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Jimin and Taehyung have always been incredibly physically affectionate, everyone knows that. They have zero personal boundaries when it comes to the other, and it’s always brought questions about the nature of their relationship, or rather, assumptions. Managers, acquaintances, shopkeepers, tour staff, the fans… Anyone who encounters them can’t help but wonder.
But the truth of the matter is, there isn’t anything other than friendship between them. Not that Jimin minds the idea of exploring a less than platonic side of their relationship, but it’s not actually happened. Though, he does struggle distinguishing between romantic and platonic attraction. It’s quite possible that the reason his love for Taehyung feels that little bit different to how his love for the other members does, is because he’s already there. But regardless, he’s happy with things as they are now. But who knows what kind of feelings a future where Taehyung has a boyfriend might bring…
Jimin has been open with Taehyung about his asexuality from the start - when he began to wonder if there was something different about him compared to the other boys in the trainee dorms, swapping stories about girls and sex.
Taehyung had related on the lack of interest in girls, confiding right back that he didn’t see the appeal either. But he’d initially given Jimin a confused puppy dog head tilt, “But, you don’t think about sex at all?”
Jimin had shaken his head. “It seems… Messy,” he’d said. “And uncomfortable.”
Taehyung had shrugged. “Fair enough,” he’d replied. And that had been that. Jimin doesn’t think Taehyung knows, even now, how much sixteen year old Jimin had appreciated that. How much of a non-thing his best friend had made it. It was just how Jimin was, in the same way that Taehyung only liked boys, and Yoongi had made it unapologetically clear that he liked people regardless of gender.
A couple of years after their debut Taehyung had confessed to Jimin that he felt that he was actually demisexual in his attraction to men.
“It’s only really ever been, like, two guys,” he’d said, cuddled under the covers of Jimin’s single bed in the room he shared with Hoseok. “And not until I’d known them and had a crush on them for ages. But I thought I was just a romantic, you know?”
Jimin had hummed in response, reaching up to stroke a finger along the soft skin behind Taehyung’s ear.
“But then Namjoonie Hyung was super drunk and talking too loud to Jin Hyung about wanting to bone one of the dancers after he saw them bend in half at practice, and I was confused. Like, I thought people were just exaggerating when they said that random people looked fuckable. Another word for hot or whatever. Not that they actually meant it!”
Jimin had nodded into his neck, “Makes sense,” he’d said. “It’s normal to assume that how we feel is the norm. Sometimes it’s not until we encounter differences that we can acknowledge them.”
“Yeah,” Taehyung had said at the ceiling. “So anyway, that’s that I guess. Doesn’t change anything.”
“Still my romantic Taehyungie,” Jimin had cooed, scooting up the pillow to press a small kiss in the space he’d been stroking. Taehyung had giggled, and that had, indeed, been that.
So, the first time it happens it’s an accident.
It’s late one night in their 8th year as a group, and Jimin is sitting cross legged on the bed of his room at the dorm, waxing Taehyung’s arms for him.
“You know you could technically do this yourself,” he says as he spreads the hot wax along Taehyung’s skin and places a clean strip of cloth over the top. It’s a conversation they’ve had before, but it returns each time they do this. It’s part of the routine.
“You do it better,” Taehyung pouts, making Jimin smile self satisfactorily. Because, he does.
“Plus it hurts less when I don’t know it’s coming.”
He says this with his eyes clenched tightly closed, making Jimin giggle amusedly. “People usually like knowing, so they can prepare themself mentally.”
“Hurry up!” Taehyung cries exasperatedly, already cringing in the anticipation of the pain. “I’m ready now!”
“Okay, okay,” Jimin says, smoothing his hand over the wax strip, getting his nails under the edge and pinching it tightly between his fingers. He pulls it off of Taehyung’s arm in one smooth movement.
“Fuck!” Taehyung yells, pulling his arm out of Jimin’s gentle grip and pouting down at it.
“Sorry baby,” Jimin says, busying himself with stirring the wax in the pot, coating the spatula with a fresh amount.
“It’s fine,” Taehyung sighs, “I just need to grit my teeth and bear it. It’s worth it.”
“That’s the spirit!” Jimin trills.
Taehyung lets out a low groan as Jimin spreads wax onto the next space on his arm. It can only be warmth he’s feeling so far, but he’s got himself worked up.
“Try to relax. It’ll hurt more if you’re tense.”
“I know,” Taehyung whines, “But it stings!”
“You’re so brave, Taehyungie,” Jimin soothes, knowing that Taehyung needs the praise to help him stay calm. With Jungkook he’d take a ‘tough love’ approach and tell him to stop being a baby, but if he does that to Taehyung he might actually cry.
Later, they head out to the TV room in their PJs to hang out with Hoseok and Yoongi as the two relax, binge watching a new drama. But as soon as he sees them, Yoongi rolls his eyes.
Jimin has been known to count bickering with his Hyung as one of his favourite pastimes, and he has time to spare, so he decides to take the bait. “Problem Hyung-nim?” he says, pausing in front of the TV with his hands on his hips.
Yoongi sighs, grabbing the remote and aggressively pointing it at the TV to pause the show.
“Yeah, actually,” he says, fixing Jimin with a flat look, “Next time you guys want to have loud, kinky sex, everyone would appreciate it if you included a gag in the scenario.”
The Jimin is too stunned to speak. His jaw drops open as, from his place laid out beside Yoongi, Hoseok shakes his head. “Speak for yourself, Hyung,” he says, with a suggestive wink at Jimin. It’s a joke, obviously meant to lighten the load of receiving a scolding, but Jimin can’t process it properly because he’s still stuck in a cycle of “what the fuckery?” thoughts.
Jimin, mouth still ajar, looks to Taehyung for help. But his best friend is rolling around in his seat cackling like a mad man.
“Is that Taehyung?” comes Seokjin’s voice from the stairway, quickly followed by the appearance of the man himself. He looks cute in flannel BT21 pyjamas and fluffy slippers, an RJ clip holding his fringe off his forehead, and a face mask on his handsome face. “Joon told me to remind you that loud sex is strictly prohibited on nights when we’re all at the dorm.”
Taehyung sits up from the sofa, looking over the back of it at Jin with a confused face. Jimin is grateful that he’s finally paying enough attention to address the situation.
“But why did he send you?” asks Taehyung, dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Because Namjoon can’t say the word ‘sex’ in front of you maknaes without turning fifty shades of pink,” Yoongi cuts in, making Hoseok giggle and delightedly push him. As he’s jostled in his seat, Yoongi looks at Hoseok with a tiny self-satisfied smirk, loving the reaction.
Seokjin nods along serenely, “Yes, yes, we all know Joon-ah has ‘Daddy of the house’ issues. So, message received? I want to get back to my Self Care Seokjin Session.”
“Sure, Hyung,” says Taehyung easily, shrugging. “No more loud sex.”
Jimin’s mouth snaps shut as he watches Taehyung. Why in the world is he not denying this?
“Jimin-ah?” Seokjin says, looking at him expectantly. His pose is a mirror of Jimin’s own, hands on hips as he waits.
“I-” he stutters, not knowing what to do.
Yoongi makes a show of sighing loudly, apparently impatient, and the cheek of it annoys Jimin so much he can’t help himself. “I’m not sure why it’s our problem that Yoongi Hyung isn’t getting any,” he says, “But sure, whatever . Come on, Taehyungie. Let’s go.”
Taehyung jumps up from the couch swiftly, taking Jimin’s outstretched hand. Meanwhile Hoseok laughs loudly, pointing at Yoongi’s flabbergasted expression - like he’s unsure how the situation has turned on him so suddenly.
“That’s not the point!” Yoongi yells at Jimin down the hallway, but he ignores his grumpy hyung as he storms back towards his room, hand tightly holding Taehyung’s.
The second time is out of pure spite .
Yoongi has been pushing Jimin’s buttons all day.
Usually their banter is a fun back and forth, like a bickering old couple. It’s their thing - a love language of sorts. But Jimin is tetchy this afternoon. He didn’t sleep well last night, worrying over the new choreography for an end of year performance, and Yoongi is poking him in places that are sore. Making joking comments about a missed half-beat, and making a big deal of it when Hoseokie shrugs it off understandingly rather than scolding him like he would the others.
The last straw hits at lunch, in the middle of rehearsals.
They’re sitting around on the practice room floor, puffed and sweaty. Plastic containers of food spread between them that the staff have brought from the cafeteria. The dancers are sitting along the edges of the room taking their own break, and their choreographers are at the back discussing their thoughts on how the practice was going.
Jimin is stretching, complaining that his muscles aren’t working the way the usually do, and Yoongi takes the moment to make a wisecrack about him being stiff because Taehyung must’ve fucked him too hard last night.
Jimin goes bright red at the sudden accusation - totally unfounded as it is. Jungkook and Jin cackle like hyenas, but thankfully Namjoon has his leader hat on and gives Yoongi a sharp look, glancing meaningfully at the dancers and shaking his head. Yoongi has the sense to look admonished, shoving a piece of tteokbokki in his mouth and chewing through a guilty pout.
Taehyung gently strokes Jimin’s back. He looks like a puppy wanting to jump into their owner's lap. Jimin is grateful in the knowledge that he wants to comfort him, but is thoughtful enough to know that a big show of physical affection between them is only going to serve to make Jimin feel more uncomfortable in this particular situation.
When Yoongi retreats to his dorm bedroom that evening without properly apologising, Jimin grabs Taehyung’s hand and drags him into his bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Taehyung asks, when Jimin has closed the door behind them and approached the wall Taehyung’s room shares with Yoongi’s. Pressing his ear against it Jimin gestures for Taehyung to “shh”.
Taehyung rolls his eyes and then joins him in pressing against the wall.
“What are we listening for?” he whispers loudly.
There’s a thump on the other side of the wall that indicates Yoongi has thrown himself into bed.
“That,” Jimin whispers back.
Taehyung quirks a thick brow at him.
“I want to piss Hyung off.”
“So this is about earlier today? Isn’t that petty, Jiminie?” Taehyung says, mouth turned up at the edges where he’s trying and failing to hold in a smile.
“Of course it is!” Jimin hisses, “Now shut up and fake fuck me!”
Taehyung chuckles, but instead of answering Jimin, he simply throws his head back and lets out a drawn out, throaty moan.
As opposed to Jimin’s embarrassed outrage, Taehyung has found it highly amusing that their Hyungdeul have formed the wrong idea about them - taking great delight in the ruse and their dynamic reactions. So Jimin isn’t surprised that he so easily agrees to a fake fling. He has always enjoyed being the X man after all. Jimin thinks it’s about embodying a role, and the thrill of friendly treachery.
After that first time, Taehyung had calmed Jimin down with gentle pettings of his hair and eager whispers of how much fun it is to have pulled the wool over the Hyungduel’s eyes. It had helped Jimin feel like he had a one up on them, rather than the other way around. But the accusation still struck sore for him.
“Yeees! Just like that!” Jimin enthuses, drawing his voice out to sound whiny with faux pleasure. “Oh Taehyungie!”
Taehyung bites his lip to smother a laugh and Jimin feels a giggle building in him. He turns around so he doesn’t have to look his best friend in the eye, and then lets out a moan of his own.
He hears, rather than sees, Taehyung push himself against the wall roughly. Then his deep voice begins a series of staccato moans, getting increasingly pitchier as they go, as he bounces against the wall on his palms.
It’s convincing. From where Jimin stands, not facing him it really does sound like he’s being fucked against it. Or, at least that’s the exact sort of noises he’s heard coming from Jin’s door when he has “play dates” with his various “zaddy” gentleman callers.
“Good boy,” Jimin says, projecting his voice. “Taking me so well.”
Taehyung lets out a puppy like yip in response and Jimin swirls around to see him standing with his hands held aloft like paws.
Jimin buries his face in his hands to stop laughing, peeking up at Taehyung with raised brows. as if to say “Puppy play? Really?”
Taehyung yips again, brushing his hand around imaginary dog ears, fluffing his hair up in the process. Then he slumps against the wall hard enough that Jimin instinctively wants to go and check his arm for a bruise, and moans loudly.
Jimin sighs to himself, he might as well commit. “Good pup,” he says.
Taehyung begins panting at that and Jimin can’t control the giggle he lets out.
“Silly puppy,” he says, trying to cover the slip in character. “Let Master do that for you.” He approaches the wall and starts bouncing against it like Taehyung had been.
They mess around like that for another five minutes until they’re so worn out they flop down on Taehyung’s bed together, chests heaving in tandem.
“Hyung is going to be so grumpy tomorrow,” Taehyung says to the ceiling.
Jimin giggles, “Grumpy kitten Hyung.”
“You guys will hug it out though, right? Hyung will apologise and you’ll be fine.”
Jimin turns his head to look at Taehyung’s concerned face. He reaches out and boops his nose, “Of course we will, silly bear.”
The third time is simply to make Taehyung laugh.
His friend has been gloomy all day. They’ve had a packed schedule for Festa content shooting and the lack of down time is especially draining for Taehyung and Yoongi.
After years together, they’ve all learnt each other’s needs and accommodate easily - Just as Na PD had said, they really do have the understanding attitude of a long married couple. When there is a longer than usual period of vacation where they’re away from each other, the other members allow for Jimin’s incessant desire to video call, and increased levels of affection upon return. When they have US schedules they all know not to bother Namjoon with things they could go to someone for. When they’re on variety shows, the more outgoing members pick up slack for the more reserved ones. And when their schedule is jam packed, everyone knows to be gentler with Taehyung and Yoongi. Yoongi because his social battery depletes easily, and Taehyung because he gets stir-crazy from the rigidity of the schedule.
Hoseok, Jin and Jimin, the resident mood makers, have had their work cut out for them keeping the things light on set. But no amount of silly jokes, face squishes, sweet compliments or tasty treat deliveries (Jin had treated them all to Hotteok during the break) had been able to lift Taehyung’s spirits.
So when they get home and Taehyung goes to trudge to his own bedroom, Jimin rushes after him, takes his hand and pulls him downstairs towards his own instead. Taehyung lets himself be led. He’ll go wherever Jimin goes.
When they get there, he goes straight to Jimin’s closet and changes into a big shirt of his own that's mixed in with Jimin’s things - Jimin probably stole it for comfort last time he was sick, or Taehyung went home to Daegu without him. Then he pulls Jimin’s covers back and slips into bed.
Jimin changes into pyjama bottoms, leaving his chest bare, and then leaps onto the bed, landing on all fours. Taehyung groans from beneath the covers at the disturbance. He’s probably waiting for Jimin to crawl under the covers with him for cuddles, which of course Jimin plans on. But not until they’ve had some fun first.
Jimin’s room is between Jungkook’s and Hoseok’s. The three had been assigned the bottom floor of the apartment with the idea that they were “the loud group” and the rest of them could have peace and quiet upstairs. Jimin doesn’t know the kind of puppy dog eye bullshit Taehyung must have managed to convince the Hyungdeul he belonged in this category, rather than Hoseok - who’s idea of a good time is a bimonthly reorganising of his wardrobe. But to this day he finds it honestly hilarious because, have they met Taehyung?
He definitely goes through periods of reservedness. But when he’s up, he’s up. Late night grooving to jazz music, experimental practice of multiple brass instruments, dramatic reconstructions of just about anything, shouting at online teammates in his violent video games… It’s chaotic.
But today is one of the lower days. And Jimin is determined to turn it around.
He throws his head back and all but screams, “Harder Taehyungie!”
Taehyung’s head pokes out from beneath the covers and looks at Jimin with bemusement. In return, Jimin beams wide and waggles his eyebrows as he bounces up and down on his knees. The springs of the bed creak loudly and the headboard hits the wall his room shares with Jungkook’s.
There’s an audible “Huh?” from Jungkook’s room. The maknae perhaps misunderstanding the bang as a sound meant to get his attention. In a way, he’s right.
Taehyung fights back a smile at this and Jimin begins to feel the delight of success. He bounces again, yelling about how he loves it when Taehyung licks his nipples and spanks his ass.
Taehyung actually giggles at this, and claps his hands together loudly in imitation of a spank to bare ass cheeks. Jimin moans obscenely in response, rolling his eyes back in his head purely to make Taehyung smile even harder.
“Jimin-ah,” he finally joins in, “I need you to be a very good boy for me before I lick your nipples. Can you do that?”
Jimin pitches his voice about three times higher than usual, “Yes Hyungie,” he says, shoving his hand into his mouth so he doesn’t giggle at the ridiculousness of it all and ruin the game too soon.
In response, Taehyung pitches his voice low. “Suck on Hyung’s toes and I’ll reward you in kind,” he rumbles.
“What the everloving fuck?” they hear Jungkook call from the other room.
The two cackle silently at one another, falling together and bumping foreheads. They really lose it though when there’s the creaking sound of Hoseok opening his door and then a semi-frantic suggestion to Jungkook that they go for a swim.
“Hyung, it’s midnight and 18 degrees out. Let’s just tell them to shut up,” Jungkook replies, a sulking pout clear in his voice.
Jimin falls down onto the mattress and writhes around with the hilarity of it all, whilst Taehyung jumps up and starts stomping around the room.
“You can’t suck them, if you can’t catch me,” he cries.
Jimin can’t even answer, just throws his head back and laughs so hard tears stream down his face and he’s clutching at his aching tummy. His throat burns with the effort of holding the noise in, but the matching look of mirth on Taehyung’s face makes it worth it.
“Maybe if we call Namjoon?” Hoseok offers.
“What’s Rapmon-hyung going to do about it that you can’t?” comes Jungkook’s confused reply.
Taehyung holds his finger to his lips to shush Jimin through his own stuttered breath from holding in giggles, and theatrically creeps towards the door. He cups his ear against it to listen, and Jimin rushes over to join him.
“He’s the leader,” Hoseok reasons weakly.
“Yeah but you're scarier!”
Taehyung quickly turns his head and cups his mouth to yell back into the room, “Faster Jimin, like a gazelle!” It makes Jimin collapse onto the floor, banging his tear-streaked face against the carpet.
“Not right now, I’m not!” Hoseok cries, sounding slightly hysterical. “I might seem edgy and easygoing, but I can’t face kink like this, Jungkook-ah. I wasn’t made for it!”
“Well I’m not going in there!” Jungkook argues, his own voice rising. “They’ll just keep going or something.”
“Give it to me!!!!” Jimin screams into the carpet.
“Seriously, let’s go get Namjoon!” Hoseok begs.
Taehyung suddenly bangs on the door, “Keep it down out there. Some of us are trying to make love!”
Jimin jerks his head up from the floor and waits, wondering what will happen next. Surely Hoseokie Hyung won’t let Taehyung get away with that.
“Now look here!” comes the voice of Captain Jung, “You two are causing a scene.”
Jimin pushes himself up off the floor, and ruffles his hair so it’s a complete mess. His face is already rosy red (probably with carpet inprint too) and is covered in tear tracks, so he definitely looks the part of someone who was recently having their world rocked. He gently moves Taehyung out the way, and cracks the door open so he can just about stick his head out.
“Sorry Hyung,” he says, putting his best puppy dog eyes on and talking through pout, “We didn’t realise you two would be able to hear.”
He sees Hoseok visibly melt and thanks the gods for his perpetual baby face, and his old roommate’s weakness for him.
“That’s okay Jimin-ah,” he says gently, “Just keep it in mind for next time.”
Behind him, Jungkook lets his mouth hang open in outrage, looking between Jimin and Hoseok. “But!” he goes to interject, but Jimin beats him to it.
“Okay, Hyungie,” he simpers, “Sorry again.” And then he shuts the door with a click, twisting around and sliding down the door in one smooth movement. He brings his hands to cover his gasping mouth, and stares at Taehyung. They share an elated look of, “I can’t believe we got away with that.”
And Taehyung’s eyes are sparkling. It makes Jimin feel a deep seated contentment.
Mission Accomplished, he thinks.
The fourth time isn’t even their idea.
They’re at a party organised by an industry friend. It’s exclusive enough that they don’t need to worry too much about their image - they can have fun. But they have an agreement as a group not to do anything too wild anyway. For the greater good. Alcohol was a given, weed was okay, hard drugs were absolutely off limits. PDA with lovers of the moment was allowed, but any acts that would typically only happen in a bedroom, should remain as such.
Taehyung is full of energy but Jimin’s social mask is slowly starting to wane. They’ve been there for three hours now and his cheeks hurt from smiling too wide at acquaintances' stories. Namjoon and Hoseok are here too, somewhere. Namjoon is probably out with the smokers having a deep and philosophical conversation (as he tends to do after a few beers), whilst Hoseok is likely on the dance floor. Jungkook had said he was going to come too, to keep Jimin company whilst Taehyung did his social butterfly thing, but he had pulled out at the last second.
Earlier when Jimin had gone to nudge him into getting ready, he’d whined from his place in front of his computer, working on a melody, swatting Jimin’s hands away. Jimin knew better than to try and force him away when he was hyper focused on something, so he’d simply pinched his cheek and told him to remember to eat.
Now he was faced with the choice of asking Taehyung if they can leave early, or downing a few shots and letting drunk Jimin handle the social pressure. He wouldn’t usually have a problem asking Taehyung - he’s understanding and would leave straight away at one word of discomfort from Jimin. But they’ve all been so stressed lately, and Jimin knows that these sorts of events are what helps Taehyung bolster his mental health for when they have to go for long periods without seeing anyone during promotions or tours.
So he chooses the shots.
Which ultimately eventually leads them to sitting on the bathroom floor with a giggly girl that Jimin knows he’s meant to know, but can’t for the life of him remember from where.
They’ve locked themselves in, sharing swigs from a wine bottle as she regalls them with a long winded story about the girl she’s in unrequited love with. Taehyung then gives her heartfelt advice and she hangs on every word. Jimin is mostly listening, resting his head on the edge of the tub and staring at Taehyung adoringly.
Taehyung’s nose is so pretty. A gentle slope, with a strong presence. When they were younger it seemed too big for his face, but now he’s grown into it, it’s one of his best features. Not that Jimin could choose if you asked him too. Tae’s lips were another favourite. But his hair was particularly eye-catching at the moment too, gently permed and healthy - it looks fluffy. Jimin wants to run his fingers through it.
“What do you think, Chim?” Taehyung and the girl are looking at him imploringly.
“Oh, uh…” he flounders.
Taehyung grins at him, wide and toothily. “Daydreaming?” he asks with a head tilt.
There was no lying to his Taehyungie. “Yeah,” he laughs sheepishly, “Sorry.”
Taehyung shakes his head, fluffy hair bouncing attractively. He looks fond. It’s a look that Jimin often directs Taehyung’s way, but it makes him feel warm when he sees it reflected back at him on his soulmate’s face.
“Hyejinnie thinks that we should do the fake sex thing here.”
He widens his eyes. How does “Hyejinnie” even know about the fake sex thing? He thinks. And just how long had he actually been mentally checked out of the conversation?
“Why?” he asks.
“Because Namjoon told me not to make a scene before we left,” Taehyung grins. He’d probably noticed how the last week or so Taehyung had been barely managing to contain his excess energy - making impulsive decisions that never actually impeded on their schedules, but it had come close a few times.
Poor, naive, Namjoon Hyung. Does he not know Taehyung better than that? For him, when he was like this, a warning was like a challenge.
“Besides, they’ll drag us home after. Don’t you want to go home, Jiminie?”
He really, really does. And of course Taehyung knows him well enough to know without him saying.
There’s a pause where he briefly considers his options, eventually deciding he doesn’t have a good reason not to. “Are we having a threesome?” he asks, looking at Hyejin.
Taehyung claps happily as Hyejin nods rapidly, pieces of her shiny, black hair falling out of her loose bun, “I want to make Wheein jelly babies.”
According to the timer on Taehyung’s phone, it takes Namjoon 6 minutes and 13 seconds to bang on the bathroom door, loud nervous chuck audible from the other side, “Come on now, other people need the bathroom too,” he says, obviously projecting his voice around the room.
“You little fuckers get out here right now,” he follows up, in a hiss. Jimin covers his mouth, throat straining with the effort not to giggle. For some reason he always finds Namjoon hilarious when he’s angry. Between his large stature and deep voice, he should be scary perhaps. But to him, Namjoon always seems like an overgrown puppy, limbs clumsily too big for him, barking big to seem tough.
It’s Hoseok you want to avoid in a pickle. But Hoseok would be too high to care about public acts of indecency right now.
“But we didn’t get to finish,” Taehyung whines back, “Jiminie was about to-”
“I will buy you pudding from the cafeteria all week if you stop talking right now.”
See, their soft hearted leader had already switched to bargaining. Tame.
“Choco Loco Crunch?” Taehyung asks.
Jimin can imagine the twitch of Namjoon’s eye perfectly in the beat of silence. “Of course,” he grits.
“ And you’ll let Jiminie go first for recording on Monday?”
Jimin lets out a silent woop, pumping his fists and blowing Taehyung a kiss. His soulmate winks at him.
There’s a long pause. Changing the recording order will be a lot more annoying than simply buying a dessert. Jimin hears Namjoon sigh loudly, “Jin Hyung is-” he begins.
“Oh yes! That’s the spot!” Taehyung moans exaggeratedly.
“Okay, okay,” Namjoon hisses, “Consider it done. Now put your clothes on and get out here right now, you horny pains in my ass. Sejin Hyung has our car outside waiting.”
“And what a magnificent ass it is, Hyung.”
The fifth time they didn’t even do anything to warrant the accusations.
They simply come out of Taehyung’s bedroom together one morning, sleepy eyed and hair-tousled, and the other members make their own assumptions.
They pass Jungkook in the hallway and he makes an obscene gesture at them, jerking his closed fist beside his face, poking his tongue into the side of his other cheek and raising his eyebrows. “Haengnim-deul,” he says in satoori.
“Ma!” Taehyung exclaims, falling into dialect as well, as he lunges towards Jungkook with a raised fist and the empty threat of an attack.
“Come on,” Jimin sighs, rolling his eyes as he loops his arm around Taehyung’s waist and pulls him away from the giggling maknae. But as soon as they enter the kitchen they’re met with more misunderstanding.
“I hope you two didn’t go too hard last night,” Hoseok says sternly from his perch by the coffee machine. He has an iced americano in one hand and barely glances up from his phone, held in the other. He’s watching their practice from yesterday, no doubt.
Before they can say a word, he continues, “You’re still half a beat off in the second line of the bridge, Jimin. And Taehyung, your turns aren’t as tight as they could be in the chorus. It’s da-da-DA, turn AND bam, bam, flick! If you don’t finish the turn with your core tight, the rest looks sloppy too.” He says the last, waving his hands and stomping his feet on the railing of the kitchen stool, to demonstrate the moves.
“But if Jimin rearranged your guts, you’re going to be too sore to really clench,” he says, then turning suddenly in his chair to face the fridge and muttering to himself, “Maybe if we put some ointment in the freezer…”
“Hyung,” Taehyung begins.
Jimin can tell he’s about to correct Hoseok, but now is not the time. Their hyung’s brain is 100% performance right now. Anything else won’t process correctly, and only serve to annoy him before practice. So he jumps in before Taehyung inadvertently makes a gruelling day even tougher.
“We took it easy. No need for ointment,” he blurts, giving Taehyung a meaningful look. His soulmate frowns, but allows the interception.
Hoseok sighs, loud and relieved, “Good, good.” He leans forward, picking up a pen and crossing an item off a list that sits on the kitchen counter.
Taehyung leans forward, “vmin sex talk,” he reads aloud from the paper.
Hoseok nods distractedly, attention already focused back on his phone screen. “I meant to find you last night, but time got away with me,” he says, waving a hand distractedly.
“What else is on here, Hyung?” Taehyung asks bemusedly. “Studio deep clean. Namkook buttons.” he reads, “Yoongi little teapot?? Hyung, what?”
Hoseok doesn’t even respond verbally this time, he just hums noncommittally.
Jimin grabs Taehyung’s hand, pulling him away downstairs to the lounge. “Come on, Hyung isn’t on planet earth right now.”
“Does Yoongi Hyung even drink tea?” Taehyung asks in confusion, letting himself be dragged.
“I think it’s about the choreography, you know the part after the first chorus where we transition with the-” Jimin stops on the stairs to demonstrate the move he means, as Taehyhung watches thoughtfully.
“Ohhh a little teapot,” says Taehyung, putting one hand on his hip and the other brought up as the spout, miming tipping over. He nearly stumbles down the steps, but Jimin reaches out to steady him and they giggle together as they make their way down the rest.
“Yeah so… Hyung must be putting too much emphasis on the lean or something,” says Jimin, testing the move out himself and deciding it was possible. He’s glad that Hoseok caught it now that he considers it. They’d all monitored the performance yesterday, he doesn’t know how we missed it himself. He’ll have to watch it again later to check for it.
When Jimin pulls himself from the thought he sees Taehyung nodding to himself, obviously thinking over something. He reaches out for his hand, and squeezes it as they walk towards the lounge room.
“Hyung would make a cute little teapot though,” Taehyung says eventually.
The image of his strained little half smile and crinkled closed eyes on a tea set springs to Jimin’s mind.
Adorable
“Oh absolutely agreed,” he enthuses seriously, tugging Taehyung down onto the sofa and dropping his legs into his lap. “I suggest we buy him a costume for his birthday, he’ll love it.”
“Genius. Motion seconded,” nods Taehyung, raising his hand.
Jimin quickly raises his own too. “That makes a majority,” he says, pointing between them both, “Unless we want to split the cost more?”
“I suggest Namjoon Hyung,” says Taehyung. “He’ll pretend it’s a stupid idea, but I see the way he keeps those photos of Hyung dressed up as Chimmy and RJ on his pinboard. No way is he passing up this opportunity!”
“Excellent observation, Taehyungie. We’ll corner him after the performance when he’s tired and his defences are lowest.”
Taehyung sits up straight and salutes him, making Jimin grin widely and salute him back. They sit contently for a while, quietly revelling in their plans, until Jimin remembers what he’d brought Taehyung away to the lounge room for.
“Anyway,” he says, patting Taehyung on the knee, “Sorry about before, but we needed to avoid a Hoseokie Hyung mental overload. Dance Captain brain, you know?”
Taehyung’s eyes widen in realisation and he slumps down in the chair, smacking his forehead, “I’m so dumb,” he whines, “I nearly sabotaged the whole day.”
Jimin giggles, twisting in his seat so he can rest his head on Taehyung's shoulder and look up at him, “Good job you have me.”
Taehyung looks down at him, a lopsided smile slowly blooming on his face. “Yeah,” he breathes.
When they finally come clean, it’s not only the other members that are in for a surprise.
They’re sitting around in the lounge at the dorms. For once, all seven of them are squished onto the couches watching a movie together. It’s an irregular occurrence, but Jin had managed to get an advance copy of the latest Marvel movie from a friend of an older male gentleman caller .
Before the movie, Yoongi and Jungkook manage between them to give everyone (Hoseok) a full rundown on what has occurred in the universe until then, and the importance of several characters and anticipated moments.
The movie is fun. Taehyung isn’t the biggest Marvel fan, but they’d decided beforehand that they’d use the opportunity to come clean. Besides, cuddling up between Jimin and Hoseok is one of his favourite activities - no matter the circumstances.
When the post-credits scene has finally played, and the screen turns black, Jimin stands and clears his throat meaningfully. Taehyung hops up beside him, hands folded in front of him like a prim teacher about to give a lecture, or scolding.
“We’ve gathered you here today,” Taehyung begins.
“No you didn’t,” Jin points out.
Namjoon sighs loudly, “Hyung, just let them do the thing, it’s quicker that way..”
“No, Hyung is right,” Jungkook pouts, “Iron Man brought us here.”
“Iron Man wasn’t even in this movie Kook-ah,” Yoongi replies.
“His spirit remains,” the maknae mutters, crossing his arms and pouting.
“Anyway,” Jimin says, “We have something to tell you.”
“If you’re getting married in the Vegas drive-thru, you need to make sure you take at least two forms of ID and have filled in the marriage form in English before you arrive,” says Yoongi.
“I shotgun best man!” Hoseok calls.
Jin gasps dramatically, “I’m the Hyung, I’m obviously best man.”
“If we want to get into it, I technically raised them,” Namjoon offers.
“Then you can give them away,” Jin retorts, “But I’ve already decided my outfit in my head, so it can’t be undone.”
Jimin looks at Taehyung, but he’s no help because he’s whipped his phone out and seems to be reading an article on drive-thru weddings.
“Purple velvet, if anyone is wondering,” Jin continues.
“Hyungdeul, Kook-ah, we’re not getting married,” Jimin says.
Everyone’s face drops at the same time.
“We just wanted to- Taehyung?” he elbows his friend lightly in the ribs, pulling his attention back to the room.
“What Jimin said,” he says, nodding around at them all.
Jimin sighs. Well here goes nothing.
“We wanted to tell you all that we’re not in a sexual relationship.”
There’s a short silence. Namjoon frowns down at his hands, pulling his trademark thinking face. Whilst Jin and Jungkook look at each other in confusion. Yoongi blinks slowly.
“Is it April?” Hoseok asks. “You’re punking us? Ashton Kutcher is upstairs?”
Jimin shakes his head, and Taehyung grabs his hand, squeezing it comfortingly.
“No, we’re not kidding,” he confirms. “Jiminie and I might be soulmates and boyfriends, but we’re not having sex.”
“Yea- Huh?” Jimin says, turning to Taehyung with his mouth agape.
“What?” Taehyung whispers to him, cupping his hand to one side of his mouth as if that means the others can’t hear him.
Jimin sighs and follows suit, “You said we’re boyfriends?” he whispers back.
“Yeah…” Taehyung says. “Three years in September.”
Jimin looks at him flabbergasted.
“New Zealand. The day in the snow,” Taehyung clarifies, laughing nervously and then looking at the others. “Technical difficulties, we’ll be right back, folks.”
“I thought…” Jimin trailed off.
“We cuddle every night. You kiss my cheeks goodbye every time I leave the room. I’ve told you all my darkest secrets. We exchanged rings in Paris,” he says, pulling Jimin’s hand up in front of his face and displaying his own beside it. Two matching Cartier rings glimmer back at him.
“You wrote him a love song about being Soulmates,” Namjoon contributes.
“You literally made us attend a birthday party for Tannie wearing matching t-shirts with a picture of the three of you and the words ‘our baby’ surrounded by hearts,” says Yoongi. “You’re telling me I did that and you’re not even dating?”
“We are dating!” Taehyung insists, then looks at Jimin, “We are, right?”
Jimin blinks back at his best friend’s sincere face, “I didn’t know,” he whispers. “But, I want to. I thought you didn’t see me like that.”
Taehyung frowns down at their joined hands, processing.
Hoseok is the first to stand up. “Uhh, let’s give them some space guys.”
“Just to be clear,” Jungkook says, looking up at Hoseok and pointing at vmin with his thumb, “They’re saying that what we heard the other week, wasn’t loud kinky sex?”
Hoseok looks dumbstruck, as if he himself hadn’t remembered. “I think I literally removed that from my brain due to trauma. But you have a point, that’s confusing.”
“We were pranking you,” Jimin says. “I’m Asexual. I don’t feel sexual attraction and I don’t want to have sex.”
“Ever?” Namjoon asks, the question seeming to blurt itself out of his mouth without permission from his brain. He goes bright red when he realises.
Jimin rolls his eyes, “Ever,” he confirms. “And Taehyungie…”
Taehyung looks up from where he was still looking at their hands, “I’m Demi-Sexual,” he says plainly, “It’s on the ace spectrum. But basically I only feel sexual attraction towards someone once I have a strong emotional connection with them."
The members nod quietly. Neither Jimin nor Taehyung say anything else.
“That’s cool,” Yoongi says eventually.
“Yeah,” agrees Jin. “I mean, kind of weird that you had an elaborate ruse where you faked sex scenes instead of just telling us.”
“No no,” Jungkook interjects, “I can see how that would be fun.”
Jimin can’t help but smile at him.
Namjoon slaps his thighs, standing up like he does when he’s feeling awkward and wants to leave a situation but doesn’t know how to do it politely. “So, uh, that’s settled then. Anyone up for ramyeon?”
“Yes!” Jungkook cries, jumping up excitedly. “Will seven servings be enough? Or should I do ten?”
They all turn to look at Jimin and Taehyung. They’re still holding hands, but neither is looking at the other. Jimin doesn’t know what would happen if he did. Would he cry or laugh? He’s pretty sure his heart is currently deconstructing and rearranging in his chest to accommodate the new emotions.
“We’ll be up in a minute,” he says.
Seokjin moves forward and wraps an arm around them each in a tight hug, whispering, “Thank you for sharing with us.”
Then he lets them go and leads the rest of them upstairs. Last in line, Hoseok gives them both a reassuring thumbs up as he goes.
“Taehyungie?” Jimin whispers, when they’re all gone.
“Hm?” says Taehyung, looking over at Jimin with a sweet look on his face - part anxious, part hope.
“I’m sorry I missed knowing about the beginning of our relationship. But I promise to live every moment of it going forward as mindfully and enthusiastically as physically possible. If… you’ll still have me?”
Taehyung finally cracks a smile, small and vulnerable as it is. “Of course I’ll still have you,” he says. “I’m just processing the fact that I rented a bouncy castle for your last birthday that said VMIN FOREVER on it and you didn’t figure it out.”
Jimin blushes hard. “When you say it like that,” he whines.
Taehyung giggles softly, squeezing Jimin’s hand. “Hey Jimin-ah, I love you.”
A stray tear makes it’s way down Jimin’s face as he launches himself into his soulmate’s arms. “I love you too,” he says into his neck.
It’s not the first time they’ve said it, and it definitely won’t be the last. But Jimin will remember it for the rest of his life.