I'm Here

9

Taehyung took as quick of a shower as he could manage, conscious of their dwindling time. He didn't like to be known as the late friend and made an active effort to be as punctual as possible. But he was a little distracted this morning. His hands lingered certain places longer than others. After quickly scrubbing his hair and body, he wrapped a towel around his waist and wrung the water out of his hair with another. He brushed his teeth before slinging the bathroom door open, steam leaking into the hallway as he padded back to his room.

Jungkook was right where he left him.

"Dude," Taehyung said, taking in the younger as he walked to his closet.

Jungkook eyed his friend. "You know what I've been thinking? That wasn't as weird as I thought it would be."

Taehyung groaned as he pulled out a white long sleeved shirt. "Remember what I said about never talking about that again?"

"You said we'd never talk about it after this morning. It's still morning."

"That's all just technicalities," Taehyung said, throwing the shirt on his desk as he found a pair of pants. "You know what I meant."

"Anyway, it should have been more weird, right? But I think because we're so close and all, we made an intimate act a little more friendly," Jungkook explained, propping himself up on his elbows.

"Oh, you mean we just gave each other friendly handjobs," Taehyung said sarcastically.

Jungkook nodded. "Exactly! I'd say brotherly, even."

"Ugh, don't say that. That just sounds bad."

Jungkook laughed, finally getting up and heading to the bathroom. "All I'm saying is, it was fun. It was . . . nice. Since we know each other like we do, I think that's why I enjoyed it. Anyway, I'll be ready in ten!"

He was onto something, Taehyung thought, getting dressed once Jungkook left. He should have felt awkward. He should be having an identity crisis. But he wasn't. The whole experience felt . . . normal? Maybe normal wasn't the right word, but it didn't feel like they crossed some line that shouldn't be crossed. And for that reason, Taehyung could say he left the encounter satisfied and with no regrets.

Perfect.

Fifteen minutes later, the two boys met Jimin and Hoseok in the lobby. The elder two looked slightly annoyed at being held up, but all that subsided as soon as they took in Jungkook's neck.

"What, you too now?" Hoseok asked, pulling down the edge of Jungkook's hoodie to get a better look.

"Is there some hickey contest going on that we don't know about?" Jimin added.

Taehyung smirked as he took in Jungkook's blushing face. Sure enough, the younger's neck was covered in red spots. The marks started just below his ear and disappeared below the edge of his hoodie. Taehyung did well.

Jungkook pulled his sweatshirt up. "It's nothing."

"Nothing?" Jimin questioned. "What the hell was Chloe thinking, ruining your neck like that?"

Taehyung smiled at his friend's word choice. "I would agree that she succeeded in ruining your neck, Kookie."

"Wishing you had more on your own neck, TaeTae?" Jungkook challenged.

"Whoa, man," Hoseok butted in. "Not cool, you know Shireen just broke up with him."

Taehyung and Jungkook looked down at their shoes, the former feeling a small pang in his chest. With everything that went on between himself and Jungkook, he'd forgotten about his break up. He'd forgotten how he'd been cast aside in favor of someone else. How he'd been determined to be second place, a loser not worthy of love -

"Let's head out!" Hoseok exclaimed, pulling Taehyung out of his thoughts. "I have a hangover that won't cure itself."

They walked out of the building and into the sunshine.

"Oh, hey, Hoseok," Jungkook said. "What did you want to tell us last night?"

Hoseok looked at the youngest with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"

Taehyung chirped up. "Yeah, at the party last night you mentioned wanting to tell us something."

"Huh. I have no idea. Blame it on the alcohol," Hoseok sung.

Taehyung and Jungkook shrugged their shoulders, completely missing the exchanged look between Hoseok and Jimin.

"I'm going to kill you," Jimin whispered to Hoseok.

Hoseok put his hands up in front of him. "You don't even know what I was going to tell them."

"Oh, I'm sure I know what you wanted to tell them after what happened last night!" Jimin whispered-yelled.

"Maybe I wanted to tell them about Jin and Namjoon! You never know!"

Jimin stared at him blankly. "Wait. What?"

Hoseok's eyes widened. "Oh Taehyungie! Jungkookie! Wait up for me!"

Hoseok ran to walk alongside the two youngest, avoiding Jimin's eyes at all costs.

Jimin stared at Hoseok's back. He'd find out one way or another what the elder meant. He was determined.

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

Sorry this one is a little shorter than usual! What do you think of this story so far? What do you think  Hoseok knows ;-) I'm having fun writing this, especially planning out these lil side ships!