Chapter Text
“Oh God, I don’t think I can do this,” Seokjin whispers, panic written all over his face. His hands are shaking.
Taehyung cups his cheeks between his palms immediately.
“Jin,” he says firmly, “we’ve rehearsed this with the team so many times. You were amazing every single time.”
Seokjin bites his lip.
“I know you can do this,” Taehyung continues softly. “And you don’t even have to look at the audience. Just focus on Sohee. Focus on the scene. That’s it.” He nods encouragingly. “You’ve got this. Now breathe.”
Seokjin obeys.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Again.
Again.
Until the trembling in his shoulders slowly eases.
Taehyung smiles, eyes warm.
“And don’t worry,” he adds with a teasing wink, “you look very handsome tonight.”
Before Seokjin can process the compliment, Taehyung lightly pushes him toward the stage just as the curtains begin to part.
“Taehyung—!”
The music swells.
The lights flood the stage.
And suddenly—
Seokjin disappears.
Not physically.
But the nervous boy from backstage melts away the moment he steps into character.
The glow of the stage lights sharpens his features into something magnetic. Elegant. Commanding. Like he was always meant to stand there beneath the spotlight.
Taehyung forgets to breathe for a second.
The play unfolds flawlessly.
No—
better than flawlessly.
Seokjin becomes the center of the entire theatre. Every gaze follows him. Every line drips with emotion so naturally Taehyung almost forgets this is Seokjin’s first performance ever.
By the end, the theatre erupts into applause.
People whisper excitedly around Taehyung about the new actor.
About how incredible he was.
About how beautiful he looked on stage.
Taehyung thinks none of those words are enough.
The moment the play ends and just before the curtains close, Seokjin’s eyes immediately search the crowd.
And find him.
Taehyung grins so hard his cheeks hurt and throws both thumbs up enthusiastically.
A shy smile spreads across Seokjin’s face instantly.
Taehyung’s heart does something embarrassing.
He rushes backstage the second he’s allowed in.
“How did I do?” Seokjin asks breathlessly the moment he sees him.
Taehyung stares at him for a second.
Still glowing from adrenaline.
Hair slightly messy.
Eyes shining.
Beautiful.
“Amazing,” Taehyung blurts.
Then he shakes his head quickly.
“No. Amazing is an understatement,” he giggles, bouncing slightly on his toes. “You were unbelievable. I genuinely don’t even have words.”
Seokjin’s ears slowly turn pink.
“Thanks,” he mumbles shyly.
Taehyung reaches up and pinches one of them gently.
“Cute.”
Seokjin’s entire face immediately threatens to combust.
Before Taehyung can tease him further, the rest of the theatre team crowds around Seokjin, congratulating him excitedly on his debut performance.
Taehyung stands nearby, grinning like an idiot while listening to them praise him.
Because Seokjin deserves every single word.
Then Hoseok suddenly notices him.
“There he is!” he exclaims, grabbing Taehyung by the arm and dragging him into the circle.
Taehyung squeaks in surprise.
Hoseok ruffles his hair affectionately.
“You’re the reason he’s even here in the first place,” he says warmly. “Seriously, thank you for not giving up on him.”
The others immediately burst into laughter.
“Oh my God, remember his first rehearsal?”
“He forgot half his lines!”
“He nearly ran off stage!”
“Sohee had to improvise for like ten minutes straight!”
“And then he almost quit,” someone adds dramatically.
Taehyung giggles helplessly while Seokjin groans into his hands.
“But Taehyung kept dragging him back,” Sohee says fondly. “Every single time.”
Taehyung looks toward Seokjin instinctively.
Seokjin is already staring at him.
Softly.
Gratefully.
Something deeper flickers behind his eyes.
He mouths silently:
thank you.
Taehyung’s heartbeat stumbles.
He shakes his head quickly as warmth rushes to his face.
Because truthfully—
he thinks he should be the thankful one instead.
Seokjin asks Taehyung to wait outside while he brings the car out of the garage.
A few days ago, during one of their late-night conversations, Taehyung had rambled excitedly about automobiles and mechanical engineering. Seokjin had casually mentioned some of his favorite cars, only for Taehyung to stare at him like he’d hung the moon when he admitted he could actually drive.
When Taehyung shyly confessed that he never learned, Seokjin immediately offered to teach him.
Now—
The low growl of an engine echoes through the driveway.
Taehyung turns just in time to see a magenta-black convertible Bentley Continental GT roll out of the garage and stop in front of him.
His jaw nearly hits the floor.
“No way,” he breathes.
The sunlight glides over the glossy curves of the car, the black accents making the deep magenta look even richer.
“This is insane!” he squeaks.
Seokjin bites back a smile as he steps out of the driver’s seat.
“You like it?”
“Are you serious?!” Taehyung shrieks. “This is so—”
He gestures helplessly at the car.
“—unbelievable!”
Seokjin laughs softly.
“My parents gifted it to me on my last birthday,” he explains, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. “I told them not to waste money on something this expensive, but they ignored me.”
Taehyung circles the car slowly, eyes sparkling.
“They said my eighteenth birthday was special,” Seokjin continues. “So I should get my dream car without protesting.”
Taehyung groans dramatically.
“Your parents are so cool.”
Seokjin chuckles. “Yeah. They are.”
Then he tosses him a look.
“Ready?”
The confidence immediately drains from Taehyung’s face.
He fidgets in place, biting his lip nervously.
Seokjin rolls his eyes fondly before walking around and opening the passenger-side door.
“Get in.”
Taehyung exhales slowly and slides into the seat.
A faint scent of dark chocolate and sandalwood lingers in the car, warm and familiar.
Seokjin settles into the driver’s seat beside him and starts explaining everything patiently.
“The ignition starts the engine. This is the steering wheel. Accelerator, brake, clutch—”
He points to each pedal one by one.
“Gear stick. Indicators. Hand brake.”
Taehyung nods seriously, trying his best to absorb everything.
“It’ll make more sense once you actually sit here and try it yourself,” Seokjin says. “Any questions?”
Taehyung shakes his head quickly.
“Okay.” Seokjin gestures toward the driver’s seat. “Your turn.”
Before Seokjin can even unbuckle his seatbelt properly—
Taehyung shifts instinctively and drops directly into his lap.
Seokjin lets out a startled squeak.
“W-What are you doing?!”
Taehyung freezes.
“You told me to—”
Realization crashes into him mid-sentence.
His eyes widen.
“Oh my God— sorry!”
He scrambles to get up immediately, mortified.
But Seokjin’s hands suddenly land on his waist, stopping him.
Taehyung turns around in confusion.
Seokjin’s entire face is burning red.
“I-I mean…” he stammers, refusing to meet Taehyung’s eyes, “this might actually help you learn better.”
And before Taehyung can process the words, Seokjin gently pulls him back down onto his lap.
Taehyung swallows hard.
This close, he can feel the heat radiating from Seokjin’s body beneath him.
Feel his chest against his back.
Feel his breathing.
His own heart starts pounding so loudly he’s convinced Seokjin can hear it.
Meanwhile, Seokjin leans forward slightly, one arm reaching around Taehyung to point at the dashboard.
“Okay,” he says, voice noticeably less stable now. “First, the ignition.”
Taehyung tries to focus.
Really.
But Seokjin’s scent wraps around him so heavily inside the enclosed car that thinking becomes nearly impossible.
“Hey.”
A finger taps lightly against his arm.
Taehyung startles.
“Y-Yes?”
Seokjin fights a smile.
“You have to actually listen if you want to drive, Tae.”
The nickname sends butterflies exploding violently in Taehyung’s stomach.
Seokjin guides his hand toward the key.
“Turn it.”
Taehyung obeys.
The engine roars to life beneath them.
And somehow—
that alone steals the breath from his lungs.
Taehyung groans dramatically and flops face-first onto his history book.
“I fucking hate this historical shit,” he mumbles against the pages.
Across from him, Seokjin snickers.
“I actually find it really interesting,” he says casually, deliberately trying to provoke him.
And unfortunately—
it works.
Taehyung lifts his head so fast he nearly gives himself whiplash.
Betrayal flashes across his face.
“You—” he points an accusing finger at Seokjin. “Shut. Up. You smartypants.”
Seokjin raises a brow with fake elegance and flips nonexistent long hair over his shoulder.
“I know.”
Taehyung smacks his arm immediately.
“Asshole.”
Then he gets up dramatically to order himself a hot chocolate before dropping back into his seat with an annoyed huff.
Seokjin pouts.
“You didn’t ask if I wanted anything.”
“Go get it yourself,” Taehyung shoots back, rolling his eyes.
“Rude,” Seokjin mutters before heading to the counter himself.
A few minutes later, he returns after placing his order for a chocolate coffee frappe.
But by then, Taehyung is already sprawled comfortably in his seat, scrolling through Seokjin’s phone.
Seokjin stops mid-step.
Slowly—
very slowly—
he reaches over and plucks the phone out of Taehyung’s hands.
“Who gave you permission to snoop through my phone?” he asks, raising a brow.
Taehyung rolls his eyes so hard it’s almost impressive.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. You literally gave me your password. Now stop being dramatic and hand it back.”
He wiggles his fingers expectantly.
Instead, Seokjin slips the phone into his pocket.
“We’re supposed to be studying, baby. Focus.”
Taehyung’s ears immediately burst into flames.
“D-Don’t call me that,” he stammers.
Seokjin smirks and leans closer over the table.
“Why not? You throw tantrums like one.”
“Oh my God,” Taehyung groans, dragging both hands down his face. “I just wanted a break from this hell subject for five minutes.”
Seokjin points at him triumphantly.
“See? Big baby.”
Taehyung sputters helplessly while Seokjin flicks his forehead lightly.
“Focus.”
Taehyung whines dramatically, no longer caring about the nickname.
Seokjin just chuckles.
“Okay,” he says softer this time. “We’ll study together. Better?”
Taehyung pouts for another few seconds before mumbling:
“Fine.”
And somehow—
studying becomes bearable after that.
Seokjin starts explaining the historical events dramatically, acting out political betrayals and battles like he’s performing on stage.
Taehyung ends up staring at him more than the textbook.
Cheek resting in his palm.
Eyes soft.
Completely gone.
Honestly, he doesn’t think a single word is entering his brain anymore.
Their drinks arrive halfway through Seokjin passionately reenacting some dead emperor’s downfall.
Seokjin immediately declares it break time.
So they sit there for a while sipping their drinks, talking about absolutely everything and absolutely nothing at all.
Laughing.
Bickering.
Stealing sips from each other’s drinks.
Then unfortunately—
history returns.
Taehyung groans loudly as Seokjin pushes the textbook back toward him.
“Read through this once,” Seokjin says. “It’ll stay in your head better that way while I finish my chapter.”
Taehyung gives him the look of a betrayed soldier marching toward execution.
Seokjin ignores him.
A while later, Seokjin becomes fully absorbed in his own notes.
Until—
soft snores reach his ears.
He looks up.
And immediately melts.
Taehyung is asleep.
His head rests over his folded arm, lips parted slightly, curls falling into his eyes.
He looks so soft like this.
So harmless.
Seokjin smiles before shifting into the same position across from him, simply watching him quietly.
Then—
a thin line of drool slowly slips from the corner of Taehyung’s mouth.
Seokjin snorts.
His heart somehow swells even more.
He gently places a napkin beneath Taehyung’s face before the drool can ruin the textbook.
Somewhere between staring at Taehyung and listening to the quiet café noises around them—
Seokjin falls asleep too.
When he opens his eyes again, Taehyung is suddenly inches away from his face.
Startled, Seokjin blinks.
Taehyung freezes with Seokjin’s glasses halfway off his nose.
“I—” he rambles immediately, “I was trying to remove your glasses because they looked uncomfortable—”
Seokjin smiles sleepily and catches his wrist gently.
“Thanks.”
Then he leans back slightly, letting Taehyung fully take the glasses off.
Taehyung stays frozen there awkwardly, Seokjin’s glasses still in his hand.
Seokjin props his temple against his knuckles, smiling at him fondly.
“Did you sleep well?”
Before Taehyung can answer, Seokjin adds:
“I think you did.”
Taehyung narrows his eyes suspiciously.
“You were drooling.”
Seokjin bursts into laughter immediately.
Taehyung’s mouth falls open in horror.
“I-I did not!”
“Yes, you did,” Seokjin giggles, pointing at the napkin still crumpled in Taehyung’s hand.
Taehyung groans and hides his burning face behind both palms.
“This is so embarrassing.”
“It’s cute,” Seokjin corrects instantly.
Taehyung peeks through his fingers just long enough to glare at him.
“It’s not.”
Seokjin only laughs harder.
Seokjin’s face lights up when the caller ID flashes across his screen.
Honey.
Yeah, he named Taehyung that because he smells like honey. It doesn’t mean anything else.
That’s what he tells himself, anyway.
He had teasingly called Taehyung Honey once, and the boy had nearly combusted on the spot. Seokjin had been obsessed with the reaction ever since.
He immediately swipes the answer button.
“Heyo!” he chirps, not bothering to hide his excitement.
This time of night is his favorite.
When he gets to talk to Taehyung until one of them falls asleep—which is usually Taehyung first. Sometimes it’s a video call, and Seokjin watches his sleepy face until his own eyes drift shut. Other times it’s audio calls like this one, where he listens to Taehyung’s soft breathing and occasional tiny snores with a stupid smile on his face.
“Hiyo,” Taehyung giggles softly.
“Whatcha doin’?” Seokjin asks, dropping onto his bed.
Taehyung hums. “My little cousin gave me his toy car to fix because apparently I’m a mechanic now,” he laughs.
Seokjin joins in immediately. “He’s right though. You are a mechanic. You only know about machines.” He grins. “Didn’t even know how to drive until I came to save your ass.”
He can practically hear Taehyung rolling his eyes through the phone.
“Oh my God, yes. What would I have ever done without you?”
Seokjin snickers. “Right. Absolutely nothing.”
“Cocky asshole,” Taehyung mutters.
“What were you doing?” Taehyung asks this time.
“Thinking ’bout you,” Seokjin says easily.
Silence.
Then nothing but faint breathing from the other side.
Seokjin bites back a laugh. “Did you combust already? I didn’t even hear the explosion this time—”
Taehyung groans dramatically. “Oh my God. You seriously can’t breathe without flirting for one second, can you?”
“Nope,” Seokjin says, popping the word with satisfaction.
“Such an ass,” Taehyung grumbles.
Seokjin hums thoughtfully. “Mine’s flat. I prefer yours—”
“Fucking hell, Jin!” Taehyung shrieks, clearly flustered.
Seokjin bursts into laughter, warm and loud through the speaker.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stop now,” he says between laughs.
A beat passes.
Then—
“You know your ass looked really good in those black jeans today though.”
A horrified gasp echoes through the call.
Seokjin laughs so hard he nearly drops his phone.