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The first time Soohyun notices it, she brushes it off thinking it's nothing. She's out on a date with Jeongguk and for the first time they let his best friend Taehyung tag along. Soohyun had heard a lot about Taehyung before she actually met the man. Jeongguk talked about Taehyung a lot, about him being smart and him brightening the mood of the environment wherever he went, about him being kind and polite and about him being funny as well as understanding. Jungkook never spoke about how beautiful and pretty the man actually is.
Jeongguk picks Soohyun up first, there's a smile on his face when he greets her, eyes crinkling in the corners. He just looks happy, more than he's ever seemed before. He shines.
"What's up?" She asks, her face breaking into a smile too.
He shakes his head and grins before shrugging. "I'm just happy."
She nods and opens the passenger door to get in and then Jeongguk softly asks, "Do you mind sitting behind?"
She stares at him for a second, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why?" She asks.
Jeongguk worries his bottom lip, eyes not meeting hers as he replies. "You know, you're meeting Taehyung for the first time and he already argued and whined about how he would feel like a third wheel and lonely with us, uh, so I thought that maybe if you sit behind and he sits beside me, he won't feel completely left out. And it's only for one day, you can manage, right?"
His eyes finally meet hers and something tells her that even if she denies or puts up a fight it won't matter. Jeongguk has made up his mind. So she agrees.
Soohyun sighs and settles behind. Jeongguk gives her a dazzling smile before he slips into the driver's seat and starts driving. It takes about 10 minutes for them to reach Taehyung's apartment building. She spots a man waiting by the gates, he's nervously playing with the hem of his shirt before he takes his phone out of his pocket and checks the time. The car halts right in front of him and Jeongguk opens the passenger door for him— Taehyung.
Taehyung smiles brightly. "Hi Gukkie!" He says before he slips in. Soohyun tries not to dwell on the fact that Jeongguk never, never lets her call him that. He says it sounds stupid and childish, guess he doesn't mind if it's him.
"Hello!" Soohyun greets cheerily despite everything, her voice squeaking.
Taehyung's head whips in her direction and his smile dims down a little. "Hello Soohyun, it's nice to meet you." He says, trying to extend his hand for a shake but it's making it a little difficult because he's half turned into his seat and his body twisted into a weird angle.
Jeongguk hits his arm lightly while chuckling. "Who even shakes hands, hyung," he teases. Taehyung pouts as he turns back again and settles on his seat properly. Jeongguk takes that cue to drive.
When they reach the restaurant, Taehyung settles down in front of them. He's animatedly talking about a show and Jeongguk intently listens to him, eyes focused and laughing when the other cracks a joke. Soohyun takes this time to carefully take in Taehyung's appearance. He's pretty, beautiful, his soft brown hair flopping onto his equally soft brown eyes. A mole decorates the tip of his nose and there's another by his full lips. His fingers are tangled beneath his chin, long slender fingers accessorised with thin rings. He laughs at something Jeongguk says, his whole face brightening, boxy grin displaying straight white teeth.
"So, Taehyung-ssi, what do you do?" Soohyun asks, interrupting Taehyung. Jeongguk's face flashes with irritation but it's gone as soon as it appears. Maybe it's not what she thinks it is.
Taehyung smiles. "I'm a photographer with a great interest in paintings and art," he replies.
Soohyun's eye twitches as she suppresses an urge to roll her eyes. "That's great, but do you even earn? I mean a photographer-"
"Woah, that's not the case," Jeongguk cuts her off. "He's not one those who just roams and and takes pictures, he's professional, he photographs models and does shoots. He's even photographed for Gucci and Victoria's Secret and-"
"Gukkie that's enough." Taehyung interrupts, cheeks flushed. "Yes Soohyun-ssi, I'm a professional. I am a freelance photographer."
Jeongguk nods, looking proud.
From then on, the dinner is exceptionally uneventful. Jeongguk was worried about Taehyung feeling like a third wheel, but Soohyun feels left out. She looks at Jeongguk who gives his eggs to Taehyung because he likes them, she looks at Taehyung who blushes while saying that Jeongguk didn't have to do that. She watches Jeongguk stop Taehyung from eating the spicy dish because he can't eat spicy food, she watches Taehyung wipe the corner of Jeongguk's mouth with his handkerchief. She watches Jeongguk's neck and ears paint themselves pink.
She brushes everything off nonetheless, maybe it's because Jeongguk has known Taehyung a lot longer than he's known her. Yeah, it's because of that.
•
The next time she notices something between them, suspicions arise.
The two of them are having a date at Jeongguk’s when his doorbell suddenly rings. Jeongguk’s eyebrows pinch together as he glances at the clock; it’s 12am, who’d be here at this time? they both wonder as Jeongguk makes his way towards the door. Soohyun gets up along with Jeongguk and before he pulls the door open she wraps her arms around his torso and leans on him. When Jeongguk finally pulls the door open they’re both met with a distraught Taehyung. His head is hanging low but when he looks up there are tears brimming in his eyes. When his eyes takes in the sight in front of him, hurt and regret flashes his face “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t know y-you-“
Before he could complete his sentence, Jeongguk ruthlessly pushes her arms away and takes a step towards Taehyung. He looks at Taehyung as the other brokenly whispers, “Gukkie.”
Soohyun stands there as Jeongguk wraps his arms around his friend, pulling him to his chest. His fingers card through the other's hair as he soothingly whispers reassuring words in his ear. Jeongguk doesn’t know what’s wrong but he doesn’t seem to care; if Taehyung is distressed he’ll do everything in his power to make it okay.
Jeongguk then pulls Taehyung inside and asks Soohyun to shut the door behind him. She complies as Jeongguk sits Taehyung down on the couch and kneels in front of him, taking his hands in his as Taehyung slowly cries. “What’s wrong, hyung? Are you okay? Did something happen?” Jeongguk fires his questions, as if he’s desperate to make Taehyung’s pain go away.
Soohyun takes a seat on the edge of the couch away from the two men as she silently takes in the scene.
“Y-you know I had this party today,” Taehyung starts and then Soohyun finally takes in his clothes. He’s dressed fancy, a silver deep-necked shirt, a choker and black ripped jeans. His hair is dyed silver, kohl lines his eye and a silver studded earring hangs from one of his ears. He looks good, exceptionally good. And as if Jeongguk is thinking the same, his eyes rake over Taehyung’s form as he licks his lips.
Jeongguk nods, urging the other to continue. “So, t-this guy approached me and wanted to be my friend, he asked if I’d have a drink with him and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have one more drink-”
Jeongguk groans loudly, making Taehyung stop. “Why do you always trust people so easily? That’s why I’m always so worried about you, maybe you should hire me as your bodyguard or something. God, hyung... he touched you didn’t he? Tell me his fucking name I’ll destroy his fucking life-“
“Gukkie! It’s okay.” Taehyung interrupts him. His hands cupping the younger’s cheeks. Jeongguk visibly relaxes under his touch, his eyes softening, jaw relaxing and Soohyun feels she interrupting something, a precious moment, something that’s not hers to witness or share.
“Jeongguk,” she calls. Both men look at her, eyes widening as if they're only now realising that she’s there. She frowns. “I’ll go home, you can sort whatever this is out. I’ll see you later,” she says before she leaves. Neither Taehyung nor Jeongguk stop her.
As she hails a cab she wonders why Taehyung has to come to Jeongguk? Why couldn’t he go somewhere else? Anywhere else. And why did Jeongguk seem so troubled by the fact that Taehyung was hurt and distressed? She’s never seen Jeongguk so sad because of someone else, and the way his eyes burned with a fire when he heard someone touched Taehyung— Soohyun doesn’t want to think about it. Doesn’t want to doubt that the line of friendship between Jeongguk and Taehyung is maybe, slowly blurring.
Unbeknownst to Soohyun, when she leaves, Jeongguk showers Taehyung with kisses all over his face, reassures him that it’s alright, that he’s there and he won’t let anything happen to him. He has his arms securely wrapped around Taehyung's small body and Taehyung’s face is pressed to Jeongguk’s chest. He feels safe and serene as he breathes the younger in before he falls asleep.
The line between friendship and love had blurred a long while back.
•
The next time it happens, Soohyun is sure that something’s up, so she turns to the only person who can tell her what she wants to know.
Taehyung invites them and some of their other friends including Jimin to a party hosted by the company he’s currently working with. As soon as Soohyun spots Taehyung waving at them from the middle of the room, she freezes, because what the fuck is he even wearing?
Jeongguk’s jaw drops as he checks Taehyung out. He’s wearing a black off the shoulder crop top, with white deep slits on the either side of his leg. Soohyun looks at Jeongguk who’s staring at Taehyung, his jaw clenched and hands fisted. He’s particularly staring at one spot. With confusion masking her face she turns to look at Taehyung, at the place where Jeongguk’s staring, and then she notices it - a dark purple bruise, a love bite, a hickey on the side of Taehyung’s neck. So Jeongguk isn’t surprised or annoyed at what Taehyung is wearing, he’s annoyed and hurt because of something else.
“It’s so great to see you two!” Taehyung smiles when he’s near them. “And Jiminie, I thought you weren’t coming?” Taehyung teases.
Jimin sticks his tongue out. “You invited me so I had to come,” he replies.
“Gukkie? What’s wrong?” Taehyung asks when he takes Jeongguk’s tense posture.
Jeongguk’s eyes snap from his neck to Taehyung’s face and he unconsciously glares. “Nothing, I think I’ll visit the washroom,” he says before he excuses himself and leaves. Taehyung follows behind him without a second thought.
Soohyun invites Jimin to have a drink with her. Jimin’s confused for a moment before he accepts.
“So,” she starts. “What’s up with Taehyung and Jeongguk? I don’t know what’s going on but I feel there’s something between them, but I can’t name it.”
Jimin stares at her owlishly before chuckling. “You’re his fiancé now and he hasn’t told you yet?” he asks, almost taunts. His eyes sparkle with an emotion as he smirks. “You know, Jeongguk and Taehyung go way back. They used to date before. They were inseparable and possessive about each other. Jeongguk was whipped as fuck, he’d stare at Taehyung as if he was the reason why stars shined at night, he looked at him like he was everything he’d ever wanted and needed. Then, eventually,” Jimin pauses, index finger circling the rim of the glass as he collects his words, “Jeongguk’s parents came to know, funny actually, caught them fucking. You know how Jeongguk’s parents are, Jeongguk is suppose to inherit the company and he can’t be gay. Jeongguk couldn’t run away, Taehyung didn’t want that. So...”
“They broke up.” Soohyun finishes.
Jimin laughs placidly. “Yeah. You’d be dumb if you still don’t see the way Jeongguk looks at Taehyung, he’s like a fucking dog wagging his tail whenever Taehyung comes by.”
Soohyun wants to laugh, she wants to cry. She knew it all along, but yet she ignored it. Obviously, there’s something there. “So am I being cheated on?” She asks dumbly.
Jimin shakes his head. “If you consider Jeongguk’s heart cheating on your heart then I’d say yes, but they aren’t involved like that. You saw the way Jeongguk fumed when he saw the hickey on Taehyung’s neck, he would’ve been fucking proud if he were the person who’d gave him that,” Jimin explains.
She nods. She wants to run away but she won’t. She’s in love with Jeongguk, with the idea of building a life with him and having his children.
Jimin continues, “You may be marrying him the day after tomorrow, you may have the title of being his wife, you may have his body. But, you’ll never have his heart, his mind and his soul, for Taehyung’s name is engraved on it, so deeply even god can’t erase it.”
When Jeongguk comes out of the washroom, Taehyung’s running behind him, tears streaming down his face. Soohyun is startled when Jeongguk pulls on her arm and asks her if they can go home. Soohyun agrees, she looks back at Taehyung who looked like his heart was ripped out of his chest and crushed beneath, by Jeongguk.
That night, Jeongguk fucks her. Hard and fast and ruthlessly. He fucks her until there’s not an ounce of energy left in his body, he fucks her chanting a name that’s not hers.
Perhaps, she thinks Jimin was right. Either she leaves or waits 'til Jeongguk leaves her. She know’s they’re hanging off of a thin strand that’s about to snap in two. But, there’s still a little hope in her that maybe, maybe Jeongguk won’t leave.
The strand breaks in two when she wakes up the next morning. She doesn’t find Jeongguk but she finds a small letter along with Jeongguk’s ring on the bedside table. Her stomach drops, bile rising up her mouth as she reads,
Father said if I don’t marry you, I’ll lose everything. Everything means nothing to me but Taehyung means everything.
I’m sorry,
- Jeongguk.