TAEKOOK | HOPE

• 1 birthday wish

Enjoy!

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The thing about Taehyung is this: Jeongguk never stood a chance.

He explodes into Jeongguk's life like a firework, bright, loud, and so, so beautiful. That's the first thing Jeongguk notices, if he's honest: expressive eyes, full lips, smile like a rectangle.

He's the prettiest person Jeongguk has ever seen, which is terribly inconvenient given that Jeongguk already has more than enough on his plate as a young trainee.

He's busy trying to prove himself to the rest of the group, and he certainly doesn't need any distractions.

The other thing about Taehyung, though, is that he's persistent. He drops himself right into the middle of Jeongguk's life without even asking first, with his weird jokes and casual touchiness and constant stream of completely random questions,

like: Jeongguk-ah, if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

Jeongguk has no idea what to do with him at first, thinks maybe Taehyung is just messing with him, until he realizes that Taehyung always listens carefully when he talks, seemingly delights in hearing why Jeongguk would want to be an apple, or a horse, or the color red?

In the end, Taehyung is the one who coaxes Jeongguk out of himself and into the band, makes him feel comfortable enough to find a true home amongst the other members.

Their early days are difficult, draining, and overwhelming, filled with self-doubt and a hunger for something more. Through it all, Taehyung is his North Star, his anchor, his partner in everything from gaming to bothering the hyungs to doing nothing at all. Indeed a partner in crime.

He learns to turn into Taehyung's touch rather than away from it, to match his humor and read his moods. Almost as if they were always meant to find each other, they become best friends, an easier, more natural friendship that Jeongguk has ever known.

And there's another thing, less obvious at first, something that creeps up on him so slowly that it takes an embarrassingly long time for Jeongguk to realize what it means, and even longer for him to admit it to himself.

But in the end, there's only one word for it, and even Jeongguk knows what it is - accidentally but unquestioningly, he's fallen very much in love.

Jeongguk's 17th birthday falls just a few months after their debut, on a day when they're shooting a teaser video. Their schedule has been packed, and he's not expecting much, is more than satisfied with the hugs he gets from the other members and the well wishes that pour in from their fans.

Still, it catches him off guard when he gets in trouble for messing up the choreography, and he burns with shame as he's scolded in front of the whole group, can barely meet their eyes.

He keeps his mouth shut and blinks back his tears, until suddenly they're surrounding him with a cake and it all comes spilling out.

Everything is loud, chaotic, the other members laughing and pounding him on the back, and all Jeongguk can think to do is find Taehyung's wrist amidst the madness and hold on tight.

That night, when most of the others have already gone to sleep, Taehyung crawls into his bed, slips under the covers and pulls Jeongguk to his chest like he belongs there.

Jeongguk wordlessly shifts to make room for him in the single bed, feels his heart skip a beat when Taehyung slings an arm over his waist and presses their foreheads together.

"Happy birthday," he murmurs, so close that Jeongguk can feel his breath against his face.

"Thanks" Jeongguk replies, fiddling with the sleeve of Taehyung's T-shirt.

"You okay?" Taehyung prompts when he doesn't say anything further.

There's no use in pretending he doesn't know exactly what Taehyung is talking about, so he nods, his cheek brushing back and forth over his pillowcase.

"Yeah," he says. "I just -" he cuts himself off, feeling stupid, childish.

"I know," Taehyung responds anyway, because he always does. "It was a lot, today."

Jeongguk is mortified to find a sob rising in his throat, tries to suppress it and ends up making a bizarre choking noise instead. "I was so ashamed," he admits, voice barely above a whisper.

"I know," Taehyung says again, rubbing soothing circles into his side. "I'm sorry, Jeonggukie."

Jeongguk shakes his head, wiping away a tear in frustration. "No, I'm overreacting."

"No. you're not," Taehyung reassures him. "We shouldn't have been so harsh, it wasn't funny. You know how much we love you though, right?"

Jeongguk nods, sniffing, and Taehyung threads his fingers through the hair at the back of his neck, pressing a kiss to Jeongguk's forehead that sets butterflies exploding through his stomach.

"Especially me." In the scanty light slipping in from the hallway, Jeongguk can see him smiling that boxy smile.

"Thanks, hyung," Jeongguk says, his heart aching.

Taehyung gives his ear an affectionate tug. "What did you wish for when you blew out your candles?"

Jeongguk had wished, no. He hoped. . .Taehyung to want him back.

"Can't tell you," he deflects. "Otherwise it won't come true."

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You remember jungkook's that birthday surprise party right?