Married Taegi - Tumblr Posts

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 1: Pied Piper

The next day Jungkook tries to ignore the jacket as he gets ready for his classes and tries to forget how warm he felt inside it. Tries to forget the beautiful words written in the notebook. But he doesn’t want to leave it behind, who knows, fate might be kind to him again and he’ll be able to return it.

With a resigned look to himself in the mirror, he slips the jacket back on, this time over a gray hoodie before picking up his backpack. He dodges the various seedy neighbors and yelling couples that litter the hallways until he’s on the street.

He checks over his missed messages from yesterday as he makes his way towards campus. He feels a pang of remorse at seeing Jimin’s frantic messages for his near lateness yesterday, but scoffs when he sees nothing after he had left him to flirt with Hobi-hyung. There’s one message from his brother Seokjin, reminding him to eat healthier, but there’s nothing else. He breathes a sigh of relief, thankful not to have missed any call-in from work for that night.

He decides to pass through the alleyway again today. Half hoping, half not, that he would run into the owner of the jacket again. He doesn’t.

He steps out onto the street from the alleyway telling himself not to feel bummed about it. He makes it halfway through his day before Yoongi, his boss, sends him a message about work and his plans for grocery shopping after class fly out the window.

The club that Yoongi owns, D-Town, is popular for underground shows; rappers, unknown artists, musicians, and freestyle dancers. Jungkook has worked as a bartender for him ever since he came to Seoul. Yoongi was the only person to give the scrappy, disheveled kid from Busan a chance.

He texts Yoongi back an agreement for the late shift tonight, then sends a message to Jimin not to wait up for their shared class tomorrow morning. And to save him some notes for it like a good hyung. He snickers at Jimin’s sassy reply before pocketing his phone.

The club is packed by the time Jungkook is ready for his shift, having placed his stuff in the employee lockers and mentally prepared himself for the long night. He helps Jisoo finish her line of customers before taking over the bar alongside Taehyung.

“How’s classes going, Kookie?” Taehyung asks after an hour of driving drinks out. There's always a pause just before a show starts on stage and they take full advantage of it to catch up and drink some water.

“Busy, as usual.” Jungkook answers with a shrug. “It’s just the start of the new semester, I’m not too stressed yet.”

Taehyung hummed as he sipped his water, “That’s good to hear, you gonna pick up more shifts then?”

Jungkook can only shrug as an answer before a new swarm of customers come up to the bar. What he truly enjoys about working at D-Town is that there’s no charming or low-key flirting with customers to get good tips, there’s no need for it. Most that come usually tip well because the show of the night is the main attraction, the alcohol just an added bonus. Plus Yoongi paid them well enough not to rely on tips.

“Who’s performing tonight?” Jungkook asks, after the swarm goes back to the dance floor, the lights dimming to signal the start of the show.

“I think it’s just some returning artists, nobody new tonight. Hey, when are we gonna finally have you up there, huh?” Taehyung nudges Jungkook in the arm and pouts at him. “Yoons has been saying for weeks that he thinks you’re ready to be up there.”

“He has?” Jungkook scrunches his brow at Taehyung’s nod. “I just.. I don’t know. I don’t think any of my music would fit this scene.”

Taehyung shrugs, “So what, you remember that lo-fi dude from last week? He killed it, even if you could barely hear him over the screaming crowd.”

Jungkook laughed at the memory, “Yeah, I guess I can't be that bad.”

“Exactly!” Taehyung cheered, clapping his shoulder. “Talk to him about it before you leave, you know he’ll be upstairs all night anyway.”

Jungkook eyed his hyung’s fond smile, “You let him stay that late, for shame hyung, letting your husband work all night with no rest.”

“Oh he’ll get plenty of rest later, trust me.” Taehyung rumbled with an exasperated eyebrow waggle, making Jungkook gag.

“Keep your bedroom life out of the sanctuary of my bar, please!” Jungkook whined, turning to finish cleaning the empty glasses on the bar.

Taehyung just cackled loudly as he turned to organize and restock their selection of vodkas and whiskey. The rest of the night passed with relative ease, the rotation of artists on stage kept the crowd thoroughly entertained, giving the bartenders something nice to listen to as they worked. Yoongi had a strong vetting system before allowing anyone on his stage, ensuring that every single one was a near hit for the night.

When 3am hit the clock everything began to shut down, last calls for drinks were given and the final band began to play until the club was empty. Once the doors were locked behind the last customers, the cleaning crew entered the room and began their rounds. Taehyung and Jungkook set to work getting the bar ready for the next day before calling it a night.

“Come on, you’re not getting out of this, let’s go up to Yoongi’s office.” Taehyung stated firmly, clutching Jungkook’s arm as he put the leather jacket back on.

Jungkook barely had time to grab his backpack and close his locker before he was being pulled up the long stairway towards Yoongi’s office. Taehyung didn’t even bother to knock on his husband's door, just waltzed right in and plopped down on the couch. Jungkook, ever polite, hovered at the door until Yoongi glanced over to him from his desk.

“Ah Jungkook-ah, how have you been?” The older man drawled, setting his pen aside from the papers he was writing on.

“I’m good hyung, thank you. Tonight was a busy one.” He answered, plopping down in the seat in front of the desk.

Taehyung stretched one of his long legs to poke Jungkook’s thigh, “Yah! Jungkook-ah, ask him before I do!”

Yoongi looked expectantly at Jungkook, completely ignoring his pestering husband on the couch. “You need something Jungkook-ah? Hyung can help.”

“It’s just… hmmm… I think I’m ready. I think I’m ready to perform one of my songs.” Jungkook stuttered out, fidgeting with his fingers as he spoke.

Yoongi broke out into a wide, gummy smile, “Yeah, you think so? That’s wonderful Jungkook-ah, what song would you like to sing? We can have you in as the main event on Saturday.”

Saturday was the biggest night for D-Town. Yoongi only reserved his best performers for that night. To be giving Jungkook a spot, and it being his first performance ever, was huge.

“Wait hyung that’s…”

“Perfect, Yoongles! Just perfect!” Taehyung cut up, leaping up from the couch and rushing over to crush the older man to his chest. “Kookie will do so well, I know he will! Saturday night is perfect for him!”

“But..” Jungkook tried again, but stopped at the look Yoongi was giving him in between Taehyung’s arms. It was a stern but proud look.

“You will do well enough for our Saturday crowd, Jungkook. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise. And if you agree to it, I know just the song you should sing.” Yoongi said gently.

Jungkook eyed the pair in front of him, Yoongi’s parental face in full effect and Taehyung’s beaming one, before hesitantly nodding his consent. Taehyung cheered and danced about the room while Jungkook and Yoongi began to discuss the song.

Jungkook only left after Yoongi was satisfied with their plan for his stage and Taehyung’s pestering for them to head home had become too much to ignore. He waved off their comments on having him stay the night at their penthouse as he closed the door behind him. He caught a glimpse of Yoongi’s gentle smile as he tugged Taehyung down for a kiss, the softness of their embrace made a twinge of loneliness pierce through his heart. The feeling didn’t leave him until he was halfway home, the cold early morning air making him clutch the leather jacket tighter across his body.

Without even realizing it he had taken himself back towards the alleyway, the peaking morning sun spilled between the two buildings eliminating it in an eerie glow. It was empty but Jungkook didn’t dare step through the passage. Without glancing twice, he began walking the long way around the buildings until he was on the street on the other side.

He glanced down the alleyway one last time, still empty, before heading up to his dingy apartment. This time he laid the jacket down on his chair as soon as he stepped inside and went to bed with an empty stomach.

The next day he headed for the closest grocery store. With his wallet much heavier from his paycheck last night, he confidently filled his cart with essentials. And to please his Jin-hyung, he added some healthier options with his piles of ramen packets. With giddy steps he carried his laden bags back to his apartment and set them nicely inside his cupboards and fridge.

Glancing at the clock Jungkook was shocked to see that he was nearly running late for an afternoon class. Rushing out the door he didn’t even hesitate to take the alleyway as a shortcut. Only it wasn’t empty this time.

Just as he was rounding the corner a tall figure stepped out from the alleyway. If there hadn't been quick action on both their parts, Jungkook trying to come to a screeching halt and the man grabbing him firmly around the waist, they would have fallen to the ground.

“Woah there, little one, where are you going in such a hurry?” A deep voice purred above Jungkook’s ear.

Jungkook jerked in surprise, his eyes widening as he got an eye full of the handsome face of the owner of the jacket. The dim shadows of the alley had done this man no justice. Jungkook was utterly speechless at the attractiveness of the man. His eyes sparkled with mirth as he gazed down at Jungkook and right in the corner of his cheek Jungkook thought he saw a hint of a dimple there.

“Cat got your tongue, little one?” The man teased with a smirk, and yes there was a dimple poking out of his honey colored cheek.

“Ah.. sorry…” Jungkook stuttered, slowly backing out of the man’s arms. “Just late for class… again.”

The man raised an eyebrow, folding his hands behind his back as he took a step away from Jungkook to survey him fully. “Is that a common occurrence for you? Being late?”

Jungkook vigorously shook his head in denial, “No, I try not to make it a habit.”

The man hummed a pleased tone, “That’s a good boy.”

Without knowing why, Jungkook blushes at the tone and the dark look the man has fixed on him instead of feeling creeped out by it.

“I believe you have something of mine,” the man continued, looking down at the jacket that Jungkook is wearing.

“Oh right, of course.” Jungkook moved quickly to unzip the jacket and take it off his shoulders, but was stopped midway by a pair of hands. He looks up in confusion at the man gently shaking his head.

“No, no you can keep the jacket. Please, it looks good on you.” He says with a chuckle, before reaching inside the jacket to the inner pocket where the notebook sits. Jungkook sucks in a breath at how close the man comes to him as he slips the notebook out. “I’m talking about this.”

“Oh,” Jungkook gasps, trying to shake himself from his stupor as the man backs away again with the little black book in his long fingers. “Your lyrics… they’re beautiful.”

“Ah,” the man ducks his head bashfully, Jungkook is shocked to see a slight red tint to his cheeks. “Should have known you might have snooped, but thank you. I hope this,” he gestures the notebook in his hand before slipping it into his pocket, “can just stay our little secret. I have some people that don’t need to know this side of me.”

Jungkook can only nod in response, his eyebrows scrunching in confusion but he doesn’t dare ask. The man smiles and softens his face, sending shockwaves through Jungkook’s body, then begins to back away.

“I’ll see you around, little one, keep my jacket safe will you?” He winks then turns and walks out of sight before Jungkook has a chance to even ask his name.

Jungkook is still in a bit of a stupor on his way to class. He doesn’t fully shake himself from it until he’s at Yoongi’s practice studio that sits on the third floor of D-Town. It's where all auditions and practice runs of performances are held. Yoongi introduces him to the six dancers that will be performing with him, some he recognizes from training in Hoseok’s studio. Speaking of the man, Hobi waltzes into the practice room sipping on a Starbucks.

“Hyung, what are you doing here?” Jungkook gasps in shock.

“I’m going to be helping you with the choreography,” Hobi answers with a shrug, pulling his sunglasses on top of his head as he takes another long sip of his iced americano.

“Ugh, how can you drink that shit. Buy the real stuff from a better cafe next time.” Yoongi sneers as he passes Hobi, the other man simply winks in reply before tossing his empty cup in the trash can.

“Alright!” Hobi said cheerily with a clap of his hands. “Let’s get this thing started!”

Hobi was as grueling and hard headed as Jungkook remembered, he pushed all of them to panting states as they ran through the choreo over and over again. Never once was he cruel, firm yes, but not cruel. They only had a few days to get everything together, they had to make the most of every hour of practice.

By the end of the night, Jungkook is sweating buckets and he can’t feel his feet, but they’re nailing it. With every run they’re getting better, him and the dancers becoming completely in sync.

After running it one last time, Hobi clapped his hands in delight. “I think you guys have nailed it! We can stop here.”

They all dropped like flies to the ground, groaning and panting in relief while Hobi simply cackled in delight.

“I expect this same energy tomorrow afternoon, so get some rest tonight!” He laughed at the groans he gets in response as he heads out the door.

Jungkook thanked all of the dancers individually, bowing to all of them as they left one by one until he was the only one left in the room. With his body still buzzing from practice he walks over to the stereo and plays his song again.

The song Yoongi had chosen. The one that Jungkook had spent hours, days, working on. And now it was alive, it played in the room. He flopped onto the floor, unknowingly using the borrowed leather jacket as a pillow and listened to the song blare through the speakers.

Taehyung found him hours later, snoozing on the practice floor and gently shook him awake, guiding him up to the penthouse of the building; his and Yoongi’s home. Jungkook barely noticed Yoongi looking up from the couch as they entered the apartment. Taehyung said something to him that Jungkook didn’t hear as he was guided into a guest room and tucked under the covers. He felt a hand comb through his hair and his shoes being pulled off his feet before everything went dark.

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 3: Your Eyes Tell

Jungkook groans as he returns to the waking world, burying his head onto his pillow to block the sunlight. He shuffles a bit to get further into the blanket, making a noise of confusion when he feels a soft t-shirt brush against his skin. He blinks as he looks down to see a dark black band-tee instead of the low cut white one and he can feel his bare legs brushing against the sheets. One of his hyungs must have gotten out of his stage clothes after he fell asleep.

He groans in embarrassment at the memory of Namjoon carrying him to bed, smacking his forehead and muttering ‘I’m such an idiot’ under his breath. He should have known better than to drink alcohol straight after a performance, it always made him sleepy.

Sunlight pours out of the window, eliminating the room in a warm glow as he sits up running a hand through his ruffled hair. Smacking his lips he looks around and spots two notes sitting on the bed side table. Scrunching his brow he picks up the first note.

Kookie!

You did so great last night! So proud of you! Yoongles and I just headed out for some grocery shopping. Help yourself to any food in the fridge. Please stay over for dinner too! Hobi-hyung and Jiminie will be joining us tonight as well.

Love,

Tae

Jungkook chuckled at Taehyung’s rushed note, full of the man’s excited personality. He set the note down and picked up the second one, he was instantly more alert to the address written inside.

Little one,

Truly still very amazed by your performance last night. Your hyungs were very proud of you and I am as well. I hope we can see more of each other.

XXX call or text me at any time, I’ll always have time for you.

Namjoon

Jungkook felt a flutter in his gut as he read the note and saw the number written at the end. He forced himself to at least get some coffee before pulling out his phone to send a message to Namjoon. He started off with a simple ‘Good morning’ and a thank you for attending his performance last night and for the drink they shared. Jungkook felt a pang that he couldn’t say ‘thank you’ taking him safely to his hyungs last night, but he really didn’t want to embarrass himself further. The reply came almost instantly and his hot mug of coffee was abandoned for their back and forth conversation.

Yoongi and Taehyung returned home, laden with groceries in their arms, to find Jungkook giggling on their couch with his phone in hand.

“Glad to see that you’re making the most of your day off,” Yoongi commented lightly as he passed. Taehyung bolted to the kitchen and threw his bags down on the counter, ignoring Yoongi’s yelp of protest, and threw himself on the couch next to Jungkook.

“Who are you texting, Kookie? You’re blushing like a little virgin over there,” He teased, trying to snatch the phone from Jungkook’s hands to see the messages.

“No one, hyung, no one!” Jungkook squeaked, clutching the phone tight to his chest and burrowing himself into the couch away from Taehyung’s grabby hands.

“That doesn’t seem like no one!” He sang, trying to tickle Jungkook's sides to make him vulnerable and drop his phone. He did not succeed because a foot pressed hard against his chest, shoving him to the other side of the couch.

“Alright, you two! Knock it off!” Yoongi called from the kitchen, as the rough housing started to gravitate off of his couch. “Come and help hyung put these groceries away!”

“Coming!” Taehyung and Jungkook yelled together, but not before giving each other one last shove as they entered the kitchen.

“I married a child,” Yoongi bemoaned with a sigh, watching the pair with fond eyes.

While Taehyung and Yoongi started their usual playful bickering, Jungkook weaved around them placing the groceries they sporadically handed him into their cupboards. They continue their discussion even after everything is put away and Jungkook has gravitated back to the couch and powered up their video game console.

He ran through two matches on Overwatch before Taehyung plopped down next to him and demanded they play Mario Kart together. The hours ticked by as they played round after round. Jungkook mainly winning and Taehyung cackling when he finally did manage a win, until the sounds of Yoongi’s cooking filled the air.

“Hobi and Jimin will be here soon, so get off that game!” Yoongi called from the kitchen, just as a knock at the door to their apartment sounded through the room.

“I got it hyung!” Jungkook called, tossing his controller at Taehyung and leaping towards the door.

“JK!!!!” Hobi burst out as the door swung open, his arms held out for a hug.

“J-HOPE!” Jungkook replied by throwing his arms around his friend and ushering him inside.

“What am I?! Chopped liver?!” Jimin yelped indignantly at being left in the doorway.

“Close the door behind you Jimin-hyung!” Jungkook hollered back, laughing at his squawk of protest. Jimin grumbled under his breath as he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him.

Taehyung rose from his spot on the floor and went over to greet Jimin, pulling him in for a tight hug and kissing the side of his head. Jimin wraps his arms around Taehyung’s waist and buries his head into his chest. The pair have a brief whispered conversation before pulling away from each other and following Hobi and Jungkook into the kitchen.

“All you hooligans better help set up the table, since I married a useless mess of a husband that won’t even help me in the kitchen!” Yoongi barked as the four of them entered his space.

“You didn’t say you needed help Yoongles,” Taehyung squawked in protest and flittered over to Yoongi’s side to help him finish their dinner.

Hobi and Jimin went straight for the china cabinet and began pulling out the dishes from inside. Jungkook busied himself with the utensils and goblets, teetering behind Jimin as he placed the plates down.

By the time they finished setting up the table, Yoongi and Taehyung were bringing out the plates of food. Conversation flowed over the passing of dishes and pouring of drinks. Yoongi only began to dig in after seeing the angry scowl on Jungkook’s face, knowing like they all did that it meant that he really liked the food.

“Are we going to be seeing another JK performance anytime soon?” Jimin asked with an eyebrow wiggle, he yelped when Hobi smacked his arm.

“He just performed last night, what more do you want from the boy?” Hobi hissed, ignoring Jimin’s protest of ‘this is an abusive relationship’ with an eye roll. “Hyung is very proud of you, Jungkook-ah. You did very well last night, you’ve earned your rest.”

“Thank you hyung!” Jungkook cheered, raising his glass of beer to him.

“Truly Jungkook, everyone in that club was very impressed with you. If you had stayed out longer, instead of running off to the VIP section, you would’ve heard the cheers for an encore.” Yoongi teased with a sly smile.

Jimin sat up in interest, “You went up to the VIP section, Kook? Why? Did you have a hot date?”

Jungkook ducked his head away from the prying eyes of his hyungs but nodded shyly. The table chuckled as they spied the blush blooming on Jungkook’s face and the pout growing on his lips for being teased. Jungkook tugged at his earlobes in embarrassment as his hyungs cooed at him.

“Is that who you’ve been texting all day?” Taehyung cooed, pointing excitedly at Jungkook’s phone on the table.

He nodded again and took a sip of his beer, “He’s nice, I invited him to come to the show the day before. I wasn’t expecting him to reserve time in the VIP section.”

“I hope you at least got a name,” Jimin teased, poking the boy’s ribs.

“Of course I did,” Jungkook scoffed, batting Jimin’s hand away. “His name is Namjoon, I didn’t get a family name.”

Yoongi shrugged, “Some people are private like that, I’m sure he has his reasons. He’s been to our club before, good customer. Never had any complaints about him from staff.”

“I wonder why I’ve never seen him before then?” Jungkook wondered out loud.

“He usually came on the days you weren’t on shift,” Yoongi explained with a shrug as he raised his whiskey to his lips. “He’s more of a morning person anyway.”

There seemed to be a bit of a private joke in that phrase, which Jungkook doesn’t understand but he’s distracted by Jimin and Taehyung’s teasing remarks before he can look too closely at it. They spent the rest of the night trying to whittle out any information they could from him about Namjoon, while Yoongi and Hobi huddled at the end of the table deep in conversation.

When Jimin and Taehyung couldn’t gather any more from Jungkook, they dragged him into the living room and powered up the games again. They sat huddled on the floor in front of the TV, periodically elbowing each other’s sides as they kicked each other off the map in the game. While Yoongi and Hobi sat themselves down on the couch behind them.

After they played their tenth round of Mario Kart, Yoongi clapped his hands to get their attention.

“Alright kiddos, time for bed!” He teased, chuckling at their groans of protest. “Pretty sure at least two of you have classes tomorrow, need to get plenty of rest for it. Hobi, Jimin-ah, you’re free to use our empty apartments downstairs. The renters moved out last week, but they’re fully furnished if you don’t want to make the journey home tonight.”

Yoongi waved off any of their protests, stole Hobi and Jimin’s car keys, and told Taehyung to show them to the apartments for the night.

“You like having us over, don’t you hyung.” Jungkook teased as he helped the older man clean up the piles of dishes from dinner.

“What makes you say that, Jungkook-ah?” Yoongi dismisses with a dry look that makes Jungkook chuckle.

“Hey! That’s my job, sho sho, you know the rules of this house.” Taehyung protested, batting Jungkook away from the sink and taking over the dishwashing. “You have class in the morning, go get some sleep.”

“Night hyungs!” Jungkook called over his shoulder as he headed back to the guest room.

“Night Kookie!” Taehyung coos back, smacking Yoongi’s shoulder when the man says a simple ‘goodnight’ before trying to leave Taehyung to do the dishes alone. “Come back here, Yoons. I helped you cook, now help me clean.”

“I did most of the cooking,” Yoongi protests. “You only helped after I called you out on playing video games.”

Jungkook chuckled to himself as he shut the door on the couple’s banter. He checked his text messages as he snuggled down into the covers, Namjoon’s parting message made his heart flutter.

‘Hope you had a good dinner with your hyungs. Sleep well, little one.’

He fell asleep with a smile on his face with the gentle murmur of his hyung’s washing dishes in the background.

We’re Dripping In It

Chapter 4: Stay Alive

Jungkook woke up dreading his Monday classes, he groaned as he rolled off the mattress into the bathroom. His phone pinged with a message as he brushed his teeth, he nearly choked on his toothpaste at the good morning message from Namjoon. He spat into the sink and hurried to reply with shaking thumbs.

Jungkook still felt a bit nervous talking to Namjoon. The early ‘getting to know you’ jitters filled him despite the fact they had spent the entire day yesterday chatting back and forth. His stomach rumbled as he pulled a black t-shirt over his head. Jungkook debated with himself on whether he should bother Yoongi-hyung for some breakfast or if he should head to the small cafe on his way to class.

His stomach twisted at the thought of waking his hyung before 8AM, so the cafe it would be. He laced his boots up, slipped Namjoon’s jacket over his shoulders, and grabbed his backpack before silently heading out the door. He patted himself on the back at his silent escape when Namjoon sends him a text asking about his plans for the day.

He spends the journey to the cafe just outside campus making light conversation with Namjoon. The nerves he felt from this morning slowly eases into giddiness the longer he talks to him. Namjoon has an easy way of speaking, even through text, that instantly puts Jungkook at ease. It makes him look forward to getting to know the man more.

The line at the cafe is moderate when he arrives, he checks the time of his first class of the day and breathes a sigh of relief at seeing that it’s been moved to 9:30 AM instead of the usual 9AM time. He orders himself an iced americano and a breakfast sandwich and steps off to the side to wait for it. He starts to send a text to Jimin only to catch sight of the man entering the cafe.

“Jimin-ssi!” Jungkook calls to him, earning a wide grin as the man waves enthusiastically as he enters the line to order.

“Jungkook-ah!” Jimin greets, sliding up next to him as he waits for his own order. “Ready for Photography class this morning?”

Jungkook groaned, taking a long sip of his coffee when it slid to him, “No, the homework was so tedious to get done. Why do all my classes suck this semester?”

Jimin chuckled, grabbing his own drink and food, ushering Jungkook out the door with him. “Just think, one more year and you are out of here.”

Jungkook sighed, “I guess that’s the dream, isn’t it? Finish college, get the degree, then go fight for a job in that field.”

Jimin paused on his sip of caramel latte, “Isn’t that why you went to college? I know working for Yoongi-hyung at D-Town isn’t where you want to stay forever, didn’t you want to become a film director?”

“I don’t know what I want to do anymore.” Jungkook answered honestly, taking a bite of his breakfast sandwich.

“It’s okay not to know, you know.” Jimin assured him, patting his shoulder. “Life can take you on a journey you never expected. Who knows, maybe by next week you’ll know what you’ve always wanted to do and it’ll fall right in your lap.”

Jungkook pondered this with a hum of thought. What did he always want to be? What did he want to do for the rest of his life? He had no idea, but maybe Jimin was right. Maybe it would come to him sooner than he thought, he would just have to wait for it.

“Now, I held back at Yoongi-hyung’s house last night, so I need you to give me all the juicy details of your hot date on Saturday night!” Jimin probed with an eyebrow wiggle. “Rumor has it he carried you to bed that night, so scandalous Jungkook-ah!”

Jungkook groaned at his friend’s teasing tone but he couldn’t keep the smile off his face at the memories of Namjoon’s eyes on him as he performed. It had been electric to have his dark eyes follow his every movement on the stage. And when their eyes met across the club, the feeling still sent a shiver down his spine.

Jimin kept poking his side as they walked to class, pestering him as they went until Jungkook finally told him the details of his meet up with Namjoon. Jimin listened with rapt attention as he finished his coffee and croissant.

“Sounds like you found yourself quite the man Kook-ah, where did you meet him again?” Jimin asks, opening the door for them to step into class.

“Bumped into him when I was late for class.” Jungkook answers as close to the truth as he dares. It’s not that he doesn’t trust his friends, but he really doesn’t want them to be suspicious of Namjoon before Jungkook can even be sure how much he trusts him.

So far all the interactions with Namjoon after the alleyway have just done more to confuse him. How can the man write such beautiful lyrics and beat up random dudes in a back alley? He was a complete enigma to Jungkook at the moment, but it sent a thrill down his spine to discover more about him.

In the middle of class, Jungkook got a message from Yoongi to stop by his studio when he could. Saying that he wanted to work on another one of Jungkook’s songs. Jungkook sent an enthusiastic reply and checked over his schedule for an opening. It just so happened that his BioChem class was canceled, Professor Chan caught a cold, so he could head to the studio immediately.

Jimin offered to walk him over to Yoongi’s studio but Jungkook declined, knowing that he had a night class and would be late if he walked him across town. He waved to Jimin as they parted at the campus green, making his way to the streets outside the campus.

He arrived at D-Town just as the city of Seoul was starting to get out of work. He entered through the back entrance that led directly to the personal floors of Yoongi’s building. Jungkook took the elevator to the sixth floor, where the music studio resided.

“Yoongi-hyung!” Jungkook called as he stepped off the elevator, tossing his backpack onto the floor at the entrance way, hung his jacket up, and slipped his shoes off. He wandered into the studio space, passing the rows of instruments as he made his way towards the back room where the recording booth sat. He knocked at the closed door and waited for his hyung’s voice to allow him entry.

“Ah Jungkook-ah, good you’re right on time.” Yoongi greeted, turning to look at the young man as he entered and then froze in the doorway, staring at the man sitting next to him. “Don’t mind Namjoon, he just came to bother me about some work. How was class today?”

“You didn’t say you two know each other so well hyung,” Jungkook squeaked, staring at Namjoon with wide eyes as the man in question just smiled at him. “You made it sound like he was just a random customer.”

“Unfortunately not,” Yoongi groaned rolling his eyes, huffing when Namjoon smacks his shoulder lightly. “Namjoon-ah helped Taehyung and I get D-Town started. Helped us find this place, remodel it, and bring in our first customers.”

“I just threw money at you, hyung, it’s not that big of a deal.” Namjoon dismissed, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. Ignoring Yoongi’s scoff he smiled at Jungkook softly, “Hey Jungkook-ah, long time no see.”

“Hey Namjoon,” Jungkook greeted with a small wave, finally entering the room and letting the door shut behind him. He shook himself from his stupor and walked over to peer over Yoongi’s shoulder, “What are we working on today hyung?”

“You know that little demo you started about a week ago, ‘Stay Alive’,” Yoongi asked, pulling up the song on his files as he spoke. “I tweaked the melody on it and added some back-up vocals. I’d like you to sing through the song with the improved music and see if it feels better. Do you want to listen to it before stepping into the booth?”

Jungkook nodded as he looked at his hyung’s creation on the screen, just from the look of it he could tell it was going to sound amazing and it did. It sounded beautiful, so soft and soothing. After listening to the whole instrumental, Jungkook knew exactly how he was going to sing the song.

Without even glancing at Yoongi or Namjoon, he flittered over to the sound booth that stood in front of Yoongi’s desk behind a wall of glass. He pulled the headphones over his ears before powering the ipad Yoongi had set up on the music stand. He flicked through the documents of songs until he came to the one he wanted.

“Do I need to kick Namjoon-ah out, Jungkook-ah?” Yoongi asked through the booth speakers as Jungkook skimmed over the lyrics of his song.

He glanced up at both men behind the glass looking at him over the top of Yoongi’s computer screens. He shakes his head and smiles, “Nah, he can stay if he wants.”

Namjoon smiles and gives a thumbs up, it makes Jungkook giggle before looking back at his lyrics. He reads over the words and starts doing a few vocal warm-ups until he feels read to sing.

“You ready, Jungkook-ah?” Yoongi asks, getting a thumbs up in reply. “Alright, music playing and recording beginning in three… two… one…”

The soft piano and gentle backup vocals comes through the headphones, Jungkook closes his eyes as he leaned into the booth mic.

“Please stay alive,” he sang softly. As the song flowed through his ears, Jungkook sang to the rhythm that Yoongi had created. The emotion that he poured into the song came from a place deep inside his heart. The lyrics spoke to an old pain of his past that was only beginning to mend.

“Please you stay alive,” he sang as the song came to an end. There were light tears in his eyes as he opened them to see Yoongi and Namjoon staring at him in open mouthed shock.

He blinked at them, “Was that good? Do you need me to run through it again?”

Yoongi gaped at him, “If you could sing that song any better Jungkook-ah, you’d put the entire music industry out of business.”

“Hyung!” Jungkook whined in embarrassment, laughing self consciously as he pulled the headphones off and placed them back on the music stand. He turned the ipad off and stepped out of the recording booth.

“You know I’d never lie to you Jungkook,” Yoongi told him sternly, patting his shoulder before turning to the recording and adjusting it with expert hands. “You ever want to perform again, my stage is yours.”

Jungkook smirked at him, “Would you pay me more to be a regular performer?”

“I would have the contract written before Taehyung could tell me ‘I told you so’,” Yoongi states with a nod. “He’s been on my case for years to put you under contract as a stage presence at the club. I’ll never hear the end of it if it actually happens.”

Jungkook pulled a spare chair from a corner and placed it between the two men, sitting down on it backwards he looked at his hyung with interest. “Why haven’t you asked then hyung?”

Yoongi shrugs as he continues to mess with the recording, “I didn’t want to put any pressure on you to do something you weren’t ready for yet. You needed to come to me about performing first, then I’d approach you about it after you realized it was something you’d want to do. I can get plenty of bartenders, but a talent like yours only comes once in a blue moon.”

“Hyungie!” Jungkook whined, burying his burning face into his hands. Groaning when Yoongi just chuckles and pats his shoulder.

“Is that something you’d be interested in, Kook-ah?” Yoongi asks, Jungkook peeks at him through his fingers and nods. Yoongi smiles, “Then I’ll get the contract started as soon as I finish with the last touches on your song.”

Jungkook jerks up at a sudden thought and looks at his hyung with wide eyes. “You're not gonna tell Tae right now, are you?”

Yoongi freezes in his chair for a moment before going back to his work. Jungkook stares hard at Yoongi’s tense back, then hears a bang from behind him.

“Hyung…” Jungkook starts to say only to jerk in surprise when the door to the studio room is flung open. Not even questioning how Yoongi told his husband so quickly, those two had a form of telepathy that was beyond understanding.

“My baby is going to be on stage!” Taehyung screams as he enters the room, throwing himself on top of Jungkook’s back. Jungkook grunts at the impact and huffs when Taehyung’s arms circle his neck tightly.

“Tae!” Jungkook groans as the man bounces with excitement making his hair become a puff ball on top of his head. “Tae, get off!”

Jungkook stands from his chair and steps away from the recording equipment, fighting Taehyung to get off of his back. But the man just wrapped his legs around Jungkook’s waist and clung to him like a koala.

“Please don’t rough house in my studio,” Yoongi grunted, not even turning to look at the pair as Jungkook tried to wiggle Taehyung off of him. Namjoon watched the exchange in amusement, trying to keep his laughter quiet as he watched Jungkook tug at Taehyung’s arms around his neck.

After a moment of fruitless struggle, Jungkook threw himself backwards onto the floor. Taehyung wheezed as his back hit the hardwoods and Jungkook’s weight crushed him into the floor. He tapped Jungkook’s arm as he coughed and the younger man rolled off of him.

“I don’t know how Jiminie rough houses with you all the time,” Taehyung moaned as his breath came back to him, he sat up and rubbed his back. Jungkook chuckled at his place on the floor as Taehyung glared down at him. He placed his hands behind his head and crossed his ankles, getting completely comfortable across the cool floor.

“Why are you still on the floor, Jungkook-ah?” Yoongi asked, looking over his shoulder to see the young man and his husband chilling on the ground behind his chair. “And why are you joining him Taehyung-ah?”

Both men just shrugged in response as they got more comfortable, Taehyung leaning his head against Jungkook’s shoulder and throwing a leg over his waist. Yoongi rolled his eyes at them, muttering under his breath as he turned back to his screens.

“Yoons! Play Kookie’s song for me!” Taehyung whined, stretching his leg to kick his husband’s chair with his foot. Yoongi gave a long suffering sigh before tapping away at his keyboard and allowing the song to filter through the speakers.

Jungkook closed his eyes as he listened, he never could get used to the feeling of hearing a song he had created come to life for the first time. He felt Taehyung gently rub his stomach as the lyrics echoed through the room. Taehyung knew better than anyone what this song meant to him. He beat the negative thoughts out of his mind as he tried to focus on the beautiful melody he and Yoongi had created together.

“That was beautiful, Jungkook-ah.” Taehyung sighed after the song ended, he tightened his grip around Jungkook’s left rib cage. “Are you going to perform that on stage?”

Jungkook shook his head slightly, “No, I don’t think so. I think that one can be just for us.”

Taehyung hummed in agreement then sprang up to his feet, Jungkook blinked up at him as he stretched his arms above his head. “Come on, Kookie, let's go make some dinner. Are you staying, Namjoonie?”

Jungkook took Taehyung’s offered hand to pull him off the floor and tried to quell the disappointment when Namjoon shook his head.

“Sorry Tae, I’m already late for a meeting.” Namjoon explained, standing from his chair and patting Yoongi’s shoulder as he passed. He followed the pair out of the room and into the elevator.

“You really should take more time off Joon,” Taehyung scolded, pressing the button for the seventh floor and the lobby. The elevator rose up first and the doors slid open to reveal the penthouse apartment.

Namjoon hummed in agreement, “Jungkook-ah,” he called as Jungkook stepped off the elevator, Taehyung didn’t stop his stride into the kitchen as Jungkook turned to look at Namjoon. “I didn’t get to say this earlier, but your song was beautiful, it truly left me speechless.”

Jungkook blushed, “Thank you.”

Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he caught the elevator doors from closing, “I’d like to take you out on a date sometime, would that be agreeable to you?”

Jungkook smiled widely and nodded, “I’d like that Namjoon-ssi.”

Namjoon waved a hand, “No need for formalities. Would tomorrow be too soon?”

Jungkook chuckled and shook his head, “I have a short day tomorrow, you can pick me up after my dance class with Hobi-hyung.”

“It’s a date then,” Namjoon smiled, his dimples popping before he released the elevator doors. He sent Jungkook a wink just as the doors closed in front of him and the elevator started its descent.

Jungkook felt like he was floating as he entered the kitchen. He sighed happily as he joined Taehyung at the kitchen counter and started chopping some vegetables with him. The pair quietly worked next to each other, both lost in their own thoughts.

“Why haven’t you guys mentioned Namjoon before, hyung? You guys seem close.” Jungkook asked as he diced a carrot.

Taehyung didn’t falter as he continued to slice the beef into strips, “Honestly, he’s been traveling a lot lately and he’s always so busy with his job. It just never came up in conversation. Namjoonie wanted to keep it on the down low about how much he’s helped us over the years.”

Jungkook nodded and moved to start chopping an onion, “You and hyung have always been a bit private, I suppose.”

Taehyung paused and placed a hand on Jungkook's shoulder, making him look over at him. “We’d never hide anything from you, Jungkook-ah, unless we thought it was necessary. Lying to you is the last thing we ever want to do, I want you to understand that.”

Jungkook nodded at Taehyung’s serious tone, more than used to Yoongi and Taehyung saying something so cryptic to him. After all these years being friends with the couple, he’s learned not to press too hard on things that just didn’t make sense. It used to bother him when he was younger and first came to live with them, but over the years he’s learned they’ve never been malicious in what they haven’t told him. And there was always an undertone in their conversations that one day they would be completely honest with him. Jungkook looked forward to that day.

“I understand hyung,” Jungkook said with another nod, smiling at his hyung’s relieved face. “I know you and hyung only want the best for me.”

Taehyung nodded and placed a swift kiss on Jungkook’s cheek, “Always Kook, we always want the best for you.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes at his hyung’s affection but secretly he loved it. Taehyung had always been more physical with his affection than Yoongi, always more expressive. It had taken Jungkook a while to get used to it, to accept it for what it was.

Yoongi’s way of showing affection had always been quiet and subtle; making sure Jungkook had a meal before work, making sure he was on shift with someone he knew at the bar, and always having time for him in his studio. The pair complemented each other in every way and worked together to make Jungkook feel safe in their home.

Words could never express how grateful Jungkook was to his hyungs and he hoped one day he could pay them back for everything they’ve helped him through.

We Started It

Epilogue: Slow Dancing

5 Years Later

Yoongi fiddles with the silver band around his ring finger as he works on the piles of paperwork on his desk. He glances at the new wedding picture that Taehyung had dropped off, staring at the wide boxy smile on his husband’s face. His eyes trace Taehyung’s figure as he stands clutching Yoongi’s side in front of the metal ducks at the Haslla Museum. Yoongi has to admit he likes this photo more than their honeymoon one in front of the Eiffel Tower.

A knock at the door tears his eyes away from his husband’s handsome face.

“Come in,” Yoongi calls, raising a brow in confusion as a youthful face pokes his head around the doorframe. “Can I help you?”

“Ah,” the boy stutters, shuffling into the room. His fraying sneakers squeak against the floor as he walks over to the chair in front of Yoongi’s desk. “The lady downstairs said to talk to you about a possible job opening, as a bartender.”

Yoongi nods as he takes in the boy’s scrappy appearance, his tattered pants, loose black shirt, and beaten black backpack that has a small purple heart pin on the strap. “Do you have any experience as a bartender?”

The boy shakes his head but says quickly, “But I can learn! I pick things up really quickly, I’m sure I can learn!”

Yoongi hums, clicking his tongue. “Are you even old enough to serve alcohol?”

“I’m turning eighteen next month, on the first.” The boy says quickly. “That would be enough time to get me trained and then I can get straight to work.”

Yoongi frowns and opens his mouth to send the boy away, but stops when the boy grasps his hands together tightly in his lap and hangs his head in preparation for the denial. He pauses and takes a real good look at the boy. He's young and looks like he’s been on the street for the past few weeks.

“Do you have anywhere to stay during your training?” Yoongi asks, already guessing the answer as the boy blinks up at him.

He shakes his head, “No sir, I would have to ask for an advancement on my first paycheck so I can get myself a place to stay.”

Yoongi clicks his tongue, “How long have you been in Seoul?”

“I’ve been here for school, but I’ve only been on my own for the past three weeks.” The boy answers scrunching his brows in confusion at Yoongi’s questions.

Yoongi doesn’t press on the reason why he’s been on the streets, only nods as he pulls out a sheet of paper from his desk. “Name, date of birth, and clothing size. You’ll be staying with my husband and I until we can get you trained and working. I don’t give advancements to employees that haven’t shown me what they’re capable of.”

“Oh no sir, you don’t have to…” the boy stops at the look Yoongi levels at him and gives a swift bow as he gives a quiet thank you. “My name is Jeon Jungkook.”

“Well Jungkook-ah, if you will follow me.” Yoongu says standing after filling out the contract for his employment. “I’ll show you where you’ll be staying, my husband should be home by now. Do you have any food allergies that we need to know about?”

Jungkook blinks as Yoongi guides him by the shoulder onto the elevator, “I have a gluten allergy.”

Yoongi smiles and presses the seven button, “We can work with that.”

The elevator door closes and Yoongi’s smile grows as the sounds of smooth jazz grow louder and louder as they rise.

“Yoons, is that you?” A deep voice calls before Taehyung pops around the corner and smiles widely as he catches sight of Yoongi as the doors open again to their home.

“Yeah I’m home,” Yoongi mutters, pulling Jungkook forward to introduce the pair. He takes in the sight of his tall husband bouncing on his toes as he shakes Jungkook’s hand and leads him to their guest bedroom.

He walks into the kitchen to check on the dinner that Taehyung had started, petting their poodle, Holly, as he passed him on the couch. Yeontan, their newest pomeranian puppy, jumped from his little bed in the corner and followed Yoongi into the kitchen, yapping excitedly at his heels.

“Go bother your Appa, Tannie.” Yoongi mutters to the black fluff ball, only to get an indignant yip in response. He sighs and hands the menace a little slice of chicken from the simmering pan, “You’re nearly as bad as him. I swear Jiminie gave you to us just to annoy me.”

Yeontan runs off with his prize and Yoongi laughs as he watches his short little feet dash across the hardwoods. He turns back to the stove and starts lowering the heat of the pots, mentally calculating to see if they had enough food to feed an obviously very hungry teenager. Arms come around Yoongi’s shoulders as he’s moving to check the rice cooker, he lays a hand on the wrist of one as he feels Taehyung bury his nose into the top of his head.

“You brought home a stray,” Taehyung chuckles, running his thumbs over Yoongi’s collarbone.

Yoongi grunts, “We’re probably going to need to go shopping for him tomorrow. I don’t think he has anything but what’s in that scrappy backpack of his.”

Taehyung hums in agreement and ducks his head down against the side of Yoongi’s neck, shuffling behind him as Yoongi moves back in front of the stove. “I’m having him take a shower now, looks like the boy hasn’t been able to wash properly in weeks. What did he come here for?”

“A job as a bartender,” Yoongi answers, tasting one of the sauces before giving a spoon full for Taehyung to try. He gets a hum of approval for it and turns down the heat to keep it at a gentle simmer. “He’s not old enough to serve alcohol now, his birthday is the first of September.”

“We’ll have to celebrate then,” Taehyung murmurs, placing a kiss against the side of Yoongi’s neck before pulling away from him completely. He moves to Yoongi’s side and starts helping him finish the dinner.

Jungkook comes out of the guest room a moment later, his hair a wet mop on top of his head and cleaner clothes on his body. He blinks at the array of food on the table and his stomach audibly grumbles.

“Ah, sorry,” he mutters, clutching his stomach as Taehyung and Yoongi simply chuckle and wave him over to sit down with them.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ll get you fed up in no time.” Taehyung chuckles, patting his shoulder and scooping large portions onto his plate. He waves off any protest from Jungkook, “Eat up, we can always order more food if we need to. I didn’t expect another guest tonight.”

“Thank you,” Jungkook murmurs, bowing his head to them before slowly digging into his plate. A scowl appears on the boy’s face and Yoongi almost worries about having made the sauce too spicy, even if Taehyung could handle it, when the boy moans in ecstasy and mutters a quiet, “So good.”

Yoongi chuckles as he starts digging to his own plate, he feels Taehyung lay a gentle hand on his thigh and he drops his free one to interlace their fingers. They share a brief smile before focusing on their food and start a conversation with their new guest.

As he watches Taehyung and Jungkook talk animatedly to each other, Yoongi idly wonders how long the boy will be staying with them.