Destination Wedding

66

The soulmates remained wrapped together in the sand as they basked in the relief of Taehyung's imminent homecoming. The tears on their cheeks were nearly dried when they sensed a looming presence blocking the sun above them.

"I bet my makeup is fucked now," mumbled Jimin into Taehyung's neck. "Where did the sun go? Is it going to storm?" Taehyung peeked through one eye to survey the sky but was rather met with the questioning expressions of Jeongguk, Hoseok and Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim let out a soft chuckle. "What on Earth are you two doing down there?"

Jimin startled before barking an exaggerated laugh and scrambling to his feet. "Oh, hi Appa! We were just playing! As you can see, I can still take Taehyungie down." Taehyung flashed Jimin a confused look before ambling to his feet and dusting himself off.

"Actually, I've decided to - Oof!" Jimin had pushed Taehyung to the sand again. "Yah! Park Jimin!"

"Got you again, TaeTae! We really need to work on your reflexes," goaded the elder.

Jeongguk moved to help Taehyung up, but the gesture was lost on the elder as he shot Jimin an exasperated glare. What the fuck are you doing?

Jimin glared down at the elder. Shut up and go with it!

Ever the observant soul, Jeongguk noticed the nonverbal exchange and grew suspicious. For a fleeting moment, he was thirteen again, trying to nudge his way into a top secret conversation or hot piece of gossip between the two soulmates. Taehyung and Jimin were very conscientious about including Jeongguk when he visited, but being clueless in conversation was inevitable at times. After all, his hyungs attended a different school and knew different people. Being out of the loop would fill Jeongguk with ennui, and he'd inevitably mope around until his hyungs would notice and hearten him to show his bunny smile again.

Jeongguk started to slowly spiral as he scrutinized the pair. What do they know that I don't? Surely they'll tell me later. But why can't I know now? Is it because Hobi-hyung and Mr. Kim are here? Is it about me? Was I coming on too strong to Taehyung earlier? No, he looks confused too... Is something up with Jimin-hyung? Aish, stop stressing, Jeongguk. This is not like you.

The maknae was shaken from his FOMO and paranoia when Hoseok spoke up. "Is this like when you play-fight with your big brother and it goes too far?"

Jeongguk hummed in mock-contemplation. "That would explain why you two were crying."

"What crying? Haha, No! Tears of joy, maybe. We were just laughing really hard! Right, Tae?!" Jimin urged.

"Uh, right," Taehyung muttered. His shifty glances were met with an eyeroll from Jimin. Real convincing, Tae.

"Anyway, Taehyung. Get off the ground already. I need your help with something back at our bungalow. You know, for the, um... rehearsal dinner," Jimin self-assuredly nodded to himself. "Up, up, up! We don't want to keep Jin-hyung waiting!"

"You pushed me down here, pabo," grumbled Taehyung.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's go!" Jimin abruptly yanked up his best friend and dragged him away from the small group. Taehyung could only spare Jeongguk an apologetic glance over his shoulder before Jimin was urging him to make haste.

"Such kids. They'll never change," mused Mr. Kim fondly. "We should get going. Hoseok-ah, help me find your aunt, will you? And Jeongguk-ah, we'll see you there!"

Jeongguk nodded after the pair, and was left alone to pout as he watched Taehyung and Jimin disappear from the beach. He was already feeling restless after going through the motions of the ceremony, which mostly involved standing out of his hyungie's reach but close enough to stare at his beauty. Afterwards, Jeongguk just wanted Taehyung to touch him; squeeze his hand or hold his waist or something. Simply put, he was starved for a little of Taehyung's affection and felt burnt when he was snatched away.