Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

'Maybe love was never meant for me. Maybe love was never meant to hold someone so ill-fitted like me.'

The days were quite chilly given the winter had extended far enough into February this year. Snow covered most of the surface outside, making it an icy paradise with one of the best temperatures to enjoy nature despite the cold. Every store in the city had themes covering hearts and pink's and reds to signify the oh-so special day. With banners of 'upto 60% off' on the flyers, companies were going all out to wring it up. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood as the upcoming week led to one of the deemed important days for many people. The air sparkled with the prospect of something akin to love and warmth, but it could be easily associated with the shimmers of refraction from the suspended snow crystals and water droplets.

And in one corner of the city was a boy, well into his 20's, quietly brooding over the lack of dark chocolate in his refrigerator for his special triple chocolate cake.

"Fuck this. I don't want to go out."
The boy groaned loudly, thumping his head against the side of the fridge.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring* *Ri-*

"Hello."
Jungkook spoke into the phone, still staring at the fridge.

"JK~ G'morning!"
A soothing deep voice could be heard from there other end.

"It's 1 in the afternoon."
Jungkook said, unimpressed by the enthusiasm from his best friend.

"Yeah, but I woke up late. Jimin wanted to watch a movie yesterday night, which turned to three movies lasting till 4 in the night."
Taehyung spoke, explaining the reason in a tone too cheerful.

And for some reason, Jungkook felt the bitterness of the other's words slide down his throat in a honey slow manner. Too slow. Too hard to swallow. And at the back of his mind, he knew the reason all too well. Every single time, he saw a romantic couple on the television, a cute act of cats nuzzling each other, a sweet cuddling moment between his two best friends who were most likely not just best friends, but rather more, he was reminded of his flaws too deeply.

One that he couldn't change in this lifetime.

One that he wasn't ready to face today.

"Cool."
Jungkook muttered, seating himself on the second-hand brown couch he had bought last year.

"Why the off-putting tone?"
Jimin's usually soft voice had a hardness that had Jungkook gulping in guilt, knowing very well that his answers sounded like a sulky child throwing tantrum for toy cars.

"No dark chocolate in my home."
Jungkook pouted, melting into the couch.

"Oh baby, we were thinking of coming to yours anyways, so we'll just buy the chocolate. Alright?"
Jimin said in his comforting voice that wrapped around Jungkook like second skin.

"Kay. I'll see you guys soon."
Jungkook spoke into the phone, definitely in a better mood than before.

Keeping the phone aside, he went through the list of duties he had to complete today. Checking each of them in his mind, he was left with nothing much except the chocolate cake preparation for his own comfort and the drying of his laundry which was yet to be done. Zoning out while staring into the oblivion, Jungkook tried to reassess his own situation. His mind seemed to have gears of its own as it would always try to retreat into that distressed, chaotic mindset of seeking himself out. Always at work and never at rest, his thoughts overlapped and jumbled enough to hurt his eyes. And for reasons unknown, that felt more normal than being just like everyone else. His questions always circled back to the lacks in himself.

Be it the lack of cheer during the end of winters or the lack of motivation to complete tasks or the lack of self control as he binged on the extra cookie or the lack of response in class despite knowing the answer or the lack of energy to brush his teeth at night or the lack of enthusiasm to be in a fulfilling relationship or the lack of being comfortable to express his love to others.

The lack of just being enough.

"Jungkook-ah?"
A voice distantly spoke to him, as he was lost in his head with thoughts that swirled like the whirlpool in an ocean.

"Hey, you okay?"
Another voice spoke again and at that point Jungkook could match the voice with a face he had grown up loving.

Park Jimin.

His concerned eyes that were beautifully matched with light red eyeshadow looked directly into Jungkook's brown eyes. The plump glossy lips seemed to be moving and he couldn't quite hear him which in turn only made the youngest more annoyed. There were two large bony hands that cupped his face delicately and the structure of it gave away before anything. He had gone through all of his college holding the same hands each day.

Kim Taehyung.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm good. When did you guys come in?"
Jungkook asked, blinking his eyes to focus on the two of his best friends who kneeled on the carpet in front of him.

"Just a minute ago. You didn't notice us coming in?"
Taehyung asked, assessing Jungkook's emotions.

"Oh. I didn't I guess. Anyways, why did you wanna come here?"
Jungkook asked, which came a lot more defensive and annoyed than he intended for it to be.

"Of course, to meet you silly."
Jimin enthusiastically said, squishing the younger's barely flush cheeks.

"Well, arguably so. But did you get my dark chocolate?"
Jungkook muttered with a laugh, prompting Taehyung to break into a wide smile while, getting the big cloth bag with items of their purchase.

"Oh! we did buy it..."
Jimin answered, cringing slightly as Jungkook searched the said bag for three packs of dark chocolate that he had asked for.

"And other stuff too."
Taehyung completed the other's sentence, watching at the tatted up hand reaching inside to get out a pack of cherries, milk chocolates in the shape of tiny bears, strawberries, a bunch of bananas, ready to heat pizzas, pack of six chilled beer, and a whole lot of ramen.

"Why is there beer and ramen here?"
Jungkook asked, seemingly unfazed by the fresh fruits.

"Staying the night here!"
Jimin said, scrunching his nose in joy.

"Don't you have shopping spree evening today like every second Saturday of the month?"
Jungkook commented, inquisitive and soft.

"We're kind of tired with how late we slept, so decided to just snuggle in. Moreover, this should count as one."
Taehyung said, pointing to the items presented proudly on Jungkook's dining table.

"Alright! Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get you some tea."
The youngest said, waving them away as he went into the kitchen.

"Thanks gukkie!"
The duo replied in union.

Despite wanting to talk more with Jungkook about the movies they had watched and the new plants they had purchased, Jimin pulled Taehyung back to the living room. It wasn't really awkward per se, but a tension of sorts seemed to be brewing in with Jungkook lost in thoughts. Jimin was no better as the worry lines were accentuated under the dim lighting of the living room with the curtains drawn in.

"You think he's okay? I mean he didn't realise we came home! What if it was someone else who broke in instead of us? Is he going through something? Are we being bad friends?"
Jimin whispered frantically, upon seeing that Jungkook was out of their earshot.

"Min. Stop. Firstly, we need to talk to him about safety. And no, no one is going to break in. Let's hope on that. Thirdly, I'm not too sure, but it does feel like he's not too comfortable with us at times. We'll give him time though. As for the last one, we're doing our best. And, we're totally pulling him in the middle of our cuddle sandwich."
Taehyung calmly explained, rubbing his friend's back soothingly.

Jimin nodded, grasping in everything that was told. He peeked his eyes over Taehyung's shoulders to see if Jungkook was there, in a reassuring way. As if to check that the doe-eyed boy was still within their reach.

"Reminded of cuddles, did you know that Nayeon finally asked Jeongyeon out?"
Jimin switched up quickly, brightening in the light of the new topic.

"Oh my gosh. Finally. Everytime i meet her, she's whining about how she doesn't have a partner while fawning over her crush's soft skin."
Taehyung joined in, getting enthusiastic about his chemistry lab partner turned ride or die friend.

"Valentine's day is just around the corner, so of course people are getting the courage to get together."
Jimin chuckled, easing from the mildly disturbed state of mind.

"Okay, that was a badly shaped sentence for some reason."
Taehyung remarked with a scrunched face.

"Ugh, I'm not giving my tenth grade English exam here, so relax."
Jimin sourly replied, moving towards the brown couch where they had found Jungkook in deep thought.

"Meh, anyone on your mind?"
Taehyung asked, as his eyes lingered on the magazines that were placed on the tea table.

(Jimin had argued it was a coffee table because that's what it is called by everyone else and the listing on the website has the same description. But Taehyung had retorted with the fact he didn't like coffees so it must be a tea table. As for Jungkook, he was torn between the options given this, opting for the secret third option of a low rise glass table.)

"Nope. Not stepping into hot water again. I barely got out of one fiasco."
Jimin answered swiftly with a sharp tongue.

"Here! Whatcha guys talking about?"
Jungkook asked, as he placed the three cups of hot, piping tea on the distinguished table that had brought strong opinions on its naming.

"Just crushes and relationships!"
Taehyung said, placing himself on the floor with the porcelain cup filled with swirling aromatic tea in shades of brown.

"You got a special someone or someone you wish to have a date with?"
Jimin asked in a casual tone while sipping on the tea carefully.

"No. I haven't had a crush in a long time"
Jungkook quietly murmured, seemingly fixated on the cup that had wonderfully painted gardenesque portraits around it.

"Ohh. You haven't really open up regarding your partners or relationships, now that I think about it. Which by the way I totally respect!"
Taehyung said, backtracking to add the last sentence which he genuinely meant. He knew Jungkook tended to be a bit more timid and private yet so adorably part of their friendship that enriched each of their souls.

"It isn't like that. I just...have not had one."
Jungkook breathed out, looking up from his own cup to catch their stares intended to him.

"Aka, no date? No partner? Nothing?"
Jimin quietly asked, a little wide eyed and curious.

"Basically yeah."
Jungkook shrugged, wacking his memories to find if he had never opened up to them for they seemed to be genuinely shock for the lack of his romantic relationships.

Maybe he was too part of the background for them to notice how he would always remain quiet whenever they talked of their partners. Maybe he wasn't as noticeable to their eye with his quiet demeanour. Maybe he wasn't as receptive for them to gently enquire him. Maybe they thought he tried to keep his unknown relationship hidden. But that would be silly because he had told them all his secrets including the biggest one, being his irrational fear of swallowing gum by accident and the urge of his brain to keep a count the steps taken on a staircase, despite the fact his attention could be needed elsewhere, like for example in a conversation with his boss.

The baseline being, he had been quite open about his life. Atleast as much as he could. For he didn't have much to expand on. And that must have given the impression he was being secretive about it, when he just didn't have anything to say on that topic.

In short, he was lone wolfing it.

"Well, that's a shame. Anyways, how's your cake coming along?"
Taehyung asked, changing the conversation into something that Jungkook found comfort in.

"Oh, just melting more chocolate to make it taste yum."
Jungkook said, smiling with his front bunny teeth peeking out.

"Can't wait to taste it."
Jimin added, already imaging the dark luscious brown cake melting in his mouth.

"I better get back to it. You can switch on the TV."
Jungkook said, walking away to the kitchen.

He wasn't anxious on the reveal or disappointed that they didn't seem to know of his personal life despite being best friends. He was just blank on this, letting the wind carry him in the direction set. All he knew was that him getting a person was unlikely at best, even if he did they would have to understand where he came from. If that wasn't fulfilled, then it was futile in all ways presented to the prospect of it. No convincing of a real partner or a nice time would take him off his choice and they would just have to respect it. All this in view, he only longed for emotional connection to come by and that was pretty fulfilled at the moment in the company of his best friends.

And right now, his mind was worried if there chocolate mixture had become lumpy by mistake as the butter wasn't exactly room temperature.

"Taehyung-ah. No, we can't do that."

Back in the living room, Jimin seemed to be at cross roads with Taehyung's bizzare idea of setting Jungkook up with someone they knew. Jimin wasn't sure if it was really a good idea, given how Jungkook didn't seem keen on randomly picking a date. And knowing Jungkook, it might even be stressful to just go out of the boundaries of his comfort. There was no way the youngest would agree to it and he didn't want to peer pressurize him into doing it either.

"Well, I just wanted to cheer Jungkookie up!"
Taehyung exasperated, leaning back on the couch.

"What if...we take him out?"
Jimin asked slowly, as the idea dawned on him.

"You mean, friend dates?"
Taehyung questioned, getting up from his position quickly.

"Duh."
Jimin stated as if it was obvious.

"But, minnie you just got out of a relationship..."
Taehyung reminded in a painful tone.

Yeah, Jimin had recently been in one with a guy, his first relationship with a man after realising he was bisexual. It was about eight months long of romantic loving, gift buying, cute date planning and monthly anniversaries. But Jimin knew he was pushing it with someone who would never match with him for a longer time. And of course, the unveiling of his partner's narcissistic tendencies helped him make the decision of leaving without turning back. A 60 word test message and dropping off the things he had owned of the other through a delivery app, Jimin had broken it off. Since then, Taehyung coddled him extra, breaking the boundaries he had set after Jimin got into a relationship. It wouldn't be great to find your boyfriend being attached to the hip with his best friend, right?

As for Jungkook, he had done his bit quietly by sending memes to cheer Jimin up. He had also bought soju and snacks on Saturdays in an attempt to both reconnect and drink their way through it.

"It's been over a month. I'm not hung up on them. Moreover what better way to spend valentine's day if not with my best friends. We unknowingly, go on them, let's just make these ones catered to Jungkook."
Jimin suggested, looking at Taehyung in the eye with a very convincing tone.

"There's some frosting left if you guys want. What are guys upto?"
Jungkook asked, wiping his hands on the kitchen cloth.

"Planning on a week of best friend dates!"
Taehyung said, glancing at Jungkook's pinched face with a hint of worry.

"Sweet. Where are you guys going?"
Jungkook carried on, as his neck found respite under his own fingers that dug into the skin to relieve the pain.

It seemed like his sleeping on one side had effects including acute pain across the expanse of his upper back and mainly, the neck.

"Ahem. You are coming with us"
Jimin announced cheerfully, pulling Jungkook to sit on the bean bag beside the couch.

"Hmm?"
Jungkook made a sound of curious questioning.

"Well, didn't you hear us? It's best friends date!"
Taehyung said softly.

"Got it."
Jungkook answered, still unsure as to when they had decided on him being part of their elaborate plans.

"Why do you look unconvinced?"
Jimin asked, pouting slightly with furrowed eyes.

"Nothing. Yeah, nothing."
Jungkook quipped hastily.

This was uncharted territory for him.

Yeah, he used to go out with friends. But something felt different this time. Maybe it was their wording of having a 'best friends date' or the fact that they had taken pity on his lack of experience in the field of love that they took the initiative to arrange for one. Maybe it was how despite everything, his mind seemed to think that he was intruding his own best friends. Sure, Jimin and Taehyung were too close, calling themselves soulmates at any given moment, too entangled (especially after the big break-up) to be known as a single entity. It was obvious in everything they did, but it didn't really bother Jungkook in any sense. He was happy being the quiet friend, one who could easily melt into the background without taking away the attention, one who could be comfortable in the presence of others. Jungkook was happy as he was.

Moreover Jimin and Taehyung usually pulled him into their shenanigans most days. It wasn't like he was unloved. He had enough in whatever he seemed worthy of himself. Jungkook was sure of the love he held. Sometimes it fell short of his expectations, but on most times, it filled right to the brim of his bottomless pit. Yet, as the other two suggested it, he didn't think too much before giving in to the faux experience of having a hand to hold without a reason.

Something that he had wished for, in the darkest nights and into the wispy winds.

Jungkook was a walking contradiction at this point. He despised not having control over his autonomy, but found himself heeding to orders as it made him routine easier. He disliked the fact that he couldn't blend in well when others had conversations around seemingly harmless things, but liked the way he could just be a listener in a group where the expectations of him to speak were a null. He hated the sexual part of a relationship with all its glory on display, but yearned for the gentle touch of a warm person.

It was so difficult to come to terms with this. He did have crushes, it were small and fleeting. There was no big criteria for it, just the fact that the other person was nice to him once. Maybe it was just basic human courtesy, but his mind was set on liking the person. Like holding the door open or pouring extra alcohol into his glass of covering his body with a blanket when he was asleep. But he never pursued it for it was never to lead anywhere. Not when he was a sex-repulsed asexual through and through. That also didn't mean he wasn't a hopeless romantic at heart. He loved more than his heart could give. He wasn't sure of himself on this vast field, still figuring out his chances at no strings attached kind of love.

Balancing the kind of love he wanted and the kind of expectations his possible partners had on him was undoubtedly hard. Thus, he had stayed within his safety zone, hoping his heart wouldn't attach itself like a leech for affection. He would rather deal with the empty, cold loneliness than being judged for his preferences and eventually get heartbroken. But maybe, this idea by his best friends would get him out of the 'Valentine's day blues' as Taehyung liked to call it.

Maybe this would turn out good.

Maybr this would satiate the soul that craved for normalcy.

"Let's just enjoy the movie for now?"
Jungkook asked, pointing to the remote that he was fiddling absent mindedly in hands.

"Sure, bubba!"
Jimin laughed with his eyes crinkled, and moved up to get to the television switch.

"Turn your back this side."
Taehyung quietly murmured, as Jungkook sat wondering how peaceful his mind seemed to be.

Every ruminating thought seemed to have switched off inside his head, as the decision to let himself loose in the care of his best friends. It was calming to just follow their plans for it mostly lead to fun memories to look back to. It felt lighter to not be burdened by the incessant questioning his mind came up with regarding the lack of partner during this joyous time when every single part of the city had something to offer in its name of love. He wasn't burdened by the bright colours he would eventually come across on the streets, as now he had plans with his best friends. This might just be the first time this holiday would hold non-resenting, happy emotions in his books.

"Do you want to remove your shirt? Or shall I just apply it like this?"
Taehyung gently prodded, as Jungkook jerked away from the older boy's long fingers.

"Wha—?"
Jungkook asked, feeling conscious all of a sudden.

"Just pain relief balm."
Taehyung smiled, pulling the other in the right position to apply some of it on the exposed neck region of his black tee.

"That feels so good. Thank you, hyung."
Jungkook said, relieved noises making a show as Taehyung pressed the knots on his shoulder blades with the shirt still in place.

"I'll get some blankets, let's cozy up."
Jimin mumbled, knowing Jungkook's home like his own to search for the pillows and blankets.

"Is there anything to keep in the fridge?"
Jimin asked, coming from the other's bedroom with a heap load of fluffy pillows and checkered pastel quilts.

"Nope. Cake is already in, ready to harden a little."
Jungkook said, unknowingly sinking in between the two of them who laid beside him to switch on the movie.

It was hallmark classic movie with the valentine's day theme up front and miscommunication trope as usual. Something light-hearted at best with a big of bad plotting devices at play. Jimin slung his arms across Jungkook's stomach to reach Taehyung's hands. Midway in the movie, light snoring was brought to his attention. Smiling softly, he brushed Jungkook's hair to the back and kissed the other's forehead.

Kisses like these weren't exclusively romantic. Just soft, gentle and reassuring for people like Jimin and Taehyung who thrived heavily on physical touch. Jungkook did too, maybe even more than them but he wasn't outwardly needy for that.

"Sleep well, gukk-ah!"
Taehyung murmured too, yawning half way through to squiggle into the crook of the youngest's shoulder.

Jimin giggled at the sleepiness that drowned his best friends and reached out to switch off the television to join along in their nap.

He was sure to make it as special as it could get for the three of them. All of them deserved the best even if it were small pleasures like walking in the streets holding hands and basking in the soft sunlight as the clouds dispersed. He was grateful for both of their presence in his life that pushed him through the worst of college days to this current point where his safe place was always in their arms. And Jimin would do anything in his power, to make it known to them that they were more than everything he had asked for.

Best friends for life, amiright?

Chapter Text

🐥: hi gukkie, get dressed by 7. I'll come to pick you. casual setting. can't wait to see to tonight :)

Jungkook stared at the message at hand for more than what was considered normal at this point.

He hadn't thought Jimin and Taehyung would actually follow up with their plan of going on friend dates. Though, he didn't know the exact reason why they had planned to do so, he guessed it was because Taehyung usually felt 'fomo' during holidays where he wasn't celebrating. And Valentine's day was one of the most important holidays after his own birthday. It was likely that Jimin wanted him to feel better and pulled Jungkook along for the fun of it.

And Jungkook wasn't against the idea of being taken on dates.

Especially when he hadn't gone on one in so long. But that was a talk for another time.

As for the message, he had received it at around half past 3 in the afternoon. Meaning he had about 3 hours give or take until Jimin came. Jungkook decided that the best thing would be to take a nap for an hour with an alarm that would wake him up diligently. And maybe later get dressed in the clothes he had taken out from the closet. It was quite simple with not many accessories for his own multiple piercings made up for the lack of it.

Well...that didn't go quite as he planned.

For starters, Jungkook overslept which was expected with how sleep deprived he was lately. His new manager wanted lots of presentation material prepared in a short amount of time, meaning he tended to burn the midnight oil. He rushed through all the steps to get it done quickly, which turned to not be in his favour as he put his tee backwards and had to repeat the process. He also had to pick himself up after he slipped at the water puddle near his washroom. The clumsiness was a trait that when paired with anxious time bound activity had him in precarious situations. But overall, he got himself ready with 15 minutes to spare. An achievement in itself.

At exact 7, there was a ding on the doorbell and Jungkook rushed to grab his wallet and phone. And upon opening the door, he was met with the scent of cacao and the striking face of his best friend who was dressed to his finest. The baby blue shirt with a few unopened buttons and a pair of khaki pants looked exquisitely fine on Jimin. Jungkook could feel his cheeks widen with a smile without even trying to do so.

"Ready, darling?"
Jimin asked with his hand outstretched in a gentleman gesture.

"Of course."
Jungkook replied with a scrunched nose and a soft giggle.

As they walked out of the apartment complex, Jimin rushed to the passenger's side and held the door open for Jungkook like the chivalrous man he was. Well, that was a true statement, just a little over the top. But Jungkook knew what the older was doing by this, aka trying to give a good impression of how a date must go like, despite it being a best friends date.

"Where's Tae?"
Jungkook asked, once seated with his seat belt locked in.

Jimin had revved up the engine and already started taking a reverse to get out of the alleyways. With his cuffs folded back and a smooth turn, he got right on track. Jungkook was sure that if it were anyone else then they would've been highly impressed, hot and bothered by that move.

(Jungkook wouldn't fully admit afraid of the borders of his own struggling identity, but Jimin was really cool for that.)

"He had work today and so he said that he would meet us at the venue directly."
Jimin muttered, switching on the radio for some music to fill the space.

The rest of the way was silent with exceptions to the mellow songs and a few questions here and there. Jungkook was more fascinated by the high and bright lights that had decorated the city as it wasn't often that he stayed out to witness that. He was a through and through homebody.

"Hey!"
Taehyung's face was the first thing Jungkook saw as he got out of the vehicle.

It seemed like he had arrived just a few minutes prior. Taking a moment to soak in, Jungkook looked over at Taehyung's impeccable dressing sense which almost always slayed. There was no doubt that this combination of fitted trousers and beige turtleneck would work perfectly on him. And as he looked around, waiting for Jimin to park his car he could see that this was one of the classy resturants that wouldn't normally fit under his monthly budget.

It was grand and posh which ultimately left him with a small sliver of whether he was dressed good enough for the occassion.

"Okay?"
Jimin asked, walking along with them to the entrance.

"Hyung, you should've told me to dress better. I look like someone you picked off the street."
Jungkook complained with mirth colouring in vividly.

He had his black tee, a pair of washed out jeans, a patterened flannel in colours of grey and blue and his favourite timberlands on. It was one of the most comfortable yet stylish outfits he had in his closet.

"Absolutely not. You look so handsome, that I'm afraid others will fall in love with you."
Taehyung piped in, smooth and confident.

"None of that on our account."
Jimin added, his eyes a little narrowed at the accusation.

Jungkook weekly nodded, overwhelmed with how strong their words felt. A little too real. A little too raw.

But it was just how his best friends were.

"Well, order anything you like. It's on me."
Jimin said, as soon as they were seated in the corner that faced the giant window.

"That's unfair. I want to pay as well."
Jungkook pouted, knowing well enough that Jimin relished in buying things for others, especially food.

"You'll get your chance later this week. Just enjoy the treat for now."
Jimin said, patting Jungkook's thigh.

Jungkook didn't mention that this treat was more than all his savings and he could never match up to that. At least not until he got the next promotion at his part time job. But he also knew that if he even uttered a word in that direction, Jimin would be absolutely upset and spoil him more.

And so, he looked through the menu to find anything that was well in range for his taste.

Soon the waiter came in to get the orders which included an assortment of marinated crabs, grilled steak, chicken pasta, fish fillets, and a few bottles of red wine - courtesy Jimin's choice.

"You remember that time I had gone on a date with a girl? She had been so nervous that I felt bad and had to cut the date short. Apparently it was a blind date situation and she struggled with meeting new people."
Jimin spoke, as he leaned on the table after the waiter left.

Taehyung had an easy relaxed posture as he leaned back on his chair. There was something comforting in the way he smiled, like the ever flowing river that showed your reflection in its clear ripples.

"Ah, I remember that one. Taehyung wasn't in town then and you had come to my home to play Stardew Valley."
Jungkook added to Jimin's own experience.

"Fun times truly."
Jimin remarked, laying out the table napkin as the waiter came with their ordered food and drinks.

The waiter sectioned the parts for ease and they were left to continue enjoying their time as part of their date. Jungkook could feel the little tendrils of dread and tiredness uncoil from around his heart. Something as simple as an evening with his friends seemed to have that effect on him as all he could think about was how he loved this life he was leading.

With each bite into his food, he was grateful that he was here with people who adored him beyond words if their eyes weren't enough to say.

"Need more, jungkookie?"
Jimin asked, as he poured in some more wine into Jungkook's glass.

"Yes please."
Jungkook said, raising his glass for Jimin to fill it.

There was an unreadable expression on the other's face, something soft and pure. Before he could check on it, it had disappeared.

"Oh by the way, i forgot to tell you guys that I saw Jaehyun the other day and he acted like we hadn't escaped through the back doors to skip class with him. Ugh men."
Taehyung started off, annoyed and petty in his words.

"Hyung, we're all men."
Jungkook bubbled up, not knowing when they had switched their topics from work to people.

"Nope. Especially not you. You're an angel from heaven descended on earth to bless the land."
Taehyung muttered, leaning in close with his chin perched on top of his hands.

"So damn cheesy."
Jimin laughed from between them as Jungkook couldn't help but feel the warmth flutter again.

"Don't worry, sweetcheeks. You are no less with that face and that beauty."
Taehyung said, looking straight into Jimin's eyes with a wink.

"When did you learn to flirt so smoothly?"
Jungkook asked, enjoying the way Jimin seemed to freeze in position.

It was normal to tease your best friends.

"Since the day I was born."
Taehyung said, a playful smirk and an eyebrow wiggle in place.

"No seriously. Look at me winking in this photo. I was hardly six months old."

"Alright, smooth operator."

Jungkook slowly stopped laughing to evaluate the annoying things called thoughts that were clashing in his head.

Having had no crushes, — atleast ones that lasted enough to be counted as one - Jungkook had practically no experience in understanding what classifies as one. He assumed it was harsh fluttering of his heart when he was in their presence. Or maybe the slow realisation that dawned over days of a life-changing event. Or maybe the flip of a switch as you see them in everything you do daily. Jungkook wasn't well-versed with crushes and he was sure that he wasn't likely to find out anytime soon.

Afterall, what would change since seven years of living through the realisation that he wasn't made for relationships?

But could he really deny this bubbling happiness that erupted when Jimin placed his fingers on Jungkook's knuckles? Or deny this feeling of being cared as Taehyung cut his meat into biteable chunks?

"You okay?"
Jimin asked, leaning in close to which he nodded mutely.

"Why aren't you drinking wine? You literally thrive off this."
Jungkook mumbled with a frown and a pointed stare at Jimin.

"Aish cutiepie. I need to drive, remember?"
Jimin replied gently with a laugh.

"We should've taken a cab. Next time, we're doing that!"

"Whatever you say, my lord."
Jimin murmured with a sly smile.

And oh, if Jimin kept this up, Jungkook wasn't sure if his heart could handle the assault.

"On the day of my turn, I'm taking you guys to watch a play at the theatre."
Taehyung interrupted, slurring at the edges.

Yeah, he was definitely gonna regret drinking tomorrow when he wakes up with a hangover.

"Okay, Taehyungie."
Jimin's voice tapered off into a sickly fond voice as he raised his hand to gently caress the younger's cheek.

"I love this ice cream. You can try this, right?"
Jungkook asked, taking a spoonful of the pistachio and raspberries ice cream towards Jimin.

"Of course, bubba!"

"It does taste good. I'll get more to stock up."
Jimin said mindlessly and Jungkook couldn't make sense of it for the life of him. Maybe it was the alcohol buzzing underneath.

Jungkook simply leaned down to place his heated cheek against the cool glass. His head was fluff with empty thoughts and it honestly felt too good. At the commotion of Jimin opening his wallet and pressing the card into the waiter's hands, Jungkook stared hoping to magically get rid of sleepiness and protest to pay.

But alas, he was only a sleepy boy craving for his soft bed and fresh-washed comforters.

Well, he wouldn't mind a tangle of limbs underneath.

"Shall we go to my place to crash?"
Jimin suggested, mirth in his voice as he saw his two best friends.

"Yeah, I think I'm starting to see two of you."
Taehyung muttered, full body slamming into Jimin's awaiting arms that held him pretty strong.

With one arm around Taehyung and another holding onto Jungkook's, Jimin helped them to the backseat of his car and off they went back to his apartment.

"So, how was your first date like?"
Jimin asked, flopping his head back.

They were showered, cleaned and changed as they found their refuge on Jimin's bed. It wasn't uncommon for them to have sleepovers as Taehyung was on Jimin's other side with an arm reaching over the eldest's stomach to hold Jungkook while Jungkook was smothered under Jimin's legs.

Just best friends thing.

"It was great, hyung. But it would be fine if you guys want to go on your own. I'm not too big on dates and I mean, you could go with your possible love interest instead of making it a best friends thing."

"Do you think I didn't mean every part of this date? It was as real as any other date I've been on. Maybe even more."
Jimin's frown was prominent, despite the shadows cast by the moonlight.

"No no hyung. I loved it all, every second of it. Made me feel special too!"
Jungkook muttered, trying to salvage the situation.

"Then why —"

"It was nothing. Don't worry. I was just talking rubbish."
Jungkook spoke quickly, hoping to shut the forthcoming spillage of his insecurities.

Soon in the silence of the night that crowded them in, Taehyung leaned across to press a kiss on both Jimin's and Jungkook's cheeks. With a startled expression he turned over to stare at the older, only to find Jimin doing the same on the other side of his cheek. He just sat still as their arms wrapped around his torso gently.

"Isn't this how dates end?"
Taehyung slurred out, quite a bit drunk.

"Good night hyungs."
Jungkook said, smiling softly at how warm and safe he felt being in the middle of their cuddle sandwich.

"G'night!"

"I don't know about you, but personally this was the best date I have been on. Thanks babies."
Jimin whispered as he heard the snores from the other two.

The night sky was illuminated by the pretty moon and sleep was plenty as the three of them let it lull them deep under. 

"Okay, get up sleeping beauties. I wish you didn't have work, but unfortunately that's not the case. So, get up and off to the shower."
Jimin's gentle voice and even gentler hands shook Jungkook awake.

Last night was probably his best sleep in the past few months. Upon fully opening his eyes, he came across his best friends' sweet faces, Taehyung still groggy and sleepy heaving his weight on Jimin.

"I've kept your outfits ready. And bags packed."
Jimin muttered, patting Taehyung up and out to go take a shower.

Jungkook was sure he couldn't express the overwhelming sense of gratitude that surged within him. Sure, it wasn't a big deal but no one had done this for him since he was in middle school. His parents were the only people who did it, an unconditional love bond between them. But for JImin to do that was uniquely pleasant and unsurprisingly so for his best friend was the sweetest human ever.

"It's my turn today. I'm taking you somewhere special."
Taehyung muttered excitedly, as he came back in with a towel wrapped around his waist. 

Jungkook wasn't sure how time had gone by so quickly.

"Is it the—?"
Jungkook asked only to be pinched by Jimin lightly on his arm.

"Hm?"

"Ah nothing."
Jungkook said, looking back and forth between Jimin's pleasant face with a bit down smile and Taehyung's undried back— a bad habit the other hadn't yet let go of.

"He doesn't remember telling us that. Let's just keep it that way."
Jimin whispered with a small kiss as a forgiveness for the pinch.

And that's how Jungkook ended up at the city's biggest theatre which specialised in opera performances and classic drama remakes.

Apparently, he had also been quite early.

With 20 minutes to spare for the other two arrive, Jungkook wandered along to get some snacks to munch on. His work had been completed early with new projects taking a halt around the month of February. The fiscal year ending it bring that sort of vibe to the place. 

His eyes once again came across the colourful celebration and decorations around the stores. But for once in his life, he didn't feel as miserable as he did every other year during this time. He, now had the chance of experiencing the vibe of love that he saw in all those romantic movies.

"You're here!"
Jungkook felt arms wrap around his back before he could hear Taehyung's excited voice.

The actual experience, which was also his first time at such a theatre space with huge, royal red curtains and carefully carved banisters that loomed over them. With special tickets for the VIP section, Jungkook was amazed by the selection of champagne that was presented for him.

"Let me take your coat, darling."
As Taehyung ushered him to take his seat, the older's hands helped him out of the thick beige coat making him seat alongside Jimin.

Silence fell upon them whole, as the curtains lifted up and the instruments on the side soon set the mood of the play. It was dramatic with how the actors ascended the stage with flawless make up and wigs in place. And soon, the dialogues started pouring in with hands moving in tandem to show the emotions. 

Jungkook was utterly captivated. 

And that would still be an understatement. 

His eyes moved along to the plot that was presented with exaggerated eyes and wonderfully rich words. His whole body was locked in and that was quite a surprise for he was always an energized ting ting ball that kept bouncing off the walls. 

"Jungkook, do you want a blanket or something?"
Jimin's soft voice was worded out but not heard.

"Guk-ah?"
But Taehyung's voice was indeed heard.

"Yeah? Is there something?"
Jungkook asked, a little annoyed frown on his face.

"Blankets?"

"No."
Jungkook said sharply, moving his eyes back onto the stage.

He could hear the quiet giggles on his side and feel two hands running through his hair. But with him being immersed in the plotline that had currently moved to another twist with the brother being the actual backstabber of the story, he wasn't much bothered by their teasing laughs.

Oh, he now understood why Taehyung loved coming here.

"Hyung, this was awesome. Like really cool. The music really made me cry."
Jungkook said, clutching onto Taehyung's arms.

They were out of the theatre after finishing the two hour performance that had entranced Jungkook fully. He was high on energy despite the death of the two brothers at the ending of the play. Jimin was on the other side of Taehyung, moving to fold in the handkerchief that Jungkook had used just a few minutes back.

"I know. It really was good, right?"
Taehyung mumbled, pulling Jungkook's and Jimin's hands closer to warm their appendages as the chill air blowed right up their face.

"I'm making hot chocolate when we get home!"
Jimin muttered, shivering with his teeth clenched tight.

Despite the whole date being an entertainment outlet for the three of them rather than about them, Jungkook was glad that he was here with them. He knew he wouldn't have enjoyed his first play to this extent if he was with anyone else. They had given him a space which allowed him to be free in a way that expression of himself wasn't frowned upon.

"Did you see that lady with the purple gown? She captivated me like how are people so talented?"
Jungkook said as they sat together in Jimin's car back home.

"Hmm, I know right. But I think I'm meant for more rom-com variants rather than angst. Like this was just sad with them dying. Why did they have to die?"
Jimin said, clutching onto the gear stick as he pushed it forward.

"Sorry, would have taken you to a more lighter one, but no tickets were available."
Taehyung said, quiet and soft.

"Well, we have got our whole lives ahead. I'm sure you'll get more chances to take us out."
Jimin chuckled with a wink.

"Yeah hyung, you just got me hooked onto this. An expensive affair but what is another hobby to my huge list, right?"
Jungkook joked and that had the other two tumbling down with belly laughs.

"Oh, your list that consists of sanrio plushies collection, motorbikes in your apartment basement, spider watching, card magic lessons, baking cakes, crocheting yarns, and scrapbooking, hmm?"
Taehyung suggested, looking at Jungkook through the mirror view.

"Stop, I like them all. They make me happy!"
Jungkook whined, quieting the other two.

"I know bubby, but I still don't know how you picked up scrapbooking?"
Jimin laughed, not a mean tingle in the words.

And so their night once again went by with Jimin and Taehyung crashing at Jungkook's place. There was an ease in how they moved to remove their coats and shoes, and then to the kitchen to make hot chocolate. It flowed like water with each of them whispering and giggling along as they got ready for bed.

It was the second night of Jungkook not sleeping alone, being covered under blankets, a tangle of limbs around his own, and he was not complaining.

Like at all. 

The third date was Jungkook's chance and he was going make full use of it. 

But alas, him being caught in work took quite a considerable amount of time out of his planning.

He utilised his date to get them out into the karaoke place. He knew they loved such spaces where it was just them despite being in public. And given how they could belt really high notes for fun, he was sure that this would be absolutely wonderful.

Sure, this wasn't his best idea, but given all three of them were wrapped in work, this was the best he could come up with.

"Yah, you're late!"
Taehyung said, ruffling Jungkook's hair as the two stood by the door to the karaoke place.

He saw Jimin putting in the pack of m&m's that was likely being shared by the two. A small smile of acknowledgement and Jungkook pulled them along to get in the room he had booked for three hours. He had already asked for all the dishes they loved to be delivered in, so that they wouldn't waste time choosing.

"Ta-da! Now you can actually stop being so humble and actually show your skills off!"
Jungkook said, loud and happy in his voice.

And as he looked on, Taehyung and Jimin shared a glance with a weirdly fond smile that was usually reserved for when they saw a cute puppy on the street. A telepathy between the two and it wasn't suprising at the very least for they were self proclaimed soulmates— platonically, of course.

"Hey ready to be floored, guk-ah. I'm going to hit the highest notes."
Taehyung mattered which had Jimin sneakily tilting his lips upwards.

Four trot songs, three pop synth songs, three rap songs, and two rnb songs with multiple giggle breaks later, they were here.

A picture wonderfully painted.

Jungkook sipping cola from the soda can with his legs crossed neatly, Jimin reaching over Jungkook to get to the table for more fried chicken which usually meant him being halfway across Jungkook's lap, and Taehyung laying on the ground, full star fish mode.

"Admit it."
Jungkook muttered, stern eyes on the older boy.

"I give up. I can't do it. Happy?"
Taehyung croaked out, voice hardly a whisper.

"Absolutely!"
Jungkook happily said, abruptly getting up which left Jimin tumbling down slightly.

"Didn't know we raised a monster."
Jimin playfully said which had the youngest evil giggling.

"You don't get to speak either. Why aren't you already auditioning? Your voice is just...*
Taehyung pointedly said with eyes narrowed towards Jimin.

"But hyung, you're the star of the show. Literally. You could serenade all the crying babies in town."
Jungkook added, his eyes shining under the lights.

"Alright, enough of the love fest. We need to hear more!"
Jimin said, picking up the mic and remote to choose another song.

The lights were blaring with neon colours something akin to the club vibe but without the smell of sweat and alcohol in the air. No, this was cosy and fun with his best friend's melodious voice as the perfect mood setter. Taehyung was right, Jimin's voice was just...

Yeah.

But this whole evening accumulated over the past two nights begged the question in Jungkook's mind.

What was that differentiating line between lovers and best friends?

Especially when you had Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung in your life who were willing to do anything for you. The two of them had done everything for him and sometimes even more than what he had heard of couples or well, a people in love. They were willing to take him out on dates just because he hadn't experienced one.

Was it only the sexual part of a relationship that made people lovers?

Was it the easy flow of conversation that took place or the quiet comfort bathing them? Was it the admiring each other like they had drawn power from the sun itself or the small checks on each other for any obvious signs of distress? Was it the entering of limbs as they cuddled or the trading of each other's favourite food for a taste? Was it all of the above knowing well enough that their hearts were connected in ways impossible?

If it were that, then he had covered almost all the bases.

All he knew at the moment was, Jimin and Taehyung were here.

As friends or something more was a decision for later.

Chapter Text

Jungkook was sure that there were very few people in this world who could be content in this world. Content in a way that meant the bliss of living overtook everything else. None of the world's riches could amount to that state of being.

And Jungkook was also sure that he was nowhere near that level of contentedness.

But he was damn sure that whatever this week had been so far had led him closer to that state of coexisting in both everything and nothing.

He would have never thought just three days of whatever this - these dates with his best friends that should've meant nothing more, but actually did- was going to upturn his life in a way that made him believe that he wasn't wrong for wanting love. Despite his discerning detachment to the other form of love that many adored, a hope was lit in his heart.

Silly thing indeed, but it was persistent and ready to flourish.

"Since today is a light day, can we go on a hike? Small and easy evening hike to watch the sunset."
Jimin had asked, after having woken up to the sound of Taehyung's annoyingly loud alarm.

Well, it was just the two of them who were awake. Taehyung was still pretty dead to the world. even though the alarm was his.

With a nod, Jungkook had flopped on Jimin again, sleep still heavy in his eyes. The older boy simply chuckled at the action, hand automatically coming to brush through the tangled dark locks.

Jungkook wondered if he could just quit his job- if drastic measures were allowed and if not, he could just take the day off and laze around like this. The sun still shaded behind the curtains, warmth in perfect ratios of cold, blankets wrapped around his limbs with two humans breathing in sync with his own and a hand in his hair.

What more could a man ask for?

"Baby bunny, we still need to get ready."

Jungkook couldn't help but wonder if Jimin always called him pretty names with his sweet luring voice. He knew their friendship wasn't very formal and had that sense of ease to joke, but his heart skipping a beat at the pet names wasn't part of that. So instead, he went to his go-to response.

"No. I wanna stay here."

"I know, but I need you to move from on top of me. My stomach's angry about missing my breakfast cue and you need to make me food as payback."

Jimin's voice was too cheery for someone who was supposed to be angry.

"Fiiine, I'll make some kimchijeon."
Jungkook whined, putting up a show of fake annoyance.

"...jeon?"
Taehyung smacked his lips quietly.

"Yep, that's me! Jeon Jungkook"

That pulled a petulant rumbly whine from under the blankets.

"The sleep monster only lets you go when you hear food?"
Jimin's tinkling voice rang in, making the other push himself out of his cocoon of warmth to playfully lunge across Jungkook and towards Jimin.

Ripples of laughter strung through and Jungkook had to stumble out of the bed quickly to stop himself from getting dragged into their tickle cuddle pile.

Upon seeing the clock, he rushed even further to get himself clean, prepared and ready for the long day at work. He had hastily gotten out the batter from the previous day and made a few savory pancakes for all of them. Just as he was ready to leave his apartment - he hated that his work place was so far away that he had to leave at least 45 minutes early to reach on time - Taehyung waddled over to hug him and press a 'good luck' kiss on his pudgy cheeks as they claimed it to be.

"Min wanted to say good day at work and hoping to see you in the evening! But he had to get in the shower."
Taehyung mumbled, still clinging on as Jungkook basked in the sleepy warmth from the older boy.

He left one pair of keys in Taehyung's hand having enough confidence that they would not let his place be robbed.

The evening let off from work came by way too late, according to Jungkook's impatient ass. He loved the endorphin rush that followed through with a workout, especially one in the nature. And so he was indeed keenly looking forward to that. As he walked to their meet-up spot as discussed, he couldn't help but think back to his coworker's comment during lunch.

"You seem happier. Found someone good?"
Minjae had teased with a slight judge to his shoulder.

"Don't gatekeep them now. Do bring them along for the year end parties."

And Jungkook didn't know what to think of it.

On one hand, he wanted to correct them that he didn't have a partner like they suggested and it was just his two best friends. There was no love interest in his life. It wasn't something he was looking for actively, despite feeling miserable when February rolled in.

You can be happy even without having someone to call your lover.

He knew that better than anyone.

After years of struggling with the fact that many, not all people prioritised sex as an important factor to relationships, he knew where he was. They accounted that the difference between friendship and relationship was the all-consuming love - which he could get by, to be quite frank. What he couldn't get past is their expectation of wanting his tongues on their skin, physical boundings that have them wanting and wanting for more.

He wasn't a prude. He wasn't entirely repulsed by others wanting that for them.

But he might have had one or more encounters where it was thrusted into his hands and he couldn't get rid of that feeling. The icky and the uncomfortable parts of it were far too much to get by. Jungkook had been on this long journey of learning and unlearning the paths he was forced to have as part of the society's expectation.

And to even hint that a relationship was his source of happiness seemed offensive.

(Maybe he had more to unlearn, for a relationship need not be all the things he had learnt so far. Maybe the love spoken went beyond physical needs. Maybe there were people willing to accept him as he was, without pushing him into things he didn't enjoy.

Maybe one day, he would accept that he could love and be loved.)

On the other hand, he wished to know what had changed that they chose to comment that. Was he really not as miserable as before? Had his mood lightened up by just two of his best friends including him in their daily life? Did the brewing turmoil in his chest mean something more than just fear?

Before his mind wandered further, Jimin's unexpected hand on his shoulder pulled him back to the reality of standing at the start of a trail.

"Guk-ah, you can go change in that stall and drop all your stuff in my car."
Jimin said, coming into his view with hike-friendly wear on and a backpack, likely filled with essentials.

Taehyung was yet to arrive, judging by the lack of his loud presence.

After all the hassle of changing clothes, the three of them- including, Taehyung who was breathless having run from the nearby bus stop- started up the trail. It was serene and quiet with a sparse population, which was expected as such for it was a weekday. Jungkook looked out at the green bushes, birds returning home from their foraging, crickets getting ready to call in with their tunes. Everything seemed so unlike his work at the office.

Cramping, suffocating, noisy.

This was freezing and especially with Taehyung's light humming, something he had picked up at his work as a music teacher for little kids. His low baritone, though careless in ways that meant he was doing it unconsciously, carried along to relax Jungkook.

"'s nice. Just good. Would've never made time for this if not for you, Jimin-ah."
Taehyung muttered and Jungkook who was walking just a step behind could see it.

That look of subtle love illuminating his face better than the setting sun's rays. One that couldn't be mistaken for anything else except what for love, the ever thrumming and all encompassing kind of love.

That look he had seen on Jimin when Taehyung had smeared his birthday cake's strawberry buttercream on Jimin's nose. One that was so endeared and completely in tune with his soul.

They would make a good match, Jungkook's mind supplied helpfully.

"Jungoo, enjoying the hike?"
Jimin asked, pulling him from his thoughts instead of answering Taehyung.

This was one of the biggest reasons he never felt left out for they always made it a point to put their centre focus point on him. How could anyone ever get past the fact that they had this warmth when they talked to him? He truly was lucky to have friends like them.

(How could anyone ever get past the fact that they looked at him with the same look?

Except Jungkook did. Because he was a fool not to notice it.)

"A lot. I like it."
Jungkook said, as he basked in the glow of the orange light. His face warmer than usual with his lips stretched far in a blinding smile.

He may not have acknowledged his existence a lot of times, but right now with his legs aching in a pleasantly painful way, his mind blissfully quiet, his eyes wide open to memorise the simple wonder of everyday, and his sides nudged by his two best friends, he would have to say that living was a really cool thing.

There were a few hikers on the way back who nodded for courtesy. Jungkook couldn't help but notice that the route they were taking was an easy one as compared to the ones taken by everyone else. And he immediately could connect the dots to lead it back to Jimin's thoughtfulness.

He had chosen the easier path for Taehyung had been complaining about his knee hurting and a steeper route would just aggravate it.

Jimin had planned it in a way to accommodate their shortcomings of sorts. All so that they would be able to enjoy the beauty of the endless horizon without exerting too much.

Oh, Jungkook was a lost man already if he didn't know better.

"Guk-ah, let's cut it here, We can stay for another 30 minutes until the dark settles in, hm?"
Jimin asked, putting his bag down to take out a picnic blanket to be placed over the seemingly flat surface.

Getting out a few juice bottles and a chips packet, they settled down to rest their limbs. Low murmurs followed through as the oranges and reds turned to faint yellows with dark blues creeping up. Blinking up at the changing skies, Jungkook breathed out a weight he didn't know he was carrying.

Jimin and Taehyung were in a similar state as their pulses synced almost perfectly.

They basked in the glow of slowing down their life, even if it was momentary.

Sure, he had to go back to the same job where his co-workers talked his ears off, where his boss didn't respect his choices, where his passion for life dwindled down each day. But right here, with Jimin caressing his back and Taehyung splayed out on his lap, Jungkook felt like maybe it wasn't all that bad. Maybe his world wasn't ending.

Maybe he wasn't dying alone with no one beside him. 

"Eomma please."

"You know I am right."

Jungkook had just been home after catching two buses back to back with the rush hour crowd. And of course, his mother had picked up that exact time to call him for their weekly phone talks. Right after he had entered his home with his hand still stuck on removing his tied up converse shoes. 

"I don't want to have this conversation now."

It was the same old thing. His sweet mother, whom he loved very dearly always seemed to bring up the same conversation of him returning back to Busan and hopefully settle with a nice partner. She wanted grandkids and while Jungkook also loved children dearly, he didn't necessarily want his own.

His mother had called him selfish for that once and Jungkook had raised his voice against her for the first time, though both of them ended it in quiet apologies. 

She had thankfully never brought it back, knowing it was an ignition point for her son. Though, now she focussed more on the fact that he needs someone beside him.

He didn't want to go back to Busan, simply because he had finally adjusted to the world here in Seoul with its buzzing energy and vibrant traffic, which was so very different to the cool breezes and calm population in his hometown. He was getting used to the rush and rhythm of existing in this city thus, to move back was not quite on his plan.

As for a partner, it brought a can of worms he wasn't willing to open just yet.

He didn't have time to dedicate to another— though that was questionable now given, that he had made time for his two best friends. He didn't necessarily want to get into a relationship where they would likely be unsatisfied by the expectations they had which would not be fulfilled by Jungkook in this lifetime.

It was too much. He didn't want to drag the other person in his lonely life that they couldn't adapt to.

It was too much and Jungkook desperately wished it wasn't, but he couldn't change who he was.

It was too much and he would live with that.

"Fine, we'll not talk about it."

Jungkook breathed out a sigh of relief at his mother's acceptance to drop the subject.

"Did you see the picture your aunt posted in the group chat? It looks so good, but doesn't it feel like she's showing off? I swear Heejin is trying to get on my nerves after I commented that her dress wasn't cute last time..."

Jungkook plugged in his bluetooth that connected to the call once again, hoping this would let his hands free for other chores as he listened on his mother's gossips of how the neighbours were acting and how his father bought her a bouquet of peonies this morning.

Her talking acted like background music, something quite comforting and homely about it. As if his mother was right there on the couch folding dry laundry as he did the dishes. It cancelled all the noise that threatened to unravel in his head.

Soothing in its own way, his mother's voice was a constant.

"I know eomma. That uncle has always been to stuck up."
Jungkook added as the topic of the little shop by the corner's owner had opened up with his mother being upset at the recent incident— which included overpriced eggs and non=exchangeable grains. 

"Are you coming down with something?"

Concern coloured her words in one that Jungkook didn't particularly like.

"No, why do you ask?"

"You sound...somewhat tired. Take rest bubba, drink lots of water and eat healthy food. I know you tend to neglect yourself at times, but don't do that. I'm not even physically present to remind you that."

Jungkook let out a sigh, comforting her in response. Soon, their call ended with sweet goodbyes and empty promises of visiting home soon. Something that Jungkook was awfully guilty about, but he couldn't help it.

Resting his back against the headboard of his bed, he propped his legs up to support his phone. He knew what he was doing as he scrolled through his instagram account, mindlessly watching some video of a rich influencer. He knew what he was doing as his hands hovered over the abandoned series that he wished to see, but his mood was never right to start back up.

He knew that he was procrastinating.

Pushing away the process of letting his thoughts marinate, the process of making decisions based on those thoughts, the process of relaxing his mind. His mind was in an overdrive as he procrastinated the simple task of watching the series he was looking forward too.

Jeon Jungkook was officially, a mess.

The lines were blurring.

And time was running faster than he could catch it up with.

The lines were distorting between them and Jungkook didn't want to imagine how he was going to deal with his feelings.

All the steps towards the spiral came to an halt when his phone stopped playing the short video and switched to a call ringing loud in a tune he loved.

Special ringtones for special people.

"Hyung..."
Jungkook's voice was just above a whisper.

"Hey babes, where are you? Do you need us to pick you up?"
Taehyung asked, all so soft and Jungkook didn't have the mind to tell him that he was not in a state to try.

He hadn't forgotten about their evening out, a little walk by a park that Taehyung wanted to check out. 

They were taking it easy, having weighed down by their daily lives and routines. The initial rush to do many things over the week had mellowed down.

Wouldn't it have been great if they had nothing else to do except go on their outings where his mind would quieten and there was nothing to worry about? But alas, this was real life where bills had to be paid, despite the weary soul within.

"Jungoo? You there?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm here. But, um I can't come today. I'm sorry for backing out last minute. Hope you guys have a nice evening though."
Jungkook replied, sucking in a breath.

"What's wrong bubs?"
Jimin asked, after a second.

"Personal stuff, I suppose. I'm just not in the right mind today. I need some time—"

"Home. I'm home. Again, I'm sorry I disrupted the plans—"

Jungkook sighed heavily.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He didn't even get to finish his part of the conversation. Taehyung had cut the call before he could get it out. 

Maybe they were angry or disappointed that he couldn't make it. Maybe they didn't want to waste more time on a lost cause. Maybe the connection was bad (he did hear static noises before it got cut).  Maybe he was overthinking it all and there really was nothing wrong. 

Soon, the video's voices resumed and Jungkook didn't fight his brain that latched onto the short-lived dopamine from it. His attention span wasn't the greatest and he wasn't proud of it, but really he couldn't help but feel relaxed in this seemingly mundane choice of watching videos after a long day of work with customers.

The loud radio being played from his opposite neighbour's house pulled Jungkook out of his doom cycle, thus, urging him forward to make some food.

Unfortunately, there really was nothing but an egg and a packet of rice that he had kept for rare emergencies. 

(His mom never approved of packed rice like that. It was "unearthly" to be having rice cooked in a packet, according to her and well, Jungkook couldn't argue.)

Sighing for the nth time, Jungkook closed his refrigerator and opened his phone yet again to order some takeout.

But, before he could click on the final 'place order' button, there was a knock on the door and a series of knocks in a musical pattern, quite like the beginning of sixteen going on seventeen from 'Sound of Music'

Smiling all too brightly, Jungkook opened the door to see the only person he knew to be as obsessed with that song.

Kim Taehyung.

"Hyung, you didn't even try."

"I didn't have to."

It was meant to come in a banter-filled joyous tone, but there was a soft, fond look on the older boy's face that was impossible to get past by. 

"Jimin's coming in a second. He needed to get a few stuff. So, for now help me put these away."
Taehyung continued, breaking that moment as if it quite only existed in Jungkook's memory.

"Why? I thought you were going to that park you wanted to check—"

"Sorry for interrupting you, but this was meant for all of us, especially you. There really wouldn't be an us without you."
Jimin replied from behind, hands full with bags of takeout food. The delicious smell of which wafted right up Jungkook's nose, enough for it to grumble loudly.

"Hey guk-ah, don't overthink it. I like staying home. If it is with the both of you, then it is better than anything outside really."
Taehyung said, hand on the other's shoulders and eyes filled with earnest comfort.

"Yeah, now help me keep all these in. We're likely spending the weekend over."

"You do have work tomorrow, right?"

Jungkook's question was received with a nod from Taehyung as they moved to refill the stock with the bags. All of them moved in tandem to take out plates, arrange the chopsticks, clean up the couch and seat themselves comfortably for dinner with a show on preferably.

All of their quiet remarks about how the prices have increased or about how the ajumma at the supermarket was arranging the red roses neatly or how that kid down the street had got a new bicycle which she showed quite proudly when the two of them were walking to Jungkook's house, had been successful.

Successful enough for Jungkook's reeling mind to forget all about his turmoil.

"Hyung, you don't have to add more to my plate."
Jungkook whined low as he pulled his plate away from Taehyung's reach.

"If I don't how will my Jungkookie become big and strong?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes at Taehyung's explanation as Jimin laughed on, knowing very well they were just teasing him. Instead, he focussed on the show which had included some valentine's special song and dance interlude. 

His mind was once again filled with thoughts, unnecessary and loud. Wandering into places unknown of whether that love was something he could only see and never to feel for he was ultimately broken in most of the world's eyes.

"You okay though?"
Jimin asked, gentle in his voice.

"Yeah. Better, now that you are here."

"If this is overwhelming you, we can stop these. And if in the future, you ever feel like not hanging out, it's okay. Just let us know."

"Mhm...wasn't doing that well mentally. Thinking has always led me to strange places."
Jungkook joked and he cringed after a second as he could see it on their faces that the joke didn't quite land the way he wanted it to.

"Won't force you to talk, but know we're always here."
Taehyung muttered, moving close enough to hold Jungkook in his arms.

The television had long gone black with the credits, yet as the warm presence of his best friends seem to quieten the buzzing under his skin. The table was cleared and they were soon in Jungkook's bathroom, brushing their teeth.

"What do you want to do tomorrow? No pressure, we can just enjoy on our own or alone."
JImin asked, prodding the topic given tomorrow was also February 14th, the glorious day of love.

And well, wasn't that the question?

Whether Jungkook wanted to celebrate it or not?

He didn't want it go by like any other day. He didn't want to be miserable as he watched his co-workers get whisked away for weekend plans as he stayed home— nothing wrong with it, but he was tired of that all-consuming loneliness. He wanted to enjoy it, perhaps lose his mind, numbing it all too soon before the thoughts haunted him.

He wanted to celebrate himself, even if he wasn't quite there.

"Drinking and clubbing."
Jungkook answered, looking at his two hyungs expectedly who slipped out of their clothes to the spare pajamas kept in his closet.

"If you are up for it, then sure baby."

Jungkook tried not to let that nickname get to him.

But as he drifted to sleep that night between Jimin and Taehyung (yet again, to no one's surprise) he dreamed of a faceless man calling him baby, in a suspiciously similar voice to Jimin as lips alike to Taehyung's kissed his cheek all too tenderly.

Chapter Text

"We'll meet at that poppy café down the intersection street and then walk to the club beside that pizza place?"
Jungkook said as the call connected on a group call with Jimin and Taehyung.

Jimin had left early before breakfast for the scheduled appointment at the dentist. Despite wanting to spend the morning slow with a cup of coffee and warm sunlight, he had to leave owing to his past self who had taken the call. Neither Jungkook's lips that moulded to a pout nor Taehyung's wide puppy eyes had deterred the other.

Then, of course Taehyung had taken leave right after the light breakfast of miso soup and rice to clock in his 5 hours of work. That was after he had whined and complained about having to work on a Saturday of all days. Jungkook had looked up for less-crowded yet enjoyable clubs around the area and had made the call soon after. He was going to make sure that they had fun despite the setback yesterday.

Yes, they had told him they were okay spending time at home and that they wouldn't ever go on without him, but he still felt guilty. Sue him for being a people pleaser.

"Sounds good, Guk-ah!"
Jimin muttered, the sound of horns rang in the background, indicating he was driving back home.

"Yeah, I'll be there by 6."
Taehyung said, voice cheerful and happy.

Jungkook rushed to the shower just as the call cut. He was only going out with "friends", an outing quite normal for people his age. But, he was really set on looking good today, a surprising mood for once as he planned on wearing his hair in a half ponytail and black skinny jeans with the shimmery, translucent midnight blue shirt.

Rarely did he get it down, wanting to feel extra pretty and happy. Blue eyeshadow with the slightest smidge of kohl lining his eyes and the prettiest shimmery blush that made his skin look like Edward Cullen. He usually shied away from this dressing himself most days, usually because his past experiences after that haven't been as great.

People usually didn't take his word and that led to uncomfortable situations which had Jungkook go into hiding for the rest of the month.

But, this was different. He was going out to dance, drink and have fun. No unwanted people. No weird questions. No forceful talking to strangers.

And so, he put on his black heeled boots and locked his doors to get to the agreed place of meet. He had spent the last of the hour, perfecting his shirt's wrinkles and then taking at least 20 selfies, the best one being the one with a very characteristic pout on his lips and fingers up in a peace sign.

He had chosen to take the bus not really wanting to risk it by using a vehicle of his own after what he assumed would be a drinking night. He didn't want the extra headache of parking and worry of someone stealing it. 

And seemingly, the other two had a similar idea.

As he got down at the nearest stop Jungkook was greeted, quite unintentionally, by Jimin and Taehyung who had gotten off by the other bus from the opposite side. 

The dark castleton green shirt that was quite form fitting to show off the best features of Jimin paired with washed out light blue jeans made for Jimin's top 5 best fits, according to Jungkook. Meanwhile Taehyung's light pink top which had multicolour sequins that reflected wonderfully under the last of the sun rays made for a lovely outfit with the flowy sleeves and black jeans.

"Shiny. Nice."
Despite all the wonderfully phrased monologues, those were the first words Jungkook spoke as he moved to touch the sequins on Taehyung's top.

The older simply laughed letting Jungkook feel the texture of his top, despite being at a seemingly crowded spot of the street. After a few seconds, he seemed to get out of the trance of his childish cat-like curiosity and immediately blushed out of embarrassment. 

"Looking so pretty, Guk-ah!"
Jimin said, eyes filled with mirth and playful teasing.

And of course, Jungkook played along.

"Not so bad yourself, Jimin-shi!"

"Yeah, the eyeshadow compliments your skin so well."
Taehyung praised, lightly brushing his knuckles against Jungkook's cheekbones.

The youngest had half the mind of letting his face follow that wispy touch of Taehyung, hoping for more of that gentleness. But he decided against it, for very obvious reasons.

"Aw hyung, this is from the pallette you had gifted last year for my birthday."
Jungkook said, excitement rolling off in waves.

"My choice has always been great."
Taehyung said, pride in his words.

And with the initial back and forth of chatting, they were off to the club which wasn't as crowded as the other ones in the city. Drinks were cheap and music was great which was obviously their entire checklist for a place to let go and enjoy the night.

"Anyone already had a prep round of drinks?"
Taehyung asked, as he linked his hands with Jimin.

Obviously, three of them couldn't walk on the sidewalk together. And Jungkook had taken a step back to follow them.

He was used to being the other person. The one that the sidewalk couldn't accommodate, the one the pair of seats couldn't hold, the one who couldn't get in on the poses they had because it was made for even numbers and not odd. It had hurt him earlier, but on one such incident back in college, Jimin had caught on and confronted him.

"Jungkook, why do you not join in on our conversations?"

They were still new to the friendship, having taken a common minor subject and were still to be acquainted all too thoroughly. As of the time of question, Jungkook had just let the other two gush over a new movie as he simply sat stirring his boba tea, a mix of shy and just protecting himself from another subtle rejection of not fitting in their pair.

"Nothing like that."
Jungkook had answered instead.

"No, you walk behind us whenever we go out, you don't join in unless we ask you to, like you're waiting for an invitation. So we make you uncomfortable?"
Jimin has prodded further, and Jungkook in a surge of confidence had spoken up.

"No you don't. But, everything is in two. Nothing's made in three, atleast in a convenient sense. And I don't wanna impose on you two. I've already had my fair share of experiences."

"Well, sorry to disappoint but there are plenty that comes in three or more. Suit pieces, traffic lights, chocolate options, triangle sides, flavours in a Neapolitan ice cream, laws of motion. These are just some things. Many of them don't even have numbers to limit it, so let go of that conception and join in. We are all new to this, let's stick by for more than just the end of college."
Taehyung had explained, wanting to cement the friendship.

And that slightly introspective talk had helped Jungkook let go of the huge walls which weren't boundaries but more of 'warning, don't come in!!' signs. The openness of that conversation had helped him overcome that initial doubt in friendship, never allowing another of those doubts to creep up. They made sure to include him and the only times he wasn't in on it was when he chose not to.

But of course, there was the part of the two of them being more than friends — or so, his suspicions led him to believe. And Jungkook just wasn't part of it.

It was complicated. Feelings usually were, but this was uncharted territory, not that Jungkook ever wanted to act on them. He was fully on the idea of letting them pass, not wanting to risk whatever they had between them or between each other.

"Y'know I did."
Jimin said, all too joyous to answer.

"Of course, he strikes again."
Jungkook rolled his eyes and Jimin stopped in his tracks to give a playful glare.

"Diminie?"
Taehyung said, already up in giggles.

"Hey, that was an emotional night."

"Emotional because you lost your breadstick?"
Taehyung questioned, getting a light punch on the side of his arm.

"It was perfectly shaped and had the right amount of garlic to go with it!"

"Anyways, I did one shot to calm my nerves, so that counts?"
Jungkook replied to the original question by Taehyung.

"Nerves? It's just us, babe!"
Jimin said, moving back to put an arm across Jungkook's broad shoulders.

"Baby's shy, huh?"
Taehyung teased, reaching to his back pocket to get out his phone.

The message that popped up was likely something not as important given Taehyung pinched his eyebrows for a second and then pocketed it back without replying.

"What's wrong?"
Jungkook asked, ever as observant to others around him.

"Nothing. Just my sister."
Taehyung said, easily replacing his moment of frustration to an easy and carefree smile.

Taehyung had never looked more prettier to Jungkook as his honey brown locks swept with the evening breeze. He could easily be cast in an artistically enthralling movie, a plot fit for someone like Taehyung, matching his soul's vibrant colours.

"I haven't, but given my tolerance I don't think I would be coherent enough to compete half way through with you guys if I had."
Taehyung said, changing back the topic to their talk of prep drinks.

Soon enough, they were in front of the club doors with the bouncer verifying their IDs and letting them in with a wink. Jungkook had frequented this club with some others and so the bouncer seemed to have recognise him.

The slow RnB playlist playing in the background seemed to be deafening just as they entered. People were still getting comfortable which was the reason of choice. Jungkook estimated that the club scene would fully start in another thirty minutes more or less. He had always visited later into the evening when the whole dancing stage was full-fledged and crowded.

"Anything specific? I'll get the drinks."
Jimin asked, hand having moved from Jungkook's shoulders to his waist.

"Something light for me."
Taehyung muttered, eyes searching for a seating booth by the side that could fit the three of them.

"Anything for me. We'll be there."
Jungkook said, pointing to the opposite spide of the dance floor.

Letting his eyes wander around at the people, he could easily see that more than half of them were couples, celebrating their valentine's day eve. That being a sunday seemed to a blessing for all. It gave most of them time to move across cities and maybe even countries to surprise their lovers.

In the entire ordeal of getting there,he had seemingly not focussed on all the reds and pinks scattered on the street in the form of decorations to honour the holiday. Jimin and Taehyung had completely distracted him from the obvious absence in his life.

And once again, he was conflicted over feeling guilty that maybe he was hijacking their supposed date as they had taken him on activities out of pity and the heavy feeling of realisation that he didn't think of the two of them as just his two best friends. Mortified at the least, he just stared at the floor, hoping this night goes smooth with no hitches and maybe tomorrow he can excuse himself for something, letting them be on their own.

"You're lost again, Guk-ah.  Are you sure you're okay? We can still go home."
Taehyung asked from beside him, hand reaching out to hold Jungkook's.

"No, I'm okay. Jimin's here."
Jungkook said, squeezing the other's hand as his eyes followed Jimin who was currently handling three drinks in different shapes glasses over to their table.

"One cosmopolitan for Taehyung, one whiskey sour for Jungkook and one negroni for me. Unless you wanna switch? I'm okay with either."
Jimin said, placing the colourful drinks on the table and the question pointed at Jungkook.

Jungkook shook his head in a no and took a sip as the whisky hit hard in the first sip. Just like he loved it.

"Tab's under my name. And no arguing over who gets to pay."

"You always do this. This was supposed to be my treat."
Jungkook complained as Taehyung slurped on the foam on top, clearly fascinated.

"Well, if I'm real short of stuff, I'll let you cover for me. For now, I'm comfortable enough to spend a little on my best friends."
Jimin said, the last bit sounded quieter than the rest, a lot more forced as Jungkook strained his ears.

The topic was soon dropped as they talked about how their drinks were made, how Jimin's dentist was impressed with his dental hygiene, how Taehyung's coworker seemed to have adopted him as they would get him items of use —the latest being a dozen of perfectly ripe bananas which were currently in his room and how Jungkook was looking to get a new pair of sneakers.

As they spent more time talking over each other with excited whispers and sips of delicious drinks paired with spicy chicken wings, the three of them seemed to have lost track of time and space. Despite having met throughout the week, they still had more to say, listen and talk. And given they had known each other for eternities (6 years and counting), one would easily expect them to have reached a plateaued stage of their friendship.

Yet, here they were talking about everything under the moon.

"Exhausted my drink, I need more."
Taehyung murmured, getting up from his spot next to Jungkook.

Jimin nodded in acknowledgment as the other walked over to the bar. Jungkook was busy munching on the last of the wings with a furrow in between his eyebrows. Handing out a tissue to wipe off the sauce before he could ask, Jimin took it further by leaning across the table to clean the stray bits on Jungkook's black sheer top.

"Let's join the dance floor? It seems to lack our presence by a lot."
Jimin said, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he looked at Jungkook.

"You think so, hm?"
Taehyung whispered in his deep voice, joining Jimin from behind him as his hand cradled a glass of margarita.

"Absolutely. Your fabulous self not being there defeats the purpose of our visit. And given how pretty Jungkook looks right now, it would be a shame for it not to be flaunted. The people want it."

"And who are these people?"
Jungkook asked with a voice that was trying hard not to fall out of character.

"I. I am the people. So go on and lose yourself in the music while I throw these away."

"As you wish, your majesty!"

Jungkook giggled at how easily the two of them slipped in and out of their own impromptu role play. Well, it was more of Jimin feeding into Taehyung's little wish of being an actor in another life. But, anything to make this one life more lively, right?

With EDM echoing through the place and beats right on spot to get you moving, Jungkook pulled Taehyung along to the dance floor. It wasn't as awkward as he had expected as they danced, letting their limbs take control to move accordingly. Jimin joined soon enough with his infamous smirk akin to the cat that got the cream.

(It would seem so as Jimin's inner monologue yelled upon seeing Jungkook's hands on Taehyung's waist and smiles brighter than the emergency flash light he kept on himself at all times. All of it directed towards him.)

Laughing unbashedly, Jungkook let himself be contorted for them to fit him in between while having enough space to move his hands. They sang along to the scarce lyrics, head moving to the rhythm and feet tapping along to the music. Lights shone on the pretty sequins of Taehyung's shirt making him and eye turner of the crowd. Jungkook couldn't help but feel smug about Taehyung being theirs for the night.

"We should do this more often!"
Taehyung shouted, trying his best to be heard over the loud music.

Jungkook nodded enthusiastically and then turned to his right where Jimin was plastered against his back, hands wound around the younger's waist. Nudging the blond slightly, Jungkook tried to check on him only getting a pout in response.

"You okay, Min?"
Taehyung asked instead, his hands moving to brush Jimin's bangs.

"Hm, yeah. Just getting a little woozy. Music's a lil too loud."
Jimin muttered and the other two stopped to thread through the crowd, effectively moving to an empty booth within seconds.

"Hey, you guys can go ahead. I just need to sit for some time."
Jimin said, just as Taehyung sat beside him.

"And leave you alone? Nuh-uh."
Jungkook said, grabbing a bottle of water and uncapping it for Jimin.

"All for one. We came together. And whatever I said yesterday to Jungkook applies to you too, mister."
Taehyung said, fanning a stray piece of cardboard towards Jimin.

Jungkook went ahead to order some pizza, nachos and fries as expected from his own growling stomach and acting as a distracting factory for Jimin.

With the food placed on their table in minutes, they were left to eat the food in a relatively quieter atmosphere. Jimin looked to be in better shape, colour returning to his cheeks as he chomped on the crispy cheesy pizza topped with pepperoni. The music from the dance floor felt like a distant reminder and the world faded away as Jungkook focussed on his plate of food and his two important people who had decided to spend time with him on valentine's eve.

"Need a drink?"
Jungkook asked, getting two no's in response.

He moved on to get himself a peach punch cocktail off the menu. As he waited by the bar aisle for the bartender to serve his drink, his eyes wandered to Taehyung and jimin who seemed too lost in a conversation.

Except their conversation wasn't one with their lips moving but their eyes.

Jungkook wouldn't lie by telling that didn't hurt, no it felt like a stab in his heart but he knew he wasn't privy to neither their conversation not their supposed secret. If secret was a word because anyone could say it was love written all over in pretty pink glitter.

"Here's your drink."
The lady said, placing his fancy glass in front of him which brought him back to reality.

Contemplating for over two seconds, he ordered a shit of tequila as well and gulped it down within the minute it was brought over. His cocktail untouched as the burn of the tequila made its way down his throat.

Carrying his glass over with a steeled mind, Jungkook was soon pulled in the conversation by Jimin.

"That looks pretty. But, I need you to tell this idiot that narwhals still exist albeit rare. He thinks they're some extinct species of prehistoric times."

Jungkook nodded as Jimin explained, which in turn caused a small frown to be placed perfectly on Taehyung's lips.

"I'm not dumb. My sister convinced me they were like the Loch Ness monster."

And at that, Jungkook's heart felt like it was melting into a puddle. Well, Jimin must have felt the same as he reached over to pinch the others cheeks with an audible coo on his lips.

There was a change in music as the DJ made an announcement of playing more mellow and slow songs for the rest of the night as a way to honour the valentine's day tradition. Jimin was the first to get up and urge them to get back on the dance floor to join the remaining people who were mostly couples— all pairs up with gentle smiles.

"You sure, you're okay with this?"
Jungkook asked, lips near Jimin's ears to make it easier for the other to hear him.

Jimin gave a thumbs up and weaved his fingers with Taehyung's right hand. Jungkook had somehow once again been placed in between them and with a much futile effort tried to get out of there.

Failed, of course —as Jimin pressed his forehead against Jungkook's and Taehyung caressed the curve of his back softly.

Slow dancing to the beat, feet barely moving as the sweet chorus washed over them, the vibe between them seemed to have shifted. Nothing to alarm Jungkook but Jimin's eyes were sincere with a mix of desire and love. Meanwhile Taehyung's hands had stilled, neither curious like the others he had danced not ticklish enough to lose the touch.

Jungkook blinked with apprehension of not knowing what was going on and before he could dwell further on it, Jimin asked a question that rattled his existence for a moment.

Or two.

Or hundred.

"Can I kiss you, Guk-ah?"

Jungkook's breath was caught in his throat as he left the words reach his brain. He stared at Jimin longer,trying to figure out if it was a joke or on the expense of giving Jungkook the valentine's day experience™. But nothing on his face said otherwise making Jungkook panic a little.

What kicked the bucket was when he turned back to look at Taehyung with a question on his face, Jungkook found nothing but a serene look of the same thing he had seen on Jimin's face a few moments back.

Love.

There was a little bit of apprehension and shock in there, easily detected from Taehyung's beautiful almond eyes that shifted for a mere second. But the other set of emotions ranging from love to care shone through it all. And that just made Jungkook more confused as to what was going on and was it the alcohol talking in them.

All of a sudden, he could feel his senses go into overdrive. He could smell the mix of a hundred perfumes and sweat rolling off from the crowd,  he could feel the building pain behind his eyes as the pinks and purples from the lights glared down on him, he could feel Taehyung's breath on his neck, he could feel Jimin's hands on his foundation-caked face, he could feel his own shirt's threads digging into his bare skin uncomfortably.

Everything was accentuated including his perception heightened which definitely didn't help.

So, in true Jungkook fashion, he did what he considered best.

Fleeing away from the scene.

Breaking away from their hold— albeit loose and gentle, Jungkook made his way to the only exit he knew and out of the club. He ran and ran until his legs felt like jelly and found refuge at the nearest bus stop. It was empty with most busy buses out of service owing to how late it was.

Greedily gulping in air, Jungkook hoped that his state of panic would fade into oblivion. He did his best to count backwards from ten and let his rapidly beating heart catch a break.

As his head cleared up, he wondered if he had over reacted to a simple question. He had run off without explaining anything after being caught like a deer in headlights. But the truth remained that he couldn't do the no-strings type of relationship given he had nothing to offer in that area.

It was embarrassing to have fled the scene like a teenager but he was scared of the prospect of what was about to come next. Even entertaining that idea of them loving him back had made me nervous. He knew that if they ever expected it, he would have to come clean and perhaps in his own closeted mind, that sounded like the scariest thing to happen.

He had been braver with strangers when they had pushed their luck to get into his pants. He had put his boundaries and even if some were on board with his way, they eventually left. Jungkook knew that Taehyung and jimin weren't as narrow minded like the others but the million scenarios in his head all led him to believe that there was an unhappy ending no matter what.

"Why now?"
Jungkook muttered to himself, his chest still hurting.

Was it a cruel trick by fate to have his best friends, his ride or die, and newly acknowledged crushes to ask him for a kiss, casual or not?

Was it a dirty twist of hand knowing that he would eventually be faced with rejection in response to his terms of a relationship and yet be stuck in this situation?

Was it a bad roll of dice for his love to be reciprocated even before he knew it but not have enough balls to accept it?

Chapter Text

'If love was all it took to erode the edges, then the million possibilities wouldn't matter  for I  live to love you.'

Jimin just stared for a second as he saw his best friend who was also his new found crush, Jeon Jungkook pull away from his hold like he was burning from the mere touch of flames unseen and sprint to the darkness. He blinked twice until his vision was filled with Taehyung's worried face and his arms tightly gripped by the other's wide hands.

"Min, Min. We need to go after him. What happened?"
Taehyung's frantic shouting pulled Jimin out of the haze.

"I don't— I don't know."
Jimin said, eyes unfocused but feet carrying him forth enough to run behind Jungkook.

"I can locate his phone, he's at the bus stop."
Taehyung muttered, as he ran beside Jimin, shoving his phone in the other's direction.

"Why is he there? Is he moving?"
Jimin asked, distress lacing in his words.

Taehyung shook his head, caramel brown hair flopping gently. Jimin ran faster than he ever had, faster than when he was 13 trying to win the running competition— which he eventually won. Taehyung, who had tightly gripped his hand while helping him navigate through the crowd back in the club, still hadn't let go of Jimin's hand. It might have reduced their speeds by the slightest. But, he wouldn't want it any other way.

Especially not when he was unsure of how the next few hours would play out between the three of them.

Within the next three minutes, they were looking at setting personal records for covering that distance. As the main road came to view, they could make out a crouched figure on the bus stop bench which looked awfully like their Jungkook, even with the squinted eyes. Sprinting even faster, Jimin stopped just a few steps short as his mind blared signs not to overwhelm Jungkook. Taehyung looked back at him with a worried expression on his face.

Before Jimin could even sign back anything, Jungkook's head whipped up from his safe place aka the hollow yet constricted space between his knees.

"I—"
Jungkook's scratchy voice came out and before a word was heard, Taehyung was all over him with laser-focused eyes and frenzied energy.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Jungkook nodded earnestly, despite the tears brimming against his beautifully darkened lash line.

"Sure?"

Another nod to Jimin's follow up question, which had immediate effects as both of them heaved out a sigh.

"Okay, that's...that's good."
Jimin muttered, staring at his own shoes that looked back at him in grim.

"Why did you run then?"
Taehyung asked, concerned frown in between his eyebrows.

"I, I'm, I don't know what to say. I—"

"Calm down gukkie. This isn't an interrogation, yeah? We just...you ran away so abruptly and we were worried something might have happened to tick you off. And I'm sorry for assuming you were ready."
Jimin swooped in, seeing the panic set in behind Jungkook's eyes.

The same panic he had seen when Jungkook had ran off from the club fifteen minutes ago.

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry for, y'know, pushing you on this. I shouldn't have sprung that question on you. That was wrong of me to assume, I don't know why I did. I thought we were on the same— I mean I waited and it wouldn't mean much to wait even longer but you looked so beautiful and all my mind could come up with was that—"

Taehyung squeezed his hand gently, bringing him back to the conversation and also providing Jimin the support of another in this daunting monologue.

"Yeah, I'm sorry for that and I understand if this isn't it."

"Before we take our conversation further, can we do it elsewhere please?"
Jungkook asked clearly, despite the obvious conflict behind his expressive eyes.

"Yeah yeah."

"Jimin, I'll handle this and take us home safely, just sit there okay?"
Taehyung asserted, hand coming up to support Jimin's figure.

Jimin hadn't realised that he had wobbled slightly, in between the rushed words of apology and double shots half an hour ago. He wasn't completely out of it, he knew that given he had sobered up on the run here already.

But, the random headache that he usually got almost once every fortnight seemed to choose this glorious time to attack him.

"Jungkook-ah, your place or ours?"
Taehyung queried, soft toned like he was talking to an injured deer.

"Mine, if it isn't too much trouble."
Jungkook answered almost instantly, hesitating slightly.

"Nonsense, that's never trouble."

Taehyung booked a cab and within the next few minutes, they were inside a pleasant smelling vehicle, at least as compared to the sweat and grime of the club, after hours of stale perfumes. Leaning his face against the window, cooling it in the process, Jimin stared at how the once fast-paced world around them had shut down slowly as the clock reached midnight.

His mind jumped from one thought to another, alcohol not slowing it now. Until it stopped at the outcomes that would come out of this conversation. Would Jungkook decline them and eventually break their friend group? Would Taehyung also leave him given there was an unspoken rule of them three as one and no other option was entertained?

The thought of the younger accepting the confession or well, the implication of it didn't cross his mind. Not even once.

Maybe if this was asked an hour ago, he would have happily said that he was confident that Jungkook felt the same towards them.

"You weren't wrong, by the way."
Jungkook's soft almost barely heard whisper had Jimin wondering if he had imagined it.

But Jungkook's eyes were on him and he could feel the intense stare even without looking in that direction.

The world was going to sleep, but they had important business to sort.

"Wah traitor, you bought gum and aren't sharing it with us?"
Jimin said, catching Taehyung in the act. He hoped it would break the awkwardness in the room, something unfamiliar between the three of them.

They were currently sitting on the soft, red-white carpet of Jungkook's living room, relaxed and relatively calm if their criss-cross legs were anything to go by. Jungkook was the only one in his night clothes, after Jimin and Taehyung urged him to change up after seeing his uncomfortable face at how the sparkly shirt of his, was pricking his skin.

Now, cradling a headache that stemmed for no apparent reason, Jimin sat leaning heavily against the leg of a chair. But a mere ache wasn't going to pull him away from this setting of having the other two in his vicinity.

He wasn't sure how long he could have this, until this normal of his would become a fever dream.

Jimin was a master at coming to the worst of every option possible.

"I didn't?"
Taehyung replied with a matter-of-fact tone.

"Then what are you chewing?"

At that Taehyung opened his mouth wide to show them that it was empty, no bubble gum in sight.

"Force of habit, 's all."

Jungkook hadn't spoken a word, simply passed the water bottle to each of them and say down, hands nervously playing with the hem of his indigo blue shirt. Jimin couldn't help but wonder if everything was going too fast, maybe he had jumped the wagon too hastily.

But, then staring at Taehyung's sweet eyes that were stuck on Jungkook as well, he was sure that whatever he felt in his heart was right. That warm rush of bliss whenever he spent time with them was unlike any other.

Yes, they were friends. And yes, he could live with that, but it wouldn't be fair for his own heart to live without knowing if they had a chance at love. Yes, this might have been selfish, but he was willing to risk it if even one by tenth of the fondness he felt was reciprocated.

"We need to address the elephant in the room, Guk-ah. But, if you aren't comfortable, we can totally do it any other day."
Taehyung said in the quietest voice possible.

Jimin could only think about how far away both of them from him. They were sitting at angles from each other, like corners of a triangle. Not a single contact, even for comfort, worse than when they were just friends.

Taehyung felt too far away, like an ethereal mirage with his gorgeous face illuminated by the yellow light from the false ceiling. Jimin wasn't sure how he would survive if this went sideways, Every other breakup or rejection from his exes had his best friends to help him overcome the emotional hurt. But this would hit harder than any other crushing sadness he had ever experienced, for it was them, from whom he would be rejected.

"No, no. We'll talk, yeah."
Jungkook was quick to respond.

"Okay, I'll go first, hm?"

"I don't want this to spoil our friendship. And if any of us feel different, we squash the idea fully. No leaving anyone out. And no regrets or guilt if it doesn't work out. We are best friends before anything and that will remain as such, I hope, unless of course, someone feels different? I don't know what I'm saying."
Jimin mumbled at the end, feeling small under the stares of his two best friends.

Taehyung gave an encouraging nod to continue, meanwhile Jungkook looked like he wanted to hug Jimin in hopes to convey it was okay, but pulled himself away.

"I had a crush on Taehyung for a long time, perhaps after that fight in the first year on some of those stupid juice boxes I liked."
Jimin continued, reminiscing the first time he had acknowledged that freeing feeling in his heart.

"The strawberry flavoured one?"
Taehyung asked with a playful wide grin, one that had Jimin physically clutching his chest.

"Yeah, it was a teenage-hormone driven crush, but I was preening under our friendship, it made me happy, made me feel good about myself despite not planning on confessing to him. But after college we moved on and just had partners. My crush sort of receded in the meantime and I had my asshole of an ex. But this week, it felt too real once again, felt like I could give us a chance."

"The thing was, I was half sure about the two of us, but you were the sealing deal, Jungkook. I didn't think I could. I beat myself for liking two people at once, but then there was this 'fuck it' attitude as I just wanted to do anything and everything to please you. You are so precious to me, to both of us, which is kind of built into an unspoken communication between us."
Jimin professed, face turning to look at Jungkook with unhindered affection.

"I know mine is unconventional too, but I liked both of you at around the same time in our third year of college. It struck me on a random sleepover and I haven't fully let go of it. I knew it would collapse our friendship, or well, I thought it would, so I never tried. I didn't want to in fear. At first I had a lot of conflicting thoughts of how could I even like two people at the same time."
Taehyung started and the other two listened on carefully.

"But it was just so easy. You guys were so easy to love. It was easy as breathing and living to love you. And of course, after college with each of you trying dating, I felt compelled to do the same. I liked others and well, my crush faded until this week. It just surged up, that need to be with you, to live with you, to just be happy with the both of you."

"I wasn't sure if you guys felt the same, it was difficult to assess. But then on the day when we went hiking, I just saw the same glimmer in Jimin's eyes. That yearning and physical representation of willing to give everything. It just was unspoken that the two of us wanted us to be together, more than just friends. It was easily seen in each other's eyes, obvious enough for anyone to know."
Taehyung concluded and Jimin had to resist the biggest urge to kiss him.

"I don't know how to—"
Jungkook started, only to stop for a breather. It was clear that the whole night was disorienting for him to say the least.

"Okay, um before I say how I feel about this, um you know how I don't hold a partner for long? I mean, that was the whole reason for this intervention-cum-date week."

A tiny chuckle escaped him from Jimin at the wording.

"There's a reason why most of them leave or well, why it just doesn't work out. I'm an asexual, well I'm not sure of the exact sublabels, but you... you get the picture. I just don't care for sex like how they do. I don't get those "urges" when I see people, very rarely and that seems to be the deal breaker for many."

"I've seen one be weirded out-confused by the idea, one that said and I quote, 'I can change it for you, maybe with the right people you may .' and that just icked me out."

That had Jimin grimacing and Taehyung disgusted, if their faces were anything to go by.

"I don't like people that way, I don't like the whole idea of it, too much skin, fluids and what not, just everything. And so, I just come clean before prospective dates each time and that results in us not delving further at all. And I'm asexual not aromantic, because I've heard that too."
Jungkook laughed humorlessly, almost ridiculed by the statement.

"I know this isn't something you should know, but if we are even entertaining this idea, you need to know that I am not like how you both are. I don't care for sex, I'm not repulsed by it but I don't seek it actively either. I don't know if, maybe someday, my preferences will change, but forcing me into it isn't the way to go. And if you think like any of my exes then, I'm sorry it just—"
Jungkook said with a heavy sigh, only to be cut off by two simultaneous voices of Taehyung and Jimin, both variation of offended and livid rage.

"No way. Don't even compare us to that piece of shit."

"What the fuck! Why didn't you tell this to us earlier?"

"I didn't want to impose myself—"

That ticked Jimin off who crawled further enough to hold Jungkook's face in his hands and look into his big brown eyes to ask the next question. 

"Jungkook, did you think I was imposing on you two when I talked of my shitty boyf— ex-boyfriend?"

"No, but it's different?"
Jungkook replied, eyes still wide and cheeks still smushed by Jimin's ring-adorned fingers.

"It's literally not, I promise you."

"Guk-ah, was it the case with all your previous partners?"
Taehyung asked, coming in closer onto Jungkook's other side.

His face held a look of sorrow and distress on behalf of Jungkook, after having failed to school his expressions to be more neutral— usually an easy feat for him.

"More or less, some stuck around but not having sex for their sustenance of their existence really had fucked their heads and I just didn't understand that so, you get it."
Jungkook said, rolling his eyes but there was a hint of feigned 'it is what it is'.

"I'm speaking for both of us, but we literally don't care for that. I suppose, we'll have to talk if there's a future in which three of us are together. I can assure you that we just want whatever makes you happy. And you being asexual doesn't change my, our feelings for you."
Jimin voiced out, now holding the younger's hands in between his palms.

"To be quite frank, the idea of sex never crossed my mind when I fell in love with both of you."
Taehyung added in with a shrug.

"I'm not sad or pity-worthy. I just exist like this so, if you feel like you need to show me "real love" or compromise on your "needs" or some other bullshit then, don't waste your time."

After a second of his rant, Jungkook mumbled a soft, "Sorry." But, he really didn't have to for the other two could imagine how invalidating it must have felt to be in Jungkook's place. 

"Another ex?"

"A failed date."

Taehyung rubbed his arm gently in consolation.

"You like us then?"

"Like? I sort of love you guys."
Jungkook smiled, quite amused by how they hadn't yet caught on.

"I know what a crush is supposed to feel like but this is just an extreme, hopeful version of that. I don't know when exactly I started feeling this, I know it isn't as far back as you guys, but it has stayed consistent enough for me not to ignore it. Even if it was just two days back that I confronted myself over it and the conclusion remains- can i get a drumroll?"

Taehyung laughed at that, giggles escaping out like pretty fluttering hummingbirds. Jungkook flushed prettily at that, but Jimin took the initiative to entertain his request, eyes curved up to accommodate his big grin.

"dubdubdubdub"

"My heart wins. I love you guys."
Jungkook declared, a smile so wide and bright that Jimin wondered if he could count all the 32 teeth the younger had. His nose had scrunched up oh so prettily that it was a show of how great restraint Taehyung had to just not chomp it right at that moment.

"You're so—"
Jimin remarked, doubled down on the floor with laughter.

"Silly? Childish?"
Jungkook continued, a playful glimmer in his eyes.

"Loveable."
Jimin replied, earnest in his words as he cupped Jungkook's cheeks again which had tiny droplets of tears flowing down.

Except they were happy and not out of distress. Jimin, the ever empath had mimicking tears collecting along his lower lashline. Jungkook leaned closer into the soft palms that held more warmth than the clothes he wore at the moment. He looked like a doe-eyed puppy from Jimin's point of view. 

A loveable puppy.

"Are we doing this now? Sappy cry sessions."
Taehyung asked, a huff in his breath.

"You aren't great at hiding it either, idiot."
Jimin snapped back with a sly smirk.

Taehyung had the same heart eyes as he stared at the other two, the same ones that Jimin had seen through their sleepovers and dinner nights.

"Never claimed to be. Also who are calling idiot? I'm your boyfriend."
Taehyung answered, a little pout on his lips.

"We're there already hm?"

"Are eight years not enough to know me?"
Taehyung asked, hooking his chin onto Jungkook's left shoulder, which had the younger nuzzling his cheek against Taehyung's. 

All Jimin's head could think of was two cute puppies, his adorable babies, his beloved boyfriends, his forever lovers. This was where he was supposed to be, always meant to be. 

Why had he even tried to deny it when the arms in which he wanted to rest his wary body after a long day had always been theirs and the eyes in which he wanted to drown with no option of saving had always been theirs?

"I know you like raisins in breads, hate it when your white shoes get dirty. To be honest, you dislike shoes, in general and you love showing off the elephant on your arm."
Jimin replied instantly, eyes trained straight at Taehyung, who preened and pulled his shirt off to show the elephant by pinching the skin between his moles.

Jimin wished he had his phone handily available to capture this exact moment. This, them  they were precious and he wanted to hold this memory in ink and more, if possible. But he had belief on his own brain to not fail him on this.

(An inkling nestled in that was sure he would remember this when he was 70 and on his porch, looking at the blue sky, reminiscing how Jungkook and Taehyung had looked on the day of their confession. How beautiful and glowing they had been, how his heart had bursted with love for them. 

A feeling that hadn't faded over the years, even right now as Jungkook who had laid down on his lap, frail and knocky knees at play, and Taehyung who was looking at the flowers they had grown with utmost care.)

"That's more than anything my exes knew of me."
Taehyung remarked, a little astonished to be taken seriously.

"Now onto you, Jungkook how much do you know me?"

"Is it like a quiz before getting indoctrinated into a relationship with you?"
Jungkook joked, eyebrows raised at Taehyung.

"Just humour me here."

"Okay, you love strawberries except that one time in 2019 when you hated them after eating a lot of them, you love jazz music, specifically the club jazz, you have one secret shrine in your cupboard dedicated to your dog."

"Can you blame me? My yeontan Is gorgeous!"
Taehyung said, cuddling in closer to Jungkook.

"Can I ask a question, Jungkook?"
Jimin said, which was received by a nod.

"Did you not want to kiss back then because you don't like it? As in you were uncomfy?"

"No. I like kissing, well, the thought of kissing you both, I suppose. I was just overwhelmed by everything and was scared if I led you on. I mean, you didn't exactly know about my sexuality so."
Jungkook said, blush up high his cheek.

"So, can I kiss you now?"
Jimin asked, soft and gentle.

Jungkook surged up just enough to meet Jimin's lips, delicate and pretty. This was unlike the first kisses JImin usually had, there was familiarity and love in it, a blanket to fall back onto. It was everything for him, with colours dancing behind his eyes and heart thrumming steadily.

Breaking apart for a second had Taehyung pull Jimin by his chin with a mumble of 'my turn' to press a kiss, a little feisty but that comfort of knowing each other added to the love conveyed through Taehyung's lips. Jimin smiled unconsciously and with Jungkook between them, it only widened as the youngest stared with awe. 

That night, they slept on Jungkook's bed just like any other. Taehyung's legs extended over Jungkook's until his toes reached Jimin's. Hands holding and nuzzled love in a corner, away from the world. Jimin's borrowed night clothes from Jungkook that drooped over his shoulders, made for the most cosy and snug clothing ever.

Small kisses traded until the snores set in— courtesy Taehyung, and the night was shrouded in the moonlight's glimmer.

They were there, here and forevermore.

"Come on in."
Jungkook said, welcoming Jimin and Taehyung in.

The house was clean and decorated with peonies and roses, mellowed candle scent wafting in the air and three balloons taped to the wall. It was pretty and homely, everything that Jungkook was, especially in his pink rolled-up sleeved button up shirt and flared jeans. He held two white roses for them with a small pouch each.

"What is this, gukkie?"
Taehyung asked, stepping forward after removing his shoes.

"Open and find out."

Jimin received it as well, pressing a kiss onto Jungkook's forehead which was bare of his usual bangs, slicked up. 

Opening the pouch, Jimin found himself looking back at Jungkook with fond eyes. There was a silver bracelet with three charms representing them, a bunny, a chick and a bear. A small folded paper with a love confession written, 

'I'm glad you are my valentine.  I love you forever.'

Jungkook, who had stood with his arm behind his back, out of view, pushed it forth to show his own delicate wrist adorned by a similar bracelet that was in Jimin's and Taehyung's hands now. Taehyung took one more step until he hugged Jungkook with all his might, which of course, had Jimin follow suit to join them in a group hug.

"My love, this is so sweet."
Taehyung mumbled into Jungkook's hair, inhaling the sweet magnolias and coconut shampoo he usually used.

"C'mon help us put it on now!"
Jimin urged which had Jungkook preening so wonderfully, like a sunflower blooming under the sun.

With quiet snaps and locks, the bracelet was on their right wrists each. A kiss at the corner of their lips— again courtesy Taehyung and they were off to the living room.

"For our last date and official first date as a throuple: I present to you, a homemade dinner specially made by me."
Jungkook said, showing them the way to his dining table that was now adorned with expensive cutlery, candles and delicious-smelling food.

"Is this why you kicked us out at the ass crack of dawn?"
Taehyung asked, eyes widening at the spread of dishes from soups to meat grilled to perfection. 

"It was 1 in the afternoon."
Jungkook muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Like I said, 'ass crack of dawn!'"
Taehyung said, carrying the banter forth.

"He really was hurt, y'know? Had to take him out for ice cream."
Jimin added, a faux frown on his lips.

"You're saying this as if you didn't mop all afternoon wondering if we did something wrong for Jungkook to do that."
Taehyung quipped up.

"Okay boys boys, settle down."

"We're your hyungs."
Jimin reminded Jungkook who just stuck his tongue out.

"And still you act like teenagers."

"Well, you could say that since my heart's acting like I'm a teenager in love."
Taehyung said with a hand on his chest.

"Oof, Jungkook have we got enough cheese in our dinner? If not, we can use Taehyung for that."

"Very unfunny, Jimin-ah."

"You guys have the choice to either continue this conversation here or there in front of food that I prepared!"

Jungkook's words were met with immediate obedience as they took to washing their hands by the sink in the kitchen.

"Oh, we bought you flowers, love. It's valentine's day after all. It's in the car because someone forgot to bring it up."
Taehyung mentioned, elbowing Jimin who was wiping his hands.

"We can watch a movie later?"

"Sure baby! Anything for you."
Taehyung said, moving towards Jungkook to pull his chair like a gentleman you would likely see in the movies.

"Were you like this before?"
Jimin asked, as Taehyung did the same for him.

"A romantic? Yes sir!"

Eating food that night was magical. One bite of food in and heaven was reachable— if Jimin's and Taehyung's eyes were any proof to go by. Jungkook had turned to puddle with all the compliments showered upon him through the dinner. His neck was pink by the time they fell asleep and Jimin took pride in making the other flush so hard.

After dinner, they put cleaning for the next day and took to dessert after another chessy deliver of 'We don't need dessert when the sweetest people exist by my side, loving them is enough dopamine for me!' by Taehyung and Jungkook quipped by with, 

"So, what I am hearing is you don't need the chocolate brownie and ice cream I have prepared for you, hmph?"

"No, I didn't mean that."
Taehyung peddled back only to ambushed by Jimin's words and disappointed shake of head,

"Wah, Tae-yah, you made our sweetheart cry."

Giggles bubbled up like champagne until Jungkook senses how it could threaten Jimin's seated position on the chair. And so with his foot against the leg of the chair and an arm to pull Jimin into his arms, Jungkook just took his fill of Jimin's hugs.

The remainder of the night was spent with them cuddled up, watching the movie 'about time' and with Jungkook randomly taking them on a impromptu slow dance with a playlist switched on. One that he had prepared on the lonely days, but right now, he was grateful for the time spent and effort put in. 

Fingers interlaced and heads swaying to the beat. This was another reality they chose to live.

They danced, hand in hand, steps matching each other's and music filling into the crevices in between them, a balm to the soul. Jungkook bought out his collection of blankets to choose from, as they cozied up on the large couch — one of Jungkook's biggest and most valued purchases. Soft smiles and pretty kisses made up for everything.

They were three and it wasn't going to always be like this, but they would try, Like they always did, for this is what they knew and this is what mattered. 

Being happy and in love.