Chapter Text
Am I even making any sense? I feel like a fool. God, I’m so nervous. He keeps looking at me, I’m going to throw up -
His brain is so big, I want to eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Shit. Tell me more about capacitance, daddy -
The lights in the cafeteria are too bright. Like the bulbs are made up of matter directly from the sun. It feels unnecessary as this is a place university students shuffle to first thing in the morning, half awake, but maybe that’s exactly why they are so bright. To force those students to be a little more alert before they go off to their classes. Because God knows this coffee won’t help, if anyone is brave enough to try the thick sludge that the university swears is safe to consume.
Taehyung doesn’t quite believe it, yet here he is, sipping constantly at his mug because of how fucking awkward he feels.
Get it together, Kim Namjoon. You addressed an auditorium full of the top elites, yet you’re a stuttering fool right now -
I will be the conductor you can flow your electrical currents through, big handsome -
Taehyung chokes on the sludge. He quickly presses a fist to his mouth as he tries to mask the sound, his eyes watering and face flushing hot. The awkwardness grows tenfold as both the men sitting with him glance his way for the briefest of moments before they go back to the way they were. Focused in on each other as if they’re the only ones in the horrifically bright cafeteria.
Which normally, Taehyung wouldn’t mind. But he’s tired from a night of restless sleep, still coming down from a hellish morning of being late and things getting in his way so he had to rush even more, and the coffee isn’t helping. He’s supposed to be listening to Namjoon’s debriefing right now, but that’s not the kind of listening Taehyung is doing and it only serves to annoy him more.
Oh, sorry Taehyung-ah. Stop listening to my thoughts, would ya?
Taehyung blinks away the moisture in his eyes and settles back to make himself look as inconspicuous as possible. Like he isn’t doing just that, listening into the thoughts around him, because he really doesn’t mean to. He just has a harder time controlling it when he’s tired and stressed. The two sitting around him aren’t helping either as they think quite loudly. Namjoon’s nerves are practically shooting out of him and straight into Taehyung, like it’s him that’s flustered by the flirty smile Jimin keeps directing his way.
It’s a bit maddening, in truth. It took Taehyung some time to learn how to differentiate between his own feelings and the ones he reads from others because people don’t always think in clear, direct words. Sometimes it’s flashes of images, of feelings, and Taehyung gets them all like it’s his own brain that has produced them.
But even being good at that now, and aware of the difference, doesn’t stop how hot his body also gets from just how attracted Jimin is to Namjoon. Which Taehyung has been subjected to much more explicit things from Jimin’s own mouth as his best friend, but right now, they’re in the presence of someone Taehyung doesn’t wish to embarrass himself in front of and he’s burning up like he’s sitting on top of a furnace.
“I’m - I’m sorry. I’m fumbling with my words, but I promise you I am well educated on this topic,” Namjoon says, eyes still on Jimin though Taehyung suspects it’s meant for him.
“Oh, Namjoon-ssi, Taehyung has attended every session you’ve had here at the Academy. I’m sure he’s well aware of your work. It’s why he agreed to help you with your newest research project.”
Taehyung perks up when eyes stray towards him again. He quickly nods, wiping at his mouth in case there’s any sludge collected there. “Your work is impressive. It’s an honor not only to have you here at the Academy, but to assist you as well.”
The thoughts don’t stop. Jimin takes the opportunity to think more about how attractive Namjoon is while Taehyung speaks like that will stop him from hearing, and Namjoon’s mind is just a chaotic mess of embarrassment, modesty, and also thinking Jimin is the prettiest man he’s ever seen.
(Which, Taehyung is sure Jimin is going to ask him about later though Taehyung has a code not to share the thoughts he accidentally reads. Jimin just tends to be very persuasive, and sometimes, Taehyung gives in.)
“Though, I am unsure of how I can be of assistance. I work in the ESP field, not energy manipulation. I can read minds, you see -”
Namjoon presses a napkin to his mouth, head shaking quickly as his free hand waves in front of him to cut Taehyung off. “Elites radiate a different form of energy than the ordinary, and those currents can range in strength depending on the ability. One of the reasons I’ve chosen your Academy is because you have a handful of rare elites here. Including yourself.”
He says he doesn’t work with energy manipulation, yet Taehyung feels as if he’s absorbed all the heat that’s making Namjoon’s cheeks so red and stored it into his own.
“It’s not that -”
“Three,” Namjoon interrupts again, both outloud and in his thoughts. “At this moment, there are three others recorded with your same ability and less than a hundred recorded throughout history. It’s highly rare, Professor, though please forgive me if I sound as if you’ll just be a test subject. I am also familiar with your research, and I am eager to work with someone as highly intelligent as yourself.”
One upside to reading minds is that Taehyung can tell Namjoon is being genuine. He gets flashes of thoughts to back up Namjoon’s words, glimpses into the research that Namjoon has read and the ideas he has for Taehyung’s participation in his own.
It makes him even more embarrassed. Kim Namjoon is a highly esteemed elite, which is why Taehyung was so surprised to be invited to work alongside him in the first place. He’s notorious for fighting against his father, the head of the largest electrical power company in the country, by creating a company of his own. One focused on clean energy, using his own ability and those of other energy manipulators. He’s so intelligent that Taehyung feels as if he’s never understood anything ever in his life after listening to one of his speeches, and he has gone to every one just like Jimin has said.
So finding out how genuine Namjoon is makes Taehyung ashamed because he’s sure Namjoon is going to be sorely disappointed with him.
“Thank you,” is all Taehyung says because disagreeing with him feels rude. Saying anything negative about himself at all, even the tiniest implication, will cause Jimin to jump into what he calls ‘Protect Taehyungie’ mode like it’s some kind of second persona. And maybe it is because Jimin is sweet and kind but the complete opposite when it comes to defending him. “I look forward to it. Thank you again, for the opportunity. I should head out, I have class soon.”
He can’t admit that he hadn’t been listening to a word Namjoon said about his research, and he worries that he’s ending the conversation when it isn’t close to being finished. But Namjoon doesn’t look offended, only smiles warmly at him.
“Of course, Professor. Although, before you go, one of the reasons I asked to meet you before the others is because President Oh expressed a slight concern that I would like to address.”
Taehyung’s mind races with what kind of concerns the president of their academy could mean. He tenses in his chair, and it seems like Jimin does too. Already in protective mode as his shoulders square out, his eyes narrowing slightly, and he’s no longer thinking about the eighty six ways he wishes to devour Namjoon but sending him silent warnings to tread lightly instead.
“Don’t worry, President Oh speaks very highly of you,” Namjoon starts to say, but Taehyung is once again listening to his thoughts. Getting to the point, what Namjoon means, and it floods Taehyung with dread. “But he’s said there is a lot of negative energy between you and another on the team. Negative energy can impact results, you see -”
Shit. Shit. Taehyung tries to keep his face composed as Jimin quickly looks between the two of them in confusion, but he isn’t sure it works. Maybe the universe is working against him, giving him an opportunity that excites him just to add an element that will make his life an actual living hell.
Jimin makes a small, displeased noise before Namjoon says who he means like he too can read minds. It’s written all over his face that Jimin knows exactly who he is talking about, and Taehyung sends him a quick look to beg him not to say a word.
“Professor Jeon Jungkook,” Namjoon says, eyes focused on Taehyung as if to gauge his reactions. If Taehyung didn’t know that Namjoon’s own ability is used to siphon energy from nature, he’d think Namjoon could feel whatever comes off of him now. Hell, maybe he can. Shit. That would be just his luck. “He too is a rare elite. The only one of his kind, actually.”
Oh, Taehyung knows. Jungkook mentions it like it’s some kind of competition, like it’s some great thing being the only one with an ability when Taehyung personally thinks it’s a nightmare. So often does he wish that he knew someone else like him, someone he could complain to about all the negatives that come with being able to read minds because no one else really gets it. They just think it’s cool or they’re envious because they wish to know everyone’s innermost secrets.
No one understands what it’s like trying to take an exam and not accidentally cheat, but then suddenly be flooded with dozens of different thoughts. So loud that he can’t focus on his exam at all. He’s so often accused of cheating and being discredited when he does well, that there have been so many times Taehyung has been tempted to do exactly as he’s been accused, because why not? Or those days he’s tugging at his hair, begging for silence because he’s picked up everyone’s thoughts all day like a satellite. Or hearing things he’d rather not hear, things he’s sure people would be embarrassed about if he knew he caught them or would never say out loud because brains are messy.
And because brains are messy, sometimes he catches things from his friends that he knows they would never say out loud, would never actually feel they just too have a bit of chaos in their brain. He feels shame and guilt when he hears them because everyone has the right to their private thoughts, to have the time to sort them out to decide how they really feel, they just don’t always get the chance to around him even if Taehyung tries really hard to constantly tune everyone out.
On top of that, he’s never had a surprise birthday party.
“So rare that there isn’t a term for him.” Namjoon laughs awkwardly as he folds his hands together. “Well, there’s a few groups that he could be grouped beneath. I’m curious to see where he places himself. Anyway -”
As intimidating as Taehyung finds Namjoon to be, this entire breakfast he’s been shocked by how nervous and awkward he is. Especially now, as he rubs at his neck roughly and swallows like he’s choking on his own words. But Taehyung is used to people speaking of Jungkook with amazement in their tone because he is one of a kind. They just don’t know what an annoying, immature jerk face he is and part of Taehyung wishes to be petty and tell Namjoon just that to shut down his mental praises.
“It’s not a problem,” Taehyung squeaks out instead. He’s mortified by the fact that President Oh has noticed enough to mention it, but also by how unprofessional it must make him seem. To Kim Namjoon of all people, the man he was so nervous to meet that he couldn’t sleep until he overslept. “Professor Jeon and I have had some personal issues, but we keep it outside of work.” He’s the biggest liar in the world, and for once, thankful for his rare ability so no one will be able to tell. Except for Jimin. “I give you my word that it won’t be an issue.”
Namjoon still looks a bit awkward, but he nods. “Alright, I will see you shortly.”
Taehyung hurries out of his seat, collecting his briefcase under his arm and his tray in his hands. He’s barely eaten anything on it, and he feels suddenly guilty for throwing it away and embarrassing himself even more in front of Namjoon.
“I’ll stop by later,” Jimin says with a pointed look. He presses his fists beneath his chin and flashes Namjoon another smile. “If you don’t mind me finishing my meal with you, Namjoon-ssi.”
It might not be a good idea. Taehyung almost argues it because who knows what Jimin will say in regards to the ‘negative energy’ between him and Jungkook, but then Jimin brushes his fingers over Namjoon’s arm and he relaxes instantly. The nerves leave, the tension goes away, and he offers Jimin a smile that seems too personal for someone he’s just met.
“Of course. You can show me to the labs afterwards, if that’s alright. I am supposed to meet Professor Jeon there.”
“ESP,” Taehyung blurts as he steps away, for reasons unbeknownst to him because in no way could it have to do with the fact that Jungkook worked his ass off to convince the President that that’s the department he belongs in. Taehyung could care less. “Professor Jeon is in the same department as I. He believes that he is not actually touching anyone, but that he is able to manipulate their minds into feeling the touch. Or, a form of telekinesis in some sense. His theory gets a little wonky when it comes to inanimate objects.”
Surprise lights up Namjoon’s face. “Or he could have both. It isn’t impossible to have more than one ability, it just too is incredibly rare.”
Distaste coats Taehyung’s tongue and regret hits him. He hopes Namjoon never tells Jungkook that, though he knows Jungkook has considered it before. He doesn’t need anything to boost his already massive ego and make him even more of an annoying twat.
“Have a good lunch. See you, Jimin-ah.”
With a burning face, Taehyung takes off and deposits the untouched food onto the conveyor belt with a silent apology to the world for wasting so much food. He’s flustered again, like he’s back in the rush mode that had taken hold of him on his commute to the university this morning. He moves like it at least, hugging his briefcase to his chest as he speeds through campus towards his office building.
Over the years, he’s managed to make it so the noise from other’s thoughts is just static. As if he has a radio in his pocket that is nothing more than background noise. He’s used to it now, only getting bits as he walks past other students and professors the same way anyone does when they walk by someone speaking out loud. His mind is too busy today to focus really, though that isn’t too much better. As much control as he’s had over other people’s thoughts entering his mind, he’s not too good at controlling his own.
He doesn’t stop rushing even as he slips into the elevator. His first class isn’t for another hour, he only has a few things to do beforehand, but his body feels as if he’s preparing for a marathon. He bounces on his toes, restless as he watches the numbers light up with each floor.
It feels like the longest trip he’s ever taken in this elevator, and he doesn’t understand why he’s so anxious to get to his floor when he knows what awaits him there. The person that he hates being around so much that even the president has noticed. Someone Taehyung likes to refer to as the Worst because that’s what he is, but he can’t go around calling him that in front of Namjoon. That would definitely seem unprofessional.
“Hey, Tae. I see you still like wearing my clothes.”
His office is first, because of course it is. It usually works in Taehyung’s favor because his own is at the end of the hall, but he still has to walk past him every time he comes here. And Taehyung swears he must have an ability to sense him coming too because he’s always there. With a smug ass smile on his face and a comment that tests Taehyung’s patience.
Or one that embarrasses him because he had left the house in such a haste and hadn’t done laundry in forever, so the only thing available to wear is indeed a shirt that used to have another owner. He hadn’t thought twice about it until now, but he refuses to make that smug smile grow any larger or stay any longer.
So, instead of ripping it off and stomping on it to shut down whatever implication the Worst is getting out of him wearing it, Taehyung simply turns around and flicks both of his middle fingers up.
The smug smile doesn’t go down because it never does, no matter how hard Taehyung tries. “Thought you said you threw all of my shit in the trash?”
Taehyung doesn’t entertain him any longer. He twists on his feet and heads down the hallway without another word, hoping Jungkook won’t follow and that his heart will calm down.
It’s been a long time since he’s called the Worst something more like his love, and he really needs his heart to finally get with it and stop reacting every time he sees him.
Pick up the beverages. Cancel Oh’s twelve o’clock. Make sure there’s enough packets - I should have savored that danish this morning. Headcounts. Taehyung is tapping so loudly. I should call my grandmother. Oh yeah, cancel the twelve o’clock now before you forget, Hobi-yah -
Taehyung isn’t tapping loudly, though he considers it to drown out the noise. Everything he’s tried hasn’t worked so far, and he’s a second away from grabbing his airpods and securing those into his ears. Uncaring if he blocks out any noises that he has to hear as well even if his airpods don’t truly help with the telepathy.
Since this morning, he’s been on edge. Meeting with Namjoon didn’t excite him like he thought it would, and he knows others can tell he’s in a sour mood. Even those without sensory abilities. He was distracted in class, fumbling over his words and forgetting what he was talking about while a dozen pairs of concerned eyes watched on. He ran out of class afterwards so quickly that he bumped into a student, causing them to spill their drink onto themselves and him.
Right onto his pants, near his crotch, so he had to avoid going back to his office so the demon that resides on his floor won’t take the chance to comment how it looks as if he’s pissed himself. Now he’s hidden himself in his best friend’s office to answer emails before his next class, and he’s slightly regretting it because he can’t quiet his mind and Jung Hoseok has one of the busiest brains that Taehyung has ever came across. Even when he looks as if there isn’t a thought in his mind, there’s always guaranteed to be a dozen streams of thinking that bounce back and forth nonstop.
Normally, Taehyung doesn’t notice. Like everything else, it falls to background noise that he’s only aware of but doesn’t pay attention to. He doesn’t like listening into people’s thoughts when he can help it, it’s an invasion of privacy, and Hoseok works so much that his brain is constantly just a to-do list anyway, even when he isn’t doing anything. But now it’s overpowering, and Taehyung is becoming dizzy from Hoseok’s fast paced thoughts.
Double check Kim Namjoon’s accommodations. Laboratory equipment. So much to do before dinner tonight. I want another danish. What did Jungkook do now? Oh right, make sure President Oh’s laundry has been picked up.
Taehyung sighs, glancing up from his laptop screen as Hoseok flies across his office, still sitting in his desk chair, to where his phone is on the charger. He stares as he realizes that Hoseok is the President’s secretary, he likely knew that Jungkook was also on Namjoon’s research team.
“Hyung,” Taehyung calls, hesitantly. Hoseok only hums in response, attention on his phone. “Who else is participating in Namjoon’s research program? From our Academy?”
Even if he couldn’t read minds, Taehyung still knows Hoseok well enough to read him accurately. His thumbs hesitate over the screen for a second, and the lie is clear in his voice.
“Oh? I don’t know. You, the empath from Building 1. Uh, I think that’s it.”
“My arch nemesis?”
Hoseok slowly spins in his seat. It’s clear he’s going to lie, and Taehyung can hear him consider it in a panicked tone. “I - uh, maybe. Yes, sorry. I wasn’t going to tell you for a good reason.” The words come out rushed now, Hoseok’s eyes apologetic. “Because this is a good opportunity for you, and I knew you wouldn’t agree to it if you knew Jungkook was also invited. He’s not that bad, you know -”
“Hyung,” Taehyung whines, slipping in his seat. He entertains the idea of letting himself slip until he’s hidden beneath the table he sits in front of. He could spend the rest of his life there. Hoseok would surely give him water. “Not that bad? Come on. You know what happened between us, and what a dick he was.”
Slowly, Hoseok puts his hands up in front of himself in defense. “You would have said no, and I couldn’t have that.”
He’s right. Taehyung avoids the Worst as much as he can. It may be a bit of a problem, but whatever.
“Which, you shouldn’t let him have that effect on you,” Hoseok goes on hesitantly though his thoughts about it are very firm. “Show him you’re over it.”
I’m not , Taehyung almost says. He flinches at himself because he is. He most definitely is. He’s so over it. No one has been more over an almost relationship ending than he has. “You know he’s going to use this opportunity to torture me. When we had to teach that class together, he spent the entire hour mentally singing every song I hate most in the world just to tick me off.”
Hoseok finds it funny. He doesn’t do too well at hiding his smile, folding his lips in and pressing them tightly together, but Taehyung appreciates the attempt to conceal it. “That’s different. This is a good opportunity for him too, he’ll take it seriously. I’m sure of it.”
“When you forced us to attend dinner at your house to announce your engagement, Jungkook purposefully sat next to me so he could think about you and Yoongi as Noah and Allie from the Notebook. As soon as you were announcing the engagement, Yoongi was in Jungkook’s head saying, ‘If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.’”
The amusement slips from Hoseok as he props himself at the edge of the table, arms crossing over his stomach. His lips turn down, eyebrows knitting together. “Absurd. Yoongi’s terrified of birds. Is that why you spat out your wine all over my nicely cooked dinner?”
“Yes.”
Hoseok sighs, looking ahead at the wall as his thoughts jump between scolding Jungkook and also imagining Yoongi saying the same to him. A bit of that amusement returns. “Fine, fine. I’ll speak to him. But having Kim Namjoon here is great for the Academy, Taehyung-ah. President Oh is going to give him whatever he requests, and he requested Jungkook by name. The only way he’ll be out of the program is if he decides he doesn’t want to be a part of it, or if he does something to get on Namjoon’s bad side.”
For a moment, Taehyung entertains the thought of setting Jungkook up, but he never would. As annoying as he is, Taehyung also knows the issues he has with Jungkook are personal, between Jungkook and him. Jungkook is actually incredibly hard working, takes his job seriously, he’s just better at balancing fun and seriousness than Taehyung.
There was a time that Taehyung used to think it was fun too, listening to Jungkook’s thoughts like passing notes in class but during a department meeting, but those times are long gone.
“Okay, but if Jungkook -”
“If Jungkook what?”
Of course. Of fucking course. At this point, Taehyung is convinced the universe is working against him today. It has to be. He doesn’t turn to look around, but he can practically feel Jungkook making his way through the office until he’s in view. There’s no smug smile on his face, only a questioning look that he directs towards Taehyung as he claps Hoseok’s shoulder in greeting.
Hoseok’s mind is just a mantra of dread and cussing.
“No one’s talking about you,” Taehyung lies. Would it be too obvious if he collected his things and left? Probably, since he wouldn’t be able to do it in a way that didn’t look rushed. “We’re talking about Jeongsuk.”
There’s a small lift to Jungkook’s lips. “Who’s that?”
Annoying. Absolutely annoying. Taehyung shrugs coyly, focusing back onto his computer. “Someone I have a date with this weekend. I was asking Hoseok for fashion advice.”
Ah fudge meat, he had to involve me. Of course he did. What a best friend. I can’t lie for shit -
The smile on Jungkook’s face disappears before it could even grow. Taehyung does chance a glance to see the reaction, even though he’ll deny it if Hoseok calls him out on it. Jungkook is annoyed, and Taehyung is both a bit smug himself and a little confused as Jungkook starts playing the name over in his head as if he’s trying to figure out just who this imaginary Jeongsuk is.
“You should wear that shirt,” Jungkook comments, crossing his arms to look a lot more casual than his thoughts actually are. He quickly starts singing in his head, another song Taehyung hates, when Taehyung looks at him fully. “Looks good. Right, hyung?”
Hoseok curls his upper lip. “Leave me out of this.”
Why can’t these two just get over it? Hate bone or something. The tense atmosphere is going to send me to an early grave. Ugh, I need to call Yoongi. I can’t die without saying goodbye to him. Maybe he’ll send me a danish to bring me back to life. I didn’t finish sending the laundry text, shit -
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Taehyung looks back to the screen and scrolls like he’s doing something. “I hear you’re part of Kim Namjoon’s research project as well?”
He should just leave, not change the subject. Especially when Hoseok moves to presumably text Yoongi or finish his laundry text and Jungkook is quick to take his spot at the edge of the table, too close to Taehyung. He relaxes some, his thoughts about Jeongsuk faded but still there.
It’s the thoughts about Taehyung in his shirt that grow louder. Questions about why he still has it, if he didn’t actually throw all of his shit out. Taehyung wants to respond quickly with another defensive lie about how he has, but he doesn’t want Jungkook to have the satisfaction to know that he’s listening.
Because even if Taehyung is good at tuning everyone out, after their split, he’s been absolutely horrendous at tuning Jungkook out. It’s so maddening because they can be in a group meeting with their entire department, a bunch of noise surrounding them, yet Jungkook’s thoughts stand out to him as clear as day.
“Yeah. I just met with him. Showed him the labs. I was a bit surprised to see him with Jimin.”
Taehyung pushes his tongue to the roof of his mouth, unable to respond as Jungkook’s thoughts about the shirt take a turn. Warmth flushes through his body, and he prays he doesn’t react as he gets a glimpse of Jungkook’s memories. The last time he had seen Taehyung in this shirt.
It isn’t the first time Taehyung’s seen himself from someone else’s perspective, but it always throws him a bit off. The memory is filled with lust, with attraction towards himself. His own memories jump in as soon as Jungkook’s penetrate his mind, coated with his own feelings from that moment and it only causes the heat inside of him to grow hotter.
You look so fucking good like this, Tae. Feel so fucking good -
The singing returns, but it isn’t enough to fully push away the thoughts of Taehyung naked, only this shirt hanging off of his shoulders. He looks incredibly debauched, red faced and sweating while making noises of pleasure that to Jungkook, he finds arousing, but it only serves to embarrass Taehyung even more.
He had forgotten that’s how he had come in possession of this shirt. After a day of holing themselves up in Jungkook’s apartment, lazing around and doing nothing. Doing each other because they were always bad at keeping their hands to themselves when they were alone. The day ended with them falling asleep in a messy bed, Taehyung with this shirt still on though it had been gross and sweaty at the time. Jungkook against him, snoring against his skin.
Another memory follows, with Jungkook thinking about Taehyung waking up and stretching across the bed. Falling still with his limbs stretched out, shirt halfway down his arms so Jungkook could see all of his bare skin and the marks that had been left behind the day before.
It’s touched with a hint of something that Taehyung doesn’t quite understand, and he realizes he’s invading his privacy too much. Way too much. Something uneasy settles in his own chest, but he doesn’t look away because that will be obvious and Jungkook still looks casual and questioning.
“Taehyung?” Jungkook repeats, lifting a brow. He waves a hand in front of himself, the mental singing growing even louder and coming out so rushed that he’s no longer holding a tune. “ The Kim Namjoon asked me if I would be able to work with you. I don’t know what Jimin said, but -”
“President Oh,” Taehyung corrects, defensively. He no longer cares if he looks like he’s rushing or running away as he quickly closes his laptop and shoves it into his bag, but he can’t do this. “President Oh said we have ‘negative energy’ when we’re around each other.”
Jungkook closes his mouth quickly, and Taehyung no longer can focus on his obnoxious singing or Hoseok’s scattered thoughts because his own brain is working a mile a minute. Shooting out questions about Jungkook’s behavior and his memories that he doesn’t want to have because questions bring assumptions in an attempt to find an explanation, which will make his mind spiral. And his brain has already done enough of that in regards to Jungkook and their falling out. He can’t do it anymore, and frankly he’s pissed off because Jungkook knows what he’s doing.
A part of him thinks the singing may be because Jungkook can’t help the thoughts and doesn’t want him to be aware of them, but it’s absurd to him. It doesn’t match up because Jungkook broke it off and has been an ass ever since.
“And thanks for the tip,” Taehyung says as he slings that back over his chest. “Maybe I will wear this to the date. See if he can fuck me better in it.”
Hoseok makes a choking noise so violent that Taehyung feels bad for not checking on him when he twists on his heel to leave. It’s worth it when that singing suddenly stops and Jungkook’s annoyance comes through instead.
He’s never able to annoy Jungkook as much as Jungkook annoys him and he wants to be pleased about it, but he’s too aggravated and confused.
“Highly doubt it,” Jungkook calls after him as Taehyung pushes the office door open. Or tries to, as it only opens a sliver before it’s slammed shut again, nearly hitting him in the face.
“Let me out,” Taehyung grunts in frustration, pushing the door open with even more strength. More strength than necessary because this time, Jungkook doesn’t close it on him again. Instead, it flies open and Taehyung nearly falls out into the hallway. “You’re so fucking childish.”
There’s a scolding from Hoseok that Taehyung doesn’t fully hear as he takes off before even gathering his balance. He only gets the whisper from Jungkook’s thoughts because Taehyung’s brain fucking sucks.
He could be in a room with a thousand people and he just knows he’d pick up on whatever Jungkook is thinking, no matter what where he is. Like it’s some weird second ability of his to hyperfocus on Jungkook, to be aware of him.
Or maybe his brain is like his heart and doesn’t like that they’ve had to let him go.
“Yeah right,” Taehyung grumbles to himself at the thought, head shaking to immediately shut it down. He’s over that part of the breakup, he’s accepted it. He’s gotten past the confusion and the heartbreak and the missing the Jungkook that used to be his person. He would almost say this Jungkook is a stranger, but he’s more like the Jungkook he first met.
When Jungkook first started working at the Academy, when he took over one of the offices, Taehyung hated him. He thought he was too cocky, talked too much shit. He made everything a competition, which to Taehyung, meant he wasn’t taking work seriously. After getting to know him, after Jungkook allowed him to listen in on his thoughts, his opinion changed.
Now, Taehyung doesn’t know whether his original opinion about Jungkook is actually correct and he was just too love blind to see it, or what. He’s stopped trying to figure it out.
“Taehyung, wait.”
Taehyung moves faster. For a moment, he forgets he actually does have to go somewhere, that he has an empty classroom he can lock himself into. He just takes off, hoping Jungkook doesn’t follow, but there’s a hand on his arm to stop him.
A phantom hand. Taehyung is so used to Jungkook touching without his hands that he doesn’t think twice about the feeling of fingers gripping into his skin while Jungkook remains yards away. He shakes it off, twisting his arm, but the grip doesn’t relent until Jungkook is closer.
“Leave me alone,” Taehyung starts, already turning again, but Jungkook uses his own hand to hover over his shoulder. This time, without making contact, yet Taehyung remains in place like he’s holding him down. “You have some nerve being annoyed, you know that right?”
Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Hoseok told me to apologize -”
“Oh fuck off.” Taehyung swats Jungkook’s arm away from him, but he can feel Jungkook following him. He can hear him, more importantly, trying to come up with something to say about the memory. If he should bring it up, if Taehyung was aware of it.
No fucking secret you’re hot, Taehyung . Why am I even trying to excuse it?
It comes out so exasperated and annoyed that, for a moment, Taehyung thinks Jungkook has actually said it out loud. He whips around again, breathing in through his nose to keep his tone calm because there are people around, and he doesn’t need more people to talk about their ‘negative energy’ so it gets back to the President.
“If you so much as mentally sing one song from my banned playlist during this program, I will gut you,” Taehyung whispers, poking Jungkook in the chest. He has this odd urge to twist his fingers into Jungkook’s tie, and with their close proximity, it reminds Taehyung of all the times he has.
And Jungkook too. It’s at the front of his mind, Taehyung yanking at his tie to pull him somewhere private. Their mouths connected before they’re even fully hidden away.
The loud, obnoxious singing comes a second later.
“Like that,” Taehyung whispers, taking a step back when a student walks by them with curious eyes. “What’s with all the singing horrific songs?”
Jungkook’s expression is hard, irritated. He crosses his arms over his chest with his hands turned into fists by his collarbones. It catches Taehyung’s attention because Jungkook does that when he’s feeling defensive. Like a protective barrier, he said once when trying to explain it. “I don’t want you listening to my thoughts, Taehyung.”
“I don’t care about them,” Taehyung snaps without pause, even though it’s all he’s been doing since Jungkook appeared. He can’t tell him that though.
“You are right now,” Jungkook seethes back, uncurling his fists to flex his fingers and dig them into his shoulders. “You just said so.”
Casually, Taehyung slips a hand into the pocket of his trousers and leans his weight back on one foot. He cocks his head, letting his lips quirk as he realizes something. “You do it so often, does that mean you’re always thinking about us fucking?”
Jungkook’s mouth parts, but he isn’t surprised. The entire reason he had chased after him was to make some excuse for it. “No. That was just -” He waves a hand at Taehyung’s torso, indicating the shirt. “That was just a day. A real day. Who could blame me for thinking about it? That’s how brains work, Taehyung. Things trigger memories.”
Taehyung rolls his eyes, ignoring the last bit because he’s well aware of that. More so than anyone, probably. “It was a day. One you have no right to think about because you started ghosting me only a week later.”
It comes out harsher than he intends, more revealing. Jungkook’s eyes widen slightly, but Taehyung doesn’t want to say another word. He doesn’t want to hear Jungkook’s thoughts, the genuine ones because sometimes he lies about being over him and doesn’t want it confirmed that Jungkook doesn’t feel the same way. He shouldn’t expect him to by any means, and God knows Jungkook doesn’t act it, but there’s still that tiniest pinch of hope that maybe he does. It frustrates the shit out of Taehyung, but no matter how hard he’s tried, he’s never been able to get it to fully go away.
“Whatever,” Taehyung blurts, waving his hands between them. “Just pick better songs, yeah?”
And with that, he heads off without Jungkook following after him this time.
It was both sudden and not. Taehyung can’t quite say he saw it coming because with their busy schedules, it was normal for him and Jungkook not to see each other outside of the office for a few days. Or only for a few minutes, or late at night where they’d just end up falling asleep together relatively quickly. And Jungkook also can be a quiet guy. There’s often times where he’s in his head, not too responsive or talking much but it’s never anything personal.
So when Taehyung hadn’t heard from Jungkook and didn’t get much from him in the office, he didn’t think twice about it. When they hadn’t hung out for days and their moments together at work were very quick and rushed, he hadn’t realized yet that Jungkook was ghosting him. But then those days grew longer, and Jungkook quieter. He wasn’t even kissing him quickly when it was just the two of them even though Jungkook always snuck kisses the most. Even at risky times. And Taehyung thought nothing of it, nothing to do with them at least.
Then Taehyung set up a date for them, pushed everything aside because even with busy schedules, he wanted to show Jungkook that they could find time for each other. That they could balance it. And also because Taehyung hated always having to sneak around, and he knows Jungkook did too. Jungkook had kissed him that day when Taehyung burst into his office to tell him to clear his schedule and that Taehyung wasn’t giving him a choice.
In hindsight, the kiss should have alerted Taehyung that there was an issue. Something didn’t feel right, though Taehyung knows he could also just be overthinking it because he’s spent months trying to find signs that he didn’t see at the time. But Jungkook had kissed him slowly, firmly, and even grasped the back of Taehyung’s neck to keep kissing him when he went to pull away. It was an unusual kiss for the setting because as much as Jungkook always risked them getting caught, he was also nervous about it.
That was the last kiss they shared and the first time Jungkook started singing loudly in his head. It didn’t stand out to Taehyung until later, when Jungkook didn’t show and Taehyung was pissed he didn’t have the decency to at least give him a heads up. Or to let him see into his thoughts that he was lying when he agreed to the date.
It led to a huge fight. When Taehyung thinks about it, it’s just a confusing blur. He doesn’t really know how it got so heated, though he does think part of that was his fault. He was upset, and he said things he didn’t mean. Bad things that he wishes he could take back, but they came from a place where he wonders if he did mean them. About having to hide their relationship, though that wasn’t on Jungkook. Not completely. Jungkook said mean things too, and it just escalated to the point where none of it made sense anymore.
Now, Taehyung stares at the back of Jungkook’s head and wonders if it’s more his fault that they ended things. He’s the one that ended that fight telling Jungkook to fuck off then, but it was Jungkook that ignored his texts trying to apologize. And then Jungkook tried to message him back but Taehyung deleted it without reading it. Then they didn’t speak, and days went on. Taehyung hated that they were ignoring each other, that he rarely ever ran into Jungkook in the office anymore. But then Jungkook started speaking again, with that fucking smug smile and Taehyung almost hates it as much.
Or, he would, if he didn’t miss Jungkook’s voice so much.
This dude is so fucking rich. Look at that watch.
Taehyung blinks, eyes moving from Jungkook’s head to where his thoughts direct him. Kim Namjoon stands a few feet in front of everyone, gesturing towards a powerpoint he has lit up on the board. It occurs to Taehyung that he hasn’t been paying attention, once again, though he’s read all the material Namjoon has sent him a dozen times over so he isn’t missing much.
There is indeed a shining watch on Namjoon’s wrist that looks like it costs more than Taehyung’s annual salary.
Did you look at the watch, Taehyung? Stop listening to my thoughts.
Taehyung blinks again as Jungkook turns and makes a face at him that he can’t return because he promised Namjoon that their distain for each other wouldn’t affect their work. And he’s annoyed that Jungkook is calling him out on it when he’s really trying not to listen. But his first thought this morning was about that fight, and it caused an old ache in his chest to return. He’s even more hyper aware of Jungkook’s every movement today because of it, and of course it has to be the first day they all meet together with Kim Namjoon’s team.
It’s annoying because it’s been months, yet that attraction is still there reminding Taehyung of how handsome Jungkook is. Even though he’s more or less in the same kind of outfit he wears every day, though without the tie and his collar unbuttoned. He had been right about things triggering memories because more than once Taehyung has remembered moments of kissing his throat just because of that fucking unbuttoned collar.
And when Jungkook stood up to introduce himself and briefly listed his own research, Taehyung felt that same pride he had when Jungkook used to tell him about his work. He remembered moments of Jungkook pacing around his apartment as he spoke, both excitedly and sometimes in frustration because as much research he has done on telekinesis, he still had a hard time understanding his own power.
He mentioned his daughter, and that ache grew because Taehyung has wanted to ask about her for weeks. He looked down at the desk he sits at when Jungkook showed her off to Namjoon’s assistant, Jin, fists in his lap because sometimes he thinks he misses her more than Jungkook. Even if he only got to see her sometimes because the President isn’t the only one they had to keep their relationship from.
Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung!
Slowly, Taehyung looks across the room when he catches Hoseok’s call. He stands against one of the walls, clipboard in hand because the President asked him to oversee the program. And to probably be at Namjoon’s beck and call if today’s mental to do list is any indication.
Are you alright?
Shit. Taehyung tilts his head slightly in a nod. He swallows thickly, forcing himself to focus on Namjoon as he speaks. He’s not as nervous or awkward today, in the zone as he discusses how taking energy from the Earth doesn’t harm it but many of the processes power companies use to create electricity do. Something he has discussed so much that his thoughts stray, and Taehyung can’t help but smile when Namjoon thinks about having breakfast with Jimin this morning.
Turn off the lights. Didn’t you listen to a word Kim Namjoon said?
Wanna see you for a little longer, Taehyung.
Taehyung tenses, eyes falling back to Jungkook like a habit. He sits casually still, leaning his weight onto one arm, and Taehyung is sure he’s pressing his fingers to his lips like he does when he sits like that.
Mmh, Kook. Can’t see me with your eyes closed.
It’s because of Jungkook that Taehyung is aware of how often he hums when he’s being kissed. It’s a memory that Taehyung had forgotten about and he finds it odd that Jungkook is thinking about it at all. Especially right now. It wasn’t anything that significant, just the two of them going to bed and discussing the speech they had attended. Jungkook kissing him softly, his fingers brushing down the side of Taehyung’s face. The conversation about saving electricity quickly ending, Taehyung remembers, because that’s how it was with them. It was really easy to get lost in Jungkook, especially when he was tired and just wanted to be close.
Jungkook’s head turns enough for Taehyung to see his profile, and Taehyung looks away. He can tell Jungkook’s trying to sing again, but it isn’t overpowering. He is listening to Namjoon, but the thought is still there. Taehyung hovering over him because he had rolled Jungkook onto his back, his bangs hanging over his face and Jungkook pushing them back unnecessarily because they just fell again when Taehyung leaned down to kiss him.
I will become a juice! Gulp! I will become a ketchup! Squirt! I will dance! Hey!
A soft, surprised laugh leaves Taehyung’s mouth and he quickly covers it with his fingers. Namjoon’s eyes slide over him questioningly, and he just knows Hoseok’s probably glaring at him. He doesn’t know why it’s so funny that Jungkook’s now shouting out the lyrics to a kids song while thinking about Taehyung’s tongue in his mouth.
He keeps his eyes down on his notepad just in case Jungkook looks at him too because he’s wondering what he’s laughing at. Worries that it’s him, but Taehyung doesn’t believe him. Not truly. There’s no reason for Jungkook to be thinking about him, and he doesn’t understand it.
But realization burns through him a few minutes later when the singing stops, and he hears his name. This time, it isn’t Jungkook scolding him for listening in, but another memory of him saying his name with a rough, hoarse voice.
Taehyung tenses so much that he feels as if every muscle in his body will snap. He can’t stop himself even though he really tries, the images coming to him in flashes. A similar lab to the one they are in now, except the lights are off and the room is empty. Just the two of them, with Taehyung’s pants around his thighs and his ass pressed against the same kind of table Namjoon stands behind.
No details are left out. Jungkook thinks about the hard floor under his knees, the pressure in his throat. Taehyung’s shaking legs under his hands, the dark look in his eyes when he looked down at him. How his fingers felt in his hair, pressing into his scalp to urge him to take more of his cock down his throat.
Taehyung’s heart races, any ounce of amusement now gone. He presses his fist to his mouth as he tries the singing tactic, but his own memories are joining in. Reminding him of how overwhelmed and aroused he felt because it was the first time they had done something so risky. Even though it was after hours, and most of the campus was empty, it still was a thrill.
You take me so well, Kook. Oh, baby, I’m going to come soon.
Taehyung is on fire. He squirms in his seat as his dick twitches and he mentally tells it to stop. Not to react because Jungkook is doing this on purpose, to be an ass and he refuses to let himself be affected. Especially when Jungkook looks so calm, fingers tapping against the desk as he sinks back into his chair like he isn’t thinking about choking himself on Taehyung’s dick so explicitly.
That time ended with Taehyung coming down Jungkook’s throat, with legs shaking so hard that he nearly slid down the desk and a hand twisted so tightly in Jungkook’s hair that there had been tears in his eyes that Taehyung later apologized profusely for. But Jungkook’s memory strays, and Taehyung wishes so badly he could hear the way he mentally curses at him when Jungkook thinks about pulling off of him to bend over the desk.
Fuck, fuck. Taehyung looks away from the desk at the front of the room, but it’s in his mind. Images different from his memories, created by imagination instead. Not from Jungkook’s perspective, but as if a third party is watching on, seeing the both of them. He breathes in slowly as Jungkook imagines Taehyung fucking into him, as he imagines himself a lot louder than he actually is or would be if they were sneaking around. Arousal sparks through him, and he resists the urge to cover his lap because the pants he wears today are too tight and getting a boner right now would be incredibly embarrassing. And he’d be ashamed, annoyed at himself too, just like he is when he masturbates because his mind still wanders to Jungkook without his permission. Just like it is now, even though he’s focusing so hard on someone else in front of him that his brain might burst but it’s still picking up every goddamn thought from Jungkook.
And no longer in flashes. The scene plays out in Taehyung’s head like a movie. Any part of him that was listening to Namjoon at the same time is now gone, he just clears his throat and tries to look like he’s paying attention, his pen pressed to his notebook but not moving. His eyes flicking up and down, but Jungkook is in his direct line of sight, his hand now restlessly running over the edge of the desk. Taehyung lets his attention fall to it without meaning to, the arousal inside of him growing as he watches Jungkook’s fingers caress and pinch at the edge of the desk while he thinks about that same hand wrapped around his cock as he moans about being close.
Taehyung doesn’t know if it’s his own brain or Jungkook’s that thinks about getting up and leaving. It seems more likely that it’s his own because he feels like he could burst into a thousand pieces at any moment, but it’s Jungkook that stands so suddenly that the chair he sits on nearly tips over.
Fuck - you fuck me so well. I fucking lo -
Others stand up around him too, and he loses his hold on Jungkook’s thoughts as people start talking around him, the room filling with the noise of seats pushing back, but he swears he hears that goddamn tomato song again fading away.
He too stands up as he realizes Namjoon has called for a break, ready to curse Jungkook out but finds that he’s already left the room. He must have sped out, and Taehyung thinks it’s possible when Hoseok looks between him and the door with confusion written all over his face.
Thankfully, Taehyung has his briefcase with him. He holds it nonchalantly (hopefully) over his crotch, but he doesn’t walk over to Hoseok like Hoseok wants him to. He’s assuming. He isn’t picking up any other thoughts right now, all static like normal because Taehyung’s own mind is overwhelmed with the fact that he’s hard, surrounded by people, and pissed off at the same time.
Without even a wave towards Hoseok, Taehyung storms out to complete his mission of cussing out Jungkook for putting him in this state.
It doesn’t take much to find him. They only have a short break, he can’t go far, which means he’ll go to the one place Taehyung can’t cuss him out. A public place that is filled with everyone else on break, taking advantage of it to empty their bladders because Hoseok supplied them with so many various different types of drinks that Taehyung hopes if anyone saw him squirming, they’ll blame it on the need to piss.
Taehyung waits for him to come out, ignoring the fact that he feels like a creep, and as soon as he does, he grabs a hold of Jungkook’s arm and drags him with him. Jungkook grunts in surprise and tries to shake Taehyung’s hand off but he doesn’t use as much strength as Taehyung knows he has.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Taehyung hisses as he shoves Jungkook down a corridor that is empty and hopefully stays that way. He prays for it really, and also that none of Namjoon’s team comes too close because he knows at least one of them can pick up and absorb human emotions.
Jungkook steps into his space, looking just as irritated though he has no right to be. “I told you to stop listening, Taehyung.”
“I wasn’t,” Taehyung lies, pushing Jungkook back with a hand to his chest. “But it’s kind of hard when I’m listening to Namjoon talk about siphoning energy from a fucking flower and suddenly someone’s moaning my name.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes and sinks his hands into his pockets, once again looking casual and Taehyung wants to punch him. Punch him right in the neck where he thought (currently thinks) about kissing him. “I don’t believe you. Maybe now you’ll learn to mind your own business.”
There’s nothing Taehyung can say to that because Jungkook is right and he is frustrated. He tries to come up with something, but the words are stuck in his throat and he knows it’s all just going to come out a strangled noise.
“You don’t even moan that loudly.”
Jungkook laughs, head tilting back with it. One of his eyebrows twitches up as he shrugs. “Guess you never fucked me that well, then.”
“Must have fucked you well enough for you to keep thinking about it,” Taehyung challenges with a hiss in his words, stepping up to Jungkook. “So well that even living your dream, working with the Kim Namjoon, it’s me you’re thinking of.”
Jungkook licks his lips, that irritation returning to his face. He twists his body enough that it almost presses against Taehyung’s, and he should move away because without the protective barrier of his suitcase, Jungkook will see just what kind of effect he has on him still.
“I was just trying to get you to regret listening in.”
“Don’t forget it’s not just words I get,” Taehyung reminds him. “Feelings too. You turned yourself on, Jungkook.”
Annoyingly, Jungkook grins. There’s a pressure beneath Taehyung’s chin for the briefest of moments, like a finger pressing into him, though Jungkook’s hands remain in his pockets. He can feel them there because Jungkook is practically against him, and he knows it’s him that moved them into this position but he wants to push Jungkook away. “How did your date with that guy go?”
Part of Jungkook’s thoughts are embarrassed, but Taehyung doesn’t believe it for a second. If he truly was, he wouldn’t be wearing that cocky smile on his face or trying to piss him off more because Taehyung knows why Jungkook is asking about that made up person right now.
“Went fine,” Taehyung lies for the millionth time today, and he knows it’s obvious in his tone. In how he tries to cross his arms defensively until he remembers he’s holding his briefcase. “Why do you care?”
Jungkook just shakes his head, and he doesn’t say a word before he leaves. He only thinks them, and it serves to frustrate and confuse Taehyung even more because he doesn’t know what game Jungkook is up to right now, but he wants him to stop.
Of course I do.