Author's pov:

The sky was still caught between lavender and blush when Taehyung stepped onto the balcony. The soft hush of waves crashing against the shore was steady and soothing, the only sound accompanying the thrum of thoughts in his mind.

He stood by the railing, arms resting on the cool wood, eyes fixed on the horizon. But he wasn’t really seeing it. His mind was caught somewhere between the memory of Jimin’s warm arms around him the night before, and the kiss that followed—that gentle, hungry kiss that had shaken his core.

It should’ve made him feel lighter. Relieved. But instead, his heart felt tangled.

He wanted Jimin. That much was no longer a secret to himself. But what was he supposed to do with this truth? They were friends—more than that. They were each other’s safe place. And he was terrified of ruining it.

Taehyung let out a slow sigh, leaning a little further on the rail. His thoughts were a storm, and he felt adrift in the middle of it.

“Morning.”

He turned, startled, to see Namjoon stepping out with a cup of tea in his hand, hoodie hanging loose over his broad frame.

“Didn’t expect anyone else to be up,” Namjoon said, settling down in one of the balcony chairs.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Taehyung murmured.

Namjoon nodded, sipping his tea, letting the early morning silence linger a moment before glancing over.

“You’ve been thinking a lot lately,” he said. “More than usual.”

Taehyung blinked. “Huh?”

Namjoon offered a knowing smile. “You’ve been off. Distant. Especially with Jimin.”

That made Taehyung tense for a second.

Namjoon continued gently, “Did something happen? You guys fought or something?”

Taehyung shook his head. “No. We didn’t fight. What makes you think that?” He asked back, offering a nervous smile.

Namjoon took a sip of his tea, his tone soft but observant. “I notice things. Ever since we got here… you two haven’t been in sync like before. Something’s off. You look distant. Jimin looks confused.”

Taehyung’s throat was dry. 'Should I say it?'

He looked at Namjoon—his best friend, someone who had been there with him since his first day in Korea. Someone with whom he could confide his every weird thought, every emotional storm… but what he and Jimin did last night—that—was top secret.

‘But if there’s anyone I can trust with my feelings... It's him.’

Still, the words tangled in his chest.

He could lie. Say he was just stressed. But wasn’t that what he always did? Avoid the truth? Would saying it out loud make it more real?

Namjoon didn’t pressure him. He just waited. Taehyung looked at him, nibbling on his lower lip nervously.

“I think…” Taehyung started, voice low. “I think I have feelings for Jimin.” He admitted.

Namjoon blinked, his hand holding the cup hanging in the air, but his expression didn’t shift in surprise. Instead, his face remained calm—open.

“Romantic ones?” he asked softly.

Taehyung ran his tongue over his lips and nodded once.

“How long have you known?”

Taehyung gulped, fully turning around to face his friend. “I don’t know exactly. Maybe it was always there in little ways… I just didn’t want to see it.”

Namjoon’s gaze returned to the sea. “And now?”

Taehyung rubbed his arms, nervous. “Now it’s loud. Like… I can’t ignore it. I keep thinking if it grows more, I’ll lose him. I’ll do something stupid, or he’ll see it and it’ll make things weird. I don’t want to hurt what we already have.”

Namjoon looked at him with quiet understanding. “Feelings don’t ruin friendships. Hiding them does. But you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Let yourself feel it without guilt. No rush to act on it, no need to define it right now.”

Taehyung exhaled shakily, the knot in his chest loosening ever so slightly. “Thanks,” he murmured.

Namjoon smiled. “Anytime. You know that.”

Taehyung hesitated, then added quickly, “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Namjoon placed a hand over his heart. “Cross my heart.”

They both smiled faintly, sharing a quiet understanding.

As they settled into a more relaxed silence, Namjoon glanced sideways at Taehyung, thoughtful. His chest ached with warmth and quiet pride. He knew how much courage it took for Taehyung to say that. And he didn’t feel judgment, or even surprise—just clarity.

‘It makes sense now,’ Namjoon thought. The way Jimin always draws him in, how Taehyung watches him when he thinks no one else is looking. It was always there—just unspoken.

Namjoon didn't know whether Jimin returned the feelings, but he promised himself something in that moment.

‘I’ll watch. I’ll observe. Not to interfere, but to see… to know if Jimin’s heart shifts when Taehyung is near.’

But neither of them noticed the faint creak of the balcony door that hadn’t fully shut.

Just out of sight, hidden by the doorframe, Jungkook stood frozen, eyes wide. He hadn’t heard the full conversation—just enough.

Jimin. Feelings.

His jaw tightened slightly as something churned in his chest. He took a slow breath, backing away from the door silently and disappearing down the hallway before either of them noticed.

Something had shifted.

And Jungkook felt it. Deeply.

✦

The breakfast table was unusually quiet—at least, quieter than usual for a group of boys who’d spent the last few days laughing, teasing, and being absolute menaces to each other. The sound of clinking spoons and the low sizzle of scrambled eggs was all that filled the air. But the awkward tension didn’t go unnoticed. And the cause of it was seated at the far end, poking at his toast like it had personally offended him.

Jungkook.

"Pass the butter," Jin said, holding out his hand across the table.

Jungkook, who sat next to Yoongi with a scowl shadowing his face, shoved the butter toward Jin without a word.

Jin blinked. "Thank you... sunshine." He said, with a judgemental face.

"What's up with you today?" Yoongi asked, raising an eyebrow as he popped a grape in his mouth.

"Nothing," Jungkook muttered, stabbing his toast like it had personally offended him.

"You’ve been nothing-ing since you woke up," Namjoon said from across the table. "You snapped at Hobi for humming, you ignored Jin, and now you’re murdering that toast."

"Maybe he just needs a hug," Hoseok offered with a dramatic pout.

Jungkook shot him a glare. "No, thanks."

Taehyung got worried, he usually would be chirpy every morning even if he didn't have a good sleep. Plastering a smile on his face, he turned to Jungkook, “Kook, want some juice?” he offered, holding out the glass.

“No,” Jungkook stood up abruptly, “I'm done.” And he left the table, leaving everyone blinking after him.

“Did the toast hurt your feelings?” Namjoon quipped, loud enough for Jungkook to hear but the latter just ignored him.

Taehyung blinked, “Did I…do something wrong?”

Jimin chuckled, shaking his head, “Maybe he is on his period.” he whispered to him.

Taehyung choked on his own laugh, “What?”

Jimin shrugged with a cheeky grin. “Grumpy, irrational, shutting everyone out? Classic case.”

“Should we get him a chocolate then?” Namjoon asked, joining the joke and everyone burst into laughter.

Yoongi, who was halfway through chewing his toast, said, “He’s usually grumpy after naps, not after a full night’s sleep.”

“Something’s eating him,” Jin added.

“Or maybe someone,” Hoseok said with a mischievous smirk.

While Jimin and Taehyung were still giggling together about the period thing, secretly planning to get Jungkook his favorite snacks and chocolates, probably a teddy bear for sweet cuddles.

From the side, Yoongi was watching carefully—his gaze drifting between Jimin and Taehyung. There was something soft about the way Jimin smiled at the other boy. Something familiar in the way Taehyung leaned a little too close to him. The tension that had been palpable the past day between them seemed to have melted overnight.

Yoongi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘So, they made up.’

He chewed his food slowly, still thinking. Jimin had probably been overwhelmed—Yoongi knew that side of him. Maybe something had triggered him, and in the middle of it, he had sought comfort. Maybe the kiss had been a lapse in that vulnerability, and Taehyung had pulled away, confused. Awkwardness followed… then a resolution last night.

It made sense.

Still, he didn’t fully trust the calm.

Yoongi made a mental note to keep watching.

Meanwhile, Jungkook stood outside on the porch, hands gripping the railing as he stared at the waves. The air was fresh, but it did little to calm the storm in his chest.

He had seen it. The smile Jimin gave Taehyung. The soft, domestic moment of Taehyung serving Jimin breakfast. The way Taehyung looked at him like he was someone precious. It made something ugly curl in Jungkook’s stomach.

He hated this.

And worse—he didn’t even know who he was mad at anymore.

Jimin. Taehyung.

Or himself.

✦

The afternoon sun slanted through the villa’s wide glass windows, casting warm golden streaks on the tiled floor. The kitchen buzzed with soft clinks of cutlery, occasional bursts of sizzling from a nearby stove, and the rhythmic thud of a knife against a wooden chopping board.

Jin stood by the stove, stirring a pot of noodles, his brows furrowed into a perfect display of mild annoyance. "I said eggs and tofu. How long does that take?"

"Maybe they had to hike into the mountains to milk the tofu tree," Namjoon replied dryly from the counter, where he was expertly slicing green onions, just like how Jin had taught him. His sleeves were rolled up, and a knowing smile was playing on his lips.

Jin shot him a sideways glare. "Tch. We better not be eating plain noodles because those two got distracted by butterflies."

Just as the words left his mouth, the front door swung open with a dramatic bang.

"I told you to turn right at the fishmonger!" Hoseok’s voice rang first, loud and energetic, followed closely by Yoongi’s lower, grumbling tone.

"You literally pointed left, Hobi. Don’t gaslight me."

They stumbled in, arms full of grocery bags and passive aggression. Hoseok flung a plastic bag onto the counter, pouting.

"Well, we got it! Tofu, eggs, and a bonus pack of strawberries because someone looked like they needed cheering up," he said with mock cheer.

"I don’t need cheering up," Yoongi said, walking to the sink to wash his hands. "I need my partner to follow directions."

"Which you never give clearly," Hoseok countered, poking Yoongi in the side as he passed. Yoongi followed him out right after.

"You have to admit, they’re good entertainment," Namjoon said, laughing at them.

"They’re chaos wrapped in bubble wrap," Jin muttered. Still, a smile tugged at his lips. He turned back to the stove, resuming cooking for everybody.

Namjoon reached around Jin, slipping his arms around his waist from behind. Jin didn’t flinch, but his lips twitched upward.

"You know," Namjoon murmured, chin resting on Jin’s shoulder. "Once we are back to your apartment, let's cook and spend some time. Every weekend. Maybe with matching outfits."

Jin smirked. "Dream on. You burn food."

"So you’ll cook, and I’ll stir. The romance. Not the food."

Jin laughed under his breath. "You’re ridiculous."

Namjoon turned to him gently, pressing a kiss to his temple. "You like it."

Their moment was interrupted by the loud bubbling of the soup beginning to spill over.

"Ah—shit!" Jin jumped back to grab the ladle.

From the living room, Hoseok called, "That’s what happens when you make out in the kitchen!"

"Shut up!" Namjoon yelled with a wide smile.

✦

Lunch had been noisy and warm—filled with teasing, laughter, and side-eyes thrown in Jungkook’s grumpy direction. Soon after, everyone retreated to their rooms to pack for the journey back in the evening.

Taehyung, Jimin, and Jin were gathered in their shared room, the afternoon sunlight filtering in through gauzy curtains, casting warm patterns on the wooden floor. Their bags lay open, clothes half-stuffed inside.

Jin sat cross-legged on the bed, folding his shirts with surgical precision. "You know, if I were any more organized, I’d be mistaken for a Virgo."

Jimin cocked his head. "You fold like you’re prepping for a retail display. Seriously, who folds socks like that?"

"Because unlike you two, I respect my clothes," Jin said without missing a beat.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow from the floor, where he was attempting to roll his hoodie into a ball. "You iron your pajamas too, hyung?"

"Maybe. That’s for me and my self-respect to know."

All three of them laughed, the room briefly filled with light-hearted ease.

Eventually, Jin zipped his suitcase shut with a dramatic flourish. "Well, I’m off to help my charming idiot in packing his stuff."

"Okay," Jimin grinned.

As Jin exited, Jimin quietly turned the lock with a soft click. Taehyung didn’t notice—he was crouched near the wall outlet, eyebrows furrowed.

"Have you seen my charger? I swear it was in my bag."

Jimin walked over slowly, hands behind his back. "Want help finding it?"

"Sure," Taehyung replied distractedly.

"If I find it, I deserve a reward," Jimin said, voice dipping into a playful purr.

Taehyung looked up, skeptical. "Define reward."

"Something soft. Something with lips."

Taehyung’s ears flushed. "You're not subtle."

"Not trying to be."

Taehyung continued searching, but his movements had turned clumsier. Jimin crouched and, eagle-eyed as ever, spotted the charger halfway beneath the nightstand.

"Found it," he announced, holding it up with a grin. "That counts, right?"

Before Taehyung could form a response, Jimin stepped closer, arms outstretched. "Come on, a deal’s a deal."

Taehyung’s eyes widened. "Try me."

He bolted. Jimin gave chase immediately.

They ran circles around the bed, laughing, Jimin lunging and Taehyung slipping just out of reach. Pillows were knocked off the bed, their luggage shifted, but neither cared. Jimin nearly grabbed his hoodie, but Taehyung yelped and spun away with a grin, hair messy and chest rising.

"You’re fast for someone who trips on flat surfaces," Jimin panted.

"Desperate times," Taehyung huffed, sidestepping another tackle.

But Jimin was quicker now—he reached out, wrapped both arms around Taehyung from behind, and dragged him back. They fell together onto the bed, a heap of breathless laughter and tangled limbs.

Jimin ended up on top, his arms bracketing Taehyung’s shoulders, his hair falling slightly into his eyes. The laughter faded.

Taehyung stared up, chest rising and falling fast. Jimin's gaze flicked to his lips.

"You gonna run again?" Jimin whispered.

Taehyung's voice was hoarse. "No."

And that was all it took.

Their lips collided with urgency. The kiss was deeper this time—rough and raw, tongues clashing, mouths hungry. Jimin pressed down harder, one hand threading into Taehyung’s hair as the other slid beneath the fabric of his shirt, fingers skimming hot skin.

Taehyung moaned into the kiss, fingers clutching at Jimin’s back. His legs shifted, instinctively pulling Jimin closer. It was fire—too much and not enough. He felt dizzy.

Taehyung’s mind screamed, ‘This is wrong. I can’t... I shouldn’t... But God, he feels like home.’

Jimin, meanwhile, felt peace—like the world outside had stopped. Just Taehyung, the heat between them, and the comfort he always brought.

And yet, even in the middle of that, something flickered inside Taehyung. A whisper of caution.

He broke the kiss first, panting. "Jimin... we should stop. Someone might walk in."

Jimin, lips swollen, blinked down at him, still breathless. He let his forehead rest against Taehyung’s. "You always run when things get good."

Taehyung let out a shaky laugh, gently pushing him back. "Yeah, well… you always chase."

They stared at each other for another beat before Jimin rolled off, groaning dramatically. "Fine. Ruin the moment."

Taehyung sat up, still catching his breath. His heart thudded in his chest like a warning, but he forced a playful grin. "We should get back to packing. Unless you want someone barging in on us half-naked."

Jimin groaned again but nodded, flopping onto his suitcase. "This is a war. I will win next time."

Taehyung chuckled softly, but his mind was anything but calm.

'I can’t keep doing this. But… I don’t want to stop either.'

✦

The sky had begun its shift from pale blue to the soft glow of an early evening canvas—streaks of peach, lavender, and gold blending like a dream. The gentle sound of waves lapping the shore played in the background as laughter echoed from the water.

Everyone except Jimin and Jungkook was already in the sea, soaked and splashing around. Namjoon had Hoseok in a playful headlock while Taehyung tried to avoid the splatter with exaggerated yelps. Yoongi, surprisingly lively, was trying to push Jin under the water.

Further up the beach, Jungkook sat alone on the sand, arms wrapped loosely around his knees, a faint scowl still stuck on his face. The sun hit his profile just right, casting a long shadow behind him.

The door to the villa creaked open. Jimin stepped out in a loose shirt and swim shorts, his hair slightly tousled. His eyes immediately scanned the scene—and stopped on the solitary figure.

‘What's up with him?’

He approached Jungkook slowly, then sat down beside him, bumping his shoulder against Jungkook’s.

“Hey, broody,” Jimin said with a small grin.

Jungkook looked at him and turned away. He didn’t respond, just stared out at the sea.

“You're scaring the sand,” Jimin teased. “It thinks you're about to fight it.”

That earned the tiniest twitch at the corner of Jungkook’s lips. Jimin knew how to cool him down—that was why nobody else tried. It wasn’t that they didn’t care, but years of friendship had taught them that a grumpy Jungkook was like a storm: unpredictable, stubborn, and best left to Jimin’s magic.

Jimin tilted his head, voice softening. “You’ve been quiet all day. What’s going on?”

Jungkook stayed silent, but his shoulders relaxed just a bit. How was he supposed to say it? That he was jealous? Watching Jimin being close with Taehyung made something ugly rise in his chest—something that made him feel like he was being slowly, silently replaced?

He sighed.

Out in the shallows, waist-deep in the water, Taehyung turned his head just in time to catch the way Jimin bumped Jungkook again, playful and gentle. The sight tugged at him unexpectedly.

“They look close,” he murmured, trying to sound casual.

Namjoon, standing beside him in the water, followed his gaze. He watched the pair in silence for a moment before glancing back at Taehyung. “Is that bothering you?”

Taehyung hesitated, scratching the back of his head with an awkward laugh. “A little… maybe.”

Namjoon chuckled, nudging his arm gently. “Hey, don’t overthink it. Jimin’s just trying to cheer him up. You know he is best at it.”

Taehyung let out a small breath and nodded, lips pressing into a sheepish smile. “Yeah… I know.”

Namjoon gave his back a reassuring pat. “Chill, he’s all yours when Jungkook’s done sulking.”

That pulled a reluctant laugh from Taehyung, and the tension eased off his shoulders as he splashed water back at Namjoon. The moment passed, and the two slipped right back into the playful chaos around them.

Back on the sand, Jimin nudged Jungkook again, shoulder to shoulder. “You know, even when you’re mad at the whole world… I’m still on your side. Always.”

Jungkook glanced at him, the wind tugging at his damp hair. Taehyung might have feelings for Jimin—but what were the chances Jimin felt the same way? He didn’t know. He couldn’t know. But maybe he’d start watching closer.

“You’re annoying sometimes,” he muttered, but it held no real bite.

Jimin grinned. “And yet, you love me for it.”

A breath of laughter slipped from Jungkook’s lips. ‘I always will,’ he thought—but didn’t say it.

“Ah! There it is!” Jimin beamed. “Was that a laugh? I should get a medal.”

Just then, Hoseok’s voice echoed from the water. “Oi! Slowpokes! Come get soaked before we use the whole ocean!”

Jungkook stood, brushing sand off his shorts. “Fine. But if anyone splashes me, I’m drowning them.”

“You’ll have to catch me first,” Jimin teased, jogging toward the waves.

Jungkook followed, and the moment his feet hit the water—Namjoon splashed him square in the face.

“That’s it!” Jungkook shrieked, lunging forward like a sea monster.

Laughter exploded around them. Jungkook chased Namjoon in circles, tackled Taehyung into a splash war, and even flung water at Yoongi—who looked mildly offended but didn’t budge.

Then Hoseok leapt onto his back, yelling, “Revenge!”

Jungkook spun around, howling, “Get off me!”

“Never!” Hoseok cackled.

They ended up crashing toward Jin, who shrieked and ran for his life, yelling something about keeping his hair dry.

Jimin and Taehyung were at it—trying to dunk each other into the water. Taehyung shrieked as Jimin lifted him by the waist and spun him around, only to be dragged down into the shallows seconds later.

Namjoon, catching the scene from a few feet away, smiled to himself, “They look like kids.”

Laughter. Water. Screams. It was all wild, unfiltered joy.

By the time the sky had deepened into hues of dusty violet and faded gold, they had dried off and gathered near the villa again, now holding sparklers and small handheld fireworks.

They lit them one by one, running across the beach with sparks trailing behind. Hoseok was dancing in a circle with Namjoon, their sparklers twirling like stars. Yoongi tried to write his name in the air with light while Jin sat in the sand recording everyone’s chaos with a smirk.

Taehyung stood in the middle, sparkler in one hand, spinning slowly. The embers danced in his wide eyes as he enjoyed his moment.

Jungkook was laughing again, shoulder-to-shoulder with Jimin, waving his sparkler like a sword and now pretending to duel with Jimin. Their laughter was bright and boundless.

Jungkook laughed as his sparkler fizzed and sparked wildly. “This one's broken!” Jimin laughed with him.

“No, you are just dramatic.” Yoongi replied, holding his sparkler up like a wand.

They giggled, waved their arms, and took turns taking pictures. Hoseok danced with his sparkler while Jin tried to frame the perfect shot, shouting at everyone, “Stay still for one second!”

Taehyung watched them all with a wide smile, heart full. The sky was burning orange behind them, his skin sticky with salt, eyes crinkled from laughing too much. This—this was the kind of memory he wanted to live in.

He looked at Jimin, who caught his gaze and winked. Taehyung’s heart fluttered.

Even if it was temporary, even if it was complicated… he was happy.

He was glad to have found them all.

✦✧✦✧

Alrightt, so Namjoon knows about Taehyung’s feelings, and Jungkook too. What will happen next? 👀