Taehyung was walking back over to Jungkook, looking more relieved than he had before he went off with Hoseok. What had his friend said?
Jungkook's mother was getting visibly irritated that Jungkook still hadn't joined her, but Namjoon had a death grip on his wrist. "I'm acting in your best interest," Namjoon said, continuing his mission to try and talk reason into Jungkook. "What's wrong with that?"
Jungkook's back stiffened. "I love you, hyung, but this is my decision. If you can't accept it, feel free to leave."
"It's a stupid decision, Jungkook."
Jungkook winced but held his ground. "Nevertheless, I made the decision. Anyways, it's not like I'm going to actually marry Tae. He's going to break up with me."
Taehyung cleared his throat as he stopped next to Jungkook. "What do you want, Namjoon? What outcome at this moment would make you happy? Do you want me to tell Jungkook's parents that we've been lying to them? How will that make him look? He'd be worse off than he was before they mistook me as Taehyeon."
"First off, it's Kim Namjoon-ssi to you," Namjoon said, eyes narrowing. His jaw ticked "If you dare hurt Jungkook..."
"Yeah, I know," Taehyung said dryly. "You'll find out about my wicked past and throw it in my face. But good luck with that. I'm a pretty boring guy. Have fun finding anything shiny enough to catch your interest."
Watching Tae now, Jungkook had a hard time believing that Taehyung was boring, but he was fairly certain Tae was no hardened criminal or gang leader. Namjoon would probably have to do a lot of digging to discover anything scandalous about Kim Taehyung. Jungkook had no hidden fantasies about dating a bad boy, and Taehyung's chivalry, good looks, and charming personality screamed everything but bad boy. In all honesty, Jungkook was attracted to Tae a lot more than he'd like to admit. Their "relationship" was ending soon. He couldn't get too attached to Tae.
And that filled Jungkook with more disappointment than he had a right to feel.
Namjoon pointed a finger at Taehyung. "If I do find anything, I'll whip so many lawsuits around you that you'll regret this day."
Tae shrugged, looking unimpressed. "Suit yourself."
Hoseok, who had trailed his way to them as well, laughed from behind them. "He made a pun and is standing up to you, Joonie. Now I really like him."
Taehyung gave Hobi a conspiratorial grin before turning to Jungkook. "Your mother doesn't look to happy. Maybe we should go play the happy couple."
"Yeah."
Tae put his arm around Jungkook's waist, looking very much like an attentive boyfriend.
"Don't think this is over," Namjoon nearly hissed.
Tae led Jungkook away from Namjoon, leaning into his ear as they made their way over to Jeon Ae-ri and her friends. "Has your hyung always been..."
"Grumpy?"
"I had another word in mind, but that works, I guess."
Jungkook laughed. "He wasn't always like this. Namjoon-hyung used to be more happy and carefree, but he's become more serious and..."
"Dictatorial?"
Jungkook released a heavy sigh as they climbed the steps. "He really does mean well. It's just that after the whole incident with his parents..." He trailed off a bit, biting his bottom lip. "His father had been cheating on his mother. And then his father filed for divorce, leaving his mother with barely anything. She died four years after that. Now hyung's a divorce attorney who specializes in representing women who've been screwed over in their marriages. And he makes sure they don't get screwed over in their divorces either."
Tae's heart couldn't help but go to the elder. Sure, he was an ass, but there wasn't much that you could do when life wasn't fair. "It's an admirable position."
"He started out with the best intentions, but the whole gig's made him jaded. He's changed... And not for the better."
Seeing their approach, Jungkook's mother waved them over to an older couple. "Jungkook! I want to introduce you to some of our dear old friends."
"Showtime," Jungkook mumbled to Taehyung.
Tae gave the younger a light squeeze of reassurance was they joined the group.
Jungkook had been worried that they could never pull it off, but he and Taehyung sailed through the evening. He was a great conversationalist, and everyone loved him. Jungkook had heard the key to creating good conversation was to lavish attention on the other person, taking care not to talk too much about yourself. Turns out, Taehyung was a master at that, diverting all but the most mundane questions about himself. Tae showed particular interest in his father's friends, and at first, Jungkook was actually worried that Tae really was trying to sell them snake oil, but he didn't make one peep about a timeshare or a pyramid scheme. Instead, Taehyung asked how long they'd known his father, what Seongjin's hobbies were, and whether they'd recommend Seongjin's financial planner. Taehyung smiled as he said he had to plan a future for his soon-to-be husband, and maybe children as well.
Taehyung smiled at Jungkook at the mention of future children, as though they shared some intimate secret. Jungkook's stomach fluttered, not at the thought of having children—though he did want to adopt—but at the way Tae's gaze lingered on his face. As if he couldn't wait to get them alone so they could...
Jungkook's face flushed at the thought. But they did have another secret. They were going to break up before the end of the night.
After Tae and Jungkook had made the rounds twice, and his mother was satisfied, Namjoon and Hoseok joined them at the bistro table. Jimin was still busy at the bar, taking the guests' orders, and Yoongi was helping him. While Namjoon was quiet and distrustful, Hoseok more than made up for it, asking Tae about his family.
"My father died when I was sixteen. My brother was still in college, and my mother managed to hold my father's firm together until he graduated and took over. Then, I joined him."
Jungkook reached over and covered Tae's hand with his own. He couldn't imagine what his teen years would be like without the support of his father back then. Jungkook's father has been his lifeline in high school, standing up for him when he failed to meet his mother's expectations for masculinity. His father had been a lot more open to the changes in his life, from the makeup to the confession that he liked guys. Jeon Seongjin had no problems with any of it.
"Taehyung," Hoseok leaned back into his chair and eyed his friend before turning back to Tae. "You and Joonie have something in common. His father died when he was in law school."
Namjoon shot Tae a glare. "And did your father cheat on your mother and leave her nearly destitute in a divorce before dying?"
"No," Taehyung said calmly. "My father loved my mother very much. I hope to have a marriage like theirs one day."
"Based on lies and deception?"
He went quiet for a moment, and Tae's answer was subdued. "No."
Hoseok gave Namjoon a frown. "Joon, not everyone is as cynical about love as you are."
"I'm a realist, Hobi. Love is a conscious decision."
"Do you think your relationship with Jisoo is love?" Hoseok questioned, turning around to interrogate his friend.
"Jisoo and I have a very compatible relationship based on trust and similar hobbies."
"And it's so romantic," Hobi singsonged.
"Romance doesn't last. It's all spiking hormones and lust." Namjoon glared at his friend. "Perhaps one of your relationships might actually last longer than three weeks if you were looking for something other than romance."
"I'd rather have a few weeks of passion than a cold and emotionless relationship," Hoseok shot back, seemingly unfazed, but Jungkook saw the hurt in his eyes.
Namjoon turned to Taehyung. "And how are we supposed to believe everything you say? You could very well be making all of this up—your mother, your father, your brother too."
"Hyung," Jungkook warned.
A tension filled silence settled on the group. Taehyung stood suddenly. "I know you guys probably want to talk without me, so I'll go make a call and leave you with some time to yourselves."
"Who are you gonna call?" Namjoon demanded.
Tae pulled his phone out of his pocket and brought up the contact before he locked his eyes with Namjoon's. "My brother Jin. I haven't talked to him since I got to Busan, so he must be worried."
Namjoon snatched the phone out of Tae's grasp. "Let's see if you really have a brother."
"Hyung!" Jungkook shouted, reaching for the device. "What the hell are you doing!?"
"Protecting you." Namjoon leaned out of Jungkook's reach, using his height. Tae stared at him, eyes wide with shock. Namjoon pressed 'Call' and held the phone up to his ear. "Hello? Jin? What is your relation with Kim Taehyung?" A muted yet audible voice of alarm could be heard. Horror washed over Namjoon's face. "No! He's fine! He hasn't been in an accident! I'm sorry! He just..."
"Hyung!" Jungkook wrestled the phone from the elder and handed it back to Tae. "I'm so sorry."
Taehyung grimaced as he lifted the phone to his ear. "Jin? I'm fine," He gave Jungkook an apologetic look. "It was someone's idea of a bad joke."
Jungkook waved his hand. "Go." He shooed Taehyung to somewhere where he could focus on his call, with fewer people.
"What the hell, hyung!" Jungkook demanded after Taehyung left. "You probably scared his brother half to death!"
Namjoon recovered, shrugging. "He didn't try to stop me once I had his phone."
"Yeah, because I'm sure he never expected that out of a grown, supposedly professional man would steal his phone." Hoseok interjected.
To his credit, Namjoon still looked a tad bit embarrassed. "Maybe I was overzealous..."
"You think?" Jungkook asked.
"I think he's cute." Hobi kept his eyes on Taehyung, an appreciative gleam in his eye. "He's got a nice ass."
"Funny," Jungkook deadpanned. "My gran said the same thing."
"I've always liked Gran," Hoseok said. "I think you should go for it."
"There's nothing to go for."
"I thought you were breaking up tonight?" Namjoon reminded.
"Yeah..." Jungkook had been trying to put it off for as long as possible, wanting to spend more time with him. But the reality of the situation was staring him in the face, and the thoughts of never seeing Kim Taehyung again filled him with panic.
Hoseok lifted his drink to his lips and gave Jungkook a knowing look. "I say you break up with him tomorrow. You can do other things tonight."
Jungkook grimaced. "While sleeping around might be your style, Hobi-hyung, it's not mine."
Hobi harrumphed and shot him a haughty look, unable to deny the fact. "But look at your own wedding. While it's a disaster, another significantly charming man has already claimed to be your fiancé."
"Hey!" Jungkook protested. "My wedding is not a disaster... as far as Tae goes... it's not going to happen. I just met him. And under duress, might I add."
Namjoon scowled. "Well, my wedding is gonna go off without a hitch. My wedding planner has everything under control, and Jisoo could never leave me." He cast a glance at Jungkook. "Sorry Kookie."
Jungkook shrugged, trying to make his friends believe he was over Taehyeon dumping him. He wasn't sure now convincing he was. While he was glad to get rid of someone who didn't really love him, the bitterness still clung to him like cheap perfume.
Reaching over, Hoseok patted Jungkook's hand. "Who knows? Maybe he'll marry Taehyung on Saturday."
Namjoon looked furious. "Jungkook is not getting married to anyone on Saturday, so let it go."
"Jeez, Joonie." Hoseok said nonchalantly, sipping his drink. "You might want to consider some anger management classes." He wagged his eyebrows at Jungkook. "Besides, who knows what'll happen with Mr. Hot-and-Sexy-in-a-Pair-of-Jeans once he's out of them. Maybe it'll be so good you'll want to marry him."
Jungkook's eyes widened, and his ears turned and unbelievable shade of red. "Hyung!" He whined.
"He's not sleeping with him tonight," Namjoon lectured Hoseok. "I'm sure Knickers gave them separate rooms. No one is allowed to have sex in the house of perfection."
Hobi giggled. "But Knickers got herself pregnant... twice." His voice trailed off in innuendo.
Namjoon's mouth twisted in a smirk. "I'm sure that happened in a five-star hotel so someone else's sheets got soiled. Both times."
The thought of his perfect mother having sex, especially with his father, was nauseating. "My virgin ears don't need this..." Jungkook groaned. "But y'know, my mother told Tae he could stay in my room, thinking he was Taehyeon. She..." He trailed off.
"Knickers openly said you guys could have sex?" Namjoon's mouth gaped.
"No," Jungkook cringed. "She said she knew that we do the hanky-panky back in Seoul."
"You aren't a virgin anymore?" Hobi interjected.
"What?" Jungkook spluttered. "No, no, no. I didn't do it. But my mother just assumed... So Tae's staying in my room tonight."
"Yes!" Hoseok squealed, drawing the attention of guests at a nearby table. "Jungkook's gonna get it tonight!"
Jungkook could not be any redder than he was. "Hyung!" He hissed, face steaming. "I can't"
"Finally," Namjoon groaned. "The first sensible thing you've said today."
Hoseok ignored him. "Why not?"
"He's not sticking around. I'm not just going to give my virginity like that. I didn't even do it with Taehyeon, and we were together for two years!"
"So? What's the problem? You like him. Better than Taehyeon. Admit it."
Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut. "Maybe."
"You'd be crazy as hell if you didn't. He's nice. He's sexy as hell. Like a piece out of an art gallery. He's got a great sense of humor. He's charming. And he's sexy as hell."
"You said that already."
Hoseok glanced at Taehyung, who had pocketed his phone and was headed back their way. "With a man as sexy as that, it can't be said enough."
Jungkook's face heated up once again. When Hobi was right, he was right, and Jungkook couldn't help but think about all the things Tae could accomplish with that sexiness.
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A/N: i was dying writing the ending part. jk is too pure for this talk i am uncomfortable