Chapter Two

[9 hours before Kim Taehyung gets slapped]

Oki's eyes squint open. The backs of his thighs trail naked against another soft side. The woman's body hides under the blanket that falls over both, her shoulders, hair, and bottoms of her legs peek out. From what Okie notices with his head arched back, she's a pretty woman. She's beautiful, she's naked, and she sleeps soundly on his bed with him.

With a sigh, the paling boy sits up. His back hurts from the night he had last night, scratches. "Fuck," he mumbles, getting to grab clothing and dress while staring over at a digital clock by his bed.

His bed has legs and a headboard.

Muscles at his arms flex when he pulls over his white tee, hiding his pecks and abs that clench from tenseness. Shaggy hair pulled back from his face with a cap he places on backwards, the boy doesn't button his washed-up blue jeans, stepping outside into the hallway.

As he walks, he fumbles with the button. There's a slight burdening at his stomach when looking down at his phone. He sees the phone calls, the text messages. All from his girlfriend, you. Not wanting his heart to tumble, the man places his phone into his back pocket, straightens, and enters the kitchen.

"Jungkook get up, it's almost noon." Taehyung's voice is heard. Oki smiles a little, just a little when spotting Jungkook moan and grumble, snuggling into the bean-bag on the ground. In the position the first-year puts himself, it's clear he's going to wake up with an aching side.

"Mornin'," Oki sighs, moving to the fridge to grab left-overs but finding none.

Taehyung, clean and washed-up, looks up with a towel around his drenched neck; torso naked with Puma sweats. The slender man doesn't carry much muscle in comparison to Oki but holds natural abs that hide from the towel's beige ends. His fit exterior comes and goes with months. It helps that there isn't much in their cabinets other than cereals and ramen, with milk in the fridge.

"Hey, get home late last night?" Taehyung asks, smirking as he kicks the bag Jungkook lays on. The boy hits the floor, a huge splat ringing all ears. Even with the fall to the ground, Jungkook doesn't wake. Groaning and falling back to sleep.

Oki forces a smile. Too tired to function as he prepares himself cereal. "To be honest, I don't remember when I came home or who I came with?"

Taehyung laughs, grabbing the sides of his towel before leaning one side by the counter. The counter with fake marble patterns designed over. "Still struggling with figuring out the girls' names you sleep with?"

"Never gets easy."

Taehyung's smirk matches Oki's. It's like staring at a mirror, in most bizarre ways they're the same person but so remarkably different. The only difference being their childhood. Oki never understood his mother. She ran out on him for a boyfriend, leaving Oki as a pre-teen with his abusive father. I know. Life sucks, don't it?

"You ever think of settling?"

Oki stops his spoon from moving into his mouth. Taehyung notices how the boy's broad shoulders sulk a bit, leaning into the counter across from his roommate. "N-No...I mean, I haven't really thought about it. Why?"

"I think it would be good for you."

"I'd only just hurt her." There's a small frown that cascades Oki's lips. Taehyung catches it but doesn't comprehend the reaction.

"You'd be a great boyfriend."

Oki's jaw flexes but undermines it by chewing his grainy cereal instead. "I doubt that."

"Just give it a shot, that's all I'm saying," Taehyung props his hands up and out, chuckling and moving away from the counter. "I'm frankly tired of having to get rid of your flings every morning."

Oki's lop-sided smile resurfaces at that. "Would you mind with this one? Last time, I promise."

Taehyung crouches by Jungkook, trying to wake him up. But the way Oki seems to be in deep thought when breaking out his phone has Taehyung jumping to conclusions. "Sure...I'll run her out. Just freshen up."

"Thanks."

Nibbling his bottom lip, Taehyung asks, "Everything okay?"

"Y-Yeah."

Taehyung warns. "Oki."

"I'm serious," the boy smiles. His upper lip twitches momentarily and Taehyung peeps the shift.

"...this isn't about that girl you were telling me about? The one that was bothering you?"

Oki's brows dance in a wiggle as he panics, "W-What, what girl?"

Taehyung's forehead crinkles. His wet bangs hit his eyes which only makes him squint more. "The one you mentioned to be 'suffocating' you?" Air-quotes are in the air, Taehyung lets Jungkook's shoulder go when the first-year slaps his body away on the ground; like road-kill.

"Oh."

"She bothering you or something?"

"No, I uh," the boy puts his cereal bowl into the sink. Pushing himself away using his big hands, Oki leans away and heads towards the hallway again. "I'm just tired, that's all." Taehyung sees right through that, worry in his heart for his best friend.

"What I miss?"

Taehyung glances at the groggy voice of another. Looking towards Jungkook who peeks one eye open, hair messy, and shoulders rolled back, the road-kill is awake. The partially naked boy pats Jungkook's back.

"Nothing dipshit. Get up and swallow some meds, you're going to be in pain the rest of the day."

[5 hours before Kim Taehyung gets slapped]

"Don't talk to me, don't touch me, don't look at me with your nasty-selves," Jungkook moans, rubbing at his temples and crouching on the grass—head to knees. "I'm too sick to care for any of your bullshit."

Park Jimin laughs, slapping his bum to the ground next to Jungkook. Throwing his short arm around the younger boy, it isn't a surprise Jungkook shoves away, cursing when the sunlight accidentally hits his eyes.

Jimin's a hand-full, but he's sweet and caring when it comes to the little-bits of annoyances. With a crooked smile, cat-like eyes, he frames his petite bodies with muscles he works out harshly for. The boy is a hard rock on the outside, but a softie on the inside—nor does he hide that soft side.

"Oh, come on, I want cuddles," Jimin pouts, but laughs none-the-less.

"Leave him alone," there's another laugh. Jung Hoseok.

Hoseok's older in the group. He's older but acts young with the three, Jimin Jungkook and Taehyung. He's a child at heart, a monster in the sheets, and a dancer on the streets. The man's a babe-magnet but never wants to flaunt about it. The other's see that he's dark, tall, and handsome, but they don't compliment him much. Instead, they make fun of his frowning lips, his over-excited perks, and the way he hypes them up for no reason. He's still one of the most important links in their group—the motivating rock.

Seokjin smirks, taking his sunglasses off before extending them down to Jungkook's level. Watching the boy grab it with a jolt, he's back to moaning and rubbing his head when leaning against the bench the others sit on. Jin pets the boy's head, seeing as Jungkook doesn't mind much. "Thanks, old-man," the boy purrs, grabbing Jin's leg and resting his cheek onto it.

"No biggy. Why'd you drink so much last night?" Jin asks, confused.

Jin's the oldest. He's a mature-student at Belco University and finds comfort in taking care of the other 6, the friends he made the minute he joined class with Jungkook. Like a father, a mother, and a cool sibling, he's the loveable rock. Unlike Hoseok, he's the one who flaunts about his good looks, his hilarious jokes, and the fact that his well-structured face and plump lips make for the best photoshoots any day.

"Got lonely and horny so went to Taehyung. He didn't give me any," Jungkook mumbles bored.

Jeon Jungkook. As mentioned before, loveable. He's the youngest, the freshest in the game. With beautiful black-coated hair, an upper lip smaller than his bottom, the boy with the sharp jaw sits close to another unknown beauty within the group. He's arrogant at points, loves banter, and holds no filter in serious situations—but those are quirks they love about him because he'd do anything for them if it came to.

"I knew you were trying to get with me!" Taehyung hollers, slumping next to Jin on the bench with his boots digging into the grass under. His back slings on his shoulders, his jacket a fuzzy beige cardigan with salmon shirt tucked into over-sized jeans. The boy looks more foreign than foreign, ready to walk down an exotic run-way at a campus that provides none.

"Yeah, yeah." Jungkook waves him off, getting lost in the feeling of Jin's fingers massaging his throbbing scalp. "We both knew I was."

Taehyung stifles back a smile, "Is that why you asked me to be your plus-one for your friend's party?"

Jungkook pushes Jin's glasses down the bridge of his nose, eyes up to meet Taehyung's. "I did what-now?" he asks, baffled.

"You asked me out."

"No, ew."

"Too bad, I'm coming with you," Taehyung shoves his boot to Jungkook's glistening face, having the younger boy slap the shoe away. "Plus, after what I endured last night, I'm sure a little party after a long while wouldn't be so bad?"

"Party? Can I come?" Jimin asks, looking away from the grass he picks with his chubby small fingertips. "I haven't been to one in forever."

"Rightfully so, you're a mess when high," Hoseok chuckles, remaining loyal to his stance against the tree that shades their bench.

"There won't be drugs, just alcohol," Jungkook grumbles, "I'm bummed about it too but she's a cutie. It's her party so I ain't gonna fuss about it."

"A cutie, you say?" Jimin wiggles his brows, "Now why haven't I met her yet?"

"Yeah, what's up with the secrets? First Taehyung with Oki never meeting us, now this?" Jin grins as he spits this, amused rather than angry.

"She's too smart to spoil or influence. I needed her away from your nasty-selves."

"Ouch," Hoseok grins, wide and charming still. Shit, he's handsome—all think so. He doesn't know, he doesn't know. And maybe that's a good thing. The more he's under the dark about his charm, his face, and his welcoming allure, the less egotistical this grounded-angel would be for ruins.

"We aren't that bad," Jin laughs, nudging his knee that Jungkook now rests on. "Sure, we're not the best but I mean, not bad or dangerous in any means."

"Not even close to being dangerous, we've got Jimin in our group for fucks-sake." Jungkook grins, glasses back up before watching Jimin poke his head up in curiosity. "He's practically a puppy that barks but doesn't attack. Got the flawless brown hair and everything, so smooth—like he been eatin' treats made for labradoodles."

"Cut it off with the teasing me. I know it's everyone's past time but I'm over it." Jimin grumbles, like a child, going back to ripping out grass between his toned thighs. His ripped-jeans don't collect what he manages to get in.

Hoseok twitches by the tree. He's hesitant but he goes, "Can we join?"

"Yeah, can we come?" Jin asks slow.

Jungkook pretends to be asleep.

Jimin rolls his eyes, throwing grass over. "We're coming," the brown-haired prince shapes his crooked teeth to show once again. "Whether you like it or not."

"Fine, you can all come as my plus-one...plus-onessss." Jungkook waves them off again. His famous wave. A flicking of his wrist.

Taehyung's silent, watching with a smile. He watches the banter he witnesses everyday before morning classes. With his dark hair, thick eyebrows that hide under his waving locks, his long and prominent nose that glows from the sun that kisses the tip. Stretched lips, pink and big, with a jaw that resembles a square but not. His ears are big and ape-like if he so chooses to push them out and play. His neck long, long enough to kiss and hide completely for an embrace. He's beautiful, and like the others, doesn't know it. 

The boy's smile falls when he's ripped out from his awe. Hoseok and Jin ask, "Where's Namjoon?" the other, "Where's Yoongi?" There is no humour, no sweet smile. Nothing left on Kim Taehyung's suddenly brooding face.

Min Yoongi. He's older, older than Kim Namjoon but younger than Jin. He's Namjoon's best friend. Cold and rarely showing love, but the moments he shares his water bottles or tells them to eat, they feel the love. Yoongi's eyes are dark, small like his face. He's got close to white hair, damaged and frizzy from the dying he acts upon. He's a cool character, a mysterious bad-boy cliché. But he's Namjoon's best friend so Taehyung stays away, not wanting to get too attached.

What's the issue with Kim Namjoon? Why does Kim Taehyung feel so discomforted by the mention and presence of his brother? That. That's a story for another time.

"They're probably rehearsing for their lil' concert being arranged in 2 weeks." Jimin shrugs.

"Right, I can't wait for that," Hoseok chuckles, slapping the tree with his hand swiftly. "I admire how they're working up classes but still managing to follow what they want. What they wish to do."

"Rapping, right?" Jungkook groans, eyes peering under the frames.

"Yup, I forget you don't know much about them yet," Jin soothes, patting Jungkook's head more. "They're not always around but when they are, they're a blast."

"Yeah, I—" Jimin's squealing is cut short when Taehyung stands up from his seated position.

The boys glance over his direction. Confused but not surprised over what he says next.

"I've got to head to class," Taehyung mumbles, eyes barely able to meet the others.

"You've still got another half-and-hour." Jin addresses.

"I know," is the last Taehyung spits, walking away.

-

"You don't know," is the first you spit, walking away.

"Oh, but yes I do," a boy's voice laughs out. His arms wrap around your waist before you can run away too fast. He knows you're angry, he knows you're honied. He knows your weaknesses. With roses in his palms, he has them touch your breasts that dare to fall out of dress. Oki's brought presents.

"I'm still mad," you pout. But there is a part of you that tries not to smile and squeal with a gasp, having him lift you off the ground and place you by the foot of your bed.

"No, you're not," Oki chuckles, crouching between your legs.

You smile. Genuinely. About to wrap your stubborn hands around his shoulders and give him a deserving hug, Oki glances at the bedroom door now closed, shakes his head, and lets you go. With furrowed brows, they unknit when he hides his face behind the bouquet and extends them to you adorably. You're genuine smile stays.

"You think bringing roses for forgetting my birthday wish is going to cut it?" you scold, playful and not meaning to come off rude. You don't. All that leaves your mouth is puppy-love and kindness as you take the bouquet into your hands.

"Did it work?" he asks, grinning like a child when seeing you smell the flowers.

You pucker your lips in the air, look to the ceiling, and test his patience. "Hmmm, let me see."

Oki smirks to the side, his teeth showing slow with the separating of his lips. He watches you, nodding and playing into the act of pondering. "Take your time babe."

"You have not been forgiven." You bluntly shout, authority and satire seeping in your voice.

The boy in the dress shirt, jeans and Timberlands, laughs. "Bull."

In your dress, hair done and out, you giggle nodding. "Yes, bull. Of course, you're forgiven."

Oki chuckles still, lips instantly crashing against yours that were just tiredly puckering in air. You flinch away, giggling more when your cheeks flash with heat. His gripping at your thighs, squeezing your inner thigh, and breath-hitching movements of hovering doesn't help your awing—abdomen in butterflies, neatly worn underwear threatening to grow messy.

Smiling and biting your trembling lip when the boy's freshly shaved face lurks between your neck and collarbone, you feel the pricks of his hair at your throat. Fingers laced within his locks, you hold back a moan when he believes to mark you.

Too fast. Oki goes too fast. You panic like you always do. Any time he moves too fast, kisses too fast, loves too fast, you stop him with a slight push to the chest and whine. There would be times where he would laugh when he moves off you, others when he groans in frustration, others where he sighs. But today, when you order him to playfully shift away, he holds a sad smile, stares at your eyes for longer than expected, and pecks your lips with a butterfly-nuzzle before rolling over onto his back.

Your naked leg crosses over the other. Smiling and seeing him pouting to the ceiling, you cuddle at his side, hugging him to your chest. "I'm sorry, just wait a little longer for me," you whisper, kissing his cheek.

Oki sighs, strong arms wrapping around your waist making you feel okay. Safe and happy. There's something about him though, something that distracts him from being in the moment with you, so you prop your head up, lay on your stomach, and bite his arm. He winces, glaring over. "What?" he barks.

You smile, "What's wrong? Tell me what's on your mind."

"Nothing. I'm perfectly fine."

"You haven't been for the past month now." Your eyes soften. "Is it school? The last I remember was you stressing about assignments that were starting to build up."

"I'm fine, really."

"Is this about your roommate?" you ask cluelessly and curiously. Oki's social life when it came to friends and people close to him is a blur. Dating for months, almost a year, it's unsettling how little you know of his life outside of you. "He troubling you?"

"No, no. He's great." Oki hides the information about Kim Taehyung being his childhood friend.

"Then what's wrong? Talk to me," you caringly muster, moving your head into the crook of his neck.

"I'm just overwhelmed that's all."

You look to his eyes when he massages your back. Making you shiver when trailing his finger along the nakedness of your back. Your dress still isn't done and fit.

You try not to smile. Oki's eyes stare into yours. Hard and intense, you can see the way his pupils dilate. It's been months since he's done so. You wonder what he thinks as he does, but shy away from asking so you place fingers on his face for a muffling play forward. Oki laughs, trying to dodge your hands that whine for your mouth, but it doesn't work. The best he can do is grab your wrists and roll back on top of you.

Breath shaking, smile falling. You look to his nose that taps yours. With a peck of your lips, he whispers, "I don't want to lose you." So soft, so wavering. It's almost as if he's about to cry and the thoughts in your head second-guess realities. He repeats, "I don't wanna...I feel like I will one day, but I-I can't help it—" his jaw clenches, his breath and after-shave a minty fresh swallowing you whole. "I guess I've just been thinking about us a lot."

"You won't lose me." Your heart breaks when he meets your eyes. But what neighbours his soft expression is a shielding backdrop. He hides what he wishes to say, what he wants to say. About to ask him, Oki kisses you and has you forget anything surrounding.

Your hands open on the bed. Along with your mouth that invites him in. Staying like that and feeling just how strongly he cares for you is evident. Soft, gentle and slow. He doesn't go fast, and you find comfort in that. Sitting up, you sit up with him. Pecks pecks pecks. You smile when he kisses your forehead, then your cheek, then down your jaw and before he comes to the linings of your bra, you hold his cheek and pull him back to mouths. Entranced, in love so so in love you are.

Out of breath, he pecks your nose and you try not to smile. "Happy birthday," his eyes are sad, but his lips and bulging jeans are excited. You fall for the latter, kissing him again as a 'thank you'.

"Want to do my makeup today?" you ask, wanting the situation to lighten.

Oki grins, "You want to look like a clown for your party?"

"Pela will die with just one look at me. Let's do it."

Oki chuckles, nodding, pecking you once more. Standing to his feet, he nudges over to the bathroom he walks towards. Getting up to your own feet, fixing the straps of your dress and checking for crinkles any of the make-out could've caused, a blinking of light distracts your initial intentions.

Oki's phone. On the bed and close to where he lay before. Your eyes soften when realizing he must've left it or had lost it from his pockets when caring for you. Leaning over to grab and return the item, reading what was on the screen came as a reflex. Not on purpose, you read a text that has your heart drop.

Kim Taehyung (Sent 6:09 p.m.)
You aren't still bummed about that waste-girl of yours, are you?

Halting in your tracks, you watch as another bubble forms on the lock-screen.

Kim Taehyung (Sent 6:10 p.m.)
She ain't worth the trouble. Just fuck more girls like you've already been doing, screw settling. I'm sorry about putting that thought in your head. Just do what you've been[...]

You can't read further. You heart is sinking, is breaking. Tears well into your eyes and your mind runs wild. Thinking the worst of everything. The stranger who texts is the least of your worries when suddenly, your answers get thrown at your face. Another. Another phone number that isn't saved into Oki's contacts blares onto the screen...

Unknown (Sent 6:10 p.m.)
thanks 4 the hot night last night i couldn't join u in the shower but ur roommate was sweet 😍😇

Unknown (Sent 6:11 p.m.)
kinda cant walk properly tho wat u do to me 😅😂 hope your back is fine scratched u up bad lol 😝

With water leaking on your cheeks, you jump when the door before you opens and feet walk over. He holds a smile that slowly fades when spotting your stance. "Wha..." Oki trails off, spotting the phone in your hands. With eyes that soften and hurt, he catches your tears and knows exactly what happened.

The truth. The truth he struggles to let out, is finally out. On your birthday.

"Who are these people?" you whimper. But you know it. You know who they are, more importantly, what they stand for.

Unknown stands for the trust that is broken between Okie and me.
Kim Taehyung stands for the enabler that leads me to heartbreak.

"P-Please explain." You're shaking, you're crying. On your birthday.

[3 hours before Kim Taehyung gets slapped]