'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.'

-

Taehyung felt his insides turning like a washing machine as he pulled Jimin outside to have a chat. It was the smile on the ginger's face which made him feel like the biggest dick in the world. He didn't want to be the cause of that smile dropping.

They sat out on their usual spot just by the lake, and Taehyung could barely meet Jimin's eyes he was so nervous. Usually he didn't care whatever his one night stands had to say, but Jimin was clearly very different. There had been some feelings involved.

"Taehyung, I think I know what you're going to say," Jimin replied, the smile still on his face, "And it's okay."

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows, really hoping that Jimin and him were on the same page otherwise this was going to be very awkward.

"I see the way you look at Kook, I've noticed it a lot recently. And at first I was really mad - like super mad - but then it hit me. Why would I want to be with someone who loved someone else? I don't deserve that, you don't deserve that. So it's okay, Taehyung. It really is," Jimin took a deep breath after saying what he did, a little part of him hoping that Taehyung would tell him that he actually didn't want to talk about that.

Jimin was trying to be the bigger person here, but it was fucking hard. But he wasn't angry with Taehyung. The boy couldn't control who he loved, and Jimin wasn't about to be that dick who stopped Taehyung's chances at happiness.

"Jimin, you know you're so amazing. And I'm so sorry I can't give you the love you deserve. There are probably a whole queue of boys who are dying to just get a 'hello' from you," Taehyung replied, glad that this conversation was going so much better than he had thought.

In his thoughts, Jimin had thrown a drink at him before slapping him.

"I did like you Taehyung, a lot. But not enough that I won't be able to move on. Just a lil' disappointing, but that's how life works," Jimin replied, his tone a little melancholy but there was still a faint smile on his face.

No matter how pissed he was to lose his chances at mounting the red-haired stallion, he was still happy that Jungkook would finally get his shot at love. Just so long as he broke out of his bitchy mood.

Jungkook noticed that as Taehyung and Jimin walked back inside the communal area, they weren't holding hands. They were chatting and laughing, but something had changed. Jungkook could sense a change in the way they were behaving around each other. Taehyung looked over in his direction and Jungkook was certain his heart stopped beating.

There was something about the way Taehyung stared at him, so intensely and so passionately, that made the air inside Jungkook's throat get caught. The elder waved goodbye to Jimin and went upstairs to his dorm, leaving the ginger to come and join the table.

"You look a little glum Jiminie?" Yoongi asked, a small sparkle of hope in his eye.

"Taehyungie called our flirting off, in the nicest way possible though so I'm not angry. I think we work better as friends anyway," Jimin replied, and Yoongi could have jumped for joy, "It was never anything serious anyway. I think he's got his eyes on something a lot more serious."

That doesn't sound like Taehyung, Jungkook thought as he continued to paint his picture he was working on at the table as his friends continued talking. Yoongi was shamelessly trying to compliment Jimin, Hoseok was rolling his eyes to stop them watering, and Namjoon and Jin were lost in their own little world.

Jungkook's whole body ached from not speaking to Taehyung. He hated himself for being so stupid and being so petty. As the days had gone on, Jungkook had come to realise that behind Taehyung's bad boy persona, there was someone so caring and loyal beneath that it made Jungkook's heart flutter just at the thought of him.

Packing up his art stuff, he looked at Jimin. His best friend's eyes met his and there was a certain mutual understanding in them. As Jungkook walked past, Jimin grabbed his hand.

"Talk to him," Jimin whispered, and Jungkook felt his head become cloudy as the ideas roamed around his head.

The stairs to their floor felt so steep, so difficult to climb, that Jungkook had to use all his strength to get up them. He didn't know what he wanted to say to Taehyung. But he knew that these feelings inside him couldn't be bottled up for much longer.

As he stood in front of their door, he heard the quiet singing from inside the room. Jungkook let himself pause and listen, closing his eyes and Taehyung's velvety voice caressed his ears. Mustering all the courage he had inside, he opened the door to be greeted by Taehyung standing in a pair of sweatpants and his hair pushed up by a bandana.

"Kookie?" Taehyung said in a quiet voice, his body tensing up and preparing to be ignored again by the younger.

"Hey Taehyungie," Jungkook replied, smiling sheepishly as he found himself so intimidated in the elder's presence, "I just came to put my painting stuff away."

"What are you painting?" Taehyung asked, his voice as soft as cotton and his eyes looking pleadingly at the younger.

Jungkook blushed and Taehyung was reminded of how fucking cute he was, "It's a painting of us."

"Can I see?"

Jungkook debated in his head what outcome this would create, but at this point he was so sick of hiding. Of hurting. Of not being true to himself.

"It's a reimagining of my first kiss," Jungkook replied quietly, stretching his hand out to show Taehyung the painting.

Taehyung held it in his hands like it was the most precious jewel on earth, and Jungkook noticed how his eyes sparkled with some unknown feeling. Silence filled the room, and Jungkook was beginning to feel uneasy because he couldn't read Taehyung's feelings.

"Do you like it-"

Jungkook was cut off by Taehyung pressing his lips against his own.

-

it may have been nineteen chapters but I can assure you that Taekook is officially happening. also full creds to the amazing artist the fan art belongs to.

please vote and comment if you enjoyed 💜