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Chapter Text

When Jungkook walks into the apartment, he sniffs the air and catches a burnt smell. He takes off his shoes, hangs his coat, and hears "Boogie Wonderland" blasting from the kitchen. This isn't Yoonji's style—she doesn't cook or listen to this music. As he steps into the kitchen, the burnt smell intensifies. Then, he shifts his gaze to the table, where an unfamiliar guy is sitting. What the fuck?

"Who are you?”

The guy looks up and puts a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. The guy shutting him up in his own apartment? Is he serious? He looks like a weirdo. Hair all messy, a pencil behind his ear, another one in his hand. He scribbles something on a piece of paper, then stops to sing along to the song, and resumes scribbling. God, what an odd dude. It's a shame he's so good-looking.

"Who are you?" Jungkook asks louder.

The guy looks up. "Huh?"

"Who are you?!" Jungkook raises his voice over the music. It’s not like he wanted to raise his voice at all; it’s just… the music. 

"Taehyung."

Seriously? Taehyung. Okay. And?

Jungkook feels a touch on his shoulder. He catches a whiff of a familiar perfume. It’s Yoonji.

“Baby, don't mind him. It's my crazy older brother. He just arrived from Germany today, and he's still looking for a place to stay.”

Jungkook sighs in relief. So, he's not some weirdo who broke into their home to rob and kill them. Then it’s totally fine. 

"And what's that burnt smell?" he asks.

"Oh, that's coffee. I made some. Help yourself if you want," Taehyung replies without looking up from his writing.

"Very kind of you, Taehyung," Jungkook replies, looking at the spilled coffee from the moka pot. He glances back at Taehyung. He's busy writing, sticking his tongue out in concentration, then lifts the paper with a smile.

Oddly, Jungkook doesn't feel annoyed with this guy anymore, even though he's created a mess in their kitchen. The music keeps playing, switching from "Boogie Wonderland" to "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Yoonji sighs loudly, and takes Jungkook's elbow, leading him into the living room.

"Sorry, Kookie. I had no idea he was even coming. He's always... unpredictable."

"I didn't know you had a brother.”

"Sorry, he's just... Weird. We don't really connect. I love him, but... It's just really hard for me with him."

"He looks funny."

"No, he's not funny. He's batshit crazy, Jungkook. Stay away from him.”

Call him insane, but Jungkook wants to know Taehyung better. He does look kinda funny. After learning that Taehyung isn't some random guy who barged into their home, Jungkook feels both relieved and genuinely interested. He's never met someone quite like him. All of his current circle are business sharks in white pressed shirts and suits. 

Ignoring Yoonji's comment, Jungkook goes back to the kitchen. Taehyung is at the counter, pouring more coffee and doing a cute little dance.

"Taehyung, turn down the music. It's too loud," Yoonji says from somewhere behind him.

"Yoonji, 𝑚𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑒𝑏𝑒, you know I can only focus with the music. I have almost solved the problem!”

"What problem are you working on?" ask Jungkook. 

"The P versus NP complexity classes." Taehyung shrugs, heading back to the table.

"I have no idea what that is, but it sounds cool," Jungkook remarks.

"Really?" Taehyung smiles, a beautiful smile. Jungkook finds himself thinking that he wants to see that smile more often. Weird.

"It's one of the central open problems in algorithm theory, an unsolved problem in mathematics."

“Seriously?”

“Yeah."

Yoonji sighs again. The last thing she needs is for Taehyung to drag Jungkook into something.

“Kookie, let's go grab something to eat?"

Jungkook feels his stomach growl.  "Yeah, sure. Taehyung, you coming?”

Yoonji sighs once more, rolling her eyes. But Taehyung just shooks his head, focused on his math problem. 

Yoonji sighs again, this time of relief.

***

Jungkook kinda enjoys having Taehyung around, bringing a bit of chaos into their too-perfect life. Taehyung tries to clean up the mess he makes - picking up papers (though sometimes they slip from his hands, and Jungkook finds a few scattered sheets on the floor).

Taehyung washes the coffee mugs (apparently, coffee is his main source of sustenance). If a thought strikes him, he might write something with a dry-erase marker on glass surfaces, but he almost always erases it afterward (unless he forgets, and Jungkook doesn't really mind). When Jungkook comes home, he often finds Taehyung lost in thought. He sits and watches because Taehyung can go a while without noticing him, but then he looks up and gives that bright boxy smile.

Jungkook likes it. He really wants to be friends with Taehyung.

Today, he sits next to him, peeking at Taehyung's notes. He doesn't understand a thing, but it's still interesting to watch. The music is blasting again, this time it’s Mr. Blue Sky by Electic Light Orchestra. 

There are two coffee mugs in front of Taehyung—one full, the other half-full.

"Do you really like coffee that much?" Jungkook asks.

Taehyung shrugs, not even surprised Jungkook joined him.

"Nah, I hate coffee. But my brain works better when I drink it.”

Taehyung keeps surprising him. But that’s exactly why Jungkook likes him.

Another cute habit of Taehyung that Jungkook noticed is that he sometimes talks to himself. Yoonji said it looks like he's talking to angel, he’s like that since they were children. Adorable .

"Wanna grab something to eat, Tae?”

Taehyung looks up at him again, resembling an owl. Why does Jungkook find everything he does cute? He’s a grown ass man.

"Tae? Can't remember the last time someone called me that."

"What do they usually call you?”

"Taehyung, Kim, crazy, Professor Kim, weirdo, Taehyungie - that's what my mom calls me. Oh, and asshole.”

Jungkook frowns. He's called Taehyung “weird” in his own head a couple of times, but it turns out Taehyung just lives in his own world. He's doing what he loves.

But being called "crazy" or "weird" constantly... it's sad. Now he feels guilty because of his previous thoughts.

"I can cook something if you want to eat," Taehyung offers.

Again, it’s so kind of him. But the last time Taehyung tried to cook for him, he burned a toast. And a toaster. Almost burnt himself. 

"Thanks, Tae, but I'm in the mood for some Italian food today. There's a place nearby. Wanna join me?"

Taehyung pondered for a moment, looking up, then nodded.

"Yeah, let's go, why not. Just give me a minute to fix my hair, and I'm ready.”

***

As it turns out, when Taehyung says he needs to "fix his hair," it simply means he tames a few unruly strands and shifts the pencil from one ear to the other.

They eat at the restaurant, and Jungkook notices how cutely Taehyung pouts as he eats. Taehyung tells him about his work, research, and how he wants to solve all the unsolvable math problems. Just for fun. 

Sometimes he grabs a napkin and writes down some thoughts, but then he returns to the conversation with Jungkook. He is used to it by now, so he doesn't pay attention to how quickly Taehyung shifts his attention. He really enjoys watching him do what he loves to do. And what Yoonji said? That's just not true. Taehyung isn't batshit crazy, he just lives in his own world and does what he loves. People have different hobbies like dancing, drawing, clubbing, drinking? Name it. Taehyung’s hobby is to solve unsolvable math problems. What’s the problem? Jungkook sees no problem at all. 

Sure, Yoonji knows her brother better, but he seems harmless, except for the little chaos he brings. 

Jungkook tries to bring up the topic with Yoonji, but she avoids it, hugging Jungkook, then biting and kissing his neck. Jungkook hesitates, not feeling that he’s ready for anything today. But he strokes her sides, then kisses her, seating Yoonji on his lap. They didn’t have time for sex lately, both being busy with their work. 

Then they hear a slam from the front door. Yoonji doesn't break the kiss, but Jungkook gently pushes her back by the shoulders. 

Taehyung stands in the middle of the living room and just stares at them. Jungkook stares back at him.

"Don't mind me. I have a purely scientific interest in you."

Jungkook chuckles softly, resting his head on Yoonji's shoulder. 

He feels Yoonji getting annoyed and strokes her sides.

"Tae, can you make me some coffee?" Jungkook asks.

Taehyung nods, then looks at Yoonji.

“Yoonji, 𝑚𝑒𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙, lovemaking isn't done with such a sour face."

Jungkook laughs, this time not so quietly. 

***

Jungkook generally likes his job, but most of the time, it's pretty boring – paperwork, meetings with fake-friendly people, quarterly reports. But he can't complain, he makes good money. Plus, his company's partners often set up meetings in fancy restaurants, so he gets to enjoy good food while talking business.

Right now, he's stuck filling out more paperwork when he'd rather be at the gym because his backside is feeling the effects of too much sitting. But then there's a knock on the door. His secretary Yujin walks in.

"Mr. Jeon, someone is here to see you. They request a personal meeting right away.”

Jungkook looks surprised. He doesn't have any appointments today. But feeling a bit bored, he says, "Bring them in. Thanks, Yujin."

And then he spots a messy head in the doorway.

"Hey, Tae. What are you doing here?” Jungkook asks.

Taehyung walks fully into the room and lets Yujin through, letting her walk out. He then closes the door behind her. Turning, he looks at Jungkook, takes out his notepad, and starts writing something.

Jungkook watches him with a questioning look. He notices that Taehyung isn’t paying attention to him and clears his throat. Taehyung lifts his head again and looks at Jungkook.

"I had this thought that if I want to solve the equation, I need to see you," Taehyung says.

And Jungkook smiles. He smiles and feels a warmth in his chest. An idea crosses his mind.

"Do you want to go to the conference room with me? It's free for the next hour, and I have," he checks his watch, "a break. It's soundproof, and you can play any music you want. It'll help you focus on the equation.” 

Taehyung looks at him very surprised. He has a highly expressive face, and it's so attractive. Jungkook thinks again about how beautiful he is. Then Taehyung smiles so warmly. Jungkook has never seen him smile like that.

"Yes, sure. I'd be very happy to. Thank you, Jungkook.”

***

Jungkook begins to notice that he's having issues when sex with Yoonji becomes more of a chore than something he wants to engage in. He thinks that perhaps he's just too exhausted from work. But work has been as usual. Maybe they need to add some spark to their relationship?

In reality, he wasn't in love with Yoonji. Jungkook is not someone who easily falls in love, so it's not news to him that he's not in love. But he likes her, and that's enough, isn't it? She is his girlfriend, and he genuinely likes her.

She was beautiful, intelligent, and successful. There is nothing unusual in their sex life, and it’s okay for him. But what is happening now?

Yoonji seemingly notices that something is off. She moans louder, puts in more effort, but... Yes. Jungkook has issues.

Then Jungkook hears AC/DC - Shook Me All Night Long blasting from behind the door and shifts his attention to the music. It wasn’t intentional, it just… happened.

Yoonji sees it and stops riding him. She gets off Jungkook, grabs her robe, and walks out the door.

"Taehyung, what the fuck? I asked you not to play music this loud, is it that difficult?"

Taehyung looks like he just woke up— he looks like a sparrow. Maybe he really was asleep. Or trying to sleep.

"Sorry, sis. I didn't mean to play it so loud, I just didn't have time to make it quieter. I turned it on because you were moaning so loud that it woke me up. You know I can't listen to music with headphones.

But Yoonji, it seems, is already close to having a breakdown.

"Taehyung, why the fuck haven't you found an apartment yet? I let you to stay here, but you've been living here for three weeks already."

Taehyung looked at his sister with surprise.

"Yoonji, we're in Seoul, and you know how hard it is to find an apartment here. I don't understand what the problem is. I've never refused to help you when you needed it." 

"Maybe I didn't need your help. I needed my older brother to be there for me!”

Jungkook wants to approach her, but Yoonji puts her hand out, stopping him.

"Yoonji..." Taehyung starts.

"I needed an older brother who would talk to me and support me. And you weren't there. Your equations and experiments were more important to you than me!”

Jungkook understands that he shouldn't interfere in this. It's something that has been bothering both Yoonji and Taehyung for a long time, and now they can talk about it.

"Yoonji, my work has never been more important to me than you. I just... Yoonji, I'm really bad at understanding people's emotions. I'm trying, you see. But I've always been better at equations than communicating with people. Forgive me for not being there when you needed me.”

Yoonji looks at him, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I love you, Yoonji.” 

And Yoonji starts crying loudly.

She can't hold back because she finally heard what she wanted to hear from her older brother, who, instead of playing with her when she was a child, was solving equations and problems. He always helped her, tried to talk to her, but for her, a little child lacking attention from her parents and brother, it wasn't enough. And now her brother finally said that studies and work was never more important.

Jungkook gestures for Taehyung to come over and hug Yoonji.

Taehyung hesitates for a moment, then bites his lip, and walks over to his sister, hugging her tightly. He strokes her head and, working up the courage, kisses the top of her head.

Yoonji hugs him back, crying even harder. Jungkook smiles, approaches them, and hugs Yoonji from the other side, placing his hands on Taehyung's waist. 

Taehyung smiles back at him.

***

After they talked, things got better at home. Yoonji may still get annoyed by Taehyung's loud music or the fact that he wrote on all her Christmas napkins, but now she scolds him without real anger. Jungkook might even say she likes having her brother around. Jungkook also likes it when Taehyung is around. They spend more and more time together, watching movies in the living room (during which Taehyung sits on the floor and endlessly writes something in his notebook, but still manages to catch the plot of the movies), listening to music together (they even exchanged their Spotify profiles). Jungkook even decided to get back into mathematics, and Taehyung gladly works as his tutor.

In return, Jungkook cooks him dishes like makguksu and other various recipes he finds on his favorite YouTube or TikTok channels. 

Sometimes, when their schedules align, the three of them spend time together. Like right now. They decide to watch Ghostbusters. 

Jungkook makes popcorn, and Taehyung brings drinks. Yoonji brings two large blankets, giving one to Taehyung and using the other to cover Jungkook and herself.

For the first part of the movie, Jungkook paints Yoonji's nails while sitting on the floor wrapped in the blanket, and then Yoonji hugs him, rubbing her cheek against Jungkook’s cheek. 

Taehyung is completely in a world of his own today.

He sits on the floor on the other side of the coffee table, with his head low, writing in his notebook. He pays no attention to the movie, not even looking up at Jungkook and Yoonji. He hasn't even touched the drinks and popcorn.

While Yoonji watches the movie, resting her head on his shoulder, Jungkook watches Taehyung. After a while, Yoonji falls asleep and he covers her better with a blanket, making the TV volume lower. Jungkook continues to watch Taehyung, no longer paying attention to the movie.

“Tae?" he asks softly. 

Taehyung raises his head, looks at him, then at Yoonji, and then lowers his head again. 

“Tae, are you okay?”

Taehyung nods, then finally responds, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just struggling with a formula. And I want to sleep."

"You said you solve problems better when you look at me. Why aren't you looking at me today?”

Taehyung puts down the pencil, looks at Jungkook again, and then stands up, grabbing his things.

"I don't think it's appropriate today. I'll go to bed. Thanks for the evening.”

Jungkook watches in confusion as Taehyung leaves for his room. What happened? Taehyung’s like... not Taehyung today. Did he do something wrong?

Chapter Text

All week long, Jungkook hears sad music coming from Taehyung's room. The sad songs of Bonnie Tyler are followed by the sad songs of his favorites Earth, Wind, and Fire.

He sees him less and less often - Taehyung now works full-time at the university, in his spare time doing research and solving those unsolvable problems. Even Yoonji notices that something is wrong, even though she said that her brother can go days without eating or sleeping while working on something new or interesting to him.

Today, Jungkook decides to leave work early because he's been overworking lately and felt like the lines of documents were floating in front of his eyes. He brings Yoonji lunch because she, with her work schedule, doesn't have time to get out of the office and buy herself something to eat, and then he drives straight home.

When he’s finally home, he hears the music and smells coffee. Jungkook smiles, remembering his first encounter with Taehyung. Feels like it was a small eternity ago.

He walks into the kitchen and looks at Taehyung, who is watching coffee drip out of the moka pot over the top with “10cc - I'm Not In Love” playing in the background.

"Are you okay?" asks Jungkook, approaching him from behind. Taehyung slaps his hand on the counter in surprise, then looks at the spilling coffee with a conscious look and sets the moka pot away from the hot stove.

"Yeah. Uh-huh. I'm okay. Completely. I’m fine.”

He grabs a cup and pours coffee with trembling hands, spilling some on the countertop. Then he takes a paper napkin and wipes away the mess. Jungkook observes him and thinks that something definitely is off.

"Where's the pencil behind your ear?"

Taehyung stops, then shrugs and starts wiping the stove again.

“Don't know. Somewhere.”

Jungkook smiles, then takes his bag and pulls out a pencil. Taehyung tosses the paper napkin into the trash, takes his coffee, and turns to walk to the table, but Jungkook stops him by the elbow and then gently places his pencil behind Taehyung’s ear.

It's the first time he sees Taehyung blush. His beautiful face becomes even more beautiful with that blush on his cheeks.

"Thank you. A lot. Jungkook.” He says each word separately for some reason. Cute.

"I thought the pencil behind your ear makes you feel better. I don't know why."

Jungkook isn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Taehyung’s eyes glisten as if tears have started to gather in them.

"Did you know that a blink is a unit of time lasting approximately one-hundredth of a second?"

Jungkook blinks. Taehyung smiles, then turns away and walks back to the table, sitting down at it.

Jungkook leans on the counter and puts his hands in his pockets.

"Come on, tell me more scientific facts, science boy.” He smiles.

"I can give you books, and you can read them yourself. Maybe you'll become a science boy too.”

Taehyung sips his coffee and grimaces. Why is he drinking something he doesn't like? Speaking of which...

"Have you ever tried bubble tea?” Jungkook asks, approaching the table and peeking into Taehyung’s notes.

Amongst incomprehensible formulas, numbers, equations, and whatnot, he notices that Taehyung has been drawing doodles. Taehyung closes his notebook and looks at Jungkook.

"No, it never crossed my mind to try it. Who even names a drink 'bubble tea'? I only know ‘bubble' as a programming language."

Jungkook laughs and is about to raise his hand to run it through Taehyung’s hair but eventually stops his hand and puts it back in his pants pocket.

Maybe Taehyung would feel uncomfortable if he touched him—Jungkook isn't sure. He often touches his friends, hugs them, may even playfully bite them. But for some reason... For some reason, it doesn't work that way with Taehyung.

He feels that somehow this desire to touch is different from what he feels for Hoseok. Or Jin. Or Namjoon. Or anyone. He decides not to think about it so much.

"God, why am I not surprised? You're so predictable and unpredictable at the same time, Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung shrugs and stands up, putting his hands on his hips. "I prefer being unpredictable. So, I’ll agree to try bubble tea. Is that unpredictable enough for you?"

"Actually, very predictable. Who refuses to try bubble tea anyway?”

"I do. I refuse. That's how unpredictable I am. Agreed at first, now refusing."

Jungkook laughs even louder. He can't help it and hugs Taehyung, letting his emotions take over him.

Taehyung makes him smile or genuinely laugh so often that Jungkook felt like hugging him. Just a hug because of how sincerely Taehyung made him laugh.

He feels Taehyung freeze, barely even breathing. Is he that uncomfortable? Oh no, he's made a mistake. He thinks about letting Taehyung out of his embrace as he feels an awkward touch, and then he's hugged back.

Jungkook exhales contentedly, and then inhales to smell Taehyung's scent. Don't get it wrong - Jungkook is sensitive to smells, so he smells everything.

Taehyung’s perfume is subtle, smells clean and a little of sandalwood. Jungkook likes it.

“Humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body-odor similarity, which in turn may promote friendship.”

Taehyung’s voice is slightly muffled because he buried his face in Jungkook’s shoulder. Jungkook thinks about how… endearing Taehyung is.

"I didn't smell you."

"Yeah, sure.”

"Really."

"Yeah, uh-huh.”

***

On the way to get bubble tea, they listen to music and argue about whether the "Star Trek" reboot is good.

Then, they sing Blondie's songs together, even though it's more like shouting out individual words from a song, but they're having so much fun and laugh even louder when one of their voices cracks.

They spend some more time stuck in traffic, so Jungkook suggests playing Word chain.

"Tangerine."

"Epsilon."

"Nougat."

"Tetrahedron."

“Mistake.”

“Extremum.”

"God, playing Word chain with me is pointless. I don't even know if the words you're saying are real."

Taehyung laughs, and then, after hesitating a bit, pokes a smiling Jungkook on the shoulder.

"I'm just messing around. I know normal human words, but I wanted to see your reaction."

The rest of the way they play Word chain, but without the scientific terms anymore.

Taehyung orders strawberry bubble tea for himself, while Jungkook goes for matcha bubble tea. Taehyung likes the bubble tea, even though he says that logically it shouldn't be called bubble tea, but bubble soup.

After a second of thought, Jungkook agrees because he thinks it's logical too. And Taehyung is so cute that it's impossible to disagree with him.

Taehyung tastes Jungkook’s bubble tea and says it tastes like sea water with seaweed. Jungkook wants to ask why Taehyung knows what sea water with seaweed tastes like, but then he hands him his cup and Jungkook just thinks about the fact that Taehyung’s plump lips just touched his straw.

"How are you doing at work?" asks Jungkook, trying not to look at his lips and ignore the thoughts about them in his head.

Taehyung raises an eyebrow in surprise. Jungkook looks at him, slightly distracted by how the straw of Taehyung’s drink lightly brushes against his upper lip, pulling it up.

What the heck is wrong with him? He shouldn't have such thoughts about his girlfriend's brother. He has a girlfriend, darn it!

"Boring. Plus, there's not enough funding for scientific research almost everywhere now. I've been offered a position in the US, but I... I don't want to go there. So, I'll just sit here and wait for the really important stuff to get funded.”

Jungkook nods in response, then gets distracted by the notification sound on his phone. He takes his phone out of his pocket and sees a reminder in the calendar that he has a date with Yoonji in an hour. Darn, he completely forgot. What an idiot.

Noticing his change of expression, Taehyung asks, “Everything’s okay?"

Jungkook sends a message to Yoonji, explaining that their plans for today will have to be canceled.

He writes everything honestly, as it is.

~ Jeon Jungkook : 

"Remember how Tae seemed sad? I decided to take him out today, lift his spirits. Are you okay with that? He looks better now."

Then he puts his phone back in his pocket and smiles at Taehyung.

"Yeah, everything's fine."

But deep down, he thinks, no, nothing is fine. It feels like he's going crazy. He's feeling things he shouldn't, and he knows he has to talk to Yoonji because he doesn't want to be unfair with her.

But he also thinks about how he's not allowing himself anything inappropriate with Taehyung and that maybe it will pass soon. Jungkook doesn't like the idea of thinking about someone else while being in a relationship. He has always considered himself faithful.

But he had never felt what he feels for Taehyung. When he started dating Yoonji two years ago, he felt comfortable with her, he genuinely liked her.

They planned things together, had good sex, and even moved in together, deciding to take their relationship to the next level. Of course, they argued, quite often, in fact. But don't all couples have disagreements?

In two years, Jungkook never felt like he was in love with her, but he also didn't think he would ever truly fall in love. He thought it wasn't for him because in all his 27 years, he had never fallen in love.

And he realized that he just needed to find someone he felt comfortable with. Yoonji was that person.

And now he feels like everything he built over the years, the idea of his life that he built for years, is falling apart.

Because Kim Taehyung came into his life and showed him from day one that he was a fool to think he would never fall in love.

On the way back, Taehyung looks at him, and Jungkook feels his stare. He also feels like Taehyung wants to ask him something, but then Taehyung puts on Bee Gees - Tragedy and turns away to the window.

Jungkook mentally thanks him for that, because he's not ready to answer his questions until he knows all the answers himself.

***

Jungkook needs time to think. The usual routine of his life is falling apart. Everything is slipping out of his hands—he can’t work properly, and spending time with Yoonji knowing that he feels something for her brother is becoming impossible. So, he decides to keep it simple—he granted himself a two-week business trip to Spain. The perks of being his own boss. Don't get it wrong, it's not just a vacation. He's really going to address work matters with his Spanish business partners and, at the same time, figure things out with his feelings. He hopes.

He sends Yoonji and Taehyung a short message, informing them about his urgent business trip, and that he's flying out tonight. Yoonji is not surprised, as he often had business trips, especially when some of his partners preferred solving even simple issues in person rather than over video calls. Jungkook once again reflects on the convenient relationship he has with Yoonji. It's more business-oriented than romantic. He remembers how his business assistant, Seonghoon, sighs in disappointment every time he announces business trips because his girlfriend gets upset when he leaves. He calls his girlfriend during his free time, and every time they say goodbye, he tells her, "I love you." Jungkook is sure she says the same in return.

There's nothing like that between him and Yoonji. They rarely call each other and never say the word “love."

Now, Jungkook is sitting on the beach in Barcelona, eating a packaged toast with jamón and washing it down with beer. He sits and thinks that he found himself in a complicated situation he never thought he would be in. He always believed his life was too boring for this kind of thing. 

He looks at the waves, raises the bottle to his lips to take a sip of beer, and catches someone sitting next to him from the corner of his eye.

He turns and sees a guy—also Korean—who is brightly smiling at him, so wide that his eyes turn into two crescent moons.

"Hi," the guy says to him in English.

"Hi," Jungkook responds a bit suspiciously.

"I saw you sitting here alone, looking sad and drinking beer. Beer, not even wine! If you were drinking wine, I might have thought you’re heartbroken. Figured you could use some company or ears that can listen."

Jungkook smirks.

"How do you know I’m sad?"

"You're staring at the sea as if you hope it will solve all your problems."

Jungkook thinks that the guy's words make sense. He takes another sip of beer and shrugs.

"Found myself in a complicated situation."

The guy next to him settles more comfortably, crossing his legs.

"How complicated?"

"Fell in love with my girlfriend's brother.”

The guy next to him whistles. Then he sighs.

"Yeah, that's a tough one. But I get you. I fell for my scientific advisor. He's just a couple of years older, don't get any ideas. It's just that he's my scientific advisor. And he only thinks about science.I love science too, but he's like... Only about it, probably even jerks off on it. And I even switched to a different field of work for him. Can you imagine? What a fool I am.”

Jungkook whistles, too. It's interesting how both of them are sitting here, in love with people they shouldn't be in love with.

This guy makes him think about Taehyung. He wonders how Taehyung would get along with this guy.

He's been lucky to run into people who are connected to science lately.

He decides to say it out loud.

"Then we're both fools. You know, I actually think you would be friends with him.”

"With him? With the guy you're in love with?"

"Yeah. He's all about science, too. And he's weird too."

“Am I weird?” The guy asks, arching an eyebrow.

"You went up to a stranger and told the story of your forbidden love."

"It's not forbidden! It's just... Oh, shut up."

They laugh together.

"If your boyfriend is from Seoul, we can try to meet up. I'm flying back in two days."

Jungkook raises his eyebrows in surprise.

"He's not my boyfriend. And are you from Seoul?"

"You got what I mean. Yeah, I'm from Seoul, just came here for a science conference.”

"I'm from Seoul too.”

"Wow, that’s cool, bro. Then we can really meet up, and you'll introduce me to your boyfriend," the guy replies to him in Korean.

"He's not my boyfriend.”

"Well, you got what I mean."

Jungkook chuckles quietly and takes out his wallet from the pocket of his jacket. He always has a couple of business cards with him – just in case. He takes one out and hands it to the guy in front of him.

"Here, drop me a line if you really want to meet. I'll be back in a week."

The guy pulls a surprised face and looks at Jungkook.

"You're a big shot, my friend."

Jungkook smiles. The guy smiles back.

Chapter Text

Jungkook returns home with a clear plan of what he's going to do. First, he will talk to Yoonji. He'll tell her everything as it is but he won't bring up Taehyung just yet. As for Taehyung, he's decided to keep his distance for now. Not completely cut off, but set some boundaries to avoid making things painful for everyone. 

When he gets home, Taehyung's there, fresh out of the shower, watching Iron Man 3. His hair isn’t styled into his usual messy look. Wet strands are tucked behind his ears, and he's wearing a stretched-out T-shirt and baggy pants. He looks so comfy, and so... unusually different from his usual self.

Jungkook taps the wall for attention and says, "Hey, Tae.”

Instead of a greeting, Taehyung comments without taking his eyes off the movie, “There's zero science, they just made everything up. Why didn't they hire consultants? It hurts to listen to everything these people say about physics and science in general.”

Jungkook smiles and sits down beside him. Taehyung smells of shower gel and mint.

"Didn't know you're into superhero movies."

“I’m not. I decided to watch it because you mentioned once that Iron Man is your favorite movie.”

That warms Jungkook’s heart. Taehyung watching all the Iron Man movies just because it's Jungkook’s favorite? No, Taehyung's not making things easier. He doesn’t think his heart can handle it.

”Guessing you're not a fan of the movie, huh?”

Taehyung shrugs. "Why not? Despite the scientific inconsistencies, the movie is quite good. To be honest, I liked the first movie the most.”

Then Jungkook decides to prepare dinner for them. He checks the time – 6pm. Yoonji should be coming home soon. He makes a salad, cooks French-style meat, and bakes dates with the jamon brought from Spain as an appetizer. He hears a notification on his phone and sees Yoonji's message saying she's working late again. She's a hard worker, just like him. He sighs and sets the table for two. He pours Spanish wine into glasses and calls Taehyung.

"By the way, I found an apartment," Taehyung says, washing down the meat with wine. 

Jungkook nods approvingly. "Great. How is it?"

"A small, bright place near the university," he shrugs.

Jungkook wants to ask if he needs help moving in, or even anything. Wants to ask if he'll keep in touch with him. Wants to ask a lot of things, but decides to keep his distance like he intended.

"And I found you a friend.”

Taehyung raises his eyebrows in surprise. "When did you manage that?"

"In Spain."

"But he's in Spain, and I'm here. You're not doing a good job finding friends for me, Jungkook.”

Jungkook laughs. "No, I found him in Spain, but he lives here, in Seoul. He just joined me on the beach and started talking with me. Just approached a stranger and started talking. Even then, I thought you two would become friends.”

"Then he started talking about science, and that's when I knew for sure, yes, he's your new friend."

Taehyung places his glass on the table and looks at Jungkook skeptically.

"You're a naive soul, Jungkook. Don't you think he might have been flirting with you? People usually flirt like that. Not that I'm an expert, but I think this guy doesn't need a friend – not me, but you.”

He says this with such a cute pout that Jungkook… Oh, Jungkook wants to say and do so much. His heart definitely won't handle Taehyung's presence in his life.

"No, believe me, he wasn't flirting with me. I'm dead sure about it. But I won't tell you more because it's his secret, and he'll tell you if you become friends." He shrugs.

"Though, considering that he told me everything two minutes after we met... he'll probably spill everything to you right away too."

Taehyung keeps looking at him skeptically. He continues eating, while Jungkook sneakily watches him eat. Taehyung clearly likes what he's cooked, because Jungkook has noticed that if Taehyung likes what he's eating, he frowns and pouts his lips.  Unconsciously, Jungkook thinks about the fact that their dinner looks like a couple’s dinner.

As if there are only two of them, as if they are a real couple.  Taehyung with still-damp hair, in a stretched-out T-shirt. Soft jazz playing in the background, which Jungkook turned on as background music for their dinner. Their quiet, domestic conversations. Jungkook would like something like this with him. But he doesn't know if Taehyung wants that. And firstly, Jungkook needs to figure out his own life. But no one stops him from dreaming. At some point, Jungkook can't hold back and asks. He reassures himself that he just wants to be a good friend. Any friend would do this.

"Do you need help with moving?" he asks.

Taehyung thinks about it for a moment, then answers. "If it's not too much trouble for you, yes. I need to move my stuff there."

Then Jungkook can't help himself again.

"Do you have everything in your apartment? I have a friend who can help with furniture.”

Taehyung shakes his head and smiles. "No, everything's fine. But thanks for the offer."

And Jungkook looks at that smile and thinks... Thinks about what a lovesick fool he is.

***

Everything happened really fast. Jungkook asked Yoonji to meet at a restaurant for a talk. Before their conversation, he thought about what to say, deciding not only not to mention Taehyung but also not to bring up his feelings to anyone at all. He figured it would be easier for Yoonji that way, to avoid too many questions. 

He doesn’t plan to confess his feelings to Taehyung right after talking to Yoonji anyways.

The conversation went smoothly, just like a business meeting. Yoonji listened and nodded to what he said. She admitted she was holding back tears, not because she was in love—she had gotten used to their relationship. 

"Used to" is the key. "Used to" doesn't sound very romantic. 

They agreed that their relationship was convenient for both of them. Still, she didn't deny that she would like to truly fall in love. Jungkook only nodded in understanding.

He suggested that Yoonji stay in the apartment they had lived in together, which belonged to Jungkook. However, Yoonji declined and said she would stay with a friend and then find something of her own.

They promised to stay friends. Jungkook is somehow sure it will work out.

***

"But don't worry, our relationship won't affect you. You can stay here until you move, I don't mind," Jungkook says after telling Taehyung that he and Yoonji have decided to break up.

"It's so simple for you humans," Taehyung replies, fiddling with some matchstick task he came up with for his students. He always says "you humans" as if he's not one. In a way, maybe he isn’t. He is like an alien in the best way possible.

Better than just a regular human. At least, that's what Jungkook thinks.

"Why do you think it was easy?" Jungkook asks, watching Taehyung's hands and the matchsticks.

"Because you don't look broken or sad. Just a couple of days ago, you seemed like a happy couple.”

"Yeah, but we weren't... we weren't in love."

"Then why did you start dating each other?" Taehyung looks up, looking at Jungkook with a questioning gaze.

Jungkook opens and closes his mouth like a fish. Eventually, he finds words.

“Humans sometimes just do that."

Taehyung returns to his task. "This is absurd.”

Jungkook can't shake his curiosity and asks, “You never wanted to date someone?”

"Why?"

"Well, I don't know. You've never liked anyone? You've never been in love?"

"I... N-no. No." He shakes his head to firmly emphasize his words.

"You've never wanted to start a relationship just to have another person in your life?"

"I have enough people in my life."

"Alright. You've never wanted to start a relationship just for sex? To have a steady partner?”

"Why would I have sex with someone I'm not in love with?" Taehyung straightforwardly questions.

"Fair point. But have you never feared being alone?"

"I've been alone for most of my life. What is there to fear?”

For some reason, Jungkook feels a tinge of sadness. Taehyung is saying the right things, but his last answer... Taehyung is lonely. Jungkook wants to change that.

They stay silent for a while.

Jungkook makes tea for them, places a cup in front of Taehyung, and watches him until he lifts his head and looks back.

"Remember when I told you about the guy I met in Spain? He messaged me recently.Wants to meet up and grab coffee. I promised I'd convince you to come with me.”

Taehyung just studies his face. He remains silent for a moment, then shrugs and nods.

"Why not. I'm free this weekend."

“It’s a plan then.”

***

"Hey, bro, ground control to Major Tom. Hello. My name is Park Jimin, hi." Jimin tries to get Taehyung's attention. "Damn, didn't think the 'friend' you were talking about is Kim Taehyung," he says, looking straight at Taehyung sitting in front of him, who hasn't looked up from his notebook since they got in the car.

An idea for solving a problem came to him when they got into the car, Give It Up by "KC and the Sunshine Band" started playing on the radio.

He was humming along and endlessly scribbling something in his notebook.

He asked Jungkook to turn the pages in his notebook (even though he was perfectly capable of doing it himself).

Jungkook obeyed, stopping at the traffic light and taking one hand off the wheel to flip the pages of Taehyung's binder. Since then, Taehyung hasn't stopped writing something endlessly in it.

Jungkook had to get out of the car, gently take him by the elbow, and then, holding him by the waist, lead him to the cafe and seat him.

"He's almost exactly as I imagined him. But I couldn’t imagine him being this fucking handsome," Jimin continues.

Jungkook smiles and nods. He sees a strand of hair falling on Taehyung's face as he concentrates on writing, sticking out his tongue. A tender expression appears on Jungkook’s face. He reaches out and tucks the hair behind his ear, barely brushing his fingers over Taehyung's soft skin. 

"Well, you hit the jackpot, dude. I get it," Jimin sighs and thanks the waiter who brings their drinks.

Jungkook orders a vanilla latte for himself, and a tonic espresso for Taehyung because he's in a state where he thinks faster than he writes, and he said that in such moments he needs coffee (which he still hated with all his heart).

Jimin orders himself a matcha latte and now watches Taehyung with interest. 

"I see why you're so charmed by him," he nods.

"Not many people understand him. But I don't need to understand him to want to be close," Jungkook replies, surprised at how deep his thoughts sound.

"Yoongi talked about wanting to work with Taehyung, but Taehyung never responded to his messages.”

"Many said he was crazy and, like, savage? I don't know how to put it. Now I see that he just lives in his own world, and it's hard for him to let anyone in. That's his comfort zone. I felt the same when I was in school and was more interested in science than my classmates.”

“They called me a nerd, took my things, and threw them out the window. They drew dicks on my notebooks' covers. Eventually, I decided to ditch science for a while and started socializing. To be at home among strangers”

"Then I went to university, continued socializing, and gave up on science. And then I met my scientific advisor. That was it.”

"Some assholes drew dicks on my notebooks' covers too. I later drew dicks on their math homework when they asked me to do their homework for them,” Taehyung says, pushing his notebook aside and taking a sip of his espresso tonic, looking at Jungkook with gratitude.

Jimin laughs and watches Taehyung with interest again. Taehyung is unpredictable, just as Jungkook described. Jimin clearly enjoys it.

"You mentioned Min Yoongi, right? Is he your advisor? I didn't respond to him because his proposals were too boring, lacking creativity. I didn't want to participate in a project where everything was so dry. I like working on projects where people are passionate about them.”

"You just think he's not passionate about his projects because Yoongi doesn't express emotions as strongly as you do. He can go weeks without sleeping, working on his projects. But he's a true genius. That's why he wanted to work with you. He sees in you a person like himself.”

Taehyung looks at Jimin, slightly suspicious. He takes another sip of coffee, keeping his gaze fixed on him. Then he smacks his lips and says, "I like the tone of your voice. And your smile. We'll be friends. Give me your number.”

He hands Jimin his phone. Jimin laughs again and with a wide smile, writes down his number.

For the rest of the evening, they talk about much more simpler things than science.

Taehyung complains to Jimin about Iron Man movies, and Jungkook complains to Jimin about Taehyung complaining about Iron Man movies. Jimin laughs, starting to argue with both of them.

Jimin finally manages to persuade Taehyung to agree to Yoongi's proposal to work together. Taehyung hesitantly agrees, saying that he's a lone wolf used to working alone. In response, Jimin starts tickling and hugging him. Taehyung, a bit unaccustomed to physical contact, starts to panic a little and eventually gives in. Then they discuss something scientific that Jungkook doesn't understand at all.

So he just eats his club-sandwich, sips his coffee, and admires the two people genuinely interested in what they're talking about. He especially admires one of them, but that's not necessary to know. 

It's also not necessary to know that Jungkook clenches his free hand under the table to avoid touching Taehyung's thigh. To avoid touching him at all because lately, that desire is getting stronger and stronger.

Jungkook urgently needs to do something about it.

***

Jungkook distances himself from Taehyung even more. Especially after Taehyung moves out.

Jungkook feels very lonely and sad because first, Yoonji silently moves out (even though they both wanted it, it's still very sad), then Taehyung moves out.

And Jungkook is left all alone in a huge $400,000 apartment.

He helps Taehyung move, buys groceries with him for the new apartment, cooks mak-guksu with him. And then he decides to distance himself, so his heart stops beating so fast at the mere sight of Kim Taehyung.

***

Jungkook continues to work in his usual routine, except... except that he actually works not quite in his usual routine, but stays in the office until late at night, then goes home, sleeps, wakes up at dawn, goes for a run, drinks black coffee, and goes back to work.

And he does so every day for the past two weeks. Taehyung messages him. More than usual. Jungkook thinks that this is how Taehyung shows that he misses him, without saying it out loud. Jungkook misses him like crazy too.

Taehyung tells him that he and Jimin are spending time together. He tells him that he tries to message Yoongi more often, that he brought her sweets to work, that she invited him over for dinner. Jungkook responds to all of this, briefly, but responds. He can't not respond.

But at some point, he overworks himself so much that he ends up sleeping on the couch in the office and doesn't even have time for lunch. He seems to have worked overtime for the entire year ahead.

Jungkook jumps up from his seat in surprise at the call. He usually reacts more calmly to it, but he's just sleep-deprived. He tiredly runs his hand through his hair and takes the call. 

"Mr. Jeon,” says Yujin, his secretary, “you have a visitor. Can you see him?”

Jungkook sighs. “Yujin, I have nothing scheduled for today, right? Schedule him a meeting through the calendar."

"Mr. Jeon, he insists and says it's urgent. He's not going to leave. He said he's ready to handcuff himself to the chair. He says he has them with him just in case.”

Jungkook rubs his face with his hand. It's Taehyung, it’s definitely Taehyung.

"Who is it?"

"Kim Taehyung."

Damn, how right he can be sometimes.

He sighs again. "Okay, I can see him."

And a second later, Taehyung bursts into his office, not even bothering to knock.

"I needed to see your face, I can't work properly for a week now.”

And then he sits down on the chair in front of Jungkook’s desk, puts his notebook on his lap, and just stares at him. For a minute, two, three. For sleepy Jungkook, who barely blinks, those minutes pass in a second.

"Is that stubble? On you? And your hair... it's a mess, even though it's usually hair to hair. And your shirt is wrinkled. Are you sure you're the Jeon Jungkook, the one who always keeps himself together? Are you taking the breakup with Yoonji that badly?”

Jungkook is silent, not knowing what to answer.

"Don't get me wrong, Jeon Jungkook, I like you even like this,  but this isn't like you. I don't even feel like working when I see you like this.”

It takes Jungkook a moment to fully process what Taehyung is saying to him, so he just nods. He doesn't really understand what Taehyung is saying anymore.

He only hears a sigh, then feels himself being pulled by the elbow, then laid down on the couch.

He feels his head being placed on something warm, feels a warm hand starting to stroke his hair, and then he falls asleep.

He wakes up, slowly opens his eyes, and sees the beautiful face in front of him, the one he's been seeing more and more often in his dreams.

He thinks he's still asleep until the beautiful face starts talking to him.

"You finally woke up, Jeon Jungkook? You've been asleep for two hours, I even finished what I couldn't do all week. I've written all over my notebook, ran out of pages. I spent the last forty-eight minutes watching you drool on my lap. Have you no shame, Jeon Jungkook?”

Jungkook gets up from Taehyung's lap, grimacing slightly from a headache. "Why are you calling me by my full name?"

"That's your name."

"I know, but I thought friends usually call each other by their first names.”

"Oh, so we're friends now? Sorry, I'd forgotten in the three weeks you've barely responded to me. Ignored the housewarming party invitation. Ignored my questions about whether you were okay."

Jungkook grimaces again, this time because Taehyung is telling the truth.

He's a shitty friend and a terrible person, he knows it. God, he's such a jerk. 

But Taehyung doesn't give him a chance to say anything and speaks in a completely sad voice. It's the first time Jungkook hears him like that.

“You shouldn't have tried to be friends with me, Jeon Jungkook. I realized it was for Yoonji's sake, you were a couple after all and you wanted to be a good boyfriend for her. To be a friend to her weird brother.”

"I know I'm not the most interesting person to talk to. I know I'm weird and people say I’m crazy. I know everything about myself. But it was so low of you to give me hope. I saw you as a friend. I've had friends before, but that's how it always ends.”

"I thought it would be different this time, I'm not a teenager anymore. But people don't change. I don't change, people around me don't change. But with you I... With you..." 

He closes his eyes, swallows, catches his breath. "I thought it would be different.”

Jungkook jumps up from his seat, kneels in front of Taehyung, and takes his hands in his.

"No, Tae. You got it all wrong. God, I’m such a jerk. Tae, you're wonderful. You're not weird. Well, you are weird but in the best sense of the word. Please, don't talk like that about…"

"Then why did you ignore me? I know you work a lot and you're busy. I see that. But you were writing to Yoonji. We talked about it with her. You came to see her."

Taehyung looks so... Vulnerable. Usually, he looks focused or carefree.

It's like he has everything under control, despite his chaotic life. Right now, he looks like a completely ordinary person who has been deeply hurt. Jungkook didn't think he could ever see Taehyung like this.

"I... Taehyung, it's hard to explain. Give me some time. It's not about you, really. I'm just a complete idiot."

Taehyung stares at him. He keeps staring, as if absorbing his image. Then he lowers his head and looks at their intertwined hands.

Then he carefully removes his hands, picks up his things, and stands up. Jungkook tries to find something to say to make Taehyung stay.

"I understand everything. It's alright. See you, Jeon Jungkook.”

Jungkook gets up from his knees, grimacing. Weakness clouds his vision. He wants to grab Taehyung's hand and tell him to wait, but Taehyung exits the door faster than he can do it.

He holds his head in his hands, slowly sinking onto the couch.

God, what an idiot he is. 

He recalls everything Taehyung said to him. Jungkook behaved like a child, even though he's a grown man. Taehyung came to see him because he grew attached to Jungkook, saw a friend in him. And Jungkook just... He let him down.

Taehyung, who laid him down on his lap and sat like that for two hours so he could rest. Waited until he woke up. Noticed that Jungkook was tired. Told him that he still liked him even like this…

Jungkook frowns. Then realization hits him.

Taehyung...

Taehyung said that...

Taehyung said that even like this he…

𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑚?

Chapter Text

Jungkook spends days thinking he's a complete idiot. He texts and calls Taehyung, but all his calls and messages go unanswered. He considers reaching out to Yoonji, but decides to go to Taehyung's university first and wait for the end of his workday.

He waits for an hour, listening to the entire playlist Taehyung sent him. 

He drinks two takeaway americanos from the nearby coffee shop but still doesn't see Taehyung.

He can't enter the university without a pass, so he waits until he sees a serious-looking man in a suit with a bag in hand coming out of the university. He examines him —looks like some professor— then finally decides to approach and ask.

"Excuse me!" he calls out, stepping out of his car. The man stops and turns around. "Sorry. My name is Jungkook. I was wondering if Professor Kim Taehyung was at the university today?”

The man looks him up and down, then shrugs. "No, he went to a scientific conference in Osaka. He'll be back in a week."

Jungkook thanks him and sits in his car, placing his hands on the steering wheel and resting his head on them.

He can't bear another week without a word from Taehyung. He even considered buying a ticket and flying to Osaka. 

Thinking about it, he realizes again how deeply he has fallen for Taehyung.

Kim Taehyung. Weird, charming, incredibly smart, kind, beautiful. He closes his eyes and remembers his messy hair, which, though it’s sticking out like thorns, felt so soft that Jungkook didn't want to let his hand out of it.

He can even remember every single mole on his face. Taehyung, who doesn't wear makeup and always has messy hair, but looks like the most beautiful person Jungkook has ever seen. He always smells nice, and despite being such a chaotic person, his nails are always well-groomed. He remains a mystery to Jungkook, and he longs to unravel him. 

How he longs to see Taehyung, still sleepy after waking up. Jungkook often imagines this scene vividly. How he would embrace him and kiss his sleepy, beautiful face.

How he would nuzzle his nose against his neck and collarbones, inhaling his scent.

He also often thinks about making coffee and breakfast for Taehyung, and just being around him while Taehyung brushes his teeth with a book in hand and then sits down at the table, never taking his eyes off the book. He would only get distracted when Jungkook kissed him.

Jungkook imagines all these pictures too often to call it healthy. 

He never understood people in love, and now he's starting to understand them more and more every day. It’s crazy.

He decides to meet up with Jimin because he's a bit obsessed and desperately needs to hear something about Taehyung. He knows that Taehyung and Jimin get along well.

He chats with Jimin too, or rather, Jimin  sends him memes and Jungkook replies with emojis. Jungkook thinks it’s a perfect type of communication. 

Jimin is surprised at Jungkook’s idea to meet, but he says he won't go anywhere that's more than five minutes from his house.

So Jungkook drives fifteen minutes to get there and then waits another fifteen for Jimin, who takes his time dolling up just to grab coffee.

"You never know who you'll meet when you leave the house," he said when Jungkook called him to hurry up.

Jungkook sees the point in his words, but his butt is already square from sitting in the car for three hours straight.

"Why so gloomy? Have a cookie, maybe it'll brighten your day. You're scary to look at, dude" says Jimin right after they order. 

Jungkook smiles. "Why so cheerful? Did you earn yourself a date with your professor?”

Jimin sighs. "I wish. He only has his science on his mind. I'm telling you, he's a science wanker. I feel like if he and Taehyung were put in the same room, they'd jerk off to each other in a very scientific way.”

Jungkook first wonders how to jerk off in a scientific way, and then wrinkles his nose. "Ew, dude, don't say things like that. My imagination is too good.”

Jimin smirks. "Oh, right, it’s you who want to jerk off to Taehyung. I totally forgot, sorry bro."

“Jimin!”

"Come on, spill it. Why the sad face?" Jimin leans in, concerned.

Jungkook leans back in his chair and sighs, watching as the waiter sets their coffees down.

"I don't even know how to say it. I messed things up with Taehyung. I'm just a complete idiot.”

"I already knew that," Jimin quips.

Ignoring Jimin's remark, Jungkook continues, "I tried to distance myself from him because we're in a complicated situation. Like, really complicated. I'm not kidding. I mean, I used to date his sister. I needed time.”

"And Taehyung thought I was distancing myself because of him... because he's... well, because he's Taehyung."

Jimin looks at him intently, carefully choosing his words.

Jungkook quickly adds, "And he also said that he likes me. Maybe he didn't mean it the way I thought. But he did say it. He said he likes me."

Jimin nods, stirring his coffee with a spoon.

“I think it's hard for you to understand how your words might have hurt Taehyung if he took it that way. Look at yourself, Jungkook. I'm sure, a hundred percent sure, that you were a popular guy in school. Probably even played sports in college, with girls chasing after you.”

“Now, think about Taehyung. Sure, he's good-looking and charming, but not everyone's into the whole nerd thing. We've had talks, and he's opened up about his school and college days. Words and actions can really cut deep. All people wanted from him was his knowledge.”

“He was too weird for everyone. People who tried to befriend him ended up drifting away because they didn't want to tell him he was weird and uninteresting to them. Girls and guys invited him on dates or for hookups, but he was never interested, so they labeled him as impotent. Can you imagine what it's like to live in a society that rejects you because science is more interesting to you than anything else? More interesting than sex, than simple amusements, than sleep, than talking about the weather. People don't like those who step outside the norm. This applies to everyone, everywhere. Taehyung just didn't fit in, so there weren't many people around him. And then he finds someone who seems to accept him for who he is, and that person starts giving him the cold shoulder."

Jungkook closes his eyes. It's hard for him to listen what JimIn is saying.

"He talks about you so often that I think you became more important and interesting to him than science at some point.”

Jungkook feels his eyes start to sting and his nose tickle because tears are welling up. Fool. He’s just a fool.

"Did Taehyung tell you anything else?" he asks.

"He said he's in Osaka for a scientific conference. Mentioned he met an interesting guy there and even said he thinks the guy might be flirting with him. What was his name... Bogum or something? Can't remember.”

Jungkook feels his insides burn like boiling water has been poured on them. He tightens his fingers on his cup even tighter and clenches his teeth. He knows this feeling because he's become acquainted with it, even managed to tame it.But he's never felt jealousy like he does now.

"Yeah? What else did he say?" he says, almost through gritted teeth, trying to regain his composure.

"Nothing much. If you're wondering if he talks about you, he does. Even after you hurt him, he still thinks about you.”

“Thinks about whether you're tired from work, if you're eating well. And here you are, sitting here, clearly not having eaten all day. Pale as hell.” Jimin points his finger at him, frowning.

“Dude, I'm begging you, eat something, or Taehyung’s gonna kill me when he finds out I hung out with you and didn't feed you. And then it's game over for me."

The searing heat inside feels like a cool wave is coming over it and the jealousy is slowly letting go of Jungkook.

"By the way, I know he's not returning your texts and calls. Try to understand him. It's hard for him too. He thinks you're sick of him."

"I'm ready to buy tickets right now and fly to him in Osaka, Jimin. I swear, just give me his address there.”

"No way, dude. Let him come back first, and then you can go see him in your shiny polished car. It's very romantic of you, of course, but let's skip that, Romeo."

Jungkook sets his cup down on the table and runs a hand over his face. Yeah, he needs to calm down.

He's really losing it. He needs to get a grip.

"Okay, enough about me. What about your science wanker? Are you going to confess your undying love to him?"

Jimin rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his coffee.

“Shut it, man. Let's talk about the weather, for God's sake.”

***

The days pass by very... Boring. And gloomy. It's like it’s raining more often than usual. He writes to Jimin about it. Jimin replies that it’s just Jungkook walking around like a cloud.

Anyway, he may be right, but this is the slowest and most unbearable week of his life.

He even started assembling LEGOs. He hasn't done that since he went to university. He spends an extra hour in the gym every day this week. And on the weekends, he buys some ridiculously expensive coffee machine and learns how to make coffee so that it doesn't taste awful.

So that Taehyung could drink it without wrinkling his nose. He even learns how to froth milk at the right temperature and make latte art. Thanks to YouTube tutorials and his ability to pick things up quickly.

When the day arrives, Jungkook leaves work early. He took Jimin's words seriously and stopped by the car wash in the morning, where they polished his car. 

He waits for Taehyung again at the university.

Jungkook checks his watch. He should have gotten out half an hour ago, if he remembers his schedule correctly.

He yawns and realizes that he could use some coffee again. He looks toward the university entrance again, and then gets out of the car.

He'll make it in time, it's literally just across the street to the coffee shop.

He walks into the coffee shop and inhales the pleasant smell of coffee. He now associates that smell with Taehyung. Fuck, is he really that obsessed? Awful.

He orders a latte and waits, looking at the paintings on the walls before casting his gaze across the room at the tables.

A very cute old lady with a dog occupies one of the tables, while the others are taken by students. They whisper and giggle shyly, sneaking glances at one of the tables.

He shifts his gaze to the very table, where a guy with neatly styled light hair sits, his face covered by a book. Just a student who is preparing for his next class.

But before he can take his eyes off from the guy, the guy pulls the book away from his face and…

And Jungkook’s insides turn upside down.

𝘛𝘢𝘦𝘩𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨?

***

Jungkook can't bring himself to approach. He just stands there, watching. If he had a cup of coffee in his hand, it would've long been shattered at his feet. He simply stands and stares at Taehyung, not believing his eyes.

He knew Taehyung was very, 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 handsome before, but what he sees now... It literally takes his breath away. Taehyung isn't just handsome, he's incredibly stunning, looking like a fucking supermodel!

Jungkook takes his coffee and sits at a table with a plant covering half of his face. He notices Taehyung's discomfort in his new appearance. He keeps reaching for the pencil behind his ear, then remembers he doesn’t have it anymore and frowns slightly. 

On the third attempt, he finally digs into his trendy bag and retrieves the pencil, starting to underline something in the book. He does the same with his hair, wanting to run his hand through it, but pulls back just in time to not ruin the style.

Jungkook doesn't like this. Who did this to him? Taehyung looks so uncomfortable, and it shows. Jungkook prefers Taehyung when he's comfortable, so he wants his chaotic Taehyung back.

"What are you doing here?" Jungkook startles. He looks up and sees Jimin standing over him, hands on hips.

“I— I just..." he stammers, choking on his saliva, then shifts his gaze to Taehyung, who is looking straight at him.

"You didn't recognize Taetae? Why didn't you join him? He's over there, in the corner. Waiting for me," says Jimin, pointing to Taehyung's table. When Jungkook doesn't respond, he jabs his finger into Jungkook's shoulder.

Jungkook coughs again, grabs his latte, and follows Jimin, who pulls him along by the elbow.

"Look who I brought you," Jimin proudly announces, positioning Jungkook in front of him and seating him opposite Taehyung.

Taehyung lifts his eyes from the book, giving Jungkook an unreadable look before lowering them back to the pages.

"Nice of you, but he won't help me solve the equation," Taehyung remarks dryly.

Jimin shrugs and gets up from the chair to go to the counter and place an order.

Meanwhile, Jungkook sits and stares dumbly at Taehyung. He probably looks like a maniac. He studies Taehyung's moles, eyelashes, hair. 

He notices cherry-coloured lip balm on Taehyung’s lips.

It's obvious that he was hastily and clumsily applying the lip balm, just swiping it around in circles, so the lipstick is slightly out of contour.

Jungkook wants to reach out and run his thumb under Taehyung's bottom lip to wipe off the remnants of cherry shade and feel the softness of his skin and lips. He hears Taehyung clear his throat. Did he notice Jungkook looking somewhere he shouldn't be?

Jungkook swallows and raises his gaze.

"What are you doing here, Jeon… Jungkook?"

He doesn't want to evade the question or lie.

"I came to see you."

“Why?"

"You didn't reply to me."

Taehyung grabs a napkin in front of him and starts furiously scribbling on it.

"And I should?"

"Tae, we're friends. I was worried.”

"Don't throw around words you don't believe in yourself. You think I'm such an idiot that I don't hear how you say this 'friends' of yours?" Taehyung doesn't look at him, still scribbling on the napkin.

"How do I say it?"

"As if you don't believe it yourself.”

Jungkook sighs. He's not ready for this conversation in a coffee shop, with people looking at them. Speaking of people, where's Jimin?

Jungkook turns around. He doesn't see him. He looks around, turning his head. Where did he disappear to?

Taehyung shakes his head, still not lifting his gaze.

"He left without ordering. He wants us to talk, but he doesn't know that I have nothing to talk to Jeon Jungkook about.”

He finishes the final stroke on the napkin, then moves to put the pencil behind his ear, but instead, he closes his eyes, exhales slowly, and then carefully places the pencil on the table.

It's hard for Jungkook to watch him struggle.

"Taehyung, can I ask you something?" He asks a probing question. 

Taehyung doesn't look at him, showing no signs of having heard the question at all.

"I'll do anything if you agree," he continues, determined.

At that, Taehyung immediately lifts his head, meeting his eyes.

"Anything?"

“Anything."

"Will you solve the Hodge conjecture?”

If it weren't for the dryness in his throat from looking at Taehyung, Jungkook might have choked on his saliva again. Instead, he just struggles to breathe.

"I'm just kidding. Will you help me solve the P versus NP problem?"

Jungkook doesn't know whether to cry or laugh.

"If you teach me, then I'll help.”

Taehyung smiles for the first time in the entire conversation and Jungkook will do anything to keep that smile on that beautiful face. 

"Can you do a flip?”

Now that's unexpected, but it's the easiest thing to do, especially since Jungkook knows how, so he confidently replies, "Yes."

Taehyung nods contentedly and Jungkook can see in his eyes that he'll think of something to make him do.

"So what do you want to ask? Don't ask me to do a flip, Jeon Jungkook, I can't do it."

Ah, now he's joking. Jungkook missed him so much.

"Please, let's talk. There's a misunderstanding between us, and I promise, Taehyung, I won't hurt you. I see that you're scared, I see your hands shaking because you're afraid I'll hurt you, but I never, you hear me? Never even thought about hurting you.”

Taehyung looks at him, nervously rubbing his knees with his palms.

"I want us to go to my place now. I'll make you a delicious coffee, one that I learned to make myself. I swear my coffee is twice as good as the one you have. We'll sit down and talk, without prying eyes. Then I'll do a flip or whatever else you want. Deal?”

Taehyung is silent for a minute, then two. Still slowly rubbing his knees with his palms. Then he stops, shrugs, and nods.

Jungkook inhales and exhales. He seems to be breathing fully for the first time since they started talking. No, not like that.

It's the first time he's breathed fully in three weeks.

Chapter Text

~ Park Jimin:

Hurt him and I'll break your face ☺️🥰😍

Jungkook reads a message from Jimin as he waits for Taehyung to buckle his belt. 

To say he's jealous is to say nothing.

Jimin seems to have become friends with Taehyung more than he ever thought possible during this time.

He's had more jealousy in the past couple days than he's had in his entire life. Is there any way he can do this without it? His heart can’t take it anymore.

It's only a ten-minute drive to Jungkook's house, but all this time Jungkook keeps stealing glances at Taehyung, admiring his perfect facial features, golden hair, and nibbled lip. He's typing a message to someone, but Jungkook can't see who or what he's writing.

They don't exchange even a couple of words during this time, except for one time when Taehyung asks, "Do you really know how to do a flip?” And Jungkook smiles and replies, “Yes."

When they arrive, Taehyung jumps out of the car first and heads for the door of the apartment complex, while Jungkook notices how the backs of his shoes are folded so that they now resemble slippers. He smiles.

Even though he looks like a model from a magazine cover, Taehyung is still Taehyung. 

He opens the door, letting Taehyung go first, and Taehyung kicks off his slipper-shoes and heads to the kitchen. 

Jungkook tries not to panic.

After all, he had been thinking about what to say this whole time, but now that he's seen Taehyung, all his thoughts seem to have flown out of his head.

He exhales, putting his car keys on the shelf.

He walks into the kitchen, sees Taehyung leaning against the counter, flipping through the math exercise book that Jungkook recently bought. He tries to solve a couple of problems each morning with his coffee.

"Not a bad book, but I could recommend something better," Taehyung remarks.

Jungkook feels like replying with something like, "I'd ask for your advice if you'd answer my calls and messages," but he decides to stay silent, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere.

"Then I'll wait for advice from the maestro," he says instead.

Taehyung smiles and looks at him from under his lashes. Jungkook's heart starts beating faster at the sight. He urgently needs to clear his mind a bit.

"Give me a minute, and I'll make us some coffee. Put on some music if you want. I have a new audio system, so you can try it out," he suggests.

He quickly heads to the bathroom, closing the door behind him and rests his hands on the sink.

He splashes cold water on his face, even brushes his teeth! He’s so fucking nervous. 

Then he slicks his hair back, giving himself a thumbs-up in the mirror before stepping out of the bathroom.

Taehyung has put on some soul music, standing in the same spot, scribbling something in Jungkook's exercise book.

"How was Osaka?" Jungkook asks casually, filling up a holder with coffee.

Taehyung puts down the book and looks at Jungkook.

"Did Jimin tell you that I was in Osaka?" he asks.

"No," Jungkook replies, inserting the coffee holder into the machine.

"I found out from one of your colleagues. I tried to catch you at the university. You... You've changed. Is it all Osaka air?"

Taehyung folds his arms across his chest. "Wow, that's some incredible attention, Jungkook.”

"Wow, it's not even 'Jeon Jungkook’ anymore." I'm growing up. I've been promoted." He carefully pours the milk from the pitcher into a cup, making latte art in the shape of a heart, and hands it to Taehyung.

He says a quiet "thank you" and accepts the cup, being careful not to spill the coffee. He immediately brings the cup to his pink lips and tastes the coffee.

"Оh.” That's all he says, lips rounded funny. 

"Is it good?" Jungkook asks with a gentle smile.

"Yeah." Taehyung replies, taking another sip of coffee. "It's good. Why did you suddenly decide to learn how to make coffee?"

Jungkook shrugs while making another cup of coffee. "First, tell me what happened to your unmatched style.Who put the idea in your head to dye your hair?”

"Why do you put the question that way? Maybe it was me who decided to do it. I felt like it."

"Well, I don't know. Probably because I can see you're not very comfortable with yourself, Tae.”

"I'm just not used to it. There's nothing wrong with that. I'll get used to it, it's certainly no harder than the Goldbach’s conjecture.”

Jungkook puts the towel down and turns to Taehyung, leaning his hands on the counter behind.

He shakes his head. "Something tells me it's harder than Goldmann's conjecture for you.”

"Goldbach's."

"Goldbach's. So, Tae," he takes the pencil - Taehyung's pencil, which he forgot, by the way - and steps closer. Close enough to feel Taehyung's warm breath.

He looks at the mole on the tip of Taehyung's nose and feels a strange urge to lick it. He looks at the other moles - on the lower eyelid, on the cheek, on the lower lip. He desperately wants to lick those too. Jungkook feels Taehyung's breath becoming ragged and he looks up.

"Who talked you into doing all this?"

Taehyung swallows, pressing more against the counter.

"You smell like mint," he says.

In response, Jungkook lightly blows on him, gently ruffling Taehyung's golden bangs. Taehyung squeezes his eyes shut.

"Don't change the subject, pretty. Why did you suddenly decide to change so much? Who did this to you?"

“Bogum.”

“Bogum?” Jungkook clenches his fists slightly, trying not to show negative emotions to Taehyung.

"Yeah, Bogum . He just helped, because he knows about fashion. I don't know shit about it at all."

Jungkook closes his eyes. Inhales, exhales. Opens his eyes. Smiles.

"Okay, Tae. Did he say anything wrong to you? Because if he did, then I…"

"No! He just helped me because I asked. He didn't say anything to me. He said I was beautiful, and that's it."

So, this “Bogum” was flirting with Taehyung after all! Damn it, what if there's something between them?

And here is Jungkook, trying to hold his own heart in his chest so it doesn't leap right at Taehyung. Maybe Taehyung likes this “Bogum,” so he decided to change like this? And he likes Jungkook only as a friend, and he has been fooling himself all this time?

He sighs and raises his hand, tucking a strand of Taehyung's hair behind his ear, then placing the pencil behind it. "You really are very beautiful, Tae. Both now and then. But back then, you were yourself, and if you need to change for someone…

Is that person really the one you need?"

Taehyung blushes visibly and touches the pencil behind his ear.

"What if there's someone I'm willing to change for? And I feel like it's the right person? You know, like how they say 'the one and only' in those human movies of yours.”

"I never believed in that, because people never interested me that much, but now... I want to try to do everything for this person."

It hurts Jungkook to hear all of this, because he realizes that it's most likely not about him after all.

"But who told you that you need to change at all, Tae? Who told you that this person doesn't love you just the way you are?"

"Because I know it! Jungkook, I've been living in this world for a while now, and I know how I should look to get the attention of someone like him!”

"I've been told that he likes models. Slim, with - oh my god - 'a nice ass,' preferably blondes. With good taste, elegant. Looking expensive. And it doesn't even have to be a girl.”

It's like a slap in the face to Jungkook. It sounds quite familiar, but at the same time... Does Taehyung really like someone like that?

"Who told you all this?"

“Yoonji."

“Yoonji?”

“Yes.”

“What does Yoonji have to do with any of this?”

“Why do you even care about all of this?”

Jungkook sighs and pulls away from Taehyung.

He doesn't know what to say, except to speak the truth and let go of everything he holds in his heart.

“Tae, let's be honest. Look around this apartment. Look at this room. What do you see?”

Taehyung looks puzzled. “I don't understand what you're getting at.”

“The pencil behind your ear. It's your pencil, the one you left here. I didn't move it. I waited for you to come back and use it again. I placed it where you usually put your pencils.” He rubs his face with his hands. The audio system, because you love listening to music. I waited for you to come over and play your favorite music because it calms you down and gives you confidence. The coffee machine, because you hate the bitterness of coffee, so I learned to make raf-coffee with extra cream and vanilla sugar. Even my office, Taehyung. In my office, there's now a chair and a table where you can come and sit, watching me and solving problems. And I've even started studying math, Tae! Does that tell you anything?? All of that?”

Taehyung stares at him, not saying a word, not making a sound. He looks at Jungkook as if he's speaking a language he doesn't know.

"I didn't break up with Yoonji because there was something wrong with our relationship or because I didn't love her. Yoonji is my friend first and foremost. I never loved her romantically, only as a friend. But I fell in love for real, so I decided to break up with her. But I fell in love with the wrong person at the wrong time, that's why I needed time to think, Tae, you know?”

Taehyung looks anywhere but at Jungkook.

Then he runs his fingers through his hair, messing up the perfect hairstyle, bringing a trembling hand to his lips and biting down on the nail of his thumb. "I decided to give myself time, so I distanced myself. I rarely answered, hardly ever called, tried not to spend time together because it was fucking hard, Tae! It's hard when you want to talk about how much... How much. How much everything is. And a desire to touch, to kiss. But I’ve always wondered: “Can I touch this creature from another world, what if it breaks? Dissolves? Disappears? What if it's not allowed?”” Jungkook runs his palms over his face again.

Then he runs his hands through his hair and pulls the strands back. 

“I really don't know what to do with these feelings. It's the first time I've ever felt anything like this. I thought it was impossible, I thought it was all from 'those human movies of yours’, but no. And you know what, Tae? Even if you don't feel the same way about me, I wouldn't trade these feelings for anything. They're mine to keep. It's the best thing I've ever felt because I feel alive because of you."

The silence in the room is ringing. Jungkook breathes heavily after pouring his heart out in one go. Taehyung, too, struggles to catch his breath, fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. Jungkook desperately wants to hear something from him, even if it's something he doesn't want to hear, but Taehyung continues to stare at him, biting his lower lip.

"Say something, anything. Who did you change for, Tae? Why?”

Taehyung lets go of his jacket and rubs his eyes with his hands.

"You still don't understand, Jungkook? You don't need to know math to get it."

"Taehyung, please, stop talking in rid—“

"I did it for you," he interrupts, hitting the counter with his hand. "I talked to Yoonji. She started talking about you, about your breakup. She said you liked models with nice asses, and that before her, you dated blondes. You broke up with Yoonji, started ignoring me, and I thought I meant nothing to you. Shit, I thought I meant nothing at all to you, but my life without you became unbearable, so I wanted to do anything to bring you back into my life. I felt so stupid, Jungkook. I couldn't focus on work for the first time. I realized everything inside me wanted you. I tried everything to distract myself, but over these months, your image has been imprinted on the retina of my eyes. I wanted to see you all the time, but you didn't want to see me. I wanted you to want to see me just one more time so badly that I did...this," he points to himself with his hand.

Jungkook looks at him and thinks about how beautiful and pure the man standing in front of him is.

He walks over to Taehyung, standing right next to him again, feeling his breath. Taehyung doesn't look at him, averting his gaze every time Jungkook tries to catch his eyes.

He lifts his hand and gently hooks his finger on Taehyung's chin, making him look at him. He runs the tip of his nose over his nose and Taehyung looks up into his eyes.

He runs the tip of his nose along Taehyung’s nose, and Taehyung finally looks into his eyes.

There's a silent question in Jungkook’s eyes. "Can I touch you? For real?". He sees a silent “Yes.”

Jungkook doesn't kiss him. Instead, he raises his hands and runs his fingers through Taehyung’s styled hair, first massaging his scalp with his fingers, then ruffling it.

Taehyung squeezes his eyes shut, and when he opens them, he sees that Jungkook is smiling. 

"I like the real you the most," he takes his hands away from Taehyung’s hair, runs his hand over the soft skin of his cheek, then lowers his hand, and then runs his thumb over his lips, wiping away the lipstick so that a barely visible pink trace is left on his cheek.

"I fell in love with Kim Taehyung with the messy hair, Kim Taehyung who can't cook, listens to old music, and drinks coffee he doesn't like. The real Kim Taehyung is the most beautiful person to me.”

Jungkook sees Taehyung is about to cry - his eyes are wet. He wants to kiss away those tears and never see Taehyung’s tears again, except tears of pleasure.

“Do we have to kiss now?” Taehyung asks, sniffing.

"Do you want to?”

"Me? Yes. No. No, yes. I guess I do. I've only kissed books before. Not literally, but figuratively. My mom used to say that because I only—

Jungkook kisses him. Gently, letting Taehyung get used to it.

He wants so badly to kiss him deeply right away, to taste him, to make Taehyung forget how to breathe. But it seems Taehyung has forgotten how to breathe just from this simple touch of their lips.

He grabs Jungkook's shoulders with his hands and closes his eyes. Jungkook tries to relax him, running his thumbs over his cheeks, ears, moving his hands down to his neck, shoulders, then he strokes his arms.

Taehyung relaxes and opens his mouth, letting Jungkook kiss first his upper lip, then his lower lip, and then lick his mouth with his tongue. Taehyung tastes amazing.

Jungkook places his hands on both sides of him, pressing him closer to the counter.

"Jungkook..." Taehyung says into the kiss, but Jungkook doesn't stop, continuing to lick his soft lips, trying to deepen the kiss.

"Jungkook," he repeats.

Jungkook breaks away from his lips with a smack, looking at him questioningly. God, Taehyung is so beautiful, it's just fucking illegal.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes, but no.”

Jungkook looks at him, fighting the urge to kiss him again. He's patient, he'll wait.

"What do you mean?"

"I can't think, I have zero thoughts in my head."

"That's how it's supposed to be when two people in love kiss each other."

"I didn't say I was in love with you.”

Jungkook inhales sharply, almost pulling away from Taehyung, but Taehyung pulls him closer by the lapels of his jacket.

"But I'll tell you now. I'm in love with you."

God, Taehyung is going to be the death of him someday.

He kisses him again, this time hungrily, greedily, finally getting what he wanted. Taehyung moans into the kiss in surprise, having to steady himself with his hands on the counter behind him because Jungkook literally attacked him with that kiss. They kiss until Taehyung whimpers into the kiss again, trying to get Jungkook’s attention. He breaks away from the kiss, continuing to dust wet kisses on his cheeks, his chin, going lower to his neck and collarbones.

"What did you want to say, Tae?” He asks, breathing heavily between kisses.

"I wanted to say that my dick got hard."

Jungkook makes a strange sound, then lifts his head and looks up at Taehyung.

"That's how it's supposed to be when two people in love kiss each other,” he repeats. "Or is this your attempt at dirty talk?"

"No, do something about it."

Jungkook pecks his chin and chuckles, burying his face into his chest.

"God, I love you so much. How could anyone not love you?"

Taehyung doesn't respond. Because he knows how someone could “not."

Jungkook rises back to his lips and kisses him again.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks.

"I'm thinking about whether your dick got hard the way mine does."

"Yes, it does. Now you know. Now what are you thinking about?" He pecks his lips.

"I'm thinking about what I could do with it.”

"Oh, there's a lot you could do with it, petal.”

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. But my job is to make you stop thinking at all right now.”

"Yeah? How are you gonna do that?"

"Oh, believe me, sweetheart, I have many ways,” says Jungkook as he drops to his knees.

***

Jungkook is the first to wake up when a ray of sunlight starts shining right in his face. He didn't draw the curtains before he went to bed, damn it. Well, he was... Too preoccupied to think about it. He doesn't feel the warmth of another body beside him, he doesn't feel warmth at all because there's no blanket on him. He reaches out to the other side of the bed, then turns over and opens his eyes. Jungkook sees only the blond hair peeking out because everything else is wrapped in the blanket. He smiles, realizing that in his sleep, Taehyung took the blankets from him and cocooned himself completely. 

He raises his hand and pulls the blanket down a little so that he can see Taehyung’s face. God, he's so beautiful even when he's asleep. So angelic looking, so adorable. He folded both hands under his head and sleeps, lips slightly parted. Jungkook can't resist and gently strokes his cheek with one hand, then kisses him sweetly on the lips. Then he presses his forehead against Taehyung's, continuing to caress his cheek with his thumb.

Taehyung stirs under the blanket, then unwraps himself from his cocoon to wrap himself in cocoon together with Jungkook, snuggling up to his body and wrapping his leg around him. 

Jungkook hugs him, then runs his hand down his back, lower and lower, squeezing his ass cheek with his hand, pulling him up closer to himself.

They lie like this, cuddled together, caressing each other, until Taehyung says in a muffled voice into his neck. "I want to pee.”

Jungkook runs his hand through Taehyung’s hair and asks: "Should I come with you?"

Taehyung pokes him somewhere under his ribs. "We're not at the point in the relationship where you can hold my dick while I pee yet.”

Jungkook laughs. "But we'll be at that point someday, right?"

"We'll see."

Jungkook squeezes his ass with his hands one last time and releases him from his embrace.

He watches as Taehyung, naked, gets out of bed and can't help but admire his beautiful, slender body and caramel skin. He looks perfect against the white sheets and the interior of his room.

"I'll take a shower and then make us breakfast.”

"Do you want to shower together?" Jungkook suggests, biting his lower lip.

"Then we won't have breakfast until tomorrow, Jungkook.”

There's some truth in Taehyung's words because Jungkook doubts they would be satisfied with a quick mutual jerk-off in the shower.

"I'll make breakfast," Jungkook says, because Taehyung still doesn't know how to cook, though it was kind of him to offer it.

"Okay." Taehyung doesn't argue and hides behind the bathroom door. 

Jungkook buries his face in the pillow and breathes in happily. The pillow smells like Taehyung. God, if you were to ask who the happiest man in the world is... It's him, Jeon Jungkook.

He fumbles for his phone on the bedside table and picks it up. Ten in the morning. He hasn't slept in this late for a while, even on weekends, but he finally feels rested and alive.

He decides to text Yoonji, because now it's the right thing to do.

"𝑌𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑖, 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟."

He hears the notification sound a minute later. She’s quick.

"𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠... 𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑒𝑡, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑. 𝐼 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑡. 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝐼 𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑠."

"𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝐼'𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.”

"𝑁𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑧𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ, 𝐼'𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢."

And a couple of minutes later, he receives another notification.

~ Kim Yoonji:

I'm going on a date tonight too. You're not the only one trying to find happiness, right? ;)

Jungkook wants to reply that he has already found it, but he just responds:

~ Jeon Jungkook:

Good luck, Yoonji 💛

He gets up and takes a shower too, luckily, his apartment has two bathrooms - one for him and one for guests.

When he comes out of the bathroom, Taehyung is already standing in the kitchen, dancing to Daryl Hall & John Oates’ ‘You Make My Dreams (Come True)’.

He's wearing only Jungkook's stretched Deadpool t-shirt, barely covering his hips. His hair is still wet, a pencil is behind one ear, another in his hand.

He's scribbling something on a piece of paper, holding it up, and when he sees Jungkook, he lifts his head and looks at him with eyes that seem to sparkle like a thousand stars.

"I think I solved that unsolvable problem.”

***

Even though Jungkook and Taehyung don't live together (which Jungkook would like to change in the near future), they spend most of their time at Jungkook’s apartment because he has an audio system and Taehyung has an antique gramophone at his home for some reason (Jungkook decides not to ask why and what was the reason, Taehyung is Taehyung). 

Besides, Jungkook's place has all the conveniences for Taehyung, so they usually don't have questions like, “Your place or mine?”

Jungkook introduces Taehyung to his friends Hoseok, Namjoon, and Seokjin and they’re so charmed by him, Jungkook had no doubt that they would be.

While Jungkook prepares dinner for all of them, Taehyung tells them something about Carl Sagan, and they listen with fascination, nodding knowingly. Yeah, right. They don't know a damn thing, they just fell for Taehyung being cute and charming.

Who knows, maybe they'll start doing math just like that. No one would be surprised.

Also, Taehyung does start working with Min Yoongi - he's that crazy "science wanker" professor Jimin has a crush on.

After their meetings, Taehyung is usually irritated, saying that Yoongi is "a pain in the ass" (literally) and "a perpetually grumpy old man" (not literally, because literally would be ruder).

But from Taehyung's demeanor, it's clear that he's pleased with their work and that he actually likes Yoongi, he just wants to grumble. 

Once Jungkook comes home and sees Taehyung with green hair, his beautiful blond hair completely gone.

"Who turned you into a green bean?" he asks.

“Jimin.”

"Of course."

Of course, Jimin. Who else?

A week later, he picks up Taehyung from the university in his car and sees that his green hair is gone, but now it's blue. 

“Jimin?”

“Uh-huh."

Next time it happens when he's waiting for Taehyung at the restaurant on their... forty-eighth date? Jungkook lost count. Taehyung has always been better with numbers (𝘩𝘢-𝘩𝘢). They really do go on dates a lot, sue them. Now Taehyung has purple hair.

"Jimin," he says as he sits down at the table.

"As if I couldn't guess," Jungkook replies.

And then, one day, he comes home to find Taehyung waiting for him. He walks into the kitchen, where Earth, Wind & Fire is playing again, the smell of coffee lingering, and Taehyung is sitting at the table with his usual brown hair color, scribbling something on a piece of paper.

His hair is messy, he hasn't taken off his coat since coming in from outside. Jungkook almost forgets what this Taehyung looks like.

"Who are you?" he jokes, leaning against the counter.

Taehyung doesn't look up, just reaches out a free hand and strokes Jungkook’s thigh.

"Your boyfriend, trying to solve a new unsolvable problem. Or rather, a series of unsolvable problems. Simon problems."

"Can I do something to help?" Jungkook asks, running his hand through Taehyung’s hair.

Taehyung lifts his head, looking at him with an unspeakable tenderness in his eyes.

"Yes. Kiss me."

And Jungkook kisses him.