Chapter Text
And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime
And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine
'Cause I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine.
The guy in 20A had silver hair, dyed silver hair even; nothing that colour could be natural, Taehyung thought. He was tall too, as far as Taehyung could tell from the cramped airline seats, and -oh-, he had the most piercing brown eyes ever once he looked away from the window. The rest of his features were handsome, even without those striking eyes, and Taehyung found himself stuttering for the first time in his career as an airline host.
"Hi. C-can I get you anything to drink?"
The guy turned towards him fully then, and gave him a winning smile. Belatedly Taehyung noticed the woman in the seat next to him, tall again, almost as tall as the guy himself, and dark-haired. When he spoke the guy had a nice voice, with a perfectly polished accent. He spoke with the quiet confidence of someone expecting to be obeyed. Business then, even if Taehyung wouldn't have placed him a day over twenty-five.
"Hi, listen, I'm a bit of a nervous flyer, I don't suppose you've got a shot of wine, brandy or rum anything! have you?"
If he was nervous he hid it well, though Taehyung suspected that he saw the man's hand trembling slightly.
The spirits were for first-class passengers only, though the plane was less than half-full on this flight, and first-class was only at thirty-three percent capacity; they wouldn't miss a drop of rum, he decided, and besides- the guy was damn hot.
As he returned with the small bottle of spirits and a plastic glass he took the opportunity to study the guy some more. He was immaculately dressed, in a thin cotton shirt and black trousers. Everything about him supported Taehyung 's original deduction that he worked in business, except the hair. The hair was a mystery-he didn't look the type to dye his hair, especially not as shocking a colour as that, though looks could be deceiving.
Hachin had delighted in telling him that he judged people too quickly. At the time, bitter and insecure from the breakup, he'd believed it to be Hachin's way of saying he was bitchy, now, a year later, he had come to realise that not everything was an insult. Besides, everyone had their faults.
As he handed the small plastic glass to the guy he commented,"Those are meant for upstairs only, but I don't think they'll miss the one."
The guy's smile told Taehyung he'd made the right decision.
"Thanks. I owe you one."
Belatedly Taehyung realised he'd not offered the woman next to him anything, and, feeling slightly guilty asked, "can I get her anything?" gesturing to the woman, whose dark curls were currently resting on the guy's shoulder as she slept.
The guy gave him another one of those winning smiles and shook his head. "It's fine, she'll let you know what she wants when she wakes up"
As he made his way down the aisle a smaller, blonde steward nudged him, "flirt."
"So? He was flirting right back."
"He's taken, if you hadn't noticed Tae."
Taehyung shook his head, "Chill, it's a bit of harmless fun."
Halfway into the flight the plane hit a patch of turbulence, and Taehyung took his seat, relieved to be off his feet, even on a quiet flight. His seat was opposite that of the silver-haired guy, a fact he was both uncomfortable and extremely pleased about. As the flight drew on, and the woman slept he found that pleased had become the predominant emotion. The guy - his name was Seokjin - was friendly and witty, charming company indeed.
At the end of the flight Taehyung stood at the rear doors, thanking the passengers as they left. "Thank you for flying Antilles Air, we hope you enjoyed your flight."
He looked up to meet Seokjin 's piercing brown eyes. "It's been great, thank you. Maybe I'll see you around the hotel?" In full korean.
Had that been everything then Taehyung might have been content to continue on his set course, flying back to the SK then onward to the next far-flung destination. Though he couldn't say really, because the invitation in Seokjin 's eyes was too obvious, the way he held Taehyung 's handshake a beat too long, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of Taehyung 's hand too enticing.
The stewards were entitled to spend some time in the resorts they flew to as part of their holiday allowance, a sort of shore leave. Since Hachin had left, Taehyung had seen no reason to stay anywhere, keen to be moving on to the next country, searching for something he didn't even understand any more.
The in-flight manager Leila was a petite half-Italian bombshell who had all the heterosexual men, and in fact all the men under twenty-five terrified of her. Being in neither of these groups Taehyung had no reason to fear her, and had, in fact, always maintained a close friendship with her. He had no reason to tell her his motivation for such a trip; a year without breaks takes a heavy toll, and Taehyung was long overdue for a holiday.
A lie however, even a simple lie of omission, didn't feel right, and Taehyung found himself telling her the whole story. Sparks of worry flickered through her green eyes.
"Jesus Taehyung , you know it's a couples' resort, right? That even if you're right and your Mr tall-and-gorgeous does share your inclinations- which I don't doubt, by the way, I know you - even so, there will probably be another equally tall-and-gorgeous guy accompanying him."
Taehyung hung his head, "He's with a woman."
Concern flitted through the diminutive brunette's eyes. "Shit. So you're going to give up two weeks chasing after a quick roll in the hay with a closeted married man?"
He'd expected nothing more, yet his stomach still sank at the uneasy revelation. Leila's expression softened at his dismay, and she continued, "Good luck Taehyung . You'll fly back on the 20th."
He boarded the first bus to the resort, eager to get to the hotel, to change out of his flight uniform. Taking the seat next to the window he occupied the time until the bus was full by gazing out, taking in his surroundings.
As the door slid home, signalling the start of their journey a familiar voice greeted him warmly. Seokjin sank into the seat next to him, followed by his wife. The two exchanged a few muttered words between themselves and then the woman retrieved a book from her bag and began to read. Taehyung could read the name on the pastel-pink spine.
Seokjin turned to him with another of those megawatt smiles, and started talking, asking questions and volunteering information. As the journey progressed Taehyung learnt that he was indeed a business manager, and that at twenty-nine he was three year older than Taehyung , and several older than he'd assumed. He'd also learned that Seokjin was intelligent and easy to talk to. And seen that he was taken.
At the resort he was too tired by the heat, the flight and the chance to finally relax that he fell asleep on the ivory sheets of the four-poster bed in his room before dinner, with no further glances at the handsome young man he'd followed to the resort.
He didn't expect to see a shock of silver hair amongst the crowd at breakfast, the coincidences needed for such a meeting too great, though he was still disappointed when he couldn't make Seokjin out through the crowd. A glance around the restaurant confirmed Seokjin 's absence, so after collecting his oversized beach towels at the wooden hut by his room he headed to the pool.
The bar was a hulking wooden structure which sat half-in and half-out of the water. Palm leaves served as both roof and decoration and the tiles on the bar and floor were a faded and obscenely shiny green colour. Though one glance at the pale silverheaded man sat at the centre of the crowd around the bar ensured Taehyung couldn't really fault the picture in front of him at all.
For a minute Taehyung kept his distance, admiring Seokjin 's toned build, the pale skin and captivating brown eyes which sparked as he told joke after joke. Then Seokjin noticed him, and waved him over, making introductions as soon as Taehyung was within earshot. "Sana this is Taehyung -remember I was talking about him?"
Taehyung stuck out his hand, "Hi Sana , nice to meet you."
The look Sana gave him in return suggested it was anything but nice, though Taehyung refused to say anything. Eventually the slender brunette extended her hand and shook Taehyung 's.
As the crowd around them gradually dispersed, Seokjin and Taehyung sat at the bar, drinking cocktails and chatting while Sana retired to her sun lounger. Time flew by, and before Taehyung had time to realise how late it was the bartender was leaning over, informing both that he had to close at 5pm.
"Seokjin, why don't you invite your friend-"
"Taehyung " Seokjin interceded.
"Sure, why don't you invite Taehyung for dinner?"
The barely-disguised distaste in Sana's voice and the soft, but persistent resistance in Seokjin 's own brought flashbacks of the same tone, the same phrase from his mother. Only once had he risen to the challenge provided, and brought a 'friend' home. Taehyung had been mortified by his mother's blatant disapproval that her son was not growing up to be the man she'd expected him to become.
He looked up, prepared to shake his head and refuse, politely of course, to spare them both the embarrassment, when Seokjin stunned him by saying, "Sure. That okay with you Taehyung ? Eight-thirty?"
Later, on the walk to the restaurant Taehyung commented, "I never really had a choice did I?"
"Huh?"
Seokjin frowned, the earlier conversation forgotten.
"About dinner." Taehyung prompted. Seokjin 's eyes sparkled as he replied,
"Of course not. I only asked so you felt involved in the decision-making process."
"Asshole"
Taehyung gave Seokjin a friendly shove as they approached the double doors.
The elegantly-dressed Latina girl on the front desk flashed them a forced smile and asked for their room numbers and surnames.
"The room's one-eleven, and the names Kim Seokjin and Sana Minatozaki."
Not married then, Taehyung 's brain noted happily.
Dinner was awkward for two of the three at the table. Sana glared at Taehyung , and shut down any attempts to make conversation, answering questions from both men only with short, terse replies. Taehyung sat, uncomfortable with the tension, avoiding eye contact with anyone other than the fish on his plate, only glancing up to speak to Seokjin when the opportunity arose.
Only Seokjin seemed to be having fun, flirting outrageously with Taehyung and almost causing him to choke on his meal several times by sliding his foot slowly up Taehyung 's calf. When the meal was finished Sana wasted no time in leaving them outside the restaurant.
"She's tired," Seokjin explained as the brunette stalked off in her killer heels. Taehyung could only murmur his agreement as he watched, the tension subsiding as the elegant woman drew further away from them.
With Sana out of earshot Seokjin leaned towards him and suggested that the two of them head to the bar for a few drinks.
"After all," he added with a wink, "we don't need our beauty sleep just yet, do we?"
Taehyung agreed readily, happy to have longer with his new friend and thrilled by Seokjin 's flirtatious tone. At the bar Seokjin ordered two cocktails and then led Taehyung to a table away from the noise of the main stage. Taehyung 's stomach did somersaults at the sight of the secluded booth they'd arrived at.
Without Sana there the conversation flowed easily, starting with things neither man had learnt during the eight-hour flight of the previous day. Taehyung asked Seokjin about his work, and Seokjin responded with a question about how long Taehyung had worked as an airline host. On their third drink of the night the conversation veered towards where each man lived; Seokjin , Taehyung was unsurprised to find, stayed in an apartment in the Dobong-gu, though when Taehyung gave his address as Seongbuk Seokjin sucked in a breath.
"Wow, that must be hard on you. Not the nicest of places."
Nor was it the most tolerant of districts, which had made things more difficult in the past. Taehyung had been intending to move for several months now, but since Hachin's departure he'd not had the emotional energy to look for another place. He barely spent any time at his small studio flat as it was, and he had no time for dating, so there was no problem.
Though in his semi-drunken state it took him a few beats too long to realise just how quickly and accurately Seokjin had figured him out. It took him almost as long again to decide that had Seokjin not been on holiday with a woman he'd have figured Seokjin out just as quickly.
Soon the conversation moved on to safer topics, and Taehyung found himself laughing at Seokjin 's tales of schoolboy stunts in a strict public school. In between his own tales of childhood woes and delights Taehyung flirted with the idea of asking about Seokjin 's relationship with Sana. Though there wasn't an answer he wanted to hear, so the thought passed quickly, chased away with a second shot of something which burned his throat.
The night flew by over cocktails and spirits, and the bar closing at 3am came as a shock to Taehyung and an affront to the more intoxicated Seokjin . Taehyung had not spent nearly as long as he would have liked with the alluring man, yet he dutifully helped his companion to his feet and headed towards Seokjin 's room. Palms lined the walkway between the main bar and Seokjin 's room, and Taehyung 's own unsteady gait landed them both against tree trunks several times, laughing helplessly like school children. At this distance, even despite the amount of alcohol he had consumed over the evening, Taehyung couldn't help but notice that Seokjin 's eyes staring at him, and that his lips were flushed pink, and far too close for comfort.
Even drunk Seokjin was enticing, and good company too; flirty and fun. Taehyung half-wished his conscience would allow him to lead Seokjin back to his own room for the night. Half way to his room though Seokjin stopped.
"This is the way to my room."
Taehyung sighed, he'd dealt with drunks before, but always when he was sober. It was surprisingly less fun when he was also drunk.
Seokjin turned to him, startlingly clear-eyed all of a sudden, and continued, "seriously Taehyung , can I crash in your room tonight? I'm not sure I want to head back to my own room just yet."
Taehyung blinked in surprise. His trousers seemed to have shrunk several sizes in a few seconds, and there were parts of him which really liked the idea of Seokjin staying overnight in his room, if only to sleep off a hangover, but Sana. Even intoxicated his conscience wouldn't allow that, it seemed, so he took a deep breath and said in a strangled voice, "I don't think it's such a good idea. I'll see you in the morning though, right?"
Seokjin looked at him, eyes large and wounded for a split second, and then nodded. He leaned forward to embrace Taehyung , startling him out of his drunken haze long enough to feel the flush of arousal which spread through his body at the other man's touch.
"Sana is a beautician."
The brunette nodded, dark curls bouncing and shining in the sunlight.
"Yes. And Seokjin lets me practice on him sometimes if he's feeling particularly kind or drunk."
Taehyung looked at the silverhead with a smirk, "That explains the hair."
The blush that provoked looked particularly attractive on Seokjin 's pale cheeks, Taehyung thought.
"Yes. I was drunk then. I'm afraid."
"You were." Sana assured him. "You're very suggestible and demanding when you're drunk."
And with that she shot a black look at Taehyung , who wanted instantly to protest his innocence, to deny having done anything but walk Seokjin back to his room safely yesterday late night.
"I am," Seokjin came to his rescue swiftly; "lucky I've got such trustworthy friends then, aren't I?"
And protesting his innocence didn't seem quite so important suddenly, as Seokjin 's long fingers landed on his thigh, stroking softly.
Snorkelling? Taehyung shook his head, remembering Seokjin 's aversion to flying.
"Do-are you-"
He tried again.
"You're better with boats than planes I take it?"
Seokjin laughed, a rich happy sound, and explained that he was much better with boats. "I took my PADI certification in the Caribbean a few years ago, it involved a lot of time on boats actually-if I wasn't ok with boats beforehand I definitely was afterwards!"
Taehyung laughed, "So it's just 'planes then?"
"Just 'planes. yes. You see-," Seokjin paled, waved his hands, then evidently decided against whatever he had been going to say. "You know what, never mind-"
"No, go on." Taehyung prompted.
"Well, I always thought that if anything happens to the boat then I can swim, but I can't fly if anything was to happen to the 'plane, so that's my reason."
Taehyung laughed; "I'd never thought of it that way, but you do have a point."
Sana, as it turned out, was not as happy to be on the boat as Taehyung or Seokjin . Seokjin had explained that she suffered from seasickness, but seeing the usually unruffled Sana pale and shaking shocked Taehyung into full first-aider mode. "Put your head between your knees, like that, yeah. Now take deep breaths."
Sana made no comment as Taehyung manhandled her into a brace position, and sat motionless for the remainder of the boat journey, even refusing to get into the water at the small coral reef they found. Seokjin and Taehyung both entered the water with glee, and Seokjin 's happy laugh once in the water easily overrode any guilt Taehyung felt at leaving Seokjin 's girlfriend? fiancée? on the boat to feel unwell.
On the boat for the return journey Sana resumed her position, more docile than Taehyung had ever seen her, and he felt a wave of sympathy for the woman even as Seokjin threaded his fingers through Taehyung 's own. The rest of the journey he spent rubbing Sana's back in a soothing gesture, and ignoring the twin flares of guilt and desire from the small smiles Seokjin flashed him every time he glanced Taehyung 's way.
It never occurred to him to question exactly why Sana, obviously uncomfortable on the boat, had joined them on their trip- of course she'd want to be with Seokjin. Taehyung knew he would have done the same thing.
Somehow, Taehyung reflected on his fifth day of the impromptu holiday, it had become a routine to spend his days with Seokjin . Sana didn't seem to mind so much anymore, she even joined them on occasions. The icy disapproval she had shown towards Taehyung had faded slightly and though he didn't believe they would ever be best friends, they were learning to be civil for Seokjin 's sake.
He was no relationship expert-the disaster with Hachin had brought that home quite clearly, yet he couldn't comprehend Sana's new-found ambivalence. He didn't understand why the short-tempered brunette would allow him to spend so much time with Seokjin , when he clearly wanted Seokjin , and could swear the other man wanted him just as much. Though he'd never truly understood girls, he'd realised where his preferences lay early on in life and steered well clear of the fairer sex ever since. So he put Sana's change of heart out of his mind, grateful to be able to spend his days with Seokjin without any ill-will.
Dinner that night was a pleasant affair. Sana was in high spirits, recounting embarrassing anecdotes about Seokjin , and Taehyung was surprised to find himself genuinely enjoying her company. Seokjin 's flirting was more subtle, though still obvious to Taehyung at least, but Sana seemed able to ignore it.
Half way through the meal Taehyung left the table to head to the washroom. On his way he noticed the pretty waitress he'd spoken to before, and nodded a greeting to her. In the bathroom he'd just turned to the dryer when someone drew up behind him. He turned, meeting Seokjin 's gaze with his own, feeling Seokjin 's breath on his neck. It was hard to hide the reaction that sent through his body, as Seokjin stepped closer.
"God Taehyung ," Seokjin murmured, "I've been wanting to do this since I first saw you."
Taehyung tensed, but relaxed into the touch as Seokjin 's hand came up to cup his cheek, and then he was being drawn closer, feeling Seokjin 's breath brush his lips, aroused beyond words as their lips crashed.
Taehyung smiled against his mouth as Seokjin kissed him, pulling back slightly to bite his lower lip. Taehyung circled his arms around Seokjin’s neck when Seokjin moved his lips to his jaw and down the length of his neck, itching to reach his exposed collarbones. His arms pulled Taehyung's body closer to him by his waist and in response, Taehyung emitted a sigh that broke the silence of the washroom.
"Seokjin...we shouldn’t...” he whispered, breath hot in Seokjin's ear as he kept kissing his neck. Despite his words, Seokjin made no effort to pull away from him. If anything, his body pressed itself even much closer.
Seokjin nuzzled against his throat, sending a shiver down Taehyung’s spine. "And why we shouldn’t?" He pulled back to flash him the lopsided smirk. Taehyung bit his bottom lip, arching an eyebrow in the way that instantly drove Seokjin mad. “You know why-?”
He had tried to say but Seokjin stole the words as he broke the distance between them and kissed him, his movements measured, his hands sliding down his sides. Taehyung could feel his body already reacting to him. Seokjin's impatience and sheer need for him hummed throughout his body and resonated in his sigh, like hot, live electricity. Despite his own raw urge to just crush his lips against Taehyung again and again and to secure his slender legs around his waist, Seokjin continued his deliberate movements.
Taehyung moaned and moved his body flush against his, his hands tugging at Seokjin’s hair, his sigh tugging at his chest, an invisible rope pulling them closer. Letting his eagerness take over, he pushed his lips fiercely against Seokjin’s, encouraging a chuckle from him. He felt it and pulled back to scowl at him, though the effect of the gesture was entirely lost with the glint blazing in his eyes.
Seokjin stared, peeling the fabric of his shirt with his fingers on one side and pressing kisses on his newly exposed shoulders. Taehyung’s shirt continued to cling to his body with just two closed button, though barely. The fabric revealed more than it covered of his chest and arms. It would only take the slightest of tugs to send it plunging to the floor…
“Seokjin...” Taehyung whispered again and Seokjin pulled back, cheeks ablaze with colour, lips swollen and yearning for more of him.
When Taehyung leaned down and caught his lips with his and pushed his tongue against his, Seokjin lost all control. Kissing Taehyung back with as much fervour, his hands slid down to his thighs and hitched his legs around his waist. Taehyung 's surprised whimper was lost against his lips, his arms swift in securing themselves around his neck. The heels of Taehyung’s shoes, Seokjin had no intention of removing the dug into the back of his calves, sending him further into a dizzying frenzy.
Lips never leaving his, Seokjin balanced his weight and backed him into a wooden desk in the corner of the room.
Taehyung managed to lose himself in the moment for a few blissful seconds before the reality of the situation came rushing back to him with all the force of a sledgehammer. Sana. Seokjin 's hand was snaking itself beneath his shirt, lighting fires under his skin. Taehyung took a deep breath, asked himself if it was truly wrong if Seokjin wanted it just as much, then pushed Seokjin away.
"Don't you think this is a bad idea?" he panted, strangely unwilling to let go of Seokjin 's shirt even as he pushed the older man back.
Confusion, then frustration flickered through Seokjin 's eyes, before he gave a tight smile and agreed without saying anything.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of alcohol. Seokjin quiet and withdrawn, Taehyung trying to forget just how badly they had both messed up.
Taehyung woke the next morning, his head pounding with the remnants of an excess of alcohol, though despite the whirring of the air conditioning he didn't feel cold. In fact, he reflected, he felt decidedly cosy. In the year since Hachin had left him, without warning or explanation he'd felt an inexplicable need to be moving on, / working all the hours he could manage and flying both short and long haul on hours notice sometimes.
The few disastrous dates he had managed to find time for had been doomed from the start, condemned by Taehyung 's unpredictable work schedule and the simple fact that he didn't know what he wanted anymore. The experience of sharing his bed with a willing body had been a rarity, mornings like this, still in the embrace of the same warm body non-existent.
As Seokjin shifted behind him he couldn't help a sigh of contentment. It had been so long. A fresh wave of nausea swept through him at the thought of Sana in her room, probably wondering where Seokjin was. And how hollow a revelation was it that he'd finally decided what he wanted when Seokjin belonged to someone else?
"Urgh, hangover."
Seokjin 's voice was husky, making Taehyung 's morning erection twitch. He felt a surge of panic override the lust however, wondering what exactly had happened the previous night, only relaxing once he felt the brush of Seokjin 's cotton boxer shorts against his back. Nothing untoward then, Taehyung shifted subtly, not wanting the added temptation of feeling Seokjin 's own excitement pressed against him. Sana's he reminded himself, not mine.
"So you should be. Do you always follow strangers home like last night?"
"You're not strange-wait you were listening to Chesney Hawks last night. Okay, I take it back, you are strange."
"I like the one and only."
"So do many people, I didn't see anyone else dancing though."
"Point taken" Taehyung conceded.
"For the record, you're the first strange man I've followed home in a while."
"Glad to hear it."
Seokjin grinned at him, eyes tired but sparkling. “So, what did we do last night?"
Taehyung reflected for a moment, remembered beer, wine, cocktails and karaoke. Remembered Seokjin singing.
"We got drunk, you sang karaoke-quite well I might add, for someone so drunk-and then you followed me to my room."
Now Seokjin 's eyes held a hint of mischief, "Anything else?"
A kiss .Flashes of memory shot through his head at dizzying speeds. Walking back to his room, the heat of Seokjin 's body pressed up against his own. The friendly banter and harmless flirting shifting to something so charged, it was almost painful. Images of his lips meeting Seokjin 's halfway, Seokjin 's tongue hot and insistent against his own, fumbling with the key until it gave way and falling into the room. More nausea, Sana didn't deserve this from either of them.
"No, nothing else."
Seokjin 's eyes flickered with disappointment. "Okay. Mind if I take a shower?"
His dick certainly didn't, Taehyung realised. "Sure."
The shower cubicle was tiled blue white and silver, and separated from the pristine white bathroom by a frosted glass partition, which was see-through enough to allow Taehyung a glimpse of pale skin, toned abs and fine, dark hair. He turned away, ostensibly to brush his teeth, as his mind replayed images of the kiss over and over again: Seokjin 's body moulding to his own, Seokjin 's lips, their tongues clashing.
They'd stumbled through the door on luck alone, no attention to their surroundings as they kissed. Though once in bed they'd both been too tired and drunk to do anything but fall asleep entwined around each other, a fact Taehyung was grateful for now. Even if the sensation of the older man behind him had made him practically desperate to turn round and take Seokjin into his mouth, wake him slowly with soft swipes of his tongue on his cock.
Seokjin left the shower, dark blue towel slung low on his pale hips, and Taehyung 's heart skipped a beat. "Hi" he smiled.
"I feel much better now."
Taehyung shook his head to clear the fog of lust and smiled, though his smile felt hollow. "In that case we should head to breakfast."
Seokjin 's brow furrowed, his expression unreadable for a second before he turned and headed back to the bathroom.
"Sure," though his voice sounded hoarse, and when he returned fully dressed the atmosphere was awkward. Guilt perhaps, Taehyung reasoned.
The confrontation with Sana Taehyung had been expecting took a couple of days to materialise. Sana was cool towards him for the interim period, though he noticed that she was always very deliberate about not leaving Seokjin alone with him. Taehyung had watched Sana carefully over the course of his stay, and he'd noticed the small endearments she used, the heat in the glances she threw Seokjin 's way. Theirs was not an unhappy relationship, he deduced.
A couple of days passed in this nervous state, and Taehyung was more than ready for something, anything, to change when Sana finally cornered him. After breakfast Seokjin had left to check his e-mails, and Taehyung expected Sana to leave too, as had been her habit. When she didn't immediately leave Taehyung glanced over to find her glaring at him. His insides twisted with guilt. She knows.
"Taehyung " Her voice was calm, though her eyes flashed with fury.
"Sana," he countered, sounding decidedly less unaffected, even as his stomach rolled with anticipation.
Though unexpectedly Sana's demeanour changed, her shoulders dropped and she sighed. "I wanted to ask, a favour really. I know you and Seokjin have become friends, but I was hoping that we would- that we would get to spend some time together."
Taehyung relaxed, she didn't know exactly, though this was almost as bad. He understood, of course. He'd want every waking second he had with Seokjin to be alone, but Seokjin belonged to Sana, and now she was asking him calmly and civilly to leave them alone. What more could he do but obey?
In the morning Taehyung ordered room service. He knew he'd be far too tempted to seek Seokjin out in the restaurant if he were to go there. The rest of the day passed slowly; books couldn't hold his interest and nor could the TV. At lunch he ate quickly, and then fled, wanting to avoid seeing Seokjin and Sana at all cost.
The hotel had given him a room in a prime location, which unfortunately meant that many holidaymakers had to pass by his balcony to reach the main bar. Happy voices drifted up through his window as he tried in vain to concentrate on his book. Eventually he gave up, not wanting to head to the bar if Seokjin wasn't there, and feeling lonelier than he had since the start of his holiday, he drew his blinds closed and fell into a restless sleep.
The next morning Seokjin caught up with him after breakfast, half-running to keep up.
"Taehyung , what happened to you last night? I thought we had plans."
Hurt flickered through his eyes, and Taehyung 's resolve, weak at the best of times, wavered and shattered. Sana wouldn't need to worry, they could just be friends, right? It would be stupid to ruin such a good thing by complicating it.
"Sorry." he offered, "Work stuff."
Seokjin 's expression softened to a smile, "Well then, Sana and I were heading to the botanical gardens today. Want to come?"
As if you could resist, his brain scoffed at him. “Sure."
As they stepped off the bus in front of the iron gates of Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens Taehyung was beginning to rethink his decision to wear trousers. A wave of thirty-three degree heat hit him head on after the air-conditioned sanctuary of the minibus closed its doors. Seokjin looked cool as ever in a thin linen shirt and cut-off jeans while Sana stood to one side, radiant in a short yellow sundress.
Half way around the park the three were accosted by a small fragile-looking woman brandishing an oversized camera. "Hey, you guys are in my group right? Staying at Paradise isle?"
"Yeah.." Seokjin 's expression was wary, though if the photographer noticed she didn't comment.
Instead she trilled "fantastic" and set to manhandling the two into romantic poses in front of the picturesque sites in the park. "Excellent, you look lovely. Now how about a kiss?"
The wariness returned to Seokjin 's expression in force, "I don't think-"
Though he was cut off by Sana sighing, "oh don't be silly!" and flinging her arms around his neck to plant a kiss on his lips.
Taehyung turned away, stomach rolling.
He was several minutes further on when Seokjin finally caught up to him, staring at a waxy reddish flower with an intensity it barely deserved.
"Hey, wait for me mate."
"I thought you were busy." The words came out more sarcastic than Taehyung had intended, and Seokjin looked taken aback by his outburst.
"Sorry," he muttered at Seokjin 's shocked look, "the heat's probably just getting to me, i can’t handle it ."
Though Seokjin smiled, and waved away his apology and suddenly everything was alright again in Taehyung 's world.
Even if it couldn't be really.
Taehyung hadn't intended to listen to the conversation, honestly. That his route to the breakfast bar took him under Seokjin and Sana's balcony Taehyung knew, that he could hear the half-spoken half-shouted arguments from inside, he didn't.
"Christ Seokjin, you barely know the guy. You're really planning on taking him along tomorrow?"
Seokjin 's voice was steady as he replied, "Sure Sana. Why not?" At this Sana fell silent for a while, leaving Seokjin time to conclude, "Then I'll ask him later."
"I don't think it's a good idea."
Seokjin replied quickly, sarcasm dripping from his voice, "What, would you prefer to act as chaperone?"
That comment appeared to sober Sana's fury, and Taehyung listened carefully as she sighed. "Go then. I just thought we could spend the day together."
At this Taehyung 's stomach lurched, his conscience torn between the desire to spend more time with the man he was becoming ever more drawn to and allowing that very man to spend time with the woman he'd come on holiday to be with. With both possibilities still swirling through his thoughts he headed distractedly towards the breakfast bar, leaving the conclusion to Seokjin and Sana's conversation unheard.
When Seokjin approached him later that day Taehyung was unsure what to expect. Sana was the woman with whom Seokjin had intended to share his holiday, yet he couldn't deny his own desire to spend time with the other man. Seokjin seemed on edge too, happy to stall with small talk before his breathless mention of a cycling tour. Taehyung 's heart leapt at the invitation, more time with Seokjin was never unwelcome, though his mood just as quickly soured when he realised what this meant for Sana.
Whatever Seokjin did seemed to work, Taehyung noted as they cycled through the dusty heat of the local market town. It also didn't help that Seokjin evidently cycled far more often than him, and hence maintained a fairly consistent lead.
Taehyung tried to tell himself that he wasn't staring unashamedly at Seokjin 's broad back the whole ride and that he wasn't falling for the man in the front.