Penpal ~taekook Twitter au

Attached at the hip

Taehyung has stayed close to JK throughout the day. He sat by him at lunch, sat next to him when they were all playing UNO, and sat on the porch while he was grilling their food for dinner. He's not sure how they'll communicate after the trip is over, and wanted to spend as much time with him as he could. But JK doesn't seem to mind. He effortlessly carries on the conversation just as well as Tae does, asking more about him, sharing jokes, asking him to taste the food, etc.

They were just two friends having a good time.

Of course when dinner was ready and everyone came to sit down JK chose the seat next to Taehyung, scooting his chair just a little closer. Throughout the meal, Taehyung tried to control the flames in his cheeks as their elbows brushed, willing his lungs to continue taking in air and not choke on his food. In the end, he was mostly successful.

"Okay boys," Jin said coming out of the house where he and Yoongi had just finished washing the dishes. "It's officially 7 o'clock which means it's our last night. I say we gather round the camp fire and-."

"Sing a campfire song!!" Hobi yelled, earning a glare from the older and laughter from the rest.

Taehyung was a sucker for a good Sponge Bob reference.

"No," Jin deadpanned. "We already did that."

"No fun," hobi pouted, but shut up none the less.

"ANYWAYS! I was going to say we should set up a bonfire and watch a movie with the projector I brought. We can hang a sheet from the side of the cabin and watch it on there. I have more ingredients to make s'mores and we can pop some popcorn once we get hungry again. Sound good?"

Every one agreed.

They've had an action filled weekend and wouldn't mind winding down the trip with something to relax to.

✨✨✨

"Why is Jin so good at everything he does?" Taehyung asked after the movie had been set up.

"I'm not sure," Jeongguk replied, their chairs right next to each other. Everyone had turned their chairs to face the screen, the fire in front of them all as the couples joined together, Jeongguk by Tae, and Jimin next to Taehyung, but further away from him than Jeongguk was. "But he's always been good at just about everything he does. Take this trip for example. It's probably the best one I've ever been on." Anything that didn't involve work where Jeongguk could just be himself was 1000x more enjoyable.

"Really?" Taehyung asked. "But we're still in Korea."

Jeongguk smiled at him, at his adorable frown, his confused eyes. Gosh, was he a sucker for those eyes. "It doesn't really matter where I am," he started. "It's more about who I'm with. And the fact that I'm here for something other than promotional activities, and with friends instead, is something that never happens. Being away from the city has been a nice break. Even if it's only for three days."

Taehyung hit him. He hit him? Why? Did he say something wrong? Did he-

"Why are you so sentimental?" his eyes were shining, no hint of anger in his voice nor his expression. "You think so much older than you are."

"I guess I do..." He had to grow up fast. Learn fast. Trust fast. It makes sense that he'd also mature at the same pace. "Is that a bad thing?" he asked, unsure.

"No, no of course not." He shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips.

"...then why did you hit me?"

The boy's eyes widened, immediately reaching his hand out to rub at Jeongguk's arm. "Did I hurt you?!" He whispered as the previews were still rolling. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to-."

"No, Tae. You're good, I promise."

"Okay...good. I didn't mean to hurt you-."

"And you didn't. I promise."

No matter how hard Jeongguk tried, he just couldn't focus on the movie. Taehyung was too nice for his own good, too caring. How was he supposed to tell him the truth? Would it be better to just cut all communication? Screw what he wants, would it be best for Tae? He wishes someone could just tell him what to do. He wants Jimin to look into the future and tell him how Taehyung will respond so he can prepare himself. He wants to go back in time and convince Namjoon to stop him from getting a penpal. He wants Jin to be there when it all goes south. But he doesn't really want any of that.

He doesn't want Jimin to look into the future because he doesn't want to know how he'll react. He doesn't want to go back in time and have Namjoon stop him, because he wouldn't trade his connection with Taehyung for the world. And he doesn't want Jin to be there for him because he doesn't want anything to go wrong. He wants that stupid fairy tale ending he realistically knows he won't get. But he can try. He can hope.

No he can't.

He doesn't even know how he'll talk to Tae after this. How can he pretend he hasn't met him before as they penpal? How can he pretend that this isn't a lie?

One step at a time, he thinks, will help him the most. When he's ready, he'll tell him the truth. He'll come clean.

He hopes.

Soon enough the movie is over and everyone is chatting around the dimming fire. Discussing the movie, talking about their plans for packing up and leaving tomorrow, avoiding the goodbyes that will have to be said. Jeongguk is pretty silent and knows he's getting worried looks from Tae, but he can't meet his eyes. He couldn't possibly do that.

So he goes to bed. He tells everyone how tired he is and how nice of a day he's had, and tells hobi not to worry about waking him up when he goes to bed, he's a heavy sleeper. And Jeongguk knows he won't actually be asleep.

✨✨✨

"I think I'm gonna follow," Taehyung says a couple minutes after, lifting himself out of the chair and feeling the blood rush back to his legs. "I have something I need to get done anyways, so I'll do that and meet y'all in bed. Good night every one!" Taehyung smiled convincingly as if nothing were wrong. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering JK, but he wanted to give him space too. And he knew he wouldn't be able to focus on a good conversation with everyone else, so he decided to make his way up to his room and respond to his penpal.

Digging the letter as well as some supplies out of his bag, he opened the envelope he had received a while earlier and took out the letter. He read it again to refresh his memory before responding. But then he read it again. And again. And once more. In the silence of his room he took out his pen and started writing. Writing, writing, writing until his hand hurt and he looked at the finished letter and sealed it in an envelope. Placing it in his bag before removing his bracelet, changing his clothes, and brushing his teeth, he went to bed.

Good night.

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