The Arrangement

31

“Are you dating my brother?” Taehyung asked Namjoon three weeks later, as they were recording the final harmonies needed for V’s new album.

Namjoon quirked a brow. “You have a brother?”

Taehyung had yet to tell his producers the gory details of his past, but he nonetheless made sure they saw the change in him. “I’m talking about Jin.”

“He’s not your brother,” Namjoon replied.

“To me he is, but that’s besides the point. Are you two dating?”

The producer looked everywhere but Taehyung’s eyes. “No.”

Taehyung smirked as the desire to tease the truth out of his friend took over every conscious thought. “You’ve been out with him eight times over the last three weeks.”

It was true. After the first time Jin and Namjoon went out, Jin had been by the company at least twice per week to pick up the producer.

“Those weren’t dates, Tae. Now let’s wrap this up.”

“So are you guys friends, then?” The younger asked, refusing to put his headphones back on.

Namjoon shook his head, taking a long swig of the piping hot tea he kept next to him. It burned his tongue. 

“So you’re not dating and you’re not friends . . . ah! I get it. You’re fuck buddies.”

"Taehyung," Namjoon said in frustration, "it's none of your business what Jin and I are doing."

The younger rose his hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay. Jeez."

"Can we get back to work now?" The producer asked, pointing to the forgotten headphones. 

Taehyung nodded, placing them over his ears. "You got it, boss. But just so you know, I fully support anything going on between you two. Jin is one of the best people I know. You are too."

An hour later, Namjoon finally declared that they recorded all the audio files they needed. The producer was working tirelessly to finish V’s upcoming album, which Taehyung appreciated tenfold. More than half of the reason he was so successful was because of his talented and dedicated team.

“Are you going to join us for the interview tomorrow?” Namjoon questioned after turning off all the recording equipment. “It’s not necessary, given your history with the show’s host.”

Taehyung suppressed a groan. The last time Taehyung had been on this particular show, he had been rather unpleasant to the host. The guy was probing too much into his personal life, asking too many questions that were aimed to uncover his life before becoming a celebrity. His defense mechanisms kicked into gear and he went off on the interviewer, insulting the man on live television.

He knew he was in the wrong and he deserved every bad piece of press that  came out afterwards.

But the interview tomorrow was a big deal.

The three mentees were all appearing on the show to talk about the mentorship program and their experiences thus far. It was the first time the public was going to see the potential stars, so it was important for them to make a good impression. Jungkook, Jimin, and Yeonjun all would be given a couple minutes to preview their talents before they'd partake in some small games.

Taehyung had no desire to return to this show, but he wanted to be there to support Jungkook.

"I told Kook I'd be there, so I'm going," he responded.

He didn't miss the odd look Namjoon shot his way, but he chose to ignore it.

"Alright, then," the producer remarked, "just be on your best behavior."