Chapter Text
Taehyung absolutely despises business dinners, or at least the ones he has to attend with his father.
Having to sit through an insipid meal in the same ten European cuisine restaurants that have been in his father’s heavy rotation for years while drinking the same boring bottle of overpriced whiskey makes him want to bash his head against the table until it turns into a pile of mush. Much like the pâté that’s being served before him. He’s rehearsing an excuse to escape the dreaded liver paste when Jeon Junseo and his son Jeongguk arrive at their table.
In the competitive world of wealthy businessmen and entrepreneurs, Jeon Junseo is, perhaps, Kim Seonghun’s biggest nightmare. Jeon Jeongguk is Taehyung’s. For an entirely different set of reasons.
“Seonghun-ssi.” Junseo greets Taehyung’s father first, lightly bowing down.
Taehyung has to abstain from exteriorizing his displeasure at his plan being thwarted. However, he welcomes the distraction as he stands right after his father, bowing to both Junseo and Jeongguk. Junseo and Jeongguk continue to greet the rest of the people at the table. Taehyung zones out, not really caring about the long list of names.
“It’s a pleasure to see you here.”
It’s not.
Amidst the greetings, Taehyung notices that Jeongguk’s blond now, and he has changed his glasses. Taehyung also notes that he still looks as detestable as ever. At least that hasn’t changed.
“Ah, Junseo-ssi. What a coincidence.” His father’s tone is affable but Taehyung knows that he’s probably irked by the fact that Jeon Junseo is dining at the same restaurant as them, especially when they’re not doing any sort of business together. “It is an incredible restaurant, after all.”
It’s really not.
Taehyung hates that he notices the way Jeongguk’s lips twitch because that means that: one, he’s paying way too much attention to Jeongguk, and two, Jeongguk finds this situation just as funny as Taehyung does. He doesn’t want to have anything in common with Jeon Jeongguk, other than being a nepo baby and generally hanging around the same crowd.
“Would you like to join us?” His father asks.
It makes Taehyung suck in his breath sharply as he shoots an annoyed look at his father's back. Isn’t this supposed to be a business dinner? It isn’t polite to invite people who aren’t intended to be there in the first place —he knows that much— or does the invitation mean that the business conversation is over? He should really pay more attention to these things.
“Oh, no.” Junseo shakes his head, waving a hand in dismissal for good measure. “We were actually just heading out. Thank you for the invitation, though. Golf on Sunday, instead?”
“Golf on Sunday.” Taehyung’s father nods, a thin-lipped smile appearing on his features.
Kim Seonghun hates being rejected.
The more time Taehyung stands there idly, the more he thinks that he should’ve really broken into his loafers before wearing them today. His feet hurt. Not to mention that he has somewhere else to be in a few hours. Why is he even standing there like a dumbass for the Jeons? It’s hard to keep up with his train of thought when all Taehyung wants is to get out of the stuffy fucking restaurant.
“See you Sunday, Seonghun-ssi.” Junseo bows again and proceeds to bid goodbye to everyone else at the table.
Being polite is exhausting.
“Taehyung-ssi.” Jeongguk mutters and Taehyung snaps out of his musings to catch him bowing. He lightly bows in response, a sliver of hastiness showing in the gesture. It makes something glint in Jeongguk’s gaze. Taehyung figures that it’s probably a reflection in his glasses.
“Jeongguk-ssi.” His voice comes out hoarse, a testament to his lack of participation in this dull meeting.
“See you later.”
In your dreams, Taehyung wants to retort but merely settles for a nod of his head. Even then, he can’t help the confused furrow of his brows. Across the table, Namjoon, his father’s secretary —and perhaps one of Taehyung’s only real friends— catches his gaze. They share a look and Namjoon shakes his head almost imperceptibly. Namjoon tugs at the neck of his dress shirt, a nervous habit of his that Taehyung has caught on from the many hours they’ve spent together. Taehyung wonders what’s making him anxious.
Once the Jeons are gone, Taehyung slowly lowers himself back on the chair, any excuses to scurry away from the meeting forgotten.
“Jeongguk-ssi is so polite.” One of his father’s friends says.
Taehyung stares at him blankly, fighting the urge to huff. Is he not polite?
“He is. To be fair, he and his brother Seokjin are the best thing to come out of that marriage—” Il-sung, his father’s right-hand says.
Taehyung’s father clears his throat. Ilsung shuts up immediately.
“Gentlemen, where were we? Does anybody fancy more whiskey? Perhaps a change in liquor?”
At that, Taehyung perks up. Everyone mentions their preferences and Taehyung, bored and feeling a little daring, calls for a bottle of expensive wine. His father raises a brow at his request and Namjoon is quick to back Taehyung up.
“I will drink with Taehyung, sajangnim. I think I’ve had my fair share of whiskey for the night.”
Everyone chuckles at Namjoon’s affable tone. At times like this, Taehyung is truly thankful for his presence in their lives. At least someone is really playing the role of Kim Seonghun’s son properly.
“If that’s the case, then let’s order.” His father smiles genuinely for like... the fifth time in the entire evening. They’ve been here for around four hours. “It would’ve been kind of unbecoming to drink an entire bottle of wine by yourself, wouldn’t it, Taehyung-ah?”
Taehyung doesn’t miss the way his father’s eyes focus on his mouth. He’s suddenly hyper-aware of his impulsive lip piercing, a souvenir from his brief trip to Berlin during his European tour. He’s been out of Seoul for far too long and his father is making sure he internalizes that. Not wanting to ruin everyone else's night with a spectacle, Taehyung forces himself to smile placatingly.
“Of course, abeoji.”
But what if he was planning to drink the entire damn thing by himself? They could’ve just taken it home or left it at the restaurant for other customers to drink by the glass instead of paying the full price of the shitty fucking bottle. Namjoon shoots Taehyung a warning look. He knows that they will be out of the restaurant in an hour, tops, but Taehyung can’t help but feel antsy and frustrated.
The dinner resumes, and just as their bottle of wine arrives along with a new bottle of whiskey, someone regards Taehyung.
“So, Taehyung-ssi… It’s been a while since you’ve been here in Seoul. Did you happen to stumble upon anything interesting in Europe?”
Finally, someone is paying attention to him and talking about a topic he feels comfortable about. Taehyung briefly thanks the waiter with a small grin, the remnants of it still tugging at his lips as he turns towards Omar who looks at him expectantly.
Omar Gauthier is one of his father’s oldest business partners, and one of the very first foreign people Taehyung came to know about —beyond his mother and his mother’s side of the family, of course—, which is saying a lot, considering his father is the owner of one of the most famous film equipment manufacturers in Asia. But, as worldly as his parents are, his father is quite reserved when it comes to business partners. Hence the small number of foreigners on his roster up until he married Taehyung’s mother.
Out of everyone at the table, Taehyung is fond of Omar the most, not only because they share similar interests and worldviews but because he actually sees Taehyung as his own person, rather than Kim Seonghun’s heir.
“It was an incredible trip. There’s something in the air nowadays and I think there are many talented artists that the industry has managed to overlook,” Taehyung stops to toast with the rest of the table, not really paying attention to what everyone else is saying. He resumes his comments only after clinking his glass with Omar’s and taking a sip from the Malbec. “There are a lot of incredible women, people of color, and queer artists that I think will do great. In fact, I’m looking to curate an exhibition focused on minority artists.”
Omar’s eyes widen slightly in appreciation as he leans closer to Taehyung, clearly interested in what he has to say. Taehyung feels a little warm already. “I’ve been following your European collaborations. I particularly enjoyed what you did with the performance artists in Berlin. I could really feel the Nam June Paik inspiration.”
Taehyung smiles freely. “Really? That means a lot to me, Omar-ssi. I’m very happy to hear that's how it came across. We were going for a homage of sorts, without being too obvious about it.” He takes another sip of wine. “Part of the reason I came back home was because we’re also working on a project with the Nam June Paik Art Center. But I don’t want to spoil too much about it!” He chuckles.
Omar joins Taehyung in his laughter. “Oh please, don’t feel the need to disclose any details with me. Just know that I’m keeping an eye out for whatever you’re doing. I actually bought some paintings from that kid… Andrés Valencia,”
“The New Yorker.”
“Yes. An insanely talented child. He wasn’t easy to get a hold of but you know… I used my connections.”
Taehyung smiles again. Omar is a well-known photographer with a penchant for networking. Nonetheless, beyond his sociable nature, he’s simply incredible at what he does.
“I’m glad you could support him. He was quite the find, back when he shocked everyone during the Miami Art Week. I remember a friend called me with such urgency at 3 AM KST that I thought something bad had happened, but he really just needed me to get on a plane to see the kid’s art for myself before the exhibitions ended. Of course, I booked the next flight to the United States.”
“And the next is history.”
“It’s history indeed. A thousand-dollar artist. Even dubbed the Little Picasso. His mother is a doll.”
Omar smiles at Taehyung. “You have an excellent eye for art, Taehyung. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re going to do while you’re here.”
“Please expect it!”
Their conversation follows a steady flow, Omar taking over and updating Taehyung on his projects, the supermodel revival in fashion particularly catching Taehyung’s interest, until his father clears his throat again.
“Well, gentlemen… It has been a pleasure doing business with you and sharing this lovely evening, but as you must know, the secret to youth is going to sleep early and living without excess, so I must excuse myself. Please feel free to stay if you would like. Whatever you want to order is on us.”
Everyone knows better than to actually take on his father’s offer, so they pack it up quickly. There’s a flurry of secretaries revolving around their respective bosses. Taehyung stands back, making small talk with Omar and someone else whose name he doesn’t remember.
Namjoon walks over to Taehyung as his father is getting into his coat. “Taehyung-ah. Are we riding in the same car? I asked for the bottle of wine to go, but we won’t really need it.”
“Yeah, I sent Mr. Baek home after he dropped me off here. Are we going to pick up Jimin?”
Namjoon purses his lips. “I didn’t factor in having to pick up Jimin on the other side of the city. Can you get him to take a cab until he's somewhere closer to the restaurant?”
“Didn’t I tell you? My bad, hyung. I could swear I mentioned it – but yeah, let me call Jimin and arrange something for him. Did everyone else arrive at Yoongi’s?”
“I have no clue but knowing them, probably not.”
Taehyung snorts. The waiter comes around with their bottle. Namjoon gestures for Taehyung to take hold of it, while he sends Taehyung’s father off. Both Taehyung and Namjoon bow to the waiter in thanks as everyone has mostly filtered out of the restaurant already. Taehyung is busy holding the bottle of wine in one hand and texting with the other when his father speaks again.
“All that whiskey made me crave a cigar. Want to join me?”
Namjoon shakes his head. “I’m afraid I already have plans, sajangnim. If I had known you would be in the mood for a post-dinner reunion, I wouldn’t have busied my schedule.”
Taehyung holds in his laughter. If he didn’t know any better, he would think Namjoon was just another one of his father's asslickers. But he's aware that his father pays Namjoon really fucking well, and Namjoon is a man with many plans and ambitions, beyond being Kim Seonghun’s secretary.
“Right. It’s a Friday night after all. I shouldn’t steal your free time, Namjoon-ah. I’m sure you also have plans, Taehyung-ah?” There’s an edge to his tone that Taehyung dislikes. As if he’s not a grown man with an apartment and a job of his own. It's not like he's a useless person, leeching off the Kim fortune. Instead of hanging on to it, Taehyung looks straight at his father.
“I’m actually going to spend some time with Joonie-hyung. There are some artworks I want to show him from my European trip before they get to the gallery.”
“Fair enough. I guess it’ll be me riding back home on my own.” He buttons up his coat, squeezing Namjoon’s shoulder as the car parks next to where they’re standing. “Have a nice night, boys. No funny business.”
Taehyung knows the latter part is more directed at him than at Namjoon. He stops himself from rolling his eyes at his father.
“Of course not, sir. We’ll be on our best behavior.”
“Say hi to eomma from me.”
“Remember our family dinner on Sunday.”
“Of course.” Taehyung doesn’t think before asking, “Am I supposed to attend the golf compromise as well?”
Namjoon stares at him blankly, making a point to fix his glasses when his father turns back to them.
“Yes. There’s actually something important I need to discuss with Jeon Junseo. It concerns his children and you, too. So I expect you to be there. In time.”
Resigned, Taehyung bows, not having anything to add to the arbitrary disruption of his carefully crafted schedule. He can’t really complain about it, at least not to his father, but both he and Namjoon know that a tirade is coming once they’re alone in their car.
As his father gets in the car, Taehyung’s phone pings in his hand. Just Park Jimin making his overpowering presence known.
“Jimin’s in the cab already. We should go.”
🥀
The car reeks of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. That’s how Taehyung gets the feeling that this night wasn’t bound to be a quiet one. He thinks about his father and his ‘no funny business’ warning and he shakes his head quietly to himself. They’re all about the funny business tonight. At least Jimin is.
Jimin sits in the back, haphazardly chugging the bottle of Malbec. “I’m so excited for this party.”
Namjoon chuckles, eyes fixed on the road. Taehyung still remembers when he was terrified of the prospect of driving. Now, he’s one of the best drivers Taehyung’s ever ridden with – and he’s been in enough cars with enough drivers to know.
“We could tell.”
Jimin scoots between their seats. “I’m out to get myself a rich boy toy… or just a good fuck. I’m not feeling very picky tonight.”
Taehyung snorts. “Clearly.” It comes out bitchier than he intended, but there's no bite to his words.
Jimin stares at him through the rearview mirror. “What? It’s not my fault you haven’t been getting laid, Taehyung-ah.”
“I literally arrived in Korea a week ago, Jimin. I was too jetlagged to even think about taking care of myself properly.”
“And to even think about your best friend as well.”
Taehyung turns to look at him, “I brought you a shit ton of presents back from Europe and we’ve been texting whenever I’m not comatose. What more do you want from me?”
“Your firstborn and a dragon egg.”
Namjoon laughs loudly. Jimin grins. Taehyung rolls his eyes.
“No can do. Besides, my father has been abruptly dumping a bunch of compromises on me that I wasn’t really counting on having when planning my trip back home.”
“I can attest to that,” Namjoon says. “But then again, film festival season is close and your father is trying to close some deals. There are a lot of events this year. I think everyone went a little crazy after the pandemic hit.”
Taehyung is about to complain when he catches a glimpse of Jimin through the rearview mirror. His eyes are a little glazed and Taehyung wonders if it’s because of the alcohol or because of the fact that he would love to live this life every day.
Here’s the thing. Jimin is the only one of his friends who isn’t wealthy by any means.
They met as teens during summer camp, one that Jimin could only attend because his mother was dating some new rich guy who ended up dumping her because Jimin’s mom is incapable of keeping her mouth shut. Don’t get Taehyung wrong. He loves the woman dearly, especially because she has granted him a sense of normalcy he’s always craved. But as harsh as it sounds, it’s the truth. So, ever since then, Jimin has been fishing for the right connection that will also make him a part of high society, rather than just being known as Kim Taehyung’s best friend.
However, there’s only so much that Taehyung can do for him.
“Hey, Jimin-ah. If I don’t have to spend a crazy amount of time with my father, do you want to come with me on one of the trips?”
Jimin’s face lights up. Ah, so it’s not the alcohol.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“I would love that! Just give me a heads up to figure out my shifts at work and stuff at home?”
“Of course.”
Taehyung and Namjoon share a look through the rearview mirror when Jimin leans back into the back seat, clicking his seatbelt per Namjoon's request. Taehyung knows it won’t be that easy to achieve but if he can give Jimin these little joys —at least little in his book—, he will fight tooth and nail to make something worthwhile happen for Jimin.
Luckily, his best friend is too busy applying insane amounts of lip oil to notice the slightly uncomfortable look he shared with Namjoon.
🥀
Once they arrive at Min Yoongi’s penthouse, the festivities are in full swing. Naturally, disguised well enough to avoid the Mins any scandals.
The Min family is one of the most influential families in all of South Korea, mostly because they’ve always had sort of a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ situation going on. Meaning they dabble in many business ventures in different areas but don’t have a sole area of expertise. To some, this would be worrisome. Then again, the Mins are also known as the “Hand of Midas” of business. Everything they touch turns to gold. An eccentric bunch, they’ve built themselves quite a polemic reputation, since they refuse to take concrete sides in certain matters.
At the end of the day, the Mins always choose what’s best for them.
Both Namjoon and Taehyung have ditched their suit jackets, Namjoon leaving his tie in the car and opting for a slightly open shirt look. Taehyung thinks it's a shame to hide such perfect pecs behind dress shirts, but it's part of what makes Kim Namjoon enchanting. He briefly wonders if Namjoon will take someone home. Meanwhile, Taehyung changed into a simple black t-shirt —Namjoon's courtesy— that contrasts with his camel-colored slacks.
Out of the three, Jimin turns out to be the stunner of the night: leather jacket, leather pants, fitted white shirt, and accessories galore. If Jimin doesn’t end up getting dicked down tonight, Taehyung has no hopes for the human race. Under other circumstances —and if they were a couple of years back in the past—, Taehyung would take up that challenge, but he already has someone waiting for him at this party, and he and Jimin are long past that time in their lives.
Yoongi is the one to open the door for them. He's in an all-black outfit with messy long locks that surprise Taehyung. It's been a while since he's met up with Yoongi.
“Fucking finally man! I thought you weren’t going to pull up.”
“Is everyone else here already?” Namjoon asks as he daps up Yoongi, clapping him on the back when they side hug.
“Surprisingly, everyone arrived super early. I guess people have been craving a Min Yoongi party.”
“Ew.” Taehyung jokes, hugging Yoongi and entering the apartment after Taehyung. He turns to look back at a blushing Jimin, which instantly makes Taehyung suspicious.
“Well, hello darling. I didn’t think I would see you again any time soon.”
So they did fuck at the last party. Or at least that’s what Taehyung is assuming from the way Jimin is acting around Yoongi.
“Hey! Thanks for having us.”
Both Taehyung and Namjoon share an equally confused but slightly surprised look. Yoongi wraps an arm around Jimin’s waist.
“You guys arrived just in time, we were just about to light up. You down?”
Namjoon shrugs. “A couple of hits. I need to drive.”
“Boo! No driver tonight?”
Namjoon chuckles. “Never a driver to Min Yoongi’s penthouse, asshole. Do you want the paparazzi on our ass?”
“Fuck no. I've had enough of those situations because of the Jeons. You can stay if you wanna go crazy or if you don’t wanna drive after.”
“Noted.”
“What about you, Taehyung-ah?”
“Mhm. You know I’m always down. Helps with the creative flow.”
“Right. The creative flow.” Yoongi chuckles. “I agree, though. It’s been great for my music. What about you, darling?” He turns to Jimin, who is leaning into his touch a little too much.
Apparently, he is getting laid. Good for him.
“Of course!”
They enter the apartment, old hip-hop booming through the speakers. Taehyung wonders about the company that worked on Yoongi’s sound-insulating walls because you couldn't hear anything coming from inside the house up until Yoongi opened the door. He makes a mental note to have his assistant investigate that for him.
After saying hello to a few people, getting a drink pushed in their hands and a few hits of the fat blunt Yoongi rolled up, there’s a bit of a commotion. They're seated in the living room in the most comfortable bean bags Taehyung has had the pleasure to sit on. Maybe he's already high because a chair can be that fucking comfortable, can it?
Taehyung turns his head, trying to catch a glimpse of whoever arrived. “Who's here? Everyone’s acting like it’s Queen Elizabeth.”
Namjoon chuckles, already mellow from the weed. “Could you imagine? Queen Elizabeth coming to one of these parties?”
“It wouldn’t really shock me. The Mins know everyone.”
A couple of the partygoers sitting around them agree. They end up throwing a couple of jokes around and suddenly, Jeon Jeongguk appears, in a similar attire as Namjoon's. He’s ditched the suit jacket and his black dress shirt contrasts against his pale skin, tattoos showing under the half-rolled-up sleeves. He’s also wearing his glasses.
Taehyung's stomach suddenly feels weird. Maybe he shouldn’t have had that steak. Jimin nudges him hard, even though by the looks of his face, he didn’t mean to be that brusque.
“Taehyung-ah. You didn’t tell me Jeon Jeongguk was attending this party?!”
Taehyung stares at Namjoon, who looks kind of guilty for a second. So that’s what had him anxious. It also explains Jeongguk's infuriating ‘see you later’. He turns to Jimin.
“I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have come.”
“Oh, come on. You’ve been to countless parties he’s also been at.”
“Not because I wanted to, I can guarantee you that.”
Jimin rolls his eyes at Taehyung. “I don’t understand why you hate him. It’s not like he personally did something to you.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Yeah? And what are those other than your family rivalry?”
Taehyung's answer dies on his tongue when Jeongguk approaches them, Yoongi and Seokjin in tow. Namjoon greets the Jeon-Kim siblings warmly. Jimin perks up at the sight of Jeongguk. Taehyung should really get up and look for Wooshik now before Jeongguk starts with his fuckery.
“Kim.” Jeongguk nods his head at him.
“Jeon.”
Jeongguk gestures toward him. “Are you gonna let that burn down or are you gonna smoke it?”
Taehyung looks down at his hand. When did he get the blunt passed back to him? He should stop smoking now. Jimin giggles at Jeongguk’s comment. Jeongguk perks up at the sight of Jimin. Fuck no.
“Who’s this cutie right here?” Jeongguk asks.
Before Taehyung can say something, Jimin is already chirping, “Hi! I’m Park Jimin, Taehyung’s best friend!”
Jeongguk raises his brows, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? Nice to meet you, Jimin.”
“Jimin-ah, let’s get something to drink.” Taehyung says, abruptly getting up from his seat. As soon as he does, he misses the softness of the puff chair under him.
“Now?” Jimin asks, pouting a little. He’s smitten with Jeongguk already and Taehyung hates it. He hates Jeongguk. There’s no way in hell he’ll allow anything to happen between Jeongguk and Jimin.
“Yes, please.” Taehyung stares blankly at Jimin who sighs and obliges.
“See you around, Jimin-ssi!” Jeongguk calls out as Taehyung practically drags Jimin away. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see how Namjoon seems to fit right in with Seokjin and Jeongguk.
“Why did you take me away from Jeongguk? Didn’t you know he’s like… the most eligible bachelor our age right now? You’re going to ruin my chances with him!”
Taehyung doesn’t really feel like drinking anymore, but he pours some champagne into two cups and hands one to Jimin. “Okay, first, I thought you were going for Yoongi once more. Second, he’s literally my archnemesis and you’re thinking about fucking him?! Where’s the friendship code?”
Jimin drinks a sip of the champagne, widening his eyes and gesturing to the cup.
“Damn, this is really good.” He drinks some more, ever a little alcoholic. “Well, Yoongi has been eyeing like ten different people while we’ve been here and I’m not really going for an orgy tonight.” Jimin grabs Taehyung’s arm softly. “You’re my best friend. My soulmate. But I really need to get with Jeon Jeongguk, Tae. He’s so fucking hot! And I’m sorry if you think that’s disgusting.”
Taehyung is far too stoned for a conversation of this kind. He feels his phone vibrating in his pockets. “Hold on, Jimin. I can’t form a coherent sentence right now. But! There are many reasons why you shouldn’t do this.”
Jimin raises a brow at Taehyung. “You literally formed three coherent sentences right there.”
“Give me a sec, Wooshik is texting me.”
Jimin stands there, bouncing from one foot to the other, waiting for Taehyung to be done texting. Taehyung smiles at his phone and then looks up to an antsy Jimin, who's refilling his cup. “I do think that you finding Jeon Jeongguk hot is disgusting, by the way.”
“Of course you do. I really don't trust your type in men.”
Taehyung furrows his brows, thrusting his empty cup at Jimin, who also refills it. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Jimin looks at him, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh, you know. Boring-looking dudes that look like accountants, or something. The whole nerd vibe. And guys that look like they could be your brother or cousin.”
Taehyung is a little affronted but now that Jimin points it out... “What do you mean guys that look like they could be my brother or cousin?”
Jimin snorts. “Come on, Tae. You and Wooshik kinda look alike... I'm going to submit a picture of you to that 'Siblings or Dating' Instagram account.”
Taehyung frowns. “We don't look alike.”
“Yes, you do! Taking the hyung kink to a different level, huh?”
Taehyung's eyes go wide and he slaps Jimin's arm softly. “Jimin-ah! Shut up!”
Jimin snickers and they end up drinking a couple of champagne glasses in the relative quietude of the kitchen. Jimin is less restless now but Taehyung notices that he's clearly bored of waiting in the kitchen while listening to the party going on without them in the other room. Some baby-making tunes start playing and Jimin drags Taehyung out of the kitchen forcefully. He hopes Jeon Jeongguk has decided to ditch the area and is sucking face with someone, as he tends to do whenever Taehyung sees him at these functions.
A commotion ensues and everyone is getting pulled into dancing with whoever's closest. Taehyung finds himself in the middle of a grinding train with a stranger on his back and Jimin to his front. Yoongi is on Jimin's back. Everyone around them is either making out with someone or grinding against them. Some are doing both. Namjoon is missing in action and so are the Jeon-Kim siblings. Perfect.
Taehyung clocks Wooshik in the corner of his eye and when they lock gazes, he grins at Taehyung. At last what he came here for. He waits until the song ends to excuse himself from his dance partner, Jimin quickly taking his place. He turns around and wraps his arms around Yoongi's neck, planting a kiss on his mouth. Soon enough, they're making out and Taehyung has to look away, only after widening his eyes, as if he were a shocked teenage boy looking at his best friend kiss his crush. He's so fucking high.
In the midst of his little moment, he feels a hand splayed out on his back and suddenly, Wooshik's husky voice is whispering against his ear, “Missed me?”
It makes Taehyung smile. He may look like a nerdy accountant but Choi Wooshik is an up-and-coming film director who's hiding a lot of interesting and playful things under what Jimin deems ‘a boring exterior’. Taehyung likes Wooshik and Wooshik likes him. They're both busy and generally uncomplicated people who meet up every now and then for a fun time and good conversation. Once playtime is over, they both get back to their lives without any issues or drama. If they were different people, they would probably be in a committed and monogamous relationship, but neither of them is looking for anything of that sort. That's why their arrangement works.
“Mhm. You know I did. I thought you had bailed on me.”
“I would never. Something came up and I had an emergency meeting with my producers.”
Taehyung frowns as they make their way to a quieter part of the house. “Is everything okay?”
Wooshik nods. “Yes, everything is fine. We just had to reschedule our shooting date but it's nothing too bad.”
Taehyung hums, wrapping his arms around Wooshik's torso. He's just a few inches taller than Taehyung. Taehyung really likes that.
“What about you? How was your dinner?”
Taehyung huffs. “Boring as fuck, as expected. The Jeons suddenly showed up and my father looked like he would rather eat rocks.”
Wooshik laughs. “I will never understand the Kim-Jeon feud but I would kill to make a movie out of it.”
“Please do. A là Bette and Joan.”
Wooshik smiles before leaning in. They kiss a little in a corner of Yoongi's penthouse, pressed flush against each other. Taehyung's beginning to get sloppy with it, already a different kind of intoxicated. Wooshik indulges him, his leg strategically placed between Taehyung's for some relief. For a brief moment, they consider getting into one of the many bathrooms in the apartment, but Taehyung is itching to wash up.
“I think I'm ready to leave.” Taehyung announces breathlessly, urgently needing release. His mind is already exploring the different ways they can make use of Wooshik's incredible shower back at his apartment when Wooshik smiles at him, taking Taehyung's hand and pulling them towards the entrance. They're about to get out of the penthouse when Taehyung catches a glimpse of Jeongguk dancing behind Jimin.
The irrational part of him wants to get back there and pull Jimin away from Jeongguk but the rational part of him reminds him that Jimin is an adult and that his choices are none of Taehyung's business. Besides, Jimin wouldn't break their friendship pact, right?
🥀
Wrong.
It’s the day after and both he and Jimin are sitting down for brunch. Namjoon ended up ditching them because he wanted to sleep in his own bed as soon as possible instead of prancing around the streets of Seoul a few hours after they stopped partying. Taehyung has a sneaking suspicion that Namjoon has something going on with Kim Seokjin. But once again, none of his business.
Instead, Taehyung is smiling to himself as he remembers the way he and Wooshik nearly defiled one of Yoongi’s many bathrooms and the way they did defile Wooshik's living spaces when their food arrives at the table. He’s about to dive into his Eggs Benedict when Jimin unceremoniously drops the bomb after a sip of his iced Americano.
“I slept with Jeon Jeongguk last night.”
Taehyung drops the fork and knife he’s holding, gaping at his glowing best friend before him.
“Excuse me, what the actual fuck?”