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          Oct 29, 2024
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          <a data-turbo-frame="_top" class="post__title" href="/supporters/posts/86321">
            Sealed Lips Part III cont....
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<p>The discomfort that Jimin was feeling didn’t last long because within seconds of Jeongguk entering him, he came. Jimin could feel the warmth of Jeongguk’s fluid drip from his hole. His inexperienced lover never fully penetrated him, but Jimin didn’t dare say anything for fear of shaking his confidence. Besides, the only thing Jimin wanted was to make him feel good. He wanted to give him something - anything to show him how much he loved him. Sex seemed to be the language that Jeongguk appreciated the most. </p>
<p>The younger one rolled to his back. As he caught his breath, he mumbled words of concern, “Was I ok? You didn’t cum, do you want me to do it again? You were so good. You felt so good,” his words came quickly beyond his satisfied gaze.</p>
<p>“Don’t worry about me. You can take care of me some other time. This is about you. I love you…,” Jimin paused. As he leaned over to kiss Jeongguk, he felt something trickling down his thigh. Something didn’t feel quite right. He panicked. If it was what he thought it was, he didn’t want Jeongguk to see it. He popped up quickly, wrapping the comforter around his waist. He waddled towards the bathroom. “Be right back…I have to clean up,” he said quickly. </p>
<p>Jeongguk was drawn to his feet and wrought with worry, “Is something wrong? Did I hurt you…or something?”</p>
<p>“No. Everything is fine. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back.” Jimin closed the bathroom door, leaving Jeongguk in a tizzy. </p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Jeongguk waited outside of the bathroom for thirty minutes - at least it felt like thirty minutes in his head. In reality, he had only been at the door for five minutes, but to Jeongguk who had no idea what was going on, it felt like he had been waiting for a lifetime.</p>
<p>He finally decided to knock, “Jimin. Talk to me. What’s wrong?”</p>
<p>He heard Jimin laugh, “Nothing is wrong. Come in.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk burst in quickly. The comforter was bundled on the ground and Jimin was freshly showered with a towel around his waist.</p>
<p>“If nothing is wrong, why did you run out? We didn’t even get to cuddle.”</p>
<p>“I thought you had made me…well I thought that I was…hurt.”</p>
<p>“Are you?” Jeongguk’s eyes widened as he placed both arms around Jimin’s body.</p>
<p>“False alarm. I’m ok. Just turns out that I’m pretty bruised. We definitely need lube if we’re going to do this in the future.”</p>
<p>“Let me see it.”</p>
<p>“See it? See what?” Jimin’s eyes swept over his lover’s worried face. </p>
<p>“Your bruise,” Jeongguk released Jimin’s towel and spun him around to face the sink. He dropped to his knees behind him and commenced examining Jimin’s bruised bottom. “Oh…ouch. That’s red and swollen. Jimin, I’m so sorry. Thank God you don’t have to work for a few days.”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/8886784c-0377-45ce-9c8d-c49665f9d2a5_screenshot2024-10-06at1.43.37%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“It’s fine, really. I’m tough,” Jimin teased.</p>
<p>Jeongguk pressed his lips to the overly pink and bruised flesh. “I’ll kiss your waist and ease your mind,” He mumbled, lips pressed against Jimin’s entrance.</p>
<p>The feel of Jeongguk’s lips made Jimin giggle. He leaned over the sink and allowed his lover to kiss his delicate opening.</p>
<p>“Ok shit…my cum is still trickling out of you and…it’s turning me on,” Jeongguk said softly.</p>
<p>“Look away. I can’t take any more of your obnoxiously long dick right now,” Jimin said out of self preservation.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed and then slumped down on the side of the tub, “Maybe you were right. Sex is too much. You’re a dancer. Dancing is your entire life. We can’t risk your health just because I like to shove my dick up your ass. That’s a bit selfish.”</p>
<p>“Nonsense. I jumped you, remember?” Jimin reassured him. “Jeonggukie, my reluctance to have sex with you has nothing to do with my health. Millions of couples do this every damn day. We just have to be careful and plan better. The physical part of sex is not what scares me. It’s the emotions that seem to grow more and more intense everytime we’re together that scare me. We’ve hidden our love for so long. What happens when we can’t hide it anymore?”</p>
<p>“If you still feel this way, then why did you let me do it? Why did you suddenly change your mind?”</p>
<p>“A million reasons. I wanted you. I was overcome with emotion. I wanted to be close to you…as close as we could possibly be. I wanted you to feel good. I wanted to reward you for being so positive and so supportive during this difficult time. I wanted to feel you inside of me.”</p>
<p>“Basically, you lost control? Just like the first time. Jimin, what we’re not going to do is play games. Either we both agree that sex is part of this, or we agree that it isn’t. I can’t allow you to fuck with my emotions on a whim. It hurts me when you regret being with me.”</p>
<p>“Yea, I get it.” Jimin nodded. Jeongguk was asserting himself and drawing a line in the sand. It was a true sign of his maturity. “For the record, I don’t regret a damn thing we just did. I just didn’t expect it. I surprised myself.”</p>
<p> Jeongguk was understanding but firm, “For once can we make love intentionally? Where neither of us will regret it? Where neither of us will feel guilty like we committed some sin? Can we make love under the best of circumstances with full happy consent instead of uncontrollable shame?” </p>
<p>He wrapped the towel back around Jimin’s waist and stood to his feet. He was about to go back to the bedroom when Jimin caught his arm.</p>
<p>“You’re right. I’m just confused by how quickly things have changed. I mean why are we suddenly so undisciplined and why is it happening so frequently after all of these years? What does it mean…?” Jimin questioned.</p>
<p>“It means we want to physically express our love. It means it fucking feels good. It means our love is growing. That’s all it means. Stop overthinking everything.”</p>
<p>Jimin was quiet. He slid past Jeongguk and walked over to sit on the bed. He was pensive.</p>
<p>Jeongguk walked over and sat at his feet. He was afraid that there was more bothering Jimin than just uncontrollable passion. He bravely asked the hard question. “Was I terrible? Is that what’s really going on here? Are you having second thoughts about being physical with my inexperience?”</p>
<p>Jimin reacted immediately, “Oh, Jeonggukie!” He bracketed Jeongguk’s face and stared into his bright orbs with the utmost reassurance, “Stop. You felt wonderful. Making love takes time and practice. We’ve never traveled down this road together before. We know everything about each other except…how to fuck each other.” Jimin laughed at the realization, “It’ll get better and better the more we do it.”</p>
<p>“So you’re saying we can do it again? Are you willing to bend your steadfast rule that we shouldn’t be physical?”</p>
<p>“Yes, I’m willing to throw that rule completely out. I thought I could control it. I thought I could just wish it away. But after having a taste of you, I just want you more and more. We can’t ignore this - it would be torture for both of us. You were right all along, we’re grown men. But I still maintain that I’m not ready to share our news with anyone yet. Please tell me you respect that?”</p>
<p>“Of course I do. Talking with Tae really helped me realize that now isn’t the time for us to reveal our relationship. Most of the members already suspect something is going on, but for now there’s no need to confirm anything for anybody. We’ll be careful, more careful than before.”</p>
<p>“There’s another problem.”</p>
<p>“What’s that?”</p>
<p>“Military service. We’ll be stuck together for almost two years with no physical contact. No sex at any time.”</p>
<p>“Wasn’t such a big deal when I thought we would be separated. It’s going to be a little harder when I have to see you every day and can’t touch you. But again Jiminie, we’re grown men. We can handle it. That’s what vacations are for.”</p>
<p>Jimin removed his white towel but then quickly pulled on pajama pants. He didn’t want to take the chance of waking up Jeongguk’s loins again. His ass wasn’t ready for another round with him.</p>
<p>“Lay down with me,” Jimin asked.</p>
<p>“In the same bed? I get all of the special treatment tonight don’t I?”</p>
<p>“Ha-ha. Just lay down.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk cuddled up naked beside Jimin’s warm body. They cuddled under the sheets without the comforter. Jeongguk placed his head on Jimin’s chest, tickling his chin with his bushy bed-matted hair. </p>
<p>“Are you sure that I can’t take care of you?” Once again Jeongguk alluded to the fact that Jimin had not orgasmed during either of their love making sessions. </p>
<p>“I’m ok. Besides, we’re going to see your mother tomorrow. Limping around will make her suspicious.”</p>
<p>“Yikes. Forgot about that. Oh my God I can’t imagine how she would handle it if she knew we were having sex.”</p>
<p>Jimin brushed his fingers through Jeongguk’s hair, “I’m sure she suspects it already. It’s part of this…being in love. And she knows that we’re very much in love.”</p>
<p>“Whatever. Let’s keep her out of our sex lives.” Jeongguk blushed just thinking about discussing sex with his mother. “And no limping tomorrow. I don’t want her nosy ass asking questions.” </p>
<p>They both laughed. And then came the crippling, silent realization.</p>
<p>“This is our last night alone for a really long time. I’m going to miss you.”</p>
<p>“Until Japan in November. We have so little time left. Our schedules are insane. We’re the only two who are still working.”</p>
<p>Jimin kissed the top of Jeongguk’s head, “When do you think I’ll see you again?”</p>
<p>“Honestly, I don’t know. But I’ll call you everyday…and I’ll text…and send you YouTube videos.”</p>
<p>“It’s not the same,” Jimin held Jeongguk tightly in his arms.</p>
<p>“We’ll be ok. This isn’t the first time we’ve been apart,” Jeongguk reminded him.</p>
<p>And with that, Jimin felt at ease. His plan for isolating themselves during Chapter two had worked. With confidence and sure-footedness, Jeongguk accepted their parting. No drama, no begging to stay together, no threats, just acceptance with the understanding that they would survive the distance. The Maknae was all grown up and standing on his own. Jimin was infinitely proud of him. Yet, there was a small piece of his heart that envied Jeongguk’s independence because Jimin himself didn’t feel nearly as strong.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The following morning, Jimin and Jeongguk headed to Busan for Chuseok. Jimin spent half the day with the Jeon family before venturing mainland to the mountains to be with his own family. The goodbye between him and Jeongguk was painful. They faced incertitude about the immediate future and when they would once again be together. Time was ticking and their military service was due to begin in two months. Jeongguk’s schedule would keep him out of Korea for the majority of the time And Jimin’s work schedule was set to gear up in November. Everything was discombobulated and work dominated their lives. They had but one small solace to hold on to - Sapporo, Japan.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>October 12th, 2023</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>The official schedule in the team member group chat said that Jimin was flying back and forth between Seoul and Los Angeles. Even though Jimin had recorded most of his album,  <em>MUSE</em>, back in June the previous year, he still had a few vocals to complete as they put the finishing touches on the album’s production. He was busy, but not nearly as busy as Jeongguk.</p>
<p>With the release of his album <em>Golden</em>, less than a month away, Jeongguk was working 15-20 hour days. Plus, traveling back and forth through different time zones made it almost impossible to get in contact with Jimin. They texted often, but it wasn’t the same as hearing each other’s voices. They had a very healthy respect for each other’s sleep and they tried to avoid ever calling at odd hours of the night. Respectful as it may have been, it made them both miserable because they missed each other abundantly.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk had a crazy seven days ahead. First he had several interviews on the morning of October 13th. Then he had his first solo performance at Music Bank. Between the performances, he had several phone interviews, a fan meet and dance practice. Even though he had performed at Music Bank countless times with BTS, this was his first time performing alone. His nerves were frayed. Performing his debut hit 3-D in English before a Korean crowd was a risky career move. He didn’t know how the crowd would react. But because of his stubborn commitment to doing things his way, he prepared a stage that would make history. Thanks to long talks with Jimin and Joonie, he felt confident that their fans would love anything he presented as long as he did his best.</p>
<p>Immediately after Music Bank, he was off to Budapest on October 14th for the filming of the feature song for Golden, Standing Next To You. It was a performance that had taken all of his strength and skill to pull off and it was finally time to film the video. The stress of having his body and mind ready for filming was yet another obstacle for him to overcome. The stylist had most of his wardrobe, but he still had to pack for a four day trip to Budapest and then another two days in Germany. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/6ccaf761-0007-4e20-ad89-8cb93fb399ba_screenshot2024-10-06at1.46.03%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>He continued packing. It was important to get organized so he could head to bed early. The filming for Music Bank was to kick off at 4am the following morning. If he wanted a good performance, he had to be well rested. </p>
<p>Yet, something was bothering him. He couldn’t fully focus on his packing because he didn’t know exactly where Jimin was. He wanted to try to get him on the phone just once before heading to Budapest. He looked around and found his phone laying on the shelf. To his dismay, he had missed two texts from Jimin. One simply said, <em>“I love you”</em>.  The other said, <em>“Don’t forget it’s my birthday tomorrow.” </em></p>
<p>Jeongguk scoffed at the second text. Of course it was Jimin’s birthday and of course he wouldn’t forget. Even though he held no hope of seeing him, he planned to mail his gift to him - wherever he was. Quickly he texted him back, <em>“I would never forget your birthday. Never. Where are you btw? What city?”</em></p>
<p>There was no immediate response. Even though he wasn’t aware of it, Jeongguk's face filled with disappointment. He jumped over to the group chat to see if there were any updates on Jimin’s schedule. The last update was that he was in L.A., but there was no return flight listed. The mystery continued. He still didn’t know where his Jiminie was. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Two hours later, his packing was complete. It was 9pm and he had to be up in five hours. Dead tired, he crawled into bed. As was his ritual, he read at bedtime. His reading was not for pleasure, but for education.</p>
<p>His last two bouts of sex with Jimin hadn’t been very pleasurable for his hyung and he vowed to learn everything he could about how to make sex feel good for both of them. To do that, he had to educate himself on how to make love properly, how to prep Jimin properly and how to make love without hurting him. He had several sources but his favorite book was <em>The Joy of Gay Sex</em>. He also read <em>Out of the Shadows</em> and subscribed to the YouTube Channel called <em>Gay Men Going Deep</em>. He had many resources that helped him understand how things needed to be done. He was confident that his next time with Jimin would be mind blowing. </p>
<p>Jimin had promised him that practice would make him better. However, practice seemed to be the one missing piece from their relationship. They hadn’t seen each other in weeks, how were they supposed to practice? </p>
<p>After another hour of reading, Jeongguk put his books down and pulled the sheets over his head. The last thought he had before drifting off to sleep was the memory of making love to Jimin in the swimming pool back in Jeju. His mind recounted holding him in his arms as the warm water gently splashed around them. He remembered the feeling of entering the man he loved and fucking him for the first time; he remembered the awkward strokes, and the pleasure of grinding his hips into him. He could feel his hoarse screams as he reminisced about orgasming inside of the man he loved. It was a sweet dream and a beautiful nightmare because Jimin was nowhere around. He missed him.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>October 13, 2023- Music Bank</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>It was not unusual for the line of fans to be wrapped around the open hall in Yeouido-dong which was where Music Bank was filmed. Fans were very dedicated to BTS and they arrived early and stayed late. But Jeongguk was surprised to see such a long line for him. He waved as he passed by ARMY who were singing and dancing and passing out gifts as they waited for the doors to open. It was 3:00 am. Jeongguk was humbled by their support for him.</p>
<p>He was rushed out of the SUV towards the dressing room, where the styling team immediately began working on his hair and make-up. His signature white tank top and baggy khaki pants and long walker boots were almost identical to what he had worn in the 3-D video. It didn’t take him long to get performance-ready and by 3:45am, he was ready for his first take. After a quick meal of kimchi stir-fried rice, he was on stage doing the first sound check with fans. </p>
<p>He smiled at all of them and talked to them as a collective. They bantered back and forth with him telling them about everything he had eaten and that he was still sleepy. He took a few questions, those that he could decipher through the crowd noise, and he answered them as best as he could. After several takes of his performance he took more time to talk to the audience as his hair and make-up were touched up.</p>
<p>“It’s Jimin’s birthday today.” He wasn’t sure why he blurted it out, but he did.</p>
<p>As to be expected, the crowd went wild. They screamed for Jimin and eventually began singing Happy Birthday to him even though he wasn’t there. Jeongguk could hear a few of them asking if he had spoken to Jimin.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/4c45cf9a-82e9-43b3-a77f-10830c589e78_screenshot2024-10-06at1.48.38%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>He picked up the question, “Spoken to him? No. Not yet. I’m here performing and he’s traveling. I’ll text him at 10:13 exactly. He’ll like that.”</p>
<p>“He’s coming home, he’s coming home,” several of them yelled.</p>
<p>Jeongguk leaned down so that he could hear more clearly, “Home? Did you say he’s coming home?”</p>
<p>The fans knew the band’s schedules better than they did. No where in the gc did it say that Jimin would be home for his birthday. Several of the girls in the front had Jimin on the airport camera. Jeongguk stared at their phones and sure enough, there was video footage of Jimin boarding a plane. He was scheduled to land in three hours, just as Jeongguk was due to finish up his performance. </p>
<p>“He’s coming back to Korea?” Jeongguk asked. He sounded silly, he should have known where his bandmate was, but he didn’t. Jimin’s schedule was so hectic that many of his travel plans were adhoc and not pre-planned. Leave it to the fans to tell Jeongguk where he was.</p>
<p>Jeongguk’s heart thundered in his chest. There was a window of about ten hours where he and Jimin could see each other. His mind was transfixed on a plan. If he finished up the Music Bank performance early, he could drop by his apartment and head to Nine One just in time for Jimin’s arrival home. The following day he could go directly to the airport. It was exactly what he’d been praying for, a brief visit before heading out to Budapest and Germany for the next ten days. It was a perfect window.</p>
<p>Jeongguk smiled gratefully at the audience who still questioned if had wished Jimin a happy birthday.</p>
<p>“I’ll text him, or try to call him later. I promise,” Jeongguk responded. Only he knew that he planned to do much more than that. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/dbd21d80-0c10-4177-9ba0-3b96a1ac7d88_screenshot2024-10-06at1.50.11%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>There was urgency to his performance. He wanted everything perfect with minimal takes. He pressed his dancers to do their best with the promise of getting out early. Many of them were traveling to Budapest with him, so it behooved them to put in the hard work necessary for an early wrap up. The final recording concluded at noon. As the crowd roared and the cameras went in for a close up, he flashed the 3-D hand signal that looked identical to the okay sign. When the cameras panned in, he did something unexpected by puckering his lips and popping his tongue inside of his cheek. Some in the audience knew what it meant, most didn’t. The producers however were completely clueless, allowing the footage to be recorded. Very few people in the building realized that he had just made an obscene gesture signifying a blow job - and the gesture was distinctly meant for Jimin.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/88011276-f2f3-490f-b4ba-c18bb54d6bcc_screenshot2024-10-06at1.51.00%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>***</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin’s flight landed at 12:00pm.  His plan was to go straight home, shower and then do a quick live for ARMY before laying down to get some rest. He had plans to hang out with some friends and enjoy a quiet night. The following day he planned a trip to Busan to see his parents and spend a few days with them. </p>
<p>His birthday was not exciting for him, especially since this would be the first one without Jeongguk. Per the group chat, Jeongguk was performing at Music Bank and then heading straight to Budapest. Jimin lamented over the fact that they would not see each other. He searched online looking for the recording of Jeongguk’s performance. He found it. Like the proud boyfriend he was, he watched every bit of it several times, admiring Jeongguk’s incredible performance. Just as he made it to the end, his phone began buzzing with texts. Inside of each text was the exact same screenshot of Jeongguk’s ending pose at the Music Bank taping. The most urgent texts appeared to be from Namjoon and Tae, so those were the two that he read first. </p>
<p>Apparently Jeongguk had made some inappropriate gestures on national television. It was all the buzz. The producers were already on the phone with Hybe to negotiate getting the performance edited. </p>
<p>Jimin opened the screen shots that Tae and Namjoon sent to him. “Nice,” he broke into laughter. Leave it up to his Maknae to stir up trouble. From Jimin’s best guess, Jeongguk was gesturing a blow job on conservative Korean television. “I love you - you trouble maker.”</p>
<p>Jimin loved it, even though he was sad to know that the two of them wouldn’t be seeing each other anytime soon. There was no blow job in Jimin’s immediate future. He took Jeongguk’s little stunt to be a birthday joke. He didn’t take it seriously, even though the rest of Korea did. It was up to Hybe and Music Bank to figure it out. Jeongguk was very savvy and he knew how production worked. He knew that it would be cut before the final version aired. Still, that didn’t stop him from pushing the limits. </p>
<p></p>
<p> The city was littered with banners and billboards dedicated to birthday wishes for Jimin. He smiled as his driver curried him through the streets of Seoul towards Nine-One Hannam. The condo where he had lived since 2019, ironically held the same address as Jeongguk’s birthday. It wasn’t a coincidence. He and Jeongguk had chosen the place together as a secure place to live until enlistment. Only the members knew that Jeongguk maintained a unit in the condo as well, but for the purpose of evading stalkers who plagued him, Jeongguk spent most of his time at a staged apartment owned by the company. It was for his own safety as he waited for the construction of his new home to be completed. Namjoon owned a condo and Nine-One there as well.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/27dfeb6d-3e18-4cd6-a2e2-c71565dac071_screenshot2024-10-06at1.52.17%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Typically when Jimin would arrive home from a long trip, he could meet up with Jeongguk and spend time with him, but not this time. His boyfriend wasn’t there. Jeongguk’s schedule was packed and although he was still in town for the Music Bank performance, he was scheduled to leave the following day on October 14th. With his schedule being that tight, Jimin realized there was no way that he would get to see him, even if they were both in Korea for a few hours. He wasn’t surprised. Even before leaving Jeju, they knew that this was going to happen.</p>
<p>The driver helped Jimin with his luggage. Together with Jimin’s security team, they escorted him to the door of his apartment.  Jimin thanked them all and bid them farewell. They would soon be meeting up again for Jimin’s November 6th trip to Budapest.  </p>
<p>Jimin entered the code to open his door and stepped inside. As he walked through the apartment, he littered his clothes along the way. By the time he reached the bathroom, he was naked and ready to climb directly into the shower. The stench of airplane was annoying him and he wanted to shower in his fresh orange scented Loe’s shower wash. </p>
<p>As he washed, his mind wandered to food. He thought about what he wanted to eat for lunch. It was still early in the day but he was starving. His hunger was partially triggered by the incredible aroma of  Makguksu that seemed to be wafting through his apartment. Jimin found it odd that the smell of the neighbor’s cooking was so potent in his apartment. That wasn’t something that normally happened.</p>
<p>At any rate, he wrapped himself in a towel and headed straight for his bedroom to get dressed. The lights were off and the curtains were drawn, leaving the bedroom almost completely dark. The few exceptions to the dankness were a series of bright candles on his dresser and window sill.  </p>
<p>Jimin immediately backed out of the room. Someone was there, someone uninvited. Only two people knew the code to his apartment, Jeongguk and his father. And he knew for a fact that it couldn’t be either of them. Jimin feared the worst; fans had somehow found their way into his apartment. BTS had stalkers, many of them were very savvy. His first assumption was that sasaengs had breached security and were in the apartment waiting for him. He had no idea if they wanted to harm him. He wrapped the towel tighter around his waist and ran towards his front door. His heart pounded with fear. He didn’t want to have to fight, but he was prepared to do whatever he needed to protect himself. He grabbed his phone from the kitchen counter on his way to the door. </p>
<p>Just as he was about to dial 2-1-1, he noticed his dining room table. There was food on the table and large bouquets of roses, carnations, lilies and hydrangea. Fine China that did not belong to him was meticulously placed in two distinct settings; one for him and another for a guest. It was beautiful. There were candles on the table, all in his favorite scents. Soft music was playing in the background and a familiar voice was humming along.</p>
<p>Jimin’s heart beat even faster, but this time for a completely different reason. He could see a muscular image with neatly coiffed, newly trimmed hair, standing behind the stove. He appeared to be wearing an apron, with nothing underneath. The soft light of the candles picked up indentions in his cheeks, the dimples that Jimin had kissed so many times. Even in the dim light, the rainbow of color up his right arm was visible. Jimin could hardly hear over the pounding of his anxious heart. All quieted as soon as the man spoke.</p>
<p>“Hi.”</p>
<p>“What are you doing here?” Jimin’s face broadened into a smile.</p>
<p>“Your robe.” Jeongguk lifted Jimin’s robe from the chair and placed it around him. He tied the strings into a hard knot before leaning his forehead against Jimin’s. “Happy Birthday.”</p>
<p>“And you are here…how? You’re supposed to be on your way to Budapest,” Jimin’s bottom lip began to tremble. His mind swirled, he couldn’t even believe what he was seeing. </p>
<p>“We have exactly six hours. I had to see you.”</p>
<p>“But how…?” Jimin still trembled. Jeongguk’s skin felt like hot coals against his wet chilled body. Once again providing the Yin to his Yang. He rambled just to keep his voice steady and keep his mind busy so that he could outrun the tears. </p>
<p>“Thank ARMY. They told me you were coming home. Otherwise, I would have been on my way to practice. I came here instead and bought everything we needed to have a private party. I have to film some footage tonight and then I head straight to the airport early tomorrow. We have six hours to get…done.”</p>
<p>“Done?” Jimin laughed, “What exactly does that mean?”</p>
<p>“Done…celebrating your birthday,” Jeongguk tucked the locks of Jimin’s wet hair behind his ear and then placed a carnation there to keep the hair in place. “I have dinner, champagne, cake, fruit, presents and dick. Which would you like to have first?”</p>
<p>Jimin burst into laughter again. He grabbed both of Jeongguk’s bare shoulders as he fell into his chest. “If I choose dick first…can we keep dinner warm and the champagne cold?”</p>
<p>“I can manage that.”</p>
<p>Jimin squeezed Jeongguk into a hug. Before they could get to the task of being lovers, they had to reconnect as friends. “I’m so proud of you. I saw the videos and your live performance. You sound terrific, but I can tell you were winded at certain parts. Stop smoking. I just watched your Music Bank performance…and your…wait.” Jimin suddenly understood, “You blew me on national television because you knew you would be here tonight, didn’t you?”</p>
<p>“I did.”</p>
<p>“Your little antics are causing all kinds of headache for management.” Jimin gave Jeongguk a high five.</p>
<p>“I’m sure they’ll work it out. I wanted to send you a message that I was on my way.”</p>
<p> “Well that’s a message that I almost didn’t get. KooKoo, I just can’t believe you’re here. I never expected this. This is the best birthday present you could have given me.”</p>
<p>“It’s about to get even better.”</p>
<p></p>
<p> Jeongguk lifted Jimin into his arms and carried him to the bedroom. He laid him gently on the bed and spoke softly, “I’ve prepared a very special day for you.”</p>
<p>“I don’t have much here to help us…,”</p>
<p>“...I have everything we need.” Jeongguk removed his apron to reveal a naked body that was saturated in a rich golden hue.</p>
<p>Jimin audibly gasped. He watched his band mate, lover and best friend crawl into the bed and hover over him. Something was different about him. In the few weeks since they’d been apart, he all of a sudden held a confident command over the bedroom. Jimin wilted as the younger positioned himself to serve a birthday that Jimin would never forget.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk had never been so aroused. Feeling Jimin in his arms again caused hot blood to teem in his groin as he felt the cambric slide of the sheets over their bodies. His mouth went to the curve of his neck and trailed down to his shoulder. The smell of oranges from Jimin’s freshly showered body inundated his senses. He wanted him badly but he had to take it slow. Jimin’s hair was slightly damp and much longer than Jeongguk remembered it. It felt like fiery silk sliding over his fingers as he took handfuls of it and lifted it to his face. Intoxicated by him, he hunted for more of Jimin’s scent, drawing in with deep breaths.</p>
<p> Tugging at the front of Jimin’s robe, Jeongguk caused the silky knot to slip loose. He pulled the robe free, trapping Jimin’s arms within the sleeves. He used the robe as a delicate restraint while smashing his lips against his hyung’s nipples, and trailing his tongue along his ribs. He nipped at his belly button and sucked his muscular chest mounds. He feasted on him, engaging all of his senses. He wooed him with traveling kisses, wet and artful and passionate. He loved him and he wanted to make sure that Jimin understood how much. </p>
<p>The younger licked his way down to the tip of Jimin’s stiff cock. He flicked the tip with his tongue like a snake tasting his food. And just like a venomous snake, he went in for the kill.</p>
<p>Jimin moaned. His body drew into a helpless arch as he watched his entire cock disappear inside of Jeongguk’s mouth. Just as he adjusted to the pressure and warmth around his cock, he felt something hard and solid being inserted into him. His eyes flew open and he grabbed Jeongguk’s shoulders as if to push him away. Whatever was inside of him was slowly being pushed further into place. Jimin’s hands squeezed into fists over Jeongguk’s shoulders as the pressure intensified. Oddly enough, there was no pain, just intense pressure. He could feel the slick lubricant drip from his hole as Jeongguk settled an ass plug into his opening.</p>
<p>Jimin opened his mouth to speak, but his lips were immediately covered with Jeongguk’s large powerful hand. Jimin battled two of the most intense sensations he’d ever experienced; being fucked with an anal plug while simultaneously having his dick sucked. It was overwhelming and confusing. His body gingerly walked the line between pleasure and pain, the perfect balance of which pushed him to ecstasy. He could feel the twisting of the cold steel inside of him as he watched Jeongguk’s head bob up and down sucking him, deep throating him, eating him for dinner. His moans grew louder and louder as the muscles within his thighs began to twitch. He couldn’t believe it, after less than ten minutes of his birthday treatment, he was already about to cum. </p>
<p>“What are you doing to me…I can’t…?”</p>
<p>“Shhh, relax,” Jeongguk commanded.</p>
<p>Jeongguk read every signal, interpreted every moan and delectable grunt. He was driving Jimin crazy, checking all of his boxes, feeding all of his needs. Jimin was right where he wanted him. It was time.  Jeongguk released Jimin’s cock from his mouth. He could taste the droplets of pre-cum that Jimin had left behind. </p>
<p>Like a rising Phoenix, Jeongguk rested on his knees as he rubbed a vanilla scented lube up and down his shaft. The stroking from his hands sloshed the lube around, creating a slick shiny surface over his aggressive erection. Jimin watched with gleeful anticipation as the candle light reflected along the mighty shaft that was about to impale him. He stretched his body like a cunning cat, purring as his ass clenched over the steel toy that was stuffed inside of him.</p>
<p>With the anal plug still firmly implanted in the middle of Jimin’s body, Jeongguk rolled the elder to his side and nestled behind him. After several more flirty twists, the anal plug was suddenly released. A breath escaped Jimin’s chest as he adjusted to the cold empty feeling. The plug had done its job, leaving a slick gaping hole that would serve as Jeongguk’s target.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk pondered his older lover. He was unspeakably beautiful, cowering in front of him. Jimin’s body was both a delicate mechanism and a powerful tank. Although outwardly indestructible, his inner parts were extremely intricate and needed to be approached with gentle sensitivity. It was possible to hurt him, even though it was impossible to destroy him. Jeongguk had to keep all of that in mind as he contemplated how to enter him, how to sit inside of him, and how to fuck him just right.  </p>
<p>He moved with the slightest intimation of a thrust, sliding along the slick path set by the layers of lube. He rotated his hips slowly, pushing through the resistance of Jimin’s sweet vulnerable flesh. While using his flat palm to hold Jimin’s stomach, he whispered into the coil of his ear, “Tell me if it hurts. Stop me if it hurts.”</p>
<p>Jimin was silent, speechless. He had never been fucked from behind before. His eyes fluttered open and shut as if he were in a trance. The gentle loving insertion of his lover’s dick inundated him with overwhelming pleasure. He found himself bucking against him, eager to be fed Jeongguk’s full length.</p>
<p>Jeongguk continued to push himself inside of Jimin’s body. Despite the lubricated path, he found it more difficult that he expected to fully seat himself. Mostly Jimin was patient. He didn’t express any signs of pain so Jeongguk pushed harder with more force until every inch of him was inside. </p>
<p>“You’re such a good hyung. I’m all the way inside of you. Do you feel it?”</p>
<p>Jimin whimpered with a nod. He bit his bottom lip as he clenched his eyes shut. His lover and his many inches of dick bulged inside of his stomach. It was the most complete feeling that Jimin had ever experienced in his life. He stretched his neck, coaxing Jeongguk to kiss it from behind. He felt the younger’s lips graze his shoulders and upper back. Jimin knew that Jeongguk was stalling, giving him a moment to adjust to the heavy cock inside of him. </p>
<p>Jeongguk spoke with a  low raspy voice, one that Jimin seldom heard from his young lover, “Show me what you want and I’ll give it to you, as much as you need for as long as you want. Nothing matters but you.”</p>
<p>And with that their limbs tangled over the bed and Jeongguk’s hips began to rock. His aroused flesh dove over and over into the cove of Jimin’s body. In and out he pumped like a machine. He wasn’t gentle, he was appropriately rough for a man as powerful and needy as Jimin. Jimin’s ass was well conditioned, sending each of Jeongguk’s strokes deep into his soul. </p>
<p>They groaned and grunted as they settled into a rhythm. Jeongguk held him with firm pressure, cupping him from behind as he pulled him against his solid weight. The room filled with the sounds from their clapping bodies. </p>
<p>Jimin began to tremble. Everything that Jeongguk was doing to him was exactly what he needed. He bucked against each of his strokes, desperate for more.  Never had he felt so full before. He could feel the oncoming rush of an orgasm. Jeongguk’s hands were all over him, stroking his cock, teasing his nipples. He was being kissed, fondled, sucked and fucked all at a dizzying pace.</p>
<p>With no constraint he screamed, “Jeonggukie…stop…I mean…fuck oh fuck, I’m cum…!” None of Jimin’s sentences were complete. His muscles tensed as hot cum erupted from his pulsating tip. His entire body shivered and his eyes watered. He bucked hard against Jeongguk’s already aggressive fuck, moaning and screaming as his orgasm owned him. He found Jeongguk’s hand resting on his stomach and held it, squeezing for dear life.</p>
<p>He could feel Jeongguk’s grip tightening around him again. The rocking of his hips intensified as he pushed his dick in and out, in and out, in and out, slapping their bodies together like an MMA wrestling match. He took Jimin hard and fast, as was his nature. On the precipice, he began muttering into Jimin’s ear, “I love you. You’re making me cum so hard. Tell me you love me, tell me you love me, tell me…,”</p>
<p>Jimin was out of breath, he could hardly speak but he mustered every ounce of his strength to say  the words that Jeongguk needed to hear, “I love you…so much.”</p>
<p>“Here I cum baby,” the room exploded with Jeongguk’s loud orgasmic song. His body shuddered as his balls emptied. Wave after wave of cum clogged Jimin’s hole, flooding him with the younger’s seed. </p>
<p>Jimin could feel the warm velvety fluid cling to his walls. He clenched and tightened his body in an effort to squeeze everything out of the Maknae. He knew at that moment that they both were experiencing something they’d never felt before. It was a sexual breakthrough that boded very well for their future.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk’s full body convulsed several times before his cock finally stopped squirting. As soon as he was quiet, Jimin pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him.</p>
<p>He slapped his chest with a big hearty grin, “WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?”</p>
<p>Jeongguk broke into laughter, “Liked that, huh?”</p>
<p>“WHAT? HOW? WHEN? HOW DID YOU LEARN TO DO THAT?”</p>
<p>“Happy Birthday.”</p>
<p>“Jeon Jeongguk, I’m serious. That is not how I left you four weeks ago.”</p>
<p>“I told you that I was committed to making this work for both of us. I read everything that I could find about sex and studied - and watched how they do it in porn. I just got…better…tried out some of the things that I learned. It was all for you because I love you.”</p>
<p>“Wow. Like wow. It didn’t even hurt…well fuck yeah it hurt…but not like it usually does. I feel good and so satisfied.”</p>
<p>“Good because at some point over the next six hours, I’m going to fuck you again before I leave.”</p>
<p>Jimin’s eyes bulged. He nodded with a devilish grin, “Yes, sir.”</p>
<p>“We don’t have much time today, but next time we’re together, we’ll take our time and really, REALLY do it right. Are you hungry? I can only keep dinner warm for so long.”</p>
<p>Jimin stared up at the ceiling and placed his hands in prayer position. “Not sure if I thanked God lately, but thank you God. Thank you for him. Amen.” Jimin laughed, “Yes. I’m very hungry.”</p>
<p> ***</p>
<p></p>
<p>Dinner conversation was plentiful. They both had so much to say, so much to share about their different projects. Jimin was hard at work preparing MUSE for the 2024 release and Jeongguk was days away from his first solo debut. </p>
<p>Jeongguk showed him the storyboards and all of the different scenes for his upcoming video shoot. Jimin doted on his short hair and how much weight he had lost while preparing for his debut.</p>
<p>“It’s like a tribute to Michael Jackson,” Jimin boasted as he flipped through the pictures of Jeongguk’s wardrobe. “I saw the choreography, oh Jeonggukie, this is going to be epic. You think they’ll submit it for a Grammy?”</p>
<p>“Probably. My guess is that they will submit all of our solo work. Hey, I have a surprise for you. I’m doing a remix for SNTY with…Usher.”</p>
<p>“You’re fucking kidding me?” Jimin jumped to his feet with excitement.</p>
<p>“He reached out to us when he heard the song and the rest just worked out. Jiminie, I know how much you like him. I thought this was a good way to pay a small tribute to you.”</p>
<p>“Usher is a big name, KooKoo. This is absolutely incredible news. Who would have thought ten years ago that you would be working with a legend?”</p>
<p>“I’ve been working with a legend for the last ten years. His name is Park Jimin.”</p>
<p>Jimin blushed. He grinned and stared down into his empty plate. “I’m not a legend. That’s just your love bias talking.”</p>
<p>“You’re a legend. I knew that before I even loved you. Enough about me, tell me what’s happening with MUSE.”</p>
<p>Jimin was more than happy to share his video concepts as well. “Speaking of tributes, I have a small surprise planned for you in the feature single WHO. But, I can’t tell you much about that quite yet.”</p>
<p>“Looking forward to it,” Jeongguk laughed.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Their conversation was interrupted by a series of phone calls.  Jimin’s phone steadily rang with different friends and family calling to wish him happy birthday. At one point, Jimin held a facetime call with the other members including Hobi and Jin. They all sang happy birthday to Jimin. Tae had questions about how the two had found time to be together, but Jeongguk deflected his inquiries in front of the others. </p>
<p>Their night together moved much too quickly, but they made the best of it. They ate Jeongguk’s homemade dinner. They fed each other cake, and swallowed large quantities of champagne. The liquor in their systems only made them more sexually aggressive. With empty champagne bottles, dirty dishes, pots and pans, pieces of cake and balloons strewn all over the apartment, they enjoyed Jimin’s personal party to the fullest. </p>
<p>There was a polite knock at the door. A neighbor had stopped by to inquire about all of the moans and screams coming from the apartment. His query was never answered because inside, Jeongguk had Jimin spread eagle over the kitchen table, fucking the life out of him for the third time that same day. It was their passion filled love making sessions that spurned the disturbance amongst Jimin’s neighbors. </p>
<p>With the knowledge that they only had a few more hours together and a few more weeks before enlistment, they didn’t hold back. They fucked as much as they could before it was finally time for Jeongguk to go.</p>
<p>“Is this all of your luggage?” Jimin asked quietly.</p>
<p>“I had to pack heavy…it’s going to be a long trip. You know how that goes,” Jeongguk said sadly. “I brought all of it here so that I can go straight to the studio for the recording. I’m going to get a few hours  of sleep and then head straight to the airport tomorrow.”</p>
<p>“I wish I could go with you. I would love to watch you film the video.”</p>
<p>“I wish you could come as well. It would be fun,” Jeongguk smiled.</p>
<p>The two made small talk as Jeongguk dressed, “I cleaned up the mess in the kitchen.”</p>
<p>“You didn’t have to do that. Dinner was absolutely incredible. One of my best birthday dinners ever,” Jimin wiped tears from his right eye.</p>
<p>“Don’t do that. Don’t start with the tears. We’ll see each other in a little over a month -  in Tokyo!” Jeongguk said brightly “When are you heading to Budapest?”</p>
<p>“November 6th. I’ll film for two days and then head back here to do a photo shoot.” More tears. Jimin was having trouble accepting that Jeongguk was leaving, “This has been the best birthday.”</p>
<p>“Better than that time I dropped a thirst video?”</p>
<p>Jimin laughed. “Yea, even better than that. Thank you for doing this. Thank you for making this day unforgettable.” Jimin’s laughter slowly turned into tears. He spoke with a hard voice as he tried to push back his sobs, “I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time saying goodbye.”</p>
<p>“Because it’s happening just like you were afraid it would. The sex is making everything more intense.”</p>
<p>“It’s not just the sex. It’s you.”  Jimin grabbed Jeongguk and pulled him into a hug.</p>
<p>“I love you too Jiminie. I have to go…I have the studio booked. The managers and the security team will be here any minute to pick me up.”</p>
<p>As soon as Jeongguk said it, his phone rang. Ji-won, his manager, was calling from downstairs to tell them they had arrived.</p>
<p>“Hello, yea, I have so much luggage. Can someone meet me at the elevator?” Jeongguk watched Jimin disrobe and redress. He bantered back and forth with his manager as they negotiated the logistics of their transportation but he could not take his eyes off of Jimin. After ten years, ten long years, he found him more beautiful than the day they first met. His long silky black hair, and crescent shaped eyes, contrasting against his pink pillowy lips were an absolute dream. “Uh yes, I’m here. On my way down.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk balanced his two large suitcases on their wheels and then secured his backpack.  Since he was in the middle of filming for a documentary, he carried his hand held camera with him to grab additional footage. His hands were truly full. </p>
<p>Jimin walked him out, pulling one of his large suitcases. They met the managers at the elevator. “I better go. I’m about to do a live broadcast with ARMY for my birthday.”</p>
<p>“That will absolutely make you feel better. They will have many birthday wishes for you,” Jeongguk encouraged.</p>
<p>“Yea.” Jimin leaned in and gave Jeongguk one final hug. He whispered quietly into his ear, “I’m going to marry you someday.”</p>
<p>Those words were not as Jeongguk expected. He felt a lump in his throat and the sting of tears in his bright eyes. He didn’t want to cry in front of management, nor did he want to display too much intimacy. But Jimin’s words choked him up. He tightened their hug. He held Jimin for so long that Ji-won cleared his throat as a friendly reminder that Jeongguk had to go. </p>
<p>It was the arrival of Sejin that lowered the intensity of the moment. He arrived with a birthday cake for Jimin, just in time for the taping of his live with ARMY. </p>
<p>“Hey, Jeongguk. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Sejin surveyed the situation, curious about why Jeongguk was with Jimin when he was supposed to be in Budapest.</p>
<p>“On my way out. Just had to drop by and give something to Jimin,” he laughed. “I fly out tomorrow.”</p>
<p>Sejin could only imagine what Jeongguk had given Jimin for his birthday. In fact, he didn’t have to imagine because judging from Jimin’s glow, he already knew. “I’m here to take you back to Hybe offices so you can film…unless you plan to go live from your apartment?” Sejin spoke to Jimin.</p>
<p>“No, no, I’m ready. Just saying goodbye to Jeongguk. I have to get my bag and we can go.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk and Jimin parted even though their eyes remained interlocked.</p>
<p>“Bye, have a safe trip,” Jimin did what he could to lower the emotional tension between them.</p>
<p>“Yea, call you when I get settled,” Jeongguk responded.</p>
<p>Jeongguk was just about to get on the elevator when he suddenly lifted his camera. Clad head to toe in his custom CK blue jean set, he aimed his camera at Jimin. He took two final shots of his beloved as a tribute to Jimin’s 29th birthday. They were pictures that would forever remind them of their special night. Jimin smiled, caught slightly off-guard by the sudden photoshoot. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/b9bc067f-0821-4477-9c23-70206826ff38_screenshot2024-10-06at1.55.01%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/568ad2ae-bcdd-4aae-8f04-d4bc38fff2c5_screenshot2024-10-06at1.56.11%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>____________</p>
<p>Later that evening, Jimin went live. And just as Jeongguk suggested, he felt much better talking to ARMY. Namjoon, sensing that he may be feeling a bit down with Jeongguk traveling, stopped by to grant him birthday wishes during his live broadcast.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/f709f0b7-414d-4d84-b96b-54fbfded6aba_screenshot2024-10-06at1.57.09%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Someone mentioned Jeongguk in the comments. He broke into song, “ppeuriri” with a loving smile as he teased 3-D, and then sang a melody with the words, “I miss you. I miss you. I miss you.” It was all for his Jeonggukie whom he was missing very much. His most riant smile came when he explained how 3-D had suddenly become ppeuriri and how he was scolded by Jeongguk. </p>
<p>He talked about visiting his parents, eating seaweed stew and posting tik tok dances. But he artfully avoided telling everyone that he and Jeongguk had seen each other. That was a secret for him and his lover to keep.</p>
<p>When asked about Jeongguk, he sighed and had this to say, “Jeonggukie? Jeongguk is very busy these days. I’m worried because he might be so tired.” He looked down at his phone. There was no filter that could hide his melancholy and his worry. Just speaking Jeongguk’s name was difficult because it triggered so much emotion within him, especially given the incredible day they had spent together. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/84f8b6d7-92cc-4f21-b10a-009a7658e274_screenshot2024-10-06at1.58.15%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/eFnEykFfbbU?si=KHBDPpdmppN3tw0f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minute 23:16</a></p>
<p>After fifteen minutes trying to convince the fans that his sweater was not inside out, he finally moved on to talk about practice and comments from Jin. Forty-five minutes later he closed the live broadcast by telling ARMY how much he loved them, warning them not to get sick, and thanking them for wishing him a happy birthday. </p>
<p>He walked away from the broadcast feeling hopeful and happy, but anxiously anticipating his trip to Japan…</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>[To Be Continued…]</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p><em>And...we are at the end of part THREE. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading. A few words about minute 23:16 and why I highlighted it. This was Jimin's (presumably) first birthday was Jk was traveling and couldn't be with him. If you notice, he starts singing 3D, but then transitions into a made up song with the lyrics of "I Miss You." I believe the I Miss You may have been triggered by comment, but the song that he sang using those words felt like it was meant for Jk, since Jk was so heavily on his mind. He mentions him three different times during this live and as you can see from his face, he really was worried about him and missed him. Tell me what you think in the comments. </em></p>
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          Oct 29, 2024
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            Sealed Lips | Part III Letter
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<p>**<strong>Author's Notes</strong>**</p>
<p>Hey Everybody? It's been a long time hasn't it? For my regular readers, you know that I don't typically go this long without updates to ongoing fics. But since this is just a small gift for my Diamonds, I am updating a little less frequently as I date source and time stamp all of my references. Canon doesn't have to be perfectly aligned with reality, but it does help pain the picture when you are "close" to how it really happened. </p>
<p>In this episode, things are going to really star happening fast. Our two lovers are going to be tested once again. Although my foundation for this fic starts and ends with AYS, my focus is on showing you things that we DIDN'T see. Scenes that happened privately that are retrofitted into the reality that was broadcasted. I loved this show so much and there were so many angles that I could have taken but in the interest of keeping this a short, action packed read, I had to be very selective with where I built out the story. I hope you like some of the liberties that I have taken with the story and the direction that it is going. This fic is going to feed into my fully fictional story about military enlistment called Camouflaged Hearts. This will be the prequel so many of the story lines that are birthed here will continue in the full fic that I am writing. Next up is Sapporo...I assume that will be in two parts, leaving us with a total of a five part series. Please look forward to it.</p>
<p>Just a very honest warning- this chapter gets very NSFW. If you are not familiar with my writing, please know that I am very naughty and my sexual scenes are graphic and explicit. Please skip this chapter if you are uncomfortable with sex scenes.</p>
<p></p>
<p><span>Thanks for supporting me, even during my hiatus. You're the best friends I could ever hope for. I love you. I love you. I love you.</span></p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p>Summary:</p>
<p>The holidays are coming and Mrs. Jeon makes Jimin an offer that he can't refuse. Nerves are on edge as Jimin and Jeongguk wait for word on their acceptance into the buddy enlistment program. The two are tested once again as they say goodbye to Jeju and return to their packed schedules. But will a small gap in time allow Jeongguk to perform a miracle?</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p>Tags:</p>
<p>~ NSFW (21+) </p>
<p>~ Porn with Plot</p>
<p>~ Hurt/Comfort</p>
<p>~ Mild Angst</p>
<p>~ Canon and Canon divergent</p>
<p>~ Lies/Deceit/Betrayal</p>
<p>~ Everybody's Lips are Sealed</p>
<p>~ Graphic Sexual Content</p>
<p>~ Homosexuality</p>
<p>~ M/M</p>
<p>~ 17, 210k</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p>Jimin stood in the bathroom mirror once again lamenting over the single overgrown hair on his face. Right at the moment where he was ready to yank it out, there was a knock on the door.</p>
<p>“Jiminie, open up, it’s me.”</p>
<p>Jimin swung the door open and immediately turned back to his rogue hair dilemma. </p>
<p>“Looks like I’m just in time,” Jeongguk began to laugh.</p>
<p>“Just in time for what?” Jimin grimaced as he thought about the best way to pull the hair without leaving a mark on his skin.</p>
<p>“Just in time to keep you from doing something drastic about that harmless little hair that you’ve been obsessed with for two days,” Jeongguk stepped inside of the bathroom and stood behind Jimin.</p>
<p>He watched both of their reflections in the mirror. But his eyes were drawn to Jimin’s face; his regal nose and pouty lips and the moistness on his teeth whenever he smiled. </p>
<p>Jeongguk stood even closer behind him, with only several centimeters of anxious space between their bodies. From his position a few inches taller than Jimin, he blew a light breath to bristle the soft tendrils of Jimin’s dark hair. It took all of his power and might not to kiss him on the nape. He stood there for two lifetimes; his reflection bouncing from the mirror, partially hidden by Jimin’s slender body.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/201451a5-5d6e-485d-b6ed-9d51c46c3af8_screenshot2024-10-06at1.26.49%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin was freshly showered with a smell of opulence from his fancy Loe White Shirts bathing gel. His cheeks were slightly blushed from the heat of frustration over the single burdensome hair that protruded from his chin. The ‘Nevermind’ tattoo burned into his ribs, taunting Jeongguk, giving him the perfect landing spot for a soft caress. Several times his arm lifted, fingers eager to lick Jimin’s inked skin; but each time Jeongguk held back, restraining himself from doing so.</p>
<p>Jimin noticed his lover’s delicate gaze; it seemed to follow his every breath. Jeongguk’s eyes bore into him so deeply and passionately that he could feel their heat as if they were rays from the sun. Jimin knew to look away because allowing even a second to pass locked with the younger’s eyes was too much; too tantalizing.</p>
<p>With a calm panic, Jimin looked elsewhere. Completely unintentionally, his eyes caught the meaty bicep of Jeongguk’s right arm and the cornucopia of colorful ink that wrapped around it. The younger’s chest was bare, punctuated with his perpetually hard nipples. His shapely arms flexed and contracted in the steamy mirror. And it was there where Jimin’s eyes safely settled. </p>
<p>For no distinguishable reason, the white moon tattoo on Jeongguk’s shoulder caught Jimin’s attention. He had seen it a million times, possibly two million, but in the wake of their first sexual encounter, it suddenly felt more profound - if that was even possible. The moon tattoo was a late addition; one of the last tattoos that Jeongguk had received in the completion of his sleeve. It too represented Jimin. Much more subtle than the ‘JM’ initials that Jeongguk inked on his ring finger, the white moon tattoo held even deeper meaning because just a few centimeters away was a black Sun; Jeongguk’s tribute to himself. The two images sat boldly together, fulfilling the Yin and Yang of their coexistence, echoing the legend of the black and white couple. It was Jeongguk’s homage to their spiritual connection; their dogged belief that they were fated lovers. Typical Jeongguk. It was all so blatant. So bold. So fucking unapologetic. There was no wonder as to why Jimin found himself in love with him.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/b03ebe30-785f-45a0-aaf0-9dfae7717ea6_screenshot2024-10-06at1.28.48%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin stared intently at their reflections in the mirror. Jeongguk’s arm muscles rippled in small waves with his natural movement. Each time he moved, his tattooed images came to life like an animated movie. Jimin found himself smiling. What a fearless Maknae he had on his hands. </p>
<p>Feelings of ambivalence plagued him. He wanted to reveal their love and shout it from the rooftops, while simultaneously protecting their secret, never allowing the world in. The contradiction was gnawing at his insides. He leaned backwards, pressing his weight against the younger one’s chest. He watched with bated breath as the colorful tattooed arm rose towards his waist. He braced for the moment where he would feel his warm arm wrap around his ‘Nevermind’ tattoo. But the moment never came…</p>
<p>Jeongguk lifted his arm and opened his hand. “Look what I found. I told you that I would take care of it.”</p>
<p>Jimin stuttered for a moment, lost in his own fantasy. He blinked several times before being able to focus on what Jeongguk had in his hands.</p>
<p>“Tweezers! You-you found some?” He was impressed with Jeongguk’s tenacity for finding him a pair of tweezers in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>As he reached forward to grab the tweezers from Jeongguk’s hand, he was hit with an unwelcome vision. Randomly the vision popped into his head and suffocated him. It was the recurring image that had haunted him for years. The vision of the moment that he and Jeongguk would have to say goodbye to serve independent stints in the military. Eighteen long months without so much as laying eyes on each other.  It was a very real possibility that frightened Jimin to no end. The vision in Jimin’s mind was the same every time; Jeongguk giving him a thin meaningless hug in front of malicious eyes that judged their every move. And in every iteration of his waking nightmare, Jeongguk turned his back to him and walked across a snow covered parking lot where he boarded a bus to nowhere. Jimin was pulled away and forced to do the same, riding off into the cold night amidst strangers who cared nothing about him. The vision hurt so much that Jimin’s legs buckled as soon as he touched Jeongguk’s hand.</p>
<p>“Hey, hey, whoa. You ok?” Jeongguk caught Jimin by the arm as Jimin stumbled forward.</p>
<p>Jimin didn’t address Jeongguk’s question. He blurted out the truth - his truth, “Our buddy enlistment has to be approved. It has to be KooKoo. It has to. I don’t know how I can live without you,” his eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t cry but he was nervous and unsteady.</p>
<p>“I figured that’s what was bothering you. It’ll be approved, Jiminie. The world knows that I can’t make it eighteen months without you,” Jeongguk tried to reassure him. “Karma is on our side.”</p>
<p>“You don’t know that. The buddy enlistment decisions are randomly computer selected. Anything could happen,” Jimin argued.</p>
<p>Jeongguk forced Jimin to sit down on the rim of the bathtub basin. He retracted the tweezers and studied Jimin’s rogue hair. “Our people are working on this. We have connections and…they’re going to make this happen. Yes, the buddy selection is computer generated, but I’m sure our team can get past that. Shit, Jiminie, our country owes us. We put South Korea on the map; the prestige, the tourism, the money, it all has to mean something. Now is the time for the country to pay us back. BTS has never asked for anything - until now. Granting our buddy enlistment request is the least that our government can do for us after all we’ve done.”</p>
<p>“There are so many who hate us…rival agencies, government officials, jealous idols. They have their fingers on the scale tilted against us. We shouldn’t even have to enlist. The fact that the government is making us serve when fucking soccer players and violinists get exempt is absolute bullshit. It tells us everything we need to know about how our government feels about us,” Jimin ranted.</p>
<p>“That’s the past. Nothing we can do about decisions made years ago. We have to deal with the situation as it is today. And today, I can promise you, Hybe is working in our favor. They are. Yoongi got his social work position, Hobi is working with new trainees, Tae got special forces and Joon will be in the band - all requests that we made. So why would this one last request be denied? We’re going to get everything we want.”</p>
<p>“You really feel that confident?” Jimin asked.</p>
<p>“No. But I needed to distract you while I ripped this hair out. Here.” Jeongguk handed Jimin the long piece of hair that he had successfully liberated from Jimin’s chin with the tweezers.</p>
<p>Jimin’s eyes widened, he grabbed his chin where the hair once lived. “Aiiish,” he couldn’t help but laugh. “How did you do that?”</p>
<p>“I’m very good at diverting your attention.”</p>
<p>“So you didn’t mean a word you just said?”</p>
<p>“I meant every word of it. But I’m scared too. It’s natural to be unsure because of everything you just mentioned. But Jiminie, I’m cautiously optimistic. I believe in our galaxy, I really do.”</p>
<p>Jimin looked in the mirror. The rogue hair was gone and his skin was flawless as if it never existed, “Geez, you’re good. Thank you.”</p>
<p>“You’re welcome…now…onto more pressing matters. Are you coming to Chuseok? Mom has texted about thirteen times. She needs to know how much Japchae to make,” Jeongguk questioned.</p>
<p>“Oh, she’s cooking?” Jimin grimaced.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, yes.”</p>
<p>“Stop that. Your mother’s cooking is fine,” Jimin scolded. “She cooks with so much love.”</p>
<p>“Yea, well I would rather she cook with seasoning instead of love. Love doesn’t seem to have much flavor,” Jeongguk quipped.</p>
<p>Jimin slapped him on his left nipple, “If she hears you say that it will break her heart.”</p>
<p>“I told her to her face. She’s a tough cookie, she knows where I stand. We’re on the same page. It’s one of the reasons I made sure to learn how to cook. I can’t have another generation of Jeon’s cooking like that.”</p>
<p>Jimin fell over onto Jeongguk’s chest as he laughed, “I’m going. Tell her I’ll be there and I can’t wait to see her. It’s…been a long time.”</p>
<p>“Good. Now moving on…I packed a lunch for tomorrow, for the boat ride. Should be really nice, Jeongguk stood next to Jimin and placed a headband around his head to pull his hair back as he washed his face.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/ae3a9b57-1b8b-4592-b18c-55d76db5e239_screenshot2024-10-06at1.30.48%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“I can’t wait,” Jimin said faintly.</p>
<p>Jeongguk quickly washed and turned towards the bedroom, “So I guess we each have our own beds now that Tae is gone.”</p>
<p>“Last two nights here,” Jimin smiled. </p>
<p>“Yea, we catch flights soon,” Jeongguk continued to stare at Jimin, he was pouting and Jimin knew it.</p>
<p>“Yea. So about the beds…any particular one you want?”</p>
<p>“The one that you’re sleeping in,” Jeongguk said boldly.</p>
<p>“Jeongguk, please.” Jimin lowered his head to avoid eye contact. “We can’t share a bed. The last time we woke up together, you were so hard that you almost impaled me even though the cameras were running. We have to stay disciplined and keep our distance from each other.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk closed his hand around Jimin’s. He rubbed the outline of Jimin’s small fingers and then kissed them. “I’m going to be completely honest…”</p>
<p>“Don’t say it.” Jimin shook his head. </p>
<p>“I want to make love again.”</p>
<p>“I told you not to say it,” Jimin giggled.</p>
<p>“No one is here. Why can’t we share a bed like we always do? We’ve shared a bed whenever we were together, even when we were being filmed. We know how to control ourselves. So what’s the big deal? Why is everything so different all of a sudden?”</p>
<p>“Because you fucked me, for the first time, after years of being together, we had unplanned, unprotected sex. And whether you like it or not, that changed everything. We have to walk this back. We have to put it back in the bottle. We can be in love without being sexually involved, couples do it all of the time, ” Jimin said delicately. “It’s the sex that will get us in trouble.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk shook his head in disagreement, “Sex is beautiful between two people in love and what we did in the pool was beautiful. We’re almost thirty fucking years old. I think we can handle a sexual relationship.”</p>
<p>Jimin disagreed, “No we can’t. We did it one time and you were ready to tell the world about it. Imagine if you get addicted to me, then what? You’ll lose your mind.” Jimin was kidding, but not really. He grabbed Jeongguk’s chin and lifted it so they could look at each other, “It’s not our time KooKoo.”</p>
<p>“Will it ever be our time?”</p>
<p> Jimin’s response was delayed, “...I don’t know.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk didn’t like arguing with Jimin over something as trite as sex. He couldn’t understand Jimin’s attitude or why he was so terrified of being physical. </p>
<p>Irritated, he turned and exited the bathroom, leaving Jimin alone. He proceeded to the bed furthest away while allowing Jimin to take the bed closest to the door. Relegating themselves to separate beds was the stupidest thing that Jeongguk had ever heard. For years they had slept together, for years they had resisted doing anything inappropriate. Why did Jimin think it mattered now? But once again, Jeongguk held his tongue. Whatever Jimin needed to help him deal with the guilt of making love, Jeongguk was willing to provide - even if he thought it was ridiculous.</p>
<p>Privately, Jimin acknowledged the intrusive thoughts in his head. It wasn’t just Jeongguk who wanted to make love again, he wanted it to, possibly wanted it more. Jimin didn’t trust himself. His discipline was waning. Every hour, every minute, every second that they spent alone chiseled away at his resolve, his discipline and courage. </p>
<p>Less and less he viewed Jeongguk as just a bandmate. More and more he encapsulated him as his lover, and the love of his life. With the house empty and no cameras or staff around, the sexual tension between them was once again escalating. Too many touches. Too many errant stares. Too many moments where their lips longed to mingle. Being alone with Jeongguk was so hard. Yet being alone with him was everything he could ever want.  </p>
<p>***</p>
<p>It was their last day in Jeju. From Jeju, they planned to take a flight the following morning to Busan where they would begin the holiday. </p>
<p>With Jeongguk still in the middle of a very intense schedule, their time in Busan was to be brief. As such, their remaining time together would be brief as well. At the end of Chuseok, they would have to say goodbye again for several months before beginning the third leg of the <em>Are You Sure </em>series. Each moment was precious.</p>
<p>Since their last day was Jeju was free with no schedules, they chose to spend it on the sea, the place that made them the happiest.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Jimin honestly couldn’t decide what was more beautiful, the rose gold sunset or his tattooed bandmate. As the sun dropped behind Jeongguk’s silhouette, Jimin stared from behind the lens of a small disposable camera. He made his way around the bow of the boat, searching for the best angle to capture both the sky and Jeongguk in the same shot.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/abf15a8c-ab19-4000-ac77-d191e5e1b931_screenshot2024-10-06at1.32.23%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“What’s with all of the pictures?” Jeongguk laughed.</p>
<p>“Sejin asked for a few more photos. Just trying…to get a few more.”</p>
<p>“Are you sure those pictures are for Sejin?”</p>
<p>Jimin blushed. Jeongguk could always tell when he was bluffing. He changed the subject, “This was a good idea,” Jimin said as he snapped photo after photo of Jeongguk.</p>
<p>“Chartering the boat again for just the two of us?”</p>
<p>“Yes, exactly that. It’s so peaceful out here in the middle of the ocean.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk added, “You know Sejin also asked if we could keep our go-pros on to get more B-roll and some extra footage.”</p>
<p>“This is our last day alone. Maybe when we head to the airport we can film more. But not tonight. Tonight needs to be about me and you.”</p>
<p>As the large yacht drifted through the heavy waves of the East China Sea, Jimin took a few more shots of the sunset. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/a96281f8-0c33-4972-ba30-3e4a6b5ac668_screenshot2024-10-06at1.33.45%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jeongguk laid with his back against the deck and focused on the colorful sky. “I didn’t mean for this outing to be so romantic.”</p>
<p>Jimin laughed, “It is romantic. What do you think the fans will think when they see this?”</p>
<p>“That we’re fucking,” Jeongguk quipped.</p>
<p>“Well we aren’t,” Jimin was quick to defend their position.</p>
<p>“But we did.”</p>
<p>“Did, doesn’t count. As long as we don’t do it again, we can pretend that it never happened.” </p>
<p>“But I don’t want to pretend that having sex never happened…,” Jeongguk snapped. “Calm down Jimin. The fans will never see this version. We only filmed our time on the boat with Tae, remember? It will all look very brotherly and shit,” Jeongguk said angrily.</p>
<p> Jeongguk removed his cell phone. He didn’t want to miss the brilliant sunset. It was an important moment, one that he needed to capture as a precious memory; something he could look back on during the lonely days in the barracks. Besides, talking to Jimin about his refusal to have sex again would only make him angry. The gorgeous sunset was a welcomed distraction.</p>
<p>The cool sea splashed over them like small droplets of rain. It felt good in the midst of the evening  heat. Jimin laid down next to Jeongguk.</p>
<p>“Come take a picture. I need as many of these pictures as possible in case…,”</p>
<p>“...in case we have to say goodbye?” Jeongguk concluded Jimin’s sentence.</p>
<p>“Just in case.”</p>
<p>“You know, we’re still in the same group. Even if buddy enlistment is denied, we’ll be back together as soon as enlistment is done. Besides, even while we’re in ROKN, we can see each other on holidays and vacations,” Jeongguk tried to keep the mood upbeat.</p>
<p>“You’re talking like our enlistment isn’t going to be approved.”</p>
<p>“No, I’m just saying…,”</p>
<p>“Shut up and smile,” Jimin quipped.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/7c7a13e9-6d2b-446d-8b29-873a1d751f57_screenshot2024-10-06at1.34.38%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Wow, that sunset is really beautiful.”</p>
<p>“It seems prettier than the sunsets in Seoul,” Jimin shaded his eyes as he looked towards the white puffy clouds. “Look up. Doesn’t that look like a whale?” He drew an outline of clouds in the sky for Jeongguk to see his vision.</p>
<p>“It looks like a dick.”</p>
<p>“It does not!” Jimin sat up and studied the cluster of clouds again, “Ok…I can see how you would see that.”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/84dc267d-399f-4eae-9973-9ff8abf41b6c_screenshot2024-10-06at1.35.38%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“We’re both horney, that’s why we can both see it.” Jeongguk giggled.</p>
<p>“I don’t disagree. But let’s go with whale. I’ll take a picture and we can include it in the photobook.”</p>
<p>“I still see a dick…but if you want to pretend it’s a whale, then be my guest.”</p>
<p>“Can we pretend it’s a whale of a dick?”</p>
<p>Jeongguk tilted his head back and laughed. “I’m in love with you. You know that right?”</p>
<p>“Tell me why.”</p>
<p>“Why?”</p>
<p>“List all of the reasons, right now, go.”</p>
<p>“There’s too many reasons to list.”</p>
<p>Jimin insisted, “Well tell me the big ones.”</p>
<p>“Ok. Well, I won’t waste time talking about your body, or your smile, or your laugh…or even your talent, even though those are my favorite things.” Jeongguk broke away from the clouds and looked at Jimin as he lay next to him, “No, I won’t waste time there. I tell you that everyday. Instead, I’ll tell you…how you make me feel.”</p>
<p>Jimin sat up on his elbow, “What do you mean?”</p>
<p>“You’re like an emotional superhero. I sound silly, let me explain. You make me want to sing better. Dance harder. Study harder. Cook better. Be a better son and brother. You make me reach down into the depths of my soul to be a better person for my family, for my friends, for you, for the other members but most of all…for myself. You have this ability to help me see the best in myself and never settle for anything less. You make me love harder. You make me laugh harder. You help make me…be me. I guess you can infer all of the qualities that go with that, but Jiminie, that’s what I love most about you. From the very beginning, I felt it. Sure it started out as a little crush because you were always so charming and you gave me good food and helped me with my homework. But my feelings grew far beyond that and well here we are. You’re my superhero.”</p>
<p>The sun dipped a few feet further towards the ocean as the waves rocked against the drifting boat. Seagulls sang in the distance amidst the otherwise hushed silence. There were no other boats around, no other crew, not even bodyguards; just the two lovers and the boat captain.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/5c6f0589-23b9-4692-adda-901a3747c3c9_screenshot2024-10-06at1.36.39%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin felt the wet along his cheeks, but he assumed it was just more splashing from the ocean. He didn’t realize they were his own tears. Of all of the things he thought Jeongguk would say, his actual words exceeded his wildest expectations. He didn’t want another moment to pass without him returning the sentiment. </p>
<p>He blurted, “You make me laugh. That’s what I love most about you.”</p>
<p>“Seriously, that’s it?” Jeongguk said with a slight sting in his voice.</p>
<p>“You don’t understand. I’m a very serious person. I overthink everything. So serious that it almost killed me. The stress that I put on myself was not sustainable. Since I was two years old, I worried about almost everything. My grades, my performance, my weight, my dance, my technique, my studies. Everything. And then one day you came along as a friendly reminder not to take myself so seriously. I don’t think I ever laughed before I met you…at least not like I do now. Your lawless, emotional, impulsive behavior is the exact opposite of mine. I was too regimented, too disciplined, too…funless. You changed all of that and in the process, you saved my life…gave me life. I learned how to find pleasure in chaos. I learned that mistakes were not the end of the world. I learned that food can be as good as sex. I learned that smiling and laughing adds years to my life and you make me do it everyday. It may seem like a small thing to you, but it’s everything to me. Don’t you see? That’s what makes us unbreakable. Our relationship isn’t based on anything physical. It’s based on who we are inside. Sure you’re attractive, you’re talented, you’re kind and gentle. But so are a lot of other people in the world. You have something that no one else in the world has, you’re my destiny. My perfect puzzle piece. My universal other half. You’re what I need.”</p>
<p>“Serendipity. I remember when you told Namjoon that you were falling in love and he helped you write that. Lucky for us, you never told him who you were falling in love with.” Jeongguk laughed. “We’ve been together, in love, for all these years and never made love until a few days ago. Why do you think…it took so long?”</p>
<p>“It’s not because we didn’t want to. It took so long because no matter how much we wanted each other, we remained disciplined. Yeah we fooled around, but we never went there out of respect for the group and respect for our circumstances. But…knowing that…,”</p>
<p>Jeongguk interrupted, “Knowing that we could be apart for 18 months made us lose control, out of fear? I guess?”</p>
<p>“Fear of what the future could hold. We gave in. It happened.” Jimin admitted, “Honestly, I was hoping that Chapter two would put some distance between us. I was hoping that we could find a way out of this mess without either of us getting hurt. But it backfired. The more time we spent apart working on our separate projects, the more my heart ached for you. I became obsessed with your schedule and knowing where you were going and how you were doing. The pain of missing you was miserable. I thought we were doing what was right. I thought we were growing stronger and more independent. I thought…I thought a lot of things. But the moment I laid eyes on you in New York, I knew that there was no distance between us; only more love. I watched you at the GMA performance and I wanted to rip you off of that stage and make love to you right there in Central Park in the rain. Somehow, I loved you even more. Even more.”</p>
<p>“Bro, there were like 20,000 people there. That would have been quite a show,” Jeongguk mocked.</p>
<p>Jimin burst with laughter, “Oh Jeonggukie.” He rolled behind him and wrapped his arms around him.</p>
<p> Jeongguk lifted his cell phone to take one additional video of the sun before it receded too far into the ocean. He could feel Jimin’s tight grip around him as they lay together in the middle of the sea. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/362b9405-9966-4345-9035-757ff8efe676_screenshot2024-10-06at1.37.38%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“It’s already getting dark,” Jimin whispered beneath the sound of the rolling waves. </p>
<p>“Yea, I guess it is,” Jeongguk’s voice was deflated.</p>
<p>“What’s wrong?”</p>
<p>“I never want you to let me go. I want more of you…I… don’t know how to explain it,” the whine in Jeongguk’s voice was picked up by his cell phone as he continued to capture the last few moments of the sinking sun.</p>
<p>“I’m here. I won’t let go.”</p>
<p>“You know what I mean. The urge is always there, even though I know it can never again be fulfilled.”</p>
<p>“Urge? Oh KooKoo, this is why we should have never…,” Jimin was cut off.</p>
<p>“Stop saying that. I really don’t want to hear that again. Please.”</p>
<p>Jimin understood Jeongguk’s snippiness. He was pouting, projecting anger over a situation in which he felt little control. Still, Jimin refused to let him go. Instead, he held him tighter. His nose and lips parted the shag of Jeongguk’s hair until he could taste his slightly salted skin. As he burrowed his entire face into the back of Jeongguk’s neck, he slid his arm down the front of his body until  his outstretched hands were resting on the younger’s stomach. Despite Jeongguk still filming the sunset, Jimin slid his hand further down between the elastic band of Jeongguk’s pants and the warm skin of his abs. With the creep of a few curious fingers, he found his way inside of the younger’s underwear where he searched for a very specific target.</p>
<p>Jeongguk released a heavy breath. He could feel Jimin’s fingers crawling through the thick of his untamed pubic hair. Jimin getting handsy with him was not unusual. Getting handsy on a boat in the middle of the ocean where the entire world could see - was very unusual. He knew what his hyung was doing. It was an apology of sorts, calling a truce, giving him relief from his pent up sexual frustration. While Jeongguk’s cell phone caught every bit of the sinking sun, it also caught every bit of his lusty moans as Jimin began to work his hand in circles. Jeongguk didn’t struggle. Instead he melted his broad back onto the capable chest of his elder. His mouth dropped slightly and his head tilted as Jimin hit the spot.</p>
<p>With a tentative caress, Jimin eased his hands over Jeongguk’s crotch, drawing a moan of pleasure from the other’s lips. He felt Jeongguk’s legs part slightly, allowing Jimin more room to work. It was going to be quick because he knew that Jeongguk didn’t have the sexual discipline to last very long. Jimin pushed his hips forward, driving his hard cock firmly into Jeongguk’s back. He wanted to make sure that his stallion could feel him, feel his excitement, feel how hard he was. He wanted Jeongguk to know that he wasn’t the only one who had urges, who longed to feel him inside of him, who longed to make love every single day. </p>
<p>“My baby. You’re so warm and so hard. Relax, let me…take care of you,” Jimin whispered behind him. “Remember the first time I did this to you? Jacked you off and made you cum.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk moaned with a nod, “I wouldn’t stop crying.  I was upset over some bullshit with Tae and you made me cum to make me stop crying,” Jeongguk grunted as Jimin rubbed him more aggressively.</p>
<p>“That’s exactly right,” he breathed into the lobe of Jeongguk’s ear.</p>
<p>Within a flash, Jimin removed his hand and licked his palm, covering it with his balmy saliva before returning it to the elongated shaft of his desperate lover. It was at that moment that he began to stroke him, rubbing him with all of the nuanced touches that he knew set him off. Tickling his cock’s tip, stretching the skin, fisting the thickness like a vice - it was everything that he knew Jeongguk liked.</p>
<p>Jeongguk’s cock was alive, innervated with blood rushing to every part of his body. The greedy nerves in his cock clamored for movement, for the sliding, teasing friction that would bring him release. His grip on his cell phone tightened, despite his eyes slamming shut. The camera continued to capture the falling sun as well as the sounds of his approaching orgasm. His mouth tightened as he held still and fast, in anticipation of the wave of pleasure that slowly escalated inside of him. His nuts rumbled and his groin boiled. After only seconds of being jacked off by his boyfriend, he was already ready to cum.  </p>
<p>Jimin moved his hand back and forth, tripling the bulge inside of the younger’s pants. Once again, he quickly removed his palm to moisten it, rubbing spit all over the juiciest part of his fingers. He could smell his lover’s scent - Loe’s Peaches and Tea. For his own satisfaction, he sniffed his fingers before quickly licking away the precum that had dribbled into the creases. His whiny baby began to squirm, anxious to conclude his journey. With no further hesitation, he plunged his wet hand back into the front of Jeongguk’s pants and commenced to stroke him again. The subtle clapping of his wet fist could barely be heard from beneath the fabric of the younger’s pants, yet the camera picked up every decibel. He slammed his fist back and forth, eliciting even more moans from his delicious boyfriend. The deepening of Jeongguk’s breaths signaled that he was close.</p>
<p>Jimin smothered his lover’s ear and coaxed him to release, not with dirty words, but with beautiful ones, “Never forget how much I love you. I’ll never let you go.”</p>
<p>The cell phone tilted sideways, capturing a crooked horizon but still gripped between Jeongguk’s fingers. The soundtrack for the recording of the beautiful evening sky was his deep earthy groan as Jimin masturbated him to climax. His breathy voice was loud over the waves, pushing louder and louder as the pools of heat burned his stomach. He looked down and could see the bouncing outline of Jimin’s hand as he worshiped his cock.</p>
<p>“Uhh-uhh, uh, uh, s-s-s-s, oh fuck, yes…don’t stop,” Jeongguk moaned into the microphone of his cell phone.</p>
<p>Jimin’s deep consoling voice echoed his, “That’s a good boy, let it all out, cum for me.” There was a slight arch in Jeongguk’s back before Jimin felt a flow of wet between his fingers. He stroked him throughout, milking him for every drop, feeding him all the way to the end.</p>
<p> Just as the moment expired, Jeongguk suddenly turned around to face him. Unabashedly soaked from stomach to thighs with cum, he crawled on top of Jimin and came down hard with pursed lips, covering his face with grateful loving kisses.</p>
<p>“You didn’t have to do that,” Jeongguk said after landing about 100 kisses across Jimin’s lips and cheeks.</p>
<p>“Lay back down. There’s only about ten minutes remaining before the sun is completely gone. I don’t want to waste a single moment of it. Our last night here KooKoo. Stay in my arms.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk laid back down and once again Jimin engulfed him from behind. There they lay until the entire bay was cloaked in darkness.</p>
<p></p>
<p>By the time their chartered yacht returned to the dock, night had fallen. The bay of Jeju was pitch black. Even the seagulls had retired for the evening. Their flight for Busan was scheduled for noon the following day at the official start of their holiday and they still had hours worth of packing to do.  </p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Standing in front of the mirror, Jimin applied toner to his cheeks and forehead as he resumed his nightly skin care routine. His singing voice was strengthened by the hazy moisture in the air. He harmonized with the second warm voice coming from the shower as the two performed a private concert. Jimin sang the lead with Jeongguk lending his beautiful adlibs. They performed the song with passion and intensity, something they did often when they were feeling uneasy. It was their way of comforting each other;</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Baby, don't leave</em></p>
<p><em>Just stay by my side, yeah</em></p>
<p><em>To you, who see me bigger than what my little self is (to you)</em></p>
<p><em>So that I can give as much as I’ve received (oh-oh)</em></p>
<p><em>So that I can keep my word (oh-oh)</em></p>
<p><em>Don't worry, just stay by my side, yeah (Yeah)</em></p>
<p><em>We don’t know what the future holds (holds, yeah)</em></p>
<p><em>And that’s scary and makes us afraid (oh-oh)</em></p>
<p><em>But don’t forget that we’re always together (don't forget)</em></p>
<p>Jimin pulled back the shower curtain to sing the last few lines directly to Jeongguk’s face. He had a flirtatious glint in his eye.</p>
<p><em>I know it sounds so clichéd</em></p>
<p><em>So that it's not taken lightly</em></p>
<p><em>Let me say it to you properly</em></p>
<p>Quickly, Jimin leaned forward, giving Jeongguk no time to object. Jeongguk held steady despite the foamy lather of soap all over his face. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, just like it always did when Jimin leaned in to kiss him. Jimin’s kiss was so subtle in its demand, that Jeongguk wasn’t even aware that his own lips had parted and his tongue had pushed forward into Jimin’s mouth. They shared a face full of soap as Jimin’s hands cradled Jeongguk’s jaw and his fingers tickled the stubble under his chin.</p>
<p>Jimin’s mouth was so tenderly persuasive, erotic and passionate. Yet there was an undertone of desperation, even sadness whenever he possessed Jeongguk like that.</p>
<p>Jimin’s puffy lips slid to Jeongguk’s throat, until his tongue and teeth settled over his pulse. He worked his mouth around the spot, layering sensation like silk until Jeongguk shivered and pulled away. His nudity left him vulnerable. Jimin could plainly see his sprouting erection.</p>
<p>“It’s just a kiss,” Jimin teased.</p>
<p>“Easy for you to say,” Jeongguk pushed Jimin away and yanked the curtain back. “You’re always starting trouble,” he yelled over the spray of the shower water.</p>
<p>“Wash your hair. You still taste like seawater,” Jimin flirted a little more.</p>
<p>Jeongguk ripped the curtain back again and even though Jimin was already showered and fully dressed in his pajamas, Jeongguk bear hugged him and pulled him partially into the shower underneath the powerful spray of water. Devilry glittered in his large expressive eyes as he trapped Jimin against his wet, naked body. The feel of him was richly stimulating as Jeongguk engaged him in another soapy, uncontrolled kiss. </p>
<p>Jimin burst into giggles and fought for his freedom. The spray of the shower soaked him and his pajamas. He slapped the chest of his neanderthal boyfriend while negotiating his position. But the shameful truth was that he loved being dominated and controlled by his powerful soulmate. He loved his show of power and strength. He loved being held by him, even if it was under the spray of steaming hot water. He loved it all.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>It was 3:00am when Jimin’s phone rang. Within seconds of his phone ringing, Jeongguk’s phone blared as well. There was absolutely no reason for anyone to be calling that time of the night. The two had only been in bed for a couple of hours, but they were in a deep sleep. Naturally, the ringing phones startled them both. It was Jimin who awakened first.</p>
<p>He squinted, hair matted to one side of his head, left eye still partially closed, “He-hello?” He said without checking the caller ID.</p>
<p>“Jimin! It’s me. I called both of you because I wasn’t sure who would answer first. Where’s Jeongguk? Put me on speaker.”</p>
<p>“Sejin?” Jimin grumbled.</p>
<p>“Yes, it’s me. Where’s Jeongguk? Get him on the phone, I’ve got two letters here from the 2nd Infantry Division. I stopped by the office to pick up a few contracts and saw the letters sitting in my mailbox. They had been delivered to me since they knew we were working together.”</p>
<p>“Do you think…?” Jimin hesitated.</p>
<p>“YES, I DO. WAKE UP JEONGGUK, PLEASE!” Sejin insisted.</p>
<p>“Jeonggukie, get up, GET UP!” Jimin jumped from his bed over to Jeongguk’s bed where the younger was snoring and completely oblivious to all of the noise in the room. </p>
<p>Jimin climbed on top of him and slapped his cheek gently several times to lure him awake. Jeongguk’s eyes fluttered open gradually. He wasn’t immediately sure what to make of Jimin sitting on top of him. His cock jumped hard as a default. But Jimin’s shrill yell immediately killed his erection. Something was wrong. Jimin was upset or excited or scared or something - not good. </p>
<p>Jeongguk mumbled, “What is it? What’s wrong?”</p>
<p>“Our decision letters came in today. Sejin has both of them in his hand.”</p>
<p>“And? What do they say?” Jeongguk was suddenly completely coherent. He sat up while holding on to Jimin to make sure that he didn’t push him out of the bed. </p>
<p>“Sejin, Jeongguk is here.” Jimin put Sejin on speaker phone. </p>
<p>Sejin began immediately, “You have a couple of choices here. Either I can get this shipped overnight to you over the holiday, or you can give me permission to open them right here and right now and tell you what they say.”</p>
<p>“Oh yes, please ship them. We’re in no hurry to hear the most important information in our entire lives. No hurry at all. We can wait a few more days or even weeks. Keep us in agony. We love that. In fact send the letters by mule, let’s really ratchet up the suffering. No big fucking deal at all,” Jeongguk was as sarcastic as he could be at 3:00am. </p>
<p>Jimin placed a calming hand on his crotchety lover’s chest to stop his tirade of sarcasm, “Of course we’ll take option two. You have our permission to open both letters,” Jimin said seriously. </p>
<p>“Good because I already opened them,” Sejin laughed. </p>
<p>“Mail fraud. Nice,” Jeongguk rolled his eyes.</p>
<p>“Well?” Jimin was a nervous wreck.</p>
<p>“You two will be seeing a lot more of each other’s faces - for the next 18 months.”</p>
<p>“WE WERE APPROVED?” Jeongguk screamed.</p>
<p>“APPROVED? The buddy enlistment was approved?” Jimin echoed.</p>
<p>“Yes. You’re in…together,” Sejin’s deep voice boomed over the phone. “Congratulations guys. Luck definitely favors you.”</p>
<p>“Ok, ok, it’s late, you - you need to get to bed. Thank you for the news, Sejin, Thank you!” Jimin said brightly. </p>
<p>“You’re welcome. Mr. Lee will meet you at the airport tomorrow and escort you to Busan. Have a safe holiday. See you in a few days.”</p>
<p>“You too Sejin and thanks again! Good night.”</p>
<p>Before Jimin could even disconnect his phone, he had Jeongguk in his arms. They held each other in a tight grasp, shaking their heads, unable to believe the incredible news.</p>
<p>Jeongguk held Jimin at arm’s length to look at him. “I told you. I told you this would happen. I told you we would be approved.”</p>
<p>Jimin smiled as he held both of Jeongguk’s hands within his. “You never doubted it. You kept me sane all of these months by being so positive and refusing to think the worst. This is one more reason why I love you.”</p>
<p>“We don’t have to be separated. I get to have you by my side for the next 18 months. I get to have you all to myself. No fans, no other members, no management, no work, just me and you.”</p>
<p>“And about 150 other soldiers,” Jimin reminded him.</p>
<p>“I-I can’t believe it.” Tears fell from the younger’s eyes as he looked around the room in disbelief. This was the best possible outcome. He took several deep breaths. “For the next two years, you and your bald head are going to be the first person I see in the morning and the last person I see at night. We really are destined, aren’t we?”</p>
<p>“You keep saying that. I used to laugh at the notion, but now…,”</p>
<p>“But now you believe me, right? The universe has chosen us to be together. Out of the thousands of talented kids who auditioned for BTS, you and I were two of the seven who made it. What are the odds of finding your soulmate right smack dab in the middle of the most popular group in the entire world? How does something like that even happen? The two from Busan, the two with the matching moles and identical senses of humor. The two who like the same movies and laugh at the same jokes. The two who make each other the happiest. The two who started as best friends and eventually fell in love. Only the universe can move in such a kismet way. Being chosen to serve together is just further proof that we can never be divided," Jeongguk said passionately.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/e971e4eb-2603-45ea-8a31-ff3af053f131_screenshot2024-10-06at1.40.08%E2%80%AFam.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“I’m stuck with you…is that what you’re saying?” Jimin joked.</p>
<p>“You’re stuck with me. But more than that…even if everyone hates us and tries to tear us apart, they won’t succeed because it’s you and me against the world. That’s how it was always meant to be.” Jeongguk said many outrageous things. His deepest thoughts escaped as he purged theories that he’d held close to his heart for years. Jeongguk’s own words brought him to tears. Never had he been happier. Military service was no longer a scary thought for him. He felt fearless because Jimin was going to be right there with him.</p>
<p>“You’re so idealistic. It’s the most incredible thing about you. It’s like you wish upon a star and your every wish all comes true…not because wishes are real but because God can’t resist giving you everything you want. Being in love with you is like loving a Disney Prince,” Jimin knew he wasn’t making sense but he was too emotional to be the sensible and mature one. For once he chose to just let go and live in Jeongguk’s beautiful world.</p>
<p>Jeongguk’s shoulders slumped over as he released a much needed cry. In his attempts to soothe Jeongguk and assuage his tears, Jimin held him in his arms. But his lover’s sobs were contagious and soon Jimin found himself fully crying as well. </p>
<p>It was only at that moment that they realized how stressful the waiting had been and how vexatious it was not knowing how all of it was going to end. They hugged and cried, washing away the fear and toxic anxiety that had burrowed into their bones like muriatic acid. With no cameras, no interruptions, and no judgment, they released it all. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk fetched a towel from the bathroom. They used it to wipe their tears and blow each other’s noses. Crying together seemed to fix everything.</p>
<p>“I hope you can sleep right next to me. Or maybe across from me? We can take all our vacations together. We can visit our parents together too whenever we go home. We should journal everyday, you know, to keep our memories fresh. Maybe one day we’ll have kids and we can tell them all about it. We’re the only Idols in the history of Korea to ever enlist together. We’re making history. Our kids need to know that their dads were really cool…,” Jeongguk said brightly.</p>
<p>Jimin felt the need to give his Disney Prince a reality check, “Slow down Jeonggukie, this isn’t a romantic comedy. This is the military and with North Korea lobbing missiles over our heads every other day, a war could break out at any time. We are enlisting at a very dangerous time. There are several wars ongoing and the U.S. is involved in all of them. With them as our allies, there is no end to the shit they could drag us into. We’re already being assigned to the most dangerous region in the division.”</p>
<p>“Oh you’re being dramatic. Nothing is going to escalate that quickly. By next June we’ll be out and the allies can continue their bullshit without BTS. Besides, I’ll happily die with you by my side if it comes down to it,” Jeongguk pulled Jimin to the bed and crawled over the top of him. What was once a face full of painful tears had transitioned to a face full of overwhelming joy. He caged Jimin against the mattress and began kissing the side of his neck. </p>
<p>Jimin laughed through his spent tears. He too suddenly felt invincible and exceedingly happy. He wrapped his arms around Jeongguk’s shoulders and pulled him closer, inviting him to steal more kisses from his neck. “How about neither of us die. Let’s just get this shit over so we can come back home.” He giggled again as Jeongguk’s lips tickled him around his ear.</p>
<p>They kissed in a playful fashion, bouncing their lips together in a silly cadence while they hummed and sang in exuberance. They rolled across the bed, body over body, switching positions like children. But with each kiss, each touch, each sigh, the mood shifted from playful to something else - </p>
<p>Surprisingly, it was Jimin who crossed over. Jeongguk could suddenly feel Jimin’s fingers deeply embedded in the back of his neck. Gone were the delicate touches and the brotherly hugs. </p>
<p>Jimin couldn’t see clearly. His eyes were full of Jeongguk’s beautiful silhouette. He could only hear the thumping of his heart. He could only feel the burning desire in his loins. He could only touch his lover’s taught golden skin. Nothing else crossed his sensory path; not rationale, not discipline, not fear. Only passion arose within him. He paused to take one additional look at his young love. He stared at him with equal parts hunger and reverence. His Jeonggukie was unspeakably beautiful, reclining beneath him. Ravenously he tore off Jeongguk’s clothing and lowered himself to him.</p>
<p>“Touch me. Do you feel that?” Jimin whispered into his ear.</p>
<p>Jeongguk gently rubbed his hands over Jimin’s crotch. He felt the power of a thick steel pipe percolating beneath Jimin’s pants. He was burning for him; full of desire that seemed uncontrollable. The vagary in his hyung’s disposition perplexed him. But he didn’t dare question it. He slowly lifted his arm and slid one hand around Jimin’s neck. His fingers laced through his tresses as Jimin groaned underneath his touch. He hesitated in returning Jimin’s aggression. The elder had been so against making love that Jeongguk wanted to stall, just long enough to give him time to reconsider. He couldn’t stomach more of Jimin’s regrets. </p>
<p>But there was no reconsidering. Jimin knew what he wanted and he was ready to take it. What they were about to do was necessary. It was the only thing missing from their perfect night with the perfect news. They needed to have their perfect ending. It took nanoseconds to liberate Jimin from his heavy sweats and long sleeve shirt. They rolled around the bed, kissing, biting, licking and sucking every iota of skin that they could reach. Jimin pinned Jeongguk to the bed and climbed onto him. He attacked his lips, smashing their mouths together in sloppy tongue filled kisses.</p>
<p>Everything happened so fast. Not even Jimin could control it. He straddled Jeongguk’s waist and grabbed his hand, wrapping it around his naked vulnerable hard flesh. It was their first time doing it on a bed. The excitement of it all pushed them to move too fast, with little caution. They had no lube, they had no condoms. It was wrong, all wrong, but they couldn’t stop. </p>
<p>Jimin fell flat on his back before pulling Jeongguk over the top of him. He lifted his legs and pressed his ankles together to give Jeongguk a look at his treasure. His hole was clenched tight, ill prepared for the younger’s virgin cock to be rammed inside of him. He used several fingers to tickle himself open, just enough for Jeongguk to press his tip through the slit.</p>
<p>With a single hand, Jeongguk grabbed both of Jimin’s ankles and pushed forward, pressing Jimin’s legs into his chest. He bent him in half, positioning him for a fast, rough entry. He stretched his cock, and stroked it liberally to keep it hard while he rubbed a dollop of Loe’s body oil over his tip. The bottle of oil squelched as he squeezed again, this time dropping glistening puddles of it over Jimin’s small fingers which were still plugged into his hole.</p>
<p>Jimin rubbed the oil inside of him and all over both thighs. His oil slicked fingers clawed at Jeongguk’s hips, directing them to the spot. </p>
<p>The mild mannered Maknae turned confidently aggressive when it came to getting what he wanted. He held Jimin’s legs firmly in place as he worked his dick along the slippery path before plunging it into Jimin’s body.</p>
<p>The breath was forced from Jimin’s lungs. He felt a collision and pressure that was so intense that it almost pushed him through the headboard. His legs trembled from the discomfort. Inadvertently, he pushed Jeongguk away from him. Jeongguk pinned Jimin’s arms down so that he couldn’t push him away. He thrusted forward again, rounding his hips again, forcing his cock directly into the unyielding center of Jimin’s body. </p>
<p>“FUCK!” Jimin cried out. </p>
<p>Jeongguk’s knees dug into the surface of the mattress as he thrusted forward again. Trapping Jimin’s arms by his sides, Jeongguk began pumping. There was too much resistance to go deep. He pushed the tip of his cock just past Jimin’s rim and it was there where he focused his short powerful strokes. Several times his dick fell completely out, causing him to hold it, find the hole again, and push it back in. Each time he re-entered, Jimin released another pained yelp. </p>
<p>Jeongguk tried to be loving, he tried to be sensitive but he didn’t know how to summon such restraint in the midst of such pleasurable sensation. Jimin’s hole felt like a vice around his shaft. He could already feel the hot fluid racing through his veins. Oblivious to Jimin’s flinching, he fucked him hard, to his own satisfaction. </p>
<p>“Oh baby, Jiminie…I love you, I love you…,” Jeongguk moaned in a breathy pant as his cock percolated, causing cum to squirt in long intervals.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><em>[To Be Continued....]</em></strong></p>
<p></p>
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          Oct 29, 2024
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          <a data-turbo-frame="_top" class="post__title" href="/supporters/posts/86319">
            Sealed Lips | Part II Oubaitori
</a>      </div>

      

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<p><span><img alt="" height="2732" src="https://imgproxy.fourthwall.dev/SNZ5b-Cz2MjI1CZdP-ejOXPrGhjGPscbrsq6RCeCDMQ/w:890/el:0/q:90/sm:1/enc/NDQzM2E2ZDg3ZDgy/ZTg0Y6C7_K8exjnc/npPYSCaQ3ErGmtbC/hs4nw_L7RceR0Ctx/AWtG7W5IG7IuEp4D/2wmurCpWp5PrgjaL/HKSYDu5IoNO9QvF2/Z7HusZU3RdZXsOQ1/o0GDOp2UdBd9VBhT/6Vh-9veX2PegarpS/cahUwF5TZXY.webp" width="2048" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>**<strong>Author's Notes</strong>**</p>
<p>Hey! I'm back with part two of <strong>Sealed Lips</strong>. Once again we pick up the story in Jeju. You will notice that I somewhat tip-toe around the first two episodes, only because I didn't want to recount the days of Jimin being sick. I was so worried about him and I didn't want to document his tough times in this lighthearted take on AYS. I think it stressed us all.</p>
<p>I'm having so much fun writing this. Imagining some of the things that might have happened behind the scenes of some of the most infamous moments on the show. When the cameras weren't rolling, what was really said?  What is the cause of those strange cuts and edits?  Well this is my opportunity to explore AYS through my own depraved mind.</p>
<p>I want this to be a one shot that you can read quickly, so I'll keep the stories short. Thank you to those who sponsored this part of the story. I look forward to bringing you more. I love you Diamonds. I live to make you happy and make you smile with my silly tales. Thanks for supporting me, even during my hiatus. You're the best friends I could ever hope for. I love you. I love you. I love you.</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p><strong>Summary</strong>:</p>
<p>Something is amiss in Jeju. Tae is suspicious. Jimin and Jeongguk are running scared and no one is ready to face the truth. When Tae uncovers strange behavior between his two best friend, he becomes unsettled. What he learns shocks him to his core. Will he keep it confidential or will he blow their secret out of the water. What dirty little secrets will the camera pick up this time? Welcome to Oubaitori</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p><strong>Tags</strong>:</p>
<p>~ NSFW (21+) </p>
<p>~ Porn with Plot</p>
<p>~ Hurt/Comfort</p>
<p>~ Mild Angst</p>
<p>~ Canon and Canon divergent</p>
<p>~ Lies/Deceit/Betrayal</p>
<p>~ Everybody's Lips are Sealed</p>
<p>~ Graphic Sexual Content</p>
<p>~ Homosexuality</p>
<p>~ M/M</p>
<p>~ 12,511 k</p>
<p>_________________________</p>
<p><span>Sejin </span>checked his watch. Of the fifteen production members who had traveled with Jimin and Jeongguk to film the show, three were staying in the house with them. It was getting late and they all needed to get back to the house and go to bed. Filming was due to start early the following morning and they needed their rest. Keeping up with all of the members’ activities was daunting for the older workers on the crew. Sejin sent a quick text to Jeongguk, asking if it was ok for them to return to the rented house where he and Tae and Jimin were staying. </p>
<p>Jeongguk replied promptly, “Yea. No problem. I restarted all of the cameras for you. Thanks for giving us some time alone.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Not something we can repeat. We don’t want anyone questioning this. One time only, as a favor,” Sejin responded via text.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Got it,” Jeongguk texted back with a winking face emoji.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk had originally asked Sejin to clear the house of all of the staff so that he, Jimin and Tae could take a break from being filmed. At least that was the excuse that Jeongguk had given him. But Sejin knew the real reason that Jeongguk wanted time alone and it had nothing to do with the three friends bonding. Jeongguk wanted to be alone - with Jimin. </p>
<p>Sejin knew for a fact that Tae had already gone to bed by the time Jeongguk requested that the entire crew leave. Even though the request was unorthodox, he managed to cover it up by offering to take the crew to a local bar for a few hours. Even though Sejin knew the real reason Jeongguk wanted to be alone with Jimin, none of the other crew members suspected anything unusual. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/4a5a048b-83bf-4976-afee-90cdf4ad8110_screenshot2024-09-10at9.57.39%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Sejin sat back in his seat. He finished off his soju infused beer and slammed his empty glass onto the table. The rest of the crew were playing pool and singing karaoke. He looked around at them, envious of their absolute ignorance. They knew nothing about the snake pit they had entered and they were better off because of it. Knowing secrets as combustible as the secrets that Sejin knew was a heavy burden. </p>
<p></p>
<p>He could hear the laughter from his friends and co-workers. They were all relaxed and having a really good time, an indication that they probably appreciated the break. As for Sejin himself, he wasn’t even supposed to be there; on that trip with the two love birds. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Love birds - that’s what he called them when others weren’t around because as much as they tried to deny it, that’s exactly what they were. Sejin was not supposed to be in Jeju or Connecticut or wherever else the love birds wanted to drag him. It was no longer his job because he had been promoted years ago to the Artist Development and Protocol Department. Babysitting the love birds wasn’t his job anymore. </p>
<p></p>
<p>But when Lee  Jaesang, Hybe’s newly minted CEO inked a deal with Disney for Jimin and Jeongguk to have their own travel show, the entire Hybe building shook on its foundation. Everyone from the Idol groups to the janitors were stunned by the news. It was out of an abundance of panic that Sejin was called to the scene of the crime.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So how in the world did a show as intimate as ‘Are You Sure’ actually come to fruition? Well, according to the talking walls within the Hybe building, it was Jimin himself who started the negotiation for the deal. The story goes that one day, just after recording a particularly emotional duet with Jeongguk for his new album, Jimin showed up at the CEO’s office, requesting to speak to him. It was sometime around May of 2022. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/81a29ae5-1a0a-44f7-a2c9-ba4c6d803785_screenshot2024-09-10at9.59.50%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Even though Lee Jaesang was booked in meetings for the remainder of the day, he cleared his calendar so that he and Jimin could talk. No one, not even the CEO of Hybe, could refuse a meeting with Park Jimin. Even the highest brass knew they would not be sitting where they were if not for the sacrifices of Jimin and his brothers. They were royalty.  Jimin had absolute power, but he wielded it sparingly. He waited patiently in the lobby, writing down all of his ideas, and taking copious notes. He had a winning pitch and he realized it.</p>
<p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable fr-rounded"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><span class="fr-inner"><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/8c0017b1-e0bb-41cc-b87c-ef7ad7909c69_screenshot2024-09-10at10.00.08%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></span></span></span></p>
<p>It took a couple of conversations with CEO Lee, but Jimin eventually arranged a larger meeting with all of the stakeholders. Once he got them to agree to the initial meeting, that’s when Jeongguk also joined in. They spoke softly and respectfully, however, they were firm with what they wanted. The two were all business, in lock step on their vision for the show and the potential revenue it could bring in. But most importantly, they saw value in what it could mean for the fans. They walked through the plan, eventually leaving the final decision up to Lee  Jaesang. </p>
<p>The two members represented the most powerful duo within the septet. With Jimin the lead dancer and Jeongguk the lead singer, they were two members that no one wanted to piss off. Additionally, each of the members held equal stock shares within the company and their financial cuts were significant. No one in that building was as powerful as the two of them. They were the money makers, and they were bringing it in by the truckloads. So when they insisted on their own travel show, there was no one who was really in position to say no.<span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/439169f2-75b3-4804-9ecf-67f0373fee47_screenshot2024-09-10at10.00.57%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>The interesting thing about Lee Jaesang was that he was a money man. Although he had come up in the industry, his previous positions were all about making money. In his past positions, he served as Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Strategist. He even spearheaded the Company’s IPO launch. He was on the business side of things and not close to the talent or the operations of Big Hit.  He looked at Jimin and Jeongguk’s offer to document their private vacation and all he saw was dollar signs. Demographics lined up. Jimin and Jeongguk attracted a niche market with dedicated fans. A quick demo analysis showed that Jikook fans were mature and wealthy. And they supported the solo efforts of both members. They were a financial source of revenue that was untapped. It was a win-win with no downside as far as Lee  Jaesang was concerned. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/7d849a02-b7ba-46bb-b64d-18e5e69e5764_screenshot2024-09-10at10.01.23%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>But…to Lee Jaesang’s misfortune, he had to be the only man within the Hybe building who hadn’t heard the rumblings about Jimin and Jeongguk possibly having an illicit same-sex affair.</p>
<p></p>
<p>He agreed to the project without discussing it with anyone else. If he had just walked three steps to his secretary’s office, she could have told him how dangerous of a proposition he had just accepted. </p>
<p></p>
<p>As it were, he didn’t find out anything about the rumors until the contract with Disney was already signed, sealed and delivered. Airplane tickets were booked, permits were approved, and camera crews were hired. Jimin and Jeongguk’s show called, ‘Are You Sure’ was set to begin filming in July of 2023. </p>
<p></p>
<p>When the news got back to Bang PD, he was staying at his home in Los Angeles. He immediately called Lee Jaesang and inquired about the nature of the show. He wanted to know everything about the creative director and the development of the storyboards. Lee didn’t have any information to add. He advised Bang that the main premise for the show was for Jimin and Jeongguk to go scriptless. They were the Executive Producers and the direction of the show was up to them. It was supposed to be a raw and honest look into their friendship as they traveled around the world. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Having witnessed the evolution of the relationship between Jimin and Jeongguk, Bang went into a slight panic. He immediately called in reinforcements, someone who would agree to travel with them, supervise them, protect them, and if needed, destroy any evidence that could implicate them.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>And that’s how Sejin got involved. Bang needed someone who knew the intricacies of that relationship and who loved them enough to keep it all hidden. Sejin was offered a healthy bonus and promised another promotion if he agreed to accept the assignment as their manager during the filming. He stood to make three times his regular salary. Plus he really did love the guys. He’d been with them since they were young teens, traveled everywhere with them. He knew them better than anyone else in the world, even their parents. So he agreed.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin and Jeongguk were well into their seventh year of secretly dating. Although Sejin wondered if they were even aware that what they were doing was called dating. If he were to ask them, they would simply brush it off as friends who enjoyed each other’s company, friends who had a lot in common, bros who liked to eat the same foods, bros who liked to go to the movies together and watch the same shows, besties who took care of each other, companions, and a full list of mild mannered non-triggering words that allowed them to deny the truth to themselves. </p>
<p></p>
<p> After eight years of being their manager, Sejin had come to know secrets about all seven of them; secrets that no one else in the world knew. But the secret that he knew about Jimin and Jeongguk was by far the biggest and most combustible piece of information to ever exist within Idol history. Behind the backs of all of the other members, management and staff, Jimin and Jeongguk had quietly fallen in love. Sejin knew it. The patterns were all there for years. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Over the many years that he served as BTS’ manager, he had snuck many groupies into the hotel rooms of the other members. The other five were not virgins and they had very much enjoyed their celebrity status. Sejin handled the NDA’s, the privacy agreements, the sweeping of cameras, the boxes of condoms. He knew everything. They were viral young men who very discreetly fucked their way through their famous teen years.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But when it came to Jimin and Jeongguk; no other men, no other women, and no other members were allowed in their inner circle. It was always just the two of them. On many occasions Sejin thought he would catch visitors in their beds while on tour, but he never did. The only people he ever caught sharing their beds - were each other. He assumed they weren’t physically involved but he could only imagine how much they had experimented. They were always together, early in the morning and late at night. The other members were aware of their odd relationship and the hyungs watched them very closely, especially during their early debut days.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But as the members grew older, they grew apart. Not in a negative way, they just appreciated their differences and indulged in their individual lives. There was less focus on what Jimin and Jeongguk were doing and that’s how it all escalated without the other members realizing how serious the relationship had become. The moment that Sejin discovered they had applied to enlist together, he knew the two were officially partners. But who could he tell? Sejin guarded the information and protected their privacy as if it was his own. </p>
<p></p>
<p>If news of their relationship ever reached the other members or management at Hybe, their careers would be over. Hundreds of jobs would be lost, millions of Won would be lost in stock value. The company itself would be shunned, and the members themselves would be ostracized. Sejin loved them all too much to let that happen. So he kept his mouth shut and looked the other way. </p>
<p></p>
<p>There was one silver lining of it all. Jimin and Jeongguk were so professional with how they handled their entanglement that it never affected their work. And for that reason, he hoped that the intimacy they shared would not bleed into the filming of the travel show. They had great chemistry and both knew how to play the game on film and keep things platonic. Sejin never worried about it coming to light. </p>
<p>That is - until ‘Are You Sure’ came along. The first night of filming in the states, the two lead actors who were just supposed to be brothers on film, ended up alone cuddled on the bow of a private yacht watching a romantic sunset. It was at that moment that he knew he was fucked. He could see it in their eyes. This was not just a travel show for them - it was their last goodbye. </p>
<p>***</p>
<p>It was 7:00 am. Tae’s phone alarm silently pulsed to awaken him. He tossed and turned in his bed several times before finally opening his eyes. His immediate focus was on the glowing red light that pierced the dim room. The cameras were back up, and running, recording them as they slept. He could hear snoring and heavy breathing which caused him to lift his head. He turned slightly and peered towards the bed adjacent to his. And there he saw it; two tangled bodies sleeping leg over leg, arm over arm.</p>
<p></p>
<p>His anger was immediately triggered again. There were three distinct beds, one for him, one for Jeongguk and one for Jimin. There was no need for them to share a bed, yet the two of them had chosen to sleep together despite the camera recording.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae sat up on his elbow and surveyed them. They were both fully dressed. At least they had spared him the drama of sleeping together naked. Still, despite having their clothes on, there was something so intimate about them; the way they were tangled up in a knot sleeping over each other. Even their sleeping, unconscious bodies seem to know they were in love. He was so angry that he threw a pillow at them. It hit Jeongguk in the face and then fell to the floor. The younger one stirred, flipping to his side and tossing his arm across Jimin’s body. He cuddled in closer to him and resumed snoring.</p>
<p></p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/5b00c258-70fd-469c-b0ac-3d55d3d92e73_screenshot2024-09-10at10.03.07%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Tae fell back flat, head hitting the pillow with a soft poof. So much flowed through his mind; memories, observations, and realizations that he’d never acknowledged before. Looking back in time gave him perspective on how they had arrived at this inconvenient toll gate of life. Jimin and Jeongguk’s absurd clinginess throughout the years suddenly made sense; they were in love and had been for years. Yet somehow he had missed it. And that was at the epicenter of his feeling of betrayal.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae and Jeongguk had long since lost their childhood friendship. As children everything came naturally and they couldn’t be separated. But as adults with vastly different life perspectives, things were awkward between them at times. It was only during their interactions for work where they found common ground. With them on a hiatus however, those opportunities were few and far between. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae also realized that even he and Jimin weren’t as close as they once were. They maintained their best friend status, but it took work, dedication and many heartfelt conversations to stay in sync. Nothing was as easy as adults as it was when they were kids. The degradation of their close bond happened gradually over many years because they all simply grew up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It was a harsh truth and Tae partially took responsibility for it. Being the social butterfly that he was, Tae’s life had expanded far beyond BTS. He was dating and thinking about his future. He made new friends and had different interests. He made his own business deals and shopped for his own endorsements. He even used a different creative director for the launch of his new album. He was definitely splintering off on his own and carving his own way. All of it led him to new people and different places. The world was big and he wanted to experience it. He embraced chapter two as an opportunity to live as an individual and not just one of seven. But there were consequences for that growth. Being blindsided by a potentially career-killing situation happening in his own group, was one of those consequences.</p>
<p></p>
<p>His thoughts were cruel. He couldn’t understand how he had missed this. Why had he refused to listen to the other members who warned him what was happening? He had been lied to again and again and again whenever he confronted them about their behavior. And that was what probably hurt him the most. The two of them felt they needed to keep it secret from him even though he was the one who was most likely to understand.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>As he continued to watch them slumber, wrapped in each other’s arms, he pulled himself up and sat on the edge of his bed. As angry as he was with them, watching them sleep so peacefully gave him solace. Still, he didn’t know if he could ever forgive them - ever.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae had a full day ahead with his friends. The friend outing could not have come at a better time because he was so angry with Jimin and Jeongguk, that he didn’t feel it was good to be around them until he cooled off. As quietly as possible he rose from the bed and tip-toed into the bathroom to get dressed. And then he silently snuck away to meet up with friends. He needed time away from his bandmates - to think.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/5a745eea-fa79-4aba-9b50-6481926f890d_screenshot2024-09-10at10.03.48%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>It was well after 11:00 am by the time Jimin arose. He looked over and noticed that Tae was not in his bed. The outing with his friends had been pre-planned. The argument that occurred between them the  night before had not. Jimin sat up and rubbed his eyes, shielding from the bright sun that shone into the room. He wanted a chance to talk to Tae, apologize for what Tae had walked in on. It was important to understand where Tae’s head was. But Tae was gone, so talking would have to wait.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin stretched as he looked at his phone. It was definitely time to get up. They had a reservation at a restaurant on the south side of the island. They needed to leave in twenty minutes. He reached over to place his phone back on the nightstand and that’s when the pain hit; the little reminder of his sinful transgressions with Jeongguk the night before. The younger had definitely left an impression on him. Rather than allowing his thoughts to drown in the memory of Jeongguk’s powerful cock thundering into him, he chose to wake him up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk was behind him, cuddled into his back, breathing softly. It had been a long time since they’d awakened in each other’s arms. Jimin felt secure and complete with his young companion nestled behind him. As the younger one’s body swarmed over him, he could feel the light poke of Jeongguk’s morning wood pressed against the small of his back. He thought about what would happen if he worked his pants down and gave his big spoon a morning taste to quench his thirst. He wondered how it would feel being together like that in their soft bed. He didn’t dare move. He’d felt Jeongguk’s erections against him many times, but never before had he possessed such a scathing desire to fuck it. His discipline waned. Keeping his hands off of him was nearly impossible. At his weakest moment, just before he climbed on top of him to ride him until he broke his dick, his common sense resurfaced. They couldn’t be together in that way; they couldn’t. </p>
<p></p>
<p>He quickly course-corrected his thoughts and reminded himself that indulging in that part of their relationship was wrong. They slipped one time, but it would never happen again. It was terrible for him to even think about it, even though his body stubbornly craved it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The bed was comfortable and the sheets were soft and inviting. He was surrounded by cool white fluffy pillows that cocooned them in their own little nest. The duvet was tangled around their legs and their legs were tangled around each other. He wanted to stay like that forever - until he noticed the red fiery glow of the camera light which brought him back to reality. </p>
<p></p>
<p>They were recording.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/d7883327-9f7c-45d6-a3a2-8cd55e39feb9_screenshot2024-09-10at10.04.45%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Aishhhhh, Jeonggukie wake up.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk grumbled before burying his face into the back of Jimin’s neck. He didn’t want the cameras to pick up the movement of his lips. He whispered, “When you said we could never do it again, did you mean it?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I meant it,” Jimin answered firmly.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What if my dick is aching like it’s about to fall off and you’re right here in front of me. And I’m really, really suffering. Is it still no?” Jeongguk whined into Jimin’s neck again. Their bodies were pressed so close that the camera angle barely distinguished two bodies over one.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It will forever be a no. We talked about this.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Ok, but what if…,”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“The answer will always be no. I’m sorry.” Jimin covered his mouth with his hand. “We have to go. We have to leave here in about fifteen minutes. We’re eating stir-fried black pork at this cute little place that Sejin found.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m awake. But my day would be alot better if you would just let me…,”  </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin began to sing, “And if you let me. I want to see it, in motion, ppeuriri.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“3D. It’s English Jiminie, 3-D. 3-D like up close and personal, not ppeuriri. And if you would just cooperate, I could show you some good stuff in 3-D.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“This entire conversation is going to have to be edited out.” Jimin giggled. He and Jeongguk jostled about the bed in a pretend fight, throwing fake punches, “Behave, you brat. Get dressed, I have a surprise for you.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Oh?” Jeongguk popped up, “I like surprises.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re going to love this one.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Whoa, wait a minute, where’s Tae? We said we were going to talk to him today.” Jeongguk realized the bed adjacent to them was empty.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“He had plans, remember? He’s meeting us at the restaurant. He’s been gone since sunrise.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m worried about him. He was really upset last night.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m worried too…about a lot of things,” Jimin ran his fingers through his long thick hair.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk’s eyes flitted back and forth between the camera and Jimin. He felt there was more that needed to be said about their night in the swimming pool. He wanted to open the topic up again.But pulling the cameras and turning them all off so they could talk privately was time consuming. It was time they didn’t have because they needed to get to the restaurant. The in-depth talk would have to wait.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin headed into the bathroom to shower. After about five minutes Jeongguk heard him scream. “Jeonggukie!”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk ran into the bathroom to find Jimin partially nude, leaning into the mirror. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Yeah? What’s wrong?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Look at this! Look how long this hair is. Do you have any tweezers?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“No. Uh I didn’t bring any. Don’t pull it though.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“No I won’t. You sure you don’t have tweezers?” Jimin turned to him with a pout. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed, “Awww.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re so cute.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re laughing at me because I’m cute?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re a lot of things; funny, sexy, loving, generous, calm, talented…cute is just one of many things that make me love you.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin ducked as if drones were flying over his head. He ran up to Jeongguk and placed his hand over his mouth, “You can’t say that while we’re filming.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Oops,” Jeongguk pretended to care that he had broken the zero love confessions rule. “Won’t happen again.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re cute too. But I won’t say that other thing.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I don’t have any tweezers, Jiminssi. But I’ll take care of it. In the meantime let me nibble on that long strand of hair, it’s cute.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“No.” Jimin covered his rogue strand of hair. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk backed him against the sink and hovered over him, “Well can I at least have a little kiss? There’s no cameras in here.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Kisses lead to other things.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Right. Well…Can I just suck your dick?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Jeongguk! Get out of here.” Jimin lifted his leg and kicked Jeongguk in the butt. There were no cameras in the bathroom so he was free to roam around and say whatever he pleased.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p></p>
<p>It took about twenty minutes for them to dress and head outside. It was Jimin’s turn to drive but he had something very special planned for Jeongguk. It was parked in front of the rental house. </p>
<p></p>
<p> Jimin stood in front of Jeongguk, blocking him from leaving, “Ok, so close your eyes. It’s time for your surprise. Hold my hand, I’ll guide you. Trust me?” </p>
<p></p>
<p>“No. But I don’t think I have a choice,” Jeongguk teased.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin slapped him in the chest, “Behave.” </p>
<p></p>
<p>He walked Jeongguk down the steps and out towards the parking garage where a 2024 Harley Fat Bob motorcycle was parked. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Ok, ready?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“The suspense is killing me.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Open your eyes.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk opened his eyes and immediately gasped? “You got this for me?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I rented it. You’ve been so into motorcycles lately. I thought you would really enjoy riding it while we’re here.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk immediately ran and jumped on. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“I love this so fucking much!” He beamed. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/a4e888ec-fc42-4054-96ca-d10550abe705_screenshot2024-09-10at10.07.25%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>The key was already in so it started right up. “Oh Jimin, this is a great idea. The weather is great, the scenery is perfect. Jump on. You can ride in the bitch seat.”</p>
<p>“I certainly will not. I won’t be riding on anything called a bitch seat.”</p>
<p>“It’s what they call it here in America. Riding pillion, as my passenger.”</p>
<p>“Maybe later. You enjoy it for now. Follow me in the car.”</p>
<p>“Thank you Jiminie. This is just perfect!”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin and Jeongguk arrived at the restaurant. Tae was not yet there. </p>
<p>Jimin pulled Jeongguk aside and spoke to him out of earshot of Sejin and the other staff, “Look, when he gets here, stay calm. He’s probably still angry about last night. We don’t know how he’s feeling or what he’s thinking. So stay cool, ok?”</p>
<p>“I will. Heads up, here he comes.”</p>
<p>As they stood outside of the restaurant, the car carrying Tae pulled up beside them. He exited the car and glared at them both as they stood there. His mood was hard to read.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/112cf6b5-952c-4a6b-8f1f-5304af8d1378_screenshot2024-09-10at10.08.33%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>They could already feel the tension. Tae was distant. After years of knowing him and being his best friend, both Jeongguk and Jimin could tell when he was upset. And he was definitely upset. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“How was it…the golfing…I mean?” Jimin asked awkwardly.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It was fine. I’m tired and I’m hungry,” Tae responded.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Well…good thing we have a great meal waiting for us. Let’s go,”  Jimin went in for a hug and Tae reciprocated. It was a good start to what was surely going to be a difficult conversation.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/24572b24-7746-4e66-a461-0c441e7bb2a1_screenshot2024-09-10at10.09.39%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin and Jeongguk exchanged nervous glances.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Took you long enough to get here. Let’s eat. I’m starving,” Jeongguk was the first to head into the restaurant. Tae and Jimin followed. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin and Jeongguk perused the menu. Tae perused Jimin and Jeongguk. There was so much on the tip of his tongue that he wanted to say. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk noticed the hostility in Tae’s face. He raised his hand to let the server know they were ready to order. She came quickly. He asked a few questions and then talked through his order, taking the liberty to order for both he and Jimin. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“And you, sir? What would you like?” The waitress turned to Tae.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Since when do you order for Jimin?” Tae snapped.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Since…forever?” Jeongguk shrugged.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“He’s a foodie, Tae. He’s been ordering for me since we were kids. Surely you remember that. Sometimes I don’t even have to tell him what I want. He just knows what I like. You know this,” Jimin tried to keep it light-hearted. He laughed. “Give her your order. You’re holding up the food and we’re hungry.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae spoke to the server, “Just give me whatever the ‘foodie’ ordered. I’ll take the same thing.” There was definitely a bite to Tae’s tone.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As the server left the table, Jeongguk sat back and folded his arms. “Ok, you’re upset about something, what is it? Are you still hung up on what you think you saw last night?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Hold on…what do you mean what I ‘think’ I saw? I know what I saw. Now you’re playing Jedi mind tricks on me?” Tae remarked.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“We explained everything to you, Tae. It was just a misunderstanding. There’s nothing…,” Jimin found it very difficult to lie to Tae’s face, but he had to do it, “...there was nothing going on.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re unbelievable.” Tae shook his head. He honestly wanted to cry. </p>
<p></p>
<p>This was a tricky conversation for cameras. One that would result in strange cuts and gaps in time. But Tae seemed determined to go down that road. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“I woke up in the middle of the night thinking back on all of the years we’ve been together as band members. I saw it but I didn’t really want to see it, you know? Namjoon saw it. Yoongi, Hobi, all of them. But not me. I lived by your word. Your word. But now I realize that all along your word has been nothing but a lie.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“That’s over the line. Nobody has lied to you.” Jeongguk snapped.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re dating each other, aren’t you?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Tae, we’re filming,” Jeongguk said angrily. This was not a subject for the cameras. Tae’s carelessness angered him.</p>
<p>“Oh now you care about the cameras? How about when you fucked in the swimming pool last night? You didn’t care then?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Tae!” Jeongguk quickly reached over to turn off the table cameras that sat on the tripods in front of them. He asked the clueless cameraman who was sitting a couple of tables away, to give them some time alone.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t start fucking rumors,” Jeongguk snapped at him, anger percolating.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Rumors? I don’t peddle rumors. I only speak the truth. It took me a while to figure it out, but it all came rushing to me this morning. The bruises all over Jimin’s body. The limp and the grimacing in pain. The hickies on his back. The guilty looks on both of your faces. It didn’t take a genius to put it all together.” Tae slammed his hand on the table. “How could you do this? How could you risk so much?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Lower your voice,” Jeongguk snapped again.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae quipped, “I should have never come.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“No you shouldn’t have. You can go back right now. Swim back to Seoul if you regret it so much,” Jeongguk pointed towards the sea. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin echoed Jeongguk’s frustration, “Why would you say that? Why would you regret coming after insisting to come? This trip was supposed to be for the two of us but we opened it up for you when we heard that you wanted to come. We switched everything around, we made it a trip for three. We made a lot of sacrifices for you to be here. And now you say you regret coming?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae didn’t have a chance to answer. The server arrived with two arms full of hot dishes. Jimin helped her place the plates down and they all thanked her. Quietly, they began to eat. All three of them felt it was best not to say anything else. They ate in silence, refusing to talk to each other for about twenty minutes as they consumed their food.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sejin suddenly appeared at the table. He had heard about the argument and dropped in to check on them. “Everything alright here guys?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Fine.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Fine.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Fine.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>None of them wanted to drag Sejin into it. The less people who knew why they were arguing, the better. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“We need the cameras back on. Disney doesn’t want reels of blank footage,” he joked.</p>
<p></p>
<p> Jeongguk leaned forward and switched both cameras back on. He could only hope for the best even though the three of them were still in a heated argument.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>“You sure you’re ok?” Sejin said again in his most comforting hyung voice.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“We’re sure.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Sejin wasn’t tuned in to what was bothering them. As brothers, they bickered from time to time, but not so much since they’d become adults. However, this time, everything in his gut told him that the events of the previous night had something to do with why Tae was upset. From Sejin’s observation, the triple layered dynamic had a tendency to go a little wonky whenever all of the maknaes were together. There was so much volatile history there. And the situation was only made more complex by Jimin and Jeongguk’s affinity towards each other. </p>
<p></p>
<p>But as a seasoned manager with years of experience, he knew to stay out of it and allow them to resolve it on their own. His only concern was the clock ticking and his production crew charging by the hour. Whatever was bothering his three stars, Sejin needed them to resolve it soon or fight it out with cameras on. He didn’t care which, he just needed good footage. Pre-production had already shown significant gaps in the footage since Tae’s arrival. He needed more footage if they were ever going to get the show aired.</p>
<p></p>
<p>They waited for Sejin to leave before continuing their conversation.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae immediately asked a question that had been bothering him, “Why didn’t Namjoon or Yoongi come?”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/6348b400-e7b0-4350-bc02-d4dadef74d9e_screenshot2024-09-10at10.11.21%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Because for the one hundredth time, not everyone can just come on this show,” Jeongguk replied.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It’s our show. Just the two of us and we let you in,” Jimin tried to explain.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You let me in? Since when do I need to be let in?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Since we negotiated this show, planned it, produced it, picked the locations, selected the cities, made and made the travel arrangements for two people,” Jeongguk yelled. His frustration was starting to show.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You mean you never wanted me here?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk clarified, “I didn’t say that. You’re here aren’t you? We could have said no.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Do you two have any idea how this looks? A show with just the two of you going to romantic places, renting yachts and watching sunsets, sharing beds, frolicking around half naked. Do you realize what fans are going to think?”</p>
<p>“I don’t really give a fu..,”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Jeongguk!” Jimin cut him off. “Post production will take care of some of this. But the premise of the show is to explore our friendship and spend some time before enlistment. That’s all. There is nothing sinister about that. Just two friends.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Alright, if it’s a friendcation, why weren’t all of us included from the beginning? All five of us who are remaining? If your Buddy enlistment gets approved then you’re going to be right next to each other for the next two years. Why wouldn’t you invite the rest of us, the members who you won’t see, to spend time together? Aren’t you going to miss us too? Don’t you want to spend quality time with the rest of us? Why just you and Jimin?”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/47ccca0c-e7b0-4f27-a1d1-edc471a74852_screenshot2024-09-10at10.12.44%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin attempted to gingerly explain their reasoning, “We don’t know if our buddy request is going to be approved. This trip is something we’ve wanted to do for years but never had time.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“This entire show idea is weird. How did you even get this approved?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk rubbed his forehead, “You really don’t get it.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae slammed his hand on the table again, “NO I DON’T GET IT! You’ve been treating me like a third wheel since I got here. Ganging up on me, teasing me, excluding me from your little pathetic jokes. Why bring me here to ignore me?”</p>
<p>“No one has ignored you asshole! We welcomed you with open arms and made every attempt to include you in everything,” Jeongguk fussed back.</p>
<p></p>
<p> Tae kept arguing, “Why didn’t you just tell me no that I couldn’t come? Then at least I would have avoided dealing with that bullshit from last night. I look like a third wheel, like I don’t belong with my own group members. Why would you do that to me instead of just explaining it? None of this makes any sense. I don’t understand this show. I don’t understand what we’re doing and I don’t understand why I’m still here. I’m leaving. You two can have this shit.” Tae threw his napkin on the table and stormed out. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Of course, now you want to bail, so typical. You begged us to let you come and now you’re begging us to let you leave,” Jeongguk said with malice. He rubbed his forehead in frustration. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/28f0f55c-1daf-4de2-abc9-422b6469577f_screenshot2024-09-10at10.13.38%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Jeongguk, let me handle this. Tae! Tae, please wait.” Jimin ran after him.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae refused to look back. He was done with both of them. From the lies, to the humiliation, he was done. The only thing on his mind was getting back to Seoul.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/c7682506-76aa-42a5-a1ce-a3351c297d95_screenshot2024-09-10at10.14.13%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin caught up with Tae in the parking lot. He was on his phone, ordering an Uber to take him back to the rental house to get his things. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin grabbed him and forced him towards the car, “You’re coming with me. We need to talk.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Why, so you can tell me more lies?” </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin broke eye contact. He felt a twinge of guilt because Tae was right. He had indeed been lying to him simply by not admitting the truth. He decided that it was time to finally come clean with his best friend. Doing it in the middle of filming the show was not optimal, but if they didn’t want the situation to implode, he had to calm Tae down and that meant, telling him everything.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Just get in the car.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“No,” Tae refused.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You’re getting in the car.” </p>
<p></p>
<p>“No,” Tae said again.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk stayed behind to pay the bill. He watched from the window as Tae and Jimin tussled in the parking lot. He worried about Jimin’s body and wondered if he was in pain. The day was supposed to be spent relaxing while giving him a chance to heal. Dragging Tae across a dirt covered parking lot was not part of the plan.  </p>
<p></p>
<p>The server brought the receipt and not a second too soon,“Thanks.” Jeongguk gave her a cash tip and rushed to the parking lot to help Jimin wrangle Tae. He grabbed Tae’s arm and gave him a firm warning, “Hey! Either get in the car with Jimin or I’m kicking your ass right here, Hyung,” Jeongguk said semi-respectfully. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae was fine wrestling with Jimin because he knew that Jimin loved him too much to ever hurt him. Jeongguk however loved him just enough to actually hit him if he thought Tae was being unreasonable. Tae decided to take his chances with Jimin. He sulked and climbed into the passenger seat before buckling his seatbelt. His tightly folded arms and clenched jaw were his displays of protest.</p>
<p>“Let’s go,”  Jeongguk was already on his motorcycle, fully geared up and ready to take off. He spoke to Jimin and Tae through a microphone that he attached to his helmet and his phone. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Yea, ok.” Jimin watched him from his rearview mirror. Jeongguk looked so cute. “Is your helmet buckled tightly? We can’t let you get hurt.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It’s good.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Careful…ok?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Promise,” Jeongguk responded. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Mind the traffic and go slowly.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m fine. I promise to arrive safely, just for you.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Just for me…,” Jimin smiled into the mirror so that Jeongguk could see his face. Using his thumb, he traced the outline of Jeongguk’s lips over the reflection in the mirror.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae stared at Jimin. The tender exchange about Jeongguk’s safety was much more than just brotherly concern. “Oh God. It’s true. Every bit of it is true, isn’t it?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What’s true?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“The two of you,” Tae said bitterly.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin wasn’t comfortable answering the question the way that Tae presented it. He started the car and pulled onto the road. The car they were driving had dashboard cameras that picked up footage and conversations inside. Jimin made the bold move to switch them off, even though Sejin had warned them about low footage. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“It was never something we intended to happen. I don’t think I even realized it until a few years ago. But I was in denial. I was…tormented by guilt. I did everything possible to ignore it and to pretend that it wasn’t happening. But I was trapped, Tae. I couldn’t get away from him. Everyday, working side by side. Traveling the world, experiencing things that only the seven of us had ever experienced and doing it all together. The feelings just grew deeper and deeper because he’s just that special. I tried to keep my distance.  But that wasn’t realistic. We’re in the same group. What was I supposed to do? Quit the group to get away from him? I know you think that I should have controlled this better. I know you think that as the elder,  I should have abandoned those feelings. Well Tae, I tried. I tried and I tried!”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/aacb35be-a229-4ef4-a302-7bf520908324_screenshot2024-09-10at10.15.44%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“You didn’t try hard enough.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Imagine meeting someone who clicks with you on every level. Someone who understands you like no one has ever understood you in your lifetime. Imagine meeting someone as handsome and talented and as emotionally vulnerable as him and realizing he’s the Yin to your Yang? That’s what happened to us. The odds of the two of us meeting and being in the same group were next to zero. Yet it happened, yet it was destined.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“When did this all happen? When did you start…dating or whatever this is?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“That’s a good way to describe it…whatever this is. Because we surely didn’t realize we were dating. We thought we just loved spending time together. We thought we just liked hanging out and sharing a bed and shopping. We thought we just liked the same movies. Things intensified after our trip to Tokyo. But we didn’t define ourselves as dating. We were in denial until…until a photo leaked.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“A photo? What photo?” Tae asked curiously.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It was November 8th, 2018. Jeongguk and I wanted to go out for an innocent night on the town. Dinner, a little drinking. We were celebrating the one year anniversary of our trip to Tokyo. I invited a former friend of mine to tag along. We ended up at Halago, a really cool restaurant in Apgujeong.  Every year they put up this heart-shaped wedding arch made of flowers. People take pictures under there. Some people even got married under it. I swear, Tae, we were just playing around…but we decided to walk under the arch. We held hands and pretended to say wedding vows. One thing led to another and we ended up kissing, right there underneath the flowered heart. We were in public. We should have known better. My former friend who was with us took a picture. Luckily for us he didn’t get a picture of us kissing, but he did capture a picture of us holding hands.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Wait, is that the picture that was leaked a couple of years ago? I remember seeing that. People said it was fake, but I knew it was real. I know my two best friends when I see them. And yeah, it was pretty scandalous. I asked you about it…both of you. And you both said it was fake. Another lie?”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/f4d873cf-664e-4dab-b9d7-b854150e2771_screenshot2024-09-10at10.16.37%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Yes. The photo was out there but since everyone assumed it was a fake, we didn’t bother to tell anyone the truth. Some of the management team even started fake accounts to spread the rumors that there were cos-players in the photo. All of it was to hide the truth. And it worked…for the most part the fandom refused to spread them. But then, my former friend betrayed me in the worst way. He released the other pics from that night that proved the picture under the arch was authentic. We were devastated, and betrayed. But we were mostly angry with ourselves for allowing ourselves to be caught in that position. We were lucky that it wasn’t worse.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Why were you so affected by the picture?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It was the first time we realized that we…weren’t just friends. We were dating under the guise of friendship, but that’s not what it was at all. That’s when we knew that what we were doing was different from the relationship we had with any other members. We acted like a couple and the minute we saw that photo, we knew that our feelings for each other had changed. We held hands under that arch and we never wanted to let go. We kissed under that arch like it was a real wedding. For a brief moment, we lived our fantasy. Tae, we wanted the vows to be real.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Great. So you two playing house almost lit the world on fire. See, that’s what I don’t understand. Why take so many chances?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“It was stupid. It was dangerous. But his love is like a drug. Sometimes…I just want to crawl away and live in his world. He’s my soulmate, Tae.” </p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae was triggered by hearing Jimin reply to Jeongguk as his soulmate. His tone immediately ratched up, “Why him? The world is big out there, Jimin. You could have anybody you want. You’re the biggest star in the world. Why settle for the one person you can’t have?” Tae asked directly.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Don’t you think I know this? Hiding these feelings and keeping them buried has been hell on me. I started drinking, I started having weird thoughts. I started being reckless. I did everything to cope, to make it go away. Bang was so worried about my behavior that he forced me into therapy. Remember?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Yea, I do. But I had no idea it was because of this.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“And do you know what the therapist told me? He said that I had to admit my own truth because it was the only way to save my life. And so here is my truth. I love Jeongguk and he loves me. Falling in love is not something that a person can control.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“This is a mistake Jimin. You can’t possibly love him. You just…you haven’t experienced enough of the world. There are thousands of men out there.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m not naive and I’m not stupid. When I tell you I did everything possible to get over him, I mean it. I dated plenty of other guys, privately, discreetly. Probably too many. I just wanted to find somebody who could make me feel the way he did. At the time I had just turned twenty-two and I knew I was falling for him, I knew it. I dated other people, just to keep myself away from him. And I know that it hurt him. But, he sat back and he watched me. He allowed me to explore my life. Even though he was young, he knew what I was trying to do. He let me sew my wild oats because he knew that eventually I would come back to him. And he was right. He makes me whole, Tae. And that is my full truth.”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/551423a1-53cc-4fbb-8425-a0ac883eaa07_screenshot2024-09-10at10.17.34%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“This is bullshit Jimin. Do you hear yourself? You’re justifying having a physical relationship with a bandmate. Do you know how fucked up this is? I will never believe that you couldn’t have found someone else. You’re too famous to date each other. You’re the two most famous celebrities in the entire world.” Tae had no sympathy and no understanding.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin angrily pulled over to the side of the road and slammed hard on the breaks. “Are you fucking kidding me? You of all people are going to say that to my face? I told you how it happened, I told you that it was out of our control. Now you on the other hand, you had full control over your decision to start fucking Jennie. Oh, did you not realize that you were two of the most famous celebrities in the entire world when you strolled hand and hand down the river in Paris? You went public with your relationship and you didn’t talk to any of us about it. You let us find out about it in the news. You chose the biggest star in the world to be your girlfriend and you threw it in everyone’s face. But somehow you feel that my private relationship with Jeongguk is a mistake and morally wrong. Yet you fucking Jennie is perfectly ok. Fuck you!”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/2e32f28d-9797-4282-9b5a-e98a30c2d181_screenshot2024-09-10at10.18.30%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jimin’s sudden pull-off made Jeongguk nervous. Sensing that the two may be arguing, he followed them and then jumped off of his bike to see what was happening inside of the car. He could hear their screaming voices as he approached, even though the window was closed. </p>
<p></p>
<p>He tapped on the glass, “Hey, what’s going on?”  Jeongguk took one look at Tae’s face and knew that the mild-mannered, affable soul was seething. He needed to intervene because the situation between his lover and his best friend was escalating quickly. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Sejin and the film crew who were traveling two car lengths ahead of them, also noticed Jimin’s sudden stop on the side of the road. He made a U-turn and quickly headed back towards them. Whatever was happening, he hoped that the cameras were still rolling. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin and Tae’s argument reached a fever pitch with Tae angrily chastising Jimin, “ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU’RE BRINGING MY GIRLFRIEND INTO THIS? MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JENNIE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ME DATING A MEMBER OF MY OWN FUCKING GROUP. KEEP HER NAME OUT OF THIS.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin came out of his seatbelt. He was hot with anger, “WHY? SO YOU CAN RUN AROUND THINKING YOU’RE BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE YOU’RE DATING A GIRL? IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT?  YOU’RE MAD BECAUSE I’M DATING ANOTHER MAN? OR ARE YOU JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE I DON’T PUT YOU FIRST ANYMORE?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>The passenger door burst open and Tae was suddenly pulled out, “Oooookay, this conversation is over.” Jeongguk had run to the passenger’s side of the car and pulled Tae to safety. </p>
<p>“Get your hands off of me. What are you doing?” Tae fought against Jeongguk as he dragged him away from the car </p>
<p>“Saving your life. He’s pissed off. And so are you. I think you both need some space,” Jeongguk knew that he needed to separate Tae from Jimin right away. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin was a gentle soul. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t harm a fly. But when he was angry, he became a different person. It took a lot to push Jimin’s buttons but Tae had definitely pushed his buttons. Even Jeongguk had to admit that his elder was scary when he was mad. No one needed to be reminded that Jimin was a black belt in karate and that’s why Jeongguk got him out of that car. It seemed inconceivable that Jimin could be driven to violence, but Jeongguk didn’t want to take that chance.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Just then Sejin arrived. Jeongguk pulled Tae towards Sejin’s car and pushed him inside. “Hey, give him a ride back to the house, please? I need to talk to Jimin alone for a second.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What’s going on?” Sejin asked with concern.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Just a little brotherly love,” Jeongguk smiled.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae gladly jumped into Sejin’s car. He didn’t want to drive with Jimin anyway. “Take me home so I can pack please. I’m leaving tonight,” Tae advised Sejin.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Tonight? You just got here. We haven’t filmed enough scenes with you.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m going home,” Tae repeated. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin was out of the car, still cursing at Tae as Sejin drove away with him. Jeongguk pulled off his helmet and threw it to the ground. He ran behind Jimin and embraced him from the back, wrapping his long arms around him and placing his open palms along Jimin’s chest to calm his heartbeat. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“Stop. Stop this. He’s gone. This isn’t like you, calm down. Calm down and talk to me,” Jeongguk wrestled an angry Jimin, hugging him from behind and wrapping him in his arms.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“We never said a damn word about his private life or who he dated. He can date Jennie and allow her to post unlimited selfies in their matching clothes. But I can’t dare date you privately…,”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk sighed. Now he understood why Tae was so angry, “Oh…oh Jiminie. You didn’t play the Jennie card did you? You know that’s a sore subject for him.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin could feel the energy from Jeongguk’s embrace. His heartbeat slowed, his breathing calmed and his senses leveled. Once again he was thinking clearly. “I - I did. But he just made me so mad,” Jimin admitted.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“His relationship with Jennie is very different from what you and I have going on. I would have gotten mad at you too.”</p>
<p>“Yea, well it’s a little worse than that. I also kinda accused him of only objecting to our relationship because we were gay.”</p>
<p>“Noooo you played the homophobe card too? You know he’s not like that. Oh you made a mess,” Jeongguk placed his hands on his hips like a disappointed father who had just caught the neighbors kids playing in his tulips. “Ok welp guess it’s up to me. We tried it your way and that didn’t work. So now it’s my turn,” Jeongguk grabbed his helmet and climbed back onto his motorcycle.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What do you plan to do?” Jimin asked.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Somebody has to talk to him, make him understand. I’m going to give it a try. Plus, I don’t want him to leave. He needs to stay. He’s right. This is the last time we’ll all be together before he leaves for special forces. We need to appreciate the time we have with him.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I don’t care if he leaves,” Jimin huffed.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You don’t mean that. You’re still carrying a little petty princess residue. Go back to the house and soak your sore asshole in the hot tub. Besides, I want back in and you’ll never let me get anywhere near you if it hurts everytime I touch it.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes. “I already told you ‘No’ 100 times. My answer won’t change.” </p>
<p>“You don’t know how persistent I can be,” Jeongguk laughed as he cranked his Harley. “Give me some time with Tae. I think I know how to fix this.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae slammed the glass sliding door open to the rental house. He marched upstairs, angrily stomping along each step. He couldn’t wait to get away from them. Sejin was already working on an emergency return flight back to Seoul. As soon as his flight was finalized, Tae was planning to leave. </p>
<p></p>
<p>He threw his luggage on the bed and began gathering his belongings. He didn’t even bother to fold them, he just threw them into the bag. Tae pulled out his phone and sent a few texts, one of them to Jennie, to let her know that he was coming home a day earlier than expected. He was just about to check in with Sejin when he felt dampness in his shirt. A stream of water had completely wet his t-shirt. He grabbed at his back while looking up at the ceiling. He assumed that something was leaking from the roof.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Just then, he was hit with another heavy stream of warm water. This one was aimed at his head. He could feel that the back hairs along his neck were completely soaked. And that’s when he saw Jeongguk out of the corner of his eye. He was standing behind the door in the bedroom, aiming his super soaker water gun directly at Tae. </p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m not in the mood for games. Get out of here,” Tae said angrily.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jeongguk shot him in the back again. This time he completely soaked the back of Tae’s shirt, showing no mercy. He dropped another water gun and kicked it over to him. </p>
<p>“Defend yourself.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae was not in the mood. He was angry, tired, hurt and a little bit worried that Jimin would find him and want to fight. Having a water gun fight with Jeongguk was not on his bingo card. </p>
<p></p>
<p>As he stared at the water gun on the ground, his mind momentarily flashed back. The year was 2014. He, Jimin and Jeongguk were in a hotel room, bored, finding ways to entertain themselves. They were the three closest members and they loved being together back then. They had super soaker water guns that they filled with warm water. They completely ruined the hotel room shooting at each other for hours. By the time they finished, the hotel carpet was soaked. The first thing Jeongguk said before the fight started was, “Defend yourself.” Despite getting into trouble with Bang PD, it was one of his happiest memories. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae smiled. In his own way, Jeongguk was reaching out to him, extending an olive branch as an apology for all of the disagreements. He picked up the gun and pretended to throw it on the bed, but instead he spun around and shot a long warm stream straight into Jeongguk’s face. The fight was on.</p>
<p>They ran around for ten minutes, jumping over the beds and hiding behind doors. The fight was epic and it was just enough to disperse Tae’s anger. They collapsed on the bed laughing, both of them completely drenched from head to toe.</p>
<p>“Wish we had these guns back when we were teenagers,” Jeongguk said. </p>
<p>“Yea. I wish we were still teenagers. Everything was much easier back then,” Tae said, bringing them back to reality.</p>
<p>“Sorry for all of this. And so is Jimin. I’m sure he told you everything. But there is something that he probably didn’t tell you. The reason we agreed for you to come is because we love you. I don’t know…maybe we should have done this differently and included you without you having to find out about it in the scheduling group chat. But please understand, we meant no disrespect to you. We weren’t trying to leave you out. This was less about you than it was about…us. Me and him,” Jeongguk explained.</p>
<p>“He told me you two are in love.”</p>
<p>“Yea, we are.”</p>
<p>“Jeonggukie? Did you two…I mean how long has it been…physical?” Tae asked shyly.</p>
<p>“We’ve done some things. But last night was the first time…uh…that…,”</p>
<p>“...right in front of my salad? I mean dude, I was right upstairs,” Tae grimaced.</p>
<p>“We didn’t mean for it to happen. It was the first and the last time. We decided last night that being physical was a step too far. We won’t do it again. And I’m sorry for you know…doing it in front of your salad.”</p>
<p>“Yuck. That’s so weird. Did you actually…uh…I mean since when do you know how to…uh…with another…guy?” Tae made a strange gesture with his hands that ended up with him rubbing his index finger through his fist.</p>
<p>“Yea…we did…but I’m not giving you details about that. I’m twenty-six. I know all of the things that I need to know,” Jeongguk smiled demurely.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Top or bottom?”</p>
<p>“Tae.”</p>
<p>Tae threw his hands up, “Well at least I’m not crazy. My gut told me that Jimin’s limp was not because of his damn knee. Oops wait. I think I just answered my own question.”</p>
<p>“Tae.”</p>
<p>Tae giggled. “I’m dropping the subject.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed, “Good. But seriously, we went too far. Especially considering we’re filming a show. But it just happened. Sometimes passion can’t be controlled even amongst the most disciplined people. And you know how disciplined Jimin is.”</p>
<p>“I know. You must be irresistible to him.” Tae patted Jeongguk on the shoulder. “He’s so fucking happy lately. I suspected he was in love. But I never suspected it was you.”</p>
<p>“I won’t apologize for this. But I will apologize for not being more careful. We’re going to continue dating and nothing is going to stop us. However, we will continue to be discreet and keep this private, you know?”</p>
<p>Tae felt tears. He covered his face with his hands. “Ugh. I never should have come.”</p>
<p>“Don’t say that. Why are you saying that again? We already told you, we wanted you here -”</p>
<p>Tae interrupted him, “I shouldn’t have come because I can’t shake the feeling that I interrupted something sacred. Something deeply meaningful that you two were trying to capture. I didn’t know Jeongguk. I didn’t know how important this show was to you.”</p>
<p>“You’re important too. That’s why we made sure to say yes to you joining us. I’ll admit we were a little bratty at first, but having you here has been incredible. You’re a reminder of our commitment to our members and how much we love them…and you. Please, don’t leave. Finish out the Jeju trip with us.”</p>
<p>“Why are you here, just you two? This is going to really get the shippers talking in the fandom. Why put this out there and expose yourselves this way? Is this some kind of soft launch?”</p>
<p>“Not at all.  It’s much, much more complicated than that. It’s a long story. Put on a dry shirt and let’s grab a beer.”</p>
<p>“Sure, but where’s Jimin?”</p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed. “He’s not mad anymore. And I sent him away so that you and I could talk. Don’t worry, I won’t let him kick your ass,” Jeongguk patted Tae on the back again.</p>
<p>The two settled on the first floor near the pool. They drank a couple of beers and had a much needed soul-to-soul talk. Jeongguk did his best to explain everything that had happened during the last couple of years since their hiatus. Tae admittedly was out of touch and much of what Jeongguk had to tell him was a shock…</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/0752a04c-bc8a-41dc-adb2-3e0b5886360a_screenshot2024-09-10at10.20.43%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>As Jeongguk began, he took intermittent sips of his beer, “There was no guarantee that our buddy enlistment would be approved. At first, we thought it was a done deal. I mean we were two of seven of the biggest stars in Korea’s history. Surely someone would make some phone calls to make sure that we could serve together. We started the process back in 2018, talking to soldiers who had done it and understanding how/when to submit the paperwork. But as time went on and our service became more and more political, we realized that no one was on our side. No matter how popular we were or what we had done for this country, there was no guarantee that the chips were going to fall in our favor. And that’s when we panicked.” Jeongguk wiped his eyes. There were tears there, but they were not for Tae to see. “I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t in the right state of mind to leave Jimin. He’d been by my side since I was thirteen years old, and my boyfriend since I was about twenty. I wasn’t ready to be without him and Jimin knew it. One night I said something crazy about running away together and not going to service at all. I was drunk. I didn’t mean it, but I did expose myself, my mental state. It was at that point that Jimin knew what he had to do.”</p>
<p>“What do you mean he knew what he had to do? What did he have to do?”</p>
<p>“He had to prepare me for the eventuality that we would be separated. He distanced himself. Not completely of course. He could never do that, for his own sanity. He needs me just like I need him. But he stopped responding to my every whim. We used to spend every waking moment together. We either spent the night at his house or mine. We were barely ever apart, even off tour. But suddenly, after hiatus began, he was always busy. Too busy. In his defense, he was recording a double album, fulfilling his Dior appearances, traveling, filming videos, practicing ten hours a day on choreo, filming challenges and writing his entire album. His hands were full. I was busy too, let’s be honest. Preparing for both of our solo debuts was not an easy feat.” Jeongguk took a break. They sat in silence for a few minutes until he was ready to begin again.</p>
<p>“Whenever I was free, I would call him, but he was never available. Whenever he was free, I would call him, but he wasn’t available. It didn’t take me long to figure out that he was intentionally avoiding me. I even resorted to trying to talk to him through my VLIVES. I would pretend he was in the audience, watching me, thinking about me, loving me. I would pretend we were on dates. I was just so desperate for his attention. Sometimes he would give it to me, other times he wouldn’t. I know ARMY must have thought I was crazy, staying live for hours and hours and hours at a time. The truth is…I was always waiting for him.”</p>
<p>“Oh Jeonggukie. You’re literally breaking my heart right now.” Tae shook his head, “I still don’t understand. Was he trying to break up with you?”</p>
<p>Jeongguk shook his head, “I don’t think he ever wanted that. He would still find time for me, but it was more balanced. It wasn’t everyday like it used to be when we were still working. Honestly, I thought he was dating someone else. He promised me that he wasn’t. I was so blinded by hurt and abandonment.”</p>
<p>“I’m still lost.”</p>
<p>“You see, he never really left me. He was always there. Always. But he didn’t want me to know. He wanted me to stand on my own. He was constantly pebbling, sending me strength through subtle sources. Encouraging me when I needed it the most, making suggestions on enhancing my life. He even suggested that I spend more time with you. That’s one of the reasons I flew out to Hawaii to visit you. Still, I missed him so much. There were many times that I cried myself to sleep, even cried on live stream. I begged him publicly and privately to spend time with me, but he was very measured in the time that he gave to me. I tried to talk to him about it. But he would never explain himself. He would only say…one day you’ll understand. I was left guessing, thinking the worst about him. It was a stressful time that almost broke me.”</p>
<p>“Oh Jeongguk, you should have talked to me about it.”</p>
<p>“Yea, you and Jennie. Let’s be honest, you had your own shit going on. Plus you were so happy. I didn’t want to bring you down with my problems. I was happy for you and proud of you too. One day when I was sorting through music with Namjoon, trying to come up with the best songs for my album. We were listening to a song called Hate You. And I broke into tears. He decided that we needed to talk. That conversation with Namjoon changed everything for me.”</p>
<p>“What did he say?”</p>
<p>“You know Namjoon. Deep thinker, very intuitive. He was an aphorist as always. He explained Jimin’s action through a series of quotes and philosophies about life. But there were two quotes in particular that stood out.” </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/9557e9cb-678a-4680-97a6-a8c07058e96a_screenshot2024-09-10at10.21.39%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“Quotes. You figured it out through quotes?” Tae shrugged.</p>
<p>“Clearly Jimin had talked to Namjoon about what he was doing. And, without betraying Jimin’s confidence, Joonie led me to the answer. In Jimin’s mind, I needed time to find myself. Be myself. Live by myself. Create myself. Depend on myself. He wanted me to live a full life, a happy life that didn’t include him. Joonie called Oubaitori. Based on a Japanese concept that Jimin studied back in 2017 when we were in Japan together. It was, in essence, Jimin’s belief that it was my time to blossom on my own without the imprint of my brothers, or him. You see, being the youngest, I was the only one who had never lived on my own. I was in everyone’s shadow and they all took credit for who I had become. But Jimin wanted me to be me. To bloom into the man that I could take credit for becoming. He was trying to prepare me for the eventuality of being separated and torn apart during military service. And as painful as it was for him, he pushed me to do it the only way he knew how. He had to remove himself as my safety net.”</p>
<p>“He’s very cerebral. Only he would think of something like that. What an incredible sacrifice. That must have been even harder on him than it was for you.”</p>
<p>“It was. Jimin is mentally tough. He can do anything that he sets his mind to…except for falling out of love with me. And trust me, he tried. But…he kept himself busy so that he wouldn’t miss me as much. We still saw each other. We still spent quality time, just not as often. He pushed me out of the nest and it was the most selfless loving thing he could have done. He watched me grow, he watched me claim my independence. He watched my work ethic and how I navigated the challenges of my life. He watched how hard I worked to create my album. He watched me create myself.  Still though, whenever I needed him the most, he was there. He secretly flew to Saudi Arabia with me for my FIFA performance. He never disappeared, I just thought he did. He gave me enough freedom to be free. And you know what…it worked. By the time this show came around, I had done it all. Traveled alone. Filmed a documentary. Met new friends. Got reacquainted with old ones. And most importantly, I found the courage to serve alone even if he couldn’t go with me. I was no longer scared to be without him.”</p>
<p>“I have a feeling that this wasn’t just for you Jeonggukie. I think Jimin had to learn how to live without you as well.”</p>
<p>“He did. He admitted that later. We were co-dependent and it was something we never even noticed until we were about to be pulled apart. It was almost tragic.”</p>
<p>“His methods were a bit Draconian, but I get why he did it. Why didn’t he just tell you what he was doing?” Tae asked.</p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed, “Because I would have never accepted it. I would have fought him to the death.”</p>
<p>“Yea, that’s totally true. You’re stubborn.”</p>
<p>“And that brings us to ‘Are You Sure’.  After a year of distancing ourselves from each other, we thought it was time to come back together again. This show is just a small part of a bigger plan that we’ve had in place since hiatus started. It was supposed to be our last moments together before military service and since we still didn’t know if buddy enlistment would be approved, we decided to really do it big. We wanted to create memories that would sustain us and stay with us forever if we were separated. The show looks like a big unplanned honeymoon because it is a big unplanned honeymoon. We didn’t even have a name for the show until after the first few episodes. This is our celebration, our chance to do all of the romantic, wonderful things we couldn’t do before. Our chance to make up for lost time. The truth is, we planned the trip alone because it’s a romantic trip. But in order to be allowed to travel out of the country to all of the places we wanted to visit, the travel had to be for work. That was the only way we could get International Travel Visas this close to our military service date. With that premise in mind, the show was born. This isn’t really a work trip, but we made it into one back in 2022 when we pitched the idea. So that’s why you and the other members weren’t invited. But we’re very happy to have you here now.”</p>
<p>“So I ruined it?”</p>
<p>“You did not. However, we did add one more stop to the tail end of our schedule. You cannot tag along on that one,” Jeongguk teased.</p>
<p>“Understood,” Tae slapped his shoulder. </p>
<p>“Don’t leave Jeju. Stay with us. We have so much planned that includes you. More eating, more activities and a boat ride tomorrow. Say you’ll stay?”</p>
<p>“Now that you put it that way…yes. I’ll stay,” Tae agreed.</p>
<p>“Jimin will be happy to hear it.”</p>
<p>“Tomorrow, you’ll find out if your Buddy assignment was approved. Are you scared?”</p>
<p>“Very. But not as scared as we used to be. We’ve grown a lot. At least now we know that we can survive without each other because we already proved it to ourselves. Two year ago, that would have never been possible.”</p>
<p>“And if it’s bad news?”</p>
<p>“We’re fighters, we’re strong and we’re in love. Whatever they throw at us, we can handle.”</p>
<p>“I wish you the best. I want this to happen for you because I know how much it means to you.” Tae fave him a hug. “And Jeongguk, you don’t have to worry about me saying anything about what you and Jimin have told me. I’ll keep your secret. But I do wonder what you plan to do about this. I stand by what I said last night, this could affect all of us.”</p>
<p>“We won’t let it affect us. This relationship is private. We’ve kept this secret for seven years. And, despite our little show, we will never come out and confirm anything. Not right now anyway. We have final edit approval on every episode. We’ll watch closely and if there is anything we’re uncomfortable with, it comes out. No questions asked. We negotiated it as part of the contract.”</p>
<p>“Kicking the can down the road.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed, “For right now, yes. At least until after service. And then after that…we don’t know.”</p>
<p>Tae remained with Jimin and Jeongguk and enjoyed the rest of his time in Jeju. As promised, the two planned a variety of activities for them. A deep dive into water gun fights, rock climbing, dancing, eating and karaoke brought back cherished memories from their youth. The trio fell in love again, making amends and finding common ground. Thanks to their resolve, they managed to salvage what could have been a tumultuous period leading up to their military service.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/87bae1ed-aa89-4f39-811a-74a8ca82bd30_screenshot2024-09-10at10.23.03%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Above all, Tae apologized for disparaging their love. And they apologized to Tae for hiding the truth about their relationship for so many years. Tae was finally given all of the details about their affair. They confided everything to him. They trusted him, something they should have done years ago. </p>
<p>Tae still worried about what the future held for them though. He wanted them to make it work but he was very concerned about what their relationship would do to the group. </p>
<p>The trio ended their trip with a renewed energy towards their friendship. They said goodbye to Tae as he boarded the plane back to Seoul. Sejin and the rest of the camera production crew headed back to Seoul as well. Jimin and Jeongguk remained in Jeju for one more night until the start of the holiday. </p>
<p>There were no more cameras for the remainder of their trip.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/7818cf91-e936-4692-8061-68b26f4d28b0_img_9594.jpg" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>***</p>
<p>[To Be Continued...]</p>
<p>That is the end of part TWO. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading. As always, likes and tips are greatly appreciated.  If you head over to the POST tab and find this story in the thread, you can hit the like button. Part THREE starts to heat up, so get ready. Will post soon.</p>
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          Oct 29, 2024
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            Sealed Lips | Part I  
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<p><span><img alt="" height="1380" src="https://imgproxy.fourthwall.dev/udF4trHW3Dv7AWQdLNZ2mvGNaYLH7qSt5-7YWwWVkd0/w:890/el:0/q:90/sm:1/enc/OTg4OWYwMzIyMmZj/ZDNmMwwPb9rA4a-u/vbPoPhjEqeiepoAc/sv5uN3WZVxdmwbgn/Bfiw3galfR-e6Tt8/LJ5dpjIH7o9Bp2TP/AvA6oJ4pZU9EjDzd/taTPDvvr_cGj2ybX/FliUwi-6ljip-I8V/1t4bf1_yHESbLpjn/q2Qc2t6vtQg.webp" width="1378" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p><strong>**Author's Notes**</strong> </p>
<p>During my official hiatus, I promised that I would continue to drop short stories on different platforms for my Diamonds to read while I am away. This is my first attempt at a canon fic since 2017. But AYS just really motivated me to write a few snippets of how their relationship works behind the scenes; from a Dawn perspective of course. I hope you like these short little snippets. This one will be delivered in 3 or 4 parts. I wanted to do something a little different with adding images to the text. There are so many thoughts and ideas that are sparked from their expressions and in my mind, I imagined what they were REALLY thinking when they weren't on camera. This will be a different presentation than my normal work on AO3, but I really, really hope you enjoy it. I'll be back soon to my regular style of writing on the AO3 platform, but for right now, please enjoy the whimsy of these simple yet erotic stories.</p>
<p>_____________________________________</p>
<p><strong>Summary: </strong></p>
<p>Something about the fresh sea air of Jeju drives everyone crazy. With minds cloudy, bodies Horney and an insatiable appetites for more than just food, the Ace duo find themselves in a world of trouble. And it's trouble of their own making. </p>
<p><strong>Tags:</strong></p>
<p>~ One Shot</p>
<p>~ NSFW (21+) </p>
<p>~ Porn with Plot</p>
<p>~ Hurt/Comfort</p>
<p>~ Mild Angst</p>
<p>~ Canon and Canon divergent</p>
<p>~ Lies/Deceit/Betrayal</p>
<p>~ Everybody's Lips are Sealed</p>
<p>~ Graphic Sexual Content</p>
<p>~ Homosexuality</p>
<p>~ M/M</p>
<p>_____________________________________</p>
<p><strong><em>Jimin</em></strong> swam through the warm salt water pool in search of his swimming trunks. He found them floating near the steps. He gathered them under his arm as he climbed out of the pool. Without haste he pulled the water-logged swim trunks haphazardly over his water-wrinkled skin. He tugged at his cock, trying to bounce it neatly in place within the inner netting. With a single hand he flipped the heavy carpet of wet hair from his forehead, causing a spray of water to race from the strands. Even before wrapping himself in one of the pool towels, he chose to grab a stiff hard drink.  The bottle of vintage Whiskey was right where they had left it; sitting on the pool side table. He took a shot and then another. The warmth of the liquid burned his throat, causing him to cough. As if he weren’t buzzed enough, the two hard shots pushed him firmly into the “drunk” category. The night was too wild. Being drunk was the only way to explain what had just happened. If anyone ever found out - he couldn’t bear to think about it. </p>
<p>Warm pool water dripped from his nose as he gathered his nerves. He wrapped one of the large fluffy towels around his waist. Several teeth marks were scrawled along the tattoo on his back where he’d been attacked from behind. He could feel the sting of the bites as his towel rubbed against them. Small bruises on his neck and upper chest were the only evidence of the moment. </p>
<p>Feeling subconscious, fidgety and flighty, he used his towel to cover all of it. He was the only one who had made it out of the pool. He was the only one who felt ashamed, embarrassed, terrified of what they had done. The other one, the partner in his hedonistic performance, still floated on his back, kicking up and down the length of the pool. While Jimin felt as if a scarlet ‘A’ had been burned into his skin, the other felt exhilarated, relieved, content and satisfied. </p>
<p>“Put some clothes on. Hurry. Tae could come down here at any minute. And…and the staff is probably right next door. Oh shit, what did we do? What did we just do? Hurry, get out of the pool and cover yourself,” Jimin whispered in a rush.</p>
<p>Jeongguk floated towards the end of the pool where Jimin was standing. His cock was wilted and floating across his upper thigh. Jimin could see the red marks from his own fingerprints where they had marred Jeongguk’s skin. Once again he was mortified about what he had done to him. But in the heat of passion, he had lost his discernment, his ability to control his own body. It was a mistake, one that would never happen again. </p>
<p>Jeongguk raised his long muscular arms and rotated them backwards, pulling the water in streams along his side as he backstroked to the opposite end of the pool. Despite Jimin pleading with him, he still refused to get out, still refused to get dressed, still refused to hide the deed.</p>
<p>He flippantly called to Jimin, “Now you want to hide? Now you want to pretend that nothing happened?”</p>
<p>“Jeongguk, please. Tae could come down here at any minute. I don’t even know where the camera crew went. This was reckless. We shouldn’t have…,”</p>
<p>“I removed all of the cameras. I’m a documentary maker too. Remember? I know all of their secrets. And you can calm down. None of the staff are here.”</p>
<p>Jimin pulled the towel up higher over his chest as if he were suddenly ashamed of his body, “You removed the cameras?”</p>
<p>“I wanted a night swim alone, so we could talk. We’ve been filmed for three straight days. We leave tomorrow. I just wanted a few minutes just you and me. I told Sejin that we wanted to be alone and he cleared the house. There’s no one here but me and you…and Tae.”</p>
<p>Jimin stared down into the pool as Jeongguk casually continued to float on his back. “Why are you being this way? Get out. Cover up. You act as if you want to get caught.”</p>
<p>“Get caught doing what? You’re standing over there trembling like you just robbed a bank, wearing that towel like a Priest. And I’m all the way over here, floating in the pool. What exactly would we get caught doing?”</p>
<p>“You’re naked!”</p>
<p>“You’ve seen me naked since we were teenagers. Why is this different? We lived together for ten years. Trust me, no one cares. No one will suspect anything as long as you calm down. If you’re so uncomfortable, go inside, shower and get dressed.”</p>
<p>“Jeonggukie please. This is different and you know it. The signs of what happened…are everywhere. Look at our bodies.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk looked down and saw the small bruises on his chest and waist. It finally struck him that maybe the scene was a little suspicious. Reluctantly, he agreed to get out. Waves of warm salt water slid over his shoulders and down the undulated curves of his back as he lifted himself from the pool. He shook his hair like a wet puppy before grabbing one of the large pool towels. He dried himself, but refused to get dressed.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/65c92f24-4518-4dd9-911c-5844ea51d65a_screenshot2024-08-28at10.26.49%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>He took two steps towards Jimin and smiled. His elder was glowing, despite his absolute freak-out, he was glowing. His entire body was wet, smooth, flawless like a fine piece of china. </p>
<p>Jeongguk was moved to caress his cheek. “Are you ok? Did I hurt you? I mean are you…bleeding or anything…?” Jeongguk said shyly as he surveyed the little bits of Jimin’s body that weren’t covered by the fluffy towel.</p>
<p>Jimin made the fatal mistake of locking into Jeongguk’s eyes. There his gaze was affixed for what seemed like eternity, “No. I mean yes. I mean…I’m not hurt. I’m fine…just sore and a little confused and drunk.”</p>
<p>“You’re not confused. You’re not drunk. You know exactly what happened and why. I’m glad we finally got it out. We needed it. Jimin there’s only so long we can pretend that we…don’t have sexual feelings for each other. It’s been building for years. It all exploded tonight. We have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m glad it happened,” Jeongguk said naively.</p>
<p>“Are you insane? If anyone finds out what we did…,” Jimin raised his voice. The realization of what they had done was suddenly weighing upon his shoulders, crushing him. As the elder, it was his responsibility to stop things from going too far, but he didn’t, he couldn’t. He allowed all of it to happen. He felt so ashamed. Above all, he was terrified that at least some of what they did may have been caught on camera, “this could end our careers. Ruin our families. Ruin the group. You can’t walk around with your chest puffed out like this is some badge of honor. You should be ashamed, we should both be ashamed.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk snapped back, “I have nothing to be ashamed about. I’ve loved you for seven years. For seven years, I’ve waited to touch you like this, to kiss you and hold you in my arms. Tonight it happened and I will never apologize for it. I will never be ashamed of it.” Jeongguk removed his towel and stood naked in front of Jimin as he continued his soliloquy. “We need to get this out into the open. We need to tell everyone. Our brothers will understand. Our families will understand. We just have to talk about it, maturely. Everyone around us loves us.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Jimin looked down, eyes sweeping the rocky ground. He glanced over at the fire pit and released a defeated chuckle. “You live in a fantasy world. This was a mistake, Jeonggukie. Don’t you understand? We can’t tell anyone. We can’t confess to being…,”</p>
<p>“...being what Jimin? Say it!” Jeongguk pressed. With his wet naked body glistening under the pool lights, he challenged his elder turned lover and dared him to say the words.</p>
<p>“We can’t confess to having done this,” Jimin couldn’t bring himself to say it. “You have to promise to keep this between us. You can’t tell anyone what happened here tonight. Jeonggukie…please?”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/5290cb01-53c2-4fc4-b551-e7ab44a78165_screenshot2024-08-27at9.00.45%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“You felt so good. Everything felt so right. Why can’t you say it Jimin? Why can’t you just admit that you love me?”</p>
<p>“BECAUSE I’M NOT SUPPOSED TO LOVE YOU! Not like this…not like this.” Jimin screamed. He quickly lowered his voice, “You’re my brother, my best friend. That’s the love that we share, that’s the love that we have to hold on to. That’s the love that stays within boundaries.”</p>
<p>“And that love is important and it will always be there, but you can’t just ignore the other love we feel. The love that isn’t brotherly, the love that…made us do what we just did.”</p>
<p>“Listen to me, that other thing…that other kind of love…the love that burns in my chest and purifies my soul, the love that feeds my heart until it wants to burst open, the love that makes me feel invincible, the love that makes me want to spend the rest of my days sleeping next to you, the love that makes me feel like nothing else in the world matters but you, the love that is driving me to the front lines of the DMZ just so that I can be with you…that love must be buried because it will ruin the lives of everyone around us. And if we don’t snap out of this and get our clothes on and get away from each other, we’re going to get caught. Because the proof of what we just did in that swimming pool is written on both of our faces. FUCK, Jeongguk we have to hide this. We have to walk away from this like it never happened. Tell me you understand.”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/0912ce7d-7106-4d1d-9a91-98069e467f50_screenshot2024-08-27at9.00.23%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>And there it was, the first time that Jimin had truly confessed everything he was feeling. Jeongguk savored every word, despite how difficult he knew it had been for Jimin to confess it. “Is that really how I make you feel?” Jeongguk questioned without agreeing to Jimin’s request.</p>
<p>Jimin was truthful, even though he knew that it would destroy his argument, “It’s how you’ve always made me feel, since I was seventeen years old. Ending up here together should have been predicted years ago. I feel like I betrayed you. I’m supposed to protect you, take care of you. I’m your hyung. I’m not supposed to fall in love.”</p>
<p>“You have taken care of me. You have protected me, you still do. But more and more everyday, you treat me like your lover, even though your brain tells you otherwise. Did it ever occur to you that I’m your soulmate? That’s why you’ve fallen in love. I’m twenty-six years old. I’m not some innocent bystander who just allowed all of this to happen. I have just as much control as you do.”</p>
<p>“You can’t choose me. A world where we are together - doesn’t exist. You don’t have that choice. Tell me you understand. Tell me you understand, please.”</p>
<p>“My mother called,” Jeongguk added - off topic.</p>
<p>Jimin was agitated, “Your mother?” He hated when Jeongguk skillfully avoided difficult conversations by changing the subject.</p>
<p>“Yea. She wanted to know if you were coming home with me for Chuseok. She knew we were filming together.”</p>
<p>“She wants me to come home with you?”</p>
<p>“Just for a visit.” Jeongguk sighed, “She knows. I told her everything about us.”</p>
<p>“You shouldn’t have told her anything. There’s nothing to tell, we don’t want her to get the wrong idea.”</p>
<p>“There’s a lot to tell. And I’m tired of hiding it.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“What exactly did you tell her?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“How I feel about you. And how you feel about me. Why do you think she wants you to come around so much these days? She likes you Jimin. She loves the idea of you being with me.”</p>
<p>Jimin looked back towards Jeongguk with incredulity, “She’s kinda’ always liked me. I’m definitely her favorite,” he laughed.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/8b63286d-9430-44eb-b22d-23671d8fa3d8_screenshot2024-09-02at11.08.19%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“You think the world would be against us if they knew the truth. I think the world already knows the truth. We seem to be the only ones who need to catch up.” Jeongguk grabbed his swim trunks and pulled them on. Much to Jimin’s relief.</p>
<p>“I’ve got news for you, the world is not that kind.” Jimin turned to face him, “You really live your life by your instincts, don’t you?”</p>
<p>“Yes, and for about ten glorious minutes, so did you. Your instincts told you to ride me in that pool. Even though your brain tried to fight you to the death.”</p>
<p>Jimin’s eyes bulged, “Shhh, don’t say those words. Someone may hear you.” He rushed to cover Jeongguk’s mouth with his hand.</p>
<p>“I love you,”  Jeongguk mumbled from beneath Jimin’s short fingers that were pressed against his lips.</p>
<p>“Don’t say that Jeonggukie.” </p>
<p>“And it’s because I love you that I promise to keep this between us…for now. Nobody has to know what happened here, at least not until you’re ready to talk.”</p>
<p>Jimin sighed with relief. He had suddenly gotten through to his stubborn fuck buddy. “Good. Happy to know that you’ve come to your senses.”</p>
<p>But of course Jeongguk and his antagonistic nature couldn’t completely let it go, “Tell me it was good though.”</p>
<p>“Jeongguk!”</p>
<p>“Tell me…,” Jeongguk stepped several paces closer. “Did it hurt a lot? Could you feel all of me? Did I last long enough?”</p>
<p>“Yes to every single one of those fucking questions. Especially the hurting part. But, it was…incredible. You’re right, it felt natural like two puzzle pieces fitting together. I didn’t even know that I could do that. I mean…it’s been a while.”</p>
<p>“If you tell me your first time was with Taemin, I will vomit in the pool, I swear to God,” Jeongguk teased.</p>
<p>Jimin burst into laughter.</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/37dfdaf0-1982-419f-8ae6-78caff1ae8f7_screenshot2024-08-27at9.01.41%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“No, it was not. And trust me, that’s not a conversation you’re ready for - at least not tonight,” Jimin teased. </p>
<p>“I don’t care about your past…although I am curious.”</p>
<p>“I never imagined our first time would be like this, under these circumstances…with Tae upstairs.” Jimin shrugged.</p>
<p>“You’ve thought about our first time?”</p>
<p>Jimin shook his head, realizing what he’d said, “I talk too damn much. Forget I said that. Hungry? I can fix some ramyeon.” Jimin turned to walk towards the kitchen but Jeongguk grabbed his arm and pulled him back.</p>
<p>“Don’t run, you can’t run from this. I made you a promise, now you have to make me one.”</p>
<p>Jimin untangled his wrist from Jeongguk’s powerful grip. But instead of pulling away, he slid the meat of his palm down Jeongguk’s wrist until it landed along the tips of his fingers. He squeezed, closing the full  length of his extended fingers around Jeongguk’s large hand, “What do you want me to promise?”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/4b314dcc-b00e-4f26-96da-4c09aa520503_screenshot2024-09-02at11.10.59%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jeongguk wasn’t sure if Jimin’s embrace was intentional or not, but it was a definite show of intimacy. “You have to promise that you’re not going to let any of this change things between us. I know we’re both shocked about how fast this all unraveled, but we can’t let it affect us negatively. At least not while we’re filming this show. We can’t be awkward with each other, we can’t change the dynamic. Not only would it ruin the show but…it would ruin me.”</p>
<p>“Oh Jeonggukie,” Jimin took a seat in front of the fire pit. He leaned over, resting his face within his hands. “This show was a bad idea. I know we meant well, I know we wanted to give something special to the fans before we enlist. But maybe escaping to all of these romantic destinations tempted fate a little too much. Traveling alone with you was risky from the start. Ever since our first kiss in Tokyo seven years ago, we knew the potential for falling in love was bubbling just beneath the surface of our supposed brotherhood.”</p>
<p></p>
<p> Jeongguk found a seat next to Jimin. He held his hands up to feel the warmth from the fire pit, “This trip and this show has untangled seven years worth of emotional rope that we worked hard to keep knotted. It’s shown us who we really are.”</p>
<p>“Love kind of pops when you’re laying in each other’s arms, watching the sunset,” Jimin added. “We have to act normal, act normal. No deep gazes or soft touches. Normal.”</p>
<p>Jeongguk laughed, “If we try to act normal, everyone will know that something has changed. And that brings me back to my point. Be yourself. You have to be yourself. Things got physical, sure, but you’re still my best friend. That part hasn’t changed. We can’t lose that.”</p>
<p>Jimin’s mind was racing. He shook his head with reflection, “We took a chance with this fucking show, we thought we could keep it together. We didn’t.” He stared into the pool, watching the reflection of their shirtless bodies. </p>
<p>“We’re human, shit happens,” Jeongguk said supportively. “How we recover is what matters.”</p>
<p>“We just accidentally fucked in the middle of a  swimming pool while filming a reality show. How exactly do we recover from that?”</p>
<p>“I don’t know.” Jeongguk laughed. </p>
<p>“Why are you suddenly so irresistibly attractive?” Jimin asked.</p>
<p>“I could ask you the same question. Maybe it’s the sea air of Jeju. It unlocks our sexappeal.”</p>
<p>“Ah yes, that must be it.” Jimin laughed, but his laughter was cut short when he felt a sharp pain. “Damnit, I’m really sore. You certainly left your mark inside of me.” He shifted his position, sitting was uncomfortable.</p>
<p>“I left a lot of stuff inside of you.”</p>
<p>Jimin blushed. His mind wandered to filthy places. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/834879a4-5f7e-485a-a353-7f4e94267407_screenshot2024-09-02at11.12.48%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Most of Jeongguk’s seed had been washed away in the warm salt water of the swimming pool. Sadly, he didn’t get to keep much of his lover’s deposit inside of him. He bit his lip and clenched his eyes closed. He felt guilty for even thinking about it. All of it was just so inappropriate. He shifted again and leaned forward towards the warm fire pit. That’s when he felt the sharp pain in his ass again. “Shit,” he complained.</p>
<p>Jeongguk noticed Jimin’s discomfort, “About that, are you sure you’re ok? Do we maybe need to consider going to…a doctor? I didn’t exactly know what I was doing and I…,”</p>
<p>“I knew what you were doing and you did it very well. I’m fine. This is just something that comes with the territory. And going to the doctor for this is completely unnecessary. No activities tomorrow, let’s just eat and take it easy. A little rest and I’ll be back to normal in a few hours.”</p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/f221475c-cf03-490f-8b5d-45baa0c7e380_screenshot2024-08-27at8.59.10%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>“I’ll be better, gentler, more prepared next time,” Jeongguk said sweetly.</p>
<p>“Oh Jeonggukie.” Jimin closed his eyes and shook his head. “There can never be a next time. How many times do I have to say that?”</p>
<p>Jeongguk didn't like the thought of never making love to Jimin again. So he ignored him, "Eating sounds good. I have a special beef stew recipe that I plan to cook for you tomorrow. We can lay around and just hang out with Tae after he gets back from golf."</p>
<p>"We can't do it again. Tell me you heard me."</p>
<p>Jimin’s comment went unacknowledged. Instead Jeongguk placed his hand on the elder’s knee. Sitting side by side, he wrapped his left arm around Jimin’s shoulders and pulled him closer. He crawled the fingers of his right hand beneath Jimin's towel and beneath the water logged swim trunks; traveling until his fingertips reached Jimin’s bare skin. Using only his index finger, he found Jimin’s warm shaft and rubbed the underside. </p>
<p>“You didn’t cum while we were…,”</p>
<p>“That doesn’t matter…,” Jimin closed his eyes once again. He tried to gather the courage to push Jeongguk’s hand away. “I don’t deserve to get pleasure from this. It’s wrong. So it doesn’t matter.”</p>
<p>“It matters to me.” Several more fingers wrapped around Jimin’s cock. Jeongguk closed his hand into a fist, locking Jimin’s achy shaft inside of it.</p>
<p>The veins in Jimin’s cock filled with blood and grew ridgid just under the skin, causing yet another erection. But instead of jumping to pull Jeongguk’s hand away, he cupped it, trapping it there inside of his swim trunks. He found the younger’s eyes; they were bright and clear like pools of water. He could see his own reflection within them; along with his pleasured expression as the younger began to stroke him heavily. Wordlessly, Jimin gave him permission to keep going. As the pleasure grew, he fell forward with his forehead against Jeongguk’s chin. He used both hands to grip Jeongguk’s wrist, desperate to control his strokes and move his hand faster. </p>
<p>“I’m cumming,” Jimin gave a soft warning.</p>
<p>“Shhh.”</p>
<p>He watched the rise and fall of his swim trunks as Jeongguk’s hand moved like a possessed creature underneath them. It only took a few seconds for his powerful grip to bring Jimin to orgasm. Cum squirted from his tip as he shivered into a quiet climax. With the parting of his lips, he moaned delicately as if sipping a satisfying glass of wine. He could feel the dampness inside of the netting of his shorts. Once again, he was deeply embarrassed when he realized how much fluid he’d released into Jeongguk’s hand.</p>
<p>The sound of footsteps behind them were coupled with Tae’s groggy voice, “There you guys are. Something’s wrong with the cameras. All of them are off. I noticed it when I woke up to go to the restroom. Do you know what happened?” Tae rubbed his eyes as he tried to get his bearings. </p>
<p><span><img class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" src="https://storage.ko-fi.com/cdn/useruploads/display/ebf1e0aa-34b0-4ae8-b0ca-303554745117_screenshot2024-09-02at3.04.00%E2%80%AFpm.png" onerror="this.style.display='none'"></span></p>
<p>Jeongguk’s hand was still firmly wrapped around Jimin’s cock. His arm was so deeply embedded in Jimin’s swim trunks, that only half of it was visible. </p>
<p>And Jimin hadn’t had a single moment’s breath between bursting a wet nut in his shorts and being confronted by Tae about the cameras. The two were caught in a precarious situation; one that didn’t give brotherly vibes at all. It was exactly as Jimin had feared; getting caught doing something they shouldn’t.  </p>
<p>Tae’s eyes quickly scanned the two. He immediately noticed Jeongguk’s hand inside of Jimin’s shorts. Something wasn’t right, “What’s going on? You two…ok?”</p>
<p>“Flip that switch behind you. I think we had a power outage. That’s probably what happened to the cameras,” Jeongguk’s suggestion was credible. It was an attempt to divert Tae’s attention long enough for him to get his hand out of Jimin’s swim shorts.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tae glanced quickly at the light switch, but his eyes returned to the scene of the crime. “Answer my question. What are you two doing?”</p>
<p>Jimin dropped his towel over his lap, “Fix the camera, please Tae. Sejin and the crew are away so…,”</p>
<p>Mercifully, Tae stepped inside and flipped the switch. He wasn’t stupid, however. He realized that Jeongguk’s suggestion was just a stalling tactic to allow them time to recover from whatever the fuck was happening between them. He fiddled with the switches, taking much more time than needed.</p>
<p></p>
<p>While Tae’s back was turned. Jeongguk quickly removed his hand, but it was covered in Jimin’s cum. It was yet another layer to the already complicated predicament. He licked some of it from his fingers before wiping the rest of it on the fluffy beach towel.</p>
<p>“What are you doing?” Jimin scolded him with a hard whisper.</p>
<p>“Getting rid of the evidence,” Jeongguk quipped.</p>
<p>Tae walked back over to the firepit. He stared between them, heart thumping madly. He wanted an explanation for what they were doing, but their reticence with giving him one, only made him more uncomfortable.</p>
<p>“It didn’t work. The lights are still off on each of the kitchen cameras,” Tae explained. “What the hell is going on here?”</p>
<p>“Calm down,” Jeongguk snapped. “I can fix the cameras. Probably just a glitch. I’ll take care of it.”</p>
<p>The few moments of stalling gave Jimin time to come up with an explanation, “You went to bed so early. You know me and him are night owls. We were wide awake so we decided to take another swim…and…uh I got a cramp. A terrible cramp. You know how my knee can get when I overwork myself. Too much jumping and swimming I guess.”</p>
<p>“I rubbed it out for him. That’s all you saw. There was nothing weird about it. I seem to be the designated massage therapist around here. Just like I massaged your neck yesterday, remember? Both of you are always injuring yourselves and I’m the one who has to take care of you,” Jeongguk made an attempt at a joke. </p>
<p>Everything they were saying was plausible. For ten years all seven of the members had climbed all over each other because that’s what brothers did. Rough housing and massages were nothing new. </p>
<p>However Tae’s instincts told him that this was different. They were lying. He wanted to believe them, he truly wanted to believe that he had not walked in on anything sexual. But he knew what he saw. His mind raced. He couldn’t really process what it meant. </p>
<p>For years and years the other members spoke about the dangers of how close Jimin and Jeongguk were. Namjoon and Yoongi even warned that they were falling in love. But their work never suffered, so it all remained just speculation. Even management wondered out loud if the two had feelings for each other. Rumor was that Bang had called them into the office to interrogate them about what was going on. But Tae always summed up the rumors as baseless nonsense. Jimin and Jeongguk were his best friends and he knew them better than anyone - or so he thought. </p>
<p>Tae had to admit that maturity and time precluded the three of them from being as close as they once were. Tae was no longer the confidant that he had been when they were kids. He established his own friends and his own romantic relationships. The three didn’t talk as much as they once did. He wondered if somehow, he had simply missed the signs. Or maybe he didn’t want to see the signs. </p>
<p></p>
<p>So much went through his head. There were girlfriend rumors for both of them, even fuzzy videos from stalkers. Tae had spoken in depth to both of them about it and they both adamantly denied ever being with women. But Tae always thought they were just protecting their privacy - even from him. He never once considered that the two of them may be involved with each other. It never crossed his mind, until his eyes finally fed him the truth. </p>
<p>Tae reflected on when the change to their dynamic was first noticed. It was after their solo trip to Tokyo in 2017 when the whispers began. The moment they returned, they were different. The two became inseparable; sharing hotel rooms on tour, spending private time at each other’s apartments, visiting each other’s families for holidays, even applying for the buddy enlistment for military service. But it was always under the guise of friendship, nothing more. In retrospect, it was clear that Jimin and Jeongguk’s relationship was suddenly more intense and exclusive. </p>
<p>He surveyed them sitting there. Their attempts at looking casual only made the truth more evident. He clenched his fists and worked his jaw. Tae didn’t know what infuriated him more; the lying or the relationship. A few moments of reflection made him realize that it was the relationship that angered him the most. If he hadn’t walked in on them, what would have happened? Or had it already happened? How long had it been happening? How could they be so careless? So stupid? So selfish? He didn’t know. But he knew they were lying about everything. It suddenly dawned on him why the cameras were off. And why Sejin and the entire crew and all of the managers were nowhere to be found. The two of them had purposely sent everyone away in order to spend private time together even though he was sleeping upstairs. Tae felt sick. He calmed himself enough to address them.</p>
<p>“A cramp? You had your entire arm down the front of his pants and all over his dick, in order to rub out a cramp - that was in his knee?”</p>
<p>“Who’s hungry? Tae, me and Jeongguk were just about to make some ramyeon. Want some?” Jimin changed the subject. His swim trunks were still full of cum. He stood gingerly, minding the pain in his ass while praying that dollops of his cum didn’t drip from his shorts in front of Tae.</p>
<p>Tae noticed Jimin’s limping but it didn’t seem related to his knee. He feared the worst. Had the two of them gone further than he imagined? Had it happened right there in the house? He was so angry that he couldn’t contain it. “No, I don’t want any damn ramyeon. I’m going to bed. I have an early tee time with the Wooga squad tomorrow. You know, my real friends, who don’t ever see a need to lie to me.”</p>
<p>“Tae…,” Jeongguk tried to intervene to set the record straight.</p>
<p>“Nope. No more lies. I don’t want to hear it. Whatever is going on between you two is between you two. But I will warn you, there is a live fucking show being filmed here. If anything gets caught on camera, it will be disastrous for all of us, not just you. There are six other members and their families who need to be considered. Our Disney contract is worth millions. Don’t fuck it up.” Tae angrily stormed back into the house.</p>
<p>“My God. What just happened?” Jeongguk said nervously.</p>
<p>Jimin covered his face with his hands, “We were busted. That’s what just happened.”</p>
<p>“Think he’ll tell anyone what he saw?”</p>
<p>“No…because he’s our best friend.”</p>
<p>“But we do have to deal with him, Jimin.”</p>
<p>“Not right now though. He’s too angry. Plus he does have to get up early tomorrow,” Jimin advised.</p>
<p>“Jimin, I’m sorry. You tried to warn me…,”</p>
<p>“It’s ok. It’s ok. I allowed it. I should have stopped you, but the truth is, I love being touched by you. Especially that way.” Jimin walked around the fire pit again. “Oh Jk, we’ve made a mess. How do we fix this?” Jimin’s eyes wilted, he was distraught.</p>
<p>“I really…don’t know.” Jeongguk placed both arms around Jimin’s waist, “But whatever the answer is, we’ll find it together.”</p>
<p>*** </p>
<p>[To Be Continued <a href="https://ko-fi.com/Post/Sealed-Lips-Part-II-Oubaitori-Z8Z11372KN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read Part Two Here</a>....]</p>
<p><em>That is the end of part ONE. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for reading. If you would like to sponsor more of this mini fic, please feel free to leave a Kofi.</em></p>
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