Always

IV. Unhidden Secrets

"Why are you keeping secrets from us?" Tae asked after giving the waiter their order.

"What secrets?" Jimin answered.

"You and Yoongi hyung." JK answered.

"What about Yoongi hyung and me?" Jimin asked hoping they two would stop asking him questions.

"He likes you." JK blatantly said while looking intently at Jimin.

"He likes to annoy and irritate me." Jimin tried to ignore JK's words. "That's true. He hasn't changed since we debuted. He can't even go a day without tormenting me with his annoying remarks. He likes you both but he is savage to me."

"We both are his favourite little brothers, certainly. But he likes you not as a brother."

"I told you not to think of things like that. You are still young, Guk."

"I'm 24 for goodness sake. Stop changing the subject."

"And you like him too." There was confidence in Tae's words.

Jimin was stunned. He looked at JK and Tae who never left their gazes at him. He remained silent.

"We are not blind. We see you two. The ship that our fans made for you is not a fan service anymore. You are both acting like boyfriends in front of the camera and without the camera. Are you aware how the two of you are when you near and distant with each other?" Tae added.

"It's not---" Jimin stuttered.

"Stop denying it. It's too obvious and it's not a secret anymore. I'm pretty sure Yoongi hyung knows how you feel." JK said with finality in his voice.

Jimin remained quiet. He really wanted to tell them the truth but what good is it going to bring? They have reputation and image to keep, their careers to keep. Him being gay will ruin the band. He cannot let that happen no matter how and what he feels toward Yoongi.

And he doesn't even know if Yoongi feels the same way he does. And if Yoongi does reciprocate his feelings, South Korea is not ready for gay Idols. The world will judge them and he is not sure if he is ready for that.

Jimin remembered and thought there would be awkwardness between them that morning during breakfast after he spent the night in Yoongi's studio, but he was surprised there was none. He remembered that they almost kissed or Yoongi almost kissed him. Yoongi even asked him to cut the onions and washed the vegetable for him. They were so closed in the kitchen, their skin and bodies touching. Their touch lingered. There was electrifying heat between them. It was Jin who made them break away from each other.

He even poured the coffee and handed it to Yoongi like it was a natural thing to do.

"Are you guys playing a newly married couple early in the morning?" Hobi joked.

"Are we getting a confession from you or not? I'm sleepy, Jiminshiii " JK in his Busan accent that made him snapped from remembering what happened days ago. Tae burst out laughing.

"I like him." Both JK and Tae were silence by Jimin's confession.

"I actually don't like him anymore. I love him." Jimin's voice cracked. Tears started to form in the corner of his eyes.. "But it's wrong to love him." There was pain in Jimin's voice.

"How is it wrong?" Tae asked.

"Should I spell out for both of you how is it wrong?"

"Are you worried that people will judge you and Suga hyung?" JK asked.

"Of course. I'm not going to sacrifice what all of us had worked hard just because I love him. It is going to ruin everything. And I can't be selfish."

JK and Tae took a deep breath and sighed loudly.