"Hey there" he said behind the younger boy.

"Hi Chim" Tae simply replied and made some space for Jimin to sit by him.

"I've just seen you Friday but it looks like a lot happened since" Jimin said, gesturing towards the yellow-ish hint of a bruise on his face.

"I'm sure dad filled you in"

"Why don't you tell me how it happened?" Jimin tried, putting his elbow on the counter and giving him his undivided attention.

"It's okay Jimin I'm doing fine don't worry about it" Tae trying to dismiss the conversation, turning away and reorganizing the cigarette packs.

"I know that's not true. Listen, I haven't been a good friend lately I admit it but please, let me do something for you" Jimin replied, refusing to let it go.

Taehyung scoffed with a slight shake of his head. He looked down to the packet of cigarettes in his hand.

"This was Jungkook's go-to brand" he chose to say.

Jimin looked at the box and remembered the few times Jeon had stepped into the store to buy it. The few times he felt most excited about working in this place were when he saw the silver mustang park in front of it.

"Don't switch topi-"

"Now he doesn't smoke anymore" Taehyung interrupted, frustration present in his voice.

"What does this have to do with you?" Jimin asked, confused at the sudden turn of the conversation.

"Do you know how many times I tried getting him to stop smoking? He would always laugh and ruffle my hair like I was a kid who didn't know what I was talking about" Taehyung started "He never lets me have a serious conversation with him, never lets me help with anything that matters... Being 4 years apart has made Jungkook think that I'll always be the baby cousin who knows nothing, except we're not 10 and 6 anymore, I'm 17 and able to discuss real things"

Tae complained, setting the cigarette pack where it belongs and taking his seat back at the counter. He rested his elbows on the surface, crossed his arms, and looked down as he thought about what's on his mind.

"Did you try to talk to him about this?" Jimin asked, knowing the answer, and Tae scoffed.

"It turns out, he doesn't listen to the things I say. Not like he listens to you" He replied, finally looking at Jimin in the eyes and registering the confusion in them.

"Me?"

"You said have a lollipop instead. You only had to say that for him to follow your advice and cut down the darts" Tae replied.

"I don't understand" he really didn't. Why did Tae sound like he was upset about that, wasn't it a good thing?

"Think about it. You tell him to pick up the phone, he does. You tell him to come to a party, he shows up. I bet you asked him to come for Easter too, that's why he did" Taehyung sighed.

"I didn't, he wanted to come on his own"

"You're not seeing the big picture Chim. I don't wanna have to ask you to tell him something, for him to finally listen. I just want my cousin back, the one who spent time with me and talked to me" he muttered, sounding quite defeated.

What a turn of events. If Jimin didn't know Tae was so attached to his cousin, he would've dismissed that comment as a simple reaction of Tae's longing for him.

"Are you... jealous? Of me?" He cautiously asked, not wanting to hit a nerve but doing exactly that.

"I don't know Jimin, am I? I don't wanna blame you for shit, but ever since you came he's less and less available for us" Tae rolled his eyes.

Ouch, the older thought.

"That's not my fault. It's Lisa's." he defended.

"Not just that, I'm talking about when we're together. At this rate it feels like you're gonna become his only best friend" he replied, a sad expression painted on his face.

"I'm not trying to steal jungkook from you, Tae. Really not" Jimin assured but he could tell the other didn't believe him.

"Maybe you don't want to, but you are. Everyone can see it... Jungkook didn't even show up for Yoongi's birthday, but I'm sure if it was yours this week he would" he pointed out, not leaving Jimin the chance to counter that with any argument "So please, don't try to convince me otherwise" he finished.

"I'm sorry then. I don't know what to tell you... Should I just not hang out with him anymore? Is that what you want?" Jimin asked, obviously hurt by his words.

"I didn't want to talk about it for this reason, Chim. I don't want you to feel bad about yourself because I guess you can't really control these things, and we're all friends so I wouldn't tell you not to spend time with us... Let it go, I just need some time" Taehyung chuckled awkwardly and waved his hand in dismissal.

"I really wanted to help you man... I'm sorry again" he muttered.

"It's not your fault, if anything it's Jungkook's. All good Chim" the younger smiled and pulled his phone out, trying to end the conversation there.

The two just sat submerged in silence after that, doing their job and only exchanging minimal words until closing time.

Me
Your cousin is mad at me

Jeon009
Why

Me
He thinks I'm trying to steal you from the group

Jeon009
Well aren't you?

Me
🙄

Jeon009
Lol okay why does he think that?

Me
Cause you only spend time with me and not them

Jeon009
Are you complaining?

Me
You're even more annoying over text Jeon

Jeon009
We've talked about this before tho :(((

Me
Is that...
Are you...
Trying to be cute 👀

Jeon009
Did it work?

Me
No

Jeon009
Dammit, I practiced so much...

Jimin chuckled at his screen and shook his head, wondering how he fell for such an idiot. He almost forgot what the topic of the conversation was but you can't do it to him. Not this time.

Me
They're your friends and they are offended right now

Jeon009
I just talked to them a few days ago

Me
Did you call Yoongi?

Jeon009
He's offended too?

Me
Did you at least wish him a happy birthday?

Jungkook read the message and pursed his lips. He forgot.

Jeon009
Of course

Me
You forgot.

Jeon009
I had a lot going on I'm sorry
You know how it was these past weeks
I'll talk to him asap I promise

Me
Jungkook why do you make me feel like a mom telling you to call a relative...
This is so awkward

Jeon009
You know what? I'll go chat them up in the group to catch up and everything, how does that sound?

He doesn't listen to me, not like he listens to you, Taehyung said earlier.

"So it's true" Jimin whispered to himself a pout slowly forming on his lips. It really did seem like he was his only close friend now, he barely even wanted to speak to the others anymore.

Me
Do you want to do that?

Jeon009
Not really but I will

Me
Why then?

Jeon009
I don't know... you said to talk to you guys from time to time

Me
Don't do it just because I asked you to

Jeon009
Are you sure?
I might not talk to them in a long time then...

Me
What happened to you

Jeon009
??

Me
Nothing

Jeon009
Is everything okay?

Not really no. What is it Jimin feels at this moment? Sadness? Maybe helplessness? He couldn't put a finger on it, but the more time he spent in this chat the worse it got.

It was disappointment.

When he first met this group of friends they were closer than family, they looked out for each other and made sure nobody was left out. He loved that about them and that might have been the push he needed to befriend them. However the way things are now was drastically different, it's like Jungkook didn't even care anymore.

Was it because of him? Perhaps Jungkook found a friendship in Jimin that made him abandon the others.

Me
I'm not a replacement Jungkook
I don't want to replace what you had with the group

Jeon009
And you're not, I just need a bit of time.

Me
Time this, time that. Everyone needs time with me it appears

Jeon009
I don't know what you're talking about but I don't want to go back to them because I'm not in the right mindset right now

Me
What is the mindset you're in then?

Jeon009
I'm just heartbroken

Me
And what's the mindset you have to be in?

Jeon009
With them I have to be the Jungkook everyone likes, the cool guy who had no worries. The one who's fun and parties and does stupid things because he feels like it.
That's the one they became friends with, not this.

Me
When Yoongi was heartbroken over his girlfriend, did he stop hanging out with you?

Jeon009
Please Yoongi's mood shift was barely noticeable anyway

Me
Don't be a jerk
Regardless, I can tell you right now that Taehyung hasn't been himself and none of us blamed him for anything.
Why do you think they won't do the same for you?

Jeon009
What's great about having a buzzkill in the group

Me
Bullshit
Just give it a try
I don't think it's physically possible for you to be a buzzkill

Jeon009
Is that a compliment Park?😌

Me
This is why I never wanna be nice to you

Jeon009
Can you ever compliment me without regretting it?

Me
Can you ever not let it get your head?

Jeon009
If it doesn't go to my head where else do you want it to go 😏

Me
Time OUT Jeon

Jeon009
Don't melt 😂   Seen 20:53pm

Jimin decided to ignore that teasing as he didn't know how to make a comeback. He was not one for this type of jokes with sexual innuendos, especially not with the same gender.

Having romantic feelings for a man was one thing, wanting him physically was a whole other situation. All Jimin can see himself doing with Jungkook is holding hands or hugging, maybe a kiss on the lips, but that's it. He definitely needs more time before any of the other things happen.

The fact that he never entertained the thought of desiring a man that way makes him fear that he never will. What if I just don't want to do any of that? He asked himself. That will certainly be problematic since he knows about Jungkook's libido. The conversation would sometime arise and the older happened to talk about it when they all hung out, although broadly. So he can tell that it was a big part of Jungkook's love life.

What if I can never get myself to have gay sex? If this pining ever evolves into a relationship, he wants to be able to provide that sort of thing too. He's afraid he might not like the idea, and would hate not to be enough for Jungkook.

A notification from the group chat chimed in, pulling him out of his trance and relaxing the wrinkle between his knit eyebrows.

Suga
Steph Curry carried tho

The others were discussing a basketball game apparently, so he just decided to follow along their messages, anything to stop thinking about that topic.

RM
Man I wanna go to their game one day

Suga
Saaame

Hope
Take me with you @RM

Suga
Can you not leech off of Joon for once

Hope
Oh did you wanna take me instead? 😜

Suga
I would stay with you an entire day in exchange that you don't ruin that experience

Hope
That's ambiguously sweet 🥺

Suga
No ambiguity. A day with you is torture.

TaeTae
@Suga kinda sus 👀

Chim
Just say you wanna spend a day with him and go

Hope
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Suga
🤢

Jeon009
Then Hobi gets to spend a day with me instead

Hope
Umm no thanks

Jeon009
??

Hope
You think it's a blessing to hang out with you now?

Jeon009
It was a joke

Hope
Ha ha

Suga
Not that warm a welcome huh?

Jimin pursed his lips. This was bound to happen but he hopes it doesn't discourage Jungkook even more. Then again, they were angry and hurt from losing their best friend so abruptly, especially when he didn't seem to pay it any mind from his side.

Jin
You need something for class Jungkook? You could've texted privately

"Yikes" Jimin muttered under his breath.

RM
Hi Kook
How are you?

Jeon009
Well, fine I guess

RM
What have you been up to?

Jeon009
You know... working on my projects, reflecting

Chim
How is that going?

Jeon009
All good yeah

Suga
...
Awkward

Jeon009
Expected you to be a bit more pissed Yoongi

Suga
Not worth it

"That's gotta hurt" Jimin gasped as he read the text. He thought he should try to contain what could be contained before Jungkook's will to reintegrate himself in the group completely breaks. So he opened the private chat.

Me
Just let them be angry at you
They need this
Once it's over they'll get back to normal

Jeon009
Easy to say when you're not on the receiving end

Me
Let's not forget that you basically asked for this too from the past months

Jeon009
You're right

Notifications were already popping as they chatted, so he went back to the group and read the texts he missed.

RM
Come on guys let's not

Jin
Says the one he talked to most amongst us

TaeTae
No that's Jimin

Jeon009
Why do you drag him into this. Just be mad at me on your own

TaeTae
Why so defensive? Mentioning your new bestie bothers you that much?

Jeon009
He wouldn't be my 'new bestie' if you don't call him that

TaeTae
You're saying I'm wrong?

Jeon009
I'm saying you could be honest about your feelings but you choose to deflect

TaeTae
The hell do you want me to do.
The last time I saw you in Easter you avoided me until you left.

"He did?" Jimin whispered.

Jeon009
Be angry with me?

Hope
Everyone is angry Kook
Tae most of all
Don't push our limits

Jeon009
What should I do then
Let everything stay the same

Hope
Just don't be an ass about this and SHOW that you're back

Suga
Had you 'come back' 2 weeks ago I would've considered welcoming you

Jeon009
I am sorry I missed your birthday Yoongs I have no excuse

Suga
As I said, 2 weeks too late

Chim
I suggest we all take a breath and hear what he has to say

TaeTae
New bestie to the rescue

Chim
Come on Tae we talked about this

TaeTae
🤷‍♂️

Hope
Alright let's do it

RM
There's your chance jk

Jeon009
I want to apologize to you all.
I let you all go like that, no text no news, just completely ignoring you
That wasn't what a friend does, I should've at least let you guys know what I'm up to instead of shutting you out and leaving you worried while I was an hour away, when you couldn't even check on me

TaeTae
You shut me out even when we were in the same room

Jeon009
I didn't know how to start a conversation
I knew you were mad and I wasn't ready for that confrontation

TaeTae
I was so excited to see you that day
But all I got was a cupcake and a cold shoulder

Jeon009
I'm sorry Tae
But if you came and talked to me I would have listened

TaeTae
I'm not the one who's supposed to do first steps here

Hope
For once we wanted you to make an effort

Jin
It's always us who look out for you and ask about you
Bring you things you like, cook meals you prefer

RM
I wanna defend you here Jk
But it's true that we always put you first
We wanted you to do the same for once

Jeon009
So now you're saying I never put you first? ever?

Suga
Are you serious

Chim
That's not what they said

Jeon009
What if I also wanted to put myself first
I just felt like I needed that time by myself to heal

Hope
What are you trying to do now
Apologize?
Or justify your actions

Jeon009
Both?
I want you to forgive me but I would appreciate if you understood why I did it too
I've always done everything for her because I loved her
When she let me down I felt so bad and I realized I didn't deserve it
I had to shut you out because I needed to focus on me

"This is not going well at all" Jimin commented. He rubbed his face with his hand, feeling the tension to his bones especially after the mention of Jungkook's ex.

TaeTae
So you're saying if we went back to your breakup you would do the same thing

Jeon009
I would take that time yes, but I would still be with you every once in a while

TaeTae
Well you know what? I don't believe a thing you say Kook

Suga
Sounds fake

Chim
Guys he's trying

Jin
He should try harder

RM
I think it's normal for someone to take some space to think
Solitude can be very healing in itself, he had just come out of a serious relationship I think it's understandable that he wanted room to find himself again.

Chim
I agree, it's okay if one of us steps out when they're dealing with their own problems
It would be unfair to say otherwise

Suga
Funny cause I remember how you asked about him almost everyday Jimin
It seemed to me like it bothered you that he wasn't around

TaeTae
That's two faced af

Hope
This is not about Jimin

TaeTae
I'm done with this conversation.
Jungkook?

Jeon009
Yeah

TaeTae
Get back to us when you realize you were wrong
Words are overrated anyway

TaeTae has removed Jeon009 from this chat

---

Hi guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

What do you guys think about Tae's feelings, have you ever felt like someone was stealing your friend from you?

-Aida-