13-Mixed Messages
Weekends were Yoongi's favorite days of the week. No classes, no worrying about homework, and half off well drinks at the local bar. The other nice thing was the lack of people on campus. It being only the first week of the semester there were still very few people in the studio spaces, but weekends meant no professors or mentors touring the rooms to check on what students were working on.
Mid afternoon on a Saturday was one of the best days for Yoongi to get any work done. After lunch and a short cat nap he felt rested enough to begin serious work, just as long as he wasn't bothered too much. Having to work with talent was always frustrating, even more so when said talent were his friends. It was like herding kittens.
People were popping in and out of the studio randomly, never long enough for Yoongi to get anything actually useful out of them. Jin had brought lunch but then made vague excuses to leave before Yoongi could push him into the booth. Jimin and Hoseok had shown up, but were too busy teaching Taehyung dance moves to pay any attention and Namjoon didn't show up at all.
The only one who was actually trying to help was Taehyung, but Yoongi was pretty sure he had the attention span of a goldfish with how quickly he had been distracted by Jimin and Hoseok.
"This just isn't going to happen today is it," Yoongi was slumped over the mixing board, staring blankly at the computer monitor. "Why do I bother?"
Taehyung blinked, looking over his shoulder from where he was trying to imitate some sort of body wave Hoseok was showing him. "What's wrong?"
"He's grumpy by nature, likes to complain," Hoseok grinned, demonstrating again. "Like this. Move your spine, you're not a wooden board."
"Yah, this isn't a dance studio," Yoongi said, sitting up and glaring at the three over his shoulder. "Why are you dancing instead of going over the lines I wrote?"
"We did that already, we're having fun now," Jimin said. "Taetae, you've got hips, you need to use them."
"I hate you all," Yoongi groaned, pulling his beanie down over his face. "You're doing this on purpose so we can go drink aren't you!"
"Maybe," Hoseok called with a grin. "C'mon Taehyung, again."
Taehyung tried the body wave again, putting his hips into it this time. Hoseok snapped his fingers. "Perfect! Just like that. Go show your hyung the full set." Taehyung happily bounced up beside Yoongi, waiting for him to remove his beanie.
Yoongie slowly pushed the hat off his face and looked up at Taehyung with a cold expression. "You get one try, and then we're leaving," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Taehyung deflated a little, but perked up when Hoseok whistled encouragingly. "Show him your style, Tae. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight!"
Bouncing a little as Hoseok's counting set the rhythm, Taehyung grinned before moving through the motions he'd been shown over the last couple days. His body moved to an imagined song, fluid and smooth. He finished it with a cute pose.
Yoongi considered himself pretty good at showing no emotions, even when something cute was literally wiggling it's ass in front of him. He would admit to himself that with a little more practice Taehyung would probably be a pretty good dancer. "You're not changing to a dance major," he said finally, keeping his expression neutral.
"But he's so good!" Jimin laughed, clapping for Taehyung. "Can you imagine how he'd look doing hip hop style with those long legs?" he nudged Hoseok.
Taehyung had pouted at Yoongi's words, looking a little hurt. But he seemed to forget all about it two seconds later when Jimin complimented him, smiling widely. "Hip hop? Really?"
"Yeah really," Hoseok grinned, ruffling Taehyung's red hair. "You're going to be great. We should teach you a full dance next."
"That's it, I need a drink," Yoongi stood up, shutting down the computer. "You people drive me to drink!"
"Not like it's hard," Jimin snickered, coming up behind Taehyung and wrapping his arms around the other's waist. "Taetae and I will get snacks since we won't have Jin eomma's cooking. You two get the alcohol?"
"Roger that!" Hoseok grabbed his bag, slinging an arm around Yoongi's shoulders. "Come on grumpy grandpa, let's go get you your fix. All the alcohol they have."
"You're buying," Yoongi grumbled. "Taehyung," he pointed a finger at the younger, tone serious. "You do not lose track of Jimin. You hold his hand, watch for cars, and make sure he doesn't run off. Understood?"
Taehyung blinked at him blankly before nodding, lifting his chin. "Yes hyung!" His hand slid into Jimin's, linking their fingers together loosely. "Let's go find something yummy, Jimin!"
"Make sure your phone isn't on silent, " Yoongi said quietly to Hoseok as he watched the other two leave. "Those two are going to be trouble together."
Hoseok nodded, checking his phone. "Yeah... but if we stalk Jimin everywhere then he's going to get pissed. At least Taehyung makes him happy, so he won't look at it as needing protection."
"I know, which is why I didn't say anything about those two going together," Yoongi rolled his eyes, pulling Hoseok out the door by his sleeve. "Real talk though, how's he doing?"
Hoseok looked up and down the hallway to make sure the younger two were gone. "He smiles and laughs like usual when there's people around, but the strong front doesn't always last. Especially when Jungkook shows up and says dumb shit." Hoseok's expression was a blank neutral, hands in his pockets as he followed Yoongi.
"I really want to kick Jungkook in the teeth, I don't understand what the hell he's doing," Yoongi said. "He's always been kind of aloof, but ever since the semester started he's been the biggest piece of shit towards everyone. And especially towards Jimin. Do you have any idea what that's about?"
"He doesn't really open up to me, I'm Jimin's best friend," Hoseok snorted. "But Jungkook still sounds convinced he's straight, which is bullshit. Maybe lower on the scale than you and Jimin, sure. But he's not straight. He's going through some issues 'figuring things out', his own words. Which, fine. I get that. But his issues are hurting more than just him, and Jimin doesn't need that kind of trouble. He's gone through enough."
Yoongi sighed unhappily, combing a hand through his hair. "I was never a fan of their arrangement, and I've made no secret of that. Only because it's so self serving for Jungkook. Jimin may be a self proclaimed whore, but he's still a soft romantic at heart and Jungkook is just stepping all over him. Pisses me off cause Jimin deserves better. "
"You know what I'm hoping for at this point?" Hoseok chuckled quietly. "Something to happen between Jimin and Taehyung. I have no clue if the kid likes guys or not yet, but he and Jimin have... clicked somehow. And he's a sweetheart. Jimin could use someone like that in his life."
"Yeah... that'd be... something," Yoongi replied. The idea of Jimin and Taehyung together set Yoongi's teeth on edge and he wasn't sure why. Not that either one of them didn't deserve to be happy of course. "I guess they'd be kind of cute together. "
"They'd be adorable," Hoseok said with a grin. "If Jungkook can't figure himself out... maybe he's not the right person for Jimin. I don't know if Taehyung is, we've only known him for a week, but it's a possibility. Someone who makes Jimin smile. He bought Jimin a cute earring to cheer him up too."
"He did?" Yoongi blinked at that. When had that happened? "Now that I think about it, I don't think anyone's asked Taehyung if he has a preference. We have no idea if he's even gay or not. If he's not I'll have to give it to him for putting up with everything so far. "
"What, I don't get any kudos?" Hoseok teased. "Maybe he's straight and confident in his sexuality, so he has no qualms about guys hanging all over him. Then again, he did say he'd sleep with Jin out of all of us without any sort of hesitation, so who knows."
"True, but you actually slept with a guy and still claim to be straight so, guess that doesn't really mean anything," Yoongi replied, nudging Hoseok in the ribs.
"I am straight," Hoseok snorted. "Sleeping with a guy settled the question. Maybe Taehyung's curious."
"Maybe, Jimin does do that to people," Yoongi said, eyeing Hoseok critically. "We're not going to meddle, so no trying to push Taehyung into anything okay?"
"I won't do anything," Hoseok lifted his hands up. "But I won't get in the way if something happens either. You're pretty protective of the clueless puppy, huh?"
Yoongi sighed a little, tucking his hands into his hoodie's pockets. "He reminds me of me, back before... you know all that shit happened. Completely naive to how bad things really are if you're not careful. So yeah, I'll protect him if it means he doesn't end up like me."
Hoseok shook his head, clasping Yoongi's shoulder lightly. "Well, he picked the right room to stumble into," he said. Then, because conversation had been way too serious for too long, he switched to, "now, let's find all the necessities to get everyone piss drunk."
"You have such a way with words," Yoongi groaned, shoving Hoseok away. "Why am I even friends with you?"
"Because I have a cute ass," Hoseok immediately replied, not giving up his hold. "And I'm your sunshine and rainbows. Let's go gramps, time to get wasted!"
They stayed in the corner store for a while, grabbing all the soju and beer they could carry before heading back. By the time they got to the trio's apartment, Taehyung and Jimin were already there. "Hyung, we found a lot of good snacks," Taehyung grinned at Yoongi from around the pile on the table, both full meals like kimbap rolls and more snack foods like chips and hot dogs.
"Hopefully this all won't go to waste," Yoongi said, dropping the bags he was carrying on the kitchen counter. "So, we survived the first week, this calls for shots!" Yoongi was already pulling out a bottle and grabbing the shot glasses from the cupboard.
"Body shots?" Jimin came out of the bedroom, pulling a sweater on.
"I'm not nearly drunk enough for body shots," Yoongi said, frowning at him. "Maybe later."
"What are body shots?" Taehyung asked.
"Oh you poor farm boy," Hoseok snorted, dropping down to sit at the table. "Be careful what you ask. Especially around Jimin, he'll give you a demonstration." He waved Jimin over with a grin.
"Definitely need to do body shorts later," Jimin winked at Taehyung, going to Hoseok's side and leaning up against him.
"Jimin just likes to take his shirt off," Yoongi said, passing out the shots.
"Hey, I work hard on my body, it's there to be admired," Jimin just shrugged, accepting his shot, fingers curling around the glass. "You sure don't complain when I do."
"Yeah, well, what can I say, I'm a lonely guy," Yoongi said dryly. "Drink up," he said, holding the shot up before knocking it back.
Taehyung immediately one-shotted his own glass before turning away to sneeze.
Hoseok laughed loudly once he was done his own shot. "Okay, opening shot done. Let's play now! Flick the cap, eldest goes first," he held out the soju bottle cap to Yoongi.
"This is such a childish game," Yoongi grumbled, but took the cap.
"Oh he's got that concerned face on," Jimin said, already pouring a second round of shots as well as the punishment shot. "Namjoon isn't here to be your fail-safe Yoongi."
In the end it was Jimin who ended up flicking the cap just a touch too hard and losing. He didn't seem all that bothered by it, happily taking his two shots. "Time for some music," he bounced over to the stereo, squatting down to turn it on.
"No pop music," Yoongi called after him. "You'll make my ears bleed."
"You're so biased against pop it hurts," Hoseok snorted, unwrapping one of the kimbap rolls. He offered half to Taehyung, who gladly took it. "Put on something we can dance to!"
Jimin selected a song, looking over his shoulder at Yoongi as the distinct synth sounds and beats started. A girl group pop song. Yoongi scowled at Jimin who was starting to wiggle a little bit. "I hate you."
"Good choice!" Hoseok called, grinning. "Come on Yoongi, lighten up. Do you need more alcohol in your system?" Taehyung seemed to perk up as well, dancing a little in place.
"I'm going to need a lot more alcohol," Yoongi said, pouring himself another shot.
"Come here Taetae," Jimin had straightened up, his body already moving to the rhythm. "I'll show you the kind of dancing I learned first."
"Okay!" Poor Taehyung had no idea what he was getting into, climbing up to his feet and going to Jimin's side.
Hoseok cast Yoongi a pointed grin and raised eyebrow. "Not going to save your puppy?"
"From what?" Yoongi shrugged, opening a bottle of soju he'd pulled from the refrigerator. "There's no preventing Jimin from grinding on him, better he learn it now then later." He took a pull from his drink, watching as Jimin was maneuvering Taehyung's hips, pressed against his back. "Just watch where those hands are going Jimin."
"I'm not that drunk yet," Jimin laughed, rocking Taehyung into a rhythm with his hands. "Just like with the body wave, use your hips," he was saying into Taehyung's ear.
"Ah... okay. Like this?" Taehyung looked stuck somewhere between having fun and mild discomfort. But he followed along easily with Jimin's instruction, hips rolling in time with the music and Jimin's hands.
"Yup, just like that," Jimin said, his hands trailing back along Taehyung's hips. "Now, keep the rhythm going," he said, sliding around to be in front of Taehyung. One arm slung over the other's shoulder, Jimin put the other at Taehyung's waist and pulled him close, one leg in between Taehyung's. "Now, instead of with me, you'll go against me, okay?"
"Did he learn to dance at a strip club?" Yoongi raised an eyebrow at the scene. "Or is this something they're teaching students here."
"Oh no, they don't teach this here," Hoseok snorted, watching as well. "You can ask him where he learned it, he'd probably tell you." Taehyung was doing his best to follow along with Jimin's instructions, and damn for a non-dance major the kid was pretty flexible. But he didn't seem all that confident in what he was doing either, movements a little stilted.
"You're a great dancer Taetae," Jimin breathed, dropping down and sliding up Taehyung's leg. The song came to an end, with Jimin laughing at the look on Taehyung's face. "I think I broke him," he said, perking up at the next song that started and looking to Hoseok. "Hobi hyung, it's your turn," he said holding a hand out to the elder and giving Taehyung a chance to breathe.
"I thought you'd never ask," Hoseok laughed, hopping to his feet and taking Jimin's hand. He missed Taehyung retreating a little quicker than he'd joined in, dropping back down into his seat as Hoseok's hands found Jimin's waist.
Yoongi grabbed a bottle from the refrigerator and held it out to Taehyung as he sat down next to him. "You okay?" he asked, though he was watching the other two's choreographed dance to the new song. It was things like this, watching as Jimin's hands wandered over Hoseok's chest and where Hoseok's hands and hips were pressed into Jimin that Yoongi still questioned Hoseok's insistence he was straight.
"Yeah," Taehyung said, smile tight as he took the offered bottle and poured himself another shot. Then he topped up Yoongi's, as was the polite thing to do for his hyung. He looked up at the two locked in a very provocative dance. "Do you dance, hyung?"
"No, I have no rhythm," Yoongi said. "Couple more shots though and I'm sure I'll be right there with them... though I'm not doing that, I don't think my back can bend like that," he said, his head tilting a little. "No one's back should be able to bend like that."
"They're really flexible," Taehyung agreed. He picked up a package of dried squid, tearing it open and offering Yoongi half. "I think you'd be fun dancing."
"You keep thinking that until one of them pulls me up there and you see just how bad it really is," Yoongi said, accepting the snack. "You got off easy, they do far worse when they've got a few more drinks in them."
"Oh," Taehyung chewed on his lower lip at that. "So I should expect it again once we drink more?" He popped the end of the squid into his mouth so he could work on that instead.
Yoongi's brow furrowed a little at that and he looked at Taehyung. "No, if you're not comfortable with it... are you sure you're okay?"
"Eh?" Taehyung blinked up at Yoongi, chewing on the end of the dried squid. Then he beamed up at the older man again, nodding. "Mhm, I'm fine," he said around his mouthful, looking back out at the other two. "Hey, we still have to try noraebang all together."
"We'll just get kicked out again," Yoongi said, though he kept an eye on Taehyung. Obviously he wasn't going to believe that he was okay, he'd seen that nervous look in Taehyung's eyes a few times now, there was something there that he wasn't saying.
Any hope of conversation was thwarted when Jimin dropped on top of Yoongi, straddling his knees and slinging his arms over the elder's shoulders. "Suga hyung, you should come dance with me," he about purred, leaning in close with a coy grin.
Grunting at having extra weight on his lap, Yoongi frowned up at Jimin. "Not drunk enough to get anywhere near you and those hips."
"Well obviously that just means you need more to drink," Jimin laughed, swiping a hand through his hair to push the sweaty bangs back. "Hobi, another round!"
"No 'hyung' anymore?" Hoseok laughed, grabbing them a new bottle and pouring. "Come on Yoongi, you're too stiff! Drink up!" He slid Yoongi's glass back towards him. Taehyung watched with amusement, still working on his squid.
Yoongi smirked up at Jimin as he took his shot, motioning for the bottle. "You know he loses all attempts at honorifics when he's tipsy," he said. A new song had started and Jimin was dancing in his lap, though slow grinding was the more adept term. "Having fun?"
"Getting there," Jimin laughed, leaning back a little more. "I want to dance more, come dance with me Suga hyung."
"I'm not going to be able to move if you keep doing that," Yoongi said, pouring another shot once the bottle had been slid to him. Jimin intercepted it before he could take it, easily downing it and slamming it back down on the table and reaching for the bottle to pour another. "I get the feeling we're not doing too many drinking games are we."
"I don't want to play games today, I just want to dance," Jimin breathed, taking another shot. "And drink.. A lot."
"And eat," Hoseok added, shoving a kimbap roll at Jimin. "Don't leave anything to go bad."
Taehyung watched Jimin 'dance', glancing up at Yoongi's expression. "Do you want more food, hyung?" Yoongi couldn't exactly... move.
"No... I'm good for right now," Yoongi said, squirming a little. Somehow this always happened when Jimin drank too much, and Yoongi was too sober not to react. Luckily the temptation of food caught Jimin's attention and he stopped long enough to take the roll and pop it into his mouth.
"So good," Jimin hummed, sliding off of Yoongi's lap to go in search of more food. "Hobi hyung" he whined, leaning into the other and opening his mouth. "More?"
Hoseok grinned, breaking off another piece of the roll. "Say ah~" he slotted it into Jimin's mouth.
With Jimin successfully distracted, Yoongi adjusted himself in his seat a little bit, scooting it closer to Taehyung. He stole a couple of the squid, chewing on them as he gave Taehyung a perfunctory look. "You look tense," he said, pouring them both shots.
"Hm?" Taehyung blinked up at him before shaking his head. "I'm fine," he said with a grin, taking the other drink. "You guys party like this often?"
"Not often enough," Yoongi replied. "I mean we get together and drink, but not to get falling down drunk like Hoseok's trying to do to us." He leaned in closer, an arm going around Taehyung's shoulder. "You know you can tell me if there's something bothering you. Are you not having fun?"
Taehyung looked up at him, eyes large under his vibrant red bangs. Then he shook his head. "I'm having fun," he said. "Just didn't go to parties much, so don't know what to expect besides alcohol. But that's okay."
Yoongi held Taehyung's gaze for a moment before looking away. "Well good, I'm glad you're having fun, but you know if they get to be too much, you don't have to stick around. We're so used to it that... sometimes I forget other people don't really want to get a lapdance from a guy."
Taehyung's face turned a few shades redder, and he looked away. "It's fine, that's just how Jimin is, right? And he's having fun."
"... But you're uncomfortable," Yoongi said, pulling his arm from around Taehyung's shoulder. "Just tell him, he'll stop." Reaching for the bottle again, Yoongi didn't even bother with pouring a shot, taking a long pull from it. "Jimin," he called, getting the younger's attention, "don't bother Taehyung anymore, you're making him uncomfortable."
Jimin blinked in drunken confusion, his attention going to Taehyung. "Taetae?"
Taehyung's eyes widened, and he started shaking his head. "No, nevermind, don't mind hyung," he said quickly to rebuff Yoongi's words. "Um. Do you want to play any games?" Hoseok blinked at them all in confusion.
"But you said you were fine with holding hands and hugging, just no kissing," Jimin said, wobbling a little as he pushed away from Hoseok to crouch down in front of Taehyung. "Am I bothering you?"
Taking the bottle with him, Yoongi got up from the table and stumbled over to stand in front of the stereo. "Hoseok... your taste in music sucks."
Taehyung watched Yoongi go before shaking his head, looking up at Jimin. "No, you're not. Yoongi hyung misunderstood. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
"Oh, good," Jimin's worried face eased into warm smile. "Good. Time for body shots." Springing back up to his feet, Jimin stumbled to the kitchen, going through cupboards. "Hobi hyung... where's the salt."
"Body shots?" Hoseok snorted, calling after him, "check in the cupboard beside the fridge!" Taehyung blinked at that, looking a little confused and alarmed.
Jimin returned with the salt and a bottle of liquor. "Someone's going to have to demonstrate for Taetae," he said, hopping up onto the table before pulling his shirt off. He smiled down at Taehyung a little dazedly.
Taehyung blinked up at him, alcohol kicking in and slowing his reaction time. "U-uh..."
"Yoongi should start," Hoseok said with a wide grin; of course he would pick on the older man. "Come on old man, unless you're too tired already."
Yoongi swiped halfheartedly at Hoseok, his eyes half open as he looked back towards where Jimin was leaning back on the table. "Fine, just one," he said, sipping at his drink again, setting the bottle down on a side table before moving back towards the dining table.
Legs spread invitingly, Jimin grinned at Yoongi as he approached, laying back on the table. Yoongi had half a mind to realize that this was probably a bad idea, but how could he say no when Jimin was looking up at him like that? That and he was already pouring the liquor, just a tiny splash on his abs. No one said no to Jimin, it's just how it was. Yoongi glanced briefly at Taehyung before dipping down, sucking the spilling liquid from Jimin's skin, his hands holding Jimin still as he squirmed.
Once he was sure he'd got it all and nothing had been missed, Yoongi pulled back, licking his lips. "You know this isn't exactly body shots," he said, swatting Jimin on the thigh. "Where's the lime?"
"Forgot," Jimin breathed, sitting up and wrapping his arms around Yoongi's neck to give him a kiss. "You could just ask to make out."
Yoongi made a face at him, but didn't pull away. "I don't think Taehyung wants to do this," he said around Jimin kissing him.
Hoseok had been watching with a wide grin on his face; despite being the straight one in the group, he still had more than enough fun with these types of games. It was all about dares really, and he would never turn down a dare.
But when he looked over at Taehyung to catch his reaction to the rather provocative scene, he was surprised to see the younger wasn't exactly smiling anymore. He seemed more focused on his bottle than what was going on around him.
"Jimin, if you just wanted to make out with Yoongi, you could have just asked," Hoseok said, swallowing another mouthful of soju.
"He's so... prickly about it though," Jimin said, pouting. "He never takes me up on it anymore."
"Because it's weird," Yoongi said, unwinding Jimin's arms from around his neck and stepping back. "Hoseok, I think it's your turn, keep him occupied before he starts drowning in liquor." He noticed Taehyung's less than comfortable position and he didn't seem to be enjoying himself. Leaning down and narrowing his eyes at the younger, he held out a hand. "Come here, we need to talk."
Taehyung jumped, blinking up at Yoongi. His eyes darted to the other two as Hoseok joined Jimin at the table, before reaching up and taking the offered hand to stand. "Talk about what?"
Yoongi didn't reply, pulling Taehyung to the bedroom and closing the door behind them. "Why are you lying? You don't want to be here, you clearly aren't comfortable around gay people so why are you pretending to be?"
"Eh?" Taehyung looked at him in pure confusion. "Around gay people...? I don't have any problem with guys who like other guys."
"Yeah, right, that's what they all say," Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Just as long as they don't act gay around you right?" Yoongi dropped down onto the bed, hanging his head in his hands. Maybe he shouldn't have had so many shots, his head was swimming.
"I don't... care if people 'act gay'," Taehyung frowned, watching him. "I like guys. Well, I like girls too. But I really don't care what other people prefer or what they do in front of me."
Yoongi looked up at him, eyes narrowed. He'd come back to the admission in a minute. "Then what the fuck is your problem? Why do you look so... freaked out?"
Taehyung's arms folded across his chest, body language closing at Yoongi's words as he looked away. "I just... didn't feel comfortable with the lap dancing and body shots. I didn't mean anything else by it, or care if you guys do it. I just didn't want to do it."
"Yeah, sure, then why are you even here?" Yoongi said, his expression cold. "This is what we do, so if you're not comfortable with it, then you should just go."
Taehyung swallowed, a look of hurt crossing his expression. After a moment he ducked his head. "I-I'll just... go, sorry." He turned and disappeared out the bedroom door, the sound of the apartment door opening and closing soon following.
Yoongi sighed, rubbing his temple. That could have gone better. He'd have to apologize to Taehyung, that hadn't been fair. Getting to his feet, he headed out of the bedroom. Jimin was giving him a look. "I don't want to hear it, just give me a drink," he said, dropping onto the couch.
Jimin seemed to have sobered a little, sliding off the table and heading for the apartment door. "Taetae?" he called, hoping to catch Taehyung before he'd get too far.
Taehyung was at the elevator by then, hands in his pockets and head down. He half turned at Jimin's voice. "...yeah?"
"Don't leave," Jimin said quietly as he approached. "Weren't we having fun? I wanted to dance with you some more, please come back. I'll make Yoongi apologize, just don't leave."
"Sorry, I... I'm not feeling well," Taehyung said, low voice cracking a little. "I need to go lie down. Have fun at the party, okay?"
"How can I if you're not there?" Jimin said, touching Taehyung's shoulder, trying to get him to turn around. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Taehyung looked up at him and his eyes were glassy, tears formed and threatening to fall. "I... sorry," he whispered, ducking his head and scrubbing at one eye. "I'm fine, I just need to sleep."
"You're not fine," Jimin said. "Come on, let's go talk somewhere. I don't like seeing you cry, especially over something Yoongi said."
"No, it... don't get mad at him, it's my fault," Taehyung mumbled, not moving away from the elevator. "I should go, before you hate me too."
"... Why would I hate you?" Jimin blinked at that. "I could never hate you."
Taehyung looked up at Jimin's face. "...you promise that?"
"Unless you tell me that you secretly like to kick puppies, I'm not going to hate you," Jimin said. "I promise."
Taehyung met his eyes for a moment before nodding, trying to clear away his tears with one hand. He reluctantly stepped away from the elevator, closer to Jimin. "...Okay."
"Let's go hide in my room," Jimin said, putting an arm around Taehyung's shoulder and leading him back to the apartment. He saw Yoongi look up when the door opened, but a level look from Jimin kept him quiet as they walked through to the bedroom, the door closing behind them.
Settling on the bed against the headboard, legs stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles, Jimin kept a tight hold on Taehyung's hand. "Now, tell me what's going on," he said softly.
Taehyung hadn't looked up at Yoongi, head lowered in something like shame as he followed Jimin without a word. He settled next to him on the bed, leaning against Jimin's shoulder for comfort.
"...hyung was upset because I... said I wasn't comfortable with joining in on the body shots, and lap dancing," he said, voice quiet. "He asked me what I was doing here, and told me I should... just go."
Jimin frowned at that. Well that didn't make any sense whatsoever. "But... he never participates in any of that either, not willingly. Why would he be mad about that? Are you sure that's what he was upset about?"
Taehyung nodded his head, eyes down. "He thought I was uncomfortable because I had problems with gay people, but I told him I like guys and girls. I just said I... didn't want to participate in the things you were doing." He swiped at his eyes. "Then he said to leave."
These were the kinds of situations that Jin was really adept at handling. Jimin, not so much, in fact, he was a little lost as to what to do. All he knew was that sometimes Yoongi was an idiot. "Yoongi is an idiot" Jimin said. "I have a feeling, and I only say this because I know him, but he was probably upset about something else. Yoongi's like a bull, he sees a flash of red and starts charging with his horns down and doesn't look up, knocking over everything in his path."
Taehyung swallowed. "...you think so? This isn't the first time someone's gotten upset at me over something like this... I... feel like it would be better if I left for tonight."
"No one, and I mean no one here will get mad at you for being uncomfortable with something," Jimin said, squeezing Taehyung's hand. "I'm sorry that I get a little... too much sometimes, especially when I drink, but I want you to know that I wouldn't do anything if you didn't want me to. Same with any of the others. I don't want you to leave, I want you to stay here and get absolutely trashed with me. I'll drag Yoongi in here by his ears and make him apologize for being an idiot."
"You don't have to do that," Taehyung said, but the tears had slowed at Jimin's reassurance. He leaned into the other man's side, resting his head against Jimin's shoulder. "...Thank you."
"That's what friends are for," Jimin said, nuzzling against the top of Taehyung's head. "Now, you ready to rejoin the party?"
"If you're sure hyung won't mind," Taehyung nodded, holding on to him for a moment longer before pulling away.
"I'm sure he doesn't," Jimin said, getting up as well. Stretching out his arms, he went to the door and opened, letting Taehyung go through first. He could see Yoongi peeking his head up from where he was laying on the couch. Nervous eyes flicked between Jimin and Taehyung as he sat up and got to his feet. "Hobi hyung, I'm sober, fix it," Jimin said, giving Taehyung's shoulder a squeeze as he passed by.
Hoseok had been watching the situation unfold with confusion, people coming and going and Taehyung looking like he was ready to or already crying. When Jimin spoke to him he perked up a little, hopping to his feet. "Well we can't have that," he announced loudly, steering Jimin towards all the alcohol.
Taehyung fidgeted where he stood, avoiding looking at Yoongi. After a moment he inhaled deeply before finding an empty place to sit back down.
Scratching at the back of his head, Yoongi warred with himself for a few seconds before summing up the courage to walk over to Taehyung and crouch down next to him. "Hey... um... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
Taehyung looked up at Yoongi from under his bangs. He tried a small smile, the action not morphing his whole expression like it usually did. "It's fine. Sorry for putting you in that position, hyung."
"You didn't do anything, so don't apologize," Yoongi said, looking a little uncomfortable. He really hated admitting he was wrong about anything, but he had fucked up this time, pretty bad. "We're still figuring each other out, right? Let's chalk it up to me being an ass, a drunk ass and misreading the situation."
"...alright," Taehyung nodded, looking up at him. "Uh... do you want more to drink?" He asked, trying to move on to a different topic and settling on the one most readily available.
"Not sure if that's a great idea, but I could really use one," Yoongi said, straightening up. He glanced at where Jimin and Hoseok were taking shots. "And maybe once we have a couple drinks... we could... dance?"
Taehyung blinked dumbly up at him before brightening. "If you want to, sure." Yoongi hadn't been too thrilled by the idea before, but if the older man was offering, he wasn't going to refuse. He hopped up from the floor, going to pour them more shots.
Hoseok watched as Taehyung poured out two glasses. "Hey, hold up, all together," he grinned, refilling his and Jimin's glasses.
Yoongi made a face but didn't say anything, taking his glass. "I don't know why I'm friends with any of you," he said blandly. "And vice versa I guess."
"Aww, Suga hyung," Jimin giggled, holding up his glass. "I think he's getting sentimental in his old age."
"You know you love us you big sap," Hoseok grinned, looking between all of them before lifting his glass. "Cheers!" He downed his shot.
Taehyung did the same, coughing and staggering a little. It wasn't going to take long for him to feel the effects of that. He reached out for a bag of chips, breaking it open and offering some to Yoongi.
Yoongi snorted, but took the offered chips, putting his arm around Taehyung's shoulder. He watched as Jimin took another shot almost immediately afterwards before bouncing back towards the stereo, changing the song to something with a hard beat. Even half drunk Jimin was a better dancer than Yoongi ever would be, and he smirked as he watched the younger feel the beat and moved his body.
"Okay, one more, then we can dance," Yoongi said, pouring himself and Taehyung another shot and offering it to him.
Taehyung smiled, taking the offered glass. He knocked it back the same time as Yoongi, getting better at drinking the straight alcohol. Then he put his glass down and held out a hand to Yoongi with a grin. "Dance now?"
"Yeah, guess so," Yoongi sighed, taking the younger's hand and pulling him towards the stereo. Yoongi was not the best dancer in the world, but he could at least keep a rhythm and not look like a total idiot (he reserved that for Namjoon). He only let go of Taehyung's hand to put it at his waist, keeping them close. Yoongi rationalized it as keeping Jimin from stealing Taehyung away, but he would admit to himself that he didn't mind being so close either.
"Hobi hyung," Jimin beckoned. "I'm feeling like a third wheel here, and not in the fun way."
"Poor Jiminnie," Hoseok grinned, going to his best friend's side and sliding his arms around Jimin's waist. "I'll keep you company." They started to dance, and being both talented dance majors made it a sight to see, even if they were half drunk and both grinding more than dancing.
But Taehyung seemed content to dance at his own pace with Yoongi, after a moment taking the lead to bounce around to the beat. He didn't seem concerned with dancing well, just with having fun, stealing looks up at Yoongi every now and then as if to make sure he was enjoying himself.
Now that the alcohol was flowing a little more freely through him, Yoongi finally relaxed enough to just enjoy himself. He wasn't at the point of black out drunk yet, but it could happen pretty soon, but right at that moment it was a comfortable swirling feeling that had him smiling at Taehyung. It was a true gummy smile, one free of inhibitions and self-doubt.
Jimin noticed it, nudging Hoseok and motioning with a nod towards Yoongi. It was nice seeing Yoongi smiling, he didn't do it often enough. But where as Yoongi was in that comfortable moment of drunk, Jimin was edging closer to passing out. His head wasn't just swimming, but drowning. It felt good to be up against Hoseok, letting the older ground him with firm touches to his hips and sides, giving Jimin the distraction he needed.
He felt rather than heard his phone going off in his pants pocket, so Jimin pulled away rather reluctantly from Hoseok to look at it. His expression went from blissful to confused, to heartbroken in a matter of seconds and he stumbled backwards a little. "Um... I need to... make a call," he said, heading out the door of the apartment.
Hoseok blinked at the expression on Jimin's face, the grin on his own slowly fading. "...Minnie?" He called after him, arms falling to his side. He glanced towards the other two, Taehyung pausing as well in and looking after Jimin in confusion.
Looking back at the door, Hoseok hurried to follow Jimin out. It helped that he was probably the most sober out of all of them; he'd been drinking slowly so he could keep an eye on Jimin.
Standing in front of the elevators, Jimin was hastily scrubbing at his eyes as the tears fell. He looked up when he heard Hoseok, but shook his head as the elevator arrived and he stumbled on.
"Yah, Jimin!" Hoseok called, but it was a lost cause. By the time he'd reached the elevators the door had closed again, and pressing the arrows repeatedly didn't open them again.
Blowing his hair out of his face, he looked up at the numbers climbing. Six, seven... eight? Higher? Their friends lived on the seventh, Jimin never had any reason to go past that. It wasn't as if he knew many people that high up.
The numbers rose and rose, before finally stopping at the penthouse level. That made no sense. Jimin definitely knew no one up there. And there was nothing else on that level, except...
A chill ran down his spine, and Hoseok jammed against the up arrow again. It seemed to take forever for the second elevator to show up, Hoseok ducking in and pressing the button for the penthouse. He stared up at the numbers intently, body tense and rocking from foot to foot.
When the doors opened he bolted, heading right to the stairs accessing the roof. For a half-drunk man he ran surprisingly fast up the stairs, only tripping twice. Hoseok ran into the door and pushed it open. He stumbled out onto the rooftop terrace, panting.
Jimin hadn't made it very far, slumping against the wall next to the door, arms wrapped around his knees. "Hobi," he whispered, reaching out to tug on Hoseok's pant leg.
"Oh... Jimin..." There was a breath of relief in Hoseok's voice. He immediately crouched down, sitting next to Jimin and wrapping his arms around him. "What are you doing up here?"
Jimin leaned into the embrace, his fingers curling into Hoseok's shirt. His body was trembling a little, whether it was from the chill of the wind or something else it wasn't clear. "I just... needed to clear my head," he whispered. "Kookie sent me a text."
Hoseok blinked. "A text..? What did he say?" He secured his grip around Jimin, letting the younger man curl up against him.
Jimin pulled his phone out and turned it on, holding it out for Hoseok to look. It was a picture of Jungkook who was smiling a little sleepily as he laid in a bed, blankets laying haphazardly over his chest. But just to Jungkook's right was the outline of a bare back, and long black hair splaying over a pillow. Jungkook wasn't alone in that bed, and the text to go with the picture, Miss you made it even worse. "He probably didn't even realize you could see her," Jimin said quietly.
Hoseok's eyes widened, and he drew in a sharp breath. "That little..." he cut himself off before he could swear, looking at the photo in disbelief for a moment. How dumb could Jungkook be? Did he really just not care?
Pushing the phone away, Hoseok wrapped his arms around Jimin again. He didn't say anything, just threaded his fingers into the other man's hair and held him close.
Jimin let himself sink into the comfort of Hoseok's arms, closing his eyes. "I don't know why it bothers me so much," he said quietly. "This is what I agreed to."
"You need to talk to him, Min," Hoseok said quietly, tucking Jimin's head under his chin. "Maybe it was okay back then, but it's not anymore. It's just hurting you to keep this up."
"I just don't want him to hate me," Jimin murmured. "What if he leaves? I don't know what to do without him."
"But are you going to be happy being his side guy forever?" Hoseok asked, smoothing his fingers through Jimin's hair. "If you talk... maybe you can work something out. And... if he leaves... then he wasn't the right person for you anyways. You deserve so much better, Min. You deserve someone who can give you all their love."
Jimin smiled a little, pulling back a little to look up at Hoseok. "I think I'll be okay, long as I've got you," he said, wrapping an arm around Hoseok's chest. "Thank you."
"Silly... you'll always have me." Hoseok pressed a kiss to the headfull of black hair, smoothing his hand down Jimin's back. "No matter if you get together with Jungkook or some other cute boy, your Hobi hyung isn't going anywhere."
"I appreciate that more than you know," Jimin said, laying his head back down against Hoseok's chest. "Can we stay here for a bit? I don't feel like going back down to that room for a while."
"As long as you want," Hoseok said, ignoring his phone as it vibrated a few times. Probably the other two checking if everything was okay. "I don't get you to myself very often these days," he teased, looking down at the younger man.
"Not my fault I'm so popular," Jimin chuckled. "Relationships are so messy Hobi hyung... is that why you don't date?"
"I date. Just not that often. Haven't found the right person yet," Hoseok said with a wry smile. "I'm not in a rush, I have you all don't I?"
"Yes you do," Jimin nodded. "When you do find the right person, they're going to be very lucky to have you."
"Psh." Hoseok grinned, massaging Jimin's hair. "Not as great a catch as my Jiminnie. Best dancer and singer in all of Korea."
"Well, can't argue with facts," Jimin laughed softly, a real smile growing. Things were bad, and he didn't really know what the best thing to do concerning Jungkook, but he knew he'd get through it long as he had his best friend. "Love you hyung."
"Love you too, Min." Hoseok cuddled Jimin close, looking up at the stars littering the night sky.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co