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“Five minutes break!” announced their choreographer.
They all collapsed to the ground, thankful for the break. Jeongguk was catching his breath and trying to not choke on his water, while Jimin, next to him, was completely laying down, his eyes closed. He looked exhausted. He was trying out a new diet, that everyone else in the group hated more than him. It was insane and definitely not healthy. And it obviously made Jimin crankier and grumpier than usual during rehearsals.
“Oh, hyung!”
They all turned to look at Taehyung, who had answered a phone call. Apparently, he didn't think it would be too personal, since he didn't move a muscle from where he was sitting cross-legged on the floor and where everyone else could hear him.
“No, I still haven't eaten. You?” he sat up a little more straighter, as if the person on the phone could see him, playing with one of his shoelaces. “Yeah, yeah, I promise I'll eat later. We're practicing now... yes, yes, I know, hyung...” He giggled, looking up at the ceiling. He almost looked like a schoolgirl with a crush, Jeongguk found it kinda gross. “Yes, of course. You take care, too, okay?” he was about to hang up when his lips turned up into a huge grin. “I love you too. Bye.”
Jeongguk saw Jimin tense up out of the corner of his eye. He was thrown aback a little as well by the “I love you” part, but he knew how jealous Jimin could get. Especially when it came to Taehyung.
“Was that Bogumie?” asked Seokjin.
“Nope. Hyunsik hyung!” giggled Taehyung, throwing his phone back in his bag.
“Damn, you sound like a schoolgirl with a crush on him...” muttered Yoongi. So Jeongguk wasn't the only one that thought of the comparison.
“You would too if you knew him!” protested Taehyung, still giggling. “He's so sweet and cute! And handsome! His face is so beautiful and he has the cutest ears ever!”
They all glanced at him, judging him hard. Except for Jimin, that suddenly stood up and went back to practicing dance moves on his own. They all followed soon after, their choreographer calling for them.
Throughout the practice, Jimin seemed to get more nervous and snappy, getting angrier at himself every time he got a move wrong. Jeongguk tried to reassure him, patting his back and telling him it was fine, but he knew his hyung was still upset over Taehyung's phone call. Not that he understood it. He thought it was pretty dumb to be jealous of something like that. But he couldn't know what was going through Jimin's head.
It had been hours since they had started and they were all tired, but Jimin seemed to be the one in worse shape and while trying a particular move, he fell hard on his butt. They all stopped to check on him, the first one holding out his hand to help him up being Taehyung, of course. But Jimin ignored it, getting up on his own.
“You okay?” asked Taehyung anyway, obvious to his best friend feelings.
“Perfect.” muttered Jimin, bumping into him as he went back to his spot.
No one said anything, probably preferring to discuss the matter back at their dorms.
When practice was finally over and they all started to gather their things, too exhausted to even talk to each other, Taehyung approached him, covering his mouth with his hand so that only Jeongguk could hear him.
“Hey, do you know what's wrong with Jimin?” he asked, his expression actually looking worried.
Jeongguk wanted to hit him on the head. Sometimes Taehyung was pretty thick. “Could be that he's mad because you said “I love you” to your Hwarang hyung or could be something else... don't know...” he mumbled, too tired to actually do something about the situation.
“What? Why?”
Jeongguk just sighed, shouldering his bag and following the others out of the practice room. “Ask him.” He didn't turn to see Taehyung's hurt expression.
It wasn't until a few days later – and a few more public phone calls – that all hell broke loose.
They were at their dorm, all working on their songs. He and Jimin had decided to take a break and were playing a video game at the tv in the common area when Taehyung walked in.
“Are you mad at me?” he suddenly asked, standing in front of the television with his hands on his hips.
“I'm not.” sighed Jimin, rolling his eyes.
“Then why have you been avoiding me?” demanded Taehyung taking a step closer to the couch where he and Jimin had been sitting.
“Busy.” he replied, using his foot to move Taehyung out of the way. He didn't succeed, Taehyung not moving of an inch. They lost the game, so Jeongguk just turned it off. They were supposed to go back to work anyway.
“At least tell me what I did wrong.”
“Nothing.” sighed exasperated Jimin, throwing the joystick aside and standing up, ready to walk away.
“Nothing?” scoffed Taehyung. He followed Jimin, grabbing his wrist and making him turn to face him. “Is it about how I tell my hyungs I love them?”
“Whatever.” Jimin shrugged his shoulders, freeing himself from his grip.
Taehyung looked genuinely confused, but his expression turned serious, probably eager to solve the situation. “That's... we say that to each other all the time.”
“I noticed.” bit out Jimin, glaring up at Taehyung.
“It started out as joke but then I guess we just got close and they really like me and I really like them...”
“Of course you do.”
“What? You can have your group of friends but I can't?” suddenly snapped Taehyung. He didn't look confused anymore, just mad.
“I don't take their calls while we're practicing and tell them I love them...” spat out Jimin.
Jeongguk stood up too. The situation was getting out of hand and he couldn't just watch his hyungs being idiots and fight. He wanted to smash their heads together, but opted for a calmer way to interrupt them. “Hyungs.”
“We were having a break!” yelled instead Taehyung, throwing up his arms in exasperation. “We all take personal calls while we're on breaks! You're just jealous!”
“What did you say?” Jimin took a step closer to Taehyung and for the first time, Jeongguk was afraid of him because he did look threatening.
“Hyungs...” he tried again, putting a hand on each of their shoulders and pushing them apart a little.
“Not now, Gukie.” they both replied, shoving him away.
He knew they had to figure tings out themselves, but he was scared they would end up hurting each other at that point.
“I said, you're just jealous.” Taehyung didn't seem too threatened. He also took a step closer, pointing his index finger against Jimin's chest.
“Why would I be jealous??” snorted Jimin, no joy in his laughter.
“I don't fucking know!” yelled Taehyung. They were both yelling at the top of their lungs. Jeongguk was hoping that at least one of the other hyungs would come to his rescue hearing all the noise. But no one was showing up. “I honestly can't fucking believe you're mad at me for this shit. It's stupid...”
“You're saying I'm stupid?”
“No, I'm saying it's stupid that you're jealous!”
“That's because you never tell me you love me!”
And there it was. Jimin finally said it. Jeongguk tilted his head, looking at his hyungs. He didn't sign up to be part of a fucking drama.
“What?” whispered Taehyung, back at looking confused.
“You always tell them when you finish a phone call. You send them text telling them you love them. You never do that with me!” Jimin was still raging, instead. He pushed Taehyung with every word he said, as if he wanted to make everything that came out of his mouth hurt him.
They suddenly fell quiet, glaring at each other. Taehyung seemed to think over something for a few seconds before opening his mouth. “You know what, Jimin?” he asked, looking vivid. “If there was a chance I was gonna tell you I love you, you just burned it.”
The room grew completely silent. And even without having a perfect hearing, you would have probably heard Jimin's heart break into a thousand pieces.
Taehyung wiped aggressively at his right eye, probably to stop the tears gathering in it to spill out, glaring one last time at Jimin before stomping away, making sure to bump his shoulder against Jimin's.
Jimin stood there for a few more seconds, his eyes staring into nothing.
“Hyung?” called softly Jeongguk. He didn't know what to do. Would Jimin be mad at him too?
“Why...” simply whispered Jimin, not even turning to look him in the eyes and leaving as well. He almost ran into Hoseok and Yoongi that were entering the room at the same time.
“Hey what's going...?” Hoseok couldn't finish his question, Jimin literally running away from his hyungs. “What happened?” he asked Jeongguk instead, the only one still in the room.
He scratched the back of his neck, clearing his throat a couple of times to make sure he wouldn't give away the fact that he was also on the verge of tears. “Jiminie hyung and Taehyungie hyung had a fight.”
“About what? Who is the real winner of this dumb game?” scoffed Yoongi, pointing at the television before sitting on the couch. Hoseok followed him, patting the cushion between them so that Jeongguk would do the same.
“No.” Jeongguk shook his head, looking down at his hands. He sat down with them, hoping to find some comfort. “It was something serious...” he said. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to tell the whole story. Maybe Taehyung and Jimin would get even angrier.
“Pffft, they're gonna make up by dinner time, anyway.” laughed Hoseok.
“I don't know... it was really bad.” he whispered.
“Don't worry too much about it, kid.” Yoongi put his hand on top of his head, ruffling his hair before letting it rest there. Jeongguk found it weirdly comforting.
“It's gonna be okay.”
He believed them for a few hours. But then neither Jimin nor Taehyung joined them for dinner that night. Namjoon had gone to their respective rooms to call them or try to talk to them, but nothing worked. Both boys refused to come out.
The dining room was quiet. Too quiet.
Jeongguk wasn't that hungry, seeing his hyungs fight like that had upset him too much to eat anything. He was staring down at his ramyeon, the noodles too soggy and probably cold, and playing with a piece of vegetable that had fallen out of someone else's plate.
“Ya, Jeongguk-ah.” called Seokjin, snapping him out of his trance and getting his attention. “Stop playing with the food and eat.”
“Sorry, hyung. Not hungry.” he murmured, his eyes still cast low.
“Hey, it's a stupid fight. They'll make up.” tried to reassure him Yoongi again, touching his bicep and squeezing down on it.
Jeongguk pursed his lips, dropping the vegetable and resting his hands in his lap. “It was just...” he sighed, looking up at his hyungs and finding all eyes focused on him. They all looked worried. He didn't like to see them worry. “It was just kinda upsetting to see them like that...”
“I know, but it will be alright.” Namjoon stood up and stepped closer to Jeongguk, ruffling his hair then hugging him sideways. “They will calm down, talk it over and figure things out.” Jeongguk looked up at his hyung and felt calmer already. Namjoon smiled reassuringly at him, petting his head and letting him go. “If they won't, then we'll figure it out. Together. Because we're a family that takes care of every and each member. Right?”
“Right.”
“Speaking of.” he sighed, taking a glass of water and walking towards their rooms. “I'll go see if Taehyung wants to talk now.”
“Then I should go check on Jiminie.” said Seokjin standing up as well.
“Yeah, Yoongi hyung and I will take care of the dishes.” added Hoseok, collecting the empty bowls and putting aside Jeongguk's still full one.
“Actually.” Jeongguk stood up abruptly, almost hitting Yoongi in his rush to speak up. He cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed suddenly as his hyungs were looking at him with a mix of confusion and worry. “I'll go check on Jiminie hyung, if it's okay.”
“Of course.” Seokjin didn't hide the smirk on his lips. “It's more likely he'll talk to you anyway.”
“Hyung?” he called after knocking on the door of their shared room. He didn't get a reply, so he slowly pushed the door open, since it luckily wasn't locked. “Hyung?”
The room was completely dark, so it took his eyes a few seconds to get adjusted to it, but then he could see Jimin on his bed. Well, he could see Jimin's back. Covered by what looked like ten blankets.
He started to walk towards his hyung's bed, trying to not trip on anything as he reached the bedside table and turned on the small lamp on it. He sat down on the bed, making it dip and jostling Jimin a little.
“Go away.” came a muffled groan from underneath the blankets.
“Hyung?” Jeongguk called again, this time poking Jimin with his index finger. “Hyung~ Come on, come out of there.” he asked, hoping Jimin could imagine his adorable pout and listen to him.
“Just leave me alone.” pleaded Jimin instead, sounding very miserable.
Jeongguk heard him sniffle very hard. He wasn't surprised. He knew Jimin would be crying his eyes out. That's why he didn't want to leave him alone. He sighed heavily, taking his legs on the bed and shifting closer to his hyung. He started to stroke his side, hoping to be of some comfort.
“Hyung.” he called for what seemed the thousandth time. “I know you're very upset.” Jimin chocked on a sob in reply. “But I'm sure Taehyungie hyung didn't really mean it.”
The blankets came flying at his face as Jimin surfaced from underneath them, surprising him and making him jump off the bed. “Of course he meant it!” cried out Jimin.
His face was bloated, his eyes puffy and red from all the crying he probably had been doing. He shielded himself with his hand from the light, not used to it, so he could look at Jeongguk.
“Hyung, we all say things we don't mean when we're angry.” he tried to reason.
“No, I'm sure he meant it.” Jimin shook his head, fresh tears filling his eyes. “And he's right.”
“Hyung...”
“I don't deserve to be loved by him.”
Even if Jimin had whispered, Jeongguk heard it very clearly. He felt like an arrow had just hit him right in the chest. “Hyung...”
“Why would anyone love me...”
Jeongguk felt his own tears wet his cheeks but didn't even think about wiping them. “Hyung, you are amazing. Anyone in their right mind would love you.”
Jimin shook his head, wiping his nose in his hoodie. The sleeves were all wet and Jeongguk would have been grossed out by it in any other situation. “I'm just so stupid, so ugly, so jealous...”
“Hyung. Please, never think of yourself like that. ” Jeongguk got on the bed again, kneeling in front of his hyung and framing his face with his hands, keeping him in place so he could look him in the eyes. “I love you. I love you so much. You are one of the most amazing people I know. You are an incredibly talented dancer and singer. I always learn so much from you. You always work so hard and inspire me to work harder too.” He wiped away the tears streaming down Jimin's cheeks, gently caressing his cheekbones with his thumbs. “You've taken such good care of me. Ever since day one. You're always so nice and kind and caring. You buy me gifts, take care of me when I'm sick or tired. You held me when I was crying alone, too scared to wake the hyungs up. You... you just...”
“Guk-ah...” chocked out Jimin, his lips quivering.
“I know you're upset because of the fight with Taehyungie hyung, but I wanted you to know that you are loved, hyung.”
Jimin looked down, biting on his lower lip and shaking his head a little.
“Taehyungie hyung will come around and you'll see he's just as upset as you are and will apologise and tell you he loves you.”
“How can you be so sure?” asked Jimin, sniffling.
“Because I'm a genius.” he scoffed, hoping to cheer him up a little bit. It worked, since a small smile started to tug at Jimin's puffy lips. He grinned cheekily, tilting Jimin's head up so they were looking into each other eyes. “And because I know everyone loves you.”
Jimin sighed, but it sounded more like he was relieved. “Thank you.”
“I know you won't magically stop doubting yourself and thinking like that...” he continued, not sure where his courage was coming from. “But if you need a reminder of how amazing you are, just ask. Not just me. I'm pretty sure the other hyungs would be happy to remind you as well.”
“Maybe I'll start asking more often, then.”
They smiled at each other, Jimin's eyes almost disappearing.
“Come on. Let's get into our pjs and cuddle.” proposed Jeongguk.
“Sounds good.”
Jimin woke up suddenly. He didn't know how much time had passed since he had fallen asleep in Jeongguk's arms or what had woken him, but he suddenly sat up in bed. Mybe he had a nightmare and already forgot about it. Or maybe he heard a noise. Hoseok was fast asleep in his bed while Jeongguk was laying beside him. He had one arm stretched out because of Jimin sitting up (he probably had it around Jimin while they were sleeping) and the other underneath his head, functioning as a pillow. His hair was a mess, his lips were parted and letting out soft snores. Jimin smiled softly at the view. He really was growing up into a very handsome man. His smile fell when he remembered the reason why Jeongguk had come to him. He sighed heavily, feeling like crying again because while he appreciated Jeongguk's company and comfort, he still missed his best friend. He still felt hurt by his words.
He was about to lay back down, hoping to get some more sleep when something caught his attention. It was a small piece of paper with something scribbled on it, left on his bedside table, right next to his phone. He leaned off the bed and took it in his hands, turning his lamp on to read it. He immediately recognised the handwriting as Teahyung's and his breath got caught in his throat as he read it.
Jiminie.
I'm so sorry for what I said earlier.
Please, forgive me.
I love you.
He chocked out a sob, taking his phone to call his best friend so that they could talk but was interrupted by the door being slowly opened and a head poking inside.
Namjoon sighed when they made eye-contact. “He's not here either.” he said, opening the door more so Jimin could see Yoongi and Seokjin right behind him.
As the door was opened, more light came inside the room, which made Hoseok also wake up. “Wass goin' on??” he mumbled confused, sitting up in bed and trying to open his eyes.
“We can't find Taehyung.” explained Namjoon. “He must have slipped out while I was asleep. I suddenly woke up and he wasn't there anymore. We checked every room.”
Jimin thought he was going to be sick. Taehyung had already been going through a lot lately and then Jimin had to act like an asshole to him as well. Maybe their fight really took its toll on him. He had left him a note. What if it wasn't just a simple note? What if...
“Jimin-ah!”
He felt strong hands shaking him and looked up to find Seokjin standing in front of him.
“What's wrong?” asked Namjoon, worry more evident on his face and in his voice.
“He left me a note...” he sobbed out, showing the piece of paper to the others.
“What?” Jeongguk was finally woken up by all the turmoil going on, blinking confused at his hyungs. He caught up pretty fast, though, just by taking a look at them and at the note in Jimin's hands.
“Fuck.” swore under his breath Yoongi.
Jimin started to openly sob again, his body shaking and his head throbbing.
“Hyung, please, calm down.” he felt Jeongguk gently take him in his arms and comfort him, his hands rubbing his back while he whispered sweet nothings in his ear.
“Let's not panic, okay?” announced Seokjin standing up and taking a deep breath. “We're gonna call him, now, and he's gonna answer because he probably just went for a run to clear up his head...”
“When has he ever went for a run?” mumbled Yoongi.
“Hyung.” warned softly Hoseok. Jimin was probably too focused on crying and didn't notice him get out of bed to stand next to Yoongi, holding his hand. “Seokjin hyung is right.” He nodded his head, throwing an attempt to a smile in Jimin's direction.
“Maybe he's not running but taking a walk.” added Namjoon, sitting on Jimin's bed. “He does take walks, right?”
No one replied, the air getting thicker with anxiety.
Jimin's phone was in his lap, where he had dropped it earlier and suddenly everyone's eyes fell on it. With trembling fingers, he took it and dialed Taehyung's number, putting it on speaker as it rang. But that's all it did. It kept ringing until it went to voice mail.
“Why isn't he answering?” he sobbed, feeling out of breath.
“Maybe he doesn't want to talk to you...” whispered Jeongguk. “Sorry.” he added immediately, feeling how his sentence had hurt his hyung. He held him tighter to his chest, kissing the top of his head. “Hyung, it's okay. It's okay.”
“I'll call him!” proposed Hoseok, quickly taking his own phone from his desk and typing on it. He also put it on speaker and they all listened to it ring a couple of times before someone answered.
“Hyung?”
“Taehyung-ah!”
“Where the hell are you?”
“Are you okay?”
“Where did you go?”
They all started to scream at the phone at the same time, while Jimin just cried in relief. He had never felt happier to hear his best friend's voice.
“Can you speak one at a time?” asked Taehyung. He sounded tired and so far away.
“Are you okay?” Seokjin was the first to ask, nervously passing a hand through his messy hair.
Taehyung didn't reply right away, as if he was considering how t answer. “I'm fine.”
“Where are you?” asked Namjoon.
“Outside” replied Taehyung with a sigh.
“But where??” demanded Yoongi, sounding more anxious than the others.
“Why all these questions?”
“Because it's 4am and we're worried sick, you idiot!” snapped Yoongi, relaxing a little only when Hoseok went back to him to hold his hand again.
“Why are you worried about me? I was an asshole to Jiminie, you should worry about him, not my stupid ass.” replied Taehyung, his tone genuinely confused.
“Tae!” cried out Jimin. “You left me a fucking suicide note and then disappeared!”
“What???” shrieked Taehyung. They heard him fumble and then a soft thud that made them all panic again.
“Tae??”
“Tae?”
“Hyung??”
“Kim Taehyung, please, fucking answer before I...” Seokjin was the one panicking even more now.
“Sorry, sorry, I just dropped my phone!” came Taehyung's voice again and they collectively let out the breath they had been holding in. “I didn't leave a suicide note, it was just a note... I would never... I wouldn't... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you or make you worry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...”
It was clear that he was crying, his voice coming out in chocked sobs and his breath ragged. Another noise could be heard, a clinking of metal. No one paid attention to that except Jimin, since he was sure he had already heard it somewhere but couldn't remember where.
“Tae, just tell us where you are.” said Seokjin, his body relaxing once he was sure his friend was okay. “We'll come get you.”
“No, no, I'm... I'm fine... I'm not gonna... I swear, I'm okay.”
“You sound far from okay, kid.” commented Yoongi, getting a warning look from Hoseok.
“I'm just... I...” Taehyung took a deep breath, probably trying to calm himself down a little. “Nam-Namjoon hyung... can I... can I talk to you...? Please?”
Namjoon shared a look with Seokjin, who nodded, his expression still serious. He then looked at everyone else in the room, sighing before taking the phone from Hoseok's hand. “Of course.” he put it off speaker, took it to his ear and left the room, closing the door behind himself.
The room fell completely silent, as if none of them knew what to say or do.
Namjoon came back after a few minutes, rubbing at his face and looking exhausted.
“What did he say?” asked immediately Jimin.
“He kept apologising. It took me forever to get him to calm down and get anything out of him.” Namjoon sighed, sitting on his bed. “He didn't tell me what he said to you, but he said that it was horrible and he thinks you hate him and that he deserves it. And now he feels even worse because he made us all worry and is too ashamed to even face us.”
“Did he tell you where he is?” asked Yoongi, sitting on Hoseok's bed, followed by its owner. He looked calmer than earlier, but worry was still swimming in his eyes.
“No.” simply replied Namjoon. “I don't think he's gonna do anything too reckless.” he sighed again, patting Jimin's leg. “He probably just needs some time.”
“Maybe he's staying at one of his friends'?” suggested Hoseok with a soft smile.
“Nah, knowing hyung he's probably outside, freezing.” pointed out Jeongguk.
They all got quiet again, Hoseok's foot nervously tapping on the floor the only noise in the room.
Namjoon sighed, aggressively rubbing at his face with both hands. “Fuck, I want to trust that he can take care of himself, but he still sounded very upset and...” he glanced at the others, sighing once again. “We can't just sit here...”
It felt like Jimin's brain finally started to work again because it finally hit him where he had heard that noise during Taehyung's phone call. “The swings!” he gasped, freeing himself form Jeongguk's embrace and trying to get out of bed, almost falling to the ground since his legs were tangled in the blankets. Luckily, Seokjin's strong arms caught him in time and put him back to his feet.
“What?”
“I think I know where he is!” he replied, frantically looking for some clothes to put on. He shoved a hoodie on top of his pajamas t-shirt and put on some sweatpants he found on the floor, grabbing a blanket from one of the beds before running out of the room. Everyone else also stood up, following him.
“Where?” asked Namjoon.
“Our park. I'm so dumb, I should have realised earlier!” he mumbled to himself, reaching the front door and putting on the first pair of shoes he could find.
“Shouldn't we come with you?”
“No, it's okay.” he looked back at the others, sniffling and then wiping at his runny nose. “It's my fault. I should go.”
“Hyung...”
“No, he thinks I hate him! I don't. I need to tell him.” he put the hood over his head, his messy hair ending up in his eyes. “We're both such idiots.” he muttered.
“That you are.” scoffed Yoongi.
“At least take your phone with you.” sighed Jeongguk, passing him his phone.
“Thanks.” Jimin nodded, smiling at him. He would properly thank him later.
“Just call us if you need help or... anything...” added Namjoon.
“Yeah, yeah.” He didn't wait for any of them to say anything else and just left. He started to run as soon as he hit the road, his feet automatically knowing where to go. He didn't care about the cold breeze just like he didn't care about his grumbling stomach or his sore feet. He just kept going. Until he reached the park. Their park.
Just like he had imagined, Taehyung was there. He was on the swings, pushing himself up and down with one foot. He looked so sad and lonely, Jimin's felt his stomach drop to the floor.
He typed a quick text to the others, letting them know he had found him and that he would bring him back safely, before walking up to him.
“You're gonna catch a cold, you idiot.”
Taehyung looked up at him, his eyes wide. Jimin was wrong. He didn't look sad. He looked completely miserable. “Jimin-ah.” he whimpered, his whole face scrunching up as he started to cry.
As if it was contagious, Jimin found himself crying too. “I don't hate you, you fucking dumbass! Why would I hate my best friend!” he sobbed out.
Taehyung jumped off the swing, taking two long steps and closing the distance between them. He hugged Jimin tightly, almost knocking him off. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.” he kept repeating it, his voice muffled as he buried his face in Jimin's neck and just cried.
Jimin wrapped the blanket he had brought around their shoulders and hugged Taehyung back, clinging onto him as if his life depended on it. “No, I'm sorry for being so jealous and acting like a dick.” Taehyung looked up at him through his wet lashes, shaking his head. He tried to protest, but he was crying too hard to make any sense. So Jimin shushed him, resting their foreheads together and closing his eyes. The position wasn't the most comfortable, but he didn't care. “I'm jealous because I love you. You are my best friend. I would never, ever hate you.”
Taehyung sniffled hard, breathing through his mouth as sobs still shook his body. “Y-you should.” he got out.
“Tae...”
“What I... what I told you...” He leaned away a little, so that they could look at each other. His hand came up to Jimin's neck, his long but cold fingers caressing the back of it. “I didn't mean it. I don't know why I said that. I'm so stupid.”
“A wise man told me we say things we don't mean when we're angry...” he whispered, smiling through his tears.
“Namjoon hyung?” asked Taehyung, his sobs slowly turning into hiccups.
“Nope. Jeonggukie.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
They both giggled a little, but then got serious again.
“But I'm not angry now, and I mean it when I say I don't hate you, Tae.” He brushed away the last of Taehyung's tears and then framed his face. “I could never truly hate you.” He put a thumb on Taehyung's lips so that he wouldn't interrupt him. “But I was being an asshole to you. Just because you're my best friend, it doesn't mean you can't have other friends... I guess I was just scared to lose you... I was scared that you'd find someone better than me and just have a new best friend...”
“I could never find a better friend than you.” whispered Taehyung. Jimin's thumb wasn't really doing its job, so he just removed it. “And I love Bangtan, you guys are my family. I don't feel neglected or anything, I swear, but...” he sighed, closing his eyes and biting down on his lips, as if he was looking for the right words. He probably found them, because he reopened his eyes and kept talking. “It was all very new. Being an actor and, you know, the maknae. Like, real maknae. Every little thing I did, the hyungs would find it cute and they kept showering me with attentions. I guess it just felt kinda nice...and then we started saying I love you to each other and it also felt nice but I didn't really think much of it... I didn't know it would upset you...”
“Yeah, I'm pretty stupid, sorry...”
“No.” Taehyung shook his head, licking his lips and framing Jimin's face with his own hands. “I'm stupid because I assumed you knew I love you, but then I realised... I never actually told you. But, Jiminie, I do. I do love you. You are my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“You do?” Jimin had to make sure. He had to.
“Of course.” whispered Taehyung.
His face suddenly turned into pale orange and they both turned to look at the sun rising on the horizon.
“We should probably go back. My ass is freezing.”
Jimin nodded, detangling himself from Taehyung and the blanket, wrapping it around Taehyung's shoulders to give him some warmth. “Wait!” he suddenly gasped, realising something.
“What?”
“I didn't say it back!”
“What?” Taehyung looked at him even more confused, his brow frowning cutely.
“I love you too.”
They shared a long, knowing smile, before starting to walk home.
“You know, the emo part in me wanted to be left alone and just cry over myself.” said Taehyung, lacing their arms together. “But there was also another part of me that was hoping you'd know where to find me and waiting for you to show up. And you did.”
Jimin just grinned, his cheeks hurting with it. He hummed in reply, holding onto him a little bit tighter. “Let's just get you home, before you catch a cold.
As if on cue, Taehyung sneezed, the noise even louder than usual in the quiet morning.
Once they reached their dorm and got inside, they were welcomed by five pair of anxious and wide eyes, staring them down for answers.
“Told ya, I'd bring him back.” laughed timidly Jimin, ruffling Taehyung's hair – even if he had to get on his tip-toes, but hopefuly, everyone was too worried to notice that. “Can't guarantee the dumbass didn't catch a cold, but at least he's in one piece.”
Taehyung had his eyes cast low, the tips of his ears red and not just from being out in the cold. He probably hadn't realised going back would mean face his hyungs and Jeongguk. Maybe he wasn't ready for that. He suddenly got very protective over his best friend and was about to slid an arm around Taehyung's waist to drag him closer and defend him when he stopped. He didn't need to defend him from their family.
Seokjin was the first one to almost launch himself at Taehyung, engulfing him into a tight hug. “Never scare us like that again, okay?” he whispered, sniffling as he held onto him.
Taehyung nodded, hiding his face in his hyung's neck. “I'm sorry.”
They all took turns to hug him, telling him the same things while Taehyung kept apologising.
“I'm so sorry I made you all worry. I wrote a note because I couldn't face him after what I said to him, but sending a text seemed too lame... I didn't think you would see it as a goodbye note...”
“Yeah, we just panicked and jumped to conclusions...” said Namjoon, brushing Taehyung's hair back. “We actually don't even know what you two fought about, but it seemed so serious and bad... even Jeonggukie was very scared.”
Jimin and Taehyung shared a look, both of them blushing.
“Of course I got scared!” scoffed Jeongguk. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at somewhere between them, as if the wall was suddenly very interesting. Or maybe he didn't want to look them in the eyes. “They were both yelling at each other! And it was so stupid because, like, Jiminie hyung was jealous of Taehyuingie hyung's new hyungs and Taehyung hyung got upset over it and yelled at him that he didn't love him, which is even stupider because any person in their right mind could see how much he does love him, how much they love each other because they are the bestest of friends and nothing could ever break them apart except for their stupid brains making up stupid problems that aren't really problems, right?”
Hoseok let out a low whistle, smirking at Jeongguk. “Feel better now that you let it all out?”
Jeongguk tilted his head sideways, considering it. “Yep.” he blushed a little, before looking at Jimin and Taehyung. “Sorry.”
“No, no, it's fine.” laughed Jimin. “I mean, you're kinda right...”
“Just...” Taehyung cleared his throat, lifting up an eyebrow and glancing at Jeongguk. “The bestest of friends?”
“Well, he's right.” noted Namjoon. “You are like... what they call platonic soulmates. You fit together like puzzle pieces. As if you were meant for each other. Even with seven billions other people on this earth, none of them would fit as perfectly with you as you two do together. It's like destiny. Like it was written in your dna...”
His inspirational speech got interrupted – luckily, thought all of them at the same time – by Yoongi, who looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet.
“Joon-ah, I love you, I really do, but it's 6 fucking am and my brain is too tired to listen to your philosophical shit so I'll just bid you all goodnight and go back to sleep.” He grabbed Hoseok's hand and dragged him away with him, with no further explanation.
“What he said.” laughed Hoseok, catching up to his hyung and following him to bed.
“Speaking of soulmates...” muttered Seokjin. “Shouldn't we just switch rooms if those two always sleep together anyway?” he wondered.
“Wait, they sleep together?” gasped Namjoon.
“I thought he was working or falling asleep on the couch while watching a movie!” piped up Jimin, remembering how he had noticed Hoseok missing in their room a few mornings as well.
“I mean, it's only been a few times, so far, but I did wake up to them cuddling.” explained Seokjin, shrugging his shoulders.
“I'd never thought Yoongi hyung would be a cuddler.” mumbled Taehyung.
“Oh, trust me, he is.” snorted Seokjin. He frowned, considering something. “Or, you know, at least he is with Hoseok.”
“Whatever.” said Namjoon before yawning loudly. “As long as they just sleep. I'm pretty sure Hoseok would be loud while having sex.”
They all pulled a face at that. Namjoon was famous for sharing every thing that passed through his head when completely exhausted.
“Hyung, I really didn't need that image in my head...” whined Jimin.
“At least you don't have to sleep in the same room as them...” complained Seokjin.
“Sleep in my room.” proposed Namjoon, yawning again.
“Wait, what about me?!” Taehyung pouted his lips, looking from one hyung to the other.
“You can sleep with us.” replied Jeongguk. “We can push the beds together and sleep all cuddled up. Like the good old days.”
“I'm honestly too fucking tired to find a better solution, so let's go with that.” agreed Seokjin, pushing the three of them towards the bedrooms. “Now let's go back to sleep.”
“Yessir.”