Chapter Text
Chapter One
When Jeon Jungkook moved to Seoul in order to attend one of the country’s most prestigious dancing and singing academies, he didn’t quite know what to expect. He’d grown up in a busy city similar to the crowded streets of South Korea’s capital, but his hometown was far dirtier and poorer, not full of tourist-friendly sites like Seoul.
He didn’t have high hopes--or any hopes at all, really.
You’re here to learn, he reminded himself. Not to make friends. In and out. Just a couple of months, max .
He arrived at the steps of the school with a small, beaten up, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. There was a huge crowd of students swarming around the entrance, chatting excitedly.
Setting his jaw in annoyance, Jungkook shouldered his way through the crowd to the desk next to the front gates.
“ID, please.” A serious-faced woman primly stuck out a her hand.
Jungkook handed her his ID.
She hummed under her breath, scanning a list of names. “Hm. Ah, right here. Jeon Jungkook. You’ll be dorming with Park Jimin and Kim Seokjin.”
Jungkook started in surprise. “I-I thought the dorms were two-person?”
She pressed her lips together, as if he’d asked a stupid question. “I’m afraid not. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but all dorms are three or more.”
Jesus, what crawled up your ass and --“Okay. Thank you.” He bowed his head and took back his ID, trying hard to keep his obvious annoyance from taking over his expression.
Great , he thought, running a hand through his hair in frustration as he began making his way up the steps into the building. Now I have to deal with two nosy people instead of one. Oh, well. Maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll be super introverted and we can all just leave each other alone .
The moment he opened his assigned dorm door, he knew that wouldn’t be the case.
***
Instead of two, there were four people rushing around inside the living quarters. For a second, Jungkook thought maybe he’d walked into the wrong room.
Suddenly, one of them looked up.
“Oh, you must be the first year!”
All four bodies paused. Four pairs of eyes landed on him.
Jungkook began to feel increasingly uncomfortable as the seconds passed. “I, um...yeah. Yeah, that’s me.”
“Don’t mind all this chaos,” the same man continued, shaking his head and letting out a frustrated breath of air. “We’re just rearranging. And we needed help moving furniture, which is why there’s so many of us.”
“...oh.” Jungkook just stood there, unsure of what came next. There were two bunk beds that he assumed the three roommates would share, but both were currently as odd angles in the middle of the room. Part of the “rearranging,” he assumed.
He had no idea what he was supposed to do.
Seeing his discomfort, the man stood up and crossed the room. “How rude of me, not even introducing myself!”
He stopped about a foot away, closer than Jungkook was used to.
“Hello,” he said, flashing a smile and sticking out his hand. “My name is Kim Seokjin. Everyone calls me Jin.”
Jungkook was struck by how beautiful Jin was. He wasn’t a rugged type of handsome, but had a certain feminine beauty to him. His shoulders were wide and he was tall, but his face was small and sincere, with warm brown eyes and soft brown locks that brushed the tops of his eyebrows.
“It’s, um, nice to meet you,” he said awkwardly, stiffly shaking his hand. “I’m Jeon Jungkook--”
“Aww, how cute!”
A voice interrupted them,, startling him. A small, black-haired boy suddenly appeared, with a huge smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “What an adorable name!” he squealed. “Jungkook. I haven’t heard that one before.”
“...um, thanks?” he said, unsure. This boy was small but very fit, and full of energy. He was also very handsome, but with sharper features in comparison to Jin’s.
“Park Jimin!” he introduced, that huge eye-smile plastered on his face as he stuck a hand out. “Nice to meet you!”
“You too...” Jungkook said cautiously.
The moment his hand touched Jimin’s, another boy appeared beside them, almost too quick for his eyes to register.
Jungkook dropped Jimin’s hand in surprise, staring at the stranger.
“Yoongi, you drama queen,” Jimin said, his smile shifting to the man as he rolled his eyes. “We were just shaking hands.”
Yoongi was a slightly taller man with mint green hair and a deep frown. He had his arms crossed as he looked at Jimin.
“Can we please go lie down? All this moving has me exhausted,” he said, ignoring Jimin’s statement.
Jin scoffed. “As if you’ve done anything, Yoongi. You only helped moved Jimin’s stuff--and even that was just a couple of boxes.”
“Get your own soulmate to move your junk,” Yoongi muttered, grabbing Jimin by the wrist and turning around. “Me and mine are going to lie down.”
“But I don’t wanna,” Jimin whined, although he didn’t resist as he was dragged towards the couch.
Soulmate ? Jungkook realized, his eyes widening.
No. Fucking. Way .
“You’re all...soulmates?” he asked weakly.
Jin hit himself on the forehead. “Oh, I knew I was forgetting something!” He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I should have explained earlier. Jimin and Yoongi are soulmates,” he nodded at the two boys who were now seated on the couch, with Yoongi curled up with his head on Jimin’s lap, “and Joonie and I are.”
Jin wrapped his arm around the waist of a man who’d walked over to stand by him. He was tall and slightly tanner, with blond hair and a warm smile.
“Kim Namjoon, nice to meet you,” he said, sticking out his hand.
As Jungkook shook hands with the third person he’d met in just five minutes, he began to feel a little nauseous.
The soulmate bond was freaking inseparable. If they all were truly together, he seriously doubted any of them would ever leave the dorm. It would be like having four roommates.
“So, you all go to school here?” he asked weakly.
Namjoon shook his head. “Yoongi and I attend the music academy across the street, but we spend most of our time here between classes because our dorm is super cramped.”
Yoongi mumbled from across the room. “The beds here are comfier.”
Jungkook looked helplessly back and forth at them. “...oh.”
“He looks like he’s going to pass out,” Jin said, frowning. “Joon, should we do something?”
“I-I’m fine,” Jungkook insisted, forcing a smile onto his face. “Just a little caught off guard, is all.”
“Oh, well that makes sense,” Jin said, smiling understandingly. “Don’t worry. I know it all seems like a lot right now, but pretty soon you’ll get used to it. We’re all just one big crazy family. I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of , Jungkook thought, biting his lip.
All he could do was smile and nod.
Chapter Two
It took another few hours before all the furniture was in place. Jimin and Jin wanted to share a bunk bed, which was more than fine with Jungkook, leaving him plenty of space for himself.
It didn’t take him long to unpack, seeing as he only brought one bag. At the moment, he was strongly regretting the decision, because with nothing left to unpack he was forced to socialize.
The moment he sat on his bed, Jimin took it as an invitation to interrogate him.
“So where are you from?”
“Uh, Busan,” Jungkook responded, feeling his stomach clench as they began questioning him about his hometown.
Jimin gasped. “No way! I’m from Busan!”
Jungkook paled. “W-what?”
Jimin, the innocent child, didn’t seem to notice the obvious horror his statement elicited from Jungkook. His eyes shined brightly as he nodded energetically.
“Yeah! Wow, what district did you live in? Maybe my family knew yours!”
“I-I doubt it,” Jungkook stammered, the lie bitter in his mouth. You definitely knew my family. Everyone knows my family.
“What school did you attend in Busan?” Jin asked, leaning back against Namjoon’s chest, who had his hands in his soulmate’s hair as he casually stroked it. “I have a few friends there. Maybe you know one of them.”
Jungkook swallowed, finding the action difficult as his throat suddenly felt dry. “U-um, I don’t…”
Four curious pairs of eyes stared at him, wondering why his entire body seemed to tense at the mention of his hometown.
Please, god, someone change the subject , he thought to himself desperately.
Namjoon seemed to read his discomfort and changed the topic with ease. “So, have you met your soulmate yet?” he asked. As he talked, his index finger traced Jin’s collarbone absentmindedly. Jin blushed a deep red, but didn’t say anything, instead opting to hide his smile in the sleeve of his baby pink sweater.
As Jungkook watched them, his chest ached longingly.
“No,” he said quietly. “I haven’t.”
“Oh, I see,” Namjoon said, smiling warmly. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find them soon enough.”
Jungkook shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter to me.”
At that, Jimin jerked upright, nearly knocking Yoongi’s head off his lap.
“Jimin, what the f--” Yoongi growled, but Jimin cut him off.
“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” he gasped, staring with astonishment at Jungkook. “Of course it matters! Finding your soulmate is the best thing that can happen to a person!”
Jungkook turned his face away, feeling uncomfortable under their suddenly shocked expressions. “I just...I don’t know. I’ve never been totally obsessed with the whole soulmate thing, is all.”
“That’s perfectly fine,” a calm Namjoon cut off the suddenly sputtering Jimin.
Jin gave his friend a sharp warning glance. “Jimin, if Jungkook doesn’t want to talk about it, then we should just drop it,” he said sharply.
Jimin pouted, sinking back against the couch. Yoongi grudgingly laid back down on his lap, looking distrustful.
“You’ll change your mind once you meet your soulmate,” Jimin said firmly. “Trust me.”
Jungkook nodded. “I’m sure I will,” he lied.
***
As much as he tried, he couldn’t avoid his many roommates.
Jimin and Jin had almost all the same classes as him, and Namjoon and Yoongi were always in the dorm when he tried to escape there for some alone time. Jungkook was also introduced to their friend Jung Hoseok, or Hobi, who was also in most of his classes.
The five of them were attached at the hip, and they refused to let him unnattach himself.
As much as he hated to admit it, their crazy antics were beginning to grow on him.
His schedule was hectic, but he enjoyed it. Mornings were full of sweaty but fun dance classes with Hobi and Jimin, who were both amazing dancers. Afterwards, all three headed back to the dorms, where Jin had already prepared something delicious for lunch. Yoongi was already there waiting for Jimin, and Namjoon was usually helping Jin set up, then clean up, and finally rubbing his shoulders while everyone else ate. The two truly were like parents to the rest of the group.
After lunch, Jin joined Jungkook for vocal classes for most of the afternoon. They usually came home to the rest of the friends playing videogames, watching a movie, or draped all over each other asleep.
At first, Jungkook had tried hard to keep himself separate from them.
He didn’t want this. He didn’t come here to make friends. Friends were dangerous. Friends found out secrets, and he couldn’t risk that.
But it was a weak effort. The fact was, Jungkook couldn’t help but enjoy Jin’s motherly insistence that he eat a healthy meal. He grew to like Namjoon’s oddly-timed ramblings about philosophy and existentialism. He loved dance practice with the energetic Hobi and Jimin. He even started to smile at the sight of Yoongi draped over the couch or Jimin’s lap.
Jungkook had grown up without friends and without family.
Suddenly, he had both at once.
Chapter Three
It was almost halfway into the school year when Jungkook was told he might finally meet the elusive Taehyung.
“He’s finally coming back to Seoul,” Jimin groaned, scrolling through the text messages Jungkook presumed were from his friend. “God, it’s been ages.”
“He’s been traveling,” Jin explained, setting down a dish with his hot pink potholders. He removed them and placed them on the table, wiping his hands on his apron. “It’s practically the first time he and Jimin have been separated since birth.”
“He’s my best friend,” Jimin groaned. “I miss himmmm. I wish he would just hurry up already and-- ow ! Yoongi!” He glared down at his soulmate, who was pretending to be asleep. “Oh, gosh, you’re so annoying. I swear I’ll never understand why you get so jealous. You know Taehyung and I are just friends. You didn’t have to pinch me.”
Yoongi grunted, refusing to open his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m asleep.”
Jimin sighed, shaking his head. He looked up at Jungkook, who was grinning at the older man’s antics.
Looking back down at his soulmate, Jimin brushed a strand of hair out of his closed eyes. “You know, sometimes I wish I could just go back in time to that horrible, dreadful day that we met and-- I’m just kidding, I’m just kidding !” he squealed, his laughter melting into giggles as Yoongi suddenly jumped up and pulled him onto his lap, tickling him.
“Take it back,” he said darkly.
“I...take...it...back, oh my god, Yoongi, stop !” Jimin gasped, tears streaming down his cheeks as he laughed. “Stop, I was just kidding!”
He grunted in satisfaction and finally ceased his attack. Once Jimin caught his breath, he sat up slowly and glared at his soulmate, who was starting to get up off the couch.
“Don’t say stuff like that,” Yoongi muttered, avoiding making eye contact with him as he stood up. “I..I don’t like to think about what would have happened if we hadn’t met.”
Jimin glare melted into a look of surprise, which slipped into a soft, sweet smile as he watched Yoongi walk towards the table where Jungkook was seated. Yoongi couldn’t see it, but Jimin looked at him with a look of such love that it felt intimate somehow, and Jungkook had to look away.
“Jimin, come sit already,” Jin scolded, coming back to the table with the final dish. “Joonie, Hobi, you too. The food’s going to get cold.”
Nobody had to be told twice. Jin’s food was amazing, and they were all starving.
Jimin dropped a kiss onto Yoongi’s temple as he sat down, whispering a quiet apology into his ear. True to his stubborn, grumpy nature, his soulmate pretended not to hear him, but later offered him some of his meat to show that he, too, was sorry.
Maybe it was their genuine displays of affection that made Jungkook’s heart hurt. Or maybe it was the fact that Jin’s food was so good it made it hard to think straight.
Whatever the reason, Jungkook found himself doing something that night that he never did--starting a conversation.
Even worse?
A conversation about soulmates.
“Jimin, how did you and Yoongi meet?” he asked.
The friends all look surprised by the question, but he couldn’t tell if it was because of the question itself or the person who had posed it.
“Well…” Jimin glanced at Yoongi, asking silently with his expression if he wanted to tell the story. The man was suddenly extremely focused on his potatoes, however, making Jimin smile slightly and roll his eyes.
“Well, you know that soulmates can feel each other’s pain,” he began. “So, my first year when I began as a student, I tried my hardest to be careful not to get any big injuries while dancing. I didn’t want whoever my soulmate was to be in pain--”
Yoongi scoffed loudly.
Jimin glared at him. “I said I tried , okay?”
“And failed,” Yoongi muttered.
Jimin huffed. “Do you want to tell the story?” At his silence, he said, “Didn’t think so.”
He turned back to Jungkook. “Anyways, I ended up getting bruises and sprains a lot of the time. One day, I show up to class and there’s this angry looking mint-haired dude in the entrance of the dance hall, and everyone’s huddled on the other side of the room. I go over and ask what’s going on, and Hobi tells me that the guy showed up claiming his soulmate is a dancer because he keeps getting dance-related injuries. But obviously everyone there had injuries, so there was no way of knowing who it was.”
“Except Yoongi knew,” Hobi interrupted, smiling. “He knew the second he looked at Jimin that he was his soulmate.”
Jimin blushed, smiling at the memory. “He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a closet outside, and we, uh--” he blushed. “Nevermind.”
“How?” Jungkook said, the word escaping before he could stop it.
“How?” Jimin blinked at him. “Um, well, first we started off with kissing, and then--”
“No, Jimin!” Jungkook blushed. “I meant how did Yoongi know you were his soulmate?”
Jimin opened his mouth to respond, but Yoongi, who had been relatively silent up until this point, answered instead.
“You just know,” he said quietly.
Jimin smiled softly at him, and Jungkook felt he had to look away again.
“Joonie and I met because of those two idiots, you know,” Jin added, smiling.
“Really?” Jungkook said.
“Really,” Namjoon said. “Yoongi made me start coming to watch Jimin’s dance performances with him, and one day Jin was in the crowd. My throat started to feel sore and my hands started to hurt, and I turned to see this abnormally beautiful man wearing a bright pink shirt, clapping as hard as he could and screaming at the top of his lungs.”
“Make it sound a little less romantic, why don’t you,” Jin sighed sarcastically. “Complain all you want but if it hadn’t been for my extremely supportive cheering we never would have even met.”
Namjoon smiled and dropped a kiss onto the crown of Jin’s head. “I know. I’m forever thankful that you shout loud enough for all of Seoul to hear.”
It was halfway between an insult and a compliment, but Jin only seemed to register the compliment as he smiled, nuzzling his head into the crook of Namjoon’s shoulder.
“Well, I don’t have a sappy story like that,” Hobi announced. “I just met Ji Soo in class. Boring.” He suddenly checked his watch. “Speaking of, I actually need to meet up with her right now. I’ll see you guys later!” he chirped happily.
They all said goodbye to him, and then Jin asked who was going to help clear the table.
Suddenly, Namjoon and Jungkook were the only ones left, and Namjoon was already standing up, shaking his head.
“Sorry, kid, but I helped set up,” he said.
Jin frowned. “Jungkook, you can’t possibly clear all this on your own. Here, I’ll--”
“No, it’s fine,” Jungkook insisted. “Really, hyung, you’ve done enough. I can do it.”
Jin smiled. “Thank you.”
Jungkook smiled back.
Chapter Four
“Jungkook, hurry up! ”
Jimin banged on the bathroom door angrily, his tiny fists making a serious of loud thumps echo into the shower.
Jungkook groaned. “I just got in here, Jimin!”
Jimin made a frustrated sound that was halfway between a scream and a groan. “Taehyung is going to be here any minute!”
Jungkook shook his head, reaching down to grab his shampoo bottle. “That’s great for him!” he called out. “I’m taking my time!”
“I honestly hate him,” Jimin muttered, finally dropping his fists and turning away from the locked door. Yoongi was leaning against the wall a few feet away, and he smirked at Jimin’s comment.
“I kinda like him,” he said casually, shrugging. “It’s nice having another sarcastic asshole in the group. Makes me feel more welcome.”
Jimin’s glare deepened.
“Enough bickering, you two!” Jin shouted, panic evident in his voice as he rushed around the middle of the room, dusting nonexistent lint off the furniture and straightening couch cushions. “Get over here and help me clean up!”
Jimin whimpered and Yoongi groaned, but one look from Jin made them both rush over, even though there wasn’t really much to do, seeing as Jin had been up early in the morning cleaning and cooking.
“Baby, it looks perfect,” Namjoon sighed, placing his hands on Jin’s shoulders and forcing him to stop running around. “Besides, it’s Tae. We all know he’s just going to ruin everything within minutes anyways.”
Jin huffed. “I know. I just wanted everything to look nice.”
Namjoon smiled and kissed him on the forehead. “You’re in the room, so of course everything is going to look less beautiful in comparison.”
Jin’s mouth curved into a smile, and Jimin and Yoongi gagged in the corner of the room.
Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the door.
“ He’s here !” Jimin yelled, jumping over furniture as he sprinted towards the door at record speed. Yoongi shook his head and followed at a much calmer pace behind him.
Jimin threw open the door and found himself immediately thrown back as Taehyung leapt onto him, a blur of red hair and giggles that wrapped his arms tightly around his friend’s neck and his legs around his waist.
“JIMINIE!” he yelled.
“TAETAE!” Jimin screamed.
“Gross,” Yoongi muttered under his breath from the back.
Taehyung finally unwrapped himself from his friend, only to continue the same action with the rest of his friends around the room. Even Yoongi grudgingly accepted the bear-hug, although he didn’t really hug him back.
Finally, he leapt out of Namjoon’s arms, frowning.
“Where’s Hobi?” he asked, scanning the room for their cheery friend.
“With Ji Soo,” Jin explained.
“Oh,” Tae nodded understandingly, a huge grin making its way slowly onto his face. He wiggled his eyebrows. “Doing what, I wonder?”
Jimin laughed and Namjoon rolled his eyes. “Taehyung!” Jin chided. “Inappropriate!”
Tae giggled, plopping onto the couch. “I’m just kidding, Jin. God, I’ve missed your mothering.”
“Don’t patronize me,” Jin muttered, grabbing Namjoon by the sleeve. “Come on, let’s go set up the food.” Namjoon willingly followed his soulmate into the kitchen without protest.
“So, Jiminie!” Tae exclaimed, grinning as he relaxed onto the couch and the remaining two friends joined him. “What’s up? What’s new? What’s been going on these past few months?”
Jimin grinned. “Well, school as usual. Hobi and Jungkook and I are pretty much the top of our class at dance--”
“Ah, the infamous Jungkook,” Tae interrupted. “I’ve heard so much about this kid I feel like I already know him. When do I get to meet the mysterious lad?”
“Never, if you’re gonna scare him off,” Yoongi muttered, his voice muffled because his face was tucked into Jimin’s side.
Taehyung’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Woah, wait a second. Even Yoongi likes him?”
Jimin grinned. “He’s very charming. Although I think Yoongi just enjoys having someone as bitter as him around.”
“That’s exactly it,” Yoongi said firmly. “So don’t scare him off by being a freak like you usually do, Tae, or I’ll kill you. I refuse to go back to being the only asshole in the group.”
“Duly noted,” Tae responded, grinning. “Well, where is he?”
“In the shower,” Jimin responded. “And he takes forever in there, so we’ll probably be waiting a while.”
“Hm, and the food’s not done yet, either,” Tae mused, glancing behind his shoulder into the kitchen. A slow grin stretched his face. “You know what this means, Jiminie…”
Jimin’s eyes widened with recognition. “You don’t mean--”
“WRESTLING!”
Without warning, Taehyung jumped onto his friend, wrenching him from his soulmate’s grip and throwing him onto the floor. Jimin immediately put him in a headlock, which Tae managed to break free of, only to be twisted around and put into another precarious position.
Yoongi glared at the pair of scuffling idiots on the floor like they were toddlers, then shook his head and stood up to make his way into the kitchen.
“I’m dating a three year old,” he muttered.
***
Jungkook got out of the shower wincing in pain.
He didn’t know what his stupid soulmate was doing, but it hurt. His neck was sore, like he’d been choked, and he could feel his arms and legs beginning to bruise.
God, he just hoped it wasn’t anything kinky.
He wrapped a towel around his lower half and stepped into the kitchen, searching for Jin.
He found him there with Namjoon and Yoongi, who didn’t bat an eye at his near-nakedness, as it was something all of them were used after basically living together for months.
“Jin, do you know where my white tshirt is?” he asked, picking up an apple and biting into it with a hard crunch.
“Which one?” Jin asked sarcastically as he stirred something on the stove. “You have a million, Jungkook. And I washed all of them. The laundry basket is in the living room.”
Jungkook smiled. “Thanks.” The smile turned into a grimace halfway through as another pang shot down his neck. He reached up with the hand that wasn’t holding the apple and rubbed his neck, gritting his teeth.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
Namjoon gave him a sympathetic look. “Soulmate?”
“I don’t know what the hell he’s doing, but I really wish he’d stop,” he muttered, sighing. “I couldn’t even shower properly because halfway through my entire body started hurting.”
Across the counter, Yoongi suddenly grabbed at his arm. His nostrils flared as he exhaled angrily. “I fucking hate Taehyung.” Raising his voice, he turned his head towards the open kitchen doorway and yelled, “STOP HURTING JIMIN, YOU ASSHOLE!”
“Language,” Jin chided, hitting Yoongi’s hand with the spoon he’d been using to stir.
A second passed before Jimin’s voice entered the kitchen. “JIN, STOP HITTING YOONGI WITH WOODEN SPOONS!”
Jin shook his head. “I hate both of you.”
“Seconded,” Namjoon said.
“Thirded,” Jungkook chimed in, shaking his head and hiding a smile as he took another bite of apple. “Taehyung’s here?”
“In the living room,” Yoongi muttered. “Wrestling Jimin.”
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “...Okay?”
Namjoon shook his head. “They’re both children when they get together. Just ignore them and get your clothes, we’ll introduce you over dinner.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk right past them like this,” Jungkook said, gesturing to his dripping wet upper torso.
“They’re too immersed in each other right now to notice anything else, trust me,” Yoongi mumbled sullenly, resting his chin on his folded arms. Namjoon patted his friend’s shoulder comfortingly.
“...Okay. I’ll just go grab a shirt, then,” Jungkook said, turning.
Chapter Five
Taehyung was a sweaty mess, tangled together with Jimin as the two friends pulled at each other’s hair.
“Give up,” he panted, wincing as Jimin grabbed him in another chokehold.
“Never,” Jimin grunted, out of breath.
Tae grabbed at his friend’s arm, which was wrapped around his throat, cutting off his air supply.
“Tap out!” Jimin warned.
“N...never!” Taehyung gasped, feeling his face turn blue.
Suddenly from across the room, there was a loud crash.
Jimin’s arm slackened around Tae’s neck as they both turned in shock at the sudden noise. Tae’s eyes widened at the sight.
A beautiful boy was lying on the ground on his knees, surrounded by a pile of laundry and an overturned basket. He was clutching his neck, his face blue and his lips parted as he gasped for air. Tae’s eyes traced his hands down to his muscular, well-defined arms, all the way down to his bare, glistening abs.
Fuck .
If he wasn’t already breathless from the chokehold, the air surely would have been knocked out of him.
“Jungkook!” Jimin jumped up from the ground and raced over to the crippled boy. He was almost instantly joined by Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jin, who had run out of the kitchen when they heard the crash.
For some reason, Taehyung was frozen. Every single one of his nerves was screaming at him to get up and see if the beautiful stranger was alright, but he couldn’t bring himself to get up.
He had a feeling that the minute he stood up, his life was going to be changed forever.
***
Immediately after picking up the laundry basket, Jungkook felt like his air supply was being cut off.
He collapsed, dropping the basket and falling to his knees. His throat was completely closed off all of a sudden.
Was his soulmate dying?
He faintly heard Jimin yell his name, and pretty soon all his friends were surrounding him, hovering above his fallen body as their concerned voices asked him what was wrong.
Just as suddenly as it had started, the pressure eased off of his throat.
Jungkook gasped loudly, gulping in huge amounts of air. He bent over, his forehead touching the floor. The cold wood felt nice, sending a wave of relief washing over him.
“There there, it’s okay,” Jin murmured, rubbing soothing circles on his back. “It’s alright. Take your time.”
“Jesus christ, kid,” Yoongi snapped. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Jungkook finally lifted his head weakly. “I...fuck, I don’t know what that was. It literally felt like I was choking.”
“Are you okay, Jungkookie?” Jimin asked, the concern evident in his voice as he knelt down to eye-level with his friend.
“I’m fine,” Jungkook said shakily. He shook his head, frowning. “Do you...do you think they’re okay, though? My soulmate?”
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Namjoon reassured him. “You feel better now, right? So they’re probably better, too.”
Jungkook nodded, still frowning. “Yeah...yeah. You’re probably right.” He finally climbed to his feet, Jin and Jimin both taking his hands even though he insisted he was fine.
“Guys, really, I’m fine,” he mumbled as Jin clutched his arm.
Jimin still looked worried. “You should sit down. Come on, let’s bring him to the living room.”
“This is completely unnecessary,” Jungkook muttered as they led him to the couch. “I can walk on my own.”
“Shut up and let them help you,” Yoongi snapped as he slid comfortably into the couch across from them. “And Taehyung, move out of the way.”
At the mention of Taehyung, Jungkook finally looked up to see the stranger, sitting right there, on the...floor? That wasn’t what made him stop in his tracks.
At the sight of Taehyung, Jungkook felt like the breath had been knocked out of him all over again.
He was a sweaty mess, with his bright red hair falling into his eyes. His chest rose and fell quickly and he breathed heavily, as if he’d just gotten done running a marathon. Even sweaty, his tan skin glistened, making his bright eyes stand out.
Those bright eyes stared up at him, wide and glassy, full of shock.
“Fuck,” Jungkook exhaled breathlessly.
Jin glanced at Jungkook. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh my god,” Taehyung whispered, their eyes still locked.
Jimin looked at Taehyung, then at Jungkook, then back at Tae. His eyes widened to size of plates.
“OH MY FUCKING GOD!” Jimin screamed.
Yoongi flinched, grabbing his ears. “Jimin, what--”
“THEY’RE SOULMATES!” he yelled, dropping his supporting grip on Jungkook’s arm as he suddenly leapt on Yoongi. “YOONGI, THEY’RE SOULMATES! MY BESTFRIEND AND MY ROOMMATE!”
Yoongi, Jin and Namjoon all looked completely stunned.
For a few seconds, there was silence.
Namjoon finally broke it.
“What are you talking about?” he said, posing the question to Jimin but looking at Jungkook for a response.
Jungkook just kept staring at Taehyung. He couldn’t believe this was happening.
“I had Tae in a chokehold!” Jimin yelled, giddily clapping his hands. “That’s why Jungkook couldn’t breathe! And plus, look at them right now! They can’t take their eyes off each other!”
All four friends turned to look at the two soulmates in question. Sure enough, they were still frozen, staring at each other wordlessly.
“...um, Jungkook? Tae? Is anyone gonna say something?” Namjoon asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I...I don’t...I, um...” Jungkook couldn’t seem to find his voice.
Finally, Taehyung’s eyes broke free of Jungkook’s. His gaze roamed slowly down the length of Jungkook’s body, and an intense blush swept over him as he suddenly remembered he wasn’t wearing anything but a towel.
“C-can someone please get me a shirt?” he squeaked, his voice suddenly extremely tiny.
“No, don’t,” Taehyung said, a huge grin splitting his face. “I like it.”
Jungkook felt his entire face turn bright red.
“U-um--”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, kid,” Yoongi grunted, shaking his head disapprovingly. “Only you would make your first words to your soulmate completely dickish.”
“Jin?” Jungkook looked helplessly at his friend, wordlessly communicating with his expression how desperately he wished for clothing at that moment.
“On it,” Jin said, shaking his head. “I’ll get something of mine, since all your stuff is now on the floor.” He paused, seeming to think for a moment. “In fact, Namjoon, I think I’ll need help...picking out which shirt to bring. Come on.”
For a smart guy, it took Namjoon a minute to catch on. “Why would you need--ohhh.” He let Jin drag him away.
“How much help do you need, exactly?” Jimin called out to their backs.
“A lot of help!” Jin called over his shoulder.
“Jeez, Yoongi, that sounds serious. We should go help them,” Jimin said, grabbing his soulmate and lifting him off the couch.
“How much help can they need, picking a fucking shirt-- ow , jesus, Jimin! Fine, I’m coming!” Yoongi allowed himself to be dragged off, leaving Jungkook and Taehyung completely alone.
Jungkook stared at the floor, feeling even more awkward now that his friends were gone. He could feel himself still blushing.
God, of all days to do the laundry.
“Hi,” Taehyung whispered softly.
Jungkook looked up to see his soulmate finally getting up off the ground. He dusted himself off, smiling nervously.
“I’m Tae, but you probably already knew that,” he said awkwardly, grinning an adorable boxy grin that showed all his teeth.
Jungkook couldn’t help but smile a little at the sight of his unique smile. “I’m Jungkook. Which you probably also knew.”
“Yeah,” Tae chuckled. “Jimin’s told me pretty much everything about you. I practically know what color boxers you wear.” His eyes sparkled teasingly at the comment, making Jungkook blush again.
Taehyung laughed. “You’re so cute. Wow, I seriously can’t believe we’re soulmates.”
“Yeah,” Jungkook said awkwardly. “Um...thanks.”
“Not much of a talker, though,” Tae commented, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged easily, still smiling that ear-splitting smile. “That’s okay. People tell me I talk enough for two people, anyways.”
Jungkook swallowed nervously. “What, um...what. Um.”
Tae raised an eyebrow. “Wow, you’re really nervous.”
Jungkook just blushed again.
Fuck, this was hard .
Chapter Six
It had only been a few minutes, and Tae was already completely head over heels for his soulmate.
He was the most adorable thing he’d ever met. Despite the fact that his physique was muscular and manly, his facial features were adorable and soft, and he had a very soft-spoken, childlike manner about him. At the moment, he was practically bursting from nerves, that much was obvious, and Tae was determined to make him as comfortable as he possibly could.
“Do you wanna sit?” he suggested, gesturing towards the couch.
Jungkook nodded. “S-sure.”
They both sat on the same couch, which seemed to surprised Jungkook, who looked alarmed when Tae sat relatively close to him, with hardly an inch of a gap between their legs.
“So, Kookie,” Tae said, leaning easily back into the couch as he relaxed. “What’s your story?”
Jungkook gave him a funny look. “Kookie?”
Tae grinned. “It’s a nickname. A cute one. For a cute kid.”
Jungkook blushed. “I-I don’t…”
Tae couldn’t stop the giggle that bubbled from his lips. “Jesus, you’re so fucking adorable. I’m sorry, I know you’re clearly nervous and I’m probably not helping by fawning all over you like this, but you’re just so cute. I can’t help it.”
Jungkook’s entire face was on fire, all the way to the tips of his ears. “Um...thanks.”
“So?” Taehyung prompted, raising an eyebrow. “Your story?”
Jungkook suddenly looked less nervous and more serious. His expression finally calmed a little, but not in a way that showed he was relaxing. In fact, just the opposite. He seemed to be shutting himself down.
Pressing his lips together, he said, “I don’t have a story.”
Taehyung tilted his head, trying to hide his surprise at the abrupt change in attitude. “Everyone has a story.”
“I don’t,” Jungkook said firmly, shifting his eye contact to look at his knee instead of Tae’s curious gaze.
“...Okay.” Tae accepted his response easily, shrugging. “Wanna hear mine?”
To say his soulmate looked surprised was an understatement. He’d clearly expected an argument of some sorts as he looked back up, making eye contact with him once more.
Relief flooded his expression and he nodded, smiling thankfully. “Yeah. Sure.”
Tae smiled, happy to have made him smile.
“Well, I was born in Daegu. My family owned a farm, and so I helped out most of the time with that. I moved to Busan for a little while when I was pretty young so I could go to a better school, which is where I met Jiminie. We stayed friends even when I moved back, and once I graduated I ended up coming here and we dormed together with Jin and the rest of the gang up until last year. I wanted to take a few months to travel and see the world, which is pretty much what I’ve been up to ever since. And now I’m here. Let’s see...what else...hmm.” Taehyung paused, scrunching up his face in thought. “Oh! I have two younger siblings. A brother and a sister. They’re adorable, you have to meet them soon.” He grinned that adorable boxy grin. “And my parents, too. They’re amazing, really supportive. Oh, and my grandmother...hm. I’m trying to think about what else I should tell you.”
“Your family sounds amazing,” Jungkook said, smiling. The action felt forced, fake. His mouth suddenly felt extremely bitter and dry.
His soulmate literally had the exact opposite of a childhood than him.
Tae had been raised on a farm, and Jungkook had grown up a city boy.
Tae had lifelong friends that he’d known for ages, and Jungkook had never had friends before this year.
Tae had a loving, supportive family with lots of siblings and parents that he was clearly close to.
Jungkook’s parents were…
He swallowed past the lump in his throat.
He didn’t want to think about his parents.
“I, um...I have to use the bathroom,” he managed to get out before jumping up and racing out of the room.
He barely managed to make it to the toilet before he violently threw up.
Fuck. Just fuck .
***
Taehyung stared in shock at the empty seat Jungkook had been occupying just moments ago. He’d run out of the room quicker than his eyes could register, after his face had suddenly turned an ashen grey.
As he heard the bathroom door slam shut, Tae sank back into the couch cushions, pouting.
“How’s it going?” Jimin asked, popping his head back into the room along with Jin. “Wait, where’s Jungkook?”
“Bathroom,” Tae sighed. His eyes widened as he felt a familiar, acidic burning inside his throat. His hand floated up, hovering there for a moment. “What the--fuck, I think he’s throwing up.”
“WHAT?” A pink blur raced across the room as Jin sprinted towards the bathroom. The room filled with the sound of him banging on the door. “Kookie, are you okay? Do you need anything?”
“I’m fine,” Jungkook groaned, but his voice sounded weak. “I just need a minute.”
Jin frowned and whipped around, pointing a finger accusingly at Taehyung. “WHAT DID YOU DO?”
Tae’s jaw dropped. “Wha--I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!”
Yoongi shook his head, him and Namjoon deeming it safe to come back in since their other two friends had. “I knew he’d fuck it up,” he muttered, dropping onto the couch.
“Honestly, Taehyung,” Jimin sighed. “We left you two together so you could get to know each other. Not so you could make him throw up.”
“I didn’t do anything!” Tae insisted. “He was just nervous! All we talked about was normal stuff, like family and--”
“Ahh, that’s why,” Namjoon interrupted. He nodded understandingly, and all of a sudden all the friends were doing the same thing.
“What?” Tae asked, bewildered. He looked around at all of them, feeling like he was missing something. “ What ?”
“You can’t mention Kookie’s family or his hometown to him,” Jimin said softly, looking sad all of a sudden. “We don’t know exactly why, but he completely shuts down anytime someone mentions it.”
“We think he had a rough childhood,” Jin said, throwing a worried glance in the direction of the bathroom. “He leaves the room anytime someone mentions family or Busan. At first we tried to get him to talk about it, but that only made him more distant from us. So now we just don’t bring it up.”
“I...I didn’t know that,” Taehyung whispered, feeling the blood drain from his face. “How was I supposed to fucking know that?”
“You couldn’t have,” Namjoon said, shaking his head. “It’s not your fault, Tae. But now that you do know, just be more careful.”
“Of course,” Tae muttered, gazing anxiously at the still-closed bathroom door. “Do you think I should…”
“Go,” Jin insisted. “Now.”
Chapter Seven
Jungkook finally finished emptying the contents of his stomach, but he still felt like he had to vomit.
He closed the toilet lid, turning around and leaning his back against it. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes.
A hesitant knock came from the door.
“Kookie?”
Tae’s sweet voice, full of concern, washed over Jungkook. Instantly, he felt a little better.
Fuck, he was already having an affect on him.
Swallowing, he sighed. “Come in.”
In his haste to reach the toilet on time, he hadn’t locked the door. Tae opened it slowly, standing in the doorway for a moment, unsure.
Jungkook opened one eye. “Are you gonna come in?”
Tae smiled nervously, then stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Jungkook closed his eye again, trying to fake a perfectly calm demeanor on the outside. Deep down, he was freaking out.
Jungkook didn’t know what to think. His head was a fucking jumble of thoughts.
Part of him wanted to shut Taehyung down completely, wanted to ignore the soulmate bond and not risk anyone ever finding out the horrible truth about his life.
Part of him wanted to give it a chance. Wanted to start off slow, and maybe one day open up to Taehyung and hope he would be understanding and not pitying, and they could have a happy, healthy relationship--something Jungkook had lacked all his life.
Most of him wanted to ignore the other two parts and just kiss him senseless.
Taehyung clearly couldn’t see the chaos going on inside Jungkook’s head as he took a seat beside him on the cold tile floor.
“Why’d you throw up?” he asked softly. He sounded worried.
Jungkook opened his eyes. “I was just...nervous. Sorry.”
Tae smiled. “You don’t have to apologize for that. I kind of sprung a lot onto you all at once. I don’t blame you.”
Jungkook smiled. “...You’re really nice, you know. And, um, understanding. I mean, this hasn’t exactly been the most normal soulmate encounter.”
“I’ll say,” Tae laughed. “Sorry for almost killing you, by the way.”
Jungkook laughed. “I almost forgot about that. It’s alright, it was mostly Jimin’s fault anyways.”
“I know !” Tae exclaimed. “I keep saying that and no one will believe me!” Jungkook chuckled and Tae grinned in response.
“Although, I guess we have him to thank,” Tae added. “If it wasn’t for him choking me, we never would have met.”
Jungkook winced. “God, it sounds kinky when you say it like that.”
Tae’s eyes widened and Jungkook almost worried he might have said something wrong, until his soulmate completely caught him by surprise by leaning forward and throwing his arms around him.
“Oof!” Jungkook mumbled, shocked. His arms rose instinctively to wrap around Tae. Warmth flooded him, down to his toes, despite the fact that he had been cold just seconds ago.
“Sorry,” Tae mumbled softly into his shoulder. “I’m really sorry, but that was hilarious. I’m usually the one to crack stupid jokes like that. I just…I couldn’t help myself.” He lifted his head off his shoulder and leaned back a little, but kept his arms on Jungkook’s shoulders. Smiling cautiously, he said, “Um, I get that you’re not really a touchy person or whatever. But...um, is this okay? If I just keep my hands here?”
Jungkook licked his lips nervously.
Don’t do it.
Don’t do it.
You’re going to regret it.
“What if you...kept them here, instead?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Hesitantly, he placed his hands over Tae’s and moved them slowly down to his waist, all the while keeping eye contact.
Tae looked completely shocked, but his eyes were glowing with warmth. A careful smile edged its way onto his lips.
“Or…” he said slowly, gazing at Jungkook with something that could only be described as hunger. “I could keep one here...and one...here,” he murmured. Slowly, he moved one hand from Jungkook’s waist and lifted it to cradle his cheek. Upon contact, Jungkook’s eyes fluttered closed.
“You could do that,” he murmured breathlessly.
“What about this?” Tae said lowly, his deep, husky voice washing over Jungkook and making his entire body flush. He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to Jungkook’s collarbone, barely brushing the skin.
His lips were so soft.
You’re going to regret it.
You’re going to regret it.
“You could do that,” Jungkook said breathily. He hardly recognized his own voice.
Tae planted a soft line of kisses from his collarbone up to his jawline, all the way to his ear. As if his limbs had a mind of their own, Jungkook’s hand lifted to Tae’s head and he curled his fingers into his hair.
“Kookie, stop me if I go too far,” Tae breathed softly, biting gently on his earlobe. His husky voice was right in his ear, making Jungkook clench his jaw.
“...I will,” he said, his voice shaky.
“Okay,” Tae whispered, finally lifting his head to look at him. Their faces were so close, Jungkook could feel his long eyelashes fluttering gently against his forehead. He could count the small, beautiful moles on his face. Could see his reflection in his warm brown eyes.
“Can I kiss you?” Tae whispered.
You’re going to regret it .
Wordlessly, Jungkook nodded.
Jungkook hadn’t kissed anyone before, but after that moment he never wanted to kiss anyone other than Tae.
His entire body was on fire, every nerve, every fiber screaming. It wasn’t painful--it was fucking amazing. Tae’s lips were so soft yet forceful, but in the best way. He moved expertly against his lips, his tongue working its way into Jungkook’s mouth as his hands lifted to curl into his hair.
They kissed heatedly, for minutes, or hours. He didn’t know. He couldn’t seem to remember anything right then. Couldn’t see or hear anything other one person.
Taehyung.
Taehyung was all he could see, hear, taste, touch.
You’re going to regret it .
He didn’t care anymore.
Chapter Eight
“So, we can all agree on Secret Santa this year?”
Jimin pouted, falling back against Yoongi’s arms. “I still think it’s dumb. I want to give everyone presents.”
Jin frowned. “Jimin, not everyone can afford to get all seven of us presents. You have to be more understanding.”
Yoongi stroked his soulmate’s hair as he turned his head against his chest. “Don’t scold him like that, Jin. He’s not a child.”
“Then he shouldn’t act like one,” Jin snapped. Jimin’s eyes widened slightly and his bottom lip wavered. Instantly, Jin’s demeanor softened, an apologetic expression settling on his face. “Jiminie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you, I’m just stressed. With the holidays coming up…” He trailed off, sighing.
Namjoon rubbed his soulmates shoulders, kissing him silently on the cheek.
“It’s ok,” Jimin said quietly, smiling. “I should have been more understanding. I’m sorry.”
“ Awwww , everyone made up! How cute ,” Tae exclaimed dramatically. Four legs reached out as all the friends kicked him in annoyance.
He shrunk back against his soulmate’s legs, whimpering as he turned around to look up at him. “Kookie, they’re being mean to me! Do something,” he whined.
“I think you’ll be fine,” Jungkook said, raising an eyebrow. “Plus, you kind of deserved that.”
Tae got up from his position on the ground between Jungkook’s legs and instead crawled into his lap. “You’re a horrible soulmate,” he sighed dramatically. “You never defend me.”
“Most of the stuff that happens to you is your fault, Tae,” Jungkook reasoned, forcing a smile. Taehyung couldn’t have known it, but his friendly jibe had actually struck a chord with Jungkook.
The truth was, Jungkook was a horrible soulmate.
Maybe not according to Taehyung, but according to himself.
Him and Tae were perfectly fine on the surface. They had been dating for a few weeks now, and grown more affectionate as a result. Jungkook felt like he’d known Tae his entire life, and he quickly grew comfortable with his cuddly, touchy-feely personality.
If you asked Taehyung, he would happily tell you their relationship was perfect--because, to him, it was.
But Jungkook knew better.
He’d felt eaten up inside this entire time, feeling guilt-ridden that he was hiding so many secrets. His soulmate was the most honest, open-book of a person he’d ever met.
Meanwhile, Jungkook barely told him anything.
Sometimes, he found himself opening his mouth to tell Tae everything. Surely he’d understand, right?
But, whenever he gathered up the courage, he chickened out.
Just like now.
Tae was straddling him, his face close enough that he registered Jungkook’s serious expression.
“What’re you thinking about?” he said softly, smiling.
Jungkook kissed him on the nose. “Nothing. Just...what to get you for Christmas.”
Tae’s eyes lit up. “Ooh, you haven’t gotten it yet? Perfect! Let me come with you to pick it out!”
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose? It’s supposed to be a surprise. Secret Santa and all that.”
Tae rolled his eyes. “It was supposed to be a surprise, sure, until you told me the second you picked my name out of the hat. Honestly, you suck at keeping secrets, Kookie.”
He grimaced. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do.”
He had no idea.
“So, can I come?” Tae asked eagerly, his face full of childish excitement. Jungkook couldn’t stop a smile from curving his lips. He was just so freaking adorable.
“Sure,” he murmured, leaning forward and pecking him gently on the lips. “Sure, you can come. How does tomorrow sound?”
“How does right now sound?” Yoongi muttered from the couch. “You guys are making me nauseous. Get out.”
Jin scoffed. “You don’t even live here, Yoongi.”
Yoongi snorted. “What’s your point? Besides, don’t pretend like it isn’t grossing you out, too.”
Jin sighed. “If I was a childish person, I’d make out with Joon right now just to spite you.”
Namjoon raised his hand slightly. “I, for one, am one hundred percent okay with that plan.”
“Oh my god, I actually hate you all so much,” Yoongi groaned as Namjoon turned to accept a kiss from Jin. He shoved his face into Jimin’s lap. “I can’t do this. Can we please leave?”
Jimin sighed. “I live here, Yoongi.”
“That’s not my fault,” he mumbled.
Jimin just sighed again.
***
The next day, Jungkook went shopping with Tae to pick out his present. Tae didn’t know it, but his present was the last one he needed to get. In fact, he’d broken Jin’s rules and bought everyone presents. It was his first time being able to buy anyone Christmas gifts, and he wanted to get something for everyone.
The entire concept of celebrating was something he’d never experienced before, but he was eagerly anticipating every second of it.
“You’re so annoying,” Taehyung grumbled, still fidgeting with the huge shopping bag they had to haul out of the store. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“What?” Jungkook said innocently.
Tae glared at him. “Oh, don’t give me that. Just because I pause and look at something for one second doesn’t mean you have to buy it for me, Jungkook! You bought nearly half the store!”
Jungkook shrugged as they continued walking down the chilly, snow-covered sidewalk, his hands in his pockets. “I just wanted to make sure you got everything you wanted, Tae.”
“And I understand that, but this is ridiculous!” To prove his point, Taehyung stopped walking and put the bag on the sidewalk for a moment, clearly out of breath. “Jungkook, you spent hundreds of dollars!”
As he realized Tae wasn’t calling him Kookie, but instead using his full name, Jungkook stopped walking, realizing his soulmate was genuinely upset with him. He turned to walk back to him.
“Tae, I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he said, furrowing his brows as he frowned. “I just wanted you to be happy.”
Tae was frowning, too, clearly upset. “Kookie, I know that. And you’re very sweet for wanting that. I just feel bad . You didn’t have to spend so much.”
Jungkook swallowed. “Tae...the truth is, I’ve never celebrated Christmas before. My family...um, I didn’t really celebrate it growing up. So I’ve never given anyone a present before. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t mess up,” he finished, feeling stupid. He bit his lip and looked at the snow-covered ground. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t mean to piss you off.”
There was a moment of silence, and Jungkook thought maybe this wasn’t a good enough excuse. He was ready to apologize again when all of a sudden, he was nearly knocked off his feet from the force of hug.
“Kookie, why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Tae muttered.. His voice was muffled, because he’d shoved his face into the gap between Jungkook’s neck and shoulders. “God, I’m such a fucking asshole. I had no idea this was your first Christmas. I’m the one who should be sorry.”
“Why would you be sorry?” Jungkook asked, hugging him tightly back.
Tae lifted his face, looking at Jungkook with a frown. “You should have told us that this was your first Christmas. We would have made it special for you, Kookie.”
Jungkook shook his head. “No, please don’t tell anyone. I just want it to be a normal holiday.” He hesitated. “I...I’ve never really had any of those.”
Tae’s eyes were soft, full of love as he stood on his tiptoes and kissed him on the lips, softly but for a long time.
When he finally pulled away, he murmured, “Okay.”
Chapter Nine
“SOS, MAYDAY, EVERY OTHER WORD FOR HELP!”
The four friends looked up with bewildered expressions as Taehyung came barging in the door of the dorm.
“Um, can we help you, Tae?” Jimin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Tae stalked over to the area on the ground that they were all stretched across, halfway through a game of cards.
“You have to help me, Jimin,” he said, stressing the word. “You all have to help me.”
“What is it, Tae?” Namjoon said, looking a little annoyed. “Stop being so dramatic and spit it out.”
“This is cause for drama, Namjoon!” he yelled, throwing his arms out dramatically. “This the perfect cause for drama! My angel, my bunny, my innocent, sweet, adorable, sarcastic, adorable Kookie HAS NEVER HAD CHRISTMAS BEFORE!”
There was a beat of silence before Jin bolted upright. Cards went flying as he threw the stack in his hand, his eyes wide with panic.
“WHAT?” he yelled.
“ WHAT ?” Jimin yelled.
“I KNOW!” Tae yelled back.
Namjoon winced. “Okay, why doesn’t everybody just calm down and lower their voices--”
“Taehyung, you need to explain right now,” Jin interjected, his voice deathly serious. “What do you mean Jungkook’s never had a Christmas before?”
“Ok,” Tae said, taking a deep breath. All four eyes were on him, completely focused. “Well, Kookie and I went shopping this morning to get my present--”
“Wait, he told you that you were his Secret Santa?” Jimin interrupted, his eyes widening. He whirled towards Jin. “But you said that was against the ru--”
“Jimin, babe, I love you, but please not now,” Yoongi sighed, covering his soulmate’s mouth. He nodded at Taehyung, ignoring the annoyed, struggling Jimin in his arms. “Go on.”
“So we went shopping,” Tae said. “And I noticed he was acting really weird. Which isn’t that strange, because let’s be real, Kookie’s kind of a weird guy.”
They all nodded and muttered in agreement.
“But he was taking me into these really expensive stores,” Tae continued, frowning, “And it wasn’t until we were just about to leave that I realized he literally bought me everything I looked at. And I mean everything . At least ten sweaters, a bunch of candy, all this other junk--” Taehyung paused for a moment, catching his breath. “And it literally cost hundreds . So of course I got mad at him. After we left, I was pretty pissed, until he told me that he just wanted me to feel special because he had never bought anything for anyone before. You guys, if he’s never given a gift, I don’t think he’s ever received one, either. He literally said he’s never celebrated Christmas!”
“Jesus,” Yoongi muttered. He’d dropped his hand from Jimin’s mouth long ago, and now Jimin’s bottom lip was visibly quivering as he held back tears.
“Poor Kookie,” he muttered. “That’s so sad. What kind of parents don’t even give their kid a gift on Christmas?”
Namjoon shook his head.. “That’s fucked up, honestly.”
Meanwhile, Jin had set his jaw. His eyes were sparking with some type of emotion, but it was hard to tell what. It could have been anger, or drive.
“You guys,” he said, locking eyes with all of them, “we are going to make this a Christmas Jungkook is never going to forget.”
***
Christmas morning, Jungkook woke up at 4am. For once the dorm was silent, because obviously no one else was awake at such an ungodly hour.
He couldn’t help it. The excitement of his first Christmas had practically kept him up all night. Even so, he was far from tired. He made his way into the kitchen, and that was when his first idea hit him...
Hours later, everyone was still sleeping peacefully. Namjoon and Yoongi had spent the night, and Hobi was celebrating at his soulmate’s house, so the only one not there was Taehyung, but he’d called last night to let them know he’d be there bright and early in the morning.
Finally, Jin began stirring. He was always the first to rise because he needed as much time as possible to start prepping the food. Yawning, he stood and walked slowly to the dining area, stepping into the kitchen with a hand covering his mouth as he stretched.
As his eyes landed on the table, his jaw fell wide open.
“Oh my...OH MY FREAKING GOODNESS.”
Within seconds Namjoon was sliding into the kitchen, still clutching his blanket and stuffed animal. He looked fervently around, panicked. “What, what is it?”
Jin shook his head in awe, staring at the table. “Look...look at all this food,” he whispered.
Namjoon’s gaze finally settled on the table, and he actually had to do a double-take.
Jin usually went overboard for holidays, but the sight in the kitchen that morning was even past his standards.
The counter, the table, even a few seats-- everything was covered in food. Muffins, waffles, pancakes, toppings, sandwiches, soups, rice, seafood, eggs. Mouthwatering dish after dish lined up as far as the eye could see.
A sheepish looking Jungkook stood beside the impressive display, smiling awkwardly. He was wearing Jin’s pink apron, and he had flour all over his hair and face.
“Um, I’m sorry if it’s a bit...much,” he said hesitantly, glancing at the tower of chocolate chip muffins that looked like it was about to topple. “I kind of went a little overboard.”
Jin took a tentative step forward. “You...you made all this?”
Jungkook nodded shyly, biting his lip. “It was...kind of a present. For you, hyung. Since you always take such good care of us all by cooking, I thought it would be nice for someone to do that for you. For a change.” He hesitated when Jin remained silent. “I’m sorry if I messed up your kitchen, I didn’t mean--”
Jin cut him off with a huge bear hug.
“Thank you, Jungkook,” he whispered. Sincerity bled from his voice. He sounded choked up, like he was fighting back tears. “This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me.”
Jungkook smiled at that, relieved. “Really?”
Jin pulled away to look at him, smiling widely. “Really,” he said, squeezing his shoulders reassuringly.
Their touching scene was interrupted by a loud, muffled moan. The two turned to see Namjoon standing by the edge of the table, a muffin with a bite taken out of it in his hand. His cheeks bulged with half-chewed food and his eyes were closed as he moaned loudly in bliss.
“Ohmgod, ‘dis muffn ‘s good,” he moaned. “Kook, canna ‘haf dem all?”
Jin shook his head. “He never eats my cooking like that, that’s for sure.” Jungkook laughed.
As everyone else gradually woke up, the feast in the kitchen was met with similar reactions--awe, gratitude, and then followed by orgasmic moaning while they all stuffed their faces. Everyone was still in the kitchen when Jungkook crossed the room to open the door for Tae.
When he opened the door, he was promptly kissed.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow at Tae as he pulled away, smirking mischievously.
“Not that I didn’t enjoy that, but why--”
Tae wordlessly held up a sprig of mistletoe, his boxy grin stretching.
Jungkook burst out laughing. “Tae, you can’t seriously be thinking about carrying that around all day.”
Tae rolled his eyes and shoved the leaf into his pocket. “Psh, watch me.” He winked at he grabbed Jungkook’s hand, intertwining their fingers and stepping inside. “So get ready to kiss me whenever I demand.”
Jungkook snorted. “I do that anyways.”
“Sh, don’t ruin the moment,” Tae chided as he dragged Jungkook towards the kitchen. “Ooh, I can’t wait to eat. I’m starving.”
Tae’s eyed widened at the huge display in the kitchen, which four people still hadn’t even made a dent in. “Dang, Jin. You really went crazy this year.”
Jin shook his head, smiling. “Actually, Jungkook made it all.”
Tae’s eyebrows lifted in shock as he turned to face his soulmate. “Wait, really?”
Jungkook shrugged. “It was no big deal.”
“It was very sweet of him,” Jin insisted. “I can’t stop smiling. It was such a kind gesture. He must’ve been up since 3 in the morning.”
Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck, blushing from the praise. “I was already up, it really wasn’t that big a deal.”
“Well, it was a big deal to me,” Jin said softly. “And thank you again.”
Tae kissed Jungkook on the cheek. “Wow, you really made his day.”
At that statement, Jungkook’s smile widened. “Thanks.”
“It was nice of you to do that,” he continued, smiling. “You know, Kookie, you can pretend to be a mean old grump like Yoongi all you want, but we all can see you’re really just a softie deep down.”
"I heard that," Yoongi grumbled from the table, where he was busy devouring a plate of pancakes. "And you can politely fuck off, Taehyung."
"Case in point," Tae remarked, grinning as Jungkook burst into laughter.
Chapter Ten
Soon enough, they all finished eating, and with stuffed stomachs returned to the living room.
"The tree looks beautiful," Jungkook remarked, genuinely struck by its beauty. It glistened with tinsel and ornaments, towering above them in the middle of the room. The friends smiled at each other, sharing some type of look that he didn't quite understand.
"Ok, time for the best part--PRESENTS!" Taehyung yelled excitedly.
"Me first!" Jimin squealed. He jumped up and grabbed his gift bag from under the tree, then ran back over.
"Ok, so my secret santa was...Jin!" he announced, grinning as he handed the bag to a smiling Jin. "Merry Christmas!"
Jin opened it and immediately gasped. "Oh my gosh. It's...it's...it's a pashmina !"
He pulled out a beautiful silken pink scarf and cradled it against his cheek. "These are the best material scarves on the market. Ohhh, and it's my favorite color. I love it, Jimine. Thank you."
As they hugged, Namjoon offered to go next. "Jimin, I had you. Merry Christmas.” He tossed a box at him, which his friend easily caught.
Jimin’s eyes shined with excitement as he tore open the wrapping paper.. "Ooh, I wonder if it's--OH MY GOD, YOU DIDN'T! NAMJOON HOW DID YOU KNOW."
"Jimin, volume," Yoongi sighed next to him.
Jimin pulled out a huge stack of DVDs, held together with a bow. "I love these games! But they stopped selling them years ago! How did you find these?"
Namjoon shrugged. "I pulled a few strings."
Jimin squealed. "I love you! Thank you so much!"
“Ok, next. I had you, Joonie," Jin said, turning to face his soulmate with a teasing grin. "And...well, I can't actually give you your gift right now."
Namjoon looked a little disappointed. "Oh. That's fine, I don't--"
"I can't give it to you, because you have to wait until tonight ," he finished, winking suggestively.
"Oh. Oh ." An ear splitting grin crosses Namjoon's face. "A lright . Best gift ever."
"Gross," Yoongi muttered. "Well, I guess I'm next," he said. He grabbed a small giftbag and plopped it down in front of Jungkook.
"Merry Christmas," he muttered. “Don’t make me regret it.”
Jungkook raised a curious eyebrow at the man, who was already busy pretending to look away, as if he couldn’t care less if he liked his gift or not.
The bag had a small box inside of it, the size of a ringbox. It was light. Jungkook opened it apprehensively, wondering what could possibly be inside such a small, weightless container.
All the friends watched him closely, small, secretive smiles on their faces as they exchanged knowing glances. He knew he hadn’t imagined it this time.
“Do you guys know already?” he asked suspiciously.
Jin grinned. “It was a bit of a group decision whether or not now was the right time to give it to you, so yes. We all know.”
What the hell could it be?
Unable to control his curiosity anymore, Jungkook ripped the wrapping paper off the tiny box and pulled the lid off.
His jaw slackened as he stared with surprise down at the unexpected object.
Nestled inside was a glinting gold key.
“What...what is this for?” he asked, feeling as though he already knew the answer.
Yoongi grunted. “It’s a key to mine and Namjoon’s dorms. Everyone else already has one.”
Jungkook’s lips parted, speechless.
“Aww, you’re officially part of the family now!” Jimin squealed excitedly. “Congrats, Kookie!”
Tae was the one to finally snap him out of his shocked state. He took his hand, lacing their fingers together. The contact brought him back to his senses, and he looked up to see everyone looking expectantly at him, waiting for some type of reaction.
“This is…” His throat constricted, making it hard to speak. “Um, this is really great,” he said hoarsely. “Thanks, you guys. I really appreciate it.”
They all grinned.
“Alright, now who’s up to go outside and play in the snow?” Tae announced excitedly.
“Everyone clean up their wrapping paper,” Jin warned. They all began standing, their loud voices filling the air as they chatted.
“Wait! What about me?” Jungkook said, making everyone freeze.
“What about you?” Namjoon asked, lifting a brow.
“Well, um…” Jungkook bit his lip nervously. “I know it was against the rules or whatever, but I actually kinda...got gifts for everyone.”
They all looked at each other, surprised.
“Jungkook,” Jin scolded. “Why would you do that?”
Jungkook shrugged. “I really wanted to. I hope it’s alright.”
For the third time, all the friends exchanged glances. Their expressions looked conflicted, a war between sadness and something else. He couldn’t figure out what could possibly be making them sad, however.
Yoongi was the first to sit back down, breaking the awkward silence.. “Alright, kid. Lay it on me.”
Jungkook handed him a box, and turned to give a similarly wrapped one to Namjoon. “I got you and Yoongi the same thing. I hope you don’t mind.”
They all sat back down as Yoongi tore open the wrapping paper. His jaw dropped as he looked down at the package in his hands, in pure disbelief that it was actually there.
“You...you got me the latest addition of Sonic headphones?” Yoongi whispered, shellshocked.
Namjoon’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull as he jumped onto his own gift, ripping the paper off at lightning speed. “ No fucking way !” he exclaimed, gaping at the box. “Jungkook, these are the best headphones in fucking existence! They cost a fortune, how could you possibly--”
“You guys always complain about how you need better headphones for recording and stuff,” he explained, shrugging. “I saw these in the store and figured you could use them.” He hesitated. “You...really like them?”
“ Like them?” Namjoon yelled. “Kid, I wanna marry you right now!” He jumped up and forced Jungkook into a hug, who was too surprised to hug him back.
“Wow, glad to know that’s all it takes,” Jin muttered drly.
Namjoon dropped Jungkook’s body, turning to look at his soulmate with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I just...Jin, LOOK AT THEM!”
“I am looking at them,” Jin huffed. “Jesus, if you like them so much why don’t you make them your soulmate?”
Namjoon seriously looked like he was considering it.
As Jungkook continued giving out his presents, the chaos only grew worse. Jin quickly forgot about his anger as he opened up the set of pure silver kitchenware with beautiful pink embellishments, and a matching new apron that he’d received. And Jimin practically shattered everyone’s eardrums when he saw the new sneakers he’d wanted for dance practice, the best on the market.
While everyone chattered excitedly, Taehyung gently grabbed Jungkook’s chin and forced him to look at him.
“You didn’t have to do all of this,” Tae murmured, frowning. “Jungkook, I can’t even begin to imagine how much it must have cost.”
“Tae, for the last time, I don’t care about money,” he insisted, smiling. “I just really like giving other people presents. It’s a nice feeling.”
Tae’s heart broke inside of him. God, he couldn’t believe his Kookie had been so deprived of such simple pleasures like giving and receiving gifts.
Not for the first time, Taehyung found himself wondering about Jungkook’s childhood.
Sighing, he glanced at the group of friends who were still too immersed in their own excitement to notice anything else. “Hey, do you mind if we take a walk? Just the two of us.”
Jungkook smiled. “Sure. I don’t think anyone’s gonna notice if we leave right now,” he chuckled.
Tae shook his head. “I don’t they’d notice if we literally had sex right here on this couch.”
Jungkook cocked an eyebrow suggestively. “Care to test that theory?”
“As much as I’d love to,” Tae sighed, grinning and pulling him gently to his feet, “I really need some fresh air right now. Let’s go.”
Chapter Eleven
The campus was almost completely deserted, with everyone most likely still opening presents or sleeping inside their dorms. Fallen snow glistened on the branches of the bare trees around them, a thin layer of ice crunching beneath their feet as the two soulmates walked hand-in-hand down the sidewalk.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Jungkook remarked softly, his lips turning up in awe at the stunning wintery wonderland that surrounded them.
Taehyung squeezed his hand gently. “So are you.”
Jungkook laughed. “Cheesy, even for you.”
Tae smiled, but the action felt a little tense. Jungkook noticed right away something was off.
“What is it?” he asked his soulmate, sounding genuinely concerned. “What’s wrong, Tae?”
He hesitated, coming to a stop on the sidewalk and forcing Jungkook to do that same. Facing him, he took both his hands in his own and gazed at him seriously.
“Jungkook, I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be one hundred percent honest with me,” he said. For once, there wasn’t a hint of laughter or silliness in his voice.
Jungkook looked a little uneasy. “I’ll...try.”
Taehyung shook his head. “That’s not good enough,” he said firmly. “You need to answer me honestly, Kookie. Please .”
His soulmate grimaced. “ Okay , Tae. I promise I’ll try to answer you honestly, okay?”
Tae sighed, but he knew that was the best he’d get.
“Kookie,” he started, biting his bottom lip. “...Why don’t you ever talk about your childhood?”
It was as if someone had literally drained all the blood from his entire body. Jungkook went ghostly pale, even his lips losing their color as he started at Taehyung’s question.
“Wh...what?” he asked shakily, his throat suddenly extremely dry.
Tae squeezed his hands. “Kookie, I want to help you. You never talk about your family or Busan or anything . We’ve been together for so long now and I feel like I barely know anything about you.”
“You don’t need to know about my past, Tae,” he said, trying hard to keep his voice steady. “This is the present. That stuff doesn’t matter anymore.”
“It matters to me,” Tae insisted, shaking his head firmly. “I want to know your past so I can understand who you are as a person now , Kookie. Don’t you get it? This is important to me, Kook. This is important to us .”
“No, it’s not,” Jungkook said, speaking through grit teeth. “Taehyung, please drop it.”
Tae frowned. “Kook, please, you said--”
“I said drop it! ” he snapped, yanking his hands out of his soulmate’s grasp. Tae’s lips parted in surprise as Jungkook took a step back, breathing heavily.
There was a beat of silence, in which Tae looked sadly at him and he stared angrily at the ground.
After a moment, Jungkook whirled on his heel and raced back to the dorms, the snow crunching loudly beneath his boots. He could hear Taehyung running behind him, but he never called out.
They both stopped right outside the door to his dorm.
Jungkook leaned against the door, closing his eyes.
“Kook,” Tae sighed, breaking the silence. “Please.”
“Taehyung, I need you to drop the subject,” Jungkook pleaded, his voice cracking. “I’m begging you. Just stop.”
“What could possibly be this bad?” Tae asked desperately, his voice sounding like he was about to cry. “You’re freaking me out, Jungkook, acting like this is the biggest fucking secret in the world. I don’t understand why you can’t just--”
“ For fuck’s sake, Taehyung, drop the fucking subject! ” Jungkook screamed, literally feeling the door shake behind him from the force of his yell.
Taehyung looked startled, like a deer caught in headlights.
Jungkook watched as his soulmate’s eyes filled with tears, but instead of letting them spill, he clenched his jaw and took a step forward.
Slap .
Jungkook’s neck jerked to the side.
Taehyung had slapped him.
He turned his head slowly back to face him. Tae was glaring at him, his eyes literally sparking with anger.
“Fuck you, Jeon Jungkook,” he said, his voice low. “I hate you.”
Jungkook stared at him, his heart shattering inside his chest. He felt his stomach churn violently, threatening to upturn its contents all over the hallway floor.
“Taehyung--” he tried to speak, but was too choked up to get the words out. Tears finally spilled down his cheeks, and once they started he couldn’t seem to get them to stop.
“Don’t say anything,” Tae said, silent tears falling down his cheeks as well. “Don’t talk to me until you’re ready to tell me everything. Do you understand?”
“Wait, Tae, no!” Jungkook grabbed his soulmate’s sleeve, stopping him from turning around. “Please don’t go. Tae, I can’t--”
“Let go of me, Jungkook,” Tae snapped, snatching his sleeve out of his grip.
“Tae, please, don’t do this,” he begged, crying. “Please, you have to understand.”
Tae shook his head, unable to bear the sight of the man he loved so much crying because of him, begging him to stay. It was almost enough to make him stay.
Almost.
But he turned, trying hard to ignore Jungkook’s crying as he walked further and further down the hall, distancing himself from the person he loved more than anything in the world.
He had to do this.
Chapter Twelve
Jungkook stayed outside the dorm door long after Taehyung had gone. After a while, his legs gave out from under him, and he curled up on the floor, his head leaned against the wall. He was no longer crying. He felt completely and utterly empty.
After a few minutes, the door opened.
It was obvious everyone had heard their very loud argument. Jin was the one to softly coax Jungkook up off the floor, but it took Yoongi and Namjoon both to finally drag him inside. Jimin stood closeby, watching the scene with teary eyes and a quivering lip.
His friends placed him on the couch, gently laying him across the cushions. Yoongi dragged a blanket over him and Jin knelt down by his face.
He stroked a strand out of hair out of his eyes.
“Jungkookie, are you okay?” he whispered softly. “Do you need anything?”
Jungkook stared blankly ahead, not even seeing him.
Jin stood up after a moment, shaking his head. “Everyone. Kitchen. Now.”
They all gathered in the kitchen immediately, all wearing somber expressions.
“Alright, what do we do about this?” Jin asked seriously.
“I say we hunt down Taehyung and beat him up,” Yoongi muttered. “I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with that kid, trying to get Jungkook to talk about his childhood when we all clearly told him--”
“This isn’t Taehyung’s fault,” Namjoon argued, frowning. “Of course he wants to know about his soulmate’s childhood. That’s natural. It was only a matter of time before they had to talk about it.”
“Yeah, but why like this?” Jimin said, his expression drawn tightly with concern. “Why did they have to fight like that? Tae even said he hated Jungkook.” He winced, as if he could feel the pain of the words himself. “I can’t even imagine what Kookie must feel like right now. And Tae, too. God, he must be so torn up.” Jimin finally turned his head into Yoongi’s chest, unable to stop himself from crying for his friends. Yoongi silently rubbed his soulmate’s shaking shoulders, looking stone-faced.
Jin sighed. “I hate to say it, but...I don’t think there’s much we can do here. This isn’t a fight between friends--this is between soulmates. We have to let them work it out on their own.”
“I agree,” Namjoon said, nodding grimly. “It’s going to take a while and it’s probably going to be very difficult for all of us, seeing as we’re friends with both of them. But we can’t take sides.”
Yoongi snorted. “Says who? I’m taking Jungkook’s side.”
Jin glared sharply at him, making the man look a little ashamed.
“I was just kidding,” he muttered sullenly. “Fine, I won’t take sides.”
Jin sighed, glancing out into the living room and seeing Jungkook literally hadn’t moved a centimeter from his position.
“God, I really hope this all works out,” he whispered.
***
Jungkook couldn’t do this anymore.
It had been three days.
He had no spine at all. Just one hour after Taehyung had left, Jungkook had called him. He hadn’t picked up, so he left a desperate, tearful message, begging him to come back to the dorm.
After that he left another message every hour, until his voicemail box was full.
Then he started texting him. Dozens of texts turned into hundreds. Only crazy people would send this many message all saying the same thing, but Jungkook didn’t care. He felt like he was going insane, after all.
Three days without Taehyung’s touch, voice, or laugh. Three days without his soulmate, the love of his life, curled up against him.
His friends were extremely worried about him. Jin had resorted to literally shoving food down his throat because Jungkook didn’t have the will to eat anymore. Jimin couldn’t really be in the same room as him anymore because the sight of one of his best friends looking so miserable made the sensitive, sympathetic friend burst into tears every time. Namjoon spent much of his time trying to console Jin, who was constantly anxious and concerned for Jungkook’s health. He hadn’t moved in three days, after all. Even Yoongi grimaced every time he looked at the pale, sickly man. He’d started sleeping on Jimin’s bed instead of on the couch across from Jungkook, because he couldn’t really bare to look at him either.
It was towards the end of the third day when his phone rang.
Jungkook lunged onto it, accepting the call within half a second.
“Hello?” he said desperately.
There was quiet breathing on the other line.
“Taehyung?” Jungkook asked, his voice breaking. “Is that you?”
“...yeah.”
Jungkook nearly sobbed with relief. “Oh, fuck. Tae.”
Tae’s voice sounded dull and lifeless, completely empty. It was in that moment that Jungkook realized how much his soulmate must have been suffering, too.
“What do you want, Jungkook?” he asked flatly. “Why do you keep calling?”
Jungkook swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Tae, please come over. I need to see you. I’m begging you, I’ll do anything.”
Tae audibly swallowed. “Are you ready to talk to me?”
Jungkook whimpered, actually whimpered . “Yes, Tae, yes . I’ll tell you anything you want to hear. Just come over, I’m begging you.”
There was a heartbeat of silence.
“I’m on my way,” Tae whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
When the door opened,, Taehyung didn’t know what expect.
He knew his friends had to have heard the fight, since it had happened right outside the dorm door. They hadn’t exactly been quiet, after all. But none of them had contacted them since he’d stormed out, so he thought maybe they didn’t know the full story.
When Jin opened the door, he looked more serious than Tae had ever seen him in his life.
“Fix this,” he said coldly, fixing Taehyung with a steely glare. “Fix him ,” he said, pointing across the room to what looked like a cocoon of blankets and tissues on the couch. Tae assumed Jungkook was buried somewhere underneath all of it.
“I’m gonna try,” Tae promised softly.
“Good.” Jin pressed his lips together and inhaled sharply. “Come on, guys. Let’s get out of their way.”
Wordlessly, Jimin, Yoongi, and Namjoon stood up and walked over. Namjoon placed a hand on Jin’s shoulder and led him out into the hallway first, murmuring a calm reassurance that everything would be alright as they walked away.
Jimin stepped through the doorway next, giving Tae a watery smile.
“Please, work this out,” he said shakily. “I love you both so much. I can’t stand to see you hurt like this.”
Tae nodded silently, giving his friend a small, comforting smile.
Finally, Yoongi walked by. He didn’t stop, but slowed down enough to nudge Tae with his shoulder--hard--and muttered, “Don’t fuck it up,” before walking out and closing the door behind him.
Leaving Taehyung alone with Jungkook.
***
Jungkook didn’t realize Tae was in the room until he felt a presence hovering directly above him. He lifted the hoard of blankets off of his face slightly.
At the sight of his beautiful soulmate, his heart nearly stopped.
“ Tae .”
He threw the blankets off and jumped to his feet, literally knocking Tae back a few steps with the sheer force of his hug. He hugged him so tightly it must have hurt, but Taehyung didn’t say anything, just lifted his arms and squeezed him back.
Jungkook kissed his neck, his collarbone--any section of skin he could see. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Taehyung whispered, sounding choked up. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have said I hate you. I don’t hate you, Kookie, you know that. I could never hate you.”
“I deserved it,” Jungkook said, feeling a few tears slip down his cheeks as he finally pulled his face back to look at him. He kept his arms tightly encircled around his soulmate, however, worried that if he let him go he might leave.
“You didn’t deserve it,” Tae murmured, shaking his head. “Nobody deserves to have their soulmate say that to them.”
“I’ve heard worse,” Jungkook said, his voice low and hoarse due to hours upon hours of crying.
Tae bit his lip. “...You’ve...heard worse?” he said quietly, repeating his soulmate’s words.
Jungkook closed his eyes, feeling more tears escape.
“I...I’ve heard a lot worse,” he whispered brokenly. “I grew up getting called a bastard. A useless asshole. A fucking freeloader. A cunt.” He opened his eyes, somehow forcing a painful smile onto his tearstained face. “Don’t worry, Tae. You’re not the first one to make me cry like this.”
Taehyung didn’t think after the past three days that he could ever experience another heartache so painful, but he was wrong.
His heart completely stopped for a moment. He could feel his insides twist up, painful and tight, like the ache in his chest. His mind raced at Jungkook’s words, darkness shrouding his thoughts.
Sheer agony. That is what he felt at his soulmate’s words.
“Kookie...” he whispered, horrified. He didn’t know what to say.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before,” Jungkook said weakly, ducking his face back into Tae’s neck. “I...I’ve never talked about it, Tae. I’ve never told anyone.”
Tae swallowed. The action physically hurt due to the huge lump in his throat.
“Who...who hurt you, Kookie?” he whispered, barely able to get the words out. “Was it your parents?”
“Y-yes.” Jungkook’s voice was so tiny, so broken. Everything inside of Tae felt twisted and empty hearing him like that.
“Oh my fucking god.” Taehyung closed his eyes, a few tears leaking out and slipping down his cheeks. “Fuck. Jesus christ, Jungkook. I don’t...I can’t even...you should have told me, baby,” he finally managed to get out.
Like they truly were one person, both their legs suddenly gave out. Keeping Jungkook tucked against his chest, Taehyung lowered them onto the floor. They were both shaking--Jungkook from his tears, and Taehyung from his anger.
“I’ll kill them,” he promised, his voice completely lethal. His expression was dark, his eyes glinting dangerously. “I’ll fucking kill them for ever laying a hand on you, Jungkook.”
“No, Tae, stop,” Jungkook said, lifting his head to look at him. He gazed at him tearfully, desperation clear in his eyes. “Please don’t say that.”
“What do you want me to say, baby?” Tae asked, suddenly feeling completely helpless. “I...I don’t know what to do. I can’t stand the thought of someone ever having...having hit you.” He clenched his teeth, finding it difficult to actually say the word.
“It was a long time ago,” Jungkook whispered, stroking Tae’s cheek. “And anger won’t change what happened, Tae. What’s done is done.”
Tae gritted his teeth. “H...how often?”
A muscle in Jungkook’s jaw twitched as he clenched and unclenched his teeth. “Tae, knowing that won’t help anyth--”
“Kook, please,” he whispered. “I need to know.”
Jungkook stared at him, sighing. He felt took weak to argue.
“Every day,” he whispered. “My dad. My mom never stopped him. When I was fifteen, she just got up and left.” His expression darkened. “It got worse after that.”
A horrible flood of memories suddenly crashed into Taehyung like a wave.
He remembered.
He remembered going to bed every day with huge bruises. He remembered feeling sharp pangs of agony and wondering what was happening to his soulmate.
But he never did anything.
He never thought it could be something like this.
Pain crippled his expression. “Oh, fuck , Jungkook. Fuck. I...I knew . I got bruises everyday, I fucking knew , and I didn’t do anything. I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. I’m such an asshole, I can’t believe I didn’t do anything, I’m so sorry, baby, I’m so sorry.”
Now Taehyung was the one weeping against Jungkook like a baby, his tears staining his shirt as he cried against him, hugging him tightly.
Jungkook stroked his hair, his arms wrapped securely around his shuddering soulmate. “Tae, stop it. Stop. This isn’t your fault. There’s no way you could have known what was really happening.”
“I should have known,” Tae insisted, shaking his head. “What type of a fucking idiot can’t figure that out?”
“It’s not your fault,” Jungkook sighed. “Even if you knew, we didn’t know each other then. What could you have done?”
“I could have...I don’t know,” Tae said weakly. “I could have done some thing.”
“I don’t blame you,” Jungkook said. “...I-I don’t blame them, either.”
At that, Tae lifted his head, completely stunned.
“What?” he whispered.
“My dad was a miserable, depressed alcoholic,” Jungkook muttered, wiping the few remaining tears off of Tae’s cheeks. “He was always blackout drunk; he didn’t even realize what he was doing. He genuinely thought he was kicking furniture most of the time. I don’t blame my mom for leaving, either. My parents...they weren’t soulmates, Tae,” he whispered. Upon seeing his soulmate’s shocked expression, Jungkook smiled a little. “Yeah, exactly. They had their own pain and heartaches. What they did was horrible, but...but I don’t blame them anymore,” he finished, setting his jaw. “I don’t blame anyone. It’s over. That part of my life is over. I’m done with it. I never have to go back there. I...I have you now.”
“You’re so fucking mature, Jeon Jungkook.” Taehyung gave a short laugh, not exactly a happy sound but no longer angry or distraught.
He swallowed, his throat hurting from crying so much. Jungkook smiled gently at him as he stroked his face.
“I don’t know how I was so lucky to get you as my soulmate,” Tae whispered. “You’re amazing, Kookie. You’re absolutely fucking amazing, do you know that?”
Jungkook laughed, his eyes still glistening with unshed tears--but they were happy tears now. “I’m not amazing, Taehyung. You are.”
“No, you are,” Tae insisted, dropping a kiss onto his shoulder.
Jungkook was genuinely smiling now. “No, you are.”
Tae grinned. “Oh, so we’re that couple now, huh?”
Jungkook laughed. “I guess so.”
Without warning, Tae suddenly leaned forward and kissed him.
Chapter Fourteen
The kiss started off slow and sweet. His lips tasted salty, and Jungkook was sure his must have, too. Tae moved his hands up to cradle Jungkook’s face.
He broke the kiss for a split second, and the second time he came back wanting to devour him.
Tae’s lips moved passionately against Jungkook’s, with so much force it almost felt like he was going to bruise them.
Jungkook didn’t care. It felt fucking amazing.
Tae tilted his head, moving to gain better access into Jungkook’s mouth. His tongue slipped between his lips, tangling with Jungkook’s tongue as their lips continued to move fiercely against each other’s. Taehyung move a hand to Jungkook’s neck, pulling him closer, as close as possible.
Jungkook was the one to break the kiss, purely for one reason--he needed to breathe.
Panting, he looked at Tae, who was looking at him with such a hungry expression that in that moment, Jungkook felt naked.
“I love you,” he said breathlessly.
Tae yanked him forward by the front of his shirt, pulling him onto his lap. “Shut up,” he whispered raggedly, his lips sealing his once more.
Tae slipped Jungkook’s shirt off, followed by his own. He finally broke their passionate kissing in order to move his head downward, onto a new area. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered closed as his soulmate kissed his abs, leaving a trail of gentle, sweet kisses all the way down, then back up to his neck. Taehyung bit the skin there gently, then a little harder, eliciting a moan from Jungkook.
“God, Tae,” he groaned, opening his eyes.
“Mm, you like that?” Tae stopped sucking on his neck to catch Jungkook’s lips in a short, sweet kiss. “That’s nothing,” he whispered against his lips. “The real fun starts when our pants come off.”
Jungkook felt his entire body flush--both with embarrassment and excitement. Tae felt his skin suddenly grow warm and he laughed, the first real laugh of his in three days.
“Now?” Jungkook squeaked. “A-are you sure?”
Taehyung grinned. “Sure, we can christen this carpet for Jin. He just got it.”
Jungkook literally turned beet red. “I-I…” He broke off the sentence, shaking his head, a coy smirk suddenly playing his lips. “You know what? Sounds like a plan to me.”
Taehyung grinned that huge, boxy grin that made Jungkook’s entire body ache with love. “Would you look at that? Turns out my innocent little bunny isn’t quite so innocent anymore.”
Jungkook nipped at Tae’s bottom lip. “Oh, I’ll show you who’s innocent.”
Tae groaned, tilting his head back to expose his neck as Jungkook peppered the area with kisses. “God, please do.”
“I’m just going to make sure they haven’t killed each oth--OH MY GOD, OH MY FUCKING GOD, MY EYES, MY EYES, OH GOD, DEAR GOD WHY.”
Jungkook tore himself away from Taehyung’s neck, staring with huge eyes at the doorway. Jimin stood there with his hands covering his eyes. His entire face, even his ears, burned a bright red.
Similar to the color Jungkook’s skin was turning at that exact moment.
Jungkook tried to untangle himself from Tae, but it was hard. He was straddling him and Tae was sort of sitting on part of his leg, making it impossible to get up.
“Jimin, I’m so sorry,” Jungkook said, feeling like his skin was on fire.
Jimin whimpered, his eyes still covered. “Please, both of you put on shirts!”
“Oh, don’t be such a baby,” Tae scoffed, rolling his eyes. “It’s not like you haven’t seen us shirtless before.”
“This is different!” Jimin hissed, finally dropping his hands but still unable to make eye contact with the two of them. “You were...you were literally about to do it, Tae. I feel like I walked in on you having sex.” He shuddered.
Tae winked. “A few more minutes and you might have.”
“TAE.” Jungkook sputtered, feeling completely horrified.
“OH MY GOD, WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT.” Jimin covered his ears this time, looking upset. “YOONGI, GET IN HERE, TAEHYUNG IS HARASSING ME AND HE IS NAKED.”
Yoongi, who was already on his way in, looked a little alarmed at Jimin’s statement. One glance at Tae and Jungkook, however, and he seemed to grasp the situation right away.
He grimaced, shaking his head. “Gross. Put on some clothes.”
Jimin whimpered. “YOONGI.”
The man sighed, then went over to his soulmate, who promptly ducked his head into his chest. He rubbed his back soothingly, shooting Tae and Jungkook a glare over Jimin’s shoulders.
“What is going on in here, why is everyone yelling about being naked--WAIT, JIN, NO. DON’T COME IN YET. DO NOT COME IN YET.”
Namjoon promptly slammed the door in Jin’s face after seeing Jungkook and Tae. Jin must have been shocked for a moment, before he started banging angrily on the door.
“What the hell? What do you think you’re doing, Joon?” he demanded, hitting the door repeatedly.
“NOTHING. NOTHING AT ALL,” he called through the door, pressed against it while one hand held the doorknob in place. “You two, put on some goddamn clothes and for the love of everything that is holy, get off of Jin’s new carpet !” he hissed urgently.
Jungkook finally managed to untangle himself from Taehyung’s grip. He grabbed his shirt and Tae followed suit, albeit at a much slower pace, all the whilst grumbling to himself about how their friends had horrible timing.
Namjoon waited until they were dressed and no longer standing on the carpet until he finally opened the door.
To a very, very pissed off Jin.
“What the hell was that?” he demanded, his voice threateningly quiet.
Namjoon placed a hand on his shoulder. “Jin, you once told me that you view Jungkook as a son.”
Jin narrowed his eyes. “So?”
Namjoon shuddered. “There are some things a mother should never see her child do. Please trust me on this one.”
Jin gasped, the meaning of his words dawning on him. “Oh my...please tell me it was far away from my new carpet.”
Namjoon winced, unable to look him in the eye.
“MY CARPET? NOT MY BRAND NEW CARPET. JOON, WHY DIDN’T YOU STOP THEM?”
“I’M SORRY, WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO--”
“FORGET YOUR CARPET, HYUNG, I WAS THE ONE WHO WALKED IN ON THEM. I PRACTICALLY SAW EVERYTHING. I’M SCARRED FOR LIFE--”
“WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR LIFE JIMIN, WHAT ABOUT MY CARPET --”
“Wow, they’re an annoying bunch, aren’t they?” Tae sighed, leaning his head on Jungkook’s shoulder as they watched their friends argue at the top of their lungs.
Jungkook wrapped an arm around Tae’s waist, pulling him closer. “Yeah,” he said softly, smiling. “But they’re our annoying bunch.”
Tae nodded. “I guess so. It’s probably too late to find another group of friends, huh? Like, a more normal one?”
Jungkook grinned, dropping a kiss on the crown of Taehyung’s head. “Definitely too late.”
Tae sighed. “Darn. Maybe next year.”
Chapter Fifteen
A Few Years Later…
“That was amazing, Kookie!”
Taehyung leapt onto his soulmate and wrapped him into a koala hug. Jungkook grinned, his arms coming up to hug him tightly back.
“Thanks,” he panted, sweat dripping down his face. He grinned at his smiling group of friends who were all walking up to him. “Thank you guys all for coming. It really meant a lot.”
“Of course we wouldn’t miss your first performance, Jungkookie!” Jin exclaimed, wide grin barely peeking out from behind the huge bouquet of flowers he was holding. “I still can’t believe my little Kookie is a real choreographer!”
“I honestly can’t believe you did this all on your own,” Jimin added, smiling as Tae finally let go of Jungkook. “Seriously, that was amazing. Even Yoongi couldn’t take his eyes off you or the dancers, and he normally falls asleep during dance performances.”
Yoongi scoffed. “It was alright , let’s not get carried away.”
Namjoon rolled his eyes. “What he means to say is, ‘We’re proud of you, kid.’” He grinned, punching Jungkook lightly on the shoulder.
“Thank you, guys,” Jungkook whispered, wrapping an arm tightly around Tae’s waist as he nodded gratefully at all his friends.
“Now, onto the best part--celebrating!” A mischievous grin split Taehyung’s face as he winked at Jungkook. “First we’ll go out with these guys, but the real fun will be when he get home,” he promised huskily in his soulmate’s ear. The poor kid still blushed from his racy comments, and Tae could never stop himself from laughing at his cute reaction.
“Gross,” Yoongi muttered. “Come on, let’s go get something to drink. I can’t get through a night around Taehyung sober.”
They all laughed, but Jungkook only smiled, kissing the top of Tae’s head lovingly.
“I love you,” he murmured softly as they began walking.
“I love you more, Kookie,” Tae responded, smiling radiantly up at him. He laced their fingers together, lifting their hands to kiss the back of Jungkook’s wrist. “I love you more than anything.”
Jungkook’s heart was racing inside of his chest, but it was no longer due to the adrenaline from the performance. Unable to stop himself, he reached down and grabbed Taehyung by the waist, pulling him up into his arms.
Tae’s legs instinctively wrapped around Jungkook’s hips to keep himself from falling. His expression was shocked at the unexpected action.
“Kookie, what are you--” He was cut off by a kiss, his eyes wide.
As Jungkook deepened the kiss, Tae’s eyes finally fluttered shut. He relaxed against his soulmates arms, bringing his hands up to curl into his hair. Jungkook nipped at Tae’s bottom lip, making him moan softly.
“What’s taking you guys so--OH MY GOD. NOT AGAIN.”
This time, Jimin’s alarmed yell didn’t force the soulmates apart. Jungkook only grinned as he kept kissing Tae, who was trying his best not break the kiss by bursting into laughter.
“YOONGI.” Yoongi sighed as Jimin turned against him, shielding his eyes.
“History sure does repeat itself,” Namjoon said dryly, chuckling.
“At least it’s not on my carpet this time,” Jin huffed.
At last, Jungkook broke the heated kiss. He dropped one last, sweet peck on Tae’s lips before gently lowering him back onto the ground.
“Well, that was fun.” Tae’s hair was messy and his face was flushed, but an earsplitting grin made him look downright giddy.
Jungkook grinned. “Like I said. I love you.”
Tae smiled, leaning on his tiptoes in order to kiss his soulmate sweetly. “I know,” he murmured against his soft lips. “Love you too, Kookie. Always and forever.”
Always and forever.