Chapter Text
So, Jimin has a boyfriend. Jungkook is fine with this. He’s totally fine. He nods along with the rest of the members as Jimin tells them he’s dating someone. A male someone. Another idol. In fact, an idol they all know very well. Taemin. Jungkook likes Taemin-hyung, even admires him. It’s cool. Everything’s cool. Super. Fucking. Fine.
Jimin blushes a little as he speaks. Of course Taehyung was already in on the secret. He doesn’t even try to disguise it, the bastard, smirking with all the power of his insider knowledge. Jimin probably told him ages ago. He must have confided in Tae, come to him with all of his doubts and questions and whatever the hell Jungkook imagines might be part of finding out you like someone. Because, apparently, Jimin likes Taemin. Like, really likes.
Jungkook experiences the familiar pang of being left out. He isn’t jealous of Jimin and Tae’s soulmate connection, no matter what their fans might believe. But there’s something hurtful in the idea that Jimin went to Tae with this and not to him. It’s Jimin’s first serious relationship and he didn’t trust Jungkook with it. It hurts more than he can begin to understand.
Everyone is being supportive. Namjoon-hyung pats Jimin on the back and tells him he can count on all of them to keep his secret. Yoongi-hyung assures Jimin they’re very happy for him. Hobi-hyung practically launches himself at Jimin, hugging him hard, the both of them nearly falling off the couch (as usual). Jin-hyung immediately makes a joke only he finds funny, but that’s just how he is and anyone can tell he’s got Jimin’s back. They’re all laughing and talking at the same time and Jimin’s eyes look bright and all happy.
Jungkook is barely listening to any of it. His eyes are glued to Jimin, his mouth hanging open. He knows he should smile and express his support too, but the muscles on his face seem to be frozen in place. Taehyung’s voice startles him, coming from his side and sounding way too loud in the room:
"I think we finally broke the maknae."
Everyone stares at Jungkook.
Jimin stares at Jungkook.
Jungkook stares hard at a spot on the floor, willing it to split open and swallow him whole.
"Jungkook-ah?"
It’s Jimin, voice gentle as always, and Jungkook can’t not answer it. He feels he’s been hardwired to answer Jimin, no matter the time or the place.
He just needs to get his throat to work properly. He needs to put some words together, so that they form some kind of sentence. He will do so, as soon as he remembers how that whole process works. Everyone is waiting for him to say something, anything.
"Are you-" Why is his throat so fucking dry? "Are you happy, hyung?" He finally asks.
He feels every eye in the room fixed on him, even when Jimin answers.
"Yes." Jimin smiles a little. "It’s all very new, but yes."
It’s one of those times when Jungkook feels Jimin is saying something with his mouth and a slightly different one with his eyes, but the problem is Jungkook can never tell what the eyes are saying. So he always believes the words. He badly needs to believe them now for some reason, even if those words have just put a knot in his stomach.
"Then I’m happy for you." He says. But he doesn’t remember happiness ever feeling like this. Like the world has irrevocably changed against his will. Like he’s falling apart at the seams. He forces his lips into a neat smile, like he does for photoshoots.
He feels Tae’s lean arm wrap around his shoulder, a comfort he didn’t know he needed. When he lifts his head, Tae is watching Jimin as he animatedly tells everyone all the details about his amazing boyfriend and their first date.
Jungkook shuts it all down.
But he doesn’t miss the silent look that passes between Jimin and Tae. It’s fast, flitting, gone in an instant. Loaded with something Jungkook is unable to read. Since it’s all in the eyes, Jungkook is again left outside, not knowing what any of it means.