Archive of Our Own ^beta

"What a great idea!"- Said no one, ever, about this fic.

~*~

“Don’t you see? It’s the perfect plot!” He insists, setting down the mug of tea before you. You pause your typing to accept the mug, hugging it close to you and shifting in your seat, but you do not spare him a glance. Mostly because you are concerned that idiocy is contagious and if you look at him you may cave to his outrageous plan.

“The perfect plot if you were maybe the antagonist.” You offer, before returning to scanning through the document before you. “The protagonist in general doesn’t manipulate the female lead.”

Jin blinks dumbly at your suggestion, clearly not comprehending before you sigh, glancing towards him.

“Alright, fine.” You says with resignation. “I’ll bite. Explain to me why this plan is ‘perfect’” The last word is offered with a mocking edge, punctuated with quotation marks. It is something that poor, slightly dim Kim Seokjin does not pick up on, since the finer details of social interaction often evaded him. It makes you feel momentarily guilty and so you resolve to actually listen to what he has to say, no matter how dumb the suggestion is.

“Well, you know how in romcoms, they always get together when the boy starts to move on, usually with the bitchy but hot mortal enemy of the protagonist?” He explains. You feel a vein in your temple throb and wonder why you allowed the persistent headache that is Kim Seokjin to enter your apartment. You deeply regret allowing him free access to your collection of romcoms over the years. Perhaps were he not so influenced by them he would have been able to have a functioning relationship in the numerous years it has been since he graduated from high school. Not that you are much better, but that is an entirely different matter.

“And I’m assuming the “bitchy but hot mortal enemy” is to be me in this case.” You offer, unable to keep the displeasure from your voice. Jin gives you a quick appraising once-over over the rims of his spectacles, squinting at you as if you are the fine print at the bottom of a contract rather than one of his closest friends. He nods slowly.

“I mean, there’s a bit of cleaning up to do for you to fill the ‘hot’ part but it’s nothing Jimin’s fiancée can’t handle with some makeup and a dress that doesn’t look like a nun picked it out for you.” He supplies helpfully. “Anyway, you’re getting me off topic- the points is, it’s what happens in every romcom ever and always makes the female lead realises her undying love for the guy and then she does that generic ‘run to your love’ thing and he breaks up with his bitchy hot new girlfriend and marries the female lead.” He continues to explain. “So I need to pretend to move on with you so that she realises her undying love for me.”

You sigh, and your lung capacity is impressive- perhaps because you have spent so many years exasperatedly sighing over the antics of the Kims. When you finally look at Jin, he is staring at you with the huge brown eyes that he inherited from his mother, a look that had softened many a sterner woman than you. You are protected from his charms due to certain aspects of your life, however, and you have  long held resistance to the infamous ‘puppy-dog’ look from the oldest of the Kim boys.

“Haven’t you ever watched movies with the fake dating trope? They always end up dating for real- What if I fall for you?” You suggest, hoping to frighten him off. Mentions of romantic feelings is usually sufficient to send his younger brother running for the hills, but unfortunately Jin is made of sturdier stuff than that.

“You would never.” He says dismissively. “It’s why it has to be you. I can’t genuinely date and use someone like that, it’d make me the biggest jerk of the century, and if I were to do this with anyone else I know things would get messy because they’d undoubtedly fall for me.” He says, with a cocky, proud uptilt to his voice that has you rolling your eyes. He sobers though and fixes you with an uncharacteristically serious gaze. “But I know you would never feel that way about me.” He offers. You bite your lip, shooting a forlorn glance at your unfinished document. You had foolishly thought Jin was just stopping by to say hello and would be out within the hour. You would have refused him entrance if you had known he was cooking up another hare-brained scheme. Slowly, you set your laptop down.

“Jin,” You say slowly. “I know I’m not the best model for this, considering my current… situation,” You do  not elaborate but you do not need to because Jin is abundantly aware of what you are referring to. “But have you ever considered just… asking her out? Not trying to engage in these outlandish, ridiculous plots to win her over? She doesn’t strike me as the type of girl to want this kind of crazy attention and you have, on more than one occasion, accidentally humiliated her with your ‘tokens’ of love. Like… just sit down and have a talk. Maybe that stuff was alright and even a little cute back when we were in school, but we’re adults now. You especially are well and truly an adult now, and you should have abandoned that whole ‘I’m a lovesick teenager who doesn’t know how to express my love’ act ages ago.”

Your words are harsh but truthful, and you do not regret them until Jin’s face falls. Your heart aches at the expression because even though, as Jin rightfully claims, you harbour no romantic feelings for him whatsoever, you love him like you would a younger brother, disregarding the fact that he is three years your senior. He regards you with those softened, sad brown eyes, and you feel for him, you truly do. You know the pain of unrequited love, and the fear of confession- have you not kept your own tongue glued to the roof of your tongue for a ludicrous amount of years? Still, that is precisely why you feel at liberty to say what you just did to Jin. You know him and you understand his situation and you know what’s gone wrong, because your situation is so similar.

And he knows this too, and so he does not flinch away when you lean forward that gently press your hand against his.

“Jin.” You say softly. He looks up and meets your gaze and it’s filled with so much genuine pain that you almost cave to his ridiculous plan right then and there.

You almost do, and probably would have, were Kim Taehyung not to burst in at that very moment.

“Stop!” He all but screeches, crashing into your apartment with the tenacity of an angry bull. His scarf is thrown haphazardly over his shoulders, his clothes in disarray, his shirt misbuttoned, his hair a mess. A flush sits high on his cheeks and the look in his eyes is veering dangerously close to Crazy Eyes territory. He has clearly run to your house fresh from waking up from what seemed to be an afternoon nap. Still, you cannot fight back the reluctant wave of fondness you feel at his overdramatic entrance, and you are quick to retract your hands from Jin. You are not quick enough, however, and Taehyung catches the quick movement and an odd expression flashes in his eyes. It is gone just as quickly, however. “Tell me you didn’t, Jin!” He explains, striding forward and jerking his older brother to his feet with a tight grip to the collar of his shirt. Jin looks uneasy and shoots a helpless glance at you. You merely wrinkle your nose at the sudden influx of testosterone in your apartment and eye your laptop longingly, wondering if perhaps they will leave you in peace to finish your work.

Alas, you are not so lucky. Taehyung, still tightly gripping the collar of Jin’s shirt, turns his attention to you.

“What did he say to you?” He demands, eyes flashing with panic. You blink in response, attempting to recollect the last hour that Jin had annoyed you throughout.

“A lot of things.” Is your dry response. People would use a lot of unpleasant adjectives to describe you, usually involving your face and how you often look like you’ve swallowed a lemon, but they can never call you a snitch. You can easily guess what has your normally laidback friend so riled up and aggressive. Very few things can get under his skin, and one of them happens to be his older brother. Taehyung shoots you a look that is clearly quite unimpressed. You respond with a flick of you gaze towards where Taehyung is still choking his brother through his shirt, and chastened, Taehyung releases him. Jin collapses back on his chair with a sigh of relief. “But he did propose yet another of his hare-brained schemes to win Sooyoung over, although this particular one involves pretending to date me, apparently.”

Taehyung’ eyes flash in an expression that might have been scary if he were anyone else, but knowing his usual hapless nature, you are not ruffled in the slightest. Jin, however, who has been on the receiving end of the wrath of his younger brother for numerous idiotic actions in the past, pales and shifts back slightly.

“What is wrong with you!” Taehyung exclaims. “How could you rope her into this?”

Jin only looks meekly scolded, dropping his gaze. Taehyung softens just the slightest bit, but his face is still red with anger.

“I just wanted to…” He begins, trailing away, before looking up with that same pathetic look that had had you on the verge of caving mere moments before. “I’m desperate, Tae.”

At this, all anger drains rapidly out of Taehyung, and he slumps beside his brother with a defeated and exasperated sigh. He shoots a long-suffering look at you, and you offer him a weak smile.

“What did you say to his idea?” Taehyung asks, and you shrug.

“Nothing.” You say. “I haven’t given my answer yet.”

At this, Jin perks up hopefully and Tae’s eyes widen with unmistakeable panic.

“You could say yes!” Jin pushes forth eagerly, but a glare from his brother silences him.

“You’re not seriously going to-“ Taehyung begins, clearly stumbling for the words to outline this ludicrous plan that does not make him sound like a lunatic. You merely offer a strained smile. Yes, you have every intention of refusing, particularly now that Taehyung was here to witness you caving, but a small, niggling part of you does not have the strength to say no. Not if it were to help Jin in the slightest bit.

“I wasn’t going to.” You admit, and Jin deflates. “But-“

But…

But…

But what? His idea is stupid, and would only lead to trouble in your relatively drama-free life. You avoid drama at all costs- you surely would have confessed to the oblivious object of your affections before now if you were willing to let even the slightest hint of trouble enter your peaceful life. And if Jin’s inspiration of trashy romcoms is anything to go by, this is only going to be a massive headache for you.

“But he’s just so pathetic.” Is how you finish your sentence, and Taehyung’ eyes flash with a pained sympathy, knowing all to well how the state of his brother’s constant heartache is hard to see for anyone, let alone a much beloved sibling and friend. Jin, however, has always been quick to catch weakness, which is probably what allowed him to become such an appropriate heir for his family’s extensive fortune, is quick to try and needle his way past your hesitance.

“I am pathetic. So pathetic. You know I could never win Sooyoung over on my own.” He starts, leaning forward eagerly, but a quick, sharp glance from Taehyung that you do not pick up on has him settling quickly back against his chair. You glance between them, uncomfortable and indecisive. One thing you are sure of- you cannot make the decision with Taehyung here.

“Taehyung, I think you should just step into the other room for a moment?” You suggest hesitantly, the upturn of your tone transforming what you had intended to be a statement into a question. At his betrayed look, you swallow nervously. You don’t like making him unhappy, but you don’t particularly like making anyone unhappy, and you really, truly love Jin and know that he has been miserable for the better part of a decade now. “I’ll talk this out with you brother and then you can come out, ok? And no eavesdropping.”

Taehyung looks like he wants to protest, but he would never disrespect your wishes. And so hesitantly, he gets to his feet and shuffles out of the room, towards your bedroom where he will probably look at memes and try in vain not to listen in. He won’t eavesdrop though. You know that much. He shoots one last stern look at his brother just before he shuts the door to your room, and he gives you a look. One that begs you not to cave. You merely offer him an arched brow, and his expression softens just the slightest bit.

“Well that was awkward.” Jin offers, scratching his cheek nervously as soon as Taehyung is safely out of earshot. “I probably shouldn’t have spoken with your beloved prior to this or we wouldn’t have been interrupted.” Is his admission. You whirl on him, eyes dancing with irritation, but when he flinches, your expression softens and you merely sigh, trying in vain to fight off the headache that flashes behind your eyes.

Because Jin is not wrong. You are desperately in love with his brother and have been for an absurdly long time now.

Your friendship with Jin is definitely an unusual one. It is rare for someone to be so close to their younger sibling’s best friend, but that is the reality for the two of you. On the rare occasions that you feel nostalgic, you can even identify the precise moment that Jin veered from “Tae’s weird and obnoxious older brother” to one of your closest friends.

It was around the time you first realised that you felt a little more than friendship towards your best friend. It was the summer before your final year of school, nearly 6 years prior, and you, fresh and youthful and egotistical, had spent it with the Kim’s, like you had every summer. Your father and only living relative was absent at best, and when he realised that he could palm you off to one of the most wealthy families in the country and that they were thrilled to have you, that was what he did.

Jin, 20 back then and still unable to abandon his first and only love, Sooyoung, had been obnoxious in the way that most 20 year olds are, but when he wasn’t mooning over her he was tolerable enough company that you and Taehyung didn’t chase him off when he tried to hang out with you and the rest of your friends. You hadn’t really had much to do with him prior to that- he had graduated a couple of years before and prior to that had spent most of his summer out with friends, too cool and vivacious to hang out with his younger sibling’s friends. Still, that was probably the trigger point, because it meant that he was present during what was probably the most humiliating moment of your life.

It was custom that the Kims hold a massive party over summer, one for anyone who was anyone to attend. People would kill to be granted access to the party. It was a celebration of their company’s birth, back when Taehyung’s father had been a no-name with barely a penny to his name. Naturally, as Taehyung’s closest friend, you attended every year, but that year had been different. This many years later, you can’t remember the specific trigger that led to you thinking it was supposed to be special, but you have a feeling that the suggestions of nearly all your close friends that Taehyung was harbouring a secret crush on you. Whatever the trigger was, you had somehow convinced yourself that Taehyung was in love with you and planned to confess on the night of the party.

You had fretted in that egotistical but ecstatic way that only a girl who is in love and thinks it is reciprocated can. Of course, you had insisted to yourself that you didn’t reciprocate, just that you were excited to receive your first ever confession from a boy. Regardless, Taehyung was your date since he was too chicken to ask other girls (and you had convinced yourself that he didn’t want to ask other girls) and you had dressed up in the most careful, meticulous way possible, from your makeup to your hair to your dress. You distinctly remember buzzing around with something akin to nerves and excitement. It was obvious to everyone and their mother that Taehyung had something planned.

And so you had hovered around the whole night waiting for the big reveal. Oddly, Taehyung had not complimented your carefully put together look and had abandoned you almost as soon as he reached the venue, but you had thought maybe he was nervous and needed time to gather courage.

It is lucky Jin was there because he no doubt saw the catastrophe that was unfolding since his brother had confided in him his intentions for the night.

For Taehyung had been planning a huge, romantic confession, but it had not been intended for you. You had been blissfully unaware, and when you stepped out into the garden and the music from a hired band and fairy lights came on for you, accidentally mistaking you for the object of his affections, your breath had caught in your throat with eagerness as you realised yes, you did love Taehyung, and you were ready to spend the rest of your life with him. The words were had been on the tip of your tongue, ready to spill forth, when Taehyung uttered the most humiliating, devastating words he would every say to you.

“No, not her guys. This isn’t for her. I told you I wanted to confess to Seulbi.” Was what he had said. Later, when the pain had dulled and you had learned to laugh at yourself and your situation, you would even tease him for those words, mocking him for his childish and extravagant gesture reaching the wrong girl, but in that moment, you had learnt exactly what people mean when they say heart break.

You had been saved from further humiliation in that moment by Jin, who had stumbled upon the trainwreck, perhaps even sought it out, and quickly leapt into action, dragging you off before you could embarrass yourself.

That had been the moment, probably, that cemented your friendship. Because for the rest of the night as you had sobbed your pathetic teenage heart out, Jin had shared with you his own journey of heartache and unrequited love, and a friendship borne of the lonely hearts club was formed.

That had been some years ago, and while you were no longer the naïve, lovestruck teenager, and Tae had long since dated and been dumped by Seulbi, a much loved attendee of the prestigious and snobbish private school you had both attended, you on scholarship and him because his family was filthy rich, both you and Jin had been unable to truly move on from your respective loves. Not from lack of trying, on your part at least- you had dated other guys, seen other men, before turning intently towards your schooling like any sensible woman should. Jin had pined like the lovestruck idiot that he was but you had not been unsympathetic to his plight and your friendship remained solid. It drove Taehyung nuts, not knowing just what it was that kept his brother and his best friend so close, but unless you suddenly overcame the crippling fear of rejection that had plagued you since that particularly embarrassing ordeal, you doubted he would ever learn what truly lay at the heart of your friendship.

It is this sense of solidarity that has you hesitating in outright rejecting Jin’s proposal.

“So what do you say? Is it really that big of an ask?” Jin pleads. You sigh.

“You know why I can’t. I couldn’t do that to Taehyung.” You admit. “Plus it’s wrong! Its manipulating Sooyoung- you can’t honestly expect to start an honest relationship out of a lie.”

Jin, bullheaded and idiotic as he is, ignore the truth that lies in the latter part of your declaration and instead addresses the part he can understand.

“I didn’t want to use this card because I know it would hurt you,” He begins, and genuine regret and sadness colours his tone, probably because he knows he’s really hitting rock-bottom to use his next strategy. “But Tae is seeing someone. Again. Their third date is in a few days.”

It should come as no surprise, at this stage of their friendship. While Taehyung is by no means a serial dater, he does have a respectable list of exes, beginning with the accursed Seulbi, and continuing on for a considerable length- some had been mere flings, some had been more serious, but they had all ended eventually. Perhaps that is why it hurts so much- because with each breakup you managed to deceive yourself that perhaps he reciprocates and with each new girl you are heartbroken anew.

You are a fool. An idiot. You scrub furiously at the traitorous tears that pool in the corners of your eyes.

You have always prided yourself on logical decisions untainted by bias or emotions. Taehyung even fondly refers to you as an android and blames your inability to be emotional on your faulty programming. You should say no- not only is Jin’s suggestion stupid and immature, but Jin is outright and openly manipulating you. He’s not even trying to hide the fact that he is, and you shouldn’t allow him to get away with blatantly using your emotions and feelings and soft spot for him to get what he wants. But your programming must malfunction in that moment- it is the only explanation for your irrational and emotion-fuelled decision:

 “Alright, fine. I’ll date you.”

++

After Jin takes his leave and you manage to evade Taehyung’s interrogation when he realises you agreed to Jin’s plan by texting Jungkook to come over for a movie night. He, of course, would never pass up an opportunity to spend time with his closest pals, you and Taehyung, and so Taehyung’s attention is successfully diverted for the night.

Still, you know the matter is far from over, and so you are only slightly surprised to receives a phone call from Taehyung’s older cousin the next morning as you nod off on the bus ride to uni.

“You were supposed to be our last line of defence against his stupidity.” He laments, instead of greeting you like a normal person would. You sigh, pressing your fingers to your eyes before you find the patience to answer.

“I did try. He can be very convincing when he wants to.” You admit. Kim Namjoon groans in frustration.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” He exclaims. “This idea wasn’t just stupid- it was moronic! Imbecilic!-“

He launches off on a rant including increasingly complex synonyms for ‘dumb’ while you stare longingly out the window, hoping your stop will magically arrive sooner than it normally does.

“I get it, Namjoon. What’s done is done- it’s honestly not that big a deal. He’ll tell Sooyoung we’re dating, she’ll get annoyed but still refuse to date him, he’ll figure out it won’t work and we move on with our lives as if nothing happened.” You say quickly, trying to appease him.

“He didn’t tell you the full story.” He says, and the firm seriousness of his voice catches you off guard. “He’s been given an ultimatum by his mum- either Sooyoung agrees to date him in six months or he has to marry whoever his mum chooses.”

You nearly drop your phone in shock.

“What?” You exclaim, shocked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he had this huge fight with his mother yesterday,” Namjoon explains slowly. Your bus comes to a bumpy halt before your university stop, and you follow out amongst the wave of sleep students, struggling to hear him over the general clamour. “She says its about time he settled down and married and started taking his position in the company more seriously, while he pointed out that he wouldn’t marry anyone but Sooyoung. Anyway, it escalated and his mum gave him the ultimatum, and he dropped off the radar all afternoon until Taehyung got this weird text from him that he had the perfect plan to win over Sooyoung.”

You are silent for a moment, allowing people to stream past you, shooting you annoyed looks for impeding the foot traffic.

“You were supposed to stop him! Not let the situation get worse.” Namjoon wails. “I always thought you were the smart one, why are you such an enabler!”

“I’m not an enabler.” You protest, beginning the walk towards uni. “He’s just very persuasive!”

“What is he paying you?” Namjoon says suddenly. “There must be money involved if he’s gotten you to agree to such a stupid plan- I’ll pay you double to back out.”

You blink, flushing as you realise that Jin hadn’t paid you a thing- you had simply agreed like a volatile, emotional teenager instead of the mature young woman in her twenties that you were.

“Um, never mind that. Why are you so keen for him not to do this?” You question, and Namjoon falls silent. “Surely it’s not that big a deal- he’ll try this hare-brained scheme, he’ll fail and then either Sooyoung will take pity on him and marry him, or he’ll marry whatever heiress your aunt deems appropriate for the company’s future. End of story.”

When the silence grows awkwardly long on the other end, you begin to grow suspicious.

“Namjoon…” You say slowly, and you hear a long-suffering sigh on the other end.

“Taehyung called in a favour.” He says at last. Your heart leaps into your throat. “Wants you far from all this family drama and he knows you listen to me.”

There is a sudden hopeful roaring in your ears.

“I never listen to you.” You offer, trying to ignore the way your heart speeds up. Why is Taehyung so desperate for you to not fake-date his brother? Could it be….?

“You sometimes listen to me.” Namjoon counters. “More often than you listen to Jin or Taehyung anyway, which begs the question: Why did you agree to this in the first place?”

You are too distracted to answer, your mind suddenly racing with hopeful possibility you can’t seem to stamp down. If Taehyung is calling in favours, and bursting into your apartment and desperately trying to get you not to help his brother, then there has to be a reason. And your stupid, traitorous heart provides the optimistic suggestion for the reason- maybe Taehyung likes you. Maybe the thought of you with another man, even his brother, even just for fake-dating, drives him nuts and he can’t bear the thought.

Your hopeful thoughts screech to a halt, however, as you recall what had prompted you to accept Jin’s proposal in the first place.

Taehyung is seeing someone. And he didn’t even have the decency to tell you.

“Namjoon,” You say softly, ignoring his question and instead putting forth one of your own, your voice little more than a pathetic croak. “Why did Taehyung ask you to stop me?”

Namjoon pauses, contemplating.

“Well I suppose it’s because it’s a stupid idea and he doesn’t want to see you or Jin get hurt.” Namjoon suggests. Your heart plummets at the reasonable suggestion, but you plow forward anyway.

“Is Taehyung seeing someone?” You blurt. You don’t really want to know the answer, but you have to know.

Namjoon is silent for so long you feel he may have hung up, as you turn the corner and begin walking down the main road of your university campus.

“Is that why you agreed?” Namjoon asks at last. “That must be how he got you to agree- Listen, it doesn’t matter who Taehyung’s seeing, you can’t just-“

His answer has your heart feeling like it turned to stone, and you feel even stupider for your earlier suggestion.

“Don’t.” You say quickly. “Don’t say anything. My mind is made up- I’m going to help Jin, even more now that I know why he suggested it. You can’t convince me otherwise, so don’t try to.”

You hang up before Namjoon can protest any further.

You’re such a fool.

++

“Alright, we’re gonna rehearse this one last time,” Jungkook says, looking exasperated. “Imagine I’m Jin, and then tell me that my idea is stupid and you won’t have anything to do with it.” He says, cupping his face and winking at you. His voice climbs in pitch as he attempts a surprisingly accurate impersonation of the young heir. “Hello, I’m Jin, and I think I’m super handsome. Why won’t Sooyoung date me?” You merely watch him with an arched brow, unimpressed. He stares at you with what he must think is a charming smile for a moment, before dropping the façade in frustration.

“If you aren’t gonna participate, what’s the point of doing this!” He protests, and you sigh.

“There is no point. It was a stupid idea to begin with.” You retort drily, and he rolls his eyes.

“No more stupid than agreeing to fake-date Jin when you’re madly in love with his brother.” Jungkook offers, stirring absently at his lunch. He pauses, and his eyes widen. “Wait, I’ve got it- the most convincing one yet.” Quickly, he shovels a large mouthful of rice into his mouth so that his cheeks bulge, and proceeds to imitate the pleased exclamation that accompanies Jin whenever he eats. Even you have to admit, as irritated as you are, that the impersonation is spot on. He glances up at you expectantly, waiting for a reaction, but when he is given none, he groans. “I give up- no wonder Taehyung calls you an android. Nothing!”

You fall silent- you should have known Jungkook was the wrong person to confide in. You should have confided in someone more emotional and capable of sympathy, like Yoona or Jiyeon. Instead you chose the friend who probably has the emotional capacity of a teaspoon.

“You aren’t very helpful.” You mutter resentfully. Jungkook shrugs. He is about to retort through a mouthful of rice when he is interrupted by someone slamming a lunch tray down beside him a little too aggressively.

“Good afternoon, friends. Are we discussing how my dear best friend here made the stupidest decision of her life last night?” Taehyung asks, his smile deceptively warm in contrast with the crazy eyes he is currently sporting as he plonks himself down beside Jungkook.

“I thought I was your best friend,” Jungkook protests. Taehyung pauses his semi-glaring at you to smile more genuinely at his underclassmen.

“You are now.” He says warmly, shooting you a look, while affectionately stroking Jungkook’s hair. Jungkook perks up like he is a puppy who just received a treat and sticks his tongue out at you, clearly pleased with this development. Annoyed, you flick a piece of food at him, and watch with childish satisfaction as it lands on his favourite shirt, the black one with the coloured outline of Ironman on it. Jungkook glares at you in outrage, but Taehyung jumps in before you can both leap across the table and engage in a fight to the death.

“Children!” He scolds. “We have much more important matters to discuss!”

He turns to you, all business.

“Now, you managed to escape last night because I didn’t want to bring it up in front of Jungkook, but now that he knows, its time for us to have a little chat.” The way he says chat has you paling, and you glance at the clock, hoping your lunch hour will suddenly end and that you will have class as an excuse the clutches of these clowns. Unfortunately, Taehyung must have knowingly timed his interruption, because you still have a half an hour before you next class. “Now I have to admit, I was surprised when you didn’t listen to Namjoon because that usually works. But luckily I am quick at thinking on my feet, and since reason is the best way to appeal to you, I prepared an essay.”

He paused, reaching into his bag beside him to pull out a pile of crumpled papers covered in his messy handwriting. He then reaches over to Jungkook and snatches his spectacles of his nose, placing them his own nose instead. Jungkook’s prescription is a tad too strong for him, so Taehyung wrinkles his nose as he squints at his writing.

“Agreeing to date Jin to make his first love jealous is a terrible idea- cited from Taehyung et al, the al being Jungkook and Namjoon. In this essay I will-“

You cut him off, snatching the papers from his hands and thumbing through them with increasing incredulity.

“This is like, 5 pages, Taehyung, how did you write this, didn’t you have class this morning?” You accuse.

“He didn’t have class this morning.” Jungkook informs you as he snatches his glasses back and resumes eating his lunch.

Taehyung’s eyes widen with guilt in the same moment the cogs in your head start whirring and you comprehend his statement.

“You barely come in to uni when you do have class, why would you come all the way in if you-“ You begin, confused. You abruptly cut your sentence short when you realise that Taehyung is making “x” signals with his hand at Jungkook who isn’t looking at him, too focused on his lunch. “Taehyung,” You say slowly, your eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“He has a date.” Jungkook informs you through a mouthful of vegetables. “Ow- Stop kicking me.” He demands of Taehyung.

For a second you blink uncomprehendingly, staring stupidly between the two of them- a rice grain falls from you mouth and you glance down.

“Oh,” You say, because you don’t know what else to say. You occupy your suddenly fidgety hands with wiping up the rice grain while Taehyung seeks to rectify Jungkook’s big mouth.

“That’s not important, (Y/N), what’s important is-“ He begins, scrambling for a way to keep you in the conversation.

“I just remembered I needed to meet Yoona to lend her a labcoat for her next class,” You say quickly, cutting him off and getting to your feet. Your lunch is only half-eaten, but you would rather spend the rest of the day hungry then have to stay in this conversation a moment longer. “We can talk later, ok Taehyung? I’ve got somewhere to be.”

You leave abruptly, leaving Taehyung gaping after you while Jungkook continues to whine about his bruised shins. You are glad you have turned away from them or they would see the hurt that is no doubt heavy in your expression, and for the first time in a long while, you can’t get away from Taehyung quick enough.

++

The next morning you receive an odd text from Jin while making breakfast. It says “Good luck.” That’s it- no context, nothing else. Confused, you ponder over its meaning for a moment- could he have gotten your exam dates mixed up? Did he send a text to the wrong person?

Luckily, you are not kept in suspense for long because almost as soon as you receive the text, you hear an urgent knocking on your door. Sighing, you set down your toast and walk across your apartment. It is probably your neighbour with another noise complaint- Jungkook and Taehyung had been over late last night, making a lot of noise while engaged in a board game with your roommate. It might even be your roommate who had left earlier without her phone. Regardless, you answer the door completely unsuspecting in your teddy bear pyjamas and with your bed head.

Jimin and his fiancée stand on the other side, grinning brightly, and it takes you a few seconds to recognise the looks in their eyes and comprehend what the numerous duffle bags set at their feet are for. The second you do, you panic, your eyes flying wide as you try to slam the door shut.

“No.” You say quickly. “No way!”

Jimin prides himself on his quick reactions, however, and shoves his foot between the door and the frame before you can lock them out. Suddenly Jin’s cryptic message becomes clear. Jimin gives you an ominously bright smile, his foot still wedged in the door, and you’re not proud of your next actions since you always pride yourself on your maturity, but you begin to kick repeatedly at Jimin’s shoe like the child you really are.

“Stay out! You’re not welcome here! You and her both- I know what’s in those bags!” You declare, as Jimin and his fiancée begin to push against your door with all their body weight.

“We can do this the easy way, (Y/N),” Jimin exclaims, his voice strained as he leans against the door with all his might. “Or I can call Jungkook and have him hold you down!”

At the mention of Jungkook, you pale and are distracted enough that Jimin and Chaeyoung gain the upper hand and the door to your apartment is thrown open, and you along with it.

You try not to lose any time though, and you are on your feet and racing across your apartment before they can get to you.

“No makeovers!” You cry. “This isn’t a drama- I’ve told him how I feel about his stupid rich man makeovers!”

Jimin stands on the opposite side of the coffee table from you, his hands held up pacifyingly while Chaeyoung makes herself comfortable, dragging in the duffle bags and producing clothes and makeup and skin products from their depths.

“Now, now, (Y/N),” Jimin begins, his voice airily calm in that annoying way he uses to peace-keep arguments. “It’s not a makeover! It’s a gift! How many girls can say they’ve had one of the richest people in Korea pay for their wardrobe?”

“A lot! Taehyung gets around!” You cry, grabbing the open textbook on your coffee table and wielding it before you like a shield. Chaeyoung, meanwhile, has waltzed into your bedroom and comes back out with an armful of clothes. “What does Jin have over you that he put you up to this? I’ll double it!” You exclaim desperately. Jimin shakes his head.

“Just the knowledge that there will be one less fashion disaster in the world and he’ll finally get his happily ever after with Sooyoung. And an all-expenses paid cruise for our honeymoon.” He informs you, and your heart sinks- you’d hoped it was like a $20 or something that you could actually afford but you should have known better when you’re dealing with super rich company heirs.

“Jimin, babe, I think we’re gonna need more garbage bags, it’s in a lot worse state than I originally thought.” She calls, dumping another armful of your clothes in your hallway. You stare in anguish at your wrinkled clothes, and the distraction is all Jimin needs to leap across the table and wrestle you into a headlock.

“I got her Chaeyoung!” He calls. “And we didn’t even have to call Jungkook! Now, you can keep struggling, (Y/N), or I can call Jungkook to sit on you, but we know either way I’m going to get my way.”

++

Taehyung finds you decked out in a bathrobe, with a face mask half-peeling off your face. You stand on the back of your couch brandishing a pair of metal tongs before you like a sword while Jimin, similarly attired although his face mask is more adherent than yours, dodges your frantic swipes. He waves what Taehyung thinks may be a dress frantically at you like a white surrender flag.

Beside the chaos, Chaeyoung is also sporting the bathrobe/facemask combination, but she is significantly more calm, flipping through one of your textbooks while you and Jimin duke it out.

She glances up as Taehyung deposits the bags of snacks he was carrying onto the kitchen countertop.

“They’ve been like that for like, ten minutes,” She informs him. “I think they’re at a stalemate.”

Jimin makes a dive for you with the dress.

“It’s cute!” He yells, while you dodge his dive, still waving the tongs around like a madman.

“It’s slutty!” Is your answering screech, and Taehyung, not for the first time that week, promises to murder his brother. Painfully. Sighing, his digs his fingers into the bridge of his nose.

“Have you been like this all morning?” He questions, and Chaeyoung nods, flipping another page of your textbook. Taehyung doubts she’s actually reading it because they’re bone dry and boring as and he’s really not sure how you spend as much time studying as you do.

“Most of the morning, at least. There was a little interlude where she let us put a facemask on, but when I pulled out the dress she jumped onto the back of the couch with the tongs and hasn’t come down since.” She explains. She flicks another page idly, like she is thumbing through a magazine.

“What are you even trying to do?” Taehyung asks, and Chaeyoung shrugs.

“Well, Jin called in a favour in exchange for paying for our honeymoon, and said he wanted us to give (Y/N) a makeover.” Chaeyoung says, giving another distasteful glance at how Jimin grabs for the tongs and you whack him with them. “I believe his exact words were ‘Make her look hot but bitchy’.”

“And why aren’t you helping?” Taehyung asks.

“I’m the brains- Jimin’s the brawns. I make her pretty but he does all the manhandling. That’s how we roll.” She answers. Taehyung gives her an incredulous look.

“How often do you force makeovers on people that you have a system?” He asks, horrified, and she merely smiles mysteriously.

“Often enough. Anyway, if you’re here, please make yourself useful and hold her down or something, she has a ‘date’ tonight and I haven’t even started waxing!” Chaeyoung says. Taehyung stiffens, feeling for some reason like a stone has dropped into his stomach. The thought that you are going on a date is horrifying enough on its own, but just the fact that it is his brother that has him in this situation… grimly, Taehyung yet again promises himself that Jin is going to pay for this.

In the meantime, however, you have agreed to this, and Jin is pretty desperate, so he supposes that as your best friend and Jin’s only brother, it is his job to ensure you do the best you can do. With a sigh, he rolls up his sleeves in preparation.

“The things I do for you guys.”

++

It takes a lot of fighting and struggle, but once Taehyung joins the fight, you really don’t stand much chance. He holds down your arms while Jimin sits on your legs, scrolling through his phone with a bored expression on his face. You have pretty much had the fight drained out of you, and so you settle for glaring at Taehyung with defiant eyes while Jimin’s fiancé turns from whatever she had been preparing on your kitchen counter. Taehyung winces when he sees her brandish a stick dripping in hot wax before her. He even considers letting you go, but then they would have wasted all that time subduing you for nothing.

“Now hold still,” Chaeyoung says with a half-smile. “Or I can’t guarantee the safety of your eyebrows.”

You go eerily still after that- you must truly love your eyebrows to put up with the treatment that follows. Taehyung watches with a morbid kind of fascination, and you silently plead with eyes so pathetic he would have caved at multiple times were it not for the look Jimin gives him. Jimin is as sweet as honey, but boy can he give death glares.

“Please take better care of yourself.” Chaeyoung pleads as you pat moisturiser onto your skin, looking violated. “You have such a nice face, if you’d just put some effort in!”

Oddly, you flick a glance to Taehyung, before dropping your gaze. You mutter something under your breath. He doesn’t catch what you say, because the next thing he knows, Chaeyoung is shooing both him and Jimin out of the room, declaring that she wants your final look to be a surprise.

Taehyung spends the next little while engaged in a boardgame marathon with Jimin- your roommate eventually comes home and joins in, along with her boyfriend, determined to get her revenge for losing so brutally the night before. He has forgotten his initial intention in coming over, and he is so focussed on winning the current game of codenames that he is wholly unprepared for when you step out, hair and makeup done and wearing the dress Jimin had been waving at you earlier like a lunatic.

Oh. All the air wooshes from his chest at once and he drops the card he was holding. Is he paralysed? Why can’t he move? Why can’t he breathe?

The dress on its own it stunning- white and form-fitting and off the shoulder, but coupled with the way your hair is carefully curled and falls gently around your face instead of piled haphazardly on the top of your head to hide the fact that you haven’t washed it like it usually is, and how your face is carefully done up to accentuate the shape of your eyes and your long lashes, overall the look is devastating.

Beside him, Jimin lets out a low whistle and Taehyung silently agrees, and probably would have mimicked the sound were his lungs not stubbornly refusing to expand.

“Wow,” Your roommate exclaims. “What’s the occasion, (Y/N)?”

“A date.” Is your awkward, clipped response as you lean forward to slip on heels that are so high, Taehyung fears you may break your ankle. Then your words register and he feels an odd, near painful sensation right where his stomach sits, like indigestion only sharper and worse.

A date. You have a date. With his brother. Yes, it is a fake date, carefully orchestrated so that the two of you will run into Sooyoung on the way home from a dinner with colleagues that Jin was actually invited to but blew off for the sake of his idiotic plan. But he’s watched enough romcoms to know how this plays out- a makeover, a romantic setting, two people out together and suddenly seeing each other in a new light… He feels sick. Like he may throw up. This is bad for his health. What’s wrong with him? Why does he feel like this?

His phone buzzes, lighting up with a notification, and he glances down at it. Suddenly he experiences a sinking sensation- he had forgotten he had agreed to a third date with a girl in one of his classes, one that, up until that actual moment, he had actually been looking forward to. Yet all of a sudden, with the knowledge that you’re going to be sitting out in a nice restaurant with Jin instead of marathoning Netflix in the background while you scan through that absurdly thick textbook of yours like you usually do when he has a date, the prospect of a date doesn’t seem that exciting. He’s not sure why- he just knows that it is.

“Is it too late for me to read out that essay of why you shouldn’t do this?” Taehyung says slowly, resisting the urge to press his palm into his chest and make sure his heart is still functioning as normal. You shoot him a look. One that had sent many a lesser person scrambling away, the one you had perfected over the years to let people know you thought they were beneath you and one that was rarely directed at him and frequently directed at his brother.

“I shredded it.” You say simply. Taehyung’s jaw drops in offence- he had spent time on that! He had even gone into uni just to deliver it to you (and have a makeshift coffee date with aforementioned girl from class but that’s beside the point)! Before he can protest, however, you are all interrupted by a ring on your doorbell. You all turn towards it, and then all eyes on the room turn expectantly towards you. You blink, unaccustomed to the sudden attention, before groaning.

“I’ll get it.” You announce.

++

Flowers. He brought you flowers. You blink stupidly at the no-doubt absurdly expensive bouquet of roses before you lift your gaze to Jin. He is dressed to the nines, looking proud of himself, but as he registers your expression, his face falls.

“Are they too much?” He questions. You look at him with a frown, but the more pathetic he looks the more you find yourself caving to the urge to be just a little nicer.

“A little.” You finally say. “We aren’t actually dating, and it’s not like Sooyoung’s going to see these, so…” You trail away. Jin brightens.

“Ah, but it’s the thought that counts! Besides, these also double as a thank you for giving up your evening for me.” He explains. “I know my idea is stupid, but I really am desperate, and I’m so thankful that you’re doing this for me.”

Embarrassed at the sincerity in his voice, you merely duck your head.

“It’s not a big deal. I’ll just pop these in a vase and we can get going.” You say. You pause. “But I thought dinner was meant to be the thank you? Does this mean we aren’t actually eating?” You question. Jin shakes his head with a laugh.

“No, don’t be silly, dear future sister-in-law. When you’re as rich as I am, you don’t need to be stingy with your gratitude.” Jin says. You glare at him, telling him exactly what you think of him flaunting his wealth, before ducking away to put your roses in a vase, ignoring the curious eyes that watch you.

Dinner is a pleasant enough affair, though Jin is understandably nervous and subdued. He really spares no expense, and the restaurant is definitely the nicest you’ve been to in your short life. You remember when you were in school, how jealous you had been that your friends got to go to restaurants like this on the regular while you were the only attendee in the school who had to work a part-time job and maintain your scholarship. High school you would be jumping in glee right now, and so you indulge her and enjoy the expensive meal without guilt.

Finally, the long-awaited moment arrives- Jin checks his clock and informs you that Sooyoung had been planning to head home around this time. He grabs his coat and helps you into yours, before offering his arm for support. You are grateful for it because while you can most certainly handle the heels you are wearing, you still feel a touch unsteady.

Jin texts his driver to come pick you up as you wonder down the street, vaguely in the direction of the restaurant you had been invited to. You glance around- you have never actually met Sooyoung, and so will be clueless if she walks past you.

“Thanks for dinner.” You say as you walk. He shakes his head.

“It was nothing! Taehyung told me you always wanted to go there and it’s close by where we had to be.” He informs you. He has calmed down a lot as you stroll along, and even begins whistling cheerfully as he leads you in an aimless wander. You wish you could say the same, but your nerves pick up, particularly with the mention of Taehyung adding an inescapable weight to the light-hearted conversation you tried to keep up.

Just when you are beginning to think that maybe Jin messed up, you hear a tentative voice behind you.

“Seokjin?” Her voice is gentle, and to your surprise, laced with hurt. Jin stiffens, and you see him take a deep, calming breath, before he faces her, an awkward smile on his face.

“Sooyoung?” He answers. His smile is horrifically fake and fabricated, and you feel mildly uncomfortable. You also feel not yourself- like the skin you’re wearing isn’t yours. It’s an odd, out of body experience like you’re watching the scene unfold as a spectator. “What a coincidence! What are you doing here?”

She doesn’t respond, her gaze instead flickering hesitantly to you. Jin smiles and tightens his grip on your arm.

“This is (Y/N), my date, I might have mentioned her- I’ve known her since highschool.” He says as an explanation. You do not say anything, still gripped by the strange sensation that you are a spectator in this conversation and not a participant.

You don’t know what expression you expected Sooyoung to have when the deception finally occurred. You didn’t have a face to picture in the first place, but you had imagined maybe you would see relief, or confusion, or curiosity. From the way Jin made it sound, Sooyoung had been completely uninterested in him and probably hoping he would meet some other girl and move on. If you were in her shoes, you probably would have wanted Jin to leave you alone.

Which is why the heartbroken expression on her face completely throws you. You know the look- you wear it well, and heartbreak is written in every line on her face, in the stiffness of her posture, in the unshed tears that glimmer in her eyes.

She turns tail and flees without a word.

For a moment, there is silence, awkwardness. You doubt Jin had thought through how this would actually play out, so you are unsurprised that he is gobsmacked. He flinches, as if to run after her, but then remembers he is holding your hand. He releases, glancing down at his hand as if it doesn’t belong to him. Then determination fills his eyes.

“(Y/N), the driver’s on his way if you just wait here. I’m so sorry, but I have to go after her.”

And just like that, Jin is sprinting away, leaving you standing on the pavement alone, like an idiot.

You just watch him go.

++

When the driver finally pulls up, you are not expecting to see Taehyung sitting inside as well. He too, looks surprised, as he scans the area around you.

“Where’s Jin?” He asks, clearly confused. You shrug, trying to conceal you surprise at his presence.

“He ran off after Sooyoung. Guess the fake-date did its job.” You slide in beside him, and miss the sharp intake of breath as his gaze once more takes in your carefully made up appearance. He shakes himself out of it quickly, and ponders your words.

“You mean he just left you on the side of the road?” He questions incredulously. You nod, tucking your jacket more tightly around you body and fixing your attention on a ladder that has appeared on your stockings. Better that then focus on how close Taehyung is, and how you can smell him at this proximity, and if you turned your head just the slightest bit you’d be gazing straight into his warm brown eyes.

“Yeah. I mean I don’t think either of us planned what would happen after we ran into Sooyoung, but hey, it could be worse. He could have made me catch a bus in these heels.” You say. A muscle in Taehyung’s jaw tightens as he grits his teeth in annoyance.

“He could have at least waited.” He says sourly. You shrug, unaffected. Taehyung whirls on you, then. “Are you ok?” He demands. You blink, confused.

“Yeah? I’m fine.” Is your response. He scans your face and you pray that the meagre lighting of the car conceals the way heat rises to your cheeks under his gaze. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Aren’t you disappointed?” Taehyung questions. “That he chose Sooyoung over you?”

“Not really.” You say with a yawn, suddenly registering how exhausted you are. “That was kind of the point, wasn’t it?”

“But like… are you sure a part of you wasn’t hoping that that wouldn’t happen? That maybe he would fall for you with all these fake-dating shenanigans?” Taehyung presses. You shoot him an odd look, puzzled.

“No. Why would you even think that- have you been joining in on his romcom sprees again?” You demand, irritated. Honestly, you were going to burn your collection, it had caused you too much trouble this week. Taehyung shakes his head, and chews his lip pensively.

“So… you don’t feel anything for my brother at all? Not even a little bit?” He says. You snort, and shake your head.

“I do feel something for him.” You say. Taehyung’s eyes flash with panic. “Relief when he leaves the room.” You snort at your little joke, but Taehyung doesn’t look amused.

Annoyed, you change the subject.

“What about you? How are things going with your lady love?” You say, trying to feign nonchalance when really you are burning with curiosity. Taehyung sighs and slumps back against the car seat.

“Awful. I got dumped- again.” He admits. He turns his head so that he is staring at you out of one eye, his cheek pressed against the sleek leather car seat. “I have such rotten luck when it comes to my love life. I really liked her too- that was our third date. That’s why I’m here- I texted our driver to pick me up on the way to get you guys since it was on the way.”

You try really hard to hide your delight at the revelation that Taehyung was dumped, you really do, but you cannot keep the elation from your voice.

“It’s ok- you can join the spinsters’ club with me.” You offer. Taehyung snorts.

“Try not to sound so thrilled to see me knocked down a few pegs.” He responds. He pauses then, carefully deliberating his next words. “Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.” You say, turning your attention to the window because his gaze is too heavy and overwhelming.

“Why did you agree to Jin’s plan?” He asks. You stiffen. He can see you’re going to refuse to answer, so he presses a little further. “Please. I have to know.”

You sigh, resigned, knowing you can never refuse him anyway.

“I sympathised with him. I knew how desperate he felt.” You say, turning your gaze back to Taehyung. He watches you almost sleepily.

“So it’s not because you like him?” He asks. You shake your head.

“Of course not.”

++

You receive a call from Taehyung’s mother the next day while searching through your newly replaced wardrobe for something that doesn’t look brand name. You had an image to maintain, as the campus slob. You take a deep breath and clear your throat a few times before answering.

“Hello, Mrs. Kim,” You say politely. You pause rummaging through your clothes- what was with Jin’s taste, everything in here was so formal and not at all appropriate for an exhausted uni student to wear during lectures. “How are you?”

You are surprised at her call- though she has always been quite fond of you, and did allow you to spend most summers in her home, you haven’t ever really had the relationship where you would call one another.

“I’m good.” She says on the other end. “I was just in the area and thought we could meet for some breakfast! Have some one-on-one time?”

You contemplate your answer. You don’t technically have any classes that morning- you had just been preparing to go in and study a little, maybe grab a nice breakfast from one of the campus cafes. You don’t have any real reason to refuse her.

“Sure- I don’t have any classes this morning anyway. Where would you like to meet me?” You question, suddenly grateful for Jin’s ridiculous upgrade to your wardrobe and you select a dress and a pair of stockings as well as a thick coat to brave the rainy weather outside.

“Oh, I’ll meet you. There’s a nice place near your campus that I’ve been meaning to try- I’ll have the driver swing by your place. It’s still the same address, yes?” She questions. You agree and hang up.

You catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror as you get ready- since Taehyung’s mother is a high-up socialite, you decide this is one of the rare occasions you should be putting in effort to your appearance. However, the girl that stares back at you is a stranger. You can’t quite place what it is, or what Chaeyoung and Jimin had done to you the previous day, but regardless, you go about your morning routine as instructed by them, utilizing the products they had bought for you on Jin’s card. No use letting them go to waste, right? Plus, you hadn’t missed Taehyung’s gobsmacked appearance when you first stepped out. It had inflated your ego just a little, enough for you to think that maybe putting in the effort every now and then wouldn’t hurt anyone.

You finish applying one of the absurdly expensive lipsticks Chaeyoung and Jimin had bought for you just in time for you to receive a text informing you that the car was waiting for you out on the street.

Distractedly, you notice that the air is heavy with the warning signs of rain, and you probably should grab an umbrella, but you are in a rush and you are getting driven anyway.

Mrs. Kim smiles when you slide into the car seat beside you. She is gorgeous- no one could have sons as inhumanly beautiful as she did and not have supermodel levels of beauty, even as a middle aged woman. And normally she is warm, with a gentle smile that Taehyung inherited, but today there is a cold edge to her smile that you pick up on. It has you instantly on edge.

“It’s good to see you.” You say hesitantly. Taehyung obviously inherited his crazy eyes from her, because you can make out a dulled version of them hovering behind her eyes as she smiles at you.

“And you too, dear. You really don’t come by as often as you should.” She says, but oddly, the usual warmth is sapped from her voice and she almost sounds like she’s scolding you.

You are confused, but do not press at her odd behavior, instead allowing the terse small talk to continue as the car pulls up beside a classy looking café. You get out behind Mrs. Kim and follow her as she announces her reservation to one of the café workers. They lead you to a private booth at the back, and you settle in opposite to her.

She gestures for you to order, and you glance through the menu, settling on a fancy sounding dish that brags about all the health benefits it has, as well as a smoothie, and she orders a cup of tea and simpler dish of eggs benedict and toast.

Once the food is served, however, she cuts straight to the chase.

“I heard you were seeing my son.” She says sharply. You nearly choke on your smoothie.

“Pardon?” You exclaim, banging on your chest as you try to regain control of your lungs.

“Seokjin’s driver informed me that you went on a date with him last night.” She says, sniffing distastefully. You stare, unsure whether you should tell the truth or not.

“Um… yes, we were together last night.” Is what you finally decide to say. To your immense surprise, her eyes widen in outrage.

“So you are seeing him!” She accuses, throwing her napkin down on the table dramatically. “I can’t believe it! The audacity.”

You blink, confused.

“Um, Mrs. Kim, I-“ You begin- perhaps you should have come straight out with the truth so that she didn’t feel the need to be as angry as she is.

“No. This is absurd- I’m going to come right out and say it.” She says, adjusting her posture and glaring at you with burning eyes. “It was one thing when you were hanging around Taehyung. You study a respectful enough degree and if he were to one day decide you were an appropriate match for him, I would not have objected.”

You are unsure what to say- what exactly is going on? Why do you feel you’ve suddenly been sucked into those over-the-top dramas your roommate likes to watch on her days off?

“But Seokjin is set to inherit everything.” She sniffs. “Any match he chooses will be the future wife of a CEO.”

She pauses like she expects you to react or protest, but when you merely continue to stare at her, a little dumbfounded, she continues.

“And you are not appropriate for that position.” She says at last. “Now, if you were to decide to go back to Taehyung, I would not protest, but as long as you have an eye on Seokjin and our family’s fortune, I cannot allow this to go unsaid. Stay away from him.”

Your jaw drops- what the actual heck? What is happening? Is this real? Did Taehyung orchestrate an elaborate prank with his mum to get you to drop out of helping Jin?

“Mrs. Kim, with all due respect, I don’t think-“ You go to protest. She slams her hand on the table and you jump, cutting off your sentence in surprise. She presses her fingers into the bridge of her nose, a move you have often seen Taehyung pull when he is frustrated or exasperated.

“I knew you would protest- girls seem to fall so hard for him. I can’t blame him- he really is such a sweet, handsome young man.” She says, before looking sternly at you. “I’m going to tell you what I told that Sooyoung girl. I don’t care how handsome or sweet or considerate my son is for you. I know you very well, (Y/N), and I know you can’t handle this position-“

You know you are being rude, you really do, but you are so shocked at the revelation that Taehyung’s mother has spoken to Sooyoung that you cut her off, completely missing whatever excuse she has to justify asking you to stay away from her oldest son.

“You spoke to Sooyoung?” You exclaim. “Is that why she won’t date your son?”

Evidently not expecting that reaction, or for you to even care about Sooyoung, Mrs. Kim is thrown for a loop and pauses her rant. You, however, are too preoccupied to pick up on it- you had thought Sooyoung’s reaction the previous day was strange, especially since she was always rejected Jin’s advances. The look on her face yesterday had been the look of a woman who had just had her heart stomped on. Suddenly everything makes sense.

“Well, yes, but-“ She says slowly, and you scramble to your feet.

“You mean all this time she’s been refusing to date him not because she didn’t want to, but because you told her to stay away from him?” You all but shout. When a few startled café patrons look towards you, you lower your voice. “You’re the one who’s been driving Sooyoung away?”

Mrs. Kim looks absolutely flabbergasted, and completely confused.

“(Y/N)-“ She begins, hoping to regain some control of the situation, but it is far too late and she has long since lost her hold over your attention.

“I have to go!” You exclaim, scrambling to your feet. “I’m sorry Mrs. Kim, but I have somewhere to be!”

With that you race out of the café, intent on finding Jin and telling him everything.

++

You’re an idiot, of course, and it has been bucketing rain for a while by the time you skid to a halt in front of the entrance to Jin’s penthouse apartment. You are sopping wet, and you didn’t wear waterproof mascara, and even the thick dress coat you had been wearing to ward off the cold is soaked through and icy.

Jin opens the door and his jaw drops in shock.

“(Y/N)?” He exclaims. “What the heck?”

You barely register the dark circles under his eyes and the way his normally carefully-styled hair is in complete disarray and shove yourself into the apartment, dripping water onto the tiled floor.

You are shivering and your teeth chatter as you cut straight to the chase.

“I spoke to your mother.” You say, though the words are nearly unintelligible through your incessant shivering. “She called me up for breakfast this morning, and I found something out!”

Jin is confused, and concerned, and places a firm hand on your shoulder.

“(Y/N),” He says sternly. “I don’t know what happened to you this morning, but you’re clearly not in the right state of mind. How about we get you into some dry clothes, and then you can explain?”

You protest, eager to get everything out in the air as soon as possible, but he ushers you into the bathroom and shuts the door behind you.

“I’ll leave some clothes for you outside the door. There should be some clean towels under the sink.” He calls before leaving you alone.

Frustrated, you sigh, and then you look at yourself in the mirror. You hair is a sopping mess, in complete disarray, your makeup is messed up and you look cold. You’ve also pretty much rushed the whole public transport route to Jin’s apartment in heels. With a sigh, you decide that being in a more comfortable and less frantic state of mind would do harm to no one. You take a hot shower to rinse the makeup off and fix your hair, and dry yourself off with one of the towels you find under the sink.

The clothes he’s left you are one of his old shirts and a pair of sweatpants that you have to hold up with your hands. He’s also left you a nice pair of woolly socks and some house slippers. You wrap a towel around your hair and leave your clothes in a sopping pile in the sink to deal with later.

In the kitchen, Jin hums as he prepares you a cup of tea, and you slide onto one of the stools on the opposite side of the kitchen counter to him.

“So,” Jin says, as he slides the cup of tea towards you. You wrap your hands around it, appreciating the warmth. “What was so urgent that you rushed over here when you have class in the afternoon?”

You are momentarily surprised that he knows your schedule so well, but you do not press it, instead eager to share the news you had learnt.

“So your mother took me to breakfast this morning because your driver informed her that we were seeing each other.” You say in a rush. Jin looks surprised, but you plough onward before he can interrupt. “Anyway, she basically told me to stay away from you because she didn’t want me having any hand in running the company since you’re the future heir,” You continue. “I think she has a very wrong idea of what is going on here, but anyway, I learnt something interesting!” You pause for dramatic effect. “She’s said the same thing to Sooyoung!”

Jin’s jaw drops. He is speechless for a moment, and then a pained look crosses his face.

“What?” He says slowly. You think his reaction is strange, but you are too triumphant with your discovery to ponder it.

“You hear me! I solved the mystery- your mum gave Sooyoung a scary “stay away from my son” talking to, and that’s why Sooyoung’s been refusing to date you for so long!” You explain. Jin looks absolutely horrified.

“Then you and I just… did something bad to Sooyoung- we-“ You are interrupted by the buzzer to Jin’s intercom going off. You glance at him, but he has gone very pale and looks in no state to answer the door.

“Can you get that, (Y/N)? I just… I need a minute.” He says breathlessly. Puzzled at his reaction, you nod, before strolling over to the door.

You don’t understand how intercoms work so you don’t check it before answering the door, instead just carelessly swinging it open.

Only for Sooyoung to be waiting on the otherside.

For a moment, you just stare stupidly at each other, and then you realise how bad this looks. It is still a little before 12, so the morning, and you are in Jin’s apartment, freshly showered and wearing his clothes, and answering his door.

“Sooyoung,” You say slowly, horror creeping into your expression as the gravity of the situation starts to occur to you. “I-“ You are not given a chance to explain yourself, because she turns and flees before you can get a word out, leaving you gaping after her.

In distress, you race towards Jin’s kitchen, your slippers skidding over the tiled floor.

“Jin!” You bellow, distressed. He looks alarmed.

“What, what is it?” He exclaims, starting violently. His hand shoots for the frying pan and he brandishes it before him, looking around wildly evidently expecting a house intruder.

“It was Sooyoung! She saw me, and-“ You don’t get to finish your sentence because as soon as Jin hears the name Sooyoung, he is gone, running out the door after her, still in his house slippers and without a jacket.

You go to call out after him but something stops you- your voice catches in your throat. The look of panic and horror on Jin’s face is frozen in you mind. You are not sure why but suddenly you very much want to go home. You don’t want to be here, in his apartment, waiting for him to come back from whatever talk he has with Sooyoung.

You leave without a second thought, taking the fire entrance to reduce your risk of running into them.

++

You have dinner alone that night. Your roommate has gone on some trip with her classmates and won’t be home over the weekend.

You are not sure why you feel so hollow inside but you do. For a while, you just stare blankly at your dinner, willing yourself the energy to actually eat it. Each mouthful feels like cotton and you curse your own lack of skill at cooking. You should have just had instant noodles instead of trying to be a functional adult. Because isn’t that what you’re always doing? Playing at being an adult when in reality you can’t handle something as simple as a functioning, healthy relationship?

You wonder what has you feeling so bitter. Jin had sent you a text as you struggled through your afternoon classes that wasn’t very helpful- all it said was “Things will work out. Don’t stress too much. Thank you.” That could mean anything! Sooyoung could have overdramatically rejected him, he and Sooyoung could have decided to elope, a car could have hit Sooyoung as she fled and given her amnesia. You wish he was better at texting.

Regardless, this is likely the source of the hollow feeling in your chest. Because Jin is finally making progress in his relationship. After years of stagnation, of one-sided pining, of hair-brained schemes that just ended with him drunk and upset on your couch or Taehyung’s, this is an actual, tangible step forward. Something he can work with- something he can do something about. But you’re still stuck in the same place you were all those years ago when you first realised how you felt about Taehyung. Tongue-tied like a nervous teenager, in love but miserable like the heroine of her own romantic tragedy. You’d always had a sense of solidarity in Jin, who not only knew your pain, but shared it, and was always there with a tub of ice cream when Taehyung had found a new partner. What would happen now, if things worked out with Sooyoung? Would you be stuck, forever frozen in time as the lovestruck teenager who was humiliated in front of her crush, while he moved on to marry and have kids and run a huge company and just generally be happy? It is silly and awful, but a part of you hoped that if Taehyung never returned your feelings, you and Jin could just be miserable together. Not romantically or anything, because you couldn’t feel that way about Jin if you tried, just, together. Companions, bonded through your aching hearts.

And now you are left behind in the dust, and you didn’t expect Jin getting his happy ending to be quite as… lonely as it is.

You are interrupted from your moping by Taehyung swinging open your door. You sigh- you knew you shouldn’t have told him where you hide your spare key. Taehyung comes into view, looking tired from a long day of doing who-knows-what. Probably sleeping through class and fighting with Jungkook. However, when he sees you, his expression changes. You do not know what he sees on your face, but his expression goes soft in the way that he only he manages. That gentle, concerned look in his eyes that you have seen so many times and is probably why your stubborn heart refuses to let go.

“(Y/N),” Taehyung says. “Are you ok? You look…”

Your mind flicks briefly to Jin’s text and how it is likely that he may finally be with Sooyoung after years of pining, and an odd sense of determination fills you. It sets in your gut, like molten lava cooling into stone. You have never been particularly inclined to confess your feelings to Taehyung. You’d always figured you’d pine like an idiot for most of your life and then die alone, maybe with Jin miserably napping on your couch. But with the sudden change to that plan, you suddenly don’t want to do that. You don’t want to live alone, never knowing for sure if something could have happened between you and Taehyung because you were too chicken to try.

“Taehyung.” You cut him off. He seems surprised at your interruption, but waits for you to continue, settling into the ground on the opposite side of the coffee table. “Do you remember the first time I ever got dumped?”

Confused, he nods, his expression growing distant as he recalls the event in question.

“Yeah?” He says, scratching awkwardly at the side of his face. It had been one of your more embarrassing moments, complete with ugly crying and a lot of comfort eating.

“You asked me then why he dumped me and I refused to tell you.” You remind him. He nods- he recalls the incident well enough. “Well, it was because I liked someone else and he could tell. They could all tell, every guy who I ever went on a date with.”

Taehyung looks surprised.

“Really? Who?” His expression morphs into horror. “It’s not Jin, is it? Oh gosh, tell me you haven’t spent the past five years pining over my brother.”

You shake your head and he visibly deflates with relief. But then confusion crosses his face.

“But then, who?” He asks. “It can’t have been Jungkook because we didn’t know him then… and Jimin has been with Chaeyoung almost as long as we’ve known him… Namjoon?”

You wrinkle your nose and shake your head.

“Will you stop guessing, I’m trying to tell you something!” You scold. Chastened, he quiets down and gestures for you to continue. You remain silent, however, suddenly losing whatever courageous streak that has gotten you this far. Shutting your eyes, you summon your non-existent courage and charge ahead. “You know how you’ve always wondered why Jin and I are so close? And I always say it’s because we have a lot in common?”

Taehyung snorts.

“Yeah, that’s a lie if I ever heard one. I refuse to believe anyone who doesn’t spend 95% of their time admiring their reflection could have a lot in common with Jin.” He responds cheekily, and you let out a nervous, high-pitched laugh. Taehyung looks puzzled and a little afraid at the unnatural sound. “(Y/N)? Are you ok? I’m still not getting what you’re trying to say.”

“What we have in common is that we’ve both been in love with someone for the more than half a decade and they didn’t feel the same way.” You blurt. Taehyung’s jaw drops.

“That’s why? Because no one liked you?” He says.

“People have liked us!” You protest. “Just not the person we wanted to like us!” Taehyung wrinkles his nose.

“Now you’re referring to you and him as a ‘we’? What are you, a matching tea set?” He says, disgusted. You groan in frustration- this conversation wouldn’t have lasted half as long if you could just get it out. If you could just say the words you had been holding back since you were a 17 year old girl.

“It’s you Taehyung.” You finally manage. The words sting as they come out- you feel like you’ve just cut into an abscess, and now blood and debris are pouring out. “You were the one I liked. Always. Every time- this whole time it’s always been you and it’s only been you, no matter who I saw or who I met or who I dated.”

Your heartbeat roars in your hears and you feel like you’re free-falling to your death, hurtling towards the ground at thousand-kilometer speeds. Taehyung just stares blankly at you, his mouth slightly ajar. Is it always this painful confessing such a long-lasting love? You feel like you’ve just impaled yourself and Taehyung is watching you slowly bleed out.

“Taehyung?” You question, hoping to prompt some kind of response. The words come out as barely a whisper, and he starts violently, before accidentally looking into your gaze.

You can read his expression plain as day- you’ve been able to read his expressions since you both started high school and became inseparable friends, and with a plummeting feeling, you register the awful mixture of fear and confusion and panic in his eyes. He doesn’t feel the same way- you’ve just made a fool of yourself and ruined your friendship and all you will have to show for it is a broken heart. You don’t know what outcome you were expecting, because you knew hew didn’t feel the same way for but it still hurts like he’s punched you all the same.

You get abruptly to your feet with a quickness that has Taehyung nearly falling off his seat in surprise.

“I…” You begin, but you weren’t sure how you intended to finish the sentence. “Maybe we should…” You try again, but your voice dies away. Your voice has gone high and breathy with pain, and you look away, alarmed when you feel the humiliating sting of tears at the back of your eyes. “Let’s-“ You make one last attempt, but it is aborted by an awkward, choked sob that you had desperately tried to hold back.

It is what spurs Taehyung into action.

“(Y/N),” He says, scrambling to his feet and walking towards you. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

You feel like he’s slapped you. You feel stupid for being hurt. You feel a lot of things, and none of them are positive.

“I think you should leave.” You say quietly, avoiding his gaze by looking down when the first tear spills forward.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, you seem really upset-“ Taehyung protests, pressing his hands to your shoulders and shifting his position as he tries to meet your eyes.

“Just go!” You snap, tossing his arms from your shoulders. “Can’t you see I don’t want you here?”

You regret the quickness of your actions as soon as the hurt flashes in his eyes. You hug your arms around yourself and glance upwards, willing the tears to stop falling.

“I’m sorry.” You say. “I just- Can’t you please go?”

“I think we should talk about this.” Taehyung responds, instead of taking his leave as you request. It’s probably the first time in a very long time that he hasn’t respected your wishes, and he’s chosen the worst possible time to do it. “Just, just give me a second, ok? Stop trying to kick me out and let me think- you can’t spring something like this on me and then just expect me to-“

“I’m not expecting anything, Taehyung!” You protest vehemently. “I said I like you, and you don’t feel that same way, that’s it, end of story! I want you out of my home!”

“It’s not though!” He responds, throwing his arms up on the air. “You can’t honestly think that just because I don’t feel the same way, that that’s the end of the story, do you? What, our friendship goes down the drain now because I don’t reciprocate?”

The fight drains out of you rapidly as the weight of his words register. You droop, a tight feeling in your throat as you realise that he’s right- you can’t honestly expect to just end your friendship there just because he doesn’t feel the same way, can you? That’s childish and inconsiderate of Taehyung’s feelings.

“That’s not what I meant,” You finally say. “I just… I just need some space, ok? I was hoping that you… that you felt…”

You trail away, embarrassed, but the meaning hangs in the air without you voicing it- you were hoping that he felt the same way. Taehyung looks at you like you’ve punched him.

“(Y/N),” He starts, reaching for you, but you gently push him back.

“No, please don’t touch me right now.” You say quickly. You regret it when hurt flashes across his face. “What I mean to say is, I just need some space to sort myself out, and then we can go back to normal, ok? I just want some time to get over this. Can you give me that much?”

Taehyung very much looks like he can’t give you that much, but at the very end of the day, he could never truly go against your wishes, and so he visibly wilts.

“I… yeah, ok.” He says, his voice sounding gravelly like there are knives scraping against his vocal cords. “For how long?”

You shrug, feeling an empty sort of sensation within your chest. Like you heart has been sucked out of your ribs through a tiny opening and all that remains is a vacuum.

“I honestly don’t know.” You say, turning to lead him towards the door. You pause, turning back to him. “I’ll call you when I’m ready though, ok?”

Taehyung watches you as he takes his leave, his eyes forlorn like a sad puppy.

“Ok.” He says, softly and sadly, and the last thing you see before you close the door behind him are his melancholic brown eyes, staring straight into yours.

++

You kind of drop off the radar after what happens between you and Taehyung. You don’t do it maliciously- it’s just the thought of answering the texts he sends you makes you feel like someone is dig a knife into your jugular. It suits you anyway- class gets busy and you don’t have time for him anyway. That’s what you tell yourself at least. You’re just taking some much needed space from him, until you’re sure you can look at him without feeling like someone’s punched straight through your thorax.

Jin doesn’t contact you either, however, and you would be lying if that doesn’t sting a little. Still, you are currently on a Kim-family detox, and so that means no Jin, no Namjoon and most certainly no Taehyung. Jin is probably busy with whatever stupid drama he’s stirred up with his latest scheme. You keep telling yourself you are fine. You are even better than before, is what you tell yourself. You start to take better care of your appearance, making use of the various skin and hair products and makeup and outfits that were purchased for you during your makeover. You are fine. You are great.

But you’re not. It’s weird. Something feels off. You still hang with Jungkook, and on occasion you hang with Chaeyoung, and Yoona is in most of your classes so it’s not like you’re lonely or anything. And if you are feeling particularly lonely, they’re only a text away and almost always willing to spend time with you. But even though you’re not lonely by any means, it still feels like there’s a gaping hole in your life. You know that you’re in love with Taehyung, and you knew that any attempt to remove him would heart, but you had hoped that maybe you were wrong. Maybe it was an infatuation and once he was gone you’d realise he wasn’t really that big a part of your life anyway. But somehow, though you fill every waking minute with class and studying and friends and extracurriculars and though you keep insisting to yourself that you’re fine and not the kind of girl to get torn up over a guy, you feel empty. Like your days are missing a certain spark that they held before.

You miss him. So much. If you’d thought you knew heartache before, it pales in comparison to what you are feeling now. And no matter how much you run, how much you tell yourself that the space is good, no matter how much you fill your time to distract yourself from the pain, it won’t go away. Like an insidious ache that is steadily worsening over time. But you still need time. You cannot let him back into your life until you are sure you can handle living just as friends for however long he chooses to keep you in his life. At this rate, it feels like it may take years before you are ready to face him again, though, and Taehyung’s texts are getting more frequent and difficult to ignore.

Jungkook picks up on the way he has not seen you guys together in a surprisingly long amount of time one morning while harassing you in the library.

“I feel like my parents have gotten divorced.” He grumbles, ignoring your urging for him to keep quiet. “This honestly sucks- didn’t you guys discuss properly who would get custody of me when you decided to separate? I have no time because now I have to split my time between the two of you instead of just hanging together all three of us like we used to.”

You shoot him a look over your textbook, and he stretches languidly in his chair, unbothered by the disturbance he is no doubt causing to the surrounding students.

“I’m just saying. I don’t even know what you guys fought over. But like, this is getting real old, real quick.” He tells you. “If this keeps up you’re gonna have to figure out who’s gonna pay for my therapy bills- divorces have a really negative impact on any children of the couple in question-“

You cut him off.

“Can you like… not be annoying for once in your life?” You hiss. He raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised but interested by your irritation. He leans forward, pressing his elbows against the surface of the table and rests his head in the palm of his hands, watching you.

“This is interesting.” He comments. “Do the divorce comparisons hit a sore spot with you? I think this is the first time you’ve shown an emotion since you two fought. I wonder what you fought over?” The coyness in his voice suggests that he has a reasonable idea of what may have caused the schism between you. You swallow and glance down- the words on the page swim before you and you suddenly find it difficult to process.

“Do you always have to be so prying?” You finally say, refusing to meet his gaze. When you do gain the courage to look up, his expression has softened just the slightest bit.

“I do when it involves my two best friends.” Jungkook says slowly. “And I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong. It’s been nearly a month, (Y/N). What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter what happened.” You say, and you don’t intend for the words to come out as bitingly as they do. Jungkook merely continues to watch you, and you sigh in a defeated tone. “Can’t you just…blindly take my side? Aren’t you supposed to stop contacting Taehyung and be my emotional support? I met you first anyway, why are you even still in contact with him?”

Jungkook laughs.

“Dude, Taehyung’s my bro-ulmate. That’s bro and soulmate combined. It means that even though you are definitely one of my best friends, whatever we have pales in comparison to the spiritual link that Taehyung and I share.” He informs you. “Also, what kind of parent makes her child which parent he likes more anyway? Don’t they teach you not to do that in divorce101? It’s detrimental to the psychological health of any children of the match-“

“Stop!” You exclaim, pressing the heels of your hands into your eyes and willing away the persistent headache that is your friend Jungkook. “I’m not your mum!”

Jungkook’s jaw drops in mock offense.

“And now you’re disowning me?” He exclaims. “The divorce changed you, mum. I can’t believe you don’t want me anymore. Does this mean Taehyung gets sole custody? That certainly solves the whole lack-of-time problem I’ve been having.”

You are silent for a moment, and when you meet his gaze, you can see the sincere concern despite his insistent teasing, and it is this look that has your walls crumbling.

“I confessed.” You finally admit. His jaw drops in genuine shock this time and you glance away, unable to meet his eyes. “I told him that I liked him.”

“You what?” Jungkook says, eyes going round with shock. “And you didn’t tell me? How could you deprive me of such juicy gossip!”

You glare at Jungkook.

“Is everything in your life a joke? I put myself out there, and I got hurt and you’re making a joke of it?” You cry, unable to keep the genuine hurt from leeching into your voice. A quick hush from a nearby student has you dropping your voices again.

“Wait…So Taehyung rejected you then?” Jungkook says slowly, looking confused. “That… explains a lot actually.”

You nod, and glance down at your textbook, intent on returning to your revising. Jungkook, it seems, is not ready to drop the conversation yet.

“He’s been asking about you, you know. Wants to know how you’re doing.” Jungkook comments airily, leaning back in his seat. You stiffen, just slightly.

“What did you tell him?” You question. Jungkook shrugs.

“That you’re a mess after what you fought over. That you found one of the few old shirts and pants that Chaeyoung let you keep as ‘house clothes’ only and have been living in them for a week and haven’t washed your hair for longer.”

You glance down at your outfit. A nice blouse and a pair of high-waisted jeans. It was one of the more casual outfits purchased for you during your wardrobe upgrade, but still looked really nice. Your hair is done and so is your makeup.

“You liar!” You accuse with an angry shove. “I’ve been waking up early to do my hair and makeup for weeks now!”

Jungkook does that funny head-bobbing laugh he does whenever he thinks he’s pulled a hilarious prank.

“I had to! I thought maybe he’d be guilt-tripped into apologising! Remember, I didn’t know what you were fighting over!” Jungkook says with a laugh. “Besides, if someone as shallow as Taehyung knew you looked this good, he’d be over here in a heartbeat, grovelling for your friendship, and I needed you to stay separated for just a little longer- this girl in one of my classes promised me notes if I could get her Taehyung’s number and I- ow! Stop hitting me!” Jungkook complains, throwing up his hands to defend himself from the onslaught.

“Why do you suck?” You lament, giving up assaulting him and falling into your seat with defeat. “Honestly, I pick the worst friends!” You continue to complain, and Jungkook merely laughs as he gets to his feet.

“I have to go, I have class.” He informs you. “Thank you for an entertaining time, as usual. And about Taehyung,” He pauses his farewell, unusually serious. “I think you should talk to him. I’m not gonna pretend I know what’s going through his head, but he misses you and you miss him. Talk to him.”

He takes his leave with that, throwing one last final “I’ll forward you my therapist’s bill, make sure to check your email!” over his shoulder.

++

That evening as you head home, you are alarmed to find your door unlocked and slightly ajar. Did you forget to lock it? Your roommate is exceedingly paranoid about this sort of thing and would never be stupid enough to leave it unlocked. Slightly afraid, you brandish your mail- you’d finally received Jimin and Chaeyoung’s wedding invitation that day- before you, as if it’s going to protect you from any intruders.

Sure enough, there are banging sounds coming from your kitchen and your heart leaps into your throat- your roommate is working the late shift at the restaurant and shouldn’t be home yet. You contemplate calling the police, but if it really is just her and she’s just gotten her shift cancelled, you don’t want to look like an idiot.

Swallowing your fear, you edge forward until your kitchen appears and almost scream at the sight of the intruder.

“You and I need to have a serious talking to! When was the last time you and your roommate went grocery shopping? Literally all you had in this house was some instant noodles and some soy sauce and something I think might have been celery but it was too black to tell so I threw it out. You’re seriously going to die from too much salt intake.” The intruder in your home scolds, whirling around to point a sauce-coated spatula at you accusingly. He’s also wearing the frilly pink apron your roommate joking bought for your as a house-warming gift over business attire, the sleeves of his button-up shirt rolled up to his elbows. He pauses when he sees you frozen with a hand clasped over your rib-cage, still trying to assess whether you’d just had a heart attack.

“Jin!” You all but shout. “You idiot! I thought you were a thief!”

“But I am a thief.” Jin counters, confused. “I stole your heart, didn’t I?” Is how he cheekily finishes his statement, framing his chin between thumb and forefinger and smiling in what you assume would have been a charming smile if you weren’t still having heart palpitations from the sudden surge of adrenaline.

“Why are you even in my house?” You choose to say. “I changed where I keep the spare key.”

Jin looks surprised at this.

“You did? That’s good to know- I’ll let Taehyung know. But I don’t use your spare key- I had my own copy made off the spare key when you first moved in.” He tells you, turning back to stir at whatever dinner he’s preparing. It smells heavenly, but you will not cave to his antics just because he sometimes makes you tasty dinners.

“What the heck Jin? Why do you have a key to my apartment?” You demand, and he shrugs, pondering. He lifts a spoonful of the food to his mouth to taste it hesitantly, before reaching for a bottle of spice and adding a little in.

“Well I needed access to your couch for emergencies- it just doesn’t have the same pathetic ring if I’m drunk and sad on my own couch, you know? Has to be a friend’s couch so everyone knows I’ve hit rock bottom.” He informs you. He holds the spatula out to you. “Have a taste of this and tell me if it needs anything.”

You slap his arm away.

“No!” You exclaim. “Why are you even here? You can’t just keep a key to my apartment! Has no one ever taught you about boundaries?”

“I think Jimin tried once- something about there not being space for three people on his bed, and that I had to take the couch, not the bed if I was gonna come into their home in the middle of the night? Chaeyoung was screaming too loud for me to really hear what he was saying though.” Jin says ponderingly, turning away from the stove top to lean against your kitchen counter. He folds his arms across his chest in what would have been a stern posture were he not decked out in a frilly pink apron and suit pants. You stare at him, unimpressed, while he simply surveys you for a moment.

“I knew I should have come sooner.” He finally says. “You’ve lost weight and you clearly haven’t been eating properly. At least you’ve been trying on the style side of things, but that’s all useless if you don’t take care of yourself, (Y/N).”

You blink, a few times, confused, as he does not elaborate further, instead turning to what he has cooking on the stovetop. He grabs a bowl from one of the cupboards above the sink and begins to ladle spoonfuls of it into a bowl. Finally he hands it to you, and confused, you accept it.

“Eat at the table. I’ll join you once I’m done here.” He tells you, before turning away. You stand there, thrown by his actions and a little confused, and that leads to you obediently following his instructions, walking over to the dining area of your small apartment which is really just the coffee table with cushions around it, and settling down. The food Jin has made is warm and tasty and you haven’t really cooked properly for yourself in a while, so even though you are confused you are very grateful. Right as you’ve taken the first mouthful and closed your eyes in bliss, Jin settles on the opposite side of the coffee table from you with a bowl of food. He begins speaking to you through a mouthful of food.

“I was gonna come sooner.” He tells you through a mouthful, as a continuation of his earlier point. “But there were a lot of issues for me to work through first.” He admits. “If I’d known you were in such a state, I definitely would have been here in a heartbeat though.”

You glance down at your food and do not say anything, but he waits patiently for you to speak.

“I’m… not sure what you want, Jin.” You finally say, glancing at him. “And you don’t owe me any kind of regular contact. It’s not like we’re that close or anything.” Just a tiny, tiny bit of resentment creeps into your voice and he smiles.

“Ouch. I guess I deserved that.” He says, with a slightly chuckle. “I was a little caught up in everything that was going on with my mum and Sooyoung and forgot to keep you in the loop. But it all worked out, in case you were curious. It took a lot of convincing, and I had to come clean with the whole truth, in case you can’t tell from the fact that it’s been nearly a month since we last spoke, but mum has agreed to let me date Sooyoung without emotionally blackmailing her anymore. She also extends you an official apology for the misunderstanding and wants you to know that if you’re still interested in Taehyung, she won’t object.” He tells you. “Believe it or not, that was actually the easy part. But Sooyoung eventually caved to my charm and wit.” He tells you, his eyes narrowing with his grin like a pleased cat. “We have our first date this Friday.”

You are speechless.

“I… congratulations.” Is all you can manage, but your tone is genuinely happy for him. He’s wanted this for so long… and he’s finally go it. He nods, still beaming.

“Yes, and it’s all thanks to you. There was one little condition that if Sooyoung and I don’t work out, I have to marry whoever my mum chooses.” He says. His nose wrinkles. “Haha, jokes on her, guess who has two thumbs and isn’t breaking up with Sooyoung?” He points at himself with the thumbs in question. “This guy right here.”

You chuckle, but it is a strained sound.

“I… I’m happy for you, Jin.” You try to hide the jealousy and bitterness from your voice, but it’s Jin. He’s known you since you were in early highschool, visiting a friend’s house for the first time, and he’s been friends with you since you were 17. He’s seen you sad and he’s seen you happy and he’s seen you angry. No matter how dim or socially unaware he is, he knows you, and he can read you like a book despite your best efforts to hide things from him.

Jin’s eyes narrow at your tone.

“I know what you’re feeling, by the way.” He says slowly. “You’re upset, don’t even try to hide it.”

You glance away, preparing yourself to protest, but he cuts you off.

“I’ve felt the same way you’re feeling right now before too, you know.” He informs you. You shoot him a confused look.

“You have?” You question, because somehow, you highly doubt it.

“Yeah, I have.” He says. “I came in here once, late in the night because your apartment was closer and Jungkook wanted my help pulling a prank- don’t pull that face, you’ve done the same to me. You’d been having one of those movie nights you have with Taehyung and you’d fallen asleep on his shoulder during the movie.”

You are thoroughly confused with where he’s going with this story at this point, but you do not interrupt.

“Taehyung saw me.” He continues. “And he gestured for me to be quiet, but like… he’d just had this look on his face. I’d never seen him look so peaceful before and I’m his brother. I’ve seen every face he has to pull since the day he came out of the womb. And when I saw it… I realised you guys were gonna work out one day.”

You can’t hold back your scoff at this, and Jin smiles fondly.

“It’s true!” He argues. “One day, Taehyung was gonna realise just how much he loved you and I’d be left alone in the dust. It was so… lonely. So I know what you’re feeling right now, and let me tell you this: It’s not gonna be like this forever. And even if he never realises how he feels like the idiot he is, I’m not gonna stop being your friend just because I’m with Sooyoung now. Maybe things are gonna look a little different from this point on, I don’t know. But you’re never gonna lose me. You and I… we’ve brave the storm together, and I’m not gonna abandon you just cause I reached shore a little quicker.”

He reaches across the table and plucks a tissue from the box you keep there, and hands it to you. For a second you are confused until you see the fluid on the table- you’re crying.

“I’m gonna stay on shore and cheer you on until you get here too, ok? With or without Taehyung.” Jin says, with a soft smile that triggers more tears to rush forward without your consent. You glance down, dabbing at your eyes.

“Besides, if I just abandoned you, I wouldn’t have a best man when I eventually marry Sooyoung.” He informs you, taking another mouthful of food. You frown to your tears.

“Me? Best man? What about Taehyung?” You question.

“What about Taehyung?” He says with an indignant sniff. “That brat wouldn’t pass me food across the table let alone get his eyebrows waxed just for the sake of one of my hare-brained schemes. That’s all you, and so the day I get married, you’re gonna be standing at the end of the aisle with me as my best man.”

“But I don’t want to be your best man?” Is your response, because you can honestly think of nothing more stressful or hazardous than having any important position at this walking disaster’s wedding.

“Don’t be silly.” Jin says, finishing the last of his meal. “You don’t get a choice. I hope you don’t have this same attitude when I’m maid of honour at your wedding.”

You splutter.

“What? You’re not gonna be my maid of honour!” You protest indignantly. He laughs.

“Don’t be silly, (Y/N). Of course I am- who else would it be? That slut Namjoon?” He questions triumphantly, as if he’s just delivered the winning point in a debate. He hasn’t.

“He’s your cousin!” Your protest is weaker this time, and Jin shakes his head.

“And a slut.” He informs you. “Anyway, now that I’ve successfully stopped you crying and I’ve fed you a proper dinner, I think it’s about time you tell me why you and Taehyung haven’t spoken in nearly a month.”

You were just starting to smile at Jin’s antics, but the second he brings up your and Taehyung’s falling out, it falls from your face. You droop, looking away from his gaze.

“There’s not much to tell.” You say. “I told him how I feel about him… and he didn’t feel the same way. So I’ve been taking some time to try and get over myself, and then we’ll go back to normal.”

Jin’s gaze is soft but slightly disappointed when you meet it at last. He offers you a weak smile.

“He told me everything.” He admits to you. “Well… no he didn’t. He only told me that you two had fought. I figured the rest out for myself because I knew it had to be serious if he wasn’t telling me, his beloved and trustworthy brother. Also you guys were being so weird that even Jungkook realised something was up. He called me up the other week to see if I knew any good marriage counsellor’s because he was scared his parents were getting divorced. He actually had me worried for a second until I realised he was talking about you two.”

“It’s pretty weird that he keeps pushing this divorce joke.” Is all you can say in response. Jin laughs.

“I think you should call him. Taehyung I mean.” Jin says. “Talk to him. He misses you.”

“That’s what Jungkook told me.” You respond. Jin looks taken aback.

“Huh. Who knew he was capable of sensible suggestions.” Jin says. He pauses to glance at his watch. “Anyway, I’ve got to get going. But I just wanted you to know that I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me, and I know it wasn’t easy, and I’m gonna pay you back with this advice: Talk to Taehyung.”

With that, Jin takes his leave but not without one last parting shot.

“I’m totally your best friend, by the way, not Taehyung. I’ll see you soon, (Y/N).”

++

You call Taehyung that night. You hover hesitantly over the texting app, the red notifications glaring at you, before deciding that you should just bite the bullet and call him directly. If you pause to read the numerous texts he has sent you over the weeks, you will lose you confidence, you know you will. So before you can lose your courage, you click on Taehyung’s contact icon and press the call button.

The phone barely rings twice before Taehyung is answering.

“(Y/N)?” He calls, his voice eager and excited. “(Y/N) is that you?”

You hesitate for a second, suddenly gripped by a terror you hadn’t expected at the sound of his voice.

“Hi.” Is what you finally croak, and you hear him exhale sharply on the other end.

“Hi.” He says softly. “It’s so good to hear from you. I’ve been texting you.”

“I know.” You say, and there is a pause on the other end of the line.

“So?” He finally says. “What now?”

You bit your lip, settling onto your mattress. You fidget with the edge of you bedspread as you formulate a response.

“I’m not really sure… we can meet for coffee?” You asks. “Tomorrow, at the usual place?”

Taehyung just breathes on the other end of the line for a short while, and for a second you feel he may have fallen asleep until his voice sounds again.

“Yeah,” He says in a rushed exhale. His tone is oddly breathy and you write it off as nerves because of your fractured friendship. “Coffee. Ok. We can do that. I’ll see you after class?”

“Yeah. See you then.” You say. You hang up quickly. Once more, the red notifications of his texts glow at you, and you consider reading them. You are overcome with a wave of exhaustion, however, and decide not to. There’s no point anyway- you’ll be seeing him in person tomorrow anyway. With that settled in your mind, you settle into bed, allowing sleep to overcome you.

++

The next day, you arrive at the café early, and nerves buzz in your head. You can do this, you tell yourself, and it becomes a mantra that you repeat. You’re so intent on your internal peptalk that you start violently when someone taps you on the shoulder. You nearly fall over in your shock and turn to find a beaming Taehyung.

“Hi!” He exclaims, diving in for a hug. You stiffen as he embraces you- you know Taehyung has always been affectionate, but you figured he’d be tactful enough to hold off on the affection until you had talked things through. Still, determined not to let things be awkward, you return his embrace with a hesitant pat.

“Hi.” You say. He pulls away, and then you register what he’s wearing. “You’re… dressed nicely.” You say slowly. “Did you have an interview today?” He glances down at his outfit.

He looks unfairly handsome, dressed in the embodiment of smart casual but still somehow managing to look like a model all the while. Also, it’s always a little hard to tell with Taehyung because he rolls out of bed looking like he’d gone through hours of hair and makeup, but you think he might have brushed his hair?

To your surprise, he flushes at your words, his cheeks going red.

“No. I just thought I’d dress up for today.” He admits. “Cause it’s special, you know?”

You nod slowly. You suppose your first contact after weeks of not speaking is a special occasion, so you choose not to comment on it any further.

“Let’s get a coffee then. I’m freezing and would kill for a hot drink.” You tell him. He beams and follows after you into the café after you with a slight bounce in his step.

“So how have you been?” He babbles as the two of you wait in line. “I don’t think we’ve gone this long without speaking since we were in high school and had that stupid fight over you spilling a drink on my comic collection.”

You laugh fondly at the recollection, and the warmth of your shared past together is enough to ease some of your nerves. This is Taehyung, your best friend. You can do this. It’ll hurt at first, but you guys will make it through together, that much you know.

“Yeah. I’ve been really busy.” You tell him. “Just with class and work. Hanging out with Chaeyoung a lot- I think the wedding stress is starting to get to her. Did you see they’ve finally sent out invitations?”

Taehyung nods.

“Yeah. Pretty strange, to think it’s finally happening.” He says. His eyes widen as you go to pull out your wallet. He grabs your wrist. “What are you doing?” He demands.

Puzzled, you glance down at your wallet.

“Well, typically we have to pay when we come to these sorts of establishments, Tae.” You tell him. He shakes his head exasperatedly.

“No, no, no. I’m paying today.” He informs you firmly. You frown, before relenting. Paying isn’t usually a source of conflict between you- he is super rich but he’s always respected your ability to support yourself, and you’ve never been to prideful to ask him to pay when you need it. You suppose he wants to pay because today is a reunion of sorts, and you’re determined not to trigger a fight when you’re already walking on eggshells.

After your drinks are collected, you and Taehyung settle in a small booth towards the back of the café.

“So,” Taehyung says slowly, almost shyly. “How are we gonna do this?”

You blink, confused.

“This?” You question. He nods energetically.

“You know. This. Us.” He says. You bite your lip, feeling like he’s punched you. You suppose it is a conversation you two have to have, and it’s vital to your friendship, but he’s being so cheerful and flippant about it that it almost hurts your feeling.

“Oh,” You finally manage. “Well… I’d kind of like for us to go slow, you know? I’m still… you know. So like… I guess we can just take our time?” You say, though you know you’re not explaining yourself very well. It’s hard to be eloquent when you feel like there’s a jackhammer in your ribcage. Taehyung nods eagerly.

“I can do slow.” He says quickly. “Just watch me. You’ll think I’m a turtle we’ll go so slow.”

You shoot him a look, confused at his actions.

“Right.” You say at last.

From there, the conversation proceeds almost normally, but you gradually start to notice there’s something weird about Taehyung. At first you’d written it off as him just being excited and nervous about rekindling your friendship, but now you’re not so sure.

Particularly when he reaches for your hands and interlaces his fingers with yours.

“Tae!” You exclaim, your face burning. You yank your hand back, trying to ignore the way your skin tingles at his touch. You know he’s affectionate, but you need healthy boundaries if you’re going to be able to get over him, and overly couple-y gestures like that are so not the way to go!

He flushes bright red.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I know we were taking things slow… I just thought…” He says slowly. He seems so crestfallen that you sigh, defeated. He practically lives off physical touch, and with resignation, you realise that you’re just going to have to suck it up. Hesitantly, you reach for his hand again, and he beams as you place your hand on top of this.

“I’m sorry.” You say. “It was just a little sudden, is all.” You finally say. He shakes his head.

“No, don’t be sorry. I just got a little eager. This is definitely new territory for me.” He admits. You blink, confused.

“New territory?” You can’t help but feel a little hurt at his words. “What do you mean new territory?”

Taehyung pauses, eyeing you with a strange look in his eyes.

“You know what I mean.” He says. He gestures at himself and then you. “This is all new! We haven’t done this before.”

“You don’t have to act any different Tae.” You say. You weren’t sure before, but that feeling in your chest is more definitely heartache, the familiar sensation creeping back to sit at the base of your throat. “The last thing I want is for you to force yourself. I can handle this, just the way things are.”

To your surprise, Taehyung doesn’t look remorseful. He just looks confused.

“I’m not sure how we can see each other without things being different.” He tells you. You gasp with pain, feeling like he’s just slapped you. So he thinks You get abruptly to your feet.

“I think I was wrong to call you.” You say suddenly. “It’s too soon- I need more time.”

Taehyung’s eyes go wide with panic.

“What? But we’ve only just gotten here- what- what’s the matter?” He questions desperately. He latches onto your wrist, pausing your departure. You glance down to where he has both his hands clasped around your arm.

“Let go, Taehyung.” You say, bitterly trying to keep back tears. His grip tightens.

“No!” He says insistently. “Talk to me- is it too fast? Have you… have you moved on?” His voice goes oddly soft and hurt at the last point. You stiffen- you have never been so offended in your life.

“Of course I haven’t!” You explode. “That’s the whole problem! I haven’t moved on but you’re doing things that are very misleading, and I need us to draw very clear boundaries if we’re just gonna be just friends.”

He drops your hands like you’ve burnt them, and you have every intention of storming off, but something about his expression stops you.

“Just… just friends?” He questions. You are confused- he seems almost hurt. “I thought this was…”

He gets abruptly to his feet, his face suddenly going bright red.

“You mean… this wasn’t a date?” He exclaims.

Your jaw drops. You stare at him.

He stares at you.

A beat passes.

“A… a what?” You exclaim. Taehyung’s eyes go very wide, his expression bewildered and flustered in a way you’ve never really seen on him. He opens his mouth, and nothing comes out. He swallows and opens it again, only for the same thing to happen.

“My… my texts.” He finally manages weakly. “You didn’t read them?”

“I… no. There were a lot of them and I figured there was no point since I was seeing you today.” You admit. You are still unable to fully grasp what is happening- you feel like you’re being jerked around on a rollercoaster. “What does this have to do with that?”

Taehyung merely shakes his head, and turns away from you.

“I… uh… I have to go. Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing… I’m sorry, normally I would explain but I think I’m going to spontaneously combust if I stay here a moment longer. Oh gosh… I thought that… You know what, never mind.” He turns back to you, his eyes wide with his unique brand of crazy eyes. He grips your hands tightly in his and stares earnestly at you. “Read them. Ok? Not… not while I’m here, I don’t think I can handle that… Just read them and then call me, ok? I have to go find a hole in the ground to throw myself into. I’ll see you later, alright?”

He says all this very rapidly, and you almost miss what he says, and are simply left blinking stupidly after him as he all but sprints out of the café, his coffee still unfinished at your table.

You slump into your seat- what the heck just happened?

++

Still reeling from your weird meet-up with Tae, when you arrive home that evening, the first thing you do is make yourself a cup of tea. You bring your blanket out of your bedroom and throw it onto the couch, before settling into the little next you’ve made for yourself with your phone. You can hear your roommate in her bedroom, on the phone to someone.

It takes a few seconds of pep-talking yourself, but you finally bring yourself to open the message app, scrolling through to the first text Taehyung sent you after your disastrous confession. You squeeze your eyes shut, summoning the very last dregs of your courage before you open them, settling in to read whatever it was that Taehyung sent you that had him acting so strange.

[Taehyung] hey I know you said you needed space but I figured I could keep texting you and you could just read the texts when you’re ready

Anyway I just want you to know that I stopped by that bakery we like today

am now forced to eat an entire pastry 

on my own

Any weight gained from this is your fault. 

[Taehyung] dude I didn’t think you’d actually ignore me! 

The audacity 

You aren’t mad, right? Just taking a break?

You’ll come back, won’t you? This isn’t gonna last forever is it?

[Taehyung] jungkook’s been complaining. I think we should discuss custody- I’m happy to pay child support but I think you should take sole custody.

[Taehyung] Hey, wanna have a movie night tonight?

Oh crap... I forgot. 

Ignore those last message I’m a little tipsy.

[Taehyung] it’s been a week. Surely that’s enough time to sort your feelings. I feel like I’m going crazy- I accidentally drove to your place today, you know. I’m so used to driving there after class that I just ended up there before I knew it. Anyway, please contact me. 

I miss you.

[Taehyung] you’re not even leaving me on seen! Be honest- do you have my number blocked?

[Taehyung] it’s ok. I get it. The needing space thing was a lie- you just wanted me to leave so you could flee the country and never see me again

Goodbye. 

I guess our friendship is over

[Taehyung] You’re seriously dead to me it’s been three weeks how could you not even have contacted me once. 

Jungkook said I could have sole custody of him so good luck not having any friends

... I didn’t mean that. I just miss you. Please call me.

[Taehyung] Hey. Call me when you get this.

[Taehyung] Just let me see your face. Just once.

Maybe you still need space, and I can respect that I promise

just for a little while and then I can give you more time.

[Taehyung] I spoke to Jin today. I told him about what happened between us and that we’d had a fight and he totally snaked you and told me everything.

...

Was it really that hard? And for that long? For what it’s worth, im sorry you had to go through that. 

But

please can we put it behind us?

I miss you so much I feel like you’ve torn off one of my arms.

[Taehyung] I went to the doctor today because my chest hurts so much and he told me there was no cure for heartache.

Is that what this pain is? Heartache?

Please call me I may die of heartache and then it’d be all your fault.

[Taehyung] I had an epiphany today.

I thought I didn’t feel the same way about you, but like these past few weeks have been hell.

I didn’t realise it would be like this if you weren’t here. I think I was blinded by the assumption that you’d always be in my life and that let me live in denial of my feelings

But the truth is every time you went on a date I felt like someone had punched me

I always wrote it off as just not wanting to have to compete with your boyfriend to spend time with you but now I think it was more than that

and when the whole Jin thing happened I freaked. I was so scared you’d really fall for him and then you’d be my sister-in-law and honestly the thought made me sick.

And when you confessed... I got scared.

I was scared because I knew our friendship would change forever and honestly I was happy with what it was so i thought I didn’t feel the same way. 

But the truth is

I was so happy. I wanted all the sappy romance stuff with you but I didn’t want to admit it because I was scared

I thought if I didn’t admit it we could go back to normal and not take the risk but now I have to admit it because it’s killing me not to be able to see you

Crap this isn’t stuff i should say over text

please pick up

Your heart races as you come to the last of Taehyung’s texts. Your hands are trembling, and a weird, foreign feeling that you’ve never felt before fills your entire being. You find there is one last voicemail from him, dated just two days earlier. He must have called you as soon as he sent that last text. Dimly, you realise that he and Jin must have spoken that day and that was what prompted his visit yesterday. 

You hands shake as you open the file. 

“Wow…” Taehyung recorded voice sounds over the phone. “You’re really gonna play it like that… Ok. You win.” His voice is breathless and its hard to read his voice through the distorted tone, but your heart still races like a lovesick teenager when you hear him. “I have something to say to you. It’s really important… and I think you know what it is. At least you should if you’ve read all my texts. I love… you know what, I’m not gonna say it over the phone. Call me when you get this, ok? We can go for coffee or something nicer like dinner and then I’ll say it. I’m not fussed- wherever you want for our first date. We can decide when you call me, ok? Call me.”

 The beeping tone signals the end of the message.

 For a second, you just sit there, stupidly, in the blanket next in your living room. 

Then you hear a knock on the door. 

You scramble out of your blanket next like a woman possessed, and skid to a stop in front of the door with your hair in disarray, dressed in your house clothes. You’re pretty sure your shirt has a pasta stain on the front and one of your socks has a hole in the big toe but none of that matters when you swing the door open. 

Taehyung waits on the other side, his fist raised as if to knock again, but when he sees you, he drops his arm. 

“I… uh… Hi.” He stutters, the tips of his ears glowing red. You blink at him. 

“Hi.” You echo softly. You shift to allow him entrance. He pauses before stepping into your apartment, searching your expression for something. You do not know what he sees there, but a hesitant smile crosses his face as he enters your apartment.

Taehyung has been in your home countless times before then, but he looks around with a sense of wonder like this is the first time he’s set foot inside. Finally, his gaze lands on you and he exhales loudly like a balloon deflating.

 “I was going to wait until you called me… but I couldn’t.” He offers as an explanation for why he’s here. “I… I wanted to apologise for this afternoon. It was all a very embarrassing misunderstanding.” 

You stand before him. You are not sure what to say- you feel like the both of your are teetering on the edge of a very scary, very huge precipice. 

“Did you…” His voice dies and he takes a step towards you. “Did you get a chance to read my texts?” 

“I did read them... I don’t know what to say.” You say at last. You here Taehyung’s sharp intake of breath. 

“Huh... so that’s how it must have felt when I said that to you. Ok wow.” He says with a breathless chuckle. “Point taken.” 

“Oh!” You exclaim, bringing your hands up in front of you to gesture wildly, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it like that! I just mean-“ 

To your surprise, Taehyung laughs and catches your flailing arms. 

“It’s ok!” He says, through his laughter. “I know. Believe me, I know.” 

He fixes you with a look. You could be the most eloquent, famous author in the world, and it would not be sufficient to generate words to describe the soft look in his eyes. 

“So…” He says, softly. “What I wanted to say to you. I meant to say it this afternoon, but things got a little… well… you know.”

You swallow, your throat suddenly dry.

“W-what did you want to say?” You ask, though you have a vague idea. He smiles.

“Less say, and more do.” He says, and then his lips are meeting yours in a gentle kiss. When you both break apart, he rests his forehead against yours. You are both slightly breathless. “I love you.” He says, without opening his eyes. “I love you so, so much and I’m sorry for not realizing it sooner. It’s always been you too… please tell me I’m not too late and that you haven’t sorted your feelings. Tell me you feel the same way.”

You stare at him, and slowly he blinks his eyes open. What you see there scares you, but it also make you feel like you’re soaring- you are sure the intensity of emotion in his eyes is matched by your own.

“I do.” You finally say, your voice barely above a whisper. “I love you too.”

It is like a dream. You have only pictured this moment in the darkest depths of your dreams- you have never been brave or silly enough to have thought it could be a reality in your waking mind. Taehyung looks at you with the softest gentlest gaze, and you let out a soft, breathy laugh as happy tears begin to pool in your life. Your highschool self is rejoicing. Jin will probably be rejoicing when he hears about this. All the heartache, all the misery, the long years of pining… suddenly it is worth it for the way that Taehyung is looking at you. The way you hope he will look at you for a very long time. And you don’t know it, but in that moment he is thinking about how he plans to keep looking at your like that for the rest of his life.

You are interrupted by a soft buzz from your phone. You glance down and laugh, before looking up to meet Taehyung’s smiling eyes.

“It’s from Jungkook.” You say.

[Jungkook] If Jin gets to be maid of honour then I call dibs on being Taehyung’s best man at your wedding.

Fin