Taehyung stared at Jin, who was staring right back at him. "You seriously introduced me to your brother as 'the person you share this living space with.' Are you serious?" Jin asked as he approached Taehyung and confronted him.

"I didn't intend for it to be offensive. He is now aware we are dating. I didn't feel like having that conversation with him right then. Just like you prefer to take time to talk to your friends, I respect your decision. I wanted to take my time explaining everything to him. Maybe I could have framed it better, but it wasn't said to cause any hurt or feelings." Taehyung explained.

Jin rolled his eyes. " Get over yourself. Your words are not that important to me to cause me any hurt. I want to make it clear I am not going to be dating someone who chooses to introduce me to their brother the way you did."

"I understand, and you have every right to feel like you do. I'll also take this opportunity to state clearly what I'm unwilling to tolerate. As a person with emotions, telling me that my words are unimportant to you is not good to say, particularly when we are dating.

Also, while speaking with me, talk to me rather than at me. We are adults; let's treat one another as such, even if you have never done it before." Taehyung said strongly, continuing to stare at Jin. After talking with his brother, gaining his advice, and wanting his relationship with Seokjin to go well, he realized he needed to improve his ability to express himself, something he struggled with.

Jin scuffed in disbelief, insulted by Taehyung's choice of words: "What the hell do you mean 'even if I've never done it before'? Then you want to educate me on my word choice and delivery. Aren't you being hypocritical? You know what? Dating you makes no sense."

"Again, I did not want to upset you, and I didn't consider my statements hypocritical, given their honesty. Also, could you explain why dating me does not make sense to you?

Seokjin, I am not trying to start an argument or be rude; I only wanted to express myself, but if that is too much for you, I will continue to keep my thoughts to myself." Taehyung said, and even though he didn't show it, his heart was beating, and a knot formed in his throat, thinking Jin was having second thoughts about their relationship.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore. I have already wasted enough of my time on it. Now, onto something more important, you and your brother will drive with me. I initially planned for him to ride with Jimin, but Jimin is going with Hoseok, and Hoseok doesn't easily  connect with new people. I don't either, but it's different since he is your brother.

Also, as a heads-up, there will be two other guys, Yoongi and Jungkook. You probably know Jungkook. Yoongi is someone you may not be familiar with, and I don't know much about him either. Hoseok seems to think highly of him, or perhaps he appreciates that Yoongi is someone his dad would approve of him dating. Whichever it is, it doesn't concern me.

Jungkook used to be interested in me, but now he's involved with Jimin. Their relationship is on and off. Jungkook might make some remarks but don't take them seriously. Once you get his personality, you'll be fine."

"Thanks for sharing all of that with me," Taehyung said, "I have a question though. You mentioned Jungkook used to be interested in you. Were you ever interested in him?"

"If I were, Jimin wouldn't have had the chance to date him, and you and I wouldn't be dating now, even though he fits perfectly as someone my parents would expect me to date. I hope that answers your question. I'm going to shower, and I would prefer you to stay here, in my room until I'm done."

Taehyung found himself with another question immediately after Jin responded, "Do your parents have a preference on who you date?"

Jin sighed deeply as he responded to Taehyung, "Every parent does, Taehyung. However, my parents are not that fixed on those things. To them, what truly matters is my happiness and the person I choose to be with. Sometimes, I struggle to remember that because of my upbringing, but enough with the questions. I need to take a shower and get ready."

******

"Who's that?" Jimin adjusted his sunglasses, his gaze fixed on the man strolling beside Taehyung, carrying four bags as they got closer.

Hoseok took a quick glance, not actually looking at the person, but saw the bags they were carrying and commented, "Probably someone paid to carry Jin's things."

"I do not think so. He gave the bags to one of the security guards, who was putting them into Jin's vehicle. Oh, he's attractive!" Jimin shouted, watching Namjoon grin as Taehyung spoke to him.

Hoseok paused his activity and turned his gaze toward Taehyung's direction. Spotting the person Jimin had been blabbing about. "Oh." "Who is he?"

"He's Taehyung's brother, Namjoon. The one I said was going to join us on the trip." Jin said as he approached his two friends.

"Damn! Their parents weren't fooling around. Let me not be disrespectful; I'll introduce myself." Jimin remarked as he went fast toward Taehyung and Namjoon.

"How old is?"

Jin arched an eyebrow at Hoseok and said, "22."

"Is he in school or working?"

"Why should I know that?" Jin questioned. "He's over there; ask him if you're interested."

"It's okay; I don't need to know. Jimin, let's go! We don't have a whole day here." Hoseok screamed, then moved his focus to Jin: "Are you actually driving?"

Jin casually replied, "I'm not sure. Anyway, see you at the first rest stop, and make sure Jimin doesn't drink any more coffee. Seems he's had enough."

"Maybe he should drive with you. Taehyung can drive with me; he doesn't appear to talk much, so I doubt he would irritate me." Hoseok offered as he started to reconsider driving with Jimin, given how many cups of coffee Jimin had already had.

Jin gave Hoseok a thorough once-over as if he had taken some offense. "Taehyung is not driving with anybody other than me, so good luck with Jimin. Call me if he gets overly hyper; I will trade you Namjoon for him."

"Is he as quiet as Taehyung?" Hoseok questioned, his gaze shifting to Namjoon.

"I don't know. Again, if you are curious, figure it out yourself."

"Whatever! I don't care. By the way, what exactly is going on between you and Taehyung? Are you two a thing?" "You are not right?"

Jin nonchalantly shrugged and started to walk away, "Maybe we are, maybe not. In any case, it is no one's business. Drive carefully and maintain a good distance from my rearview mirror."

*****

"I didn't know you had your driver's license."

Taehyung replied to Jin while keeping his attention on the road, "I guess I never said anything about it."

"So, why have you never offered to drive all this time?"

"What do you mean?" Jin's question confused Taehyung.

"Every time I went by your old apartment and left early, you could have volunteered to bring me home, keep the vehicle, and pick me up when called for," Jin said as he opened another box of gummies.

"Sorry, I never thought of it that way."

Jin remained silent, his arm outstretched towards Namjoon in the back seat, offering him a handful of gummies. Namjoon eagerly accepted the gesture with a smile.

"Open your mouth," Jin spoke to Taehyung, who turned his gaze towards him. Upon noticing the gummies, Taehyung reassured Jin, saying, "It's okay, I am good."

"Taehyung doesn't like sweets," Namjoon commented. "He has always been like that."

In the passenger seat, Jin positioned himself at an angle that afforded him a view of Namjoon in the back seat. "Interesting," he remarked. "What other things does he dislike?"

"Coffee. He doesn't like coffee. Also, he dislikes spicy food but can tolerate some of it, particularly the ones our mother used to cook."

"I already know about him not liking coffee."

"You do?" Taehyung asked, surprised. "How do you know that?"

"Have you seen your face when drinking coffee?" Jin said, causing Namjoon to laugh.

"I guess he thinks it's not visible, but he's never very good at disguising it," Namjoon said. "He is skilled at disguising other things, but not his dislike for certain foods or beverages."

With an inquisitive expression, Jin asked, "What is he good at hiding?"

Namjoon laughed, "Okay, I believe I've shared a lot. I don't want Taehyung to be upset with me, so let me ask you some questions first."

"Go ahead, I am an open book," Jin said without a care.

Taehyung commented, "You are not. " He kept his focus on the road, his attention split between Jin and his brother's conversation and the passing scenery. Despite his driving, their interaction brought him genuine happiness.

"I am when I need to be. Go ahead, Namjoon, ask your questions."

"Do you have any siblings?"

"Nope, I am an only child and wouldn't want it any other way."

"Damn, you didn't even have to think about it."

Jin smiled and responded, "There was nothing for me to think about. I dislike sharing, and having a sibling would require me to share my parents with them."

"Wow. Then how do you feel about Taehyung having a brother?"

"I don't feel anyway. Taehyung is the type of person who would want to have a sibling."

Namjoon broke out laughing, surprising Jin. "Not when he was young."

"Really?"

"When he was younger, he didn't like it when I called our mother "mom." He believed she was just his mother. I think Taehyung only learned to share as he grew older and gained a better understanding of our family dynamics."

Jin stared at Taehyung amusedly and commented, "Hmm, that's something I wouldn't have predicted about you."

"At least you know what he's great at. He keeps things about himself a mystery, although unintentionally," Namjoon said.

"I see. Well, it's good that you are here. What other questions do you have for me?"

"How did you and Taehyung meet?"

Jin's stomach twisted into a knot as he fidgeted in his chair, struggling to find the right words to respond to Namjoon.

"We met at the restaurant where I work. Seokjin and his friends dine there often."

"Aah, I see. I assumed it was at school. So, Jin, did you approach Taehyung?"

"I approached him," Taehyung responded on Jin's behalf.

Namjoon's eyes widened, "You? Seriously?"

"Yes, I knew I liked him as soon as I saw him. It took me a bit to get the guts, but I ultimately did."

"Wow, I was not expecting that."

Taehyung locked eyes with Jin and added, "Well, now you know. For some reason, when I'm around Seokjin, I always end up doing something completely unexpected."

Namjoon smiled and said, "Okay, okay. Jin, how did you feel when my brother approached you?"

Fully aware of the events that led to their initial interaction, Jin honestly expressed his emotions. "Safe. I felt safe and protected. Then angry and annoyed."