Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"He is not my boyfriend!"Jungkook blurted out, trying to keep his voice low, because he knew his parents could hear him in the living room.
"Okay, your man then...whatever,"Yugyeom waved his hand.
Jungkook huffed,"didn't you meet him yesterday at the party?"
"Yeah, but I really want to get to know him, see what kind of person he is. If I'm supposed to support you, I want to know whether he's worthy of you."
"Worthy of me? Oh, trust me it should be the other way around...he's better at everything and just so much cooler than me."
"Well that's your opinion...but I want to form my own opinion. Call him and tell him that your best friend needs to approve him."
"You don't need to approve anything, we've already-"
"Where's your phone?"
"Are you my mom or something?"
"Yes, a new self proclaimed mom. I got to protect my Kookie-hyung, so he doesn't get his heart broken by some fuckboy."
"He's not-"
Yugyeom somehow managed to find Jungkook's phone somewhere in the room and shoved it into his hand.
"I can't..."
"Why not?"
"I'm...I don't know if he has time...maybe he's at work..."
"I'll do it myself then,"he took the phone back and started scrolling through Jungkook's contacts,"do you have him saved under Kim?"
"Yugyeom, give the phone back!"Jungkook tried to pry the phone from his grip, but because of Yugyeom's height, is was difficult.
"Oh wait, is it 'TaeTae'? You call him TaeTae?"he burst out laughing.
Jungkook kicked him into his shins and was finally able to retrieve his phone back,"that's none of your business!"
Yugyeom curled in pain, rubbing his leg,"calm down, jeez..." He straightened up, not ready to give up,"if you don't want to call him, then we can go and ask him in person. Just knock on his door and-"
"Okay, I'll text him!"
- -Hyung, Yugyeom would like to meet up tonight, do you have time?- -he quickly typed, praying that he will get a negative answer.
- -Sure, I have few hours free later so it's not a problem.- -
Shit! I should've just smashed my phone to the ground...that would probably be better than this...
- -He knows everything...- -
- -What? You mean our secret?- -
- -Yeah, I couldn't lie to him... I'm sorry :( - -
- -If you trust him, it's ok. How did he take it?- -
- -So so...- -
After that, while Yugyeom was anxiously watching Jungkook texting, all three of them agreed to meet at one small quiet cafe in the city center. First, Jungkook and Yugyeom sat down at the table to have dinner before going out. To say the least, Jungkook's mom was not happy about their outing happening so late in the night.
"I could smell alcohol from you yesterday...don't you think two days in a row is a bit too much? Besides, since when do you drink? It's bad for your liver. Don't let bad people influence you, I hope no one is forcing you..."Jungkook's mom asked him, crossing her arms while they were eating their dinner.
"Jungkookie is an adult..."Yugyeom answered in Jungkook's stead and regretted it right away after mom looked at him.
"If your father allows it..."she turned to face Jungkook's dad with raised brows.
"Have fun, just don't do anything stupid,"he said with full mouth, then smiled at Jungkook, avoiding mom's blazing eyes.
"We're not drinking, dad...Why does suddenly everyone think I'm an alcoholic?!" Jungkook made sure to quickly finish his dinner, before his mom could ask him more.
Jungkook and Yugyeom changed their clothes and headed out into the streets, veiled in darkness of the night. Jungkook felt some nervousness creeping up on him, it was almost as if he was introducing his girlfriend to his parents. Except he didn't have a girlfriend and Yugyeom certainly wasn't his parent.
I hope he likes him...not just his appearance, but likes him in general...He seemed to have liked his appearance yesterday, so at least something...What if he says that he hates him? Should I care? I've always trusted Yugyeom, his opinions and decisions...What if this time he won't agree with my choice? Should I ignore it, or not? Maybe I'm so infatuated with hyung that I can't see clearly...
They walked in silence and with each minute passing, with distance to that cafe being smaller, Jungkook started to really be nervous. His hands started to sweat, his heart pounding loud in his chest. Should I be formal with hyung? Or just behave how I normally do? Should I talk more to Yugyeom? I've known him longer after all...But I'm so close with hyung...Ugh, this is going to be so awkward! Hopefully hyung will make me feel less nervous...Who am I kidding, he makes me flustered every time!
From the distance, Jungkook could clearly see Taehyung's tall figure standing near the cafe entrance. He didn't need a perfect vision to tell that even this night he looked exceptionally handsome. As they'd gotten closer, he could see that he wasn't smiling. Fuck! Is he mad? His messages seemed quite neutral, but what if he's actually mad? Me bringing Yugyeom with me...oh God...this won't end well...Maybe he'll get even more jealous and refuse to talk to me? Nah, I'm overthinking it...Or not?
When they reached the cafe, Taehyung merely nodded to them, keeping a distance from Jungkook.
What's that all about?
"Good evening, I hope you haven't been waiting for too long,"Yugyeom started with a smile.
"Not at all,"Taehyung replied, not returning the smile.
"I had to almost drag Kookie, he's so slow...or perhaps not so keen on this meeting?"Yugyeom grinned, he knew exactly what to say to make Jungkook agitated.
Taehyung put his hands in his pockets and watched them silently.
Jungkook shrugged. Aaand the awkwardness begins...
"I know everything about you two, so you can relax...no need to pretend or anything, Taehyung-ssi."
What's up with that face? His expression... My God, is he...nervous?!
Without a doubt, Taehyung's face was really showing signs of some unease, so different from his usual confidence oozing self. He rubbed his palms together,"shall we go inside?"even his voice sounded a little bit less stable, a little bit higher in pitch.
"Yeah, the air pollution is so bad here, I don't understand how you guys can live here,"Yugyeom shuddered stepping inside.
It's not like I have a choice, I didn't want to move here at all!
They found and empty table after ordering some hot chocolate.
"So I heard you have a job,"Yugyeom cracked his knuckles and tangled his fingers together, resting his chin on top of them, ready to get as much information out of Taehyung as possible.
"Yeah, part-time,"Taehyung seemed like he wasn't in a mood for talking.
"Where do you work?"
"In a bar."
Yugyeom narrowed his eyes at him,"can students work in a bar?"
"I'm not a minor anymore, it's not illegal."
"Are your parents okay with that?"
"They don't care about where I work. I do it in my own free time to get a little bit of extra money, that's it."
"What about school? When do you study if you spend your free time working?"
"It is difficult to find time in between indeed, but I try my best..."
"So you're not planning to go to a university?"
"Uhh, actually it's expected from me, so I think it is part of the plan."
"Do you think you'll be able to get to a decent one? Keeping a part-time job, sacrificing your free time, instead of studying? Do you know how many students are slaving in hagwons just to have a chance to get accepted to a good uni?"
"How I manage my time, is my business, no need to worry,"Taehyung used that authoritative tone of voice that made everyone shut up.
Jungkook watched their conversation in silence, quite surprised that he has never asked those questions. I know so little about him...yet I let myself to get physical with him before knowing him well. That's so unlike me... Even as he was sitting across Taehyung, he felt completely magnetized, drawn to him by invisible force. This force is stronger than my self-restraint, no wonder I'm doing things I wouldn't usually do.
"So how did you two meet?"Yugyeom leaned back in his chair, continuing with the rain of questions.
"Well we are neighbors, so I guess we had met in our apartment complex. I think the official meeting was when Jungkook came over to teach me math.
Yugyeom turned to Jungkook and crossed his arms on his chest. "I remember you clearly saying that you'd never teach math anyone, but me."
Jungkook shrugged,"it was mom's work." He remembered that she had planned the lesson behind his back and forced him to go there. What if I said no back then? How would things be now? Kim Taehyung would be nothing more than my neighbor. Maybe this was the first out of many mistakes...or first out of many blessings? Only the future will show.
Yugyeom refocused on Taehyung again and Jungkook noticed that his friends was looking a bit nervous. Avoiding eye contact? Oh yeah, that's the effect hyung has, his ethereal beauty...no one can escape.
"So I hope you're dating Kookie exclusively,"he kept digging and prying some more.
"Yes,"Taehyung gave him a clear answer.
Jungkook was taken aback, because he learned something completely new yet again As far as I know this has not been established! I did tell him to not kiss anyone else, but we haven't set boundaries like this yet! Well, I guess the boundaries are set from now on. It's not like I would go on and date someone else...but I'm surprised he's willing to give up dating others...for me. He felt a wave of heat flush him from head to toes and he could feel that his face betrayed him, displaying a bright shade of red. Why am I so flustered?! I should be glad...But still...
"I hope you realize, that you can't treat him bad. If you do, then you'll have a problem with me."
"Has Jungkook ever said that I treat him bad?"Taehyung slowly turned his face to Jungkook, and pierced him with his gaze. The target of his intense eyes knew that if he said the wrong words, he'd be in a trouble and get properly punished later.
"It doesn't matter what he says, you need to treat him well,"Yugyeom didn't give Jungkook a chance to speak.
"I wouldn't treat him any other way."
"But don't spoil him too much."
"I think he likes to be spoiled,"Taehyung smiled, reached over pinched Jungkook's cheek. "Besides he spoils me too...he has cooked for me so many times."
"Oh yeah, the songpyeon...well Jungkook, you really did find a partner...it must've been a really beautifully shaped songpyeon."
"What are you trying to say?"Jungkook gritted his teeth.
"Isn't it obvious? Look at your hyung..."
"I swear to God, Yugyeom..."
Taehyung chose to barge in before the two younger boys were physically fighting each other,"people in school mostly ignore Jungkookie, so I think he deserves to be spoiled way more than he is."
"How do you know? How do you know that they ignore me?"Jungkook was genuinely curious.
"I asked, of course...Our school doesn't get that many transfer students per year, so each new one is the main topic."
"Wait what? Was I ever the main topic? I mean, were people talking about me?"
"Oh trust me, they were. And yes, you were the main topic for an entire week. A good looking one, doesn't talk much, seems to prefer to be left alone, apparently a bit weird and little bit awkward."
"What the hell..."
"You could say I did my research first, the interest was there since the beginning and then the rest follows."
"Great, so people hate me..."
"What's new? It was the same at our school in Busan,"Yugyeom reminded him.
"You seem to be fairly popular with the female students, but your personality ruins any chances for you,"Taehyung reported to him, suppressing a laugh.
"What's wrong with my personality?"Jungkook was shocked that all those students who seemed like they wouldn't even look at him, were talking about him.
"Anyway, if you treat him right, I also hope, that you're serious about him,"Yugyeom still had a set of questions to ask and not much time left.
"I am,"again a clear answer.
Jungkook felt like he was being boiled alive. Taehyung was so sure of everything, there was no hesitation in his answers. How can someone like him be so serious about me?! What does he see in me? He couldn't help but feel flattered, blushing red like a tomato.
"Also he's shy, you cannot pressure him too much, you have to be careful with him."
"Ugh, Yugyeom how many times do I have to tell you that you're not my mom!"Jungkook joined the dialogue.
Yugyeom ignored him, like it was the most natural thing to do. "He easily breaks under pressure and then does stupid things, like what he wanted to do on the brid-"
Jungkook elbowed him,"Yugyeom, you talk too much, that's rude."
"I'm doing you a favor here,"he hissed holding his sore side, already having a bruise on his leg from earlier,"I want to make sure, that when I leave you'll be in good hands."
"Don't worry Yugyeom-ssi, we had made an agreement with Jungkookie, a sort of mutual protection."
"I don't fucking need a protection, what the hell, I'm not a child!"Jungkook didn't find the conversation awkward anymore, he found it really annoying.
"Good, that's what I wanted to hear,"Yugyeom smiled at Taehyung.
"Hey! Are you two listening to me?!"Jungkook waved his hand in between the two of his closest friends.
"I make sure he doesn't stay up too late,"it was almost as if Taehyung was bragging.
"Oh, yeah, he's prone to that..."
"Guys? I'm still here!"
"He likes to avoid me sometimes, though."
"He did mention that."
"So he does it on purpose..."Taehyung tapped his fingernails on the table,"good to know, I'll deal with that later."
Jungkook gave up, he was being utterly ignored and there seemed no hope for the situation to change any time soon, so he became more interested in the content of his mug and started sipping absentmindedly on his delicious hot drink.
The conversation between Yugyeom and Taehyung went on and on. Jungkook spaced out and their voices seemed distant, he wasn't paying attention anymore, it almost seemed like they were discussing some contract. And he was the core of that contract.
Shit!
"Do you plan to introduce him to your parents?"his ear finally registered a full sentence. He blinked few times and refocused, pulling his consciousness from some void back to the cafe.
Taehyung's eyes got wide for a second and there was apparent panic visible in them. After a while, he sighed and with a said expression he said,"honestly...no."
That was the trigger that Yugyeom needed for him to go all out. "Are you ashamed of having him as your boyfriend?!"
Jungkook wasn't the only tomato there, Taehyung's face displayed an even deeper shade or red. They were both being roasted mercilessly by Yugyeom.
Taehyung lowered his eyes, hiding behind the curtains of lashes,"we had decided to keep it a secret."
"Who's suggestion was that?"
"I think Jungkookie's, but I also think it's for the better."
Yugyeom nodded and took a large gulp on his drink. He wiped his mouth and cleared his throat,"okay, you pass for now."
"Was this a test of some sort?"
"I'm Jungkook's friend, of course I need to check who's he going out with."
"I think Jungkook is clever enough to make decisions for himself, I doubt that he needs an approval of someone,"Taehyung seemed to be annoyed at this point as well, probably  because he let himself blush and appear nervous in front of others.
"You don't know him well, he gets overwhelmed easily, he doesn't know how to deal with people and their emotions, he can't say no, he's too shy to say yes. It's been like that for years."
"Yugyeom! Shut up!"
"Honestly, Kookie you should listen to Taehyung-ssi, he seems wiser than you. But if something goes wrong, tell me...I have no problem to come to Seoul to kick some ass."
After some additional bickering, they paid for their drinks and it was time for them to leave. Outside the cafe they stood awkwardly, Taehyung still had some business to attend to, so only Yugyeom and Jungkook were going back to the apartment complex.
"There's one last thing,"Yugyeom turned to Taehyung, before splitting their ways.
"What is it?"Taehyung asked too tired of Yugyeom's interrogation.
Yugyeom grabbed Jungkook, who was standing beside him and pulled him in front of himself.
"What the-"
"Kiss him,"Yugyeom pushed Jungkook forward towards Taehyung.
Jungkook tried his best to resist the hands pushing into his back, making the distance between him and Taehyung smaller. "Ignore him hyung, he's just trolling. Aish! Stop that!"
"Taehyung-ssi if you don't want to kiss him, then I won't have a proof that you're serious about him."
"Are you a pervert? Do you like two guys kissing? Perhaps you watch gay porn? Oh, I guess that must be your secret kink,"Taehyung chose to ditch his assertive demeanor and instead teased the youngest one.
"I told you hyung, he's trolling, you don't know him. He just want to make fools out of us."
Yugyeom chuckled behind Jungkook's back and Taehyung just raised his eyebrow in question.
"Besides, we are out here on the street, with people around,"Jungkook still struggled against Yugyeom's hands. "Will you let go off me for fucks sake, no one's gonna kiss anyone, so just give up! Hyung, thank you for coming, please excuse his behavior-"
Before he could finish bis sentence, Taehyung grabbed his waist, pulling him away from Yugyeom. He crashed into his chest and Taehyung kissed him hard, plunging his tongue deep inside his mouth because he knew Jungkook wouldn't be able to resist that.
Jungkook was so surprised, that he didn't have enough time to even process what just happened and before he came back to his senses, Taehyung tore his lips off.
"Oh. My. Fucking. God. You really weren't joking!"Yugyeom stood there watching the pair, flabbergasted.
Jungkook touched his lips with his fingertips, he shot a deadly stare at Taehyung. Then he turned to Yugyeom, lunging himself onto him,"you still think I'm joking? Maybe I should beat some sense into you!"
Yugyeom covered his face in defense,"okay, okay...I get it you're very serious about this! But...I wasn't expecting you two to actually kiss...It was...weird."
"You got what you asked for,"Jungkook was angry at Taehyung and Yugyeom equally, but he didn't dare to scold his hyung.
"Actually,"Taehyung interrupted, with a satisfied smirk on his face,"it's completely normal, homosexuality has been around for centuries and often times idolized, for example in a form of art. I wouldn't necessarily call it weird."
"Yeah, whatever, it's just you don't see everyday guys kissing each other on the street so passionately..."
"You need to broaden your horizons,"Jungkook barked the phrase which Taehyung once said to him.
Yugyeom remained silent.
Seriously, it's not me...it's not that I'm the problem, it's the society. The society is problematic, full of closed minded people...Why should I change for the sake of society? Screw that...
"I really have to go now, it was nice meeting you Yugyeom-ssi,"Taehyung bowed slightly.
"Same...although meeting my best friend's boyfriend...well, that's a first..."
"Remember the gay virus, Gyeomie? You might have it,"Jungkook wanted to tease his friend instead.
"You shouldn't joke about that, Jungkookie,"Taehyung gave him a stern look.
"S...sorry..."
"I'll be going, goodnight you two. Don't stay up playing games."
"We won't, hyung."
Taehyung nodded one last time, turned on his heel and walked away. Jungkook and Yugyeom also started walking back home in the opposite direction, the cold air biting their cheeks.
"So?"Jungkook whispered, even though Taehyung was at a safe distance and there was no way he could hear him.
"You need to come to Busan with him."
"I actually did tell him once that I'll take him to the beach when I get my drivers license."
"That will take you a while,"Yugyeom chuckled. "You can come for the One Asia festival or the Fireworks one."
"We are going on one trip actually."
"Really?"
"Yeah, to Jejudo"
"Jeju? You mean by plane?"
"That's right,"Jungkook still couldn't believe it himself.
"Mom gave you money?! Or was it your dad?"
"No...hyung...hyung paid for the tickets...."he was a bit embarrassed to admit that.
"Whoah...he really must like you..."
"I don't know..."
Yugyeom patted his shoulder,"no man would do this for someone if he didn't like that someone...a lot."
Jungkook shrugged, yet couldn't help but smile after hearing that.
"Jeez, I might actually be envious..."
"It's not all a walk in the park...you had said it yourself, it comes with many complications..."
"You're right, but keep your head up Kook, maybe it will work somehow."
"That's where my bets are,"he sighed.
"You know what? I can't believe I'm saying it, but you two are actually really cute together."