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Taehyung was already in the kitchen when Yoongi woke up.

“Good morning, hyung.”

Yoongi went for coffee and only answered Taehyung after he took the first sip.

“Morning, Tae. You’re up early.”

“It’s my first day at my internship, I can’t be late.” Taehyung smiled.

“Oh, right. I forgot that.” Yoongi yawned. “Do you want me to take you there?”

“No, hyung. Don’t worry. It’s your day off, you should go back to sleep. I’ll take the subway.”

“Good luck, Tae.”

“Thanks, hyung.”

Taehyung watched Yoongi go back to his room with his mug in hand and giggled. His brother was a great guy but he wasn’t a morning person. Taehyung actually could relate to that, however, he needed the internship, and he was excited about it because it would be in a company he really liked, so that was worth waking up early for.

He looked at his watch and rushed to finish getting ready. He screamed goodbye to Yoongi and left their apartment.

On the subway, Taehyung reviewed what he knew about Golden Enterprises. It was a company that branched over some entertainment areas, especially short films and games. Taehyung had been accepted there as an intern for the creative team that worked with short films, as Jung Hoseok, the HR manager, had said after telling him he was in.

It wasn’t exactly what Taehyung wanted at first but he would be in the company and Hoseok had explained he could be switched between teams there with time. So Taehyung was satisfied.

Also, he couldn’t choose much after he had taken a time off after college to serve his mandatory service and travel to foreign countries for a while. He didn’t regret that decision but his career had suffered a little. Anyway, now he was going to work for the company he wanted and everything would be fine.

Back to what he knew about GE.

Its CEO was known to be very young, yet intelligent, smart, and successful. He was named in the news and such only as JJK . Very mysterious, but Taehyung thought it was another way of protecting his personal life. Because although the man was kind of famous, his face wasn’t in the news either. Rumors said he didn’t allow it, so people outside the company usually didn’t know what he looked like or his full name. And that included Taehyung. He was curious though and hoped he would see the CEO someday in the company. But he wasn’t exactly counting on that.

Some people said the real brain behind the company was the vice-CEO, Kim Namjoon, but Taehyung doubted a board of directors, and the previous CEO would comply with a young guy being in the higher chair if he wasn’t good enough. Those were probably jealous people or just haters - they existed everywhere.

He stopped thinking about the history of the company when he arrived at the station he needed.

Taehyung arrived at the company and admired the building again. He hadn’t had the time or the state of mind to admire it the first time he was there for the interview. It was a modern building with an interesting design. Today he admired it for a little more time before entering.

He greeted the front desk clerk and identified himself, as Hoseok had instructed him to do to receive his badge.

After that, he followed the clerk’s instructions and went to the floor of his team. Taehyung was trying to hold his nervousness at bay, he hoped people there would be nice. As he arrived in the room he was supposed to go, a tall man, with wide shoulders approached him.

“Are you the new intern?”

“Yes. Kim Taehyung.”

“Nice to meet you, Taehyung. I’m Kim Seokjin. I’m the coordinator, or manager, of the team. You can sit at that desk and pay attention to your colleagues. Also, read this. It’s an old project you can analyze to have an idea about how we work here.” Seokjin handed him a stash of papers.

“Thank you, Seokjin-ssi.”

Taehyung bowed and went to the desk he was assigned.

His morning was calm, he did exactly what Seokjin had ordered him to and observed the team working while he studied the papers he had been given. It was a fascinating project and Taehyung finished reading it feeling happier to be in this team, maybe he would actually like it more than he had thought before.

When it was time for his lunch break, Taehyung had to ask where to go. He arrived in the cafeteria and assessed the place. Many tables were already fully occupied or almost there. Although Taehyung considered himself more on the extroverted side, he was feeling shy and nervous today, so he searched for a free table to sit at after he served his food.

At the far corner of the cafeteria, there was an unoccupied table, so Taehyung went there. It even looked a little isolated from the others. Taehyung looked around and no one seemed interested in what he was doing or in calling him to sit with them, or in saying anything against him sitting there, so Taehyung shrugged and sat alone. He opened a game on his phone and played while eating.

During the afternoon, Seokjin gave Taehyung some tasks, which he was happy to complete. And like that, his first day of work went well and he went home happy at the beginning of the night.

His first week at work went like that. In the morning, Taehyung would study old projects, then he would have lunch alone on the corner table in the cafeteria, then he would receive tasks in the afternoon.

It wasn’t that Taehyung wasn’t making friends with his colleagues, he was starting to talk with the ones in his team, but he was still a little nervous to interact with others. Also, his colleagues had different lunchtimes and usually didn't go to the cafeteria with him.

During the second week of work, Taehyung started to receive more tasks and study old projects less. That made him interact more with his colleagues and people in other teams in the company, while he did the assigned tasks.

He was enjoying the environment and the people there, but Taehyung was getting more curious about the CEO. Ever since he started working there not one talk about the man had surfaced. He also didn’t have a picture anywhere in the building, as far as Taehyung's research had reached. The few times he tried to ask about him, his colleagues even referred to him as CEO JJK , so he still didn’t know his name or his face.

In the middle of his third week in the company, Taehyung was having lunch in the cafeteria - still alone and still at the corner table - when a man approached him and asked if he could sit with him.

Taehyung looked at him and thought that the guy was around his age. He was wearing a suit without a tie but obviously overdressed compared to Taehyung's t-shirt and sweater. Taehyung didn't know him and guessed he probably worked with one of the directors to be using that kind of clothes.

He shrugged, smiled a little, and said they could sit together. Politely, Taehyung closed the game he had already opened on his phone.

“I’m Jungkook.” The guy said.

“I’m Taehyung.” He answered and ate another spoon of his meal. “Are you new to the company? I don’t remember seeing you around here since I started a few weeks ago.”

“Oh, are you new?” Taehyung nodded. “I’m not new, I was traveling. Just came back.”

“Ah, that’s nice. I started almost 3 weeks ago. I’m an intern in the Short Movies Creation team.”

“Under Seokjin...Ssi?” Taehyung nodded again, slightly tilting his head at the pause before the respectful addressing of his immediate boss. “He is nice.”

“He is very nice! Where do you work?”

“I work with the administration.”

That didn’t exactly answer Taehyung’s question, but it sort of explained the smart attire Jungkook was wearing, so he accepted it without further question. He looked at his phone and saw he was almost running late, then he quickly finished his meal and got up.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Jungkook-ssi, but I need to go now.”

“I’ll see you around, Taehyung.”

Taehyung just nodded, smiling, and left the cafeteria. He didn’t even notice he had been addressed informally, which was unusual unless your boss was speaking with you.

In the next two days, he had lunch with Jungkook again once. They mostly kept to themselves, just eating together, however, Taehyung thought it was nice to not be alone again.

On Saturday, Taehyung had dinner with his brother and his boyfriend, who was finally back from a work trip. He helped Yoongi cook and when Jimin arrived in their apartment it was hard to say if he was happier to see Yoongi or Taehyung, whom he claimed he was soulmates with ever since they had met years ago in college.

After they had dinner, Yoongi and Jimin cuddled on the couch, while Taehyung sat on the floor, turning on their video game to play Super Smash Bros. As he was setting the game, Jimin asked something he was very curious about.

“Did you finally discover anything about the CEO, TaeTae?”

“No, actually. I didn’t find any picture of him around the company and people refer to him as JJK there too.” He distributed the joysticks and shrugged. “I didn’t ask much about him, though. It didn’t feel right to do it just because I’m curious.”

“I’m sure you will meet him someday, TaeTae.” Jimin said, choosing his character. “And how is your lunchtime going? Are you still eating alone?”

“This week, I had company twice.”

“You didn’t tell me this!”

Taehyung heard his brother huff and he knew Jimin had elbowed him, so he hid a giggle.

“I didn’t know.” Yoongi huffed out.

“You are terrible, Yoongi. Not showing concern for your own little brother.” Jimin scolded in a teasing tone. “So tell me about this person, Soulmate.” Jimin’s tone was soft again, while they started playing.

“We almost didn’t talk but he seemed nice. I think he is around our age and his name is Jungkook. He works in the administration, I don’t know exactly where or for whom.” Taehyung said, not caring about that anymore now that they were playing.

“Jungkook?” Jimin asked.

“Yep.” Taehyung said.

Yoongi raised himself on the couch to look at Jimin’s face because he knew that tone well, the tone of voice that said he knew something more. He mouthed a “what?” to his boyfriend and received a head shake as an answer. Later, he would know. Yoongi would make Jimin tell him whatever it was.

The rest of the night was spent playing video games and talking about a variety of things that weren’t related to Taehyung’s work in GE.

Another work week started and Taehyung was once again having lunch alone on the corner table. He had been there for a while already, so he was playing a game on his smartphone when Jungkook approached with his own lunch tray.

“Hi, Taehyung.”

“Hi, Jungkook.” He answered automatically.

“Are you playing a game?”

“Hm, yes.” Taehyung nodded and turned his screen for the other to see. “It’s not from the company, but I play GE’s games too.”

“Oh, I know this game, it’s very good! I also play games from other companies. We can’t possibly produce everything in the market.” Jungkook giggled. “Which are your favorite games?”

“For phones?” Taehyung asked and saw the other nod.

Then he started listing the ones he currently had installed and some others he had tried on. Taehyung and Jungkook found a lot of common likings in between their opinions. They got so entranced by the talk that Taehyung was almost late to go back to work.

“We will continue this discussion on another day.” Jungkook said when he got up from the table.

“Absolutely.” Taehyung smiled and waved as he left.

For the rest of the week, they had lunch together three more times and their topic was always phone games, discussing pros and cons, and jokingly fighting about their favorite games and characters.

By Friday, Taehyung was feeling happy and much more comfortable in his workplace. His lunches with Jungkook influenced his mood greatly, even though they barely knew each other, and helped him get over the shyness that was still holding Taehyung back in his relationship with his colleagues.

His team had a meeting for a new project later that day and Taehyung risked giving his opinion a few times. When the meeting ended, and he stayed behind to tidy the room, Seokjin delayed his leave to talk to him.

“Taehyung?”

“Yes, Seokjin-ssi?” Taehyung continued collecting the papers around the table but glanced at his boss.

“You’re doing good. Continue on this path and you will do well.”

“Thank you, Seokjin-ssi.” Taehyung smiled and bowed lightly.

He went home feeling giddy and found Yoongi in the kitchen cooking, which was unusual for a Friday night.

“At home at this hour, hyung?”

“Yeah, it was a lucky shift today and I actually managed to leave at the right time.” Yoongi turned his attention to him, still stirring whatever was in the pan. “You’re smiley.”

“It was a good day at work.” Taehyung, then, narrated the meeting to his brother.

“I’m happy for you, Taehyungie.” Yoongi said after he finished. “Tell me if your idea will be used in the project later.”

“I will, hyung!” Taehyung beamed.

“Now set the table. Jiminie will arrive soon and dinner is almost ready.”

“Okay!”

After dinner, Taehyung left his brother and soulmate alone in the living room and went to his bedroom to give them privacy.

In the following week, Taehyung didn’t meet Jungkook. The other didn’t show up any day for lunch, so Taehyung went back to having his meal alone on the corner table.

One day, his phone died while he was playing because he hadn’t paid attention to its battery, which made him really look around while he ate for the first time ever since his first day at the cafeteria. Then Taehyung noticed a few stares aimed at him.

He didn’t recognize the workers who stared at him and turned their faces when they saw he had noticed them, but he didn’t like that feeling either. After a few uncomfortable glares, Taehyung finished his meal and went back to his team’s room. He arrived there and saw that Seokjin was talking with two other people who were not from the team. One Taehyung soon recognized as being Jung Hoseok, the HR manager. The other he still didn’t know.

Taehyung sat at his table and pulled out a few papers Seokjin had given him to work on. He just wanted to focus on something and forget about the weird feeling that stayed with him after he left the cafeteria. He was taking some notes when someone stopped in front of his table. Taehyung raised his eyes and he couldn’t not smile at Hoseok, who was smiling at him.

“Hi, Taehyung, how are you doing? It’s been more than a month since you started, right?”

“Hi, Hoseok-ssi. Yes, it’s been a month and a week. I’m enjoying my work.”

Hoseok smiled more and rested his hip on the corner of his table.

“Is Seokjin hyung treating you right? We’re friends and I have done some things under his leadership before, I know he can be a menace.”

Before Taehyung could answer, he heard his boss speak.

“Are you, by any chance, talking bad about me to my intern, Hoseokie? Just like you did to all my subordinates?”

“Why would I talk bad about you, Jin hyung?” Hoseok looked over his shoulder in Seokjin’s direction, a smirk on his lips.

“You two, just stop.” The man Taehyung didn’t know interrupted the light bickering.

“Oh, you don’t know our vice-CEO, right, Taehyung?” The intern denied shaking his head. “This is Kim Namjoon.” Hoseok introduced them. “This is the company’s new intern, Namjoonie. Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung got up to bow to him.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

“Nice to meet you too, Taehyung. Welcome to GE.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“We need to go, Hoseok.”

“Okay!”

Hoseok got up and waved at all the workers as he left the room behind Namjoon. Taehyung held a smile until he heard Seokjin lightly laughing and saw his colleagues all with smiles on their lips. Then, he let out a giggle before focusing back on his work. The best part of all that was that he finally forgot what had happened earlier.

Another week passed where Taehyung didn’t see Jungkook. He must be pretty busy at work or even traveling again. Or maybe he was on vacation. Those were the intern’s ideas for so many days of absence. But he couldn’t do much to know about him, since Taehyung didn’t know exactly where or for whom Jungkook worked, and he felt it would be better not to pry about him.

A thing that didn’t stop and was starting to really bother Taehyung was the glares in the cafeteria. Ever since he had first felt those, he could sense them every day now. He still didn’t recognize the people that would glare at him, and they were just a few, but that felt odd. Why was he being stared at like he had done something wrong?

On that Thursday night, Taehyung arrived home fuming. Yoongi was getting ready to go to his job, but he took one look at his brother and saw that something had happened. He looked pointedly at him while Taehyung took off his shoes, waiting to hear about it.

“Can you not stare at me?” Taehyung asked, annoyed.

“Bad day?” Yoongi raised an eyebrow.

“No. Not exactly.” Taehyung threw himself on the couch. “It’s… It’s nothing, hyung. You will be late for work.”

Yoongi simply sat by his side and waited. After a couple of minutes, Taehyung talked.

“It’s just that I have noticed a few people staring at me in the cafeteria in the company. I have no idea who they are, but they’re obviously employees, and they stare at me during my lunch when I’m not looking at them. I just don’t know why, but this is getting annoying.” He glanced at Yoongi and sighed. “I noticed it last week when my phone died while I was eating and, since then, I have been noticing it more. It’s always the same people. It’s annoying because we weren’t introduced, so what have I done for them to look at me like that?”

“Maybe they’re interested-”

“No. I know when I receive a look of interest. These people are judging me. Badly.” Taehyung sighed again.

“Has your lunch buddy noticed it too?”

“Jungkook has been absent from lunch since last week.” He shrugged.

Yoongi frowned but he couldn't do anything now.

“If I didn’t have to go to work, I would stay with you, but I need to go. Will you be okay by yourself, Tae?” He didn’t like to see his brother like that.

“Yeah, hyung. Don’t worry. I’ll order something and binge-watch an anime.”

“Text me if you need anything.”

Yoongi patted Taehyung’s leg and got up, leaving soon later. Taehyung did exactly what he said he would do and that helped him forget about the situation in GE until the next day.

On the next day, Taehyung got stuck in a task and went to have lunch later than he used to go. After he served his food, he turned to go to the corner table but stopped in his tracks. There - at the table he used every day since he had started working - were Jungkook, Seokjin, Hoseok, and Namjoon. He couldn’t just walk there and join them, so Taehyung looked around.

The only table with free chairs was occupied by one of the people Taehyung had noticed staring at him. Right now, it wasn’t different. The woman was looking at him. And she seemed to be smirking. Taehyung didn’t like the sensation that crossed his body under her attention.

He had learned a few days ago about a pleasant patio that employees could use to rest, so he decided to go there. Sitting alone and kind of hiding behind a vase with a tree, Taehyung wondered why Jungkook was sitting with the vice-CEO and two high managers. Maybe he worked with Namjoon and the vice-CEO liked him? Maybe they weren’t so formal between boss and assistant? Taehyung could only wonder.

He was still on the patio, enjoying the view when he heard steps and voices getting close. The voices were from a woman and a man. Taehyung tried not to pay attention, but it became impossible when he realized whom they were talking about.

“Finally our CEO was talking with people worthy of his attention.” The woman said.

“Yes. I was tired of seeing him with that intern that took possession of his table like it was his right.” The man spoke.

Taehyung opened his eyes wide. Jungkook was the CEO? The table Taehyung had been using was reserved for him? He hadn’t been warned about it. He didn’t know.

“I hope that boy learns his place now.” The woman completed.

They passed by him and left the patio. Taehyung stood there, shocked.

He only got up from the bench he was sitting on when his phone’s alarm rang, remembering he needed to go back to work. Taehyung took his tray back inside to hand it to the cafeteria workers and glanced at the table he had been using until yesterday. Jungkook was still there with the others.

Jungkook was smiling at something and Taehyung felt his insides ache. He was trying to take his eyes off the table when Jungkook looked up and spotted him. Taehyung turned his back to him but not fast enough to avoid seeing his smile die down.

Taehyung left the cafeteria quickly and rushed to his team’s room. He couldn’t stop asking himself why Jungkook hadn’t just asked him to leave his table that first time they met. Or why he hadn’t said who he really was.

When Seokjin came back later, Taehyung shrunk in himself like he wanted to hide from his boss. His mind getting busy with thinking if they had been mocking him, the clueless intern.

By the end of his shift, Taehyung was beyond stressed and bearing a monumental headache. He just wanted to go home and sleep for the whole weekend.

He gathered his things and walked, head down, to the exit. Taehyung didn’t see Seokjin’s concerned expression. He also didn’t see that one of the people who had been staring at him was in the same elevator he took. He almost bumped into Hoseok on his way out, but he didn’t raise his head as he apologized and continued walking. Taehyung didn’t see Jungkook observing him from across the lobby, where he was talking with Namjoon and some foreigners.

Taehyung listened to songs that comforted him on the way home. He arrived and found the apartment vacant, Yoongi was probably still at work. So Taehyung searched the fridge for ice cream and went to his bedroom. He didn’t cry, but he moped until he drifted to sleep from exhaustion, emotionally drained.

Taehyung woke up with someone caressing his hair. He opened one eye and saw Jimin laying by his side, a warm smile on his lips.

“About time, TaeTae.”

Taehyung gave Jimin a small smile and snuggled closer to him. They cuddled for a while.

“What is it that is making you sad, Soulmate?” Jimin murmured.

“I discovered who Jungkook really is.” Taehyung whispered.

“What do you mean?”

“I overheard some people talking about him being the CEO, and they also talked about how I had been using his reserved table all this time.” He sighed. “Why didn’t he just tell me to clear the table that first time we had lunch together?”

“Oh, TaeTae…”

Something in Jimin’s tone made Taehyung take some space and look at his face.

“Did you know this already?”

“No. I swear I didn’t know, Tae. But I had a small suspicion.”

“How so?”

“I think dad met him once, in some event for business people. It was probably soon after JJK assumed the CEO position. GE is not a company that our company does business with, but I think they have met. Then I asked dad about him but he didn’t remember him or his name well. So, what remained was a small sensation about knowing the name somehow that I couldn’t confirm. That’s why I didn’t say anything to you. I could’ve been entirely wrong.”

“Ah… Well, you were right.” Taehyung snuggled into Jimin again.

“You said you overheard people talking?” Jimin asked.

“Ah, yeah…” Taehyung, then, told him what had happened in the last two weeks.

Jimin was infuriated and ready to fight for his soulmate after Taehyung finished talking.

“Those entitled assholes! You saw a free table with no identification and used it. It’s not your fault no one cared or had the courtesy to tell you it was reserved. And as far as you told me, Jungkook seems to enjoy talking to you, and he can do this if he wants.” Jimin huffed. “Also, you’re super smart. Any intelligent person would want to talk more with you after the first time.”

Taehyung let a small laugh out at the biting remark.

“Now, I know you’re hurt because, in the end, Jungkook lied to you by omitting who he really is.” Jimin continued. “But, as someone who is recognized in many places because of my dad, and then I am disregarded or people want to take advantage of me and my family’s wealth, maybe - and this is a big maybe - Jungkook just enjoyed the chance to have an equal conversation with you.”

“You mean because I didn’t treat him differently?”

“Yes. But this is only a possibility I can see because of my own experience. Only he knows his reason to not tell you he is the CEO, TaeTae. That is if he really is the CEO and not another manager or an assistant who is friendly with the other managers and the vice-CEO. I’m not convinced if we can trust the assholes.”

“I didn’t think of an equal conversation, but I thought about him possibly being friends with management or Namjoon-ssi.” Taehyung said after a little while.

“You needed time to let your feelings settle. And you needed me!” Jimin giggled.

“I really needed you, Jiminie.” Taehyung smiled, feeling better now. “How did you know I needed you, by the way?”

“First, you didn’t text me last night like you always do. Then, I had hyungie check on you and when he said your dinner had been ice cream, I knew I should be here for you today.”

“Thanks, Jiminie.”

“You’re welcome, TaeTae.” It was Jimin’s turn to snuggle Taehyung again. “Now hyungie is cooking for us and we will spend the rest of the day binge-watching whatever you want. Great idea, right?”

“The greatest!”

On Monday, Taehyung was feeling better but he was still confused about that whole situation. He arrived in his team’s room and went straight to his desk, picking up on the work he had left unfinished on Friday. When Seokjin arrived minutes later, they greeted each other and that was all. Taehyung continued to focus on his work for the rest of the morning.

His lunchtime passed, but he didn’t leave the office. Taehyung purposely decided to have lunch later to try to avoid the rude people. He didn’t think of avoiding Jungkook, just the ones that had been staring at him, but that was what happened in the end - if the CEO had, by any chance, gone there in Taehyung’s usual time.

Taehyung didn’t see Jungkook in the cafeteria that day, although Hoseok was there. The HR manager waved at him from where he was sitting and Taehyung nodded in greeting but went the opposite way to find a place to sit. This time he chose a table where only another worker was. He greeted her but kept to himself, his attention on his phone.

He did that during the whole week, changing his lunchtime every day.

What Taehyung couldn’t and didn’t avoid were the team’s reunions. It was a busy week in his office because the company had a new game almost ready to launch and Seokjin’s team needed to create an advertisement for it. So, they had many meetings where everybody bounced ideas around. Taehyung even suggested a few things, being an avid player who knew what he wanted to see in games’ ads.

He wasn’t prepared for a bigger meeting that involved the Games Creation Team, though.

When he came back from lunch on Thursday, Seokjin was already standing up. The manager looked up to see who had come in.

“Great, you’re here.” He said, turning his attention to the papers he was gathering. “Taehyung, Hyejin, and Yongsun are coming with me. Hold the fort, Jungshin.”

Taehyung mouthed “where” to Hyejin but she just shrugged, getting her things to leave. Taehyung grabbed a notepad and a couple of pens and followed Seokjin with his colleagues.

They went to one of the conference rooms on one of the higher floors. While his team organized things for a presentation, another team came in, and Taehyung recognized a couple of employees from the Game Creation Team.

Then, two other people arrived, and Taehyung recognized the woman he had heard on the patio. He swallowed dry and tried to hide behind Seokjin.

At last, Jungkook entered the room followed by Namjoon.

All Taehyung wanted was to be able to vanish in the air. Where was the ability to Apparate when you needed it?

“Thank you for coming.” He heard Jungkook say. “Let’s take our seats and discuss the plans.”

Taehyung was thinking about how he could pull a chair to discreetly sit behind his team when he felt a hand pull him by the wrist from behind Seokjin. It was Yongsun directing him to sit by her side. He had no chance to hide anymore.

Looking around the table, since he had no choice, Taehyung saw Jungkook by its headboard. Namjoon was at his right, followed by Seokjin and his team. In front of them were the three people from the Game Creation Team, followed by the other two. The woman who used to stare at him in the cafeteria right in front of Taehyung. He cast his eyes down.

“I still think our Marketing Team would take care of this game well, JJK-nim.”

“I know the Marketing Team is more than capable to do the job, Joohyun-ssi. But I want a different approach.” Jungkook said sternly. “Now, GCT, tell me where we are with the launch date.”

The meeting went forward with the Game Creation Team updating them on the development of the game. Then, Jungkook and Namjoon pointed out things they wanted to be changed or adjusted. After that, it was time for Taehyung’s team to tell what they had so far.

The intern kept his head down, focused on listening and taking notes. But he could feel Joohyun’s eyes on him. Taehyung didn’t know how he knew it was her, but he knew.

“Taehyung gave an interesting suggestion.”

He raised his head and looked at Seokjin upon hearing his name.

“Your intern gave suggestions on a project important like this one?” Joohyun asked, and Taehyung could feel the disdain in her tone.

“Yes, Joohyun-ssi. He works in the team.” Seokjin said bluntly.

Taehyung felt his neck starting to warm up. He didn’t want to be the center of attention.

“He is still an intern.” She said back.

“And your point is?” Seokjin tilted his head. “He is in the team to learn and work. He comes from a great school. And, in this specific case, Taehyung is a game enthusiast, he knows what he wants to see in games’ ads. It’s a great point of view for us to have and work upon.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that-”

“Stop.” Jungkook said, tone low and firm.

Joohyun closed her mouth and straightened up. Seokjin just leaned back in his chair, still glaring at the woman. Taehyung really wanted to disappear.

“If my father hadn’t let me sometimes take risks in the job when I was younger and only an intern, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Jungkook spoke again. “What did you suggest, Taehyung-ssi?”

Taehyung almost got up, surprised to be asked something directly. His neck even hurt because he looked up too fast. He tried to answer but nothing came out of his mouth.

“The cat caught your tongue, boy?” Joohyun addressed him directly, making Taehyung more nervous.

“Joohyun-ssi, can you leave, please?” Namjoon spoke softly.

“What?” The older woman turned to the vice-CEO.

“Leave, please. We don’t accept any of our employees to be treated in hostility as you’re doing now, no matter their position in the hierarchy, or age. If you can’t respect Taehyung-ssi, you can leave. I know Jongsuk-ssi is more than capable of handling this meeting alone.”

Taehyung was speechless for being defended like that. Joohyun went quiet but stayed seated, and her posture showed she wasn’t happy at all. Namjoon just nodded, acknowledging that she would stay quiet now. He looked at the intern, then.

“Taehyung-ssi, can you tell us your idea?”

Taehyung stuttered some, but he could speak in the end. Then, Hyejin detailed a few more things and the meeting went on with no more interruptions.

Taehyung observed that both Jungkook and Namjoon were really interested in listening to anyone. They were open to hear the ideas and discuss them as if they were all working on the same level.

Joohyun stayed silent for the rest of the meeting, her glare going from Taehyung to Namjoon and back. Her colleague Jongsuk, though, seemed to be a nice man. He was cordial and Taehyung didn’t get any weird energy from him.

When the meeting ended, Joohyun got up and stormed out of the room almost immediately. Jongsuk followed her after exchanging a few more words with some of the people in the room. The Game Creation Team left next. Namjoon and Seokjin were talking in whispers. Hyejin and Yongsun left and Taehyung started to follow them when he heard Jungkook call him.

“Taehyung-ssi, can we talk for a minute?”

He halted and looked at the CEO. Namjoon and Seokjin quietly left the room, and Taehyung heard the door closing behind them. He was alone with Jungkook.

“I’m sorry.” He heard the CEO say.

“About what?” Taehyung shook his head, not understanding.

“I hid my true identity from you during our lunches, I’m sorry.” Jungkook had an open and sincere expression.

“Why did you do that?” Taehyung asked before he could stop himself.

“Truthfully, I don’t know.” Jungkook’s shoulders fell more. “At first, I was surprised to see someone at the table everyone insists is reserved for me on that first day. Not bothered or upset, just surprised. And I didn’t recognize you, but I knew we had a few new employees. So I guessed you were new and you didn’t know about this silly rule.” Taehyung kept quiet and Jungkook continued. “I didn’t mean to not introduce myself, but it was nice to not be looked at with some kind of fear for once, and I just didn’t introduce myself properly. Did this bring problems to you?”

Taehyung nipped at his lower lip thinking about how to answer that.

“Hmm… Not exactly. Not at first.”

“What do you mean?” Jungkook tilted his head.

“It took me a long while to notice how some people were staring at me and judging me because I had made an innocent mistake.” Some anger filtered out in his voice.

“Who was doing this?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Taehyung shrugged.

“It does. I don’t want anyone being mistreated because they were simply using a table in the cafeteria. I don’t want you being mistreated by anyone.”

Taehyung turned around to avoid Jungkook’s eyes and think. He was still hurt by the lie. But, he was also touched by what the CEO had just said.

“Some would say we shouldn’t be talking either.” He murmured.

It wasn’t his intention for the CEO to hear that, but Jungkook did.

“Did someone say you shouldn’t talk with me?”

Taehyung sighed and turned back to him.

“I overheard a couple of people talking and they kind of said it. No one said it directly to me.”

Jungkook snorted.

“It’s amazing how people think they know me better than myself. And they were saying that just because of the company hierarchy?! One day, I’ll hopefully break this behavior, but I would like to think most people in GE don’t think that managers, directors, and I cannot talk with other employees outside of giving orders because of the position we occupy.” The CEO took a deep breath. “But this doesn't matter now. I'm truly sorry that I hurt you by not straightforwardly telling you who I am, Taehyung.”

“Thank you.” Taehyung said. “After I heard about it and I saw you talking with Seokjin-ssi, Hoseok-ssi, and Namjoon-ssi, I wondered if I had been the subject of mockery.”

“Never; we would never mock you, Taehyung.” Jungkook took a step closer to him. “Seokjin, Hoseok, and Namjoon are my hyungs. We've been friends since long ago, and we try to have lunch together when we can just to talk about other things outside of work, even if our lunch is in the cafeteria. It's just that.”

“Oh!” Taehyung fidgeted with his pens. “So… You liked our conversations?”

“Yes! A lot! I still want to finish that one we were having the last time we had lunch together.”

“Ah.” Taehyung smiled shyly and tipped his head down.

Jungkook’s phone rang and he had to take the call. Taehyung didn’t know what to do. Should he leave or wait? He turned toward the door but saw, with the corner of his eyes, Jungkook gesturing for him to wait, so he waited. The CEO ended the call quickly.

“Sorry. It’s getting late. I shouldn’t keep you here any longer.”

“Ah, it’s okay. I appreciate that you took your time to talk to me.” Taehyung said quietly.

“I was in the wrong. It was only right for me to do it.” Jungkook said and walked to the door, opening it for Taehyung.

They left the room and walked to the elevator together. Taehyung decided to tell Jungkook what he thought about an update to a game they both liked. It was his way of showing that he was over what had happened. It was a quick conversation because of the quick ride, but it was good to make things better.

They said goodbye when Taehyung arrived at his floor and he went to his team’s room feeling lighter. He left an hour later and, at home, he called Jimin to tell him about the meeting, Joohyun, and his talk with Jungkook.

The next day, Taehyung was immersed in his work when Seokjin discreetly told him to go have lunch. Taehyung tried to say that he was just going to finish something, but Seokjin didn't accept that and made him go.

When Taehyung arrived in the cafeteria he thought he knew why his boss had insisted. Jungkook was fumbling with his phone by its door. He looked up when he heard footsteps and smiled at Taehyung.

“Hi.” The intern nodded, smiling too. “Would you join me for lunch, so we can continue our conversation? Only if you're comfortable being seen with me.”

“Yes. I would like that, JJK-nim.” His smile grew bigger.

They entered the cafeteria together, went in line to serve their food together, and sat on the table Taehyung had used before, which was known to be Jungkook’s.

While they talked, Taehyung glanced around a few times. He noticed the people who had stared at him before were there again, and again looking at him with judging eyes. Taehyung looked especially for Joohyun, and when he saw her glaring at him, he couldn't stop himself from smirking.

It wasn't his intention, but Jungkook was very attentive to him and noticed Taehyung’s eyes wandering. He followed him and saw Joohyun too.

“It was her, wasn't she?”

“What?” Taehyung turned his attention back fully to the CEO.

“The person staring at you that you talked about.” Jungkook waited.

Taehyung wasn't going to lie to him and nodded.

“She has been giving me trouble ever since I assumed the company. I wanted her out or at least not in the management of any team, but my father wants her here and I feel it would be better not to upset him. Also, she has a few company shares. When I manage to get her out, I want those shares out of her hands too. I know she would use it against the company somehow, and I will keep GE safe.”

“Oh. Hmm… I was nervous when Seokjin-ssi antagonized her in the meeting yesterday because I didn't want attention on me.”

“Jin hyung always fights with Joohyun-ssi. And he never hides how much he dislikes her. She returns the feeling, by the way. I don't think I ever saw them agreeing about something.”

Taehyung tried to hold in a chuckle.

“Anyways, you were talking about that game?” Jungkook changed the subject because he wanted none of them to waste time with such a toxic person.

They went back to talking about games and Taehyung was almost late to go back to work. He was so much happier now that things were well with Jungkook. The CEO was nice and sweet. And maybe - far away from the surface of his heart - Taehyung was starting to grow a crush on him.

A month went on with them having lunch together almost every day. Their topics of conversation changed to a wide range of things. Taehyung found out that Jungkook was a couple of years younger than him, and admired him even more for having accomplished so much already.

They also had lunch with Seokjin, Hoseok, and Namjoon occasionally, who Taehyung learned were all his hyungs. They even told him to call them more freely, but he kept using the formal speech for fear of using informal language with them in moments he couldn’t do that.

Most of the employees who saw Taehyung having lunch with them didn’t even spend two seconds looking at them. But Taehyung would always see Joohyun staring at him. She didn’t even hide it from anyone anymore. She would just blatantly stare at him for the whole lunchtime.

He was getting better at ignoring her. But today she didn’t let him.

Taehyung left the cafeteria after having lunch with Jungkook and Hoseok and was reaching the elevator when he felt a hand viciously grip his arm and pull him to a corner.

“You think you are something else, don’t you, boy?” Joohyun’s voice was filled with hatred.

“What?!” Taehyung was bigger than her, but her hold was so strong it was hurting him.

“You keep talking with the CEO and the managers like you were something more than you are. Put yourself in your place. You are nothing!”

Taehyung was starting to shake all over, but he was not going to let her intimidate him. Not now when he knew Jungkook and the others better, and when he also knew he wasn’t judged by other people, just Joohyun.

“I don’t know why you seem to hate me, Joohyun-ssi, but I have lunch with JJK-nim and the others because they allow me to and want me there. I also see them talking with other employees in a friendly manner all the time. Why am I the problem? Why are you so focused on trying to make me feel bad?”

“You’re an intern ! You’re no one!”

“He is as much an employee as you are, Joohyun-ssi. And you should let him go now.” They looked in the direction of the new voice and saw Namjoon there. “This is harassment, Joohyun-ssi. You are well aware that you’re one strike away from being out of the company, ma’am.”

She let go of Taehyung’s arm and turned to Namjoon. Taehyung massaged his arm to try to make the feeling go.

“And who are you to tell me anything? A kid who thinks they know anything! Just like the so-called CEO. Kids! All of you! You know nothing about how to handle companies!”

Joohyun was screaming at this point, and Taehyung saw people gathering behind Namjoon. He recognized Yongsun, a few other employees from other teams, Jongsuk, and Hoseok. Taehyung didn’t see Jungkook, but he couldn’t be too far, he thought. He saw an older man too, and his features were familiar, somehow.

It was weird to listen to what Joohyun was saying. Taehyung was pretty sure she wasn’t an old woman. He guessed she should be in her forties. Why was she so against younger people in charge or just doing their work? She was a leader in her team. Was she feeling threatened by someone? Taehyung just wanted to understand at this point.

Joohyun continued to talk and wave her arms around in wild motions. Taehyung and Namjoon, who were closer, had to dodge a few times. The older man approached them.

“Joohyun-ssi?”

As soon as she heard his voice, she stopped and looked at him, smiling tenderly.

“Jeon-nim! It’s so good to see you, sir!”

“It’s good to see you too, Joohyun-ssi.” He extended one hand to her.

Taehyung looked at him and thought he reminded him of Jungkook. Just as that thought came to his mind, he saw the CEO approaching them in his peripheral vision.

“Dad?” He spoke.

“Hey, Jungkookie.” The older man said without looking away from Joohyun. “Can you lead the others to their works, please? I want to talk to Joohyun-ssi alone.”

“Okay.”

Jungkook looked behind him and Hoseok was already herding the people away. Then he looked at Taehyung and called him with a hand gesture. Namjoon stepped back after Taehyung got away from her. When the three of them were close enough the vice-CEO talked.

“I’ll stay and discreetly observe them. You should leave. I think Jeon-ssi has control of the situation for now.”

Jungkook nodded and guided Taehyung away with a hand on his back. They got in the elevator and Jungkook chose a floor. Taehyung didn’t bother to pay attention. He just wanted to be away from Joohyun. And the CEO’s hand on his back was distracting him a lot.

“Did she hurt you?” Jungkook asked, looking at Taehyung’s face.

“No. Her grip was strong, but I’m not feeling anything anymore.”

“I’ll ask for an ice pack just to be safe, and your arm won’t get purple.”

They arrived at the floor Jungkook had chosen and the doors opened. Taehyung didn’t recognize the place at first. Then, he saw plaques in the offices’ doors identifying them as being for directors, so he realized he was at Jungkook’s floor in the building. Taehyung felt nervousness grow inside him.

They passed by the CEO’s secretary, and he asked him for an ice pack, guiding Taehyung to his office. The intern was astonished by the size of the room. Jungkook indicated one of the couches for him and Taehyung sat down. The CEO grabbed water in a small refrigerator for them and sat by his side, but not too close.

When the secretary brought the ice pack, Taehyung pulled up his sleeve, and they noticed his arm was indeed bruising up. Jungkook found a subject to talk about, which helped Taehyung put aside what had happened.

After a while, Jungkook’s father entered the room. Taehyung got up immediately and bowed deeply at him. The older man smiled and said they should all sit.

“I'm sorry for what happened. I'm glad I arrived in time to stop Joohyun-ssi from doing something more.” He sighed. “I'm also sorry I made you maintain her in the company after you told me she was bringing trouble, son. She was excellent at her job, but after Joohyun-ssi went through serious personal problems, she got lost in her anger.”

“You know that much about her, dad?” Jungkook was surprised.

“Her sister is one of your mother’s best friends. We end up knowing a lot through her. It was her who warned us Joohyun-ssi is not doing well. I made arrangements to help her and I hope she will feel better in the future. But she is out of the company from today on.” He nodded at Jungkook. “You told me she was close to the last warning and with the aggression today, I know she reached it.”

“Yes, she did.” Jungkook looked at Taehyung, who was pretty quiet. “Taehyung, will you be okay with her leaving the company? You can-”

“I'm fine! I'm more than okay with your decision. That is enough for me.” He blurted out.

“Okay, then. I appreciate your understanding, Taehyung-ssi. And I also apologize to you, because my actions led to this.” Taehyung could only shake his head at the older man. “I'll leave you to go back to work.” Jungkook’s father said and got ready to leave 

“Thank you, Jeon-nim.” Taehyung bowed at him again.

The older man nodded and left the office.

Taehyung knew he should leave now and go back to work, but he wanted to stay with Jungkook for a little longer, although he didn't have a reason to do so. He put the ice pack he had been holding on his arm on the center table and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

“I should go back to work now.”

“Me too.” Jungkook trailed off.

They stood where they were. Not looking at each other, but not getting up either. Minutes passed.

“Taehyung hyung?” A shiver went down Taehyung’s spine listening to Jungkook calling him like that for the first time. “Would you forget that I am a CEO and accept to have dinner with me?”

“Yes.” Taehyung answered under a breath.

“Okay.” Jungkook looked at him, smiling shyly.

“Okay.” Taehyung smiled back.

🎮 Epilogue 🎮

A month later…

Taehyung and Jungkook had gone on many dates that month. They were now officially boyfriends for a week and Jungkook had invited Taehyung - and their friends - over to his apartment to play games and have fun.

It was a big penthouse, and Taehyung was drooling over Jungkook’s entertainment room. He had a massive screen and a high-definition sound system. The ‘consoles and games’ shelf was filled with so many things, Taehyung almost got dizzy trying to look at it all at once.

After everyone had arrived, they gathered on the sectional couch and picked up joysticks.

“Tae, what do you want to play first?” Jungkook asked, smiling brightly at his boyfriend.

“How about Smash Bros?” Taehyung winked at him.

“What?! No!” Seokjin groaned.

“Even I know Smash can destroy relationships and should be avoided.” Hoseok said.

“We play it all the time and TaeTae is forever my soulmate, and I love Yoongi hyung dearly.” Jimin shrugged, smiling deviously.

“If you are afraid…” Yoongi purposely left it there, adding to the teasing along with his boyfriend.

“We are not afraid.” Namjoon stated.

“Let's choose the characters, then!” Jungkook got excited.

Taehyung quickly chose Dark Link. Jungkook followed him, choosing Kirby. Seokjin groaned again but chose Mario. Jimin caught Pikachu, and Yoongi caught Snake, as they usually did. Hoseok chose Captain Falcon and changed his clothes to the most fabulous one in the game. Namjoon was the last one, choosing Fox.

After letting the game decide the arena on random, chaos ensued as the game progressed, and they fought each other not only on the screen but also with bickering remarks and provocations.

Hours passed, they changed for other games, mixing some of the ones GE developed with others from different companies. They even tested a new game Jungkook had had the idea of.

When they were all tired, Jungkook pulled Taehyung into his arms and cuddled with him on the corner of the couch, kissing his temple. Taehyung snuggled into him and basked in the attention.

They observed their friends mingling together and going in and out of the room to grab beverages and snacks.

Taehyung couldn't be happier to have sat at the forbidden table back when he started working. He turned his neck and found Jungkook’s lips, kissing him tenderly.