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Plain and simple, Yoongi thought Taehyung was his polar opposite. They were just so unalike; it was a wonder they even managed to get together in the first place. It shocked him when after years of friendship, years of knowing Yoongi better than his other friends, years of putting up with him, he said yes to Yoongi asking him out on a date. But here they were, already together for five years and still in their lovey-dovey phase. Their fantastic group of friends was also pretty surprised when they found out about them dating. There were lots of ‘Yoongi? Min Yoongi?!’ and ‘what do you mean you’re dating?!’ and Yoongi’s favorite of ‘who wants to bet how long this’ll last?’ That bet made him and Taehyung $325 richer when all their friends lost the bet, with Namjoon losing the most at $100. But that’s what they get; they had such little faith in them that the longest guess was only for three months. He was proud that he took $50 each from Jungkook, Hoseok, and Jimin. He just taught those little shits a lesson about the real world and making better decisions.
That memory never fails to put a spiteful smile on Yoongi’s face. He loves winning bets almost as much as he loves Taehyung. So when Taehyung leans into his ear and asks why he’s smiling like a madman, he only chuckles before kissing Taehyung’s temple with a quick, gentle touch of his lips. The tint he sees on Taehyung’s cheeks right as he turns his attention back to their friends spreads Yoongi’s lips upwards into happiness.
It prides him that he is the source for that endearing smile, and he will make it his life’s mission to make sure there is always a smile on Taehyung a billion more times in the future. He and Taehyung are a dynamic duo, no, they are the dynamic duo of their group. Kook and Jimin like to think they are, but Yoongi would probably fight to the death to give Taehyung the nonexistent title even as lazy as he is he is willing to do anything for Taehyung.
The seven of them are at their weekly dinners. It’s a Saturday night at their favorite restaurant, and as per usual, they are all loud as fuck, but the owner is a family friend of Seokjin, so they get special treatment. Yoongi rests his arm snuggly, hanging it over Taehyung’s shoulder. They’re close enough to exchange body heat, and even though the heat is turned up to fight off the harsh, cold winter outside, he doesn’t mind so much. Taehyung manages to warm his skin and his heart without much effort.
He sits back watching all his friends chat animatedly. He doesn’t feel the need to jump into the conversation at this particular moment, so he watches. Watches as Kookie wraps his arm around Jimin’s shoulders as he continues screaming at Hoseok for something he claims the older man is lying about. He isn’t exactly sure what he is accusing Hoseok of lying about but he does hear something about ‘girl group dances’ and ‘excessive thigh shaking and wondering hands’, which he has actually seen the youngest of their friends do on multiple occasions under different sobriety levels. He looks on as Jimin watches the exchange with his eyes crinkling and nearly disappearing when he smiles so wide and barks out laughter as he starts clapping like a seal. He continues to watch even as Kookie tightens his hold around Jimin and plants a quick kiss to the crown of his head as he reassures Jimin that Hoseok is just lying; Jimin in turn winks, smiles, and pats Kookie’s thigh in comfort then snuggles deeper into his boyfriend’s chest – not believing a word of the denial he is offering.
Hoseok is pointing an accusing fork – flinging a few grains of pork fried rice across the table – at Jungkook for being ‘nothing but a filthy liar’ who will ‘end up with diarrhea as punishment’. This pulls a scowl from Seokjin as he smacks Hoseok’s shoulder for being so vulgar in public because ‘that’s disgusting, Hoseok’ and that he should ‘learn public and social etiquette or else you’re staying home next time’. His words are of course empty ones because Jin loves it the most when they all get together, especially since this was his idea all those years ago. All the while Namjoon is giving a thumbs up to Hoseok from behind his boyfriend’s back as he continues to scold Hoseok. He watches as Namjoon supports Hoseok with one hand and uses the other to rub Jin’s shoulder in approval. Yoongi smiles at his two faced friend, but doesn’t rat him out – at least not yet anyway. He files the treachery away for future use if the need arises because Yoongi will easily toss his friends under the bus for a quick laugh. Taehyung would never do such a thing because Yoongi has a heart of antique brass and Taehyung has a heart of genuine gold.
Yoongi is pulled from his observations as Taehyung lunges forward to remind Jungkook of the time he caught him dancing along to some ‘song about ice cream from that recent girl group’ and Hoseok stretches out his neck, tossing back his shoulders and shouts a satisfied ‘ha!’ as Taehyung’s account backs up his claims because ‘everyone knows Tae never lies!’ Because he doesn’t. Taehyung has never had a need to lie and he couldn’t even if he wanted to. His emotions are always on full display for all eyes to see because he can’t hide his feelings. He can be read like an open book with all of his words on display, while Yoongi should have been an actor rather than an architect because he can tell a lie with a straight face and provide a believable back story on the spot. He is glad he never has to hide his thoughts and feelings around his friends, and he is even gladder that Taehyung is the only person who has ever been able to read him through from cover to cover.
And as said man is no longer tucked under his arm, he is reminded of all the years he was without the younger guy. How his life was so different then because it was full of memories that didn’t include Taehyung in the same way that some of his fondest memories do now.
He remembers the time that Taehyung needed to do community service for one of his classes. He made Yoongi come along without telling him where they were going or for how long, but Yoongi went regardless because Taehyung had asked him. They spent six hours at the homeless shelter feeding and serving the less fortunate members of the community. After everyone was fed, Yoongi noticed Taehyung was no longer by his side; however, as soon as he noticed his boyfriend was gone, he also heard the oh-so-familiar laugh that could belong to no other. And when he peaked out of the opening that looked from the kitchen out to the cafeteria’s tables, he noticed Taehyung crouched by a man that looked to be in his mid fifties. He couldn’t hear what was so funny, but the look on Taehyung’s face was beautiful and mesmerizing. His chocolate eyes crinkled at the corners as his cheeks crowded into their space; jaw practically hanging off the hinges as it hung open and stressed the thin skin of his lips, exposing his gums. He was laughing with someone he had never met before, as if they had just shared the best joke ever told. A wide smile of his own stretched across his face because Taehyung was beautiful inside and out. He had no qualms being close to and talking to a stranger who most people would never even give the time of day, let alone any decent respect. But Taehyung was there acting as if they had known each other for years, welcoming him into his personal space as he would with his family or friends.
As the two drove home that day, he and Taehyung were both exhausted, but Taehyung had the brightest smile Yoongi had ever seen. And as he dropped Taehyung off outside his apartment, Taehyung gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek and thanked him for spending the day helping him. Yoongi couldn’t fight the urge to flash his gums back in return and ask, ‘wanna do it again?’ As a response, Taehyung offered the second brightest smile he had ever seen and this time he got a sweet kiss to his lips. And Yoongi just stared at the brilliant man and marvelous smile because Taehyung’s complete happiness was just a sight reserved for a few people – and Yoongi was thankful that he was lucky enough to be one of them.
The memory reminds him that he and Taehyung have their usual visit to the shelter tomorrow. They volunteer twice a month, and have yet to miss a day. Yoongi knows how happy it makes Taehyung to interact with others and help them when he can. And Yoongi initially agreed to this because it made his boyfriend happy, but now it makes him happy as well. He gets to spend time with his love and help out their community. It is definitely a win-win.
Again, Yoongi is pulled from his own head when he hears Taehyung mention something about home and ‘I’ll look for it when we get home’ and ‘it’s probably under our stuff – I think I saw it with Yoonie’s cds’. Another smile finds its way onto his pink lips as he basks in the warmth of the words he just heard – of the special nickname only Tae can use and when we get home and our stuff. Because they live together. He and the extraordinary man on his right share a home. Where Taehyung is, Yoongi is sure to be close behind because he will follow him anywhere. Taehyung is his home. Taehyung has always been his home, but he didn’t know until Taehyung made it clear.
It isn’t a memory that should make him too happy, but it also fails to make him too sad. It happened three years ago during the same season they are currently in when the snow had just started to pillow the roads in sleet and danger. His parents had been on their way home after visiting the happy couple’s new apartment, but when Yoongi failed to receive a call informing them of their arrival, he started to worry. Calls and texts were left unanswered, and hours later his worries had been confirmed. His parents never made it back home, and now Yoongi had no family left. He thought being an only child was great, but now he was left alone.
Or so he thought.
He was stunned yet still felt the warm tears run down his cheeks, but not long after, he felt two long arms pull him into an even warmer embrace. Where his fears, sadness and pain thought they could make a home in his misery, Taehyung’s love, comfort and warmth pushed them away and invaded his heart instead. Taehyung didn’t need to say much. Tae’s steady heartbeat against his ear let him hear just how loved he was as he was reminded of who was by his side. The long fingers that carded through Yoongi’s hair was comfort enough as he soothed the division in his heart. And the heat that radiated off of Taehyung’s body overwhelmed Yoongi in the gentlest way as it seeped deep into his core. He may no longer have a home where his parents were, but he did have a home right where Taehyung was. Taehyung is his home. Kisses to his cheeks and crown were helpful as they eased the pain, and the genuine whispers of ‘it’s going to be okay. I’m here for you – I’m always going to be here for you, always’ and ‘I love you so, so much. We’ll get through this together’ were enough to quail the heartache he had never experienced before.
It was then that Yoongi knew that Taehyung told him the truth – he left no room for doubts because Taehyung wouldn’t lie and he knew he loved him. His world snapped back into place because he wasn’t alone. He was never alone. Taehyung had always been beside him and will always be beside him. It’s Min Yoongi and Kim Taehyung together then, now, and forever. The warmth and comfort and love his parents had given him were also found in his boyfriend. Taehyung provided all that home could because he was home. As the realization finally settled in, he settled closer into Taehyung’s chest. He breathed in the scent of lavender that clung to Tae and closed his eyes tighter, falling asleep in his arms in no time at all.
There is a slight sting in his eyes as he finishes recalling the event that made him realize he always had had a home. But he doesn’t let the memory dampen his mood, nor does he let any tears fall. It is not that he is embarrassed to cry in front of his friends – no, Yoongi had given up his pride long ago when he was caught crying as they all watched Gran Torino – but more so that Taehyung always cries when he cries and he doesn’t want to see tears on that beautiful face. Yoongi wants to always see Taehyung smiling and happy just as he is now.
Taehyung is currently telling a story about something that happened yesterday at work. Yoongi had already heard the story the evening before when Taehyung marched into their place screaming for him and trying to stifle a laugh at the same time – but of course failing to do so. He’s telling the story of how some ferret got loose because the new intern at the clinic lost a hold of the leash. The ferret chased a full grown Rottweiler down the hall until it cowered behind him with the cone around his neck smashing into the back of his knees. He makes whimpers that sound incredibly cute as he tries his best to mimic the dog he had pulled needles out of after he had been stuck dozens of times over when he thought he could play with a porcupine. The whole story sounds made up with how animated he explains it with his precise details and active gestures and unrivaled enthusiasm, but they all believe him because he always has a fun story from his veterinary practice to share as ‘animals are incredibly entertaining’ and ‘you guys got into the wrong business because veterinary medicine is where all the fun’s at’.
The story continues with smiles all around their u-shaped booth and laughter rings in his ears from both sides. Yoongi would never be able to tell a story like that or captivate an audience with just a few utterances of words. Every time he shares something that happened he gets mixed reactions. Half don’t believe that he’s telling the truth and give him skeptical eyes, while the other half thinks his added jokes are ‘just as lame as’ he is or show no interest in the subject. His friends are way too cruel, but at least Taehyung always believes him even when he probably should doubt the exaggerated lines spewing from his lips or the lame jokes he adds in just to see a smile or two. Taehyung never doubts him or fails to laugh at the jokes that earn him a punch to the arm as punishment for being shitty. Yoongi is given his undivided attention every time he shares something with him.
Yoongi knows he is lucky because he has this amazing man to call his own. Sure they are different. Yoongi likes to tease his friends at their expense and Taehyung would rather make a joke at his own. Taehyung could talk your ears off and Yoongi wouldn’t be able to entertain you for more than five minutes straight. Taehyung wears his heart on his sleeve and Yoongi makes sure his is tucked away from wondering eyes. Taehyung is selfless and would give you the clothes off his back if you asked, but Yoongi would need to make sure you’re deserving of them first.
But the biggest difference between the two men would be that Taehyung doesn’t let go nor does he push people away. Once he has a hold of you, he doesn’t let go – of that Yoongi is certain. And even if Taehyung wanted to push Yoongi away, there is no chance that he would let that happen. Taehyung has his heart in his grasp and could never give it back to Yoongi. He likes to think that he also has Taehyung’s heart with him for safe keeping. They each have a hold on the other, and Yoongi would definitely fight to the death to keep it that way.
Besides, if Tae decides to hold on to you in the first place, he already thinks of you as deserving. Even those that probably don’t deserve his trust or care, he still gives it regardless. His eyes are just as unbiased as his heart because he welcomes anybody with a kind smile and warm laugh. If he sees you as a good person, he will remain a true friend until the end. Yoongi however has lost count of how many people he has pushed away or simply forgotten over the years. He isn’t incredibly social, nor does he feel it necessary to try hard in keeping people around. Making new friends has never been his priority and he can’t talk to strangers for a minute and have them become a friend in the next. He isn’t like Taehyung; he can’t make the old lady from across the way make him chocolate chip cookies when she so much as spots a frown marring his features after a long day, nor can he charm strangers with his smile that is as blinding as the sun itself. Nope, all that rests within the man glued to his side, his lover because Kim Taehyung is amazing, marvelous, brilliant, beautiful, genuine, extraordinary, and simply wondrous.