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Taehyung loosens his tie for the nth time, complaining mutely about the way it almost too tight, choking him in every breath he took. He will never like it, really. Tie is not his thing.
Still frowning, Taehyung stands before the elevator, right hand gripping a map. He should send this to the 16th floor. But he’s hungry and a bit grumpy today. His brown, supposed-to-shiny hair drenched, sticking to his forehead. He sighs heavily.
He tucks his left hand into his formal pants pocket. He can feel it’s sweating. Damn it. He doesn’t look attractive at all.
The 16th floor is where Human Resources located. He has never been there since his work doesn’t exactly relate to them, but Jeon Jungkook, his coworker, have to report complaints and suggestions from employees, along with violation that happened every month. The guy 𑁋Jungkook𑁋 despite two years younger than Taehyung is the manager of Labor, under the Compliance department. Taehyung never envied him, not really, because Jungkook actually got all the shits done so well. Jungkook always made sure to report in time for everything he’s responsible for.
Taehyung, of course, willing to help him even though he’s not under the same division with Jungkook. But the younger is out of the town by now, and he’s kinda free, and to be honest, he wants to … meet Kim Seokjin, Manager of Payroll, also the one that holds the most beautiful person in the world title according to Taehyung.
Seokjin was visiting the 14th floor where Compliance is on, discussing something with Jungkook when Taehyung 𑁋a rookie who just joined with the company for a month𑁋 saw him for the first time. It was a magical moment for Taehyung even until now, there months later. The way Seokjin’s face lifted up to see him, smiling as Taehyung greeted him stuck inside his brain.
Now Taehyung regrets his stupid decision. He hasn’t even inside the elevator, but his whole body is sweating cold. No, no. He is not ready to meet the Kim Seokjin. His knees are already giving out, he barely can keep his body from falling.
But before the brown can turn around and run back to his cubicle, the elevator door opens with a ‘ding’ echoing to his eardrums. Two figures stepping out from inside, handing boxes in each arm. Taehyung feels the blood drained from his face when he recognizes one of them is Seokjin. Hoseok, one of Seokjin’s coworker 𑁋the one that has talked with Taehyung some times𑁋 grinning as his eyes meet with Taehyung’s.
"Halo!" greets him cheerfully.
Taehyung gulps. He dares himself to stare at Seokjin, whose face is calm and icy as usual, mouth shut tight and eyes sharp. He feels like he can split into two.
"Oh, um, Hi. Are you guys coming here?"
Taehyung moves aside, ensuring the two can walk just fine as the boxes seem heavy. Hoseok turns and nods to Taehyung, looking genuinely grateful for the small gesture from the younger. “Yup. Thank you so much, Taehyung-ssi!”
Returning the smile, Taehyung glances at Seokjin feverously. But Seokjin doesn’t even pause his step to greet him. Well, it’s not like he was expecting it because; 1) He can faint at the moment; 2) Seokjin is known in the entire company (and even their subsidiary) that he’s an Ice Prince, cold and untouched. All people that know him claimed that Seokjin is not cocky person at all. He is actually friendly and easy-going if you’re close enough to him. But his life is mystery. His whole story is sealed privately. Whoever tried to cross their line, Seokjin will make sure they vanish from his circle. Knowing his position, no one is brave enough to dig into his personal life.
That’s why, Taehyung is kind of relived for the way Seokjin treated him like a stranger, although he can’t lie to himself he wants to be close with Seokjin for real.
The brown steps in with shaky legs. Breath that he has been holding for so long, he releases it as the elevator door closes.
"Shit!" He curses as he tightens the grip on his map.
This was not the first time Taehyung met Seokjin in the elevator. He remembers all the (good) times he was ‘trapped’ with Seokjin inside. Some times with other employees, twice just the two of them. Taehyung swore he would not use the elevator anymore since he literally trembled beside Seokjin. But his office is on 14th floor, it sounds like a mission impossible.
The first time he was trapped inside the elevator with Seokjin occurred just a week after their first meeting. He was about to go to the lobby, alone. But in the 10th floor, Seokjin stepped in. he wanted to pretend to faint, or just actually faint. Seokjin stood next to him, relaxed but still wore his ice mask. He couldn’t even hear the moment Seokjin inhaled or exhaled when their proximity was too extreme for his heart health. He was convinced Seokjin is a vampire for not needing to breathe.
From close, Seokjin smelled like cinnamon. His shoulders 𑁋of course Taehyung should talk about his goddamn shoulders𑁋 almost as wide as the elevator. His shirt was so neat without any flaw. His hair was combed messily with his bang styled back, showing off his shiny forehead. And honestly, Taehyung spent the rest of the ride with mouth hanging open
.
Afterward, Taehyung cleared his throat, and the door was opened. They had arrived. And Seokjin stepped out just like that. Without words. Without greetings.
The second time, thankfully (or not), there were other people. No, it was definitely hell for having some other people. The capacity was not really great, eight human beings inside almost could hear each other heartbeat.
Taehyung𑁋who could count how many times he got lucky in his life𑁋 nearly threw up as another person entered the elevator and pushed Seokjin against Taehyung. His massive shoulder collided with his, not strong, but enough to send Taehyung into some fairy tale imagination with happy ending with Seokjin.
As if the torture was not enough, Kim Namjoon, the culprit (or savior), sent him a worried look and asked,”Taehyung-ssi, right? You okay? You look pale.” with a low, formal voice, but of course, everyone could hear him.
All the eyes were on him. He could sense Seokjin’s eyes boring into his face. He pretended to ignore it. He was focus to want to be swallowed by the earth.
"I, uh𑁋 good, Namjoon-ssi. Thank you for asking."
"You sure?"
Taehyung forced to let out a smile. "Never feeling better."
But he still could feel the eagle eyes fixated on him, stripping him naked. Seconds later, for the first time, Taehyung heard Seokjin inhaled. He might fall in love with the way someone took his breath.
Taehyung frowns as he stares at his PC screen. Sighing, Taehyung is convinced he will die sooner or later, and his company is the one to blame. His eyes then find his favorite body lotion, standing sturdily aside the screen. Without thinking further, he rolled his shirt and pants sleeve, swooping his body lotion, pour it down into his palm generously. With serious face, he spreads the lotion to his arms and legs then feeling ten times better magically. The scent is his holy grail, no doubt. Calming, long-lasting, with a hint of sweet vanilla.
He leans his back to the arm and closes his eyes. Today is especially tiring. Brushing off his bang from his forehead, he opens his eyes. That’s when he notices some people enter his office with boxes. He suddenly remembers Seokjin.
And because his life is funny, Seokjin comes to his sight, stepping in into his office with slow but firm steps, eyes exploring all the room direction. His perfect sculpt face stands out the most, Taehyung stares shamelessly in awe. But then Seokjin catches his eyes.
Taehyung presses his keyboard furiously while Seokjin walks toward his cubicle. The younger curses absently, brain malfunctioning.
As if Seokjin has heard his plea, the older turns right across his cubicle and stops before Jungkook’s room door. Of course, he only has something to talk with Jungkook. Why is he even disappointed? It’s not like he has a chance.
When Seokjin finally is out with Jungkook, Taehyung doesn’t know why but he has bad feeling. The younger walks Seokjin out, and Taehyung hears something akin to “I hope you like it here, Hyung.” frankly, he never been this curious in his life. First of all, why Jungkook called him hyung? He’s not jealous, of course not, or maybe just a little, but he doesn’t know Jungkook is close enough to call the love of his life with ‘hyung’. Second, what did he mean by like it here?
Taehyung looks up, observing Seokjin who’s seated in one of cubicle across the room with so many boxes, the one that closer to the elevator. Jungkook stands next to him, grinning for something that Seokjin says. He then walks away, still smiling wide and stops in Taehyung’s seat.
"You know you aren’t slick, right?" Jungkook whispers.
"W𑁋what?" Taehyung’s eyes dart between Jungkook and Seokjin. Suddenly Seokjin’s eyes are on him, and Taehyung feels like dreaming when he sees Seokjin’s lips curve upoward for a milisecond, something he has never seen. He just smiled .
"Hyung, everyone knows you like him, silly!" Jungkook cackles.
"H𑁋him? Who?!" Taehyung responds with wide eyes.
"Kim Seokjin. Hyung, stop making heart eyes when he’s around. It’s so obvious I wanna puke.”
Oh. My God. Mouth gaping, Taehyung fails to find the right words to answer.
"Am I… Am I that obvious? Oh my God, Kook-ah, what should I fucking do?" Taehyung looks at Jungkook with a plain terror in his eyes. He’s nearly cry at the prospect he should resign and disappear from South Korea.
Jungkook’s teasing smile died. "Uh, no, Hyung. I actually just guessed it. Oh my God, so it’s true?”
"JUNG-" Taehyung bites back his scream as he realized all his coworkers now look at him, including Seokjin. "I mean, what can I help you, Sir?”
Jungkook shakes his head, leaning in to make sure no one can hear him except Taehyung. "If you want him to notice you, act like an adult, please. Talk to him like a man since HR department moves here starting tomorrow. Bye𑁋oh, wait, and please, please, throw your stupid baby body lotion and use perfume like a normal person.”
Before Taehyung can even protest, Jungkook has sprinted into his room. He is not sure if he heard it right. What did he mean HR moves here? It’s impossible … right?
"Taehyung!"
Taehyung stands upon hearing his name, finding Hoseok wanders to his place. He claps joyfully, looking happy as usual. “Tomorrow we will officially move here! Exciting, ain’t it?”
Running cold, Taehyung unconsciously rubbing his hand. "Why?"
"Well, you already heard rumor about new department right? It’s true. They will stay on the 16th floor since it will have more employees than HR. So here we are!”
Huh. The younger takes a moment to listen to his accelerated heartbeat.
Much to no one’s surprise, Taehyung succeeds in avoiding Seokjin for some days since he (and his entire department) joined Compliance on the same floor. He knows he will not be lucky everyday. He perhaps already spent all his luck on this alone.
And to be frank, Jungkook’s advice has been stuck on his mind for some time. Should he really start a conversation? How does it even possible?
Today, he starts his to-get-Seokjin-notices-him-mission by spraying high quality perfume as Jungkook suggested. But talking to Seokjin, huh? He has not gut at all.
Taehyung takes a peek to his watch, tapping his foot impatiently as he waits for the elevator to come to pick him up. He looks up and sighs in relief as the elevator will soon reach the lobby.
Ding!
The door opens. Some people step out, and Taehyung enters it calmly afterward. He is just about to press ‘close’ as someone holds the door, sliding in with one smooth motion.
The air sucks Taehyung’s throat. Holding his breath, Taehyung blinks and presses the button after making sure no one wants to come in.
Seokjin stands beside him in ease and collected, as expected. The younger shifts aside subtly, trying to lessen the possibility of their shoulders touching because only God knows what will happen to him if that happens when they are alone.
Taehyung never considered himself awkward. It's quite the opposite, he can blend with people well and wide. Seokjin, on the other side, is much similar person, they should click, except the fact that they aren't getting along to each other.
Now Taehyung thinks so hard. Why did Seokiin never try to talk to him? Yes his smile is a rare catch, his laugh never be heard, but at least Seokjin could ask him something, right?
Taehyung frowns. Did he ever say something that offend Seokjin? Making the older doesn't like him instantly? Oh, no. His face falls.
"You change your perfume." Taehyung hears a soft voice tickles his ears.
Taehyung chokes. He looks at Seokjin reflectively, face puzzled and terrified but also smitten. The older returns his gaze, brow furrowed. Lips pressed tight, but Taehyung still can see a smile ghosting there.
"Excuse𑁋me?"
"You changed your perfume. Right, Kim Taehyung-ssi?" Seokjin tilts his head, asking with teasing tone, and Taehyung opens his mouth only to shut it again.
"I𑁋 ah … right." Taehyung looks down, hoping he will not embarrass himself further. His chest aches, and he can feel the tears stabbing his eyes. He doesn't want to leave bad memories to Seokjin, but what can he do when Seokjin's this close? The older might think he is pathetic.
Seokjin's question didn't help at all.
"I am not a pervert, I just have sensitive nose. I can easily remember someone else's smell," murmured Seokjin, as if it's the most common topic he can offer. He doesn't realize the poor man beside him is in the urge to sob.
Seokjin looks up. They reach the fifth floor already.
"I prefer your previous perfume," he says in disappointment.
Taehyung stares straight to the door where he can see the reflection of Seokjin and him. Oh, bad decision. Seokjin is watching im intensely.
"Uh ... actually, thats ... body lotion."
Seokjin smiles. Taehyung sees it crystal clear, and his knees weaken. It's short, but a genuine and playful one.
"Look." Seokjin now turns his whole body to face him, forcing the younger to look at him. Seokjin's eyes blink mischievously, childlike and happy. Taehyung feels a stab of pride and joy to witness the other side of someone he adores so much. Now he's not Ice Prince. His warmth comes out strong, enters Taehyung's heart so deep there's no way back. "You can talk to me, you know? Stop avoiding me."
Taehyung blinks. "Seokjin-ssi, I don't𑁋"
Seokjin giggles, echoing. Taehyung feels something creeping up to his heart. Oh, is this possible to fall in love with someone he barely knows?
His cheeks heat up. He wants to appreciate this moment forever. Even if Seokjin only knows him as a nervous junior, a kid who needs to be protected, or someone to kill the time inside the elevator, he doesn't mind.
"I never talked to you because I waited for you to do it first." Seokjin now stares at him seriously, eyes soften and kinder. "Too bad, even after some months you never had the courage."
Taehyung goes agape. Seokjin knows about his crush? Knows he wants to talk to him so bad? Wants to get himself noticed? How come?
"Hey, take a deep breath. We're almost there."
"How...?"
"You always looked like you just saw a ghost when we met." Seokjin shrugs. "But you're cute when you're nervous, so I played fool."
Taehyung opens his mouth, but sentence he has arranged on his brain vanish. Seokjin chuckles. "I'm sorry. But we can start from now."
Seokjin looks at him fondly, smiling wide for so long it might break his face. Taehyung freezes, frowning. "Start...what?"
Ding!
"You never thought I like you too? I have the same massive crush as yours too, come on. Well, now you know. So stop avoiding me." Seokjin caresses Taehyung's back. The younger feels so warm that he doesn't want to step out to his real world. "Come on."
The younger leaves the elevator remotely, confused and blank.
"Call me tonight, okay?" Seokjin whispers before leaving him to his own cubicle.
Taehyung never been happier.
Jungkook is seated in Seokjin's cubicle, shaking his head in annoyance.
"Idiots." Taehyung hears him mumble before Seokjin's palm meets his arm in smack. Seokjin's ears redden.
Wow. Taehyung grins.