Naturally, after that rather concerning phone call with Yoongi which led to Taehyung having to abandon his friend at the mini-golf course, Tae wasn't feeling too well - in terms of his anxiety stirring up again, along with the guilt revolving around his situation with Jimin, and now the guilt of leaving Seokjin so abruptly.

To his relief, at least, Taehyung discovered that Jimin hadn't been throwing up blood as he so terribly feared. Just a bitten tongue. On top of that, he spoke with Jimin, apologized more sincerely despite the other's insisting it wasn't necessary, and at the end of their talk he felt much better and it appeared Jimin did as well.

Of course there were still issues. Underlying, unspoken thoughts of sadness concerning the topic of forgotten memories, but they all, including Yoongi, silently agreed it could be a topic for another time. Jimin needed to maintain a calm and relaxed mood, to stabilize in any and every possible way to ensure a quick recovery.

Positivity. Once again, they all just needed the positivity. And thanks to one another they were learning to find and hold onto it.

Even still, more than the others it was most difficult for Taehyung. Although even he recognized the impact his friends and boyfriend were having on him. Their kind, gentle words, Yoongi's and Jimin's reassuring natures and Jungkook's loving touches and kisses that Taehyung openly admitted he adored.

And it was such a rewarding and fulfilling thing to Jungkook. To hear that. To hear those 'I love you's' that made his head spin and forget about the undesirable aspects of their lives at the time. Taehyung was all that mattered to him. Taehyung, Taehyung's safety, his happiness, and the safety and happiness of his friends.

It wasn't the easiest. But this was his heartfelt thank you for that boy saving his life.

Two days later, returning to class on Monday morning, Taehyung had one major objective and that objective was to apologize to Seokjin more personally. Now that he was going to be seeing his friend again after the weekend, that regretfulness of having left in the middle of their game struck him again, and he felt the need to speak directly to Jin rather than over text.

So that's what he did. Arriving to class with Jungkook early as usual, Taehyung waited impatiently for Seokjin to walk in and take his seat.

"Mornin', Tae," he said with a cheerful smile. "Mornin', Kook."

Jungkook smiled back at him.

"You guys doin' alright?" Seokjin looked directly at Taehyung now. "I was afraid of bothering you by texting, so I figured I'd wait till today, but I distinctly remember you saying your friend was hit by a car??"

"He's fine, he's recovering," Taehyung replied, exhaling deeply. "Another friend of mine called me and said he threw up so I kind of wanted to get back to him right away, but he's much better."

"Well, that's a relief." Seokjin let out a low whistle, shaking his head as he scanned the other boy's expression. "You had me worried. You've got a habit of doing that, ya know?"

"I'm sorry." Taehyung hung his head in genuine shame. His bottom lip started to poke out and Jungkook prepared for an emergency hug-initiation sequence.

"I-it's okay, Tae," Jin chuckled. He poked the boy's bottom lip back into place but it stuck back out again. "Don't get all mopey on me now."

"No, really, though. About Saturday, leaving you like that after you invited Jungkook and me...I did have a good time, it was a good way to get my mind off things, and you were being really nice about it which just makes me feel even worse..."

"Tae, buddy, cut that out." Draping his arm around Taehyung's shoulders, Seokjin drew in a deep breath and let it out as he patted his friend on the head, chuckling when he saw it only made the boy pout even more. "Jungkook, you've got your work cut out for you with this one."

"Good work," Jungkook blurted without thinking. He paused. "Uh, I mean, he's, like not bad work. Not work at all...he's like...vacation?"

"You're too suave, Kook, tone it back a notch."

"I'll try."

Seokjin pulled back his arm and sent a smile Taehyung's way once he realized Tae was finally looking at him. "Lighten up, buddy, I'm not mad. But it's kinda touching you apologized, anyway. You're a real sweet guy, ya know that?"

To his own dismay, Taehyung felt his cheeks grow slightly warm. Seokjin uttered a quiet gasp at the sight of lavender surfacing on the other's face. His smile grew.

"Holy crap, Kook, I'll bet you get to see that in full bloom, don't you?"

"It's gorgeous."

"I'll bet."

"Guys, stop, it's embarrassing."

"Sorry, Tae, not tryna tease you," Jin said with the softest laugh, "just being honest. But if you don't want me to bring it up anymore, I won't."

Taehyung held his mouth open for a moment, considering his words. "It's okay," he soon spoke. "I don't mind it as much anymore. Also I...still plan to make it up to you."

"Hm?"

"You know, for leaving so soon on Saturday. Whether it's hanging out again or doing your homework for a week, I don't mind."

"Whoa, a week?" Shocked at the suggestion, Jin couldn't help but laugh, finding that Jungkook's disapproving gaze made it even funnier. "As tempting as that sounds, I wouldn't make you do that," he said and patted Taehyung's back. "I appreciate you offering, though."

"Is there anything?"

"You don't owe me any favors, Tae," Seokjin insisted, sighing. "Really, it's okay. I mean--OOH!"

"What? What is it??" Taehyung turned to him instantaneously at the sudden, strange noise. "Did you think of something?"

"Mini-golf and churros, round two?" Jungkook poked his head out and caused Seokjin to snort.

"No, but maybe some time," Jin said. "I just remembered I have a performance this Wednesday at this tavern in my neighborhood. Nothing big, nothing special, but like it's kinda cool, 'cus there'll be an audience, and I wanna be a singer, I mean, that's why I'm taking majoring in music." A radiant look stretched across his face as he took in both Taehyung's and Jungkook's expressions. "So what do you guys say? Wanna be my moral support? I'll even be singing a song I wrote."

"Really?" Again, Jungkook, failing to hide his oh-so-obvious interest and enthusiasm, leaned out far in front of Taehyung, almost over him, to look at Seokjin.

"Yeah, really." The one in question nodded vigorously. "Super proud of it, not gonna lie. Along with that, I'm doing some covers of some of my favorite songs, I'm excited. No idea what kinda crowd's gonna be there, so I'm a little nervous? But whatever, it's an opportunity for me, ya know?"

"You wanted us to see you perform?" Taehyung asked. Jin's smile softened now.

"I mean, yeah, honestly," he said. "I'm not gonna force you to, but I think it'd be pretty cool to have my friends hear me perform. Namjoon's working again..." The joy in his face faded. "I can't be mad, though, he doesn't make a lot of money where he's working now, but he needs the money, so the last thing I wanna do is discourage him from working. And I'm not trying to guilt-trip you, that's not what this is, I swear. Maybe I shouldn't have even brought that up-"

"This Wednesday?"

Seokjin froze, puzzled for a split second. "Uh, yeah. This...this Wednesday. I know it's short notice, so if you can't make it, no worries. If I'm lucky they'll have me again and you guys will still have the chance to see me."

"It shouldn't be a problem." Taehyung shifted his eyes over to Jungkook, who he found staring back at him eagerly. "Would you want to-"

"Yes."

"Okay, then."

"So you'll really come support me??"

Now Seokjin was the one leaning a bit too eagerly over Taehyung, however also a bit too close to his face for Jungkook's liking.

"Sure, why not?" Tae sighed and slowly pushed his friend's face away. "It doesn't sound like it'll require much physical activity so even if I'm not feeling up to much, all I'll have to do is sit in a chair and open my ears."

"Tae, oh my gosh, this means the world, I love you-"

"Ahem."

"...you know what, Jungkook..."

—

To make up for his lack of spending quality time with Yoongi as he had initially planned to over his friend's vacation, Taehyung made the effort to do just that on Tuesday. He, Yoongi, Jungkook, and even Jimin all sat around in the living room playing board and card games and watching movies together.

As it turned out, Jimin was incredibly good at poker. Jungkook was not. Which honestly didn't surprise Taehyung.

On Wednesday morning, Tae woke up to about a hundred text messages including four million emoticons that essentially all expressed how excited Seokjin was about his performance that night. He expressed it in class, too, telling Taehyung and Jungkook all about how he had been warming up the past few days, both his voice and his "not to brag but super cool" piano skills. He also asked one of them if they could record him so that he could show Namjoon later.

The performance was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. that night. Taehyung and Jungkook showed up together at the tavern at a little after 7:30. Seokjin, as expected, was already there, and he greeted his friends gratefully and heartily before resuming talking with some staff member at the tavern.

There was quite a diverse crowd here, the boys learned. There were your typical thirty-forty year olds out for drinks and maybe a light meal, then there was a group or two containing more of Taehyung's and Jungkook's age group, and then there were even some groups of elderly folk chatting and laughing away about the weather. Luckily, though, it wasn't too crowded to the point where Taehyung felt uncomfortable. They were able to find a table without a problem and even ordered a small appetizer to eat until it was time for Jin to perform.

At exactly eight o'clock Seokjin came out onto the small platform on which a keyboard and microphone had already been set up for him. A somewhat nervous but happy smile on his lips, Jin briefly introduced himself, then began to sing.

His voice was pleasantly distinct, even when he sang, in the way that Taehyung was sure he could have recognized him even if he couldn't see his face. It had a peaceful, comforting sound to it. The tavern almost seemed lulled by it.

"I know this song," Jungkook whispered to his boyfriend well into the evening. " 'In My Veins'. It's by an American artist, Andrew...something...I think his name is."

"It's really pretty."

"Yeah, I've always thought so."

Not long after Seokjin finished that particular song and had begun a new one, Taehyung felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He took it out to check, just in case it was Yoongi or Jimin texting him about something important.

You have (4) new messages from Yoongles.

Yoongles💕
hey tiger, again sorry to bother you while you're out

Yoongles💕
jimin ran out of painkillers

Yoongles💕
he's okay right now, but i just feel stupid for not checking how much was left in the bottle

Yoongles💕
you don't need to rush yourself if you're in the middle of something cus jimin said he feels fine, but i just wanted to let you know so you could pick up some from the pharmacy on your way back

Taeger💛
were they prescription painkillers?? or just the ordinary kind

Yoongles💕
just ordinary ones. just for his recurring headaches, that's all, but they're pretty bad

Taeger💛
i'll be back soon

Yoongles💕
tae it's fine you don't need to rush

Taeger💛
i'm pretty sure the performance is almost over anyway

Yoongles💕
if you say so...

Yoongles💕
are you guys having a good time?

Taeger💛
honestly, yeah. seokjin's great. jungkook is recording some of the songs for seokjin's boyfriend so he can show it to you later.

Yoongles💕
sounds great <3 see ya soon tiger

Putting his phone away, Taehyung lifted his head only to find Seokjin bowing from the small platform, soon to thank everyone for being present to hear him. The boy's nervous smile changed immediately to a joyous one once the audience began to clap, and one person even began to whistle loudly.

That someone being Jungkook.

"Jin, you were amazing!"

After the applause had died out and he finished re-expressing this thanks, Seokjin stepped off the platform and headed straight for his friends. Jungkook captured him in a hug.

"You really were," Taehyung said. Seokjin then captured him in a hug.

"Aww, thank you, you guys are gonna make me cry..." He chuckled, then wiped an imaginary tear from his cheek which made Tae roll his eyes. "I noticed you guys ordered food, I don't mind paying you back for that-"

"No, don't worry about it." Taehyung shook his head. "Although, we do have to leave now. I'm glad we could stay till the end of your performance."

"Me, too. Did you guys like the song I wrote?"

"Loved it."

He hugged Taehyung again, then Jungkook just for the sake of doing so, before stepping back and sighing with great contentment. "Well," he said, "I have to go pack up my keyboard and talk to the manager of this place before I can leave, so I guess...I'll see you guys in class tomorrow?"

"Yup. See ya tomorrow, Jin."

"Bye, Tae. Thanks again. Really, this means a lot to me."

Seokjin almost wouldn't let the boys leave with how much he was thanking them, but eventually Taehyung and Jungkook walked out of the tavern and back out into the chilly night air. Having been unable to find a parking spot right outside the tavern, the two had to walk a bit down to the end of the street to get to Tae's car.

But they didn't quite make it to the car.

Halfway down the sidewalk, the boys were jumped from behind, torn apart from each other and having cloth smothered against their mouths, movement constrained by whoever had managed to sneak up on them and seize them.

They lost consciousness.

*
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end of chapter thirty-three.