Work Text:
Jimin and Taehyung are sprawled on the sofa after a busy day, half watching a drama, half scrolling their phones when Taehyung’s urge to share his secret with Jimin becomes overwhelming.
‘You know, I keep asking Jin-hyung to have dinner with me but he won’t.’
Jimin looks up from his phone. ‘Really? He said no? That doesn’t sound like Jin-hyung.’
‘Well, he didn’t exactly say no, but he didn’t say yes.’
‘Have you even asked him directly?’
Taehyung sighs as he starts making a list on his fingers. ‘Yes! I texted asking about dinner in the group chat on a day when I knew everyone else was busy but he left me on read. And I hung around after dance practice to wait for him when he stayed late.’ Technically he had not actually asked Jin to have dinner with him either of those times, he had just waited hopefully, but that’s not a detail Jimin needs to know. ‘I even asked him while we were filming Run, don’t you remember?’
‘He probably thought you were just being cute for the cameras! I thought you were being cute for the cameras! You are really cute, you know.’ Jimin says as he elbows Taehyung.
‘I know, but I wasn’t even trying to be cute. I meant it. And he never even mentioned it again after even though he said he would love to. Did you watch the episode back? It was so embarrassing. I looked so keen, and my face looked stupid. I can’t believe they kept it in.’
‘Obviously they kept it in. But Jin probably thought you were just playing up to the cameras. I bet he has no idea you meant it. Why do you want to have dinner with him so badly anyway? We’re together literally all of the time.’
Taehyung fiddles with the hair around his ears. Having a best friend who is nearly always right is as annoying as it is helpful. They do spend almost every waking hour together almost every single day. They eat almost every meal in the same room, at the same time, sometimes even from the same dish. But it is never just them; there are always so many people around. Taehyung usually loves that, to cuddle with the members and make the staff laugh and always be in company, but he has got the idea of alone time with Jin stuck in his head like the chorus of an annoyingly catchy song. He craves Jin’s full attention like he craves the sun on a cloudy day. Or maybe Jin is more like the moon on a cloudy night, and he wants to feel the quiet comfort of its silver light.
‘I don’t know, I just thought it would be fun. I like doing things with the hyungs one on one sometimes.’
Taehyung thinks he sees Jimin raise his eyebrows just a little bit at his explanation but Jimin doesn’t press further. And it's a good job he doesn't, because Taehyung knows himself well enough to know that pressed even just a tiny bit he would start blabbering to Jimin about Seokjin’s voice, or his beautiful crooked fingers, or how cute his smile is when he’s feeling shy. That’s a can of worms he can’t open or he might never stop talking.
A few days later, Taehyung is once again sprawled out on the sofa at the dorm after dance practice. They had finished a bit earlier than expected and since none of his friends were available to hang out at such short notice, Taehyung had decided to dedicate his evening to lying down. Taehyung is extremely, incredibly, unbelievably busy with lying down when his phone buzzes. He feels a leap in his chest when he sees Seokjin’s name appear.
Kim Seokjin
hi
Kim Seokjin
are you busy tonight?
Tae replies immediately, not wanting to miss his chance while Seokjin’s still online.
Kim Taehyung
i’m extremely, incredibly, unbelievably busy
Kim Taehyung
chilling at home
Kim Taehyung
…so no
Kim Taehyung
why hyung? do you need help with something?
Kim Seokjin
no no
Kim Seokjin
i just wondered if you wanted to come over for dinner
Kim Seokjin
i’m cooking atm
Kim Seokjin
here’s probs too much for just me to eat kekeke
Eating Seokjin’s leftovers wasn’t exactly the elaborate seven course meal at an exclusive restaurant that Taehyung had pictured, but he wasn’t about to be picky. Trying not to dwell on whether Jin knows that he wants to spend time with him so badly, Taehyung quickly responds with a feigned nonchalance.
Kim Taehyung
cool sounds good
Kim Taehyung
what time?
Kim Seokjin
ummm are you free now?
Taehyung absolutely is free now. He glances down at the well worn tracksuit bottoms on his legs and the holey sock on his foot. Okay, he’s not quite ready. Jin sees him like this all the time, but Tae wants to make more of an effort, even if he is just going over to help reduce Jin’s food waste.
Kim Taehyung
yes! i’ll be right over
And, at the risk of ruining his carefully curated casualness, Taehyung sends another message.
Kim Taehyung
do you want me to bring anything?
Kim Seokjin
no silly, just bring yourself
Kim Seokjin
and don’t be long bcos it’s nearly ready
Taehyung springs up from the sofa onto his feet and rushes into his bedroom. He can’t wear what he would have worn had Seokjin accepted his dinner invite (he had a whole outfit planned which may or may not have involved both lace and a harness) but he should at least look presentable, right? Hurriedly he slips off all of his clothes, throwing them in the general vicinity of the laundry basket. From his wardrobe he chooses a long sleeved moss green shirt with a delicate pink flowers on it and loose beige trousers. As he dresses himself his fingers hover over the buttons of his shirt. Would Jin find it too much if he leaves a couple undone? Studying himself in the mirror, he feels a surge of confidence. He think he looks good like this, chest slightly exposed. In fact he knows he does, and he wants Jin to know it too. To balance it out, he slides his feet into worn black slippers. Seokjin’s apartment is in the same complex as the dorm so his outside shoes aren’t needed. Not needing outside shoes is Tae’s favourite.
Next he stands at the sink and turns his attention to his face. He would have liked to have time to wash his hair and the bright blue colour it’s been dyed is definitely starting to fade, but he runs his fingers through it until it looks deliberately tousled rather than sofa flattened. Finally, he brushes his teeth with a somewhat unnecessary level of vigour, and frantically rinses his mouth out with a mouthwash that just happens to exactly match the shade of his hair.
Gathering his things, Taehyung shouts ‘I’m going out’ to no-one in particular, hoping not to be asked questions. The last thing he wants is for Jungkook or Hoseok to appear and ask to tag along, so he slips out of the door, closing it gently behind him.
It only takes a few minutes to walk over Seokjin’s apartment. Taehyung has visited a million times, but today feels different. Seokjin invited him especially! Just him! Or at least he hopes it is just him, he didn’t actually say who else was coming, maybe he’s misread the messages, maybe he should just stop and read them again just in case. But before he has time to do that or to even finish a single one of the thoughts running through his head, Seokjin opens the door.
‘What took you so long?’ he chides Tae as he ushers him into the living room.
‘I tried to be quick! And I brought wine. Here you go.’ Taehyung feels like a child playing pretend as he hands the bottle over to Seokjin.
‘Ahhh, I said you didn’t need to bring anything!’ Seokjin swats his hand dismissively in Taehyung’s general direction but takes the bottle.
Taehyung smiles and looks at Jin properly for the first time. Is it possible that he had made an effort? When they’re not working, Seokjin usually likes to wear the baggiest, comfiest clothes possible, but tonight he is wearing a white t-shirt which hangs perfectly off his broad shoulders and tight black jeans. Taehyung feels his heart rate increase as he looks Jin up and down. His eyes linger on the way Jin’s jeans hug his thighs and the way the bright white of his t-shirt makes his skin glow, golden and luminescent. And, unless Tae is imagining it, Seokjin is wearing a pink lip tint on his plush lips, making them stand out even more than usual on his otherwise bare face.
Seokjin is looking back at Tae expectantly, and he remembers that he should probably respond. Yes, that’s how conversations usually go. ‘It’s nothing. Do you need any help with the food?’
‘No, it’s nearly done. You can sit at the table while I finish off.’
Seokjin’s kitchen is big and open plan like the one in the dorm. It’s almost identical except Jin has had the walls painted dark grey, and he’s removed the cupboard doors to make open shelving. Taehyung sits down and lets his eyes drift over the pretty glasses and stacked plates arranged neatly across the back wall.
‘It looks so good in here hyung,’ Taehyung smiles. Jin has set out two large wine glasses and what looks to Tae like very fancy cutlery. He swoops past Taehyung to light the tall candles in the centre of the table. Suddenly it feels like Jin didn’t actually just cook too much food. Tae thinks he actually wants him here, and his heart aches at the thought. He wants to be here too.
‘Thanks. I spend most of my time in here when I’m not at the dorm so I thought I should make it cosy.’
‘It really is cosy. What are we eating?’
As Taehyung asks, Seokjin comes over to the table with two pasta bowls and sets one down in front of Tae. ‘I made spaghetti - I hope that’s ok.’
‘Of course hyung, it smells amazing. Thank you for making it.’
‘Thank you for helping me eat it!’
Jin smiles at him and Taehyung’s stomach somersaults. ’Can I pour you some wine? Is it ok that I brought red?’
Seokjin nods and murmurs ‘yes please’ as he picks up his cutlery. ‘Let’s eat, I’m starving. I haven’t eaten all day.’
‘Hyung, I saw you eating fried chicken at lunchtime.’
‘Well, I haven’t eaten since then! That was hours ago!’
Taehyung giggles and picks up his wine glass. He doesn’t usually drink much, and holding the large glass in his hand makes him feel even more like he’s playing pretend.
They chat comfortably over dinner, making small talk about their schedule and about the food. Taehyung compliments Seokjin’s cooking over and over as they eat, enjoying the slight flush of Jin’s cheeks as he tells him how talented he is. Taehyung feels himself relax as he finishes his first glass of wine. As he finishes his second, he starts to savour the feeling of making eye contact with Seokjin across the table. He slides his feet out of his slippers and crosses his legs under the table, watching Jin’s hands carefully as he places his knife and fork down into the bowl when he is finished.
'That was so delicious. Thank you.’
‘You don’t have to keep thanking me Tae, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a bit better than the spaghetti Namjoon made when we were filming, right?’ Seokjin smiles widely at Taehyung, pouring him another glass of wine and moving to clear away the plates.
Taehyung nods and presses his palms against his thighs to stop them from clamming up. He had felt so confident when he was trying to badger Seokjin into having dinner with him that he hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like once it actually happened. He had only thought about how good it would feel, and he was absolutely right about that. Between the soft lighting, the heat of the alcohol in his body and the feeling of Seokjin’s undivided attention, he feels like he is floating in a warm bath.
‘I like your outfit hyung, you look nice.’
Seokjin smiles shyly as he sits back down. ‘Thanks Tae. I’m just happy I didn’t get any tomato on my t-shirt, it would have really ruined the look I was going for.’
‘What is the look you were going for?’
‘Um…’ Seokjin pauses. ‘Extremely handsome and caring hyung who cooks a delicious meal for his dongsaeng?’
Taehyung cocks his head slightly. ‘Hmm, I’m not sure that’s exactly it.’ He forces himself to hold eye contact with Jin, enjoying the opportunity to fluster him. Flustering Seokjin on stage with an intense stare or a firm hand on his shoulder is like taking candy from a baby but doing it in real life is a little bit harder. He likes the challenge. ‘Although you’re definitely right about the handsome bit.’
Jin laughs and takes a big sip from his glass. The lip tint Tae thought he spotted earlier has long been erased by the oily spaghetti, replaced by a purplish stain from the wine on his bottom lip. Taehyung lets his eyes linger there, lets them move down to watch Seokjin’s Adam’s apple as he swallows his drink. He looks so handsome and Taehyung can’t resist asking him the question that’s been on the tip of his tongue since he arrived.
‘So, why did you invite me over?’
Jin shuffles in his seat. ‘I told you, I made too much pasta, and I knew you wouldn’t be doing anything tonight,’ he replies, avoiding Tae by tracing his finger down the candlestick between them and gently pushing into the molten wax that trickles down the side. Taehyung feels transfixed by the sight of it but he forces himself to look at Jin’s face.
‘What about the others?’
‘What about them?’
‘Why weren’t they invited? They like pasta too.’
‘I don’t know, I thought they might have plans!’ Jin laughs softly, still playing with the wax. ‘Why does it matter to you so much?’ he asks more quietly.
‘Well… I just wondered if you had noticed.’
Seokjin looks up at Tae with wide eyes, a facsimile of innocence on his face. ‘If I had noticed what?’
Taehyung bites his lip. ‘Don’t pretend that you don’t know,’ he says, watching in satisfaction as Seokjin’s ears turn red.
‘Ahh, I just thought that maybe you wanted to have dinner together? I’m sorry if I read it wrong, it’s just you kept texting, and after you asked me when we were filming Run, I thought maybe… but maybe I put it together wrong, I don’t know.’
Taehyung’s face breaks into a boxy smile. It’s maybe not the cool and collected vibe he was going for, but he can’t help it when Jin is so sweet and flustered like this.
‘You didn’t put it together wrong.’
Jin abruptly stands up to end the conversation. ‘Let’s have dessert.’
While Jin is rummaging around the fridge, Taehyung refills both of their glasses. He is starting to feel it go to his head, but he likes the courage it gives him.
‘Hyung, I’m really warm. Can we sit by the window to eat?’
Seokjin murmurs in agreement and they move over to the living room. Tae carries the wine glasses and Jin brings over a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. After he deftly opens the window, he sits back down, facing his body towards Taehyung. He picks up his glass and drinks deeply from it. ‘What time do we have to be up tomorrow?’ he asks through a grimace.
Taehyung grins at him. ‘Don’t worry about it. That’s tomorrow’s problem. You’d just be up playing Maple Story all night if I wasn’t here anyway.’
‘That is not true! I do other things! I am a man of many and varied interests!’ Jin protests, hands flailing.
‘Name one.’
‘Fishing!’
‘I knew you were going to say that and you definitely can’t fish at this time of night. I think.’
‘Okay, forget fishing, I have others. Like… Watching TV.’
Taehyung feigns shock. ‘Maple Story and TV?! How can you cope with all of that excitement in one evening?’
Seokjin laughs and hits Taehyung’s thigh lightly. Taehyung feels a jolt at the contact, and immediately wants to feel it again.
‘You’re probably right, I would be playing Maple Story.’
Taehyung laughs and shakes his head. ‘Good job you have me then.’
‘Yep, I’d positively wither away without your company.’ Seokjin rolls his eyes but Taehyung is sure he feels him shuffle slightly closer.
They lapse into comfortable silence as they start eating the strawberries. Taehyung allows himself to shamelessly stare as Jin brings a strawberry up to his full lips, wine stained and shining in the soft light of the room. He feels a rush to his head as he watches Jin take a bite, feels a rush to his crotch as he watches him lick his lips.
‘Did you make these for me?’ Tae asks quietly, nodding his head towards the plate.
‘Don’t flatter yourself,’ says Jin, but his tone is unconvincing. ‘I bought them.’
‘It’s because strawberries are my favourite, isn’t it?’
‘Stop asking so many questions.’ Jin responds, his face reddening. Taehyung thinks he is addicted to this feeling, to watching Jin momentarily losing his composure.
Taehyung picks up a strawberry and rests it against his bottom lip.
‘Let me just ask you one more. I promise it’s the last one.’ Taehyung is sure he sees a tiny bit of fear in Jin’s eyes.
‘I mean, it depends what it is…’
‘It’s really important.’ Tae says as he adopts a solemn expression, leaning in towards Seokjin so their faces are nearly touching. ‘Is this a better or worse date than your one with Bang PD-nim?’
Seokjin throws his head back and giggles loudly. ‘That was not a date! It’s not my fault I’m his favourite. Why, are you jealous?’
Taehyung licks his lips. ‘I don’t want to go on a date with Bang PD-nim. I just want to know which you liked more.’
Seokjin pulls himself together. ‘Well, he did cook for me, and the wine he brought was more expensive, so maybe he is better,’ Seokjin laughs through an insincerely apologetic expression. ‘Sorry Tae. You just can’t compare.’
As they laugh together, Tae scoots himself closer to Seokjin so that their thighs almost touch. He watches Jin take a deep breath, unable to take his eyes off him. Taehyung opens his mouth to speak but is surprised when Seokjin beats him to it.
‘Tae. I want to ask you something, but if I’m wrong please don’t laugh at me.’
Taehyung feels a shift in the mood and takes Seokjin’s hand gently in his. ‘I would never.’
Seokjin sighs. ‘You like me, don’t you?’
Taehyung has never been one to hide his feelings well. There’s no point in starting now. ‘Yes. I like you.’
‘Like… you like like me?’
‘Hyung, we’re not at school! Yes.’
‘And that’s why you kept asking me to have dinner?’
‘Yes. I didn’t know if you knew. I know it’s silly, but I just wanted to see if I could get your attention. It seemed like a good idea at the time.’
Seokjin exhales in what Taehyung hopes is relief. ‘I thought maybe I was imagining it at first. But I wanted it to be real.’
Taehyung grins. ‘So it was a good idea then?’ he teases, not waiting for a response. ‘I like you so much hyung.’
Jin smiles, blushing as he meets Taehyung's eye. ’You make it sound so simple.’
Taehyung brushes his thumb back and forth against the back of Seokjin’s hand, his skin silky soft against the pad of Tae’s thumb. ‘Well, it’s not really that complicated is it?’
‘I mean it could be, with the other members and with-‘
Here, in the tranquility of Seokjin’s living room, leg pressed against Seokjin’s, Tae’s racing mind feels like a lifetime ago. Without thinking, he raises his forefinger to Jin’s lips and presses lightly against them to shush him. ‘Not tonight,’ he whispers. ‘I just want to spend time with you. All I wanted was to spend time with you. And you noticed.’
Seokjin nods with wide eyes, suddenly pliant under Taehyung’s touch. ‘Of course I did,’ he whispers.
Taehyung gently untangles his hand from Seokjin’s and picks up a strawberry, pinching the wide end between his long fingers and raising an eyebrow at Seokjin.
‘Would you like another strawberry hyung? They’re delicious.’ Tae hears a slight slur in his words but hopes that it sounds alluring.
Jin nods again, his eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room. Emboldened by the wine and the rush of power he feels, Taehyung taps the tip of the strawberry against Seokjin’s lips. He relishes the sight of the fruit against Seokjin’s glistening lips, bright red on pale pink.
‘Open up for me.’
Seokjin does as he is told, opening his mouth wide enough for Taehyung to slide the strawberry inside. He bites down on it and chews without taking his eyes off Taehyung. Once he swallows, Taehyung slips his finger and thumb into Jin’s mouth for him to suck clean. Jin closes his eyes and hums around Tae’s fingers in pleasure.
Taehyung feels a surge through his whole body at seeing Jin like this, so pretty and so obedient. Carefully, so as not to break the moment, he removes his fingers and slowly moves his mouth towards Jin’s. His lips brush softly against Jin's, gently parting them with his tongue. Jin tastes even better than he had imagined, deliciously sweet like chocolate and strawberry and wine, and Taehyung is unable to hold himself back as he presses his body against Jin’s, gripping the back of his head with his hands. Their kiss is slow and deep and Seokjin lets out a moan. Taehyung thinks it is the most beautiful sound he has ever heard.
Taehyung sits back on the leather sofa and motions for Jin to straddle him. He manoeuvres himself on top of Taehyung immediately, surprisingly graceful considering the somewhat awkward position and their tipsiness, and Tae plasters him with kisses across his face and neck. Taehyung licks a stripe all the way from his collarbone to his jaw and Jin thrusts against him in response.
'You taste so good. You're so fucking good.'
At this Jin whines and kisses Taehyung on the mouth hungrily. It feels so good that Taehyung's mind feels like it's melting, no thoughts at all. There's just feeling. The feeling of Seokjin’s impossibly plush lips, impossibly soft against his own. The satisfying weight of Seokjin on top of him, the firmness of his thighs under Taehyung's big hands as he holds them. Taehyung feels Seokjin's cock stiffen against him as he nibbles at Seokjin's bottom lip and pushes his tongue into Jin's mouth insistently. The wet heat of it is overwhelming and he feels his own cock starting to harden.
Suddenly Seokjin starts giggling into Tae's mouth, seemingly at nothing.
‘What is it baby?’ Taehyung murmurs as he runs his hands down Jin's back.
‘My leg has gone to sleep.' Jin whispers, standing up and hobbling around the room.
Fondness surges through Taehyung as he watches Seokjin, flushed cheeks and messy hair, resolutely rubbing his leg. ‘Oh no. Shall we go to your bedroom so you can lie down?’
‘Will you kiss it better?’ Seokjin asks with a coy glance towards Tae.
Taehyung’s smile is so wide he feels like his face will split in two. ‘Of course I will.’