TAEKOOK | HOPE

• 34 resignation

☣

Taehyung sits with his costars during the actual screening, but the members are just a few rows back and Jimin keeps texting him about how handsome the back of his head is, so he doesn't feel too left out. It's exciting to see the final cut of the movie, and overall he's happy with his performance and how it turned out. The resounding applause at the end feels pretty good too, especially when it's punctuated by the distinct voices of the members cheering him on.

There's a private after party for the cast, their guests, and other VIPs at a nearby venue, so they head there immediately after the screening. For the next two hours, Taehyung gets pulled in a million different directions, seemingly every person in Hollywood wanting to say hello and compliment him on the film. The social butterfly in him loves it, and he swells with pride at the praise, but he feels guilty for not being able to spend more time with the members (although they admittedly seem to be doing just fine). Every time he gets a moment to breathe, his gaze automatically seeks out Jeongguk, heart flip flopping whenever gets a glimpse of the figure he cuts in that suit.

Eventually, the party starts to wind down, and Taehyung takes advantage of the lull to look for Jeongguk, who he finds sitting on a leather couch in a more secluded part of the venue. Jimin and Namjoon are nearby, chatting up some starlet Taehyung recognizes but forgets the name of, but Jeongguk is by himself. Taehyung can't say he's really surprised - he knows Jeongguk tends to hit a limit in big social gatherings like this.

"Hi," Taehyung says, dropping down next to him, not quite close enough to touch.

Jeongguk offers him a small smile. "Hi."

"How're you doing?"

"Good," Jeongguk nods. After so long, watching him do even the smallest, most simple movements has Taehyung transfixed. "A little tired."

"I can imagine," Taehyung says. "I really can't thank you enough for coming, Guk. I just - I'm blown away, honestly."

"I'm glad I came," Jeongguk replies, and he sounds sincere, even if his body language is still a little closed off. "The movie was really good, Tae. You were so good."

Taehyung flushes, unable to stop the wide smile that spreads across his face. "I'm glad you thought so," he says shyly. "I could say the same for you, mister solo idol. Your album is incredible."

Jeongguk looks surprised by this, and Taehyung supposes it's because the album has been out for a couple of months now. He had wanted desperately to contact Jeongguk when he first heard it, but ultimately decided it wasn't his place after Jeongguk had told him he needed some time apart. He's only listened to it a few times since then, mostly because it's too painful to hear Jeongguk's voice and wonder which of the lyrics are about them.

"Thanks," Jeongguk says, ears turning pink as he looks down at his lap. "I, uh. I'm really proud of how it turned out."

"You should be," Taehyung agrees fervently. There's a beat of silence then, during which time Jeongguk continues to stare at his lap and Taehyung battles the urge to pull Jeongguk's arm around his shoulders and curl into his side. He'd gotten used to suppressing those urges back when they first split up, but after everything that happened in Hawaii, it feels like he's landed back at square one. "I missed you, Jeongguk," he blurts out instead, which honestly isn't much better. There just is so much feeling pent up in Taehyung's chest - it has to get out somehow.

Jeongguk glances up at him out of the corner of his eye, his expression conflicted. "I missed you too," he admits, voice quiet. But when Taehyung tries to shift closer to him, he pulls back. Taehyung feels it like a knife through his fucking heart. "I really care about you Tae, that's why I'm here," he says, hands clenched tight over his own knees. "But I just - I'm still not ready for us to go back to how we were before Hawaii. I'm sorry."