taekook au: he’s no you Jeongguk has been roommates with Taehyung...
boop!@danceliketae
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Sep 21, 2026
~48 min read
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taekook au: he’s no you
Jeongguk has been roommates with Taehyung for as long as he could remember, he was his straight, offbeat best friend who loved music and sports, and advocated for a grief-stricken ggukie to go out and date, that is until he finally decides.. he wants to.
Jeongguk has been roommates with Taehyung for as long as he could remember, he was his straight, offbeat best friend who loved music and sports, and advocated for a grief-stricken ggukie to go out and date, that is until he finally decides.. he wants to.
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Imma start tomorrow pls show support by liking or rting :)
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OKAY characters:
Jeongguk: 25, loves music, art, uses it to express himself, anonymous youtuber, who vlogs without showing his face but hasn’t done it since losing his bf a year ago.
FC:
Jeongguk: 25, loves music, art, uses it to express himself, anonymous youtuber, who vlogs without showing his face but hasn’t done it since losing his bf a year ago.
FC:
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Taehyungie
loves sports, golfing, etc, owns a company that sells sporting goods, but he’s like super chill about it, loves music, thinks hes gods gift to women, adores jeonggukie.
FC:
loves sports, golfing, etc, owns a company that sells sporting goods, but he’s like super chill about it, loves music, thinks hes gods gift to women, adores jeonggukie.
FC:
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ot7 are besties
takes place in nyc cause i live there and I’m lazy
- written au so please show support by liking and quoting, its so motivating
tags: hurt/comfort, angst, talks of anxiety, depression, confused feelings, self discovery, friends to lovers, sad times, smut
takes place in nyc cause i live there and I’m lazy
- written au so please show support by liking and quoting, its so motivating
tags: hurt/comfort, angst, talks of anxiety, depression, confused feelings, self discovery, friends to lovers, sad times, smut
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lastly support your authors, I know I’m leaving but so many deserve your support 🥹❤️
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“Hyungie? Are you here? I’M home!” Jeongguk shouted it as he came inside with the groceries. Of course they were supposed to be for himself but he couldn’t resist just buying stuff for Taehyung as well. “I brought the stuff for the smoothie you like! Hyungie?”
“Hey, Koo.”
“Hey, Koo.”
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He came out of his room in just robe, with zero commitment to closing it, luckily he had on underwear. “Silly, go put on some clothes, Jimin and Hobi will be here soon, remember?”
“Ah? Cant it just be you and I?” He pouted, rubbing his stomach, “I need a friend free day.”
“Ah? Cant it just be you and I?” He pouted, rubbing his stomach, “I need a friend free day.”
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“I’m your friend,” He scoffs out his laughter as he unpacks his fruits onto the counter.
“We’re not friends, we’re closer than friends, last night we cuddled for three hours.. we’re like.. family.”
Family. Something that always alluded Jeongguk before he met Taehyung.
“We’re not friends, we’re closer than friends, last night we cuddled for three hours.. we’re like.. family.”
Family. Something that always alluded Jeongguk before he met Taehyung.
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He was shunned by his family early on, until he met Minjun, and then they were almost inseparable. Until it happened. Jeongguk never lost anyone before, and when he did.. it felt like apart of him died too. Everything felt hopeless until he met.. Taehyung and his five friends.
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They accepted him right away, actually Taehyung had more gay friends than straight friends (Not counting Namjoon) but he was painfully straight.
“Duh we’re family, silly.” He took out the blender, “Want a smoothie?”
“Nah, I don’t, come here?” Taehyung politely asks.
“Hyung..”
“Duh we’re family, silly.” He took out the blender, “Want a smoothie?”
“Nah, I don’t, come here?” Taehyung politely asks.
“Hyung..”
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“Koo.”
“Fine.” He came closer and suddenly he was engulfed into a gentle hug. He hated to admit it, but he loved his hugs. It started out as a comfort thing while he was grieving, now it was just a daily occurrence, which Jeongguk appreciated.
“You smell so good, hyung.”
“Fine.” He came closer and suddenly he was engulfed into a gentle hug. He hated to admit it, but he loved his hugs. It started out as a comfort thing while he was grieving, now it was just a daily occurrence, which Jeongguk appreciated.
“You smell so good, hyung.”
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“Yeah?” He laughed, “You say that everyday.”
It was true, he was his favorite scent. Rose, jasmine, vanilla and something so uniquely him. He didn’t know when everything changed, from lost, and grief-stricken to finding a home in just his eyes.
He felt so safe with him.
It was true, he was his favorite scent. Rose, jasmine, vanilla and something so uniquely him. He didn’t know when everything changed, from lost, and grief-stricken to finding a home in just his eyes.
He felt so safe with him.
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They were looking at each other and smiling they didn’t even notice Jimin and Hobi walk right in.
“Jimin-ah,” Hobi admits, “I think we just interrupted something.”
Of course, Jimin laughs.
“Jimin-ah,” Hobi admits, “I think we just interrupted something.”
Of course, Jimin laughs.
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thats all for tonight more tomorrow:))
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“Shut up,” Jeongguk immediately says, trying to let go but Taehyung doesn’t care what his friends think. That’s what he loved about him, he was so sure of himself, it was actually quite endearing.
“You are interrupting,” He teases, “Koo and I just want a night to ourselves.”
“You are interrupting,” He teases, “Koo and I just want a night to ourselves.”
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“Kim Taehyung, you do remember you’re straight right?” Jimin laughs, “And Jeonggukie is your roommate, not your boyfriend?”
“Yes, but sometimes I want it to just be me and him, you two come over almost every night!”
“WE LIVE DOWNSTAIRS!”
“My point exactly.” He scoffs.
“Yes, but sometimes I want it to just be me and him, you two come over almost every night!”
“WE LIVE DOWNSTAIRS!”
“My point exactly.” He scoffs.
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“Whatever you love us here,” He laughs, then plops down on the couch, “Can we please get food? I’m starving.”
“Yess, get BBQ Chicken!” Hobi says, plopping down beside Jimin.
“Hah, okay, I’ll order.” Jeongguk takes out his phone to order but Taehyung just retreats to his room.
“Yess, get BBQ Chicken!” Hobi says, plopping down beside Jimin.
“Hah, okay, I’ll order.” Jeongguk takes out his phone to order but Taehyung just retreats to his room.
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He follows him inside for a second while their other friends watch tv. “Hey, what are you eating from bbq chicken?” Jeongguk asks.
“Um, nothing I’m just going to go to the bar, and I don’t think I’ll be home. But you have fun with the guys, you know how much they love you.”
“Um, nothing I’m just going to go to the bar, and I don’t think I’ll be home. But you have fun with the guys, you know how much they love you.”
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“But.. what about our night?” He saw the look on Jeongguk’s face, like he needed him and Taehyung wanted to stay, he did but he couldn’t.
“I promised Tulip I’d take her out tonight, I’m sorry, Koo. I’ll see you in the morning? We can eat breakfast together.”
“I promised Tulip I’d take her out tonight, I’m sorry, Koo. I’ll see you in the morning? We can eat breakfast together.”
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“Oh. Okay.” He exhaled slowly, his lips perking downward to hide his distain. “Tell her I said hi!”
“I will, she adores you.” He leaned down to kiss his forehead, then finished getting dressed.
Jeongguk watched him for a minute then just walked back to squeeze on the couch.
“I will, she adores you.” He leaned down to kiss his forehead, then finished getting dressed.
Jeongguk watched him for a minute then just walked back to squeeze on the couch.
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He watched him leave and didn’t know why his heart sunk as he did. He tried his best to surround himself with Jimin and Hobi making jokes, and great lazy food, but he kept thinking about him.
Even as they tried to play uno, all Jeongguk thought was.. he missed him lots.
Even as they tried to play uno, all Jeongguk thought was.. he missed him lots.
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“Hey, Jeonggukie?” Jimin called out his name which seemingly brought him out of his thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think Taehyungie is… hot?” He prodded, “Sexy?”
“Wh-what?” Jeongguk was taken aback by the question. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because you guys are really close.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think Taehyungie is… hot?” He prodded, “Sexy?”
“Wh-what?” Jeongguk was taken aback by the question. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because you guys are really close.”
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“Yeah, so? We’re all super close.” Jeongguk immediately got defensive.
“Yes, but it’s been almost 2 years living with Taehyung, you look happier than we met. After everything that happened, do you think it might be okay to like someone?”
“Yeah? But.. he’s my.. best friend.”
“Yes, but it’s been almost 2 years living with Taehyung, you look happier than we met. After everything that happened, do you think it might be okay to like someone?”
“Yeah? But.. he’s my.. best friend.”
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“So? We’re all best friends doesn’t stop Yoongi and Jin from swapping spit any chance they get.” Hobi chimes in.
“That’s different!” Jeongguk was getting red.
“Why is it different?” Jimin started to smile.
“Because they’re both gay, I am gay. Hyungie isn’t.”
“That’s different!” Jeongguk was getting red.
“Why is it different?” Jimin started to smile.
“Because they’re both gay, I am gay. Hyungie isn’t.”
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“That’s a fair point, Jiminah..” Hobi stared at him while licking sauce from his bottom lip, “Counter argument?”
“Okay!” Jimin laughs, “Are you saying if he wasn’t gay, things would be different?”
“WHAT? N-No..” He looks away, “We’d still be the same. Friends. Family.”
“Okay!” Jimin laughs, “Are you saying if he wasn’t gay, things would be different?”
“WHAT? N-No..” He looks away, “We’d still be the same. Friends. Family.”
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“Ahh..” Jimin nods, “Jeonggukie, come on.. we’re all friends, tell me the truth.”
“The truth is.. I don’t want hyung, I don’t lust after straight men, it’s not realistic,” He blows out a soft breath, “But, hyung is everything I would want in a guy. There. Okay?”
“KNEW IT!”
“The truth is.. I don’t want hyung, I don’t lust after straight men, it’s not realistic,” He blows out a soft breath, “But, hyung is everything I would want in a guy. There. Okay?”
“KNEW IT!”
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“Please!” He starts shaking his head, “It’s not like I fantasize about him, I just.. if I would date again I would want someone as good as him.”
“I see,” Both of his friends nodded. Jeongguk thought that would be the end of the conversation, which was great considering..
“I see,” Both of his friends nodded. Jeongguk thought that would be the end of the conversation, which was great considering..
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how silent the were, but as always there was one last question.
“So.. Taehyungie aside, do you think you’re ready to date someone?”
There it was, a question he’s been avoiding for who knows how long, and honestly his answer has always been no, he wasn’t ready but…
“So.. Taehyungie aside, do you think you’re ready to date someone?”
There it was, a question he’s been avoiding for who knows how long, and honestly his answer has always been no, he wasn’t ready but…
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now that Taehyung had gone on 10 dates with Tulip and even introduced her to Jeongguk, something changed in him.
And so did his answer.
“Actually,” He smiled, “I think I am ready.”
And so did his answer.
“Actually,” He smiled, “I think I am ready.”
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a/n: more tmrw :)
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After Hobi and Jimin left, Jeongguk was left all alone in the house. He hated being alone, where his mind started wander. He tried watching TV, but it wasn’t the same. He needed Taehyung. So he decided to do something he probably shouldn’t have.
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He waited for awhile for him to answer but even after 20 minutes none came. Jeongguk waited in Taehyung’s bed, cuddling up to the pillows, even though he wasn’t there, he felt safest in his room. He could feel his eyes closing when he finally got a text back.
TH: What??
TH: What??
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TH: Jeonggukie?? Are you sure?
JK: Yeah, I’ve gone two years of just keeping Minjun’s memories alive, he wouldn’t want that, he would want me to live. I want to go out and experience dates like you, hyung. 🥹
TH: You don’t need dates, you have me.
Oh? Did he really say that?
JK: Yeah, I’ve gone two years of just keeping Minjun’s memories alive, he wouldn’t want that, he would want me to live. I want to go out and experience dates like you, hyung. 🥹
TH: You don’t need dates, you have me.
Oh? Did he really say that?
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JK: Yeah, but you’re always busy, with work and Tulip.. I don’t have anyone. I’m all alone right now in your bed.
TH: I’m on my way.
He didn’t know why that made him smile? But there he was, smiling in bed because Taehyung was yet again dropping everything for him.
TH: I’m on my way.
He didn’t know why that made him smile? But there he was, smiling in bed because Taehyung was yet again dropping everything for him.
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It almost felt selfish. It was, so why did he feel so happy about it? He started to overthink about all of the things that Jimin had said, making up thought bubbles in his mind. They were friends. Only friends? Right?
JK: You don’t have to hyung!
There. He did the right thing.
JK: You don’t have to hyung!
There. He did the right thing.
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TH: Don’t worry, I’m coming anyway.
He knew the more he protested the more he would tell him he was coming so he stopped replying. He felt bad for texting him, but his heart felt good knowing he was coming home. His eyes slowly closed, and suddenly… he fell asleep in his bed.
He knew the more he protested the more he would tell him he was coming so he stopped replying. He felt bad for texting him, but his heart felt good knowing he was coming home. His eyes slowly closed, and suddenly… he fell asleep in his bed.
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He didn’t see him coming home but even in his sleep he could feel his arms around him, hugging him tightly.
In the morning, when Jeongguk woke up, he looked down and noticed he was still holding him. He smiled, caressing his hands gently. “Hyung?” He whispered, “You awake?”
In the morning, when Jeongguk woke up, he looked down and noticed he was still holding him. He smiled, caressing his hands gently. “Hyung?” He whispered, “You awake?”
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He didn’t reply, so Jeongguk decided to turn around in his arms, just so he could watch him sleep. How was it possible? That he was even more beautiful without moving? Even his five o’clock shadow which he routinely shaved was pretty, he was like a work of art.
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Jeongguk was just trying to think objectively, but he was constantly clouded by the way the sun hit his cheek, and the way he refused to let go of him despite him not being awake. He had never been cared for the way Taehyung cared for him. His best friend.
“Beautiful,” He wisps.
“Beautiful,” He wisps.
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“What’s beautiful?” Suddenly his roommate asks, his eyes slowly opening to see Jeongguk staring at him.
Shit. He was so sure he wasn’t awake? “Um.. the sunlight,” he explains, “It’s beautiful in the morning.”
“Yeah, so are you,” He says it so casually, like he doesn’t realize.
Shit. He was so sure he wasn’t awake? “Um.. the sunlight,” he explains, “It’s beautiful in the morning.”
“Yeah, so are you,” He says it so casually, like he doesn’t realize.
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“Hyung,” It causes him to blush, “I haven’t even showered yet, or moisturized..”
“Still beautiful, sometimes I think how lucky Minjun was,” Taehyung replies, gently. “How he must’ve been so happy every day.”
“Taehyungie,” He rested his head on his heart, “We were happy.”
“Still beautiful, sometimes I think how lucky Minjun was,” Taehyung replies, gently. “How he must’ve been so happy every day.”
“Taehyungie,” He rested his head on his heart, “We were happy.”
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Taehyung slowly started to caress his back, and they allowed themselves to just be in the moment, enjoying each other’s company.
“Do you really want to date again?” He decides to ask, “Like you think you’re really ready?”
“Yeah, I am,” Jeongguk looks up at him, “Why?”
“Do you really want to date again?” He decides to ask, “Like you think you’re really ready?”
“Yeah, I am,” Jeongguk looks up at him, “Why?”
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“No reason,” He says, softly looking away.
“Hyung, why do you sound more worried about me dating than I am?” Jeongguk laughs.
“It’s a different world out there, you know? Before you go on any dates.. I’m going to help you.”
“Wait.. really?” Jeongguk sat up, overjoyed.
“Hyung, why do you sound more worried about me dating than I am?” Jeongguk laughs.
“It’s a different world out there, you know? Before you go on any dates.. I’m going to help you.”
“Wait.. really?” Jeongguk sat up, overjoyed.
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“Yeah, I want you to be ready,” He sat up too, their hands connected like it was second nature. “I can get you ready to date again, from clothes to advice, anything you want.”
“You’re so amazing!” He falls into Taehyung’s arms, they surrounded Jeongguk immediately, tightly.
“You’re so amazing!” He falls into Taehyung’s arms, they surrounded Jeongguk immediately, tightly.
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He felt him caressing his back, which should’ve felt weird, considering they were just friends but his large, warm hands felt amazing all over his body. He hated indulging into fantasy, especially when his best was straight but he wondered what would be different if he wasn’t?
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He pulled away, just so they could stare at each other. Jeongguk thought about saying something but who needed words when you had this feeling that they would be with each other for a long time?
“Wanna go get a bunch of stuff from Paris Baugette and have breakfast together?”
“Wanna go get a bunch of stuff from Paris Baugette and have breakfast together?”
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“I’d love to,” Taehyung agreed, “I’m buying.”
“Taehyungie.. no you don’t have to do that, remember I work for trader joes for a reason!”
“Yes, and I also know I make more than you,” Taehyung clipped his chin, “So it’s on me today.”
“You don’t have to spoil me, hyung!”
“Taehyungie.. no you don’t have to do that, remember I work for trader joes for a reason!”
“Yes, and I also know I make more than you,” Taehyung clipped his chin, “So it’s on me today.”
“You don’t have to spoil me, hyung!”
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“I know but I want to,” He smiled, “Now come on, first one dressed buys the lavender matcha lattes.” He says as he runs to the bathroom.
“No fair! You always get dressed quicker than me!” Jeongguk pouts running towards his own bathroom.
“No fair! You always get dressed quicker than me!” Jeongguk pouts running towards his own bathroom.
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It really wasn’t fair, considering he was ready first, and had his hair all curled and fluffy, while in something simple like a jean jacket and jeans, yet he still looked so gorgeous. Meanwhile, Jeongguk decided to wear loose fitted pants and a green sweater.
“Koo.. Wow.”
“Koo.. Wow.”
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“Wow?” He smiled looking down at himself, “What’s wow?”
“You just look.. good. I could never pull that off,” He wrapped his arm around his waist as they walked.
“Hyung, you really doubt how sexy you are,” Jeongguk didn’t think about his reply until he pressed the elevator.
“You just look.. good. I could never pull that off,” He wrapped his arm around his waist as they walked.
“Hyung, you really doubt how sexy you are,” Jeongguk didn’t think about his reply until he pressed the elevator.
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“I’m sexy?” His roommate laughs as they enter the elevator.
“That’s not what I… no that’s..” He didn’t know what to say.
“It’s okay, Koo tell me I’m sexy again, please.” He replies, as he leans against the wall of the elevator, proudly smirking.
“Shut up.”
“That’s not what I… no that’s..” He didn’t know what to say.
“It’s okay, Koo tell me I’m sexy again, please.” He replies, as he leans against the wall of the elevator, proudly smirking.
“Shut up.”
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The door opens, and there, they both see Mingyu, another tenant that Jimin. thought was really hot. He was really tall..
“Jeonggukie,” He smiled at only him, “It’s good to see you again.”
“Ah? You too Mingyu!” Jeongguk smiled.
“You look amazing today, and always.”
“Jeonggukie,” He smiled at only him, “It’s good to see you again.”
“Ah? You too Mingyu!” Jeongguk smiled.
“You look amazing today, and always.”
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“Oh really?” Jeongguk is so happy he doesn’t see the face Taehyung is making behind him.
Mingyu enters the elevator as they get off and right before it closes he answers, “Yeah, really.”
“Yeah, really.” Taehyung mocks him as the doors closed, “What a loser.”
“Hyung!”
Mingyu enters the elevator as they get off and right before it closes he answers, “Yeah, really.”
“Yeah, really.” Taehyung mocks him as the doors closed, “What a loser.”
“Hyung!”
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“He didn’t even address me,” Taehyung scoffs as he leaves the building with Jeongguk in tow. “He never does.”
“Hyungie,” Jeongguk connects their arms again, “He does!”
“He doesn’t because he thinks I’m fucking you,” He laughs, “It’s funny how jealous he is.”
“Hyung, c’mon!”
“Hyungie,” Jeongguk connects their arms again, “He does!”
“He doesn’t because he thinks I’m fucking you,” He laughs, “It’s funny how jealous he is.”
“Hyung, c’mon!”
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“Do you honestly think that?”
“Remember Jimin’s party? He came and was so upset you were dancing on me all night, like he doesn’t get it.” They turned the corner onto park ave, and went inside the restaurant together.
“Doesn’t get what?”
“That we’re together.”
“Remember Jimin’s party? He came and was so upset you were dancing on me all night, like he doesn’t get it.” They turned the corner onto park ave, and went inside the restaurant together.
“Doesn’t get what?”
“That we’re together.”
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reader opinion: who is crushing on who
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“Hyung, we’re best friends, that’s not a thing,” He laughs.
“I know that, and YOU know that, but HE doesn’t know that which is why he’s so pissed because he thinks I have you, but he doesn’t know for sure which is why he tries to flirt,” Tae explains as they reach the front.
“I know that, and YOU know that, but HE doesn’t know that which is why he’s so pissed because he thinks I have you, but he doesn’t know for sure which is why he tries to flirt,” Tae explains as they reach the front.
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“It’s not a big deal,” Jeongguk laughs, “Two lavender matcha lattes please, and a bunch of assorted pastries!” He tells the male cashier.
“Anything for you,” The guy responds with a smile.
“Really?” Taehyung scoffs then puts his arms around Jeongguk’s waist.
“Hyung!”
“Anything for you,” The guy responds with a smile.
“Really?” Taehyung scoffs then puts his arms around Jeongguk’s waist.
“Hyung!”
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“What?” Taehyung whispers back, “I cant hold you now?”
“We’re in public, there’s single guys here they may get the wrong idea,” He breaks away from him.
“Alright, sorry.” Tae lets go, and replaces Jeongguk’s card with his own before he could pay.
“You’re silly.”
“We’re in public, there’s single guys here they may get the wrong idea,” He breaks away from him.
“Alright, sorry.” Tae lets go, and replaces Jeongguk’s card with his own before he could pay.
“You’re silly.”
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He allowed him to pay for everything then once they were traveling back home with their iced matchas in tow, Jeongguk noticed Taehyung was quieter than usual.
“Hyung?” He turned around at the sound, “Are you okay?”
“You know I wouldn’t be me without being honest with you, Koo..
“Hyung?” He turned around at the sound, “Are you okay?”
“You know I wouldn’t be me without being honest with you, Koo..
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he pauses, “I just don’t know how I feel about what happened back there.”
He was always so honest, something Jeongguk loved. “Okay, talk to me?”
“You’ve never had a problem with me being all over you before? Hell, your coworkers at trader joes think I’m your boyfriend.”
He was always so honest, something Jeongguk loved. “Okay, talk to me?”
“You’ve never had a problem with me being all over you before? Hell, your coworkers at trader joes think I’m your boyfriend.”
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“I know, it’s a running joke,” He nods.
“But now, you don’t want me to touch you in public? I was just doing what we always do, please tell if I’m offending you..”
“Oh god no, hyung you’re not!” He took his hand, “I was just trying to flirt with the guy, and if he sees you—
“But now, you don’t want me to touch you in public? I was just doing what we always do, please tell if I’m offending you..”
“Oh god no, hyung you’re not!” He took his hand, “I was just trying to flirt with the guy, and if he sees you—
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all over me then he’s going to think I’m unavailable.”
“Oh.” Tae nods, looking out at the street. “Alright, cool.”
“I’m sorry I confused you,” He pulled him forward, “Come let’s eat in the park.”
“Really? With all the pigeons?”
“Yes, you need fresh air, and so do I!”
“Oh.” Tae nods, looking out at the street. “Alright, cool.”
“I’m sorry I confused you,” He pulled him forward, “Come let’s eat in the park.”
“Really? With all the pigeons?”
“Yes, you need fresh air, and so do I!”
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He followed him to the park and even with all of Taehyung’s protests, eating amongst the pigeons was amazing. The only thing that shouldn’t have bugged him but did was the stares Jeongguk got from men as they passed them. It made him feel weird to see Jeonggukie smiling back.
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So weird he felt the need to leave as fast as possible, “Hey um, I forgot I have tons of paperwork I need to do today,” He told Jeongguk, “So I actually have to go?”
“Oh really? You own the business can’t you just take off?”
“Nope, cant so I’ll see you later tonight then.”
“Oh really? You own the business can’t you just take off?”
“Nope, cant so I’ll see you later tonight then.”
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“Ah, okay hyung!” Jeongguk watched him go, and he didn’t realize it then but, he really didn’t want him to leave. He finished up his food then walked all the way home, enjoying the sunlight. He hated being alone with his thoughts but at least long walks helped him a bit.
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When he got home, he waited for the elevator and went back up to their home, only to realize.. he left his key. Fuck. His first thought was to call Tae, but he said he was busy so, he decided to just go two floors down and knock on Jimin and Hobi’s door.
“Jiminah!!”
“Jiminah!!”
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He kept knocking, because he knew Jimin was home, he didn’t work today so.. “Jimin come on, I left my key, open up!”
What he didn’t expect though, was a very shirtless Namjoon to answer.
“Hyung?”
“Oh hey, Jeonggukie,” His hair was a mess, and he was sweaty? “What’s up?”
What he didn’t expect though, was a very shirtless Namjoon to answer.
“Hyung?”
“Oh hey, Jeonggukie,” His hair was a mess, and he was sweaty? “What’s up?”
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“What are you doing here?”
“Oh um..” He laughed, “I don’t know? Eating an orange?”
“Joonie, who is that.. oh.” Jimin came out of his room, just as naked, smiling.
“Um, what the hell is going on here?” Jeongguk asked his friends.
“Joonie, go in the room a sec?”
“Okay.”
“Oh um..” He laughed, “I don’t know? Eating an orange?”
“Joonie, who is that.. oh.” Jimin came out of his room, just as naked, smiling.
“Um, what the hell is going on here?” Jeongguk asked his friends.
“Joonie, go in the room a sec?”
“Okay.”
71
“Jeonggukie..”
“What is happening!!”
“Keep your voice down,” Jimin closed the door, “Please.”
“Okay, fine,” He whispered, “What is happening?”
“What does it look like Jeonggukie?”
“That you’re SLEEPING WITH NAMJOON!”
“QUIET!” Jimin yelled.
“Well, are you?”
“What is happening!!”
“Keep your voice down,” Jimin closed the door, “Please.”
“Okay, fine,” He whispered, “What is happening?”
“What does it look like Jeonggukie?”
“That you’re SLEEPING WITH NAMJOON!”
“QUIET!” Jimin yelled.
“Well, are you?”
72
“Okay, yes, there. Happy?” Jimin confessed.
“Jimin oh my god… isn’t he straight?” Jeongguk was so confused.
“Yeah, but how straight can he be if he’s screwing me every chance he gets?” Jimin shrugs.
“Jiminah.. you can’t do this.”
“Well we’ve been doing it for a year now so..”
“Jimin oh my god… isn’t he straight?” Jeongguk was so confused.
“Yeah, but how straight can he be if he’s screwing me every chance he gets?” Jimin shrugs.
“Jiminah.. you can’t do this.”
“Well we’ve been doing it for a year now so..”
73
“Why.. How.. what?” Jeongguk was so confused, he kept blinking back and forth.
“Jeonggukie, this life is short and sucky, I have a friend who likes to have sex with no strings attached and at the same time, I can still date other people! It’s a win-win.”
“Jeonggukie, this life is short and sucky, I have a friend who likes to have sex with no strings attached and at the same time, I can still date other people! It’s a win-win.”
74
“Okay, I guess I don’t have a right to judge,” Jeongguk looked down, “I guess I just don’t want to be in your situation.”
“I think you already are,” Jimin called him out.
“Wh-What?”
“There’s a reason I asked you that question yesterday, I see the way you look at Tete.”
“I think you already are,” Jimin called him out.
“Wh-What?”
“There’s a reason I asked you that question yesterday, I see the way you look at Tete.”
75
Jeongguk’s lips formed a thin line, he could taste his own saliva as it slid down his nervous throat while Jimin continued, “There’s love there, not that either of you will ever do anything about it but don’t throw stones while living in a glass house, Jeonggukie.”
76
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jeongguk said back. “If you want to go around and screw a straight guy then go ahead, but don’t project that onto me and Taehyungie.” He glared at him before walking off in a huff.
He didn’t know what he was talking about.
He didn’t know what he was talking about.
77
He was not interested in Taehyung. Yeah, he was sweet, and he had the softest skin, he always smelled amazing, he had the cutest body, the most beautiful features, and he took care of him.. but it didn’t mean they were in love? They were.. friends. No, family.
Just bros.
Just bros.
78
He sighed as he came back to his apartment, sans a key, but he didn’t care at the moment, all he kept thinking about was Tae, and how Jimin’s words were affecting him.
Suddenly, “Koo!” Taehyung came out of the elevator.
“Hyung, hey..”
“What are you doing sitting there?”
Suddenly, “Koo!” Taehyung came out of the elevator.
“Hyung, hey..”
“What are you doing sitting there?”
79
“Forgot my key,” He pouts, “I thought you had work to do?”
“Um.. turns out I don’t,” Taehyung shrugs, “But I won’t bother you, I promise.”
“You don’t ever bother me.” He gets up and takes his hand, “I wanted to spend the day you.”
“I want the same thing.”
“Um.. turns out I don’t,” Taehyung shrugs, “But I won’t bother you, I promise.”
“You don’t ever bother me.” He gets up and takes his hand, “I wanted to spend the day you.”
“I want the same thing.”
80
“Come on then,” He took him inside, and they both landed on the couch together. “We have a whole day, Koo, it’s only 10am!” Taehyung says.
“I know! We can do whatever we want, no work, just us.”
“Exactly,” Taehyung exhales, “So.. wanna nap together?”
“Oh absolutely.”
“I know! We can do whatever we want, no work, just us.”
“Exactly,” Taehyung exhales, “So.. wanna nap together?”
“Oh absolutely.”
81
They ended up falling asleep together on the couch, not realizing that they literally on top of each other until they woke up. Jeongguk always seemed to wake up before him? But it was okay because waking up to his full body weight on top of him was something he’s used to feeling.
82
“Hyung?” He caresses him gently, slowly he started to move and then his eyes fell on him, low, sleep-filled, soft hazel eyes. God, he was beautiful.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Taehyung lifted up, “Sorry I’m crushing you.”
“You can never crush me, I like the weight.” Shit. That was flirty?
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
Taehyung lifted up, “Sorry I’m crushing you.”
“You can never crush me, I like the weight.” Shit. That was flirty?
83
“Oh yeah?” He smiled, “I love being on top of you.”
That. Would a straight guy actually say that?
“Shut up,” Jeongguk blushed, grabbing his phone from the side of him, “It’s almost 3pm. We slept a lot.”
“We did, wanna order food?”
“Yeah, or just go to a restaurant?”
That. Would a straight guy actually say that?
“Shut up,” Jeongguk blushed, grabbing his phone from the side of him, “It’s almost 3pm. We slept a lot.”
“We did, wanna order food?”
“Yeah, or just go to a restaurant?”
84
“I thought we were spending the day together?” Taehyung pouts.
“We are!”
“Then why do we have to go to a restaurant?”
“What’s wrong with a restaurant?”
“So I can sit there and have every male waiter in a .2 mile radius disrespect me by hitting on you?”
“We are!”
“Then why do we have to go to a restaurant?”
“What’s wrong with a restaurant?”
“So I can sit there and have every male waiter in a .2 mile radius disrespect me by hitting on you?”
85
“How is me getting hit on disrespectful to you?”
“Because they don’t know we’re not together,” He sits up, his hair falling in his face, “And you’ve made it clear now you don’t want them to know we’re not. So I rather not go, I don’t want to be in the middle of that.”
“Because they don’t know we’re not together,” He sits up, his hair falling in his face, “And you’ve made it clear now you don’t want them to know we’re not. So I rather not go, I don’t want to be in the middle of that.”
86
“Ever since I said I wanted to start dating again you’ve been acting like this, it’s been less than 24 hours, so what I got hit on twice? I’ve been sheltered by my grief for almost two years. Do I not have the right to feel sexy? To date? To flirt?”
“No, you do.” He looked down.
“No, you do.” He looked down.
87
“Hyungie,” He exhaled then took his hand, “I spent a lot of time leaning on you throughout all the pain I’ve been in and I can never repay you for it. But you can’t protect me from the world forever. You have someone, I just want the same. Aren’t I allowed that?”
88
a/n: (thats all for now i honestly don’t know if i want to finish this au ❤️)
89
“You do, I’m sorry.” Taehyung knew then, that he needed to let go of the way he protected Jeongguk. He wanted to shelter him from the world when in reality, he was ready to live it. So he had to let go.
Let him go.
“It’s okay,” Jeongguk smiled, “I know you just want me safe.”
Let him go.
“It’s okay,” Jeongguk smiled, “I know you just want me safe.”
90
He took his hands, “That’s all it is, right?”
“Right,” He nodded, “That’s all it is.”
“Great, wanna go to jongro? I’m starving!”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Jeongguk reached to take his hand but for once, Taehyung just pulled himself up and ignored his hand.
“Right,” He nodded, “That’s all it is.”
“Great, wanna go to jongro? I’m starving!”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Jeongguk reached to take his hand but for once, Taehyung just pulled himself up and ignored his hand.
91
Then at the restaurant, the waiter ended up flirting with Jeongguk, smiling and laughing and when he flirted back, Taehyung had no reaction. In fact, he had no reaction for the rest of the day.
“The guy was pretty cute,” Jeongguk told him as they walked home.
“The guy was pretty cute,” Jeongguk told him as they walked home.
92
Taehyung was silent, looking through his phone. “Do you think I should ask him for his number?”
“If you want,” He shrugged in reply.
“Hyung, you said you were going to help me. I know a cute guy when I see one but I don’t know how to ask anyone out. Can you help with that?”
“If you want,” He shrugged in reply.
“Hyung, you said you were going to help me. I know a cute guy when I see one but I don’t know how to ask anyone out. Can you help with that?”
93
“No? I cant I’m not like attracted to guys like you are,” He said going in the building, “You find your own guy.”
“Wow, so everything you said was a lie?” He stopped by the elevator.
“No? I said I could help you, clothes, dating advice, etc, not actually helping you get dudes?”
“Wow, so everything you said was a lie?” He stopped by the elevator.
“No? I said I could help you, clothes, dating advice, etc, not actually helping you get dudes?”
94
“But..”
“Look, you said you wanted your little independence from me right? So do it.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Jeongguk started to feel upset, “I meant I need to do things on my own!”
“That’s exactly the same thing.” Tae says, “I’m straight, I don’t know how to get dudes.”
“Look, you said you wanted your little independence from me right? So do it.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Jeongguk started to feel upset, “I meant I need to do things on my own!”
“That’s exactly the same thing.” Tae says, “I’m straight, I don’t know how to get dudes.”
95
“Whatever,” Jeongguk spat.
“Whatever.” He quickly responds.
The elevator doors opened and suddenly there was Jimin and Namjoon.
“Tete!” He wraps his arms around him.
“Hey babe, you look so glowy right now,” Taehyung says, “Joon-ah? Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Whatever.” He quickly responds.
The elevator doors opened and suddenly there was Jimin and Namjoon.
“Tete!” He wraps his arms around him.
“Hey babe, you look so glowy right now,” Taehyung says, “Joon-ah? Hey. What are you doing here?”
96
“I um.. I had to help Jimin out.” He nodded then walked right out.
“That was weird, anyway, Jiminie wanna hang out at your place?” Taehyung asks.
“No, it’s a mess right now. But I am having a party this weekend, tell me you’re coming? Jeongguk can come too if he wants.”
“That was weird, anyway, Jiminie wanna hang out at your place?” Taehyung asks.
“No, it’s a mess right now. But I am having a party this weekend, tell me you’re coming? Jeongguk can come too if he wants.”
97
“I’ll pass,” Jeongguk replies. Jimin just stares at him and shrugs.
“Well, I’ll be there, with Tulip.” Taehyung says.
“Great, she’s so sweet, I love her!”
“I’ll be there too then,” Jeongguk changes his mind.
“Oh you will?” Jimin laughs, “Okay, good. I’m glad.”
“Well, I’ll be there, with Tulip.” Taehyung says.
“Great, she’s so sweet, I love her!”
“I’ll be there too then,” Jeongguk changes his mind.
“Oh you will?” Jimin laughs, “Okay, good. I’m glad.”
98
They waved goodbye to Jimin and when the elevator door closed again, the tension started to build. “You’re bringing Tulip?” Jeongguk says without looking at him.
“Yeah, she’s great,” Taehyung answers the same, “Don’t you think she’s hot?”
“I’m gay.” He scoffs.
“Yeah, she’s great,” Taehyung answers the same, “Don’t you think she’s hot?”
“I’m gay.” He scoffs.
99
“Yeah, exactly, that’s how fucking ridiculous you sound.” He rolled his eyes and once they got to their floor, they pushed each other to get out first.
“Ugh!” Jeongguk got out and stopped in front of the door, “You don’t have to be an asshole to me!”
“/You’re/ the asshole.”
“Ugh!” Jeongguk got out and stopped in front of the door, “You don’t have to be an asshole to me!”
“/You’re/ the asshole.”
100
“Whatever!”
“Whatever.”
They both went inside and didn’t talk for the rest of the night… or days afterwards.
“Whatever.”
They both went inside and didn’t talk for the rest of the night… or days afterwards.
101
The day before the party, Jeongguk had to work. He was on restock duty that day, he didn’t really mind it, it kept his mind busy, and off of how Taehyung was ignoring him. He was putting away the almond beverage when his coworker, Mimi came over to him,
“Hey gloomy, you okay?”
“Hey gloomy, you okay?”
102
“Gloomy?” He politely laughed.
“Yeah, you seem so gloomy today, are you okay?” She asked gently.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine,” He nods.
“Okay, good, for a second there we were all worried!” She pouted.
“Why?”
“You’ve worked 3 days now and your hot boyfriend hasn’t shown up.”
“Yeah, you seem so gloomy today, are you okay?” She asked gently.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine,” He nods.
“Okay, good, for a second there we were all worried!” She pouted.
“Why?”
“You’ve worked 3 days now and your hot boyfriend hasn’t shown up.”
103
“Oh.” He could tell her right then and there that Taehyung wasn’t his boyfriend, that he didn’t even like men but for some reason he couldn’t. “He’s busy, with work,” He decided on.
“Awe well, I know you miss him, I can see it all over your face,” She teased.
He did miss him.
“Awe well, I know you miss him, I can see it all over your face,” She teased.
He did miss him.
104
He said goodbye to Mimi, then began his final restock of the day when he heard, “Working hard or hardly working, Koo?”
He looked up and like magic there he was, with flowers in his hand, smiling.
“Hyung.” Jeongguk stood up, ready to get defensive, “Why are you here?”
He looked up and like magic there he was, with flowers in his hand, smiling.
“Hyung.” Jeongguk stood up, ready to get defensive, “Why are you here?”
105
“I came to pick you up from work, and to talk,” He pushes his sunglasses up from his face gently. “My car is double parked.”
“You’re so ridiculous! You think some flowers and you wearing that perfume I like will change the silent treatment i’ve gotten these past few days?”
“You’re so ridiculous! You think some flowers and you wearing that perfume I like will change the silent treatment i’ve gotten these past few days?”
106
“I want to apologize, please let me?”
Ugh, why did he look so damn cute just apologizing? Wait.. cute? Stop it Jeongguk. He told himself.
“Fine,” He tried to hide his smile, “Give me five minutes.”
“Okay I will, meet me in the car.”
Ugh, why did he look so damn cute just apologizing? Wait.. cute? Stop it Jeongguk. He told himself.
“Fine,” He tried to hide his smile, “Give me five minutes.”
“Okay I will, meet me in the car.”
107
He went to go change and in the back was Mimi and their other coworker Joshua, both smiling at Jeongguk.
“What?” He laughed.
“We saw him come in, and pick the flowers from our section, just for you.” They started cooing together.
“Yeah.. he’s really sweet.”
“What?” He laughed.
“We saw him come in, and pick the flowers from our section, just for you.” They started cooing together.
“Yeah.. he’s really sweet.”
108
He left out and got in the car with him, “Hi.”
“Hey,” Taehyung smiled at him, “These are for you,” He handed him the roses.
“You’re so silly,” Jeongguk smelled them, “Hyung, me dating doesn’t mean I want to be around you less.”
“I know but that’s what it felt like.”
“Hey,” Taehyung smiled at him, “These are for you,” He handed him the roses.
“You’re so silly,” Jeongguk smelled them, “Hyung, me dating doesn’t mean I want to be around you less.”
“I know but that’s what it felt like.”
109
“Hyung, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too, and to make up for it, I cooked, for us at home.” He started his engine and as they were driving Jeongguk couldn’t stop smiling.
“I can’t believe you got me flowers and made dinner,” He says, then he notices in the backseat…
“I’m sorry too, and to make up for it, I cooked, for us at home.” He started his engine and as they were driving Jeongguk couldn’t stop smiling.
“I can’t believe you got me flowers and made dinner,” He says, then he notices in the backseat…
110
A second set of flowers.
“Who are the other flowers for?” He asked, as his heart started racing.
“Okay, don’t get mad..” Tae began, “But Tulip is at our apartment right now, cooking for us! We’re all going to have dinner together.”
It was in that moment that his heart stopped.
“Who are the other flowers for?” He asked, as his heart started racing.
“Okay, don’t get mad..” Tae began, “But Tulip is at our apartment right now, cooking for us! We’re all going to have dinner together.”
It was in that moment that his heart stopped.
111
a/n: more tomorrow:)
112
“You tricked me into dinner with your girlfriend?” He was livid.
“She really likes you, Koo. I am thinking of asking her for something real, but I can’t do that unless I get your approval.”
“Why do you need my approval?”
“Because you’re the most important person in my life.”
“She really likes you, Koo. I am thinking of asking her for something real, but I can’t do that unless I get your approval.”
“Why do you need my approval?”
“Because you’re the most important person in my life.”
113
“Hyung,” He didn’t know how he felt, he was mad, but at the same time he felt so oddly heartbroken? But how could he feel heartbroken over something he never had?
“Koo? Please don’t be mad at me,” He caressed the back of his nape at the stoplight, causing his eyes to close.
“Koo? Please don’t be mad at me,” He caressed the back of his nape at the stoplight, causing his eyes to close.
114
Ugh, why did his touch affect him this much? Why could he feel the intensity of each of his fingertips as they caressed over the gentle hairs on his neck.
“Are you still mad?” Taehyung asks, as he pulls away.
Yes. “No,” He says, “I’ll have dinner with you.”
“Great!”
“Are you still mad?” Taehyung asks, as he pulls away.
Yes. “No,” He says, “I’ll have dinner with you.”
“Great!”
115
He touched his chin, caressing it gently before pulling away. “This means the world to me, thank you Koo.”
“You’re welcome.”
Ugh, if you looked up the word pathetic in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Jeongguk there. Because that’s exactly how he felt, weak for him.
“You’re welcome.”
Ugh, if you looked up the word pathetic in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Jeongguk there. Because that’s exactly how he felt, weak for him.
116
When they got in, the smell wafting from the kitchen was the first thing they felt. It actually smelled amazing. Okay whatever, she could cook. “Babe? We’re back!” Taehyung says, causing her to turn around and see.. them holding hands.
“Baby!” She looked down at their hands.
“Baby!” She looked down at their hands.
117
“Hi… Jeongguk!” She reached out her hand for Taehyung, bringing him close to her instead, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too bubble gum sugar plum.” They touched noses and Jeongguk wanted to throw up.
“Jeongguk I hope you’re hungry, I made so much food!” She says, pulling away.
“I missed you too bubble gum sugar plum.” They touched noses and Jeongguk wanted to throw up.
“Jeongguk I hope you’re hungry, I made so much food!” She says, pulling away.
118
“Starving,” He was short with his answers, “Let me just put my flowers away.”
“Ah, yes the flowers!” Tae hands Tulip her own bouquet, “These are for you!”
“Ah, you brought me flowers? You’re so sweet!” She kissed his cheek.
“Yeah, he’s really sweet, he brought me some too!”
“Ah, yes the flowers!” Tae hands Tulip her own bouquet, “These are for you!”
“Ah, you brought me flowers? You’re so sweet!” She kissed his cheek.
“Yeah, he’s really sweet, he brought me some too!”
119
“Oh,” She looked towards Tae, “You often by your roommate flowers?”
“Yeah? I mean.. is that weird?” Tae shrugged, “All of my friends do it.”
“I think its a little weird, flowers aren’t only meant for someone you care about deeply baby,” She touched his face, “Not roommates.”
“Yeah? I mean.. is that weird?” Tae shrugged, “All of my friends do it.”
“I think its a little weird, flowers aren’t only meant for someone you care about deeply baby,” She touched his face, “Not roommates.”
120
Jeongguk felt so small in that moment, he didn’t even want to look up until he heard Tae say, “I care deeply about Koo.” He immediately defended him, “He’s my family, not just a roommate.”
“Aw, well I stand corrected, brothers do deserve flowers!” She smiled, “Come, lets eat!”
“Aw, well I stand corrected, brothers do deserve flowers!” She smiled, “Come, lets eat!”
121
They were all going to sit down and like it was common nature, Taehyung sat next to Jeongguk, both of them smiling while digging in. “Tae, honey?” She spoke up, “Can you sit next to me?”
“Oh, right. Sorry,” He got up immediately and sat by her. There was a smirk on her face now.
“Oh, right. Sorry,” He got up immediately and sat by her. There was a smirk on her face now.
122
He’s met her before, but it was in a public park for just a moment, Jeongguk had no idea she was.. jealous of him? No? Was he just overthinking it? He decided to test out that theory.
“Hyung?”
“Yeah, Koo?”
“You’re in my room tonight, right?”
“… What?” She looked up.
“Hyung?”
“Yeah, Koo?”
“You’re in my room tonight, right?”
“… What?” She looked up.
123
“He just means we cuddle,” Taehyung corrects, “That’s all.”
“I think it’s weird if you’re cuddling him,” Tulip says, “I don’t like that, promise me you’ll stop?”
“Oh..” At that moment, Taehyung and Jeongguk look at each other. He could see the sadness in Tae’s eyes.
“I think it’s weird if you’re cuddling him,” Tulip says, “I don’t like that, promise me you’ll stop?”
“Oh..” At that moment, Taehyung and Jeongguk look at each other. He could see the sadness in Tae’s eyes.
124
He didn’t want to hurt him but the look on his face said that he would.. again.
“Okay, yeah.. I’ll stop.” He conceded.
As soon as he said it, Jeongguk had enough, “I think I’m full,” He stood up.
“Koo, you barely touched your food.”
“I rather choke than eat her food.”
“Okay, yeah.. I’ll stop.” He conceded.
As soon as he said it, Jeongguk had enough, “I think I’m full,” He stood up.
“Koo, you barely touched your food.”
“I rather choke than eat her food.”
125
“Excuse me?” She was shocked.
“You’re excused, and you,” He turned to Tae, “Grow a fucking back bone.” He never felt his heart pounding faster. His legs felt like jelly as he stormed off to his room and locked his door for good measure.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” She sighs.
“You’re excused, and you,” He turned to Tae, “Grow a fucking back bone.” He never felt his heart pounding faster. His legs felt like jelly as he stormed off to his room and locked his door for good measure.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” She sighs.
126
Jeongguk doesn’t hear anything for almost an hour. He sits on his bed, legs crossed cause he had to pee but he didn’t want to give either of them the satisfaction of seeing his face again. It went from an urge to a necessity when he heard the door..
“Koo? Can we please talk?”
“Koo? Can we please talk?”
127
He made a face, then opened the door, quickly zooming past him to go to the bathroom. Taehyung followed him in, and turned around when he used it, making Jeongguk scoff.
“Oh yeah, turn around, wouldn’t want your girlfriend to think you’re gay right?”
“Jeonggukie.”
“Oh yeah, turn around, wouldn’t want your girlfriend to think you’re gay right?”
“Jeonggukie.”
128
“You wouldn’t want her to know we cuddle almost every night, right?” He washed his hands, “And we’ve showered together?”
“Jeongguk, stop it, you know she was probably just confused.”
“Confused? About what? Getting me flowers? Calling me your brother?”
“We are like brothers.”
“Jeongguk, stop it, you know she was probably just confused.”
“Confused? About what? Getting me flowers? Calling me your brother?”
“We are like brothers.”
129
“Right.” He shook his head, “You said you wanted my approval right?”
“More than anything.”
“Yeah, well you don’t have it,” He turned to walk out but his arm was pulled back into his embrace, “I don’t want you dating a homophobe.”
“Jeongguk, she’s not!”
“You’re in denial.”
“More than anything.”
“Yeah, well you don’t have it,” He turned to walk out but his arm was pulled back into his embrace, “I don’t want you dating a homophobe.”
“Jeongguk, she’s not!”
“You’re in denial.”
130
“I’m not, please don’t do this.”
“I’m doing it!” He pulled away from him, “She disrespected me and our bond, so.. If you keep dating her then you lose me as a friend.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes I am.”
“I’m not giving you a response,” Tae huffs.
“I’m doing it!” He pulled away from him, “She disrespected me and our bond, so.. If you keep dating her then you lose me as a friend.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes I am.”
“I’m not giving you a response,” Tae huffs.
131
“Then I’ll choose for you, you lose me.”
They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, before Jeongguk’s full eyes broke eye contact and walked away, back into his room and out of Taehyung’s life.
They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, before Jeongguk’s full eyes broke eye contact and walked away, back into his room and out of Taehyung’s life.
132
a/n: party tomorrow 🥹
133
The morning of the party, Jeongguk woke up alone again. He looked to the side of him where Taehyung usually was, and sighed. Things seemed so much heavier now that he laid his foot down. He wasn’t going to allow his girlfriend to disrespect him, no matter what.
134
He walked out of his room to his bathroom, but as soon as he opened the door he was met with Taehyung, shirtless doing yoga. He opened his eyes and saw Jeongguk, just as shirtless so he made his way over to him.
“Koo!”
“Don’t.”
“Jeonggukie..”
“I said..” He had to pause because —
“Koo!”
“Don’t.”
“Jeonggukie..”
“I said..” He had to pause because —
135
the sweat from working out created a line down his chest, over his soft stomach. He was so beautiful, even wet. “D-don’t,” He finally finished his sentence, “Leave me be.”
“I just want to..” At the same time, Jeongguk didn’t notice Taehyung staring at his abs, for a second.
“I just want to..” At the same time, Jeongguk didn’t notice Taehyung staring at his abs, for a second.
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He shook his head then looked into his eyes, “… talk to you.”
“Are you still with Tulip?”
“Yes?”
“Then there’s nothing for us to talk about.” He told him, “You and your homophobic girlfriend can stay away from me for good.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.. yet.”
“Are you still with Tulip?”
“Yes?”
“Then there’s nothing for us to talk about.” He told him, “You and your homophobic girlfriend can stay away from me for good.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.. yet.”
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“But you’d love to make her yours right?”
“She’s good for me!” He shouted.
“Great then be with her.” He tried to walk off.
“Wait, how can I prove to you she’s not the way you’re making her out to be?” He took his hand, “Please Koo, don’t shut me out.”
“She’s good for me!” He shouted.
“Great then be with her.” He tried to walk off.
“Wait, how can I prove to you she’s not the way you’re making her out to be?” He took his hand, “Please Koo, don’t shut me out.”
138
Why was he so weak for his eyes and that famous pout? Why did he always feel the need to give in? “Nothing,” He said, using the last of his willpower to pull away, “Nothing at all.”
“So that’s it?” Tae asks his retreating form, “You’re okay with shutting me out of your life?”
“So that’s it?” Tae asks his retreating form, “You’re okay with shutting me out of your life?”
139
That was one question, he couldn’t answer.
140
They didn’t talk for the rest of the day, and when morning changed into night, the time for Jimin’s party arrived. Taehyung left an hour early, probably to go get tulip, not that Jeongguk cared. Okay, maybe he cared too much but he refused to show it.
Tonight he had a mission.
Tonight he had a mission.
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Mission was, stay away from Taehyung and his crazy girlfriend. He got dressed and parted his hair, put on something a cute jumper since it was right downstairs and made it to the party just in time. When he knocked, Namjoon let him in..
“Hey Jeonggukie!”
“Hey, you.”
“Hey Jeonggukie!”
“Hey, you.”
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“You look hot,” He looks him up and down.
“Oh um, thanks?” Jeongguk starts to blush and let’s himself in.
“Wanna drink?” He asks, “I made them, they’re good.”
“Oh yeah, sure thanks!” He waits a minute before he hands him his drink and they start small talking..
“Oh um, thanks?” Jeongguk starts to blush and let’s himself in.
“Wanna drink?” He asks, “I made them, they’re good.”
“Oh yeah, sure thanks!” He waits a minute before he hands him his drink and they start small talking..
143
Both didn’t realize, Jimin was watching.
“I’m glad we caught up, I feel like we haven’t spoken in forever,” Joon comments, “You’re kind of awesome.”
“Aw so are you,” Jeongguk punches hus arm playfully then suddenly..
“Jeonggukie?” Jimin takes his hand, “Lets chat.”
“I’m glad we caught up, I feel like we haven’t spoken in forever,” Joon comments, “You’re kind of awesome.”
“Aw so are you,” Jeongguk punches hus arm playfully then suddenly..
“Jeonggukie?” Jimin takes his hand, “Lets chat.”
144
“Oh okay?” He follows Jimin into a bathroom, “What’s up?”
“Are you flirting with Namjoon?”
“Oh god, no,” He started to laugh, “I am pretty sure I forgot how to flirt and straight isn’t really my type.”
“Oh. Okay,” He looked down, “That was weird of me to ask.”
“No it wasn’t.”
“Are you flirting with Namjoon?”
“Oh god, no,” He started to laugh, “I am pretty sure I forgot how to flirt and straight isn’t really my type.”
“Oh. Okay,” He looked down, “That was weird of me to ask.”
“No it wasn’t.”
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He pat his back, “I don’t believe in coincidence, I think that if he keeps coming back Jiminah.. he might feel the same way as you.”
“I don’t.. feel..” Jimin couldn’t even finish his sentence, “Nothing can come of it.”
“You don’t know that, unless you try —
“HEY OPEN UP!”
“I don’t.. feel..” Jimin couldn’t even finish his sentence, “Nothing can come of it.”
“You don’t know that, unless you try —
“HEY OPEN UP!”
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He could recognize that voice from anywhere. Fuck. He was there? “Tete!” Jimin opened up the door, tossing his arms around him.
“Hey Jiminah, hey Koo.”
Jeongguk didn’t reply.
“I have to go,” Jimin says, exiting, “Tete I’ll see you later?”
“Definitely… Hey, Koo.”
“Hey Jiminah, hey Koo.”
Jeongguk didn’t reply.
“I have to go,” Jimin says, exiting, “Tete I’ll see you later?”
“Definitely… Hey, Koo.”
147
He said it again, and he still didn’t answer. “You look good..”
“Fuck off,” Jeongguk tried to squeeze past him, but it wasn’t working, “Move.”
“I will just.. be careful of how much you drink tonight okay?” He still was trying to take care of him, even though Jeongguk was mad.
“Fuck off,” Jeongguk tried to squeeze past him, but it wasn’t working, “Move.”
“I will just.. be careful of how much you drink tonight okay?” He still was trying to take care of him, even though Jeongguk was mad.
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a/n: more later :)
149
“I can handle myself.”
“Koo, you know what I’m talking about.”
He did. He was really a lightweight and alcohol hurt his stomach, but everytime Tae was there to help him.
“I don’t care, move.” He turned so Jeongguk could get out.
“Oh! Hi Jeongguk!” There was Tulip.
“Koo, you know what I’m talking about.”
He did. He was really a lightweight and alcohol hurt his stomach, but everytime Tae was there to help him.
“I don’t care, move.” He turned so Jeongguk could get out.
“Oh! Hi Jeongguk!” There was Tulip.
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“Leave me alone.” Jeongguk tells her.
“I just wanted to apologize for —” He walked away from her. “I guess it wasn’t the right time.” She pouts to Taehyung.
“I think he just needs space, come here,” He wrapped his arms around her, “Let’s just enjoy the party.”
“I just wanted to apologize for —” He walked away from her. “I guess it wasn’t the right time.” She pouts to Taehyung.
“I think he just needs space, come here,” He wrapped his arms around her, “Let’s just enjoy the party.”
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“Okay baby,” They spent the rest of the party in each other’s arms, and Jeongguk helplessly watched with drink number 3 in his hands.
“They make an ugly couple,” He mumbles into his drink.
“Who does?” Suddenly, he looks over and sees Mingyu there, smiling at him. “Hey cutie.”
“They make an ugly couple,” He mumbles into his drink.
“Who does?” Suddenly, he looks over and sees Mingyu there, smiling at him. “Hey cutie.”
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“Hey,” Jeongguk smiles back at him, “You’re here.”
“Yeah, I’m here, and your boyfriend is here.. with a woman?” Mingyu looked over at Taehyung who was dancing with Tulip.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Jeongguk confessed, “I’m single.”
“Thank god, I was hoping you were.”
“Yeah, I’m here, and your boyfriend is here.. with a woman?” Mingyu looked over at Taehyung who was dancing with Tulip.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Jeongguk confessed, “I’m single.”
“Thank god, I was hoping you were.”
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“Really?”
“Hell yeah,” Mingyu says, “I’ve had a crush on you for a while but you’re always with Taehyung? So I thought he was your boyfriend. But I kept flirting to try and test my theory. But,” He surrounded Jeongguk, “I’m glad I was wrong.”
“Hell yeah,” Mingyu says, “I’ve had a crush on you for a while but you’re always with Taehyung? So I thought he was your boyfriend. But I kept flirting to try and test my theory. But,” He surrounded Jeongguk, “I’m glad I was wrong.”
154
“You are?” He looked up at him, “Why is that?”
“So I can do this,” He took his cup from him and started to drink out of it then pulled him in closer, “Dance with me?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.” Mingyu saw him nod and without much warning they were completely entwined.
“So I can do this,” He took his cup from him and started to drink out of it then pulled him in closer, “Dance with me?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.” Mingyu saw him nod and without much warning they were completely entwined.
155
Taehyung was dancing with Tulip when he looked up and saw Jeongguk with that Mingyu guy. He thought nothing of it at first, Jeongguk didn’t particularly want to talk to him, but when they moved to dance together, his heart started to race. He watched as they smiled together…
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and he held his waist, his hands moving down his body, while they shared one drink. Who the hell did Mingyu think he was? Why the fuck was Jeongguk allowing him to be all over him?
“Hey,” Tulip got his attention, “Wanna take me upstairs? I want it,” She took his hand.
“Hey,” Tulip got his attention, “Wanna take me upstairs? I want it,” She took his hand.
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“Um.. yeah, sure.” He agreed, but still watched Jeongguk laughing out the corner of his eye, then his expression changed, to a much softer look, when Mingyu whispered something in his ear. He immediately nodded to it, and that’s when the tall loser’s hands slid down his back..
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and he had one hand full of Jeongguk’s cheeks, causing him to bite his lip. Taehyung was shocked. “You know what babe? Why don’t you go up first and I’ll meet you in my room.”
“Oh really? Okay I like that, that way I can surprise you!” She kissed his cheek and walked out.
“Oh really? Okay I like that, that way I can surprise you!” She kissed his cheek and walked out.
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Once he was sure she was gone, he went right over to them and pushed Mingyu off of Jeongguk then took Jeongguk’s hand.
“HEY!” Mingyu yelled, “The fuck is your problem?”
“Let’s talk.” Taehyung ignored him to talk to Jeongguk.
“Hyung! My drink,” He pouted, but followed him.
“HEY!” Mingyu yelled, “The fuck is your problem?”
“Let’s talk.” Taehyung ignored him to talk to Jeongguk.
“Hyung! My drink,” He pouted, but followed him.
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They somehow ended up back in Jimin’s bathroom but this time it was Taehyung who was upset. “What the hell are you doing huh?” He asked him, “Letting him touch you like that?”
“I don’t know,” Jeongguk shrugged, “I kinda liked it.”
“You’re drunk.”
“So what? You’re not my dad.”
“I don’t know,” Jeongguk shrugged, “I kinda liked it.”
“You’re drunk.”
“So what? You’re not my dad.”
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“I’m your friend who cares about you, don’t let him touch you like that ever.”
“I’m not drunk,” He shook his head, “I know what I’m doing and I’m tired of you treating me like kid! You’re not my parent or screwing me so STAY OUT OF MY LIFE.”
Although he wasn’t drunk. or sober..
“I’m not drunk,” He shook his head, “I know what I’m doing and I’m tired of you treating me like kid! You’re not my parent or screwing me so STAY OUT OF MY LIFE.”
Although he wasn’t drunk. or sober..
162
but just then he did feel bad about what he had said to him.
“You really want me completely out of your life?” Taehyung asks, without looking up at him.
“N-no.” Jeongguk quickly responds, “But I need you to back off of me. Why do you even care about who touches my butt?”
“You really want me completely out of your life?” Taehyung asks, without looking up at him.
“N-no.” Jeongguk quickly responds, “But I need you to back off of me. Why do you even care about who touches my butt?”
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“I… don’t know,” He sighed, “You’re right though, I shouldn’t care. I’m sorry about this.”
It was his turn to leave and Jeongguk’s turn to not allow him to, he blocked his way, “Koo..”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“I know.”
“I’m so drunk.”
“I know.”
“You’re so pretty, hyung.”
It was his turn to leave and Jeongguk’s turn to not allow him to, he blocked his way, “Koo..”
“You’re so stubborn.”
“I know.”
“I’m so drunk.”
“I know.”
“You’re so pretty, hyung.”
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“Koo..”
“I sometimes wake up to your face and I feel so close to you, I dreamt about you once, you kissed both of my thighs and looked up at me and said, can I have you? Do you know what I said?”
“Jeongguk..”
“I said yes.” He came forward, “Do you want to touch me like he did?”
“I sometimes wake up to your face and I feel so close to you, I dreamt about you once, you kissed both of my thighs and looked up at me and said, can I have you? Do you know what I said?”
“Jeongguk..”
“I said yes.” He came forward, “Do you want to touch me like he did?”
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His breathing became uneven as he finally looked into his eyes, both of them were full of liquid courage but only Tae could see through the clouds, and all he could think about was getting Jeongguk home safe and the thoughts in his head saying.. yes.
“I need to get you to bed.”
“I need to get you to bed.”
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He told him. “Come with me, please, another cup of alcohol and your stomach will hurt.”
“Fine,” Jeongguk gave in, “I’ll go.”
“Thank you.”
“Hyung? My stomach hurts and I feel lightheaded.”
“Yeah, it’s the intolerance, come on silly,” He wrapped him in his arms, “Let’s go.”
“Fine,” Jeongguk gave in, “I’ll go.”
“Thank you.”
“Hyung? My stomach hurts and I feel lightheaded.”
“Yeah, it’s the intolerance, come on silly,” He wrapped him in his arms, “Let’s go.”
167
He took him out of the party, with Mingyu watching, scoffing then walking away. Jeongguk the elevator he leaned on his shoulder, and they held hands, until they got inside. He practically had to carry him into bed, slowly taking off his clothes so he could lay down.
168
As he was taking off his shirt, Tulip heard him come in, “Baby?” She yelled, walking towards the noise, where she sees Taehyung and Jeongguk staring at each other, while he was shirtless.
“Tae?” She immediately yells, causing his head to turn in her direction.
“Babe, hey.. um..
“Tae?” She immediately yells, causing his head to turn in her direction.
“Babe, hey.. um..
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a/n: more tomorrow:)
170
“Can we talk when you’re done?” She asked him.
“Yeah sure.” He nodded and once she walked away, Jeongguk touched his face, making Taehyung sigh.
“Please come back to me,” He asked him.
“I will,” Taehyung promised, “Rest.” He laid him down and pulled the covers over him.
“Yeah sure.” He nodded and once she walked away, Jeongguk touched his face, making Taehyung sigh.
“Please come back to me,” He asked him.
“I will,” Taehyung promised, “Rest.” He laid him down and pulled the covers over him.
171
He walked to his room, where Tulip was, sitting on his bed with his tee shirt on. “Hey?” Taehyung says.
“Come.” She pats the bed next to her.
“Look,” He sits down, “I didn’t ghost you I just had to get Jeonggukie out of there.”
“It’s not about that?” She sighs, “Taehyung..”
“Come.” She pats the bed next to her.
“Look,” He sits down, “I didn’t ghost you I just had to get Jeonggukie out of there.”
“It’s not about that?” She sighs, “Taehyung..”
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… It’s the way you look at him, do you.. do you like men too?”
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“What?” He immediately shook his head, “No?” He said, “No I don’t.”
“Okay,” She took his hand, “I was worried because you look at him like.. you love him.”
“Because I do?” He told her, “Look, Koo has been through a lot. We met a month after his boyfriend died. We’re family.”
“Okay,” She took his hand, “I was worried because you look at him like.. you love him.”
“Because I do?” He told her, “Look, Koo has been through a lot. We met a month after his boyfriend died. We’re family.”
174
She listened, respectfully, “I care a lot about him but I’m not gay, I’m straight. But he’s in my heart and if you think there’s something wrong with that, then you should go.”
“I am going to leave,” She tells him, “But not because there’s anything wrong with that, but because —
“I am going to leave,” She tells him, “But not because there’s anything wrong with that, but because —
175
I think he needs you more than I do right now,” She smiled at him.
“You’re such a great girl,” Taehyung kisses her cheek, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and I really want to apologize to Jeongguk. Thank you for clearing everything up. For a second there, I was so scared.”
“You’re such a great girl,” Taehyung kisses her cheek, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and I really want to apologize to Jeongguk. Thank you for clearing everything up. For a second there, I was so scared.”
176
“Scared?” He laughed, “Why?”
“Because no one ever looked at me the way you look at him,” She touched his hand, “But now I know it’s just because it’s brotherly love so I’m all good. Losing you to anyone would be terrible Tae,” She kissed his hand, “We’re a great couple.”
“Because no one ever looked at me the way you look at him,” She touched his hand, “But now I know it’s just because it’s brotherly love so I’m all good. Losing you to anyone would be terrible Tae,” She kissed his hand, “We’re a great couple.”
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“Yeah,” He nodded.
“And one day maybe you’ll decide to finally call me your girlfriend, until then I’ll wait for you.” He got up and put her dress back on. “Call me tomorrow?”
“I will,” Taehyung walked her to the door, and they shared a quick kiss before she left.
He sighed.
“And one day maybe you’ll decide to finally call me your girlfriend, until then I’ll wait for you.” He got up and put her dress back on. “Call me tomorrow?”
“I will,” Taehyung walked her to the door, and they shared a quick kiss before she left.
He sighed.
178
He knew he wanted to be with Tulip but why did he feel so overprotective of Jeongguk? He walked into Jeongguk’s room and saw him sleeping. Taehyung was going to just let him be but he heard him say, “Taehyungie?” Like he knew he was there.
“Hey, Koo.”
“Come to bed?”
“Hey, Koo.”
“Come to bed?”
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He felt his heart in his chest, in his wrists and in his throat as he laid next to him, and they immediately blended together like they were meant to be there. “Thank you for taking care of me,” Jeongguk whispered, right before resting his nose in the crook of Taehyung’s neck.
180
“Always, Koo, always.” He wrapped his arms around him gently, feeling more safe than he’s ever felt, allowing his eyes to close and sleep finally overcome him.
181
When morning came, both of them seemed to wake up at the same time, and once they did, they ended up staring at each other, smiling.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Oh god,” Jeongguk covered his mouth, “How much did I drink last night?”
“Enough to let a guy grab your ass,” Tae says.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Oh god,” Jeongguk covered his mouth, “How much did I drink last night?”
“Enough to let a guy grab your ass,” Tae says.
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“No I remember that,” He giggled, “I really liked it, hyung.”
“Oh,” Taehyung nodded, “Well..”
“I just don’t remember what I said afterwards, or how I got upstairs.” He looked at Taehyung, “I know you probably brought me home but.. did I do or say anything stupid?”
“Oh,” Taehyung nodded, “Well..”
“I just don’t remember what I said afterwards, or how I got upstairs.” He looked at Taehyung, “I know you probably brought me home but.. did I do or say anything stupid?”
183
poll:
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“Just something a long the lines of wanting me to touch your ass the way Mingyu did,” Taehyung was honest with him.
“Oh god,” He shook his head, “I really said that?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung smiled, “You did.”
“Please that’s ridiculous you’d never touch my ass.”
“Oh god,” He shook his head, “I really said that?”
“Yeah,” Taehyung smiled, “You did.”
“Please that’s ridiculous you’d never touch my ass.”
185
“Exactly,” He started laughing, “Like if course we tap each other’s butts sometimes but yeah.”
“Yup, and you’d be too afraid to anyway, you know you straighty’s get so scared of us, acting like we all want you or something.”
“You think I’m scared to touch your butt?”
“Yep!”
“Yup, and you’d be too afraid to anyway, you know you straighty’s get so scared of us, acting like we all want you or something.”
“You think I’m scared to touch your butt?”
“Yep!”
186
“Jeongguk, I’d totally grab your butt if you’d let me.” Taehyung shrugged, “I’m comfortable with my sexuality.”
At that moment Jeongguk felt like he should just end the conversation. He didn’t know where it could lead but his heart… his heart wouldn’t let him.
“I’d let you.”
At that moment Jeongguk felt like he should just end the conversation. He didn’t know where it could lead but his heart… his heart wouldn’t let him.
“I’d let you.”
187
“It’s not a big deal, watch,” He squeezed his cheek quickly, “See?”
“Ha, you’re ridiculous,” Jeongguk laughed.
“Wait, your butt is so oddly soft,” He didn’t realize his hand was still there until he squeezed again. “Wow.” He whispered as they stared at each other.
“Ha, you’re ridiculous,” Jeongguk laughed.
“Wait, your butt is so oddly soft,” He didn’t realize his hand was still there until he squeezed again. “Wow.” He whispered as they stared at each other.
188
“Do guys like to touch you there?”
“Yeah,” Jeongguk nods, trying to stifle the way he was making him feel.
“Mmm..” He pulls away, “Soft butt.” Taehyung sits up, “Anyway like I said, I’m comfortable with my sexuality.” He walks right out, probably to go to the bathroom and —
“Yeah,” Jeongguk nods, trying to stifle the way he was making him feel.
“Mmm..” He pulls away, “Soft butt.” Taehyung sits up, “Anyway like I said, I’m comfortable with my sexuality.” He walks right out, probably to go to the bathroom and —
189
Jeongguk starts to scream into his pillow. Did he just grab his ass? Yes. Did it feel really good? Yes. He couldn’t believe he let it happen, even worse he couldn’t believe he liked it more than when Mingyu did it.
“Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house, Jeongguk.”
“Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house, Jeongguk.”
190
He could hear Jimin say it in his head, and it was scary to think that he might be right.
Did he really have a crush on his best friend?
He got up, walking in only his boxers to Taehyung’s room where he was just laying in bed. When he came in, Taehyung immediately looked at him
Did he really have a crush on his best friend?
He got up, walking in only his boxers to Taehyung’s room where he was just laying in bed. When he came in, Taehyung immediately looked at him
191
eyeing him from head to toe, “Koo you know you’re really a specimen,” He comments as he gets in bed with him.
“Am I?” He laughs, “Why did you leave my room?”
“My air is better, and yeah you are.” Taehyung pushes some of his hair back, “Prettier than most girls.”
“Hyung..”
“Am I?” He laughs, “Why did you leave my room?”
“My air is better, and yeah you are.” Taehyung pushes some of his hair back, “Prettier than most girls.”
“Hyung..”
192
“Yeah?”
“I think I want to go out with Mingyu,” Jeongguk confessed.
“Oh.” Taehyung didn’t let go of him, “I think you should.”
“You’re not upset? You’re not going to tell me not to?”
“No, Koo I can’t protect you forever. If you feel ready, then do it. I’ll cheer you on.”
“I think I want to go out with Mingyu,” Jeongguk confessed.
“Oh.” Taehyung didn’t let go of him, “I think you should.”
“You’re not upset? You’re not going to tell me not to?”
“No, Koo I can’t protect you forever. If you feel ready, then do it. I’ll cheer you on.”
193
“You’re my best friend.” Jeongguk smiled at him, “I really love you.”
“You’re my best friend, and I really love you too.” Taehyung replies, “Do you have work today?”
“Yeah, later. I wish I was a boss like you so I didn’t have to work.”
“You know, Koo if you don’t want to work
“You’re my best friend, and I really love you too.” Taehyung replies, “Do you have work today?”
“Yeah, later. I wish I was a boss like you so I didn’t have to work.”
“You know, Koo if you don’t want to work
194
I have enough money to take care of us for at least 5 years.” He smiled at him.
“You think I don’t know you’re a millionaire?” Jeongguk laughed, “You live on park avenue you don’t even need a roommate and only charge me 1200 for rent.”
“So are you accepting my offer?”
“No.”
“You think I don’t know you’re a millionaire?” Jeongguk laughed, “You live on park avenue you don’t even need a roommate and only charge me 1200 for rent.”
“So are you accepting my offer?”
“No.”
195
“We love an independent man,” Taehyung’s tone dripped with sarcasm.
“Thank you I appreciate that,” Jeongguk rolled his eyes, “I’m going for a run.”
“Have fun, I’m going back to sleep.” He turned over in bed and snuggled close to his pillow.
“Thank you I appreciate that,” Jeongguk rolled his eyes, “I’m going for a run.”
“Have fun, I’m going back to sleep.” He turned over in bed and snuggled close to his pillow.
196
Jeongguk smiled at him then got his running gear, and quickly went outside. It stopped on the 10th floor where Mingyu lived and of course, there he was, smiling at Jeongguk.
“Hi.”
“Hey cutie,” Mingyu got on, “You look good for someone who had almost 4 cups of soju last night.”
“Hi.”
“Hey cutie,” Mingyu got on, “You look good for someone who had almost 4 cups of soju last night.”
197
“Yeah,” He bared his teeth in embarrassment, “Taehyungie helped me upstairs.”
“Ah, him,” Mingyu crossed his arms, “He pushed me away before we could get to the good part.”
“The good part?” Jeongguk asked.
“Yeah, me asking you out.”
“Hm, I guess he did.”
The elevator dinged—
“Ah, him,” Mingyu crossed his arms, “He pushed me away before we could get to the good part.”
“The good part?” Jeongguk asked.
“Yeah, me asking you out.”
“Hm, I guess he did.”
The elevator dinged—
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and before Jeongguk could get off, he touched his hand, “Do you wanna go out with me?”
“I… I’d love to,” He smiled at him and saw him smiling back. He was so cute. Not as cute as Taehyung but, cute enough. Fuck. Why was he thinking about Taehyung? “How’s this Friday?”
“I… I’d love to,” He smiled at him and saw him smiling back. He was so cute. Not as cute as Taehyung but, cute enough. Fuck. Why was he thinking about Taehyung? “How’s this Friday?”
199
“Perfect! Do you like BCD Tofu House?”
“I love it!”
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” He looked at his watch, “Are you going for a run? Do you want to go together?”
“Yeah sure, then wanna get some protein shakes and talk by the park?”
“Sounds lovely.”
“I love it!”
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” He looked at his watch, “Are you going for a run? Do you want to go together?”
“Yeah sure, then wanna get some protein shakes and talk by the park?”
“Sounds lovely.”
200
Taehyung fell asleep again and when he woke up an hour later with Jeongguk still not home he felt.. weird. He looked around and saw his room this empty. He immediately called him, and that’s when he heard Jeongguk’s phone ring right outside the door.
“Koo?”
“Koo?”
201
He looked out the peep-hole and saw him look at him number then turn his phone off when he saw it was him.
“Wtf?” Taehyung whispered, and watched Jeongguk talked to… Mingyu.
“I had so much fun.” Jeongguk says.
“So did I.. you’re a great runner… even cuter coffee drinker.”
“Wtf?” Taehyung whispered, and watched Jeongguk talked to… Mingyu.
“I had so much fun.” Jeongguk says.
“So did I.. you’re a great runner… even cuter coffee drinker.”
202
“You’re cuter.” Jeongguk said back, smiling.
“You better stop before we’re making out before our first date,” He hovered over him, “I’ll leave first before I ask to kiss you.”
“You should, I’m not that easy,” He touched his chest, “See you friday?”
“Friday.” Mingyu agreed.
“You better stop before we’re making out before our first date,” He hovered over him, “I’ll leave first before I ask to kiss you.”
“You should, I’m not that easy,” He touched his chest, “See you friday?”
“Friday.” Mingyu agreed.
203
They parted and when he noticed Jeongguk coming inside he ran to the kitchen and pretended to make a protein shake.
“Oh hyung, hey!”
“Hey.” His reply was short, “I called you.”
“I know, sorry I was with Mingyu? Actually, we kinda met on the elevator and went on a run together.”
“Oh hyung, hey!”
“Hey.” His reply was short, “I called you.”
“I know, sorry I was with Mingyu? Actually, we kinda met on the elevator and went on a run together.”
204
“Oh okay,” He nodded, and continued to make his shake.
“Hyung, he asked me out!” Jeongguk says, coming closer, “My first date since Jun died.. I’m so nervous, hyung?” Taehyung finally looked at him, “Am I doing the right thing?”
He felt so weird about that question.
“Hyung, he asked me out!” Jeongguk says, coming closer, “My first date since Jun died.. I’m so nervous, hyung?” Taehyung finally looked at him, “Am I doing the right thing?”
He felt so weird about that question.
205
One, he wanted Jeongguk to be happy but his heart beat so fast at the idea of another man being in his life.
“You’re doing the right thing,” He finds a smile, just for Jeongguk, “You deserve this.. you deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you so much,” He tossed his arms around him.
“You’re doing the right thing,” He finds a smile, just for Jeongguk, “You deserve this.. you deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you so much,” He tossed his arms around him.
206
They hugged in the middle of the kitchen, and it was a good thing neither of them could see each other’s face, because both were full of worry. Jeongguk was worried for the future, and Taehyung was worried he was losing something he never had.
207
“Um.. I have to shower then go to work but.. on Friday you’ll help me pick an outfit right?”
“How about Thursday?” Taehyung suggested.
“Hmm? Why Thursday?”
“Because, that way I can take you out… on a date.”
“A date?” Jeongguk laughed curiously, “Hyung, what?”
“How about Thursday?” Taehyung suggested.
“Hmm? Why Thursday?”
“Because, that way I can take you out… on a date.”
“A date?” Jeongguk laughed curiously, “Hyung, what?”
208
“I said I would help you right?”
“Yeah? But..”
“But nothing, I want this to be perfect for you. So I’m going to help you with clothes and stuff then we’ll simulate a real date. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like fun!” He hugged him again, “You always take care of me.”
“Yeah? But..”
“But nothing, I want this to be perfect for you. So I’m going to help you with clothes and stuff then we’ll simulate a real date. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like fun!” He hugged him again, “You always take care of me.”
209
“Always Koo, Always.”
“I have to shower and get to work,” He touched his face, “Thank you for helping me find myself again.” He walked away and Taehyung watched him go, the sound of his heart beat got louder, and louder with each step he took away from him.
“I have to shower and get to work,” He touched his face, “Thank you for helping me find myself again.” He walked away and Taehyung watched him go, the sound of his heart beat got louder, and louder with each step he took away from him.
210
The next few days felt weird at least for Taehyung. Every day, Jeongguk was on the phone with Mingyu, texting Mingyu, they barely had time to talk together it was almost as if he was being replaced. He didn’t want to feel that way, but he couldn’t help it.
Wednesday night…
Wednesday night…
211
He asked Jeongguk if he wanted to watch a new drama together, he says yes but he’s on his phone the entire time. Taehyung laughed at the screen then turned to tell him something and that’s when he knew… he wasn’t watching.
“Hey, um I’m just going to watch this in my room.”
“Hey, um I’m just going to watch this in my room.”