Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Taehyung doesn’t quite know when exactly he fell for them.

In most situations, when you ask someone when they knew they were in love, they answer you with a moment, that one eureka where they just knew they had fallen in love, that moment where a spark ignited in their heart and they knew.

Thinking about it now, while charcoal meets paper in rough strokes, sketching the boys in question as they sit across from him unaware of Taehyung’s eyes that flicker up at them repeatedly, Taehyung doesn’t have that eureka moment, that moment where cupid’s arrow had shot him in the heart and he’d thought oh, this is it.

Falling in love with Yoongi and Jungkook had been something slow. The love that Taehyung has for them now, had been quiet, careful not to make any noise as it creeped up on him over time. The love that he has for the two boys in front of him, that love had taken it’s time wrapping around him, filling up his heart until he was so full of love for them that every time he saw them, or he’d see one of their names light up on his phone, or they’d call his name across a crowded sidewalk, or right now when they both caught his eyes and smiled at the way he ducked his head shyly in response, every time Taehyung’s heart would beat fast and heavy, and a slow warmth would fill him up, and over time he began to recognize the signs of falling for them.

Even though falling for them hurt sometimes, knowing his feelings could never be known, even though the thought that his love would always be unrequited was a pain that cut deep at times, Taehyung couldn’t help himself. Taehyung kept that love hidden inside himself and though he knew he would never be able to land, Taehyung let himself enjoy the freefall of falling in love with Jungkook and Yoongi.

It had all begun a month into his freshman year of college.

Jimin had dragged Taehyung to the bar, actually busted into his dorm and grabbed his arm, pulling him with a firm grip until he was successful in forcing Taehyung out of the building he resided in and into the humid summer night air. Jimin informed him briefly that he was going to come out for once and have fun and that they were going to one of the bars near their campus. Taehyung had whined the whole way, his complaints ignored by a laughing Jimin, pulling him down the sidewalk away from the silence of the campus and towards the city streets, filled with people from their university and city goers alike.

“Jimin,” Taehyung whined louder but not doing anything to pull away from Jimin’s grip around his wrist, “I really don’t feel like going out tonight!”

Jimin stopped suddenly and looked back at Taehyung with a roll of his eyes, “You’ve said that every night for the past month! We’re freshmen in college! We’re supposed to be having fun, not staying cooped up in our dorms and avoiding people!” The look on Jimin’s face was pointed and Taehyung huffed looking away, knowing there was no use in arguing with his best friend. Jimin always won when he had his mind set.

Taehyung wasn’t a total recluse, he made acquaintances fairly easily, didn’t mind joining in class discussions or conversations with his classmates. However, Taehyung wasn’t normally the kind to seek out anything more. Taehyung was quite shy when it came to new people, and often times his social battery wore out after meeting new people, which is why he tended to keep to himself. Taehyung was fine with his life, though, hanging out in his dorm after a long day of classes, whether it be alone or with Jimin, when his best friend wasn’t out and about. He was fine with the fact that he didn’t have a wide circle of friends, he only needed Jimin and didn’t care much if he had other friends. Taehyung was happiest with a sketchbook on his lap, bundled up in his bedding, one of his favorite anime playing in the background, and he didn’t ever think anything was wrong with that.

Jimin was always the extrovert of the two, he’d always been the first one invited to all the parties in their high school, was always front row at any school event, was always looking for new people to meet and always looking for a good time. When they’d both started college, both of them choosing the same university because they couldn’t bear being separated, Jimin had already been invited to a house party before they’d even moved into their dorms. Taehyung often wondered how his best friend kept his grades immaculate when he partied nearly every weekend since they’d started college.

Taehyung voiced the question out loud on the sidewalk, city lights twinkling behind Jimin’s head, bright red hair dancing in the breeze, and received a bark of laughter in response.

“Balance, my dear Taehyungie, balance!”

Jimin didn’t say anything else, only pulled Taehyung into a bar, both boys pushing their way through the crowded building. The dim lighting made it hard for Taehyung to really make out the interior, but the way the small area was packed with bodies, he didn’t think he’d have been able to see anything even if it had been brighter. The clinking of glasses and raucous laughter made Taehyung’s heartbeat quicken, and he’d once again been reminded of why he avoided loud, crowded places. Small Chinese lanterns dangled from the ceiling, casting the place in an orange hue and Taehyung had let his eyes roam over the people around them, some dancing to the music that pumped out of the speaker system, some standing at tables with drinks in hand, before Jimin pulled him towards a booth, past the bar and towards the back of the room where three guys were sitting, food and drinks filling the table in front of them.

As Jimin and Taehyung approached, Taehyung could see that they were all doubled over with laughter, clearly already a couple drinks in.

“You started without us!” Jimin chided in mock anger, breaking the fit of laughter consuming the boys and making them all glance up with matching grins. Jimin slid in the opposite side of the booth, scooching closest to the wall to make room for Taehyung, and the latter smiled nervously as he awkwardly folded his long limbs into the booth seat.

“Can’t help it you’re always late,” One of the boys, bared his teeth in a wide grin and began to pour both Jimin and Taehyung a drink. Taehyung looked him over, taking in his short platinum hair and perfect features, high cheekbones, straight nose, heart shaped smile, and admired his mismatched style of clothing.

“He was probably fixing his hair,” Another one of the boys joked, dimples forming as he smiled, voice deep and soft spoken, and his words made the boy in the middle of the two start to laugh again, his laugh squeaking out of him and reminding Taehyung of when his mother used to clean the windows of their house. So infectious that laughter, it made the boy with the heart shaped smile bark out his own laughter while clapping his hands and Taehyung found a smile slipping onto his face at the scene in front of him.

Jimin groaned at the three boys, glaring at them as he took a sip of his drink and then crossed his arms, pouting at the three, “Why do I even hang out with you guys?”

“Because we are spectacular,” The one in the middle gave a movie star smile as the words left his mouth and Taehyung was positively dazzled, taking in the handsome features of the boy. Taehyung felt his face heat up when those dark eyes turned to him, looking at him warmly, “Who cares about us though, you must be Taehyung.” A hand crossed the table towards Taehyung, and it took a moment before he hurried to place his own clammy hand into the boy’s, who shook Taehyung’s firmly, wearing a bright smile.

“Ah y-yes, Kim Taehyung, nice to meet you,” Taehyung tried to bow from his seat in the booth, and it was both awkward and cute, making the three boys look at him with endeared expressions.

“It’s good to finally meet the best friend that Jimin always talks about,” The movie star smile widened, and the boy pushed his long dark bangs away from his face, “I’m Seokjin.”

Taehyung could feel Jimin’s arm drop onto his shoulders, a familiar comforting weight around him as he listened to the boys as they introduced themselves. He learned that the boy with the platinum hair was named Hoseok, a junior, and the soft-spoken boy closest to the wall was named Namjoon, a senior like Seokjin, and also Seokjin’s boyfriend. Taehyung’s nerves settled as the three boys pulled him into their conversation, asking him about his major, asking him about how he liked their university, and many other things. They were all so bright and it was easy for Taehyung to forget about his nervousness and to bask in the light that seemed to come off the group, to get caught up in their laughter and their conversation, the topic always seeming to change so quickly that if you didn’t keep up properly, you’d be lost entirely on what they were actually talking about.

One minute Taehyung found himself listening with intrigue to Namjoon talking about a museum near the campus, specifically about a knew sculpture that had just been installed, and then the next minute Seokjin had somehow steered the conversation away from the sculpture to their favorite Pokémon as kids, which then somehow after a few twist and turns of the conversation, turned into all three of them singing throwback trot songs, all of their voices off key and loud, making a couple people turn towards their booth with curious grins.

After the topic changed a couple of times, Taehyung piped up for the first time that night, questioning how Jimin had come to know two seniors and a junior, and the three had jumped to answer before Jimin could even let out a breath, which only made Taehyung’s best friend grumble more about how he really didn’t know why he was friends with the three of them.

“Jimin showed up to my frat’s party the first weekend after school started,” Hoseok waggled his eyebrows as Jimin groaned loudly and poured himself another drink, “I still don’t know how he got in, but I found him only an hour into the party, dancing on our kitchen counter, absolutely shitfaced drunk, and pouring a bottle of water over his head like he was in flash dance or some shit!” Hoseok’s story cut off as he started to laugh loudly at the memory and Taehyung felt Jimin’s head on his shoulder, his best friend’s body shaking a little with laughter. Taehyung could only imagine the scene that his best friend had caused, and he began to laugh a little as his imagination ran wild.

“Eventually this one’s high wore off and the alcohol hit him hard,” Seokjin cut in and levelled Jimin with a look but couldn’t keep his own smile off his face, “One minute Namjoon and I were dancing and next thing I knew Hoseok was pulling us towards the kitchen yelling about some crazy ass freshie who tried to do a backflip off the counter and ended up on the floor.”

Taehyung turned sharply to Jimin, and even though he knew this story was well in the past, he still looked at his best friend with worried eyes. Before Taehyung could even think of telling his best friend how dangerous that was, Namjoon piped up from beside Seokjin.

“Don’t worry Taehyung, the only thing bruised was this kid’s pride,” The other two snickered at Namjoon’s words and Taehyung looked back at his best friend to confirm.

Jimin pushed out his lower lip, pouting at Taehyung to earn some sympathy, “He’s lying, my left ass cheek was purple for like a week.”

Taehyung grinned at him, poking his cheek with a finger before pulling it back and letting Jimin go back to resting his head on Taehyung’s shoulder.

“Anyway,” Hoseok rolled his eyes fondly at Jimin’s antics and resumed his story, his laughter controlled for the time being, “Jimin was drenched in water, slumped against the frat’s dishwasher, groaning about how he used to be great at tumbling-

“I am great at tumbling!”

“Yeah, tumbling onto your ass.” Namjoon deadpanned and Seokjin’s squeaking laughter came back with a vengeance.

“Anyway,” Hoseok continued as Jimin nuzzled his face into Taehyung’s shoulder, thoroughly embarrassed, “So the three of us, being the upstanding people we are,” Another scoff from Jimin, “Decided to help the poor kid out and get him to a bedroom so he could pass out and deal with his hangover in the comfort of a bed instead of the kitchen floor.”

Taehyung was invested at this point, wondering again, how his best friend survived classes after partying the way he did.

“Now let me tell you, Taehyung,” Hoseok leaned forward, as if he were telling a secret, “You’d think, looking at him, this kid would weigh nothing right? Wrong.”

“Hey!”

Taehyung patted Jimin’s cheek, “It’s true Jiminie, but it’s just cause you’re so muscular from dancing.”

Jimin looked up at Taehyung adoringly and flushed from being tipsy, hugging his arm tightly, “Taehyungieeee!”

“Oh, you’re good,” Taehyung looked up to see Seokjin arching his eyebrow, quick in catching onto Taehyung’s effective way of silencing his best friend.

“So, all three of us tried to carry this kid, but damn he was heavier than we thought,” Hoseok tapped a finger to his chin in thought, “Well and we were all pretty drunk as well, and god he wouldn’t stop moving around.”

“So, what did you do?” Taehyung cocked his head to the side, wondering if his best friend ended up spending the night on the floor after all.

“They called us,” A voice, velvety and filled with a quiet sort of confidence, floated over to them and they looked up to the two boys next to their table. An unorganized chorus of “Yoongi” and “Jungkookie” sounded from the three boys and even Jimin lifted his head from Taehyung’s shoulder to join in, making grabby hands at the boy who wore an oversized black sweatshirt.

“Jungkookie! Where have you been?! They’ve been bullying me,” Jimin’s words slurred a bit, the drinks already starting to hit him. Jimin may have known how to party, but for all his wild nights, he was still a bit of a lightweight. At least Taehyung had the excuse of not drinking alcohol often, Jimin just couldn’t seem to build a tolerance for it, and after a few drinks he became a bit of a mess. Cute, with the way he pouted his lips and clung to Taehyung’s side, but a mess all the same.

The boy, who Taehyung was sure couldn’t possibly be named Jungkookie and figured it must be a nickname, reached across Taehyung and intertwined his hands with Jimin’s. Taehyung leaned back slightly, feeling a blush creep up his neck at the arm an inch away from his face, feeling the heat coming off of the boy from being so close.

“I’m sorry,” The boy looked at Jimin with a twinkle in his eye, grinning widely, “but in their defense, you make it so easy.”

“Jungkook, you traitor,” Jimin smirked at his friend and leaned his head back on Taehyung’s shoulder.

“Where were you guys?! We’ve already been here for hours!” Seokjin slung an arm on the back of the booth behind Hoseok, giving the two boys an arched brow and a look of mock anger, but not doing anything to hide the smirk threatening to form on his face.

The boys shifted their attention to the oldest of the group and Taehyung took the opportunity to look them over, too shy to have looked their way before without worrying about making eye contact with the two strangers.

The boy that had reached in front of him, Jungkook as Jimin had called him, was the taller of the two by a little more than a head. The hoodie he wore was oversized and his black cargos just as loose but doing nothing to conceal his lithe frame. You could tell that somewhere underneath all that fabric was an athletic body, if the way the fabric hung on his body was anything to go by. Taehyung had sketched a lot of people in his time, and he noted, as he looked Jungkook over, that his build looked a lot like one of Jimin’s ex-boyfriends in high school, one that used to be on their school’s dance team with Jimin, and he wondered cursorily if Jungkook happened to also be a dancer of some sort.

Taehyung’s eyes traveled upward, taking in the long dark waves that fell across his forehead and the strands that curled over his eyes, wide eyes that sparkled in the glow of the Chinese lanterns above them and the small scar on his cheekbone. He looked young, maybe only slightly older than Taehyung and Jimin and though he looked boyish with his wide eyes and a playful grin, he held an air of maturity that contrasted with his doe-like eyes.

Taehyung tore his eyes away from Jungkook, away from the way he was grinning brightly at something one of the boys had said and over to the other boy, Yoongi he remembered the other guys calling him.

Yoongi was dressed in similar clothing, a loose black tee and equally loose flannel hanging on his much thinner, smaller frame. The way he held his body in a sort of languid way reminded Taehyung of his family’s cat back home, seemingly relaxed and unimpressed at all times. Yoongi’s hair, darker than Jungkook’s and almost blue-black underneath the dim lighting, peeked out from underneath an equally dark baseball cap, and Taehyung thought that he’d never really thought baseball caps could look cool until he’d seen someone like Yoongi wearing one.

Yoongi’s features were not as open as the boy standing next to him, his face holding an indifference that seemed to be natural for him. Taehyung’s eyes trailed over his cool gaze, the way he looked uncaring of the raucous bar and the people around them, and Taehyung wished he could be that relaxed, that indifferent to his surroundings. Suddenly those cool, dark eyes slid over to him, locking Taehyung in place without even trying, and breaking Taehyung out of his thoughts. The sounds of the bar began to flood in, like his head was breaking the surface of water, and he realized he was so caught up in the two boys that he had fell into his own little world, had fallen into his own head and had been too busy taking in every detail of the boys that he had drifted away from the conversation.

Taehyung blushed hard and turned his gaze away from Yoongi’s now curious one and noticed that Jungkook was now leaning his hip against Taehyung’s side of the booth, responding to Seokjin’s question.

“Grandpa over here,” Jungkook threw a thumb over his shoulder, wearing a bright smile that showed off perfect white teeth, “was taking a nap and I had to drag him out of our apartment,” Jungkook turned then to look at Yoongi, who gave him a blank look in return, eyes already shifted away from Taehyung.

“Jimin’s right, you are a traitor,” Yoongi’s eye’s thinned while folding his arms across his chest and Jungkook pinched his cheek lightly while the rest of the table laughed loudly at Yoongi’s responding glare.

Jungkook’s eyes glittered as he pulled Yoongi to him, pecking him on the lips and effectively wiping the glare off Yoongi’s face, the latter’s expression melting into one of complete adoration, and the amount of care his eyes held as they locked with Jungkook’s made Taehyung’s blush grow. As the group started in with a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘awws’ making both Yoongi and Jungkook roll their eyes, Taehyung looked into his glass, feeling his chest begin to grow tight at seeing their exchange.

Taehyung would never call himself bitter about being single, he liked being in his own company, he liked his life well enough. Never one for dating in high school, he’d only had one serious boyfriend, a boy who he met in art class sophomore year. They’d both been interested in the same things, hung out after school together or in the art room, and over time Taehyung found himself falling in love. They’d both shared their firsts together, their first kiss was secret and chaste in the art room’s closet and their first time was clumsy and awkward, the boy’s parents watching television in the living room downstairs.

Eventually they grew apart, like most couples in high school do, and after sharing all their firsts, Taehyung had his own first to experience by himself.

The first breakup.

At the time, the breakup felt like the worst thing that could happen to him. Jimin came over to his house, consoling him with his favorite movies and their favorite ice creams, whispering that he would be okay, that there were plenty of fish in the sea, and a myriad of other sayings that eventually became so corny that Taehyung pushed his best friend away, both of them laughing at the cringey sayings.

However, Jimin was right, after a couple weeks Taehyung had moved on from his first relationship, and he didn’t feel the ache in his chest when he thought about the boy he once loved. After the breakup, and after crying over the pain of his first heartbreak, Taehyung had gone back to preparing for college and spending time with Jimin or his family. He never felt the urge to date after that, every once in a while, he’d go out if someone caught his eye but he never felt like the dating world was something he was missing out on. That’s not to say that Taehyung hadn’t been on his fair share of dates and every once in a while had the occasional hook-up, but half the time when he’d comfort Jimin after a bad breakup or listen to Jimin’s stories about the guys he was with, and even dealt with his own dating fails, Taehyung never thought he was really missing out anything.

It all seemed like a bunch of games and eventual hurt to him.

Sometimes though, especially on nights where Jimin would cancel plans for a date, excitedly telling Taehyung about what he was going to wear or how charming the guy was, or then, there in the bar, watching as Yoongi rolled his eyes at the boys in the booth and then looked back at Jungkook with so much love, so much warmth, it made Taehyung feel like he was missing something. Like the corner piece of his puzzle was lost somewhere, and even though the picture was there, nearly finished, it wasn’t technically complete.

“Earth to Tae!”

Jimin’s hand shaking his arm brought Taehyung out of his head again and he looked up to see that everyone’s eyes, even Yoongi and Jungkook’s, were on him.

“S-sorry what?” Taehyung blinked a few times, finger tapping against his glass in order to ground himself, to not let his nervousness at being the center of attention show.

“Always in that head of yours,” Jimin smiled, eyes crinkling and then gestured towards Jungkook and Yoongi, “Anyways, this is Jungkook and Yoongi,” Taehyung looked up at the two of them with a nervous smile, hoping they’d take to him just as easily as the rest of Jimin’s friends.

“Taehyung, nice to meet you,” Taehyung introduced himself quietly, shaking dark tousled waves out of his eyes.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Taehyung,” Jungkook stuck out a hand, and Taehyung looked at it for a moment before quickly gripping his warm hand. Jungkook gave it a firm shake and his eyes crinkled with humor as he continued, “Thought you might be imaginary, to be honest, since Jimin never brings you along.”

“Hey!” Jimin yelled and Taehyung winced at the loud tone, taking Yoongi’s outstretched hand next.

“Nice to meet you,” Yoongi’s voice was rich, a low rumble from deep in his chest and he leaned forward almost conspiratorially, and it made Taehyung’s breath hitch slightly, “I don’t know how you put up with this kid.” Yoongi winked, like they had just shared some sort of secret, and it made Taehyung feel like part of the group, as if he had known Yoongi and Jungkook as long as Jimin had.

“I’m never bringing him around you guys again if you’re just going to be assholes!” Jimin yelled again and Taehyung patted his arm, trying to soothe him.

“Taehyungie, don’t let them turn you against me,” Jimin turned to him with puppy dog eyes and Taehyung laughed softly at his best friend’s drunken attempt at being cute.

“Never Jiminie,” Taehyung bumped his best friend’s forehead and only after Jimin laid his head back on his shoulder, did Taehyung notice the smiles of the rest of the group.

“Well don’t just stand there! Sit down!” Hoseok grinned, beckoning Jungkook and Yoongi to slide into the booth. The only space available was next to Taehyung and Jimin, so the two of them slid over making space for the couple. Jungkook squished in next to Taehyung, his arm pressed close against Taehyung’s own, the warmth radiating off the boy wrapping around Taehyung instantly. Yoongi was pressed close to the other side of Jungkook, nearly sitting on top of the latter in order not to hang off the booth seat.

“Alright,” Hoseok clapped his hands together, “Back to my story!” He grinned devilishly at a groaning Jimin as Seokjin poured both Jungkook and Yoongi some drinks.

“Let it die hyung! Nobody cares!” Jimin’s voice vibrated against Taehyung’s shoulder as he groaned loudly, wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s forearm.

Taehyung patted the side of his best friend’s face and then looked up at Hoseok with an eager look, waggling his eyebrows playfully, “Please continue, don’t leave anything out.”

“Tae, they just want to embarrass me! Don’t encourage it!”

“Shush,” Taehyung smiled as his best friend continued glaring, his eyes a bit hazy from the drinks. Taehyung looked back at the boys in front him, eyes dancing with humor, “Like I said, don’t leave anything out. Especially the embarrassing stuff.”

“Traitor!” Jimin huffed loudly, only making Taehyung’s mischievous grin widen. The drinks made him feel a bit lighter, made him feel more comfortable being himself, a little more playful.

The rest of the group chuckled at the two boys and Hoseok delved back into his story, ignoring Jimin’s protests the whole time. Hoseok picked up where he’d been interrupted, Jimin in an absolute state on the frat house’s kitchen floor and how they’d called Jungkook, knowing he’d be able to help.

“They only like me for my muscles,” Jungkook informed before he took a swig of his drink, and Taehyung caught the wink sent his way when he turned towards the former. Yoongi leaned forward, head poking out from the other side of Jungkook’s body and his face was relaxed, that same blank expression.

“They didn’t really need me, but I decided to join anyway because it sounded like too much of a train wreck to miss.” Yoongi grinned then and it was all gums and pearly white teeth. Jungkook nudged his boyfriend with an elbow before they both shared small grins and Taehyung noted how cute the couple were together, always nudging each other or sharing secret smiles, like even though they sat at the table with the group, they both were still in their own little bubble.

“My saviors,” Came Jimin’s sarcastic reply as he popped up, pouring himself another drink and downing it in one go. Taehyung picked up his glass and took a tentative sip, already feeling the floating sensation in his head from the three glasses he’d had hitting him.

“So anyway, Jungkook and his muscles, threw Jimin over his shoulder and carried him upstairs. I swear this kid is like some sort of secret bodybuilder,” Hoseok gave Jungkook a look, eyes squinting with judgment and then continued, “We finally got him into a bed, but not without this kid tying the sheets around himself like a cape and trying to jump off the bed.” Hoseok laughed loudly, raking a hand through his nearly white strands, “He then proceeded to spew all over the carpet and fall fast asleep. The next morning, we all took him out to breakfast to treat his hangover and we’ve been looking after the kid since.”

Taehyung slid his gaze to his best friend, and he knew how wild his best friend’s nights could get but it was different when you just had a play by play of one of them.

Jimin shrugged under Taehyung’s probing look and then smiled unabashedly into his glass, “One of the best sleeps I’ve had.”

The group laughed at Jimin’s mischievous smile, and the night continued along, drink after drink and bouncing from one conversation to the next. Taehyung felt himself getting tipsier as the night went on, but found that he was enjoying himself, truly enjoying himself in the boys’ company, and it was a first for him. Normally he would’ve been checking his phone, watching the time and spending his time trying to figure out a good excuse so he could slip away. When he found himself laughing at another one of Seokjin’s jokes and not even remotely worried about the time, or the hangover he’d have the next morning, Taehyung thought that he wouldn’t mind going out with Jimin’s friends again.

“So, Taehyung you’re an art major?” Yoongi peered around Jungkook, eyes genuinely interested in his answer, the rest of the group’s conversation having died down and they all turned towards Taehyung, equally as interested in his response. Jimin had fallen asleep on his shoulder, and Taehyung tried not to squirm under the sudden attention in order not to wake his best friend.

Taehyung’s cheeks heated, not being able to help his blush at being the focus of the conversation as he stuttered out a reply, “U-uh yes, mainly drawing and painting.” Taehyung ducked his head, but not before he saw a glimpse of the small smile on Yoongi’s face.

“Really? You might see Jungkook around, you guys probably share classes in the same building since he’s a photography major.” Yoongi said fondly, fingers twirling the dark curls at the nape of Jungkook’s neck. Taehyung watched as the tips of Jungkook’s ears tinged red at the attention and the mention of his major and Taehyung thought to himself that he may not be the only one who didn’t like being the center of attention.

“Jungkookie is amazing, I’m always begging him to do more work for the dance team.” Hoseok piped up, shaking his head in awe at the mention of Jungkook’s talents. It made Taehyung so curious to see the other boy’s photos, wanting to see the work that could make everyone talk so highly.

“Really?” Taehyung turned towards them, eyes brightening in interest, “I used to dabble in photography in high school, but I wasn’t very good at it.” Taehyung leaned his chin on his hand with a smile, looking from Yoongi’s smiling eyes to Jungkook’s wide ones. “What type of photography do you prefer?”

“Ah,” Jungkook swallowed his drink before answering, rubbing the side of his neck with the palm of his hand, looking nervous under Taehyung’s curious gaze, “I focus mainly on portraits, but I also like to do still life.” Jungkook’s voice was quiet as he spoke, eyes avoiding Taehyung’s and Taehyung couldn’t help but think he looked adorably shy.

Taehyung nodded, a tiny bob of his head and his eyes bright, a bit dazed with the alcohol clouding his mind already, “I’d love to see some of your work, I’m obsessed with still life photography. There’s this photographer I follow on Instagram, but I can’t remember his handle…” Taehyung fumbled around his pocket for his phone, knocking Jungkook’s arm and apologizing as he finally pulled his phone out and began to scroll through the app until he found the account. Taehyung’s held the phone up for Jungkook to see, and Jungkook’s eyes widened as they fell on the profile.

“Ah,” Jungkook’s face turned bright red as Yoongi laughed next to him, loud enough that the other boys, who had begun having their own conversation, turned towards them with curious looks. Jungkook glared, cheeks still tinged with embarrassment as Yoongi continued to chuckle, and Taehyung, confused as ever, looked back at the profile and then back at the two boys, not understanding either of their reactions.

“What?”

Jungkook cleared his throat, and after elbowing Yoongi softly, tucked a strand of hair behind his ear and looked at Taehyung with a bashful expression.

“That’s my photography account.”

Taehyung’s eyes widened further, gaze bouncing from the phone in his hands and then to Jungkook a few times before his mouth formed a small ‘o’.

“You’re Golden Closet Film?! No way!” Taehyung leaned forward excitedly and Jimin stirred awake from the motion. Taehyung smiled brightly, thrilled at meeting the owner of the account that he had been obsessed with for months now, “Your pictures are stunning, oh my god…I feel a bit starstruck.” Taehyung raked a hand through his hair and then felt his cheeks heat, and he didn’t know if it was the alcohol, the lights above them, or the way both Jungkook and Yoongi looked at him with gentle expressions, both their gazes warming as they took in his excitement.

Jungkook grinned, shyly, and looked away from Taehyung’s awestruck gaze, “I’m not that great…”

Yoongi grinned and tugged on one of the hoops that adorned Jungkook’s ears, looking at his boyfriend with such admiration, with such a loving gaze that Taehyung had the urge to look away from them, to give them privacy.

“Don’t listen to him, he’s incredible.” Yoongi pecked Jungkook’s cheek quickly and Jungkook sent him a playful glare in response. They both looked at each other for a minute, their gazes melting into something so warm that Taehyung couldn’t turn away from scene, the artist in him transfixed by the picture in front of him. In that moment, he itched to draw them, this couple that was so different but at the same time so alike. Taehyung looked at them, so quiet in their love for each other, both of them looking at each other with something that reminded Taehyung of an old couple, reminded him of the kind of love between two people who knew each other like the back of their hands. Taehyung felt his hands itch with the need to find a pen in order to sketch them, to sketch that love on paper.

“What about you Yoongi?” The words broke the moment the couple seemed to have fallen into, and Yoongi looked over at Taehyung with a bit of a dazed look, making Taehyung wonder if the drinks were hitting him as well or if he was just drunk off Jungkook.

“Music production,” Yoongi said easily, like he was prepared for the question, “I’m not too good with paints or a camera, but if you need a decent instrumental, I’m your guy.”

“You’ve probably heard his stuff, has Jimin played you some of the dance team’s mixes for last year’s competition?” Jungkook quirked his head, and Taehyung tapped his chin, thinking for a moment before his eyes lit up with recognition.

“You made those?! They’re brilliant!” Taehyung smiled so bright and both Yoongi and Jungkook seemed frozen for a moment at the boxy smile on Taehyung’s face before they smiled back at him tentatively.

They continued to talk about their majors, Taehyung learning that Yoongi wrote all his music and played most of the instruments for his pieces. Jungkook talked to him about Taehyung’s favorite pictures of his, explaining where he took them and how he got the shot, and as they scrolled through Jungkook’s profile, Taehyung noticed how many pictures feature Yoongi, now that he could recognize the boy in the pictures. They got to one in particular, a hand strumming a guitar, one of Taehyung’s favorites, and he admitted that fact to the couple, and he noticed Yoongi’s blush right away.

“Is this you as well?” Taehyung leaned forward excitedly, drunk off the glasses he’d been throwing back and just as high off the conversation with Yoongi and Jungkook.

“Ah, yeah,” Yoongi smiled shyly, and Taehyung had the urge to coo at his bashful expression.

“It was when we first moved into our apartment,” Jungkook grinned, eyes never leaving the photo and Taehyung could see it was a favorite of his as well, “Yoongi started playing a song on his guitar, and he just looked so relaxed, so happy, I just had to take a picture. After I took it, he told me it was my song.” Jungkook blushed, cheeks just as crimson as his boyfriend’s and Taehyung felt butterflies in his stomach looking at the couple, how cute they were together.

“Yah! You three!” Seokjin shouted across the table, snapping his hands repeatedly at the three boys and making them all turn towards the other boys, looking at them with drunken smiles. Taehyung realized suddenly how huddled together the three of them were, his face so close to Jungkook and Yoongi’s who had both leaned towards him as well. They looked like a group of kids, huddled together excitedly and Taehyung couldn’t remember being so engrossed in a conversation with anyone besides Jimin. Taehyung snapped away from them, straightening with a little flush creeping up his neck and he could feel two pairs of eyes watching him, but ignored the feeling, keeping his gaze on Seokjin.

“We’re about to leave,” Seokjin grinned as the three of them straightened, and then Seokjin looked to Taehyung’s side pointedly, “You might want to take him home, or he might be sleeping here tonight.” Hoseok laughed at the way Jimin was sprawled on the tabletop, face squished against the mahogany wood, and a tiny puddle of drool forming where his mouth is hanging open, little snores escaping him.

Taehyung giggled at Jimin’s sleeping form and began to shake him awake as the group started a round of rock, paper, scissors to decide who would pay the bill. When he asked, Taehyung was informed that it was the only way they made their decisions as a group. “We’ve tried other methods. This is the only way.” Namjoon said solemnly and Taehyung quirked his head at the way the rest of the group hummed in an equally solemn agreement. Taehyung made a mental note to ask what happened when they tried the other methods.

They played a few rounds, all the boys laughing wildly as soon as someone won a round, and you would’ve thought by their reactions that they were deciding on something a lot higher stakes than just settling the bill. Eventually, it came down to Namjoon and Seokjin, the latter giving his boyfriend a significant look along with a warning of, “Just remember the last time Joon, remember how horrible sleeping on the couch was.”

Needless to say, Namjoon ended up losing to a smug Seokjin. Seokjin was not completely merciless and as his boyfriend threw his money on the table, Seokjin pulled Namjoon close and peppered his face with kisses and whispered promises of more to come when they got home. The rest of the guys fake gagged at the couple while Taehyung finally managed to wake Jimin up enough to tell him they were leaving, the latter blinking his eyes cutely at Taehyung as if he was trying to figure out who he was for a moment.

Taehyung pulled on Jimin’s arm, making the both of them stumble out of the booth and it’s not until Taehyung was on his feet that he fully felt the effects of the drinks. Tumbling to the ground, pulling Jimin along with him, his body felt like jelly, and he could only giggle at the ridiculousness of it. Never would he have pictured himself on the floor of a bar, with Jimin nearly incapacitated, and himself almost as drunk as his best friend.

“Alright, up you go,” Taehyung heard Jungkook say before a pair of strong arms pulled him onto a muscular back covered by soft cotton.

“M’ fine, I promise,” Taehyung slurred into Jungkook’s neck, not being able to help breathing in the clean scent that came off him, like freshly washed laundry. For a moment, he breathed in the scent, and he was brought back to summer days, playing outside while his mother hung their laundry on the line to dry. Remembering his best friend, he peered over Jungkook’s shoulder to see Hoseok carrying Jimin bridal style, his best friend giggling drunkenly at something Hoseok must’ve said to him.

“That was entirely believable. Didn’t think there could be anyone that’s as much of a lightweight as Jimin but, here you are.” Taehyung heard Yoongi snicker from somewhere to the side of Jungkook, bringing his attention away from his best friend and back to the boy carrying him on his back and the other boy walking beside them. Taehyung turned his face, nose sliding against the nape of Jungkook’s neck to see Yoongi grinning at him, eyes shining with something that Taehyung couldn’t decipher in his drunken state.

Taehyung pouted and let his head, suddenly feeling very heavy on his shoulders, rest on Jungkook’s shoulder blade as they walked out of the bar.

“Don’t make fun,” Taehyung whined, lips puckered into an angry pout as they left the chill of the bar and entered the warmth of the air outside. As the warmth surrounded them, Taehyung nuzzled his cheek further against Jungkook’s shoulder, firm and steady beneath him.

“Comfy,” Taehyung sighed, eyes fluttering closed and his head jostled against Jungkook’s shoulder as the boy hoisted him up when Taehyung began to slip down a bit. Taehyung couldn’t tell what Yoongi responded, too drunk to really understand much of anything, but it sounded a lot like a muttered, “Cute.”

Taehyung didn’t quite know how long he was snuggled against Jungkook’s back, how long they’d been on the sidewalk, or when the taxi had pulled up to the curb. He only remembered the sound of the tires hitting a puddle on the street, thinking to himself that he hadn’t even known it had rained while they were in the bar, and Hoseok’s voice calling out, “I’ll get Jimin home, you guys take care of Taehyungie,” his bright voice booming over the sounds of the city and Taehyung’s heart warmed at the fact that he’d already been deemed worthy of a nickname, that Jimin’s friends had taken so quickly to him, something not many other people did.

Most of Jimin’s friends in high school had always found Taehyung strange, never quite getting his humor or his eccentricities. The way he carried himself, silent and straight-faced during conversations, always seemed to always make them uncomfortable and eventually they’d direct the conversation away from him. They’d always tolerate his presence, for the sake of keeping Jimin around, because most everyone knew that Jimin and Taehyung were a pair, a box set, wherever one went so did the other. They all had known that one wrong word directed Taehyung’s way, and Jimin would’ve dropped them all in a heartbeat.

They piled into the taxi, Taehyung sliding in first, a gentle hand pushing his head down so he wouldn’t hit it on the metal roof. Taehyung laid his head back on the seat, closing his eyes against the hot air blowing into the backseat, the taxi’s warm air flow, the lack of a/c making him feel even more flushed after being in the heat outside. Two doors shut as Taehyung eyes fluttered close, and suddenly the heat pressed in from all sides, two bodies sitting close to him, but Taehyung wondered how the heat from the two boys was somehow more tolerable than the a/c blowing humid air over his already sticky skin.

The car began to move, the engine revving as the driver pulled into the street. Taehyung’s mind couldn’t really focus on much except the warmth from the bodies on either side of him, and Jungkook and Yoongi’s whispered conversation, their words so low that Taehyung’s muddled brain couldn’t really pick anything up. Occasionally his eyes would open blearily, taking in the lights of the city through the rearview window, blurring together in streaks of neon colors that made Taehyung’s stomach turn, his eyes closing against the feeling and he let his head fall against one of the boy’s shoulders, the boniness making him deduce that it must’ve been Yoongi.

“Taehyung, what’s your address?” A rumbling voice asked him, and it took Taehyung a moment to process the feeling of vibrations from the voice on his cheek, to realize that it was Yoongi.

“School…dorms,” Taehyung mumbled, lips moving against the fabric of Yoongi’s shirt and if his head wouldn’t have been spinning, he’d have been so embarrassed at the state of himself, of the two boys laughing at his incoherent answer to Yoongi’s question.

“Don’t laugh at me,” Taehyung huffed, lifting his head away from Yoongi’s shoulder to squint at both of them, and his head spun more as he swiveled his head to both sides to make sure both of them got the full effect of his glare.

Taehyung wouldn’t find out until a lot later on, from the two boys themselves, that he actually just looked like he had woken from a long nap, eyes struggling to focus on either of their faces.

“Can’t believe Jimin’s been hiding you from us this whole time,” Jungkook laughed as he ruffled Taehyung’s rich brown locks, and Taehyung wondered how these two boys, who had only known him for a few hours, were already so comfortable around him. Taehyung was used to Jimin, hugging him or randomly raking his fingers through his hair, but they’d known each other for life. Taehyung had never expected Jimin’s friends to treat him the same, much less only after a few hours.

Jungkook let his hand fall away from Taehyung’s hair and instead opted to pinching one of his cheeks gently, “You’re so cute and funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” Taehyung’s eyebrows furrowed, the alcohol making him whinier than usual and looked over at Jungkook, his half-lidded gaze probably not looking as severe as he wanted.

Jungkook only grinned wider at him, jiggling the skin of his cheek, perfect teeth on full display and said, “All the funniest people don’t have to try.”

“Alright stop teasing the poor kid,” Yoongi chastised his boyfriend, earning a sound of indignation from Jungkook, followed by a yell of, “I am not teasing him!”

Taehyung turned towards Yoongi with a pout and wide eyes, “I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

“I know, he’s just mean,” Taehyung could tell Yoongi found the entire situation to be humorous, his eyes shining with playfulness as he leaned in towards Taehyung, patting the younger’s leg, “I promise he’s not always like this.” Yoongi’s eyes crinkled with a hidden smile, thoroughly enjoying teasing his boyfriend as Jungkook scoffed from the other side of the cab.

“How did I become the bad guy! I was complimenting him!” Jungkook wailed pitifully, leaning forward to meet Taehyung’s gaze, eyes pleading with him and Taehyung could only look back wide-eyed and drunk, “I think you’re great Taehyung! Don’t listen to him he’s just a shit stirrer!”

“A shit stirrer,” Yoongi tapped his bottom lip in thought, “Hope you keep that same opinion when I enact a sex ban starting tomorrow.” Yoongi gave Jungkook a smug look as the statement effectively made the other boy at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Taehyung’s cheeks heated at Yoongi’s words and immediately the backseat felt too crowded, he felt like he was in the middle of a different kind of heat, and it felt uncomfortable as the couple shared a look, like they were having a silent conversation that Taehyung wasn’t privy to. Like the back and forth between them was some sort of foreplay and Taehyung was caught in the middle of it, Yoongi looking over Taehyung’s head with an intensity in his gaze reserved only for Jungkook, who was looking back with just as much desire.

Taehyung was drunk, but he wasn’t so drunk that he had lost his ability to feel completely and utterly awkward and the couple weren’t making it any better.

Before Taehyung could decide whether to throw himself out of the cab in order to get away from the tension between Yoongi and Jungkook, the taxi came to a halt and Taehyung ducked his head to look out the window, sighing in relief when he was greeted with the sight of his dorm building.

It wasn’t until Jungkook opened the door and got out, Taehyung attempting to follow him, that Taehyung felt the nausea along with his spinning head.

“I’m going to vom,” Taehyung groaned, laying his head back against the seat, feeling the humidity on his cheeks and it did nothing for his stomach and his lunch threatening the back of his throat.

“Don’t worry, we got you.” Yoongi’s calming voice was right beside him and he felt two pairs of hands help him out of the car gently, pulling him onto the sidewalk and helping him into his building, along with the help of Taehyung giving them the passcode to the door, albeit a bit sloppily as he tried to remember the order of the numbers, and in his state…it took a few tries.

"Ah man, there's no way he's making it up those stairs in his state," Jungkook commented after they entered the dorm, looking from where Taehyung leaned against him, eyes closed against the dizziness that had come back with a vengeance, then back up at the stairs, and then finally settling his gaze over Taehyung's head at Yoongi.

"Well, what are you waiting for, muscles?" Yoongi arched his brow in question, a small smirk gracing his features as Jungkook sniffed a laugh at the nickname.

All of sudden Taehyung felt Jungkook pick him up, pulling his body up and onto his back and securing Taehyung’s legs around his waist, Taehyung’s limp arms coming up to wind around Jungkook’s shoulders. A gentle hand pressed against his back, and at the small touch, Taehyung realized Yoongi was behind them, palm pressed flat to Taehyung’s back, making sure the younger wouldn't fall backwards, probably noticing how dizzy he was.

"What floor are you, Tae?" Jungkook asked as they started up the stairs and Taehyung answered him, mumbling a tiny, "Third..." as his cheek pressed against Jungkook’s shoulder and Yoongi’s feather light touch pressed against his spine.

They carried him up the stairs like that, Yoongi and Jungkook both diligent in making sure he didn't fall and when his head would spin and he'd begin to slip down they'd both push him back into place.

And as they made the trek up to the third floor, for the first time in a long time…Taehyung felt steady. Safe, but somehow in a different way than he felt when he was with Jimin. Taehyung felt his racing thoughts and nerves, which would normally run rampant at having two strangers have to help him in his drunken state, he felt his mind and those thoughts…calm.

Maybe it was the fact that the two boys had gone out of their way to make sure he made it safely to his dorm room, taking time out of their night when they could’ve simply dropped him off and went home. Maybe it was the warmth of Yoongi’s hand at his back, and Jungkook’s arms looped around his legs, the pressure from both making him feel secure despite his head spinning and his body going lax as sleepiness invaded his senses. Maybe it was the way both of them asked if he was okay every few minutes, concern clear in both their voices, and it made Taehyung’s heart thump each time.

Or, maybe it was just too many shots of soju.

When they finally got to Taehyung’s floor his dizziness had cleared a bit and he opened his eyes when they stopped at his room, the first door on the left just as Taehyung had told them as they ascended the stairs. Taehyung head had stopped spinning enough for him to stand on his own, thanks to the two boys being so careful with him, and Taehyung voiced his thanks as he slid off Jungkook's back and stood in front of his door, his back pressed against the yellow pine door, as he fished around his pockets for his key.

"Thanks for taking me home and carrying me up the stairs...sorry I'm normally not this much of a bother," Taehyung ruffled the hair at the nape of his neck nervously with his hand that wasn’t holding the gold key that had been tucked at the bottom of his back pocket. They both smiled warmly at his words, and Taehyung blinked, his cheeks heating when he made eye contact with the couple.

"No problem," Jungkook smiled brightly, and Yoongi nodded next to him, looping his arm through Jungkook’s and adding a low, "Wasn't a bother at all."

"Alright...well...see you."

Ah, the king of articulation, that was Taehyung.

Taehyung could feel their eyes on his back as he fumbled his key into the lock and concentrated on getting the door open, and again Taehyung felt a little jolt of happiness at the care being directed his way. When he finally unlocked the door, he stepped inside and then turned quickly, giving a small wave to the couple. They bid him goodnight, with a small wave from Yoongi and a bright, “See you around Taehyung!” from Jungkook. Taehyung watched briefly as they made their way back down the stairs, watching as Yoongi leaned his head on Jungkook’s shoulder as they walked and Taehyung felt that pang of longing once more before he shut the door.

The next morning he’d rolled out of his bed, barely remembering the drive home or how he’d even gotten into bed, and in desperate need of a coffee. Luckily, a few minutes later, and equally hungover and coffee deprived Jimin had shown up at his door, and Taehyung once again wondered how Jimin survived every weekend.

Three weeks after meeting Jimin’s friends, the group had claimed Taehyung as one of his own. He’d thought the group would treat him as an acquaintance, at best, like most of Jimin’s friends that he’d met over the years but soon Taehyung realized that he was being treated as if he’d known the other boys for years instead of weeks. They’d bump into him around the campus and Taehyung found himself smiling brightly when Namjoon would invite him to lunch with him and Seokjin, or when Hoseok would animatedly wave at him across the quad, halting his conversation with his other friends to yell his greetings at Taehyung, making the younger blush as he offered a small wave and would hurry towards his next class. Though he wasn’t used to it, it was nice, having people that wanted to greet him, wanted to invite him out, actually enjoyed his company and didn’t tolerate him just for Jimin’s sake.

Although, on the flip side, now he didn’t only have Jimin begging him to come out to parties, now he had three more people whining at him every Friday night. The first week after the night at the bar, Taehyung had gotten a notification that he’d somehow been added to a group message that the other six boys were already apart of. The title of the group changed to something different depending on the mood, the day, that week’s hyper fixation, it really didn’t have a rhyme or reason and Taehyung learned, like a lot of things, just to go along with it.

That day it had been ‘Super-Tun-Ah’. That morning over coffee, Jimin had explained that it was a song Seokjin had made up while drunk at a party the night before and, “If you’d have come with me instead of re-watching Devilman Crybaby for the sixteenth time, you would’ve known that.” Then Jimin had proceeded to give him the look over the rim of his cup and Taehyung had rolled his eyes at his best friend and his never-ending guilt trips when it came to Taehyung declining his invitations to their wild weekends.

Jungkook and Yoongi weren’t avid texters in the group, something Taehyung found comfort in, since he didn’t really get involved in the conversations unless they were directed towards him or Jimin dragged him into his side of that day’s argument. They didn’t join in on begging Taehyung to come out, in fact Jungkook and Yoongi were hardly out with the group since that first night. Taehyung had been coerced to come out with Jimin the two Saturdays after first meeting the group, and neither time had the couple been present. On the second Saturday, Taehyung’s curiosity got the best of him, wondering if Jungkook and Yoongi weren’t as close with the group as he’d thought, and he gathered his courage and asked where they were.

Namjoon informed him that they weren’t big partygoers either, Yoongi was a bit of a recluse, like Taehyung, and Jungkook didn’t mind a night out, was definitely more up for it than his boyfriend, but he also was content with staying home with Yoongi and enjoying a night in most of the time.

“Basically, they’re just like you,” Jimin had tapped Taehyung’s hand and Taehyung had looked at him with confusion, “Extreeemely hard to persuade into coming out and too focused on boring stuff, like homework and shit.” Taehyung giggled when Jimin teased his studious nature, lowering his voice into a mocking tone.

“And that’s why I’m helping you so you can pass your economics course?” Taehyung teased back and the only response he received was Jimin sending him a wink before throwing back another shot. The rest of the guys laughed at Taehyung’s quip and Taehyung’s responding smile was big, slightly proud at hearing their laughter.

Taehyung was slightly disappointed when the couple didn’t show up both times, he’d wanted to thank them for taking him home, this time sober, and he couldn’t help but want to talk to them more about their music and photography, having enjoyed their conversation that first night so much.

Taehyung found himself scrolling through Jungkook’s Instagram, but now he knew the people behind the account, and he’d find himself analyzing any new post with an eagle’s eye, trying to spot anything that revealed more about the couple.

Taehyung knew he was being silly, practically sifting through hundreds of posts just to learn more about the two boys, but he was too shy to ever ask them to hang out, too nervous that they’d say yes out of pity, so he resorted to scrolling through Jungkook’s photographs and hanging on the few texts they’d send in the group chat.

It was at the end of the third week, that Friday afternoon, as Taehyung browsed the campus store for a book he needed for class, that he’d end up seeing them again. Taehyung let his hand trail over the spines of each book, searching for one title in particular and then checked his phone, the notifications for the group message going off every second. Jimin had informed them that there was a party at someone named Dawn’s frat house, and the other boys, besides Yoongi and Jungkook as usual, were quick to respond with excitement. Taehyung had no clue who they were talking about, pocketing his phone immediately and continued his search, already knowing he was probably going to sit this one out.

The phone continued to vibrate in his pocket all through his search, as he picked the book off the shelf and rifled through the pages, it continued to steadily buzz with each message as he headed to counter and checked out, handing his money to the student working behind the counter. Her long red nails nearly scraped his hand as he fumbled for the receipt and fished his phone out of his pocket at the same time, bidding her thank you as he pulled his phone out and grabbed his book, making a beeline for the exit.

It was then, one foot out of the store and scrolling through the excessive amount of texts directed towards him from all four boys, begging him to come with them and complaining when he wasn’t answering, it was then that Taehyung ran into them.

“Well, you’re looking a lot better than the last time we saw you,” Somehow the deep gravelly voice that called out to Taehyung already struck a feeling familiarity in him and instantly he looked up from the screen of his phone, wide eyes taking in the couple in front of him. Jungkook had his camera slung around his neck, the black strap and glossy black professional electronic matching perfectly with his long sleeve paired with some loose pants that were only bit lighter and reminded Taehyung almost of loungewear, and some black slides of the same dark color. Yoongi stood next to him, hands shoved in the pocket of his hoodie, the front, right over his chest, in bold red writing, displaying what seemed like a musician’s name, one Taehyung was unfamiliar with.

Taehyung suddenly felt so bright in his loose light wash denim and his blue sweatshirt with a blown up design of an Ignasi Monreal art piece on the front, something that tended to get him quite of few stares when he’d wear it.

“Oh...geez…hi!” Taehyung fumbled around quickly, slipping his still buzzing phone into his back pocket and trying not to let the book, held in the crook of his arm, fall to the sidewalk below, “Long time no see!” Taehyung huffed a nervous breath, finally steadying himself and smiled brightly at the two boys in front of him.

“Yeah,” Jungkook laughed, “We’ve been meaning to come out, but I’ve been working on a big project for class and Yoongi-”

“I’m not a party person,” Yoongi cut in with a smirk that Jungkook matched with one of his own as he looked over at his boyfriend briefly before they turned back towards Taehyung.

“I’m not either, I only go occasionally cause Jimin practically begs me to.” Taehyung wrinkled his nose with a small smile and both boys’ eyes glittered with humor at his clear distaste. Taehyung’s phone went off again, and with a sigh he pulled it out, rolled his eyes at a particularly threatening text from Jimin, and silenced the group chat before sliding it back into the pocket of his jeans.

“So, I take it you’re not going out with the guys tonight?” Jungkook’s hand fiddled with the lens cap to his camera, twisting it back and forth, like his hands needed something to do while they talked.

Taehyung gave a short shake of his head, “No, I don’t think so. I was just gonna grab some take-out and catch up on some studying.”

Normally, Taehyung would have tried to come up with a lie, some more exciting way that he was going to spend his night. He knew that takeout and studying was boring, and normally he’d feel self-conscious about his life being so dull, but for some reason he didn’t feel the urge to lie to Jungkook and Yoongi like he did around other people. Didn’t feel the need to make himself seem different, seem more exciting or appealing, in hopes that they wouldn’t think of him as uninteresting.

“Ah,” Jungkook straightened a bit, his face brightening with whatever thought that had sprung into his head and looked from Yoongi to Taehyung, “We were just about to go grab some dinner at that new place that opened up! It’s just a few minutes down the street so we were just walking there. Do you want to come with us?”

Taehyung looked between the two of them, unsure, “Really? I wouldn’t want to intrude-”

“You wouldn’t be intruding at all, plus I’d like to get your thoughts on some of the photos for my project,” Jungkook grinned, bright and huge and it made Taehyung’s breath catch a bit, “Yoongi is biased and says he loves everything, and when I tell him to criticize something, he just says he doesn’t have an eye for photography, only ears for music,” Jungkook rolled his eyes fondly and gently elbowed Yoongi, eliciting a shrug from the other sophomore, just a slight lift of his shoulders, and Yoongi smiled back over at Jungkook. Taehyung had wondered for just a split second what it would be like to be on the receiving end of both of those smiles, so dazzling even from Taehyung’s view.

“I’ll admit I am biased,” Yoongi threw his hands up in surrender and then they both turned back towards Taehyung, eyes sparkling even in the dusky afternoon lighting, and their expressions made something in Taehyung flicker, something in his chest flutter to life.

“Really though, I have no clue when it comes to this photography shit,” Yoongi grinned, eyes glinting with humor at his own lack of knowledge of his boyfriend’s major.

Taehyung looked at the two boys in front of him, and then towards the sidewalk, the path that would lead him back to his dorm. Hesitation hit him, made him falter, a response stuck to his tongue, and his closed lips kept it there for a moment.

If there was one thing Taehyung wished he could change about himself, it was his ability to overthink everything and anything in his life, big or small.

Taehyung liked himself, accepted all his quirks but as he hesitated to say yes to a simple dinner invitation, because an irrational switch in his brain flipped and made him start to exaggerate the entire situation, it was those times that Taehyung wished he were just a bit different.

Taehyung starts to think that maybe neither of the sophomores wanted him to say yes, maybe they were just inviting him because he was Jimin’s friend and they ran into him and they were just being polite, but they didn’t really want him to come along. What if he said yes and they spent the whole night wishing he had refused, forced to hang out with him? What if they did want him to go, but without drinks and other people around, what if they realized he was boring, not as funny as Seokjin or bright as Hoseok or as intelligent as Namjoon or as gregarious as Jimin?

“Taehyung?” Jungkook’s voice pulled him out of his spiraling thoughts and Taehyung looked up at the couple, both looking at him with curious gazes.

“I just…” Taehyung couldn’t help himself and the words rolled out of his mouth with a quickness fueled by his anxiety, “You know you guys don’t have to invite me out because I’m Jimin’s friend, I wouldn’t want you feeling obligated to-”

“We’re not inviting you out of obligation,” Yoongi said, his voice suddenly so serious, and Taehyung met his steady gaze, shifted his gaze to take in Jungkook’s furrowed brows and looked back at Yoongi, “We’re inviting you cause we want to, we like you.”

Taehyung perked up at the response, eyes wide, and nodded his head slowly, “Okay, I’ll come along.” Taehyung smiled tentatively and it brightened when he received two smiles in response. Though still a little surprised that they’d want his company, Taehyung pushed his thoughts of doubt away and followed the two boys down the sidewalk.

The restaurant was only a few blocks away from the bookstore, only a few minutes’ walk outside the campus grounds. Jungkook snapped photos along the way, of the city around them, of people walking about the university grounds or throughout the city the closer they got to the diner, and even of the sky, turning indigo as afternoon turned quickly towards night. Taehyung would glance over at every click while he talked with Yoongi about his music, learning more about music from the sophomore in a few minutes than he ever had taking music classes in high school. A few times Taehyung would hear a click, and he could almost feel the lens of the camera directed their way, feel Jungkook's eyes through the camera, on him and Yoongi.

“So basically, once I layer in the piano, Kook, could you please stop taking pictures for just one second,” Yoongi groaned cutting off his explanation of his latest project, an enthralled Taehyung hanging on his every word, and turned towards his boyfriend.

The snaps of the camera’s shutter only grew faster as it captured Yoongi’s annoyed expression, and Jungkook snickered behind the lens, “Ooh yes, Yoongi, I think we’ve found your good side!”

“I’m breaking up with you,” Yoongi gave Jungkook a deadpan look as he reached forward to open the door to the restaurant. Taehyung looked up at the neon red sign with wide eyes, so caught up in the company of the two boys and their back and forth comments that he hadn’t even realized they’d made it to their destination.

“You know after three years that threat doesn’t feel as serious,” Jungkook singsonged and pecked Yoongi on the lips, pulling a stunned Taehyung along through the entrance. Yoongi met Taehyung’s wide-eyed gaze momentarily before rolling his eyes with humor as Taehyung was tugged out of his line of vision and into the restaurant bustling with twenty-somethings, the smell of fried food permeating the air. Taehyung felt Yoongi’s presence behind him as Jungkook hailed them a table, apparently the joint being a first come first serve kind of place, and they all crammed into a little booth right near the kitchen, open for customers to see into. Jungkook and Yoongi slid into the booth across from Taehyung and as soon as they sat down a waitress came by in a rush, throwing their menus on the table and taking their drink order before telling them to take their time, leaving as quickly as she came.

“I’ve heard the tteokbokki is really good,” Yoongi’s brows furrowed cutely as he immediately picked up his menu and let his eyes rove over the contents seriously. Jungkook grinned at his boyfriend and then noticed Taehyung’s gaze focused on Yoongi and his intense inspection of the menu.

“Yoongi’s very serious about his food,” Jungkook said matter-of-factly, and Yoongi only gave a grunt in affirmation, “Has been since we were kids.” Jungkook shrugged at Taehyung in a ‘what can you do?’ kind of way.

“You two grew up together?” Taehyung’s gaze flit between them both, wondering what they looked like as small children, imagined smaller versions of the couple in front of him, running around a playground.

“Next door neighbors,” Yoongi said without looking away from his menu.

Jungkook jumped to tell Taehyung more, eyes glittering with excitement and leaning forward, arms crossed over his forgotten menu.

“Yoongi was my best friend growing up, we lived next door to each other, and our mothers were best friends, so it was kind of inevitable I guess,” Jungkook snorted out a laugh, his nose crinkling cutely, and Taehyung caught the small smile that crept onto Yoongi’s face, a tell that he was listening though his eyes stayed trained on his menu. “We didn’t really realize we’d fallen for each other until high school, end of our junior year.” Taehyung watched as a blush paints Jungkook’s cheeks and wondered what the story behind that blush was, noticed Yoongi’s smirk as well and Taehyung fought the urge to question them both.

“I made the first move, unsurprisingly,” Jungkook nudged Yoongi with his shoulder and then rolled his eyes back to Taehyung, “Yoongi here is not good when it comes to feelings or declarations of love.”

“You’re just too blunt,” Yoongi murmured eyes roving over the menu and Taehyung sniffed a quick laugh, Jungkook’s smile widening at the sound of it.

“Maybe,” Jungkook smile was small as he plucked at the edges of his menu and snuck a sly glance over at Yoongi, “I got your attention though.”

Yoongi turned at that, eyes filled with something Taehyung had only seen in movies, something intense and so full of adoration that Taehyung itched for his sketchbook yet again. Took a mental snapshot of the couple in front of him and hoped that he’d be able to remember this moment when he got back to his dorm and got his sketchbook out of his desk drawer.

“Yeah, you did.” Yoongi’s eyes lingered before a blush dusted the ivory of his cheeks and he turned back to his menu with a frustrated huff, almost as if Jungkook had forcibly put the color on Yoongi’s cheeks himself. The waitress came back around then, diverting their attention by taking their orders, quickly scribbling each of their orders onto her little notepad and then sticking both her pen and notepad into the pocket of her apron and tossing them a bright smile before she left their table, heading over to her next table of patrons.

“So, Taehyung,” Jungkook said in a serious voice, as if he were interviewing Taehyung, “We’ve been going on and on about ourselves since we met you, but you’ve hardly told us anything about yourself.” Jungkook propped his chin in his hand and his eyes glittered even under the dim lighting of the small eatery.

“Me?” Taehyung felt the urge to hide, Jungkook’s eyes watching him with fascination and even Yoongi lifted his eyes, now tuned into their conversation fully.

“Ah, there’s really not much to tell…” Taehyung raised a hand to rub the side of his neck awkwardly, wishing the conversation hadn’t turned to his direction all of a sudden. He would’ve much rather talk about the other two boys all night rather than have to talk about his uninteresting life.

“You said that you were an art major,” Yoongi cocked his head to the side, voice full of curiosity, “Drawing and painting right?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung’s voice was deep and low, but with the way the other two boys leaned forward, their undivided attention on him, they couldn’t miss a word, “I’m not very good,” Taehyung hear one of them sniff in disbelief but didn’t see who with the way he kept his eyes averted from them, trained on the people passing outside the windows of the restaurant, “I need some improvement, but I enjoy it.”

“What’s your favorite type?”

“Sorry?” Taehyung looked up, eyes switching between the two pairs looking back at him, full of interest at his answer, and tapped a finger on the tabletop, glistening from where it had been cleaned before they arrived.

“You’re favorite method? Painting, drawing, sculpture?” Jungkook leaned back and gestured to himself, “My preferred photography is still life,” His hand swept out to gesture towards Yoongi, “Yoongi prefers to use piano in his instrumental over everything else. What about you?”

Taehyung licked at his lips, and he knew it was stupid to be nervous about the simple question but his heart raced in his chest anyway.

“Ah, well I actually prefer just sketching,” Taehyung had just wished the food would come, interrupt him so that maybe they could’ve moved on to something else, “My professors constantly get onto me about turning in unfinished work but,” Taehyung took a sip of his drink through the straw, gulped the liquid down in a rush to saturate his drying mouth and shook his head, eyes averted, “I don’t know I just like the way rough sketches just look so raw and in the moment. I like the imperfect look that they have.” Taehyung shrugged simply and looked over as one of the cooks threw something into a pan, a loud sizzling flaring up at the addition of ingredients.

“There’s something so beautiful about something that’s unfinished.”

“That’s actually such an interesting way of thinking,” Yoongi propped his head up with his hand and smiled easily as Taehyung swiveled his head to give him a surprised look.

“Really?” Taehyung arched a brow, wondering if Yoongi was being sarcastic as Taehyung had already come to know it was one of Yoongi’s default settings, along with sleepy.

“Yeah, I think it applies to more than just art,” Yoongi shrugged and then leaned back, throwing an arm over the back of the booth, grazing Jungkook’s shoulder in the process, “I think everyone’s always so worried about everything being perfect, one line out of place and it’s not good enough and in the end they forget to admire the beauty of something imperfect.”

Taehyung tried his hardest not to gape, feeling as if Yoongi had plucked his thoughts straight from his brain and had spoken them aloud.

The waitress came back then, plates of steaming food on a large black tray and she smiled warmly as she set their meals in front of them.

“I’d love to see your pieces some time,” Jungkook grinned when their waitress finally flit away to her other tables and unraveled his metal chopsticks quickly, “I bet your work is beautiful.”

Taehyung chuckled softly, grabbing a piece of glazed chicken with his own chopsticks and shook his head, “Ah, I’m afraid you might be overestimating my talent.”

“So modest,” Jungkook waved his chopsticks, a piece of broccoli stuck between the ends, at Taehyung and smiled before taking a bite, “Trust me, I know your stuff will be good.”

“How do you know?” Taehyung pursed his lips, his voice teasing.

“Because,” Jungkook shrugged and tapped the metal utensils against his plate lightly, “Just listening to you describe your art is fascinating, the product your mind must produce,” Jungkook looked at Taehyung with glittering eyes, “Must be absolutely brilliant.”

Taehyung felt himself heat up, a blush coursing through his body at Jungkook’s words and frustration at the blood rushing to his cheeks pulled his eyebrows together, lines gathering between them.

“Your logic is bizarre,” Taehyung, eyebrows still furrowed, pushed his food around his plate as an excuse not to look up.

“You’re embarrassed,” Jungkook cooed with a light laugh, “Cute.”

“I’m not embarrassed, o-or cute.” Taehyung looked up from his plate, eyes wide, chopsticks clattering to his plate when he forgot how to hold them at Jungkook’s words.

“Yoongi? You’re the deciding vote, isn’t Taehyung cute?” Jungkook waved his hand as if he were ushering Yoongi forward onto a stage.

“Very cute.” Yoongi lips twitched into a smirk and Taehyung felt the heat in his face become even hotter.

“Aish! What are we gonna do with you?” Jungkook cooed again, leaning across the table and attempted to pinch Taehyung’s cheeks. Taehyung laughed loud enough to fill the entire restaurant with the brightness of it, swatting Jungkook away as Yoongi nibbled on a piece of chicken, smiling behind the glazed food at the two of them.

The night carried on, the three boys filling their stomachs with enough food to feed an entire family, Jungkook finishing off both Yoongi and Taehyung’s plates when the two tapped out, leaning against the booth seats with defeated sighs. They all laughed when Jungkook practically licked the plates clean and Yoongi whispered in awe, “You’re a bottomless pit, I swear.”

Taehyung found himself lost in the two boys, his usual worries of what he was saying, whether his jokes would translate to his audience, the usual near-constant awareness of the strangers around him, all of that seemed to dissipate in the company of Yoongi and Jungkook. Never one to open himself up to others right away, Taehyung found himself easily telling the two boys about his life, his parents in Daegu, about how he and Jimin had met in grade school and had been inseparable ever since, how he came to love art through hot summers spent at grandmother’s house with only paper and pencils as his form of entertainment, and his likes and dislikes ranging from his dislike of spicy food to his love of jazz music.

Taehyung found himself, for once in his life, feeling the weight of his anxieties lifting off his shoulders. Instead, he felt the weight of his heart, so full from this newfound friendship with two boys who made him smile constantly.

Eventually the night had to come to an end, and Taehyung could feel himself slowly coming back down to the ground, feeling the high of the night disappearing as the two boys walked Taehyung back to his dorm, even taking the extra care to walk him into the building and to his door.

“Ah, thank you,” Taehyung turned to the two of them, one hand on the door handle, “Again, for walking me home.” Taehyung jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the door as if they didn’t know what he was referring to, and then mentally facepalmed at the action.

“Anytime Taehyung,” Yoongi stuck his hands in his pockets with a small smile and watched Taehyung with that steady gaze that seemed to just be how Yoongi looked at the world around him, steady and attentive.

“We should grab dinner again,” Jungkook suggested, bouncing on his heels, always so full of energy. Taehyung didn’t remember a time during the night when the sophomore had been completely still, and even then, he couldn’t stop himself from fidgeting and it made a fond smile bloom on Taehyung’s face. “Or if you like games, Yoongi and I hit up that old arcade in the city every once in a while!”

“That sounds nice,” Taehyung didn’t even think that time, didn’t even contemplate the invite, only accepted straight away.

“Well, goodnight,” Taehyung turned the handle, being careful just in case his roommate was asleep.

“See you, Taehyungie!” Jungkook’s smile was bright, and the nickname hit Taehyung, making him feel warm all over.

“See you,” Yoongi gave a little wave with two fingers, and the couple headed off, walking down the hallway, arms linked together.

“See you…” Taehyung whispered after they’d disappeared around the corner, heart still clenching at the nickname, at the brightness of the sudden friendship he’d seemed to form with the two sophomores.

Taehyung couldn’t help the small smile that stayed on his face even after he’d slipped into his dorm, changed into his pajamas and slipped under the covers, the bed still messy from that morning, even his roommate’s snores doing nothing to dampen the happiness he felt deep in his chest.

“Hey stranger!”

Taehyung looked up from his sketchbook, a half-finished sketch of Jimin laughing on the page he’d been working on. The image was one Taehyung had pulled from the week before, when Jimin had laughed so hard at one of Taehyung’s deadpan jokes he’d fallen off his chair. Taehyung had watched him with a small smile, his friend with a smile that could probably cure illnesses and stored the memory away for his sketchbook later.

The breeze tousled Taehyung’s curls as his head jerked up to spot Jungkook and Yoongi, halfway across the lawn and making their way over to him.

It had been just two days since the two had left him at his dorm, the happiness from being in their company not leaving Taehyung, even as his weekend had been tortuously slow, dealing with his roommate, Seungmin, griping about a hangover all day Saturday, and dealing with trying to finish a paper for one of his classes on Sunday. Still, no matter how much his roommate moaned about his head or how much Taehyung stressed about his unfinished paper, he still felt the lightness of Friday night lingering in him.

“H-hi,” The word came out soft, like air rushing out of Taehyung’s lungs and he cleared his throat before lifting his hand in a wave and calling louder, “Hi! What are you guy’s doing here?”

“We always eat lunch out here,” Yoongi plopped down in front of Taehyung, setting his lunch, some sort of take-out bag, down in front of him and slipping his messenger bag behind him so he could lean back against the tree that shielded them from the scorching summer sun.

“Really?” Taehyung fidgeted with the pen in his hand, not used to company during his lunches, not used to having to entertain anyone during this time, usually he spent his lunches with his sketchbook, in his own little world.

“Yeah, we normally eat at the tables over there,” Jungkook hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the picnic tables, currently filled with more people than usual, “But they’re apparently in high demand,” Jungkook laughed as he squatted down and pulled his camera out of his backpack before he noticed Taehyung’s fidgeting, pen twirling anxiously between his fingers, “We can leave if you don’t want company, though.” Jungkook said it like a question and Taehyung’s eyes widened, fingers freezing around the pen.

“No of course not! I don’t mind!” Taehyung dropped his pen as he shook his hands and head at the both of them, both boys looking at him with curious smiles. After beckoning them to join, to sit, Taehyung picked up his pen, clipping it to the black leather cover of his sketchbook and set it down on the grass next to him, avoiding the way his heart still raced a bit at the sudden change of lunch plans. While Jungkook and Yoongi settled in front of him, he eyed them both, eyes full of wonder and heart thrumming with the same feeling as when he was sat across from them in the restaurant.

“Is that Jimin?” Yoongi took a bite of his food, a small bao bun that Taehyung assumed he got from one of the food trucks that parked themselves on the school grounds. Jungkook made a noise of wonder as he stole one of the buns from Yoongi’s bag, and the way they both angled their heads to get a better look at the sketch, both nibbling on their food, made Taehyung’s stomach flip at how adorable they both looked.

“You really captured his brightness,” Jungkook’s eyes crinkled fondly as Yoongi hummed in affirmation, lips twitching into a fond smile at the Jimin on the page, and Taehyung’s heart thrummed against his ribs even more.

“Thank you,” Taehyung blushed, fighting the urge not to shield the page from their eyes despite the compliment. “How’s your project for your color theory class coming along?” Taehyung asked Jungkook, effortlessly steering the conversation away from himself. Although from the way they both smirked at the shift in conversation, Taehyung realized they both might’ve seen right through him.

“Aish,” Jungkook pouted, throwing his head back in annoyance, but all Taehyung could focus on was how it highlighted the column of his neck, “Horrible. I hate having to be confined to only photographing certain colors. I understand I have to learn how to use certain colors to create certain moods,” Jungkook raised his head back to normal and looked at Taehyung with a pout so cute it could melt anyone’s heart, his nose scrunched and eyebrows pulling down angrily, “but I just want to photograph whatever I want! Is that so much to ask for?”

Taehyung giggled slightly, causing Jungkook’s pout to twitch into a lazy grin after a moment, his gaze softening as Taehyung’s eyes crinkled, lips pulling into a wide smile.

“Now Taehyung’s laughing at my pain,” Jungkook sighed dramatically, looking to Yoongi like he was calling in for backup, doe eyes widening with mock sadness.

“Hey, don’t look at me,” Yoongi smiled, a small twitch of his lips and then proceeded to eat another bun, smirking as he chewed while Taehyung tried his hardest to stifle his laughter.

“I’m sorry Jungkook,” Taehyung said through the remnants of his laughter, looking at Jungkook who had resorted to a playful glare, “You’re just so cute when you’re angry.”

“I second that,” Yoongi said quietly around his lunch, smiling mirthfully when Taehyung looked over at him with a small grin at his agreement.

Jungkook’s eyes widened slightly as he looked between them, a faint blush growing in his cheeks before he proceeded to flop back on the grass, throwing a hand over his eyes, embarrassed.

“Fine. I’ll take it.”

Yoongi and Taehyung both laughed at Jungkook, hiding from them before he finally peeked out at the both of them, something in his eyes growing even softer as he looked at both of them, and Taehyung…

Taehyung felt light, and his heart stuttered as he looked at the boys next to him, so radiant, so beautiful.

Suddenly, as if they’d been there all along, Yoongi and Jungkook made themselves a permanent fixture in Taehyung’s life.

Sure, he couldn’t pinpoint when he fell in love with them, but looking back Taehyung should have seen it coming, should have noticed himself falling from that first moment.

Taehyung had never thought he’d ever have a bond with anyone else quite like he did with Jimin, but soon Jungkook and Yoongi became a part of his world, a part of his every day, and they grew closer than ever and Taehyung started to realize that Yoongi and Jungkook had quickly carved out their own special place within his heart and eventually he couldn’t remember what it was like not knowing the two of them, didn’t want to.

They ate lunch together nearly every day, and instead of going to parties on the weekends, most of their weekends were spent ordering takeout and spending their time at Yoongi and Jungkook’s apartment.

Taehyung did some of his best sketching in that apartment, often calmed by Jungkook humming as he worked on editing his photos, Taehyung curled up on the other side of the couch next to him and the sounds of Yoongi strumming his guitar on the green velvet loveseat, positioned right in front of the balcony doors, the night sky behind his bent form. Jungkook had gotten the hideous piece of furniture for an insanely cheap price and despite its color Yoongi grew to love it and claimed it as his own, going so far as to make someone get up if they sat there instead of him, but he’d make special exceptions for Jungkook and Taehyung, of course.

They’d often sit together like that, a show playing low as they all worked on their own projects, just enjoying the presence of each other.

Taehyung watched as Yoongi threw his basketball into the small hoop of the arcade game, the ball going straight in even after Jungkook dared Yoongi to make the shot from a few feet away. Taehyung clapped lightly, making a sound of awe as Yoongi grinned while bumping Jungkook’s shoulder playfully and bowing to Taehyung, making the latter laugh softly. It was a Saturday, and the two boys had invited Taehyung to the arcade that they frequented. They had become inseparable, the three of them, and Taehyung had instantly said yes to their invite, happy to have finally become close enough to Yoongi and Jungkook, that his anxieties that had once been present when they invited him to hang out, seemed to dwindle more and more as he grew closer to the two boys.

“Show off,” Jungkook griped as he missed another shot, glaring at Yoongi as if his boyfriend had controlled the basketball somehow. Taehyung’s lips twitched with a smile, seeing the competitive nature Yoongi had warned him about now rearing its ugly head as Jungkook tongued the inside of his cheek while staring down the arcade machine with fire in his eyes.

“I’m not showing off,” Yoongi shook his head with an amused huff, throwing another ball and making the shot easily, receiving a dark look from Jungkook as soon as the lights on the machine blinked rapidly and it played an upbeat jingle reserved only for high scores.

“Just cause you’re a basketball star…” Jungkook grumbled to himself and then proceeded to concentrate on making the shot, tongue poking the inside of his cheek again as he stared at the empty hoop while bells and whistles sounded around them.

“Basketball star?” Taehyung wondered aloud as Jungkook shot and scored, fist pumping the air as Yoongi continued to play his machine silently with a small smile.

“Oh yeah,” Jungkook grinned wide and bright, tossing a basketball between his hands, game suddenly forgotten in favor of telling Taehyung of Yoongi’s stardom in the sport, “Yoongi was the star of our high school’s basketball team, they honestly would’ve sucked so bad if he hadn’t joined.”

“Not true,” Yoongi threw the ball and Taehyung watched the effortless way he made shot after shot, picturing him in a jersey on a court, and Taehyung thinks Yoongi probably looked amazing, making his way down the court, eyes focused, body glimmering with sweat, arms flexing as he made the winning shot and the smirk he’d probably worn after winning, probably oozing the sexy kind of confidence he tended to have when he was sure of himself.

Taehyung blushed at the direction of his thoughts and looked away from Yoongi with a quick jerk of his head, away from Yoongi’s hands tensed around the basketball, blue veins prominent under his milky skin.

“So true,” Jungkook said without missing a beat and looked back at Taehyung with a roll of his eyes and a look that said, ‘don’t listen to him’.

“Yoongi was the reason our team even made it through a season, and he won them their first championship game during our junior year,” Jungkook said proudly, puffing out his chest a little, as Yoongi kept his eyes focused on his game. As Jungkook talked, Taehyung watched the way Yoongi tried to appear indifferent, but the faint flush creeping up his neck gave him away.

Cute, Taehyung thought, eyes softening at Yoongi’s humbleness.

“That’s when I made the moves on this one,” Jungkook’s grin was wide, eyes filled with humor as he hooked a thumb over his shoulder at Yoongi who just rolled his eyes fondly.

“Made the moves?” Taehyung leaned against the basketball game, abandoned by Jungkook in favor of his story. Taehyung arched a brow in question, encouraging Jungkook to continue.

“Oh yeah,” Jungkook’s grin widened more, and he came to stand closer to Taehyung, the heat from his body close, his arm brushing Taehyung’s slightly, causing a light shiver to run through Taehyung’s body.

“I was actually pretty fed up by junior year,” Jungkook laughed lightly, the sound light and boyish and Taehyung’s lips quirked up at the sound of it, “You see, I had been crushing on Yoongi since middle school. It had been five years of dropping hints – “

“By dropping hints, he means lending me his favorite albums and expecting me to realize that was his love language,” Yoongi grumbled from the other side of Jungkook, giving Taehyung an exasperated look to which Jungkook scoffed and waved him off flippantly.

“Music is the window to the soul, I was literally showing you my soul.”

“I thought eyes were the window to the soul,” Taehyung piped up quietly, smiling softly when the words pulled a loud laugh out of Yoongi, the other boy throwing his head back, gums and teeth out.

Jungkook rounded so fast, catching Taehyung off guard and reached up to cup both of Taehyung’s cheeks with his hands, his palms warm against Taehyung’s skin, and his heart stopped for a moment at the sudden closeness, before kicking into high gear.

“Taehyung don’t encourage him,” Jungkook whined playfully, face close, hands so warm on Taehyung’s face, and Taehyung couldn’t say anything, he barely could breathe.

The blush that warmed his cheeks was hot, hotter than Jungkook’s palms cupping his face and momentarily he saw Jungkook’s eyes widen, before he dropped his hands and then pointed at Taehyung sternly, wide grin making a reappearance.

“You don’t turn traitor on me,” Taehyung chuckled in response, albeit a little breathlessly, blush still tortuously hot, and then Jungkook turned his finger on Yoongi, who had been watching them both, his usual neutral expression in place, the kind that never gave anything away, “And you let me finish my story.”

“Fine, fine,” Yoongi waved one of his hands in a gesture for Jungkook to continue, his other hand keeping the basketball firm against the side of his hip.

“Anyway, as I was saying, I was pining for this guy. It was pretty pathetic.”

“It was cute.”

“You didn’t even notice,” Jungkook laughs loudly at Yoongi’s interjection and Yoongi and Taehyung both grin simultaneously at the sound. “I had made up my mind that I was going to tell Yoongi how I felt, and I was so nervous it was going to ruin our friendship and at the same time I was hoping maybe he felt the same way, and I wanted to lay my feelings out there.” Jungkook looked over at Yoongi, and Taehyung couldn’t see his expression, but the one that Yoongi wore, so full of something that made butterflies flutter around Taehyung’s stomach, it gave Taehyung a good idea.

“So, after the game, I walked straight into the locker room, intent on telling Yoongi exactly how I felt. Then, Yoongi looked up at me, and he smiled so big when he saw me, and I literally lost all sense. I walked straight over and kissed him, speech completely forgotten.”

“Kissed? More like attacked.” Yoongi mumbled grouchily but his expression betrayed him, lips set in a soft smile, eyes nostalgic as he looked at Jungkook with so much fondness.

“You loved it.” Jungkook giggled while pinching Yoongi’s cheek and Taehyung felt the butterflies flutter more at the sight of them.

“Anyway, that was it, Yoongi kissed me back, we went to have our usual post-game hotteok, and we’ve been together ever since.” Jungkook’s smile was bashful and a little dazed as he turned back to Taehyung, most likely still lost in the memory.

“You know,” Taehyung leaned against the machine as both boys looked to him with curious expressions, “I’ve always thought true love was kind of a hoax, like genuine soulmate kind of love, but you two might just make me into a believer.” A wide boxy smile took over Taehyung’s face, pushing his cheeks up until his eyes crinkled and the two boys looked at him with twin expressions, both a mix of tenderness and shock.

“Alright then, mister basketball star,” Taehyung’s grin remained in place as he walked over and stole the basketball out from Yoongi’s arm, not sure where he got the sudden urge or confidence from and positioned himself in front of Yoongi’s machine, “Teach me how to make one of these shots.”

“Not a basketball star,” Yoongi grumbled in annoyance, voice close behind Taehyung, and Taehyung had come to realize after knowing him that it wasn’t really annoyance as much as it was his way of covering up his embarrassment.

“Totally a basketball star,” Jungkook quipped from the side of them, watching as Yoongi rearranged Taehyung’s limbs, paying great attention to making sure Taehyung had the perfect form. Yoongi gave him a once-over, Taehyung standing still waiting for the go ahead, and then attempted the shot after Yoongi grunted at him to ‘go for it’. Despite Yoongi’s assistance, the ball bounced off the hoop and down into the machine.

“I’m a lost cause.” Taehyung turned slightly, pouting at the two of them and the only response he got was two fond chuckles.

“Come on, let’s try again,” Yoongi grinned, and suddenly two soft hands pressed in on either side of Taehyung’s waist, firm over the loose linen shirt he wore. Breath was a foreign idea when Taehyung felt Yoongi push against his waist, telling him to straighten and grab another basketball.

Taehyung did as he was told, trying to ignore the pressure in his chest, ignore the way his heart beat rapidly inside his chest, trying desperately to focus on the game in front of him, the sounds of the arcade loud around them, but instead he could only focus on the heat around his waist. Limbs feeling a lot like jelly, Taehyung raised the ball shakily, and he knew there was no way he was going to make the shot with his limbs shaking and his heart thrumming inside his chest.

“Ah, here, your arms need to be sturdier, more confident,” Jungkook piped up, and before Taehyung could turn, two strong hands wrapped around his upper arms, locking him into a more confident position to throw.

Oxygen was lost on Taehyung, he couldn’t remember how to breathe, couldn’t remember if he ever knew how to.

Warmth surrounded him, the two boys pressing in around him, against his body and Taehyung felt those butterflies flutter to life again, wings beating around his abdomen and his head felt a little light as he heard Yoongi tell him to shoot the fuzziness in his head.

Ears thrumming with the sound of his own heartbeat, Taehyung threw the ball, the two sets of hands never leaving his body.

They all watched as the basketball went straight in, and Jungkook whooped and hollered as if Taehyung had just won a national championship, and Yoongi grinned so big, ruffling Taehyung’s curls with a deep ‘That’s what I’m talking about’.

Taehyung gave them both a shy smile, a flush coating his neck and cheeks, but all he could focus on was the two smiles directed his way and the butterflies that continued thrumming within him.

Taehyung knew then that his life apparently wasn’t meant to be easy, that maybe he shouldn’t have gone to that bar with Jimin after all. The fondness for Jungkook and Yoongi had started small and had grown into something he couldn’t ignore.

Taehyung felt himself slip, the first instance of falling for them, and knowing he could never have them, could never have more.

Taehyung knew this and yet he couldn’t let them go, resolved to squash his feelings down, down so far nobody would ever see except for him.

He’d squash those feelings and suffer through it if it meant he kept their friendship, kept this world of his that had slowly built around the two boys that made him feel warm and light, made themselves a home inside his heart.

The three of them sat on the lawn of the university, autumn approaching and with it the approaching end of the first semester of Taehyung’s freshman year. Taehyung looked up at the leaves of the tree above them, the leaves turning orange and falling off with each sweep of wind through the branches, the air was crisp, the kind of crispness that only comes with the approach of cold weather. Like most days, Taehyung sketched as Yoongi plays his guitar, occasionally stopping to scribble something on the sheet music scattered about him and Jungkook, always moving, snapped photos of the two of them, the scenery around them, anything he found worthy of his shots really. Taehyung had gotten used to the sounds of the shutter and pluck of the strings on Yoongi’s guitar, like it was his own personal background noise for his sketching. Like every day since that first day they had lunch together, the three of them sat together during their lunch time, in their own little bubble.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook’s voice called out to him and immediately Taehyung looked up, eyes round and widening when he was met with the lens of Jungkook’s camera and then a shy smile slid onto his face when Jungkook took his picture.

Jungkook looked down at the viewfinder and smiled with satisfaction, “Beautiful.”

Taehyung felt the blush immediately and when he averted his gaze away from Jungkook, his eyes met Yoongi’s, staring at the two of them with an unreadable expression and Taehyung started, looking back down at the empty page of his sketchbook.

Then suddenly, as if he’d just popped in out of nowhere, Jimin’s voice was in his ear, “Taehyuuung!” Jimin singsonged before his lips pecked Taehyung’s cheek immediately afterwards. Taehyung looked over at his best friend, plopping down on the grass right next to him and Taehyung’s smile widened, matching Jimin’s before he heard Yoongi snort.

“You look awfully mischievous today,” Yoongi commented lightly, and Jungkook agreed with a small hum.

“I can’t visit my best friend during lunch and be happy about it? I mean, you two have practically stolen him from me,” Jimin turned to Taehyung with a pout, “I can’t believe you’ve replaced me.” Yoongi and Jungkook both sniffed a laugh at Jimin’s theatrics as Taehyung merely flicked Jimin on the forehead lightly as if reprimanding him for such talk.

“Stop talking nonsense, you’re irreplaceable Min,” Taehyung smiled warmly at the way Jimin’s smile brightened at his words.

“Taehyung you really know how to inflate my ego,” Jimin giggled and flopped onto Taehyung’s lap, body covering Taehyung’s sketchbook, “I love it, keep going.”

Taehyung laughed softly at his friend’s antics, pushing the scarlet locks off his forehead, his hair tousled from moving about so quickly.

“You are quite literally my favorite person ever,” A playful groan, pretending to sound as if he were wounded, came from Jungkook. The small interruption made Taehyung’s grin widen, laughing at the other’s antics and then he continued on, “Nothing could ever make me change my mind about that.” The sounds of Yoongi playing his guitar, low and melodious, started up again and Jimin giggled at Taehyung’s dramatic and theatrical praise, despite a blush painting his features at being the target of Taehyung’s compliments.

However, a devil’s grin soon took over his face as he gazed up at Taehyung, looking mischievous as ever, like Yoongi had remarked before.

“I’m glad you think that…” Jimin said slowly, always one for the flair of building anticipation, like he thrived on the theatrics of it, “Because I might have done something you might hate me for.”

“Min…” Taehyung’s voice was that of a parent chastising their child, narrowing his eyes down at his best friend who at least had the humility to appear sheepish as he prepared to admit what he’d done.

“Don’t be mad, but…I kind of set you up on a blind date.” The tail end of the sentence was said on a breath a quick rush of words falling from Jimin’s mouth in order to metaphorically rip the band aid off.

The sound of fingers quickly plucking the wrong chords were grating and instantly the melodious sound of Yoongi’s playing stopped. Taehyung, his own eyes wide, looked up to see Jungkook and Yoongi both wearing vaguely shocked looks. Taehyung cocked his head slightly in confusion at the matching expressions before Jimin’s voice made him look back down.

“Don’t be mad.” Jimin pleaded, eyes big, looking like a puppy that just ate your shoe.

Taehyung rolled his eyes at the idea that Jimin thought he would be mad. Never one to yell, or go ballistic over small things, Taehyung was more confused and apprehensive than anything.

“I’m not mad,” Taehyung picked up his pen, eyes darting to the other two boys briefly before they settled back on Jimin. Jungkook had looked away from him and Jimin, fiddling with the lens of his camera, eyes locked on the piece of equipment, intensely focused. Yoongi was still looking at Taehyung, his expression thoughtful, eyebrows furrowed slightly as he watched Taehyung tap his pen on his denim covered kneecap repeatedly.

“Why did you set me up on a blind date?” Taehyung said calmly, curiously and it feels as if not just Taehyung was waiting for Jimin’s answer.

“Because you’re hopeless!” Jimin whined, flailing around dramatically, rocking Taehyung slightly with the motion.

“Gee thanks,” Taehyung deadpanned, his pen stilling for a moment and the look on his face made Jimin giggle loudly, covering his face to hide his smile.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” Jimin grabbed Taehyung’s hand quickly, intertwining his fingers with Taehyung’s and his eyes softened, “I just…you haven’t gone out on a date in forever, and I just want you to have fun, meet people. I don’t know I just thought he was a good match for you, and I thought maybe you’d hit it off.”

Taehyung considered his best friend, pen tapping against his knee as he thought and thought a little more.

“I don’t know Min…” Taehyung sighed, eyebrows pulling together, “You know how I am around people I don’t know. I’m so awkward.” Another sigh made it way out of his body, and he looked up at Jungkook and Yoongi listening to their conversation with neutral expressions. A flush of embarrassment crept up his neck, realizing that Jungkook and Yoongi were probably thinking he was a total loser. A loser who needed to be set up on blind dates.

Oh god

Then he thought about the two boys sitting across from them, thought about the butterflies in his stomach that flared to life every time they were around. Thought to himself, that maybe this would be a good way to get rid of this stupid crush.

“Will you be upset if I say no?” Taehyung tore his eyes away from the two boys, and looked back down at Jimin, his question quiet, apprehensive.

“Yes.” Jimin said seriously, face impassive.

“How very manipulative of you, Jimin.” Jungkook’s voice floated over to them, both turning to the other boy, his expression unreadable. For the first time since he had met him, Taehyung couldn’t tell if Jungkook was being playful or not.

“Shut up!” Jimin huffed, but took Jungkook’s comment as sarcasm, rolling his eyes in humor before gazing up at Taehyung, “Look I won’t be mad, but I promise the guy is very nice. His name is Hyunjin and he’s in the art department too so you guys might really hit it off, and he is hot as hell, like the kind of hot that will rock your world Taehyungie.” Jimin waggled his eyebrows despite Taehyung’s responding grimace.

Jungkook and Yoongi both let out sounds of disgust simultaneously.

“Oh, grow up,” Jimin shot them both a look before turning a sober look on Taehyung, “If you don’t want to go, I’m not going to be upset. For real. However, I wouldn’t mind you humoring me though,” Jimin grinned softly making Taehyung’s lips quirk up into a small smile of his own, “Plus, you never know you might have a really good time.”

Taehyung didn’t want to go, not really, but he considered his friend’s words, and even more so considered the fact that he had been caught up in thoughts about two people that are already madly in love with each other. Jungkook and Yoongi were his friends, had become so special to him, and he needed to face the fact that friendship was all there was ever going to be. Friendship that he valued so much.

So no, he didn’t want to go…but he needed to go.

“Alright I’ll go,” Taehyung sighed, the sound quickly getting lost in Jimin’s excitement, and instant planning of a date night outfit.

Jungkook and Yoongi were strangely silent for the rest of their lunch time.

Hyunjin was extremely beautiful.

Maybe too beautiful.

When Taehyung opened the door to his dorm, his eyes locked onto soft beautiful features, eyes dark and intense, plump lips and beautiful dark hair that framed his high cheekbones and angular jaw flawlessly, the length flowing around the nape of his neck.

Taehyung had instantly wanted to shut the door, his anxiety kicking into high gear.

What was Jimin thinking?

Taehyung already had trouble talking to new people…nonetheless gorgeous art department boys that looked like they just stepped out of one of Taehyung’s animes. Taehyung remembered his powder blue sweater vest, white short sleeve shirt underneath, paired with his favorite pair of baggy cream toned plaid pants and felt immediately out of place. Looking at Hyunjin’s dark mesh muscle tee, his leather jacket covering it, the leather pants sticking tight to every muscle in his legs, Taehyung knew the guy couldn’t ever possibly be interested in him, already knew he’d look like a sore thumb standing next to Hyunjin all night.

Yeah, Taehyung had really wanted to close the door.

“Huh,” Hyunjin cocked his head, lazily, almost unimpressed, “Not what I pictured when Jimin told me about you.”

The blush that coated Taehyung’s face must’ve been bright red, from the heat that he felt burning him from the neck and up to the top of his head.

What was that supposed to mean?

Taehyung didn’t get a chance to voice the question burning the tip of his tongue before Hyunjin released a sigh along with a, “Well, let’s go then.”

The date only went downhill further from there.

Taehyung trailed along behind Hyunjin most of the night, as they made their way through a street festival, the only part of the night that Taehyung could actually say was nice. Taehyung would have enjoyed the festival if he’d been in different company, thinking that it would be somewhere that Jungkook would be constantly snapping pictures, or Yoongi would light up at the sidewalks littered with buskers, and both boys’ eyes would light up at all the delicious food.

Food that Hyunjin bought for himself, enjoying the songpyeon that one of the vendors gave him and not even noticing Taehyung enough to realize he wasn’t buying anything for himself. Taehyung didn’t bring any money, not knowing where they were even going, and too awkward to say anything, he just caught whiffs of the delicious foods around them and tried not to glare as Hyunjin popped the little half-moons in his mouth one by one.

Instead, Taehyung desperately tried to make small talk with Hyunjin the whole night, quickly learning that the other male was one that constantly disagreed with anything Taehyung said, always trying to sound somewhat superior about quite literally every topic.

An art major with a focus in sculpture, Hyunjin ranted for almost thirty minutes to Taehyung, how it was the hardest form of art and the most superior, and when Taehyung tried to bring up the fact that other art forms were important too, Hyunjin only scoffed and went on for another thirty minutes about why his opinion was wrong.

By the time the night had finally started to come to an end, Taehyung’s battery was officially depleted, and his stomach was gurgling, begging him for dinner.

Hyunjin finally hailed a taxi as they reached the outskirts of the festival, back towards the city bustling with activity, and turned towards Taehyung with a smirk.

“So, your place or mine?”

Taehyung’s jaw dropped, and suddenly Hyunjin didn’t look as beautiful as he did at the beginning of the night.

Taehyung may have been awkward and shy, and may have been a people pleaser deep down, but even he had breaking points.

“Actually Hyunjin,” Taehyung said his name like it was the punch line to a joke, “I’ve got better things to do,” He didn’t, but it was worth it to see Hyunjin’s smirk fall into an embarrassed scowl.

Taehyung rolled his eyes once before turning back towards the festival, throwing a hand over his head in farewell as he walked away.

“Have fun with your super important sculptures!”

Taehyung didn’t know why he ended up at Jungkook and Yoongi’s apartment instead of his dorm. Normally he’d want to be alone, want to wallow in the disaster of the night by himself, but at that moment Taehyung only found himself wanting three things.

Food.

Sleep.

And Jungkook and Yoongi’s company.

So, before second guessing himself, before he let the intrusive thoughts of it’s too late or they don’t even want to see you or great you’re forcing Jungkook and Yoongi to give up their night to keep you company, Taehyung’s eyebrows furrowed, and he knocked on their door.

The door opened wide, and all Taehyung saw at first was Jungkook, his expression turning into one of shock, bright eyes wide as they settled on Taehyung standing at the threshold, and then Yoongi, in his spot on the green couch, looking at Taehyung with just as much shock as Jungkook and a tinge of confusion.

They clearly had been staying in for the night, between Jungkook’s messy waves and his oversized shirt and baggy sweatpants, and his preferred toe socks. Taehyung had asked once why he preferred those to normal socks, to which Jungkook had only replied, “Foot health is important, Taehyungie.” A firm nod following his words, and Taehyung had only thought to himself that it was just one other thing to add to the list of things that made Jeon Jungkook so cute. Made him only fonder, learning these little quirks and interests.

The same way Yoongi’s ears poked out slightly from beneath his beanie that he wore indoors sometimes because he was cold-natured, made Taehyung’s heart clench. The black hoodie and sweatpants he wore swamped him, making him look small from his spot on the couch and it only made Taehyung even more endeared.

Taehyung looked between them both, and a thought instantly entered his head, and his heart clenched.

They were both more beautiful people than Hyunjin could ever dream of being.

“Taehyung? What are you doing here?” Jungkook’s expression turned just a touch concerned, clearly wondering why Taehyung was here and not on his date, Yoongi cocked his head slightly from his place on the couch, echoing Jungkook’s question silently.

“Ah,” Taehyung’s intrusive thoughts couldn’t be held at bay much longer and he stuttered out a quick apology, “Sorry, I just…” Taehyung’s eyes caught Yoongi pausing whatever they had been watching on the television, placing the bowl of popcorn they must have been sharing to the side, “Oh, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have just barged in on you guys.” Taehyung muttered, looking back at the way he came, desperately wanting to stay but not wanting to impose himself.

Jungkook laughed softly, “Oh no please do barge in, Yoongi’s making me watch woodworking videos.”

Taehyung’s nervousness dissipated a little as Jungkook pulled him into the apartment, warm hand circling his wrist as Yoongi grumbled across the room, making both Taehyung and Jungkook laugh at his pout. Taehyung felt himself relax as he was pulled back into this bubble that he, Jungkook, and Yoongi had seemed to create whenever the three of them were together, and Taehyung thought stupidly that he never wanted to leave it.

“Woodworking is a beautiful form of art,” Yoongi sniffed and popped a piece of popcorn in his mouth, as Jungkook grinned over at him, pulling Taehyung to the other couch with him and Yoongi.

“Not as great as sculptures,” Taehyung huffed as Jungkook pulled him down to sit in the middle of them.

“Sculptures?” Yoongi frowned, and Taehyung huffed a dry laugh, pouting slightly.

“According to Hyunjin, they are the most superior art form.”

“Ah, Hyunjin,” Jungkook glanced at Taehyung eyebrows pulling down before he turned and stared at the paused television screen, tongue poking the inside of his cheek.

“How was the date?” Yoongi asked, his voice sounding light, but like something else was behind it, like he was trying to sound upbeat to mask something.

Taehyung didn’t think much about it, instantly pressing himself back into the cushions, hands covering his face, Taehyung groaned loudly in response to Yoongi’s question.

“It was so bad!” Taehyung whined into his hands, slumping between the two boys, “I’m never letting Jimin set me up on a date, ever again.” Taehyung peeked out between his fingers, seeing both boys suddenly very interested.

“That bad huh?” Jungkook’s smirk made its way back onto his face and Taehyung pouted, nodding his head and Yoongi chuckled softly at Taehyung’s expression.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook grabbed one of Taehyung’s hands, and then a bright expression crossed his features, “I know what would make you feel better, a movie night! You can stay over, and we can watch any movie you want!” Jungkook’s nose scrunched as he smiled a heartbreakingly cute smile over at Taehyung.

“Are you sure?” Taehyung asked lowly, fiddling with the hem of his sweater. Jungkook squeezed his hand while he nodded his head excitedly and Yoongi gave him a small smile, a low, “Course Tae, you’re always welcome here.” The words making Taehyung’s heart swell.

Deep down, he knew he shouldn’t, but the idea of staying over, the feeling of being sandwiched between the two boys, made him smile brightly with a soft breath of, “Okay, yeah.”

They ended up settled on the green couch, squished together as Jungkook scrolled through potential movies to rent, and Taehyung already felt better, the date drifting further and further from his mind. Yoongi popped another piece of popcorn into his mouth and Taehyung suddenly remembered his stomach on the verge of practically eating itself.

“Hyung, can I have piece? I’m starving, I haven’t had anything since lunch.”

Yoongi hummed, passing the bowl over to him before Jungkook stopped scrolling and looked over at Taehyung, shoving a handful of popcorn ungracefully into his mouth, cheeks poking out around the amount of food in his mouth.

“Wait, you didn’t have dinner?” Jungkook’s head tilted along with his question, and a flush made its way onto Taehyung’s cheeks.

“No…we went to one of the street festivals and Hyunjin bought himself some street food but didn’t ask me if I wanted any. Normally I would’ve just bought my own, but he never contacted me with details of where we were going and I hadn’t brought any money like an idiot,” Taehyung rolled his eyes at his own awkwardness, recounting the night and how painfully anxious he was, “I was too embarrassed to beg him to buy me something…I didn’t want to appear needy or like a mooch. Especially since he had already seemed like he wasn’t too impressed with me.” Taehyung voice grew small, and he didn’t look at either of the boys even though he could feel both pairs of eyes on him now.

“What do you mean?” Jungkook’s voice was flat, the bubbly tone that he always seemed to carry was lost and it made Taehyung look up, eyes round, not used to hearing the other boy sound so…serious.

“Ah, so embarrassing,” Taehyung tried for a smile, fingers curling the hair at the back of his head, not really wanting to replay his depressing night, “He just, when he came to pick me up, he said I wasn’t what he expected…but he sounded, almost let down.” Taehyung picked at something nonexistent on his pant leg, already wanting to move on from the topic.

“What an asshole.” Yoongi growled suddenly from next to him, and as jarring as Jungkook’s serious tone had sounded, Yoongi’s anger fueled words were even more so. Taehyung looked over at him quickly and it shocked him how upset Yoongi looked. Usually, he wore a face of indifference, would maybe crack a few smiles here and there, and maybe a huge smile every once in a while, but Taehyung had yet to see him mad.

“Forget that piece of shit Taehyung, he’s blind apparently, because you are nothing short of amazing.” Yoongi growled, the compliment mixed with his heated words, his voice deep and gravelly, seemed so strange, but it made Taehyung’s heart warm all the same.

“T-thanks Yoongi,” Taehyung breathed, a smile pulling at his mouth, and Yoongi mirrored his expression, softness entering his eyes and erasing the anger.

A hand grabbing hold of his had Taehyung’s head turning to the opposite side of the couch to meet Jungkook’s serious gaze, his eyes so intense that it had made Taehyung’s throat close a bit.

“Yoongi’s right, you’re amazing, and – and beautiful, and anyone who doesn’t see that,” Jungkook’s mouth turned down at the corners, “Well, they’re an idiot.” Jungkook’s mouth set in a firm line and he nodded his head once as if to add emphasis to his comment.

Taehyung looked between the two of them, their comments bouncing around his head, and he felt the overwhelming urge to cry at their words, at the way they both looked at him with such fondness and care.

Instead of tears, he felt the heat as a blush overtook him and he picked up a pillow, hiding his face from the two of them.

“Okay, thank you, please stop now.” Taehyung’s shy voice was muffled by the pillow, and he desperately wished he didn’t react so easily, his embarrassment clear as day on his face.

He heard their laughter, and then pulled the pillow down, eyeing the two of them who continued to laugh at his expression.

“Alright,” Yoongi said after their laughter had subsided and poked one of Taehyung’s cheeks behind the pillow, “In order to forget that terrible guy, I’m going to cook you some dinner. What do you want?”

Taehyung lowered the pillow quicky to his lap, eyebrows furrowing as Yoongi shuffled towards their kitchen.

“Oh, you don’t have to –“

“I’m not taking no for an answer Taehyung. What would you like?” Yoongi threw over his shoulder, already standing at the refrigerator, ready to grab ingredients.

“Kimchi Buchimgae please.” Taehyung said quickly, knowing that arguing with the older was futile.

Yoongi hummed in response, grabbing ingredients and beginning to cook with an expert-like focus. Jungkook laughed softly at their exchange, and took Taehyung by surprise, slinging an arm around Taehyung’s shoulders easily, resuming his search for a movie.

“If you want, I can sneak into the art department and smash his sculptures,” Jungkook waggled his eyebrows like some sort of cheesy villain when Taehyung looked over at him with wide eyes.

“Jungkook!” Taehyung scolded him playfully, hitting Jungkook’s chest with the back of his hand, but couldn’t help the rueful smile appearing on his face at the thought of Hyunjin crying over his broken work.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” Jungkook said around a laugh, his tone back to its usual playfulness, and he turned his eyes back to the television, checking the price on a new Marvel movie.

“Maybe.” Yoongi said lowly from the kitchen, a devious grin on his face.

Jungkook and Yoongi shared a mischievous look before bursting out into laughter at the way Taehyung looked between the two of them with mild terror.

The night carried on and with it carried Taehyung back into the warmth of Jungkook and Yoongi, a warmth that he found he could get used to every day, wanting to stay enveloped in the other boys’ company constantly. An introvert by nature, Taehyung never found himself wanting anyone’s company like that. Sure, he would miss Jimin, his soulmate and best friend, and couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing him, but it was a different kind of want, a different kind of warmth that seemed to wrap around his heart and squeeze tighter and tighter.

Yoongi made dinner for them all and they all ate together as Jungkook put on a new Marvel movie for them to watch. Taehyung found himself relaxed entirely as he sat squished between the two, found himself feeling a sense of home, a comfort that warmed him and made him feel entirely at ease, not worrying about what he said or did.

Eventually, his plate moved to the coffee table, and as the movie was concluding, Taehyung ended up laying across the two boys, head in Yoongi’s lap and feet on Jungkook. A warm hand traced patterns on his ankle, and fingers combed through his hair, soft against his scalp. He’d only ever fallen asleep on Jimin, never relaxed enough with anyone else to let something like that happen, but as he tried hard to watch the rest of the movie, the soft touches and the warmth of the bodies underneath him lulled Taehyung to sleep, his disaster of a night forgotten and replaced by the gentleness and care of Jungkook and Yoongi.

Fast asleep, Taehyung never noticed the credits of the movie start to roll, didn’t notice the two boys’ fond smiles when they looked at him and realized he had fallen asleep, cheek squished, and lips pushed into a cute pout.

Never felt the way both boys lifted him up, both holding him oh so carefully and took him to their spare bedroom. Never felt the way Yoongi wrapped the bedding around him, and never saw the enamored look in both Jungkook and Yoongi’s eyes as he snuggled further into the pillow underneath his head.

Never heard the two whispers of, “Goodnight, Tae.”

Taehyung woke up that morning, unsure of where he was, until it finally dawned on him that he had fallen asleep at Jungkook and Yoongi’s apartment. Sitting up, clothes crumpled, and hair a mess, he looked around the room, taking in the music equipment and keyboard in the corner and raked a hand over his face.

He couldn’t believe he had fallen asleep and had made the two boys carry him to bed.

What a nuisance. Taehyung had barged in on the couple’s night in, made them cook dinner for him and now he had made them carry him to bed. At this rate, they were going to make him lose their address!

Taehyung groaned, and fell back against the pillows, letting his intrusive thoughts win and biting his lip as he worried about the couple being annoyed by him.

Then he thought about Jungkook’s bright grin as he had pulled him into the apartment and Yoongi’s soft smile as Taehyung had raved about the food he had prepared. Thought about the way they had both let him lie across them as they watched the movie and how content they had been with him there.

Happiness clenched his heart at the thoughts, and for once Taehyung pushed his anxieties to the back of his mind, knowing that if Jungkook and Yoongi didn’t want him around, they would have already said so. Stretching his body, feeling a few joints pop while he did, Taehyung yawned, enjoying the laziness of the morning, and being bundled up in the comforters that smelt of Yoongi and Jungkook, the clean scent of detergent mixed with a hint of strawberry…or maybe pear.

A melodic voice, slightly muffled by the distance, brought Taehyung out of his musings, and carried his attention towards the other side of the closed door. Sliding out of the bed, trying to smooth the wrinkles out of his pants before realizing it was a bust, Taehyung shuffled out of the room and towards the sound of Jungkook’s voice and the sounds and smells of food cooking.

Taehyung walked in quietly, quiet enough not to be heard, and watched the couple in the kitchen, couldn’t help the smile that made its way onto his face.

Both of their backs were to Taehyung, Yoongi busy stirring something in the skillet on the stove in front him, black hair sticking up in a few spots. Jungkook however was dancing goofily next to him, snapping his fingers to the slow song he was crooning into Yoongi’s ear, a playful smile wide across his face. Taehyung vaguely recognized the song, a GOT7 song about wanting to hold hands, but Jungkook easily took the song in a new direction, making his voice sound like an old trot singer as Yoongi pressed a hand against his bare chest, playfully pushing him away. Jungkook, never one to be deterred, only grabbed Yoongi’s hand and pressed it against his bare skin, above where is heart would be and only sang the lyrics more lovingly as Yoongi rolled his eyes and went back to his cooking, unphased by his boyfriend’s antics.

Taehyung itched for his sketchbook, itched to draw the couple in front of him.

Not only that though…Taehyung itched to join them.

To wrap his arms around Yoongi’s waist, hook his chin over his shoulder, watch him as he cooked.

To let Jungkook wrap him up in his warm embrace, feel his strong chest underneath his head, his strong arms holding him close.

Heat rushed up his neck and to the top of his head at the thought, and Taehyung stepped forward quickly, knocking into one of the barstools that sat under their counter.

“Good morning, Tae!” Jungkook said brightly, both of their heads swiveling in his direction as Taehyung straightened from nursing his ankle.

“Good morning,” Yoongi’s voice was still rough with sleep and Taehyung only felt the heat in his cheeks grow at Jungkook’s sparkling eyes and Yoongi’s gravelly voice. “I hope you like omelets?”

Taehyung nodded slowly, dazed, and Yoongi turned back to flip the egg in the pan. Jungkook left his spot and came over to lean across the counter opposite Taehyung, muscles flexing as he moved, hair curling messily around his neck.

“I hope you know you’re even more adorable when you’re asleep,” Jungkook said suddenly, eyes glinting with a hint of teasing and Taehyung felt like his skin should’ve melted with how much he kept blushing.

“Very adorable,” Yoongi shuffled over, passing him a plate with a perfectly made omelet and then smirked at him before going back to the stove, “Squishy cheeks and all.” The words were thrown over his shoulder and Taehyung wanted to melt into a puddle, wanted to seep into the carpet and disappear, anything so they wouldn’t see the blush on his face, wouldn’t see the way they both affected him with their words.

“Never falling asleep again,” Taehyung pouted, trying to ignore the way his heartbeat grew faster at their attention. Jungkook pulled out a fork, twirling the utensil at him before Taehyung took it from him, immediately stabbing a piece of the omelet and shoving it in his mouth. Taehyung’s pout didn’t hold for too long, as Yoongi’s food, delicious as ever, pulled a satisfied moan from him as he chewed slowly savoring every bit of the bite.

“Amazing,” Taehyung finally sighed after swallowing his first bite and looked up to see two blushes and matching sets wide eyes.

“What?”

Jungkook coughed into his arm, muttering a, “Nothing,” while Yoongi whipped around to the sound of an overdone egg sizzling in the pan, his own muttered, “Glad you like it.”

Yoongi and Jungkook joined him eventually, Jungkook’s omelet looking a bit crispy on the edges, but all of them ate breakfast happily, conversation flowing easily between the three of them. Taehyung asked how Jungkook’s photography project had went to which Jungkook had poked out his chest a bit, proclaiming he had gotten perfect grade. Yoongi explained to them both the project he was currently working on, and where he was stumped, something about the piano track not lining up with the vocals, and how it was frustrating him to no end. They both asked Taehyung about his classes, and Taehyung told them about his watercolor assignment, how he wanted use one of his sketches as the base and then add the watercolors over the top, but he knew his teacher would score him low if he turned in another sketch.

“It’s a shame,” Yoongi commented as he took both of their plates, piling them on top of his and walking them to the dishwasher, “Art is supposed to be freedom to express yourself, yet we have to be confined to guidelines to be able to get a degree in it. It’s such a contradiction.”

Taehyung was about to respond, tell Yoongi how absolutely correct he was, but a notification on their phones stole his attention. Taehyung checked his phone at the same time as Jungkook, Yoongi not bothering to check his, only hooked his chin over Jungkook’s shoulder to read the message on his boyfriend’s phone.

“Why is the group chat name Yeehaw with a horse emoji?” Taehyung asked, completely lost as he read the message from Jimin telling them they were all meeting at the bar tonight, with a heavy emphasis on all of them.

“Ah, the other night Seokjin got a little too drunk, and apparently, he does a perfect impression of a horse neighing. The next day I neighed at him so loud from across the quad, I’ve never seen him walk away so fast.” Jungkook snickered, as Yoongi grinned over his shoulder at the memory.

“You’re horrible,” Taehyung shook his head, laughing at the image in his head, knowing Jungkook had no shame when it came to teasing his friends.

“Go ahead and send a thumbs up,” Yoongi grumbled, leaning his head into Jungkook’s neck, “You know how Jimin gets when people don’t reply fast enough.”

“You want to go?” Jungkook seemed astonished at the thought.

“No, but we better make an appearance or else Jimin might actually hurt us. Plus, I wouldn’t mind seeing you all antagonize Seokjin a bit,” Yoongi’s smile was mischievous, the sight pulling a giggle out of Taehyung.

Jungkook sniffed a laugh at that and began to type, then looked up at Taehyung.

“Are you going?” Jungkook’s expression was hopeful, his thumbs poised over his phone.

Taehyung was still, his eyes round, looking between the two of them.

“I-I don’t know,” Taehyung ruffled the hair on the back of his head, thinking about how he had planned to stay in, planned to sketch, maybe order takeout, watch a new anime, his normal Saturday night plans for the most part.

Then he thought about Jimin, how he hadn’t seen his friend since the other day at lunch, how he missed him. Thought about the fact that he missed the rest of the group, loved to see them laughing and joking, and even if sometimes it was at someone’s expense, they all created an atmosphere that was effortlessly fun. Then he looked at the two boys in front of him, Jungkook begging playfully, saying that it wouldn’t be as fun without him there and Yoongi nodding solemnly in agreement beside him and Taehyung thought that he just wanted to spend more time with them too.

Taehyung laughed as he cut over Jungkook’s begging with a “Alright alright, I’ll go!”

Taehyung’s laughter soon turned into giggles and a boxy grin as both boys cheered in accomplishment and excitement at Taehyung’s agreement, Jungkook picking him up and twirling him around while Yoongi did some goofy celebratory dance beside them.

“Taehyungie! We haven’t seen you in ages!” Hoseok screamed across the bar, spotting Taehyung as he made his way over towards the table and flailed his arms dramatically as if Taehyung was lost at sea. Although he guessed he was slightly lost in the sea of people crowding the bar, which made for a typical Saturday night, everyone out, drinking, dancing, looking for the nearest party to go to.

After agreeing to come to the bar, Taehyung had left Jungkook and Yoongi’s apartment, forcing himself to leave them and go back to his dorm to work on his art project, watch some anime and most importantly get out of his crumpled clothes.

Taehyung had found himself excited to go to the bar though, he had showered and even took the time to put some product into his wet curls, the dark tendrils defined and curling around his face, slightly in his eyes. He’d even foregone his usual baggy attire and wore a Boston shirt with three dancing lobsters on it, a gift from Jimin, and some tight-fitting jeans, ones that Jimin always begged him to wear, saying that he “could have anyone in the room if he wore those jeans”. However, in usual fashion he couldn’t help but throw on a comfy beige cardigan over the outfit before he left.

Taehyung ducked his head then at Hoseok’s screaming, and made his way through the crowd, and eventually made it to the table, five of the guys smiling at him so brightly.

“Hi,” Taehyung smiled, the words breathy as his heart beat a little faster at the crowded room, or maybe at the way the Jungkook and Yoongi sit across the booth, both looking over his outfit for a beat before looking back up at him with dazzling smiles. Taehyung smiled back shyly, tucking a piece of hair behind his ear before looking over at the other end of the booth, Hoseok and Seokjin beckoning him to sit next to Jungkook and Yoongi, and Namjoon already ordering another round of drinks.

“Where’s Jimin?” Taehyung asked the group before he could sit, and swiveled to look around quickly, wondering if his best friend would be in the crowd somewhere.

“He’s on his way,” Hoseok brought Taehyung’s attention back to the group, smiling softly at Taehyung’s wide eyes, “Freshmen have extra dance practices on the weekends leading up to competition, and it always runs a little late.” Hoseok waved away the worry that he had no doubt seen enter Taehyung’s eyes.

“Oh oka-“

A body knocked into him, someone from the crowd of people trying to get past quickly, and it knocked Taehyung off balance. Suddenly he felt a hand fist the front of his shirt, yanking him forward by the material, so he didn’t trip over himself.

“I got you,” Jungkook’s voice was steady, close, and Taehyung looked up from the hand that grabbed him up into Jungkook’s dark eyes, suddenly so close.

“Watch it, asshole!” Yoongi growled then looked over Jungkook at Taehyung, eyebrows furrowed, “You okay Tae?”

“I’m fine,” Taehyung looked at Yoongi, nodding quickly, then looked back at Jungkook and then down to his hand still gripping the material. Jungkook looked down and then instead of pulling back like Taehyung thought he would, he pulls him closer to the booth, pulling him into his and Yoongi’s side effortlessly before finally letting go.

“Thanks,” Taehyung didn’t know why the simple action left him breathless, didn’t know how he had gotten to this point where such little things the two boys did or said, made him breathless or his heartbeat quicken.

Yoongi slid a glass his way, the clear liquid sloshing a little, and Taehyung felt his stupid pulse quicken again as his fingers brushed Yoongi’s as he took the glass. Taehyung brought the glass up to his lips, anything to ignore the electricity that shot through him and took a tentative sip, surprised to taste mainly Sprite with a hint of liquor. Yoongi must’ve remembered that he didn’t drink much, giving him a drink with very little alcohol, and it made Taehyung happy to know the sophomore remembered something so little.

They all continued their conversation as usual, Namjoon telling Taehyung the story about the discovery of the neighing, and Seokjin sliding down in his seat, to where he was almost under the table, and to top it all off, Jungkook chose the most opportune moment to scream “Yeehaw!” loudly for all the bar to hear and for Seokjin to threaten to come across the table if he didn’t stop. Both Yoongi and Taehyung had to grab Jungkook from either side, forcing him not to stand up and do it even louder.

“Sorry it took so long! Why is Seokjin glaring at Jungkookie?” Jimin’s voice was breathless next to Taehyung, as if he had ran over, and Taehyung turned to him, all smiles.

“Jimin!” Taehyung threw his arms around the other boy, almost falling out of the booth in the process, feeling a little lighter now that he’d finished his drink. Jimin squeezed him back tight and then motioned for him to make room in the booth so he could sit. They all shifted over, Taehyung bumping Jungkook and stuttering a quick apology and then Seokjin poured Jimin a drink, begging him to tell the others to leave him alone.

“Sorry Jinnie…it is a killer horse impression.” Jimin grinned evilly over the lip of his glass, drinking the contents with ease.

“I hate all of you.” Seokjin deadpanned and they all burst out into laughter.

“Alright, enough about Seokjin’s future as a horse impersonator,” Jimin’s eyes crinkled a little more as Seokjin let out a groan of agitation but continued as if he hadn’t heard, “I want to know if my Taehyungie here got laid last night!” Jimin threw an arm around Taehyung’s shoulders and the latter squirmed as the three guys across from them perked up, whistles and goofy cat calls starting up instantaneously.

“Jimin!” Taehyung blushed and shoved his best friend playfully and tried to shush the three guys who only continued to whoop and holler. Jungkook and Yoongi laughed next to him at their antics but otherwise were silent.

“I’m kidding! Really though, how was it?! I know how to pick em’ don’t I?” Jimin’s voice was full of pride which is why Taehyung’s next words were said with a wince and a grimace, hating to rain on Jimin’s parade.

“It was a disaster.”

Jimin’s eyes went wide as saucers, worry instantly etching itself into his expression.

“What?”

Taehyung hated the way everyone’s focus was on him, how he instantly had everyone’s undivided attention. Already having to endure the horrible date and replay it for Jungkook and Yoongi, he really didn’t feel like giving a play by play to the rest of the group. However, he knew Jimin wouldn’t rest until he knew every detail, so Taehyung told him about the night. Starting all the way from the unimpressed look Hyunjin had given all the way to Taehyung shooting down his attempt at taking him home, that part earning high praise from the rest of the guys and especially some smug, slightly proud smiles from Yoongi and Jungkook.

“That prick!” Jimin grabbed his glass tight, as if he were going to crush it, but instead threw back the liquid, swallowing it quick and then set the empty glass on the table, eyebrows pulled down in anger.

“I’m going kill that beautiful bastard,” Jimin growled, and Taehyung giggled at his friend’s threats, but laid a head on Jimin’s shoulder, trying to placate him a bit.

“It’s okay, Jiminie, bad dates happen, it is what it is,” Taehyung sighed as Jimin looked down at him with a pout, so cute in contrast to the dark look he’d just worn.

“No Taehyungie, you only deserve the best.” Jimin cooed, grabbing Taehyung’s face in his hands and squishing his cheeks together, before resorting to a gentle pat on his cheek, “I’m so sorry, I really thought he would be perfect for you.”

Before Taehyung could respond, Yoong leant forward easily, a drink in his hand and his lips pulled into a smug smile, his low-lidded eyes sparkling with something that looked almost boastful.

“Nice job, Jimin, looks like you have no clue about what guys to pick for Taehyung.”

Though delivered with humor, the words were dry, almost layered with something else, and Taehyung looks over at Yoongi, eyes round, but before he could say anything Jimin beat him to it, surging forward slightly and jostling Taehyung’s head on his shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry, pray tell Yoongi, what guys do you have in mind for our Taehyung?”

Yoongi’s expression quickly turned to one of unease, and he looked between Jimin and Taehyung, a tinge of pink on his cheeks, and Taehyung thought that he’s never seen the older without a comeback.

Jungkook looked at his boyfriend for a moment, before he turned towards Jimin and Taehyung with a lazy sort of confidence.

“Clearly none of the ones you pick Jimin, that’s for sure.” Jungkook grinned, and his joke broke the tension of the table, making everyone laugh loudly, even Jimin cracked a grin while flipping Jungkook the middle finger easily.

They carried on after that, no more mentions of the disaster of a date, and once again Taehyung found himself swept up in the entertaining chaos that was the six other guys. Taehyung found himself just content in listening to them, how they flowed from one topic to another, only to circle back easily to the first topic. They all talked at the same time sometimes, their conversations weaving in and out of each other’s and unlike the first time he met them all, Taehyung found himself eventually joining in the conversation, jumping in occasionally with his opinion or even a light-hearted joke thrown someone’s way. It was a soothing sort of chaos, and Taehyung found himself listening to each of them, watching them all, wishing to sketch them, sketch this night, sketch the happiness that emanated from each of the boys.

Towards the end of the night, Taehyung, who had taken it easier with his drinks, noticed Jungkook threw back all of his, almost as much as Jimin. As the night wore on, Taehyung noticed Jungkook’s head slip onto Yoongi’s shoulder, Yoongi patting Jungkook’s cheek gently when the latter whispered something into Yoongi’s neck. Jungkook at some point had wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s waist and Taehyung looked at them both, and for the second time that day found himself wanting.

The want within him stirred more and more and he looked away quickly as Yoongi pecked Jungkook on the lips, a blush coating Taehyung’s cheeks and his body electric.

As soon as the blood thumping in his ears calmed down, Taehyung focused on the conversation that had started while he was lost in his own head.

“You going to Jackson’s party next weekend?” Hoseok asked eagerly to the group, not caring that Yoongi and Jungkook were clearly in their own world.

“You know we’re always down,” Seokjin grinned, looping an arm through Namjoon’s, and smiling mischievously, “I want to get this one on the dance floor for once, and Jackson’s trash can punch is the only way to get him drunk enough to consider it.” Seokjin giggled as Namjoon muttered something about payback.

“Trash can punch?” Taehyung whispered to Jimin, his voice was one of confusion.

“Jackson makes his own concoction of alcohol for his parties and throws it all in a gigantic bucket…trash can punch,” Jimin said easily with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Gross…” Taehyung grimaced, not sure what was appealing about…any of that. Jimin just laughed, his eyes turning into crescent moons and Taehyung cracked a smile, Jimin’s laughter more than contagious.

“What about the lovebirds?” Hoseok rolled his eyes at the two in the corner of the booth and they all looked to see Yoongi running his fingers through Jungkook’s hair, the latter still leaning against him, his eyes closed, content. His eyes opened at Hoseok’s question, then looked up at Yoongi and they both scrunched their faces at the same time, both adorably shaking their heads. Taehyung felt a pang in his chest and turned away to look at the ice melting in his glass.

“Nah, I don’t think so,” Jungkook said lightly, and Yoongi followed up with a, “We’ll sit that one out, but someone please film Namjoon’s dancing for us.”

“Lame,” Hoseok drawled jokingly at the same time Namjoon threw his hands up in frustration and yelled at them, “My dancing is not that bad!”

They all laughed at his anguished expression and the way Seokjin pulled him closer and laid a drowsy head on his boyfriend’s shoulder, saying through a smile, “It really is, Joon.” To which Namjoon only accepted the fact with resignation, pouting at the top of his boyfriend’s head before glaring at the rest of them playfully.

“What about you Taehyung? Come on, you haven’t been out to any parties with us yet! Jimin will be there too!” Hoseok pleaded, his begging increasing when he noticed Taehyung’s instant apprehension.

“Hey! You don’t know that!” Jimin pointed at Hoseok petulantly and Hoseok’s eyes glazed over to him, a knowing look on his face.

“Well, you’re going, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. I’d just like for you to beg me to go too,” Jimin batted his lashes at Hoseok, earning an exasperated yet fond smile from the junior. Jimin suddenly jumped with a gasp, and Taehyung turned towards him with big eyes.

“Oh, Taehyung you have to come! It’s perfect!”

“Perfect? The perfect place for me to have a panic attack?” Taehyung faintly heard the rest of the table laughing softly at his comment but Jimin gripping his shoulders prevented him from looking at any of them.

“You won’t have a panic attack, I wouldn’t let that happen.” Jimin said so seriously, looking into Taehyung’s eyes and then with a flash his face grew excited again, “It’ll be perfect because not only will I finally get you to a party and get to dance and have fun with my best friend.” The best friend card was being played, and heavily, “but there will be plenty of guys there for us to choose from!”

Taehyung vaguely noticed Hoseok rolling his eyes at Jimin’s words, noticing the smallest frown that had appeared on his face but his apprehension at Jimin’s words pulled him away from the observation.

“I don’t know Min…” Taehyung worried his bottom lip, looking between Jimin and his finger tapping against his glass nervously.

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fun! And if you so happen to get laid, well then…even better!” Jimin laughed loudly and the other three across the table laughed with him.

Taehyung couldn’t help his gaze as it slid to the two boys, quiet next to him. They hadn’t moved much, Jungkook still resting his head on Yoongi, and Yoongi’s hand still carding through his hair, but they both looked between Taehyung and Jimin, faces unreadable in the dim light from the lanterns above them. Jungkook looked away first, his eyes looking out at the crowded bar, and Yoongi’s eyes stayed planted on Taehyung and Jimin as Jimin continued to beg Taehyung playfully.

Taehyung looked at them both. Felt the pang in his chest, a painful lurch that he knew shouldn’t be there. Couldn’t be there.

He had to get over this crush.

“Alright I’ll go,” Taehyung raised his hands in surrender, laughing as Jimin clapped excitedly, side hugging him tightly and rocking his body back and forth, “You’re not picking the guys though!” Taehyung’s laughter grew as Jimin whined at that, lightly slapping Taehyung’s forearm for the jibe.

“Wait is it Saturday or Sunday, Hobi hyung?” Jungkook piped up suddenly, voice clear over Jimin’s excited ranting about how much fun they were going to have.

Taehyung looked over then, and Jungkook was still leaning on Yoongi, but his eyes were bright with some sort of determination, and he fiddled with a napkin on the table while he waited for Hoseok’s answer. Yoongi’s fingers still carded their way through Jungkook’s wavy locks, but his eyes were fixed on the crowded bar, distant.

“Ah, Saturday?” Hoseok answered in a way that said it was obvious, that Jungkook should’ve already known the answer to his own question.

“Oh, we can go then.” Jungkook said with quickness and finality, before looking up at Yoongi who nodded once before looking at Hoseok with a grin and said, “Yeah, we’ll be there.”

Hoseok grinned brilliantly along with an exaggerated and drawn out, “My boys!” in a deeper voice than usual, waggling his eyebrows, which only made Yoongi and Jungkook grin at the junior’s antics.

Taehyung looked away from them then, turning his attention back to Jimin who was animatedly planning their outfits and telling Taehyung that he absolutely, no excuses allowed, had to dance and drink with him.

Taehyung tried to pay attention, nodding his head with a small smile, but all he could think about was that as soon as he had known the two boys were going to be there, his excitement for the party had suddenly appeared, his apprehension melting away slowly.

Taehyung didn’t know what he was thinking that night at the bar.

Who cared if Yoongi and Jungkook were going to be there?

He didn’t do parties for a reason.

Jimin tugged him through the apartment, bodies packed tight into the space, the bass from the music thumping in time with Taehyung’s heart. As Jimin pulled him along Taehyung kept muttering apologies to everyone they bumped into along the way until he realized with frustration that he’d be apologizing all night if he didn’t stop, the place so crowded you couldn’t not bump into someone.

Taehyung pulled on the collar of his shirt, feeling awkward in the outfit Jimin picked for him. He was used to sweaters and his oversized shirts, his baggy pants, not the tight black jeans and the red mesh top that Jimin had forced him to wear. The top was more revealing than he’d ever wear, the top showing the silhouette of his torso underneath, and after some bickering, Taehyung had told Jimin he’d wear it, but he threw on a thin black tank underneath at the last minute, not wanting the whole world to see his naked torso underneath the scarlet material. Jimin had started to whine at him for it when he had come out, until Taehyung had simply said, “Fine, I’ll just stay here.” At that Jimin had groaned and quickly tugged him out of his dorm, then laughing loudly as he said, “Fine wear the damn tank!”

As Jimin pulled him along though, he thought he should’ve changed the outfit entirely, the black jeans hugging his limbs too tight as he walked, the Chelsea boots too restrictive on his feet. The music was too loud in his ears, the strobe lights flashing harshly around them, making Jimin’s hair in front of him turn from bright red, to green, to blue, to pink and so on.

Jimin finally pulled him into what Taehyung after a moment realized was the kitchen and towards a giant can, filled with orange liquid. Jimin effortlessly grabbed two plastic cups off the counter, twirling them around for flair, and then dipped both in the can, scooping up liquid in both and then handing one to Taehyung with a smirk on his face.

“Trash can punch.”

Taehyung grimaced instantly looking from Jimin and then down to the cup, then back up at Jimin with a pleading look.

“Just a sip, then if you don’t like it just throw it back in.” Jimin laughed around the rim of his cup, already a few sips in.

Taehyung took a hesitant sip, swishing the liquid around in his mouth, tasting a mixture of juice flavors and some sort of soda, and the overwhelming burn of liquor. Taehyung swallowed the liquid slowly, wincing at the burn in his chest and then smacked his lips, the lingering taste of cherry juice still in his mouth.

“It’s not…the worst thing I’ve ever had.” Taehyung allowed as he inspected the liquid.

“That’s the spirit!” Jimin laughed and threw an arm around him, looking around the kitchen, eyes locking onto something, his grin slipping a little. Taehyung looked over then and after a moment found what Jimin was looking at.

Hoseok was leaning against the countertop, drink in hand and body lazy, his smile confident and infectious as he talked to a girl, saying something to her that had her head thrown back in laughter. Taehyung turned back to look at Jimin, noticing his expression pinched slightly at the edges.

“Let’s go talk to Hobi hyung,” Jimin grabbed Taehyung’s hand firmly, his voice determined, and he started to lead Taehyung over.

Taehyung had known Jimin almost his entire life, so he knew quite a few things about his best friend that others wouldn’t notice as first look.

He knew when Jimin was stressed, noticed when burnout from not getting a choreography correct would make him silent and frustrated.

He knew when Jimin was planning something, knew the small smile that would appear on his face and the glint in his eyes when he was conjuring up something in his head.

And he knew when Jimin was jealous.

Taehyung could see it in the way his eyes tightened, the way he looked at Hoseok with fire in his eyes, and he certainly could tell when they finally got close enough and Jimin threw himself onto Hoseok, arms wrapped around his lower half and giggling out a loud, “Hobi hyung!”

Hoseok’s drink sloshed with the motion of Jimin wrapping around him, but he didn’t seem to care, face brightening as he looked at Jimin with a softness at the edge of his gaze, an excited, “Jimin-ah!” leaving him as he hugged Jimin tight with his free arm. The girl, noticing she’d been forgotten, frowned slightly before moving around a couple of people and exiting the kitchen. Taehyung smirked, taking another sip, knowing the smile that grew on Jimin’s face was not only for Hoseok, but for a mission accomplished.

“Taehyungie! You made it!” Hoseok grinned still holding onto Jimin, arm loose around his waist as Jimin stood next to him, sipping his drink with a small smile.

Taehyung nodded, shuffling out of the way when someone brushed past him, and listened as Jimin joked about having to drag Taehyung out of his dorm. Jimin and Hoseok easily fell into conversation, and though they continued to include Taehyung, the latter could only nod his head and smile tentatively when addressed, otherwise he sipped his drink, looking around the kitchen and out into the apartment, at the people everywhere. People pushed past him every few minutes, the music moving from one song to the next and the space thumping with the bass of each song.

It was all a bit overwhelming.

Jimin was wrapped around Hoseok, laughing at something the junior said, and Taehyung tried to pay attention to their conversation, but his anxiety continued to creep in, his fingers tight around the plastic cup in his hand.

“Ah! I told you they’d be in here!” A light, triumphant voice rang out over the music, close behind Taehyung and he turned already knowing the voice before he saw the face, his anxiety fading away as he saw Jungkook bounding over to them, Yoongi in tow, their hands clasped together as he lead them through the crowd.

“I told you, Hobi hyung is always where the drinks are,” Jungkook laughed as he and Yoongi came to stand beside Taehyung, Jungkook sweeping back his messy waves, his multiple silver earrings catching the lights as they flash. Taehyung took in the loose black shirt and the black cargo pants, and chunky boots, and then his gaze slid over noticing Yoongi dressed similarly with his oversized black and white graphic tee, thrown over a black long sleeve shirt and his baggy ripped black jeans and slide sandals.

Taehyung admired them for a second before turning towards Jimin with a scowl, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at the two boys.

“You said baggy clothing wasn’t acceptable?! Jungkook and Yoongi are wearing their usual clothing, why couldn’t I?!”

“Because their asses don’t look as phenomenal as yours does in tight jeans.” Jimin winked over at him, arms spread on the counter. Taehyung felt his face heat and it only grew hotter as Hoseok laughed loudly, and he noticed Jungkook and Yoongi both looking his outfit over with attentive eyes.

Taehyung looked away quickly, fighting for a response but the way he could feel those two sets of eyes on him made the room feel a little smaller, made his brain feel a little mushy. Before he could stutter out something that would’ve been without a doubt embarrassing and nonsensical, Seokjin and Namjoon stumbled into the kitchen from the other side, and they both grinned at the group, looking slightly disheveled, Seokjin’s hair mussed in a couple places and Namjoon’s shirt buttoned wrong.

“Wow, we haven’t even been here… what an hour? And you guys already screwed?” Hoseok grinned and threw back his beer as the couple both grinned impishly.

“Don’t be bitter Hobi, just cause you aren’t getting any doesn’t mean the rest of us need to go through a dry spell,” Seokjin said throwing his arms around Namjoon as Hoseok glared over the rim of his bottle and Jimin’s laugh rang out, the sound louder than the music surrounding them. Namjoon’s smirk matched Seokjin’s before his eyes trailed over to the rest of them, eyes settling on Taehyung and widening as they trailed down his outfit.

“Hey Taehyung-ah, wow, those are some tight pants.” Namjoon cocked his head, eyes stuck on Taehyung’s thighs.

Taehyung’s cheeks flared with heat, and he set his cup down on the counter with a flat expression.

“I’m going to the bathroom, or to jump out of window.”

Taehyung breezed past the couple, the sounds of Jimin’s laughter, louder than before, and Namjoon’s, “Shit what did I say wrong?” lost behind him as he made his way through the rest of the apartment.

After a small search Taehyung finally found a line of people waiting for the bathroom, and spent what felt like ages waiting, a couple making out behind him and getting too close occasionally, making Taehyung shuffle forward a bit every time. Finally, when it came time for his turn, he rushed in and used the restroom quickly, and then leaned over the sink, inspecting his face and the flush that was still present.  The sounds of the party carried on outside of the bathroom and Taehyung knew he needed to leave the safe haven of the tiny space, before someone pounded on the door or worse…Jimin came looking for him and would no doubt scold him for hiding the night away.

Taehyung opened the door, the couple still going at it as they tumbled into the bathroom after him, and Taehyung was actually impressed they hadn’t suffocated by that point. Making his way through the hallway and back through the kitchen, unsurprised the find the group gone. Taehyung already knew Jimin was probably already in the crowd dancing, and if he got his way, Hoseok was probably dancing with him.

As Taehyung made his way out of the kitchen and back the way they had entered the party, his suspicions confirmed, seeing Jimin and Hoseok amongst the bodies, dancing together, effortless, bodies in a rhythm that only they seemed to know, looking every bit the dance majors that they were. As his eyes trailed over the crowd, he noticed Seokjin and Namjoon, the former pulling his boyfriend’s arm and resorting to doing a silly dance to try and entice Namjoon to dance with him, the latter only folding his arms across his chest and shaking his head at Seokjin’s badly executed running man.

The sight made him laugh, and his gaze continued to travel over the room, and when his eyes settled on two figures sitting on one of the loveseats pushed to the edge of the room, he felt suddenly more at ease. Jungkook and Yoongi sat on the small couch, watching their friends on the dance floor and the party around them, and it was like Taehyung could practically see the bubble around them.

Jungkook leant over to Yoongi, pointing at someone in the crowd, smile curling around his words as he spoke to Yoongi, and whatever he said made the latter throw his head back with a bark of laughter. Yoongi’s hand trailed through the hair at the nape of Jungkook’s neck, the waves wilder from air drying, and he said something back that resulted in them both falling into a fit of laughter.

Always in their own bubble, their own private world, and now that Taehyung had felt what it had been like to be inside that bubble, he felt his body naturally gravitate over to the two boys.

“You okay?” Jungkook said as soon as he saw Taehyung approaching, huge sparkling eyes lifting to Taehyung’s in concern.

“I hate it here.” Taehyung huffed as he came to stand in front of them, throwing his hands to his hips and giving a fake pout that only pulled laughter from the two boys in front of him.

“Come on, join the anti-social club,” Yoongi grinned and patted the space between them for Taehyung to sit, the younger easily complying, falling between the two of them with a small huff.

“Hey, speak for yourselves, I’m not anti-social,” Jungkook pointed the rim of his cup slightly towards them as he spoke before downing the rest of his drink.

“Hyung, didn’t you just say the other day that parties make you jittery?” Taehyung smirked playfully, leaning his head back as he eyed Jungkook’s narrowed eyes, head resting on Yoongi’s arm that still rested along the back of the couch.

“Yes, jittery out of excitement.” Jungkook argued playfully, fighting the smile that threatened to form as Taehyung rolled his eyes lazily.

“Ah, excitement, is that what you call it when I find you hiding in a corner every time?” Yoongi leant forward matching Taehyung’s smirk as they both looked at Jungkook’s flat expression.

“I don’t appreciate you two ganging up on me like this,” Jungkook pouted easily, turning away from Taehyung and Yoongi as they laughed at his expression. “Especially you, after we so graciously welcomed you into our anti-social club!” Jungkook grinned over at Taehyung poking his sides, and instantly Taehyung fell into a fit of laughter, Jungkook ruthlessly tickling him as payback. As he shouted for Jungkook to stop, he felt himself falling into Yoongi’s lap, Jungkook falling with him, but he was too consumed with laughter to notice Yoongi looking at both of them with a small, fond smile.

“S-Stop can’t breathe!” Taehyung gasped through his laughter, eyes crinkled shut and finally Jungkook let up, and Taehyung could feel his body hovering over him, Yoongi’s body warm beneath his back.

When he finally opened his eyes to the two faces above him, his heart clenched and suddenly his brain felt fuzzy, his throat dry.

Taehyung didn’t have time to take in their wide eyes, his brain and heart kicking into gear.

“Alright you animal, let me up,” Taehyung pushed at Jungkook’s chest, trying to ignore the way his body sparked with electricity everywhere it touched both Yoongi and Jungkook’s bodies. Jungkook fell back to his side of the couch dramatically, pretending Taehyung had pushed him harder than he did, and Taehyung righted himself back up in between them, laughing breathlessly at Jungkook’s performance.

“Jungkookie, why are you attacking poor Tae?” Two hands fell on the back of the couch on either side of Taehyung’s head. Taehyung leaned back looking up to find Namjoon, smirking at Jungkook and then bringing his eyes to Taehyung’s, “Sorry for earlier Taehyung-ah, didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Joon just says whatever comes to mind, he doesn’t mean anything by it,” Seokjin sauntered up next to Namjoon, throwing both and arm over his shoulders and a loving gaze towards his boyfriend.

“Ah, no it’s okay,” Taehyung smiled up at Namjoon, easing the furrow between his brows, “I was just a little overwhelmed, that’s all.” Taehyung let a bit of honesty slip, not wanting the senior to beat himself up. Taehyung finally found himself feeling at home around the other guys, just as much as he did Jimin and now Jungkook and Yoongi, and he didn’t feel as shy admitting something a little personal like that to Namjoon.

“They are very tight pants.” Taehyung agreed with a giggle, to which Seokjin replied with an easy, “Very tight, but very sexy.” Directing an exaggerated wink down at Taehyung while Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jungkook all made noises of agreement in unison. They all laughed as Taehyung groaned playfully, hitting both Yoongi and Jungkook lightly for playing into Seokjin’s antics.

“There you are!” Jimin eased his way past Seokjin, pointing a finger accusingly at Taehyung. Hoseok trailed behind Jimin, coming up to wrap a lazy arm around Namjoon’s shoulders and grin at Jimin’s drunken shouts. “It’s time!” Jimin grinned eyes glittering as he looked at Taehyung and the latter could only stare at his best friend in confusion.

“Time? Time for what?”

“For you to dance with me!” Jimin singsonged, while moving his hips sensually, beckoning Taehyung playfully with two hands, like he was pulling the air, pulling an invisible rope that would make Taehyung come towards him.

Taehyung’s face fell into a flat expression, “No way.”

“Yes way!” The singsonging only got louder, more commanding.

Taehyung couldn’t help it as his lips twitched into a smile at his best friend, before turning to Yoongi with a sigh.

“Hyung, can I see that?” Taehyung nodded at Yoongi’s drink with a faux worn-out expression. Yoongi passed the cup to Taehyung with a confused smile, eyebrows furrowed slightly, and they all watched as Taehyung threw back the punch, downing it in one go. Yoongi’s eyebrows were raised high as Taehyung passed the cup back to him, nodding his head, “Alright Jimin, one dance.” Taehyung warned as he made his way over to Jimin, grinning as his best friend grabbed his hands, and then suddenly Taehyung’s  grin turned wider, eyes brightening with a sudden thought.

“Ah, wait! Under one condition!”

Jimin groaned pulling on Taehyung’s hands as the rest of the group watched them with humor dancing in all their expressions.

“What condition?” Jimin whined and Taehyung turned a mischievous look towards Namjoon, making the senior’s face drop.

“Namjoon has to dance too.”

The chaos he created rang out around him and he laughed loudly as Namjoon glared at him playfully saying how evil he was, while Jimin barked out a laugh, exclaiming that he knew he’d rub off on Taehyung eventually, and Seokjin clapped his hands delightedly, already pulling Namjoon towards the middle of the room and telling Taehyung, “I knew you were going to end up being my favorite!”

Before Jimin could pull him along to follow the rest of them, Hoseok already rushing to follow the other two and fumbling around for his phone to no doubt film Namjoon, Taehyung looked over his shoulder at Jungkook and Yoongi.

“You guys coming to?”

“Not on your life,” Jungkook bared his teeth in a smile that showed all his perfect teeth, and Yoongi smirked next to him, “Anti-social club remember?” Yoongi finished with a quirked brow, shrugging his shoulders as if that were a definitive reason.

“Yeah, but where one club member goes, the others follow right?” Jimin pulled his wrist, a small tug and Taehyung gave both boys his best puppy dog eyes.

“Nope, not in this club,” Yoongi responded with a grin and Jungkook matched his expression, both of them grinning like cheshire cats over the back of the couch.

Taehyung pouted at the two of them as he relented to Jimin’s tugging and was dragged away, Jungkook and Yoongi smiling brightly and laughing at his expression until him and Jimin disappeared into the crowd.

“Jimin, I don’t…” Taehyung trailed off nervously, eyebrows furrowed, as the heat from all the other bodies crowded him.

“Just breathe,” Jimin instructed, placing his hands on either side of Taehyung’s hips, making him sway to the beat of the song. It took a moment, or two, but Taehyung fell into Jimin’s set rhythm, letting his hips move with Jimin’s guiding hands and soon he was moving to the beat of the song and Jimin grinned brightly in approval.

“Alright Shakira, I knew those hips wouldn’t lie,” Jimin winked and twirled Taehyung around a few times before bringing his body back to face him and Taehyung couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him, head thrown back with it, starting to have fun despite Taehyung never being one for dancefloors.

Jimin never failed to put him at ease, knew the exact way to have Taehyung laughing in seconds and his body feeling relaxed.

Jimin grinded against him playfully, and as Taehyung loosened up, he found himself matching Jimin’s movements, albeit way less gracefully, and found himself lost in the music surrounding them, lost in the feeling of being with his best friend, dancing, a bit goofily at some points, and actually having fun.

Jimin swayed them both to the music playfully, their rhythm totally off beat and Taehyung smiled easily, looking over to his right to see Seokjin and Namjoon nearby. Seokjin was laughing hysterically, head thrown back and phone pointed to capture Namjoon doing some sort of offbeat dance, his lanky limbs moving too fast to be following the beat of the song. Taehyung watched as Namjoon began to get even sillier with his moves, the sight only making Seokjin laugh harder, and Namjoon smirked at his boyfriend, making Taehyung think he was playing it up just to see his boyfriend laugh harder.

The loss of Jimin’s hands on him ripped Taehyung’s gaze away from the couple, to see Hoseok pulling Jimin away, grinning at the freshman while shimmying his shoulders. The sight caused Jimin to fall into Hoseok’s arms, laughing and he looked up at Taehyung, cheeks pushed up high and his eyes like crescents.

“You good if I dance with Hobi?”

Taehyung nodded with a small smile, a knowing one that had Jimin blushing, his cheeks red even when the lights flashed green.

Hoseok pulled him away then and they fell into each other, laughing and moving to the beat of a new song, and Taehyung swayed to the music watching the spark between the two that anyone with eyes would have been able to see.

Taehyung closed his eyes, feeling the punch starting to thrum through him and the bass thumping through the soles of his feet and up through his body. Taehyung swayed to the music, letting himself get lost in the sound around him, letting his hips remember the rhythm Jimin had set for him and letting his body move easily.

After a moment, he felt a touch on his arm, the grip a little too tight before it’s gone just as suddenly as it came followed by an unfamiliar annoyed scoff but before he could think, before he could open his eyes to see the stranger that had grabbed him, he felt a pair of hands on his hips, followed by a pair of hands on his waist.

Taehyung’s eyes flew open, his breath taken away by the sight of Yoongi in front of him, hands loose on his waist as he matched Taehyung’s pace, moving to the music, so close that he could see the sweat glistening on his neck. The hands on his hips and the heat radiating against his back had him turning slightly, meeting Jungkook’s gaze behind him, his eyes dark under the strobe lights, looking down at him and Yoongi as they all moved to the music.

“Thought you guys weren’t dancing?” Taehyung voice came out slightly rough as he looked between the two of them.

“We saw Hoseok pull Jimin away,” Yoongi said simply, palms hot through the material of Taehyung shirt, like Yoongi’s palms were burning through the layers, and Taehyung cocked his head, silently waiting for the rest of their answer.

“Club members don’t let other club members dance alone,” Jungkook’s voice was low and lilted with playfulness in Taehyung’s ear, and he lets out a breathy laugh in response.

Taehyung didn’t know if it was the heat from both boys going to his head, or the punch finally making him tipsy enough not to care about much of anything, or the way those hands, tight on his body, occasionally grazed the skin under the hem of his shirt as they all moved together, made him dizzy with want, or if it was all of it combined that made him decide to close his eyes again.

Taehyung decided to let himself revel in the moment, not caring about the way he felt himself falling, wanting, craving.

They moved with each other, eventually falling into a different rhythm, and Taehyung let himself, if just for one night, fall into the two boys, let himself indulge in the fact that he wanted them both, more than he’d ever wanted anyone and for that moment, as they danced with him, their touches burning and their bodies close, he’d let himself pretend that he could have them.

“Tae, we have to work on your tolerance, you’re such a lightweight,” Yoongi grinned, peeling Taehyung off of Jungkook’s back and laying him on their guest bed gently, smoothing out the hair that fell into his eyes.

“You’re a lightweight!” Taehyung pouted drunkenly, pulling the comforter to his chest before yawning, eyes already shut.

After they had danced for a while, Jimin had decided to drag Taehyung away with the bright idea for them to play drinking games, but Jungkook and Yoongi figured it was his way of getting Taehyung to drink more of the punch.

Jimin’s mission was accomplished regardless, both him and Taehyung giggling as they tried to crawl out of the kitchen together, so drunk they couldn’t even stand. Hoseok had laughed loudly at the two of them when he found them in a drunken pile on the kitchen floor, and the rest of the group had come to see the two freshmen trying their hardest to get up, only to fall back down and into fits of giggles. Hoseok had taken Jimin back to his place, and Jungkook and Yoongi had volunteered to Taehyung back to theirs to sleep it off, not trusting the younger to be alone in his drunken state.

“Your first party at Jackson’s and you’re so drunk you won’t even remember it,” Jungkook sniffed a laugh, pulling the covers over Taehyung’s body, smiling softly at the way his lips twitched into a barely there sleepy smile.

“You’re not going to remember it.”

“Is that the only comeback you have?” Yoongi grinned and pushed more hair away from Taehyung’s face, cheeks going higher as his smile grew when Taehyung sighed in content.

“Yes…” The word was said on a breath, a last exhale as Taehyung started to drift off, his breath evening as he fell into a deep sleep.

Jungkook sighed his smile dropping slightly, eyes trailing over to Yoongi who was still watching Taehyung, his brows furrowed slightly. Then he looked up at Jungkook, eyes knowing and so full of things he didn’t say but that Jungkook could easily understand.

“We should…” Jungkook trailed off, biting his lip as he looked down at Taehyung.

“In the morning, Kook-ah,” Yoongi grabbed his hands and led him out of the guest room, “Let’s sleep for now.”

Taehyung woke up the next morning, the pillow underneath his lips wet with drool and his head thumping with the pain of a hangover. He looked around blearily, taking in the guest room he knew all too well now, and tried his hardest to remember how he got to Yoongi and Jungkook’s apartment.

The night only came to him in flashes, his too tight pants, the trash can punch, Namjoon dancing like one of those wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men, dancing with Jimin, and…

Taehyung sighed heavily, raking two hands down his face, which only made the pain in his head throb more.

What had he been thinking? Dancing with Jungkook and Yoongi like that, indulging in his own stupid fantasies when he knew he needed to back off. Needed to preserve his friendship with the two of them while he still could.

With a sigh, he realized he had to push his feelings down more, couldn’t let himself indulge in moments like that anymore.

Taehyung still didn’t know how he got to the apartment, vaguely remembered Jimin making him play some drinking games and having to throw back multiple cups of punch due to losing, but after that it was all a blur.

He really didn’t know how Jimin did this every weekend.

Taehyung pressed his lips into a firm line, knowing he’d have to apologize to the two boys who once again had to take care of him. Rolling out of bed, he grimaced at his still too tight pants, all too excited to get back to his dorm and change out of his party outfit.

As he stumbled through the hallway, no sign or sound of anyone awake, he took the opportunity to hurry into the guest bathroom.

When he opened the door, his jaw dropped.

Yoongi looked up with wide eyes, hair still damp from being towel dried and the towel slung low on his waist. Taehyung couldn’t help it as his eyes raked over Yoongi’s smooth skin, the way that skin stretched across his body, lightly toned muscles running down his arms, chest and abdomen. Yoongi was fit, his body strong, but at the same time still soft and lithe. A couple wet strands had fallen onto his forehead, and Taehyung watched those muscles and milky white skin shift as Yoongi reached to push the hair back into place, his expression now full of humor.

And that’s when Taehyung realized he was standing their mouth agape, openly checking Yoongi out without even realizing it.

“Yoo – I – Oh my god, I’m sorry!” Taehyung whirled around quickly, ignored the way Yoongi’s eyebrows went up at his shriek, a barely there smile still playing on his lips, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Taehyung was a whirlwind as he walked to the living room, eyes locking on his phone where one of the boys must’ve set it when they brought him home. It sat in a medium-sized ceramic dish shaped like a banana, and normally Taehyung would’ve been intrigued, would’ve laughed as he asked where no doubt Jungkook had picked it up from. Instead, he snatched his phone up, and left the apartment at the same time he heard a door open.

Taehyung power-walked towards the campus, not too far from where Yoongi and Jungkook lived, trying desperately to get his heart unstuck from his throat and his blush under control.

“Ah, I hate winter,” Jimin flopped back on the grass, brown leaves getting stuck into his hair, “Means exams are coming.”

It was colder than the previous days as they sat on the lawn, Taehyung wrapped in an oversized sweater and jeans and Jimin dressed in a similar fashion. The trees were almost bare, just a few dark leaves hanging on until winter pushed its way in. Taehyung breathed in the November air, cold against his cheeks and though he never thought much about weather preference, there was something about that first temperature drop before winter that made him giddy.

Taehyung sketched as Jimin talked, his sketchbook propped against his knees so Jimin couldn’t see. Rarely did he ever hide his art, but for once what he was sketching was private, only between him and the page. Not to mention, Jimin would see it and absolutely, no doubt, ask Taehyung a million questions.

Pencil meets paper and with it creates the silhouette of Yoongi’s bare chest, the slope his shoulders, dark eyes peeking out from behind wet hair.

Taehyung hadn’t been able to get the image out of his head since he’d left the previous day, and so did the only thing he could when an image was stuck in his brain.

He sketched.

Over the last few weeks, he’d been in this predicament quite a bit, and if someone flipped through, they’d see less of his usual sketches and more sketches of Jungkook and Yoongi. Some were of them separately, moments that were like snapshots in Taehyung’s head, and some were of them together, like that night in the bar or that morning in the kitchen. Taehyung couldn’t help himself, the couple constantly inspired him, each time he sat down with his sketchbook, all the moments and images of them came flooding in.

Taehyung didn’t really believe in muses, but he thought that the couple would be his if he did.

Jimin’s voice brought him back from his reverie, shaking his head slightly as he came back to Jimin telling him how Hoseok had let him sleep at his place, going on and on about how amazing Hoseok was.

“You like him, don’t you?” Taehyung grinned as Jimin’s eyes went wide, mouth snapping shut.

“I…,” Jimin searched for words, before he blew out a breath, smirking at Taehyung, “How’d you know?”

“I’m your best friend,” Taehyung said simply, eyes falling back to the page, pencil shaping out Yoongi’s lips, “Plus I kind of noticed when you almost jumped that poor girl at the party, and you’ve said how amazing he is, like five times in the last thirty minutes.” Taehyung smirked over his sketchbook and Jimin blushed before rolling over with a laugh, propping his chin in his hands.

“God Tae, I don’t know he’s just…when he’s around my heart goes haywire and my brain feels like a puddle of goo…but at the same time…I feel like I’m at ease, like the whole world stops when I’m with him.” Jimin’s eyes went far way, crinkling at the sides before he laid his head down on his arms and looked up, “You ever feel like that, Tae?”

Across the lawn, two figures caught his eye, and Taehyung looked up at the two boys crossing the lawn, coming their way. Watching as Jungkook and Yoongi conversed as they meandered over, Jungkook saying something with a silly face and that made both of them smile, and then they both looked up, those smiles brightening as they caught Taehyung’s eye, something about the look in their gazes made his entire body warm at the sight.

Taehyung closed his sketchbook, pulling the band around it to keep it from falling open and looked down at Jimin with a small smile.

“Yeah, I think I have.”

The next weeks passed, and winter pushed its way in quickly, the nights at the bar dwindling as everyone in their little group locked in for exam season. The group chat was silent some nights but occasionally it would go off for a couple of hours, and Taehyung never thought he’d miss the constant ping of his phone or the newest story from a wild night out, but at times he found himself missing the constant chatter in the group chat.

Despite the pause in weekend activities as a group, Taehyung still went to visit Jimin at his dorm, where they’d study together. Or, Taehyung would study, Jimin would loaf around whining about studying and tell Taehyung how he was going to finally tell Hoseok his feelings.

“You said that last week.” Taehyung would say as Jimin tapped away on his phone, textbook forgotten.

“I know…but this week is the week. I can feel it. Mercury is in Gatorade. This is the week to do it.”

“Again…you said that last week.”

Taehyung also continued meeting up with Jungkook and Yoongi, whether it was for dinner or just to chill at their apartment. They had formed their own group chat, where they’d plan where to eat out, Jungkook always having a knack finding new places for them to eat for knowing the newest places were opening up, and when they couldn’t hang out, they’d often text each other, in between classes or at night, most of them consisting of sneaky videos of Yoongi taken by Jungkook while the other was unaware, or the two boys sending videos of themselves asking Taehyung about his day, making sure he ate, and wishing him goodnight and Taehyung doing the same back to them.

The first night after the shower incident, they took him to a small ramen shop, cozy and tucked away in a quieter part of the city. Taehyung hadn’t brought up that morning, and neither had Yoongi. After a few awkward glances from Taehyung, soon the embarrassment melted away and they all fell into rhythm, Taehyung fell back into their bubble, and he found himself never wanting to leave the two at the end of their nights together.

It was so easy, and Jungkook and Yoongi had become so familiar to him. The constant sound of Jungkook’s shutter, always capturing the world around him, was a melody to Taehyung, had become so constant that it felt odd when Jungkook put his camera away for the day. The same way Yoongi would strum at his guitar, or pluck at his piano keys, scribble lyrics or notes down in his notebook, they were all sounds of a constant lullaby as they all sat together, enjoying each other’s company, all tucked into their living room. Taehyung felt at home.

As he continued seeing the couple though, continued to let himself enjoy their company, let himself fall into them, Taehyung felt a new tension creep in.

Taehyung found himself unable to push away his want, the warmth that pooled in his abdomen when Jungkook would sit next to him on the couch, watching an anime and playing with the hair at the back of his head, or when Yoongi would come behind him, gently pressing his warm palms on either side his waist when he needed to get by, giving him a squeeze every time. The way his heart pressed against his ribs every time they would smile at him, or they would make him his favorite foods or when they would both walk him home at night.

It all became so much, he felt so much for the two boys.

Taehyung didn’t know anymore if he could push all those feelings away.

His answer came late one Tuesday night, a soft repetitive knocking on his door. Taehyung was in his pajamas, sketchbook laid out as he enjoyed a roommate free night, watching a new anime and eating ramen loudly.

Initially confused at who would be knocking at his door so late, Taehyung cocked his head. It wasn’t until he heard Jimin’s small, “Taehyung?” that he was up in an instant, wrenching the door open to see his best friend, sniffling, eyes red and puffy.

“Min what happened?” Taehyung pulled him inside, and cleaned up his sketchbook and ramen container, before gently pushing him to sit on the bed. Sitting beside him, Taehyung gathered his hands up in his own and looked at his best friend, full of concern.

“I told Hobi.” Jimin’s voice was small, heartbroken.

Taehyung’s eyebrows furrowed more, confused. Confused because he hadn’t expected this when Jimin finally told Hoseok how he felt. Taehyung saw the fond smiles the junior shot his way, or the way he always took care of him, the way they were always wrapped around each other.

“Tae, he just – he just stood there, I’ve never seen him so silent. Oh god and his expression, he looked so awkward,” Jimin wailed, pushing his face into Taehyung’s chest, letting Taehyung wrap him up in his arms, “He looked like he was so afraid to hurt my feelings, he couldn’t even think of the words to reject me, but I could see it written all over his face.”

“What’s worse is I know our friendship is done now.” Jimin cried harder and Taehyung only pulled him closer, hugging him tighter.

“That’s not true Min,” Taehyung tried to soothe him, but Jimin only looked up quickly, eyes full of heartbreak and it only broke Taehyung’s own heart seeing his best friend like that.

“It is Tae. Never admit your feelings to a friend, it only ruins everything, makes everyone uncomfortable and awkward a-and hurt, and no friendship can survive that.”

Jimin lower lip wobbled as a new set of tears ran down his face, and he pressed his head back into Taehyung’s shoulder, trying to hide from everything he was feeling.

Taehyung let him cry, held him tight, all while his words bounced around Taehyung’s head for the rest of the night.

No friendship can survive that.

“You’re quiet,” Jungkook bumped Taehyung’s shoulder lightly, smiling at the way his round eyes looked up at him, the sunlight highlighting a few of the golden flecks amongst the brown, the olive turtleneck he wore making his smooth tan skin so much more prominent. The air was cold, the breeze sometimes biting at Jungkook’s cheeks, but just looking at Taehyung made him feel warm.

It was just him and Taehyung during lunch that day, Yoongi texting them both before lunch, letting them know he wouldn’t make it since he had to work on his final project. Both Jungkook and Taehyung had sent back pouting emojis, and then when they’d gotten to their spot, Taehyung and Jungkook sent him a video of them both yelling, “Fighting!” cutely and Taehyung told Jungkook to follow it up with a few too many heart emojis, which Jungkook happily obliged. They only got a selfie back, one of Yoongi giving them a thumbs up with a flat expression, but they both noticed the blush on his cheeks and Jungkook knew what his other half was feeling.

He felt it then as he looked at Taehyung’s soft expression, his full pink lips falling open in confusion.

“What? You don’t wanna talk to me without Yoongi around?” Jungkook pouted, if only to cover up the goofy grin that had started to make its way onto his face as his eyes traced over Taehyung’s big eyes, the freckles dotting his face, the cutest one right on the tip of his nose – “I always knew you liked him better than me.” Jungkook said dramatically, mock anger pulling his eyebrows down as Taehyung laughed softly, “Well too bad, you’re stuck with me today, kid.” Taehyung’s laugh grew at his pointed finger and Jungkook’s chest warmed at the sound, wishing he could take a picture of Taehyung’s boxy smile and send it to Yoongi without Taehyung noticing, knowing it would brighten Yoongi’s day as much as it did his.

“Stop it,” Taehyung rolled his eyes and looked over at Jungkook, something earnest entering his eyes, “I love you both the same.”

Jungkook’s heart clenched, eyes widening, but he caught himself quickly and raised his camera to snap a picture of Taehyung capturing his expression before he turned his head shyly with a smile and Jungkook decided to capture that too.

“Aish,” Taehyung tried to cover his face to stop Jungkook, but it only spurred the older on, and Taehyung giggled, gently pushing Jungkook’s camera away.

“That’s better,” Jungkook said softly while lowering his camera bit, eyes focused on Taehyung’s lingering smile, and then answered the question in Taehyung’s eyes, “You’ve looked so down today.” Jungkook noticed the way Taehyung’s smile dropped slowly, his eyes trailing up to the tree they always sat under, the leaves all gone from its branches.

Needing something to do with his hands, trying to distract them from reaching out, Jungkook let his camera rest against his chest, grabbing his coffee, the cup lukewarm in his hand.

“You ever want something so bad, but you know you can’t have it.” Taehyung sighed, eyes coming back down to Jungkook’s but the emotion swirling in his eyes took Jungkook off guard. The way he looked at Jungkook made his heart thump heavily, the blood in his veins feel even warmer.

The drink slipped from his hands before he knew it, falling onto the grass beside him, coloring the already dead grass dark with the remnants of his coffee.

“Ah shit,” Jungkook scooted over, closer to Taehyung and he heard a hitch in the younger’s breath when their thighs touched.

“I-I’ll go get us some more,” Taehyung said quickly, breathy, and Jungkook looked up at him curiously.

Jungkook parted his lips, ready to tell him not to worry about it and remind him of his full cup of hot chocolate sitting between them, but Taehyung was already started in the direction of the food stands, his steps brisque, almost rushed.

Jungkook sighed, looking down at his spilled coffee and then began to take more pictures while waiting for Taehyung. He noticed a magpie sitting on one of the branches of their tree, high up above him and he zoomed in to get a shot. As soon as he snapped the picture, the magpie set off and Jungkook laughed easily, twisting his body quickly to get a picture of the bird in flight. As his shutter went off, he felt his knee knock against something, not paying much attention until he felt a wetness seeping through his jeans.

When Jungkook looked down, a noise of panic made its way out of his throat, magpie instantly forgotten.

The hot chocolate tumped over onto Taehyung’s sketchbook, liquid chocolate pooling over the cover and onto the sides.

“Shit!” Jungkook let his camera fall against his chest, rushing to pull the sketchbook out from under the cup and inspect it for damage.

Jungkook felt panic seep in as he desperately tried to dry the cover, inspected the sides and noticed the pages were drenched in dark brown. Jungkook knew that Taehyung had always been a bit secretive about showing his entire sketchbook, especially as of late, always closing it whenever people were around. As much as Jungkook loved to see Taehyung’s art, even Yoongi too, they both respected Taehyung only showing the art he wanted to. Jungkook knew this, knew that Taehyung would rightfully be angry if Jungkook opened his sketchbook, but it didn’t stop Jungkook, knowing he would rather endure Taehyung’s anger if it meant he didn’t ruin Taehyung’s hard work, ruin his beautiful sketches.

He flipped through quickly, trying not to look at the sketches of flowers, the bar, Chinese lanterns, their tree that they eat lunch under, Hoseok’s heart shaped smile and crinkled eyes, Seokjin laughing with his hand trying to conceal it, Namjoon and his eyes bright the way they got in the middle of him telling a story, Jimin asleep on a pillow, all these moments blurred past as Jungkook checked the book for damages.

A sigh of relief escaped him when he realized all the pages were safe but just as he was about to close it back up, he saw a pair of familiar soft, yet piercing eyes that drew his attention. Jungkook instantly recognized the firm chest, the lithe body and lazy smirk.

Yoongi stared up at him from the page, his chest bare, looking as if he had just gotten out of the shower. Jungkook’s felt warmth pool in him as he took in the sketches of Yoongi’s lips, one capturing perfectly the way he licked his bottom lip when he was in thought. Without thinking, a finger was flipping the page, wide eyes taking in another picture of Yoongi laughing, and Jungkook’s heart warmed, he couldn’t exactly pinpoint it, but the sketch felt so full of emotion, the same emotion he felt when he looked at Yoongi, the same way he now felt when he looked at Taehyung.

Jungkook didn’t get a chance to think about it more before he heard a strangled gasp behind him, as if the person had stumbled onto a murder scene and turned to see Taehyung, the two new cups of hot chocolates on the grass by his shoes. Jungkook’s wide eyes looked up at Taehyung’s, so wide and full of embarrassment, terror and only focused on the sketchbook in Jungkook’s hands, locking onto the picture of Yoongi.

“Tae-“ Jungkook started, raising onto his knees.

Taehyung launched forward, ripping the sketchbook out of his hands and ran, ignoring Jungkook’s desperate calls behind him.

Taehyung slammed the door to his dorm room closed, tears pouring down his face, cheeks frozen from the wind against his face as he ran. He looked around the room, letting the panic and anxiety overtake him as soon as he realized it was empty.

Jungkook’s shocked face, looking down at the sketches of Yoongi flit through Taehyung’s mind, all at once, fast and Taehyung couldn’t help the sob that ripped out of his chest. Throwing his sketchbook at the wall, not caring about the way it fell, the pages all in a disarray, Taehyung sunk down into his mattress, head in his hands.

Horrible, he thought to himself, everything was ruined and horrible.

Every outcome for him was laced with loss, he either let Jungkook think the worst, that Taehyung had feelings for his boyfriend, or, he told them the truth…but either way their friendship was ruined.

Taehyung thought of how Jungkook and Yoongi would react, thought of the way his life would feel, losing the two of them, the ache in his chest growing.

He thought of Jimin, crying in his arms.

No friendship can survive that.

Taehyung curled into himself, the tears flowing no matter how hard he tried to stop them. The ache in his heart made him feel as if his chest were breaking apart, and he thought of Yoongi and Jungkook, their smiling faces, Yoongi playing guitar on a sunny day, a soft smile playing on his lips, the way he calmed the room around him, or Jungkook snapping pictures as they walked through the city, eyes sparkling at the world around them, and he thought of the feel of their hands, the gentle touches, the fingers that would find the hair at the back of his head and play with it for hours, the two sets of eyes that always found him, even in the crowded bar or across the school’s lawn.

The images flashed across his mind, like a supercut, and Taehyung mourned them all, as if they were already ripped away from him.

Time passed slowly, excruciatingly so, the next two weeks, and Taehyung felt as if he were on autopilot, his mind numb, his heart fairing no better.

After crying himself to sleep, Taehyung woke up the next morning to messages in the group chat between himself, Yoongi, and Jungkook. There were only a few, but Taehyung swiped them away, a sour taste in his mouth and blocked the group chat altogether.

Deep down, he knew he should at least explain himself; he didn’t want either of them to think the worst of him, but Taehyung couldn’t. Couldn’t face them, couldn’t face the rejection, couldn’t face the pitiful expressions, couldn’t face his heart breaking even more than it already was.

So reluctantly, he went back to life without Yoongi and Jungkook.

Taehyung went to class, avoiding the photography department at all costs, even leaving at different times so as not to run into either of the boys during his lunch break. He’d leave classes early or linger in the art department longer, and as he’d pass the lawn on his way back to his dorm, he’d see their spot, their tree standing tall, the space underneath it empty and his heart would only ache more.

Other than classes, Taehyung went back to holing himself up in his dorm, working on assignments and sketching. The sketchbook Jungkook had looked inside was promptly shoved into his drawer with the rest of his old notebooks, and he started a new one only filled with practice sketches for class. Taehyung couldn’t afford to look at his sketches of Yoongi and Jungkook, didn’t want his roommate to see him crying, didn’t want to feel the emotions attached to each sketch, was trying so desperately not to remember Jungkook’s widened eyes as he looked at the ones of Yoongi.

Taehyung found himself back into his old routine, but somehow…it didn’t bring the comfort it used to.

Over the past months, Yoongi and Jungkook had weaved themselves into Taehyung’s life so easily, and unknowingly to them had created a knew routine for Taehyung and the solitude on a Friday night, camped out in his dorm that used to bring him comfort, now felt strangely quiet…too lonely.

Taehyung constantly felt like he was missing something. Missing two someones.

“You look like shit.”

Seungmin commented as he slung his jacket on, looking Friday night ready. Taehyung looked up from his sketch, and narrowed his eyes with a small frown, only responding with a hum. Seungmin and him rarely saw each other and when they did, they only made friendly passing conversation, so for him to comment on Taehyung’s appearance, and the added furrow of concern in his brows, it meant something.

It meant Taehyung was more transparent than he thought and he’d been trying to let on.

Before he left, Seungmin offered the leftover noodles in their mini fridge to Taehyung, awkward but sweet with his concern before he gave a friendly wave and wished him a goodnight, to which Taehyung responded with a weak smile and a whispered, “Thanks.”

As the door shut, Taehyung was left alone with the quiet and his thoughts.

The worst two things for him at that moment.

With a sigh, he put his sketchbook away, and pulled out his laptop, needing something to drown his thoughts, drown the anxiety that had been extra present lately, and he banished the thoughts of a green couch and the comforting heat from bodies on either side of him.

Taehyung scrolled through his streaming apps, when an anime that he had planned to watch with Yoongi and Jungkook had caught his eye. Initially he scrolled past it, fast, before doubling back with a sigh, looking at the digital poster, remembering Yoongi laughing at how excited he and Jungkook had gotten, rewatching the trailer for it during one of their many lunches together.

Taehyung pressed play after some hesitation, settled in as the show began to play and thought to himself, he would have to get used to this.

He’d have to acclimate back to life without them, no matter how much that idea made his heart break.

It was after two weeks, after dodging and creeping around campus that Taehyung’s luck ran out.

Taehyung lingered around his final class of the day, sticking to his schedule for making sure there was no run ins with Yoongi or Jungkook, even going so far as to skip lunch altogether. Fitting the strap of his messenger bag over his shoulder, Taehyung walked out into the hallways, only a few people milling about, most of them gone back to their dorms or other afternoon activities. Taehyung was caught up in thoughts about his final project, thoughts about his teacher telling him firmly that he had to submit an idea to her for part of his rough draft, and how he’d been so wrapped up in his personal life he hadn’t even begun to think about his final project.

As he turned the corner, worrying his bottom lip as he thought about ideas, he collided with someone.

Taehyung was a believer in karma, cosmic forces, and everything that came with it. So, he knew the universe planned things out, laid the groundwork for things to happen and to not happen.

Apparently, the universe loathed him.

“Tae?”

Jungkook’s voice was like a shock to his system, and he instantly felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him. Taehyung looked up meeting those wide eyes that seemed to always hold galaxies, and he recoiled, his body, his anxiety taking over.

Jungkook’s eyebrows furrowed in hurt, reaching out for Taehyung, but all Taehyung could do was try to escape. He wasn’t ready for this conversation; he wasn’t ready to replace the memory of Jungkook’s smile in his mind with an expression of disgust or anger. Taehyung couldn’t face the rejection, wouldn’t.

“I-I’m so sorry.”

“Taehyung, just – wait –“

“I’m so sorry Jungkook.”

And he was, he was sorry he was such a coward, sorry that he couldn’t at least have the courage to explain himself to Jungkook, he was sorry that he was the reason his, Jungkook’s and Yoongi’s friendship was blown to smithereens.

Sorry he couldn’t keep his stupid heart from falling in love with the two of them.

Taehyung could feel the burn in his eyes as he looked at Jungkook before breezing past him, ignoring Jungkook reaching for him, ignoring Jungkook calling for him, running away, again.

“You look like you just saw a ghost.”

Yoongi was seated in his usual spot on their loveseat when Jungkook walked into the apartment, the evergreen color a contrast with his black track pants and oversized black shirt. Pale fingers plucked at the strings of the guitar, and he wrote some notes in his music notebook, not looking up as Jungkook threw his set of keys into the holder and dropped his bag by the door, ruffling the back of his hair, needing something to do with his nervous energy.

“I saw Tae.”

Yoongi’s pen paused over the notebook, and he looked up silently, eyebrows raised.

“Oh.”

Jungkook sighed heavily, coming to sit next to him on the couch, waiting for Yoongi to set his guitar down before flopping onto his boyfriend’s lap, looking up at him, eyebrows furrowed.

“I might’ve waited around the art department to see if I could run into him.”

“Kook-ah.” Yoongi admonished lightly, brushing his fingers lightly through Jungkook’s hair, watching his eyes flutter at the feeling.

“As if you weren’t hoping for the same when I found you loitering by the entrance to the art department the other day,” Jungkook raised an eyebrow playfully despite the weariness of his face that had seemed to settle there the past week, “I know you weren’t just bringing me lunch, like you said you were, I know you too well Yoongi.”

Yoongi smiled softly at being caught, but it dropped as he watched Jungkook’s playful expression slip back into one of sadness, his eyes losing a bit of their sparkle as he looked away at nothing in particular.  Yoongi continued running his fingers through his hair, softly leading it away from his forehead and he didn’t quite know if he did it to calm himself or Jungkook, or maybe both.

“He looked so –“ The words seemed to get lodged in Jungkook’s throat for a moment before he continued with a sigh, “He looked so sad, and so afraid to talk to me. Only kept apologizing before he ran away from me. I think he thinks we’re angry at him.”

Yoongi’s heart clenched at the thought, hating the possibility that Taehyung would ever think those thoughts, hating the image Jungkook’s words conjured up of Taehyung’s eyes, filled with sadness.

“We just need to give him space, I think.”

And Yoongi really didn’t know what they needed to do, but he knew Taehyung well enough by now that Yoongi knew he needed time to himself, time he had made it very clear he needed. As much as it hurt, Yoongi knew they needed to respect that, give him his space and he knew Jungkook, deep down, knew that too.

It didn’t mean that they both didn’t occasionally reach for their phones, wanting to call or message him, just to even make sure he was okay, or didn’t both find themselves eating lunch out on the lawn like usual, both heads turning every time someone walked by, hoping maybe it was Taehyung coming to join them. It didn’t mean that they didn’t both share a mutual ache in their hearts, both feeling the loss of Taehyung’s presence in their lives.

Jungkook shifted then and curled into Yoongi’s stomach, nose brushing against the soft material covering it. Yoongi only shifted his fingers to the back of Jungkook’s head, playing with the waves that curl at the nape of Jungkook’s neck.

“I know…I just want him to know…” Jungkook breathed deeply and after a beat let the air out through his mouth in a shaky sigh, “I just…I miss him.”

Yoongi’s eyes fluttered shut and he let his head fall back against the cushions behind him, letting out a heavy sigh of his own.

“I know, I miss him too.”

A week passed since Taehyung ran into Jungkook and even after so many days of replaying the conversation, if you could even call it that, in his head, Taehyung still cringed every time he remembered Jungkook’s crestfallen expression, cringed every time he thought about the fact that he quite literally ran away from Jungkook, a second time to make it even worse. Taehyung just couldn’t help it though, the anxiety within him taking control, moving his feet away from the prospect of Jungkook and Yoongi’s rejection. In the back of his mind, a logical voice whispered that having a conversation with the two wouldn’t do any more damage that had already been done, that the friendship was over already, how could his reasoning break what had already been broken. However, Taehyung let his anxiousness and sadness push that voice away, feeling as if being in this weird heartbroken limbo with no closure was so much better than hearing and feeling the rejection from the two boys. It was better than the finality and actuality of his friendship being over, once and for all.

Taehyung listened to the sounds of Seungmin’s phone as he scrolled through social media, the sounds of him scrolling through videos, some of people talking to the camera, telling funny stories, or just random bursts of popular songs that no doubt someone was doing some dance trend to, and he tried to block the thoughts of Yoongi and Jungkook, the thoughts that hadn’t let him rest for the last few weeks. It was a Friday afternoon, and Seungmin was either waiting to get ready for a party, or for once didn’t have plans, but Taehyung didn’t mind the company, if anything it kept him from all the wallowing he’d do if it were just him in the room by himself.

The sketchbook he’d started sits open on his lap, the same drawing from three weeks ago still barely finished, still staring up at him, and Taehyung blew out a breath like he did every time he looked at the page and nothing pulled at him, there was no itch to press his charcoal to the paper.

A loud thumping of someone banging on their door caused Taehyung and his roommate’s head to whip up and then over at each other. Taehyung, clearly knowing he wasn’t expecting anyone, raised a brow at Seungmin in question, to which his roommate just responded with a shrug. Clearly, he wasn’t expecting anyone either.

Then a few more thumps, accompanied by a familiar voice, demanding, one that Taehyung could pick out in a crowd, yelling through the door as he continued to beat against it.

“Yah! Kim Taehyung! I know you’re in there, and as your best friend I will bang on this door all night until you let me in!”

A smirk formed on Seungmin’s face at Taehyung’s wide eyes, then the former went back to scrolling on his phone, speaking while his thumb tapped the screen, “I think that’s for you.”

Taehyung blew out a laugh before throwing his sketchbook to the side, and dragging himself over to the door, the repetitive banging only continuing as Jimin held tight to his promise, muffled yelling on the other side as he continued to threaten Taehyung.

The door opened and Taehyung didn’t have a chance to breathe before Jimin tumbled into the room, pointing a finger into Taehyung’s chest.

“Oh, so you are alive!” Jimin growled, throwing his hands up in the air before looking past Taehyung quickly with a small flutter of his lashes, “Hi Seungmin.”

Taehyung was always in awe of the way Jimin could naturally flirt with quite literally anybody, the way he exuded charm no matter what situation he was in or where he was at.

“Hi Jimin,” Seungmin said from his spot on his bed, with a laugh shaking his voice.

 Jimin winked once before pressing his pointer finger back into Taehyung’s chest pushing him further into the room, causing him to trip backwards a bit as he fell back onto his bed, “Why have you been pulling a houdini on me?! What is going on with you?” Jimin pressed his finger with each word and Taehyung grabbed Jimin’s wrist, eyes wide.

“Nothing’s going on with me,” Taehyung floundered for an excuse, looking pathetically at his rumpled pillows instead of Jimin’s probing gaze, knowing he wasn’t very good at lying to his best friend, “I’m not pulling a houdini on you.”

“Oh really? For three weeks, I haven’t seen you, you’ve barely talked to me, hell anyone, and when I do talk to you it’s through text and all I get is one word messages or that stupid smiling blushing emoji you use when you’re in a funk but you’re trying to cover it up, because you don’t want to worry anyone.” Jimin breathed out heavily after he finished, crossing his arms and glaring down at Taehyung.

“I – “

“I always understand when you’re going through something or need solitude, but you always at least tell me that’s how you’re feeling, so I don’t worry when you drop off the face of the earth for a little bit.” And it’s the hurt that entered Jimin’s expression, that coated his words that made Taehyung’s expression fall, his eyes burn with itch of tears.

“I’m sorry, I know, I’ve just been very overwhelmed,” Taehyung tried to put everything that had been going on into the simplest terms, so he didn’t have to lie to Jimin, “I should’ve at least told you, I didn’t mean to make you mad or upset.”

Jimin sighed heavily, expression lightening as he rolled his eyes, “I’m not mad at you Taehyung. Upset? Well, yes, but only because I worry and care about you. I know how you get, how you can get so tangled up in that head of yours, and when you go ghost mode on me, it just makes me worry about you.” Jimin’s eyes crinkled, though his smile was slightly sad. “Sorry for barging in and being so…demanding…you know how I get when I think you’re ignoring me.”

Taehyung laughed then, knowing it was just a taste of how Jimin could be when he thought he was being ignored, and he wrapped his arms around Jimin, pulling him close.

“Don’t be sorry, sometimes I need you to barge in and clear my head,” Taehyung giggled and as his eyes moved around the room, he caught a glance of Seungmin side-eyeing them.

“Sometimes I wish I could crack that head open and roomba up all the bad thoughts,” Jimin pulled back with a grin and the image his words conjured up only made them both break out in laughter. They both looked over at Seungmin for a moment, who only looked at them with a perplexed expression that made them erupt into more laughter.

Taehyung wiped the tears from his eyes, the first happy ones since a couple of weeks ago and relished the feeling of Jimin’s body leaning against his, shaking with the remnants of his laughter.

After they both sobered up, choosing to lay on Taehyung’s bed, Jimin squished into his side and Taehyung wrapping both arms around his best friend, Jimin decided to turn a small smile over to Taehyung.

“So…now that we’re friends again – “

“We never stopped being friends, dramatic.” Taehyung shoved him away playfully and Jimin only squeezed onto him tighter, raising his voice louder through his giggles.

“Now that we’re friends again, we should go out,” Jimin’s bounced up looking down at Taehyung’s wide eyes with a grin, “It’s been weeks since we’ve hung out together, I need my Taehyung time, and it’s Friday night, the stars have actually aligned for it.” Jimin waggled his eyebrows trying to entice Taehyung, who looked away.

“I don’t really feel like going to the bar,” Taehyung said lowly, peeking over at his best friend’s reaction and surprised when Jimin recoiled instantly.

“Oh, I didn’t mean the bar, no, absolutely not.”

The words were cold, yet Jimin looked nervous, almost dejected as he said them.

And Taehyung realized that while for the past few weeks he’d been avoiding his own heartbreak…Jimin had still been avoiding his own.

“I was actually thinking you might be up for another party at Jackson’s?” Jimin instantly put on his best pair of puppy dog eyes, jutting out his bottom lip when Taehyung only stared at him. Taehyung sighed, thinking about Jimin’s offer but before he could respond Jimin continued on.

“I know, it’s not really your thing…I just haven’t been out since, well, you know,” Jimin scratched the back of his head with a humorless laugh, “I don’t know, I just thought we’d have fun. We can stay in though, if you’re really not feeling it, we could order takeout and watch a new anime, I just really want to be with my best friend.” Jimin shrugged easily and Taehyung’s heart clenched at his words, a small smile forming as Jimin started thinking of what they could order, already mulling over whether it was a fried chicken or pizza kind of night.

Really, Taehyung didn’t necessarily care much about going to the party, and a tiny part of him was anxious at the prospect of seeing two certain someone’s but didn’t have the courage to ask Jimin who all would be there, as that would open up the conversation of why he was avoiding them. However, as he listened to Jimin debate between what foods they should eat and what anime Taehyung wanted to watch, when really, he knew Jimin had pushed his want to go to the party to the backburner for him, Taehyung thought to himself that maybe he needed to go to the party.

Not only did he want to comfort Jimin, who unknowingly was in the same situation as Taehyung. Trying to find your way in a new routine, a new version of your life without certain people in it, when you so desperately missed your old routine and hadn’t wanted to lose those people in the first place, trying to mend your heart when the people that made you feel whole again…weren’t there anymore. Taehyung knew how hard that was, how just the simple act of them going to a party on a Friday night, dancing together, could maybe make life feel just a little less heartbreaking.

And maybe, comforting Jimin aside, maybe this was what Taehyung needed. Maybe a change of plans, a change of scenery with his best friend could help Taehyung to get used to the sudden change in his life. As suddenly as Yoongi and Jungkook had entered his life, they had left it just the same and for three weeks Taehyung had just been listless and wallowing in the loss.

Maybe some trash can punch and dancing with Jimin was what he needed to wrench himself out the standstill that he’d been in.

Taehyung laid a hand on Jimin’s denim clad thigh, raising his voice just loud enough to cut above Jimin’s babbling, “Let’s go to Jackson’s party.”

Comical was the only way to describe the sight of Jimin’s mouth hanging open as the words died on his lips instantly, looking at Taehyung as if he had grown two heads.

“Um, who are you and what have you done with Taehyung?”

“I think you’re right, I think we’d have fun, so let’s go,” Taehyung shrugged already looking around for something to wear, his two-day old sweatpants not really the vibe he was going for that night, “Plus you’re right, I just really want to hang out with my best friend.” A rectangular smile overtook his face and Jimin’s eyes almost seemed to sparkle in response, wide and round as he stared up at Taehyung.

“I would normally waste time and argue that you totally aren’t in your right mind and try to figure out why, but I’m absolutely not squandering this once in a lifetime opportunity of you agreeing so easily with me.” Jimin chuckled easily before getting up and walking past Taehyung, albeit with a quick press of his hand to Taehyung’s forehead cocking his head when he didn’t feel a fever, and then threw his hands to his hips, his cropped shirt riding higher, “Alright let’s get ready! Seungmin be a gentleman and call us an uber please!”

“Excuse me?”

Jimin ignored him easily, already headed to Taehyung’s dresser, pulling a drawer open and pouting in thought. It was only when Taehyung saw him reach in, starting to pull out familiar black pants, that Taehyung swatted him away and closed the drawer quickly, pressing his backside against it with a playful glare sent his best friend’s way.

“Absolutely not.”

Taehyung hadn’t thought it possible, but as he and Jimin entered the party he noted that there were even more people crowded into the space than last time. The place looked and sounded the same as last time, same strobe lights, same music, except this time Taehyung and Jimin had to push through the bodies lining the walls and pressed together throughout the apartment, and Taehyung vaguely wondered about the building threshold for capacity and thought to himself that Jackson definitely must be going over the allowed number.

Taehyung guessed it must be the upcoming winter break, only a little over a week away, that everyone was trying to get in their last bit of partying. Their last bit of freedom before they had to take exams and then they’d all scatter to their respective hometowns, all going back to see family for the holidays. Taehyung was lucky, he had Jimin to go back home with, a constant in his old life and his new life, but for others they would leave their life, their friends, their new home and go back to their old life, a life of someone younger with less freedoms, without the new bonds they’d made in college.

They both pushed their way through the living room, the furniture once again pushed around to allow for a makeshift dancefloor, and the strobe lights hit him as his eyes darted around the room, settling for a moment on the couch he’d sat on with Jungkook and Yoongi, eyes traveling over the dancefloor and the bodies in motion and his mind traveled back to two sets of hands on his waist and hips, two bodies pressed on either side of him, and Taehyung felt a spike of frustration within him.

Frustration at his ability to associate the most mundane things with people, memories, the way even just some strobe lights and a stranger’s couch made him think of Yoongi and Jungkook, made his heart clench with memories of the two of them.

He never quite understood that movie about the couple wanting to wipe their memories of each other and everything that reminded them of each other.

He got it then.

The living room left his sight as they headed towards the kitchen, Jimin holding firm onto Taehyung’s hand until he let go to pour them both drinks.

Taehyung smiled easily, laughing a bit when Jimin made them cheers to “a fantastic night with my soulmate and to being single and sexy as hell” and they tapped their red cups together before downing their drinks in one go, and refilling their cups just as quickly. Taehyung ignored the loud music pressing in on him from all sides, the bodies moving past them every second it felt like, and let the drinks wash away the rabbit hole of misery he’d been stuck in for the last three weeks. With every drink, he swallows down his sadness and washes it away with what tasted like a mix of tequila, vodka, fruit punch, and something with a peachy aftertaste, amongst a few other flavors.

A couple drinks later, Jimin dragged him back to the living room, and Taehyung could safely say he was feeling the buzz of alcohol numbing his mind and weighing heavily throughout his limbs. Jimin pulled him onto the makeshift dance floor and Taehyung followed easily, not worrying about the people around him or how horribly he danced, only throwing his head back with a laugh as Jimin pulled out his sexiest moves, moving his body against Taehyung’s sensually but also playful.

Taehyung found himself lost in the motion, in the bass thumping in his ears, and he leant back against Jimin, closing his eyes and imitating Jimin’s moves, circling his hips more fluidly than he would’ve expected from himself. The shirt he’d settled on, a white ringer tee with a blue graphic on the front, rode up a bit as he raised his arms in the air, worn baggy denim low on his hips and showing peeks of his skin as he moved to the music. Thoughts numbed to the alcohol running through him, the room tilting a bit as the liquor settles in him, Taehyung lost himself in the moment with his best friend, and the haziness of his brain.

It was after about three songs that someone approached them, the platinum hair out of Taehyung’s peripheral signaling who it was before he got a good look at his face. Taehyung spotted Hoseok first, forgetting for a moment the situation between him and Jimin, and gave him a drunk grin, before it fell and he turned to Jimin, still dancing behind him.

“Jimin?” Hoseok came closer, raising a hand, gently laying it over Jimin’s arm, bringing the other to an abrupt stop.

“H-Hobi? What are you doing here?” Jimin was wide eyed, eyes glistening underneath the lights and Taehyung grabbed his hand unconsciously, squeezing gently to remind him he was there.

“I thought you might be here,” Hoseok’s grin was not the usual bright one that seemed to light up the room, this one was slightly sad around the edges, before it fell completely into a tight-lipped grimace, “Can we talk?”

“I don’t think there’s really anything left to say,” Jimin said lowly, gripping Taehyung’s hand, looking down at his feet.

“Maybe for you,” Hoseok’s expression twisted, an unspoken plea in his eyes as he looked at Jimin as the lights flashed red across his face, “You spoke, but I never got a chance, you left before I had even processed everything.”

Taehyung looked around the space of the living room, and he told himself it was to give them a bit of privacy, but as his eyes wandered, zeroing in minutely on every face in the room, he had to admit to himself that he was looking for two people. Normally where one member of their group went, the rest seemed to follow, and Taehyung couldn’t help himself hoping, despite his earlier thoughts, for two certain people to have followed Hoseok to the party that night.

Taehyung blamed the trash can punch muddling his brain, especially the rational and logical parts.

“Tae?” Jimin’s voice pulled him back to the conversation and Taehyung blinked at him slowly, finding both Hoseok and Jimin looking at him.

“Huh?” The word felt weird on Taehyung’s tongue, and he fought off the urge to repeat it a couple of times, the sluggishness of his brain making his own words sound unfamiliar to himself.

“Are you okay for a little bit, while I talk to Hoseok?” Jimin looked unsure, eyeing the way Taehyung swayed to the music, a dopey smile on his face before he suddenly nodded a little too enthusiastically.

Taehyung ‘s head felt heavier than before as he nodded at his best friend, even throwing two thumbs up, “I’m great! Go talk!”

Jimin looked unsure still, and even Hoseok looked at him with narrowed eyes, before his best friend pointed a stern finger at him, close enough that Taehyung’s eyes crossed as he locked his gaze on it.

“Do not leave this space, go sit on one of the couches if you start to feel dizzy,” Jimin said the words slow but commanding, like he was drilling them into Taehyung’s muddled head, “I will come right back afterwards, so wait for me, don’t go off anywhere.”

“Aye aye captain,” Taehyung did a little two finger salute that only made Jimin narrow his eyes and Hoseok bark out a laugh, before he sobered up after a look from Jimin. Hoseok pulled Jimin away after a moment, gently guiding Taehyung’s best friend away through the crowd of people.

Normally after being left alone in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, bodies pressing close around him every way he looked, Taehyung’s anxiety would’ve taken over him, made him push his way through the crowd to find the nearest corner and make sure to hug the wall until Jimin came back for him.

However, with the drinks he’d consumed finally settling in his stomach, the alcohol entering his bloodstream and making the strobe lights less abrasive to his eyes and more fuzzy, the music thumping through his body and making him feel as if the bass was rattling his bones, everything felt less stressful, light. Taehyung found himself moving to the music by himself, head lolling back as he let the beat thump along with his heartbeat and he swayed his hips to the familiar song. Closing his eyes, and enjoying the feeling of not thinking.

Taehyung was allowed only a few moments of peace though, before he felt rough hands on his hips, dragging him back and his eyes opened blearily. Turning quickly, despite his head feeling as if it was turning slower than his body, Taehyung lost his balance slightly falling into the stranger’s body before pushing himself back up right. Maybe he should’ve listened to Jimin, maybe he needed one of the couches to sit on.

“Don’t worry baby, I’ll hold you,” The guy said lowly, holding tighter to Taehyung’s hips, only making Taehyung’s skin crawl at the feeling, the hands gripping him too tight, even with the denim separating them from his skin. Taehyung didn’t get a good look at him, trying to untangle himself quickly, only to have the grip on his hips tighten even more, making the anxiety that had seemed to disappear come back to him instantly.

“I-I’m good, I actually need to go find my friend, let me go.” Taehyung tried hard to sound confident, maybe even a little threatening, but in his drunk state the words only came out slurred and meek, and Taehyung tried to push the guys arms away, only to feel them snap back to his body, the guy clearly having a bit more muscle than Taehyung.

“Aw don’t be like that,” The guy leant closer, and suddenly Taehyung felt a tongue pressed against the shell of his ear and he felt like he was moments away from emptying the contents of his stomach, “Just wanna have fun with you.”

“Get off me,” Taehyung pushed against the guy’s chest, desperate to get him away, get to the nearest bathroom and wash the feeling of his slimy tongue and words off his body and out of his mind. “Leave me alone.”

Not taking that as an answer or taking his lack of consent and his aversion into consideration at all, the guy only pulled him closer, and Taehyung could feel his heart threatening the beat out of his chest, the tears prickling at his eyes, the strobe lights suddenly too bright again.

The guy leant closer again and Taehyung, still pushing against his chest, closed his eyes preparing to feel whatever the guy was about to do to him before hands settled on his shoulders yanking him back, and a familiar voice tinged with anger spoke up from behind him.

“You might want to find someone who actually wants you dude, I’m pretty sure he said to leave him alone.” Jungkook’s voice was steady by Taehyung’s ear, his voice harder, a threatening lilt in his voice that Taehyung had never heard before.

The suddenness of the guy’s hands leaving his body and hearing Jungkook’s voice for the first time in what felt like ages, tinged dark with his  anger, sent Taehyung reeling a bit, his head only spinning more when he was pulled back into a firm chest covered by soft material, the smell of strawberry and pears surrounding him, and Yoongi’s low voice at his other ear, gravelly and soft, a touch above a whisper, “Don’t worry Tae, we’ve got you.”

Yoongi’s arms wound around his waist, pressing Taehyung closer against his body and Taehyung didn’t think, only let the safeness of the pair wash over him, leaning his head back slightly against Yoongi’s shoulder watching as the guy tried to square up to Jungkook though he was a few inches shorter.

“What are you two, his fucking bodyguards?” The guy seethed, jutting his chin up at Jungkook and then Yoongi, “Stop being cockblocks, it’s a party, he’s fine, he’s practically begging for it dancing the way he was.”

Taehyung tensed in Yoongi’s hold as Jungkook threw back an elbow only to throw a clean right hook straight into the guy’s face, sending him reeling and catching the attention of some of the people around them. Jungkook stood over him, shaking his hand out slightly before leaning down to grab a fistful of the front of the guy’s shirt.

“He said he wanted you to leave him alone,” Jungkook’s voice was tight, teeth gritted, and he pulled the guy closer, “Now we’re telling you the same, don’t fucking touch him.”

Yoongi’s voice was louder this time as he spoke next to Taehyung, and the arms around his waist tightened ever so slightly, “Or we’ll break your fingers, asshole.” The smile was evident in his voice, but Taehyung knew it wasn’t the gummy one he knew and loved, the severeness of his tone told Taehyung this was a smile that was humorless.

“Jesus, you guys are crazy, he’s not even worth it.” The guy yanked free of Jungkook’s hold, standing up and eyeing the three of them, wariness in his gaze before scampering away into the crowd.

The people around them continued eyeing the three of them for a moment, before they realized the entertainment was over, no big fight to continue waiting for and went back to dancing, the music pulsing around them. Jungkook was immediately back over to them, his eyes raking over every part of Taehyung, hands settling near where Yoongi’s arms wrapped around him, palms gentle on Taehyung’s hips.

“Taehyung are you okay? We were coming from the kitchen to find Hobi and saw you trying to push him off –“

“He didn’t do anything before that did he?” Yoongi cut in, just as concerned and incensed as Jungkook, for once his voice not as level, not as collected. “If he did, we’ll beat his ass, I swear.”

Taehyung shifted in Yoongi’s hold, looking between the two of them, wrapped around him, both of their bodies warm against either side of him, their gazes looking at him with concern and so much care and Taehyung could only think how much he missed them, missed the safeness and peacefulness, a different type of comfort that only the pair brought to him.

Taehyung’s head swam with the emotions rushing up at him, his head still foggy from the alcohol and his eyes misty at the sight of the two of them, standing there in front of him, looking at him with so much worry and care, and he didn’t think much when he pulled them both close, sighing as he hugged them both, feeling the warmth and comfort of their bodies, resting his head between the space where their shoulders touched, and just basking in the feeling of them.

“You…missed you…missed you both so much.” Taehyung’s words slurred as they rolled out of his mouth, resting his forehead between their shoulders and sighing as he felt both boys wrap around him, hugging back tightly, their arms overlapping as they wrapped their arms around Taehyung and he felt…

Taehyung felt whole again.

“Let’s get you out here, Tae,” Yoongi said lowly, right near Taehyung’s ear to be heard above the music and he felt those arms, so safe around him, guiding him away from the living room, guiding him through the apartment.

Taehyung let himself relax in their hold, only moving his feet to follow, not worried in the slightest with the two boys as his guide. The nerves and anxiety that Taehyung carried with him, always so ever present within him, once again washed away when the two boys were around him. The warmth and happiness Yoongi and Jungkook carried around themselves, the bubble that Taehyung had desperately missed over the past weeks, was so large, so eclipsing when they were around Taehyung that he found his internal worries and stress washed away, a feeling of comfort, of home overtaking him as he followed them out into the night air.

Taehyung didn’t know his longing for them could grow even more, even with the two boys stood beside him, but as he relaxed in their arms, drooping against Jungkook’s side as Yoongi hailed a taxi, Taehyung could only feel his love for the two of them grow stronger, and he felt all the emotions he’d been suppressing over the past few weeks.

He really had missed them so much.

The taxi ride was quiet, a blur of the hum of the engine and tires on the road and Taehyung closed his eyes, relishing in the comfort of the car seat underneath his head, the two hands holding each of his as they all sat in the backseat. Jungkook squeezed his hand occasionally, trying to keep him awake, and he felt Yoongi push back his hair softly and pat his cheek when they arrived at their destination, waking him up enough for them both to pull him out of the taxi and walk him into the familiar building.

If he hadn’t been so drunk, Taehyung might’ve held himself together more as they entered Yoongi and Jungkook’s apartment, the familiar smell of their home hitting him immediately, the smell that was so distinctly them, and Taehyung didn’t think the smell of an apartment could make him emotional, yet there he was, getting misty eyed and taking a deep breath at the threshold of their apartment.

Emotions like a weight taking over his entire body, Taehyung felt himself droop in their hold and before he knew it Jungkook was pulling him up onto his back, Taehyung’s arms secure around his shoulders, and it was so reminiscent of the first night the three of them met. Taehyung felt just as safe and warm as that first night, maybe even more.

It didn’t hit him that they pass the guest bedroom until Yoongi was opening their bedroom door wide and Taehyung realized he’d never been in their bedroom before. Sure, he’d passed by it, had leaned against the doorjamb as Yoongi or Jungkook would grab something quickly while they talked, but Taehyung hadn’t allowed himself more than that. Never allowed himself to exist in that last piece of them, of their lives. Taehyung had been so apprehensive of allowing himself in their private space, like he didn’t belong within a space so intimately theirs.

It sounded insane, Taehyung knew that, but to him being allowed in someone’s bedroom, someone’s personal space was so intimate. Being let into the couple’s private space was something he hadn’t wanted, a piece of them he didn’t feel he was allowed and didn’t want to be allowed for fear of it being taken away.

As they laid him down on their bed, Taehyung took in the desk and music equipment organized in the corner of the room, the giant window positioned directly behind it opening the room to the starlight beyond it, the city lights twinkling below just as much as the stars above. Taehyung took in the camera sitting on the desk with the different lenses for it spilling over onto a stack of Yoongi’s notebooks. Pictures from years past were pinned to the walls around the room, some of Yoongi and Jungkook, some of people Taehyung had yet to meet or learn about, some artwork decorated the space around them, and even some of Jungkook’s photography took up space. A bookcase, a disarray of books, video games and albums, each shelf housing a mixture of different media. The room was an organized mess of different aspects of the two boys, and it was so reflective of the couple that it only made Taehyung more emotional, being in this space that was their own private space, that was so very much them.

Jungkook’s soft voice pulled him from his thoughts, gently scolding him as he sat on the edge of the bed right near the pillows Taehyung’s head rested on, “You shouldn’t drink so much Taehyung, not without someone with you.”

Taehyung looked up at him, eyes struggling to focus with the fog of alcohol and sleep threatening to overtake him. Slowly his gaze was dragged away from Jungkook’s worried eyes, sparkling just as much as the stars outside, when Yoongi stepped up beside him, pulling the comforter up around Taehyung’s shoulders.

“Jungkook’s right, that could’ve turned into something so much worse,” Yoongi’s eyes darkened, his anger still simmering beneath his calm demeanor and Taehyung closed his eyes, “You shouldn’t have to worry, but you shouldn’t drink alone like that.”

“Wasn’t drinking alone, had Jiminie with me,” Taehyung could barely get the words out, his brain completely lost to his drunken state, but he continued on, “Curing our heartbreaks.”

“Heartbreak?” Jungkook’s voice was full of confusion, almost wonder but Taehyung couldn’t see his expression, eyes closed and nose pushing into the pillow beneath his head, sleep beckoning him.

Fingers trailed through his hair, pushing it away from his face before Yoongi spoke, carefully, “What heartbreak Taehyung?”

The emotions Taehyung had been suppressing for the past weeks seemed to rush up at him all at once, like a wave crashing into his body, knocking into him, and he felt the wetness in his eyes, felt the tears roll down his cheek. The hand remained on his cheek, and he felt another hand, gentle as it cradled the top of his head and it only made him cry harder, having missed that warmth, having missed everything about the two of them.

Taehyung missed Yoongi’s gentle hands pushing his hair back, his gentle hands on the small of his back or circling his wrists, missed Jungkook’s strong arms hugging him tight and swinging him around, picking him up and carrying him, missed Yoongi playing them his songs before anyone else, valuing Taehyung and Jungkook’s opinions the most, missed the way Jungkook would take pictures of them constantly, the sound of the shutter a background noise he’d missed, missed the way they’d pile together watching movies or shows, the way their limbs would tangle and he’d forget where they began and ended, missed the way he’d show both of them one of his newest sketches, still shy but his heart so full when they’d tell him how beautiful he drew, encouraged him to draw how he wanted, missed the calm that surrounded the two of them constantly, their soft voices and even softer touches, missed the lunches spent under their oak tree talking and laughing, everything so easy when he was with them.

Taehyung missed everything about them, about the three of them together.

“Taehyung? What is it?” Yoongi’s worried voice cut through all the emotions swarming Taehyung’s mind and his heart and soon after felt Jungkook shift closer with a soft whisper of, “It’s okay Taehyung.”

“N-No, it’s n-not,” Taehyung cried harder into the pillow, trying to shield himself from them, trying to hide from his own heart breaking, “I-I love you both so much, so much. I tried not to, I tried not to fall for you both, but you make it so hard not to.” Taehyung’s breath stuttered as he tried to breathe through his sobs, his chest contracting painfully, “I love you both more than anything, and I lost you.”

“Taehyung, you didn’t lose us,” Jungkook whispered, the hand at the top of his head moving to push fingers through the strands of his hair, soothing him.

A broken sob escaped Taehyung, and the hand on his cheek moved to thumb at the tears rolling down his face.

“It’s okay Taehyung, we’re right here,” Yoongi whispered closer than before, “Go to sleep, we’ll talk in the morning.”

Taehyung could feel his body surrendering to the beckoning of sleep, as if Yoongi’s words gave his body the permission do what it wanted, his mind already shutting down after the onslaught of his anxiety and his emotions, the past few months of suppressed emotions and heartbreak crashing into him, wave after wave after wave. The longing he felt for the two of them constricting his heart painfully.

“D-Don’t leave me,” Taehyung reached out, opening bleary eyes to look up at the two of them, pleading in a croaky voice, his throat raw from the sobs that had broken through it. Their features were slightly shadowed by the nightfall, but he could see the tender way they both looked at him, the way their eyes glistened under the moonlight, “Please stay.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Jungkook resumed a gentle caress at the top of Taehyung’s head, while Yoongi continued to cradle his cheek, thumb rubbing circles on the skin just below his eyes, the tears drying.

“Sleep Tae, we’ll be here when you wake up, promise,” Yoongi’s voice was gravelly yet soft and quiet, his voice always a contradiction of itself, and like all the times before then, it calmed Taehyung. Both boys’ presence near him, as always, lulled him into a peace of mind he only knew with them, and he felt whole again, as if the pieces he’d been in the past few weeks were gently being placed back together.

Taehyung soon fell into a dreamless sleep, one that was deep and peaceful, his brain shut off to everything except the need for rest, and the only thing he felt before falling was two gentle touches, comforting him, and the feeling of being exactly where he belonged again.

The pain in Taehyung’s head was the first thing that woke him up the next morning, the sunlight streaming in through the window and warming his skin doing nothing to take away the throbbing pain behind his eyes. Taehyung knew Jimin probably wouldn’t have been faring much better than him, although Jimin wasn’t the resident lightweight, so he might have the upper hand with hangovers. Taehyung rubbed his eyes, gently so as not to further agitate the pain in his head and turned his head on the pillow taking in the desk with music equipment and a familiar camera.

Confusion set in first, his eyes squinting at the unfamiliar surroundings yet familiar items scattered about it.

Then his eyes widened as Taehyung started to remember, the night coming back to him in small flashes, only making the pain in his head worse as his embarrassment set in.

The party, drink after drink after drink, Jimin being pulled away by Hoseok, the asshole that wouldn’t leave him alone, Jungkook and Yoongi pulling him away, their arms wrapped around him as they brought him back to their apartment, Taehyung sobbing-

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut as he remembered how he had told them that he loved them, how he was heartbroken over them. Instantly, he wanted to dissolve into the mattress beneath his body, wanted to turn invisible forever, wanted to evaporate and live the rest of his life as air so he wouldn’t have to face the two of them ever.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” Taehyung whispered to himself, lightly hitting the heel of his hand to his forehead, scrunching his eyes shut at what an absolute idiot he was.

Taehyung sighed heavily after berating himself for a second more, and then finally looked around the room, now able to take more in with sober eyes. There was framed jerseys on the walls, definitely belonging to Yoongi, his love of basketball never leaving him despite not playing anymore. A few framed photographs hang in various places, some of which Taehyung recognized as Jungkook’s own work and some that Taehyung assumed were from Jungkook’s favorite photographers. A yellow hoodie laid over the back of the desk chair, one that Jungkook favored, and Taehyung had seen on him on most of their nights out, Taehyung remembered him saying it was gifted to him by Yoongi when they were still in high school. Various knickknacks and decorations littered the room, both minimalist yet personal, and Taehyung’s breath hitched slightly at how it felt so very much like the two boys, how every inch of the room was so personalized to their tastes and personality.

A thought entered his head at that moment, that Taehyung desperately wished for his things to be a part of the room as well, wished for a piece of him to be scattered amongst all the pieces of them.

Taehyung instantly pushed those thoughts and wants from his brain and instead looked away from the side of the room that housed Yoongi and Jungkook’s things, and over towards the door, already plotting how to leave without being seen.

Gaze drifting, he jumped when two heads down below him, leaning against the side of the bed, caught his eye and his heart hammered at the sight of Yoongi and Jungkook, asleep as they sat next to the bed, next to his side. Yoongi’s head was on Jungkook’s shoulder his neck bent awkwardly and his lips pouted in his sleep, and Jungkook rested his head on top of Yoongi’s his brows furrowed at whatever he dreamt about, a little line appearing between them.

Don’t leave me, please stay

Taehyung’s heart felt like it climbed up into his throat as he took in the two boys’ sleeping faces, how they’d fallen asleep in such uncomfortable positions just to watch over him, to stay by his side. A mixture of love and sadness crept up on him as he looked down at them, watching the way their chests rose and fell, and he wanted to wait for them to wake up, wished he could stay and talk with them, maybe see if some fragments of their friendship were salvageable, wished that he could say it was just friendship that he’d be happy with.

Instead, like the coward he was Taehyung slipped out of their bed, holding his breath and toeing his way across the floor, hoping his shoes were left in the living room, or else he’d have to spend valuable time searching for them.

Taehyung remembered the first time Jungkook had worn his stomper boots on a night they had all went to dinner, how Taehyung never thought that a shoe choice could make someone even hotter but when he saw Jungkook in his head to toe black paired with the boots it made heat flare inside him.

Taehyung really loved Jungkook’s stompers.

At that moment though, as he tripped over a pair of them not expecting them to be carelessly strewn about the floor, Taehyung absolutely loathed Jungkook’s stompers.

“Ah, shit,” Taehyung fell against the bed and as he did, his ankle collided with the metal of the frame. A hand shooting out to grab at his ankle instantly, putting pressure against the pain blooming there, Taehyung sucked his teeth against the pain. Not only did his head throb with the pain of mistakes from the night before, now his ankle throbbed pain of mistakes made that morning.

“Taehyung?” Yoongi’s low raspy voice made Taehyung’s head shoot up, his wide eyes latching onto Yoongi’s squinted, sleepy eyes and Jungkook yawning and stretching so wide a few joints popped. They both peered over at him, their eyes still sleepy and their faces having the rounded puffiness that can only come from just having woken up, and Taehyung couldn’t help but think how adorable they looked even under the circumstances.

“Uh, hi,” Taehyung stood straight, his ankle still screaming in pain, and made a motion towards the door, trying to be as formal as he could while his voice threatened to shake at talking to the two boys, “I was on my way out, I know I’ve already been such a nuisance and I appreciate you both taking care of me, I’m sorr – “

“Tae, please don’t say you’re sorry.” Yoongi migrated from the floor and up onto the edge of their bed and Jungkook followed him, eyes never leaving where Taehyung stood, thumb picking at the skin at the side of his index finger, the only way he could get his nerves out. The mattress dipped where two two of them sat, a small space between them and Taehyung looked towards the door and then back to them.

“I am sorry though,” Taehyung bit at his bottom lip, and then started to move, babbling as he did, “You guys are always having to take care of me, and this time after we – I – “ Taehyung didn’t know how to finish the sentence not sure how to describe the rift between the three of them, so he continued on in Taehyung fashion, “I don’t even know what came over me, I don’t know why I drank that much, trash can punch is the devil, I’ve decided, and I promise I’ll never get that drunk again and I promise you both won’t ever have to deal with me again –“

“Tae stop,” Jungkook grabbed at Taehyung’s hand, stopping him from leaving and from his incessant babbling.

“We don’t want you to leave,” Yoongi grabbed his other hand and rubbed a thumb over his knuckles soothingly.

Taehyung looked down at the hands holding each of his in wonder, and he hated the way his stupid heart clenched at the sight.

“You don’t?”

Taehyung’s breath stilled as they both tugged him down into the space between them, hands still holding firmly to his and their gazes turned towards him, the feeling of their attention making Taehyung warm and nervous at the same time.

“Taehyung,” Jungkook started, intertwining his fingers with Taehyung’s, turning those big dark eyes on him, “Last night you said you were heartbroken…”

Taehyung’s breath hitched, part of him wanting to run away instantly, but part of him glad that Yoongi and Jungkook’s hands tethered him, keeping him still, making him have this conversation instead of running away a third time.

If anything, Taehyung knew they needed this, for closure if nothing else.

“You said you were heartbroken because of us, because you think you lost us,” Yoongi hedged slightly before getting the main point of it all, “Because you love us.”

Though he knew he couldn’t run this time around, knew he had to face the conversation, Taehyung couldn’t help the need to hide.

Taehyung tore his hands from their grip, throwing both hands over his face, trying to hide from well…everything. His emotions, his confession, their inevitable rejection, the embarrassment of it all.

It was silent for a moment, before he felt hands pulling his own from his face, Yoongi and Jungkook looking at him with nervous yet tender smiles. Taehyung knew his face had to be red, the warmth in his cheeks only growing as they interlocked their hands with Taehyung’s, their gazes never leaving Taehyung’s face.

“We love you too,” Yoongi said softly, just above a whisper, thumb resuming a pattern on the skin of Taehyung’s wrist.

Taehyung’s gaze jerked up instantly at the words, looking between them both, his heart stuttering in his chest and his throat drying up, and he thought instantly that he had to be dreaming, that the universe had decided to be extra cruel and let him dream up something he’d never have.

“W-What?”

It was said on a breath, because Taehyung didn’t have much left in him, the way he stopped breathing, waiting for the moment he woke up and found out this was all just his subconscious playing cruel games with him.

“Taehyung, we’ve been in love with you for the longest time,” Jungkook whispered, reaching up a hand to trail his fingers over Taehyung’s cheek, smiling softly, “We were waiting to tell you cause we were scared that you’d get scared off, that you didn’t feel the same and we’d ruin our relationship with you.”

“Guess we shouldn’t have waited so long,” Yoongi huffed a laugh, and Taehyung turned his wide eyes over towards him, taking in the tug of his lips as he smiled, so big and bright and if Taehyung had any breath left... well he didn’t anymore.

“You love me?”

“Yeah, we love you,” Yoongi grinned, squeezing Taehyung’s hand once to emphasize his words, to express himself in the subtle way Taehyung had learned was the only way Yoongi knew how to.

“A lot,” Jungkook giggled and bumped Taehyung’s shoulder once, his eyes holding galaxies when Taehyung gaze found his.

The words rolled around in his head for a moment before they really hit him and when they did Taehyung suddenly felt the emotions from the past months all at once, yet somehow where they had weighed him down before, as if his emotions were cement running through his body, now he only felt a lightness within him.

Laughter bubbled up inside him until it overflowed and he laughed until tears, the happy kind that only made you feel lighter, welled up inside him and poured out of his eyes, trailing down his cheeks. Yoongi and Jungkook let him cry, only wiping a few off his cheeks when they gathered on his skin and on the edge of his jawline, and pulled him down onto the bed between them, holding him from either side until he finally ran out of tears and only his sniffling was left.

“All this time, I thought I was going to lose you both if I ever told you my feelings,” Taehyung thought out loud, Yoongi and Jungkook pressed tightly to either side of him, the warmth emanating from their bodies making those butterflies that he’d always felt around them, flare to life. “When Jungkook saw my sketches, I thought that was it, that I had lost the two people that meant so much to me, that I loved. And this whole time…”

“You know you make it real hard not to fall for you too,” Yoongi smirked when Taehyung looked over at him, a blush coating his cheeks and he turned to his other side when Jungkook nosed at the junction where his jawline met his ear and whispered, “You’re beautiful Taehyung, inside and out, you make it near impossible to fall in love, we couldn’t help ourselves.” Yoongi hummed in agreement, tightening his hold as if Taehyung were something precious.

The blush only grew warmer on his cheeks, but Taehyung couldn’t stop the smile, so big and wide that overtook his face. As soon as it appeared, his smile was covered by two pairs of lips, and he relaxed into the kisses, Yoongi and Jungkook both pulling him close. The ever present heat and butterflies Taehyung felt when around Yoongi and Jungkook only grew as their lips found his, as his felt the soft almost tentative way that Yoongi kissed, always gentle in everything he did, and the way Jungkook kissed with a boldness, a confidence that Taehyung wasn’t surprised by, his personality translating easily to way he kissed. Taehyung felt himself melt into the two of them, his mind a fog only consisting of the happiness he felt and the feeling of being wrapped up in everything that was Yoongi and Jungkook, everything that the was the three of them. Soon they all fell into each other, the three of them tangling together easily, as if this weren’t the first time, as if they’d been wrapped up in each other for longer than just one morning. Like their friendship, the three of them loving each other was so easy, felt so right.

Finally, they all broke away from each other, needing to breathe, needing to calm their racing hearts and they ended up laying together, Jungkook humming softly, some song that Taehyung couldn’t place but sounded so familiar, and Yoongi smiling as he listened, fingers trailing a path over Taehyung and Jungkook’s bodies, his presence always so quiet yet so comforting, and Taehyung laid between them, heart so full.

Thought to himself that after falling for so long that this, laying between the two boys, Yoongi and Jungkook’s arms slung over his ribcage and Taehyung’s head tucked beneath both their chins, this must be what landing felt like.

For as long as Taehyung had known Jungkook and Yoongi, he’d always been falling.

He never expected to land, and he never expected landing to feel a lot like two pairs of arms wrapped around him, two noses brushing against his own, two hearts beating in time with his.

_______________

“YOU WHAT?” Jimin screams through the receiver and though he knows he’s standing in the living room, and that Jungkook nor Yoongi would hear him, Taehyung still shushes Jimin half-heartedly.

The three of them had fallen asleep, bodies intertwined with each other, when Taehyung woke up again, this time wrapped in the warmth of Yoongi and Jungkook, no longer alone, his heart full and calm. He’d taken time to watch the two of them sleep, taking time to appreciate the beauty of both boys, before his hands itched to sketch them, his inspiration finally sparking after having none for so long.

Initially he’d slipped out of their bed, careful not wake either of them, and had walked out into the living room, looking for something, anything to sketch on, when he’d found his phone, with probably over twenty texts from Jimin, the first ones being concerned for his safety to the last few threatening his life if he found Taehyung alive and well.

Once Taehyung called him, calming him down after listening to Jimin threatening to beat him senseless if he ever pulled a stunt like that again, Jimin finally asked who had brought him home, and Taehyung hadn’t been able to contain himself anymore, contain the happiness practically pouring out of him.

So, he told Jimin about Yoongi and Jungkook finding him at the party and bringing him to the apartment, and then about the fact that the three of them had kissed that morning, giggling as Jimin made a screeching, shocked and excited noise on the other end of the phone.

“I was calling to tell you that me and Hoseok made up and made out, but holy shit, we’re tabling that one!” Taehyung can practically visualize the shit-eating grin on Jimin’s face through his voice alone, “Alright, I need all the details, now.”

Taehyung laughs softly, looking over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door, his boys fast asleep beyond it, before settling into one of the barstools, leaning his chin onto the heel of his palm. A soft smile makes its way onto his face, and he can’t help the content sigh that escapes him.

“Ah, I don’t know where I should even start?” Taehyung thinks for a moment ignoring Jimin’s whines for him to get on with it. Taehyung finds himself smiling thinking about the two boys, that first night at the bar and how much had changed since then, how he never thought that the two boys could ever feel the same about him as he does them. Thinks about when he first saw them, complete strangers, and how now he couldn’t imagine life without them. Thinks about waking up wrapped up in their arms, the love he felt surrounding all three of them. Taehyung feels his entire body relax, his heart light, his emotions no longer a weight in his chest, and wiggles around to get comfy, and laughs softly.

“Well, I guess I should start at the beginning. It kind of all started that first night at the bar actually…”

ꨄ︎

Chapter Text

Taehyung rushes through the streets of the city, trying hard not to cringe when he bumps into a few bystanders as he mutters quick apologies and continues down the sidewalk, hair tousled with the speed with which he walks. The streets are littered with more people than usual, most of them students, back in the city, refreshed and bored from their winter breaks and coming back to the city ready for fun, looking for the liveliness and nightlife, the only things that could truly satiate a college student’s hunger for excitement.

The chilly air of January bites at Taehyung’s nose and cheeks as he powerwalks to the bar and he pulls the plush plaid scarf wrapped around his neck further up on his face. The scarf was absolutely luxurious, absolutely too much, and courtesy of one Park Jimin and his ability to always go overboard when getting Christmas gifts. Jimin knows him too well though, knowing that Taehyung couldn’t ever refuse a beautiful piece of fashion, and Taehyung had worn it the rest of their time in Daegu and on their trip back, and now as he crosses the street, stride brisk in order to keep up with the countdown on the pedestrian beacon.

Taehyung had enjoyed his winter break, had enjoyed the trip back home with Jimin, had enjoyed seeing his parents, had enjoyed eating home-cooked meals that just tasted different from being cooked by his mother, had enjoyed seeing his siblings, the way they chattered to him constantly about his life Seoul, his life at college, they’re eyes sparkling with only the awe that comes from the anticipation of living an adult life when you’re young. However, as much as he enjoyed seeing his family, the familiarity of his small town and his home bringing him a warmth of nostalgia, Taehyung had missed Jungkook and Yoongi the entire time.

After his confession, or, well, their confessions, Taehyung had only a week before they were all packing up to go home for the holidays. Jungkook and Yoongi off to Busan and Taehyung on his way to Daegu. The week leading up to winter break, Taehyung had spent his time soaking up the warmth of the two of them, making up for missed time, making up for the weeks that he hadn’t seen them, letting each moment that they were together again make the pieces of his heart that had broken, easily be placed back together.

That’s not to say that he hadn’t spoken to the two of them every day over winter break, the two weeks away filled with video calls, group texts and late-night phone calls where the three of them would talk about everything and anything, Taehyung almost always falling asleep to their voices. Jimin teased him the whole time, saying that he was totally in love with the two of them, went “ooey gooey” every time anyone even said their names.

Taehyung had shoved his joking away, laughing and protesting that he did not get “ooey gooey” about the two of them.

Jimin and Taehyung both knew he was lying through his teeth.

Taehyung had been “ooey gooey” for the two of them since the moment they met.

However, whenever they were out and about, or just chilling at one or the other’s house, and Jimin would be on the phone with Hoseok, making kissy faces or pouting as he and Hoseok played the “no you hang up” game, Taehyung would give him a playful look as payback for Jimin’s teasing, a look that Jimin would sniff and roll his eyes at, fighting a blush and a smile every time.

When they’d traveled back to Seoul, nearing the end of the break, the trip from Daegu was long, Taehyung’s eagerness to be back in Seoul made him restless. The only thing Taehyung had wanted to do as soon as he and Jimin arrived back on campus, was go straight to Yoongi and Jungkook’s apartment. Wanted to wrap himself around the pair, see their smiling faces, wanted Yoongi’s soft laughter and even softer eyes, the way they’d crinkle up into little crescents as he smiled, wanted his calming presence, the way he carried a sense of peace around him wherever he went, the way he’d let Taehyung wrap his arms around him lay gentle hands over Taehyung’s, wanted Jungkook’s energy, the way he constantly moved around, often twirling the hair at the back of Taehyung’s head for something to do with his hands, the way his eyes sparkled as he’d talk to them about new ideas or a new hobby, the way he’d laugh so hard at something they’d say that his nose would crinkle up cutely.

Unfortunately for him, they had come back a day later than him, and Taehyung had spent the day at his dorm, starfished on his bed and finding things to entertain his time. Making use of his time, Taehyung had wrapped the gifts he’d found for the boys, a handmade guitar pick necklace for Yoongi, and a beautiful black leather camera bag with engraved initials for Jungkook.

Took his time making sure each present was wrapped to perfection, and the next day after they texted Taehyung that they were back, after reuniting, plenty of kisses and cuddles, Taehyung finally gave them their presents, receiving expressions of awe, bright smiles, and more kisses in response.

Yoongi had instantly put his necklace on, the charcoal stone guitar pick sitting nicely between his collarbones, contrasting with his fair complexion. Jungkook modeled his new bag for them both, constantly feeling at the leather and the engraving, thanking Taehyung repeatedly, his bunny smile on full display each time.

Taehyung hadn't expected a gift of his own, but when both boys shyly brought out a handcrafted wooden box set, filled with paints, charcoal, and brushes, wrapped only with a purple bow, Taehyung had been completely taken aback.

Both boys were stunned slightly when tears had escaped Taehyung's eyes, but seconds after laughter escaped Taehyung, pleasant and glowing. Wrapping them both up in a hug, Taehyung kissed them both on the cheek, content and told them both how happy he was to have them both.

Taehyung warms at the memory, at the thought of his box set sitting in his dorm as a reminder of his boys and the fond memories they had already shared. Lightly stepping over a bit of ice on the sidewalk, Taehyung smiles easily as the lights of the bar, the people loitering around the entrance, grow closer. Pushing his way past groups of boisterous laughter, people waiting to meet up or already leaving towards their next spot, Taehyung makes his way inside, through the crowd of people, pulling his limbs closer to his body, making himself small as to not bump into too many people.

Once he gets close enough, making his way to their usual table, Taehyung eyes meet two gazes, like they were magnets, always finding a way to meet no matter where they were.

As usual, Taehyung can’t help but admire the two of them, can’t help the way his heart warms instantly at the sight of them. Taehyung admires the way Jungkook’s hair, growing longer over the break, falls into his eyes, curling around his cheeks as they raise into the smile he greets Taehyung with. Admires Yoongi’s bare face, his baseball cap pulling the hair away from his face, showing off his soft features, the swell of his cheeks as his smile matches Jungkook’s, his dark eyes glittering before scrunching up into cute crescents.

A throat clears, and Taehyung blushes at being caught mooning over the two boys, turning quickly to the other side of the booth where Jimin is giving him a look, a knowing smirk combined with an arched brow and then morphs it into one of faux displeasure.

“You’re –“ Jimin opens his mouth, ready to scold Taehyung for the time of his arrival.

With palms raised in surrender, Taehyung sighs easily before giving a small, abashed smile, “I know, I know, I’m late.”

Jimin pouts cutely from where he sits, perched on Hoseok’s lap and Taehyung can’t help but admire how perfect the two of them look together. It was as if the universe found two drops of sunshine and made it so that they’d find their way to each other, both of them already so bright and glowing, but when they were together that brilliance shined brighter, they lit up the whole room, lit up each other.

“You’re one to talk, you’re late all the time,” Seokjin grins over the rim of his glass as Jimin splutters out an offended sound.

“I’ll let it slide, I suppose,” Jimin sniffs, turning away from Seokjin and Namjoon’s matching grins and jumps a little when Hoseok pinches his sides, his look of aloofness turning easily into a fond stretch of his lips.

Taehyung turns away from the cute couple, to finally greet Yoongi and Jungkook properly, stepping up lightly to lean into the booth, kissing Yoongi and Jungkook each, a low and private “Hi” between all of them as Taehyung presses his lips to each of theirs.

They both look at up at him with eyes that sparkle, and Taehyung is sure his expression mirrors theirs, can’t help the way he gets lovestruck as he takes in his boys, as they pull him forward into their side of the booth until he’s nestled perfectly between them.

Drinks are poured as Taehyung snuggles into the warmth of Jungkook and Yoongi, a nice contrast from the cold outside, and the night carries on as it usually does. They tell stories from their winter breaks, some from Hoseok that Taehyung had already heard through his and Jimin’s phone calls. Seokjin and Namjoon tell them about their date to an ice-skating rink there in Seoul, how Namjoon had looked like Bambi on ice (Seokjin’s words) and how Seokjin had held him as they skated all night, then exchanged gifts afterwards at a small cozy outdoor café that Namjoon had found before the break.

At some point during the night, they all break off into different conversations or lack thereof. A tipsy Jimin leaning against Hoseok, before their lips meet, and soon the rest of the group realizes the couple has no qualms about public displays of affection, as they get completely lost in each other. Seokjin makes a joke about Hoseok’s dry spell being broken, before he orders the group another round of drinks and Namjoon begins to tell them about a few new attractions he’d discovered as he and Seokjin had traversed the city.

“It’s really beautiful at night, so calm and quiet,” Namjoon comments on a moonlit walking tour they did, Seokjin leaning against his shoulder with a small, fond smile, “Towards the end there’s this little café nearby, very small, but some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, and they have a small library attached to it.”

“Sounds so beautiful,” Taehyung says softly, chin propped in his hand, listening intently to Namjoon’s description of the place. Namjoon takes a sip of his drink and using both elbows to nudge both Yoongi and Jungkook, Taehyung looks between them both with a teasing smile, “One day when we finally go on our first date, we could go there.”

Yoongi and Jungkook both give him smiles in return before a gasp has them all turning towards a tipsy Jimin, suddenly rejoining the conversation, Hoseok in a kiss induced daze pressed close to him.

“Wait, are you telling me these two dweebs haven’t taken you on a date yet?”

“Oh boy, here we go.” Seokjin rolls his eyes playfully at the same time Taehyung wiggles, offering a shy, “Well, not really, but we’ve gone out plenty of times, so it’s not really – “

“This is unacceptable!” Jimin cries out, and Taehyung tries to shush him before Jimin turns his glare to either side of Taehyung, “Yah! You two need to get your shit together and take him on a date! What kind of boyfriends are you?!”

Yoongi and Jungkook sit in stunned silence for a moment, Taehyung blushing between them, before Yoongi speaks, his face set in his usual expression of cool indifference.

“Kook-ah, it looks like we’ve upset the almighty love guru, Park Jimin,” Yoongi’s lips pull into a smirk at the choked sound that escapes Jimin.

“Oh no, whatever will we do,” Jungkook mutters with a grin before suddenly he holds his glass, still filled with soju, up in the air towards Jimin as if it were an offering, “Please, almighty love guru Park Jimin, accept this offering in repentance for our transgressions.”

Taehyung can’t help but giggle at the unimpressed look on his best friend’s face, falling into Yoongi as the rest of the group starts to chuckle at Jungkook’s antics. Jimin purses his lips thoughtfully before snatching the glass out of Jungkook’s hands and throwing back the liquid easily.

Jungkook plops back down beside Taehyung, an arm thrown over his shoulder easily and a grin plastered on his face as Jimin points at him, a small smile threatening to shake his serious gaze, “You’re pardoned, just this once.”

Still giggling softly, Taehyung pours Jungkook a new glass and receives a kiss on the cheek in thanks as Jungkook takes the glass from him. Yoongi reaches around Taehyung, careful not to jostle Taehyung’s head as it continues resting against his shoulder and interlocks his fingers with Jungkook’s. Taehyung smiles easily, for once not caring much about their surroundings and turns so that he can swing his legs onto Jungkook’s lap, hand playing with the hem of Jungkook’s shirt, head still resting against Yoongi as Yoongi cards fingers through the curls at the top of Taehyung’s head, the sounds of the bar and their friends continue on, their little bubble forming and the rest of the world fading away.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Jimin’s voice breaks through their little bubble, his brow arched expectantly.

All three of their heads turn towards him, eyes wide. It takes a second before Yoongi huffs and incredulous laugh.

“Aish! We’re not asking him right now!”

Jungkook rolls his eyes easily, backing Yoongi up with a sarcastic, “Yeah, it’ll just seem forced now, Jimin.”

Jimin looks between the both of them, expression unreadable and too silent, before he looks at Taehyung suddenly with a deadpan look.

“Taehyung, you deserve better.”

The rest of the group bursts out into laughter, only laughing harder as Yoongi and Jungkook splutter at Jimin’s smirk and Taehyung giggles quietly listening to the chaos. When they all begin to quiet down, Taehyung smiles easily, looking between Yoongi and Jungkook and then over towards Jimin.

 “I don’t know Jimin…I don’t think it can get any better.”

Even Jimin’s fake throwing up sounds can’t interrupt the warmth that Taehyung feels as Yoongi and Jungkook look down at him, soft smiles and eyes dancing with light that always seems to take his breath away.

The apartment is toasty when they walk in, pleasant compared to the chill outside, and instantly Taehyung can feel the tip of his nose starting to thaw. Jungkook tosses the keys into the banana dish on the entryway table, effortless as he toes his boots off, placing them by the front door neatly, and Taehyung grins as he places a kiss to his cheek before bouncing off to the kitchen, always snackish after a night out at the bar. Yoongi, already having shuffled off, returns from their bedroom, his attire changing into his preferred lounge pants and an oversized shirt.

“Jungkookie, we could’ve picked you something up on the way back,” Taehyung huffs a laugh at the sounds of Jungkook rifling through the fridge, no doubt making extra noise in order to attract Yoongi’s attention. Taehyung listens as Yoongi swats him away, Jungkook’s usual plan of making Yoongi cook for them, despite the fact that Yoongi would do it regardless, working out in his favor like every other time.

“Absolutely not,” The pull of Jungkook’s lips has something sneaky attached to them, “If I did that, then I wouldn’t be able to con Yoongi into making us a delicious late-night meal.” Jungkook waggles his eyebrows, and Taehyung shakes his head with a laugh, pulling his scarf off and neatly folding it next to the banana dish. Taehyung spare key catches his eye, the one with a cute tiger keychain, the keychain that had caused a blush to coat Yoongi’s cheeks when Taehyung had found out he had bought it and attached it, seeing it when Jungkook and himself were out and knowing Taehyung would find it cute.

Since they’d gotten back from winter break Taehyung had spent most of his nights at the apartment, so much now that they had given him a key, a drawer, the top left one, that housed some of his clothes, a few of his sketchbooks resided on Yoongi and Jungkook’s desk or in the drawer in the living room side table, the shower even housed his own apple scented shampoo and conditioner, a scent that Taehyung noticed on the other two from time to time, and his green toothbrush sitting with Yoongi’s black and Jungkook’s purple.

Taehyung liked being there, like the relaxed and cozy feeling inside when he’d wake up between the two of his boys. They’d developed their routine as the three of them, Taehyung easily finding his place in their day to day, or vice versa, and easily the three of them had gotten into a rhythm of starting their day together and ending it together. They’d learned more about each other too, as Taehyung started staying over more and more. Small idiosyncrasies that nobody really thought about in a relationship, small little personality traits that, as you learned them, only seemed to bring you closer.

Taehyung had observed that Jungkook, for all his energy throughout the day, was not a morning person, sometimes taking an hour just to get out of bed. Yoongi, on the other hand, the one who valued sleep the most of the three of them, was the first to start the day, waking up earlier than Jungkook and Taehyung, starting his day early and already dressed and cooking breakfast before they even opened their eyes. Taehyung was somewhere in the middle, he’d spend a good bit of time cuddling Jungkook in the morning, curled around him like a koala, before he’d push himself out of bed, still half asleep and shuffling into the kitchen, hugging Yoongi from the back with his eyes still closed, the sounds of Yoongi’s cooking and his light humming soothing enough to make Taehyung fall asleep on his feet.

Small things like this only made Taehyung enjoy staying over at their apartment more, he enjoyed the way they learned these things about each other and developed their routine around their little quirks and habits.

It was something Taehyung thought about during the times he would spend the night at his dorm, and realized this routine, the three of them living together, was something he could get used to all the time.

The kimchi fried rice that Yoongi prepares starts to sizzle as Taehyung goes to their bedroom, changing into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie that he can’t remember whether it’s his or one of theirs. By the time he makes his way back into the living room, Jungkook has already found something for them to watch, and Yoongi is tossing the rice around easily, the sizzling growing louder with each toss and the smells of sesame oil, onions, and various spices fill the air around them.

“Need any help?” Taehyung says, coming into the kitchen to wrap his arms around Yoongi’s waist, chin propped on his shoulder.

“Nope,” A smirk plays on Yoongi’s face as he side eyes Taehyung’s pout before leaning over to peck his pouted lips, “I love you, but you almost burned the apartment down the last time I let you help.”

Taehyung squeezes him tighter, whining playfully, “I burnt one pan!”

“You’re a hazard to yourself and others in the kitchen,” Yoongi argues back, mouth pouted as he speaks, and Taehyung understands the urge to kiss his pouted lips.

“It’s true Taehyungie, you’re a threat to yourself and the culinary arts!” Jungkook calls from the living room, making Taehyung whip around quickly and Jungkook’s nose crinkles as a giant laugh escapes him at Taehyung’s expression.

“Hyuuung!” Taehyung whines as Jungkook laughs at him, his expression fond as he looks over at Taehyung.

“We’re just trying to save you from yourself,” Yoongi grins and pokes him in the side twice, “Now go get me some bowls.”

“Yes sir,” Taehyung salutes, straightening his back and walking towards the cabinets, Yoongi’s huff of laughter trailing after him. Taehyung sets the three bowls on the counter and watches as Yoongi spoons the rice into each, making sure to put the less spicy globs into Taehyung’s. When everything’s plated, Jungkook bounds in, grabbing his bowl with swift hands, and his pecks to Yoongi and Taehyung’s cheeks are even swifter.

“Thank you, chef.” A peck to Yoongi’s cheek. “Thank you, sous chef.” A peck to Taehyung’s cheek.

They all pile together on the green loveseat, bowls in hand, and Jungkook starts the anime he’s chosen as they all eat, the light of the stars and the city twinkling behind them, restless like the trio. Soon their bowls empty, and they all lounge together, watching as a pair of high schoolers, a boy and a girl are thrust into the world of the supernatural where they face off against aliens, spirits, and other weird entities.

“What the actual hell is this?” Yoongi grumbles, resorting to scrolling on his phone, the hand that’s holding it resting on Taehyung’s head on his lap.

“I’m actually not sure, looked cool though,” Jungkook shrugs from his position, laying slightly on top of Taehyung and sitting close to Yoongi.

“Did they just say their going to take her bananas?” Yoongi’s incredulous expression makes both Taehyung and Jungkook giggle, the former patting Yoongi’s leg sympathetically.

“Just let it happen, hyung.”

Yoongi grumbles something about it being weird again, followed by an allowance of, “At least the music’s good though.” To which Taehyung smiles at, knowing Yoongi was probably already looking up the songs as they watched.

A couple of episodes later, Taehyung’s resting his eyes as he listens to the sounds of the show and the tapping of Yoongi’s fingers on his phone, when Jungkook’s voice sounds next to him.

“Taehyung?”

“Mmm?” Taehyung cracks an eye open, just quick enough to see the shared look between Jungkook and Yoongi, which prompts him to open both eyes, curious.

“You free tomorrow?” Jungkook plays with the fabric of Taehyung’s hoodie before meeting his gaze, a faint blush coating his face in pink hues.

Confused even more, Taehyung shrugs lightly, before he arches a brow, “Sure, but you already knew that.” A huff of a laugh escapes him, and he feels Yoongi’s rumble of laughter underneath him.

“Would you like to go out on a date with us?” Jungkook smirks, using his position to prop his chin slightly on Taehyung’s arm, pressing his lips lightly to the skin there, and butterflies swirl around Taehyung’s stomach and up through his chest.

Taehyung taps a finger against his chin, pretending to think before he sends them both a dazzling smile, eyes crinkled, and lips pulled into a rectangular shape.

“Absolutely I would.”

The smiles he receives in response are just as radiant, the two boys positively glowing as they all nestle back into each other, their limbs tangled together and enjoying the comfort of being just the three of them, together.

Taehyung closes his eyes again, a small smile still playing on his lips and eventually hums in thought, his smile growing bigger as the thought forms in his head and he begins to speak, the radiance of the night, of being with his boys, filling his body with a gentle, fuzzy feeling.

“Who would’ve thought…Jimin actually scored me a date with the perfect guys.”

“Oh come on!” Jimin whines, holding one of the many see through shirts he’d brought over to Taehyung’s dorm. This one was a silver turtleneck, except the material was entirely see through, so much that Taehyung leans down to the look through the material at Jimin.

“Absolutely not.”

Taehyung grabs a deep brown sweater instead, his favorite one with green argyle print across the chest, shrugging it on as he speaks, “First, you do realize it’s freezing outside? Two, have you forgotten who you’re trying to style?” Taehyung musses his hair, trying to shape some of the curls that got messed up by his sweater and settling for a messy look when his hair won’t cooperate with him. While Jimin continues whining at him, explaining with a pout that, “Fashion isn’t always meant to be comfortable,” Taehyung focuses on tucking the sweater into the waistband of his trousers, the color of mocha, letting his sweater fall into a loose french tuck.

Normally, Taehyung wouldn’t be at his dorm on a Saturday, but Yoongi and Jungkook insisted that he get ready at his dorm so they could come and pick him up for their date. Taehyung had to admit; it was cute how seriously the both of them were taking this ‘first date’ wanting to do everything the traditional first date way. Taehyung tried to appear nonchalant, especially when Jimin cooed at the fact that it was his first date with the two, but deep inside Taehyung hadn’t been able to stop the butterflies since they had asked him last night.

“Min, you’re not getting me into any of those shirts, I’m sorry.” Taehyung puts both hands to Jimin’s shoulders, meeting his gaze and laughing at the way Jimin squints his eyes.

“I will never give up on turning you into the sex bomb that you were always meant to be.”

“And I appreciate your determination,” Taehyung giggles and Jimin’s lips lift at the sound, “It’s one of my favorite things about you,” Taehyung eyes the silver material Jimin grips between his fingers and grimaces, “but…absolutely not.”

Jimin’s response is cut off by a knock at the door, and Taehyung nearly trips as he rushes to the door, swinging it open and losing his breath.

They both look absolutely gorgeous, Jungkook in his black turtleneck and matching dark slacks, his dark hair pushed back and showing off his sharp features, dark brows framing his round eyes, just as dark as the clothing he wears, high cheekbones and prominent jawline on full display. Yoongi looks softer than normal, the emerald green sweater large on his frame and contrasting exquisitely with his milky white skin, and black slacks hug his legs. Taehyung smiles at the loafers that cover his feet, polished and comfortable, just like the wearer. Silver jewelry litters their ears and fingers as usual, and glitters almost as much as their eyes do as they land on Taehyung.

They both look positively striking and Taehyung for a moment can’t believe they are his.

“Hi,” Taehyung breathes, a smile forming instantly and Jungkook and Yoongi match it within a second.

“Wow, you guys actually clean up nicely,” Jimin pokes out from behind Taehyung, eyeing the two boys appreciatively and they both roll their eyes as Jimin makes an expression that is a cross between shock and approval.

“Alright, you two,” Jimin steps in front of Taehyung easily, the latter arching a brow, always unprepared for whatever he might say next, “No funny business. This is a first date, so you better keep it respectable,” Jimin points a finger at the two incredulous and humor-filled expressions sent his way, while Taehyung pinches the bridge of his nose behind him, “Don’t corrupt my dear Taehyungie, not until the third date at least.”

“Oh my god,” Taehyung grabs his scarf off the hook next to the door along with his jacket, before easing past Jimin, “We’re going now!” Taehyung hooks an arm through Yoongi and Jungkook’s and practically drags them away before Jimin embarrasses him further.

“Hey! I’m serious! Keep it PG!! Hands above the waistband!!” Jimin playfully shouts from the doorway, loud enough for the entire floor to hear, Taehyung internally facepalms, heat rising to his cheeks, and Jungkook and Yoongi’s laughter fills the stairwell as the head out of the building.

The air outside is cold, chilly and invigorating, like when you chew mint gum and drink cold water at the same time. Taehyung can’t feel the chill much though, not with the way his focus zeroes in on the two hands holding each of his, all three of them, walking down the sidewalks of Seoul hand in hand. Yoongi and Jungkook talk with him about various things, and as they pass restaurant after restaurant, Taehyung’s nerves begin to wake up.

They pass restaurants with fancy entryways, chandeliers, and private gardens, and the more they pass, Taehyung hopes desperately none of them are their destination.

Not that Taehyung wouldn’t appreciate being taken to a ritzy place, wouldn’t appreciate Yoongi and Jungkook booking a fine dining experience for them, for their first date.

Really though, Taehyung wanted their first date to be…something they would normally do. Taehyung was happiest in the company of Yoongi and Jungkook, sitting in some hole in the wall eatery, greasy food, good drinks, and the laughter that never seemed to stop when it was the three of them. Taehyung had never really envisioned what their first date would be, not even when he realized he liked the two of them as more than friends, but now as he passes stuffy restaurants with even stuffier people, Taehyung realizes he really wants a normal night with the two people he loves, nothing fancy or over the top.

They approach a slightly quieter part of the city, the lights still bright against the dark of the evening but less people standing around, and as soon as they turn the corner a smile blooms on Taehyung’s face.

Tucked away between the buildings is a small ramen shop, the sign’s hand drawn paper lantern matching the orange paper lanterns that line the entry way. Taehyung can practically smell the broth inside, the rich and savory aromas permeating the air around the shop. The building itself is slightly run down, looking as if it used to be something else and is in the process of being fixed up, the seating areas outside littered with mismatched furnishings.

Taehyung couldn’t have picked a better place himself.

The warmth that blooms inside him at the realization that Yoongi and Jungkook knew him so well, knew exactly the place to take him, that warmth kills any chill that the air around him could ever bring.

“Good?” Yoongi actually looks slightly nervous as Taehyung pauses, looking up at the ramen shop’s sign and then over at Yoongi’s question.

Looking to his other side, he sees Jungkook’s matching expression and instantly offers a smile, nodding his head excitedly.

“Great!”

Two hands pull him towards the shop, the yellow lighting, the jukebox in the corner playing a familiar but older song, the elderly lady behind the counter taking orders while her husband cooks in the kitchen behind her, all of it feels so homey, so calm amongst the bustling streets of the city. The elderly lady takes each of their orders, her smile kind and her voice soft, and when their bowls are delivered to them, they each bow in gratitude and head towards a table, ignoring a few of the strange looks they get as the three of them opt to sit at one of the small tables settled outside.

They huddle around their bowls, their breath and the steam from the food mingling in the air in front of them. They talk about everything and anything, about school, about after school, dreams of successful careers and art that changes the world around them, about new inspirations and new ideas. They eat and they laugh, and Taehyung loves how natural it is, his slight nerves from earlier dissipating completely as he remembers quickly how it could never be anything but easy with Jungkook and Yoongi.

Easy with the way the conversation flows from one topic to another, one minute it’s about the newest show and the next it’s about how art inspires more art within the world. Easy with the way Jungkook tells them both a funny story that happened during one of his classes, having Taehyung near tears and Yoongi trying not to choke on a noodle. Easy with the way Yoongi describes his next instrumental, describing the way he thinks about the meaning behind the piece, captivating both Jungkook and Taehyung into awed silence, both wearing matching fond expressions as they could listen to Yoongi wax poetic about music all night if allowed.

Easy with the way they flirt in between conversation, little flirtations that bring a certain electricity to the air around them, easy in the way their hands brush throughout the night, hands absentmindedly finding each other’s bodies like a gravitational pull, Yoongi’s fingers twirling the hair at the nape of Taehyung’s neck before settling his hand there, thumb caressing the skin over his pulse, Jungkook’s wiping a bit of broth off Yoongi’s bottom lip instead of grabbing him a napkin, Taehyung’s hand squeezing Jungkook’s thigh as he leans over to try his ramen,  Yoongi’s hand squeezing Jungkook’s waist as he passes to grab them more drinks, Jungkook’s resting on Taehyung’s hip right above his waistband as he tells a story, and both Jungkook and Yoongi’s hands that interlock with Taehyung’s as they enjoy the night.

They walk through the city after finishing their ramen, still warm from the food and the spark of energy that now seemed to buzz between the three of them. Taehyung can feel it with every touch, every look that’s a few seconds longer than necessary, every time his eyes land on Jungkook or Yoongi’s lips as they talk, instantly wondering how they’d feel against his skin. Thankful for the chilly air that tinges his skin pink and hides the blush that overtakes him at his wandering thoughts, Taehyung realizes they’ve stopped at a gelato shop, Jungkook asking if they want dessert.

After they’ve gotten their gelato, tangerine, banana, and strawberry, they continue through the city, eating the frozen desert, somehow enjoying it more in the cold weather. They stop underneath an awning for a small market, the lights bright behind them and laugh as Yoongi gets a dollop of gelato on the tip of his nose, his eyes going crossed as he tries to see where it is. Taehyung uses his sleeve to wipe the orange cream off and smiles as Yoongi grins, all gums and straight teeth.

“This is so yummy,” Taehyung licks more of his gelato, the cream starting to melt and leak out of the cone onto his fingers. Yoongi and Jungkook seem dazed as they watch him lick at his desert, and Taehyung smiles easily, teasing a bit as he holds his cone out, twirling some of the desert on his tongue, “Wanna try?”

Taehyung doesn’t expect Jungkook to move forward first, his lips soft and pressed against Taehyung’s in one brisk movement, using the gasp the latter lets out to twirl his tongue into Taehyung’s mouth, his lips and tongue moving with Taehyung’s. The feeling of cold lips and tongues against the heat of their shared breath is electric, has Taehyung’s head spinning before Jungkook nips his bottom lip before pulling back with a smirk.

“Mm, tastes good.” Jungkook grins with a wink and Taehyung feels the blush rising to his cheeks.

Yoongi leans forward then, before Taehyung can even process his thoughts, pressing his lips against Taehyung’s, still wet with Jungkook’s spit and his gelato, and takes a moment longer than Jungkook, lips soft and slow against Taehyung’s, languid in everything as well as the way he kissed, before he pushes his tongue inside, causing a small whimper to escape Taehyung as Yoongi licks up whatever of the frozen dessert Jungkook had left.

Yoongi breaks away after a moment more, his breath heavy and Taehyung’s blush coats his entire body. When Taehyung looks over, Jungkook’s gaze is heavy on them, eyes low lidded and something fiery swirling in his gaze and it only makes Taehyung’s body feel even hotter.

Yoongi smirks easily before licking his bottom lip, “Delicious.”

Taehyung’s not quite sure if his body is humming because of the walk back to the apartment, the temperature dropping further as the stars come out and the night gets darker, or if it’s because he can still feel Jungkook and Yoongi’s mouths on his, their tongues twisted with his, and how as he remembers the feeling, he realizes he wants more.

Wants to feel their lips against his again, wants to feel them against his skin, wants to press his own lips against their bodies, wants to press his fingertips to their bare skin, feel the heat of all three of their bodies pressed together.

The blush that coats his face is hot and the walk up the floors to their apartment feels long as Taehyung tries not to think about kissing the two of them, trying to seem normal as they make small talk. Taehyung wonders if Jungkook and Yoongi are just hot and bothered as he is, and as they walk, he notices Yoongi’s eyes trailing over his and Jungkook’s lips as they speak, or Jungkook’s eyes still a little dark when he looks at Yoongi and Taehyung, slow to glance away as if he’s forcing himself.

It only makes the electricity around them grow and Taehyung almost breathes a sigh of relief when he sees their door with the familiar golden numbers.

“Would you like to come in?” A playful smirk plays on Yoongi’s lips as he looks back at Taehyung while Jungkook unlocks the door.

“It’s the first date, Yoongi, we can’t ask him to come in,” Jungkook’s voice pretends to be affronted while his smirk is just as playful, hand still on the doorknob and Yoongi huffs a laugh.

“Oh my god, you guys are loving this aren’t you.” Taehyung rolls his eyes, fighting the smile despite the cliché lines, both of them intent on playing along with the first date expectancies.

“Maybe,” Jungkook swings the door open with a small shrug and mischievous glint in his eyes as they all enter the apartment, leaving the draftiness of the hallway.

Taehyung folds his scarf on the entryway table as Jungkook tosses the keys next to it, and Yoongi starts to pull Taehyung’s jacket off, putting it with his and Jungkook’s on their small coat rack. Taehyung watches as Jungkook rolls the sleeves of his turtleneck, the sinewy muscles trailing down his forearms, watches Yoongi’s hands, veins prominent as he smooths out the material of one of their jackets, and Taehyung feels his throat dry up instantly.

He desperately needed to get a hold of himself, but Jimin’s words from earlier, combined with the flirtations throughout the night, and the feeling of their mouths on his, a feeling that still sent thrills through his body, all that combined –

Taehyung wanted more, wanted them so bad.

The confidence is pulled from somewhere deep down inside him as Taehyung catches both boys as they come within reach, pulling them to his body. Taehyung doesn’t think, he doesn’t let himself second guess anything as he pulls them both in, capturing them with his mouth, their breath hot inside his mouth and their lips still slightly chilled from being outside.

They meld together naturally, as if it were second nature, as if they’d been together much longer than reality. Taehyung doesn’t know what is up or down, only that he feels the electricity that buzzes around them, through them as the wrap around each other, the three of them kissing lips, necks, any bit of skin they can find.

Taehyung loses his breath for moment, the feeling of Yoongi’s lips tracing his and Jungkook’s mouth sucking a mark at his neck, it all makes him lose his head, and Yoongi must sense it as he pulls away, letting them catch their breath, Jungkook nosing along the line of the column of Taehyung’s neck.

“You know Tae…Jimin said no funny business.” Yoongi’s words are playful, joking, but when his gaze catches Taehyung’s, any breath the latter caught is lost again at the unmistakable desire in Yoongi’s eyes at the way those dark eyes settle on Taehyung, making heat rise in his abdomen.

“Gotta keep you respectable.” Jungkook whispers, his breath hot against Taehyung’s neck, lips moving against the skin there as he speaks and raising goosebumps across Taehyung’s body, making the heat in his abdomen only get hotter.

“Jimin doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” The words are a breath, Taehyung leaning back against Jungkook while settling his gaze, hoping it’s filled with as much heat as his body, on Yoongi and then twisting to look at Jungkook, before he speaks to both of them.

“Plus, maybe I’m not that respectable.”

Taehyung only gets a glimpse of Yoongi’s smirk before his mouth is back on his, lips pressing harder than before, the excitement that was there before only growing to new heights as they kiss again. Taehyung whimpers into Yoongi’s mouth as Jungkook’s teeth graze over the mark on his neck, as his tongue trails over the skin, hot and wet, sending thrills through Taehyung, straight to his half hard cock. Taehyung breaks away, turning to kiss Jungkook, as Yoongi pulls the collar of his sweater down, sucking his own mark into Taehyung’s skin.

Pressing into Jungkook’s body, Taehyung can’t help the excitement when he feels Jungkook growing just as hard as he is and the moan that falls out of Jungkook into his own mouth as he presses against Jungkook more. Then trails a hand down Yoongi’s body, palm hovering over the front of his slacks, and Yoongi pulls his hand closer, lets him feel how affected he is, and it makes Taehyung’s heart hammer in his chest, his body tingle all over.

“Please, want you both, now.” Taehyung says, whimpers almost, as he pulls Yoongi closer by his waist, reaches a hand up to grip Jungkook’s hair.

“You’re sure?” Jungkook asks, and Yoongi mirrors the question with a serious gaze.

“Yes, please.” Taehyung can’t help the desperation in his voice; can’t help the way he aches for them both.

“Okay sweetheart,” Yoongi caresses the side of Taehyung’s face, thumb trailing over his bottom lip, and Taehyung thinks he could fall apart right there just from the sound of Yoongi’s voice and the pet name. Jungkook kisses him softly on the cheek, before echoing Yoongi’s words on a breath sent across the skin of Taehyung’s cheek.

They end up in their bedroom, and Taehyung doesn’t think much as they undress each other, each pulling clothing off the other, fast and excited, yet it almost feels like all three of them are savoring the moment even in their excitement.

“So beautiful,” Yoongi presses against Taehyung from behind, the latter noting his smaller frame, but still just as toned as when he saw him after his shower, legs less muscular than Jungkook’s, thinner, but still toned. Taehyung feels Yoongi’s erection press against the cleft of his ass; feels the thickness of his cock and he shudders at feeling.

“So, so beautiful,” Jungkook kneels on the bed in front of him, his body broad and strong, yet somehow delicate at the same time, his waist small and his legs lithe, and his cock hangs long and thick between them. Taehyung reaches out, trailing his hand over Jungkook’s chest, feeling the firm muscle there and then trailing lower, lower, until he touches Jungkook’s erection feeling the thickness of it in his palm, rubbing a thumb over the head, appreciating the way Jungkook jerks at the touch. Taehyung releases him after a moment, pulling both of them in for another kiss, the three of them a mess of spit and tongues and lips, before Taehyung pulls away, eyes hazy and full of lust.

A blush coats his face, his chest and Taehyung sighs, “Not as beautiful as you, both of you.”

Taehyung would never be able to put it into words how beautiful his boys were.

“Tell us what you want Tae,” Jungkook’s voice is low, his fingers trailing hot lines up and down Taehyung’s arms and Yoongi trails fingers and kisses across his shoulder blades.

“Want to, want to ride Yoongi,” Taehyung whispers, in part due to his request, and in part due to the heaviness that surrounds them, the way the three of them together seems bigger than the stars and the moon outside the bedroom window, Taehyung wants to savor every bit of the feeling, every minute of them. “Want you to fuck him, while I ride him.”

Yoongi’s bites down on his shoulder, just the slightest pressure but it rips a moan from Taehyung’s throat, and Jungkook trails a hand from his arm, down his waist, and to his cock, neglected and leaking pre-cum already. Taehyung hips thrust forward ever so slightly as Jungkook wraps his hand around him, pumping him slowly, and Taehyung whimpers at the pace, at the feeling of Yoongi’s hands, large palms hot against his waist, tongue trailing a stripe from his shoulder up his neck.

“Please,” Taehyung whimpers as Jungkook squeezes slightly at the base of his cock, his body overstimulated, and his head completely gone.

“Got to get you prepped first, baby,” Jungkook let’s go of his cock and reaches up to runs his fingers through Taehyung’s hair, then reaches behind Taehyung and the latter hears Yoongi’s breath catch slightly as Jungkook runs his fingers through Yoongi’s hair, “Both of you.”

The sounds of Jungkook rifling through one of their nightstands is background noise as Taehyung turns, letting Yoongi cover his mouth with his own, letting Yoongi’s tongue trace the inside of his mouth and letting his own fingers trace the line of Yoongi’s jaw, his neck, his chest.

Jungkook’s hand is suddenly at his back, pressing them both until they fall onto the bed, Yoongi on his back and Taehyung on top of him, giggling at the fall and Yoongi’s lips quirk at the sound. Jungkook leans forward, pressing his lips to Yoongi’s, slow and soft, before he pulls back, a small kiss to Taehyung’s spine before opening the bottle of lube.

“You prep Yoongi,” Jungkook brings a hand to Taehyung’s waist, voice soft, “And I’ll prep you.”

Taehyung’s lashes flutter, as he nods in response, and lets Jungkook pour the lube onto his fingers, and then disappears behind Taehyung. Taehyung positions himself between Yoongi’s legs, those dark eyes burning him with the fire inside, and trails a hand over his thigh, spreading Yoongi’s legs, parting his cheeks and circling his rim before pressing his index finger inside. Yoongi’s breathing quickens, as Taehyung fingers him open, and when he presses a second finger in, the moan Yoongi lets out is so sweet, makes Taehyung hum as he presses a third finger in, feeling Yoongi clench around him.

“You sound so good, hyung, so good for me,” Taehyung’s breath hitches on the last word as Jungkook pulls his hips up, and he feels strong hands pull his own cheeks apart, a finger pressing against his hole, the lube warm and Jungkook’s hands even warmer.

“F-fuck,” Taehyung moans, leaning his head against Yoongi’s thigh, still fingering him open, pressing deep inside, reaching that sweet spot that makes Yoongi cry out.

“You both sound so sweet, so beautiful, could listen to you all night,” Jungkook croons, pressing another finger in, crooking his fingers and making Taehyung shudder at the feeling, making small whimpers escape his mouth as he tries to focus. After a third finger, Taehyung presses back slightly, and moans as Yoongi runs his fingers through his curls and pulls slightly, the pain so good, Taehyung’s body sensitive everywhere.

“Kook-ah, Tae baby, I’m ready,” Yoongi says softly, thighs shaking as Taehyung pulls his fingers out of him the glide easy, watching as Yoongi clenches around nothing. Taehyung leans forward to mouth at Yoongi’s cock, neglected, the veins prominent and the head a deep shade of pink, clear beads of pre-cum leaking out. The shudder that passes through Yoongi’s body as Taehyung licks at the head of his cock matches the one that goes through Taehyung’s body as Jungkook presses deep inside him, finding the spot that makes his body go pliant in pleasure, moaning against Yoongi’s skin.

“Mmph, want to feel you, want both of you to feel good,” Taehyung moans as Jungkook continues to open him up, fucking him with is fingers.

Jungkook hums before sliding his fingers out, the loss making Taehyung whimper slightly before he’s moving to straddle Yoongi, hovering over him as Jungkook lines himself up behind him, rubbing his cock against Taehyung’s ass once, twice before moving to line up against Yoongi’s entrance.

“You ready baby?” Jungkook traces the skin of Yoongi’s hip, and receives a dazed nod in response, a small euphoric smile. “Sweetheart?” Jungkook leans forward to whisper in Taehyung’s ear, and Taehyung’s nods, biting his lip as he meets Yoongi’s eyes.

Taehyung feels Yoongi’s body underneath him, feels the way he goes pliant as Jungkook pushes into him slowly, a low moan shared between Jungkook and Yoongi as he bottoms out. Taehyung feels the way Yoongi’s body shakes as Jungkook begins to move, watches as he his closes his eyes, lost in the pleasure of Jungkook’s cock fucking him.

Taehyung leans forward to kiss Yoongi as Jungkook fucks him, slow, each drag in and out an effort to drag out the pleasure, then raises up, feeling as Jungkook pauses to let Taehyung grab Yoongi’s cock and line it up. The stretch is delicious as Taehyung lowers himself, letting Yoongi’s cock press deeper and deeper before he’s fully seated, panting slightly at the feeling of Yoongi so deep inside him, filling him up so nicely.

“You okay, Tae?” Yoongi asks, trailing a finger in circle on the skin of Taehyung’s hip before settling his hand over his hipbone, watching Taehyung and Jungkook as if they were a piece of art.

“Mmm so good, feels,” Taehyung let’s his head fall back against Jungkook’s shoulder, reaches up to caress the side of Jungkook’s face while his other hand is splayed against Yoongi’s abdomen. Jungkook hums, one of his hands coming to rest right over Yoongi’s where it grips Taehyung’s hip, “Feels so good.”

“You’re so good for us baby,” Jungkook whispers in his ear, and Yoongi echoes him, “So good, so beautiful, our baby.”

Their words make Taehyung’s head spin, make his entire everything turn upside down, and his body vibrates with the need for more, to feel more.

Taehyung starts to move and as soon as he does, hips circling once before slowly riding Yoongi’s cock, Jungkook begins to move again too, a little faster now, their hands joined on Taehyung’s hip the only thing that anchors Taehyung as he feels all their bodies moving together, the heat of their bodies and the feeling of pleasure causing a sheen of sweat across their skin, but Taehyung loves it all, loves the smell of sex in the air, loves the sound of skin against skin, loves the sounds they all make as they chase their release, as their heartbeats all meld together, as they all move and breath and love each other, synchronous in every way.

Jungkook kisses the side of Taehyung’s neck as his thrusts grow quicker, less practiced and erratic with his approaching orgasm. The quickness of his thrusts only pushes Yoongi deeper inside Taehyung every time he moves, and as Taehyung moves pushes himself up and down, he sees stars every time Yoongi’s cock hits deeper inside him. Yoongi moans low and gravelly, and Taehyung can see the way his body shivers at the pleasure, at the feeling of both Taehyung and Jungkook around him, sends white hot heat through Taehyung and Jungkook as he looks at them both, the intensity in his lust-filled gaze.

“Close,” Taehyung breathes, hips circling once, twice with a whine, before he moves faster, chasing after the building pressure inside him, his cock hard and aching.

“It’s okay baby, me too,” Yoongi’s voice is soft, low, oh so sweet and such a contrast to the way he brings his other hand to stroke Taehyung cock, an expert glide that has Taehyung arching back into Jungkook, the latter’s other hand coming up to rest around Taehyung’s neck.

“Come with us, sweetheart,” Jungkook’s voice is strained with his approaching orgasm and puts pressure on Taehyung’s neck for a second, emphasizing his words and then leans down to kiss his jawline.

As if their words broke something within him, the pressure within him erupts, his orgasm coming fast, and soon, Jungkook and Yoongi follow, their shared moans and stuttering hips giving everything away. Taehyung feels it as Yoongi’s release fills him up, cock twitching inside him with every spurt, thighs shaking as Taehyung rides out his orgasm, head resting against Jungkook, his body spent and warm with the feeling of pleasure coursing through him, and Jungkook presses in deep, moaning against Taehyung’s shoulder as he orgasms with them.

Taehyung feels jolts of pleasure shoot through him as Yoongi and Jungkook both ride out their orgasms, Yoongi pumping up into Taehyung and Jungkook pumping slowly into Yoongi. Taehyung finally stills, enjoying the feeling of Yoongi’s cock inside him, and traces a finger through the mess he made of Yoongi’s stomach, the evidence of his own orgasm in white streaks against Yoongi’s skin.

After a moment, a shared moment of catching their breath, Taehyung leans forward to kiss Yoongi, letting his cock fall out of him, the loss making his body jolt before he grows pliant again. Jungkook pulls out slowly with a hiss, before coming to lay with them, wrapping them both up in his arms, their bodies close together, ignoring the messes they’ve made of each other.

Taehyung kisses them both, slow and full of everything he feels, felt, will feel forever. Their a mess of tangled limbs and heartbeats as they all lay together, shrouded in a slightly pale light from the moon outside and Taehyung thinks he could stay like this forever, thinks Jungkook and Yoongi might echo the sentiment.

“I love you both,” Taehyung whispers into the night, into the comfortable silence, “I love you both, forever and a day.”

Yoongi is silent before he raises both Taehyung and Jungkook’s hand, kissing their knuckles, a feather light touch of his lips, “I love you both, forever and a day.”

Jungkook grins, leaning over Yoongi to press his lips to Taehyung’s, and then to Yoongi’s, eyes bright, “I love you both, forever and two days.”

Taehyung groans with a smile, Yoongi scolds him for his competitiveness, and Jungkook grins a winner’s smile, and they all laugh together, the sounds of their laughter possibly more radiant than the stars and moon themselves. Their lines all different, imperfect, and sometimes going in different directions, but always meeting, always joining together to make a picture that is only them.

As they lay together, their laughter a song that rivals even the best ballads, Taehyung thinks that part of him that felt like it was missing, like his missing puzzle piece had yet to be found, that part of him has filled up slowly but surely, had been filling up since Jungkook and Yoongi walked into that bar. Filling up until Taehyung forgot it was empty in the first place.

Taehyung’s life has always felt like a rough sketch, like it still needed some finishing touches, and now with them, Yoongi and Jungkook by his side, it felt as if his life was now a finished piece of art, the whole damn picture, radiant and full of possibilities.

ꨄ︎