twenty three

I was glad. I didn't think I could have watched any of them feeding her. Jimin had noticed my discomfort, because he'd come and sat next to me, and quietly told me that they were just trying to be nice, and not to let it bother me. I knew he was right. But I felt like I needed to let the rest of them know that y/n was mine.

~ ♡ ~

You had had so much fun watching them practice, and you found yourself hoping that they asked you to come watch them again. They really were something.

On top of being amazing singers and dancers, they were the nicest, most considerate, sweetest guys you think you had ever met. Their bond with each other was so easy to see, and you believed that they would always be connected in some way, no matter what their future brought years down the road.

It was just about 9:30 when they decided they'd practiced enough. It had been a long day, and honestly, you didn't know how they did it. You were tired just from watching them.

"It was fun having you here, y/n. You'll have to come watch us again sometime." Jin said, as he wiped the sweat from his neck with a towel.

"I would love to, I really had a great time. You guys are awesome."

Jungkook walked over, smiling. He hadn't really said much to you since you'd met him, and you'd actually worried that maybe he didn't like you. "It was nice to have a pretty face around. It gets boring just seeing the same faces all the time."

Taehyung had suddenly appeared, his hand sliding into yours. "You saying we aren't pretty Jungkook-ah?"

"Yeah Kookie, what are you trying to say?" Jimin asked, coming up behind him, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "You guys know she's prettier than all of us put together."

"Can't argue with that." J-hope said, joining them.

You blushed and smiled, looking at the floor.

You felt Tae squeezing your hand, and realized he was forcing a smile. "Well, I'm going to take y/n back to her hotel now."

"Okay Tae. We'll see you later." Jimin said, then waved at me. "Bye y/n. See you again soon."

"Bye Jimin, I hope you guys all get plenty of rest after today. I'm exhausted and all I did was watch, I don't even want to try to imagine how you guys feel."

Namjoon and Yoongi appeared just then. "We're used to it, but don't worry, we'll get rest. You have a good night y/n." Namjoon said. "We'll see you after awhile Taehyungie."

Taehyung shifted from one foot to the other, then back. "Actually, I don't think I'm coming back to the dorm tonight. I think I'm gonna stay with y/n."

All six pairs of eyes turned to him, five wide with surprise, one disappearing in a smile. Tae just took a deep breath, waiting for the questions.

After a minute, Jungkook was the first to speak. "Are you two...uh...together?"

"You could say that, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't say it too loud, since technically I'm not supposed to be dating." he answered quietly.

"Tae, you know what'll happen if anyone finds out...and I'm more worried for y/n's safety than anything." Yoongi said, looking at you both with concern.

"I know Yoongi-hyung, y/n and I have talked about it, she knows that we have to keep this to ourselves, and what kind of danger she could be facing if we're found out. I wanted you guys to know, because we've never kept anything from each other, and I need your support. I need to be able to come to any of you if I need to talk."

"You have our support Tae," J-hope said quietly, "but please be careful. You know none of us are really thrilled about the no dating rule. I'm sure if any one of us were lucky enough to meet someone that we wanted to spend time with, we would do the same thing. But it is a big risk you're taking. I would be heartbroken if y/n got hurt in any way. Please don't let your guard down for any reason."

"I won't Hobi-hyung. As far as anyone is concerned, y/n and I are just friends. We don't plan on getting caught. We will be very careful." You were a bit tense listening to them, and Tae sensed it, giving your hand another squeeze.

"Do you think staying with her is a good idea? What if someone sees you go in, but not come out?" Namjoon questioned.

"I've been in and out of her hotel so many times already hyung, if no one has noticed by now, they aren't going to. I've paid attention to people on my way in and out. I always have a mask with me, and a few times I've worn it until I got to the elevator, so I'm sure I haven't been recognized every time. No one seems to care anyway. I've gotten no unwanted attention."

"Okay. Just be aware of your surroundings, always." Namjoon said with a sigh, giving us both a serious look.

You nodded. "Thank you all, for making me feel accepted. I promise we will be very careful."

"Alright, well you two go on then,"  J-hope said, "and Tae, don't forget, you need to be back by 2pm tomorrow. We need to be at the studio for the show by 3:00."

"Yep, I know. Don't worry, I'll be back in time."

He led you out of the practice room, and you were about to step into the elevator when you heard Jimin calling for Taehyung.

"Tae, wait up..." he was running to catch up.

He turned, smiling at Jimin. "What's up Jimin-ah?"

"You should bring y/n to the show tomorrow." Jimin smiled at you, as you looked from him to Tae, hopeful.

"How? She'd have to have a ticket, and tickets are sold out. I can't just bring her, they won't have a seat for her."

"I know. I heard one of my noona's talking about having an extra ticket, and she was trying to find someone who could use it. When you messaged me that you were bringing y/n today, I asked her about it soon as I got here, and she gave it to me." He pulled the ticket out of his pocket, handing it to Taehyung.

Your eyes lit up, excited at the thought of watching them perform live at a show. Tae smiled, giving Jimin a hug.

"Oh my God, I really get to come watch you guys perform?" You were beyond excited.

"I'm glad you're happy y/n, I wasn't sure if you'd want to, but I thought you might." Jimin smiled at you.

You were almost dancing in place you were so happy. "Can I hug you, Jimin?"

"Ha," he laughed loudly. "That would be fine with me but not if Tae is going to hit me for it."

"I'm not going to hit you pabo, you're my best friend. I trust you more than anybody."

He let go of your hand, and you hugged Jimin. "Thank you for thinking of me. I can't wait to see you guys tomorrow."

"It should be a good seat, and you'll get there early with us, so it should be easy to find before the place starts filling up."

You smiled even bigger.

Jimin said goodnight again, and you and Taehyung rode the elevator down to the lobby, stepping outside and heading towards your hotel. At least that's what you assumed, since you really weren't sure yet where you were.

Thirty or so minutes later you were saying hi to Minhae, and taking the elevator to your room.

Once inside, Tae sat on the bed, falling back with a flop. "I'm tired."

"I bet you are." You smiled softly at him. "I'm glad you decided to stay with me tonight, Tae."

He smiled, looking unsure as he sat up. "You are? I'm sorry I didn't ask you first. I was just going to go to my house if you weren't okay with it"

"You don't have to ask. I love being with you. I would never say I didn't want you here."

"Well, I kind of said it because I wanted them all to know that you're mine. I didn't want any of them to think they could try to get closer to you. But I really do want to stay."

"I really want you to stay." You felt something you couldn't explain hearing him say you were his. There was nothing to compare it to, nothing that had ever made you feel this way.

"I'm going to get changed." You said quietly, for some reason feeling shy. You found clean shorts and a tank top, and went into the bathroom. You got changed, washing your face and brushing your teeth.

When you came out of the bathroom, you saw Tae standing there, shirtless. He raised his eyebrows at you. "I don't have anything to sleep in, so I guess my boxers will have to do."

You smiled cutely, as he proceeded to remove his pants, dropping them on the floor. You climbed into the bed, as he joined you from the other side. He put his arm around you and you snuggled up to his side. You could get used to this real quick.

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A/n: Just wanted to say thank you to you all once again. I really appreciate every one of you who've read this, or followed me, or both! 🤗