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It wasn’t uncommon to find Taehyung, Jimin, and Jungkook all squished together on the couch in Taehyung’s apartment on a Friday night, legs tangled together, watching a really, really bad movie with snacks splayed all over the coffee table. This had been their routine for every Friday night since college, even after they stopped living together. Jimin always had a new movie or tv show that they just needed to see, and Jungkook always came with incredulous amounts of food. Taehyung was stuck with cleaning up the mess after they left.
But he never minded. Somehow, being stuck vacuuming the popcorn out of the couch and finding candy wrappers in seemingly the strangest places was always worth seeing his best friends. And that’s what they were, best friends.
Taehyung and Jimin had been friends since high school, and meeting Jungkook in college added an entirely new dynamic to their friendship, fitting in just right.
But on this particular Friday night, something felt...different. Taehyung couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
It felt a little strange when Jimin and Jungkook arrived in the same vehicle, but maybe Jimin was just tired and didn’t want to drive all the way to Taehyung’s.
It felt a little strange when Jimin and Jungkook were just a little closer than usual, more snug than Taehyung remembered, but they were all clingy at some time or another.
Then, Taehyung finally saw it: the difference. He could see it in their exchanged glances, their smiles more giddy. The way they laughed a little bit longer.
The dynamic changed.
Taehyung continued as normal for the rest of the night, not wanting to disrupt his one evening of the week seeing his best friends. His best friends.
They left at their usual time, Taehyung continuing to hide his feelings behind a mask. But after they left, he couldn’t find the energy to clean up. He wasn’t sad, per se, just confused. He tried to pay it no mind, continuing to tell himself that nothing was going on, that his mind was overanalyzing the little things, but it just didn’t seem...right.
And he was, well, right.
Jimin called him the next day, explaining his feelings for Jungkook, how he had finally gotten the courage to confess to him, and Jungkook’s positive reaction.
“We’re not together though,” Jimin had said, “Just testing the waters. You know what I mean?”
Taehyung only spoke positively to Jimin, supporting his best friend and his feelings.
Feelings that he shared.
Taehyung always had a soft spot for Jungkook. Jungkook, with his bunny face, adorable smile, and tender soul. He brought a warmth to Taehyung’s heart that he could never explain, never understand himself.
But he could never reveal that. He feared ruining the friendship they all had together. He didn’t want a change to their dynamic. One that has, now, definitely been changed.
He was happy for his best friend now, though. Why should he be mad at Jimin when he never confessed anyways? Jimin was braver than him, he always knew what he wanted, and always got it. Taehyung just had to live with that now.
“We found this really cute ice cream shop next to the pier, so we both got ice cream cones and his started to melt, and he just,” Jimin says through laughter, “It just kept melting so fast he couldn’t keep up and the ice cream got everywhere, Tae, it was hilarious.”
Taehyung laughed along with him, very amused by the thought of Jungkook covered in ice cream, only to be laughed at by Jimin and, probably, every other person that walked by them.
“We just spent the whole night together. And you know, we’ve done things like this before, like with you! But, I don’t know Tae...it just felt different. Like, good different, you know?”
Taehyung bites the inside of his cheek. Happy for his friend, but longing for it to be him instead.
Taehyung decides to change the subject. Kind of. Not really.
“What did you get him for his birthday tomorrow?”
Tae could hear Jimin’s voice hitch over the phone. Silence ensues for a little too long.
“Min...Don’t tell me you forgot his birthday.”
“I’ve just been so busy with work and seeing him and telling you everything and this project has really been stressing me out--” he pauses “Okay, yes, I forgot. Fuck, Tae, what do I do?”
Tae sighs. “You see him all the time now. Don’t you have any ideas?”
“Well what about a card? People like cards. A teddy bear? Or is that too Valentine’s Day? Flowers? That also sounds too Valentine’s Day...what about, um, a gift card?” he pauses, “Or maybe I should just continue to panic.”
Tae chuckles.
“What should I do?”
“Panic”
“Why?”
“Because the other options are boring.”
Jimin groans loudly.
“I’m lost. I’m a mess. Tae, please please please help.”
Taehyung can just imagine the puppy dog eyes on Jimin’s face.
“You know I can never say no to you,” Tae says, earning a giggle out of the other, “Come over, I’m sure we can think of something.”
But the fact was, Taehyung already knew what Jungkook wanted. He always knew. He always felt the importance of knowing exactly what others wanted, and felt pride in always giving gifts he knew the other person would like. It was simple, really. He was just a really good friend.
As soon as Jimin arrived, he headed straight for the couch, throwing his shoes off his feet. He took his laptop out of his bag and placed it on the coffee table. When Taehyung sat next to him, he could see a document open, titled: “birthday emergency”.
“Minnie, what are you doing?”
“Okay Tae, we need to brainstorm. I need ideas, good ideas. I can’t just get him something small, right? It has to be, like, really good.”
“It doesn’t have to be huge though. What does he talk about a lot that he likes?”
Jimin thinks, for a little too long. Taehyung can only blink in his direction. “Do you not listen to anything he says?”
“I try to listen, I do! Just imagine trying to listen to what he says when you’re looking in those pretty doe eyes...it’s almost impossible!”
“Yeah that does sound impossible,” Taehyung giggles. Jimin averts his eyes to Tae.
Taehyung quickly continues, “I mean, like, if I was talking to a guy, I could understand that.”
Jimin only smiles. Phew.
“Okay so. Things like he likes. Clothes?”
Taehyung tries to focus, “Yes, clothes. He’s just so picky with clothes. Video games?”
Jimin sighs. “I think that’s what he usually talks about. But I wouldn’t even know what to get! Like what other games would he even like?”
“Hm. Yeah, I don’t know either...Is he still into boxing?”
“Uh, I think so. Should I get something related to that?”
Taehyung has to think. “I honestly wouldn’t even know where to start looking for something related to that.”
Jimin sighs, again.
Taehyung thinks for a moment, and then his entire face lights up. “Jimin, what is the one thing that we always see with Jungkook?”
Jimin thinks, “Um, his phone? His wallet? Keys?”
“No, Jimin, something he always has with him, that he brings over whenever we hang out, something he somehow can never get enough of…”
Jimin just stares at Taehyung. “Food?”
Taehyung just smiles really wide, expectantly.
Jimin still doesn’t understand what’s going on, so Taehyung continues: “Not just food, but we can invite Jungkook's friends and give him a little party. Nothing crazy, but just a few people, a bunch of his favorite foods and snacks, and then get him smaller gifts.”
Jimin seems hesitant, but his pursed lips quickly shift into a smile.
They both jump up quickly. They delegated Jimin to call Jungkook’s friends and invite them last-minute to Taehyung’s apartment to celebrate Jungkook’s birthday. Taehyung was in charge of buying the food and drinks the following day. When they finished planning out what they were going to do, they set out to the store to buy small decorations. They settled on many, many balloons, some cute fairy lights (even though Tae probably has plenty at home anyways), enough party horns for ten birthday parties, and a “Happy Birthday” banner to hang on the wall.
The next day, after both of them finish work, they take their time setting up the decorations and filling up the balloons. Taehyung ordered all of the food they planned on, and they set that up as well.
Jungkook’s friends begin arriving at Taehyung’s apartment. When everything is set in place, Taehyung decides to call Jungkook.
It rings a couple of times, only making Taehyung more nervous. He finally answers.
“Tae? What’s up?”
“Jungkookie! Happy birthday!! Can you please come over? I miss you.”
Jungkook pauses. “You miss me?”
“Yes Jungkookie please. I have a present for you!”
“Okay, yeah, I’ll be over soon. See you then, love.”
Taehyung’s eyes widen. “See you.”
He’s definitely going insane and that wasn’t real. Right?
“Jungkook is on his way!” Taehyung yells to the party of people in his apartment, everyone growing far more excited in anticipation. It’s not really a party, considering only so many people could show up last-minute. The only people that came were Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Seokjin, which is probably enough to overwhelm Jungkook anyways.
“He’s on his way up!” Taehyung scream-whispered, to which everyone giggled. Taehyung turned off the lights and stood behind the door. When Jungkook knocked, Taehyung opened the door, turned on the lights, and the six of them yelled “Surprise!”, for which Taehyung will apologize to his neighbors later.
Jungkook stands stunned, unsure of what’s going on. After a few moments he notices his close friends and the smell of the food, and slowly makes his way into the apartment. His confused expression quickly turns into a smile, whispering an “Oh my god” under his breath.
“Happy birthday Jungkookie!” Jimin says, walking up from behind the others. Others start to yell the same. Jungkook just looks back over to Taehyung.
“Surprise,” Taehyung says with a lifted expression, smiling expectantly, to which Jungkook only smiles back.
A moment passes before Jungkook says, “Well, I’m definitely surprised,” to which everyone giggles.
Someone starts playing music from a speaker somewhere, allowing the guests to disperse to the food and the drinks.
“Jungkookie!” Jimin yells before practically jumping into his arms. They separate, and Jimin says, “Do you like it? We have so much food in the kitchen, please go get some before it gets cold.”
Jungkook is still in shock, unsure of how to respond to such a surprise. His eyes scan over all the balloons, the banner, the lights.
“This is...so nice. You did this for me?” Jungkook looks at Taehyung.
“No this was basically all Jimin, actually…” Taehyung lies. Jungkook can sense the dim in his expression.
“Thank you, Jimin,” he says plainly, averting his eyes to the other boy. Jimin only smiles.
Soon after, Jungkook is surrounded by the other guests, catching up after they haven’t seen each other in awhile. Taehyung and Jimin slip out of the conversation and head towards the drinks.
“You could take credit for this too. You’re the one that gave me the idea.” Jimin says, looking straight at Taehyung, but Tae avoids his eyes.
“It’s okay. You wanted to make him happy, and I think we-- you did that. Don’t worry about it okay?” Taehyung glances at Jimin when he finishes talking, and starts walking away, drink in hand.
He walks towards his bedroom, wanting to get away from the loudspeakers and the (small) crowd. He sets his drink down on his side table and lays in his bed, trying to relax. He could’ve taken all the credit, but Jimin is his best friend, and he knows he wants to impress Jungkook. Despite his own feelings, at least his best friend will be happy.
There’s a knock on his bedroom door.
“Jimin, go away, it’s okay. Go have fun.”
“I am definitely not Jimin.”
Tae lifts his head up as his door opens, revealing Jungkook with a soft smile. He closes the door behind him, staying there. He motions towards the bed, and Tae nods. He sits down on the edge.
“You should be enjoying your party, we worked hard to get those dollar store decorations.” Tae says, basically talking into his pillow.
“You should be enjoying it with me.” Jungkook says, making Taehyung’s cheeks blush slightly. He covers his face with his pillow.
“What’s wrong?” Jungkook asks, moving closer to Taehyung.
Taehyung sits up and smiles. “Nothing Jungkookie, really. I just… I do have a present for you.”
Jungkook lifts an eyebrow. Taehyung stands up from his bed and walks over to his closet. He grabs a fairly large yellow gift box, with a pretty bow on top, and brings it over to his bed, setting it in between him and Jungkook.
Jungkook looks hesitant, but lifts his hands towards the box. He undoes the bow and lifts the top off of the box. His eyes immediately widened.
“Tae, what the fuck is this?” Jungkook asks, eyes still on the gift.
“It’s a camera! This is the one that you wanted right?” Tae smiles.
“Tae...this is...SO expensive,” he looks up at Taehyung now. Tae shrugs.
“I started saving up a while ago. You just looked so excited when you talked about exploring filmmaking. I hadn’t seen that much excitement in your eyes ever, and I haven’t seen it since. I knew you would never buy it for yourself. I just wanted to get you something that I knew you’d love. You do love it, don’t you?”
“I...of course I love it, Tae. I just don’t understand why you did this for me.”
Taehyung smiles weakly at him. He sees Jungkook looking at his lips, until he hears Jimin in the distance.
“Have you seen Jungkookie? We need to cut the cake!”
Tae leans back on his bed, “You, uh, you should probably go. We should go. We shouldn’t keep Jimin waiting.”
Taehyung stands first, walking over to the door. He looks back at Jungkook who walks up behind him, meeting his gaze immediately. Tae turns back to the door, opens it, and leaves Jungkook standing there, who walks out moments after.
Jungkook sits down at the dining room table. Jimin placed the candle-lit birthday cake in front of him and someone turned off all the lights. They all start singing (“Happy Birthday”, of course) and Jungkook looks shy, still overwhelmed by the entire party. He starts smiling once they finish, blowing out the candles right after. The lights came back on, and Jimin asked, “Sooo, what did you wish for?”
Jungkook’s eyes avert to Taehyung momentarily, then back to Jimin, “I can’t say, or it won’t come true.”
Taehyung visibly startles, but composes himself quickly. What is going ON?
Jimin groans but moves on. He grabs the knife, cutting through the cake, handing Jungkook the first slice, and handing out the rest. They all eat, all talking as a group, but Taehyung distances himself slightly. Jungkook catches his eyes every few minutes.
They all continue talking and laughing for about another hour, but it starts to get late. Slowly, the guests start to dwindle, until it’s just Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung in the apartment.
“Okay guys, I need to head out, I’m getting so tired and I have to wake up early tomorrow. Are you leaving too, Jungkookie?”
Jungkook looks at Jimin, “No I uh...I think I’ll help Taehyung clean up this time.”
Jimin nods, smiling at Jungkook. He ruffles Jungkook’s hair as he heads towards the door, and he leaves.
Jungkook takes a moment before looking at Taehyung, who is probably the most anxious he’s ever been.
“Who’s idea was the party?”
Taehyung doesn’t meet his gaze quite yet. His silence in itself is an indication to Jungkook.
“Why did you buy me an insanely expensive gift?”
“You know why.” Taehyung says flatly, looking at the floor, fiddling his thumbs.
Jungkook walks closer to Taehyung, kneeling down in front of him, desperate for any kind of acknowledgment of the situation. He reaches for Taehyung’s hand, making Tae’s heart race faster. Jungkook reaches his other hand up to hold Taehyung’s face, moving his hair from his eyes.
“When you said you missed me earlier, on the phone, I really thought it was finally going to happen.”
Taehyung looks up slightly, still not meeting his eyes.
“You said you wanted me to come over, and I was so excited to just see you. To spend time with you, just the two of us...it was really great to see everyone, and the food was *chefs kiss* but all I wanted to do was spend my birthday with you.”
Taehyung finally looks up, confused. And Jungkook takes that opportunity.
He leans in, their lips finally meeting, soft and slow. Jungkook’s hold on Taehyung’s face is gentle, and only brings them closer together. Taehyung’s hand reaches up to hold Jungkook’s on his face, gently squeezing his wrist. It’s not rushed, but slow and tender. But they then hear the front door open, revealing Jimin. They don’t see his smile shift into confusion, but they could feel the sadness from miles away.
“S-sorry, I um...I forgot my jacket in your room.”
He doesn’t hesitate to leave his previous position and enter Taehyung’s room. He quickly grabs his jacket and finds the expensive camera sitting on Tae’s bed, still inside the yellow gift box. He turns around to see Taehyung in the doorway.
“Jimin--”
“No, Tae, it’s okay. Don’t worry,” Jimin smiles softly, “I had a feeling that, um, it wouldn’t last very long. I’ll be okay, okay? I just...need some time.”
“Anything you need, I can just--”
“I’ll be okay. You clearly know him better than I do,” Jimin looks back at the gift box, then turns back to Tae, “Plus, did you see his friend Namjoon? His hands? Wow, I could just--”
“Okay, Jimin, I get it.”
Jimin laughs, and Tae joins in. They quickly pull each other into a hug, staying there for a moment.
“How can you possibly be so positive and nice right now?”
Jimin thinks for a moment, “I like to look on the good side of situations like this. I would rather think about how happy he will make you than think about how sad it is that he didn’t choose me.”
Taehyung just stays silent at that, smiling weakly.
“I’m going to go home for real this time,” Jimin starts, “Please, don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay,”
Tae just nods. He walks Jimin out to the front door, Jungkook now sitting on the couch. He stands to apologize, but Jimin just says, “Goodnight Jungkookie. Happy birthday,” and walks out.
When the door closes, Jungkook and Taehyung look at each other for a moment.
“Is everything...okay?” he asks.
Tae nods, smiling. Jungkook smiles back.
They stay still momentarily.
“Alright birthday boy, it’s time for you to help me clean this mess.”
Jungkook groans in response, but follows Taehyung’s lead nonetheless.