Ties of Fate

Heat The Pot

The rest of the party seemed to settle into a calm rhythm. Taehyung and Jungkook returned to their seats, but the faint remnants of Jungkook’s earlier jealousy still lingered in the air. Taehyung tried to soothe his husband’s mood with light conversation, but Jungkook’s sharp eyes stayed focused on the room, scanning for Bogum every now and then.

Just as things seemed to be returning to normal, Jimin approached their table with a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with that familiar look of trouble. Taehyung, who knew Jimin too well, tensed slightly, sensing what was about to come.

“Hey, everyone!” Jimin called out, his voice louder than usual as he clapped his hands to get the attention of the surrounding guests. “How about we spice up the night with a fun little game?”

Taehyung’s eyes widened. He knew Jimin had a knack for stirring the pot, especially when he sensed even the smallest hint of drama. And judging by the glint in Jimin’s eye, this game was more than just a harmless party activity.

“Oh no,” Taehyung muttered under his breath, shooting Jimin a suspicious look. “What are you up to?”

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, his arm resting on the back of Taehyung’s seat, looking curious but also wary. He knew Jimin too, and he didn’t trust that grin for a second.

Jimin, ignoring Taehyung’s look of suspicion, continued with his announcement. “We’re going to play a simple game—truth or dare with a twist. But instead of just answering questions or doing dares solo, we’re going to pair up!”

The guests murmured with excitement and a little trepidation. Taehyung’s stomach tightened. He wasn’t sure where Jimin was going with this, but he had a bad feeling about it.

“And to make it more fun,” Jimin added with a devilish smile, “I’ll be picking the teams.”

Taehyung exchanged a quick glance with Jungkook, who had narrowed his eyes. Jimin’s plan was becoming clearer by the second, and neither of them liked where this was heading.

Jimin started pairing people off, making sure to create the most entertaining or awkward matchups possible. And then, with dramatic flair, he turned to Taehyung and Bogum, his grin stretching even wider.

“Taehyung,” Jimin said sweetly, “you’ll be paired up with... Bogum!”

Taehyung’s heart dropped into his stomach. His eyes immediately flicked to Jungkook, whose expression shifted from mild curiosity to barely concealed annoyance. His jaw clenched, and the air around him grew tense.

Jungkook’s possessiveness was already heightened from the earlier revelation of Taehyung’s old crush, and now Jimin was practically throwing Taehyung into Bogum’s arms for this ridiculous game. The idea of Taehyung being paired with Bogum—again—was enough to make Jungkook’s jealousy resurface with full force.

Taehyung swallowed hard and opened his mouth to protest, but Jimin was already moving on, pairing Jungkook with someone else, effectively separating the two of them for the game. Taehyung shot Jimin a glare, silently cursing his friend for stirring the pot.

Bogum, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the pairing. He offered Taehyung a polite smile, clearly unaware of the turmoil that had been building between Jungkook and Taehyung throughout the night.

Jimin, pleased with the chaos he’d created, clapped his hands together and gestured for everyone to start the game.

“So, first question goes to Taehyung and Bogum!” Jimin announced, his tone filled with mischief. “Truth or dare?”

Taehyung glanced nervously at Jungkook, who was glaring at Jimin with barely concealed irritation. His possessiveness was palpable, and Taehyung could see that his husband was doing his best to hold it together.

With a sigh, Taehyung answered, “Truth.”

Jimin’s smile widened. “Great choice! So, Taehyung, tell us... who was your first crush?”

The room went silent, and Taehyung’s eyes widened in horror. He immediately knew what Jimin was doing. The question was a trap, designed to force him into an awkward situation. Taehyung shot Jimin a death glare, but the mischievous grin on his friend’s face remained unwavering.

There was no good way to answer this. If he told the truth, it would only make things worse. But if he lied, he’d still be playing into Jimin’s game. He was stuck.

Taehyung hesitated, glancing at Jungkook, whose expression was now unreadable. His grip on his glass had tightened, and Taehyung could feel the tension radiating off him in waves.

With a deep breath, Taehyung decided to take the safe route. “It was... someone I knew a long time ago. But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Jimin raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied with the vague answer, but he didn’t press any further. He’d already stirred up enough trouble. Jungkook, however, wasn’t buying it. His jealousy simmered just beneath the surface, and Taehyung could feel the weight of his stare.

The game continued, with Jimin throwing in more ridiculous questions and dares, but the tension between Jungkook, Taehyung, and Bogum remained thick in the air. Each time Taehyung and Bogum had to interact, Jungkook’s jealousy flared up again, and it became harder for Taehyung to focus on anything other than the uncomfortable situation Jimin had created.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the game came to an end. Taehyung breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the awkwardness was over. He quickly made his way back to Jungkook, who was standing by the bar, his arms crossed and his expression dark.

“Jungkook,” Taehyung said softly, approaching him. “Are you okay?”

Jungkook glanced down at him, his eyes still hard. “You didn’t tell me he was your first crush.”

Taehyung winced, realizing that Jimin’s little game had done more damage than he thought. “I didn’t think it was important. It was a long time ago, and I don’t feel that way anymore.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, but after a moment, he let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I just... I don’t like seeing you with him. Not after everything Jimin said.”

Taehyung reached out and placed a hand on Jungkook’s arm, squeezing gently. “There’s nothing between me and Bogum. I promise. You’re the only one I care about.”

Jungkook looked at him for a long moment before his expression softened, the jealousy finally ebbing away. He sighed, pulling Taehyung into his arms. “I know. I just get stupidly jealous sometimes.”

Taehyung smiled against his chest, feeling the warmth of Jungkook’s embrace. “It’s okay. I kind of like that you get jealous. It means you care.”

Jungkook chuckled softly, his arms tightening around Taehyung. “Of course I care. You’re mine.”

Taehyung’s cheeks flushed at the possessive tone in Jungkook’s voice, but he didn’t mind. Being in Jungkook’s arms, he felt safe, loved, and secure. No amount of games or teasing could change that.

As the party continued on around them, Taehyung and Jungkook stayed close, the tension from earlier fading away. Jimin’s mischief had caused some trouble, but in the end, it only brought them closer together.