^ This was legendary, especially the Spring Day dance break and that beat for DNA😍 (the performance starts at 02:30, it's from KBS song festival 2017)

+This chapter originally had around 5400 words before I decided to make it into 2 chapters of 2700 words each lol

THIRD PERSON POV

After getting dressed into his fancy stage outfit, Taehyung walked into the green room to get his hair and make-up done. The sight he was greeted with left him grumbling to himself.

There was Jungkook sitting in front of a mirror, deeply engaged in a conversation with his stylist who turned out to be none other than - well you guessed it - Haesoo. The busy month of December was practically coming to an end and it was the last festival they were attending for the year of 2017 and it had been the same for all the previous ones.

On top of that, since she worked as a BigHit stylist, they often met her at the company, when they had to try or discuss about the outfits. And with each encounter, Jungkook and her seemed to be getting closer. They had exchanged numbers almost a fortnight ago and had been frequently texting ever since.

Most of the members found their friendship adorable, mostly because it was quite rare for Jungkook to get comfortable around someone that fast. But maybe it was something about the fact that both shared so much in common that got them talking so often to each other. Of course, they were just friends though and Jungkook had made it clear to his members when Jin had been teasing him about it in the beginning.

Even the members themselves had gotten friendly with the stylist. The latter was passionate about baking and often brought them pastries when she made some, knowing how they all loved them. Perhaps that was what made the boys like her so much. Honestly, just give them some churros and they would fall in love with you! Everyone loved eating after all.

Taehyung, however, was a whole other story. Sure, he was rather friendly with Haesoo but it was only out of politeness. He didn't hate her or anything but he didn't see the point in being too friendly with her either since he was still bitter about her friendship with the boy he was fondly in love with.

Whenever the boys talked about her, Taehyung would not really participate in the conversation. He would just space out or busy himself with his phone and his expression would change when he would hear Jungkook talking about how well he got along with her.

His jaw would tighten, his eyes would darken and his hands would ball up into fists as he would try to regain his composure but he just couldn't bear living through all this once again, especially now that everything seemed to have taken a quicker pace. And so, he would just excuse himself to the bathroom and the members would never suspect anything or find his behaviour strange, except for Jimin of course.

That's why, right after the stylists were done with him, he stormed out of the green room, refusing to remain in there any longer. The sound of Jungkook laughing at something Haesoo said had started to become unbearable to him. He was the one who made him giggle like that before.

Taehyung sat on a bench in a deserted hallway. He was alone, deep in thoughts, the loud music coming from the large stage barely registering in his mind. Any external sound only felt like white noise to him as his own thoughts consumed him.

He couldn't seem to get the images of Jungkook and Haesoo out of his head, it was almost as if they were haunting him. And what was worse was the fact that it was not their recent interactions that flashed in his mind but the ones from his time, the time before he travelled back in time, the time when the two were even closer than now.

He let his face fall into his hands with his elbows on his knees in sheer desperation. The brunette didn't notice when another boy with the exact same hair colour as his plopped down on the bench right beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Taehyung got startled, immediately lifting his head with his eyes wide.

He then breathed out in relief upon seeing who the person was. "Ah! Jimin, you scared me!" He exclaimed and quickly looked away when he saw the older boy frowning.

"Have you been crying or something?" Jimin asked. Taehyung's eyes were oddly red and it looked like he had been rubbing them quite a lot of times.

Taehyung shook his head but before he could say anything, a sob left his mouth and he gave in. "I-I don't know what I sh-should do anymore, Jimin-ah," he said in between soft sobs while his friend gently rubbed circles onto his back, "no-nothing seems to be making sense and every-everything I do turns into a me-mess."

"It'll be okay, Tae," Jimin said in an attempt to comfort him.

The younger shook his head. "I-it won't. No-nothing will be o-okay. What should I do?" He asked desperately.

Jimin told him to stop crying first and then they could talk about it. He dragged the younger to a washroom, allowing Taehyung to wash his face and calm down and he then fixed his hair and make-up as best as he could.

He then sat him down on a bench in the same deserted hallway and started, "we don't have much time. We're due on stage in a few, so briefly tell me what's wrong and what I can do to help."

Taehyung took in a deep breath and spoke out, "I don't know. I decided to not do anything anymore because it seems to be messing up everything but I can't see them getting closer like that, not when I know what's going to happen in the future. I ignored it for more than a month but it hurts."

"I know it's hard for you because all of this already happened to you in the past and witnessing all of that again hurts you and I respect your decision if you decide to not do anything but..." Jimin trailed, looking at Taehyung a bit unsure about whether he should go on or not.

"But?"

He sighed. Better be honest. "But if you decide to let him go now, it's going to hurt you even more. Do you think you'll be able to go through all of that again? Don't you think it's way too early to already give up?" Jimin asked, pausing to see Taehyung's reaction.

The latter had his lips pursed in a thin line and looked like he was thinking about it. Jimin went on, "I think you should just straightforwardly tell him. It will be much easier, Tae."

At those words, the younger frantically shook his head. "Y-you know I can't. I don't want to risk it all. What if it affects our friendship? What if he doesn't want to talk to me afterwards or feels disgusted by me? What if he hates me? I can't let that happen. I prefer to let him go rather than have him hating me."

Jimin sighed once again. He knew that was coming, it was the same thing every time. Taehyung was way too scared to confess. "He can never hate you. You know he loves you, right?"

"Yeah, but not in that way," Taehyung replied weakly.

"Okay, okay, you don't have to tell him but spend more time with him. You two have been so distant lately," Jimin remarked.

It was true. Taehyung had been keeping a distance from Jungkook, almost avoiding him, because he was frightened about the idea of unconsciously changing the course of things. But what he hadn't realised was that staying away from him, was changing way more things than staying close to him would have. Not changing actually, but rather accelerating things.

"How?" Taehyung asked stupidly because his mind was completely blank at the moment.

"I don't know, watch a movie or play games or just do something you enjoy together," Jimin shrugged and got a phone call. When he hung up, he turned to Taehyung and said, "we should go, they're looking for us."

Taehyung nodded and they made their way to the green room where everyone was assembled. A staff was shouting that they were up in a minute and the narrow corridor they were standing in was crowded with idols rushing from the stage or going into or out of their own green rooms but amidst all the ruckus, Taehyung seemed frozen.

Before his eyes stood a nervous Jungkook in Haesoo's arms. She was hugging him tightly, telling him that he was going to do well like each time and Jungkook held her just as tightly, thanking her for her support. Taehyung then heard her telling him that he should get going now and Jungkook broke the hug to walk out of the room. Taehyung averted his eyes instantly.

That was when he realised he was gradually losing the younger. Reassuring him was one of the things Taehyung did before but now, it seemed that Jungkook had found this comfort in someone else's embrace while Taehyung was not there. He began wondering how many more things had been happening between them during the time he kept away from Jungkook.

Maybe Jimin was right. Maybe he shouldn't be so distant towards him. Maybe he should still fight for him. But Taehyung was so, so confused. Whether he did something or not, things seemed to go wrong. So what was he supposed to do?

Taehyung felt his eyes start watering and he pressed the sleeve of his white shirt against them to absorb the tears that threatened to fall. Why was he being so weak? He hated that he couldn't control his emotions. He hated the fact that the mere sight of the two hugging had that effect on him. He hated the weight he felt on his heart at the moment, this heavy weight which made his heart hurt.

"It's gonna be okay, Tae," Jimin whispered from beside him, giving him an encouraging pat on the back. Jimin had also witnessed the scene in the green room and he felt sorry for Taehyung. He knew how terrible he must be feeling right now.

Taehyung nodded mindlessly and followed the others on the stage. He tried focusing on the music, on the cheers, on the fans' shouts, on anything that would keep Jungkook and Haesoo out of his mind. But all of it seemed useless as he heard Hoseok start singing Spring Day.

It felt like the lyrics were hitting him like bullets to his heart, tearing apart his soul and making him realise how much he didn't want to let go of Jungkook. They were like a bucket of cold water being thrown over him, showing him that keeping his distance from the younger didn't lessen his feelings for him. If anything, they only seemed to grow.

And as he sang his lines before and after Jungkook's verse, he felt his insides churning as he fought this urge his body had to just break down in tears right then and there. How much longer do I have to wait? How many more nights do I have to stay awake-? Taehyung sang those lines with Jungkook in mind, asking how long does he have to wait until he can finally call him his. How many more nights have to pass until he can finally hold him close and kiss him like he's always wanted to.

The raw emotions in his deep, soulful voice could make anyone tear up. He sounded like a melancholic boy who awaited his lover but most of all, he sounded so genuine. As if he really was singing it to someone, which he was but the audience didn't know that.

Jimin glanced his way and saw how he was turned away from the other boys, away from Jungkook. He knew that the brunette wouldn't be able to look at the youngest member without crying while singing Spring Day but he also knew, from the way he was singing, that every single word was directed towards Jungkook.

He noticed how Taehyung's eyes were casted downwards most of the time, only meeting the camera once or twice. How he didn't smile even once throughout the whole performance. How his voice wavered slightly during his first verse in "Lost" and the short brunette got worried that his best friend might start crying on stage but they thankfully ended their vocal line performance without shortcoming.

Jimin's eyes followed the younger boy as he was first to move from the ending position, dashing backstage faster than the other three. Jimin was still panting as he reached the place, eyes scanning anxiously for the brunette. He spotted him and met his watery red eyes.

Taehyung saw Jimin from where he was seated on a medium-sized black sound system and before the latter could reach him, Taehyung had broken down in tears. They poured down his cheeks like heavy rain from big grey clouds and he couldn't contain the choked sobs that left his mouth.

Out of the blue, he felt a pair of arms wrap securely around him in a comforting hug. At first he thought it was Jimin until he saw this tuft of black hair and then heard the person speaking out appeasing words. "Shh...hyung, don't cry. You're okay, it's fine. I'm here, you're alright, don't cry," he repeated over and over while stroking the brunette's hair and caressing his back.

Taehyung wrapped his own arms around Jungkook's bigger frame as he relaxed in the warm embrace, his cries slowly dying down. Jungkook held him for a few more seconds before pulling away and wiping the streaks of tears from the elder's cheeks.

"Is this about the performance? Because I can assure you you were absolutely amazing!" Jungkook said. Taehyung shook his head and Jungkook looked up at him, from where he was crouched on the floor, with worry in his eyes. "What is it then?" He inquired softly.

Taehyung let out a sniffle and a shaky breath and before he could let a word out of his mouth, Jungkook said, "it's okay, hyung. You don't have to tell me. Just don't cry anymore, okay? I'm always here for you if you want to talk." He cupped his cheek with one hand, his thumb caressing the soft skin. Taehyung smiled a little and nodded.

"Okay, that's good," Jungkook said, standing up and grabbing the older's hand, "let's go get changed quickly. We have 2 more songs to perform and the rap line is almost done with cypher." Both went to the changing rooms and Taehyung emerged a short while later to see Jungkook already done and waiting for him.

As they walked to the stage, Jungkook asked him, "hyung, are you feeling better now?" Taehyung turned to him and nodded with a bright smile to convince him.

Jungkook leaned forward and gave him a lingering kiss on his cheek. Taehyung's eyes widened and he felt his cheeks heating up, blood rushing to them, giving them a light pink colour. Jungkook didn't seem to have noticed as he raised his fist in the air, cheering with determination, "then let's get this bread!"

Taehyung giggled at the ravenette's cuteness and followed him up to the other two boys who were waiting for them. All four joined the rap line together as the three wrapped up their cypher performance and an energetic beat started playing.

They began their performance for DNA and Taehyung felt an adrenaline rush through his body. One might think it was due to the unusual upbeat music for this song but the boy knew that it was all because of Jungkook. He could still feel the younger's warmth enveloping his body and his soft lips against his cheek and he couldn't stop smiling at the thought.

For the two last songs, DNA and Not Today, Taehyung was full of vim and vigor. He made eye contact with the camera multiple times. He no longer looked like a heartbroken boy and he was smiling. And it was all thanks to a certain bunny-toothed boy.

>>>>>♡<<<<<

Jimin and Jungkook's live was so cute uwu the way they were so goofy and Jimin was being so dramatic lmfao

Jimin acted as if he was preparing himself for a battle and that bgm had me on the floor xD it reminded me of BV4 when he was acting out drama scenes while cooking with Tae. He's so extra lmao I want a Jimin!!!

Anyway, I also saw Jikookers attacking Taekookers lately on twitter (I know it happens often but I kinda feel the need to address it still) They were accusing some big Taekook accounts of being a Jimin anti when the admin literally loves Jimin so much and supports him always.

I feel like some of these immature Jikookers are just trying to take down all popular and successful Taekook accounts. I mean they just go ahead and start a fight and make false accusations. I know some big TK accs that had deleted their accounts because the pressure and hate they were receiving was too much.

Do they not realise that it also affects the person's mental health?! Just mind your own business and show love for your own ship instead of spreading hate on others! Though I'm glad that the person I was talking about decided to stay because she was not going to let some fake fans affect her.

I don't get why some people have this logic where they think that Taekook shippers hate Jimin, like no, he's our baby mochi and we love him to death! Can anyone tell me what's wrong with these people?

And some of them literally hate on Taekook/Tae for no reason at all. I mean, look at me for example, I ship Taekook but I also love Jikook although I see them as brothers only (Jimin referred to Jungkook as his little brother countless times and personally, I think they have a really cute brotherly bond)

As for Taekook, I ship them a bit harder but I still respect the fact that we don't know what's going on in their lives. They could be dating or just friends or whatever but I love their cute bond and support them no matter what. I think it's disrespectful when shippers force their ships on the members. We should respect their bond first of all!

It's ok to ship but it's not ok to go overboard with it! Like there was this one time Tae and Hobi were doing a vlive I think and some immature taekookers flooded the comments with "Taekook" when Jk wasn't in the live and wasn't even being mentioned. It was disrespectful towards Tae and Hobi! And now during Jikook's vlive, someone wrote smth like "I want to see Jikook p*rn" I mean what the actual fuck is wrong with that person?! That's absolutely disgusting!! Thank God the two were absorbed in cooking and were not reading comments!

I even saw some people saying that they were sensing s*xual tension b/w them bcoz they were being so awkward during the live... excuse me but what?! They were not awkward at all! They were being so cute and goofy and comfortable around each other but some people are just so keen on sexualising everything they do! Just appreciate their adorable bond for once!

Please stop sexualising them. They're real people. Their lives are not some fanfiction or smth. You should know that there's a boundary between the real and fictional world and it should be respected! Keep the things you read in fanfics away from the reality bcoz those are stories out of someone's imagination! {And that goes to all other shippers, not only Jikookers, coz I see that a lot with other ships as well}

I know there are many mature fans and non-problematic shippers too and I love you all from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for existing and spreading love!

On a lighter note, did you all hear how Taehyung was speaking to Jungkook over the phone? My heart melted T_T he was speaking in such a soft tone to him, almost like he was talking to a baby uwu

Sorry for the rant (I've been ranting a lot lately, haven't I? xD) and thank you for reading the story. Last week I had like 500 reads and this week it's already 700?! Like what??? I gained 200 reads in a single week?! Thank you so much to everyone reading this!!!💜💜💜

Please keep supporting me by reading, voting, commenting and sharing the story! I purple youuu💜💜💜💜💜