Destination Wedding

24

It was Tuesday evening and after sunbathing on the beach, the seven friends moved to one of the resort's few designated fire pits, stocked with kindling, dry wood and a large water cooler tank to eventually put out their bonfire. Namjoon methodically constructed a fool-proof pyramid of logs, only to knock it all over accidentally, sending the group howling. Jeongguk helped him reconstruct the bonfire once again and after a little struggle with catching the kindling in the wind, the fire brimmed to life. The two responsible for the fire whooped and cheered at their victory against the elements.

"Okay, you cavemen! Settle down so we can eat," demanded Jin. The fiancés had arranged for a barbecue to be catered out to the beach, rife with Hawaiian soul foods. While they all loved barbecuing on their own, none of them was particularly interested in grocery shopping this week.

"I would do unforgivable things to have this macaroni salad back in Seoul," mumbled a full-mouthed Jimin.

"Oh yeah, like what?" asked Taehyung.

"Hmm... maybe kidnap you from LA and drag you back to Korea so you can eat it with me."

Taehyung giggled. "That's not so unforgivable." The best friends gave each other sympathetic smiles. They missed each other so much and this trip was going to make separating again very difficult.

Jeongguk listened in on the pair's conversation. I wonder if he'll ever come home.

The group ate and drank the evening away, warm with each other's company and familiarity. Jimin was feeling a tad tipsy and a tad emotional. "It's nice to be all together like this. It feels like an old block party on our street. Yoongi, you'd fit right in. You could sleep in a lawn chair next to my Appa."

"That tracks," grinned Yoongi. "I'd very much like to be a part of this family."

"You already are!" Hoseok beamed. "I look very much forward to more gatherings like this when my service is complete and I expect to see you there, Yoongi-hyung."

Taehyung felt himself suddenly welling up again. Being surrounded by this group of people felt overwhelmingly good. He was so happy, and yet he felt so frustrated with himself for moving away. He internally chastised himself as a shit brother and friend. What have I missed all these months?

Jeongguk noticed Taehyung's quietness and glassy eyes and easily guessed what he was feeling. Jeongguk struggled with reading people at times but always had a penchant for reading his hyung. He got up from across the circle and plopped down beside Taehyung so he could sling an arm around his shoulder. Taehyung knew he was made, and choked out a watery laugh. For Jeongguk's ears only, he whispered, "I'm so dumb."

"Why, because you're a human with feelings?"

"Yeah."

"You're anything but dumb. Feel what you need to feel. You're safe with us. All these people love you."

"I think that's what's getting to me. I miss everyone so much," whispered Taehyung. Jeongguk gave him a look followed by the tiniest nod to his chest. Taehyung felt summoned to lean into him further. So he did, finally releasing the breath he was holding. Jeongguk snaked his arm around Taehyung further and gently patted his chest just above his thumping heart. Taehyung relaxed and refocused his energy on enjoying this moment, under the arm of his childhood friend, amongst people he adored.

The group thinned as they tired out one by one, leaving the three musketeers laying side by side on a large beach blanket.

"Remember the time Taehyung drank Jeongguk's last banana milk?" Jimin mused.

Taehyung cackled. "Oh my god! You were so furious Jeongguk, and you wouldn't speak to me! I had to walk all the way to the convenience store because my bike chain fell off, just to buy you more."

"What can I say," said Jeongguk. "Banana milk was like crack to me back then. You took my last fix! It wasn't as bad as the time we threw Jimin in the community pool. You were so angry!"

"I had just permed my hair! I wanted to impress that hot lifeguard!" Jimin cried.

Taehyung snorted. "That perm was insane. We did you a favor." Jimin smacked Taehyung's shoulder at that. "Wait, remember that time I was getting picked on by that older kid at the pool for being a pretty boy? What did Jeongguk say?"

"You're just mad that you're so ugly!" Said the three in unison.

Jeongguk chimed in. "He tried to jump me and you two took him down to the ground. It was awesome."

"Oh man. My eomma was so upset that I came home with a busted lip right before school pictures. I told her I didn't start it!" The three continued to laugh and reminisce about their younger days as they stargazed.

Jimin let out a big yawn. "Do you guys dare me to go to Yoongi's room instead of my own by mistake?"

"I do dare you," said Jeongguk.

"I double dare you," added Taehyung.

"Well that's settled. Put out this fire, will you boys?"

The two nodded as Jimin got up to dust himself off. Taehyung and Jeongguk lugged the water jug over and dumped it's contents over the waning bonfire. Jeongguk then returned to his spot on the beach blanket.

"You staying?" Taehyung asked.

"Yeah, it's peaceful out here and I like the smell of the fire going out."

"Well that's really specific," giggled Taehyung. "Can I join you?"

"Of course," said Jeongguk with a smile, patting the place next to him on the blanket. The two laid side by side as they admired the stars, until Jeongguk turned on his side toward Taehyung and propped himself up on his elbow. "You okay?"

"I'm okay. I'm sorry, though. You keep catching me in all my feelings."

"You don't need to apologize. That's who you are. You've always been emotional." Taehyung turned his head to him and raised his eyebrows. "Not like that. You've just always worn your heart on your sleeve. It's not hard to pick up on your energy. Not for me anyway."

Taehyung rolled on his side to mirror Jeongguk. "You're right. It just feels foreign to me because I think I've been pretty shut down for a while."

"It's good though, right?" Jeongguk questioned.

"What is?"

"Letting your feelings show again. Being true to your personality.

Taehyung nodded into his palm, pouting his lips. "It's hard not to, being with everyone again. It's like my safety net."

Jeongguk smiled at that. "You were always a safe place for me."

The two were subconsciously decreasing the space between them as they unabashedly examined one another up close. Taehyung started to feel overwhelmed by their proximity and closed his eyes to breathe when he felt Jeongguk thumb his pouting lower lip ever so carefully. "Don't pout like this," grumbled Jeongguk.

"Why? I'm not trying to..."

Jeongguk stopped him. "It's just, it's getting hard to..."

"To what?"

"To keep myself from kissing you."

Taehyung blushed and eyed the younger who suddenly appeared ashamed. Jeongguk licked over his lip ring and chewed his bottom lip on the other side nervously. He looked so shy and doe-eyed and Taehyung's resolve broke away. He didn't like the caution washing over Jeongguk's face because he wanted this too. So in a moment of boldness, Taehyung leaned in and connected their lips in a soft kiss.