(AU)
'Park Jimin releases sneak peak at new Balenciaga shoot!'
'Kim Taehyung models for Gucci AGAIN.'
'The famous model Park Jimin is spotted wearing a Chanel necklace not yet released.'
'Will Kim Taehyung and Prada collab for the new summer collection? Fans sure think so!'
'Louis Vuitton requests models from all over the country and among them are Seoul's favorite rivals Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung!'
'Kim Taehyung and Park Jimin seen together after their Dior collab. Fans think they look a little too comfortable with each other. Is there a secret relationship they're hiding?'
'Rumor has it that rivals Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung are secretly dating!'
-
"What the fuck is this?!"
Namjoon doesn't so much as flinch as Jimin slams the latest topstarnews magazine release on his desk overtop the papers he was so graciously skimming through.
"Jimin, we've talked about this." The man sighs and once again he feels the incoming headache he gets every time Jimin storms into his office. It's almost a daily occurrence at this point.
He takes his glasses off so he can properly rub at his temples to hopefully- and failing to, apparently- dull the throbbing pain.
"I don't control what the media spreads."
"This is bullshit!"
Jimin is fuming, Namjoon can see that. Jimin just wishes he'd look at the fucking front page so Namjoon can understand the severity of the situation. The last thing he needs right now is this.
"It's a dating scandal, Jimin." Namjoon scoffs. "You've gone through plenty of those and they all died down within a week. Remember the one with Jeon Jeongguk? Remember how long that lasted until the media lost interest?"
"This isn't an amateur model, Namjoon, it's fucking Taehyung. Kim Taehyung."
Namjoon glances down at the issue, fresh and shiny, and sure enough, Jimin and Taehyung standing closely together after their Dior shoot a couple days ago is smack dab on the middle of the cover. The headline reads:
Perhaps the biggest scandal of the century! Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung pretending to despise each other to keep their secret romance under wraps.
"Well..." Namjoon sounds a little short of breath and Jimin huffs heavily. He's pissed. Enraged. So fucking done with this article for screwing him over time and time again and now with this, something that shouldn't make sense but absolutely does in the grand scheme of things. It would be the perfect cover, right? They pretend to hate each other, constantly try to one up one another, and the media focuses on that rather than their secret relationship. Except the problem lies in the fact that they are not together and they certainly do hate each other. They always have and always will. It's Jimin personal agenda to wake up and hate Kim Taehyung.
It's bad. Bad news. Literally. And Jimin's two seconds away from pulling his hair out.
"It can't be that bad." Namjoon tries to ease the situation. It doesn't work.
"Fucking hell, you do realize what this says about me, right? It makes me a fucking liar! It makes you look like one too!"
"No, no I think it's great news." Namjoon says and it's then that Jimin realized he's basically three inches from fucking nowhere. He can't believe Namjoon is finding a silver lining in this, he can't believe Namjoon doesn't understand what this means. Him and Taehyung? No. No.
To date the person he wants to personally curb-stomp? The one single man on the entire planet that makes Jimin's blood burn so much it melts his ears drums?
No. No way in hell.
"You're kidding. Tell me you're fucking kidding."
"Jimin, I'm your manager, so I suggest you straighten up your attitude real quick." Namjoon pushes up from his seat abruptly and the fact that he comes face to face with Jimin, easily towering over him, makes the younger back up. "Whether you like it or not, this is a wonderful opportunity to get some attention. It's possibly the best publicity stunt we could've asked for."
Namjoon points to the cover on his desk and Jimin refuses to look at it. Can't stand the way him and Taehyung look next to each other. Like two angels that descended from heaven. Jimin's sure Taehyung took the stairs from hell though, given his cocky and arrogant personality. His ego is easily inflated and he's a narcissistic bitch that Jimin cannot simply tolerate. No way. But fuck, they look hot standing close. They look powerful. Strong. He hates it.
"Think about the agencies who're looking for a little spice! They'll be dying to get interviews with you two! I can see the story already, Jimin, it would be great press. Great promotion for not only you, but him as well."
"Like I want to fucking help him." Jimin sneers and he's so so close to turning on his two inch heels and walking right out the damn door. If he would've known that bringing the magazine in here would spark this idea, he wouldn't have done it. Not in a million years. Curse Namjoon's brilliant mind.
"Well suck it up because I'm calling his agency." Namjoon states as he sits back down and picks up his phone. Jimin purses his lips so hard he's sure they're white and he really wants to slap some sense into his manager but he can't. Because Namjoon is right.
"Seokjin, I'm gonna need you to get me in touch with Kim Taehyung's agency as soon as possible. Tell them it's important."
Jimin is only one thousand percent sure he looks like an angry kitten. Which is probably why Namjoon is able to smile up at him.
"I do believe it's in your best interest to rethink your feelings towards Kim Taehyung. The two of you are about to get real close."
"I will fucking quit. Right now." Jimin tries and Namjoon just laughs. A big laugh that booms through his large office and bounces off the windows overlooking Seoul's busy streets.
"You won't. You have a contract and you love this job."
Jimin glares at him for another second and then bursts through the doors. He stares down Seokjin too for setting up the contact, though that's the boss' orders, so he can't do a damn thing. He's infuriated that he set himself up like this when in all reality, the media would've moved on from the scandal by the end of the month since Taehyung and Jimin don't have any other scheduled shoots. God, he shot his own foot with the damn arrow.
And Namjoon's right, as always. Jimin is extremely passionate when it comes to this job. Modeling has always been his dream since he was a little boy and he started wearing his mom's makeup. The journey was by no means an easy one but shit, he made it here, so he's not going to quit now. Even if that means he has to roll with this absurd story the media thinks they discovered, when, in all reality, they created it.
-
"Jung Hoseok, what a pleasure it is to meet you in person." Namjoon smiles his sexy business smile and Jung Hoseok shoots him an equally large, overly bright one in return.
"I've got to say, this is probably the best thing we've gotten in a while." Hoseok says. "You're a genius!"
"Ah, not really. Jimin was the one who gave me the idea."
"I didn't do squat." Jimin spits.
Both mangers catch the two models in a heated staring contest. Jimin's eyes sting but he refuses to let Taehyung win. Never will he think about loosing to this man under any and all circumstances.
"They're so childish." Namjoon mumbles. Hoseok clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth in agreement and swings his hand in between their gazes. Jimin is glad he has an excuse to blink and look away because god damn his eyes were boiling in their sockets the exchange was so intense. Kim Taehyung's eyes are beautiful, Jimin knows this- he would never say it aloud- and it's probably his most famous facial features with the double lid and mono lid combo. And the mole Jimin knows is there but can't remember how. They're beautiful, but Jimin thinks his are prettier.
"Focus, you two." Hoseok scolds. "I don't care what you two think of each other, you will listen to what we have to say."
Jimin licks his lips and shoots Taehyung a pointed look saying yeah, dumbass, you better listen before adjusting his position in this stupid chair. He sits with his back straight and his leg crossed over the other. Different than Taehyung, slouched and legs spread. Of course he sits like that. Like he holds all the power in this room alone in the palm of his hand. Like he's in change when he's not, they all know he isn't, so he just comes off as stupid.
"Hate each other all you want." Namjoon clarifies and Jimin thinks he's glad to hear that. Hating Taehyung is just so easy. "But outside, the two of you are a couple. You're in love-"
Taehyung gags. Jimin's last straw snaps at the sound and he launches out of his seat.
"Fuck you, you little-!"
Namjoon grabs Jimin by the collar of his cream turtle neck and yanks him back into his seat. Taehyung sits with a smug smirk on his face, brown hair curled and styles to perfection. Jimin wants to get a good hold of those lucious locks and pull with all his might. Until Taehyung can feel the pressure building inside his head and he's forced to admit defeat.
Oh how satisfying it would be to hear him surrender.
"Park Jimin, don't think I won't suspend you from photoshoots." Namjoon whispers lowly and there's a surprised growl in his heavy words that makes Jimin straighten out his shirt collar and sit back down. Slowly, delicately, like he didn't just lose his cool. He inhales deeply and nods.
"Alright..." Namjoon says. Hoseok hums and pulls out a manila colored filing folder, which he then opens and proceeds to slide a sheet to Taehyung and the same to Jimin. Jimin scans over it, all too familiar with the words and phrasing along the page. It's a contract.
"I suggest you read this carefully." Hoseok begins. "Go over the story of your relationship as many times as it takes you to remember it word for word. We need your stories to line up. There's can't be any bumps or they're bound to get noticed."
"You two have to act like a couple. Keep up appearances. While you both have daily jobs that require your presence every single day, you also need to be seen around town together. On dates and such. In a relationship, partners makes time for each other outside their jobs."
"Make it look promising. Real. Make inside jokes with each other. Decide on favorite settings to dine. Hug and hold hands-"
"I'm not kissing him." Jimin states rather loudly.
Namjoon looks at him and Jimin is internally preparing himself to fight tooth and nail to prevent his lips from ever touching Kim Taehyung's, but he sees understanding in his manager's eyes. And that makes him relax a little.
"We aren't expecting the two of you to kiss or anything extreme." Hoseok says. "That might be considered too intimate for the media anyways."
"That doesn't mean you won't come across certain questions regarding your personal lives. There's some rude people out there running their own shit shows and they have no shame in digging out the dirty details. You need to be prepared for that. They're going to ask you things you don't want to answer."
"Nothing new." Taehyung shrugs and as much as Jimin wants to disagree with him just for the sake of it, he nods. Taehyung's right. Jimin can remember the countless times he's been asked suggestive questions too inappropriate for interviews.
"You'll also be expected to keep up with each other online. Post pictures together and comment on shoots each other participates in."
"Though we can safely assume a lot of you next shoots will be together. Your schedules are about to get packed."
Jimin feels... excited. Not because he has to pretend to date his arch nemesis but because he's going to be getting a lot more TV time. A packed schedule is rare, so he's thrilled to finally get called to multiple sets every single day. To wake up and pump himself full of expresso shots because the days are about to drag on for sooo long it'll be borderline unbearable.
"We've already got a team working on your big reveal." Hoseok says. "The two of you dating is still a rumor."
"Which is why we're setting up a shoot to finally tell the world."
Jimin wants to wipe the smile off Namjoon's face with his foot.
"It's in two days. You know the drill." Hoseok says and one last time, they tell the two models to review the story. Jimin goes home that night with so much tension in his shoulders he's sure that one gentle tap will make him shatter into fine dust. He spends a couple hours reading the sorry over and over again because he's damn sure to memorize it before Kim Taehyung does, and that's a promise.
-
"Mr. Park, your shoot start in twenty."
"Thank you, Seokjin." Jimin says while closing his laptop and stretching his arms. He's had a lot of time to think over this whole situation. A scandal becoming reality.
It's not as much of a mess as he expected. Having both Namjoon and Hoseok, two ambitious and determined managers, working on the same project, means there's not a wrinkle in sight. It would normally be exhausting to hold up this new image and focus on modeling, but with Namjoon there on the sidelines for reassurance, Jimin knows he'll do fine. Plus, if anything, the fake relationship will bring in more paparazzi and more attention, which means more fans and more shoots.
The shoot today is sponsored by Puma. Jimin doesn't see the romance in that but whatever, he doesn't care, it's his job to model the clothing anyways. High brands like Puma is more noticable anyways, though Jimin does like the mellow shoots that focus more on a theme rather than a brand.
He stretches a little before leaving the room (because they have taken advantage of his flexibility too many times to count, so he likes to prepare his muscles ahead of time). They shoot in the room Jimin usually works in except this timex, it's crowded with Taehyung's team as well. Jimin is forced to work with less space which just ticks him off to no end, but it is what it is, right? He's not gonna get picky like Taehyung probably is.
Makeup is applied to his face quick and efficiently before he's rushed off to a dressing room. The outfit is simple since Puma is mostly a sports brand and then he's walking up to the set and waiting for his partner. He isn't quite sure who is aware of their fake relationship, so when Tehtung steps into stage, he holds in his grimace.
He doesn't want to do this. Not with him.
"Let's just get this over with." Taehyung grunts behind his wide smile. Jimin rolls his eyes and then, as the team gets ready behind the cameras, Jimin inhales.
"Move closer." The head photographer says and Jimin's jaw clentches as he steps closer to Taehyung. "Mr. Kim, could you put your arm around Jimin please?"
Taehyung does it and Jimin really wants to vomit, but he smiles through the pain anyways. And then they take some more serious photos, like they would if this was a normal collab. It's nice doing that and it makes him feel more at ease, especially when they come in to change things up a bit.
"Alright, go ahead and just do your thing."
Jimin isn't really sure what that means until it clicks. They want them to act all cute and coupley. Gross. Disgusting. God, he underestimated how awful and torturous this would be.
"Just do what they say and then we can go our seperate ways." Taehyung grits out and it take so much effort from Jimin to just turn towards Taehyung. And look at him. In his makeup, skin so clean and slightly dewy. He's attractive, yeah, but Jimin doesn't want to acknowledge it and hates that he does anyways.
They look at each other and smile. Hold each other close. Hands on hips or under chins or cupping cheeks and it's so fucking relieving when they call it a wrap. Taehyung and Jimin practically throw each other off themselves and storm to opposite sides of the room. Jimin swears he can still feel Taehyung's hands on his back. They felt too heavy, too stiff. Not right at all.
-
It's a shock to the media, of course, when the pictures are released and they officially say they're dating on social platforms. It blows up for days, the talk of every show, the gossip for every blog, and Jimin hates that he's used to seeing their names together now. He still hates Taehyung, that will never change, but he's finally accepted that their fake boyfriends now.
"It's time for your first date." Namjoon tells Jimin after calling him to his office. "The press has calmed down a little, so we think you two should get out there."
"And do what." Jimin deadpans.
"Couple things." Namjoon sighs in exasperation. Jimin chews on the inside of his cheek. Maybe he really should just quit. Throw his entire career away because dating Kim Taehyung is that draining. "Just getting seen together will be enough for now. Take a walk around town and that'll be good enough to feed those greedy reporters."
"Fine." Jimin says. He's being ridiculous. His career means more to him than his rivalry. If course he won't walk away.
Taehyung's already at Jimin's agency when Jimin makes it to the lobby. They're both wearing their going-into-public disguises: a face mask, glasses, perhaps a hat, and a long coat. Jimin is glad for the glasses Taehyung is wearing because that means he doesn't have to look into his stupidly attractive eyes.
"You better not mess this up." Taehyung grumbles. Jimin resists the incredible urge to punch Taehyung and grabs his hand. Teahyung, on instinct, shoves Jimin alway and Jimin curses, nearly falling on his ass.
"Jesus christ- this is part of the whole relationship thing, bitch, so hold my fucking hand and act like I'm not the most repulsive thing on this planet!" Jimin says and Taehyung snatches Jimin's hand, holding it so hard that Jimin can slowly feels his bones squeezing together and screaming for mercy. "Does this look like a couple to you?!"
Jimin holds his hand up, showing where his fingertips are certainly turning purple. The pressure relaxes and the fleeting thought of Taehyung's large warm hand encompassing Jimin's and actually feeling nice is something Jimin coughs at.
"Alright. Now. Let's go."
Shockingly, Taehyung holds his own well outside. Jimin had suspected him to fumble with his hand or trip over himself with how close they're walking, but he doesn't. In fact, walking beside him feels easy and casual. As easy and casual as the breeze brushing past them and ruffling their coats. They say nothing, obviously, just a simple walk through town together, but it's not that bad.
No, that's a lie. Jimin hates it with every ounce in his being and he wants nothing more than to walk straight into oncoming traffic. Just imagine having to hold hands with the person you hate most in the entire world. It's exhausting, it's titillating- wait what the fuck.
No, Jimin, that's not the right vocab word.
He'll just walk. He can do that. He's great at that, does it all the time.
But suddenly Taehyung's hand disappeares and is sneaking around Jimin's waist and he chokes on the gasp in his throat. He knows Taehyung can feel how rigid his body gets at the action, it's obvious, but he can't do anything about it besides wish Taehyung would back the fuck up.
"What are you doing." Jimin grits out, thankful that his mask can hide the clench of his teeth sliding together angrily. "They said hold hands and hug. This is not holding hands and hugging."
"I can very obviously make out the cameras pointing at us right now." Taehyung says under his breath. "This is our first time in public after our entire secret has been leaked. This is me protecting you from them. It's cute. It's sweet. So pretend like my hand isn't burning holes into your side, alright?"
Jimin tries to relax because Taehyung does have a point. He's honestly surprised that Taehyung is doing so well at keeping up their act. Even the way he spoke makes it seem more real.
"Just so you know, I can handle myself. I don't need your protection."
"Of course you don't." Taehyung says. He sounds bored. Which is mutual. "You've gone through more dating scandals than any other model I know."
"You think that's funny?" Jimin scoffs.
"I think it's extremely amusing."
Jimin elbows Taehyung in the side because fuck, he can't resit inflicted pain upon him, and he laughs at the way Taehyung stumbles and winces.
"Fucking hell- now laugh and make it look like you're just messing around, damnit."
"Don't worry, I'm laughing all right." Jimin doesn't hide his snickers at all. And he's actually glad that his eyes scrunch when he's laughing because those cameras zooming into his face will surely notice.
"You're an asshole."
"I know. And it's hilarious that you find my dating scandals funny because there's no way we're gonna avoid those questions. You're gonna have to hide your jealousy."
"Jealousy? Please, Park, you're not that special." Taehyung snorts and Jimin goes to elbow him again but Taehyung catches him, successfully saving his ribs from the pain that it Park Jimin. "We've only been dating for a couple months anyways. Most of your scandals are years old."
"And you know this why...?" Jimin can't help but wonder why Taehyung is keeping certain tabs on him. It's funny to think about.
"Because you're a prime example of a dumbass who manages to get caught up in messes and quite frankly, I like to know how you do it so I don't."
"I'm glad you use me an an example for your benefit." Jimin smiles. Taehyung makes it a point to ignore Jimin until they've made it to Taehyung's agency a couple blocks down the road- how fortunate now.
As soon as they're within the security of the building, the two models break apart and branch off. Jimin knows he should call Namjoon and see if there's any news yet, but he decides to wait a little longer.
-
"You haven't commented on my last post." Jimin says. Taehyung rolls his eyes and pulls his phone out of his back pocket.
"This relationship is toxic. I shouldn't have to do this every time you do something."
"Suck it up." Jimin says and over the last week or so, Jimin has realized he loves seeing Taehyung frustrated or mad and he loves it even more when he's the reason for it. Pissing Taehyung off is the highlight of his day.
The city buildings zip by outside the tinted windows. They're on their way to dinner, the second date they've had since their secret let out, and Jimin was reminded of his most recent shoot when he passed the bilboard advertisement.
"How's this? Good enough for little miss perfect?"
Taehyung flashes Jimin his screen and he wants to choke him out for not steadying his hand. Stupid tiny words are too hard to read.
"The heart seems like too much." Jimin says.
"You know nothing about dating." Taehyung says as he submits the comment, one among the thousands already there.
"Believe it it not, I don't have much time or patience for dating."
"I can tell. You're worse than my elementary school boyfriends."
"The fact you started dating that early really shows your immaturity."
"No, I have experience." Taehyung says. "Something you lack."
Jimin groans. He wants out of this car, out if this relationship, completely off this planet. Nothing could be worse than spending every day with Kim Taehyung who's comapny is not starting to grow on Jimin. Nope. Not even close. It's suffocating. Insufferable.
"What restaurant did you pick anyways?"
"The one you said was your favroite." Taehyung grumbles, unamused, and Jimin is sure Taehyung can't even remember what he told him but then they turn into the parking lot and Jimin wants to scream. Taehyung shouldn't know his favroite place to eat. He just shouldn't. It's not how this enemy thing is supposed to work.
"Stay there." Taehyung sighs loudly as he opens the car door. Jimin waits for him to round the back end because deep down, he knows Taehyung is a gentleman and he opens the door for his date.
They lock arms and head inside. Chatter is a light buzz but it's pleasant, even as they sit in the midst of it.
"Can I get the two of you started on drinks?" The waitress asks and Taehyung orders a brand of wine Jimin doesn't recognize.
"I don't drink." Jimin crosses his arms and Taehyung smiles down at the table.
"You don't drink hard liqour, Park Jimin." Jimin is stunned but doesn't show it. "You should give me more credit for knowing all this."
"You remind me of my stalkers. How charming."
Taehyung rolls his eyes then they scan the menu. When the watiress stops by to pour them their glasses of red wine, she takes their orders and walks off again.
"So, babe, how was your day at work?"
Jimin has to hide his face to obscure his grimace.
"Don't call me that."
"Awe, darling, you had a bad day? I'm sorry pumpkin pooh."
Jimin wants to fling himself over this table and tackle Taehyung but he knows that's out of the question. So he goes along with it because he has to. It's all part of the contract.
"You're nicknames need some work, Tae."
"Tae, huh? That's basic but it's alright, I suppose." Taehyung smiles and Jimin thinks it looks so genuine he should start a career in acting. "Should I can you Min? Minnie? Baby?"
No Jimin's heart did not just skip a beat.
It didn't. It really didn't.
"Oh that's the first time I've ever seen you blush." Damnit Jimin knows he's stroking Taehyung fat ego but he can't help the way he reacts to a simple pet name. He just can't. And if anything, he's helping the date look more real. So. He'll pat himself on the back for this one. "Baby. Who would've guessed?"
"Can you shut up and like, hold my hand or something. This date looks too platonic."
He's not wrong. Sure, Taehyung looks at Jimin like he's undressing him with his eyes alone but other than that, it's like they're glued to the back of their chairs as far apart from each other as possible.
So Taehyung listens and slides his fingers over the back of Jimin's hand and it's the contrast of his hot hand and the cool air that makes Jimin shiver, not Taehyung specifically. Plus, his long fingers tangled with Jimin's chubby ones just feels too awkward.
"When's your next shoot?"
"You don't have to actually ask me about my life, you know." Jimin sighs. Taehyung laughs quietly, lowly, and Jimin isn't sure what's funny.
"Who says I'm not curious?"
"Let's face it. Neither of us what to be here but we are. There is no interest or curiosity, okay?"
"Mmm, baby, I didn't know you were so feisty."
So close. He's so close, if Jimin were to just grab his fork, he could nail it into his forearm.
"Tomorrow." Jimin fights to not glare. "My next shoot is tomorrow."
"Victoria's Secret?" Taehyung raises a teasting brow and Jimin shakes his head slightly, grinning.
"No, it's not. It's just something for my Instagram. The Victoria's Secret one isn't for another week."
"You're kidding." Taehyung's face is blank when Jimin looks up and he almost laughs.
"Of course I'm kidding. The only company like that I've modeled for is Calvin Klein and we didn't even air those pictures."
"And you didn't because...?"
"I don't know." Jimin shrugs. Then he realizs he's basically having a normal conversation with Kim Taehyung so he shuts up and they wait for their food to arrive in silence. It's steaming and delicious and Jimin is happy to report that it tastes as good as he remembers.
-
Soon, the back to back interviews hit them. Hoseok and Namjoon thought it was best to knock out as many as they could within the week which Jimin liked, he did, but it was exhausting.
"Here."
Jimin turns just in time to see Taehyung shoving a coffee to his chest. He fumbles with it but finds his stability within a matter of seconds, and then he's just confused. Why the fuck did Taehyung bring him coffee?? He's never been that nice before. Maybe he's feeling sick. How great that would be.
"Relax. Seokjin gave me your usual so you'll like it. And I only did it for image purposes."
Jimin lets his shoulders relax. Cool. Taehyung didn't get him a coffee because he wanted to or because he wanted to treat Jimin, but because it was convenient. Yeah. That's how it should stay.
He can't deny the fact that he's desperately in need for some caffeine anyways. His energy has been drained lately with all the interviews and they're so annoying because they all ask them the same questions and he's convinced himself it's a waste of time.
And they've got more to do today.
They greet the host, a guy named Yoongi, and just looking at him, Jimin can tell he's got some juciy questions. Him and Taehyung sit on a sofa, thighs brushing together, hands clasped in their own laps, and while waiting for the camera to start rolling, Jimin internally preps his relationship persona.
"Here we are with the couple of the year." Yoongi starts off with. "I've got some questions for you guys that the fans have been wondering."
"Alright." Taehyung smiles. Jimin knows his fans, so he knows they'll have some questions he'd be more willing to answer.
"First question..." Yoongi says with the card help up. "I know the two of you have been together for a while now, but how did you meet and what were your first impressions of each other?"
"Ooo, good question." Taehyung says and Jimin, remembering their story perfectly, decides to tell it.
"It's nothing special, really. It was our first collab together and I guess we just hit it off instantly."
"I thought Jimin was cute." Taehyung jokes and Jimin nudges his side just for some content. Because that's what this is. Entertainment.
"And I thought he was annoying." Jimin giggles. "But he grew on me."
"How adorable." Yoongi says and then he flips to the next card. "Was keeping your relationship a secret particularly difficult? How so?"
The two look at each other as if in thought. Taehyung answers the question while Jimin sneaks his hand to his knee. He knows it's something that their fans will point out, but he pays it no mind.
"It was, especially seeing Jimin grow so successful. I wanted to cheer him on and let everyone know how proud I was."
Jimin wonders why the fuck that sounds so real. It shouldn't. It shouldn't feel like Taehyung is telling the truth.
"Jimin looks surprised. Did you not know this?" Yoongi turns to face him and he gulps.
"W-Well I knew it was difficult because I couldn't say anything either." Jimin hurriedly schools his composure and clears his throat. "I didn't know the specifics though. Tae never told me he felt that way."
"I wanted you to stay happy." Taehyung says and they share a look, brief but intense and when Jimin looks away, he knows his face is red because it feels too warm to be normal.
"Alright, we've got a question about your personal lives."
Jimin can feel Taehyung tense a little so he smooths his hand over his knee. Not sure why. And he hates that it's his first instinct. Damnit.
They're prepared for these questions though. It's fine. They're fine.
"Have you met each other's family and friends?"
Oh. Well. That's easy.
"Of course." Taehyung smiles through the lie. Jimin can't help but do the same. He's just thankful that Yoongi spared them. "Jiminie's parents are so sweet, which makes me wonder where he gets his diva attitude from."
"Hey!" Jimin gasps. Taehyung laughs and swings his arms over Jimin's shoulder. "I'm not a diva!"
"Well, you heard it here first." Yoongi says to the camera. "Park Jimin is a diva."
-
"I'll say you're getting better at this, Jimin." Namjoon says one day when they're in his office. Taehyung is off doing a shoot at his agency, so Jimin is left to do whatever he wants without worrying about appearances.
"What do you mean?"
"We literally themed an entire shoot around Taehyung calling you a diva. And it's a hit. Your fans went nuts."
"We're just good at business." Jimin says. But Namjoon isn't exactly wrong. Jimin has gotten better at resisting the urge to dropkick Taehyung into the nearest ocean whenever they hug before parting.
"Speaking of business, we're planning on setting up a New Years event."
"It's not even Christmas yet." Jimin points out and Namjoon nods.
"I know, I know, but this year we're throwing a big party, so I let you know in advance. Taehyung will obviously have to tag along, so fill him in on the details too."
"Alright..."
-
December flashes by in a flurry. Jimin is having a hard time knowing whether his hate for Taehyung is true or just strictly habitual. He honestly doesn't know. He's just grown accustomed to his presence and even noticed a certain missing warmth whenever he's gone. And it's weird. Because Jimin wants to hate him still but he can't. Because Taehyung is really hard to hate when he takes Jimin out on nice dates and makes him laugh during photoshoots. It doesn't help that Jimin can't remember when or why their rivalry even started.
It's staring to hurt his brain.
Jimin models for an entire winter collection, to which Taehyung leaves a wholesome comment on twitter for without being asked. It's still smooth sailing. Jimin's just waiting for the moment they mess up and it's eating away at him slowly.
"Fuck, none of this is good enough." Jimin groans for the fifteenth time. He's been in his closet for the last half hour trying to find something to wear to the New Years event.
"It's really not that big of a deal." Seokjin says and Jimin pops his head out of his closet to shoot him a look that says what the fuck is wrong with your brain??
"You don't understand. I'm a model, I need to look good all the time. And I also need to look better than Taehyung."
"Why?" Seokjin sighs. "You're just wasting time."
"Clearly you don't know what it means to have an enemy."
"Do enlighten me." Seokjin says sarcastically and Jimin treads back into his closest. Maybe he should have picked up something from the agency. They always have the newest releases ready. "Why don't you just... I don't know... ask him what he's wearing."
"Are you out of your mind?" Jimin gasps in offense.
"Texting each other is literally a couple thing, Jimin. It's a human thing, actually. Plus, it wouldn't look suspicious if you wanted to match him. It would be a great idea, in fact."
"He's probably busy." Jimin says.
"Look, I'm just your ride to the club. If you don't want to take my advice, whatever, but hurry up because I'm not about to show up late."
Jimin grumbles incoherent profanities as he unlocks his phone and pulls up his message thread with Taehyung. There's barely anything interesting there, just short responses answered hours apart.
To T 🔪:
What are you wearing tonight?
I want to match.
From T🔪:
To T🔪:
Thanks for sending an entire thrist trap. I love how it made me regurgitate my lunch.
To T🔪:
You're welcome babe 😘
Jimin is surprised he answered so quickly but if it means he can throw his phone across the room quicker, then he's happy.
To match Taehyung, he puts on some rings, a necklace, and whatever animal print button up he is sure he hasn't worn before. Then he pairs it with black jeans and his favorite chelsea boots.
He rushes his makeup because Seokjin is literally trying to drag him out the door and when he gives up, he follows the secretary to his car and they punch in the directions to the club. Jimin knows most of his team will be there as well as Taehyung's, and he thinks some other models will make an appearance as well.
They make a stop to grab Taehyung because there's no way Jimin wouldn't arrive with his boyfriend on his arm. Taehyung looks better in person than he does in the picture he sent, but Jimin isn't going to say anything about that. Or the fact that he seems to be sporting a different cologne than usual.
The walk up to the entrance of the club is full of flashing lights and reporters talking over each other to get some questions answered. Taehyung makes a show of putting his coat on Jimin's shoulders once they exit Seokjin's car and the cameras go crazy for it. Jimin just smiles and nods towards them while clutching Taehyung's arm to his chest. Taehyung's got his classic I'm not taking shit from no one face on and it's hot, especially with his hair styled like that.
Inside the club, the music isn't as bone shaking as Jimin expected. It's actually fairly calm inside, and Taehyung leads then over to a section of booths where Hoseok and Namjoon are waiting.
"Ah, look at you two coordinating!" Hoseok smiles happily and pats them on the shoulders.
"I told you they're getting the hang of this quickly."
"So who here should we focus on meeting?" Taehyung gets straight to business and Jimin admires that.
"Min Yoongi managed to get in, that slick fox, so I suggest you go thank him for your show awhile ago." Hoseok says. Jimin and Taehyung nod. "Jeon Jeongguk is here too, so I'd be careful with that approach seeing as he's one of Jimin's previous scandals."
"I got it, don't worry." Taehyung says. Jimin thinks it would be nice to make a show of Jeongguk and Taehyung getting along. The press would like to see that. Settling past quarrels or something like that.
"Also, uhm, we suggest that the two of you leave early." Namjoon whispers so quietly Jimin can barely hear him over the base of the music. It's merely a vibration in his ears.
"Why?" Taehyung can hear him though, apparently.
"It's tradition for couples to kiss on midnight. Media would make it a huge deal if you guys didn't do that."
"But they'd also make it a big deal if they saw us slipping away early." Taehyung said and Jimin couldn't help but think Taehyung wanted them to stay and see out this traditional midnight kiss. He hoped not.
"Not really." Namjoon shrugged. "They'd probably see it as you two sneaking away for some alone time."
"Somehow the idea of that sounds worse than a kiss." Jimin says and his face shows clear disgust. The idea of him and Taehyung doing sexual things is one that makes him want to throw up.
"I agree." Taehyung says. "I want to hold up a clean, innocent image anyways. Jimin and I both have lots of young fans who look up to us. We don't need the media to corrupt things."
"A new years kiss is barely skimming that line but I think because it's tradition, it'll be fine." Jimin can't even believe he just openly said he's willing to kiss Kim Taehyung. He doesn't want to do it but damnit his words make him sound like he secretly does. Which is wrong. So wrong.
Maybe.
Fuck.
"It's not part of your contract to kiss." Namjoon says. "So you don't have to. But if you think it's the better option, then go ahead."
"We have time to think about it." Taehyung says. "For now, I think we should go show ourselves."
"Alright. Namjoon and I will be around, so good luck trying to find us. We don't care when the two of you leave, just make sure you leave together." Hoseok says and then he's off, slipping away into the crowd of people dancing and gossiping.
"Be careful, you two." Namjoon tells them before he too merges with the people.
"Let's go and get some drinks. It should look like we're having fun here." Jimin suggests and Taehyung directs them towards the bar. They don't order anything super strong, it's mostly just for the looks of holding a drink and immersing themselves within the image of the club.
"Let's dance."
Taehyung carefully leads Jimin to the dance floor with his hand on the small of his back and they stand close, because they have no choice with the bodies surrounding them, but they still have enough room to hold their drinks and breathe air other than each other's.
"You look great tonight." Taehyung mumbles out of the blue and Jimin can recognize that they're too close to random strangers who know nothing about their fake relationship for them to talk like they usual do. Like they despise each other.
"Thank you. You're my inspiration though, so I think you just indirectly complimented yourself."
"Perhaps." Taehyung smiles. Jimin rolls his eyes at him and then someone he doesn't quite know it pulling his attention away.
"Mr. Park? Could I get a word with you?"
"Sure thing." Jimin says and before leaving he pretends to whisper his goodbye in Taehyung's ear. He, in reality, calls him a dumbass but it makes Taehyung laugh.
The guy talks to Jimin about his job, which Jimin suspected. It's boring and he has no interest in the conversation but he doesn't want to look rude, so he smiles and laughs through it with practiced and perfected ease. It's all a part of show business, they say.
Jimin doesn't see Taehyung for a while. He's too busy talking with some models he's had collaborations with, beauty gurus (their fucking youtube drama is so last year), and meeting managers who want to work with him eventually. Some ask him about his relationship, and he answers with the same basic responses. To be honest, he wishes he was with Taehyung instead, because while their exchanged words are fake, they're more interesting and worth Jimin's braincells.
It's then that he realizes he can literally go find him. He's his boyfriend and that's his excuse.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I'd like to go find Tae. I miss him." Jimin smiles shyly and the girl he was talking with coos and shoos him off. Jimin searches the club for Taehyung, and finds that he's not in the pit where the were last seen together. He needs to find him soon though because the clock is slowly counting down and if they're not together, trouble will surely arise.
But the club is so big and more people have flooded in since Jimin last checked and he can't find Taehyung anywhere. The clock hits five minutes till and Jimin is slightly panicking, two minutes to midnight, thirty seconds, ten, nine, eight... people are cutting down now and Jimin's convinced her never find him in time.
"Jimin!"
He whips around at the sound of Taehyung's voice and starts digging up dust with the way he runs to him so desperately. It seems they were running circles around each other the entire time and Taehyung is panting when Jimin reaches him, just as the crowd sings two, one! and Jimin doesn't think, he doesn't, he just throws himself into Taehyung's arms and kisses him right on the center of his lips.
Taehyung stumbles back but catches him and confetti poppers boom in the distance and people are cheering, declaring a happy new year to all. Jimin pulls away as quickly as he rushed to Taehyung and they just stare at each other, breathing heavily, eyes wide in a mix of relief and shock. Relief because they just barely made it and shock because holy fuck they kissed.
"That sacred me." Taehyung huffed and then it molded into a laugh and Jimin found himself laughing too. "We're probably making a big deal out of a stupid kiss but holy shit I thought my entire career would fly out the window."
"Yeah, me too." Jimin chuckled. Carefully, they backed up to a more reasonable distance and intertwined their hands. Jimin didn't want to think about how soft Taehyung's lips were or how, contrasting every other touch from Kim Taehyung, the kiss felt right. Real.
"So, what time are you planning to leave?"
"Now." Jimin says. "But I think we should find our managers and alert them before going."
"Good idea."
It's not super awkward after kissing. They're still wrapped up in the party to really think about it anyways. But in the car, on their way to Taehyung's agency, Jimin's mind replays the way they so cheesily, like some romcom, ran into each other arms at the last second and smashed their lips together in a kiss that no doubt showed their sickenly sweet desperation for each other in that moment. Jimin wants to know what Taehyung thought. Wants to know what he's thinking right now as he stares out the window.
God, his mind is in tangles and the webs were strung together by none other than the man of his problems.
-
"I think tonight went well." Taehyung said once they made it back to his agency and relax on the couch in Hoseok's office.
"I wonder what the media will say about the kiss. It was way too dramatic."
"It's the most interesting thing they've gotten from us so far." Taehyung says and Jimin nods in agreement, bottom lip at the mercy of his worrying teeth.
"Hopefully they don't twist it up somehow."
"Oh I'm sure someone will." Taehyung signs and slouches down a little more. "But I can see the headlines already. 'Lovebirds Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung nearly miss their New Years kiss and the moment they meet melts all our hearts!'"
"I keep thinking it didn't look real enough though. It's easy to hold hands and pretend but kissing is different. It's too intimate." Jimin frowns. Taehyung sits up and scootches a little closer and Jimin looks over, finding that he's leaning close. Too close.
"Wanna practice until it looks real?" He's smirking that sleazy grin.
"What?! Oh my god, no." Jimin gags and knocks Taehyung away with his shoulder. Taehyung chuckles and puckers his lips.
"C'mon, we gotta learn how each other kiss. If it's awkward, they'll notice."
"I'm not kissing you again." Jimin furrows his brows and Taehyung slips off the couch, hands out in invitation.
"We're lucky we didn't have time to overthink. It saved our asses. But what about in the future when media realizes that's the only kiss they have on us? Hmm? Then they'll notice it's because we basically had to. And that won't be good."
"I'm not kissing you to entertain the public." Jimin glares, refusing to take Taehyung's hands so he can pull him off the couch.
"We wouldn't kiss in public, silly. Not really, anyways. It would be in secluded areas where we think cameras aren't hidden but we know are."
"Okay then, sure, but we don't need to practice."
"Don't you think it'll look weird if we're trying to kiss each other the way middle school children do?"
"My kissing skills are better than that, excuse you."
"Then show me."
Damnit, he's good at persuading. And Jimin really wants to defend his kissing abilities.
Fuck.
"No." He smiles and gets off the couch without using Taehyung's help. Then he struts away and Taehyung is left with his smirk.
"It's gonna happen one day, Park. And then you'll know I'm right!"
Jimin ignores him as he exits the office. He's sure that if he stayed there for a split second longer he'd have Taehyung against the wall and his tongue down his throat. Which isn't a good thing.
-
"You two are starting to scare me with the accuracy of your relationship. Are you sure you're not actually dating?"
Jimin smacks Seokjin on the back of the head from where he's sitting beside him at the older's desk.
"You did not just say that to my face."
Seokjin pouts and rubs the back of his head.
"You're mean. I think you should treat me better if you want an up-to-date schedule every month. I will mix up your dates, don't think I won't."
"Ah, Seokjin, you're so funny." Jimin beams and the older stares at him unblinkingly before returning to his obnoxious typing.
"When's your whole dating ordeal supposed to end anyways? Are the two of you going to break up?"
"Eventually, yeah." Jimin says. "We're just waiting so we can use the excuse of the media. Being an 'it' couple is exhausting so they'll put two and two together and assume that's why we broke up."
"But you two look as strong as ever."
"Well yeah, we wouldn't let the media know we're nearing a break up. It will be sudden and then they'll move on."
"Makes sense." Seokjin says. "By the way, you have a shoot with your boyfriend in two minutes."
"What the fuck Seokjin?!" Jimin feels his brain lag at the fact he waited until now to tell him. He rushes to grab his things and get to the elevator, only then thinking he'll be late if he uses it and takes the stairs instead. Seokjin's laugh rings in his ears all the way to the studio and when he gets there his face is flushed red and he swears his heart is about to beat right out of his chest.
"Tough run?" Taehyung claps him on the back and Jimin coughs at the way his limited oxygen is punched out of his lungs. He sputters and coughs. "You really need to get back in shape."
"I am in shape." Jimin shrugs his hand off. "I just don't think any human can run down five flights of stairs in two minutes without nearly dying."
"You mean you aren't superman?"
Jimin stares at him until they're called to their stations. This shoot is for some small skin care cosmetic label that he can't remember, but it explains why the makeup artist make him look shiney as fuck. The lights are going to bounce off the apples of his cheeks and blind everyone with how pale he looks.
"Babe, get up here!" Taehyung calls out and Jimin flicks him on the forehead once he steps up on set. There's a bed there with soft white blankets and pillows and some potted plants on the floor and its natural with dim white lighting and Jimin likes posing with props, likes the fact he can stand on the bed and hold this tube of face cream like he's the happiest person on the planet. And with the added height, he can lean on Taehyung's head (their fans love to tease Jimin about their height difference) and stick his tongue out playfully and okay, maybe he's having too much fun.
"You're a good model." Taehyung says after their shoot when they're eating lunch together at some downtown deli.
"I know I am." Jimin says.
"You're not going to tell me I'm a good model too?"
"You don't deserve that." Jimin picks up a fry and Taehyung grabs his wrist, pulls his hand towards his mouth, and steals the fry in his hold. "Rude. You're rude. That was my fry."
"Sorry, I didn't think you deserved it."
Jimin pointedly glares at Taehyung while pulling his plate closer. They eat casually, and Jimin finds that he likes the aesthetic of this cute place.
"Look at me, baby." Jimin's puzzled face comes into frame of the phone Taehyung is holding up and before Jimin can look away, Taehyung snaps a picture. "That's going on Instagram."
"Let me see it." Jimin demands and Taehyung shakes his head mischievously.
"No."
"Taehyung, let me see the picture."
"No~"
Jimin shoots up from his chair and reaches across the table to grab Taehyung's phone but he waves it up high, far out of Jimin's reach. Jimin frowns.
"Asshole." He whispers incase anyone is listening.
"Sorry I can't take you seriously with that mustard on your lip."
"What?"
Jimin flinches as Taehyung's thumbs gently swipes at his bottom lip. Then he pops it into his mouth, mustard magically gone.
"There. Not you can miserably fail at trying to grab my phone and I might take you seriously."
"You're impossible." Jimin huffs. He sits back down then and resumes his meal, only to feel his phone vibrate in his pocket minutes later. He pulls it out, thinking Namjoon has finally messaged him about the news article link he sent him, but it's a notification from Instagram saying Taehyung has posted. Dread fills Jimin as he opened the app and when the picture loads, he sees himself staring off into the distance with a fat dollop of mustard on his face.
He comments a couple skull emojis and shuts his phone off, returns it to his pocket, and successfully ignores Taehyung for the rest of their lunch date.
It's later at night, when Jimin's relaxing in bed after a refreshing shower that he scrolls past an eye catching thread on twitter.
'Taehyung giving Jimin /that look/- a dangerous thread.'
Jimin can't stop himself from opening it. It's like his finger taps the blue lettering before he can even think about what that look might mean. He figures it out, of course, as he swipes through pictures of the two of them at interviews, on dates, walking together, behind the scenes of photoshoots... there's quite a few, shockingly. Jimin doesn't know how he never realized that look on Taehyung before but maybe that's because standing by him and not kicking him in the dick takes all Jimin's patience and focus.
It's that look that makes Jimin's gut tingle. It's Taehyung's eyes, fond, glittering, like he's staring at the biggest star in the galaxy, which makes no sense because he's looking at Jimin, not the fucking sun.
He hits the account and finds more threads of them. Of them holding hands. Taehyung's hand on his waist. Jimin's hand at the nape of his neck playing with the fine, neatly trimmed hairs there. And then a thread of Taehyung staring Jimin down like he's a delicious three course meal on two legs.
Without thinking, he hits the retweet button and captions it babe, you're being too loud.
God be can't wait to see Taehyung's reaction to that tomorrow.
It's going to be priceless. Maybe Jimin will get to see him flustered for once-
His phone buzzes with an incoming call. Jimin frowns and picks up. It's too late for anyone to be calling right now.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing."
"Sleeping, or at least trying to." Jimin smiles into the phone. If Taehyung wants to call him with an attitude, Jimin has no problem reciprocating.
"No, you're tweeting threads that could ruin our image."
"Oh please, they can know we aren't two innocent school boys."
"It's literally captioned Taehyung dicking Jimin down with his eyes! What were you thinking??"
"That there's no way I'd bottom for you. And I'm slightly offended that my fans think so."
"Jesus christ Jimin- this isn't a joke!"
"No, Taehyung, it is a joke. You're just overreacting. I've retweeted things like this before, my fans won't be surprised. They'll find it hilarious. And for you, who wants to stay an innocent little boy, don't worry, your fans know to tread cautiously on my page."
There's silence on the other line and Jimin thinks Taehyung might have hung up, but when he checks, they line is still connected.
"Goodnight then-"
"Just warn me next time..." Taehyung says. Jimin doesn't feel guilty, he just doesn't, not for Kim Taehyung, but he think he understands where he's coming from.
"I'll make sure to call you whenever I want to retweet a sexy thread."
"Thanks." He says and Jimin hangs up without waiting. He doesn't regret it, because he likes pissing Taehyung off. In fact, he'd do it again.
-
"We're filming a video tomorrow so prepare yourselfs." Namjoon says while swiftly walking down the hall and Jimin has to jug to keep up with his long strides. Stupid Daddy Long Legs.
"What do you mean a video?"
Luckily, they make it to the elevator and he can catch his breath.
"It's been a couple months since you and Taehyung started dating, and when we take in account the story we created, that means it's almost been a year."
A year?? God, that's hard to wrap his mind around.
"We thought a one year anniversary video would do you some good. You'll just be answering some fan questions and snacking. It'll be casual or whatever."
Namjoon's clearly in a rush as he bolts out of the elevator as soon as it opens. Jimin rushes after him, wanting to get as many details as possible.
"What if they ask questions we don't have answers too?"
"It'll be prerecorded and you'll look at the questions before you start so you'll have time to come up with something."
"Okay and if-"
Namjoon takes a turn down a long hall and Jimin gives up. He's lost him. Oh well. It's a Namjoon thing and he's used to it after working with him for so long.
-
"Do y'all ever wake up and your mouth feels like you've sucked on a lemon?"
"What kind of question is that??" Jimin asks incredulously and Taehyung laughs at the look on his face.
"To be honest, I can't say I have." Taehyung answers and then moves to the next comment. "What's your favroite holdiay?"
"People actually wake up and feel like that??"
"Jimin, baby, focus." Taehyung pats his knee gently to get his attention and Jimin shakes it off. His disbelief should alert the fans that he, in fact, has never woken up and felt like he swallowed a lemon overnight.
"Right, uhm, Christmas. I like Christmas."
"Everyone likes Christmas. Basic bitches."
"Whoever is editing this, please blur that." Jimin facepalms. Taehyung's shoulders shake as he laughs deeply.
"I can't swear? I can't say bitch? Fuck? Asshat? Chicken shit-?"
"Taehyung!" Jimin throws a pillow at him and as the older falls off the couch, Jimin grabs his phone to answer more questions. "We don't need him anyways."
"This is a couple's Q&A, you do need me."
As Taehyung crawls back onto the couch, Jimin reads aloud a few more questions and they answer them with the things they prepared before hand. It's easy, which is shouldn't be, because Jimin is supposed to hate the entirety of Kim Taehyung but he doesn't. It's not surprising, though. Put two people in a room together and they're bound to talk. Put two people in a fake relationship where maintaining a healthy image is extremely important and they're bound to develop feelings of sorts.
Jimin then wodners what kind of sick game this is.
Sweet talk each other, they said. Go on dates and take walks, they said. Hold hands and hug, they said. It's a game to see who falls first and then what? Does that person win? Or do they lose? Because this is fake, so feelings will only complicate things even more and Jimin doesn't have time for that. It just sucks that his partner in this game is Taehyung, who's he's had it out for since day once in this industry because he's taller, more handsome, able to get the gigs so easily when Jimin has to work hard every single day-
"Hey." Taehyung says. Jimin snaps out of his trance and blinks rapidly. He's got a fucking headache now. "Recording's over. I can drive you home if you want."
They shot the video at Taehyung's place. It's the first time Jimin's ever been here and hopefully the last. He thinks it's a decent place though. Taehyung owns a lot of art and it's set up absolutely everywhere. And this couch is really comfortable, especially with the fuzzy blanket Jimin slowly conquered during the video.
If there's one thing Jimin will admit, it's that Taehyung's choice of decor is nice. His house matches him well. It's warm, both literally and not, with wooden accents and neutral colors. And it's open, free, provides a lot of space to play fight on the carpet or dance down the hall.
"You alright? You keep spacing out."
"I'm fine." Jimin dismisses and Taehyung, not really giving two shits, shrugs and goes to grab his coat.
"How do you think the video will turn out?"
"Okay, I think."
"Let's hope they don't ask us to makes vlogs and shit. Then I'd have to stash some of your things around here to make it look like you've been here a lot."
"Yeah let's not." Jimin cringes. Taehyung agreed and swings the door open, car keys twirling around his index finger as he whistles and strides down the hall. "Babe, you're so slow."
"Shut up."
"Ouch. You hurt me."
"That's really sad."
"I think you need a nap." Taehyung says. Jimin wishes he could take a nap right now. His body feels heavy and he's in a slightly (only slightly?) bad mood. When he gets home he will.
-
"Bitch, we're here." Jimin blinks his eyes open, barely awake, and fumbles to open the car door. Taehyung walks him to his door and Jimin struggles to unlock it but once he's inside, he turns to wave Taehyung a lazy goodbye. "Get some sleep." He says before planting a soft kiss to the corner of Jimin's mouth. Jimin's too tired to care so he just nods and let's the door swing shut. As soon as he falls into bed, he's out, and the pain in his head starts to fade.
-
All week long, Jimin is scheduled for shoot after shoot and he wants to kill Seokjin, but at the same time, he doesn't. He survives off coffee and his makeup artists scold him for the eyebags he wears around everyday, but he doesn't care too much. He'll get out of his slump soon, he knows it.
On the Wednesday of this very busy week, Jimin is one of many models in a commercial and that takes a toll on him. On the Friday, he has to participate in this art campaign, and the poses he holds make his muscles sore.
He hasn't seen Taehyung that much since he's swept away in work, but he meets up with him on the weekend for another date. Which he isn't too chippy about.
"You look like shit."
"Nice to see you too." He grumbles and tries to walk past his fake boyfriend but Taehyung grabs his shoulders and straightens him out, a wrinkle of concern on his face.
"Tell me what's wrong."
"I'm just tired. It's been a busy week."
"I'm changing our date then." Taehyung says and Jimin can't stop him from fishing out his phone and making a call. Jimin doesn't catch the name of the new location but he heard the time set for an hour from now. "They'll squeeze us in later. For now, let's just walk around."
Jimin, unconsciously, steps up under Taehyung's arm and let's him rub at his shoulder. It's habit to walk in sync now and all their clumsiness from before has disolved. They look as if they've been doing this for years.
"I saw you in that art campaign." Taehyung goes for light conversation. "Nice job. I really liked the use of paint."
"Thank you. I saw your Gucci commercial. You did well."
"Mm, I tried. It was for a feminine perfume so I hope it doesn't get too controversial."
"I don't think it will."
"Easy for you to say. You'd fit the vibe more than I did."
"Are you saying I'm feminine?"
"Yes. And that's a compliment."
"I didn't know you had the ability to compliment me."
Taehyung chuckles fondly and they walk in silence. The nagging thoughts that have been haunting Jimin recently are trying to push through but they yeild once they stop in front of a building. And then they're knocking into him full force when he reads the name.
"You brought me to a spa?"
"Yeah. Figured we could both use some relaxation."
So they booked a couple massage room and Jimin tried really- really- hard to not let his heart feel too warm at the simple thought of getting a relaxing massage with Kim Taehyyung, also known as his supposed-to-be-enemy. It proved difficult, seeing as just the thought of Taehyung naked under the sheet on the table beside him wasn't exactly... unappealing, and the pleased hums that left him reminded Jimin of his plush lips, the lips he kissed once.
But all struggles aside, Jimin realized he really needed this massage and he left their date feeling like he was hit with a euphoric filled tranquilizer dart. Him and Sloth, one of seven deadly sins, could get along exceptionally well at the moment.
"Feeling better?" Taehyung asks just as they make it to Jimin's front door.
"Yes. Thanks, Tae."
"Of course. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you sulk knowing there was an obvious solution?"
"Fake." Jimin adds, both to remind
Taehyung and himself. "But still. I feel much better."
"Well, see you later." Taehyung whispers before ducking down to kiss Jimin's cheek and Jimin had one second, one single second to think about what he should do compared to what he could do and that's all it was, just a fleeting idea, but he went with it because he had a clear excuse (being in public with possible cameras) and their lips touched. They brushed so lightly, like the first snow fall, so delicate and fine like powdered sugar- and equally sweet too.
Jimin heard Taehyung let out a surprised grunt but he saw through the entire kiss, and maybe Jimin was just too aware but he thinks Taehyung stayed for a breath too long. A thin line between acceptable in front of a lens and real, human feelings that the fucker danced on.
"Bye." He said just as quickly as the kiss and rushed inside. Then it settled in and he realized he kissed Taehyung. There was no looming pressure of tradition, and there's no way he could tell if they were caught by sneaky paparazzi or not. So really, when zoomed out, did he have a reason? An excuse? Something to shove the blame on?
Fuck. He's capital W whipped and he's only just now grasping the concept of his valid yet impossible feelings.
He should have known. Those fake dating stories never work out the way either parties expect them too. They always get caught up in complicated emotions that are both inevitable and accidental. Just think about the romcoms and the fictions and holy shit why didn't he think more about this before agreeing??
He's rollay screwed.