Chapter Text
Jeon Jeongguk is not a happy person lately. Trying to wake up every day and go with his routine - is not necessarily easy. But he tries, really. He meets with his friends, spends quality time with his family, runs before breakfast, and attends most of his classes. But ever since his boyfriend broke up with him... everything has been a mess. They've been together for almost six months. They didn't even meet each other's families. But, somehow, he fell for Kim Taehyung. How could he not? The thing about Taehyung is that he's the most beautiful person Jungkook has ever seen. Ethereal, some can say. But that's not all, of course. He's smart, but not just book smart (that too) - he could probably save them both on an island where all that can be found are bananas. And he's so loveable. Helps everyone around. Volunteers at a shelter. And he has a dog! The cutest one. So, naturally, Jungkook thought it was love. The one that you find once in your lifetime. They were so good at coexisting, talked about the future, and wanted to be serious. So what happened? Jungkook has no idea. Probably won't know for the rest of his life.
On Saturday night, he's in a club. That's a standard. Yoongi and Hoseok are dancing like there's no tomorrow, but he can't bring himself to stand up from his seat by the bar. He's not drinking anymore, at least trying to. He already had too much. Looking at all the people and thinking about his ex isn't the best thing to do. People are trying to flirt with him, but he's not ready. Thinking about hooking up with anyone makes something in his stomach flip. He catches himself comparing everyone to his ex. The boxy smiles, long fingers, fluffy hair. No one is even close. For a second, he thinks Taehyung is dancing near him. But when the back in the silky red blouse is replaced with an unfamiliar face, he's mad at himself for searching the room. He'll be fine soon, he hopes. After a few more shots, the incident will be forgotten.
Sunday morning is always the hardest. Jungkook groans as he wakes up because his head is killing him. He probably should've drunk that water his brother offered him when he came back last night. And he should've taken a shower - can smell sweat and alcohol on himself. He doesn't care about it while dragging himself from bed. Still wearing the same clothes from the night before, he goes to the bathroom to empty his bladder. After a short contemplation about the cold water that could bring him back to life, he takes off the dirty t-shirt and goes to the kitchen wearing only stained jeans.
Jungkook doesn't even acknowledge his mother as he opens the fridge. Roaming through the shelves and looking for God knows what, he stops only after hearing her words.
"You could say hi to our guest. And for the love of God, when will you start wearing clothes!"
He turns around and stills. Kim Taehyung is drinking coffee from Jungkook's favourite mug, sitting where he usually sits. What the fuck did he drink last night?
Taehyung's so much thinner than the last time they've seen each other. He's still very gorgeous, but he looks like he could break just from strong wind. There's this aura around that has never been here before. Like he's broken and needs saving and a hug. But it's hidden deep down, under a big smile and the concealer under his eyes. Jungkook just knows him too well. He still does.
They both look at each other like they've seen ghosts. The silence is surrounding them. Until the older has the audacity to finally talk.
"Hi, I'm Kim Taehyung, Namjoon's friend. Nice to meet you!"
Jeongguk scoffs. He storms off the kitchen before his mother can say anything. He can't believe this. Taehyung is not welcome to be in his life again. He pretended they were strangers! How could he, after all that happened. Did it even mean anything? Was it just a stupid joke?
After a quick shower, or more like heaven on earth for his body, and a few texts, he decides to be petty. No one told him about what happened and why exactly his ex-boyfriend is drinking coffee in his house, but being nice is not an option.
Taehyung is still here, Namjoon now beside him. His mother's look tells him how disappointed she is. With an obviously fake smile, he greets the guest.
"I am so sorry! It was embarrassing and totally inappropriate. Let me introduce myself properly. Jeon Jeongguk, Namjoon's younger brother."
"Nice to meet you, Jungkook."
Hearing his name said this way feels wrong. He was always a baby or Kookie or even Jungkookie. Perks of being an ex.
Before anyone can say something, the doors are open with a loud thud. They don't see who it is, but the scream makes it obvious. They know this voice too well.
"Jeon Jeongguk, you fucking little shit! I will find you! And kill you with my bare hands, I swear to God!"
Yoongi doesn't even look at everyone sitting by the table when he grabs Jungkook by his collar. He looks like he’s really pissed. This is not something new, though. He’s not rude, but no one gets mad as fast as him.
"Hi, hyung," Jungkook said nonchalantly.
"Hi? Hi?! I was waiting for you, you brat! If you're leaving to fuck some twink, you're supposed to tell me! Hoseok was almost crying!" Everyone knows that's not true, but no one dares to say it.
"Yoongi hyung, I think this conversation could take place somewhere else. I'm trying to introduce someone to my family." Namjoon breaks the silence following Yoongi’s words.
After turning around, he stills. That was definitely unexpected. It's not like Jungkook just texted him, begging him to act like he had a wild night because of a particular someone. Definitely not.
"Ah, I'm so sorry. I was just so worried. The little one has a tendency to leave unnoticed. It was my responsibility to check if everything's alright."
"We appreciate that, Yoongi. But please, try not to act like that in our home. You can take Jungkook now. He's no use here anyway." The woman says while looking angrily at her younger son.
Mumbled "Rude" is all that's left after a few seconds.
"Okay. Who was that?" These were the first words that came out of the older's mouth as they found themselves on the sidewalk. They don’t have any particular destination, but every walk always ends at Hoseok’s. He’s the only one that lives by himself. Recently not really alone because Yoongi has some beef with his roommates and crashes at his place regularly. Jungkook likes to be with them, too. They are friends, after all. Always have been.
"Namjoon's new friend, I think." He lied. How could he tell the truth when for a long time, his friends didn’t even know about him having anyone. Shitty move.
"I can smell your bullshit from a mile. Who was it for real?" Sounded a lot harsher.
"Doesn't matter."
"Was that an ex of yours? The guy who broke your heart? I can go back and punch him for you." Jungkook was shocked. How could he know? Even drunk, he would never talk about Taehyung. It felt wrong.
"What? What are you talking about?" Shit, he’s not good at pretending. At least when it comes to Yoongi. He can read him like an open book.
"Don't pretend. I know some shitty guy broke up with you. I know you didn't tell us about your relationship while it lasted. And I know you're still not over that guy."
That was totally unexpected. At first, Jungkook didn’t tell Yoongi and Heosek because that would mean teasing. Then they both liked the thrill of sneaking out and hiding. And they were so sure no one knew. Called themselves masters at acting.
"He wasn't shitty." That was all he could say. There was no point in lying anymore.
“Well, it looks like he was. I have no idea what happened between the two of you, but I saw how hurt you’ve been. And it’s been what? Like half a year?”
“He wasn’t shitty! Don’t you dare say something like that when you don’t know shit!” After all this time, he still wouldn’t allow talking anything bad about his ex. Because yeah, they broke up, but Taehyung is still the gentlest person out here. They might not be in touch, but Jungkook’s sure thing like that will never change.
“Why did you break up if he’s so good?” Yoongi asked with a daring tone.
“Well… I don’t know.” Was that happening? Will he finally talk about all of this? After he kept it inside for so long?
“You don’t know?” His hyung was confused.
“No, I don’t. It was so sudden, if I’m being honest. One day we were talking about how life is so good. We wanted to go on holiday together. And we wanted to finally admit to our friends, you included, that we were seeing each other. I’m sorry for that, by the way. And well, the next day, he just said it’s over, and he can’t take it anymore. I asked what was going on, but he just ran. Blocked my number after I called him every day of the following week. I’m sure I would spend a night outside his door, but I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. He has to go out with his dog, and I would ruin that. We didn’t talk ever since.”
“So he is shitty,” Yoongi stated.
“He’s not.” He will always argue about that. His body does that before his brain can even start thinking.
“So, what’s he doing at your house? I thought they didn’t know about your relationship.”
“They didn’t. And he pretended to now know me too. Mom said he’s Namjoon’s new friend. I guess they met at some volunteer shit.”
“Well, that sucks, man. You think he’ll do something to stop coming over?”
“I don’t know. My mom likes him, I think.” Yeah, how could she not? Taehyung probably is still so good at making people fall for him. People would love him after one conversation and offer him many good deals. But he? He would never use that, and rather help someone else in real need, that is what he used to say. Jungkook couldn't stop his mind from wandering to a dangerous place. Thinking how if they met in different circumstances, as Jungkook’s mother and boyfriend, they would probably love each other even more. They would tease him with loving eyes and make him eat healthy instead of fast food. Yoongi and Hoseok would probably love him too. Taehyung's from Deagu, just like Yoongi, so they would find a common topic. And with Hoseok? They are both so bubbly and joke a lot. They would definitely bond quickly. Jungkook wonders if the older's friends would like him. He doesn’t see himself as a particularly interesting person.
“So, you’re just going to act like that? Don’t have me start on the fact that you still have feelings.” Yoongi grunted.
“I? Why?” Did he?
“You made me come and make him jealous, Jungkook. That speaks for itself.”
“I was in a haze of a moment. Besides… I don’t know. There’s something weird about him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He looks so different. Like he’s so thin. He has always been, but now even more. He looked so sad. I’ve never seen him like that anymore.” Jungkook saw it the moment their eyes locked. At the moment, all his body and mind wanted to do, was to hug Taehyung and never let him go.
“Don’t you dare! You can’t care about him. You’ll end up with a shattered heart again, and you’re rude then. I don’t want to worry about you again.”
“I don’t care, hyung. He can look however he wants and do whatever he wants. He can be friends with Namjoon if he wants to.”
“But you can’t be his friend, you understand that, right?”
“Okay, you’re right. I’ll avoid him.”
Will he really?