Taehyung's breath hitches in his throat. He locks eyes with Jungkook, smells his aftershave- woodsy, intoxicating. It's making his legs weak. "Shu-shut up," he manages to stutter and pulls away.

"You know- Mingyu dragged me here. I didn't want to come to this shit-ass boring dinner party at first." Jungkook runs a hand through his hair. He smiles. "But now- I am very happy that I came."

Taehyung doesn't like his smile. It makes his poor heart twist. "Don't say that."

"Why? You are beautiful. I could watch you all day long."

"Don't!" Taehyung snaps and opens the balcony door. He needs to get away from Jungkook. Far away. "Stay away from me," he adds and rushes inside..

.

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.

.

.

After eating dinner, the guests are spread in different parts of the apartment. Some are playing card games while others are chatting and drinking.

Taehyung has managed to ignore Jungkook during dinner, has managed to stay as far away as possible from him. Taehyung has already drunk two beer as he leaves the toilet- walking into the livingroom. He feels good. Cheerful.

Minho is sitting on the sofa, talking to a colleague. Taehyung walks up towards him and plops on his lap, wrapping an arm around his neck.

Minho stops talking and tenses under him. He stares up at Taehyung. "What are you doing?"

"Why? I am sitting on-"

"Just sit next to me," Minho says and wraps an arm around Taehyung's waist, ppulls im off his lap. "Can't you see that I am talking to Hoshi?"

"Sorry," Taehyung mumbles and sits next to his boyfriend. He adjusts his shirt, tries not to show his disappointment. Gone is the cheerful mood. Somone scoffs loudly and Taehyung looks up, catches Jungkook's eyes on him- or rather on Minho.

"Fucking idiot."

Taehyung gasps and Minho stops talking to Hoshi, snaps his head in Jungkook's direction. They glare at each other. "What did you just say to me?"

"I said you are an idiot," Jungkook replies- his expression calm but unreadable.

"And why is that, Jeon?"

"You tell me. Are you into girls by any chance?"

"Are you drunk? What the fuck are you talking about?"

Taehyung rests his hand on Minho's lap, tries to calm him.

"I think you must be into girls," Jungkook says and leans back into his seat. "Why else would you push your boyfriend off your lap like that?"

"Are you crazy?" Minho grabs Taehyung's arm and pulls it away rather harshly. He points at Jungkook. "Who are you to make conclusions about me, watching how I handle my boyfriend, huh?"

"That's the point. You have no idea how to handle him."

"Are you out of your-"

"Hey, guys!" Mingyu suddenly enters the livingroom, drunk fuck. "I think this party needs more booze!" he yells, unknowingly preventing the situation from escalating.

Taehyung stands up. He feels tipsy, but he decides that Mingyu's idea is pretty good. Whatever is happening here, he needs more alcohol to survive this night. He walks past Jungkook, who looks up at him with a piercing stare that spears his soul. "Stop this!" he hisses at him with a whisper.

"Stop what?"

"You know what," Taehyung snaps and heads into the kitchen.

"Hey, are you alright?" Hobi approaches him with a smile. "You look frustrated."

"I need more beer. My boyfriend doesn't want to touch me. And the guy, who would do more than just touch is fi-"

"Tae." Hobi frowns. "Please tell me that you haven't done something stupid on the balcony."

"I didn't! Who do you think I am?" Taehyung snaps and grabs another beer off the counter,takes a big gulp. "But he is a temptation. It's hard-"

"Tae. We talked about it. You have a stable relationship and-"

"But Minho is- I don't even know. He makes me feel as if I am not desirable, attractive. He-"

"Tae. You know that this is bullshit. He wouldn't be your boyfriend if that would be true. Minho doesn't like to show public affection."

"Whatever." Taehyung sighs before taking another big gulp of his beer.

"Don't drink too much. You will get-"

"Hobi, please. I love you. Really. But stop nagging me. I am not in a good mood right now. I need to drink, okay?"

"You are right. I'm sorry. I care and worry about you."

"I know." Taehyung grabs another bottle and pecks his friend's cheek. "But I can take care of myself. And now I need to go back into the livingroom before my boyfriend and Jungkook will start fighting like two idiots."

"What? Why? What happened?"

"Don't ask. I will tell you later," Taehyung says with a sigh and leaves the kitchen. Entering the livingroom again, Taehyung sits next to his boyfriend, who is checking something on his phone.

"What's wrong with you today? What has gotten into you?" Minho asks accusingly without looking up from his phone.

"Nothing," Taehyung says and drinks his beer. The alcohol is starting to kick in and he doesn't want to fight with his boyfriend.

"Well, I think there's something." Minho sighs and pulls his phone away, but doesn't look at Taehyung. "You know me. You know that I don't like to show affection in front of others. Why are you trying to force me to do it?"

"I am not forcing you." Taehyung pulls his legs close to his body and wraps his free arm around his knees. He feels miserable. "I don't even try to kiss you anymore. I am not grinding on you in front of others. But- what is so wrong about a subtle touch? I mean, I missed you."

"Tae." Minho sighs and finally turns his head to look at him. "I missed you, too. But you need to stop acting like that. That's not you. And it's inappropriate. And stay away from my colleague. Jungkook is an asshole. And I am sure he does some dubious things."

"What?" Taehyung tilts his head. "What do you mean?"

"Jungkook definitively has something going on. He's dangerous. I only invited him because he's in my team. I couldn't exclude him." Minho reaches out and squeezes Taehyung's arm. "I saw him looking at you. Stay away from him."

Taehyung hums and raises the bottle to his lips, emptying it. He then turns his head and spots Jungkook standing on the other side of the room, talking to Mingyu. Taehyung watches them. Jungkook doesn't look dangerous. Just hot. But maybe that's the alcohol clouding his mind. "I will get myself another beer," Taehyung says and stands up.

"You should stop drinking."

Taehyung rolls his eyes and walks away. He passes Jungkook and Mingyu, tries hard to ignore them- looking away. He trips and stumbles over the carpet, loses his balance. "Whoops."