Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m pretty sure I told you to not drink alcohol before you left the flat,” Jimin glanced over Taehyung’s clearly drunk state and shook his head in annoyance. “and now i have to deal with your drunk ass.”

Taehyung just rolled his eyes. “Jiminie, I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle myself quite well you know?” He mumbled leaning back into the car seat. “Thanks for picking me up anyways.”

Jimin sighed as he pulled on his seatbelt. “Tae, you can’t even walk straight.”

“I’m not that drunk!”

“You are.” Jimin mumbled. “I even have to carry you on my shoulders just to get you here, you know?”

Taehyung huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I wasn’t! Drink responsibly, remember? And I’m like, so responsible… you should have seen the girl earlier, she was screaming and bitch slapping everyone on her way. That, my friend, is the perfect definition of being drunk.”

“But she wasn’t you, Tae. I wouldn’t care less about her actually, I wouldn’t care for anyone that isn’t my best friend. So you might as well be grateful to me for putting up a lot with you.” Jimin told him.

“Yeah, yeah. I know, I love you too.” Taehyung said playfully, rolling his eyes at his best friend. “Can you start driving now? I want to go home soon.”

Jimin can’t help but roll his eyes. “Bossy.”

Taehyung quietly stared at the car window as Jimin kept driving in silence. He’s feeling so sleepy and sick because of all the alcohol he drank tonight. He’s already dozing off when he hears Jimin ending a phone call. His mind was in a haze, he didn't recognize who he was talking to. Taehyung was about to ask before Jimin interrupted his thoughts. “Yoongi called me.” Jimin told him, eyes still focused on the road in front of him.

“Someone we both know is drunk, Yoongi isn't at home now so he needs to stay the night at ours too.”

Taehyung gave him a weak nod before leaning back to the car window.

Taehyung woke up with a severe headache, really, probably his worst one yet. He could never drink alcohol without having a hangover the day after. He feels so heavy, he couldn't even open his eyes right now, but he could feel the sunlight pouring onto him, birds chirping outside the apartment and a warm body pressing against him–probably Jimin, he knows Taehyung barely ever liked to sleep alone.

Taehyung inched his eyes open and winced at the bright light blinding him for a lifetime. Who left the fucking curtains open? Taehyung shuffled looking over to his side. When the fuck did Jiminie evolved into some daddy? 

Then it hits him. Taehyung lifted himself up from the bed so quickly because this is not a drill, again mayhem, this is not a drill. He knows he’s not dreaming anymore, he can’t even believe that some stranger with a pretty face and velvety lips–that makes Taehyung swoon–is on the bed with him. Naked. His head spun and his eyes went blurry for a second but when they focused again he could clearly see the stranger’s naked torso, sleeping soundly with arms wrapped around Taehyung. His heart and mind were fighting for dominance. He didn’t know whether to jump out of the window, book a flight to Morocco, and change his name to Miguel or lay back to bed and take the chance to cuddle with such beauty, because these moments are considered as blue moon. 

His thoughts skimming over to the stranger. His body is well-built. 

It was as if his body moved on its own volition, as his hands hastily touched the stranger’s body. His hands went up to caress his sleeping face, and lightly brushed at his lips. 

He was staring intensely he didn’t recognize the other’s fluttering eyes staring back at him, his eyes held galaxies and real stars to fill the upper skies, it was mesmerizing. People would probably think he’s crazy, because really, it’s just plain brown eyes, but for Taehyung, he can see Aurora Borealis inside them, planets revolving around his irises and those stardust that makes up the universe–shimmering nicely through his eyes.

How can someone be so ethereal? 

Everything stopped moving, his head was killing him but it didn’t really matter to Taehyung as he surged closer to the stranger’s face. Like a moth drawn to the fire, overwhelmed with strange desire. He inched closer, and closer, ‘til their noses brushed against each other. 

Just a little closer. Taehyung closed his eyes tilting his head towards the stranger, all those rational thoughts that were left in him were long forgotten and thrown away. Seems like his heart won the dominance after all. Just this time. He said. 

“Who are you?” 

“Who are you?”

Taehyung snapped back to reality before he even realized that he was trying to kiss some stranger early in the morning. His headache suddenly became worse, blood rushed through his body, heart hammering wildly against his chest–he thought his ribs would break.

It took a while before Taehyung’s mind could process what was even happening in the first place, and when he did, he stumbled backwards, falling off the bed.

Before he started doing further embarrassment, the guy spoke to him. “Hey, you okay?” Reaching out a hand to Taehyung and signaling him to sit on the bed.

“Y-yes,” Taehyung said as he sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with the bed sheet and dipping down his head out of embarrassment. “Yes. I am.” 

The stranger must have felt the awkwardness lingering between the two of them, so he introduces himself instead, “Jeon Jeongguk. 25 years old,” Taehyung suddenly glanced up at him, opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it when he realized what he had done earlier. “Your turn.”

Taehyung could almost feel like his stomach turned upside down with all these shitty emotions coursing through his body, he almost felt like melting under the icy gaze of Jeongguk, and maybe it was okay for him to melt if it was for this certain person in front of him.

Jeongguk, Jeongguk, Jeongguk, he internally repeated, like a mantra. What a pretty name for a pretty face.

“Kim Taehyung. 22 years old. You can also call me Tae. Japchae is my favorite food, but I like others too like pizza and kimchi and ramen. Also–”

He was cut off when he heard Jeongguk chuckled. 

Damn. “I’m sorry,” Taehyung started again with the fidgeting, curling the bed sheet into his fingers and slightly biting his bottom lip. “Was I too much?” He whispered nervously as he took a glance at the older man. 

“Not really, in fact you amuse me Tae.” Jeongguk gently held his hands to stop him from fidgeting, lifted his other hand and brushed Taehyung’s silver-locks away from his face. Taehyung could see the angels descending from heaven and beautiful harps resonate throughout the entire universe, what did I do to deserve so much of this? He almost fainted right there but he has to hold himself together or else, he might embarrass himself again, he doesn’t want to do that. Not again.

Taehyung snapped from his idle state when Jeongguk sticks a note on his forehead, winking at him as he hurriedly put on all his clothes and left the room. Just like that. 

He took off the sticky note on his forehead, and this time he fainted for real.

Here’s my number. Text me as soon as you can.

“Taehyung!” Jimin shouted next to him, banging at the dinner table that made Taehyung flinch at the sudden action. “I’ve been calling you since forever!”

It’s been four days already since that incident with Jeongguk, but damn, Taehyung couldn’t get his mind straight.

“I’m sorry,” Placing his elbow on the table, head resting on his hands. “What was it again? Min Yoongi, right?”

“No, you bitch.” Jimin can’t help but roll his eyes in annoyance. “Did Jeongguk fucked your brains out that hard?” 

“We didn’t!” Taehyung couldn’t help but blush at the statement, causing Jimin to smirk amusingly at him. “We were already naked when I woke up.”

“Oh? How did you both end up being naked then?”

“I can’t remember, but I’m sure as hell nothing happened.” Taehyung said. “I didn’t feel anything weird when I woke up.”

“Hm yeah I think I got it.” Jimin nodded as he sat beside Taehyung, taking a bite from his toasted bread. “Just be careful baby.”

“What do you mean? And really? Baby? I don’t think Yoongi would be impressed if he heard you calling me that.” 

“You are my baby, Taehyung. Always will. I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.” Jimin said playfully, rolling his eyes to Taehyung who is currently taking a spoonful of cereals. “And besides, I know you love it when I call you baby.” His lips curved up into a smirk, causing Taehyung to choke on his cereals.

“Jiminie, would you please shut your fucking mouth.”

“Kiss me.” Jimin said with a tint of seriousness in his voice, looking straight at Taehyung’s eyes then back to his plump lips. “Please?”

Taehyung can’t help but blush at the sudden turn out of events, he’s so close to Jimin, he knows a slight movement would make their lips touch. 

“I don’t want to.” He manages to speak despite being so embarrassed. 

At the back of Taehyung’s mind, he knows he misses Jimin, their platonic relationship, the way other people keep asking them if they were dating, the attention Jimin always gave to him, the cuddles, late night calls, movie nights, he missed how he always steals Jimin’s clothes, but mostly, he misses Jimin. He missed their old habits. He just misses the way they used to be before Jimin started going out with Yoongi and ignoring him. But he will never tell Jimin how jealous he is of Yoongi, how he wanted to hangout with him just like the old times. Just the two of them, having fun. 

Jimin suddenly rested back in his seat, tapping his fingers on the dinner table. “I’ve been too caught up with Yoongi these past few months. I just thought that maybe, you missed me too.” 

“A lot…” Taehyung mumbled. “I missed you a lot. But I don’t want to bother you.” 

“Tae, you were never a bother. Stop thinking that! I’m always here for you, you know that.” He cupped Taehyung’s face with his hands, caressing it ever so gently. “You always come first baby. I mean, after Yoongi of course.” They both chuckled softly, felt like eternity since they have been together. 

“I missed you Jimin. I really do.” Taehyung slowly leans on the older, slightly clutching his fist on his shirt. “I thought you were gonna leave me, and forget about me. I was scared.”

“Shhh. It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here.” Rubbing circles on his back, whispering sweet nothings and reassurances as Taehyung slowly calms down. “I missed you too.” 

Taehyung glances up to him, showcasing his infamous boxy smile, slightly shifting to make their forehead touch. “I got it already Jimin.”

“Would you give me a kiss then?”

Taehyung didn’t respond, instead, he leaned down and kissed him before he could convince himself not to. It’s chaste, a press of lips that only last a few seconds. 

“Is that okay?”

For a second Jimin doesn’t speak, doesn’t even look up at him, and Taehyung can’t help but feel like he’s made a terrible mistake.

Jimin huffed in disbelief, bringing back his both hands up to cup Taehyung’s rose tinted cheeks. He looks at his eyes then his lips. 

Who wouldn’t want to kiss such lips? 

Jimin pressed his lips to his, self-restraint crumbles for a moment and he leans back in to claim his lips again before he makes himself pull away, remembering how he’d meant to keep it brief. With a tiny whimper, Taehyung tugged back on his shirt although a bit unnecessarily since Jimin very compliantly leaned in to have his lips captured by him again. Jimin glides his lips over his; loving how soft they felt even if they were as cold as the crisp air, impatiently snaking his hands underneath Taehyung’s jaw to deepen the kiss further and noticed how it was equally as cold. He feels the younger shudder at his touches and he can see his eyes are full of uncertainty and doubt, and so he seeks to reassure him with his soothing caresses.

Jimin tugged at his hair causing Taehyung to let out a full-fledged moan, allowing him to slide inside, pushed past his teeth to explore his cavern. When they part unwillingly, there is a thin line of saliva connected to their lower lips and Taehyung’s cheeks are burning, as he stares dazedly into Jimin’s dark eyes. 

They stayed like that catching their breaths, staring at each other, fingers still tangled on one another. He really did miss Jimin. He missed the way his hands felt against his skin, the way his eyes clouds and darkens, and his kisses that never fail to make him go wild. 

But, there are no romantic feelings about it. Taehyung couldn’t help but wonder how he told Jimin he likes him before, when in reality, he doesn’t. Not in a way he thought. 

It was now clear to Taehyung what they had before. This. All of these were just mere lust; mistaken by love. He missed Jimin. But maybe, he didn't at the same time. It’s confusing, but one thing’s for sure. 

Taehyung gathered all his confidence before he broke the silence. “This will be the last time, yeah?” 

“Yeah. I’m sorry. This isn’t right after all.” 

Taehyung chuckled, gently patting Jimin’s shoulders for assurance. “No worries. I got it, it’s been months already.”

Taehyung has been having these internal battles whether to send the man a message or not. He even listed out the pros and cons of it on the back of the piece of paper where the Jeon guy wrote his number– that was now on Jimin's hand– some of the pros are one, he gets to know him better and B, if he was lucky enough, he can even set a date with him (because why not?). However, the cons include A, he looks like a mafia and there is no way Taehyung would like to be a sacrifice for something and two, he's scared of rejection.

"Why don't you use one and two or A and B? It's confusing." 

"Complexities are for the intellectuals, Jimin."

"No, they aren't," Jimin rolls his eyes as he points at the paper accusingly, "and really? A mafia? I knew him for a long time, Tae. He's a good kid."

"But those clothes! His shoes were Gucci!"

"That doesn't mean he's a mafia!"

Taehyung grumbles and plops down on the couch which he deeply regrets after as he feels the plinth smacks against his ass. The couch has been living for two years. The once beautifully designed leather has been worn past the point of distress and now there are small tears and holes around it, and the cushions are so distressed that all you can feel is the cloth covering them. Taehyung would urge Jimin to buy a new one if it weren't about him he knows he's about to move out sooner or later given that Yoongi has been adamant of them living together however, he thinks Jimin was too worried about him being alone especially now, that Namjoon and Seokjin have their own place. 

Besides, Taehyung isn't financially stable unlike Jimin, who's currently a choreographer. He does part time jobs every now and then, but the money he earns from them would only last a few days and if it weren't because of Jimin, he would still be living off sodiums every day. He's basically gone financially dependent and he kind of blames himself for it. If he only accepted to take over their family's restaurant, he wouldn't be dealing with all these money problems. It doesn't help when he visits Daegu every chuseok and watches his family members– his siblings– being successful and content handling their business. Taehyung doesn't feel jealous, but he feels defeated in some way. Have you ever fought for the thing you love and ended up not being good at it? That is exactly what he feels.

Follow your dreams, they say.

Taehyung doesn't know why he chose to do modeling, perhaps he likes the art of it. The art of dressing up and having people gaze at you while you walk on a runway is a pleasurable thought for Taehyung. Being the art itself. However, he would admit, it's hard to find a place to work for when most of his competitors are well-funded. They can afford expensive skin care routines, therapies, and premium gym memberships in contrast to him that can barely expend cash for basic commodities. He's not making excuses, no, but society's beauty standards exist to judge a person whether they are deserving or not and he's sure that no company wants to spend thousands of won on someone who looks ungroomed. 

He feels Jimin sitting down on the space beside him, flipping the paper on the front where Jeon's number was written.

"Would you call him?"

"Maybe? I like his face."

Jimins laughs at that before he says, "You're ridiculous. I mean it when I say he's a nice kid, a bit spoiled but he's nice."

"I wish everyone was as spoiled as him. He seems like the 'I get whatever I want' type of guy with the way you describe him."

"Kind of," The other gives the paper note back to him, leaning against the couch pillow situated behind him, "but that's probably because he was forced to be in that industry at a very young age so I get that he acts like a bit younger sometimes."

"You sound like you're close to him. I haven't met him before."

The look on Jimin's face made Taehyung a bit wary– clouded– and for the first time in their five year friendship that he thinks he doesn't really know Jimin at all. 

"He travels a lot– moves from one place to another."

"I haven't heard you mention him and you tell me about Yoongi all the time."

Jimin signs, lifting his hand to massage his temples. "Taehyung."

A sign that he needed to drop this soon, acted like this conversation didn't happen but Taehyung was never the type to read the words written in lowercase. 

"Why?" 

Jimin seems to take a breath before he says, "That's another story for another time."

And Taehyung believes him, like he always does but there was this doubt growing in him that this conversation would happen again. Jimin doesn't owe him anything, he knows he shouldn't force him to tell him things about his personal life– he never did– but curiosity dominates him oftentimes. He can let this go for now. 

He grabs his phone hiding under the cushions– quickly opening the messaging app and double checking the numbers written and the ones he copied, once he's sure it was right, he sends a message.

He heard Jimin say something similar to 'I'll take a nap' before he sees him standing in his peripheral vision. Taehyung was too caught up playing Candy Crush to give a decent reply so he just let out a hum. He was already on the next stage when he felt his phone vibrating against his palm.

And after mocking each other with replying 'Fine' they continued bickering for who knows how long. Within this time, Taehyung got caught up with texting the other, he really is a good guy and he seems funny to tease. He genuinely wants to be close to him, be friends and hang out but Taehyung likes games a lot– likes playing hard to get even when it comes to friendships or any kind of relationships.

This is going to be fun.

Or so Taehyung thought.