The Change Within

㉚Promise

“Drinks, drinks, more drinks!” Taehyung whooped out of excitement as they entered the house, but the caramel-haired boy snatched his hand before he could reach the soju he had his eye on.

“Don’t you think you had enough?”

“Nope,” he cutely said as he slunk away and grabbed a bottle of soju, giggling.

Jeongguk could only chuckle at his adorable demeanor and let him have his way, but he made sure to keep an eye on him.

They continued having a good time while drinking, bantering, and dancing as Jeongguk often visited the kitchen to check on the food. When he noticed Taehyung was about to take another drink, he held his hand and heaved the boy to his feet. “Come with me to check the food for a moment.”

“But—But drink,” Taehyung mumbled with a pout, holding onto the younger for support as a dizzying feeling struck him.

“Later, okay? Come on.” He led him to the kitchen and helped him sit on a chair. He was about to walk away when he caught a glimpse of Taehyung rubbing his eyes with tiny fists, and a fond smile swept across his face. “Wait here.” He caressed his cheek and trod to the oven to check the food.

“Guys, we should play a game!”

The younger spun around, only to see Taehyung hop from one leg to another as he stayed in the same spot, teetering a bit as well.

“What game, Tae?” Jimin asked, chuckling softly at his cuteness.

“Spin the bottle!”

“What? No, no, no,” Jeongguk said in a strict tone while he shook his head.

“Why~? I want kisses. It’s for science.”

“Tae, why don’t you just find a boyfriend, hm?” Seokjin asked.

“That will take forever. No one can stand me for long,” he murmured as his lips formed in a pout, his head hanging low.

“Yah, what the hell are you talking about?” Jeongguk whispered from behind him as he was the only one who heard him, a thread of anger in his voice.

The violet-haired boy peeked at him and plastered a faint smile on his face as he waved him off. “Come on, let’s play!”

“No, Tae,” Jimin said.

The boy began whining, stomping his feet on repeat as if he was a little kid who didn’t get his way.

“Hoseok, why don’t you do it?” Yoongi asked, struggling to suppress his smirk when he espied how Jeongguk tensed right away.

“Should I?” Hoseok questioned while he shot a sly glance at the caramel-haired boy, who stood frozen stiff in the kitchen with a rigid expression set on his face.

“He won’t remember anything tomorrow, but do it, do it!” Jimin clapped his hands in tiny, excited to see Jeongguk’s reaction.

“Well, since everyone agrees, why not, right?” Hoseok chuckled as he rose to his feet and neared Taehyung with slow steps, hoping the younger would stop him.

Jeongguk unfolded his mouth but closed it again without words coming out, his heart thumping harder the closer Hoseok got to the boy. His frantic eyes flickered with a blend of dread, agitation, and rage as he squeezed his hands into fists, a breath away from going into a frenzy.

Hoseok stood in front of the violet-haired boy and cupped his cheeks. Stop me, Jeongguk, don’t be such an idiot, he thought as he peeped at him, taking in his fretful state.

“Come on, Hoseokie,” Taehyung chirped as he closed his eyes and inched closer, something that sent a flash of anxiety flowing through Hoseok’s body.