That's gay × taekook

19

They hadn't talked all weekend. Sure, they weren't in the habit of spending every other day together at someone's house, but they would still text, call, or send each other funny posts. This lack of Taehyung was the worst thing he had ever had to endure.

Forget almost failing his classes at school, forget being cheated on, forget everything that had made him feel even remotely frustrated; nothing compared to having a fight with Taehyung. This might just be the hardest challenge Jungkook had been through.

It had to end though, right? They'd see each other in the morning, sit together on the bus as usual, and just talk. Like nothing happened.

For some reason, even that simple thought of returning to normalcy didn't soothe his nerves. What was normal between them now? He couldn't see them spending any time with each other without imagining a kiss here and there, or more casual skinship than normal between best friends. His head was killing him.

This whole weekend, Jungkook hadn't got out of his room unless it was strictly necessary; to eat, to go to the bathroom, to spend more time with Soojin because she was going to leave in a few days... Even his cousin noticed something was off, but she didn't press him about it, thankfully.

Until today, that was.

Soojin didn't bother to knock on his door. She invited herself in like it was her own room. "Something bad happened to you," she stated, no trace of a question. It was a fact.

"Did you read that in the cards?" Jungkook asked, not looking up from his phone.

"Asked my pendulum," she replied, "but that's not the point." Not like he knew what that was anyway.

"I'm fine," he said, sighing.

"That's good."

The woman made no attempt to leave, just leaning back on the closed door and checking her nails. Her presence was getting annoying.

"A petty argument with Taehyung is nothing," he finally caved in, without much pressure. Setting the phone down, he sat up in bed. "It's not the end of the world. He's just being stupid."

"And you?"

He gave her a questioning look. "And me what?"

"Well, if one of you was smart, you would've figured stuff out by now. So are you also stupid?"

"That's not how it works."

"It kind of is exactly how it works."

Jungkook glared at her. This was so dumb. He knew he could've reacted differently during his fight with the boy, but that didn't mean he was the only one at fault. He shouldn't have kissed Mingyu, okay. But had it not been for that, how would he have known what he liked? He realized how much he liked Taehyung. It had to be worth something.

"I messed up," Jungkook said, directing his glare downwards. "But I had to do that thing. It helped me realize some important stuff. The fact that Taehyung didn't like it shouldn't affect me."

"But it is affecting you."

"I hate this. I don't understand what's going on." Jungkook buried his head in his hands. He wasn't crying, no, but he was just too frustrated. It was already enough that he cried that day after coming home.

Soojin hummed and removed herself from the door to go and sit on the bed next to him. "What's your biggest problem right now?"

"...I like him." Damn, he really said it out loud to someone. "No, wait. That's not it," he shook his head. Of course he liked Taehyung. Now that he thought about it, it was only a matter of time until he realized it. That may have been a problem for their friendship, but was that really all that was bothering him? "I'm bisexual...?"

His cousin blinked, not expecting his honesty to just jump out. "You're bisexual," she echoed, to which he just nodded weakly, raising his head from his hands.

"I like girls, but I also like guys. I mean I like Taehyung. And when I tried something with another guy, it wasn't as uncomfortable as I expected. That guy told me I'm bisexual."

"Why are you saying that like it's a bad thing?"

"Because it should be!" he said. "Look what world we live in, Soojin. Even I wasn't friendly to these people, and now I'm one of them? Why did I get to it so late then? Why can't I accept it?" His fists were clenched on either side of him, crumpling up the bedsheets.

Soojin placed a hand on his fist. Jungkook flinched, but his fist relaxed a little. "Everything takes time. Plus, it's not like your sexuality is something you can change or choose. You think it's so prejudiced just because that's the only side of the world you pay attention to. But there are many people like you, Jungkook. Some of them are more unfortunate than others, but at least they're honest with themselves. If you're bisexual, then that's part of you." She smirked. "You're a prideful man; I'm sure you can find pride in this aspect, too."

Jungkook turned the words over in his head, repeating them until his cousin's voice was all he heard. Take pride in his sexuality, huh? "Soojin... I fucked up."

"That's okay."

It wasn't okay, but that still managed to give him some comfort. "So it's not weird that I like Taehyung."

"Nope. If anything, I expected it," the woman chuckled. "I think he likes you back."

That was a nice thing to think about. Taehyung wouldn't have kissed him if he didn't like him. Unless... Some images of Taehyung kissing random girls at parties flashed in his mind, followed by the way he said it was just for fun. Hell, Jungkook had done it too. So then...?

"Well," Soojin cleared her throat. "One of your problems seems to be solved. Now you take care of what's left."

"Soojin," Jungkook grabbed her wrist when she was about to stand up. He pulled her closer. "Thanks." It was a word thrown in there with a low, embarrassed voice.

The woman smiled sweetly and pulled him into a hug. He closed his eyes, nuzzling his face in her shoulder. "Thanks for telling me everything. You know I support you no matter what. And another small advice: quit that tough guy persona. That's what's been stopping you from all this. Be vulnerable around the people you trust. It will take you very far."

He nodded into her shoulder. He didn't have the energy to deny it. Perhaps he could try to stop overthinking and judging everything on the basis that it's not 'manly' or 'normal'.

The bracelet on his wrist glimmered dimly when his hand pressed Soojin closer to him.