"My head fucking hurts." Taehyung groaned as he made his way to the dining area where Jin was busy setting up the table.

"Tae, it's been two days since we had our sleepover party. Why is your head still hurting?" Jin chuckled as he shakes his head.

The brunet just pouted as he sat on a chair and grabbed a toasted bread.

"Maybe I overslept or something?" He shrugged his shoulders.

He's been hibernating the past two days. Jimin had already been nagging him to go out with him, but he's just too lazy to do so.

"Let's meet Yoongi and Jimin later." Jin suggested.

"Why?" Taehyung asked as he munched the bread.

"They said they wanted to treat us for lunch." Jin answered, placing a glass in front of him before filling it with orange juice.

"Okay." Taehyung answered as he took a sip.

"Namjoon will be picking us up." Jin informed which made Taehyung pout as he realized something.

"I'll be the fifth wheel." He uttered which made Jin laugh.

"You're too gorgeous to be a fifth wheel." Jin said as a matter of fact. This had Taehyung smirking.

"Okay. That made me feel better." He grinned as Jin laughed at him.

The two of them finished their breakfast together while talking about a lot of things.

Around 11:30 am, Namjoon came to pick them up. He looked even more charming now than the last time Taehyung had seen him.

"Looking good." Taehyung commented as soon as the man entered.

"You're not bad yourself." Namjoon retorted back with a smile.

The two of them hugged each other with a soft smile on their faces.

"How's everything going?" Namjoon asked as they sat on the couch.

Jin was still getting ready in his room which gave the two of them time to talk.

"Never been better." Taehyung answered with a bright smile.

"That's good to know. I can see it from your face. You're glowing." Namjoon commented which made Taehyung chuckle.

"Well.." He grinned, flipping his hair confidently.

Namjoon's laugh erupted in the living room. He smiled at him, too happy to know that he'd been in good hands when he went away.

Taehyung stared at him with a grateful smile on his lips.

"Hey, have I told you how thankful I am to you?" He suddenly asked, voice low and full of gratitude toward this man.

Namjoon's face softened as he smiled. "Yes. Every chance you get." He said.

"I'm really thankful to you, Namjoon." Taehyung uttered in a sincere voice.

If not for this man, Taehyung wouldn't be able to start anew.

He was the one who helped him leave the country. He had endorsed him to his friend in Canada for a managerial job.

He was the one who made it possible to leave and have the kind of life he's living now.

"I won't be tired of saying this over and over again." Taehyung looked at Namjoon with a soft smile.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"It's nothing, Tae. Seeing you as you are now is enough." Namjoon responded.

The door to Jin's room opened, revealing the older's breathtaking face.

"What's going on there? Why do you both look like you're about to cry?" Jin teased.

Namjoon and Taehyung laughed at the other.

"Taehyung here is getting emotional." Namjoon shakes his head as he stood to go near his boyfriend.

"Let me guess. He's thanking you again?" Jin said as Namjoon wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Exactly." Namjoon placed a soft kiss on Jin's cheek which earned a groan from Taehyung.

"Hello. There's a single as fuck person right here. Could you show some respect?" He rolled his eyes which only made the couple laugh.

--------

They arrived at the restaurant where Jimin and Yoongi were already waiting.

The five of them talked a lot of things over lunch and laughed at jokes from time to time.

Their conversation finally went on about Jin and Namjoon's wedding which will take place in a few more days.

"We'll be picking up and fitting the suits today after this." Namjoon informed which made Jimin and Taehyung excited.

"I still can't believe you're finally getting married." Taehyung uttered in an excited voice.

"Same." Yoongi agreed. "Told them to let Jimin and I get married first, but they just went ahead of us."

Namjoon laughed. "Dude, not my fault that you're too late to propose."

Everyone laughed at Yoongi who just rolled his eyes.

They were having fun when Namjoon suddenly turned his attention to him with a seriously concerned face.

"I know I shouldn't be saying this, but just a heads up, Tae. On our wedding... Jungkook will be there." Namjoon said in a low voice.

Everyone on the table suddenly went silent, all eyes were on him as they waited for his response.

Taehyung looked at his hands. This is the first time he's hearing his name again after a long while, and he admits he still feels a pinch in his heart.

When he left, no one dared to mention Jungkook's name to him. Even when his friends call and contact him, they haven't once said his name nor tell him news about him which he was grateful for.

Hearing Jungkook's name now feels... odd.

"You know he's a friend of mine, Tae." Namjoon explained which made Taehyung smile.

"It's fine, Namjoon. It's your wedding. You can invite anyone you want." He laughed, trying to hide the fact that he felt bad for making his friends worry about him.

"Besides, it's been 7 years. I'm too old for drama." He added as he took a sip from his drink.

"You're just 29, Tae. Why do you sound like you're 60 or something?" Jimin commented which made Taehyung snort.

"Seriously, I'm okay with seeing him again. No biggie." He assured.

However, everyone just eyed him intently which made him feel awkward.

"What? It's the truth!" He shakes his head as he smiled at them.

"It's really fine, guys. No need to sweat over this." He shrugged his shoulders to dismiss the topic.

"Anyways, aren't the two of you late for your fitting or something?" He pointed out the two who suddenly flinched.

"Oh fuck, yes." Namjoon uttered, checking his watch as he abruptly stood.

"Let's go babe. Fuck we're late." He reached his hand to Jin who immediately took it.

"We'll be going ahead, guys. Tae you already know the door code to my unit, right?" Jin asked, halting Namjoon who was practically dragging him out.

"Yeah, don't worry. Go now." He waved his hand to the older who just smiled and waved back.

"Bye!" Jimin said as he waved his hands too.

The three of them were left to stare at one another's faces.

"Now what?" Yoongi asked as he looked at Jimin.

"You two can go ahead if you have a plan." Taehyung uttered.

"Are you sure? What about you?" Jimin asked in a concerned tone.

"Don't worry about me. I'll take a cab and go home. I need sleep." He answered, but Jimin was still looking at him with concerned eyes.

"It's really okay, Jimin. Besides, I don't want to be a third wheel. The two of you should just go. I'll just finish my drink and then I'll leave too." He added which made Jimin laugh.

"Let us give you a ride, at least." Yoongi suggested, but Taehyung was quick to reject the offer.

"No, it's okay. I'm seriously fine." Taehyung said.

"Okay, if you say so." Yoongi shrugged his shoulders.

"Just go." Taehyung laughed as he shooed them away.

The couple stood and finally left after a long while of convincing them.

Taehyung was left to finish his drink, all the while remembering how cute his friends look like together with their boyfriends.

He sighed as he finally stood to go home. He took a cab, silently looking outside the window as the car started to move.

The drive suddenly made him feel alone as he remembered his friends' happy faces, full of love and satisfaction.

Maybe because of the solemn music playing on the radio or maybe because he's just feeling alone, his mind began drifting off to the time when he was as happy as them... as in love as them.

He sighed as he remembered how that kind of love turned into hatred.

Hatred that made him finally decide to leave.

Hatred that consumed him to the point of losing himself.

Taehyung sighed once more as the memories that he had deeply buried went knocking once again, wanting to be remembered even after all these years.

--------

Flashback next chapter.

Btw, I'm trying to read all the comments as much as I can. I love how everyone's so engaged with the story. It really warms my heart. Thank you ♡♡

Maybe an update again tomorrow?

P.S. Is Taehyung's age right? My dumb mind forgot about his age in this book.

Love you 💜