layunicorn
Jungkook's dating life is chaotic and Hoseok, his best friend, has enough of it. He settles a blind date for him with a friend of him Jungkook doesn't know.
He only gives Jungkook a name, and nothing else. Taehyung.
(or Taekook's first date, they meet, they like each other and Jungkook has to find a way to thank Hoseok at the end)
---
The sun is setting over the few trees on the street, light shining on the concrete under his feet, as Jungkook waits with his nerves on edge for his blind date to arrive.
Yeah, he's on a blind date. Him.
He knows, shocking , right?
He, the guy who's most happy when he can blend in the background surrounded by his friends, though it's actually more because he just loves to look at them and listen to them talk about their lives, than because he's shy.
He's not shy, thank you very much.
He's a listener, not much of a talker. He enjoys company even though he also likes his alone time. He loves attention on him, just only when he decides it.
But.
His date life is a mess. His friends go as far as to say it's apocalyptic , but they're all such drama queens, you shouldn't listen to them. It's just a bit messy, trust him.
Still, tonight he finds himself on a new experience, waiting for a guy he doesn't know nor does he ever even saw , all that thanks to his best friend Hoseok. He's been listening to Jungkook telling him about all the dates he's been on for months and months, and finally decided two days ago that he'd had enough. According to Hoseok, Jungkook's tolerance for assholes is way too high and his standards way too low.
So his best friend had settled a blind date for him, and if you knew Hoseok as Jungkook does, you would be an inch away from a nervous breakdown too.
Hoseok is funny, loud, outgoing, overwhelming, caring to no end, queer and very proud. And really, don't get him wrong, Jungkook loves him for being no less than a hundred percent himself, it's just... Well, Jungkook doesn't want to date Hoseok, ever . So he's a little bit worried that his date tonight might be just like him, or worse.
Jungkook also doesn't do well with the unexpected. He doesn't hate it, he's just not good at it. He likes being in control of his life, it's safe, it's comfortable, and when he doesn't know what to expect then he's not in control and so he gets stressed out.
The only thing he knows is a name.
Taehyung.
The guy's name is Taehyung and apparently a good friend of Hoseok, but his knowledge of the guy ends there.
Therefore Jungkook is nervous, really nervous. But hey! He still agreed and showed up, because Jungkook is also not a quitter or a coward.
He's been waiting for five minutes now, legs shaking slightly, walking back and forth between the wall of the restaurant and the edge of the sidewalk, glancing every ten seconds to his phone.
After five minutes and twenty seconds, as he raises his head once again to look at one side of the street, he sees a guy approaching, still at a good enough distance from him that he has time to check him out.
Now, don't be bitchy on him, it's natural, we've all done that. Plus, he's meeting the other for the first time, it's his duty to check him out, give him a break.
Even though the guy is still away, he's definitely at least as tall as Jungkook, and that helps him relax a little bit. He has no problem with guys smaller than him, but again: he didn't know what to expect.
He's nervous, okay? Shush.
So the guy is tall, good point. He's also very finely dressed, well put together but not showing off either. He obviously has a sense of style or even fashion, without appearing elitist about it, which: also a good point. But one little detail surprises Jungkook as his eyes reach the guy's shoes. Heels. The guy is wearing high heels. Now, don't get it twisted, Jungkook doesn't mind and he's not judgmental, it's just very... unexpected, is all.
The guy walks confidently on the sidewalk, looking around him instead of some device in his hands, which reminds Jungkook to put his own phone in his pocket, to not appear rude or childish in case the guy's his date for the night.
Remember, control = comfortable.
As the guy gets closer and closer, Jungkook gets the first good look at his face and, oh... what a face he's got there. He's tempted to call it breathtaking, but he thinks it's only because Hoseok is rubbing off on him, with his love for drama.
Or maybe not entirely. The guy does have such beautiful features that Jungkook forgets to breathe for a second there. The guy's grey dyed hair falling on his forehead and almost his eyes, giving him a mix of soft and sexy vibe, and Jungkook didn't even know such a combination was possible.
Oh how Jungkook hopes this is his date, because... wow. Just wow.
Fate, luck and at this point, Hoseok himself, look to be on his side as the guy finally spots him and begins a smile, almost shy of it, but also kind of hopeful.
"Are you Jungkook?" the guy (obviously Taehyung, duh) asks him expectantly as he stops right in front of him.
"Hey...llo," Jungkook answers lamely . "I mean hello, yes I am. You must be Taehyung?"
The guy's smile falters instantly. "No, my name's Jimin," he says and Jungkook stops to breathe for a second because, that was not part of the plan. What's happening? Did Hoseok gave him the wrong name, called the wrong guy, or what? What does he do now? But before he can even think of a way to salvage the situation the guy chuckles. "I'm messing with you," he says with a hand hiding half his growing grin. "Gosh you're so cute when you're in panic!"
Jungkook feels suddenly all the air rushing in his lungs in one go and his entire nervous system relax after the rough backflip it just did. He lets out a big huff of air. "Oh thank fuck!" he blurts out. "I was already planning Hobi's murder..." he continues before he can realise that you don't talk about murder to a guy you just met!
He's ready to backtrack, but Taehyung snorts, obviously amused. "Don't do that or I'll have to actually pay to get into that club he dances at, on fridays," he then winks.
Jungkook goes with the humorous tone. "Oh don't worry about it, if I'd had to murder him, I would let you in without paying."
"You work there or something?" Taehyung smiles.
"I dance with Hobi, actually," he smirks, knowing that being a dancer is always a good point with guys.
And he seems to be right, once again as Taehyung gives him a very non discrete once over. "Oh really? A dancer, huh? Yeah, I can see that," he says appreciatively.
"How can you tell?" Jungkook asks curious. "You a dancer yourself?"
"Nah, not really, but my best friend is, so I know a dancer's body when I see one," he winks again.
"Ah, I see," Jungkook says playfully. "Are you hungry?" he smiles, pointing at the restaurant they're in front of.
"Yes, very!" Taehyung answers with big, excited eyes.
"Alright then, let's get in."
Jungkook leads the way to the door that he then holds open for Taehyung to go through first, a flirty smile attached to his lips. Before he gets in the building he looks up the sky briefly and mouths a 'thank you' to whoever's watching him from above.
The restaurant is softly lit, dim light everywhere, giving a good cosy vibe to the atmosphere and Jungkook appreciates the ambiance right away.
"Good evening, gentlemen," a waitress greets them. "What can I do for you?"
"We have a reservation for Jeon," Jungkook tells her.
The waitress smiles and shows them the bar. "Your table will be ready in a moment, may I suggest you waiting at the bar in the meantime?"
Jungkook looks at Taehyung, silently asking if he's okay with getting a drink first and his date smiles at him. "Sure, I could use a drink."
The girl accompanies them to the end of the bar counter, where they each take a bar stool and sit down, looking at the drink menu hanging on the wall.
"Do you come here often?" Taehyung asks him after they both ordered.
"No, it's the first time," Jungkook smiles. "One of my friend recommended it for tonight, 'cause apparently it's 'gay-friendly', whatever that means."
Taehyung rolls his eyes. "I know, right! Like, what does that even mean for the other restaurants? Are they 'gay-haters' then?"
Jungkook lets out a bark of laughter. "Exactly! Though, I gotta admit, I've been to places that don't have that mention in tour guides, where I did get weird looks."
"Those places should have a 'douche-friendly' mention then, 'cause I don't see why anyone would look at you like that." Taehyung then winks.
Ok, so... already flirting, huh? Noted.
"So, Taehyung, tell me, what do you do?" Jungkook asks because he's curious and because he needs more info to relax.
Again, control = comfort.
The bartender chooses that moment to interrupt and gives them their drinks. They clink their glasses against one another, and Taehyung looks him directly in the eyes, which throws Jungkook slightly off balance on his stool. The guy has really deep eyes and he's not used to being looked at like that, sue him.
Taehyung takes a sip of his drink before he answers, as if the interruption never happened. "I'm in the entertainment industry. I'm an MC five nights a week." The look he sends Jungkook is a little strange, he's still smiling, but it's like he's waiting to see what Jungkook's reaction will be.
Jungkook smiles widely. "That's really cool! You must be really good with speaking to an audience then, can't relate," he chuckles. "What kind of show do you MC for? Something I might've seen, maybe?"
Taehyung keeps the same look on his face when he answers. "Depends, you into drag shows?"
Jungkook stays silent for a few seconds, the time he needs for the words to properly register in his brain, because drag shows ? Not the first thing he thinks of when talking about entertainment, but now that he thinks of it, it is entertainment.
He smiles profusely to the other. "Never been to one, but now that you mention it, I'd really like to see that!"
Taehyung's smile widens, just a tiny bit, showing that he seems pleased by the reaction. "You should come see by yourself then," he says, still obviously gauging Jungkook's demeanour about this subject. "If you really wanna see that, of course."
Jungkook doesn't hesitate. "Yeah, I want to! I don't know much about drag queens though, not very educated in that department, sorry," he smiles apologetically, scratching the back of his neck.
Only then does he finally get a full bloom smile from the other. "I'd be glad to educate you then." He winks again, and this time, a bubble of excitement pops in Jungkook's chest. "But it's a pretty long conversation to have right now, so instead tell me about you. What do you do?"
Jungkook's a little disappointed to not hearing more about drag queen culture, since he doesn't know much about it and the little he does know, he's sure, is pretty cliché, but he understands that it might not be the right time to discuss that, and he's also glad Taehyung seems to be interested in getting to know him.
"For now, I work for a filming studio, recording but mostly editing videos for all kind of projects," he answers proudly, because he loves his job.
Taehyung seems to perk at that. "For now? Does that mean you don't like it? Do you wish to do something else?"
"Oh no, not at all! I love my job, really! I said that because it's only the first step of my career. For now, I edit videos for others, but one day I'll be the one directing them and I'll have another young, handsome prodigy to edit for me," he says shamelessly, but with a big smile.
Taehyung barks a laugh at that, but it's nothing malicious, Jungkook rather seeing amusement in his disappearing eyes. "Wow," he finally says after laughing a few seconds. "A handsome prodigy, huh?"
Jungkook shrugs with a chuckle. "Eh, I know what I'm worth, y'know. False modesty gets you nowhere."
Taehyung seems to appreciate the response and extends his drink towards him. "Cheers to that!" he says with appreciation.
They clink their glasses again and for a second, Jungkook panics, not really knowing how to keep the conversation going, but Taehyung doesn't seem to have that problem.
He leans a little closer to Jungkook, still at a respectable distance, but enough to create a more relaxed ambiance between them. "So tell me, how do you know Hoseok?"
"He's my best friend, has been for years actually. We met in college, in the most boring way you can imagine, a party," Jungkook answers easily.
"There's nothing boring about a party, dear," Taehyung says with a smirk.
Jungkook chuckles. "Nah, the party wasn't boring, but the story of how we met is, considering who Hoseok is."
Taehyung snorts. "Yeah, he's everything but boring, that man."
"Exactly! He makes everything interesting just by being there, so it's kinda boring to say there was nothing original about our first meeting, almost offensive to him, y'know?"
Taehyung laughs quietly, fondly almost. "I guess you can see it that way, but I think it doesn't matter how you met. The interesting thing is how you kept in touch and became friends."
Jungkook smiles, thinking of all the wonderful times he'd shared with his best friend. "You're absolutely right on that."
"Do you have a crush on him, or something?" Taehyung asks with humour, but Jungkook can see a real curiosity behind his smile.
"On Hoseok?" Jungkook asks taken aback, and Taehyung hums. "Oh god, no! He's like my brother! Well... not exactly, 'cause my brother is like, his complete opposite, which might be why they click so well together, but no, I never had a crush on him," Jungkook rushes explaining, and that earns him a mischievous smile from the other.
"Ok then, good," Taehyung winks.
"Why good?"
Taehyung looks him dead in the eyes. "Because I like to be the only one on someone's mind on a date. I don't like sharing," he says unashamedly.
Jungkook's pulse rises, and in that moment he's thankful to his mother who gave him a good metabolism which doesn't blush easily. "You're a very interesting person, Taehyung," he blurts out without thinking, but doesn't regret anything as Taehyung flashes him a wonderful, boxy smile.
"I've been called worse," he then winks again, and Jungkook starts to realise that Taehyung might be a huge flirt.
He doesn't mind though, flirting is good and he's not bad at it. He knows himself and is confident enough in himself to play with his strength to entice someone.
"How about you, how do you know Hoseok?" he asks, leaning closer too.
Taehyung fakes thinking for a moment, hand under his chin, eyes focused on the ceiling. "We met last year, he was a backup dancer for one of my friend's number on stage that night and we bought each other drinks until one of us threw out in the back alley," he chuckles. "Not his proudest moment there, but he earned my friendship."
Wow there... Outdrinking Hoseok? His best friend is one of the heaviest weight he knows when it comes to alcohol, so for Taehyung to beat his ass in a drinking contest, that's really something else.
Jungkook can't help but laugh at the image forming in his head of a drunk Hoseok, throwing up in the street. "Does it mean I have to outdrink you then?" he asks the other man playfully.
"Only if you want my friendship, Jungkook," Taehyung answers with a clear double meaning.
"I'm not really looking for friendship, though," Jungkook plays along.
Taehyung hums, taking another sip of his drink. "What are you looking for, then?" he asks with a smirk, obviously already knowing the answer to that.
"Something else," he stays vague. "I've got enough friends."
Before Taehyung can try to push Jungkook to say more the waitress comes back, telling them their table is ready and invites them to follow her.
She guides them to a table in the back of the restaurant, in a corner, by a large window and Jungkook thinks it's the perfect spot. It's far enough from the other customers that they'll feel alone, and still has a beautiful view of the terrasse outside, which is lit by fairy lights and candles. Perfect.
They sit and order, and Jungkook waits for the waitress to leave before speaking up. "What about you, Taehyung? What are you looking for?"
Taehyung was visibly not expecting the question, probably thinking the topic was dead the moment they were interrupted, but he gathers himself pretty quickly. "Well, I too have enough friends in my life actually," he answers with a smirk. "But I should warn you Jungkook, I don't do booty calls or one night stands. So, whatever you're after, keep in mind that I'm not looking for meaningless."
Jungkook's eyes widen in surprise, because one: Taehyung is very blunt and unapologetic, which he finds very attractive, and two: he suddenly panics at the idea that he could've given the wrong idea earlier.
One time things are not and have never been in Jungkook's agenda. There's too much variables, too much uncertainty and unknown in that for his liking. Remember, control = comfortable. There's nothing that says less in control than a one stand stand, for him.
"Oh, I didn't mean that, I promise!" Jungkook quickly says. "Sorry if it looked like that's what I was implying at the bar, I really wasn't. Those aren't my thing either, to be honest."
Taehyung chuckles. "Don't worry, I didn't think it was. I just think it's best to be clear from the start, this way no miscommunication and you know what to expect. I don't like wasting time over something that could be avoided with a simple talk," Taehyung reassures him, and Jungkook likes that mentality.
"That's a really good way to approach things," Jungkook says, offering a genuine smile.
"Thank you! I think so too!" Taehyung is visibly opening up, behavior more excited and playful. "It's hard enough to find good guys in the world, but add to that, that they gotta be gay or bisexual - thank god for bisexuals by the way - it gets nearly impossible! So why make it more difficult, y'know?"
That makes Jungkook laugh lightly with him and suddenly he realises that... he's having a really good time with Taehyung. He still doesn't really know much about him, but what he saw of his personality so far, seems to match pretty well with his own, and he's already wondering if a second date can be an option.
He likes to plan in advance, shush.
Soon after their laughter dies down, their food is served and as they dig in with appetite, Taehyung is once again the one to keep the conversation going. "So, you mentioned a brother earlier, do you have a good relationship with him, or your family in general?"
Jungkook takes a sip of his drink before answering, to get the food down quicker. "Yeah, we have a very good thing. Not to brag, but my brother is the best actually," he says proudly, before frowning dramatically. "Please, never tell him I said that..." That earns him a bright laugh from his date, and a few bubbles of joy pops in his chest, proud to be the reason behind it. "But seriously, he really is. He's always there for me, always taking care of me in his own way, making sure I'm happy. He thinks he's being subtle but I know him better than anyone else, and it's very obvious to me."
Taehyung smiles brightly. "You seem very fond of him."
"I am, geez, I'm such a sap for him sometimes. I seriously disgust myself," he says with a dramatic gasp, which again makes his date laugh.
"Being a sap is not always a bad thing, though," Taehyung disagrees, smiling.
Jungkook feels a red flag metaphorically rising in his head. This is the moment to play strategically. He needs to say the right thing or Taehyung might think he's not romantic or something. He's got to be honest, but without scaring Taehyung away from possibly dating him.
"I know, it just depends on the person, I guess. Him and I don't ever get sappy with each other, it's just how we function. But I think anyone can turn into a sap with or for the right person," he chooses to answer.
Good job, Jungkook! That was smooth! He mentally pats himself on the back when he sees the appreciative smile and nod on Taehyung's face.
"I guess you can see it that way," Taehyung says then takes a mouthful of his rice before continuing. "But I think that if you really like or love someone, you should say it or show it, even if it comes across as sappy. Life's too short to hold back, y'know."
"Wow, you're actually making me feel guilty for not being cheesy to my brother, right now," Jungkook chuckles and puts down his fork before getting his phone out.
"What are you doing?" Taehyung asks with a snort.
Jungkook looks up at him with a dramatic sigh. "I told you, you made me feel guilty, so I'm texting him to tell him I love him."
Taehyung loudly laughs, visibly unable to contain himself, "Oh my god! You might be more of a drama queen than Hoseok himself!"
Jungkook fakely takes offense and gasps openly. "You take that back! How dare you?" Taehyung laughs all the more at that and a second later Jungkook's phone brightens with a new message. Jungkook checks, only because it's from his brother and laughs at the response.
"What is it? What did he say?" Taehyung wants to know, a child-like excitement on his face.
Jungkook can't speak for he's laughing on his side of the table and gives his phone to the other. On the screen, in his chat with his brother, the reply makes both of them chuckle and laugh for a good moment.
Kookie♧: i luv you bro
Yoongi♤: hoseok give his phone back to kook -_-
~☆~
All in all, the date goes really well and by the time dessert comes around, Jungkook finds himself really liking Taehyung.
He's a smart and funny guy, unashamed of being himself and very, very attractive. Jungkook is charmed, really. How not to be?
But he's not convinced Taehyung feels the same. He flirted as well as he could, he hinted a few times at a possible future, a next date and all that, but nothing seems to hit the marks. Taehyung is bubbly, open and fun to be with, but everytime Jungkook flirts, the other reacts as if Jungkook is joking. Which he's not, but he has no idea how to be more obvious without coming to hard on him.
He really wants to see Taehyung again though, even thinks of dating him in a near future, because he's exactly the kind of guy Jungkook likes but seems to never meet. Until he meets Taehyung.
By the time they exit the restaurant, Jungkook is defeated. He doesn't think Taehyung sees him as a potential date or lover, and he doesn't know what to do with himself, now that the date is nearing its end.
"I had a really good time tonight, Jungkook," Taehyung tells him as they wait for the elder's Lyft to arrive.
Jungkook smiles, even if it probably doesn't seem all that happy. "Me too, I've got to find a way to thank Hoseok for introducing us to each other," he chuckles, but inside, he feels heavy.
Taehyung frowns, "You sure? I can always tell when a smile is fake, y'know..."
Jungkook sighs with half a smile. "Well, you said you prefer honesty so maybe I should cut the bullshit," Jungkook finds himself brave enough to say.
Taehyung did say good communication can prevent unnecessary problems, so why not just be blunt and say what's on his mind?
"Okay..." Taehyung says, seeming unsure and frowning.
Jungkook takes a deep breath and speaks up, avoiding looking at the other. "Well, this was a date, right?" He hears Taehyung humming. "It's not a reproach and I don't blame you of course, but I can't help but have the feeling that you're not really into me. And it's fine, really, like I said, not a reproach, to each their own, right? But it's just... I guess I'm just disappointed, 'cause I-I really like you, so..." he trails off.
He keeps his eyes glued to the building beside them until he hears Taehyung chuckling and he lifts his eyes to meet his.
Taehyung smiles adorably and really? That's so not fair. Is he making fun of him right now?
"You're so fucking cute, you know that?" Taehyung says and... what? "I had a really good time with you tonight, and I'm not saying that in a platonic way. I really like you too, Jungkook," he admits just before his Lyft arrives. "Shit, I gotta go, but... gimme your arm," he asks, extending a hand and waiting with a smile and a glint in his eyes.
Jungkook is a little lost but complies, curious to see what it's about. Taehyung takes out a pen with a hand and Jungkook's arm with the other. He takes a minute to scribble something on the skin of his forearm and lets go before walking to his Lyft.
Before he goes in the car he turns around to Jungkook. "That's my number, in case it wasn't evident. If you find a reason to call me before it fades, then we're meant to be!" He winks and waves his fingers in the air before getting inside the car and disappearing in the night, like a dream.
What?
What just happened? Jungkook raises his arm and indeed, written with black ink on his skin is a phone number. But what did Taehyung mean by 'a reason to call'? Jungkook can already find a million reasons to call Taehyung and he's only been gone for two minutes.
Taehyung is a tiny bit eccentric, but Jungkook's never really been a big fan of 'normal'. Hoseok has definitely rubbed on him enough to engrave that in his mind over the years.
Normal is boring.
As Jungkook walks back to his apartment, unaware of the huge, happy smile on his face, he lists all the reasons he can find for calling Taehyung.
He opens his door and steps inside his living room in a few minutes, and already found the perfect reason.
He gets his phone out and dial the number still vividly written on his skin.
Taehyung picks up after only a few seconds. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's Jungkook."
Taehyung chuckles on the other side. "Already? I wasn't expecting you to call so soon. What's the reason you found for calling me, sir?" he asks playfully.
Jungkook smirks, even if Taehyung can't see him. "The best reason there is: I wanted to." The other laughs and Jungkook loves that sound. "I figured I have to make my own destiny, y'know," he says smugly.
Taehyung laughs again. "Cheers to that, honey!"
That night, Jungkook doesn't sleep, but what's sleep when his source of energy is the most gorgeous and interesting man he's ever met in his life?