung instantaneously. He became enamored of him, watching as he smirked and shot finger guns at him. He could tell that he was wearing blue eye contacts, and his eyes looked beautiful against the spotlight. Taehyung’s heart started to thump, and as Jungkook took a seat at behind his drums, he twirled his drumsticks in his hands with a smile.

Jimin stopped cheering when the crowd died down, and when he looked over to see Taehyung, he smiled when he saw Taehyung’s mouth agape. There was love in Taehyung’s eyes, and he could see that clearly as the stage lights reflected on his face. His attention was snatched away by his boyfriend, who started talking into the microphone. “Hey,” he started, and the crowd cheered again. “Thanks for coming. We’re Bulletproof and this one’s called ‘DNA.’” The crowd of people started screaming, pumping their fists into the air vivaciously. Yoongi let out a laugh and sent a nod to his bandmates. Jungkook smiled, and when he turned back to the audience, he looked Taehyung straight in the eye and winked. Taehyung’s eyes widened, and they started the song.

The song was great, and Taehyung thought it was one of the best songs he’s ever heard. But he wasn’t really paying attention that much considering his eyes were set on Jungkook the whole time, watching as he slammed his drumsticks onto the drums with a grin on his face. After that song, they introduced three others including Mic Drop, Hold Me Tight, and Blood Sweat and Tears. Taehyung couldn’t stop smiling through the whole performance. Pride and appreciation swelled up in his heart, and as he watched Jungkook he couldn’t help but be happy for him.

Right when Taehyung thought that it was the end of the performance, Yoongi sent a nod to Jungkook and turned back to the microphone. “And finally, ladies and gentlemen, Jungkook will be playing the last song of the night,” he said, taking the guitar off of him and setting it down. Taehyung became confused at this moment. Jungkook never mentioned a solo during their performance. If he had known he would have given him more than flowers.

Jungkook took a seat on one of the chairs and stationed the microphone in front of him. He leaned in and said “This one’s called ‘Just One Day,’” He turned to Yoongi, who was sitting in the seat next to him, his guitar on his thigh and his fingers ready to strum. They sent nods to each other, and Yoongi started to strum a beautiful melody with his guitar. After a few seconds, Jungkook chimed in, his soft voice streaming into the microphone. “Just one day if I can be with you. Just one day, if I can hold your hands. Just one day, if I can be with you. Just one day... if only we can be together.”

Taehyung swayed with the music, and at that moment he realized that the lyrics sounded familiar. He remembered reading it off of his notepad before, and his heart dropped at the memory of his crush.

Questions ran through his mind. Was she here? Was he about to confess to her? He didn’t know, but he kept his eyes locked on Jungkook the whole time. The brunette was looking at him as well, as if he was singing to him, but Taehyung knew that was far from reality. He felt like running out at that moment. He didn’t want to see his first love being snatched away from him. “If only I could do that, how nice would it be...If only we could go anywhere to eat and watch a movie comfortably. I would do anything, boy. I’m sorry, maybe I’m too rational. But still, if you see me someday, smile...Maybe you resent me a little or no, a lot. I know, I couldn’t look at you more because of my dream...” Taehyung didn’t want to listen to Jungkook’s words, but he found himself swaying to the music again.

“Then just give me one day, even if it’s in my dream, just one day. Out of all those words I had to swallow because of the excuse of reality, I’ll pick one and tell it to you for sure.”

He closed his eyes to keep himself from crying.

“Let’s meet when the lilies bloom and say goodbye when they wither. I didn’t think I’d get over you easily, but is it selfish of me to hope you are the same?”

He bit his bottom lip as tears formed at the corners of his eyes. He was prepared for anything to happen now. Maybe Jungkook will get a girlfriend right in front of his eyes. Taehyung didn’t know what to do if that would happen.

“I’m still lying, saying that it’s all for you. You are standing in the center of my life,” The crowd was humming along, putting their phone flashlights in the air and swaying with the music. Jungkook stopped singing, and Yoongi continued strumming. People sent looks to each other, not knowing if the silence was part of the song. After a moment, Jungkook said “Kim Taehyung, would you please come to the stage?” and the crowd started to murmur.

Taehyung snapped out of his trance, and his eyes widened. He turned to Jimin, not knowing what to do, and Jimin ushered for him to get up there. Taehyung scrambled to the stage and was as confused as everyone in the room. Jungkook took the microphone off of its stand and walked to him. He took his hands in his own and looked him straight in the eye. The audience started screaming and cheering, but he didn’t hear it at all. Taehyung was frozen, and he couldn’t do anything but focus on Jungkook. “Just one day if I can be with you,” Jungkook started singing, and Taehyung’s heart felt like it was about to burst. He turned red and listened intently to his words. “Just one day, if I can hold your hands. Just one day, if I can be with you. Just one day...If only we can be together.”

“Do it, do it, do it,” Jimin, who was now on the stage, sang in the background, a wide grin on his face.

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows but managed to crack a smile. “I hope I can be with you for just one day,” Jungkook sang, followed by Jimin’s “do it, do it, do it.” Taehyung gripped tightly at Jungkook’s hands. “Having a party, party with only you...”

“Do it, do it, do it.”

Taehyung started to cry. “I hope I can be with you for just one day..."

“Do it, do it, do it.”

Jungkook wiped his tears away. “A party, party with only you,” And as he ended his sentence, he tugged the microphone away from his lips, and pulled Taehyung in for a kiss. The crowd squealed again, applauding and shouting. Even Jimin, Yoongi, and Namjoon were rooting for them. Taehyung couldn’t believe what was happening at all, and he found himself gripping at the other’s bicep. After another minute, Jungkook parted their lips and leaned his forehead on Taehyung’s, looking into his eyes. He brought the microphone back up to his lips. “Can you please stay with me?”

Taehyung didn’t know what to say, wordlessly staring down at him until Jungkook said, “Kim Taehyung, I am completely in love with you. Would you please be mine?” The audience cheered again, and Taehyung turned red.

Taehyung didn’t know how to reply, and he couldn’t glance at Jimin for any advice. After a whole year of crushing on his best friend’s brother, never did he think that Jeon Jungkook would be confessing to him. “S-Sure” was all Taehyung could muster, and his cheeks felt hotter than ever before.

“Really? God, I’m so happy, I didn’t think that yo—“

“Jungkook.”

“T-Taehyung…”

“I love you, too, Jungkookie.” Taehyung’s voice spoke for itself, and he was surprised by his own response, unbelieving that he left his own mouth run. Jungkook laughed again and cupped his hand around his cheeks, pulling him in for another kiss.

“I love you, hyung,” Jungkook said before turning to the screaming crowd. “Thank you all for coming to our first performance! Please remember Bulletproof, and I hope you enjoyed the performance!” The crowd squealed again, and they clapped one more time before slowly starting to leave through the exit. As people left, Taehyung could feel Jungkook’s fingers slip into his own, and he shot his head up to look at him.

Taehyung smiled and leaned his head on his shoulder. “That was a pretty courageous confession,” he remarked, feeling Jungkook rub his thumb against his hand.

Jungkook hummed, looking proudly into the empty room. “At least I confessed,” he replied, smirking to himself.

The redhead laughed, squeezing tightly on his hand. “Took you long enough,” he quipped, and Jungkook looked back down at him.

They stared into each other’s eyes before Jungkook cracked a smile and left a kiss on his lips. The couple started laughing together when they saw how Jimin fake gagged after seeing them kiss. “It’s getting late. Want me to take you home?”

Taehyung nodded. “I’d like that,” he replied, and the younger boy grinned in response. Hand in hand, they exited the stage and made their way into the backroom. Jungkook grabbed his jacket, and right when they were about to leave, Jungkook stopped and picked up the bouquet of roses from off of the table.

“Almost forgot these,” he whispered, taking another whiff of the fragrance.

Taehyung let out a laugh and walked over to him. “Did you read the note that came with it?” he asked, pointing to the small card in the middle of the bouquet.

Jungkook raised his eyebrows, not noticing it before, and took it out. He opened the note and immediately turned red at what was written.

Good luck tonight! I love you, Jeon Jungkook.

—Kim Taehyung.  

He looked up at Taehyung, who was hiding his face in his hands in humiliation and pulled him into a tight embrace. Jungkook laughed and whispered an “I love you so much, hyung” in his ear, and at that moment Taehyung knew that he wanted to spend his whole life with him.

Taehyung pulled away slightly and placed his hands on Jungkook’s shoulders with a smile. “Technically, I was the first,” he mentioned, a smirk forming on his lips. The younger boy chuckled, leaning in closer. “It’s just that you didn’t read the note.”

“I suppose so,” Jungkook sang as he leaned in all the way and left a kiss on Taehyung’s lips. Taehyung smiled through the kiss, and Jungkook giggled at the feeling. They pulled away, and Jungkook laid a hand on his waist. “Let’s get going now, shall we?” he asked, tucking the flowers under his arm and offering his hand.

Taehyung looked down at his hand and placed his hand in his, linking their fingers perfectly together. “We shall,” he answered, staring into his boyfriend’s eyes and making their way to the parking lot.