Chapter Text
Inspiration for this story please check it out!!!!. Please do not repost/edit any of the art. All art in this story is owned by Taeyhngs and is her sole property.
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Sitting on the grassy knoll in the middle of the campus is one of their many traditions: Taehyung’s head on Jimin’s thigh (the juicy drumstick as Taehyung calls it), paging through his Lit textbook trying to catch-up on whatever-the-hell the teacher had said in class, the thing he’d more than likely missed because he was distracted by one thing or another. He looks up and Jimin is being, well... Jimin: completely engrossed, eyes glued to the computer screen, reviewing his latest performance, looking for errors or ways he can improve (which is ridiculous because Jimin’s dance is perfection).
He continues to scan the surroundings (now distracted from catching up on the thing he’d missed in class because he’d been distracted) when his eyes fall on perhaps the most gorgeous human he’s ever seen (second only to his eldest hyung - because seriously, Jin is angelic).
“Holy fuck.” Taehyung sits up to get a better view, nearly knocking the computer from Jimin’s lap.
Jimin looks up, startled. “Hey!”
“Sorry.” Taehyung’s eyes are glued to the boy on the other side of the quad, laughing and talking to a very attractive girl who seems to like touching the boy a lot (which is completely understandable in Taehyung’s opinion). “Jimin-ah, do you know him?”
“Who?” Jimin looks up, trying to follow the trajectory of Taehyung’s gaze. “Him? The kid in the leather jacket?”
“Mmm.”
“Ahh, Jungkook. I was wondering when you’d notice him.” Jimin straightens the computer on his lap and continues his review.
“Wait. You know him? Fuck - how it is that you know every person on campus? You never go anywhere except for class, the practice studio, and out for bubble tea.” Taehyung’s gestures haphazardly, and Jimin shields his laptop from possibly impact. “I’m a social butterfly from Daegu - how have I never met or seen that incredible piece of art before?”
“Be careful,” Jimin warns, “because that piece of art is in Professor Kim’s 101 class. The one I TA for. He’s pretty good too, has excellent form.” Jimin’s words are casual, almost nonchalant, and Taehyung is flabbergasted by the way Jimin seems so unaffected by Jungkook’s hella-sexy-beast good looks.
“Seriously, do you have a type? Or eyes? How can you be so... impassive?”
Jimin shrugs. “I do have a type, Tae. Pretty sure everyone does. Jungkook’s just not it.”
“Really? What is it then?” Taehyung is always trying to find Jimin’s match because love doesn’t just fall in your lap like a rotten apple off a tree Jimin. Taehyung suspects it’s a bad analogy but he intends on using it till Jimin surrenders.
“Hey - your piece of art is leaving.”
“Oh, shit.” Taehyung jumps up from his spot on the grass. “I’m off to do a little recon. See you at lunch.”
********
Jimin and Taehyung have known each other forever (at least, that’s what Taehyung tells everyone who’ll stand still long enough) - they met when they were seven when Jimin’s family moved into the house across the street. Taehyung happened across the dark-haired boy on his way to the park one day and the two became inseparable from that moment on. Taehyung’s mom often called them Oscar and Felix (whoever the hell they are), because they argued and fought but ultimately always made up.
They complemented each other in the best way: Taehyung spontaneous and unpredictable; Jimin thoughtful and careful. Taehyung taught Jimin to step outside of his carefully constructed walls and enjoy life, and Jimin taught Taehyung that planning was not always a trick from Satan to keep you from having fun. Their relationship is comfortable like the perfect pair of jeans, worn in, fitting every curve with glorious precision. Taehyung is the yin to Jimin’s yang and Jimin is the peanut butter to Taehyung’s jelly, and there is no real explanation for why they just fit.
**********
It’s been two weeks since Taehyung first laid eyes on Jungkook, two weeks since he’d become aware that such beauty existed in the world as a living breathing thing and not just art in a museum. Two weeks since he had begun to look and one week since he’d wanted to touch.
“Hyung.” (He only calls Jimin that when he wants something.)
“What do you want?” Jimin looks up from his spot on the floor, a bucket of chicken between his legs. Taehyung grabs a piece out and takes a bite before responding.
“Can you introduce me?”
“Really?” Jimin gives him a look. “To Jungkook?”
“Yes! No. Shit - I don’t know. Let’s talk about something else.” Taehyung waves the chicken around. “How’s the showcase coming along?” Taehyung scoots over next to Jimin and lays down, head once again on Jimin’s thigh (his favorite pillow).
“It’s good I guess, it’s coming together nicely. I just… it feels like something’s missing and I can’t figure out what it is.” Jimin’s hand automatically caresses Taehyung’s hair like always, it’s comforting and Taehyung’s eyes are closing. But he fights the sleep - Jimin has a problem and he wants to help.
“Why do you think that?”
“Don’t know, it just doesn’t have the feeling I want to portray yet.” Jimin smiles as Taehyung sighs contentedly on his leg. It reminds him of a cat purring.
“What feeling is that?” Taehyung’s voice is sleepy. He’s fighting it but he already knows it’s a losing battle.
Jimin is just too damn comfortable and he thinks he hears the boy’s answer but he’s not sure because the cushy thigh and hand pressing into his head with just the right amount of pressure have won, and Taehyung falls into slumber as the answer to the question escapes Jimin’s lips.
“Love.”
*************
It’s been four weeks since Taehyung had seen Jungkook across the campus. Three weeks since he had followed the boy to all his classes stopping just shy of going inside (because that would be weird). Two weeks since he’d wondered why he hadn’t once again brought up the suggestion that Jimin introduce him to the young Adonis.
“Hyung.” He emphasizes the h trying to be cute (aegyo always works on Jimin).
“Mmm. What do you want?” Jimin is once again engrossed in something dance related, and Taehyung wonders why it’s so adorable when the boy scrunches up his brows in deep concentration, like a kitten trying to figure out a roll of yarn.
“Nothing. Well, something -- but if you’re busy--”
Jimin smiles and Taehyung can’t help but smile too. It’s the Jimin Effect. (Taehyung has a name for every one of Jimin’s actions.)
“I always have time for you Tae,” his voice is soft and Taehyung’s eyebrows raise quizzically, but he’s not sure why (there’s something there -- he ignores it for now).
“Introduce me.”
“To who?” Jimin meets his gaze and again Taehyung thinks to himself there’s something there and again he ignores it.
“Jungkook. Will you introduce me to Jungkook?”
“I thought you said people should let things happen naturally?” Jimin hasn’t broken his gaze and Taehyung feels both troubled and comforted by the intensity of the stare.
“Yeah, but a little push couldn’t hurt, right? I mean look at all the great romances: Romeo and Juliet, Lancelot and Guinevere... don’t you want me to have an epic love?”
“Uhmm, you know how those relationships ended, right? Romeo and Juliet committed suicide, Lancelot died a hermit and Guinevere became a nun. You planning on becoming a nun Tae?”
“The point is not how it ends Jimin-ah, it’s how it began. Tragic end and all, the point is the love.” Taehyung bows sweeping his arms dramatically.
He knows he’s won when Jimin smiles and tries with all his might to hold back his laughter.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But if you decide to join a monastery you’re on your own.” Jimin walks out of the kitchen, leaving his laptop on the table.
Taehyung finds that strange, Jimin never leaves his laptop unattended.
**********
Their first encounter is shy and sweet, filled with all the feelings and emotions one would expect when meeting your crush for the first time. There are butterflies in Taehyung’s stomach, he’s tongue-tied, and his palms are sweating. Every 80’s teen movie Taehyung has ever seen is coming to life right before his eyes (Molly Ringwald has nothing on him).
Jungkook is even more handsome up close, straddling the line between adorable bunny and sexy stud muffin perfectly. He’s taller than Taehyung by mere inches but to Taehyung it might as well had been feet, Jungkook’s presence takes all the space when they’re together and Taehyung finds it hard to breathe when the younger man smiles, talks, or stands still. Taehyung’s enamored, Jungkook breathes perfection through his adorable button nose, and speaks perfection with his thin cherry lips, and Taehyung sees perfection when he looks at him.
They spend every waking moment together, he walks Jungkook to class and meets Jungkook for lunch. It’s perfect, just perfect. But something is missing. Taehyung knows it, something is missing, he feels it like a balloon filling with water inside his gut – but he ignores the feeling because – Jungkook is perfection.
**********
“Hyung.” Taehyung is sitting crossed leg in Jimin’s studio watching him practice. When he doesn’t get an answer, Taehyung calls again. “Hyung.”
He doesn’t have a question or anything he wants. When Jimin dances, Taehyung just feels the needs to call him that (Jimin is not a hyung, they’re the same age, but when he dances he’s larger than life). The title merely affirms that Jimin in this form (dance god) is in charge of the way Taehyung’s eyes move, and the way Taehyung’s insides feel a sense of ownership and pride swelling, when Jimin dances all Taehyung can think is hyung, and so he has to say it. He has a flash, a moment when his mind realizes, when he’s near Jimin nothing is missing, but he ignores it.
“Hyung,” Taehyung says one last time.
But Jimin doesn’t answer. Probably too focused.
An hour or so later, still sitting on the practice room floor, Jimin beside him now with laptop balanced on one leg (Taehyung’s head on the other) looking over his earlier performance. Eyes on the screen analyzing each move with surgeon like concentration. Taehyung turns a bit, settling so he’s facing Jimin’s abdomen.
“He’s beautiful up close, isn’t he?” Taehyung says absentmindedly as he plays with the hem of Jimin’s shirt, fingers brushing lightly against the boy’s skin (warm and damp from practice).
“Who?” Jimin asks, voice tight and breath coming out in small measured puffs.
“Jungkook. He’s beautiful.”
“Mmm.” Jimin pushes lightly at Taehyung’s head. “Hey, I have to go. I have a class in like fifteen minutes.”
“A class? It’s Tuesday, we always sit in the studio and watch your videos on Tuesdays. Then we buy convenience store food, and whine about how bad our eating habits are. When did you add a class? Why did you add a class?” Taehyung’s not sure why he’s so bothered, he’s usually okay with change.
He sits up.
“Uhmm, well you’ve been busy the last few weeks, and Professor Kim suggested an Advanced Movements class, and… So, yeah I signed up.”
“But it’s our thing, and I only missed that on- no, two…” Taehyung stops.
How many Tuesdays had he missed? Three, four… six?
“Hyung.” He feels like crap, like the worst friend in friend-dom. This time, Jimin responds.
“No worries, it’s not like we need to be together twenty-four seven. I gotta go - see you later, okay?” Jimin’s out the door before Taehyung can respond and he feels lost.
*********
Taehyung and Jimin are like a puzzle, one that had taken years to be put together, each piece fitting together to form an intricate and beautiful picture. The picture has been hanging on the wall of Taehyung’s mind for years as a testament to their lifelong friendship, their permanent connection. The last time he strolled by the picture it was as lovely as ever bright and glowing, warming Taehyung’s heart. Looking at it now, it seems as though there is a piece missing. Closer inspection shows pieces, there are pieces missing. The picture now has gaps and holes and Taehyung wonders what it means.
**********
It’s been six months since Taehyung first saw Jungkook across the quad, and many things have changed during that time. Jungkook is still beautiful, he still straddles the lines between cute and sexy. He still has a bunny smile, and thin lips, and smoldering coal colored eyes (that burn when you look into them), only he’s no longer perfect.
Jungkook is just mere inches taller now no longer taking up all of Taehyung’s space. Taehyung can breathe when Jungkook smiles, talks, or stands still now. The boy no longer breathes perfect breaths, or speaks perfect words, now, well now… he’s just Jungkook, the human. And that’s not a bad thing, not at all, but… some things have stayed the same. Taehyung still walks Jungkook to class, he still meets Jungkook for lunch, they still spend every waking moment together. And something is still missing and Taehyung still ignores it.
**********
“Hyung,” Taehyung says through the earpiece, only it’s a voicemail and not Jimin on the other end.
He doesn’t leave a message.
He misses Tuesdays (which Jimin is too busy for).
He misses sitting on the grassy knoll head on Jimin’s lap talking about everything and nothing. He misses Jimin’s smile, and Jimin’s hand with the right amount of pressure in his head. He misses anime nights and watching as Jimin’s brow scrunch in concentration. He misses a lot of things, and he regrets the distance that these six months have created.
Taehyung stretches out on his bed, eyes glued to the ceiling and wonders how things had spun out of control so quickly. He falls asleep, but it’s not restful, he tosses and turns and squirms and ultimately wakes up at three AM. He throws the covers off and gets up, he’s thirsty and hot. He trudges to the kitchen drowsy and sleep deprived, and nearly screams when he sees a figure, head resting on outstretched arm asleep at the table.
Jimin.
He doesn’t say the name out loud. He doesn’t want to wake him up. Seeing Jimin there, peacefully sleeping, after what felt like years of not seeing him – has tears pooling at the corners of Taehyung’s eyes. He sits down at the table, across from Jimin, chin resting on folded arms and stares. His eyes trace the outline of Jimin’s slightly parted lips and Jimin’s turned up nose, he tries to count Jimin’s lashes flattened atop his pudgy cheeks (he can’t). He sits for what feels like hours (fifteen minutes) committing to memory all the details that make Jimin his Jimin. Moments before sleep takes over and sandbags fill his lids making them too heavy to keep open, Taehyung realizes what has been missing all along.
Jimin.
************
It’s been a year, a full year since he saw Jungkook across the quad, and the younger man doesn’t get mad, doesn't throw a tantrum. In fact, he shows no emotion at all when Taehyung says, “I think we should break up.” He simply says, “Okay.”
Okay?
Like the past twelve months had been some sort of trial period with a money back guarantee. Taehyung wants to yell, wants to throw a tantrum he wants Jungkook to understand that these past months had meant something to him. He’d given up things, he’s lost things, and he deserved more that an okay. He’d let go of precious, beautiful things, things with pillow-like thighs, and soft crescent moon shaped smiles. He’d given up too much to allow Jungkook to get away with a simple, okay.
But he allows it anyway.
It hurts as he walks back to the dorm. Hurts because there will be no Jimin there to sooth his ache, no cushy thigh, no smiling eyes, no one to whine to about the fact that Jungkook had said “okay.”
“Hyung.” The word is quiet, but at least it’s not a voicemail. Jimin had answered. His voice sounded small and tired and Taehyung’s heart constricts. “Hyung, come home, please, come home.” There is so much more to say, but those words sum up what he feels perfectly. He and Jimin are each other’s home.
Jimin does come, half an hour later. They don’t speak right away. It is a while before Taehyung breaks the silence.
“He said okay, just okay.”
Jimin eyes him quizzically and Taehyung smiles, that what he’s wanted – a reaction, someone who reacted appropriately. Jimin would never have just said, okay.
“Jungkook. I told him we should break-up and he said, ‘okay,’ like it was nothing. Like this past year never happened. He said, okay, hyung.”
Taehyung cries. Not because of Jungkook, not because of the word ‘okay.’ He cries because Jimin is hugging him, holding him, and his hands are applying just the right amount of pressure to Taehyung’s head. He cries because while Jungkook looks perfect, Jimin is perfect.
Jimin is perfection hidden in the in-betweens, hidden behind crescent moon smiles and soft pillow thighs. Perfection woven like colorful threads through years of friendship, and a million tiny moments that are flashing like a movie before Taehyung’s eyes as he sinks into Jimin’s warm and comforting embrace. Perfection that Taehyung had been too blind to see before, but he promises himself that from this moment on he’ll live with his eyes open, looking with hawk-like intensity and he won’t miss another moment of Jimin.
It’s been three weeks since ‘okay’, and things go back to normal, mostly. They still sit in the knoll with Taehyung’s head resting on Jimin’s thigh. They take back Tuesdays, Taehyung still sits on the floor watches as Jimin dances. They have anime nights and quiet moments where Taehyung watches Jimin as he concentrates on his work.
It’s mostly the same, mostly.
Except now Taehyung sees Jimin. Sees all the little things that he’d previously missed, like the way sweat seems to worship Jimin’s body - tracing every curve and corner, like an artist painting a masterpiece. Or the softness of Jimin’s skin when he falls asleep while watching a movie, head on Jimin’s chest and Jimin’s arm on his back. Taehyung notices a lot of things, and he wonders how he never saw them before.
Things go back to normal – mostly.
Mostly, except now there are butterflies in Taehyung’s stomach when Jimin looks at him, and heat pools in his core when Jimin smiles. Mostly, except now he gets tongue-tied when Jimin speaks, and his palms sweat when Jimin is near. Jimin has turned into Jake, from Sixteen Candles, and he’s leaning on the metaphorical car (red convertible with butterfly rims) of Taehyung’s heart with a goofy smile on his face, and Taehyung is Samantha, flushed pink with anxiety standing at the door wondering if it’s okay to take a ride.
Things are not normal, no, not at all, and they both know it, mostly.