Work Text:
It was like a dream really, for Jeongguk to be working at Kim & Kim, one of the premier law firms in the city. He’d dreamed about interning there since he was a mousy undergrad, deciding to stand up to his parents and major in political science instead of biology, premed like they’d wanted. He’d met Seokjin, the eldest of the Kim brothers, at a career fair in his second year. He’d managed not to get entirely swept away by Seokjin’s charm and latched onto every word the older man had said, and it was inspiring, to say the least.
Now, here he was, standing in front of the gleaming building, with Kim & Kim embossed in gold lettering on the front door, in a suit with the tie done a little too tight, pants a little tight (was his ass getting that big?), about to go inside, and start his internship, which would hopefully lead to an actual job once he graduated law school and passed the bar.
He takes a deep, steadying breath. “This is your moment, Jeon,” he reminds himself, as he reaches for the door to pull it open and--
“Hyung, it’s the new fashion, okay? I don’t care if you think it’s ugly, you’re practically a grandpa-- oh my god.”
--And promptly runs into another person. Who happens to be rather soft? And smells like vanilla and... varnish?
“Oh Jesus on a pogo stick, I am so sorry,” the soft, chemical-scented human (he’s a guy, Jeongguk realizes after a moment) says.
Jeongguk blinks, trying not to sound as winded as he is. “I’m-- fine.” he stares down at the big brown eyes, rapt on him in concern. (After another moment, he realizes the guy is cute, oh hell.)
“You sure? Rammed into you pretty good there. Although...” the man (his hair is purple) tilts his head, taking in the rising blush on Jeongguk’s cheeks. “If anyone’s injured, it’s probably me. That was like running into a brick wall.” the man pats Jeongguk’s chest (he pets his chest) curiously. “Damn, do you work out?”
“Taehyung, if you could please stop sexually harassing my employees and get back to your weed and paint that would be wonderful.” and just like that, the magnificent Kim Seokjin appears, in a crisp suit, hair parted perfectly, and a stern frown pressing his lips into a practiced line.
“Hey, I stopped smoking that shit when I was in undergrad, okay?” Taehyung says defensively. He turns to Jeongguk, beaming. “You don’t have to get high to be high, you know?”
Jeongguk doesn’t know, but judging by Seokjin’s exasperated look, he figures it’s best to stay the way he is-- shoulders hunched, face twisted in discomfort.
“Anyways, I’m heading out. I’ll be back for lunch, okay? Don’t miss me too much,” Taehyung sings, and just like that, he all put floats away, leaving behind the smell of acetone in his wake.
Seokjin sighs. “I’m really sorry about that Jeongguk. Wasn’t exactly supposed to be your first impression of the firm.”
Jeongguk tries not to swallow his tongue. “Th-that’s alright. I uh--”
“Unfortunately, if you’ll be interning with us, you’ll have to get used to Taehyung.”
Jeongguk finds it in himself to nod robotically, and Seokjin motions for him to follow. His legs feel like jelly as he walks behind Seokjin.
“Taehyung’s the third Kim who didn’t quite make it onto decal on the door,” Seokjin says, voice light, like he’s telling a joke. “Art school,” he says, pursing his lips in distaste.
Seokjin stops in front of a desk right outside a large office. “This’ll be where you’ll start working. You’re grades are stellar, but we believe in everyone starting with a clean slate here.”
Jeongguk nods in understanding. “I’ll be in the large fancy office right next you if you need anything, or more like if I need something. I’ll give you a moment to get oriented, alright?”
“Yes sir.” Jeongguk bows his head, and Seokjin smiles, obviously satisfied, and steps into his own office. Jeongguk wonders how long it’ll be until he isn’t scared shitless.
✦
“Oh, hello, handsome.”
Jeongguk looks up, startled. He’d had his nose buried in files all morning, trying to find evidence for a case Seokjin was working on, and Taehyung’s newly dyed neon orange hair is both painful and refreshing.
Jeongguk looks over his shoulder, and around him. “Who?”
Taehyung laughs, full bodied, and his head tilts back from the force of it. “Oh that’s precious.” he leans forward on the desk, bracing his weight on his elbows, and Jeongguk leans back, slightly alarmed by the proximity.
“I’m talking to you, cutie.” his nose is scrunched, like Jeongguk is the most adorable thing he’s since those viral baby otter videos that are always floating around on Facebook. “Who else?”
“Uhm,” is Jeongguk’s smart response. He’d graduated top of his class in law school. He’d aced the bar exam. He was fully competent, intelligent, even. And yet, he was always rendered speechless in the presence of Kim Taehyung.
Currently, said Kim Taehyung was in ripped, paint-splattered jeans, a low cut tank top, and a jean jacket that was sliding off one shoulder, revealing tantalizingly golden skin (Jeongguk resolves not to stare). Jeongguk’s own suit feels a little tight at the moment.
“Can I tell you something?” Taehyung whispers, eyes hooded, and his voice drops low, like he’s aching to tell Jeongguk a secret. He reaches forward for Jeongguk’s tie and yanks him forward. Jeongguk’s surprise must satisfy him, because he smirks. “I just love a man in a suit, Jeongguk. This tie really brings out your eyes.”
Jeongguk has been in a great deal of fairly stressful situations-- he had been a law student, for god sake. But this really blows everything out of the water, and he feels the first prickles of a cold sweat dotting his forehead. He’s rendered completely useless, and has no control of any part of his body, it seemed. Including his brain.
“Kim Taehyung.”
Seokjin’s voice booms through the room, and Taehyung’s face twists into one of irritation. He clicks his tongue in annoyance and lets go of Jeongguk’s tie. He straightens up and Jeongguk falls back into his chair in a heap of hapless limbs.
“What did I tell you about flirting with my employees?” Seokjin asks, at Jeongguk’s desk now, with his arms crossed, and a displeased frown gracing his face. Taehyung leans back against the desk and shrugs.
“Jeongguk is so cute. How could I not flirt? I can’t really help myself,” Taehyung says, saccharine. Jeongguk wonders vaguely whether Taehyung is genuine or whether he just derives pleasure from getting people flustered.
“Taehyung, unless you need something from me or Namjoon, I don’t want you loitering around here and bothering my employees.”
“Oh don’t be such a buzz kill, hyung,” Taehyung says, rolling his eyes. He sighs, almost dramatically, and straightens up. “Anyways, I was just heading out. Wanted to say hi to the cutie before I left, that’s all.” He winks at Jeongguk, sticks his tongue out at Seokjin and skips away.
Seokjin lets out a sharp breath. “That kid is going to be the death of me, I swear.”
Jeongguk wants to agree.
✦
Jeongguk’s alarm goes off with a start, and he jolts awake. “Shit,” he groans, rubbing at his neck. Serves him right for falling asleep face-first on his desk. He blinks drowsily at the files stacked on his desk, the indecipherable scrawl on his legal pad. He doesn’t think his brain can function properly right now.
He searches his desk for his phone, in an attempt to shut off the sounds of sirens blaring. It’s unsettling, the sound echoing across the dark, empty space of the office. Right as he reaches for his phone, he notices a Starbucks cup, placed neatly on his desk.
Jeongguk frowns, picking it up. Work hard, cutie! It says, in looping cursive. Jeongguk’s pulse races a little, realizing who it was. There’s a splatter of paint at the bottom, as though Taehyung can’t help but mark everything he touches. Jeongguk smiles at the thought, and takes a whiff of the still warm liquid, before sipping.
Black, with two sugars.
He can’t know how Taehyung could have known that, but it makes something in his stomach flutter.
✦
“Hey gorgeous,” Taehyung sings, all-but skipping over to Jeongguk’s desk. Jeongguk tenses on instinct-- he doesn’t know how to relax around Taehyung.
“Uh… aren’t you not supposed to be talking to me?”
Taehyung clicks his tongue. “Hyung’s not in today.” He frowns dramatically. “He has the sniffles.” Jeongguk can only nod. “How’s life?” Taehyung’s voice is bright and chipper, and Jeongguk feels drained from the three consecutive days he’d spent pouring over Seokjin’s cases.
“Fu-fine,” Jeongguk says, the word punctuated by a yawn.
Taehyung smirks. “Long night?”
“Uh.”
Jeongguk knows he should mention the coffee. “You left me coffee.” He winces, because it was supposed to be a little more smooth than that.
Taehyung tilts his head and bats his eyelashes. “Did I?”
“I-- think so?”
“You think so? You’re not sure? That’s a pretty big claim to be making, Jeongguk. Especially if you don’t have any evidence to back it up.” Everything about Taehyung’s voice is teasing, and Jeongguk’s brain effectively short-circuits.
He groans, putting his face into his hands. “Don’t use that legal jargon with me right now.” Taehyung laughs lightly. “I’m supposed to be asking you out to repay you or something.”
When he realizes what he’s said, he picks his head up. “It wasn’t supposed to come out like that.”
Taehyung smiles, and it’s kind and warm, for the first time. Jeongguk likes it better than the wicked smirks and teasing glimmer in his eyes. “The execution could use some work, but okay. I’ll go out with you.”
“Really?”
Taehyung raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? I just said so.”
Jeongguk swallows. “Are you sure? I mean. That’s--“
Taehyung lets out a startled laugh. “Are you trying to make me take it back, Jeongguk?”
“N-no! I mean--“ Jeongguk clears his throat, and loosens his tie out of a nervous habit.
Taehyung sighs in exasperation. “Just take me out for tacos, Jeongguk.”
✦
“So, tell me about yourself, handsome.” Taehyung looks at him over his plate of tacos, carne asada, piled with onions and cilantro and salsa verde to the point where Jeongguk wonders whether the torilla will even hold all of that.
“I…” Jeongguk stares down at his own plate. There’s a lone enchilada staring at him. It’s not much, but he can’t eat right now, not with how nervous he is. Plus, enchiladas are a great deal safer than tacos, with less of a margin for error.
“I majored in poly sci in undergrad. It was actually your brother who convinced me to apply to law school,” Jeongguk admits sheepishly.
Taehyung waves his hand dismissively. “I didn’t ask about your academics, Jeongguk. I asked about you.”
Jeongguk stares at him blankly. “What does that mean?”
“What do you like to do for fun? What’s your favorite color? Anything that tells me more about you as a person.”
“Oh.” Taehyung’s eyes are intent on him, and his question runs a bit deeper than Jeongguk anticipated. “Well… I taught myself to play guitar when I was ten. Thought I was gonna become the next Zion T.” Jeongguk laughs, rubbing the back of his neck.
Taehyung’s eyes light up. “You have to play for me some time!”
Jeongguk finds himself agreeing. Because it feels like a promise. A promise that he’s not as awkward as he feels, that Taehyung is actually maybe interested a little bit.
“What about you?” Jeongguk asks, after Taehyung’s taken a bite of his taco in what can only be described as an acrobatic feat, spilling absolutely nothing, and looking cute while doing it.
“You already know some of it. The third Kim who didn’t quite make it onto the door,” he says in a dramatic impression of the same words Seokjin had said to Jeongguk on his first day.
“Decided to be a rebel and disappoint everyone by going to art school,” he says dismissively, but there’s an undercurrent of tension in his voice, a weariness in his eyes that makes Jeongguk shiver.
He pauses and looks at his enchilada. The sour cream is melting and sliding off the side. Jeongguk wishes he’d asked for guacamole, and that Taehyung wouldn’t be shortchange himself.
“I don’t know much about art school but…” Jeongguk adjusts the rim of his glasses. “I figure you need to have talent and guts to do something like that. It can't have been easy going up against a family of lawyers. You must really love what you do.”
It's quiet for a moment, until Taehyung whispers, "I do." And the way Taehyung looks at him, with a grateful sort of warmth, makes him feel like he finally may have said something right.
✦
“You are not dating one of my employees, Taehyung.”
Seokjin’s voice is loud, and it seeps through his office door to Jeongguk, who winces and tries to curl into himself.
“You can’t control what Jeongguk does in his personal time, hyung. We can have wild jungle sex all day and there’s nothing you can say about it.” Taehyung’s voice is no less loud, and Jeongguk wants to melt into the ground. He really didn’t want his employer knowing the details of his sex life, especially not when that sex life was with said employer’s youngest brother.
The door swings open, and Jeongguk straightens up in his seat, trying to look like he’d been working and not praying to every deity known to man that a crack could open in the floor and drop him into the earth’s core.
Taehyung strides out, smiling confidently. Seokjin follows after him, arms crossed. He raises an eyebrow at Jeongguk, waiting for an explanation.
“Please don’t fire me.”