A/N: Since Jimin's album 'Muse' is out, I was awake a bit later than usual. Go give it a listen if you haven't already!

*******

Taehyung's mind was clouded with uncertainty about his decision. However, a week after Jin confessed his feelings, expressing how safe and secure he felt around Taehyung, thoughts of anything else eluded him. Now, he was carefully unpacking his clothes from the boxes and organizing them in the closet of the room he was given in Jin's apartment.

He couldn't believe the size of the room, which was much larger than his studio apartment. The view from his room was truly unique and unlike anything he had ever experienced. He knew that adapting to life in such a building would take time, especially with the strict security measures he had to go through to become a resident. He wasn't sure if he would be able to remember all the codes he had been given. However, after receiving a link to an app that they assured him would make entering and exiting the building more straightforward, he felt much more at ease.

Earlier that morning, he discovered that Jimin and Hoseok also lived in the same building but not on the same floor as Jin. He wasn't sure which floor they were on, which didn't matter much to him. However, he couldn't help but wonder what Jin had disclosed to them about their living situation or if he had shared anything at all.

He had been longing to ask, but he had held off because he had noticed a change in Jin. He wasn't sure what it was, and he didn't want to make any assumptions, but he had a feeling that Jin had somehow been missing him. He knew it might sound irrational, but that's how he felt, particularly considering how things had unfolded over the past week. Despite Jin's lack of communication and tendency to avoid most conversations, he couldn't shake the sense that Jin's actions indicated a subtle longing for his company.

The room door opening startled him from his thoughts, and he let go of the shirt he was holding as he turned to greet Jin. "Hey, you are-"

"I sent you a text. Why didn't you respond?" Jin asked, seeming annoyed as he walked into Taehyung's room.

Taehyung scanned the room, his hand skimming over his pants pockets in a frantic search for his phone. "Sorry, I didn't see it. I think my phone is still in my backpack from my earlier class," he expressed, feeling a bit concerned that he had missed Jin's message.

Jin heaved a tired sigh as he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. "We need to have a discussion about the rules for living together here."

Taehyung seemed a bit confused, but he nodded anyway. "Sure, what are the rules? I know I can't be late with my rent, and I don't plan to..."

"I don't care about your rent or when you pay it. I want to talk about recognizing this as a shared space and respecting each other to coexist."

"Okay-"

"You are not permitted to have overnight guests, with the exception of family members. However, before allowing any family members to stay, I must confirm their relation to you. No one else is allowed to stay overnight. Do you understand this?"

"That's not an issue. I don't expect anyone to come over for a sleepover, maybe just my brother at most." Taehyung didn't mind that, as the only person who had ever spent the night at his place was Seokjin. He remembered his brother expressing interest in visiting after learning about his relocation, so he wanted to make sure Jin was aware of that in advance.

"Okay, it's absolutely fine for your brother to come over. If you plan to spend the night away from home, I must know about it in advance. On a regular day, I expect you to be back home by 1 am at the latest. Ideally, I'd prefer you return by 11 pm, but I understand your job might keep you out later. If you'll be late or won't make it back by 1 am, give me a heads-up ahead of time."

Taehyung found himself bewildered by the unexpected rules that seemed nonsensical to him. "I don't quite get why I have to disclose all of this. While I understand and am okay with not having guests over, having to report every detail to you seems excessive. Also, is this rule only for me, or will you do the same too?"

"I am not asking for a lot. It's what I want, and if you are going to live here, it shouldn't be that difficult. Yes, I will be doing the same. Like I said, it's not a hard task. You have a phone, use it! This brings me to my next rule: I shouldn't have to call you or text you and not get a response. The only acceptable reason for a delayed response is if you are working or experiencing a life emergency; otherwise, you should always be responsive to me."

Taehyung sighed and calmly said, "I don't believe that needs to be a rule. I always make an effort to respond to you. I didn't reply right away today because I didn't realize my phone was still in my bag." He wanted Jin to understand that being responsive to him was a priority.

Jin's jaw tightened as he felt his heart race with frustration. His voice nearly cracked as he spoke, "You don't always pick up! Either that or you don't pay your bill on time or when I ask you to! Let's establish another rule - your phone must always be on. It has to ring whenever I call, and you need to answer it."

Taehyung's concern grew as he heard Jin's tone of voice. He approached Jin and asked, "Are you okay? I'm sorry if you were trying to call me and my phone was disconnected, making it impossible for me to pick up. It wasn't intentional. I'll try to keep my phone on at all times as long as I can control it. Would that be okay with you?"

Jin's arms unfolded, and he straightened up, his voice firm yet calm. "I'm fine. Just keep your phone on. Those are my rules, and I expect them to be respected. I don't really care what you do in this apartment. You are free to eat and use anything you want. Just make sure you follow the rules."

"Okay, but I have something to say..."

"I have one more rule. After that, you can say what you want. For now, just until I figure it out, I want you to sleep in my room with me."

Taehyung was surprised by Jin's request. It wasn't that they hadn't slept in the same bed before, but he didn't understand why Jin wanted them to sleep in the same bed when multiple beds and rooms were available. In his old apartment, he didn't have an extra bed, and sometimes Jin had been okay with them sharing the bed.

"Why?"

"What do you mean by asking why? Do you need a reason to sleep in the same bed as me? If you can't, say that, and don't ask me why!"

As Taehyung reached out to touch Jin's arm, he hesitated. "I don't have a problem. I was curious. I am sorry if I upset you, but I genuinely want to understand, Jin. One moment, you're setting boundaries for me, and the next, you want us to share a bed. To be honest, it's a bit unexplainable. It feels like you want me around, but you're also pushing me away at the same time."

"We have covered all my rules for now. If they change, I will let you know. Jimin and Hoseok are coming up here in another hour. They don't know you are here yet or that you will be living here."

"I can leave and come back after they are gone if that's what you want," Taehyung offered softly. It was clear to him that Jin wouldn't want anyone to know that he was living there.

Jin firmly said, "No! It will not be a secret that you are living here. You are my roommate, and I want to be upfront about that. Just be mindful not to give anyone the wrong idea or make it seem like there's something romantic between us when there isn't. It's best to say we're friends, even if it feels like a bit of a stretch."

Taehyung didn't know what to say as he at least thought they were friends, but he guessed he had misunderstood yet again.

******

"I can't believe you're living here," remarked Jimin as he settled onto the sofa beside Taehyung. "Jin is so sneaky. How did he manage to move you in without us noticing? So, tell me, are you and him just friends, or is there something more?"

"We are just friends. I needed a place to stay for a while, and Jin found out about it and is allowing me to stay here," Taehyung explained. He decided it would be better to make it seem like Jin had done him a favor rather than making things difficult for Jin.

Jimin's eyebrows furrowed, and a pout formed on his lips as he fixed his gaze on Taehyung. "Why didn't you reach out to me?" he asked with a bit of hurt in his voice. "I would've gladly let you stay with me. I even have another apartment that my parents have already paid for. I could have given it to you. You should have called me."

Taehyung was unsure of what to say. Even though he knew that Jimin had a crush on him, he couldn't understand why Jimin would be willing to do all of that for him, especially since they barely knew each other.

Not sure what else to say, he smiled and said, "Thank you, Jimin. I'll remember that for next time."

His reply brought a smile to Jimin's face. "Good. So, are you still single?" Jimin inquired, crossing his legs and leaning in closer to Taehyung.

"I am, b-"

"Jimin, why are you interrogating him?" Hoseok questioned, interrupting their conversation.

Jimin was about to respond but hesitated as he caught the warning look on Hoseok's face. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his lips together before responding, "I think I want another slice of pizza." Just as he was about to stand up, Taehyung jumped in, offering, "I can get it for you. What kind do you want?"

Taehyung had felt it was the least he could do. He wanted to be helpful while he was around the three friends. He was particularly grateful that Hoseok and Jimin didn't overreact to his being there. Initially, they were surprised and puzzled, but after Jin reassured them that it was his decision, they became comfortable and engaged in conversations with Taehyung as if they had been friends for a long time. This experience felt unusual yet satisfying, as he was unaccustomed to being included in conversations rather than just being talked at.

"You are so sweet. Please bring me any slice you think I would like." Jimin responded with a smile, causing Taehyung to smile back. "Okay, I got you."

Before heading to the kitchen, he turned and looked at Jin, who was sitting on another sofa. He was surprised when he met Jin's glare, which almost made him hesitate to ask what he wanted. However, he still did, "Jin, would you like a slice of pizza too?"

"I am capable of getting my own pizza!"

"Oh, okay. Sorry." Taehyung muttered an apology as he shuffled out of the room. He had also intended to ask Hoseok, but Jin's sharp tone made him retreat instead.