(Y'ALL I ACTUALLY EDITED THIS CHAPTER ALSJDAJ there's probably still mistakes but i tried...  can you stop bullying me now nadia? anyways enjoy x)

♥║ twenty-seven ║♥

Taehyung's dad comes in his room that Friday night, a knowing look on his aging face as he takes a seat on the edge of his son's bed. Taehyung closes the book he was attempting to read to clear his mind, but he only reread the first sentence eight times over before zoning out.

Just by the expression on his father's face, Taehyung sighs. "I know, Dad."

His dad quirks a brow. "You know what, exactly?"

"That I've been being disrespectful by skipping dinners and leaving before Mom just so we don't talk."

"Mhmm. Those are both true, but I'm not here for that. I know why you're doing both of those things. What I don't understand is why you're ignoring your friends."

Taehyung frowns. "What are you talking about?"

"Seokjin called earlier," his dad says. "He asked if I could force you out of the house tomorrow, but I don't think it'll take much convincing."

No, it won't, which is why Taehyung doesn't quite understand why Seokjin called his father about it. Seokjin has always been the one that holds conversations with adults, though, so maybe it's a kink of his to feel equal to those over him.

"Taehyung," his dad says, softer now as he grabs his son's hand. "I'm still talking to your mom about all of this, okay? Nothing is set in stone so long as I can help it."

Taehyung's eyes water just from the sincerity in his father's voice. "I know you're trying, Dad."

"Aecha doesn't want this either," he says. "Your mother is just worried about your future."

"No," Taehyung says bitterly. "She's worried about her reputation."

"Taehyung, don't be like that."

He hangs his head shamefully. He loves his mother, but he firmly believes this is more about her then him.

"She loves you. I hope you aren't doubting that because of this."

He did doubt it a little, but he knows better than to wallow in such thoughts.

"I'm just concerned," his dad continues. "You know I'm always here for you, no matter what. I don't want you to be bottling anything up, all right?"

Too late.

"I know," Taehyung murmurs instead. "Thanks, Dad."

His father stands, patting Taehyung's knee before he heads for the door. "Sleep well."

Easier said than done.

Taehyung hasn't slept all week.

***

"So... is the offer still up for me to hang out with you?"

Taehyung's hand pauses mid bite, cereal piled on his spoon. He lowers it back to the bowl, blinking up at his brother in surprise. "You... you actually want to?"

Bogum puffs his cheeks out, trying to hide the fact that he's embarrassed. "Fine. I don't have to, you know. I have stuff to do today anyways."

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "Hyung, I'm just surprised. I didn't think you'd actually take me up on it."

"So you wouldn't have offered?"

"No! I didn't say that." Taehyung sighs. "The boys won't mind. As long as you don't complain the whole time."

"Why would I complain?"

"We're going roller skating."

Bogum groans. "People still do that for fun?"

"Just because you're a pro doesn't mean it can't still be fun for you."

Bogum used to skate competitively with a team back in high school before his enlistment. Once they won the tournament, he swore he'd never go skating again. Taehyung still isn't sure why he dislikes it so much when he was so good at it.

"Yeah, right. Okay. When are you leaving?"

"Soon, actually. They want to meet up at noon."

"Right, okay. Right. I'll, um. I'll go take a shower."

Bogum ruffles his hair, awkwardly leaving the kitchen.

Taehyung goes to take that bite of cereal, then suddenly loses his appetite. He had planned on finally spending a genuine day with Jungkook, especially when the younger told their group chat last night he's never been skating. It's the perfect opportunity to hold his hand and be coupley, even though they aren't. Not technically.

But he wants to be.

Feeling slightly guilty, he opens the group chat.

taehyung: so um is it okay if my brother comes?

namjoon 🦀: fine with me

jin 😇: he's nice, right?

Well, yeah. He's nice. He's a really nice guy, actually, just not towards homosexuals. But speaking of a general public, he's as gentlemanly as a man could get, truthfully. 

yoongi 🤑: uh isn't he an asshole though

taehyung: not an asshole, just stupid

or ignorant, is a better word

hobi 🌞: ignorant on what wait

i didn't even know you had a brother

hoW DID I NOT KNOW THIS

taehyung: long story short he just got back from enlistment

we're not very close

but he's not in contact with any of his old friends

so i feel bad leaving him home

jin 😇: aw don't leave him by himself

he can come, but he's not allowed to say anything dumb

taehyung: he won't as long as no one mentions anything

hobi 🌞: what

wait

mentions what

WHY DO Y'ALL KEEP LEAVING ME CONFUSED

yoongi 🤑: mention that taehyung is gay you dipshit

namjoon 🦀: he doesn't know?

taehyung: again, long story

but he can come right?

jin 😇: sure

yoongi 🤑: maybe he can find himself an equally ignorant girlfriend

jimin🐨: hi, hello, entering this convo just to say he should probably not find that

someone open-minded would do him so good

yoongi 🤑: you can't change everyone you know

jimin🐨: you can try to help them though

yoongi 🤑: sometimes people don't want help

jimin🐨: sometimes they don't realize they need it

taehyung: ...

right

well

i'ma just go now

namjoon 🦀: right behind ya

jin 😇: taking my leave, see you guys soon

hobi 🌞: wait

why is everyone leaving

Taehyung face palms at Hobi's reply, though he's not the least surprised by it. He would be the one that doesn't catch onto the fact that Jimin and Yoongi had some sort of falling out. Hopefully it'll be an easy resolution.

Taehyung is a little bothered by the fact that Jungkook didn't reply, not once. Either he's not by his phone, or he's purposefully ignoring them. He knows why he would be ignoring them, after all.

He frowns.

He decides to call him.

Honestly, he doesn't expect him to answer, but he does.

"Hi, hyung."

He sounds so sad, Taehyung's chest squeezes. "Hi, Jungkook. Are you still coming today?"

There's a pause on the other end. "I-I don't think so. I-I have to watch Mina—"

"No, you don't!" Taehyung hears her shout on the other end. "I'm going to Somi's house!"

Jungkook exhales heavily, knowing he'd been caught.

Taehyung gets up from the table, hurrying to his room. He closes the door, leaning his head back against it. "Jungkook..."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry. It's my fault for all of this. I just... please come today? I want to make it up to you."

"Your brother will be there," Jungkook mumbles.

"Just for roller skating, but lucky for you, I have something planned for us later."

Jungkook hesitates. "Should I be worried?"

Taehyung grins. "Do you have something nice to wear later?"

"W-well, maybe... I, um. H-how nice?"

"Nice enough to be considered date worthy."

"Hyung..."

"Yes, Jungkookie, I'm taking you on a date. No, you can't get out of it unless you declare right now that you hate me. And yes, you owe me from when you bailed on the Valentine's dance."

Taehyung can imagine Jungkook's cheeks reddening on the other end from the way he stammers, "F-fine. B-b-but I don't have a-anything really nice."

"A button up and jeans is fine. Your face will make up for it."

Jungkook coughs on the other end.

Taehyung bursts into laughter. When it quiets down, he bites his lip, playing with the hem of his shirt. "I'm really trying, Jungkook-ah. I want you to know that, okay?"

"I know you are, hyung."

"One day..." Taehyung swallows the lump in his throat. "One day I'll be brave enough to tell him."

"You don't want to lose your brother," Jungkook says softly. "I get that. I really do."

"I don't want to lose you either," Taehyung whispers.

"Don't worry," the younger replies. "You won't."

***

Jungkook rubs his hands together anxiously when his mom drops him off and he starts walking towards the entrance. Everyone else is already there, aside from Jimin who rode with him. Jimin is already staring daggers into Yoongi, but the elder male won't look his way.

Jungkook elbows him. "Take it easy on him, Jiminie."

Jimin scoffs. "You and him both are going to be the death of me, keeping that shit bottled inside."

Jimin hadn't told Jungkook everything, just that Yoongi hadn't been eating like he should've and fainted one day after school when the two were together. Yoongi still hasn't told Jimin why he did it, or anything that's wrong with him, really, which is why Jimin is so upset over it. Jungkook knows Jimin understands boundaries, but he also knows that Jimin hates to feel helpless when someone he loves is in pain.

And Jimin feels like it's his own fault, too.

"Still," Jungkook mumbles. "You know it's probably hard for him to talk about."

Jimin grumbles. "I know, and that's why I'm pissed off. Why am I not trustworthy enough?"

"Jimin, that's not—"

"I know," Jimin cuts him off, clenching his jaw. "Let's go."

When Jungkook's eyes meet with Taehyung's both of them naturally smile. Taehyung goes to take a step forward, as if he wants to hug the younger, then catches himself and the smile falls from both their faces. Taehyung shoves his hands in his pockets, glancing over at his older brother.

"Hyung, this is Jungkook and Jimin. Guys, this is my brother, Bogum."

The three exchange awkward greetings. Bogum isn't the talking type, apparently.

"Let's go in," Jin says, breaking the ice. "I reserved a table for when we get pizza."

Bogum actually seems like the younger brother the way he sticks to Taehyung side, glancing around as if he isn't sure how to act properly. Taehyung doesn't seem to notice, or either he isn't bothered by it, making sure he stays included in conversation.

When everyone except Jungkook has gotten skates, Taehyung raises a brow at him. "Come on, Jungkook. You're supposed to learn today, remember?"

Jungkook purses his lips. "I don't know, hyung..." He stares around at the rink, people crowding it, albeit there are some who are falling and learning as well.

Bogum cuts in. "You've never roller skated?"

Blushing, Jungkook shakes his head.

"It's easy," Bogum assures him. "If you've got good balance and determination."

"I may be lacking on the balance," Jungkook mutters. "...and the determination."

Bogum actually chuckles, his smile quite kind. "Go get some skates. You can practice on the carpet."

Jungkook frowns at the wall of roller skates. "There's two different kinds."

"You need the regular ones," Taehyung says with a laugh. "Unless you want to be brave and go straight to in-lines."

Jungkook clicks his tongue. "No thanks."

Somehow, Jungkook becomes this five year old learning how to roller skate for the first time. Taehyung offers to help him, but Jungkook figures it's an excuse to hold his hand in front of his brother because that's instantly what he does. Jungkook holds onto it tightly; for the fear of falling and because this is what he wanted.

And because he's scared it won't last.

"See?" Taehyung encourages. "It's easy."

"I'm going to fall on my ass," Jungkook mutters through his teeth.

"I promise I won't laugh."

"Yes, you will."

"I might chuckle, fine, but only if you're okay first."

Jungkook gives him a look.

Taehyung grins in reply, and Jungkook doesn't feel so annoyed anymore.

"Try it in the rink now," Bogum suggests.

Many curses run through Jungkook's head anxiously.

"I'll be right here," Taehyung tells him softly, giving his hand a comforting squeeze. He glances over at Bogum. "And hyung will have your other side, right, hyung?"

Bogum holds his hands up. "The only way to learn is to fail first."

Taehyung scowls at him. "Well, I'll still be here, Jungkook."

Bogum smacks Taehyung's shoulder. "Don't hold his hand the whole time. He's gotta do it himself."

Taehyung swallows, as if Bogum had meant the hand remark crudely, when Jungkook is sure he just meant for skating purposes. "R-right," Taehyung stammers. "It's okay, Jungkook. You can do it."

Jungkook warily places one skate on the rink floor, almost immediately losing his balance since it's much slicker than the carpet. Taehyung catches his elbow, then receives a pointed look from Bogum, and he shyly lets go.

Jungkook straightens his shoulders. He can do this. He's a pretty quick learner, after all. He doesn't want Taehyung to be embarrassed on his behalf.

He balances one foot first, then bravely puts the second down. He's standing still in one spot but at least he's still and standing. He tries to do the motions Taehyung showed him with his feet, pushing out slightly to get a momentum. He wavers a bit, Taehyung instinctively reaching for him, but Jungkook catches his own balance, much to Bogum's joy.

"Yeah," Bogum cheers. "There you go, dude!"

Jungkook actually feels encouraged by this, daring to go a little faster. Both Bogum and Taehyung skate behind him, just in case, but Jungkook already feels like he's got this. As long as he takes it slow, he should be—

Suddenly, Bogum shoves him from behind.

Jungkook's feet slip right out from under him and he lands on his face, his nose instantly throbbing.

"What the hell?" Taehyung shouts, but he's barely heard over the music the place has blaring. He helps Jungkook sit up, placing a hand on his cheek. "Your nose is bleeding, Jungkook."

Bogum snorts. "Taehyung, he's not a child. You don't need to coddle him."

Taehyung inhales sharply, seeming to bite his tongue on whatever it is he wanted to say. Instead, he helps Jungkook to his feet, urging them towards the bathroom.

All Jungkook hears above the music is Bogum shouting, "Be sure to kiss him better, fag!"