Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Jungkook and Yugyeom were walking side by side from the party to the bus stop, the air was cold but the weather in mid October was still pretty mild. Jungkook wrapped his jacket tighter around himself and if it wasn't for the strategic placement of Taehyung's flannel he would happily put the shirt on to shield him from the bite of the occasional chilly wind. Yugyeom seemed to have drunk a lot more than just few sips like Jungkook, before dropping his drink on the bathroom floor.
"Did you have fun? I know it was probably weird to take you to a birthday party on your first nigh here, but I didn't want to go alone."
"Don't worry, it was fun. I have to say, people here aren't so bad...well, when I think about it, I only spoke to people who aren't from Seoul."
"Oh really?"
He managed to make more friends in one hour than I have managed in weeks...
"Where were you? You were gone for so long, I couldn't find you anywhere,"Yugyeom asked.
"I told you, I wasn't feeling well...probably from the drink Jimin-hyung gave me..."
You would never talk to me again if I told you the truth...
"He's from Busan as well, that's cool."
"Did you talk to him?"
"Yeah, more like he talked to me,"Yugyeom snorted,"he talked mostly about you."
Shit!
"Wh...what did he say? He was quite drunk...if he said something weird, it's probably not true.
"Just how cute you are...how shy, sweet and adorable guy you are. It was almost as if he was in love with you or something,"Yugyeom made a gagging sound. "What the hell Kook, you're a Busan man...you can't represent our city like that?"
He can never find out the truth about me... he'd be so disgusted...
"Oh, suddenly Namyangju doesn't exist?"
"I've spent most of my life in Busan...it feels like home."
Yeah...it does... After so many weeks the twinge of pain in his heart returned, along with the strange weight on his shoulders. Additionally, he also had other things to worry about.
"I really miss it...I've missed you too Gyeomie..."Jungkook put his arm around his friend.
"Next time, you have to come and visit."
"Maybe."
I miss Busan so fucking much...I barely tolerate Seoul...it's only him...he makes me like this city...shows me all of its beauty in a different light...If I was to return to my hometown, would I miss him? Wouldn't I just be happy to be back? I'll never know...
They reached the bus stop and since there were other people waiting for the bus with them, they stood in silence. Their bus arrived in a little bit and after a short drive they got to Jungkook's place.
"Not taking the stairs anymore?"
"Nope, my first day at school, I ended up being late...I had to take the elevator and ever since then, I would use it instead of stairs. I'm not scared anymore, actually..." He remembered all those times taking that same elevator with Taehyung.
"Actually what?"
"Actually...they are a lot more conventional."
"Oh my God, Kook discovered 21st century,"Yugyeom pushed him out of the elevator as they reached their floor and started walking towards Jungkook's apartment.
"Shush,"Jungkook walked behind him and started searching for his keys. When he got to his door to unlock it, he got reminded who's apartment was behind him.
Is he at home? Or working? He better not be working...hyung, please don't overwork yourself...Did Yugyeom see him there? Or maybe talked to him?
"My neighbor was at the party too, you know the one I'm friends with,"he swung the door open.
"What's his name?"
"Kim Taehyung,"Jungkook said anxiously.
"The one from Gochang?"
God help me... His cheeks and ears blushed immediately and his heart started beating like a bell. They did talk together! Fuck! I hope hyung didn't mention anything...
"Y...yeah,"he choked out and quickly closed the door behind them. "When did you talk to him? I didn't see you with him."
"Just as he was about to leave the party."
"I see..."
I hope he didn't pull some territorial shit on Yugyeom...I can just imagine him saying "Jungkookie likes me more..."
"He's so freaking handsome."
"What?!"Jungkook blurted out little bit louder than he intended, especially when his parents were already asleep.
"I have to say, even as a guy...I couldn't stop looking at his face."
So it's not just me!
"Oh really?"Jungkook couldn't untie his shoelaces properly, because his fingers began shaking.
Why the hell did I mention him?! I always make things so much more difficult for myself!
"Don't you agree?"
"I don't know,"he laughed nervously and shrugged,"I suppose..."
"He told me, that he spent Chuseok here in Seoul, did you guys hang out?"
Jungkook almost tripped as he was walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "N...not really...we...I used to teach him Math, but not anymore...Mom forced me..."
Yugyeom followed him closely,"You apparently make a good songpyeon,"he had a sly smirk on his face.
Fuck this shit! Now he's gonna get the wrong ideas...
Jungkook choked on the water,"you're drunk, Yugyeom..."
"Probably, but I sure as hell now that you were drunk couple times during Chuseok...and definitely not alone,"with that he waved his hand at him, turned on his heel and headed to Jungkook's room. A moment later, Jungkook heard the sound of water running in the shower, so he decided to wait in the kitchen until Yugyeom went to bed and fell asleep.
Oh my God! He better not remember anything tomorrow!
Exhausted he sat down at the dining table, angrily pulled out his phone and started typing with his lips tightly pressed together.
- -What exactly did you tell Yugyeom?"- - he sent a message to Taehyung.
A moment later, he got a reply.
- -Why aren't you sleeping, Jungkookie?- -
- -You told him about the songpyeon I brought to you and the drinking?!--
- -I don't remember...too much wine...- -
- -Oh I think you do remember, don't play with me hyung.- -
- -I might've said something...- -
He also sent a photo.
- -Is Kookie mad? I'm scared.- -
Now he's trying to make me go soft...and he's succeeding...I hate how he always gets what he wants. At least he's in bed and not working.
- -You're lucky you're so good looking, hyung.- -
- -Am I not oppa anymore?- -
Jungkook quickly opened up the camera on his phone and took a picture
- -No.- -
- -An angry baby boy is even cuter.- -
I really can't be mad at him...Ugh, I'm getting so soft...and why the hell do I like it when he calls me like that?!
- -On a serious note, I hope you didn't tell him anything weird. Please, I really want to keep it secret and you were the one who said that no one will know about us!- -
- -I got jealous, okay? But I won't do it anymore.- -
Jealous?! Whoah...he really doesn't like seeing me with other people...other...men probably. But that means he must care about me a lot... Jungkook rubbed his face with his hands, not knowing how to process what Taehyung just said.
- -Jealous of Yugyeom? Why? He's just a friend.- -
- -I know...But there's something about me which you should know. I don't like to share what's mine.- -
Fuck!
Jungkook put his phone down on the table and sighed loudly. He put his face into his hands and looked at his crotch. His cum stained jeans were tight again as his unexpected boner was pressing against them. Again? He couldn't help but shake his head and laugh quietly.
- -When exactly have I become "yours"?- -
- -When you stepped out of your door that morning, it was over for me.- -
- -You barely looked at me!- -
- -But it was enough...Jungkookie you should go to bed.- -
We haven't had a sincere conversation like this for so long...
- -I'm sorry for being difficult these past few days...It's just a lot to process...- -
- -Well you shouldn't be saying it over a text anyway. I just don't want you to avoid me. It's not going to help either of us...- -
- -I thought that a break could be beneficial.- -
- -Do you still think that?- -
I just want to be with you all the time.
- -I don't know...But I don't think it's possible for us to have a break. We live next to each other, we go to the same school, so it would be hard.- -
- -Just don't think too much about it ok? Now go and get some sleep. Don't forget to wash your jeans ;)- -
Winking face? Asshole...
- -I'm gonna go and cuddle Yugyeom.- -
Jungkook sent the text message with a malicious grin on his face. He knew that Taehyung would hate it, but he loved teasing his hyung. However, Taehyung didn't reply for a long time and the grin got wiped from his face. Just as he was about to write another message, Taehyung replied.
- -If it makes you happy, then go ahead. Please just get lots of sleep, do it for hyung, okay baby?- -
He's...he's not angry? Aish...what is this feeling...Jungkook was smiling from ear to ear, having a strange fuzzy feeling inside.
- -Sweet dreams oppa :* - -
- -Sweet dreams bunny- -
After that, Jungkook quietly sneaked into his room, careful to not wake Yugyeom up. He took a quick shower and then got comfortable on his couch, snuggling Taehyung's blanket before falling asleep.
Jungkook's mom woke both of them up at around noon on Saturday. She didn't ask too many questions about the party, probably to be polite in front of Yugyeom, Jungkook figured. Otherwise she would keep asking about every single detail as usual. After a filling brunch, the two of them got dressed and decided to go and grab some bubble tea nearby.
"Not gonna lie, I feel pretty hungrover..."Yugyeom yawned.
"Alcohol makes you do stupid things, I speak from experience."
Jungkook almost slapped himself for saying that. He was tense during their brunch, observing whether Yugyeom remembered a lot or not.
To his relief, Yugyeom just nodded approvingly and drank some boba though his straw. They'd chosen Yeouido Park to sit down and drink their tea, finally having some time to chat and catch up on things.
"There's is something I've been meaning to tell you, but I just couldn't bring myself to it,"Yugyeom started.
"What is it?"
"It's...it might be a bit uncomfortable for you...and I'm really sorry for that..."
"Just tell me."
"You see...after you left, I was left pretty much alone."
"It was the same for me..."
"And you know well that I have other friends, but I was looking for something more. Some kind of connection or something."
"Well, that's good,"Jungkook encouraged him.
"It's not,"he shook his head,"I...I don't want to destroy our friendship."
"I'm still going to be your friend, regardless of you having other friends or not."
"You don't understand...I found that something more...I found a girlfriend."
"I'm still shocked about that,"Jungkook laughed.
Yugyeom wasn't laughing with him, his head dropped down.
"The person who's my girlfriend, is Yuki."
Jungkook slowly turned to him, surprise registering on his face.
Yugyeom avoided his eyes,"I'm sorry,"he said quietly. "It wasn't intentional...She was still upset from the breakup, she was lonely, I felt lonely...We just got close and then we realized we have feelings for each other...When you two were dating, I was happy for you, I've never intended..."
"It's fine,"Jungkook interrupted him.
"What?"Yugyeom lifted his head.
"It's cool, don't worry."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah."
"You don't want to punch me?"
"No,"Jungkook smiled and squeezed his shoulder,"treat her well."
"Uhh, I am...but you...aren't angry?"
"Do you want to be punched or what?"he laughed. "I have to say I'm quite surprised and I wish you would've told me sooner, but you two are a perfect match."
"You think so? You're really taking it well, I was prepared for the worst..."
Maybe it's because someone has replaced her in my heart...
"Honestly, I don't know if her saying that she's had a crush on me for years was truth."
"It is, it definitely is. She really liked you...but, she'd told me that she could sense that you didn't like her equally."
"Nonsense!"
"She said that she knew, that you are meant to be with someone else, not her."
What the fuck is that supposed to mean?! Back then I only liked her, no one else. I certainly didn't have a thing for dudes back then...
"So who is she?"Yugyeom asked.
"Who?"
"Yes, who's the lucky girl?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You have someone. It's written all over your face."
Jungkook hands subconsciously shot upwards to touch his cheeks. He started panicking.
"I've known you for so long, you can't hide anything from me, Kook."
You'd be surprised...
There was a long silence between them, turning into an awkward silence, so unusual for them.
When Jungkook couldn't take it any longer he mumbled,"well there is someone."
"I knew it!"Yugyeom smiled victoriously and patted Jungkook on the back.
"But it's complicated."
"Does she have a bad background?"
Jungkook shook his head.
"Family problems? Financial problems? Problems in school?"
"No, nothing like that. You know Gyeomie, we've been friends ever since you moved to Busan when you were little. You never judge me, no matter what..."
"I do, but silently,"he burst into a laugh.
"You know how I mean it...you're still my friend no matter how weird I am."
"I have my limits too, you know..."he giggled.
What I'm about to tell you really might be your limit...Or should I not tell him? I need to tell someone...now it's my chance. I've been thinking about this for so long, I just have to tell him and fingers crossed we can still be friends.
"I've been hiding something,"his voice was weak, throat dry and heart beating like crazy. His palms got sweaty, losing the grip on his cup. "I don't think you'd be able to guess...it's still pretty new for me."
"Oh my God, don't tell me you've made her pregnant..."Yugyeom gasped.
"Shut up!"
"Sorry, continue please."
Jungkook took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He knew he had to say it now or never, the anxiety creeping up on him was bigger every minute. He blinked away the tears welling up in his eyes. Coming out to someone was so nerve racking, yet so emotional. He was scared of rejection, of judgement, but also saying it out loud, admitting it to himself, was equally hard. He thought of Taehyung and how happy he makes him and how he wanted to be with him...that gave him courage. He squared his shoulders and held his head high, looking straight into the deer like eyes of Yugyeom.
"Th...the person...my crush...the person I like...is not a girl..."
"Oh..."he elbowed him and whistled,"Jungkookie got himself a cougar? I've always known that you like them older...you love being babied, don't you? There's nothing wrong with that..."his teasing ceased when he saw the tears in Jungkook's eyes.
Jungkook shook his head.
"Yugyeom, the one I like, is a guy."
His friend looked at him wide eyed, shocked and not knowing what to say.
"Are you serious?!"he pulled away.
Jungkook nodded and a first tear rolled down his cheek.
"Who is he?"Yugyeom whispered, keeping his distance.
"Kim Taehyung."