My Tease

Reconnecting

Jimin pov

Hundreds of people crowd the streets of Hongdae. The lights from shops welcome customers and the scent of food is a sweet aroma. The final week of classes have stressed me to no end and I needed to get out and recharge. My first instinct was to call Yoongi, but Taehyung drifted into my head.

We haven't went out as friends in so long. I miss him. It was stupid of me to let Jungkook's motives influence our friendship. That's why I invited him out and want to build our relationship again. Taehyung texts me he's almost here and I exhale. My nervous bugs appear and I swallow. Two minutes later I spot Taehyung walking towards me. He walks in between a few people and reaches me with a smile.

"Hey." We hug and pull away. "I'm sorry I missed the train. It took me a little longer to get here."

I shake my head, "No, it's fine. I just spent the extra time sorting my thoughts." Taehyung falls into step next to me as we walk down the strip.

"About what?"

"Things...people." He glances at me. "I really want to be friends like we used to be. I'll admit it was my fault we grew apart. I want to fix that." Taehyung purses his lips as we split to get passed a couple.

When we fall back into a steady step, he responds, "I would like that." His tone is cautious and I know why. He still has lingering feelings for me and I have no intention of ever bringing that up again. The best case scenario is we stay friends like old times and in the long run Tae finds someone special. My thoughts drift to Jungkook and even though I can barely tolerate his presence...he made Tae happy.

I can tell.

"Hungry?"

Tae's eyes gleam as he picks up his pace. "Could you hear my stomach?" He jokes. "Can we go to-"

"Myth Jakbol?"

"Oh, you still remember." He says and my smile fades.

"Of course I do." I grab Tae's elbow and force him to face me. "I might have been distant, but I still know you." He nods his head. "You okay?"

"Yeah, let's eat."

                              ***

The meat on the grill sizzles and I place some kimchi on top. Taehyung always cooks half his kimchi and leaves the rest fresh when he eats barbeque. His eyes are focused on the burners as I cut the meat and smile at his childlike nature. He's always been the one to be fed and not feed.

"Your nose is going to burn off if you stay that close."

"No it's not." He swipes his thumb over his nose, "I'm untouchable." I roll my eyes and use the tongs to put some meat on his plate. "Finally."

"So impatient." I laugh and he pouts.

"Is anyone ever patient when they're starving?"

"Good point." I muse and he starts stuffing his face. I put some on my plate, eating a spoonful of rice with my portion. "Anything new happening with you?"

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, "I'm quitting my part time job." His words make me tense.

"Is it because of-"

"It's for the best." He cuts in. "I don't need a reminder."

"Aren't I a reminder?" I say without thinking and Tae puts his chopsticks down.

"You're different." He defends, "You are my oldest friend." His eyes are full of emotion. Hurt being one of them. It's like he's having an internal battle with himself. His thoughts are hard to pinpoint until he backs his chair away. "This is awkward."

I press my lips together, "Yeah..." My eyes water, already knowing what's coming.

"Jimin, you're not just my oldest friend. You're my longest crush. I really thought I could come here today and act like you didn't know and we could move on but-" He rubs his knees, "I can't get over you if I keep seeing you." His brows furrow as if he's battling against himself. "I'm sorry."

I let out a big breath, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called." I push my chair back too and stand. "This was selfish of me."

"Jimin, this isn't permanent." He assures. "I was too stubborn to realize it on my own...I need this." He stands as well and pulls me into a hug. "Sometimes to fix things we need to stop trying."

I sniffle, "You're right." He smiles through his pain. "I'll pay for the meal."

"Thanks." He gives me one last hug and walks away. All my efforts have backfired and it hurts. I close my eyes and compose myself. I grab the bill off the table and pay for it. I guess sometimes you can't stop what was meant to happen...

                                ***

Jin pov

My armpits are clammy and my lips are raw from nibbling them. I hold the address in my hand as I look at the apartment number. This is it. My heart pounds as I ring the doorbell. Namjoon said he would go with me, but I needed to do this alone. The new carpet in the hallway might have erased my past mistake, but I can't fully forgive myself until I see for my own eyes.

The lock on the door turns, alerting me that I'll soon have to explain my unplanned visit. The door creaks as it opens and the air is sucked out of me as I'm face to face with Yaeji. My eyes scan down him and my throat closes as I notice the arm braces he's balancing on. "Seokjin?"

"Um hi." He opens the door wider and lets me in.

"You're not here to give me flowers are you?"

I shake my head, "I heard you got out of the coma a week ago."

"You heard right." He closes the door and we walk into the living room. His steps lag behind mine as he puts his weight onto the braces. "Woke up from a mental prison to be a prisoner in my own apartment." He sits next to me on the couch, unhooking his braces from his arms.

"I'm sorry." I blurt out and he gives me a quizzical look.

"For what? Letting Ryo Ah in?"

"How did you-"

"My roommate told me." He explains, "He was so upset and blamed you for everything." I lower my eyes. "But, I know better. It was my fault. I ruined his life and he wanted revenge. You couldn't change that. If not at my dorm, while I was in class or in a dining hall. It wouldn't have mattered." My eyes meet him and he pats my knee. "You don't need to be sorry. The only thing you're guilty of is being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

My eyes start to water as the gunshot fills my ears. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that." I wipe away a stray tear and face him again. "So what about you? Final exams are this week and you've missed a lot..."

He sighs, heavily. "I have to retake this semester so no graduation for me." The disappointment in his voice is strong, but he hasn't given up hope. "Are you excited? You're going to be a real adult with responsibilities." He laughs and I crack smile.

"No, that's what I'm afraid of."

"Do us both a favor and live your life." He says, "This is what you wanted to hear right? You can finally move on and I'll do the same. Of course I'll regret outing him and I can't change that, but I'll make it and so will you."

This entire year I never really talked to Yaeji and now I wish I had before the accident. He seems wise beyond his year and maybe if I had, I would have known he wouldn't blame me. "How have we never hung out before?"

"You tell me." He gets comfortable and clicks the remote, turning the TV on. "You're free to stay."

I decide to take him up on his offer, relaxing into the cushions. "Do you like Infinite Challenge?"

A/N

Yay! An update! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for some more drama~ Don't forget to vote and comment. Until next time DEUCES!