Work Text:
Portuguese Translation by jikookagirl
Jimin looked at the cheering crowd, listened to their enthusiastic cheers. The lights swirled around them as they performed their new song 'Blood, Sweat, and Tears'. A layer of sweat covered him as he moved about the stage performing every move with perfection and ease, occasionally glancing at the other members, to make sure they were keeping together. Of course, everything was going perfect, after all, they'd been practicing for forever and knew every move by heart. It was easy to follow the beat, to get lost in the music.
Finally, the song came to an end and they all bowed, said a few words to the crowd, and then went backstage. Their new album was a huge success and Jimin couldn't be happier. He really couldn't, but... there was someone who caused just a bit of sadness to overcome him even now. Jimin glanced around at the other members, they were all resting and some were talking to each other. His attention fell upon the reason for his sadness... Jungkook. He loved the maknae so dearly, but he knew he had to stop these feelings. He could never be with him, it just wasn't possible, for many reasons. The main one being Jungkook would never see him as more than his older brother.
Jimin wasn't good at being subtle in his affections, and so he would constantly praise the maknae and shower him with attention. Jungkook mostly returned the attention in small doses and ended up rejecting Jimin more often than not. This made Jimin feel more depressed, though he hid it well. No one ever picked up on Jimin's broken heart. But it had been a good three years, it was seriously time for Jimin to move on from this silly, painful love of his. And so he did. And it was getting easier, he really was getting over Jungkook. Now, his love was just starting to bloom for someone else.
"Jiminiiieee~" Taehyung called to him, immediately capturing his attention. Jimin smiled and turned to face Taehyung who sat down beside him.
"Yes, Tae?" He asked looking at Taehyung fondly. Taehyung had always been there beside Jimin, he'd helped him out whenever he felt down. Taehyung knew just how to bring a smile to Jimin's face, he knew how to make him laugh, he knew when Jimin needed a hug without him having to ask. No one would ever know just how much Jimin valued and loved Taehyung.
"Did you hear the crowd today? They loved us! We did great, didn't we?! I had so much fun! Didn't you? Do you want to take some pictures and post them on twitter?!" Taehyung rambled on, as Jimin chuckled at Taehyung's adorableness. He was used to his best friend rambling on and being a hyperactive idiot. Often Taehyung managed to get Jimin to join him in his mischief.
"Sure Tae, I bet our fans would love that," Jimin answered smiling more brightly. Taehyung hurriedly took out his phone and went to the camera then pulled Jimin closer to him, wrapping his arm around his waist before facing the camera.
"Say cheese!" Taehyung chirped as he took the pictures. They took a bunch of pictures of them making different faces, many of which were silly. Taehyung thanked Jimin and then posted the pictures on twitter still talking Jimin's ear off about the performance. Jimin conversed with Taehyung easily and enjoyed talking to him.
Soon it was time to leave, and so they got into the van that would take them back to their hotel for the night. They had been paired off for the three hotel rooms. Jimin thankfully got paired with Taehyung and not Jungkook, he thanked God for that, looks like little miracles are possible. Jungkook ended up with Jin and Namjoon, while Yoongi got paired with Hoseok. They all went to their respective rooms after mumbling a farewell to one another.
It was already pretty late but Jimin wasn't tired enough to sleep. After taking a shower he laid on his bed staring at the ceiling, thoughts aimless and mind wandering, but one thought was prevalent. His mind kept drifting towards his developing crush, and how he should probably stop this new crush from developing. He was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice when Taehyung came back until Taehyung slipped into bed beside him.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Taehyung asked him as he gave Jimin a hug nuzzling his face into Jimin's neck.
"Oh, you're back already?" Jimin asked just now realizing Taehyung was done showering.
"Hmm, yea, so what's wrong?" Taehyung asked.
"Nothing Tae, I was just thinking about random things," Jimin answered with a small sigh as Taehyung tightened his embrace.
"It wasn't nothing. You had this really sad expression and didn't even respond when I called out to you," Taehyung said pulling away from Jimin a bit to look at his face. Jimin's eyes met Taehyung's and he realized that Taehyung was seriously worried about him. Jimin smiled his famous eye smile to try and reassure Taehyung he was fine.
"Really Tae, I'm fine, I didn't realize what expression I was making and don't even know why would be sad," Jimin replied but it didn't seem to reassure Taehyung even the slightest bit.
"Jimin... you know you can talk to me about anything right?"
"Hmm... of course, I know that. But really, I'm fine, don't worry about me."
".... Jimin... were you thinking about Jungkook?"
".... No...."
"You were, weren't you," Taehyung pushed. Jimin had never explicitly told Taehyung about his crush on the maknae, everyone knew that Jimin liked Jungkook, but no one really knew that it was more than brotherly love. However, Taehyung knew. He had somehow figured it out, and ever since would comfort Jimin whenever Jungkook had been particularly mean to him.
"Yea... I was... but not just him, I was thinking about other things too," Jimin finally replied with a sigh.
"Hmmm... if it bothers you so much... why won't you tell him about it?" Taehyung asked. This wasn't the first time he'd asked that question. Jimin had always chosen not to answer, instead, Jimin would redirect the conversation or give a silly answer, and Taehyung knew better than to pursue the topic. However, things were different this time.
"You know why Tae... he'd never accept me. Besides, I'm getting over him."
"You aren't over him... and you never know if he will reject you unless you try."
"Tae, be serious. We both know this silly crush is just that silly. Jungkook would never like me like that. Besides, I am really getting over him."
"No...you're not. I can tell you're trying but... you aren't getting over him. Don't try to deny it Jimin," Taehyung said noticing Jimin about to protest. "I know you, I can tell just by looking... you really aren't getting over him."
"Ok, fine. Believe what you want. I'm not getting over him. Happy? So what? It doesn't matter, I'm not going to confess to him. There is no point." Jimin muttered sourly, he didn't understand how Taehyung was so sure he wasn't getting over Jungkook. Jimin honestly thought he was pretty much over Jungkook. Maybe it just wasn't noticeable to Taehyung?
"But if you did th-"
"No Taehyung. I'm not going to confess. I am getting over him," Jimin cut in.
"But-"
"Drop it Tae," Jimin said pulling away from Taehyung's hug and going to where his phone was charging by the window. Jimin heard Taehyung sigh, and to him, it sounded irritated but also a bit sad.
"Jimin...?" Taehyung asked hesitantly.
"What?" Jimin answered a bit irritated. He didn't want to talk about Jungkook with Taehyung anymore.
"Hypothetically... what would you do... if someone confessed to you... even though they knew you liked someone else?" Taehyung asked. Jimin turned to face Taehyung again looking at him surprised and a bit hurt.
"What's with this question? Did someone confess to you?" Jimin asked and noticing a blush form on Taehyung's face, he hurried back to the bed to sit beside Taehyung. Before Taehyung could answer, Jimin bombarded him with questions.
"Who was it? Was it one of the members? Why didn't you say so earlier? Do you like them back? Wh-" Taehyung slapped a hand against Jimin's mouth before he could ask anything else.
"Stop! Just pause for a second! I was just asking, no one confessed to me!" Taehyung replied urgently trying to make sure there wasn't a misunderstanding between them. Jimin blinked at the sudden contact then just nodded signaling he understood and so Taehyung removed his hand.
"Seriously Tae, I thought someone confessed to you. But you really meant it hypothetically huh?" Jimin looked at Taehyung seriously to make sure he wasn't just being shy or something. But no, Taehyung seemed genuine, he really was just asking. Jimin felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"You even blushed when asking, I was so sure that someone confessed to you. Oh well... but really what's with this question? Why are you asking?"
"I... just... wanted to know," Taehyung answered uneasily, almost as if he was afraid to hear the answer Jimin had.
"Hmm... I don't know what I'd do honestly... I can't imagine it happening." Jimin answered truthfully. Taehyung seemed to deflate at the answer, a slight frown crossing his features, Jimin noticed.
"Hey what's wrong?" Jimin asked placing his small hand on Taehyung's shoulder.
"Nothing," Taehyung said turning away and heading towards his own bed. Jimin looked at Taehyung puzzled but decided to let it be, for now. The mood shifted to something less pleasant between them. Jimin felt cold now that Taehyung was not beside him, and so he got up and pulled out the oversized sweater he'd gotten from Taehyung as a birthday present. He slipped it on before returning to his bed.
"Do you really like that sweater?" He heard Taehyung whisper to him. Jimin turned on his side so he was facing Taehyung once again. He noticed that Taehyung wasn't frowning anymore, rather there was a small smile on his face, but he still seemed rather sad. Jimin didn't like seeing Taehyung sad.
"Yes. I really love it. You know why?" He asked a small smile spreading across his own features.
"Why?" Taehyung ventured to ask.
"Because I got it from the person I adore most in this world," Jimin said gracing Taehyung with another eye smile.
"I thought you adored Jungkook more," Taehyung replied bitterly. Jimin stopped smiling and looked at Taehyung who was frowning again.
"Tae... come here," He instructed.
"Why?"
"Just come here," Jimin said with a bit more force. Taehyung got up and sat beside Jimin at the edge of the bed. Jimin frowned and pulled him down next to him. He placed his arms around Taehyung's waist and placed his legs over Taehyung's legs, effectively caging him there, even when Taehyung put up a weak struggle, obviously not really trying to get away.
"Tae, you know I love you right? You will always be more important to me than anyone else, whatever crush I have now or in the future will never be able to compete with you. You are my best friend, the one I rely on more than anyone else. I will never be able to explain to you just how much you mean to me... I don't really know what I'd do without you if you were to just leave me one day... I think I'd die... You really mean a lot to me. I can't compare you to anyone else, not even Jungkook. You just have this special place in my heart, a place that no one else could ever hope to occupy, it is reserved just for you and always will be. So don't compare yourself to anyone else when it comes to my love for you," Jimin said burying his face into Taehyung's chest and holding onto him ever so tightly; as if he was afraid Taehyung would disappear from him if he ever let go. Taehyung, on the other hand, was silent. The silence stretched on for a few minutes before Jimin realized Taehyung was slightly shaking and... crying. This sent Jimin into a panic, he immediately let go of Taehyung and sat up looking at the other's face.
"Tae?! Why are you crying?! Oh no, is it something I said? Was it too much? Did I hurt you somehow? Tae, please don't cry!" Jimin said trying to calm Taehyung down who was full blown sobbing now. Taehyung did calm down a bit later, his sobbing stopped and he rubbed his eyes with his sleeves. Jimin still looked at him, worry etched into his features.
"I'm really sorry Tae... for whatever I said to upset you...," Jimin mumbled as Taehyung finally stopped crying. But Taehyung shook his head and pulled Jimin into a hug.
"No, don't be sorry about what you said. I... just wasn't expecting such a heartfelt speech... I guess lately I've just been jealous... I mean I'm used to you favoring Kookie... and I always assumed you loved him more... and I just... I really couldn't take it today for some reason... when I saw your sad expression... Please don't hate me for this Jimin, but I need to tell you something...," Taehyung said softly and pulled away from Jimin looking down at his own hands rather than at Jimin.
"I could never really hate you... what is it Tae?" Jimin asked softly. Taehyung was wringing his hands and looking anywhere except at Jimin.
"I... I... please don't let this ruin our relationship... please no matter what I say, please don't hate me Jimin... Promise me... promise me you won't leave me." Taehyung said finally meeting Jimin's eyes with a serious expression. Jimin was surprised by the sudden request not comprehending where all the fear and anxiety radiating off of Taehyung was coming from.
"Of course I won't. I really never could hate you Tae. And I'd never leave you, ever!" Jimin said grabbing Taehyung's hand and giving it a light squeeze.
Taehyung was shaking lightly again, but this time it seemed to be from nerves. He took in a deep breath before he quickly muttered out a confession.
"Ireallylikeyoupleasegivemeachance!" he said super fast. Jimin blinked not understanding.
"Uh... you're going to have to speak a little slower for me to understand Tae..."
"I... I just... I really like you... as more than a friend... I know, I know you like Kookie... but I just... please give me a chance!" Taehyung said looking down at his hands again shaking a bit more and looking as if he was going to cry again. Jimin blinked rapidly trying to comprehend what just happened. He was being confessed to, right? By none other than Taehyung, right? He was being confessed to by Taehyung? What? Was that even possible? Jimin's thoughts were racing trying to comprehend the fact that his best friend actually liked him as more than a friend. That his new developing feeling might actually be returned. Taehyung got more nervous as the silence stretched between them, and he finally broke after a minute and rushed to take back everything he said.
"Actually... forget about it Jimin... forget I confessed... I... I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... Just forget it!" Taehyung said panicking at Jimin's unresponsiveness and rushing to get back to his own bed, but Jimin stopped him by grabbing his arm and pulling him back down.
"No, stay!... I... I'm sorry for not responding right away... I'm just shocked... I never expected you'd fall for me... really... I never thought it would happen...," Jimin trailed off.
"I'm sorry, just forg-" Taehyung began but was cut off.
"No. Tae, I won't forget about it. I can't just forget something like this."
"But I already know what you're going to say! And I... really don't want to hear it... I shouldn't have confessed," Taehyung said sadly.
"Do you really know what I'm going to say?" Jimin asked raising an eyebrow at Taehyung who just nodded.
"Ok fine, what am I going to say?" Jimin challenged and Taehyung's shoulders slouched more.
"You're going to say... you're still in love with Kookie... and that you don't see me that way... and that you're sorry...," Taehyung said really close to tears.
"Hmm, wrong. That's not what I'm going to say," Jimin said causing Taehyung to look at him confused.
"Then what are you going to say?" He asked his voice shaking.
"I was going to say that we should go on a date," Jimin answered nonchalantly. Taehyung was even more confused, his brow scrunched up and he frowned.
"Wha- why? What about Jungkook?" Taehyung asked, not really understanding how Jimin could ask to date so easily.
"I've been telling you for a while now that I'm getting over him, you just don't believe me. You're so sure I still like him, and you're not wrong. I do, but... not as much as before. I think I'm almost practically over him. I'm ready to move on already."
"Oh... okay? But... you want to date me? Are... you sure?"
"If you're worried I'm just using you to get over Jungkook, then don't. I'm not, I would never do that to you. I care for you far too much for that. I might... have thought about dating you more than a few times over the last couple of weeks... I just didn't think you'd like me so I didn't say anything...," Jimin said starting to feel a bit shy. It was Taehyung's turn to blink and process what Jimin was saying. After a few seconds Taehyung pulled Jimin into a bone-crushing hug, a huge smile tearing across his face.
"Are you serious? You really like me?" Taehyung asked, his voice muffled as he spoke into Jimin's shoulder. Jimin nodded mostly to himself before answering Taehyung.
"Yea... I really do, I was starting to fall for you rather hard," Jimin admitted. Taehyung pulled back, a boxy grin spread across his face, his eyes alight with joy, and he glowed with happiness.
"I... this.. it feels like a dream," Taehyung stuttered out, and Jimin merely nodded agreeing with him.
"So... do... you wanna be boyfriends?" Taehyung asked hesitating once again, a slight blush building up in his cheeks. Jimin smiled, a small blush building upon his own cheeks.
"Yea. I'd like that," Jimin answered with a small laugh.
"Ok! We're official then!" Taehyung said laughing as well. They hugged once more and then cuddled each other to sleep, each dreaming of what was to come.