CHAPTER 31

The days pass by and the tension between the Bangtan Boys decreases widely.Jimin and Jungkook didn't have a proper conversation about what happened on the balcony, but they stayed in good terms. The youngest despises the way Jimin treated Tiger, but after thinking about it the next following nights, he finally understood—but still doesn't accept—they don't have the best relationship and how uncomfortable is for them to see Taehyung's body and voice hating on them. Moreover, something Jimin said didn't leave Jungkook's mind since, and it comes back to him every day: Tiger's not real. What does he mean by that? What defines if something's real or not? Tiger may belong inside Taehyung's brain, also Taehyung's brain must have created him, Jungkook doesn't deny it, but that doesn't mean Tiger isn't real. That doesn't mean Tiger and Taehyung are the same person. To Jungkook, there's no way they're the same. On one hand, Taehyung annoys him, still complaining every time he starts getting closer to one of the boys. On the other hand, Tiger's cool, Tiger understands him, Tiger makes him laugh—Tiger doesn't take the worst out of him.Tiger can't be another version of Taehyung. Taehyung and Tiger are completely the opposite and Jungkook refuses to see it in any other way.All his night reflections make Jungkook not take his eyes off Taehyung when they wait for the birthday boy to come to the living room. Taehyung so annoyingly keeps drinking the strawberry milk, even Jungkook that adores banana milk doesn't make as much noise as Taehyung does every time he takes a sip from the straw.Namjoon runs down the stairs, a small bag hanging on his shoulder. "Sorry loves, should we get going?""LET'S GO!!! You won't regret this Namunskins. I required the workers to decorate everything based on your taste."They decided to forget the Mimi situation only for today because Namjoon's birthday deserves to be celebrated.They all climb in the van and around half an hour they arrive to their destination. Once they check in, a woman in her mid thirties shows them the way to their personal changing room with another door that leads them to their main room.Namjoon realises Hoseok didn't lie when the decoration truly matches his own taste—yes, he believes Hoseok in the heat of the moment can only prioritise his own taste. Only different shades of red lights illuminate the space, the playlist filled with Cigarettes After Sex songs. Safely away from the big pool and the different jacuzzis—one bigger than the other—stands above a wooden floor, a table full of alcoholic drinks, from different types of wines and cocktails to non alcoholic drinks. On the other side, small boxes of different types of pizza."Happy birthday, Joon. You'll only celebrate your twenty seventh birthday once, so make sure to enjoy it to the fullest as it lasts." Yoongi comments with a grin, an arm wrapped around Namjoon's shoulders."Actually, you never celebrate any of your ages more than once, this saying doesn't make any sense." everyone groans at Namjoon's choice of words."Oh, stop it!" Seokjin complains with a chuckle. "You get it, let's have so fun babies," he turns to Jungkook, "and Jungkook."Said boy snorts and with a mocking tone says, "Thanks for the clarification, if not I would have thought I'm one of your babies."With his famous windshield wiper laugh, Seokjin chases him around the place and Jungkook jumps in the pool before he can catch him. He comes up and shakes his head harshly."Nice try, Jin." he says with a smirk on his face."Is it cold?"Jungkook runs a hand through his hair, pulling it backwards. "No, do you wanna join me? We can try synchronized swimming together.""Oh—are you flirting with me right now Jeon Jungkook? What a lame excuse, if you want me close just say so.""No, he is not." Taehyung mutters bitterly. Seokjin playful smile disappears and Jungkook rolls his eyes."Have fun, you two." Jungkook vaguely says. He immerses again and swims to the other side of the pool."Tae," Seokjin faces him with a poker face, "we were only joking around." he would like to tell him a few more things, but he refrains himself for the boys' sake. Hoseok put a lot of effort in this party and he doesn't want to ruin it.Seokjin gets himself a drink and joins Hoseok and Jimin in the jacuzzi."Let me try it," Jimin says seated in front of him."Why? Don't we have the same cocktail? Look at the colours."Jimin smells both drinks, while Hoseok takes the last sip of his red wine."Oh—yes, you're right. Forget it then."Seokjin leans forward and kisses his cheek, but before he can fully pull away Jimin brings his free hand behind his head and smashes their lips together."Guys are we going to start making out right now? What about the relaxing part? I just had my first glass of wine, let me have another one and I'm good to do whatever you want."Jimin breaks the kiss. "Those two have been having fun since they got in, I want to do it too.""THEY'RE FUCKING?!" Hoseok turns his head to the left, his eyes widening. He lets out a sigh of relief, "Jiminie, they're only making out."It only took Yoongi five seconds to climb on his boyfriend's lap and start kissing him, Namjoon's hands on his waist preventing him from rolling his hips, he doesn't forget Jungkook's around and doesn't want to have sex in front of him."Anyway, where's Tae?"Seokjin turns around, but he only spots a dark head at the farthest side of the pool. "I think he's upset with me, perhaps went to the changing room.""Why?""I was joking around with Jungkook and I made myself clear, instead of babying him like you do—not an attack—besides, Tae has to learn to control his jealousy. I adore him, but it drives me crazy.""Guys, let me find him -"Taehyung comes out from the changing room and scans the room from there. He ignores Jimin's calls and walks confidently towards Jungkook."They won't fight, will they?" Jimin bites his lower lip. "We should - oh?" Taehyung sits at the edge of the pool, the one Jungkook swims towards at."Should we go?" Hoseok proposes, placing his cup down on the small table next to his seat. "Jungkook can knock him down without even trying, his flying kicks are no joke guys, I'm telling you." Hoseok has never forgotten how hard Jungkook trained when they were still in the company."No. Let him handle this. He'll always be our baby bear, but Tae's not a kid anymore. If they scream, we go."Jungkook almost wants to drown himself at the first person he spots, his arm too close to Taehyung's thigh. Nevertheless, he doesn't suppress the smile when the familiar black eyes stare at him. "Tiger, what are you doing here?""Took over in that room." he shrugs and points at the white door. "I think Taehyung had a panic attack or something, I dunno.""I see." with both hands on the edge of the pool, Jungkook pulls himself up.Tiger doesn't take away his eyes from the prominent muscles in Jungkook's wet arms, and for a moment he has a full view of Jungkook's abs. He bites his lower lips, while Jungkook shakes his head, drops of water falling from his hair, but at least it doesn't get inside his eyes."I accept it, you do look like a Muscle Bunny.""Wow, here, are you checking me out?"Tiger blinks. "I'm what?"Jungkook smiles. "Nothing.""So," Tiger looks around, his eyes stopping briefly on the boys. "What are we doing here?""Namjoon's birthday. He turns twenty seven today. Do you want to congratulate him?""No need to."Jungkook snorts. "I saw that coming."Tiger clicks his tongue, moving his feet slowly back and forth in the water. "What are you doing here all by yourself?""I like to swim, besides I don't want to ruin the sexual party that's going on over there.""Hell, I almost forgot—what did you do this time? Why Taehyung isn't with them?" Tiger raises an eyebrow."Believe it or not, I think it's not on me this time.""Then who?" Tiger's eyes shift to the boys again."Seokjin—we were joking around and he asked me if I was flirting with him. Taehyung took it in the wrong way, like always.""Were you flirting with him?""Do you care, Tiger?" Jungkook teases, a grin on his face. But deep down he wants to know it."No."He nods.They stay in a comfortable silence, listening to the music and awkwardly watching how all the boys make out—thankfully they can't see it in detail."Um, would you like to swim?"Tiger shakes his head. "I don't know how to.""Oh, that's fine, no worries." Jungkook clears his throat. "Are you hungry? We've some drinks and pizza. Just in case, don't eat a lot, we've a reservation in a restaurant for dinner."Tiger rubs his chin. "Cool, pizza does it for me."They slowly walk towards the table. Both of them choose the carbonara and find out they've another thing in common."Guys, nice to see you here together. Could you talk about your differences?" Seokjin takes a slice of pizza for himself, but Yoongi next to him takes a bite and keeps it. Seokjin grabs another one and it surprises Tiger how his facial expression stays the same—he would have hit him.Jungook winks at Tiger, making sure he only sees it."Yeah, we did. Right Taehyung?""Uh, yes?""Tae bear, I'm proud of you!" Jimin walks behind him and hugs him. Tiger freezes and so does the food sliding down his throat."Hey, you okay?" One of Jungkook's arm hangs close to Tiger's back, ready to hit it gently if needed, but Jimin comes back with a glass of water too fast.Tiger drinks all if it without complaining."Loves, this is the best birthday party I've ever had.""Bad luck I'm here and you can't fuck them in the jacuzzi." Jungkook moves his eyebrows up and down, making Namjoon and the rest of the boys burst out laughing—less Tiger, who stays motionless in his spot even if Jimin doesn't hug him."I won't lie, but I'm glad you're here too. You know we kind of appreciate you, right?"Jungkook nods. "It doesn't surprise me, I kind of appreciate you too.""I'm so glad we're all finally friends," Jimin sighs in contentment and turns to speak to the youngest. "We can make a lot of fun plans together! What do you think? What should we go first, to a game room?"Jungkook heart becomes smaller in his chest."Taehyungie, it took you long enough, but I'm so proud of you, I must say we all are. The Jungkook thing," Seokjin scrunches his nose, "it was so stupid. Did you finally realise Jungkook and I laugh at the same jokes? Nothing we said was literal.""Huh, what happened?" Yoongi frowns.Tiger turns to Jungkook and the youngest nods encouragingly."I can't do this.""Do what, bubs?" Namjoon gets closer to him and wraps an arm around his shoulder. "I told you Jungkook's a good boy, just give yourself more time, you won't become best friends in an afternoon. It takes time, determination, and patience to create a bond with a person. You got this, alright?"Tiger glares at Namjoon, not because he disagrees or took what he said as an attack, but because he can't believe Jungkook's the only one among them who can recognise him, who can recognise Taehyung. Actually, a part of himself ease again, the boys really take care of Taehyung. Much to his dislike towards the five boys, Taehyung's safe with them.Tiger turns his head to Jungkook, Namjoon's words reminding Tiger of him—the only person he has ever created a bond with. "What were you asking me the other day, if I want to be your what? I didn't forget it."Jungkook gives up, putting down his slice of pizza. The joke stopped being funny when Jimin got too excited of the fake idea—probably impossible, of the three of them hanging out together."If you want to be my friend. Do you want to be my friend?""Bunny, I thought that's what we already had." his voice comes out with a glint of playfulness.Jungkook grins, his eyes shining. "Yeah, sure.""I don't know about you guys, but I missed a whole season of this drama. What is going on, Taetae? Were you two friends this whole time? All the drama was a prank?"Tiger removes himself from Namjoon's embrace and stands next to Jungkook, his arms crossed against his bare chest. "Keep waiting, Taehyung hates Jungkook. But I don't. And Jin, no, I don't think he understands it.""T - Tiger?""J - Jimin?" he mocks him, and turns his attention to the only person he truly trusts. "Bunny, do you wanna go back?""Do you want to see my record? I'm the faster swimmer you'll ever see.""You're the first swimmer I've ever seen, what do you mean?"Jungkook playfully hits his shoulder. "Guys, we're over there. Only for you, Joon, I hope Taehyung comes back before dinner. I bet he doesn't want to miss your party.""Sayonara." Tiger mutters, without any glint of emotion in his voice. "And happy birthday, Namjoon."The boys watch them walk away to the other side of the pool."Sorry, Joonie. It didn't occur to me Tiger would take over because of a small misunderstanding."Namjoon narrows his eyebrows. "What misunderstanding?""He thought I was flirting with Jungkook. Instead of babying him I told him we were only joking around—obviously annoyed."Yoongi hums. "At this point the only person who can help Tae is himself. If he doesn't come back before we head to the restaurant, we'll bring him back one way or another."