In a few days Jeongguk's sprain is fully healed. He can walk without limping, thankfully being able to ditch both the crutches and the brace. And yet that's the last thing on his mind right now.

Right now, Jeongguk is concerned about everything else: this recent information about Yoongi's serious crush on Taehyung, Taehyung's apparent but not definite crush on Hoseok, Jeongguk's own feelings he's unsure when or how to act upon, and then of course his somewhat more concerning concerns with his hallucinations.

It's a lot, to say the least.

But being the person he is, Jeongguk disregards his own issues to focus on his friends.

He wants to help. He wants to do something, for Yoongi, and ultimately for Taehyung as well, but Jeongguk genuinely is uncertain what that boy's intentions are. It could be that his "attraction" for Hoseok is purely based on looks, and not romantic interest. Possible? Definitely. Probable? Jeongguk's got no clue. Not a one.

He also has no clue if Hoseok has someone he likes. If he does, then that could either bring everything down or make things turn out wonderfully. Hoseok is gay, Jeongguk knows that much. But that's it. And he doesn't feel comfortable asking Hoseok directly if he likes someone.

So that leaves figuring things out between Yoongi and Taehyung, even if Jeongguk has to approach and talk to them separately.

It's not like him to play matchmaker. That's not what this is at all. Jeongguk just doesn't want his friends to get their hearts broken.

Yoongi and Taehyung would make an interesting couple, that's for sure. But he'd love it if it meant they could both be happy.

A few weeks pass and the term is nearing its end, meaning the students' summer break is nearing its start. Projects and exams are being wrapped up and finished, a majority of students are in good moods, discussing with one another plans for the summer, etc., etc. Basically no one has their full (or even half) attention on academic matters - including, of course, Jeongguk, with his overseeing gaze monitoring his friends at school.

Like a detective, Jeongguk observes Taehyung in particular. In the least creepy way as possible, naturally. But it's not enough. He can't determine anything from just looking, he'll need to hear it from Taehyung himself.

Maybe he's meddling. Maybe he's being too nosy, but Jeongguk knows himself and that he has good intentions, and so that's the only thing he's focusing on.

Not just that, but his subconscious is eager as ever to jump on things that could potentially serve as a positive distraction.

"Tae, I wanna talk to you about something."

"Dude, we just took our last exam till August, talk to me all you want." Taehyung pats his friend triumphantly on the back, shutting his locker with a never gonna open this again attitude. His grin is mile-wide. "Don't tell me." He places his hand over Jeongguk's chest. "You asked him out, you sly dog."

"No," the other rolls his eyes, "it's not about me, Tae. C'mon, we can talk in the car."

"If you say so."

With that, Taehyung follows in Jeongguk's somewhat hurried footsteps all the way outside the school building and to his car, and they both climb in.

Taehyung's clearly still oblivious to the fact his friend wasn't in a hurry just to discuss summer plans. His mindless gaze out the window, he watches a bird land on the tree and Jeongguk stares at him.

"Tae, I wanted to ask you something."

"Ask away, I've got all day."

"Do you like boys?"

Taehyung's expression changes inscrutably. "No," he says after a second. Jeongguk sighs.

"Okay, do you like one boy in particular?"

"Not really."

"But you never show interest in girls."

"Cus I don't have an interest."

"Are you aromantic?"

"Wouldn't consider myself to be."

"Then what??"

"What's with the tone all of a sudden?" Taehyung finally turns his gaze away from the window to look at his friend, confusion mixed in with but a hint of frustration. "What gives?"

It shuts him up for a moment. Jeongguk leans back against his seat. "Sorry, I sound aggressive, don't I?"

"A little. But I'm not mad. Just curious."

"I just wanna know, Tae, is that so wrong?"

Taehyung shakes his head.

"We've been friends for years," Jeongguk says softly, "but you've never talked much about it. Not even after I came out. I'd love to talk with you about these kinds of things but it's hard when I don't know what type of people you like. Or if you like people at all."

There's a strange silence as Taehyung's eyes drift out the window again. But his head remains still, facing the windshield as his lips part.

"You don't have to," Jeongguk adds after a bit. "You don't have to like anyone, Tae. I'm not trying to pressure you. You know I wouldn't think any different of you."

"I don't wanna talk about me. How are things going with you and Jimin?"

It's such a casual shift. Jeongguk feels his heart shift in his chest, too.

"Taehyung."

"I wouldn't make a good boyfriend, what does it matter?"

"Taehyung, what are you talking about-?"

"No one really wants to date me," he mutters, but clear enough that Jeongguk can hear. "I'm just a comedian. It's not like someone could...actually fall in love with me. Unless I'm making jokes, what good am I?"

It's soul-crushing, almost, to hear these words and recognize them being spoken in earnest. It's not that Jeongguk hasn't seen Taehyung in low spirits before. But there's something particularly upsetting about it this time.

Jeongguk scans his friend's face in a brief moment of quiet.

"...Tae, you don't...really think that, do you?"

"Of course I do." The boy seems to be looking anywhere but Jeongguk, which only contributes to the saddening effect of his voice. "It's just the truth. Can you imagine someone being in love with me?"

"I don't have to imagine, Tae."

"Don't pull that bull crap with Hoseok, alright, he doesn't like me, and I don't like him like that."

"Then why do you doodle your names in your notebook and flirt with him?"

"Because I'd like to imagine I can do those kinds of things with someone without it being seen as a joke, okay??"

The look of shame that washes over Taehyung's face just then strongly suggests he didn't intend to raise his voice. He finally looks over at Jeongguk in apology. Jeongguk returns the same look.

"I've never seen it as a joke, Tae," he whispers after a minute. "I just thought...you had some other reason to hide it. I really thought you liked Hoseok."

"I don't really know what to think."

"Well, if someone really liked you, would you give them a chance?"

"I'd have to believe them first."

It's not how Jeongguk expected this conversation to go at all - not that he really knew how Taehyung would respond in the first place, but learning how he feels now is more depressing than encouraging.

"I'm sorry, Tae." Jeongguk exhales and places his hands on the steering wheel. "You're probably mad I brought it up now, huh."

"I'm not that childish." A smile is attempted on Taehyung's part. "Besides, you have a right to be curious...I know I've been extremely ambiguous, and if there's anyone I owe honesty to, it's you."

Jeongguk wants to hug him, but in their current position it wouldn't be the most comfortable hug. So instead, he simply moves one hand off the wheel to rest on Taehyung's shoulder. "For what it's worth," Jeongguk begins in a gentle voice, "I don't think people see you as just a comedian, Tae. I certainly don't. I doubt Jimin and Hoseok do. And I know Yoongi doesn't."

Taehyung doesn't respond for a bit. His head hanging low, he appears to be considering his friend's words but Jeongguk can only hope.

"...yeah, I know Yoongi...doesn't..."

Jeongguk turns to the other somewhat abruptly as his words are repeated. But he keeps his mouth shut.

"Yoongi's just...Yoongi." Taehyung's voice is as vague as his gaze now. "I don't even know if he finds me funny to begin with. He's kinda just...I don't know, I don't wanna say he's just 'there' 'cus that's not what I mean exactly, more like...he doesn't seem to have any plans to go anywhere, if that makes sense. Even though I'm kind of a jerk to him sometimes."

"I don't think you're a jerk to Yoongi. If anything, I think the way you act is a sign you're comfortable around him. And vice versa."

Taehyung looks over at Jeongguk suspiciously. "So am I a jerk to you, then?"

"That's not the word I would use."

"Well, then, what word would you use?"

"Yourself. You're Yourself."

Taehyung sighs deeply, seeming for a moment to be dissatisfied with the answer but it's hard for the other to tell. He rubs the back of his neck. "I don't deserve-"

"Now I'm gonna stop you right there."

Jeongguk finally starts up the car and puts it in reverse so he can get of his parking spot. Once he's out, he stops again, glances over at Taehyung, then starts driving without another word.

It's roughly a twenty minute ride to Taehyung's house. A silent drive, but nothing awkward.

He pulls up to the empty spot nearest to the front door. Taehyung unbuckles his seatbelt, grabs his school bag, then exits the car just to walk around to Jeongguk's side and tap on the window. Smiling, the driver rolls it down.

"One of us is gonna have to be buried in the sand this summer," Taehyung says with determination, "you know the tradition."

Jeongguk hums thoughtfully. "Can we bury Yoongi instead?"

"I was thinking about just chucking him in the ocean."

"I think that's a bit far..."

"Opinion, but if you help we can throw him far."

"We're not throwing Yoongi in the ocean."

"Boring. I'll throw both of you, then."

Jeongguk stifles a laugh, reaching out the window to hit Taehyung but the boy jumps out of the way, then skips down the sidewalk to and inside of his house.

Jeongguk sits in the car for a bit longer. He stares at Taehyung's front door, then at the clock on his dashboard, then at the gas meter, then at the door again.

In a few minutes he hears the notification sound from his phone. So he picks it up.

-

Taegchi
what do you have my contact saved as in your phone

me
taegchi

Taegchi
aha so it is you who is the jerk all along

me
yup, you got me tae

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