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Jungkook concentrates on the rough skin surrounding his fingernails, tugging on the pieces standing out nervously. He knew it was bad to irritate his hands and bite his fingers but he couldn’t help himself. This morning he had decided after the last few weeks of being an adult, he would shoot his shot with the man he has been pining over for years.
Truly, he wasn’t sure when it had begun. He was convinced he was deeply captivated by Namjoon as he was the whole reason he even decided to step into the company, however he was tugged in a different direction once Taehyung stepped through the door.
They were closer in age and seemed to have similar interests. Soon enough they were stuck together like glue, playing games and messing about, always getting into trouble as a couple. It had felt like he found a really close friend in him, and then after a while he began to feel something else, something different.
He wouldn’t have called it love. It was more, intense admiration. He really looked up to his hyung who wasn’t that much older than him. Only after Taehyung and Jimin became extremely close did Jungkook realise he had been denying his jealousy. ‘It wasn’t anything serious.’ He would constantly tell himself. Being fair everyone in the group was getting close emotionally and more importantly physically. He thought that would make it better, but that only seemed to make it worse.
Constantly he would watch Taehyung with the other members, being the unique person that he was and giving them the attention Jungkook craved. It wasn’t reasonable he knew, especially when those same people came round to treasure him just as they had Taehyung.
After repressing his desires, that went beyond the friendly kind, for such a long time Jungkook was becoming exhausted. Both from the constraint of his jealousy and the fear of rejection. Not that he wanted to say anything until he was old enough but it felt like there was a clock ticking in his heart, that if he waited long enough someone else would snatch Taehyung up before he even had the chance to clear out his feelings. Especially since he kept making new friends all the time. Handsome friends.
Throwing his head back he collided with the wall, a subtle ache throbbing there. He tried to use the pain to distract himself from his mind, the whole thing smothered with Taehyung as he kept going over how he would confess all the things that sat in the very pit of his heart.
“I could just be straight with him.” He spoke into the empty room, the chaos of everyone else still leaking through the crack in the door. Their voices all mixed together as they laughed over something, after all Jungkook had just excused himself for a moment.
Sinking further into the bed he groaned, realising the easiest plan wouldn’t work. “No don’t be dumb. You’ll chicken out then.” He mumbled, still teasing his fingers and gnawing at his bottom lip anxiously.
He wished it was easy. That he could just say what he wanted to and would receive a positive response. Deep down he knew the reason he was so worried was because he didn’t know how Taehyung was going to react. Whether he would act cool and refuse, leaving their friendship as it was, if he would accept and they could begin whatever journey they were going on next, or possibly, and the worst of all, he could reject him and act disgusted, not wanting to be Jungkook’s friend after all these years.
Another grunt boiled up from Jungkook’s chest as he remained in the small room, only a sliver of orange-tinged light coming out from the hallway. The sound from outside had died down, and that meant it was Jungkook’s cue to make a move. As jittery as he was, he had told himself today would be the day he accepted his feelings and expressed them to the figure of his affection.
He rocked up from where he sat, but quickly retreated, falling back down from the weak feeling in his legs. “Stop being such a baby. You’re a grown man now.” He hissed at himself, his body not even prepared for the ordeal he was about to go through.
The thump must have alerted whoever was in the hallway because the limited light became larger, the brightness splashing across the room and onto where Jungkook was hunched up. It took a moment for his chocolate eyes to adjust, but when they did he realised it wasn’t Taehyung, a small amount of relief flowing through him.
“You okay Jungkook?” Hoseok gripped onto the edge of the door, ready to leave if that’s what Jungkook wanted.
Defensively throwing his hand around he dismissed Hoseok’s concern, rather ineffectively. “I’m fine hyung.” He tried to play it off coolly, but they had lived together for so long he was as open as a book to Hoseok, his lie caught.
Releasing his hold on the door Hoseok took a small step into the room. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Just trying to find some confidence.” Jungkook responded quickly, not wanting to accidentally let his confession slip before he even said it to the person it was intended for.
Not that he didn’t appreciate Hoseok’s comfort, he just didn’t want to let anyone else in at the moment; regardless of whether it was someone he trusted with his life.
Reading Jungkook’s body language, Hoseok understood he needed some encouragement. Stepping further into the room he approached the otherwise lonely looking Jungkook. “Well, what’s up?” He asked calmly, lowering himself on the bed beside his youngest friend.
“I don’t think I’m ready to say it outloud.” Jungkook hid his face away from Hoseok knowing how bad he was with keeping things from the older. After all he was one of the people Jungkook found the most comfort in, if not the person he was most confident to open up to.
“That’s okay Gukkie. When you are ready though, I’m here to listen.” He brushed his side against Jungkook before returning to his original position, not wanting the already nervous Jungkook to become more so.
Opening his eyes wider than before he finally glanced over at the low-lit Hoseok, his warm smile resting comfortably on his gorgeous face. “Thanks hyung.” He murmured.
“Don’t thank me. That’s my job after all.” Hoseok played off Jungkook’s words.
“No it’s not.” Jungkook poked his still itching finger against Hoseok’s chest. “You’re just too nice.” He pressed the extension of his hand further into Hoseok’s body, the older wriggling at the small touch.
Cupping the boy’s hand Hoseok stopped him before he left a small bruise. Jungkook was still familiarising himself with the new strength he had found after working out so much, and he didn’t realise just how powerful one finger could be, especially against Hoseok’s delicate frame.
“Maybe I am. What of it?” He squeezed Jungkook’s slender fingers.
Tugging his hand out from Hoseok’s grasp he could tell he was becoming flustered. “Hyung. Don’t mess around.” He threw his head towards him; intimidation his new form of self defense against the neverending teasing from his older members.
“You started it!” Hoseok whined.
They fell into a weird silence as Jungkook pressed his hands together, trying to avoid the powerful stare coming from his friend. If he was being completely honest he also had a small crush on Hoseok. Not that it was anything serious, but these gestures just before he was about to confess his longing for Taehyung was making his head spin. Even the smallest of touches was driving him mad because he was so on edge.
Catching on quickly Hoseok realised it was his time to leave, Jungkook’s head back to hanging low. “Sorry Jungkook. Good luck with whatever it is.” He gave one last reassuring pat to the back of Jungkook’s neck, careful not to hit the boy too harshly. He wasn’t ready for a battle against his strong friend. “I’m going to go shower.” Retracting his hand he wanted the boy to know where he would be in case he changed his mind, seeing the walls that Jungkook had crafted only moments from collapsing.
“Mmm.” Jungkook hummed in response, not wanting to watch as Hoseok disappeared back into the hallway he had emerged from.
Rubbing his hands together he tried to collect himself again, not wanting to become too distracted with his short interaction with Hoseok. Instead he wanted to take the energy from Hoseok and apply it to himself, pushing himself forward to go through with the task he had been trying to get around to all day.
He tried standing up once more, finding better footing this time and not collapsing back against the messy bed. Taking a deep breath in and releasing it back out he found his strength a little easier. It was always there, but worry had been something that prevented him from reaching his ultimate potential and right now he was extremely frightened by the response he might receive from one of his closest friends.
Deep down he knew it wasn’t fair to drop something like this onto Taehyung’s shoulders, but his heart had been feeling so heavy recently and every moment he spent with him he had been desperate to spill everything. To tell Taehyung just how much he was in love with him, and that the way he felt was far beyond that of the platonic limits.
Finally he made it to the exit, leaving his safe space behind to face his feelings. “Fuck.” He huffed before closing the door behind him and attempting to find Taehyung.
-
Entering the living room he caught sight of Jimin, Namjoon and the person he had intended to find, Taehyung. They were sitting in a triangle formation, closing their conversation off from the rest of the world, but the chuckles coming from Jimin’s voice made Jungkook both comforted and nervous. He knew he hadn’t interrupted anything important, but how was he supposed to get Taehyung by himself?
As if they could hear his thoughts as he slowly approached them, Taehyung flicked his eyes up from Namjoon’s seemingly humorous expression to Jungkook’s timid stance only a metre or two away now, his eyes glinting in the warm room light.
“Oh Jungkook-ie!” Taehyung addressed him excitedly.
It almost made Jungkook turn around immediately and abandon his mission, just seeing the joy on his face he didn’t want to make things complicated between them. Yet, he kept moving forward, only stopping once he was standing behind Namjoon’s sat position on the ottoman, his body being the gateway into the conversation.
“How is our maknae?” The question came first, and then the touching. Jimin’s small hands twisted around Jungkook’s body, allowing him to cling onto the boy’s arm, the weight dragged Jungkook back to reality.
Fluttering his eyes a little he tried to concentrate back on the conversation, he didn’t want to make it so obvious that he was just here for Taehyung, even if that would be hard to believe considering Jimin was hanging off him.
“I’m okay.” He answered plainly.
Taking his thumb and index finger he squeezed some of the skin he had captured in his grasp, pinching Jungkook’s forearm. “Aigoo. Such a boring kid.” Jimin cooed, the insult not really hurting Jungkook’s feelings as he had become accustomed to Jimin’s teasing.
“I’m not boring.” Jungkook played along, not wanting the tension in his body to become so blatantly obvious.
Releasing his grip on Jungkook’s arm, Jimin rested back into the couch, hand coming up to tap on the end of his chin. “Maybe that wasn’t the right word then.” He furrowed his brows together, intensifying the idea that he was in some kind of deep thought about the situation. “How about closested kid?” He spoke through a small smile.
Jungkook felt his stomach drop. He assumed Jimin didn’t mean it in the way Jungkook was literally about to express his feelings to Taehyung, and yet he couldn’t stop the shocked expression gracing his face as he calculated the words. There was no way Jimin could tell he was about to tell Taehyung he was in love with him. Right?
“Bad choice of words again Jimin-ie. You scared the poor kid.” Namjoon shoved his leg towards Jimin, their limbs colliding in a slightly aggressive manner.
Jimin winces away, his hand coming up, but apologies already escaping from Namjoon’s mouth. After all he was clumsy, they both were, and he must have accidentally put more pressure behind his kick than had been intended.
As their silent battle began Jungkook couldn’t help but catch sight of Taehyung again, who was normally quite verbal as well, but had been becoming quiet overtime in a strange turn of events. It was unexpected for everyone to see the very colourful character that was Kim Taehyung slowly close himself off and shift away from that childish charm he had. The world just wanted him to mature it seemed.
“He’s fine. He’s all grown up now, remember hyung.” Jimin finally spoke into the playful argument he was having with Namjoon.
Age really had crept up on Jungkook, and he was an adult before he realised what had happened. That’s probably due to their hectic schedule that prevented them from properly reminiscing over everything that was happening, especially after they had their first win things were taking a turn for what Jungkook hoped was the better. It was even possibly a pushing force towards his desire to confess somehow.
Namjoon threw his head from side to side, shaking it quickly in disapproval. “You’ll never stop teasing the guy, huh?”
“It is my job as his hyung!” Jimin snapped back at Namjoon, his arms swinging upwards above his head, nearly smacking Taehyung and Jungkook in the process. For someone who was such a powerful and precise dancer, his clumsiness had come as a surprise to Jungkook.
“You’re only saying that because Hoseok teases you so much.” Namjoon spoke quickly before sucking at the inside of his cheeks, trying to conceal the grin that teased his lips.
Slowly lowering his arms, Jimin stared daggers at his hyung. “What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.” Namjoon leapt up from his seat, barely gaining the right amount of balance he needed to stand up straight. “I’m just trying to have an excuse to run back to my lyrics.” The older man shrugged, already on his way out of the room, a few feet away from the now annoyed Jimin and the two clueless maknaes.
Jungkook glanced between the two of them before falling back onto Taehyung. Even though there was an interesting situation he was back looking at his friend, the man he had fallen head over heels for. It made him frustrated. He had such a strong hold over Jungkook without even knowing it.
Jimin’s gaze followed Namjoon as he left the room, fingers tapping rapidly against the soft material that was the couch. “Well you children can keep playing, but it’s time for the adults to go to bed.” He spoke quickly, getting up on his feet to go chase Namjoon even quicker.
Jungkook wanted to ask about what had just happened, but he realised the opening for his conversation was Taehyung had just opened coincidentally.
Spinning his head back towards where Taehyung was still sitting, hands clung to his feet, he wondered how he was supposed to begin. Strangely enough it felt like all the air in his lungs was sucked out, preventing him from saying anything at all. He knew it was just his nerves, but this moment was the perfect one.
As the older of the youngest two went to shift away Jungkook’s hand shot out and captured his wrist, preventing him from going any further. “Hyung.” seemed to be the only thing he was able to voice.
Halting his motion he knocked his head to one side, confessed about the tense atmosphere they had just entered. It had never been like that with Jungkook, They had always been the ones to mess around and have fun. Not many serious discussions were held between the two of them.
“What is it?” Taehyung questioned, resting back into his original position, letting his feet rest against the carpeted ground as he shared eye contact with his friend.
Letting his grip loosen, Jungkook swallowed down the lump that was forming in his throat. “Could I talk with you for a moment?” It was too late to turn back now.
“Of course Jungkook-ie. What’s up?” Taehyung spoke with a small nod.
Dropping onto the couch beside Taehyung Jungkook shifted his gaze away from his band mate. He wanted to look at anything that wasn’t Taehyung’s curious, beautiful and loving face. He knew it would cause the words he wanted to say to get clogged back in his mind; stuck there until he could get the courage he needed once more.
Taking a sharp breath in Jungkook began to spew out something. “Well, I have been really looking in on myself recently and I wanted to get this off my chest.” The sudden flow was paused as he saw Taehyung moving in the corner of his eye. It reminded him that everything he said was going to prompt a reaction, a few that could lead to his heart strings snapping.
“Take your time.” Taehyung seemed to catch onto Jungkook’s nervousness easily, the comforting words coming out freely as he brought his open hand to the younger boy’s back. Gently Taehyung rubbed circles, the gesture supposed to be comforting, but actually making Jungkook’s body burn up from the contact. He would have done this normally with any one of his members, Jungkook knew that, and yet he couldn’t stop himself from getting shy.
Leaning back into the contact a little, Jungkook straightened himself up, eyes flicking between Taehyung and the reflection of the black TV screen. “Thanks hyung.” He squeaked out, voice wavering.
His Adam’s apple bobbing, he was ready to try again, but he had no idea what kind of words he wanted to use. Regardless of the hours he spent rehearsing something it didn’t feel right to say something so mechanically prepared. Even if the words had come from Jungkook’s mind originally it made him feel dishonest. In that moment he wanted to be his most honest self. Even if that was a foolish decision.
Leaning forward he quickly closed the distance between them, their lips brushing together momentarily before Taehyung retracted. He threw his body in the opposite direction of Jungkook, shock smothering his expression and the worry that had held Jungkook back was now peaking in his mind.
“Woah! What are you doing?” Taehyung spat the words out, stumbling over the characters.
Jungkook’s mouth opened and closed a few times before any sound actually echoed out. “I-I was trying to express it p-physically rather than verbally.” He stuttered, falling back into himself as he created an even larger space between their two bodies.
“Express what?” Taehyung flung his arms around, the lower half of his body barely shifted away from Jungkook, but his torso stretched backwards along the couch, head nearly smacking against the armrest. He was resting on his elbows and was unsure whether he should straighten himself back up because he was struggling to read Jungkook’s expression, even with the beads of sweat forming around the sides of his face.
Clammy hands clasped together he rocked himself back and forth ever so slightly. “I like you.” He muttered, not wanting his volume to be loud enough that anyone else could hear.
Jungkook winced a little as he heard the words reverberate in his head.
“You what?” Taehyung’s face dropped, the tense shocked look morphed back into a blank canvas.
Jungkook could already feel the pressure rising in his chest, but he wanted to be honest with Taehyung right now even if he was having trouble taking him seriously. He didn’t want this moment to be disregarded as a joke.
“I like you hyung.” He repeated himself, the words feeling thick as he reiterated himself.
Finally, he pushed himself up from his elbows to sit up properly. He let his feet fall heavy against the ground, ready to take the weight of his body if he truly was about to run away from the situation completely. Taehyung was ready to retreat. “Don’t mess around with me Jungkook.” His voice trembled.
“I’m not.”
Taehyung’s jaw fell loose, but he recollected himself quickly. “You’re being serious?” He asked for one last confirmation. It’s not like Jungkook hadn’t been direct. He was possibly too direct, just like he had feared.
Plucking at his fingers again, Jungkook let his head drop before nodding.
“Yes.”
Instantly Taehyung had departed from the couch, only the warmth of where he had been remaining. He had leapt so quickly, Jungkook hadn’t even realised he had disappeared until he was halfway across the room.
“I think I just heard someone call my name.” Taehyung argued as he saw Jungkook look up. He went in the same direction as Namjoon and Jimin had.
Jungkook sat in the now emptied room. The three other bodies that had been occupying it all left him behind. He had wanted the first two to leave in the first place, but now that it was just him alone with his feelings the pain he had experienced briefly whilst confesses had just become intensified. As if he had been shot in the heart and the impact was spreading across his chest.
He tightened his hands around one another, applying so much constraint that he thought his fingers were going to snap off. “Taehyung please don’t leave.” The phrase came out almost silently. It was more for Jungkook than Taehyung anyway, since he already knew his hyung was long gone and properly already with his other members.
He had really fucked up.
-
Stomping through the shared space he paused in front of one room. Aggressively he threw the door open, nearly making the thing come off from its hinges. A quite startled and partly naked Hoseok spun around from where he was standing in front of his drawer to see a silently weeping Jungkook in the doorway.
Leaving the wooden object behind he became light on his feet, wrapping himself around Jungkook as soon as he was close enough. He had no idea what had made Jungkook come to him in such a state, but he felt like he was about to find out.
Jungkook’s tears attached to Hoseok’s shoulder, some dribbling down to his collarbone. He hadn’t cried so hard in a long time, the heaving of air making his lungs burn, only adding to the pressure in his chest. He clung onto Hoseok dearly, wanting to spill everything that plagued his mind.
“It’s okay.” Hoseok hushed the boy, hand moving up and down the long on his back repetitively.
He tried to level his breathing, but the tightness in his throat was preventing him from properly doing anything. Jungkook cried into Hoseok, the drops falling from his wet hair only adding to the swarm of tears that painted Jungkook’s face. Slightly his nails began digging into Hoseok’s tender skin, and he didn’t mean to hurt him, but his usual coping mechanisms were hard to control.
“Ah!” He yelled, the sound alerting Jungkook to his own harmful means.
Pulling his hands away from Hoseok completely he tugged himself away from Hoseok, apologies sitting on the edge of his tongue, but being overwhelmed by his crying. He couldn’t even apologise right now.
Hoseok huffed a breath, hand dropping onto Jungkook’s head, scratching the boy's scalp a little. “I need you to calm down.” The touch trailed down to his face, Hoseok’s thumb now wiping underneath Jungkook’s eyes, trying to remove the sore evidence of how upset Jungkook was.
It helped. The calming motion from Hoseok.
Slowly regaining his breathing to a normal pace Hoseok stepped back from his friend, worry covering him completely. He knew Jungkook was one to keep to himself so to see such a display was a rare and somewhat scary event. He hated seeing his younger member like this, especially because he watched him grow up into the strong character he was.
“Let’s sit.” He offered, seeing the difference Jungkook had made by regulating the rhythm in his chest.
Obediently Jungkook placed himself down on the end of Hoseok’s bed, Jimin’s parallel to them but lacking any Jimin. He was glad that Jimin hadn’t returned because he couldn’t stand anyone else seeing him like this. His plan to come here was only due to the fact he trusted Hoseok and had been told he was ready to be by Jungkook’s side if that is what he needed.
Lowering the bed beside Jungkook, Hoseok joined his side. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Jungkook hadn’t intended on letting anyone else in on his little crush, big crush, but he knew he could trust Hoseok and right now he wanted whatever comfort he could get.
Slowly rotating his head to look at Hoseok he gave a shallow nod. “I think so.” He croaked, the words getting tripped by the pain that still resided in his throat.
Hoseok dragged his hand up from the bed to rest on Jungkook’s thigh. “Whenever you’re ready then.” He pulled a grin on his friendly face, the small tug of muscles also coming across as a point of comfort.
“I like Taehyung.”
The phrase came out easily. Perhaps it was because he’d already said it twice in his confrontation with Taehyung and now he felt like the weight of the secret had already begun lifting anyway.
“Oh.”
The small breath made Jungkook’s walls stack back up. “Don’t tell me you’re disgusted too.” He could feel the build up of tears entering back into his eyes, the heavy drops ready to fall down his face and wet his cheeks once more.
“What? Never! Just surprised.” Hoseok spoke quickly, his hand squeezing Jungkook’s thigh to try and dismiss any negative ideas that could be swelling in Jungkook’s mind.
Jungkook’s lip trembled as he held himself back. “He was too. He ran away.” He said bluntly.
“Like out of the house?” Hoseok tensed up, not wanting to have to deal with a bigger situation than what was already in front of him.
“No.” Jungkook sighed. “Just to Namjoon and Jimin I think.”
A wave of relief washed over Hoseok. “Right.” He let the word out with a breath. The confession of romantic feelings towards another member was actually a massive deal, but didn’t want to put any more pressure onto Jungkook. He was already beginning to crumble. “Well he maybe just needs some time to think about-”
“I tried to kiss him hyung.” Jungkook cut him off.
Raising his brow he widened his eyes. “You did what-” The words seemed to get caught just before they left Hoseok. The situation he had imagined slowly becoming more dramatic and much more drastic than he had thought.
“I kissed him for like a second.” His voice felt small as he talked, but he wanted to try and lessen the weight of the situation. Jungkook knew what he did was impulsive and irresponsible but there was no way to change the past now.
“Very-” Hoseok hesitated before continuing, not wanting to hurt Jungkook. “-bold.”
Lowering his head into his hands he could feel his body becoming weak again, the emotions ready to start flowing once more. “I know.”
“Hey no it’s okay!” Hoseok nearly shouted, his hand lifting up from Jungkook’s thigh to rest on his back. He felt his affection was better expressed through his gentle touches than through his words at the moment. “It’s just a kiss.” He felt bad dismissing what was a large issue, but he couldn’t stand seeing Jungkook crying anymore.
Lifting his head just enough so his eyes could meet Hoseok’s he groaned. “Just a kiss. Seriously?”
Softly scratching his nails against Jungkook’s back Hoseok continued trying his best to make his friend feel better. “That’s probably why he ran away, but it isn’t the end of the world.” He felt like he was being honest now. Even if it was a massive deal they could handle it together as a group like they always do.
“That’s easy for you to say.”
Jungkook wasn’t sure where his aggressive retorts were coming from but after allowing himself to become so vulnerable he felt like he needed to defend himself. Hoseok had done nothing to imply he was against Jungkook, but he could already feel his rationality slipping away, both anger and sadness coming in to take over his reasoning.
“Listen Jungkook. We all do things we don’t mean sometimes. We can get carried away and do things we may regret.” The words oozed with sincerity, Hoseok’s own experience greatly supporting him currently. “You don’t even know if he liked you back or not. I think he was also just scared off by the-” The small hesitation made Jungkook feel tense. “-intensity of the situation.”
“What would you do if I kissed you hyung?” The idea had already escaped him before he could think it over. Just like he had been so forward with Taehyung he was now also putting another relationship on the line over his need to feel normal. After all, if Hoseok was being truthful at least about the kiss, then they could do so.
The small motion on Jungkook’s back stopped suddenly, the turn making Hoseok freak out and realise just how taehyung must have felt. ‘No wonder the kid had run away.’ He thought to himself as he tried to calculate what Jungkook was intending to prove.
“Pardon?”
Jungkook was already moving, but Hoseok was fast enough to reject, his spare hand separating their lips from each other.
“No.” His comforting voice shifted as his tone fell deeper. “Jungkook wait.” He held his hand between them whilst moving himself away. This had most definitely not been what he expected when he came to help his friend.
Using his own hand he tore Hoseok’s away from his mouth so he could speak. “You said it wasn’t a big deal.” He tried not to yell, but the anger was boiling up inside and he could tell it was on the verge of exploding.
“For him and you maybe not. It is if we kiss.” He was still trying to create a larger distance between them, knowing Jungkook wasn’t in his right mind at the moment and things could become immensely worse if he continued acting unreasonably.
“What does that mean?” He spat.
Realising he almost said too much, Hoseok shot up from the bed, placing his hands in front of his body to try and defuse the situation. “Don’t worry Jungkook. I just can’t kiss you. That’s something I can’t do.” He took steps backwards, the flashing of different feelings crossing Jungkook’s face as he began realising what he had almost done.
Not looking where he was going Hoseok backed into something. A soft, slightly shorter than him, something.
“Kiss you?” Jimin hissed.
Spinning around Hoseok was becoming even more overwhelmed. He knew he was half dressed and the use of the word kiss with another man in the room was rather suggestive. “Jimin-” Hoseok went to explain himself.
“What did I miss?” Jimin shut him down before he could start.
Glancing between a very irritated and a confused Jungkook Hoseok tried to keep the secret he had been told a secret. “I don’t think Jungkook is ready-”
“Taehyung told me.” Jimin beat him to it again.
Shrugging against the wall beside him, Hoseok relaxed a little more. It was going to be a lot easier to explain everything now. “Nevermind.” He spoke a small sigh of relief escaping him as he did so.
“But why would you try to kiss Hoseok hyung?” Jimin said seriously, his accent slipping out.
A little confused about why Jimin was so mad Jungkook stayed silent for a moment, but the burning glare from Jimin was becoming worse as he sat in the now claustrophobic feeling room. “He said it was no big deal to kiss someone.” Jungkook swung his arm towards Hoseok, trying to justify his foolish behaviour somehow.
Hoseok could see the small fist Jimin had formed and his ease was replaced with worry again. “That doesn’t mean you should act so irrationally.” His voice remained low, the sound one that people didn’t hear often since Jimin tried to keep himself cheerful most of the time. It scared both Jungkook and Hoseok.
Chewing on his bottom lip he thought over why he had even acted that way. It made no sense to kiss Hoseok because he was just his friend, even if he had some kind of feelings towards him at one point. “I just want someone to like me.” The conclusion wasn’t one he was sure of, but in that moment that is how he felt.
“Taehyung does like you, big head.” Feeling somewhat bad for the young kid Jimin loosened his fist, tone mimicking his usual one.
Dragging himself away from his misery he realised what Jimin had just told him. “What?”
Crossing his arms across his chest Jimin still glared at Jungkook. He had expected the boy to have at least a tiny idea of the love Taehyung held for him. “You need to listen to each other more.” He tried his best not to scoff, controlling his annoyance as best he could. “Don’t just go kissing people.”
“He didn’t mean anything bad Jimin-ie.” Hoseok reminded Jimin that he was by his side, sliding his arm around the smaller man’s waist.
Dropping his arms back to his side Jimin changed the target of his aggression to Hoseok, his finger coming between them to tap on Hoseok’s chapped lips. “Did you want him to kiss you?”
Pulling Jimin’s finger away from his mouth he held the younger man’s wrist tightly, not wanting to step back into the battlefield over one mistake that didn’t even happen. “Hey, you know I didn’t mean it like that.” He tried to be the peacemaker, but the look in Jimin’s eye was making his heart break.
“Prove it then.”
Looking back over to an even more confused Jungkook Hoseok swallowed nervously. “Jimin.”
Like a lightbulb had gone off in his mind Jungkook realised why Hoseok had used those specific words when rejecting his kiss. It wasn’t wrong for him to have kissed Taehyung, but he couldn’t kiss him. He felt extra foolish as he saw Jimin and Hoseok standing together like that. Roommates didn’t look at each other like that, they were basically breathing each other's air and Hoseok was still shirtless. The tension was so thick he wondered why he hadn’t picked up on it before. Possibly because he just thought Hoseok and Jimin were touchy.
“Wait are you-” He finally spoke up, the stars aligning in his mind.
“Jungkook-.”
As Hoseok went to go explain himself again for the millionth time, Jimin used the hand Hoseok was still clinging onto to tug Hoseok against him. They collided messily, but quickly they moved together as if it were natural, their lips synced.
Jungkook’s mouth was hung open as they continued to kiss in front of him. If you could even call it kissing, they were basically sucking each other’s faces off. It was much more than anything the dramas ever showed you, yet still not as clumsy as what he had seen in some American depictions.
Parting slowly Hoseok remembered they weren’t alone in their room like usual. He could already feel the pink flush creeping along his face and burning his ears whilst Jimin seemed extremely prideful, a large smile strung across his expression as he began turning himself back to where Jungkook was sat still shocked.
“Now go get your own boyfriend.”
-
His mind clouded by a whole new range of thoughts Jungkook tried to walk towards his room but every few seconds he could see Hoseok and Jimin entangled again and he wasn’t sure whether he should be grossed out by his friends or jealous that he couldn’t have done that with Taehyung.
Pushing open his already partly opened door he dragged himself through, eyes still staring at the floor. It took him a few moments before realising Taehyung was sitting silently on his bed, bottom lip caught between his teeth as he sat nervously. Jungkook nearly jumped back as he recognised who was in front of him, less because of who it was, more because he was surprised to see anyone in his room to begin with.
“I’m sorry for running away.” Taehyung blurted out, the sound being captured in the room as the door swung shut.
Jungkook blinked a few times before he even thought about how to respond. He was so caught up in taking in that Taehyung was waiting for him in his room that he forgot he’d even been spoken to. “I’m sorry for scaring you off.” He dropped his head down, bowing at his hyung.
He heard a creak and suddenly he was being lifted up by his chin, Taehyung’s hand bringing him back up so they could face each other properly. As he met Taehyung’s eyes he realised the shy reaction he had shown earlier was completely gone, only his sultry gaze present as he held Jungkook’s head up.
“I want to make it up to you.” Taehyung almost growled, his other hand sliding behind Jungkook’s back to prevent him from running away.
“What do you-”
They were pressed together, Taehyung’s soft and partly wet lips leading them as they did exactly what he’d intended to do initially. It was nicer than what Jungkook was expecting, the sloppiness somewhat hot as they just fell into a rhythm. Being led was most definitely better than leading.
He got the kiss he so desperately wanted, from the person he had fallen head over heels for, and now he never wanted to part.