#taejin fluff

[gimmethatagustd]

eternal | kth + ksj

Seokjin and Taehyung met their untimely deaths when they were young and heartbroken. Doomed to roam the earth as a ghost with unfinished business, Taehyung is convinced that finding Seokjin's soul and righting his wrongs will set them free.

Pairing: Ghost Taehyung x Human Seokjin

Rating: Explicit

Genre/Trope: Reincarnation, ghosts, soulmates, fluff, angst, smut

Content Warning: Mental health issues, loss of virginity, anal fingering, anal sex, it's implied that Seokjin participated in an in-patient program for mental health concerns and aspects of his mental health are woven throughout the story, Seokjin's ex-boyfriend kisses him without his consent (his motives aren't malicious)

Word Count: 23,489

A/N: If you're an OG, you might recognize this story. It's a rewrite I hope you enjoy.

Soundtrack: Infinity - Jaymes Young

Time doesn’t mean much when you're dead. 

When he was alive, time meant everything to Taehyung. It was one of life’s most elusive luxuries during a period when humanity was far more fragile than it is now. 

Now, he’s been on Earth long enough to hardly notice when the sun and moon dodge each other at the beginning and end of each day. It’s a cruel dance, what the sun and moon must perform. Taehyung wonders how much it hurts to see his other half die and be born again. He’s sure his decrepit heart wouldn’t be able to take it. Too much pain has made its home there. 

He’s been on Earth long enough to hardly notice that, too. Pain means nearly as little as time. 

He knows he’s lying to himself, but no one can stop him. 

Well, there is one person. Taehyung doesn’t find his advice agreeable with what he wants, so he ignores him. Unfortunately for Taehyung, it’s a bit difficult to ignore Yoongi. 

Even now, when Taehyung desperately wishes to be left alone, he can sense Yoongi’s presence. The groundskeeper’s keyring jingles as he twirls it around his long, knobby index finger. 

Taehyung tries to tune out the sound, focusing his thoughts on what he sees rather than hears. He sees that dusk is approaching, although dark clouds rolling in from the east threaten to mute the sky's magnificent hues of pink and orange. He sees that the damp grass he’s kneeling on has turned the shins of his trousers a dark green. He sees a chip on the edge of the tombstone in front of him. 

“Yoongi.” 

His throat hurts when he swallows, as though it’s peeling open wide enough to let his voice through. The action makes Taehyung realize he can’t remember the last time he’s spoken to someone. But he knows it won’t matter if he's too quiet. Yoongi doesn’t need Taehyung to speak out loud to hear him. 

The jingle of the keyring gradually gets louder until it stops. Taehyung knows the groundskeeper is standing over him, staring with those cat-like eyes that have become so familiar. He can smell the smoke of the cigarette Yoongi has stuffed in the corner of his mouth before he sees a bit of ash float to the ground beside him. 

“Hyung?” Yoongi waits with his thumbs in his belt loops. 

“This chip.” Taehyung reaches out to touch the bright white spot where the edge of the tombstone is chipped. The jagged chip in the stone is sharp enough to draw blood. Taehyung presses his thumb into it as hard as he can. “It is new.”

Yoongi sighs from above Taehyung, but he doesn’t look up. Instead, he fixes his eyes on the pad of his thumb. His skin is smooth and unscathed. 

“We got a new guy mowing the grass. He’s still learning how to use the equipment properly.” Yoongi drops more ash as the cigarette bobs between his lips. “It happens, hyung. There’s not much I can do to prevent accidents.” 

Taehyung has to give him some credit; this isn’t the first time they’ve had this conversation. After nearly a decade of friendship, Yoongi’s patience has never run dry. 

Taehyung wishes he could say the same about himself. After nearly two hundred years, it may be surprising that the man’s patience hasn’t strengthened. For Taehyung, life both drags on and passes by unnoticed. It’s a strange feeling, nothing he knows how to articulate to anyone. Not that he has anyone to talk to aside from Yoongi. And Yoongi doesn’t ask questions. 

When Taehyung doesn’t respond, Yoongi shifts his weight from one foot to another. Taehyung can feel the motion through the ground beneath his shins. 

“Y’know, maybe you should go out, hyung,” the groundskeeper says after a moment. He mumbles his words, and more ash falls from the sky. “It’s Halloween. There’ll be more of you out there, y’know.” 

From the corner of Taehyung’s eye, he can see Yoongi sweep his hand in the air, motioning toward the large black gates at the cemetery’s entrance. His cigarette sits nestled between his fingers. 

It’s not a bad idea, going out. Taehyung used to do it all the time, especially during Halloween. He’s unsure when he stopped but knows it’s been years. 

That’s a lie. 

He knows when he stopped and knows why he stopped. He stopped going out on Halloween when he decided to stop looking for Seokjin. 

With a sigh, Taehyung rises from the ground and brushes off his stained trousers. He doesn’t understand how his clothes can get dirty, but Seokjin’s chipped tombstone couldn’t cut him. 

There are no indents in the grass where Taehyung had kneeled atop Seokjin’s grave. 

“Not this year,” Taehyung declares. 

First, he fiddles with his suit jacket, and when he gets tired of that, he fiddles with the top button of his dress shirt. It’s not what his friend wants to hear, and Taehyung knows that, but he can’t pretend. He’s too tired to pretend. 

Whatever Yoongi has to say behind that is drowned out by a distant shriek. The two men flinch before whipping their heads toward the sound. Yoongi’s tension dissipates quicker than Taehyung’s when the shrieking morphs into cackles of laughter. 

A group of young people loiters down the winding path toward the middle of the grounds. One has climbed on the shoulders of an angel statue, the rest of the group giggling as the climber shows off his athleticism. 

“Dumbass kids,” Yoongi mutters under his breath. His bony fingers grip the waistband of his jeans to adjust them on his hips before he stomps through the rows of tombstones. “Ayy! Get the fuck outta here!” 

They’re probably around the same age Taehyung was when he died, although twenty-eight seemed much older then than it does now. His engagement to Seokjin is simply one example of how times have changed. When he was alive, the engagement was long overdue. In today’s society, people in their late twenties are okay with being unwed and childless. 

Taehyung doesn’t quite understand what else someone would want to do in life. All he ever wanted was to be a husband and, maybe one day, a father. 

When trespassers cause trouble on the grounds, Taehyung lets Yoongi take care of them. There’s not much he can do to help, anyway, nor does he want to help. It’s all ridiculous, cliche, and a bit offensive. The living think death is something to play with and laugh at. Today shouldn’t be any different than all the other days. 

Yet Taehyung gingerly steps around Seokjin’s grave as if he could disturb it. Something compels him to sneak up behind Yoongi. He’s too tall and broad to hide behind him and doesn’t need to. The trespassers can’t see him. No one can see him except Yoongi.

Half of the group has already taken off. Taehyung assumes it’s the more athletic ones of the group who are throwing their legs over the fence by the time Yoongi reaches the statue. The trespassers left behind stand with their heads hanging and hands clasped behind their backs. 

“Please don’t call the cops!” 

The one who looks the youngest is trembling so badly that Taehyung feels sorry for him. He’s got the roundest, brightest eyes Taehyung has ever seen, and his cute front teeth are all Taehyung can look at as he begs for forgiveness. His clothes are torn and bloody, but the ugly rubber mask that looks like a monster in his hand reminds Taehyung that it’s Halloween and the living love to mimic death, too. 

“I swear we weren’t doing anything bad! We were just looking for ghosts or vampires. I mean, not that we think they’re real or anything, but it’s Halloween and–” 

An elbow to the ribs makes the young man gasp. 

“Jungkook, shut up.”  

With an amused smile, Taehyung drops his eyes from the trembling young man, Jungkook, to the person who has interrupted him. Although the command is hissed rather harshly, this other trespasser is also trembling in fear. Taehyung wants to laugh, but his throat hurts from the little talking he has already done. There’s nothing scary about Yoongi. He’s all bark and no bite, but these people don’t know that. 

“Nah, I’m not gonna call the cops. You're lucky I’m in a good mood,” Yoongi scolds, adjusting the waistband of his jeans again. 

Taehyung wonders if he thinks it’s an intimidating move. 

Jungkook sighs out of relief, but his friend still trembles. His head is bent, so Taehyung can’t see his face. All he can see is the dark robe he’s wearing. There’s a gold crest stitched onto the front. Taehyung thinks it might be a design from a witch movie he saw many years ago on one of the Halloweens Yoongi convinced him to enjoy. 

Taehyung doesn’t know why, but he wants to see this stranger’s face. He wants to press his fingers against the underside of this stranger’s chin and lift his head. He could if he wanted to. He can touch people. It doesn’t feel the same as a human’s touch; at least, that is what Yoongi told him. Yoongi says his touch feels wispy and cold, like the chill air that rushes out of the freezer when the door opens. 

Taehyung’s arm extends before he can stop himself, causing Yoongi to give him a side look with eyebrows raised in confusion. But before Taehyung can reach the stranger, he looks up, dark eyes seemingly staring straight into Taehyung’s. 

Taehyung gasps despite the air meaning nothing to him. He feels Yoongi tense beside him, but he can’t look away. 

It’s Seokjin. 

What little human skepticism is left in Taehyung immediately tells him it’s impossible that this stranger could be Seokjin, but he has seen the impossible happen plenty of times. He is a ghost, after all. Isn’t his existence supposed to be impossible? Yet here he is, haunting the cemetery where his betrothed was buried two centuries ago. 

Haunting isn’t the right word. Taehyung hates that word. He’s not haunting; he’s waiting, waiting for Seokjin. 

In all the ways he’s fantasized about this moment, Taehyung always assumed Seokjin would be like him: a ghost, an apparition, a specter. He thought Seokjin was doomed to wander the Earth like he was, searching for a love ripped apart unjustly and prematurely. Taehyung once heard humans refer to the wandering as unfinished business. He supposes his business is unfinished. He and Seokjin were meant to be married and live a life of unwavering love until they grew old together. 

But Seokjin is standing before him in flesh and blood, breathing air with trembling lungs. 

For a moment, Taehyung thinks Seokjin can see him. Perhaps he has been reincarnated as a medium like Yoongi. It would be a convenient turn of events, but Taehyung has never been lucky. Little good has come to him, both in life and in death. The only good, he thinks, was Seokjin, and Seokjin was taken from him.

After getting over the shock of seeing Seokjin’s face, Taehyung looks hard at his eyes and realizes he’s not looking at him. His eyes aren’t focused on the foreground; he’s peering through him. When Taehyung turns to follow his gaze, he finds a truck parked outside the cemetery, headlights blinding in the sudden darkness surrounding them. 

Yoongi breaks the silence. “Well, get outta here unless you want me putting you to work cleaning up the mausoleums or something.” 

The two trespassers scramble toward the gates, not sparing another glance at Taehyung and Yoongi. Well, at Yoongi. 

“What was that about, hyung?” The medium flicks his cigarette onto the ground and digs it into the yellowed grass with the toe of his boot. 

Taehyung doesn’t have to ask Yoongi what he’s referring to, but he can barely hear the man over the rush of white noise assaulting his brain. If he could sweat, he knows his hands would be clammy and the back of his neck hot. He bends over at the waist, delicate hands clasping his knees as he tries to regulate his breathing. Breathing! Like as if he needs it. 

“I believe… I may faint,” Taehyung gasps, staring up at Yoongi with wild eyes. 

“Faint?” Yoongi croaks with concern. “Hyung, I don’t think his body can. Passing out happens due to a lack of oxygen, but you don’t need oxygen...”

“It can; I can feel it. I believe it can.” Taehyung squeezes his eyes shut. Can ghosts vomit? A wave of nausea overtakes him as another round of laughter floats through the cool autumn breeze. The group is still here. Seokjin is still here, just beyond the rusty metal fence. 

Remaining doubled over, Taehyung starts dry heaving, his shoulders tumbling forward in a rocking motion. 

“Fuck,” Yoongi quietly curses. He wraps one arm around Taehyung’s waist and rubs between his shoulder blades. “Hyung, why, what’s happening to you?” 

Taehyung also didn’t think ghosts could cry, but Yoongi’s image blurs when he looks up at him. 

“That was Seokjin,” Taehyung sputters. “I must go to him. Yoongi, I cannot stay here.” The declaration is frantic, but at least he’s standing now. 

“Whoa, calm down, hyung, alright? How could that be him? He’s—that person was a human. I know it. You know I would sense something.” 

Taehyung grabs both of Yoongi’s shoulders and does his best to ignore the way his friend shivers beneath his grasp. 

“Yoongi, please trust me. There is absolutely no way I can possibly be mistaken. There is nothing I am more confident in than him.” 

Perhaps it’s the crazed look in his eyes or the pained edge to his voice, but Yoongi finally nods. Taehyung can find his way back to the cemetery, and there is no danger threatening him out in the world behind the gates. He’s already dead. 

He wants to kiss his friend on the cheek but forces it down. The times are different now, and Yoongi isn’t as affectionate as Taehyung is. There’s also a shameful feeling that licks at Taehyung’s burning throat. He knows his touch will be cold, and he’s tired of making his friend shiver. 

Before Yoongi can change his mind, Taehyung sprints toward the gates. He could float if he wanted to, but something is grounding about how his shoes sink into the Earth, even if no footprints are left behind. 

The trespassers are climbing into the truck by the time he reaches them. With one last look at Yoongi, his form small in the distance, Taehyung ducks his head and slides into the backseat. He has no idea where he’s going, but he doesn’t care. The only thing that matters is that he sits in the empty seat between Seokjin and Jungkook. 

He doesn’t have a working heart, but he could swear there’s a frantic flutter in his chest as he takes in Seokjin’s side profile. Everything is the same. The delicate features of his face, the strength in his shoulders, even the way he sits with his eyebrows furrowed when he’s deep in thought. 

He wants to touch Seokjin so badly. 

Seokjin shifts in his seat and rests his hand, palm up, against his thigh. All it would take is a slight extension of Taehyung's arm for him to intertwine their fingers. 

“Haeun,” Seokjin whines, making Taehyung jump. “Can you turn the heat on? It’s so cold back here.” 

Taehyung clasps his hands in his lap and watches Seokjin with wide eyes. Seokjin's voice is still the same but a bit rougher. People’s voices these days do sound harsher than when Taehyung was alive. Everyone is more casual now. Taehyung likes it. He likes the idea of Seokjin being free to express himself, loud and rough. Too many queer people were suppressed back then. It never befitted either of them.

“It’s already on, all the way,” Haeun states from behind the steering wheel. 

Taehyung realizes he’s never been inside a car before. It’s nice, he decides. He enjoys how comfortable the seats are, even though he knows he can only sort of feel them. It’s odd how his body works. He can feel, hold, and sit on things without falling through. But he’s not wholly solid, not all the time. It’s hard to understand. He’s both here and not, real and make-believe. 

“I’m so fucking cold,” Seokjin mumbles as he wraps his arms around himself. “I feel like I’m going to get hyperthermia. Jungkook, are you not cold?” 

Jungkook reaches over to rub Seokjin's arm. Taehyung does his best to sink further into the back of the seat lest Jungkook accidentally brush against him. 

“Maybe you got cursed by evil spirits,” Haeun offers. “Cemeteries are full of them. The deranged souls of those who’ve been murdered. Or worse! The murderers themselves.” 

Taehyung decides he doesn’t like Haeun very much.

“Ghosts aren’t real." Seokjin scoffs as though he has had to make this statement one too many times. 

Even though Taehyung knows most people don’t believe in ghosts anymore, hearing his betrothed say he cannot exist still stings. It’s not Seokjin's fault, though. How could Seokjin possibly know? Taehyung cannot expect him to retain memories from a past life. However, he hopes he can find a way to coax them out from somewhere deep inside Seokjin's soul. He hopes he can make Seokjin remember. Remember him. Maybe this was Taehyung's purpose, why he was trapped here instead of moving on to the afterlife. 

“My love for you has been eternal, beloved,” Taehyung whispers. “I promise I’ll never let you down again.” 

Seokjin softly gasps when he feels Taehyung's cool breath against the shell of his ear. Taehyung knows Seokjin can’t hear him, but he watches goosebumps trail down his arms. 

Seokjin's mind might not know Taehyung is there, but his body does.

By the time Seokjin kicks off his shoes in the entranceway to his apartment, the cold has settled deep into his bones. For fear of freezing even more, he changes into warm pajamas, with fluffy slippers and a blanket thrown over his shoulders like a cape, and cranks up the thermostat.  

He made a terrible mistake by going to the cemetery with his friends, if they even deserve to be called that. Jungkook doesn’t understand why Seokjin thinks his friends don’t treat him well. They all seem to thrive off of scaring the poor kid, which gets Seokjin scared in return because Jungkook can’t do anything without him. Seokjin is a firm believer in leaving the paranormal alone. Unfortunately, Jungkook’s friends often have other ideas. 

“Maybe I have the flu,” Seokjin mumbles to himself. Illness is the only explanation for why he feels as though he has been tossed naked into a frozen lake when the leaves barely fall from the trees outside. 

Even though Seokjin is sluggish as he shuffles into the bathroom, his eyes stare back at himself from the mirror so brightly it scares him. He doesn’t feel alert; he feels like he can’t keep his eyes open. Yet he’s wide-eyed and blazing in the mirror as he brushes his teeth. 

“Haeun just made me nervous, that’s all.” Seokjin rinses his mouth of toothpaste. “It’s just nerves.” 

His skincare routine is next. If he doesn’t do it tonight, it will start a treacherous cycle of skipping his daily routine. So he splashes his face with water and starts massaging a pale blue cleanser into his skin. 

“It’s so silly. What am I even scared of? Nothing happened.” Seokjin pouts at the mirror, and it pouts back, somehow looking more judgmental than expected. “So, I’m cold. No biggie.”

His mom always insists that he’s anemic because of how cold his hands get. Maybe he is anemic, and this situation is a sign that he should go to the doctor. 

The thought of doctors makes goosebumps rise and shiver down Seokjin’s arms. No doctors, no hospitals. He has dealt with them enough in his life. 

As he climbs into bed with his skin clean and tingly, he’s too tired to consider it strange that he has no other symptoms of illness aside from being deathly cold. With heat pumping through the apartment’s vents and blankets surrounding him, he falls asleep, confident that he’ll be fine in the morning.  

Except Seokjin isn’t fine. 

His body temperature isn’t the problem anymore. He woke up warm enough to be sweaty beneath the mountain of blankets. It feels good to defrost, although his bones ache as he throws his legs over the side of the bed.

He doesn’t get very far. The problem isn’t his temperature. It’s his clothes. 

Seokjin knows for a fact that he stripped down with haste last night. Exhausted, cold, and still spooked by the cemetery situation and Haeun’s ghost stories, he didn’t have the energy to put his clothes away. Sundays are laundry days. He planned to throw everything in the washing machine in the morning—no need to be neat right before bed. 

But now, as he sits on the edge of his bed with lips parted, he comes face-to-face with his laundry basket. It sits beside his dresser on the floor across from his bed. It’s stacked with folded, clean clothes, including the Hufflepuff robe from last night and the all-black attire he’d worn underneath. 

There’s no way Seokjin did that. Sundays are laundry days. Today is Sunday, but he just woke up. And he knows for a fact that his pile of dirty laundry had been enormous yesterday. 

Seokjin’s fingers sift through the blankets to find his phone. An image of him and Jungkook flashes on the screen when he checks the time. Their cheeks are pressed together, Jungkook’s flushed a deep pink, sweat making their faces shine. Jungkook’s twenty-first birthday was a year ago. It was the worst year of Seokjin’s life when his mental health plummeted for no reason, but taking Jungkook out for his birthday is one of his happiest memories. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Seokjin gazes at the translucent orange medicine bottle sitting on his nightstand. The antidepressant he takes to battle his insomnia can sometimes make him feel groggy enough to be disoriented. Still, Seokjin has done nothing while on his medication as extreme as doing laundry without remembering in the morning.

Wiggling his toes to wake them up, he walks to the cursed laundry basket. It’s ridiculous, he thinks, how he reaches out to press his fingertips against the folded t-shirt on top of the stack.

The t-shirt is still warm. 

“What in the fuck?” The air around Seokjin grows cold as he whispers in a hushed tone. 

He prays his heart will slow down, but his hands are already shaking. Holding them against his chest does very little to settle them.

Usually, the smell of clean laundry comforts Seokjin. It reminds him of Sunday mornings with his mother. He’d tiptoe around her in the small laundry room in the basement of his childhood home, shoulders bumping into each other as he sorted through the clothes because his little sister always left things in her pockets.

There’s not much Seokjin can do about the folded laundry in his bedroom. However, he can set a reminder on his phone to schedule an appointment with his psychiatrist. Clearly, he needs to reevaluate his medication. Who knows how many other things he has done in his sleep? 

Snatching his phone from the bed, he skips the unread notifications to pull up his text messages from Jungkook. 

To: Jungkookie have you ever slept walked before?

His gym rat of a best friend is probably getting in his morning workout, pumping iron to whatever hyper-pop hits Gen Z is listening to right now, so he’ll have to wait for a response to his text message. 

With a sigh, Seokjin shuffles down the hall with a blanket draped over his shoulders. The fear of growing cold again makes him unwilling to part with all the extra layers. 

Rubbing his eyes won’t do much for the fog in his brain. Rarely does he succumb to coffee, but today might have to be one of those days. He doesn’t enjoy drinking coffee. The flavor of the blend he has is bitter, and excess caffeine makes him jittery, but Sunwoo left it behind when he moved out. Unfortunately, the part of him that likes to hurt hasn’t allowed himself to throw it out. So, he decides to make the dumb coffee and tells himself it’s not weird that he always drinks it from Sunwoo’s favorite mug. 

Today will be Seokjin’s second day in a row drinking coffee, and he’s already lamenting about having to handwash the mug before he has even stepped foot into the kitchen. Of course, Sunwoo’s favorite mug would be the one he can’t conveniently throw into the dishwasher. At least he has gotten a head start on cleaning today, having miraculously finished laundry in his sleep… 

He’s halfway down the hall toward the kitchen when he hears it—the rumbling sound of liquid bubbling, like water brought to a boil on the stove. Behind that sound, he thinks he can make out water running from a faucet. 

There’s someone in his fucking apartment. 

He freezes, every muscle in his body clenching in terror. His apartment complex isn’t the nicest out there, but it’s a secure building. Nothing has ever made him feel unsafe. 

The smell of coffee wafts down the hall, and the bubbling sound disappears. After a few moments, the running water stops. But Seokjin remains motionless, standing in the same spot in the hallway.

If someone was here to rob or murder him, would they make themselves a cup of coffee? It doesn’t seem likely, although he remembers his favorite true crime podcast covering a story about a murderer who made himself a sandwich after killing his entire family. So maybe coffee is this intruder’s sandwich. 

A shiver runs down Seokjin’s spine like nails raking into his skin. The thought that the intruder may have done his laundry flickers across his mind, but he brushes it aside. He needs to get a grip on the situation. All he has on him is his phone, and there’s not much he can use as a weapon from where he stands in the hallway. But if he moves, he’ll alert the intruder of his presence. 

He’s fucked. 

With his heart in his throat and bile swirling in his stomach, he tiptoes into the kitchen, prepared to launch his phone as hard as possible at the intruder’s face. Perhaps that can buy him enough time to grab a knife. (He tries to ignore the recent memory of Jungkook scolding him for letting them grow dull.) 

If he dies because he didn’t listen to Jungkook… 

“Get the fuck out of my—”

The kitchen is empty. Sunwoo’s favorite mug sits on the counter. Steam swirls from the coffee, where a few bubbles float on the surface, undisturbed. The drying rack on the other side of the kitchen sink is full of clean dishes. 

Seokjin can explain away fresh laundry by blaming the medication that makes him drowsy enough to do things without remembering. He can even use the medication to explain the clean dishes he knows were dirty when he went to bed. But he can’t explain how a fresh, pipping hot mug of coffee sits on his kitchen counter when he just woke up. 

Seokjin chews his bottom lip and twists his fingers into his blanket as the surrounding air grows cold. He can’t help but think the draft feels like cool fingers caressing his forearm. He doesn’t have time to linger on the sensation, but he tries to hold on to the feeling despite how it makes his entire body shake like a leaf in the wind.

Then, just as abruptly as the cold comes, it disappears as though being pulled in the opposite direction. 

His apartment is small. There’s no way someone could have left his kitchen without running into him in the hallway unless they left through the front door. He allows himself half a second to look to his left; the door chain is still in place. 

The sound of ceramic dragging against marble brings Seokjin’s attention back to the kitchen. He watches the coffee mug slide across the counter toward him. And before he can stop himself, he’s screaming, the sound ripping from somewhere deep in his chest. 

His only source of defense goes flying. When his thrown phone hits the coffee mug, it shatters against the floor in explosive, navy blue shards. Black coffee splatters on the tile floor and against the lower kitchen cabinets. 

Pulse pounding in his ears, Seokjin sidesteps the jagged shards, his eyes fixed on the phone lying in a puddle of coffee. He wipes his phone clean before calling Jungkook, his voice cracking when Jungkook answers on the third attempt.

“Hyung, sorry, I was—” 

“Jungkook, Ineedyoutocomeoverrightnow!” 

“What?”

“Right now!” 

Seokjin slams the front door behind him as Jungkook promises to drive over as soon as possible. Fight or flight has him crouching on the floor in the hallway outside his apartment. It seems safer being out there, even though ghosts can float through walls, right? That’s a consideration he pushes to the back of his mind. Nothing good will come from it. Besides, he still has the grating sound of that mug moving across the counter screeching in his head. 

Jungkook arrives fifteen minutes later, clad in baggy sweatpants and a hoodie. His cherry-red bangs stick to his sweaty forehead, and his cheeks are just as colorful. 

“Someone’s in your apartment right now?“ Jungkook huffs the question, his chest rising and falling with the effort of rushing up the stairs. If this was a normal situation, Seokjin would feel bad for the anxiety he knows he’s causing Jungkook. 

Seokjin rubs his face with the corner of his blanket and shakes his head. “It’s a ghost.” 

To his friend’s credit, it’s a ridiculous statement from him. Seokjin is their friend group’s biggest skeptic. He may be a scaredy cat, but he doesn’t believe in all the ridiculous, fantastical shit Jungkook and his friends do.

When Jungkook’s nose scrunches and his cute bunny teeth poke out, Seokjin tries not to get pissed off. 

“A ghost?” 

“Yes, yes, a ghost. Can you just go in there?” Seokjin gestures to the front door. 

If Jungkook cares that Seokjin has an iron grip on his shirt when he trails behind him, he says nothing. The need to be protected overrides Seokjin’s disgust for Jungkook’s sweaty back. 

“Where was it?”

Seokjin shushes Jungkook, whispering, “The kitchen.” 

Jungkook leads him into the kitchen and comes to a halt in the middle of the room. “There’s nothing here, hyung…” 

Peeking around Jungkook’s shoulder, Seokjin’s dark eyes scan the pristine kitchen. Not a single drop of coffee stains the floor or cabinets, and he can’t find even the tiniest shard of the broken mug. 

“B-But, there was the coffee. Sunwoo’s mug was broken…” Seokjin is babbling, one hand still squeezing Jungkook’s shirt and the other keeping his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. “I’m telling you, Jungkook. There was a cup of coffee here. Fresh coffee. And it moved by itself, but I threw my phone and...” 

Humor drains from Jungkook’s face. The stark difference alarms Seokjin, and he turns to look over his shoulder in case he’s seeing something he doesn’t. 

“Seokjin hyung.” Jungkook takes a slow step toward Seokjin, causing him to let go of his shirt. Seokjin feels the comforting heat of his hand on his arm. It’s a distinct sensation than the cool caress Seokjin felt earlier. “Are you feeling okay?” 

“I’m so serious, Jungkook. Weird shit has been going on today.” 

Jungkook’s teeth dig into his bottom lip for a moment. It’s easy to get lost in his large, round eyes. Even easier for Seokjin to be taken apart by them. 

“I just know it was tough for you, seeing Sunwoo hyung at Haeun noona’s party before.” 

“This isn’t about Sunwoo,” Seokjin snaps.  

Jungkook only nods. He never takes Seokjin’s outbursts personally. There’s worse Seokjin has put him through. Jungkook has seen him at such low points in his life that remembering those moments is embarrassing. Regardless, it means he knows how to work with Seokjin better than most people. 

“Can we watch a movie? I was gonna hang out with Ryujin, but I’ll tell her we’ll meet up later.” 

Seokjin knows Jungkook is trying to keep his mind off of the situation. Redirection. It only works to an extent, but he’s thankful for his efforts, no matter the outcome. 

He lets Jungkook lead him to the couch, going pliant as he tucks him into his side and wraps his arm around his shoulders when they sit down. Jungkook is still sweaty from working out, but it feels good to melt into him. They mold into the couch and stay there for hours. 

Jungkook is good for uninterrupted cuddles. People willing to set their phone down, turn it off, and give him their undivided attention for so long are scarce. But Jungkook has always been that person for Seokjin. His kindness makes Seokjin hold his tongue when he orders delivery from his favorite ramen place, knowing he’ll refuse to let him pay even though Seokjin is the hyung with a stable job with a salary and Jungkook is a broke college kid. 

When Jungkook leaves, once the sun sets and they’re full of ramen and soju, Seokjin feels thoroughly comforted. Getting lost in the fantasy worlds of the movies he watches on Netflix helps him forget that he’s living in an odd fantasy himself. 

Seokjin has been called crazy plenty of times, but he knows what happened today was real. All he can hope is that whoever or whatever this thing is, it leaves him alone. 

If coffee, clean laundry, and clean dishes are the only supernatural occurrences he needs to worry about, he’ll be fine.

The next day, Seokjin finds the coffee mug on the kitchen counter. 

He picks it up, running his fingers over the thin cracks scattered along the surface. It appears as though someone has glued the broken shards together. Even the tiny pieces survived the ordeal without shattering to dust. 

Seokjin’s apartment is as deserted as it was the day before. The draft is still there, a constant cool air caressing his arms and making him want to crawl back into bed, but he must go to work. Looking at the time on his phone (and ignoring a good morning text from Jungkook because he’s not ready to talk yet), he takes a hesitant sip of the coffee. 

He’s not sure what he expects to happen. Nothing, maybe. And nothing does. 

The cracks in the mug are proof, though, that this is real. It doesn’t matter that Jungkook didn’t see anything because he has proof now. Proof he can hold in his hand, proof he can sip from. It’s more than just clean dishes and folded laundry. Although unsure of what he’s fighting against, he almost feels triumphant. Perhaps it’s his skepticism, forced to admit that something abnormal is happening here. 

Seokjin finishes the rest of the coffee and sets the mug in the empty sink. He wishes he’d paid attention to all of Haeun’s scary stories so he’d know what to do. However, if there is a ghost from the cemetery here, it has done nothing malicious. 

Nothing malicious, yet. 

Clearing his throat, he zips up his backpack and slings it over his shoulder. He looks around the empty room, knowing he won’t see anything, but doing it anyway. 

“Umm,” he mumbles to the empty kitchen. “Thank you?” 

Fuck, he’s crazy.

A fresh, hot mug of coffee is on Seokjin's kitchen counter every morning for two weeks. Fourteen coffees, even on the weekends, as if the ghost knows when Seokjin is about to wake up and rushes to prepare the drink. It’s odd how he has quickly grown accustomed to the ghost’s helpfulness. Not once in the past two weeks has he had to clean his dishes; every morning, the dirtied dishes from the previous night’s dinner are clean and out to dry. His laundry stays clean and folded. He has even noticed that the plants in his living room windowsill stay hydrated. 

Despite the thoughtfulness of his new houseguest, Seokjin doesn’t like the idea of there being an invisible entity just there . Doing what, exactly? Watching him? Scheming? What if they decide to hurt him? What if they watch him while he showers? 

What if he's making all of this up in his head? 

It’s all too much for Seokjin's brain to handle. He's so far out of his element he doesn’t even know where to start. He could ask Haeun for advice, but he's unwilling to risk the chance she makes fun of him. He's also unsure if Jungkook has told anyone about his outburst. If Jungkook is as great of a friend as Seokjin thinks, he hasn't told a soul.

Seokjin rolls onto his stomach and stretches his arms out to hold his phone while he lounges on his bed. Then, with the mantra, I’m not crazy, I’m not crazy, I’m not crazy, cycling through his mind, he allows his thumbs to glide across his phone screen. 

benevolent hauntings

Naver tells Seokjin that friendly ghosts do exist. They save people from minor inconveniences (he supposes chores are minor inconveniences). Should he trust random Korean paranormal bloggers and refinery29.com? Maybe not, but who should he go to about this, anyway? The fucking Ghost Busters? 

Discouraged, Seokjin tosses his phone and grabs his pillow instead, squeezing it to appreciate its pliable fluffiness. Weekend nights are hard for him, even without the stress of an unwanted ghost roommate. Negative, cyclical thinking is most prevalent at night when he's alone in his apartment with nothing to do. At least during the week, he has work to distract him. Staying well past his standard work hours isn’t uncommon for Seokjin, though his boss does his best to push him out the door at a reasonable hour.

“We’re not brain surgeons, Seokjin,” Namjoon often reminds Seokjin. “We’re not saving lives. Go home.” 

Namjoon is never wrong; Seokjin isn’t saving lives. He spends countless hours authenticating and appraising historical documents and archival materials for the National Museum of Korea. Then, he spends even more hours creating, organizing, and maintaining electronic records of said materials for the museum’s database before handing them over to the curators. Yet, the romantic in him wants to say that he's at least changing lives because he firmly believes in the importance of society understanding its history. Five years into his career, Seokjin is still happy with the route he took with his career, even if people told him it wasn’t worth joining a field that makes very little money. 

He's happy, for the most part.

And when he isn't... well, he manages.

During the week, Seokjin often comes home at night with only enough energy to eat dinner, watch a few episodes of whatever comfort show he's revisiting, and pass out. 

But he doesn’t work on the weekends.

Jungkook used to serve as the perfect distraction. Despite being a few years older than Jungkook, Seokjin thinks they fit together better than anyone he has ever met. The ghost situation perfectly shows Jungkook's unwavering kindness and calming presence in Seokjin's life. But Seokjin can’t monopolize his time. Jungkook has his own life to live. He’s finishing up his degree. He has a girlfriend now. He’ll start looking for a job and applying for graduate school soon. Seokjin is supposed to be the older, wiser friend who provides advice and support while Jungkook figures out adulthood. 

Instead, he ends up crying on the phone to Jungkook more weekends than he’d like to admit. 

There’s a hole. It looks and feels different depending on the day, but it’s always in the middle of Seokjin's chest. Some days, it’s small and perfectly circular, like a cookie cutter was pressed into his soul to extract just the right amount to leave him aching but not debilitated. On other days, it is large and jagged, the way he imagines a black hole would look in outer space or how flesh is blown through by the bullet of a shotgun. Unfortunately, Seokjin has failed to find the perfect suture in twenty-seven years.

There’s nothing wrong with his life. He grew up with loving parents and a strong relationship with his sister. Friends have never been difficult to make or maintain. Romantic relationships have been a bit rocky, but nothing terrible. None of them have been worth the number of tears he has shed over such a short lifetime. Yet he has lived with this hole in his chest for as long as he can remember. 

Seokjin's phone vibrates beneath the blankets, but he ignores the call. It’s too late for his family to call him, and Jungkook hates talking on the phone, so he automatically rules out the most important people in his life. Whoever it is can wait to hear from him in the morning when he's done sulking. 

What’s more difficult to ignore is his buzzer, signaling that someone is attempting to enter his apartment complex. He still doesn’t bother checking his phone to see who called him. It probably is Jungkook. He’s been worried about Seokjin after the incident, though he hasn’t mentioned it since then. 

Seokjin convinces himself it’s Jungkook on a spontaneous visit when he uses the buzzer to let the guest in, not using the intercom to confirm their identity first. It’s a stupid decision. Seokjin never lets people in without checking, but he's tired, angry, and guilty for being depressed when he has nothing to be upset about.

Later, Seokjin will beat himself up over opening the door without looking through the peephole first. It’s as though his subconscious likes to ruin things for him, likes to hurt. 

Smelling of thick cologne and cheap alcohol, Sunwoo stands in Seokjin's doorway. He’s dressed in black leather pants and a flowy red shirt unbuttoned enough to expose his collarbones and the top of his chest. The combat boots he’s wearing look new and remind him of the ones Jungkook likes. 

“Seokjin.” Sunwoo speaks his name like a dirty word and lets it drip off his tongue so sweetly that it turns sour on the way out. 

The hole in Seokjin's chest morphs into a craggy crater. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Wanted to see you. I miss you… so much. It hurts, Seokjin. It still hurts.” Sunwoo's glassy eyes soften when his voice cracks, but the red tinge of his eyes prevents him from looking gentle.

Seokjin steps back when Sunwoo advances, but he’s graceful even while drunk. One hand squeezes Seokjin's hip lightly while the other grips the back of his head. Despite the cool November air, Sunwoo’s skin burns his. His fingertips are like irons branding the skin on Seokjin's neck, and his thumb's hot swipe along his hip bone may as well have sliced through Seokjin's muscle. 

“You shouldn’t be here,” Seokjin says, but they both hear how weak his resolve is. 

“I should be here, though,” Sunwoo murmurs. The alcohol on his breath bites at Seokjin's nose. “We picked this place out together. Our first apartment. You said it was perfect, remember?” 

Seokjin shouldn’t look Sunwoo in the eyes because he’ll give in to his emotions, but dropping his gaze means staring at Sunwoo's mouth and seeing how his tongue swipes over his bottom lip. 

Sunwoo is the drunk one, but Seokjin's body feels too heavy and slow to react when Sunwoo's lips slot against his. At one point, kissing Sunwoo was as natural as breathing, and Seokjin craved it as though he’d die without it, too. Now, his touch feels nothing like the home it once was. 

It’s not Sunwoo's fault. Seokjin was the one who made the relationship difficult. Hospital visits, cycling through therapists, sadness more explosive than any anger either of them could fathom—Sunwoo was kind, but no one can be expected to be a saint. Only human, he had needs, hopes, and dreams that seemed incongruent with caring for Seokjin. Relationships are a two-way street; Seokjin had created a roadblock spanning both lanes. 

Ultimately, Sunwoo broke things off, but not without plenty of sobbing and repeated promises that he didn’t want to do it but couldn’t keep living with the stress. He had struggled to keep his head above water, and Seokjin had pushed him down. 

Sunwoo should have never felt like home to him. Seokjin can’t find his home in other people. 

Seokjin wiggles his arms between his bodies enough to rest his palms against Sunwoo’s chest. There isn’t any weight behind the pressure—not yet. If Sunwoo was sober, Seokjin knows he’d be distraught over his impulsive actions. They can’t let this continue, but Seokjin can’t bring himself to end it. 

Crack!

For a brief moment, Seokjin feels something cold graze his jawline as Sunwoo pulls away, but the jarring sound vibrating through his apartment distracts him. The sound is electric and powerful, like the way lightning must sound when it splits a tree trunk down the middle. 

“What the fuck was that?” Sunwoo slurs. 

The confession that he has no idea dies in Seokjin's throat when the lights begin to flicker. Three quick flashes, and then the entire apartment goes black. 

“Shit.” 

A few flips of the light switch in the entranceway confirm that the power is out. Seokjin groans and presses his forehead against the cool wall. All he’d wanted to do was watch Netflix, eat ice cream, and maybe cry. Now, there’s no hope of being able to charge his laptop, and there’s a death threat out for his ice cream if the power doesn’t return quickly. 

Maybe he should eat it all before it can melt, just in case. 

“Why’d it go out? The weather isn’t bad outside. Should we check the breaker?” Sunwoo shuffles behind Seokjin but, thankfully, doesn’t reach for him. Perhaps the abruptness of the power outage and whatever the crackling sound was sobered him up a bit. 

“We aren’t doing anything, okay?” Seokjin hopes his tone is softer than he thinks it sounds. “I’m getting you a taxi, and you're gonna go home.” 

It’s too dark to clearly make out Sunwoo’s expression, but Seokjin is sure he’s pouting. All the better that he can’t see him. Seokjin isn't interested in knowing how Sunwoo's pout might make him feel if he looks at it directly. 

Seokjin gives Sunwoo a glass of water to sip while he waits for the taxi to arrive. Small talk is impossible, so Seokjin lets the awkward silence envelop them—much like the cold sensation draping over his back and wrapping around his torso. His body misses the warm security of his favorite blanket discarded across his bed. Despite the slight discomfort, he’d rather not leave Sunwoo alone in his kitchen to retrieve it. He's unsure whether it’s because of his invisible roommate or the simple fact that it's Sunwoo. 

Luckily, it doesn’t take long for the taxi to arrive. Seokjin finds himself practically pushing Sunwoo out of his apartment. Although Sunwoo is sober enough to get to the front doors alone, Seokjin accompanies him. 

Seokjin loved him. A part of him still does. It’s hard to watch Sunwoo stumble, knowing he's the reason. 

It’s too cold to stand outside longer than necessary when Seokjin only wears a t-shirt and pajama shorts, but he lingers on the sidewalk. Sunwoo has the car door open, and he's sure the driver doesn’t appreciate that he’s letting all the cold air in. 

“Seokjin…” 

“I hope you have a good night, Sunwoo.”

The smile Seokjin gives him is tight, but he doesn’t want to risk hearing whatever else Sunwoo has to say. The anguished look on Sunwoo's face is already too much. 

Taking the hint, Sunwoo ducks his head in acknowledgment. As he slides into the car, his “g’night, too” is nearly swept away in the wind. 

Seokjin will see him again; they run in the same social circles. But something about the slam of the car door feels final. 

Good, Seokjin thinks as he treks back up the stairs to his apartment unit. There’s no reason for Sunwoo to waste time pining for him when there’s plenty of fish in the sea. 

His unbothered, objective attitude quickly disintegrates once faced with a dark, empty apartment. It’s easy to put on a brave face in front of others. Unwavering strength has been expected of Seokjin since birth as his family's firstborn. He can outwardly give people that, and he tells himself what he does behind closed doors is his own business. So the moment he locks his front door, he slides his back against it until he's sitting on the floor, curled up with his arms wrapped around his bent knees. The tears that slip down his cheeks are just as hot as Sunwoo’s hands were on his skin. 

It’s the first time he has cried since the mug incident. A wet, humorless laugh tumbles out of his throat at the thought. 

“What an accomplishment,” he mutters to himself. Real sad if life is all about keeping track of how many times he cries a week.  

By the time Seokjin finishes his thought, the power returns. Unlike when the lights flickered out, it’s an immediate change this time. One second, he's surrounded in darkness; the next, he has blinked, and every light in his apartment shines as brightly as ever. Oddly, even the clock on his oven is correct instead of beeping to indicate that it has been reset. There’s no point in questioning his good luck. As he has heard his grandmother say, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. 

Although Seokjin is grateful for the turn of events, the return of power can’t stop the tears. They were never about the power outage. 

“Now playing ‘I Like You (A Happier Song)’ by Post Malone featuring Doja Cat.” 

Seokjin yelps at the robotic voice echoing through his empty apartment. The light, upbeat pop song drifting through the air instantly disrupts the silence. 

"What the fuck..." Seokjin breathes hard, no longer because of panic and tears, but because his Bluetooth speaker is now looping the type of love songs teenagers add as background music to TikTok videos about young love. His Bluetooth speaker, now operating all on its own.

Silently, he sits, listening to the song’s cliché but cute lyrics, a proclamation of romantic infatuation. He doesn’t realize he has his arms wrapped tightly around his ribs until he's throwing them out in front of himself as a cool, tingling sensation tickles his jaw.

“Is… is it you ?” Seokjin whispers.

The song pauses. Silence hangs thickly between Seokjin and the speaker, with no airy pop music to swirl through the tension.

And then the robotic voice returns. “Now playing ‘Go Ghost’ by Jackson Wang.” 

That makes Seokjin laugh. He can’t help it; clearly, his new paranormal roommate has a sense of humor. His laughter isn’t much, quiet, with just the corner of his mouth twitching upward slightly. But it’s a laugh nonetheless. 

“You're funny,” Seokjin croaks, grimacing at how scratchy his voice sounds. “I love Jackson’s new album. I’m supposed to see him next summer. I bought tickets to go with… Well, I bought two tickets.” 

Why is he oversharing with a ghost? He should be scared like he was during the mug incident, but he lacks that instinctual fear of the unknown this time. Instead, he's curious. 

“What do you want?” If this ghost were evil, it would have hurt him long ago, right? 

“Now playing ‘Talk’ by Khalid featuring Disclosure.” 

“You just want to talk…”

It’s not what Seokjin is expecting, but by now, it’s clear that this ghost isn’t anything like Seokjin has imagined ghosts to be. Hell, until now, he didn’t think ghosts existed at all. 

He quickly wipes his face dry of tears and scrambles from the floor. It doesn’t matter what the ghost wants to talk about. Curiosity buzzes beneath his skin, a slow heat that makes him shiver where he stands at the entrance of his apartment.

“Using the speaker is going to be too hard,” he mumbles. 

Trekking down the hall toward his bedroom gives Seokjin time to think through how to communicate with the ghost he has been living with for weeks. He wonders if they’ve followed him into his room and are watching him scoop up his blanket to wrap around his shoulders. It’s a habit they must have observed a hundred times by now. Security is hard for Seokjin to come by; the heavy warmth of his blanket can provide that for him. So what if he's in his late twenties with a favorite blankie? 

Wrapped up in the red fabric, Seokjin heads to the living room to plop down on the couch. It’s weird knowing someone is there, but he can't see who it is. He doesn’t know where to look. Is the ghost even in the room with him?

Much like a cool breeze, a sensation glides across the edge of Seokjin's jaw. The suddenness causes him to jolt. The chain reaction has already begun, though. Goosebumps make the skin of his arms and legs tingle, and he trembles despite how hard he fights to keep still. 

Fingers. It’s fingers that Seokjin feels pressing gingerly into his skin, applying pressure to one side of his chin to gently coax his face toward the empty space on the couch next to him. 

“Oh…” Seokjin says with a breathy exhale.

Despite the cold, warmth creeps along the nape of his neck and simmers in his stomach. He doesn’t understand why his body is reacting how it is, but he's trying not to think about it. 

“Now playing ‘Overthink’ by Lucch.” 

The invisible fingers trace the edge of his jaw, starting at his chin and dancing upward until he feels a fingertip lightly flick his earlobe. A tiny part of him cowers deep in his chest, terrified of feeling something he can’t see. There being something out there that can touch or hurt him without him knowing what’s coming is terrifying. Without him knowing what it even is. Yet he leans ever so slightly into the ghost’s caresses.  

“You're right." Seokjin finally manages to choke out a response when the cool touch disappears. “I’m overthinking.” 

He takes a deep breath and focuses on why he's in the living room. The ghost wants to talk. A quick scan of the room leaves Seokjin still in need of ideas. How does he talk to something invisible? Something that can’t even speak? At least, he assumes the ghost can’t speak. Otherwise, it would have already. 

Even though he can’t see the ghost, he can feel it watching him. He's almost embarrassed to admit he doesn't know how to help it. But then his eyes fall on the bookshelf beside his TV. 

“You can move things!” 

It’s a question that comes out more like an observation because, although Seokjin is asking, he knows the answer. There’s no clever song choice in response, but it doesn’t matter. Seokjin is already launching himself off the couch to snatch up what he’d been eyeing on the bookshelf. 

Instead of returning to the couch, he sits on the floor beside the coffee table in front of the couch. A thud echoes through the quiet room when he drops a small red box on the table. Removing the lid reveals around a hundred little wooden tiles, each engraved with a letter. 

“Scrabble,” he beams. “I’m so fucking smart.”

Dumping out the tiles, he organizes them alphabetically to make selecting the correct letter easier.

“Have you played this before? Um, actually, don’t answer that; it doesn’t matter.” The sound of the tiles sliding across the table consumes the silence for a moment as he concentrates. “Okay, just arrange the tiles into whatever you want to say, okay?” 

It briefly crosses Seokjin's mind that this ghost might be illiterate, but he hopes the universe is on his side today. 

Leaning back, he sits with his hands trapped between his thighs and tries to be as patient as possible. It probably only takes a few seconds for the tiles to begin moving independently, but it feels like a century as he watches with eager eyes. The more tiles that collect to form words, the harder it is for him to keep his excitement bottled inside. The buzz he felt earlier returns tenfold like a violent tickle inside his chest, making him want to laugh until the feeling subsides. But he keeps his lips clamped shut and stares. 

After a long pause, Seokjin assumes the ghost is finished, so he leans forward with his elbows on the coffee table. 

MY NAME IS TAEHYUNG

The warmth that has settled in Seokjin's stomach flares back to life as he reads the sentence messily strewn together in front of him. 

Taehyung. 

“It’s nice to meet you, Taehyung.” Seokjin's voice is tight, but only because he's trying not to grin at the empty room. He realizes the ghost probably already knows his name, but he introduces himself anyway. 

He. Because this is a person that Seokjin is talking to. He thinks. That’s what ghosts are, right? Dead people. 

The sudden thought of Taehyung being dead makes Seokjin's stomach twist. However, he doesn’t have the opportunity to linger on that feeling because the Scrabble tiles are moving again. 

YOU ARE UNEQUIVOCALLY CHARMING 

Seokjin chokes on his words as he reads the sentence out loud, immediately regretting the decision. Yet again, this ghost has done something he wouldn’t have expected. It shouldn’t be as endearing as it is, but he can’t help himself. The grin breaks free, and he ignores how his cheeks hurt.  

No one has ever said something quite like that to Seokjin before. It’s more than flattering.

“Oh, um, thank you. You'd win a lot of points for such a big word.” 

Seokjin hopes he's not coming off as awkward. It’s such a weird thing to worry about while getting hit on by a ghost. If that’s what the ghost is doing. Maybe Seokjin's brain has been jostled by the fancy words, and now he's reading into everything too much. 

The tiles begin to rearrange themselves. Seokjin folds his arms on the table and rests his head against them to watch the invisible Taehyung form his thoughts. Again, the idea that he should be scared flits through his mind, but he quickly pushes it aside. This ghost—Taehyung—made him coffee and watered his plants for two weeks. What's there for Seokjin to be afraid of?

As he tilts his head to the side to watch where he assumes Taehyung is also sitting, Seokjin realizes he trusts Taehyung. He trusts him even though he knows nothing about him. Even though he’s a ghost, perhaps even a figment of his imagination. 

Maybe that should scare him. 

THE PLEASURE IS MINE

Judging by how Taehyung "talks", Seokjin assumes he's very old. As it’s impossible to accurately guess, he decides to ask him. 

His answer of TWENTY SEVEN is yet another shock. Seokjin laughs a little to himself, with small puffs of air that shake his shoulders, and considers that this is all ridiculous. If only Jungkook was here to see the Scrabble pieces slide across the coffee table. 

“Same age as me,” he muses. “But I’m guessing you… um, well you…” died , but he doesn't want to say that . “I’m guessing you're not from this time period, right?” 

Scrabble pieces shift, the rough sound of wood against wood echoing through the otherwise silent apartment. 

ALMOST TWO HUNDRED YEARS 

By this point, Seokjin has convinced himself that the worst thing that’ll happen to him is that Taehyung realizes he's an idiot. How often can he breathily whisper, “Oh,” before Taehyung thinks he has nothing inside his brain? 

Seokjin wraps his blanket tighter around his body. The blanket's warmth and comforting pressure give him the courage to push forward with his questions. Part of him feels bad for bombarding the ghost, asking him everything from where he grew up (the same town Seokjin is from) to his occupation when he was alive (a fisherman, which sounds terrible ). Seokjin is barely hanging onto the steering wheel of this conversation while the historian inside him tries to take over. Would it be considered rude if he started taking notes? 

There’s one key question scratching at the corner of Seokjin's brain, but he pushes it back the more the ghost answers his other questions. It doesn’t seem appropriate to ask his new ghostie friend how he died while he’s telling him his favorite color is mauve and his best friend’s name is Yoongi. 

Seokjin's not sure how long he sits at the coffee table. At some point, the conversation flips, and Taehyung asks him questions. He never excelled in small talk, but with Taehyung, it’s easy. Perhaps it’s because he can’t see him. There are no social cues or facial expressions to worry about misinterpreting. He can talk to the air, and Taehyung is guaranteed to respond cutely— calling him charming or praising his ability to secure a recent job promotion. 

WHO WAS HE

The question is unexpected, but Seokjin has already gone over his favorite color and best friend, so Taehyung likely believes he has warmed him up enough to start asking serious questions. 

Seokjin doesn’t have to ask Taehyung who he’s referring to. It’s painfully obvious. 

“Um, well." Seokjin is hesitant as he starts. “Sunwoo and I used to date. He was a great boyfriend; truly, he was. But… it has always felt like I have something missing. No matter how much Sunwoo filled me with happiness, I could never keep any of it inside. The hole in me was too big. I couldn’t patch it up. So I thought if I worked on myself and didn’t rely on him, I could patch it up on my own. Now, I think maybe happiness is predetermined. Not everyone is destined for it.” 

Seokjin is nearly gasping by the time he finishes, and his hands shake as he pulls his blanket tighter around himself. 

Taehyung’s cold fingers brush the apple of his cheeks, just below his eyelashes. 

“It’s okay,” Seokjin says with a light huff of a laugh. “I already cried out all my tears for the day.” 

Although he sits at the coffee table long enough to feel like the bones in his knees are fusing, he can’t find the energy within him to get up. To an outsider, it looks like he's talking to himself. He feels heat spread to his fingertips and down to his toes every time the Scrabble tiles are thoughtfully adjusted. From how the tiles move, he can tell Taehyung is the type of person to think deeply before speaking. A certain level of fun comes with watching the tiles and waiting to see what they’ll turn into. Taehyung continues to surprise him, though his next question is what Seokjin will look back on as the catalyst for his life turning upside down. 

CAN I HOLD YOUR HAND

There should be a logical part of Seokjin that convinces himself to say no. If that part of him still exists, it doesn’t make itself known. Without hesitation, he places his hand on the coffee table with his palm facing up. 

The cool touch doesn’t surprise him anymore. Looking back, over the past few weeks, he has felt it numerous times. A brush of what he now knows was fingertips along his forearm or cheek. Tender, gentle touches that grounded him. He's too nervous to ask, but he thinks Taehyung even hugged him while he waited with Sunwoo for the taxi. 

Taehyung laces his invisible fingers with Seokjin's and gently squeezes his hand. There’s no reason Seokjin's heart should be beating erratically, but he can’t seem to calm his nerves as he squeezes Taehyung’s hand back. Taehyung's hand feels larger than his, and although Taehyung's skin isn’t warm, it’s unbelievably soft. Seokjin can feel the ridges of his knuckles and the veins on the back. He’s solid and real. 

Taehyung’s hand engulfing his feels right. 

Seokjin lets out a shaky breath when he feels Taehyung lift his hand. Then, a spike of fear shoots through his heart for the first time. It’s the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty surrounding what Taehyung will do to him. 

“Oh,” Seokjin says with widened eyes and a fluttering heart.

He doesn’t need to see Taehyung's lips brush against the back of his hand to know they’re there. Taehyung’s breath is a cool breeze drifting over his skin. His lips feel like they’re parted as they press against his knuckles and then slightly lower until he trails kisses down to his wrist. 

It’s overwhelming, to say the least. When Taehyung flips Seokjin's hand over to press a kiss against the inside of his wrist, Seokjin lets out a small whimper. He immediately retracts his hand and straightens his back with a quick inhale at the sound. 

“I’m, I’m, I, uh…” He trips over his words without knowing where he's trying to take them. “I should go to bed.” 

It’s not very late, and he typically stays up on weekends, but he refuses to confront whatever he's feeling in his chest right now. Is it silly to feel the need to escape an invisible being? It’s not like he can see whatever expression Taehyung is making now. Is Taehyung disappointed by Seokjin's reaction? Hurt? Amused by the fact that he has managed to fluster him? Has he turned his face away, equally as embarrassed as Seokjin is about the pathetic noise he exhaled? 

Seokjin tries not to think about it. 

When Seokjin stands, he knocks his knee against the edge of the coffee table, but he doesn’t let the pain deter him. Even if he has to hobble to his bedroom, which adds insult to injury. With his bedroom door closed, he at least finds comfort in knowing something is separating him from the embarrassment he hopes to leave behind in the living room is comforting. 

He should have asked Taehyung if he can float through walls. 

Forgetfulness proves irrelevant in the morning, for Seokjin receives his answer when he opens his eyes. 

He first notices his pill bottle in its usual spot on his nightstand. This is the first time in months that he has fallen asleep (and stayed asleep) without being plagued by the usual anxiety-ridden cyclical thinking he’s prone to get lost in when he closes his eyes and darkness envelops him. His embarrassment had been so severe that he’d forgotten to take his medication. So, instead of grogginess, he feels suspiciously well-rested as he sinks further into his bed sheets. 

However, being well-rested doesn’t mean Seokjin is ready to get out of bed. He wonders if Taehyung will make his coffee despite how rudely he left him the night before. A sharp pang of anxiety shoots through Seokjin at the thought of Taehyung believing he might reject or abandon him. It’s that thought that pushes him into a bit of a panic. He’s afraid to get out of bed, worried there might not be a ghostly presence to keep him company. Perhaps Taehyung would write a goodbye note with the Scrabble tiles. If Seokjin were him, he’d probably leave without a word. It wouldn’t be the first time Seokjin has pushed someone away rather dramatically, and he’s sure it won’t be the last. 

Sighing to release the sudden tension in his chest, Seokjin turns onto his side, away from the confusing pill bottle and his daunting bedroom door, and right into a tuft of sea foam-green hair. The colorful strands are soft, tickling his nose as he inhales sharply. 

No one would be surprised if his neighbors called the cops after the scream Seokjin lets out. He nearly throws himself off the bed from the momentum of scooting away from the sea foam-haired man. What saves him is the cool press of a hand squeezing his forearm, long fingers wrapping around him to yank him back to the center of the bed. 

It’s better to believe that sleep still clouds Seokjin’s vision. He doesn’t want to investigate the gentle glow from the body beside him. Instead, he focuses on the finer details, like the sharp slope of the man’s nose and his piercing eyes that slowly soften until he’s staring at eyes sharp with… wonder? Concern? Taehyung’s eyes are unreadable, but he has never been good at understanding people. 

Everything about the man, including his expression, is confusing. Tailored dress pants and a buttoned shirt topped with a sleek blazer, and finished off with dress shoes—the man’s attire certainly isn’t sleep-appropriate. Seokjin’s body shudders at the thought that this stranger is wearing shoes in his bed. 

Seokjin stares at the man with wide eyes. “What the fuck is going on?”

There is a strange man in his bed. 

This situation has a million and one terrifying outcomes, but Seokjin can’t move. He feels like a bug stuck to flypaper, glued to the spot to wait to be plucked and ripped apart. All he can hope is that Jungkook doesn’t think his attempts to teach him self-defense went to waste if he’s murdered in his bed without putting up a fight. 

The man now appears fully awake. He lifts his hand to brush his bangs away from his eyes, and something feels… odd when he meets Seokjin’s gaze. Instead of fear, something gentle settles in Seokjin’s chest. It’s relaxed and rhythmic, like the waves of the ocean lapping at his toes as he slowly sinks into the sand. He can practically smell the salt in the air, maybe even taste it if he pokes out the tip of his tongue from between his lips. Seokjin’s hometown is near the coast; the air he breathes in Seoul never smells or tastes like the ocean. 

Something deep inside of Seokjin tells him these sensations are the sea foam-haired man’s doing. 

Seokjin slowly sits up to mirror the man’s position, the two of them facing each other, sitting cross-legged on the bed. The distance between them is close, but respectable. It’s only when Seokjin adjusts he is hyperaware that he’s only wearing a long t-shirt and underwear, whereas the man is dressed as though he’s attending a wedding—pocket square and all. 

Seokjin stares at the boxy smile that blossoms on the man’s face, stretching so wide it puffs up his cheeks and squints his eyes. His teeth are as bright as a full moon and just as impressively large. The sincerity makes the corners of Seokjin’s mouth twitch, even though he has nothing to smile about.

“Good morning, Seokjin.” 

If Seokjin were standing, his knees would have given out from hearing his name uttered by the smoothest voice he has ever heard. Somehow, it matches the waves in his chest. “How do you know my name…” 

The man reaches forward before Seokjin can react. He sits frozen as the man tickles the skin on his forearm, long fingers leaving cold touches that make his entire body shiver. 

Cool, barely there touches. 

The man gives Seokjin a knowing look, and he feels his heart plummet into his stomach. “Taehyung?”  

Somehow, the man’s smile grows. “Mmm, a version of me, yes.” 

Seokjin doesn’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but he’s more focused on the realization that he can’t bring himself to tear his gaze from Taehyung’s. His dark brown eyes glitter in the slivers of morning sun shining through the blinds. 

“How? How can I see you? Why are you here? Why didn’t you just talk to me before?” Seokjin is only vaguely aware of Taehyung’s fingers tracing patterns into his skin. Too many questions swarm through his mind like a colony of angry wasps. 

Why does my body feel different when I look at him? 

“May I?” With Seokjin’s consent, Taehyung’s hand slides down to hold his. “In all candidness, I am unsure of the answers to your questions. I have my questions as well.” He pauses for a moment to lace their fingers together. 

Seokjin remembers Taehyung’s lips felt pressed against his wrist’s delicate skin. 

“Yoongi was sure you weren’t a medium. Therefore, you should not be able to see me. But…” Taehyung pauses again to avert his gaze from their linked hands. Those strikingly dark eyes focus on the full-length mirror hanging on the wall instead. 

Seokjin wonders if seeing his reflection surprises him. When Taehyung doesn’t continue speaking, Seokjin lightly squeezes his hand. It’s nice being able to see his hand while he holds it.

“But?” Seokjin coaxes. 

If getting to know Taehyung has taught him anything, it’s that he knows nothing about ghosts. So when Taehyung turns back to Seokjin with glistening eyes, Seokjin realizes he has no idea how to console him or why he’s upset. Now he’s learning there’s more to this world than ghosts. A medium was never something he’d have ever associated himself with. 

“I would like to show you something,” Taehyung says. Holding in unshed tears makes Taehyung’s voice sound strained, but Seokjin swears it’s still the most beautiful sound he has ever heard. 

Nodding, Seokjin lets go of Taehyung’s hand so he can search through his blazer pockets. He finds what he’s looking for quickly. Taehyung’s hand completely envelops the object. Seokjin only glimpses a flash of gold.

“I told you I was a fisherman when I was alive.” Taehyung brings his palms together, trapping the gold object between them. It remains out of view. “In a way, my occupation led to my death.” 

“Taehyung, you don’t have to-” 

“No, please listen. I must share this with you,” Taehyung pleads, glistening eyes wide in desperation. 

“I was engaged,” Taehyung begins solemnly. “It was hard for… him when I went away. It was for a few months in a poor fishing town far from our home during our peak fishing season. Brutal months. Cold and dreary. Hunger and homesickness sat like a rock in my stomach. Though he suffered much worse, being left alone. It seemed he was always waiting for me because of work or our relationship. I didn’t have the money to marry him immediately, which weighed on him heavily.” 

Taehyung takes a deep breath, and Seokjin wishes he was still holding his hand. 

“There was a disease. We didn’t know how to understand it. The children died first, then the elderly. Few fell and survived. He was… he was strong, but I believe the emptiness I left inside him made him more susceptible.” 

Seokjin’s heart clenches in his chest. It’s obvious where Taehyung’s story is going. Silently, Seokjin wishes it wasn’t true, that he’s mistaken. He wishes for a different ending than the one he knows he’ll tell him. 

“He died two days before I returned.” 

Somehow, it hurts worse than Seokjin expected, but he has always known life to operate that way. Planning for the worst-case scenario provides a false sense of safety. It doesn’t matter how much he preps himself for pain; it comes no matter what. And no matter his familiarity with pain, it never stings the same way twice. 

Seokjin watches as Taehyung places his fist in the middle of his palm, though he still doesn’t open his hand. 

“I also fell ill, though I am unsure if it was the disease or a broken heart. Sometimes, I wonder if I suffered longer than the others, months of withering away, decaying while still alive, as a punishment for not being there when he needed me. Perhaps being banished to wander the Earth like this,” Taehyung gestures to his body, “is also part of my punishment.” 

Seokjin wants to tell him that can’t be true. Taehyung seems so soft and caring. The love with which he speaks about his fiancé sounds so pure that every word forces another crack into his already broken heart. 

When Taehyung removes his hand from Seokjin’s, what’s left in Seokjin’s palm is cold and heavy. A gold locket sparkles in the warm morning sunlight. 

“My mother buried me with this locket. It’s the only item I have to remember him by,” Taehyung explains. He gives Seokjin a slight nod when their eyes meet.

Bringing the locket to eye level reveals an etching on its surface: initials that he realizes are Taehyung’s and—

“My initials,” Seokjin murmurs. It’s not a question, and Taehyung doesn’t provide him with an answer. 

Like the conclusion of his fiancé’s life, he knows what the locket will tell him before opening it. Yet he doesn’t know why he isn’t afraid, even as the gentle waves in his chest turn into a tumultuous tsunami. 

The locket makes a slight clicking sound when Seokjin pries it open. It’s old, and its sentimental significance makes his palms sweat with the fear of breaking it. Luckily, he opens it with no trouble, and he’s met with a tiny, faded, colorless photo of Taehyung. He looks exactly as he does now, although his hair is black rather than sea foam green. Even without a boxy smile, Taehyung’s beauty in the photograph is unparalleled. Seokjin chides himself at the thought that floats through his mind: Taehyung’s beauty is otherworldly. 

Opposite Taehyung’s photo, on the left side of the locket, is another portrait. The second portrait is just as old as Taehyung’s portrait, faded and monochrome. Familiar eyes stare back at Seokjin. A familiar frown Jungkook would call his resting bitch face greets him. 

The ocean’s roar is deafening as it rumbles in Seokjin’s ears, shaking his eardrums until he’s sure the sound is vibrating deep inside his skull. 

Only one sound cuts through the noise. 

“It is utterly impossible for me to express how painful waiting for you has been.” Taehyung’s voice is only a choked-out whisper, but it overpowers the mess inside Seokjin’s head. “Seeing you… It has been nearly two hundred years, Seokjin. I ached, and now I feel complete.” 

“I don’t understand...” Except Seokjin does. He just needs to hear Taehyung say it. 

“You must feel it, don’t you?” Taehyung gives Seokjin a timid smile. “Our souls—we have finally found each other. It is like all the pieces of me have fallen back into place.” 

Looking away from Taehyung, Seokjin peers down at his portrait in the locket. The crashing waves against a shore inside his chest feel familiar, as if he has woken up and been tossed onto the sand many times before. The violence of it subsides as he watches Taehyung’s hand find his once again. He interlocks their fingers and again brings Seokjin’s hand to his mouth. Seeing Taehyung’s lips press against the back of his hand makes his skin tingle even more than when he kissed his hand the night before. 

Seokjin’s breath hitches in his throat when he locks eyes with Taehyung while he presses his lips against the inside of Seokjin’s wrist. Seokjin’s fingers twitch on their own, and he feels the tingling sensation shoot straight to his lower belly. 

“Taehyung…” 

With his hand pressed against the back of Seokjin’s, Taehyung slides Seokjin’s palm along his jaw until he’s cupping the side of Taehyung’s face. His cheek is freezing. 

“You’ve always felt empty. A piece of you lost. Or perhaps it never existed in the first place, yes? You believe happiness isn’t meant for everyone.” Taehyung speaks with his eyes closed. His face tilts so he can press further into Seokjin’s warm skin. “Do you still feel that way?”

A part of Seokjin wants to challenge him. How could the existence of a ghost he has known a few weeks cure him of the hole he has spent almost thirty years attempting to patch up? 

Yet Taehyung is right. What had been a jagged crater in Seokjin’s chest now feels as small as a pinprick. He doesn’t know when the hole started closing. Over the past few weeks, Taehyung’s gentle presence was a lifeline against the overwhelming sadness. Seokjin can’t be sure, but he remembers how horrible it felt for Sunwoo’s impromptu visit to rip the hole back open. And he remembered how quickly he’d forgotten about it the moment Taehyung began speaking to him through music. 

“The emptiness… it was because of you. Missing you,” Seokjin says. Can you miss someone you’ve never met in this life? 

Seokjin watches Taehyung, following the flutter of his eyelashes against his cheeks and the quirk at the corners of his mouth. He’s once again reminded of how beautiful he is. 

Taehyung’s eyes open. “Mmm, it was. You deserve happiness, Seokjin. You deserve to feel whole.”

Is it insane to believe in ghosts? Does Seokjin’s belief that he might be the reincarnation of Taehyung’s long-lost love make him crazy? How unrealistic is it to feel connected to a man he doesn’t know? And with little reason to be? He feels crazy as he looks into Taehyung’s eyes and finds nothing but love and adoration. The desire to cling to that look and its promises is so strong that Seokjin can’t breathe. 

Seokjin lets his hand fall in his lap when Taehyung lets go of it. He misses feeling Taehyung’s skin on his, but he doesn’t have to wait long for his touch to return.

Now, it’s Seokjin’s turn to close his eyes. He doesn’t realize he’s crying until Taehyung’s thumbs wipe away the tears on his cheeks. 

“Please don’t cry, beloved.” Taehyung scoots closer to Seokjin on the bed, close enough that their knees bump when he leans forward to hold his face in his hands. 

Seokjin takes a deep breath. “I feel insane. I shouldn’t feel so comfortable with you. I don’t even know you.” 

Taehyung hums to acknowledge Seokjin’s concerns, but he takes a minute to respond. The only thing keeping Seokjin’s nerves in check is how Taehyung smooths out his tear streaks with his thumbs. 

“Would you feel more secure if you spoke with Yoongi?” Taehyung asks.

When Seokjin opens his eyes, Taehyung is watching him with the same adoration he’d worn on his face when he closed them. Seokjin keeps waiting for the catch—when Taehyung admits that this was all a joke or Seokjin realizes he’s crazy. Isn’t that what everyone always says? Seokjin’s always been lost in his own thoughts, creating his own fantasies. Or so he has been told. 

Taehyung seems adamant about making him feel safe and validated.

“Okay,” Seokjin closes his eyes again and lets Taehyung hold his face, “I’d like to see him.”

Seokjin ends up in the front seat of Jungkook's car, fiddling with the aux cord, while Taehyung is crammed in the backseat with gym bags, stray mismatched sneakers, and yoga mats. Seokjin thinks he sees a few jump ropes wrapped up like nesting snakes on the floor when he slips inside, but he's too busy explaining to Taehyung how to use his seatbelt. 

Initially, Seokjin had assumed Jungkook wouldn’t be able to see Taehyung. A strange, selfish part of him wanted to keep Taehyung his little secret. However, it was clear that he wouldn’t be getting his wish when Jungkook parked outside of his apartment complex and gave Taehyung the dirtiest look Seokjin has ever seen come from his sweetheart of a best friend. 

“He creeps me out,” Jungkook mutters into Seokjin's ear once Taehyung is secure in the backseat. 

Seokjin doesn’t have time to deal with that right now. 

“So, you want me to take you… to the cemetery… that we got kicked out of….” Jungkook asks Seokjin as he gets comfortable in the driver's seat, but Seokjin can tell he’s got his eyes on Taehyung through the rearview mirror. 

“Yoongi will let you return,” Taehyung pipes up from the backseat. 

Jungkook raises an eyebrow. “Yoongi?” 

“Mm, he is the groundskeeper. You met him on Halloween.” 

Jungkook shoots Seokjin a sideways glance, eyes narrowed. Seokjin doesn’t know Jungkook to be such a defensive person, but something about Taehyung is rubbing him the wrong way. 

Seokjin twists in his seat to take a look at Taehyung. He sits straight back, his hands clasped together in his lap. Seokjin wonders how often Taehyung explores Seoul or if he leaves the cemetery at all. How familiar is he with cars? With the modern buildings and the very little nature left in his final resting place? He wonders how different his small town by the ocean is compared to Seoul, and why they were buried here in the first place. They, because apparently Seokjin's old self is buried here, too. Something tells Seokjin that Taehyung's pain doesn't have much to do with his surroundings but more so with what isn't here. 

“How the fuck do you know that?”

Jungkook’s question makes Taehyung flinch, drawing his eyes away from the window and toward the front of the car. Despite his discomfort, when his gaze meets Seokjin's, Taehyung visibly relaxes. He gives Seokjin a small smile. It’s boxy; Seokjin hadn’t noticed before. It makes his heart clench even tighter.

“He was there, weren’t you, Taehyungie?” Seokjin matches Taehyung's smile.

This may be the first time Seokjin has genuinely smiled at him, and that fact isn’t lost on Taehyung. Taehyung's eyes widen, and he fervently nods his head. “Yes, I saw you both. And Haeun.” 

A loud snort shoves through Seokjin's nose at the disdain written on Taehyung’s face. Seokjin is happy he's not the only one skeptical of Jungkook’s friends. 

Jungkook isn’t having any of it, though. “Where were you, then? I didn’t see you,” he pushes. 

Taehyung shrugs. “I am dead. I would not expect you to have seen me.” 

Seokjin has to bite his bottom lip to hold himself together. The look on Jungkook’s face is nearly too much for him to bear. 

"What's your name again?" 

"Kim Taehyung. It is a pleasure to meet you, Jungkookie."

Taehyung's use of the diminutive of Jungkook's name nearly makes Seokjin choke. If Taehyung is discouraged by Jungkook's rough tone, he's doing a fantastic job of masking it.

"And how do you know Seokjin hyung?" 

"College!" Taehyung opens his mouth, but Seokjin interjects before he can speak. "We went to college together."

Jungkook is young enough to not have known Seokjin when he was in college, so the excuse works perfectly. "Oh, okay." Jungkook loosens his grip on the steering wheel. "What did you study?" 

For a brief moment, Taehyung's eyes flick toward Seokjin's in a panic. He's smart, though, and he hardly misses a beat when he responds, "Marine Biology." 

Jungkook grins. "Oh, seriously? That's really dope! As a kid, I visited Jeju Island with my parents and saw a ton of bottlenose dolphins. Did you study them?" 

Taehyung knows a great deal about marine life. Seokjin shouldn't be surprised; Taehyung lived in fishing towns for months at a time while he was alive. He was bound to learn about more than just whatever fish he caught, Seokjin assumes. 

While Taehyung and Jungkook talk about their favorite aquatic species, Seokjin distracts himself with his phone. The cemetery is close, so he spends the rest of the car ride rereading his text conversation with his boss, Namjoon. Seokjin texted him shortly after asking Jungkook to drive them to the cemetery. Although he trusts Taehyung (more than he probably should), the historian and skeptic in him needs to know more. 

To: Joonie

SOS

From: Joonie

Oh god. What is it now? 

To: Joonie,

can you do me a favor? 🥺

From: Joonie

…that depends on many things.

To: Joonie

i just need you to check the local databases for me. there’s a person i want to look up

From: Joonie

Name? DOB? 

ASL?

Sorry, Jessi noona told me to send that, and I regretted it immediately.

To: Joonie

omfg you're both weird

kim taehyung

i don’t know the exact date, but maybe the mid-1800s?

From: Joonie

You're lucky there aren’t a ton of Kim Taehyungs from around here. I’ve got an obituary, a few handwritten letters, and a banknote. The scan job is shit. You know how the librarians are with the records they get from City Hall. Not much, but I’ll email you. What did you want them for?

To: Joonie

i’ll tell you later

Always efficient, Namjoon’s email is in Seokjin's inbox once he closes out of his messaging app to check. Skipping the obituary seems like a good idea. The banknote doesn’t tell him much; it’s faded, and the font is hard to read. That’s fine, though, because he's most interested in the letters. 

The cursive elegantly sprawled across the page in neat black wisps is Taehyung’s; he knows this without even needing to check the bottom of the page to see his signature. Of course, he doesn’t know why he's already privy to this fact about Taehyung, but he supposes that it doesn’t matter. 

My dearest Hanbin hyung, the letter begins. Chunks of the writing are illegible due to water damage and tears. From what Seokjin can make of it, Hanbin is — was — Taehyung’s older brother.

Per Namjoon’s email, the letters seem to have been preserved for a historical collection of letters to and from significant government officials. Hanbin must have been someone very important. It makes sense, then, that he would have the money to pay for a gold locket. 

Seokjin's thumb drags along his phone screen, leaving smudges from how clammy his hands become as he reads. 

Kun hyung delivered the locket to eomma. Thank you for requesting it so quickly. I plan to present it to Seokjin once I return. I do hope she—

Seokjin only looks up when Jungkook clears his throat. He had parked the car, but Seokjin hadn’t noticed. Embarrassed, Seokjin slips his phone into his pocket and twists around to check on Taehyung. 

The cemetery appears more inviting in the daylight. It's relatively early, so the sun still passes through the morning clouds. The sun casts gentle rays across the still-foggy cemetery grounds, glistening the dewy grass and tombstones. Seokjin's gaze shifts between the solemn serenity of the cemetery and the otherworldly glow of Taehyung, and he can't imagine that such a gentle soul would be banished to wander the empty grounds with no one but a grumpy groundskeeper to keep him company. 

"Sooo... does he live here?" Jungkook bobs on the balls of his feet with his hands shoved into his pockets. 

"No," Taehyung scrunches his nose as he denies the inquiry. "Yoongi lives in an apartment complex nearby but should be in the visitor center." 

It only makes sense for Taehyung to lead the way. Seokjin follows close behind, shivering only slightly from the cold that drifts from Taehyung's body the nearer he gets. It's worth it, though, when Taehyung reaches around his back to hold out his hand. His palm faces the sky, and his fingers stretch out, beckoning Seokjin.

Seokjin doesn't bother considering what Jungkook may think as he slides his hand into Taehyung's and curls his fingers around his. Seokjin only lets go once he steps through the visitor's center. 

The lobby looks precisely how he expects a cemetery visitor's center to look. The carpet is gaudy, a deep burgundy with a pattern of faded gold swirls. There isn't much room to stand at the front desk because the room is crammed with wooden furniture: sturdy chairs in the corners; dressers with intricate designs carved into them, and weary-looking flowers in vases sat atop them; and a few floor lamps whose shades cast a sickly yellow glow. Stacks of maps and brochures for funeral arrangements sit on the front desk. 

"Yoongi?" Taehyung calls out as he leans against the desk. 

It only takes a few seconds for the man to appear from the backroom. His eyes light up when they rest on Taehyung but narrow when he sees Seokjin and Jungkook standing behind him. 

"Dumbass Halloween kids,” Yoongi says with a sigh. "If you think I'm gonna let you run around and play pretend graverobbers, you've got it all wrong."

"No, no," Seokjin blurts out, standing beside Taehyung against the desk. "Taehyung brought us here. I want to..." He turns to look at Jungkook, who is struggling to keep up. It doesn't matter now. Ever since Taehyung showed Seokjin the locket, Seokjin has thought about how to approach this situation. "I want to know how to bring him back to life." 

Taehyung lets out a strangled noise, something in between a gasp and a choke. "Pardon?" 

Seokjin ignores him, instead focusing on Yoongi. If Yoongi's inability to hold Seokjin's gaze says anything, Seokjin wonders if it means he's conflicted. 

"You can see him?" Yoongi is hesitant with his question. 

This may be Jungkook's breaking point. He throws up his hands and lets out a loud huff of air from his chest. "Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on? Why are we here? Why is he green?" 

"I told you. I am dead." 

Jungkook stares at Taehyung in disbelief, which makes wrinkles appear on his forehead. "Fine. Whatever." He sinks into one of the wooden chairs and glowers at the ugly carpet. 

The other men ignore Jungkook's sulking. It's for the best; Seokjin knows Jungkook will get over it eventually. Seokjin has kept him in the dark, so it wouldn't be fair for him to expect any other reaction from Jungkook. So, instead, he focuses on Yoongi and tries blocking Taehyung's protests. 

"Is it possible?" Seokjin practically leans over the desk to get into Yoongi's space. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know Yoongi. It doesn't matter that he only knows Taehyung from the silly game of 20 questions he played with him through Scrabble and the emotionally charged conversation they had that morning. Seokjin's soul knows Taehyung. Logic won't explain it. Following his heart is something Seokjin has kept himself from doing for a long time— if ever. But his heart settles with the calming waves in his chest, each brushing against the shore, washing over the darkest parts of him until nothing but light shines through. He has never felt so at ease before. 

Yoongi looks down at Seokjin's hand intertwined with Taehyung's.

The gentleness of Taehyung's hold on Seokjin is so natural that he doesn't even know when Taehyung reached for him. 

"I don't know," Yoongi finally admits. "I'm a medium, not a witch. I can see those who've died. Talk to them. But I don't know anything else. It's not like you can learn this shit in school." Yoongi's fingers twitch at his sides, nails digging into the seam on the outer thighs of his jeans. "You don't think I would've brought him back already if I could? Never would've left him here like this. It's a half-life. He doesn't fucking deserve it." 

"Yoongi..." Taehyung's voice grows soft.

The intimacy the two men hold in each other's gazes is so intense that Seokjin averts his eyes, not wanting to intrude on something that isn't meant for him. He's reminded that Taehyung has spent his entire afterlife in this cemetery, befriending groundskeepers over the years— well, those who can see him. Yoongi is among the few and by far the kindest, according to Taehyung, even with his gruff attitude. It's love, Seokjin realizes. 

"Sorry," Yoongi grunts, his eyes eventually finding Seokjin's again, "I wish I could help. I don't even know why he's... like this." 

"Maybe it's because Seokjin hyung believes in him." The three of them turn in unison to face the corner of the room. Jungkook sits with his arms crossed against his chest. His scowl has melted into a look of determined concentration. "Y'know, like Tinker Bell." 

Taehyung makes a quiet humming sound. Seokjin understands that this is his way of indicating that he's confused, even though Seokjin doesn't know how he knows this.

Seokjin leans closer to Taehyung's left ear, somehow knowing this is the ear he hears the best from. "Tinker Bell is a character from a children's story. She's a fairy, and fairies must be believed in, or they will die." 

Taehyung nods. It's unbelievably endearing how he bites his lips, folding them into themselves as he thinks through what Seokjin has said.

Seokjin tries not to linger on how Taehyung wets his lips with his tongue once he's released them or how pink and perfectly bowed they are. 

"He believes in me, which makes me more real," Taehyung surmises.

This makes Jungkook perk up. "Exactly!" He has apparently decided to accept Taehyung for what he is. Either that, or he's simply playing along with whatever game he thinks this is. Then again, Jungkook has always been one to believe in ghosts. "The longer it goes, the more real you are. Until..." 

"He becomes human again?" Seokjin doesn't mean to whisper, but he's struggling to maintain control of the unshed tears threatening to spill onto his cheeks.  

Taehyung intertwines their fingers, and Seokjin lets the cool breeze of salty air calm the storm inside his chest. 

“I don’t know, maybe? I’ve believed in him this whole time, though...” Yoongi frowns at Jungkook. His gaze softens when he turns to Taehyung, and Seokjin thinks it must be impossible for anyone to not be charmed by the seafoam-haired man. “I guess it’s a waiting game.” 

Taehyung stands with wide eyes so soft and innocent that Seokjin's heart nearly crumbles with how deeply he aches for him. 

“I’ll wait.” Seokjin is resolute with his words. The draw that pulls him to Taehyung isn’t a coincidence. All the pieces are there; he just needs to assemble the puzzle. The longing for a wholeness he could never find, the portrait in the locket, the locket’s initials, the way his heart flutters every time Taehyung gifts him with his small, hesitant smile— it’s all too perfect. No matter how bizarre this entire situation is, Seokjin knows he was supposed to be here, right now, at this moment. This was supposed to happen. 

Squeezing Seokjin's hand, Taehyung says, “I would like to take you somewhere.” His eyes fall on Jungkook, although he’s speaking to you.

Jungkook's mouth hangs open as if Taehyung has interrupted him before he has a chance to speak.

Taehyung must be in tune with Seokjin's thoughts because he isn’t interested in hearing Jungkook question his decision. As he leads Seokjin into the hallway, he doesn't notice Jungkook stand up to follow after them, nor does he see Yoongi splay a hand across Jungkook’s chest and hear him whisper, “It’s okay.” 

“Yoongi is fond of you,” Taehyung admits as he leads Seokjin down the hall. 

“Really? I’ve done nothing but harass him with questions he doesn’t have the answers to.” 

Taehyung looks over his shoulder to give Seokjin a boxy smile that makes his stomach do something weird. “That is no reason not to like you.”

Seokjin wrinkles his nose in disbelief. “How do you know?” 

They stop in front of a closed door at the end of the long hall. Seokjin lets out a small gasp as he watches Taehyung’s hand disappear into the door.

Taehyung twists his wrist a few times, and the sound of metal grinding together rings through the empty hall. He unlocks the door from the inside. 

“We can hear one another’s thoughts when we’re nearby,” Taehyung finally responds with a shrug that feels too casual. He doesn’t give Seokjin a chance to question this new information before he pulls him into the room. 

The room is small, just big enough to be an office or a storage room. A metal-frame daybed is shoved in one corner. In another corner is a tiny desk covered in books and loose sheets of paper. Despite there being none nearby, the faint saltiness of the ocean permeates the room. It reminds Seokjin of childhood trips to the beach when long, hot days splashing in the waves ended with tracking sand into hotel rooms. There is something comforting about the smell of salt and sunblock on his skin, even when his skin is gritty with sand. 

It isn’t until Taehyung sits on the edge of the daybed that it all clicks. 

“This is your bedroom.” Seokjin lets his eyes roam a bit longer, taking in the familiar cursive scrawled across one of the pages on the desk and a pencil sketch hanging on the wall of the flowers outside the cemetery gates. 

“Mm, yes,” Taehyung hums, watching Seokjin with adoration Seokjin can’t believe is truly meant for him. “I do not need to sleep, but Yoongi insisted I have a space for myself. It's nice,” Taehyung explains. “Especially when it rains.” 

Seokjin doesn’t want to think about Taehyung having to hide out in random buildings when the weather gets bad. “It’s really cute,” he says and means it. The room is simple, but it feels warm.

Taehyung feels warm, even when his touch makes Seokjin shiver. Like now, as Taehyung gets up to stand in front of Seokjin. He lifts Seokjin's chin slightly to look him in the eyes, but he isn’t looking at Seokjin. Instead, Taehyung looks down, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the locket again. 

“I was meant to give this to you when I returned home,” Taehyung explains softly. Seokjin doesn't think Taehyung will cry, but his voice is rough. “It was meant to be my last courting gift to you before we married.” Taehyung lets out a shaky sigh and finally meets Seokjin's gaze. “I would like you to have it now.” 

Seokjin finds himself unable to speak. He steps to the side with a slow nod so Taehyung can stand behind him. Taehyung's elegant fingers bring the locket around his neck. Seokjin can feel the faintest of cool touches tickle the back of his neck as Taehyung secures the locket’s clasp. The weight of the gold feels grounding as it sits against Seokjin's chest just below his collarbones. 

Somehow, Seokjin knows Taehyung giving him the locket doesn't mean the same thing as it would have before, back when Seokjin wasn't quite Seokjin. It's weird to imagine that he had a second life (or, rather, a first life). But, from what Taehyung has told Seokjin, there's very little that's different about him now than before. Seokjin was happier, perhaps. Taehyung still stares at him with sadness, as though seeing Seokjin reminds him of what he believes was his gravest mistake— he left the past when he should have stayed.

Seokjin doesn't think it's his place to argue with Taehyung over his guilt, but it makes Seokjin's heart hurt regardless. Could Seokjin blame Taehyung in any life? Any version of himself? Holding onto guilt for nearly two hundred years must do something sinister to a person's heart.

Still, Seokjin can't help but wonder if the current Seokjin is truly as special as Taehyung believes. He certainly doesn't feel special; he feels like a mess. Even his ideals about life are different. Marriage was never something Seokjin had strongly considered. Perhaps with Sunwoo, but the loneliness Seokjin felt was debilitating enough that he could never imagine taking on the responsibility of marrying someone when he was such a disaster on his own. There's no reason to bring someone down into the black hole with you, right? But with Taehyung… 

Something flares in the pit of Seokjin's stomach when he feels Taehyung's fingers gently massage his shoulders. And then he feels Taehyung's lips brush against the nape of his neck, and the flares are full-blown flames climbing up his chest. 

“Taehyung…” Seokjin doesn’t know what to do with himself, where to put his hands, where to look. So he closes his eyes and leans into Taehyung, his back to Taehyung's chest, his head against his shoulder. Seokjin breathes in the ocean and feels the waves carry him someplace he has never known but has always been homesick for. 

“May I?” 

Seokjin feels Taehyung's breath against his lips. 

“You may.” 

Nothing else needs to be said.

Taehyung runs his fingers along Seokjin's throat, eventually stopping to lightly press against the underside of his chin. Seokjin follows the movement, allowing Taehyung to tilt his face. It’s all happening so slowly, too slowly. Seokjin wants to dig his fingers into Taehyung's hair and pull, but Taehyung somehow has complete command of his body with just two fingers at his chin. 

As Taehyung's other hand slides across Seokjin's waist to firmly hold his hip, Taehyung brings his mouth to Seokjin's. 

It’s no surprise that Taehyung's lips are cold. The feeling is welcomed; Seokjin's entire body is on fire in anticipation. Yet again, Seokjin finds that Taehyung balances him out. Taehyung keeps him grounded with a secure hand on Seokjin's hip and guides their lips into a steady rhythm. Seokjin twists slightly to angle his face, aiding himself in deepening the kiss. Every slide of Taehyung's lips against Seokjin's sends cold electricity racing through his veins. The cold calms the burn of desire in the pit of his stomach, numbing him so he can dive into Taehyung further and longer. It takes the edge off just slightly enough to drink him in without fearing getting lost in flames. 

Taehyung's quiet whimpers are met with Seokjin's satisfied hums as he swallows everything Taehyung gives him. Seokjin doesn’t know what kissing was like two hundred years ago, but he's sure Taehyung sucking his bottom lip into his mouth would have been scandalous, just like it makes Seokjin weak in the knees now.

Seokjin is lightheaded when Taehyung finally pulls away, his chest rising and falling with enough vigor to make Taehyung’s eyebrows furrow. 

“Oh no,” Taehyung whines. Seokjin might die from hearing such a sound come from such pouty lips. “I am so sorry. You need to breathe.” 

Ah, yes. Because Taehyung does not. 

It doesn't help that Seokjin gasps as he answers him. "Don't apologize." Because why would something so sweet need an apology? Seokjin should be thanking Taehyung. Kissing Taehyung feels like being submerged in the ocean in the early morning before the sun can warm the water. It's shocking and refreshing. The sensation is unlike anything Seokjin has experienced before. Seokjin is worried he won't ever recover from it. 

Needing to see Taehyung, Seokjin twists in Taehyung's arms to face him. Seokjin's arms are slung across Taehyung's shoulders, and Taehyung's hands rest on his waist, keeping their bodies at a respectable distance from each other. The expression Seokjin is met with is one of such blinding bliss that Taehyung's beauty makes Seokjin's chest ache.

"I know this is strange for you... and likely difficult to believe," Taehyung says. The brightness of his joy falters slightly, but he continues to hold Seokjin's gaze. "And I do not want you to feel obligated to wait for me." 

Seokjin opens his mouth to protest, but Taehyung gives him a small smile and shakes his head. 

"I want you to know you don't need to do this." Seokjin expects Taehyung to be sad, but his tone is light and kind, as if he's terrified of offending Seokjin. "You are both him and not . You are your own person with experiences we have not shared, a life that does not include me. I would never take that away from you. I will do whatever I can to not disappoint you as I did before."  

Seokjin never believed in reincarnation, so Taehyung correctly assumes this is difficult for him. But their connection with each other and the demanding desire Seokjin has to look after him and keep him close are enough proof that there is truth to all of this. Why else would Seokjin crave Taehyung's presence and touch? It's not love; Seokjin has known Taehyung for only a few weeks. But the feeling that stirs in Seokjin's chest where the hole used to be is akin to the adoration that comes with love. It's not love , but it could be . It may be remnants of love from a time when Taehyung was his. 

Seokjin lightly tugs the hair at the nape of Taehyung's neck before slipping higher. Then, twisting his fingers deeper into Taehyung's silky hair, Seokjin tries to use his grip to bring their faces together. To his surprise, Taehyung is pliant under his touch, allowing Seokjin to tilt his head at whichever angle he wants him. 

"You aren't a disappointment now, and I have a feeling you weren't then either," Seokjin whispers against Taehyung's cheek before pecking it lightly. Light pink spreads across Taehyung's tan skin, so Seokjin kisses his other cheek, too. 

Taehyung's response is another gentle smile, and Seokjin feels his heart crumble. 

"Did I ever tell you how great a kisser you are, before ?" 

"Yes," Taehyung whispers. "But it was long ago, and I would very much like to hear it again." His once wide and innocent eyes have fallen heavy with an intensity Seokjin hasn't yet seen on him.

It isn't only Taehyung's cool skin pressed against Seokjin's that sends goosebumps shivering down his arms. 

"Maybe you should give me another demonstration. Just to be sure." 

As heated as Taehyung's kisses are, his passion doesn't show through his body language. He stands still with his hands lightly resting on Seokjin's waist, maintaining distance between their bodies. He keeps Seokjin nearly at arm's length. 

Although Seokjin doesn't want to push Taehyung to do anything he doesn't want to do, he tests the waters by leaning further into him. The new position allows Seokjin to deepen the kiss, making Taehyung quietly moan into his mouth.

It's when their hips brush against one another that Taehyung abruptly pulls away. "W-w-we should go back," he stutters. 

"Oh, okay."

Seokjin mindlessly follows Taehyung out of the room, only pausing to let him lock the door (with a ghostly hand again). It feels as though they've been away for hours once they return to the lobby, though logically, Seokjin knows they were gone for twenty minutes at most. 

Yoongi and Jungkook are on opposite sides of the room in the lobby, sitting on the floor with stacks of maps beside them. When Seokjin and Taehyung get closer, Jungkook launches a paper plane across the room. It slices through the air with impressive precision until it lands tip-first into a potted plant rather than at Yoongi, who Seokjin assumes was the intended target. 

"You're folding them all wrong," Yoongi chastises Jungkook. Seokjin sees even more paper planes littering the floor as he approaches them. 

"Am not!" Jungkook huffs. "These maps aren't good for folding. They feel waxy." 

"Then how's it that mine fly just fine?" 

Seokjin clears his throat, and both men look up at him from their positions on the floor. "Having fun?" 

Jungkook grumbles intelligibly, and Yoongi gives him a noncommittal shrug.

Seokjin rolls his eyes and turns to Taehyung for support, but Taehyung is standing at the perimeter of the room. 

"Tae?" The nickname slips out without much thought, but Seokjin grows flustered when Taehyung's eyes widen. 

"We should leave," Taehyung says.

Yoongi launches to his feet and brushes his jeans off as if there's anything to make them dirty. The look he gives Taehyung is indecipherable to Seokjin, but he remembers that they can read each other's thoughts. Their relationship reminds him that there is still much to learn about this world. 

Seokjin waits with Jungkook at the front door while Taehyung says goodbye to Yoongi. It's not as though they won't ever see each other again, but Seokjin gets the impression that they rarely spend much time away from each other. 

"Ready to go home?" Taehyung asks once he's beside Seokjin at the door, and Yoongi returns to work behind the front desk. 

Taehyung's question squeezes Seokjin's heart, making his blood rush through his veins faster than he's sure it should. At some point, his apartment had become home to Taehyung. He doubts Taehyung even realizes what he says. 

The ride back is more relaxed than the ride to the cemetery. This time, Seokjin tunes into Jungkook and Taehyung's conversation about what it's like to be dead. It concerns Seokjin at first that Jungkook might offend Taehyung, but he answers all of Jungkook's questions with a bit of amusement hinted at in the way the corners of his mouth twitch. Even Seokjin has yet to think about asking many of the questions. It's no surprise. Jungkook has always had an overactive imagination. 

"What's the coolest part about being a ghost?" Jungkook taps his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the song Taehyung telepathically turned on through the car radio. The clever trick launched Jungkook into a new wave of curiosity. 

"Hmm..." Taehyung takes a moment to think. His gaze wanders over to observe the scenery flash by through the window. "Invisibility was fun, at times." He returns his gaze to meet Jungkook's in the rearview mirror. A small smile graces his face. "I liked going places others aren't allowed in, like seeing how movies are projected at theaters or watching chefs in fancy restaurants. There was so much technology I had to learn." 

Jungkook laughs. "Wow. I thought you would say you spied on people showering or something." 

"Oh my god," Seokjin exclaims. He twists around to catch a glimpse of Taehyung's horrified expression. "Jungkook, you're traumatizing him." 

Jungkook spends the rest of the car ride describing all the perks he would take advantage of as an invisible ghost. It feels good to hear Taehyung laugh at Jungkook's nonsense; Seokjin realizes it's his first time hearing the sound, and it may as well be the trumpets of heaven calling to him with how freeing it makes him feel. 

When Jungkook finally parks outside Seokjin's apartment building, Taehyung makes a show of unbuckling his seatbelt to point out that he had, in fact, remembered to buckle himself in (and did it correctly).

Seokjin laughs at the innocence of it all and tries to ignore the nerves fluttering in his stomach when he realizes he's about to be alone in his apartment with the ghost of his lover in a past life. 

“Seokjin hyung, wait.” Jungkook grabs Seokjin's forearm to stop him from getting out of the car. 

Seokjin raises an eyebrow, aware that Taehyung is standing on the sidewalk waiting for him. “What?”

Jungkook leans back in his seat and gives Seokjin a serious look. “I would tell you to use protection, but I get the feeling sexually transmitted infections aren't things you need to worry about.” 

“Shut the fuck up,” Seokjin hisses, slapping Jungkook in the arm. "You're gross."

"Not as gross as the raging boner your ghostie boyfriend was sporting back at the cemetery." 

"He did not have a boner." 

"He absolutely did," Jungkook says with a grin. "And from what I could tell, ya boy's packin'." 

"Jungkook!" Seokjin slaps him on the arm again. Slamming his car door shut isn't satisfying enough. He feels like a petulant teenager storming to his bedroom after a fight with his parents. Except Jungkook is an immature little brat, and Seokjin is trying not to think about how he called Taehyung his boyfriend or that he also noticed Taehyung's... 

"Are you okay?" Taehyung rolls his lips as he follows Seokjin through the front door. It's an adorable habit Seokjin has noticed. 

Seokjin takes Taehyung's hand in his and squeezes. "Never been better."

Living with a corporeal Taehyung is just like living with an invisible Taehyung, but more fun. 

He still offers to wash the dishes after dinner, and he’s likely the only reason Seokjin’s plants are still alive. When work is stressful or life gets too heavy, his Bluetooth speakers continue to play uplifting music, except now elegant hands aptly twirl Seokjin around to the song’s rhythm (and sometimes off-beat, but life is more fun when one colors outside of the lines).

Seokjin still finds a mug of fresh coffee steaming on the kitchen counter every morning, but now there’s always a man perched on the edge of the counter, too. Seokjin has decided that Taehyung is always cute, but he’s devastatingly cute in the mornings when his hair is messy from sleep and he’s still in his pajamas. The shirts he wears are too tight for him because they’re Seokjin’s, but Seokjin selfishly likes how the sleeves strain around Taehyung’s biceps and how his broad shoulders pull up the fabric to expose his midriff when he lifts his arms. The sweatpants Seokjin gives Taehyung to sleep in are even more dangerous. They’re gray and tight in the crotch. Seokjin tries not to think about it.  

Although Taehyung says he doesn’t need to sleep, within the past few weeks, he has become tired. Sometimes Seokjin wonders if Taehyung complains of fatigue as an excuse to cuddle at night since they have gotten into the habit of sleeping together. Chivalry nearly puts Taehyung on the couch; Seokjin has to fight him to agree to sleep in the bed with him.

Taehyung finds it disrespectful, but Seokjin insists he has little honor to preserve, anyway. 

“That is not polite to say about yourself, Seokjin,” Taehyung often protests. He still sleeps in Seokjin’s bed, though. 

Despite Taehyung’s increased closeness, he and Seokjin never explore each other beyond kisses. Though they do plenty of that. Taehyung can’t keep his lips away from Seokjin, even as he puts a respectful distance between their bodies. No matter if they’re light pecks or heated, kisses from Taehyung leave Seokjin breathless and, sometimes, a little sad. It breaks Seokjin’s heart that Taehyung’s playing catch-up, and it doesn’t just stem from attraction; Seokjin knows Taehyung loves him, even if he hasn’t admitted it. 

And Seokjin is afraid to love. 

Though, Seokjin is no longer afraid of weekends. Instead of dreading them, Seokjin looks forward to the days he can lounge in his apartment with Taehyung attached to his hip—even if all they do is binge movies and TV shows Taehyung has missed out on. 

Taehyung lies on his back on the couch, Seokjin’s head resting peacefully against his chest, the soft glow of the streaming app illuminating Seokjin’s face as he scrolls through movie recommendations on his phone. 

“Should we watch Ghost?” Seokjin asks.

Taehyung snorts, the offense clear as day on his face. Seokjin feels his baritone voice rumble through his body from lying on top of him.

“I take offense to that,” Taehyung grumbles and huffs in mock irritation. 

Seokjin has noticed that Taehyung has recently started breathing. Seokjin’s head rises and falls with Taehyung’s chest in a steady rhythm, but he’s afraid to point it out. He isn’t sure if Taehyung is intentionally doing it to feel real or if he is real. 

Hope is something to be afraid of, too. 

“Offense?!” Seokjin gasps. “What do you have against Patrick Swayze? It’s a classic American romance.” 

“About a ghost,” Taehyung huffs again. 

Seokjin lifts his head to look Taehyung in the eyes and wraps his arms around his shoulders. “And you are a ghost.” 

Taehyung averts his eyes to look somewhere over his shoulder. “You need not remind me.” 

Fuck. It was the wrong thing to say, and Seokjin should’ve known it. He isn’t sure why, but Taehyung has been moody about his condition lately. Unfortunately, Seokjin isn’t doing much to help. 

“Taehyung,” he whines, pressing his face into Taehyung’s chest to hide his shame, if only for a moment. “I’m sorry.” 

Taehyung is silent, but when Seokjin lifts his head, he has a sad smile on his face. “No need to apologize for speaking the truth.” 

Seokjin props himself up slightly with his elbows near Taehyung’s shoulders and his knees on either side of Taehyung’s waist. He tilts Taehyung’s face to look directly at him. Holding each side of Taehyung’s neck, Seokjin rubs his thumbs along his jaw and presses their lips together. 

Taehyung lets Seokjin guide him through a slow kiss, almost lazily in how languidly their mouths move with one another. It has taken a long time, a journey almost as slow as the kiss itself, to reach this moment of physical intimacy with Taehyung, but the solid weight of his body against Seokjin’s own makes it all worthwhile. Taehyung may be cold, and his touch still feels more like a whisper than anything heavy-handed, but he’s here. 

“You’re my ghost, you know,” Seokjin says when he finally pulls away. 

Taehyung lets out a pleased hum, his eyes still closed. Seeing him like this, so close and vulnerable, their bodies a tangled mess of safety and comfort, stirs something within Seokjin, something he has tried to keep tucked away because he wants it and he doesn’t know what it means if he gets what he wants. 

“I am yours?” Taehyung parrots with closed eyes, but one eyebrow raised.

Seokjin is gradually picking up on how to decode Taehyung’s expressiveness. The eyebrow quirk, along with the twitch of the corner of his mouth, can only mean one thing. 

Determined to wipe off the recent development of cockiness in his new roommate (which he’s convinced he picked up from hanging around Jungkook too much), Seokjin resorts to playing dirty. 

“Do you not want to be?” Seokjin teases the question against Taehyung’s lips, forcing him to chase his lips when he pulls away faster than Taehyung can react. 

“I do. More than anything in this world and the next.” Taehyung lets out a frustrated whine, but Seokjin isn’t interested in showing mercy. 

Instead, Seokjin takes a leap of faith that he hopes he won’t regret. 

“I have a question for you,” Seokjin admits against the skin of Taehyung’s jaw. Before Taehyung can respond, Seokjin rolls his hips to grind against his crotch. Taehyung lets out a low moan, deeper and breathier than Seokjin has ever heard come out of him. The sound makes Seokjin’s entire body throb. “Did we ever do this, before?”  

Taehyung shakes his head slowly, a shuddered breath leaving his lips as Seokjin’s mouth latches onto the sensitive skin of his throat just below his jaw. 

“No?” Shock colors Seokjin’s reply. His tone makes Taehyung rigid, and he immediately regrets how freely he let his surprise show. 

“It was customary to wait until marriage,” Taehyung admits meekly. “We kissed while I courted you, but that was all….” 

Seokjin knows it’s not logical to feel bad, but he can’t stop his stomach from twisting when he thinks back on all the people he has had sex with. Taehyung, essentially his soulmate, spent nearly hundreds of years waiting for him — only him — and what had he done? Sucked dick left and right!

“I’m so sorry, Taehyung. Do you want to stop?” Seokjin pulls away from Taehyung’s neck to look him in the eyes. 

Taehyung barely pauses to think before he shakes his head once again. “No, no, I want this.” Taehyung gives Seokjin a small smile. It’s cute how pink his cheeks have turned, and Seokjin wonders how a ghost can blush. “You are the only one for me, Seokjin. If you will have me.”  

“Of course I’ll have you,” Seokjin murmurs, keeping his voice low and steady. “We can go slow.” He takes Taehyung’s wrists, guiding him to place his hands on his hips. “You can touch me wherever you want, okay?” 

With Taehyung’s hands almost where Seokjin wants them, he eases back down until their chests press against each other. Then Seokjin’s hands return to Taehyung’s neck. He uses his hold to apply light pressure to Taehyung’s jaw whenever he needs to adjust the tilt of his head, manipulating Taehyung into the position he needs to deepen his kisses. 

“How do you feel?” Seokjin shifts slightly, so his hips are directly on top of Taehyung’s. He watches Taehyung’s face as he rolls his hips slightly, applying more pressure against the growing bulge in Taehyung’s sweatpants, the loose fabric making it easy to feel how hard he is. 

“Ahh,” Taehyung gasps. He instinctually tightens his grip on Seokjin’s hips, helping them rut their cocks against each other. “G-g-good.”  

It feels incredible to have Taehyung’s fingers digging into Seokjin’s skin. He wiggles his hips, trying to coax Taehyung’s hands further down his body. The movement makes his shorts ride up, reminding Seokjin that they’re both fully clothed. 

“I wanna see you, Taehyung,” Seokjin speaks against Taehyung’s lips. His fingers play with the hem of Taehyung’s t-shirt. When he hears Taehyung inhale suddenly, breath hitching in his throat, Seokjin slides his hands beneath his shirt. Taehyung’s stomach is cold, just like the rest of him, but he’s soft. He allows his ego to inflate a bit every time he feels Taehyung’s muscles spasm when Seokjin gently drags his nails along his abdomen. 

“Can I take this off?” 

Taehyung nods, eyes glassy and pink lips parted. His fluffy hair gets jostled around as Seokjin pulls his t-shirt off. 

“And these?” 

Taehyung whimpers when Seokjin’s fingers curl around the edge of his sweatpants, catching his briefs, too, so one tug makes him fully unclothed beneath him. 

Jungkook wasn’t wrong in his assumptions about Taehyung’s size. Seokjin takes a deep breath and tries not to let his gaze linger too long. This is Taehyung’s first time; it’s important that Seokjin makes him feel comfortable. Ogling at his dick probably won’t help. 

“Seokjin?” 

Like a deer in headlights, Seokjin snaps his gaze up to stare at Taehyung with wide eyes. “Y-yes?” 

“Yours, too?” Taehyung reaches out to pull at the hem of Seokjin’s shirt. His movements are so endearingly timid that Seokjin almost feels bad for ruining his innocence. 

Almost. 

“Yes, Tae,” Seokjin says with a smile. “But let’s go to my room, okay?” He doesn’t have to convince Taehyung any further, guiding him onto the bed with the gentle press of his fingers against Taehyung’s waist.

Seokjin’s cock is hot and throbbing just from rutting against Taehyung. Peeling off his clothes brings relief as much as it further pushes him into a delirium from fully pressing his skin against Taehyung’s once Seokjin straddles him. Taehyung looks so pretty on the bed, lying on his back underneath Seokjin.

“Touch me, please,” Seokjin whispers. He reaches down to grab Taehyung’s hand, lifting it from his hip to his ass. The way he straddles Taehyung’s waist spreads his legs apart. Maneuvering, Taehyung’s hand makes his fingers brush against his hole as he squeezes Seokjin’s ass tighter. Even with as light of a touch as it is, Seokjin has to stifle a moan into the crook of Taehyung’s neck. 

“Tell me if I do anything wrong, please,” Taehyung pleads as he sits up slightly to take the bottle of lube Seokjin gives him. 

Seokjin inhales sharply when Taehyung’s wet fingers drag across his rim. Overcoming the initial shock, Taehyung massages circles against his rim, occasionally applying pressure to slip a finger inside. 

Seokjin lifts his face to press his forehead against Taehyung’s. “You’re doing everything right, jagi. I like when you play with my hole.” 

It’s clear that Taehyung is eager to please Seokjin because he takes his words to heart. Two nimble fingers thrust in and out of Seokjin, maintaining a slow rhythm that has Seokjin pushing back against him with more fervor. The faster Seokjin moves, the bolder Taehyung gets until he’s gasping against his mouth. 

“Oh fuck,” Seokjin moans, rocking back against Taehyung’s hand. “Add another finger. And move like this.” He shows Taehyung how to move his finger, and he watches him with the utmost attention, flawlessly executing his requests. 

Whimpers fall from Taehyung like prayers, and the only thing he’s worshipping is Seokjin. When Taehyung begins stuttering his name is when Seokjin finally halts his movements, afraid of pushing him too far too soon. 

“What’s wrong?” Taehyung chokes out the question, and Seokjin nearly loses himself entirely to the gravelly sound of his voice. Taehyung already looks and sounds so fucked out, his golden skin flushed and his eyes droopy with lust. 

“Nothing, god, nothing at all,” Seokjin groans, sitting back on his knees to get up from his chest. “Sit up, Tae.” 

“Why?” Taehyung questions, but he follows his order. 

With Taehyung’s back against bed’s headboard, Seokjin straddles his lap. “Wanna ride you.” 

The teasing joke Seokjin was going to make about how missionary was probably the only position people fucked in when Taehyung was alive immediately dies in his throat when he sees the look on Taehyung’s face.

Taehyung’s mouth hangs open, lips slick with spit and swollen from how much Seokjin has bitten them. His hands squeeze Seokjin’s hips so tightly it almost hurts, and his breathing is so erratic that Seokjin is more than convinced it’s real. 

Simply put, Taehyung looks like he’ll come if Seokjin even looks at him the right way. Of course, it wouldn’t bother Seokjin; Taehyung is a virgin and hasn’t had sexual contact with another person in nearly two hundred years.

Can Seokjin really blame him for losing his cool? No, but that doesn’t mean Seokjin can’t plan to draw this out as long as possible. “Tell me when it’s too much, and I’ll stop. I don’t want you to come yet.” 

Taehyung nods and attempts to relax his breathing.

Seokjin doesn’t even bother with additional foreplay; he’s stretched enough and Taehyung is already trembling. Instead, he’s straightforward in his preparations, lining Taehyung’s cock up with his hole. Rather than ease himself onto him, he drops to his thighs in one quick movement. It’s a bit of a mistake because Taehyung is big, but the beautiful look of pure ecstasy on Taehyung’s face and how he makes Seokjin feel so full makes up for the burning stretch. 

Taehyung chokes as though he’s had all the air punched out of him. His eyes close, and his eyebrows scrunch together like he’s concentrating. Seokjin watches how his pretty pink lips fall open. The way he puffs out shallow breaths is endearing, Seokjin knowing Taehyung is trying his hardest to keep himself together. 

“Talk to me, Taehyung.” 

Taehyung lets out a breathy groan. Seokjin can feel it vibrate from deep within his chest. It’s not words, but it’s something. 

Sitting up on his knees, Seokjin swiftly falls back onto Taehyung’s cock. A choked version of his name sputters out of his mouth when their bodies connect again. 

“Ahhh, too much, too much,” Taehyung cries. But when Seokjin pauses his movements, Taehyung whimpers for him to keep going. Desperation sounds pretty in Taehyung’s baritone voice. He moans Seokjin’s name repeatedly. It becomes a breathy, choked-out mantra every time Seokjin’s hole swallows his cock and his ass slaps against the tops of his thighs.

Although Seokjin is used to sex being hard and fast, taking things slow with Taehyung is more satisfying than any quick and dirty fuck he has ever had. He swears he can feel it more because each glide of Taehyung’s cock in and out of him is intentional. And because Seokjin is in control, he can angle his body to ensure he hits that sweet spot inside him every time. 

“You’re doing so good, Tae,” Seokjin moans. “You can try moving now, okay? Move with me.” 

Taehyung squeezes Seokjin’s waist to help bounce his body onto his cock more forcefully. He bends his knees and tries out a few small thrusts. As he moves, his dark eyes never stray from Seokjin’s.

That fierce look leads Seokjin to praise Taehyung even more. “Y-y-yes, fuck, just like that,” he moans.

Seokjin lets his head roll to the side as Taehyung thrusts into him. It takes a few tries before Taehyung’s thrusts match up with the rhythm Seokjin has established, but soon he’s pulling Seokjin onto his cock at the same time he’s thrusting into his hole. Seokjin’s whimpers turn into full-blown moans at such a high pitch they might as well be tiny screams. 

“You sound so pretty,” Taehyung moans, and the thickness of his voice startles Seokjin. So far, Taehyung has been quiet aside from his own whimpers and moans, but actual words have been few. Seokjin is unsure if that’s a blessing or a curse. What Taehyung says isn’t even dirty talk, but Seokjin feels heat bloom across his body at the compliment. Taehyung thinks he’s pretty. Of course, he does; he has given Seokjin even stronger compliments than that. But this time, Seokjin is pretty because he’s bouncing on Taehyung’s cock and screaming his name. 

One of Taehyung’s hands slides across Seokjin’s stomach to pinch his nipples. He mumbles something under his breath, his voice too low for Seokjin to register what he’s saying. 

“Hm, jagiya?” Taehyung’s pecs are tight and bulge as Seokjin digs his finger into the muscle to steady himself. 

“I-I-I’m,” Taehyung’s voice tilts slightly, the rumbling baritone morphing into something whinier, needier. 

“Close?” Seokjin struggles to speak as he pants, his mouth dry from hanging open as Taehyung’s hips slam into his. 

Taehyung bites his bottom lip so hard Seokjin can see how his skin turns white from the pressure. He scrunches up his eyebrows and glares. “I cannot,” Taehyung hisses. 

Seokjin knows Taehyung is close. He can tell from how tightly Taehyung is holding his body, forcing himself rigid to keep himself under control. But Seokjin don’t understand why. 

“Just let go,” Seokjin says as he digs his fingers into Taehyung’s hair. He tugs on the strands at the back of his head, making his face lift to look at him. 

“You first,” Taehyung finally grunts. 

Seokjin is convinced that Taehyung is the only man in the history of the universe who has lasted long enough during his first sexual experience to guarantee his partner’s orgasm before his own. To not overwhelm Taehyung with too many things, Seokjin squeezes his own cock, fisting it as Taehyung continues fucking him.

It takes minimal effort to make the coiled spring of heat in him snap. Seokjin’s cum shoots across Taehyung’s chest as he slumps forward. He lets out a high-pitched moan, barely holding on as Taehyung fucks him, Seokjin’s body loose and pliable in his hands.

And even less effort to have Taehyung follow behind Seokjin with a breathy moan that ends in a near sob. 

“Fuck,” Seokjin exhales one last time before collapsing into Taehyung’s arms. “How are you doing?” 

Taehyung leans back against the headboard. Sweat has his bangs plastered to his face. Seokjin is too tired to consider how a ghost can sweat. (Or cum, for that matter.) After a few seconds of silence, Taehyung finally lifts his head to look Seokjin in the eyes. 

“I feel incredible,” Taehyung says with the boxy grin Seokjin will never get enough of. “A bit disgusting, though. But incredible.” 

“Disgusting?!” Seokjin slaps his chest, but Taehyung holds his hand before he can pull away. 

“In a good way,” Taehyung insists with apologetic eyes. “Disgusting in a sexy way.” 

Seokjin rolls his eyes, only somewhat understanding what he means. Sex is kind of gross if he really thinks about it. “We can take a shower and get less disgusting.” 

Taehyung nods but refuses to move even after he has gotten up from the bed. 

“Well, come on,” Seokjin groans, tugging on Taehyung’s arm. “I can feel your cum leaking out of my ass; that is disgusting.”

However, Seokjin’s whining is drowned out by giggles as Taehyung opens his eyes, giving him the most pathetic look Seokjin has ever seen. His eyes are unfocused and droopy as he speaks. “I cannot move my legs.” 

“Can’t you just, I don’t know, float or something?” Seokjin lifts his arms to mimic... well, mimic whatever it is he thinks it would look like if he were Taehyung floating through the air. 

They both fall into a fit of giggles, voices hoarse from the sounds of sex. Seokjin is sure his neighbors will complain later.

Somewhere in the mix of pulling Taehyung off the bed and supporting his weight as they tumble into the bathroom, Seokjin realizes he has never been this comfortable with someone before. The steam from the shower fills the bathroom, and it’s easy for Seokjin to be vulnerable with Taehyung, letting his dark eyes explore his body without reservation in this new light. It’s easy to joke around with Taehyung, even in heated moments when other men would have expected Seokjin to be serious and sexy. In Taehyung’s presence, it’s easy for Seokjin to be himself, a freedom few partners have allowed him to experience for many years. 

So when they’re both clean and dry, tangled up in fresh bed sheets that night, it’s easy to lean into Taehyung’s touch. And when Taehyung brushes his lips against Seokjin’s ear, whispering, “I love you,” it’s easy for Seokjin to whisper, “I love you, too.” 

Waking up in love feels different somehow. Seokjin doesn’t like to be cliche and say the sun shines brighter and his body feels lighter. And he doesn’t have to because the next morning it’s raining and his body feels like he got fucked within an inch of his life.

But there’s a palpable difference in the air this morning; something feels off. 

Seokjin doesn’t know what it is until he ventures into the kitchen, beckoned by the familiar sound of coffee brewing and the sizzle of pancakes (because Taehyung has been obsessed with breakfast foods lately). 

“Good morning, jagi—” 

“Fuck—” 

Seokjin’s phone clatters to the floor, the sound echoing throughout the kitchen as Taehyung simultaneously sticks a finger in his mouth with a small, sucking sound. They stare at each other, eyes wide and for different reasons. 

“Why do you—” 

“Can you get me a—” 

Seokjin clamps his mouth shut, eyebrows raised. Taehyung hums around the finger in his mouth as if to say, you go first. But Seokjin can hardly get his words out because he now knows what’s different about today. 

Taehyung’s hair is brown. 

“Why do you look like that?” 

Taehyung scrunches his nose at him. At first, he thinks Taehyung is angry, but as Taehyung pulls his finger out of his mouth, Seokjin realizes he’s trying to smile. 

“I cut myself.” 

“That’s not what…” Seokjin trails off, finally taking in his surroundings. There’s a pancake getting burned to shit on the stove. His usual mug of coffee (in a new mug, not Sunwoo’s) sits on the counter. Beside the mug is a cutting board with apple slices and a knife resting on top. “You... cut yourself...” 

Taehyung nods with a grin and holds out his finger. “See, look.” 

There is a minor cut on the tip of his finger, just deep enough to release a few steady drops of blood, but nothing serious. Still, Seokjin takes Taehyung’s hand to inspect it further. 

But then he realizes Taehyung’s hand is warm. 

“Seokjin,” Taehyung speaks his name slowly. “I’m bleeding.” 

Seokjin’s vision blurs as he desperately tries to blink away tears. “You’re bleeding.” 

“I’m bleeding! I do not know how to cook or use kitchen utensils, and I am bleeding!” Taehyung nearly cackles. He wraps his arms around Seokjin’s waist and twirls him around the kitchen, chanting, “I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding!” at the top of his lungs. 

“Do you know what this means?” Taehyung comes to a stop in the middle of the kitchen. 

Seokjin takes a step back to hold Taehyung at arm’s length and get a good look at him, tear-streaked cheeks and all. “You’re alive.”

“I’m alive,” Taehyung whispers. Thinks it over. Whispers it again. “I’m alive.” 

Their lips crash into each other with desperation, unlike what they’d experienced the night before. This time they’re both desperate for a warmth they haven’t experienced together before. Taehyung’s tongue is hot as he licks into Seokjin’s mouth, and Seokjin feels the heat of his cock press against his thigh as it jumps. Taehyung moans when Seokjin tugs on his chocolate-brown hair, and his breath is hot against Seokjin’s skin. 

Even when the deafening alarm of the smoke detector goes off because of Taehyung’s forgotten pancake, Seokjin struggles to pull away from Taehyung’s warmth. 

“Mmm, let me fix this,” Taehyung murmurs against his mouth. He walks them back towards the stove, turning it off and switching on the vent to rid the room of smoke. “My beloved,” Taehyung laughs as he tries to pry Seokjin’s arms from his body. “I’m not going anywhere.” 

“You better not,” Seokjin threatens, unwrapping his arms from Taehyung’s shoulders, only to wrap them around his waist instead. 

“My love for you is eternal,” Taehyung declares with a quick kiss on the tip of Seokjin’s nose. “I promise to stay by your side.”

And just as Seokjin has since the moment he spoke to Taehyung through his Bluetooth speakers, he trusts him.

@rkiveslibrary @mar-lo-pap @remmykinsff

[itsallaboutzayn]

Taejin - The vlive

Taehyung and Jin are in Jin's hotel room on their phones watching videos of them.

-See? This is why we can't do a vlive together... They'll notice every look, every touch... Everything. - Jin said and sighed.

- But look, apparently they like it so it's not all bad. - Taehyung said chuckling trying to joke about the situation but he knew Jin was right. - And they keep asking for a vlive, we'll have to do it eventually. - He added.

- But we can't - Jin paused. - The staff... - He sighed and looked down.

- Sooner or later they'll have to accept. - Taehyung said and sighed too. - And I'm getting pretty tired of hiding. - He paused. - I just want us to be able to behave like a normal couple and be a normal couple. - He sighed again and also looked down. Jin looked up at Taehyung and took his hands.

- hey... We'll have that. We just have to wait a little longer, okay? - He asked caressing Taehyung's hands. Taehyung looked up at him and forced a smile. Jin leaned in for a slow and gentle kiss.

Someone knocked on the door making them part from the kiss. Jin went to open the door and found Namjoon and some staff members.

-We couldn't find Taehyung anywhere so I just imagined he was here? - He said sounding like a question. Jin nodded confirming Taehyung was there. - So the staff is saying you have to go live. Both of you. Apparently, the fans are asking for your live more than any other. - He paused. - Besides, you're the only two who haven't done a vlive together. - Namjoon explained and the staff nodded behind him.

Jin nodded and quickly got lost in all his thoughts and what could possibly result from that live. He noticed they were still there and cleared his throat.

-Yeah... - He paused. - Of course, I'll talk to him, don't worry. - he said laughing nervously.

- Okay! - Namjoon said excitedly. - Don't forget we have dinner all together in a bit. - He said raising his voice towards the inside of the room making sure Taehyung also heard it and then they all went away. Jin closed the door and sighed.

- I don't think we can escape this one... - Taehyung said. Jin looked at him. - Yeah I heard everything, babe. - Jin sighed again and suddenly he started to sweat and his breathing started to get heavier. Taehyung noticed and got up immediately and stood in front of Jin.

- hey... hey!! Look at me! - He said putting his hands on Jin's shoulders. - Deep breaths, come on! Do it with me. - He said and started to take deep breaths and Jin followed him and eventually calmed down. - Listen, we'll do the live after dinner so it's done and we won't have to think about it again and we can sleep without all this anxiety, all right? - Taehyung asked. Jin nodded and smiled.

- Thank you! - He said holding Taehyung's face in his hands. - You're the best. - He kissed him. Taehyung pulled him closer and they parted from the kiss and hugged each other. Taehyung kissed his neck.

- You don't have to thank me. I just want you to be okay. And happy. - He whispered against Jin's neck and kissed it again. Jin smiled and parted from the hug to look Taehyung in the eyes.

- I'd be nothing without you. - He said and pecked Taehyung's lips, smiling. Taehyung smiled too. - Come on, let's have dinner with the boys. - Jin said.

- Can we bring ice cream after, to eat here? - Taehyung asked. Jin chuckled.

- Of course. Let's go. - Jin said grabbing Taehyung's hand and they joined the boys and all had dinner together.

After dinner, they came back to Jin's room, with the ice cream, and started to prepare the desk to do the live.

Taehyung sat and started the live while Jin was changing into something more comfortable. In no time, they had millions of fans watching and Jin was getting even more nervous and couldn't stop shaking his leg. They started answering questions that popped up in the comment session and Taehyung was getting anxious because of Jin's leg shaking so fast so, below the table, he put his hand on Jin's thigh and looked at him. Jin looked back at him and they stared at each other for a few seconds and Taehyung gently caressed Jin's thigh, calming him down and making him stop shaking his leg.

They kept answering questions and eating the ice cream and while watching themselves on the phone screen, Taehyung noticed Jin had a little bit of ice cream in the corner of his mouth so he turned to him and, with his thumb, he took the ice cream out of Jin's lip and ate it, putting his thumb in his mouth. Jin turned to him and froze, with his eyes wide open. Taehyung hadn't realized what he had done. Jin looked at his thumb and then his lips and Taehyung finally realized and laughed, nervously, looking at the camera but then, he got up and went to the bathroom. Jin followed him, worried. They forgot they were live for a few seconds and locked themselves in the bathroom.

-We are so screwed right now. The staff will see that. Oh God... - Taehyung whispered.

- Hey, it's okay. Let's just not make a big deal out of it, all right? - Jin said. - Let's go back and finish the live and then we'll see. - He added. Taehyung nodded and Jin kissed him gently and they got back to the live. They had to ignore the comments because everyone was just saying that it was an indirect kiss and that their reactions were suspicious. They put on some music and finished the ice cream.

The live got weird and quiet and Namjoon and Jimin, who were watching in another room, came and knocked on the door. Their hearts skipped a bit but Jimin started yelling for them to open the door and laughing and they relaxed and Jin and opened the door. They joined the live and after a few minutes, they all said goodbye to the fans and ended the live.

As soon as the live ended, both Taehyung and Jin sat back on the chair and took a deep breath, somehow relieved it ended.

-So what's going on between you two? - Namjoon asked and Jimin stood next to him, looking at Taehyung, not believing his best friend kept such thing from him. Taehyung and Jin looked at each other and Taehyung sighed.

- We just like each other... - He said looking down.

- And we were scared to do the live exactly because of this... It's too obvious now. - Jin explained.

- And what made you think that you couldn't tell us? - Jimin asked. They both looked up at him to see if he was serious. Taehyung tilted his head to the side.

- Because of the group? - He said sounding like a question. Namjoon sighed.

- I get it. - He said but he smiled at them. - We'll figure this out, guys. - He said. - Don't worry or stress about this, okay? - He said pointing at both Taehyung and Jin. They nodded.

Namjoon and Jimin said goodbye and got back to their rooms. Taehyung and Jin prepared for bed and then laid on it, putting on a movie to watch before falling asleep. Taehyung rested his head on Jin's shoulder and they intertwined their fingers on top of Jin's belly.

-I wish everything was as simple as us being like this. - Taehyung said and sighed.

- Hey. - Jin said. Taehyung lifted his head and stood on his elbow, to look at Jin, who caressed his face.

- It will be. - Jin said and smiled. - I feel like the boys will help us and stay on our side. - He said trying to reassure both himself and Taehyung.

Taehyung smiled and with his hand, he caressed Jin's face and then pulled him down to him for a kiss. The kiss started gently, Taehyung had his hand on Jin's face and Jin had his hand on Taehyung's neck. Taehyung licked Jin's lower lip, asking permission for his tongue to get inside his mouth. Jin slightly parted his lips and Taehyung put his tongue inside, playing along with Jin's tongue.

During the kiss, Jin's hand went to the back of Taehyung's head and he started massaging it. Taehyung hand slid from Jin's face to his chest and he started caressing it. They parted from the kiss to get some air and just stared into each other's eyes, smiling, their foreheads against each other.

-Whatever happens, we'll always stay together, right? - Taehyung asked whispering.

- Always. - Jin whispered back. They both smiled and got comfortable hugging each other and watching the movie and eventually fell asleep.

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This was an idea requested and it's also my first Taejin fic so try to bear with me if something is not that great. But i liked writing it. Hope you all like it too! As you know, feedback always means a lot to me. 🙏🏽💜

[justbtsstuffsforfun]

Home

Genre:Fluff, 0.1% angst

Word Count: 7145

Pairing: Taejin (Taehyung x Jin)

Summary: Taehyung and Jin meet each other after two years, making themselves feel like they’re back home.

21 months without seeing him was hard. Extremely hard. Taehyung covered his face with his fluffy white pillow, thinking about Seokjin. How would he look? Would his shoulders be broader than before?

He turned towards the right to get a quick glance of the time. He has a photo shoot with Gucci at 7. And then a six-month contract agreement meeting with some French perfume company. He did feel a bit guilty about not being able to remember the company name, but isn’t that why famous models like him have assistants? Nevertheless, knowing that he has more than two hours at hand before his schedule begins, Taehyung decided to remain where he was.  Good thing he went to bed at 8 last night.

“When are you coming, my love?” he thought out loud, scrunching his face up in disappointment. Seokjin was definitely not Taehyung’s type in the beginning. Well…to be more precise, he never expected himself to be interested in men.

Taehyung decided to get nostalgic. He quickly turned to face his newly painted baby blue ceiling.

                        The first meeting was weird (unlike dramas). Taehyung was a nervous alien in that room. The leader and the director had informed him beforehand that he would be meeting the other members.

“What should I do till then?” Taehyung asked, confused and worried.

“Anything you want. Dance, sing or even sit in that corner and read” Namjoon, the leader, politely replied. “Don’t worry a lot, the others are pretty chill.”

After the leader left, Taehyung switched on the stereo, threw his red jacket on the sofa and decided to go with the beats. At one point he got so engrossed in the music that he completely forgot his place and position. And that’s when he met Jin.

“Hi, you must be the new mem-”

"Dance with me."

Even before the guy could reply, Taehyung pulled him to dance with him. Well...technically he thrust his hips on Jin.

“Yah! What in the world are you up to?” The newcomer, completely flustered, asked.

“Don’t you want to dance with me?” Taehyung asked him, a bit hurt. He was unaware of how his action had affected the older man.

“Can’t. Was street-casted for my pretty face, so I just started learning how to”  the newcomer replied, ignoring Taehyung’s actions.

“Kim Seokjin." The man held his hand out. "What’s yours?”

“Kim Taehyung. Nice to meet you, visual partner! How old are you?”

“19”

“Whoa! Hyung, I’m 16. How do you look so young?”

“That’s my face,” Jin smirked, rubbing his chin.

“Wow,” Taehyung exclaimed and suddenly pulled Jin’s cheeks. He generally didn’t mind doing things like this cause he used to be a part of a circle where physical contact was considered normal. But for Jin, it was something new. Of course, he knew who he was from the beginning and embraced it pretty well. But being a bit conservative, accepting actions like this seemed a bit hard.

“Don’t- Not my face!” He let out a startled shout. Taehyung noticed Jin’s ears turning red. “Hyung, why is your ear red? It makes you look weird!” He gave a quick laugh and moved his hand towards Seokjin’s ear. Before he could touch it, the latter pulled back. “Sto-Stop! Don’t be so weird” he replied, shocked by Taehyung’s action.  And with that the older man walked out of the room, his heart pounding in his chest like never before.

Taehyung was a bit flustered too, yes, but well…he was dumb at that time. Dumb enough not to understand what he felt.

“Ahh!! Seokjin-ah, when are you coming back?!”  Taehyung whined in his empty room, which was now slowly filling up with light.

Eventually, the two of them realized that they have a lot in common. They soon started spending nights talking about their favorite anime, k-dramas, movies, etc.  

It was one tiring, clumsy night for the entire team. And this 17-year-old kid decided to relax by watching Reply 1994.

“You watch this too?” Seokjin asked, troubling the poor boy right in the middle of the climax.

“Yeah hyung, it’s too good, isn’t it?”

“Can’t deny that! Here, let me watch with you.”

Seokjin quickly jumped down from his bunk and went up to Tae’s. They tried to cover themselves with a single blanket. Unfortunately, Jin's shoulders being crazy huge, made it a bit hard for the two of them to fit in. So Jin did the one thing he could think of at that time: make Taehyung sit on his lap. 

But little did he know how Taehyung felt at that point. To his own surprise, Taehyung’s heart was thumping so fast that he was scared that Seokjin would be able to hear it. Jin was, after all, trying to have fun with him. And here his heart was going crazy. What was wrong with him?

And it started getting more intense after that. During the debut days, when he and Seokjin would do vlogs together, Taehyung’s feelings would make him giddy. Whenever Jin kept his hand on Tae's shoulder or chin, he would become so nervous that he kinda starts acting hyper, weirding out Jin in the process. Sometimes, things would become so complicated that they would awkwardly end their vlogs.

                       The phone rang. Taehyung was pretty sure that it was his assistant. And it was.

“YOU LITERALLY HAVE AN HOUR BEFORE THE PHOTOSHOOT!! AN HOUR!”  She exploded from the other side.

“Ahh…chill Sun-ssi, I’m almost done dressing up!” Taehyung shamelessly lied, jumping out of his bed. He quickly ran to his closet and started pulling out random dresses.

“Hurry up Taehyung-ssi! I’ll be there in 5.” Sun quickly cut the phone, even before Taehyung could oppose.

“And I’m screwed.” With that, Taehyung ran to the washroom forgetting about Seokjin for a while.

Taehyung quickly took a hot shower, not giving himself a chance to enjoy the heat. He then ran half-naked to his messy living room in search of the hair dryer, only to realize that it was in his room.

“God, please make sure Sun is late. She’ll kill me if she sees me like this!” Taehyung prayed, quickly putting on a red Gucci shirt.

Lucky for him, Sun was 5 minutes late. However, she didn’t lose her opportunity of scolding Taehyung, much to his dismay.

“Mr. Kim, can you please put on some make-up?  At least, look good while meeting the stylist!”

“ Noona, they would anyways remove it.” Taehyung huffed, wiping his hair with the towel to dry off the remaining water.

“Uff!  Taehyung, at least color your hair for tomorrow’s shoot! The purple is fading!” Sun replied, noticing the messy condition of his hair. She quickly opened the door for him once they reached the entrance of the building.

“Changing it to black, so don’t worry!” Taehyung replied, getting into the car waiting for him. Sun gave him a worried glance and quickly joined him.

Kim Taehyung, according to her, was a great man. In her 5 years as an assistant for various models, she has never seen someone so beautiful and committed. He was a man who could simply kill anyone with his looks and also melt people’s heart with his puppy-like personality. Gucci made the right choice of picking this man 2 years back when BTS went on a hiatus.

But, there were a few things that still troubled her. Like the dreamy look on his face every time someone left him alone. The way he kept searching or expecting for someone to appear. And much more.

Taehyung was not short of love. She loves him. His friends love him. His co-workers, stylists everyone loves him. He spends every weekend with the other BTS members… recently he had a night out with them to wish Jung Hoseok and Kim Namjoon best of luck for their military enlistment. He himself would be enlisting next year with Jimin and Jungkook.

“What are you staring at noona?” Taehyung asked, chuckling at the way Sun’s mouth was open.

“N-nothing!” She could feel the heat rising up her cheeks.

“Ah...don't lie. You didn’t even notice me picking up your phone from your lap. And your mouth was wide open.” He quickly handed over the phone, with the boxy smile on his face.

“Don’t talk like you don’t dream!" Sun replied with a pout.

After a minute of silence, Sun asked him the question that had been bothering her for quite a long time.

"Taehyung-ssi, can I ask you something?"

“Please, drop that ‘ssi’. I’m younger than you noona.”

“Fine. Are you dating someone? Because sometimes, it looks like you are searching or waiting for someone to come and meet you during your shoots.”

Taehyung did a double take at that question. Everyone at the workplace talked about their dates, girlfriends and all, except him.

“Well, I’m not interested in girls.” Taehyung carefully replied, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the question. He knew he would soon get a chance to tell the world about his love for Jin. But, he has to wait for a while.

It was a fine night when he realized his feelings for Jin. All he felt at that time was horror and disgust. What would Jin think of him? Would they stop going out for dinner together? Would he completely ignore him? But in addition to all this, a sense of self-disgust started enveloping him. There were nights where he would silently breakdown in the bathroom, blaming himself for being a disgrace, a disappointment to everyone he loved.

What would his parents do with him? Would they suffer from shame too, because of him?

And then Bangtan. They had just started making progress. What would happen if someone finds out? Would he be the demise of his members’ dreams?

“Taehyung? What-wait, why are you crying?” Jimin caught him one night sitting and crying in the tub.

“I’m sorry” Taehyung kept uttering out those words in the middle of his sobs. Jimin didn’t understand what had gone wrong. Taehyung was never like this. Of course, his friend was weird, but no one has a problem with that. In fact, people love that side of him.

“Taehyung-ah, tell me. Please?” Jimin asked. He couldn’t bear to see his best friend cry. He had never seen him cry like this.

“I-I like Jin hyung.”

Jimin froze on spot. “H-how long?” his voice shook, in surprise.

“Too long. Hate me as much as you want.” Taehyung controlled his tears for a moment to look at Jimin’s face. The sight baffled him.

“Why?” Taehyung asked, seeing the tears fall from Jimin’s eye. Shouldn’t he be disgusted with him?

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help you earlier.” Jimin hugged the younger boy and started sobbing with him. It was too much for someone to deal with something like this alone. Why didn’t he realize sooner? Wasn’t it obvious by the way Taehyung always looked at Jin? His best friend had been with him for so long, helped him fit in at school, made him part of Bangtan and yet, he let him suffer like this alone. It wasn’t Taehyung’s fault for being who he was. He cursed himself for not giving Taehyung a place to talk about how he felt.

“Talk to me okay? We’ll cry together and find solutions for it” Jimin smiled, his teary-eyes almost invisible in the dark. The smile of acceptance, that Taehyung wanted to see the most.    

“Noona wants to ask me out?” Taehyung asked with a playful smile on his face.

“I’m married,” Sun replied, already used to the kid’s antics.

 Yes, he likes peaceful environments. But, never once has he hated Seoul for being noisy, dirty and dusty. Well, until today.

Jin sat in the corner of the bus, praying that no one notices him. The last thing he wants right now is to people take photographs of him and ruin his ideas.

“Excuse me, sir, Could you shift inside?” a girl with blond hair asked. Seokjin freaked out.

“Go-uhh…yes.” He moved to the corner, carefully eyeing the girl. The Cooky keychain hanging from her backpack was enough proof that she could identify him. So, why hasn’t she?

A number of weird thoughts started eating him up. His stomach did a double take with every new question that was popping up in his head. Does he look that different? Does he look so old? Has BTS lost its popularity? Will Taehyung and the others recognize him?!

“Um…Jin-ssi” the girl whispered, bringing Jin back to earth. Poor guy was now completely confused.

“I won’t tell anyone. Promise” She held out her pinky. The man’s muscle relaxed.

“I still look the same right?” Jin asked, making the blondie giggle.

“Yes yes. You haven’t aged a bit! When did u come back?”

“Today. Please don’t post anywhere. At least till I tweet.”

“Sure. Oppa looks good with short black hair.”

“I know”

Jin politely thanked the girl for not screaming once he reached his destination. And thanked God for not ruining his plan. Upon arrival, a known face with dirty blond hair walked towards him to give him a big hug.

“Hyung!” Jimin replied, hugging Jin from the back. He never really expected himself to be the first member to meet Jin.

“Ah…Jimin-ah, don’t scare me like that. You know the scardy-cat I am!”

“You haven’t changed a bit!” Jimin laughed wiping the tears from his eyes.

“Yah! Just because I said I’m still scared doesn’t mean I haven’t changed!” Jin pouted. “Now, come and help me.”

Hadn’t it been for Jimin and Namjoon’s help, Jin would’ve never got a chance to confess his feelings to Tae. He had talked to Namjoon in cafes about a lot of sensitive stuffs. The fact that he wasn’t straight. In fact, Namjoon was one of the first to accept Jin for who he was. So Jin decided to ask his opinion once he was sure of what he felt.

“Namjoon. How do I even control the way I feel about him? You know, my ears keep turning red every time he does something unintentionally. That poor kid has no idea about the effect he has on me!!”

“Hyung, are you blind? He clearly has feelings for you.”

“Yah! Don’t raise my hopes up like that. How can you assume that he likes me just after that one incident I told you about, huh?! Don’t you think it’s a bit too much?” Jin pouted.

“One incident? Hyung, the two of you go out alone to eat. Sleep together every now and then. And have you ever seen the way he gets flustered around you?! He HUGGED Jungkook after seeing you hug me! WHAT MORE PROOF DO YOU WANT?!” Namjoon broke his pen, accidentally hitting it with his fist while lecturing the older.

Jin secretly hoped that Namjoon was right. He wanted it to be true.

That night, Jin was getting ready for bed. He was in the middle of his routine night shower, thinking of ways to make Jungkook feel more comfortable in their presence. That’s when someone knocked at the door.

“Hyung!” Taehyung called out.

Jin could feel his ears turn red. What’s he doing here now? What’s his problem?!

“Yeah? Is everything okay Tae? Just gimme a few minutes. I’ll come out and-“

“Hyung, can we take a bath together?”

Shit, what is going on? Jin was completely flustered at the request. A mixed sense of embarrassment and happiness started pooling within him. His was pretty sure that his heart would burst at any moment, judging by the speed it was beating.

“What?” Jin asked, trying to keep his tone under control.

“Can we take a b-bath t-together?” Taehyung asked waiting near the entrance, closing eyes. Jin couldn’t help but notice Tae shaking in fear and embarrassment. Jin couldn’t help but smile. Namjoon was right after all. “How about we go out and have ice cream together. I’ll treat you with something expensive.”

“So no bath?” Taehyung asked, his face falling in disappointment.

“I didn’t say no, did I?” Jin replied, smirking at Taehyung. “Get in before I change my mind.”

“Perfect!” The cameraman gave a thumbs-up, assuring Taehyung. “Next shoot is on Monday. I have given Mrs. Lee your details.”

“We’re having a celebration tonight! Join us Taehyung!!” Solbin, Taehyung’s partner asked, pulling the hem of his shirt.

“Thanks for the offer Solbin, but I’ll pass. Got another contract to sign.” Taehyung replied.

“Mr. Kim, we literally have 20 minutes for the sign-up! Hurry now!!” Sun called out from the other side of the hall.

“Ah, later then, busy man.” Solbin waved and walked off.

 “SIXTEEN CALLS!? Jimin I told you I would have a photoshoot today. Couldn’t you wait for a while?!” Taehyung sighed, sitting on the stool and waiting for the stylists to get him ready.

“Aish, it’s just a photoshoot. Something we’ve been doing for the past 8 years.” Jimin replied, annoyed at the way Taehyung was acting.

“So what’s wrong?” Taehyung asked, checking his watch. His stylists were definitely running late this time.

“You know today’s a Thursday right?”

“Yeah, what about it? Wait, shit, I’m so so-“

“Screw you.” Jimin cut him off. “Jungkook and I are going out somewhere.”

“Somewhere or to his house?” Taehyung teased him.

“Don’t forget that you’re as straight as a circle. Have fun drinking alone.” Jimin quickly cut the phone before Taehyung could apologize. He definitely has to buy him a drink now, to bring things back to normal.

“How did it go?” Jungkook called out from his studio.

“So far fine. Let’s just hope it works out.”

Taehyung didn’t expect Jimin to blow up like that. What’s gotten into him? He was fine with it when the whole world shipped him with Jungkook. So why is he trying to act so bothered? What is his problem? Jimin should understand how busy Taehyung could get at times. It doesn’t mean that his friends have lost priority.  

“Mr. Kim, please remove your bracelets. It doesn’t match with your outfit.” The stylist called out

“Uhh…yeah, will do right away.” He carefully removed each one of them and put it in his bag.

“Umm…Mr. Kim, even this one.”  The stylist asked pointing at the thin, white gold bracelet with interlocked rings.

“Sorry, I don’t want to. It means the world to me.” Taehyung smiled and continued to focus on his phone.

  “Are we done for today?” Taehyung asked his assistant, removing the excess make up from his face while sitting in the car. He kinda finds it annoying when it starts dripping down in the heat.

“Yes, Taehyung. You have any personal plans?” Sun asked, arranging files in order.

“Had. Drop me at home please?” Taehyung replied, disappointment popping up in his tone.

“Everything alright? You sound upset Taehyung?”

“Not exactly noona. Jimin’s pissed at me for forgetting tonight. I didn’t mean that to happen you know? And plus I’m exhausted. Eating ramen at home would be nice” Taehyung answered, giving Lee Sun a reassuring smile.

“Fine, you can get down right here. We’re just two minutes away from your apartment” Sun replied, asking the chauffeur to stop. She quickly handed him a black mask and opened the door. “Walking might help you clear your mind.”

Taehyung walked along the pathway admiring the forest, something he rarely does due to his hectic schedule. Nevertheless, it definitely brought back memories.

“Hyung, are you sure about this?” Taehyung asked, trying to catch up with the older man. What if someone caught them together?

“Relax Tae, we could just tell them that we were going on a morning walk. And seriously, how do you expect people to be awake at 4??”

“So why in the world did you wake me up so early? We had practice yesterday till 11:30!”

“Just shut up and come!”

Seokjin took him to a deserted park in the middle of a small hill, which would be filled with children in the bright daylight. He held the younger’s hand and seated him on a swing.

“Seriously hyung, I know I like this but-“

“Can you just wait, my love?” Jin quickly shut the poor boy up. He knew how vulnerable Taehyung was for his cheesy words and phrases.

“Get your phone ready. The moment is pretty short.”

In a few minutes, the night sky started getting lighter. Taehyung was speechless. He had witnessed sunrise many times before in the countryside. But this was nothing short of magnificent. As dawn came by, the two of them could see the sun’s red rays border the dark sky. It was almost like an entrance to another world.

“This is…more beautiful than sunrise.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Seokjin replied, clicking a candid of the younger man. The red-bordered-blue- sky made Taehyung look more beautiful. It was a pure miracle that he was with the beautiful man in front of him.

“Hyung, how did you…” Taehyung stopped midway, noticing Jin staring at him. His heart did a double take, looking at the older. Jin absolutely loved him. He was now sure of it.

“How did you find it?” Tae continued, without breaking the eye contact.

“Actually, I was practicing until 5am last Monday. We had our comeback show you know, and I wanted to give my best. So right in the middle of the practice. I never really expected the break of dawn to be more beautiful than the actual sunrise!” He took a deep breath before continuing.” And it was long since we spent time together, so I wanted it to be something different. No one would catch us at this hour. Just you and me together in this old, dusty park.”

“I’m sorry V” Jin choked. “I wish I could show you to the entire world. How much you mean to me. I wish we could walk around hand-in-hand and enjoy the sunset. And much more. But I-“

Taehyung couldn’t stop himself. Screw the world for now. Jin and his lips were all that mattered. The feeling whenever their lips meet never gets old. And he was glad. So glad that Jin was here, beside him.

“You know, we can always share that burden together?” Taehyung smiled, immediately pulling out of the kiss. He then nuzzled Jin’s neck and continued “And the last part was a bit too much. We’ve already gone on exquisite dates without people knowing!”

“I-I was trying to sound cheesy and romantic!” Jin replied, his voice going an octave higher in embarrassment. He then hid his head on Taehyung’s comparatively small shoulder. But, it wasn’t enough to stop his ears from turning red.

“I like you being cheesy. And surprising me like this.” Taehyung let out his boxy grin, patting the older man’s head.

Taehyung’s gaze went right to his apartment window when he realized that he had reached his building. And the sight couldn’t have baffled him more.

He left his house 12-13 hours back. The curtains were wide open. Lights switched off and rooms messed up. But now, it looked like a whole new place! The vase was back in its place near the window. The transparent curtains, that he had thrown in the storeroom was now diligently doing its work, preventing a lot of light from entering. Why? The flat facing the river now looked like it was occupied by a married couple!

Taehyung immediately rushed to his house, without paying much heed to his surroundings.  Who would’ve got the code number correctly? He quickly punched the password onto the lock and opened the door.

“What the fuck?” was all he could exclaim looking at the makeover.

The floor which used to be covered with clothes was all clean and tidy. The empty wine bottles that were thrown over the table were now missing.  In addition to the neat and tidy room, there was a huge packet on the dining table. And believe it or not, it was something Taehyung never imagined it to be.

Fresh, ripe strawberries. Judging by the beautiful fragrance that quickly filled up the room, it was from Daegu.

Taehyung was never this scared in life. No one, literally no one from his new company and contact list knew that he liked strawberries. No one would even guess the passcode. Except for those 6 idiots. And 4 of them were in the military. Even if they were there in Seoul today, it would be impossible for them to get this directly from Daegu.  Also, they respect each other’s privacy so much that they wouldn’t even dream of touching other’s phone. Except-

“No way” Taehyung froze on that spot. His heart started ramming on his chest so fast that he couldn’t process anything. It was so bad that he literally threw his bag down and sat on the floor, trying really hard to control his heartbeat and the nervousness that was pooling inside him.

“Okay, V calm down.” He told himself, using his stage name. “It’s alright. If it was him, he would’ve called you first. He would’ve come out to greet you from the kitchen. So stop assuming things and get changed.” But even after his small pep talk, Taehyung couldn’t move a muscle. He just couldn’t imagine that.

“Maybe Sun decided to help.” He continued convincing himself. “Yeah, it makes more sense. She couldn’t see me sad, so she called a few people to clean my house. She thought it would relieve me of some work and- SHIT IT’S HIM!!”

Sitting right in front of him, on the couch was RJ. The plushy that Jin carries with him everywhere. Looking at it, Taehyung was completely sure: Kim Seokjin is in his house. Or was. His heart was on the verge of exploding. Jin is back. His boyfriend is back. He is going to see him.

But to see him, Taehyung HAS to get up and walk. Which, judging by the way he was sitting with his hands on his head, would be quite impossible at the moment.

With whatever courage the man could muster, Taehyung slowly tip-toed his way to his room. His heart had no intentions of being merciful. “Okay” Taehyung took a huge breath and quickly opened the door.

The room was extremely cold, just like the way Jin would like it to be. And yes, as Taehyung expected, he was there in his room. Sleeping to be exact. Taehyung walked into the room with so much caution, fearing that Jin would vanish.  Each and every step he took towards Jin felt like his last one. At one point, Taehyung was pretty sure that he would pass out.

He immediately stopped once he was close enough to the side where Jin was sleeping. Jin looked the same, beautiful. His plump lips looked fresher to Tae, probably because he was seeing him after a really long time. His short black hair, which was messy right now, made him look even more gorgeous. Taehyung could keep staring at him for eternity, if not for his nerves.

The next thing our admirer does is try to touch Jin. Of course, no one can blame Taehyung there because who wouldn’t want to touch worldwide handsome? That too after two years? Taehyung slowly caresses Jin's cheeks, fearing that the latter would vanish at his touch. The moment his long, slender fingers made contact with the soft cheeks, Taehyung confirmed that it is Jin. His boyfriend. The only man in the entire world Taehyung would die for.

And guess what? Taehyung’s nerves gave in. The moment he realized that he wasn’t dreaming, the pent up excitement and fear completely made him breakdown. Within a few seconds, the supposed-to-be-ecstatic Kim Taehyung was a sobbing mess. It was so horrible (according to him) because even he couldn’t understand what was making him cry. And neither did the sleeping Seokjin, who was now woken up by Taehyung’s wails.

“Tae-Taehyung-ah?” Jin quickly got up, half-happy, half-sleepy and completely confused. “Wh-what happened?!”

“H-hyung yo-you are a-awake,” Taehyung told in between his sobs. God, this was going really bad.

“What’s wrong Taehyung?” Jin asked pulling the man close to him, wiping his eyes. Did he do something wrong? Was Taehyung sad with him?

“N-no hyung,” The younger man reassured him. He took in a deep breathe, putting his head on top of Jin’s shoulder. Without lifting his head, he makes a polite request. “Hyung, it’s cold. Switch it off.”

“Sure,” Jin replied pulling out the remote from under his pillow. Some habits never die.

“Is everything okay?” Jin asked after switching off the A/C. He slowly starts brushing Taehyung’s hair with his fingers, to coax him.

“Sorry, Jin hyung, I just couldn’t believe. It is you, right?” Taehyung asked, tightening his grip over Jin.

“Don’t be. And yes it is me” Jin laughed, patting Taehyung on the head. “By the way, purple doesn’t look that bad.”

“It looks horrible!”

“Nothing looks horrible on my Taehyungie. On the contrary, everything looks stunning on you.”

“Hyung!” Taehyung whined, hiding his head on Seokjin’s chest in embarrassment.

“So, shall I get dinner ready? Since I dozed off, I wouldn’t be able to surprise you. Is ramen okay?”

“I was just thinking about that.”

“Ahh,” Jin smiled and quickly planted a kiss on Taehyung’s forehead.

“Get changed. And don’t you dare mess up the floor once again.” Jin sternly replied and walked out of the room.

Well, to be honest, Taehyung wasn’t the only one who almost died of nervousness. As soon as Jin walked out of that room, he ran towards RJ and covered his face with it. Thank the good lord that Taehyung forgot to switch on the room light. Jin’s face was completely red.

“Fuck, why is he so gorgeous?!” he exclaimed under his breath. “And he called himself ugly with that purple hair? Damn him.” Jin turned towards the door, expectantly, hoping that Taehyung would run towards him.

But after waiting for 5 mins, which seemed like hours to him, Jin just got up (purely on instinct, happens when you don’t see someone for too long!) and walked towards the now closed room. He swiftly turned the knob, thereby opening it without making much noise. Not being able to see Taehyung in the room, Jin makes his way to the bathroom. He knew he was going to regret whatever he was doing. But well…sometimes, needs and desires should be given more priority.

Jin wasn’t himself today. That was for sure.  Taehyung was quite surprised to see Jin walk in, without permission.

“Wow, now that’s something,” Taehyung smirked. Trying something like this is not Jin’s cup of tea. “Since when did u become so brave?” Tae continued, switching off the shower. He opened the translucent door that was separating the two of them.

“People change, you know,” Jin replied quickly throwing his sweatshirt on the floor. Taehyung whistled, looking at the sight in front of him.

“Damn, Jungkook would be stumped if he got to see this” Taehyung growled. He caressed Seokjin’s chest and slowly moved his hands down to his abs. The Kim Seokjin standing in front of him was a masterpiece he would never let go of.

“I know” Jin replied, pulling the younger man closer.

“Hyung, how do you expect me to take a shower if you keep holding me like this?”

“But I’m hungry.”

“So go make ramen. I’ll come out in a minute.”

“Who wants ramen when there’s a whole fucking meal standing right in front of me?!”

“Ohh,” Taehyung smirked. “So don’t get your meal cold. Undress and come in.”

“Hyung, I told you not to go overboard!” Taehyung shouted from the bedroom examining his neck. Gods, how in the world were those stylists going to hide all the hickeys. Sun was definitely going to kill him.

“Relax; no one would even notice them,” Jin called out from the kitchen.

“No one would even notice them?! Do you know how huge they are?”

“Taehyung-ah, stop making such a huge fuss. If you’re so embarrassed, just tell them you’re sick and bunk. Who’s going to come and check?” Jin walked into the room, towards Taehyung.

“And anyways, those hickeys in your neck make you look extra good. “ Jin sneakily placed his hands on Taehyung’s perfect ass, giving it a quick squeeze.

“Fine, I’ll deal with this later. So tell me more about the service. What did they make you do?” Taehyung asked, taking Seokjin to the kitchen. He then arranges two bowls and chopsticks on the counter, while Jin transfers the ramen into the bowls. The latter then opens the refrigerator and pulls out two cans, one diet coke, and another, a beer and places it near the ramen.

“Well…I wasn’t in the front lines. But hell, they made me work out like a pig! They made the whole lot jog for 30-40km!” Jin exclaimed, slurping the noodle. “They don’t even give you good food! And there are so many rats in the dorm rooms! Once I almost threw a pillow on my commander because-“

“You threw a pillow at your commander?!” Taehyung asked, bursting into laughter.

“Almost. It was running where he was standing. What do you expect me to do huh?” Jin pouted.

“Aww, Seokjinnie is still scared of pests?” Taehyung asked in a teasing tone, pulling Jin’s chin.

“I’m not sure. Sometimes I feel like I can deal with cockroaches. Why are you grinning at me like an idiot?”

“Because you’re cute,” Taehyung replied, giving a quick peck on Jin’s cheek. Jin could feel his ears turn red. Not wanting to get teased more, he clears his throat and changes the topic. “Oh, by the way, my train stopped at Daegu for a while. I met Yoongi over there.”

“Really? How does he look?!” Taehyung asked, forgetting about his coke for a while.

“More skinny. He has tanned a bit. Otherwise, nothing about him has changed. He’s still that scary old grandpa” Jin quickly took a sip of his beer.

“Where did he go?”

“I can’t remember exactly where but, somewhere in the North only. He said he is coming here tomorrow. Jimin has planned a party for him.”

“Oh, that reminds me.” Taehyung interrupted. “Jimin teased me.” He pouted like a baby before continuing. “I am so damn busy with all those photoshoots these days. So I forgot about tonight.”

“What was tonight?”

“After you and Yoongi left, the 5 of us decided to meet up every Thursday. Like I got recruited by Gucci. Jungkook has drifted towards directing and GV related stuffs. Jimin has recently released a single which you should definitely listen to. Hoseok-hyung had been focusing on teaching juniors to dance. Technically he has joined hands with our dance managers. Namjoon-hyung started producing songs and rapping English covers and all.”

“So I’m the only one who has to search for something to do huh?” Seokjin sighed, trying really hard not to show his disappointment. He knew he would be in huge trouble once Bangtan disbands or goes on a hiatus.

“Hyung, you just came back. There’re-“   Taehyung stopped when he sensed Jin’s disappointment.

“Look at me hyung.” Taehyung turned Jin’s head, facing his. “You’ll get your chance. You have so much to choose from. You can sing, act, model, host variety shows, etc. You can literally do so much, and you’re scared that you won’t be successful like us?”

“It’s just that I-“

“No ‘just’. You’ll do it. I’ll make sure you get it.” Taehyung smiled and took Jin’s bowl along with his to the sink.

Jin couldn’t have been more grateful.

“So, how did you get these strawberries?” Taehyung asked, trying to lighten up the mood.

“Oh, you won’t even believe it! Do you know where these are from?” Jin asked, quickly removing the stalk from the berry.

“Where?” Taehyung asked, taking the strawberry from Jin and putting it in his mouth.

“Where?” Jin scoffed. “You can’t guess it by the taste? You were the one who told me that different strawberries taste different!”

“ Hyung, it’s been so long since I tried one from Daegu…wait, no way.” Jin smiled at the younger man’s surprised reaction. “Yeah, getting it?”

“Hyung did u actually go there?! Oh my god, it’s from the farm, right? Oh my god.” Tears started to well up in Taehyung’s eyes. Never had he imagined he would get to taste them once again. The perfectly ripe, sweet and a tad bit tangy strawberries that grew in the field. His field.

“How?” he replied, his voice choking.

“Now why are you crying Taehyungie? I thought this would make you happy. “Jin frowned, pulling Taehyung closer to him on the couch. “It really hurts to see you cry like this you know? Am I making you that sad?” He slowly kissed his cheeks, moving down to his neck and chest, until Taehyung was able to take control over his emotions.

“No Hyung.” Taehyung huffed. “I’m just so happy. It’s such a relief you know. To have you back like this. To sit and spend time with you like this.” He then stretched himself in such a way that he was able to rest his head on Jin’s chest, one of his favorite places in his hyung.

“So continue, how did you get them?”

“Well…I thought I should get you something interesting. And that’s when I met your mum.”

“Wow, you saw Tannie?” Taehyung interrupted, yawning and hugging Jin at the same time.

“Your baby was just fine. Started wagging as soon as he saw me. So where was I? Ah…yes, your mum. She was so excited to see me you know?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. We spent an hour sitting and chatting about this cool new recipe she tried that week. She even gave me extra tips on fermenting the kimchi. She even talked about you. Why did you forget to call her huh? She was so worried!”

“Sorry, my photoshoots were going out of hand. “ Taehyung answered, once again yawning loudly.

“She knows. She then asked me to take this home to you. But seriously Taehyung, you’ve been living in such an ugly mess. Like the moment I entered the room, all I could see was that the trash was filled with coke cans?! Like seriously, are you mad? You might end up falling sick! Hey, are you even listen-“

Well…poor Jin wasted all his scoldings on the sleeping Taehyung. Taehyung was so exhausted that he automatically fell asleep on Jin’s chest.

Jin slowly took Taehyung’s hand and placed it on his neck. The sofa was so small that they were sure to get a cramp. “Taehyungie” Jin called out to himself, smiling. He definitely should get his sweetheart a new bracelet. The old one was losing its shine.

The older man slowly turned his gaze towards the ceiling when his mind started to wander, going back to the past. The two of them never tried hiding their relationship. Somehow, it automatically went to the backseat in 2016. And it remained there. In fact, after that the entire team made sure that it remained there.

But still, there were the interviews. Like hell, how were people so blind to the fact that Taehyung was so obvious? Jin could never really understand how people kept missing on them whenever Taehyung used to openly touch his thighs and hands. It was kind of hilarious you know. I mean, you won’t touch someone like that if you considered them to be your brother.

And then comes the lives. God, it was really clear that they would keep staring at each other through the screen. Sneak in a flying kiss every now and then. Openly flirt. And much more. Yet people never caught them. Jin soon realized that there was no point in acting so chill and indifferent to Taehyung because people just wouldn’t see them. It was almost something beyond their imagination, he supposed.

“I wish I could’ve tried more in those shows,” Jin told himself, moving his almost-numb hand over Taehyung’s head. “Like seriously, nobody caught me giving a flying kiss to Tae during those opening ceremonies, American talk shows, and interviews. How can they be so ignorant?”

“But it was good in one way,” He continued, letting out a quick yawn. “We got to confess our love and get closer to each other because of ARMY. And I’m grateful for that.” And like that, Jin closed his eyes, slowly drifting off to his own dream world.

Seriously, couldn’t you guys be louder?” Jungkook asked mockingly looking at Taehyung’s neck. “Damn, Jin took all his pent up frustrations and desires on you!”

“What’s your problem huh? They look good on me.” Taehyung replied back, pretty pissed. Not at what Jungkook said but at Jin.

“Yah Jin-hyung, why don’t you just get your ass out there and make out with that asshole there huh? You anyways can’t stay without touching him.”

“Not again Taehyung. I told you for the millionth time that-”

“So? You expect me to believe in that shit? Go! Get away from my sight and start making out!”

“Ohh, you’ve become so arrogant huh?” Jin retorted back. “Guess what! Why don’t you go have sex with that guy you hugged today morning in the shoot.  He has a better body than me right?”

“So you’re jealous hyung?” Taehyung voice almost rose up.

“You’re talking as if you aren’t “

“Why don’t you guys just not meet each other for another two years? At least the three of us would be at peace.” Yoongi replied, pouring drinks for all of them.

“NO!” Both of them replied in unison.

“Yeah yeah. I’m pretty sure people in love for so long don’t fight about things like this. Break up already guys!” Jimin sighed, throwing his hands up in the air.

“No, I love him. Don’t tell me what to do!” Seokjin replied back, banging his fist on the table.

“Hyung what?” Taehyung asked, with an amused smile on his face.

“I said I love-“Jin stopped midway as soon as he realized what he was saying. His face turned red and heartbeat accelerated.

“No-Nothing.”

“But your face says otherwise hyung!” Jungkook laughed, pointing at his hyung’s ear. Taehyung quickly pulled Jin for a hug and a peck on his lips. “You heard him, Kook. And neither will I because I love him more than anything else in this world!”

Jimin and Yoongi sat together in the corner looking at the couple and the annoying Jungkook.

“Taehyung and Jin’s confession was completely unnecessary,” Jimin replied, pouring himself some more Soju.

“I swear. It’s literally written all over their face. You can see their eyes becoming hearts every time they look at each other. They look so complete” Yoongi replied.

“Guess this is what you call being at home.” Jimin replied, pulling Jungkook beside him. And Yoongi couldn’t agree more with Jimin that night.

[taeguboi]

“Tease” [TaeJin Fluff/Smut] PART 01

Pairing - BTS V / Taehyung ¦¦ Jin / Seokjin

Summary: What happens when the social butterfly gets a fluttering feeling of his own?

Kim Seokjin. The reason Taehyung has been visiting the local entertainment store daily without fail for the past 2 weeks. At best, the variety the vicinity had to offer was mediocre for Taehyung’s eclectic music tastes and was usually exceptional enough to drop into once a fortnight or something...

Since the arrival of the new employee however, his money had been squandered on: 2 deluxe versions of CDs he already has, 5 DVDs, a pair of headphones - perhaps the only thing he actually needed - and 4 posters that sadly stand rolled up in the corner of his room, like Christmas wrapping paper that you forget about when you’ve bought too much of it, buying to gift 30 people and then realizing you have 4 friends to buy for…

But he doesn’t mind. Every trip so far has proved worthwhile, never failing to conjure up a conversation with the cutie behind the till who has surprisingly been on shift there every time… it’s almost too perfect.

Entering the store once more on a quiet Friday evening, after college as always, Taehyung paces straight to the end of the first aisle down which he can see Seokjin knelt restocking the vinyl shelves. He should be used to this by now, approaching the guy, but there’s this adrenaline that fills his system every time he is about to greet the man.

“Hello stranger” Taehyung coyly smiles, looking down onto the attractive broad shoulders of the elder.

Now, usually Taehyung would only go for someone more around his own age, specifically the cute little mochi with the Busan accent that used to work at the local convenience store down the road from his house that sadly moved out of town… He swears to God if this guy moves away too, he’s resorting to online shopping…

They’ve talked about everything over the past days - culture, food, sports, tv… you name it, and it’s given Taehyung sufficient knowledge about his newfound crush, bar the mystery of the man’s sexuality,

“Ah, I was wondering when you would come over here first” Seokjin asserts, flustering Taehyung a tad.

There was a truth to that, Taehyung can’t deny; just coming into the store more often than usual was courageous enough for Taehyung. You wouldn’t think it if you saw him around college, socializing with literally everyone on the premises, but when he spots a guy he really likes, that confidence just disappears and he’s a completely different person.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Taehyung knowingly smirks in response.

He knows he’s a sucker for a cute guy and when he falls, he falls hard; always has, always will, the most cringe-worthy example being in the final year of high school when he had this huge thing for the school prodigy Jeon Jeongguk who was placed in a lot of Taehyung’s classes… He was such a boisterous, informal teenager that could talk to everyone and anyone, until this guy sat next to him one day and bam - jelly legs, empty stomach, dizzy head…

“Although this does mean you’ve already broken our little tradition…” Seokjin replies, bringing himself to his feet. “But since the store is so dead today, there’s little point in beating around the bush… Now, how can I help you today?”

“I’m thinking of just chilling out on the couch tonight with a film, so…”

“Then allow me to escort you to the film aisle” Seokjin jests, bowing his head down and pointing in the right direction, to which Taehyung chuckles as he leads the way.

*

The boys pace minutely across the floor, engaging in conversation about the different films and tv series that Taehyung points at

“See, I really like stuff like this,” Taehyung begins, picking up a copy of an earlier series of the anime Detective Conan, “and it would be ace to collect stuff like this, but I kind of think it’s worthless when it’s all available online, like I don’t think it’s good enough to pay for when it’s all free…”

“Yeah, I feel you man, like some things are worth buying even when they’re available for free online, and it’s nicer to have a solid copy of something, but there are some series that can feel a little repetitive in that sense I suppose… So like what you have there, I feel is more something that is nice to watch one or two episodes of to kill an hour or take a break from a challenging task… I probably shouldn’t be saying this when I work in a store like this though, right?” Seokjin laughs.

They move onto the film section of the DVD aisle, inspecting the shelves that hold special offers. All the ‘classics’ that everyone has known and seen that show up on normal tv channels every weekend… With some exceptions.

“Ah…” Seokjin mildly grins, pointing at a darker dvd case. “Have you seen it?”

“Uh, I… Yes” Taehyung hesitantly replies, not wanting to seem like a complete and utter pervert as he registers which DVD Seokjin is talking about…

“Everyone always raves about it, but I don’t know… What did you think of it?”

Taehyung at this point is having an internal freak out right now. How is Seokjin asking these questions so calmly and seriously? Taehyung hasn’t even had time to contemplate whether he will be comfortable talking about such topics around this guy… Why must he have pointed at that film in particular? Why not just have a perfectly innocent conversation about one of the action films or something? Okay, technically that film is action, but not the James Bond kind of action… Kind of.

“It was… alright I guess?” Taehyung replies uncertainly, figuring that he’s going to have to force himself to be a bit more open about himself if he wants this crush to go anywhere, or at the very least get answers to the questions that run in his mind.

“Look, I’ll be perfectly honest here with you Seokjin, I don’t exactly… Let’s just say it’s not something I can engage with…” It’s very indirect and ambiguous but Taehyung hopes that’s enough to put across to Seokjin his orientation.

Of course, Seokjin is quite an intelligent man, Taehyung has gathered, and he seems to pick up the meaning, indicated by his tone “Oh, right, I see…” and what he says next all confuses, intrigues and scares Taehyung “I get you there, man, completely… She isn’t quite everyone’s type, is she?”

‘What does that mean?!? Is he like me… he said he gets me? What does he mean by ‘not quite everyone’s type’? Not everyone’s type by personality, appearance or gender? This is mental…’

“Um, no…”

“I’ll admit, I can relate to the guy in a roundabout kind of way, but… Just not with her… Simply put, you can’t really beat a dick, can you?”

‘Wow. Fuck. Fuck. This is escalating SO fast! Why is he being like this? Has he clocked on that I fancy him more than a big juicy steak being offered to a starving dog?... Omo Tae! Quit it with those thoughts!... He’s playing me, isn’t he? He’s fucking playing me…’

“Um, no, I guess not” Taehyung utters with a stiff smile that could easily be translated as an awkward smile of admittance rather than nervousness.

This shouldn’t be a problem at all, Taehyung figures. They’ve spoken about everything and anything lately and have become quite comfortable around each other… Yet this is real. This is Taehyung’s crush having a discussion based on sex; this makes Taehyung feel all sorts of things.

“Sorry, that was a little weird” Seokjin apologises. “I just… I guess I feel comfortable around you, that’s all… I don’t really talk to many people about…”

“Your sexuality?”

“Yeah.”

“Neither do I really…” Taehyung confesses. “‘Wasn’t even planning to come out at school, you know, until I kind of made things really obvious with this one guy around…”

“Oh dude! That’s like literally how I knew what I was, you know. Like one day, you’re thinking about what x times y could mean whilst trying to ignore your acknowledgement of a super hot classmate in your algebra lesson… and then you realise that x times y is basically xy…”

An awkward silence takes its place in the flow of conversation for a second as Taehyung fails to recognise the reference.

“Like the chromosome…?... Sorry, I’m just blabbering shit now…”

“No need to apologise, I, uh… it’s actually kind of a relief for me” Taehyung manages to admit.

“A relief? How so?”

This is it. The moment in which Taehyung is about to either make a complete fool of himself, or say the sentence that could be the start of something cool.

“I guess I’ve been wondering…” is all Taehyung musters before leaving another silence in the air.

Taehyung’s brain comes to a stand still. His fear of rejection is proving to be a barrier, stopping him from proceeding any further. He urges himself to continue, having already gotten nearer to confessing to Seokjin than he has with any other guy before. It would be a shame to stop when he’s come this far.

“So have I, actually…” Seokjin pipes up. “This… this is kinda nice, and… I’m gonna come clean here; I may have been picking up extra shifts this week…”

“Really?” Taehyung enquires, now feeling much more at ease that he doesn’t have to worry himself with what to say next. “Well, in that case, I have a confession to make also…”

“How many of the things that you’ve purchased here over the past few weeks are things you actually wanted?”

Taehyung chuckles, unashamed now to be called out on his frequent visits “I mean, there was the headphones…” he pauses. “Ah, that’s it” he concludes, hands in pockets, looking down at the floor, unsure where to look.

“Are you free after my shift?” Seokjin asks, causing Taehyung to lift his head back up. “I’d like to talk more outside of this same old place.”

“Of course” Taehyung grins.

“I’m really glad you like music, Taehyung.”

“I’m really glad I like music too, Seokjin.”

“Wait outside for me, yeah?” the elder winks, wandering away down the aisle and toward the till where he has noticed a customer ready to pay.

There aren’t many places to go at 6.30 on a Friday evening, and when you’ve only known one another for just under a fortnight, suggesting going back to one of the other’s house would seem a bit off… So here they sit, in front of some garage door at a parking lot, looking onto the city traffic.

“It’s strangely therapeutic, huh?” Seokjin asks, admiring the aesthetic of the lights with the dull evening sky.

“Yeah, I guess it kind of is; it’s quiet and away from people, yet you wouldn’t go crazy from the loneliness because people are getting on with their lives right over there.”

“So, sorry if this is weird and completely random, but it’s just that I’m eager about finally being able to talk to someone who can relate… How was it telling your parents about…?”

“About me being gay? I kind of didn’t tell them really, I just brought a boy home one day and formally introduced him as one would with a girlfriend and they kind of just gathered from there... How was it for you?”

“Probably the other end of the reaction spectrum!” Seokjin laughs with embarrassment.

“It wasn’t that bad was it?”

“I mean, it’s one of those things that a funny to look back on, but dreadfully humiliating at the time…”

“Seokjinnie, stop stalling and tell me!” Taehyung demands, playfully tapping Seokjin’s shoulder.

“Oh!” Seokjin gasps positively. “Is that a nickname for me?”

“Hmm… maybe” Taehyung leans forward with a grin. “Do you like it?”

“Hmm… maybe” Seokjin repeats back, also leaning in forward quite close so that the two boys’ noses almost touch

“Well you won’t be hearing it anymore if you don’t tell me” Taehyung backs away with a laugh, leaning backwards to rest his head against the garage door.

“So I kind of underestimated how intrusive my family can be…”

“Oh no, they found everything, didn’t they?” Taehyung asks with much empathy in his tone, tilting his head back upright, figuring that he would like to admire Seokjin’s facial features as he explains his story.

“Right down to these weird beads that I never even ended up using!”

“Oh right? I actually kind of like those ones…” Taehyung admits, then wondering why the heck those words just left his mouth...

“Well, you see, I prefer to stick to the front…” Seokjin openly states. “Stop me talking at any time if you want by the way, I understand this isn’t exactly what could be viewed as appropriate conversation material…”

“No, no, carry on. I just like talking to you” Taehyung beams.

“I feel awkward now because I stopped the flow of talking about the subject by directly mentioning it…”

“Somehow, I’ll try and continue for you then…” Taehyung manages to assert, rather surprised, yet pleased, at how he’s managing to come out of his shell more around a cute guy. “So by sticking to the front, is that just out of laziness, or…?”

“Uh, no, actually… I’d say far from it, in fact” Seokjin interrupts. “I… I often use my imagination to like make things feel more… real… and since I know my own preferences, it just sometimes started to seem kind of weird and not as great when I would… put something inside…”

Suddenly Taehyung feels feverish as different conclusions conjure in his head, all of a similar nature. Unsure of what he would have had Seokjin down as, if he had given it some prior thought, Taehyung doesn’t know what to do with this information and its potential meaning…

“I suppose although in reality, I’m a bit of a switch, in my fantasies… I’m mostly the dominant one; it gives me such a sense of excitement, you know, to be essentially in control of someone else’s pleasure when I…”

Taehyung interrupts Seokjin by urgently leaning in forward and presses his lips against the elder’s. He can’t take it anymore; these feelings for Seokjin were overwhelming before today as it was without all this talk about Seokjin’s sexual preferences… it’s such a turn on and too much for Taehyung that it has come to this; having to stop Seokjin in his tracks before his words have too much of an effect on him… Although in this moment, Taehyung is unsure as to whether he’s really made matters that much simpler for himself at all…

Though the kiss is forced and very in the moment, it also manages to have a tender side to it with the new and compelling feeling of Seokjin’s supple, smaller pout against Taehyung’s wider, yet still full, lips that might still be a little dry from the lack of focus he has had on himself. Taehyung’s large hand cups Seokjin’s smooth cheek which eventually releases itself of tension upon registering the intense moment.

Seokjin allows sufficient time to appreciate the kiss before backing away to speak “See, there was a reason I pointed out that DVD earlier, you know…” he begins, running his index finger along Taehyung’s chest, pausing at a button. “I can be terrible for acting in this way, I know…”

“You are indeed terrible Seokjinnie…” Taehyung agrees, running his thumb gently along Seokjin’s cheek bone. “You’re trying to get me worked up on purpose, aren’t you?... You’re not even going to be surprised when I tell you…”

“...That all this talk about sex has affected you more than it should have?”

“Uh-huh” Taehyung instantly admits without any sense of dignity or patience, feeling humid now even though the evening air is rather breezy.

Seokjin leans back in so that his forehead presses against Taehyung’s and he closes his eyes. He can hear Taehyung’s shaky breath that he receives as nervousness, causing Seokjin to open his eyes to take in the appearance of the boy in front of him.

As Taehyung runs his tongue around his lips to give them moisture, languidly blinking a couple of times, Seokjin just has to draw Taehyung back in for another kiss by hooking his finger into Taehyung’s shirt to pull him in. This time, there is much more fire and intensity, so as Seokjin crashes his lips against Taehyung’s, the latter returns the sensation, turning the kiss into a passionate one.

A passionate kiss turns into a passionate make out as Seokjin increases the intensity by taking in the taste of Taehyung with a loose tongue, and in turn, Taehyung explores all that is Seokjin, tracing his hands along Seokjin’s neck, down to his shoulders, then his upper arms, lingering with a firm grip for a while before travelling his hands further down to lace his fingers between Seokjin’s.

Some more gentle kisses are exchanged between the two before Taehyung manages to shift his weight to lean and rise over Seokjin, guiding him back to rest his back against the cool brick wall that borders the garage door. Taehyung positions his knees on either side of Seokjin’s thighs, allowing more intimate contact… Possibly more intimate than the younger bargained for as his slowly hardening member presses up against Seokjin’s stomach, eliciting a muted hiss from the tip of his tongue and through gritted teeth.

“Oh man, this sucks…” Taehyung states with a nervous laugh, throwing his head back in frustration.

“I know right…?... It seems my plan has backfired on me if I’m honest with you…” Seokjin desperately replies with a low tone, breath shaky.

No more words are spoken as they continue to plant kisses on each other’s lips, taking shallow breaths between each. It’s getting increasingly difficult for either to contain themselves as each is getting more and more aroused with each second that drags by.

Seokjin can feel Taehyung’s perfect lips getting softer and his breath hitching more with each touch the elder gives him, from a caress of the face, to a needy grip of the hair at the nape of his neck, and especially as Seokjin runs his fingers down Taehyung’s back. It becomes a constant fight between Seokjin and his urge to completely have his way with Taehyung here and now… after all, they’re in a public place…

“Definitely backfiring” Seokjin repeats the second Taehyung presses his weight against Seokjin’s now sensitive crotch.

“Maybe we could set up camp here...I’ve built something of a tent in my trousers…” Taehyung jests, attempting to relieve the two of their hunger for each other by adding some humour to the atmosphere.

“Now if only we did have an actual tent though… That would solve our little problem…”

“I know I’m probably getting myself in way too deep here but…” Taehyung begins, wrapping his arms around Seokjin’s neck. “Hypothetically, what would you do if it was just us two in a tent?...” he enquires, raising his eyebrows.

“Well that all depends…”

“On what?”

“On what you like…”

“I would like to hear more about ‘in control’ Seokjin… It sounds… hmm…” he hums, tilting his head playfully “...hot.”

“Well then…” Seokjin rasps, tilting his head to the opposite side to allow his breath to be felt upon Taehyung’s lips which breaths of anticipation escape past. “First, I’d tease you relentlessly, pretending to be unknowing of how I’m making you feel… I like to tease, you see; I like to see what effect I can have on someone before I’ve even started… I have to have that sense of excelling in making someone want me for me before I get too eager to take all my clothes off…”

“How would you tease me?” the younger asks, planting a single kiss against the elder’s lips.

“Hmm…” Seokjin ponders. “Well, I must reach out to all your senses, so a combination of things… Starting with more subtle things such as unnecessarily licking my lips for you, and maybe other poses and gestures that are seemingly innocent on the surface…” he informs as he indeed parallels his words by moistening his lips.

“...So that’s why you’d always gaze into the air seductively when you would claim to be thinking about something…” Taehyung responds.

“What do you mean ‘claim to be thinking’?” Seokjin questions. “I could hardly have been thinking about nothing could I? That’s imposs…”

“Alright, you know what I meant…” the younger rectifies. “That you probably weren’t thinking about the things you said you were like restocking, and…”

“I guess you got me there…”

“I bet you were thinking about making your face look as… as luscious as possible…”

“Then I’d kick it up a notch” Seokjin interrupts. “ I’d react to things with moans, an ‘accidental’ brush against your skin, and again, it’d seem innocent and unintentional… But I always know exactly what I’m doing…” he growls

“Damn right you would…” murmurs Taehyung.

“How easily would you give in Tae?...” Seokjin asks with a grunt, dropping his head back against the wall. “Would you be patient and resilient…” he begins to ask, lifting his head back up to make direct eye contact, “or would you falter at the first gesture?...”

“You have the looks of a model and the aura of a stud… Of course I would give in…” Taehyung declares, confidently maintaining eye contact.

“Are you weak for me Taehyungie?”

“I really am… Especially now you’re talking like this… Damn, I wish we could be somewhere else!” Taehyung sobs subtly.

“Me too… You’d make such beautiful noises, I know you would… I just wonder how much I could change that killer deep voice of yours…”

Seokjin was intending to carry on with the talk, but stops as Taehyung stumbles to his feet and holds a hand out, offering to help Seokjin stand. Instead of reaching a hand back out, Seokjin just looks up at Taehyung with a confused expression.

“We need to move away from here” Taehyung states, eyes glancing left and right wearily.

“Where to?” Seokjin enquires, finally taking a hold of Taehyung’s hand and bringing himself up on his feet.

“We’ll figure something out” Taehyung replies, beginning to move one foot in front of the other, causing Seokjin to follow, still holding on to the younger’s hot sweaty palm.

The boys travel with urgency and desperation, almost brisk walking and staggering on the tips of their toes across the car park.

Leading out onto a main street through they walk down there quite innocently, now properly holding hands, fingers intertwined, Seokjin making sure to be on the outer side nearer to the road, almost as if he is protecting the younger. The city lights that have a recent glow to them seem hazy under the heavy eyes of the two infatuated boys that seek privacy to fulfil each other’s desires.

“It’s kind of ridiculous how few places one can actually get away from the world in peace, huh?; considering that everyone out here is minding there own business, not even caring for what goes on in the distance” states Taehyung, still scanning the streets for even a hint to the answer he seeks.

“I guess so… I suppose really it’s just because the chance of being caught is still there nonetheless, causing us to be more wary” answers Seokjin. “Um, you can tell me if I’m being way too forward here, but… We’re actually not far from where I live…”

Taehyung flashes Seokjin an inviting smile “Man, why didn’t you say that earlier?”

“As I told you Tae…” Seokjin grins, tightening the grip on Taehyung’s hand and now swaying the control of the path they lead to his instruction, “I’m a bit of a tease…”

Seokjin leads as the boys rush through the gateway and the elder searches the pocket of his hoodie for the house key. The lock rattles as Seokjin’s shaky hand attempts to unlock the door

“Nice place you’ve got!...” Taehyung exclaims.

Seokjin hushes the younger boy: “There’s one thing I should have mentioned before; there’s like a 50-50 chance that my housemate will be in….” he explains, cut off by a voice unknown to Taehyung.

“Hey Seokjin, man! What time do you…” A face appears to be paired with the voice and the housemate registers the arrival of a guest and stops in his tracks.

The housemate appears to be just as enthusiastic about music as Taehyung himself is, the latter notes, observing the headphones that rest around the boy’s neck.

“Ah, Yoongi, this is Taehyung…” Hesitantly, Seokjin tries to introduce his guest to his house mate “He’s my… friend…”

“Alright…” Yoongi unsurely voices. “Nice to meet you Taehyung. Don’t mean to be rude but I.... was... actually... about to go to bed… yeah, so…”

“Perfect!” Seokjin is quick to say out loud. “Uh… I mean, cool, yeah” he corrects to which Yoongi lets out a chuckle.

“You kids have fun” Yoongi tells the two, obviously having caught on to the nature of Seokjin and Taehyung’s relationship. He exits swiftly, placing his headphones over his ears.

Seokjin awkwardly looks down to the floor whilst Yoongi exits to his room as Taehyung lifts Seokjin’s chin with his index finger and the younger raises his eyebrows suggestively once eye contact is made.

“I don’t know why you’re raising your ‘brows at me like that Taehyungie… We’re gonna have to be hella quiet; are you sure you can handle that?”

“Looks like I’m going to have to, doesn’t it?” the younger smiles back, taking a hold of Seokjin’s hand.

Part 2 coming soon [hopefully]

[justbtsstuffsforfun]

Harder than it Looks

Pairing : Taehyung x Jin

WC: 6,240

Warnings:  Mentions of rape.

A/N: Forgive me for my pathetic title. And I’m nervous.

“Where is Jin-hyung?” Taehyung asked, scanning the crowd. Having been promised that the latter would come and pick him up, it was only natural for him to ask about his missing boyfriend.

“Hyung is…a bit busy.” Yoongi replied, maintaining the stability in his voice while answering Taehyung. He’s definitely not gonna let this poor cub know about the hyung’s condition.

“Then let’s go to his filming site! We can go and surprise him!!” Taehyung clapped in excitement. No way was he going to miss the surprised look on the older man’s face.

“No. Tae-tae needs rest. Carry gramps Yoongi back to the car.”

“Hyung, I’m the one that needs rest and- Hey!” Taehyung fake-exclaimed, seeing his hyung climb on to his back. Damn, it’s been too long since he felt this excited to carry Yoongi again.

“Hyung cut some slack for this 31-year old kid!” Taehyung pouted, adjusting his backpack and the sloth-like Yoongi. “And what about my mask? People might recognize me.”

“Mask? You look like a caveman with that thick beard. No one would even imag-“

“OH, MY GODS! THAT’S KIM TAEHYUNG!” a petite woman screamed in excitement.

“AHHH!! TAEHYUNGIE WITH A BEARD!! AHH!!!” another joined.

“YOONGI OPPA LOOKS LIKE A KITTEN!!” the third one started bawling her eyes out in astonishment.

“And this is why I should never listen to Hoseok. Run towards my car in that corner!” Yoongi face palmed himself and hid his face on Taehyung’s shoulder.

 “L-leave meee, I have to gooo. Tae babe’s waiting.” Jin slurred, chugging in another mug of beer. “He’ll see me and break up immediately. I’m so ugly, fat, blond, no muscle, blah blah blah.”

“Hyung, I get the fact that you’re worried but seriously, why would you call yourself ugly and fat when you’re neither?” Joon asked, pulling the older away from the kitchen counter. “And for God’s sake, what has got you so upset huh?”

“Tae baby will run away from me.”

“No, he won’t. In fact, he’ll run towards you. No stop drinkin-”

Clang! There goes one of Jin’s favorite plates. Namjoon quickly pulled the light-weighted man to the couch.

“Hyung, please don’t break your favorite stuff one by one. You’ll end up regretting.”

“Tae-baby will break my heart.”

“WILL YOU STOP WITH TAE BABY? It’s cringy hyung!”

“I waaant beer. Gimme a kiss. Come here.”

“And I’m not your Tae-baby hyung!” Joon smacks Jin’s head in frustration. “Stay here for a while. I’ll make a call and-“

“DON’T CALL TAE-“

“WILL YOU STOP!” Namjoon literally blew up, confusing Jin. “Stay here Jin-hyung, I’m calling Yoongi-hyung”

“Okay.”

Namjoon quickly walked to the corner of the room, dialing Yoongi’s number. It’s been quite long since the two of them saw Seokjin so drunk and wasted.

It had all started when Jin’s drama director had personally contacted Namjoon in the bakery that afternoon.

“What! Jin didn’t show up for 3 days?!” Namjoon almost crushed the macaroons on hearing the news. “That’s strange. He always returns missed calls and messages.”

“Really? Is he sick? He hasn’t picked up any of my phone calls!” the director asked, a bit confused. Jin quickly became people’s favorite actor after his debut drama.

“Really?! Gosh, I’ll check up on him today.”

And, as Jungkook’s and Jimin’s train was arriving in 20 mins (Hoseok’s going to get them), Namjoon had no choice but to pull the busy Yoongi-hyung along with him.

And Yoongi thought his idea-less -day couldn’t get worse.

The smell of alcohol and beer welcomed them as soon as they opened his apartment door. And right on the floor was Jin, with god-knows-which-mug and the third empty bottle.

“What in the world?” Namjoon exclaimed which also, somehow, brought Jin back to planet earth.

“Pick up Taeehyungie,” Jin called out, searching for his car keys on the floor.

“On it. Take care, Namjoon.”

And that’s how Namjoon was left alone with poor, depressed Jin.

“Hyung! Please come fast.  Jin needs help and pep talk.” Namjoon quickly took a glance at Jin, who had now made himself comfortable on the couch.

“Yah, his baby is dozing off right next to me. Don’t be so loud!” Yoongi whisper-barked on the phone. “I’ll drop him and come.”

“Jooon,” Jin called out. He was staring at Namjoon with his blood-shot eyes, pleading for the younger man’s presence beside him.

“What is it hyung?” Namjoon quickly cut the phone and rushed beside the dark-haired man.

“I’m sorry.”

“Finally back to your senses huh?” Joon gave a small smile, letting his hyung know that the apology has been accepted.

“I wanted to drink so that I could sleep.”

“I know. At least pick up your director’s calls man. Don’t scare us like this.”

“Hmm.”

“What’s troubling you so much hyung?”

“What if Taehyung leaves me?”

“Why would he?” Yoongi asked, locking the main door. “He was practically nagging me to take him to the shooting site. He wanted to surprise you.”

“But guys, wh-what happens after that? You know how much Tae wanted me to wait? I-I literally betrayed him!” Jin choked towards the end of his sentence.

“Drinking isn’t going to change the result hyung. You should talk to him about it.”

“I’m scared. I don’t want him crying his eyes out like before.”

“Hyung, our Taehyungie has matured a lot since debut days.” Yoongi tossed him the painkillers and the bottle of water. “So stop overthinking and trust that guy. He loves you a lot.”

“Anyways…we have to leave now,” Namjoon replied, after reading the message. “PD-nim wants us there. We’ll finally have a meeting tomorrow with the seven of us.” The two of them put on their standard hoodies and black masks. “Try to make it, please?”

“Yeah. I’ll try. And guys?”

“Yeah?” the two of them turned in unison.

“Promise me you’ll be with Taehyung no matter what happens.”

“Hyung shut the fuck up,” Yoongi answered back. “The 5 of us will support your ugly asses no matter how hard things get. We are supporting now too, aren’t we?”

“Just go sleep peacefully hyung. Tomorrow might surprise you.” Namjoon smiled, slowly closing the door.

“Yeah, surprise,” Seokjin repeated those words loudly in his now empty room. And within an hour, the brightly lit, alcohol smelling flat turned pitch black, with a figure walking out of the building, praying no one notices his absence.

 “Jungkook-ah, you seriously have to watch Jin-hyung drama! Like damn, the way he acts as the waiter is so priceless; any girl would fall for him!” Jimin jumped like a happy dog in excitement. Jungkook, on the other hand, was busy doing his push-ups.

“Don’t forget about guys, Jimin.” Hoseok reminded the latter while tying his shoelace. “You know, Jeong Jaehyun was so damn ready to ask out Jin after watching the first episode! God, you should’ve seen hyung’s face he was-“

“WHERE THE FUCK IS KIM SEOKJIN!” a loud, deep voice interrupted Hosek’s chirpy, happy tone.

“Chill Taehyung, do you miss him-Holy shit!” Looking at Taehyung disheveled condition, Jimin immediately ran towards him, almost tripping over his own shoes he had thrown across the floor.

“What happened?” Hoseok followed Jimin, quickly wrapping his hands over the messy guy.

Taehyung pursed his lips, trying really hard not to shed a single tear on this special day. They were finally spending time together after 5 long years and here he was in his pajamas and sleep-deprived, swollen eyes, ready to ruin the mood of the studio.

“N-nothing.” Taehyung replied, putting on his best fake smile.

“Yeah sure. Hyung, you would never come to the studios in pajamas if it was nothing.” Jungkook pointed the obvious out in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Taehyung-ah, tell us. I’ll bash Jin-hyung for you.” Hoseok moved on to hold Taehyung’s hands that were miserably bitten and sore.

“Hyung, J-Jin hyung-” Not being able to speak another word, he thrust his phone onto Jimin’s hand and ran to the washroom.

“Hyung, wait,” Jungkook called out and followed the older man to comfort him.

“Seriously guys, it’s been 5 years since the 7 of us met and you guys are al-“Yoongi abruptly stopped, almost pouring a bit of his Americano on his white sneakers. “Why are you guys gaping at me like you’re seeing my soul?”

“H-hyung, read this.” Jimin quickly handed him the phone, unable to digest the messages on the screen.

 Nothing made sense to Kim Taehyung. Tears were streaming down his eyes. His lips were constantly quivering. In addition to his beautiful condition, he had successfully managed to ruin their reunion, even before it could start. And to add up to all this, Jin never showed up.

Namjoon and Yoongi were sitting; gaping at each other, wondering the exact reason why Jin was drinking last night. That’s when they realized that they’d been perfectly fooled by their hyung really act.

“Tae…we’re so so sorry.” Namjoon patted him on the head, which slowly turned to soft strokes. Tae didn’t know how to react. Well, it would be safe to say that he really couldn’t process anything after reading the message.

Taehyungie, I’m sorry but I’ve lost interest in you. Since I love myself a tad bit more than how much I love you, I’m breaking up with you.

Please don’t follow or search for me as you would be wasting your precious time and energy. Also, please don’t waste time sending messages or trying to convince me to get back with you, since my feelings for you have become insignificant.

Do take care of your health and mind. Health is really important for a beautiful looking man like you.

I wish you the best of luck for your future goals and achievements. Do not message back. I won’t reply to any of your messages.

Take care of the members. Make sure they take care of you.

“So does this mean he’s going to leave Bangtan too?” Jungkook asked, his voice completely depressed and upset.

“He didn’t tell us anything about it last night.” Namjoon quietly told them. He and Yoongi then recalled the entire scene in front of the men. How their oldest hyung was a mess. How he kept calling Taehyung’s name over and over, fearing that he would break up with Jin.

After 10 mins of dead silence in that room, Taehyung asked “Hobi hyung, can we check his house and workplace. Please? I would really like to wish him good luck. I know he h-hates me b-but I just…” Tears don’t seem to stop falling from the young man’s eyes. He had never really expected or imagined that his Jin would one day forget about all those memories they had made together. Didn’t the bracelet mean anything? Were they supposed to end like this, with the world thinking that they were fan service all along?

“Hyung, let me join you too. I don’t know what happened to Jin-hyung but he made me stay. Now it’s my turn to do the same.” Kook sniffed.

“Kookie, I know you have your reasons sweetheart but Tae-tae should be the one to talk and settle things with hyung.” Jimin held his hand, to stop the maknae from getting up. Namjoon nodded in agreement.

“Okay then. Taehyung, get changed. You can’t walk to his office like this.” Hoseok got up from the floor and walked out of the room, to get changed and screw Jin for one last time.

 “Manager-nim, I would be taking leave for a month.”

“Seokjin! First, you don’t return my calls for 3 days straight and now you want a holiday? Is your success getting to your head?”

“No hyung, it’s just…you know there has been a lot going right? There are a few people who aren’t really happy about me coming out!”

Director Sooshim pushed his specs over his nose bridge. Jin did have a point there. Even though he was pretty supportive of this newbie star, many people in the office itself had trouble accepting him for who he was. People still have a long way to go, unfortunately.

“Fine Jin-ah, I’ll give you. But, the moment you returned back, I will make full use of your presence. You’ll have to take up more than 4 roles in different dramas.”

“Aish, you and PD-nim never go easy on me.” Jin smiled at their similarity. “Fine. As long as it benefits me, I’m cool.”

“Good. See you in a month then!”

Jin quickly put on his mask and walked out of the room. Now, the only thing that remained was getting a ticket to Gwacheon.

He decided to take a short visit to his room on his way back to pick up something. Something that might be of no use for him from now on. A necessity to memory, he mused.

He wanted to show Taehyung his newly renovated room. It was bright blue, just the way he would like it to be. In the far corner, towards the window were the plants they had bought together. It was almost time for the lilies to bloom. Tae might tear up looking at them.

But right now, none of it mattered.

Jin slowly walked up to his desk. For one last time, he opened the left-middle drawer. There it was, his favorite pic with the man of his life, right at the heart of Paris.

He could literally feel that sick feeling rushing up his throat. That crazy feeling which he had been trying to subdue since last night once he broke up with Taehyung. Jin slowly moved his shaky hands over the picture. He did look exceptionally young, more like 22 when he stood beside Tae.

“I guess that’s how Taehyung makes everyone feel. Young and confident.” Jin chuckled, slowly kicking out the pain within him. He definitely should get out of Seoul, before his feelings take over. Taehyung has to be safe. That’s all.

Just before Jin could throw away all his memories (BTS pics), someone quickly rapped on the main door.

“Come in I’m-“ Jin froze as he saw who it was.

“Oops, did I walk in at the wrong time?” the woman smirked, casually playing with her hair. Jin quickly averted his gaze from her. The last thing he wanted to do was get into another situation.

“Aren’t you going to reply Seokjin?”

“Walk out of the room. I don’t even want-”

“To look at me.” She completed his sentence, smiling to herself. She walked towards Jin, pushing the latter back, till his back made contact with the wall. Jin could feel his legs trembling. 

“Of course. Truth is always harder to accept, Jin” She pouted scanning all the photos on the table. “You are a huge disgrace now. Bangtan would be better without your ugly ass.”

Jin didn’t lookup. He knew she was right. Especially after that happened.

“Wow, you agree. Sluts remain sluts forever I guess.”

“Get the fuck out of here, Soojin,” Jin replied in a shaky voice, his anger at its peak. He’s had enough to deal with this week. All thanks to this pastel yellow-dress woman standing in front of him.

“Lol. Your ugly secret is safe with me. Farewell Actor Kim. Walk out of the this place as fast as you can!” She took off, satisfied that the man had been scarred for the rest of his life.

As soon as the woman left, Jin collapsed onto the floor. For the first time in 33 years, he put his head down in shame, disgust, and fear, praying that none of this affects the other 6, especially Taehyung.

 “I guess this is our last resort.” Hoseok looked up at the tall glass building, which looked exceptionally posh with the 3 pm sun rays falling on it. He turned towards his left, to make sure that the younger man was still holding on.

Taehyung didn’t bother much this time. He had completely lost all hope. He was never going to find Jin. Period. All their moments together were insignificant to him. Jin, that bratty asshole only loved himself. Taehyung was never a permanent part of his life. And neither was Bangtan.

“Hyung, how could he simply throw all of us out of his life without a second thought? I thought we were a…family.” Taehyung quietly asked, not bothering to turn towards Hobi’s direction.

“I know. It’s tearing me apart too Taehyungie” Hoseok took hold of Taehyung’s hand. Upon holding, he noticed that the bracelet was still there. Taehyung was still subconsciously hoping for Jin to return. For all this to be a sick nightmare.

“That’s why we’re here aren’t we? To bring back Jin-hyung!” Hobi’s answer somehow managed to get Tae’s attention. “Taehyung-ah, you know how stupid our hyung can be right? What if he was just pranking? Maybe he’s just testing you. And us.”

Taehyung immediately raised his head at that possibility. A slow, unsure smile started showing up. “If that’s the case, Hobi hyung, let’s kick that ass right in the balls.”

The interior of that building turned out to be even more posh-looking. The crazy chandeliers, white lights, huge ass lobby gave the entire place a more royal look. Taehyung made a mental note to tease Jin with this. Provided they find him and bring him back.

Right on their way to the third floor, the two of them spotted director Sooshim.

“Director!” Taehyung called out, taking quick, long steps to catch up with him. Hobi followed, a bit relieved, finding a known face.

“Taehyung, Hoseok! What a pleasure!” Sooshim quickly bowed. “Is everything alright? The two of you seem to be in-“

“Where’s Jin?” Taehyung quickly cut in, annoying the older man. Noticing the annoyance in his face, Hoseok covered up. “ Sorry hyung, we haven’t really met him these past few days. Taehyung here is just worried.”

“You too?” Sooshim’s face relaxed. “Jin didn’t tell you anything too? Aish that boy.”

“Did you see him hyung?” Taehyung asked, the concerned boyfriend-look plastered all over his face.

“Yes. He has decided to go on a month’s leave. You know, till things settle down.”

“What things?”

“Taehyung, you don’t read the news or what?” Hoseok asked, turning towards him. “Jin came out. People now know that he’s bisexual.”

Taehyung was stunned. Annoyed and stunned, to be more precise. That fool…didn’t they discuss that they would come out together? Like a perfect kiss in front of their fans, something romantic like that?

“When did this happen?” Tae huffed.

“A month back.”

“WHAT?!” Jin definitely didn’t really care about him.

“Yeah… and many people still have problems with it. So he said he would like to take a break till things settle down. Poor boy.”

“Where is his room?” Taehyung asked, his voice taking a dejected low.

“Turn right from here on the sixth floor. You’ll see a bright blue room that screams Jin.” Sooshim laughed.

Well, let’s be honest right here. The two of them never, ever expected all these actors to be their fans. As soon as they reached the sixth floor, a huge crowd blocked their path to Jin’s room. And 80% of the crowd was going crazy over Taehyung’s beard.

After 5 mins of pushing and pulling, Taehyung openly shouted: “Do any of you know where Jin’s room is?”

On hearing Jin’s name, the entire crowd went silent. All of them were staring at each other, in confusion and fear, baffling the two men in the process.

“You guys don’t know Jin?” Hoseok asked looking around to see people’s reaction.

“Who wouldn’t“, someone from the far corner replied. It happened to belong to a mid-forties guy with dirty blond hair. “Come this way.” He gestured them to follow him.

“Why did everyone stop at Jin’s name?” Taehyung asked the man, as soon as they had turned towards the right to the empty corridor.

“Well, …we did have this party where your man became the star. And showed his true colors.” The stranger replied, turning towards them.

“That definitely sounds like our hyung” Hoseok nodded in agreement.

“I know right! His skin was so soft and perfect!”

Taehyung froze at that spot. “Perfect what?”

“Skin. It was so soft and gorgeous. All those bites we added on to it made it look more beautiful. In addition to that, gah, his moans and pleas! That soft, drugged voice of his that was calling for someone to help him could seriously-”

Taehyung didn’t hesitate to punch that man right in his face. In fury, he smashed the guy’s head into the nearby vase. “You sick bastard! How dare you touch him?”

“What else do you expect us to do to sluts like him that can sleep with both guys and girls huh?” the man replied, wincing in pain.

“Call his boyfriend a slut again, I’ll fucking make sure that your ugly dick goes out of use” Hoseok replied ramming his foot on the man’s dick.

“How many more people were there that night? Answer me you bastard!” Taehyung growled pulling that man up by the collar.

“Tw-twelve. Ahh…T-the entire floor was sent a video of it. It hurts, let me go, please.”

“Huh? Let you go? D-didn’t he plead t-the same way that night?” Tears were threatening to fall from Taehyung’s eyes. “And how d-dare you take a video of what you’ve done, you asshole. Who started this entire shit?”

The man gave a blank stare. He knew the consequences. But did he have a choice? The two men standing in front of him were ready to rip him to shreds. Especially that bearded guy.

“Are you gonna tell us?” Hoseok asked cracking his knuckles. “Or would you like us to get it out of you through the hard way. I recommend you not to worry much about the consequences. Either way, the 6 of us will make sure you and all the other bastards rot in jail.”

“Tell me, or else” Taehyung tightened his grip over that man’s neck.

“S-Soojin. It was Soojin.” The man’s face hardened. “She said bisexual assholes like him can take advantage of both men and women. So she and I decided to teach him where he belonged. Now you can see the type of slut he is.”

“Slut?” Taehyung spat out. “You assholes rape him, drug him, bite him and then call him a slut?”

“He walked in the next day like nothing bothered him! He was perfectly enjoying it!”

“You Bastard! You fucking bastard. He wasn’t enjoying it. Nobody enjoys sick things like that. He walked in keeping in mind that he had to finish his part as an actor! That’s how he is! Work and profession is always his first priority!”

“Why don’t you try this on your wife huh? I bet she would have-”

“Taehyung enough!” Hoseok glared. “Don’t bring his wife and children into this. I know you’ ve-“

“Why not? How dare he touch my Jin-hyung!” Taehyung fought back. “H-he did n-nothing hyung. Why does he have to suffer? Why do we have to suffer because of random dumb-fucks who can’t control their shitty desires?”

“This is not the way you handle a situation Taehyung!” Hoseok raised his volume. He knew the younger man’s anger. Forget that, He himself wanted to break all this man’s bones. But, judging the condition and position they had reached as a team, doing something irrational would make them look bad.

“Taehyung-ah, take my car and find Seokjin. I’ll handle the rest, calling the other members.” He tossed his car keys on the latter’s hand. “Go find him before he does something stupid!”

 “Yuck! All trains to Gwacheon are full!” Jin kicked the small pebble out of the cliff in frustration. Even the sun’s beautiful orange glow didn’t seem to make things right today. Watching the sunset from a high place has always brought happiness. No matter how miserable or sad his days were.

“Why can’t you make me feel better today, you stupid sun?” Jin screamed out loud, not expecting anyone to come and witness his actions. “Gah! Why does it have to be like this?! If things didn’t turn out this way, I-I could’ve brought him here! He would be so happy you know?”

“Who would?”

“My boy-” Jin immediately turned to find the owner of the voice. Taehyung was leaning on the trunk of the cherry tree, giving his regular smirk. Jin had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from giggling looking at the young man. That asshole actually grew a beard?

“I told you not to come in search of me.” Jin stiffened, which gave him an indifferent look.

“I do what I want. And how can you assume that I was searching for you? Aren’t you a bit too eager to see me?”

Yes, yes he was. Jin could literally feel his heart clutch looking at the man stand so far away from him. 10 feet becomes a great deal when you don’t touch your love for two years.

“Fine, I’ll leave then. If that’s what you want.” Jin took his backpack in such a hurry that all the photos stuffed within it fell off. God, things were getting out of hand.

“I thought you didn’t want anything more with any of us.” Taehyung smiled, slowly picking up their Paris picture. ”And yet you still have this-“

“Give that back” Jin snatched the pic from his hand, trying his best not to show his fear.

“But it’s mine too hyung. You’re mine too.”

“No-“ Jin flinched when Taehyung’s hand accidentally brushed over his. Jin’s face turned pale, partially in fear and shock at his sudden reflex. “N-Nonono. Shit, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to- Shit, why did this happen?” Tears broke out of Jin’s eyes. Never in this goddamn world had he expected himself to flinch at his hands. How could he fear the hands he was supposed to feel safe at.

“D-Don’t touch someone as disgusting as me Taehyung-ah, please. I-I don’t even like myself anymore.” Jin sobbed, completely losing whatever control he had. “I-I want to rip every part of my body, every inch of it. D-don’t come near me! Please! Th-they would do the same to you.”

“No one would touch me Jin-ah. And you’re not disgusting. You’ll never be disgusting in my eyes.” Taehyung slowly moved his hands towards Jin’s hair. Seeing no reaction from the latter, he gently stroked it, trying to bring the older man at ease.

“Don’t cry sweetheart, it hurts to see you cry like this.”

“Y-you don’t u-understand!” Seokjin choked.”They-“

“Shh” Taehyung pulled the older man’s head towards his shoulder. He didn’t even realize that tears were falling from his eyes. “I know baby, I made sure those bastards got what they deserved. Especially Soojin.”

“I’m sorry Tae. I’m so so sorry that you have to touch a slut-“

“NO!” Taehyung snapped. “Don’t you dare call yourself that. My boyfriend is not a slut. My angel will never be a slut.”

Boyfriend…yes. Hearing that word, another set of unexplainable emotions engulfed Jin. Realization dawned upon him. He almost threw away the most important part of his life, probably the only part that would help ease the pain and embarrassment.

Taehyung could feel Seokjin’s tears soak his shirt once again. All that pain and grief he had experienced, was now being let out on his shoulder. And he couldn’t do a single thing to make him feel better.

“I broke up with you.” Jin told in between his hiccups.

“And now we’re back together.” Taehyung kissed his head.

After silently remaining in each other’s presence for 10 mins, Jin lifted his head up. “Taehyung-ah, Thank you.” He kissed off Taehyung’s tears, making the younger smile at his improvement. “For accepting me. I would never admit it but, the fear of not being able to see you anymore almost killed me.”

“Well…don’t break up like an ass then. Talk to us.” Taehyung smacked his hyung head, in the name of knocking some sense into him.

“By the way, can I try putting my hand over you? It’s been so long and I just can’t resist myself. I promise I’ll be gentle hyung. Pl-”

Well, let’s just say that Jin had been feeling the same way. Taehyung moaned in pleasure as Jin’s plump, swollen lips crashed onto his. And literally kicked out the word ‘gentle’ from the latter’s dictionary. Although soft, Taehyung’s lips now fought to take control. He slowly bit back on the older man’s lips, creating an entrance for his tongue to explore.

“Tae,” the older man moaned, tightening his grip over Taehyung’s shoulders.

“You’ll be safe,” Taehyung replied, gently caressing Jin’s chin with his empty hand. He then slowly moved down, tickling Seokjin’s neck with his soft pecks, making sure not to leave a single mark on his soft skin. “Hyung is so beautiful. So soft.”

“Gosh, I missed you.” Jin laughed, giving him a quick peck on his cheeks.

“Me too.” Taehyung hummed, resting his head on Jin’s shoulders.

“Hyung?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you feel better?”

“Yeah. Really better. And safe.” He slowly wrapped his arms around Tae’s muscular body.

“I love you Taehyung.”

“Love you too, hyung.”

“And I think the five of us here need an explanation for your extremely rational act,” Yoongi called out, a few meters away from the two lovebirds.

“Don’t you dare apologize Jin-hyung” Jungkook ordered him, rubbing his puffy eyes. Jimin and Hoseok were literally throwing daggers at him with their gaze. And Namjoon looked defeated, probably tired of explaining the situation their oldest was in.

Jin heaved a heavy sigh, his hands quickly grabbing Taehyung’s. “Stay here with me okay?” he mumbled tightening his grip over the younger’s hand. Taehyung gave a small nod, resting his hand on Jin’s shoulder.

“I-I know what I did was wrong. So-“

“Wrong?” Jimin questioningly raised his eyebrows. “You made Taehyung cry. Literally, cry.”

“I know and we’ve-“

“No one makes him cry. You made that bloody rule and you-“ Hoseok clenched his fist, his eyes still fixed on Jin.

“I-I didn’t want to hurt him! I really didn’t want to hurt any of you.” Jin teared up, focusing on the dusty floor. “We had gone through so much. We worked so hard. And I didn’t want anything to break our reputation. Namjoon and Yoongi were busy making new songs, and raps. Hobi was teaching other idols. Kook, Tae, and Chim were working. It-It would be selfish of me to throw such a huge bomb on your faces!”

“Nonsense,” Namjoon called out. “We found sleeping pills along with empty beer bottles at your place. How long were you hiding this from us?”

Jin could feel Taehyung’s head turn towards his. “A-A week after I came out.”

“Hyung, I thought we were supposed to share problems. Didn’t you make all of us promise that that night? When I confessed about my dislocation?” Yoongi softly asked, making sure the oldest understood his pain.

“I’m-I-“ Jin choked.

“Jin-ah, cry.” Taehyung nuzzled him. “It’s okay. Cry as much as you want. I’ll cry with you. We’ll cry with you.”

“D-Don’t.”

“Let us, please?” Jungkook asked, walking towards Jin. On coming closer, he slowly patted Jin’s head, giving his best teary-bunny-smile.

And for the third time that night, Jin cried. Literally cried like a five-year-old kid. All that pent up fear, frustration, and sadness came out in the form of tears. Every time he tried apologizing for his mistake, more tears fell. But somehow, it felt safe. It felt relieving.

Taehyung just quietly hugged Jin from the back, his tears soaking his boyfriend’s shirt. Jungkook and Namjoon sat beside Jin, the younger resting his head on the oldest’s shoulder while the leader, a bit embarrassed by his tears, silently sat beside his best friend. Hoseok and Yoongi sat opposite to their hyung, with Yoongi on Hoseok’s lap, sobbing miserably, hurt and annoyed at the oldest actions. Jimin found a place between Tae and Jungkook, gently patting Taehyung and resting his head on Jungkook. At times, he also consoled Jin by whispering into his ears.

After silently reliving the entire experience while crying, Jin cleared his throat to get his member’s attention. He knew he had to get over the disgusting feeling within him. And, the only way to do that was: talk. 

“It-It all started when my drama became a huge success. She was jealous, as expected.“ 

“Two days before I had a discussion with Joon about coming out, she blackmailed me with the pic I took in Paris.” Jin took a glance at Taehyung’s startled look. “Yeah Tae, ours.”

“She asked me to leave acting and find another place. Initially, I didn’t give a crap to her words, cause why should I? But then, she made a deal with dispatch…and things went out of control.”

“So you decided to come clean.” Namjoon interrupted. “You told the world you are Bi.”

“Exactly. And it did solve the problem with dispatch, luckily. I guess she probably asked them to stalk me or something. And since my hand had covered a major portion of Tae’s face during that kiss, it was hard for them to recognize him.”

“And then she and some ‘really orthodox’ people decided to put you in the right place. ” Jin sighed, looking at the irritated Yoongi, who completed his sentence.

“Is there any way in which I can make it up to you Yoongi? All of you in fact. I know I screwed up big time and I don’t deserve the six of you after what I did-“

“Hyung.” Jimin smiled. “Shut up please.”

“What?”

“It’s our fault too. We didn’t do anything to make you feel better.” Namjoon replied, running his hand through his brown hair.

“You should’ve told us, but still, we’re partly at fault.” Hoseok smiled, nudging Yoongi to do the same.

“Hmph!” Yoongi huffed, side-eyeing Jin.

“I’m sorry Yoongi. Really. I promise. No more secrets between us.”

“You cook tonight. I’ll accept your apology if the food tastes good.”

“Fine. Let’s go home then.”

“No. Cook here.”

“Here? Yoongi, I get the fact that you’re pissed but seriously, are you asking me to steal eggs from the bird’s nest?”

“No hyung. Well…since you completely ruined our lovely reunion, we decided to camp out here.” Jimin laughed, patting Yoongi on the head. “It was his idea, by the way.”

“Yah! Don’t embarrass him! He’s trying his best to act all serious.” Hoseok replied, trying really hard not to chuckle.

“Give him some time Jin-hyung” Namjoon replied, putting his hand over the older man. “How about you and me go out and try some really cool cuisines. Just the two of us.”

“Sure! Next week” Jin smiled, secretly eyeing the possessive man who was freaking out in the corner.

“Hey hyung, get the food ready,” Jungkook ordered, setting up a bonfire. “You’ve depleted my energy and ruined my routine!”

“How is it my fault that- yah! Don’t poke me with that twig! Fine fine, I’m going- I SAID I’M GOING JUNGKOOK! Don’t put that thing on me!” Jin playfully smacked the maknae, who was threatening the former with a slug he had found on a branch. And just like that, the depressing mood between the seven lightened up.

 “So…may I know why you were acting so aloof and annoyed around me, Kim Taehyung?” Jin teased, making himself comfortable beside the younger man, who was lying on a mat, looking up at the night sky, free of city lights.

“Go spend time with Namjoon. You didn’t even comment on my beard.” He pouted.

“I have the entire month free. I’ll take you wherever you want.”

“You’re very bad. Every time I try to stay angry with you, you- you lighten up the shitty mood.” Taehyung turned towards Jin, his eyes sparkling. “That’s cheating.”

Jin gave a soft laugh and placed his head on Tae’s chest. And in a matter of few seconds, Jin could feel Taehyung’s thumb trace his lips.

“Taehyung-ah?”

“Hmm?”

“Why do you love someone like me?”

“Should I have a reason to love you?”

“Shouldn’t there be?”

“I don’t need one. All that matters is that I do.”

“Aish…you’re so simple.” Jin quickly lifted his head and adjusted Tae’s shirt, before looking at him in the eye. “Your turn, lie on me.”

Taehyung quickly got up and made himself comfortable in between Jin’s legs, quickly leaning on his shoulder.

“The beard doesn’t look that bad.” Jin chuckled. “It just becomes extremely annoying when you try to nuzzle or breathe over my neck.”

“Yoongi-hyung said I look like a caveman.” Taehyung pouted.

“Yeah. Definitely.”

“Hyung!” Taehyung whined, making the older give him a quick peck on his forehead. “Caveman or not, you’ll always be mine.”

“Then don’t leave like today. Like I did the last time.” Taehyung immediately turned, his eyes turning serious. More than pain, Jin could feel the latter’s determination, to make things work, in his voice.

“Never.”

“Promise me. That you’ll never leave or hide anything from me. We’ll work it together. No matter how small or big the problem is.” Taehyung slowly held Jin’s hand, caressing the older’s knuckles with his thumb. 

Jin continued to gaze at Taehyung’s hair, a beautiful mess all thanks to the late September wind. There was no way he was going to leave Tae. There was no way he was going to experience that dreadful feeling once again.

“I promise.” Jin smiled, watching the boxy grin creep into the younger’s face.