Destination Wedding

8

"Something wrong?"

Taehyung found himself searching the restaurant again as they walked back in. Jeongguk noticed that he was looking over at another man with trepidation in his eyes. "Aish, is that the ex?"

Taehyung's eyes widened. "What? How do you know about..."

"I'm sorry if that was super forward, but Namjoon told me that you went through a breakup and that the dude was going to show up at the wedding so... yeah, that's fucking weird, and I'm sorry that you're dealing with that. But this has all the potential to be an amazing trip. Let's see it through, yeah? Don't let him ruin it for you."

Taehyung was reminded that there was a lot more going on this week than his internal battle regarding Bogum. He felt strangely comforted by the words of this person he didnt really know anymore.

"Welcome everyone!" Namjoon bellowed. " I believe everyone has had the opportunity to greet one another. Let's all help ourselves to breakfast, and continue to catch up. I recommend a mimosa with POG juice!"

"Oh fuck yeah," Jimin said, not quietly.

Jeongguk giggled again, recognizing his other old friend instantly, and looked to Taehyung, hoping he was a little more at ease. "Let's get some food, yeah? I'm starving and I'm excited to catch up with you all."

Taehyung breathed in and nodded. "Let's do it. I need a fuckin' waffle."

Taehyung made his way back to his brothers with Jeongguk. "Look who I found!" He sing-sang.

"Ggukie!" Namjoon exclaimed. Jeongguk hugged the couple tightly and cutely waved his hands to the rest of the group who were standing to greet the buffet. "Sorry everyone, for being a little late. Excited to be here!"

"Holy shit." Jimin said, glaring at Jeongguk. "What are they feeding you in Busan? Is there HGH in the water?"

"Jimin!" Taehyung exclaimed. "I apologize for Jiminie, Jeongguk-ah. You may recall that he has no filter."

"I do recall. A quality I appreciate in another person. Good to see you again, Jimin-hyung," Jeongguk smiled fondly and pulled the smaller in for a hug.

After he broke away, Jimin elbowed Taehyung in the side. "Holy fucking shit, what the fuck! He's so hot! Look at his fucking muscles! If I wasn't already setting my sights on Yoongi-hyung, I might have to snatch that ass."

Taehyung elbowed him in the side right back, and whisper-yelled, "Shut the fuck up Jimin! As if you'd ever top him. Do you honestly think you're whispering right now? He's going to hear you. But like... yeah, you're not wrong about him being offensively hot." Taehyung blushed. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

Jimin nodded knowlingly. "A little thirsty, Tae? Guess your libido isn't totally broken."

Despite all of the amazing breakfast smells and delicious POG juice being poured in champagne glasses around the table, Taehyung was low-key salivating over Jungkook, like some sort of affection-deprived teenager. Perhaps his mind was seeking some sort of distraction from Bogum being in the same room as him again. Perhaps Jeongguk was just very distracting. Get a fucking grip and look in his eyes when he talks. Don't stare at his neck, or his shoulders, or his hands... fuck, don't stand up and show me those thighs, please. Where is my inhaler...

Taehyung and Jimin managed to contain themselves for a few moments and had a nice conversation with their childhood third musketeer. The comfortability between the three felt like that of the old days, despite all of the time that had passed. Jeongguk caught them up on his business, and they filled him in on their work lives too. Jungkook was fascinated to hear that Taehyung was spending time in the States, but he could tell from his description of it that he missed Korea.

Their food threatened to get cold with all of the small talk and the guests finally lined up at the buffet. Jeongguk was ahead of Taehyung, and when he spun around to ask Taehyung if strawberries were still his favorite fruit, he peered over his shoulder skeptically and appeared to be tracking someone.

"What is that sketchy face?" Taehyung joked.

"Your ex may or may not be coming this way," Jeongguk stated casually.

"Jesus, fuck, please, no. Not right now. I just can't right now." Taehyung's breathing noticeably picked up and Jungkook could tell he was really affected by this guy. It made his heart hurt for him a little. Who would fuck up someone so beautiful? Did I just think him beautiful?

Without a word, Jungkook swiftly pushed Taehyung ahead of him in line, curling his body behind him and standing close.

"What are you doing?" Taehyung questioned, startled. His thoughts of panic were interrupted by the warm feeling of Jeongguk's chest flush against his back.

"Human shield. I'm sorry, is this weird? I just felt compelled to act as a human shield. Maybe deflect an unwanted interaction. I can hide your lithe frame with my big ripped body." Jeongguk was one-hundred percent joking, trying to ease Taehyung's worries yet again. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Bogum with an irritated expression, turning away. "I think he's leaving. Let's get some fucking omelettes."

Taehyung laughed with gratitude. "Did you just call me lithe?" Jeongguk just smirked, bouncing his eyebrows up and down.