Archive of Our Own

Taehyung beamed down at the flowers his boyfriend had gotten for him. A dozen red roses, complete with a card that said ‘I send a kiss inside the petals of each rose. I love you, angel.’ And it wasn’t even his birthday or their anniversary or any sort of special occasion－no, his boyfriend had gotten these flowers for Tae just because. For no other reason than to show Tae how much he still loved him, how much he still cared about him. He quickened his pace down the hallway of his dorm, wanting, no, needing to show them off to someone, anyone.

He practically flounced into his dorm room, his roommate looking up from his computer. “Hey-”

“Look at these flowers Minho got for me!” Taehyung burst out, going up to him and holding them out.

Jungkook scowled at the flowers Taehyung was waving in his face. He pushed them away, unsmiling. “Nice,” he said, sounding bored. “What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion,” Tae replied, grinning. He clutched the bouquet to his chest, gazing down at it. “He got them for me just because! Aren’t they beautiful?”

Jungkook snorted, turning back to his computer. “Just because, huh? You sure it’s not because he’s feeling guilty about something?”

Tae looked up at him, his smile slipping from his face. “Um, no, why would you think something like that?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jungkook said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “maybe it’s because guys only buy flowers for no reason when they feel like they’ve fucked up?”

Taehyung scoffed. “That’s not true. People are capable of doing nice things for each other without an ulterior motive, you know. Maybe to express their love? Show affection? Ever heard of it?”

“Nope, wouldn’t know anything about that,” Jungkook quipped, tapping away at his keyboard.

Tae rolled his eyes. “You’re so cynical.”

“Not cynical, Tae, just realistic.”

“Whatever.” Tae turned his back on Jungkook and headed over to his own side of their room, placing the bouquet on his desk, sitting down in his chair, gazing at the flowers.

He really didn’t know why he had even bothered showing off the flowers to his surly roommate. He hadn’t expected Jungkook to fawn over them or anything but he didn’t have to be so mean about it.

He reached out, running his finger over one of the soft petals. Minho had gotten them for him just because it was a nice thing to do, because his boyfriend was sweet and generous…

Or it’s because he’s feeling guilty about something.

Tae frowned slightly. Trust Jungkook to take a nice gesture and twist it into something suspicious. But still, something about what Jungkook had said snagged in the back of his mind.

The thing was, Minho didn’t usually buy him flowers for no reason. In the almost two years they had been together, Tae could only remember one occasion when Minho had surprised him with flowers and that had been the day they had graduated from high school together.

But it wasn’t like Tae expected his boyfriend to shower him with gifts all the time. They were two broke college students after all, doing their best to pinch pennies and save money where they could. And a bouquet of roses wasn’t exactly cheap. Maybe Minho had been saving his tips from his job at the diner to buy these for him. Which would only make the gesture all the sweeter if Minho had been planning on surprising him with flowers for a while.

Or maybe it’s because he’s feeling guilty about something.

But what would Minho have to feel guilty about? They hadn’t gotten into any fights recently, not even any type of minor argument. The only thing Tae could think of was that they hadn’t been able to spend much time together lately but that wasn’t Minho’s fault. They both had packed schedules and were routinely swamped with schoolwork so they only managed to see each other a few times a week.

Tae bit his lip. Was Jungkook right? Could they really be guilt flowers?

He looked over at Jungkook, considering his roommate. Jungkook still had his back to him, typing on his keyboard, oblivious to Tae’s stare.

Tae had an…odd relationship with his roommate, to say the least. When he had first met Jungkook the day he had moved in to their dorm, he had seemed friendly enough. Introduced himself and shook his hand and Tae’s heartbeat had kicked up a little bit upon seeing Jungkook’s smile, felt his face flush slightly at the feel of Jungkook’s hand in his.

But then Jungkook had seemed to do a one-eighty, becoming a bit standoffish. He could be a total grouch, responding to anything Tae said with nothing more than a raised eyebrow and a grunt of acknowledgement; or if he deigned to say anything, it was usually some sort of sarcastic remark. (Case in point, his comment about the flowers.)

It would be easy for Taehyung to write off his roommate as a complete asshole and want nothing to do with him except for the times when it seemed like they were…almost friends. Like when Jungkook invited him to play video games with him, the two of them laughing and bantering back and forth as they mashed buttons, battling each other. Tae usually lost these competitions because 1) Jungkook was an avid gamer, so skilled he could probably do it for a living and 2) Tae tended to get distracted by the subtle flex of Jungkook’s biceps as he worked his controller.

Or there were times when they ran into each other on campus, Jungkook returning Tae’s greeting with that adorable smile and they would stop and chat with each other, talking about their days, complaining about their professors and how much homework they had to do. And sometimes Jungkook would even suggest they go grab a bite to eat at one of the campus cafes and Tae always said yes because it was important to keep your energy up in college, you couldn’t go around skipping meals and risk collapsing in the middle of a lecture because your blood sugar was low. And he may as well have company while he ate. And Jungkook could be good company when he chose to be, one time making Tae laugh so hard that milk had spurted out of his nose.

But then there were times when Tae would wave to Jungkook when he happened to pass him and all he would receive would be the slightest of nods, the most cursory glance. But this only tended to happen when Tae was accompanied by Minho, for some reason.

He didn’t really know what to make of his roommate’s mercurial moods.  There were times when it seemed like Jungkook didn’t like him at all and times when he felt like he could almost call Jungkook one of his best friends. He tended to run hot and cold, leaving Tae exasperated and confused. Still, even when Jungkook was being an ass, Tae couldn’t help but like him, feel a weird sort of fondness for him. He was a walking contradiction, a grumpy bear with the cutest of bunny smiles.

And then there was the thing that had happened just a few days ago, something that Tae’s mind kept wandering back to…

Tae had been alone in their dorm, working on his comparative literature essay when his computer had just…crashed. All of his assignments, all of his files just gone. Jungkook had walked in a few minutes later to find Tae nearly in tears, staring helplessly at his computer.

“Tae?” Jungkook asked, sounding almost as panicked as Tae felt. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“My computer!” Tae wailed. “It just broke, all my stuff is gone—”

“Move,” Jungkook said, nudging Tae out of the chair. “Let me look at it…”

Jungkook had sat in front of Tae’s computer for nearly an hour and a half, working on it while Tae paced behind him, gnawing at his fingernails, never having been more grateful for the fact that his roommate was a computer science major.

Jungkook had even called one of his classmates at one point to ask him about something. “Hey, Namjoon? Yeah, it’s Jungkook, listen I’ve just got a quick question…”

Then after talking to Namjoon for a few minutes, he had hung up, tapping at Tae’s keyboard, muttering under his breath. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Tae, he had leaned back, letting out a relieved sigh. “There we go.”

Tae had rushed over to look at the screen and saw that whatever Jungkook had done, his computer seemed to be back to normal. “You fixed it?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said, getting up from Tae’s desk chair, “I mean, it actually turned out to be a pretty simple solution once I had figured out what happened. All I had to do was—”

But his words were cut off when Tae had flung his arms around Jungkook’s neck, trapping him in a fierce hug. “Oh my god, Jungkook, thank you! You’ve just saved my life!”

“It’s not that big a deal,” Jungkook had said, sounding slightly embarrassed. Still, after a few seconds, he had slipped his arms loosely around Tae’s waist, returning his hug.

Tae pulled back so he could look at Jungkook, beaming at him. “God, I could kiss you right now.”

Jungkook had stiffened slightly and his gaze had darted down to Tae’s lips for one lingering second before looking back into his eyes. And then Tae had become acutely aware of their proximity, how close they were and it suddenly became difficult to breathe.

“S-sorry,” Tae said, stumbling over his words, “I didn’t mean—”

But Jungkook had pushed him away, a harsh look on his face. “Don’t worry about it,” he said gruffly. “Like I said, no big deal.”

And then, before Tae could say anything else, he had left, mumbling something about going to the gym.

Tae had berated himself for saying something so stupid. Jungkook hadn’t mentioned it again so Tae hadn’t brought it up either. But his mind would sometimes wander back to how good it had felt to have Jungkook’s arms around him, how Jungkook had stared at his lips almost hungrily…

Tae felt his face heat as he thought back to that day, guilt churning in his stomach. He wasn’t about to start anything with Jungkook. He had a boyfriend already, thank you very much, a boyfriend whom he loved.

But just because he was taken, didn’t mean he was blind. So what if he noticed that Jungkook was ridiculously hot? So what if Tae sometimes snuck a peek at him when he came back from the shower, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants, a towel draped around his neck, his sculpted chest still glistening with beads of water…

It was only natural. And Tae would never act on the inappropriate thoughts he sometimes had about his roommate. He would never do that to Minho, never betray his trust like that. And Minho would never do that to him, either. Tae wouldn’t throw away what he had with his boyfriend just because Jungkook had an eight-pack. And a smile that made his heart melt.

Tae blinked, realizing he was still staring at the back of Jungkook’s head. He sighed, turning to his computer, glancing at the roses Minho had bought for him. They didn’t seem as beautiful to him now as they had before, when Minho had first given them to him. He pushed his jumbled thoughts to the back of his mind and distracted himself with his homework.

But half an hour later, he heard Jungkook’s voice float over to him from across the room. “Hey, Tae?”

Tae turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“You wanna play Overwatch for a little bit?” Jungkook said, holding up his controller.

And Tae knew somehow that this was a peace offering of sorts, an apology for what Jungkook had said earlier about the flowers.

“Okay,” Tae said, getting up and going over to sit beside Jungkook, taking a controller from him, unconsciously licking his lips as he stole a glance at Jungkook’s muscled forearms.

***

Jungkook wasn’t jealous. He wasn’t.

So what if Tae’s stupid boyfriend had gotten him some flowers yesterday? What was it to him if Minho surprised Tae with the most cliched romantic gesture ever?

But he couldn’t deny how his stomach had dropped upon seeing the smile on Tae’s face, knowing someone else had put it there.

Fucking roses.

 Jungkook kicked at a pebble as he made his way across the quad, scowling at the ground. Didn’t that idiot know that sunflowers were Tae’s favorite?

Jungkook knew this because Tae had accompanied him on a grocery run one evening a few weeks ago (they were running low on ramen) and Tae had wandered over to the floral department, his face lighting up as he examined a huge bouquet of the cheery flowers.

“I just love sunflowers,” he sighed, “don’t you?”

“I guess,” Jungkook shrugged. “Never really thought about them that much.”

“They’re my favorite kind of flower,” Tae said wistfully. “They’re like…drops of pure sunshine.” Then he had turned to Jungkook, smiling his rectangular smile and Jungkook’s heart felt like it was going to explode inside his chest. He had wanted to buy up every sunflower in the store and give them to Tae, would have gifted him with an entire field of them if he could. But he was only Tae’s roommate and there was no way he could play that sort of thing off in a platonic way so he had just rolled his eyes and made his way over to the checkout counter, Tae trailing reluctantly behind him.

A dozen red roses. How fucking unimaginative could you get? What was next, a heart-shaped box of chocolates?

And he had nearly puked when he had secretly stolen a glance at the note Minho had written to Tae. ‘I send a kiss inside the petals of each rose…’ Jesus Christ, what romance advice website had he stolen that little gem from?

Then again, Jungkook wasn’t sure if he could do much better. Tae was the lit major after all, the one who had a way with words. Still, he amused himself by thinking about what he would write if he were to get a bouquet of flowers for Tae.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I know you have a boyfriend

But I’ve got a major crush on you

(So let’s fuck)

He allowed himself a smirk. Okay, it wasn’t the most eloquent of poems but it would at least get his point across.

Jungkook had been crushing on Taehyung since the day he had met him. He remembered he had just been getting his computer set up when Tae had bounced through the door, cradling a box of books in his arms. “Hey, roomie!” he said brightly.

Jungkook, who had been leaning over his desk, trying to plug in his monitor, rolled his eyes and grimaced. God, was he really going to have to share a dorm with a person who called him roomie?

He had straightened up, ready to reply with some serious snark. But when he had turned around and seen Tae, his sarcastic remark had immediately died on his lips.

His new roommate was fucking gorgeous, the most beautiful boy Jungkook had ever seen in his life. Deep-brown eyes the colour of melted chocolate, framed by long, lush eyelashes; high, sculpted cheekbones that belonged on a fashion model; full pink lips that were positively sinful. And yet he had an aura of innocence about him, a shy boyish charm that had Jungkook instantly smitten.

“Uh, hey,” he said, “I’m Jungkook.”

“H-hi,” Tae had replied, sounding nervous all of a sudden. “I’m Taehyung.” He had set his box of books on the ground and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Jungkook said, feeling a bit dazed as he took Tae’s outstretched hand in his. And then Tae had dazzled him with that incredible boxy smile and Jungkook had smiled back, feeling a pleasant tingling in his stomach as he looked at Tae. An adorable blush spread over Tae’s cheeks and they had just stood there, gazing at each other, still holding each other’s hands.

Jungkook began to imagine what else he could do to get Tae to flush so prettily like that and was just wondering what the proper etiquette was for asking your new roommate if they were down to fuck when another boy came in behind Tae, carrying another box. “Hey, babe, there’s only a few more－”

But he had stopped when he saw the two of them, still standing there suspended in their never-ending handshake, his eyes darting between the two of them.

Tae had immediately dropped Jungkook’s hand. “Oh, hey, sweetie, this is my new roommate, Jungkook.”

“Hi,” the other boy said cautiously, putting down the box and holding out his hand.

“Jungkook, this is Minho－”

Oh god, don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it －

 “－my boyfriend,” Tae finished.

GODDAMMIT.

Jungkook shook Minho’s hand for the briefest of seconds, returning his greeting with a curt nod.

Minho had then put his arm around Tae’s shoulders, giving him an affectionate squeeze, smiling at him. “So, you all moved in yet?” he said to Jungkook.

“Almost,” Jungkook said, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

God, of fucking course Tae was already taken. How could someone who looked like that not be? Still, Jungkook cursed his rotten luck. He now had to share a room with this delectable-looking boy knowing someone else got to touch him? Talk about unfair.

“Come on,” Minho had said to Tae, “there’s still a few more boxes.”

“Okay.” And then Minho had taken Tae’s hand and led him out of the room, Tae looking back over his shoulder at Jungkook. “Be right back,” he said shyly. Jungkook had watched him go, feeling like something in his chest was swelling and deflating at the same time.

And so it had been ever since. Jungkook wanted the one person he couldn’t have.

Those first couple of weeks, Jungkook had been hoping that it was nothing more than a lust thing, nothing more complicated than simply wanting to bang his roommate like a set of bongo drums. He could assuage his lust elsewhere, after all, with hook ups at parties and the like. But even when he did that, he was still left craving Taehyung, still wanted whoever he happened to be hooking up with to be the sweet boy back in his dorm room. (One time when he had been getting a blowjob at a party, Tae’s name had slipped out of his mouth and the guy had gotten huffy and stormed off.)

Jungkook fantasized about Tae so much he felt like he walked around in a near-perpetual state of arousal. God, there were just so many things he wanted to do with him－suck him off; be sucked off by him; tie him to his bed and have his way with him; give it to him rough and dirty until he was screaming Jungkook’s name; spend hours worshiping Tae’s body with his hands, his mouth, his cock; fuck him on tables, desks, on the floor, against a wall, on every surface imaginable－the list went on and on. There were times when he felt like he would kill to just kiss Tae, lay him on his bed and simply make out with him for a little bit.

And when Jungkook started to wonder what it would be like just to hold hands with Tae－well, then he knew he was in serious trouble.

If all Jungkook wanted to do was have sex with Tae, he felt like he could have dealt with that. After all, wanting to fuck someone didn’t mean that you wanted to be with them, necessarily, and there were plenty of other people he could hook up with.

But then he had gotten to know Tae and his roommate turned out to be a total sweetheart, the most amazing person Jungkook had ever come across. And that really fucking sucked.

It sucked because he was constantly aching to tell Tae how he felt about him, wanted to tell him how special Jungkook thought he was, how rare. God, Tae, your smile, he wanted to say, I fucking live for your smile.

I want to kiss you, hold you, make a fool of myself just to hear you laugh, shower you with sunflowers －

But Tae had a boyfriend so he couldn’t say any of these things. Instead, he did his best to hide his feelings underneath a mask of stony indifference, deliberately being an asshole to Tae even though it agonized him to be so callous when all he wanted to do was show him how much he cared.

He could never keep up his dickish facade for long, though. It had gotten to the point where all Tae had to do was smile at him and all of his defenses came crashing down.

He couldn’t help but ask Tae to have lunch with him whenever they ran into each other on campus and Tae didn’t have his stupid boyfriend with him. Couldn’t help but want to get him on his own for a while, away from their dorm, doing something that could almost be considered a date.

And he couldn’t help but invite Tae to play video games with him, couldn’t help but love the way they talked smack back and forth in a way that was almost like flirting. Tuesday night was their unofficially official gaming night, Jungkook just always happening to have a game picked out for them to play and Tae just always happening to have picked up snacks for them. It was Jungkook’s favorite night of the week.

He thought it was adorable how bad Tae was at video games and yet he still had the audacity to talk shit－the only time Jungkook saw him get all riled up and forget to be nice. “Agh, you absolute buttmunch,” he would say indignantly when Jungkook totally creamed him in Mario Kart, “I would’ve won that time if it hadn’t been for your stupid turtle shells－”

“Or maybe you would have won if you didn’t suck so bad,” Jungkook said, laughing when Tae stuck his tongue out at him.

But he wondered if these seemingly innocent gaming sessions might be tipping over into more dangerous territory. Just a few weeks ago, he had introduced Tae to Five Nights at Freddy’s, the first horror game they had played together. Tae had clutched at his arm the entire time, distracting Jungkook so much he could barely focus on the game. His mind had played a constant loop of Tae’s touching me, holy shit, holy shit, Tae’s touching me, holy fuck what do I do, holy shit－

 And when they had inevitably lost and the jump scare had happened, Tae had actually buried his face in Jungkook’s shoulder, squealing in terror.

“It’s not that scary,” Jungkook had said although what he really wanted to say was hey, why don’t you climb into my lap if you’re that scared, I’ll protect you－

 “Oh my god,” Tae had said, finally leaning away from Jungkook, clutching at his chest, “I think I nearly had a heart attack!”

Yeah, me too, Jungkook had thought to himself, but not because of the game.

It was so stupid that such negligible physical contact with Tae had left him reeling. He should really redouble his efforts to push Tae away, both physically and emotionally, if such a small touch could affect him that much. But instead, he had just gone ahead and added a bunch of horror games to his mental list of ‘Video Games to Play with Taehyung.’

And then there had been the thing that had just happened the other day when he had fixed Tae’s computer for him. Oh god, Tae had actually hugged him and Jungkook had gotten a taste of what it felt like to have Tae pressed up against him. It had felt way too good and the only thing that would have made it even better would be if they had both been naked.

And to top it all off, Tae had said…he had said…

God, I could kiss you right now.

Fuck if that hadn’t almost been Jungkook’s downfall. He knew that Tae didn’t really mean it, that it was just an expression, but he couldn’t help stealing a glance at Tae’s lips and wonder what would happen if he took Tae up on that offer, if he just gave his morals and self-restraint the big middle finger and just kissed him. But then once he kissed him, what was to stop him from doing it again and again? What was to stop him from moving to kiss Tae’s neck, mark him with his teeth? What was to stop him from pushing Tae down onto his bed, ripping his clothes off and fucking his brains out?

And he knew his thoughts must have shown on his face because then Tae had gotten flustered and started to backpedal and explain himself and that’s when Jungkook knew it was time to get the fuck out of there.

He had tried reverting back to his asshole persona ever since but he just couldn’t maintain it, not even after Tae had literally shoved a reminder in his face that he had a boyfriend. He had tried to but he couldn’t blame Tae for being excited about the flowers－it was only natural to want to show them off to people and Jungkook felt bad about the way he had been so dismissive of them. That’s why he had invited Tae to play a spontaneous game of Overwatch with him and, while their banter had felt a bit forced in the first couple of minutes, they soon settled into their natural rhythm.

And Tae had made him coffee this morning, Jungkook waking up to the sound of Tae gently placing a mug on his bedside table, giving him a small smile and a whispered ‘morning.’ Tae was always doing sweet little things like that for him－bringing him manga from the library where he worked that he thought Jungkook would enjoy, texting him funny memes, even one time making a playlist of songs for him to work out to. Jungkook both loved and hated these gestures because they almost felt like something a boyfriend would do－but Tae wasn’t his boyfriend. Would never be his boyfriend. Tae didn’t do these things because he liked Jungkook (at least, not in that way) but because he was kind and generous and he would do that kind of stuff for anybody.

Jungkook sighed as he reached his dorm building. His feelings for Tae were really starting to get out of hand but he didn’t know what he was supposed to do about them. There was nothing he really could do except keep them shoved down deep inside himself and just take what he could get－the sight of Tae’s smile, the sound of his laugh, the warm feeling of just being in his presence. It wasn’t much, it wasn’t what he truly wanted, but it was better than nothing.

At least it was Tuesday today and he had a night of gaming with Taehyung to look forward to. He had Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 all ready to go, wondering if Tae might get so freaked out that he would reach for Jungkook's hand.

Okay, that thought was pretty pathetic but it wasn’t going to stop him from hoping that Tae might want to snuggle all nice and close while they played the game.

Jungkook wandered down the hallway to his room. He would normally be in a lecture right now but his Machine Learning class had been canceled unexpectedly so he had decided to spend his free time in his dorm, maybe take a nap or something.

He got to his door and unlocked it, nodding to someone as they walked by him. So he wasn’t actually looking into his room as he opened the door and it was only the sound of Tae’s startled gasp that made him look around. What he saw made him immediately freeze in the doorway.

Sweet. Holy. Jesus.

Tae was sitting up on his bed and he was naked. Beautifully, enticingly naked. He had been facing the other way when Jungkook had walked in but was now turned towards him, looking at Jungkook over his shoulder. His pink lips parted, his soft brown hair slightly mussed, as if he had been running his fingers through it.

For an endless moment they stared at each other, Tae blinking at him, his brown eyes wide. Jungkook didn’t know how Tae managed to look so innocent and yet so, so naughty at the same time. He let his gaze slip lower, taking in the sensual line of Tae’s back, his smooth tanned skin, and－god－his pert round bubble butt that Jungkook just wanted to grab a hold of and squeeze. He wondered if he was dreaming because this couldn’t be real, this was something right out of one of his fantasies, finding Tae naked in their dorm room, waiting for him, ready for him.

But then he noticed that there were someone else’s hands on Tae’s hips and that definitely wasn’t a part of his fantasy and he was puzzled by it for a split second before it finally dawned on him. Those were Minho’s hands on Tae, Tae was straddling him and he was naked because they were having sex, Jungkook had just walked in on them, oh god, oh god, oh god－

Minho sat up, an annoyed look on his face. “Hey, man, do you fucking mind?” he said, trying to shield Tae by pulling the sheet up around him.

Jungkook didn’t say anything, he just turned and slammed the door behind him, walking fast down the hallway until he finally broke into a run, wanting to put as much distance between himself and his dorm room as possible.

***

Taehyung lay beside Minho, his head on his boyfriend’s shoulder, still burning with humiliation. Oh my god, Jungkook saw me naked, oh my god, Jungkook walked in on me having sex with Minho, oh my god, no no no no no－

 Minho heaved a sigh. “That was really nice,” he murmured.

“Yeah,” Tae said, trying to quell the weird sense of panic he was feeling, “it’s, uh, been a while since we’ve done that.”

“Yeah…” Minho said, sounding drowsy. “Did you almost come that time?”

“Um, yeah, almost,” Tae said meekly.

Minho sighed again. “It’s okay, babe, we’ll get there.”

“Mm hmm.” They had been trying to ‘get there’ ever since they had first started having sex but Tae wasn’t going to point that out right now. He never did.

“I’ll take care of you in a minute, okay?” Minho said, yawning. “Just let me rest first…” Ten seconds later, he started snoring.

Tae carefully extricated himself from Minho, slipping out from underneath his arm and flopping down beside him. He stared up at the ceiling, feeling like he wanted to cry.

Even though he had been dating Minho for almost two years, they had only started having sex last year. Of course, they had fooled around, had some pretty steamy make out sessions while they were in high school but Tae had wanted to wait until graduation, enact out the whole cliché of Losing His Virginity on Prom Night.

Minho had pouted sometimes, tried to pressure Tae into going further but Tae had held firm. Their first time was going to be on prom night, they were going to get a hotel room, there would be candles and rose petals and it would be romantic and special, just like he had always imagined his first time would be.

But it hadn’t happened like that. Minho had been drinking a little bit (to ease his nerves, he later said) and while he hadn’t been so drunk as to not be able to perform, he had seriously underestimated the amount of lube they needed and it had hurt. So painful Tae had felt like someone was trying to shove a red-hot poker up his ass. Thankfully, it hadn’t lasted that long because after only a few quick thrusts, Minho had come into the condom and pulled out of him.

Tae’s eyes had been burning with tears of pain, he had been on the verge of crying, but all Minho had said was, “Fuck, that was amazing,” and then had fallen asleep on top of him.

And Tae hadn’t had the heart to tell his boyfriend that the sex for him hadn’t been enjoyable. How could he when he had made Minho wait, insisted that he wanted it to be special? How could he tell him, after all of that build-up, that it had been bad?

Things had gotten a little better since that first time, had gone from extremely painful to just a little bit uncomfortable. There were times when it was even vaguely pleasant, usually when Tae got on top of Minho and he could control the speed, the angle. Well, in theory anyway. But just when he tried to go faster, Minho would grasp his hips, forcing him to slow down. “I don’t want to come too soon,” he would tell Tae. But even when Tae went more slowly, he finished quickly anyway.

Tae had never had an orgasm from Minho being inside him, not even come close (no pun intended), his boyfriend usually resorting to finishing him off with his hands or his mouth－when he didn’t fall asleep first.

But even when Minho did make him come, it still felt weird and impersonal, like Minho was doing it out of obligation rather than really wanting to pleasure Tae.

Needless to say, they didn’t have sex very often and that was just fine with Tae. But, god, it bothered him that he had such an abysmal sex life with his boyfriend. He wanted to be one of those couples who couldn’t get enough of each other, who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. And he wanted good sex, the kind he had always fantasized about having with someone he loved.

Like the kind of sex he fantasized about having with Jungkook.

He felt his face heat, that familiar feeling of guilt sweeping over him. God, he couldn’t believe Jungkook had walked in on them, he had thought his roommate had class on Tuesday afternoon. He hadn’t planned to have Minho over to have sex, but his boyfriend had dropped by and after a few minutes of pretending to listen to Tae talk about the book he was reading, he had started kissing his neck, making it clear that he was feeling horny. Tae hadn’t really been in the mood but he had given in anyways because it had been a while after all, he felt like he owed it to Minho to at least try to satisfy his needs.

But he never would have had sex with Minho if he had known that Jungkook was going to see them like that. It almost felt as if he had betrayed Jungkook somehow but he didn’t know why that would be exactly. He supposed it was because it seemed impolite to not at least warn the person you shared a room with that they might walk in on something they probably didn’t want to see. But he hadn’t known ahead of time that he would be having sex with Minho and besides, Jungkook was supposed to be in class. He never dreamed that his roommate would catch him in such a compromising position. Or, at least, he had never thought of Jungkook catching him in a compromising position with someone else.

Tae licked his lips, one of his hands drifting down to idly play with one of his nipples. In his fantasies, Jungkook walked in on him while he was touching himself, catching him in the middle of masturbating. And then instead of leaving, Jungkook would sit down beside him on the bed, say he wanted to watch, urging Tae to continue.

Touch yourself for me, Tae. I want to see you come.

And so Tae would stroke himself as he thought about Jungkook watching him, his darkened gaze roving over Tae’s naked body. And then he would fantasize about Jungkook touching him, kissing him, slipping his tongue inside Tae’s mouth as he came.

Arousal sparked through him as he thought of the look on his roommate’s face as they had stared at each other in that moment when Jungkook had come in the room and seen him. It had been the same expression he had had when Tae had hugged him for fixing his computer and they had been so close and Jungkook had stared at his lips, looking like he wanted to actually kiss him.

But no, the look Jungkook had had when he walked in on Tae and Minho had been a bit different, more intense. If before he had looked like he wanted to kiss Tae, now it had looked like he wanted to fuck him. Hard and without mercy and if Minho hadn’t been there, Tae would have let him, would have begged him to. He felt like he had almost come right then, just by seeing the way Jungkook was looking at him.

He didn’t know why he thought sex with Jungkook would be any better than the sex he had with Minho. He just had a feeling that it might be.

He sighed. Not that he would ever know.

Minho let out a sudden loud snore beside him and Tae was startled out of his reverie, casting a guilty sideways glance at him. God, his boyfriend was lying right beside him and he was fantasizing about another man. When had he become such a terrible person?

But his fantasy about Jungkook had left him achingly hard so, even though he knew it was wrong, knew it made him the lowest of the low, he rolled over and got himself off as quickly as he could, biting down on his lip to keep himself from moaning Jungkook’s name.

***

Later that evening, after Minho had left, Tae was sitting on his bed, trying to concentrate on the book he was reading when Jungkook finally came in.

“Hey,” Jungkook grunted, not looking at him.

Tae immediately scrambled up from his bed and rushed over to Jungkook. “I am so sorry,” he said, grabbing Jungkook’s arm.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him. “Sorry for what?”

“Sorry, for, um, earlier,” Tae said, feeling himself turn red. “You know, when you walked in while I was…I mean when Minho and I were…”

Jungkook shook Tae’s hand off his arm. “Don’t worry about it,” he muttered, going over and sitting down in his desk chair. “Just send me a warning text or something next time.”

“Well, you see, that’s the thing,” Tae said, going over and standing beside Jungkook, fidgeting nervously with his hands, “it wasn’t really, uh, a planned thing, it just sort of happened.” He knew he was babbling, knew he should just shut up about it already but he felt this overwhelming need to explain himself to Jungkook. “It’s actually been a really long time since Minho and I have－”

“I really don’t give a fuck about your sex life, Tae,” Jungkook said harshly, still staring at his computer screen. Then, before Tae could say anything else, he reached for his headphones and snapped them over his ears, shutting him out.

Tae recoiled, stung by Jungkook’s tone. His gaze strayed to his backpack, inside of which was a bag of gummy bears that he had bought for their gaming night. They always played video games together on Tuesday evening, even though it was more of an unspoken tradition, rather than an officially planned thing. It was the thing he most looked forward to, his favorite night of the week.

He enjoyed gaming nights with Jungkook so much that he always made sure to keep his calendar clear of any other activities on Tuesday nights. He was usually safe from Minho, who usually worked a shift at the diner that night anyway, but the one time he had gotten that night off and asked Tae to hang out, he had said no, that he had other plans. His excuse had been a ‘study group’, not wanting to tell Minho the real reason he was turning him down. He just felt like he wanted to keep the weekly gaming sessions with Jungkook for himself.

But it looked like they wouldn’t be playing tonight. Jungkook was typing furiously on his keyboard, eyes still fixed on his computer screen so Tae wandered back over to his bed and flopped down on it, feeling dejected. He picked up his book, trying to lose himself in the words but his eyes kept straying over to look at the back of Jungkook’s head. He thought again of the look on Jungkook’s face when he had walked in earlier, the undisguised heat, the want, as he took in Tae’s naked body. But maybe he had just imagined it, projected his own desires, his own longing, onto Jungkook’s expression. They had only looked at each other for a couple of seconds, after all, and maybe he had misread the surprise on Jungkook’s face as lust.

Why would Jungkook want him anyway? Jungkook could have anyone he wanted and Tae was nothing but a bookish nerd who could barely satisfy the man he was with now, let alone anyone else. What if, hypothetically speaking, he did have sex with his roommate and Jungkook was left disappointed? Because, deep down, he felt like the mediocre sex he had with Minho was his own fault. Like he wasn’t trying hard enough, doing enough, to make Minho happy. Sure, his boyfriend always came and Tae almost never did but it was always over so quickly, like Minho was just going through the motions, wanting to get it over with－especially lately.

What if the same thing happened with Jungkook? What if he tried to make it good for him, tried to please him and just couldn’t?

He looked away from Jungkook, turning back to his book, blinking rapidly to clear his blurring vision. Jungkook didn’t want him and wanting someone he would never be able to have was pointless. But telling himself that didn’t make it hurt any less.

Tae buried his nose in his book, feeling like the world’s most pathetic loser.

***

Jungkook tapped away on his keyboard, feeling like the world’s biggest asshole.

Yep, that’s me, he thought miserably, just a huge gaping asshole.

 He felt terrible about the way he had snapped at Tae earlier but he just couldn’t handle Tae trying to apologize to him for having sex in their dorm room. Because while the logical part of him knew that Tae had nothing to be sorry for, he hadn’t been doing anything wrong--the darker, possessive part of him wanted to scold Tae.

You should be fucking sorry, he had wanted to say, you think I want to walk in here and see you with someone else’s dick inside you? You think I want to see someone else touching you? It should be my hands on you, my cock inside you, I should be the one fucking you until you come－

 Jungkook knew he had no right to think things like that but, god, it had hit him like a freight train, seeing Tae naked, realizing he was in the middle of being fucked by Minho. Of course, he had known, in an abstract kind of way, that Tae and Minho had sex, although he had never walked in on them before, not even caught them making out or anything. He could almost pretend to himself that Tae and Minho might be one of those sexless couples, who did nothing more erotic than kissing. But to have the evidence literally laid bare before him that, yes, Tae had sex with his boyfriend and that, yes, Minho enjoyed the privilege of having Tae ride his dick－it was too much.

Jungkook sighed, staring dully at his computer screen. He had tried to distract himself with his homework but he would much rather be playing video games with Tae instead. But he didn’t know if he’d even be able to look at Tae now without picturing him naked. Of course, he had pictured him naked before, loads of times, but now that he actually knew what he looked like without any clothes on, his fantasies were only going to intensify, become that much more vivid.

Well, he hoped Minho appreciated just how damn lucky he was. If Tae was his, he’d never be able to keep his hands off him.

But then he remembered something Tae had said during his stammering apology: ‘It’s actually been a really long time since Minho and I have－’

Since they had what? Had sex? Or just had sex in this particular dorm room? Maybe they did it on the regular in Minho’s dorm all the time. But that didn’t seem right either. Tae didn’t stay over with Minho very often, once every few weeks, if that. Tae usually slept here in their dorm.

He wished he hadn’t been so pissy and had let Tae finish his sentence. Now he would never know. It’s not like he could just ask him about it.

Hey, Tae, quick question for you－just how often do you have sex with your boyfriend? Like you could just give me a weekly average. That way I can know just how jealous I need to be.

He was vaguely aware of Tae getting up and leaving the room and coming back in again after a few minutes. Jungkook checked the time on his computer. Nearly ten o’clock. He must be getting ready for bed. They usually stayed up a bit later when they were gaming, sometimes till 12:00 or 12:30, losing track of time if they were really deep into a game.

Fuck, he had missed doing that tonight. He should have just pretended everything was fine, that it was no big deal, and they could have just played like they usually did. Now he would have to wait a whole entire week to get that quality time with Tae.

He removed his headphones and swiveled his desk chair around, ready to apologize to Tae for what he had said earlier—but Tae was already asleep.

His bedside lamp was still on and it looked like he had fallen asleep reading, curled up on top of his blankets, his book lying open on his chest.

Jungkook got up, tiptoeing over to Tae’s bed so he wouldn’t wake him up. He gently removed the book from Tae’s chest, finding his bookmark and slipping it inside so Tae wouldn’t lose his place. It was Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, one of Tae’s favorite authors. Although Pride and Prejudice was his favorite book by her. (“I know it’s everyone’s favorite Austen novel,” Tae had told Jungkook one time, “but I’ve just got such a huge crush on Mr. Darcy.”)

Jungkook loved hearing Tae talk about books, the way he described them always making Jungkook want to read them. He actually had a list on his phone of all the books Tae talked about and was slowly making his way through them. He preferred to read manga, something he had actually introduced Tae to, and they swapped book and comic recommendations regularly.

He placed the book on Tae’s side table and just stood there, gazing down at him for a few moments. He looked so peaceful, so serene and something in Jungkook’s chest stuttered as he listened to the steady rhythm of Tae’s breathing, studied the way his lips were parted slightly. He felt like he could have stood there for hours, just watching Tae sleep.

But that was definitely tipping over into stalker territory so Jungkook sighed and grabbed the extra blanket at the foot of Tae’s bed and threw it over him. He was just about to turn off Tae’s lamp when he heard him mumble something.

“Mmm…Jungkook…”

“Yeah?” Jungkook said quietly, thinking Tae had woken up. But he was still sleeping, a soft smile on his face. And then he made another noise, a noise that sounded suspiciously like a moan. A very sexual one.

Jungkook stilled, his heart hammering in his chest, two very different thoughts clashing in his brain.

HOLY FUCK TAE JUST SAID MY NAME IN HIS SLEEP HE’S DREAMING ABOUT ME HOLY FUCK

Doesn’t mean anything, people say random stuff in their sleep all the time, don’t get your hopes up—

NO FUCK THAT HE’S HAVING A SEX DREAM ABOUT ME QUICK WAKE HIM UP AND GIVE HIM THE REAL THING RIGHT NOW DO IT DO IT DO IT

“Tae?” Jungkook said hesitantly but Tae just let out a contented sigh and muttered something else, something that Jungkook didn’t quite catch.

Quickly, Jungkook snapped off Tae’s light and headed over to his own bed, hurriedly stripping down to his sweatpants and climbing under the covers, facing the wall. His heart was still pounding in his chest, the pulse of it thudding in his ears. God, that noise Tae had made…

Mmm…Jungkook…

How often had he fantasized about Tae saying his name like that? Moaning Jungkook’s name because Jungkook was making him feel oh so good…

Fuck.

He reached inside the waistband of his sweatpants, wrapping a hand around his aching cock. He stroked himself slowly as he flipped through the vast catalogue of fantasies about Tae that he kept stored in his mind. He landed on one that was similar to what had happened earlier, stumbling upon Tae in their dorm room while he was naked. Except he wasn’t with anyone, he was alone, in the middle of touching himself when Jungkook walked in on him.

Tae would be embarrassed at first, his face turning that pretty shade of pink, but once he saw how Jungkook was looking at him, he would invite Jungkook to watch.

Don’t go, Jungkook. I want you to stay. I want you to watch me touch myself.

So Jungkook would go and sit beside Tae on his bed, devouring the sight of Tae stroking his cock, listening to the little sounds of pleasure that escaped him. And then after a few minutes, Tae would invite Jungkook to do more than just watch. He would ask Jungkook to touch him, kiss him, fuck him.

Please fuck me, Jungkook, Tae would beg. Please, I need your cock inside me, I need you to fuck me hard－

And Jungkook would give Tae exactly what he wanted, he would fuck him until neither of them could think straight, make Tae keep stroking himself as he pounded into him…

Jungkook came to the mental image of Tae underneath him, gasping out Tae’s name as his climax shuddered through him.

***

“You walked in on Tae having sex with his boyfriend?” Yoongi said.

Jungkook sipped at his beer, staring off into space. “Yep.”

It was Friday night and Jungkook was at Hoseok’s house party in the den with Yoongi, recounting the miserable details of when he walked in on Tae and Minho a few days ago.

“Shit,” Yoongi said, “that must have sucked.”

Jungkook sighed. “Fucking tell me about it.”

Yoongi, being one of Jungkook’s closest friends, was the one person he had told about how he felt about his roommate. It was nice to be able to talk to someone about his hopeless crush on Tae, and Yoongi always listened patiently while Jungkook went on and on about him.

“So…what did you do?” Yoongi asked.

“What do you think I did? I fucking left. But not before I probably made it fucking obvious to Tae that I was checking him out.”

“Well, hard not to,” Yoongi said sagely, “especially in that situation. How much did you see?”

“Well, Tae was, uh, on top,” Jungkook said awkwardly. “I didn’t even notice Minho at first.”

Yoongi snorted and Jungkook glared at him. “It’s not funny.”

He shrugged, smirking slightly. “It’s a little bit funny.”

Jungkook groaned and leaned his head back against the sofa cushion, staring at the ceiling. “It was like I walked into one of my worst nightmares.”

“Seeing Tae naked?” Yoongi said wryly.

Jungkook cut him a glance. “No. Seeing him in bed with someone else.”

“Hmm. So how have things been between you two since then?”

Jungkook shrugged. “A little bit awkward, the day after. Tae still seemed kind of embarrassed about it but then we had lunch together yesterday and things seemed normal.” It was true. Tae had seemed to try and avoid Jungkook the past couple of days, acting timid and shy around him but when Jungkook accidentally-on-purpose ran into Tae yesterday afternoon and suggested they eat together, Tae had agreed. And then Jungkook asked him how he was enjoying Sense and Sensibility so far and Tae had talked his ear off about his thoughts regarding Willoughby versus Colonel Brandon. Jungkook had nearly choked on a mouthful of noodles when Tae casually asked what he thought of love triangles. Once he got his coughing under control, he tried to play it off as best he could, telling Tae that he ‘wasn’t really a fan,’ and then quickly changed the subject.

“He’s out with Minho tonight,” Jungkook told Yoongi now. “Said he was going on a date with him before I left.” Which was just fucking wonderful because it probably meant that Tae would be staying over at Minho’s dorm, which probably meant that they would be having sex again.

Yoongi considered him for a few seconds before he spoke. “You ever thought of trying to move on? Maybe try dating around a bit? There must be other people out there for you to click with. People who are actually available.”

Jungkook scowled at him. It wasn’t the first time Yoongi had floated this idea to him. “You think I haven’t fucking tried, man?”

“Well, no I don’t think you have. When’s the last time you actually asked someone out on a date?” Jungkook opened his mouth to speak but Yoongi cut him off. “Hook ups don’t count.”

Jungkook closed his mouth again. Yoongi had a point. He didn’t think he’d been on a proper date since he had met Tae. But how could he move on to someone new when everyone he met always paled in comparison to Tae? When no one else sent cascades of butterflies fluttering through his stomach the way Tae did? When no one else made his chest ache quite the same way it always did when Tae smiled at him?

“It’s not that simple,” Jungkook said to Yoongi. “With Tae, I feel as if－”

“Jesus Christ, Jungkookie,” came a voice from beside him, “why am I not fucking surprised that you’re talking about Tae again?”

Jungkook turned and glared at Jimin, who had come into the den, a vodka cooler clutched in his tiny hand. He flounced over to Yoongi and dropped into his lap, draping an arm around his shoulders and cocking an eyebrow at Jungkook. “So tell me, Jungkookie, have you boned your roommate yet?”

“Fuck you, Jiminie,” Jungkook growled.

Jimin smirked. “Oh, it’s not me you want to fuck, is it, Jungkookie? It’s one Kim Taehyung, the most gorgeous boy ever, right?" He made a show of fluttering his eyelashes. “The one who makes your little heart go pitter-patter?”

“Fuck off,” Jungkook muttered, looking away.

“Jeez, you’re grouchier than usual. What’s got your panties in a twist?”

Jungkook just gave a dismissive shake of his head but then Yoongi spoke. “Jungkook walked in on Tae having sex with his boyfriend.”

“Yoongi－” Jungkook said heatedly but he was cut off when Jimin threw his head back and howled with laughter.

“Oh my god!” he shrieked. “How are you still alive, Jungkookie? Like how did you not just die right there?” He tightened his grip on Yoongi, practically bouncing in his lap, his tiny body writhing with hysterics.

“God, I wish I had been there just to see the look on your fucking face,” Jimin gasped, finally regaining some control over himself, wiping tears out of his eyes. “You must have looked like someone was eating your favorite candy right in front of you and they wouldn’t let you have any.”

“Thanks a lot, Yoongi,” Jungkook grumbled but his friend only gave an apologetic shrug.

The only reason Jimin knew about Jungkook’s crush on Tae was because Yoongi was incapable of keeping anything from his boyfriend. And since Jungkook’s relationship with Jimin hovered somewhere between ‘friends’ and ‘enemies’ (“We’re frenemies,” Jimin had once said), Jimin took every opportunity to tease Jungkook relentlessly about his hopeless situation.

“Oh, poor Jungkookie,” Jimin sighed, grinning at him. “Must be so hard knowing someone else is giving Tae that D.”

“Shut up,” Jungkook snarled.

“That’s enough, you two,” said Yoongi wearily. He usually had to play the mediator during Jungkook and Jimin’s little spats.

“All right, I’ll be nice,” Jimin relented, pressing a gentle kiss against Yoongi’s temple. Then he looked up at Jungkook over the top of Yoongi’s head, a devilish gleam shining in his eyes. “All I’m going to say is that you bring it on yourself, Jungkookie.”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes at Jimin. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Jimin said, “you’re always going to be stuck in the fucking friend zone because you’re too much of a coward to tell Tae how you feel.”

Yoongi shifted, looking uncomfortable. “That was a little harsh, baby.”

Jungkook glared at Jimin, his jaw clenched. “He has a fucking boyfriend,” he ground out, “so I can’t exactly－”

“Oh, fuck off, you’re just using that as an excuse,” Jimin shot back. “It’s not like they’re fucking married. And besides, just because people are in a relationship doesn’t mean that they’re happy.”

Yoongi frowned at Jimin. “Is there, uh, something you’ve been meaning to tell me?”

Jimin giggled, smacking a kiss onto Yoongi’s cheek. “Oh, don’t worry, honey, I’m not talking about us. You make me very happy.” He turned back to Jungkook. “I’m just saying that Tae might not be with his boyfriend.”

“Well, how the fuck am I supposed to know whether he’s happy or not?”

“Well,” Jimin said, giving a little toss of his head, “when you see them together, do they seem happy? Or do things seem…off?”

Jungkook shrugged. “I don’t know, I don’t see Tae with Minho very often. It’s not like we all hang out together.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “God, you’re useless.” He tapped a finger against his lips, frowning slightly. “Ooh, okay, what about this? How often does Tae stay over with Minho?”

“Not super often,” Jungkook said. “Once or twice a month.”

“Once or twice a month?” Jimin said, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. “Wow, that is dismal.”  

“That doesn’t necessarily mean anything though,” Jungkook rushed to say, not wanting to get his hopes up, “it could be because Minho can’t get rid of his roommate.”

Jimin’s lips twitched. “Like Tae couldn’t get rid of you if he wanted to have Minho stay over?”

“Maybe,” Jungkook said, allowing himself a smirk. There was no way in hell he was going to make it easier for Tae to have Minho stay over. That’s why he always made sure to come back to sleep in their dorm even when he went out on the weekend.

“Look at you, Jungkookie,” Jimin said, a cheeky grin on his face, “you’re running interference already.”

“It’s not that,” Jungkook protested. Then he sighed, looking away. “I don’t know. It wouldn’t feel right asking Tae to…”

“Cheat with you?” Jimin said, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Jungkook looked down at his feet. “Yeah.” Not that he hadn’t ever thought about it. He even fantasized sometimes about coming home to find Tae upset and crying over something Minho had said or done, and Jungkook would go and comfort him, hold him close, murmur soothing words. And then he would go on to console Tae by kissing him, caressing him, laying him down and stripping his clothes off, making Tae forget all about Minho…

He looked back up at Jimin who was still eyeing him, and gave a helpless little shrug.

“Look,” Jimin said, “I’m not suggesting you go all Unfaithful and ask him to have an affair with you. But if you at least tell him how you feel, you’ll put it out there and then he can decide what he wants to do.” His lips tilted up in a wicked grin. “Who knows? If you tell him how you feel, he might just ask you to bang him, right then and there. Get naked for you and be like, ‘Yes, Jungkook, take me! Give me your Jungcock!’” He threw his head back dramatically, doing an impression of someone in the throes of passion.

Yoongi laughed and even Jungkook couldn’t suppress a chuckle.

Jimin smiled at Jungkook, an actual genuine smile but then a second later, he rearranged his features into his usual snarky expression. “I mean, I don’t know why he would, obviously,” Jimin drawled, “unless he’s got a fetish for punk ass bitches like you.”

Jungkook flipped him off, grinning, and Jimin flipped him off right back.

“Anyways,” Jimin said, “I didn’t come here to hear you whine about your depressing-as-fuck love life, I came here to take my man upstairs.” He hopped off Yoongi’s lap and tugged him up with him. “Come on, baby, there’s a room waiting for us.”

“See you later,” Yoongi said, unable to hide the eager look on his face as Jimin took him by the hand and led him out of the room.

Jungkook watched them go, considering what Jimin had said. What would happen if he did tell Tae how he felt? Well, on the one hand, the unthinkable could happen and Tae could tell him that he felt the same way and that he was so done with Minho, he had been secretly wanting to confess his feelings for Jungkook the whole entire time they had known each other. And then, strike up the band and pop the champagne bottles, they would have their first kiss and declare their everlasting love and devotion to each other and live happily ever after.

On the other hand, Tae would most likely get awkward and turn Jungkook down (gently of course, because Tae would never be mean about it) and then things would become weird between them and they’d have to go through the hassle of having to apply for new roommates and Tae would probably not want to see or speak to him ever again. In other words, it would be a complete disaster.

He didn’t know what was worse: continuing to harbor secret feelings for his roommate, seeing him be with someone else but still getting to spend time with him or telling Tae how he really felt about him (on the slim chance Tae might even feel something remotely similar for Jungkook) and then having Tae reject him and lose the sort-of friendship that they had already established.

He knew what he really wanted to do. But what was the right thing to do? Jimin might have a point about being up front with Tae but he couldn’t just projectile vomit his feelings all over him without at least considering the consequences first.

Ugh, there was an image.

He drained the rest of his beer, and got up to head to the kitchen. Maybe he could find Hoseok or Namjoon and suggest a game of foosball. Anything to take his mind off things.

As he made his way down the hallway, he rolled his eyes as he noticed a couple blatantly making out with each other against the wall. Were there really no other rooms available? They just had to mack on each other right there?

“You’re so fucking hot…” he heard one of the guys say and froze in his tracks when he realized that it was Minho.

Holy fuck, what the hell were Minho and Tae doing at Hoseok’s house party? He didn’t think either of them knew Hoseok or any of his friends and it’s not like Jungkook had ever extended an invitation. He would have invited Tae of course but he supposed it would have looked slightly suspicious if he told his roommate to just leave his boyfriend at home and come to the party with Jungkook.

Just fucking great. This was the second time this week that he had stumbled on Tae getting hot and heavy with his stupid boyfriend.

Then he blinked. The guy Minho was making out with wasn’t Tae. Not unless Tae had suddenly bleached his hair blonde and shrunk about five inches.

Minho moved to kiss at the guy’s neck and Jungkook saw that it was clearly someone else, definitely not Tae.

Jungkook’s heart jumped into his throat. What the fuck?

 As quietly as he could, he skirted past them and rushed down the hallway, out the door and onto the front porch. Without even thinking, he fumbled in his pocket for his phone and dialed Tae’s number.

He pressed the phone to his ear, listening to the dial tone, feeling shaky and off balance.

He was thinking maybe he should hang up and plan what he was going to say first when Tae answered.

“Hey, Jungkook,” he said brightly. “What’s up?”

“Oh, um, hey, Tae,” Jungkook replied, his mind going blank. God, what the fuck do I tell him?

“Um…is everything okay?” Tae said, sounding concerned. “It’s just that you don’t usually call me. You usually just text.”

“Yeah, everything’s fine, it’s just…” It’s just that I saw your boyfriend kissing someone else.

But what if Tae and Minho had broken up this very evening and Minho was now drowning his sorrows by putting the moves on a new guy? It wasn’t likely but it wasn’t impossible either. But Tae didn’t sound like he was dealing with the aftermath of a breakup. He sounded perfectly normal, not distraught or tearful or even a little bit sad.

“Jungkook,” Tae said softly. “Are you okay?”

Jungkook tilted his head back, feeling his throat tighten. God, why did Tae have to be so good. It nearly wrecked him, how concerned Tae sounded.

“Yeah, Tae, I’m fine, I promise.”

“Okay, you just sound a little…stressed, that’s all.”

“Yeah, I, um…” Fuck, he couldn’t do it. Not over the phone, at least. “I just thought maybe I left the door unlocked and…wanted you to check.”

“Oh, well, I’m in our dorm right now so it’s all good,” Tae said cheerfully.

“You’re not out with Minho?” Jungkook asked, feeling himself tense.

“No,” Tae sighed. “He got called into work at the last minute so he had to cancel our date tonight. We’re going out tomorrow night instead.”

“Oh,” Jungkook said, swallowing thickly. “I see.”

So that son of a bitch was cheating on Tae and fucking lying to him.

“Yeah. It’s okay, though,” Tae said. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, that just means I get to spend time with my book.”

“Right,” Jungkook said, smiling slightly, “how are the Dashwood sisters?”

“Well, I’m just at the part where poor Marianne finds out what a huge douche Willoughby is. I wish I could jump into the book and tell her that Colonel Brandon is so much better for her, you know?”

“I guess,” Jungkook said quietly. “At least you know it has a happy ending, right?”

“True. This must be my fifth time reading it. So how’s the party?”

“Um…” Jungkook said, wondering if Minho was still in the hallway with that other guy. “Kind of lame. I’ll probably come home soon. Do you maybe want to watch a movie or something when I get back?”

“Yeah,” Tae said and the warmth in his voice nearly drove Jungkook to his knees, “I’ll see what’s on Netflix. Ooh, do you want me to make some popcorn? I think there’s still some left in the kitchen.”

“Sure,” Jungkook said, feeling his heart crack in half. “Be there in about half an hour, okay? I’ve got to see about getting an Uber first.”

“Okay,” Tae said, “see you soon!”

Jungkook hung up and, before he could talk himself out of it, he went back inside the house and into the hallway.

Yep, Minho and his little side piece were still there, still fused together at the lips. They were both completely oblivious to anyone around them so Jungkook, pretending as if he were just casually walking by them, held up his phone as he passed, zoomed in and snapped a picture. Then he doubled back, going out onto the porch again and examining the photo he had taken.

God, it was practically perfect. Sharp and clear, not blurry at all. He had managed to take it when the two of them had drawn back from each other slightly but still close enough so that there was no doubt what they were in the middle of doing. The picture showed Minho leaning down towards the other guy, eyes closed, lips puckered, his arms wrapped around the other guy’s waist.

Jungkook felt a surge of dark triumph. He now had photographic evidence that Tae’s boyfriend was a cheating scumbag. God, Minho was such a fucking idiot for screwing around on Tae. What, was Tae not enough for him or something? Did he honestly think he could cheat on Tae and get away with it?

Not while I’m around, asshole, Jungkook thought to himself. You’re going down.

***

But, as it turned out, Jungkook couldn’t bring himself to tell Tae about Minho when he got home from Hoseok’s party. Not when Tae smiled at him as soon as he came in, dressed in his pajamas with a bowl of popcorn sitting in his lap. Instead, he sat beside Tae while they watched some random comedy on his computer, Jungkook hardly able to pay any attention to the movie. His mind had been spinning out in too many different directions: Do I tell him after the movie? Do I wait until tomorrow? How do I tell him? Do I tell him at all? What the fuck was Minho thinking, cheating on Tae?

 So after the movie, they had just gone to their separate beds, Tae falling asleep right away while Jungkook remained awake for hours, the chaos in his mind keeping him from sleep.

He drifted off eventually and woke late in the morning to find a note from Tae on his bedside table.

Hey, roomie!

I’ll be helping my friend Jenna with her art project all day so I probably won’t be back until later and then I’ll be going out again. Have a great day!

Your favorite roommate,

Taehyung

Tae had drawn a little happy face on the bottom of the note and Jungkook smiled down at it for a few moments before slipping it in the bottom drawer of his side table where he kept the other notes from Tae.

Jungkook flopped back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling, the smile fading from his face. He still hadn’t made up his mind about how to tell Tae about Minho or whether he even should. Just because he had feelings for Tae didn’t mean he had any right to interfere in their relationship, as much as he might want to sometimes. And, yes, he had evidence of Minho cheating but he didn’t have to show Tae. He could just delete the picture and pretend he had never seen anything.

Because Minho would get found out eventually, right? Even if Jungkook didn’t say anything? Cheaters always got caught at some point－or did that only happen in the movies?

What if Minho did get away with it? What if Tae remained completely oblivious to the fact that Minho was fucking around behind his back and continued to be with him? God, what if they never broke up and Jungkook had to bite his tongue whenever Tae gushed about something his boyfriend had done?

His eyes strayed to the roses still on Tae’s desk. They were starting to wilt a little, look a little scraggly. (“I don’t really know how to take care of flowers,” Tae had admitted.) He had said that Minho had probably only gotten them for Tae because he was feeling guilty about something. At the time, he had only said that because he was pissed off over the fact that Minho had done something romantic for Tae, something Jungkook would love to do for him but couldn’t.

But what if Minho had gotten Tae those flowers because he was feeling guilty about cheating? Just how long had he been screwing around with someone else? Days? Weeks?

Jungkook felt his jaw clench. God, how could that fucker do something like that to Tae? How could he even look at another guy when he already had the most perfect boy in the world?

If Tae were his…

That’s what it came down to, the real reason he was struggling about whether or not to tell Tae. Because, deep down, he knew he wouldn’t be doing it because it was the right thing to do or because Tae was his friend or any other kind of noble reason. He would be doing it because he wanted to break up Minho and Tae, he wanted Tae to be with him instead.

Don’t show him the picture…never have him…

Show him the picture…make him mine…

Make him mine.

And suddenly it all became clear. Jungkook knew exactly what he was going to do.

***

Tae didn’t return to their dorm room until later that evening.  Jungkook was on his computer, pretending like he wasn’t waiting for him.

“Hey!” Tae said brightly. “How was your day?”

“Fine,” Jungkook said, trying to sound like he wasn’t about to drop a bomb on his roommate, “just got some work done. What about you?”

“Well, Jenna’s project took a lot longer than I thought it would but it looks great!” He went up to show Jungkook the paint still covering his hands. “I felt like one of those apprentices that the old artists had. Mixing paint and washing brushes and stuff?” He giggled. “She’s a regular Leonardo Da Vinci.”

Jungkook smiled up at him and, without even thinking about it, took one of Tae’s hands in his so he could examine it more closely. “Hmm…it looks like she got more paint on you than on the canvas.”

“Yeah…”

Jungkook looked back up at Tae, still holding his hand. They stayed like that for a few seconds just staring at each other, a faint blush appearing on Tae’s face.

Jungkook took a deep breath. “Tae—”

“Um, s-sorry,” Tae said, gently pulling his hand away. “I just came home to change quickly. I’m still going out with Minho tonight.” He turned and headed to their shared wardrobe, hurriedly stripping off his paint splattered tee shirt and pulling on a bright purple one. He looked down, running his hands over his pants. “I think my jeans are okay…” he muttered to himself.

Jungkook’s resolve wavered, wondering if he should wait until after Tae got back from his date with Minho to tell him. But what if Tae ended up staying over with his boyfriend tonight? He felt like it would never feel like the right time to tell Tae about Minho cheating on him. He just had to go for it.

Tae’s phone buzzed and he took it out of his pocket to check it. “He’ll be here in a couple of minutes.” Then he sighed and looked up at Jungkook. “To be honest, I’d rather just stay in tonight. I’m kind of tired.”

“So why not tell him that?” Jungkook asked.

Tae shrugged, putting his phone back in his pocket. “I don’t know, it’s been a while since we’ve gone out. I’d feel bad if I canceled.”

He canceled on you last night! Jungkook wanted to shout at him. He canceled on you so he could fool around on you!

 But instead he made himself take a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Tae, there’s, uh, something I need to talk to you about.”

“Oh, um, okay,” Tae said, looking a bit nervous. “It can’t wait? I mean, Minho’s going to be here any second so…” But he trailed off as Jungkook stood up and moved closer to him. “What is it?” he asked, his voice hushed.

“Well, it’s about Minho,” Jungkook said, forcing himself to maintain eye contact with Tae. “I, um, saw him last night.”

Tae frowned, looking puzzled. “Where, at the diner?”

“No, not at the diner,” Jungkook said carefully. “He was at the party I was at.”

“Uh, are you sure? Because he told me he got called into work－”

“Tae, I know what he told you,” Jungkook said, feeling his patience starting to wear thin, “but he was at the party. I saw him…Tae, I saw him with someone else.”

Tae blinked at him. “What…what do you mean you saw him with someone else?”

Jungkook’s patience snapped. Because he was trying to be as gentle as possible but Tae still wasn’t cluing in to the fact that Minho wasn’t worthy, wasn’t deserving of him. “I mean I saw your boyfriend sucking face with another guy, Tae,” he said harshly.

But Tae was shaking his head, taking a step back from him. “No,” he said, his voice shaky, “no, you must have just seen someone who looked like Minho. I mean,” his lips twisted into an exasperated smile, “he wouldn’t do something like that to me.”

“You wanna fucking bet?” Jungkook snapped. He pulled his phone out, brought up the picture he had taken and shoved it at Tae.

Tae took the phone from him, his face still skeptical－but then he looked at the picture. “What…” he breathed.

Jungkook watched, something churning uneasily inside his stomach, as Tae tapped on the screen, zooming in on the photo. “No,” he whispered, disbelief written on his face. “No,” he repeated, his lip starting to tremble and he shook his head back and forth as if trying to deny what he was looking at. Then he let out a strangled sob, his face crumpling as he burst into tears.

“Tae－” Jungkook said, reaching for him but Tae just shoved the phone back into his hand and turned and wrenched open the door, stumbling out into the hall.

“Tae, wait!” Jungkook said, moving to follow him but Tae was already running down the hallway, turning the corner and disappearing from sight.

Jungkook closed the door, leaning his head against it. That hadn’t gone the way he wanted it to. Sure, he had expected Tae to start crying, selfishly hoped that he would so Jungkook could put a comforting arm around him, hold him, but he hadn’t expected Tae to run off like that.

Fuck, he shouldn’t have said it like that, so callously. He hadn’t meant to but his temper had gotten the better of him. He had wanted to break it to him carefully, gently. But the way Tae hadn’t believed him at first, just defended Minho without question like that, when Jungkook knew Minho didn’t deserve that kind of loyalty－it had set him off.

Minho didn’t deserve Tae, that he was absolutely certain of. But he didn’t know if he was the kind of person who deserved Tae, either.

***

Tae didn’t come back to their room until much later. Jungkook was in bed but still awake and he rose up on his elbows as Tae came into the darkened room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Tae made his way over to his own bed in the dark, quiet sniffling sounds escaping him and he put his hand over his mouth to try and stifle them, not noticing that Jungkook was awake.

This just about broke Jungkook’s heart because even though Tae was devastated, even after he’d been through such an emotional upheaval, he was still being considerate of Jungkook, not wanting to disturb him.

Jungkook watched as Tae hurriedly took off his shoes and jeans, stripping down to his tee shirt and boxer shorts and then climbed into bed, facing the wall. He could still hear his quiet sniffles.

“You okay?” Jungkook whispered.

“No,” Tae said in a small voice and then Jungkook heard him start crying again.

Jungkook got up and crossed the room, lifting up the covers of Tae’s bed and climbing in beside him. “Come here,” he said gently, reaching for Tae, pulling him close. Tae rolled over to face him and wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s waist, burying his face in Jungkook’s shoulder.

“I d-didn’t think he would do something l-like that,” Tae sobbed, “I just didn’t think he was the k-kind of person who would do that to m-me.”

“I know,” Jungkook said, stroking Tae’s hair. “I know you didn’t, baby, shh, it’s okay, you’re okay…” The term of endearment had just slipped out of Jungkook’s mouth but Tae didn’t seem to notice.

They stayed like that for a while, Jungkook lying on his back, holding Tae in his arms, murmuring soothing words while Tae clutched at him and cried. He continued to stroke Tae’s hair, rubbed his back, feeling Tae’s tears wet his skin－he had forgone a tee shirt that night and was only wearing a pair of sweatpants.

It devastated him to see Tae so hurt, so broken. He wanted to kill Minho for doing this to Tae or at the very least, smash his face in. He wanted to take all the emotional pain Minho had caused Tae and make Minho experience it physically, ten times over. It was the very least he deserved.

Eventually, Tae quieted a little, his sobs giving way to tiny snuffling sounds.

“You don’t deserve that shit, you know,” Jungkook said. “You deserve better.”

“I don’t know,” Tae said in a muffled voice, his head still on Jungkook’s shoulder, “even when I was confronting him about it, I was wondering if it was me, if it was something I did－”

“Hey,” Jungkook said, rolling over onto his side so that they were facing each other, “don’t even think that for one fucking second, okay? It was all him, his choice. It had nothing to do with you.”

Tae glanced down and shrugged. He was quiet for a few moments and then he said, “But what if…what if he did it because I’m not enough f-for him? What if－”

“Tae, how could you even think that?” Jungkook said fiercely. “How could you not be enough for Minho? For anybody? I mean…” He searched his mind desperately for the right words to convey to Taehyung just how amazing, how special he was but all he said was, “I mean, you’re you.”

Tae just shrugged again and, even in the shadows of the room, they were so close to each other that Jungkook didn’t miss the tear sliding down Tae’s face. He reached up and gently wiped it away. “You deserve so much better,” he said gently, “you’re sweet and kind and so incredibly unique, Tae. You’re…”

Everything I’ve ever wanted.

But instead of saying this, Jungkook leaned forward and pressed his mouth to Tae’s.

Tae let out a startled noise and pulled back slightly, his eyes wide. Jungkook shifted closer, cupping the back of Tae’s neck, his lips hovering over Tae’s, waiting. And when Tae closed the gap between them, pressing his lips hesitantly against Jungkook’s, it was all the permission he needed.

He kept the kiss gentle at first, wanting to savor the feel of Tae’s mouth, something he’d been wanting to experience since he had first laid eyes on Tae. His lips were soft and pliant against Jungkook’s own, and he could taste the saltiness of Tae’s tears, felt them tremble slightly as he slotted his mouth more firmly over Tae’s.

He felt as if an enormous wave was cresting inside him, hovering over him and ready to break against him at any moment. He was finally kissing Tae, had him in his arms, soft and willing, and he was never letting him go, not ever, not when Tae was kissing him back, not when Jungkook knew that Tae wanted this too. And he knew he wouldn’t be satisfied with just kissing, knew he wouldn’t be able to stop himself until he made Tae completely his. There was no going back now, not tonight.

Tae let out a small whimper as Jungkook slid his tongue inside his mouth and the cresting wave crashed over him, smashing his fragmenting self-restraint to pieces.

He groaned and rolled Tae over onto his back, covering his body with his own, never breaking the kiss. Jungkook shifted, aligning their hips together and Tae gasped into his mouth as Jungkook rolled his pelvis downwards, grinding against him. He could feel Tae’s hardness against his own erection and he moved his hips faster, feeling like his brain was about to explode with the knowledge that Tae was just as turned on as he was.

Tae’s arousal revealed itself in other ways, too, in the desperate little panting noises he was making, his hands gripping Jungkook’s hair as their tongues tangled together. Jungkook drew back for a second, reaching for the hem of Tae’s tee shirt and tugging it off, throwing it to the floor before finding his lips again, licking into his mouth. Skin met heated skin as he pressed his chest against Tae’s, the sensation of feeling Tae bare against him nearly sending him out of his mind.

There was definitely a lot less finesse to their kisses now, a lot more sloppiness, heat and saliva and breathless moans. Jungkook slid his hands down to grope Tae’s ass, letting out a filthy groan as he gave it a rough squeeze, feeling the firm softness of it through the thin fabric of Tae’s boxers. He lifted Tae’s hips against him as he sought more friction, more contact, and Tae made a helpless little noise as Jungkook pressed a line of searing kisses along his throat.

“Mmm…Jungkook…”

Hearing Tae say his name was the tipping point for Jungkook. Tae sounded needy, almost desperate, and Jungkook loved being the one who was making him sound like that. He wrenched himself away from Tae, stumbling over to his bedside table while he still had the presence of mind to grab what he needed so they could keep going. He was back in Tae’s bed in the span of five seconds, a condom and bottle of lube stashed in the pocket of his sweatpants, within easy reach.

He got on top of Tae, finding his lips again, kissing him hungrily before tearing himself away again, sitting back on his heels, reaching for the waistband of Tae’s boxers. But just as he started to tug them down, Tae gripped his arms, stopping him.

“Wait,” he said, his voice ragged, “wait, Jungkook, we can’t－”

“Yes, we can,” Jungkook said, gazing down at him. “Don’t say no to me, Tae. Let me make you feel good.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, both of them frozen in place, Jungkook’s fingers curled in Tae’s waistband, Tae still gripping Jungkook’s forearms. There was no way he was going to let Tae back out now, not when they had come this far already, not when he was aching with the need to be inside Tae.

And he knew Tae didn’t want to stop either, not really, not when his erection was tenting his boxers and his entire body was trembling with want. Jungkook figured he was only reluctant now because he was feeling some sort of lingering guilt about Minho. But Tae and Minho were done, they were over. Minho had blown it and it was Jungkook’s turn now to show Tae how much he wanted him, how good he could make him feel. He just needed Tae to let him.

Finally, Tae let out a shaky breath and let go of Jungkook’s arms, placing his hands beside his head in a gesture of complete surrender. Then he lifted his hips off the bed, making it easier for Jungkook to slide his boxers off.

Jungkook wasted no time in removing Tae’s shorts, almost tearing them in his hurry to tug them down Tae’s legs. He threw them down onto the floor to join Tae’s tee shirt and at last Tae was naked, naked for him. He almost wanted to turn the lamp on just so he could see Tae better, admire how his bare skin glowed in the soft light but he felt if he did, it would break whatever spell they were under and Tae might panic and start to withdraw again. There would be other times to see Tae naked, plenty of them. Because there was no way this was going to be a one-time thing between them, oh no, not when he had so many fantasies to fulfill, so many ways to show Tae how much he wanted him. Tonight was only the beginning.

So they remained in the darkness as Jungkook leaned over Tae again, kissing him while he let his hands travel over his soft skin, skimming his fingertips down his sides, his legs, before reaching underneath to grip his ass again, this time touching nothing but skin. Oh god, his ass…

Jungkook groaned and rolled over onto his side, tugging Tae with him so they were lying face to face. He kneaded Tae’s ass in his hands, practically digging his fingers into his flesh as he pressed feverish kisses onto Tae’s lips, his neck, his collarbone. Tae let out a little moan and canted his hips forward, seeking friction, his leaking cock rubbing against Jungkook’s stomach.

Okay, enough fucking foreplay, Jungkook thought to himself, time to get him ready for me.

 He reached into the pocket of his sweatpants and grabbed the bottle of lube, flipping the cap open with his thumb. Keeping Tae pressed up against him, he reached behind Tae’s back, pouring lube out onto his other hand, warming it between his fingers.

“What are you—” Tae started to say but Jungkook shushed him, distracting him with kisses. He tossed the bottle onto Tae’s night table and, wrapping one arm tightly around Tae’s waist, he pressed his slicked-up fingers against Tae’s tight entrance.

Tae immediately stiffened against him, letting out a startled gasp. Jungkook worked one finger slowly inside him, feeling Tae’s hole clench, resisting him.

“Shh, Tae, it’s okay, relax, just relax for me…”

Tae was trembling against him, his head buried in Jungkook’s shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck, holding onto him. Jungkook curled his finger inside him and Tae’s entire body jerked as Jungkook’s finger brushed his prostate.

“Why…why does that feel so good?” Tae whispered against Jungkook’s chest, as if to himself.

Jungkook stilled. Why was Tae surprised that it felt good? You’d think he’d never been…

A second later, realization crashed over him. Minho hadn’t known how to touch Tae properly. And if he couldn’t even finger him properly, that probably meant that he hadn’t known how to fuck Tae properly either, which meant that Tae had experienced bad sex with his ex-boyfriend, which meant that…

It means if I do this right, I’m going to make Tae forget all about Minho, forget that he ever dated him. Hell, I’m going to make him forget Minho’s fucking name.

 Jungkook started moving his finger again, a bit faster this time, and Tae grabbed his arm, fingers digging into Jungkook’s bicep, moaning.

“Feel good, baby?” Jungkook rasped. “You like the way I touch you?”

“Y-yes,” Tae panted, “god, Jungkook, it feels so…so g-good…”

His words trailed off into incoherent sounds of pleasure as Jungkook inserted a second finger, moving a bit more roughly now because he knew Tae could take it, would enjoy it. And sure enough, Tae writhed against him, hiking his leg up Jungkook’s waist, drawing him closer.

Tae’s lips sought his, tongue licking at his mouth but Jungkook reached up and grabbed the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling his head back roughly, nipping at Tae’s neck with his teeth as he inserted a third finger inside him.

This seemed to drive Tae into a frenzy, thrusting desperately against Jungkook, moving against his fingers, lips parted on a long drawn-out moan.

Fuck, he likes it rough, Jungkook thought, he likes it rough and he probably didn’t even know that until tonight.

 A dark thrill hummed through his body at this new revelation about Tae. He had figured Tae might turn out to be the type who liked sweet, slow sex, being a hopeless romantic and all. Which Jungkook was all for, actually. If Tae wanted nice, vanilla sex, he’d happily give him that, too. But knowing that Tae was a total sweetheart who might like it dirty and rough in bed, based on the sounds he was making, made Jungkook’s dick throb.

He removed his fingers from Tae’s hole and rolled him onto his back. Tae whined at the loss but Jungkook silenced him with another long, deep kiss, nudging his legs further apart with his knee. He sat back on his heels again, never taking his eyes off Tae as he jerked his sweatpants down to free his cock. Taking the condom out of his pocket, he tore the foil open with his teeth and rolled it over his length. Tae stayed absolutely still the entire time, lying back with his legs spread, gazing up at him, his pupils black and dilated in the darkness of the room.

Jungkook took a couple of seconds to slick some more lube over his cock before leaning over Tae, propping himself up on his elbows and aligning himself against Tae’s entrance. He pressed a soft, tender kiss to Tae’s cheek－and then started to push his way in.

Tae cried out, stiffening underneath him, making Jungkook groan as his hole clenched tightly around the head of his cock. His hands came up, pressing against Jungkook’s chest, instinctively trying to push him away.

“I c-can’t…” he gasped out, “you’re too…too big!”

“Yes, you can, baby,” Jungkook whispered in his ear, “come on, I know you can take it, just relax…” He gently rolled his hips forward, gaining another inch.

“Don’t…” Tae whimpered. “Stop…”

But Jungkook didn’t stop. It was too late for him to stop now. He covered Tae’s mouth with his own, smothering his feeble protests, as he continued to push himself slowly inside Tae. With a final shove, he bottomed out, fully sheathing himself in Tae’s tight heat.

Tae flailed, his head thrashing back and forth on the pillow, his entire body trembling underneath Jungkook. “F-fuck, Jungkook…you’re so big…I can’t…can’t take it…”

Jungkook grasped Tae’s face in his hands, steadying him. “Hey, hey, Tae, look at me, just look at me, okay?”

Tae whimpered, biting down on his lip, a tear leaking out of the corner of his eye as he blinked up at Jungkook.

Jungkook took a deep breath, gazing down at Tae. “You’ve never had a dick this big before, huh?”

Tae’s breath hitched and he shook his head slightly. His hands were still resting on Jungkook’s chest but he was no longer trying to push him away.

Jungkook was dying to start moving, to start fucking into Tae but he made himself stay still, waiting for Tae to adjust. “It’s okay, baby, I’m going to show you how good it feels.” He withdrew his cock the barest inch and then slowly, oh so slowly, pushed in again. Tae gasped, a small moan escaping him.

“How’s that dick feel, baby?” Jungkook whispered, repeating the motion, sliding out a little farther this time, pushing in a little bit deeper. “Like the way it fills you up?”

“Y-yes,” Tae moaned, “oh, god, Jungkook…”

"Fuck, Tae,” Jungkook growled. “You don’t know how long I’ve been wanting this…been wanting to fuck you…make you moan for me…”

Tae slid his hands over Jungkook’s chest, wrapping them around his shoulders, bringing him even closer. “Please…,” he breathed in Jungkook’s ear, “don’t stop…”

Tae’s words unleashed something inside Jungkook and he drew back and thrust into Tae again, harder this time, Tae’s body jolting underneath him. He built up to a steady rhythm, his cock gliding in and out of Tae easily now, without any resistance, but fuck he was still so tight, his velvety walls feeling like the most exquisite kind of heaven.

“You feel so good, Tae,” he grunted, grasping Tae’s hips so he could get a better angle, “feels so fucking good…”

Tae arched against him, fingernails scrabbling against his back as Jungkook pounded into him, the tip of his cock repeatedly brushing up against his swollen prostate.

“F-fuck, Jungkook, yes, right there, yes, oh god, please－”

 Jungkook, spurred on by Tae’s cries, fucked into him faster, setting a merciless pace. “He ever fuck you like this?” he panted, reveling in the feel of Tae losing control, “he ever give it to you this good, Tae?”

“N-no－J-jungkook－please, I need－oh god, I’m going to－”

“Come for me, baby,” Jungkook whispered hoarsely, “I want you to come from the feel of my cock inside you, I know you can…”

Tae sobbed, clinging to him desperately, squeezing Jungkook’s waist with his thighs, chanting please please please please as Jungkook continued to thrust inside him. Then he let go, coming completely undone underneath Jungkook, a tremor wracking his entire body as he cried out Jungkook’s name, coating both of their chests with streaks of cum.

Jungkook groaned and with a few last hard thrusts, buried his cock deep inside Tae, shuddering as he reached his own climax. They remained there for a few seconds, their chests heaving, Jungkook’s cock still inside Tae.

Then he carefully pulled out of Tae, both of them groaning slightly at the sensitivity. Jungkook quickly removed the condom and disposed of it in the trashcan beside the bed. Then he collapsed beside Tae, pulling him into his arms, both of them sticky with sweat and cum, the room heady with the scent of sex.

Tae nestled against him, laying his head on Jungkook’s shoulder, sighing contentedly. “That was really…” he said sleepily.

“Yeah,” Jungkook murmured, “it really was…”

He thought that he should probably go get a towel so he could clean them up and then maybe talk a little bit about what had just happened between them. But he just felt too damn good, lying there with Tae in his arms, he couldn’t bring himself to move. And then he became aware of Tae’s slow, steady breathing and realized that he had fallen asleep. He felt his own eyelids grow heavy and his last thought before he drifted off to sleep was that there would be plenty of time to talk in the morning.

***

Jungkook woke up the next morning, vaguely aware of a faint tickling sensation on his abdomen. He cracked one eye open and looked down to see Tae lying beside him on the bed, his head level with Jungkook’s stomach, tracing a finger lightly over Jungkook’s abs.

He blinked blearily down at him for a few seconds and then his lips twitched into a soft smile. “Good morning,” he said huskily.

Tae let out a startled gasp and sat up, snatching his hand away and blushing furiously. “S-sorry,” he stammered. “I…I didn’t know you were awake.”

“S’okay,” Jungkook mumbled, stretching out his arms. He eyed Tae who was still sitting up, gazing down at him. He was still naked and now that Jungkook could admire him in the full light of day, it was definitely a sight he wanted to wake up to every morning, seeing Tae with messy bedhead and kiss-swollen lips. He looked utterly debauched and Jungkook couldn’t help but feel a little bit smug, knowing he was the one responsible for making Tae look like that.

Tae dropped his gaze, a shy smile on his face.

“You know, you can touch me,” Jungkook said, “if you want…”

Tae’s gaze strayed to Jungkook’s stomach, lingering there, and he bit his lip. “I’ve just…always wondered what they felt like,” he said quietly, “your abs, I mean.”

Jungkook cocked an eyebrow at him, smirking slightly. “Go ahead…feel ‘em.”

Tae hesitated for a few seconds and then reached out a tentative hand, softly tracing his fingertips over the planes of Jungkook’s stomach. “God, I just can’t believe how ripped you are,” he murmured, fingers playing along his skin, making Jungkook’s stomach tremble slightly.

Jungkook watched Tae through hooded eyes, the feeling of Tae’s hands on him making his pulse quicken.

Tae peeked up at him, licking his lips. “Jungkook…”

“Yeah…?”

“I think you’re really sexy,” Tae said in a hushed voice. “I just want to…” Then he lowered his head and pressed his lips to Jungkook’s stomach.

Jungkook inhaled sharply as Tae pressed another soft kiss to his abdomen, arousal flooding through him. Tae kissed him again, traveling lower, his tongue darting out to lick along Jungkook’s muscles.

Jungkook had no doubt as to what Tae was planning to do and, god, as much as he wanted that, he wanted to get his mouth on Tae even more, make him come first.

“Come here,” he breathed, grabbing Tae by the arm and hauling him up his body. Tae let out a startled noise as Jungkook flipped him over onto his back, giving him a swift kiss on the lips before starting to travel lower, exploring Tae’s body with his mouth. It had been something he’d been wanting to do for ages and he took his time, flicking his tongue over Tae’s nipple, pressing his lips to the flutter of Tae’s heartbeat, scraping his teeth across his ribs. Tae giggled as he sucked a mark onto his stomach. “That tickles,” he whispered and Jungkook smiled against his skin. He loved the feel of Tae’s cute little tummy, flat but still soft, like a little puppy belly, and he trailed more wet, open-mouthed kisses across it before heading lower.

Tae’s cock was hard, arched up against his stomach, the head of it pink and already leaking with precum. “Jungkook…” Tae said pleadingly as Jungkook placed teasing kisses on his hips, his inner thighs, everywhere but where he knew Tae wanted his mouth most.

“Hmm?” Jungkook said, feigning ignorance as he glanced up at Tae. “What is it, baby?”

Tae gazed down at him, his eyes dark with arousal, his face flushed. “Can you…will you…” he trailed off, biting his lip.

Jungkook cocked his head, smirking slightly. “Was there something you wanted, sweetheart? Something you want me to do?”

He watched as Tae squirmed slightly, lips parted. “I…”

God, he loved teasing him, loved seeing Tae get all shy, too embarrassed to ask for what he wanted. It just made Jungkook want him that much more.

He dipped his head slightly, running his tongue along the length of Tae’s cock, hearing him inhale sharply. “This what you want, baby?” Jungkook breathed, glancing up at his face again, “you want me to suck you off?”

Tae swallowed thickly and nodded. “Yes, please,” he whispered, the blush on his face deepening.

“Well,” Jungkook said, “since you asked so nicely…” He grasped Tae in his hand, keeping his eyes on Tae’s face as he pressed a soft kiss to the head of Tae’s cock, licking teasingly at his wet slit, tasting the saltiness of his precum on his tongue.

Tae let out a whimper as Jungkook took him further into his mouth, sucking him slowly. Tae’s cock pulsed inside his mouth, hard and so fucking hot against his lips, his tongue. He bobbed his head faster, stroking him at the same time, making obscene slurping sounds as he hollowed his cheeks, moaning as Tae’s hips jerked up, thrusting inside his mouth.

“Oh, Jungkook…” Tae breathed, his hands tangling in Jungkook’s hair, “that feels so…feels so…good…”

Jungkook hummed around Tae’s cock, slipping his other hand underneath Tae’s ass, pressing the tip of his finger against Tae’s hole, massaging it lightly. Tae gasped, gripping Jungkook’s hair even harder now. “I’m cl-close,” he groaned, tapping one of his hands insistently against Jungkook’s shoulder, “J-jungkook, stop, please, I’m going to－”

His words were lost on a long drawn-out moan, shuddering as he came into Jungkook’s mouth. Jungkook continued to suck him through it, doing his best to swallow all of Tae’s cum.

He came off of Tae with a sticky pop, looking up at him with a cocky grin－but his smile vanished when he saw the look of pure panic on Tae’s face.

“Sorry, I’m so sorry,” Tae stammered, “I-I tried to warn you, I didn’t mean to－”

“What? Come in my mouth?” Jungkook asked, frowning slightly.

Tae nodded, looking away, his expression mortified. “Sorry,” he muttered again, plucking nervously at the bedsheet.

“Tae, there’s nothing to apologize for,” Jungkook said. He began to crawl back up Tae’s body, pressing gentle kisses against his torso as he went. “I like the way you taste.”

“You…you do?”

“Mm hmm,” Jungkook murmured, hovering over Tae’s face now, “you taste so good, baby…” He leaned down and kissed Tae, slipping his tongue into his mouth so he could taste himself. Tae moaned as their tongues touched, his fingers curling around Jungkook’s bicep.

Jungkook pulled back slightly, a smirk curving his lips. “See?” he said. “Yummy.”

Tae nodded, still looking a bit timid but at least the panicked look was gone. Jungkook wanted to ask him about it but then Tae leaned up, lips seeking his and Jungkook decided he could ask him about it later.

He settled himself more fully over Tae as they kissed, Tae cradling his body between his legs, wrapping around him. God, he loved how they fit so naturally together. Like they were made for each other.

Arousal was still pulsing through him, his dick tenting the front of his sweatpants but he just wanted to kiss Tae for a little while, linger over his mouth before doing anything more. It was Sunday so they had all day to spend in bed together. All day to talk and have sex and maybe Jungkook would ask Tae where he wanted to go on their first date (because, of course, this was already a given) and maybe have sex again, you know, to seal the deal.

But something still nagged at the back of his mind as he made out with Tae. Why had Tae gotten so panicky after coming in Jungkook’s mouth? He had seemed almost scared, like he expected Jungkook to be angry, like he was thinking Jungkook would yell at him. God, had Minho ever done something like that? Had he been turned off by Tae finishing in his mouth? Well, fine, to each their own, but the way Tae had reacted made Jungkook think that he was used to being scolded by his ex-boyfriend if he came in his mouth. That fucker. If Minho had ever dared to talk to Tae like that he’d...

But his train of thought was pleasantly interrupted when he felt Tae get a hand between them, palming Jungkook through his sweatpants. He groaned, coming up for air, leaning his forehead against Tae’s, rocking his hips forward into his hand.

Tae licked his lips. “Maybe I can...”

“Anything you want, baby,” Jungkook breathed.

Tae gave his palm a kittenish little lick and then reached inside the waistband of his sweatpants, wrapping his hand around Jungkook’s cock and starting to stroke, his grip firm, twisting his wrist slightly at the head.

“Fuck, Tae,” Jungkook moaned, thrusting against his hand. “Fuck...”

“I know I sound like a broken record,” Tae murmured, eyes on Jungkook’s cock, “but I just can’t get over how big you are...”

Jungkook huffed a laugh, lips tilting up at the corners. “Keep talking like that and you’ll have me coming in no time.”

Tae glanced up at him. “Does it feel good?” he whispered.

“Yeah, baby, so f-fucking good. Stroking me like that, fuck...”

Tae smiled, swiping his thumb across the sensitive spot between the head and the shaft of his cock and Jungkook stuttered out another curse. Fuck, he was all innocent smiles and expert hands and it was driving Jungkook insane.

“Jungkook,” Tae said quietly, “you said…anything I wanted? Did you mean it?”

“Fuck, Tae, yes” Jungkook grunted, “anything…”

A pink blush stole over Tae’s cheeks as he gazed up at Jungkook. “Will you…fuck me again?” he whispered shyly. “Like you did last night?”

Jungkook stared down at him for a brief second, feeling like another wave had crashed over him, leaving him stunned. This was some winning-the-lottery, high-score, it’s-christmas-and-my-birthday-rolled-into-one level-type shit because holy FUCK Tae had just asked Jungkook to fuck him. Again. As in, he wanted more. Of course, Jungkook had been hoping Tae would be down to have sex again, was kind of counting on it, but he had thought that he might have to work at seducing Tae a little bit, kiss and caress his way past any sort of lingering reservations Tae might have. He wondered if he might be dreaming because Tae asking for Jungkook to fuck him was right out of one of his top ten fantasies about his roommate.

Tae was still stroking his cock but was looking a bit uncertain now, seeming to mistake Jungkook’s stunned silence for reluctance. “You don’t have to if you don’t－”

“Holy fuck, Tae,” Jungkook gasped out before leaning down and crushing their lips together. He drew back, both of them panting slightly. “Of course I fucking want to, are you kidding?”

Tae let out a desperate little noise as Jungkook hooked one of his legs under his elbow, hiking it up, fumbling for the bottle of lube that was still on Tae’s bedside table. “How do you want it, baby?” he whispered as he flipped the cap open. “You want me to do it rough again?”

Tae’s breath hitched and his tongue darted out to lick at his bottom lip. “Yes pl－”

A knock sounded at the door, startling both of them.

“What the fuck?” Jungkook muttered, casting a glance at the clock on Tae’s night table. “Who the fuck is at our door at 10 am on a Sunday?”

Tae shook his head, looking slightly bewildered. Then a voice came from the other side of the door and it instantly became clear just who it was.

"Tae?” More knocking. “Tae, are you in there? Please open the door, I need to talk to you.”

Tae’s expression of confusion immediately turned to one of outright horror. “Oh my god, it’s Minho,” he whispered hoarsely. He scrambled out of his bed, snatching at his clothes, tugging his boxers on. “Oh my god, oh my god－”

Jungkook got up off the bed too, tucking his still-hard dick back into his sweatpants. “Tae, relax,” he said irritably. “I’ll get rid of him.”

“Jungkook, wait－”

But Jungkook was already marching towards the door, pissed off and ready for a fight. Trust fucking Minho to interrupt them while they were trying to get down and dirty. Although he supposed there was a certain irony in it, seeing as Jungkook had interrupted Minho and Tae only mere days before. He smirked slightly as he reached for the doorknob. Not like that’s going to happen again, dickwad, Jungkook thought to himself. Tae’s mine now.

 He wrenched the door open, careful not to open it too widely so Minho could peek into the room－and, at the same time, keeping his raging hard-on hidden from view.

“What the fuck do you want?” he snapped.

Minho blinked at him for a couple of seconds, obviously not expecting for Jungkook to be the one to answer the door. He looked awful; his eyes were red-rimmed and swollen and there were dark circles underneath them, as if he hadn’t been able to sleep.

Serves you right, asshole.

 “I need to talk to Tae,” Minho said. His voice was wobbly, as if he might burst into tears any second. Well, Jungkook figured he’d be ready to cry too if he had been the one who just fucked up the best thing that had ever happened to him.

“Well, that’s too fucking bad,” Jungkook retorted. “He’s asleep.”

Minho glared at him. “No, he’s not, I heard his voice. Now if you would just let me come in so I could talk to him－”

“He doesn’t want to fucking talk to you, asshole－”

“Jungkook?” Tae said quietly.

Jungkook turned to see Tae standing beside his bed. He was fully dressed now, wearing the jeans and tee shirt he had worn last night and it looked like he had even made an attempt to finger-comb his hair back into place. As if he were trying to make it look like－

Trying to make it look like nothing happened between us.

 A cold feeling of dread washed over Jungkook. “Tae－” he started to say but Tae spoke over him.

“Could you...give me and Minho a few minutes? Please?” He was hugging himself, staring down at the floor, not meeting Jungkook’s eye.

Never, in all the months they had been roommates, had Tae asked Jungkook to leave their room so he could be alone with Minho. And now, here he was, essentially kicking Jungkook out. He stared at Tae for a few seconds but he still didn’t look up at him.

“Fine,” he muttered, stepping back from the door. He quickly snatched up a tee shirt, his phone and a pair of shoes. “Just let me know when I can come back to our room,” he shot at Tae, before storming out the door, deliberately knocking his shoulder against Minho’s as he went.

***

Tae sat down on the edge of his bed, bringing his knees up to his chest, Jungkook’s words still echoing in his head. He barely noticed Minho closing the door and coming to stand beside him until he spoke.

“Can I sit down?” Minho asked quietly.

Tae nodded absently, still staring at the floor and Minho sat down beside him on the bed.

“Tae,” Minho whispered. His voice sounded hollow, broken. “I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah,” Tae muttered, “you already said that last night.” Last night, when he had confronted Minho about kissing another guy. He had denied it at first, denied it over and over again, while Tae sobbed But I saw you, I saw a picture of you, I saw a picture of you kissing someone else. It was only when Tae had said he knew exactly where Minho had been, at Hoseok’s house party, that he had come clean. And then there had been some more crying and yelling, Tae asking Minho why, Minho, why would you do that to me and his boyfriend saying something along the lines of Tae, it’s not what you think, I swear it’s not what you think. But Tae couldn’t remember what else Minho had said, if he had even tried to explain himself. All he remembered was finally pushing Minho away from him and running back to his dorm room where Jungkook had held him as he cried and then he had…oh god, they had…

Tae picked at a hole in the knee of his jeans. He didn’t think he had ever gotten dressed so fast when Jungkook had gone to answer the door. He had even taken time to chuck the bottle of lube back inside Jungkook’s end table, buried the condom wrapper from last night deep inside his trash can. Erasing all the evidence that he had had sex with Jungkook last night. That he had been about to do it again this morning. Would Minho still be able to tell? Did he still have Jungkook’s scent on his skin?

Tae felt nauseated, panicked. Had he…had he cheated on Minho? Was that what he had done? During their confrontation last night, Tae had never actually said the words I’m breaking up with you or We’re over. It had all been so muddled and confused. He had been so hurt, bawling his eyes out while Minho had first denied everything and then started making excuses. And then he had come back here and Jungkook had held him, comforted him. And they had kissed and it had been wonderful, indescribable and everything seemed to be happening so quickly, Jungkook was just making him feel so good, touching him in ways Minho never had before. He had felt as if Jungkook had set his entire body alight, every nerve singing with pleasure and when Jungkook had moved inside of him, he had felt like he couldn’t breathe with the exquisite ache of it. He had never felt so full, so filled up, so…euphoric. Yes, it had hurt at first but even the pain had felt good, in a strange sort of way. He hadn’t known that sex could ever leave him so satisfied and yet still craving more. To the point where he had wanted Jungkook to do it again this morning, even after he had already come. Touching Jungkook, stroking him, had gotten him aroused again, and all he could think about was having Jungkook inside him again.

The truth was that he had completely forgotten about Minho. As soon as Jungkook had kissed him last night, all thoughts of his boyfriend had gone completely out of his head. There had only been a vague feeling of disquiet when Jungkook had started to take his boxers off, a feeling of I probably shouldn’t be doing this but I don’t know why. But he had quickly gotten over that feeling, especially when Jungkook had been inside him. If someone had come along while he had been having sex with Jungkook and been like Hey, what about Minho? Tae would have replied with Who’s Minho?

 God, it had just felt so right with Jungkook. How could he think of anyone else when Jungkook had been touching him like that?

“Tae,” Minho said beside him now, startling him out of his reverie. “Please look at me.”

Tae lifted his head reluctantly, taking in the distraught look on Minho’s face. He looked utterly miserable, his face etched with lines of sorrow and regret. Tae felt his lip start to tremble. “God, Minho,” he whispered. “Why did you do it?” And why had he done the same thing?

Minho exhaled shakily. “I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he said in a choked voice. “I swear to you, Tae, I didn’t. I wasn’t thinking clearly. How could I be? I’d be out of my mind to go behind your back like that－”

“But you did,” Tae said, feeling his throat tighten. “You did go behind my back and you…and you…” But then he himself had had sex with Jungkook the very next night. Was he any better?

“Tae, listen to me,” Minho said, taking Tae’s hand in his. “It was a mistake, okay? It’s not like I had any intention of cheating on you. I’d never consciously plan on doing anything like that. Come on, Tae, you know that. You know I would never do that.”

“B-but you lied,” Tae protested. “You said you got called into work but you were at the party…” A tear slipped down his face. That had been the worst part, finding out Minho had not only cheated, but lied to him, canceled their date so he could go fool around with someone else.

Minho was quiet for a few moments. “Okay,” he said, heaving a sigh, “I did lie to you about going to the party. But not because I was planning on hooking up with someone else. I promise that isn’t the reason.”

“Then why－”

“Because I wanted a night out with my friends!” Minho burst out suddenly and Tae shrank back from him, startled. “Oh, babe, I’m sorry,” Minho said, more calmly now, reaching for his hand again. “It’s just that…I feel as if we’ve both just been so busy and I hardly get to see you anymore so I try to spend any free time I have with you and…and of course, that’s fine, I want to but…it doesn’t leave me a lot of time for my friends…”

Guilt, horrible, choking guilt rose up in Tae’s throat. God, how could he have been so selfish, keeping Minho from his friends? It had never occurred to him that when he and Minho got together that it might be interfering with his boyfriend’s social life, keeping him from hanging out with his friends or making new ones. That’s what college was for, wasn’t it? After all, he had made new friends. He felt another tug of guilt when he thought about all those times he had gotten lunch with Jungkook, or had gaming nights with him, laughing and having a good time while Minho had probably been lonely, deprived of the type of friendships that Tae had been enjoying himself. It wasn’t fair for Tae to be Minho’s only social outlet.

“I shouldn’t have lied to you about it, Tae,” Minho said, “I know that I shouldn’t have. I would have invited you along too but I know you don’t like house parties and I thought that if I told you I was going to a party without you, you’d feel, you know, left out.”

It was true that Tae didn’t like house parties, had never enjoyed the ones he had gone to with Minho. He wasn’t much of a drinker and Minho was, so Tae usually just ended up sitting in a corner by himself while Minho got wasted with his friends. He had eventually put his foot down and refused to go to any more parties with Minho. He hadn’t meant for Minho to get the idea that he couldn’t go to parties anymore just because Tae didn’t want to but maybe that’s what Minho had thought. More guilt washed over him. God, he was such a buzzkill. Just an uptight book nerd who prevented his boyfriend from having any fun.

“So…you just went to this party to hang out with your friends,” Tae said slowly, “but then why did you…” Kiss someone else. And why did I let Jungkook kiss me?

 “I was drunk,” Minho said. “And I know that’s a shitty excuse but that’s the truth. I drank more than I should have and this guy started hitting on me and, well, one thing sort of led to another and we…”

Tae felt his face crumple and he gasped out a sob. He remembered the feeling of sheer disbelief, the crushing betrayal he had felt when Jungkook had shown him that picture of Minho on his phone. Seeing Minho with his arms wrapped around someone else, knowing he had been making out with another guy while Tae had been at home, completely oblivious.

Minho gripped his hand more tightly, gently grasping Tae’s chin and lifting his head so he was looking into his eyes. “It was just a kiss, Tae. I promise I didn’t sleep with him or anything like that. It meant nothing to me.”

He felt Minho’s words smash into him like a physical blow. Just a kiss. It meant nothing.

Tae could hardly breathe as the realization of what he had done swept over him. Minho had only shared a drunken kiss with some random guy while he had slept with Jungkook, fully sober, knowing exactly what he was doing and who he was doing it with. And while he might have been able to justify it to himself by thinking that he had only had sex with Jungkook in the heat of the moment, he knew in his heart that it wasn’t true. He had been wanting Jungkook pretty much since the day he had met him, his desire only growing over time as he had gotten to know his roommate. And, even worse, he couldn’t say that it had meant nothing to him.

It had meant everything.

“Oh my god,” Tae sobbed, his chest heaving, “oh my god…”

“Oh, Tae,” Minho said, combing his fingers gently through Tae’s hair, not seeming to realize the true source of his distress. “I know I hurt you. I did a stupid, terrible thing and I wish I could take it back but I can’t.”

This only made Tae cry harder. God, he was a worthless excuse for a boyfriend, for a human being, to do that to Minho. Here Minho was, apologizing to him for a stupid kiss when Tae had betrayed him so completely, had been so selfish. “Minho…” Tae gasped out, “I…I…” God, how was he supposed to tell him what he had done?

“Please forgive me, Tae,” Minho whispered, moving closer, reaching up to cup his cheek. “I love you so much…”

He kissed Tae, and for a second, Tae just let him. Minho’s lips were soft and familiar and maybe that’s what he needed to come back to reality, just the comforting feeling of Minho’s mouth on his. Except that it didn’t comfort him. Being kissed by Minho now left him feeling empty, hollow. Not like when Jungkook had kissed him, his lips setting off a spark that burned through his entire body and god, he wanted to kiss Jungkook again, he wanted Jungkook to be the one kissing him now…

He broke away from Minho, pushing him away and stood up from the bed, stumbling back a couple of steps. “Minho, don’t, just please don’t, I-I’m just so confused, I don’t know what to think or how to feel.” He sniffled, swiping at the tears on his face. “I think maybe you should go－”

“No, Tae,” Minho said, sounding slightly panicky now. He got up to stand in front of Tae, taking both of his hands in his own. “Please, don’t make me leave, I want to stay, I want to fix this.”

“I j-just think I need some t-time,” Tae whispered. With Minho holding onto his hands, he couldn’t wipe his tears away so he settled for rubbing his face against his shoulder. “Maybe we need to take a break,” he said quietly, staring at the floor.

“Tae, I don’t want to take a break,” Minho said softly, gazing at him. “God, Tae, I can’t－I just can’t imagine my life without you, you’re so good to me…”

Tae let out a strangled sob and shook his head. If Minho only knew what he had done, he wouldn’t be saying things like that. But Tae was too afraid to tell him, he just needed to be alone so he could think first. “I just really think it w-would be best,” he stammered, “if we just gave it a few days to th-think about things…”

Minho sighed heavily. “Okay,” he murmured. “If that’s what you want. But, Tae, will you do something for me?”

“I don’t－”

But Minho interrupted him. “Will you at least consider talking to me some more about it tonight? Talking about us?”

“I…”

“How about this?” Minho said, his tone cajoling. “I’ve got to work at the diner tonight. Why don’t you come around near the end of my shift and we can talk for a bit, okay?” His lips tilted up in a soft smile. “I’ll get you all the free milkshakes you want…”

Tae blinked away the tears threatening to spill forth. “I’ll…I’ll think about it…”

“Okay,” Minho said quietly, squeezing Tae’s hands. “I hope you do.” Then he leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on Tae’s lips. “I love you so much, Tae.”

“I…I love you too, Minho,” Tae said. And he meant it. Even though Minho’s kiss had still left him with that same feeling of hollow emptiness.

***

Tae texted Jungkook as soon as Minho left.

>Minho’s gone, you can come back now<

 And because he felt really bad about asking Jungkook to leave so abruptly he sent him a follow-up message.

>sorry about earlier, asking you to leave like that. I know it wasn’t cool<

 Jungkook didn’t respond to either of his messages but he showed up five minutes later. Tae was sitting in his desk chair and he stood up as soon as Jungkook came in the door.

“Jungkook,” he said, nervously running his hands down his legs, “I think we should－”

“Pick up where we left off?” Jungkook said, stalking over to him, wrapping his arms around Tae’s waist and pressing him back against the desk, “I couldn’t agree with you more…” He leaned in to kiss him but Tae ducked his head, putting his hands on Jungkook’s chest, stopping him.

“Wait, Jungkook, don’t,” Tae said, “we…we can’t do that again－” But, oh, god, how he wanted to, he wanted to have sex with Jungkook again so badly. But he couldn’t.

“Oh, come on, baby,” Jungkook breathed, moving to kiss at his neck, “I know breaking up with that asshole must have sucked but let me make you feel better…you know I can…”

“Jungkook, I…” But he could barely form a coherent sentence when Jungkook’s mouth was so hot on his skin, making him dizzy with arousal. He gasped as he felt Jungkook’s teeth against his neck, beginning to suck a mark onto his skin…a mark that would be noticeable…a mark that Minho might see…

“Jungkook, stop,” Tae said, pushing him away so that Jungkook actually staggered back a couple of steps. “We can’t do this again, okay? I didn’t break up with Minho.”

Jungkook stared at him, a tiny frown line creasing his forehead. “What do you mean you didn’t break up with Minho?” he said slowly.

“We just, um, decided to take a break for a few days,” Tae mumbled, looking down and fidgeting with his hands. “You know, to think about things. And I might meet with him later to talk some more－”

“Tae, what the fuck is there for you guys to talk about?” Jungkook said harshly, and Tae looked up at him. “He cheated on you, what more do you need to know?”

“It’s not that simple,” Tae protested. “Relationships are complicated, okay? People mess up, they make mistakes－”

“A mistake?” Jungkook growled. “Minho didn’t accidentally stick his tongue down another guy’s throat, Tae!”

“But it was just a kiss!” Tae burst out. He felt jittery with panic, guilt sitting heavy in his stomach knowing that he had done so much more, so much worse with Jungkook. “All Minho did was kiss someone else and then I…you and me, we had…” But he couldn’t get the words out.

Jungkook went very still, a muscle feathering in his jaw. “Is that why you’re thinking of taking him back?” he said. His voice was low, dangerous. “Because you’re feeling guilty about the fact that we fucked?”

Tae’s eyes burned and he blinked back tears even as he felt a delicious lick of heat at Jungkook’s words. Yes, we fucked and it was so good, so amazing, I want to do it again, I want more…

No, I can’t, it would be wrong, I can’t do that to Minho, not again, oh god, what am I going to do…

“Jungkook, I don’t know how to feel about all of this, okay?” His throat felt too tight and his breath was coming in short bursts and he wondered if he might be on the verge of an actual panic attack. “I mean, I was so…so hurt and confused last night and maybe…maybe you took advantage of me…”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Tae knew they were a complete lie. Jungkook hadn’t taken advantage of him, it was laughable to even think that he hadn’t wanted Jungkook to kiss him, hadn’t wanted Jungkook to fuck him. But maybe if he could make Jungkook believe that he hadn’t wanted it, he would leave Tae alone long enough so he could get his head on straight, so he could just think clearly.

“Advantage of you?” Jungkook said quietly, glaring at him and Tae bit his lip. “So that’s the story you’ve decided to tell yourself, is it?” Jungkook took a step closer to him, his eyes glittering with menace. “Poor little Taehyung gets raped by his big bad roommate?”

Tae flinched. “Th-that’s not what I said,” he whispered, trying to back away from Jungkook but there was nowhere for him to go. “I just meant that maybe I wasn’t in the best headspace last night to think about what we were doing…”

“Oh, I see,” Jungkook said, coming right up to Taehyung, putting his hands on the desk, trapping him up against it. “You feel like you made a mistake last night, letting me fuck you?”

Tae felt his breath stutter in his chest. “I…”

“Well, let me ask you something, Tae,” Jungkook said, voice still in that same low, dangerous tone. “When you asked me to fuck you again this morning, was that me taking advantage of you, too?” His gaze dropped to Tae’s mouth and he licked his lips. “Was that going to be another fucking mistake?”

“Jungkook, I－”

But then Jungkook was crushing his lips against Tae’s, cutting off his words. Tae put his hands on Jungkook’s chest, intending to push him away again－but then Jungkook’s tongue delved between his lips, licking into his mouth and instead Tae’s fingers curled into the fabric of Jungkook’s tee shirt, instinctively tugging him closer.

A very tiny voice in his head was going stop it, this is wrong but it was drowned out by a much louder voice going yes yes yes more more more. Jungkook was kissing him roughly, his lips harsh and demanding, and Tae felt himself start to spiral out of control, kissing him back, his hips thrusting against Jungkook, searching for friction.

He moaned as Jungkook wrenched his lips away to mouth at his throat. “Maybe I should show you what it’s like when I do take advantage of you,” he breathed against Tae’s neck. “That way you’ll know the fucking difference.”

And, before Tae knew what was happening, Jungkook’s arms locked around him, pulling him away from the desk only to push him down to sprawl on the floor between their two beds. Jungkook followed him down, pushing his legs apart, pinning Tae with his body weight, finding his lips again. Tae whimpered into his mouth, Jungkook’s bruising kisses drugging him, pulling him under, making him crave more. His cock was throbbing almost painfully inside his jeans, trapped by too much fabric. He wanted, no, needed Jungkook to touch him, to fuck him. At this point, he would let Jungkook do anything he wanted as long as he just made him feel as good as he had last night.

Jungkook reached down towards the fly of his jeans, deftly working it open while he kissed Tae, jerking his pants and his boxers down just enough so that they were down around his mid-thighs. He grasped Tae’s cock in his hand, giving it a rough squeeze, swiping his thumb across the head, smearing it with precum. “Look at you,” he whispered, smirking against Tae’s lips. “Already dripping for me…”

Tae gasped, thrusting into his hand but Jungkook let go and sat back on his heels, jerking his sweatpants down to free his own cock. He grabbed Tae’s wrist, placing his hand on his dick. “You want this?” he rasped.

Tae nodded, his eyes fixed on Jungkook’s cock, a needy moan falling from his lips. God, it was so thick, so big, hot and pulsing in his hand, and all he wanted was to feel Jungkook stretching him open…

“Where do you want it, baby?” Jungkook growled. “Say it.”

“I-inside m-me,” Tae whispered, giving Jungkook’s cock a slow stroke, “please…” His entire body was trembling and he felt like he would shatter into a thousand pieces if Jungkook didn’t fuck him soon.

Jungkook leaned over, looming over him as he reached for the drawer of his end table, yanking it open and rummaging around in it until he pulled his hand out, clutching a condom and the bottle of lube. He pushed Tae’s knees up to expose his ass and in a matter of seconds had first one, then two lube-slicked fingers inside of him, scissoring him open.

“Fuck, so tight, baby,” Jungkook said, gazing down at him as he worked his fingers in and out of Tae’s hole. “You’re gonna feel so good for me…”

Tae felt Jungkook’s fingers curl inside of him, brushing against his prostate, and he let out a pitiful-sounding whine. God, how did he do that, flick his fingers against that spot inside him so easily, that spot that Minho had never seemed to be able to find?

Jungkook shoved the condom into Tae’s hand as he inserted a third finger. “Open that and put it on me,” he ordered, and Tae hurried to obey, ripping the foil open with shaking fingers. He almost dropped the condom but he managed to steady himself long enough to roll it onto Jungkook’s length.

As soon as the condom was on, Jungkook took his fingers out, threw Tae’s legs over his shoulders, and thrust inside him. There was no slow build-up this time, no letting him adjust－Jungkook immediately began to move, setting a brutal pace, his hips snapping against Tae’s ass, fucking into him roughly.

Tae cried out, grabbing for Jungkook’s shoulders, his arms, desperate for anything to hold onto but Jungkook seized his wrists and brought them over his head, pinning his hands to the floor. His grip was firm and even if Tae had wanted to, there was no way he could have struggled out of Jungkook’s hold.

“How come you’re not telling me to stop, huh?” Jungkook growled in his ear, hammering into him. “Is it because you like the way I fuck you? Because this is the best dick you’ve ever had?”

Tae moaned, Jungkook’s words sending a shiver of heat down his spine. He was completely caged in by Jungkook’s body, helpless and unable to move, totally at his roommate’s mercy－and he loved it. He hadn’t known that sex could be so rough, so thrilling. Minho had always treated him like he was made of glass, like he would break if Minho went too hard or too fast, so it was always nice, slow sex that never left him satisfied.

But here now with Jungkook, being fucked by him, he felt wicked, naughty, like he was on the edge of something dangerous. A loud cry ripped out of his throat at every brutal punch of Jungkook’s cock inside him, his hips jerking up of their own accord to meet Jungkook’s thrusts.

“Yeah, baby, take that fucking cock,” Jungkook grunted, “I know you love it…even if you won’t fucking admit it…”

God, he did love it. He didn’t want Jungkook to stop, he never wanted this to end…

But with Jungkook hitting his prostate dead-on with every stroke, he wasn’t going to last much longer. He could feel his entire body tense up, every nerve pulling taut, his blood pounding through his veins. “I’m cl-close,” he managed to choke out. “God, Jungkook, I’m so close…”

“Yeah, Tae, come for me,” Jungkook panted, his breath hot against Tae’s face. “Make a mess of yourself for me.”

As if his body was completely under Jungkook’s command, Tae did come, a mere two seconds later, his toes curling, his back arching off the floor as his orgasm ripped through him, staining his tee shirt with his own cum. With a couple of more thrusts, he felt Jungkook reach his own climax as he groaned out Tae’s name and shuddered above him. He unhooked Tae’s legs from his shoulders, pulling out of him, and buried his face in his neck, both of them gasping for breath.

Tae was in a state of complete shock. Jungkook had just made him come untouched again and, god, how did he do that? How did he move like that, how did he get the perfect angle every time, how did he seem to know the ins and outs of his body so well, better than Tae knew them himself? He had wondered if last night might have been some sort of fluke but now he knew for sure: Jungkook was a sex god. And all he wanted to do was get down on his knees and worship him…

A soft smile curved his lips as a giddy sort of thrill hummed through him. “Mmm…Jungkook…?”

Jungkook sat up quickly and Tae’s smile faded as he took in the expression on Jungkook’s face. He didn’t look happy or satisfied or even smug. He looked utterly devastated.

“Jungkook, what－”

“Oh my god, Tae,” Jungkook whispered hoarsely, sounding horrified. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have－”

Tae seized him by the front of his tee shirt and yanked Jungkook down towards him, kissing him hard. “Don’t you dare,” he whispered against Jungkook’s lips, “don’t you dare apologize for what just happened.”

Jungkook pulled back from him, still looking uncertain. “You’re sure I didn’t hurt you?” he murmured, reaching up to brush Tae’s bangs off his forehead.

Tae nodded. “I like the way you fuck me,” he breathed. “God, you make me feel so good.”

Jungkook smirked. “Well, that’s what I was going for.”

Tae wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck, pulling him close. “Let’s do it again…”

“Fuck, Tae－”

Jungkook kissed him hungrily and Tae let himself get lost in the feeling of his lips, the press of his mouth sending arousal flooding through him again. He was so absorbed with kissing Jungkook that he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt his phone buzz against his leg, still in the pocket of his jeans.

“Don’t answer it,” Jungkook whispered, moving to kiss Tae’s neck. But the vibration went on, signaling a call, not a text so Tae took it out of  his pocket and checked the name on the screen. Minho.

Tae stared at the screen, feeling like his insides were crumbling. Oh god, he thought to himself, Minho…

Jungkook snuck a peek at the screen. “Tae,” he said warningly, “don’t answer it.”

Tae answered it. “Um, hi, Minho,” he said quietly, trying to ignore the fact that Jungkook was still lying on top of him.

“Hey, Tae,” Minho said. “I, uh, realized I didn’t tell you what time I’m off work tonight. My shift ends around eight and I just thought I’d let you know in case…well, in case you’re thinking of coming by tonight. So we can talk.”

“Um…”

“I’d really like you to, Tae,” Minho went on. Then he gave an awkward-sounding sort of laugh. “I can get you free milkshakes, remember?”

Jungkook snorted. “Nice incentive,” he muttered and Tae shushed him.

“Um, Tae?” Minho said. “Who are you talking to?”

“Just my r-roommate,” Tae said, and his voice came out sounding higher than usual due to the fact that Jungkook was now nibbling on his earlobe.

“Don’t you mean the guy who just made you come all over yourself?” Jungkook said in a low voice. “Why don’t you tell him that, Tae?”

Tae covered Jungkook’s mouth with his other hand, glaring at him but Jungkook just glared back and licked at his palm.

“Are you okay?” Minho asked. “You sound a little…distracted.”

“I’m fine,” Tae said, still in that unnaturally high voice. “I’ll, um, swing by tonight for a little bit, okay? So we can…so we can talk.”

“Great,” Minho said, sounding relieved. “That’s great, Tae. I’ll see you later.”

“See you,” Tae mumbled and hung up. He pushed Jungkook off of him and pulled up his pants, standing up on wobbly legs.

“Tae,” Jungkook said, still sitting on the floor. “You’re not seriously gonna go, are you?”

“I need to go take a shower,” Tae muttered. He stripped off his cum-stained tee shirt, throwing it in the laundry hamper and snatched up his toiletries bag.

Jungkook sighed. “Tae－”

But Tae ignored him, leaving their dorm room without another word, without even a backward glance. Because if he did look back at Jungkook, he knew he wouldn’t be able to make himself leave.

***

Jungkook lay on his bed that evening, staring moodily up at the ceiling. It was seven-thirty and Tae was probably at the diner, getting ready to have a little chat with his stupid boyfriend. At least, that’s where Jungkook figured he was. Tae had come back from the shower this morning, grabbed his backpack and rushed out the door again before Jungkook could talk to him and he hadn’t come back for the rest of the day. Probably been hiding in the library or something.

He had thought about going out to try and find him or at least text him but then decided it would be best to give him a few hours, leave him alone for a while. Even if everything inside of him was screaming at him to go hunt Tae down, to find him and then fuck him, to claim him as his own.

He knew he was acting territorial and possessive but, god, when Tae had told him this morning that he hadn’t actually broken up with Minho, that he was actually still entertaining the idea of getting back together with him, something inside of him had snapped. He had gone into full-blown panic mode, unable to bear the thought of finally knowing what it was like to be intimate with Tae only to lose him to his douchebag boyfriend because Tae was feeling some sort of misplaced guilt over what they had done.

It was a mistake…maybe you took advantage of me…

Fuck that. What had happened between them last night hadn’t been a mistake or a bad choice or even some meaningless fuck. When he had been with Tae, kissing him, moving inside of him, Jungkook felt as if his entire world had just…fallen into place. It had felt so good, so right. Like they were meant to be.

And this morning, Jungkook had felt as if it was the start of something new with Tae, like it was their first day of being a couple. Waking up to see Tae lying in bed beside him had been goddamned mindblowing in the simplicity of how natural it seemed. Like they should have been sleeping in the same bed the entire time they had known each other.

And Jungkook knew that Tae felt it too. How could he not? How could he not feel that there was something special, something more between them?

But then a sliver of doubt wormed its way into his head. Well, maybe he doesn’t feel anything more, a voice in his mind whispered, maybe he just likes the way you fuck him. He said as much. Why else would he have sex with you and then five minutes later agree to go talk to that cheating scumbag boyfriend of his? If he really wanted to be with you, he would have just ended it with Minho already.

Jungkook shook his head slightly. No, that wasn’t right. Tae was only considering getting back together with Minho out of a sense of guilt and because he was loyal to a fault. He was just that kind of person, sacrificing his own wants and needs, always putting other people first. Why else would he have such a hard time asking for what he wanted in bed? Why else would he agree to talk to Minho as soon as he showed up, when beforehand he had shown no signs of even thinking about him when he had been in bed with Jungkook? He knew Tae hadn’t been thinking of Minho when he had asked Jungkook to fuck him again.

And when they had fucked again…

Jungkook knew that he had probably overstepped some line when he had pushed Tae down onto the floor, gotten so rough with him. But when Tae had been talking about how they might have made a mistake last night when Jungkook knew that they hadn’t, his brain had shut down and his dick had taken over.

Quick, it shouted at him, he’s thinking about getting back together with Minho! Emergency, emergency! All hands on deck! Fuck him, fuck him hard, remind him how good you can make him feel, make his fucking eyes roll back in his skull, make him come, make him YOURS—

So he had done exactly that but when it was over and he had come down from the high of his orgasm, he had been horrified at what he had done. He hadn’t meant to just…take him like that. Like he was some lust-crazed villain in a cheesy romance novel. He was so not a Willoughby…was he?

That’s why he had started to apologize but then, fuck, Tae hadn’t wanted him to. Had liked it, had wanted more. Jungkook allowed himself a smirk. Who knew that his sweet, seemingly innocent roommate was down for some good old-fashioned ravishment?

But then they had been interrupted again by Minho and Tae had gotten that guilty look on his face, had agreed to go talk to him tonight. Jungkook was starting to sense a pattern.

If it wasn’t for Minho, Jungkook was sure that Tae would be open to dating him, to see if they had potential to be more than just roommates. Their sexual chemistry was already off the charts and even before they had slept together, they had established a pretty solid friendship as a foundation. Well, sort of. When Jungkook hadn’t been a dick to him.

Jungkook bit his lip. How could he make Tae see that they could be good together? How did he make him forget about Minho long enough to give Jungkook a shot?

A thought, unbidden, came immediately to mind. Fuck him. Give it to him so good that Minho becomes a fucking afterthought. Make him come and then make him yours. It’s that simple.

Jungkook frowned. That wouldn’t work. He couldn’t convince Tae to leave his boyfriend and date him instead just by giving him good sex…could he? Wasn’t that fuckboy logic?

But then he remembered the blissful look on Tae’s face after they had had sex earlier, how he had wanted to do it again, right then and there. How Tae’s kiss had been so full of passion and warmth, signaling that there was more between them than just lust. True, good sex did not equal a good relationship but…maybe it could lead to one? If Jungkook just continued to show Tae how good they could have it on a purely physical level, maybe he could also persuade him that they were compatible in other ways too.

So…he would seduce his way into Tae’s heart. Not the most morally upstanding of ways to convince someone to be your boyfriend but he wasn’t above playing dirty. Not when it came to Tae. Who he suspected liked things a little dirty, a little bit rough.

You know what he likes. You know how to turn him on. Now use that information to your advantage.

He thought of what Tae had said earlier after they had had sex. Let’s do it again…

Jungkook smirked and pulled out his phone. Yes, he thought to himself, let’s.

***

Taehyung sat in a booth at the diner, a half-finished vanilla milkshake in front of him that Minho had given to him. He had been sipping at it for the last ten minutes, not because he really wanted it, but because he didn’t really have anything else to do but sit there and wait for Minho to be done with his shift. He had brought a book with him but he just couldn’t concentrate on it. His mind was too full of…other things.

Tae took another sip of his milkshake and grimaced. It was far too sweet, had too much of an artificial taste. But Minho had brought it over to him with a grateful smile, whispering that he was glad that he had come before rushing off to take care of his tables. He’d feel bad if he didn’t drink it－even if he would have preferred chocolate.

The milkshake sat heavily in his stomach, making him feel queasy and gross. That, combined with the fact that he was already a nervous wreck about talking to Minho, left him feeling jittery, off-balance. He was surprised he hadn’t already hurled his guts up all over the table.

He supposed that still might happen in the next few minutes, when he finally confessed everything to Minho. He had decided that he was going to come clean about everything. I had sex with Jungkook. Twice. Oh, and just so you know exactly how terrible I am, I might have feelings for him too. I’ve basically cheated on you in every possible way, physically, emotionally, mentally. So in conclusion, I think I qualify for the title of World’s Worst Boyfriend. What’s that? No, thank you, I don’t want another milkshake, I’m about to puke up the first one.

Tae had no idea how Minho would react once he told him what he had done. Didn’t know if he’d yell or cry or throw a milkshake in his face. He might just break up with him on the spot, declare that they were over. But that would be devastating…right? If he and Minho broke up it would mean…

It would mean that I would be free. Free to be with Jungkook…

Tae immediately tried to tamp down on that thought. No, it was crazy to think that, he loved Minho, he wanted to be with Minho…didn’t he? He couldn’t leave Minho for Jungkook just because Jungkook was good in bed.

Good in bed, ha. More like amazing. Jungkook is a sex god, confirmed.

But sex god or not, he wasn’t exactly sure how deep his feelings for his roommate went, if there was anything more than just physical attraction. And a small crush. Okay, a huge crush but that didn’t mean he wanted Jungkook to be his boyfriend. He already had a boyfriend. With Minho he had…they had…

God, what exactly did they have? Well, they had known each other since freshman year of high school, become good friends and finally started dating in senior year. So there was comfort, familiarity, ease. Nostalgia? Tae bit the inside of his cheek. Was that the only reason he was still with Minho? Because he just liked having someone around who reminded him of the simpler days of high school?

No, there was definitely more to their relationship than that. They had a lot in common. Well, a few things in common. They both liked watching movies. And…eating food? Not always the same food but they both liked kimchi fried rice so…that had to count for something, right?

Okay, so they didn’t have that much in common but you didn’t have to share exactly the same interests as the person you were with, that was impossible. There were a lot of other good things about their relationship. Minho was nice to him, and handsome, he was a fairly good kisser…

Not as good as Jungkook, though.

Stop it, he berated himself. Just stop thinking about him.

But it was like trying not to think about pink elephants when there was one sitting right in front of you. He thought about earlier when Jungkook had thrown him down onto the floor and fucked him. Just taken him like he was Jungkook’s to take, like he belonged to him already. It had all been so…exciting.

Tae looked around to make sure Minho was busy at another table before turning his wrist over, gazing down at the small thumb-sized bruise Jungkook had left there. He had never had sex so rough that it had left marks on him afterwards. He felt his face heat as he pressed his own thumb against the small brown mark. God, it was just so…sexy. To have evidence left on your skin that you had been fucked earlier. So that someone might see it and know that you had gotten some today and gotten it good.

Would Minho notice it? Would he be able to tell how Tae had gotten it? He supposed he should have probably worn long sleeves but he hadn’t even noticed the mark until this afternoon, after he had already left their dorm room. He wasn’t exactly sure what kind of explanation he could give if Minho asked him about it.

Oh, this? It’s just from when Jungkook was fucking me earlier and he pinned my hands to the floor and made me come without me having to touch myself. No big deal, just some wild animal sex with my roommate. You aren’t mad, are you?

He hadn’t known how much he would love being restrained like that, would love being…dominated.

Tae bit his lip. He had never thought of himself as being particularly kinky, had never explored any of the darker aspects of his sexual desires. He hadn’t really known that there was anything to explore, figured he liked things sweet and simple and nice. Even if the tame sex he had had with Minho hadn’t really left him satisfied in any way. Still, he had always thought of himself as a person who would prefer to make love than to fuck. He was a hopeless romantic, after all, he knew that about himself. It’s why he had wanted to wait awhile before he had sex with Minho, had wanted it to be special. He wasn’t one for casual sex.

Then again, he wouldn’t call what he had done with Jungkook casual either. Thrilling, yes, earth-shattering, absolutely. But not casual. It had been rough and so not romantic and yet…there was still something erotic about. Something about the way Jungkook kissed him, the way he fucked him that left him dizzy and breathless, made his body tingle with something more than just physical gratification. Yes, they were definitely fucking, not making love, but…there were still feelings there, right? Or were the feelings all on his side? Maybe Jungkook didn’t feel anything more for him, maybe it had just been a meaningless fuck for him. Or, even worse, maybe he was just doing it to prove a point.

But last night with Jungkook, their first time together, hadn’t felt meaningless. Even if the sex had been a bit rougher than he was used to, there had still been a certain tenderness to it. The way Jungkook had kissed his face before entering him, how he had started slow, so that Tae would feel every single inch of him…It had felt like Jungkook was taking care of him, wanting Tae to feel good too, rather than just trying to get himself off by using Tae’s body.

It had just felt so right. Like it was something they had been building towards since they had first met, without them even knowing it.

You don’t know how long I’ve been wanting this…

Tae blinked. God, he had almost forgotten that Jungkook had said that to him while they had been having sex. Did that mean Jungkook had been harboring secret feelings for Tae this entire time, just like Tae had been for him? Or had he just meant that he had been wanting to have sex? Just because Jungkook wanted to have sex with him didn’t necessarily mean that he wanted anything more, anything romantic.

But still, just the fact that Jungkook wanted to have sex with him was mind-boggling. Jungkook, who was smoking hot and had that whole bad boy thing going on wanted him, a timid little book nerd. It didn’t really make any sense but he certainly wasn’t going to complain.

His gaze strayed over to Minho again, who was now helping to settle a bill at one if his tables. He shifted guiltily, looking away. What was the matter with him? He should be focusing on how he could reconcile things with his boyfriend, not fantasizing about Jungkook. That’s what he was here to do, after all. Confess everything and then they could go from there. It didn’t matter that Minho had fooled around on him first or that he and Minho had been in some sort of grey area when he had slept with Jungkook. He still owed it to him to be honest about what he had done.

And maybe, just maybe, he wanted to tell Minho so that he would break up with Tae and let him off the hook. So he could just get out of here and go back to Jungkook…

He was on the verge of tumbling down into more forbidden thoughts about his roommate when Minho came up to him.

“Hey,” he said, “I’ve just got one more table to settle, then I just have to cash out and get changed. You don’t mind waiting for another ten minutes?”

Tae shook his head, forcing a smile. “No, I don’t mind.”

“You want a refill while you’re waiting?” Minho asked, nodding at Tae’s still half-full glass.

“No, thanks, I’m good.” God, why did his voice sound like that, so false and overbright? Like Minho was just his waiter and he was just one of his customers. Like he wasn’t talking to his boyfriend but a complete stranger.

“Okay.” Minho gave him a nervous smile, reached down and gave Tae’s shoulder an awkward squeeze. “I really am glad that you’re here, Tae,” he said quietly. “I think it’ll be good for us to talk more about things.”

“Yeah,” Tae said, “me too.” He was dreading it actually. But at least it would be good to come clean, get this weight off his chest.

Minho gave him another small smile and hurried off to his other table. Tae sighed. Just a few more minutes of torturous waiting and then they could hash it out, put everything on the table. Including some thrown-up milkshake, probably.

His phone buzzed inside the pocket of his jeans and Tae took it out to check the screen. A little tingle ran through him when he saw that it was a text from Jungkook.

Jungkook: Image attachment

Curious, Tae tapped on the message to open it－and nearly choked when he saw the picture.

It was a selfie and showed Jungkook reclining back on his bed, shirtless, head tilted to one side, a seductive smirk on his face. But what was really making Tae’s eyes pop out of their sockets was the fact that Jungkook had his dick out, his hand wrapped around his erect cock.

Tae hid his phone under the table, ducking his head to goggle at the picture. Oh my god, Jungkook just sent me a dick pic. He felt his cock twitch inside his jeans as he took in his roommate’s half-naked body, his thick cock, his dark eyes hooded and burning with lust. Saliva flooded his mouth as he continued to stare at Jungkook, literally drooling over the picture.

He swallowed thickly, thinking he should probably delete it when Jungkook sent him another text.

>I’m so fucking hard for you, Tae…<

Tae felt a rush of heat flow through his entire body as he stared at Jungkook’s text message. God, Jungkook was actually sexting him right now and he didn’t have one clue as to how to handle it. He wasn’t equipped to deal with this sort of thing. He looked around quickly to see Minho disappear through the kitchen door. He must have finished with his last table and would be back out here soon. And he’d walk back out to find Tae reduced to a trembling, turned-on mess if he let Jungkook keep sending him dirty text messages.

Well, he’d just have to put a stop to it. He started to type out a message to Jungkook, fully intending to turn his phone off after he had sent it.

>Jungkook, I can’t deal with this right now, please stop

But while he was in the middle of typing, his phone started to vibrate in his hands, Jungkook’s name flashing on the screen. Now he was actually phoning him.

Oh god, I can’t do this right now, don’t answer it, don’t answer it －

He answered it.

“Jungkook, I—”

“Did you get that picture I sent you?” Jungkook’s voice was low, husky, the sound of it making Tae’s breath stutter in his chest.

“Well, yes I did but－”

“You at the diner right now?”

“Um…yeah…”

Jungkook gave a low chuckle. “Guess our conversation’s going to have to be a little one-sided. Don’t talk, just listen, okay?”

“But－”

“Shut up, Tae. God, do I have to stuff my dick in your mouth to keep you quiet? Is that what you want?”

An involuntary moan slipped out of Tae’s mouth at Jungkook’s words, the filthiness of them making his cock throb.

Jungkook laughed softly. “That turn you on, baby? The thought of sucking my cock?” He exhaled slowly through the speaker. “Fuck, I bet you give the most amazing head, Tae. Do you know how many times I’ve jerked it to the thought of you sucking me off?”

Tae could feel himself start to tremble and he pressed his thighs together under the table, trying to stem the arousal that was starting to pulse through him, a small whimper escaping him. He put his hand over his mouth to try to stifle the sound but Jungkook had already heard.

“You hard right now, baby? Why don’t you come back to our room so I can take care of that for you? So I can fuck you like I did earlier, make you come.”

Tae bit down on his bottom lip, squirming in the booth, one hand gripping the edge of the seat. “Jungkook, I－”

“Or would you rather I come to you?” Jungkook continued, overriding him. “I could spread you out on a table and fuck you in front of that asshole boyfriend of yours, so he can see what it’s like when someone fucks you properly.”

Tae was gripping his phone so hard in his hand that he thought it might break apart at any moment. “D-don’t talk like that－”

“Why not? Afraid you’re going to come in your pants at the thought of him watching while I fuck you, while I fucking wreck you in front of him, until you’re fucking screaming my name－”

“J-jungkook, stop－”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Tae, if you wanted me to stop, you could’ve hung up already. But you haven’t and you know why? It’s because you like hearing me talk dirty to you, you want to listen to me tell you how I’m going to fill you up, split you open with my cock－”

Tae opened his mouth to protest again but all he managed was a small whine.

“Come home, Tae,” Jungkook growled. “Come home so I can fuck you.” He groaned. “God, I’m so fucking hard for you, want to fuck you so bad－”

Tae felt as if his entire body was about to go up in flames, the need for Jungkook burning through him. Every nerve inside his body was sizzling with the want, the craving for him and a second later he finally snapped.

“Be home in ten minutes,” he managed to gasp out and hung up. He scrambled up from his seat, snatching up his backpack, ready to run for the door when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He whipped around to see Minho staring at him, a puzzled frown on his face. “Hey, where are you going?” he asked, “I thought we were going to－”

“My－my roommate,” Tae stammered. “Locked himself out－have to go let him in－” He strategically held his backpack in front of his crotch to hide his very obvious erection. “S-sorry.” He started to back away from Minho, toward the door.

“Are you going to come back though?” Minho said, still frowning.

“N-no, Minho, I’ve…I’ve changed my mind, I think it’s too…too soon for us to talk. I think we should just give it a few more days.”

“Well, okay, but－”

But Tae didn’t wait for Minho to finish his sentence. Instead, he wheeled around and hightailed it out of the diner, smacking the door open and running out into the street.

He ran all the way back to campus, never having been more grateful in his life that the diner was within walking distance. It was typically a fifteen minute walk but Tae reached his dorm building in a mere eight. He was sweaty, out of breath but still painfully hard. He didn’t know if the shaking in his limbs was due to exhaustion or arousal. He barged through the entryway, pounded up the stairs, too impatient to wait for the elevator. He finally reached their floor and practically sprinted down the hallway to their room, trying to fumble his keys out of his pocket at the same time. He nearly dropped them when he reached the door and his hands were shaking so badly, he couldn’t even get the key inside the lock. But then the door swung open from the inside and Jungkook was there, grabbing him by the arm and yanking him over the threshold.

The door slammed closed and Jungkook pushed him up against it, pressing his hot mouth against Tae’s, teeth nipping at his bottom lip. Tae moaned into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s neck, wanting to feel every inch of Jungkook’s body against his own. But it wasn’t enough to have Jungkook against him, he needed him even closer, needed him inside…

Jungkook moved to lick at his neck and Tae arched against him. “Ruin me,” he breathed in his ear.

Jungkook snarled and lifted him up, carrying him over to the bed. A minute later, they were both completely naked, their clothes ending up in a tangled heap on the floor. Two minutes later, Jungkook had his fingers inside Tae, stretching him open.

“J-Jungkook,” Tae pleaded, writhing against his fingers, “hurry…”

“Fuck, baby.” Jungkook gazed down at him intently, eyes black in the dim light of the room. “How do you want me to fuck you?”

Tae licked his lips, his breath hitching. It was a question nobody had ever asked him before and it made his toes curl. “C-can I ride you?” It had been something he’d been wanting to do ever since he had first started to fantasize about Jungkook.

Jungkook went rigid, his fingers stilling inside of Tae. Then he groaned, taking his fingers out and grasped Tae’s waist, rolling him over so that Tae was on top of him, straddling his hips.

Tae rolled a condom onto Jungkook with trembling hands and then lifted himself up and sank down slowly onto his cock, moaning at the exquisite stretch, the fullness. He placed his hands on Jungkook’s chest to steady himself, his eyes fluttering closed, ready to move and feel the delicious friction of Jungkook’s cock inside of him, ready to ride him. But just as he was about to roll his hips, Jungkook grasped them tightly in his hands, keeping him still.

Tae whined and opened his eyes, trying to move again, his brow furrowing in confusion as he looked down at Jungkook.

There was a wicked gleam in Jungkook’s eyes. “Ride me,” he growled.

Tae tried to buck his hips up again but Jungkook had a steel-like grip on him, his fingers digging into his skin, and all he managed was a small grinding motion. But it wasn’t enough, he needed more－

“Ride me,” Jungkook repeated, still holding onto Tae’s hips.

“I’m－I’m t-trying...”

“Come on, Tae, move,” Jungkook said, smirking up at him. “Don’t you want to go for a ride on this dick?”

Tae let out a small desperate sob, trying to move, his hips straining against Jungkook’s hands but Jungkook only gripped him even tighter. And then he pushed him down, thrusting upwards at the same time, impaling Tae fully onto his cock.

Tae threw his head back, crying out, the exquisite pain, the torturous pleasure nearly overwhelming him. He had thought that he would be in control in this position－but he supposed he should have known better. Even lying on his back with Tae on top of him, there was no doubt that Jungkook was the dominant one here.

“J-jungkook,” he begged, “please…”

“Please what, baby?” Jungkook rasped, still holding him in place.

“Please let me ride you…”

Jungkook licked his lips. “You going to be a good boy if I do? You going to bounce on it for me, show me how well you can work my cock?”

“Yes, I’ll b-be good, just please－”

Jungkook loosened his grip, landing a sharp slap on Tae’s ass. “Go,” he snarled.

That single word acted as the sound of the starting gun at a racetrack. Tae immediately began to buck his hips, pushing against Jungkook’s chest for leverage to raise himself up and then slam back down on Jungkook’s cock, riding him hard and fast. He had never been allowed to go as fast as he wanted when he had been in the same position with Minho so he rode Jungkook with total abandon, his ass clapping obscenely against Jungkook’s thighs. And instead of just lying there, letting Tae do all the work, Jungkook met him thrust for thrust, bouncing Tae back up on the downstroke, hitting his sweet spot every time.

“Fuck, baby, so good,” he panted, spurring Tae on with another slap on the ass, “fucking love the way you ride me, fuck…”

The praise, the sharp sting of Jungkook’s palm on his ass, the speed, the friction were driving Tae insane. He had this wild thought that Jungkook was his fucking stallion, and he wanted to ride him all night long, ride him until he collapsed with exhaustion. But his thighs were trembling, starting to feel sore and he didn’t think he’d last for the next few minutes, let alone the rest of the night.

Jungkook obviously noticed that he was starting to flag. “Do you want to…get in a different position?” he asked breathlessly, gazing up at Tae.

But Tae shook his head. “N-no, wanna come like this…”

“Okay, baby, come here.” Then he pulled Tae down so he was lying against his chest, gripping his ass and fucking into him hard, bending his knees for more leverage. Tae cried out and clutched at Jungkook’s shoulders, burying his face in his neck as he came a few seconds later, Jungkook shuddering and groaning Tae’s name as he finished soon after.

Tae lifted his head to look at Jungkook, something warm sparking in his chest when he saw the blissful look on his face. Jungkook beamed at him, his lips tilted up in a soft smile. “Fuck, Tae,” he murmured, reaching up to brush Tae’s hair off his face, “you’re so amazing…”

“Not so bad yourself,” Tae hummed, kissing him and Jungkook breathed a laugh against his lips. And Tae felt it then－felt like there was nowhere else in the world he’d rather be than right here with Jungkook. It was a scary feeling, a feeling he didn’t really know how to handle right now so he just concentrated on kissing Jungkook, deciding that he could think about it later－especially when Jungkook rolled him over onto his back and their kisses led to more intimate things…

***

Tae continued to have sex with Jungkook every day that week. On Monday, Jungkook took him from behind for the first time, a position he hadn’t been a fan of with Minho, but the way Jungkook fucked him, it left him seeing stars. Especially since Jungkook took him roughly, leaving bruises on his hips and handprints on his ass.

On Tuesday evening, they tried to settle in for their usual gaming night but only played for fifteen minutes, the tension building between them until Jungkook finally hauled Tae into his lap and Tae ended up riding him in his desk chair.

Wednesday was when things really got interesting. Jungkook had a few more classes than Tae did that day so he always got back to their room a bit later. An hour before he was due to come back to their dorm, he called Tae. “Here’s what I want you to do,” he said. “I want you to get yourself ready for me. I want you lying naked on your bed and I want you to fuck yourself open with your fingers. But you’re not allowed to make yourself come, understand? That’s my job.”

Tae did as he was told so when Jungkook finally came in, Tae was a shaking, drooling mess, having brought himself to the edge a total of three times. He was so turned on that he came as soon as Jungkook slid inside him but Jungkook fucked him anyways, the over-stimulation sending Tae to new heights and he ended up coming again, his orgasm so intense that he swore he heard a choir of angels and saw the gates of heaven opening before him.

On Thursday, they skipped lunch so they could have a steamy little make out session in their room and then later that evening, Jungkook fucked him again, pulling him into all sorts of different positions. They were being so loud that the people in the room beside them ended up pounding on the wall. “Would you two give it a fucking rest already?” But they kept going anyways.

Tae couldn’t give it a rest, didn’t know how to. It was like they had turned their dorm room into their own personal sex den, the two of them unable to keep their hands off of each other. Jungkook had made him come more times in the past few days than Minho ever had in the course of their entire relationship. He still felt a stab of guilt whenever he thought about Minho but his relationship with his boyfriend didn’t seem like a priority right now. Just one more time with Jungkook, he always told himself. I just want to do it with him one more time. And then I’ll figure out what to do about Minho. But then Jungkook would fuck him again and he always wanted to do it one more time. Just one more time…He wondered if he was in serious danger of becoming a sex addict. Or, at least, addicted to Jungkook.

It just felt so good with him. He loved everything about having sex with Jungkook, loved learning what turned his roommate on. It had been on Tuesday when Tae discovered that Jungkook turned to jelly when Tae nibbled and sucked on his earlobe. Thursday was when he went down on Jungkook for the first time, stretching his jaw wide to take as much of him as he could, loving the way he could reduce Jungkook to whimpers and breathless moans with his mouth. But Jungkook had hauled him off his cock before he could come in Tae’s mouth, groaning out that he wanted to come by fucking him instead. Thus leading to the wild monkey sex and pissed off neighbors.

But it wasn’t just the sex that left him feeling warm and sated. Kissing Jungkook was one of his favorite things to do now, and a lot of their foreplay just consisted of making out for minutes on end, Tae getting more and more turned on by each roll of Jungkook’s tongue against his. It led to him wanting to kiss Jungkook even when they weren’t getting ready to have sex. He wanted to give him morning kisses and good night kisses, hello and goodbye kisses－but that would probably complicate things, take them from friends with benefits to something harder to define.

He wasn’t even sure if the friends with benefits label fit what they were doing with each other right now. In his more guilt-ridden moments, he thought of Jungkook as ‘the one I’m cheating on Minho with’ but even that label didn’t feel right. He felt like things with Minho were just so weird now, he didn’t even feel like they were in a relationship anymore. Minho had texted him once to say that he missed him, asking him if he was ready to talk but Tae only responded by saying that he needed a bit more time, that he wasn’t ready to talk yet. And he didn’t send a text saying that he missed him too. Because he wasn’t sure if he did miss Minho. His head was too full of Jungkook.

He had been worried that sleeping with Jungkook would make things awkward between them when they weren’t having sex but that didn’t end up happening. They still talked, more so now than they had before, about everything－except what was going on between them. Even after they finished having sex, they just wouldn’t discuss it, would talk about their classes, or books, or what video games they might play together－anything but the fact that they were both still naked and lying next to each other. Or the fact that Tae might still have a boyfriend. Sometimes, though, Jungkook would get this look of anticipation on his face, as if he were hoping that Tae would finally bring the subject up. But Tae never did. He was too afraid to. He knew they would have to talk about it eventually but he didn’t want to ruin it when things were just so good. He didn’t want to reveal his deepening feelings for Jungkook only to hear him say, ‘Well, it’s been really fun, Tae, but I don’t feel like there’s anything more between us. Uh…you wanna have one last romp in the sack before things become unbearably awkward and we have to find new roommates?’

Truth be told, he’d be devastated if that happened. Probably would happen because it was clear now that Jungkook just wanted to have sex with him, not date him. If he did, wouldn’t he have said something by now? So when Jungkook gave him that soft, searching look, Tae didn’t say anything, just looked away or leaned forward and kissed him. He was so afraid of losing what he and Jungkook had, even if Jungkook didn’t feel the same way, even if the sex they had meant nothing more to Jungkook than having a good time. He just wanted this feeling to last a little bit longer, even if it couldn’t last forever. Wanted just one more kiss, one more blissful fuck, one more night of falling asleep in Jungkook’s arms and waking up next to him. Because sleeping with Jungkook had led to him literally sleeping with Jungkook, both of them passing out in a tangle of limbs after they had finished having sex. It was another thing about Jungkook he was becoming addicted to, the feeling of having his arms wrapped around him, his head on Jungkook’s chest, listening to the beat of his heart, the steady rhythm of his breathing. He had never slept so soundly, so peacefully with anyone else.

Just one more time, he just wanted one more time. He wondered how many ‘one more times’ would be enough for him.

It was Friday afternoon now and Tae was lying on his bed, a book propped open on his chest, when Jungkook finally returned from his last class of the day.

“Hey,” Tae said, putting his book down and giving Jungkook a shy smile as he came through the door.

“Hey,” Jungkook replied, flashing his bunny grin. Then he dumped his backpack on the floor, took a running leap and launched himself on top of Tae, crushing him down into the mattress, smothering him with kisses.

“What took you so long?” Tae breathed as Jungkook moved to kiss down his throat, heading lower.

“My fucking prof,” Jungkook rasped against Tae’s neck. “Got caught up telling some story about robots who can play ping-pong.”

Tae giggled. “Ping-pong playing robots,” he mused. “Sounds like a tongue twister.”

“I’ll give you a tongue twister,” Jungkook said and Tae laughed again as Jungkook moved down his body, hiking up his tee shirt to press wet kisses across his abdomen.

Tae squirmed, hoping Jungkook would head even lower but then Jungkook looked up at him, resting his chin against Tae’s stomach. He smiled up at him and Tae felt his breath catch in his throat, practically melting at how adorable Jungkook looked in that moment.

“Do you want to come to Hoseok’s house party with me tonight?” Jungkook asked.

Tae cut his eyes away and shrugged. “I dunno…house parties aren’t really my thing.” He held up the book he had been reading before Jungkook ambushed him with kisses. “Book nerd, remember?”

Jungkook quirked an eyebrow at him. “Book nerds can have fun at house parties too, ya know.”

“I don’t know, I’m not really a big drinker…”

“No one says you have to drink. Drink soda if you want, nobody cares.” He pressed another kiss onto Tae’s stomach. “Hoseok’s got a foosball table…or we could dance…”

“That does sound like fun,” Tae said hesitantly, “but…”

“But what?”

Tae looked away again, his fingers plucking at the sheet. “I just don’t want you to feel like you have to…attend to me while I’m there,” he said in a small voice. “I don’t want to spoil your fun or anything.” When he had gone to house parties with Minho, he had always felt like a burden, like he was forcing Minho to pay attention to him when all he wanted to do was have fun with his friends. He didn’t want to ruin Jungkook’s fun night out, didn’t want him to find out how anxious he got at parties.

“Tae,” Jungkook said gently and Tae looked back at him. “I wouldn’t have asked you to come with me if I didn’t want to hang out with you at the party.” He shrugged. “I just thought it might be fun for you and me to go together. But I’m not going to make you go if you don’t want to.”

Tae felt his cheeks warm. Was Jungkook…asking him out? Or was he just asking Tae to go with him to the party as a friend?

“Well, maybe…”

Obviously his hesitation still showed on his face because Jungkook’s gaze darkened, simmering with desire. “You ever been fucked at a house party?” he said roughly.

Tae shook his head. “No…” He had never felt compelled to act out that particular cliché with Minho. Not when his boyfriend had always gotten so wasted.

“I could show you what it’s like if you want,” Jungkook said. “Take you upstairs to a room…strip your clothes off…fuck you so hard so the entire house can hear us…”

Tae licked his lips. “But what if…”

“Someone walks in on us?” Jungkook asked and Tae nodded. Jungkook smirked. “Then I keep fucking you.”

Tae let out a little moan and Jungkook surged forward, kissing him, reaching between them to squeeze Tae’s cock.

“Okay,” Tae managed to gasp out, “okay, I’ll come tonight.”

“I know you will, baby,” Jungkook purred, “I guarantee it…”

***

Jungkook actually made him come before the party. But they went anyways.

Tae tried to hide his nervousness as they walked up the pathway to Hoseok’s house. It was your typical student-rented place, nothing too fancy but big enough that Tae figured Hoseok lived there with at least six other housemates, if not more. He had asked Jungkook but he didn’t know for sure either, said the number kept changing from month to month.

Tae could hear the boom of the music shuddering through the walls as they climbed up the porch steps, the sounds of raucous laughter and loud voices. He gulped. He just didn’t know why parties had to be so noisy. There wouldn’t be any quiet corner to escape to, no place to curl up with a book.

Oh god, I’m doing it already. I’m no fun at all and Jungkook’s going to see that and he’s going to know that I’m nothing but a lame buzzkill －

 “Hey,” Jungkook said, touching his hand as they stood outside the door. “You okay?”

“Um, yeah,” Tae said, staring dubiously at the door. “It’s just been a while since I’ve been to one of these things.” Been a while since he had gone to a party and sat next to Minho, listening to him talk to one of his friends while completely ignoring Tae. Been a while since people had made fun of him for sticking with soda, pressuring him to have ‘just one drink, come on, what’s wrong with you?’ Been a while since he had ended up locking himself in the bathroom, trying to escape the noise, the people, only emerging hours later to find Minho still drinking, not even having gone to look for him, not even wondering where he was…

“Tae,” Jungkook said gently, and Tae turned to look at him. “We really don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. We can just go back to the dorm and hang out, just the two of us.”

Nothing appealed to him more than the thought of just turning around and going back home with Jungkook but he resisted the temptation to take up Jungkook’s offer to bail. It would be the easy way out and Jungkook had actually invited him out somewhere, something he thought would never happen. He at least wanted to try to enjoy the party, for Jungkook’s sake.

So he shook his head and gave Jungkook a small smile. “No, that’s okay,” he said, “it’ll be fun.”

“Yeah, I think it will,” Jungkook said, “especially since you’re here.”

Tae dropped his gaze, looking shyly at his feet. “Well, I don’t know about that…” Still, he couldn’t help grinning at what Jungkook had said.

“I do,” Jungkook said, stepping closer and Tae looked back up at him. “I’m really glad you decided to come with me tonight, Tae.” He traced a finger lightly down Tae’s arm. “But if you want to leave at any point, just tell me, okay? If you’re not having fun, then I’m not having fun.”

“Really?” Tae whispered.

Jungkook smiled at him. “Well, yeah, obviously I came here to have fun with you so－”

But Tae kissed him, cutting off his words. Jungkook made a little noise of surprise but then kissed him back, wrapping his arms around Tae’s waist, smiling against his lips. Tae didn’t know how else to convey to Jungkook how much it meant to him, that he cared enough to be so reassuring, so attentive. It might have been a small thing to someone else, but Minho had never said anything like that to him before, never seemed to care that much whether Tae enjoyed himself or not. Would actually get annoyed at Tae for not wanting to go to parties, saying he needed to ‘lighten up.’

But the fact that Jungkook was so concerned about whether he had a good time or not made Tae’s heart swell with gratitude. Jungkook wanted him to be there, wanted him to have fun, he wasn’t going to treat him like he was some burden, some obstacle that was getting in the way of his own fun. Not like Minho had.

“Wow,” Jungkook said, looking slightly dazed when Tae finally pulled back from him. “What was that for?”

“I－”

But then the door swung open and they both turned to see a guy wearing tinted aviator sunglasses smiling widely at them.

“Jesus, you two haven’t even gotten in the house yet and you’re already getting freaky on the porch.” He tilted his head down, peering at them over the top of his glasses, waggling his eyebrows. “You on some aphrodisiacs or something? Can I get in on that action?”

“Yeah right, like you’d need ‘em, you randy son of a bitch,” Jungkook said, grinning at the guy.

“Touché, JK, touché,” the guy replied, beckoning them inside.

“Tae, this is Hoseok,” Jungkook said, as they stepped into the entryway. “Hobi, this is Tae, my, er, roommate.”

Hoseok beamed at him then eyed him up and down. “Why, hello, hello,” he said smoothly. He swept into a dramatic bow, grabbing Tae’s hand and kissing it. “At your service, gorgeous.” Tae blushed, stammering out a ‘hello.’

“Jesus, JK, no wonder you’ve been keeping him to yourself,” Hoseok said, “I know I would.”

“That’s not…” Jungkook started to say but Hoseok interrupted him, leaning towards Tae.

“If he’s not giving you the good stuff, you just come see Hobi,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper, winking at him, “he’ll take gooood care of you.”

“All right, that’s enough, you perv,” Jungkook said. And for all that he said it lightly, he still put a possessive hand on Tae’s lower back. “Where’s Yoongi at?”

“Den, probably,” Hoseok said, “unless Jimin’s taken him upstairs already.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “He would too, that fucking pipsqueak.”

“Well, Yoongi’s probably fucking that pipsqueak right now so－”

Someone called Hoseok’s name from the living room beside them, where people were dancing, red cups in their hands as they writhed to the music.

“Sorry, boys,” Hoseok said, “my people are calling me.” Then he clapped Tae on the shoulder and gave him a friendly smile. “Nice to finally meetcha. Have fun, okay? Let old Hobi know if ya need anything.” He winked again. “And I do mean anything.”

Tae didn’t really know what to say to that so he just gave Hobi a timid smile and nodded. “Thank yo－” But he was already gone, walking into the living room, raising his arms to loud cheers from the crowd.

“Fuck, sorry about him,” Jungkook muttered. “He can be a little overly friendly.”

“Really?” Tae said, “I hadn’t noticed,” and Jungkook laughed. “He seems nice, though,” Tae added.

“Oh, he is,” Jungkook said, “it’s one of the reasons he gets laid so often.” He slipped his arms around Tae’s waist. “So what do you wanna do? Dance for a little bit?”

Tae glanced into the living room, looking nervously at the crush of drunk people flailing around, bumping into each other. It appeared that Hoseok was now dancing on a coffee table, pretending to do a striptease. Or maybe he wasn’t really pretending, seeing as he had just taken his shirt off and was now whirling it around his head.

“Um…”

“Or there’s the foosball table in the den,” Jungkook said. He leaned closer. “It’s quieter in there. Less people.”

Tae smiled at him. “Foosball sounds like fun. I’ve never played before though so I probably won’t be very good.”

Jungkook grinned and started to lead him down the hallway that led to the back of the house. “That’s okay. Foosball doesn’t really require a lot of skill. You just kind of flip the handles and hope for the best.”

Jungkook led Tae through a doorway into a smaller, cozy-looking room that had a set of squashy leather sofas and a couple of matching recliners. A flatscreen TV was on one wall, playing what looked like one of the Star Wars movies and the foosball table sat on the other side of the room, a couple of people already playing on it. Jungkook had been right, there were a lot fewer people in here, just sitting around talking and sipping their drinks. Definitely less rowdy than the living room and more in tune with the sort of vibe Tae liked. Although, there were a couple of guys just blatantly making out with each other on one of the recliners.

Jungkook sighed, muttering something that sounded like, “fucking typical.” Then he tugged Tae over to the couple, kicking the side of the recliner. “Hey, lovebirds, lay off for a second, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

The two guys startled and broke apart, looking up at them. One of them was pale with black hair and the other one looked remarkably like a pink-haired elf.

“Oh, hey, man,” the black-haired one said. “You made it.”

“Yeah, what a fucking relief that you’re here to interrupt us, Jungkookie, I don’t know what we would have done without you,” the pink-haired one grumbled.

It seemed Jungkook chose to ignore this comment. “This is my friend Yoongi,” he said, nodding at the black-haired guy. “I actually think you might have met before.”

“Um, once, I think.” Tae had met Yoongi before briefly, months ago when he had dropped by their dorm room. He had actually been slightly intimidated by Jungkook’s friend, who had seemed even more grumpy and standoffish than Jungkook. And that was saying something, at the time.

But he smiled at Tae easily enough now, nodding at him, then casting a glance at Jungkook and grinning even wider.

Jungkook waved a hand at the pink-haired guy. “And that’s his boyfriend, Jimin.” He said it dismissively, as if he had said, ‘And that’s his pet rock, Jimin,’ and the elf-like boy rolled his eyes.

“Guys,” Jungkook went on. Then he took a deep breath as if steeling himself for something. “This is Tae.”

The warmth in Jungkook’s voice when he said his name made Tae’s heart skip a beat. As if Jungkook were introducing him as someone who was special, someone important to him.

Or maybe he was just imagining things.

“It’s nice to meet－” Tae started to say but was interrupted by Jimin.

“Holy FUCK!” he practically shouted, causing everyone in the room to look in their direction. He sprang up from Yoongi’s lap to stand in front of Tae. “You’re Tae?? Like, the Taehyung??”

Tae had no clue what Jimin was talking about. “I don’t－”

Jimin seized both of his hands in his own small chubby ones, tugging him closer. “Holy fuck, you are so fucking adorable, I can’t even.” He glanced over at Jungkook, still standing beside Tae. “I never thought I’d say this about you, Jungkookie, but you have excellent fucking taste.” He turned back to look at Tae, beaming at him. “God, it’s so nice to finally meet the boy JK keeps talking about.”

Tae blinked and then slowly turned to look at Jungkook who was glaring at Jimin. “You’ve…talked about me?”

Jungkook glanced at him then looked away quickly, scratching the back of his neck. “I’ve mentioned you, yeah.”

“Mentioned him?” Jimin said. “Jungkookie, you literally never shut up about him.”

“Jimin—”

“What? It’s true.” Jimin turned back to Tae and winked. “He’s spouted entire monologues about you. All good things, of course.” He leaned forward and said in a stage whisper, “He thinks you have the most beautiful eyes.”

Tae wasn’t sure if what Jimin was saying was true or if he was the victim of some elaborate prank. Jungkook had talked to his friends about him? Said he had beautiful eyes? The idea seemed ludicrous, too good to be true.

But if it was a prank, Jungkook didn’t seem to be in on it. He shifted slightly, looking extremely uncomfortable, biting his lip and Tae noticed two pink spots appear on his cheeks. He gaped at Jungkook, astounded. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Jungkook blush before.

“Okay, enough, baby,” Yoongi said, getting up from the recliner and gently pulling Jimin back a little. “You’ll scare Tae off.” He gave Tae a reassuring smile. “Sorry, his too-much gene is showing. You want a drink or anything?”

“Oh, um－”

“Yeah, why haven’t you gotten him a drink yet, Jungkookie?” Jimin snapped. “Jesus, some date you are.” He jerked his head towards the door. “Go get your boy some refreshments.” He grinned cheekily. “Don’t you worry, I’ll look after him while you’re gone.”

Jungkook gave Jimin a dirty look before turning to Tae, his expression softening. “Sorry, are you thirsty? Can I get you something?”

“I think we all know who the thirsty one here is,” Jimin quipped to the general laughter of the room.

Jungkook’s blush deepened but he kept his eyes on Tae, ignoring the others. Tae felt kind of bad that he was getting so embarrassed, that the others were teasing him because of Tae. He thought it would be best if he gave Jungkook an excuse to escape the room for a few minutes.

“Um, yes please, I mean if you don’t mind…”

“Course not. Coke, right?” and Tae nodded. “Be right back.”

He went to move past him but Tae leaned towards him and gave him an impulsive kiss on the cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered. And he hoped Jungkook knew that he wasn’t just thanking him for going to get Tae a drink.

Jungkook’s eyes glazed over slightly and judging by the way he touched the spot on his face where Tae had kissed him and the way he wandered dazedly out of the room, nearly walking into the wall, Tae figured that he did know.

Jimin sent Yoongi after Jungkook to make sure that ‘that idiot doesn’t get lost’ and then yanked Tae over to one of the sofas, ousting the people who had already been sitting there with a surprisingly authoritative voice.

“Shoo!” he said, flapping his hands and the two sofa sitters relinquished their seats with only a minimum of grumbling.

Jimin pulled Tae down to sit beside him. “Fuck, you have no idea how happy I am to finally meet you. I was beginning to think you were a myth or something.”

“A myth?”

“Well, yeah,” Jimin said, grinning at him. “Jungkook talked about you so much but we never actually saw you. So you might as well have been a unicorn or something for all we knew.”

“Um…we?”

“Oh, me and Yoongi, I mean,” Jimin said. “And, well, Hobi too. Actually, come to think of it, most of the regulars who come here.” His grin turned a touch wicked. “Poor Jungkookie, he thinks he’s so slick, hiding his crush on you. But most people know about it, I’m afraid.”

Tae’s heartbeat picked up. Crush?

“So,” Jimin said, lowering his voice, “does this mean you two are－”

But Jungkook was back in the room already, trailed by Yoongi. He smiled at Tae, handing him a cold red can. Tae took it with a nod of thanks, bracing himself for either Jimin or Yoongi to start asking him why he wasn’t drinking alcohol－but Jimin was scowling up at Jungkook.

“Jesus, what did you do, sprint to the kitchen and back?”

“He did actually,” Yoongi said, chuckling. “Almost collided with him in the hall on his way back.”

“Ooh,” Jimin said, glancing between Jungkook and Tae. “Someone’s eager, isn’t he?”

“No, just didn’t want to leave him alone with you for too long,” Jungkook retorted. He smirked. “I wouldn’t wish that kind of suffering on anyone.”

“He’s not suffering, he’s enjoying my company. Immensely.” Jimin turned to Tae, cocking an eyebrow. “Aren’t you, sweetie?”

“Um…yes?” Tae said and Jimin giggled.

“Good answer.”

Tae smiled at him. He liked Jimin, he decided. He was loud and sassy and brash, not the type of person he usually made friends with－but there was something about him that just put Tae at ease, made him feel welcome.

Jungkook was still standing up, hovering over them uncertainly. There was enough room for three people on the sofa but Jimin was sitting so close to Tae that there was no room for Jungkook to squeeze in between them and Tae was sitting against one of the arms of the sofa.

Jimin seemed to sense Jungkook’s dilemma and rolled his eyes. “Take Yoongi and go play with your balls, Jungkookie,” he said imperiously, waving a hand at the foosball table. “Tae and I are going to have a little chat.”

“About what?” Jungkook asked.

“Well, about you obviously,” Jimin said. “I want Tae to tell me all about how you…” he eyed Jungkook up and down, smirking, “…measure up.”

Tae bit his lip to try and keep from smiling.

Yoongi nudged Jungkook with his elbow. “Come on, man, let’s leave them to it. Best two out of three.”

Jungkook’s gaze slid to Tae, a silent question in his eyes.

Tae nodded. “Join you in a bit?” For as much as he wanted to hang out with Jungkook, he was also curious to talk to Jimin some more. He wondered if he might reveal anything more about Jungkook’s supposed ‘crush’ on him. Besides, even if he hadn’t wanted to, he had the feeling that Jimin was not the sort of person who you refused.

“Okay,” Jungkook said and then, totally catching Tae off guard, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “Just give me a signal if you need me to come rescue you,” he murmured.

“I will,” Tae whispered back, feeling slightly lightheaded that Jungkook had kissed him in front of other people.

Jungkook followed Yoongi over to the foosball table and Tae was left alone with Jimin.

“So,” Jimin said, “you two are definitely hooking up.”

Tae felt his face warm and he looked down, fiddling with the tab on his can of Coke. “Well…yeah,” he said, his face splitting into a wide grin.

“Oooh,” Jimin said, clapping his tiny hands together. He shifted closer. “Oh my god, tell me everything. How’s the sex? He giving you the good stuff or...is he failing you in that department?”

“No,” Tae said quickly, “it’s good stuff, trust me.” He glanced over at Jungkook who was saying something to Yoongi as they stood over the foosball table, twirling the handles. “It’s…amazing actually. The best sex I’ve ever had.”

Jimin gaped at him. “Wow, go Jungkookie! I mean, I’m super grossed out and yet oddly proud at the same time.” He leaned closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “So just between us, and know that I’m simply asking out of curiosity…how big?”

Tae hesitated for a second, wondering if it was right to reveal something so personal to Jimin. But, then again, it’s not like Jungkook’s size was anything for him to be embarrassed about. Far from it. He leaned in, whispering in Jimin’s ear the approximate length and Jimin let out a tiny shriek.

“What the fuck are you two talking about?” Jungkook called from the other side of the room.

“Nothing, nothing,” Jimin said in a slightly choked voice. “Go back to your game.” He turned back to Tae, his mouth slightly open. “You lucky fucking duck. No wonder you’re smiling like that.” Then he cleared his throat, seeming to compose himself. “I mean when it comes to sex, anyway. I’d take the dick but I definitely wouldn’t want the guy attached to it.”

Tae shrugged, smiling. “I like the guy attached to it.”

“Hmm…you do, do you?” Jimin said. “So…is it just, like, a sex thing between you guys? Or are you thinking about locking that dick down and making it official?”

Tae’s smile faded. “Well…it’s kind of complicated.”

“Complicated?” Jimin said, frowning. “In what way?”

Jimin’s voice was so full of genuine concern that Tae suddenly found himself telling the other boy everything. He didn’t go into a great amount of detail but he did fill Jimin in on the main points: how Minho had kissed someone else and Jungkook had been the one to tell him about it; how he had been heartbroken and distraught and how it had led to him having sex with Jungkook for the first time; how he had continued to sleep with Jungkook while he was on this break with Minho and the overwhelming guilt he still felt about all of it.

“I just don’t know what to do,” Tae whispered, after he had finished. “I mean, I know I need to make a decision at some point but…”

“You feel as if your heart and your mind are telling you two different things?”

“Well…yeah,” Tae said, staring at Jimin. “How did you know that?”

Jimin waved a dismissive hand. “I’m a psych major. Nothing gives me more pleasure than dissecting other people’s feelings.” He gave Tae a soft smile. “And you’ve got a classic case of battling between what you want to do and what you think you should do. Happens to everybody.”

“Yeah…” He had never really thought about it like that before but the way Jimin had put it, it now seemed so obvious. He knew he should stop fooling around with Jungkook and work things out with Minho—but he wanted to keep having sex with Jungkook, wanted to keep hanging out with him. Wanted to see where things could potentially go.

“Can I ask you something?” Jimin said, peering at him.

“Yeah, sure.”

“How was the sex with your boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend. Whoever the fuck he is right now.”

“Um…” Tae said, tapping his fingers against his Coke can, “it was…I mean we…”

Jimin winced. “Yikes. That bad, huh?”

Tae sighed. “I guess we never really clicked in that way.” He shrugged and looked away. “For the longest time…I thought it had something to do with me.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Jimin said gently. “That must have been hard, thinking it was your fault.”

Tae gave him a small smile. “You sound like you’re my therapist.”

Jimin winked. “That’s what I’m going for,” he said warmly and patted Tae’s knee. “I mean, I get why you’re so confused. You had this relationship with whats-his-name and you think things are good and then Jungkook comes along and rocks your world and then maybe you realize that things…weren’t so good. With your boyfriend, I mean.”

“Yeah, maybe…” Tae said. Sleeping with Jungkook had definitely shown him just how bad things had been with Minho, at least when it came to their sex life. But now he was starting to wonder if maybe things hadn’t been that great in other areas, too. If maybe things had started to become stale, lackluster between them. But it didn’t seem fair to blame Minho for it all. And it definitely wasn’t fair of him to be having sex with Jungkook and leaving Minho wondering where the two of them stood.

His eyes started to burn and he felt like he might be on the verge of bursting into tears. “I just feel like I’m a terrible person,” he whispered to Jimin.

But Jimin was shaking his head, his gaze soft. “You are not a terrible person,” he said quietly. “You are a human being and sometimes your feelings get messy and complicated and things don’t always fall into neat little categories.” He gave Tae’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know you want to do the right thing. But maybe you should focus on doing the right thing for you.”

Tae bit his lip. “That seems kind of selfish.”

Jimin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, that’s the point, dummy. It’s fine to be selfish sometimes. In fact, it’s healthy. You’ll never be happy if you keep trying to please everyone else and don’t think about your own needs.”

Tae sipped his Coke, considered what Jimin had said. Thinking about his own needs didn’t come naturally to him, he always wanted to make sure that the people he cared about were comfortable, happy. This past week with Jungkook was probably the first time that he had just let himself have what he wanted. But thoughts about how Minho would feel if he knew still haunted him, and he was plagued with guilt.

“I just wish it was simpler,” Tae sighed. “I don’t want to hurt anybody.” He gave Jimin a helpless look. “What do you think I should do?”

“Hmm…” Jimin said thoughtfully, tapping his lips. “Well, you could always just hop on Jungkook’s saddle and enjoy the ride until you get tired of him. Then you can ride someone else’s pony.”

The word stallion came unbidden to Tae’s mind. “I don’t think I’d ever get tired of him,” he blurted out and Jimin chuckled.

“Well, in that case, maybe you could try…dating him? See where things go?”

“I don’t know,” Tae said, looking down at his hands. “I don’t think Jungkook wants to date me.” Jimin let out a squeal of laughter and Tae’s head jerked up.

“Oh, fuck, I’m sorry, Tae, I didn’t mean to laugh but you’re kidding, right? Like, you’re actually fucking joking right now?”

“I…”

“Tae, listen to me,” Jimin said. “Jungkook worships the fucking ground you walk upon. I mean, he’d fucking marry you right now if you’d have him.”

“But,” Tae said, not wanting to get his hopes up, “he hasn’t ever said anything about wanting to date me. What if all he wants to do is, you know…fool around?”

Jimin smirked. “God, you’re so fucking oblivious, it’s kind of cute. He’s crushing on you hard, boy. Yes, he might be shitty at expressing his feelings but that doesn’t mean they ain’t there. And besides,” he continued, giving Tae a little poke in the side, “he’s probably waiting for you to give him the all clear.” He gave Tae a significant look. “I mean, have you ever said anything about wanting to date him?”

“Well, no, but I－”

“I know, I know,” Jimin said, nodding sagely. “You’ve still got to figure out what to do about your boyfriend.” He sighed. “Well, even if you do decide to get back together with Mimho or whatever his name is, you could probably still keep Jungkook as your side piece. He’s so fucking whipped for you, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

Tae grimaced slightly. That idea definitely didn’t appeal to him. In fact, getting back together with Minho didn’t appeal to him at all anymore. And dating Jungkook definitely did. But he was still skeptical. It was possible Jimin just thought that Jungkook had a crush on him, that he had interpreted Jungkook’s physical attraction to Tae as something more. He didn’t know if he would be able to believe Jungkook had feelings for him unless he heard it from Jungkook himself. And even then, he still might not believe it. Why would Jungkook have feelings for someone like him?

“Do you really think he likes me?” he asked Jimin softly.

Jimin gave him a funny look. “God, Tae, yes. Don’t be silly.”

Tae glanced over at Jungkook and blushed when he saw that Jungkook was already staring at him. They held each other’s gazes for a few long seconds, and Tae felt a little tremor in his chest. Could it be possible that Jungkook wanted more with him? Or was it all just wishful thinking on his side?

Tae finally looked back at Jimin to find the other boy beaming at him. “Aww, look at you,” he said softly, sounding pleased. “You’re a smitten little kitten, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Tae whispered, “I think I am.”

Jimin’s smile widened and he leaned closer. “Look, I know I give him a lot of shit but I actually think he’s a really great guy and he’s got a good heart.” He pointed a tiny finger in Tae’s face, turning serious. “Do not fucking tell him I said that.”

“Um, okay…”

Jimin sat back, sighing. “Just tell Jungkook to take you out on a date. He’d fly you to fucking Paris if you wanted him to.”

“Who’s flying to Paris?” Yoongi asked.

They both looked up to see Jungkook and Yoongi approach them.

“Oh, we are,” Jimin said smoothly, gesturing between himself and Tae. “While you two were playing foosball, me and Tae have gotten engaged and we were just talking about where to spend our honeymoon.”

“Oh, I see,” Yoongi said, grinning. “Guess that means I’ll have to return that ring I bought for you.”

“Yep, I guess so,” Jimin said, giving him a cheeky smile. But a faint blush appeared on his face as Yoongi leaned down to give him a kiss.

Tae looked up at Jungkook who was gazing down at him, a soft smile on his face. He felt that tremor in his chest again. He’d marry you right now if you’d have him.

Jungkook jerked his head towards the foosball table. “You wanna come play with me?” Then he glanced at Jimin and raised an eyebrow. “That is, if it’s okay with your fiancé.”

“I suppose,” Jimin drawled. Then he winked at Tae. “As long as he comes back home with me.”

“Great. Where the hell am I going to sleep then?” Yoongi said, sitting down on the other side of Jimin.

“On the floor, you peasant,” Jimin said, squealing when Yoongi started tickling him.

Tae got up from the sofa, carefully avoiding Jimin’s flailing limbs and followed Jungkook over to the foosball table.

“Kudos to you for surviving the clutches of the pink-haired demon,” Jungkook said in a low voice as they stood next to the table.

“Hey, that’s my fiancé you’re talking about,” Tae said and Jungkook rolled his eyes and shook his head, smiling.

They both looked towards the couch where Yoongi and Jimin now appeared to be either wrestling or making out with each other, Jimin letting out shrieks of ‘Unhand me, you scoundrel,’ between giggles.

“Seriously, though,” Tae said, “I like him. He seems really cool.”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said, looking fondly at Yoongi and Jimin. “He is.” Then he turned back to Tae, pointing a warning finger at him. “Do not fucking tell him I said that.”

Tae smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t.” He reached down and fiddled with one of the handles on the table. “So how do you play exact－”

But the rest of his sentence was cut off when Jungkook wrapped his arms around his waist and gave him a long, deep kiss.

“Sorry,” Jungkook said when he finally pulled back. “But I’ve been wanting to do that for the last twenty minutes.”

“Don’t apologize,” Tae said breathlessly. “I like it when you do that.”

“Good,” Jungkook murmured and then kissed him again.

Tae looped his arms around Jungkook’s neck, feeling light-headed. Here they were, practically making out with each other beside a foosball table, in full view of the other people in the room. It was like they were a couple, the type of couple who committed random acts of PDA, uncaring of who might be watching because they were both so wrapped up in each other. It was the kind of relationship Tae had always wanted, had always craved.

Oh god, he thought to himself, please be my boyfriend. Please, I don’t want this to end.

He would have loved to see where this kiss would lead but his body was starting to sound the alarm for a very different kind of urge and he silently cursed himself for drinking that soda.

Tae reluctantly pulled away. “Sorry, but, um, where’s the bathroom?”

“Halfway down the hall, first door on your right,” Jungkook said, nodding towards the doorway.

Tae smiled his thanks, gave Jungkook one more brief kiss and quickly left the room, heading down the hallway. He rushed in and out of the bathroom, wanting to hurry back to Jungkook－but then he noticed a familiar-looking face out of the corner of his eye and turned to look down the hallway towards the front door.

He let out an involuntary gasp. Minho had just come through the front door, accompanied by a short blonde guy. The two of them were laughing about something and the blonde guy had his hand wrapped possessively around Minho’s arm, leaning close and giggling something in his ear. Minho smiled, looked up－and spotted Tae.

His smile vanished and he immediately pulled his arm out of the blonde guy’s grasp. “Tae?” he said, stepping towards him. “What are you doing here?”

Tae stared at him, wide-eyed. Oh god, Minho was here and Jungkook was just in the other room, he had been kissing him just a minute ago. If Jungkook came wandering out to look for him…

But then Tae’s gaze drifted to the blonde guy hovering just behind Minho’s shoulder, who had a small pout on his face. He didn’t look very happy that Minho’s attention was now directed elsewhere. Tae felt a glimmer of recognition and then it dawned on him－this was the guy Minho had been kissing in that picture.

Tae felt his face heat and he raised an eyebrow at Minho. Just kissed a random stranger, huh?

Minho coloured slightly and he turned to the blonde guy. “Hey, um, would you give us a couple of minutes?”

The blonde guy frowned at Minho. “But baby,” he said, his voice whiny, “you said that we could－”

“Look, just give me a fucking second, okay?” Minho snapped and the blonde guy stepped back, looking startled and hurt. Then, glaring at Tae, he turned and stormed off into the living room.

Minho opened his mouth to say something but Tae spoke first. “You know, you shouldn’t talk to your date like that.”

Minho shook his head, a strained smile on his face. “He’s not my date, Tae. He’s just…a friend.”

Tae crossed his arms in front of his chest and just waited, letting his silence speak for him.

Minho squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. “Tae, what are you doing here?” he finally said. “You hate house parties.”

“That’s right, I do,” Tae said evenly. “But Jungkook invited me so here I am.”

Minho frowned at him. “Jungkook? Your roommate?”

“Yep,” Tae said, holding Minho’s gaze.

Minho’s eyes narrowed and he took a step closer. “Are you fucking him?”

But Tae refused to be intimidated, refused to back down. Minho had lied to him, passing off his cheating as some drunken mistake and here he was, out with the same guy, and he was still trying to save face. He suddenly didn’t feel so guilty anymore about sleeping with Jungkook now. It appeared Minho had been enjoying himself, too. And if Minho wanted to stand there and play stupid mind games with him instead of telling him the truth, try to turn the accusation back on him, well, Tae was ready to play too.

“No, Minho, I’m not fucking Jungkook,” he said, looking Minho right in the eye. “He’s just a friend.”

Tae saw Minho’s jaw clench and he opened his mouth but Tae cut him off again. “You know, I’m glad I ran into you actually. I’ve been thinking it’d be good for us to see other people while we’re on this break, don’t you? Give us a new perspective maybe? About us?”

Minho glared at him. “Tae…” he said warningly.

“Have fun tonight, Minho,” Tae said, backing away. “You deserve to.” Then he turned his back on him and strode back towards the den.

He felt powerful, immense, his entire body thrumming with this new wonderful feeling. It made him want to sing at the top of his voice, dance on top of a table but most of all it made him want to fuck. And he knew exactly who he wanted to do that with.

Go ahead and get yours, Minho, Tae thought savagely, I’m going to go get mine.

He walked back into the den to see Jungkook leaning against the foosball table, scrolling on his phone but he looked up as soon as Tae entered the room and slipped it back in his pocket. “So do you want to…” but he stopped, frowning at the expression on Tae’s face as he came up to Jungkook. “Tae? What’s wrong?”

“Minho’s here,” Tae said quietly. “I just saw him come in.”

“Oh,” Jungkook said. “Shit.”

“Yeah. He’s with that guy. The one from the picture.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up. “Fuck, really?” and Tae nodded. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “Fuck, I’m sorry, Tae. Do you just want to go home?”

“No, I don’t want to go home,” Tae said, stepping closer. “I want you to take me upstairs.”

Jungkook blinked at him, looking slightly taken aback. “Um…you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” I’ve never been so sure about anything in my whole life.

Jungkook was still looking a bit hesitant so Tae leaned forward, putting his lips to Jungkook’s ear. “Take me upstairs and fuck me, Jungkook,” he whispered, “please…” Then, to further emphasize his point, he placed his hand on Jungkook’s crotch.

“Holy fuck.” Jungkook seized Tae’s hand and, without another word to anybody, pulled him out of the room.

Tae had to practically run to keep up with Jungkook, the two of them almost tripping up the stairs in their hurry to reach the upper floor. When they reached the second-floor hallway, Jungkook looked around frantically for an available room－but almost all of the doors had items of clothing dangling from the door handles. Tae might not know a lot about having sex at house parties but he did know that this signaled that the rooms were already occupied. A steady chorus of moans and sighs coming from the various rooms confirmed this.

Jungkook pulled Tae down the hallway, still looking for a room. “Fuck,” he said through gritted teeth. “They’re all taken. There’s usually at least one available…”

“Wait,” Tae said, halting in front of a door that was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and looked inside. “Bathroom’s free.” He turned to Jungkook, grinning triumphantly－but stopped when he saw the grimace on Jungkook’s face. “What?”

“Come on, Tae,” Jungkook said, glancing at him. “You deserve better than a bathroom.”

Tae had to physically restrain himself from rolling his eyes. Of all the times for Jungkook to act like a gentleman…

“Well, okay,” Tae said, feigning a sigh. “But I’ve always wondered what it’s like to have sex in front of a mirror…”

He had said the magic words. With a snarl, Jungkook shoved him inside the bathroom, swinging the door shut and locking it before pressing Tae up against the counter, lips hot on his. Tae moaned into the kiss, jutting his hips forward, rubbing against him. Pretty soon they were both hard, cocks straining inside their jeans.

Tae broke apart from Jungkook long enough to tug his tee shirt off, seeking his lips again as he ran his hands over the planes of Jungkook’s chest. His own tee shirt joined Jungkook’s on the bathroom floor, Jungkook moving to lick at Tae’s neck, hands reaching down to grope his ass.

Tae got his hands on Jungkook’s belt buckle, working it open, undoing his fly and reaching inside to grasp Jungkook’s cock. He started to stroke, loving the way Jungkook’s breath hitched. “Come on, Jungkook,” he whispered. “Get me naked…get me ready…”

“Fuck, Tae,” Jungkook breathed, starting to work on undoing Tae’s jeans. “What the fuck has gotten into you?”

Tae usually let Jungkook take the lead on these things, having been too shy to make demands, or even take off Jungkook’s clothes off himself. Besides, he liked it when Jungkook took charge, when he dominated him. But tonight, he felt bold, daring, like he was an entirely different person. He was just so－and there was no other word for it－horny, wanting nothing more than to feel Jungkook inside of him, fucking him into oblivion. Maybe it was seeing Minho tonight, knowing that his boyfriend was fucking around with someone else. All of his guilt and lingering reservations just vanished and now he felt like he could finally let Jungkook know just how much he wanted him without feeling ashamed.

“It’s you,” Tae said, still stroking Jungkook. “I think you’ve gotten into me.”

Jungkook smirked at him. “Not yet, I haven’t.”

Tae giggled. “Well, hurry up, then.”

“Fuck, so demanding tonight,” Jungkook said, kneeling down and  sliding Tae’s jeans and boxers off. “I like it…”

“Yeah?” Tae said, looking down at Jungkook.

“Yeah…” His gaze darkened and he licked at the head of Tae’s cock, causing him to gasp. “Love it when you get naughty for me…”

Tae licked his lips as Jungkook straightened back up. Here he was, naked in the full light of the bathroom but instead of feeling shy or insecure like he normally would have, he felt sexy, confident. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook, kissing him hungrily. It was Jungkook, he realized. It was Jungkook who made him feel desirable and alluring, seductive and brave. Brave enough to ask for what he wanted.

“Fuck me,” he whispered, moving to nibble on Jungkook’s earlobe. “God, I need your cock…”

Jungkook groaned, nipping at his shoulder, reaching down to knead Tae’s ass in his hands, roughly spreading his cheeks apart. “Fuck, this mirror thing was such a good fucking idea,” Jungkook growled, his gaze fixed on the mirror behind Tae, “look at that pretty little hole…”

Tae whimpered, burying his face in Jungkook’s shoulder as he felt him start to lightly massage his tight entrance with the tips of his fingers. “D-don’t tease me,” he gasped. “Just f-fuck me.”

“Oh, but I love teasing you, baby,” Jungkook said, “it’s so much fun…”

“Jungkook,” he whined, “please…” He just wanted Jungkook to fuck him already but he also loved how Jungkook so easily got the upper hand over him, that when Tae started to push, Jungkook pushed back, making him wait, making him beg. It turned him on no end, sending a shiver of anticipation down his spine.

After a few more seconds of tormenting Tae, Jungkook finally reached for the small packet of lube he had brought with him, tearing it open and coating his fingers with it. He methodically worked his fingers inside Tae, taking his time, causing Tae to clutch at his shoulders, mewling with pleasure.

Jungkook remained face to face with Tae while he fucked him with his fingers, their chests pressed against each other. He kept glancing from the mirror to Tae’s face and back again. “Feel good, baby?”

“Y-yes…”

Jungkook’s lips quirked up, a devilish smirk on his face. “Maybe I should just make you come like this, huh? Maybe you don’t need my cock at all…”

Tae tightened his grip on Jungkook’s shoulders. “D-don’t you dare,” he huffed.

“Tell me how badly you need it, then,” Jungkook whispered. “I want you to tell me how badly you need my cock, Tae.”

“F-fuck, Jungkook, I need it so badly, need you inside me, need you to fuck me, please—”

Jungkook continued to move his fingers in and out of him, faster now, bringing Tae dangerously close to the edge. “Fuck, you’re so close already, I can tell－”

Tae writhed, desperately trying to pull himself away from Jungkook’s fingers. “N-no, Jungkook, please, I don’t want to come like this, I want you to fuck me－”

But Jungkook still didn’t withdraw his hand. “You’re fucking aching for it, aren’t you, baby? You’d do anything for this cock, wouldn’t you?”

“Y-yes,” Tae moaned, arching against him, “I’ll do anything, just please fuck me－oh fuck－” But just as he was right on the brink, Jungkook removed his fingers and Tae sagged against him, trembling.

Jungkook pressed a soft kiss to Tae’s cheek and then pulled back, grinning at him. “Fuck, Tae, that was a close one. For a minute there, I thought you were going to come without letting me fuck you.”

Tae scowled and smacked him lightly on the chest. “You’re so mean.”

Jungkook’s grin faded, his gaze sharpening. “Oh, but you like it, don’t you,” he said huskily, leaning forward and scraping his teeth across Tae’s neck, “like it when I get mean…”

Tae tilted his head back, sighing as Jungkook started to suck a mark onto his skin. “Well,” he said, “maybe a little bit…”

“That’s what I thought,” Jungkook growled. Then he grasped Tae’s arms and spun him around so he was facing the mirror. Tae yelped as Jungkook landed a sharp smack on his ass, splaying his hands on the counter so that he wouldn’t crash forward into the mirror. “Get that leg up,” he said, nudging Tae’s thigh and Tae obeyed, propping his leg up, his upper thigh resting along the edge of the counter.

“Good boy.”

Tae kept his eyes fixed on Jungkook’s reflection in the mirror, watching impatiently as he took the condom out of his pocket, ripping it open. But he knew better than to tell Jungkook to hurry. It would only make him tease Tae even more, make him wait while he took his sweet time putting the condom on.

But Jungkook didn’t waste any time rolling the condom over his length, seeming to be getting impatient himself. He pressed the tip of his cock against Tae’s hole, looking at him in the mirror. “You ready?” and Tae nodded eagerly.

Jungkook shoved inside of him and Tae gasped, jolting forward, putting a hand against the mirror to keep himself from smacking his forehead on it.

“Fuck, sorry, baby,” Jungkook said, looking slightly alarmed, “that was too rough.”

But Tae shook his head, a giddy little half-laugh slipping out of his mouth. “N-no, it’s fine,” he said, “keep going…”

Jungkook smirked and gave Tae’s ass another slap before grasping Tae’s hips and starting to move. “That’s right, you like it rough, don’t you?” he breathed, pounding into him, “you love it when I fuck you hard.”

“G-god, Jungkook, yes,” Tae moaned, his eyes rolling back as Jungkook thrust inside him, repeatedly hitting his prostate. He arched his back, going up on his tiptoes as waves of ecstasy cascaded through him. The most obscene noises were falling from his lips and he was sure that he was being so loud that the entire house could hear him. That Minho could probably hear him and that thought filled him with a perverse sort of pleasure.

Let him hear, he thought wildly, let him know how good Jungkook makes me feel…

He stared at Jungkook’s reflection, unable to tear his eyes away from him. His lips slightly parted, his biceps flexing, veins bulging in his arms, as he gripped Tae more firmly, his hips pistoning against his ass as he slammed into him－he drank in the sight greedily, loving the way Jungkook looked when he fucked him.

A particularly hard thrust nearly made him lose his balance again and he was forced to steady himself, his gaze snapping to his own reflection. He looked completely wrecked－his face flushed, his mouth wide open, swollen pink lips formed into an ‘O’ as he moaned at every thrust. He glanced down, too embarrassed to look at himself.

“No, baby, no cheating,” Jungkook said, wrapping his arm around Tae’s waist to pull him up so that his back was pressed against Jungkook’s chest, his other hand fisting in Tae’s hair, pulling his head back gently so he was forced to look at himself. “You can’t go getting all shy on me now…”

Tae whimpered as he stared at his reflection－at their reflection. His body was fully on display, fully exposed for Jungkook to look at. Not that it hadn’t been before but it was a weird sensation, being able to see himself like this. Part of him wanted to hide, to cover himself but another part of him wanted to keep looking, as if he was hypnotized by what he saw.

Jungkook slowed down, his gaze fixed on Tae through the mirror. “God, baby, look at you,” he whispered, “look how fucking gorgeous you look when I fuck you…” He dropped a kiss onto Tae’s shoulder and looked back up at him. “You’re so fucking sexy, Tae…so fucking beautiful…”

Tae felt his entire body warm at Jungkook’s words, feeling like he was blushing all over. Jungkook thinks I’m beautiful?

He turned his head, mouth seeking Jungkook’s and their lips met in a wet, slightly clumsy kiss. Jungkook drew back, pulling out at the same time and Tae whined at the loss.

“Turn around,” Jungkook murmured and Tae rushed to obey, his leg falling from the counter as he spun around to face him. Jungkook lifted him up in his arms, hooking Tae’s legs underneath his elbows, while Tae looped one arm around Jungkook’s neck, using his free hand to guide him back in.

As soon as Jungkook was fully sheathed inside him, he started to go fast again, fucking into him roughly. Tae cried out, his head falling back, holding on for dear life while Jungkook gripped him tightly, bouncing him up and down on his cock.

“Fuck, Tae, love those fucking noises you make,” Jungkook panted, as Tae’s voice rose to a steady wail, “love the way you moan for my cock…”

Tae whimpered and crushed his lips against Jungkook’s, licking at his mouth, doing his best to kiss him but it wasn’t easy when he was trying to buck against Jungkook’s cock at the same time. After a few failed attempts, he just let his head fall back again, more lewd noises escaping from him.

“Fuck, you think they can hear you down there, baby?” Jungkook panted, his lips quirking up. “You think he can hear you? Does it turn you on, knowing he’s here somewhere, listening to me fuck you?”

Tae nodded frantically, clutching at Jungkook’s shoulders. It did turn him on, knowing that Minho was in the house while he was having sex with Jungkook. It was a deliciously wicked feeling, one he wasn’t used to. Minho was downstairs somewhere while he was up here with Jungkook, his sex god, his stallion, who fucked him a million times better than Minho ever had, who fucked him in ways he didn’t even know were possible.

“I’m going to keep doing this, you know,” Jungkook rasped, “I’m going to keep fucking you like this until you finally decide to leave him for me.”

It took a couple of seconds for Jungkook’s words to register. “Wait, what?”

Jungkook stilled for a few moments, his expression slightly guilty. “Um, never mind,” he said, “forget I said anything.”

He started to move again but Tae put a hand on his chest, stopping him. “No,” he said, staring at Jungkook. “Tell me what you said.”

Jungkook sighed, jostling Tae slightly as he readjusted his grip. “Look, I want to be with you, okay?” he said. “I want you to leave Minho for good and be with me instead.”

Tae felt his jaw drop and he gaped at Jungkook for a full five seconds before he found his voice again. “You…want to be with me? But,” he said, swallowing thickly, “I thought you just wanted to fuck me.”

“Well, I was kind of hoping I could do both,” Jungkook said, raising an eyebrow at him. “Be with you and fuck you, I mean.” He bit his lip and looked away. “This wasn’t exactly how I wanted to tell you, Tae.”

Tae blinked at him, wondering if he was starting to go into a state of shock. Jungkook wants to be with me. He’s got his cock inside me right now but he wants to be with me too. He wants more. He wants the same thing I want.

He still couldn’t quite believe it. It was as if someone had just told him that one of his favorite book characters had come magically to life.

“Are you sure?” Tae asked. “That you want to be with me, I mean? It’s just that I never thought you felt that way about me.”

“Tae, I…” Jungkook said but then he trailed off, his eyes glazing over with lust and Tae felt his cock pulse inside of him. “Look, can we talk about this later?” he said, beginning to thrust into him again.

“F-fuck yes…”

***

“I’ve liked you for a really long time.”

They were back in their dorm room, lying on Jungkook’s bed, facing each other. They both still had their clothes on for once but Jungkook had never felt so naked. After their steamy little interlude in the bathroom, Tae had requested that they go home so they could talk. So here they were, talking about the one thing Jungkook had never dreamed they would talk about: his feelings for Tae. He felt like an idiot for just blurting it out while they were having sex earlier, especially in such a crass way but there was no going back now. He didn’t want to go back anyway, he wanted to move forward with Tae－but he was still afraid that Tae might reject him. His simple confession had left his heart feeling like it was going to pound out of his chest.

But judging from the shy smile that was now on Tae’s face, Jungkook dared to let himself hope that this all wouldn’t end in tears.

“I’m just…curious,” Tae said quietly, “how long have you liked me?”

“Um…” Jungkook said, pretending to think, “pretty much since the day I met you.”

Tae giggled and Jungkook smiled at him, warmth flowing through him at the sound.

“It’s just I never would have guessed,” Tae said. “Especially in the beginning. You were kind of…”

Jungkook’s smile faded and he shifted uncomfortably. “An asshole?”

Tae shrugged. “I wasn’t going to say that, but yeah.”

Jungkook sighed. “I didn’t want to be,” he said. “And I know that’s not an excuse but you had a boyfriend already and I didn’t feel like I could tell you how I really felt about you, you know?” He gnawed at his lower lip, trying to come up with the best words to explain himself. “And I guess I thought that if I acted like I didn’t like you, then I would just…stop liking you. If that makes sense.” He frowned at the strange smile on Tae’s face. “What?”

“It’s just such a Mr. Darcy thing to do,” he said. “Acting like that.” He laughed. “Next you’ll be telling me how horrible my family is.”

“Come on, Tae, don’t romanticize it,” Jungkook huffed. “I was a dick to you.”

“Yeah…” Tae said. Then he took Jungkook’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together. “But in your defense, I thought you were just kind of an asshole in general, I didn’t really think it was because of me.”

“That’s not much better,” Jungkook grumbled and Tae laughed.

“Well, it’s not like I knew how to act around you either,” Tae said, glancing down at their intertwined hands. “God, I always felt like such a perv when you came back from the shower. I couldn’t help staring at you.”

“Oh?” Jungkook said, grinning at him and waggling his eyebrows. “I wish I would have known that earlier, I never would have put a shirt on.”

Tae groaned theatrically. “God, that would have been torture.”

Jungkook smirked and guided Tae’s hand under his shirt, pressing it against his abs. “Well, you have full access now, baby.”

Tae licked his lips as he ran his fingertips lightly over Jungkook’s stomach. “Do I?” he whispered.

“Mm hmm,” Jungkook murmured, “full, unlimited access…”

Their lips met, Tae whimpering softly into his mouth as Jungkook kissed him deeply, curving his hand over Tae’s hip while Tae continued to caress his stomach. God, this is all I want, Jungkook thought, just me and him, together. Just like this.

He pulled back slightly, gazing at Tae. “Wait, so this means you like me back, right?”

“Yes,” Tae said with a laugh, “I like you back.” He turned serious again, gazing softly at Jungkook. “I really like you a lot, Jungkook.”

Jungkook felt like his heart was about to burst. “I really like you a lot too,” he said softly, giving Tae another kiss. “So…does that mean you want to be with me?”

“I...” Tae said hesitantly and Jungkook felt like his heart was wilting in his chest now.

“What, Tae?” he said, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. “What is it?”

Tae bit his lip, looking away. “It’s just that I’m scared,” he whispered.

“Of what?” Jungkook asked, reaching up to caress Tae’s hair. “Come on, Tae, talk to me.”

Tae took a deep breath. “It’s just that this past week with you has been so incredible,” he said, still not looking at Jungkook. “But I had this idea in my head that all you wanted was sex. I know,” he continued when Jungkook opened his mouth to protest, “I know now that that wasn’t the case but…I never thought that you’d actually want to be with me.” He rubbed his face against Jungkook’s pillow and it nearly killed Jungkook how sad he looked. “I mean, what if we’re only good at the sex part? What if we wouldn’t work as a couple? We haven’t even been out on a date yet－”

“So let me take you out on a date,” Jungkook said. “Come on, Tae, I’ve been dying to. For ages.”

“Really?” Tae whispered and Jungkook nodded. “Well, I guess tonight was sort of like a date…”

“Kind of,” Jungkook said, “although I always imagined a more one-on-one type of thing. For our first date, anyway.”

Tae beamed at him, doing a pleased sort of wiggle. “I like that you’ve thought about our first date,” he said, his cheeks turning rosy.

“Yeah, of course I have,” Jungkook said, kissing Tae’s blush. “And our second date and our third date and…” He trailed off, smiling when Tae started giggling. “Can I take you out tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Tae said softly. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Then it’s a date.”

Tae giggled again. “Yeah, I guess it is.” He grinned, teeth catching at his bottom lip and Jungkook nearly melted at how adorable he looked in that moment. “So…where are you going to take me?”

Jungkook smirked. “Well, if I told you it would ruin the surprise.”

Tae rolled his eyes. “No, it wouldn’t, you just don’t know where you’re taking me yet.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“Okay, fine, I don’t know yet. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have any ideas.”

“If you take me bungee jumping or something crazy like that, I swear to god－”

“Oh damn, there goes my first idea,” Jungkook said, laughing when Tae gave him a playful smack on the shoulder. He wrapped his arms around Tae’s waist, snuggling closer to him. Tae let out a pleased little hum, rubbing his nose against Jungkook’s.

Jungkook gazed at him, smiling softly. He couldn’t remember when he had ever felt happier. “Is that the only thing you’re worried about?” he asked. “This thing between us not working out?”

“Well, maybe it’s not so much that as…” But he stopped and Jungkook felt concern flare up in him when Tae’s bottom lip trembled, looking like he was about to cry.

“Tae? What is it?”

“What if you get tired of me?” Tae said in a small voice. “Like Minho did?”

“Oh, baby, no,” Jungkook said, giving Tae a reassuring squeeze, “I could never get tired of you.” Never in a million years.

“You say that now,” Tae said, his voice wobbly. He scrubbed a hand across his eyes. “But what if we start dating and you get bored of me?” He sniffled, plucking at the pillowcase. “I’m not exactly the most exciting person ever.”

“Tae, listen to me,” Jungkook said gently. “I don’t need you to be exciting.” But he backtracked when he saw the look on Tae’s face. “Er, sorry, that came out wrong.” He blew out a breath. “I just meant that I like you the way you are. I don’t want you to feel like you have to change yourself for me or anything.” Tae still looked skeptical so he tried a different tactic. “Look, we’ve been roommates for what? Almost five months?” and Tae nodded. “I promise you that there hasn’t been a single moment when I’ve felt like I’ve had enough of you or haven’t wanted you around.”

“But that’s just being roommates, though,” Tae protested. “It’s going to be different if we start dating each other.”

“You’re right, it will be different,” he said. “It’ll be better.”

Tae gave him a tentative smile. “It’s not like I don’t want it to work,” he said. “Believe me, I do.” His smile faded and the look in his eyes was so vulnerable that it nearly broke Jungkook’s heart right then. “I’m still scared though,” he whispered.

Jungkook didn’t say anything. Didn’t say don’t be scared or trust me, it’ll work out because those were just words. And, as much as he had tried to make Tae forget about Minho this past week, he knew that Tae was still struggling with his ex-boyfriend’s betrayal, knew that it might be hard for him to trust that a relationship with Jungkook wouldn’t end up the same way.

So he just pulled Tae close and held onto him and didn’t let go, not even when the two of them fell asleep, holding Tae in his arms throughout the entire night.

***

Tae stood shirtless in front of his wardrobe, hands on his hips, scanning his collection of tee shirts. He was supposed to meet Jungkook downstairs in the entryway in ten minutes for their date and he still couldn’t decide what to wear.

He bit his lip. Just great. They weren’t even out on the date yet and he was already a nervous wreck.

The day had started out well, though. Especially since he had woken up in Jungkook’s arms and his roommate had treated him to some extremely pleasant morning sex before they both headed to the communal kitchen to eat breakfast together.

But then Jungkook had to leave, having scheduled a few service calls that day. Jungkook made money by helping other students with their computers－fixing them, or just teaching them how to use certain kinds of programs. Tae wasn’t really sure of the details but he had already witnessed Jungkook’s computer wizardry himself so he wasn’t that surprised that his skills were so in demand.

So after Jungkook had kissed him goodbye (and after he had regained his composure because Jungkook had given him a goodbye kiss), Tae distracted himself by catching up on his homework－which had been left sorely neglected in the past week thanks to his sex frenzy with Jungkook.

Jungkook had come back for lunch and they both sat on Tae’s bed, passing a cup of ramen noodles back and forth while Jungkook had given him teasing hints about their upcoming date.

“So I’ve figured out where I’m taking you…”

“Oh?” Tae said, trying to sound casual even though he nearly dropped the ramen cup. “Where?”

Jungkook scoffed. “I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise.”

Tae put on an exaggerated pout but Jungkook just chuckled. “Now don’t go acting all cute,” he said, waving his chopsticks at Tae, “that’s not going to work.” But he still leaned forward and kissed Tae anyways, smiling against his lips.

“Don’t worry, you’ll like it,” Jungkook said, sitting back. “At least, I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.”

“Hmm..it wouldn’t be anything that might involve ‘audience participation’ would it?” Tae said anxiously and Jungkook laughed.

“No, it’s nothing like that, I promise.”

So not a show of any kind…Tae bit his lip, trying to think and then decided to try something else.

“How will I know what to wear, though? If I don’t know where we’re going?”

Jungkook shrugged. “Just wear what you normally wear.” He slurped up some noodles, then gave Tae a mischievous grin. “You can interrogate me all you want, I’m not going to tell you.”

“Are you taking me to go see a movie?” Tae asked, and Jungkook gave him a deadpan look.

“No, Tae, I’m not taking you to a movie,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Give me some credit.”

“Ha. So I at least know one place where we’re definitely not going.”

“Yeah, keep at it, Sherlock,” Jungkook said, smirking, “you’ll crack this case in no time.”

Tae whacked him with his pillow, they got into a play fight which led to them making out which would have led to more if Jungkook’s phone hadn’t buzzed.

“Fuck, I gotta go,” he said, starting to detach himself from Tae. “Still got a couple of appointments.”

“Just tell them to try turning their computers off and on again,” Tae said breathlessly, tugging Jungkook back for another kiss.

For a minute it looked like he had persuaded Jungkook to stay but then his phone buzzed again and he reluctantly got up from the bed. “See you later, okay?” he said, giving Tae one last kiss before heading out again.

So Tae had been left to spend the afternoon vacillating between giddy excitement and restless anxiety. As the day went on, each hour bringing him closer to his date with Jungkook, Tae started to grow more and more apprehensive. What if Jungkook took him out and Tae spent the whole date as a bumbling, nervous wreck and made it no fun at all? What if Jungkook tried to hold his hand and his palms were all sweaty? What if he tripped over something? What if, what if, what if…

He had done his best to hide his anxiety when Jungkook finally returned about an hour before they were due to go out. He showered and changed and then, to Tae’s confusion, went to head out again. “I’ll just be about half an hour,” he told Tae, giving him a reassuring kiss. “I just need to go pick something up. Meet me downstairs, okay?”

“Okay…” Tae said. “Does it have something to do with our date?”

Jungkook flashed him a smile over his shoulder as he headed out the door. “Maybe,” he said coyly and then left.

Tae had no clue what Jungkook had gone to get and, at this point, he was too anxious to speculate. He glanced back at the clock on his night table, panic seizing him when he realized he was due downstairs in just under three minutes. He turned back to the wardrobe, snatched a tee shirt at random and, after giving it a quick smell check, pulled it over his head. He took a few seconds to ruffle his hair, fluffing it with his fingers, trying to give it that alluring, slightly disheveled look. But he wondered if it just made him look crazy so he just patted it down again. He eyed the clock one more time as he swiped on some lip balm, made sure he had his keys and phone and gave himself one last once-over in the mirror. Then, taking a deep breath, he opened the door and locked it behind him, doing his best to calm his racing heart as he headed downstairs.

Tae didn’t know why he was so nervous. He was used to spending time with Jungkook, they were roommates for god’s sake. And the party last night had been a lot of fun. But this was Official, this was their First Date and Tae wanted it to go well. But he was afraid that it might end up being their Only Date if he couldn’t get himself together.

He stepped into the entryway, smiling when he saw Jungkook standing by the doors, grinning back at him. Tae started to head over to him but then stopped, his breath catching in his throat when he noticed what Jungkook was holding in his hand.

It was a sunflower.

Tae wasn’t even aware of crossing the rest of the entryway. All he knew was that he was suddenly standing in front of Jungkook and Jungkook was handing him the flower.

“For you,” he said.

Tae stared down at the flower, the bright yellow petals almost seeming to radiate a cheerful glow. He looked back up at Jungkook. “Thank you,” he breathed. “I love sunflowers, they’re my－”

“Your favorite, I know,” Jungkook said, smiling warmly at him.

Tae frowned slightly. “How do you know?”

“You told me.”

“I did?” Tae said. “When did I tell you?”

“A couple of months ago. We were out getting some groceries and you went over to the flower section and you said sunflowers were your favorite because you thought they looked like…drops of sunshine…” Tae gaped at him and Jungkook trailed off, looking slightly embarrassed. “Okay, I just realized how creepy that sounds now that I said it out loud.”

But Tae shook his head. “It’s not creepy,” he said. “I just can’t believe you would remember something like that.”

“Yeah, well…” Jungkook shoved his hands into the pocket of his hoodie and looked down, scuffing the floor with the toe of his sneaker.

Tae couldn’t help himself. He grabbed Jungkook by the front of his hoodie and pulled him close, kissing him. Jungkook wrapped his arms around Tae’s waist and they stood there for a few seconds, pressed against each other. When Tae finally drew back, they were both slightly breathless.

“Thank you,” Tae murmured, his arms still looped around Jungkook’s neck. “It really means a lot to me.”

“I’m just glad you like it,” Jungkook said.

Tae giggled. “You know, I never would have figured you for a flowers-on-the-first-date kind of guy,” he teased.

Jungkook smirked and patted his butt. “You’ll find I’m full of surprises.” Then, taking Tae’s hand, he led him through the doors and out to his car.

Tae nearly swooned when Jungkook opened the car door for him and then they were off, Tae’s nervousness finally giving way to buzzing excitement. It helped put him at ease that Jungkook seemed a little nervous, too, as if he were just as concerned about the date going smoothly.

They spent the car ride just chatting idly, Jungkook telling Tae about his day but then pretty soon they had set up a running joke where Tae kept pointing out the most unlikely places and asking if that was where they were going.

“Ooh, is that where you’re taking me?”

“Tae, that’s a laundromat. Of course I’m not taking you there.”

Five minutes later, they drove by a McDonald’s and Tae pretended to stare wistfully back at the golden arches. “It’s too bad you’re not taking me there,” he said, feigning disappointment, “I would have liked a Happy Meal.”

“I’ll give you a Happy Meal,” Jungkook said, smirking at him and Tae snorted with laughter.

Ten minutes later, Jungkook wheeled into a large parking lot and Tae craned his neck, trying to see. Wherever they were, it was surrounded by a big gate and Tae thought he saw what looked like a pirate ship and some sort of tower peeking over the top. Then he saw the sign over the entrance.

Crazy Fun Time Mini Golf

 Jungkook found an empty stall near the front and turned in to it. “Now,” he said, throwing his car into park, “I know it’s not the fanciest place but－”

“You’re taking me mini-golfing!?” Tae half-shouted. His entire body thrummed with excitement and he did a sort of happy little wiggle on his seat. “Oh my god, I haven’t been in years.”

“Well, I－”

But Tae interrupted him, pressing a firm kiss to his lips. “Come on, let’s go!”

After carefully laying his sunflower on the backseat, he jumped out of the car, bouncing up and down on his toes.

Jungkook got out, locking his car and then Tae grabbed his hand and practically dragged him towards the entrance.

“If I had known you would get this excited over mini golf, I would have taken you a long time ago,” Jungkook said, chuckling.

“God, I haven’t been since I was a little kid,” Tae said as they approached the little kiosk at the front. He had never been with Minho, even though he had suggested it once or twice. But Minho had rejected the idea, saying it was lame. Their dates had usually consisted of either dinner or a movie－sometimes both if Minho was in a generous mood. At the time, Tae had told himself that he liked these low-key dates, that he didn’t need Minho to do anything elaborate, and besides, they were in high school when they started dating－they were kind of restricted to where they could go and what they could do. But then they had reached college and Minho had seemed more interested in partying then in taking Tae out and when he did it was always to the same places－the movie theatre or the diner. It was only looking back now that Tae realized that they had been in a serious rut and neither of them had really done much to try and get out of it.

But here he was now with Jungkook who had taken him somewhere fun, to a place that was goofy and silly and ridiculous, a place where they could just relax and play. There’d be no pressure of having to force a conversation over a fancy dinner and no awkwardness of not being able to talk during a movie.

In other words, it was the perfect place to have their first date.

Jungkook insisted on paying for both of them, overriding Tae’s feeble protests. (“I’m taking you on this date, Tae, that means I pay for you. That’s how this works.”)

After they had collected their putters and picked out their golf balls (Tae chose a blue one, while Jungkook picked red), they headed into the park, stopping at the first hole. It had a shark’s head over the little strip of green artificial turf and you had to putt your ball through its gaping mouth.

Tae glanced around at the other holes, spotting a windmill, a castle, a volcano, the pirate ship he had seen earlier, and an immense red dragon at the other side of the park. “Um…does this park have a certain theme?”

“I don’t think so,” Jungkook said, looking around. “I think it’s just a mish-mash of every cheesy mini golf course that’s ever been built by the hands of man,” and Tae laughed.

“Rock paper scissors to see who goes first?” Jungkook said, holding out his fist and they both counted off, Tae throwing out paper while Jungkook chose scissors. He grinned, cutting Tae’s ‘paper’ with his ‘scissors’ and then put his ball down.

“So I have a proposal for you,” Jungkook said, lining up his putter.

“Already? This is only our first date.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Jungkook said dryly. Although Tae could have sworn that the tips of his ears turned slightly red. “What I was thinking,” he went on, “is that for every hole-in-one I get, I get a kiss. Deal?”

“Hmm..” Tae said, pretending to think about it. Then he leaned close to Jungkook and whispered, “Haven’t you been getting holes-in-one with me all week?”

Jungkook’s head jerked up and he gaped at Tae for a few seconds. “Oh, you’re bad,” he said, stepping forward and swatting Tae on the butt. Tae giggled and danced back out of his reach.

Jungkook smiled and shook his head, lining up his putter again. “God, if you keep saying things like that, you’re going to put me off my game.”

“Good to know.” He watched Jungkook do a couple of faux taps against his ball, eyes on the hole. “Okay, you’re on. Every hole-in-one gets a kiss. But that works the other way around too.”

“Naturally,” Jungkook said, his lips tilting up. Then he whacked his putter against his ball and they both watched it roll smoothly over the green, through the shark’s mouth－and right into the hole.

Tae stared at where the ball had disappeared inside the hole. “You have got to be kidding me,” he said, looking back at Jungkook who was grinning triumphantly.

“Pay up, sweetheart,” Jungkook said, stepping towards him, “I believe you owe me a kiss.”

Tae rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling as he pressed a soft kiss to Jungkook’s lips. “Is this going to be like when we play video games and you get ridiculously competitive?”

Jungkook snorted. “You’re one to talk. You talk so much trash when we play.” Then he gave Tae a wicked grin. “And you better believe I’m playing to win tonight,” he said, squeezing Tae’s butt. “I’ve got my eyes on the prize.”

Jungkook went on to score five more holes-in-one while they were on the course, always strutting up to Tae like a peacock to collect his kiss, a shit-eating grin on his face. Tae feigned annoyance that Jungkook was winning but, in reality, he always felt a little disappointed when Jungkook didn’t get a hole-in-one. Tae only managed it on one hole but it had been a total fluke, he hadn’t really been paying that much attention－but of course Jungkook gave him his kiss anyway.

Honestly, Tae didn’t even care that he was losing. He couldn’t remember the last time he had had so much fun. He and Jungkook made so many dirty puns involving the words ‘hole’ and ‘ball’ that Tae thought he might be in serious danger of peeing his pants. And when Jungkook put his putter between his legs and pretended it was a pony, galloping in circles around Tae, yelling ‘Giddy up!’, Tae completely lost it, practically crying with laughter.

“You’re going to get us kicked out of the park,” Tae wheezed, wiping tears out of eyes when Jungkook finally came to a halt in front of him, acting like his ‘pony’ was rearing up.

“Nah, they don’t care,” Jungkook said, grinning at him. “I think they only kick you out if you try and climb the dragon.”

Tae’s cheeks hurt as they made their way to the last hole, which turned out to be the dragon in question. He felt like he was five years old again and it delighted him to see Jungkook acting like a kid too. He never would have thought that his once-surly roommate was capable of letting his guard down like that, acting like a total goofball in front of Tae. But, then again, Jungkook had said earlier that he was full of surprises. And what wonderful, heart-warming surprises they were turning out to be.

Is this what it would be like? Tae wondered, sneaking a glance at Jungkook who was staring up at the dragon. If we were in a relationship, could it just be fun and easy like this? Where we can just be ourselves without having to worry about impressing each other? Is this what it’s supposed to feel like?

 Jungkook turned to him and Tae quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught staring at him.

“Here, you go first on this one,” Jungkook said, waving him forward.

“Oh? Are you finally acknowledging my superior golf skills?” Tae said, putting his ball down.

“Tae, I’m like ten strokes ahead of you.”

Tae grinned cheekily at him. “Aren’t you always?” and Jungkook snickered.

“That doesn’t even make any sense.”

“And your joke about ‘putting all the balls in the hole’ did?”

Jungkook shrugged. “Fair enough.”

Tae whacked his ball towards the dragon but it was a hole with a lot of twists and sharp turns so there was no way he could have gotten a hole-in-one. He turned back to see Jungkook holding his phone up, aimed in his direction.

“Did you just take a picture of me?”

“Maybe,” Jungkook said, gazing at his screen.

“For god’s sake, at least let me pose for it. I probably look weird.”

“Tae, you could never look weird in a picture.” He flicked his eyes up to Tae and smirked. “But if you want to pose for me, you’re more than welcome to. Especially if you feel like posing naked.”

“Okay, that’ll definitely get us kicked out.” But Tae struck a pose nonetheless, throwing up a peace sign near his face and baring his teeth in an exaggerated grin.

Jungkook snapped the photo and smiled down at it. “Aw, that’s a cute one,” he murmured, as if to himself.

“All right, my turn,” Tae said, taking his phone out of his pocket. “Show me what you got.”

Jungkook put one hand on his putter, leaning against it as if it were a cane, slipping his other hand in his pocket. He arched his head back, slanting his gaze towards Tae, his lips tilted up in a smirk. It was the same smoldering expression Jungkook had worn when he had sent Tae that dick pic and he felt a shiver of arousal as he took the picture.

“Wow,” Tae said, staring down at the picture, “you could be a model.”

“Tae, if either of us is going to be a model, it’s you,” Jungkook said, coming up to him and looking over his shoulder at the photo. “Although, you’re right, I do look insanely hot in that picture,” laughing when Tae elbowed him.

Jungkook held out his phone in front of him, slinging an arm around Tae’s shoulders. “Okay, now one together.”

Tae leaned his head close to Jungkook’s and there was nothing exaggerated about the bright smile that was now on his face. Jungkook flashed his bunny grin, his eyes crinkling cutely and snapped the picture.

“One more,” he said, and this time Tae turned and pressed his lips against Jungkook’s cheek, heart fluttering as he felt Jungkook’s hand tighten reflexively on his shoulder.

“One more,” Tae murmured and this time Jungkook turned towards him and their lips met, the kiss starting out soft and sweet before evolving into something deeper, more passionate. Tae didn’t even know if Jungkook took a picture or not. All he knew was that his hands were suddenly tangled in Jungkook’s hair and Jungkook had a firm grip on his hips, tugging him close.

Tae pulled back, leaning his forehead against Jungkook’s, trying to catch his breath. “They’re definitely going to kick us out if we keep doing this.”

“Wouldn’t be the worst thing,” Jungkook murmured. He glanced over at the dragon. “Besides, we’re almost done anyways.” He looked back at Tae. “So do you want to get something to eat after this or…”

But Tae shook his head. “No, let’s just finish this hole and go home.”

Jungkook smirked. “That’s what he said.”

***

Jungkook and Tae walked hand in hand down the hallway towards their dorm room. They hadn’t said much on the way home, not due to any awkwardness, but because of the heightened tension building between them. At one point, Jungkook had glanced over to him, heat flaring in his eyes and Tae had almost asked him to just pull the car over right then. But they were only a few minutes away from campus so instead Tae had looked away, licking his lips and clutching his sunflower in his lap.

He still held onto it now as they arrived outside their door. Tae took his keys out. “Well, this is me,” he said, smiling and gesturing to the closed door. “Thanks for walking me back to my place.”

Jungkook huffed a laugh, leaning in close. “I think you mean our－”

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Tae interrupted, smacking a kiss onto Jungkook’s cheek. He unlocked the door and stepped inside. “Let’s do it again sometime!” Then he closed the door in Jungkook’s face.

Two seconds later, he opened it again, grinning smugly at the deadpan expression on Jungkook’s face.

“You know, I bet you think you’re really funny.”

Tae giggled. “Maybe a little bit.”

Jungkook stepped inside, closing the door behind him and Tae heard the snick of the lock. “What am I going to do with you, hmm?”

Tae’s breath hitched as Jungkook came up to him, standing so close that their chests were almost touching. He licked his lips. “Well, I guess that all depends on what you want to do.”

Wordlessly, Jungkook gently took the sunflower from Tae’s hand and laid it on his desk. And then he was advancing on Tae so that he was forced to back up until he felt his legs collide with the edge of Jungkook’s bed and he tripped back, sprawling on top of the sheets.

Jungkook followed him down, covering Tae’s body with his own, kissing him but instead of the rough kiss that Tae had expected, it was soft and slow, almost delicate.

Tae let out a small noise of protest, tugging Jungkook closer, trying to deepen the kiss but Jungkook pulled away, pressing more feather-light kisses against his neck.

“Tae…” he murmured, “there’s probably something I should tell you…”

“Yeah?” Tae said, arching his neck, wanting to feel more of Jungkook’s mouth against his skin, craving the rough scrape of teeth. “What’s that?”

Jungkook pulled back, gazing down at him. “I don’t put out on the first date.”

For a second, Tae stared up at him in confusion－and then Jungkook grinned and Tae rolled his eyes. “Oh, I bet you think you’re really funny.”

“Maybe a little bit.”

“Okay, you made your point,” Tae said, pulling him close. “Now just fuck me, okay?” He got his hands between their bodies, cupping Jungkook through his jeans and squeezing, eliciting a startled groan from him. “God, I need your cock, Jungkook,” he whispered. “Need you to fuck me hard—“

“Tae－”

“You want me to be naughty for you?” Tae breathed, flicking Jungkook’s earlobe with his tongue. “You want me to be your little－”

“Tae, wait, hold up for a second.” Jungkook pushed himself up, hovering over Tae.

“What?” Tae said, praying that Jungkook hadn’t just realized that they were out of condoms or something. “What is it?”

“Fuck,” he said, blowing out a breath. “You know I love it when we get dirty. But I don’t want it to be like that all the time.”

Tae stared up at him, brows knitting in puzzlement. “What do you mean?”

Jungkook slipped his hand under Tae’s shirt, caressing his stomach lightly. “Well, I thought we could do it a bit differently tonight,” he said, trailing his fingers over Tae’s skin, “do something that’s, I don’t know, more romantic, I guess?” He leaned down to nuzzle Tae’s neck, murmuring against his pulse. “I just want to go slow, take my time with you…”

Tae felt sheer horror sweep through him as Jungkook pressed his lips softly against Tae’s throat, when he would normally be biting him by now, marking him. This was it, he realized, this was Jungkook’s bait-and-switch. He had seduced him with rough, exciting sex and now that they were so close to actually being with each other, he was going to give Tae the same slow, joyless sex that Minho had. Probably because he thought that’s what Tae wanted. But it wasn’t what he wanted. He was so sick of guys treating him like he was some delicate flower in bed, like he was fragile and needed to be handled with care. Tae felt his jaw clench as Jungkook pulled the neck of his tee shirt down slightly, pressing more of those infuriatingly soft kisses along his collarbone. Hadn’t he already proven to Jungkook that he could take being manhandled and dominated and bossed around? Hadn’t he already shown Jungkook just how much he liked it? Well, if Jungkook had gotten this idea in his head that Tae needed ‘romantic’ sex, it was a notion he’d just have to disabuse him of.

He pushed Jungkook away from his neck and then grabbed a fistful of his tee shirt and yanked him forward so that their faces were close together. “Now you listen to me, Jeon Jungkook,” he said, “I have had it with vanilla sex, okay? I’ve had enough of it to last me a lifetime.” He thrust his hips upward, trying to grind against him. “Come on, just fuck me like you usually do,” he whined, “do bad stuff to me…”

Jungkook blinked down at him, looking slightly taken aback. Then he smiled and took one of Tae’s hands in his. “You know I love to do bad stuff to you,” he said, pressing a kiss against the inside of Tae’s wrist, “but vanilla can be good too, you know. Vanilla can be sexy…”

Tae let out an irritated huff. “Like hell it can,” he muttered. “You just want to do it like that because you think it’s what I want.”

Jungkook quirked an eyebrow at him. “Tae, has it ever occurred to you that maybe I’d like to have romantic sex once in a while?”

Tae stared up at Jungkook and then slanted his gaze away. “Oh, um, no…” he mumbled. “I didn’t think you were the type.”

“Well, I guess I can understand where you got that idea from, considering what we’ve been doing this past week,” he said, his voice laced with humour. He turned serious again, his gaze darkening. “You know I love fucking you hard, Tae. But tonight, let me fuck you slow.”  Jungkook traced his thumb along Tae’s cheekbone. “Let me show you how good it can feel…”

“Promise?” Tae whispered and he hated how needy he sounded. But he was just so afraid that if they tried to have romantic sex together, it would be underwhelming. That Jungkook would be left feeling underwhelmed by him.

“Yeah, Tae, I promise.”

His skepticism must have still shown on his face because Jungkook sighed. “Here, I have an idea,” he said, getting up and going over to the wardrobe. Tae watched as he rummaged inside it for a few seconds. “Fuck, where is that thing?” he heard him mutter. Finally, Jungkook turned back around－and Tae’s heart nearly shot into his throat when he saw what Jungkook was clutching in his fist.

It was a black silk necktie.

So many different thoughts tumbled through his brain as Jungkook walked back toward him but the one he actually blurted out was, “Since when do you own a tie?”

Jungkook smirked, getting back on the bed and straddling Tae. “It’s from my high school graduation. And I kept it because…” he unraveled the tie, pulling it taught between his hands, “…it’s multi-purpose.” He wound and unwound one end of the tie around his fist, gazing down at Tae, frowning slightly as if he hadn’t quite decided how he wanted to use it. Tae lay underneath Jungkook, breathless with anticipation. He didn’t know what Jungkook planned to do with the tie but he knew one thing for certain－whatever it was, it wouldn’t be boring.

Finally, Jungkook lowered the tie to his face, placing it over his eyes. “Is this okay?” he asked as he tied it gently but securely behind Tae’s head. Tae licked his lips and nodded. “Yeah? Kinky enough for you?”

Tae breathed a laugh and nodded again. “Mm hmm…” He’d never been blindfolded before and with his vision blocked, all of his other senses became heightened, more intense. He seemed to feel every slight shift of Jungkook’s body as he drew back slightly and he suddenly became very aware of his own breathing, of his pulse thudding in his ears. He felt Jungkook’s hands grasp his own and was gently pulled into a sitting position.

“Arms up,” Jungkook whispered and Tae immediately raised his arms towards the ceiling. Cool air bathed his skin as Jungkook whipped his tee shirt over his head, his nipples pebbling as his chest was exposed. He was pushed back on the bed to lie flat again and he gasped as Jungkook took one of his nipples into his mouth, sucking on it, laving it with his warm tongue.

“God, Tae, you’re so fucking gorgeous,” Jungkook whispered against his skin as he moved to suck on the other one, “so unbelievably perfect…”

Tae whimpered, his hands reaching out, blindly seeking Jungkook until he felt the silky locks of his hair, tangled his fingers in them.

“I want to kiss every single inch of your body…until you’re trembling…until you’re begging for me…”

“P-please,” Tae stammered as he felt Jungkook move lower, a tremor shivering along his stomach as he felt the press of Jungkook’s lips against it. “D-don’t make me wait. Please.”

“Just be patient, baby,” Jungkook said and his voice sounded like it was coming from somewhere around Tae’s belt buckle. “It’ll be worth the wait, I promise…”

There was the clink of metal, the smooth slip of leather and Tae felt a slight tugging sensation around his waistband as Jungkook unbuckled his belt. The silent slide of the button on his jeans, the quick mechanical sound of his zipper being unzipped, the soft rasp of denim against his thighs as Jungkook slid his pants down his legs－and then Jungkook’s quiet curse. “Fuck, I almost forgot about your shoes.”

Tae pressed a hand to his mouth, quaking with silent laughter as Jungkook undid his shoelaces, muttering under his breath. Then he felt his shoes and socks being pulled off, heard two muffled thumps as his sneakers landed somewhere on the floor. His jeans and boxers were swiftly tugged the rest of the way down and off and then he was completely naked, wearing nothing except for the makeshift blindfold.

“Fuck, Tae, love seeing you like this, love seeing you naked and spread out for me,” Jungkook whispered. “Gets me so fucking hard.” He took one of Tae’s hands in his. “Feel how hard I am, baby,” he said, as he placed it on his crotch. “Feel how hard I am for you…”

Tae stuttered out a moan as he felt Jungkook’s cock through his jeans, rock hard and straining against the denim. “You’ve still got your clothes on,” Tae protested. “Take them off…please…”

“I think you should take them off.”

“But…but I can’t see anything…”

“Do it by feel, then…here, I’ll help you…”

Jungkook guided Tae’s hands up, helping him locate the zipper on his hoodie and Tae pulled it down slowly, carefully unzipping it, heard the soft rustle of fabric as Jungkook shrugged out of it. His tee shirt came next, Tae feeling around for a few seconds until he found the hem of the shirt and hoisted it clumsily up Jungkook’s torso, hiking it up about halfway before Jungkook took pity on him and tugged it the rest of the way off himself. Tae intended to go for Jungkook’s jeans next but instead his hands pressed against Jungkook’s chest and lingered there, mapping out the different areas－his fingertips skimming over the curved ridges of Jungkook’s ribcage; feeling the firm muscles of his abdomen flex slightly under his palm; accidentally poking his thumb into Jungkook’s belly button, smiling at Jungkook’s quiet chuckle.

“You like feeling me up, baby?” he whispered, a trace of laughter still in his voice.

“Mm hmm,” Tae murmured, “I wish I could see you right now…”

“Do you want to take the blindfold off?”

Tae hesitated for a few seconds but then shook his head. “No…I want to leave it on…” He trailed his hands lower, landing on something thin and metallic－Jungkook’s belt buckle. He tried to fumble it open but after a couple of failed attempts, Jungkook gently pushed his hands away.

“Here, baby, I’ll do the rest.”

He felt the mattress dip at the edge, sensed Jungkook standing up beside the bed. There was a clinking sound, more rustling noises and then the mattress dipped again and this time when Tae reached for Jungkook he felt nothing but warm, bare skin. He moaned softly as Jungkook kissed him, slowly and deeply, their tongues sliding against each other. But just when he thought they might settle in to making out for a few minutes, Jungkook pulled back.

“God, I need to taste you,” he whispered.

That was the only warning he gave before he was suddenly moving down Tae’s body and Tae gasped, arching back as he felt his cock being engulfed by Jungkook’s warm wet mouth. His hands fisted in the sheets as Jungkook sucked him hard, taking him deep, the pleasure almost painful in its intensity. Then there was a slick, popping sound as Jungkook released him, stopping just as suddenly as he had started.

“Touch yourself for me, Tae,” Jungkook breathed, “I want to watch you stroke your cock…”

Tae’s breath caught in his throat. “You…want to watch me touch myself?”

“Yeah, baby, that’s what I want.” Tae jerked slightly as he felt Jungkook gently bite the flesh of thigh. “Do it for me…please…”

Jungkook’s tone was almost pleading so Tae reached down and gripped his cock in his fist, slick with Jungkook’s saliva, mixing with the wetness of the precum already smeared across the swollen head.

“Fuck, baby, just like that,” Jungkook murmured as Tae began to slowly move his hand up and down, “you look so fucking sexy when you touch yourself for me, fuck…”

Tae whimpered as he stroked his aching cock, rolling a nipple between his fingers with his other hand, his entire body prickling with heat, with arousal. He imagined Jungkook sitting up, staring down at him as he pleasured himself, witnessing him in this most vulnerable, most intimate act. He felt desire, warm and liquid, pool inside his lower stomach. He had no idea where exactly Jungkook was looking, what kind of expression was on his face but this only served to embolden him, and he started to move his hand a little bit faster, sliding his other hand across his chest, caressing himself. He wanted to put on a bit of a show for Jungkook, wanted him to know just how turned on he was, so he let out a breathy moan, arching slightly as he pressed his thumb into his dripping slit.

He felt, rather than heard, Jungkook’s sharp intake of breath. “Fuck, does it feel good, baby?” he said, sliding his hands slowly up and down Tae’s thighs. “Do you like touching yourself while I watch you?”

“Yes…I like it…”

“Tell me what you think about when you touch yourself, Tae,” Jungkook whispered. “Tell me what you fantasize about…”

“You,” Tae whispered back. And, even though he knew it was what Jungkook wanted to hear, it was also the truth. “God, I think about you all the time…”

“Yeah? Tell me what you think about…”

“I think about you f-fucking me,” Tae said, “I think about how good it feels when you’re inside me…how amazing it is when you kiss me…”

“Is that what you’re thinking about right now?” Jungkook rasped.

“Mm hmm,” Tae moaned, “I want you inside me so badly, Jungkook, nobody’s ever fucked me like you do…nobody’s ever made me come so hard…” He licked his lips, sighing, going back to slow, languid strokes. “I’ve been thinking about you ever since I first met you…”

Under normal circumstances, he might have felt embarrassed to share his fantasies with anyone, especially with the person he fantasized about. But being blindfolded, he was in this sensual, erotic darkness where it was just him and Jungkook－nothing but Jungkook’s voice and Jungkook’s touch and this incredible pleasure spiraling through him. There was no one who would judge him or ridicule him or laugh at him. He was here with Jungkook, here with－

－the person I’m meant to be with.

Warmth flooded through him at this realization, a feeling that had nothing to do with sex. “God, Jungkook,” he said, feeling an absurd urge to start crying, “you don’t know what you do to me…”

“Fuck, Tae, do you have any idea what you do to me?”

He felt Jungkook take his hand in his, placing it against his chest－and there, underneath his palm, was the rapid pounding of Jungkook’s heartbeat.

“This is what you do to me,” Jungkook whispered, holding his hand there, “this is how I feel around you all the time…ever since I first saw you…”

Tae stifled a sob as he felt Jungkook’s heartbeat drumming against his hand. He had hardly dared to believe that Jungkook felt the same way about him, could ever return his feelings completely but there it was, Jungkook literally placing his emotions in the palm of Tae’s hand. And then Tae felt Jungkook’s hand on his own chest, touching his own heartbeat, and for a moment the two of them were frozen like that, the only movement, the only sound being their hearts beating in perfect rhythm with each other.

Tae lay there, suspended in the darkness, feeling the echo of Jungkook’s heartbeat pulse throughout his entire body, thrumming through his blood, to the very core of him. He knew now that this wasn’t just sex or desire or even a simple crush. This was so much more, went so much deeper. He didn’t know why it had taken him so long to figure it out. And it wasn’t one-sided as he had feared－Jungkook felt it too.

“G-god, Jungkook,” he managed to gasp out. “I need you inside me. Please.”

Jungkook didn’t answer him, just leaned forward and kissed him－but his kiss was answer enough.

Tae lay there, trembling, listening to the sound of Jungkook sliding his side table drawer open, heard him rummaging around in it for a few seconds before closing it again. A heady thrill went through him as he heard the soft snap of the lube bottle being flipped open and he immediately spread his legs, opening himself for Jungkook. Quiet moans and soft pleading noises fell from his lips as Jungkook fingered him open, answering Tae with soft murmurs and reassuring kisses.

“Please,” Tae begged once Jungkook had three fingers inside him, “please, I’m r-ready…”

“Fuck, Tae, it drives me fucking crazy when you beg for it…” Jungkook removed his fingers and Tae heard the crinkling of the condom wrapper. “How am I supposed to resist you…”

Tae gasped out Jungkook’s name as he felt the first press of Jungkook’s cock against his entrance, wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders as he slid inside and started to move. Just as he had promised, Jungkook fucked him slow but it was so far removed from the awkward, plodding sex he had experienced with Minho. Jungkook set a slow, sensual rhythm, dragging his cock almost all of the way out and then pushing it all the way back in, the head of it brushing Tae’s prostate. And then he would give another small shove, hitting Tae’s sweet spot again, eliciting a small cry from Tae every time.

“Mmm…feel good, baby?”

“Y-yes….feels so good…”

“Fuck, Tae, you feel amazing…” Jungkook whispered against his lips, “just want to fuck you like this all night…”

He kissed Tae, the slow roll of his tongue matching the rhythm of his hips and Tae completely lost track of time, lost himself in the feel of Jungkook, unaware of anyone or anything else that wasn’t him, that wasn’t the two of them entwined together.

Jungkook started to increase the pace of his thrusts, still fucking into him with steady, deliberate strokes. “Wrap your legs around me, baby,” he whispered.

Tae moaned and hooked his legs around Jungkook’s waist, his arms still looped around Jungkook’s shoulders, raising his hips to meet Jungkook’s thrusts.

“That’s it, baby, move with me…feel me…”

They rocked together, moving in sync, and even though Tae was blindfolded, vivid colour seemed to explode behind his eyelids, flooding throughout his entire body, filling it with warm, exquisite light.

“J-jungkook--” he gasped, feeling himself tense, digging his nails into Jungkook’s back.

“I know, baby, me too,” he whispered. “Come with me…come with me, Tae…”

Tae arched back, every nerve pulling taught as his orgasm hit him like a seismic earthquake, gasping and shuddering as Jungkook’s cock pulsed inside him, Jungkook groaning in his ear. “Oh my god, Tae…oh my god－”

He felt the heavy weight of Jungkook’s body as he collapsed on top of him, pinning him to the mattress but Tae didn’t mind. He kept his arms and legs wrapped around Jungkook, holding him close as they both gasped for air, feeling the warm puff of Jungkook’s breath against his neck.

Tae’s head was spinning. He felt dizzy, light-headed as if he had just come back from an out-of-body experience. He didn’t trust himself to speak because he wasn’t sure if he would start laughing or crying. He had no words to describe what he had just experienced with Jungkook. Mind-blowing or life-altering didn’t even begin to cover it.

He groaned slightly as Jungkook pulled out of him and then blinked as his vision flooded with light as he removed the blindfold, slipping it off his face. And there was Jungkook, beaming down at him. “Not bad for slow romantic sex, huh?” he said, smiling, still sounding slightly breathless. “I’d even say that was fucking incredible.”

Tae nodded, felt his lip tremble－and then he burst into tears.

“Tae?” The smile immediately vanished from Jungkook’s face, his brow furrowing with concern. He cupped Tae’s face in his hands, trying to get Tae to look at him. “Tae, what is it? Oh god, did I hurt you?”

“N-no, it’s not t-that,” Tae said, shaking his head. “It’s just…it’s just…” He inhaled a shaky breath, trying to compose himself. “God, why couldn’t I have m-met you first.” More tears leaked out of his eyes and he was overcome by another wave of sobs.

“What do you mean, baby?” Jungkook asked quietly, brushing his thumbs across Tae’s cheeks, doing his best to wipe his tears away. “Come on, talk to me.”

“I’ve just been feeling so g-guilty,” Tae cried, “about y-you and about M-minho and j-just about everything.” He blinked up at Jungkook, sniffling. “I want to be with y-you but I still haven’t t-talked to Minho and I just feel like it’s not f-fair to either of you, you know?” He swallowed thickly. “I d-don’t want to h-hurt anyone…”

“I know you don’t baby, shh, come here.” Jungkook rolled onto his side, pulling Tae with him so they were lying face to face. He sighed, wrapping his arms around Tae’s waist. They were both quiet for a few seconds and then Jungkook spoke.

“Tae, I’m sorry.”

Tae hiccuped, swiping a hand across his tear-stained face. “What are you s-sorry about?”

Jungkook glanced away from him, biting his lip. “This whole entire week I’ve been so focused on trying to show you how good we are together,” he said quietly. “To try and…convince you to be with me.” He looked back at Tae, his expression grave. “I wasn’t really thinking about how hard it’s been on you or whether you were feeling guilty or not.”

Tae shook his head and placed his hand on Jungkook’s chest, finding his heartbeat again. “You haven’t done anything wrong, though.” He sniffled slightly. “You’re not the one who’s in this weird relationship limbo.”

“That’s the thing, though,” he said, heaving another sigh. “I was just thinking about getting what I wanted. It never really occurred to me to consider what you wanted or what you were going through.” He shifted, looking guilty. “I’m sorry, Tae. I’ve been such a selfish asshole.”

“Maybe we’ve both been selfish,” Tae whispered, tracing a fingertip along Jungkook’s skin. “These last few days with you have just been so amazing, that I just wanted to forget about everything else. But…”

He felt Jungkook’s arms tighten around his waist. “But?”

Tae took a deep breath and tried to speak around the lump that was now forming in his throat. “But I don’t think I can keep doing that.”

The light in Jungkook’s eyes seemed to dim slightly but he just looked away and nodded. He looked so sad that it made Tae want to start crying again but he forced himself to go on speaking.

“I just don’t think I can keep doing this stuff with you until I sort things out with Minho,” he said. “It isn’t fair.”

Jungkook nodded again, still not looking at him. “I know.”

“I’m sorry. Are you mad?”

Jungkook finally looked back at him. “No, Tae, I’m not mad,” he said quietly. He blew out a breath. “I just want you to know that I’m not going to force you into anything if you don’t want it. I mean I want to be with you but…I don’t want you to feel like you have to be with me if you’re not ready.”

“I do want to be with you, though,” Tae said, gazing at Jungkook. “I just need to…sort some stuff out first.”

“Yeah, I know.” He pulled Tae closer to him. “I’m not going anywhere, Tae,” he whispered fiercely. “I don’t care how long it takes you to figure things out or what you decide to do, okay? I promise I’ll be here for you. No matter what.”

Tae felt something in his chest constrict and he tried to blink away the tears that were now blurring his vision. How could he ever deserve someone like Jungkook?

“Thank you,” he whispered. “That means a lot to me.” He sighed, snuggling closer. “I just wish things could be simpler, that’s all.”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said, holding onto him tightly, “me too.”

***

Tae woke up the next morning, still lying in Jungkook’s arms. He raised himself up slightly to gaze down at him, still sound asleep, breathing steadily. He took a few moments to admire Jungkook’s rumpled black hair, the way his eyelashes fanned along his smooth skin, his handsome face almost bordering on cute in its tranquility. All Tae wanted to do was snuggle up to him, lay in bed with him all day, cozy and peaceful under the covers. But he couldn’t. He had something he needed to do. Something that he should have done a long time ago.

He got up and went hunting for his phone, locating it in the pocket of his jeans that were still on the floor, tangled up in a pile that consisted of both his and Jungkook’s clothes from last night. He typed out a brief text message and then got dressed, doing his best to ignore the anxious lump that had taken up residence in the pit of his stomach. He sat on the edge of Jungkook’s bed while he waited for a reply, staring at his sleeping roommate. At this person who was so much more than a roommate to him now.

Haven’t I always felt that way about him? He thought. Haven’t I always felt something more for him and just didn’t realize it until now? Until last night?

His heart jumped into his throat as his phone buzzed and he took it out, checking the reply. Then he stood up and, unable to help himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against Jungkook’s forehead. Jungkook stirred slightly, muttering something but didn’t wake up.

Tae picked up Jungkook’s hoodie and slipped it on before heading out the door. He didn’t bother to leave a note this time.

Five minutes later, he strolled across the quad, burying his hands in the pocket of Jungkook’s hoodie, shivering slightly in the cool morning air. He was glad he had brought it with him and not just because it kept him warm. He knew it was sappy and sentimental but it made him feel better knowing that he had something of Jungkook’s with him. Like a talisman or a piece of armor, something that would give him the strength for what he was about to do.

His heartbeat quickened as he spotted Minho sitting on one of the benches that were dotted along the quad. He forced himself to take a calming breath and walked up to him.

“Thanks for meeting me,” he said, taking a seat beside him. “I know it’s super early.”

Minho shrugged and didn’t say anything. He was sitting with his elbows on his knees, his hands dangling limply between his legs. He stared at the ground, not looking at Tae.

He sighed. “Minho, I－”

“Wait, Tae,” Minho said, straightening up and turning to face him. “Just wait, before you say anything, let me talk first, alright?”

Tae hesitated but then nodded. It was the least he could do, hear him out first.

“Look,” Minho said, sighing and running a hand through his hair. “I know things have been super weird between us lately. Even before…well, before everything that happened. But…I don’t want things to be over between us.”

“That’s the thing, Minho,” Tae said softly. “I feel like things have been over between us for a while. We just haven’t been able to admit it.”

Minho shook his head. “Come on, Tae, that’s not true. I know we’ve both had trouble adjusting to college and stuff and we haven’t had a lot of time for each other－”

“Minho－”

“But I love you and I know you love me so will you just please－”

“Minho, I’ve been sleeping with Jungkook.”

Minho stared at him for a few seconds and then Tae saw his jaw tighten. “God, I fucking knew it,” he said. “I knew you were fucking him.” For a minute, Tae thought he would just get up and leave but instead he just sat there and glared at him, tapping his fingers irritably against his knee. “For how long?”

“About a week now,” Tae said. “The first time was the night I found out you had kissed that other guy.” He felt surprisingly calm now that he had confessed everything to Minho. He didn’t feel guilty or scared or even a little bit bad, like he thought he would. He was simply doing what he needed to do so that he could move on. So that they both could.

“I’m not saying what I did was right, Minho,” Tae said, looking Minho straight in the eye. “And I’m not telling you to try and hurt you or get back at you or anything like that.”

“Bullshit,” Minho snarled. “That’s the only reason you fucked him, isn’t it? Because you were mad that I kissed someone else.”

“No, Minho, that’s not the reason,” Tae said wearily. He was tired, just so tired of this. He just wanted it to be done. “The truth is that I’ve liked him for a long time. And he likes me and…I want to be with him.”

Minho let out a harsh laugh. “So that’s it, is it? You’re going to leave me for your douchey roommate?”

“First of all, don’t talk about him like that.” It surprised him, how swiftly anger flooded through him, hearing Minho talk about Jungkook like that. He blew out a frustrated breath, forcing himself to calm down before he started yelling at Minho. “Second of all,” he went on, “I’m not ‘leaving you for him.’ That’s not what this is. You can think that all you want but you and I haven’t been connecting for months now. We’ve grown apart, Minho. It’s not like it used to be.”

And for a moment, looking at Minho, Tae allowed himself to remember some of the good times they had shared－their very first kiss behind the school when they were still awkward teenagers; their first date when Minho had held his hand throughout the entire movie, despite the fact that Tae’s palm was sweaty; the time they had been apart for two whole weeks when Minho had gone to visit some relatives and when he had come back, Tae had sprinted down the hallway, throwing himself into Minho’s arms and he had picked him up and swung him around, laughing…

Of course it hadn’t been all bad. But the good times had been getting fewer and far between ever since they had started college and the fragile strands of the bond they had shared in high school had now been ripped apart. Too much had changed, too much had happened for it to be mended. He didn’t blame Minho; they were both at fault. Minho wasn’t a bad person－he just wasn’t the person Tae wanted to be with.

“I’m sorry, Minho,” Tae said. “I didn’t want things to end this way. For what it’s worth, I do want you to be happy.” But I want to be happy too. And I’m happy with Jungkook.

Minho snorted. “Yeah, right. Is that why you started fucking your roommate? Because you want me to be happy?”

Tae sighed and got up. “You can think whatever you want to, Minho. But I’m done. It’s time for us both to just move on, okay?”

He turned to leave but then Minho stood up, glaring at him. “Well, since it’s fucking honesty hour,” he spat, “you should know something. That guy I kissed? Well, I’ve been fucking him too. Been fucking him for a few weeks now and you didn’t have a fucking clue. Probably because you were too busy banging your roommate.” He took a step closer, hands clenched into fists. “And let me tell you something else, Tae. He’s a better fucking lay than you ever were.”

Tae merely looked at Minho for a few seconds, not saying anything. Minho’s handsome face was twisted into an ugly sneer and there was no trace of the sweet, confident guy that Tae had once fallen in love with. He knew Minho was just trying to hurt him now, that what he said might not even be true. It probably was, though. Tae felt like he had always known, deep down, that Minho had been fooling around with someone else. But the thing was, he just didn’t care.

“I’m happy for you, Minho,” Tae said calmly. “Really, I am. I’m glad we’ve both found other people who are better suited for us.” Then he turned his back on Minho and walked away, not looking back.

***

Tae went straight back to his dorm room, coming back in to find Jungkook still asleep. He toed off his sneakers and then clambered back into bed fully dressed, snuggling up to him. He wanted to wake Jungkook up, tell him what had happened, but he didn’t want to disturb him either, not when he looked so adorable. So he contented himself with just watching him sleep for a few minutes, following the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Looking at Jungkook, he knew he had done the right thing, finally breaking up with Minho. It had been a long time coming and, even though he hadn’t ended things just because he wanted to be with Jungkook now, it was Jungkook who had ultimately made him realize how bad things had gotten with Minho. Because Jungkook had shown him just how good things could be, if you gave them a chance. If you finally just let go of the things you had been holding onto and took a risk on something new. Tae just hoped that this risk would pay off.

Unable to wait any longer, he leaned forward and started pressing gentle kisses all over Jungkook’s face. “Wake up, sleepyhead,” he murmured, “wake up…”

It dawned on him that every morning could be like this now, that he could lie in bed next to Jungkook, wake him up with kisses, snuggle up against him and just be with him. The thought overwhelmed him, terrified him, thrilled him.

Jungkook groaned, his eyes fluttering open and he blinked blearily up at Tae for a few seconds before his lips quirked up into a sleepy smile. “G’morning.”

“Good morning,” Tae said, beaming down at him. He reached up and brushed Jungkook’s bangs off his forehead, his heart melting when Jungkook let out the cutest little yawn. “Sleep well?”

“Mm hmm,” Jungkook murmured. “You?” and Tae nodded.

Jungkook raised his arms over his head, stretching, and then got an arm around Tae, pulling him against his side. “C’mere,” he mumbled, “come snuggle.”

Tae giggled, throwing his arm over Jungkook’s chest. “Well, if you insist…”

“I do insist…” Jungkook said, his voice roughened with sleep, “I demand exclusive rights to your cuddles…”

“Hmm,” Tae said, trying to hold in his laughter, “and what do I get in return?”

Jungkook muttered something that sounded like ‘this dick’ and Tae smacked him lightly on the chest, giggling.

Jungkook hummed, rubbing Tae’s back－and then he lifted his head, frowning slightly. “Wait, why are you dressed? Aren’t you supposed to be naked right now?”

Tae sat up, his smile fading. “Oh, I um…”

Jungkook blinked up at him. “Is that my hoodie?”

Tae glanced down, realizing he was still wearing Jungkook’s oversized black hoodie. “Oh, yeah, sorry I borrowed it this morning.” He reached for the zipper and started to pull it down so he could take it off.

But Jungkook stopped him, smiling slightly. “Fuck, Tae, don’t apologize, I don’t mind.” His gaze darkened and Tae felt himself blush. “God, it’s so fucking hot, seeing you wearing my clothes…” He reached up, grabbing Tae by the front of his hoodie, tugging him closer. “I think I’ll have you leave this on while I fuck you…”

Tae put his hand over Jungkook’s, stopping him. “Wait, Jungkook, before we do that－”

Jungkook looked confused for a second and then released Tae, looking away and biting his lip. “Sorry,” he muttered, “I forgot we’re not doing that anymore.”

“Well, that’s the thing…” Tae said and Jungkook glanced back at him. “I, um, went to talk to Minho this morning.”

“You did?”

“Yeah,” Tae said. “I broke up with him. For good.”

Jungkook sat up so fast, he nearly knocked Tae off the bed. “Fuck,” he said, staring at Tae in disbelief. “Really?”

“Well, yeah,” Tae said, smiling. Then he shrugged. “It was time. And besides,” he went on, looking shyly at Jungkook, “it means I’m available now. For real. I mean, if you’re still interested－”

But he was cut off when Jungkook seized Tae’s face in his hands and pressed his mouth to his, kissing him hard. “Fuck, Tae, are you fucking kidding me?” Jungkook said, panting slightly when they finally broke apart. “Of course, I’m still fucking interested.”

He wrapped his arms around Tae and they both collapsed back onto the bed, lying facing each other. Jungkook grinned at him and Tae smiled back, feeling like his face might split open, he was smiling so widely.

“Fuck, you have no idea how happy I am right now,” Jungkook said and Tae laughed. “I didn’t think you were going to break up with him right away.”

Tae frowned at him. “Well, what did you think I was going to do, take a few days to weigh the pros and cons?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Jungkook said, shrugging. “I thought you might need some time to think about things some more.”

Tae shook his head. “Nah, that was my problem. I was thinking too much, you know? Overthinking and just driving myself insane. But I woke up this morning and...” he fiddled with the corner of Jungkook’s pillow, smiling softly, “...it all just became clear. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. That’s why I went out and talked to Minho first thing.”

“And? How’d that go?”

Tae sighed, remembering the accusatory look on Minho’s face, his spiteful words. “About as well as can be expected considering I told him that we’ve been, um, you know...”

Jungkook smirked slightly. “Fucking like bunnies?”

“Well, I didn’t exactly put it like that but yeah.” He took a deep breath, gazing steadily at Jungkook. “And...I told him that I wanted to be with you, too.”

A slow smile spread over Jungkook’s face. “Yeah?” He whispered.

“Yeah,” Tae whispered back. He leaned in close, pressing a soft kiss to Jungkook’s lips. He loved that he was free to do this now, free to kiss Jungkook whenever he wanted without any lingering feelings of guilt or shame. He pulled back and for a few seconds they just gazed at each other and Tae felt like he would overflow with this warm, gooey feeling of pure happiness that was filling him up.

Jungkook took Tae’s hand in his and kissed it. “You sure you want to do this with me, Tae?” he murmured. “Be with me?”

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Tae said softly. “You should know that I’m still scared though. Of it not working out. But...I still want to try. I think it’s worth it, to see where things could go.”

Jungkook nodded. “Yeah, me too.” He ran his hand up and down Tae’s back, a reassuring caress. “We can take things slow if you want.”

Tae raised an eyebrow. “Little late for that, don’t you think?”

Jungkook huffed a laugh. “That’s not what I meant, you dork.” He tapped his fingers along Tae’s hip. “I just meant that you don’t have to dive right into a relationship with me right away. I mean, you did just get out of one...”

Tae nodded, biting his lip. “True...”

Jungkook shrugged. “I don’t know, we can just say that we’re dating each other for now. We don’t have to slap a label on it or anything like that. Not at first, anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” For as much as Tae wanted to shout ‘Jungkook’s my boyfriend!’ at the top of his lungs while standing on top of a tall building, he felt like Jungkook had a point. He wasn’t sure rushing from one relationship to another was the wisest thing, especially since his last one had just ended so messily. It was probably best for him and Jungkook to adjust to their new dynamic, feel each other out first before making a full-blown commitment. Still, the thought of eventually getting to call Jungkook his boyfriend made him feel giddy.

“But I can’t keep calling you my roommate,” Tae said, snuggling closer, “it doesn’t fit. So we should probably figure out what we’re going to call each other for now. You know, before we start throwing around the B word.”

“You want to call me your bitch?”

Tae giggled and shoved him playfully. “Boyfriend, you ass.”

“Hmm...” Jungkook said, raising his eyes to the ceiling. “How about...”

“If you say friends with benefits, I’m going to kick you.”

Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I wasn’t going to suggest that. How about...” Then he frowned. “Fuck, what do we call each other for now?” Tae let out a little gasp and Jungkook raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“I can call you my beau!”

“Um...okay. What the fuck is that?”

“It’s like an old-fashioned word you would use to call someone who was courting you. Like, in the Regency era, if two people were like, flirting and stuff but not engaged yet, they’d be each other’s beau.” He grinned, doing a little shimmy on the bed. “Oh, please, can I call you my beau? It’s so Jane Austen.”

“Tae, you can call me whatever you want,” Jungkook said. “But, um, isn’t there like a more modern word for that? I mean, besides bae. Because we are not calling each other that, Tae. I refuse.”

Tae shook his head. “No, I don’t like that word either.” He hummed, thinking for a few seconds. “I guess the modern-day equivalent to beau would be...lover.”

Jungkook gave him a seductive smirk. “Lover, huh?” he said huskily. “I like that.”

“Yeah, me too,” Tae said, feeling a little thrill. Jungkook is my lover. I have a lover and his name is Jungkook.

“It’ll just have to be between us, though, I think,” Tae said. “People will look at us weird if we start introducing each other like that.”

“Says the person who first suggested the word ‘beau.”

“Shut up.”

“Well, what about pet names?” Jungkook asked. “We might as well decide on those too, while we’re at it.”

Tae giggled. “Okay. What do you want to call me?”

Jungkook grinned, giving Tae a squeeze. “How about I call you my cute little cream puff?”

Tae wrinkled his nose. “Ewww, no! Why would you want to call me that?”

“Because you’re just so delicious,” Jungkook said, nuzzling Tae’s neck.

“God, you’re so cheesy. Pick something else.”

“My scrumptious little dumpling,” Jungkook murmured, kissing Tae’s neck, and Tae pretended to try to squirm away, giggling hysterically, “my sweet cinnamon sugar...my fluffy little muffin....”

Tae threw his head back, consumed by gales of laughter, especially when Jungkook started tickling him.

“Okay, okay, enough, I c-can’t breathe,” Tae gasped, pushing Jungkook off of him. Jungkook hovered over him, grinning. Tae rolled his eyes. “God, I can’t tell if you’re horny or just hungry.”

“Can’t I be both?” He made a show of smacking his lips and Tae giggled again. “And what’s wrong with me calling you cream puff?”

“If we’re doing pet names, I’d rather not be called a pastry that features a white cream filling.” He pointed a finger in Jungkook’s face when he opened his mouth to speak. “And don’t you dare make that joke.”

Jungkook smirked. “All right, I won’t call you that.” He slipped a hand under Tae’s shirt. “How about I just call you...baby?”

Tae bit his lip, feeling his cock pulse. “I like it when you call me that...”

“I know you do,” Jungkook said, reaching for the zipper on Tae’s jeans. “And right now, you are wearing too many clothes, baby...”

Tae helped him remove the offending garments so that he was naked with Jungkook again. But, halfway through, he ended up shrugging the hoodie back on, at Jungkook’s request.

***

Tae didn’t know what he had been so worried about. It turned out that dating Jungkook was really fucking amazing.

It surprised him how easily, how naturally, they settled into their new arrangement. Instead of sleeping in their separate beds, they slept together in one or the other until, a week in, Jungkook suggested they just push the beds together. (“More room for maneuvering too,” he had said, winking at Tae.)

And instead of just having the occasional lunch with each other, they ate together for pretty much every meal－sleepy breakfasts in the communal kitchen, both of them only half-awake; lunches on campus where they actually planned to meet and weren’t the result of random encounters; simple dinners of ramen or rice bowls in their room, sitting on the bed and stuffing their faces after a long day of classes.

At first, Tae had been concerned that they might get sick of each other, that Jungkook would get bored of him－they did live together after all and now they were dating so they hardly spent any time apart. But Tae found that he didn’t really want to. He loved just being with Jungkook, hanging out with him. Now that they didn’t have to hide their feelings for each other anymore, their friendship deepened even as the romance between them was blossoming. Tae could honestly say now that Jungkook was his best friend－and what better person was there for him to be with?

They still had their gaming nights every Tuesday, now made into an Official Thing, a low-key date night. But now Tae got to drape his legs over Jungkook’s lap as they played and their banter featured a lot more flirting and dick jokes. Or sometimes, Jungkook would insist that Tae sit on his lap, the two of them squeezed into Jungkook’s desk chair as they played－but this would usually end up with them abandoning the game prematurely, due to all the rubbing and friction that was going on.

They went out at least once a week now, Jungkook taking him to a book store for their second date. (Tae had nearly fainted when he realized where Jungkook was taking him.) They had devised a sort of scavenger hunt, seeing who could find the book with the weirdest cover, the dirtiest sex scene, the most ridiculous author name. (“That’s easy,” Jungkook had said, “Charles Dickens. Ha!” “I don’t know you,” Tae had replied, pretending to walk away and Jungkook had trailed after him, laughing.) Then they ended up making out against a bookshelf in the History section, it being the least visited area of the store.

For their third date, they went bowling and this Friday they were going to Hoseok’s house party again. “We might be going to a party but don’t think I’m not going to get you on your own while we’re there,” Jungkook had told him. “I’ve got plans for you, baby.” Tae had blushed, recalling the last time they had gone to a party together, the very pleasant time they had had. He hoped those plans involved sex.

And, oh god, the sex…

They had sex at least once a day during the week, sometimes twice if they woke up early enough. And during the weekend, it was three times a day, although they had set a recent record of doing it five times in one day on a Sunday, something Tae hadn’t even known was possible.

He still loved when Jungkook dominated the fuck out of him, getting rough, talking dirty, making him beg for it. He felt safe to explore new kinks with Jungkook, didn’t feel embarrassed to ask for what he wanted. Jungkook’s black silk necktie saw a lot of use and Tae discovered that it really was multi-purpose. One particularly memorable session had involved Jungkook using it to bind Tae’s hands together and it thrilled Tae to be completely helpless, to allow Jungkook to have his way with him. Another time, he had turned the tables on Jungkook, using the tie to blindfold him while Tae rode his cock, constantly switching up the speed to keep Jungkook guessing.

And while Tae loved the dirty stuff, it was also just as good, if not better, when they had slow, romantic sex or just nice, friendly sex, the two of them joking around and laughing while they fucked. Tae had come to realize that the sex with Minho hadn’t been bad because it had been slow or not kinky enough－it had been bad because he had been doing it with someone who had only cared about himself, who had no regard whatsoever for Tae’s needs.

But Jungkook was so generous, so attentive, so tender in bed (even when he was spanking Tae), it didn’t matter what kind of sex they had－it was always pleasurable, always exciting, always left Tae dizzy and breathless, warm and sated. And the sex was more than the two of them just wanting to get off－it was an expression of how they felt about each other, a delightful aspect of their friendship, a part of their romance.

And they were even touchy with each other when they weren’t having sex—lying pretzeled together on their bed while Tae read a book and Jungkook did some work on his laptop; cuddling while watching a movie in their dorm, Jungkook’s arms wrapped around him; greeting each other with kisses when they met up on campus, Jungkook giving him a slap on the ass before taking his hand.

Tae felt like he was finally in the type of relationship he had always fantasized about being in, where the person he was with was his best friend and lover all rolled into one—even if they still hadn’t technically made things official yet.

“You two are disgusting.”

Jimin pretended to grimace, staring at Jungkook and Tae across the table. It was Wednesday afternoon and they had met up with Yoongi and Jimin for lunch at one of the campus cafes.

Jungkook had insisted on Tae sitting in his lap while they all shared a plate of fries between them and Tae had just fed one to him, prompting Jimin’s comment.

“What?” Tae said innocently, still staring down at Jungkook, “we’re not doing anything.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna barf,” Jimin said. “I mean, I already knew you two were going to be annoyingly cute when you finally decided to start dating but I didn’t know you were going to be this gross.”

“You should see us when no one else is around,” Jungkook said, chuckling. “Isn’t that right, cream puff?”

Tae giggled and both Yoongi and Jimin let out theatrical groans.

“Unbelievable,” Jimin said, “I can’t believe my own fiancé has left me for another man.”

“Aw, I’m sorry, honey,” Tae said, looking up at him. “We can still be friends...” and he laughed when Jimin threw a fry at him. A pleasant by-product of dating Jungkook was his new friendship with Jimin. Jungkook had pretended to be horrified when Tae and Jimin started hanging out on their own but Tae knew that he secretly approved, was even pleased that Tae was getting along so well with his friends.

“So,” Yoongi said to Jimin now, “since Tae ditched you, does that mean that our wedding is back on?”

“Sure. I mean, it will be when you finally buy me a ring, you asshole,” Jimin said, squealing when Yoongi pretended to bite him. They started bickering playfully and Tae turned to Jungkook, rolling his eyes.

“And they say we’re disgusting.”

“Fucking hypocrites, right?” Jungkook said, reaching up and giving Tae’s earlobe a little tug. Then he sighed, gazing up at Tae. “He might have a point though. I mean we are pretty gross.”

“Oh come on, we’re not that bad...”

“Tae, you’re sitting on my lap, hand-feeding me French fries. That is the definition of disgusting.”

Tae giggled. “I don’t mind, though...” he said, snuggling closer.

“No,” Jungkook said, leaning up, “me neither...”

They kissed, only breaking apart when Jimin started pelting them with more fries.

“Come on, you guys, some of us are trying to eat here.”

“You sure?” Jungkook retorted. “Because I don’t see you eating. I only see you using fries as ammo and demonstrating your spectacularly bad aim.”

This led to a bizarre discussion between the four of them about what kinds of food would serve as the best kind of weapon in a fight. Jungkook suggested that if you sharpened a chicken bone or something, you could use it as a sort of shiv, while Tae hesitantly floated the idea of filling a vat with boiling coffee and pouring it over your enemies.

“You know,” he said, “kind of like how they used to use boiling oil?”

Jungkook raised his eyebrows. “Whoa. Remind me to never piss you off.”

“You’d need to be in some sort of tower, though,” Yoongi said, “it’s not super practical...”

“Dude, you know we’re talking about weaponizing food, right?” Jungkook said. “You know that that’s the topic of this dumbass conversation?”

Yoongi shrugged, grinning. “True.” He turned to Jimin. “What do you think, babe? Babe?”

But Jimin didn’t appear to be listening. He was peering at something over Tae’s shoulder, frowning.

“What are you looking at?” Yoongi asked him.

“There’s some guy staring at Tae,” Jimin muttered. “Hey!” he said, raising his voice. “See something you like, honey?”

Both Tae and Jungkook swiveled around to look－and Tae felt his stomach drop.

Minho was leaning against the counter, glaring at him. Fuck you, his eyes said, fuck you and your new fucking boyfriend.

 Tae felt his face heat uncomfortably and for a second he thought it might be best if he slid off of Jungkook’s lap, at least until Minho was gone. But then he felt Jungkook’s arms tighten around his waist, as if he knew what Tae was thinking.

“Don’t you dare move,” Jungkook whispered. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”

Tae took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. Jungkook was right. He wasn’t with Minho anymore, he was with Jungkook and he had every right to cuddle with him in public if he chose to. It’s not like he was trying to flaunt the fact that he was with someone else in front of Minho－his ex-boyfriend had just happened to come across them while Tae just happened to be sitting in Jungkook’s lap. Minho didn’t have any sort of claim on him anymore, had no right to look at him like he had just caught Tae cheating or something. So Tae held Minho’s gaze and gave him a curt nod of acknowledgement.

Minho just continued to scowl at him and then trained his poisonous gaze on Jungkook, his expression so hateful that Tae felt like he wanted to physically shield Jungkook from it.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jungkook muttered. “Hey, man, you got a problem?” he called to Minho.

Minho didn’t say anything, just grabbed his coffee from off the counter and stormed out of the cafe, throwing them one last dirty look over his shoulder.

“Jesus, who the fuck was that?” Jimin asked, staring after Minho.

Tae heaved a sigh. “My ex.”

“Oh.” Jimin turned back to face Jungkook and Tae. “Well, he looks like a fucking psychopath.”

“No,” Tae said, shaking his head. “He’s just bitter. He’ll get over it.” But still, Tae hadn’t liked the way Minho had looked at them. Of course, he had figured that he and Jungkook would run into Minho eventually and he hadn’t expected for his ex to come up and congratulate them or anything－but he hadn’t expected Minho to look so hostile, either. Looking at them like he and Jungkook were the scum of the earth.

“You okay, baby?” Jungkook asked, slipping a hand under his shirt and tracing soothing circles along his skin.

Tae nodded, attempting a smile. “Yeah,” he said, “it was just kind of weird, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Jungkook pressed a small kiss against Tae’s shoulder. “Just forget about him.”

And, being with Jungkook, it wasn’t hard advice to follow.

***

The next evening, Tae headed back to their dorm from a shift at the library, looking forward to a relaxing night of just hanging out and cuddling with Jungkook.

His lover.

He smiled to himself as he approached the door to their room. God, would he ever get tired of thinking of Jungkook like that? They hadn’t talked about using the B word yet, still hadn’t made things official between them even though they had been dating for about a month now. But, the thing was, he already felt like he was in a relationship with Jungkook. They were seeing each other exclusively and it’s not like Tae was interested in dating anyone else at this point. He so wanted to be able to introduce Jungkook as his boyfriend and he knew all it would take was having a simple conversation with him. But there were other things that that word implied, certain feelings that he wasn’t sure if he was ready to announce yet. God, he wanted to tell Jungkook how he really felt about him, pour his heart out to him－but fear still held him back. Not fear of rejection but fear of the feelings themselves, of how enormous and overwhelming they were.

He opened the door and stepped inside. “Hey－” he started to say and then stopped, his breath catching in his throat.

Jungkook was sitting in his desk chair, grinning at him. “Hey, baby,” he said casually.

Tae’s eyes wandered around the room, taking it in. Both of their desks, their night tables, even the windowsills were laden with little candles, the flickering flames lending their room a soft orange glow. Soft music was coming from Jungkook’s speakers, some type of romantic ballad, the kind they might play for the slow dances on prom night.

Tae shut the door behind him, letting his bag fall from his shoulder, still staring around the room. “Wow, Jungkook…”

Jungkook got up from his chair and came up to him, placing his hands on Tae’s hips. “You like it?”

“I love it,” Tae breathed. “I just can’t believe you did this for me.” He gazed at Jungkook, a slow smile spreading over his face. “You know, I never would have had you pegged as the romantic sort when I first met you.”

“What, this?” Jungkook said, gesturing around the room. “No, this isn’t me being romantic. This is just an elaborate ruse to get into your pants,” and Tae laughed, kissing him.

“Well, lucky for you, it’s totally working,” Tae murmured.

“Hmm, I thought it might.” Jungkook pulled him to the middle of the room and wrapped his arms around Tae’s waist. “Dance with me first,” he whispered.

Tae looped his arms around Jungkook’s neck and they swayed together, not doing anything fancy, just shifting their weight from foot to foot, turning in slow, small circles. Their lips met in soft, intermittent kisses and if Tae had died right there, he would have died completely happy. He didn’t know how long they stayed like that, arms wrapped around each other, drifting along to the music.

“Tae?” Jungkook asked softly.

“Hmm?”

“Are you happy?” he whispered. “I mean, are you happy with me?”

Tae leaned his forehead against Jungkook’s, feeling his eyes start to sting with tears. “Yes,” he breathed. “God, Jungkook, I didn’t know it was possible for me to this happy.” He started to get choked up and he inhaled a shaky breath. “Are you happy with me?”

“Tae…” Jungkook said. “Happy doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel when I’m with you.”

Tae bit his lip and he had to blink back the tears that were threatening to spill forth.

God, just tell him, a voice in his mind whispered, just tell him that you’re in love with him.

 Because he was in love with Jungkook. Completely, hopelessly, profoundly in love with him. And it wasn’t the juvenile sort-of love that he had felt with Minho. No, this was head-over-heels, fairy tale, I-want-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-with-you kind of love. The type he had thought only existed in the romance novels he had read. The kind that filled his heart to the brim with infinite joy and threatened to spill over at any moment.

But…what if he told Jungkook he loved him and Jungkook didn’t say it back?

He knew that it was cowardly to think something like that, that it shouldn’t matter if Jungkook said it back or not. If you loved someone, you should let them know, you shouldn’t need to hear it said back to you. It was clear to Tae that Jungkook had feelings for him, cared for him even－but would he ever be able to love Tae in the same way that Tae loved him? Would he ever be good enough for someone so amazing as Jungkook? If Tae hadn’t even been good enough for Minho…

The simple truth was that it would break his heart if Jungkook didn’t say it back to him. It would just break his heart right in two and Tae didn’t know if he’d be able to recover from it. But maybe, instead of telling him, maybe he could show him instead…

“Tae,” Jungkook whispered, “I－”

But Tae cut him off, pressing his lips to Jungkook’s. He tried to pour all of his emotions, convey everything he was feeling into that kiss. Jungkook tightened his grip on his waist and they swayed over to the bed, never once breaking apart, even as they collapsed down onto the mattress.

They took their time that night, the sex soft and slow and intimate. Tae didn’t think there was an inch of his skin that Jungkook left unkissed and when he finally slid inside him, it felt like their first time all over again. They rocked together in a hypnotic rhythm, gazing into each other’s eyes, their hands laced together, the dim light of the candles casting a soft, ethereal glow over them. Jungkook dipped his head down to kiss Tae as he moved over him and when they came, they came together, gasping into each other’s mouths.

Afterwards, Tae felt tears wet his cheeks, overwhelmed by emotion, and Jungkook held him as he cried, soothing him with quiet words. They had had romantic sex before but tonight had felt different, special. Tae felt as if Jungkook had just made love to him, using his body to express his own feelings for Tae, and Tae had done the same. How could those three little words compare to the beauty of what they had just shared? What were words, really, but meaningless sounds, mere puffs of air? Telling Jungkook he loved him now would only serve to undermine what they had just experienced together.

Still, in the middle of the night, after they had extinguished all the candles and Tae was lying beside Jungkook, watching him sleep, he couldn’t help himself.

“I love you,” he whispered.

***

“Jungkook, don’t,” Tae giggled, swatting his hands away. “This isn’t the grope zoo.”

“This is the grope zoo,” Jungkook said, “and I have an all-season pass…”

They were in their dorm, getting ready to go to Hoseok’s party. Correction: they were trying to get ready for Hoseok’s party but Jungkook kept running his hands over Tae’s body as he was attempting to change into a new tee shirt, standing behind him and smacking kisses along his neck and shoulder.

“God, we just put our clothes back on,” Tae said, finally managing to pull his tee shirt over his head. “If you keep that up, we’ll never make it to the party.”

Jungkook slipped his hands underneath Tae’s shirt, skimming them over his stomach. “Oh, who wants to go to a stupid old house party anyways?” he grumbled against Tae’s shoulder.

“It was your idea.” Tae turned his head, pressing his lips against Jungkook’s temple. “And I believe you mentioned you had certain plans for me…plans that involve taking me upstairs once we’re there…”

“Hmmm…good point.” He pressed one last kiss behind Tae’s ear before stepping away from him and taking his phone out. “I’ll get us an Uber.”

“Thought you might.” Tae felt his own phone buzz and he took it out to check it.

“If that’s Jimin, tell him we’re on our way,” Jungkook said, tapping on his screen. “And tell him that he is not hijacking you this time. At least, not right away.”

Tae laughed. “Duly noted.” But his face fell when he saw who the text message was from.

>Tae can we talk please?<

>I miss you<

 “What?” Jungkook said, looking up and catching the grimace on Tae’s face. “What is it?”

“It’s just Minho,” Tae said. “Says he misses me.” He shook his head, deleting the texts. “Probably just drunk.”

“Oh.” Jungkook’s expression was neutral, unreadable but Tae still detected a hint of worry. “You’re not going to text him back?” he said cautiously.

“No, no point,” Tae said. “He’ll get the hint.” Jungkook still looked a little uncertain so Tae went up to him, putting his hands on his shoulders. “Hey, come on, you don’t honestly think I’d want to get back together with him, do you?”

Jungkook blew out a breath. “No, Tae, it’s not that.” He wrapped a protective arm around Tae’s waist. “I just don’t want that asshole harassing you or anything.”

“I don’t think he’d do that.” Tae shrugged. “Like I said, he’s probably just drunk. And if he keeps texting me I’ll just block his number.”

“Okay,” Jungkook said and kissed him. And kept kissing him until his phone buzzed, announcing the arrival of their Uber.

Tae kind of felt bad for their Uber driver. He knew it really wasn’t good manners to make out with Jungkook in the backseat on their way to the party, in full view of the poor guy, but god, he just couldn’t keep his hands to himself right now. And it wasn’t like Jungkook was trying to restrain himself either. He supposed their driver handled it as best he could, simply turning the music up and singing along to drown out the sound of them kissing.

But just as they were a few minutes away from Hoseok’s, Tae’s phone buzzed again and they broke apart while Tae checked the screen. It was Minho again and this time he was calling Tae.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jungkook said, seeing the name flashing on Tae’s screen. He held out his hand. “Here, give it to me, I’ll talk to him.”

“What? No.” Tae hit ‘Decline Call’ and then tapped on his screen a couple more times. “There, now he’s blocked.” He put his phone away, reaching for Jungkook again. “Now where were we…”

“We’re here!” their Uber driver sang, screeching to a halt in front of Hoseok’s house. He turned around to face them. “Um, you two seem really nice and all but please get out of my car. I’d really rather not have to scrub down my back seat again.” Then he looked away and muttered something that sounded like, “fucking college kids.”

They both gave him sheepish grins and Jungkook tipped him a little extra before they got out and headed for the front door.

“You think you might want to dance a little tonight?” Jungkook asked him as they stepped inside.

The party was already in full swing, the living room once again serving as a makeshift dance floor, a crowd of people grinding and swaying against each other to the music booming out of the speakers. Tae caught a glimpse of Hoseok sandwiched between a pair of girls in mini dresses.

“Yeah, actually,” Tae said. He liked the idea of dancing with Jungkook, being pressed up against him. “Shouldn’t we find Yoongi and Jimin first, let them know we’re here?”

“Nah, they’ll find us eventually,” Jungkook said, grabbing his hand and tugging him into the living room. “Come on.”

Jungkook pulled him close and they started moving together, their dancing featuring a lot more grinding and rubbing than the intimate slow sway they had done in their room last night. Tae loved that he could have it both ways with Jungkook, the romantic stuff and the sexy stuff. Someone who caressed him tenderly one night, and then gave it to him raw and wild the next. And judging by the way Jungkook was rolling his hips against Tae’s, he was thinking tonight might be one of those nights when things got rough and dirty between them. It really was the best of both worlds.

“Fuck, so hot, baby,” Jungkook whispered, “you’re so fucking hot…”

They kissed, Jungkook reaching down to squeeze Tae’s ass, pulling Tae flush against him and Tae moaned as he felt Jungkook’s bulge through his jeans, rubbing against his own hard-on.

But then they heard roars of laughter from the crowd around them and they broke apart to see Hoseok, now on the coffee table, pulling his shorts down to moon the entire room, bending over and shaking his ass up and down. People around them shrieked and cat-called and soon started a chant of, “TWERK IT! TWERK IT! TWERK IT!”

“Wow,” Tae said casually, “quite the exhibitionist, isn’t he?”

“Little bit,” Jungkook said, snickering. “If he whips his dong out, just avert your eyes, okay? I don’t want you to be traumatized.”

“Consider them averted,” Tae said, turning back to Jungkook and running a hand through his hair.

Jungkook’s gaze darkened and he licked his lips. “You want to take this upstairs?”

Tae nodded eagerly and Jungkook took his hand and the two of them wove through the crowd, past Hoseok’s gyrating ass and out of the living room.

“Hopefully there’s a room this time,” Jungkook muttered as they headed towards the stairs.

“I don’t know,” Tae said, “bathroom was pretty fun last time…”

Jungkook looked back over his shoulder at him, smirking. “True.”

Jungkook had just put his foot on the first step when they heard a voice behind them.

“Hey!”

They turned to see Yoongi and Jimin come down the hallway from the den.

“Oh no,” Jungkook groaned as Jimin skipped up to Tae, throwing his arms around him, “not you.”

“Oh shut up, Jungkookie,” Jimin said, latching onto Tae like a koala, “I’m just here to steal your man…”

Tae felt Jungkook’s hand tighten slightly on his. “I’d like to see you fucking try, Tinkerbell.”

Jimin stuck his tongue out at Jungkook. Yoongi strolled up to them, taking Jimin’s hand in his, probably trying to de-escalate the situation. “We were thinking a foosball tournament, the four of us,” Yoongi said. “You down?”

“Um…like, right now?” Jungkook said, looking impatient.

“Yes, now,” Jimin said, rolling his eyes. “Come on, I think you two are capable of keeping it in your pants for at least another half hour.” He grabbed Tae’s hand, and Yoongi led the way, Tae still holding onto Jungkook so they all traipsed down the hallway towards the den, hand in hand, like the World’s Most Amicable Chain Gang.

The den was pretty much deserted except for a couple lying on one of the sofas, either sleeping or passed out. The four of them huddled around the foosball table, Jungkook automatically sidling up to Tae but then Jimin got between them, hip-checking Jungkook out of the way.

“Nuh uh, I don’t think so,” he said, “Tae’s on my team.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes, grumbled, “fucking cockblock,” at Jimin but went over to the other side to stand beside Yoongi, across from Tae.

Tae shrugged, giving Jungkook a soft smile and Jungkook smiled back, mouthing, ‘later.’

“All right, boys,” Jimin said, giving one of the handles a little spin. “You’re going down.”

“Fine with me,” Yoongi said, “just as long as you go down later, baby.”

Jimin snorted. “We both know that’s a given,” he said, winking at Yoongi and Jungkook pretended to gag.

“Ugh, stop, like I need that image in my head…”

They got down to playing, Tae not really knowing what he was doing so he just kind of spun the handles at random, Jimin shouting encouragements at him while he trash talked Jungkook and Yoongi at the same time.

“Yes, honey,” Jimin said when Tae somehow managed to miraculously score a goal. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about!” He gave Tae’s ass a friendly little slap, Jungkook pretended to get insanely jealous (or maybe he wasn’t really pretending) which only made Jimin do it more. Tae’s stomach hurt from laughing so much, Jungkook and Jimin now hurling the most incredibly creative insults at each other as they played.

“Fuck you, you puny little garden gnome!”

“Eat shit, you insufferable ass waffle!”

Tae had to remove his hands from the table, abandoning Jimin so he could wipe the tears of mirth that were threatening to spill out of his eyes. Jimin and Jungkook continued to scream at each other and Yoongi seemed to be the only one actually focusing on the game, calmly twirling the handles, scoring two goals in a row.

“God, Tae, how can you stand being with this douche canoe?” Jimin said, laughing hysterically. “Just elope with me already, will you?” He gave Tae’s ass another slap, smirking evilly at Jungkook.

“Jimin, you touch my boyfriend’s ass one more time, I swear to god－”

“Boyfriend?” Jimin said and they all became very still. Even Yoongi looked up. “So, you two finally made it official, huh?”

Jungkook looked at Tae, biting his lip, looking slightly embarrassed. “Um…”

But Tae smiled at him. “Yeah,” he said, gazing at Jungkook across the foozeball table. “I think we just did.”

Jungkook’s face broke into a relieved smile and Tae felt his heart soar. Jungkook just called me his boyfriend. I’m his boyfriend, we’re boyfriends.

Jimin glanced between the two of them. “Oh, just fucking kiss each other already, for fuck’s sake!”

Tae giggled and they both sidestepped around the table, meeting in the middle, wrapping their arms around each other, melting against each other as they kissed, still smiling.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to just blurt it out like that,” Jungkook murmured, pulling back slightly. “But I’ve been wanting to call you that for a really long time.”

“Me too,” Tae said, “god, I’ve been thinking about you as my boyfriend for weeks now.”

“Hmm…not your lover?”

“Well,” Tae hummed, kissing him again, “that too.”

They were interrupted by Jimin who came up and ruffled their hair. “Come on, let’s celebrate! You guys just won me a bet!”

“A bet?” Jungkook said, frowning. “What bet?”

Behind Jimin, Yoongi rolled his eyes. “We had a bet going about when you two would finally make it official.” He sighed, leaning against the foosball table. “I thought you might wait a while longer but Jimin said you’d be locked down by the end of the month.” He scowled at Jungkook. “You just cost me a blow job, man.”

Jungkook wrinkled his nose. “You bet each other blow jobs?”

“We sure did,” Jimin chirped. “It’s the best form of currency.” He turned and strutted up to Yoongi, leaning close and tracing a hand down his chest. “Looks like I won’t be the one going down tonight, sweetie.”

Yoongi smirked at Jimin. “You’re lucky I’m not a sore loser…”

They kissed and it was Jungkook and Tae’s turn to make retching noises.

“So gross, aren’t they?” Jungkook said, turning to Tae.

“Absolutely disgusting…” Tae kissed him again and he could have sworn he heard the swelling of violins in the background. If they were in a movie, this might have been where the happy ending was and the credits would start rolling. But this was real life so there were no happy endings, per se. But Tae thought that this moment with Jungkook signaled the start of a very happy beginning.

“Come on, you two,” Jimin called. “This calls for some drinks!” He turned to Yoongi, poking him in the chest. “But you and Jungkook have to go get them since you lost the tournament.”

“What? No we didn’t, we were like five goals ahead－”

“Whatever. You lost our bet so you have to get me a drink,” Jimin said, switching gears. He smirked over at Jungkook. “And Jungkookie’s going to go fetch Tae a drink because he’s so fucking whipped for his boyfriend.”

“Well,” Jungkook said, shrugging and glancing at Tae, “he’s not wrong.”

They exchanged identical dopey grins, Tae feeling like he might actually start levitating off the floor, he was so happy. 

“What do you want? Coke?” Jungkook asked him, stepping toward the door.

“Um, yeah but…maybe with a bit of rum? If there’s any?”

Jungkook frowned slightly. “You sure, baby? I mean,” he stepped close to Tae again, lowering his voice, “you know you don’t have to drink just because everybody else is.”

“Yeah, I know,” Tae said. It was such a small thing, Jungkook knowing he wasn’t a big drinker and not wanting anyone to pressure him but his attentiveness meant the world to Tae. He knew he didn’t have to drink but he felt comfortable enough around Jungkook and his friends to let loose a bit. Even if his definition of ‘letting loose’ only involved having one drink.

He shrugged. “I just feel like having a drink with you guys. I know, pretty wild, right?” and Jungkook chuckled. Tae leaned close, putting his lips to Jungkook’s ear. “Who knows what other wild things I might get up to tonight…”

Jungkook made a noise that sounded like something between a curse and a growl. He reached down, groping Tae’s ass. “I’m hoping that’s a promise,” he breathed, “because I’m planning on holding you to it…”

Tae hummed. “Please do.”

Jungkook gave his ass one more pat and then headed for the door. “One rum and coke, coming right up.”

Yoongi followed him out and then Jimin immediately came over and grabbed Tae’s hands, pulling him down onto the unoccupied sofa.

“Oh my god!” he squealed. “I can’t believe Jungkook’s your official boytoy now! I mean, I’m super happy for you but you know, you could do better.”

“Sure, Jimin,” Tae said, grinning, knowing that Jimin didn’t mean a single word.

Jimin beamed at him. “Seriously, though? You’re happy? That dumbass makes you happy?”

“Yeah,” Tae said, his face starting to hurt from smiling so much, “he really does.”

“Well,” Jimin said, feigning disappointment. “I guess as long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

“Thanks, Chim.”

He sat back, letting out a contented sigh. Jungkook was his boyfriend now, he finally got to call him his boyfriend. Now all he had to do was－

Tell him I love him.

His smile faded a little. They had essentially just committed to being together but…that didn’t necessarily mean that Jungkook loved him. Maybe he might, eventually, at some point but…wasn’t it a bit early for him to really return Tae’s feelings? What if Tae declared his feelings and Jungkook panicked and broke up with him? Now that they were officially in a relationship, there was always the possibility of that relationship ending. And that terrified him.

“Tae?” Jimin said, sounding concerned. “What is it?”

“I’m in love with him,” Tae whispered.

“Okayyyy,” Jimin said, giving him a puzzled look. “I know it must be weird to be in love with your own boyfriend but I suppose crazier things have happened.”

Tae bit his lip. “I haven’t told him yet.”

“So…you’re telling me instead? Why aren’t you telling him?”

“I’m scared,” Tae confessed. “I mean, I want to tell him, I almost did last night…”

He gave Jimin a brief, non-explicit description of the romantic evening they had shared together.

Jimin gaped at him. “Jesus, Tae, what exactly was throwing you off? The candles? The music? The fucking slow dancing in your room?”

“Like I said, I wanted to,” Tae said. He looked down at his hands, giving a small shrug. “I don’t know, I just couldn’t get the words out.” Then he remembered his midnight confession. “Well, I sort of told him…when he was asleep.”

Jimin gave him an exasperated look. “You know that doesn’t count, Tae.”

“I know…”

“What are you so afraid of? Are you scared that he won’t say it back?”

Tae’s head jerked up. “God, how do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Read my mind like that?”

Jimin smirked, poking him. “Because we’re soulmates, dummy. I always know exactly what you’re thinking.” His round face sobered again. “But that’s it, isn’t it? You’re afraid that if you tell him you love him, he won’t tell you the same thing.”

“Well, yeah…”

Jimin rolled his eyes so hard that Tae thought they might be in danger of permanently disappearing behind his skull. “God, sweetie, I love you but you are so stupid sometimes.”

“I－”

“Look,” Jimin said, taking both of his hands in his, “that idiot loves you. He really fucking loves you. So much that I’m surprised he hasn’t started the Church of Kim Taehyung and dedicated his life to worshiping you.” His mouth quirked up. “Well, not yet, anyway. But probably any day now.”

“Has he－”

“No, he hasn’t said anything to me but I have fucking eyes, Tae. Jesus, anyone can see how bad Jungkook has it for you.” He sighed, squeezing Tae’s hands. “Look, I know you have your reasons for being insecure about these things. Considering what happened with your last guy. But,” he went on, giving Tae a soft smile, “you don’t have to be insecure when it comes to Jungkook’s feelings for you. Trust me.”

Tae’s heart fluttered. “Well, maybe, you’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right. Aren’t I always?”

Tae giggled. “I suppose.” He bit his lip, tapping his fingers against his knee. “I guess I just have to find the right moment to－” Then he jumped when Jimin smacked him on the leg. Hard.

“Um…ow?”

“For fuck’s sake, you read too many romance novels. There’s no such thing as the right moment. Not in real life anyways. If you keep waiting for it, you’ll never tell him.”

“But－”

Jimin sighed. “Have I ever told you where me and Yoongi were when he first dropped the L bomb?”

“Um, no, where?”

“We were in a fucking grocery store.”

Tae bit his lip, trying to hold his laughter in. “Really?”

“Yep.” Jimin’s face softened as he glanced to the side, obviously reminiscing. “We were in the dairy aisle, just talking about the most random shit, I don’t even remember what but then he just got this funny look on his face and I asked him what the fuck he was looking at and then he was just like…” Jimin giggled, his nose scrunching up. “'Hey. I really love you.’ Those were his exact words. God, I had to tease him about it for the next five minutes before I said it back, he was such a dweeb.” He looked back at Tae, heaving a little sigh. “It was really fucking cute though.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “Now whenever I walk by the yogurt and the cream cheese, I get all misty-eyed.”

Tae giggled. “That is pretty cute.”

“Yeah, it was…” He snuggled closer to Tae, flicking his nose lightly. “Anyways, my point is that it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing when you say it. Just saying those words alone makes the moment special, don’t you think?”

Tae nodded, giving Jimin a shy smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“So go tell him,” Jimin said, nudging him.

“Um…now?”

“Yes, now. What are you waiting for, the zombie apocalypse?” He stood up, pulling Tae to his feet and pushed him toward the door. “Go. Just march into the kitchen, take Jungkook aside and just be like, ‘Jungkook－I love you. I love your stupid face and your dorky smile and your dumb laugh.’” Jimin snickered. “He might faint though once you tell him so make sure he doesn’t crack his head open on the floor or something.”

“Well, okay, but I don’t think I’ll put it like that…”

Jimin gave him another shove towards the door. “Use your own words then. But don’t you dare come back in here until you tell him. And I’ll know if you chicken out, Tae.”

“Um…okay…”

Tae left the den, heading down the hallway towards the kitchen, taking a deep breath to try and steady himself. Jimin was right. It would never feel like the exact right moment to tell Jungkook that he loved him so he just needed to walk right up to him and say it.

No big deal. Just like ripping off a band-aid, right?

And maybe, just maybe, he was a little bit encouraged by the fact that Jimin seemed so confident that Jungkook would say it back. That had to count for something, right? His friend was a psych major after all, he had a knack for reading people. God, he could already read Tae like a book and they had only been friends for a few weeks now.

‘Jungkook, I love you.’ That’s all I need to say. Simple. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

He was so distracted by his thoughts that he didn’t notice the person coming towards him in the hallway until he collided with them. “S-sorry,” Tae stammered, trying to move out of the way. But then the person’s hands closed around his upper arms, gripping him tightly.

“There you are, Tae. I thought you might be here.”

Tae looked up－and felt as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over him.

“M-minho? What are you doing here?”

“Why haven’t you been responding to my texts?” Minho asked, completely dismissing Tae’s question. “I must have sent you at least a dozen of them…”

He was drunk, Tae realized. Not totally wasted but he had definitely been drinking. Tae could smell the stale beer on his breath, could hear the slight slur to his words.

He pushed Minho away. “Because I have nothing to say to you.” Tae turned to leave but then Minho’s hand slammed into the wall, right in front of Tae’s face, stopping him.

Minho stepped closer, crowding Tae against the wall. “I miss you…”

“Well, that’s too bad,” Tae said, turning his face away, putting his hands up to keep Minho from coming any closer. “I don’t miss you. I told you, I’m with Jungkook now－”

Minho’s lips twisted into a bitter sneer. “Yeah, I’ve seen you with that asshole, seen him with his fucking hands all over you, rubbing it in my face－”

“He’s not an asshole,” Tae snapped. “He’s－” The best thing that’s ever happened to me.

But Minho interrupted him. “God, Tae, drove me fucking crazy to see you with him, I hate seeing you with someone else when you should be with me…”

“Minho, what are you talking about?” Tae said. “What about your new guy?” He gave a hollow laugh. “You know, the one who you said was so much better in bed than I ever was?”

“It fizzled out,” Minho said, shaking his head, “fizzled out when I realized how much I missed you, how much I need you.”

“Minho, we’re over, okay? I told you, I’m with Jungkook and you just need to accept that.” Tae tried to push past him again but then Minho reached up, grasping Tae’s face in his hand, his fingers digging into Tae’s cheeks.

Tae felt his entire body freeze and he just stood there, blinking up at Minho. Never, in their entire relationship, had Minho ever put his hands on Tae like this. He knew he should just push Minho away, tell him to take his hands off of him but it was like his entire body went on lockdown and he couldn’t make himself move. He felt his eyes start to sting with tears of pain and in that moment, he was just so, so scared. He wanted Jungkook, where was Jungkook?

“I can forgive you, Tae,” Minho breathed in his face. “I can forgive you for being his little whore if you just promise to come back－”

He shifted closer, moving to kiss him and something inside Tae snapped. He got his hands on Minho’s chest and shoved with all his strength so Minho finally released him, stumbling back.

“Stay away from me,” Tae said, his chest heaving. “Just stay the fuck away from me. And stay the fuck away from him, too.” He turned away but then Minho got a hand on his wrist, yanking him back, gripping him so tightly that Tae swore he felt his bones grind together.

“Tae, if you would just fucking listen－”

“Minho, let go, you’re hurting me－”

“Hey!”

They both looked up to see Jimin striding towards them. Minho immediately let go but Jimin pushed him away anyway, getting between him and Tae, shielding him with his tiny body.

“I’m all for being fucking manhandled but I believe my friend told you to back the fuck off!”

Minho glared at Jimin. He had a good six inches on him but Jimin didn’t look the least bit intimidated.

“Get the fuck out of here, pretty boy,” Jimin said, jerking his head towards the door. “Before I rearrange your fucking face for you.”

Minho gave Tae and Jimin one last deadly look before turning and striding down the hallway, swearing under his breath.

“Fucking psycho,” Jimin muttered. He turned to Tae, his face softening. “You okay, sweetie?”

Tae nodded jerkily, blinking back tears. “Y-yeah, I’m fine,” he said shakily.

“You want me to get Yoongi to beat him up for you?”

“No,” Tae said, “I-I just want to find Jungkook.”

But, as it turned out, Minho got to him first.

***

Jungkook was in the kitchen with Yoongi, mixing Tae’s drink. It was taking him an inordinate amount of time to make a simple rum and coke but he was in a bit of a daze, wandering all over the place, having to remind himself what he was in the middle of doing.

I’m just making a drink for my boyfriend, he thought to himself giddily, because that’s what boyfriends do. They make drinks for each other. And Tae’s my boyfriend so I’m making him a drink.

 Yoongi sat on a stool, watching him with a bemused expression, already having mixed Jimin’s vodka and tonic five minutes ago. “Soooo,” he said, as Jungkook finally got his shit together and started pouring a small measure of rum into a glass, “how’s it feel?”

Jungkook grinned, cracking open a can of Coke. “Really fucking amazing, man.” Finally, after all the months of pining after Tae, after all the doubt and uncertainty, he at last got to call Tae his boyfriend. Got to finally just be with him, commit to him fully. Right. As if he hadn’t already been committed to him. As if he hadn’t always been committed to him.

But knowing now that Tae wanted to commit to him, that he wanted to be in an official relationship made Jungkook’s heart feel like it was ballooning inside his chest, swelling to three times its original size.

He poured the Coke into the glass, glancing up at Yoongi as he stirred it with one of Hoseok’s novelty swizzle sticks－a pink one in the shape of a flamingo. “I guess I thought it’d never really happen between us,” he said, absently twirling the flamingo around in the glass. “So now that it has it’s kind of blowing my fucking mind a little, you know?”

“Yeah, I know,” Yoongi said. “I felt the same thing with Jimin.”

Jungkook looked down, shrugging. “I don’t know, man, I think this might be it. I can’t imagine wanting to be with anybody else now that I’m with him.”

Yoongi started humming the Wedding March and Jungkook laughed.

“Well, it might be a little early for that. I should probably introduce him to my parents first.” And even that thought gave him another kick of pleasure. Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Taehyung. Please like him because I think I’m going to marry him someday.

 Yoongi’s lips tilted up in a soft smile. “Fuck, you really love him, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said quietly. “I really do.”

“Have you told him?”

Jungkook heaved a sigh. “Working on it.”

He had been planning on telling Tae last night. That had been the whole reason behind the candles and the soft music and everything. Well, that and he was just bursting to do something romantic for Tae, loved that he could do those kinds of gestures now without it looking weird. But he also wanted to set the right mood for when he told Tae, wanted things to be special. He didn’t want to just blurt it out－he had a bad habit of just tossing his feelings out for Tae at the most random moments, like his brain and his mouth had serious communication issues. Case in point, when he accidentally dropped the B word at the foosball table a few minutes ago. He had felt like a complete idiot but it had turned out okay in the end. More than okay seeing as he now got to officially call Tae his boyfriend.

But telling someone you loved them was different. It was bigger, more significant and he wanted to do it right. He had almost said it last night, had been right in the middle of telling Tae that he loved him－but then Tae had kissed him in the most warm, heartfelt way and Jungkook was rendered speechless. Words seemed so paltry compared to the magnitude of Tae’s kiss so instead Jungkook had tried to show him how he felt by using his hands, using his mouth, using his body. Last night, staring deeply into Tae’s eyes as they made love, he had felt like Tae had known. But he still wanted to say the words to Tae. Hear them said back to him. But maybe it was too soon for Tae to feel the same way about him. Maybe Jungkook was rushing things and if he told Tae how he really felt, he would scare him off. Maybe he should wait a little bit longer before telling him.

He remembered a vague sort of dream last night where they had said it to each other. Well, one of them did. He wasn’t sure if he had told Tae or if Tae had told him. But it had only been a dream.

He took a small sip of the drink he had made for Tae, wanting to make sure that it wasn’t too strong. He figured his boyfriend would be a bit of a lightweight and he didn’t want to accidentally knock Tae out with one drink. He did have plans for him tonight, after all…

Gonna take my boyfriend upstairs later, yep, that’s what I’m planning on doing. It’ll just be me and him, two boyfriends having sex at a house party because that’s what boyfriends do. And then maybe I’ll －

“Hey, asshole.”

Jungkook looked up. He mentally kicked himself for doing so, for automatically responding to that but in his defense, half the people in the kitchen looked up too, including Yoongi.

Jungkook felt his jaw clench when he saw that it was Minho, his eyes narrowed and mean-looking.

“I want to fucking talk to you,” Minho said, coming up to him.

Jungkook had no clue where Minho had come from or what he was doing here but he didn’t care. Now was his chance to tell Minho to stay the fuck away from Tae.

“Yeah, well, good because I want to talk to you, too,” Jungkook said, setting Tae’s drink down on the counter and turning to face Minho. “I’d really appreciate it if you’d stop harassing my boyfriend and sending him creepy text messages. You had your fucking chance with him and you blew it so just leave him the fuck alone.”

“So that’s it, is it?” Minho snarled. “You think he’s yours just because he let you fuck him? Because he might have sucked your dick a few times?” His mouth twisted into a cruel smile. “How do you know he’s not just some fucking slut, huh?”

Jungkook’s hands curled into fists. “Don’t,” he said, his voice dangerously quiet. “Don’t fucking talk about him like that.”

“Why, what are you going to do about it?” Minho asked, giving him a little shove in the chest. “You going to hit me or something? You wanna take this outside, asshole?”

The kitchen had gone very quiet, everybody now staring at Jungkook and Minho, riveted.

“Yeah,” Jungkook growled, “I think I do want to fucking take this outside.”

Yoongi stood up. “Jungkook－”

“It’s fine, man,” Jungkook said, giving him a dismissive wave, “just tell Tae I’ll be right back, okay?” Then he turned and followed Minho out of the kitchen to the front door and outside.

Jungkook sighed as he walked down the steps of the porch, Minho now pacing around on the front lawn, his fists clenched. He didn’t really want to fight Minho－okay, that was a bit of a lie, he kind of did want to fight him a little, punch him in his stupid face for all the hurt that he had ever caused Tae. And if he had to stomp Minho into the fucking ground to get him to leave Tae alone, he would do that. Because he was Tae’s boyfriend and that’s just what boyfriends did.

“Okay, Minho,” he said, standing a few feet away from him, shoving his hands into the pocket of his hoodie. “What’s your fucking problem?”

“My problem?” Minho spat. “My problem is you stole my fucking boyfriend, you fucker.”

“I stole him?” Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ, he’s not a piece of jewelry or a fancy car, you fucking moron. He’s a big boy, he can make his own choices.” And he chose me. He’s mine and I’m his and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep anyone from interfering with us because we belong together.

They had acquired an audience, a crowd of people starting to gather on the front porch now, watching them like they were watching some sort of soap opera. Jungkook took a quick scan of the faces, noting Hobi, looking uncharacteristically grim and Yoongi, standing with his arms crossed, gnawing at his lip. But no Tae. Which was fine. He’d rather his boyfriend not witness this.

“No, I know how assholes like you operate,” Minho said, jabbing a finger at Jungkook. “You manipulated him somehow, turned him against me.”

Jungkook opened his mouth to argue－but then stopped. Didn’t Minho have a point? Isn’t that what he had done? Once Minho had broken Tae’s heart, Jungkook had practically pounced on him, seduced him, tried to make him forget about Minho, tried to convince Tae to be with him instead. And it had worked but…in the end, he had backed off, hadn’t he? Shown Tae that he was willing to wait? And he would have waited, would have waited a million years for him if that’s what it took but ultimately Tae had chosen to be with him of his own accord…right?

Maybe Minho was right. Maybe he was nothing more than a manipulative asshole who didn’t deserve Tae. In fact, he knew he didn’t deserve someone as incredible as Taehyung but he was going to do his best, every goddamned day, to try to deserve him.

And that was the difference, he realized. He was willing to put the work in, wanted to truly earn Tae’s affections, his love, would dedicate his entire life to showing Tae just how much he adored him－and Minho wouldn’t. He was nothing but a spoiled brat, feeling entitled to Tae just because Minho had been with him first. Acting like Tae was some toy Jungkook had taken away from him.

“Okay, fine, I stole your boyfriend,” Jungkook snapped. “What the fuck are you going to do about it?”

“This,” Minho said and punched him in the face.

Jungkook staggered back a couple of steps, feeling his lip split open. Fuck, he thought, should have seen that coming.

There was a chorus of gasps from the crowd watching on the porch and Jungkook distinctly heard Hobi yell, “Oh, shit!” And then there was another cry, one that seared into Jungkook’s heart when he realized who it was.

“Minho, no! Stop!”

Tae sounded panicked, frantic and then he was there, standing in front of Jungkook with his arms splayed, shielding him from Minho.

“Don’t fucking touch him!”

Minho ignored Tae, glaring at Jungkook over his shoulder. “You think you’re tough shit, motherfucker? Come on, let’s go!”

“Tae,” Jungkook said quietly, trying to gently nudge him out of the way, “it’s okay, I can take him－”

“Oh, for god’s sake, I don’t want you two to fight each other,” Tae said, turning to face him, “this isn’t the Thunderdome.” Then his eyes widened and he grabbed Jungkook’s face in his hands. “Oh my god, sweetie, you’re bleeding－”

“Only a little bit,” he said, swiping at his cut lip. “It’s not that bad.” He couldn’t help smiling at the fact that Tae had called him sweetie. Although it probably made him look a little bit deranged.

Tae pressed a soft kiss to his face, leaning his forehead against Jungkook’s. “Are you sure you’re okay? God, Jungkook, I was so worried, I just came out here and saw him hit you and I thought－”

“Yeah, I’m fine, baby, I promise.”

“Okay.” Tae kissed his cheek again and then pulled back, a steely look of determination on his face. He whirled to face Minho. “What the fuck is your fucking problem?” he yelled. “You can’t just go around fucking punching people! What are you, some kind of fucking animal?”

Jungkook’s brows shot up. Tae didn’t swear very often and now, here he was, dropping F-bombs like Jungkook did when he was playing Minecraft.

“God, Tae, just tell me why!” Minho yelled back. “Just tell me why’d you’d rather be with this asshole than with me－”

“Because I love him, okay?”

There was another chorus of gasps from the crowd still on the porch and Jungkook thought Hobi might have said, “Oh, shit!” again. But he might not have heard him correctly over the pounding of his heart in his chest. Had Tae just said－

Minho was looking at Tae incredulously. “You love－”

“Yeah, I do! I love him! And nothing you say or do is going to change that, okay? Nothing’s ever going to change that.” He blew out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Look, Minho, I’m sorry about the way things ended between us. But it’s over. Okay?”

Minho stared at Tae for a few long seconds and it felt like everyone on the porch was holding a collective breath. Then he spat on the ground, turned, and walked away.

Tae heaved another sigh then turned to face Jungkook again. “We should probably get some ice on that,” he said, gently touching Jungkook’s lip, “before it－”

“You love me?”

Tae colored slightly, bit his lip and nodded. “Sorry,” he whispered, “I didn’t mean to tell you like that.” He looked down at the ground. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way, I know it’s still really early－”

“Tae, are you fucking kidding me?” Jungkook said, reaching for Tae’s hand and Tae looked back up at him. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I met you.”

There was now a chorus of “awwww’s” from the crowd on the porch and Tae giggled.

“I feel like we’re in some sort of drama right now.”

“Yeah, me too,” Jungkook said, grinning and tugging him closer. “So this must be the part where we kiss…”

Their lips met, wrapping their arms around each other and Jungkook held onto Tae as tightly as he could as they kissed, blood and all.

“I love you, Jungkook,” Tae whispered against his lips.

“I love you too, Tae,” Jungkook whispered back. “I love you so fucking much.”

There was a storm of cheering and clapping from the people on the porch and Tae threw his head back and laughed up at the sky. “Oh my god, this is so ridiculous.”

“I think it suits us, though,” Jungkook said, chuckling. “Being ridiculous.”

“Yeah,” Tae said, “and disgusting.”

“And gross.”

“And,” Tae sighed, running a hand through Jungkook’s hair, “just madly, madly in love.”

“Mm hmm,” Jungkook said, nuzzling him, “that’s the best part about us.”

They kissed again only to be interrupted by Jimin, who skipped up to them and threw his arms around the pair of them, trapping them in a tiny bear hug. “Oh my god, you two are the absolute worst.” He beamed at them, giving them a squeeze. “If any pair of idiots belongs together, it’s you two.”

Jungkook snickered. “Thanks, Jiminie,” he said, “that’s high praise, coming from you.”

“You better believe it, Jungkookie.” He stepped back. “Now, I think I’ll go find Yoongi and bet him all the blowjobs that you two are going to be engaged by the time we finish college.”

They watched him prance back into the house then turned to face each other.

“So,” Jungkook said, “what do you think his odds are of winning that bet?”

“Hmm,” Tae said, leaning in close, “I’d say his odds are pretty good…”

***

Three months later

Jungkook rushed down the hallway to his and Tae’s dorm room, his heart racing, clutching at the small box stashed in the pocket of his hoodie. He hadn’t let go of it since he had left the store, paranoid that it was going to fall out.

He’ll like it, he kept telling himself, he’s not going to be disappointed, he’ll like it－

 He opened the door to their room, finding Tae on his computer, clicking through a series of pictures that showed the different rooms of an apartment－the kitchen, the bedroom, the living room.

“Oh, hey, sweetie,” he said, getting up and coming over to greet Jungkook with a kiss. “Did you get a chance to look at those apartment listings I sent you?”

“Yeah, a couple of them,” Jungkook replied, sneaking another kiss onto Tae’s lips. “That one on Hawthorne looks pretty promising.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too.”

Apartment hunting was proving to be a bit of a bitch, especially since they were in a rush to find something before the end of the semester. Neither of them wanted to return to their respective parents’ homes for the summer and if they managed to find one soon, they could spend their time off school moving in, picking out furniture and getting their new place set up.

“God, I hope we find something soon,” Tae said, “I feel like we’ve been looking forev－” But his sentence ended on a startled noise as Jungkook scooped him up into his arms, holding him bridal-style.

“What are you doing?” Tae giggled as Jungkook carried him over to the bed. But instead of tossing him onto it, he turned and sat down on the edge of the mattress, setting Tae sideways on his lap.

“Nothing,” he said innocently, securing his arms around Tae’s waist. “I just want to sit with you like this.”

Tae hummed, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Jungkook’s head. “It’ll be so weird, won’t it?” he murmured. “Having actual rooms, plural. Instead of just one room.”

“Yeah, but we’ll get used to it.” He gave Tae a cheeky grin. “Of course, we could just pile everything in the living room, set it up like our dorm.”

Tae laughed. “We could do that.”

“It’ll be nice to have a proper bed, though,” Jungkook mused. “Not this Frankenstein’s monster we created.” He patted the mattress, indicating their pushed-together beds.

“Oh, I don’t know…” Tae said, “we’ve had some good times on this monster…”

He bit his lip, his gaze turning sultry. Jungkook felt his body instantly respond, desire for his boyfriend flooding through him. But he wanted to give Tae the gift he had bought for him before they got into it.

“Uh, wait,” Jungkook said, as Tae moved to kiss him. “I, uh, have something for you.”

He fumbled the small cardboard box out of his pocket and placed it in Tae’s hand.

“What’s this?” Tae said, giving him a quizzical look. “It’s not my birthday or anything.”

“Come on, Tae, I don’t need a reason to get you a gift.”

Tae raised an eyebrow. “A gift for no reason, huh?” he teased. “You wouldn’t be feeling guilty about something would you?”

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “Fuck, I knew you were going to say that.” He nodded at the box still in Tae’s hand. “Just open it, will you?”

He drummed his fingers nervously against Tae’s knee as his boyfriend lifted the lid of the box, his expression curious. Inside it was another, smaller box, covered in blue velvet. A jewelry box.

Tae went very still, blinking down at it. “What—“

“It’s not an engagement ring,” Jungkook said quickly. He cleared his throat, shifting slightly underneath Tae. “If, uh, that’s what you were thinking.”

Not that he hadn’t been looking. He had been visiting jewelry stores for the past few weeks now, just browsing, getting ideas, not planning on buying anything. Well, not yet anyway. But when he had spotted the piece that now sat enclosed in the box in Tae’s hand, he just knew he had to get it for him.

“Come on, Tae,” Jungkook said, feeling like he might die any second now from anticipation, “open it.”

Tae lifted the lid of the box and gasped. “Oh, Jungkook...” he breathed.

It was a ring but not a diamond one. Instead it was a thin gold band topped by a small, golden sunflower.

“You like it?” Jungkook asked as Tae gaped down at the ring.

“I love it,” Tae said, a slow smile spreading over his face. “It’s so beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s neck, squeezing him tightly. “Thank you,” he whispered in Jungkook’s ear. “You didn’t have to get this for me.”

“I know,” Jungkook said, feeling his face heat. “I wanted to.” He plucked the ring from the box. “Now, you can wear it on whatever finger you want,” he said, taking Tae’s left hand in his. “But I was thinking,” he went on, sliding it onto Tae’s ring finger, “it could be a sort of promise ring, you know?”

“A promise ring?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook said, glancing up at him. “Like, I promise you to get you another ring someday.”

Tae beamed at him, his lips tilting up in a shy smile. “I like that promise,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss him.

“Me too,” Jungkook hummed, kissing him back. The kiss seemed to go on forever until Tae finally pulled back, resting his forehead against Jungkook’s, their arms still wrapped around each other.

Jungkook stroked his hand gently down Tae’s spine, certain he would never get tired of holding Tae in his arms, this boy that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

He breathed a sigh against Tae’s neck. “I love you, Tae.”

“I love you, too,” Jungkook,” Tae whispered. “So much...”

And, even though they had already said it, they fell back onto the bed and proceeded to show each other, without words, just how much they loved each other.

It didn’t take long for Jungkook to follow through on his promise to Tae and buy another ring for him. They both felt like they had waited for each other long enough.