Destination Wedding

40

The six members of the wedding party were seated together in fluffy spa bathrobes, poised for manicures. Jimin, Taehyung and Jeongguk sat side by side in a row of three stations, facing three mirroring stations occupied by Jin, Namjoon and Yoongi. In front of each of them sat busy, doting manicurists who were collectively thrilled to be working on six handsome young men, a contrast from their usual demanding clientele.

"I hope they take a dremel to Namjoon's toes," remarked Jin.

"What's wrong with my toes?!" Namjoon cried.

Jin scoffed. "Nothing's wrong with them. I would just prefer they didn't feel like sandpaper when you kick me in your sleep."

Yoongi interjected. "This may be the gayest thing I've ever done." Jimin scoffed at that, meeting the elder's feline gaze before casting his eyes down in front of him.

"Why are you so quiet?" Taehyung inquired of Jimin. He'd noticed the elder paying less attention to Yoongi and even casting him a few offput looks.

"I'm not quiet."

"Yes you are. Did something happen with Yoongi-hyung?"

Jimin sighed audibly and laid his head down between his outstretched arms. The pair hadn't had a chance to talk before receiving a text from Jin stating that there spa appointments were pushed up by an hour. Taehyung could tell that Jimin was a little off and assumed there was enough distance between their's and the elder's stations to eek in a few private words.

Jimin groaned lightly. "I don't know, Tae. I think I might really like him."

Taehyung chuckled. "So, what's the problem?

"I don't know. I'm having some unusual... feelings."Jimin hesitated.

Taehyung nodded along. "Say more."

"I feel like... like, I want to be with him. Like really be with him. But I'm also young and having fun. I don't know if I want to be tied down and it's freaking me the fuck out!" Jimin whispered animatedly into the table, tensing his arms and causing his manicurist to startle.

"So you're just going to be cold to him? That doesn't make sense, Chim," reasoned Taehyung.

Jimin looked up at his best friend with an exasperated look. "I know it doesn't, okay? I'm just trying to navigate some foreign territory here."

"Awww!" Jeongguk loudly cooed, eavesdropping on the pair's conversation. Jimin shot him a look as if to say, shut the hell up! Jeongguk just snorted and turned his attention back to his manicurist.

Taehyung smiled softly at his hyung. "Well, I'll support you no matter what. But a wise man once told me, the right person can enter our lives unexpectedly. Even if the timing feels off, do you just look away?"

Jimin couldn't fight grinning at the younger's words.

"And I have to say that you two are really cute and you're both returning to Seoul. Things don't have to end here." Jimin noted a tinge of sadness in Taehyung's voice. He looked at his friend sympathetically before noticing Yoongi, fidgeting in his seat and struggling to relax his hands.

"Be still, hyung!" Jimin barked. "She's not going to cut your finger off!" Yoongi smirked, relieved at the return of Jimin's usual sassy demeanor.

The manicurist was cleaning Jungkook's nails with acetone when he drew his tattooed hand back, hissing almost inaudibly.

"I'm sorry, sir! Did I hurt you? Do you have a cut on your finger?" Alana questioned.

"Oh, no, no. I'm sorry. it's just this tattoo." Jeongguk assured.

"Ah! Is it a fresh tattoo?" She asked, examining his finger carefully. "Interesting choice."

Jeongguk stifled a laugh. "No, it's just a temporary. But I'm considering getting it done permanently, and I don't want it to rub off before the artist can trace it for a transfer."

Taehyung was eavesdropping and snapped his head in the younger's direction. "I'm sorry. Did you just say you're going to get that emoji tattooed on your finger, for real?"

Jeongguk scrunched his nose and smiled toothily. He was in such a great mood today. "Yeah. I think I'm going to do it. I love it... looking at it makes me smile. I think it would make a perfect momento of this trip."

"This trip?" Taehyung was unsure where his line of questioning was leading, but he was extremely curious about the younger's decisiveness over something so permanent.

Jungkook leaned into whisper in his ear. "Yeah, to remember this trip. And last night." The younger pulled back to give his best rendition of the "woozy face with one squinting eye and wavy mouth," causing Taehyung to visualize the younger coming undone beneath him the night before. He blushed furiously as the younger giggled. Taehyung would've smacked Jeongguk's chest if his hands weren't held captive by his manicurist.

"You have such beautiful hands, sir. You should consider hand modeling. I could do your nails!" Cooed the gentle woman.

"Yeah, hyungie. After all, your fingers are very talented." Jeongguk tried to contain his laughter as Taehyung gaped at the teasing, his blush creeping to the tips of his ears.

Jimin laughed in amusement at the maknae. "Oh my god, Jeonggukie! You're going to make Taetae pass out, you horny little boy!"

"It's not my fault," pouted Jeongguk. "Blame Taehyungie-hyung."

"Oh my god, stop it, you two!" Taehyung shrieked. He quickly realized his outburst caused onlooking glances. Under his breath, he huffed, "spare these lovely women your dirty minds!"

"My husband has talented fingers too," commented Jimin's manicurist casually. At that, the trio fell into a fit of giggles.

"Okay, Leilani, I love you. We're definitely going for drinks!" Jimin exclaimed.

After their manicures were finished, the group parted ways for various services. Jeongguk was a sensory seeker and opted for a massage with hot stones. Taehyung and Jimin opted for the traditional Swedish route, whereas Jin convinced Namjoon to get pedicures and foot massages with him, claiming that he wouldn't come to the altar until Namjoon's "repulsive" podiatric situation was resolved.

Yoongi, who repelled most human contact, struggled with committing to a massage. "I'm pretty relaxed already. I think I'll just go enjoy the steam room and sauna. I'll be in there for a while." He raised his eyebrows and smirked toward Jimin, subtly inviting him along.

"You sure you still want a massage, Jimin-ah?" Taehyung whispered.

Jimin blushed and whispered through his teeth. "Shut up, Tae!"