Archive of Our Own ^beta

Taehyung has just popped open the bag of cheese-flavored crisps, resting on his lap as he sits cross-legged on the couch, preparing to rewatch The Office for the third time. And just as he is clicking play, Jimin walks out of his bedroom, eyes widening once he spots Taehyung in their shared living room.

Now—Taehyung has noticed for the past few days that Jimin has been, well, skittish. 

And it’s not normal behaviour, no, usually Taehyung is pushing Jimin away from breathing down his neck since the weather outside is already making him warm enough; he doesn’t need an intruding tiny human latched on his back 24/7.

But now, when he can actually feel the breeze as their small, rusty fan in the corner of the room kicks into motion, Taehyung feels oddly off, too used to the weight and warmth of Jimin around him.

So, he can tell with full certainty that there is a reason for Jimin’s behaviour, and before the boy can turn around and run back into his room, Taehyung is yelling out, palm raising into the air in a stopping motion.

“Halt!”

Jimin twists around, amusement twisting in his features even if his eyes are still wide, careful. 

“Speak,” Taehyung continues now that he finally has Jimin’s attention.

Jimin hesitates, his hand dropping from the knob of his door as he turns around to fully face Taehyung. Taehyung’s eyes narrow as he takes in the twist of Jimin’s mouth, the almost regretful emotion which begins pooling in his eyes.

“Are you alright?” Taehyung asks.

“I was kinda hoping to have Yoongi with me when we would tell you about it,” Jimin responds, slow and hesitant, rubbing the back of his neck.

Taehyung’s brow raises, head cocking to the side. “Why are you sounding like the two of you are divorcing and I’m the child forced to choose which house I wanna drag my luggage to first?”

Jimin gives him a small glare, sighing before he walks over to where Taehyung is. Taehyung narrows his eyes at the way Jimin is gnawing on his plush bottom lip.

Their apartment is nothing fancy, a small, crammy two-bedroom flat they’re renting at a student-friendly price in Seoul, so Jimin reaches him in just a few, long strides.

There is no other couch or seat for Jimin to sit on unless he wants to be directly by Taehyung’s side, so he sits down on the wooden coffee table right opposite where Taehyung is, knees brushing against the brunet’s.

“Taehyung,” Jimin begins, clasping his hands together, head hanging low.

Taehyung peers at him curiously, slowly lifting the bag of crisps off his lap and setting it to the side. Based on Jimin’s tone of voice, it’s as if he’s confessing to have killed Taehyung’s childhood pet.

“Really, you good bro?” Taehyung asks hesitantly, knocking the heel of his foot against Jimin’s knee.

Jimin nods, looking back up. “Yoongi and I have been talking.”

Taehyung momentarily stops wiggling his toes against Jimin’s thigh, eyes widening in horror. “Don’t fucking tell me you broke up.”

Jimin’s nose scrunches.

“There’s no chance of a happy ending for the rest of us if someone as perfect as you two break up.”

“No, you dumbass,” Jimin says with a roll of his eyes. “We didn’t break up.”

Taehyung breathes a sigh of relief before gesturing his hand around in the air, trying to get Jimin to continue.

“Okay, okay, fuck,” Jimin relents. “I just hope you go into this with an open mind. Cause like, if you say no then it’s all ruined and I’ll be pretty bummed.”

Taehyung blinks, trying to wrap his head around Jimin’s words. Jimin has been his best friend ever since university started, and if he’s suggesting what Taehyung thinks he is— “If you’re suggesting that I join you guys in some weird poly ship, I’m gonna have to say no,” Taehyung quips.

“No, ew, let me talk,” Jimin sighs.

Taehyung shuts his mouth, leaning back on the couch.

“You always come to such radical conclusions,” Jimin mutters, shoving Taehyung’s foot away as it started digging too high up his thigh. “So, as I was fucking saying, Yoongi and I have been talking, and we want to go on an extempore trip. In two days. For two months.”

Taehyung scrunches his brows together.

“Cool?” he responds, voice tinged with confusion. “I mean, did you want my blessing or something? Because yeah you’re my best friend but sorry I also kinda don’t give a shit if you want to take a trip with your boyfriend, babe.”

Jimin waits until Taehyung is done rambling before he continues, a little reluctantly. “And you know trips are expensive, and since we’re going for two months, I have to cover that whole cost and rent, and that’s something I can’t afford.”

“Tough shit,” Taehyung sniffs. “You should start an OnlyFans and fuck on balconies in different cities so people can experience the trip with you.”

Jimin pauses, brows raising in surprised approval. “Actually not a bad idea for once, Tae.”

Taehyung shrugs, mouth twisting into a cocky grin.

“Not what I was going for, anyways,” Jimin continues. “So, I’ve— I’ve made certain arrangements so that I can pay rent. Well, actually, I won’t be paying my share of the rent, but Jeongguk will.”

Taehyung blinks. “Who the fuck is that?”

Jimin breathes in through his nose. “Before I go any further, just know that I’d never do anything that would put you in place of harm. Like, he’s not gonna skin you alive or anything, okay?”

Taehyung drops the cheesy crisp he was going to stuff into his mouth back into the bag by his lap. “‘He’s not gonna skin me alive or anything?’” Taehyung repeats slowly.

“He’s not!” Jimin convinces.

Taehyung lets out a faintly strangled sound from his throat. “Love where this is going.”

Jimin gives him a glare. “So Jeongguk is one of my childhood friends from Busan who I’ve stayed in contact with ever since I moved to Seoul.”

“Right.”

“And he’s twenty, took a few years off before starting uni and he got accepted into SNU.”

“Congratulations to him, I guess?” Taehyung commends, still awfully confused.

“And so, as he’s starting here in August, he thought it would be cool to come a few months earlier to familiarize himself with the city.”

“Is this going somewhere?” Taehyung asks, shaking his wavy brown hair away from his face impatiently while Jimin takes forever to talk.

“And he doesn’t have a place to stay and I need someone to cover my two month rent so I kinda told him hecanlivehere.”

Taehyung’s brows shoot up his forehead after he registers Jimin’s jumbled words. “Absolutely fucking not. Nuh uh, I am not having some rando moving in here to ruin my hot boy summer I’ve been preparing to have.”

Jimin stares at him.

“Crisps, soju and a netflix marathon,” the blond boy drawls. “Super fucking sexy, Tae. A true hot boy summer.”

“Fuck off,” Taehyung grumbles, kicking at Jimin’s leg again. Jimin catches onto the heel of his foot, tickling him until Taehyung squirms, pulling away with a laugh.

“So Jeongguk will be arriving tomorrow,” Jimin says matter-of-factly.

Taehyung groans, throwing his head back dramatically against a couch cushion. “And you couldn’t have told me any earlier?”

“Well, hyung and I only planned the trip two days ago so we haven’t had any time to prepare either.”

Taehyung covers his face with his arm. “Is this Jeongguk some weirdo, Jimin? Be honest.”

Jimin scoffs. “If anything, you’re the weird one. And he’s actually staying in Seoul afterwards and he’s one of my good friends, so don’t be a fucking creep, okay?”

“Why would I be a creep?” Taehyung asks, lifting his hand up to frown at Jimin.

Jimin blinks.

And then it dawns on him.

“He’s fucking hot, isn’t he.”

“He is,” Jimin nods.

“Single?”

“Yes.”

“Gay?”

“Pan, I believe.”

There’s a long pause, and shortly after Taehyung’s face spreads into a smirk. “Well, guess I’ll still be having a hot boy during the summer after all.”

Jimin sighs. “Please don’t have sex with my childhood friend, Taehyung.”

“I can’t promise you that,” Taehyung responds, earning a kick to his thigh.

**

Jimin had not been exaggerating. 

Jeon Jeongguk is fucking hot. 

He’s standing right by their front door, the tips of his hair dyed an electric blue, dark tattoos winding up one of his strong biceps and Taehyung’s pretty sure he can see the glint of an eyebrow piercing from the distance.

Jimin’s tackling him into a large hug, thighs wrapping around Jeongguk’s waist as he hops on top of him. Jeongguk laughs loudly, nose scrunching in endearment and Taehyung finds his own mouth forming into a smile.

“Jeongguk-ah,” Jimin exhales, fingers threading through the blue hair as the elder places a wet kiss onto his cheek.

“Hey, hyung,” Jeongguk responds, gently placing Jimin back onto the ground even when the blond seemed to have no intention of dropping down.

“You’ve grown so much since we last met,” Jimin mutters, pressing his palms to Jeongguk’s cheeks and squishing them.

“We literally facetimed just last week, you moron,” Jeongguk grumbles, pulling his luggage inside of the apartment.

“Jimin has a flare for the dramatics,” Taehyung quips, placing his hands in his back pockets as he casually takes a few steps closer.

Jeongguk blinks in surprise, gaze shifting from Jimin to Taehyung, brown eyes wide before his face spreads into a warm, friendly smile.

Taehyung feels as his heart begins to melt.

Fuck.

“He truly does,” Jeongguk agrees, throwing a grin in a muttering Jimin’s direction before offering Taehyung a hand to shake. “Jeon Jeongguk.”

“Kim Taehyung,” Taehyung murmurs, shaking the younger’s hand, eyeing him up and down. “So you’re my new roomie for the next few months since this one is abandoning ship?”

“I hope it’s okay,” Jeongguk nods. “I wouldn’t want to impose,” he continues hesitantly.

“Absolutely no issues,” Taehyung says with a wave of his hand. “I was fine with it the moment Jimin told me.”

Jimin glares at him from behind Jeongguk.

But Taehyung only focuses on the smile Jeongguk sends his way, blinding and beautiful, front teeth poking out past his lips and now Taehyung understands why Jimin has Jeongguk’s name saved under ‘bunny’ on his phone. 

He’s seen Jimin texting and calling Jeongguk countless times, but he’s never connected the bunny emoji to his name until now.

“Well that’s good then,” Jeongguk tells him. “I just kinda wanted to check out Seoul beforehand, maybe meet some of Jimin’s friends since he can’t seem to shut up about them,” Jeongguk smiles.

“I feel like he’s in love with us,” Taehyung confesses as Jeongguk comes to stand by his side, both of them staring at Jimin who is busy hauling Jeongguk’s luggage around.

“Yeah, Yoongi’s just a cover up for his true feelings,” Jeongguk sighs, mimicking Taehyung and crossing his arms over his chest.

Taehyung takes a quick moment to ogle the strong biceps which bulge, the black t-shirt the younger wears doing nothing to cover up the smooth skin and the pink tint in his elbows that Taehyung finds awfully endearing.

Jimin pauses, luggage dropping down to the ground with a thud. “Okay, so you both are fucking delusional.”

“I don’t think we are,” Taehyung argues. Jeongguk nods along.

Jimin’s cherubic face forms into a glare, huffing as he straightens up. “Hyung and I are leaving tomorrow so, all of us, and him, are going to a bar tonight. I’ll— I don’t know— make out with him in front of both of you to show you who I really fucking love.”

Jeongguk’s nose scrunches up. “We don’t wanna see that.”

“Yeah, too far, Jimin.”

Jimin splutters as Taehyung and Jeongguk start walking away, a string of curses leaving his mouth as Taehyung begins to give a tour of the place where the younger will be staying for a few months before Jimin returns.

Jimin’s voice carries through the apartment just as Taehyung is showing Jeongguk how their shower works. “Taehyung, you’ve watched the two of us have sex out of boredom while you were waiting for your microwave pizza to cook! Don’t act a fucking saint!”

**

Taehyung finds himself smiling in the mirror as he gets ready for their night out. 

Jimin and Jeongguk are in Jimin’s room, catching up a little bit more while Jeongguk unpacks all of his bags, arranging them in Jimin’s empty cupboards which he cleaned out for the younger. Taehyung can hear them giggling and laughing all the way from the other side of the wall. It makes him smile too, and he’s so extremely happy with how well he’s already managed to click with Jeongguk.

Sometimes it can be awkward meeting new people, especially if you have a close friend in between and neither of you know how to act.

But talking occurred naturally between Jeongguk and Taehyung. Their conversations were easy, and relaxing other than the slight nervousness which had begun to simmer within Taehyung’s stomach ever since the first time he had seen Jeongguk earlier that day.

Now, Taehyung could easily recognise that there was a strongly growing attraction towards the younger, and he was comfortable with emotions, and even if they sometimes were nerve-wracking to express, Taehyung didn’t find confessing too difficult of a task.

But, perhaps, after only knowing the boy for less than a day, the feelings should stay reeled in for a tad bit longer.

He combs through his dark waves, styling them in a way which keeps them tousled, curving around his cheeks and the nape of his neck. He had opted for a beige button-up, leaving the few top buttons open, exposing his clavicles if he held his body at the right angle.

There’s brown eyeshadow decorating his eyes, a smidge of eyeliner and gloss on his lips, nothing too extravagant but it accentuated his face, bringing out more of his features.

Dark slacks frame his waist, pulled tight by a black belt, and Taehyung twists in the mirror to check out his ass, satisfied when he can easily make out the curve of it. 

There’s a knock on the door a moment later, and Jimin’s head peeks in through the crack. He eyes Taehyung up and down, eyes narrowing. It’s silent for a moment. Then, “You’re trying to have sex with my childhood friend, aren’t you?”

Taehyung gives himself one final glance through the mirror before walking out of the door behind Jimin. “I am.”

Jimin shakes his head, defeated. “Let’s go, you heathen. Yoongi’s already waiting at the bar.”

Jeongguk is waiting by the entrance of the apartment, stuffing his feet into large combat boots. Taehyung lifts up a brow, appreciatively staring at the thick thighs, eyes lifting up to Jeongguk’s perky ass.

He lets out a wistful sigh.

Jimin shoves him.

Jeongguk straightens back up, a polite smile on his face as he smoothes out his black button-up shirt. Taehyung notices how he, too, has left the few top buttons open. “Ready?”

“You look good,” Taehyung tells the younger, eyeing the blue hair which is partially placed into a small ponytail. Jeongguk has also seemed to have put on some makeup, a slight shimmer to the lids of his eyes as he looks Taehyung once over, lips curving into a smile.

“So do you,” Jeongguk responds, keeping his eyes on Taehyung’s waist as Taehyung bends down to put on his own shoes. It makes Taehyung warm, feeling a slight tinge in his cheeks as he feels the eyes on him, raking up and down his body.

Jimin watches the two of them suspiciously, hands on his hips. “There will be no fucking on my bed. Also the kitchen counter is absolutely off limits. I sometimes don’t use a chopping board so I don’t want the remnants of jizz flavouring my toasted bread, thank you very much.”

Jeongguk snorts.

Taehyung stands back up, giving Jeongguk an amused yet breathless look which the younger reciprocates, like he knows. It makes Taehyung’s stomach swoop.

They stare at each other for a few more seconds before Jimin is pushing past the two of them, opening the door so they can leave. “Jesus christ, we haven’t even left yet and you two already look like you’re thinking of names for your future children.”

“Are we?” Jeongguk asks, checking Taehyung out one more time before he steps into the hallway after Jimin, leaving Taehyung to try and contain his smile, momentarily flustered before he follows after them.

**

Yoongi had managed to reserve them a booth before the bar had become too crowded. Jimin’s currently  sitting in the elder’s lap, a possessive hand curled around his neck, whispering sweet nothings into his ear, occasionally glancing at Taehyung and Jeongguk on the opposite side of the leather couches.

Taehyung has a drink in his hand, already on his second cocktail as he snorts at Jimin’s antics, watching them with humoured eyes. Yoongi doesn’t seem to mind, scrolling through his phone, double checking that they have everything prepared for their trip while Jimin begins tugging on the silver on his ears with his teeth.

“Jimin, we get it, you love him,” Taehyung eventually grins.

It catches Yoongi’s attention, and he drags his gaze up towards the two younger males sitting opposite him. “Was there some confusion over this matter?” Yoongi asks casually, his foxy eyes sliding over to Jimin, cocking one brow up as Jimin slides a hand down Yoongi’s chest, fiddling with one of the buttons on his shirt.

“I think Taehyungie is just jealous that he doesn’t have anyone to kiss,” Jimin quips, eyeing Jeongguk now.

Jeongguk, a little bit confused with the sudden attention, shrugs as he takes a sip of his drink. Taehyung leans back, staring at the way Jeongguk’s throat moves as he swallows. He bites down on his lip, eyes dark as they follow Jeongguk’s movements.

“Oh,” Yoongi whispers.

“I’ve had to deal with it the whole day,” Jimin grumbles.

Taehyung takes a sip of his drink, stomach warming as Jeongguk places his glass down and gazes at him. Taehyung purposefully licks his lips, mouth parting as he takes the straw into his mouth, holding eye contact with the younger as he sucks on the plastic.

Jeongguk’s eyes drop down to Taehyung’s mouth, gaze becoming darker as Taehyung’s tongue flicks out to catch the drop of alcohol which was spilling past his lips as he removed the straw.

“I’m so sorry, babe,” Yoongi says in condolence, stroking Jimin’s cheek in sympathy. Jimin sighs, burying his face into the crook of Yoongi’s neck as Yoongi watches the two others in amusement.

“I don’t think I should have a problem with finding someone to kiss,” Taehyung eventually responds, gazing at Yoongi.

“Alright, Romeo,” Yoongi sighs. “Can you get me another drink first? I can’t move since Jimin’s on me.”

Taehyung clucks his tongue before he nods, taking the credit card Yoongi offers him as he stands up. “Want something, Jeonggukkie?”

Taehyung watches in amusement as he notices Jeongguk’s gaze stuck on his ass as he had stood up. And, perhaps Taehyung was purposely jutting his hip to the side to show it off more.

Jeongguk clears his throat, shaking his head. “I’m good.”

“Yeah?” Taehyung asks, voice dropping lower as he catches Jeongguk staring.

Jeongguk nods, breathlessly looking away.

Taehyung grins before walking away, heading towards the bar.

It’s crowded, and Taehyung can barely fit himself through the groups of people sitting by the barstools. He manages to squeeze into a small space, waving the bartender over. He has to almost yell his order so that it can be heard over the loud bass music.

The bartender begins to work on the cocktail, and Taehyung leans his elbows against the counter as he waits, drumming his hands along the sticky surface.

“I like your rings.”

Taehyung glances to the side with a cocked eyebrow, taking in the male. He seems to be a student too, nursing a beer as his gaze roams over Taehyung’s long legs. “Thanks,” he says, a lazy smile on his face as he turns back around.

The male leans closer. “Here alone?”

“Nope,” Taehyung responds, popping the ‘p’ as he fishes out Yoongi’s credit card from his pocket, handing it over to the bartender when he’s finished making the cocktail.

A warmth envelopes his back, not quite close enough to touch but he still feels the body lingering behind him. “Hyung,” a soft voice calls out.

Taehyung grins.

He twists around, leaning his elbows on the counter behind him, back pressing against the sharp edge before using one of his hands to pull Jeongguk closer by the belt loops in his black jeans.

Jeongguk stumbles closer, bracketing Taehyung’s arched body. “Miss me already?” Taehyung asks, brows raising in amusement. His large hand curls around Jeongguk’s thin waist, squeezing once as Jeongguk glances at the male next to Taehyung who had attempted to start a conversation. “Eyes on me,” Taehyung murmurs, squeezing Jeongguk’s waist again.

The man grunts from next to Taehyung, fully turning back around towards his friends.

“You were just taking a while,” Jeongguk breathes. “Came to make sure everything’s okay,” he continues, staring down as Taehyung’s thumb presses against the material on Jeongguk’s hip.

“Well aren’t you sweet,” Taehyung purrs, an easy grin on his lips as he presses his fingers against Jeongguk’s hips again, watching as Jeongguk’s chest rises quicker at the action.

Testing out, Taehyung reaches out with his other hand too, placing long fingers across Jeongguk’s waist, squeezing hard. 

Jeongguk’s gaze snaps up, and he’s just about to say something when the bartender taps Taehyung’s shoulder, handing the credit card back.

Taehyung reluctantly removes his hands from around Jeongguk, taking the card into one hand and Yoongi’s drink into the other as they head back over to the booth.

Jimin takes the drink and card from Taehyung, sipping on the cocktail before Yoongi even has a chance. “We’re gonna go dance.”

Taehyung had just managed to sit down back in the booth before Jimin is dragging Yoongi towards the dancefloor. 

Jeongguk glances at Taehyung, biting down on his lip before he chugs down his drink. For some liquid encouragement, perhaps. “Do you—you wanna dance too?”

Taehyung peers at Jeongguk, nodding. “Yeah sure,” he responds easily, finishing his drink off before they walk close to where Jimin and Yoongi are dancing.

Jeongguk’s face is partially shadowed, strobe lights from above blinking across his eyes as Taehyung steps closer to him.

He watches Jeongguk for a few seconds, silently asking permission before there’s a small nod to Jeongguk’s head, and Taehyung wastes no time in wrapping his arms around the younger’s shoulders, pulling him in.

He wouldn’t say they’re familiar enough that Taehyung can push and tug Jeongguk around as he might do to his other friends, hands roving over shoulders and cheeks and arms, always finding something to touch. So he’s glad when Jeongguk allows him the slight familiarity, a smile blooming across his face as Taehyung softly scratches at the younger’s nape with his nails.

Taehyung grins, head feeling airy and light as he feels Jeongguk place his arms around his waist, the younger’s grip tightening as he notices how Taehyung’s gaze drops down to Jeongguk’s plush, pink lips.

“So,” Taehyung murmurs, gaze never leaving Jeongguk’s mouth as he slowly begins swaying his hips from side to side. “What’s your plan for the next few months before uni starts?”

Jeongguk swallows, mouth parting as Taehyung leans closer, the front of his pants brushing against Jeongguk’s. “Not sure yet,” Jeongguk responds, pulling Taehyung flush against himself as someone bumps their shoulder against Taehyung’s back.

Taehyung’s nose scrunches in endearment as he sees Jeongguk glare after the person, releasing his hold a few moments later. His hands stay on Taehyung’s hips though, and Taehyung focuses the younger’s attention back to him as he rolls against him again, whispering how he barely even felt the person bumping him.

And then he’s giving Jeongguk one, dark look before he’s twisting around, pressing his back against Jeongguk’s chest.

He can feel Jeongguk’s warm breath against the side of his neck, and Taehyung grins as he can sense Jeongguk stutter behind him when Taehyung grinds backwards. “You need a tour guide then?” Taehyung asks, voice innocent while his ass presses against Jeongguk’s crotch.

Jeongguk’s fingers are squeezing against Taehyung’s hips, pulling his waist closer, helping Taehyung move.

“What are you gonna show me?” Jeongguk asks, breathing the words right into the shell of Taehyung’s ear.

Taehyung tilts his head so that Jeongguk’s nose skims along his jaw, making his whole stomach swoop with heat. “Whatever you want,” Taehyung responds, lifting one of his hands so that it curls behind him, fingers threading through the blue strands of hair in Jeongguk’s ponytail, faintly tugging at them. “What do you want to see?” he whispers, the two of them close enough to each other that Jeongguk can hear him even past the loud music.

“I’ll take anything you give me,” Jeongguk responds, and Taehyung’s lashes flutter closed, very much aware that their conversation isn’t just about all of the tourist attractions around Seoul.

“Yeah?” he gasps, leaning the back of his head against Jeongguk’s shoulder as Jeongguk’s fingers press against Taehyung’s waist again. Taehyung’s breath hitches.

“Mhhm,” Jeongguk purrs, nose skimming along the expanse of Taehyung’s jaw, skin warm and electric against Taehyung’s body. Taehyung is thankful for the strong arms circling around his waist, thinking that his knees would otherwise be bucking beneath him. 

Taehyung lets out a low moan as Jeongguk’s hands begin to roam, his large palm pressing flat against Taehyung’s stomach. The contact heats through Taehyung’s button-up, and he can feel as his body warms, reacting to Jeongguk’s touch.

But then Jimin is there, grinning at them. “So sorry to ruin the moment guys. But we have an early flight to Japan with hyung, so we’re gonna have to call it a night.”

“We just started dancing,” Taehyung complains.

Jimin lifts a brow. “Well actually, hyung’s already managed to finish the drink you bought and we’ve been wondering for quite a while if to interrupt you two or not, but, yeah. You two are free to stay here though,” he finishes.

Jeongguk glances at Taehyung before removing his hands from around Taehyung’s body, biting down on his lip.

Taehyung already misses the warmth of him.

“We should come back with them, right?”

Taehyung nods softly.

As much as he’d like to kiss Jeongguk right now, he can also feel the quick beating of his heart, the crush which is slowly beginning to develop and he doesn’t want to rush anything like this. Doesn’t want Jeongguk to just be a quick one-night stand.

Of course, he doesn’t know at all how Jeongguk feels.

Sure, he can tell that there must be some sort of attraction from his end too, from the lingering gazes to the wandering hands, but Taehyung wants to take things just a little bit slower, in the hopes that perhaps behind Jeongguk’s attraction towards him, there could also be some feelings involved.

So, they head back towards the booth where Yoongi is waiting for them, black hair plastered against his head which Jimin starts smoothing out once they reach him. “Ready, babe?”

Yoongi nods, standing up from the couch and taking hold of Jimin’s hand.

Taehyung follows after them, feeling a warmth on the small of his back as Jeongguk walks behind him. It makes him smile, the silent reassurance that Jeongguk is there, that he’s prepared to hold onto Taehyung so that they don’t get separated from each other while they head out of the crowded club.

He almost has half a mind to reach around and grab onto Jeongguk’s hand, just like Jimin and Yoongi are doing, but he thinks it might be grasping at too much familiarity to what the two of them actually have. So, he stays satisfied just feeling Jeongguk’s warm palm against his back.

**

Taehyung wakes up to loud bangs coming from the living room. Then, a string of curses which have him twisting around in bed, covering his face with his pillow to try and muffle out the sounds.

Sunlight streams through his window, blaring down at him with the summer’s heat, and it doesn’t take long for the pillow to start feeling more like suffocation, so he removes it with a sigh, uncaring how it drops down to the floor.

Taehyung’s tiredness turns to growing amusement when he hears more cursing, the sound of feet frantically running around the apartment, collecting forgotten items.

He stretches out his body before standing up, scratching at his bare tummy for a few seconds, letting out a yawn before he’s walking through the door. Leaning against the doorframe, Taehyung watches a hurried, frantic Jimin run around, two suitcases of luggage by the door, one of them sprawled wide open while Jimin flings in more things he had forgotten.

And then he looks towards the couch where Jeongguk had slept. He’s idly watching Jimin too, still obviously attempting to blink away his dreams. It’s too hot outside to wear a shirt, and Taehyung stares at the bare chest which has been presented in front of him, toned and strong. There’s divots in his abs, ones Taehyung wants to lick all over, shifting and twitching around as Jeongguk yawns.

The thin blanket is half draped over him, covering the lower-half of him, and Taehyung is thankful for that. He’s not really looking to go into cardiac arrest first thing in the morning, seeing Jeongguk lounging around in just a pair of boxers.

But looking up from the body that rivals Adonis, Taehyung’s heart kicks up in speed again. Jeongguk looks soft, hair tangled and a proper mess around him, eyes still a little puffy from all the sleep, and the slow-blinking motion he’s doing, following Jimin’s frantic actions with a small effort, has his wanting to head over and place soft kisses all over the younger’s face.

“Oh Tae, you’re up,” Jimin says in an ushered breath, barely glancing at him as he rushes past towards the bathroom. He’s fully clothed, blond hair already styled and his boots clunk against the hardwood floor as he runs around. “I was gonna come wake you up just to say bye.” There’s a honk coming from outside and Jimin curses again.

Taehyung lets out a small grunt, still too tired to give a proper response. His eyes slide back towards the figure on the couch, and he just barely manages to catch Jeongguk’s gaze before the younger is looking away.

There’s a tint to his cheeks that wasn’t there before, and Taehyung realises that the younger one was probably staring at his bare chest. He wonders if Jeongguk’s eyes were roving over his body like Taehyung’s were, in secret desire.

“Okay,” Jimin exhales, fingers threading through his styled hair, causing some strands to fall over his forehead. “I should have everything. You two gonna be fine?” Jimin asks, rushing over to Taehyung and planting a kiss on his cheek.

Taehyung hums as Jimin walks over to Jeongguk, leaning down and kissing his forehead before rushing over to the door, closing his suitcase back up.

“Yeah, hyung,” comes Jeongguk’s raspy morning voice. “You two enjoy your trip. We’ll be fine.”

“Alright,” Jimin nods, opening the door to the apartment in a hurry before he twists around, glancing at the two males. “Love you guys,” he says, before pausing for a moment, pointing a finger at them with narrowed eyes. “ Not in a romantic way, you fuckers. Now you’ve ruined me telling I love you, hope you’re happy.”

Taehyung lets out a snort as Jimin slams the door closed after him. There’s a small chuckle heard from the couch, and Taehyung smiles as he sees Jeongguk’s nose scrunching in amusement.

“He really lets our teasing get to him, doesn’t he?” Jeongguk asks.

“Yeah—” Taehyung responds, any further words he was about to say catching in his throat as Jeongguk stretches his body, elongating it like a cat as he lets out a low, tired sound from his throat. “Breakfast?” Taehyung asks, quickly trying to divert his attention to something other than Jeongguk’s naked torso. “There’s a good place just around the corner, if you’d like to check it out? But if not, that’s fine too! I know some people skip breakfast, which is kinda unhealthy but—”

“Hyung,” Jeongguk grins, interrupting him. “Breakfast sounds lovely. Give me a bit of time to get ready though?”

Taehyung nods, “of course. I need to— to put on a shirt too.”

At the mention, Jeongguk’s eyes drop down to Taehyung’s chest again. Taehyung feels the tips of his ears warming up, and before Jeongguk can say anything, he’s walking back into his room, trying to calm down his racing heart.

Taehyung throws on a green t-shirt he finds on the ground, swapping his pyjama pants for grey cotton shorts. He places sunglasses on top of his head, walking out of his bedroom without peeking at the couch to give Jeongguk some of his own privacy as he walks to the bathroom.

Taehyung quickly brushes his teeth, splashing water over his face, trying to bring the heat of summer down a bit. He attempts to comb through his hair a little, placing his aviators on as he walks back towards the living room, hoping Jeongguk has dressed.

Taehyung thanks himself for being smart enough to put his sunglasses on already, not being able to control the widening of his eyes. Jeongguk is in ripped jean shorts, reaching just above his knees, but it’s the shirt which grabs his attention. It’s a loose black tank top, his arms left fully exposed. Taehyung stares at the tattoos which wind up his bicep, ending right at the top of his shoulder.

“I’ll brush my teeth quickly too,” Jeongguk tells him before scurrying past the brunet. Taehyung stares after him, blinking a few times.

He’s not sure how he’s supposed to survive living two months in a shared apartment with Jeongguk if he’s walking around like this, muscles out in full glory, causing Taehyung’s heart to ramp up into overdrive.

He picks out his wallet and keys as he hears the tap close, toeing on his flip flops as Jeongguk re-emerges from the bathroom. “Ready?”

Jeongguk grins, nodding his head as he walks over to Taehyung, putting on some ratty sneakers.

Taehyung smiles at the small bun in Jeongguk’s hair, knowing he must have tied it while brushing his teeth.

The short walk to the cafe is uneventful, both of them walking quickly to escape the summer heat. There’s no wind, no breeze to cool off the warmth which pricks at Taehyung’s skin. 

Jeongguk walks by his side in comfortable silence, and Taehyung still finds himself incredibly grateful that there is no awkwardness between the two of them. Granted, if there were, he doesn’t think he would have even suggested the cafe, would have instead just grabbed some fruit from their kitchen and retreated back into his room.

Jeongguk’s presence next to him is awfully comforting, natural. There’s no weirdness between the two of them—not with how Taehyung was grinding against Jeongguk just last night at the bar. Neither of them mentions it, neither of them has to mention it, knowing that it was something which had occurred between them and they were fine with it. More than fine, actually, and Taehyung hopes that eventually they might shift into a mood like that again.

The small bell attached to the door rings as Taehyung and Jeongguk step into the small, quaint cafe. The aircon is on inside, and Taehyung breathes out, relishing in the cool breeze which envelops his skin.

“Coffee?” he asks Jeongguk as they walk over to the counter. “Matcha pastry? It’s on me.”

“Oh no,” Jeongguk says with a shake of his head. “I can pay.”

Taehyung orders himself a fruit tea and a ham and cheese filled croissant, leaning away from the counter as Jeongguk places in his own order. And before Jeongguk can whip out his card, Taehyung is placing a soft hand onto his shoulder, leaning over from behind to place his own card into the machine. 

He smiles as Jeongguk grunts.

“You can pay next time,” he murmurs quietly, feeling as Jeongguk’s shoulder relaxes when Taehyung’s fingers play with the sleeve of his tank while he waits for his card to get approved.

“Alright,” Jeongguk agrees easily. “I’ll pay for the next two times.”

Taehyung attempts to hide the endeared roll of his eyes as they walk over to the side to wait for their order to be up. “You wanna sit inside or out?”

Jeongguk eyes the small porch outside, designated for customers, nodding towards it. “Outside, maybe? If it gets too warm we can hop back in.”

Taehyung hums in agreement, accepting the tray the cafe employee hands him with their order.

Jeongguk holds the door open for Taehyung to step through.

Taehyung places the tray on one of the outdoor, rickety wooden tables, watching as Jeongguk sits down on the chair opposite him, first placing Taehyung’s order in front of him before reaching for his own coffee, bagel and pastry. The motion makes Taehyung smile, and he sits down easily, placing his sunglasses into his hair to let Jeongguk know how much of his attention he’s giving the younger.

Jeongguk tucks a few strands of blue hair behind his ear before he digs into the pastry, humming in content as flakes of the dessert fall back down onto the plate.

“Good?” Taehyung inquires, placing his chin onto his palm as he watches with amused eyes. “It’s your first proper breakfast in Seoul, I hope it reaches your standards.”

Jeongguk swallows down the food. “Everything here is way above my standards.”

“Everything?” Taehyung grins with a tilt of his head, taking a few sips of his tea.

Jeongguk catches his eye, looking at him with intent before he drops his gaze back down to the food on his plate. “Yeah, everything.”

Taehyung smiles, giddy, tearing off a piece of his croissant with his fingers and popping it into his mouth. 

Even when it’s summer, people still rush past them on the street in a hurry, and Taehyung studies a few people running past before his gaze drifts back to Jeongguk.

His heart stutters in his chest once more when he catches Jeongguk silently looking at him.

Jeongguk averts his gaze, looking down at his coffee with a shy, flustered smile.

Taehyung bites down on his lip, trying to contain his grin from spreading too wide. “So what are you going to be studying?” he asks.

“Graphic design,” Jeongguk responds after taking a sip of his drink. “You’re still in uni too, right? SNU?”

“Yeah, starting my last year,” Taehyung responds. “I’m an art student, so I guess I’ll be seeing you around campus even after Jimin comes back and you find your own place.”

Jeongguk glances up, eyes warm. “I guess you will,” he smiles. “I’ll look around for you.”

“Will you?”

“Yeah,” Jeongguk murmurs. “‘Course I will.”

Taehyung takes another bite of his croissant, tamping down the wave of feelings rushing in his chest. But he grins at Jeongguk, the younger smiling right back, two fools already accepting the emotions they are falling into while the sun radiates along Jeongguk’s face, shining across the slope of his nose, highlighting his cheekbones and curving into his warm smile.

Taehyung’s fingers itch to touch, wanting nothing more than to hook his feet around Jeongguk’s bare calves. He wants to brush his fingers along the tattoos on Jeongguk’s arm, wants to dip his tongue into the space above his collarbone. But he also wants to squish his cheeks, wants to prod at the pink skin around Jeongguk’s knuckles and elbows. Wants to twist his fingers in the blue hair, placing butterfly clips to keep the strands away from Jeongguk’s pretty face.

Honestly, he can’t quite believe Jimin has kept Jeongguk from Taehyung for so long. Jimin’s always going on and on about how Taehyung should find a boyfriend of his own, but no one had been piquing his curiosity. 

Well, until Jeongguk showed up on his doorstep the previous day.

But everytime Jimin had mentioned Jeongguk, he had just talked about his ‘childhood best friend’, and Taehyung hadn’t had enough interest in the matter to start asking for pictures or descriptions of the boy. 

But Jeongguk is here now, warm and radiant, basking in the sun as he finishes off his breakfast with these happy little hums that make Taehyung smile. 

“I think I’ll go explore a little bit today,” Jeongguk informs, foot tapping against the ground, gaining some excess energy from the coffee he had just drank. “I have a friend who lives in Incheon and I had promised to meet up with him.”

“Alright, Jimin gave you his keys, right?”

“Yeah,” Jeongguk says with a wave of his hand. “You don’t have to wait around by the door or anything like that.” He hesitates for just a second before continuing. “Could I— could I get your number though? Just in case.”

“Just in case,” Taehyung smiles, teasing, but he accepts the phone Jeongguk gives him, typing in his number while Jeongguk watches him, a little bit nervously.

Taehyung saves it with a small heart next to his name, just to tame the nerves which seem to spike in Jeongguk’s stomach. 

Jeongguk blinks as he registers the heart when Taehyung hands the phone back, lips tugging upwards in silent relief.

“You enjoyed breakfast?” Taehyung asks as he finishes off his drink, chairs scraping against the small patio as they stand up to leave.

“I did,” Jeongguk grins. “Thank you for bringing me here, hyung. I’ll surely remember this place for a long time.”

“We can come here again if you’d like,” Taehyung mentions, hovering his palm on the small of Jeongguk’s back when they collect all of their belongings and begin walking back towards their apartment.

“Yeah! Gosh, I love Seoul already,” Jeongguk says enthusiastically, smiling brightly with a small giggle, elated as he basks in the sun, face tilting upwards to catch a few rays as they stroll along the street. “I’ll ask my Hobi hyung for any good restaurants he might know of.” There’s a small pause. “And I’ll take you there.”

“Me?” Taehyung smiles.

“Yeah,” Jeongguk says, shyness creeping into his voice. “If you’d want that.”

“I’d love it, Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk smiles at him, soft and tender. His eyes are knowing, watching Taehyung with this certain look, like he can tell exactly which direction the two of them are heading and he can’t wait to find out where it leads them. And Taehyung watches him back, his gaze reassuring and warm, reciprocating with the same exact emotion.

**

Taehyung is mid-episode in the second season of The Office when Jeongguk walks through the front door. He had texted the time of his approximate arrival - even if Taehyung had told him it wasn’t necessary - he still found his heart warming at the fact that Jeongguk cared enough to think about him and send a few messages while he was out with his friend.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk smiles easily, spotting Taehyung sitting cross-legged on the couch. 

Taehyung pauses the tv show, watching as Jeongguk kicks off his shoes and ambles over. There’s a plastic bag brushing against the side of his leg, and once he reaches the couch, Jeongguk sits on the armrest, placing the bag on his thigh and opening it up. 

Taehyung watches in curiosity as Jeongguk sifts through some items.

“Got you some stuff,” Jeongguk says casually, like the two of them had known each other for much longer than what they actually had. Jeongguk fishes out a bottle of apple juice, then a bag of the cheesy crisps Taehyung had been eating a few days ago, and lastly a small plastic container with washed berries.

Taehyung blinks in surprise as the items are placed neatly on the couch next to him, nothing else in the air but the soft rustling of the bag as Jeongguk moves it around. “You got me these?”

Jeongguk nods, a little bit stiffly, his foot which is propped in the air as he sits on the armrest faintly shaking, making Taehyung smile. “I hope they’re what you like.”

“They are. Thank you,” Taehyung responds, catching his bottom lip between his teeth as Jeongguk begins moving off the couch, heading towards Jimin’s room which is now his for the next few months. “Would you want to watch something with me? Or we can play, maybe, I have a ps4. Or if you’re tired from the day, and you just want to rest, that’s totally fine too!”

Jeongguk turns around, letting out a small, amused exhale, smiling. “Yeah, yeah I wanna watch something with you, hyung. I’ll just take these to my room quickly.”

Taehyung nods, anticipation growing in his stomach as he watches Jeongguk’s retreating figure. He places the items Jeongguk had bought for him onto the table, brushing off his shirt from any invisible crumbs it may have.

Taehyung is browsing through the selection when Jeongguk re-emerges from the room. He’s changed clothes, now in a loose, white t-shirt which sleeves reach up to his elbows, and Taehyung comes to the conclusion that Jeongguk’s closet doesn’t seem to be filled with much more than loose-fitting clothing.

“Let me guess,” Taehyung says as Jeongguk sits down onto the couch next to him. “Horror, anime and action?”

Jeongguk smiles, amused at the assumption, shoulders shaking as he lets out a small laugh. “Any of those sound good. I like romance too, though.”

Taehyung blinks at him. “You do?”

Jeongguk’s smile turns into something more subdued as he tilts his head to look at Taehyung. “Do I not seem like a romantic person?” he teases.

“You do,” Taehyung responds. Jeongguk’s eyes crinkle, pleased with Taehyung’s response.

“Good,” the younger says, prying the remote controller from Taehyung’s hands. Warmth blooms in Taehyung’s stomach when Jeongguk’s fingers brush against his.

It’s almost eight in the evening and the sun is just setting, the last moments of the golden hour still shining through the window of the apartment. Taehyung watches as the final rays of light dip below the skyline as Jeongguk flicks through the assortment of movies and tv shows available.

“This good?” Jeongguk asks, and Taehyung’s brows raise a little bit when he sees the Conjuring on the screen, not the biggest fan of horror movies, but he still nods, settling in further on the couch.

Jeongguk makes himself comfortable, shuffling around a little bit until he is lying on his side with one of his feet digging underneath Taehyung’s thigh. Taehyung has an almost instinctual need to place his hand onto Jeongguk’s ankle and rub soft circles into the bone, but he refrains, keeps his hands casual, one on his lap and the other draped over the back of the couch.

Jeongguk tucks a pillow under his head, his cheek smushing against the softness of it and Taehyung’s mouth flicks into a smile when Jeongguk fully settles, clicking play on the movie. 

When Taehyung turns back to the screen, he can instantly feel the eyes on him. It makes him grin, and he deliberately looks at Jeongguk to catch him in the act.

Jeongguk looks away as fast as he can, suppressing a smile. Taehyung drops his hand down, giving Jeongguk’s calf a teasing squeeze, and he’s just about to move his arm back up when Jeongguk’s soft touch stops him, placing his hand back down.

Taehyung holds his breath, fingers curling around Jeongguk’s calf with a miniscule nod as he turns his attention back to the screen.

He can see from the side of his eye how Jeongguk bites down on his bottom lip. He takes a few more seconds before focusing on the movie.

Taehyung keeps his warm palm pressed against Jeongguk’s leg, feeling as Jeongguk occasionally digs his toes further underneath his thigh. His fingers twitch around Jeongguk’s calf, sometimes just instinctually curling his fingers, pressing them harder against Jeongguk’s skin before releasing.

Jeongguk lets out quiet exhales when Taehyung softly massages him, and he must think that the movie is playing loud enough to mute out his own sounds, but they don’t, and Taehyung finds himself continuing to press his fingers deeper just to hear Jeongguk more.

At one stronger curl of his fingers, Taehyung feels as his pulse quickens as Jeongguk lets out a pleased hum, his eyes fluttering closed even while the movie continues playing in the background.

“You like that?” Taehyung dares to ask, his voice coming out low, breathy and heady before he even gets the chance to try and control it. 

His heart picks up as he hears a quiet mhhm, watching the way Jeongguk’s brows have a small crease forming between them. It makes his fingers press down with more intent, mouth parting in a simmering want as Jeongguk keeps humming, satisfied.

Jeongguk’s eyes flutter back open, and Taehyung diverts his attention back to the screen, not wanting Jeongguk to see the raw, almost pathetic, desire which courses through Taehyung’s body just from brushing his fingers along Jeongguk’s calf.

The sounds from the movie are almost muted in Taehyung’s mind, his only focus being on the warm press of his hand against Jeongguk’s skin. Jeongguk sinks further into the pillow, eyes closing again.

And Taehyung can’t help how his fingers begin to roam, just a little. Can’t help how he strokes along Jeongguk’s leg until he reaches the younger’s knee, squeezing.

He feels as Jeongguk’s legs buck just an inch, the toes which are beneath Taehyung’s thigh curling. Taehyung keeps his dark gaze on Jeongguk, head tilted to the side with a bated breath as he watches every response Jeongguk’s body gives him.

His fingers smooth down the hairs on Jeongguk’s leg as he teases his fingers all the way to Jeongguk’s ankle, pressing his thumb down on the soft skin right below his ankle bone.

Jeongguk moans.

Taehyung’s brown shoot up, not expecting such a vocal response. It makes his stomach swoop, gut punching with desire.

Jeongguk’s eyes open, large, brown doe-eyes which take up most of his face staring at Taehyung in shocked surprise. The tips of his ears tint a light pink, and his mouth parts to try and scramble for some sort of excuse as to why he let out such a sound.

“I- I’m sorry.”

Taehyung watches as the blush spreads to Jeongguk’s cheeks, and he’s quick to shake his head. “No need.”

Jeongguk’s eyes are still wide, and just to prove a point that he didn’t mind, at all, Taehyung presses his thumb down again.

Jeongguk teeth catch his bottom lip to stop him from making any more sounds. It makes Taehyung smirk, a teasing glint in his eyes as he rests his hand back down onto Jeongguk’s calf casually without pressing down anymore.

He can see the rise and fall in Jeongguk’s chest, how he watches Taehyung’s fingers curled around his leg before shuffling around, silently turning to face the screen, ears still tinted pink.

Taehyung suppresses his smile for the rest of the movie, barely flinching during any of the jump scares, his mind only replaying the sound of Jeongguk’s moan and how responsive his body is to Taehyung. How warm his skin feels beneath Taehyung’s palm.

And when the movie is over, Jeongguk is quick to scramble up from the couch, attempting to rush towards his bedroom.

“Jeongguk-ah,” Taehyung calls after him, idly clicking the television off. Jeongguk turns around, eyes wary and expectant, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he waits for Taehyung to continue. Taehyung leans forward, letting his mouth tug upwards as he stares at Jeongguk with intent. “I liked it.”

He can see how Jeongguk sucks in on a breath, blinking once to collect himself. And then Jeongguk smiles, shy and flustered before it turns into something more filled with mirth, eyes becoming more shadowed and dark as he tilts his head a little, looking at Taehyung. “Good.”

And with that, Jeongguk turns around, stepping into his room and closing it behind him with a soft click, leaving Taehyung alone in the living room, trying to catch his breath.

**

It seems like Taehyung’s comment from the previous night has pushed any embarrassment that Jeongguk might have been feeling away.

Taehyung is in the kitchen the next morning, in nothing but boxers and a large t-shirt, not expecting Jeongguk to be up as early as he is. He’s slicing a few oranges for breakfast, knife on the chopping board quiet enough that Jeongguk shouldn’t wake up to it, but a few moments later the door to Jimin’s bedroom is opening, and a sleepy Jeongguk is walking through.

Taehyung pauses cutting when Jeongguk comes into his view, shirtless with grey sweats hanging low on his hips. “Morning hyung,” Jeongguk gruffs, rubbing his eyes as he stifles a yawn.

Taehyung can do nothing but blink once, twice, before he’s turning back towards the chopping board, trying his best to ignore the shirtless male who has appeared in the kitchen alongside him. “Morning.”

And it seems like Jeongguk pauses, finally taking in Taehyung and his long legs, the large shirt which dangles around mid-thigh. It makes Taehyung smile, giddiness simmering in his stomach as he feels Jeongguk’s eyes on him.

Then Jeongguk moves, walking into the kitchen and Taehyung’s breath hitches as Jeongguk slides past him, the tips of his fingers brushing against Taehyung’s bare thighs.

“Sorry,” Jeongguk whispers, voice low and drawn out. “It’s so crowded.”

Taehyung hums, smiling as he continues slicing the oranges. “Plans for today, Jeonggukkie?”

Jeongguk pours himself a glass of apple juice, his hip leaning against the kitchen counter as he watches Taehyung.

“No plans. Want to do something?”

Taehyung tilts his head towards Jeongguk, smiling lazily. “Yeah, I do. Orange?”

Jeongguk hums, gaze flicking down to the chopping board. Taehyung picks one of the orange slices between two fingers, offering it to Jeongguk. But Jeongguk only ends up parting his lips, mouth widening in invitation.

Taehyung’s face breaks into an easy smile, head shaking in disbelief as he takes a step closer to where Jeongguk is standing, humouring him. “Can’t feed yourself?”

“I’d much prefer you doing it,” Jeongguk responds.

Taehyung hums in amusement, slender fingers reaching towards Jeongguk’s mouth. A drop of juice from the fruit dribbles down the side of Taehyung’s finger as he slides the orange past Jeongguk’s opened lips.

Jeongguk’s eyes are hooded as he closes his mouth around Taehyung’s fingers before he has a chance to withdraw them. Taehyung sucks in a breath, gaze on the pink, plush lips currently pressed against his skin as he slowly begins to slide his fingers out of Jeongguk’s mouth. They come out sticky, covered with Jeongguk’s saliva and juice from the fruit, and he turns around to the sink, opening the tap and giving his hand a quick wash, body curving away to try and shield his reddening face from Jeongguk’s eyes.

“That was good,” Jeongguk mentions after he’s swallowed. “Oranges are better in Seoul. Or maybe it was just because of the way I was fed it.”

Taehyung grins, letting out a small hum as he slices up the rest of the orange. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Eat something more for breakfast, we have a long day ahead of us.”

“We do?” Jeongguk asks curiously, stepping closer and stealing another slice of orange.

Taehyung nods, pushing a few more slices Jeongguk’s way on the chopping board with the edge of the knife. “We do, I’ll show you some places Seoul has to offer.”

“I’m looking forward to that then,” Jeongguk tells him, plucking another orange slice from the chopping board and eating it. Taehyung turns his head, tilting it to the side to watch Jeongguk eat—a soft smile curving on his lips as his gaze flits over the pretty boy still puffy-eyed and messy haired.

“Eat up,” Taehyung murmurs, flicking the underside of Jeongguk’s chin with his finger before collecting some orange slices onto a plate and taking it to his room. He can feel Jeongguk’s eyes on him as he leaves, and it has Taehyung biting down on his lip, wanting to look back just to confirm the feeling.

He eats the fruit by the desk in his room, leg shaking against the ground with nerves—good ones, elated anticipation thrumming through Taehyung’s whole body as he imagines spending the whole day with Jeongguk. 

He isn’t exactly sure of the plan yet, isn’t sure what Jeongguk would want to explore or where he would want to go, but a small part of Taehyung hopes that Jeongguk will be happy just due to the fact that they’re spending time together.

It’s unavoidable now, trying to deny the attraction from either end, and Taehyung doesn’t think he’s ever experienced such confidence in having a crush before, knowing that it is reciprocated—knowing that Jeongguk must have fallen just as quickly.

Taehyung stares out of the window as he finishes the food, watching the rising sun and debating what he can wear so that he won’t sweat so much. 

He ends up in loose blue jeans and a black t-shirt which he tucks into the pants, rolling up the sleeves so that they curve over his biceps. Taehyung tousles his hair in the mirror, applying some sun lotion to his face before heading over to the bathroom.

It’s cracked open, and Taehyung walks in, presuming it was empty. But he startles when he almost bumps into Jeongguk brushing his teeth, eyes wide and also seemingly shocked with the sudden interruption.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, fuck I should’ve knocked,” Taehyung rambles.

Jeongguk waves his hand around, mouth parting to say something but the words come out jumbled as he tries to brush his teeth. It makes Taehyung grin, watching the other struggle.

“Sorry what was that, can you repeat it?”

Jeongguk glares at him, tips of his ears tinting pink as he shuffles a few small steps back to accommodate Taehyung into the space. Taehyung gives him a hesitant glance to make sure it’s okay—but Jeongguk only smiles at him, warm and pretty.

So Taehyung wets his toothbrush and places a small amount of toothpaste onto it before bringing it up to his lips. And then he glances up, eyes instantly catching Jeongguk’s through the reflection of the mirror.

There’s something awfully domestic about it even if they’ve only known each other for a few days, and it makes a certain type of fondness wrap around Taehyung’s heart. A feeling that he thinks he could get used to—having Jeongguk here, brushing their teeth together while they prepare for their day. 

He doesn’t want to rush things with Jeongguk—sometimes it is good to take a step back and consider if this is truly something he would wish to pursue—but with Jeongguk it’s easy. Natural almost with how well they fall into sync.

And Jeongguk watches him through the mirror while they brush their teeth with this expression—something laced with affection, perhaps. A silent, reassuring gaze. And then Jeongguk breaks that eye-contact, just to close the distance between them once more and duck down, spitting into the sink and gurgling on some water.

Taehyung doesn’t know how, or when he managed to do such a thing, but he notices his hand is resting on the small of the younger’s back while he’s still hunched over the sink. He removes it as Jeongguk bends back up, mouth fresh of any toothpaste but he instantly smiles at Taehyung, eyes crinkling as he does. “So what’s the plan?”

Taehyung attempts to speak, but ends up spluttering from the amount of toothpaste in his mouth, making Jeongguk snort. 

“Sorry, what was that?” Jeongguk mimics. “Can you repeat it for me?”

Taehyung’s eyes narrow, but it’s in good humour as Jeongguk bumps his shoulder against the brunet’s before walking out of the bathroom, leaving Taehyung to finish his morning routine alone. 

**

Taehyung pats his back pockets to make sure he has his keys and wallet before they walk out of the front door. Jeongguk trails a few steps in front of him, wearing a loose, modern Hanbok—dark grey in its colour, paired with black sandals which seem a little bit too big for his feet, and Taehyung listens to them flop against the hallway with an endearing smile. 

A warm breeze blasts across Taehyung’s face as Jeongguk opens the front door to the apartment complex. He almost instantly sighs at the heat of it, but then Jeongguk is twisting around and slinging an arm over Taehyung’s shoulder, and suddenly, Taehyung doesn’t find himself minding that much.

“So we could always check out Bukchon Hanok Village, but without any aircon I think walking around there could be pretty brutal, so perhaps we could save that for a cooler day?”

Jeongguk hums, hand squeezing Taehyung’s shoulder as they walk. “Is this just hyung’s way of trying to spend more time with me?”

Taehyung snorts, poking a finger at Jeongguk’s ribs. “It really is hot, I’m just looking out for your best interest.”

“I believe you,” Jeongguk laughs, swatting Taehyung’s fingers away with his free hand.

Taehyung hums happily, unable to keep the smile off his face. “So then, how about Myeong-dong?”

Jeongguk wags his brows playfully. “Escaping the heat by hiding in shops? I hope you’re prepared to spend all of your money on me then.”

“Don’t do this to me, Jeongguk-ah, you know I’m a poor student,” Taehyung wails dramatically. “And I’m having an increasingly hard time saying no to you.”

Taehyung freezes a little after processing the words which have left his own lips—wondering if it could be considered a confession of sorts by describing the way in which Taehyung’s heart grows soft whenever the topic becomes Jeongguk related.

But Jeongguk only tugs him along with the grip on his shoulder, a delighted laugh leaving his lips. “I’ll make sure to put this new-found information to good use, then.”

They head into the subway, the heat not easing up at all—almost getting worse with the amount of people packed around them. And as it’s still morning, people heading towards their jobs or to spend their day out in the sun—Taehyung gets pushed right into Jeongguk’s chest.

He bumps into him with a hand thrown onto Jeongguk’s shoulder to grasp for some sort of balance, and Jeongguk’s hand automatically wraps around Taehyung’s waist to hold him steady. People squeeze against him due to the rush hour, shoulders and arms pushing against Taehyung’s body until he’s practically melding with Jeongguk and you can’t tell where one begins and the other ends.

“Well,” Jeongguk huffs, warm breath against Taehyung’s cheek. “It’s just a few stops, right?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung agrees, not quite being able to handle the fact that his nose bumps against Jeongguk’s one—lips far too tempting not to look at—so Taehyung opts to hook his chin over Jeongguk’s shoulder instead, attempting to appease the thrumming of his heart by not looking at the boy.

But he wonders if Jeongguk can feel the nerves. If he can feel the frantic thump which beats wildly in Taehyung’s chest—pressed right against Jeongguk’s own. Wonders if Jeongguk can hear the shallow breaths Taehyung lets out, seeking to calm himself down. But the subway lurches into motion, loud and mechanic, voices surrounding them in all directions so he doubts Jeongguk manages to pick up on it.

And since the subway bumps and jerks as it moves, Taehyung fails to notice how Jeongguk’s fingers nervously shake as they stay wrapped around Taehyung’s body, disbelieving that he can hold the older boy so close to himself.

The few stops go by quicker than what Taehyung had anticipated, too absorbed in the feeling of Jeongguk pressing against him to notice that they had to get off. They squeeze through the crowds of people, reaching the exit out into the open air again.

Jeongguk blinks a few times in wonder as he walks by Taehyung’s side. “I mean, Busan’s shopping districts are like— fifty times smaller than this place.”

Taehyung grins, taking hold of Jeongguk’s hand so that they won’t separate. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you so you don’t get lost.”

Jeongguk rolls his eyes, but it’s good-natured, an easy smile sitting on his lips as Taehyung tugs at his tattooed hand, pulling him into one of the first stores on the street.

“Hyung will buy you something moderately priced, just to give you a proper welcome to Seoul. Don’t go overboard or you’re pulling out your own wallet.”

Jeongguk begins walking around, eyeing all of the clothes. “Would’ve come here sooner if I knew I’d get my own personal sugar daddy.”

“A broke sugar daddy,” Taehyung corrects, trailing behind the younger. “Jeongguk that costs more than our rent, absolutely not— no don’t give me that look—”

**

“Enjoyed your day so far?” Taehyung asks, stuffing another large portion of japchae-bap into his mouth. He has a few shopping bags between his feet, rustling in the quiet restaurant they are at when Taehyung accidentally kicks one of them while adjusting himself.

Jeongguk nods eagerly, chewing on a mouthful of spicy kimchi jjigae. Taehyung scrunches his nose as he can practically smell the level of spiciness wafting through the air.

Their day had gone by surprisingly fast, the sky already darkened and neon signs on the streets lighting up. A blueish hue reflects on Jeongguk’s face, highlighting his strong cheekbone and sharp jawline. His electric hair melds in with the neon, and Taehyung finds himself resisting the urge again to thread his fingers through the dyed locks. He finds himself not being able to take his eyes off the younger, but Jeongguk doesn’t mind—seems to share a similar sentiment. 

Their eyes constantly flick to each other while they eat, sharing soft, shy gazes when they think the other isn’t looking—making Taehyung’s stomach erupt with butterflies, foot strumming a nervous rhythm against the floor.

“Do you want to taste?” Jeongguk asks, offering a biteful of food. His eyes are wide and expectant, and Taehyung already knows he will absolutely hate it, but he licks his lips and leans forwards on the table, lips parting. A few small pieces of kimchi and tofu are placed into Taehyung’s mouth, and he chews down on it, almost reluctantly as he waits for the spiciness to hit.

And as he swallows a small biteful, his face twists, contorting in a look of disgust. Jeongguk’s eyes widen further, his expression becoming a mixture of shock and worry. “Hyung, you okay?”

Taehyung waves his hand in front of himself, covering his face with his other hand as he attempts to swallow the rest of the food in his mouth.

But then he hears a chair scraping in the quiet restaurant, and Jeongguk is crouching by his side the next second. Warm palms rest on Taehyung’s thighs as Jeongguk peers upwards worriedly, reaching for a glass of juice Taehyung had ordered.

Taehyung manages to swallow the rest of the food, eyes beginning to water. He accepts the drink Jeongguk hands him, chugging half of it down in one go. Jeongguk still hovers, a gentle hand now massaging the back of Taehyung’s neck.

“Bad or spicy?” Jeongguk asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Spicy,” Taehyung responds, tongue feeling a little bit numb. Jeongguk lets out an amused sigh, squeezing Taehyung’s neck once more before he’s walking back towards his own seat.

“Now why on earth would you accept the bite then?”

Taehyung takes another sip of his drink to try and wash away some of the spice lingering in his mouth. His skin doesn’t warm with anything other than humiliation now, and he has a sheeping look as he glances at Jeongguk. He isn’t able to hold eye contact though, averting his gaze a few moments later. “Kinda just wanted to impress you by being able to eat super spicy food.” 

Jeongguk blinks once before he’s giggling. “Super impressed by the way you started choking from just a small biteful.”

“Stop,” Taehyung wails, shaking his head in disappointment. “God, I'm embarrassed.”

Jeongguk’s giggles subside, but he doesn’t stop smiling. “I thought it was cute.”

Taehyung lets out an embarrassed whine before he digs into his own food again to try and forget what he had just stupidly done. But Jeongguk’s eyes had been so wide and hopeful as he had offered the food, Taehyung had moved almost against his own will.

“So, no spicy food for Taehyung hyung. I’ll keep it in mind.”

And Taehyung can’t help but smile like a fool at Jeongguk’s words, glancing upwards and it’s like all of the embarrassment flushes out of his body with how warmly Jeongguk is watching him. He finds himself completely enthralled by Jeongguk, his brown eyes which are breathtaking and wide enough to almost fill his whole face up. Jeongguk is still smiling, his white front teeth poking past his lips, and Taehyung finds himself thinking once more how it would feel to have that plush mouth pressed against his own.

“Heard from Jimin?” Taehyung ends up asking, dragging his eyes back to Jeongguk’s own as he takes another bite of his food.

Jeongguk nods. “They’re still in Japan right now, I think.”

Taehyung leans back on his chair. “That’s so cool. Next year I’ll do the same thing. I doubt Jimin will want to come with me, but I’ll find someone.”

Jeongguk’s mouth parts as if to say something, but he snaps it closed the next moment, opting to duck his head down to slurp some of the soup with a spoon.

“We should go to a Noraebang after this. You can’t visit Seoul and not go to a Noraebang,” Taehyung says, crossing his legs beneath the table, smiling up at Jeongguk as he finishes his food.

“Yeah, sure,” Jeongguk agrees easily. “I wouldn’t want the day to end yet.”

And Taehyung’s heart warms—the insinuation that Jeongguk wants to spend more time with him has his head turning a bit fuzzy, gleeful, and most of all, happy.

As they leave the restaurant almost a whole hour later since they had fallen into a deep discussion about video games; Jeongguk attempts snatching the heavy shopping bags from Taehyung while they walk along the streets. But Taehyung swerves his attempts, blocking Jeongguk’s hands with his body, and somehow they end up walking a few steps with Taehyung’s back pressed against Jeongguk’s chest, the younger’s arms winding around Taehyung’s waist as they waddle along.

Jeongguk huffs indignantly when Taehyung doesn’t give in, so he makes it his mission to find the closest Noraebang so that Taehyung doesn’t have to carry all of the bags for long.

Since the sun has set, the air is cooler, a warm breeze softly blowing against Taehyung’s face as they walk along. Other university students are around enjoying their summer vacations—bars are crowded and the sidewalks litter with people drinking and smoking, laughing loud and boisterous. 

Jeongguk ends up throwing a hand over Taehyung’s shoulder as they head down the streets. Taehyung leans into the other’s body, appreciating the contact he often initiates himself with his friends. He is a touchy person, and the fact that Jeongguk seems to be relaxed enough in his presence to reciprocate the touchiness has Taehyung’s pulse kicking up a notch, giddy.

The Noraebang room is already flickering with colours as the two of them enter. The base light is a darker purple—its neon hue reaching every corner of the small room. There are brighter lights bouncing around the walls and the ceiling, a quiet pop bass playing in the background as the karaoke machine is on the menu screen.

Taehyung drops their shopping bags, lets them lean against the couch so that they don’t topple onto the floor. Jeongguk closes the door to the room as he enters after Taehyung, softly clicking it shut before shuffling towards the couch.

It’s a white one, stretching across the whole expanse of the back wall—a small table in front of it with a drink and snacks menu if they would like to order something into the room. Taehyung joins Jeongguk where he’s situated in the middle, and Taehyung sits down so that their thighs touch before scooting a little bit to the side.

“You look like you’re a good singer,” Taehyung comments, picking up the controller from the table and beginning to flick through all of the song options available.

“Well you look like you’re an even better singer,” Jeongguk retorts, bumping his shoulder against Taehyung’s, shifting so that their thighs touch again.

Taehyung’s stomach swoops at the contact.

“We should get some soju,” Jeongguk continues, picking up the menu and skimming through it. “Grapefruit?”

“Sounds good,” Taehyung tells him, watching as Jeongguk hops off the couch and out of the room.

Taehyung misses the steady press against his side almost instantly; however, he expects Jeongguk to sidle up to him once more when he comes back. And if Jeongguk does for some reason sit further away, Taehyung is pretty sure his own body will begin seeking the younger’s contact, and will end up by his side anyway.

The more time he spends with Jeongguk, the more sure he is that what he feels towards the younger is less an infatuation towards his good looks, and more so a genuine crush building steadily within him.

After their morning breakfasts and this whole day spent together—Taehyung can easily admit that he absolutely loves being in Jeongguk’s company. The way they can talk so naturally, like old friends reconnecting after a long time—or perhaps lovers who had been together since childhood. There is just something about the two of them that clicks, and the fact that Taehyung knows that the feelings are reciprocated, well. It just makes him fall harder.

Jeongguk comes back a few minutes later with the bottle of soju and two glasses, placing them onto the table and unscrewing the cap while sitting down. Taehyung smiles as he feels Jeongguk’s thigh pressing against his. Like he, too, couldn’t quite wait to feel the warmth of Taehyung’s body again.

Taehyung pauses scrolling to watch Jeongguk pour them the drinks, taking the glass from Jeongguk when he offers it, and downing the small amount in one go.

Jeongguk grins at him as he watches before picking up his own glass and copying the motion.

Taehyung turns back towards the screen. “Who is this—BTS?”

Jeongguk looks at the screen curiously. “Isn’t that the band that charted first spot on Billboard for like thirty weeks straight?”

Taehyung lets out a sound, a quiet ah flitting past his lips as he nods. “Oh yeah, yeah it is.”

They sit in silence for a few moments, listening to the karaoke machine play a small snippet of the song on loop in the background before Taehyung is quietly murmuring. “Legends.”

“Okay, okay,” Jeongguk huffs, prying the controller from Taehyung’s hands. “Now, what should we sing?”

“What should you sing,” Taehyung corrects. “I want to hear you first.”

Jeongguk snorts with a disbelieving shake of his head, but acquiesces, tattooed finger clicking different buttons on the remote until finding a song he deems good enough. “Well, since you seemed to have your doubts about me being a romantic person, perhaps this will make you think differently.”

Taehyung hums, not able to keep the grin off his face as the song begins playing and Jeongguk stands up from the couch, dramatically twisting around and pointing a finger at Taehyung. “This one's for you, Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung laughs so loud that he covers his mouth with his hand, giggling as Jeongguk does some exaggerated body rolls that don’t fit the melody at all.

The background music is only an acoustic guitar, and Taehyung slowly stops laughing as Jeongguk’s mouth parts—and he begins to sing.

Jeongguk sounds beautiful. Taehyung already knew that he liked the sound of Jeongguk’s voice—how it became a higher pitch when he was excited and how it is gruff and tired just as the boy wakes up. 

But, perhaps, he had never realised the full extent of what Jeongguk’s voice actually makes him feel. Not until he began to sing, and everything else around Taehyung turned into a grey backdrop, the only focal point of his mind being the boy softly swaying in the middle of the karaoke room, both hands clutching a microphone and words sung by an angel leaving his lips.

“And then you take me in…”

Taehyung swallows.

“...and everything in me begins to feel like I belong.”

Taehyung leans back on the couch, entranced by the words he hears, by the subtle sway of Jeongguk’s hips following along to the melodic tune. 

Jeongguk’s eyes are glued to the screen, following along to the lyrics. And even if he looks calm, collected as he sings along, his grip on the microphone is tight, the only thing giving his nerves away.

Perhaps, Jeongguk is just shy to sing in front of him, Taehyung thinks. Surely he would be the same, needing at least a few more glasses of soju before his own nerves would begin to simmer down.

“Like I was torn apart, the minute I was only born…”

And Taehyung knows he shouldn’t read into the lyrics too deeply; it’s a pretty love song and Jeongguk jokingly dedicated it to him, but his mind still replays the words he hears over and over in his mind.

Jeongguk glances at him then, doing a double-take as he sees the way Taehyung’s mouth is parted, watching Jeongguk with something akin to sheer awe in his expression.

“...and you’re the other half, the only thing that makes me whole.”

Jeongguk breaks eye-contact then, but Taehyung doesn’t mind, not when Jeongguk approaches the couch again, a pretty blush beginning to form on the apples of his cheeks. Jeongguk sits down, eyes back on the screen while Taehyung stares at his side profile.

But then Jeongguk is quickly handing Taehyung the microphone, shy as he diverts his gaze, like he couldn’t quite handle the connotation behind the lyrics and the intense stare that Taehyung was giving him.

Taehyung takes it from him in shock, blinking a few times before he turns to the screen so that he doesn’t miss too many of the lyrics. 

“I know it sounds like a lot—but you really need to know…”

He feels Jeongguk’s eyes on him, wide and wondrous like he is just as entranced with the deep timber in Taehyung’s voice as what Taehyung was when he first heard Jeongguk’s.

Jeongguk leans a bit in, one hand planted on the couch as his body tilts forwards, like it is an instinct for him to need to hear Taehyung closer.

“...how everything good in life seems to lead back to you.”

“Hyung,” Jeongguk whispers.

It’s quiet compared to the microphone and the background music, but Taehyung hears it anyway, stops singing as he turns his head towards Jeongguk, feeling a punch to his gut as he sees Jeongguk’s eyes locked on his lips.

The microphone is dropped onto his thighs; Jeongguk flicks his gaze to Taehyung’s face just to see the small nod before he is swooping in.

Taehyung’s back falls against the couch, arms winding around Jeongguk’s waist as the younger’s chest presses against his. 

And then he feels soft lips against his own.

The song still plays in the background, the quiet strum of the acoustic guitar and the neon lights flickering all around them, microphone pressed between their bodies—but Taehyung can only focus on the feeling of Jeongguk’s mouth, hot and wet against his own.

Jeongguk’s lips slot around his own, pressing kiss after kiss until it becomes something more open-mouthed, a hesitant tongue sweeping across Taehyung’s bottom lip. Taehyung parts his mouth too, allowing access while his hands roam along Jeongguk’s strong back, fingers gripping the material of the shirt.

Taehyung had always guessed Jeongguk’s lips would be soft. He knew they were beautiful—something he was entranced to and he wasn’t sure if the feelings came from the soft plushness of them, or the mole situated right beneath his lower lip—or perhaps it was just the association towards the angelic voice that flitted past them.

“Have you wanted to—how long?” Jeongguk asks between kisses, pulling away just far enough that Taehyung can see his hooded eyes, staring at Taehyung’s lips which are shiny and wet.

“Minute I first saw you,” Taehyung replies honestly, breathless.

Jeongguk curses, ducking back towards Taehyung’s mouth, fingers gripping the elder’s shoulders. “Same.”

And heat licks in Taehyung’s stomach at the words. His hands find their way beneath the Hanbok Jeongguk is wearing, stroking along the soft skin by Jeongguk’s waist, making the younger let out a breathless gasp into Taehyung’s mouth.

The song has stopped playing, now playing a short sample of it on loop in the selection screen while Taehyung removes one of his hands from beneath Jeongguk’s shirt and uses it to cup the blue-haired boy’s jaw, softly guiding the movement of his lips, tilting his head to the side so that their kiss becomes slower, more subdued.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk says, parting once more. Taehyung’s thumb strokes along Jeongguk’s cheek. “I’m pretty sure I have a big, fat crush on you.”

Taehyung’s nose scrunches in endearment, mouth spreading into a large, rectangular smile. “I’m pretty sure I have a big, fat crush on you too, Jeongguk-ah.”

Jeongguk lets out a relieved breath, pressing a shy kiss to Taehyung’s lips before he pushes himself off the elder’s body, pulling Taehyung up with him.

Taehyung watches as Jeongguk tries to contain his smile, the sight so endearing to him he can feel his heart constricting in his chest. He leans in, placing his palm on Jeongguk’s thigh, letting out a happy exhale from the very pits of his chest as Jeongguk places his own on top of his, other hand picking up the remote to begin scrolling through the list of songs again.

Jeongguk hums as he searches through the music. “We have to sing a few songs—we paid for the whole hour after all.”

“You wouldn’t pay just to makeout with me?” Taehyung teases.

Jeongguk quips him with an amused look. “Trust me when I say I would pay a whole fortune to feel your lips against mine. Oh— what’s this?”

Taehyung grins as Jeongguk gives his hand a quick squeeze before standing up. He peers at the screen, eyes widening as he hears the sound of loud gongs—a song by someone called Agust D beginning to play.

“Jeonggukkie is a rapper now?”

Jeongguk winks, head nodding along to the beat as Taehyung laughs, pouring them more soju that Jeongguk chugs down before the lyrics appear on the screen.

And then Taehyung bursts into another round of giggles, flopping down on the couch and clutching his stomach as Jeongguk’s whole body starts to move, hopping across the room. “Daechwita, Daechwita—”

**

A few days later Taehyung is running some errands. Jeongguk had gone out for the day with his friend again—his older hyung called Hoseok if Taehyung remembers correctly. He might already be back by now, but Taehyung is still at the grocery store, filling the shopping cart with food for Jeongguk too so that the younger one doesn't have to make a separate trip to the store.

And after Taehyung has packed the food into a few plastic bags and heads out of the store into the comfortable heat of the evening, he passes by a flower shop, making him pause.

He has never bought flowers for anyone before, but his mind instantly slips to Jeongguk, an incessant temptation growing within as he peers at the store.

The two of them had been progressing with their relationship slowly, spending time together, sneaking kisses during movies which turn into heated makeout sessions with Taehyung pressed against the living room couch and Jeongguk toppling over him.

He approaches the flower shop, hesitantly peeking his head in before walking in. The aroma of flowers hits his nose immediately, and he sinks into the smell, shoulders slumping as he relaxes. It’s hard for him to describe, but the flowers smell just like how Jeongguk looks—delicate, inviting, shy.

“Good evening,” the florist greets, placing down the roses which stems he had been cutting onto the counter as he smiles at Taehyung. “Looking for something specific?”

“Um,” Taehyung hesitates. “I’m not sure.”

The florist smiles softly, understanding. “Who is it for, if I may ask?”

Taehyung almost blurts out that his boyfriend—but he knows they aren’t there yet. So he winces, placing his shopping bags on the ground. “Someone important?”

The florist peers at him. “Romantic or platonic?”

Taehyung’s heart flutters in his chest. “Romantic.”

The florist nods, taking no note of the smile that spreads across Taehyung’s face as he thinks about Jeongguk. “Describe them for me please.”

Taehyung trails after the taller male. “I haven’t actually known him for that long yet, but we both know that perhaps soon, we’ll begin properly dating.”

The florist looks behind, smiling and encouraging Taehyung to continue.

Taehyung exhales. “He’s beautiful. Shy and bashful but also confident and knows what he wants. Like a walking contradiction with his tattoos and black clothing and strong muscles—yet his hands are the gentlest ones I’ve ever felt on my skin.”

Taehyung blushes as the florist pauses, trying to contain a smile. “Sorry,” Taehyung winces.

The florist waves his hand around, dimples on full display. “No worries. I act the same way with my own boyfriend.”

Taehyung grins, relaxing from his embarrassment. “I think he actually has a tattoo of a flower on his arm— it has some stripes - or dots I think - on it and the petals are perhaps a bit thinner.”

“Sounds like a tiger lily. We have those here. I personally love that flower so much.”

“Yeah?” Taehyung asks, eyes lighting up as the florist begins walking again.

The florist hums, pausing by an assortment of orange flowers, arms folding over his chest. “They represent confidence, nobility. But, if you’re giving someone them—” he trails off.

“What does that mean?” Taehyung asks, gnawing on his bottom lip.

“You’re asking them to love you.”

Taehyung’s eyes widen while the florist smiles.

“The flower is vibrant, bold colours splashed around to the very tips of the petals— and it’s almost like a dare when you hand them over.”

“Daring them to love me?”

“Yeah,” the florist says softly. “It’s a confident declaration, representing what the flower truly means.”

Taehyung hesitates for a moment. “It’s way too fast to call it love. I can’t call it that.”

The florist looks at him. “It doesn’t have to be instantaneous. You aren’t asking him to fall for you tomorrow, or the day after that. There is no timeframe, just a general question you’re asking them if sometime in the future—they could love you.”

Taehyung exits the store with his shopping bags and a bouquet of tiger lilies in his grasp.

Nerves spike in his stomach as he opens the door to his apartment and he can hear the quiet sounds of the television playing, knowing Jeongguk must be back from meeting his friend. He slips out of his shoes, eyes instantly flickering towards the couch just as Jeongguk’s head turns towards him.

He’s in a large black t-shirt, comfortable grey sweats stretching around his thighs as he sits on the couch cross-legged. 

And then Jeongguk’s eyes fall down to Taehyung’s hands, mouth parting as he takes in the bouquet.

Taehyung swallows, smiling nervously. “I saw flowers and I just couldn’t help myself.”

Jeongguk gets up from the couch, ignoring how the show keeps playing in the background as he walks up to Taehyung, prying the heavy grocery bags from his hands. “They are beautiful.”

“They’re for you.”

Jeongguk’s eyes snap up to him. “Me?”

Taehyung nods, watching as a blush begins to form on Jeongguk’s cheeks. Taehyung follows Jeongguk to the kitchen, staring as Jeongguk places the bags onto the counter before twisting back, approaching the elder.

“Truly, hyung? For me?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung smiles easily, a little bit more confident as he lifts the bouquet up for Jeongguk to take.

Jeongguk’s fingers clasp around Taehyung’s hand gently, staring down at the bouquet. “No one’s ever gotten me flowers before,” Jeongguk says quietly, a little bit breathlessly, like he can’t quite believe Taehyung has done such a thing.

And surely, after having them tattooed onto his very own skin; the boy must know the meaning behind the flowers. Still, he takes them from Taehyung with an almost dreamy smile, clutching them against his chest. Looking up, Jeongguk’s nose scrunches adorably. “Thank you so much, hyung.”

Taehyung’s heart warms, staring at the unbridled affection which swims in Jeongguk’s eyes as the younger takes a step forward, placing his arms over Taehyung’s shoulders, bouquet still in his hands, and leans in to press a kiss against Taehyung’s lips. 

Taehyung kisses him back, hands wrapping around Jeongguk’s waist and pulling him flush against his own body. His head tilts to the side so that their noses don’t bump, and soon he feels as his back presses against the counter, Jeongguk caging his whole body.

Taehyung tilts his head back as Jeongguk starts kissing down his jaw, wet lips pressed against his throat as he shows him just how grateful he is for the flowers.

Taehyung’s hands are roaming underneath Jeongguk’s shirt again, gripping at his thin waist, running his fingers across Jeongguk’s abs, making Jeongguk’s lips shudder against his skin. “Can we?” Jeongguk asks, pushing further into Taehyung’s body, slotting a thigh between the elder’s legs.

“My room?” Taehyung responds breathlessly.

Jeongguk breaths a yeah into Taehyung’s mouth, crouching down a bit and Taehyung is about to ask him what he’s doing, but Jeongguk is gently placing the flowers onto the counter and hooking his arms beneath Taehyung’s thighs and lifting him up.

Taehyung squeaks, arms lurching to wrap around Jeongguk’s neck as the younger begins moving. “My strong boy,” he giggles right into Jeongguk’s skin before kissing up the younger’s throat. Jeongguk’s jaw is sharp and strong, and Taehyung presses his lips against it, giving extra attention with his kisses as he mouths all the way up to Jeongguk’s ear, teeth tugging on the silver piercings. His voice is breathy, heady. “You’re so fucking hot.”

Jeongguk stumbles a step, making Taehyung laugh again, body overflowing with affection.

“You like praises?” Taehyung murmurs, pressing a kiss to the corner of Jeongguk’s lips as Jeongguk carries them into Taehyung’s room. “I’ll praise you as much as you want,” he continues.

“Eager to please, are you?” Jeongguk asks as Taehyung is placed on the bed.

Taehyung rolls his eyes, but he can’t stop smiling. “Not you talking like you weren’t just stumbling around after I complimented you.”

Taehyung is on the very edge of the bed, and Jeongguk joins him, throwing one thick thigh over Taehyung’s legs and planting his backside onto Taehyung’s lap, arms looping around his neck. “Maybe you were getting too heavy,” Jeongguk counters, placing a kiss to the tip of Taehyung’s nose.

“No I wasn’t.”

“No, you weren’t,” Jeongguk agrees lowly, leaning in to kiss Taehyung once more.

Taehyung sighs into it, arms curling around Jeongguk’s biceps and squeezing them in content as Jeongguk’s tongue slips into his mouth. The weight of the younger one on top of him is comfortable, a bit on the heavier side just due to the bulkiness of Jeongguk, but Taehyung finds himself enjoying it perhaps more than he should.

“You make me happy,” Taehyung admits when his mouth is free from Jeongguk’s lips. Jeongguk’s hand is placed on Taehyung’s chest, and he lightly pushes him until Taehyung’s back falls onto the bed beneath them. “And doing this right now— it feels right. Nothing rushed— but I want you to be sure too.”

Jeongguk’s smile is gentle, warm and affectionate as he gazes at Taehyung below him. “I’m sure, hyung. It feels the exact same for me.”

Taehyung swallows, nodding. “It should be scary, shouldn’t it? How much I already like you.”

Jeongguk leans down, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Taehyung’s ear. He gives a small shrug, eyes still incredibly gentle. “Sometimes people just find the right person for them.”

Taehyung sucks in a breath. “Am I that for you?”

“I think you might be, yeah,” Jeongguk admits.

Taehyung’s mouth spreads into a smile, reaching up for the collar of Jeongguk’s t-shirt and pulling him in so that he can slot their lips back together.

“How should we do this, angel?” Jeongguk asks, voice so incredibly tender—like Taehyung’s opinion holds the utmost value to him.

“I think I prefer bottoming, but I can top too if your preference is bottoming,” Taehyung tells him, fingers carding through Jeongguk’s blue hair.

“I like both,” Jeongguk mumbles against Taehyung’s mouth. 

Taehyung kisses the younger’s lips. “Could you top then? And if we find out that we would prefer you bottoming— we can try it another time?”

“‘Course,” Jeongguk whispers. “Can’t expect to get everything perfect on the first try.”

Taehyung smiles, booping Jeongguk’s nose with his finger. “Lies. I’m staring at someone who does everything perfectly on the first try.”

Jeongguk snorts, clasping his hand around Taehyung’s wrist and bringing it above Taehyung’s head on the bed, pinning it to the side. Then Jeongguk’s lips are on his again, kissing him. Taehyung finds himself quite enjoying the strong grasp Jeongguk has around his wrist, feeling as the younger tightens his hold as Taehyung purposefully wriggles his arm around. 

“Soon I’ll begin thinking you’re doing that on purpose,” Jeongguk murmurs as Taehyung struggles again. “Got a thing for strength, Taehyung?” Jeongguk asks, pronouncing Taehyung’s name in a maddeningly low way.

“Got a thing for you,” Taehyung responds cheekily, wriggling again, stomach fluttering in the way Jeongguk’s strong grip tightens on his wrist.

“I love learning more things about you,” Jeongguk mentions as he presses kisses along Taehyung’s cheeks. “How you like spending your days, what you look like just as you wake up, your newly found muscle kink—”

Jeongguk snickers as Taehyung pinches at the side of his waist with his free hand. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your praise kink,” Taehyung teases in response. “You liked it when I called you my strong boy, didn’t you?”

Jeongguk’s body gives a small jerk as Taehyung whispers the words, making Taehyung hide a gleeful grin. And then Taehyung is roving his fingers underneath Jeongguk’s shirt, sliding up his ribs towards his chest.

Jeongguk lets out a low moan as Taehyung pinches one of his nipples, tugging on the bud in a way that has Jeongguk keening, his crotch pressing against Taehyung’s. Taehyung can feel Jeongguk’s semi-hard cock through the cotton sweatpants pressing against his jeans which are feeling way too tight around him.

Jeongguk is still holding his wrist, his thumb ghosting along the thin veins on the inside of Taehyung’s arm, softly stroking the skin. 

And, wanting to get another reaction out of him, Taehyung tugs on Jeongguk’s nipple again. The sound Jeongguk lets out is higher pitched this time, a heady ah flitting by his lips. His face contorts in pleasure, so Taehyung does it again, feeling his own arousal growing as he listens to the sounds Jeongguk lets out. 

Not being able to get quite enough of it, Taehyung manages to loosen Jeongguk’s grip on his hand enough to shake his wrist free, and then Jeongguk is planting his palms onto the bed while Taehyung tilts his own body upwards to reach Jeongguk’s chest. 

He lifts up Jeongguk’s loose shirt, hitching it up the boy’s chest until his nipples come into view and Taehyung wastes no time in latching his mouth onto one of the hardened buds. 

Jeongguk keens again, head hanging downwards, letting out a whine as Taehyung gently uses his teeth to graze along Jeongguk’s pinkened skin. 

And then Taehyung is fully pulling the shirt past Jeongguk’s head, throwing it onto the ground, slender fingers wrapping around the bare skin of Jeongguk’s waist and leaning up to meet his lips.

Jeongguk kisses him breathlessly, like he’s having a hard time collecting oxygen into his lungs as Taehyung touches him. Taehyung feels fingers softly stroking along his cheekbones as they kiss slowly, languidly, enjoying discovering more parts of the other’s body.

Jeongguk’s other hand digs lower down, fumbling to open the button and zipper on Taehyung’s jeans. Taehyung giggles against Jeongguk’s lips until he begins helping him. And once his pants are loosened and Jeongguk only lets out a contented hum; his palm slides along Taehyung’s back, pushing past the boxers and moving further down to the curve of Taehyung’s ass.

Taehyung lets out a gasp of his own as Jeongguk squeezes the bare flesh of his ass. And he feels as Jeongguk grins against his lips, fingers squeezing again.

Taehyung arches his back off the bed as Jeongguk’s fingers grip and knead his ass, his hand partially constricted by the surrounding jean material.

“I think you like it when I do that,” Jeongguk murmurs. “When I squeeze your ass like this.”

“I’d like to argue you might be enjoying it a bit more,” Taehyung hums, smiling gently when Jeongguk catches his gaze.

“You’re not wrong,” Jeongguk whispers, pressing his lips against Taehyung’s again. 

A few minutes later, Taehyung is also shirtless, their positions switched so that Taehyung is sitting on Jeongguk’s lap.

“Take off those damn jeans,” Jeongguk complains, palms lightly tapping against Taehyung’s thighs. “I want to feel your skin.”

Taehyung has half a mind to tease him, but he hops off Jeongguk’s lap instead, shimmying out of his jeans before grinning, pouncing back on top of Jeongguk. Laughter bubbles out of Jeongguk’s mouth, eyes filled with warmth and affection as his large palms finally can slide up Taehyung’s bare thighs. 

And Taehyung lets out a breathless sound from his lips as he pushes his ass back, feeling Jeongguk’s hard cock pressing against his behind. With only boxers on, Taehyung can feel the thickness of it between his asscheeks, and it makes him roll his hips backwards, wanting to feel more of it.

Jeongguk’s fingers grip Taehyung’s thighs, tightening as Taehyung grinds his hips again. “Hyung,” he moans, eyes squeezing shut in pleasure as Taehyung places his hand along Jeongguk’s length, squeezing it through the cotton of his sweatpants.

“I want these off,” Taehyung mutters, reluctantly getting off of Jeongguk, slipping between his legs instead, and tugging off the sweats. He groans when Jeongguk’s cock comes into view, realising that he wasn’t wearing any underwear beneath his pants. “You’re so hot my heart physically hurts.”

Jeongguk grins, head tilted downwards to smile at Taehyung situated between his legs. “I rarely bother with boxers if I’m just chilling at home.”

Taehyung’s eyes glint with something dark, storing this information into the back of his brain. “Is that so?”

Jeongguk wags his brows suggestively. “Hyung gonna do this more often then?”

“Perhaps,” Taehyung hums, smoothing his hands up Jeongguk’s thighs after he’s managed to pull off the sweatpants. His eyes fall onto Jeongguk cock, hard and thick in Jeongguk’s hand. He holds his breath as he watches Jeongguk slowly stroke himself. Taehyung brings his hands onto the inside of Jeongguk’s thighs, squeezing along the strong muscles before he begins parting Jeongguk’s legs.

Jeongguk’s breath hitches as Taehyung leans down, pressing wet kisses along his thighs, one hand reaching up to wrap around Jeongguk’s fist, guiding the slide of Jeongguk’s hand along his cock.

“Hyung,” Jeongguk says breathlessly as Taehyung forcefully slows down Jeongguk’s fist to long, languid strokes, peering at the younger through long eyelashes while he mouths along his inner thighs.

Jeongguk’s whole body keens as Taehyung licks over to his balls, mouthing at one for a few seconds before moving higher, pushing Jeongguk’s hand off his cock with his nose. Jeongguk complies, hand falling limply to the side in pleasure as Taehyung takes the tip of his cock into his mouth, suckling on it while he holds the younger’s gaze.

Jeongguk lets out soft breaths of air, sounds disappearing into the darkened room which is only luminated by the slowly setting sun outside. And as Taehyung begins taking Jeongguk deeper into his mouth, Jeongguk’s voice becomes louder, headier, attempting to buck his hips upwards like he isn’t quite in control of his body.

When from the corner of his eye he sees Jeongguk’s arm raising, he braces for the tugging against his hair, expecting harsh pulls. But he finds his throat further relaxing around Jeongguk’s cock as the younger begins softly stroking along his brown locks, hand gentle and caring. 

Taehyung exhales through his nose as he slowly begins bobbing his head up and down the younger’s dick, appreciating the soft fingers carding through his hair. 

Jeongguk is still trying to control his breathing, abs constricting and tightening when Taehyung takes him in deeper. “Fuck,” Jeongguk moans as Taehyung pulls almost all off his cock, tongue laving around the sides and the tip. “Kiss me.”

Taehyung smiles easily, giving Jeongguk’s dick a few more strokes with his hand before he crawls further up the toned, strong body, fingers trailing up the sides of Jeongguk’s ribs. Then, grinning, Taehyung dips down again, tongue licking up the middle of Jeongguk’s abs, roving up until he takes a nipple into his mouth, listening to the way Jeongguk’s gasps.

But then Jeongguk is stroking his hair again, so gentle and tender that Taehyung can’t help but lift himself up and do what Jeongguk had asked—and kisses him. Jeongguk reciprocates eagerly, tattooed fingers caressing Taehyung’s bare skin.

“Lube?” Jeongguk asks, voice still a bit breathless.

Taehyung parts from him, digging into his drawer and pulling out a bottle of lube. There’s an unopened packet of condoms, and Jeongguk watches fondly as Taehyung struggles ripping the see-through plastic covering from it.

Letting out a happy sound after he manages to rip the plastic off, Taehyung fishes one of the condoms out, throwing it onto the pillow next to Jeongguk’s head. 

“You’re cute.”

Taehyung flushes, planting himself on top of Jeongguk’s bare chest. Jeongguk’s hands reach down to grip his ass, pulling his cheeks apart before squeezing. It makes Taehyung bite down on his lip, breathlessly watching as Jeongguk focuses all of his attention onto Taehyung’s ass. “Open me up?”

Jeongguk nods, fingers brushing along Taehyung’s rim, making him flinch in a shuddered surprise. The blue haired boy grins as Taehyung slaps his chest. And then Jeongguk is uncapping the lube bottle and pouring a generous amount onto his fingers.

Taehyung kisses along Jeongguk’s jaw as he can feel a finger prodding at his rim again, this time lubed and slick.

“Ready?” Jeongguk whispers.

Taehyung nods into Jeongguk’s neck, currently sucking on the skin on Jeongguk’s throat, wondering if it’ll bloom into a mark.

And then Jeongguk gently pushes his finger in, making Taehyung exhale. “Good?” Jeongguk breathes out, pushing his index finger deeper until his knuckle reaches the rim

“Yeah, keep going,” Taehyung responds, moaning into Jeongguk’s ear as the younger one begins to move his finger around. Jeongguk feels good inside of him, his tattooed finger stretching him open before he’s adding another digit.

Taehyung bites down on Jeongguk’s plush bottom lip as he feels a second finger enter him, groaning into the younger's mouth. Jeongguk moves his fingers around carefully, pushing them in and out before he’s curving them. Taehyung whines right into Jeongguk’s mouth, feeling the drag of Jeongguk’s fingers inside him.

Taehyung has one hand curled around the back of Jeongguk’s neck, softly pulling at the blue locks at the nape of his neck. Jeongguk adds a third finger soon after applying more lube, and the squeeze takes some time for Taehyung to adjust to before pleasure bursts in his stomach again when Jeongguk curls his fingers.

“I’m ready,” Taehyung sighs into Jeongguk’s mouth. “Want your cock.”

Jeongguk lets out a surprised exhale, finding Taehyung’s lips again and kissing him messily. “It’s all yours.”

Taehyung hums, smiling against Jeongguk’s lips while the blue haired male removes his fingers from inside him. Taehyung leans back, opening up the condom packet. He gives Jeongguk’s cock a few more strokes, watching as Jeongguk drops his head down onto the pillon in pleasure before he unrolls the condom onto his length. Jeongguk’s fingers knead against Taehyung’s thigh, both of them constantly needing to touch the other.

And then Taehyung is lifting his leg over Jeongguk’s lap, straddling him as he takes a bit more lube, sliding it along the condom. His hand rests on Jeongguk’s chest, the other one guiding Jeongguk’s cock towards his rim.

Jeongguk is watching him breathlessly, hand placed on top of Taehyung’s one on his chest. Taehyung lets out a low moan as the tip of Jeongguk’s cock begins pushing in. Jeongguk squeezes his hand, letting out a soft exhale as Taehyung begins sinking downwards.

Taehyung leans down, taking Jeongguk inch by inch, pressing his lips to Jeongguk, kissing him sloppily before he bottoms out. Taehyung sits there for a while, Jeongguk’s cock buried inside him as he takes a few moments to adjust to the stretch.

“You good, angel?” Jeongguk asks, placing soft kisses to the corners of Taehyung’s lips. Taehyung nods against Jeongguk’s mouth, slowly beginning to roll his hips backwards.

Jeongguk swears lightly, hands wrapping around Taehyung’s hips, helping him guide the movements. “Ah, fuck,” Jeongguk whispers as Taehyung lifts himself up a little bit before dropping back down on his cock.

Both of Taehyung’s hands are resting on Jeongguk’s chest for balance, eyes fluttering closed at the sensation of being filled so well. Jeongguk’s fingers still dig into the flesh of the elder’s hips, biceps bulging as he helps Taehyung rise and fall on his dick.

Taehyung begins moving quicker, occasionally holding himself up on his quivering thighs as Jeongguk thrusts his hips upwards to meet him. “Jeongguk-ah,” Taehyung rasps headily, legs tightening around Jeongguk’s waist as the younger picks up the pace, grinding up to meet Taehyung.

Jeongguk’s skin is flushed pink with arousal, pretty lips parted as he watches Taehyung moan on top of him. “Kiss?”

Taehyung can do nothing but comply, face breaking into a smile even if it’s still laced with pleasure, ducking down to meet Jeongguk’s lips. Jeongguk’s fingers card into Taehyung’s brown hair as he thrusts up. His other hand curls around Taehyung’s cock, stroking it in the rhythm of his own movements. Taehyung lets out breathless ah ah ah’s right into Jeongguk’s open mouth, feeling a familiar pressure building in his lower stomach.

Jeongguk keeps his hips angled as he thrusts deep inside of Taehyung, making the male above him shudder. “Close,” Taehyung warns, breathing out hot puffs of air against Jeongguk’s cheek. 

“Same,” Jeongguk husks, hand still stroking Taehyung’s cock, chasing after both of their pleasure. And just a few seconds later, Taehyung feels the pleasure building up too much and he’s locking in place, whining into Jeongguk’s mouth as he spills on top of the blue haired male’s stomach. Jeongguk keeps thrusting inside him, swearing as he feels Taehyung tighten around his cock, and it doesn’t take many more thrusts until he is spilling inside the condom.

Taehyung pants, fingers twisting into Jeongguk’s blue hair, chest resting against the younger’s, both of them filling the air with heavy breaths. Jeongguk’s hands are running up and down Taehyung’s sweaty back, fingers dipping between the notches of his spine, cock still buried inside the brunet.

“I think my crush on you just got bigger,” Taehyung sighs. “If that were even possible.”

Jeongguk lets out a tired snort, still seemingly a little bit out of it, but his fingers press firmer against Taehyung’s skin. “My crush towards you was already so astronomically big I’m not sure if it has the capacity to grow.”

Taehyung’s lifts his head up from Jeongguk’s chest, shifting his body so that Jeongguk’s now flaccid cock slips out. There’s a smile on his face as he brings his hand up to stroke along Jeongguk’s cheeks. “You like me that much?”

“I do,” Jeongguk admits without a moment's hesitation.

“Good,” Taehyung murmurs, pressing his lips against Jeongguk’s. “Then we’re on the same page.”

“We’ve always been, haven’t we?” Jeongguk questions gently.

Taehyung rubs his nose against Jeongguk’s, letting out a sigh in content. “We truly have. Wanna sleep in here tonight?”

Jeongguk places a strand of Taehyung’s dark hair behind his ear, nodding. “I’d love that.”

**

Jeongguk ends up spending every night after that in Taehyung’s bed. Usually, it’s Taehyung wrapping his body around Jeongguk’s one, and even if they are the same height, Jeongguk somehow manages to curl in on himself so that he makes himself smaller, allowing Taehyung to throw his leg over Jeongguk’s muscular thigh and pull him close with his hand around the younger’s stomach. 

Most evenings are spent on the couch in their apartment. They take trips during the day; Taehyung is very keen on showing Jeongguk all of the restaurants and bars which offer student discounts. But when night falls they always find themselves curled on the couch—sometimes just talking, other times ignoring the movie playing in the background and focusing on the feeling of lips pressing against each other.

It’s a month later when they are spending another night in, Taehyung’s thighs hooked over Jeongguk’s legs and leaning his head against Jeongguk’s shoulder. Jeongguk has his arm around Taehyung’s back, other one curled around Taehyung’s thighs and it’s like they’re in their own cocoon, wrapped around each other like they can’t quite get enough.

“How do you feel about getting a boyfriend before university begins?”

He can sense Jeongguk peeking at him—can feel the slight shift of his hair as he moves to look at the male resting against his shoulder. It’s been a bit over a month now, and Taehyung thinks it’s the correct time to ask.

Jeongguk kisses the top of his head. “Would this boyfriend in question be you?”

“Perhaps,” Taehyung hums.

Jeongguk lets out a chuckle, making Taehyung’s head jostle. “I think I’d love having a boyfriend, then.”

“Okay,” Taehyung says quietly, hiding his smile into Jeongguk’s shoulder.

“Okay,” Jeongguk repeats softly, carding his fingers through Taehyung’s hair.

**

It’s another month later when they’re both naked in Jeongguk’s (Jimin’s) bed, blinking awake as the sun begins shining through the window, warm beams glistening on Jeongguk’s skin. Taehyung watches, enthralled. Stares at the pinkening skin around Jeongguk’s elbows and knuckles—at his mouth which is formed into a small pout as he sleeps—fingers brushing along the tattoos which wind up his bicep.

“I’m in love with you,” he whispers.

He thought Jeongguk was sleeping—since his eyes are closed and he looks peaceful, but Jeongguk’s face breaks into a wide smile.

Taehyung is quick to shove his chest in embarrassment. “Asshole, you’re awake?” 

Jeongguk begins laughing as Taehyung starts tickling him, play-wrestling until Taehyung ends up underneath Jeongguk with his hands pinned over his head. Jeongguk’s eyes glisten with amusement and warm affection, the smile on his face soft, loving.

“I’m in love with you too,” he says, ducking down to catch Taehyung’s lips with his own.

There’s a sudden bang outside the room, and both Taehyung and Jeongguk startle as the door to Jimin’s room is pushed open.

Jimin stands by the door frame, now sporting a pastel-pink hair that Taehyung is eager to compliment once he gets his racing heart to calm down. Jimin’s brows shoot up to his hairline as he spots the two naked figures in his bed (even if they are Jeongguk’s sheets). “Well, good morning to you two,” he greets after processing what he’s seeing.

Jeongguk has a sheeping grin on his face. “Morning, hyung. Didn’t know you’d be back yet or we’d be in Tae’s room.”

“I messaged both of you last night,” Jimin mentions, eyes narrowing. “But it seems like you were both a bit preoccupied.”

Taehyung winks at Jimin. “Sorry babe, was busy fucking your childhood friend.”

“I gathered,” Jimin sighs, hands folding over his chest. Taehyung’s wicked grin doesn’t leave his face; it has Jimin’s skin blanching as he realises. “You fucked on the kitchen counter, didn’t you?”

Taehyung nods, serious. “On every available surface. Nowhere is safe for you, Jimin.”

Jimin’s eyes widen. “The absolute disrespect. I am going to whoop your asses, I don’t care if you’re butt-fucking-naked right now.”

Taehyung snickers. “Wanna catch a glimpse, huh? We always said you’re in love with us.”

Jimin lets out an offended scream, charging at the bed. Taehyung squeals, pulling Jeongguk’s naked body in front of him to shield himself while the blue haired boy can’t stop laughing, amused tears welling in his eyes as Jimin attempts to push past him to reach Taehyung’s cowering, naked figure. 

Looking back, Taehyung would say that it’s the best summer he’s ever had—but every summer after that has been pretty great too, with Jeongguk by his side.