Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The following days really don’t help Jungkook’s situation the slightest bit. After their (very pleasant) date, Taehyung decided that it would be a good idea to show up at the office in between classes, texting him merely a few minutes before his tuff of soft blonde hair is appearing through the door and Namjoon is sending Jungkook a few suggestive looks from his desk. According to Taehyung, it’s only expected that his boyfriend would visit him at work and bring him food, like normal couples do, and Jungkook doesn’t have the heart to try to fight his logic when the blonde is handing him a box of freshly made bulgogi that smells like every miracle in the world.

The scene repeats itself various times throughout the week and Jungkook knows he’s getting spoiled when every time Taehyung texts him to tell him he’s on his way there’s that inevitable warmness filling his chest. He realizes that Taehyung’s visits leave him in a much better mood, Namjoon not restraining from telling him so whenever Taehyung leaves with a wave, gathering all the attention from the office workers as he passes by, wishing them a good day. He knows damn well that Taehyung has been the new subject of his employees’ gossip, and he can’t really blame them because it really is hard not to talk about Taehyung.

Despite everything they do for show, the company during lunch is pleasant as they talk comfortably inside Jungkook’s office before Taehyung has to leave for class. Taehyung also takes the liberty to invade his house more often, knocking on his door with a sketchbook in hand and coal stained fingers. Jungkook can never avoid stepping aside and letting the blonde settle on his couch for as long as he wants, busy with his sketches while Jungkook works on something on his laptop. Those nights are his favorite, the comfort of Taehyung’s silent company and solid presence making his empty house feel much more like home.

Taehyung doesn’t ask to sketch him again, but Jungkook can sometimes feel the hint of hesitation, the way the blonde looks at him for a second too long like there’s something unsaid stuck on his throat. He doesn’t say anything about it, even if deep down he longs to feel the exhilaration of being Taehyung’s muse again. They work in silence until Taehyung is yawning loudly claiming to be too exhausted to even lift the coal anymore. And then Jungkook is alone again, wrapping up to curl into his cold sheets and struggle to fall asleep in the emptiness of his king sized bed.

Jungkook’s parents have to travel to America for two weeks, something about a business deal, and he mentally cheers at the fact that their inevitable dinner will have to be postponed. His mother looks utterly upset with that, emphasizing that they’ll have to schedule it for as soon as they get back. Then she’s leaving his office and Jungkook is letting out a sigh of relief. He texts Taehyung about it, snorting to his empty office when he receives a sad cat gif in answer.

There’s a knock on his door before he can come up with an answer and he looks up to see a tuff of peachy hair accompanied by a large toothy smile.

“I don’t know why you knock if you’re just going to come in uninvited anyway.” Jimin’s grin just gets bigger as he closes the door and Jungkook rolls his eyes at the boy. He’s wearing a bright peach colored shirt with an intricate pattern and dark brown flowy pants. Jungkook doesn’t know how he manages to pull off such atrocity.

“Good morning to you too, Jungkookie.” Jimin jumps on the leather chair in front of him, already starting to spin around in it in the same way he always does. Jungkook looks away at his computer screen before he gets a headache from the motion.

“I thought you already had Yoongi-hyung to annoy, what are you doing here?”

“You are the rudest dongsaeng, I don’t need a reason to come visit you.” He complains, fingers gripping the edge of Jungkook’s desk to stop his spinning. His hair is still immaculately in place and it irritates Jungkook a little bit. “A little bird has told me that you’ve been getting regular visits from a certain blonde haired beauty.”

Jungkook makes a disgruntled noise at Jimin’s sheepish smile. “So what now, my boyfriend can’t come visit me at work? You’re the one who practically lives inside Yoongi’s office.” He defends, and Jimin just laughs at his words.

“I’m not saying it like it’s a bad thing. I’m glad that someone is keeping your shitty humor in check, your poor employees were in desperate need of a break.” He pins Jimin a pointed look but the boy seems unamused, legs folding on top of each other in a relaxed manner. “Anyway, I didn’t just come to tease you about your finally revived love life. I came to tell you that we’re going out tonight.”

The look on Jimin’s eyes tells him there won’t be much room for arguing, but he still groans in frustration. “Why?”

“Because we haven’t hung out since the other night and I miss seeing your boyfriend’s face. He’s way cooler than you.” Jimin says unamused and Jungkook gives him an offended look.

“Who said he was coming?”

“He said.” And there’s a cocky smirk on his face at Jungkook’s confused frown. “I texted him, he already said yes, so don’t even think about giving me some shitty excuse.”

“When did you even get Taehyung’s number?” He can’t even begin to think of all the ways in which this is bad news because Jimin is picking one of the flowers of his wilting vase and spinning it between his fingers while giving him a mischievous look. “I don’t even want to know.”

“Good, I wasn’t going to give you any juicy details anyway.” He grins and Jungkook wonders what that even means. “Just make sure you don’t lose track of time like usual.”

“Yeah, whatever.” He dismisses and Jimin rolls his eyes before standing up, ready to leave. “Who’s coming?”

“Just me, Yoongi, Jin-hyung and Namjoon-hyung.” Jungkook nods, grimacing. “Yeah, I know, I made a bet with Yoongi. They’ll be hooking up before one in the morning.”

“Make it before midnight.” Jimin lifts his eyebrows in amusement and then laughs. “I swear to god, those two make me sick.”

“They’re kind of cute, I just wish they’d stop pinning after each other and date already.” He hums in agreement as Jimin pats his horrendous outfit and walks to the door, pinning Jungkook under a serious look. “We’re going to the usual place, be there by ten.”

“Sure.”

“Don’t be late.”

“Of course.”

“Wear something decent.” Jungkook huffs out an annoyed breath. “I’m serious, we’re not going to a funeral.”

“Fuck off.” He barks and then Jimin is leaving with a bright laugh, flipping him off as he goes.

-x-

There’s someone inside Taehyung’s apartment when Jungkook knocks on his door. The boy is half naked and it’s him who opens the door for a very confused Jungkook, smiling brightly up at him.

“Uhm…”

“I’m almost ready!” He hears Taehyung shout from somewhere inside, but he can’t really see him due to the lanky stranger covering the entrance.

“You must be the Jeon Jungkook.” The boy says then, and Jungkook accepts his stretched hand for a handshake while trying very hard not to look at the guy’s naked torso. What the fuck? “I’m Jung Hoseok, Taehyung’s best friend.”

“Oh.” He remembers Taehyung talking about his dancer best friend, and things suddenly make a bit more sense. It still doesn’t explain why Hoseok is standing in front of him with less clothes than it should be expected. “It’s nice to meet you, Hoseok-ssi.”

“Come in, Taehyung is just finishing up his hair.”

Jungkook steps inside, following the half-naked boy to the living room and suddenly feeling a nervousness he’s not quite familiar with. He’s not sure what to say, what Hoseok knows about his situation with Taehyung, so he sits awkwardly on the couch, not sure how to start a conversation with the other. Hoseok looks at him with an understanding smile.

“Chill, dude. Tae has told me everything about your… arrangement.” It sounds playful rather than judging and Jungkook finds himself sagging in relief.

“I was a bit afraid of saying the wrong thing.” He admits and Hoseok laughs, finally picking up a shirt from the floor and sliding it over his naked torso.

He must sense the unsaid question in Jungkook’s eyes when he says. “Taehyung was doing a few sketches.”

Jungkook blushes, chastising himself for the wave of relief that washes over him. It’s not really his business who Taehyung decides to hook up with, as long as he doesn’t do it publicly. He shouldn’t be feeling that pang of jealousy over the sight of a half-naked boy in Taehyung’s apartment, or that spark of hope over knowing that it’s nothing like what he thought.

“I’m ready, sorry for the delay.”

Taehyung looks as beautiful as always, just a different kind of attractive from when he’s lounging in Jungkook’s couch in sweats and a ratty old shirt. He’s wearing tight dark washed jeans that hug his lean legs perfectly and a slightly sheer royal blue loose button down that looks way too good on him. His hair is fluffy and perfectly parted over his forehead, dangly silver earrings gleaming when they catch the light. There’s that shimmery eyeshadow on his eyelids again, and Jungkook finds that he likes it way more than he probably should.

Then Hoseok is snickering where he sits on the couch and Jungkook realizes that he had been staring for longer than it’s considered polite. Taehyung sends his friend a pointed look and Jungkook clears his throat, feeling the embarrassment wash over him.

“Should we get going?” He asks then, because he shouldn’t be making this weird. This is Taehyung, his friend and part time fake boyfriend. It’s perfectly okay.

Taehyung nods and drapes a jacket over his shirt before grabbing his wallet and keys and telling Hoseok to eat something before he leaves. He bids goodbye to Taehyung’s (now thankfully dressed) friend, successfully ignoring the unexplained suggestive look he gets as an answer and they both head to the garage.

“Where are we going?” He looks over to Taehyung as they enter the car.

“It’s a bar downtown, our usual spot. It’s nice, not too crowded.” He reminds Taehyung to put on his seatbelt before maneuvering the Audi out of the garage (much more discreet than his obnoxious Bugatti). “You’ll like it, they have nice cocktails.” Taehyung hums and Jungkook can feel the boy looking straight at him. It makes him a bit unnerved and he turns his head quickly to confirm that Taehyung is, indeed, staring. “What?”

“Nothing. You look nice.” Jungkook feels himself flush at the comment and Taehyung chuckles lowly.

“You’ve literally seen me in way fancier clothes.”

“And I’m not saying I don’t like those.” He defends, looking amused at Jungkook’s flustered state. “But I don’t often see you on the casual. It suits you.”

He’s not wearing anything special, really. He never really gets the opportunity to wear jeans so there’s that, and a very boring black turtleneck because he’s not going to give Jimin the satisfaction of seeing him dressed in something out of his comfort zone. Still, Taehyung is still eyeing him like he’s wearing Gucci and it makes him feel nervous, shifting under the attention. The blonde seems to catch his discomfort and finally looks away, not before grinning in a way Jungkook doesn’t miss.

The ride to the bar is fairly short and the others are already there by the time they arrive, saving them a table on their usual spot. Jimin is the first to spot them, waving in the obnoxious way of his that attracts the attention of some nearby costumers. The air inside is warm and pleasant, making Jungkook regret his choice of shirt for a second, the material already feeling suffocating around his neck. Taehyung looks delighted, taking in the vintage decoration of the place with wide eyes before running off to greet Jimin with a side hug and a kiss on the cheek that makes Jungkook sigh.

Seokjin and Namjoon are sitting right next to each other, way closer than two friends would probably sit, and they slide apart the slightest bit when they spot Taehyung and Jungkook, lifting their hands in greeting. Jimin is (not surprisingly) all over a very unamused Yoongi.

“Jungkookie, I thought I told you to not dress boringly for a change.” The peach haired boy chastises as he slides into the booth next to Taehyung after bidding everyone hello.

“And I thought I told you that I don’t give a fuck.” Jimin gasps loudly at his answer and Yoongi hits him in the head with the cocktail menu, making him hiss. “Hyung.”

“You haven’t been here for five minutes and are already being rude.”

“He started it.” He points at Jimin and the boy makes a show of sticking out his tongue, making Taehyung laugh amusedly at their antics.

“Don’t mind those two, they turn into preschoolers when they’re together.” Namjoon butts in, offering one of the cocktail menus to a grateful Taehyung.

“To be fair, Jungkook is kind of a preschooler even when away from Jimin.” Jungkook looks at the blonde with an offended gasp as everyone snorts at the remark. Taehyung just looks up at him innocently, batting his eyelashes in clear mocking. “What, babe, I’m just presenting the facts.”

Unbelievable, Jungkook thinks as Taehyung breaks into a playful big grin, nudging his shoulder. “You’re lucky you’re cute.” He says without thinking, relishing on the satisfied smile that it earns him. Noticing the attention on them, he’s quick to change the subject. “Has anyone ordered already?”

“Nop, we just got here like five minutes ago.” Seokjin says, seemingly very invested in the wine menu.

“I’m trying my best to convince Yoongi to try something other than that disgusting whiskey he always drinks.”

“I like my disgusting whiskey, thank you very much.” Yoongi complains, leaning away when Jimin tries to practically shove the menu in his face while pointing at some drink.

“But I don’t, and I’m the one who tastes it on your tongue.”

Jungkook makes a face while Seokjin complains loudly at the excessive information, Namjoon hiding a chuckle behind the cocktail menu on his hands. A waiter approaches them then, asking to take their orders and everyone starts choosing their drinks. Taehyung is awfully silent for long enough for Jungkook to notice, and when he glances at the blonde there’s a worried furrow to his eyebrows.

“Hey.” He whispers then, nudging Taehyung’s shoulder to make the boy look away from the menu and into his eyes. “Are you alright?”

Taehyung blinks at him, and then glances at the menu again, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. Jungkook is unsure as he leans into Taehyung’s space to point at something in the menu.

“If you don’t know what to order you should try the Château Margaux, it’s very good.” He suggests, and that only seems to make Taehyung more stressed, the dip of his eyebrows accentuating. It makes Jungkook worry. “Are you feeling okay? Do you want to go outside for a bit?”

Taehyung shakes his head quickly at that. “No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just—“ He glances at Jungkook and the boy offers him a raised eyebrow in question. “These are all like, crazy expensive. I don’t think I can afford this and still pay my rent.” He stresses exaggeratedly in a whisper and Jungkook feels himself relax at his words.

“For a second there I thought you were unwell. Turns out you were just being ridiculous.” He murmurs and the blonde gives him an offended look when he pulls the menu from his grasp.

“Hey!”

“I’m obviously paying, silly. So shush and enjoy your night.” Taehyung looks like he wants to fight him on that, but when Jungkook pins him under a determined look he visibly deflates.

“And what will it be for the two gentleman?” The handsome waiter asks them then and Jungkook answers before Taehyung can have the chance to say anything.

“A Château Margaux for him and a coke for me. With ice, please.”

“Ah, Kook.” Jimin whines and everyone protests with him. “We’re all drinking, c’mon.”

He shakes his head, very aware of the Taehyung is looking at him with a weird expression. “Nah, I’ll pass, you guys drink to your hearts’ contempt.”

“Should I add lime too?” The waiter asks him and Jungkook nods, muttering his thanks as the man scurries away.

“You’re honestly no fun.” Seokjin complains, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “Taehyung is one step closer to finding out you’re actually an eighty year old man trapped in a young athletic body.”

“I think that’s probably why he hasn’t gotten laid in so long.” Jimin contributes and Jin actually snorts ungracefully, making the other’s cocky grin grow. Jungkook pins him under a murderous look that, like usually, does nothing to intimidate Jimin. “Tell us, Taehyung, is he even able to lift that sad thing of his?”

Taehyung is the one who chokes on air then and everyone laughs despite Jungkook’s absolutely mortified groan.

“I’m not drunk enough for this.” He whines, and Namjoon is the one traitor who pats him on the shoulder.

“And by your own choice, you won’t be. So suck it up.”

Taehyung actually laughs then and, by God’s good mercy, the waiter approaches them with their orders. Yoongi is back with a whiskey on ice that has Jimin glaring at the glass with absolute disgust on his face, his own colorful and certainly sickeningly sweet cocktail in front of him. Seokjin is handed a glass of red wine that Jimin teases saying it’s only an attempt to look refined and Namjoon ordered a fancy looking cocktail with some intricate foam on top. Taehyung is looking at his own glass of wine with unsure eyes but is quick to grab it when Jungkook pinches his thigh under the table in warning.

Jungkook doesn’t tell anyone that his choice for not drinking alcohol is totally not related with his responsibility to drive him and Taehyung back home later and 100% related to the fact that he absolutely does not trust himself to not do something stupid in Taehyung’s presence while drunk. Like, who knows, actually kiss him like his mind has been screaming for him to.

Instead, he grabs his glass of coke and sips on it while occasionally joining the conversation that flows easily from then on. Taehyung presses closer to his side to whisper how good the wine Jungkook ordered actually is and doesn’t move away. Jungkook can feel his solid and warm presence and it’s a bit overwhelming to have him so close, but then Namjoon is stealing a glance at them and he remembers that they’re supposed to be dating. He opts to throw an arm over the back of the cushion behind Taehyung’s head and thinks he doesn’t imagine how the blonde seems to slide just a tad bit closer into his space.

It’s nice, Jungkook thinks pleasantly as everyone is ordering the second round of drinks. The noise inside the bar is low enough that they can talk clearly without having to raise their voices and the music playing in the background is not absolute trash (which is one of the reasons Jungkook likes that bar in first place). Also, Taehyung’s thigh brushing against his every time the blonde shifts from laughter isn’t entirely unwelcome. It’s very pleasant, to be honest, even if it makes Jungkook feel a bit hot inside.

It takes a little over an hour and a lot more rounds of drinks for Jungkook’s mind to shift from ‘I’m so happy Taehyung gets along so well with my friends’ to ‘I regret all my life decisions’. And that happens solely because Jimin suddenly jumps from where he is basically cuddling Yoongi on the booth to scream that they should definitely do a round of shots. Jungkook doesn’t have time to abject before everyone is emitting a half drunk cheer and the waiter is being called over. Jungkook pinches the bridge of his nose in an attempt to calm himself for what’s about to come, changing his attention to Taehyung.

The blonde looks ethereal under the dim lights of the bar, blonde hair a bit messed up from brushing against Jungkook’s arm. There’s a pretty flush to his cheeks and a wide grin on his lips that Jungkook blames the alcohol for. His eyes are a bit glassy when he looks up at Jungkook and laughs for apparently no reason. It makes Jungkook smile despite his better judgement.

“Are you sure you’re good enough to do shots?” It’s not supposed to come off as teasing, but Taehyung scoffs all the same.

“I can hold my liquor, thank you very much.” He defends as he crosses his arms in fake annoyance and Jungkook can’t help the chuckle that leaves his mouth because the sight is so fucking cute. “Let me have my fun.”

“Oh, by all means.” He jokes as the waiter lays the shots out on the table, smiling awkwardly when Jimin claps excitedly. “Just take it easy.”

“To Jungkookie’s resurrected love life!” Jimin is cheering loudly then and Jungkook thinks even some people from the nearby booths laugh at the loud remark.

“Yeah!” Jin stands up then, Namjoon steadying him by the hips as he wobbles slightly. “To Taehyung, the absolute miracle of the decade!”

Jungkook can only shake his head as everyone downs their shots, slamming the glasses loudly on the table. Taehyung makes the most adorable expression after downing his drink, his whole face scrunching up and body shuddering with the feeling of the alcohol sliding down his throat. Jungkook can’t help but laugh.

“You okay there?” He pokes Taehyung’s cheek with the hand that’s draped around the boy and he looks up at Jungkook with a frown.

“I don’t know what that was, but I have a feeling I just downed pure bleach.”

Namjoon laughs like it was the funniest comment in the world and Jungkook isn’t even surprised. His secretary had never been the best at holding his liquor anyway.

“You know what?” Everyone turns their attentions to a slightly slurry speaking Jimin, who points with a determined finger in the direction where Taehyung is pressed against Jungkook’s side. “Your lack of PDA is concerning.” He says carefully, squinting his eyes like he’s trying to see past the warning gaze Jungkook is giving him.

“Hyung.” He pleads, and Yoongi just looks amused next to his boyfriend.

“No, we need to talk about this.” Jimin emphasizes and Seokjin nods like it’s a very valid point. “I never saw you two kiss, not even a little smooch.”

“God, take me now.” Jungkook drops his head on his open hand because at least that way he doesn’t have to look at Jimin’s face as he embarrasses the shit out of him. Seokjin agrees immediately and Jungkook feels Taehyung shake with laughter by his side.

“Kook is just not comfortable with public affection.” Taehyung tries to defend him then and Jungkook actually freezes because he knows damn well what’s coming.

Everyone snorts so loud that Seokjin actually drips wine from his nose, earning a disgusted look from Yoongi.

“Now that’s a blatant lie if I ever heard one!” Seokjin accuses, still cleaning away the mess with a napkin.

“Jungkook is the most disgusting lover I’ve ever seen.” Yoongi contributes, ignoring Jungkook’s pleading gaze.

Taehyung looks really curious then as Jimin leans into his space to whisper loud enough for everyone to hear. “If you think me and Yoongi are shameless you should’ve seen Jungkook and his ex-boyfriend.”

“I’m pretty sure they had sex inside one of the bathroom stalls at a certain point.” Namjoon comments and Jungkook gasps in horror as Yoongi has the audacity to nod in agreement.

“That’s so not true!” He screeches and Jimin is laughing at his face then, or maybe he’s laughing at the absolute shock adorning Taehyung’s features. Jungkook flushes, coughs awkwardly, sips on his coke and speaks up again. “You’re all liars.”

“Don’t act like you’re a prude.” Jimin points his very wobbly finger right at Jungkook’s face, laughing a bit at himself. “Are you afraid you’ll scare TaeTae off with your clinginess?”

Jungkook feels himself flush deeper and refuses to look at Taehyung’s face as he pushes Jimin’s hand away. “Shut up.” He hisses.

“Ah, don’t be like that.” Seokjin pouts then, looking at the both of them with adoring eyes. “You two are like, the cutest.”

“Yah! We want to see a little kiss!” Jimin exclaims loudly and Yoongi pulls him from the back of his green tropical shirt before he can stand up and fall over the table.

“What are we, twelve?” Jungkook complains and everyone ignores him.

“Yes! A good old smooch!” Seokjin says, then he leans over Namjoon while laughing that weird ass laugh of his. He keeps repeating ‘smooch’ under his breath like it’s the most hilarious thing ever and poor Namjoon can only laugh through his clear embarrassment of having the older all over him.

Jungkook is torn between absolutely mortified and five seconds away from having an actual anxiety attack. He glares at Jimin, who keeps chanting ‘kiss! kiss! kiss!’ and then looks at Taehyung to gauge his expression. There’s no discomfort in the blonde’s expression, unlike Jungkook expected, only a light blush on his cheeks as he snickers quietly at Jimin’s antics. Still, Jungkook’s mind feels like a goddamn hurricane just came through.

“Hyung, quit that.” He barks at Jimin and the boy pouts overdramatically, laying back on Yoongi’s shoulder with an obnoxious sigh.

“You’re such a party pooper, Jungkookie.” He cries, and then he’s letting go of a very confused Yoongi and latching himself to Taehyung’s side. “Taehyungie, give him a little smooch. Maybe he’ll stop being so cranky.”

Jungkook watches in horror and mild disgust as Jimin does his best go at puppy eyes and he tries to push the older away with a hand on his face. It’s to no avail as Jimin licks his palm shamelessly, making him recoil his hand with a disgusted gasp. Taehyung is simply laughing at them like Jimin didn’t just ask him to kiss Jungkook.

“Hyung, enough.” He snaps, but is promptly ignored.

“C’mon, please, please, pretty please.” Jimin is begging again, nudging Taehyung’s arm. “I can’t believe you’re going to let the fact that your boyfriend used to shamelessly make out with his ex and won’t even kiss you publicly slide just like that.” He accuses and Jungkook tenses when Taehyung perks up curiously at that. Jimin suddenly looks like the cat that got the cream.

Seokjin is back at his chant of ‘smooch! smooch!’ but to Jungkook is just radio noise as Taehyung turns to look at him straight in the eyes. His eyebrows are drawn together in an expression that Jungkook can’t read, but he looks the slightest bit annoyed by Jimin’s remark. For what, he has no idea.

“Taehyung.” He says then, and has to swallow around nothing to try to get rid of the sudden lump in his throat. The blonde’s expression softens then and he cocks his head to the side in a motion that should definitely not be this cute. “Don’t listen to him, he’s just trying to rile you up.”

“Is it true?” Jungkook blinks once, twice, then frowns. Taehyung is looking up at him curiously and he hears Jimin snicker in the back.

“Uh?”

“Is it true that you like making out in public?”

The glassiness of Taehyung’s eyes is the most distracting thing Jungkook has ever seen, and suddenly he’s feeling hot all over again. He coughs awkwardly, hooks a finger on the fabric around his neck to try and get some air to cool him down. What the actual fuck? “I was pretty young and hormonal during my past relationship. I used to not be very good at acting decently in public.” He defends himself. It’s not a lie, but it’s also not a whole truth. He would kiss Taehyung square in the mouth if he could, public be damned.

“Ah, is it because I’m ugly, Jeon Jungkook?” He complains loudly and the whole table laughs. Jungkook widens his eyes at the blonde, but relaxes a bit when he catches the playful tug of his smile. Taehyung is just teasing, and yet he still feels like he’s one second away from high tailing the hell out of there.

“We don’t have to do this.” He says then, quietly so only Taehyung will catch it.

He notices that Taehyung doesn’t look too drunk, just on the verge of tipsy and with that defiant edge to his eyes that can only be a result of the alcohol on his system. Still, he knows he’d never coax the boy into doing anything he doesn’t feel comfortable with, even if their situation isn’t the most comfortable to begin with.

Taehyung stares into his eyes for a second, as if in the search of answers to an unasked question. It’s nerve-racking, and it makes Jungkook’s palms all sweaty again. He holds his breath unconsciously, skin burning with the anticipation of something, anything but the intense silence between them as Taehyung just stares.

Then Taehyung is moving closer, barely an inch, but it’s enough to send Jungkook’s mind into absolute havoc. And he’s whispering. “Kiss me.”

Jungkook feels the air get knocked out of his lungs entirely. Suddenly, the feeling of his heart pounding on his ribcage is overpowering.

“Are you sure?” Everyone is looking now, unaware of the conversation flowing between them. Jungkook shudders when Taehyung just smiles, eyes full of something dark that Jungkook can’t make sense of. “Taehyung—“

“Just kiss me, Jeon Jungkook.”

And, fuck, he does. The hand that isn’t draped over Taehyung’s shoulders grips the leather cushions right next to his thigh as he leans closer, ready to back away the second Taehyung told him to. The blonde closes his eyes, sighs, and Jungkook can feel it against his lips. He breathes in, closes his eyes and breaks the distance between their mouths.

It’s chaste at first, a barely there caress of lips as Jungkook feels Taehyung tremble the smallest bit, and it fills him with an unexplained want to hold him and press closer, further, feel the softness of his mouth completely. It’s Taehyung who moves first, head tilting to the side just slightly, but it’s enough for his mouth to slide along Jungkook’s and the dark haired boy exhales against his lips shakily.

Jimin and Seokjin break into an absolutely obnoxious cheer then and Taehyung grins just enough for Jungkook to feel the motion against his lips and it’s electrifying. He can’t help it as he presses more firmly against Taehyung’s mouth, preening with pride as the blonde melts pliantly under his lips. Taehyung fists at the fabric over his chest, body leaning closer at the same time as Jungkook’s own, like opposite poles of a magnet.

There’s a pull in his chest as he coaxes Taehyung’s mouth open with his own, the other letting out the softest gasp that makes Jungkook’s mind go into overdrive. It’s warm, wet, and it makes every single nerve in Jungkook’s body light up with a scorching heat. Taehyung tastes like the way too many glasses of wine he had drank with just a hint of something sour in between. It’s inebriating, and makes Jungkook crave for more, more.

It’s too much and not nearly enough all at once, and he’s pulling away before he can do something stupid like pull Taehyung into his lap and explore every single corner of his sweet mouth with his tongue. Taehyung chases after his lips for the briefest moment and it takes everything in Jungkook not to kiss him again right there. He opens his eyes then, and the smile he gives Jungkook pulls at his heartstrings.

“Did I overstep?” He whispers then, still trying to catch his breath. The others appear to have lose interest in them, arguing about something else in the background.  

Taehyung’s cheeks are the prettiest shade of pink and his hand is still curled on Jungkook’s black turtleneck. He giggles. “You worry too much, Jungkookie.”

He does, in fact, but it’s hard not to worry when Taehyung is looking into his eyes like that and making him feel things he doesn’t remember feeling. He worries, because his heart doesn’t calm down and Taehyung doesn’t let go of his shirt, simply scooting closer and curling into his side while his attention drifts back to the drunk conversation currently going on. And it’s warm, and Jungkook never wants it to stop. He wants the weight of Taehyung’s now sleepy body pressed against his.

As he forces himself to relax against his seat and hears the quiet sigh Taehyung exhales when he plays with the hairs on the back of his neck, Jungkook wonders if he’ll ever really have this, or if he’s just setting himself up for heartbreak.

-x-

They don’t talk about the kiss. They still hang out the same way, Taehyung still passes by Jungkook’s office every now and then (Jungkook is positive he couldn’t survive without Taehyung’s food at this point), and Jungkook still lets the blonde invade his apartment most days. Taehyung still smiles brightly whenever he greets Jungkook and they still talk way past the time they should both be asleep.

Everything is still the same, except now Jungkook knows the feeling of having Taehyung’s lips on his, and he can’t stop thinking about it. The seed has been planted, and the bindweed is growing fast, spreading through Jungkook’s mind and overpowering every other thought that isn’t Taehyung. Beautiful Taehyung, with his beautiful lips, beautiful hands, beautiful smudges of paint on his beautiful cheeks.

It’s maddening, and Jungkook wants to desperately feel it again, the heat of his mouth, the softness of his lips. But every time he sees Taehyung (stunning, gorgeous Taehyung), he can’t help but feel an overpowering need to protect the beautiful thing they have, the unexpected friendship that bloomed from their (very) unconventional situation. And he really, really likes spending time with Taehyung. There’s too much at stake now, and he can’t bring himself to acknowledge the elephant in the room, afraid to scare Taehyung away.

Because in the end, everything is still fake. Every interaction, every look, everything they do in public is still a mere façade they agreed to put up. The late night conversations, the comforting silence while they work together, the sleepy smiles and groggy looks are the real things Jungkook can hold on to. Their real relationship is what happens among the safety of their apartments, where Jungkook makes Taehyung warm tea and they share a blanket and warm gazes that hold a hundred things unsaid.

And it’s so, so nice. It’s something comfortable and uncomplicated like Jungkook hasn’t had in a while, and he doesn’t want to lose it. He just wishes he could talk to someone about it, get it out of his chest. Except he can’t, because he is lying to everyone, including himself, and he doesn’t know what to do. So like the responsible grown up that he is, Jungkook just pushes it aside.

So two weeks pass before he can notice and Jungkook is caught off guard when his mother shows up at the office announcing their return. He knows exactly what that means, and one hour later she leaves Jungkook with a kiss on the cheek and the promise to meet at Dining in Space around eight thirty. He texts Taehyung and isn’t even surprised by the row of excited emojis he gets as an answer.

That’s how he finds himself sitting on a table next to the window in one of the best restaurants in Seoul, facing his parents as Taehyung sits politely by his side. Contemplating the pleasant conversation between Taehyung and his mother, Jungkook wonders how he managed to dive so deep into this whole thing.

“Ah, that must’ve been amazing.” Taehyung says in answer to something Jungkook didn’t catch. “I really hope I can visit the US some time, it seems like such a different world.”

“Oh, you’ll love it.” His mother is saying then, a gentle smile on her lips as she glances at Jungkook. “We have a lot of business partners there and we opened a branch a few years ago, so every now and then it’s necessary to fly overseas. Jungkook has been to America a few times too, haven’t you bun?”

Jungkook cringes at the nickname and forces himself not too look at the suddenly delighted look on Taehyung’s face as he takes a sip of his water before answering. “It’s not all that, the people there are so rude.”

Taehyung laughs quietly as Jungkook’s mom sighs. “Rude people exist everywhere, Jungkook. They’re just all very busy people.”

“Jimin has told me a great deal about it.” Taehyung says then, changing the subject. “I was shocked when he told me it was his third year attending New York Fashion Week.”

“Oh, yes, that boy is so talented!” She says, a glint in her eyes. Jungkook knows his mother has a soft spot for Jimin, he had conquered her the second Yoongi introduced him and he started shooting pleasantries about her outfit.

“He showed me some things, I was very impressed. Even more when he suggested that I should model for him some time.”

Jungkook listens quietly, watching the condensation on the surface of his glass while his mind tries to conjure the idea of Taehyung modeling. It’s a bad idea, and he shakes those thoughts away.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” His mom says and his father agrees with a silent nod. “You’re such a handsome young man, you should definitely consider it. Don’t you think so, Jungkook?”

He perks up at the mention of his name and realizes Taehyung is looking at him expectantly, eyebrow raised and that goddamn playful smirk on his lips. He blushes. “O-of course.” He contributes dumbly, and his mom is still looking at him. He pulls himself back together and rephrases it. “Taehyung could shove a lot of models in his pocket.”

It’s honest, and he hopes the satisfied smile that grazes his lips means that he believes him. His mother does a cooing sound and Jungkook looks away to his glass again, wondering if he’ll be able to survive the night without combusting.

The waiter arrives with their food then, much to Jungkook’s relief. He realizes he’s actually hungry when the plate is set in front of him and waits patiently until everyone is served before digging right away. Taehyung emits a satisfied sound then, muttering a ‘this is absolutely delicious’ that has Jungkook’s mom smiling in adoration, but the sound does something to Jungkook’s insides. He remembers vividly a similar sound being muffled against his lips.

It doesn’t help that as the night progresses and the conversation flows easily, Taehyung is sliding closer to Jungkook in a movement that is supposed to look natural and couple-y but has Jungkook tensing where he sits. There’s a hand on his thigh then, a warm weight permeating through the fabric of his suit pants, and he looks at Taehyung to catch a questioning look on his face.

“Are you alright?” He whispers, and Jungkook is suddenly very aware of how rigid he looks.

He’s being unnecessarily awkward and Taehyung noticed, which means that it must be very obvious. He forces himself to relax, the feeling of Taehyung’s thumb digging into the skin of his thigh still making his head swim a little bit. He nods, and the blonde just draws his eyebrows closer together, so Jungkook refrains from thinking too much and slides his hand under the table to intertwine his fingers with Taehyung’s, squeezing his hand in reassurance. The blonde seems satisfied then, turning back to his parents with a grin on his lips. They hold each other’s hands until they have to pull apart when desert arrives. Jungkook instantly misses the pleasant weight of Taehyung’s soft palm.

“I just remembered, Jungkook.” His father speaks up and Jungkook looks up from his fancy slice of cake. “I don’t mean to talk business during a situation like this, but I’d like you to come by my office tomorrow morning when you can.”

Jungkook frowns slightly. “Is everything okay?”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s about the convention next week. I was supposed to go but something came up and I was hoping you could replace me.” He says sternly and Jungkook refrains himself from groaning out loud. He hates traveling for business.

“That’s in Germany.” He says, eyebrows drawn closer together, and his father presses his lips together. “Can’t Yoongi go?”

“Your brother has an important meeting that week, I couldn’t ask him to go through the hassle of rescheduling.” He says, and doesn’t leave room for discussion. “You’re perfectly qualified for the job, son. It will only be five days, you can catch a flight back by Friday.”

Jungkook sighs then, knowing perfectly well that he won’t be getting away from this one. The weight is back on his thigh, squeezing a little, and he glances at Taehyung to see the blonde smiling softly at him. If it’s supposed to relax him, it works.

“Oh, that reminds me!” His mother is perking up then, an excited smile on her lips that makes Jungkook feel slightly anxious for some reason. “You could take Taehyung with you, he’d absolutely love Germany!”

The hand on his leg tenses and Jungkook’s chokes on the piece of cake he was chewing.

“I have nothing against that.” His father agrees then, taking a long sip of his wine. “As long as you don’t stray from your duties, it would do you good to not travel alone.”

He downs the remains of the cake with a mouthful of water and takes a deep breathe. Taehyung is still tense beside him, and Jungkook reels for a way to get himself out of this situation.

“Mother, I don’t think—“

“What do you say, Taehyung? Have you ever been to Germany?” She asks the blonde directly, her round eyes staring intently at the boy.

Jungkook looks nervously at the older, taking in the blankness of his expression. He swallows, brings his hand to rest on top of Taehyung’s, looks at his mother still staring, exhales. When he’s about to speak, Taehyung beats him to it.

“Ah, that would be so nice! I’ve never been to Europe.” He says then, bright smile on his lips. Jungkook looks up at him in shock, but then Taehyung’s expression is falling into something less happy. “Although I’m afraid that it won’t be possible. I have important classes next week and a really big project to work on.” Jungkook breathes then, a wave of relief washing over him as his mother’s face falls in displeasure.

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

“Maybe next time, during a break.” Taehyung offers then, always the pleaser, and looks up at Jungkook with a sweet smile. “What do you say, darling?”

That goddamn pet name that always sounds so sugary coming out of Taehyung’s mouth. It manages to knock the breath out of Jungkook’s lungs every time. He forces himself to smile back, hand squeezing over where Taehyung’s palm still rests on his thigh.

“Of course. Everything you want.”

Even Taehyung looks a little taken aback at his words, a sudden wash of crimson dusting over his cheeks as he averts his gaze shyly from Jungkook’s. His mother coos at them, commenting to his dad about how adorable they are. The comment makes Jungkook shy away from Taehyung, but as he’s removing his hand from Taehyung’s, the blonde turns his wrist so his palm is against Jungkook’s and locks their fingers together.

None of them say anything, simply turning back to the conversation. Their hands stay like that, joined and resting over Jungkook’s thigh, for the rest of the night.

-x-

It’s Sunday night and Jungkook is packing his clothes neatly in a suitcase when there’s a knock on the front door. He doesn’t need to look through the peephole to know who it is. Taehyung is standing there and he looks like he just came out of the shower, hair still wet and skin pink from the hot water. He’s wearing sweatpants and a large T-shirt that hangs from his bony shoulders. Jungkook thinks he likes him better like this.

“I came to say goodbye before you leave.” He says then, looking up at Jungkook through his messy bangs. Jungkook feels himself soften at the sight.

“Do you want to come in?”

“I don’t want to keep you up. You have an early flight, you should rest.” He says, but he’s bouncing slightly on his heels and Jungkook just smiles and steps aside.

“I’m still packing, I could use some company.”

So Taehyung follows him inside and into Jungkook’s bedroom, curious gaze flying across the room. Hesitating, Jungkook realizes that they’ve been hanging out for the best part of the past month, but Taehyung has never been to his room before.

Like always, the blonde doesn’t seem to have a single problem in just barging into Jungkook’s space, looking around in wonder as he takes a sit on Jungkook’s king size bed. He tries not to think too much about the fact that Taehyung (beautiful, soft Taehyung) is sitting right there on his bed, looking every bit like he belongs between Jungkook’s pillows.

“Wow.” The blonde says, and Jungkook busies himself in going back to the open suitcase before his mind drifts into dangerous places. “This is like, the size of my living room and bedroom combined.”

Jungkook snorts. “You’re exaggerating.”

“And I mean the bed alone.” Taehyung adds and smiles at Jungkook’s incredulous look.

He settles back on the bed, spreading on top of the white duvet like a starfish, and Jungkook forces himself not to look because goddamn why did he think this was a good idea?

“When are you coming back?” Taehyung asks then as Jungkook folds a pair of suit pants, packing them neatly next to the rest of his clothes.

“Friday. I’m hoping to catch one of the early flights, if everything goes well.”

Taehyung hums as Jungkook sighs tiredly. “Should I go with you to the airport tomorrow?”

Jungkook knows exactly what he’s asking and shakes his head. “It’s a Monday, you have classes later in the morning and you have to rest. It’s just going to be me and one assistant, don’t worry about it.”

“Should I still send you dog pictures or will you be too busy for those?”

He looks up, Taehyung is peering at him with a playful smile, head lifted from where he lays in the center of Jungkook’s bed.

“I’m never too busy for dog pictures.” He says, tone serious, and Taehyung laughs brightly.

He goes back to folding his clothes, a smile on his face. Taehyung is humming a song Jungkook doesn’t recognize and it’s nice. He holds out two articles of clothing then, wondering if he should go with a light blue shirt that agrees with his grey suit or a black turtleneck that is a bit more casual but fits just as well.

“The turtleneck.” He looks at Taehyung with a raised eyebrow, the boy now laying on his stomach, cheek pressed against his arms. “Turtlenecks make your chest look even broader. It’s hot.” He says casually and Jungkook feels himself flush from head to toe.

“It’s a business trip, not an attempt at getting some ass.” He mumbles then and Taehyung is laughing again, resting his chin on an open palm as he stares at where Jungkook is packing the turtleneck with a triumphant smile on his lips.

“I sure hope it isn’t. You’re already getting ass, Jeon Jungkook, don’t be greedy.”

He knows Taehyung is just teasing, just trying to rile him up. But then again, Taehyung is still laying on his bed like he owns it, still staring right at Jungkook behind wet bangs, still toying at his heartstrings with the memory of a soft, warm kiss. It’s hard to keep a composure.

He opts to change the subject before he does something horrifyingly embarrassing like, who knows, pop a boner to the sight of Taehyung laying with his ass up on his bed. “Namjoon-hyung was whining today about how he’ll miss you.”

Taehyung laughs, rolling around until he’s lying on his back again, head hanging from the foot of the bed and looking at Jungkook from upside down. “I’ll miss him too, he always makes me coffee to go when I visit.”

“You’re spoiled.” Jungkook scoffs then, and the blonde sticks his tongue out at him.

“I might go by the office to bring Namjoon lunch, since you’ll be away.” Jungkook gives him a pointed look at that. “What? You think I go there just because of you? You think too highly of yourself, Jeon Jungkook.”

Jungkook just shakes his head at the playful look in Taehyung’s eyes, looking especially dumb since his head is upside down. “You’re impossible. And can you lay like a normal person? Your face is becoming red from all the blood rushing to your brain.”

“It helps my creative juices to flow.” He says then, but moves to sit up cross legged on the bed, hands reaching out to hold his ankles. “Hey, Kook.”

Jungkook ignores the heat in his face at the nickname, simply humming in answer.

“Can you pose for me again when you get back?”

Jungkook freezes where he’s folding a simple white shirt, turning his head to peer at Taehyung over his shoulder. The blonde is looking at him with a sleepy smile, rocking a bit back and forward on Jungkook’s soft mattress, and the sight has him cracking a smile before he can stop it. He nods, because there’s nothing else he can do with the rapid beating of his heart.

Taehyung looks satisfied with his answer, going back to humming a quiet song and messing with something on his phone while Jungkook resumes his (absolutely boring) task of packing his suitcase. He double checks to see if he has his charger, headphones and hygiene products before closing the zipper and standing from his crouched position. His calves hurt from leaning down for so long and he groans. The bones on his back pop when he stretches and he cringes at the sound. His watch tells him that it’s way later than the time he should have gotten to bed, but Jungkook knows he’ll have plenty of time to catch up on sleep aboard the jet.

He forgets for a moment that Taehyung was there keeping him company, not even noticing that the boy has stopped humming his songs until he turns around. The blonde is lying on his back again, except that instead of busying himself with his cellphone, he’s sound asleep on top of the duvet.

Jungkook’s heart squeezes a little at the sight, Taehyung sprawled on his bed, still humid bangs falling over his eyes and mouth parted to let out small puffs of breath. His chest is rising and falling at a calm rhythm. He looks so peaceful, and Jungkook knows that the right course of action would be to wake him up, tell him to go back to his apartment where he can sleep in the safety of his own comforter.

Except Jungkook’s heart is weak for Taehyung, and he feels like waking him up at the moment would be the equivalent of something evil like kicking a puppy. Taehyung sighs deeply in his sleep then, the softest sound, and Jungkook can’t look away. Yes, definitely evil.

So he removes the cellphone from the blonde’s loose grip, checks his alarms to see if Taehyung had set them up in advance because he knows he has classes in the morning. The boy doesn’t even stir when Jungkook sets the device on the bedside table and grabs a blanket from his closet to drape over him. Once he’s sure that the blonde is properly tucked in he takes his suitcase to the living room and closes the bedroom door.

The sofa is mocking him, as if whispering to him about why he has to set there for the night. He closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose hard. What am I doing? He thinks, takes a deep breathe. Taehyung, sweet beautiful Taehyung is asleep on his bed and damn if Jungkook hasn’t been day dreaming about that (in very different circumstances).

It isn’t weird, he decides. They’re neighbors and friends, it is okay to crash at each other’s place. Plus, it’s not like it was on purpose. Taehyung was tired and trying to be supportive and ended up falling asleep on his bed. It’s not a big deal.

Jungkook tells himself that much as he lies on the couch, trying really hard not to think about the boy who’s stealing his bed for the night.

-x-

Jungkook is already aboard the jet when he gets a text from Taehyung. They left two hours ago, which means there are still ten more hours to go, and Jungkook is already feeling antsy for being inside such a small space. He busies himself with trying to fall asleep during the first hour, but since it proves to be a failed attempt he eventually takes out his laptop and starts going through his emails. If he’s going to be stuck in the air for half a day, he might as well get something productive done in the process.

He’s in the middle of translating an email to English when his phone dings with a notification from his kakaotalk.

Tae ♥

sorry for stealing ur bed ): you shouldve woke me up

He looks at the contact name and can’t help but smile. It had been Taehyung himself who had insisted they should have their contacts saved under cute nicknames. ‘To be more believable’ he had said.

Jungkook

It’s alright, you looked so tired. I didn’t have the courage.

Tae ♥

but ):

Jungkook

Don’t worry about it.

Why are you up so early anyway?

Isn’t it like 6 am there?

Tae ♥

I wanted to drop by the studio early to work on smth

but I just found out u have a waffle machine n a Netflix subscription so nvmd

Jungkook can’t help the laugh that escapes his lips at that and he freezes for a moment, looking towards where Jihoon had been sleeping. The boy is still asleep, much to his relief.

Jungkook

I’ve been away for like, a few hours? And you already decided to claim my apartment?

Tae ♥

(:

He shakes his head in disbelief and drops his cellphone, going back to the emails that keep piling up. He lets his imagination travel for a second, picturing Taehyung making himself comfortable in his apartment. Maybe rummaging through his closet to find one of Jungkook’s comfy sweaters that he rarely has the chance to wear. He pictures the boy treating himself to some waffles, burying himself in Jungkook’s fluffy blankets and taking advantage of his Netflix subscription. Just the thought makes him warm inside and he sighs to himself.

It doesn’t help when his phone dings a few minutes later to a picture Taehyung sent him of the Netflix logo on the huge TV he has in the living room. He can’t help but smile and sends him a reminder to not be late for class before going back to his pile of unanswered emails.

He manages to catch a few hours of sleep before they land, and his body feels a bit like jelly by the time they’re stepping out of the airport and into the car that will take them to the hotel. It’s morning in Germany and it fucks with Jungkook’s head a little bit because he just traveled twelve hours from Seoul and for all that matters only five hours have passed. He hates the fucking jet lag.

It’s a long car drive to the hotel and Jungkook feels gross and tired by the time they arrive. Someone instantly comes to take their luggage and he asks Jihoon to make the check-in process as quick as possible because he’s dying to have a good shower.

The hotel room is as luxurious and spacious as he’s used to, the large windows offering a panoramic view of the city and Jungkook can’t help but think that Taehyung would love it there. Would be all excited pointing at the different buildings that look so different from the architecture they are used to in Seoul.

He quickly snaps a picture and sends it to Taehyung without thinking much about it, hopping in the shower immediately after. The hot water helps him release some of the tension from sitting for so many hours and he feels much more awake and relaxed when he steps out. He checks his cellphone as he’s drying his damp hair with a clean towel the hotel had provided. He smiles when he sees his daily dog picture, this time a tiny white dog sitting patiently outside a café.

Tae ♥

wow, that’s so pretty wth

unnecessary flex if u ask me

Jungkook laughs, refrains himself from texting something incredibly cheesy like ‘I wish you were here to see it’ and throws his cellphone on the gigantic bed before opening his suitcase and proceeding to get dressed. Luckily he’ll just have to sit through a few hours of project presentations and some mingling with the rich afterwards, since today isn’t all that big of a deal. Some of the people he’s most interested in will only be arriving tomorrow anyway, so he isn’t too worried.

He orders room service and eats it alone while working, thinking not for the first time that he’d much rather be back home eating the lunch Taehyung would take to his office.

It’s going to be on hell of a week.

-x-

One of the reasons Jungkook likes to work with money so much is because numbers don’t need him to interact with them. They’re quick, easy, they don’t lie and Jungkook doesn’t have to try to read them beyond what they are right there displayed in front of him. He doesn’t have to work hard to please numbers, nor does he have to be constantly self-aware to avoid slipping in front of them.

So really, Jungkook loves numbers, but he can’t say the same about people. Mingling is his dad’s expertise, socializing is as natural as breathing and he doesn’t have any problem in carrying conversations for hours, anything he needs to please potential business partners. Jungkook, on the other hand, has always struggled with talking to strangers and making connections. The fact that he has had the same friends for like, his entire life should indicate something already.

That’s why consecutive days of constant socializing are making him go a little insane. He managed to make some good connections and discuss some deals with potential customers, and he knows he’s doing a good job when his father expresses his praise through the phone. Still, it’s all a bit overwhelming and he can’t wait to go back to the safety of his office and to his beautiful, flawless and ever uncomplicated numbers.

He’s stressed and he knows he isn’t being very good at hiding it. Jihoon is extra careful around him when reminding him of his schedule, bringing him his favorite coffee without him having to ask and not bothering him beyond the necessary and it makes Jungkook feel a little bit like a dick. Taehyung texts him for the best part of the day and it helps a little bit, he at least finds his face relaxing into a smile every time he reads a new complaint about how the boy has lost all the art inside of him or how he’s going to give up being an artist and join a mariachi band because ‘they’re so cool, Kookie ):’.

It’s at least a better distraction than thinking about his lips on Taehyung’s, which Jungkook is very grateful for. His friends text him in the group chat to check up on him and he’s at least a bit comforted by the familiarity of their words. It’s all good, until Thursday comes by and Jungkook is trying very hard not to admit to himself that he misses his bed and his office and Taehyung because he’s halfway through hell when he receives a text from Jimin.

He’s having a drink with a vaguely familiar man, a bald middle aged Italian that he recognizes from one convention two years prior. He had been a rookie then, but the man recognized him easily because of the connections he had with Jungkook’s father. His phone vibrates in the pocket of his slacks once, then twice, and by the third vibration he’s excusing himself to check on the messages. It’s probably Taehyung, since it’s past the end of his classes.

He unlocks his cellphone and promptly chokes on his margarita.

Small hyung

;)

thought it’d be selfish to keep this to myself

Jungkook stares, hand gripping his phone so hard it’s a miracle it doesn’t crack. What the fuck?

Jungkook

????????????

Small hyung

just doing some charity work, no need to thank me

He gulps and doesn’t resist on opening the picture again. Fuck, what the hell was Jimin thinking, playing with him like that? Why and how the hell does Jimin even have a shirtless selca of Taehyung? What the fuck? His whole body feels warm and he downs his margarita in one go, wincing.

He looks at the picture, even though he’s sure that at this point he could close his eyes and still see it engraved on the back of his eyelids. Taehyung’s lips, plump and pink, mocking him from the effort he has put into not thinking about them. He stares at the mole on Taehyung’s nose like it offended his whole lineage. Why is he shirtless, why does he look like he just came out of the shower, why does he have to be so insanely hot, why?

His fingers begin typing an answer, but then he hesitates. What is he even supposed to answer at that? He deletes the words and locks the cellphone, shoving it in the depth of his back pocket and determined to ignore it for the rest of the morning. Jihoon is calling him then, and Jungkook breathes a few times in his best attempt at stopping his body from imploding right there.

His cellphone vibrates a few more times after that, but Jungkook just locks his jaw firmly and decides that the wisest move is to keep ignoring it. Still, he can’t erase the image Jimin had sent him from the back of his mind and it drives him slowly insane. He tries to focus on conversation but it’s just useless from then on, and he ends up excusing himself to his hotel room a few hours later, feeling heavy with a swimming head.

He kicks his oxfords to the side and slumps on the fluffy bed with a deep sigh before finally checking his cellphone. It’s only when he reads the stream of texts coming from Jimin that he deeply regrets the action.

Small hyung

the fact that ur bf isn’t a professional model makes me angry at the world

here, have a sip my thirsty child

Jungkook?

did u die?

I mean I wouldn’t judge u tbh

And Jungkook is so utterly fucked because fuck him, Taehyung looks so fucking good in the clothes Jungkook recognizes as being one of Jimin’s projects and he hates it so fucking much. It’s like the universe is purposely aligning to make him suffer as much as possible and he doesn’t fucking deserve this torture.

He feels hot, so very hot, and there’s this heavy tension on every single one of his muscles due to the past few fucking unbearable days and Jungkook just longs. He longs for Taehyung right there, next to him. He longs for his warmth, his touch, wishes he could taste those sweet lips one more time. He grabs his own disheveled hair in frustration because this is all Taehyung’s fault. Pretty, elegant Taehyung. Beautiful, graceful, funny Taehyung that found his way into Jungkook’s heart and decided to stay there, just like that.

Sweet, beautiful Taehyung with his sweet, beautifully sinful mouth and eyes. Tall, lean Taehyung, with legs that go on for miles and collarbones that are always on display because of the fucking stupid large shirts he always wears at home. Pretty, so pretty Taehyung with his long beautiful hands that Jungkook wishes would touch the entirety of his skin, unravel him easily.

He can’t really control it when his hands find their way to his belt, discarding it without a second thought along with his suffocating slacks. He should be embarrassed by how much he’s already straining inside his briefs, but he can’t find himself to, not when he’s sure he won’t ever be able to erase those pictures from his mind.

He grabs himself through the fabric of his underwear, not even fighting the moan that slips past his lips. He’s so fucking hard, and it’s all Taehyung’s fault. He dips his hand inside the band of his briefs and exhales a shaky breathe of relief as his fingers finally wrap around his aching girth.

This is wrong, his mind echoes, so wrong, but he can’t bring himself to stop. His movements are languid as he strokes his cock, fingers coming up to circulate the sensitive head before sliding back down to the base. He gasps at a stroke that feels particularly good. His cellphone vibrates next to him and he chokes out an uncontrollable moan when Taehyung’s name pops on the screen.

Tae ♥

kook !¡¡¡!!!¡!!

I took so many cool pics with Jimin today, u won’t believe it :D

Jesus fucking Christ. His fingers clench around the bedsheets and he strokes himself harder, faster, his mind drifting away. He imagines pretty, sweet Taehyung that has no idea of what Jungkook is doing right now. He imagines that the fingers wrapped around him belong to the beautiful blonde, coaxing the blabbering moans that slip from his lips.

His hips jump from the bed, heels digging into the mattress as he can’t help but fuck back into his hand, wishing so goddamn hard that it was Taehyung’s instead. He imagines his voice, deep and sultry right next to his ear, how pretty it would sound moaning his name in pleasure. He imagines Taehyung, naked and flushing from head to toe. Imagines how pretty he would look covered in love bites, every inch of him. His glassy eyes staring into his own as he falls apart beneath Jungkook’s body just from his touch.

Oh, how he wishes he could touch Taehyung. A broken moan echoes inside the hotel room as he pumps his pulsating cock hard, eyelids closed tightly and a ghost of Taehyung’s name on his lips. He’s so close, so gone in the image of Taehyung’s beautiful thighs quivering around his head. He should be embarrassed by how fast he’s working himself up, but he can’t find it in himself when he’s so fucking turned on. He circles around the head of his shaft as the tension in his lower belly grows into something painful. And after a few long stroked he’s coming, releasing himself on his own stomach, a dead scream of Taehyung’s name scratching his throat.

He lays there, trying to catch his breath as his cellphone keeps vibrating next to him. Oh my god, he really just did that. He just masturbated to the thought of Taehyung, his very pretty and very fake boyfriend. Dread pools on his stomach as he comes down from his high (one of the best fucking orgasm he’s had in a long time, fucking hell). He panics for a second, feels dirty and gross because he can’t help but feel like he has violated Taehyung’s friendship to a certain extent.

Fuck, he gets rid of his cum stained clothes and forgets about his cellphone and unanswered messages in favor of heading for a shower. Fuck. The scalding water turns his skin pink and raw, but his muscles are already much more relaxed after his orgasm. Fuck. He breathes deeply, bracing himself on the wall of the shower cabin.

It’s not that bad, he says to himself, and then gives himself a second to believe it. It’s alright. He used to jerk off to the thought of Seokjin’s broad shoulders back when he was just a first year in college, young and very much hormonal. And he and Jin are still great friends, it doesn’t change anything. Slowly, steady, he relaxes against the wall. He masturbated to the thought of Taehyung. He’s stressed, hasn’t had the comfort of a lover’s touch in months, and is very fond of Taehyung, it’s only natural that something like this would happen eventually.

He feels better and way less guilty when he steps out of the shower, sliding into clean clothes before guiding himself to the couch after fetching his phone. The light on his cellphone is twinkling from the notifications and he braces himself before opening the texts.

Small hyung

Seriously kook u okay?

I know tae’s a hottie but please tell me u didn’t die by cardiac arrest

…

r u masturbating to pictures of ur bf?

I’ll just leave u to it then :3

He groans into the fluffy pillow and doesn’t hesitate before typing an answer.

Jungkook

I hope you die a slow and painful death.

Small hyung

luv u too ;)

The other row of texts is from Taehyung and makes Jungkook’s heart leap in his chest.

Tae ♥

I was honestly a bit nervous at first cuz like it’s not like I’m camera shy but u know

but the photos turned out rly cool

and Jimin let me keep some clothes!! Wtf he’s so nice!!

I wanna steal ur friends ):

kook??

wanna face time later?

He feels himself blush from his chest all the way up to his ears, the thought of what he had been doing while Taehyung was texting him haunting him in his mind. He shakes himself out of it and forces the thought of not making it weird into his head. His fingers type a small ‘sure’ in answer to Taehyung’s question and it takes mere seconds before there’s an incoming call from Taehyung flashing on the screen.

He allows himself a moment to steady his breath before accepting the call. On the other side, it takes a few moments for Taehyung to come into focus, but when he does Jungkook can’t help but smile.

“Hey Kook.” The blonde greets brightly, the video quality not doing his smile any justice. There’s a smudge of pink on his jawline and Jungkook can’t help but stare at it.

“Hi.”

“Why is it so bright in there?”

Jungkook looks towards the window where the sunlight penetrates harshly into the room. “It’s lunch time here. It must be around eight there, right?”

Taehyung nods on the other side, and Jungkook sees him move around to place his cellphone down. When he backs away Jungkook can see that he’s in the kitchen, must have put his cellphone on the counter to free his hands since he seems to be cooking something.

“Yeah, I was just making something to eat.” Jungkook’s own stomach rumbles then, reminding him that he still hasn’t had lunch. “You’ve been eating properly, right?”

The simple question has Jungkook’s heart thumping harshly in his chest. “Jihoon and I have been trying some restaurants around here, but I swear to god that if I have to look at one more sausage I’m going to jump out the window.”

Taehyung laughs with his head tilted back and Jungkook wishes he was there to appreciate the sight properly. “Not a fan of German cuisine?”

“I prefer your food.” It slips without thinking and he feels himself blush when Taehyung looks at the cellphone with a bright smile.

“I’ll make sure to make use of my best skills when you come back, then.” The thought of going back home and seeing Taehyung again has Jungkook much warmer and excited than it probably should, but he pushes the thought away. “How is it going there? Met a lot of rich people?”

“God, everyone here wipes their asses with banknotes.”

“You included, Jeon Jungkook?” He laughs at Taehyung’s raised eyebrow.

“I used to, before they discontinued the five hundred dollar bill.” Taehyung hunches over the vegetables he’s cutting, shoulders shaking with laughter. He wishes Taehyung would laugh like that forever. “But yeah, it’s going well. My social battery is running low though, I can only handle so much small talk before my brain explodes.”

“I can’t always be there to spare you from the art of exchanging pleasantries.” He jokes, but Jungkook wonders if he knows how much truth his words hold. He’d give everything to have Taehyung there by his side.

“I don’t know how you do it, to be honest. I’m exhausted and it’s been like, three days?” He groans, sinking deeper into the couch and glancing at his watch. It won’t be long before Jihoon comes fetch him for lunch. They have a talk by some Chinese CEO scheduled to half past two.

“Don’t worry, one more day and you’ll be flying home.” Home. The word echoes in his mind as he watches Taehyung pour the vegetables in a pan. The T-shirt he’s wearing is, like always, way too big for his frame, falling over a shoulder. Jungkook’s mouth waters a little bit.

“It will be Saturday already when I arrive, though.” He says, Taehyung hums on the other side. “I can’t believe I’ll be stuck in that machine for twelve more hours. I miss my bed.” He whines, enjoying the entertained giggle that it coaxes from Taehyung.

“It’s a very comfortable bed, I’ll give you that.” He feels his cheeks go pink. He knows what Taehyung is talking about, but the sentence registers in Jungkook’s mind with a different meaning and he can’t help the image that forms in his mind. “I miss you.”

Jungkook blinks. Taehyung isn’t looking at the camera, busying himself with whatever is in the pan in front of him. Even from the not so good quality of the video, Jungkook thinks he can see the tip of his ears go pink. The sight makes him smile before he can help himself.

“I miss you too.”

Taehyung smiles, but before anyone can say anything there’s a knock on his hotel door. Jihoon’s voice calls for him on the other side and Jungkook can’t help the disappointment of having to say goodbye to Taehyung just yet.

“I gotta go, Jihoon is waiting for me to grab lunch.” He can’t help that it comes more like a whine. Taehyung is wiping his hands on his sweatpants so he can grab the cellphone and bring it closer to his face. Jungkook’s heart does a somersault.

“Make sure to text me a picture of whatever gross thing you’ll be eating today.” He teases and Jungkook scoffs.

“Will do. Don’t go sleeping too late, you need to rest for your quiz tomorrow.” Taehyung looks surprised for a second, almost like he didn’t expect Jungkook to remember that detail. It makes him feel a bit shy, but he can’t help but absorb every single one of Taehyung’s words like they’re gospel. “I’ll see you later?”

“Of course.” He smiles, and there’s that soft look on his eyes that Jungkook can’t ever get tired of. “See you soon, Kookie.”

He blushes, and Taehyung’s smile grows. “Soon.”

-x-

He doesn’t feel comfortable, and it takes a minute for him to find out why. Jihoon is next to him checking something on his agenda, seemingly unaware of the bad feeling in Jungkook’s gut. They’re at a fancy wine bar with some of the people from the convention, important people that Jungkook should keep close by. He wasn’t too keen on spending his last night in Germany exploring the night life with pretentious rich middle aged people, but there were still contacts he wanted to get before the end of the week and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

He’s swirling his whiskey absent mindedly, the sound of the ice cubes clinking together a faint noise amidst the loud conversation. Jungkook wrinkles his nose. He hates this, rich people are the worst when they have alcohol in their systems and lose all the classy façade they like to put up. He considers texting Taehyung, but then remembers that it’s literally the middle of the night in Seoul.

His whiskey is more melted ice than alcohol when he decides to get up and excuse himself to the bar. He can’t shake the feeling of being watched and it makes him a bit anxious. It’s only normal, he’s young and attractive and it’s not a new sensation having looks all over him. Still, he can’t help but feel like something is weirdly off.

He’s waiting for one of the bartenders to attend to him, fingers tapping nervously on the wooden counter, when he feels a figure approaching him and stopping by his side. He peers from the corner of his eye, and doesn’t recognize the woman leaning on the bar stool at first. She turns her head and smiles at him, long auburn hair framing her shoulders. She’s well dressed, far too well dressed not to be someone relevant. He nods his head in acknowledgement, and it clicks in his head why she seems so familiar. Indra Nooyi. American, chairman and CEO of a company with whom they have worked before, loaded.

“Jeon Jungkook, right?” He nods again, not enjoying the way her eyes travel down his body for a second. “You sure grew up well.”

He frowns. He can’t be sure, but she must be somewhere close to her forties. “Thank you, I don’t think we’ve had the chance to converse properly before.”

She smiles, the sight of her red stained lips doesn’t sit right with Jungkook. “I believe so, unfortunately. But we’re here now, so how about I buy us both a drink?”

Jungkook taps his fingers more insistently on the counter. He doesn’t want anything from this woman, and he doesn’t appreciate the way she looks at him despite being over a decade older. But he needs to be smarter than that, and to him she represents a long sequence of numbers that he can’t afford to ignore. He turns to her and forces a polite smile.

“I would appreciate that, thank you.” The way she smiles in satisfaction has something ugly curling inside him.

One of the bartenders approaches them then, and is quick to fulfill their orders. Jungkook tries not to shift when Indra reaches for her gin and her bare arm brushes against his in a deliberate movement.

“I saw your father back in America a few weeks ago, but he was so busy that we didn’t have the time to discuss anything besides exchanging a few pleasantries.” She says, her red lips stain the glass when she takes a sip of his drink. Jungkook takes a seat on one of the bar stools and she follows.

“Their trip was a bit rushed, we had a few problems with one of our American branches.” He comments, but doesn’t offer further explanation. “I’m here in representation of my father, so there’s nothing you can’t discuss with me.”

Her smile turns a bit mischievous and Jungkook tries to keep his expression cool. He doesn’t like the way she seems to take his words, and the weird feeling in his gut only grows when she spins the slightest bit on the stool, angling her body to face Jungkook more than the bar.

“Even when you were younger, you always carried yourself with such assurance. I know you’d grow up to be just like your father, so imposing and competent.” He can’t help but smile sardonically, thinking about how wrong she is. It’s all a façade, all a mask to hide Jungkook’s true colors.

She seems to interpret his smile for something else, and gives a show of crossing her long legs, the dress she’s wearing riding a bit higher and exposing her bare knees and the beginning of her thighs. Jungkook looks away.

“Well, he trained me himself. I can only hope to become half the man and leader that he is in the future.” He says honestly. He holds great respect for his father.

She coos at him, manicured fingers working a strand of hair to uncover her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll be greater than him. You always worked so hard.”

“I tried my best to be deserving of my place in this company. Don’t we all have to work hard to be where we are?”

She hums. “That’s true, sweetheart.” He drinks a large gulp of his whiskey to fight the grimace that almost slips at the pet name. “But despite how hard one works, some people just aren’t cut for the job. Not everyone belongs in this world.”

He nods in agreement in lack of a better answer. She’s still looking at him, piercing blue eyes running down his figure in a way that makes him anxious. He thinks about excusing himself then, but they still haven’t talked business and he knows his father would be pleased beyond himself if Jungkook were to go back home with a promise of a business deal with someone like Indra. He’s opening his mouth to change the subject and redirect the conversation to where it benefits him when the woman beats him to it.

He’s taken aback when he feels a touch on his ankle, sliding up to his calf ever so slowly. He feels his cheeks heat up when he glances down to see the edge of Indra’s nude high heels deliberately rubbing against his leg.

“But don’t you ever feel tired of working so hard.” She sighs, and it sounds wrong. Her heel is still touching Jungkook’s leg and he feels frozen for a minute. “I mean, of course it all pays off in the end. But don’t you just wish to escape it all sometimes? Relieve all that pent up stress?”

It’s the way she says it, with such an innocent polite smile on her lips but tone dripping with suggestiveness. Jungkook coughs awkwardly, trying not to stumble on his words as he slides away from the woman just enough to break the contact between them.

“I love my job, until now I can’t say I share the same complaints.” He lies, and she chuckles lowly beside him. She makes him anxious, and this is new territory.

“Oh, sweetheart, aren’t you the cutest?” He fights the will to jump off the bar stool and out of reach from her as she reaches out to run a nude painted nail down his tie. He doesn’t want to make a scene, so he sits still. Her eyes trail the movement of her hand, a small smile on her red lips when she says. “We could help each other out, yeah? I believe we could reach a deal that would benefit us both greatly, don’t you agree?”

He gulps, and she looks into his eyes with an intensity that makes him sick. “I’m starting to question if we’re talking about the same thing here, miss.”

She laughs, small and contained. “Daddy isn’t here, sweetheart. No need to pretend, we’re all adults here.”

Hell no, Jungkook can’t do this. He can deal with a whole lot of things but this is not one of them. His stomach curls with the suggestion of doing anything with this woman, and he’s getting up abruptly before he can help himself. She looks startled, looking at him with wide eyes when he takes a large bill from his pocket and slides it on the counter.

“I thank you greatly for the conversation, but I’m afraid I have to go now. Enjoy your night, miss.” She looks out of words as Jungkook bows slightly, excusing himself the Korean way and not sparing her another glance as he goes back to the table where Jihoon is still conversing with some people.

He grabs his jacket from the back of a chair and bids everyone good night, claiming that he’s tired and will retrieve to the hotel to rest. Jihoon gives him a worried look but he assures him that everything is fine and tells him to enjoy his night before leaving.

The cool air outside helps ease his nerves a little bit, dissolving the heavy weight on his gut slowly. He breathes, the ghost of Indra’s touch on his chest making him shudder and walk towards the hotel in faster strides.

How could she ever think that he would agree with something like that with her, what made her think Jungkook would ever want to share a bed with someone like her? Someone shallow and rotten, despite the beautiful curves of her body and the fiery look in her electric blue eyes. He shakes his head, wishing he could erase the image of her blood red lips from his mind.

Because how could he ever want her, when he has Taehyung waiting for him back home?

-x-

The bad gut feeling doesn’t come back until much later. They are already aboard the jet, and Jungkook sighs tiredly as he checks his watch and realizes that he still has six more hours of flight to sit through. The private crew offers him something to drink but he’s honestly too tired from his fucked up sleep schedule to put anything in his stomach. Jihoon, the weird human that he is, is sleeping on the sit in front of him like jet lag isn’t a real thing that exists and fucks up your brain.

He’s decided to take a break from the (too long) list of emails in front of him (seriously, the worst part about these type of things is the shit load of work that gets accumulated). There are a series of notifications on his cellphone that make Jungkook frown. He had put it on silent mode as to not disturb the sleeping assistant in front of him, and now it’s overflowing with texts and something doesn’t sit right with Jungkook.

Small hyung

kook have u checked the gc ???

go check it

now

The sequence makes him frown deeper in confusion. He left Germany at eight in the evening, and he’s been traveling for six hours, which means it’s nine in the morning in Seoul, and what the fuck are his friends fussing about at nine in the morning on a Saturday?

He opens the group chat all the same, scrolling up through the rows of texts and not even bothering to read because most of them are in caps lock and he knows Seokjin has a tendency to overreact. The first message of the combo is a link, followed by a text in which Jimin tagged him in all caps with a ‘WHT THE FUKC’.

He clicks on the link, not really liking the twist in his gut and the anxiety that comes from it. It redirects him to a Naver post, and Jungkook immediately knows he won’t like what he’s about to read. The first thing he notices is the headlight and the picture under it. It’s from the wine bar he went to with Jihoon the previous night.

The picture is a little blurry and low quality, but there’s no denying it’s him sitting at the bar next to a tall woman. They look close in the picture, the angle making it seem they’re much closer than what he remembers. His hand grips the cellphone a bit harder and he scrolls further down. There are more pictures, one with an impressive quality of Jungkook arriving at the bar with Jihoon, and he shivers a bit at the thought of those people being so close to him without him even noticing.

There’s also a picture of him at the table, and then a sequence of blurry pictures of him with Indra at the bar. He knows what this is, knows perfectly well what they’re trying to make it look like. Despite him knowing perfectly well what happened that night, he has to admit that the angle in which the pictures are taken and the moments captured do make it seem like something else.

There’s one where Indra is touching his chest, Jungkook’s face isn’t shown but her smile is. There’s another in which they appear to simply be talking, but there’s a red circle calling attention to the spot where Indra’s heel grazes Jungkook’s leg. There’s another, this time taken from a different angle in which Indra is clearly leaning into his space and he loses his breath for a second, because he knows perfectly well they were just talking but the pictures makes it look so much like they’re kissing.

Something ugly curls in his stomach, his skin crawling with unwanted anxiety and he scrolls up to read the tabloid because looking at the pictures makes him sick.

JEON JUNGKOOK GETS NAUGHTY WITH OLDER WOMAN IN GERMANY

Jeon Jungkook, our favorite young bachelor, sex icon and heir to Jeon Enterprises was spotted enjoying the night life in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the company of a mysterious woman. They were seen getting very comfortable with each other (check out our exclusive pictures below) and it makes us wonder if Jeon Jungkook is back to action after long months away from our radar.

After his shocking breakup with long term boyfriend Choi Minjun, the youngest Jeon wasn’t seen for a long time until a few weeks ago when he was spotted with a mystery blonde hottie on his arm.  Was it a secret rendezvous we caught? Is this the blooming of a new romance? Or is it the seed of a new cheating scandal?

Jungkook has to stop reading before he throws his cellphone to the floor violently and wakes Jihoon up. Fuck, he knows he has is fair share of eyes on him, tabloids love gossiping about rich and powerful young men, and it’s not like his dad’s company isn’t one of the biggest in South Korea, but this is too much. Someone caught him in fucking Germany, and this article is absolutely ridiculous.

He’s seething, and it doesn’t help when he rolls down to see the comments.

[+361, -215] Rich people are so shameless, ugh

[+327, -148] This is so disgusting, I hope Jeon Jungkook is ashamed

[+247, -26] Uhhhh who do you think she is?

[+120, -5] Isn’t that Indra Nooyi?

[+596, -147] Ew gross, isn’t she like 15 years older than him?

[+731, -2] I feel sorry for the blonde guy, he was so cute

He closes the page completely, running a stressed hand through his hair before opening the group chat. His friends are bombarding him with questions that he doesn’t feel in the mood to answer, so he opens the private chat with Jimin instead.

Jungkook

what the fuck ???

how the hell were they in fucking Germany ???

Small hyung

idk kookie

did u talk to tae yet ??

Taehyung, his stomach sinks. He feels incredibly guilty all of a sudden, the idea of Taehyung having read the article making his insides curl painfully. He knows that what they have isn’t real, not in the way he wants it to at least, but Taehyung is still deserving of respect. They never really set any boundaries like that, and it has Jungkook suddenly wondering if they’re exclusive, if Taehyung has been with anyone ever since they started this… thing of theirs. The thought of Taehyung with someone else, hooking up with someone, someone who is not Jungkook, it has raw jealousy bubbling inside him.

He realizes then that Taehyung still hasn’t texted him like he normally does when he wakes up. Then again, it’s barely past nine on a Saturday and Taehyung is a bit of a night owl, he’s still probably asleep. That makes Jungkook sag a little with relief, and he decides it’s best to reach out to Taehyung before he reads something out of context and thinks the worst. He wonders if Taehyung would even mind, they aren’t actually together and maybe Taehyung wouldn’t care if Jungkook was with someone else.

He shakes the thought away and checks the rest of the messages. There’s one from his father and he hesitates before opening it.

Dad

We’re already working on taking it down.

Jungkook

Nothing happened, father. She came on to me with the excuse of discussing business and I dismissed her politely.

Dad

I know.

He feels a bit relieved. They normally don’t care much about tabloids, used to the gossip and lies that they love to spread, but this doesn’t affect just his image, it affects Taehyung’s too. Despite knowing that people don’t really know who Taehyung is, Jungkook hates the thought of him being publicly humiliated.

Jungkook

Good morning, Tae.

I’m on my way back, please try to stay away from your phone until I get back. There’s something we should talk about.

He hesitates, fingers above the keyboard. Then he decides fuck it and sends the message anyway.

Jungkook

I miss you.

He doesn’t expect an answer until at least an hour later, so he’s startled when his phone lights up almost instantly.

Tae ♥

when are you arriving?

His heart picks up and his palms sweat a bit because Taehyung was awake, and that means he has probably seen it already. It also means that he didn’t text him on purpose, and it makes Jungkook’s chest squeeze a little bit. It doesn’t help that he ignored Jungkook’s confession.

Jungkook

Probably around the early afternoon.

Tae ♥

ok

He deflates, and then.

Tae ♥

I miss u too

It’s absurdly dumb how much a simple text manages to mess with Jungkook’s feelings, but it does and he feels much more relaxed during the rest of the flight because Taehyung misses him. Sleep doesn’t come so he settles on working until they’re announcing the landing and suddenly all Jungkook can think about is running home to see Taehyung.

The process of getting their baggage to the car and driving home seems longer than the twelve hour flight itself and he takes the time to text his friends and parents to inform that he had arrived safely. Then he turns his cellphone to silent mode and taps his fingers impatiently on his knee for the rest of the ride. Jihoon is sleepy enough to be utterly oblivious to Jungkook’s anxiety and just confusedly waves him goodbye when they stop in front of his apartment complex and Jungkook all but runs out of the car.

Despite his overwhelming want to finally see Taehyung again, he has at least enough self-control to realize that he looks like a hot mess. He goes to his own apartment first and washes up quickly, changing into comfortable jeans (he almost forgets he owns those sometimes) and a simple white T-shirt that smells like his fabric softener (he missed the smell) before heading to Taehyung’s apartment.

He’s nervous as he knocks on the door, but it all disappears when Taehyung appears on the other side. Fuck, he missed him. It’s the only thing Jungkook can think about, looking at the mess of blonde hair that falls over Taehyung’s soft brown eyes and the beautiful smile on his pink lips. Something heavy drops from his tense shoulders when he sees that Taehyung doesn’t look mad, smiling softly up at him in the way Jungkook missed so damn much.

“Hey.” He manages to choke out, and it must come out ridiculously because Taehyung chuckles a bit under his breath before stepping aside to invite Jungkook in with a head motion.

He missed the smell of fresh paint too, he realizes as he steps into the familiar messy living room. It looks like Taehyung had been working on something, judging by the strokes of color adorning the canvas that sits on a high easel in the middle of the living room. When he looks at the blonde again (he can’t help it, he misses his dose of Kim Taehyung) he sees the smudges of paint on his fingers, a bit of blue and yellow staining his chin and cheek because Jungkook knows that Taehyung always forgets about his dirty hands when he goes to scratch his face.

“How was your flight?” He joins Taehyung when the blonde sits on the couch in that usual way of his, holding his slim ankles where they cross beneath him.

“If I ever have to sit on a flying machine for twelve goddamn straight hours ever again, I think I might die.” He exaggerates and it makes Taehyung laugh in the way he missed so much.

He wants to reach out and hold Taehyung’s hand, but thinks that maybe it’s not the best idea.

“Did you at least have fun?” He asks, and Jungkook looks up at him because there’s something off in the way he says it. He’s still smiling, like the question was just simple, but he knows what’s going through his mind then. Jungkook sighs, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

“I was hoping we could talk about that, actually.”

“Uhm.”

He licks his lips, sighs, then says. “I realized that we never really discussed some important things about… this.” He gestures between them awkwardly and Taehyung is looking at him in confusion. “It’s just that we didn’t establish any boundaries and I never really thought about it until now and, well—I just think we should talk about it. Whether or not we’re like, exclusive?”

He realizes it was probably the wrong thing to say when Taehyung’s eyes grow a bit in shock and he belatedly notices that his words could have a different meaning.

“Not like anything happened, like, at all! I promise, whatever you read was a made up story.” He’s quick to explain and Taehyung stays silent like he’s expecting him to say more. “It’s just, Jihoon and I went out with some people because I thought it would be good to make some more connections and then she approached me. At the bar, I mean. She said she wanted to discuss business and I knew who she was and it would be very benefitting to work with her, so I agreed to talk. It was only when she started talking that I realized her intentions were different than mine.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” Taehyung interrupts him then, and for some reason his statement makes Jungkook angry.

“Yes, I do.” He says firmly, uncaring of the surprised look that grazes Taehyung’s face. “We might not be dating for real but you still deserve respect from my part. I need you to understand that nothing happened between me and that woman. She suggested things I didn’t appreciate and I politely excused myself when she got too bold. I would never do that to you, doesn’t matter if we’re dating or not.”

There’s no shyness to his words and they are honest because he does want Taehyung to understand. He could never be interested in anyone else.

“I know.” He says then, and Jungkook looks up at him with surprise on his face. Taehyung is smiling at him as he reaches out to touch the lobe of his ear briefly in affection. Jungkook’s heart leaps in his chest.

“You know?”

“I know.” He nods, still smiling. “I was a bit sad when I saw the pictures, because despite the fact that we know we’re not dating, the rest of the people don’t. But I knew better than to trust something like a tabloid before actually talking to you. Besides, when I really thought about it, I knew that you’d be the last person to pull something like that.”

He doesn’t say it, but Jungkook knows what lays beneath his words. Not after what you’ve been through. Jungkook feels himself relax for the first time in the past hours.

“I’d never.” He reinforces, and this time doesn’t give it another thought before reaching out and holding Taehyung’s hand in his. The warmth of his touch spreads through Jungkook’s arm. “But it did make me realize that we never talked about that, and how selfish I was to not think about it. It didn’t cross my mind that you might want to be with someone, and that this might somehow be in the way.”

He wants to say it, tell Taehyung he wouldn’t mind if he were to be with someone else, that he’s obviously free to live his life, but the words don’t come out. There’s a squeeze on his hand, and then Taehyung shrugs.

“It never really crossed my mind either.” Jungkook tries not to show how pleased the statement makes him feel inside. “I mean, it’s not like I didn’t have my casual hook ups before, but I’ve been busy with college anyway.” He shrugs again, but doesn’t look into Jungkook’s eyes. “I’m 25, a few months without sex won’t kill me.”

He jokes, but it redirects Jungkook’s mind to the hotel room, when he had his had wrapped around his dick, getting off to the image of Taehyung. It makes his cheeks come alive with embarrassment, and he looks at anywhere but Taehyung and where the soft sweater falls over the smooth expanse of his shoulder.

“Yeah, good. I—I mean, glad we got that out of the way.”

Taehyung laughs when he buries his face in his palm in embarrassment, fingers sliding between his own to slot their hands together. Jungkook suddenly wants to change the subject before he can embarrass himself any further.

“How did your quiz go?” Taehyung perks up at him, looking happy that Jungkook remembered.

“Really well, I think I aced it. It wasn’t that hard anyway.” He nods, holding himself to not say something dumb like how proud he is. “How were the Germans?”

He groans loudly as Taehyung laughs. “There were people from all nationalities. My German experience was pretty reduced.”

“Don’t forget the sausages.” He teases.

Jungkook curls his lip in distaste. “I don’t think I’ll be going near a sausage for the next ten years.”

Taehyung’s eyebrows shoot up and Jungkook realizes what he just said. He shoves Taehyung away with the hand that is not holding his, and the boy falls back on the couch with laughter bubbling from his lips.

 “Oh, shut up.” It makes Taehyung laugh even more, and Jungkook can’t really help the smile that takes over his face.

“I wasn’t the one declaring my celibacy just now.” He jokes and winces at the kick Jungkook throws his way. “Ouch.”

“I didn’t come back from a week of social torture to be bullied like this.” He complains, and Taehyung shoots him a toothy grin.

Then, before Jungkook can blink twice, he’s turning around on his back, lifting his and Jungkook’s intertwined hands to slip beneath their arms and drop his head on Jungkook’s lap. Taehyung looks comfortably unbothered by the fact that he’s literally lying on Jungkook’s thighs, simply bringing their hands to lay on his chest and smiling up at a very flustered Jungkook.

“I bet it wasn’t that bad, you’re just overdramatic.”

“You weren’t there.” He defends, making Taehyung shrug.

“If I had been, you would’ve made me do all the talk.” He retorts, and it’s Jungkook’s turn to shrug because, well, he isn’t wrong. “I went by the office while you were gone.”

Jungkook looks down at his face, but the thought of whatever he was about to say gets lost because god, Taehyung is beautiful. He’s looking up at Jungkook with his signature playful smile, face bare of any makeup and tan skin glowing healthily. The mole on the tip of his nose looks right back at him as if daring him to kiss it, and he has to mentally restrain himself from leaning down to actually do it.

“Namjoon hyung is super cool, I might start hanging out with him instead of you.” He teases.

Jungkook lifts his eyebrows at him. “He has work to do, you know. Don’t go around distracting him.”

“You don’t complain when I go around distracting you.” He replies smartly and Jungkook pinches his side, making him squirm to get away from the touch.

“You’re my boyfriend, it’s different.” He says, and then feels his cheeks heat up.

Taehyung is technically not his boyfriend, but it feels good to say it all the same. He figures it really doesn’t matter when the blonde smiles so wide he can almost see his gums. It’s the kind of smile that makes Jungkook feel warm inside.

“I don’t think it’s me you should be worrying about. At least I don’t make him drool on his desk when I pass.” He snickers, and Jungkook knows instantly who Taehyung is referring to.

“Those two have been dancing around each other for god knows how long.”

“They look so cute together.” He says, fingers still playing with Jungkook’s, and he can at least get himself to nod in agreement. “Namjoon hyung looked so red when I asked him about it that I thought he was going to explode.”

“They are idiots, it’s what they are.” He groans, thinking about the endless pinning between his two friends. If one of them would just man up and confess already, they wouldn’t have to deal with their constant flirting. “But enough about them. How was your week?”

Taehyung looks pleased when he asks, even more pleased when Jungkook’s hand moves from where it was sitting still on the couch to brush the strands of blonde hair tentatively. When Taehyung presses the slightest bit into his touch, he swallows down his nerves and brushes his fingers more confidently through the strands. They feel silky and soft between his fingers, and he never wants to touch anything else ever again.

“It was fine, not much different than usual. The only change was that I didn’t have my lunch buddy, nor someone to bear with me through the late nights.” His eyes crinkle with the smile he gives Jungkook and the dark haired can’t help but give one of his own back. The thought of Taehyung missing his company as much as he missed his makes him warm and mushy inside. “Ah! And I did the photoshoot with Jimin! That was really fun.”

Yeah, Jungkook gulps. His fingers still in Taehyung’s hair for a second when his mind drifts to the images now saved safely on his phone gallery. He also remembers vividly what those pictures made him do and the thought sends a shiver down his spine. Then Taehyung is gripping his wrist with his free hand and coaxing him to resume his movements and Jungkook is forced to shake away the fresh memories.

“Yeah, Jimin sent me some pictures.” He admits and Taehyung looks up at him curiously. He purposely leaves out the shirtless selca he had received because he’s pretty sure Jimin didn’t ask Taehyung for any consent before sending it.

“Oh, really?” He asks, then curiously. “What did you think?”

You looked really fucking hot. “They were nice. I mean, you looked really good.” He admits as nonchalantly as he can and the satisfied look in Taehyung’s eyes has him extending his praise. “You should think about becoming a model on the side.”

“That’s what Jimin said.” He says excitedly, still playing with Jungkook’s hand and making it really hard for him to think. “But I don’t know if I am good enough to actually be a model.”

“You’re pretty enough to be one.”

Taehyung’s eyes widen in surprise. He doesn’t know why he said that, despite it being the truth anyway. He looks at the movement of his fingers in Taehyung’s hair to avoid looking the boy in the eyes.

“Oh, I’m pretty?” He’s teasing, Jungkook knows, but it works on working him up and making him flush.

“Y-yeah, I mean, your face is… nice.”

Taehyung snorts. “My face is nice.”

Jungkook knees him in the back of the head then, groaning in growing frustration. “Shut up, you know you’re handsome, stop being a pain in the ass.”

Taehyung smiles mischievously. “I didn’t know Jeon Jungkook found me handsome.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Everyone finds you handsome.”

“Everyone finds you handsome.”

He preens at that, shrugging in fake nonchalance. “I am handsome.”

That makes Taehyung laugh then, turning his head to muffle the sound on Jungkook’s thigh. He tenses for a second before relaxing again. “I can’t deny that.”

Jungkook raises one eyebrow at the confession. “You think I’m handsome?”

It’s Taehyung’s turn to roll his eyes at him. “You think I’d date you if you weren’t?”

He’s genuinely offended at that, but Taehyung is smiling teasingly and he knows it’s just a light hearted joke. “I thought you were dating me for my mesmerizing personality.”

“Mesmerizing bank account, more like.” Jungkook gapes openly at that and Taehyung escapes from his lap before he can even react, blinking at the blonde who hides behind the couch with a glint of mischievousness in his eyes.

“Oh no, you didn’t.”

“Oh yes, I did.” And then. “I always dreamt of having a sugar daddy.”

Jungkook jumps from the couch and Taehyung startles at the sudden movement, ducking when the younger makes a move at him. He laughs then, and Jungkook can’t help the smile that blooms on his lips as he chases Taehyung around the couch.

“Take that back!”

“But it’s true!”

Jungkook snorts, and throws himself at the blonde, fingers grazing the material of his shirt and almost close enough to grab it when Taehyung manages to escape just in time. He feels a little bit like a child again, back in kindergarten when he used to play tag with his friends and they would run until their lungs couldn’t handle it anymore.

It’s a thing about Taehyung, about how juvenile he is despite being older and so mature. Jungkook likes the fact that the blonde acts so composed and graceful in front of others, but lets himself go in Jungkook’s presence. It’s so refreshing, such a nice escape from Jungkook’s usual reality of constantly keeping appearances and hiding behind a mask of composure. He finds that, with Taehyung, he can let himself go too.

“Come back here, you gold digger!”

Taehyung throws his head back in laughter and makes a beeline for the kitchen and Jungkook manages to catch the movement just in time to intercept him; but as he goes to grab Taehyung’s shirt and yank him closer, the blonde steps on a sheet of paper that moves under his foot and slides across the floor, making him lose his balance as his leg escapes him.

Jungkook isn’t quick enough to grab him, and can only catch Taehyung’s wide eyes as he falls back, elbow knocking into a palette balanced on an easel and Jungkook watches with a mix of horror and amusement as the thing tips off balance and falls right on top of Taehyung at the same time the blonde’s butt hits the floor. He blinks, Taehyung groans loudly, and the palette knocks into his chin before sliding down across his chest.

“Fuck!”

And Jungkook can’t control the loud fit of laughter that bubbles from his lips, because the sight is just too good. Taehyung rubs his elbows with a frown, and it’s hard to take him seriously when there’s a huge blotch of paint smudging half of his face and the entire front of his shirt. It’s a mix of yellows, purples, greens, blues and browns, and it’s so funny that Jungkook can’t help but laugh.

Then Taehyung looks up at him, clearly judging the fact that Jungkook is laughing at his disgrace, but the younger can see the exact moment his mouth twitches and soon the blonde is laughing with him too. His head falls back onto the ground as he smiles big and wide, and Jungkook falls to the floor when the force of his laughter is too much to withstand. Fuck, he can’t remember the last time he laughed like that.

Taehyung is still shaking from their laughter when it dies down to quieter chuckles, and he sits up on his elbows to look down at the mess on his shirt.

“I should put this on my portfolio.”

Jungkook looks down at the absolute disarray of colors staining the material and snorts, earning a big smile from Taehyung. There are tears in his eyes and he wipes at them with a deep breath to relax his hurting lungs. His stomach is a bit sore from all the laughter as he sits up too next to the blonde.

His laughter might have died down, but he can’t seem to make his smile go away despite his cheeks already hurting. He looks at Taehyung as the boy catches his breath, and feels like he’s stuck in one of those moments in time you just wish you could freeze and keep forever. His hand comes up to brush the strands of hair that cover his eyes and takes advantage of the fact that Taehyung is still looking somewhere far away to allow himself a moment to just look.

A bit of yellow stains Taehyung’s lower lip where it is stretched in a content smile, and the blues and greens splashed his cheek with big drops. There’s a smudge of purple staining his neck and collarbone where it peeks from under the big sweater Taehyung is wearing and Jungkook wants to touch it, wants to see his fingers staining with the rich color. It’s a weird feeling that curls inside his gut and just stays there, leaving Jungkook unsure as to what to do about it.

“Jungkook.” He looks up from the purple paint to see Taehyung looking at him, and he has that sweet look in his eyes that makes Jungkook melt inside. “I think there’s something we should promise each other.”

Jungkook eyes him curiously then, trying not to be hyper aware of how close their fingers are stretched on the floor. “Okay.”

“I want us to always be honest with each other.” Jungkook’s heart does that thing it only does in Taehyung’s presence, where it seems to jump a beat before continuing to do its job normally. “I want to know when something makes you uncomfortable. I want us to always talk to each other before anything else, if it’s about something that concerns us both. I promise to not jump to conclusions and always be willing to listen to what you have to say, and I would like if you did the same.” He breathes then, and moves the inch that has been taunting Jungkook to cover his hand with his paint stained one. “I like to think that we’re friends, above all unconventional things about our relationship, and I want you to know that I value that friendship.”

Jungkook can’t help but smile big and honest at that. That’s the thing about Taehyung, the undeniable maturity and simplicity that drew Jungkook in from the beginning. And maybe it’s a dumb thing to think, considering that there’s nothing simple about their situation, but he knows that in its core, his friendship with Taehyung is just that, simple.

It’s easy for Jungkook to talk to him and express his feelings, because he isn’t scared of being misinterpreted, or that Taehyung might try and read too much into his words. It’s something completely new to Jungkook, and he wonders how much better life would be if people were a bit more like Taehyung and his non sugar coated honesty.

“I can promise that.” He says honesty, rotating where he sits to face a smiling Taehyung. “I’ll confess that the past few hours were a bit nerve-racking, I was scared that you’d be hurt by the tabloid before I got a chance to explain myself. I can do with honesty, I can do with talking and figuring things out.”

“That’s all I want.” Taehyung says, and Jungkook thinks he can hear the relief in his voice.

“And the thing about being uncomfortable extends to you too.” Jungkook says, and his mind drifts to the kiss they shared at the bar the other night. Taehyung had seem comfortable then, but it still makes Jungkook worry about pushing too far. “I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but I don’t want you doing anything against your will. And the second you feel like this is affecting your life and want to put an end to it, all you have to do is say it.”

He feels guilty by the pang of hurt that blooms in his chest at the words, but he still knows that it’s the correct thing to say. Taehyung is trapped in this situation, and despite him having suggested it in the first place and agreed to proceed, Jungkook wants him to know that he can back away at any time. He couldn’t bear if Taehyung were to feel uncomfortable with him.

“I don’t mind keeping it up for as long as you need.” He says then, and Jungkook tries not to think about how long is ‘as long as you need’, because it’s something they never set and it makes him anxious to even ponder. “But don’t worry, I would never do something I don’t want to. And I was hoping you wouldn’t, too.”

His brain registers the underlying meaning of those words. Taehyung had been okay with kissing him, had wanted it. The thought makes Jungkook’s cheeks heat up and his heart race a little bit. It doesn’t help that Taehyung is smiling at him with that playful grin of his, like he knows perfectly well that Jungkook understands what he intended to say.

“I didn’t—I m-mean, I wouldn’t.” He stumbles on his words and Taehyung chuckles at his embarrassment, the way he always does when Jungkook turns into a shy mess in front of him.

He’s a young and rich heir of one of the best and most successful companies in South Korea. Important people shake hands with him and feel intimidated by his presence. And yet, here he is, looking like a goddamn teenager in front of Taehyung.

Taehyung lifts his hand then, the one that isn’t resting on top of Jungkook’s, and extends his pinky. “Honesty.”

Jungkook blinks, then scoffs in amusement, but tangles his pinky with Taehyung’s all the same. “Honesty.”

And he thinks that maybe he’s being a hypocrite already, because he can’t possible find it in himself to tell Taehyung about the way his heart speeds up when the blonde looks into his eyes, something so adoring swimming in them that makes Jungkook want to drown right in the middle of it. He can’t tell Taehyung how every inch of his body is itching for him to lean forward and steal a kiss from his smiling lips until his own mouth is stained with bright yellow.

His thoughts are interrupted when Taehyung uses his intertwined pinkies to draw impulse and launch forward, and before Jungkook can bat a lash, he’s being engulfed in a hug that knocks the air from his lungs momentarily. He freezes, managing to strengthen the force of his arm that is braced on the floor before Taehyung can knock them both to the ground.

“I missed you, Kook.” It’s pressed against his collarbone, so soft, and everything Jungkook could ever want to hear.

He figures that Taehyung can probably feel how insanely his heart is beating against his ribcage at the moment, but fuck that. His arm that was dumbly frozen in the air wraps around Taehyung’s back securely, squeezing him a bit against Jungkook’s body before he can think twice about the action. It’s so warm, so Taehyung, and he lets himself get lost in the faint scent of shampoo and paint coming from the blonde’s soft hair that tickles his chin and nose.

“I missed you too.”

And then he feels it, because Taehyung’s lips are pressed against his skin and there’s no way he can miss the movement of the boy’s mouth when he smiles, wide and wicked. Jungkook freezes, hand squeezing Taehyung’s side unconsciously and before he can even think about it Taehyung is escaping from the hug and running away with a mischievous laughter.

Then he looks down, and sees his previous white T-shirt now covered in an ugly swirl of different colors.

“Kim Taehyung!”

Taehyung’s laughter echoes all the way across the apartment, and right into Jungkook’s beating heart.

-x-

Jungkook’s hatred for traveling on business is completely justified. He won’t let anyone even try to convince him otherwise when he’s the one drowning in piles of work, rubbing his throbbing temples because he’s been inside his stuffy office since six in the morning and he can’t even remember how many hours have passed. Despite having left Namjoon behind to take care of things – because he’s been his assistant since like, forever, and he trusts him more than anyone in that office – there’s only so much Namjoon can do without Jungkook having to look over and approve, so there he is.

It’s what, Thursday? Friday? Jungkook can’t even remember that much, the past few days having passed by with him completely holed up in his office. He would probably have forgotten to eat or drink anything if it wasn’t for Seokjin constantly checking up on him. Taehyung has also stopped by with lunch, but unlike usual he didn’t stick around, clearly not missing how much work Jungkook had on his plate which made him (much to his dismay) not able to enjoy the blonde’s pleasant company.

He’s also been getting home really late, way past what is probably even Taehyung’s bed time, which means that he hasn’t had time to hang out with the blonde in which feels like too long for Jungkook’s poor longing heart. He misses Taehyung more than he misses his bed (and he doesn’t remember the last time he had a decent night of sleep) and his mind is too tired to even get scared over that thought.

It doesn’t help when he drags his bloodshot eyes away from the laptop screen to allow himself five minutes to go to the bathroom and stretch his legs and notices the unanswered texts Taehyung had sent him. There’s the usual dog picture that Jungkook takes some time to be able to see, his vision a bit unfocused from looking at the screen for too long. It makes his heart squeeze a little bit, especially when he sees the string of texts that follow it, updating Jungkook on his day.

The last one was sent over two hours ago and asks if Jungkook wants to hang out, maybe order take out. He feels guilty for leaving it unanswered, noticing that it’s already past dinner time and fuck it’s Friday. How fucking sad is it to be spending Friday night stuck inside his office with nothing but a pile of unopened emails to keep him company. Fighting against his will to just ignore his responsibilities and go home to a very cozy and inviting Taehyung, he texts back apologizing and saying that he won’t be able to join him that night.

The answer doesn’t come, and Jungkook feels crankier than he’s been all week. He turns back to his laptop and busies himself with work to push back the fact that he could be cuddling up with Taehyung on the couch right now, maybe leaning against each other as they watch whatever is available on Netflix. He groans, hand coming up to rub at his tired eyes, when there’s a knock on the door.

Jungkook tenses up, frowning at the closed wooden door. Everyone has already left to the comfort of their homes, clearly having better plans for Friday night than working, so he doesn’t know who could be knocking on his office doors at such a late hour. When he utters a raspy ‘come in’ (he might be a bit dehydrated, now that he thinks about it), he can’t mask his surprise when a familiar tuff of blonde hair peeks from behind the door, a pretty smile coming along with it.

“Taehyung?”

“Jimin warned me you’d probably be confined here.” He says as greeting, shutting the door behind him while Jungkook just stares at him in surprise.

He looks nice, he thinks. But then again, Taehyung always looks nice. He’s wearing tight jeans that hug his pretty long legs and a soft knit sweater that does nothing to hide his golden collarbones. Jungkook’s mouth might salivate a little, he isn’t sure because of how long it has been since he had a sip of water.

“You look like you walked through hell.” He blinks, and Taehyung is now standing much closer than before, having crossed the distance between the door and his desk to now examine Jungkook attentively. “Please tell me you at least ate something for dinner.”

He can’t help but flush then, feeling embarrassed by the notion that he can’t take proper care of himself. Taehyung looks conflicted, a wrinkle between his eyebrows that Jungkook suddenly wants to kiss away. He clicks his tongue then, shaking his head.

“What are you doing here?” He asks dumbly with a raspy tone, then realizes that there’s a water bottle still sitting in the corner of his desk and grabs it to chug it whole.

“I’m here to take you away from this hell hole. I was worried when you didn’t answer my texts and Jimin told me you were most likely still here.”

He groans then, hand coming up to brush over his own strands. He probably looks like a complete mess, undone tie hanging from his neck and messed up black hair because he can’t help but run his fingers through it in frustration every ten seconds.

“I still have shit to do.” He says weakly and Taehyung rolls his eyes at him.

“And that same shit will still be there for you to deal with on Monday. We’re going home now.” Jungkook looks up at his determined expression and watches as he raises one strong eyebrow. “I’ll drag you if I have to, Jeon Jungkook.”

Jungkook can’t help but snort at the remark, amused. God, he misses just being with Taehyung. “Now that’s something I’d like to see.” Taehyung’s eyes turn into threatening slits and Jungkook lifts his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. Let me just wrap up what I was doing.”

“Jungkook.”

“It’ll only be a few minutes, hyung. I swear.” Taehyung is still giving him the look, but relents with a nod and Jungkook turns back to his computer then.

The blonde entertains himself with walking around Jungkook’s office, humming a song under his breath like he always does when trying to get distracted. Jungkook tries very hard not to let his eyes drift away from the screen to look at Taehyung, but fails every now and then because he can’t help it. It’s something about the blonde, how he seems to be magnetic to Jungkook, always silently claiming his attention.

“You didn’t have to bother in coming all the way here.” He says then, as Taehyung is looking over the night view of Seoul behind him. He can’t see him, but can hear his hum reverberating through the room.

“If I hadn’t, you’d be here until god knows when. It’s honestly absolutely sad to be working on a Friday night, Jungkook.” He teases, and Jungkook scoffs in answer, not even offended by the remark.

“It’s not like it’s my favorite type of plan either, you know.” He deadpans, and hears the sound of Taehyung’s footsteps approaching until the blonde is standing next to him, leaning against the glass desk to face him.

“You look really tired, Kook.” He cuts then, and there’s worry in his tone that makes Jungkook wince with regret. “You can’t overwork yourself like that.”

“’m not.” He mumbles, and catches in his peripheral vision when Taehyung presses his lips together.

“I have barely seen you this week.”

“I’ve been a bit busy.”

Taehyung sighs and he doesn’t know why there’s so much repentance washing over him then. He knows Taehyung cares about him, they’re friends and have been growing gradually closer each day. The thought that maybe Taehyung has been missing him like he has been missing the blonde succeeds in making him feel warm inside. He barely had any time to hang out with Taehyung ever since he came back from Germany.

“We promised to be honest with each other.” The reminder, along with Taehyung’s disappointed tone, makes Jungkook lean back on his chair to look up at the blonde.

“I know I haven’t been taking very good care of myself, but you don’t need to worry. It happens sometimes, when work gets a bit overwhelming and it takes a few days of no sleep for things to go back to normal.” Taehyung draws his eyebrows together, clearly not satisfied by Jungkook’s explanation. “I swear I’m fine, hyung.”

The blonde sighs then, bringing up a hand to brush Jungkook’s fringe away from his eyes. It’s a bit pathetic, the way Jungkook instantly reacts to the touch, eyelids fluttering closed and a wave of relief washing over his tense muscles. He doesn’t know why he feels such a need to reassure Taehyung, why it messes with him so much to see the other worry, but he can’t help it.

“Just take it easy, Kookie.” The nickname makes Jungkook’s chest warm with affection.

He likes being on the receiving end of Taehyung’s gentle words, likes how affectionate the other has grown towards him. The hand on his hair moves along his hairline, until it’s no longer holding his fringe, making the strands fall back into his eyes in disarray. He doesn’t move, simply enjoying the gentle ministrations of Taehyung’s delicate fingers as they caress his pulsating temples and around his ear, thumb brushing the silver hoops that adorn it.

He doesn’t realize how silent it is inside the office until Taehyung’s hand drops back to the surface of the desk and he opens his eyes to see the gentle smile that paints the blonde’s features. He recoils a bit in shyness then, moving his attention back to his computer and he knows then that he won’t be able to actually have anything done when Taehyung is standing so close to him.

“Let’s get going then.” He says as he shuts down his laptop, sliding his chair away from the desk so he can stand up.

It’s only then that he realizes that it was probably a big mistake to not have eaten anything since lunch, because when he stands he suddenly loses the strength in his legs and almost falls right there, saved when Taehyung reaches out to steady him firmly. His visions swims and his head does a full spin then, making him dizzy, and he grabs onto Taehyung’s shoulders to help himself stand on wobbly knees. Fuck.

“Jungkook, easy, hey, easy.” The dark spots take over his vision and he can’t see anything for a long moment. He feels like he can’t hold his head up and let’s it loll to the front until it rests against Taehyung’s collarbone. “I got you, hey, I got you. Take a deep breath for me.”

He listens to Taehyung’s words and inhales deeply, feeling his head throb painfully. There are strong arms holding him up by his sides, and he feels one of Taehyung’s hands move to cradle the back of his head, holding it firmly where it presses against his shoulder. It takes a long while for Jungkook’s head to calm down, Taehyung holding him the whole time and whispering reassuring words by his ear.

When he feels like he isn’t in a moving carousel anymore, he loosens his grip on Taehyung’s sleeves, attempting a step back to stand on his own. Taehyung coaxes him into making the movement slowly, and he promptly let’s go of the blonde once he’s sure that his knees won’t give out. Taehyung is still holding his head and his side, fingers gentle and hesitant like he’s scared Jungkook will collapse again.

He opens his eyes slowly, thankful that the lights inside the office are dimmed because his head is still throbbing painfully. It takes him a minute to get his vision to focus again, Taehyung’s worried frown becoming clearer until he can properly look at him without feeling dizzy.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He hisses, and Taehyung shakes his head immediately.

“Are you feeling alright?” The hand that was on his side comes up to brush his fringe back gently, Taehyung’s warm palm pressing against his forehead.

“I’m fine, I think I got up too quickly.” He says then, not being able to hold a sigh at the soft contact of their skin. “Haven’t slept properly or eaten anything in a while. My blood pressure is probably lower than what’s supposed to.”

“And you tell me not to worry.” He can’t help but smile at Taehyung’s tightly furrowed eyebrows.

“I just need to put some sugar into my body and I’ll be good as new.” He tries to ease the other, but Taehyung’s hum doesn’t sound convinced. He still looks unsure, eyes looking across his face as if he’s expecting Jungkook to drop down at any time. There’s still that absolutely endearing furrow to his eyebrows and Jungkook can’t really help himself.

He reaches out, thumb gently touching the tip of Taehyung’s nose, making the blonde look up at his eyes in surprise. He drags his finger up the arched bridge of his nose, until it reaches the wrinkles between Taehyung’s eyebrows, easing them out when his fingertip brushes over them. He can’t help the satisfaction in his chest when he sees the worry wash away from Taehyung’s wide eyes to be replaced by something gentler.

Taehyung’s hand drops from his forehead to grip the edge of the desk where he leans back, eyes not drifting from Jungkook’s as he moves his thumb over a dark eyebrow, the touch making Taehyung’s eyelashes flutter the slightest bit. He realizes in a distant thought that Taehyung is still holding the back of his head firmly, digits pressing into his scalp a bit harder when his thumb slides across the delicate slope of his cheek. His skin is honey gold and so warm and soft under Jungkook’s fingertips. For a second, he imagines that it’s his lips brushing over the high cheekbone instead of the pad of his thumb.

It’s silent and still inside the office, enough for Jungkook to hear more than he sees Taehyung’s gulp. His eyes are fixed on his thumb where it touches the blonde’s face, hypnotized in a way that he can’t seem to avert his attention to anything else. His palm closes around Taehyung’s strong jaw then, and he thinks he can feel Taehyung shiver under his touch when the pad of his finger presses against the corner of his pink mouth.

Taehyung is beautiful, that isn’t news to Jungkook. He has been nurturing the thought ever since he met him, haunted by it every time he sees Taehyung come into his line of vision. But up this close, he’s something on the verge of ethereal. There’s no trace of his usual minimal makeup covering the golden hue of his soft skin, and his lips are plump and impossibly crimson, taunting Jungkook. There’s that impossibly cute mole right on the tip of his nose, charming in a way it shouldn’t be allowed to be.

“Jungkook.” He breathes, his lips brush against the tip of his thumb and Jungkook’s eyes snap up to meet Taehyung’s. There’s something charged there, hidden behind the dark irises that pierce into Jungkook’s own under the flutter of his long, delicate eyelashes. Jungkook knows he’s overstepping, knows he should probably step away and break whatever tension is thickening between them; but he can’t. Not when Taehyung is looking at him like that, not when Taehyung is still holding him tightly like he’s scared Jungkook will just vanish before his eyes. Not when Taehyung whispers into the air between them. “Jungkook, I want you to kiss me.”

And he shouldn’t. He really, really shouldn’t. Because there’s no one there besides them, no one they need to convince. There’s no reason for him to kiss Taehyung besides the deep flaming want that curls inside his chest and expands through every single fiber of his body. But Jungkook knows, has known since the moment he kissed Taehyung back at the bar with his friends picking fun at him, he knows that despite trying to be strong his whole life, he will always be weak for Taehyung.

He knows it as he leans down and presses his lips to Taehyung’s pink awaiting ones. And there’s no doubt swimming in the back of his mind as he feels Taehyung’s deep warm exhale against his mouth, and the way he grips the edge of the desk tighter when Jungkook’s thumb slides down to press against the underside of his chin, tilting his head back so he can kiss him more firmly.

It’s like the tension of the past few days melts right there against Taehyung’s mouth, lips parting in an undeniable need to kiss him deeper. Taehyung’s hand closes in the hair on his nape, his arm trembling when Jungkook steps further to press closer, free hand coming up to find support on Taehyung’s hips. And, fuck, it’s perfect. The way Taehyung’s mouth opens pliantly against his own, the little sigh that escapes when Jungkook kisses him insistently, desperately yet gently, like he wants to convey all his feelings in that one touch but can’t quite keep inside how much he uncontrollably wants Taehyung.

It’s intoxicating, inebriating, it’s everything he remembers and more, because now they don’t have an audience of expecting eyes and it feels so real and raw. It makes Jungkook come alive, pure electricity running through is body as he runs the tip of his wet tongue over the swell of Taehyung’s lower lip and the blonde lets out a small, unexpected whimper. It ignites something in Jungkook’s core and he licks into Taehyung’s mouth when he instantly parts his wet lips in reaction to Jungkook’s touch.

Jungkook runs both his hands up Taehyung’s sides, relishing the way Taehyung’s body shudders under his touch when he palms over his ribs. Taehyung’s mouth tastes like something sweet Jungkook can’t pinpoint, but it’s delicious and addicting and has him leaning forward for more, licking over the roof of his mouth just to have him gasp against his lips. He can’t help the need to have his body closer, pressed against his own, and without thinking twice about it he grabs Taehyung’s slim hips and yanks him up to sit him on his desk.

The whimper that escapes the blonde’s lips is so close to a moan that it fuels Jungkook’s bare desire impossibly further, stepping into Taehyung’s space and humming appreciatively when his long legs instantly part to accommodate him in between them. Taehyung’s hands fall flat against his chest, and Jungkook has to suppress a moan at the delicious way he palms his chest, feeling the hard muscle underneath his dress shirt.

His hands squeeze Taehyung’s waist, and he’s bringing Taehyung’s bottom lip between his teeth as he pulls away. The noise that falls from the blonde’s lips fills the room and feeds Jungkook’s growing arousal.

“Jungkook.” Taehyung whimpers, and he shudders with how insanely good his name sounds in Taehyung’s deep fucked out voice. He kisses down Taehyung’s chin just to hear it again, just to coax more inebriating little sounds from his throat.

His teeth drag along Taehyung’s jaw, nipping the skin lightly. It makes the boy whimper pliantly, his palms drifting from Jungkook’s broad chest to grab onto his shoulders and then slide down to his biceps where his sleeves are bunched up to leave his forearms bare. Taehyung squeezes the firm muscle with his fingers and arches against Jungkook’s torso when he bites at the skin right under the edge of his strong jawline, a needy gasp leaving his plump lips.

And, god, Jungkook wants to do everything to Taehyung. Wants to get drunk in every little sound he makes, wants to explore every single patch of skin to find the spots that make him shudder, wants to kiss every inch of him. He has never felt like this. He has had lovers, has felt passion and desire, but never like this. There’s something indescribable that pulls him towards Taehyung, makes him want to drown in his touch in a way he never felt before.

His lips graze the column of Taehyung’s long neck and he kisses above his pulse, warm and open mouthed, sucking the skin lightly between his teeth just so he can hear the broken moan that leaves Taehyung’s lips, a ghost of his name that makes Jungkook’s entire body tremble. He can feel the growing pressure against the restraint of his pants, knows he’s getting gradually more and more lost in the sounds that Taehyung presses against his lips, knows he has to stop soon before things get out of control.

When Taehyung uses the grip on his arms to pull him closer and their bulges press together, there’s no way he can control the broken moan that he presses against Taehyung’s skin, making the boy tighten his grip impossibly stronger, fingernails digging into the skin of Jungkook’s bicep even through the fabric of his shirt.

“Well, would you look at that.” The voice is foreign and cuts through the sound of their moans. Jungkook startles, jumping away from Taehyung at the same time the blonde scurries to get off the desk. When he looks up, his stomach curls with something unpleasant.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” He spits harshly, voice a bit fucked out and still breathing heavily by what he and Taehyung had just been doing, and Minjun makes a face of disgust in their direction, still holding the door of Jungkook’s office like he was in the process of coming in.

“I could ask you the same, but the scene is pretty self-explanatory.” Minjun’s eyes drift to Taehyung then, and just the thought of letting him see the blonde in that state makes Jungkook frown in distaste, pulling Taehyung close to wrap a protective arm around the boy. They’re both flushed red, clothes wrinkled, their previous activities well reflected in their disheveled looks. “Not gonna lie, didn’t take you for that type.”

The comment makes anger crawl under Jungkook’s skin. Jungkook knows damn well that Minjun remembers just as well as he does the long nights working in the office, the numerous times they’ve fucked each other against the walls, the windows, the desks. It’s mirrored in the wicked twist of Minjun’s lips, but Jungkook refrains from saying anything about it in front of Taehyung, not when the blonde is grabbing his wrist so tightly in clear discomfort.

“Fuck off, Minjun.” He barks then, arranging his clothes the best he can in his best attempt at looking collected.

“I’m going to be honest, I really thought you were more professional than that.” He continues, ignoring Jungkook’s murderous glare entirely. He sees Taehyung pulling the hem of his sweater down discreetly, and something like pride swells in his chest when he notices what he’s trying to hide. He did that.

“And I really thought I had already warned you not to come into my office uninvited.” He says then, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair and pocketing his phone. He doesn’t want to be in Minjun’s presence more than absolutely necessary, and this whole conversation is already extremely unnecessary.

“I didn’t mean to stop by, I was just coming back to fetch something I had forgotten when I heard noise and thought it’d be better to check it out.” He says nonchalantly, like he hadn’t just sneaked into Jungkook’s office shamelessly. “Not gonna lie, whatever I was expecting to find, it certainly wasn’t this.”

“And this conversation is over.” He says firmly. He stretches his hand for Taehyung to grab and starts pulling him along to the exit when he does. Minjun backs away then with an amused look, watching as Jungkook locks up his office without letting go of Taehyung’s hold. “We’re leaving. Go home, Minjun.”

“Will do, boss. Make sure you lock the door next time.” He teases, and Jungkook can’t even bother with giving him another look before he’s heading to the elevator with Taehyung pressed against his side. He can feel Minjun’s stare burning in the back of his head until the elevator’s door is closing behind him.

Then it’s quiet again, and Jungkook can’t help but be extremely aware of where his hand is intertwined with Taehyung’s. There’s also the really hard to ignore problem between his legs, his skin still buzzing from the pleasure of feeling Taehyung’s body against his own. He wonders what would have happened if Minjun hadn’t walked in, how far they would’ve gone.

He glances to his side, where Taehyung is nervously worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. His cheeks are flushed a pretty shade of red, his hair messy from their making out session. His lips are swollen and red from Jungkook’s kissing and biting, and the sight does things to Jungkook’s bottled arousal. It doesn’t help that when his eyes trail down, he catches the spot where Taehyung’s neck is exceptionally red, the skin already starting to bruise, and Jungkook can’t help but focus on the fact that he did that.

Taehyung is uncharacteristically silent, eyes avoiding Jungkook’s ones like the plague. It makes him a bit nervous, makes him wonder if maybe he had overstepped and ruined everything because of his selfish needs, despite remembering vividly the moment in which Taehyung asked him to be kissed. They drive back home in silence, Taehyung singing along quietly to whatever song is on the radio, the tension hanging heavy between them.

He knows Taehyung would tell him if he hadn’t felt comfortable with something, knows they promised to be honest with each other. But even so, it doesn’t stop him from wallowing in a mixture of uncertainty and repentance, wondering if maybe Taehyung regretted what they did and didn’t have the courage to admit it.

He’s ready to apologize the moment they get to their floor, the words on the tip of his tongue when they reach the door of Taehyung’s apartment and the blonde turns to face him. He doesn’t say them, though. Because Taehyung is smiling up at him, the gentle expression Jungkook’s gotten so used to seeing back on his face and he can’t help but sag in relief at the sight.

Then Taehyung is stepping closer, hand coming up to cup Jungkook’s cheek when he tilts his chin up to press the softest kiss into the corner of his mouth, whispering. “Good night, Jungkook.”

And he disappears behind his door, leaving, not for the first time, Jungkook standing in the hallway, with his heart on his sleeve.