Chapter Text
Don’t overthink, when you could be lovin’ me
PROLOGUE
“It is absolutely disgusting that you would do this to us, without even a warning,” Seokjin declares with laughter in his eyes. The six of them turn to stare at him, unimpressed.
“I’m sorry, does Daddy have something to say,” Yoongi drawls and Jungkook groans, all but disappearing under the table as Seokjin’s ears turn a shade of red so vibrant, Taehyung worries they might burn off.
“We agreed never to mention this again,” Namjoon looks and sounds pained as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I was drunk,” Jungkook laments, still hiding under the table.
“Oh, I’m sure it was a one time thing,” Jimin says with an angelic smile before reaching for his beer and slowly taking a sip, eyes twinkling over the can.
Hoseok gasps, understanding, and turns gleeful eyes towards Seokjin and Jungkook. “Ooooooh,” he exclaims. “Do tell.”
It’s Friday evening, a few weeks before the big day, and the seven of them have gathered at Seokjin’s place to talk about wedding plans. They’ve already shared a copious meal, the spread that Yoongi and Seokjin prepared big enough to feed a small army. Now, the air is filled with the kind of ease and comfort that comes with years of friendship and sharing good food. Hoseok and Yoongi are flushed with happiness and the rest of them are buzzing with joy for them. Even if some of them have a harder time conceding the spotlight.
Jimin laughs in answer to Hoseok’s questioning eyes. “Unfortunately, I can’t.”
“Why not?” Taehyung asks even though he already knows why. He knows everything Jimin knows. Not that that's going to stop him from causing a little chaos, though .
“I bought his silence,” Seokjin says with a haughty sniff.
“Contractually, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation,” Jimin adds with a wink for Taehyung.
“Darn,” Taehyung sighs like he doesn’t have a screenshot of Jungkook and Seokjin’s kink negotiation list on his phone. How that list came into Jimin's possession is a hysterical story better kept for another moment, Taehyung reckons.
“Can we go back to talking about the wedding?” Namjoon all but pleads.
“And how inconsiderate Yoongi and Hoseok are for throwing a party in December and stealing my thunder!” Seokjin exclaims, ears still scorching red.
“December is my birthday month, too,” Taehyung points out.
“Yeah but you’re born so late in the month, it’s like you’re not even a December baby,” Seokjin counters.
“Plus, you already have to compete with Christmas and New Year’s Eve. You are no threat to him,” Jungkook adds.
“With this face? Please,” Taehyung jokes as he smoulders right in Yoongi’s direction. Yoongi pretends he is not in the room.
“Wait, let’s go back real quick," Jimin says to the dismay of half the table. “What do you mean by ‘how could you do this to us’? Your birthday isn’t about us.” Apparently, Taehyung isn’t the only one who loves to cause chaos on purpose.
As expected, Seokjin gasps. “Yah! How dare you! The day of my birth was the most blessed day in South Korea… Nay! The world! Watch your mouth, Park Jimin!”
Jimin is laughing so hard he almost rolls off his chair, and Seokjin looks pleased.
The conversation quickly unravels into its usual chaos and Taehyung leans back against his chair, his barely touched glass of rosé in his hand. He watches and listens as Seokjin makes Yoongi and Hoseok promise to make a big deal out of his birthday even though they’ll probably be neck deep in wedding preparations.
“Seriously though, why December?” Namjoon asks, probably to restore a bit of normalcy to the conversation.
Hoseok and Yoongi turn to look at each other after Namjoon’s question, their gaze softening as mirror smiles appear on their faces. Yoongi takes Hoseok’s hand and laces their fingers together.
“It’s an us thing,” Hoseok says to the rest of the table as if it explains everything and, with a strange ache pushing against his breastbone, Taehyung reckons that it does. He takes a sip of his wine and soothes a hand over his chest. It’s been a long time since he’s been in a serious relationship and every day he misses it a bit more. Looking at his friends so clearly and blissfully in love makes him long for the weight of someone’s hand in his.
“God, you really are in love, aren’t you?” Jimin asks, looking stunned for a moment. He glances over at Taehyung and slips his hand in his. Taehyung squeezes it in comfort. It’s been a long time for Jimin, too.
“Well, we are getting married,” Yoongi drawls, finally peeling his eyes away from Hoseok.
“You are?” Jungkook teases. “Huh, somehow that hasn’t come up.” He grins and they all laugh.
Then Hoseok turns pleading eyes on Seokjin and says, “We’re sorry, Hyung. I know your birthday is a National Holiday but this is really important for us.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes good naturedly. “I’m just joking, Hob-ah. I’m really happy for you.”
“Oh good,” Yoongi drones. “Not like we haven’t paid for the venue and caterer already.”
“This is quick,” Namjoon points out. They’re a few days away from November now and Yoongi only proposed in July. As far as modern weddings go, Taehyung agrees that it’s a rather short engagement.
“Yeah. We’re lucky we managed to find a venue and everything,” Hoseok replies. “We didn’t really want to wait because there’s the move in January and then in February hyung is going to be busy with the usual Valentine’s Day photoshoots.”
“Yeah, we figured we’d get the wedding out of the way so we can enjoy our honeymoon without worrying about work or packing and everything else,” Yoongi elaborates.
“Makes sense.” Namjoon nods.
“Plus, hyung and I have that trip planned for February,” Jungkook reminds them.
Jimin grins in response, a teasing thing that has Taehyung’s own lips already twitching in amusement.
“Oh that’s right, for your Valentine’s Day trip,” Jimin says, and he manages to put so much mockery and suggestion in his tone while also maintaining an air of innocence. It’s quite impressive and Taehyung can’t really hide his chuckle.
“It is not a Valentine’s Day trip. It’s just a romantic getaway for two that just happens to coincide with Valentine’s Day,” Seokjin corrects with as much dignity as the statement allows, which is not a lot and they all know it.
Taehyung tilts his head and can’t help giving a hand in cornering them. “And why is that again?”
Seokjin huffs while Jungkook cackles. “Because hyung asked me out on Valentine’s Day and now it’s our anniversary,” he says, clearly still pleased by the turn of events.
“I didn’t know it was Valentine’s Day!” Seokjin defends himself.
“It’s alright, darling,” Jungkook says, cupping Seokjin reddening nape and giving him a reassuring look. With a blooming smile he adds, “You were so blinded by my sexiness, you completely forgot social etiquette.”
“You’re the idiot who immediately agreed,” Seokjin shoots with an arched eyebrow but it only makes Jungkook laugh more.
“I can’t believe people take these made up holidays so seriously that we now have rules pertaining to them,” Namjoon says with a slight shake of his head.
“Bitter much, hyung?” Taehyung asks with a laugh.
Namjoon pouts. “My first valentine with someone and it’s a long distance relationship,” he says and they all coo at him. Seokjin throws an arm around his shoulders and tucks him close.
Namjoon had been dating Matthew — or Big Matthew as he was fondly nicknamed – for barely a couple of months when his new beau was offered a project at work that had required him to travel all over the world. After meeting at the gym years ago and becoming great friends, Matthew finally admitted that he had feelings for Namjoon and wanted to take him out. They’ve been together for nearly six months now and despite the challenges that long distance presents, Namjoon has never looked happier.
“It’s alright, hyung, you can always withhold tradition,” Taehyung says with an easy grin.
“Crash Hob-ah and hyung’s date?” Namjoon asks with a ghost of a smile.
Yoongi laughs. “It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day if you weren’t there complaining about late stage capitalism and heteronormative norms while Hoseok and I play footsie under the table.”
“You could always go visit Matthew, as a surprise,” Jungkook offers and Namjoon lights up.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” He asks out loud, voice high as he shifts away from Seokjin’s hold.
“Your brain is too big, hyung, sometimes you need help,” Jungkook says wisely before bursting with laughter. Seokjin stares at him fondly, his chin resting on his fist.
“Well, at least you have the possible prospect of having someone during Valentine’s day,” Jimin says and Taehyung frowns as he turns to look at him.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never had a Valentine,” Jimin says. The room falls silent as they all gape at him. “What? It’s no big deal, I just never celebrated it.”
“But… how come?” Hoseok asks.
Jimin shrugs. “Don’t know. It’s just one of those things. I was either always single for Valentine’s day or with someone who didn’t care about it, or… just dating someone casually… You know? It just never happened,” he explains. Taking a look around the room, his expression shifts from silverquick embarrassment to laughter. “Stop looking at me like that, it’s really not that big of a deal. I don’t really care.”
Which Taehyung knows means that he does care, otherwise he would never have brought it up in the first place.
“Jimin-ah, why didn’t you say anything?” Taehyung asks, feeling like a miserable idiot for not realising.
Jimin laughs. “Taehyung, please, what would you have done? Would you have taken me on a date?” He snorts and the others laugh, too.
The idea doesn’t seem so silly to Taehyung. It feels… right. Around him conversation continues without him, the ebb and flow of it sounding like white noise to his ears as he thinks this new idea through.
Their little friend group has always been romance inclined. Taehyung himself has been in a few serious relationships, rarely alone for big events. Hoseok and Yoongi have been together since they met in university and Jungkook and Seokjin had been on and off for years before they finally got their shit together and realised they really loved each other and wanted to build something serious. That was nearly two years ago now and Taehyung has a feeling there will be another wedding in the not so distant future.
Jimin is another story. A romantic at heart, he’s been far too practical and busy in his day to day life to actually be in a relationship, always favouring casual flings and dating to real commitment. He loves romance only as an abstract or artful notion; something to read about in his beloved books or watch unravel in dramas. So, Jimin’s never been the target of a well crafted wooing. Not that Taehyung is thinking about wooing him or even seducing him; he just wants to give him the experience. Everyone should be doted on from time to time, Jimin more so than anyone else Taehyung knows. He's the kind of person who loves with his entire being, is always the one to offer support and unconditional care, always the one to spoil and to soothe.
Jimin should get to have a devoted partner, even if it’s just for the day and Taehyung reckons no one would do a better job than… Well, Taehyung himself.
The more he thinks about it the more appealing and exciting the idea seems. After all, they’re both currently single so Taehyung wouldn’t have to worry about unwanted jealousy. Of course there are still three months left before that particular day but Taehyung doubts very much that either of them will start any sort of relationship. Jimin isn’t really one to go looking for love and Taehyung broke up with his ex only a few weeks ago — he doesn’t feel like getting into something new.
It’s a well known fact that Taehyung’s love language is acts of service and he would actually love doing something like this. Plus, it’s Jimin and he might not tell anyone that he’s feeling left out but Taehyung knows him, knows how much Jimin loves feeling loved. It’s kind of killing Taehyung that Jimin has never experienced a special day dedicated just to loving him, where he could be spoiled.
Jimin deserves that. Taehyung wants to give him that.
Taehyung is going to give his best friend the best Valentine’s Day ever.
Eventually, the conversations around the table slow down and, one by one, they all start going home. Taehyung and Jimin stay behind to help Seokjin and Jungkook clean up. It goes smoothly and rather quickly, and soon enough Taehyung and Jimin have bundled themselves back up into their coats and are heading out. Arms linked, they walk in silence towards where Jimin’s car is parked a few streets away.
“So, you’ve really never had a Valentine?” Taehyung asks.
Jimin huffs. “It’s really not a big deal at all, Taehyung.”
“Do you want a Valentine?”
“It’s not even November yet.”
“Answer the question, Jimin-ssi,” Taehyung says.
Lapsing back into silence, they walk for a few steps, Jimin shifting closer and laying his head on Taehyung’s shoulder.
“I don’t know,” he says with a small pout. “It’s a nice idea, I guess, but you know romance isn't really my thing. Besides, it’s not something I can just… make happen, you know? It would lose all its fun and purpose, I think.”
Taehyung agrees. “I’ll be your Valentine.”
Jimin stops dead in his tracks and turns wide eyes to him. “What?”
“I’ll be your Valentine this year. Mark your calendar, I’ll give you the best Valentine’s Day ever.”
Jimin frowns just as a fond smile fights his way onto his face. “Yah, Kim Taehyung! That's not really how it works. We’re not dating.”
“So? Doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Valentine’s isn’t just for lovers, you know? Besides,” Taehyung starts rambling as he gains steam. “Everything is made up, if you think about it; Valentine’s Day included. It means nothing and it could mean whatever we make it mean.” He shrugs. “I want to do this for you. I already have a few ideas.”
Jimin gapes at him for a moment before laughing. He crosses his arms and arches an eyebrow. “Don’t I get a say in this?”
“Obviously not. It’s a surprise.”
“Well! Planning it three months in advance kind of ruins said surprise,” Jimin points out with a grin.
“Actually,” Taehyung counters, leaning down to get right up in his face — to be annoying as he drives his point home. “I’m simply asking for consent in order to proceed with my plans.”
Jimin chuckles and gradually his amusement softens into something more vulnerable. Taehyung wraps an arm around his shoulder and slots their bodies together. “You really want to do this?” he asks against Taehyung’s coat.
“Yes. I think it could be really fun. But if you’re not comfortable with the idea, which I would understand, we can just go to the movies and eat a lot of popcorn instead,” Taehyung offers, tone gentle.
Jimin shakes his head and grins up at him. “No. Let’s do your thing. Let’s be each other’s Valentine.”
Taehyung smiles, elation sparkling in his chest. “Really?”
Jimin nods, humming. He tucks his face against Taehyung’s chest and adds, “That would be very nice.”
Taehyung rests his head on top of Jimin’s and silently agrees.
When he gets home, Taehyung unearths his cork board from behind one of his shelves and hangs it above his desk. He tears a piece of paper from the nearest notebook and writes on it in black sharpie: OPERATION VALENTINE.
Pinning it to the board, he steps back and looks at it as dozens of ideas fuse in his head, itching to be written down and executed. Taehyung claps his hands together and grins excitedly.
He has work to do.