><><><><><><><><><><

Jungkook was happily munching on his lamb skewers as he listened to Hoseok drone on about this awful customer that came into his studio earlier. To be more precise, he was happily eating his food as he half-listened to Hoseok complain and scrolled through his feed on his phone. He was wearing some clothes Hoseok had let him borrow after his shower; the graphic tee was loose and his sweats stuck to his thighs, not uncomfortably, but definitely noticeably so.

 

He dipped his lamb into a sauce they had at the side and then chewed a bit off the top, nodding to Hoseok to let him know he was listening. And he was listening, thank you very much.

 

Hoseok made a ssam, because he didn't feel like lamb skewers (why or how,  Jungkook didn't know. Who can ever not feel like lamb skewers? Sociopaths, that's who), as he talked animatedly, Jungkook lifting his eyes up from his screen for a split second to see his friend's eyes wild and an angry frown as he spoke.

 

He opened Snapchat and clicked on the snaps from Amber about how she was bored and wanted to die because “This lit essay is gonna me two ways to Sunday. And not the fun, y way.” and “Why did I have to be an extra and major in three subjects?!”

 

A couple snaps from Jimin exclaiming that he wished for Jungkook to eat well and to take good care of himself... Just so that he could kill a healthy, strong man if he didn't win the competition, and not a weak, starving one.

 

Jungkook felt his lips quirk up a little as he sent back a quick meme in the chat section of snapchat.

 

then he quickly checked the VMIN fancam blogs, admiring both Jimin and Taehyung and wishing he'd been able to go to their concerts again this year, but sadly it seemed that class and his “job” wouldn't allow it. Maybe he should do more than just commissions. I wonder if Starbucks is hiring. Or maybe McDonald's?

Jungkook let out a little sigh, no, he did not whimper, because who in their right mind put Taehyung in a silk shirt and pants so tight he could see-

No, no, no. I am not going down that path. Not with Hoseok-Hyung right in front of you!

Oh look, Jimin's there too. Huh, who would've guessed?

Jungkook let out a little snort as he saw that Jimin's hair was, and for lack of better word(s), flowing voluminously in the air... Like a ing Pantene commercial. He also noticed that his best friend was looking a little thinner than he had when they'd met up just mere weeks ago. Gnawing on his lip he sent a quick,

 

[Yo! Blue or purple. Don't ask. Just answer.

P.s saw a fancam from your recent concert and

you looked really good! Treat yo self to some

meat and cake or smth. ]

 

He admired Taehyung a little longer as he tried to lay his worries to rest. Jimin would be fine. He'd eat and be okay. He always does.... Just, trust him, Jungkook. He'll be okay-

 

 

He just closed the app he'd been looking at the blogs on and taken his last bite of food when Hoseok let out a loud laugh, clapping his hands excitedly. “-and that's how I ended up buying all of the dumplings and I got myself a date!”

 

Jungkook had a moment of numbness as he stared wide-eyed at his friend, cheeks stuffed with food and fingers grasping the chopstick with a vice-like grip. Wait, he was talking about a customer that was rude; when did they get to dumplings and dates?!

 

He swallowed quickly as he let out a forced laugh. “Really?! That's wild, man,” he said hoping he sounded like a friend who had been paying attention and not a friend who was scrolling through fancam blogs and only half-listening. Hoseok seemed to deflate a little, and he sent a pout over to the younger. Crossing his arms he accused “You weren't listening where you?”

 

“No! Hyung, I really was listening I was just eating-” Jungkook pulled at the collar of his shirt, suddenly feeling very hot. Hoseok eyed the movement and rolled his eyes with a huff. He turned away from Jungkook to look out the window and the younger's eyes widened impossibly bigger.

 

Jungkook could feel sweat begin to run down his back. he'd done it now. When Hoseok's mad, he's mad and it's ing terrifying.

Sayonara, sweet lambs skewers.

Adios, Jimin, and Amber.

Shalom, Taehyung, whom he never managed to meet on his own.

See you in hell, Mr. Fluffy, the neighbor's god-awful cat. Truth be told, I'm surprised you even died. Thought you'd live forever just out of spite.

Goodbye, cruel world. It was ty knowing you, but it's okay... We made it work, didn't we-

 

Just then Jimin saved him by sending him a reply to the text. Jungkook picked up his phone, the iron man case on it worn down, and quickly thanked his best friend for the distraction.

 

Jiminie

[Aww, Kook-ah is that concern I'm sensing?

Is this you showing emotions? You? The

Angsty emo boy? I'm shocked.

(and def. Purple. It's one of my favorite colors)]

Jungkook

[Ha,ha. you too,]

Jiminie

[Yah! I was honestly shook]

 

Jungkook's typing....

Jungkook

[Hyung. Sorry, pressed

send before I could

finish my message.]

Jiminie

[SAYING HYUNG AFTER

YOU SAY THAT DOES

NOT MAKE IT OKAY

YOU LITTLE ]

Jungkook's changed Jimine's name to:

Jiminie-Hyung.

 

Jungkook

[….]

Jiminie-Hyung

[YAH! THAT DOESN'T

MAKE IT BETTER EITHER!
YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST

DISRESPECT ME LIKE THAT

AND GET AWAY WITH IT

YOU'RE VERY WRONG.

I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU

DON'T ]

 

Jungkook's changed Jimine-Hyung's name to:

Jiminie-Hyung♡

 

Jiminie-Hyung♡

[…. ing fine.

But I'm still mad @ you.

But I guess I forgive you.

This time...]

 

Jungkook

[So I was thinking we could

hang out again sometime soon

because I guess I kinda miss

seeing your ugly face around.]

Jimine-Hyung♡

[Omg it's happening again!

You're showing emotions!
They're poorly hidden

underneath 3^rd grade insults

but they're emotions still!

There really must be a God. ]

 

Jungkook

[Jimin.]

Jiminie-Hyung♡

[Hallelujah.]

 

Jungkook

[Jimin.]

Jimine-Hyung♡

[Praise Jesus!]

 

Jungkook

[Jimin.]

Jiminie-Hyung♡

[The lord had answered

my prayers! My little

Jungkookie is finally admitting

that he loves me!]

 

 

 

Jungkook's typing...

Jungkook

[Are you done yet]

Jiminie-Hyung♡

[Done with what?

Thanking the gods for

finally letting Kookie

get the courage to

admit he loves me

and cares for me

and that he'd protect me

from anything and

that he'll support me

no matter what?

.

.

.

.

Nope.]

Jungkook's typing...

Jiminie-hyung:

[Omg what sweet thing are

you gonna confess now?!

I can't wait to hear it,

Kookie~]

 

Jungkook

[ i- ]

Jiminie-Hyung ♡ 's typing...

 

Jungkook's changed Jiminie-Hyung♡ 's name to:

Park Jimin.

 

Park Jimin

[That's okay, you go

ahead and do whtvr

you need to accept

the fact that you have

real, true human emotions

and that you've been exposed.]

 

Jungkook's changed Park Jimin's name to:

Don't respond.

Don't Respond:

[OH MY GOD
NO I TAKE IT BACK

PLEASE CHANGE MY NAME
DON'T IGNORE ME I NEED YOOU

JEON JUNGKOOKSFAMGHE]

 

Jungkook

[Are you sorry?]

Don't Respond to

[SO SO SORRY YOU'RE AN

EMOTIONLESS ROBOT]

 

Jungkook's changed Don't Respond To's name to:

Jimin

 

Jimin

[I'll take what I can get.

Thanks, kookie.]

Jungkook

[MMMmHmm.]

Jimin

[You know you never

denied anything I said

abt u loving me

and supporting me

and like being the

best bro i've ever known *eye emoji x5* ]

Jungkook

[I mean... (´ ͡° ༎ຶ ͜ʖ ͡° ༎ຶ `) ]

Jimin

[OMFG

YOU ADMIT IT
YOU LOVE MEEEE
OH KOOKIE ITS OK

I LOVE YOU TOO
LIKE SO MUCH THIS IS GREAT 
LETS GET COUPLES RINGS
TO SYMBOLIZE OUR BROMANCE
FOR EACHOTHER

 

AND]

 

Jungkook's blocked Jimin.

 

Jimin

[Well .

Not again...]

Message not sent! Jungkook needs to add you!

 

Jimin

[It's okay I'll still get the rings.

See you when you unblock me ♡ ]

Message not sent! Jungkook needs to add you!

 

 

 

 

Jungkook smiled down at his phone before glancing back up at Hoseok. The man was watching him carefully, pout still in place and arms still crossed.

“I'm sorry Hyung, I had meant to listen, honest. It's just I've been distracted lately and my friend keeps messaging me about that one competition and I'm so stressed because I don't think I have enough money for that competition and-”

 

Hoseok held up his hand to stop Jungkook and gently shoved one of his own lamb skewers into Jungkook's mouth. “Shh, it's okay. I'm not mad anymore, anyway... I understand about you being stressed. You're in college. It's a given.” Jungkook blinked once, twice before slowly chewing the grilled meat in his mouth. “Now about this friend, it's not Amber is it?” the younger man shook his head, still chewing.

“Is it the one you always go out on lunch dates with and like do secret stuff with and never let me see any pictures of him or hear him talk or meet him? You know, the imaginary one?” Jungkook lets out a grunt and punches Hoseok's arm with a glare. “Okay, okay. He's real... Maybe. I mean, if he's so real why can't I meet him? I've met all your other friends!” Hoseok says with a little smile, rubbing his forearm where Jungkook's fist had been.

 

Jungkook swallowed the meat, taking a polite sip of water before answering with a playful roll of his eyes. “Because, Hyung,” he says and Hoseok gives him a look like “Really? I mean, seriously?”. His mouth was open slightly and his left eyebrow raised slightly. His eyes, however, were down turned into an unimpressed glare.

“What?”

 

“That's not an answer, Jungkook!”

 

“Yes, it is!”

 

“No, it really isn't!”

 

“Oh come on why do you care so much?!” Jungkook said arms flailing up above his head as he slid down on the booth seat.

“Ugh, fine, can I at least know their name?”

 

“Fine, their name is Jimin. The end.”

 

“Jimin? Like that idol, Jimin? Like that girl from the idol show? After club school or whatever?” Hoseok asks and Jungkook mumbles an “After School Club,” To which Hoseok's eyes widen and he nods excitedly. “Yes! I love her! She's so sassy and cute and-” “Not my friend,” “not your friend and-aw damnit. I really wanna meet her.” Hoseok pouts and Jungkook rolls his eyes, picking up his chopsticks and stealing one of Hoseok pre-made ssams. He stuffs it all in his mouth with a sarcastic smile when Hoseok makes a noise of disagreement.

“Sorry to disappoint, but my friend's a dude.”

 

Hoseok nods, thinking. He swatts Jungkook's hand away from his food without looking up, and now Jungkook's the one pouting. “Hmm.. A male Jimin... Jimin, Jimin, Jimin, Oh! Jimin! Like Jimin as in the one with your creepy crush, Taehyung, Jimin?” Hoseok's eyes are alight with excitement and Jungkook suddenly wonders if it's the spicy sauce he had with his lamb earlier that's making him sweat so suddenly. (Spoiler: it's not)

 

“Ahaha, no, of course not! Do you really think that if I knew the Park Jimin I'd be lazying around with you? And!” Jungkook rushes on when his friend opens his mouth to interrupt, “And if I did don't you think I would have skipped this whole competition thing and just have met Taehyung ages ago?”

 

Hoseok shuts his mouth at this, looking deflated as he picks at some meat in his ssam with his chopsticks mopingly. “I guess that makes sense. But still, knowing a dude named Jimin? What a coincidence...”

 

“Yes, it's a coincidence and one my friend never lets me forget, either.”

 

“Hmm...”

 

“Also, my crush isn't creepy! And it's not a crush!” Jungkook said crossing his arms and glaring over at the elder who shrugged and threw a disbelieving look towards him.

 

“Right, sorry,” he starts and Jungkook nods opening his mouth to say that it was okay, it was a common mistake, but then Hoseok continued with, “I meant unsettling infatuation.”

 

Jungkook threw a ssam leaf at his face.

 

 

><><><><><><><><><><

Taehyung let out a heavy sigh, falling into the cushions of his and Jimin's shared couch. His head was pounding and his feet ached. They'd done a show at Inkigayo the night before, and just today they'd woken up before the sun to go and film an episode of Weekly Idol! And they'd had another show at Music Core mere hours after.

The room was quiet, eerily so, Jimin having already showered and fallen into his bed upstairs.

It was currently three-thirty am and he wanted nothing more than to shower and sleep. But, he couldn't. As much as he wished he could, he can't seem to fall asleep.

On the one hand it could be blamed on the thunderstorm currently attacking their house, the windows being pelted with thick, aggressive raindrops. Loud cracks of thunder whipping the air in the distance, undoubtedly heading their way, and fast.

But on the other hand it was because he couldn't seem to shut his brain down. His mind kept running around and round in circles; images of bold, thick lines appearing on his skin without his doing. Of butterfly wings and skulls he had no hand in making. Thoughts of a bond, of a soulmate.

 

Taehyung ran a hand through his dyed hair and letting it slide down his face. He tried to calm down with a strong intake of breath, eyes squeezed shut tight. All this soulmate gibberish and storms and show tapings were making him so, so, so very stressed. He wouldn't be surprised if he died in his forties from stress-induced heart failure, despite being otherwise perfectly healthy.

 

When Taehyung had turned eighteen and didn't have a bond mark, much to his, his family's, and friend's confusion. Everyone thought his soulmate had already died, it wasn't uncommon, after all. But Taehyung thought differently, felt differently; He thought that maybe he just couldn't see his bond, or maybe he had to do something special for it to show.

He tried everything from going vegetarian for a few months in case his mate was an avid animal rights person (worst few months of his life, might he add) all the way to snorkeling in red Kool-Aid. He'd tried black lights, essential oils, pricking his finger in case he had a blood bond (thank god he didn't, those creep him out. But still, he was hoping that maybe he did, just a teeny tiny bit).

After a year and a half of searching, Taehyung lost hope. He knew that even if his soulmate wasn't eighteen that Taehyung would still see his bond. He began to assume like others did, that his soulmate was truly gone. He'd learned to live it. Found that you don't need a soulmate to find love, that you can fall in love with others like yourself.

He choose not to... it almost felt like he was cheating on his late soulmate. Even though he'll never meet his, he still wants to honor and be loyal to his lost soulmate. It's different, yeah, but it was what he wanted. He also learned that you don't truly need anyone to love you, to be happy or content. Now, Taehyung himself isn't overly happy, he isn't terribly depressed, either, but he can find contentment in small things. He can love himself when no one else will, at least to an extent, as well.

 

He thought that if all else failed and he's in his thirties, he'd move in with a bunch of dogs and adopt lots of babies or something. But, suddenly, after five years of radio-silence on his soulmate's end, he finds his bond. It was such a big shock he'd nearly fainted in the shower after he realized, honest and truly understood that there was someone, somewhere in the world that was made for him. Someone who'd love and support him unconditionally, flaws and all.

 

He just hopes that his soulmates a man. See, Taehyung likes to think that if he had a girl as a soulmate, he'd be able to suddenly “wake up” and be like “oh! I like s and now. What's that thing hanging between my legs? A ? Huh, I have no ual attraction to said . I just wanna stick it into my soulmate and make lots of children... Yippee!”

Buuuut

 

He's just so incredibly, undeniably, wholeheartedly gay that if his soulmate was a chick, they'd probably end up being like him and Jimin are. Superclose best friends. But he doesn't want another Jimin. He loves the man, yes, but he only really needs one.

What he wants is someone to wake up to, to cuddle under blankets on the couch. To watch scary movies with and to hold him when everything gets to be too much. To soothe his aches and calm his worries. To support him, not Taehyung the idol, not Taehyung, Jimin's partner, just, him. Kim Taehyung, man, born in Daegu, 22, Lover of dogs and children. Avid video game player and Netflix binge-watcher.

He wants someone to kiss him goodnight and good morning (even if he has morning breath) an all the time in between. Someone he can cherish and protect, someone to cherish and protect him. Someone he can call his and only his.

He wants a soulmate, and now that he's found he still has one, he doesn't know what to do.

Taehyung groans, running a hand through his hair and sliding down onto the leather couch until eventually slipping onto the ground.

With his face planted firmly in the carpeted floors, Taehyung lets out a silent scream. Silent, because he doesn't want to alert Jimin who's sleeping soundly on the second floor. Once he lets out all the air in his lungs, he lets his body go limp and his mind blank.

 

Should he write something back to his soulmate, to let him know that he's not alone? Or should he just let this go, forget he ever saw the bond?

Taehyung wiggles his nose, the fibers of the carpet tickling it.

His soulmate could have been waiting just as long as he did, could have thought Taehyung was gone and had found someone else. His soulmate could be in his forties (please no) and married with children (Please don't be, dear lord), for all he knew! He wouldn't want to be a homewrecker, even if his soulmate was his soulmate...

If, in this hypothetical situation Taehyung's anxiety-ridden mind conjured up for him, his soulmate had moved on from their “dead” mate (read: Taehyung) and has found a life filled with love and happiness; Taehyung wouldn't want to just waltz right in and ruin it all just because of a couple drawings on his arm. 
That would be rude and it wouldn't be his right, after being silent for years as well. But, to be fair, that's partly not his fault! His agency doesn't allow you to draw on yourself, so he never did! Sure, he'd get some ink on his fingers or something when signing albums but that's on his soulmate for not noticing the big, black ink stain on his fingers!

Taehyung lets out a weak sneeze as he rolls over onto his back, staring up at the ceiling blankly. A clock on the wall behind him tick-toks almost obnoxiously in the silence.

Tik, tok, tick, tok, tik-

 

But, on the other hand, it is his soulmate and shouldn't he deserve a chance at happiness too?

 

Tik, tok, tik, tok, tick, tok, 

 

Taehyung sighs at himself mentally, rolling his eyes before shutting them. He had meant to be done thinking about all this, but of course, his brain had to be a little and drag it all back up. Taehyung shouldn't be thinking such selfish thoughts. His soulmate's probably happy with someone else and he should just be happy for them.

Their happiness is his happiness...

tik, tok, tik, tok

them being happy makes me happy-

tik, tok, tik, tok, tik

 

Would we be happy??

Ugh, focus, Taehyung!

Tik, tok, tik tok ti

With a subconscious bite to his bottom lip, Taehyung lets all the selfish thoughts of him and his soulmate fill up his mind once again.

Look! There they are, curled up together in bed on a chilly Sunday morning, hot chocolates in hands and the TV playing some random show neither of them are paying attention to. They're too busy looking into each other's eyes to-

 

Damnit, brain! Leave me and my poor heart alone!

 

Taehyung flails his limbs around the room before finally settling on watching the blinking blue light of his gaming console; letting it calm him down as he forced his mind to go blank and think of nothing but the blue light.

He then thought of things associated with only blue.

Blue...

rain

ocean

skies

that one suit I saw in a store

Yoongi's hair

Those flowers they'd had in their latest concept photos

 

 

 

 

I wonder if my soulmate has blue eyes-

 

“God ing dammit!” Taehyung yelled, instantly shutting his mouth and looking up at the ceiling with wide eyes. , he had better not have woken Jimin up. He's a if he doesn't get his sleep, Taehyung's come to find out in their years living together.

When nothing happens, Taehyung flops back on the floor and closed his eyes. This whole soulmate thing is going to stress him out... Oh god, what if he begins to break out because of it?!

With a loud grumble, Taehyung got up from the floor and began his descent up the stairs in the room next to him. He pauses at Jimin's floor, feet inches away from the next flight that would lead up to his floor and his room.

He turned his head to look out the large windows lining the wall to his left. There were bright flashes of light in the distance; far enough that you can't really hear the loud cries of the thunder, but close enough that you can see it clearly. The lightning. Raindrops slid down the windows only to have newer, bigger drops of water replace them and obscure the image of the city lights. And, in turn, the lightning itself.

The sound of the rain against the windows makes his body tense uncomfortably and he forces himself to relax. In an ironic twist, Taehyung loves the rain. Loves the way it smells after and how it washes away the dirt from the world of the day previous, but he hates the thunder and dangers that these types of storms bring.

“I should really try to sleep...” Taehyung muttered as he looked away and back at the glass stairs leading to his floor, to his bed. He had one foot on the first step when a loud crash of thunder makes him jolt. “, I'm a grown man! I'm Twenty-two! I shouldn't be this affected by thunderstorms!” He whispered angrily, glaring at his warped reflection on the step.

Another bang and he almost slipped off the glossy step. Taehyung ran a hand through his gray locks and let out a deep sigh, looking longingly at the white door that leads to his best friend's bed. “I really should try to sleep by myself this time...” He muses but he already knows this is a lost argument with himself. After a moments hesitation, Taehyung stepped away from the stairs and crept into Jimin's room.

He shut the door silently and padded over to where Jimin's closet stood. He slipped inside, dropping the clothes he'd worn to the show earlier and stealing one of Jimin's oversized sleep shirts. He pulled on a pair of sweatpants as well, albeit there were a little short on him then they were on Jimin, and then tiptoed over to where Jimin's bed lay.

The man inhabiting it was snoring quietly, just little quiet puffs of condensation that swirled in the air. He had one leg hanging off the edge of his bed and uncovered, one arm up above his head and the other was clutching his blanket closely to his chest. Taehyung felt a smile grace his features as he whispered an “Aish, this boy,” quietly and made his way around the bed.

his lips he slid into the bed on the side opposite his friend, settling down until the covers reached his nose and his eyes peeked out from his fringe. A louder bang this time, the lightning was closer, and with a jump, Taehyung swore he could feel the vibrations of it in his toes.

Jimin stirred beside him at the movement, rolling on to his side and staring blearily at the man beside him. He blinked a few times before opening his mouth and rasping out a drowsy“Mmmf, Taehyung? Is that you?”

Taehyung made a noise of confirmation only to let out a high squeak when another flash of lightning filled the room with light from Jimin's window. The loud bang of thunder followed mere seconds later and sounding much like that of a whip hitting its target forcefully.

Jimin cooed, scooting closer to his friend, not needing any more of an explanation, and Taehyung immediately curled into the shorter man's chest. “I hate feeling this weak. I hate being this weak just because of a little bad weather,” he whispered softly into the silence, hands clutching the fabric of Jimin's shirt tightly. A hand comes up and begins to his hair soothingly, albeit a bit sluggishly. Jimin let out a hum of understanding as he continued to pet his friend's head.

“You're not weak, you're one of the strongest people I know.. Except maybe Kookie. He's strong physically and emotionally. He's been through so-” A yawn and before Taehyung could ask who this cookie was and if Jimin was even really awake yet, the man continued. “Anyway, the point is you're strong and it's okay to be scared sometimes. We all have our own fears, our own weaknesses. Yours is thunderstorms and mine's mirrors and the darkness...” Taehyung nodded, snuggling closer to his friend, his eyes feeling droopy with lack of sleep. “And, you're always welcome here, you know I love Tae cuddles,” He let out a loud yawn, his chin grazing Taehyung's head gently, “Never be afraid to come cuddle with-with muh-me,” Jimin's breathing was leveling out again and Taehyung knew he was falling back asleep. “Okay... Hey Minnie?”

Jimin forced himself to wake up enough to hear this, humming lowly as he brought his hand back up to the crown of Taehyung's head slowly. It was an attempt to continue to Taehyung's hair, and in turn, soothe him still, but its effect was kinda lost when Jimin almost fell asleep whilst doing it, jolting awake seconds later only to continue his ministrations. “I love you,”

“I love you too, TaeTae...” He let out another loud yawn and snuggled his friend closer, their legs tangling together underneath the duvet and sheets, “Always,”

 

><><><><><><><><><><

A/N:

See you when I see you I guess <3

~MM