"Jimin-hyung, are you busy tomorrow?" Jungkook asked once Jimin answered his phone.
"Ah, no. Me and Jisoo just planned to hang around, why?"
"Well...Gracie's got a doctor's appointment and I just...if you could, I was wondering if you'd come with me?"
"Yeah," Jimin giggled, "Sounds good. What time should we be there?"
"We?"
"Oh...it's okay if Jisoo comes, right?"
"Yeah," Jungkook reached out and laid his hand on Grace's stomach so she wouldn't roll off the couch, "That's okay. Um...her appointment's at one thirty. You guys could come around twelve and we could grab lunch on the way."
"Sounds great Kookie. See ya then."
"Bye-bye."
Jungkook was about to hang up when Jimin's giggles pierced his ear. They only stayed for a second and then the call dropped.
He frowned at his phone screen then dropped the device in the floor after turning it off. He laid down, in front of Grace with his back towards the room. She was sandwiched between her daddy and the sofa, so she wouldn't go anywhere.
Jungkook grabbed the stuffed monkey Yoongi gave her and sat it on her tummy. She giggled and squealed, grabbing at the monkey's ears and then hugging it. "Uh!"
"Yeah," Jungkook kissed her cheek, "We love Monkey."
----------------
"I was on the phone," Jimin giggled, pushing against Jisoo's bare chest.
"C'mon. When are you gonna tell him about us?" Joshua pouted, placing a small kiss on the smaller's forehead.
"Gay people make Kookie uncomfortable. He doesn't say so, but I know it does. So a gay couple might make him scared."
"But he's your friend," Josh laid his head on Jimin's chest, "He knows you're gay."
"And I'm almost too much for him to handle," the older giggled.
"Baby," Jisoo sighed, "It's been...what...three months since we started dating, six months since I confessed, and eight since I came out to you. I really want your friends to know. Jihun and Mingyu know about us."
"Yeah, but what about Junhwi and Wonwoo and Hoshi and Bernon-"
"Vernon, baby," Joshua smiled.
"That's what I said."
"Okay."
"Look..I'm glad you can tell your friends. It's great that you're comfortable enough with them to discuss it," Jimin ran his hands through the other's hair, "But my friends make jokes and tease me- and I know it's all in good fun, but sometimes it sounds degrading when they don't mean it to. And me having a boyfriend...Tae would have a field day with that."
"Have you ever told them that some of the jokes hurt your feelings?"
"No," Jimin grumbled, "Don't wanna sound like a baby."
"It's not sounding like a baby," the taller lifted his head, resting it in the palm of his hand, "It's expressing yourself and telling them things they need to know."
Jimin pursed his lips and stared up at the other, "I can tell everyone individually. Not as a big group 'cause there'd be way too many questions from way too many people."
"Questions?"
"Yeah...I already know what they're gonna be, too, is the sad part."
"What're they gonna be?"
--------------
"What?" Seokjin furrowed his brow, "But Jiminie...what about Jungkook? I thought you loved him."
"I do," Jimin sighed, "But Joshua's good for me hyung. He takes care of me and keeps my mind off Kookie. I'm not lonely anymore and I don't have to worry about my feelings for Jungkook-"
"Don't have to worry about them," Jin scoffed, "Jimin, you've loved him for seven years. It doesn't just turn off like that!" Jin snapped and the younger flinched. "I mean, it's great that you found a nice guy...but, I mean, are you ready to move on?"
"I can't dote on him for the rest of my life hyung. Besides, he still loves Malani."
"She's been gone for a year. We haven't even heard from her. She hasn't even called to check on Gracie. Jimin, if there's any time to tell him how you feel or how you felt or whatever you've always wanted to say....I think sooner is better than later."
------------------
Joshua had been present when Jimin told Yoongi and Taehyung about them. It sparked lots of questions from Taehyung and only one remark from Min Yoongi.
"Hurt our Chim Chim and you die."
Joshua had never been afraid of Jimin's friends until that moment.
-----------------
Namjoon was a bit difficult for Jimin to tell. He had to do it alone since Josh had school on the day Jimin and Joon met up, but nevertheless he got the words out.
Namjoon nodded at first, pushing the salt shaker around on Jimin's dining table. Then he inhaled and said, "I was really hoping you'd turn Kookie gay, though."
Jimin flushed and said, "That's not how it works."
------------------
Hoseok was easy. Jimin stopped him during one of his classes at the dance studio and said, "Hyung, I'm dating Joshua."
"Really?!" Hoseok smiled, "That's great!" Then he gave the smaller male a sweaty hug.
--------------------
Jungkook was a whole other story. Jimin had volunteered to take care of Grace while her daddy worked and Joshua had come to help as well.
The little girl had gone down for a nap and Jimin had just brought the pizza back from the door when Jisoo started to slowly bite at his neck and kiss his jaw.
The smaller male pushed him off a few times, even managing to feed him a slice of pizza, but the taller was relentless in the end and they ended up making out, laying on the floor, in front of the tv.
Neither one heard Jungkook come in, but they heard the startled yelp of, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry!"
Joshua sighed and pushed himself off Jimin and the older sat up.
Jungkook was gone from the room, but Jimin still couldn't look his boyfriend in the eye.
"Go talk to him," the taller kissed Jimin's cheek and pushed his hand through his hair.
Jimin nodded and softly pecked Jisoo's lips before he stood up and took the pizza to the kitchen with him.
He found Jungkook standing over the kitchen island with a beer on top the counter between his hands.
"Want some pizza?" Jimin held up the box.
"Sorry I freaked out," Jungkook dropped his head.
"It's fine," Jimin shrugged, "I was gonna tell you anyway...just in a more...nicer way than that."
"Oh," Jungkook's eyes widened, "So...he's your boyfriend now?"
"He has been for a while. I just...I was scared to say anything."
"Why?" The younger looked up.
Jimin moved over and sat the pizza box down on the island, "Because...it's a change, you know? I went from being single my whole life to your gay friend who has a boyfriend."
"What difference does that make? You're still you."
Jimin smiled and looked down to his hands, "I'm glad you think so."
"I wouldn't think any different," the younger grumbled, reaching out for a slice of pizza.
As soon as the food touched Jungkook's tongue, Grace started wailing from upstairs.
"I got her," Jimin smiled and took off, gaining a muffled thanks from his friend.
------------------
"Jiminie," Taehyung passed Joshua a bottle of tequila and the taller poured some into Jimin's glass before his own.
"Yeah?"
"Do you love him?" Tae pointed to the boy next to his friend.
Jimin flushed and looked to his cup, swirling the liquid around in it. He slightly nodded and his friend cooed.
Joshua smiled to himself and sat the bottle down.
Taehyung almost said something out of line, but Yoongi tapped the younger's glass and Tae remembered he had something to drink.
Jungkook came back from Grace's room, grabbing his glass and disappearing again.
Jimin pouted at that and sat his own cup down before he leaned back on the sofa.
Joshua leaned back too and tapped his nose, "What's up?"
"Kookie's mad at me, ain't he?"
"Why would he be mad?"
"'Cause I brought you again. And I forgot to ask."
The taller let out a small sigh then pecked the other's cheek, "I'm sure he'll forgive you. I can go, if you think he'll feel better."
Jimin shrugged, "He hasn't talked to me since he saw us kissing."
Josh sadly smiled and pushed his fingers through the other's bangs, "He probably has a reason. Why don't you ask him?"
"I don't wanna know the answer."
---------------------
Jungkook sighed and dumped his glass into the sink then sat the cup in the basin.
He stared at the ice that was stopped by the drain cover, tongue poking his cheek.
There was something he didn't like about Joshua. He was a nice guy and he was even good at taking care of Grace. Maybe that was it. Gracie was always so lively around Jimin and Joshua. With Jungkook, she just slept and played with her monkey. Granted she had shown him her first steps while they were playing with blocks and Jungkook's Godzilla figurine.
"Kookie," Jin's voice came from beside him.
He jerked his head around and stared at the older, "Yeah?"
"What's wrong? Your lip's bleeding."
"Huh?" The other raised his hand to his mouth and tapped his lips with all his fingers. He felt a slight sting on his top one, near the corner of his mouth, "Bit it, I guess," he grumbled.
"Gracie okay?"
"Yeah. She's fine. Hobi's playing with her."
"So...what's up?"
"That dude."
"Jisoo? What about him? Is it 'cause Jimin forgot to ask if he could come? That's what Jimin thinks you're mad about."
"Maybe," Kook shrugged and turned around, leaning against the counter.
"You don't know?"
The younger shook his head, "Not really."
"Maybe just an off day then, hm?"
"Maybe. I'm not mad at hyung though. Just that dude."
"The fact that you know his name and refuse to use it makes me wonder things."
"Stop wondering."
Jin laughed lightly and took the same stance as his friend, "Look, Kookie...you didn't hear this from me, but...even though they're all sweet and stuff to each other, I don't think they'll last longer than a year."
"Why's that?" Kook raised his eyebrow.
"Because I've seen Jimin in love. Those aren't the same eyes I saw before. He's happy, yeah, but not in love."
Jungkook nodded and looked to the floor, "Who was he in love with before?"
"Someone you know."
"Taehyung-hyung?"
"No...but he's still close to that person."
---------------
"Morning," Joshua laughed as he handed Jimin a cup of water and two pills.
The older groaned and forced himself to sit up, "Why'd you let me do that?"
"You said you wanted to get wasted."
"Don't let me do stupid things."
The taller sat down and stared at his boyfriend, watching as he rubbed his temples, sitting the water on his nightstand.
"I love you."
Jimin froze and looked up, "Huh?"
"I love you," Jisoo said again.
"Oh," Jimin blushed and looked to his hands.
"Not ready to say it yet, huh?" The younger laughed lowly, "That's fine. I move fast sometimes."
Jimin gulped and nodded, wanting to apologize, but nothing felt like the right words to say. Why couldn't he say it back? He...he did love Joshua. Loved everything about him. Except maybe the way he cringed at Jimin's vegetarian food, but lots of people did that and he was used to it. Even Jungkook teased him over it.
Jungkook.
That's why he couldn't say it.
-----------------
"Jin-hyung," Jimin cried into his phone, "Where are you?"
"Home. What happened?"
"I don't know. I-" He hiccuped and swallowed, "I need a hug...or a therapist, I just-"
"I'll be there in a little while, okay? Calm down, Chim. I'm sure you'll be okay."
-----------------
Jimin laid against Jin for hours and cried his eyes out. Even after all those tears, he couldn't force himself to sleep.
"What happened, Jimin?"
"Jisoo said he loves me," Jimin said weakly, "I couldn't say it back. I don't...I mean, I like him and he's fun to hang out with...sex was good-"
"You slept with him?"
"Only twice."
Jin exhaled. They'd been dating for six months so twice was a decent number.
"He's really nice, hyung. He's good for me..."
"But he's not Jungkook," Jin ran his hand through the other's hair, pulling the bed sheets over them more.
Jimin shook his head, clutching Jin's shirt softly, "And I don't wanna leave Jisoo for nothing. We're great. But my whole heart isn't in it and I just...he deserves more."
"So," Jin bit his lip, praying with all of his motherly powers, "Are you gonna break up with him?"
"What reason would I give him? He deserves to know why and I can't say I'm in love with a straight man. He'd try to convince me of the same thing I've been telling myself for years. Jungkook will never love me like I want him to and I know that."
"Jimin...I don't usually talk about sexuality a lot, but I've noticed that it isn't necessarily...set in stone, to say. You yourself were interested in women until college, right?"
"Yeah."
"That's my point. You started to see Jungkook in another light and...you slowly fell in love with him, despite the fact that he's a man."
"Yeah...how is this supposed to make me feel better?" Jimin pouted, picking fuzz off the older's shirt.
"Because," Jin smirked, "Jungkook's been jealous of your boy toy ever since you told him about you two."
"Ha," the younger rolled his eyes, "He's not jealous. He's disgusted."
"Has he told you that?" Jin furrowed his brow.
"It's all over his face hyung," Jimin shrugged, "I'm almost positive that every time he looks at me he remembers me kissing Jisoo in his living room floor."
"Jimin-"
"I know he doesn't try to seem like he hates my sexuality, but he leaves the room or building every time Jisoo kisses my cheek."
"Oh, Jiminie," Jin sighed and pat the younger's back, "If Jungkook hated you, he wouldn't associate with you. You know how he is."
"Yeah...and he doesn't talk to me anymore. The last time we had a decent conversation was during a lunch we had together. Jisoo was there and Gracie had a doctor's appointment. That was all before I told any of you guys about us."
"Have you tried talking to him since then?"
"I told him I was dating Josh and gave him a pizza then I went to take care of Gracie."
"And that was the last time?"
"Yeah."
"Jimin...that was two months ago. You haven't even texted him? Called him? Sent him a letter on a bird's ankle? Nothing?"
"No," Jimin mumbled, "And he doesn't seem to mind it. He can't even stay in the same room as me anymore."
Jin leaned his head to the side and pressed a kiss into Jimin's hair, "I'm sure he has his reasons."
"....That's what Jisoo told me."