TAEKOOK | HOPE

• 17 relief

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That night, Taehyung takes them out for drinks and dinner at what is apparently a very trendy, up and coming restaurant. From there, they go to the VIP section of a club that Taehyung and his costars frequent. Clubs have never really been Jeongguk's scene, but Jimin wants to experience a night out in LA, and Taehyung is eager for them to meet some of his costars, so he keeps his mouth shut and tags along. It is a cool place, sort of a speakeasy vibe, and to Jeongguk's relief the VIP section at least isn't overly loud or crowded.

They get drinks and situate themselves on one of the luxurious leather couches, talking just the three of them for a while until a small group of Taehyung's costars show up. He leaps off the couch immediately to greet them, and Jeongguk has to suppress a small surge of jealousy at seeing Taehyung act so warmly to people he's only known for a month or so. It's stupid, because Taehyung has always been a social butterfly, but Jeongguk has never been very good at sharing when it comes to him.

Everyone is introduced, and Jeongguk finds that they are a pretty fun, pleasant bunch, even if he's still a little bitter about them distracting Taehyung's attention. Taehyung flits between them all easily, just like he always has, clearly basking in being the center of attention and having all of his friends meet.

They get another round of drinks, and then a third, and Jeongguk determines the bartender is not fucking around with these cocktails, because he's definitely feeling their effect. Jimin clearly is as well, hanging all over everyone and giggling at virtually everything that's said. It's not that much of a departure from his regular, sober personality, but Jeongguk is always amused at how drinking makes those tendencies even more pronounced.

All of Taehyung's costars seem very fond of him, which isn't really a surprise given that everyone who meets Taehyung loves him. Still, there's one girl, Seoyun, who seems particularly interested in him, to the point that Jeongguk begins to wonder if there's something more going on there. She keeps putting her hand on Taehyung's arm, laughing at the things he says and flipping her long, dark hair in a way that has to be intentional. It gets even more pronounced as the alcohol keeps flowing, and the worst part is that Taehyung, while not as obviously interested as Seoyun, isn't exactly pushing her away either. At one point, Jeongguk looks over to see him with his hand on the small of her back, ducking down to listen as she speaks into his ear. It hits him like a punch in the stomach, dark, bitter jealousy twisting inside of him.

He's always known that Taehyung was bi, but the knowledge had been more of an abstract concept since none of them had been able to do much dating while they were in the band. Seeing it play out in real life is a different story, and Jeongguk suddenly finds that he hates Seoyun and her stupid, shiny hair and stupid, petite figure. He knows he's being ridiculous, and that Taehyung can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants, but she's everything that Jeongguk isn't and he can't help that his heart cracks a little bit at the sight of them together.

It's a relief when Taehyung gently extracts himself from her and rejoins Jeongguk and Jimin, but even then Jeongguk can't fully shake the mood it had put him in, and he thinks Taehyung can tell.

"You good?" Taehyung asks, leaning in close so Jeongguk can hear him over the music. All Jeongguk can think about is how he'd just done the same thing with Seoyun.