Destination Wedding

27

"Kook-ah..." Taehyung grumbled. The sunlight peering into his room caused the pair to stir. "Kook-ah..."

"Tae..." Jeongguk jostled himself to turn towards the elder. "Go back to sleep. It's so early, hyung."

"But it's Wednesday."

"Do you like Wednesdays?"

"Not particularly," Taehyung whispered, still half asleep. "But today we get to meet sea turtles."

"Mmhmm, that's right. Don't you think we should bank a little more sleep... store up our energy so we can appreciate the turtles properly?" Jeongguk nuzzled into the elder's neck and breathed his scent before kissing him beneath his ear.

"Mmm... okay, if you insist."

The pair suddenly heard a loud banging at the door. "Will you get it Kook-ah? Jimin probably locked himself out."

"I thought you wanted to wake up so badly. Think about the turtles," teased Jeongguk, who rubbed his nose and lips against the elder's neck.

"Mmm... I'm so comfortable though. Please, will you?"

Jeongguk sighed and smiled fondly after pulling away from Taehyung. "Fine, but you owe me." Taehyung nodded and curled himself further into the luxurious sheets.

Another series of loud knocks echoed through the bungalow.

"Aish, keep your pants on, Jimin-hyung!" Jeongguk dragged his feet to the door while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Forget your key card, hyungie?" Jeongguk giggled. That was until he met eyes with someone he didn't expect, and certainly did not want to see. He grimaced in disgust and moved to slam the door in Bogum's face but was stopped by a stiff arm holding the door open.

"What are you doing here?" Bogum was infuriated at the sight of the younger in his ex's bungalow. Earlier, he had taken to the lobby to request more coffee for his room, but saw his brother trudging to the gym. He jumped at the opportunity to corner Taehyung alone when he knew Jimin wouldn't be guarding him, not expecting to find Jeongguk answering the door.

"What does it look like, pabo?" Jeongguk questioned in a bored tone, chosen to cloak his anger.

"What did you call me?" Bogum hissed.

"I called you a fool. And what I'm doing here is no concern of yours. Bogum, right?" Bogum gave him a curt nod and clenched his teeth.

"Well, Bogum... do us a favor and kindly fuck off now." Jeongguk felt a little guilty for taunting the elder who was already seething, but he was so angry for Taehyung and his protective instincts took over once again.

"You shouldn't be here."

"And you should?" Jeongguk scoffed. "As I understand it, you threw that chance away months ago. Fucking foolish."

Bogum made a bold move and advanced toward the well-built younger male, but was suddenly pulled back by the shirt by a sweaty Jimin.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Jimin yelled.

Bogum pushed his brother away harshly. "I came to talk to Taehyung and this piece of trash answered the door. You're really going to let your best friend get mixed up with someone like him?"

Jimin saw red and clenched his fists. "First of all, you don't speak about him that way. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about." Jimin looked to the younger with embarrassment. "I'm sorry for him, Jeongguk. I know he won't apologize. God, I could strangle you, Bogum!"

Jeongguk pushed his tongue into his cheek, trying to compose himself for Taehyung's sake. He was all to familiar with being judged by idiots for his appearance, but Bogum's condescending tone was infuriating.

Jimin continued. "Second of all, I told you to keep your fucking distance. You shouldn't be here to insult my friend in the first place."

Taehyung heard the commotion and sprung up from the bed. Groggy and confused, he made his way to the door to find Bogum and Jimin in a shouting match on the front lawn. Jeongguk was looking on with a piercing glare of unadulterated anger towards his ex. He looked like a chained dog chomping at the bit to be released.

"What the hell is going on?!" Taehyung interrupted from over Jeongguk's shoulder.

"Taehyung, please go back inside with Jeongguk. I will handle this." Jeongguk reached behind himself to push a hovering Taehyung back gently but firmly by his chest.

"No, Jeongguk," said Taehyung calmly, taking the other's hand away and advancing forward. "Jimin, I appreciate your protecting me but I need to handle this on my own now." Jimin glared at his best friend only to be met with a similar look. "It's okay, Jimin-ah. Let me handle this, please?"

Jimin sighed and stared at him for a long moment. "I will be... we will be right inside." He pulled Jeongguk by the forearm and closed them inside the bungalow.

Jimin huffed into his hands. "I suppose this would happen sooner or later. Look, I'm so sorry for what he said Jeonggukie, he doesn't know a thing about you."

Jeongguk just nodded and paced around in anticipation of Taehyung's return.

"If he honestly thinks he can worm his way back into Taehyung's life, he's absolutely deranged," speculated Jimin. Jeongguk just huffed in frustration. He felt so useless. He knew he was on the wrong side of the bungalow door and he just wanted to protect his hyung from more heartbreak.

Little did he know that the time Taehyung had spent with the wedding party, and Jeongguk in particular, had strengthened the elder and renewed his sense of self. Unbeknownst to Jimin and Jeongguk, Taehyung was rearing and ready to face this particular demon.