Chapter Text
It’s been two weeks since The Incident between him and Jeongguk and Jimin is no closer to getting over it. It’s haunting him, actually, like a waking nightmare, clawing itself to the forefront of his mind at the most inopportune of times. He’s been ruminating on it so much that multiple people have commented on his recent spaciness, but he can’t seem to help himself. He’s not sure what it means, if it means anything, and he’s been too scared to let Jeongguk back into his bed since. The only person he’s told about it is Taemin during a short meet-up they’d managed, because like hell he was letting anyone in the group know before he figured out what to do about it, if he was going to do anything about it.
Taemin agreed that it didn’t necessarily mean anything, that it’s normal for people to just have weird wet dreams, sometimes even about people they weren’t attracted to, but he’d been doubtful about that being the case with Jeongguk. The conversation didn’t help Jimin sort anything out, but he felt slightly better once he’d told someone about it. Taemin’s only advice was that he either put his big boy pants on and broach the subject or just forget it ever happened. The problem is that Jimin is too much of a coward to bring it up and apparently incapable of forgetting about it for more than five minutes at a time. It’s hell.
Instead, he continues to ruminate, analyzing every interaction between Jeongguk and himself, between Jeongguk and the rest of their bandmates. And Jimin’s not stupid, he knows that Jeongguk treats him differently, favors him enough that it’s been called out by their friends on multiple occasions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. People have favored friends, after all, and it’s not that surprising that Jeongguk would feel a special way for the hyung who doted on him the most. The singularity of their bond is part of what’s kept Jimin from being able to get over his feelings, because how could he not be reeled in by the way Jeongguk treats him? By the way Jeongguk makes him feel so special and precious and adored?
And sure, the largest part of what’s keeping Jimin from being able to quash his own feelings is, of course, that Jeongguk is so damn lovable in general, but the preferential treatment doesn’t help. (He still feels a bit giddy whenever he remembers Jeongguk confessing to him being the younger’s favorite hyung, even if they tried to be more neutral about things like that these days.)
Interpreting physical cues hasn’t been easy either, what with how close they’ve all gotten over the years. There’s no lack of touching and cuddling and bed sharing in the group, the lines of friendship and beyond friendship blurring at the edges. How the fuck is he supposed to know whether a touch means more or not? For God’s sake, he can’t even tell when flirting is genuine or joking. Like right now, with Jeongguk’s chin propped on top of his head, saying Jimin-ssi in that stupid, cheesy way that makes his insides flutter. The maknae is leaning over the back of the couch, arms thrown over his shoulders, once again heedless of the heat of their dorm.
“What do you want?” he asks, grabbing one of Jeongguk’s fingers between his own and shaking gently. “Other than to make my life more difficult.”
“Other than that? Hmm. A grammy. And fried chicken.”
Despite himself, he laughs. “All of these wants are on the same level?”
“Of course not, hyung.” Jeongguk removes his chin to put his face into the crook of Jimin’s neck. “Bothering you clearly takes precedence.”
He snorts and leans away, making it seem as if he’s going to leave, a spark of warmth igniting in his chest when Jeongguk pulls him back. He had no intention of going anywhere, so he lets himself sink into the hold, Jeongguk’s arms crossing over his torso to keep him in place. It's nice, always so nice when Jeongguk initiates touch.
“Glad to hear I’m so important to you, Kookie.”
Jeongguk hums, the vibration tickling his neck and making him squirm, which only causes Jeongguk to do it again.
“Stop, you menace.” He cranes his head away, arms still locked in Jeongguk’s hold, not that he’s doing much to escape.
“Let’s get fried chicken.”
“Did you say chicken?” Taehyung asks, appearing at the entrance of the common room with hopeful eyes. He crosses to the couch and throws himself down right next to Jimin, even though there’s plenty of room on the other cushions. “I’m hungry too.”
The grip around his chest tightens momentarily, Jeongguk mumbling something incoherent into his shirt, and Jimin sighs. “Did you guys plan this? Double team me to get lunch? Why should I?”
“Because you love us so much.”
It’s hard to argue with that, because of course he does. He loves all of his members to bits and pieces, but Tae is the platonic love of his life and Kook is… Well, Jeongguk is something else entirely. Something he doesn’t have the brain capacity to name while the boy in question has a nose buried in his neck and is currently–
“Are you smelling him?” Taehyung asks, looking deeply unimpressed, and he feels his face heat. Because, yes, Jeongguk is definitely sniffing him. It’s not super unusual. Jeongguk has a sensitive nose; sometimes he smells people. It’s not as if it’s a behavior exclusive to Jimin. It’s just that he’s usually not like this while he does it–arms wrapped around Jimin and fingers skirting under the edge of his shirt, nuzzling into his neck like an overgrown kitten.
When Jeongguk finally lifts his head, it’s to have a silent conversation with Taehyung, judging by the expressions that flicker over Tae’s face. Jimin wishes he could see Jeongguk’s expressions too, but that would require turning to look when their cheeks are already pressed together. Eventually, Taehyung raises an eyebrow before shaking his head, ending whatever unspoken discussion they'd been having. Jeongguk's face promptly returns to its previous spot.
“You’re awfully clingy today,” Jimin comments. Not that he minds.
“Your door’s been locked lately,” Jeongguk says, as if that’s supposed to mean something to him.
He lifts his hands to grip Jeongguk’s forearms, giving them a slight squeeze. “I fail to see the connection.”
“Haven’t been able to sleep with you,” Jeongguk mumbles, voice low like it’s meant just for him, but with the way Taehyung is right next to them, he’s sure he isn’t the only one who hears. Tae, bless him, doesn’t look up from the game he’s opened on his phone. Something tells Jimin that any teasing at this particular moment would make Jeongguk clam up and leave.
“Have you been trying to come in?”
Jeongguk nods and he gives the younger’s arms another squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
“You almost never lock your door.”
There's a question there, implied but obvious, and he has no good answer to it, because what is he supposed to say? Sorry, it’s just that I haven’t gotten over the feeling of your dick grinding against my ass and I’m afraid I might have a breakdown if it happens again. That would go over great, especially with Taehyung right here. He settles for a distraction, hoping it’ll be enough for Jeongguk to forget his recent behavior. “I’ll remember to leave it open tonight, hm?”
“Really?”
“Of course.” He forces confidence into his voice that he doesn’t feel, already dreading the possibility that he'll get so weird that Jeongguk will call him out on it as soon as they're lying down. If he pops a sudden boner the moment they cuddle up to each other, he’s going to lock himself in that room for the rest of his life.
“Okay, good. Feel neglected.”
Jeongguk’s tone is lighthearted, but it still makes him feel bad. “My poor Jeonggukie. Hyung is sorry.”
Before Jeongguk can reply, Taehyung is nudging his leg, a drawn out, “Soooo,” breaking up the moment.
“Soo,” he parrots.
“Lunch?” Taehyung asks, the hopeful look back in his eyes.
Jimin makes a noise of consideration. “I suppose I could order some fried chicken.”
“All for me, Jimin-ssi?” Jeongguk asks, cheekiness returning, and Jimin isn’t sure whether to laugh or cry as he suppresses a shudder.
“What, you're not gonna share?”
"'M not good at sharing."
“Get good,” Taehyung says immediately. “Or I'll have to fight you for it. You might be stronger, but I'm not afraid to cheat.”
Jeongguk laughs. “Yeah? I can cheat too.”
“You say that now, but your weak spot is easy to get to.”
“Mm, and what is this supposed weak spot?”
Neither Jimin nor Jeongguk expect it when Taehyung launches a hand out to pinch Jimin’s hip, causing him to shout and throw himself to the side, over the arm of the couch. Because of their interlocked position, he drags Jeongguk along with him, the younger stumbling behind the couch with the sudden movement and squeezing him harder to stay upright before letting go entirely. It kind of makes Jimin want to kick Taehyung in his shin, because he’d been enjoying that, extra body heat be damned.
“What the hell, Tae? I’m not even part of this.”
Taehyung simply wiggles his fingers with a grin. “Oh, but you are, Jimin-ah. You're the perfect weak spot.” He makes a grab for Jimin again and Jimin tries to stop him with an outstretched leg, which he grabs easily, tickling the sensitive skin at the back of Jimin's knee. Jimin scrambles off the couch with a yell, staring up at his friends in disbelief once he's safely on the floor. Tae is still grinning, looking extremely pleased with himself.
“I’m not weak,” he says belatedly. “I can kick your ass.”
“I didn't say you were weak, dummy, I said you’re his weak spot.” Taehyung hooks a thumb over his shoulder to point at Jeongguk.
“I’m going to murder you,” Jeongguk mutters before proceeding to launch himself over the back of the couch to put Taehyung in a headlock.
Tae scrabbles at Jeongguk’s arms, laughing maniacally. “Fine, fine, I won’t fight you, let me go.”
“You sure talked a big game to tap out so quick,” Jeongguk taunts, holding him for a bit longer before relenting.
Jimin lies back with a smile. Serves his pain in the ass best friend right. “Someone hand me my phone. I think it got thrown off my lap when Tae attacked me.”
“Attacked? Dramatic.” Taehyung sniffs and tosses his phone to him. “Order extra for me, please?”
“After you just pinched and tickled me?”
“I’m sorry, Jimin-ah,” Taehyung sings, poking Jimin with his foot. “You know you’re my favorite, most handsome, cutest, sexiest bandmate.”
“You know just how to flatter a man,” Jimin simpers.
He leans forward, cupping his chin in one hand and fluttering his eyelashes. “Oh, I can do more than flatter.”
Jeongguk sits abruptly in the spot Jimin vacated, nearly on top of Taehyung, who yelps and pulls himself back. “Geez, Kook, it’s not like we were about to fuck on the floor.”
Jimin sputters a laugh, apparently far more amused than Jeongguk.
“Unless, of course, we have a whole voyeur-exhibitionist situation going on,” he continues, and Jeongguk glares harder.
“The last thing I want to see is any of you guys fucking on the floor.” He points a finger at Taehyung just as the older opens his mouth. “Or anywhere else.”
The last thing. It sure sounds like Jimin was right about the dream being some fucked up one off, which makes shame burn even brighter in his stomach for it having turned him on. His good mood sours as he places an online order for delivery and he curls up on the floor after, suddenly exhausted. He could use a nap.
“Hyung, you should go lay in your bed if you’re tired.”
The last thing Jimin wants right now is to go to his bed because he’s pretty sure Jeongguk will just follow him. He had already agreed to leaving his door open tonight as it is. “I’m fine here.”
Jeongguk huffs and then Jimin is flailing as he’s scooped up off the floor. “At least come back up here.” He’s plopped down on the opposite side of the couch so there's enough room to stretch out, head landing on Taehyung’s lap.
Tae taps underneath Jimin’s chin with his index finger. “I was actually about to get back up. I need to shower before our shoot later.”
Jimin closes his eyes and hums. “Don't take too long. Chicken will be here in twenty minutes and I'm not fighting Kook to save you some.”
“Ugh, what kind of best friend are you?” Taehyung asks, sliding out from under his head.
“Says the person who just took my pillow,” he complains, grunting as his head drops onto the cushion. He listens to his friend’s footsteps disappear before careful hands are guiding him up enough for another lap to replace Taehyung’s. Jeongguk brushes the hair out of his face gently and he keeps his eyes closed tight, worried about what his face might show if he looks up into the younger's right now.
He doesn't manage to fall asleep after all, but they stay like that until lunch comes.