(I Swear to God) I Never Fall in Love

Jimin

Taehyung was expecting the call.

"Hey," he greeted softly, moving from the living room to out the sliding door to the back porch, not wanting to disturb Jungkook's restless sleep that he fell into halfway through the movie.

"Hello, Taehyung," Jimin said, his voice just a little accusing. "Is Jungkook there?"

Taehyung hummed the affirmative. "He's sleeping. He thinks you hate him. Cried all afternoon."

That was a lie - he hadn't cried, he had been upset, but Jimin didn't need to know that. And maybe Taehyung wanted him to feel a little bit guilty. There'd been so much guilt for him and Jungkook already, he didn't mind sharing it. He could be petty like that sometimes.

Jimin sighed, went quiet, and then sighed again. "I don't hate him. I just needed space to think clearly instead of reactively. I've grown up."

Taehyung smiled softly. "I guess you have."

Reacting before thinking was one of the things that had caused a lot of fights between him and Jimin in their relationship.

"That's why you messaged me last night, right? Dick move, Taehyung."

Taehyung let out a low chuckle, he knew that was coming. He vaguely wondered how it was possible how this was the first time they'd spoken in four years, but it felt like no time had passed at all. There was a strange ease between them, depsite their conversation being somewhat tense.

"I know. But it worked, didn't it?"

"Yes," Jimin said, sounding like he was gritting his teeth.

"You know why I did, don't you? He was so conflicted. Every time we're together he keeps thinking about you. Kind of pissed me off to be honest."

Jimin laughed this time, genuine in his amusement. "Good."

"He loves you, Jimin. You're his best friend, and he was scared of how you'd react, don't be too hard on him, please."

On the other end of the line, Jimin let out a breath.

"I'm not mad. I'm confused? And I'm - okay, I'm a little mad, but not because he's dating you. Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much. I'm only mad because he didn't tell me before now, and I hate feeling like he couldn't talk to me - like he was scared of me."

"You're still a tiny, terrifying person apparently."

"Shut up," Jimin snapped, but his voice had a smile in it. "It's been four months. He should have said something." 

Taehyung could tell he wasn't smiling anymore. His voice was dejected, disappointed, upset.

Taehyung remained quiet at that. He agreed, but he was on Jungkook's side, and he wasn't going to speak against him. Not to his best friend, and certainly not to his own ex-boyfriend.

"Did you mean what you said?" Jimin asked suddenly.

"What did I say?" Taehyung asked, confused.

"That he's The One."

Taehyung remembered the texts he'd sent and was silent for a moment, contemplating, but there was only one answer he could give.

"Yeah, I meant it. He is. I've never felt like this before, not even with you."

"Way to break my heart," Jimin snorted.

"Please don't make him choose, Jimin," Taehyung whispered, closing his eyes, his fears and vulnerabilities making his voice quiet and wavering. "He'll choose you."