⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️
Homophobia

~~~~~~~~~

Taehyung pulled over into the University parking lot.

He still had 10 minutes until the practice started. Quickly grabbing his backpack, he pulled out the bento and opened it eagerly. He probably shouldn't be eating before getting on the field, it could make him throw up, he thought hesitantly but as soon as the delicious aroma filled his nostrils, all his doubts flew straight out of the window.

He pulled the chopsticks off the lid and gobbled down the breakfast at record speed. It was every bit as good as last night's meal. Jungkook was obviously an amazing cook, he had to admit. Tae couldn't cook to save his life. He could burn water, given the chance. Calling the chef in for just him, felt like overkill so he usually just ordered takeout or depended on Jimin for sustenance.

He finished everything and threw his head back against the seat. The boy was going to drive him crazy. He wasn't sure how he was going to survive the year or make it through unscathed. That amazing cooking, combined with his cute bunny face and that sexy as sin body, Tae knew he didn't stand a chance.

He sighed and groaned loudly.

He wasn't gay!! He was straight! He liked girls!!

He recited that over and over like a mantra in his head, willing himself to believe it.

In the back of his mind, he knew the hypocrisy of his thoughts, just this morning, he had pleasured himself to the thought of a man and yet, here he sat telling himself that he wasn't gay. He brushed a hand through his hair, everything was so conflicting. It was the bunny's fault obviously, he had messed with his mind.

He groaned again, thinking of his husband in his house.
His husband..
Dear Lord!! He had a husband!

Would he ever be able to have this thought without cringing right down to his toes?

His phone buzzed, breaking through the haze of his uncomfortable thoughts. He stared at the name on the screen.

Why was his lawyer calling him this early in the morning? He hoped it wasn't more bad news. He needed to head to the field, he thought as he answered the phone.

"Rafe?"

"Good Morning! I'm just calling to ask whether Jungkook has moved in yet?"

"Yeah he did, yesterday." Taehyung said in a resigned tone.

"Uh-oh, that doesn't sound too good." Rafe commented.

"It's fine." Tae sighed. "Everything is fine."

Rafe made a non committal sound before continuing "Your first counselling session is on Monday. So, You will have a few days in hand to hammer out the action plan and get him on board."

"I don't think he will co-operate but I will try."

"It will be better if you two present a neutral and united front. The counsellor might recommend to end the sessions a bit early on."

"I'll try Rafe. Talking to him is like banging my head on the wall." Taehyung sighed. "I'll talk to him over the weekend."

"Okay. I'll text you the details later." Rafe replied, ending the call.

Taehyung quickly packed everything back and left the car, walking leisurely to the field. A few of his teammates had already come in and were warming up. He hurried over to join them, pushing all thoughts of the disturbing human he had left behind in his house.

The practice was vigorous and grinding, but it gave him a sense of euphoria. His serotonin levels were high and he grinned at his teammates who looked dead on their feet. Tae finished another set of pushups before he slumped on the bench, panting heavily. They still had at least three plays they needed to work out but since Jimin had skipped practice, they decided to finish early, heading to the locker room, teasing and laughing with each other.

He was just done showering when a shrill female voice echoed through the room.

"KIM TAEHYUNG!!!! Where the fuck are you?!"

Tae winced. "Kate, fuck!" He whispered. He had forgotten to pick her up this morning. But why was she cursing like that? It's not like this was the first time he had forgotten. She would usually wait to berate him in the cafeteria, what changed? He wondered.

"KIM FUCKING TAEHYUNG!!"

Tae frowned quickly wrapping the towel around his waist and stepping out of the showers.

"Hey! You shouldn't be in here! This is the boy's locker room." One of the boys interrupted her.

"Get out of my fucking way!!" She screamed at him walking further in.

Tae looked at Namjoon who shrugged and looked as confused as he was. He turned to Hobi who patted his back and pushed him towards her.

"The more you put it off, the worse it will get. Just go deal with it." Hobi urged.

Tae approached the girl who looked like she was in a murderous rage. "What the hell, Kate?"

"You tell me." She said crossing her arms and staring at him like he was a squished bug on her shoe.

Tae shifted uncomfortably and scratched his neck.

"Look, I was in a hurry this morning and had to rush over straight to practice." Tae explained. He had reached early but he couldn't really tell her that he had forgotten about her, could he?

"Oh is that right?" Kate scoffed. "Is that all there is? Isn't there something else that you maybe have forgotten to tell me about?"

Tae frowned. "I don't know what you are talking about. What else could there be?"

"Oh, I don't know." She said, heavy sarcasm dipping from every word as she stared daggers at him. "Maybe you could tell me something about the guy living in your house?"

Tae speechlessly stared at her in horror.

"I went to your house before I came here. I thought maybe you slept in. But surprise, surprise! Guess who let me in?" She exclaimed.

Tae panicked. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the locker room with Hobi and Namjoon hot on their heels. Holding on to his towel with one hand, he led her into one of the empty rooms, he nodded at his friends when they hesitated, letting them in and swiftly closing the door behind them. He lay his head against the door for a few seconds before turning around to face the inevitable.

"A husband?" Kate shrieked. "You got married? To a boy? Are you fucking kidding me Taehyung?"

"Kate..." Tae started but was interrupted by another shriek.

"You are gay!! Oh my God! That's why you haven't slept with me since you got back!! And here I was doubting myself, thinking maybe I got holiday flab and going on a strict diet! What the actual fuck?" She stared at him angrily.

"I'm not gay! You know that better than anyone, Katie. I was just very, very drunk!" Tae explained.

"Fuck you Taehyung! I can't believe you cheated on me like this..... I mean I would have at least managed to get through it if it was with a girl, but this?" She brushed a tear off her cheeks.

Hobi scoffed and then turned it into a cough. "Well, you cheated first and then kept on doing it, over and over again." He muttered under his breath.

"Oh my God! I'm done for!" She cried, throwing up her hands. "Have you even thought about what would happen if this got out??"

Taehyung gulped. He knew the consequences of this getting out. He had meant to keep it all a secret. He was supposed to talk to Jungkook about it. He never dreamed that the asshole would be out and about announcing it to the world. It pissed the fuck out of him.

"People would not only judge you, Tae. They'd be laughing at me too. My clique would have a field day." She dropped to her knees and covered her face. "I can never show my face in these halls again. I'd be the girl who didn't know her boyfriend was gay!"

"Wow!! Way to make this about you!" Hobi scoffed.

Kate raised her head and gave him the stink eye.

"It's all your fault! You and that gay best friend of his!" She got off the floor and advanced on Hobi.

"Who?" Tae asked in shock.

Kate turned to him her mouth twisted in derision. "Jimin"

"Don't you dare!!" Tae growled. "Don't you utter a single word about him, Kate."

Kate inhaled harshly, looking like she wanted to say much more but she deflated the next moment.
"I need air." She mumbled turning on her heel and walking out of the room, leaving the three boys staring after her.

Taehyung slumped on a bench near him.

"Fuck!" He cursed. "I'm well and truly fucked!"

"You're fine, buddy. Just hang in there." Namjoon patted his back in consolation. "It will get better."

His breathing seemed to get more laboured instead of calming down.

"It's all his fault. The stupid beef bunny, he's hell bent on ruining my life." Taehyung spit.

"Taehyung-ah!" Hobi warned.

"I'm going to kill him." He said through clenched teeth.

"Did you specifically tell him not to tell anyone?" Hobi asked.

No, he hadn't but that was beside the point. Anyone would know that it was obvious. They were in the middle of a divorce. Did he seem like someone who wanted to announce to the world that he got married to a man in drunken stupor? So even if he hadn't specified anything, it was something that should have been discussed before sharing.

"It's still not his place to say anything! Especially not to my fucking girlfriend!" He stood up. "I'm going to murder him."

Namjoon held him off. "Tae! You need to calm the fuck down." He tried to get him to sit back down.

"I hate him. I hate that good for nothing asshole." Tae grabbed his still wet hair and let out a silent scream, trying to pull them off the roots.

"Taehyungie, calm down, please." Hobi pleaded.

"How do I calm down? If this gets out, I will be shunned. He has no right!"  Tae rubbed his hands on his face.

"It's not that bad Tae. Times have changed. I'm openly gay. So is Jimin and there are a lot of guys in Jungkook's team as well. It doesn't make any difference." Hobi tried, softly rubbing Tae's back.

"It does to me! I am not gay! Don't you get it?" Tae snapped.

Hobi stepped back looking at Namjoon who nodded imperceptibly. He gently nudged Tae to sit down again.

"Tae, all you need to do is talk to him. I'm sure he didn't mean any harm. Kate is just the kind of person that brings out the worst in people. I'm sure she goaded him into telling her. Don't jump to conclusions, give him a fair chance. He's a good kid. You just need to talk to him." Namjoon said softly.

"Why does everyone keep telling me that I need to talk to him?" Tae stood up, making the chair fall.

"Because it's the best way through." Joon shrugged.

Taehyung didn't want to talk to him. He just wanted them to get through the year as fast as possible. Sure they were living together, but they didn't have to talk or interact or have any contact with each other for any reason whatsoever. He could do without the constant distraction.

Taehyung threw his head back and groaned "I just want to get through this."

"You will buddy." Namjoon consoled.

Tae looked at Hobi who was standing a little bit away. Guilt assaulted him, he never meant to hurt him. He never meant to hurt Jimin either but it seemed like every time he turned around, he was hurting them all with his behaviour. He couldn't help it. It was all so confusing, it was driving him crazy.

"I'm sorry, Hobi." Tae walked to him. "I shouldn't have said that. I was just directing the anger from him on to you and I'm sorry."

"That's the problem, Tae. I understand being angry with the situation but I don't understand your anger towards him. He doesn't deserve it." Hobi said calmly.

Tae nodded. He didn't agree but he didn't want to hurt his friend any more than he already had.

Hobi smiled. "There's still hope for you, Tiger."

Tae puffed his cheeks and Hobi laughed, pulling him into a bear hug.

"Hey! I want some too." Namjoon said as he hugged Tae from behind.

"Uhm.... Guys? I'm naked under this towel and this is not a very good position to be found in." Tae squirmed.

Namjoon let go and immediately stepped back scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I need a drink." Hobi said releasing Tae.

"Hobi! It's lunchtime!" Namjoon scolded.

Hobi shrugged "It's 5:00 o'clock somewhere."

Tae looked between the two of them. They didn't have any classes today anyway. He shrugged "Let's go."

Hobi cheered and led the way out.

~~~~~~~~

Jungkook finished his last class and was walking to the bus stop.

He was beat. The super early morning workout was getting to him.

He had been too riled up to sleep after Kate had left. He worried he had said too much and the girl seemed like the kind of person who would use it against him. He just hoped she didn't cause too much of a scene coz if she did, Tae would definitely kill him.

He would deserve it too, he should've just kept his mouth shut. Stupid jealous heart, he cursed.

"Yo! Jungkook-ah!"

Jungkook turned around to see Mingyu sprinting towards him.

"Hey man." He said as he caught up to him.

"Hey!" Jungkook smiled and Mingyu's face lit up.

"Do you need a lift home? I noticed Yoongi Hyung isn't here today and you know I live close to your place so I can just..." He said. He couldn't believe his luck. He had been trying to get some time alone with the captain and the perfect opportunity had just presented itself.

"Thanks Gyu but I am not living with him anymore." Jungkook replied.

"What? Why? Did you guys have a fight? Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it? I'm here if you need me. I am actually looking for a roommate. So you can crash at my place and see how you like it. We could..." Mingyu looked excited and would have gone on if Jungkook hadn't interrupted him.

"Woah Woah Woah" Jungkook held his hands up to make the other stop his word vomit. "I am fine. No, we did not have a fight. Jimin moved in and I wanted to give the happy couple their space. I already have a place, thanks for the offer though."

Mingyu looked crushed, Jungkook felt bad, he didn't want to lead him on anymore but at the same time, something held him back.

"I know we haven't really spoken much since Vegas. I was a bit too......" He hesitated.

"Drunk?" Jungkook supplied though honestly he knew Gyu wasn't drunk all that much that night, he was.

"Yeah probably." Mingyu agreed. "Do you want to grab a bite to eat before heading home?" But seeing the discomfort in his face he changed course "Maybe just pizza?"

"Uhm..." Jungkook checked his watch it was only 7:00 pm. He did need to eat and pizza sounded good but he would rather get home and cook. Tae obviously liked his cooking, that was probably the only thing he liked about him, so Jungkook didn't want to mess it up. At this point, he needed to use whatever he could to his advantage.

"It's alright, you don't have to." Mingyu said softly when Jungkook took too long to answer.

"It's just that, I woke up real early this morning and we have an early practice tomorrow so I want to catch up on some sleep. I want to be able to focus and give my best for the team tomorrow, you know." Jungkook tried.

"You don't have to explain. It's fine. Next time maybe." Mingyu said quietly. To say he was disappointed would be an understatement. The whole of NYU knew that he had the world's biggest crush on Kook. He really thought they were heading somewhere but now he wasn't so sure so he smiled awkwardly and waved as he walked away with his head down.

Jungkook felt guilty. He and Mingyu had been seeing each other on and off for a while now, though things had never been official, as none of them had expressly asked the other out. He didn't want to appear biased on the field and so had held off.

When they had met in Vegas, Mingyu had been jealous and had grabbed the opportunity to kiss him. When Jungkook had pulled himself free and seen Taehyung snogging some random chick, he had lost it. He had pulled Mingyu away and they had made out in a secluded corner until Mingyu's friends found them.

And now things were awkward and they hadn't spoken since.

Jungkook got on to the bus, his thoughts still full of the boy he had sent away. He really liked Mingyu and before all of this happened he was seriously considering dating him. Now everything was so messed up. He had always loved Tae but he didn't think he'd ever get a happily ever after, not with him.

Kim Taehyung was too far out of his league.

Had he been wrong to turn Gyu away? Would it be selfish, considering his situation to ask him to wait? Would Gyu think he was on standby and hate Jungkook for it?

The bus stopped and he rushed to get out, he wanted to get started on dinner. He wasn't really sure when Tae would be coming back home so he wanted to have things ready before he came. He walked the short distance to the apartment and entered the building.

"Welcome back Mr. Jeon." The doorman said kindly.

"Hey Jordan. Is Mr. Kim back yet?" Jungkook asked, pressing the elevator button.

"No Sir. He's yet to arrive."

"Good" Jungkook smiled as he got in "See you later." Jordon gave him a short bow as the door closed.

He rode up, scrolling through his phone, trying to decide what to make for dinner. Nothing too elaborate, something simple and comforting like soup and rice. It was cold enough for soup, he thought happily.

He walked to their apartment and stared at the door. Fuck! He didn't have the code. Taehyung hadn't shared it with him and he hadn't gotten around to asking for it either.

He thought of what he could do.
1) He could go down to the lobby and wait for Tae. - But the doorman would know he didn't have the code and that would be embarrassing.
2) He could call Jimin - But Jimin was on a trip with Yoongi and they had specifically told him that they wont be reachable.
3) He could call Taehyung - But he had never gotten around to taking his number either.

He was screwed.

He slid down the wall next to the door. So much for cooking at home. He should have accepted the offer for pizza when he had the chance. He sighed. The floor was cold and his ass was freezing.

He sat scrolling through his phone for what seemed like hours. It was past 9:00 pm. He was starting to feel drowsy. He hoped Tae would come home soon.

~~~~~~~~~

Taehyung wobbled into the lobby late at night, well almost morning really. A few drinks had turned into a full blown club hopping party.

"Mr. Kim." The doorman acknowledged, giving him a slight bow. Tae nodded and headed to the elevator.

He rode up to his floor and walked to his apartment, his head was spinning. He shouldn't have drunk so much.

"What the hell?" There was a huge lump lying on the floor next to his door.

Tae frowned as he bent towards the lump. He straightened as he recognised who it was.

Stupid beef bunny, he thought as he unlocked the door and went in, ignoring him. He had half a mind to just leave him there, would serve him right. He let the door click close behind him as he kicked off his shoes.

He shivered in the cold apartment and rushed to turn the heater on. He threw his backpack on the couch and headed to his room, deciding to just leave him out there.

He rubbed his arms against the chill and his conscience prickled.

"Fuck!" He cursed, walking back out, he was too drunk for this shit.

Tae hunched down next to Jungkook's sleeping form. He stared at the man who looked completely lost to the world, soft snores escaping from his parted lips, his long hair covered most of his face. Taehyung lightly brushed the dark locks away to reveal the younger's face and sighed. The boy was breathtakingly beautiful, he admitted.

He lightly traced a finger across his jawline. If only....

A shudder passed through Jungkook, jerking Taehyung out of his thoughts. Jungkook hugged himself tighter in his sleep, trying to fight the cold.

Tae cleared his throat and shook his head to clear it. Everything looked hazy, he just wanted to get into bed.

"Yah!" He poked him in the chest.

"Jeon!" He poked again as the bunny squirmed. "Wake up!"

"Cold" Jungkook mumbled in his sleep.

Why was he here on the cold hard floor anyway? Taehyung wondered as he poked his arm again.

"Code" Jungkook said as he tried to pull his shirt down to cover himself more.

Tae felt a pang in his heart. He hadn't given the boy the security code. How long had he been locked outside? Why hadn't he called? He touched the back of his hand to Jungkook's face. It was freezing.

He shook his shoulder harder. "Jeon, come on. We gotta get inside."

He nudged the younger's shoulder grabbing his arm and lifting him up.

Jungkook sleepily opened his eyes and looked at him. "Tae?"

"Yeah, It's me. Let's go." His deep voice echoed in the hallway.

Jungkook let him help him to his feet and staggered sleepily into the apartment. He yawned hugely and scrunched up his nose. Why was this boy so damn cute?

Tae giggled. "Cute" he booped his nose and giggled again.

He managed to somehow lead him to his room and pushed him on the bed.

"Amsorrydonbemadatme." Jungkook mumbled as he squished his face into the pillow "Hatemeenufalready."

"What?" Tae asked but only got snored at in reply.

Jungkook still looked cold. Tae struggled to pull the blanket over from under him, huffing as the day's exhaustion finally caught up to him. Jungkook moved and snuggled deeper into the blankets. "Tae" he sighed softly.

Taehyung stared at him to check if he had woken up but he hadn't.

He turned and looked at the door, he didn't have the energy to walk all the way back to his own room. Was it too wrong to want some warmth in this cold weather? No, it wasn't, his mind answered itself. His drunken mind and exhaustion finally made the decision for him as he collapsed, face first, right on top of the sleeping bunny.

~~~~~~~~~

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