Chapter Text
Friday
Lying.
Taehyung didn’t like it. Even lying about his sexuality bothered him. No one knew he was gay. Not either of his best friends, not his doting parents, not even his 4 year-old sister. Beyond that, he made it a point to be honest with himself and everyone in his life.
School had just let out for the day. Taehyung tried to get to his bicycle and take off, but one of his best friends managed to chase him down.
He hadn’t blatantly lied in years. But today, he thought, I can make an exception.
“Come on, Tae! Please?” Minkyu begged. “Can’t you hang out with her some other night? My parents haven’t seen you in forever!”
Minkyu’s parents. Taehyung groaned internally. They were nice people, really. But it’s hard to enjoy dinner conversation when your hosts spend dinner, and every other moment, naked. Last time Taehyung had come over for dinner, Minkyu’s mom leaned over him to grab something and Taehyung got smacked in the face with a boob. He swore he had nightmares for at least a week.
Since that night he’d been carefully avoiding hanging out at Minkyu’s house. Taehyung didn’t have the heart to tell Minkyu the real reason, he didn’t want to offend him, so he made up a date for this weekend. A tiny lie, it hardly counts. “Sorry man, she’s only going to be in town then…” He shrugged, “besides, you’ve been begging me to go out with someone since we were 14.”
“Fine, but you better give me the details!” Minkyu groaned and stalked off to his car.
Taehyung sighed. Details meant more lies. He stared blankly at his bike before squatting down to fiddle with the lock.
“Hi, Taehyung!”
Taehyung’s head shot up and whacked the handlebars. He winced and reached up to see if he’d hurt himself, then glanced toward his other best friend, the secret crush that had startled him with just a greeting. Jungkook.
“Are you okay?! I’m sorry, I thought you saw me…” Jungkook offered his hand to help Taehyung stand up.
“Hi…” he answered sheepishly, taking the offered hand and avoiding eye contact with the gorgeous boy. He let go of Jungkook’s hand as soon as he was standing again. “Yeah, I didn’t hit it that hard…”
“Are you sure? I can give you a ride home.”
Tae shook his head. “No no, I’m fine, see?” He pulled his other hand away from his head. “Not even a lump.” Their eyes met and Taehyung felt heat crawl up his neck. Before Jungkook had a chance to notice, he knelt down again, pretending to play with the lock. “Sorry, did you want something?”
“Huh? Oh.. No, I just… Stopped to say hello…” Jungkook reached one of his hands up to scratch the back of his neck “um… See you later.” He turned and walked in the opposite direction without waiting for a response.
Taehyung finally unlocked his bike and got on just before a flustered Jungkook walked back past him.
“My car’s the other way…” Jungkook didn’t look up, but Taehyung heard his mumble.
Taehyung felt the heat coloring his cheeks this time. Cute… He smiled to himself. He half-wished he’d accepted the ride home, but Taehyung had told Minkyu he was going straight to his neighbors after school today, and Jungkook might want to stay over and play videogames. Minkyu would find out.
No, it would be easier to be alone.
A safer lie.
As soon as he got home Taehyung went upstairs to flop onto his bed. Maybe lying isn’t so bad. At least I don’t have to go to Minkyu’s… He sighed. He didn’t like the feeling, especially from lying to one of his closest friends. Maybe—
Taehyung’s phone interrupted his thoughts.
Jungkookie ♡: Wanna hang out tonight? There’s a new game out I think you’ll like. :)
Taehyung: Yes! :)
The reply was immediate, almost reflexive. Then he remembered.
Taehyung: Wait. No, I can’t. :(
Jungkookie ♡: So you really have a date then?
Jungkookie ♡: That’s cool
Taehyung wanted to scream. And cry. How could Jungkook have heard? He let out a frustrated groan. Minkyu was probably bragging for him again. ‘For my benefit…’ Taehyung scoffed to himself. But Minkyu didn’t know Taehyung was gay, so maybe it really was meant to be beneficial. Taehyung sighed and typed out a few replies before settling on one.
Taehyung: Kind of, I guess. It’s nothing, really.
Jungkookie ♡: I heard it’s with a college girl your neighbor said is ‘perfect for you’.
‘The only one perfect for me is you, Jungkook’. Taehyung thought to himself before replying.
Taehyung: This is the same neighbor that drunkenly takes a bat to his own mailbox.
Taehyung: remind me to teach Minkyu what ‘secret’ means…
Jungkookie ♡: ha. well have fun! :)
Taehyung was still sulking when his mom called him down for dinner an hour later. He did his best to hide it, but as soon as he walked in to the dining room his little sister spoke up.
“Tae-tae what’s wrong?” She pulled on his sleeve with a tiny pout.
“Nothing, sweetie. Just bored from homework.” Great. Another lie. This time to his baby sister. When will this nightmare end?
“Ah, math again?” His dad chimed in “That’d put a frown on my face for sure!” the man chuckled.
Taehyung managed a weak smile before sitting down to pick at his dinner, but he couldn’t bring himself to eat anything. He excused himself after mostly just pushing around the food on his plate and went back up to his room.
He was just laying in bed staring at the ceiling when he heard a soft knock on his bedroom door.
“Taehyung, sweetheart? Can I come in?” His mom’s voice was quiet. Probably to avoid alerting the rest of his family.
“It’s open.” Taehyung mumbled quietly.
She came in and sat next to him “I take it this isn’t about homework?” Her voice was soft and gentle. Taehyung looked toward the opposite wall and bit his tongue, trying to avoid crying. He waited a few seconds before responding.
“No…” his voice broke.
“What happened, sweetheart?” He felt her hand rest on his shoulder, but he didn’t look.
“I don’t know… I just… don’t know…” Taehyung whispered, trying to blink away the tears that threatened to fall.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No…”
“Do you want to be alone?”
Taehyung sat up slightly and looked at his mother, revealing the tears staining his cheeks. “No…”
“Oh, honey…” She pulled him into a comforting hug as he gave in and let himself cry. “I love you, sweetheart. Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay.” She soothed.
After crying for a while, Taehyung fell asleep. His mom kissed his forehead and tucked him in before shutting off the light and gently closing his door.
When his sister woke him up the next morning for cartoons, he decided to spend the whole weekend singing along to her silly shows, teaching her fun new dances, and playing games she made up.
He woke up happy Monday morning, ready to take on the week.