I Just Loved You (And I Still Do); Taegi/Taekook

❝half-truths❞

They didn't see each other for a week or two. And maybe they shouldn't have seen one another ever again. Maybe that would have been better. (Indeed, it would have been, but life gives a shit about what would have been better. It always does). So Jimin begged Taehyung to give spiritual counsel to him while he was going to meet Yoongi at Kim's Diner - Seokjin had initialized the meeting. And Kim Taehyung's always been a good and understanding friend – and Jimin's crush was pretty obvious.

He told Jeongguk that day that he would eat lunch with Jimin, so he wouldn't have to wait for him at home. And Jeongguk – as the good and understanding boyfriend he was – said it was fine. Taehyung and Jimin were pretty busy so he was absolutely okay with his two best friends meeting. Jeongguk didn't need to know that Yoongi was coming. And he also didn't need to know how excited Taehyung was about lunch. Jeongguk didn't ask so Taehyung didn't lie. He just didn't tell the whole truth. Relationships consisted of half-truths and half-lies. They kept them going. They were important. And maybe that was the lie.

This morning Taehyung was waked by Jeongguk shifting next to him. Taehyung felt the mattress sinking. His waist where Jeongguk's arm had been lying was cold. He scrunched his nose at the loss of his boyfriend's warmth. Rolled on his side. Jeongguk's scent stuck on the sheets and Taehyung couldn't help but inhale the scent of roughness and sex, overripe maturity and something that belonged to Jeongguk. Something that reminded Taehyung of him. Something comforting and familiar.

"Tae?", Jeongguk whispered questioning, "Did I wake you?" His voice was a bit raspy from sleeping. It always was. After all the mornings they had shared the same bed Taehyung knew that Jeongguk was used to get up pretty early but he loved sleeping late on Sundays. Curled up against Taehyung, nose buried in his neck, breath tickling the elder. These were the days where they would have time to make breakfast with eggs and ham, two cups of coffee – or hot chocolate – and a lot of giggling and holding hands on the table. These were the days where Taehyung was reminded why he had given up his own apartment to move in together with Jeongguk. These were the days where Taehyung said "I love you" and blushed. And Jeongguk replied: "I love you, too."

Taehyung mumbled something inaudible and Jeongguk just said: "I'm sorry. Just go on sleeping." He stroked his forehead softly, caressing and Taehyung leaned almost automatically into the touch, seeking for the warmth of the other man.

Today wasn't a day where they would have time for each other. Taehyung had lectures this afternoon, after the meeting at Kim's Diner. And Jeongguk would have dance practice. The practices always lasted until 9 pm and the way home took its time. When Jeongguk was back Taehyung was already asleep.

"Love you", Taehyung murmured. His voice was strained with tiredness and his eyes were heavy. "Love you, too. Don't overhear your alarm." - "I won't." Jeongguk left with a light kiss on Taehyung's cheek and then it was quiet.

The silence within the noise deafening, only the cars far away audible and the noises humans made. Taehyung didn't like the silence. Judging and heavy. Why didn't you tell him? and He would be disappointed. But in the end, it didn't matter and he slept until his alarm woke him.

It was noon when Taehyung was on his way to Kim's Diner. You'd almost think after two weeks the memory of Yoongi had already faded away - at least a bit. But Taehyung could have described the hands of the elder with an embarrassing variety of details he had memorized when he first had met Yoongi. The light shade of pink of his nails. The intensity of his veins when he grabbed for something. The way his palm faded into his wrist, pale. Every bone visible through the almost invisible layer of skin that was stretched over his hands. Taehyung also remembered his voice. The hard edges. Sharp enough to cut through his skin. To make Taehyung bleed. Indeed, he did. In the end at least.