Destination Wedding

23

Taehyung and Jeongguk parted ways after their morning errands to stash the wedding gifts in their bungalows. Taehyung entered the little dwelling to find Jimin rifling through the welcome gift basket from the grooms.

"Oh my God! There's pineapple-flavored lube in here! And condoms! That had to be Jin-hyung's idea. Do you think your mom got the same welcome basket?"

Taehyung barked a laugh. "Please don't traumatize me. I haven't even had lunch yet!"

"Well despite that, you appear in good spirits," observed Jimin.

Taehyung shrugged, grinning. "Well, it's been a great morning."

"A great morning, huh? Is that all your going to give me?"

"That yoga session and mindfulness exercise were really amazing. Just what I needed."

"And?" Jimin raised his eyebrows at his best friend.

"And... and I had a really nice time with Jeongguk."

Jimin squealed. "Tea, please!"

"Tea? I don't think we have any tea, but I can check the kitchenette."

"For fucks sake Taehyungie, I don't want a hot beverage. Spill the tea. What happened with Jeongguk?"

"Oh, that tea." Taehyung felt his cheeks flush a little. "I don't know, Chim. We head breakfast and ran errands around town. He's just so easy to be with."

"Let's hope he's easy." Jimin wiggled his eyebrows and giggled.

"No, you absolute horndog! I'm serious. He makes me feel so calm. I was terrified of riding his motorcycle at first but he made me feel really safe. It was so much fun." Taehyung flashed the boxy smile that Jimin loved to see.

"Oh, love that for you. So what's the vibe? Is he like flirtatious or..." Jimin didn't need to know the answer. He'd already seen Jeongguk going gooey over Taehyung since they arrived.

"There was some flirt."

Jimin squealed again. "Yes. Yes! Please tell me you kissed."

Taehyung shook his head. "No, we didn't kiss... Part of me feels like it's wrong."

"What could possibly be wrong? Look at the man!"

"I don't know, Jimin. I feel like I'm still trying to wade out of the mess with Bogum. It's over between us, but I feel so unsure of myself and I don't want to lead Jeongguk on if I'm gonna freak out and flee because I'm scared of developing feelings for someone again."

"Do you feel like fleeing when you're around Jeongukkie?"

Taehyung mulled this over. "No. I want to get closer. When I spend time with him I feel like myself again. But what am I even saying? We've been reunited for like two seconds."

"Yeah, but you know him. From what I've seen so far Jeongguk hasn't changed much."

"That's so true. He really is very much the same old Jeongguk. But I feel like our roles are reversed and he's looking out for me now."

"It all comes full circle, Tae. Look, I completely understand your hesitation after being put through the ringer by my brother... Who, by the way, proves time and time again that he's a fucking idiot. And I'm not here to push you to do anything you don't want to do. All I'm saying is, the right person can enter our lives unexpectedly. Even if the timing feels off, do you just look away?"

Taehyung pondered his friend's words. "I suppose not."

Jimin shrugged a little mischievously. "Just my two cents."

Nextdoor, Jeongguk was met with a seemingly unconscious Yoongi sprawled across their bungalow's loveseat.

"Are you dead?" whispered Jeongguk, not expecting a reply.

"Not quite. I just love sleeping."

"Oh hyung, you're awake. I hope I didn't disturb you." Jeongguk walked with a smile and a pep in his step once he knew Yoongi was, in fact, alive.

"Someone's in a good mood," observed Yoongi.

"I guess so. I had fun with Taehyungie-hyung."

"Awe, that's precious," cooed Yoongi.

"What are you on about, hyung?"

"You two. You're precious. You're so mushy."

"We're not mushy!"

Yoongi scoffed playfullly. "Mmmkay. Whatever you say."

"I mean, between me and you, I like him, hyung. But he's been through a lot lately and I don't want to overstep."

"What's that got to do with it?" Yoongi asked plainly.

"It has everything to do with it. I don't want to make him feel pressured when he just got his heart broken."

"Well maybe you can help him fix it. Maybe you already are..." waxed Yoongi.

"That's very romantic and all, but you know what I mean."

"Sure. But these things happen when you least expect it and I'd hate for you to miss out. I don't know you two that well but you clearly have great chemistry."

"Yeah. I guess we always have. I know he's been in a dark place lately but he's still very much the same person I grew up with."

Yoongi clicked his tongue. "Sounds like a solid foundation to me. You know, few people can say they fell in love with someone they've known since their school days."

"Love? Easy, hyung! We've only hung out a couple of days."

"The eyes tell, Jeongguk."

"Okay, sensei. Maybe you should go back to sleep."

Yoongi laughed and rolled over to do just that.