I loved once, so I must be able to love again, right?

That's what so many people have told me in an attempt of consolation. But do I even want to love again?

Is your touch one I'd like to replace? Is your kiss one I can afford to forget?

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"Come on! If we don't leave now we're gonna be late!" Jungkook calls from the living room, exasperation frothing at his temples like cold waves splashed onto burning sand. "Just give me a minute!" Jimin shouts from his room and the blue-haired man groans, stomping down the hallway to shout in Jimin's face. "You said that an hour ago!" In his room, the silver-haired man is leaning over his desk to look into the small mirror he had installed there, applying glittery eyeshadow to the corners of his eyes. "I'm almost done, okay?" He says, not even bothering to turn around and acknowledge Jungkooks existence. "And you said that two hours ago..." He mutters, going to sit on the elder's bed, flopping into satin sheets to pout.

"You look good." Jimin smiles, Jungkook just sighs. He's wearing a black dress shirt slightly unbuttoned at the top with a grey suit jacket and grey dress pants. A little more formal than the theme might have suggested but he's hot so he can do what he wants. "I know." He replies, making Jimin giggle. He promises himself to go to the store sometime soon and finally purchase blue hair dye to fix the faded mess on his head, at least he styles it well—slicked back with a couple of strands falling forward to frame his eyebrows. He might also bleach it again and dye it another colour but that's yet to be seen.

Jimin starts rummaging around the room, grabbing the things he needs and adding last-minute accessories to his outfit before he finally stands in front of Jungkook and extends his hand.

"Get up, let's go." He smiles, before adding. "Oh, and you need to hold all my stuff."

-

When Taehyung enters the large campus hall, the first thing he notices is how utterly packed it is. The music is loud and the LED lights are looping through different shades of purple and blue. The scene is just so typical University party, right down to the fog machines, shitty alcohol, and stereotypical red solo cups. And Taehyung smiles, tonight will definitely be a blast and (hopefully) keep his mind off of the things begging to take precedence in his thoughts. Thoughts about Jungkook and, more urgently, his mother. He's helpless to control these things happening to and around him, so a distraction is most definitely welcomed and thanked and asked to stay the night and made a cup of tea and given a warm place to sleep. A distraction is exactly what he needs right now.

"Tae!" He spins around when he hears Jimins voice under the boisterous beat and deafening melody blasting through the speakers. The silver-haired man pushes his way through the dancing crowd and grabs Taehyung by the arm, smiling wide. He's definitely a bit tipsy. "Jimin! You look so fucking hot!" The brunette shouts as he's dragged deeper into the party. "So do you!" Suddenly the crowd falls away and Taehyung doesn't know what he was expecting. His heart jumps to his throat. How could he have been so stupid to look past this? His cheeks heat up in a faint shade of pink. Of course, Jungkook is here. And, of course, he's sitting at a table with all of their shared friends. And, of course, he looks like a fucking three-course meal in his fitted grey suit. And, of course, his eyes are raking all over Taehyung with a hungry glint sparkling so pretty in them. And, of course, the others are beckoning over for them to come and sit. And, of course, of course, after Jimin sits down the only other free seat is next to him. Next to Jungkook.

So much for that distraction.

Taehyung hesitantly goes to sit down, pointedly not looking at Jungkook and instead greeting the other guys sitting around the round table. Jimin and Yoongi sit next to each other whilst Hoseok sits in between Namjoon and Seokjin. "It's been so long! How have you been?" Seokjin asks and Hoseok nods along in agreement. "I've been good, thanks for asking, Hyung! What about you?" Taehyung smiles as Jimin hands him a cup full of who knows and who cares. All that matters is that it tastes decent in his mouth, burns going down his throat, and makes his mind all dizzy. If the party itself can't act as a distraction, then the alcohol will have to do. "I've been awesome! Y'know just finished making the final outfit of my project and now all that's left is the written exams next week, then we're free!" Taehyung laughs. Seokjin is a fashion student and the brunette has liked all the pictures of the outfits he's posted on Instagram.

"Yes! So glad the practical part of our projects are over, dance is brutal!" Hoseok giggles, running a hand through his bright red hair."You can say that again." Jimin agrees behind his own drink, but Hoseok can't seem to hear him over the loud music. "Freedom is just around the corner, boys." Yoongi says to the other third years, Hoseok and Seokjin, and they nod in excitement. Taehyung can't help but notice the way the second years, Jimin and Namjoon, look a bit sad at the fact that the others are leaving so soon. And everyone notices how the first years are blatantly ignoring—but still sneaking not-so-sneaky glances at—each other.

"What are you three doing sitting here anyway? Aren't you the stars of the show? Shouldn't you be on the dance floor or something?" Jungkook says with a smirk tugging on the corners of his lips, his words obviously the set up for a tease. The question is who is Jungkook trying to tease? "Or... Are you a bad dancer?" His eyes hone in on Hoseok as his smirk morphs into his signature bunny grin, eyebrows raised in brazen challenge. The redhead smiles back, eyes dancing in mirth as he accepts the challenge silently. The air is suddenly tense, buzzing in anticipation at this unexpected turn of events. "Why d'you ask? Think you're better than me?" Jungkook takes a sip from his cup, countenance one of perfect confidence. "Oh, I don't just think, Hyung." From the corner of his eye, Jungkook can see Jimin give him a look. He's the only one here who knows about his... Reluctant relationship with dance. He doesn't say anything but he doesn't need to, that look says it all. 'I'm proud of you, you little shit.'

Hoseoks smile grows wider as if he had just had a moment of realization and his eyes shoot from Jungkook to Jimin. And Jungkook realizes that they're doing this in pairs. Fine then. If he's taking Jimin then Jungkook turns his head and acknowledges the person he's been too nervous to look at this entire time. Taehyung looks clueless even though Jimin seems to understand so Hoseok speaks up. "Jimin dances with me. Tae dances with you. That way we can see who really is the better dancer." Taehyungs eyes widen, and he opens his mouth, saying, "Hey! I didn't ag—" He's cut off by Namjoon saying, "Isn't it kind of unfair for two dance students to compete against two—" Who's cut off by Jungkook saying, "Don't worry, Hyung, we don't need your sympathy, we've got this." And the blue-haired man stands up to storm onto the dance floor, dragging a very confused brunette by the arm to join him. Hoseok and Jimin laugh at this, standing up as well. "This okay with you, Hyung?" Jimin checks with Yoongi who only shrugs. "Of course, love, go put those assholes in their place." He says, kissing the silver-haired boy on the cheek.

"We see what you're doing Hobi, Nice setup," Seokjin says slyly as Namjoon nods along knowingly. "Thanks, you guys are next." The redhead says bluntly before leaving in the same direction as the first years, Jimin following behind him.

-

Jungkook stops moving when they finally find a space on the crowded dance floor and turns to look Taehyung in the eye. He who is still wearing an incredulous expression, though now that they've stopped moving it's tipped more into amusement than annoyance. "What the hell." He asks flatly and Jungkook rolls his eyes. "You dance, Hyung, that's why Hobi picked you. Now we can't lose to them so—" "Do you even dance?" Taehyung asks, eyes wide, as they are jostled around for the stupidity of standing still in the middle of an ever-moving crowd. "I—I mean, yeah, I used to..." The longing note in his tone is too obvious to look by and Taehyung thinks the alcohol must have weakened Jungkook's usual defenses because he reads him so easily. And one thing Taehyung's learnt about Jungkook is that he'll never back down from a challenge, even a playful one. Even one he's created himself out of thin air. So, he wants to dance again. Taehyung is too enthralled with the man in front of him and kind overall as a person to deny him the experience.

"Alright then, let's do this. Let's win."

With a grin, Jungkook takes Taehyung's hand, and then they're moving to the music. The bright purple light shines down on them as they sidle up against each other, the air foggy just like their minds, the music loud and easy to get lost in. They sync effortlessly, as if they've danced together for several fulfilling lifetimes, as if the hard-hitting bass is a portal into each other's minds and the bouncy melody is one into each other's souls. They're able to read each other's thoughts, to predict each other's movements. Perfect harmony against a chaotic dance floor, where they're engulfed by each other's addicting presence.

Taehyung's amusement turns into a genuine smile, his eyes lighting with a crackle of humour. A laugh throws itself out of his throat as that subtle feeling that simmers so sweetly whenever they're together is more like a roaring, blistering, blazing fire right now. Hot, hot flames climb higher and higher, the smoke gets thicker and thicker. His heart beats quicker and quicker. As the song progresses, the other people on the dance floor fade away like sand and wind. They spin, twirl, and sway, their bodies speaking the only common language they share. Art is so very wide and subjective, their preferred methods of such expression so very different. They're placed in different categories, kept apart. But here, right now, on this dance floor, they move as one. As one.

Jungkook's heart races and for the first time in a very long time, he feels alive. God, he had missed this so fucking much. A purple, foggy rush of adrenaline zips up his spine, thrumming through his body, thumping against his skull. The original challenge is completely forgotten, Jimin and Hoseok are nowhere to be seen but neither of them cares. Dancing is so freeing, Jungkook questions why he even stopped in the first place. Right, he doesn't want to regret. But, fuck, how could he ever regret this? His life right now... It's good. He's happy. A smile graces his face, he lets out a delighted breath, and looks at Taehyung. He looks at Taehyung and realizes that no, he doesn't regret. He doesn't regret anything.

The song ends suddenly, Jungkook and Taehyung are trapped in each other's embrace, faces extremely close. They pant wildly as the world fades back into view. They're holding hands, faces flushed pink in exhaustion but also because of their proximity to each other but they don't move. They're trapped in each other's embrace and in this moment, unable to think straight, minds still foggy and purple and on fire and simmering sweetly.

The people around them don't get the memo. The next song blasts through the speakers and they move even more aggressively than before. Suddenly the magic is gone and they're panting in each other's faces and tired and sweaty and way too close and sardined in a moving crowd who doesn't get the memo.

"Do..." Jungkook starts, still breathing heavily. "Do you want to step outside for some fresh air?"

And Taehyung sighs a breath of relief. "Yes, please."

❈❈❈

Published: 19/08/23

Word count: 2108