Work Text:
It was like any other day, except that Taehyung was standing at the bottom of the stairs which he usually used to get to his office and read the sign for the millionth time.
The staircase cannot be used. There is work in progress.
Now Taehyung wouldn’t really make a big fuss out of it, but he was awake the whole night trying to think of other ways to win his case at court and taking an elevator that early in the morning sounded like the worst idea ever. He took a big sigh and returned back to the reception hall because there was seriously no way he was entering that metal machine he absolutely didn’t trust. Surely he wouldn’t be fired if he didn’t show up for work just that day? He was the best lawyer the law firm has ever had, well one of the best lawyers the law firm has ever had. No matter how annoying the other guy was, Taehyung would never take away all the credit he should get for his hard work. Not that he would ever tell him that. Taehyung was sitting down on one of those plushy sofas and groaned in his hands because his unfinished case was in fact against the annoying guy. He was extremely sensitive, especially when he didn’t sleep, and deep down inside he knew he had to get to the office. With or without getting a panic attack. He got up from the sofa and smoothed the creases which appeared on his black suit pants. Taehyung knew he would never be ready for what was about to come, but what could possibly go wrong when his office was just on the third floor?
He stood in front of the metallic door and waited in silence. At least there were no people around him since it was pretty early in the morning. Way too early in the morning. He hoped at least the elevator would be empty so he could panic in peace. As he was watching the numbers going down in slow motion his heartbeat was picking up the pace and his hands became way too sweaty for his liking.
Gosh, it’s coming even before I entered the damn box.
Taehyung would love it if he could stop thinking about small spaces and how it made him feel but the damage had already been done and he was on his third worst-case scenario when the doors opened with a piercing ding. Greeted by Jeon Jeongguk in all his glory definitely didn’t help the situation he was in.
Taehyung observed the way his black suit hugged him and his expressionless face, which in fact, Taehyung knew wasn’t without expression. It was just his I-have-to-win-this-case face. In other circumstances, he would be delighted to do anything to crack it like he usually did, but at that moment he was facing his death so he couldn’t care less.
‘’What are you waiting for Kim? You won’t come in? Are you afraid I’m gonna peak at your files?’’ He used the same smirk that made Taehyung’s blood boil every time he had to see it, but at that moment it felt much worse than usual. Most likely due to the fact that he could hear his blood in his ears way before Jeon appeared.
‘’Don’t worry Kim, I can win the case against you any time with my eyes closed.’’ Jeongguk continued, holding the door with his hands. His voice slightly pulled Taehyung out from his panicking state and made him think about his words instead of the elevator. Was that a challenge Taehyung heard in his voice? He would never back down from a challenge, especially if it came from Jeon Jeongguk himself so he shook his head slightly praying to God Jeon didn’t see how his eyes were already brimming with tears as he stepped inside the elevator. He stood there at the right corner in the back, trying not to fall down. His legs weren’t in the best condition. His breath hitched as Jeongguk moved his hand and the door closed. That was when Taehyung was starting to completely lose it. He couldn’t bring himself to breathe in anything more than half a breath and repeating it didn’t help at all.
‘’What’s up, Kim boy? You seemed shaken up when I saw you in front of the elevator. You scared because of what’s gonna happen in the afternoon?’’ Jeongguk was facing the door and Taehyung was clutching the small fence attached to the walls behind him. He really couldn’t focus on anything Jeon was saying let along muster a reply. They passed the first floor and were on their way to the second when Taehyung couldn’t handle it anymore and a slight sob escaped his mouth, not loud enough to be heard but loud enough for Jeongguk who had already sensed something was wrong with his partner.
‘’Kim, what’s wrong?’’ He turned around, his voice laced with worry, something that was rarely heard. Taehyung was shaking to the point you could hear his rings hitting the metal fence he was loosely holding onto. He took his lower lip in between his teeth just to stop himself from crying, but all he could think about was how the big metal mirrorless monsters were caging him inside, not allowing him to breathe. He managed to look up, passed worried Jeongguk and saw that they had just passed the second floor. But it still felt like forever and oxygen was just not passing through so he cried for help and his limbs couldn’t hold him anymore.
Jeongguk most definitely didn’t get the answer he was hoping for. He looked at Taehyung and couldn’t believe in what kind of state he was. Before he could think about anything else he sensed him falling and grabbed him by his waist before he could hit the floor. He had no idea what to do but he felt like he had to say something to a crying man on his chest.
‘’Hey Kim, what’s wrong? Help me out, will you? You are scaring me.’’ He was slightly patting Taehyung’s damp hair since he really didn’t know what to do.
Taehyung’s mind was a completely blank canvas and he barely recognized who was holding him and the realization itself came just because he could smell him.
‘’I-I need…air.’’ Taehyung choked out but to Jeongguk it sounded more like gasps for survival.
‘‘It’s okay, we will get out now. Just hold on for a few more seconds.’’ He whispered to his ear trying to calm him down.
Just when they both thought they would hear a ding, the elevator made an abrupt stop and the small box was filled with a weakened fluorescent light and a female voice.
‘’Users of the elevators, I’m asking you to stay calm. The power was suddenly cut off due to the construction work that’s happening in the building. It will come back shortly after this.’’
When Taehyung registered the words his fear and panic settled even deeper in his bones, making him clutch his chest and cry loudly. Jeongguk also shaking cupped Taehyung’s face and made him look into his eyes. They were certainly unfocused and he stopped breathing altogether, mouth gaping open but his chest not moving. Jeongguk’s insides turned upside down and the thought of something bad happening to his partner set him in his own panic mode. They were about the same height so he brought Taehyung as close as he could so their foreheads were touching.
‘’Taehyung, look at me. Hey please just focus on me okay? I’m right here, nothing will happen to you when I’m right here.’’ Jeongguk was speaking nonsense as fast as he could just to get a reaction out of Taehyung. Both men were shaking together, one more than the other, but nonetheless together, both afraid of something.
Taehyung recognized the voice and tried desperately to speak but all he could do was choke on the air that didn’t move past his tonsils. He felt his tears streaming down the face and he was absolutely lost. All he wanted was to breathe. Jeongguk felt relieved that Taehyung was at least moving his chest now and he let go of the breath he didn’t know he was holding. Taehyung’s eyes shot up at the faint feeling of air on his lips and desperately gasped for it which Jeongguk noticed and figured out he might be able to help him after all. He was holding Taehyung’s head firmly against his own and his other hand was around his waist.
‘’Taehyung can you focus on my breath? Can you feel it? There is air right in front of your mouth, just inhale, will you?’’ He was softly caressing the nape of his head and encouraging him to take slow breaths. ‘’Come on TaeTae, you can do it. Shall we count until ten and breathe together?’’ Jeongguk felt Tae barely nodding and his heart calmed down for at least a heartbeat.
All Taehyung suddenly could focus on was the soft puffs of air coming from another pair of lips and that was his first step to salvation. As Jeongguk promised, they were breathing in and out while counting to ten and around number six Taehyung could finally feel the fresh wave of oxygen hitting his lungs and his vision clearing. With his last atoms of strength, he raised his hands and put them around Jeongguk’s neck.
‘’Thank you.’’ He whispered against Jeongguk’s lips and as the new sensation hit his body, looking at the younger’s eyes, he became hyperaware of the position he was in. He dropped his arms which was a sign for Jeongguk to slightly move and give him space. He did just that but his hands never left Taehyung’s body.
He was still roaming the man with his frightened eyes thinking he was going to break if he left him. ‘’Hey, TaeTae are you okay now? Do you feel better?’’ Taehyung tried to answer without focusing on the nickname or the fact that his skin was burning at Jeongguk’s touch which was sending flames down his body.
‘’Yes, I’m fine. Thank you really. I’m claustrophobic and I really didn’t want to enter the elevator but the stairway was closed and I-‘’ He suddenly stopped talking and his eyes widened. Pushing Jeongguk away he walked into every corner of the elevator, starting to shake again. ‘’Jeongguk why aren’t we moving?’’ His voice was an indicator that he was indeed on his way to hyperventilate again. He looked towards the buttons on the left side of the door and then again towards Jeongguk. ‘’Jeon why aren’t we moving? Did you press anything? Oh my God, am I gonna be stuck in this box forever? I don’t want that. I don’t want that. I don’t want that. It’s so small. I can’t handle spaces when they are small. Please let me out. I can’t breathe again. I feel monsters touching my chest. Please-‘’ He started sobbing once again and looked at Jeongguk with pleading eyes and Jeongguk was already there by his side. He caressed his cheeks softly with both hands removing all the tears that haven’t already become a salty stain.
Jeongguk took a deep breath and prayed to God for strength so he could get Taehyung’s mind on something else. ‘’Tae now here is what we won’t do. We won’t stop breathing and we won’t cry anymore. Okay?’’ Taehyung nodded and tried to focus on Jeongguk which apparently wasn’t that hard when he was all in his personal space again. Jeongguk took that as a sign to move on. He slowly guided him backward so Tae would hit the elevator’s wall and for some odd reason Taehyung’s eyes brimmed with tears again and he broke the contact with Jeongguk just so he could throw his arms around his neck and hug him tightly. Jeongguk’s air got knocked out of his lungs just for a second but it didn’t take him long to wrap his arms around Taehyung’s waist and give him the biggest hug he could muster. He could feel Taehyung still shaking so when his partner asked him to talk, he obliged happily. Jeongguk slowly started to draw circles across Taehyung’s back and when he didn’t protest but just snuggled into Jeongguk’s neck, Jeongguk smiled and asked a question.
‘’Do you remember when we first saw each other?’’ Now he felt Taehyung’s lips stretching on his skin and he would lie if he said that didn’t make him feel some kind of way. The kind of way he got rid of the moment he saw Taehyung all those years ago.
‘’Yeah, you shot daggers at me with your eyes because you got a small room with no windows and I got an office with the view.’’ He giggled and the vibration that went through Jeongguk’s body was the best feeling he had experienced so far.
‘’Well of course!! It was totally not fair! We were both interns!’’ Jeongguk raised his voice slightly sounding annoyed. He moved a bit so he could look at Taehyung and seeing the way his smile touched his eyes made him giddy inside. He swore he had no idea what took over him. Taehyung suddenly leveled up with Jeongguk and looked him in the eyes.
‘’But I had a really good reason!!’’ Now, Jeongguk found out he really did. He smiled and caressed his cheek again. He found himself liking Tae’s soft skin under his fingertips. ‘’Yeah, you can keep your big ass office as long as it means this never happens again.’’ Taehyung decided to ignore the way that situation made him feel like he decided to ignore the feeling of Jeongguk’s lips on his 5 years ago. The thought suddenly made him smile.
‘’Why are you smiling?’’
‘’Do you remember when we first got drunk together?’’ Jeongguk groaned at that question because both of them know the answer. ‘’Taeeee, you know I don’t remember shit and if you didn’t cover for me the morning after, I would most likely be jobless right now.’’ Taehyung laughed loudly and Jeongguk had to join, fully aware he couldn’t resist Tae in any way and he had no idea how he survived all those years. They finally talked about something that wasn’t their job. However, they did talk about their first case together and about their first case as the rivals. They also talked about their first dinner and first sleepless night and first fight and first apologies and every little thing they did together.
Jeongguk sighed happily, drunk on the feeling of Taehyung in his arms. ‘’Tae?’’ The older hummed looking Jeongguk in the eyes. ‘’We did lots of things together,’’ Jeongguk said and the air around them suddenly became heavy, as if they were aware of the position they were in.
‘’Mhmm, lots of firsts,’’ Taehyung answered, never leaving the younger’s stare unanswered.
‘’Yeah, how about another first...’’ Jeongguk looked at Tae’s lips and softly traced the lower one with his thumb and leaned in the way he did when Tae was panicking. This time it was much more enjoyable.
And Taehyung let him, he let him like he did 5 years ago and hoped this time it would stay carved in his mind forever just like it happened to him.
When Jeongguk finally touched Tae’s lips he swore it felt like home, like he belonged there, like Tae’s lips were the last puzzle that he needed to complete the piece. The way Taehyung moved along with Jeongguk’s lips, giving in at every nip and bite and lick felt way too familiar. Though he let it slide since the feeling was way too intoxicating for him to think about anything else but Taehyung and Taehyung only. It seemed like both of them knew what they were doing when Taehyung let Jeongguk in and gave him full control over every part of his body. Tongues touched and both of them whimpered as if the feeling was too overwhelming or maybe it was just anticipated for too long so both of them gave in their desires. Jeongguk moaned as Taehyung pulled his hair and Tae breathed out a desperate I need you as Jeongguk rested his whole body on the elder. He started kissing his jawline and said in between kisses with a voice barely above a whisper ‘’I’m here. You got me.’’ Taehyung just pressed his whole body against Jeongguk’s as if the pressure the younger was leaving wasn’t enough. Jeongguk trailed the kisses down Taehyung’s neck while making his tie loose and unbuttoning his shirt so he could mark his pretty collarbones.
‘’Oh, God..Gguk that feels so good,’’ Tae whined as Jeongguk peppered him with kisses wherever he could. Until he suddenly stopped and he looked him in the eyes, breathing heavily, their pupils blown.
‘’You are not close enough.’’ Jeongguk breathed out, desperate for more skinship.
Tae smiled softly and answered. ‘’Well, Gguk I can’t come any closer than this.’’ Jeongguk raised his eyebrows and hummed.
‘’Well if you could take your clothes off-‘’
Tae fixed him with a stern look on his face. ‘’I am not taking off my thousand-dollar suit and leaving it on the floor of the metal box I’m terrified of just because you want me closer.’’
Jeongguk smiled and nodded bringing Tae in for another firm kiss. ‘’You’ve got a point there.’’
They were both restless and breathing quickly but while looking into each other eyes it was definitely worth it.
‘’You know Gguk, this actually can’t count as the first.’’ Taehyung smiled at a completely confused Jeongguk, thinking that it was the best moment to tell him.
‘’What? I’m pretty sure I would remember kissing these lips. That’s kinda unforgettable.’’ Jeongguk said in disbelief, but when he thought about it, there was some kind of familiarity while being intimate with Tae.
‘’Oh Jeon boy, don’t get ahead of yourself. It seems like you really forgot everything from that night.’’ Taehyung was teasing him, but as soon as Jeongguk realized what he was talking about his smile fell and he closed his eyes in regret. Regret for not remembering.
‘’First drinking together. Why didn’t you tell me, Tae?’’ Hearing Jeongguk’s question he really gave it proper thinking this time around. He thought about Gguk kissing him that night and telling him that he was the prettiest person he saw in his life. He thought about giggling that night in his apartment and the overall feeling of happiness, but he also thought about completely drunk Jeongguk and how he didn’t remember in the morning. He thought about losing him if he mentioned anything and he thought how he would rather have him in one form in his life than not at all. He thought about all the years they spent in each other company even if they never declared any kind of friendship. Tae thought it was the mutual feeling of the urge to take care of each other. As he was thinking deeply his eyes grew in realization.
How the hell didn’t he realize he was falling in love with the man right in front of him? And what the hell was he supposed to do with that newfound information?
‘’Why do you look like you are gonna go into the panic mode again? I told you not to think about it and focus on me.’’ Jeongguk slightly whined and hoped Taehyung’s attention would divert to him.
He shook his head a bit and got closer to Jeongguk if it was even possible since they were attached skin to skin. ‘’My focus is on you. And I didn’t tell you because I was afraid of losing you.’’ He shot a small smile to the confused Jeongguk and touched his red at the end colored locks. ‘’I wished I had realized this sooner.’’ To say that Jeongguk had no idea what he was talking about was an understatement, but when Taehyung pressed his lips softly to Jeongguk’s once again, his mind was completely cleared and he kissed him back with a smile.
Taehyung did like him back and there was no doubt in his movements or response to the younger’s touch. So Jeongguk decided to kiss him and kiss him and kiss him senseless until they were both out of breath, now for different reasons. Pressing small kisses on Tae’s lips he managed to say what he wanted for a long time.
‘’Me‘’, he pressed a light kiss on Tae’s lips again, ‘’yours.’’ Kissing him again for pure joy until Taehyung interrupted him. ‘’You’’, he kissed him again, ‘’ mine.’’
Just as they started giggling at their somewhat sappy declaration of love, the doors opened with a ding. As much as Taehyung was happy about what happened in the elevator he didn’t want to step in it ever again. ‘’Oh thank God, finally.’’ He sighed in relief and Jeongguk escorted him out and to his office through the hallway. Leaving him at the door he leaned in for another kiss. He seriously thought that he could do that and just that for the rest of his life. They stared into each other eyes for a few seconds longer until Taehyung broke the silence.
‘’Wanna come at mine tonight?’’ Jeongguk’s eyes lit up and he answered with a smirk. ‘’Of course, just after I kick your butt in court.’’
Taehyung gasped and couldn’t believe what his ears were hearing. ‘’Ha, I’ve already told you not to get ahead of yourself. I’ll wipe the floor with you in the afternoon, Jeon.’’
Jeongguk smiled hearing Taehyung challenging him like always. He was happy. Nothing, in fact, had changed, on the contrary, his life just got better.
‘’See you tonight, Tae.’’ Taehyung kissed him once more and let him go just to scream after him. ‘’You idiot, I’ll see you in court first.’’ That made Jeongguk dissolve in giggles and then a loud laugh.
‘’Okay, well, see you in court and tonight.’’
It was rare for Jeongguk to laugh like that, so genuinely. Taehyung would sometimes catch it when they were working together instead of against each other. Watching him walk away, Taehyung hoped he could hear it more now when Jeongguk was his and only his.