Chapter Text
Jin can’t see. He was born this way. He has never been able to see and never will be. He is fine with it. You can’t miss something you never had, right? What he does have, is an incredible boyfriend. He would certainly miss his boyfriend if he ever left him.
Taehyung is Jin’s favourite person in the world. He is sweet, smart and very caring. He has an unique personality, a beautiful laugh and a pure heart. Jin thanks the universe everyday for bringing them together. He loves him so much, he thinks his heart is going to burst when he thinks about him too much.
Jin hears the sound of the keys turning the lock. Taehyung is home. Jin stands up to welcome him.
“Jinnie hyung, I am home!”, Taehyung sing songs. He sees Jin and his face becomes wide with a smile. Taehyung drops his briefcase on the nearest chair and rushes towards Jin to envelop him in a tight hug. He starts softly stroking Jin’s hair.
“I missed you, Taetae”, Jin says, smiling through his words as he strokes Taehyung’s back languidly. He pokes his nose into the collar of Taehyung’s leather jacket, which he hasn’t taken off yet. He likes Taehyung’s natural scent. Taehyung likes to wear cologne, but at the end of the working day, the scent has worn off and only the scent of leather combined with Taehyung’s natural scent remains.
Taehyung starts peppering little kisses on Jin’s face. “How was your day?”, he asks.
“Lovely! I taught my students about Plato’s cave allegory today. They found it quite enlightening, I think. I also listened to some of Chet Baker’s music from the cd you had gifted me.”
“And, did you like it?”
“Yes, I did. It was sorrowful, but I enjoyed it. I would love to hear you play some of that.”
“Only if you accompany me on the piano, hyung.”
“Of course, Taetae, anything for you.”, Jin said and he started kissing Taehyung’s neck.
Taehyung was very happy with Jin. He truly was. Jin is kind, playful, intelligent. He is very talented, he can play the piano and sing like an angel. Another thing about Jin that he liked, is that Jin is very handsome. Of course, Jin would never know just how handsome he is, even though Taehyung told him so every single day.
Jin would tell him back, “I don’t know whether you are handsome, but you certainly feel handsome”, as he would cup Taehyung’s face with his slender hands. He would let his fingers roam around his face, feel Taehyung’s broad nose, his pretty lips, his thick eyebrows. Taehyung would giggle at the sensation and blush. Jin would press a kiss onto his nose.
“Well, it doesn’t matter what you look like to me- “That’s easy for you to say”, Taehyung would interrupt. “-you are the most beautiful person I know, Taehyungie.”
“How was your day?”, Jin asked when Taehyung and he had both settled on the sofa to listen to a podcast together.
“It was nice. We got a new intern at the office. I showed him around. He is very cute. His teeth look like those of a bunny.”. Jin giggled.
“That sounds funny.”.
Jin suddenly frowned.
“I actually don’t know what your teeth look like.”, he added pensively. Taehyung got an idea.
“Do you wanna find out?”, he smiled deviously.
“Sure, why not.”, Jin shrugged his shoulders. Taehyung grabbed Jin’s right hand and guided it towards his face. Jin rested the top of his fingers on his lips. Taehyung smiled so that Jin could feel his teeth. Then he opened his mouth. Jin’s fingers started flitting over his teeth. Taehyung stuck his tongue out and licked Jin’s finger.
“Ack, don’t lick me, you rascal.”, Jin retracted his fingers, laughing.
“So, doctor, how is the state of my teeth?”, Taehyung asked.
“They feel like you should brush them more often”, Jin said jokingly.
“Wow, I am so offended. I was not the one who brushed their teeth with hair gel.”, Taehyung bit back.
“It’s not my fault you put your sticky hair gel at the place where we usually keep our toothpaste!”, Jin yelled, exasperated. Taehyung still felt a little bit guilty for that, so he pressed a quick kiss to the top of Jin’s head.
“You’re right, I am still sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”, Taehyung said, suddenly serious.
“It’s okay, Taehyungie, I am just joking, I know you were sorry. Now on about your day, what were you saying?”
“Ah yes, the new intern. And we got a new IT-consultant in our department. We needed someone to replace Jimin, since he is now on vacation. This guy is so cool, he is very good at what he does. Only, he looks like he hasn’t slept in at least a week.” Taehyung said.
“Sounds like someone you can learn a lot from.”, Jin said.
“Anyway, shall we get on with this podcast?”, Taehyung asked and that concluded their conversation.
---
“Well, sir, can you tell us a bit about what you are wearing tonight?¨, Jin said, imitating a tv-interviewer.
“I am wearing...” Taehyung dramatically paused.
“Well?” Jin asked.
“Just my boxers actually”, Taehyung snorted.
“No way! Don't you have to be out the door in 20 minutes?”, Jin asked.
"Yeah and this is what I am going to be wearing. Is that a problem?"
Jin laughed and shook his head.
Taehyung describes to Jin in detail every morning, what he is wearing to work today. He even tells him when his socks are mismatched. Jin will come up to him to feel the materials of his clothes and sometimes Taehyung won’t say anything and have Jin guess which one of his clothes he is wearing. Jin will laugh at the more absurd combinations. He knows Taehyung loves dressing up.
On the weekdays Taehyung would help Jin get dressed for work, which is lecturing about philosophy at a university. On the weekends, Taehyung dresses Jin up in his own clothes. He’d keen over how handsome Jin looks. Jin would pose for him like he was on a runaway, something Taehyung taught him and Taehyung would clap in his hands gleefully. Jin didn’t mind doing all this for Taehyung. It made Taehyung happy.
Taehyung was a terrible cook when they first met. He was used to having his girlfriends or boyfriends cook for him, while he did the dishes. He could have continued this lifestyle with Jin, Jin could take care of the cooking perfectly fine, but Taehyung wouldn't let him. While he knew Jin was capable of cooking himself, Taehyung was too concerned for his safety. He did his best to cook well for Jin, but he still wasn’t any good. One of Jin’s hobbies was to listen to cooking shows. Whenever Taehyung was attempting to cook, he’d ask Jin for help.
“How many teaspoons of salt do I put in now, hyung?”
“Three, Taehyung! And please make sure you get the salt this time, not the sugar!”.
This way Taehyung’s cooking improved significantly. He still wasn’t a kitchen prince, but at least now his food was edible and more often than not, even good. Taehyung found pleasure in cooking now, especially now that it was a way for him to spend more time with Jin. Jin enjoyed it a lot.
---
Jin was getting ready for work. Taehyung didn’t go to work this morning. It was clear that when Taehyung came back last night from his company dinner, that he had had a bit too much to drink. Luckily, maneuvering through their house in this state wasn’t a problem at all since all sharp corners were covered with corner guards for Jin.
Jin had helped Taehyung into bed last night and brought the medicine box to Taehyung along with a glass of water. Taehyung had apologized profusely to Jin. Jin assumed he apologized to him because of the hassle he was causing, not because Taehyung actually thought Jin minded him drinking.
Taehyung never drank much. Whenever Jin was in the mood to drink, Taehyung would drink half a glass of white wine with him, just to humour him, even though Jin tells him every time that he doesn’t have to.
Jin wasn’t a controlling person at all, so he hadn’t questioned Taehyung’s sudden drunken night out. He had tucked Taehyung into bed and took his place next to him and drifted off to sleep.
Taehyung drives Jin to the university where he lectures. Today Taehyung wasn’t in the right state, so Jin had called his colleague Namjoon to give him a lift, while Taehyung slept off his hangover. Jin walked towards the coat rack to grab his coat. He put on his coat and realized he had accidentally taken Taehyung’s coat from the rack. Taehyung must have put it on the wrong hook in his drunken stupor. Jin laughed fondly at the thought.
He stuck his nose into the jacket to smell Taehyung’s scent that he loved so much. He expected the smell of alcohol intermingled with the usual. Instead he was met with the scent of another cologne. Did Taehyung change cologne? Jin took off the jacket and grabbed his own. Usually Taehyung told him everything. He’d tell him when he changed the products he is using. Not that Jin cared, Taehyung just loved sharing everything with Jin. He’d have to ask Taehyung about this, when the younger was in a better state.
When Jin came back from a long day of lecturing Taehyung was sitting at the dinner table. Jin didn’t realize Taehyung was in the room, until he heard a crunching noise from Taehyung eating.
“Oh, Taehyungie, I didn’t realize you had woken up already. How are you feeling?” He felt a bit surprised that Taehyung didn’t announce his presence like he usually does. Taehyung must still be feeling bad.
“Thank you for taking care of me hyung”, Taehyung said almost timidly, his voice hoarse.
“I am sorry you had to take care of me last night, we had a company dinner, as you know, and I went a bit overboard. To answer your question, I am feeling better now that you are here...”, he trailed off.
“It’s fine, you are allowed to have some fun. I was just surprised, because you don’t like to drink much. But the right company can change that of course.” Jin smiled fondly and walked towards to Taehyung to give him a backhug. Taehyung flinched slightly. Jin didn’t make anything of it.
Jin realized when they went to bed that day that he forgot to ask Taehyung about his cologne. That’s fine, he’ll ask him tomorrow, no rush.
A few weeks later Taehyung was taking a shower and Jin was reading a book in the living room. The phone rang. Usually Taehyung answered the phone, but since he was in the shower, Yeontan, Jin’s guide dog, brought Jin the phone.
“Hello, who am I speaking to?”, Jin asked.
“Oh, hello, this is Jeon. Have I got the right number? I got this number from Mr. Kim? Kim Taehyung?”, the voice at the other end answered.
“Yes, this is his residence. He is showering right now, so he won’t be able to pick up the call right now. Should I ask him to call you back, or do you want me to pass your message onto him?”, Jin asked, even though he had no idea who Jeon is.
Taehyung has always been a social butterfly and Jin knows all of his countless friends. Taehyung is very eager to introduce all his friends to Jin and likes to include Jin in all facets of his life. This one guy must have gone under his radar.
“Uh yeah sure, could you tell him that I can’t meet him next week, something urgent came up. And also tell him that I’m sorry and that I hope we can reschedule soon!”.
“Okay, will do!”
“Thank you very much, kind sir!”, Jeon said.
Jin was about to hang up when Jeon spoke again.
“...I hope I am not being too nosy, but can I ask you something?”, Jeon said.
“Uh, sure?”, Jin said.
“You live with Taehyung?”
“Yeah, I am his boyfriend.”, Jin answered.
“…..Oh….oh…. Okay. Thank you for passing on my message. Have a nice day, s-sir.” Jeon said hastily after a pause and he had hung up.
Jin handed Yeontan the phone and at that moment Taehyung entered the room.
“Hey, hyung, who was that on the phone?”, he asked Jin.
“It was a guy named Jeon.”
Taehyung eyes opened wide, but Jin couldn’t gauge his expression so he continued.
“He said that he has to cancel a meeting he has with you next week, because of some urgent matters. He apologized for it and wants to reschedule soon.”, Jin relayed.
“Oh, okay. Did he say anything else?”
“He asked me whether I live here and I told him that I am your boyfriend, so yeah.”, Jin chuckled.
“Tae?”, Jin asked when Taehyung said nothing.
“Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts there, hyung. You must be wondering who Jeon is.”.
Jin heard Taehyung take a deep breath.
“Remember the intern I told you about? Jeon is the intern.”
“Oh, you guys must have gotten close then.”, Jin said nonchalantly.
“Sorry that I hadn’t you told you about him before, it kind of slipped my mind.”
“It’s fine, Taehyung, don’t worry.”, Jin walked towards Taehyung to ruffle his still wet hair.
“No, it’s not really.”
“C’mon, Tae, what’s the big deal, you are allowed to have a life of your own, you don’t need to include me in everything. Don’t get me wrong, I like meeting your friends, but telling me everything shouldn’t be an obligation.” Jin squeezed Tae’s hand.
Taehyung sighed.
“Hyung, you are the best.”, he said and he hugged Jin tight.
On Fridays Jin didn’t have to work, so he was at home while Taehyung was at work. He was making himself a cup of tea when he heard the phone ring. Who could it possibly be this time? Yeontan brough him the phone again.
“Hello?”, he asked tentatively.
The person on the other side of the line cleared their throat.
“Hello, sir.” Jin recognized the voice of Jeon.
“Hey, Jeon, right? Why are you calling during office hours, you know Taehyung is not at home right now, don’t you?”, Jin asked, confused.
“Uhm yeah, I know that. He is not the one I want to talk to.”
Jin was thoroughly confused now.
“I actually wanted to talk to you.”, Jeon added hastily, sensing Jin’s confusion.
“Me? Why?”
“You might want to sit down for this.”, Jeon said.
Jin was startled. What is going on?
“Is Taehyung okay?”, he asked.
“Are you seated?”, Jeon asked instead of answering the question.
“No, wait.”, Jin decided to listen to Jeon and sat down on the sofa.
“Now I am. What’s going on, you are scaring me...”
“Okay, I don’t know whether you know who I am, but I am an intern at the company Mr. Kim works at. Or, I was an intern.”
“Yeah, Taehyung told me that. He is quite close with you, right?”
“I am really sorry, sir, I really am…”, Jeon paused for a bit before continuing.
“We were actually on romantic terms.” Jeon said.
“Romantic terms? What do you mean?”, Jin asked.
“We became friendly and then we started going on dates and...”
“Dates? Are you sure they were dates? Taehyung is quite friendly and it might come of as romantic, but he is just really h-”
“Yes, they were dates. We kissed….Well, we almost kissed.”, Jeon said, his voice full of remorse.
Jin was speechless.
“I am really sorry, sir, I didn’t know he had a boyfriend. When I called him the other day and you picked up the phone, that was when I found out that he was already in a relationship. I wasn’t sure whether I should tell you about all this or not, especially since I am intern at the company. I eventually decided to tell you and I cut my internship there short.”
Jin said nothing. Taehyung was cheating on him? His Taehyung? He couldn’t believe it. They had been together for 3 years now. Their relationship had always been so good. Why did Taehyung do this? No, he couldn’t have, right? This had to be a misunderstanding. Was Jeon even telling the truth?
“Are you still there, sir?” Jeon asked tentatively.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s just a lot to take in. I don’t want to be rude, but how do I know whether you are telling the truth? I don’t know you.”, Jin asked as politely as he could.
“That is understandable. Let me think...”, Jeon was silent for a while.
Suddenly an idea struck Jin.
“What cologne do you wear?”, he asked Jeon.
“Bvlgari Omnia Paraiba”
“Oh no… “. That confirmed it. The scent that hung around Taehyung’s clothes these days was indeed the Bvlgari cologne and the day Jin noticed the scent for the first time coincided with the day Taehyung had gone on a company dinner. Jeon must have been at the dinner and must have been close enough to Taehyung from then on for the scent of the cologne to linger on so many of Taehyung’s clothes.
“So you are telling the truth. Thank you for telling me this, even though it cost you your internship. You are an honest man.” Jin said sadly.
“I am really really sorry, this is the least I could do. What are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know. I just need some time to think. Thank you once again.” Jin said.
“Take care, sir.” Jeon said.
Jin needed some space to think that was not their shared home. He took Yeontan and went to a café nearby. The waiters in this cafe were all on friendly terms with Jin and took care of him whenever he was there.
“Hey, Seokjin hyung, it’s been a while!”, the manager of the store, who was nicknamed Hobi greeted him.
“Hi, Hobi. Yeah, it has”, Jin said.
Taehyung had described Hobi to Seokjin once as a pretty and delicate man with the most perfect nose and the most warm smile he had ever seen on anyone. Thinking about that mental picture of the manager of the café made Seokjin feel a bit better.
“We have a new waiter working here, he’ll be serving you today. This is Jungkook.”, Hobi said, while he accompanied Jin to the seat he always occupied when he came to the café.
“Ah, is that so? I am sure he will do very well. Nice to meet you, Jungkook.”
“Good afternoon sir. What can I get for you?”, the new waiter asked.
“A black coffee, please.”
“Coming right up!”, the waiter said.
“What a hard working boy! I got some work to take care off, so I can’t stay, hyung, but enjoy the coffee!” Hobi said as he handed Yeontan a dog treat.
A moment later the waiter returned with his coffee.
“Sir? Here’s your coffee.”, the waiter said politely.
“Thank you, Jungkook, was it?” Jin asked.
“Yes.” Jungkook paused.
“Are you okay, sir?”
“Why, what’s the matter?”
Jungkook hesitated. “Uhm, you don’t seem entirely okay, you are tearing up.”
Jin touched his face and Jungkook was right. Tears had started to trickle down his cheeks.
“Oh, I hadn’t even noticed.”
“Wait a second.” Jungkook said and he disappeared.
He returned with a few napkins which he handed to Jin. Jin took off his sunglasses and wiped his tears. His ears had turned bright red out of embarrassment. Jungkook noticed.
“Don’t worry, sir, there’s not many people around at the café today.”
“Ah alright. You are sweet for telling me that.”. After a beat he added “My name is Seokjin. You can call me hyung if you want.”