Jin plucked the pill from Taehyung's palm and flicked it into his mouth before washing it down with a swig of water. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, then he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. "Thanks, darling," he said, reaching for his beer—cold, sweating, practically begging to be sipped. He tilted the can to his lips, then paused, narrowing his eyes at Taehyung. "What did I just take?"

Taehyung smirked, his head lolling to the side as he tapped his fingers against his knee. "Poison."

Jin huffed a laugh, shaking his head. The music shifted, and Doja Cat's Paint the Town Red burst through the speakers, immediately igniting a wave of cheers. The energy in the room pulsed like a living thing—bodies grinding, hands wandering, smoke curling from parted lips in dark corners, the occasional burst of drunken laughter rising above the bass.

Jin leaned back against the couch, stretching out his long legs, watching the scene unfold with a lazy, entertained gaze. A girl in a leather miniskirt was draped over some guy's lap, giggling as he whispered in her ear. Another couple was tangled together against the wall, lips locked in a battle for dominance. Chaos. Debauchery. Perfection.

"I don't mind dying if you're the one killing me," Jin mused, swirling his beer.

Taehyung chuckled, tilting his head just enough for the dim lighting to catch in his eyes—sharp, knowing. "You're not my type."

Jin scoffed, taking a slow drag from his cigarette. "You're not mine either. Just because I wouldn't mind dying in the hands of a handsome guy doesn't mean I want to marry him." He turned to Taehyung with a smirk, gaze flicking downward in playful assessment. "You're too short for me."

Taehyung smirked right back, but his expression held something sharper—like he was remembering something. And Jin knew exactly what it was.

Because once, Taehyung had been his type.

It had started with a spilled coffee—scalding hot, burning through Jin's shirt, ruining his morning, making him miss a test. He'd been furious. Taehyung had been amused. And to make up for it, Taehyung had slid into Jin's DMs days later, offering to buy him another coffee. That coffee had turned into drinks, and those drinks had led to an alleyway behind a club, where hands had been greedy and mouths had been hungry.

The memory flickered behind Jin's eyes, heat curling low in his stomach for the briefest moment before he dismissed it. It had been fun—reckless, spontaneous, wild—but fleeting.

Jin thrived on fleeting.

"Asshole," Taehyung muttered, plucking the cigarette from Jin's fingers and taking a slow drag, lips wrapping around the filter like a tease.

Jin didn't even blink. "Why aren't you dancing anymore? I saw you with Namjoon earlier."

At the mention of the name, Jin's gaze automatically scanned the room, eyes landing on him with unintentional precision.

Namjoon.

Tall. Polished. Beautiful in a way that didn't try too hard but still caught every eye in the room. His blonde hair looked soft under the neon lights, and those braces—God, those braces—made him look like some straight-laced, studious type. The kind of guy Jin had long learned to avoid.

"Is that his name?" Jin mused, swirling his beer can, keeping his tone light.

"Yup," Taehyung said. "Perfect student. Teacher's pet. Perfect everything."

Jin hummed, tilting his head. "He's innocent."

Taehyung's lips curled. "He's into you."

That caught Jin off guard. He flicked his gaze back at Namjoon—just in time to see the subtle way Namjoon glanced their way before quickly looking elsewhere. It was brief. Almost undetectable.

But Jin noticed.

He exhaled slowly, amusement creeping into his expression. "He's not my type," he said, even as something in his body betrayed him, warmth curling low.

"Classy isn't your type?" Taehyung asked, brow arched.

Jin dragged his gaze away, turning his attention to a couple making out shamelessly on a couch. The way the guy was devouring the girl's mouth like she was oxygen was far more entertaining than his current conversation.

"Virgins," Jin corrected. "Virgins aren't my type."

And Namjoon? He reeked of it.

"How far are you with my assignments?"

"Most of them are done," Taehyung sighed, stretching his arms over his head. "A couple of courses are giving me a headache, but I'll figure it out. I just need to blow off some steam tonight—get my groove back, you know?"

Jin nodded absentmindedly, his gaze locked on a couple across the room. The guy was practically devouring the girl's mouth like she was a snack—soft, sweet, and addictive. "I get it," Jin murmured. "But I need everything in by the end of the week."

"You'll have them," Taehyung assured him, lazily tossing a leg over Jin's. He nestled closer, and Jin didn't mind. They fooled around sometimes, but that was all it was—messing around. Nothing deep.

At least, that's what Jin believed. Taehyung, on the other hand, seemed to struggle with that fact.

"Look at me," Taehyung murmured, fingers brushing Jin's chin in an attempt to redirect his focus.

Jin turned away from his touch. "I'm looking at them."

Taehyung followed his gaze. "Dude, seriously? That's straight-up creepy."

Jin smirked, licking his lips as he watched the couple dry-hump in plain sight, completely oblivious—or uncaring—of the eyes on them. "It's not creepy if they're doing it in public."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, but Jin just shrugged, finishing off his beer before grabbing another from the stash wedged between them. Popping it open, he took a slow sip, letting the cold fizz settle in his throat. He needed the recharge after his earlier activities.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out, a cigarette hanging between his lips as he read the text.

Still at your fancy party? – Roomie

Jin exhaled a cloud of smoke, then snuffed the cigarette out in the ashtray before pushing himself to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Taehyung asked, shifting to let him up.

"To lie down."

Jin navigated through the packed frat house, dodging sweaty bodies and loud laughter. A girl with curves that seemed too big for her petite frame grabbed his wrist. "Wanna dance, babe?" she purred.

Jin flashed her a lazy smile, smoothly untangling himself. "Not tonight, love."

He finally reached the end of the hall, where Taehyung's room sat across from the bathroom—judging by the muffled moans and rhythmic thumping against the wall, it was currently occupied.

Fishing the key from his back pocket, Jin unlocked the door and stepped inside, shutting out the chaos behind him.

This was why he never turned down Taehyung's parties. No matter how wild things got, he always had this—his little escape. A quiet, clean, private space where he could breathe, clear his head, and reset.

His phone buzzed again in his hand. Jin glanced at the screen, a smirk playing on his lips as he sank onto the bed, chuckling at Jungkook's message.

Are you drunk and wasted at a back alley? Do I need to come find you? – Roomie

He shook his head.

If I said yes, would it make you leave the house for once and come hang with me a bit? Jin texted back.

Obviously, he was only teasing Jungkook. Jungkook was different. He hated parties and social gatherings and beers and loud music. He hated everything that Jin happened to love. Instead, Jungkook was a nerd. A hot nerd dating Jin's boring cousin who was also a nerd.

Jin wondered sometimes how the two of them had clicked. Actually, what he wondered about more was what they did when they were alone? For all he knew, Jimin was boring as hell and they could be playing puzzles. Growing up, all Jimin had done was talk about computers and codes, and boring shit.

Jin had kind of hoped he would phase out of it and become a normal fun loving person like every other person in the family but the dude was still a geek who wanted to become the next Bill Gates.

Thinking about it, he didn't mind having a billionaire for a cousin.

On the other part, Jungkook was a chill dude. Jin had been worried of a problematic roommate when Jimin had spoken about his boyfriend needing accommodation. Jin's life was a busy one and he'd assumed it would be a problem for Jungkook.

It shocked him how cool Jungkook was about everything. Sometimes, he could see the look of discomfort on Jungkook's face when he had a friend over, but it was never too serious to cause an issue between them.

I wonder how you all are going to cope at school tomorrow. Aren't hangovers really uncomfortable? – Roomie

They are, but I can handle my liquor well ;), Jin replied.

You never get drunk? - Roomie

I know my limit and don't exceed it.

What's your limit?- Roomie

Nah. You're going to think I'm a monster.

Jungkook's reply was immediate. I already think you're a monster, so just tell me.

Jin let out a full, unrestrained laugh, his shoulders shaking as he ran a hand through his hair.

My heart just cracked in two, he texted back dramatically.

I'm sure there's a pill or two at the party that can fix it for you.

Jin sucked in a breath, pressing a hand to his chest in mock offense. Brutal, he texted. Why aren't you having a good time with Jimin?

Who says I'm not?

You wouldn't be texting me if you were.

There was a pause before Jungkook finally replied. When are you coming back?

Before Jin could answer, the door creaked open. His eyes flicked up, half-expecting Taehyung, but instead—

Oh.

The blonde from earlier.

He looked startled, his wide, intelligent eyes scanning the room before settling on Jin. "I—I'm sorry. I was looking for the bathroom."

Jin sat up slightly, elbows propped on his knees. "It's across the hall."

"I tried. It's locked," Namjoon said, nodding. "So I thought this was..." He trailed off, pressing his lips together in an awkward, tight-lipped smile.

Jin watched him for a beat. The slight redness in his ears. The way his fingers curled against his palm like he wasn't sure what to do with them.

Cute.

"If you really have to go badly, there's a bathroom in here you could use," Jin offered, tilting his head toward the ensuite.

Namjoon's eyes widened slightly. "Oh. I can use it?"

Jin nodded. That simple gesture was enough to send color flooding Namjoon's cheeks.

"Thanks," he mumbled before slipping into the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

Jin exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

He should be doing something else right now. But instead, he sat there, staring at the bathroom door, listening to the muffled sounds of water running.

And for once—just for a fleeting second—he wondered what it would be like to want someone soft.