Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Twenty-nine years old. A wonderful time in life, a fantastic age when you're still young but no longer a youth, full of energy and looking irresistibly attractive. Although, attractive is an understatement. You are the epitome of perfection itself!

Seokjin is thrilled, admiring his reflection in the mirror, intently trying to find the slightest flaw. But there is none. A slender, handsome man with broad shoulders of an athlete, a slim waist, and exquisite body proportions, only accentuated by his chic Givenchy suit, is looking back at him. With a smug grin, he adjusts the cuffs of his perfectly starched shirt, satisfied with this image, meticulously thought out to the smallest detail by his personal stylist. In about ten minutes, he is due to receive a briefing about the day ahead from his secretary.

Jeon Jungkook is Seokjin’s personal assistant and right-hand man. He has been working tirelessly from dawn to dusk for over five years, without taking any rest, toiling to please his boss. He puts tremendous effort into ensuring the company affairs run smoothly and flawlessly. Every morning, Jungkook wakes up strictly at five o'clock in the morning, as by the terms of his contract, he is supposed to go to Seokjin's house and brief him on all upcoming activities, events, and deadlines. Together with the boss, they head to the office, where numerous meetings take place before lunch. Jungkook prepares the schedules, document drafts, and all the essential materials for the meetings, regularly instructing his boss on details, deftly improvising to find suitable solutions under any circumstances. His workload is incredibly demanding, requiring good intuition and quick wit as mistakes are intolerable. Kim Seokjin has never forgiven anyone or given a second chance. However, Jungkook excels at handling all aspects of his job , driven by his desire to be the best and indispensable employee for his boss.

Kim Seokjin is the heir to a large multinational company that produces electronic devices. He holds the position of vice president and is, in fact, the chief executive of the firm, as his father wholeheartedly entrusts all final decisions to him.

Seokjin is still recovering from the tumultuous party that was organized last night to celebrate the signing of an important contract with new strategic partners. As one of South Korea’s most eligible bachelors, the young man is accustomed to increased attention to his persona. He is constantly surrounded by beautiful women, vying for his favor and trying to impress him. Taking full advantage of his prestigious position in society and the influence of his family, Seokjin, however, never allows anyone to get too close to him. As a child, he learned the bitter lesson that any person, even the one who appears to be the best friend, at any moment, can turn out to be a traitor and stab you in the back. So he trusts no one in the whole world, sometimes not even himself. Of course, he has a social circle, people with whom he enjoys spending time. One of them, for example, is his childhood friend Min Yoongi. Secretary Jeon, too, has repeatedly proved his loyalty and readiness to support his boss no matter what. However, Seokjin never lets his guard down and remains cautious with everyone.

Everything would have been perfect if the secretary didn’t present his boss with a most unpleasant surprise the day after the aforementioned party. After the routine procedure of reviewing the day's tasks and handing over all the paperwork to Seokjin, Jungkook doesn't head to his workplace. Instead, he takes a deep breath, frantically clutching the folders with documents to his chest, and resolutely addresses his boss:

 “Mr. Kim, I need to talk to you.”

Without raising his head, Seokjin nods to Jeon, gesturing towards the chair, inviting him to sit down. He is used to the subordinate’s efficiency and his businesslike demeanor. Jungkook would never bother him unless it was serious. Lately, they have hardly spoken to each other; the secretary only addresses him strictly on business matters. Expecting Jungkook to give some important information, Jin prepares to listen attentively.

“It’s personal.”

“Okay,” Seokjin nods, without taking his eyes off the report he’s just been handed.

Taking in more air, Jungkook says, “I would like to officially announce that I will be leaving my position in two months. Therefore, I would like to request for your consent and approval to start a search for my replacement.”

Seokjin’s eyes widen in surprise, he looks up and blinks several times, bringing his perfectly shaped eyebrows together at the bridge of his nose. His face expresses extreme confusion.

“Excuse me, what?” he simply interjects, fixing his sharp gaze on Jungkook’s tense face.

Despite being five years apart, Jungkook has been emotionally more mature than most of his peers and, on some occasions, even his boss. Whereas Seokjin sometimes has a tendency for impulsive actions, Jungkook always finds a way to get ahead of him and offer a more tactful way out of a situation at hand. Thus, the success of the "Kim Enterprise" largely depends on the actions of the vice president's personal assistant.

“In a little less than two months, I plan to change my career. This implies my resignation,” Jungkook explains, eyes still on Seokjin, looking with determination.

Seokjin sinks into a gloomy silence that lasts for several minutes. He simply doesn't know how to respond to that. After the initial shock and confusion subside, he asks, “Hope you are kidding, Jungkook? We have so little time. I need the report finished by noon”.

Jungkook clears his throat in embarrassment, staring at his shoes. But he raises his head with the same determination once again to meet his boss’s dumbfounded gaze. He is not going to back down. “I am talking to you very seriously, Mr. Kim. I indeed want to quit.”

Had somebody told Seokjin some ridiculous tall tale, he would have believed it more readily than the fact that the one he’d always relied on and needed so much had suddenly decided to do this to him - to abandon him to the mercy of fate. The realization of it takes his breath away, forming an unpleasant metallic taste in his mouth. He rises from his seat and takes a couple of nervous steps towards the window, trying to get rid of this vile, inexplicable sensation. Lingering at the window, which offers a stunning view of early morning Seoul, Seokjin runs his fingers through his shiny hair. Then, letting out a shaky breath, he quickly walks back to his desk, and turns to Jungkook, looking intently at him:

“Jeon, I have been meaning to talk about this on a different occasion, but I guess the right time has come. We can discuss the details of your further career advancement right now, if you'd like. Starting tomorrow, I will provide you with a private office, and you can also have your own secretary. At this stage, with your work output results, you certainly are entitled to it. Just provide your motivation plan and a list of your requirements and we will start your transition to the new position immediately."

Jungkook looks insulted. Holding his breath, he involuntarily clenches his fists. His heart pounds furiously and his lips involuntarily stretch into a thin line. Seokjin's assumption that he is trying to bargain for a promotion in this way is offensive. He doesn't want to back down and give in to his boss's persuasion to change the decision that was made with so much effort. Undoubtedly, it's hard to quit this job, give up his career, abandon colleagues who value and appreciate him so much. But he no longer wants and isn’t able to be a personal assistant of Seokjin. Jungkook will do his best to find a worthy and reliable replacement. He needs to ensure that a qualified and competent worker will come in to take his place, someone who would be able to handle all the tasks as well as he did and, most importantly, take good care of Mr Kim. Straightening his shoulders, he utters:

“Mr. Kim, I greatly appreciate your offer, but I must decline. My decision is definite and will not change. I really want to leave the company”.

Seokjin still cannot believe what he's hearing. Somehow managing to get over the shock and pull himself together, however, still gaping at his subordinate in the same bewilderment, he asks:

“And dare I ask, for what reason do you want to quit?”

“The reason is my personal matter”, Jungkook concludes. His face expresses nothing at all, which is quite unusual for him. The young man normally is quite straightforward and most of the time, Seokjin can read him like an open book.

This time, Seokjin's expression darkens, taking on a business look that strikes an eerie fear in his subordinates. Looking coldly at Jungkook, he cuts him off curtly, making it clear that their conversation is over:

“Do as you please.”

When the door closes behind Jungkook, he sighs heavily, dropping his head onto his hands. For some reason, it feels that the world is starting to fall apart.

***

Jimin is tremendously excited about his first day of work at "Kim Enterprise". He still can't fully believe his incredible luck - his biggest dreams are coming true: he has been offered an internship at one of Seoul’s most prestigious and respected companies, albeit for a probationary period. Finally, he will be able to get a decent full-time position as a programmer's assistant in the advertising department.

Eager to make a good first impression, he leaves early. However, he gets unlucky being caught in a terrible traffic jam on the way. Nervously cursing everything under the sun, the young man promises himself once again that he will never use public transportation anymore and will ride his motorcycle instead, which seems to be the most practical form of transportation, given the heavy traffic congestion on Seoul roads. Finally, running up to the office building, he flies through the revolving doors and accidentally almost knocks down a guy walking towards him.

Jung Hoseok leaves "Kim Enterprise" heading out to run some errands for Seokjin. The lobby of the building is bustling with the usual morning commotion: some of the employees are picking up their breakfast delivery, some are reading news on the go, and some are lingering at the reception desk, politely exchanging a few words with the receptionists. A millisecond before the collision, Hoseok registers a red-haired guy of the most extraordinary appearance he has ever come across, rushing straight at him. Startled, he stops and freezes there with a comical expression on his face.

“I’m sorry,” Jimin peeps with a fleeting smile and dashes toward the turnstiles. He taps his keycard and runs towards the elevators, still open on the ground floor, not looking back at the stunned Hoseok, who is glued to the floor, watching in confusion as the graceful figure of Jimin disappears behind the sliding elevator doors.

Perhaps this guy is running really late. Wistfully looking after him, Hoseok thinks that perhaps he would indeed have liked it if the red-head bumped right into him.

***

“For five years, imagine it, for five freaking years he’s worked for me, never asked for anything, never complained, and suddenly, “Boss, I want to quit”, Seokjin laments, his voice strained with frustration. He is lounging in a large comfortable armchair with a glass of whiskey, swirling the amber liquid in the glass. His brows are furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. 

Min Yoongi is at the opposite end of his office, occasionally nodding while patiently listening to his friend’s complaints. The two have been close since high school. Seokjin was honored when Yoongi accepted his offer to work at his father’s company. Yoongi now reports directly only to Seokjin, handling the company’s public relations, fully controlling the advertising department, as well as the IT department. Their relationship grew even closer when Seokjin introduced his friend to his classmate, Kang Ji Won, who soon became Yoongi’s lover and, three months later, his wife. However, the marriage was short-lived and ended in a bitter divorce.

As a fairly close friend of Seokjin’s, Yoongi had long ago noticed a strange dynamic between Seokjin and his secretary. Outside of work, they hardly ever interacted, and in recent weeks, they had constantly avoided contact, often feeling awkward in each other’s presence. Sometimes, when the three of them were in the same office, the tension between the boss and his secretary was so heavy that it could almost be sensed on a physical level.

“And you certainly never noticed any discontent on his part? Perhaps he wanted to change something about his job? Decisions like that are not made out of the blue, much less by someone like Jungkook. He has every step thoroughly planned out and knows exactly what he is going to do every day for the next ten years,” Yoongi ponders, fiddling with his pen.

Seokjin appreciates his friend’s insight and his rare ability to foresee future events as much as his good judgment of characters. He is brilliant at reading people, as if seeing right through them. Min Yoongi has repeatedly helped Seokjin to deal with his feelings by guiding his thoughts into the right direction, so that Seokjin can better understand the origin of his many different emotions.

“No, absolutely nothing! Everything was fine until today, and he seemed satisfied. Besides, I am the best boss he could ever ask for! He just doesn’t realize how lucky he is to work with someone like me!” Seokjin exclaims. “Who else would give him so much freedom of action?! I've always valued him, listened to his opinion, and put his interests above my own and even the company's! I gave him the opportunity to continue his university studies while working. And now this is how he is thanking me!”

Yoongi can barely suppress a chuckle. Like any of Kim’s co-workers and staff, he had long since got used to his friend’s narcissism and shameless bragging. Anyone who knew Seokjin even a little understood that he was not as arrogant as he attempted to appear and all his fake bravado is in fact nothing but an attempt to hide his self-doubt and insecurity he had been struggling with for a very long time. Since the defining moment in his past that made him who he is today. In his teenage years, Seokjin experienced a severe psychological trauma that changed him for good, making him doubt everyone, and look for a catch in everything.

As a boy, Seokjin grew up in a very affluent family. His parents placed excessive demands on him, pressuring the boy to do as much as he could. But instead of praising his achievements, they would constantly compare him to other children, especially his older brother.

At the age of thirteen, for the first time in his life, Seokjin fell head over heels in love with a classmate. In the beginning the feelings seemed to be mutual, or at least Jung Myeong kept assuring that they were. The two boys ended up together at an outdoor camp during the summer break. Being in a state of euphoria little did the young Seokjin know what he was going to go through. For the first and, he swore to himself, the last time,  Seokjin experienced the bitterness of real betrayal and a cruel heartbreak.

At school he had enemies. The worst of them was Taejoo, the boy leading a local gang of bullies, who hated Seokjin and poisoned his existence at school and in camp. But Seokjin dealt gracefully with all the insults, always finding a witty response to make Taejoo look stupid in the eyes of anybody who witnessed his attacks.

Ending up in the same summer camp as Seokjin, the gang set up a trap in the locker room, and it was Seokjin's boyfriend, Jung Myeong, who led him to that ill-fated place, throwing him to the mercy of Taejoo and his boys. Beaten and humiliated, Seokjin lay shaking and bleeding in the corner of the room until one of the camp staff found him there in the morning. For a long time after the incident Seokjin was in denial. His consciousness blocked any reasoning and refused to accept the cruel reality. That Jung Myeong was in cahoots with Taejoo and it was him who had betrayed Seokjin. When the realization finally dawned on him, Seokjin began to blame himself, believing he was pathetic and unworthy of love and devotion and deserved all of what had happened to him. Because of how his pure feelings were trampled and thrown out of the window, the boy had no idea how to live with that. And at times, he found it hard to want to live. After he locked himself in the room and stopped eating, Seokjin’s parents eventually forced him to a counselor's office. After long and exhausting sessions of psychotherapy, Seokjin managed to come out of his depression. However, he learned an important life lesson from firsthand experience: no one in this life can be fully trusted. Love makes you weak and breaks you apart. The stronger your feelings, the more likely you are to be taken advantage of and betrayed. The only way to maintain peace of mind and avoid such painful and humiliating situations is not to feel anything at all and not let anybody into your heart. And Seokjin has been excellent at living up to this principle for many years.

Regarding Min Yoongi, Seokjin had little reason to doubt his loyalty, which had been tested many times over the years. That’s why when he had a bad day, he would come to his friend to vent it.

Watching his friend from an outsider's perspective, Yoongi finds his friend’s reaction to the unexpected resignation of Jungkook somewhat curious. Understandably, Jungkook is irreplaceable, but Min's keen attention does not escape the fact that Seokjin takes this voluntary dismissal as a personal insult. As if it is an unforgivable betrayal on Jungkook’s part.

“But why does it bother you so much? You've fired hundreds of employees without a slightest regret, forgetting them on the next day. Why is it that Jungkook's leaving that upsets you so much?”

“Seriously? How can you ask that?” Seokjin exclaims in frustration. “Jungkook is my personal assistant. He worked for me for all these years! Where am I supposed to find an employee who will be at least half as efficient as him, and how am I to train them? Without Jungkook, the company won't function. I don’t see how we will manage without him." And after a pause, he adds with hesitation, "I can’t see how I will be able to manage without him."

“Sometimes,” Yoongi mumbles deep in thought, “we don’t know what’s best for us. It seems that you can't do without a certain person, but everything turns out to be for the best, much better than you think.”

With these words his eyes overflow with melancholy. Two years ago, his relationship with beloved wife Ji Won failed. They got divorced after she cheated on him and Min will hardly forget this betrayal. He was sure that the marriage was strong and they were happy, until one evening he returned from a business trip early to find his wife in their own home with a lover. It took her half an hour to pack her suitcases and leave Yoongi to move in with the new boyfriend. After this disaster, Yoongi gave up on love or any romantic relationships for a long time. This failure particularly saddened Seokjin, since it was he who had introduced the former spouses. 

“Yoongi, I told you! In this life we can only rely on ourselves," he would try to console his friend. "Even the closest to us can hurt the most. You can't trust anyone at all, and it's safest to avoid feelings.”

In those days, Yoongi looked back at Seokjin with a burning gaze, entirely lacking any gratitude, and only with growing annoyance, not appreciating one bit of what he was saying.

But tonight, Kim Seokin is in his own little world, lost in thought about the handsome boy with a mature body but a childishly adorable naive face, who has been his pillar of stability at work and in life for the past five years. The one he now so desperately longs to understand.

“Still, I wonder what’s wrong with secretary Jeon?” he says to himself, playing with the ice cubes at the bottom of his glass.

Chapter Text

Jungkook secured his position at "Kim Enterprise" immediately after graduating from high school, moving from Busan to Seoul.

He came from a large family, being the eldest of four brothers. His hardworking and genuine mother had done everything in her power to provide her children with a happy childhood, compensating for their poverty and the absence of a father, who had abandoned them before Jungkook could remember. From an early age, Jungkook felt ashamed of his background, despising their poverty. He had a longing for independence, a dream of making it in the world and entering high society. This passion drove him to study twice as hard at school. Despite endless part-time jobs, he graduated with honors. Jungkook wanted to look presentable and wear good clothes, so he worked hard to earn pocket money to be able to do that. However, the tiny room in their small Busan house, which he shared with three brothers, and the neighborhood he grew up in annoyingly reminded him of the family's humble beginnings. So right on the day after graduation, despite his mother's protests and pleas, the young man collected his modest savings and moved to the capital city in search of a job.

Jungkook found out about the vacancy at "Kim Enterprise" at a professional fair, organized by the union of recruiting agencies. The first stage of the job interview went brilliantly - the HR manager Min Yoongi noted the young man's diligence and determination. A few days later, Jungkook signed his first ever work contract.

The first meeting of the future boss and the secretary took place on a warm April morning when Seoul’s streets were adorned with fragrant sakura blossoms, with birds merrily chirping in the crowns of trees. Jungkook arrived at work overexcited, dressed in a real business suit for the very first time. The unfamiliar clothes felt somewhat awkward, as he could never afford them before. Yet it fit like a glove, favorably accentuating the graceful curves of his athletic body, the smoothness of his movements, and the tenderness of his still childlike face. Still with headphones in his ears, Jungkook searched for a suitable place to park his bike. Suddenly, a gleaming black Hyundai with tinted windows pulled up to the sidewalk a few meters away. A second later, a dazzlingly handsome black-haired man emerged from it. He looked about twenty-four years old, impeccably dressed in a gray designer suit and coat, briefcase under his arm. His cold, arrogant stare wandered around before landing on Jungkook. For a millisecond, something flickered in his eyes - a spark of interest, maybe curiosity. But he immediately looked away and quickly strode into the office building with a businesslike gait. The doorman bowed deeply, hastening to open the door for him. Obviously, this guy had a special status, as everyone around immediately snapped to attention, paying reverence to him. Jungkook stood transfixed, mesmerized by this cold beauty, striking to the core, so alluring but also intimidating at the same time. Never before had he met anyone so stunning. He only snapped out of his trance when a courteous security guard offered to take his bicycle to the parking lot, breaking the spell.

Imagine his surprise when a few minutes later, having gone up to the office, Jungkook saw the same gorgeous dark-haired man sitting in the vice president's chair. It turned out to be Kim Seokjin, his future boss, whom Jungkook would start assisting from that day onwards.

The training and integration into the team went quickly and effortlessly as Jungkook worked fiercely, sparing no effort, giving it his all. The desire to succeed at any cost deprived him of sleep, appetite, and all other needs. The young man stayed in the office far longer than the others, meticulously thinking out plans, deftly distributing tasks, and bringing all the materials to a state of perfection. From the very beginning, the coworkers grew fond of the little Kookie, as senior staff member Minho affectionately nicknamed Jungkook. They were genuinely concerned about the young man’s well-being, bringing him food, because Jungkook often skipped lunch either to work on something or to improve the quality of his work output that would end up at his boss’s desk. Within just two months, Jungkook had noticeably lost a lot of weight: his face elongated, his cheeks hollowed, and his skin became pale and transparent.

On yet another evening, as the young secretary was toiling over drafting a contract, the vice president approached his desk and unceremoniously slammed the laptop lid shut, taking the papers from his hands, authoritatively ordering:

"Go home, Jeon."

Jungkook’s exhausted face twisted in fear. With great effort, he forced himself to look up at the boss to see Seokjin's intense expression soften instantly. He relented, smiling warmly and patted Jungkook approvingly on the shoulder, muttering:

"You've worked hard enough, Jungkook. That will do for today, go get some rest."

It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off the young trainee’s shoulders. He exhaled with relief, still trying to quell the nervous shivers at the sight of the boss.

"I'm fine, vice president, not tired at all. I can finish this contract today," he vigorously shook his head, still holding his palm over his heart as if trying to calm down the intense palpitation overwhelming him because the boss was so close.

"I insist," Seokjin said in a tone that left no chance for objection, unique only to him, ushering the young man out of his workplace.

"But, Mr. Kim, you're still here. It's not right! I shouldn't leave before you leave," Jungkook tried to protest. As he retreated, Jungkook stumbled awkwardly, losing his balance and nearly falling over. Seokjin reacted swiftly, grabbing his arm around the boy’s waist to steady him. Unable to avoid Seokjin’s gaze in this position, Jungkook stammered, lost in his eyes - a breathtaking, endless ocean, pulling him in. The touch of Seokjin's hand on his back burned like fire through the shirt’s material, sending shivers down his spine and causing goosebumps to erupt across his body.

"Are you okay?" Seokjin looked concerned.

"Yes, boss, I'm sorry," Jungkook dropped his eyes, blushing.

"It's okay, Jungkook,” Seokjin’s voice noticeably softened. “Go get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow at my place, as usual."

With each day, the secretary's admiration for his boss grew stronger. Seokjin inspired him not only as a competent and knowledgeable leader but also as a good person whom he wanted to emulate in every way. Jungkook saw Seokjin as his role model, appreciated his integrity, kindness, and fairness, seeing that the vice president genuinely cared for everyone, striving to bring out the best in his subordinates and ensure that each of them was satisfied with their achievements and grew in their position. However, Jungkook couldn't help but notice his boss's overly cautious and irrationally suspicious nature. Seokjin seemed to constantly search for hidden motives in everyone and everything, even in situations where it was bordering on the absurd.

Jungkook promised himself to become Seokjin’s most important employee and one day to gain this man’s trust. He felt it was crucial to his very core. Redoubling his efforts and shouldering more responsibilities, the young man strived to demonstrate to Seokjin that he was trustworthy and the boss could fully rely on him. The effort was appreciated and for his part, Seokjin created a flexible work schedule for his secretary, making it possible for Jungkook to enroll as a part-time student in a distance learning program at the cyber university, combining work with study.

As time passed, Jungkook could no longer ignore his growing attraction to his boss, gradually becoming infatuated with him. Seokjin's devilish charm consumed his thoughts, driving the boy insane, making him forget things, stutter, and blush whenever his boss looked in his direction. Yet, the fear of jeopardizing his newfound life, a dream job at an enviable position, kept him grounded, forcing him to stay concentrated on work. Unfortunately, Jungkook was highly sensitive and straightforward, so concealing his true feelings took a Herculean amount of self-control. Each time he was around Seokjin, seeing his encouraging smile, hearing his praise, he could barely keep himself in check. He blushed like crazy, breathing deeply, trying to slow down his fluttering heart.

But Jungkook was no fool and knew well that he stood no chance: such a gently-born and influential man as Kim Seokjin would never pay any attention to a pitiful worker like him, living in a tiny one-bedroom rented apartment in a modest Seoul neighborhood.

It was not that Jungkook wasn't objectively attractive. His facial features were perfectly symmetrical, his ideally oval-shaped face adorned with a multitude of seductive moles; huge, adorably shining eyes, and a radiant smile made him somewhat resemble a cute bunny rabbit, creating the cutest dimples on his cheeks. His quizzically naive, almost childlike puzzled facial expression made him a truly enchanting young man.

Undoubtedly, he was an object of desire and lust for many. A large number of co-workers constantly gave him bold and frank compliments and tried to flirt with him. Yet, the young man was not ready for such attention and couldn't reciprocate such sentiments. Each time, he only blushed in embarrassment and hurried to escape such awkward situations. The only man he was truly interested in would never see Jungkook in that way. Even though Jin maintained a friendly demeanor, he kept his professional distance from Jungkook as well as from any other employee.

Very little was known about vice president Kim's personal life. The most extraordinary rumors circulated about him: some malicious gossip attributed to him affairs with daughters of politicians and celebrities; others whispered behind his back that he was too arrogant and cold, believing that no one was worthy of his person, hence he was single. The truth was that Jungkook had never seen his boss with anyone, either a woman or a man. Seokjin didn't seem to be interested in romance, which both intrigued but also gave hope to Jungkook, nurturing his young heart's desperate longing for love.

One day, returning from a lunch break, Jungkook noticed that the blinds in his boss's office were drawn, which was quite unusual. He returned to his workstation, continuing the task he had left incomplete. Several moments later, the vice president's office door opened and Seokjin came out accompanied by a tall and extraordinarily handsome blond man. The two men were animatedly chatting and Jin's face was lit up with a happy smile, his eyes unusually sparkling, as if he had heard something very amusing, while the stranger burst into infectious laughter in response. Together they walked to the elevator, and just before the cabin stopped at their floor, the stranger patted Seokjin on the shoulder and Seokjin hugged him goodbye. With traces of amusement and mischievous twinkles in his eyes, he quickly walked past his subordinates, addressing his secretary on the go:

"Jungkook, please cancel all my meetings for today, I need to leave early."

"Yes, of course, sajangnim," Jungkook responded promptly.

For a while, he kept glancing at his boss's closed office door, not noticing Jung Hoseok quietly sneaking up on him. Hobi was leaning on the edge of the desk, his eyes squinted slyly. Jungkook turned around, almost shrieking in surprise.

"Spill it, what's on your mind?" Hobi smiled, leaning closer.

"What can I do for you, Hobi? I have a lot of things to do," Jungkook frowned, pretending to be busy.

"You didn't seem to a moment ago. I saw the way you looked at the boss and if looks could kill, Mr. Kim would be dead."

"Mr. Kim?" Jungkook asked, confused.

"Yes. Kim Namjoon. Don't you know him? He's a former classmate of our vice president."

"Oh, right…" Jungkook mumbled, pretending to be organizing papers on his desk, avoiding his friend's gaze.

Hoseok continued, "Oh yeah, he's a very important fellow. His father is in Forbes, mentioned as one of the most influential people in Korea, you know, with lots of assets. They own some banks and insurance agencies. They must have way more money than our vice president's family. I read on the internet about this Namjoon guy. He just graduated from Harvard and came back to Korea to take over his dad's business empire."

Jungkook tried to swallow the lump that suddenly rose in his throat, threatening to suffocate him. The information was far from pleasant. He suddenly remembered Seokjin's gaze that lingered on Namjoon longer than he usually looked at others. His laughter had sounded louder, his smile seemed broader and more genuine, and there was definitely a spark in his eyes that Jungkook had never seen before.

From that day on, Seokjin's routine changed. Namjoon visited him almost every day, and the two usually went out for lunch together or to the pub after work. Now, for many social and business events where Seokjin usually took his secretary as his "plus one", he began inviting Namjoon instead.

"They're just friends," Jungkook tried to convince himself. But each time he saw Seokjin looking happy beside cheerful Namjoon, this certainty waned. With envy, Jungkook looked at Namjoon's sports car, which he often parked near the "Kim Enterprise" office, at his expensive suits, watches, and other attributes of status and high social standing. That was when Jungkook started to wonder why he had ever thought he could be more worthy of his boss than this Namjoon guy. The difference between them was stark. No surprise that Namjoon had pretty much pushed Jungkook out of Seokjin's life. Jungkook's motivation was rapidly weakening; his work ceased to be interesting as he became increasingly convinced that Seokjin no longer needed him.

The decision to resign was painful. After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons, Jungkook decided that it would be better for both him and Seokjin to part ways at this point in their lives. He felt he was not good enough for Seokjin. He needed to work hard on himself, complete his university degree, and find another job away from Seokjin. Maybe if they didn't see each other anymore, he would stop thinking about him, stop being tortured by dreams of Seokjin when he was with Namjoon and would never pay attention to Jungkook. And maybe one day, if he was lucky, Jungkook could become someone who would earn the honor of being taken seriously by someone like Kim Seokjin.

***

The day after Jungkook announced his resignation, Seokjin arrived at the office extremely ill spirited. Everything has been going wrong since the morning. He didn't get enough sleep at all, having drunk too much whiskey in Yoongi's office the night before. Upon getting home, he fell asleep on the sofa in the living room for several hours, only to wake up in the middle of the night. He changed into his pajamas and went to bed, but this time sleep wouldn't come that easy. The events of the day before kept replaying in his mind. Understandably, most of the thoughts were about Jungkook, recalling their unpleasant conversation and the younger one's unwillingness to explain himself, lack of trust and communication between the two of them.

Seokjin thought that they have been through thick and thin over the past few years of working together and hoped that Jungkook at least trusted him. If he had problems, they could have talked about them. At least he could explain himself, what was bothering him and why he really wanted to end such a promising career. Seokjin would listen and maybe they could come up with a solution that suits both. Unless Jungkook got a more favorable offer from competitors who wanted to poach a talented worker. What kind of terms did they offer to the boy that he was ready to leave everything behind so quickly? These thoughts plagued Seokjin’s mind all night, causing him a terrible headache. An hour before the alarm was set to go off, Jin finally managed to doze off briefly, but it was too late for the rest. Without breakfast, as he couldn’t force himself to do a single bite, Seokjin headed for the office.

That morning, Jungkook was sent to the bank on company business, so he wasn’t picking up his boss from home. And quite frankly, Seokjin was in no mood to see his secretary at his house at that particular time.

The atmosphere in the office is tense to the breaking point. The boss lashes out at almost everybody, scolding Hobi for being a few minutes late, making Jungkook retype the same report three times, reprimanding Minho about the mess on his working desk. The contract signing fell through, causing a major deal to collapse and by lunchtime, Vice President Kim felt run out of steam.

It is no secret that many of Seokjin's employees have been tacitly selected based not only on their professional skills but also on aesthetic considerations. Apart from Jungkook, there are other handsome young men working in their department: Minho, Hyung Sik and Hoseok.

Jung Hoseok started from the very bottom of the career ladder, initially working as a doorman, a messenger and finally Seokjin's personal chauffeur. Jin noticed the handsome young man at an exhibition at the Hyundai car dealership event where Hobi was working as a host. Seeing his bright kind eyes and an open smile, Seokjin immediately offered him a job in his company. Over time, Hobi rose to the position of assistant manager and began sharing an office with Kim's subordinates. His promotion ended up being largely thanks to secretary Jeon's recommendations. After years of working together, Hobi and Jungkook became quite close, sharing almost a brotherlike bond. Being quite observant and perceptive, Hobi was the first one to notice that Jungkook was pining for their handsome boss.

In an effort to lighten the mood and cheer everyone up, Hobi suggests that together with colleagues from the advertising department they celebrate the end of this stressful week together. Emotionally drained Jungkook at first doubts whether joining his colleagues would be a good idea. He wouldn't want to spoil their company with his gloomy mood. However, Hoseok persistently urges him to join and he finally gives in.

At first, the coworkers dine at a cozy restaurant specializing in samgyeopsal, and then continue their evening by heading to a sports bar in the Hongdae area.

After a hell of a day at the office out of habit, Seokjin decides to check on Yoongi, only to find out that his friend has already left. Slightly disappointed, he chats briefly with Yoongi's secretary, Minji, from whom he inadvertently finds out about his department's after-work plans. Sajangnim never socializes with his subordinates outside of work. However, after talking to Yoongi, he decides to pursue Jungkook for an explanation. So he offers Minji a ride to the bar, allowing her to join her colleagues sooner than if she were to use public transportation.

Seokjin and Minji catch their colleagues in the middle of the full party mood, with tipsy Hyun Sik arguing with Hoseok about which baseball team has a better chance of winning the upcoming championship. At the unexpected appearance of the boss himself, accompanied by a satisfied Minji, everyone freezes, as if they've seen a ghost. Then they jump up, to bow deeply to the sajangnim, paying him their respect. Seokjin waves off their greetings, asking them to ignore his presence and address him informally.

“I know the last week has been a challenge for everyone,” with these words he looks at Jungkook longer than usual, “so please accept my apologies for today, I admit I was too harsh on you. Let me make up for the stress I caused you and invite you to the karaoke bar booked exclusively for us tonight.”

The last sentence makes all the employees perk up and enthusiastically applaud in gratitude to the vice president’s generosity.

The sudden appearance and strange behavior of the boss startles Jungkook, making him feel uneasy. Seokjin has never justified himself or apologized to anyone before. Deliberately, the boss slides into the seat next to Jungkook, glancing at him while sipping a non-alcoholic beer. The heat radiating from the proximity of his body and the distant scent of his cologne makes Jungkook’s head spin, turning his legs to jelly. His breath is hitched in his throat, hypersensitive skin feels on fire. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Jungkook’s entire body feels aflame, if he weren't anchored to his chair, he would surely lose his balance. Without thinking, he quickly downs a whole shot of soju. 

As the evening continues, the group eventually heads to a karaoke bar generously rented by Seokjin. Taking care of the subordinates turns out to be unexpectedly pleasant. Five separate rooms each with its exclusive bar are at their disposal. But Seokjin stays focused on his main objective, which is to talk to Jungkook and bring him to open up. Hopefully the casual atmosphere will encourage him to clarify the issue. Jungkook’s actions, his nervousness, how he always gets embarrassed and avoids looking at Seokjin are suspicious. Maybe his awkwardness is due to feeling guilty, if he had accepted a job offer from the competition. Jin absolutely must find out about everything once the right moment comes.

As the night goes on, animated co-workers keep ordering drinks and Jungkook finally relaxes a bit, letting loose and forgetting about the stress from before. He is fooling around on the dancefloor together with Hoseok, rapping to some songs.

In the semi-darkness of the karaoke room, spotlights are casting shadows on the faces of those present. Seokjin can't help but stare at his secretary all the time. As if he finally got to see him properly for the first time, rather than look at him. Working side by side every day, Seokjin had failed to notice how much Jungkook has changed over the last couple of years. In a good way. From a skinny insecure teenager, Jungkook has grown into an attractive young man. A loose white shirt with several buttons at the top undone seductively reveals his long neck and sensual collarbones. Pale blue jeans beautifully accentuate his long slender legs and muscular thighs. High Timberland boots, several dangling earrings in his ears and thin bracelets glittering on his delicate wrists look particularly stylish. Jungkook radiates rough masculinity and primal beauty. And Seokjin simply can't take his eyes off him.

Feeling the stare, the boy uncomfortably shrugs, licking his lips and shyly averts the gaze. But after a moment he shoots a quick look back at Seokjin, wondering about how to interpret this sudden attention of his boss.

The next instant Minji rushes over to Seokjin, handing out a mic:

“Sajangnim, we’re doing the song contest and it's your turn. Jungkook is voted as your partner. Your song is “Arirang.’”

Seokjin takes the microphone with a sly grin, ready to face the challenge. As he resolutely steps onto the makeshift stage, he locks eyes with Jungkook, who is already there, nervously clutching his microphone, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

As the music starts, their voices blend into a beautiful melody. Seokjin feels his heart skip a beat, completely smitten. For the five years that they have known each other he had never heard Jungkook sing and had no clue about the talent hidden in him. The boy’s soft lyrical timbre feels like silk, overwhelming Seokjin’s senses. In the dim light of the room the world around them fades away. The melody flows freely, creating harmony that’s theirs alone, laden with their unspoken emotions. Eyes locked, they sing not to the public but to each other, as if there was no one else in that room.

The last chord dies down, but they stand in silence with their microphones lowered, lost in each other’s eyes, utterly oblivious to their surroundings, until the delayed applause erupts, bringing both back to their senses.

Seokjin snaps out of his trance, quickly sets down the mic and hurries off the stage, straight to the bar. His heart is pounding and a flush is creeping up his neck. Guilt washes over him as he remembers his obscene thoughts about his secretary from before. Jungkook is undeniably a very attractive man. But also he is such a pure and innocent soul, who works for him and is five years younger! The fact hits him like a bucket of cold water. Like any decent boss, Seokjin has a duty to maintain professionalism and look after Jungkook instead of shamelessly staring at his thighs!

Jungkook sits down onto the bar stool next to him, feigning casualness as he orders a shot of whiskey with soda.

Seokjin is determined to regain their normal professional way of interaction and brush off any roots of uneasiness between them.

"Wow, I didn't know I wasted a pop singer’s career by hiring you," Seokjin shouts over Minho's singing. The attempt of humor turns out to be a feeble shield against the lingering tension between them. 

Jungkook squirms a bit, hyper aware of Seokjin’s hot breath against his cheek, as Seokjin bends over the armrest of his chair and moves closer to Jungkook's ear. It is sending shivers down Jungkook's spine, burning his already flushed cheeks.

“If it’s supposed to be a compliment, thank you. It's my pleasure.” Fighting to keep his voice steady, Jungkook manages a smile. He quickly turns away to hide the deepening blush. A wave of goosebumps rush across his body from head to toe, caused by such close proximity.

Seeing Jungkook gripping his glass tightly, his knuckles white, Seokjin is confused, not fully understanding what's going on. The younger one’s reactions are strange and bring even more uneasiness between them. He only wanted to express his praise, but the incomprehensible trepidation and nervousness coming from his secretary feels strange. 

"You have a beautiful voice," he says bluntly, looking at Jungkook's soft lips.

Jungkook turns to face Seokjin and their eyes meet. It is obvious that he is pleased to hear the praise. Something intense flashes in Seokjin’s eyes, stirring the imagination, as if he's about to say something special, but changes his mind and the moment gets lost.

“I think it’s time for us to talk,” he says cautiously, looking straight at Jungkook.

Chapter Text

Jungkook’s heart pounds as he stares at Seokjin anxiously, eyes widened in surprise, eyelashes fluttering nervously.

“What do you want to talk about, Sajangnim?” he stammers, his voice barely audible.

“I think there are a lot of unspoken things between us that need clearing up,” he says, his tone full of determination, leaning closer, so that they hear each other over the loud music. An undercurrent tension is palpable on the physical level, and it makes Jungkook’s skin tingle.

The sense of magic between them from moments ago completely dissipates. Jungkook feels cornered, unprepared for any sort of conversation. Seokjin’s strange and unpredictable behavior leaves him unsure how to manage it. Desperate to escape, he blinks rapidly, frantically trying to force his brain to make up some urgent excuse.

“I presumed we’d been working together for a long time and knew each other well enough.” Seokjin continues, his eyes never leaving Jungkook’s face. “Before handing in your resignation like that, you could have come and talked to me. I thought you trusted me. At the very least, you could have been honest with me about the reason why you really want to leave.”

Jungkook’s heart races at the fear that he didn’t manage to hide his feelings well enough. Has Seokjin guessed about his crush? Is he about to be confronted and rejected by him, without even a chance to explain himself? Tormented inside, he is unable to even bring himself to look up at his boss.

“Mr. Kim, as I said, my reasons are personal. I’m not sure you’d be interested in the details of my personal life,” he attempts to deflect, voice wavering.

“How much did they offer to pay for our know-how?” Seokjin suddenly lashes out, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something else — hurt perhaps? “What’s your price for leaving Kim Enterprise?”

The accusation hits Jungkook like a punch in the stomach, knocking air out of his lungs. He recoils back in his chair, speechless, eyes widened in shock, horrified by the absurdity of such suspicion. After all his dedication and hard work, all his efforts to prove his loyalty and gain Seokjin’s trust, this is how he really is perceived by him.

“What are you talking about, Mr. Kim?” he finally manages, his voice trembling with hurt and disbelief. “How could you let such a thing in your mind?” 

The pain floods his eyes, a stark contrast to Seokjin’s cold determination, heart shattering in pieces at the unfair accusation. It is way worse than any nightmare. Jungkook wouldn’t have ever imagined that the boss would suspect him of such vile treachery. This is bad. His initial fear about this conversation now seems laughable - Seokjin has no idea about his true feelings.

Seokjin keeps glaring at him, eyes cold and impassive, as he continues:

“Don’t take me for a fool, Jungkook! Are you seriously expecting me to believe that you have resigned without even securing another job?”

Anger bubbles up in Jungkook, an unfamiliar emotion towards his boss. Pouting in resentment, he suppresses a heavy sigh, struggling to maintain his composure. "That's right, Mr. Kim. I have no other job, nobody has offered me anything. I am quitting because I'm tired and need time to work on my thesis and graduate with good results.” But he can’t help but add, “I also need a breather.”

“So you decided to throw it all away just because you need a breather?” Seokjin’s voice rises, body still tense with barely contained emotion as he chooses to go on with the interrogation. “Do you even realize how stupid it is? You are burying your entire career, all that you have achieved through hard work, Jungkook! Mark my words, you’ll never find a job like this with this kind of pay!”

Bitterness and hurt courses through Jungkook’s veins. His feelings, his dedication – none of it matters. Seokjin still sees and treats him as disposable,  like some corrupt scum, a beggar willing to sell out for a few pennies. The realization is crushing: apparently he doesn’t deserve any better in Seokjin’s eyes. Just a miserable worker from a poor family with nothing else to offer except his unrequited feelings.

Seeing the raw indignation eloquent on the younger man’s face, Seokjin backs down, softens slightly.

“Jungkook, I told you we can solve this. Do you want more free time? I will clear your work schedule by delegating some of your tasks to another worker and provide you with a personal assistant to back you up. You can even take an academic vacation to complete your studies, if that’s what you need. But if you want a promotion, that is the easiest one to organize. Of course, it would include a substantial pay rise.  You deserve all of that after all.” His voice grows urgent, almost pleading. “Anything you fucking want! All you need is just to tell me what you want and I will make it happen!

The last words hang in the air, unnecessary and painful. Jungkook’s chest tightens, a bitter laugh threatening to escape his lips. Here’s Seokjin, offering him anything he wants on a silver platter, completely oblivious to the fact that the only thing that Jungkook truly wants is standing right in front of him, still stubbornly trying to buy him out, sweetening the deal. The mere suspicion of betrayal cuts his wounded heart deeper than any blade.

“Mr. Kim, I am not seeking a better deal or a promotion, much less selling any confidential information related to Kim Enterprise to your competition.” He takes in a shaky breath, trying to make his voice remain steady.  “Actually, I was very happy to work with you under the existing conditions. My reasons for leaving are indeed personal and have nothing to do with anything you’ve mentioned.”  He blinks quickly, desperately fighting back the unsolicited tears welling up his eyes. Seokjin is not supposed to see his pain. 

Hurriedly, Jungkook picks up his coat, never touching the drink he’d ordered. “Thank you for this invite and the evening. It’s getting late; I better go home.”

Without waiting for a response, he leaves Seokjin alone, weaving through the dance floor to find Hoseok. Swiftly he says goodbye to him and the rest of their group, wishing them a fun night with a forced smile.

Bursting through the door, Jungkook gasps for fresh air, his lungs burning in desperation. Alone in the dim street, he finally lets the unshed tears stream down freely. He walks the promenade towards the metro station, taking his time. Breathing heavily, he is trying to recover from all of the humiliation that he had just experienced during the conversation with the boss. Despite all of Seokjin’s talks about trust, he still suspects Jungkook of horrible things that he would never be capable of. Has he really done too little to make Seokjin see how much he means to him and how loyal he is to Kim Enterprise?

The hope of something special happening between him and Seokjin when they were singing together flashes in his mind for a fleeting moment. But it turned out to be a cruel joke, a mere self-deceit, created by the enamoured imagination. For the first time, Jungkook allowed himself to believe he’d caught his boss’ attention, and Seokjin looked at him with interest. Now he knows it all was for a completely different reason. 

Undeniably, the very fact that Seokjin had decided to join their team on a Friday night out and invited everybody to a karaoke bar was something extraordinary, very much out of his ordinary behaviour. But what does it matter if he still despises and suspects Jungkook of betrayal anyway?

***

The approaching end of April means yet another team competition between Kim Enterprise departments, which traditionally takes place every spring. 

Only little things bring Jungkook as much joy as winning them. For the last five years in a row, he has collected almost all of the awards and gold medals for his department.

Vice President would normally limit his involvement to the welcome speech, formally setting the start of the competition, rarely showing interest or involvement in the event. But this year is different. He personally ensures that all top management of all branches attend the competition and support their teams. So here he is, on the bleachers, along with a bored to death Yoongi, sitting by his side. 

It’s been several days since the party at the karaoke club and Seokjin’s failed attempt to figure out Jungkook’s reasons for leaving. Ultimately, he decides to trust his secretary’s words, reasoning that someone as genuine as Jungkook is unlikely to harbour any vile motives. So he left it as it is, respecting the younger one’s decision and right not to give the reason for quitting and never tried to raise the matter again. Their relationship has become even more strained, limited to communication about only the most urgent operational tasks, requiring Seokjin’s authorisation. 

Nevertheless, before the start of the competition, Seokjin makes an unexpected move — he approaches Jungkook, shakes his hand and wishes him good luck in securing another gold medal for their department. Their co-workers look scandalized, unaccustomed to such behaviour from their boss.

Jungkook easily wins the four-hundred-meter relay race. One of the runners who joined his team is a handsome red-haired guy whom Jungkook cannot remember seeing around before. After the race, the guy walks up to Jungkook with a gentle smile and hands him a bottle of water. He informs that they’ve been paired up for the three-legged races by the draw of lots, whereby their ankles will be tied together, requiring them to coordinate well and move in sync to reach the finish line. 

As soon as the redhead walks away, Hyung Sik and Minji rush to Jungkook, curious about his conversation with Park Jimin.

“Park Jimin?” Jungkook asks in surprise.

“Oh yes, that handsome guy you were just talking to. He’s new in the adverts department,” Minji explains. “They say he’s quite a heartthrob, the girls in his office are all thirsty for him. But he seems to be more inclined to guys. And he likes you,” she adds with a teasing wink, playfully nibbling his cheek. “A lot of people would love to be in your shoes right now.” She giggles, glancing quickly towards Jung Hoseok, who suddenly seems rather upset about something.

Jungkook’s eyes return to Jimin, reassessing him with this new information. The man is indeed very handsome. His lush strands are dyed auburn, expressive cat-like eyes framed with black eyeliner, lips full and incredibly sensual, he has long slender legs and a graceful body of a dancer. Moreover, he is openly gay and flirting shamelessly! Waiting at the starting line, Jimin smiles mischievously, flicking his hair back from his face and biting his lip seductively while looking directly at Jungkook. Normally, Jungkook would feel intimidated, but he finds himself strangely at ease with this man. 

Swallowing, before he can help it, Jungkook instinctively glances at the bleachers where his boss is sitting. A chill runs down his spine as he meets Seokjin’s angry glare. His boss’s entire posture is extremely tense, head pulled into the shoulders, eyebrows furrowed. It makes the younger one wonder what the heck got into Seokjin and why he looks so pissed. But he has no time to dwell on these thoughts as the race is about to start. He refocuses on his goal: reaching the finish line first and winning. 

Unaware, Seokjin furiously grips the plastic water bottle, his knuckles turning white. His secretary looks breathtakingly handsome today. The sports uniform he is wearing accentuates his toned body, while slicked-back hair reveals his beautiful forehead. As Jungkook stands on the starting line, fully focused on the race, Seokjin can’t just look away. His eyes devour every inch of Jungkook’s fine body, lingering on those muscular thighs concealed by the thin fabric of his sports trousers. Seokjin’s mind wanders, imagining the feel of those legs beneath his touch. Jungkook has turned into an exquisite torment for him, an irresistible attraction he cannot escape, no matter how he tries.

But very soon Seokjin realizes he is not the only one interested in Jungkook in that way. A certain red-haired man is constantly smiling at his secretary, clearly attempting to hit on him: licking and nibbling his lips while looking at Jungkook, casually touching him here and there, fixing the odd strands of Jungkook’s bangs, randomly finding excuse to put his hand over Jungkook’s shoulders, wrap them around his waist, and touch his back.

Yoongi explains that the man’s name is Park Jimin and he is extremely popular among female colleagues working in his department. Formerly a successful dancer, which explains his royal posture and smooth movements. Jimin recently graduated from college and got an internship at Kim Enterprise as a digital ads creator. And from the looks of it, he seems to be flirting with Seokjin’s pretty secretary, clearly seeking Jungkook’s attention. 

Seokjin winces, wrinkling his nose at the feeling of a pang in his plexus. He clenches his jaw, glaring at the man who is animatedly chatting with Jungkook. What’s most annoying is that Jungkook is happily smiling back at Jimin, clearly enjoying their interaction, as the two are preparing to run.

The referee’s whistle blows and the pairs, tied by ankles, begin their race. Jungkook and Jimin are perfect together, balancing their rhythm, holding each other’s waists, they never fall and are the first ones to reach the finishing line.  Drenched in euphoria to the boisterous cheering of their colleagues, they rejoice and jump on the spot to their victory, happily hugging each other. The entire hall erupts in applause, and it is more than Seokjin can take. He angrily throws his plastic bottle aside and storms away from the bleachers, unwilling to watch this victory where Jungkook is hugging another man. Leaving baffled Yoongi behind, he mutters to himself that this stupid contest should have been cancelled ages ago.

***

After the competition Jungkook stays late at the office. His absence during the day results in more work accumulating, so Jungkook doesn’t expect to get through it before midnight. Seokjin locks himself away in the office, ordering not to be disturbed, rescheduling all the visits for the next day.

His tension spreads to the subordinates, making them wonder about what got into their boss this time and why he doesn’t seem to appreciate their department team’s victory at the sports competition.

Usually cheerful Hoseok appears uncharacteristically somber. He taps loudly on the keyboard, frowning and occasionally casting a weary glance at Jungkook. Just like their boss, he seems immensely annoyed about something. Having printed his report, he quickly gathers the paperwork and walks off without saying goodbye to the remaining colleagues.

On the way towards the elevators he suddenly freezes, when a gorgeous flash of red hair appears nearby. 

Park Jimin is walking down the corridor in his direction, making Hoseok’s heart stop.

Before he is able to recover from the shock, Jimin addresses him, with voice light and cheerful:

"Excuse me, you work in Mr. Kim's department, don't you?"

Hoseok falls into a stupor. His mouth goes dry, tongue suddenly sticking to the roof of his mouth making it impossible to say anything. His palms are sweating and his heart starts beating fast, while a slight blush covers his face. The most adorable pair of eyes, twinkling like stars, are looking at him expectantly. Swallowing hard he replies:

“Yes, I work here in the office of Vice President Kim. Can I help you?”

Jimin’s smile is soft and friendly, erasing the world around Hoseok within a matter of seconds. 

“Well, not exactly him. He has a secretary, Jung Jungkook, doesn't he work here too? Do you know if he is still here or has left for home?”

Disappointment flickers in Hoseok’s eyes, as he drops his gaze, still trying to smile:

“Yes, Jungkook is still working. Go down the hallway till the end, his desk is the last one on the right.”

“Thank you,” beams Jimin, bowing politely. ”I’m Park Jimin, by the way.”

“Jung Hoseok,” he responds, offering a sweaty palm with a blush. A brief touch sends sparks of electricity through his body, and he catches a light smell of Jimin’s flowery perfume. His skin looks smooth and radiant. He smiles at Hobi, allowing cute dimples to appear on his cheeks, making the latter one go weak at his knees. Never before has he felt such excitement at the presence of another guy. He is literally melting to the warmth radiated by this fairytale-like creature.

“Nice to meet you, Hoseok-ssi. I’ll go and try to find Jungkook then. See you around!” he sets off into the direction indicated to him.

“The pleasure is all mine,” whispers Hobi as Jimin walks away, fighting the urge to follow. His entire being is desperate to turn around and run back, to at least be on the same floor with this beautiful man. It’s been almost a month since their accidental first encounter in the lobby of Kim Enterprise, that he will never forget. Since that moment, that Jimin had likely forgotten, Hoseok has been observing him from a distance, heart racing each time the redhead zoomed past on his scooter without even looking in Hoseok’s direction. 

So now Hobi still cannot believe his own luck. Jimin just came past and introduced himself first, even responding to a handshake! Now they are officially introduced and know each other’s names! Probably he should thank Jungkook for inadvertently creating this opportunity and being the reason for Jimin visiting their office.

Jimin gently taps on the glass wall separating Jungkook’s workplace from the rest of the office.

“May I?” he coos, smiling mischievously.

“Oh Jimin, what a surprise!” Jungkook smiles back and gestures at Jimin to come over.

“I was wondering how you were after today’s competition and if you wanted to celebrate our victory together? We could go for a drink, or, maybe, just a coffee. What do you think?”

For the first time since they’ve met each other, Jimin looks a little hesitant. Jungkook smiles at that, definitely flattered by getting the attention of such a handsome man as well as by the fact that Jimin has actually asked him out. Jungkook would really love to have somebody to go to the pub after work with. 

“I would really love to, but I’m afraid it’s hardly possible today. Too many deadlines to finish and…,”  he warily glances at the blinds of Seokjin’s office, “My boss is still here.”

“I see,” Jimin nods with sympathy. “Well, in that case, let’s do it another time. I actually have some things to finish too. Let’s set up when it works for both of us and make an arrangement. How about at the end of the week?”

“Sure, shall we exchange the numbers?” Jungkook hands Jimin his unlocked phone with a smile.

“Deal,” Jimin winks, writing down his number and handing the phone back to the younger one. “I’m looking forward to it”.

“I’ll be looking forward to it too,” Jungkook smiles happily, looking back with interest. 

A second after Jimin leaves the office, Minho appears at Jungkook’s desk.

“You have a dreamy look,” he chuckles. “Why did he come here?”

“He asked me out for a drink after work.”

“Wow wow wow, does this mean that our little Kookie finally will go on a date?” teases Minho. 

“Shut up,” Jungkook jokingly waves him off with a magazine in hand, not stopping smiling.

At that moment their frowning boss walks out of his office. He must have heard Minho’s last comment.

With an impassive look completely ignoring his subordinates, Seokjin exits the office and heads towards the elevator. 

“What’s wrong with him again?” Minho whispers in dismay as Seokjin is hidden behind the sliding doors. “Being so moody lately.”

“He might just be lonely, good reason to be so annoyed all the time. He should get a girlfriend or something, ” Hyung Sik is joining their conversation, “Try not going out with anybody for so long and you will become the same!”

“So strange for such a handsome man that he is. What about Kim Namjoon? Do you remember that tall guy who comes to his office every so often? Do you think they are just platonic? It’s been a while since he’s been here.”

“Can’t you guys continue this somewhere else and possibly outside of the office? I’ve got work to do, ” Jungkook’s ears are burning. He is irritated, automatically feeling the urge to protect his boss from the unnecessary gossip. 

The colleagues awkwardly apologize, hastening to return to their work.

***

Hongdae University District is overflowing with nightlife and different sorts of activities on Friday nights. Numerous parties, nightclubs and bars, street food vendors and musicians create the unique atmosphere of an eternal festival.

As agreed, Jimin and Jungkook come here to celebrate their victory in the sports competition. The elder invites Jungkook to his favourite restaurant specializing in amazing takkalbi. After the meal, they continue to a themed café, where they have lots of fun playing with adorable raccoons, and at the end of the night, they end up dancing at a club.

Being a born dancer,  Jimin moves beautifully: smooth and seductive, drawing attention from absolutely everybody on the dance floor. Jungkook can’t help but notice and admire his amazing physical condition. He also eagerly responds to Jimin's flirtatious advances, letting him run his fingers down his back and rest them on his waist during the dance, leaning into the touch that sends shivers down his spine, feeling the spark between them and laughing happily at his jokes. Jimin laughs infectiously, throwing his head back in the most adorable way, covering his mouth with small hands, occasionally playing with his hair, smoothing it, squinting his eyes as Jungkook smiles back at him as they are swaying to the rhythm of the music. People constantly approach them and try to drag Jimin away, but he always gets back to Jungkook, his eyes never leaving the younger one in the crowd.

Jungkook is pleasantly impressed that Jimin finds nothing wrong with going to a small convenience store after the club and buying a couple of bottles of soju. They sit down on the sidewalk, drinking together, while listening to some odd street musicians play. It’s hard to imagine Seokjin doing something similar to this. Jimin comes from a middle-class family and still is not quite equal to Jungkook. However, he is kind, caring and approachable, and Jungkook feels comfortable in his company.

“Your movements to the music were amazing. I heard you were a professional dancer, weren’t you?” ogling with interest Jimin, sitting next to him, totally relaxed and sipping on his soju, Jungkook cannot resist complimenting him.

“Something like that. Dancing is still my passion. I was once the best student of my year group at the conservatory,” Jimin’s eyes come alive, his voice filling up with enthusiasm. "When I was ten, I even won an international ballroom competition.”

“Wow, that sounds like a big victory. Why would you give up?” Jungkook is genuinely curious.

“As I was growing older, my father increasingly pointed out that dancing is not a real profession, not the way to build a solid career. He said I needed something to be able to stand on my feet. I was interested in programming and digital marketing. Experience is very valuable in my field. And in just a week after getting my degree, I got incredibly lucky to get an internship over here at Kim Enterprise. I would have loved to be a professional dancer, but some dreams are better off as dreams,” he adds, looking back at the younger intently.

"Isn't it a bit boring to work in the advertising department?” asks Jungkook almost with sympathy.

“Not gonna lie, I was a little sad at first,” Jimin says thoughtfully, setting his soju aside, “However, it started getting better lately.”

His eyes intensify as he carefully closes the distance between them. Jungkook can smell the delicate scent of his hair; goosebumps erupt on his skin from the pleasant sensation of their close contact. An inch separates their lips as Jungkook hastily pulls back, gently placing his palm over Jimin’s chest.

“Jimin, wait ... “

Jimin obediently stops. An awkward silence emerges between them. 

“Please don’t think that I… Jimin, I like you very much.” Jungkook says softly, his eyes full of warmth and regret.

“But?” Jimin chuckles bitterly, disappointment evident in his voice.

“Tonight felt insanely good with you. I really want to do it again as soon as possible,” Jungkook stutters, trying to explain.

“You haven’t had a boyfriend yet, Jungkook?”

Jungkook laughs in embarrassment, trying to hide his blush.

“No point in lying to you, Jimin. Indeed, I’ve never been kissed before.”

Jimin looks at him in astonishment. 

Jungkook keeps smiling bashfully, averting his gaze. “But that's not the point.” 

“Then what is it about?” 

After a few moments Jimin adds dryly:

“Are you into someone else?”

Jungkook returns his gaze and looks eloquently.

“I thought so!” Jimin exclaims, but Jungkook takes his hand gently, wrapping his long fingers around it.

“Jimin, I really really like you. If … If the situation was different, I would be head over heels falling in love with you. I just … I can’t right now.”

“So why are you two not together?” Jimin asks with a sigh, his hand still in Jungkook’s.

“We are sort of different and I think I am not the right one for him.”

“Isn’t it that opposites attract?” 

“They might attract,” Jungkook mutters deep in thought. “But there is a huge gap between us. He is older than me. Also from a rich family. We both come from very different worlds.” 

Jimin squeezes his hand back reassuringly, his initial disappointment melting into genuine concern for Jungkook. “Jungkookie, if that is true love, it doesn’t matter that one is rich and the other isn’t. Love changes many things. Yes, sometimes it hurts and can make you suffer, but it’s worth it if the person’s special.”

“Maybe you are right, Jiminie, but he certainly doesn’t think so. He doesn’t see me in that way.”

“I’m sorry if it’s totally one-sided.” Jimin nods sympathetically and affectionately hugs the younger one, resting his chin on his shoulder. They both needed  this friendly and comforting connection. “This person must be a fool if they don’t see you in that way. No matter what happens, I will be there for you.”

Jungkook hugs Jimin back, feeling grateful for his understanding.

“Thank you. I’m so glad we met. You’re such a great person.”

The streets gradually empty as it’s getting cold. The two friends decide to go home, splitting the cost of a taxi. Walking hand in hand, they get into their car.

***

Seokjin tries to relax and distract his mind from the stress and frustration he experienced at work. His distress is fueled by the memories of Jungkook’s behavior at the recent sports competitions and he unsuccessfully attempts to drown it in alcohol. Even sitting at the bar with Namjoon and sipping an expensive cocktail he has a hard time unwinding. It’s impossible to shake off all the thoughts about his attractive secretary. The pointless chatter is distracting and annoying. Earlier in the office, Seokjin caught himself staring for about fifteen minutes at a photo of Jungkook taken at the previous corporate party. It was from a time when Jungkook was experimenting with his hair colors almost every two weeks. One day he would turn up with mint hair, the week after with purple, and then blue or yellow and so on. At the event Jungkook had his hair dyed blond, long strands slightly curled, lending him an ethereal appearance. He wore a plaid suit with a black tie, his left ear adorned with a long dangling earring. Seokjin can’t understand what’s so special about this picture, but there is something about his secretary’s serious yet playful gaze that attracts him like a magnet. 

Jungkook looked aggressively attractive at the recent sports competitions. Seokjin can’t stop recollecting the way his body looked in the sports costume, imagining what he would look like naked. Every curve of his body is so sensual, tantalizing, stirring desires for uncharted intimacies. Seokjin chides himself yet another time, trying to suppress these thoughts creeping into his mind. However, he would probably indulge in those fantasies more had there not been one extremely annoying factor. And that factor is Park Jimin. 

Why is he still out of his mind with rage, just at the memory of Jimin flirting with his secretary? After running out of the competition hall, Seokjin vowed to himself to cancel the stupid sports event for good.

So this evening he just won’t concentrate on Namjoon’s words. Having finished his cocktail and paid, Seokjin asks for a ride home. 

It is ten in the evening, but Seokjin is unable to resist the urge to call Jungkook just to hear his voice. The excuse he is going to use is the  contract that his kind secretary has taken home to finalize over the weekend.

He shouldn’t be surprised that Jungkook does not pick up. A handsome man like him must have some plans for Friday night. The work phone seems to be disconnected, the GPS tracker not showing his location. A little voice in the back of his mind keeps whispering that the reason for that is Jungkook being distracted by something or someone, and it is driving Seokjin insane, preventing him from thinking clearly. Blood rushes to his head as he starts picturing his secretary somewhere with someone and what they might be doing at this precise moment.

Finally, Seokjin gets out of his seat and hurriedly picks up his phone, ordering himself a taxi. He is heading to Jungkook’s address, not sure exactly why the need to see Jungkook immediately has turned into an uncontrollable craving and he is not going to wait a second longer. 

Just like Seokjin has guessed and to his great disappointment, Jungkook is not answering the door and the windows of his apartment are dark. 

He takes a deep breath, trying to cool down and reason his thoughts, when a car approaching from the other side of the street slows down and pulls up. Seokjin immediately spots Jungkook getting out and another guy after him. They give each other a big hug and now he can recognize that the other person is no other than Park Jimin. 

“Thank you for such a wonderful evening, I had a really good time,” Jungkook says smiling affectionately at Jimin.

Jimin smiles back, hugging Jungkook and leaving a light kiss on his cheek:

“I liked it too. Let’s do it again some time. Next time we can invite more people to join”, he beams, still holding Jungkook’s hand.

Suddenly both of them snap as Seokjin appears out of nowhere, right in front of them, fuming:

“Secretary Jeon!”

Jungkook winces, hearing the familiar voice. He freezes in astonishment, his boss being the last person he would expect to see outside of his house this late at night.

Chapter Text

“Boss, what are you doing here?”

Seokjin’s eyes narrow as he looks at his two workers still holding hands. A surge of anger courses through his veins, his jaw clenching involuntarily. He doesn’t bother to hide the disdain in his voice as he speaks.

“Before you go and turn off your phone, make sure you take care of all the pressing matters requiring your involvement! You clearly have no idea how much your irresponsibility will cost the company, do you?” he glares, looming over his secretary, eyes stinging Jungkook’s face, a dangerous mix of fury, frustration, and something else flashing in his gaze.

Jungkook stares, bewildered, his hand instinctively tightening around Jimin's for comfort . Seokjin’s imposing figure and harsh words leave him struggling to understand why his usually reserved and laid-back boss is suddenly acting this way.

For a moment, Seokjin even feels a pang of guilt seeing Jungkook’s distress. His secretary clearly doesn’t have a clue what’s going on and is visibly stressed by this sudden appearance outside his house late on a Friday night, with random accusations being hurled at him. Nearby standing Jimin is gradually tensing up as he watches their interaction unfold, growing increasingly uncomfortable, but never letting go of the younger one’s hand.

“Unlike you,” Seokjin continues, his eyes darting between Jungkook and Jimin and their intertwined hands, “I am up to my elbows in work, finishing off urgent things that nobody else would do for me. Where is the draft of the contract for CJ Corporation? Manager Min said the only copy is on the pen drive you took with you."

“I … I was going to finish it over the weekend at home . The deadline you mentioned was on Monday," Jungkook stutters, blinking in confusion. He turns his body as if to walk towards the house. "If you let me..."

"Just because you decided to quit doesn't give you the right to act irresponsibly for the remaining month," Seokjin cuts him off dryly. "Are you even aware of how much work we've put into Mr. Choi's project? I want that draft at my house by noon tomorrow!" He turns abruptly and strides towards the cab waiting at the opposite side of the curb.

With every second of this exchange, rage builds steadily in Jimin’s entire being. Having always struggled to obey the authorities he easily loses his composure, especially when witnessing arrogance and injustice from someone higher in the hierarchy. His instincts flare as he watches Jungkook shrink under Seokjin’s harsh words. No superior, regardless of their class, position, or social status, has the right to treat their subordinates like that. So Jimin fumes inwardly,  biting his lips hard and clenching his fists, trying to hold back his anger, But Seokjin’s last demand breaches his patience, and Jimin calls out:

“What do you think gives you the right to talk to Jungkook like that? Our working hours are long finished, and we don’t need permission to have a good tim e. Why are you harassing him in his free time, demanding overtime work for a task he didn't even know about?"

Taken aback by such audacity, Seokjin freezes as if paralyzed. Slowly turning around, he throws a murderous look at the shorter man. "And who the hell are you?"

Jungkook is about to intervene, but Jimin is quicker. He moves ahead, instinctively shielding the younger one, shoulders squared and chin lifted defiantly. "Park Jimin, a trainee from the advertising department. I've only just started working in your company, but I must say I've neither expected nor come across such treatment of subordinates. You're being unjust and have no right to act like this. He's your secretary, not a slave!"

Seokjin is clearly reaching his limit. His blood boils, his neck turning crimson with rage. Gritting his teeth, he fights the urge to lash out and punch the insolent short man who dares to provoke him. The worst of it all is seeing Jungkook look up at Jimin with admiration while only throwing nervous looks at Seokjin. This is not right! Gathering the remnants of his composure, the Vice President snarls through clenched teeth, "Nobody asked for your opinion. Shut up, or you'll be out of the company before your probationary period ends."

Jungkook takes a step forward, his face contorted with worry as he tries to warn Jimin, signaling him to be quiet. But the young man can't be stopped at this point:

“Well, if this is what’s in store for me at your company, I’m not interested either! I am ready to pack my things and depart tomorrow!”

Seokjin ignores this, turning away with an icy calm and furiously striding off, leaving the two men staring after him in silence.

Neither of them dares to speak until, finally, Jimin raises his head to face Jungkook. His stance softens as he speaks up:

“I guess my taxi has just left.”

"Jimin, you didn't have to do that. You shouldn't have talked to him like that!" Jungkook turns to him, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and reproach.

"I was trying to hold back, but when he started accusing you, I just couldn't anymore. I'm sorry," Jimin answers quietly. He genuinely doesn't want Jungkook to get into even more trouble because of him.

"I'll see what I can do. I'll try talking sense into him tomorrow. He gets like this sometimes, but he always calms down quickly. Don't worry, everything will be fine, and you won't get fired!" Jungkook pats Jimin soothingly on his forearm.

"You've just been told off like that, and you're trying to calm me down!" Jimin looks at his friend in amazement. "Don't ever let anyone treat you like that! Just because he's your boss doesn't mean he has the right to humiliate you. It's illegal. He has no right to harass you in your free time!"

Jungkook looks genuinely upset. "You just don't know him at all. He's not like that. He has his reasons. It’s usually that he’s going through some kind of trouble when he’s acting out.

“Jungkook,” Jimin steps closer, looking intently, “Am I missing something here?”

“Don’t worry, he definitely is not going to fire you,” Jungkook reiterates firmly, avoiding Jimin’s question.

“That’s him, right? The guy you have a crush on is Mr. Vice president Kim, isn’t it?”

Jungkook instantly jumps, looking around in panic. He gestures, trying to hush Jimin: “Please don’t say it out so loud!”

“So, is it true?” asks Jimin with a sad chuckle.

“Seems like one can’t keep anything from you at all,” Jungkook admits with a sigh. “Yes, it’s him.”

“Kookie!” Jimin gasps, covering his mouth with his hands in shock.

“Just please, don’t tell anyone! It must stay between us!”

“Of course, of course, don’t worry. No one is going to find out anything from me. You better be careful, though. He’s your boss, after all.”

“I know, right? This is so ridiculous,” Jungkook looks down at his shoes, adding with sadness. “I've been living with this for so long. But he'll never find out!”

“Hey,” Jimin shrugs, taking Jungkook's hand, "feelings aren't easy to control. And I want you to know that I'm the last person to judge you for this. Surely, you're neither the first nor last secretary with a crush on their boss. Not sure if that makes you feel any better," he adds, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Jungkook hums to himself, nodding approvingly and raising the corners of his lips.

“Please go to bed and get a good night’s rest. Try not to work too hard on that contract tomorrow. Weekends are for resting."

“Okay, Jimin-si,” Jungkook murmurs softly. “Don’t worry about me.”

“You can call me hyung. I am older,” Jimin winks.

“Okay, hyung,” Jungkook nods.

“What’s with my cab? Ah, damn it, I have to get a new one now!” Jimin exclaims and Jungkook responds with a genuine smile.

They chat for a while before Jimin is picked up, and they part with goodnight wishes and a promise to keep in touch.

***

Seokjin is in for yet another hellish night. He is distressed about many things, but most of them centre around Jungkook. Not only is he upset about losing a key employee and finding a new person to replace him, but he is also worrying about his inability to find out the reason for Jungkook’s resignation. On top of all, Park Jimin irritates him above all limits.

On second thought, Seokjin is mortified by his own behaviour. He ran like a madman to his employee’s house, caused a terrible scene there, stalking and unjustly accusing his best ever worker for something he had no reason to be angry about. Such a loss of control and inability to cope with his emotions is deeply troubling. 

There is no point in denying that his handsome secretary’s resignation has caused Seokjin an emotional upheaval. Thoughts about Jungkook consume him, and Seokjin can’t entirely control them. It’s been a long time since he has obsessed so hard about someone. Usually, it took little effort for Seokjin to suppress the slightest sign of attraction for someone with sheer willpower. A few years back, it worked with Namjoon. But the tactic has proven useless with Jungkook. Ever since the secretary announced his resignation, Seokjin has felt powerless. These feelings for Jungkook are strong enough to break all the emotional barriers that Seokjin had so carefully built up over the years, leaving him vulnerable.

Having taken a shower and changed into his pajamas, Seokjin goes to bed, but he doesn’t feel like sleeping. Reading doesn’t help. All his thoughts are consumed only by Jungkook — the cute way his eyes and nose scrunch up, the little dimples appearing on his cheeks when he smiles. Opening the photo folder on his phone, Seokjin flicks through the pictures and finds one from the latest team building that he saved for some reason. Jungkook stares into the camera, his huge expressive doe eyes are beyond beautiful, his large palm resting on his knee. The outlines of his strong thighs are visible through the soft material of his trousers. His tantalizingly sensual lips are slightly parted, inviting.

Fuck it, Seokjin reaches for the elastic waistband of his pajama pants. There is no way to fight this urge. It’s not as if he is doing anything illegal. His secretary is a grown man and very attractive. It’s not like Seokjin is going to molest him in real life. He shudders, running his hand over his cock, gasping as he imagines Jungkook naked, looking absolutely stunning — his beautiful lips waiting for kisses, his tender neck with a beautiful mole on the left side, and his wide shoulders as he lies looking so good on the sheets next to Seokjin, letting himself be caressed, closing his eyes in pleasure and moaning sweetly. Seokjin gets harder, moving his hand faster, as he catches his breath. He wonders what Jungkook’s face looks like when he’s orgasming? Is he loud? What does his voice sound like when he moans? These images are too much, and Jin cannot last much longer. He spills into his fist with a muffled groan, staining his pajamas with cum. At first, he doesn’t care, feeling relief.

But a terrible feeling of shame washes over him moments later. What the hell did he just do? Jungkook is his personal assistant, his mentee, fully dependent on Seokjin. First, he is basically stalking him, and now this? They have known each other since Jungkook was young, coming to work right after graduation. How can he be doing something like that? Now how is Seokjin supposed to look his secretary in the eye when he comes to his house tomorrow with a contract that he forced him to finalize just because he couldn’t come up with a better excuse to see him tonight? Besides, Jungkook is probably resenting him and for a good reason . Perhaps he's also tired and unable to sleep because of work. Maybe Seokjin should call him and cancel the meeting, telling him it can wait until Monday? But then how would that explain his showing up at Jungkook's house late on a Friday night, surprising him during his time off? 

Seokjin finally manages to fall asleep, but only for a short time, as anxiety just won't leave him alone even in his sleep. All he genuinely wants is to make amends for today and fix things with Jungkook.

***

Monday turns out to be an extremely hectic day for Seokjin. With five appointments and one meeting scheduled, his calendar is overloaded. The situation is even more complicated by his decision to allow Jungkook to stay home until noon as compensation for his weekend overtime.

On Saturday, Jungkook had brought the finalized draft of the contract to Jin’s house promptly at 11 am, just as required. His work, as always, was impeccable. During their short interaction Seokjin kept a cold and strict demeanour, simply because he knew no better and was desperate to avoid even more strain in their communication. Their exchange had been awkward and tense. Jungkook’s first words were an apology for Jimin’s behaviour, pleading with the boss not to fire him. Then he said sorry for not ensuring his work phone was fully charged, promising it would never occur again. This display of concern for Jimin had sparked another twinge of jealousy in Seokjin. His secretary’s primary worry seemed to be for his friend, selflessly putting himself second. Jungkook had been so persistent in his pleas, urging his boss not to fire Jimin. Those hopeful doe eyes were impossible to resist, and Seokjin found himself promising to reconsider his decision.

At ten thirty, Minho announces that the candidate for the new secretary position has arrived for an interview. Usually Jungkook would conduct these kinds of interviews, but since he is not in the office, the vice-president decides to take on the task himself. He nods approvingly signaling for Minho to invite the candidate into his office.

A slightly confused young man of remarkable appearance walks into the office, his demeanour a curious mix of confidence and unease. His lush hair is dyed in a bright bubblegum colour, and he is wearing a stylish white suit and blue shirt underneath;  his Chanel earrings look a little dressy for the office setting. Licking his lips nervously, he studies his would-be boss with wide eyes. Seokjin looks friendly, taking over his CV and gesturing to him to take a seat on the opposite side of the desk. 

“So, Kim Taehyung,” Seokjin asks, quickly skimming through his CV, “tell us about yourself. What brought you here and why do you want to work as a secretary at the Kim Enterprise?”

Their conversation is interrupted by Minho bringing a glass of water for Taehyung. Thanking him politely and waiting for him to leave, Taehyung begins his story, his fingertips tapping an irregular rhythm on the table:

“I was born in Daegu. When I was two years old, my family moved to a village in Gokhang County. I went to Kemyon University and earned my master’s degree in business management.” For a moment, his eyes flicker to the side, as if recalling a rehearsed script.  “During my studies at the college I worked part-time as an assistant to the deputy of the city council. Here, you can check my recommendation letters. Now I am moving to Seoul and would like to apply for a similar position.

Seokjin nods, noticing the slight hesitation but attributing it to nerves. “How do you handle stress? Are you willing to work under pressure?” 

Taehyung bites his lip, awkward smile not quite reaching his eyes.

“Yes, in my previous job I only worked on short-term projects, often overtime, but it’s not a problem for me. I like to be in a dynamic environment, tasks that require immediate execution are very motivating." 

Seokjin looks over the CV for a few more seconds. 

Seokjin leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. "And what would you say is your greatest strength, Mr. Kim?"

Taehyung adjusts his posture to match Seokjin's. His voice takes on a cadence similar to the Vice President's as he responds, "I'd say my ability to adapt quickly to new environments and read people accurately, Mr. Vice President. It's served me well in my previous positions."

Seokjin hums and nods to himself, immediately feeling as if they're on the same wavelength, inwardly thanking Yoongi for his ability to find the right people at the right time.

“Do you have any questions, perhaps something you would like to clarify?” he suggests formally.

Taehyung stares back, a fleeting look of panic crossing his face before he composes himself as he is considering what would be the most suitable answer. But when he can’t come up with anything appropriate, he just shrugs saying that he has no further questions.

“Well, Mr Kim, I guess the recommendation of Mr. Min, with whom you passed the first round of the interviews, will suffice. I can confirm now that you are a good fit for us. When can you start?”

Taehyung instantly cheers up, his reaction a bit too enthusiastic for someone who moments ago seemed a little lost. It is hard to judge from his reaction, whether he is excited or pleased by the news of being accepted. “I’m ready to start right now,” he says eagerly, his eyes darting around the room as if already imagining himself working here.

“Great, so please come back tomorrow. My current secretary, Jeon Jungkook will bring you up to date, you can start training and gradually you will take over the agenda,” Seokjin nods, handing Taehyung back his CV, “we will also handle all of the paperwork of your admission tomorrow."

Taehyung gets up from the chair and bows politely:

“Thank you so much, Mr. Vice President. I look forward to my first assignments.”

“You are welcome. I hope we will work well together,” Seokjin smiles politely, letting him know that the appointment is over.

When the door closes behind the man,  Seokjin finds himself staring at it for a moment longer than usual, a vague unsettling feeling taking over him but he quickly dismisses it. He picks up the phone and dials the advertising department[s number. “Minji, is manager Min in the office?”

“Yes, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Min is here. Would you like me to put him through?”

“No, not really. Just tell him I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

***

Jimin enters “Kim Enterprise” looking quite troubled. After a confrontation with the Vice President outside Jungkook's house, he spent the rest of the weekend scrolling through job adverts, unable to find anything even half as good as his current position. Despite Jungkook's repeated reassurances, Jimin braces himself to lose everything. Too overwhelmed with his worries, he remains unaware of one pair of eyes that have been following him into the building.

Hoseok has developed a habit of subconsciously looking out for Jimin in every random passer-by, and spots him immediately. Before he has a chance to second guess himself, he runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time so he manages to catch up with Jimin in front of the elevators. As he steps beside the younger man, catching his breath, he notices the slump in Jimin’s posture – so different to the first time when they saw each other and the redhead seemed much more cheerful. 

“Hello,” he says with a friendly smile, lightly touching Jimin’s arm.

Jimin looks startled, pulling out an earphone. He looks confused, evidently struggling to place Hoseok’s face.

“I’m Hobi, from the Vice President Kim’s office. You visited us last Thursday,” he explains, trying to help jog Jimin’s memory.

An embarrassed smile flickers across the younger one’s face, briefly illuminating his features. “I’m so sorry, I am terrible with names. Uh hi.”

“That’s okay, it happens to me a lot too. How are you doing?”

Jimin’s chest rises with a heavy sigh as he bites his lower lip, pondering about something and saying after a bit of hesitation:

“Not too bad. And you?”

The elevator arrives with a ding, and they step aside to let people out before entering. As they stand side by side in the cabin, Hoseok’s heart quickens as he picks up a light scent of Jimin’s cologne. Trying to stay focused, he racks his brains for something clever and amusing, desperate to impress Jimin and maybe make him smile. 

“So, … I swear mornings come faster every day, don't they?” he cringes inwardly at his desperately awkward attempt at small talk. 

Jimin merely nods, looking all tense and serious, his eyes fixed on the changing floor numbers. Finally, the elevator arrives at the advertising department floor and he steps out with casual, “Ok, have a good day. See you later.” 

And just like that, he disappears through the sliding doors, leaving Hoseok alone with no hope for any future interaction and a sinking feeling in his stomach. His mind races with all the missed opportunities, and he mentally facepalms himself. Should he have asked Jimin out for coffee? Would that have been too bold? His stomach churns at the thought of Jimin turning him down outright, especially since he hadn't even remembered their previous meeting.

Completely deflated, Hoseok drags his feet to the office, footsteps heavy on the tiled floors. The ringing phones and agitated voices get louder with every step, making him feel even more dejected than before. He arrives to find the Vice President's office in complete chaos. Jungkook's absence has disrupted the entire workflow, leaving employees without any clear instructions as they are directly dependent on him as a key junction to the Vice President. The vast majority of assignments are still pending, so a whole load of problems are piling up on Hoseok. He watches Minho collapse into a chair next to him with tension etched across his face and deep wrinkles between his eyebrows, and Hobi sighs. As he opens a drawer in his desk, he can't help but think about Jimin, wondering if he too is drowning in chaos.

Shaking off the thought, he squares his shoulders and with a deep breath plunges into the files overflowing his desk. It's going to be a very long day.

In the meantime, as Jimin exits the elevator, he nearly collides with Seokjin, who is striding out of Yoongi’s office. Seokjin gives Jimin a dirty look, his usually perfect facial features contort with disgust as he doesn’t say a single word.

“Exactly what I need right now,” Jimin mutters under his breath,  ironically. Seokjin walking out of Yoongi’s office, only means one thing — that his supervisor is already aware of Friday’s incident between him and Seokjin.

With his shoulders hunched, Jimin sneaks to his workstation, willing himself to seem as small as possible. His stomach drops when Yoongi summons him to the office. But to his utter amazement, the meeting unfolds like any other. Yoongi only nonchalantly hands over the next two weeks’ project, briefing Jimin through the details, without a single mention about Seokjin or Friday’s events. As Jimin leaves his department, confusion replaces his earlier dread.  Is he not being fired anymore? Did Jungkook really manage to smooth things over and talk his boss down? Jimin needs to talk to him about this as soon as possible.

***

An hour ago, Seokjin was lazing in a massive leather chair in Yoongi’s office, nursing a headache and sipping mint tea. He roughly outlined the incident at Jungkook’s house and his verbal altercation with Park Jimin, conveniently omitting to specify how and why he ended up at his secretary’s place. Venting this to Yoongi provides some relief.

“We could discipline him, of course,” Yoongi suggests, “perhaps prolong his probation term or take away this month’s bonus.”

Seokjin retorts with a sardonic chuckle, "Certainly, but what good would that do? What’s the use of being so petty?"

“We shouldn’t leave it as it is. We need to establish clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour.”

Seokjin rubs his eyes wearily. “Could you send him somewhere far and for an extended period of time? Like a prolonged business trip?” he proposes half-jokingly. “For example, he could gain some work experience at our subsidiary branch in Osaka. At the very least, this would help him brush up on his Japanese.”

“Seriously?” Yoongi retorts, narrowing his eyes. “Park has barely been here for a month. We can’t send him overseas so soon. Why not simply fire him? He still is on probation, we can easily cut him for redundancy at any point.”

“I can’t,” Seokjin sighs, “I gave my word.”

“You did what? Gave your word to who? ” Yoongi’s eyebrows shoot up, his expression scandalized.

“Jeon. He was desperate, pleading with me not to fire his “hyung”. I felt compelled. Now I am bound by that promise.”

“Well, well, so this is about secretary Jeon,” Yoongi’s tone takes on a teasing lilt. 

Seokjin bolts upright, widening his eyes, resembling a deer caught in the headlights.

“What are you implying, Min?” His voice pitches high, hands gripping the chair arms tightly.

“Have you thought this might not be about Jimin at all, but rather his relationship with Jungkook? You mentioned how annoying it was seeing them together and that you lashed out at Jungkook when you saw them hugging?”

Seokjin feels heat crawling up his neck. He stands abruptly, nearly toppling his tea. “How can you think of anything like that?” He sputters in indignation, blushing, “He’s just my secretary! Nothing else! I-I’m only concerned for his well-being, I don’t want him to quit, struggling to find another job! And that Jimin is clearly a bad influence! That’s why I’d rather him removed from our office. That’s all!” Seokjin’s voice cracks on the last words, betraying his agitation.

Yoongi leans back, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Seokjin feels exposed, as if his friend can see through him.

“Whatever, Mr.-I-won’t-give-anybody-a-second-chance,” he chuckles, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I’ll look into the job options available in Osaka and see what we can arrange for Jungkook’s “hyung.”

Seokjin hastily waves off the comment, desperate to end this conversation. 

“Don’t even know why I’m telling you all this,” he mutters, picking up his jacket with trembling hands. “I better go, plenty of work to do!”

“Have a productive day, then,” Yoongi quips, relentless in his teasing. 

Seokjin leaves cursing under his breath. As he is on the other side of the door, he spots Park Jimin walking in his direction.

“Damn it, right, that’s what I needed,” he utters to himself. 

They walk past each other in silence, both completely ignoring the other's presence, before Jimin vanishes behind the office doors.

“What an insufferable asshole,” Seokjin grumbles, suppressing a strong urge to kick something as  Jimin disappears from view.

***

Jungkook arrives at the office an hour earlier than he agreed with Seokjin on the weekend. He is taken aback by the disorder and chaos that has erupted in his absence. As per usual, he goes to greet Hoseok to ask how he is doing. But instead of his typical warmth and friendliness, the junior manager seems uncharacteristically withdrawn and gloomy.

“Sorry, Kook, no time now,” Hobi cuts him off, avoiding eye contact, “I must finish something urgently.”

Jungkook furrows his brow, confused by his demeanoгr. Such a cold treatment is very uncharacteristic of Hoseok.  Minho catches his bewildered expression and rises from his seat to have a word.

“If you were so kind as to brief me about everything that happened here this morning, I would greatly appreciate it, ” Jungkook asks his colleague, still glancing worriedly at Hobi’s hunched shoulders.

“A new applicant for your position showed up  this morning. A certain Kim Taehyung,” Minho explains.

“Oh really?” Jungkook’s eyes are widening in astonishment. 

“Apparently, he got accepted.”

Jungkook feels a twinge in his chest. Deep down, it stings that Seokjin did not bother to inform him about such an important meeting, let alone consult or ask him to be present at the interview.  Well, since Seokjin is choosing someone to replace him, perhaps Jungkook shouldn’t feel surprised. And disappointed. He needs to get used to this; very soon, when he leaves the company, his and Seokjin’s passes will stop crossing for good. He bites his lip, as Minho pauses, and then links their arms confidentially.

“Jeon, I never said this before, but I guess now I kind of have to. It’s better late than never,” regret is clear in Minho’s voice. “I just want you to know that everybody will have a truly hard time when you go. I understand you probably have your reasons for making this decision, but I can’t imagine what happens when you’re not here. It’s only been half a day and our department is in complete chaos.”

Jungkook feels heat rising to his cheeks, he clears his throat, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, not knowing what to respond to such an unexpected praise, that feels bittersweet. 

“Let’s just hope that the new secretary learns to cope better than I did,” he mumbles, still blushing. “Well, we better get back to work and sort this out.”

As Minho nods and turns away and slowly walks back to his workstation, Jungkook’s cell phone beeps, alerting him to a new message from Jimin.

“ I  urgently need to talk to you, the sooner the better. Lunch? ” A smiley face with a pleading hand gesture is added at the end.

Jungkook sighs, typing back an answer.

“ Sorry hyung, I’m skipping lunch, the office is a real battlefield. I just got here. Can it wait till the evening ?”

The next text arrives in a few minutes:

“ Oh, if there’s no other way, then sure, let’s meet after work. What time do you reckon you’ll be free? ”

“ Perhaps about half past six or seven. ” Jungkook texts back.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting. Please let me know as soon as you are free .”

“What is this all about? Did manager Min mention anything at all?”

“ The fact of the matter is that he did not! It is really weird, ” comes the response.

“ Right, I’ll let you know as soon as I’m free”.

“ Ok ”.

Jungkook pockets his phone and turns to the mount of work in front of him. It’s going to be hard not to think about Seokjin and the interview that took place without his involvement earlier this morning. His time with his beautiful boss is coming to an end. 

***

Jungkook and Jimin meet after work at a small piazzetta in front of the Kim Enterprise office building.

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the tiled square, its light glinting off the glass façade of the buildings towering around. Jimin sits on a wooden bench, absentmindedly chewing on a sandwich. His fingers tap on the phone screen as he flips through tracks on his Spotify playlist, faint sound of music escaping from his earbuds.

As soon as he spots Jungkook approaching from the edge of the square, his face lights up. He hastily gets up and rushes over, greeting his friend with a gentle hug. 

“So, how’s work?” Jimin inquires, eyes focused on Jungkook’s face.

“Don’t even ask,” the younger one scowls, letting out a weary sigh as he runs a hand through his dark, now slightly disheveled, locks.  “I thought I’d have to stay there overnight. I wish I hadn’t taken off this morning. What about you? Have you spoken to the Manager Min?”

Jimin’s carefree demeanoгr evaporates as he recounts about accidentally running into the vice president this morning outside of Yoongi’s office. “They obviously talked, but surprisingly manager Min acted as if nothing had happened.”

“Well, it seems odd,” Jungkook muses, chewing on his lower lip, deep in thought.  “Hopefully it’s okay. Yesterday, I mentioned you to Seokjin, and he promised to reconsider the firing. He might not have brought you up to Yoongi at all.”

“That would be great,” Jimin nods, his tone skeptical as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “But even if he didn’t mention anything today, he might still remember at any point in the future!”

“You should really try to fix this situation with him.” Jungkook advises calmly. “Over time, he will forget all about it. He’s not the type to hold grudges.” 

A sudden roar of a high-performance engine cuts through the square. A sleek silver sports car with heavily tinted windows glides into view, slowing down near Jungkook and Jimin.  The two of them instinctively turn their attention toward it. The driver’s door swings open and Kim Namjoon emerges out of it with well-practiced ease. He awkwardly pats pockets of his charcoal gray tailored suit, checking for his keys and wallet on the way. As Namjoon begins to walk past them, he notices Jungkook and waves him with a smile, his signature dimples appearing briefly. However, when his gaze shifts to Jimin, the smile suddenly drops, eyes widen in alert with all the coloгr draining from his face, leaving it white as snow. He jerks his eyes away, and with quick steps hurries towards the building’s glass doors without looking back.

Jimin’s expression mirror’s Namjoon's, blood rushing from his face, jaw tensing, lips trembling as if he’s about to faint.

Jungkook grabs Jimin’s hand, visibly concerned. “Hey, Jimin-ah, are you okay? What’s going on?”

But Jimin seems far away, completely shut down for a few moments. His eyes stay fixed on the heavy glass door where Namjoon just disappeared.

“Do you know Kim Namjoon, the vice president’s ex classmate?” Jungkook asks, confused, studying his friend’s face.

Jimin clears his throat, feeling a slight shiver run through his body, raising goosebumps on his skin. “Yes, I know him very well,” he murmurs quietly, eyes finally darting away from the door and meeting Jungkook’s. “It's been so long since I last saw him. He hasn’t changed at all.” He pauses, swallowing hard and taking a shaky breath. “He is my ex-boyfriend, Kim Namjoon.”

***

A handsome young man is on the way to a special meeting. His heart pounds hard against his ribcage with excitement as his car leaves the city limits and turns onto the deserted gravel driveway that runs along the lake.

The stars in the sky shine brightly, illuminating the outline of a small building standing at the end of the alleyway. Pulling up in front of the entrance, he opens the door and hurriedly steps out, fixing his clothes. His slender body is clad in an expressive orange suit that emphasizes sophistication and refinement. Rings with gemstones adorn his perfect long fingers, a diamond pendant glistens around his neck. He stares in bewilderment at the deserted building, slightly shuddering from the cold.

The next moment, the crunch on the gravel alerts him about the presence of another person. From the farthest corner of the building emerges a short figure wrapped in a long black cloak, also shivering from the cold. Seeing the arriving guest, his eyes begin to sparkle, and he immediately squares his shoulders. With quick, purposeful steps, he closes the distance between them and embraces the visitor with passion, pressing his entire body against him and burying his face into the crook of his neck.

“You are here after all,” Yoongi breathes out in delight, his warm breath tickling Tae’s sensitive skin.

“As I promised,” Taehyung whispers, and their lips lock in a greedy deep kiss. 

“Did you miss me?” Yoongi asks teasingly, interlacing their fingers with honest gentleness, sending shivers down Taehyung’s spine. 

“Let’s go inside,” Taehyung replies in a husky voice, trembling not only from the cold.

Chapter Text

The sun sets slowly below the horizon, casting bright rays of light that shimmer with multiple colours over the surface of the Han River. The day is unusually hot for early May in Seoul. Enjoying the long-awaited evening chilliness, residents go for walks, some with their dogs, others riding bicycles, gyro scooters, rollerblades, or skateboards.

Jimin and Jungkook watch the sunset from a huge panoramic window on the seventeenth floor in Jimin’s apartment while sipping beer. After the unexpected encounter with Namjoon, it takes a while for Jimin to get over his inner turmoil and speak coherently. When the shock finally subsides, he asks  Jungkook to take him home and stay there with him, just to be by his side. He doesn’t want to be alone that night. Jimin feels it’s only fair to tell his friend the whole story about his past with Namjoon from the beginning.

The two young men met six years ago when Jimin first moved to Seoul and entered a dance conservatory. It was love at first sight: they immediately felt an incredibly strong attraction towards each other. Namjoon, who was head over heels in love, wrote beautiful poetry for Jimin, showering him with romantic surprises nearly every day. Unable to stay apart for too long, they moved in together, renting a cosy apartment in Hongdae. However, soon after, their relationship began to crumble. The ardent passion was too much, burning their souls and devastating their lives. From a once cheerful and carefree sweet person Jimin turned into a dependent neurotic, a controlling addict, constantly craving a lot of attention, jealous of everyone for no reason and terrified of losing his boyfriend that he needed like air.  Namjoon turned into the reason for his existence and Jimin did everything to spend as much time together as possible, gradually abandoning all his hobbies and losing interest in everything that was not related to his lover. Eventually, he stopped attending classes and dropped out of the dance conservatory.

In his turn, Namjoon began to drift away, cooling down and increasing distance between them each day. He would much rather spend time with his rapper friends from the underground party, almost ignoring his beautiful boyfriend, thus making him feel even more desperate and insecure. From time to time Jimin would throw horrible jealousy scenes, accusing Namjoon of not loving him enough. At first these outbursts of anger and despair would end up in a heated discussion followed by much more heated reconciliation sex. But with time that relationship got too exhausting, wearing both of them off. Namjoon no longer wanted Jimin’s company. Genuinely scared of the younger one’s unpredictability, he would no longer take Jimin to hang out with his friends, fearing that he would throw a jealous scene, embarrassing both of them. He would disappear for most of the night, leaving Jimin alone in an empty apartment, crying and suffering from panic attacks. It was when Jimin started threatening Namjoon to end their relationship and leave, hoping this would help change his boyfriend´s attitude and take pity on him. But what he achieved was the exact opposite — Namjoon simply said it was better for them to break up. Immediately taking his words back, Jimin cried his eyes out and begged Namjoon not to go and give him one more chance. But Namjoon made his final decision and nothing could change it. He admitted he was no longer in love with Jimin, so it would be for the best for both of them if they cut all ties with each other. At that moment Jimin’s whole world collapsed. He was devastated, couldn't breathe, his heart shattered into a million pieces setting Jimin for a journey through the circles of hell. With Namjoon gone, nothing ever made any more sense. Suddenly there was no reason to wake up in the mornings. All he could do was stay in bed and cry for days. His whole world, his entire reason for being was taken away from him overnight. Nothing made sense anymore. At that moment Jimin decided he would never go back to dancing.

“People dance with their heart, Kookie,” he explains, “but mine was gone with Namjoon. When he left, I had nothing,” with these words he places his hand against his chest, tears welling up in his eyes, “I haven’t danced since. They say there’s nothing time can’t heal. But it’s not true, time makes no difference. I am not over him even though it's been years since he'd been gone.”

Jungkook gently wipes away a stray tear rolling down Jimin's cheek. His friend's suffering is ripping his soul apart. It's heartbreaking to see the usually confident and charming Park Jimin, who has the entire advertising department at his feet, now so wounded and vulnerable. Jimin's eyes are full of despair and pain, as deep as the heartbreak Namjoon left in his soul. His ex clearly left him devastated.

Comforting his friend, Jungkook can't help but wonder about Seokjin and Namjoon. Not knowing the nature of their relationship makes him anxious. What if his beautiful boss ends up hurt in the same way as Jimin, if he and Namjoon are somehow romantically involved? Jungkook is no fool and knows better than to hope he will ever have a chance with Seokjin; they come from completely different walks of life. Yet, if given the opportunity, he would be so good for him, would do anything to make him happy. Jungkook might not be his equal, but would never ever cause pain to the person he loves.

“Jimin-ah,” his voice shakes slightly, full of sympathy and compassion, “you didn’t deserve this. All you did wrong was being too kind to him, loving him more than he deserved. You are too good for this world.”

Jimin smiles sadly, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes, as he gently strokes Jungkook’s hair. “It's sweet of you to say it, Kookie. To be honest, I’ve come to the realisation that neither me or him deserved this pain. Whenever a relationship breaks down, it’s not just one person who’s at fault. It took both of us to fail it, I mean . Even though Namjoon was the one who decided to end it first, it is still the two of us who failed."

Jungkook nods sorrowfully, letting his friend continue to speak his heart.

“Looking back on everything we've been through, I’m grateful for the experience. It made me stronger. Although I’m no longer so easy to break, I certainly never want to go through anything like that ever again,” he says firmly, holding his fist against his chest, as his lips tremble slightly. Jungkook thinks that if he could, he would gladly take away at least a tenth of the pain his friend has lived through. It feels wrong that Namjoon moved on so quickly, leaving Jimin alone in his misery.

“You will surely find your true happiness, hyung. There must be someone out there who will treat you the way you deserve. Maybe you just haven’t had your luck yet.”

“As for you, I must say, I have no doubt that your future boyfriend is going to be a very lucky man.”

“If only he were interested,” Jungkook mutters under his breath, not feeling like broaching the subject of Seokjin at this point. He asks with a hesitation, “So you haven’t seen or spoken to each other for years until today? How could he be so cruel to cut you off like that?”

“Shortly after we broke up, I found out from social media that Namjoon moved to New York,” Jimin continues in a stifled voice, staring beyond the horizon, at the last reflections of the setting sun. He suddenly turns around, anger flashing in his eyes, “I still can’t fit it in my head, how can one be so close, speak of love every day, share bed and life with you and then, next thing you know, they run off to another continent? As if those months that you spent together meant nothing at all. As if we meant nothing.” His voice breaks. “When he left, I could physically feel my heart dying. I had to learn how to breathe again. It hurt a lot to be with him, but life without him … that hurt a hundred times worse. After that, I had to learn to breathe again, without him.”

“Hyung!” Barely able to withstand Jimin’s pain any longer, Jungkook pulls him into a tight embrace. He holds him close, gently stroking his hair as Jimin's sobs shake his body. “He didn’t deserve you. No one should ever be treated so harshly.”

“He was my mistake. I…,” Jimin swallows hard, his voice quivering. “I might have gotten too carried away — so consumed by him that I failed to see how my love started turning into an obsession. But I believe Namjoon never meant to hurt me on purpose. He just… couldn't stand the way I was with him. I think he felt sorry for me. He still answered my emails afterward — although, I was probably an annoying burden to him. Eventually, he confessed he was happy, dating a classmate."

Jungkook's mind drifts to Namjoon’s girlfriend. Where is she now? Are they still together? If she is in the United States, does it mean Namjoon might have been cheating on her with Seokjin? 

 Jimin's voice interrupts this train of thoughts and pulls him back.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him today. For years, I looked for him in every passer-by, dreaming of bumping into him somewhere on the street by pure accident. I would have given anything just to see him one more time. The years went by and his face… it is almost erased from my memory. I've  forgotten almost everything about him — his body, his scent, his voice, those fucking dimples…” Jimin suddenly stammers, turning away to hide his face in his hands. Only the faint shudder of his shoulders betrays his silent cries.

The room feels heavy, laden with grief.  The silence is broken only by the rhythm of their heartbeats.   All Jungkook can do is be there for his friend, letting him pour his heart out.

He thinks about love and the pain it brings. Perhaps it is for the best that he doesn't stand a chance with Seokjin anyway. Maybe it's better this way — they will forever be just  boss and  subordinate.

***

Returning home late, after a heart-wrenching conversation with Jimin, Jungkook immediately collapsed in bed, fast asleep. But he didn’t get much rest, waking up to an alarm on his phone rather tired. Barely keeping his eyes open, Jungkook noticed two new messages from Seokjin. He couldn't help the feeling of a familiar flutter in his chest, the spark of excitement he gets every time Seokjin contacts him. The first message must have come late last night after he had already fallen asleep without noticing it.

“Jungkook, the plans for tomorrow are changing. You don’t need to pick me up from home. I’ll see you in the office at 8 am.”

The second message came eight minutes later:

“Good night.”

Getting text messages from his boss makes him feel giddy. It was pleasant and unusual. The good night wish was particularly sweet. So Jungkook fell asleep for another two hours, resetting his wake-up call. Eventually, he was woken up by the third text message five minutes before his phone alarm was supposed to go off:

“I’ll pick you up in 30 minutes. Please, be ready.”

Seokjin was unpredictable. Suddenly he personally decided to pick up Jungkook from home to give him a lift to the office. This had never happened before.

Jungkook made an extra effort to look good that day. Dressed in his most elegant business suit, he styled his grown shiny locks away from his face, showing his forehead, complementing the look with a gentle piercing in his right ear. This morning secretary Jeon looked truly stunning.

Seokjin was waiting in his sports car, parked in front of Jeon's house. Lately, he’s become a frequent visitor here. He dismissed Hobi’s services today, preferring to drive himself to be able to spend some time alone with Jungkook. This morning Kim was in high spirits. Wearing a custom suit over a blue dress shirt underneath, fitting his body perfectly, accentuating his smooth skin and broad shoulders, Seokjin looked aggressively beautiful. As soon as Jungkook appeared from outside the door, his pupils dilated instantly, eyes getting a special sparkle.

“Good morning, Jungkook. Please take a seat, here’s a coffee for you,” the boss greeted him, pointing at the coffee cup waiting for Jungkook in a drink holder.

“Good morning, Mr. Kim,” Jungkook was surprised at such a warm greeting, a little embarrassed under the scrutinizing gaze of his boss. He opened the door, hopping on the passenger's seat, taking his coffee, “Uh, thanks a lot.”

Feeling uneasy, Jungkook deliberately avoided looking at his boss, fastening his seatbelt with his trembling fingers. His breath suddenly stops and he doesn’t know what to do with his clammy shaking hands, when Seokjin is so close that he can sense his perfume as the boss leans over him, to close the car door, because Jungkook forgot to do that, gripping on his cup of coffee nervously.

The engine starts and the car pulls off heading towards Gangnam. Out of the corner of his eye, Jungkook surreptitiously watches Seokjin. He is really hot, looking so confident, his hands on the steering wheel, eyes focused on the road. Jungkook imagines how great those hands would feel on his body. The picture in his head made him turn away, to hide his blushing face, swallowing hard and placing his knees together, fingers digging into the cup of coffee.

They drive by the boardwalk along the Han River, and Jungkook can’t help but enjoy the setting. He really loves the view, the rays of the rising sun are reflecting on the surface of the water, diverging in small circles. He feels blissful, not sure if it’s the sun or the company of his boss that is warming up his entire being, filling his heart with lightness and joy. Being so close to Seokjin, letting him take care of himself by taking him to the office, feels amazing.

As if Jin was reading his mind, he suddenly suggests,

“If you want, we can stop here for a short walk. Just to get ourselves mentally ready for the meeting with Mr. Choi,” he hurries to specify.

Jungkook snorts at the thought of the CEO of the CJ Corporation. Every interaction with the man was a real challenge and test of a character not only for Seokjin but for most of the workers in their department. He enthusiastically nods in agreement.

Seokjin pulls up at the closest parking lot by the bike path along the river. Having left their briefcases in the car they slowly walk towards the embankment, shoulder to shoulder. There was something special about this morning. The air was saturated with freshness and they were alone in the promenade, having only met two random passers-by during all of the time of the walk.

They are sitting down on the bench side by side, Jungkook squinting his eyes against the bright sun, closing them in bliss, exposing his face to the caressing morning light. Normally, in a similar situation, being alone with his boss would make him feel extremely uncomfortable. He would probably be trying his best to break the awkward silence. This particular time, however, felt intimate and relaxing in a strange way. Seokjin seemed very calm and serene this morning and it felt good. Neither could Jungkook bring himself to be uneasy about anything. Besides, he really shouldn’t worry so much about what Seokjin might be thinking of him as they were not going to be working together for much longer anyway.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. All that time Jungkook was sunbathing with his eyes shut against the sun, letting Jin appreciate the view of him. Seokjin's eyes were shamelessly roaming over his body, taking in Jungkook's beauty, the pretty face, his broad shoulders and chest moving up and down as he breathed, collarbones visible from under the shirt, and a very seductive mole on the left side of his long neck, his sweet pink lips with a beautiful cupid bow. And Seokjin wonders what it would feel like to run his fingers through Jungkook's silky hair, gently pull his head closer and kiss that pretty mouth of his. Now he gives himself a mental slap again for the obscene thoughts that are creeping into his mind at this inopportune moment when the boy is so close. Yes, his secretary is an incredibly hot young man. But is this really all that Seokjin wants from this life? How does he dare to get so obsessed with somebody in that way? Is he really losing his mind over a pretty face and pair of toned thighs and big biceps? Hasn’t life taught him anything at all? Has Seokjin forgotten how much it hurt to let go of someone who never was truly his? Has he forgotten how it feels to find out that the person he was so involved with ends up being someone else, not the one he thought they were? How badly it hurt to be deceived, because that someone was just pretending, crafting a beautiful lie for him. But all Seokjin can think about at this moment is how attractive the boy sitting next to him is and how much he wants to kiss him. Shuddering, he takes in a deep breath, subconsciously running his tongue over his lips.

Jungkook seems to pick up the strange energy emanating from his boss, he opens his eyes to meet Seokjin’s hungry gaze. He squints at the bright light and Jin immediately looks away in embarrassment, his cheeks blushing, and he’s praying that Jungkook hadn’t had the chance to notice the way he was shamelessly checking him out.

Clearing his throat he says, “Jungkook, I would like to clarify that incident from last weekend,” his voice is even, calm and friendly, expression peaceful, “I should probably apologize. Ever since you have announced your resignation I haven’t treated you in the best way that I could. I had no right to show up at your house on the weekend, scold you and demand that you work overtime."

Despite trying to seem laid back, it was obvious how uncomfortable Seokjin really was saying all of this. He tried hard to come up with the right words to express his regret.

Jungkook didn’t want him to be tormented by guilt. He had already long forgiven and forgotten everything, so he rushed to reassure his boss,
“Mr. Kim, it’s okay with me, you had the reason to act like that. I accept that I might have relaxed a little too much and didn’t work as hard as I should have. It is my duty to always be available on the work phone and I should have made sure it was charged. You were right when you said that my resignation doesn’t give me the right to be irresponsible. I deeply regret that my absent-mindedness could have caused losses to the company and am ready to take all the responsibility for my negligence. I promise this will never repeat and I will always answer whenever you call me, no matter what happens,” he added excitedly, meaning every word he said. It was very important that Mr. Kim could trust him again.

“Jungkook,” Seokjin tried to protest, not so sure what was appropriate to say in that situation. So he better stayed quiet, letting his secretary speak.

“I enjoy working overtime, especially if that’s for you,” Jungkook trailed off, blushing.

Seokjin studies the boy with interest, noticing that his eyes were darting around, doing everything possible to avoid eye to eye contact at that moment. And Jin feels an unfamiliar heartwarming feeling at the realization of how much his subordinate cares for his feelings. He feels guilty for trying to invade Jungkook's privacy. He had no right to burden his secretary, as he has already done so many good things for Seokjin. Only in Jungkook’s company does he feel so safe and relaxed. It’s too nice to be with him. And Jin doesn’t want to get used to this false sense of safety. People come and go, they want to grow, develop their skills, change jobs. And with Jungkook’s talent and desire to get better at everything, Seokjin has no doubt he has a bright future. He just wishes he could be by his side, supporting him, helping him in the best way he could. But, after all, it’s up to Jungkook to choose where he wants to be. Maybe this is a good thing that Jungkook has decided to quit now. Who knows how easy it would have been to say goodbye to him in a year’s time. Seokjin was too used to the selflessness of his secretary, to his kindness, and willingness to work hard and do anything to support him and Kim Enterprise. He is deeply sorry for having been taking all of these precious things for granted and not appreciating Jungkook on his merit. He also is ashamed of perceiving Jungkook as the object of his sexual fantasy. It certainly is not his place to do so.

“One more thing,” Seokjin is terribly embarrassed but they have to talk this over, “I want you to know that you are entitled to have some space for a private life. I am very sorry that your boyfriend got involved into our dispute.”

It took Jungkook a few seconds to put all the dots together and understand what his boss was talking about.

“Are you talking about Park Jimin?” he asked, flabbergasted, after a short pause.

“I am talking about a guy you were with when I turned up at your house last Friday.”

“But Jimin is not my boyfriend. He is a very good friend of mine, my hyung, which is why I was begging you so much not to fire him. He was in the wrong when he spoke to you disrespectfully. But trust me, he has a heart of gold and I guarantee he will make it up to you!”

“It doesn't matter,” Seokjin tries to make his voice sound less excited. He is dying to know about his secretary's personal life but he thinks that it’s not his place to ask about that, since Jungkook is not really even a friend, but just a subordinate. So he adds, “You don’t need to worry about manager Park. I will keep my word and won’t punish him,” at these words he places his hand on the backrest of the bench next to Junkook’s, his little finger accidentally touching Jungkook’s. The light touch brings a sweet shiver and a desire for more. Seokjin really wants to take Jungkook by the hand, pull him close, and squeeze in a nice hug.

“Thank you so much, boss,” Jungkook lets out a breath of relief, interrupting this moment, gratitude in his eyes and embarrassment caused by the swift touch of their fingers, “Jimin has just joined the company and doesn’t know you yet. But I tried to explain to him... That …that you are not ...you are not like that.”

“Not like what?” Seokjin asks, quirking an eyebrow. He is genuinely curious.

“Not as tough as you sometimes want to be. I explained that in reality, you are very kind, caring, and generous. Always trying to help. That you genuinely worry for all of us from the bottom of your heart. You are the best boss one could ever ask for!"

Seokjin is baffled. Yet another time he is fighting the urge to ask why Jungkook has decided to quit. However, after their unfortunate attempt at a conversation in a karaoke bar, seeing how much it upset his subordinate, Seokjin made a promise to himself not to bring up this topic again. It is not Jungkook’s duty to give his reason for quitting and if Jin is not destined to ever find out about his secretary’s true motives then so be it, Jin will have to give himself a benefit of the doubt. He trusts that Jeon is not capable of betraying the company’s interests and is probably not going to use any of the confidential information in favor of the competition, much less sell the company’s secrets. Now that Jungkook has opened his heart, Seokjin understands it’s pure. There is so much sincerity and adoration in his eyes. Pleasant warmth spreads in Seokjin’s chest as they are sitting close, looking at each other, smiling with slightly raised corners of their lips. And now Jin really wants to kiss Jungkook. There is a fleeting spark between the two of them and Jungkook can feel it too. However, instead of closing the space between them, Seokjin hastily turns away, leaning back on the backrest awkwardly, straightening his legs in front of him, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

He would really like to spend the whole day alone with Jungkook, to get closer, open up more and get to know each other a little bit better, bond and maybe become friends. His instincts were shouting at the back of his head that he is safe with Jungkook, and can just relax and be himself. A long time ago he was an open and straightforward boy, who wasn’t afraid to show his feelings. But it was a bad mistake.

“There are many things you don’t know about me,” he uttered, thoughtfully gazing into the distance.

Suddenly Jungkook turns around to face him, looking straight in his eyes with a determination that came out of nowhere.

“Sajangnim, why are we here? Why did you decide to pick me up from home and bring here out of the blue?”

Seokjin takes his time to respond. He closes his eyes, imagining, what would it feel like to reach out and interlace his fingers with Jungkook’s. There is something painful distorting his beautiful features for a second before he gives the answer,

“We don’t have that much time left with each other. I would like to spend it differently than we have been used to by now. I thought it would be fine to recharge ourselves with some positive energy before work, especially on a day like this, considering what is awaiting us today."

His look and tone of voice made Jungkook’s heart flutter. It was exciting to hear his boss saying those words.

“Do you like being here with me?”

“Yes, it feels so good to be with you,” Jin answers earnestly, his gaze scorching, “I will really miss your support. Letting you go is hard. You want to quit for some unknown reason and it drives me insane, as I cannot find out why. I am so sorry you decided to quit and we haven’t had a chance to get to know each other in all these years.”

Jungkook is sweating, his breath quickening, hands shaking slightly. What is it? Is Jin confessing his feelings? Or is this just curiosity? Seokjin’s proximity is exciting, confusing, their conversation feels like an incredible dream that Jungkook doesn’t want to wake up from. It feels so good to be alone with this man.

To their disappointment, the special moment gets interrupted by the sharp sound of a phone call. A little annoyed, Seokjin reaches into his pocket to answer it. After a short conversation, he turns to Jungkook, looking a little defeated,

“Unfortunately we have to finish our little meditation session. CJ Corporation representatives are already on their way to the office. We will have to meet Mr. Choi a whole half an hour earlier than was agreed.

Jungkook is disappointed that their idyllic moment was so ruthlessly cut off by work. He sighs as he gets up and joins his boss on the way to the parking lot.

“Will Mr. Choi attend the meeting with Mr. Youngjae?” there is a slight worry in his voice.

“Well, it’s hard to imagine it being any other way,” Seokjin answers dryly, a little crease forming between his eyebrows. He is nervous.

***

CJ Corporation was one of the long-term investment projects for Kim Enterprise that Seokjin’s father was insisting upon for some unknown reason. The company existed long before the foundation of Kim Enterprise, and at some point in the past was one of the most influential in the market. Its CEO Choi Yoon-sik was well known for his bad temper and hatred for Seokjin, trying to provoke him in any possible way, touching a raw nerve here and there. It began back when the young man had just barely started substituting his father for the presidential position. Mr. Choi’s contempt and patronizing attitude annoyed Seokjin even more than his open hostility and homophobic remarks.

The looming tension in the vice president’s office was almost palpable. All of the workers were at their desks, finishing off their last preparations before the important negotiation. The Kim enterprise top management started gathering in the conference hall, taking their seats one by one.

Mr. Choi Yoon-sik was about seventy years old, short and round-shouldered. He arrived traditionally accompanied by his son Youngjae, who was about two years younger than Seokjin and worked as a lawyer, being in charge of the legal nuances of contracts and other transactions.

After exchanging the formal pleasantries, Seokjin began the meeting:
“Mr. Choi, we have gathered with you here at the Kim Enterprise to discuss the renewal of the cooperation agreement between our companies. Over the past two years, we have made a large number of investments into the CJ Corporation’s various projects and lately, we’ve been involved in the decision making process regarding your company, based on the results of the last year’s report evaluating the investment efficiency, that manager Min kindly provided us with,” he gestured at Yoongi, who was sitting opposite him, “To start the negotiation, I would like to hear about your latest economic model, Mr. Choi.” Seokjin spoke in a flat voice, his face expressionless, like a stone statue. Cold beauty, intimidating, and enchanting.

Mr. Choi glared at everybody in the room, in annoyance, giving Seokjin a look full of disdain. Finally, he spoke:

“Yes, Mr. Vice President, thank you for the invitation. However, before we start, I would like to make a reservation right away that our negotiation cannot continue in this form. Two years ago the deal between our companies was concluded fundamentally on different terms.”

Seokjin still seemed unfazed, encouraging his guest, “Please be kind to explain yourself.”

“Let me put it into simple words," Yongjae interjected, “When our last deal on the investments was concluded, the meeting was taking place at the presence of your highly esteemed father, Mr. Kim Ji-sung, who is the only eligible person to provide us with guarantees that all of the conditions will be fulfilled in time from your party. I would like to inquire, why is he not present at today’s meeting?”

On the outside, Seokjin remained calm and collected, not showing the slightest sign of annoyance as he answered with a firm voice,

“We informed you, Mr. Choi, my father, retired at the end of last year. From now on, all of the company affairs, without exception, are under my control. Consequently, all of the negotiations will be held without the personal presence of the president.”

“What a shame,” Mr. Choi’s eyes glistened dangerously, “in this case, Seokjin-si, this does not comply with the original terms of the agreement between our companies. We can’t sign anything, nor do business with Kim Enterprise without your father’s presence.”

“When we signed the contract we stipulated that we would only deal with Mr. Kim Sr., and nobody else,” Yongjae explained in a businesslike manner, arrogantly looking the audience up and down, his eyes staying a little longer than necessary on Jungkook.

But this didn’t bother Jungkook at all. All he wanted at that moment was to give Seokjin some encouragement and countenance, make him feel that he was doing extremely well in these tough negotiations, and was not alone.

“I must say I feel extremely discouraged by your reception,” Mr. Choi went on with his complaints, “first, we sign the contract, whose terms you are not willing to comply with. So it makes me wonder what’s to come next? We have invested a huge amount of time going all the way to Seoul to attend a personal meeting, while Mr. Ji Sung-nim couldn’t find the time to meet us,” he stared at Seokjin with a clear dislike, “with all due respect to your highly honorable father, we refuse to deal with a person of your reputation.”

A murmur ran through the conference hall, indignation clearly heard from those attending. Blood rushed to Seokjin’s head. He turned purple with rage, a large vein appearing on his forehead. It was obvious he could barely contain his anger.

“Mr. Choi, let me ask you a question. What does the personal presence or absence of Mr. President have to do with your project, which is going to be sponsored by our company?” Mr. Lee asked without trying to hide his annoyance. He has worked in the economic department of the Kim Enterprise since its foundation and was one of the most highly respected sunbaes.

“I’m afraid it was stipulated in the terms of the agreement that we would only negotiate with Mr. Kim Sr. and not his deputies. If you are not able to provide us with the opportunity to directly address him, we will be forced to cancel the negotiations and request compensation for nonpecuniary damages as well as for the time that we have wasted in vain,” Yongjae bared his teeth in an aggressive fake smile.

The Kim Enterprise managers looked bewilderedly at each other. There was something reminiscent of panic in Seokjin’s eyes. He fell into a sort of a stupor, losing the advantage in the negotiations. Jungkook looked at him worriedly, clutching his fists and biting on his lip.

“Besides,” continued Mr. Choi in the same arrogant manner, “we assume that Kim Enterprise is facing certain difficulties and time of instability. We heard a rumor about mass redundancies of the employees,” he suddenly stared at Jungkook point-blank, “this suggests that the contract renewal before the start of the new project may represent a certain risk for our party. We assume there is a high chance that our company could be left without sources of timely funding, unless the opposite is guaranteed by Mr. President personally.

Seeing Seokjin’s state, Yoongi took the lead, “Mr. Choi, with all due respect to you, I am astonished that you chose to believe the rumors. Would you kindly clarify what exactly you mean by mass redundancies?”

“Oh indeed?” the old man stared directly at Seokjin in a triumphant way, ignoring Yoongi, “the rumors are that even your personal assistant has recently been fired!”

Jungkook could hardly contain his rage. It amazed him how quickly the news about his leaving spread. The only ones who knew about it were the workers of their own department. Seeing Seokjin's distress, he dared to answer, “Mr. Choi, you have clearly been misinformed. My resignation has no connection to the financial stability of Kim Enterprise. I am the one who is resigning for personal reasons.”

“Well, clearly there are other opportunities for you, Mr. Jeon. Can’t hold it against you for wanting to grow and change your career for the better,” Mr. Choi looked like a predator playing with his prey, “Since we’re here, I would like to take an opportunity to offer you the administration position in the CJ Corporation. You will definitely not want to leave. Here is my business card, take it, just in case,” he unceremoniously handed the card to Jungkook with his left hand.

Jungkook bowed politely but made no effort to accept it.

“Thank you for your offer, Mr. Choi, but I must refuse. I am very pleased with my current work position. I must say, though, that most likely, if I ever am looking for a new job, I would be very wary of your company for obvious reasons,” he gestured at the business card, “Excuse me, but I often lose papers.”

There was a murmur of approval from the opposite side of the negotiation table, that was occupied by the top management of Kim Enterprise.

Seokjin looked at his worker with admiration. Jungkook really went far for him, having insulted a high-profile guest, one of Korea’s most powerful businessmen. Now encouraged, he said triumphantly, “If you don’t mind, let’s get back to the main purpose of this meeting, which didn’t include any staff recruitment. Since we have thoroughly prepared for today from our part, allow me to voice some crucial data. According to a report, published in the database of the Chamber of Commerce, CJ Corporation has invested over 90 billion won in the new equipment purchase project. However, the profitability of the company’s trading operations fell by more than twenty-five percent within the last quarter of the year. CJ Corporation shares lost more than seventy-five percent of their value in the last year. More than a third of employees were fired, another twelve percent went on vacation at their own expense,” Seokjin said, slamming the folder and looking up at those present, menacingly glaring at Mr. Choi, “based on this, we rate CJ Corporation as a potential risk for our investments. Dear Mr. Choi, our company prioritizes more stable projects. However, taking into account the history of cooperation between our companies, we are still ready to help with your last project unless the circumstances change in your favor. We give you complete freedom of choice. If my father’s absence at today’s meeting is an insurmountable obstacle for you, we respect your refusal and cancel the contract. I give you a week for the offer evaluation and making your final decision. If we get no response from you we will consider the contract nullified. That’s all. Thank you for your participation and I wish everyone a nice day,” Seokjin stood up, bowing politely to everyone present, not waiting until his guests left the conference room, hurrying to his office. His personal assistant followed.

Mr. Choi’s eyes darted flashes of anger. Seeing this, Jungkook flinched inwardly, a cold menace lurking in that gaze made him break into a cold sweat. With a goodbye full of disdain, Mr. Choi and Yongjae hurried to leave the conference room.

Finally, in the safety of Seokjin’s office, they both let out a breath of relief. Seokjin threw a folder with documents on his desk, loosening his tie, heading straight to the whiskey cabinet, pouring a shot for himself and Jungkook.

“Aish,” he grimaced, drinking in one gulp, “bravo, you were amazing!”

Jungkook found himself pleasantly surprised and a little taken aback by the unexpected praise. He braced himself for a new portion of reproaches and suspicions of treason after Mr. Choi mockingly offered him a job in his company.

“I’m very sorry he found out about my resignation. I really don’t understand how it happened. No one knew about this, except the people in our department. I swear I had no intention to apply for a job in their company.”

“Don’t worry,” Seokjin waved him off. Right now he didn’t feel like bringing up the topic, “trust me, nobody questions your loyalty to Kim Enterprise anymore.” He winked at Jungkook, mimicking him in a mocking way “I often lose papers!” and suddenly burst into a happy laughter.

Jungkook grinned involuntarily, enjoying to see Seokjin that way. For moments like this, he was willing to do his best, work tirelessly to the bone, giving it his all, if there is no other way for him to make his boss so happy. He wasn't worried in the slightest by the fact that he had just made an insidious enemy out of the most influential and vengeful chaebols of Korea. Without hesitation, he would go even further just for Seokjin.

“I trust you,” Seokjin says, looking deeply into his eyes, “I don't doubt you anymore. You have clearly demonstrated your loyalty to Kim Enterprise. Is there anything I can do for you? Can I give you a reference? Maybe reward you in some way? I cannot even raise your salary now that you’re leaving,” Seokjin blinked sadly, shifting himself towards Jungkook, enjoying their closeness. Jungkook was mere centimeters away from him so he could smell the gentle scent of his hair shampoo.

Jungkook’s heart skips a beat at Seokjin’s words that he trusts him and the way he looks at him now. Nothing could be better. They quietly enjoy each other’s company, sitting in silence, sipping on whiskey, gradually calming down. Earlier on in the meeting, Jungkook wanted so desperately to hug Seokjin, squeeze his hand tight, and say the words of approval and support that he needed to hear.

“You were great too, boss. You told him to stick it in such a graceful manner!” Jungkook knows well that he is not supposed to talk to his boss in such a “matey” and informal way, since he still is just a subordinate. However, his gut tells him that this is the way he has to do it. It feels right.

He spots Seokjin’s confusion, how he is slightly embarrassed and isn’t sure how to take it, but he is pleased and his ears have turned slightly red. It is a cute thing about him that Jungkook knew very well. Whenever Jin is embarrassed or someone watches him with scrutiny, his neck and ears blush in the most adorable way.

“You are the one who did a great job,” Seokjin says quietly, and following some internal impulse, covers Jungkook’s hand with his palm, causing his secretary to widen his eyes in surprise. At that very moment, there was a knock on the door of the office and Jungkook swiftly recoiled, pulling his hand away, as if he got burnt, stepping aside into a safe distance. His skin was flushed, cheeks burning. The sensation of Seokjin’s hand touch was surreal. It felt so big, warm and soft. He blinked to shake off the overwhelming sensation. There was an embarrassment in Jin’s eyes and a silent “sorry” that he had no time to utter, as the door opened immediately after the knock, and Yoongi and Namjoon turned up at the threshold.

“May we come in?” Namjoon asked, peeking through the doorway.

Seokjin gestured for them to enter. Jungkook tensed, clenching his jaw, glaring at the intruder with hostility. Namjoon cringed a bit under his stare, averting his eyes and turning his attention to Seokjin instead.

“How are you?” Seokjin asked.

“Sorry I couldn’t come to visit you earlier, I was busy. I just heard about the meeting,” Namjoon said sympathetically, stepping closer to the vice president. His last sentence suddenly made Jungkook feel sick to his stomach. A suspicion crept in out of nowhere. What if Seokjin was seeking his company only because he couldn´t be with Namjoon instead? Does he even know how much damage this man has caused to Jimin? There was a nagging voice at the back of his head, whispering “You are absolutely worthless, delusional, pathetic beggar. Just look at yourself! A man like Kim Seokjin would never take you seriously. What the hell were you imagining?”

“Come in, take some,” Jin is gesturing for the guys to help themselves with drinks.

In the meantime, Yoongi approaches Jungkook,

“Kookie, there is a new intern waiting for you outside. His name is Kim Taehyung. Yesterday he was accepted for the PA’s position. He is a little nervous and waiting for your instructions.”

“All right, manager Min, I will take care of him. I will bring him up to date. Do you have any assignments for me, Mr. Vice President?” he said to Seokjin, his voice sounding colder than he intended. Actually, Jungkook was glad he now had a reason to leave the room. He had no desire to remain here watching Seokjin’s interaction with Namjoon.

“Not at the moment. Do as you please, Jungkook. Use as much time as you see is necessary. If you wanted to finish off earlier today, just let me know.”

Having listened to the instructions, Jungkook hurried out of the office.

There was a handsome guy standing outside the door, timidly shifting his weight from foot to foot. He was dressed in a bright burgundy suit, a bit too chic for the office setting.

“Jungkook-si, hello, my name is Kim Taehyung. Mr. Min told me to come to you about the new job. He said you would tell me all about the work and train me,” he bowed politely, waiting for Jungkook to offer him a handshake.

Jungkook looked around at his workplace, sighing. It was filled up to the brim with his stuff, numerous folders, the system that he had been creating with Seokjin for the last five years. It will not be easy to let go and pass it to a complete stranger. Saying goodbye was harder than he thought. He remembered the very first time Seokjin brought him here, showing him his desk and saying that this is where he was going to work. He patiently explained everything that was required of him, encouraged the boy to ask as many questions as he could to clarify any doubts he might have. Then there was the first time they went on a business trip together. However, he suddenly remembered that Taehyung was still there, standing in front of him and waiting for guidance. With a friendly smile, he offered a polite handshake, “Nice to meet you, Taehyung-si, please take a seat, we’ll start working now.”

Even though Taehyung seemed very attentive and keen to learn, Jungkook was surprised by how little knowledge and competence he had. His CV mentioned long-term practice at a similar position, but the man seemed almost totally clueless at using the most basic processing programs. He had no idea about the things that would be granted to anybody with the minimum experience in administrative work.

Jimin popped in to check on Jungkook at lunch break, bringing him some takeaway food. They chatted a little and Jungkook used the chance to introduce him to Taehyung. Jungkook noticed Hoseok acting strange. He was constantly throwing glances in their direction, at him and Jimin but when his friend turned around, sensing that someone was watching him, Hoseok hastily dropped his eyes, turning away, acting as if he was too busy to pay attention to anything around him.

When Jimin eventually left, elevator doors closing behind him, Taehyung could no longer hold back his admiration, with a quiet whistle he asked Jungkook, “Wow, he is so beautiful! Is he your boyfriend?”

“Jimin? No, just a friend. He is a very good guy. Help yourself,” he offered some shrimps to Taehyung from his lunchbox.

“Do you know if he dates anyone?”

Jungkook frowned. Taehyung was still a stranger. He wasn’t confident enough to match him to Jimin, feeling protective about his friend. The last thing he wanted was that his friend ends up heartbroken again.

“I am not sure. You may need to hang out with him yourself to figure out. Jimin will surely tell you”.
A few minutes later, Jungkook was walking past Hoseok’s desk when he heard his friend’s phone vibrate. Wanting to help Hoseok, he picked up the phone from his desk to bring it to him. Hoseok was on his way back from the coffee machine. Accidentally looking at the display, Jungkook noticed a lock screen picture. He got astonished at recognizing Jimin’s face. The next thing he registers is Hoseok literally pushing people off of his way as he is running as fast as he can towards Jungkook, yanking his cell phone out of Jungkook’s hands, hastily pressing the key to block the damn display, turning off the lock screen picture. But Jungkook is standing there shocked, wanting an explanation.

“Hobi hyung, are you familiar with Park Jimin?”

Hoseok stays silent. He looks like a schoolboy who is being scolded for having done something wrong.

“Let’s just say I know who he is, okay?” He says it in a challenging manner, sounding defensive.

“Wow, strange, Jimin never mentioned you,” Jungkook hums.

“It’s not what you think it is.”

“What am I supposed to think it is? Hyung, what do you even mean?”

“I don’t know your boyfriend that well. You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to steal him away from you or anything like that,” Hoseok is way too gloomy for his normal behavior.

“What makes you think he’s my boyfriend?”

“Is he not?”

Jungkook snorts as he looks at his friend, smiling, “Hobie, you are the third person today, who thinks that Jimin and I are dating.”

Hoseok blinks in confusion, looking intently at the younger one.

“No wonder. You look good together,” he says, trying to pat Jungkook on the shoulder, “You are a beautiful couple.”

“Is this why you’re avoiding me?” Jungkook looks straight at Hobi, his doe eyes full of confusion and silent reproach.

“What are you talking about? I’m not avoiding you!”

“Well, it’s been two weeks since we spoke! Do you fancy Park Jimin?” Jungkook asks directly.

Hobi blushes looking down at his shoes.

“Is this why you have his photo on your lock screen?”

“Kookie, I can explain that!”

“Hobi, come back to your senses,” Jungkook wants to grab and shake him, “I swear I am not dating Park Jimin! We got along really well as friends and nothing more! But I think you guys should get to know each other. Now it makes sense why you’ve been avoiding me for such a long time and we lost touch. We have a lot of things to talk about. Let’s just go for a drink after work!”

Hobi nods in agreement after a brief pause, “I guess you’re right. We actually do have a lot of things to talk about! Do you think Mr. Kim would be able to let you go early today?”

“Well, actually he was the one suggesting it to me. Especially now that I have a person to substitute me. He will complete my assignments,” Jungkook nodded at Taehyung, who was too busy typing something with two fingers on a keyboard at Jungkook’s desk.

Jungkook succeeded at teaching Taehyung some basics of the job, gave him a couple of tasks to practice that he had to finish by the end of their work shift. He knocked at Seokjin’s office door to inquire about his boss’ plans.

Seokjin was still in high spirits, but instead of doing serious tasks, he seemed to be playing some online game. A couple of buttons on his shirt were undone, offering a view of his neck and chest, his hair slightly disheveled and cheeks red, but a triumphant smile still on his face. Seokjin continued to celebrate his triumph over Mr. Choi.

“Mr. Vice President,” Jungkook addressed him, “Kim Taehyung is making progress at the job, he is doing quite well. Would you mind if I left early today if you don’t have any further assignments for me?”

Seokjin immediately reclaims his business-like attitude, his body straightening up, ”You can go, Jeon. It was quite an intense day and you deserve your rest.”

“I’ll be in touch in case you need me.”

“Jungkook,” Jin looked rather exhausted, but he still had one request, “it feels so bad but I do have to ask you for another favor. A notification from the Hong Kong customs office is due to arrive today. It is likely that I might need your assistance later on today, in case I need to check up on some data. Would it be a big trouble if I called tonight for the revision?”

“Of course, boss,” Jungkook hurried to assure him, ``my duties remained the same. Whatever happened last weekend was due to my oversight. Please feel free to call me at any time of day or night, I will pick up your phone calls come what may!”

Seokjin smiles at him again. Jungkook is forced to drop his gaze again, trying not to think how handsome his boss really is.

“Thank you, I highly appreciate your liability. You can go now if you please. I will check with Taehyung for the last assignment, “Have a nice evening and please meet me tomorrow at seven a.m. as per usual.”

“Of course, boss. Good evening to you too.”

Jungkook desperately wants to hug Seokjin and never let him go. He is looking forward to picking him up from home tomorrow. He will be missing these morning visits. The early risings didn’t hurt him so bad because seeing his beautiful boss was the biggest reward. He leaves the office with a big smile on his face, closing the door behind himself.

***

Meeting an old friend after a long separation provoked by a simple misunderstanding was exciting and refreshing. After Hoseok and Jungkook have sorted things out between themselves they couldn’t stop talking, not able to get enough of each other’s company, happily joking and laughing, constantly interrupting each other as they both had so much to say. They missed hanging out together and there were a ton of things on their mind to discuss. They sat at a sports bar, barely registering a baseball match in the background, their attention fully focused on each other, drinking their second beer. Finally, Jungkook changed the topic to more personal stuff.

“I still can't believe that you were so jealous of me and Jimin all this time. I was thinking so hard, racking my brain over why you suddenly got so cold and withdrawn. I was suspecting you were mad at me for being a bad friend as I didn't get the chance to hang out with you more or else I did something wrong!”

“Aish, Kookie, this is only your imagination. I’m not … I wasn’t jealous at all,” Hoseok blushed, trying to deny the obvious.

“Oh, now you are talking!” Jungkook protested indignantly, almost spilling his drink, “Is this what you call it? Hyung, you’ve been ignoring me for two weeks, avoided looking at me, and on the rare occasions you actually looked at me, you did it in the way as if I were the worst person on earth who murdered your entire family! What the hell was that?”

Hoseok couldn’t help but laugh hearing Jungkook swear. It was a rare occasion to see the younger one in such an agitated mood.

“Okay okay,” he tries to make a reconciliation gesture, raising both of hands, demonstrating palms, “I jumped into conclusions. I admit I was unfair to you. I recognize we should have talked it out. I apologize, my dear Kookie.”

After a while, he timidly asks, “How did you and Jimin get to know each other?”

Jungkook takes another sip of his beer, putting his glass aside, glancing at his work phone. Seokjin still doesn’t call.

“Do you remember the day of the competitions?”

Hoseok nods in confirmation.

“Jimin and I took first place in the three-legged race. He popped at our office after work suggesting we celebrate the victory. We’ve been hanging out since that day.

Judging by the way Hoseok still stares at him, it’s obvious he has more questions but he is hesitating to ask them. Jungkook watches him closely, “Hobi, you really like him, don’t you?”

The guy immediately blushes, dropping his eyes, but accepting, “Am I this obvious? Yes, I like him. But I hardly know anything about him. When I see him, I feel like I’m seeing the angel,” he really is infatuated.

“You might not be too far from the truth,” Jungkook nods in agreement. He wants his friend to open up to him more.

“So who is Park Jimin?” Hobi can’t hold back this question anymore.

Jungkook responds earnestly exactly how he feels.

“Well, obviously Park Jimin is very beautiful. Charming. He dances amazingly. Enjoys being in the center of attention. Very kind and vulnerable and there are people that used him because of this in the past.”

Hoseok widens his eyes in astonishment, not expecting to hear such information,

“How could such a thing happen to a boy like him?”

“Life has indeed been cruel to him.”

“What kind of an asshole do you need to be to offend a person like that,” Hoseok subconsciously clenches his fist.

Jungkook is deep in thought, he agrees with his friend as he thinks about Namjoon. They start their third beer but Jungkook still checks his phone from time to time. Still nothing. The fact that Seokjin promised to call makes him restless, as the long-awaited name was still not appearing on the screen. Bringing his attention back to his friend he says,

“Hyung, I do think you should hang out with Jimin. I think you have a lot in common and need to get to know each other.”

Hoseok scratches his head, “I actually already know him a little. But our conversation was a total failure because of me. The other day we were taking in the same elevator and I told him some nonsense, without thinking it through. Jimin was so sad. He might have thought that I am a complete weirdo. I doubt he would want to talk to me again after that,” he says with an embarrassed smile, hiding his face in his hands.

“Hey don't say this. Jimin surely didn’t think anything like that about you. He might be indeed a bit sad, this week has been very hard for him. Why don’t we hang out together this Friday?

“Well, if there is a possibility for you to arrange it I will gladly accept and be looking forward to it,” he beams. Half a minute later he adds shyly, “Do you think Park Jimin might like a guy like me?”

Jungkook is not surprised by the question. Jimin is really an attractive man. He might have missed out by turning him down.

“All you need is to get to know each other. And see where you go from there.”

“Jimin is very cute, but I don’t want you to think that I am being superficial about him. He deserves the world,” Hoseok now seems hopeful and reassured by the conversation with Jungkook. He changes the topic,

“What about you, has the Vice president been bothering you a lot lately?”

Jungkook’s face instantly changes its expression, there are various emotions displayed. He checks his phone for the hundredth time and irritably pushes it deeper into his pocket.

“Everything turned out to be better than I had expected. My replacement, Kim Taehyung, is very capable, he picks up everything quickly, so I guess Seokjin-san will be in good hands.”

After finishing the third beer the colleagues said goodbye, each going home in a different direction. It is a workday, still three long days until the weekend so they couldn’t afford to stay up till too late. Having escorted Hobi to the nearest subway station, Jungkook spontaneously decided to take a walk around the city on his way home. He often did this when there was no time to go jogging or exercise. The young man immensely enjoyed the walk, the fresh air, the bustling atmosphere of the city, favorite music playing in the headphones.

Jungkook took a shortcut, so part of the way was going through a deserted area near the warehouses of some automobile enterprises. He was careless, singing along to his favorite song, paying zero attention to the five guys that had been following him for some time. Suddenly he realized he was being followed and tried to pick up his pace, but the pursuers did the same.

Jungkook had never felt in danger when he was walking at night around Seoul. Besides, he had some basic skills in taekwondo, but it has been a while since he last practiced. Just when he was debating in his head the necessity to start running, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He hastily took out the device, displaying the name on the screen that he had been longing to see for the entire evening. His instinct of self-preservation shouted at the back of his mind to run as fast as possible. But the memory of his words that he told his boss from this same day, that he would always pick up his phone calls no matter what, made him slow down and swipe to answer. A little startled he said, “Good evening, Mr. Vice president.”

His favorite voice was on the other end of the line, but Jungkook never heard everything that his boss intended to tell him.

“Good evening, Jungkook. I’m calling about…” the sentence broke off as Jungkook’s phone was knocked out with a powerful blow, flying off a few meters away, hitting the ground with an edge.

A crushing blow landed on the back of his head, knocking Jungkook out, he collapsed to the tarmac, falling face down. There were shouts and curses, followed by severe punches. Before Jungkook even had a chance to defend himself, one of the attackers twisted his arms behind his back, gripping them tightly while the others were kicking him like a punching bag, aiming at his neck, ribs, and chest. The air was knocked out of his lungs, Jungkook couldn’t even scream for help. His world fell into darkness for an indefinite amount of time before there was a siren of approaching police patrol distinguishable in the distance.

***

Jungkook wasn’t sure how long he was lying in the middle of the road, writhing in pain. He was trembling, incredible fatigue overtaking him, not a single thought clear in his head. His senses dulled before he plunged back into darkness again. The next thing he felt was like a sweet dream he would never want to wake up from. He wasn’t sure where he was or how he got there, but Seokjin’s warm hands were gently holding his head, soft fingers stroking his face, slapping his cheeks lightly and he heard this dear voice,

“Secretary Jeon, wake up. Shit, Jungkook, stay with me!”

In a blurry image, he could distinguish the outline of Seokjin’s beautiful face, horror in his eyes, despair as he was making attempts to keep him awake. Jungkook no longer knew if it was real or a mere hallucination. He was about to plunge into the sweet oblivion when he felt his shoulders squeezed and shaken slightly, Seokjin’s face this time was even closer, so Jungkook could clearly see those perfect features.

“Boss, you are so damn beautiful,” he murmured in delirium.

“Jungkook, please wait a little. The ambulance is on the way.”

But Jungkook’s world sank into complete darkness again.

Chapter Text

Jin was weighing up all of the pros and cons about calling Jungkook outside of his working hours. Even though his secretary has made it clear that he wouldn’t mind, Seokjin was quite worried. At that point he started realizing how strong his feelings for Jungkook were. The mere existence of jealousy of Jimin was quite disturbing, as Seokjin understood he was moving to the unsafe territory, letting himself feel . The fact that he was jealous means that Jungkook matters to him, matters so much that losing him would hurt. But this was nonsense. Jungkook was just his employee, who doesn’t owe him absolutely anything and Jin has no right to a slightest possessiveness towards him. Such loss of control over his emotions was extremely intimidating and harmful. 

He tried to take his mind off of the pretty boy, concentrating on work, but didn’t succeed. Restraining himself for too long was hard. The memories of the earlier day were coming back over and over, images of how good Jungkook looked in the morning, wearing that elegant suit, his hair shining in the rays of the rising sun that was caressing his velvety skin. Being with him felt so good and carefree. And then his secretary was so brave and confident at the meeting with Mr. Choi, defiantly turning down his offer, insulting the old man after he had tried to provoke Seokjin. At all those memories his hand automatically grabs the phone, finding the dear name in the list of contacts. The purpose of this phone call, understandably, is business. Seokjin wants to check with the latest report on customs in Hong Kong, but who is he trying to fool? All he really wants is just to hear his secretary’s sweet voice. He is excited waiting for the call to connect.

Jungkook answers almost straight away.

“Good evening, Mr. Vice president.”

Seokjin relaxes by hearing the pleasant voice. He wants to ask Jungkook everything about his day, wants to know what he has been up to and if he has eaten already. But instead, gathering his concentration, he is bracing himself for talking business. 

All of a sudden a blast and a deafening crack is heard on the other end of the line. There are blows and screams in the background. It sounds strange, reminiscent of kicks, whines and groans in excruciating pain. 

“Hello, Jungkook, can you hear me?” his heart drops, chill running down his spine, as he waits for a response that never comes through.

As if in slow motion, he breaks out of the office, rushing to the furthest end of the corridor, unlocking a discreet inconspicuous door, entering a passcode with shaking fingers. He walks into a special server room of a sophisticated tracking system, which is able to give precise location of all the registered corporate cell phone devices. Finding secretary Jeon’s cell phone on the map with the exact geographic coordinates is a matter of a few seconds. 

Kim enterprise employees have been outraged and protested against being tracked for years. The tracking was explained and justified by requirements of the insurance company.

Seokjin is frightened, little dark shapes floating in front of his eyes and he tries to get himself together, doing his best to breathe evenly, chills going through his body, teeth chattering as if in fever. He calls the police, naming the place of the alleged attack. He can’t let something bad happen to Jungkook. The boy means too much to him. There is no time to think. He rushes to his car, finding the keys, and gets behind the wheel. He curses the other drivers, cameras on the roads, violating the traffic rules without a second thought, just to be there on time. It is vital to make sure that his beloved worker is okay, safe and sound and those were just connection problems. He repeatedly tries to get through to Jungkook for at least another fifteen times, but each time there is the annoying message that the person he is trying to call is unavailable at the moment. The obtrusive images from the past are flooding his imagination, the long forgotten events that took place when he was a teenager. He was alone in the darkness, ruthlessly assaulted and beaten by several people at once. Terrible pain, blows and punches, someone spit him in the face, he was shaking, feeling humiliated, undeserving of life or respect, afraid, doubting whether he was still alive or dying. Jungkook should never experience anything like that! Nothing similar can ever happen to the boy, he doesn’t deserve it. The minutes separating them are turning into a living hell.

Approaching the location where he had tracked Jungkook’s phone, Seokjin could see the flashing red lights of the police patrol from a distance. Gripped by a tenacious fear, his throat convulsing, legs getting jelly and refusing to obey, he opens the car door. Having gathered all of the remnants of his self-control Jin gets out, preparing himself for the worst. He goes straight towards the police cordon where the police officers immediately stop him, blocking the way. The attackers managed to escape before the arrival of the police. Making an enormous effort to keep it together, Seokjin explains who he is and why he arrived there. The police let him through the cordon and he hurries to the unconscious boy, lying in the middle of the road. 

Seokjin’s breath hitch, as he sees Jungkook like that, sudden tears pricking in his eyes. The boy's face was white as a sheet, his eyebrow split, blood oozing from the wound, his twitching eyelids lowered. How can anyone  be so cruel to do such a thing to an absolutely defenseless person?

“Secretary Jeon, wake up,” Jin whispers in a trembling voice, as he gently strokes Jungkook’s face, carefully brushing off blood and sweat away from his hair. Seeing the boy in this state is unbearable. 

Jungkook groans and moves slightly, coming back to his senses, eyebrows furrowed, pain clear on his face. Seokjin knows too well how dangerous concussions are, so he is trying his best to keep Jungkook conscious before the paramedics arrive.

“Look at me, Jeon, don’t fall asleep,” he says, gently slapping the boy on the cheeks.

Jungkook’s eyes are clouded, pupils dilated, he is completely helpless and disoriented. Trying to focus on the lovely face of his boss he utters smiling in delirium, “Boss, you are so damn handsome!”

“Be patient, the ambulance is on the way, stay with me!” Jin softly hushes him, but Jungkook loses consciousness again.

The paramedics hurry into their direction, taking care of Jungkook, examining him on the spot, then carefully placing him on a stretcher to get into the ambulance.

Having left his employee in their care, Seokjin steps aside. He is still in shock, severely shaking in nervous fever, but he can’t afford to break down. The feeling that prevails is worry and concern for Jungkook. Because he and Jungkook are not related, Seokjin is denied from going in the ambulance with his worker. So he finds out about which hospital the boy is taken to and drives there.

Finally finding the right hospital room, Jin finally gets permission to get in to see the boy. Kook is already fully conscious. An incredible relief floods over his senses, knowing that his pretty secretary is fine now. The younger one even wants to seem cheerful now, though it is obvious how much pain he is going through and Seokjin restrains himself from rushing to give him an embrace. His eyes are watery as they meet Jungkook’s gaze. His subordinate is genuinely surprised and amazed, the doe eyes widened as he is pleasantly shocked at how his boss managed to find out about what had happened to him and came all the way to the hospital to visit him. The doctors confirm that he has numerous bruises and hematomas but luckily no concussion. However they still couldn’t entirely exclude it. The boy is allowed to go back home that same night, however he is recommended not to stay completely alone that night and call some family or friends to look after him. Someone needs to make sure that he is woken up every three hours. Jungkook mused for a second about calling Jimin, but knowing how much it would scare him, he dismissed the idea, biting on his lip in distress. He really wants to go home.

“So, Mr Jeon, since you live on your own and have no family in Seoul to look after you tonight, it would be safer for you to stay in the hospital for the night,” the doctor says, looking seriously at him.

Jungkook looks genuinely upset, he pouts frowning. “Doctor, but I can set up an alarm for every three hours,” he whines, really not fond of the idea of staying at the hospital for the night.

“Since there are no other options, you can do so, but you should really think of contacting someone to look after you at least tonight,” the doctor insists.

Seokjin takes a decisive step forward, swallowing hard, “I will take him home and look after him tonight,” he says in a firm voice, his tone authoritative, tolerating no discussion about it.

Jungkook’s heart skips a beat. This announcement was unexpected, clearly crossing all of the previously set boundaries between their personal and business relationship, but it makes Jungkook exhilarated. The pleasant warmth rises in his solar plexus area, spreading in his chest and making his heart flutter. The feeling is new and incredibly pleasant, making him thrilled, looking at his dazzlingly handsome boss. Jungkook wants Seokjin to stay with him overnight very much. But at the same time he is flustered, worried about not wanting to be a burden. 

“Mr. Vice president, you don’t need to worry, ah…” he raised his elbows too abruptly in an attempt to protest, accidentally brushing the injured forearm. It makes him feel dizzy, and Kook collapses on the pillow in exhaustion. 

Seokjin looks exhausted, his eyes reddened, hair somewhat disheveled, but he is determined. He says in a firm voice, a tone that nobody dares to object, “Secretary Jeon, you are coming with me, and I will stay with you and look after you.”

At this moment, two police officers appear at the door of the ward. They want to talk to Jungkook. The doctor allowed them to take a statement from the victim of the assault.

“I’m sorry, I would have asked them to leave you alone, but they are very persistent. You should tell them as many things as you can remember, as long as the memories are fresh,” Seokjin says, shrugging apologetically, as he takes a step back. Jungkook nods in agreement. 

The police officers show their badges, introducing themselves and promising, they will not take more than a few minutes. Jungkook answers all the questions, telling in as much detail as he can remember, about what happened from the moment that he exited the bar till the moment he realized he was being followed and got attacked. 

“Could you describe the attackers?” the police officer inquires, “maybe some physical description, how did they speak, any special manner or an accent?”

“There were five of them,” Jungkook is swallowing hard, fighting the urge to close his eyes. It gets more and more difficult to talk, because the medication makes him feel drowsy, “After I had noticed I was being followed I wanted to start running, but I got a phone call. When I answered, they hit me on the head and I passed out. I woke up to their kicks and punches, couldn’t see anything properly.

Listening to him, Seokjin turned pale, clenching his fists in desperation, his lips turning into a thin line. 

“Could you describe their physical appearance? The height, body complection, hair color, tattoos? What did they wear? Any specific features?”

“They were all about the same age, maybe in their thirties. All wearing black, three of them, I think, had black masks, very short haircuts. I think someone was wearing a baseball cap. One was a little fatter than the others,” Jungkook was doing his best to be specific, giving as many details as he could, even though the memory caused a bile rising up in his throat. Those men were so vile, their eyes fierce, filled with hatred. Jungkook couldn’t understand what he had done to them to deserve to be beaten so cruelly.  Shivering internally, he tried to push away the frightening thoughts.

“Did you remember anything else?” The policeman, who was watching him intently, asked.

“Not really, no,” Jungkook swallowed hard.

“Mr. Jeon, I cannot emphasize enough how valuable all the information that you are giving us is and how it might be helpful for us in the investigation. Is there really nothing else you could add?” the inspector was still polite, but his profession forced him to act pushy.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment. 

“Has anybody been threatening you?”

The boy’s eyes widened in shock. This option could never even come to his mind. He has never had enemies, neither could he remember getting into any sort of disagreement with anyone. Everyone treated him nicely and cared for him. 

“No, not at all. There was nothing like that.”

“The threat isn’t always obvious. Are there any people that cause you trouble?”

Jungkook was completely taken aback, confused by the inspector’s questions. The painkillers started kicking in and his brain refused to process all of the incoming information, body aching with pain and incredible fatigue. 

“Of course not! I don’t have anybody causing me any trouble,” he vigorously objected.

Seokjin got impatient, interjecting. He shields Jungkook with his broad frame, “Mr. officer, I understand the importance of testifying in the first twenty-four hours after the incident, but my employee is not feeling well. He already told you most of what he could remember. With all the due respect I would like to kindly request the delay of his testifying for another time. You can contact me anytime, here are my contact details,” he said, handing his business card to the inspector, “come visit me in my office tomorrow, if you please”.

The officer doesn’t argue, adding finally, “If you remember anything else, let me know immediately,” and hands his business cards in return to Jungkook and Seokjin.

Deep in thought, Jungkook bits his lip, clutching a piece of paper in his hands. Someone else already tried to give him a business card on that same day. He will never forget Mr. Choi’s menacing look, full of hatred, emanating threat. 

After the police were gone, Seokjin came to the boy. Jungkook was already sitting on the hospital bed, tying his shoelaces.  

“How are you feeling? Can you walk or shall we take that?” he asked softly, gesturing at the wheelchair in the corner of the room, sympathetically looking at his secretary.  

Jungkook silently nodded, making a great effort to get to his feet. He doesn’t want to seem helpless in front of Seokjin, immediately dismissing the wheelchair. But his head is spinning like crazy, legs shake as he is trying to walk straight. Halfway to the parking lot, he accepts Seokjin’s support, leaning on his boss’ shoulder. He is nauseous but Seokjin’s closeness is nice and comforting, making him feel safe.

The boss carefully helps him get into the passenger seat, fastening the seat belt for him. Jungkook immediately dozes off, as he is exhausted under the effect of the painkillers the doctors gave him. Seokjin is driving slowly, checking the sleeping boy from time to time. They had spent a lot of time in this car today but now the circumstances are so different from the morning when Seokjin came to pick up Jungkook from home. 

The journey took no more than fifteen minutes. When they arrived, Jin hesitated to wake the boy up, sitting in silence for a few minutes, watching him rest. Jungkook seemed so serene in his sleep, relieved from pain, it was a shame to wake him up. In the end, Seokjin got out of his seat, walked around to the opposite side, opened the door of the passenger seat, saying quietly, “Jungkook, we’ve arrived.”

The younger one opened up his eyes and blinked in confusion, trying to figure out where he was. Coming back to his senses, he leans on Seokjin’s hand, and with great difficulty, scowling in pain gets out of the car.

Standing by the door to his apartment, Jungkook hesitates. There is nothing else he wants more in this life than to invite Seokjin to come in, but he doesn’t dare. He is not ready to show the special person, that Jin is for him, how he lives. His boss had never been inside Jungkook’s apartment before. Suddenly, there’s a sharp pang of shame he feels because of his modest furnishings and how they compare to the luxurious mansion where Jin lived.  Maybe Seokjin will start despising him after seeing his modest home. Seokjin’s suit alone cost more than all of the furniture in Jungkook’s living room. This place doesn’t suit him at all! 

But the boy is too weak to protest or make excuses, so he just simply unlocks the door, switching the light on. He feels relieved: at least he did the cleaning up not too long ago. He gratefully accepts Seokjin’s help to get him out of his jacket and shoes. With a slight embarrassment, he allows to be taken to his bedroom. Too tired to take off his clothes, neither makes Seokjin any attempt to do that for him, so he gets under the covers still wearing work trousers and a t-shirt. The wound on his eyebrow started bleeding again and Seokjin hurries to the bathroom in search of the first aid kit. 

Returning with the disinfectant, he carefully treats Kook’s wound, covering it with fresh plaster. When the procedure was finished and all of the items were put back in the first aid kit, Jungkook was fast asleep. Seokjin watches his sweet face, and gentle handsome features. Unable to resist, he removes a long strand from the boy’s forehead, gently tucking it behind his ear. Even in his sleep, Jungkook is unconsciously leaning into the touch. It causes Jin to go through an internal crisis again. Seeing his subordinate so delicate and vulnerable hurts. The realization dawns on him. He got worried sick about Jungkook, going through hell today, simply because his subordinate matters to him. Seokjin isn’t sure when he started feeling that way about Jungkook, but he cares so much about this pretty boy. 

Eventually, Jin goes back into the bathroom to return the first aid kit. He involuntarily wanders around his employee’s apartment, curious to find out more about the boy. The place is small but exudes comfort and cosiness, pleasantly reminding of its charming owner and Seokjin finds being there very pleasant. There is a little table in the corner of the room with a Polaroid and some pictures taken with it. A gaming console and a VR headset are stacked in the living room, with some dumbbells lying on a rug. Not surprising, Jungkook’s body looks very fit and healthy and Jin can’t help the imagination how hot it might be when Kook is working out. It is particularly interesting to find small ease in an alcove with an unfinished painting. The image is of a sea storm and it looks very realistic as if it was a photograph. If it was Jungkook's, that was another of his talents that he had no idea his subordinate possessed. 

Having somewhat satisfied his curiosity and completed a short tour of the apartment Seokjin goes back to the bedroom. He sets the alarm clock to wake up Jungkook in about two and a half hours and sinks into a chair next to the bed. Plunging into his thoughts feels bad, in fact, he is feeling more and more miserable with each moment. The realization of what has happened today, the possibility that he could have lost Jungkook was unbearable. All he wanted was that the bastards who had assaulted his secretary got found and arrested as soon as possible. 

He knows what it’s like being attacked and beaten half to death, well aware of the pain, shame and humiliation that comes with it. His memory drifts back to Jung Myeong, his first love, first shame and disappointment. The holidays in the summer camp were supposed to be the best of his life. Seokjin was begging his parents to send him there so that he and Jung Myeong could spend their summer together. He can still remember the excitement when the boy held his hand, confessing his undying love, promising a surprise that Seokjin would surely like. They sneaked into a secluded area in the camp. Intuitively, Seokjin sensed something was wrong. But his mind, clouded by love and want, was purposely ignoring all the instincts of self-preservation. Not in a million years would he imagine the surprise to turn out to be an insidious deception, a way of luring him into a trap. As he nonchalantly walked into a dark locker room, still holding Jung’s hand, suddenly, out of nothing, there was a strong punch in the jaw, blood immediately gushing from his nose. Stunned, he looked around in shock, to see a gang of guys surrounding him. The only light was that of the moon, seeping through the window of the room, as he recognized the face of Taeju, the informal leader of the school bullies that was scaring the hell out of all of Seokjin’s classmates. As they approach, Seokjin instinctively tries to cover his head and face, and numerous punches and insults fall upon him. The last thing he could clearly remember was Jung Myeong’s frightened face, his widened eyes as he watched it happening, not daring to object or do anything. The next moment, one of Taeju’s friends patted him on the shoulder, and handed him a camera, telling him to record the video. The video where his boyfriend was beaten up. It all felt like a nightmare that Seokjin was desperately trying to wake up from. 

The video was uploaded on the school’s Facebook group page, but was removed in a few hours. The parents insisted upon the investigation. Taeju was suspended from classes for two weeks before the start of the new school year and ordered to undergo psychotherapy to address his violent behaviour. But it didn’t help. The aggressor got even crueller. From then on, Jung Myeong became a part of his clique. At that stage, Jin was tormented by a terrible sense of shame, feeling unworthy of love. He naively believed that his feelings were reciprocated. But the guy treacherously betrayed him just to get into a prestigious group. Seeing him again face to face was a great challenge. In spite of his inner struggle, Jin attempted to get closure, and talk to his ex, but Jung Myeong made a humiliating scene in front of the entire school, insulting Seokjin and telling him that he was not even into boys, only pretending to help expose Jin’s sexual orientation. From that day on, Myeong pointedly ignored him. 

Even though a lot of time has passed, some wounds on the heart remain too deep, and that particular one undermined Seokjin’s trust in people forever. He vowed to himself that he would never be in that position again. The pain of betrayal was still acute and the memories of his first and only love never faded away completely. Sometimes it felt just like yesterday that they were lying in a huge hammock, looking at the stars, holding hands and timidly exchanging their first kisses, making plans for the future. If back then Jung Myeong seemed so loving and honest but turned out to be a mischievous traitor, then surely anybody, in general, was capable of the same betrayal. How could Jin be such an idiot? Why couldn’t he suspect that his boyfriend was blatantly lying into his face, making fun of him behind his back? When a person gives themself the luxury to feel, to experience an attraction to another human being, they become emotionally vulnerable and can easily get into a trap. But Seokjin is not going to be vulnerable again. 

His eyes shift to Jungkook. The boy looks so peaceful and innocent. Would he as well be capable of the same thing? Can he cause pain, hurt? Seokjin scolds himself mentally again for thinking that way of Jungkook. 

He shouldn’t be thinking of his secretary at all! Lately, he has allowed himself too much. His secretary’s sweet qualities - his kindness, support, willingness to please and loyalty to Kim Enterprise were disarming and lulling his vigilance, almost making him drop the guard down. Seokjin felt too many things at once: longing, anxiety, desire and nostalgia. Today’s stress and fear for Jeon’s life have completely worn him off. And Seokjin didn’t like that things were getting out of control, the barriers that he had so diligently been building around his heart, tumbling down one by one. His secretary's closeness is soothing, tempting, and makes his boundaries blur. After all the torment and stress of the day, he is desperate to feel the warmth of Jungkook. He is too tired to fight himself. Giving in to the temptation, he carefully lays down on the edge of the bed, alongside the younger one. The pillow smells very nice of Jungkook’s shampoo, a peach scent, that Seokjin likes very much. Jungkook is motionless, apparently fast asleep and Jin hopes not to wake him up. His chest barely touches Jungkook’s back, as he softly places his hand on Jeon’s waist, fighting the urge to bury his nose in the long locks at the back of Kook’s head. Jin is not sure what being on cloud nine feels like, but something is telling him that it was precisely what he was experiencing at the moment. Laying next to Jungkook, feeling his heartbeat, watching his chest rise and fall, all of that was too overwhelming, frightening and beautiful at once. Jungkook doesn’t open his eyes nor turn around to face him, but he wordlessly squeezes Jin’s hand in his, intertwining their fingers together. And Seokjin falls into a deep and unusually sweet sleep.

***

Min Yoongi often stayed overtime, working till late hours, not expecting anything for his hard work in return other than recognition. All his subordinates had already left but the young and ambitious manager of the advertising department was still in the office, completing his tasks. Yoongi excelled at creating far-reaching strategies, predicting the direction of the market development, and always being able to tell precisely where the company ought to be heading to. Nonetheless, he lacked some insight in his personal life. 

He and Taehyung first met when they both were students at the College of Daegu. The young captain of the basketball team had just turned nineteen when three new players joined his team. The one, who became the new shooting guard, struck Yoongi with his huge eyes, deep as the ocean, the most beautiful that he has ever seen in his life. Their relationship wasn’t easy in the beginning. They were arguing about absolutely everything, unable to agree on a single issue. The matching technique was the most common subject of their fighting, even though the new players significantly improved the results of the team.

Once upon a time after winning a game, when all the players had left home, Yoongi stayed on the court a little longer, as he was chatting to the coach. Thinking he was alone in the building, he entered the locker room, got undressed and headed for a quick shower. To his amazement, he heard the sound of the running water. Entering the shower he was face to face with a totally naked Kim Taehyung, rinsing the shampoo out of his hair. And boy, he was hot. They were shamelessly oozing each other’s bodies for a few seconds before their eyes met. The air got thick with desire, and some sparks were definitely flying. Taehyung’s eyes got a predatory gleam and they didn’t need words to communicate what they wanted from each other. Yoongi stepped in closer, and in another minute he was listening to the other boy’s low moans, as his hips were thrusting hard, furiously pressing Taehyung against the tiled shower wall. Yoongi has never had such mind-blowing sex, not a single girl had ever made him feel like that. The younger one was responsive, desperate, giving himself with passion and desire. 

After that incident the boys stopped arguing, but neither did they begin to talk to each other. Their eyes would occasionally meet during a game, but both of them, feeling flustered and awkward, would hastily avert the gaze, each knowing what the other one was thinking. Yoongi was too timid to start the conversation, secretly hoping that Tae would make the first step, but it never happened. In the end, the team captain decided that perhaps he was not that good of a lover and Taehyung simply didn’t like it with him. So he decided to forget everything as if nothing ever happened. A month later, Taehyung changed the university and to Yoongi’s big regret, their paths were no longer crossing. The entire experience left him with a bittersweet taste. But life went on and he tried not to think about that beautiful boy. 

Three months later Taehyung suddenly started following Yoongi’s social media account. On New Year’s eve, he sent a message to the programmer, which marked the start of their online friendship. They talked quite regularly through the messenger, getting to know each other and becoming virtual friends, telling everything that was happening to them on a daily basis. Yoongi revealed his plans of moving to Seoul to start working at the company of his childhood friend and get married soon. After that message, Taehyung disappeared and didn’t respond for about a week, but soon reappeared again, apologizing for his long absence, saying that he had a hard time and was too busy to write. After changing the university, as his father insisted, he found it extremely hard to study the subjects that didn’t interest him. Neither of them dared to suggest meeting in person nor mention what had happened in the shower room of the basketball club. 

Over time, Taehyung’s messages became less and less frequent, Yoongi was dealing with his heartbreak and desperation after the divorce from his ex-wife. Trying to drown his grief in litres of whiskey, he accidentally sent a drunk message to Taehyung, telling him that he was still thinking about him, missed him a lot, and remembered their casual sex, which was the best sex in his life. There was no answer to that message and Yoongi wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or sad. 

But Taehyung suddenly stormed into his life again, two years later. Yoongi was visiting his parents in Daegu, when he suddenly got a text from Taehyung asking him to meet in person. Yoongi accepted the offer without hesitation. 

Taehyung looked stunning. He was fifty times more beautiful than Yoongi could remember him back from their university days. His lush hair was dyed dark blond and neatly styled. Three buttons of his red shirt were undone, teasingly demonstrating his voluptuous neck and collarbones, drawing attention to the golden skin of his chest, beige trousers fitting his slender legs and sexy hips. His long perfectly even fingers were studded with numerous rings, delicate bracelets flaunting his graceful wrists. Kim Taehyung looked hot and dangerously seductive and was well aware of that. The only thing that surprised Yoongi was that his beautiful eyes have lost their sparkle. Those eyes were what Yoongi couldn't get out of his mind from the very first time he saw Taehyung. The younger one was smiling sweetly, a boxy grin revealing perfect teeth, gentle wrinkles forming around his eyes, as he wrapped his arms around his old acquaintance. Yoongi hugged him back, sensing his floral perfume, soft fluffy hair pleasantly tickling his cheek. Sitting opposite this gorgeous guy was sweet and agonizing. Yoongi felt the familiar heat of desire, forming in the pit of his stomach. He was blinking a lot, licking his lips nervously, unable to take his eyes off of the neckline of Tae’s shirt. The younger guy was talking animatedly, but Yoongi couldn’t focus on anything that he was saying. All he could do was enjoy the low breathy voice that he had missed so much and imagine kissing that silky skin of his neck. Taehyung easily figured him out and blatantly offered to go to his place after the meal.

Their second-time sex was much more intense. Taehyung moaned loudly, frantically clutching sheets, pulling on Yoongi’s hair, biting and sucking on his neck, leaving marks wherever he could reach and Yoongi experienced such a powerful orgasm that he nearly blacked out. After that, Taehyung said that they need to talk about something important. He needed a little favour from Yoongi. He told the elder one about struggles in his life after graduation. Especially the last two years have been hard. Tae has completely fallen out with his family, his father disinherited him, so he moved out and now wanted to try his luck in Seoul finding a well-paid job there.

“So that’s why I decided to turn to you, hyung,” finally said Tae, seductively biting on his lip, his beautiful fingers slowly running along his inner thigh, “Perhaps you could help me with this?”

Yoongi had never met anyone who affected him in the same way Taehyung did. One glance was enough to make Min ready to move mountains. Taehyung was perfect, his unearthly beauty was captivating, absolutely breathtaking and Yoongi was defenceless.

“Of course I will help you. Anything you need. When you come to Seoul, you can stay at mine for as long as you want. We will go to the recruitment fairs, I will introduce you to my HR contacts.”

Taehyung pulled away slightly, pouting. Yoongi frowned, immediately moving closer, chasing the warm feeling of his soft skin, not wanting to cut the contact. Tae noticed it. Smiling sweetly, he climbed on top of Yoongi, straddling his hips under the silk covers.

“You misunderstood me, Yoongi hyung. When I asked whether you could help me, I actually meant that I would love to work at Kim Enterprise with you. You told me you know its vice president personally, don’t you? Could you put in a good word for me?”

It was somewhat unusual and under any normal circumstances, Yoongi would be warier. But at that very moment, Tae started grinding on his hips, creating heavenly frictions for their hard cocks, causing Yoongi’s common sense to go out of the window. Tae’s sweet lips connected with Yoongi’s, tongue plunging into his mouth with a low moan and Yoongi was completely at the mercy of this gorgeous boy. Of course, he is going to be a kind hyung and get a well-paid job at Kim Enterprise for the younger one. There isn’t a single thing that he wouldn’t do in this world for Kim Taehyung!

Five weeks later, Taehyug moved to Seoul. Yoongi triumphantly informed him about the new position of secretary for the vice president. The two of them agreed to keep it secret that they knew each other before Taehyung’s enrollment in the staff of Kim Enterprise.

But it turned out harder than Yoongi had expected. Being so close but not being able to be with Tae turned into real torture. They started secretly meeting at the countryside cottage of the Min family, several times a week. Without realizing it, Yoongi got more and more attached to Taehyung and was desperate for their physical intimacy, growing dependent on the younger one. 

That evening, trying to finish the ongoing project, Yoongi decided to take a short break. He noticed light through the blinds in Seokjin’s office and decided to say hi. He pushed the door open after a first knock. Taehyung was sitting behind Seokjin’s desk, typing something with great concentration. He nearly jumped in surprise, seeing Yoongi in the doorframe, as if he got caught red-handed. Min Yoongi’s lips immediately stretched into a happy smile, revealing beautiful gums.

 “Didn’t expect to find you here. How are you doing?”

“Mr Vice president entrusted me to check something through his database,” Taehyung explained nonchalantly, his voice low, eyes wide open, still getting over a slight shock. There was fear, maybe some relief and something else that Yoongi couldn’t determine.

In a matter of a second he was at the younger one’s side, watching with curiosity at what Tae had been doing.

“Seokjin entrusted you? You obviously don’t know your boss that well. The concept of entrusting someone is foreign to him.”

In reality Yoongi couldn’t care less if Seokjin indeed gave Tae permission to use his personal computer. All he wanted was to tease the other guy, and get some reaction out of him. 

“Well,” Taehyung snorted, trying to appear as carefree as possible, “Call him and check if you don’t believe me.” 

He looked somewhat tired and Yoongi immediately softened, placing a hand on his cheek, “Hey, I didn’t mean to accuse you of lying or anything like that,” he said softly, looking into the boy's huge eyes affectionately, “I’m just worried about you. You look a bit tired.”

Taehyung visibly relaxed, playfully glancing at Yoongi, “Hmm, do I look tired to you? Are you expecting that I will prove you the opposite?”

It was an invitation. And who was Min Yoongi to turn it down? 

Looking at Yoongi with lust, Taehyung tugs on his tie, pulling him into a hungry kiss. Yoongi moans in intense pleasure, when Taehyung sits on the edge of the desk, spreading his legs and starts rubbing his crotch against Yoongi’s thigh. He sucks on Yoongi’s bottom lip, speeding up his movements, while his hand discreetly rummages behind his back. He takes out a small pen drive, quickly tucking it into his jacket pocket.

***

Jungkook woke up early, feeling pain all over his body. But his thoughts were clear. With horror, he recalled the events of the previous night, but together with that, he sensed a pleasant warmth in his chest from the memory of how worried for him was Mr Kim, insisting on staying all night long to look after him. He glanced at the chair beside his bed. A blanket was thrown across, clearly indicating that Seokjin really spent the night here. His cheeks flushed at the thought of how amazing it would feel to wake up in his boss’ arms, lying next to him, seeing him open up his eyes, stretch and maybe kiss him. That would be the perfect morning for Jungkook. Moreover, he dreamed the whole night about Seokjin hugging him in his sleep. Apparently, this was the side effect of the many painkillers he was given in the hospital the night before.

He sensed an aroma of fresh coffee and something tasty from the kitchen. Jungkook was never much into cooking and would normally order some food delivery. He often skipped breakfast because his work started too early. 

Grimacing in pain, he got out from under the covers. Feeling too ill last night he didn’t even take off his clothes. Having washed and changed into a fresh pair of trousers and a hoodie, Jungkook went to the kitchen. 

Seeing his boss there standing at the stove and cooking breakfast was something out of the realm of fantasy. 

“Good morning, Mr Kim,” he said softly, staring at Seokjin’s broad shoulders from the back. His boss looked a bit tired, there were dark circles under his eyes, and he obviously tried to fix his messy hair. But even though there was no trace of yesterday's gloss, Seokjin was still the most stunning man on the planet. Just his presence in Jungkook's house-made his knees wobble. 

“Morning, Jungkook. How are you feeling?” Seokjin’s tone didn’t have the slightest bit of his usual authority. Only care and deep concern. And it makes Jungkook feel a similar surge of tenderness, just like he felt yesterday when Seokjin found him at the hospital and said he would take care of him. In spite of the terrible pain, he tries to make his voice sound cheerful. 

“Not too bad, but I’ve been better.”

Seokjin had spent a restless night, setting his alarm every three hours, checking on his employee, making sure he wasn’t nauseous. Jungkook looked significantly better than he did last night, his face regained its colour, his cheeks got the charming blush, and it looks like his appetite came back. He stepped closer to the stove, peering into the pot with curiosity.

“Oh this looks delicious. What is this?”

“I cooked you food for the day. You gotta eat well and try to get some rest today. I hope you like chicken,” he gestured to the pot which contained some meal that Jungkook had never tried before but the sight and smell immediately made his mouth water. He heard his colleagues talking about their boss’ being an excellent cook, but never had the chance to taste anything. Just a week ago, if someone had told Jungkook that Mr Vice president would spend the whole night in his apartment and cook breakfast for him, Jungkook would probably laugh in that person’s face. He wouldn’t even dare dream of it.

“Do you like it?” Seokjin was watching him with a small smile.

“Very tasty,” Jungkook mumbled approvingly, already stuffing his mouth, eating straight from the pot. He immediately stopped, as he felt his boss’ inquisitive gaze, blushing slightly, “I’m sorry, this is so awkward. You shouldn’t have worried.”

“No worries. It’s really no big deal for me. I enjoy cooking. Some time ago I even attended cooking classes. Perhaps it would do me good to brush up on some skills.”

“It is so kind of you. You shouldn’t have. Thank you so much for everything,” Jungkook bowed in respect, accepting a plate out of Seokjin’s hands.

“Well, in that case, you can help me serve the table. We have breakfast together before I go to the office.”

This breakfast was objectively the best meal Jungkook has had in years. None of the hotels that he stayed at during business trips could by far compete with Seokjin’s cooking. 

However the chief himself didn’t have much appetite. He ate a little, putting his chopsticks aside as they finished the meal. 

“I can’t stay here for much longer. My father requested an emergency meeting in about two hours. Please try to rest as much as possible and don’t stress. I’ll send Jung Hoseok to check on you after lunch. You are staying at home on sick leave at least till the end of this week.”

“Mr. Kim, I don’t need a sick leave. I can accompany you to the office today,” Jungkook protested, as per usual, ready to do anything for Seokjin.

“But indeed you do stay at home till the end of the week and this is not to be discussed,” Seokjin said in a stern tone, “Today we are meeting with the inspector via Zoom, so you can complete your testimony. The police continue the search for the criminals who attacked you.”

“As you wish. I’ll supplement my testimony and tell them if I remember anything else. Thank you again so much for everything you are doing for me!” 

Jungkook leaned on the door frame, accidentally touching it with a sore rib. The sharp pain made him twitch, almost bending in half. 

Seokjin instantly rushed to him, looking worriedly at his employee, trying to understand what had just happened.

 When the pain subsided, Jungkook explained with a slight frown on his face, “It’s okay, boss, I’m sorry. My ribs are still sore.”

Seokjin is frowning too as if he could sense Jungkook’s pain on a physical level. He is worried. There is so much compassion and tenderness in his eyes. It feels like a dream when he is so close, taking Kook's hand and squeezing it, tucking Jungkook’s outgrown strand of hair behind his ear gently. It is incredible. Jungkook closes his eyes, enjoying the warmth of Seokjin’s touch on his skin. A sweet thrill spreads throughout his body when Jin’s face is so close. There are no more than a couple of centimetres separating them and Seokjin doesn’t pull away. He takes in a deep breath, swallowing hard, licking his lips nervously. His eyes darken, there was something new in them, something that Jungkook had never seen before. And he cannot fight it any longer holding himself back. Giving in to a sudden impulse, risking it all, Jungkook closes the distance between them, pressing his lips against Seokjin’s. The whole world stops turning at that moment. Seokjin’s lips are soft and warm, they feel amazing, sending jolts of electricity through Jungkook’s body. His knees start shaking and he is suddenly short of breath. He kissed Seokjin so many times in his fantasies, but in none of them, he could imagine how overwhelming it would be. His nerves are frayed at the thought that he is kissing the most beautiful man on the earth. The kiss is still timid and hesitant but his heart is about to burst. 

At first, Seokjin doesn’t react at all, but suddenly, much to Jungkook’s amazement, he begins to respond, kissing Jungkook hard on his lips, forcing them open, tongue forcing into Jungkook’s mouth, determined and not tolerating any objections. The kiss is full of passion, desperation, strong desire and everything that Seokjin had been restraining for so long. Poor Jungkook is about to pass out from the overabundance of feelings. He is a little scared as everything happened so fast and unexpected, and the kiss was the very first one in his life. Jungkook isn’t sure he’s doing it right. But he really loves everything and tries to repeat after Seokjin. His whole body is trembling with excitement, as he is frantically trying to figure out what to do with his hands, experimentally placing them on Seokjin’s pectoral muscles. His boss smells amazing, his skin is soft and intoxicates Jungkook with feelings. 

Suddenly everything stops, Seokjin pulls away as unexpectedly as he returned the kiss, sharply pushing his secretary away. His pupils are dilated, lips swollen, heart pounding hard in his chest as he dumbfoundedly stares at Jungkook. The younger one looks equally shaken, grabbing onto the wall behind, to keep his balance. 

As if he lost touch with reality, Jin backs away towards the door in confusion, hesitantly muttering under his breath, “See you later,” putting on his shoes, opening the door and retreating. With shaking hands he searches his pockets for the car keys. Finding them he gets behind the wheel and his car takes off, speeding away towards Gangnam.

Jungkook still can’t believe what had just happened. He slowly slides down the wall, wrapping his arms around himself, ignoring the pain, closing his eyes with a muffled groan. It was amazing! He has never felt like this before. His heart is still beating hard but he is extremely confused and embarrassed, not understanding anything. Looking at the door in bewilderment he asks himself, what has just happened? Why did Seokjin kiss him back and then push him away? Did he ruin everything? Maybe he shouldn’t have dared to pester his boss. 

But so much has happened to him on the previous day that the poor boy could no longer control his desires. And Seokjin returned the kiss. It’s impossible that he didn't feel the same way as Jungkook. Could it be the kiss itself? What could he have done wrong? Was it so disgusting that it made his boss run away without any explanation?

Chapter Text

Seokjin does his best to stay focused on driving, trying to calm down his nerves. Jungkook overtakes his senses. What had just happened felt like a clouding of mind; a burning desire that got out of hand, forcing both of them to give a free way to their passion. He is totally swept by the powerful storm of emotions, provoked by his secretary’s timid attempt to kiss. Seokjin is well aware that he acted impulsively, when he responded. That is exactly the kind of behavior he finds hard to forgive for others. Though this defeat feels bittersweet, it is exactly what he has been long afraid of: having experienced their closeness once, he completely lost himself in this timid boy and would never be able to get enough of him. Perhaps Jungkook has feelings for him, some sort of liking, maybe even an infatuation. Obviously he isn’t afraid to be open and vulnerable with Seokjin. And certainly his secretary is an amazing human being, he is loyal, modest and kind-hearted. It’s hard not to fall for him. But Seokjin is not going to do that. He can’t. Falling in love has already been a fatal mistake on his part; his weakness that is not going to happen to him again. So he shouldn’t be thinking of how handsome Jungkook is, how smooth his skin felt against his own, how natural it felt to brush their lips together as if it was the best thing predestined to happen to them since the very first time they laid their eyes on each other. Spending the whole night in his apartment, taking care of the boy, it all felt soothing and comforting. But Jungkook is just a man. In theory, just like anybody else, he could still be a traitor; he could easily hurt Seokjin, crush his feelings. For his own sake, Jin needs to stay away, for the sake of saving his soul. But how on earth is he going to do that when all he can think about are those adorable doe eyes, shy but at the same time full of passion, desire burning in them.

Busy with these thoughts, he doesn't notice an inconspicuous Audi that had been following him from Jungkook’s apartment, escorting him all the way to Dongho Bridge. When he turned towards Gangnam, the car took a left turn, getting lost in the traffic.

Having arrived home, Jin gets caught by surprise: his father’s car is in the parking lot. Previously unannounced meetings outside the office were quite a rare occasion for the Kims. As there was an unspoken rule in their family to previously schedule any visits in advance, Seokjin wouldn’t expect his father to turn up at his place all of a sudden. It was quite surprising, also, because Kim Ji Sung had called his son to arrange a meeting at Kim Enterprise just a few hours ago.

Desperate for some personal space, Seokjin moved away from his parents' home at the first opportune moment. With admission to the university, he moved into a rented apartment, sharing it with Yoongi for several months, until the latter one got married. After his promotion to the vice president’s position, Seokjin got himself a magnificent villa in an upscale area of Seoul.

With a mixture of anxiety and mild annoyance, Seokjin hurried to look out for the whereabouts of his guest. He was impatient to learn the cause for such an urgent visit. Certainly it had to be about the company; the young man hadn’t had the slightest doubt that it could have been otherwise.

Kim Ji Sung was a tall, well-built man who, even at a mature age, managed to preserve his former attractiveness, looking not in the least decrepit or even elderly. Seokjin has inherited his classic correct face features and harmonious body proportions. Standing by the window, he was studying the latest brochure on electronic products by Kim Enterprise, issued by the advertising department just a few weeks ago. His face noticeably darkened, a deep crease appearing between the eyebrows as he saw Seokjin enter the room. He watched his son with some sort of concern, which he unsuccessfully tried to hide.

“Good morning, dad, it’s a surprise seeing you here. I thought you were coming to meet me at the office.” Seokjin was more worried than glad about their meeting, expecting an explanation.

A long time ago their relationship was much closer and warmer. Jin felt supported despite the excessive expectations that his parents had about him from early childhood. The young man had been clear about his sexual orientation from an early age, never being able to keep secrets from those who were close to him, especially his family. As a teenager he was not good at hiding his true feelings and having fallen in love for the first time, he openly told his parents that he wanted to date a guy. However, from that instant on, it was as if something had broken in his relationship with his father. Some vitally important links in their communication got lost forever. Ji Sung never openly expressed his disapproval or disappointment, but Seokjin could intuitively perceive the cold emanating from his family after he confessed to his relationship with Jung Myeong.   The feeling of having disappointed his beloved ones never left him after that moment. Seokjin subconsciously believed that his first boyfriend’s betrayal and the tragedy that happened to him in summer camp was the punishment that he well deserved for failing the expectations of his parents. He had to pay for being weak, pursuing his personal desires. The feeling of rejection was getting stronger as his father practically stopped paying him any attention, spending all his time with the older brother, obviously putting all his hopes on Yun. From the spoilt beloved maknae, Seokjin turned into an outcast, a black sheep of their family. But it never broke the boy, only making him stronger in his conviction to recuperate his family’s respect and recognition. He believed it was only possible, by completely giving up on personal life, and the weaknesses that it may bring, concentrating on his studies, working harder, becoming better than others, demonstrating himself as a reliable, strong and infallible person. Hopefully it would bring him back father’s love and respect and make his father proud of Seokjin. Undoubtedly, out of the two children, his father preferred Yun. But the boy was very emotional and sensitive, steadfastly rejecting his father’s proposal to run the family business. Seokjin, in his turn, was ambitious, persistent and goal-oriented; never complained or asked for anything, putting every effort into becoming the best of the best. Their youth contrasted strikingly: while Yun was busy persecuting girls, Seokjin fully immersed himself in studies, determined to succeed in his business at any cost. Sadly, despite all the achievements, the young man got zero credit or the long-awaited approval from his father. With time, Seokjin learned to live with the knowledge that he would never truly be accepted for who he was.

At the age of twenty three, Kim Seokjin was voted by the board of directors of Kim Enterprise as the most suitable candidate for the role of vice president. But the actual appointment and the transfer of all cases and responsibilities took place due to the insistence of his mother, Kim Iseul, who insisted on her husband’s retirement, entrusting their son with management of most of the company’s affairs.

This morning, Kim Ji Sung seemed particularly agitated. Barely meeting with his son, he got straight to the point.

“The matters are urgent and cannot be postponed. It is better for our conversation to take place in greater confidentiality than our office can provide,” he explained. “I wanted to talk to you before you went to work. So for that reason I came over to you this morning, but you were not at home,” a tacit reproach clearly meant in his phrase. Seokjin bit his lip in annoyance; he didn’t want to answer for where he had spent the night. It was important that his father learned to respect him as a responsible and independent adult.

“There were some urgent matters,” he replied evasively, “one of my subordinates got sick. I needed to settle some formalities about his sick leave.”

Ji Sung squinted his eyes in suspicion. He could sense the worry coming out of Seokjin, and that there was more to the story, as if he could see right through his son. But he restrained himself from saying more than just, “Well, that does you credit as a responsible manager. A real leader should be able to take care of those who depend on them.”

Seokjin swallows hard, looking at his father cautiously, without blinking. Studying his reaction, careful to trace any change, he waited for the real reason for his visit to be finally revealed.

“I heard about the incident in the negotiations with the CJ Corporation.” Ji Sung replied. “ I was informed that Mr. Choi left the meeting in a horrid mood and wouldn’t stop going on about what a terrible reception we gave him. I would like to hear your side of the story about what happened.”

Seokjin had suspected it would be about Mr. Choi, so he was not caught by surprise, being ready for this conversation.

“The negotiations went much worse than last time. Not only did he try to insult and discredit me; he also tried to question the stability of the Kim Enterprise.” Seokjin explained tiredly, ”He said a lot of unflattering things about me, that the company has a bad reputation because of me. And in the end he tried to recruit my own secretary.”

The father studied him intently, as if expecting there was something else, that Seokjin refrained from saying. Noticing this, Jin tensed. He hoped that he had coped well, keeping to himself all the confusion he felt at the mere mention of Jungkook.

“Seokjin,” Mr. Kim sighed heavily, approaching his son, positioning himself next to him shoulder to shoulder, his gaze still cold, and judgmental. “I can see you haven’t learned anything at all! Years go by and you keep acting as impulsive as before. Reacting emotionally when you need to keep your cool. How many times have I told you to think carefully, weigh each step, assess the situation before you say or do anything? You need to put yourself in the shoes of your opponent before making any decisions.”

Jin gritted his teeth, feeling a painful stab of disappointment. His father’s reproaches were stinging, wounding his pride, aiming at his pressure points. And the most bitter irony was that all of those allegations were biased and subjective. His father wasn’t there and didn’t see Seokjin dealing with Mr. Choi. Anyone who had attended the meeting would be able to testify how stoically he maintained his composure, conducting the difficult negotiations until he came out of them as an absolute and incontestable winner. But for Ji Sung, he will never be good enough; he simply is not destined to deserve any respect from his father.

“But father, he tried to provoke me! I acted with justice. No client has the right to make such baseless claims, openly humiliating the investor, basing the reputation of the company on the sexual orientation of its vice president! It is a discrimination!” his voice quivered, full of endless bitterness and burning resentment.

Seeing his son’s reaction, Ji Sung let out a weary sigh. Softening a little, he attempted to pat Jin’s on his shoulder in a reconciliatory way.

“I’m not trying to question your rightness. You did your best. But from now on, I order you to leave Mr. Choi and all the affairs of CJ Corporation to me. I will deal with everything and try to rule out the situation.

Seokjin turned around sharply, unable to control his rage and resentment, gaping at his father, “But we’ve been going on with this deal for so many years! Their company is about to go bust. Why cannot we just let them go, if they find the terms of our cooperation unsatisfactory? It’s the best moment to end the relationship with CJ Corporation. It is ridiculous to keep sponsoring them and can get us into serious trouble, causing serious financial loss to our company!”

Ji Sung frowned, looking gloomy. He paced to the far corner of the room, turning back on his son, his voice giving out metallic sounds. It was precisely the tone that Seokjin copied subconsciously when he wanted to sound authoritative to his subordinates.

“Just leave this to me. Don’t try to find out anything else. Don’t make any decisions about anything related to Mr. Choi or Youngjae.”

Back in his adolescent years, Seokjin would often argue with his dad over differences in their opinions. Over time, he realized it was not worth wasting breath, arguing, trying to prove himself right, as Ji Sung would never admit to being wrong. Seokjin fought the impulse to flare up, biting back his remarks that he was competent enough to handle the company's business himself and negotiate with the difficult partner. Instead, clenching his fists and chewing on his lips, he decided to demonstrate respect for his father’s decision, even though he was strongly opposing it.

“I really appreciate your attempts to solve the issue and admire your determination. As I have obligations to Mr. Choi, the details of which I am not entitled to disclose, we cannot stop cooperating with this firm. Just listen to me and do as I say.” Ji Sung added after a moment of silence.

Seokjin nodded in resignation. Two deep creases appeared above the bridge of his nose, a clear sign of how tense he was. 

“By the way, what happened to your subordinate?” His father asked to move on from the unpleasant conversation.

“Last night an employee got attacked and viciously beaten up. The attackers managed to escape. Today we have a scheduled appointment via Zoom with the police inspector to question the details of an assault.”

Ji Sung’s face showed no reaction.

“What subordinate are you talking about?” He asked cautiously.

“My personal assistant, Jeon Jungkook.”

Ji Sung’s face changed; he noticeably turned pale.

“It’s unheard of for such things to happen in Seoul,” he said stiffly.

“Yes, very unusual. The most important thing is that the attackers get arrested as soon as possible.”

“Incredible,” Ji Sung shook his head in disbelief, but he abruptly changed the topic of their conversation. “Seokjin, I know that you were about to take your subordinates to the team-building weekend in Pyeongchang, is that right?”

Jin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. The very mention of team-building after he spoke of the attack on his personal assistant seemed quite out of place.

“Yes, appa, it’s been planned for in a week’s time. Why are you asking?”

“Well, I just wanted to point out that you are great at motivating subordinates. Why don’t we divide our tasks in the way that each of us does what we can do in the best way. You take over the team-building, while I handle the situation of Mr. Choi. You need to take your employees out of Seoul tomorrow.

Seokjin was completely baffled by such a sudden insistence and this strange conversation. Moreover, these instructions were completely inappropriate and out of place.

“The team-building is the responsibility of my secretary Jeon. He organizes everything and we won’t be able to leave Seoul until next week when he comes back from his sick leave.”

“Don’t you have a new secretary to replace him?”

Seokjin was amazed at how well informed his father was about the matter. During his latest visit to Anyang, Seokjin casually mentioned Jungkook's letter of resignation. But he never disclosed that he had found a replacement for him.

“My new assistant is yet to be trained and put up to date with all the cases. It will take at least a month.”

“Son,” his father continued, “listen to me and go team-building tomorrow. This is an order.”

The last phrase overtaxed the young man’s patience. He was no longer able to deal with the pressure and exploded. “You keep controlling me, mistrusting me in my abilities! Are you deliberately expecting me not to cope with the role of vice president? Or is this all because you regret handing over the company to me and not to Yun instead?”

Ji Sung threw up his hands in resignation. “Still stubborn, defiant, not able to follow orders nor listen to good advice. Now do as you please.” He spat in irritation, storming out of the room and leaving his overwhelmed son alone, hyperventilating and trying to cope with his emotions.

When the door slammed shut behind his father, Jin had an urge to hit something hard. He tried his best to keep his composure, but he screwed up again. Now he regretted it, feeling ashamed of the stupid emotional outburst that had ruined his communication with his father. Unable to restrain himself he showed weakness in front of his parent again. This is why Ji Sung will never see a decent heir in him, and Seokjin is predestined to be a loser, unable to live up to the expectations that were placed on him. It will not be a surprise, if his father will strip him of the vice president’s position and find someone better to replace him in the end. Someone, who will be more worthy and capable than him.

Feelings make you weaker. Jungkook unwillingly became the reason for Seokjin's failure by getting too deep under his skin, into his heart and soul. It certainly does him good if they not see each other for a while after what has happened between them, until Jin gets over it and is back to normal again. Not ready to see his secretary after today, Seokjin decided to excuse himself from the Zoom meeting with the police department. Even though the meeting were to be held online, he cannot bring himself to see Jungkook just yet.

***

Seokjin arrived at the Kim Enterprise a couple of hours later, irritably pacing past the line of his workers who came to greet him. There was a silent question on their faces, and Jin had yet to figure out a way of letting them know about what happened to Jungkook, keeping in mind that they should not figure out that he knew more than he was supposed to, as he spent all the time with the boy. The news of the assault on the secretary of the vice president spread with the speed of light. Almost every colleague was questioning, feeling genuinely worried and anxious about Jungkook. Everyone was desperate to find out what truly happened to secretary Jeon.

“Jung, please come to my office.” Seokjin ordered to Hoseok.

When the doors closed behind them from inside the office, Seokjin wearily sank into his desk chair, gesturing to Hobi that he may take a seat opposite. Neither Hoseok was an exception and was very eager to find out any information about his friend. An unexpected visit from the police earlier on that day, to take his statement, since he was the person that saw Jungkook before the attack, was shocking and unexpected, as Hobi had no idea about anything. He spent the rest of the day worrying for Jungkook as he wouldn’t pick up phone calls. He was desperate to drive to Jungkook's house, but needing permission from the boss, he decided to wait to see Seokjin first. But the boss was the first one who invited him in for a word.

“I suppose you heard about Jungkook,” Seokjin said unceremoniously. “Yesterday he got attacked and severely beaten when he was on his way home after the pub.”

Hobi turned pale.

“How is he?” He asked quietly, looking extremely concerned.

“Already released from the hospital. Fortunately no fractures or concussion. But someone needs to look after him.” Seokjin went straight to the point, not even trying to hide how worried he was.

“Of course, Mr. Kim,” the young man answered readily.

Seokjin rubbed his reddened eyes, sighing. His overexertion and fatigue was getting the best of him.

“Jungkook is recovering, but he needs some rest. Please try to arrange all of the formalities with his sick leave in the human resources department.”

Hoseok silently nodded in agreement. 

“Hobi,” Seokjin addressed him informally, silent entreaty eloquently gleaming in his eyes. “I would like you to take this more as a friendly favor than the order. Please go and check on him to see if he is all right. It would be great if you could stay with him a bit longer. Please don’t leave Jeon on his own tonight.”

Hoseok’s face changes slightly, curiosity clear in his expression, but he immediately drops his eyes in embarrassment, clearing his throat.  Jin understands that he might have been overdone with this, but it doesn’t matter. His secretary’s health clearly has priority at this moment, and he doesn’t really care what it looks like and how it may seem.

“WIll do, Mr. Vice President,” Hobi responds, ignoring his boss’ dismay in an honorable gesture.

“Thank you, that is all. Please tell Taehyung to come in,” Seokjin said, putting on a strict expression back as if nothing important was happening.

***

Jimin was walking through the park, trying to get through to Jungkook for the hundredth time, oblivious to anything that was around him. The day was too cold for a motorcycle ride. He was wrapped in a thick warm scarf over his leather jacket; a knitted black hat on his head; eyes hidden behind huge glasses with black frames.

Suddenly someone stepped in the way, stopping right in front of him, making the boy almost stumble in surprise. It was a miracle that Jimin didn't drop his mobile .The man standing in front of him was much taller and broader in shoulders; just one look at his wide chest and powerful shoulders was enough, and Jimin knew too well who it was.

Namjoon was looking at him, his breath shallow, eyes serious. His lips were pursed, fists clenched inside of his pockets.

“Minnie,” he said in a low voice.

“Namjoon,” Jimin stuttered. His heart started beating like a drum. Seeing his ex was strange and Jimin was not ready for this. Namjoon seemed so close and familiar, but also an entire stranger at the same time.

“What are you doing here?” The taller boy asked, his eyes roaming over Jimin’s face from below his thick-rimmed glasses.

“Going home,” Jimin murmured, trying to make his voice stop trembling. It was unbelievable, how affected he could still get by his ex-boyfriend.

“You look good,” Namjoon said softly, admiration and sadness mixed in his voice..

“Thanks,” Jimin’s cheeks flushed red, “what are you doing here?”

“I was here visiting my friend Seokjin. It is strange running into you here. Out of the thousands of companies in Seoul, you choose the one where one of my closest friends is the vice president!”

Jimin's face fell, turning visibly pale.

“W-what are you trying to imply?”

“Oh Jimin-ah,” Namjoon breathed out, closing his eyes, lips pressed in a thin line, forming a sorrowful expression. “You could just ask me to meet and talk about everything. I was the last one who wrote to you, but you didn’t reply. I will always be your friend and try to do my best if you need help. If you need to talk, or are trying to find a way to get closure for us, all you needed was just to ask for it. You didn’t have to go through these complications just to be able to meet me.”

Jimin was getting more and more pale; each word from his ex getting him increasingly furious. Anger, resentment, and pain were reflecting on his face, distorting his lovely features.

“Are you trying to accuse me of stalking you?”

“Minnie,” Namjoon frowned as he swallowed hard, reaching out to the boy to touch his arm. An instinctive gesture that caused Jimin to immediately recoil. “I didn’t say that. Those are just your words. I wanted to tell you that you have always been an amazing dancer and there is no need to change your life because of me. You deserve more than a boring office job at a company where we can often run into each other. You are so much more than that!"

Jimin begins to shake at those cheeky and shameless words. Losing his composure, he begins shouting. “Who the hell do you think you are, Joonie? Do you really think that you are the only one in the world who is so amazing that I will be looking for a job just to run into you accidentally? For your information, I didn’t even know that you had anything to do with this company or that haughty friend of yours, Seokjin-san. And what does it have to do with you about me and my dancing? It is in no way a matter of your concern! We broke up six years ago and for all this time you didn’t give shit about me, you cut all ties with me, so why do you think you have the right to call out to me for where I work? Fuck off!”

“Minnie,” Namjoon grasped in pain, trying to reach for Jimin one more time. 

But the shorter man reacted aggressively, pulling his hand out of his grip sharply and pushing him in the chest. His lips quivered in anger. “Leave me alone!”

Jung Hoseok suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He approached them, calling Jimin's name, worried about the scene that was unveiling in front of his eyes. His eyes traveled quickling from Namjoon to Jimin and back, in surprise.

“Any problems? Can I do anything to help?” He asked, turning to Jimin.

Namjoon gave him a cold stare, clenching his teeth.

“It’s ok. We have already finished. Take care of yourself, Jimin-ah,” he said, giving his ex one last look, full of regret and unspoken reproach as he quickly left, disappearing in the doorway of the office building.

Jimin remained silent for several minutes, fighting back the unbidden tears suddenly brimming in his eyes.

“Hey, what’s happened? You’re trembling. Did he bother you? How do you know Kim Namjoon?” Hoseok enquired worriedly, genuinely wishing to help. It pained him to see Jimin so upset and he felt desperate as he didn’t know what he could do for Jimin to make it better. Obviously, Namjoon was the reason for this adorable boy's distress.

Jimin suddenly burst out into nervous laughter, making Hobi cringe at the pain that he could pick up from it.

“Jimin-ah, come, sit down, stay here for a minute,” he fussed, making Jimin sit down on the bench, “don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

But Jimin was not going anywhere. Incredibly overwhelmed, he fell into a  stupor, still not able to process this unexpectedly strong dose of emotions.

A few seconds later, Hobi came back, holding a steaming cup of tea.

“Here, warm up, you are shaking.”

A good five minutes passed before Jimin got over the shock and was able to communicate. Adjusting a beautiful blonde strand of hair that came out from under his cap, he glanced at the other man with gratitude, warmth reaching his eyes.

“Thank you, you needn’t have worried.”

Hoseok just sat there, taking in the boy’s striking beauty, wondering if Jimin even understood how adorable he was. He noticed the boy had a new hair color, blonde, looking impossibly sweet, almost like an angel.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t stay away. I thought he was molesting you and you didn’t deserve such treatment. So I just thought you might need help,” he shrugged.

Jimin bitterly chuckled, looking with interest from behind the lenses of his glasses. Sympathetic and worried, in a strange way, Hoseok was attractive. It felt good when somebody wanted to protect you.

“I’ll be fine. But thanks for your concern.” Jimin said softly, trying to pull all of his thoughts together, as he asked, “Hoseok-ssi. I was wondering about one thing. I have been trying to get through to Jeon Jungkook since yesterday, but he won’t pick up. He hasn’t been in the office today, but I keep hearing terrible rumors about something happening to him, that he was beaten…"

Hobi’s face fell. “Oh, you don’t know?”

Jimin looked scared.

“I don’t know what?”

“He's not well. The rumors are actually true; he was attacked last night after we went to a pub after work. I'm about to go check on him."

Jimin froze, speechless, looking at Hoseok. It broke the latter's heart once again to see Jimin so worried and unhappy.

“Wha-.. Is this true? I'm coming with you!" Jimin said, determined.

"Of course, come with me," he was more than happy to comply.

Sitting in a car, despite the circumstances that brought them together on that day, Hobi couldn't believe his luck to have the cutest and most charming boy he'd ever met now next to him. Such close proximity to Jimin made him lightheaded, and he struggled to stay focused on driving for the sake of both of their safety. There was a slight awkwardness between them, since they still did not know each other that well. Hobi timidly suggested that Jimin choose music. Jimin wouldn't stop chirping for the rest of their journey, trying to avoid awkward silence. His melodic laughter was the most beautiful thing Jung Hoseok had heard in his life.

***

Jungkook was surprised, to say the least, with both of his friends visiting him that day. As his cell phone got broken during the attack, he could not contact them to let them know about himself. Jimin immediately threw his tiny hands around his neck, breaking into sobs about how terrible was the thing that had happened to him. Jungkook instantly hugged him back, providing comfort and reassuring him that he was ok now. He nearly forgot all about the attack as his mind was pleasantly occupied by Seokjin.

They spent the entire afternoon together, chatting and playing games. Jungkook was desperate to share with someone what had happened in the morning, but decided against it, noticing the odd tension between the other two boys. Hoseok would shyly look at Jimin, making the latter blush, wriggling in his seat. He wanted to give them both a chance to communicate and feel more comfortable around each other. However, Hoseok mentioned Seokjin looking worried and stressed, when he was ordering Hobi to check if Jungkook was ok.

So Kook kept it silent about the kiss. He was not ready yet to share such an intimate moment from their relationship with the boss.

Seokjin excused himself from the Zoom call with the police for an unexpected urgent matter, leaving the boy to testify himself. The support of his friends was incredible. But he did not understand the sudden coldness from his boss, and was fearing the worst.

***

Four days passed without a single word from Seokjin, making Jungkook nervous. He would never dare hope for the slightest chance for mutual feeling from his boss. But it was still vitally important, at least, to know that Jin was not angry or guarding any sort of resentment against him. Perhaps he should apologize for his sudden bold act of courage. Now, feeling the full burden of guilt, Jungkook thought he had gone too far, which was unforgivable. He had no right to break into his boss’ personal space like that and kiss him without permission, fully blaming himself for such childish behavior.

He tried to get through to Seokjin several times that week, but with no luck, as the boss wouldn't answer the phone. The call was once picked up by Taehyung, who explained that Seokjin was out of the office, asking if Jungkook would like to leave a message for the boss.

Jungkook’s sick leave ended the following Monday. He felt much better; the wounds and bruises were healing quickly. Not receiving any requests or instructions from Seokjin about picking him up from home, Jungkook went directly to the office. He wouldn’t have much courage to turn up at his boss’ house anyway.

The entire situation was terribly awkward, but Jungkook made a steadfast decision to talk to Seokjin. What if he wasn't even into guys at all? And if he was, the chance that he would like someone like Jungkook was minimal. They were from different worlds, and Jungkook was unlikely to get a man like Seokjin to be romantically interested, thinking of him as that of a potential partner. It would be a miracle if he let Jungkook come close after what happened. He deserved to be fired for such audacity. But the dizzying memories of their kiss and Seokjin’s heated response were haunting him, as well as Hoseok’s mention of the boss seeming very worried for him. Perhaps he wasn’t that angry if he every day inquired about how Jungkook was feeling? The uncertainty was tormenting. The young man had a lot of questions. As the moment of seeing Seokjin in person again got closer, Kook's nerves were getting more strained; it was increasingly difficult to control his anxiousness. He sat at his desk, impatiently glancing at the door, biting on his nails. Dressed in a classic black suit, white shirt and black tie, Jungkook looked neat and collected that morning. A large amount of makeup helped to mask the bruises still visible on his left cheek.

Precisely at nine in the morning, department workers started fussing as Hoseok informed them about Mr. Kim´s arrival.

Seokjin appeared in the entry, looking irresistible. He was perfect, like a model from a glossy magazine. Quickly walking into his office, he casually exchanged greetings with some of his subordinates. For a millisecond, his stern look crossed with Jungkook´s, causing the latter to instantaneously drop his eyes in shame, wishing the ground would swallow him up. His cheeks turned bright pink, palms began to sweat. How the heck is he supposed to have a private conversation with his boss now? But knowing it was inevitable as they needed to clear things between them, Jungkook summoned all his will and courage. He was pushed far outside his comfort zone again.

Having gathered some papers for signature and taking a deep breath, he reluctantly knocked on his boss´ office door.

The office had a relaxed vibe, with subtle classical music playing in the background. Seokjin wasn't alone. He was leaning over Taehyung´s shoulder, trying to explain something pointing to the monitor on his PC. Jungkook stumbled, regretting having chosen such an inopportune moment.

However, Seokjin instantly reacted. “Taehyung-ssi, please finish this list and come back to me as soon as it's done,” he said with a nod, dismissing the other boy, ordering to leave them alone with Jungkook.

As soon as Taehyung was outside the door, Seokjin asked without looking at his secretary. “Jungkook-ssi, how are you feeling? Show me what it is that you got there,” he questioned, pointing at the stack of papers that the boy was clutching in his shaking hands.

“Uh, thanks. I feel much better. I came to get the confirmation for some of these payments, your signature is needed.” Jungkook answered, clearing his throat. His voice quivered slightly. He passed the papers to his boss, their fingers touching by accident, and Jungkook suddenly felt the familiar jolt of electricity going through his body, causing his heart to jump. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Jin’s reaction.

His boss acted nonchalantly, taking the papers, quickly skimming through them, leaving signatures with his sprawling handwriting. Handing them back to his secretary, he still avoided looking at him, pretending nothing special was happening.

Jungkook was on the verge of desperation. He did not know how to start the conversation or ask for forgiveness. But he wanted to make sure his boss was not feeling anger or animosity towards him.

Seokjin looked cold and distant, not seeming inclined to talk at all. Jungkook wouldn’t dare to start a conversation with him, already turning to leave, but at the last moment he changed his mind. He also has feelings and needs some clarity. Hesitantly stopping himself in the middle of the room, he stared at Seokjin, emitting tension, fingers digging into the papers he was holding in his hands as he was challenging himself.

¨Anything else?” Seokjin looked so stern that Jungkook would rather flee as fast as he could. But he resisted, stilling himself.

“Actually yes. I wanted to ask you a question if you have a spare minute.”

“I have a lot to do, but go ahead.”

Jungkook sighed heavily. Too late to back down, it was now or never.

“Boss, I just wanted to apologize for what happened last weekend. I mean, when you… when I … , after we had breakfast,” he was flustered, unable to bring himself to look at Seokjin. “I am extremely sorry for my behavior. You were so kind to me. I just wanted you to know I am very grateful to you. If only you could forgive me for being… for us…,” as Jungkook got more agitated and lost, his speech got more and more confused. He looked impossibly cute, turning into a blushing, and stuttering mess. Seokjin couldn’t take it any longer. He got up from his seat, and approached Jungkook, unceremoniously intruding into his personal space.

“Are you talking about our kiss?” He was standing so close that Jungkook could easily pick up the heat his body was emitting.

“Well, I … for me…” Kook has definitely lost speech, a pair of frightened doe eyes staring back at Seokjin, “I am terribly sorry if it caused you trouble,” he blurted out, breathing shallowly.

“Why do you believe it caused me trouble?” Seokjin said huskily, scooting closer to the boy, staring at his lips.

“I .. Well, I don’t know. You seemed to be upset when it happened. You left so quickly, then wouldn’t answer my calls. I thought it made you angry.”

“Don’t ever try to guess my feelings, Jungkook. You clearly have no idea. Trust me, if it caused me trouble, you would definitely know about it.”

Jungkook’s whole body tensed; he was feeling dizzy, trembling. Seokjin was so close that he could feel his breath on his own burning face.

“Does this mean,” he whispered, licking his lips nervously, “that you are not mad at me?”

“No,” came the quiet reply.

Kook tried to focus his eyes on Seokjin’s face, but he was failing miserably, desperate to feel the bliss of his touch.

“What does this mean?” He asked.

Instead of giving an answer, Seokjin gently cupped his face with both of his hands, pulling him closer. Their lips connected in a passionate kiss and Jungkook melted into the intoxicating sensation of closeness with the most handsome man on the planet. Jin was indeed bossy and demanding, pulling the boy close, heavily pressing against his body, running his fingers through his silky hair, massaging the back of his scalp, getting under his shirt, causing painfully sweet sensations in Jungkook’s body, the feelings that the boy never experienced before with anybody. Jungkook let out a muffled moan as Jin’s lips pressed against the sweet mole on the side of his neck. Seokjin was driving him crazy, knocking him over the desk, practically straddling him, barely able to restrain his lust. He got too carried away with those feelings, longing for Jungkook, savoring him, afraid to lose him. He has already passed the point of no return. It would hurt if Jungkook was no longer in his life.

Jungkook was rejoicing inwardly, closing his eyes, throwing his head back in pleasure, enjoying what his boss was offering to him. Suddenly it wasn’t enough, he wanted more, he wanted Seokjin, desperate to feel the flame of their heated bodies, wishing there were no barriers separating them, no clothes. His fingers frantically groped around Seokjin’s chest, tugging at the buttons on his shirt.

“We should stop.” Jin said softly, taking his hands and intertwining their fingers together, “there is one condition we should discuss, before this all goes too far.”

He was obviously struggling to focus, trying to collect his thoughts, not wanting to pull away from the younger one, still holding him tight, his nose gently tracing the outline of Jungkook's jaw.

“What condition?” Jungkook took the lead, returning to his caresses, still not believing that all of this was actually happening. He was aroused and couldn’t hide it, despite feeling a little embarrassed by how obvious his reaction was to Seokjin's touches.

“Jungkookie,” Jin struggled, with great effort pulling away from the boy, “we must discuss the boundaries that you and I shouldn't cross.”

Neither did Jungkook want to lose the warmth of his boss’ touch, but the words were slowly sinking into his mind. Something was telling him he didn’t want to hear what Seokjin was about to say next.

“What do you mean, Mr. Vice President?” Jungkook looked incredibly hot; his breath ragged and his skin sweaty, cheeks covered with a thick blush, lips parted seductively. Seokjin catches himself on the thought that it wouldn't take him much longer to entirely lose his mind and bend this gorgeous boy over his desk.

“We need to work on this. It sounds strange when you’re addressing me in such a formal way in a situation like this,” he panted, gently running his index finger along Jungkook’s lip.

Kook pulls him back into a deep and languid kiss. It takes an eternity for them to pull away. Making a huge effort, Jin scoots away, creating a sufficient distance between them, as he is taking on a serious look.

“There are several things that we need to discuss.”

Jungkook looks stunned and confused when he hears the following.

“We should be open and honest with each other from the start.” Seokjin suggests, carefully following Jungkook’s reaction. “First of all, we will never be together and I am not going to date you.”

The words are hurtful, heavy like stones, aimed at Jungkook’s heart. He blinks quickly, doing his best not to show his disappointment.

“Secondly, most of what I can offer you right now is to be friends with benefits. You know what it means, don’t you, Jungkook?”

Chapter Text

The last phrase of Seokjin gave Jungkook the hots. For a moment he considered that he must have misheard; surely his boss must have meant something different. But the way Seokjin looked at him - there was no mistake. He meant exactly what he said. Jungkook’s cheeks immediately flushed. Hurriedly turning away, he averts his gaze and shuts his eyes in disbelief.

“Yes, boss, of course I know what friends with benefits mean.” He stutters, blushing deeply, as he overcomes shock, trying to ignore the unpleasant feeling, gnawing at his heart, and that his eyes start watering. Of course, Jungkook will never be good enough for his boss to consider him as a potential romantic partner. However, he is neither completely rejected. Even if sex is the only thing Seokjin is interested in, he would be a total fool to turn down such an opportunity. Only the realization of the fact that his boss finds him attractive in that way makes Jungkook lightheaded.

“Don’t rush into the decision.” Seokjin murmurs, trying to catch his gaze, “this kind of relationship is not for everyone. But that's all I can offer you at the moment, and it doesn’t make me a bad person!” His voice quivers, but he sounds determined, as if justifying himself is vitally necessary for him, “Anyway, it would be great if you could come over to mine tonight. There is some work we need to discuss. It’s about the update of company norms. We could go through them over dinner at my place.”

It was an invitation. The ambiguity of the situation was confusing, maddening, and a little bit frustrating. Jungkook swallowed hard under the scrutinizing gaze of his boss, whose piercing eyes were making him want to run away. But another part of him craved Seokjin, to stay with him, hug him, hold him tight, and never let go. His ears were burning, as he was suppressing an impulse to hide his face, wishing to become invisible. How did he even dare to imagine becoming his boss’ lover, when just a thought was enough for fainting?

Jungkook was about to turn on his heel and head to the door. But Jin gently grabs his forearm, pulls him in closer, and leaves a soft kiss on the inner side of his wrist, making him shudder in excitement. Even a light gentle touch provokes an intense response in Jungkook's body, and he wonders what awaits him in case he accepts his boss’ offer?

***

Yoongi was a successful programmer who happened to have a rare gift for making accurate predictions. His strategies for the company’s development were a certain way to success. For this rare insight he got nicknamed the Nostradamus of Kim Enterprise and became the head of the advertising department. However, his clear judgment and sharp vision had certain limits and restrictions, and they were starting with anything that had to do with Kim Taehyung.

Every day spent in Taehyung’s company made him fall deeper for the boy, and with each day it was harder to find rational reasoning for what was going on between the two of them. Yoongi was well aware of his feelings and didn’t try to fight them. But neither was he a fool, and his ex-basketball team playmate was pretty easy to read - it was obvious that he did not return Yoongi’s feelings. The younger one was sending tons of mixed messages, making Yoongi genuinely confused. Regardless, he wasn’t going to lay his cards down on the table and tell Tae how he feels just yet, though the dream of coming out, becoming a real couple, was getting stronger. He dreamt of being able to proudly hold Taehyung’s hand and announce to everybody that they were together. Hiding their relationship, seeing each other in secret as if they were doing something morally wrong, didn’t feel right. Every time talking to Kim Seokjin, Yoongi felt a pang of guilt that was especially tormenting. Undeniably, his friend would have scolded him for being biased when choosing a candidate for the new secretary’s position, would have reminded him that it is not safe to trust anybody. But at the end of the day, he would certainly forgive his friend and understand everything. After all, Yoongi was following his heart and the heart wants what it wants.

At first, he and Taehyung spent almost every night together in the countryside cottage of the Min family. But after two weeks of the inevitable early rises for the sake of making it to work on time, exhausting long distance travels pushed Taehyung to finally agree to move in with Yoongi into his Gangnam apartment. The elder one generously offered his guest a separate bedroom. However, Tae had a clear preference for sleeping together in Yoongi’s king-size bed, never getting any objections from the host. Being close, waking up together every morning was bliss, unexpectedly bringing an enormous amount of happiness into Min’s life, which he had not experienced in a long time.

Waking up one morning, rolling on his side, Yoongi opened his eyes and was blessed with the view of the gorgeous boy next to him, wide awake. He was in a half-sitting position at the head of the bed, beautiful outgrown locks spilled across the pillows he was leaning on, busy sketching something in a little notepad, biting on his lip in deep concentration. His gentle honey skin seductively contrasted with the silk sheets he was wrapped in. Once again, Yoongi was amazed at how lucky he was to get this beautiful creature to choose him over the others.

Scooting closer to reach his sweet lips, Yoongi purred. “Good morning,” with a happy smile.

Taehyung instantly pressed the notepad tight to his chest, deliberately hiding its content. He moaned sweetly into the kiss, letting Yoongi’s tongue slip into his mouth, his entire body eagerly responding to the touch. There was want, Tae was already half-hard, always insatiable, always ready for Yoongi. However, this time Yoongi chose not to proceed. He pulled away, looking at the notepad with genuine curiosity. “What are you doing?”

“It’s a secret,” he smiled a little flustered. “I made sketches for some clothes designs on the way home yesterday. I will only show you once it’s finished.”

Yoongi remembered their texting and Tae mentioning that he dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. His father disapproved of his career choice and forced him to change his major, which was why the boy had to leave the university where he and Yoongi met.

“I’m sure those designs are very beautiful.” Yoongi’s eyes were overflowing with tenderness.

Taehyung put his notepad down on the bedside table, pulling the covers off, shamelessly demonstrating the splendor of his naked body. Yoongi swallowed hard. Just one look was enough to make his brain stop working and turn him into a desperate mess of a man. Their sex got hotter, more sensual as they studied bodies of each other, found out what each of them liked. Certainly their little adventure in the basketball club showers was unforgettable, but Taehyung was far much more than that. Every day he opened up to Yoongi in a new way, full of surprises and many interesting sexual fantasies and Yoongi considered himself blessed to be the one turning them into reality. A pleaser in bed, he was happy to do anything Taehyung wanted. Sometimes their passion got out of hand and they acted recklessly. A few days ago they almost had a full intercourse in Seokjin's office. And it was not all about them being perfectly compatible in bed. Yoongi loved everything about Taehyung, his whims, his ideas, his smile, that was one of a kind. Simply, he had never met anybody like Kim Taehyung and it bothered him not knowing where their relationship was heading. Contemplating the younger one, it was very tough to imagine what was in his head and how he really felt about Yoongi.

The day was bright and sunny. Yoongi went to Myeongdong in search for an optical cable to fix the office server. Despite the rush, his attention diverted to a stylish display window of a small jewelry boutique store. After a moment of hesitation, he pushed the door open, walking in. Taehyung would certainly love it here. He slowly wandered in between the displays, looking at the items, until he noticed a secluded corner of the store. There were exclusive designs crafted by famous jewelry makers. A beautiful set of a pendant and a bracelet stood out. The pieces were made of white gold decorated with diamonds and everything about them was screaming Taehyung. Yoongi saw himself placing the ornament around Tae’s gracious neck; it would look adorable on his hot flushed skin. He can't wait.

After leaving the boutique, he feels a desperate urge to hear Taehyung´s voice. He decides to call him anyway, without much hope that the boy would actually answer his phone call during the working hours. Surprisingly, he answers after the second ring.

“Hi hyung!” Taehyung's raspy voice is mesmerizing, causing goosebumps to run all over Yoongi´s skin.

“Tae,” he stutters, getting lost. Suddenly he is speechless, with no idea of what to say. This started happening more and more often, whenever Kim Taehyung was on the other end of the line.

“Were you thinking about me?” The younger one came to rescue him from more embarrassment.

“All the time.” Yoongi whispers, “I really want to be with you right now.”

“I miss you too.” Tae’s voice sounds sweet and sincere, bringing a pleasant tide of warmth spread through Yoongi’s chest. His smile got wider.

“Would you like to go out somewhere after work?” he attempts.

Just a millisecond before Taehyung’s reaction, Yoongi knows the outcome.

“I would love to, hyung, but I can’t today. Jungkook is teaching me to do some quarter calculations. I think we are going to stay up till quite late, practicing.

Yoongi pouted, frowning. He doesn’t appreciate that his beloved one gets overworked. If only he would let Yoongi take care of him! His income would be more than sufficient to provide a comfortable life for both of them. Yoongi could also pay for Taehyung’s fashion design studies, so that the younger one could do something he loves doing. However he says with a sigh only, “Well, don’t stay up till too late. Have you eaten anything? Shall I bring you dinner to the office?

“Thank you, hyung, but there is no need to. We must be careful, remember our agreement? Nobody should see us together!”

Yoongi suppressed a groan. All this secrecy began getting on his nerves. But he was bound by the promise he had once stupidly given to Taehyung and now couldn’t break it.

“As you wish, dear. I’ll talk to you later. Have a nice day!”

“Have a nice one yourself, Yoongi-chi! I miss you!”

Though Tae’s last words made his heart flutter, Yoongi still couldn’t get rid of the annoying feeling that he was doing something wrong. As if he was missing something vitally important. Only he couldn’t tell what it was exactly.

***

Taehyung was happily smiling after the conversation with Yoongi, standing in the middle of the hallway in front of the vice president’s office. After hanging up, he noticed a newly arrived text message on the screen. He frowned, opening it to read. Instantly, his face fell, turning white; all of the carelessness vanished in one moment. Looking around, he made sure nobody could overhear the conversation. Biting his lip until it bled, with slightly shaking fingers he dialed back the sender of the message. He spoke in a muffled voice. “I can’t speak right now… Yes, I’m in the office… Please leave me alone! Yes, our agreement still stands… if I … if I do everything you say, will you leave me alone? Yes, I could be there in fifteen minutes.”

After hanging up, he tiredly covered his face and rubbed his eyes, stifling a sob.

“Taehyung-ssi? Are you okay?” Jimin appeared out of nowhere, hurrying towards him, looking concerned. Taehyung immediately pulled himself together, smiling in the most amicable way. “Yes, it’s just… My beautician has just canceled the appointment at the last moment. I’ve been waiting for my turn for over two months!”

Jimin halted halfway, looking amused. As they were not close enough for him to joke or tease Tae, he said, “Are you this upset because your beautician appointment got canceled?”

“Of course! It is so difficult to find a good one in Seoul and I have acne! Look,” he pointed to a small dot on his chin. His skin looked flawless and Jimin was certain that he was being flirted with.

“If you know a good beautician or a dermatologist, I would be very grateful if you gave me their contact details,” he said, eyes shamelessly roaming down Jimin’s body, “your skin is perfect.”

“Thanks for the compliment, but I don't go to a beautician. I guess I’m lucky to have good genes.” Jimin smiled, meeting his gaze, shrugging, and not feeling the slightest inconvenience from the appraising glance of the attractive guy.

“If I weren’t in a hurry, I would have invited you out for a lunch. Would you accept an invitation for another time in the future? ” He came a little closer, his voice deep, and seductive.

“Maybe,” Jimin said quietly, ogling Tae with interest. The guy is definitely his type. He smells good and has soft, pretty lips. Jimin feels the heat building in the pit of his stomach.

In the meantime, the elevator arrives on their floor. “Sounds great. Talk to you later then,” Taehyung waves to him with the same charming smile, disappearing behind the sliding doors.

“What a cutie.” Jimin stares after him, still smiling. As he starts walking towards his office, suddenly a thought comes out of nowhere. Taehyung looks exactly like the next big mistake he could have made after Kim Namjoon.

***

Driving up to the Kim Enterprise premises, Yoongi suddenly spots his favorite head of bubblegum-colored hair with the corner of his eye, just a few meters away from the main entrance to the building. Taehyung was racing towards the parking lot. The first instinct was to call out to the boy, offer him a ride, as he was in a hurry. A car slows down in front of Taehyung. Someone opens the passenger door, letting him quickly hop in. Yoongi froze, watching it drive off into an unknown direction. His heart was beating like a drum, hands going completely numb. What was he now supposed to make of this? He and Taehyung were living together, as occasional lovers, but they were not in any kind of an official relationship. Would he even have the right to demand answers from Taehyung? Should he try tracking down the car? Why did the boy need to lie to him? Does he have somebody else? Was he hiding something? The uncertainty was unsettling. He closes his eyes and counts to ten before opening the car door and heading to the Kim Enterprise.

There was a usual bustle in the vice president’s office. Jungkook was at his desk, looking exhausted, studying a document.

Yoongi greets him, asking sympathetically, “Hi Kookie, glad to see you back. How are you feeling? Is it better now?”

“Good afternoon, manager Min. Thank you for your concern. I feel much better indeed. Shall I announce you to Mr. Kim?”

Yoongi hesitated. He had to make some excuse related to company matters, pretending he was here to see Seokjin. But he was interested and wanted to find out an entirely different thing.

“Yes, of course, let him know I’m here.” he huffed, looking down, and up at Jungkook, studying him subtly.

After speaking to his boss and hanging up, Jungkook looked back at Yoongi, who was still standing there, in confusion, raising his eyebrows.

“Very busy lately, aren’t you?” Yoongi finally asked, trying to sound neutral. It still turned out to be sounding strange and out of place, “does the new guy help you much?”

“Well, it is easier now, since Taehyung joined.” Jungkook admitted.

“Nice. How is he doing? Surely there are a lot of things you’re teaching him?”

Jungkook gets more confused by Yoongi’s strange questions.

“Taehyung does a very good job. He already works on some projects independently. Today he had just a half-day of work, so he has already left.”

Yoongi turned pale. It confirmed what he had already suspected. Taehyung lied to him.

“Oh I see. So he has already gone home? Lucky him,” he said casually, pretending to be nonchalant.

“He won’t be any more when I leave,” Jungkook muttered with sadness in his voice.

“Well, I’m sure you both will do well. Jungkookie, I don’t want to keep you away from work any longer. Have a good evening!” Yoongi said with a small smile, turning away to enter Seokjin’s office.

“Same to you, manager Min!”

Jungkook was a bit startled. Manager Min acted strangely. What happened to him? But he soon shook off these thoughts, getting back to finishing work. Today he had very different worries.

***

Jimin and Jungkook finally got to go for lunch together. They were excited to talk face to face after a long time, to catch up with all that had happened in their lives over the last few weeks. Jimin took his friend to a cozy restaurant with tasty food and stunning views out of the windows of the twenty-fourth floor of a glass skyscraper.

“How are you feeling? You look a little sad.” Jimin sensed the emotional state of the younger boy. “Are there any news from the police? Did they manage to find out anything about the attackers?”

“Well, they haven’t got back to me yet after the day that you and Hoseok-hyung were visiting me at home, and I testified online,” he shrugged, frowning slightly.

Jimin nodded, looking sideways at Jungkook. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, looking out of the window, each immersed in their own thoughts. The silence was broken by the waiter’s appearance, serving their food.

“I saw Namjoon earlier on. He tried to talk to me,” Jimin said, after they were left on their own.

“Oh indeed? How did that happen?” Jungkook was astonished.

“I didn’t expect it from him. He was the one to initiate the conversation. He walked up to me when he saw me in the street, near the office. I didn’t even notice him at first. In reality, he only did this to accuse me of stalking him. He hinted that I quit the dance academy and found a job at Kim Enterprise just to be close to him, to be able to run into him every day, as Seokjin is his friend and he often comes to visit him.” Jimin snorted with disdain.

“Really? Oh, that is so mean of him!” Jungkook looked annoyed. “He has no shame!”

“You have no idea! This irked the hell out of me. I almost exploded. Luckily Hoseok was there to save me from embarrassment.” Jimin’s voice softened at the mention of the guy, “he was nearby and he interfered before I started saying things I would later regret.”

“Jimin-a,” Jungkook was speechless. “It is so unfortunate that it happened to you. I wish I was there to protect you! Yes, good thing that hyung was there instead. It is very noble of him. He is a very kind person. I noticed you started hanging out together,” he asked nonchalantly, cautious not to scare Jimin off and let him speak more about his relationship with Hoseok.

“Yes, he told me about you, that you got attacked and offered to give me a ride to your place so that I could see you. I was very worried, couldn’t get through to you,”

“I am sorry.” Jungkook shrugged. ”I couldn’t let anybody know how I was as they destroyed my phone. By the way, I have a new number now,” he handed the unblocked device to Jimin, “you have to put down yours again.”

When Jimin finished he pressed “save” and then the lock screen button, and a photo of Seokjin appeared on the screen. He rolled his eyes, scoffing, as he was returning the phone to Jungkook. The boy blushed deeply, quickly slipping the phone into his jacket pocket.

“You said you had some news about him.” Jimin nodded, pointing at the hidden device.

“Oh, I don’t even know where to start. Things have been going on… many things”

“Come on, I am all ears,” the teasing became apparent in Jimin’s voice, though his eyes remained serious.

“He offered to become friends with benefits.”

Jimin nearly choked on his drink.

“He offered what?” He better put down his glass on the table, still coughing, eyes watering.

Jungkook gave him a napkin, chuckling.

“Like I said. Many things have happened. It started on the night I was assaulted. Seokjin tracked my phone and called the cops to that place. Then he followed me to the hospital and as they let me out that same night, he picked me up and brought me to my apartment and stayed with me for the rest of the night, because the doctors said someone needed to look after me. He did not want to leave me on my own. He even cooked me some food.” Jungkook said with a soft smile.

Jimin’s eyes widened; he was staring at his friend without blinking.

“And when he was about to leave I couldn’t take it any longer; it was all too much, and I kissed him.”

“Shut up!” Jimin whispered in shock.

“Yeah. I don't know what got into me. I stopped thinking, all I wanted was to feel him. And he returned the kiss…” Jungkook whispered, closing his eyes in bliss, hugged himself, as if he was reliving the moment, "and it was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me in life!”

“Insane!”

“But then he ran away and ignored me for the rest of the week. I was living in hell, not knowing what to make of it. I thought he was mad at me for doing that. Today I came to see him in his office, wanted to apologize, and he kissed me again and then said he wants to be friends with benefits with me!”

Jimin looked scandalized. Jungkook was obviously head over heels in love. But Seokjin’s actions were strange and didn’t encourage much trust.

“Did he say exactly that? That he wants to be friends with benefits?”

“Yes, he said that we need to be open and honest with each other from the very beginning and that he is not interested in having a relationship with me and all he can offer now is to be friends with benefits.”

“And what did you say to that?”

“Nothing. He told me to think it through before making a decision... and invited me over to his place tonight.” Jungkook added, his cheeks touched by a light shade of pink.

Jimin’s face slightly changed. He was cautious not to impose any judgments. The decision was on Jungkook, but he wanted to give his honest opinion, something for his friend to consider.

“Maybe he's right. You may want to take your time before giving your answer.”

“Hyung, I’ve been waiting for him for five years!”

“I know. But this kind of relationship is indeed not for everyone. Especially if you have feelings for him, which he might not return.”

“But this might be my only chance! If he doesn’t feel anything now, this doesn’t mean it will not change.”

“Jungkookie, you haven’t been with anyone yet, have you?” Jimin sighed.

Jungkook kept his head down. Why was it suddenly awkward to talk about it? Understandably, he thought a lot about this, read many things on the internet, watched porn. But he understood that with the lack of experience it would be hard to surprise or make a big impression on his boss. He had no choice but to be himself. He never wanted to have sex with anybody but Seokjin. Stepping into unknown territory was exciting, intimidating, scary, but Seokjin’s touch felt like magic. And who was he to reject the chance when it was placed before him? He looked back at Jimin with a shudder.

“Why? Do you think I will be awful in bed and embarrass myself, because I don’t know anything?”

Jimin burst out laughing. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

“Jimin - hyung,” Jungkook whined. The whole conversation was uneasy and embarrassing, and now his friend was laughing at him. “Stop it!”

Luckily Jimin turned serious again, eyes worried and caring for the younger one. “No, I didn’t mean it the way you thought. I just wanted to say, that sex is connected to intimacy and feelings, and when you cross that line, you might have certain expectations about Mr. Kim. But you cannot expect that his feelings change after sleeping with you. If he told you he is not interested in a relationship, then it’s probably true. Besides, he is your boss, Jungkook! People might look bad at both of you, if they find out about the relationship in the workplace.”

“Sometimes I doubt that you really want me to be happy,” Jungkook said gloomily, looking at his hands. His appetite was long gone, he hardly touched any of his food before it went cold.

Jimin rushed to him, wrapping his arms around the younger one in distress. Grabbing his chin, he staired straight into Jungkook's glossy eyes, “Don’t you dare say things like that! Do you hear me? Never! Your happiness is the most important thing. I just don’t want you to get hurt in the end,” he added quietly.

“You need not worry, hyung, I will look after myself.”

“I don’t doubt, Kookie,” Jimin said quietly. But he was worried. For some reason he got a bad premonition about the future of his friend. 

***

Some three hours later, Jungkook was meticulously checking himself in the mirror for the hundredth time. Assessing his look, he would give himself a certain five out of six. That night his eyes were shining in a special way. The light blue denim jacket over a simple white t-shirt defined his ideal body proportions; he styled his hair back, showing off a beautiful forehead.

On his way he was constantly catching appraising looks. Several girls timidly smiled at him on the subway. As he was getting closer to Seokjin’s house, the tremor in his body intensified, heart was pounding hard in his chest; his clammy hands were shaking.

He was awkwardly stepping from foot to foot in front of Seokjin’s door, gathering courage to ring the doorbell. Finally his boss noticed him through the glass door from the living room and hurried to let him in. Despite Seokjin mentioning they were meeting to do some work, the boy imagined he came on a date. The very first date in his life and with the most beautiful man on the planet.

That evening Seokjin looked very different from the way everyone was used to seeing him in the business environment. He was dressed in a simple t-shirt, emphasizing his broad shoulders; soft material of his loose fitted trousers was freely flowing down his slender legs, defining fine hips and thin waistline. He looked comfortable and relaxed in those clothes, but not any less attractive.

“Hi,” he murmured, opening the door to let his guest in.

“Thank you for inviting me.” Jungkook retorted, not brave enough to meet his boss’ eyes, who was the first one to approach him with a hug. Jungkook closed his eyes in bliss, enjoying their closeness, feeling Seokjin’s entire body relaxing in his arms. He buried his nose in the nook of his boss' neck, inhaling the pleasant mix of the scent of his body and a perfume. Their chests were pressing against each other, allowing them to feel the beating of their hearts.

“Please come in.” Seokjin encouraged, reluctantly letting the boy out of his arms.

The room was cozy - dimmed lights, soft instrumental music flowing from the speakers in the background; wood crackling in the fireplace. A coffee table was loaded with papers and contracts, reminding the reason why they were meeting. But in spite of work being the purpose, the environment was so romantic, making Jungkook feel chills going down his body. He had visited his boss’ home many times before, but now it was totally different. This time it felt special. After their first kiss and today's mind-blowing making out session in the office, everything has changed between them. The air was saturated with sparks.

After a moment of hesitation, Seokjin takes Jungkook’s hand and leads him to the dining table. His boldness with which he began touching Jungkook all the time, by far, was crossing the line of their professional relationship, but Jungkook doesn’t complain. His breath hitches at the sensation of the firm touch of Seokjin’s fingers wrapping around his hand, as he is being guided through the house.

“We will eat first and then work. I have cooked us something,” he said in a small voice, letting Jungkook step into the cozy lounge area that served as a dining room.

Jungkook had a lot to do to control his delight about the beautifully served table for two. There were no candles, but flower decoration and neatly folded pink cloth napkins, giving a special touch to the setting. The dinner, prepared by the boss personally, the whole romantic vibe, made Jungkook’s heart race in his chest. For the first time in his life, he felt special.

Seokjin pulls out a chair, letting his guest sit down. He leans in closely to put a cloth napkin on the boy’s knees; his fingertips accidentally brush against Jungkook’s hips. Jungkook shudders, feeling the hot breath no more than an inch away from his cheekbone. How did he get so aroused this quickly? He bites on his lip, afraid to let out an accidental moan. Keeping an eye out for his host, he is wondering whether Seokjin feels, at least in some way, the same. He seems calm and collected, sitting down opposite him; only the glint in his eyes and dilated pupils are giving away his actual state. Jungkook wants to pinch himself, just to check that all of this is for real and is not going to disappear when he wakes up.

Seokjin opens a bottle of red wine, without asking Jungkook’s approval, pouring each of them a glass, trying to joke. “So this is the food I prepared. Hopefully we are not ending up in a hospital with food poisoning after eating this.”

“Last time I tried your food I was very impressed. I never knew that you…" Jungkook trails off, casting a shy glance at his boss; he repeats in an informal way, dropping the honorifics, “that you cook so well.”

Seokjin’s eyes darkened. He wipes a corner of his mouth with his thumb, looking into Jungkook's eyes. The small gesture is hot and nearly makes Jungkook choke and gasp for air. His fantasy is running wild.

“Yes, I enjoy cooking and experimenting with mixing different ingredients and seasoning, creating new recipes,” Jin continues nonchalantly, serving pieces of meat on Jungkook’s plate, pretending not to notice his guest’s turmoil, “When I was little, my dad would often take me and my older brother for barbecue, and taught us to prepare meat. I don't know if this is going to be edible, but if it comes to worst, we can order some delivery.”

But they didn’t need to. Absolutely all food prepared by Jin was delicious, surpassing any delicacies of the best Michelin star restaurants, which they visited on their business trips. Jungkook was generously praising it.

“Boss, this curry tastes amazing!”

“I am happy you enjoyed it.”

The first glass of wine helped both of them to relax; their conversation became less strained. Seokjin told amusing stories about his student life, of how he and Yoongi were sharing the apartment. They were bickering a lot, constantly fighting over their TV remote control. Seokjin would often play video games, while Yoongi enjoyed watching cat videos. Jin never cooked so much in his life like he did back in those days.

“It is no fun cooking just for myself. So I don’t do it often anymore.”

They moved on to the discussion of their favorite video games, agreeing to play later, once they’re finished with work.

After finishing the food, Jin leads them to the living room. They sit down on the huge comfortable sofa, opposite the fireplace. A lot of the documents are scattered in front of them over the coffee table. They sit next to each other, their hips touching lightly. Taking a piece of paper from Seokjin, Jungkook accidently touches his hand. Jin grabs his hand, takes the paper away, and places it on the table, but doesn’t let go of Jungkook’s hand, looking straight into his eyes, with a burning gaze. The tension between them is indescribable. They both crave something so desperately but are not brave to voice it to each other.

“I think we need to renew this paragraph.” Seokjin finally says, sounding very smooth, his voice sensual, nothing like he is in the office, a sexy tone vibrating off Jungkook’s skin. A wave of strong emotions overwhelms him, when Seokjin places his hand over his knee. Before he could think, Jungkook scoots closer, carefully placing both of his hands on Jin’s waist. An inch separates their faces when Jungkook finally cuts the distance and presses his lips against Jin’s. He closes his eyes in delirium, letting Seokjin take over and deepen the kiss. He moves to explore Jungkook’s neck, leaving featherlike kisses on his cheekbones.

“I agree,” Jungkook whispers. “I don’t want to be just a subordinate to you. I agree to be friends with benefits.”

“Sounds good,” Seokjin breathes out, covering every inch of his skin with feverish kisses, “because I don’t want to be just a boss to you.” He is demanding, attacking all of Jungkook’s senses, and the boy likes it a bit too much. His heart is about to burst out of his chest, entire body shaking, burning, as he frantically pulls on Seokjin's silky hair, returning his hot caresses.

Seokjin gently pushes Jungkook back, knocking him on the pillows, taking his trembling hand and placing it on his thigh, helping the younger one to overcome shyness. “You can put it here. I enjoy it.”

His hands continue roaming over the Jungkook flushed skin, caressing his shoulders and pecs, playing with his nipples through the tissue of his t-shirt, making Jungkook whimper.

“Sensitive, even here.” Jin hums approvingly, overwhelmed and totally crazy about Jungkook, about how responsive he is, loving the way he reacts, little sounds he makes to every touch, letting him do what he wants with his body.

“Mr. Kim,” Jungkook’s moans go directly into Seokjin’s groin, spreading waves of intense pleasure.

He pulls away for a second, savoring the view of the beautiful boy. Jungkook looks breathtaking. He is staring back at Seokjin languidly, his pupils dilated, beautiful red lips swollen from kissing, disheveled hair all over the pillow, chest rising and falling fast as he is panting. This picture will pursue Jin in his sleep; he is not going to get rid of it until his last breath.

“Damn you, secretary Jeon, you have no idea what you are doing to me. Don’t call me Mr. Kim when we are doing things like this,” he whispers hotly into Jungkook’s ear, nibbling on the earlobe, causing some more sweet moans to escape the boy’s lips, “call me hyung, or just Jin.”

“All right, hyung, ah…” Jungkook suddenly freezes, when Jin’s palm covers his clothed erection. He nearly jumps in surprise, eyes wide open in shock. 

“Are you ok?” Seokjin stops immediately, seeing the agitated reaction, feeling anxious.

Jungkook’s hips wriggle, not wanting the touch to go away, “Yes, it’s just, … ,” he blushes in the most adorable way, “nobody has ever touched me like that before.”

Seokjin is a little clueless at first. When the realization of what has just been said reaches his mind, he stares back in confusion. “Nobody has ever touched you like that before?”

“You are the first one.” Jungkook confirms, his bambi eyes huge and innocent, “is it a bad thing?”

Instead of giving him the answer Seokjin grabs him and kisses in the most desperate way. He loses his mind over Jungkook. The boy is everything he never knew he wanted. He can’t be real! 

When the heatwave eventually subsides, Jin pulls away, to get a good look at Jungkook's face. It’s impossible to hold himself back from this beautiful boy. Caressing his face in the most gentle way, he says softly,  “It’s not a bad thing. You are very attractive and it surprised me a little.”

Jungkook cannot believe his own ears. His boss considers him very attractive. “Thank you,” he mumbles, causing Jin to chuckle subtly. He gently places his palms over Seokjin’s stomach, playing with the edge of his t-shirt, crumpling it, bashfully looking at the older one. Feeling him under his touch is overwhelming, but Jungkook wants to see him too.

“Do you want me to take it off? Only if you do the same,” Seokjin whispers into his neck, gently massaging his scalp and kissing his hairline.

Jungkook nods and Jin quickly pulls his shirt over his head. He is insanely beautiful. Jungkook nearly chokes on air at the sight. His skin looks smooth, milky, shoulders wide and perfect, stomach and chest perfectly toned. His imagination totally failed him; he wouldn’t be able to picture such perfection in his mind.

After that, Seokjin does the same to Kook’s t-shirt, helping him out of it, throwing it aside. They are both shirtless, looking at each other. It’s hard for them to keep their hands off of one another for too long. Jungkook hugs Seokjin again, pressing his body closer, drunk on the maddening sensation of a warm touch of skin on skin. Suddenly he feels insecure, still a little shy around his boss, not ready at all for being exposed to him like this.

“You are so perfect.” Seokjin whispers, gently running his hands down Jungkook’s shoulders, spine, admiring the beauty of his well-built, graceful body. He cannot imagine how it was possible that nobody has ever touched it yet, and he might be shallow to take it this way, but the idea of being the first one is getting him high. It almost drives him to the verge of losing his sanity, unable to cope with strong emotions, totally lost in the gorgeous doe eyes, and it is too late to repent for that. Jungkook had settled in his heart without knowing it, and Jin wouldn’t change a thing about it. Even if it all predestined to go down in flames, even if he gets crushed and broken - this beautiful boy is worth it.

Undeniably, Jungkook feels excited about Seokjin liking his body and considering him perfect. He had been complimented many times on his physics before, but none of it mattered, when the admiration was not coming from the only man that meant so much to him.

“You are the most handsome one,” he whispers hotly into Seokjin’s lips, “amazing, beautiful, breathtaking. You are the most adorable man I have ever met in my life.”

“Yes, I’m handsome.” Seokjin says teasingly, “the most handsome man needs the most handsome lover."

“And terribly humble.” Jungkook looks at him, mirth in his eyes as they both chuckle.

Seokjin becomes serious again. “Don’t worry, we will not do anything that you wouldn’t like,” he says softly, sliding down his hands to Jungkook’s waist, unbuckling his belt, and toying with the button on his jeans. “Do you mind?”

Jungkook meets his scorching gaze. He knows he has to trust him. Lifting his hips, he let Seokjin get him out of his jeans, feeling smooth hands travel down from his chest to his stomach, get inside his boxers, fingernails gently digging into his hips, before sliding them off down his legs, baring his erection. Jungkook is fully hard, aching to be touched, flustered, as nobody has seen him naked before. He is fighting the urge to cover himself, but Seokjin won’t let him. He takes his hands away and kisses him sweetly, palming his cock, and Jungkook sharply gasps for air. The touch feels electric, piercing his entire body; the sensation is new to him and shockingly pleasant, like he has never experienced before. He arches his back, clenching his fists, letting Seokjin take control over his senses. This feels a million times better than doing it himself, and Jungkook knows there is no way he is going to last long. And Jin does it so confidently, as if he could see him inside out, immediately knowing all of his wishes.

“Does it feel good?” He is attentive, willing to please, and never stops kissing Jungkook, “looking so good, so beautiful, perfect everywhere.”

Jungkook only moans, unable to get a single word out of himself, knitting his beautiful eyebrows in pleasure, his hips stuttering forward, as he was pushing himself into Seokjin’s fist. What his boss is doing to him is unbearable. It feels good and his sweet release is getting close. Only a couple of more skillful moves from Jin’s hand were enough to push him off the edge. He comes in with a muffled moan, spilling himself on his stomach.

“Good boy,” Seokjin praises him, as Jungkook is coming back down from his high. He can’t help feeling a little ashamed.

“I’m sorry… for … so fast,” he tried to justify himself, “but you are so hot.”

Seokjin pulls him into another passionate kiss. Kissing each other feels at this point like the most natural thing in the world for both of them. Jin takes Jungkook’s hand, guiding it to his crotch, but stops halfway, looking a little hesitant, asking for permission, if it was not too much. Not meeting any resistance, he places it on the impressive bulge on his trousers. Jungkook is amazed by his size. He wants Seokjin with desperation. He will die if Jin doesn’t allow him to please him in the same way he had just been pleased.

“May I?” His voice is shaking, fingers fidgeting on the belt of Jin’s trousers.

“If you want to.”

“Yes, I do. A lot,” Jungkook answers readily, stopping halfway, realizing how desperate he might sound.

Seokjin smiles, helping him to unbuckle the belt and undo the trousers, quickly taking them off together with the underwear. His cock is beautiful, somewhat bigger than Jungkook’s, and ideally shaped. Jungkook knew this, the man must be perfect everywhere, and he couldn’t help but wonder again, if this was not a dream. He feels a little lightheaded, but it doesn’t bother him. He carefully places his hand around Seokjin’s length, making him shudder and close his eyes in pleasure. It is somewhat unusual, his wrist is a little uncomfortable, but when Seokjin lets out a lewd sound, nothing can stop Jungkook anymore. It feels as good as receiving pleasure and he is desperate to make Jin feel as good.

“Beautiful boy, doing such a good job,” Seokjin encourages him, as if he could read his thoughts, making all of his insecurities instantly go away. It feels good to be praised like this. Jungkook acts instinctively, doing the things that he would like to be done to him. No words could describe how hot Kim Seokjin looks, and Jungkook feels privileged to be the one seeing him like this. He is relaxed, lying down against the cushions, breathing hard, eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed in pleasure; gasping, he licks his full lips. And there isn’t a thing in the entire world that Jungkook wouldn’t do for him. Though it is uncomfortable, he leans in to  kiss him again. When Jin’s breathing speeds up, Jungkook picks up his pace, pushing him beyond the limit of his ability to control his body. Dropping his head back, he comes with a sexy moan, breathing sharply, but not breaking eye contact. It is definitely the hottest thing that Jungkook has ever experienced.

“Thank you,” Seokjin breathes out. They kiss slowly, softly and gently, as if it was some form of a confession.

Painful realization dawns on Jin: he doesn’t ever want to feel the lips of anyone else, who is not Jungkook, he doesn't ever want to be with anyone else.

It takes both of them a few minutes to come back to their senses. Seokjin pulls away, making Jungkook feel cold with the loss of touch. He reaches for a pack of paper tissues, hastily wiping himself, and offering some to Jungkook. After that, he suggests they need to take a shower and sends the younger one to the guest room bathroom. The poor boy needs a few minutes to figure out the use of the buttons on the super modern shower. It would be great if they could do it together with Seokjin, making out under the caressing streams of warm water.

When he gets back to the living room he sees Seokjin, fully dressed, busy, reading something on his phone. Only slightly wet strands of hair and a slight blush on his cheeks reminded him of what had just happened between them. The vibe changed and Jungkook doesn’t like it. He hurried to pick up his clothes and get dressed.

Clear tension arose between the two of them and the uncomfortable silence lasted for a few seconds. It took a while for Jungkook to process what his boss wanted.

“Does it suit you if the taxi picks you up in twenty minutes?” Jin uttered, clearing his throat, without averting his gaze from his phone.

There was an unknown pang in Jungkook’s chest, his heart sinking. He has completely forgotten that they were friends with benefits and that what has just happened doesn’t mean anything. Well, it doesn’t to Seokjin, and it shouldn’t to him. Of course, Seokjin wants him to leave. It doesn’t hurt at all. He is going to be okay. He can take it. He has voluntarily agreed to this. Trying to prevent his voice from croaking, putting on fake cheerfulness, Jungkook responds. “Of course, Mr. Kim.”

Seokjin mentally slapped himself for making the thing so awkward. Where did it all start going wrong? He was too cruel to Jungkook. He sighed, observing the younger one fumbling over his clothes, picking them up, and hurrying to get dressed. When he was standing by the door putting his shoes on, Jin called out for him.

“Wait!”

He hurried to the boy, hugging him, pressing their flushed foreheads together, in search of closeness.

“I’m really sorry, but you better leave home now. We start early tomorrow, teambuilding and all… Thank you for coming. I had a good time with you,” he whispered, kissing Jungkook.

It felt bittersweet. Seokjin was throwing him out so unceremoniously after such breathtaking moments of intimacy that he had never had before. Perhaps Jimin was right, warning him that Seokjin didn’t feel the same way he did and that it might hurt him.

“I had a good time too. Thank you… for the evening,” he said, trying to make his voice sound stable. At the end of the day, they had just seen each other naked, so he should finally put it together and stop being such a blushing and stuttering mess around Seokjin. He still looked at his boss again with eyes full of hope, finally daring to ask, “Hyung it was a date, wasn’t it?”

Jin didn’t say anything; he just hugged him tighter. They stood like that for several minutes. Finally, Seokjin made an effort to cut the contact. “Good night, Jungkook”

“Good night, Mr. Kim,” Jungkook said back, lowering his head and not looking back at him anymore.

“Hyung, I’m just your hyung.”

Jungkook smiled sadly, not saying anything. The taxi that arrived for him signaled outside.

When the car got out of sight, taking Jungkook away, Seokjin collapsed on the floor, unable to hold back tears any longer.

***

Yoongi was restlessly checking his watch. It was two hours after midnight and still no sign of Taehyung. He tried calling him at least twice, but heard the annoying announcement that the person he was trying to call was unavailable at the moment.

At half past two, to his great relief, he heard some shuffling by the door; the key turned at the lock. Kim Taehyung was absolutely wasted, literally falling into the living room of Yoongi’s apartment. His hair was a mess, make-up smeared all over his face, shirt undone with several buttons missing. He winked at Yoongi, groaning, trying to step out of his shoes. Yoongi looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, unable to believe his eyesight was not failing him. He had never seen Taehyung in such a state before.

“My Yoongi-chi is at home,” Tae said in a sing-song voice, slurring his words, trying not to fall over. Luckily, Yoongi ran up to him on time to catch him before he would fall.

“You are so caring, my dear hyung!” the younger one wouldn’t stop going on.

“What happened? Where have you been?” Yoongi wanted to know, helping him out of his jacket, helping the boy down on the sofa.

Taehyung rolled on his back, covering his face with both hands.

“Yoongi-chi, if you only knew!” His stammering got more inarticulate. “What happened? Nothing new. I am disgusted with myself!” Tae threw his hands up in the air, dramatically, bursting out with painful cries.

“What is wrong with you?”

“I am a terrible, terrible person,” he wailed.

“Why are you saying this about yourself, Taehyungie?” Yoongi hurried to put his head on his knees, gently stroking his hair, tucking back odd strands, “there is no way you can be terrible. You haven’t done anything wrong to anybody.”

“You don’t know anything about me! And if you knew, you wouldn’t be saying this. I even freak myself out!”

“But why? Explain to me. Where have you been?”

“What’s it got to do with you about my life? If all you care about is my body. All you want from me is to do my sweet ass. Tell me, honestly, are you genuinely interested in doing anything else with me?”

Yoongi felt an unexpected ache in his heart. This statement hurt a lot, even though Tae said it when being extremely drunk. It was unbearable to realize, that was all the boy really thought of him. Yoongi must have been a horrible person with Tae to make him feel like that.

“You have no idea what you are talking about,” he mouthed, not ceasing to stroke Taehyung’s head, until the boy calmed down. His breathing evened as he fell asleep. But Yoongi knew too well he would not sleep that night.

For the first time in many years, he wanted to cry.

Chapter Text

There was a tradition in the Kim Enterprise every first week of May to go out into nature and stay there for a few days doing outdoor activities. A favorite venue for such corporate events was the picturesque Pyeongchang County in Gangwon Province, surrounded by mountains, forests, and crystal-clear lakes. The participants had all of the comfort and luxury provided for them at the place. A team of specially trained chefs and waiters, responsible for catering, were waiting for them on site.

The employees of the company had at their disposal a huge plot in the middle of the forest, representing a recreational complex for various activities with five huge sports fields, eight mansions facing the lake, several bars, swimming pool, karaoke rooms, and many other entertainments.

Kim Taehyung’s morning started rough. The boy woke up with a terrible hangover, finding out that he had fallen asleep in yesterday’s clothes on the sofa in the living room of Min Yoongi’s apartment. His mouth was dry, his head pounding; everything was still floating before his eyes. He made a solemn promise to himself to never again mix soju and white wine in unlimited quantities.

In spite of his miserable state, noticing a thoughtfully prepared glass of water and a headache pill on the coffee table made his chest feel warm. He couldn’t remember how he made it here last night; by the look of it, he was too drunk to undress and get to bed, falling asleep on the couch in the living room. Yoongi was a real angel to let him sleep like this, covering him with a blanket.

A refreshing shower made him feel better, and Tae dragged his feet to the kitchen, in search of food. Yoongi was finishing preparing their breakfast. When the younger one said hello, the programmer only looked back at him, wearily, continuing to serve scrambled eggs on their plates. Something changed about his attitude and the way he was looking at Tae. Usually Yoongi was calm, somewhat phlegmatic, from time to time, getting dreamy and sentimental. But something was off today. There was a sadness in each gesture and his eyes, and he seemed distant like never before. Taehyung wanted to come close and hug him, ask what was bothering him. He shuddered at the thought that he might have been the reason for it, but he couldn’t remember anything from the day before.

“Thank you very much,” he mumbled, pointing at his glass of water, “and for breakfast.”

“Your coffee,” Yoongi responded in a flat tone of voice, passing him a cup of steaming drink, “we need to hurry, the bus is picking us up from the office at nine thirty.”

“I can’t believe,” Tae looked at his plate, trying to focus on food, “It’s gonna be my first team building!”

Yoongi nodded silently, not expressing much emotion, replying just to keep the conversation going. “Mine was when I was just a trainee at the Japanese branch of the company. They took us to Kyoto. Amazing city. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any time to see it,” he recalled. “I’ve been wanting to come back ever since, maybe go sightseeing, visit a couple of museums.”

“I love museums,” looking straight into Yoongi’s eyes, Taehyung sticks out his tongue to showily lick yogurt off a spoon. “I’ve never been to Kyoto. Would you take me with you?”

Normally Yoongi would react. There wasn’t a single time that he wouldn’t acknowledge Taehyung’s flirting. The latter's conviction about something being off got stronger, when the older one only looked away in embarrassment, clearing his throat, glancing at his wristwatch.

“We should hurry up,” he said, taking the last sip of his coffee, getting up and taking his jacket. “I will take you to Banpo, from there, you know the way. As per usual, so that people can’t see us together.”

Taehyung was standing there, blinking confusedly, staring after him for a long time. What was it that just happened?

***

All Seokjin’s thoughts were about Jungkook. After saying goodbye to him last night, he felt a strange mixture of satisfaction from getting close, and sadness. It felt strange to enter his huge bedroom and lay down in a cold bed alone. It didn’t feel right. He shouldn’t be alone tonight. His heart was torn by anguish, tears constantly welling up in his eyes. Jungkook looked like a kicked puppy when he asked him to leave. There was obvious fright, awkwardness, and pain in his gentle doe eyes. He should be here, in his arms, happy, and blushing shyly in the most adorable way. Is Jin’s suffering ever going to end? He was blaming himself for his misfortune. Following one’s lust is never a good thing. Hoping it was just a physical attraction, Seokjin thought he would calm down, having satisfied his curiosity. But when his secretary confessed that he was inexperienced and had never been with anyone before, and Seokjin was his first sexual partner, something broke in his soul. It was against all of the principles and promises he had made to his future self many years ago. He is perfectly aware that his selfishness is taking over, wanting to be the first and the last man in Jungkook’s life, going crazy about his purity. In a perfect world he would have confessed his feelings to Jungkook a long time ago and asked him out. Jungkook would be an amazing boyfriend. But the world is not perfect, and this fantasy is fraught with a threat. Once upon a time he allowed himself to trust and be happy. All of his thoughts were occupied by one person, the one that Seokjin was sure was the most handsome, kind and caring person in the whole world; they were meant for each other, and their happiness was going to last forever. But it was nothing more than an illusion, his idealized image of someone else. None of that was true. So why does he think it should be any different with Jungkook? After all, sooner or later everything comes to an end. One one hand, Seokjin was proud of himself for having all that willpower that took him to push Jungkook away. But then why does his heart feel like a lump of lead and he won't stop crying?

***

Jungkook couldn’t stop thinking about Seokjin either, not even for a minute. What happened between the two of them made him completely lose his mind. Endlessly reliving their evening in the smallest detail, he was falling deeper in love. Even though Seokjin warned him that he was not planning a serious relationship, he acted as if Jungkook mattered to him. He has invested an incredible amount of effort into making the evening enjoyable for both of them, prepared the dinner, and created an amazingly romantic setting. No one has ever done anything like this for Jungkook before! It made him feel special. Everything that happened next, their moments of passion seemed like a natural and logical outcome of their attraction to each other. Seokjin was unearthly beautiful, his body so perfect that Jungkook would never even be able to imagine. He could still feel the touch burning on his skin. This night is going to stay in his heart forever.

It hurt when Seokjin kicked him out, Jungkook was desperate but did his best to not show it. He was petrified about the possibility that Jin suddenly gets bored of him and treats him the same way Namjoon treated Jimin. What if he cuts all the connections, leaves the country, moves to a different continent, and they never see each other again? This will surely break his heart. It would be equal to death. How is he going to live without him? He won’t survive. Seokjin is everything - the air he’s breathing, his cure, his oxygen, losing him is tantamount to death. Life would be over without him.

Jungkook might have been a little naive, but he was not an idiot, and he understood that he was never going to be worthy of his boss. They come from different walks of life, different segments of society; they are not equal, and therefore are never predestined to be together. Besides, he still doubted Seokjin's relationship with Namjoon and what was between the two of them in reality. What if Seokjin chooses Namjoon over him in the end? How would Jungkook live when all of this is over? Before their kiss, he was the one planning to leave the company and disappear from Jin’s life, no matter how hard and painful it would be. Though, now it seemed like an impossible task.

That night he felt like the loneliest person in the world. His soul hurt, as if a huge part of it stayed with Jin, and there was an endless void in his chest, impossible to ever be fulfilled with anything if they were not together. Jungkook would prefer to sacrifice years of his life for there to be another living soul by his side that would listen to him and understand, someone he could share his emotions with that was so hard to keep to himself. He wanted to scream from the rooftops that he was in love with Kim Seokjin and was dying inside because his feelings were never going to be returned.

The next morning became a real challenge. Jungkook was so worried that he couldn’t sleep at all for most of the night. At dawn, he managed to doze off for just a few minutes, but an alarm clock woke him up in less than an hour. He was responsible for the team building organization. Wanting to be helpful to Seokjin as much as possible, he wanted the event to run flawlessly.

He arrived in the office before everybody else and went to the parking lot to make sure that transportation was sorted and everything was prepared in due order. The company rented a luxury coach to transfer their workers to Pyeongchang. A few minutes later, secretary Jeon was greeting the first arriving colleagues with a cheerful smile, inviting them to take their seats.

Vice President Kim arrived at the departure point shortly after manager Min. Seokjin shocked everyone with his decision to forgo individual transportation, saying he prefers to travel in the same coach with his subordinates. He was dressed casually: a loose sweater, emphasizing his strong build and broad shoulders; stylish skinny jeans torn at the knees, spicing up his style, a baseball cap and huge sunglasses hiding his eyes. He looked dangerously attractive and was very well aware of it. Jungkook’s heart started racing at the image from last night flashing before his eyes - his boss panting, dilated pupils, hands on his hips, touching him skillfully, feeling so good. The boy takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. He has to make an enormous effort to stay focused on work, which is almost impossible as he keeps feeling Seokjin’s burning gaze.

The way to their destination took no more than three and a half hours. When they left Seoul, Jungkook took the microphone to officially greet everyone present and tell them all about their team-building purpose, the place they were going to stay at, and what activities were prepared for them. Passing the word to Seokjin, he allowed him to make a couple of jokes. The sajangnim was in a great mood which instantly improved the overall atmosphere and the way everyone was feeling. Jin told everybody to forget that he was their boss and address him informally. Putting down the mic, however, he fell into a strange silence for the rest of the journey, thoughtfully looking out of the window, following the flickering landscapes, from time to time, furtively casting a look at his main subordinate.

After they arrived in Pyeongchang, the workers were given two hours to look around the recreation center and check into their rooms. The vice president got the entire top floor of the villa. His bedroom terrace offered a breathtaking view of the lake. Min Yoongi, as the main advertising department manager, got his private room on the ground floor. The rest of the participants were sharing their rooms with a neighbor that was determined by a lot.

Hoseok felt amazed and embarrassed when he saw Park Jimin’s name on a crumpled piece of paper that he drew from the hat with lots. Unable to believe his luck, he felt over the moon, but at the same time flustered as he was not morally ready for it yet.

At first he and Jimin were very careful around each other, walking on tiptoes. They still didn’t know each other well enough to feel comfortable on their own. Hobi generously offered that Jimin choose his sleeping futon.

When Jimin began to unpack his suitcase, he was frightened by a sudden shriek coming from his roommate. Hobi stood in the middle of the room, covering his mouth with his hand. His eyes were huge as saucers widened in fright, directed into the far corner of the room, as if he had seen the ghost.

“What happened?” Jimin rushed to him, terrified.

Hobi was struggling internally. He was insanely embarrassed to act like a coward in front of the guy that he fancied so much. But it was too late as he didn’t hold himself back in the first place, so now he needed to explain.

“It’s there on the wall.” he pointed at the empty white wall.

Jimin looked puzzled.

“There,” he pointed at the small black dot.

“Looks like some insect,” Jimin said in a calm tone.

“Yes, a cricket,” the other boy looked extremely tense, as if he was suppressing the urge to rush out of the room.

“Are you afraid of it?” Jimin’s smile was so radiant that Hoseok would have been over the moon to be the reason for it if it wasn’t for the ill-fated insect.

“It’s quite big!”

Jimin burst into the most melodic laughter, sounding so beautiful that Hobi couldn't be mad at him at all.

"Seriously? Are you so afraid of insects?” His eyes turned into adorable crescents.


“Yep, don’t laugh at me like that,” he growled, pursing his lips together in resentment.

Jimin walked over to the dresser and took a napkin. He resolutely approached the wall and wrapped a cricket in it, swiftly passing beside Hobi, who bounced back, opened the window to release the insect. When the cricket was safely outside the room and the window was securely closed, Hobi visibly relaxed, letting out the breath he was holding. He got really scared.

“You’re so funny.” Jimin was having a ton of fun. He approached Hobi and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you,” Hobi sheepishly lowered his head, recovering from fear.

“You’re welcome, always happy to help,” Jimin winked at him. “It’s just an insect. It would not hurt you.”

He was standing very close, his hand touching Hoseok’s shoulder, looking at him for a long time. He never noticed how smooth Hobi’s porcelain skin was, face features so regular, black eyes shiny and lips pouty. Even though he was not as dazzlingly beautiful as Taehyung, or hot as Namjoon, Hoseok looks very seductive and Jimin feels the attraction. Remembering that he still had to finish unpacking his stuff, the blond hurried back to it.

***

A couple of hours later, Kim enterprise workers started to gather in the room for lectures.

Taehyung heavily landed on a chair in the farthest corner of the room. He looked pale, dark circles visible under his eyes - the boy looked like a shadow, and Yoongi felt worried. All he wanted was to approach him, ask how he was and if he could do anything to help even in spite of their agreement that no one should see them together or find out they were acquainted before Tae’s arrival to Kim Enterprise. After the younger one’s bitter remark, that he threw in a state of extreme alcohol intoxication, about Yoongi not seeing him as a person, but a mere sexual object, Min seriously reassessed his attitude trying to figure out why the younger one had such an impression. Might that be that he was too pushy, blinded by his passion, and desperate for the physical connection, ignoring the mood of his partner, not being attentive enough to his needs? Could he be forcing himself on Tae, when the younger one didn’t want to, without realizing it? If it was true, he felt ashamed to be that person. Yoongi had already failed once in his personal life, persuaded that his marriage was perfect and Ji Won was happy with him, but it was a fatal mistake. To a certain extent, Seokjin was right about not trusting anyone. But Yoongi was romantic and idealist, refusing to see the bad, believing that the good wins over the evil. He was even more worried about Taehyung lying to him, telling him that he would work with Jungkook, but instead left no one knows where and with whom and returned home drunk. He definitely was hiding something. Where the hell has he been all evening? Yoongi understood that if he wanted to build a relationship with this guy, they couldn’t avoid a serious conversation. He might want to ask Taehyung many questions, but wasn’t sure if he really was ready to get the answers to them.

Jungkook was walking down the stairs, lost in thought, not raising his head, nor paying much attention to anything around him. Seokjin overtook him, grabbing his wrist and dragging him into a small room, located next to the kitchen, where they could be alone and hidden from the others. He cupped Jungkook’s face and began greedily kissing him. Without hesitation, Jungkook started returning  the kisses with just as much passion. The fire of want was burning down both of them, making them totally forget about where they were and why. The secretary was the first one to come back to his senses.

“Boss …. ah… Seokjin, someone might see us,” he whispered, gently placing his palm over Jin's chest, unable to tear himself off of him. It felt like paradise.

“Hyung,” Seokjin lustfully sucks on Jungkook’s lower lip, making the younger one desperately try to remain quiet. “I’m your hyung.”

“That’s exactly how I’m gonna address you at the meeting, in front of everybody.” Jungkook moves his palms below Jin’s waist causing the latter one to moan softly before pulling away with an insurmountable amount of inner struggle. It was torture to watch Jungkook all the way, unable to touch, hug, snuggle up to him. He adjusts his clothes, pulling his sweater low to cover his hips.

“I’ll see you around at the meeting in five minutes, but we’re not done yet,” he said, leaving a little kiss on Jungkook’s cheekbone.

They are not done yet. Jungkook’s heart does a happy somersault.

Ten minutes later they saw each other again in the room where the schedule of the group classes and other competitions was to be announced.


Seokjin took his place at the head of the table, and Junkook traditionally sat to his right.

“Sexy, hot, adorable.” Jungkook was biting on his lips, admiring his boss, trying not to look at him for too long.

The vice president was in a wonderful mood, continued joking, setting a playful tone to the meeting. When Minho started reading the plan for the first workshop, Seokjin placed his hand over Jungkook’s thigh under the desk, causing the poor boy to nearly shriek in surprise.

He quickly grabbed his boss’ hand, but Seokjin squeezed his palm, intertwining their fingers together. His hand was soft and warm; the gesture felt very intimate. Jungkook risked kicking him lightly under the desk, stifling a chuckle, eliciting an intense glare, meant only for his eyes. The first competition was announced, a match in kick volleyball.

Once most of the participants left the workshop room after the vice president, Jungkook suddenly felt a heavy hand landing on his shoulder.

“Hey,” Hobi smiled at him.

“Hi,” Jungkook forced out to smile back at him.

“When you look at him, there are little hearts in your eyes,” he nodded at Seokjin’s frame disappearing from sight.

Jungkook blushed in embarrassment. Was he being that obvious?

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Kookie, I know you have a thing for Mr. Kim.”

Jungkook’s cheeks turn even more pink. He and Seokjin, indeed, need to be more careful.

“All I wanted to say is if you need a friend, or you just want to vent it out with someone, I'm here for you.”

Jungkook gratefully looked at his friend, silently nodding.

“Any time,” Hobi shook his head reassuringly.

“Thank you, hyung.”

***

The volleyball match lasted for some good twenty minutes and ended with the victory of Yoongi and Seokjin’s team. The leader of the winning team gets the opportunity to choose their opponent for the next assignment. Seokjin went straight up to his secretary, basically ignoring everyone else, challenging him for the upcoming competition. May the others think that they are just competing.

Their task was to collect as many colored ribbons as possible which were tied to the trees along the route. For the first thirty minutes, Seokjin and Jungkook were really competing, collecting the trophies, but their plans unexpectedly changed when the sky got hidden behind the heavy stormy clouds and the rain started pouring down. The rain was warm, but to get back to the recreation center they still had to pass a relatively long way. Fortunately, Seokjin spotted a wooden gazebo, about two hundred meters away from them, hidden behind the crowns of trees in a way that nobody walking down the forest path could see it. They quickly ran to hide underneath its roof. Jin brushed the raindrops off of his hair, pushing the wet strands back from his forehead. Jungkook took off his soaking shirt that he was wearing over a t-shirt to wring it out. He was so aware of his boss’ presence, knowing that Seokjin was looking at him but himself too shy to look back; being in such close proximity and seeing his cosmic beauty was unbearable.

Jin was also admiring the other boy’s beauty, taking in the gentle features of his graceful profile. He couldn't understand why it took him so long to see the attractive man in his assistant. From their first meeting he liked this young able and ambitious worker, and appreciated his diligence. Perhaps then he didn’t see beyond the young boy, feeling directly responsible for his success, seeing the potential in him, and sincerely wanting the boy to fulfill himself as a professional, caring about him like if Jungkook was his younger brother. But he failed to see, at which point the boy grew up and turned into a dangerously attractive man. Jungkook clearly has no idea how beautiful he is: an athletic body, broad chest and strong shoulders; a thin waist; shiny expressive Bambi eyes that he keeps trying to hide away from Seokjin, alluring sweet lips, which are made for kissing. Before he could realize what he was doing, he moved closer, placing his hand on Jungkook’s thigh. The boy shudders, his entire body responding to the touch, he scoots closer as well, until there is no space left between them; the sides of their legs are touching.

“Thank you for choosing me to be your partner for this competition,” suddenly sounds Jungkook's gentle voice.

Jin doesn’t answer; he gently takes his chin, turning his face towards himself to meet Kook’s eyes. His breath stops because of his secretary's words. Jungkook was also looking forward to them being alone very much. His eyes are glistening, full of emotion, and the boy subconsciously leans in closer, anticipating a kiss. And who is Seokjin to refuse him that. His heart clenches in his chest at the thought that one day he will have to forget him.

“I didn’t choose you as a partner to compete with you,” he whispers.

“But you liked it, too, in the beginning. Look, I am still two points ahead of you,” Jungkook teases, showing off his collected ribbons.

“Get over it, Jeon. I just had fun seeing you run around these woods collecting your trophies. I’m still glad the rain helped to stop you,” Seokjin is spreading his sweater on the floor of the gazebo, gently pushing Jungkook on it, and is laying himself on top of him.

“Oh,” Jungkook laughs, enjoying Seokjin’s pleasant weight, “you say so just because you are losing!”

“Hmm, we'll see which one of us really loses in the end,” Seokjin looks pointedly at the boy, sparks of uncontrollable passion gleaming in his eyes.

Jungkook impatiently pulls him closer, wrapping his legs around his waist, tugging on his thick strands. Seokjin is unearthly beautiful. To be here with him, lay in his arms, enjoy his warmth and kisses is like a dream. The trembling anticipation arises in his chest.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Wanted you to be near,” he confesses, wrapping his arms tighter around his boss’ neck.

“I keep thinking about you, too. I want to find out all about you. I want to know how’s your day, what you’re up to, what you’re thinking and doing when we are not together,” Seokjin softly runs his fingertips along Jungkook’s cheeks, making him tremble and almost whimper when their lips connect again. With a little bit of experience, Jungkook is acting more confident. His hands are gently stroking Seokjin, running along his shoulders and back, going down below his waist, goosebumps erupting down his spine, covering his entire body.

“There are many things you and I need to talk about,” Seokjin slightly pulls away, to look at the younger one, taking his hand and intertwining their fingers. The gesture feels intense, piercing them like electricity, making them both shudder.

“Not yet. Give me another minute,” Jungkook whispers hotly into his lips.

“I don’t want to become the reason for your disappointment,” Seokjin hugs Jungkook, pressing him closer to his chest. Jungkook is melting from these caresses, but the phrase disturbs him, making him stop and stare, distancing a little bit.

“What do you mean?”

“I just don’t want you to suffer because of me. When I said that I was never going to date you, I was serious. I really like you, but I cannot promise you any future.”

Jungkook needed a couple of seconds to swallow down the lump forming his throat and take control of his expression to not look disappointed.

“I am not making any claims about your future,” his voice sounds flat, “I am okay with the way things are now.”

“It’s important to me that you are a hundred percent certain about that.”

Seokjin suddenly feels so far away, and Jungkook doesn’t like it at all. He starts feeling discomfort from his wet clothes.

“I am a hundred percent sure,” he would do anything to get back the intoxicating feeling of their closeness, “besides, I have a couple of expectations that you could satisfy just now.”

With the unexpected determination and confidence that came out of nowhere, he reaches for the zip on Seokjin’s trousers, covering his erection, making him groan.

“Oh Kookie,” Seokjin is insanely turned on by Jungkook’s boldness. He is incapable of holding himself back when Kook is touching him like this.

Jungkook rolls him down to the floor, changing their positions, straddling him, pressing himself tighter against his hips. His lips begin to explore Jin's lovely neck; a faint shade of his perfume mixed with his natural skin smell feels crazy.

“I guess it wouldn’t be that hard for me to fulfill such expectations,” Jin whispers, catching a breath.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Jungkook rocks his hips impatiently, creating even bigger tension between their heated bodies through the fabric of their clothes. His eyes are full of adoration. He tugs on the buttons on Seokjin’s wet shirt and gasps when Jin repeats his movements, his hands getting under Jungkook’s t-shirt.

“Yes, this expectation,” Jungkook gasps, nearly choking, unable to hold back his moans when he feels balls of Seokjin's fingers gently go over his nipple.

“Only this? I have some better ideas, but I guess I shall keep them for the next time,” Seokjin’s breathing is hitched by seeing how ravished Jungkook looks. He closes his eyes, throwing his head back in delight. Pleasant warmth is forming at the pit of his stomach.

“Please,” Jungkook moans, looking all flustered but unable to stay quiet.

“Please what? What do you want?”

Jungkook looks desperate, trembling, whining and whimpering, his bottomless eyes stunningly expressive and full of desire. “Touch me,” he begs, taking Jin’s hand and placing it on his erection.

“Damn, Kookie,” Seokjin cannot survive this torture any longer. He needs Jungkook. He helps him undo his trousers, pulling them down in one swift motion. Jungkook seems on the edge; he is rock hard, hot and already wet with pre-cum.

Jin grabs his cock, eliciting a beautiful sound to come out of his lips. Jungkook is unbelievably sensitive, shuddering and whining at every touch, rolling his hips, unable to control himself.

“So impatient,” Seokjin smiles, pulling him into a hot wet kiss. After that he takes control of the situation, rolling the boy on his back, positioning himself above Jungkook.

“I want you so much...,” Jungkook looks vulnerable, his eyes filled with want, hands frantically rummaging over Seokjin’s waist, grabbing at his pants, trying to unbutton them. Seokjin helps him undo them, allowing him to pull them down along with his boxers to his knees. His heart is full of tenderness and burning passion at the same time. It’s impossible to stay away from those tasty lips of Jungkook. He doesn’t want to ruin the boy, corrupt him, not yet. He only wants to please him, play a little, be the only one who gets to have him like that. It feels so good to feel each other, their bodies flush together. At that moment there is no difference between the two of them; no obstacles or relations between the boss and subordinate, one rich and the other one poor. They are just two people needing love and attention and finding happiness and peace in each other.

“Ah … hyung, “ Jungkook gasps when Seokjin takes both of their cocks in his hand, stroking them skillfully at the same time, bringing both of them closer to release.

“Do you like the way hyung does it to you?”

“Yes, a lot," Jungkook is shaking, savoring the touch. He is extremely turned on, dizzy from the sensation. His hair is in a mess, forehead sweaty, cheeks flushing, chest slightly reddened, he pants as his sweet lips are open in the silent scream when Seokjin’s hand is going faster. He is really good and knows how to please. Jungkook can’t even fathom how this man can be so perfect at everything.

“Are you close?” Seokjin whispers, pressing himself harder against Jungkook, their hips rutting together. They will definitely both come like this very soon.

“Don’t stop, I … I can’t … ah…,” Jungkook’s body tightens, a pleasant sensation builds inside him and reaches the point of no return; he arches his back, grabbing on Seokjin’s shoulders, and comes hard on his cock, erratically moving through the spasms of his orgasm. Seokjin needs a couple of more seconds to chase his release and he climaxes with Jungkook’s name on his lips.

They are peacefully laying together, arms wrapped around each other, any concept of time entirely forgotten. Who needs anything else in the world when they have each other? Jungkook’s head ideally fits into the curve of Seokjin’s neck, as if their bodies were crafted for each other. Jin’s hair pleasantly tickles Jungkook’s neck; his smell is comforting. He wraps his arms tighter around Jungkook, longing to remember this moment, to save at least a small memory of this beautiful boy in his soul.

Jungkook raises his heat to meet his eyes.

You are the love of my life , his voice within him is screaming. His heart is full, when he reaches for Seokjin’s lips, and the confession is drowned in another heartfelt kiss.

“Adorable,” Seokjin mutters, unable to take his eyes off Jungkook.

Jungkook squirms a little under the gaze, taking a deep breath, licking his dry lips. He clearly has no idea how attractive he is.

“You are unbelievably beautiful. How is it possible that you haven’t had sex yet?”

Jungkook’s eyes are huge and eloquent. He is nervous. Is he getting this question because he has done something wrong?

“It’s just that I never liked anyone before. Not in the same way I like you,” his confession is simple and honest. And it makes Seokjin’s heart beat faster, sending him over another internal crisis, making him nearly panic. The memories of Jung Myeong’s declarations of love rises bile in his throat. Those memories are so old, but still so fresh in his memory. It’s impossible that the story repeats itself. He turns a little pale, swallowing the bitterness.

Jungkook can see this change and looks at him in fear.

“Is anything wrong? Did I say something bad?”

“Nothing bad, Kookie, don’t you worry,” he hugs the younger one again, tracing circles on his back. After a while he adds, “You deserve someone so much better than me. Someone who would really love you. One day you will surely meet that person!”

But I don’t want anybody but you, Jungkook wants to shout. He wants to grab Seokjin, shake him to make him finally understand. Instead, he only presses his lips tight, forcing himself to stay quiet.

The sense of awkwardness inevitably creeps in between them. There are still a lot of things unsaid; a storm of emotions is raging in their hearts.

***

The vice president and his secretary returned to the recreation center just when it was starting to get dark, soaked to the skin, and exhausted. Yoongi was beginning to get worried about their long absence, the rest of the group were confused, only Jimin seemed calm, as if he knew something the others didn’t.

Jungkook completely forgot everything about the competition, and only when they both were asked who managed to have collected more ribbons, they started counting their trophies in confusion. Being the winner of the round, Jungkook got an advantage for the next competition by being able to choose his opponent. But he didn’t care; his thoughts were so far from the team building.

A little later, everyone gathered around the fireplace, eating, and drinking. Taehyung joined Jimin and Hoseok’s group. The insects that were attacking Hobi particularly aggressively that night and Taehyung and Jimin were having a good laugh, trying to save him.

Yoongi was watching their fun, happy that Taehyung was feeling better. His eyes would meet Tae's from time to time, but Yoongi would always look away, pretending not to notice.

Finally the day was over and everybody went to their rooms.

Jimin and Hobi went to theirs, but they were not tired yet, and Hobi suggested for them to relax and drink some beer, using the foot massaging bath, which made Jimin delighted as soon as he spotted it in their room.

The two boys made themselves comfortable, sitting side by side on the couch. Hoseok pops two cans of beer open and they are sitting in comfortable silence, taking turns using the foot bath. Their conversation is very laid back and pleasant. From time to time, Jimin bursts into airy laughter and his roommate thinks hard to come up with a good joke to get more of this beautiful sound out of Jimin. It feels good to be together. Hobi relaxes, laying down on the pillows, peering at his roommate from half-lidded eyes. Jimin is staring back at him, noticing how flexible his body looks. Hoseok is lean, maybe a little too thin, and Jimin makes a mental promise to start taking him for lunch. He will surely take pleasure in making Hobi eat more. Jimin is definitely falling for him slowly.

Noticing that he was being studied, Hoseok fell silent. He wants to make a move but has no courage.

“I guess we should go get some sleep,” Jimin says in the end, trying to get rid of the awkward silence.

Instead of doing what he really wants, Hobi jumps up and starts looking for his phone, to check the time.

“Oh, it is really late. Indeed, we should get some sleep.”

When they turn off the lights and wish good night to each other, it takes them a while to fall asleep. Jimin is a little tense, and for the first time in many years he is drifting off, not thinking about Kim Namjoon.

***

Taehyung’s roommate is a very handsome guy named Hyun Sik. But despite his physical attractiveness, he had a couple of significant flaws, from Taehyung’s point of view, that were very annoying. The first one was that he snored terribly, and the second one was that he simply was not Min Yoongi.

The boy was worried by a sudden change in Yoongi. Apart from a short conversation this morning, they haven’t exchanged a single word for the whole day. His heart clenched in his chest at the thought that Yoongi might get bored of him and turn him a cold shoulder, leaving him to his fate. Tae knew he would have a hard time alone in Seoul, even if he had a job. He got used to the care and attention of the dreamy programmer, getting attached to him. Sex with Yoongi was enjoyable, he knew what he was doing, and Taehyung was very content with their current arrangement. However, to clear up any possible misunderstanding, they needed to talk.

In addition, for the last several days, Taehyung couldn’t get rid of the feeling of constant anxiety and a sense of impending misfortune, coming from out of nowhere. Yoongi was the only one who could calm him down. Tae would forget all the torments and fears in his arms. Now separated from him, these thoughts wouldn’t let the boy get any sleep. Making sure that Hyun Sik was sleeping soundly, Tae quietly got out from under the blankets. Throwing a bathrobe over his shoulders, he soundlessly crept out of the room.

The boy hoped to sneak into Yoongi’s room unnoticed and spend the night together. There was light underneath Yoongi’s door, so he was still awake.

Tae knocked on the door softly. There was no response, so he pushed it open and it turned out to be unlocked.

He passed through the spacious lobby, seeing Yoongi asleep on the sofa by the fireplace. His face looked serene in his sleep, hands clutching a book, a forgotten glass of whiskey standing on the coffee table next to him. Immediately feeling someone else’s presence in the room, he abruptly jumped up, getting on his feet, gaping at Taehyung in shock.

“I’m sorry, hyung. I didn’t mean to scare you. The door was unlocked,” Tae said carefully, tiptoeing backwards slightly.

Coming back to his senses and completely waking up, Yoongi gradually calms down. His shoulders drop, eyebrows frowning slightly as he looks back at the younger one.

“What are you doing here? No one can see us together.”

“No one has seen me coming to you.” Tae replied quietly, taking a step ahead. Coming closer, he sat down on the edge of the sofa. Unconsciously Yoongi instantly scooted away.

“Hyung, what happened? Why are you acting so strange around me? Talk to me!” There was despair in the pleading look of Tae’s deep brown eyes. Yoongi was helpless and totally unarmed in front of such a look. He sighed, dropping his head in his hands.

“I’m so sick and exhausted,” he said sadly, avoiding looking at the guy.

Taehyung bit his lip painfully.

“Are you sick of me too?” he asked softly.

It made Yoongi wince and look abruptly at the younger one.

“Of course not! How could such a thing cross your mind?” He turns to Tae but immediately pulls himself back, clenching his fists.

“Then why are you ignoring me?” Taehyung looked like he was about to cry.

“Trust me, it is not so.” Yoongi mutters, his voice pierced with pain; he is turning away to hide his tears.

Taehyung attempts to pull him close, caressing his shoulders, wrapping his arms around his neck.

“I miss you so much,” his hot breath is scorching Yoongi’s cheeks. And Min Yoongi is weak; he is too weak to resist these charms. He allows Tae to hug and kiss him passionately, as if life depended on that kiss. Taehyung’s long fingers travel down his body, get underneath his clothes, shamelessly sneaking under the elastic waistband of his pajama pants, squeezing his hard-on.

Yoongi moans into the kiss, meeting his tongue. He is hopeless. When Taehyung pushes him down on the sofa and gets on top of him, he gives in, letting his neck be covered with wet kisses, pressing his fingertips into Tae’s buttocks. But the annoying voice comes to him from the depth of his consciousness and is not so easy to be silenced, “What is it with you about my life? If all that you really care about is doing my sweet ass? Tell me honestly, do you even care about anything else?” He groans, clutching Taehyung tighter in his embrace, as if he was terrified of losing him forever. He is no longer hard and Tae instantly feels it.

“Do you not like me any more?” There is incredible pain in his voice.

“Forgive me,” is all Yoongi manages, pulling away.

Taehyung’s beautiful eyes are full of tears. The disappointment in them is heartbreaking.

“Tell me what has happened? Why don’t you want me anymore?”

“Baby, you have no idea how much I want you. It’s not about that.”

“Then what is it about? Tell me what is wrong, tell me we are not over!” Taehyung pleads through the tears.

“I cannot keep hurting you.”

“What are you talking about? You are the best thing that has happened to me in life!” Taehyung shouted his heart out, grabbing Yoongi’s hand, clinging to it, as if he was a life preserver and Taehyung was a drowning man.

Yoongi wanted so badly to hear those words for so long, but now they sound bittersweet. He doesn’t believe them.

“Thanks for telling me this, baby. But I can’t go on like this. I cannot be with you without knowing the truth.”

Tae turned pale. His legs went numb and started shaking as if he was in a fever.

“What truth are you talking about?” he asked, his lips turning white.

“What is wrong with you? Why did you suddenly get so scared? What is it that you're afraid of telling me?”

“Hyung, I am really serious now. What are you talking about?”

“Tae, I saw you yesterday.” Yoongi exhales, saying wearily, “after you told me you were going to spend the whole evening working with Jungkook, I saw you getting into someone’s car. Please tell me who it was and where have you been all night?”

Chapter Text

Taehyung stood frozen, eyes wide open in fear, paralyzed, after hearing what Yoongi had to say.

“Did you … you.. Did you follow me?” His voice croaked, feeling his head start to spin.

“Of course I didn’t!” Yoongi scoffed, offended. “I only wanted to hear your explanation. Why did you say you’d be working all evening with Jungkook when you actually took a half day off and left?”

Taehyung nervously ran his fingers through his silky soft hair, obviously finding himself at the crossroads as he was desperately trying to make the right decision. A light crease marked his beautiful forehead. Yoongi could literally imagine the gears turning in his head as his brows furrowed at the intent to find the right answer and decide what to do next.

“Tae,” he stepped in closer and gently placed his hand over the younger boy’s shoulder. His timbre of voice caused goosebumps to erupt down Tae’s skin, making his stomach clench. “You don’t need to invent anything. I am very sad that you think so poorly of me and don’t trust me at all!”

Taehyung closes his eyes, wearily, wincing in pain, his voice barely audible. “That is not the point. I don’t think poorly of you at all.”

“Then why did you lie to me?” Yoongi’s eyes are eloquent, but there is no accusation of any sort, only strain and sadness.

It was too much. Taehyung is not ready for any sort of revelations. Deep down inside, he just always knew that sooner or later they would need to put an end to this absurd relationship that was leading both of them to a dead end. No matter how pleasant and enjoyable it felt to be with Min Yoongi and how convenient it was to live with him.

“I’m sorry. I never wanted to deliberately mislead you. There are just some things that have to do with me and my past life in Daegu which I am not ready to talk to you about. I have certain difficulties, and I am not having you involved!"

An impenetrable wall of misunderstanding emerged between them all of a sudden, and Yoongi would do anything to break it. He was desperate to get through to Taehyung, make him see where he was coming from, and understand his feelings.

“If you are in trouble, we can deal with it together! Just talk to me! Tae!” He placed his palms on the boy’s shoulders, looking intently straight into his eyes, “I don’t want our relationship to end like this, but I can’t go on without knowing the truth!”

Yoongi sounded so desperate, so sincere, eyes glittering full of unshed tears. It was heartbreaking seeing him so defeated. This is more than Tae could take.

“Forgive me for everything,” he finally said, unable to stand it any longer. He hurriedly paced away across the room, leaving Yoongi standing alone in the middle of the room. 

Taehyung’s heart was shattering to pieces, but he had no choice. He liked Yoongi, probably even more than he wanted to admit to himself. But things were pretty bad for him as it is. He made too many stupid mistakes in the past and now had to pay for it. But he cannot get Yoongi into that. The more time they spend together, the more he starts to matter to Taehyung. And he realizes, it’s no longer safe for the programmer. In a short time he settled in his soul, giving him hope. He will be missing this calm and a little grumpy boy, who wears his heart on his sleeve, takes care of him and would surely do anything to solve all of his problems. The risk of failing is too high and he cannot get Yoongi involved. Tae would never forgive himself if something bad happened to the guy for his fault.

***

Sunrise in Pyeongchang is truly enchanting. Only a few employees of Kim enterprise bother waking up to enjoy it. Out of habit, Jungkook gets up at sunrise, puts on his sneakers, and goes for a morning run along the lake. When he used to live in Busan with his family, he would never miss an opportunity to run on the beach, at the moment of the birth of a new day, breathing in full chest of the fresh sea air. Even though there was no sea in the area they were staying in, the magnificence of the local nature was just as good. He ran for about twenty minutes, enjoying the view as the dark veil that was still obscuring the skies gradually disappeared, a light haze still hanging above the ground, making the forest look so captivating. A barely perceptible breeze caresses his hot cheeks, refreshing it, giving a delightful sensation. And of course it is hard not to think of Seokjin at moments like this.

The team building started with a mandatory two-hour-long marketing workshop that would last until lunch. While the colleagues began to gather in the study room, Jungkook hurried to the kitchen, hoping to get some coffee.

Busy looking for a clean cup, Jungkook doesn’t immediately register Seokjin’s presence, who silently approaches him from behind. But immediately recognizing his cologne, Jungkook smiles sweetly, feeling his boss’ hands on his waist, and his lips frantically begin kissing the side of his neck, going straight to the sensual birthmark on it. Kook hums approvingly, giving into sensation, leaning back into Seokjin’s body, pressing tighter against it, longing for more contact.

Jin turns him around in order to see his face, resolutely taking away the coffee cup out of his hands, putting it aside on the counter. He pushes into Jungkook even more, forcing the boy back away until he is pinned between the wall and the hot body of his boss. His fingers dig into Kook´s hair, palm cupping his chin, tongue parting his lips, merging with him into a greedy wet kiss, that is taking both of their breath away, making them squirm and pant, biting back moans.

 “Love it when you react to me like this,” Seokjin whispers in his ear, never stopping touching him. His gaze is unfocused; hands shamelessly get underneath Jungkook’s shirt, sliding over his pectoral muscles, going down his stomach.

“We can’t… Someone might see us.” Jungkook dodges away, trying to stop him but fails miserably, because who is he to stop this, when it is Kim Seokjin himself, the most beautiful man on earth, harassing him in this damn kitchen in their rented house, where they can get caught at any moment by anybody? Jungkook is enjoying this a bit too much. If he was honest with himself, he wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

“Aren’t you a little excited by the risk that we get caught?” Seokjin presses him into the wall with his body weight, gently sucking on Jungkook’s upper lip, making their kiss even hotter. He desperately craves to touch Jungkook everywhere. Going down on his knees, he lifts the secretary’s shirt and starts kissing his abs. Kook gasps in pleasure, mixed with disbelief. Having his own boss kneeling down before him is weirdly arousing; this feels incredible.

Jin pauses, looking up, giving him a meaningful look, fluffy bangs falling over his lustful eyes. There is a dark desire in that gaze, and Jungkook can’t believe that what he thinks is actually going to happen.

“I would like to try something that we haven’t done yet,” Jin’s hands are on Jungkook’s waist, fingers toying with the jeans button. It looks as though Seokjin is still giving him a chance to stop himself. Not encountering enough resistance, he deftly tugs on the button, taking the zipper down, pulling Jungkook´s jeans together with underwear down his thighs, freeing his throbbing cock.

“Are you going to…?” Jungkook stumbles, shaking like a leaf, as the thought of what Seokjin is about to do to him reaches his mind. He wants it. Very much. His eyes are wide open in shock, heart racing against his ribcage, as he nervously licks his flushed lips, almost driven to despair by his boss´ merciless teasing. Seokjin’s lips run a wet path of kisses down his belly, nipping on the skin under his navel, hot breath tingling all over Jungkook's body, and the boy whines softly, immediately biting on his lip, painfully trying not to let any more of the noises.

“You don’t need to fight it. Hyung loves the way you sound; otherwise he would have gagged you with something,” Seokjin runs his tongue around the tip of his cock, knocking out all the air out of his lungs. He does the thing that he had been fantasizing about for months, imagining Jungkook’s taste, wanting to see his face at the peak of pleasure. The reality definitely exceeds all his expectations. He wraps his lips around his length, lowering his mouth more, establishing a rhythm. The fact of the matter is that Jin has never been crazy about giving blowjobs, but with Jungkook it felt completely different. He is literally high on Jungkook’s smell, taste and the little sounds that he is trying to fight.

“Oh gosh,” the boy is throwing his head back in pleasure, closing his eyes, feeling a hot wet mouth around his arousal. He urgently needs to cling to something or he will lose his balance as Seokjin moans with satisfaction, taking him in deeper; the sound vibrates around Kook’s tense flesh, driving him to insanity. The way he is enjoying it and is eager to please is a huge turn-on. Jungkook is on the edge, hiding his face with his hands, fearing he will come shamefully quick again.

“Relax,” Seokjin looks at him with strange tenderness, pulling away to take a breath, pumping him with his hand, leaving a small kiss on the side of his shaft. He is so worked up but it's not important, he will take care of that later, his sweet boy has the priority.

“Easy for you to say,” Jungkook gasps. He wants to keep his eyes closed, concentrate on the sensations, but he cannot afford it. He cannot deprive himself of such a hot view. Seokjin on his knees before him, his beautiful face distorted with passion, his full lips wrapped around his cock, one must be a fool to voluntarily give up on this!

“Don’t hold back,” Seokjin orders, pulling him closer, letting Jungkook push into his throat.

Feeling the waves of inevitable pleasure approaching, Jungkook is no longer able to resist the instinct; moaning softly, he rocks his hips forward, unable to restrain himself any longer.

“H… hyung, I’m coming,” he tries to gently push Jin away, tensing up like a string, toes curling, hips beginning to shake uncontrollably. Seokjin is not letting go of him, digging his fingertips harder into the gentle skin on his buttocks, not letting him out of his mouth. Jungkook cums with a muffled moan and Jin won’t let him pull away, practically licking him off till the last drop, continuing to move his tongue until Jungkook fidgets with the oversensitivity. He needs a lot of time to regain his speech. The orgasm completely wore him out.

Eventually Seokjin rises to his feet, hugging the boy, tenderly, leaving sensual kisses down the boy’s neck, meeting his lips again.

It feels strange for Jungkook tasting himself on Jin’s tongue, but it was not something unpleasant. “I’m sorry, I should have warned you earlier.”

“I was expecting this,” Seokjin smiles, unable not to look smug.

“But you might not like it.” Jungkook looks at him apprehensively. “Swallowing. I mean.”

“I like it, but only when it’s you,” the confession makes Jungkook’s heart skip a bit. “Did you enjoy it?”

“The best thing that ever happened to me.”

“If that was the best thing that happened to you, then what would you say when we have sex?” Seokjin smiles, nuzzling Kook’s neck.

The way he is saying this, as if it was a matter-of-fact, messes with Jungkook’s head.

“When we have sex?” He repeats, tasting the words on his tongue.

“If you want to. Otherwise there are a lot of other things we can try and ways I can make you come.” Jin hurries to add.

Jungkook is flustered, but he enjoys their conversation. “Of course I do! How would you like to do it?”

“We’ll need to discuss a couple of things.”

Suddenly they could hear somebody’s footsteps approaching. Jungkook’s eyes go wide in horror. He hurries to button up his trousers, hastily tucking his shirt in, trying to fix his hair. Seokjin nonchalantly fixes his clothes. He was clearly uncomfortable, wearing rather tight pants, his disheveled hair and flushed cheeks betraying him completely, but he didn't care.

Jimin turned up at the kitchen door, carrying dirty dishes. Seeing the two guys, he immediately stops, taken aback, staring wide-eyed in astonishment. The plates slightly rattle in his hands, and he is about to turn around and run away, but Seokjin calls out to him.

“What is it that you want here?” He snarls in annoyance.

Jimin froze, staring at them, his gaze darting from Seokjin to Jungkook and back. Jungkook quite literally looked like a deer caught in the headlights, blushing, his hair disheveled, hands trembling.

“Nothing, Mr. Kim. I just wanted to leave this. I’m already out.” Jimin averted his eyes, tactfully, placing the ill-fated plates on the edge of the kitchen counter. Seokjin’s eyes are hostile, drilling a hole in the back of Jimin’s head and the boy wants to escape as soon as possible, cursing the unfortunate idea of getting rid of the dirty dishes precisely at that unlucky moment.

“I’m waiting for both of you at the workshop, please be on time,” Seokjin says dryly, hurrying to walk away, leaving the two guys alone. To his horror, Jungkook realizes how different his voice sounded, an octave lower than usual. He blushed hard, wishing that the earth would swallow him.

When Seokjin is out of sight, Jimin rushes over to his friend. “No, tell me, it’s not what I thought… Did you just?” His question freezes on his lips, left unsaid.

“Jimin-a,” Jungkook groans, covering his face with his hands. The whole situation is too embarrassing.

“You are crazy! You could have got caught! Anyone could have walked on you just like this.”

“I was trying to stop it, but I couldn't resist when he…” Kook tries to explain, but abruptly trails off.

Everything happened so fast that Jungkook didn’t even have time to think through the consequences of the adventure that his boss got him into. Indeed, he would get into serious trouble if someone found out about their relationship. Nasty gossip could destroy his reputation. People are capable of being truly cruel.

“It won’t hurt both of you to be more careful. After all, he is your boss!”

“I know, hyung,” Jungkook closes his eyes in shame, massaging his temples, as if he was trying to get rid of a headache. He suddenly turned into a bundle of nerves, emotions taking over him, changing on his face one after the other. In fact, he could not be the only one ending up with problems. Seokjin would too. He could be accused of violating professional ethics, taking advantage of his work position. Regardless of their feelings for each other, they were still superior and subordinate.

“Come here,” Jimin hurried up to him, wrapping his arms around the younger one, providing comfort, and support. “I know it’s not easy. At the end of the day, you both have very little time left to work together, but you gotta be more careful!”

“Jimin,” Jungkook said hesitantly, obviously having a hard time bringing up this topic.

“What is it?” Jimin raises his eyebrow, questioningly.

“There is something I want to ask you about.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“This is so terrible.” Jungkook groans, blushing to the roots of his hair, trying to make a coherent sentence.

He looks a bit scared and Jimin starts feeling anxious. All the stuff happening lately between him and his boss seems a little bit unsettling. Thinking that there were even more problems that Jungkook had got himself into, Min begs, “Koo, please tell me what it is, already?”

“Uh, it’s so hard… It’s tough to talk about this. Well, Seokjin and I… he said he wanted to have sex with me. I’ve never done that before, so I need to ask, is there anything… anything I need to learn about … you know?”

That’s a relief. Jimin lets out a breath, looking at his friend in amazement. “Damn it, Jungkookie. You know how to choose your words. Come here, of course, I will tell you everything.”

***

A few minutes earlier, deep in his dark thoughts, Taehyung was heading to the kitchen. When he heard strange sounds and incomprehensible fuss coming from the room next door, he paused, pricking up his ears. Trying to be as quiet as possible, he tiptoed to the doorway, cautiously peering into the kitchen.

He nearly suffocated, seeing what was going on. Paralized, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief, trying to make sure this was not a hallucination. When the slight shock from the realization of the situation passed, he got a sudden feeling of terrible shame. He knew he should take to his heels as quickly as possible, and with a little luck remain unnoticed. But the sight was so mesmerizing, he just simply couldn’t tear his eyes off it. Seokjin and Jungkook were incredibly hot. Jungkook with his eyes closed, his head thrown back in pleasure, moaning quietly, Seokjin on his knees in front of him - hellishly arousing.

Suddenly Tae breaks into cold sweat, unable to breathe; his trousers feel unbearably tight. He bites his lip in desperation fighting the urge to touch himself, just to ease this horrible tension. He understands that getting caught red-handed is not an option. Suddenly he could hear someone's footsteps and voices at the other end of the corridor. One of them, he recognizes, belongs to Jimin. His eyes are darting around, desperately, looking for a place to hide. Luckily, there is a half-open door within reach. He silently slips into the room, carefully locking the door behind him.

This ends up being a tiny closet, probably used as laundry. And Taehyung cannot control himself any longer. He immediately unzips and slides down his trousers, letting out a sigh of relief, freeing his erection. He is painfully hard, desperately needing to take care of himself. He positions himself on the edge of the laundry basket, just to balance himself easier, grabbing his cock. His body shudders as the hot images run through his imagination. He starts pumping himself quickly, rough, just to get off fast. Seokjin on his knees blowing Jungkook,, Jungkook so aroused and gorgeous, his beautiful face features contorted in the intense pleasure, and suddenly his memories of Yoongi in the same situation. Min Yoongi, who is so good at giving blowjobs. His grip gets tighter, movements faster, more erratic, thighs start shaking uncontrollably, a familiar warmth forming in his abdomen. He cums hard, imagining Yoongi sucking him off, just like Seokjin was doing it with Jungkook. A few moments later, when he’s relieved, the new realization dawns on him. He finally got truly valuable information. For the first time in the last month, his stay at the Kim Enterprise has done its purpose. Kim Seokjin and his secretary are lovers.

***

The marketing workshop lasted for two and a half hours; when it was finally over, tired employees moved to the restaurant terrace for lunch. They were rewarded with a stunning view of the lake, surrounded by green foliage.

Yoongi was trying to be cheerful, but Seokjin knew him well enough to understand that something was wrong. He hoped that having lunch together would help to raise his spirits, if not make his friend open up to him and say what was bothering him. Yoongi was laughing at his jokes, here and there, making snarky comments about Seokjin to finally get on with his desert, instead of eyeballing his handsome secretary all the time.

Jungkook was sitting at the opposite side of the terrace, sharing the table with Jimin and Hoseok. It was impossible for Jin to completely control himself and avoid catching his eye every now and then. Shamelessly looking into his secretary’s eyes, he undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, running his tongue over his lips, pushing his hair back from his forehead. Jungkook nearly choked on the water when he saw that. But he came up with his little sexy revenge. Watching his boss, he started stroking himself on his thigh, under the table, gradually moving his hand to the inner side of his leg, dangerously close to his crotch, as if he was stroking himself for Seokjin. This made Jin bring his knees together and force himself to look away. The game could have continued forever if Hoseok and Jimin hadn’t reminded their friend that it was rude to stare at his boss so obviously. Firstly, because it could compromise both of them; secondly, they were still there with him, sitting at the same table and having lunch and a conversation together. But it didn’t make it easier or less painful to be away from Seokjin for the whole day.

After lunch and the presentation that followed, the participants were divided into teams for the quest. The colleagues had to run through abandoned houses outside of their relaxation center and find several clues. Much to Jungkook’s dismay, his partner in this quest was Taehyung. Yoongi went with Seokjin, Jimin and Hoseok ended up in a team together.

Jimin guessed he would have a very fun night out teamed with Jung Hoseok, considering his skittishness and the fact that the quest started after sunset, when the area of the quest got covered in darkness. Clinging to Jimin, the boy kept asking him whether it was safe to enter the spooky abandoned house with no electricity, and look for clues with just a flashlight.

They searched the upper room and found nothing. To take a break, the two teammates sat down on the porch, getting some refreshment before returning to the others. Jimin took out packed sandwiches from his backpack, handing one to Hobi.

“The team building is not that bad. So far it’s been a lot of fun,” Hoseok said, just to start the conversation and avoid possible awkward silence. 

“It’s great to be here,” Jimin agreed. “I am very pleased that we could leave Seoul for at least a few days. Somehow, it got a bit too sad out there.”

“Sad? Why?” Hobi was sincerely curious to know why Jimin would get such a sentiment.

“Sometimes Seoul brings back sad memories,” Jimin uttered, too deep in thought.

Hobi couldn’t help but look at him one more time. With bleached blond hair, neatly styled, revealing his forehead, showing off his perfect skin, Jimin looked ethereal. Hoseok had to look away in embarrassment, unconsciously licking his own lips. Clearing his throat, he pulls himself together, to carry on the conversation.

“Jungkook told me that you had a hard time. He didn’t give me much details; he said that you were hurt.”

Jimin didn’t expect to hear this. But looking at Hobi, seeing his eyes full of sympathy, he decides that the guy is trustworthy and is safe to open up to.

“There was a guy that dumped me five years ago. In short, I’m still picking up the pieces, so to say,” he said softly, looking at his hands.

These words were a painful revelation, especially hard to hear from such a beautiful boy. Hoseok couldn’t understand how anyone could dump a guy like Park Jimin. If he had a chance, he would bring the moon and all the stars to his feet.

“You must have very strong feelings for him,” he sighed, rather furtively, glancing back at his interlocutor.

“They were,” Jimin chuckled sincerely. “But they are in the very distant past. Now he rather embitters my life.”

Hobi froze in shock, having realized something.

“Wait, are you saying that Kim Namjoon is your ex?” He covered his mouth with his hand, struck by this realization. “I’m so sorry. You don’t need to answer that if you don’t want to.”

Jimin blushed, remembering the embarrassing incident that Hobi had unwillingly witnessed.

“Yes, actually it is him. But I would rather not be reminded, because now it’s all in the past. My feelings for him are not important now.”

Hobi felt his stomach flip in the most unpleasant way.

“Jimin,” he cleared his throat, unconsciously scooting closer until their knees touched, turning halfway to look into Jimin’s eyes. “I don't want you to think that I’m trying to hit on you or something like that. But I must say that this team building is so great for me because of you. It’s always fun to be around you and I am very grateful to have you as my roommate and team partner.”

The praise sounded like music in Jimin’s ears. Nothing felt more natural than getting closer to Hobi, ignoring the slight astonishment and startled expression on his face. When their lips met in a soft sensual kiss, Jimin would be lying to himself, if he denied that he had been thinking about it for the past twenty-four hours. And wow, it felt much better than he could have ever imagined. Kissing Hoseok was pleasant; there was no ravaging passion and the feeling that the ground was slipping from under his feet like it was at the first kiss with Namjoon, but this moment was special in its own way. Hobi carefully placed his warm palms on Jimin’s lap. Affectionate was the word that came to Jimin’s mind first. That’s the vibe he picked up from Hoseok at that moment.

“You are insanely beautiful,” Hobi managed to breathe out, high on the feeling.

“And you are very sweet,” Jimin purred, wanting to do it one more time. They kissed again, this time even more gently, wrapping their arms around each other. Everything they were doing was innocent but intimate at the same time.

Hobi took a deep breath, smelling the delicious scent of Jimin’s skin.

“Jimin…,” he breathed out.

“I really like you,” Jimin smiles into the kiss.

“You should know, whatever happens between us. I will always value and cherish you as a person. I want to make you happy,” he felt like he wanted to say so many things to Jimin at once.

“Hobi, I wouldn’t hurry with making promises. Let’s just do one step at a time, get to know each other, and see where life takes us.”

“Of course, of course, we’ll take it slow,” Hobi looked tense, preparing for getting rejected at any moment. “Can I hold your hand?”

To his relief, Jimin smiles tenderly and grabs his hand himself.

“You don’t need permission for that.”

They were kissing for a long time, completely losing track of it. They might not necessarily win the quest, but they would come out of it as winners in a different way.

***

Later that evening, Kim Enterprise employees gathered for dinner. The quest was successfully completed. Jungkook was so in his element, doing his all to win. He and Taehyung were the first ones to get to the finish line, finding all the clues, using them to guess the keyword. They got the main prize - a certificate for any gadget of their choice in the corporate store of Kim Enterprise. However, Jungkook didn’t get the chance to enjoy his victory. His mind went blank, when Seokjin approached and discreetly whispered in his ear that he was waiting for him upstairs in half an hour, as soon as the prizes giveaway ceremony was over. Jungkook immediately lost interest in the ceremony, his victory, kicking his leg impatiently, thinking only about spending time alone with his boss. 

Yoongi was wholeheartedly happy for Taehyung, even though his soul was broken. He still doesn't know what to do when they get back to Seoul and Kim Taehyug packs his bags and leaves him for good. Certainly, that moment will be the death of him. However, right now they are only a few feet apart; at least he can look at Tae from a distance, taking in those beautiful features he loved so much. All the time they had spent together was a privilege that Yoongi failed to appreciate. He failed to make Taehyung happy and earn his trust, and therefore he was the only one to blame. He wasn’t worthy of either his ex Ji Won or now Tae. Perhaps he should give up and stop trying to be with someone, just like Seokjin. In the meantime, he will mourn his grief silently.

***

Hearing a soft knock on the door, Seokjin hurried to open it. He let in his secretary, carefully turning the key in the lock behind him. He brings all of his might in order to restrain himself from jumping on Jungkook, throwing him on the bed and showering every inch of that delicious body with fervent kisses. Not that Jungkook would mind that at all. His hungry eyes were wandering over Seokin’s body, and only his indecisiveness was stopping him from doing the same thing.

“How was your day?” Seokjin asks, trying to divert his gaze from his secretary. He cannot focus, when Jungkook looks so appealing.

“Good, but could have been better if you were around,” Jungkook says, stepping closer, Seokjin can feel the heat radiating through his body.

“Does your friend know about the two of us?” He asks directly, referring to Jimin. A question that had been whirring in his mind for the entire day.

Jungkook swallows hard, looking a little worried.

“Yes, Jimin hyung knows. I told him back when we… when you asked me to be friends with benefits with you.”

Contrary to his expectations, Seokjin was satisfied with this answer, nodding.

“Today we talked about…,” Jungkook trailed off, “about how I … when we… have sex. I asked him…”

“You asked him what?” Seokjin rounded his eyes in disbelief.

“ I asked him about what I needed to know about sex to get prepared for my first time.”

Seokjin didn’t bother to hide his rage.

“So this is what you do, huh? Instead of talking to me about such things, you are running to him?”

Jungkook bit his lip in confusion. This outburst of anger was terrifying. He didn’t expect such a thing to upset Seokjin and couldn’t understand why he was so mad.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you would not like me talking to Jimin about this.”

“Of course I don’t like it! It makes me wonder, who else have you discussed details of our private life with?” He spat out, turning away in annoyance, striding to the terrace. Jungkook follows him like a scolded puppy. The evening breeze is refreshing and helps them come back to their senses. This is the first time they have fought since they got close. It upsets Jungkook very much. If he had thought better, he wouldn’t have talked to Jimin at all. He would have kept it all to himself, maybe looked up something on the internet.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly, hugging Seokjin from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, inhaling the powdery scent of his perfume. “I didn’t think it would upset you so much.”

Seokjin relaxes in his arms and places his hands gently on Jungkook’s. Being hugged by this boy feels like heaven on earth. He is sick of Park Jimin, annoyed by his presence around his secretary, but he can’t take that anger out on Jungkook.

“Forgive me too. I am not gonna lie, I really hate the idea of you talking to him about it. But it’s not your fault. It’s about him, not you! I see the way he looks at you all the time. Do you remember the evening when I came to your house for the contract with the CJ Corporation? You were hugging and he was touching you, looking at you in such an indecent way! I hated seeing that.”

“Boss,” Jungkook scoffs. “Jimin is just my close friend and hyung. There is nothing between us. Would you like us to stop talking?”

Seokjin sighs. He has no right to demand those things from Jungkook. Even if they were more than lovers, he had no right to decide who Jungkook could hang out with.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this. You are an adult, entitled to decide who you want to talk to and about what. But in my opinion, Park Jimin is not a very good person,” he adds firmly, pressing his lips into a thin line and clutching his fists.

“I’m sorry, but I have to ask,” Jungkook clears his throat, looking cautiously into Seokjin’s eyes.

“What is it?”

“That evening, outside of my house, you arrived and started demanding the contract. You didn’t really come for the contract, did you?”

Seokjin’s cheeks immediately turn pink; he doesn’t answer. The way he looked at Jungkook was an eloquent response.

“Did you come to see me?”

“Yes, the contract was an excuse,” Seokjin’s ears burn, but he speaks openly, bluntly, tired of denying his attraction to Jungkook. “I liked you very much already then, and it was driving me nuts that you were constantly with that guy!”

Jungkook’s heart flutters with joy. It excited him to find out that he meant so much to Seokjin. That he was so important, that Seokjin came all the way to his house looking for him. Did this mean that Seokjin was jealous of him and Jimin?

“Would you not want me to date other people?” He asks bluntly, his eyes very meek, and innocent, but looking directly into Seokjin’s soul.

Seokjin's stomach flips at the thought that Jungkook would want to do the same things they were doing with someone else. Of course, he doesn’t want anybody else to touch Jungkook the way he does.

“I don’t have the right to expect that from you,” he answers hesitantly.

Jungkook nods in agreement.

“Are you seeing someone else, in the same way, besides me? Namjoon?

Seokjin’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“How did you come up with such an idea? Namjoon isn’t even into guys!”

Now it was Jungkook’s turn to be surprised.

“Oh don’t you know? Namjoon and Jimin were…” he trails off, seeing Seokjin’s funny reaction. He looks genuinely scandalized.

“What? You must be kidding!” Seokjin refuses to believe him. “You are clearly confused.”

“Talk to either of them.”

“No way.”

“Then you will have to believe me.”

Seokjin is staring dumbfoundedly. He thought he knew Namoon and that they were best friends. If Namjoon was really gay or bisexual, why would he hide it from Seokjin? They definitely need to talk.

Getting over the shock, Seokjin responds. “Well, that was really wow… unbelievable.” He chuckles, softening. “Back to your question, no, I am not seeing anyone else. And Namjoon and I are just friends, as you can guess.”

Jungkook takes in more air into his lungs and risks one more question. “Then, do you like someone else?”

Seokjin loses his patience. He comes close to Jeon, pinning him against the wall, placing both of his hands on either side of his head, approaching lips to his neck.

“I don’t like anyone else. And at the moment, you are my only friend with benefits, if that is what you want to know.”

His closeness is dizzying. Jungkook’s legs start shaking; he blinks fast several times, licking his lips nervously.

“Then maybe we could become exclusive friends with benefits? Would it suit you? And if either of us wants to date or have sex with someone else, we’ll just say it.”

“Tempting idea, Mr. Jeon. We wouldn’t need to use condoms. You are a virgin and I have just been tested. I’m clean. Is that fine with you?” Jin can’t help himself; his lips are on Jungkook’s neck, knee digs between his legs, making the boy whimper, feeling the heat of his desire.

“Yes, that is very fine with me,” Jungkook answers, melting into the sensation.

They kissed on the balcony for several heated minutes. Jin can’t get enough of this beautiful boy. His beautiful boy. Damn, he wants to be exclusive with Jungkook. Imagining him with anyone else is crushing his soul. He grabs Jungkook’s thighs, parting them and lifting him up, forcing him to wrap his legs around his waist. This is how they get to the bedroom and he gently places him down on the bed.

“You don’t need to worry,” Jungkook confesses, while Seokjin unbuttons his shirt, yearning to feel the warmth of his skin, “nobody has ever attracted me as much as you do. I don’t want to do this with anybody else.”

“Me neither. You attract me so much. Every time I see you, I lose my mind. I want only you. I have never felt this way about anyone.”

His words are passionate, exciting, getting under Jungkook’s skin.

“Please, don’t play with me,” there is desperation in his voice. Jungkook is short of breath, clinging to Seokjin’s shoulders. “I don’t mind being a friend with benefits, a sex buddy, but please don’t tell me anything that turns out to be untrue. You said you didn’t want to be the reason for my disappointment, so be careful with what you say.”

In the dim glow of the night-light, Jungkook looks ravishing. His fluffy hair is a little ruffled, a slight blush playing on his cheeks; shiny doe eyes are fixed on Seokjin, clouded with emotion. His lips are intoxicating, beckoning, depriving him of the ability to think.

If you only knew, Seokjin thought to himself. If only his secretary could imagine how he really felt about him. He is scared, terrified, but is still taking a risk. Because he couldn't have it any other way. He couldn’t live without Jungkook. Nobody will ever make his heart beat as fast as this guy.

“I’m not playing,” he whispers hotly, nipping on the sensual mole on the left of Jungkook’s neck, squeezing his hips, gliding his tongue over the silky skin, tracing the collarbone. His fingers squeeze Jungkook’s nipple, making the boy wince sweetly, arching his back. Seokjin gently pushes him down on his back, ditching his shirt, to get back to the deliciously hot body. Jungkook’s fingers are tangling in Seokjin’s hair; he wants to make Seokjin feel as good as he had made him that morning.

“I want to do something for you,” his eyes sparkle, a fervent plea in his voice. “I have to thank you… for earlier today.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Seokjin reassures firmly. “I did it because I wanted to. I don’t expect anything in return.”

“But I want it so badly!” Jungkook can’t understand why Seokjin suddenly thinks he doesn't want to do it. He dreamt about it for so long, masturbating in his bed night after night to the fantasies about going down on Seokjin, making him moan his name in pleasure. This image makes him get harder.

Looking above at Seokjin, meeting his  scorching gaze, full of passion, he couldn’t take it any longer. He forces him out of his pants, taking pleasure in undressing him, slowly, unpacking like the most precious present, unwrapping layer after layer, sliding his tongue over Seokjin’s stomach, sucking on the hipbone, certainly leaving small hickeys, getting high on his body scent. Seeing Seokjin completely naked is breathtaking. He is the embodiment of what is called perfection. Jungkook pauses, feeling a little confused and scared, but very aroused. And damn, Jin is really big. Jungkook never really thought about comparing their sizes, but at that moment he was somewhat worried about how this cock was going to fit in his mouth.

“Sweetheart,” Seokjin immediately sees his hesitation, “Take a deep breath for me.” And then he leans in to give him a tender and soothing kiss, thus making Jungkook want to satisfy him even more.

He lays back, providing Jungkook freedom to do what he desires. It feels incredible again. Jungkook doubts it’s for real. He got everything he ever wanted to get in this life. What else should he need besides this adorable handsome person? He is madly in love, head over heels. His boss might think that it’s just sex, friendship with benefits, but he is very wrong. Maybe for Seokjin it is just sexual experimentation, but for Jungkook this is definitely an act of love.

Jungkook leans over him, running his hand over his erection. He likes to explore Seokjin’s body like this. He gets closer, tasting him, making Seokjin flinch, when he opens his mouth, and takes him in. Seokjin is breathing heavily, his fingers running softly through his hair, caressing his cheeks, whispering how good of a job he does. Jungkook starts enjoying it; he likes all of Seokjin, accepts all of his body, allowing his cock even deeper in his mouth until he is hitting the back of his throat. He tastes amazing. The way he pants, clutches the sheets and digs his heels into the bed is a huge turn-on for Jungkook. He picks up the pace, trying to push him deeper into his throat, but this instantly triggers his gag reflex and makes him cough and splutter.

“Don’t rush,” Seokjin prompts softly, getting up to lean into Jungkook, cupping his face and kissing him gently. Jungkook has never been so turned on. His heart is full, but he is extremely sensitive. He cannot resist touching himself when his mouth returns to Seokjin’s cock.

“Kookie,” Jin breathes out, gently distancing his face away. Jungkook’s chest warms at the caring tone of his voice when he says, “come here, we’ll try something different.”

Placing Jungkook on his side, Jin lies down beside him, directing his head in the opposite direction, towards his feet. He grabs Jungook’s waist to pull him closer, wrapping arms around his hips and taking his cock in his mouth. Jungkook moans sweetly and it takes him a few moments before he is capable of doing the same. There is something carnal and hot about this position. He mirrors Seokjin’s actions, copying his pace. Giving and receiving pleasure at the same time feels amazing. Seokjin gently caresses his body, running his tongue over his most sensitive parts, making the younger one twitch and wriggle in pleasure. He lets out another moan, vibrations echoing around Seokjin’s shaft, making him even harder. Jungkook needs to make him come. He is excited because he’s never done anything like this before, doesn’t really know what to expect, but all he wants is to satisfy his boss. Seokjin is getting close, he pants hard; his body gets strained, cock throbbing in Jungkook’s mouth, and his legs start shaking uncontrollably.

“Pull back if you don’t want to swallow,” he manages to warn Jungkook.

But Jungkook is desperate to do it the same way Jin did to him earlier that day. Even though he wants it very much, he is not ready. Eventually he starts to choke and is forced to pull back, getting cum all over his face and hands. This feels dirty and weirdlz arousing, pushing him over the edge. Seokjin easily brings him to orgasm, and with a loud moan, Jungkook explodes into his mouth almost blacking out from the intense sensations. He feels Jin's soft fingers caressing his cheeks, he is a little surprised that despite his entire face being covered in sweat and cum, Jin doesn’t care in the slightest, and still reaches to kiss him deep and hungrily. They spend some time lying in each others arms. 

This time they are taking a shower together. A new experience for both is getting them relaxed, bringing them a lot of pleasure from the closeness. They kiss languidly under warm water, pressing their naked bodies against each other, too tired to get aroused again but immensly enjoying feeling each other.

When they get out of the shower, Jungkook stops hesitating. He stands in the middle of the room, wrapped in a towel, covering his hips, looking down at his clothes, still thrown around the room on the floor.

“Shall I go to my room?” he asks uneasily, with a bit of hope lurking in his eyes.

Seokjin doesn’t know what to say about that. He is not ready to take it to the next level of intimacy by allowing the boy to spend the night in his bed. But he is neither ready to let go of Jungkook. He gets weak, especially when the younger one is looking like that.

“Stay,” he says.

A marvelous feeling blossoms in Jungkook’s chest. He looks astonished, thinking it’s all too good to be true. His face lights up with a happy smile and he is all glowing.

“Really? Are you sure?” 

Seokjin is trying to ignore the feeling in his chest, when he takes Jungkook’s hand, intertwining their fingers together.

“Only for today,” he says hastily, “as an exception.”

Jungkook is too happy about this exception.

They find a fresh sheet and the bottom of the chest of drawers and spread it over the bed together. Hugging each other under blankets, bodies pressed tight they fall asleep. Jin buries his nose into Jungkook’s neck, inhaling the sweet scent, enjoying his warmth, kissing his neck, and hairline. It’s his second time falling asleep with Jungkook and he is on cloud nine.

***

The next morning newspapers came up with breaking news: a major leak of key information took place at Kim enterprise. The personal database with names, addresses and other details of the company’s clients was published online. The website administrators hurried to remove the sensitive content; however, everything that goes online once, is there forever and soon the list of clients was copied to a different website. The leakage of such sensitive data represents a potential risk for the company and a threat for it to go bust.

The main question that the newspapers asked was: who had access to this kind of information and who leaked it online? The journalists are trying to get in touch with the vice president of the company, but he hasn’t got back to them yet.

Chapter Text

Heavy rains would not stop for several days in Seoul. The residents of the city are sick and tired of such weather conditions. Having to carry uncomfortable umbrellas everywhere you go is annoying, let alone your shoes get soaking wet, even if you leave the house for just a couple of minutes. 

Mr. Kim Ji Sung is mentally preparing himself for the unpleasant meeting. An old friend from university days and an ex-business partner, Choi Yun Suk demanded a personal meeting, to discuss the terms of their further cooperation, which included financing the CJ Corporation business. Hearing the man’s name brought Mr. Kim shivers every time, as he was very well aware of the fact that one day this person would bring him a lot of trouble.

Now the president of Kim Enterprise is in his office on the twenty-ninth floor of the main headquarters building, trying to sort his thoughts out and prepare for an emotional shake-up that the upcoming meeting will inevitably bring. Choi Yun Suk was the connecting link between now and the distant past, which will not give him any peace. Mr. Kim will never forget the face visiting him in his dreams every so often. Trying to collect all of his inner strength, he looks at the portraits of his two sons, Seokjin and Yun, displayed on the luxurious polished redwood desk. Especially the face of the elder one makes his heart painfully clench inside his chest.

When informed about Mr. Choi's arrival, Ji Sung asked to let him in. All he wanted was to leave this unpleasant get-together behind as soon as possible. He was nervously pacing around in the office, approaching the huge window. The view of rainy Seoul provided some sort of distraction and consolation to his wretched soul. There was something comforting about the way the raindrops were streaming down the glass. As if mother nature itself was weeping, mourning the long-term loss of Ji Sung, his cherished memory from a different life.

Turning around, he saw the office door opening. The slouched figure appeared from behind it. It was someone, whom Ji Sung would rather never see in his life again.

“Ji Sung-a!” There was a fake cheeriness in Mr. Choi’s voice; malice and notes of superiority sounded clear, “It’s been too long!”

“Yun Seok,” Mr. Kim acknowledges him reservedly, pointing to the visitor’s chair, offering to take a seat at the negotiation table.

“I see you managed to find a free minute to see an old friend,” Mr. Choi said, sinking slowly into the chair across from Mr. Kim, making him involuntarily wince at the mention of their friendship.

“I was informed that you wanted to speak to me in person. I suppose it has to do with the financing of your company. Since you couldn’t reach an agreement with my son, so be it, let’s talk about it in person.

“Why so dismissive?” Choi pretended to be offended. “At the end of the day, we are not strangers. The years might have alienated us, but there are a lot of things that we have in common.”

Ji Sun felt a familiar pang in his chest but stayed calm and focused. His voice remained flat. “I don’t have much time. If you don’t mind, let’s get straight to the point.” 

Mr. Choi furrows in displeasure, putting the briefcase on his lap, opening it, slowly, and taking out some papers.

“Well, since you want to get right to the point, let me get it straight. There is an arrangement between us, whose terms you do not comply with! We agreed to hold meetings every two years to renew the contract. Explain to me, why should I waste the entire six working days, take my son away from his duties, coming to Seoul to see you in person, when instead of a proper meeting, you come up with all of this farce, sending your utterly incompetent son to our negotiations?”

At the mention of Seokjin in such a tone, the vein on Ji Sung’s forehead tensed. He feverishly gripped the arms of his chair with so much force, that his knuckles turned white.

“It is obvious that you were not attentive enough at our previous meeting. I repeatedly informed you that Seokjin takes over all of the responsibilities of the Kim Enterprise legal representative and is authorized to manage all projects of the company. I take your accusations of my son’s incompetence as a personal insult.” Ji Sun looked and sounded threatening.

But Mr. Choi was very well aware of his opponent’s weaknesses. He sensed Mr. Kim was gradually losing his temper, so he congratulated himself, feeling that he was gaining an advantage in their negotiations.  

“Ah Ji Sung-a, Ji Sung-a,” he drawled, savoring the informal way of addressing his old friend aggressively rolling off his tongue. “You are still the same!”

“Let’s get back to the point, Yun Seok. We are digressing again and it’s wasting our precious time. It’s good that you insisted we meet and discuss matters in person. My son mentioned that you consider Kim Enterprise to be an unreliable sponsor for your company. In this case, I suggest we sign an agreement about the immediate termination of our cooperation.” 

Ji Sung took out two copies of the agreement from his desk drawer, laying them out in front of Mr. Choi, who immediately got slightly taken aback. He visibly tensed, but still looked like a panther that was about to pounce on its prey. Skimming through the papers with contempt, he sneered. “Undoubtedly, we can immediately sign this agreement. But then I would be forced to look for another, more reliable sponsor for my business. For instance, publishing houses might take a vivid interest in the reliable information I can provide them with. What if I told them the story about one of the most influential and impeccable families in South Korea, and especially about its heirs! What do you reckon would be the public reaction when they find out that the son of the great Kim Ji Sung has somewhat unnatural preferences?”

Ji Sung turned purple with rage. It cost him great effort to remain calm. He growled, “If you carry on with your homophobic insinuations, I will ask you to leave my office immediately.”

“You know, your younger one reminds me of the way you were thirty years ago. Even though you might have different tastes,” Mr. Choi scorned, “Which I can’t say about your elder one..”

Ji Sung’s eyes darkened and dangerously sparked. “Don’t you dare!”

“You know very well what you’ve done! And it doesn’t look like you ever repented. You’ve been blatantly lying to your children, misleading them for most of your life, making them believe you are some kind of knight in shiny armor, pretending to be their hero. But you’re just a pathetic coward, Ji Sung! Your sons have no idea who you are! I wonder how they would react when they find out that you are not much better than me. We’ll both burn in hell, old friend! What do you reckon your son will say when the truth about his biological mother comes out? What if I told the world the story about Jin-ho?”

It was the moment when Kim Ji Sung lost his patience. He furiously jumped up from his seat, immediately ending up face to face with Mr. Choi. His eyes were fiery with rage; his face red with features contorted with anger. By a tremendous power of will at the last moment, he prevented his heavy fist from landing on the old man’s jaw.

“Stay away from my family! Don’t you dare pronounce that name with your filthy mouth and desecrate her memory! Get out of my office and never set your foot in here again! You will get your finances but only if you leave Seoul and leave us alone! Otherwise, I don't vouch for my actions!"

Mr. Choi looked triumphantly at his opponent. There was an evil twinkle in his eyes as he was extremely pleased with what he had achieved.

“Sure, all the same, same temper! Maybe that’s why she chose you. Jin-ho had never been particularly picky about men. No matter what you do, there is always going to be innocent blood on your hands! All the best, Ji Sung, have a peaceful life.”

The truth was that Mr. Choi disappeared behind the office door just in time. Had he delayed for another second, it was likely he would have left Kim Enterprise in an ambulance car. 

Ji Sung collapsed on the couch in exhaustion, loosening his tie and the top two buttons on his shirt. He could hardly breathe. Dark spots were floating in front of his eyes, along with events from more than thirty years ago. Utterly destroyed, the man dropped his head in his hands.

“Why did you do this to us, Jin-ho? Why?” he whispered.

His mind travels back in time, to the day that changed his fate forever. A warm spring evening in Gyeonggi-do. The young student moves into a small county to participate in the exchange program for one semester, accompanied by his other three classmates.

He met Jin-ho at a local market. The girl was fresh as spring; her hair smelled of Jasmine; her smile was warm and glowing like the rays of the rising sun. All three mates fell in love with her at first sight. But her choice fell on the noble-looking brown-haired tall man, with broad shoulders and proper refined face features. She chose Ji Sung.

Jin-ho came from a poor background. She lived in a small hanok on the edge of the village with her father, sewing beautiful hanboks that she was selling in the local market. Ji Sung was fascinated by her from the very first time he laid his eyes on her. He would turn up at the market every day and buy all the goods from the girl. Soon after, their shy glances over each other turned into outbursts of hot passion. Ji Sung was greedily taking everything that the timid girl was offering him. A month and a half later, she told him she was expecting a baby. The news went as a heavy blow on a still very young man. His parents had already found him a bride from the appropriate family and their introduction to each other was scheduled for the end of the summer in Seoul.

Learning of the incident, Ji Sung’s parents got furious. Trying to punish their son, they ordered him to return to Seoul immediately. His mother traveled to Gyeonggi-do to personally meet Jin-ho. She tried to reason with the girl, explain the situation and promised to support her financially only if she leaves Ji Sung and the Kim family alone.

Meanwhile, the future spouses Ji Sung and Iseul got introduced in Seoul. The young man felt genuinely torn, as he liked both girls very much. Charmed by the intelligence, beauty, and sophistication of Iseul, he still remembered the other one, who was left on her own, carrying his baby under her heart.

He dared to travel back to Gyeonggi-do only five months later. Having arrived, to his great surprise and displeasure, the young man found out that his ex-love was no longer lonely. The man he had trusted and considered his best friend, Choi Yun Seok, had confessed his feelings to Jin-ho and proposed to her. He promised to be a good husband, father, and support for her child. Ji Sung had never been so angry in his entire life. Rage seemed to take over all his senses. That day, he and Yun Seok nearly beat the tar out of each other. The young man just wouldn't let his child be raised and taken care of by another man. Especially the one as treacherous and mean as Choi Yun Seok.

Without much thought, he brought Jin-ho along to Seoul. He acquired a beautiful and spacious villa by the river Han, where the girl was provided with all the comfort and care she needed in her state. He promised to resolve all the matters about his marriage to Iseul; he would refuse that marriage, and they would be a real family: him, Jin-ho, and their child.

Their son was born prematurely. The baby cried a lot and slept badly, which affected his young mother. Much to Ji Sung’s fury, Jin-ho insisted on naming the boy Yun.

The time went on, and Jin-ho got more nervous, seeking Ji Sung’s attention, begging him to stay with her. With each passing day, her depression got worse. Ji Sung, in his turn, never got the courage to go against his parents’ will and cancel the wedding. Feeling caged, he sought freedom and relief in alcohol and would stay out late on every possible occasion.

It was Choi Yun Seok who opened Jin-ho's eyes when he came over to visit her and demonstrated the invitation cards for the upcoming wedding of Kim Ji Sung and Iseul, due to take place next month.

The young woman wrote a goodbye note, leaving it together with little Yun in a baby carriage before the front door of Kim’s mansion. She took her life by jumping off a bridge into the Han River.

Ji Sung found out the shocking news about what was happening, after receiving the “package” from his beloved one. Unfortunately, it was too late to stop her. Ji Sung called Choi in desperation, telling him about the suicide note, and they both rushed, trying to find and stop her. But they came too late. Jin-ho’s body was found a few hours later and both of them were present at her identification.

The life of the Kim family has never been the same again. Ji Sung’s parents insisted on his immediate marriage, as his own little baby needed a mother. The man got incredibly lucky with his wife. Hearing the whole truth about the tragedy that had taken place, Iseul understood everything and forgave him. She was a very kind woman and took care of little Yun, bringing him up as if he were her own son. A year after the wedding, she gave birth to Seokjin. They decided to raise both brothers as if they were their biological children. Neither of them should ever find out this terrible secret about their father. The family moved to Anyang, hoping that the change of place would help them start a new life. But nothing and nobody will ever take the guilt and sorrow out of Kim Ji Sung’s heart. Jin-ho destroyed his soul forever.

***

Seokjin woke up at sunrise, having experienced a rare, profoundly satisfying sleep. Reluctantly, he admits to himself that his sleep quality was that good, mostly thanks to the guy that was peacefully snoozing in his arms. Immersed in Jungkook’s warmth, the gentle cadence of his breath on Seokjin's shoulder and the alluring scent of his peach shampoo that was slowly going to give him an addiction to, felt altogether unreal and too good to be true. This sensation is new to Seokjin. Lying there, breathless, his gaze lingered on Jungkook, absorbing every detail of his beauty. his beauty. Jeon’s features are delicate, lips so soft and red, shaped as if the boy was pouting in his sleep and Seokjin is fighting the urge to kiss them. Instead, he gently runs his fingertips over the sweet beauty mark on his cheek, careful not to wake him up. Everything about him is so perfect. Why does Jungkook fascinate him so much? Why does everything happening to them in Pyeongchang feel like a dream?

Jungkook shifts in his sleep, furrowing slightly, opening his eyes slowly. His gaze is a little lost, still half asleep. Seeing Sekjin, his eyes immediately get the spark, and his lips instantly stretch into a happy smile, making Seokjin feel the damn butterflies fluttering inside his stomach. Since Jung Myeong, he could count on one hand the times he had woken up beside someone. Overwhelmed by this beautiful boy's sincere reaction, Jin found himself at a loss. He presses himself closer to Jungkook, leaving kisses on his shoulder and the crook of his lovely neck. He would love to spend the entire day in bed with this sweet boy. They could make love all day long, only taking breaks to eat.

Jungkook feels pleasantly warm from sleep, like a kitten, cuddling in his arms, leaving out a soft sigh, kissing him back. He hugs Seokjin as if he were the most precious treasure in the world. And it makes Jin even more scared. He clings to Jungkook tighter as if it was for the last time.

“Good morning,” Jungkook smiles when they reluctantly pull away from each other. His voice still sounds slightly croaky from the sleep. Seokjin's gentle kisses, the soothing touches of his strong arms, that Kookie had never experienced before - all of this feels unbelievably relaxing and he wants to drift off again. Jungkook slept well enough, even though the surroundings were unfamiliar, and it was the first time that he wasn’t alone in bed. It made him wake up several times during the night but then drift off immediately against Jin's lovely chest.

Seokjin watches him for a long while, without blinking, letting himself finally realize the inevitable. There is no point in denying it any longer. He is madly in love with Jeon Jungkook. He had fallen for his secretary, harboring a love deeper than he had ever known. The more he struggled with these feelings, denied them, and tried to suppress them, the stronger they escalated, and now Seokjin’s life doesn’t belong to him anymore. What happened was exactly what he had always been so afraid of and tried to avoid at all cost. And he doesn’t know how to live with it now.

“Good morning,” he replies, swallowing hard and trying to calm down his excitement, keeping his voice from trembling when Jungkook gently squeezes his palm in his hand, “How did you sleep?”

“Good. Your mattress is very comfortable.” Jungkook hums approvingly as he slightly balances on the bed, winking back provocatively with a soft, teasing smile. Cute. And Jin thinks about how great he looks on these silk sheets.

“Consider yourself lucky, staying till morning on this comfortable mattress,” Seokjin teases, getting on top of him, and pressing his lover's shoulders to the bed. He rolls his hips over Jungkook’s, letting him feel the heat of his arousal, “Don’t think that you will get away with it this easily. Hyung still expects you to thank him properly."

“Then,” Jungkook licks his lips, trying not to show that the things Seokjin is doing to him affect him so strongly, making him dizzy, causing his breath to hitch, “I guess I should probably thank hyung. What do you think he wants in return for the night I spent on this freaking amazing mattress?”

“Let’s see,” Jin pretends to be making a difficult choice, “I think he would enjoy a kiss.”

“And hyung wouldn’t mind my morning breath?” Jungkook narrows his eyes in mischief.

“Well, you definitely can run and brush your teeth if it bothers you so much, but hyung will not be pleased if you keep him waiting.” Seokjin had no intention of letting him out of his arms, squeezing his wrists tightly, hovering over, pressing his lips against Jungkook’s. He will never get enough of their touches. Every contact with Jungkook brings goosebumps all over his body, and he doesn’t hold back on moans of pleasure when the younger one playfully responds to the kiss. It is a big turn-on when Jungkook acts confidently, taking over the lead, rolling Jin over to his back, eliciting an obscene sound to escape his lips. It is hot and kinky, and Jungkook is willing to do anything to hear more of these sweet sounds. This is the way he’d been dreaming of having Seokjin. On the previous occasions, his boss was restrained and tried to control the situation. It was exciting to observe such a change in him now. Seokjin’s trust meant everything, and Jungkook would do anything to make him feel safe.

He drops his head and buries his face in Seokjin’s neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of his skin, rocking his hips forward, trying to find a comfortable rhythm for both of them.

“Harder,” Seokjin exhales sweetly, feeling the hot breath on his cheek, squirming his hips under Jungkook, wrapping his legs around his waist in search of more contact.

Jungkook feels like he is about to have a heart attack from the realization of how turned on Seokjin is this morning. He still can’t believe how powerful an effect he has on his lover.

“You look so hot.” Jungkook shifts the angle to reach Seokjin’s lips better, his fingers clawing on the sheets, mercilessly clutching them, fighting his own emotions overwhelming him, making his body shake as if he had received a jolt of electricity.

“Jungkook,” Seokjin pleads, shutting his eyes tight. “Please don’t stop."

Sweat sheened their entwined bodies, sliding smoothly in a rhythm of shared desire. This time was much more intense than when they did it on the floor of the gazebo. Seokjin is trembling underneath Jungkook, his beautiful face contorted with pleasure, and this is by far the hottest way he has ever looked. In a fit of passion, Jungkook slips his hand between their bodies, starting to stroke their touching cocks, just like Seokjin did before, bringing both of them to climax. He comes with a muffled groan against Seokjin’s stomach, making him whimper into the kiss, arching his body in ecstasy, spilling the hot cum against Jungkook's cock.

Still panting, Jungkook opens his eyes, pushing himself up on the elbows to meet Jin’s gaze. He is a little dizzy from the way Seokjin is looking at him now and the way his voice sounds when he says, “Beautiful boy, took such good care of us both. My beautiful boy,” he says unconsciously, not knowing how these words make Jungkook’s heart somersault.

"Yours, only yours,” Jungkook whisperes, his voice a soft echo against his boss's bare chest.

They fell asleep for just a few minutes more. Jungkook gets woken up by a soft knock on the door. He jumps up in alert and Seokjin gestures to the bathroom door, calmly pulling on his pajamas, throwing on a nightgown on top.

It was Min Yoongi.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he was perfectly aware of Seokjin not being alone and who he was with, “but you need to see this,” he held out his cell phone, handing it to Seokjin.

Seeing the news, Jin felt his legs giving up. With trembling fingers, he grabbed the device to read the title again. Newer tweets were constantly popping up on the screen, all of them mentioning the company name and the scandal of the unexpected data breach. He furrowed his eyebrows; all the blood drained off from his face. This was bad.

“Give me half an hour. I’ll see you downstairs,” He nods, returning Yoongi his cell phone, dismissing him.

When the door closes behind the programmer, Jungkook gets out of the bathroom and gasps at the sight of Seokjin shaking, feverishly clutching his cell phone, biting on his lip, and reading something intently. His paleness and consternation are frightening. He tries to look over his shoulder to see what he is reading and asks in a shaky voice, “Wha- … what’s going on?”

“Take a look,” his boss says, opening an article and turning his phone in a way that Jungkook could read it too.

Jungkook breaks out into a cold sweat. How was it even possible that such a thing could happen?

Seokjin had fourteen missed calls from his father.

“You better get dressed and go back to the others,” he frowns at the clothes scattered over the bedroom floor from last night. He needs some privacy to make a phone call.

Jungkook hurries to comply with the request.

Once he is fully dressed, he pauses. Before walking out of the door, he stares back at his boss with concern. All he wants is to tell him that he is not alone in handling all of this, and Jungkook is always going to be there for him. They can deal with anything together.

“Hey,” he says, taking Jin’s hand softly and pulling him close to give him an encouraging hug. He puts into this touch everything that he wouldn’t dare put down in words. “Everything will be ok, get it?”

“Thank you,” he hears a shaky voice uttering back. Something in the determination in Jungkook’s eyes and the way he squeezes Jin’s shoulders makes Seokjin, for the first time in his life, feel that he is not alone in the world to cope with difficulties. And he loves the feeling.

***

Jungkook is worried about the rest of the team building.

Seokjin and Yoongi left Pyeongchang ahead of the others to deal with the situation in Seoul, and there has been no news from them ever since. All that he wants is to be with Seokjin, on his side, to help him in any possible way. To support him as his secretary, as a friend, as someone who cares about him. But he still stood responsible for team building, so he had to stay behind and make sure everything worked out on site.

The lectures passed tensely on the final day; the employees were distracted, worried about what had happened to the company, constantly checking the news online, and looking for new details of the data breach scandal and the investigation.

Jimin was brilliant at distracting his friend from his sad thoughts and helped Jungkook to stay focused on the assignments. During lunch break, Hoseok joined them at their table and Jimin shamelessly kissed him on the lips in front of everyone.

“Yes, we’re dating,” he squirmed, looking sheepishly, wrapping his arms around Jimin, reacting to his friend’s bewildered expression. Jungkook felt incredibly happy for his best friends.

“Congratulations,” he uttered, regaining his speech. “Wow, I didn't know. How long have you been together?”

Both guys looked quite satisfied. Jimin nodded, “Not that long. For about…”

“Twelve hours,” Hobi finished the sentence for him.

“Wow, regardless, good luck,” he rounded his eyes comically.

Both boys were very much into each other. Jungkook would have liked to be so open about his relationship with Seokjin, go on dates, hold hands, kiss him in front of everyone and display their affection in public without any regrets. His ears turned red at the memory of what he and Jin had done in the kitchen just a few hours ago when they could easily have gotten caught.

Taehyung seemed a bit distraught and sad all day. Jungkook tried to start a conversation with him, but the boy answered reluctantly, returning the forced smiles. He asked Jungkook whether he knew where he could find cheap accommodation in Seoul. Kook shared a couple of links for the websites that specialized in budget real estate and decided to leave the boy alone in the end.

The day finally approached its ending, and the group got ready to return to the capital. Jungkook was silent for most of the coach ride back, observing the disappearing landscape with regret. He will remember this team building for a long time. A strong premonition of great difficulties waiting for him in Seoul wouldn't let go of him. But the thrilling sensation of seeing Seokjin, being close to him, took over everything else. Jungkook can't wait to see him again.

***

For the past couple of days, Taehyung has been actively searching the internet for new accommodation that would not be too far away from the Kim enterprise. He would have to change his lifestyle most radically. His savings were enough to cover the deposit for a tiny flat with a shower of about four square meters. The house pricing in Seoul was far above his budget. He would probably need to sell most of his designer outfits and jewelry. At the new place, he was not going to have enough room to store them anyway.

He spent the night after returning from team building at a budget hotel and headed over to Yoongi’s in the morning to pack. He still had the keys to their apartment. Taehyung got used to thinking of the place as “theirs”. Nevertheless, he hopes to avoid meeting his ex-lover. If he hurries up, hopefully, he might be able to pack everything up before Yoongi returns. It will be easier for both of them that way. His heart bleeds as he collects all of his belongings. It feels as if he was trying to bury the last two months of a happy life, packing it in one tiny suitcase. Taehyung separates the essential stuff that he was to take to the new apartment from the stuff he was to leave in the locker at the train station.

Many things have sentimental value. This place turned into a love nest for him and Yoongi. He remembers the first time the programmer brought him here and the childish delight he felt at the look at the magnificent panoramic window in the spacious living room. He remembers how they got the large mirror in the bathroom together. Yoongi helped Tae to unpack his stuff. He said that from then on, it was Tae's apartment too. And that he could use all of the furniture and space as he wished. They cooked dinner together for the first time that evening and then sat on this couch, drinking red wine, talking, and watching movies, not paying attention to the plot. And then they hugged for a long time. In the evenings, they used to play computer games or make love on every surface of this apartment.

There simply were too many happy memories. When he was moving to Seoul, Tae could not imagine he would end up in a situation like that one. The last thing he was expecting was that Yoongi would mean so much to him and that eventually, he would have to give up on his original plan just to keep him safe.

Aside from the despair and pain caused by his breakup, the boy was horrified about the things that might happen to him in the coming days. For the first time, he doubted himself, feeling completely alone, abandoned, thrown into the ring with powerful people that wouldn’t think twice before destroying him at the slightest opportunity if he only dared to do or say something other than what they ordered him to.

Concentrated on sorting and packing his skincare products in the bathroom, he registered a slight rustle behind, and the boy slightly flinched, turning around. Yoongi steps into the living room, shaking off raindrops from his hair and taking off a damp raincoat. He quietly greets the boy without looking at him.

Tae breathes out a sigh of relief, placing a hand on his chest.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Yoong said in a hollow voice. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes.

“It’s ok. I thought you’d be out till the evening. I just needed to pick up some of my stuff.” Tae clutches his makeup bag awkwardly. Why is it suddenly so weird to look at Yoongi?

Yoongi turns away quickly. He is not strong enough to see this. His bathroom shelves would be depressingly empty without Tae’s skincare stuff that fits there so well. If he could, he would give away all the damn furniture in this apartment to Taehyung. He would happily buy the perfume store for him and turn his entire house into storage for his trinkets if that made him stay.

“I won’t bother you.” Yoongi turns on his heel and walks into the bedroom.

Taehyung closes his eyes tightly, trying to hold back tears that are about to spring to his eyes at any moment. He needs to stay focused. Taking a deep breath, he continues to pack. Why did this all have to get so complicated?

When everything is finally neatly arranged and packed, there is nothing left for him at this place. He pauses in hesitation, standing in front of the half-open door to the bedroom, unsure of what to do. Their ex bedroom. At the very least, he should say goodbye to Yoongi and thank him for his kindness and hospitality. Unwillingly, he was delaying this moment. Saying goodbye was never easy for Taehyung.

He dares to push the door open and walk inside. Yoongi’s silhouette is visible in the darkness; he’s lying on his back in the middle of their large bed, his arms outstretched to both sides, eyes closed. Shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, Tae is about to turn to go away when Yoongi softly calls out to him. His voice is very far from sleepy.

“Will you come in or continue just standing there?”

“I thought you were asleep. Didn’t want to wake you up.”

Yoongi swallows the lump in his throat. How will he live without this voice? Is this really the end?

“I don’t think I will be able to get any sleep tonight,” he says honestly.

Tae bites his lip. He is about to burst into tears.

“You know, you don’t need to leave tonight.” Yoongi went on. “I offered you a guest room where nobody would bother you; the offer still stands.”

Taehyung’s heart sinks again. It is the last try. There is desperation in Yoongi’s voice. This is so wrong. All of this felt so wrong!

“Hyung,” Tae takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. He feels exhausted. All he wants is to take a shower and go to bed, preferably with Yoongi by his side. “You know it’s not right. It would only make it harder for both of us.”

“But you wouldn’t need to leave in the middle of the night. It might be dangerous.

Yoongi is worried about him. Even though Taehyung is the one who is dumping him, the older one is still worried for him. It’s too much. Tae can no longer contain all the grief that overflows his heart. He slides down the wall, descending to the floor, exhausted, hugging his knees, tears filling his eyes. He cannot see anything through them. This is more than he can bear.

Warm hands of his hyung are around him, gently touching his cheeks, trying to dry his tears. Yoongi is crying too. They both shudder in sobs, holding each other. Everything was wrong with them from the start.

“Someday, you will find out the whole truth about me. And when the day comes, I beg you, hyung, try not to hate me too much.”

“But what are you talking about, baby, why should I hate you?”

“I cannot tell you anything now. These few weeks, …” Taehyung sobs, “These few weeks have been the best time of my life. Try to forgive me.”

“Baby, I have no reason to hate you.”

“Just remember, I never wanted to harm you or anyone else.” There was pain, despair, remorse in his voice.

“I’ll go crazy if you don’t tell me what’s going on!” Yoongi is desperate, too; he wants to know the answer.

“I’m sorry.” Tae gathers the rest of his strength to stop crying. “I’m so sorry for everything. I must go.”

He gets up without looking back and heads to the door, putting on his boots. Yoongi doesn’t stop him.

“Text me when you get to your new home. I won’t be able to sleep until I hear that you are okay,” was the only thing that Yoongi wanted.

Tae nods silently, takes his suitcase and sports bag, opens the door, and determinedly walks out.

There is no turning back. He is abandoning this comfortable life, a safe haven, that has given him so much peace and support. There is a decisive battle ahead of him, and his chances to win it are not that high, but at least he could try getting out of it with the minimum losses. He walks to the bus stop, not knowing that as soon as the door closes behind him, there is a terrifying noise of the overturned furniture in Yoongi’s flat. Yoongi is desperate, and there is nothing that can console him. It is the second time in his life that the person who meant everything to him has left him as if he never mattered.

***

Coming back from Pyeongchang, Seokjin starts dealing with the aftermath of the chaos created by the leak of confidential information. He constantly gets abused by journalists, desperate to get a comment from him on the situation and the steps Kim Enterprise was taking to deal with the disaster.

On the day of his return, the company held an emergency meeting to assess the seriousness of the current situation and possible consequences. Fortunately, the list of clients’ names got permanently removed from the internet. However, the fact of the disclosure meant a massive financial loss for Kim Enterprise as the enormous compensations were supposed to be paid to the victims.

Seokjin and Yoongi gathered a team of computer security experts, who were assigned to carry out a special investigation to figure out how exactly the confidential data fell into the hands of the cybercriminals. The process was estimated to take from one week to ten days.

Suffering from incredible stress, Seokjin admitted that he had completely lost control of the situation. And it wasn’t just about his work. The whirlwind of strong feelings and emotions evoked by Jungkook deprived him of sleep. His secretary was worried about him, sending him text messages, trying to make sure he was all right. But Jin was too overwhelmed and stunned at the moment to react to them. They might have to take a little time out for him to be able to clear his mind. He still was fighting the urge to call Jungkook to hear his lovely voice for at least a minute. With Jungkook by his side, every single problem seemed like it had a solution.

The father met Jin with coldness, which was common in their communication. He didn’t reproach his son for anything, but neither approved of his work. And that made the young man’s wish to figure out everything that had happened only stronger; he had to know how secret information ended up in the wrong hands.

After the team building, they barely interacted with Jungkook. Their communication was limited to the necessary minimum, only about the things that were related directly to work. As if nothing had happened between them in Pyeongchang at all.

Jungkook was getting more gloomy, getting the gist of what it meant to be a simple friend with benefits, a sex toy for someone he had strong feelings for. He was trying to console himself, believing that Seokjin was having a hard time, being up to his neck with worries about everything he had to deal with. But he lived in constant fear that Seokjin had already got enough and decided to end things with him. These thoughts were driving him crazy. He desperately wanted to ask Seokjin but would pull himself up every time. He had no right to demand any explanations from his boss. Seokjin set the boundaries of their relationship very clear from the beginning, stating that they would never be together. And Jungkook had to live with it. Their relationship was developing very dynamically from the start, so a sudden lack of attention and coldness coming from Seokjin over the last three days were painful.

Seokjin wouldn’t react to his secretary’s timid hints that he wanted to meet and spend time together.

Jungkook was sitting alone in a cafe nearby their office, staring at his food with no appetite, when Jimin approached him.

The boy was beaming with happiness lately. Hobi and he was that type of couple that everyone found cute. They would wear paired things, and walk hand in hand everywhere, not bothering to hide their affection, including its manifestation in public. Every time Hoseok took Jimin to his office in the morning, he would place a gentle goodbye kiss on his cheek. It was incredibly sweet. Jungkook was genuinely happy for them, sadly understanding that he would never experience the same thing.

“Am I bothering you?” Jimin asked before sitting down on the chair next to him.

“Not at all, hyung,” Jungkook looked a little sad.

Jimin placed his cup with a latte on the table.

“Has something happened?” He asked, feeling his friend’s mood.

“All the same.”

“That bad?”

Jungkook just shuddered.

“Neither good nor bad. I think Seokjin got bored of me.”

Jimin visibly stiffens.

“What happened?”

“The whole point is that nothing much has happened. Ever since we’ve returned to Seoul, he doesn’t call or answer my messages.” Jungkook looks at his cell phone resentfully, “of course, I understand that he is busy and has serious problems, but at least he could have answered me.”

“Sounds familiar,” Jimin says with a sigh. “Haven’t you tried calling him?”

“Nope. I guess I am just too afraid of his rejection.”

“If that is so, then better leave him alone. When he feels like it, he will get back to you.”

“I guess so. But I can’t wait forever!”

The next moment, they notice Kim Taehyung walking past them, acknowledging their presence with a slight nod. Something was off with the boy: the way he walked, moved, and nervous facial expression - all of that felt out of place. He quickly approached the counter, got a takeaway drink and left. Staring after him in bewilderment and not daring to comment, the friends resumed their interrupted conversation.

“Well, Kookie, if you don’t want to answer that, you don’t have to. How far have you gone with him? Have you already had sex?”

“What? No!” Jungkook hastened to close the topic; a delicate blush reaches his cheeks.

“Do you want that to happen?”

“Jimin!” His friend whines in embarrassment. They talked about private things before, but now it was more difficult for Jungkook since Seokjin had made his attitude towards the subject clear.

“So,” Jimin sighed, “Then you could make one last try. If I were you, I would ask him out, but if he refuses, you need to leave it at that.”

Jungkook liked the idea. His intuition was shouting at the back of his head that it was worth taking a risk and asking Seokjin out. He might end up rejected. Well, if that happens, Jungkook will take it like a man and stop bothering his boss. He wants to take the first step toward them getting together; it hurts him to be without Seokjin.

The workday is slowly coming to an end. Jungkook hopes to see Seokjin in the office, but it turns out that he left the office a long time ago. He calls his boss on his work phone to pass him an urgent message from the advertising partners. Dialling the number his heart skips heavy beats at each call tone. Beads of sweat turned upon his forehead. He won’t last long if he continues to get so worried every time he needs to talk to Jin.

Seokjin picks up after the fourth ring. He speaks formally after listening to the message. After Jungkook finished speaking, Jin thanked him, and there was silence at the end of the line. But it felt like he waited for Jungkook to say something else.

Now or never.

“What are you doing tonight?” Jungkook tries.

“Nothing much. Netflix and chill. Fancy joining me?”

Jungkook’s face immediately beams with a happy smile.

“I was thinking, maybe we could go out somewhere together… like you and me?”

“Are you trying to ask me out on a date?” By the tone of his voice, Jungkook can’t understand whether Seokjin is playful or is about to brush him off.

“Oh what? Of course not! I mean, maybe we could go out for a drink?” Jungkook is afraid Jin can hear his hard breathing on the other end of the line.

“I’ll pick you up at seven,” Seokjin answers curtly. Jungkook’s lips stretch into a wide smile.

He rushes back home to get ready. He spends a long time in the bathroom, applying all kinds of skincare products to look nice and fresh. He chooses clothes to emphasize his advantages: skinny jeans to show his toned thighs, a white t-shirt, and a pink hoodie were soft and very pleasant to the touch and were Seokjin’s favourite colour. He wants Seokjin to want to touch him.

Seeing his boss is exhilarating. Outfitted casually, he looks amazing in the light denim trousers, a simple sweater, and a long necklace around his neck. As always, aggressively attractive. He takes Jungkook’s hand as they walk to the car, waiting for them. Sitting next to his boss in the silence of the car is thrilling. Jungkook is still not sure, how the evening would go. He is tense, trying not to get his hopes up. But if it goes the way he hopes it would, he has important things to say to Seokjin.

***

Taehyung is shivering from the cold, having arrived at the appointed meeting point. The weather is miserable, with strong gusts of wind and drizzling rain. He is in some abandoned area, surrounded by something that looks like warehouses. Most buildings are gray, made of reinforced concrete, with no windows. He had never been here before. He can smell gasoline in the distance. There is some kind of factory nearby, he hears sounds of some heavy cargo loaded. Behind him comes the sound of an approaching car. Looking over his shoulder, Tae could feel his heart in his throat. It is likely to be the person who made this appointment with him.

A few moments later, the car pulls up to the side of the road, with headlights pointed straight at his face. Taehyung tries to cover his eyes with the back of his hand, blocking out the harsh light.

Two people dressed in black get out of the car. Tae recognizes one of them.

“How are you, little prince? This time you are more punctual.” Youngjae grins with a nasty smile.

“I did everything you ordered.”

“Get in, we need to have a conversation.” Youngjae forcefully pushes Taehyung to the open car door.

“What? I’m not going anywhere with you!” Taehyung protested, eyes wide with horror.

He had no choice. Blindfolded and unable to see anything, the boy is pushed to the back seat of the car roughly.

“Why are you doing this?” Argued the boy, “I didn’t do anything wrong! Let me go!”

“Shut up, darling, don’t waste your breath. We are going to have a long conversation.”

The car quickly rushes away, raising clouds of dust, leaving in an unknown direction.

Chapter Text

Despite the wet and damp weather outside, Seokjin’s car provides a warm and cozy refuge amidst the endless, annoying drizzle. Seokjin is lost in thought, staring out of the window, his gaze deep and pensive as he traces the raindrops sliding down the glass. He and Jungkook occupy the backseat of the company car. Seokjin’s hand holds his secretary’s palm, a gentle warmth emanating from his touch as his fingertips unconsciously doodle circles and lines in its center.

His serene and dreamy demeanor brings a sense of soothing comfort and pleasant feelings, yet the shadow of his past actions still looms over. He is still the same person who had vowed never to date Jungkook and said they would never be together, the one who had ignored his phone calls and texts for days without explanation. Deep inside, Jungkook’s heart harbors a tenacious fear: what if Seokjin has agreed to this meeting just to tell him their exclusive friends with benefits arrangement isn’t working for him and they should end it? The thought of losing this man without ever truly having him in the first place is a torment Jungkook cannot bear.

Weidong, the elderly chauffeur of the Kim family, sits at the steering wheel. The man often drives them to the airport for business trips, ever since Jung Hoseok's promotion to assistant manager. His presence in the car adds a layer of restraint, creating a subtle tension between Seokjin and Jungkook. 

Jungkook turns his gaze to the window, biting his lip in frustration. In Pyeongchang, Hoseok had hinted at how obvious Jungkook's adoration was, evident to anyone paying attention. He doesn't want to cause Seokjin any trouble or embarrass him in front of outsiders, so he tries to maintain composure. However, his boss seems unconcerned, every now and then casting long, meaningful glances in Jungkook's direction, and sneaking an arm around his shoulders, pulling him as close as their seatbelts allow.

They reach Itaewon a few minutes later. The car parks near the pedestrian zone, and Seokjin gets out first. He opens his umbrella and offers his arm to Jungkook, ensuring that the younger one doesn't get wet in the pouring rain. They walk side by side, neither too fast nor too slow, moving in perfect sync. The minimal distance between their bodies allows Seokjin to sense the tension in Jungkook’s back. His assistant is visibly anxious: his eyebrows slightly furrowed, eyes wide and pupils dilated. His breathing is deep and frequent, and he nervously licks his lips far too often. Seokjin wants to calm him down, to ease his anxiety and make him feel comfortable in his presence, but doesn't know how to.

The bar Seokjin has chosen for this meeting is a place they have never visited together before. The vibe is pleasant: slow, relaxing music plays softly in the background, not too loud, allowing interlocutors to hear each other well, thus encouraging conversation. The stylishly decorated interior is divided into sections, giving each visitor a huge amount of personal space. Most of the tables are occupied by groups or romantic couples, fully absorbed in their own conversations, including several male couples. 

As they take two free seats at the bar, Seokjin and Jungkook inadvertently draw attention from others. A group of three young men nearby scrutinizes Jungkook with undisguised admiration, causing Seokjin to subconsciously tighten his grip around the younger one’s shoulder. Jungkook squirms uncomfortably under their gaze, feeling out of place. He has never enjoyed drawing too much attention to himself and is still not fully aware of how attractive he appears in the eyes of others. 

The bartender immediately recognizes Seokjin as they approach, his face lighting up with a warm, welcoming smile.

“Jinnie, how are you, old man? Haven’t seen you in ages!” he beams, his familiarity palpable in the playful tone. His eyes shift to Jungkook, studying him with a curious, interested gaze. In response, Seokjin subtly wraps his hand around Jungkook’s waist, a silent declaration that they are together. The bartender’s smile grows broader, teasingly observant. “I can see you waste no time. Very well accompanied today,” he comments with a hint of playful jest. 

Seokjin returns the greeting with a reserved nod, the formality in his voice contrasting  the bartender’s playful tone. “Yeonbin,” he acknowledges, “indeed, it’s been a while. You’re absolutely right. I’ve been very busy. By the way, this is Jungkook.” 

Seokjin turns to his secretary and in that moment, his gaze softens, filled with an inexplicable affection that leaves Jungkook momentarily speechless. This gentle, caring version of Seokjin starkly contrasts everything that he had shown Jungkook over the last week. As if he had never made him suffer because of the cold indifference and the days of neglect and emotional distance had never occurred. 

Taken aback by the shift in Seokjin’s demeanor, Jungkook quickly gets his thoughts together and greets Yeonbin with a polite bow. The bartender chuckles and gets back to work, turning away to another customer to pour a glass of beer with practiced ease.

Seokjin can sense Jungkook’s discomfort and uneasiness amid the crowd, being surrounded by strangers. Willing to put him at ease he strokes his tense shoulders and back, hoping he finally relaxes. As soon as their drinks are ready he guides him to a quieter and more discreet corner of the bar. They settle at a small table for two, where they can speak in a quiet and relaxed environment, almost entirely hidden away from prying eyes.

Public demonstration of their relationship is new to Jungkook. He is very excited by the way Seokjin is looking after him. He is moved and can’t stop thinking of his boss’ protective manner and that Seokjin looks like he is about to kill anybody who is only thinking to make a move into his direction. The fact that they went to the bar on their own for the first time is already much more than he could ever hope for.

Jungkook yearns to discuss many important things. He wants to know the reason why Seokjin has been distancing himself recently. Also, he’s been waiting for the right moment to share his own plans to leave the company. But Seokjin’s confession—that his and Namjoon’s relationship is purely platonic—has changed everything. If Seokjin still wants him as his secretary, Jungkook would love to withdraw his resignation and maintain the status quo. And if it weren’t for the scandal with the data breach at Kim Enterprise, he would have definitely talked about these subjects to Seokjin that very morning, when they woke up for the first time together in the same bed in Pyeongchang. But for now, all he can do is just watch Seokjin and ponder how to broach such an important topic.

Time slips away unnoticed as their conversation flows effortlessly, sprinkled with playful jokes and pleasant banter. Seokjin gently places his hand on Jungkook’s thigh, feeling the warm acceptance in Jungkook’s subtle shift closer. He yearns for more: to touch Jungkook all the time, hold him in his arms, run his fingers through his hair, to inhale the delicious scent of his skin. Each smile from the boy, every lingering gaze, the adorable squint of his eyes when he laughs, makes Seokjin’s heart leap, stirring strange new feelings, emotions he had never experienced before Jungkook. He suspects he must look like a love-struck fool, but ever since accepting his feelings for Jungkook and ceasing  trying to suppress them, life has felt infinitely easier. 

“So, your parents still live in Busan?” Seokjin inquires, eager to learn as much as possible about this fascinating person.

Jungkook tries to stay focused, but it’s so hard when Seokjin’s lips are that close, and his eyes keep drifting down to them, remembering how soft they feel.

“Yeah, my family lives in Busan,” he answers, studying his hands, not brave enough to raise his eyes to drown in his boss’ endless dark shiny eyes.

“They must be missing you. Do you get to see each other often?”

“I haven’t visited home since the last Chuseok. Unfortunately I cannot afford going home too often, and my mom is cautious about traveling on her own.”

Seokjin feels a slight stab of guilt. He should have taken better care of his employee. He should have acknowledged the fact that his assistant had been putting him first, wanting to please in every possible way, thinking of his own needs in the last place.

“What do your parents do?”

“My mom helps my brother in his restaurant,” he responds slowly, adding, “I cannot remember my father well. He left us when I started studying in the second grade and we never heard back from him again.”

Such honesty is admirable. Jungkook is not afraid of appearing vulnerable, telling the most private things, and Seokjin is grateful for that. He is ready to take their relationship to this level of closeness. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t want to put Jungkook under pressure or create an impression that he is interrogating him.

“So do you have brothers or sisters?” He tries to switch the topic in a subtle way.

“I have three younger brothers.”

Learning about his subordinate’s family – his origins –  helps Seokjin understand Jungkook’s personality and demeanor better. The eldest son in a household, a support for his single mother - no wonder this boy turned out to be so responsible. Every aspect of Jungkook’s everyday life reflects that burden of early maturity. Sudden realization hits him: they only have two weeks left of working together. Then Jungkook will be gone, and Seokjin will never find another personal assistant quite like him. 

“Do you get along? They all must adore you,” Seokjin asks, genuinely curious. For a fleeting moment he can’t help but imagine Jungkook happy and relaxed surrounded by those who are the closest ones to him. A quiet longing tugs at him – it would be nice to get to know Jungkook’s family, to learn the way they interact with each other and Jungkook.

The younger one smiles softly. 

"Yes, we get along very well, actually. Though, since I moved to Seoul, my younger brother, Junghyeong, has become the real head of the family. He's got his own business now — a restaurant with a bar on the beach. He's always calling to check on me, making sure I'm eating well." 

With those words he pulls out his cell phone and swipes through the photo gallery. For the briefest moment, Seokjin catches a photo of himself among the images before Jungkook swiftly opens a different album. 

The family photo reveals a group of happily smiling people. Jungkook looks noticeably younger — his hair shorter, his grin wide and carefree. He's standing beside a beautiful woman who appears almost fragile next to him. The other three boys in the photo each bear a striking resemblance to her, in their own unique way. Jungkook begins explaining, zooming in on each face in turn.

“This is me. Here is my mom. And that's Hajun, the youngest one of us. He's graduating from high school this year, studying for his final exams," he says, moving his finger to another person. A handsome boy with a mop of black hair and eyes just as large as Jungkook’s. "This is Junghyeong —  he's a year and a half younger than me.” He pauses, pointing at the boy standing slightly above the rest in the photo. “And here, above us, stands Jaehoon. Remember I once asked for a time off to attend a wedding? That was his. He lives with his family in Daegu now.”

The way Jungkook looks at his family in this photograph, and the warmth in his voice as he speaks about them is heartwarming – but simultaneously stirs a faint touch of melancholy. There is no doubt these people share a profound love for one another. It’s not that Seokjin’s own family isn’t close, but the relationship between them has never been so heartfelt. Seokjin would sacrifice a lot to regain their respect and care, which he’d stopped expecting after certain events in his youth. 

As Jungkook closes the gallery and wants to tuck his phone back to his trousers pocket, Seokjin stops him. 

“You have a picture of me on your phone?”

Jungkook blushes a deep red and looks at him embarrassed.

“It’s … I didn’t — ”

“I noticed.”

“….”

“Don’t worry,” Seokjin says with a smile, his eyes softening for a brief moment. “I like that. If it makes you feel any better, I have a few photos of you saved on my phone too.” 

Jungkook almost chokes on his drink, caught off guard.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah. Does that surprise you?”

Jungkook isn’t quite sure what Seokjin wants to hear in response. But right now, he feels compelled to be honest.

“I never even imagined you liked me so much.”

“Haven’t I made it clear enough?” Seokjin practically purrs, leaning in close. His hot breath brushes against Jungkook’s face, fingers tighten on Jungkook’s thigh, sending a sweet shiver through his spine and making him swallow hard. They can’t kiss here and now, as there are too many eyes on them – but Jungkook can’t bring himself to think about anything else.

“That’s not what I meant,” Jungkook almost moans in response, his voice low and breathless. “I thought…”

Before he can finish, Yeonbin appears at their table with two shots of tequila in hand.

“A little treat from that guy,” — he gestures towards the far side of the room.

A tall, broad-shouldered guy with dark blond hair stands by the bar. His biceps are covered in tattoos and he exudes a rugged intensity – exactly the opposite of what Seokjin is. The man flashes a cheeky smile, locking his eyes with Jungkook.

Seokjin’s expression darkens with fury at such audacity.

“Take it back and tell him we’re not interested,” he spits through gritted teeth, glaring daggers at the stranger. If it were up to him, he’d come up and pour the shots over the man’s head himself.

Jungkook casts an awkward glance at his admirer, as though trying to apologize. He’s flattered, but Seokjin’s reaction truly amazes him. How could he have ever thought that his boss had suddenly turned a cold shoulder to him?

In the blink of an eye Seokjin grows sullen, his body tense, literally every fiber of his being radiates irritation. He glares at the stranger with a fierce look brimming with hatred. When Yeonbin shakes his head no, the man gives Jungkook an understanding smile, shrugging with regret, and turns back to the bar.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook smiles awkwardly. He hopes the incident hasn’t ruined their evening.

“It’s none of your fault,” Seokjin stops himself from snapping, as he looks back at his secretary. “It’s just that some people have no sense of boundaries or manners.” 

His face is still flushed with rage. The mood is clearly sour. 

Jungkook wants to fix this and bring their conversation back to the trusting tone they’d established earlier. He takes Seokjin’s hand gently.

“No one else really exists to me when you're around,” he says softly.

Seokjin’s expression softens immediately. He doesn’t want to make Jungkook uncomfortable; he wants him to enjoy their time together.

“That guy seemed a bit desperate,” he quips with a little laugh. Jungkook had been looking forward to this evening for so long. Nothing else matters as much as the time they’re sharing with Seokjin, finally, one on one. The last thing he could ever think of is wasting it on random strangers.

“Do you have a brother, too?” Jungkook asks, steering their conversation back to the topic from before.

Seokjin relaxes again. His voice takes on a gentler tone.

“Yeah. Yun moved to Canada right after college. He’s supposed to come home next week for appa's birthday.

I think I’ve only seen him a couple of times,” Jungkook says thoughtfully.

“I doubt you’d see him much even if he lived in Seoul. He’s really not that into the family business. Honestly, we don’t talk that often.”

“Is that so!?” Jungkook arches brow intrigued. 

“I wouldn’t say he’s homophobic, but our relationship changed a lot after—” Seokjin hesitates, his voice faltering for a moment. “After I came out to my family about liking men. Things have never been the same again.”

A candid confession catches Jungkook off guard. He’s never really thought about how his own family would react if they found out that he was dating a man. It’s a topic they’ve never discussed openly, though everyone clearly noticed that he had very little interest in women. Jungkook’s brothers used to joke about the girls he might like, but over time, those comments stopped — as if they’d come to realize that he was different. 

“How was it? How did you tell them about liking men?” Jungkook asks hesitantly.

Seokjin freezes, looking ahead, trying to pull himself together. His fingers, resting on a glass of unfinished cocktail, clasp it tightly. Just a few days ago, he would have not even dreamt about sharing this. But after everything that’s happened between them recently, there is a strange sense of connection he feels with Jungkook, as if this man is the only one who could truly understand him. And so, he takes a leap of faith, offering the younger one a piece of his past.

“I started dating this guy when I was in school,” Seokjin’s voice sounds unusually even, as if he’s telling someone else’s story. “I was thirteen. He was two years older than me. He was my first … in every sense of the word.” 

Jungkook listens, holding his breath, afraid to shatter this fragile moment of sincerity. After a brief pause, Seokjin shakes his head and exhales sharply, as if forcing himself to go on. 

“I loved him. Profoundly. And I told my family about him. I said we were together. My parents were horrified, of course. At first, they tried to convince me otherwise, staying that it was just a phase, that at my age, I didn’t know what I really wanted. But eventually, they came to accept it as a part of who I am.”

“Did your brother change his attitude towards you because you were dating a guy?” Jungkook asks cautiously.

Seokjin’s expression darkens. He doesn’t want to recollect this chapter, however something shifts in him at that moment. Looking into Jungkook’s earnest eyes, he realizes he truly wants to share this part of his past with him.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that. I got into a lot of trouble because of that guy. He didn’t actually feel the same way about me. He was playing, using me for his own gain. Later, he admitted it himself. He said he pretended to love me and that we were together, just so he could expose me to everyone. He had conspired behind my back with some boys, who promised that if he publicly humiliated and insulted me, they’d let him join their group. Everyone at school respected and feared that gang. For the prospect of being one of them, he set it up so I’d be beaten up. And he stood by, doing nothing to stop that or protect me.”

Seokjin’s voice wavers, but he goes on. “In the end, those guys got away with barely any punishment. My ex joined them like nothing happened. Later, it caused a huge scandal, and I was forced to change schools. My parents said they wanted justice and tried to protect me. But honestly … I think they were mostly just ashamed of me.”

Jungkook absorbs every word, every flicker of emotion that appears on his boss’s face. In an instant, Seokjin’s pain becomes his own. A deep, searing anger wells up inside him, a sense of outrage at the sheer cruelty and injustice. How could anyone crush the feelings of a person like Seokjin? How could someone betray and so treacherously humiliate someone who trusted and loved them so deeply?

“That is vile,” Jungkook murmurs, barely able to find his voice. His fists clench involuntarily under that table. “How dared he?” 

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Seokjin lifts his gaze. His eyes seem empty, fragments of old pain glint within them, even though he appears outwardly calm. “I’ve long since forgotten about it.”

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook says, his voice tingling with bitterness as he reaches out and grasps Seokjin’s hand in his.

“I’ve never told anyone this story. Only my family knows. And now, you do too.”

Jungkook’s heart skips a beat. Suddenly, he struggles to get enough air to breathe. Seokjin has just gotten over himself, and opened a door to his soul, letting Jungkook in like no one else before. To hear himself mentioned alongside Seokjin’s family feels profoundly special.

“I felt ashamed when the whole school found out what a naive fool I’d been. Just a gullible boy, easily deceived — and gay, on top of that. I think my father lost all respect for me then. I doubt I’ll ever win it back. And honestly, I can’t blame him.” Seokjin's voice carries infinite bitterness and hurt, though he doesn’t seem entirely aware of it. 

With the mask stripped away, Jungkook sees Seokjin’s true self for the first time: wounded, vulnerable, a man bearing a profound sadness that echoes his own.

It reminds Jungkook of things he’d tried to bury deep inside, hiding them in the most secret corner of his soul.  Memories of his father berating his mother, calling her names, saying she was worthless, her quiet sobs late at night when she thought no one could hear. A creeping sense of guilt rises in him from time to time, whispering that maybe, just maybe, it was his fault their family fell apart. Perhaps if he had behaved better, argued less and studied harder, his father wouldn’t have abandoned them. Rationally, Jungkook knows this isn’t true, yet the wretched feeling still suffocates him. 

“I don’t believe in love,” Seokjin confesses. 

These words cut like a blade, leaving Jungkook reeling. No, he can’t accept that. He disagrees. He’s always believed, because what he feels for Seokjin can’t be anything but true love. There’s no mistake — they met in this life for a reason. The connection that originated as work colleagues had grown into something much greater and significant. Why can’t Seokjin see what’s obvious, right in front of him?

"Maybe you just haven’t met someone who’s worthy of you," Jungkook whispers, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Why do tears threaten to spill now, of all times? It’s such an inappropriate moment — being this close, touching Seokjin, kissing him, yet knowing his feelings might never be returned. The thought is utterly devastating. 

“No,” Seokjin pulls his hand away, creating a distance that only intensifies Jungkook’s pain. “I know myself. I’m not made for romantic relationships. People who try to impose these illusions on each other, promising forever, are foolish. Nothing lasts. Everything ends sooner or later.”

The silence that follows hurts, but Jungkook can’t bring himself to argue. He aches to object that Seokjin more than anyone else is made for romantic relationships. And if he let Jungkook, he’d make him the happiest person in the world.

For several moments they sit in wordless contemplation, each lost in their own thoughts in their own way. It makes Jungkook fear he’d ruined the evening with this conversation and that Seokjin might want to leave. But then, his boss surprises him in a nice way.

“It means a lot to me that you have asked me out. That you wanted to spend this evening with me,” Seokjin’s fingers gently brush against Jungkook’s cheek. “And it feels damn good being around you.”

“I was really worried you’d say no,” Jungkook admits, his voice soft and tentative. “I’ve missed you so much these past days.”

Seokjin fights the desperate urge to close the half-meter gap between them and kiss Jungkook.

“I’ve missed you too,” he says. “This week has been so hard. There were moments I wanted to throw everything away, just to escape … to you.”

The longing for more physical contact grows unbearable for both of them.

“You can’t say things like that,” Jungkook pleads, his voice trembling. “I never even dared to dream of this. If it turns out to be a joke, it’ll break my heart.”

“You have no idea, do you?” Seokjin says hotly, his voice rises with intensity, brimming with raw sincerity. “You can’t imagine what this means to me — what I feel when I’m with you. How I cherish every minute that we spend together.”

Jungkook feels his heart flip in his chest. He never imagined Seokjin would ever say something like this to him.

“Is it true?” he whispers, still not daring to believe his own ears. “Then why did you avoid me all week? It felt awful without you. I thought you’d never want to see me again. I’ve tried to work up the courage to ask how you were, but you were always so busy. I know you are never going to date me, and that we’re just… friends with benefits, but I can’t fight the way I feel about you. I am terrified that you got tired of me and want to end things.”

“Jungkook.” Seokjin gently cups his chin, drawing their faces closer, his electrifying eyes bore into Jungkook’s. “Look at me. We’ve talked about this before. Don’t ever try to guess what I’m feeling. You mean so much more to me than you can imagine. You’re not some casual fling or just a friend for sex. You’re the reason I get up in the mornings, the reason I care about anything at all. You’re why I enjoy going to the office every day, counting the moments until I can see you. Can’t you feel it?”

Every word hits Jungkook like a tidal wave, leaving him speechless. This can’t be real. His mind is in utter chaos, a storm of disbelief and emotions swirling uncontrollably. His head spins, his legs feel like they might give out beneath him. He wants to say so much, but in such a state, no words will come. All he knows is that he craves to be with Seokjin — to show him how much he loves him.

“Let’s get out of here?” Seokjin suggests, feeling the same overwhelming need. 

Having paid, they step outside into the cool, fresh air. The recent rain left behind a pleasant crisp scent in the atmosphere. Seokjin calls for a car and while they wait, he pulls Jungkook aside, away from the bar’s entrance and into the shadows where no one can see them.

Pressing Jungkook against the wall, Seokjin kisses him greedily, with passion, unable to get enough. Jungkook kisses back just as fervently. They’re drunk on desire, finally unleashed, and so absorbed in each other that neither of them notices the brief flash illuminating the shadows around them.

“I’ve missed this all evening,” Jungkook confesses, resting his flushed cheek against Seokjin’s, his hands settling on Seokjin’s waist as he leans in closer, craving more contact. “I need you.”

“I’ve never been this happy in my life,” Seokjin holds Jungkook tighter, unable to bear being apart from him even for a second.

“Say it again,” Jungkook begs, frowning under the weight of his emotions. He doesn’t want this moment to end. “I need to hear it. Tell me, what am I to you?”

“You mean more than anyone ever has. Like I said before, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I can’t stop thinking about you. Every night, I fall asleep with you in my mind.” The words surprise even Seokjin, catching him off guard. He hadn’t planned to confess anything tonight, but his feelings are too overwhelming to hold back. He is too utterly in love to stop the torrent of words spilling straight from his heart.

If Jungkook had any lingering concerns before this date, they’ve now completely vanished. There’s no longer a point in hiding the real reason he wanted to quit. He’d been trying to run away, to shield himself from the possible pain he might feel if Seokjin chose Namjoon. But now, he’d do anything to stay with his boss.

“There’s something very important I need to tell you,” Jungkook tries, but Seokjin won’t give him any chance. He cuts him off with a fiery kiss, stealing the air from his lungs and every word he meant to say.

The bright headlights of a car pulling up shatter their secluded moment. Both of them flinch involuntarily, hastily pulling away from each other.

Seokjin gives the order to the driver to take Jungkook home. Slowly, the realization of what just happened sinks in. He’d almost confessed his love. A complete disaster—Seokjin had no intention of baring his soul like that, but he couldn’t hold back, and now it is far too late. Suppressing the rising panic, he’s grateful that, in the darkness of the car, Jungkook can’t see his expression of fear. As the secretary wraps an arm around his waist and rests his head on his shoulder, Seokjin tries to fight the wave of anxiety. He gives in to his intuition, which whispers that this time, he’s entrusted his heart into safe hands.

***

Kim Namjoon was not a bad person. A sensitive, poetic soul of a romantic, he was always spoken of fondly by friends and acquaintances alike. Yet Namjoon had a habit of placing his own interests over those closest to him. When something in his life grew into a source of discomfort, his instinct was to remove the stressor, one way or another.

Seeing Jimin after six years apart left Namjoon constantly thinking about him. His ex-boyfriend had transformed, becoming far more graceful and alluring than Namjoon remembered. There is no denying that the encounter stirred long-dormant emotions and a torrent of bittersweet memories.

The break up with Jimin had been a tough ordeal. As their relationship was stagnating, slowly unraveling them both, Namjoon felt he had no other choice but to seek an escape from their situation. Day by day, his tender, beautiful Jimin was turning into an obsessive neurotic. Losing his composure, the boy was growing increasingly bitter and aggressive, making demands and constantly seeking attention. His frequent outbursts drove them both to despair, leaving Namjoon bewildered as to what he had been doing wrong. Eventually, he reached a sobering conclusion: no longer cared to understand his partner. The breakup became inevitable. Still, Namjoon hesitated, postponing the difficult conversation, dreading the thought of how Jimin might react.

Mid-October approached, along with Jimin’s birthday, who had hoped to spend that day alone with Namjoon. Just the two of them, perhaps on a romantic trip to some beautiful destination. Maybe such a getaway could have mended their relationship, that was deteriorating with each day.

At the most inopportune moment, a fellow rapper friend invited Namjoon to his own birthday celebration—coincidentally held on the same day as Jimin’s. Namjoon suggested they celebrate a joint birthday in the midst of a loud party. The problem was that Jimin rarely felt comfortable around his boyfriend’s friends. Most of their gatherings consisted of endless chatter, teasing, and subtle jabs at one another, where everyone seemed to deliberately ignore Jimin. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was an outsider, someone who didn’t belong there at all. Sadly, Namjoon seemed indifferent to his discomfort and made no effort to include Jimin in conversations or ensure he felt at ease.

Jimin took offense at that suggestion. He didn’t hide that the stress of being around unfamiliar people who refused to engage with him was not worth it for him. If spending time alone with Jimin was such a burden to Namjoon, he might as well go celebrate with them by himself.

Naturally, Namjoon hastened to reassure him that he wanted to spend Jimin’s birthday together, just the two of them. However, the younger couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling that Namjoon was doing so rather out of obligation than genuine wish.

The day started on a positive note: they cooked, went for a bicycle ride, and later enjoyed a relaxing bath together. Namjoon understood perfectly what his boyfriend expected of him and did all in his power to meet them. But Jimin’s unsettled mind constantly flitted between endless “what ifs,” until he finally asked Namjoon straight about what was wrong with his body and why it felt like Namjoon was about to push him away.  

Namjoon had no coherent answer to that. He only tried to deny it all once again, accusing Jimin of overthinking and being too dramatic.

The next day, Namjoon got a phone call from yet another acquaintance. This time, a friend invited him and Jimin to play doubles badminton with his girlfriend. Jimin hoped that perhaps, at least these people would treat him nicely.

The game was fun and everything else seemed fine in the beginning. After the match, Joon insisted that four of them go to a café together. Jimin would have rather parted with the others to enjoy a pleasant one on one time with his boyfriend. 

During the meal, a conversation naturally unfolded between Namjoon and his friends,  but Jimin was excluded, once again. For some mysterious reason they shifted their attention from him and stopped reacting to what he was saying — as if Jimin had turned invisible. He patiently listened to the others, trying to interject a word here or there, but the rest of the group carried on as if he wasn’t even there. For a while, Jimin sat there, staring at his hands in disappointment, biting his lip as he tried to come up with something to say. Namjoon carried on the conversation with his friend, paying him zero attention, completely ignoring his boyfriend's growing discomfort.  In the end, Jimin couldn’t stand it any longer. Without a word he got up from the table and walked briskly to the counter to pay for his share.

Namjoon chased him to the nearest bus stop just as Jimin was about to get on the bus. Calling out to him, Namjoon ordered Jimin to come back immediately. This time he didn’t bother to hide his irritation. His eyes sparkled with anger.

Jimin, too, was barely holding it together. 

“What was it? Why are you embarrassing me in front of my friends?”

“Why do you care? I’ve had enough! You and your dumb friends act like I’m not even there!”

“What are you talking about? You did absolutely nothing to join our conversation! All you did was sit there with an arrogant look, making it clear how much you didn’t want to be around us. Acting like you’re too cool to lower yourself to our level and grace us with a bit of your precious attention.”

Jimin’s eyes widened in shock.

“So this is my fault now? I’m the one with the arrogant look?”

"Well, you're the one acting downright arrogant with everyone around!"

Jimin couldn’t take it anymore. Kicking at a stray branch with the toe of his sneaker, he spat out in frustration,

“Go to hell!”

“Fine! If that’s what you want,” Namjoon snaps, his voice filled with exasperation, ”If this is what you really want, I’m leaving!”

Jimin froze. No! This is not what he wanted at all. Namjoon just can’t leave him now, not like this. He is Jimin’s boyfriend, he simply can’t choose his friends over him! If he walks back to them now, it will be nothing short of betrayal. How could Namjoon abandon his boyfriend in this state, standing all alone in the middle of the street?

Namjoon strode away briskly towards the café, not sparing Jimin a single glance. 

It jolted Jimin to run after him, his heart pounding — not from the swift movement, but from the overwhelming knot of nerves tightening in his throat, suffocating him, blurring his vision with hot treats. Desperation took over him as he grabbed Namjoon’s shoulder, fingernails digging into his bicep, making him gasp and recoil in pain. Before he could react, Jimin’s other hand lashed out and slapped him across his face. And then once more. His small fists rained down chaotic blows against Namjoon’s chest, stomach — anywhere he could reach.

“I hate you! How dare you mock me like that? Don’t you see how desperate I am for you?” Jimin sobbed feverishly, as if he was in a delirium.

The situation was ridiculous. Because of their height and strength difference, Namjoon easily twisted his boyfriend’s arms behind his back, holding his wrists firmly. His grasp was not painful but strong, so that the boy could not break free.

“Calm down, Minnie,” Namjoon pleaded. His face no longer expressed anger or irritation, only pity and despair.

And at that moment Jimin realized that he had lost. He’d lost the man a long time ago but he still couldn’t bring himself to accept it. Namjoon was so much happier with the others than with him. Their feelings had never been truly mutual.

“You want to break up with me, don’t you?” he rasped through his tears.

“Maybe we weren’t just destined for each other”, Namjoon said softly. 

“I can’t live without you,” Jimin sobbed. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I will never dare to raise my hand against you again! Namjoon! I just cannot watch you going back to them! It hurts me that you have always put them first, they are and have always been more important to you than I!” Jimin’s eyes are red and puffy from bitter sobs that he no longer tried to hold back.

“I can’t keep watching us destroy each other every day. This can’t continue any longer,” Namjoon keeps calm on the outside, though feeling as broken as Jimin.

The shaded park alley was beautiful. The sunny day made everything seem idyllic, but at that moment, Jimin’s heart was splintering into pieces. He lifelessly sank to the ground, arms wrapping tightly around his knees, as he buried his face in them.

“Jimin,” Namjoon crouched down beside him, trying to pull him close, to offer comfort. “You can’t stay here. I’ll take you home.” 

The moment felt cruelly absurd. On one hand, Namjoon was finally there for Jimin, offering the care and support that his boyfriend had so desperately been longing for. But it was meaningless as they were no longer a couple.

The worst possible thing had happened — something that Jimin had feared the most for so long. Namjoon had said it aloud for the first time: they needed to break up. Without thinking, Jimin shoves him away with force, pouring every once of his anguish into that movement. Now Namjoon’s comforting gestures no longer mattered. What meaning did they have, when Jimin had just lost his boyfriend? Namjoon’s arms were once supposed to be the source of warmth, but now they only represent betrayal.

“Leave me alone,” Jimin muttered, his voice cracking. His frame seemed even smaller, with his shoulders hunched and neck drawn in.

“I am not leaving you,” Namjoon said softly, his eyes filled up with sadness that mirrored Jimin’s sorrow.

“What does it matter to you now? You just ended things between us!” he spat bitterly. His makeup had smeared all over his face, mascara-streaked tears ran down his cheeks, — he looked like a total mess. “Why couldn’t you just bother staying with me when it actually mattered?”

Several torturous hours later, the former lovers finally made it home. That night, they still shared the same bed for the last time. Namjoon gently rejected Jimin’s desperate  attempts to seduce him in the early morning of the following day, feeling it was morally wrong to take advantage of his ex’s fragile emotional state.

Three days later, Namjoon packed his belongings to move out into a hotel. Dismissing any remnants of pride, Jimin sobbed uncontrollably, dropping down on his knees, clutching Namjoon’s shirt, like a lifeline, begging him not to go, making that separation even more unbearable. However, his ex had made a resolution to stay strong and see it through. He believed it was the only right way they could take for the sake of both.

Predictably, Jimin tried to reach out to him on a daily basis— he flooded him with texts, called, and begged to see each other in person. His messages were swinging wildly, from bitter accusations to desperate apologies, which turned into threats. Namjoon felt helpless. If he only could, he would do anything to help Jimin forget him and move on. 

Namjoon’s father supported him in his decision to enroll at Harvard Law School and Namjoon seized the opportunity to escape. Once he was out of Seoul he finally felt truly free, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Putting a distance between them, he and Jimin could no longer harm each other.

Jimin kept writing to him. Over time, the tone of his messages gradually shifted, as though Jimin had finally come to terms with the finality of what had happened. Their breakup was definite, there was no going back, no hope for reconciliation. Eventually, Jimin stopped blaming Namjoon, apologized for all the pain his actions had caused and promised to let him go.

In Boston, Joon immersed in student life. He studied well and diligently, spending long hours in the university library, and from time to time, going to college parties. One night stands turned into a way to distract himself and drown out the dark memories. With every new girl, the painful memories of Jimin slowly began to fade. All the grief and sorrow from his last days spent in Seoul, the pleading face and eyes filled up with tears ceased to chase him in his dreams.

Yet, as Namjoon had guessed, in bed no one could compare to Jimin. He had never been with another man apart from Jimin. And he had been the first and only man who made Namjoon see his sexuality from a different perspective. Indeed, his ex was passionate and intense, and Namjoon knew he would hardly ever find another lover quite like him. However, such a person wasn’t a good fit for a stable life together. 

Having had enough of freedom, Namjoon started dating the daughter of his father’s business associates, named Kim Yuri. She was a charming woman and the two had bonded at architecture classes. They shared multiple common interests, such as literature and art in particular. Their relationship progressed and soon they started living together with marriage plans on the horizon.

But Namjoon’s father called his son back into Seoul, to request him to over see some of their family business projects.  As Boston had become his home, Namjoon had no intention to remain in his motherland for too long. 

A sudden encounter with Park Jimin outside Kim Enterprise felt like a cruel joke played on him by fate. During the last six years that they hadn’t seen each other Jimin had changed practically to the point of being unrecognizable. He got much slimmer and acquired that striking aurora of a top model gracing the cover of a high-fashion magazine. His fiery auburn hair looked mesmerizing, the dark suit he wore accentuated the elegance of his fine body. Yet his eyes were ice cold, like never before. Not a single ounce of adoration for Namjoon, that he was so used to in the past.

At first, Namjoon suspected that the meeting was not accidental and Jimin had deliberately orchestrated it, by tracking his connection to Kim Enterprise through social media. Confronting his ex about this proved to be the worst possible idea. Jimin’s reaction was fierce and justified, leaving Namjoon embarrassed.

Their conversation was cut short by the sudden arrival of a certain Jung Hoseok, who behaved as if he’d do anything for Jimin. 

Seeing his ex with other men was uncomfortable. Especially Jeon Jungkook in particular — Seokjin’s secretary and a strikingly handsome man immediately caught Namjoon’s attention. He recognized that the younger man was definitely Jimin’s type and was wondering if they were dating. Namjoon even tried to discreetly ask Seokjin whether he knew anything about their relationship, but his friend brushed off the topic with a vague response, suddenly turning very gloomy so Namjoon chose to drop the subject.

There were no more letters from Jimin in the old email box which Namjoon didn’t bother to check for a long time. It was a relief and disappointment at the same time. As though a small, secret part of Namjoon’s soul wasn’t ready to say a definite “goodbye” to Jimin even after all these years.

Jimin and Hoseok were a real punishment. They shamelessly flirted, held hands everywhere, not seeming to care in the slightest what others thought of them. To be fair, Jung Hoseok looked head over heels in love, and Jimin looked at him precisely with the same eyes he used to once, many years ago, look only at Namjoon.

As if it was on purpose— to completely drive Namjoon insane and occupy all his thoughts, Jimin had dyed his hair platinum. The new look transformed him into something ethereal, making him look angelically beautiful and mesmerizing. His eyes sparkled again, and his laughter sounded as airy as before, reminding the music of a heavenly flute. Hand in hand with Jung Hoseok, Jimin looked like a magical being. Namjoon couldn’t help but remember the early days of their relationship.

Seeing Jimin happy was a relief — it was all Namjoon ever wished for him. Yet, strange feelings were creeping into his soul. For some reason he couldn’t find any peace. What if Jimin had been his destiny and by breaking his heart, Namjoon let go of his only chance of becoming truly happy?

Jimin used to write often in the past but Namjoon didn't even bother replying. But now, it appears like he finally has something to say. They need to meet and put everything to the end.

Namjoon finds an old SIM card in his desk drawer. His fingers are trembling slightly with tremor as he scrolls through the contacts list, searching for a number he hadn’t used in years. Having typed a text message he presses “send” and immediately puts his phone away. Closing his eyes he feels certain that Jimin would reply. But what if it all turns out to be another humongous mistake?

***

The closer they get to Jungkook's house, the clearer it becomes to Seokjin that he can't just let him go. The very thought of parting their ways feels like physical pain. 

As he steps out of the car, he offers his hand to Jungkook. Walking him to the door,  Seokjin waits with bated breath for his secretary to say something. He’s well aware of the aching sexual thirst that gets him every time they’re close. Even in his teenage years he was never this desperate. With Jungkook, Seokjin loses his composure. Thirty seconds with him around are enough to stir a wildfire in him, push him to act reckless, do the unthinkable, things he would never normally do. What they had done back in Pyeongchang—almost in public—had been outrageous. Luckily no one walked in on them, but they had come dangerously close to that. Precisely for that reason, for the entire past week, Seokjin has been doing his best to hold himself together. Yet seeing the younger one, so handsome, sitting just a few steps away in the office next door, has been a sheer torture.

Still, he has no intention of pressuring Jungkook. If his secretary is too tired and wants to call it a night, Seokjin won’t insist. He is perfectly capable of sorting himself out alone once he gets home. This date has already gotten far more than he dared to hope for.

“Do you want to come in?” Jungkook asks softly. His gorgeous eyes widen with anticipation as he holds his breath, awaiting an answer.

Seokjin accepts the invitation without hesitation. It doesn’t even matter what they are going to do. Simply being alone with Jungkook, spending a little more time together fills him with incredible happiness.

As they step into the entryway, Jungkook instinctively reaches for the light switch, but Seokjin gently catches his wrist, stopping him.

“Don’t,” he whispers, as if anxious that the light might expose his most private secrets—things he is still desperately trying to keep concealed. Moonlight filters softly through the curtains, mingling with the glow of the street lamps outside, casting just enough light for them to see each other clearly. 

“Alright. I’ve got an idea,” Jungkook murmurs. He approaches the kitchen cabinet and retrieves a few scented candles, then grabs a lighter from the counter.

He invites Seokjin to follow him into the bedroom, carefully placing the candles around the room and lighting them one by one. 

“There. I hope you don’t mind. I want to see you. Even if it’s just a little.”

Seokjin smiles back. “I want to see you too.”

The atmosphere is almost unbearably romantic. The dim room is suffused with a gentle candlelight glow, feeling peaceful. The two of them relax in each other's presence. Seokjin’s thoughts wander back to the first night they spent here together—he had looked after a wounded Jungkook. And the next morning, his secretary kissed him for the first time.

Finally free from the need to restrain himself, Seokjin pulls Jungkook close by the waist, his hands caressing the small of his back. His fingers gently cup the younger one’s face, guiding him into a fervent but sensual kiss, melding their breaths together. 

Jungkook leans into him, his entire body shivering sweetly as their lips meet again and again. 

Their closeness, the way Jungkook’s fingers tangle in his hair — it all sends heat surging downward, igniting a familiar tension that throbs hot and heavy within Seokjin, overwhelming him with strong emotions. It makes him wonder: what if in a world full of lies and pretenses, he has actually found his safe harbor? Could this sanctuary exist in the arms of this man? He might have said to Jungkook that he didn’t believe in love, but the way these touches ignite every nerve, the way his kisses burn, the way he looks at Jungkook – all of it screams the opposite.

The whole world has shrunk to the cozy five square meters of Jungkook’s bedroom. The younger man responds hungrily to every kiss, as they grow wetter, more desperate and fervent. At times he stops and pulls back with a gentle smile, taking his time to study Seokjin’s face, taking in his perfect features, his eyes eloquently expressing that he only wants to belong to this man.

Seokjin feels it and is swept into a blissful euphoria. He is torn between the natural desire to confess his genuine true feelings, show his love to Jungkook, but just cannot bring himself to do it yet.

Jungkook somehow senses his hesitation and starts to speak, but Seokjin silences him with a finger pressing softly against his parted lips. No words for now. All he desires is to savour this moment. He wants to give this boy all the tenderness his heart is brimming with, even though for now, he can't speak about love.

Some time later, they are on the bed, still fully clothed, exchanging unhurried languid kisses. Each touch conveys a feeling that words can’t. But Jungkook wants more. His body responds eagerly to every caress, trusting Seokjin to do whatever he wishes. Surrendering control to the only man he loves with every fiber of his being feels so natural for Jungkook. He would give himself entirely to Seokjin, without a second thought.  What he feels for his boss is something more, far deeper than love itself.

Indulging in his need for touch, Seokjin leaves no part of Jungkook’s body without attention. He cherishes every inch, lavishing him with care and devotion. Gently pressing his knee between Jungkook’s thighs, he savours beautiful moans spilling from the younger one’s sweet lips. 

“Should we try … doing it for real?” Jungkook licks his lips nervously, looking up at Seokjin through half-lidded eyes. “I mean that thing … you know, what we talked about in Pyeongchang?”

Seokjin’s heart skips a beat. He knew that Jungkook would eventually bring up what they had only briefly hinted at and want to turn words into action. Of course, he wants to make love to Jungkook- But it’s important to him that Jungkook is truly ready and that their first time becomes a pleasant experience for both of them. 

“We don’t need to go all the way,” Seokjin whispers softly in his ear. “There’s still so many other things we haven’t explored yet.”

Jungkook meets his eyes and doesn’t look away. Ever since they first broached the subject in Pyeongchang, he hasn’t been able to stop imagining what it would be like to have sex with Seokjin. The past week’s worries, the fear of losing his first love without ever experiencing true intimacy with him, have made one thing clear: waiting any longer is pointless. He’s too hungry for Seokjin, too desperate to risk missing the only man he’s ever wanted to be his first.

“I want you so much,” Jungkook’s tone is carrying an unmistakable resolution. “I can’t wait any longer.”

“Are you sure? I want you to really enjoy it, " Seokjin exhales, drawn into the depths of his secretary’s glistening eyes.

“I love everything we’ve done so far. What matters most is that it’s with you. If you want it too, that is.”

Jungkook’s confession sends a thrilling jolt through Seokjin, his pulse quickening. He takes Jungkook’s hand and brings it to his lips, brushing gentle kisses over his knuckles. 

“I want it too. Very much. But it’s your first time. I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”

“I got tested and I know that I’m clean. Also I … prepared before this evening, just in case. You know what I mean,” for some reason he still feels awkward talking about such things with Seokjin.

Seokjin buries his face in his fragrant hair, hiding his smile. “One day, you’re going to drive me insane.”

He’s curious about what exactly Jungkook did and how he prepared himself. But he tactfully keeps these thoughts to himself, making a mental note to find out later. Falling under the spell of Jeon Jungkook is so easy. It’s incredible how this man is still completely oblivious to the power he holds over Seokjin.

Jungkook beckons him with a smoldering gaze, his fingertips tracing Seokjin’s chest muscles, caressing his neck, fingers threading through the soft strands at the back of his head. He’s insanely aroused and can’t control himself anymore – his body writhing, pressing against Seokjin. He moans hotly, rocking his hips forward, hands dropping to his belt buckle, tugging on it with hesitation, as though speechlessly begging to be freed from this barrier still separating their bodies. 

“So eager to undress for hyung?” Seokjin whispers hotly, helping him out of the hoodie and tossing it aside. He would be happy to lighten the tension with a joke, but it proves to be impossible right now. Jungkook is unbearably seductive — his look, his smell, the sound of his voice — all of it attacks Seokjin’s senses, clouds every coherent thought, leaving him utterly helpless. So his lips attack the younger one’s neck again, hands sliding down the firm stomach, tracing his well-defined abs.

“We could keep our clothes on,” Jungkook lets out a shakily breath, his words catching as soft lips tease over his nipple through the thin fabric of his shirt—the sensation sends a pulse of heat down his body, making him painfully hard. “But it’d be more comfortable without them.” 

“There’s no way I’d deny myself the pleasure of undressing you,” Seokjin murmurs, pulling off Jungkook’s shirt, casting it aside and moving his hands swiftly to unbuckle the belt and zipper of his jeans, tugging them down those slender legs. There is something inexplicably satisfying about stripping Jungkook layer by layer, unwrapping him like a precious gift meant only for him. The boy indeed is the most exquisite present life could ever offer to Seokjin. Jungkook’s thighs alone are a masterpiece: sculpted and muscular, just one look at them is enough to make his head spin. His entire body is a perfection: skin smooth and firm, smells faintly of orange oil, as if made to be adored and caressed.

Seokjin has learned Jungkook’s body well enough to know exactly what he likes. He trails a path of wet kisses down his chest, slowly working his way down Jungkook’s stomach, drawing out delicious heady sounds spilling from Jungkook’s lips. Meeting his eyes, he hooks the waistband of the boxer briefs between his teeth and drags them down achingly slowly. And then, just as slowly, he makes his way back up, deliberately ignoring Jungkook’s exposed arousal. The teasing is enough to make Jungkook tense like a bowstring, his breath catching in his throat as Seokjin’s lips pass agonizingly close to his heated length, mere millimeters away. With a smug smile he presses a soft kiss to Jungkook’s mouth just as the younger one’s eyes flutter open. Seokjin’s hand closes around his cock, firm yet tender, stroking him, relishing soft gasps and broken whimpers of Jungkook as he falls back against the pillow breathless in desperate need. As his fingers trace every sensitive spot on Jungkook’s body, Seokjin proves just how well he knows how to give him intense pleasure.

Jungkook bites his lips as Seokjin’s mouth finds the delicate skin of his neck, sucking softly, just enough to leave a mark, while his hands continue their slow, deliberate strokes—firm yet gentle. Those hands feel maddeningly good on Jungkook’s body—his hips buck instinctively, eager for the pace to quicken, but the older one has no intention of indulging him. Instead, he keeps driving Jungkook slowly, relentlessly to the edge, his own arousal rising with every passing second in response. Instead, he keeps driving Jungkook slowly, relentlessly to the edge, his own arousal rising with every second in response.

Jungkook manages to prop himself on his elbows and reach for Seokjin’s sweater. While he enjoys getting the attention and care, he’s also eager to see that beautiful body.

“I like it when you undress too,” he breathes out, licking his kiss-swollen and red lips. His eyes are full of thrill and impatience as Seokjin pulls off his sweater and shirt, and then tossing them on the floor, he immediately drags Jungkook close again, hands gripping his hips firmly, making him grind his bare groin against his still concealed cock beneath the fabric of his jeans. There’s something sinfully wicked about the sharp tension crackling between them, arousing and leaving both of them moan softly. 

Jungkook aches to please Seokjin, to make him feel just as good. Knowing how he has come undone for him leaves no room for common sense. His boss is, objectively, the most handsome man in the world. Perfectly symmetrical features, jet-black hair, bread shoulders, slender waist, and those sculpted — it’s enough to make anyone lose their mind. The heat of flushed skin sears as Jungkook presses their bodies together, feeling the maddening rhythm of Seokjin’s heartbeat, echoing in his own chest.

“You’re flawless,” Jungkook whispers, his voice laced with awe as he meets Seokjin’s fiery gaze. A smug smile flickers at his lips while he unbuttons Seokjin’s jeans — he’d known for a while now: Seokjin wasn’t wearing any underwear.

All of their clothes are discarded on the floor. In the soft glow of flickering candlelight, the raw beauty of their naked bodies is a breathtaking image.

A muffled groan escapes Seokjin as his head falls back on the pillow, his chest rising sharply when Jungkook’s beautiful lips wrap around his cock, tongue performing things that feel utterly divine. It is their second time and Jungkook is way more confident—though he’s guided by pure instinct, replaying in his memory the way Seokjin had done this to him last time. There’s something filthy and debauched about it but the boy likes the way it makes him feel. 

Seokjin’s hand finds its way into his hair, tugging it gently as he moans in approval, his breath ragged and heavy. Never in his life has it felt this good—even too good, that is.

“Come here,” Seokjin breathes out, his voice raspy. He gently guides Jungkook to turn, pressing his back against his chest, running his lips down the younger man’s neck, across his shoulder blades, slowly venturing lower to the small of his back. Carefully, he pushes Jungkook forward, coaxing him onto all fours, forearms braced against the sheets.

Jungkook arches his back seductively, knees spreading wide, baring himself completely. The sight of him like that is nothing short of stunning.

Grunting a dirty curse, Seokjin digs his fingers into the pale skin of Jungkook’s thighs, unabashedly spreading his cheeks and tracing his tongue around the tight ring of muscle, pressing just enough to pull a soft, trembling whimper from the boy. Jungkook clutches feverishly at the edges of the mattress, beautiful features twisted with pleasure as he moans lustfully, burying his face into the pillow. Not even in his wildest dreams could Seokjin have imagined him this hot and responsive. Pulling Jungkook closer, Seokjin slaps his thigh, kneading the flesh as he continues to please his most intimate parts. This pushes him on the verge of losing control, Seokjin is barely holding back the urge to pin Jungkook to the bed and take him roughly. He’ll hardly ever desire anyone as much as he desires this boy. It’s a real disaster that very soon their paths will part and he’ll have to let go of this sweet boy. But tonight, he’s going to take everything that is offered to him and devour it. 

“I want to see how you prepared yourself,” Seokjin says, shifting to the side, to be able to fully take in the tantalizing view. “Show me how you did it.”

The younger one frowns and quickly reaches to the nightstand to grab the lube. Squeezing it onto his fingers he begins touching himself, spreading it over the sensitive skin before pressing a single finger against his entrance and slowly working it in. He begins rocking his hips with a sweet moan, spreading his knees even wider for Seokjin to see everything. 

“Fuck,” Seokjin exhales, his breath hitching. He hadn’t been prepared for such an intense display. His own arousal is almost unbearable, and he knows it won’t last much longer. Stifling a groan, he wraps a hand around his hard-on, struggling to hold himself back. “You’re fucking hot, baby. The hottest I’ve ever seen.”

The compliment only spurs Jungkook on harder. He puts on a full show, thrusting three fingers into himself deeper with each motion, pleasing himself for his own satisfaction but also to drive Seokjin wild. Suddenly he stills as the shudder runs through his body, a loud, raw man tearing from his lips. This sound sends chills down Seokjin’s spine, making each hair on his body stand on end.

He can’t resist the need to touch Jungkook  any longer. Grabbing the lube, he hastily squeezes out a generous amount and replaces Jungkook’s fingers with his own. The sudden intrusion makes him jolt and whimper at the sharp pleasure. Seokjin curls his fingers inside, deftly finding the sensitive spot and pressing against it gently.

Seeing Jungkook like this - disheveled, writhing and on the edge of a scream – completely clouds Seokjin’s mind. In one swift motion, he flips the younger one onto his back, urging his legs apart. Jungkook licks his dry lips as Seokjin slides in a third finger, the tight heat clenching around him. All Seokjin can think about is how mind-blowing it will feel when Jungkook does the same around his cock. His body is so breathtaking — taut, irresistible and eager, craving every bit of Seokjin’s touch.

“I won’t hurt you,” Seokjin says softly, deliberately slowing down his motions. “Try to relax yourself a bit more.” 

Jungkook feels immense pleasure from the Seokjin’s skilled ministrations, but it’s no longer enough. He’s ready for more and is desperate to feel Seokjin inside him. 

“Please,” he whimpers as Seokjin withdraws his fingers to add more lube. He takes his time, carefully stretching him further, his fingers brushing against Jungkook’s prostate, while his lips press greedy kisses against Jungkook’s neck, sucking at the sharp jawline before trailing down to his collarbone. Seokjin knows how to deliver him the most exquisite and sweet torment.

“Jin… please, I need…” Jungkook’s voice cracks with desperation as he reaches for his own throbbing cock.

“What is it? Tell me, sweetheart,” Seokjin prompts.

“I need you so badly!” Jungkook rasps in a mere whisper, thick with longing.

“Tell me all about it,” Seokjin demands, his gaze boring into the depth of Jungkook’s beautiful eyes. “Tell me how much you need me.”

“I want you,” Jungkook pleads, his voice trembling with urgency. “Please, I need you so much. I want you to fuck me.”

Just a few things are capable of arousing Seokjin as much as hearing his sweet Jungkook talk that dirty. His looks seem innocent, but at this moment he is so needy and willing to do anything. And Seokjin is more than happy to give him all the things he asks for.

Squeezing a huge amount of lube onto his cock, Seokjin moves close to Jungkook, teasing him before slowly beginning to press in. Relaxed from the moments ago, Jungkook suddenly tenses at the unexpected sensation. Seokjin stops at once, gentle hands soothing over Jungkook’s chest and shoulders.

“Try not to tense up. I’ll go slowly, so you can get used to me,” he murmurs sweetly.

The tenderness in the way he reassures Jungkook, speaking with such care, stirs something deep within Jungkook — a strange and overwhelming emotion. It suddenly brings certainty that his feelings are mutual, that Seokjin is just as in love with him as he is. The realization tears his heart in pieces.

I love you. With all my heart. I want to belong to you and you only, Jungkook longs to say, but the words stick in his throat, remaining unspoken. Instead, their kiss grows more intense, brimming with emotion and getting the salty taste of his tears.

Seokjin startles, noticing that his sweetheart is crying. He pulls back, worried he might have hurt Jungkook. He stills completely, but Jungkook keeps him close, wrapping his legs around Seokjin’s waist. Despite the meltdown, he is painfully hard.

Shifting Jungkook onto his side softly, Seokjin presses his chest against the younger one’s back. He feels Jungkook relaxing, as he strokes his shoulders, steadying his hips not moving an inch, giving Jungkook freedom to take over control. Seokjin has had experience with virgins before, and now he understands how crucial it is to remain patient and hand over all control to his partner in situations like this. Yet, at the same time, he begins to despise himself for every time in the past he had given himself to someone else—someone who wasn’t Jungkook. Simply lying next to this beautiful man, feeling his closeness — is the best thing that could ever happen to him. 

Slowly, Jungkook relaxes, his body softening under Seokjin's gentle touch. Gradually he begins to set the rhythm himself, letting Seokjin to push deeper. As his desire grows more and more uncontrollable he craves more, wants Seokjin to be more rough. He twists to tilt his head back enough to keep Seokjin's lips into the much needed kiss.

“Does it feel good?” Jungkook needs validation.

Panting, Seokjin drops his head on his shoulder, sweat beading on his forehead. 

“Does it feel good?” he echoes breathless. ”I love it. I love everything about you. You are the most gorgeous, sweet, sexy thing. No one has ever made it feel this good. I want to do it with you all day. Want to fuck you in the office, want to hear you beg me to take you on my desk.”

These words make Jungkook moan louder, his cock twitching in response.

Having adjusted the angle slightly, Seokjin finds what he’s been looking for. Jungkook arches like a bow pulled taut, his breath coming in shuddering gasps. Between broken sobs he begs for Seokjin not to stop and go faster. Seokjin happily complies, balancing on the edge of orgasm. Finally unleashing all emotions he’d been holding back the entire evening, Seokjin thrusts into Jungkook with raw fervor, rough and relentless, consumed by a raw desire to claim him completely. Feeling his own climax close Seokjin wraps his hand around Jungkook’s cock, matching the rhythm of his thrusts. 

“Hyung… I’m gonna cum,” Jungkook is barely able to form a coherent sentence, his body shaking, slick with sweat, desperate for release.

“Come for hyung, baby,” Seokjin growls, gripping his hips tighter.

The orgasm is blinding, stripping Jungkook away from his connection with time and space, leaving him adrift lost in the overwhelming wave of pleasure that consumes him entirely. In that moment of bliss, he passes that pleasure to Seokjin, drawing him to his own climax with a guttural moan as he drives Jungkook into the mattress, as he spills inside him, collapsing onto the younger one’s sweat covered body, utterly spent.

It takes a long time for both to catch their breath. Seokjin doesn’t know how much time passes as he lies holding Jungkook close, his fingers threading the younger one’s soft hair. 

A quiet voice breaks through the haze.

“Are you okay?”

Seokjin opens his eyes realizing that he is the one who should’ve asked this question first. But he felt too good. Too good with mind utterly clouded to think.

“As okay as never before. Thank you,” he answers earnestly, turning his head to the younger one, to meet his eyes. “How are you feeling?”

“Yeah…good,” Jungkook says with a content smile, though it shifts into an adorable grimace, as he adds with laughter. “Although… I think I’m gonna be sleeping on my front tonight.”

After the cuddles and kisses that lasted a lifetime, Seokjin reluctantly pulls back and shifts, just enough to sit up.

“You’re … you’re not staying?” Jungkook’s face falls, hurt and disappointment eloquently brimming in his eyes. 

But the thought of leaving him like this after what has happened between them, hasn’t even crossed Seokjin’s mind.

“Of course I’m staying,” Seokjin reassures  him quickly, leaning back to calm him down with a sensual kiss. There isn’t a force in the world strong enough to pull him away from this man’s bed tonight. All he wants is to spend days and nights with Jungkook. “Where is your shower?”

Jungkook looks relieved, gesturing to the door that leads to the bathroom. A soft blush touches his cheeks. He is genuinely happy that Seokjin has chosen to stay with him tonight.

By the time Seokjin returns from the shower he is half asleep. Even in his dream his lips are curving into a sweet smile.

“You were so good for me,” Seokjin whispers, pulling him to his chest, positioning himself so Jungkook’s face rests in the hollow of his chest, his warm breath gently tickling Seokjin’s skin. The position isn’t among the most comfortable ones, but it feels so perfect and right in its own way.

“My love,” Jungkook murmurs drowsily, slipping further into a blissful dream.

“You are my true love, too,” Seokjin whispers back.

***

Taehyung shivers, a chill running through his body. He sits in the back seat of the car, blindfolded and gagged, fighting to ignore the disgusting metallic taste in his mouth that makes his stomach churn. The car has been driving for a while now—long enough, he guesses, to have left the city. A nagging voice in the back of his mind keeps whispering this time it looks like he’s in real trouble. Agreeing to such a meeting all alone without telling anyone about his whereabouts, was likely not the wisest decision. But it’s not like he had any choice — dragging Yoongi into this wasn’t an option, and apart from him, Taehyung had no other acquaintances in Seoul. 

Up in front, Youngjae and the other man in the car haven’t spoken a single word the entire time. The quiet doesn’t offer any reassurance, doing little to calm his nerves.

Choi Youngjae had never been the particularly considerate type, however, never before had he treated Taehyung with such ruthlessness. Before today, their meetings usually took place in one of the dimly lit clubs in Itaewon. Taehyung would show up and dutifully pass along whatever scraps of information he had managed to dig up for the “CJ Corporation,” and leave with next set tasks and instructions. Something must have drastically changed to spark such hostility from his torturers. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, clenching his teeth, hoping he would get away from this without being battered—or worse.

The meeting place alone was dreadful enough: the outskirts of the city, far from surveillance cameras or crowds. But when Youngjae arrived and grabbed him unceremoniously, twisting his arms behind his back, a sharp rush of panic raked through Taehyung’s chest.

After what feels like an eternity, their SUV passes through the open gates of some remote estate. The car jolts and rattles as though traversing uneven terrain. When it finally comes to a halt and the engine falls silent, someone yanks Taehyung out, shoving him roughly to the ground. Disoriented, he stumbles and falls to his knees, his shin striking painfully against a curb. Harsh hands immediately seize him by the collar and drag forward into some kind of building, where he is led down an endless flight of stairs.

They leave him alone for several minutes, the blindfold pressing uncomfortably against his face. The air feels heavy, pressing down on him. His heart pounds violently against his ribcage, terror numbing his legs, twisting his stomach into a painful knot. Every breath catches in his throat, shallow and jagged, as if he’s forgotten how to breathe.  He wants to scream for help, but the gag digs painfully into the corners of his mouth, preventing him from doing so, rendering him powerless. Exhausted, he focuses all attention on hearing, straining to catch the slightest noises coming from afar. Somewhere in the distance, the faint metallic clang of something striking against a hard surface echoes through the silence. The air around feels damp and stale, clings to his skin, and Taehyung guesses they’ve taken him into some sort of a basement. 

At last, the sound of somebody’s footsteps approaches and a door creaks open. Without warning, someone yanks the blindfold off Taehyung. He squints, eyes stinging against the sudden harsh light. A moment later, the same person steps behind him, loosens a strap, and pulls a gag free from his mouth. Pain flares the corners of his lips, making him grimace.

Blinking, Taehyung takes in his surroundings. He finds himself in the middle of a room with no windows. Directly in front of him is a single table with a hanging lamp. Its glare casts light on his face, but blocks his view of the rest of the space. From across the room he can recognize Mr. Choi’s voice, addressing him.

“Well, well, well, Taehyung-ssi. Here we meet again,” he says, his tone dripping with an unhidden menace. 

At the sight of the man, Tae begins trembling again. He knows well enough what this man is capable of. Fighting to keep himself together, he forces himself into a shallow bow, constrained by his current position.

“Guess I should apologize for a rather rough welcome,” Mr. Choi continues, his voice laced with mockery. “It was Youngjae’s idea, after all.”

Youngjae approaches from the opposite end of the room. Choi turns to him, a faint smirk curling his lips.

“Perhaps your precautions were excessive. As you see yourself, the young man is diligent in his tasks. He even seems to take pleasure in cooperating with us.” He leans in so close that Taehyung recoils at the foul stench of decaying teeth in his mouth. His stomach churns. 

“Why did you bring me here like this? I’ve done nothing wrong!” Taehyung bites his lip as his voice cracks in frustration, fighting the urge to cry

“Oh sweetheart, if you only knew how much I love it when you cry.” Youngjae sneers, stepping closer, grin sharp and predatory. “Once we’re done here, you’ll definitely cry plenty for me. But my father doesn’t have that kind of time, so let’s get straight to business.”

Taehyung bites back a sob. He hadn’t felt such helplessness in years. How much more does he have to suffer for one foolish, drunken mistake from years ago?

His life had been almost perfect back then. He had worked so hard to get into college to study the decorative arts at the Fine arts department—something he was truly passionate about. A month later, he joined the local basketball team in his college, and that was where he met Yoongi.

But his father has been openly against his choice of study from the start. In his opinion, this area suited girls, rather than a young man. Their disagreements grew bitter, and after months of endless criticism and pressure, Taehyung had given in and agreed to change his major subject of studies. This way he abandoned his passion and switched to business and economics at Daegu College. From there, everything began to crumble. His academic success, his confidence  as well as the relationship with his parents—it all fell apart.

To avoid the constant arguments and endless reproaches from his parents, Taehyung  began spending all his free time away from home. He found consolation in occasionally going to various parties. At one of them, he met a charming young man who introduced himself as Choi Youngjae. The two hit it off immediately, and before long, became inseparable. For Taehyung it was a relief to finally find someone who would always be there for him to listen, someone who made him feel understood. Youngjae soon introduced the younger man to his circle of friends,  and they started spending almost all their time together. They turned out to be very kind and often let Tae crash at their places overnight, which made it even easier for him to avoid his parents. 

By that time, Taehyung lost all interest in his studies and stopped attending classes altogether. After failing two consecutive terms, his expulsion from the university was inevitable. But Yet Taehyung couldn’t bring himself to care. Parties and hangouts with his newfound friends were the only things that gave his life any meaning.

One night, after another party, Taehyung got back home, drunk and barely keeping his balance only to find himself face-to face with his parents. They demanded an explanation for that behavior. Too drunk to give any coherent answer, he retreated to his room, intending to sleep it off. But his parents were not taking any of it. They followed him, demanding answers. 

What happened next was something Taehyung would rather erase from his memory, like a nightmare. He cannot think about this without tears. For the first time ever, his father raised a hand against him. The words that followed hurt far more than any physical blow. 

“There is no place in my house for someone like you! It shames me that such a despicable bastard walks this earth, tarnishing our family’s honor. You are no longer my son!”

The next morning, his parents made it clear: he could no longer count on their support. He was on his own now, responsible for earning for his own living. Finding himself suddenly on the streets with no means of survival was terrifying. With nowhere else to turn, Taehyung reached out to the first person that came to mind—Youngjae.

Thus began a new chapter of Taehyung’s life, the one that he can barely remember through the haze of alcohol. At least he always had food and a steady supply of alcohol, even though he rarely slept at the place twice. He didn’t mind the small sexual favors his benefactors occasionally asked him in return. It never bothered him – Tae truly enjoyed sex and didn’t care whether it was with men or women. To him, asking something in return was nothing immoral—just a way to survive.

Such a chaotic and aimless life could have carried on forever—until one morning, Taehyung woke up completely naked in bed with several strangers. Every inch of his body ached, the kind of pain that left no doubt: he’d been bottoming for hours, likely for multiple partners. His mind was a hazy mess and he couldn’t remember a thing.  

Stumbling out of bed, he wandered through the apartment to find Youngjae in the kitchen, puffing on a cigarette. The look Youngjae shot at him was cold and disdainful. It was that morning, when Taehyung finally saw the ugly truth about the man he had thought was his friend and learned of all his eerie deeds. 

With chilling enthusiasm, Youngjae showed Taehyung a video of him from the night before. It captured him from every angle, performing explicit acts with not just one, but eight different men. The footage also showed him snorting a line of cocaine off another man’s naked body using a rolled-up ten-thousand-won bill.

From that moment on, Taehyung’s life was no longer his own. Youngjae began blackmailing him. Taehyung was bound to obey whatever was demanded of him, or the video — which Youngjae had saved in multiple copies — would be sent to his parents.

Practically, Kim Taehyung had turned into a puppet for Youngjae and his father, Mr Choi. He no longer cruised clubs or parties—Youngjae had entirely different plans for him.

One of the greatest shocks came when Taehyung found out just how much Youngjae knew about him, including his acquaintance with Min Yoongi and their renewed contact over the messenger.  For reasons Tae couldn’t understand, this connection interested Youngjae a great deal.  Terrified, Taehyung tried everything to cut his ties with Yoongi—deleting their chat history, blocking his number—but to no avail. Youngjae ordered him to do the opposite: to reach out to his old friend and try to get out of him as much information as possible about Kim Enterprise. 

Meeting Yoongi after so many years of not seeing each other was intimidating, but thrilling. It was an essential task, but to Taehyung’s relief, it went way better than he had expected. Realizing that Yoongi still wanted him very much, filled Taehyung with a sense of reassurance — at least one part of the plan seemed like it would go smoothly.

There was no better way to find out the information Youngjae demanded about Kim Enterprise than to secure a job there. A relationship with Yoongi was an unexpected, pleasant bonus. After everything he had been through, it felt oddly flattering that someone like Min Yoongi found him deserving of his affection and interest. So when Yoongi invited him to move into his house, it felt like stepping into paradise itself.

But the moment Youngjae ordered Taehyung to commit illegal acts within Kim Enterprise, something began to break within him, crumbling his previous obedience from before. These acts could result in serious problems—not just for the company’s leadership, but also for Yoongi, who was unsuspecting and blissfully unaware of Tae’s ulterior motives. Yet by then, Taehyung had no way out. He was trapped, bound by fear, so he continued to follow Youngjae’s instructions with grim obedience. 

“Seems like the fresh air in Pyeongchang has done him some good,” Mr. Choi’s voice snaps Tae out of his thoughts.

Heart pounding fast, Taehyung delivers his report in painstaking detail, just as he had been instructed. He included the relationship he had found out about between Seokjin and his secretary. His chest tightens as he speaks. Working with Seokjin and Jungkook, he had developed a genuine fondness for both of them. If things were different, it would have been a pleasure to work alongside such remarkable people. He cannot wrap his mind around it—what had Seokjin or Jungkook done wrong to deserve so much hatred and contempt from Youngjae and his father?

“It’s hardly anything new,” Mr Choi sneers. “We’ve always known the vice president is a homo. He’s not the first nor the only boss to fuck his secretary.”

Standing in the corner, Youngjae rubs his palms together, his expression distant and deep in thought.

“Nevertheless, if the information is spun in the right way, Korean society might have quite an opinion. What will people think when they hear the vice president has been using his secretary as a prostitute? Or worse, that he forced him into sexual acts? Jungkook barely made ends meet before he joined Kim Enterprise, and even until now he sends a large portion of his income to help his family in Busan. What if we suggest the real reason for his resignation was inability to withstand constant sexual harassment from his boss?”

Mr. Choi begins pacing the room, hands clasped behind his back. “That secretary needs to be taught another lesson. Clearly, beating shit out of him last time wasn’t enough. Well, we’ll try another approach — and Taehyung–ssi will be helpful to us in this.”

“But you said you’d leave me alone at once after I stole the company’s partner list and leaked it online!” the boy protests, his voice rising with desperation.

“When and whether we leave you alone is not up to you.” Youngjae steps closer and delivers a sudden, painful shove in his chest. “You’ll do what you’re told.”

Taehyung gulps, struggling to put himself together. “Don’t you dare touch me, or else…” 

Youngjae laughs, sharp and contemptuous, watching as Taehyung quickly recoils, lowering his head. “Or else what? What will you do? You know exactly what will happen next, don’t you?”

Taehyung swallows hard, bile rising in his mouth. The urge to smoke, a habit he’d worked so hard to get rid of, surges desperately. 

“Let me remind you what will happen,” Youngjae continues, his grin widening into something sinister. “Your dear aboji will end up with an interesting little video starring his beloved son. Pray he doesn’t have a heart attack on the spot.”

“Don’t you worry,” Mr. Choi interjects smoothly, spinning a pen idly between his fingers. “You will enjoy this task. If you do well, we might even reward you with a breather. Everyone will suspect Secretary Jeon of selling confidential information about Kim Enterprise’s partners to an online portal, but it will be the least of his problems.”

He pauses, cold gaze locking with Taehyung’s burning eyes. “Now listen carefully to what you’re going to do next.”

***

Jimin can’t believe this is really happening.

He rubs his eyes and rereads the text message from Namjoon over and over again. In the five and a half years since their breakup, his ex hasn’t made a single attempt to contact him. And now, all of a sudden, Namjoon wants to meet and talk?

Hiding the reason for his confusion from Hoseok only makes Jimin feel even more uneasy. When Hobi asked why he was acting so strangely, Jimin had frantically come up with an excuse. His boyfriend simply kissed his forehead and told him not to worry about anything. But how is Jimin supposed to tell him that the real reason his knees are shaking is because he is about to meet his ex-boyfriend?

Namjoon suggested meeting at four o’clock, and now Jimin can’t take his eyes off the clock. He watches the hands inch forward as his foot taps impatiently. He’d even asked Yoongi to leave work early, making up a story about something urgent he needed to handle at his apartment.

For the past few days, Yoongi has been gloomier than a storm cloud. He seems to have lost all interest in his usual responsibilities, throwing all his energy into programming. He works tirelessly, determined to complete the investigation on the data breach. Jimin can’t help but sympathize, assuming Yoongi’s frustration stems from the weight of guilt—he must feel responsible for failing to guarantee the company’s cybersecurity.

Jimin and Namjoon meet outside a bookstore café. For a long moment, they look at each other, speechless. Jimin doesn’t even bother to hide the way he's staring at his ex, taking in every detail of his appearance. If Namjoon had been hot five years ago, now he is scorching. The tailored business suit fits him perfectly, and the black-rimmed glasses add a touch of gloss and sophistication. This man utterly steals Jimin's breath away, just like he did years ago. And the void Namjoon left in Jimin’s life when he walked away—nothing and no one has ever been able to fill it.

“Uh… thank you for coming,” Namjoon says quietly. 

“Oh… hi,” Jimin replies awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, willing his heart to stop pounding so hard.

Namjoon catches him completely off guard when he leans in and presses a faint kiss over his cheekbone. The fleeting touch sends a jolt through the poor Jimin, leaving him struggling to keep his balance. 

Ever the true gentleman, Namjoon holds the door open, allowing Jimin to step inside. They take their seats at a small table, surrounded by rows of bookcases. Jimin wouldn’t have thought of meeting here. It’s not the kind of place that would naturally come to his mind. But for Namjoon, it is perfect. Everything about it suits him in a way nothing else ever could. Literature has always been one of his greatest passions. A bitter memory suddenly rises in Jimin’s mind. One night, they had a fight because he demanded that his boyfriend put down his book for once and take him out to the movies.

Jimin's heart pounds in his chest, erratic and unsteady. Meeting Namjoon is a terrible idea—he is certain of it now. This man has never truly wanted him, never loved him enough to make Jimin feel like he was the one. Namjoon has always been distant and unattainable. And yet, here he is, and this sudden attention from Namjoon is making his head spin. He sits there frozen, his mouth dry, words failing him. He doesn’t know how to move or speak. And now Jimin understands why he decided to keep this meeting secret from Hoseok. He truly had something to hide.

Namjoon, on the other hand, is calm and collected as always. He picks up the menu with that same effortless elegance of his, long fingers flipping through the pages. A wave of memories crashes over Jimin, and he swallows hard, his throat tightening and dry. 

“Minni.”

Jimin’s skin prickles at the sound of Namjoon’s soft voice. That nickname—the one he used to call Jimin when they first started dating.

“Don’t,” he whispers, his voice trembling as he looks away. “Don’t call me that anymore.”

His gaze drops to his hands, fidgeting in his lap. He shifts uncomfortably in his chair. The pain has never truly left him. Has he changed as much as Namjoon? He wants to believe he has. 

The last time they sat together in a cafe like this was when Jimin had begged Namjoon to see him one last time. Namjoon, cold and unyielding, had broken his heart again, saying he didn’t love him anymore. That memory is both distant and close at the same time, lingering in the very air they’re breathing now. Namjoon feels just as far away now, even though he’s sitting a few inches away across the table. 

Jimin is not okay. He feels like he should just get up, walk out of here as soon as possible, pull out his phone and call Hobi to pick him up from the nearest subway station and take him home. But then Namjoon smiles — a small, polite smile for the waitress as she sets their coffee on the table. It pins Jimin in place, his legs refusing to move. He cannot even lift a finger.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s not easy. But that name...it still suits you,” Namjoon says softly.

Jimin stiffens, pressing his lips into a hard line. It feels like he’s being played, like this is all some sort of game to Namjoon. Does he think Jimin is still the same and hasn’t changed even a bit? Why is he saying all this now? Can’t he see that for just one word, one look, Jimin would be ready to throw all his bitter memories out the window—years of torment—ready to forget it all, just for Namjoon?

“I almost couldn’t recognize you when I saw you. You’ve become so much more handsome” Namjoon confesses, his look carrying a confusing mixture of emotions, which is hard to read.

Jimin bites down on his trembling lip, gripping the porcelain cup in his hands. This is too much for his poor heart to handle.

“Just say what you want. Why did you ask me to see you?” Jimin blurts out, unable to hold himself together. The air between them is thick with unspoken tension and it affects Namjoon, making him shift in his seat and exhale deeply.

“Jimin,” Namjoon exhales, stretching out an open hand across the table, a gesture of sincerity and openness. “I asked you here because I wanted to talk and say the things we should have said back then but never had the chance to. I want to apologize—for the pain my actions caused you, for the way I ended things without giving us the closure we both needed. I realize you deserved better than that. I am sorry that it happened this way.

He seems so earnest, and his words make Jimin’s chest tighten. He digs his nails into his palms.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long time. Why bring this up now?”

“The last time we met… I wasn’t sure how to face you. I’m sorry for saying things I shouldn’t have. I was quick to make assumptions, jumping to the wrong conclusions and hurting you,” he pauses, glancing down at the cup in front of him before looking back at Jimin. “Seokjin told me he hired you after studying your resume and responding to your job application. Now I understand that our meeting at ‘Kim Enterprise’ was pure coincidence. I was wrong to assume otherwise, and I owe you an apology for this too.”

“You talked to Seokjin about us?” Jimin’s eyes widen in horror.

“He doesn’t know about our relationship.”

“That’s good.”

Eventually, the atmosphere lightens, the tension dissipates. They ease into a more relaxed conversation, catching up on what’s happened in their lives during the years they’ve been apart.

All of Jimin’s resolutions to himself about forgetting Namjoon—about freeing himself from the dependency and need for him—dissolve like smoke. The longer they speak, looking into each other’s eyes, the more Jimin loses himself in the moment. He has no defense against the velvety baritone, the charming dimples that should honestly be illegal, the broad shoulders, and the well-defined pectoral muscles. His thoughts evaporate, overtaken by the intensity of his emotions. He longs to feel that long-forgotten, forbidden sensation again—the one he’s only ever known with Kim Namjoon.

Namjoon, too, feels the magnetic pull between them, irresistible and electric. Jimin looks so alluring, his beauty amplified by his bleached hair, making him seem almost unreal. How could Namjoon have forgotten the warmth this man once brought into his life—the depth of the love Jimin shared with him?

Having paid the bill, they find themselves back out in the street. Neither makes any attempt to end the meeting. Jimin’s smile is radiant, lighting up his face as they walk down an alleyway lined with blooming camellias. Namjoon says something funny, and Jimin’s melodic laughter delights his ears, reaching deep into his heart. Especially the fact that Jimin has forgiven all the wrongs, let go of every grudge, and just wants to be with—feels too good to be real. It feels as if they’ve traveled back in time to the day when they first met. 

Namjoon doesn’t even realize at what moment Jimin’s warm, delicate hand slips into his own. Once again, he is caught in a sweet, dreamy daze, his eyes lingering on his ex-lover’s mouth. Jimin turns his head to meet his gaze. 

The next moment, their lips brush against each other’s, and Namjoon is enraptured by an intoxicating scent—long forgotten, yet still driving him wild, just like it did before. How could he have ever thought he didn’t have any feelings for this man anymore? Why had he convinced himself he could be fine without Jimin?

Losing all control, he deepens the kiss, threading his fingers into Jimin’s soft hair.

All of it seems like a dream Jimin never wants to wake up from. He’s on the verge of bliss, as if he has died and been resurrected in paradise. That’s how it feels when Namjoon responds with passion, pulling him closer. 

“I’ve missed you,” Namjoon breathes.

“I did too,” Jimin whispers, his response barely audible, as if he was afraid the illusion will dissipate if he raises his voice or moves too abruptly. He doesn’t want to say goodbye. “I never stopped thinking of you. I am scared this is all just a dream and you’ll disappear. I still love you. I’ve never stopped.”

Jimin doesn’t hesitate to say it. He isn’t afraid to bare his soul, to tell the truth. No matter how hard he’s tried to forget, this feeling is stronger than him. He’s still hopelessly, deeply in love with Kim Namjoon—possessed by him, like by a demon refusing to let go.

They hug for a few more moments until Jimin notices Namjoon beginning to shift, subtle signs of discomfort from the cold creeping in. It makes Jimin remember some more of his habits. Namjoon had always been the one to break off even the most moving moments when it suited him. If they part ways now, Jimin knows his heart will break all over again—and he won’t be able to handle it.

“Come over to mine?” The words escape Jimin’s lips before he can think anything about the consequences.

Namjoon quickly pulls back, his intense gaze locking with Jimin’s, tinged with the faintest hesitation. But the next moment, his arms tighten around Jimin’s waist, and he nods. Jimin lets out a breath of relief. He hadn’t meant anything by this invitation — he just wanted to spend a little more time together. But the way his ex's hands linger suggests he interpreted it differently.

As soon as they are inside Jimin’s apartment, with the door closed behind them, Namjoon begins feverishly undressing him, showering him with heated kisses. Jimin is torn, knowing that he is about to make a terrible mistake, but he can’t do anything to stop himself. He wishes he was strong enough to resist this. 

Various memories crash over him. He recalls their last time together—the last time they had sex, after they had already broken up, when Namjoon had moved out. Namjoon had been about to leave for Tokyo for a couple of days and had agreed to see Jimin for just a few hours. Back then, Jimin had let himself be used, naively hoping it might change Namjoon’s mind. And now, years later, the worst part is realizing he’s fallen into the same trap again. His impulsiveness has played a cruel joke on him.

A thin voice of reason rises in the back of his head, urging him to stop. It’s not too late to back down, to change his mind. But Namjoon is everything he has ever wanted—his kisses are intoxicating, his hands, his lips, his body—all of it feels too good for Jimin to fight. He lets Namjoon unbutton his shirt, gasping as he is spun sharply around, his back pressed firmly against Namjoon’s chest. Namjoon’s lips trail along Jimin’s neck as his hands grip his hips, fumbling with his belt.

“Namjoon,” Jimin says quietly, not daring to look at him. 

“Yes, baby,” Namjoon murmurs.

Another memory stabs him. One of the final weeks of their relationship, back when they were still dating. They’d had a rare weekend alone at home, and Jimin had gone out of his way to surprise Namjoon. He had planned a romantic evening, imagining it might help fix their crumbling relationship. But they’d both drunk too much martini, and Namjoon had fallen asleep, leaving Jimin disappointed and hurt. 

Even then, Jimin hadn’t given up. Getting his boyfriend aroused hadn’t been difficult, even in his half-asleep state. But when Namjoon woke up, he shoved Jimin away, calling him revolting.

“Do you remember that evening when Sejoon and Daehbyung canceled their dinner with us at the last minute?” Jimin feels his chest tighten at the memory.

Namjoon frowns, straining to remember, fragments of the night flickering in his memory. 

"Yeah…and?" he finally asks.

"You don't remember, do you? We drank a lot. I wanted to make love to you, but you pushed me away and told me I was revolting.”

For a moment, Namjoon reverts to his usual old self—sharp and defensive. He releases Jimin, inhales deeply, and clenches his fists.

“Why bring this up, Jimin? I was drunk. That’s not… You decided to do everything without my consent while I was asleep. Of course, I didn’t appreciate it. I don’t think you’d be okay with me doing something like that either.”

Jimin has nothing to say to that. The familiar wave of shame washes over him, the same awful feeling from that night. A feeling that has never truly let go of him.

“Hey,” Namjoon calls softly, trying to soothe him, scrambling for the right words. “I never truly meant it like that! Jimin, you’re the only man I’ve ever been with. Just look at how you make me feel.”

He takes Jimin’s hand and presses it to his groin.

Jimin can’t breathe. He can’t do anything when Namjoon is like this with him—tender, attentive, impossible to resist. But deep down, he knows it’s not enough. Simple tenderness is not what he wants. All he wants is love—to be loved by Namjoon.

He lets Namjoon claim his body, making him his, once again. At first, there’s euphoria, a surge of overwhelming happiness. It feels too good to be true, and Jimin clings to that thought.

Suddenly, he understands that this shouldn’t have happened. It’s all wrong.

Looking into Namjoon’s passion-clouded eyes, Jimin finds nothing of what he was desperate to see. There’s nothing but unbridled lust staring back at him. Nothing has changed in the last six years. He has made a terrible mistake.

As if guided by some cruel telepathic force, his phone starts to vibrate. Jimin doesn’t need to check to know there’s only one person who would call him at this hour. Hoseok. Dizzy with Namjoon’s intoxicating intensity—the weight of his overpowering presence, the haunting unresolved past followed by years of longing—he had completely forgotten about his boyfriend. A wonderful one, too kind and too good for someone like him. Hoseok, unsuspecting and devoted, who adores Jimin and would bring him the moon and stars if he could. The only person who truly loves him for who he really is.

He stops reacting to Namjoon, his consciousness retreating from his body, as though he is watching himself from a distance. And he indeed is revolting: spineless, stripped of his own will, letting someone else use his body—taking his dignity, his worth, the fragile remains of his sense of self. Namjoon has zero respect for him, not even the faintest hint of affection. No matter how hard Jimin tries, he will never receive even a fraction of the adoration from Namjoon—the kind of pure love Hoseok pours so effortlessly into every second they spend together, every glance they share. At last, Jimin understands: there is absolutely nothing he can ever do to make Namjoon love him back. 

“Stop,” he demands, his voice trembling. 

But Namjoon is too caught up in himself to register his discomfort. 

“I said, stop! Now!” Jimin says louder, showing him away sharply—just as Namjoon had once shoved him away, not physically, but by abandoning him and ending their relationship.

Namjoon stumbles back, startled. “What’s wrong? Did I … do something?”

Jimin swiftly scrambles to the other side of the bed, grabbing his t-shirt on the floor. “Leave!” he says, his voice cracking as he struggles to hold back sobs.

Namjoon hesitates, puzzled, but doesn’t argue. He quickly dresses, avoiding looking at Jimin. He feels like he wants to say something, but no words come out.

Jimin weeps quietly, reduced once again to the same wounded man Namjoon abandoned six years ago.

“Just go,” he whispers barely audibly. This time, it’s exactly what Jimin wants. He wants Namjoon to walk out of his life for good and never come back.

***

Seokjin and Jungkook wake up almost at the same time. Leaving the warmth of the bed each other’s arms feels like a sheer torture, but the workday ahead won’t wait, not even with the weekend around the corner. After a cozy breakfast together, they start getting ready to head to the office. 

Jungkook leaves his phone on the dining table as he heads back to the bedroom to find his charger. The device suddenly starts vibrating, rattling against the wooden surface as it announces missed calls and text messages from the last night. Jungkook had it turned off before their date, not wanting anything to disturb their time together. Seokjin tries to ignore it — he really does. He knows that he has no right to check his secretary’s personal messages. But despite his best conscious efforts, his eyes catch the name of the sender on the screen. Four missed calls and two text  messages from Park Jimin. 

Seokjin really fights against the urge, but a dark compulsion takes over. Before he can stop himself, his hand reaches to snatch the phone off the table at the very last moment. His thumb swipes the screen and he reads the start of the most recent message.

“ Please call me when you can. I really need you right now. ”

Footsteps approach from the bedroom. Ignoring the sudden unease creeping into his chest, Seokjin swiftly presses the side button, dimming the screen just as Jungkook walks in. 

“Found it. Looks like I left it by the bed,” Jungkook says cheerfully, holding the charger and flashing Seokjin a bright, carefree smile.

They go separately to the office, as Seokjin needs to stop by his apartment to change. But as he drives, his thoughts keep circling around the message on Jungkook’s phone. What could it mean? Why had Jungkook turned off his phone while they were together?  And what could Jimin possibly need from him in the middle of the night?

His imagination spins out of control, conjuring vivid pictures—scenarios he'd rather not consider. Now that he knows what Jungkook can be like, the thought of him being with someone else—someone sharing the same intimacy Seokjin had just experienced—feels like a blade twisting in his chest. Seokjin wants to be the only one for Jungkook. The very idea of his infidelity is suffocating, a betrayal Seokjin simply won’t survive.

By the time Seokjin reaches the office, he has worked himself into such a state that he barely registers how many traffic laws he broke to get there faster. He needs to see Jungkook, to reassure himself that he’s at his desk and not with Jimin. 

To his great relief, Jungkook is at his usual spot, focused on his work, completely unbothered. Seokjin strides over to him and asks him to immediately follow him into his office.

Once they are behind closed doors, Seokjin pulls Jungkook into a tight embrace, unable to get enough of holding him close. Savouring the physical contact, he hopes it will quiet the chaos inside him—quell the irrational fears—so he can focus on the long day of work ahead. 

But the moment is cut short by a knock on the door.

Before Seokjin has a chance to answer, Yoongi steps in uninvited. His sharp expression falters at the sight of the two men standing close.

Jungkook pulls back immediately, retreating to the far corner of the room.

“I’ve got something to say to you,” Yoongi frowns, his voice stiff and a strange look directed at Jungkook.

Seokjin raises his eyes, straightening. Something in Yoongi’s tone alerts him.

"Alone," Yoongi specifies, eyes fixed on Seokjin.

Seokjin nods at Jungkook who quickly slips out of the office without a word.

Now alone, Yoongi sinks into the couch letting out a heavy sigh, rubbing his eyes in exhaustion.

“What the hell is going on?" Seokjin demands.

Before he can say anything else Yoongi holds up a hand to silence him.

"You're not going to like this. We have the results of the investigation into the leak of the 'Kim Enterprises' business partner and client database."

“Excellent,” Seokjin’s frustration immediately gives way to focus. He rises from his chair, stepping closer to Yoongi, eager to grab the folder from his friend’s hands.

Yoongi just stands there, meeting Seokjin’s eyes with a heavy look.

“We know which computer the database was stolen from. It happened on Thursday night, just before the departure to Pyeongchang.”

“How?” Seokjin freezes mid-reach, caught off guard.

“There was no hacking involved.”

“What do you mean there was no hacking? Then how did it end up stolen?”

“It was uploaded directly from your computer.”

Seokjin stares at him uncomprehendingly. “What? How is that possible?”

“It’s possible if someone with the password accessed the database, copied it and uploaded it online.” Yoongi’s voice tightens. 

“Okay, but how could that happen? No one has the password to my work computer except for me and Jungkook.”

Seokjin’s words hang in the air as Yoongi watches him with a pointed look. It takes him several seconds to fully absorb the implication of Yoongi’s silence.

“That’s right,” Yoongi nods grimly, leaning forward. “The password is only known to you and Jungkook. Unless you personally uploaded that database, the only other person who could have done it is Jeon Jungkook. And it’s not even the worst thing he’s hiding.”

Chapter Text

Seokjin doesn’t want to believe Yoongi. The words hit him like a leaden weight, squeezing the air from his lungs. Blood rushes to his head, pounding painfully in his temples. It feels as though his heart might stop at any moment. This is absurd—it has to be a mistake. A monstrous, impossible mistake. There must be a rational explanation to it. Secretary Jeon is professional, dependable, someone you can trust in any situation. He’s too noble, too principled, to commit such a thing. 

Trying to steady his breathing, Seokjin leans forward, clutching the back of his chair in a feverish grip. “We have to check everything again. There must be some mistake,” he rasps, his voice strained and raw. Suddenly his balance falters, as he struggles for a full breath.

Yoongi sighs, rubbing his face with his hands and pinching the bridge of his nose. He was prepared for this kind of reaction from his friend. Given how Seokjin’s relationship with his subordinate had evolved, there’s no surprise that Jin is denying Jungkook’s guilt. What’s more, Yoongi knows he and Seokjin have grown distant in recent weeks, never finding enough time to truly connect. He can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He should have explained to Seokjin about Taehyung—how he hired him as the vice president’s new secretary, guided by his personal fondness for the young man. But that no longer matters. Taehyung is in the past, and bringing him up now would serve no purpose. What matters now is warning Seokjin—making him aware of the danger his relationship with Jungkook might pose to the company, and to Seokjin himself.

“I understand this all seems unbelievable to you right now. I struggled to accept it myself. But it’s the truth! Jungkook is not who he claims to be. No one else has access to the cloud through your user account. Besides”, Yoongi lowers his voice, “There’s evidence that he was paid for leaking information about Kim Enterprise. Here—look at this.”

He places a folder on the desk before Seokjin, flipping through the pages until he finds the necessary document. Watching Seokjin’s growing distress hurts him deeply, but there’s no going back now. He has to reveal everything he’d managed to find out.

“Just look at this receipt,” Yoongi slides the paper in front of Seokjin. “It’s Jungkook’s personal account number—the same one where his salary has been deposited. Some company called Airnet Trade Invest transferred roughly ten million won into it. This company has a reputation of being involved in a major corruption scandal. They funded a publishing house that spread defamatory rumors about businessmen until their management was sued and lost the case. Ever since then, Airnet Trade Invest changed hands several times, used as a front by those needing a legal address. No one really knows who owns it now.”

Seokjin feels like the ground beneath him is shaking. Everything Yoongi is saying sounds like utter nonsense, and yet the words claw at his mind, giving way to doubts. His heart knows that it can’t be true. He goes pale, his breath comes in ragged gasps as he bites down hard on his trembling lips until he tastes blood. 

“This doesn’t prove anything!” he protests, his voice full of desperation, but Yoongi silences him with a raised hand gesture.

“Just take it into account. For now, this is all we know about the data leak. But there is something else that worries me even more.” Yoongi says, folding his arms across his chest and fixing Seokjin with a steady, scrutinizing gaze. “Two months ago, shortly before Jungkook announced his resignation, he was working on reports for an audit check. I don’t want to sound the alarm unnecessarily, but there are several glaring discrepancies. Some  of the financial results for certain projects don’t align with reality—and some are missing entirely. I really hope this is a false alarm, but we’d better be safe than sorry.” Yoongi nods toward the documents.

Seokjin’s eyes dart upward, locking onto his friend’s face in desperate disbelief. Pain etches across his expression, face pale as chalk, veins pulsing in his neck. Chest heaving erratically, each breath comes faster than he can keep up. A sharp crack cuts through the air—he has snapped a pencil in half that somehow ended up in his hands, without even realizing it.

“You’re trying to say…, ” he chokes out, struggling for air. The room starts spinning, and everything blurs before his eyes. This can’t be true. It can’t be happening again. Not with Jungkook. He can’t endure another betrayal. Seokjin’s mind reels, memories of the last weeks latching onto fragments. He knows Jungkook—knows his heart. He knows it is pure. 

Could all his fears have been justified from the very start? Did he let himself believe too easily, growing lax in his vigilance while daring to hope he could finally trust someone again? Is this world truly nothing but deception? Thinking about Jungkook’s big shiny eyes—his gentle,innocent gaze—is unbearable, realizing it was all just a never-ending deceit—and that Seokjin has been betrayed once more.

Yoongi’s voice cuts through the air, axing Seokjin’s spiralling thoughts. “Jungkook deliberately falsified Kim Enterprises’ profit records to make it look like the company was evading taxes.”

“Enough!” Seokjin shouts, turning away as his searing gaze lands on the folder with evidence. His jaw tightens, making it clear he’s reached the limit and cannot continue this conversation. “Leave me alone.”

Yoongi hesitates, his heart heavy, but he nods and exits the office, leaving his friend alone with his torment.

Seokjin slumps into his chair. His life feels as if it’s shattering, crumbling into disgusting ruins. Someone is trying to play a vicious joke on him once again. But this time he's not the naive boy he once was. He will track down the culprit and won’t let them get away with it. Whoever dared to drag him into this filthy game will regret it bitterly.

***

Jungkook’s day couldn’t have started any better: waking up in the arms of the man he loves, sharing breakfast together—it all feels like a dream turned into reality. He wants nothing more than for every morning to be like this.

Another surprise awaits him at work: Seokjin summons Jungkook to his office, explaining that he simply couldn’t stand how much he’d missed him. Jungkook aches to spend every minute by his boss’ side—to just take his laptop into Seokjin’s office and work there. That proximity alone would give him so much energy. He still hasn’t managed to say he no longer wants to resign, but he has a plan: he’ll suggest to the boss that he keep both him and Taehyung. There’s more than enough work for the two of them to share.

A nagging anxiety stirs inside him at the thought of the messages he received from Jimin earlier on. When Jungkook finally calls him, Jimin asks to meet in person, promising to explain everything.

They meet during the lunchtime break in the foyer outside the cafeteria on the seventeenth floor of Kim Enterprise. Jimin doesn’t look good. Even indoors, he hides his eyes behind oversized dark sunglasses. His puffy, red-rimmed eyelids make it obvious he’s been crying for hours. The indistinct hum of walking by coworkers echoes through the space, but the man doesn’t seem to care.

“What’s happened, hyung? You don’t look good, ” Jungkook says worriedly, studying him. Jimin seems so frail and helpless that Jungkook instinctively wants to pull him into a comforting hug. “You tried calling me several times last night.”

Jimin lets out a shaky sigh, summoning his courage. Whatever he has to say weighs on him like a heavy burden. Sensing this, Jungkook instinctively steps closer and wraps his arms around him. Jimin lets out a plaintive sob, burying his tear-streaked face in Jungkook’s shoulder. Jungkook holds him steady, tracing slow circles on his back. For a while, they simply stand there, locked in an embrace, as Jimin clings to his neck. Jungkook waits, not rushing, giving him a chance to speak when he’s ready. Whatever happened must be truly awful.

When Jimin finally pulls away, Jungkook guides him toward a nearby bench, tucked against the wall in the corner. They take a seat, side by side, away from the noise and bustle of the foyer. Jungkook keeps one arm draped around him, still offering his support.

“What’s wrong? Did you and Hobi get into a fight?” he asks.

Jimin sniffles, his shoulders shaking with another sob. “I slept with Namjoon.”

The words feel like a slap. Jungkook freezes, stunned. He loosens his hold and pulls back, to face Jimin, staring at him with wide eyes. 

“So…” he mumbles, trying to process. “How can it be? You two are back together?”

“I’m such an idiot, Kookie.” Jimin shuts his eyes and braces his hands against the bench, as if trying to keep himself from collapsing. “No, it happened just once. Namjoon offered to meet so we could finally end things—something we should have done years ago. But it…didn’t go as planned.” He lets out a bitter laugh, biting his lip.

“In other words, he seduced you?” Jungkook asks in a flat voice, his eyes boring into him. Jimin suddenly feels like a total stranger—someone Jungkook doesn’t even know at all. Something about this ugly truth floods him with deep disappointment. 

“At first, he invited me to a café.”Jimin starts hesitantly. “We talked for a long time. He apologized, said he regretted how he treated me, and that he missed me a lot. He was sincere… I felt it.  Eventually, I couldn’t hold back, so I invited him to mine and we…” He trails off, unable to finish.

“No.” Jungkook shakes his head sharply, shutting his eyes. He doesn’t want to hear anymore.

“I know I  acted as an asshole. I disgust myself.” Jimin says, turning away to hide his face behind his trembling hand. “It’s just… when we were alone at my place, things just … got out of hand.” 

Jungkook bites the inside of his cheek, staying silent. Something inside him snaps. He can’t even bear to look at this person—the one he once called his best friend. Now a wave of bitter disappointment crashes over him, sharp and unrelenting. His face burns with shame for knowing this, for being dragged into Jimin’s mess. 

“Have you told Hobi?” he asks coldly.

“No!” Jimin startles, his eyes widening in alarm as he instinctively clutches Jungkook’s hand, as though begging him to stop. “He doesn’t know anything yet. Please, Kookie, don’t tell him!”

Jungkook stiffens and pulls his hand away. He can’t find the words. Hearing this confession is hard enough; but the disappointment he feels about his friend is so much worse. Hobi is his friend too. He can’t keep in touch with both of them, pretending to know nothing. He wouldn’t be able to look at himself in the mirror afterward.

“You have to tell him everything,” Jungkook whispers, staring ahead. Emotions surge inside him, threatening to drown him. Even sitting beside Jimin now costs him tremendous effort.

“Please, don’t tell him,” Jimin pleads again.

“I won’t,” Jungkook says firmly, “because it’s not my place to do so. But you’ve put me into an impossible position, hyung. Now that I know the truth, I can’t hang around him pretending that I don’t. It makes me a traitor. We can’t see each other again until you talk to him.” 

Jungkook turns to Jimin, his look filled with such a strong disappointment that it makes Jimin’s insides twist painfully. “How could you do such a thing? Does Hoseok mean so little to you? He’s really in love with you, and you know it, Jimin!”

Jimin’s face crumples. He sniffles again, casting a look at Jungkook that brims with a grief as vast as the universe. “I’ll talk to him today. Until last night, I didn’t realize how much Hobi means to me. I can’t take it if I lose him!”

Jungkook can’t take this any longer. His appetite vanishes entirely. Without another word, he stands abruptly, ready to go back to the office.

“I’m so sorry, Kookie,” Jimin whispers, his eyes widen, as Jungkook is towering above him, ready to leave. Tears pool in his eyes as he looks up at Jungkook with a desperate plea. “Please, don’t leave me. I can’t bear this alone.”

“Don’t apologize to me,” Jungkook replies, his tone distant. “You did what you did. Now you have to live with it. Telling Hoseok everything is the least you can do. Hyung doesn’t deserve to be deceived like this.”

With those words, Jungkook turns on his heel and briskly heads for the stairwell. Jimin jumps up to follow but halts short. He can’t afford to cause a scene at work where others might see them. Frozen with indecision, he inhales shakily, letting hot tears spill freely down his cheeks. Even his best friend turns away from him. Maybe he truly doesn’t deserve a friend like Jeon Jungkook. 

Jimin’s lack of restraint, his obsession, and his lust have destroyed everything he had. He’s disgraced himself in front of his friend, his boyfriend, and even his ex, who likely won’t ever respect him. Worst of all, one innocent person, who loves him with all his heart, will suffer because of him. Dare he hope that Hoseok would forgive him?

Running a hand through his hair, Jimin pushes it back from his forehead, slips his dark sunglasses back on, and strides off in the opposite direction.

Neither he or Jungkook notices the pair of gleaming black eyes, filled with fury, watching them from two floors above the landing near the escalator. Seokjin’s hands grip the cold steel of the railing as his jaw clenches and his nostrils flare, as he tries to control the storm raging inside him.

***

Jungkook hurries up the stairs when he sees Seokjin standing in front of the office door. After talking to Jimin, he feels emotionally drained and deeply disappointed. But the moment his eyes land on his beautiful boss, something inside him shifts. His heart skips a beat, and he can’t hold back a smile. How does Seokjin manage to look so flawless all the time? His glossy black locks are neatly styled, a light flush colors his cheeks, and his sensuous lips are slightly parted. Jungkook feels a wave of euphoria—and that familiar, languid warmth spread through his whole body at the mere memory of the fiery kisses this man had bestowed on him all night long. He’s certain of one thing: he’ll never love anyone this much again.

Contrary to his expectations, Seokjin does not return the smile. Instead, he radiates an unapproachable aura, as though a concrete wall has risen between them. Jungkook’s smile fades, replaced by the look of concern. Did something upset Seokjin?

“Where were you?” his boss asks formally, even though no one else is around to hear them. A chill emanates from his tone, and Jungkook doesn’t like it one bit. Just an hour ago, in his office—showering Jungkook’s face with kisses—Seokjin called him “my darling.” Why did his attitude shift so drastically?

Jungkook frantically sifts through possible replies in his mind. Seokjin had never approved of his friendship with Jimin, though he’d once admitted he had no right to demand they stop talking. Jungkook remembers all too well how furious his boss got at the mere mention of his private conversations with Park. For some reason, telling the truth—that he’d just seen his friend and planned to have lunch with him—feels like the worst possible idea. What if Seokjin grows even angrier and pushes him away again? 

At first, Seokjin’s jealousy was flattering, but now it feels absurd. How can he till doubts Jungkook’s loyalty? How can he even think Jungkook would ever look at anyone else the way he looks at Seokjin? Doesn't he realize he's one of a kind—someone Jungkook would never give up for anything in the world? It’s true that in the beginning, there had been a certain chemistry between him and Jimin, but that spark had long since evolved into a close, platonic bond. If Jungkook’s being honest, it pains him that Seokjin dislikes Jimin because of it. He wishes more than anything, that his beloved and his best friend could put aside their differences and give each other a chance.

Squirming under Seokjin’s piercing stare, Jungkook makes a split-second decision. Before he can think better of it, nervously wiping his sweaty neck, he blurts out:

“I just went off for some fresh air.”

His large eyes immediately start watering. Jungkook has never been any good at lying.

Something unfathomable flickers in Seokjin’s gaze before vanishing. His reaction is impossible to interpret; all he does is knit his brows.

“So that’s it? You decided to go off on your own for a breath of fresh air?”

What’s with this interrogation? Perhaps Jungkook should have told the truth. But now it’s too late.

“Yeah, I went to pick something up.”

Seokjin merely scoffs and, without another word, ру abruptly turns and strides away.

Jungkook is stunned, unsure of what to make of it. The whole situation feels off, and Seokjin’s behavior is unsettling. He can’t just let him leave like this. Rushing after him, he grabs his boss by the shoulder, stopping him. 

“Hyung, can I talk to you for just another minute?” he pleads, his voice shaking with worry and regret.

Seokjin casts an icy, almost arrogant glance over his shoulder. His hands remain clenched into fists in the pockets of his trousers.

“Not today. I have more important things to do,” he says curtly, turning away and continuing down the corridor, leaving Jungkook staring after him in confusion.

For a moment, it feels like a punch to the gut. Crestfallen, Jungkook drags himself back to the office, where work awaits. Their exchange leaves a deeply unpleasant taste in his mouth.

Meanwhile, Seokjin isn’t sure who he’s angrier with—himself or his subordinate. Everything inside him shatters at the instant Jungkook denies meeting Jimin. Seokjin had seen it with his own eyes: the two of them standing there, hugging, with Jungkook pressing his entire body against Jimin and running a hand over his back with such tenderness. He’d also noticed how upset Jimin was, constantly crying. So why would Jungkook feel the need to deny that they’d just seen each other? 

Even though he and Jungkook had agreed to be exclusive lovers, and even though Seokjin let his emotions run wild last night and said too much, it changes nothing about their relationship. What if Jungkook is playing both sides—is involved with him and Jimin at the same time? What if Jimin was upset because he found out what had happened between Jungkook and him last night? 

Does this mean Jungkook had shamelessly lied to him when he claimed Seokjin was his first, and that he’d never been with anyone else before? And what about those late-night messages from Jimin? Why had he told Jungkook he needed him so desperately?

The more Seokjin thinks about it, the harder it gets to breathe. Jungkook is capable of lying—Seokjin just witnessed it firsthand. Maybe Yoongi’s accusations are true, and the results of his investigation aren’t as far-fetched as they seem. If Jungkook really did leak confidential information online and falsify the audit, Seokjin will personally make sure he receives the punishment he deserves.

***

     Taehyung returns to his new lodging after a long, gruelling day, his mind weighed down by worries. The relentless onslaught of negative emotions has left him utterly drained, mentally and physically. His tiny room in the gosiwon feels rather like a prison cell than a place to live—dull white walls, faded curtains, and a small, high-set window tucked almost beneath the ceiling. All of this presses heavily on him, only worsening his already bleak state of mind. 

He is unwell. Getting sick now would be the worst possible timing, he thinks bitterly. There’s still the final assignment he needs to carry out for Mr. Choi, a task, which might lead to the complete collapse of Kim Enterprise and inflict sufferings on countless innocent people. Yet, if he succeeds, perhaps he’ll finally be left alone. 

Maybe it’s the hangover—two days old but still clinging to his system, sending constant waves of nausea and fever. A good night’s sleep could help, but Taehyung has been plagued by insomnia for such a long time now. Maybe he drinks too much. Because how else could he escape the dull, gray monotony of his everyday existence, his pitiful circumstances and the vicious cycle he can’t seem to break? One bottle of soju is never enough; he always ends up craving more.

The neighbourhood Taehyung has moved into is rough and troubled. On just his second day after moving in, while he was away, someone broke into his tiny room and stole his phone and some jewelry. The incident unsettled him, leaving him acutely aware of every sound and every movement, his nerves completely frayed. But he has no other choice. He is trapped in a snare he set for himself by his reckless actions. 

Obediently following Yeonjae’s orders, he falsified the audit data and submitted it under Jungkook’s name. The work was flawless, and now “Kim Enterprise” teeters on the brink of catastrophe with possibility of fines and a public scandal.

Taehyung’s strength is fading. Each passing day and every assignment completed drags him lower, making him feel worse and worse. Harming the very people who welcomed, supported, and helped him tears his soul apart piece by piece.

Loneliness forces him to rethink many things. For the first time in a long while, he let himself experience real, profound feelings. They chase him every night as he lies alone in the darkness on his hard mattress, thinking of the person who gave him their heart. He doesn’t even have a phone anymore—not even the consolation of looking at photos of Yoongi.

They haven’t crossed paths at the office, and Taehyung understands that Yoongi is deliberately avoiding him. A deep sadness has settled in his heart ever since the door to Yoongi’s apartment closed behind him. Once again, he’s lost his home. Now, he finds himself yearning not only for his parents but also for the place where he’d experienced beautiful moments of bliss. 

Curling up into a ball on his mattress, he recalls the warm arms around him, the sweet lips trailing desperate kisses on every inch of his body. Yoongi was his home. Under his wing, Taehyung had felt safe and dared to dream again. In secret, he’d begun designing clothes. One morning, watching Yoongi sleep, he sketched a suit design that would highlight his beauty. He planned every detail with care, even visualizing the brooch pinned on the jacket. If only life had unfolded differently, they could have been the perfect couple.

Taehyung felt Yoongi liked him from the very first sight. Their first sex in the shower of the basketball club was incredible. Perhaps it was then that Taehyung first felt for Yoongi something deeper than mere attraction. Who knows? If he had been braver, if he’d taken the first step, maybe his life would have turned out differently. But he also knows that if Yoongi ever found out what he’d done—the lies and harm he caused—he would never want anything to do with him.

He has been unwell for three days straight. His fever worsens, and the unbearable ache in his entire body keeps him in bed, unable to move. Waves of nausea make it impossible to even think about going back to work. Shivering uncontrollably, he tries to wrap himself in a thin blanket that offers no warmth. Nothing does. The cold pierces him to the bone. His legs refuse to carry him even as far as the sink for a sip of water, let alone to the grocery store. The stolen phone means he can’t order food delivery. Tears streak down his fevered cheeks as a terrible thought crosses his mind: he’s utterly alone in this world, and no one cares. If he were to die, no one would even know. 

He’ll never see his parents again, never get the chance to ask for their forgiveness. And he’ll never see Yoongi’s sweet smile again.

Yoongi. His fevered mind clings to that image like a drowning man gasping at a straw.

Hours, perhaps even days pass in blur. Taehyung drifts in and out of consciousness. And then, in the darkness, he feels somebody’s rough hands shaking him.

“Young man? Are you asleep? What’s wrong with you?” an unfamiliar voice calls out.

“Yoongi…” Taehyung murmurs weakly, unable to open his eyes. “Please… call Yoongi.”

***

Jimin deliberately ignores Hoseok’s messages. Every time his phone buzzes with a notification, his heart clenches painfully. He knows he has to tell his boyfriend the truth, but how? If Hoseok leaves him too, Jimin won’t be able to bear it.

How are you, my love? Did you sleep well? I waited for your reply all evening. *sad smiley* I understand, you must be really tired. I hope you eat well. I can't stop thinking of you. *kissy smile*

Then Hoseok tries calling him twice. Jimin just stares at the screen, waiting for the call to end. He just can’t muster the courage to pick up.

“Is something wrong? Are you at work? Why aren’t you answering? I miss you so much. *crying smiley*

Jimin lets his head fall into his hands in exhaustion. Usually, he would reply right away. They’re always texting, sharing jokes, sending memes and cute photos throughout the day. But now, even typing out a single greeting feels impossible. He knows he should write at least something, anything, but the terrible weight in his chest is tearing his heart in two. 

The memory of the earlier conversation with Jungkook flashes through his mind, and his best friend’s look of disappointment makes his resolve crumble, leaving him completely deflated. Hobi will never forgive him! Jimin knows it. How will he survive being completely alone again?

Until yesterday, Jimin’s life had been divided into “before” and “after” Namjoon. He never could have imagined that his ex still harbored feelings for him. He still can’t comprehend how things turned out the way they did and how he ended up cheating on his boyfriend with Namjoon of all people. Ironically, having made this mistake, Jimin finally realizes that none of the old passion or his longing for Namjoon remains in his heart. All he feels now is shame. Shame, first and foremost, toward himself.

He truly messed up by allowing Namjoon back into his life and letting him far enough to ruin his happiness with Hoseok with his own hands. All Jimin ever wanted was to be loved. And Hoseok had loved him with his whole heart, asking nothing in return. It was a healthy relationship—one built on mutual love, where feelings are freely given and reciprocated. Hoseok would never have allowed Jimin to feel unhappy around him. With Hobi, Jimin had almost forgotten how much he suffered in the past with his ex.

Time slips away too quickly. Hoseok doesn’t keep him waiting long. He arrives exactly at four, standing outside Yoongi’s office, hardly able to wait another second of not seeing his beloved one. The moment Jimin appears in the hallway, Hoseok can’t suppress the sheer happiness of seeing him. Without hesitation, he rushes toward Jimin at full speed, pulling him into a fervent kiss and wrapping him in a tight embrace. Their separation had felt like an eternity. Last night, Hobi couldn’t shake a gnawing, unpleasant sense of unease when Jimin didn’t respond to his messages. At last, Jimin is here and Hoseok feels an immense relief. 

Jimin is silent, standing on the edge of an emotional abyss. He takes in the beauty of his boyfriend, which stirs him to his very core. Hoseok is the most perfect person Jimin has ever known. The way he looks at Jimin, as if he’s the most precious treasure in the world, makes him feel special, but also tears him apart. He no longer feels worthy of such love.

Gently pulling away, Jimin can’t find the strength to meet Hoseok’s eyes.

“Are you okay?” Hoseok asks gently, taking both of his hands in his, trying to catch his gaze. “Did anything happen? You look sad.”

Jimin hesitates, gathering his thoughts. How is he supposed to start this conversation?

“Everything’s fine. I’m just tired, and my phone is dead,” he replies quietly, biting his lip.

“Do you want to go to the movies? Or maybe come over to my place and order a ton of delicious food?” Hobi tries, still hoping that Jimin’s mood doesn’t mean he no longer wishes to see him.

Jimin doesn’t respond.

“Sweetheart? What’s wrong? Why are you acting so strange?”

Jimin fumbles with the zipper on his bag.  "It's fine," he answers softly, though his movements betray him. Nothing is fine. Nothing will ever be fine again."Let’s just go for a walk."

"Of course, of course. Let’s take a walk. We can go to the movies another day, if you’d like," Hoseok brightens, bustling with warmth, his smile as tender as ever. He takes the bag from Jimin’s hands, slipping his free hand into Jimin’s, their fingers intertwining. He doesn’t like the way Jimin acts, but at least they’re together, and that’s what matters.

They walk down the street, unhurried, as they take their time. Jimin allows himself to enjoy a little more time with his sweet boyfriend. Hoseok chatters away, lively and playful, cracking jokes and laughing at his own remarks. But Jimin doesn’t hear the words. He’s too captivated by this amazing person—the man who calls him “darling” with such affection, looking as if he’d sweep him off his feet without a second thought. This can’t go on. Jungkook is right. Hobi doesn’t deserve to be deceived like this.

"Wait," Jimin says abruptly, stopping mid-step. He turns to face Hoseok, taking his hands and pressing them against his own chest. Rising on his toes, he pulls Hoseok into a fervent kiss, pouring all his desperation, his pain, and his fear of loss into it.

Hoseok blinks, caught off guard but clearly delighted. When they part, his expression is one of endearing bewilderment.

"Wow, what was that?" He beams, holding Jimin tighter. The world tilts beneath his feet. Jimin is so perfect, so beautiful, he seems to be made for love itself.

"I don’t tell you enough how much you mean to me," Jimin says, his voice trembling with sincerity. "Thank you for coming into my life and making me happy. I want to be with you and only you."

Stunned by the confession, Hoseok struggles to contain the swell of emotion in his chest. He buries his face in Jimin’s hair, his voice low and thick with feeling.

"You have no idea how much these words mean to me," he whispers.

But Jimin visibly tenses in his arms, his body stiffening. Another moment, and he steps back, retreating just enough to put distance between them.

"What’s wrong, Jimin?" Hoseok asks, dumbfounded by his reaction. That strange sense of unease he’d felt the night before gradually creeps back into his chest.

Jimin tries to smile, but his lips are trembling.

"There’s something I need to tell you."

Hoseok nods immediately, instinctively stepping closer, eager to close the space between them. His attention is unwavering.

"Do you remember how we once talked about my ex, Kim Namjoon?

“Yeah. You told me you were dating,” Hoseok frowns.

“Actually … Something happened yesterday that you need to know,” Jimin blurts out, his eyes fixed on the ground. It’s time to end this nightmare, to stop beating around the bush. “We were together last night.”

For a fraction of a second, Hoseok looks confused, as though the words don’t quite register. Then his expression stiffens and his hand slips from Jimin’s.

“It was his idea. He wanted to meet and talk… about us.” Jimin swallows hard, his voice faltering as words feel sticking in his throat. “We started at a café.” He hesitates, dread pooling in his stomach as he summons all his courage to meet Hoseok’s disbelieving eyes. 

“And then we went back to my place.”

Hoseok gives him a strange look, blood draining from his face with each word. Jimin can almost feel the knot tightening in his throat, as if it’s his own. It seems Hobi understands already—every awful implication—but still, he forces out a trembling question, his voice raw with a desperation so unguarded, so broken. It’s a kind of pain he’s never seen in him before and wishes he never had to.

“Why did he go to your place? What happened when you got there? Jimin, just tell me!”

For the first time, Hoseok loses control. Seeing this carefree, ever-smiling man in such despair shatters Jimin’s heart, especially at the thought that he’s the one who caused it.

“You can figure it out yourself…” Jimin mumbles. Right before his eyes, something shatters inside Hoseok.

“You have to say it, Jimin. What happened when you got home?” Hoseok’s nails almost dig into Jimin’s forearms as he speaks, but Jimin doesn’t feel the pain. What’s happening inside him is far worse.

“Forgive me,” Jimin croaks, barely audible. “Yes, we slept together.”

At that, Hoseok’s grip falters, his hands falling to his sides, letting go of Jimin.

“But it was just once, and it’ll never happen again! Please,Hobi, I’ll do anything. I love you,” Jimin cries out in desperation, rushing toward him. This isn’t right, it’s not how he imagined confessing his feelings. But it’s all he has left now. If Hoseok leaves him, Jimin won’t survive the loss.

“Don’t touch me!” Hoseok recoils in horror when Jimin tries to reach out to him, stepping back to a safe distance. Right now, even looking at him feels revolting. “Why did you do it? Are you two together?”

“Never! It was a terrible mistake! I shouldn’t have let it happen. I don’t love him anymore! You’re all I need! I want to be with you and only you. If you give me a chance, I’ll make it right. I’ll never mess up again. Please, I’ll prove to you that you’re the only one.” Jimin begs frantically, laying out his heart bare.

“Stop it! ” Hoseok shouts desperately, covering his ears with trembling hands, as if trying to shield himself from the words. “Please, don’t say it anymore!”

“I’m so sorry,” Jimin sobs bitterly, his heart shattering too.

“How could you do this to us?” Hoseok cries from the depths of his soul, his voice breaking, full of pain as sharp as a blade. “We loved each other so much! Was I not good enough for you? After all this time, you never gave me a real chance! You held me back, and I—like a fool—waited for you. But all it took was one call from him, and you gave him everything!”

Jimin sighs sorrowfully, shaking his head, not daring to argue. They had agreed to take things slow, not to rush into a more intimate stage of their relationship. Still battling his past, Jimin is not eager to let someone new get too close. 

“Goodbye.” Hoseok takes a step back, furiously brushing his hair out of his face.

“Wait,” Jimin pleads, trying to stop him, but it’s pointless. Tears won’t fix anything—he knows that all too well.

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’d appreciate it if you understood that and didn’t bother me again!” Hoseok snaps, his gaze cold and broken, tone sharp, piercing Jimin to the core.

Standing there frozen, with sheer willpower, Jimin fights the urge to run after him. It feels like déjà vu. Letting him go is unbearable, but Jimin knows from experience how these desperate attempts to hold on to someone who’s already decided to leave usually end. He’s been through it too many times. 

The pain cuts far deeper than losing Namjoon ever did. With Namjoon, Jimin was unhappy— a prisoner of his own passion, trapped in a relationship where he was never truly valued. But now, he’s losing someone who truly cherished him, respected him and almost helped him learn to love himself. But Jimin "repaid" that love with betrayal and heartbreak.

Jimin sends countless messages, begging for forgiveness, promising to do anything it takes to make things right—but it’s all in vain. Hoseok never responds.

The pain cuts far deeper than losing Namjoon ever did. With Namjoon, Jimin was unhappy— a prisoner of his own passion, trapped in a relationship where he was never truly valued. But now, he’s losing someone who truly cherished him, respected him, and almost helped him learn to love himself. And Jimin repaid that love with betrayal and heartbreak.

He wanders aimlessly around the city for hours until his legs carry him to Jungkook’s house. One look is all it takes his friend to understand everything without a single word.

“You told him!”

“And he left,” Jimin whispers miserably. It feels like he’s already cried all his tears out, leaving him utterly drained.“I guess I deserve this.”

 Thankfully, Jungkook no longer harbors any anger toward him. 

“Come on in,” he steps aside, letting Jimin in and quietly closes the door behind them. 

And just like that his friend is back there for him again, accepting him with open arms, letting him back into his heart. What Jimin has done is terrible, but he’s remorseful. And despite everything, Jungkook offers his support.

“I’m so tired, Kookie,” Jimin murmurs, burying his face in the soft fabric of Jungkook’s hoodie. The familiar closeness eases his suffering if only just a little.

*** 

Seokjin’s Saturday goes by in utmost turmoil. Still in a state of mild shock, he refuses to accept reality. His mind is in complete disarray; everything slips through his fingers, and he has no desire to do anything. The monstrous thoughts about Jungkook keep him restless. All the evidence Youngi gathered points to him, leaving little doubt that the secretary was really planning to damage Kim Enterprises' reputation. Beyond that, Jungkook’s been skillfully manipulating Seokjin, playing the innocent. Was seduction part of his plan all along? By lulling Seokjin into a false sense of security, he’s pulling off his shady dealings right under his nose. How easy had it been for him to feign inexperience, to make Seokjin believe he was truly a virgin?

And then there’s the issue of Jimin. Their embrace seemed nothing like friendly. Seokjin wouldn’t ever dream of touching Yoongi that way. They are, without a doubt, secret lovers. And possibly even accomplices, helping each other bring down the company.

Even the truth about Jung Myeong—that he had used Seokjin—didn't feel this awful. Deep down, Seokjin had always sensed he was making a mistake by trusting him. But this time, it feels different. 

He can’t shake off the feeling that he might be wrong, that there might be some explanation for Jungkook’s actions. The idea that Jungkook could falsify audit data and leak confidential information simply doesn’t fit in his mind. 

The stubborn voice of his heart refuses to be silenced, to simply accept the truth and let go of someone so dear. After all, he hasn’t even talked to Jungkook yet or given him a chance to explain himself.

Would Jungkook be honest, or would he keep lying? It’s impossible that Seokjin doesn’t truly know his own secretary. Jungkook is kind, sentimental, and has a pure heart. Maybe this pain is Seokjin’s fault, as he let himself fall so deeply in love and let his guard down. Memories of their passionate moments together—of the way Jungkook gave himself so fervently—feel like a bittersweet dream, a heaven on earth now fractured beneath layers of suspicion. 

But what if there’s something he’s missing, some crucial piece of the puzzle that is still concealed?

Jungkook had reached out to him several times. This isn’t the first time Seokjin has ignored his attempts, so eventually, the younger man stopped pushing—leaving it up to his boss to respond when he’s ready. But the burning questions gnaw at Seokjin’s mind, and he can’t endure the tension any longer. They need to talk—otherwise, he feels like he’s going to lose his mind.

Barely waiting for morning to come, Seokjin doesn’t even bother to fix his hair. He throws on the first tracksuit he finds, grabs a baseball cap, and heads for his car. The pressing need to see Jungkook weighs heavily on him; their separation is driving him insane. There has to be an explanation for everything.

Twenty-five minutes later, Seokjin stands outside Jungkook’s house. The quiet Sunday morning settles around the empty streets. Despite the early hour, Seokjin knows Jungkook is probably already awake.

With his heart pounding heavily in his chest, Seokjin presses the doorbell and waits.

The door opens and a sleepy Jungkook appears on the porch—dressed in soft pajama pants and a black t-shirt that clings just a little too enticingly to his broad chest. His hair is adorably tousled, and his eyes, still heavy with sleep, light up the moment they land on Seokjin. His lips curl into a sweet smile—the kind that makes Seokjin feel like he’s dying and reborn in the same moment. Jungkook invites him in, but something holds him back from throwing himself into Seokjin’s arms. A hesitation puts an invisible barrier between them.

As Seokjin steps inside, all he wants is to forget everything—to press Jungkook against the wall and lose himself in a whirlwind of passion. But instead, he’s met with the reality of what leaves him frozen in place, speechless.

Jimin sits in the living room, wrapped snugly in Jungkook’s blanket. A mug of morning coffee rests in his hand as he’s staring at Seokjin with wide eyes filled with fear and astonishment.

Seokjin’s expression shifts in an instant.

“What is he doing here?” he spits, his glare burning with indescribable hatred as his eyes lock onto the blond. His fists clench at his sides, his breathing quickens, as he teeters on the brink of losing control, ready to let his fury consume him— ready to unleash it all on the man before him.

“I… we—” Jimin stammers, his panic rising with every passing second. His wide eyes flicker with alarm.

“What are you talking about?” Jungkook asks, his brows furrowing as he blinks at Seokjin in confusion.

The way Jungkook feigns confusion is astonishing, almost flawless. Seokjin watches him darkly. He deserves an Oscar for this performance , he thinks bitterly.

“Did he stay the night here?” Seokjin barks, his voice cold as ice, laced with raw anger.

Jimin’s mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. He’s frozen in indecision. Unlike Jungkook, Jimin understands the implication perfectly.

And just like that, in a single instant, Seokjin’s whole reality shatters. He can no longer think clearly. Everything he suspected is now the undeniable truth. There’s no room for misunderstanding or doubts—Jungkook is clearly sleeping with Jimin. Perhaps he has been for a long time.

“You scumbags!” Seokjin roars, his fury terrifying. His face flushes a deep red, a vein bulging at his temple, as his breaths come heavy and sharp. His teeth grind together, as his narrowed eyes bore into both of them like daggers. “Traitor! You’ll pay for this!” he spits at Jungkook.

Jungkook freezes, paralyzed. He has never felt this kind of fear in the presence of his boss before. 

“Why are you talking to me like this?” is all he manages to say.

“Go to hell!” Seokjin snaps, trembling with barely contained rage. He is in fact on the verge of doing something he’ll regret. Without another word, he storms out of the door. A second later, the deafening bang of his car door echoes through the quiet outside.

Jungkook runs after him, not even bothering to put on shoes. He sprints barefoot across the grass, his heart hammering as he tries to catch up with the car that roars to life.

“Jin, wait! What are you talking about? Why did you call me a scumbag?”

But it’s too late. The tires screech against the pavement as Seokjin speeds off, leaving behind a cloud of smoke and dust. 

Jungkook collapses to his knees, watching the car disappear. It feels like a nightmare. Never before has Seokjin been like this with him, so full of hatred, directed straight at Jungkook! For what? What did he do?

A few moments later, Jimin approaches, holding out Jungkook’s shoes. Jungkook had completely forgotten about him.

His eyes sting with bitter tears. He wipes his face with his sleeve and pulls his phone from his jacket pocket. He tries to call his boss in desperation, but all he hears is silence. The number is unavailable. Seokjin has blocked him!

“I have to go after him,” he says automatically to Jimin.

“Of course. I’m so sorry… this is all happening because of me,” Jimin murmurs, nodding quickly. He looks like he’s about to cry himself.

But Jungkook doesn’t have energy for this. He shoves on his shoes and takes off to find Seokjin. His mind is racing—he needs answers. He will demand that his boss explain everything. What is all this about? Why did he call Jungkook a traitor? And what on earth is Seokjin thinking? How much longer does he plan to toy with Jungkook’s feelings?

Seokjin isn’t home, when Jungkook finally reaches his house. In a fit of despair, Jungkook kicks the fence with the tip of his shoe, the impact sending a dull ache up his foot. He crumples to the ground, clutching his head in his hands. He can’t endure this tormend any longer.

Chapter Text

Jungkook has been trying to reach Seokjin all day, but he doesn’t get any answer. The waiting grows heavier; the weather worsens with every passing minute— leaden clouds on the skies darken, foretelling an approaching storm. The streets are deserted. The temperature drops by the second. The wind rustles through the trees, tearing leaves from the branches, while the first heavy raindrops begin to drum against the tiled roofs.

The young man finds a makeshift shelter under the overhang of an attic roof, shivering from the cold. He pulls his jacket tighter around him, zipping it up to his chin. After the morning’s incident, he had rushed after Seokjin at full speed. With no hope of catching up with him, he had hoped that his boss would head home. But no one answered the doorbell when he rang. Still, Jungkook stubbornly decides to wait, even if it means camping out on the doorstep.

But hours of waiting have brought nothing. Jungkook knows this too well—catching up with his boss can be tough if he doesn’t want to be found. The burning hatred Seokjin radiated during their last encounter, the cruel words thrown by him in a fit of rage, the way they parted—all of this is a sheer nightmare that tears at Jungkook’s heart, making him feel like the most wretched person on earth.

After all, Jungkook idolizes Jin, loves him like he’s never loved anyone before. He urgently, desperately needs to see him. They have to clear everything up and make things right, even if it means begging on his knees for a chance to explain and set things straight.

He is accustomed to his boss’s fiery temper well enough by now. Seokjin could act truly emotionally—raising his voice, snapping, or slamming doors. When it came to work, keeping his cool wasn’t too difficult. Once Seokjin cooled down a little, he would come back, and sometimes even apologize for his harshness and lack of restraint.

But now, when it is about their personal relationship, Jungkook genuinely needs to understand what triggered such an explosive outburst. Jimin is obviously involved, along with the complicated dynamics between him and Seokjin.

The past few days had turned into a true test of his patience and composure. Seokjin’s behavior had become utterly unpredictable—one moment, he radiated an icy coldness; the next, he dragged Jungkook into scorching flames of desire. Then, just as suddenly, he would retreat behind an impenetrable wall of indifference, brushing Jungkook off with a sharp remark about having more important things to do than granting him just a couple of minutes for a personal conversation.

Summoning all his willpower, as if it didn’t hurt at all, Jungkook tried to distract himself with work. The uncertainty, the unspoken words, and the postponed but important conversation about their future and his plans to change jobs weighed on him as an unbearable burden.

After the difficulties that arose in Jimin’s life and their emotional conversation, Jungkook struggled with the sting of betrayal by his best friend. But when Jimin came to him seeking consolation and moral support after confessing his infidelity to Hoseok, Jungkook felt obligated to help. He wanted to be a good friend, to be there for someone in need. The weekend they spent together provided a brief escape from his own sorrowful thoughts.

Seokjin hadn’t called or texted, and Jungkook chose to give him space, hoping that his boss would come back when he was ready and willing to continue their conversation.

On Sunday morning, Jin surprises him with an unexpected visit. But what happens next—when he walks in and finds Jimin at Jungkook’s place—leaves him completely shaken to the core. Jungkook never imagined things could ever escalate like this. Seokjin exploded like a barrel of gunpowder, called them both scumbags, and stormed out. And now Jungkook is desperate to clear up this misunderstanding that should never have happened.

As time goes by, his determination begins to falter, until there’s nothing left of it. Cold and soaked to the bone, he is finally forced to admit that this whole feverish plan is leading nowhere. Night has fallen, street lights flicker on, but Seokjin’s house remains shrouded in darkness. He’s definitely not home, and there’s no telling when he’ll return—or where to even look for him.

Exhausted and emotionally drained, Jungkook gets back home. The current state of affairs plunges him into despair. He needs Seokjin so much, wants to tell him how important he is, to confess that he has been madly in love with him for such a long time and wants nothing more than to be with him. But if Seokjin still doesn’t want to date him, he’s ready to accept it and finally come to terms with it. He would consider it a privilege just to be by his side—as a friend, a secretary, and, if Seokjin wishes, his lover.

When he gets home, Jimin is no longer there. With a sigh, Jungkook unfolds a note left by his friend on the coffee table,

Jungkookie, I’m terribly sorry for causing you trouble again. Thank you for your hospitality. You’re a true friend—thank you for not turning away and supporting me in such a difficult moment. I owe you one. I hope you and Mr. Kim have made up."

Jimin’s words are kind, but won’t ease the pain. All Jungkook feels is an all-consuming emptiness and a suffocating sense of hopelessness.

He discards his soaked clothes and wearily drags himself to the shower. Only after warming up a little does he calm down enough to attempt to fall asleep.

The day was hellish, but the night seems endless. Minutes turn into hours, and hours seem like days. He flinches at every sound, hoping it's a message notifying him that Seokjin has finally unblocked his number. But it never comes.

***

Seokjin speeds down the road, getting away from Jungkook in a furious wrath. Anger flows through his veins like fire. The speedometer jumps to 170 kilometers per hour as he fiercely slams the gas pedal to the ground, not even considering the real possibility of losing control and crashing into a pole. His vision is a blur of crimson rage, his blood boiling with the burning urge to break something—anything—to pieces. He jams on the brakes to stop at a red light with barely contained aggression, irritably honking at the cars ahead.

His worst fears have come true. He’s been deceived—thoroughly and mercilessly. It seems that Jungkook leaked the investor list online and falsified the audit data, executing the scheme with cold precision, fully intending to drive Kim Enterprises to bankruptcy. The secretary was well paid for his efforts, completing the task impeccably. How did he manage to con everyone so effortlessly?

Seokjin’s breathing is ragged, his jaw clenched tight. He hates himself more than anybody else. There is no forgiveness—damn him for falling so easily for Jungkook’s charm and lies. The boy played them all, skillfully pretending to be a diligent and reliable employee while conspiring behind their backs.Seokjin should have seen the signs. He should have sensed something was wrong and uncovered the betrayal in time! Instead, he let himself be seduced, his judgement clouded by those beautiful, sparkling eyes, and so he not even once stopped to consider the risks.

Obsessed with Jungkook, as if possessed by a demon, he betrayed every principle, every promise he had sworn to himself a thousand times. Swept up in a fairy tale of an innocent, beautiful boy who only wanted to experience sex for the first time, Seokjin had willingly walked straight into the trap, which had been set just for him. 

And even when Yoongi exposed the result of his recklessness, Seokjin had even had the audacity to defend that liar, clinging to the illusion, refusing to let go of hope.

What a fool! That’s all he ever was, and will ever be. A failure to his father, to his company, to himself. Indulging his own weaknesses, Seokjin placed them above everything else. He had so desperately wanted to believe in miracles—but they don't exist. Not for him.

And now, his rose-tinted glasses have shattered once again, and this time, it hurts a thousand times worse. The pain is raw, and devastating.

How could he have been so foolish? To believe he was the first and only man in Jungkook’s life? Now the idea feels like a cruel joke. He doesn’t even want to imagine how many others have experienced what Jeon Jungkook is like in bed. Jimin is surely no exception. One doesn’t need to look too hard to see that their relationship is anything but innocent. They have probably slept together countless times. And that one time that Seokjin, in his naïve sincerity, decided to stay at Jungkook’s overnight, the younger one’s eager lover had been so desperate that he couldn’t resist texting how much he needed him. 

The very thought of what kind of "help" Jungkook was offering Jimin makes Seokjin sick to his stomach. While Seokjin wasted all weekend restless and with no sleep, those two were probably making up for lost time. And when Seokjin showed up unannounced, Jungkook’s panic said it all—Seokjin caught him and Jimin red-handed!

He barely reacts in time, slamming on the brakes the very second just before crashing into the car in front of him, which had slowed suddenly. Several drivers honk aggressively, throwing up obscene gestures towards him, leaving little doubt where they’re thinking Seokjin should go.

Letting out a shuddering breath, he blinks rapidly. He can't afford to behave like a reckless teenager and take such risks. A scoundrel like Jungkook isn’t worth getting into an accident over. He needs to get it together—fast.

He parks the car and heads to the first bar he sees. Without hesitation, he downs a burning shot of whiskey. To hell with everything! The company, Jungkook, all those damn feelings, and the pain squeezing his chest, making it impossible to breathe easily.

Tears threaten to spill from his eyes as the fiery liquid scorches his throat, twisting his insides, but within a moment, it delivers the long-awaited relief and carelessness he craves. For a moment, he can unwind and forget.

Another sharp pang in his chest comes with a sudden notification from the blocked number that lights up on his screen. Jungkook is on his blacklist, but the app still reports his countless attempts to call. Yet Seokjin is strong enough to ignore them.

Instead, he opens his contacts. Kim Namjoon—a good friend, someone he had even been briefly in love with during college years. But back then, Seokjin had been far more cautious and immediately forbidden himself from thinking about Namjoon in that way. Namjoon had been a tremendous help to him during exam season, always finding a way to explain complex problems in simple terms, and then Seokjin’s crush had eventually transformed into a strong friendship, without the slightest hint of his former attraction.

He opens their last conversation: silly jokes and flat humor.

“Namjoon-ah, how about getting drunk with me tonight, on Sunday?”

Namjoon replies within minutes.

“Already started without me, huh?”

Seokjin chuckles drunkenly. “What, you’ve got a crystal ball or something? Figured you’d want to join me.”

“You figured right.”

Seokjin realizes how much he has neglected his friends. He’s been so obsessed with one person, that he’s forgotten everyone else who has been there for him. 

Namjoon arrives a while later. At the start, he studies Seokjin carefully, expecting him to say something, but his friends just quickly downs a shot without saying anything.

Namjoon also is distracted and tense, gets tipsy quickly, losing track of the conversation repeatedly. Seokjin in his turn, can tell something is bothering him, but Namjoon doesn’t dare sharing it. A few times, it seems like the words are just about to slip from his tongue, but he stops himself. Namjoon thinks his best friend doesn’t need to know just how badly he’s screwed up recently and decides against telling Seokjin the story about him and Park Jimin. 

***

Around eleven in the morning, Yoongi answers a call from an unknown number. The caller informs him that they’re reaching out on behalf of someone with the last name Kim—a man who is very unwell and could really use a visit from a family member. Yoongi isn’t sure why they’re reaching out to him, when he’s not Tae’s family. But the news deeply unsettles him.

The days have blurred together since Taehyung left, and Yoongi has almost lost track of time. A lack of sleep and appetite has left him numb, mind dulled by apathy. Finding solace in his investigation, he poured every ounce of his energy into uncovering the truth and exposing those responsible for the scandal. But the shocking revelation about Seokjin’s personal secretary was a devastating blow that he never saw coming. Yoongi had always believed his developed intuition— his ability to read people. Though the situation with Jungkook has shaken his confidence, making him question everything

He has deliberately avoided any chance of running into Taehyung. Coming across him by chance wouldn’t do either of them any good. And yet, he can’t stop thinking about him all the time. Maybe Yoongi is still hopelessly in love, his mind is playing tricks on him—forcing him to see Taehyung in his dreams every night while suppressing the devastation of his true emotions. Maybe he just hasn’t fully accepted that he’s lost him forever. Maybe that’s why Yoongi’s so convincing to himself that things turned out exactly as they were meant to.

He and Taehyung were never meant to walk the same path—if they were, they would have found a way back to give each other a second chance. There’s no point in lying to himself: Yoongi fell for Taehyung at first sight, but his feelings were never truly reciprocated. This is why he always hesitated to take the first step.

And now, after those happy days they spent together, bitterness fills his soul—so much that he can’t cope with it.

But despite all his bravado, the moment Yoongi hears that Taehyung is unwell, so bad that he can’t even call for help, he drops everything and rushes щге, ready to do whatever it takes to find him.

The directions he’s been given are vague at bestю It takes him nearly an hour and a half to track down the right goshiwon. All he could make out from the garbled instructions was the street name—no matter how many times he asked, the person on the other end of the line could not give him a clear address. And then, they simply hung up on him.

The area is packed with cheap rental houses, each offering tiny, crumbling rooms for next to nothing. Yoongi quickly checks two buildings but finds no trace of Taehyung. His anxiety grows with every second. His gut feeling tells him he needs to hurry. As if he can hear a desperate, silent plea for help echoing in his heart, leading him in the right direction. Taehyung is somewhere nearby—he’s suffering, and he’s waiting for Yoongi.

A vendor at a small 24-hour convenience store recognizes Taehyung’s face from a photo Yoongi shows her. She gestures toward a building at the end of the street, remarking that she’d recognize that handsome guy anywhere.

Wasting no time, Yoongi rushes into the direction she pointed. He decides to start his search from the top floor. Taking the two stairs at a time, he races upward and rings the first doorbell—but no one answers.

The door is unlocked. Hesitating for a moment, he pushes it open and steps into a narrow entryway. The room is shrouded in darkness, forcing him to pause for a moment as his eyes adjust. A single window is so grimy, that it barely lets in any daylight. The walls are painted a dull green, with patches of peeling paint. The air is stale, thick with dampness.

Further inside, he spots the entrance to a small kitchen. And then his pulse spikes. By the doorway he sees a very familiar pair of slippers. The ones Tae always wore at home, so much that they were practically falling apart. 

His eyes flick to the kitchen counter, where a half-empty box of Tae’s favorite cereal sits abandoned. One morning, it had been Taehyung’s turn to make breakfast, but instead, he had tried to convince Yoongi to eat that cereal so he could stay in bed a little longer. There’s no mistake — he must be here!

Suppressing the panic rising inside, Yoongi grabs the handle of the nearest door and yanks, but it’s locked. At the far end of the kitchen, there are two more doors side by side, both painted blue. He knocks on the first one, but impatience gets the better of him. He pushes it open without waiting for a response.

Inside the tiny room, a girl sits with a laptop on her lap. She startles, jumping in surprise, wide eyes darting up at the uninvited intruder.

Muttering frantic apologies and bowing deeply, Yoongi quickly retreats. Shaking off the embarrassment, he steps up to the next door and hesitates.

A strange tremor runs through him as a familiar scent lingers in the air—the unmistakable trace of Taehyung’s favorite perfume.

Knocking softly, he doesn’t wait for an answer this time either and pushes the door open.

The room is dark, but Yoongi’s eyes immediately make out a thin, trembling figure curled up on an inflatable mattress, buried under a heap of towels and blankets in a desperate attempt to get warm.

Taehyung’s face, pale and damp with sweat, is twisted in pain.

Yoongi gasps, as if struck by lightning, he drops to his knees.

“Tae!”

Desperation surges through Yoongi as he reaches out, trembling fingers brushing back the damp bangs clinging to Tae’s burning forehead. His stomach knots, legs go weak. Up close, Taehyung’s skin is almost gray— thin, translucent.

“What happened to you?”

“Hyung…” it takes Taehyung immense effort to open his eyes, a weak, bleak smile trembling on his lips. Every word costs him so much strain. “It… hurts.”

“Where does it hurt?” Yoongi frantically tries to figure out what’s happening to the man who means everything to him.

“Don’t leave me!” Taehyung fingers tighten around his hand, eyes glistening with unshed tears..

“Never,” Yoongi reassures him in all honesty. “I will never leave you alone. I swear.”

Taehyung curls up on himself, pulling his knees to his chest as a violent spasm seizes his stomach.

“What? What is it?” Yoongi is on the verge of despair,  helpless, watching Taehyung writhing in pain.

“Please… water,” a strangled groan escapes the younger one’s lips. 

Yoongi rushes to the kitchen and returns with a bottle of mineral water. Supporting Tae’s head gently, he helps him drink. He’s gotten so much thinner—his cheeks sunken, dark circles stark against his pale skin.

“You need to see a doctor, urgently.”

“I… don’t,” Taehyung protests weakly. “I just need some rest, and… I’ll be fine. Just don’t leave me, hyung!”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t just let this be. We’re going to the hospital—now.”

Yoongi isn’t about to put at risk the life of the person he loves.

And Taehyung is too weak to object. 

Being with Yoongi feels so reassuring—his presence brings a dizzying, long-forgotten sense of safety and ease. He doesn’t protest when Yoongi pulls a sweater over his head. But on the way, his condition worsens so much that he doesn’t even remember how he ended up in the hospital.

When he opens his eyes, he sees orange walls and a white ceiling. He’s wearing unfamiliar clothes, perhaps hospital ones, and there’s an IV stand beside him.

Panic grips him the moment he notices the needle in his vein. His gaze darts around the room until it lands on Yoongi, peacefully dozing on a small couch nearby. And only then all fear dissipates. A blissful calm spreads through his chest.

Yoongi is so breathtaking— long chestnut hair frames his pale face, and his lashes flutter slightly in sleep. Impossible not to adore, admire, love.

“Hyung,” Taehyung calls out, his voice barely audible.

Yoongi’s almond-shaped eyes snap open instantly. A second later, he is by Taehyung’s side, arms wrapping gently around his neck.

“Taehyung!” His emotions spill over in an uncontrollable rush. His lips press against Taehyung’s forehead with such delicate tenderness, as if he were made of porcelain. God, how much Yoongi missed this boy!

Now that they’re so close again, overwhelmed by sheer relief and happiness, he wants to cry. He holds the boy tighter, silently promising to stay. He’ll be there forever for Taehyung, he’ll take care of him—no matter what it costs.

“How do you feel? The doctors said you had appendicitis—they barely got you in time!”

Taehyung doesn’t bother to hide his tears. Being with Yoongi is an indescribable privilege, a happiness almost too unreal to believe. A happiness he, unfortunately, doesn’t deserve. Min Yoongi is the best thing that ever happened to him. But how in the world could he be worthy of this man?

“Yoongi,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around him even tighter. His fingers thread through the older man’s hair, marveling at how soft the long strands feel as they slip between his fingers.When did Yoongi become this breathtaking? Taehyung looks at him, unable to get enough. He answers sincerely. “Better. Much better. It always feels better when I’m with you. How did you find me?”

“One of your neighbors called on your behalf.”

“I’m sorry. Can’t remember any of it.” Taehyung rubs the bridge of his nose in embarrassment.

“Don’t,” Yoongi stops him gently. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

Taehyung shakes his head, swallowing hard. “You have no idea how I have to … I wouldn’t even know where to start. There are so many thing’s I’ve fucked up.”

“Shh, don’t worry,” Yoongi hushes him, pressing a soft finger to his lips. And then—another kiss. Sultry, magical, intoxicating, Tae’s world spins around.

Taehyung can’t hold back his confession, that’s been clawing its way outside, desperate to be free for all the time he’s been living with Yoongi. He has to tell him everything. Yoongi must know what kind of scum Taehyung really is and how many innocent people have suffered because of him. Carrying this burden alone is unbearable any longer.

But at that very moment, a quiet knock on the door startles them, and they immediately pull away.

Taehyung’s breath catches in his throat, as his eyes widen in shock when they land on the last two people he expected to see.

“Mom? Dad?”

***

The night fog begins to clear away as dawn breaks. Exhausted, Jungkook irritably tosses aside the blanket, rubbing his tired eyes. He barely got any sleep, tossing and turning all night.

Seokjin is still unavailable—both his work and personal numbers are still blocked. The inability to contact him only deepens the hopelessness from the day before. They’ve never been in a situation quite like this before. In just a few hours, they won’t be able to avoid each other at the office. How is Seokjin going to handle it if he inevitably has to turn to Jungkook about work issues?

The usual morning bustle hums the air at Kim Enterprise. But something feels off, a creeping sense of unease settling over Jungkook.

The moment he enters the building, he swears the stares linger just a bit too long on him, their edges strangely sharp—some even outright hostile.

The receptionist doesn’t return his greeting, quickly lowering her gaze in embarrassment.

What the hell is going on here?

He hurries up to his floor and strides into the office. For some reason, his colleagues look surprised to see him. It’s strange. Some immediately turn away, while the others fix him with confused stares, —or worse, cold detachment.

Jungkook walks slowly to his desk, boots up his computer, and hangs his coat on the rack. Across the room, Minji and Minho argue in hushed voices over something heatedly, but the instant he catches their gaze, they abruptly fall silent, pretending as if nothing happened.

Hoseok’s desk is empty.

Hyeon-sik sidles over, asking if Jungkook wants some coffee. When Jungkook declines, his colleague launches into a ramble about Kim Enterprises' plunging stock ratings.

Jungkook has no idea why he’s bringing that up now. He can’t fight the awkward tension any longer. Cutting his colleague mid-sentence, he demands,

“What the hell is going on here? Why is everyone staring at me like that?”

A newspaper lands on his desk, making Jungkook nearly choke on his own breath.

A photograph of him and Seokjin is prominent on the title page. Snapped outside a bar in Itaewon last weekend as they waited for their driver, the angle leaves no room for doubt—it’s unmistakably them. Their bodies pressed close, lips locked in a passionate kiss. It feels like a punch to the gut. The headline is splashed across the page in massive letters:

"Forbidden Love or Abuse of Power? Kim Enterprises’ Vice President Kim Seokjin falls from grace."

Jungkook snatches the paper, flipping frantically through the pages until he finds the article. His fingertips prickle with static, the newspaper burning hot in his hands. The tabloid piece drips with sensationalism, its aggression aimed squarely at Seokjin. Wild speculations about their relationship run out of control, painting Seokjin as a perverted executive abusing his position to coerce subordinates into sex. Jungkook, in turn, is cast as the opportunistic secretary trading sexual favors for career advancement. Naturally, there’s no mention of his plans to resign.

The newspaper slips from his hands. Jungkook sinks heavily into his chair, yanking his tie as his lungs suddenly feel starved of oxygen. Minho approaches, asking something, but the words don’t register. Jungkook’s chest tightens—he gasps for air, like a fish flopping on dry land. Terror grips his body, freezing him in place, his thoughts turning into a complete chaos.

Seokjin is still nowhere to be seen. Holy hell. This is a proper slap in the face for his boss. Seokjin is no doubt going to hate Jungkook even more after this—there’s no doubt about it. The idea of ever getting over this and being together again is now completely off the table.

Jungkook has been thrown into the ring against the whole world, utterly alone in his misery, with no idea of how to survive it. No one is going to help him. 

His fingers tremble as he tries, for the third time already, to enter the password into his work account. Wrong again. Perfect. Now even the damn technology has turned against him.

Twenty minutes later, Soobin approaches Jungkook, flanked by two employees from the IT department.

"Excuse us, Mr. Jeon, we have special orders," he clears his throat. The boy has been working as Yoongi’s assistant for the past two years.

Jungkook blinks in confusion. Right now, Soobin seems incredibly tense—nervously wringing his hands, clearly uncomfortable.

"We need to take your work computer and tablet for inspection."

"What inspection?" Jungkook frowns, genuinely baffled.

Before Soobin can answer, Yoongi steps in behind them, his expression dark and unreadable. He gives his assistant a silent nod to proceed. Soobin only shrugs apologetically. He has always treated Jungkook with respect, like a proper hubae, and he clearly feels bad having to follow these instructions.

"It’s a directive from upper management. Your computer needs to undergo a thorough check."

Completely thrown off, Jungkook steps aside, watching the IT team do their job, and then turns to Yoongi, bewildered.

“An inspection? For what reason?”

Yoongi exhales, shaking his head.

“It’s related to the audit.”

That doesn’t explain anything—not in the slightest. Now Jungkook can’t even work. Dozens of curious stares press down on him as the scene unfolds before his colleagues. The air in the office feels suffocating.

The entire department is buzzing about one thing—the scandal and the sudden plunge in Kim Enterprises’ stock value because of it.

Half an hour later, the office erupts into motion as word spreads—President Kim Ji Sung has arrived. It’s a rare occurrence as the president never visits without a significant reason. Jungkook knows this can’t mean anything good. A tight knot coils in his stomach at the mere thought of this morning’s newspaper headline.

Ji Sung greets everyone with his usual restraint. His curt gaze lands on Jungkook, and without delays, he orders:

“Mr. Jeon, please follow me into the office.”

Jungkook’s heart plummets at how furious he looks. His legs feel like jelly as he rises, but he forces himself to move, ignoring the watchful eyes of his colleagues. Steeling himself, he grips the door handle firmly and steps inside.

“Sit.” Ji Sung commands, gesturing towards the chair with authority.

Jungkook obeys.

“I have to say, this is incredibly unpleasant. But it needs to be resolved. Here’s your immediate resignation letter—sign it, and we won’t have to involve the police.”

Jungkook freezes.

“An immediate resignation letter?”

“There’s no need to escalate this further or involve third parties. We are fully aware of your role in all illegal dealings. Personally I’d prefer to settle this quietly, without drawing unnecessary attention.”

“So you’re  firing me because of a tabloid article?”

Ji Sung grimaces. The mention of the newspaper scandal clearly displeases him, but Jungkook has nothing left to lose.

“Bold move, Jungkook, I’ll give you that. Whoever you’re working for knows exactly where to strike. But it was unnecessary. The worst you’ll achieve is tarnishing my son’s reputation and, unfortunately, that fool couldn’t care less about it. Let’s just say the stock price has taken a hit for now. But the scandal will die down, and things will return to normal. Your career, however, won’t recover. I assume you won’t openly name the person who hired you, though, not that it matters. I already have a good idea of who I’m dealing with. In choosing to serve this person, you’ve made a grave mistake, Mr. Jeon. He’s using you, and when you’re no longer useful, he’ll toss you aside like all the others who stood in his way. And when that happens, nothing will be there to save you.”

“What is this all about? I don’t understand any of this! You can’t force me to sign a resignation letter just because a photo of me and your son ended up in the newspaper!” Jungkook’s voice cracks under the surge of panic, his face and neck burning.

“Well, that’s your choice, then. Either way if you sign it or not, you no longer work at Kim Enterprise. Your employment contract is being terminated for gross misconduct and deliberate actions meant to harm the company.”

“My relationship with your son is what you consider gross misconduct?” Jungkook snaps, enraged by the arrogance in the president's tone. “How dare you! I’m just as much a victim of this slander as your son! Neither of us planned this, and we had no idea we were being photographed in secret!”

“Your relationship with Seokjin doesn’t concern me,” Ji-seong cuts him coldly, his expression unreadable. “But company data theft, industrial espionage, document forgery, and the deliberate falsification of financial records—actions in which you are undeniably involved—are more than enough grounds for immediate termination for cause.”

"Me? Undeniably involved?" Jungkook stammers in shock, his mind reeling as if Ji Sung is speaking a foreign language he doesn’t comprehend.

"Don’t play dumb. Why are you even arguing? I offered you a peaceful way out without involving the police. You took advantage of my son’s trust to accomplish exactly what you were hired to do and succeeded. I’m still giving you a chance to leave quietly, because if the authorities get involved, it will only bring more damage to Seokjin."

Jungkook stares, dazed, at the resignation letter in front of him. Every sharp word, every absurd accusation feels surreal. But what hits the hardest is the fact that Ji Sung believes he’s capable of betraying Seokjin. A lump forms in his throat. 

Then, a sudden commotion outside the door interrupts their conversation.

Seokjin appears in the doorway, his beauty breathtaking as ever — impeccably dressed, his hair perfectly styled and set with hairspray. He looks every bit composed and confident. But as soon as his darkened gaze lands on Jungkook, his face twists into a whirlwind of emotions. Whatever he’s thinking remains unreadable. The realization of their irrevocable separation crashes down on Jungkook—far more than the outlandish, impossible to believe accusations thrown on him.

"What is going on here?" Seokjin demands of his father, his voice sharp.

Ji Sung shoots him an irritated look.

Jungkook catches Seokjin’s gaze with a silent plea, searching for support. How desperately he longs for Seokjin to stand up for him.

"We’ll talk later. Right now, I need to deal with this…" Ji Sung  spits out, his furious glare searing into Jungkook. "…man."

"Let me handle this," Seokjin grits out through clenched teeth, his voice edged with steel.

Two opposing energies pull at Jungkook from both sides, threatening to tear him apart. The weight of the accusations against him finally begins to sink in, and suddenly, the scandalous photo in the newspaper feels almost insignificant in comparison.

"You have ten minutes." Ji-seong pushes himself up from his seat with a sharp exhale, smoothing down his jacket before striding off without sparing them a second glance.

Being alone with Seokjin brings a fleeting sense of relief. Despite the severity of the situation, Jungkook knows that his boss feels something for him—they need to talk. They can’t avoid it any longer. Unable to handle this tension, overwhelmed, Jungkook surges forward and throws himself on him, driven purely by emotion. He would give anything—absolutely anything—for Seokjin to just listen. And to believe him.

But Seokjin cuts him with a sharp, dismissive wave of his hand.

“How long have you been sleeping with him?” His eyes blaze with fury.

Jungkook’s blood runs cold, rooting him to the ground. This makes no sense. Maybe he’s just hallucinating? All morning, people have been saying strange things to him—maybe this all is just a nightmare?

“What?”

“Cut the act. You know exactly what I’m talking about. You and Park Jimin. It’s all over the office that Jung Hoseok is quitting because his boyfriend cheated on him!”

The words press down on him, crushing any flicker of hope. It feels as if Seokjin has reached into his chest and torn his heart out with his bare hands, leaving behind nothing but a gaping, bleeding wound. No one could ever be prepared for this.

“What are you talking about?” Jungkook stammers, the air knocked out of his lungs, his vision blurring as everything around fades out of focus.

“Stop pretending you’re clueless! You planned all of this from the start!” Seokjin doesn’t even try to hold back his contempt. “You got into my bed just to make things easy, didn’t you? All of your sickening flattery, your fake innocent-eyed looks, the way you made me believe you actually cared—it was part of your act. While I was too blindsided to suspect anything, you were stealing ideas, leaking confidential information, and falsifying data in the audit report to destroy this company’s reputation. And now, you’re finishing me off with this paparazzi scandal. But let me tell you something—your game is over. You won’t get away just like this. I’ll make damn sure you suffer for it!”

Jungkook feels the ground slip from beneath his feet. The office tilts and spins around him, and he grips the edge of the desk for support, struggling to process the stinging words from the man he loves most in the world.

"What I want to know—" Seokjin leans in close, his breath hot against Jungkook’s burning cheek, "...is whether that whore, Park Jimin, is involved in this too. How long have you been screwing around with him behind my back?"

Jungkook looks up, wide-eyed, dazed and shattered. The words cut deep, stabbing relentlessly.

“I haven’t slept with Park Jimin,” he forces out, locking eyes with his boss, “I’ve never slept with anyone but you. And I haven’t hacked any database and I have no idea what you mean about the audit report.”

Seokjin’s patience snaps. His fist slams down on the desk. Why does that gaze seem so meek, so painfully sincere, burrowing under his skin like that? He loses it and roars, “Stop lying!”

Jungkook repeats himself, his voice clear and unwavering, “I haven’t slept with Park Jimin.” 

“Liar!” Seokjin shoves him roughly in the chest. “You really think I’m stupid, huh? Are you seriously going to keep feeding me this bullshit that I’m your first and only?”

Jungkook swallows hard, his gaze dropping, unable to withstand the force of Seokjin’s fury.

“You disgusting liar! I hate you so much! You’ll be sorry for messing up with me like this. Get out! I never want to see you again!” 

Jungkook stumbles out, his legs shaky beneath him as he forces himself forward. Moving in a daze, barely aware of what he’s doing, he reaches his desk and starts packing. His hands shake, vision blurs with tears, yet he barely even feels them. 

His colleagues exchange hushed whispers, not daring to approach him. 

Moments later Ji Sung re appears in his son’s office, accompanied by two security guards Jungkook has never seen before. Five minutes pass before they emerge again, heading straight for him.

“Mr. Jeon Jungkook?”

Jungkook looks up with indifference as one of the guards hands him a sealed envelope, stamped with an official round seal.

“You’ll find here a letter with instructions. In exactly one week, you are expected at the city court to account for your actions before the law. For now, you must gather your belongings, leave your keycard, identification badge, and work phone, and vacate the company premises immediately.”

The humiliating scene unfolds before the entire department.

“What does this mean? I have nothing to account for—I haven’t done anything!” — His voice wavers, betraying the panic creeping into his chest.

At that instant, Ji Sung and Seokjin step out of his office. 

Jungkook locks eyes onto Seokjin’s, desperate, begging, C’mon, just do something! You know I am innocent! But all he meets is cold indifference.

“I didn’t do anything, I swear!” The words burst out, raw with emotions, “You can’t treat me like this! I am not guilty!” His imploring gaze remains fixed on Seokjin. “Tell them! You know I could never do something like this!” His voice breaks. Kim Seokjin must defend him! Everyone is acting as if they know the truth, condemning him for something that he hasn’t committed. 

Seokjin only clenches his fists tighter. 

“Mr. Kim! Help me!” Jungkook begs, drowning in despair.

For a fleeting moment, Seokjin looks torn, as if he’s fighting and losing battle within himself. But then Ji Sung murmurs something to him and his fists slowly unclench. He exhales sharply and declares with cold finality.

“Thank you,” the words are directed at security, before he turns to Jungkook. “Secretary Jeon, your work contract has been terminated. You are no longer authorized to be on company grounds. Your presence here is highly undesirable.” 

There is no warmth, only indifference in his voice. With a curt nod to the guard he turns on his heel and hurries away, just to avoid those wild dark eyes that burn into his soul.

“Seokjin! Don’t leave me!” 

Any sense of dignity, courtesy or awareness of the entire department watching no longer bothers Jungkook. Nothing matters. 

Seokjin is already gone.

The security guard stays close, not moving a single step, making it clear the time is up.

Real men don’t cry, Jungkook remembers his father teaching him when he was small. So now, he swallows the lump in his throat clinging to that mantra. With trembling fingers, he grips his keycard and hands it over. 

They don’t even allow him a moment to say goodbye to his ex colleagues, escorting him straight out of the building.

Standing outside, under the weight of the towering skyscraper, he struggles to gasp what has just happened. That building had been his home, his getaway to heaven and hell for the last five years. But nothing in the world will ever fill the hollow ache in his chest left by the loss of the man who stays inside. The man who abandoned him. Dismissed him so heartlessly.

“Goodbye,”  he exhales barely a whisper.

Chapter Text

Being face to face with the people that were once closest to him feels like a dream come true. Taehyung has imagined this moment so many times, but now that it is real, he finds himself utterly unprepared.

"They’ve aged so much," the painful realization flashes through his mind.

Unknowingly, Yoongi has played a crucial role in Kim’s family reunification. Convinced he would never need it, Taehyung once left his mother’s number as an emergency contact. Following protocol, Manager Min informed the family that their son had been hospitalized.

And now, the woman who gave Taehyung life, holds him tightly, barely fighting back tears. Taehyung hates himself for the pain he’s caused her. Only a few things in the world can wound him as deeply as seeing his parents suffer because of him.

The boy has a lot to say, yet conflicting emotions are all over the place, tearing him apart. On one hand, the resentment won’t just fade so easily. His parents failed to accept him in the first place. But on the other hand, he is terrified of losing them all over again, once he confesses about everything that he has got himself into.

Mr. and Mrs Kim are overwhelmed with sudden happiness, thanking providence for bringing their beloved son back, after more than a year of searching. The terrible fight that never should have happened has left deep scars and lasting misery on their family. In a fit of rage, Mr Kim had raised a hand against his son, disowned him and thrown him out into the streets. Taehyung disappeared without a trace and there was no sign of him for over a year. He had no idea of the agony his parents endured, the endless nights they spent regretting their cruel mistake. 

So now, standing before him, they struggle, knowing that no carefully chosen words can ever mend their child’s wounded heart.

Yet, despite it all, their reunion is profoundly moving, making hearts swell and ache at the same time.

Understanding that his presence is no longer needed, Yoongi quietly excuses himself, giving them space. He will certainly return later. For now there are still a lot of things to be resolved at work.  The investigation is nearly over, and those responsible will soon face justice. 

***

After the nightmare of a conversation with his former subordinate, Seokjin is utterly drained, with no mental energy left to deal with his father. All he wishes is to be left alone. Raw and more vulnerable than ever, his nerves are stretched taut like strings. Breaking up with someone he has such strong feelings for and in such a disastrous, irreparable way is the worst thing that has happened to him in years. For so long, Seokjin led a peaceful and quiet life, never letting anyone get too close, never pushing himself outside his comfort zone. But with Jungkook, he lost control. He can’t even pinpoint the moment when the younger one slipped under his skin, planting roots so deep they are impossible to tear out. 

And how is he supposed to control his raging fury when he knows what Jungkook has done? Not only did he cheat, but he also intended to drive the Kim family into bankruptcy. Seokjin poured every ounce of his anger and contempt in those awful words he spat at Jungkook. But in the end, saying them only seems to have wounded himself in the first place.

The repulsive newspaper article only fuels the fire of endless, undeserved humiliation. Seokjin  almost  starts to believe the venomous claims of its author — that he is an insatiable predator, a pervert who beds anyone who crosses his path, abusing his power to force his subordinates into fulfilling his carnal urges.

Perhaps, in a way, the journalist is right. Seokjin acted unprofessionally the moment he crossed the line and offered Jungkook a sexual relationship. He should never have let this man get close, never should have allowed him into his life. How cunningly and audaciously Jungkook played him, winning his trust with ease only to set his monstrous schemes in motion. And Seokjin had refused to see any red flags, simply because he had truly fallen for him.

It’s fairly impossible to perceive Jungkook objectively. Perhaps, Seokjin only saw what he wanted to — a perfect man. Just moments back, staring into those endless, abyss-black eyes of his secretary, he could have sworn he saw an ocean of pain there. That look will haunt his dreams forever. But now, he knows the truth. The forged audit, paparazzi stalking them on their date, waiting for the perfect shot. And then there’s Jimin constantly hovering around Jungkook — there is no room for doubt. Seokjin was deceived again, played for a fool. 

There is no way to rewind time. Life will never be the same after everything that has happened between them. Seokjin would give everything to have resisted that infernal temptation back then. Anything to be spared the crushing emptiness, the loneliness, and the humiliation.

Ji Sungs says they need to have a serious talk. A grueling confrontation is inevitable—painful interrogation, unbearable scrutiny, and Seokjin is nowhere near ready to face it. Where is he supposed to find the patience and strength for this?

Standing just a few feet from his son's desk, Ji Sung seethes with barely contained outrage. "Almost thirty years old, yet still the same moron! If I had done something like this at your age, they would have locked me up in an asylum!"

Seokjin exhales slowly, pressing his lips into a tight line as he silently counts to ten. He can handle this.

"I’ve turned a blind eye to your behavior for so long, given you complete freedom. But you never appreciated it. How the hell did you get yourself into this mess?" Ji Sung speaks without a second thought, indifferent to the devastating blow his words leave behind.

Seokjin takes a deep breath.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Ji Sung’s gaze darkens, burning into his son with fury.

"How dare you speak to me like that after I pulled every string to bail you out of yet another mess? I’m sick to death of your scandals and endless escapades!" the man practically growls.

"Another mess?" Seokjin’s face and ears burn with anger. His composure shatters in an instant, and he yells back. "What the hell are you even talking about? I’ve spent my entire life acting like a saint, taking insults and keeping my mouth shut just because your precious reputation is on the line!"

Ji Sung snatches the newspaper, his eyes narrowing at the provocative photo dominating the front page — Seokjin pining Jungkook against the wall, devouring his lips in a harsh, demanding kiss. The shot is expertly taken, high-resolution, deliberately chosen to ignite the most explosive scandal possible. It looks like something straight out of a high budget professional photoshoot—and undeniably hot.

“So this is how you take care of my reputation?” he scoffs.

Seokjin sinks as if he’s taken a blow below the belt. The moment captured in the photograph—holding Jungkook so close is still vivid in his memory as if it all happened just yesterday. An illusion of heaven, the intoxicating euphoria of intimacy with someone who makes the world spin. But in the end, it turns out to be nothing more than a disgraceful mistake — one that now costs him his dignity.

"I couldn’t have known the paparazzi were following us," he murmurs, resigned, more to himself than to his father, knowing full well it’s no excuse. Getting burned again is excruciating. Changing his father’s opinion of him is nearly impossible now, just like winning back his trust.

“This was completely unnecessary!" Ji Sung seethes his tone sharp with exasperation. No matter how hard he tries to talk sense into his son, it’s a hopeless struggle. He forces himself to take a breath and steadies his voice — one last attempt to reason.  "How do you plan to face people now? I'm doing everything I can to get you out of this! The entire print run of the newspapers has already been pulled, but this type of gossip spreads like wildfire. You need to think carefully about your next steps. Regardless, you must attend my anniversary celebration. And this could be your chance to redeem yourself. Mr. Sato will be among my estimated guests. His daughter has shown great interest in you for quite some time. Be courteous, give her your attention. Make sure people see the two of you together as much as possible."

Seokjin feels his blood boil. "So now you've taken up some matchmaking?" he snaps.

"Think, Seokjin." Ji Sung jabs a finger into his chest, provoking an even greater surge of blind, simmering rage. "I'm not asking you to get married—though that would solve a lot of your problems. But it pains me to see what you're doing to yourself. Look around! Your friend Namjoon is getting married in a few months! Your brother Yoon already has two kids!"

"Ah, of course, my brother!" Seokjin crosses his arms, not even trying to conceal his resentment. A fine tremor courses through him, intensifying as it gradually spreads through his entire body. "Naturally, I’m supposed to be just like your favorite pet! Why don’t you just hand everything over to him, my position included? I’m sure President Yoon will lead the company to prosperity."

Ji Sung exhales sharply, “You always talk like this when you can’t handle things. Maybe this time, I should actually take your advice. After the damage your secretary has caused, a change in leadership might not be such a bad solution." 

Without another word he turns away to leave, completely oblivious to the fact that Seokjin is teetering on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Seokjin stops dead in his tracks, as if the breath has been forcefully knocked from his lungs. His heart plummets like a heavy stone. This can't be happening!  His father will never understand his feelings—he never even bothered to try.  All that truly matters to Ji Sung is his image in the public eye. And now, he's willing to go this far, even to the point of stripping Seokjin of his position. Everything he had built with his own hands, all the years of effort and sacrifice – on the verge of collapsing just like a house of cards.

A tide of all consuming despair drowns Seokjin, dragging him under. Clutching the edge of the desk with trembling, ice-cold fingers, he fights to take a full breath. His teeth chatter, and a violent shiver wracks his chest. He doesn’t even have a secretary anymore – no one to fetch him some water and a calming pill.  Forcing himself to focus on his breathing, Seokjin pushes all thoughts away. Agonising minutes stretch on, but after what felt like eternity, he finally regains control, repeating to himself over and over that he is strong, that he can do this. What hasn’t killed him yet will only make him stronger. It has to— because if that weren’t so, Seokjin would have been long gone.

Just as is starting to get back to his senses, there is an insistent knock on the office door.
For a moment, he considers ignoring it, but whoever it is, seems annoyingly persistent.

“Come in,” he finally relents.

Minji from the advertising department emerges in the doorway, visibly pale.

“Mr. Vice president, I’m sorry to disturb you, but you need to see the news.”

“Minji,” Seokjin groans, rolling his eyes and gripping his head. “Please, not now!”

“Mr. Kim,” the woman insists, “you need to see this. A ‘Kim Enterprises employee has just been shot!”

***

Taehyung’s sudden disappearance from CJ Corporation’s radar predictably does not go unnoticed. Choi Yun-seok begins to worry in earnest. It has been a week since the young man last showed up for work, his phone remains switched off, and his whereabouts are impossible to trace. Just days ago, Choi had given Taehyung his final task: to transfer funds from Kim Enterprise’s PayPal account to another, framing the theft in a way that would utterly discredit and destroy Jeon Jungkook. But now Taehyun knows too much. He needs to be kept on a short leash. Choi must find him — before it’s too late.

“Handle this quietly, without drawing attention. Ideally, manage everything on your own," he instructs his son.

Youngjae’s first move is to visit the goshiwon where Taehyung lives and speak with the neighbors. They all say that Kim has fallen seriously ill and hasn’t left his room for a week. After checking the narrow quarters himself and ensuring that Taehyung is indeed not there, Youngjae shifts his focus to Yoongi.

After finding out that the programmer spent the night at the hospital, the younger Choi swiftly digs for information. Finding Kim Taehyng’s ward and his diagnosis is of no challenge. Now, all that's left is to come up with a practical plan for a quiet abduction, without attracting unwanted attention.

Youngjae waits patiently for visiting hours to end. He meticulously plans his approach: ambush Taehyung, catch him off guard, intimidate just enough to threaten into compliance, then lead him through the back door to the parking lot, shove him into the car, and drive straight to his father's estate outside the city.

Pulling his black jacket tighter around himself, Youngjae lowers his baseball cap to conceal his eyes. A surgical mask, pulled up to his nose, keeps his identity hidden. He notes the approximate locations of the surveillance cameras and carefully avoids their range. Time moves on at a snail’s pace, each minute dragging on endlessly. Youngjae lingers in the hospital for over two hours, the sharp stench of ammonia and disinfectants gnawing at his nerves. In the meantime, he thoroughly studies the layout — every entrance and exit, pinpoints every emergency stairwell, making sure nothing sabotages his plan. 

Yoongi's generosity—paying for a private ward for his lover—works perfectly in Youngjae’s favor.

Finally, the red digits on the wall clock read nine—visiting hours are over. Several people in white coats leave Taehyung's room. This is it—the perfect opportunity.

Taehyung’s panic indeed spikes the moment Youngjae steps inside, a Glock with a silencer gripped in his right hand, aimed directly at him. He moves smoothly, like a predator, icy eyes gleaming with steel, while the crooked smile curling his lips radiates lethal intent.

The younger man's eyes, worn with exhaustion, widen in terror, breath hitching in his throat. Frozen in place, he can't make a sound, fear paralyzing every inch of his being. 

"Stay back!" he rasps, curling into himself, instinctively drawing his knees up to his chest , arms outstretched as if trying to shield himself against an imminent threat. His heart pounds violently against his ribcage.

“Shut up," Youngjae barks, tossing a small bundle of clothes onto the bed beside a stupefied  Tae. "Put this on. Fast."

"What do you want from me?"

“Stop asking stupid questions. Do as you’re told, and you won't get hurt."

"I'm not going anywhere!" The words slip out before Taehyung can even register them, his mind blank with terror as cold metal presses firmly against his temple. His heart pounds in his ears, air feels stuck in his lungs. At this moment, he'd agree to anything—anything—just to make Youngjae put down the gun.

"Move it!" Youngjae snaps, rushing him.

Desperately gulping for air, Taehyung fumbles with the package, finally tearing it open on the second try. His hands tremble uncontrollably, refusing to obey, as he pulls out the clothes.

To his immense relief, Youngjae holsters the gun the moment Taehyung tugs the sweater over his head, stumbles out of bed, and forces his numb feet into his shoes. He nearly collapses, only to be steadied—or rather shoved forward—by a rough push to the shoulder.

This is the end. If Tae leaves with Youngjae now, he might never come back. He’s barely reclaimed his parents and Yoongi, and now he's about to lose them forever—if he’s even lucky enough to make it out alive. Taehyung knows exactly what the Choi family is capable of. He’s no longer of much use to them, after having fulfilled almost all their orders. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were planning to get rid of him altogether.

And then, within the span of a heartbeat, something shifts. From nowhere, a strange resolve takes hold of him—a desperate, primal will to survive.

Youngjae turns away, bending down to grab a backpack from the floor.

Realizing this is his last chance, Taehyung hurls himself forward, slamming into him with his full weight and driving a fist into Youngjae’s neck, every ounce of strength behind the blow. The next moment, he bolts toward the door. If he can just reach the hallway —  under the cameras, Youngjae wouldn’t dare to fire his weapon.

But he overlooks one crucial thing—the door is locked from the inside.

Howling in pain, Youngjae yanks out the gun, takes aim, and fires without hesitation.

The deafening blast stuns Taehyung. His hand clutches the cold door handle as a wave of agony crashes over him — so raw, all consuming, unlike he’s ever experienced. Something snaps in his spine, a sickening crack radiating from his lower back. Fire tears through every nerve. 

Before numbness claims his legs, he’s already choking on his own blood. The room spins wildly, and somewhere in the distance, Youngjae’s voice cuts through the haze,

"I didn’t want this, but you left me with no other choice."

As darkness swallows him whole, Taehyung’s last thought is of Yoongi—and everything he never got the chance to tell him.

***

Youngjae makes a swift retreat, careful to attract as little attention as possible. Slipping away from the crime scene turns out to be surprisingly easy – no one heard the shot, the silencer made sure of that. He’d bought it from a dealer at a biker club.

He rushes down the stairs, forcing himself to suppress the panic hurling inside. Reaching the parking lot, he slips into his car. Within minutes, he’s maneuvering through traffic, putting as much distance between himself and the hospital as possible.

His head pounds, sweat dripping down his face as the realization sinks in: he’s killed a man. He’s a murderer now.

Youngjae had always felt a twisted kind of affection for Taehyung. The straight-A student, the son any family would be proud to have—that was everything Youngjae wanted for himself but would never have.

Their first encounter had been thoroughly orchestrated. In his attempts to get closer to Kim Seokjin, Youngjae spent months monitoring the people around Yoongi, the programmer. A well-hidden Trojan horse had granted access to Yoongi’s phone and personal messages.

Unfortunately, Yoongi and Seokjin rarely texted each other, so most of the data pulled from his device was of little value. However, one contact caught Youngjae’s attention—“TaeTae”—someone Yoongi kept in touch with daily.

One night, Yoongi had sent a drunken text, confessing that he couldn't stop thinking about Taehyung after their casual hookup. Not expecting much to come of the discovery, Youngjae had still decided to find out who this "TaeTae" really was.

The decision turned out to be unexpectedly fruitful. Youngjae tracked the boy down at a party where they met for the first time. After a heated argument with his father, Taehyung seemed like the most miserable person in the world—vulnerable, riddled with self-doubt. The perfect target. Someone easy to manipulate and to be converted into a tool for one’s own purposes. 

From that moment on, Youngjae had worked methodically, taking the Taehyng’s life apart, piece by piece, brick by brick, while the boy didn’t suspect a thing at first. 

It almost felt like Taehyung was begging to be led down the wrong path. Getting him drugged and coercing him into sex with four men just to capture it on camera was laughably easy, turning that video into the ultimate instrument of control.

But Taehyung has been through a lot of change lately. Joining Kim Enterprise, he had settled down and started carrying himself as if he had finally discovered a sense of self-worth. He argued more pushed back, growing increasingly defiant. Recently, he seemed almost resigned, indifferent to his fate, making himself even harder to control. Keeping him in check had become a struggle.

At some point, Mr. Choi had to admit—sooner or later, Taehyung would slip out of their gasp.

The plan to abduct him from the hospital and lock him up until Mr. Choi decided what to do next had fallen apart.

Knowing Taehyung’s temper, Youngjae expected resistance. But he never meant to pull the trigger. He brought the gun only to intimidate Taehyung, to force him into obedience, nothing more. Yet when Tae lunged at him so suddenly, instinct had taken over.

He couldn’t let him escape—not even if it meant getting his hands dirty.

Now, three quarters of an hour later, he sits in Mr. Choi’s office, nervously twirling a keychain between his fingers.

"What exactly have you achieved by this?" Yun-seok asks, glancing at his son over the rim of his glasses. He picks up the remote and turns on the TV.

Breaking news floods the screen, every channel reporting about an attempted murder of a Kim Enterprise employee. Taehyung was found gravely injured just minutes after the shooting and he is now in critical condition, his chances of survival slim.

"I was careful, I swear. But he left me no choice," Youngjae mutters, shifting uneasily as he tries to justify himself.

Mr. Choi exhales, rubbing his temples. He looks more exhausted than angry.

"It doesn’t matter anymore. Get ready—you might have left traces at the hospital. You need to disappear. Leave as soon as possible. Go to Thailand, and I’ll join you there once I’ve taken care of some matters."

"What are you talking about?" Youngjae stiffens.

His father doesn’t answer.

Youngjae watches him closely. He's been worried about his father’s mental state for quite some time now, and the thought of leaving him alone is beyond unsettling. But right now, Youngjae has bigger concerns, like saving his own skin.

"You’ll see. In a few days, everything will fall into place. But for now—go." Murmurs Mr. Choi without taking his eyes off the screen.

***

The desperate fight for Taehyung’s life lasts sixteen agonizing hours.

By sheer luck, a nurse realized she had forgotten something in his ward and came back to get it. By then, Taehyung had already lost a critical amount of blood. Had they found him just a few minutes later, it would have been too late.

Yoongi arrives at the hospital in the same clothes as before, his hair disheveled. He doesn’t care. Not about his appearance. Not about anything. The news had hit him, leaving him numb, in complete shock and disbelief. This can’t be real. This has to be some absurd nightmare. How could this have happened? Who would do this to Taehyung?

That same morning, everything felt so perfect, he had been so happy to see  his beloved dongsaeng after their endless separation. Taehyung had smiled at him so warmly, his eyes brimming with tears of joy as he hugged his parents. Throughout the entire workday, Yoongi had been looking forward to going back to the hospital to see him. He had even wondered where Taehyung would go once he was discharged. Now that his parents were here, would they take him home?

More than anything, Yoongi longed to take him home. The memory of Taehyung this morning — soft, clinging to him with desperation, is seared into his mind, imprinted in his soul forever.

Outside the operating theater, Taehyung’s parents grieve, utterly devastated. Despite his own shattered state, Yoongi listens to their frantic, stumbling explanation of what little they know. Doing his best to support them, to stay strong for them, Yoongi never leaves their side, not even for a second. He reassures them that everything will be alright, that Taehyung will survive. Though inside, he wants to howl in despair and fear. His heart and mind reach out to the one he loves, the one fighting to cling to his life.

Seokjin arrives at the hospital as well, never having expected to find his best friend like this. At first, he doesn’t even understand what’s going on. But when they finally manage to find a moment alone in the hospital café, Seokjin gapes, dumbfounded, at his friend’s deathly pale face. A thousand questions go through his mind, yet he has no clue where to begin.

“I was seeing Taehyung,” Yoongi says flatly, his eyes pained with grief. “It’s true. I should have told you long ago.”

Seokjin is scandalized by the confession.

“Taehyung and I come from the same city. We met back in our university days, but then our ways parted and we didn’t see each other for years. Yet, destiny brought us back together. I feel guilty–he ended up at our company because of me, because of our past. I was biased when I hired him, and for that, I’m sorry.” With a heavy exhale, he covers his eyes with his hands.

An uneasy silence lingers between them.

"I should have told you earlier," Yoongi shrugs. "But I was embarrassed by how hard I fell for him. And then he left me. But now, I can’t bring myself to care about what happens to me anymore. I’ll take whatever punishment you give me, as long as he survives."

Seokjin places a comforting hand on his shoulder, then gently clasps his fingers around Yoongi’s.

"Hopefully he’ll pull through and everything will be alright. You know… you shouldn’t have kept this from me. I would have never judged you," Seokjin says softly.

"I'm sorry," Yoongi repeats, turning away to hide his face in the crook of his arm.

Seokjin knows there’s little he can do to ease his friend’s suffering, but at least he can be here for him. Without a doubt, what he has just learned from Yoongi caught him completely off guard. As vice president, he should take disciplinary action against his manager for violating workplace ethics. But then — what about himself? He isn’t any better.

As awful as Seokjin feels, his pain is nothing compared to what Yoongi is going through right now. And no matter what kind of bastard Jungkook might be, Seokjin still hopes he’s okay, and nothing like what happened to Taeyhung will ever happen to him.

Several more agonizing hours drag by before the surgeon finally calls Mr. and Mrs. Kim into his office. Yoongi paces the corridor anxiously, wringing his hands as he waits for news.

At last, Taehyung’s parents return. They look a lot calmer than they did just minutes ago. A good sign, at least.

"The doctors took care of Taehyung. Fortunately, the bullet didn’t hit any vital organs. He’s alive, but lost too much blood and is still unstable. Now, we can only wait and pray."

***

Jungkook barely remembers what happened after his public humiliation and expulsion from Kim Enterprise. Everything feels surreal, like a delirium. He wanders aimlessly for what felt like forever, oblivious to his surroundings.

The love of his life, Kim Seokjin, has said so cruel, gut-wrenching things, so vicious he couldn’t have imagined them even in his worst nightmares. His perfect boss, the man he worships, despises him.

The horrific words echo in his mind, again and again, like a curse.

“You disgusting liar! I hate you so much!”

 “I never want to see you again!”

Wiping away unwanted tears with his sleeve, Jungkook crosses the Hannam Bridge, boards the first bus that comes along, and heads off into the unknown direction.

He makes it home by the time the night has fallen. The small rented apartment on the outskirts of Mapo-gu has never truly felt like home. And now, every little thing here only brings back memories of him and Seokjin.

How many hours had he spent daydreaming about his perfect boss? And in the end, those dreams become reality. He lived through a few blissful moments in Seokjin’s arms in this very place. It hasn’t even been a week since the morning when they woke up together in Jungkook’s bed.

Moving on after losing the one you love is anything but easy. The weight of irretrievable loss presses down on Jungkook, settling like a stone on his chest, pulling him into an abyss of endless grief. His foolish heart isn’t strong enough to withstand such overwhelming sorrow—it would rather stop beating than endure more pain.

Just a month ago, he was planning to run away from Seokjin. To quit his job just to escape the ache of unrequited feelings, leaving behind all the memories tied to Kim Enterprise and Seokjin. To learn how to live without him. Now, in retrospect, it seems like the right decision—one he never got the chance to follow through on.

Nothing has gone the way he wanted. There was a reason Jungkook has always questioned whether he is worthy of a man as magnificent as Seokjin. His boss has been honest from the start—he said he never intended to date him. So how could Jungkook have ever hoped for things to work out differently?

They were never meant to be equals. And in the end, Seokjin has chosen to believe some cruel lies someone crafted to ruin Jungkook, rather than to trust him. Jungkook comes from nothing, while Seokjin lived a life of privilege. Their worlds never aligned. No wonder that Seokjin believes that Junngkook was capable of selling himself out to Kim Enterprise’s enemies for money. After all, isn’t that exactly what people like him–poor, desperate nobodies are expected to do?

The corporate world has become his natural habitat. Over the years, the office has turned into a second home, and at some point, Jungkook became an inseparable part of the company. Now, being thrown  out so unceremoniously, accused of something so vile, is nearly impossible to carry on. Like a shipwrecked sailor, Jungkook has lost his course, drifting aimlessly in the sea of life, unsure where to go next. He is dangerously close to giving up. The future doesn’t matter—he has no strength left in him to fight. Never before has he been in such profound despair.

Sleep, food, even basic hygiene—all of it feels like a pointless waste of energy. The simplest tasks seem too exhausting to bother with. Drifting on the verge of losing his mind, he hardly gets up from the couch in his living room, oblivious to the passing of time, to the shift between night and day.

Jimin comes to see him on the third day and the sight of Jungkook — weak, barely able to stand — horrifies him.

"I know you’re innocent. No matter what they say." Jimin’s voice trembles as he fights back his tears. Whoever did this to his friend—whoever hurt him so badly—will pay for it.

Jungkook doesn’t protest; he simply doesn’t have the energy.
Knowing that at least one person still believes him, still stands by his side, makes it just a little easier to breathe. Maybe—just maybe—it’s not all completely hopeless.

And finally, after days of holding it in, the dam breaks, and Jungkook lets out a bitter cry.

"How do I keep living after all this?" he chokes out, his voice cracking as he buries his face in Jimin’s shoulder. His tears come hot and unrelenting, soaking through Jimin’s shirt.

Chapter Text

Taehyung’s condition worsens. He undergoes another surgery, but remains in critical condition.

It takes another full week before his state finally stabilizes, and the doctors give their approval to start bringing him out of sedation. His reflexes return, and they expect him to wake up at any moment.

His parents are allowed to see him first.

Taehyung is still too weak. Slowly opening his eyes he manages a faint smile.

Yoongi has been there for him the entire time, waiting for this moment with great anticipation. It hurts to see the one he loves so deeply in such a fragile state. And when Taehyung weakly nods and reaches out to him with a trembling hand, Yoongi is willing to do anything—anything—to take his sufferings away.

Bringing Taehyung’s hand gently to his lips, he presses soft, weightless kisses to his knuckles.

The next day, Taehyung is noticeably more energetic. He is determined to talk to the police and tell them about the man who shot him. But first, he wants to speak with his parents and with Yoongi.

After the doctors leave the room, he glances towards his parents, looking over at them, eyes full of sadness.

"I don’t deserve to be your son. There are some things you need to know about me."

"Son, don’t strain yourself. You need to regain your strength," Mr. Kim tries to calm him.

“No. This is important. I have to…” Taehyung is still extremely weak, but it’s sheer determination that fuels him. Before surrendering himself to the police, he wants those who suffered because of his actions to hear the truth directly from him. The thought of losing the ones dearest to his heart shakes him to the core. But there is no other way. Silence has already nearly cost him his life. “Please, I want Yoongi to be here too.”

Taehyung’s parents exchange meaningful glances. With a silent nod Mrs. Kim gets up to invite Min Yoongi inside.

Entering the room after everything they’ve been through, Yoongi can’t stop himself from walking directly to Taehyung, stepping close and pressing a soft kiss to the younger one’s temple. They’re not alone, yet the emotions are too raw, overwhelming—he simply can’t hold back. This quiet, honest gesture speaks louder than a million words.

Taehyung can’t look away from Yoongi—he’s breathtakingly beautiful. The deep navy suit lends him an air of quiet authority, his long hair neatly tied at the nape of his neck. It suits him perfectly.

Taehyung stares, amazed that someone so stunning could ever fall for someone like him.

"I knew you'd be here when I woke up," he whispers, voice barely audible. "Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I really don't deserve you."

"Don’t say that," Yoongi’s voice is soft, gaze deep and unwavering. He refuses to look away or let go of Taehyung’s hand even for a second. There aren’t enough words to express even a fraction of the gratitude he feels, just knowing that the person he loves so desperately has made it through alive.

Taehyung hesitates slightly, but the elder’s voice moves something fragile within him, spreading warmth through his chest. He can feel it—Yoongi loves him deeply and so purely. All he can do now is cling to the hope for his forgiveness once Yoongi learns the entire truth, even though Tae himself isn’t sure he deserves it.

"This is Yoongi-hyung," Taehyung turns to his parents. "He is the kindest person I’ve ever known in my whole life… Too good to be around someone like me. I know you’ll never accept it, but… I want you to know. My feelings for him — it’s far so much more than just friendship. I’m sorry."

The confession bursts from him before he can stop it. Once spoken out aloud, the words take on even greater weight. Burning with shame, he finally gets the courage to shift his gaze to his parents. This wasn’t how he had imagined confessing his feelings for Yoongi. But being at the brink of life and death has shifted his priorities, and has made him reevaluate everything relevant.

Emotions flicker rapidly across Yoongi’s face. His eyes shine, dark and endless, like a vast, endless abyss Taehyjng would willingly fall into again and again.

Mrs. Kim finally speaks, her voice quiet yet steady:

"If this is what you mean when you say you aren’t worthy of being our son, then you’re wrong. We’ve suspected it ever since we met this young man,” — she nods toward Yoongi — “and we accept you—and your choice."

Taehyung turns to his father with a questioning look.

"I'm sorry," Mr. Kim mutters. "We should have accepted you were born this way. I’ll carry the shame of how I hurt you for the rest of my life. After you disappeared, there hasn’t been a single day, a single hour, that your mom and I didn’t think about you. We prayed for you every night, hoping to see you again."

Yoongi can feel the inner turmoil raging inside Taehyung. A part of him wants to stop him from speaking, to hold back whatever he’s about to say — because intuitively, Yoongi knows it’s going to be something painful. Something so disappointing, he almost wants to shield himself from that truth.

And then Taehyung looks at him—a long, searching gaze that says more than words ever could. Their hands are still intertwined — the warmth of skin against skin makes Tae’s heart somersault. Will he ever be able to stay calm in Yoongi’s presence?

“There’s something you need to know before anything else,” Taehyung whispers, his deep brown eyes betraying a flicker of fear.

This conversation will change everything. He might lose Yoongi. But there’s no more room to put it off—it’s now or never.

“After what I’m about to tell you… you may never want to see me again.”

And then Taehyung breaks.

The words spill out in a rush. He tells them everything— from the moment he met Choi Youngjae to the night he left his parent’s home for good. He doesn’t hold anything back, doesn’t spare any detail, revealing how he was manipulated and turned into a puppet for the Choi family and used to infiltrate the Kim Enterprises and sabotage the company from inside.

Reliving the darkest, most degrading moments of his life, while still teetering on the edge of consciousness, is one of the hardest things Taehyung has ever been through. But he bares his soul to the only people that matter, the only ones he trusts, laying it all out while inwardly begging for their forgiveness.

Grief and horror twist his mother’s face.  For a heartbeat, Taehyung fears she might collapse right in front of him. 

With each word, Yoongi grows paler. There is fury building behind his eyes, a quiet storm that makes Taehyung’s throat tighten, his voice nearly strangled by the weight of it. But nothing will stop him—not until he confesses everything.

“You confronted me after seeing how I got into that car with a stranger. Yes, I lied when I said I was staying late at the office with Jungkook, because I was scared. Those were Youngjae’s men. They ordered me to keep my mouth shut and took me away every week to give them reports. Youngjae knew everything. Every move I made, every word I said. And he was the one who pulled the trigger.”

Yoongi is terrifying to look at. His face darkens with rage, turning a dangerous shade of red.

“So it was him?”

“Yes. Youngjae came here for me. But I decided — this time I had to fight back. Now that you’re here,” Taehyung’s gaze flickers to his parents, “I wanted to be strong. And that’s when he shot me.”

The air around Yoongi turns ice-cold. He jerks to his feet, pacing the hospital room with heavy steps, dragging his hand down his face before raking his fingers through his hair.

“Seokjin needs to know about this,” he mutters, still stunned by everything he’s just heard.

“I’m turning myself in,” Taehyung says, his stare unwavering. “I’m going to tell the police everything.”

Yoongi meets his eyes, and for the first time, Taehyung is truly afraid of what he’ll find there.

“Excuse me,” Yoongi finally snaps, unable to hold it in any longer, and storms out of the hospital room.

Anger, despair, self-loathing—it all crashes over him, drowning out every rational thought. His arrogance, his blind faith in his own infallibility, has played a cruel trick on him. He truly believed he was some sort of  genius at reading people, that his judgment never failed when it came to accessing someone’s true nature. And yet, he failed—miserably. Taehyung, of all people! The last person Yoongi would have ever suspected. 

And the worst of it all, is that Yoongi’s instincts had been screaming at him from the start—Jungkook’s involvement in this mess never made sense. But he hadn’t even bothered to speak to him. Hadn’t given the boy a single chance to explain himself. And now, everything’s broken and he has no one else to blame but himself. For what has happened to the company. For what Jungkook went through. For what became of his relationship with Seokjin. 

And now, what is he supposed to do? How is he supposed to face all of this — the truth, his own guilt, his feelings for Taehyung, who is pleading so sincerely for forgiveness?

Back in the room Taehyung squeezes his eyes shut, wincing from the pain.

What if Yoongi never comes back?

"I'm so sorry," his words chase after Yoongi, just as the door closes behind him. "What am I supposed to do now?"

His father’s reaction hits even harder, far more agonizing to endure. The usually stern and uncompromising man stands pale and motionless, holding his breath. Deep lines carve into his face, his shoulders slumped low, lips quivering so violently they press into a thin, tight line. He looks like he might break down in tears at any moment. Taehyung would his father raged, slapped him across the face, even disowned him again—anything but watching him fall apart before his eyes like this. No wonder he had spent so long dreading this conversation with his parents.

Madam Kim steps close, and gently takes her son’s hand, her gaze locking with his teary eyes.

"Sometimes life forces us into desperate choices. Yes, what you have done is despicable. But the responsibility is also ours—mine and your father’s. We weren’t there for you when you needed us most."

Tears stream down Taehyng’s cheeks and chin heavily. The warmth of his mother’s embrace gives him a long-forgotten sense of safety. A part of the burden he's carried for so long begins to lift. The fear of death, the suffocating guilt—both start to fade, dissolving into nothingness.

“There's a video," he manages, voice thick with anguish. "It was recorded at a party a few years ago. Youngjae has been threatening to send it to you. And if you see it… it'll break your hearts."

Mr. Kim flushes with rage at the very mention of the name, his face turning crimson. "That scumbag deserves to rot in prison for what he's done to you. If anyone sends us that video, we won't watch it."

"Whatever is in it, we won't watch it," Mrs. Kim confidently echoes her husband's sentiment.

Taehyung's eyes flicker toward the door again. Yoongi hasn't returned.

Exhaustion overtakes him completely. He cried out all his tears until there were none left, and the crushing weight on his chest was finally lifted. The fears that tormented him for so long crumble like a sandcastle washed away by the tide. His parents are here with him. They've forgiven and accepted him. After all the exhausting wandering and endless loneliness, he's finally found his way home. Perhaps someday, Yoongi will forgive him too.

With that fragile hope, Taehyung drifts off into a deep, peaceful sleep, nestled safely in his mother's arms.

***

Preparations for Ji Sung's jubilee began months in advance.

The family mansion in Anyang Province was chosen as a venue for the grand celebration. The Kims first settled here over twenty-five years ago. Sprawled across hundreds of acres in picturesque countryside, the estate feels more like an exclusive resort than a family home. It is nearly impossible to count the magnificent rooms and grand halls within, let alone to fully describe.

The eldest of the Kim brothers flew  in from Canada specifically for their father's birthday. Yet he and Seokjin hadn't had a chance to properly catch up.

Seokjin was buried under mountains of paperwork. The chaos of the last few days had completely derailed him. The scandal surrounding Jungkook's abrupt departure delivered a crushing blow, while the attack on Taehyung and the subsequent investigation only added to his burdens. With the police keeping all details confidential, speculation and wild theories periodically erupted online, making matters even worse.

Seokjin has no illusions about the upcoming celebration being an easy ordeal. Clenching his jaw, he swallows the rising irritation. Unfortunately, there is no choice — missing his father's jubilee is simply not an option. But he knows his presence will inevitably draw even more unwanted attention — and place him under scrutiny all over again. Thankfully, Mr. Sato had canceled his visit, sparing Seokjin the additional embarrassment of dealing with his daughter and his father’s expectations on that matter.

Ji Sung has threatened to hand the company's management over to Jun, Seokjin's older brother. But the younger Kim isn’t giving up that easily. Life is a constant battle, and he intends to prove once and for all that he can rise above the scandals and the mud slung at him by newspapers and online gossip.

A life without Jungkook is hell, no matter how hard Seokjin tries to make peace with it.

At first, anger numbed the grief, drowned the ache, and buried everything else he felt for the younger man. But with every passing hour, the pain of separation only sharpens. He is losing his mind from missing Jungkook. Even if he doesn’t deserve it, even if he is guilty of every single thing he is accused of, even if he truly meant to betray Seokjin — feelings this strong just don’t die away. 

Putting on a rehearsed smile, Seokjin stands greeting the arriving guests. Suppressing the urge to flee, he occasionally breaks away from meaningless small talk with suppliers, bowing politely to vaguely familiar faces and offering smiles that never reach his eyes. The black tuxedo, the elegant bowtie, his impeccably styled hair, and subtle makeup are all meant to boost his confidence, but none of it helps to ease the tension in his chest.

With his eyes narrowed and shoulders slightly hunched, he pushes through the discomfort, extending his hand to yet another guest, who regards him with open hostility, observing protocol only out of respect for his family. Side glances, insincere smiles surround him at every turn, intensifying the desperate urge to disappear. But Seokjin cannot afford to falter. Not tonight. After all, it's his father's birthday.

A longtime supplier of Kim Enterprises, a man in his fifties named Lee Yeon-bok, approaches with a deliberately exaggerated grin. He shakes Seokjin’s hand and claps him firmly on the shoulder with forced familiarity. Without even bothering to introduce the woman on his arm, he tosses out a question clearly designed to embarass. 

“Seokjin-nim! What a pleasure seeing you again. You seem … rather lonely. Where's your secretary?”

“Mr. Lee!”  The voice that comes to his rescue is Namjoon's, appearing out of nowhere with a wide, disarming smile.

“Kim Namjoon!” Mr. Lee instantly shifts his attention. “What a surprise! I had no idea you were back in Korea. How's your father doing?”

“Thank you, he's doing well. In fact, he mentioned you the other day—seems like he wanted to discuss something about your shipments.”

Seokjin flashes Namjoon a grateful smile, relief instantly washing over him. His friend has been hovering nearby for the entire evening, always ready to step in at a moment’s notice.

Time drags by, unbearably slow, nearly standing still. At around eleven, the guests are finally invited to take their seats at the tables. Unfortunately, Namjoon ends up seated far across the room.

Seokjin finds himself stuck at a table beside his brother Yun and his wife, Jia, along with their cousin Minsu, whom he hasn’t seen since high school. Minsu embodies everything people loathe about the rich elite: he has never so much as lifted a finger to earn his bread—but you’d never guess it from the way he carries himself. Tonight, he’s brought along his latest flame, a redhead companion named Ri, clad in a low-cut dress that leaves little to the imagination. She laughs too loud, talks too much, and ensures that every bit of attention stays fixed on her.

Stifled yawns ripple around the table as Ri recounts the recent trip to a Milan fashion show. She eagerly describes how “utterly shocked” she was by a collection of gender-neutral lingerie—and the models who presented it on the catwalk.

"Modern designers are so obsessed with not offending anyone," Ri prattles on, "that they end up harming the needs of the majority. Stores are full of clothes tailored for trans people, while regular girls can’t even find anything decent to wear."

" What a tragedy," Seokjin blurts out without missing a beat. 

The sarcasm in his voice lands just right—Ri finally acknowledges his presence.

"Did you say something, oppa?" she coos, deliberately addressing him with the absurd honorific to provoke.

Seokjin lets out a cold, venomous chuckle.

"Life must be terribly difficult when you can’t find a decent outfit, and all because of the LGBT community."

The biting remark makes her flinch – just for a split second. But Ri recovers quickly, glancing up as if she hasn’t caught the obvious implication about her own outfit.

"By the way, oppa, you really don’t look gay at all!" she fires back, a verbal slap aimed straight at Seokjin.

A flush spreads across Seokjin’s face, burning fast and hot. He catches the startled glances from Jun and Jia, but it’s too late. Not even bothering to mask his irritation, he tosses his crumpled napkin aside, rises and walks away without a single word. 

A sudden commotion erupts in the adjacent room — raised voices, shuffling feet. Guests surge there, curious to see what’s going on.

It turns out one of the guests has arrived uninvited. None other than Mr. Choi himself stands in the middle of the hall, bellowing at the top of his lungs.

“Ji Sung-a!”

By his flushed face and glazed eyes it’s obvious he’s had far too much to drink. His rumpled shirt is half–tucked into his trousers and unbuttoned at the chest, and he’s barefoot.

“Ji Sung, old friend! I came all the way here just to congratulate you!”

Pale as a ghost, Seokjin’s father appears in the doorway. He leans in to quietly mutter something to the security guard by his side. The accidental spectators of this bizarre scene freeze in place with curiosity. They hold their breath, waiting to see what happens next.

“Would you really kick out an old friend?” the old man sways on unsteady legs. “You and me — we used to be thick as thieves, remember?”

The guests gasp, stunned.

“Didn’t you know?” he sneers. “This bastard and I—yeah, we were best friends once.”

Mrs. Kim steps in quietly, approaching the unwelcome guest. Her voice is soft, but firm.

“Yun, you’re drunk. This is not the time for this conversation. Just go home now.”

Choi stares at her, wide-eyed, as if he sees her for the first time. A slow, nasty smirk spreads across his face as his gaze shifts back to Ji Sung.

“You’re one lucky one, having a guardian angel like her,” he slurs. “Tell me, you son of a bitch — what did you ever do to deserve a prize like that? You always have been so lucky with women, haven't you? Why is it that they always fall at your feet, when you’ve spent your whole life treating them like dirt? And her—" he waves toward Iseul, "you’re not even worth the tip of her finger."

"Perhaps we could talk about this another time," Ji Sung replies quietly, his eyes briefly meeting his wife's, whose expression is visibly alarmed.

"Talk?" Choi snaps, his voice rising sharp. "What is there to talk about, you bastard? You went and ruined my life. And if there’s anything still left talking about, we’ll do it right here and now. All of them—," he gestures wildly around at the onlookers. "They all deserve to hear the truth—that you’re a murderer who crushed an innocent soul."

Ji Seon subtly signals the security guard, but before anyone can react, Mr. Choi whips out a folding knife, grabs Seokjin’s mother, and presses the blade hard against her throat.

"Easy now," he hisses, savoring the panic his actions provoke. 

Iseul freezes, her whole body trembling as the sharp tip of the blade presses deeper into her neck. Ji Sung instinctively steps forward, when he sees a thin bead of blood appear on her skin. 

“Nobody moves, or I’ll slit her throat open! I will take her from you, Ji Sung, just like you once took what was mine.”

The gathered spectators stand paralyzed with horror.

Seokjin glares furiously at Choi. He must find a way to help his mother, but the fear of causing deadly harm leaves him desperately helpless.

"Does it surprise you?" Choi sneers. "You need to find out the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth. Tell them, Ji Sung."

"Please," Ji Sung tries. "Put down the knife. Let her go, and no one will get hurt. I’ll do whatever you want."

Choi bursts into a mad, guttural laugh, sounding almost demonic.

"Oh, Ji Sung-ah, you’ll do whatever I want? And how would you even know what that is?"

A guard, trained in special forces, inches silently closer to Choi, every movement smooth and invisible.

"Do you even know who Kim Ji Sung really is?" Choi growls, his voice raising for everyone in the room to hear. "You all gathered here to wish him a happy birthday, to toast his health and offer wonderful things. But you have no idea what this coward is hiding. For instance—he’s been lying to his family his whole damn life!"

"Stop it, Jun." Ji Sung's voice breaks as his eyes flick to Iseul, panic rising in his throat.

"What’s the matter? Truth’s too hard to swallow?" Mr. Choi snarls, sweeping his gaze once again over the gawking crowd, clearly relishing the attention—until his eyes land on the two brothers. His twisted grin falters into something darker as his gaze fixes on Kim Jun. "For example… his sons don’t even know they have different mothers."

Jun and Seokjin instinctively lock eyes. Then, slowly, they turn to stare at Choi in disbelief—as if he’s lost his mind.

"Confirm it, or she dies," Choi urges Ji Sung.

Ji Sung’s hands drop helplessly to his sides. The demons of his past come back to claim him, catching him completely off guard. A terrible truth he spent a lifetime hiding from his children at any cost is now crashing into the open at last.

"What are you waiting for? I’ll slit her throat!" Choi barks, as he tightens his grip on Iseul; the blade digs deeper into her skin, making her whimper in fear.

And Ji Sung gives in.

"It’s true. My sons have different mothers."

Seokjin stares in horror—first at his father, then his brother, and finally his mother.

Choi’s bloodshot eyes blaze with savage triumph.

"Tell them, Ji Sung-ah," he growls. "Tell them everything."

Choi’s focus slips, just for a split second. And that’s all it takes. With one swift, trained move, the guard knocks the knife from his hand, and Mrs. Kim is free.

Gasps and screams ripple through the room. Ji Sung rushes to his wife, desperate to make sure she’s all right. From the other side of the room, Jin and Jun run to her as well, and she instinctively pulls them into her embrace.

The guards drag Mr. Choi away as he hurls curses in every direction. He will be handed over to the police.

A few minutes later, once most of the guests have left, the family retreats to Ji Sung’s private study.

Iseul keeps firmly insisting that she’s all right, gently reassuring her sons not to worry about her. Jun is barely holding himself together, his hands tremble, shock still heavy in his chest. Meanwhile, Seokjin keeps his composure on the outside, but the look he’s giving his father—openly hostile—says plainly he’s not leaving until he gets answers.

Dealing with cowardice that's kept Ji Sung silent all these years is no easy task. He simply has no idea where to begin and how to tell his sons everything. The truth will certainly break their hearts and make them hate him — maybe till the rest of his life. His tongue feels heavy, stuck to the roof of his mouth, making it impossible to utter a single word. He knows his children will never forgive him for this devastating lie.

“That old man’s insane,” he says at last, stalling as he loosens his collar.

“Tell them, Ji Sung, or I will,” Iseul spits out, her voice firm and unrelenting.

“But it was our secret!” Ji Sung turns to face her with a quiet reproach and then sinks heavily into a chair.
“Fine,” he breathes.

Instead of answering, Iseul silently hands him a full glass of whiskey.

"Before I met your mother—" Ji Sung begins, but then corrects himself, turning to fix his eyes on Seokjin, "before I met your mother, I loved someone else."

Seokjin doesn’t say a word. He looks at his father like he’s never seen him before— the man sitting in front of him suddenly turned into a stranger. Bile rises in his throat and he swallows it down, managing to hold back his disgust—for Jun’s sake. For the first time in his life, he feels a pang of compassion for his brother. And wants to be there for him.

"Is it all true?" he asks, turning to Iseul.

She throws back the entire glass in one go, wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, and nods grimly.

Seokjin’s eyes burn with fire.

 Yun suddenly jerks upright, pain cracking through his voice:

"What is my mother's name? Where is she now? Do I know her?"

A shadow hangs over Ji Sung’s face.

"She died when you were barely two months old," he says quietly. "Her name was Jin Ho."

"How did she die?" Seokjin asks, his voice dry with restraint.

Ji Sung hesitates, studying his son’s face for a long moment.

"She took her own life," Iseul answers instead, not even sparing her husband a glance.

Both sons flinch, as if receiving a heavy blow.

“What does that lunatic have to do with any of this?" Jun demands.

"Choi was in love with your mother," Iseul replies.

And then Ji Sung breaks. He begins to speak — quietly and slowly at first, then with growing urgency. He tells them everything, without holding back a single thing. How he met the love of his life when he was young. How he tried to build a life with her despite the obstacles — despite his parents' disapproval. How he tried and genuinely intended to make that woman happy and failed. About his disgrace and how, in the end, his actions led to the tragedy that destroyed her.

With every word, fury surges in Seokjin’s chest, sharp and uncontrollable. His knuckles turn white, while something deep within his soul cracks and splinters. He wants to fight. Or flee. To put as much distance as possible between himself and these people. He doesn’t want to have anything in common with this family anymore.

"So all these years,"  Seokjin gawks at his father in disbelief, like he no longer recognizes the man in front of him, "we’ve been sponsoring that madman, pouring money into his company–even though it is falling apart—just to buy his silence?"

Ji Seon closes his eyes and says nothing. He doesn’t deny his son’s words.

“Choi was right," Seokjin spits, staring at his father with undisguised contempt. "You really are a coward. And a liar. Maybe I would have ended up locked in some asylum if I’d lived in your time. But the real tragedy is that scumbags like you always get away without punishment."

"Seokjin!" Iseul's voice snaps, a sharp warning.

"How can you be so cruel?" Ji Sung flushes red, a single tear running down his cheek.
The thirty year old open wound is bleeding again.

"Why didn’t you ever tell us the truth?" Jun chokes through his sobs. While Seokjin burns with fury, the older one of the brothers is crumbling.

Iseul walks over and kneels beside him, reaching out to comfort him. 

"Forgive us, son," she pleads, her eyes glistening.

But he recoils, flinching in horror from her touch like it could burn him.

Seokjin can’t stand it anymore. The father who used to shame him for every mistake, who looked down on him, who made him believe he was not enough — just because of his sexual orientation — and yet this same man turns out to be hiding behind his own, much more horrible sins. Sins that cost someone their life. But he still had the audacity to shame, judge and punish. Nothing Seokjin ever did could compare. How is he supposed to trust anyone , when his entire life was built on lies?

"I’m done." His voice is low, final. "Don’t try looking for me. I want nothing to do with this house, with you, or with your precious company. Live however the hell you want."

"You can’t just walk away!" Ji Sung shouts after him. "Seokjin—stop!"

But Seokjin is already far gone. 

He storms out into the night. The cold air hits his burning face, but it doesn’t offer any relief. Seokjin’s insides are burning. All he wants is to disappear. As fast as he can.

***

Jungkook packs his modest belongings into a worn-out suitcase.

Yesterday, he received a long letter from the Seoul City Office. It states that all charges against him— falsification of audits, theft of company property — have been officially dropped. Moreover, he is entitled to a moral compensation equal to six months' salary, tol be paid out to him over the course of the next half-year.

But none of that really matters. The only thing that matters to Jungkook is that, at last, his name has been cleared. The slander erased and justice finally found its way, though just a few days ago, no one ever wanted to believe him.

The newspapers are now teeming with coverage of the Choi family’s crimes.
Mr. Choi Yun-Seok has been arrested on charges of attempted murder, industrial espionage, identity theft, assault, and blackmail. If the investigators manage to gather all the evidence, he’s likely facing a very long sentence behind bars.

As for Youngjae—he vanished just hours before his father’s dramatic appearance at Ji Sung’s party. Interpol is leading the search and according to rumors, he’s currently laying low somewhere in Macau.

Having learned that Taehyung was involved in his own downfall, Jungkook can’t help but be struck by how deceptive appearances can be. Kim has always seemed like a good man—someone incapable of hurting a single living soul, let alone doing something so vile. 

Jungkook couldn’t resist visiting him in the hospital, needing to look him in the eye and hear the whole story directly. 

Jungkook finds the man in a deplorable emotional state—broken, desperate, endlessly begging for forgiveness. After a long, heartfelt one-on-one conversation, Jungkook realized he couldn’t hold any anger. Taehyung had already paid dearly for his mistakes.

After being shot, he can no longer move his legs and is tied to a wheelchair. The doctors still can’t say for certain whether he’ll ever walk again.

The more Jungkook learns, the more he understands his motives. Taehyung had endured a lot— all those tortures left deep scars on his soul. Jungkook can’t help but feel for him.

Jungkook’s younger brother Junghyeoung  calls again from Busan. Their mother’s health is failing again —her blood pressure is dangerously high—and she keeps asking about Jungkook.

With a sigh, he walks to the wall and begins taking down the rows of framed certificates and old photographs.

There is nothing left for him in Seoul. It is time to go home. Time to start over a new life.

The days pass, and still — no word from Seokjin. Even with all of the allegations lifted, he doesn’t reach out. Maybe he meant it, when he said he hated Jungkook. 

Jungkook remembers what Jimin once told him—how no one is ever solely responsible when a relationship falls apart. He made sacrifices for Seokjin. He arrived in Seoul as a young and ambitious man, full of drive and dreams. He wanted to gain work experience, grow rich and successful. But five years slipped by unnoticed, and Jungkook stayed in the same position. Stayed, just to be near Seokjin. Waiting for him. Hoping. Meanwhile, so many of his peers moved on, climbing the career ladder.

But maybe this—whatever it was between them—turns out exactly the way it was meant to.
Jungkook has never really had to win his boss’ heart. No matter what he did it was never going to be enough.

After all the pain, the humiliation, the nights spent wondering what more he could give, Jungkook finally accepts it: he’s just human. And Seokjin would hardly ever step over his own principles and misbeliefs — he wouldn’t ever trust Jungkook. Wouldn’t stand up for him — especially when it mattered most.

But Jungkook deserves better. Yes, he’s poor, but that doesn’t make him unworthy. There are so many precious things about him, so many reasons to love him. And someday, someone will. Someone will love him with all their heart. But unfortunately that someone is not Seokjin.  No matter what Jungkook could offer, it means nothing for Seokjin. And you just can’t keep chasing something you were never destined to catch. It’s time to accept that. It’s time for Jungkook to learn to appreciate and love himself. And let Seokjin go.

***

Seokjin craves silence and peace. Solitude—that’s what he longs for with all his heart.

To hide away. To vanish from the world—from scandals and hatred—where no intrusive reporter can ever track him down.

The same evening he learned the ugly truth about his family, he booked a small cottage in a secluded area at the foot of Namsan Mountain, just on the edge of the national park that bears the same name.

He doesn't bring his personal phone, his car, or anything else that could give him away. This escape isn’t carefully planned—it’s purely on instinct. A desperate move in hope for a bit of peace and quiet.

A high-speed train from Seoul takes him swiftly to Daejeon, where he rents an eco-friendly car, registered under a false name.

The cottage is cozy and fully equipped, providing every bit of comfort he could ask for. A fireplace dominates the living room, while tall French windows stretch from floor to ceiling, offering breathtaking views of the forest surrounding the property. There’s no television or internet—just a sauna, a jacuzzi, and a well-stocked wine cellar. The perfect combination for someone who wants to disappear and forget everything — which is all Seokjin needs right now. 

He spends his days hiking, fishing, and wandering unexplored trails. The movement helps a lot to clear his mind and keeps the thoughts at bay.

The neighbors are all friendly without exception. Compulsive memories wash over him at times, but with each new glass of red wine, the images fade, losing their sharpness, becoming softer, easier to ignore.

But the idyllic escape ends on the fourth day. 

Returning from a fishing trip, Seokjin frowns, spotting Yoongi’s car, parked outside the cottage. No matter how hard he tried to avoid it, he's been found.

Just after learning the truth, Yoongi rushed to find him. But he was too late. Seokjin had vanished without a trace, leaving no way to reach him.

It takes days to track him down—precious days for Seokjin, because it’s his happiness that is at stake. Every hour could’ve changed everything, but he doesn’t know it.

“Yoongi? How did you find me?” 

It’s not that Seokjin isn’t glad to see his friend. But the last meaningful conversation they had was back at the hospital, when Yoongi was anxiously waiting for news about the man he loved. And after Taehyung began slowly recovering, Yoongi practically moved into the hospital. So he and Seokjin haven't really talked since.

“Had to hack into your email,” Yoongi shrugs apologetically.

Seokjin lets out a dry chuckle and unlocks the door, inviting his unexpected guest to come in. Yoongi must have had a serious reason for taking such drastic measures, but Seokjin doesn’t want to know. He made a resolution: from now on, he puts himself first. Whatever’s happening in the outside world is no longer his concern. 

“Well, you’re welcome to stay and relax, and share my hideout. But I don’t want to hear anything about—.” 

But Yoongi cuts him off.

“Jin,” he interrupts, “there is something urgent. You need to hear it.”

“Please,” Seokjin desperately tries to stop him, “don’t say another word.”

“Jungkook is innocent. The whole thing was set up. He didn’t do any of the things they accused him of.”

“Stop,” Seokjin protests, still trying to stand his ground. But he falters, staring at his friend in confusion. His face tightens, shoulders tensing. “What?”

“Believe me, I wouldn’t have come all the way here if it wasn’t important. Jungkook is not guilty!”

And Yoongi retells Seokjin everything Taehyung confessed to him—without downplaying, softening, or excusing his own responsibility. He owns his part too: by hiring Taehyung, he became the one who—however unintentionally—set the whole disaster in motion.

At first, Seokjin refuses to believe it. But as Yoongi lays it out piece by piece, the logic locks into place with painful clarity. And suddenly— there is no air in the room.

Seokjin can’t breathe. The epiphany slams into him with crushing force. Shame and remorse burn so raw it makes him want to die. The realization of his own cruelty tears him apart. His heart desperately wanted to believe Jungkook. It screamed that the boy was innocent. But the malicious conspiring of his enemies planted the doubt. Bedazzled by his anger, suspicion and fear, Seokjin wouldn’t let himself trust Jungkook. And now? Will he ever be able to atone for that? Will he ever be able to make it up to him?

All he knows is that he needs to see Jungkook—now. To hold him close. To drop to his knees if he has to and beg for forgiveness with everything he has left

With shaking hands, he grabs his car keys.

“I have to see him.”

“Yeah. Of course. But I’m driving,” Yoongi says softly. There’s no way Seokjin can be trusted behind the wheel in this state.

“Then hurry.”

***

Seokjin clutches the steering wheel with a feverish urgency, trying to steady his nervousness. He’s been sitting in the car for fifteen minutes now, parked right outside Jungkook’s house. His heart pounds, echoing like a drumbeat in his chest. 

Will Jungkook even want to hear him out? 

Why is it so hard—just to unbuckle the seatbelt, open the door, step outside, and walk those few familiar steps to ring the bell?

“Please, just give me a chance.” He whispers, repeating these words like a mantra, over and over again. 

One more deep breath. Then he opens the door and steps out of the car. His legs feel like they’re filled with lead, dragging beneath him, his pulse picking up with every step.

He lifts his hand toward the intercom—then pulls it back. Tries again and fails.

When he finally presses the button, the chime rings out, shrill and cold—sounding more like an alarm announcing disaster.

A stranger he has never seen before answers the door. 

Seokjin frowns, studying him, suspicious.

“I’m here to see Jungkook.”

“What Jungkook?” The man struggles in broken Korean. “There’s no one here by that name.” 

Seokjin freezes in disbelief, feet rooted to the ground. He can’t move. A dreadful suspicion begins to take shape in his mind.

“Jeon Jungkook lives here,” he says louder, almost on the top of his lungs.

Another man appears in the doorway. “We’ve only been here a couple of days. Don’t know who that is.”

Seokjin refuses to believe them. He forces his way inside, pushing past them, driven by something beyond reason. He invades the space that doesn’t belong to him with no apology or hesitation. To his astonishment and horror the house feels entirely different. The furniture is new and the air smells unfamiliar. New environment and new owners. Everything is wrong. As if he’s stepped into a parallel universe.

“What are you doing? We’re calling the police!” someone yells behind his back.

But Seokjin doesn’t hear a thing.

He bolts back outside without a word and walks away. 

Nothing makes sense anymore. 

He’s lost Jungkook. For good.

Chapter Text

Saying goodbye to Jungkook is particularly hard for Jimin. Letting go of a close friend is never easy, especially when you don’t know when you’ll see them again. After everything Jungkook has been through, going back home to his family, to the care and support he desperately craves, feels like the only choice that makes sense.

They’re standing on the now empty platform at Seoul Station, and the final minutes before departure are slipping away too fast. Jimin already misses him so much it hurts.

“I have to go,” Jungkook sets down his heavy suitcase and pulls Jimin into a goodbye hug.
He tries to cheer Jimin up, even though he’s barely fighting back his own tears. “Don’t be sad, okay? It’s not like I’m moving to another planet. Just a couple of hours on the bullet train. Next time you visit your parents, you can stop by and see me too.”   

“How can I not be sad when I know you’re not okay?” Jimin doesn’t let go, still holding Jungkook tight in his arms.

“I’ll do everything I can to put this behind as soon as possible,” Jungkook insists. “Just promise you won’t cry. Try to be happy. Please?”

“I won’t be sad if you promise to get back to me more than once every six months.” Jimin fakes a stern look, poking an index finger into his chest. “You’re the worst, Jeon Jungkook!”

“Guilty as charged! I’ll work on it.” Jungkook offers a small, sheepish smile and then grows serious again.
“Thank you… for not turning your back on me. I don’t know how I would’ve made it without you being there for me.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Jimin says quietly. “You were there for me too when I needed it. So we’re even.”

“You’re right,” Jungkook nods. “True friends show up when things fall apart.” He says it sincerely, sad eyes resting on his friend. “I want you to be happy, Jimin.”

“I want that too very much—for both of us,” Jimin says, holding out his pinky. “Let’s promise to be the happiest we’ve ever been. Starting today.”

From that moment on, Jimin does everything he can to keep that promise.

The first days after Jungkook’s departure are hard.

Within just a few days, Jimin has lost both his boyfriend and his best friend. Given the complicated nature of his relationship with the former vice president of the company, Kim Seokjin, he lives in constant fear of one day being called into Yoongi’s office—only to be told he’s fired. But days pass, then weeks, and none of that happens. The office keeps buzzing with endless talk about the attempt on Taehyung’s life, and maybe they’ve simply forgotten about Jimin. Yoongi barely shows up at all, choosing instead to work from home.

The newly surfaced facts about Mr. Choi’s involvement in the Kim Enterprise scandal, along with Taehyung’s responsibility for the catastrophe that shook the brand’s foundation and triggered a sharp drop in stock value. 

The dismissal of Kim Seokjin from his position as vice president becomes the final straw, setting off real panic. Employees start worrying about their own positions, and the office splits into two camps: those defending Taehyung, justifying him as he had no choice but follow the demands of his blackmailers, and those who wish him every torment imaginable for ruining the lives of people who had done nothing wrong.

Jimin thinks a lot about Namjoon — after all these years, he’s finally free of him and of the unresolved relationship that had been dragging him down for so long. Maybe he had no other choice. If he hadn’t confronted those feelings and gone that far with his ex, he might never have moved forward. But in doing so, he has messed up crossing a line he never should have touched. His gravest mistake was starting a new relationship — with Hoseok —  when he wasn’t ready. He hurt a wonderful person and lost him for good.

Another workday ends. Jimin tiredly rubs his eyes, stretches his stiffened neck, and shuts his laptop with a dull click.

“I can’t wait,” he hears his co-worker Minji chirp enthusiastically from the next desk. “Did you guys know there’s a dance school nearby that’s just opened? I signed up for contemporary dance!”

“That’s great. I had no idea you were into contemporary dance,” Jimin looks at her with interest.

“Are you kidding? It’s been my dream since I was a kid!”

“So how’s it going?”

“I’ve only had two classes so far,” she beams. “But our instructor’s really amazing—super encouraging. Says anyone can dance, no matter their age!”

“I totally agree,” Jimin says. “Where is the studio, exactly?”

“Just a block from here. About fifteen minutes walk. Wanna come check it out? First class is free.”

Jimin scratches the back of his head, hesitant. “I’m intrigued. But it’s been ages since I danced.”

“You’ve got nothing to lose. If you don’t like it, you can just leave.”

“I’d need some clothes to change into, and I don’t have anything with me,” Jimin is still trying to come up with excuses.

“There’s a shopping mall right next to the studio,” Minji suggests. “I bought everything I needed there before my first class.”

Eventually, they go together.

As soon as Jimin steps into the spacious studio, with its tall mirrors and ballet barre lining the walls, a sudden flutter rises in his chest. The one he hasn’t felt in years.

There are twelve other people in the group. The instructor is a charismatic lady in her forties who introduces herself as Sunny. After a quick warm-up, she invites everyone to follow her movements. 

Jimin enjoys learning a few simple sequences alongside the others. No matter how hard he tries to stay under the radar, his flexibility and natural grace catch the eye. By the second half of the class, Sunny insists that he dances beside her in the front row.

For the first time in a long while, Jimin feels truly in his element. There’s a fire in his eyes, and a lightness in his chest, as if wings had suddenly unfurled behind him. At first, the feeling is almost frightening, but he doesn’t resist it. Falling into the rhythm of an unfamiliar song feels as natural as breathing. His body flows with it, every move instinctive, as if it already knows what to do. The music seeps into every corner of his mind, taking over his entire being. He’s breaking free from the self-imposed prison he locked himself in when he gave up dancing after Namjoon broke his heart. Letting go of the one thing that gave his life meaning was the biggest mistake he ever made. By the end of the class, the group greets him with applause, and Minji is glowing like a Christmas tree, thrilled she convinced him to join. The instructor pulls Jimin aside and asks if he’d be interested in checking out their professional team that competes in major dance competitions. Still dazed, he promises to think about it.

After class, the group heads for a bar to get to know each other in a more relaxed setting.
Itaewon, with its chic, high-end places, isn’t exactly where Jimin usually spends his time. But the thought of returning to the four walls of his empty apartment doesn’t appeal either, so he decides to go along.

But fate has other plans for him. Jimin barely steps into the bar and is making his way toward the counter to order the first round of shots when he notices a commotion unfolding right in front of him. At least five people are in a heated argument with a man facing away from Jimin. The tension in his shoulders suggests he’s had far too much to drink, and the group facing him doesn’t look particularly friendly. Suddenly, a tall brunette shoves the man’s shoulder, saying something sharp — and that’s when Jimin nearly gasps in shock. Because the man turns around and his face comes into view. Of all people, it had to be him. Truly, it's the last person Jimin ever expected to run into tonight.

***

Jungkook's hometown greets him with a refreshing coolness. The painfully well-known sea breeze gently reminds him: he’s finally back home, and soon will be close to those who truly care about him. Compared to Seoul, with its chaotic rhythm, ever-present suffocating smog and air heavy with broken dreams and hopes, Busan feels pure and clean, as if it was offering a promise of a new start. The sunlight wraps around him into a soft aura of grace, a healing balm his tormented soul has been longing for so desperately.

As he steps off the platform, his chest tightens— a sudden rush of homesickness hitting hard. The city may have changed in many ways, but the feeling of home remains the same. After endless wandering, after all the bitter loneliness, and the fall into the endless abyss of despair, Jungkook is finally back on familiar ground. It comes across as stepping into another life entirely, one where he is still naive enough to believe in the kindness of the world.

But still, reminders of how deeply he’s changed come fast. A romantic couple in the corner, holding each other close, sends a dull ache through his chest. Jungkook once held his lover like that too—without fear or shame, never imagining that somewhere nearby, Youngjae’s reporters might be lurking, hunting to snap a scandalous shot. And he certainly never thought Seokjin’s father, Mr. Kim Ji Sung, would one day accuse him of staging the whole thing to ruin his son’s life.

The way from Busan Station to Jeon family’s home takes nearly two hours by public transport, but Jungkook doesn’t mind it. With quiet fascination, he looks out the window, eyes tracing the numbered apartment blocks lining the streets, half-hidden in greenery. Every corner brings back the memories of youth, of unachievable dreams and the big ambitions that once lit up his nineteen-year-old heart. There’s a certain irony in how little he carries with him: five years ago he left for Seoul with just a small suitcase — and now he’s coming back with the very same one.

Mrs. Jeon So Yeon and the youngest of the brothers, Hajoon, live in a cozy house tucked almost right against the shoreline of Songjeong Beach. The Jeon brothers bought the house as soon as they could afford to—partly to create a family retreat, a place to come back to and feel at home, and partly to give their mother the comfortable life she deserves.

Anticipating the reunion, Jungkook can’t help the anxiety coiling up in his chest. He doesn’t know exactly what his family heard about the scandal at Kim Enterprise or whether they are aware of his relationship with his ex-boss. In the short phone calls with his mother or with Junghyeong , he never mentioned anything, and they didn’t bring it up.

The tabloids won’t leave Kim Seokjin alone. At least, they’ve stopped mentioning his supposed affairs with subordinates. Despite all the pain of their breakup and their final conversation, Jungkook can’t help but feel for Seokjin on a deeply human level. Each one of those publishers should be fined for every slander they ever printed about his former boss.

A growing sense of apprehension settles in his chest as he gets closer to the house. A faint shiver crawls up his spine. What if his mother read those filthy articles before Ji Sung’s people managed to pull them down from circulation — and saw a photo of him and Seokjin kissing? Would they judge him for it? The thought of seeing disappointment in her eyes would be unbearable. Just imagining it makes his stomach twist into a tight knot.

Forcing himself to steady his nerves, he takes a deep breath, he pushes the door open.

The warm embrace of home melts his fears in an instant. The familiar scent of pinewood and sea air fills the space, calming him. The mouthwatering smell of his mother’s cooking comes from the kitchen, a quiet gesture that they’ve been preparing for his arrival.

The brothers go silent the moment they spot Jungkook in the doorway, his eyes wide open. They immediately rush to welcome him. Hajoon runs straight into Jungkook, his arms wide open, nearly knocking him over with the force of his hug.

“Hyung! Finally!”

Jungkook pulls the boy to his chest. His little brother has grown so much since they last saw each other—it’s almost hard to believe.

Jaehoon and Junghyeong hang back a little, smiling as they wait their turn to greet their older brother. They’ve both taken the day off, so the entire family could get together. Jaehoon’s wife stands quietly beside Madam Jeon, who makes no effort to hide the tears of joy. And just like that Jungkook’s foolish anxieties let go of his soul for good, giving way to pure, simple happiness. This house overflows with warmth and care—something he’d been missing for so long, without even realizing it.

Some time later the whole family is gathered around the dining table. Junghyeong had arranged for the finest dishes to be delivered from his restaurant. Jungkook is deeply moved by the gesture, as well as by the welcome, and the quiet unconditional love and support his family gives him. It hits him then how bad of a son and a brother he must have seemed all this time—always too distracted and busy, never telling them just how much they mean to him, and that they’re the most important people he has.

Plattes clutter, everyone’s smiling and the mood is light and easy. Though Jungkook can’t help but pick up a faint tension in the room. As Jaehoon teases Hajoon, and the youngest fires back loudly, making everyone burst out laughing, Jungkook quietly watches his mother. Something feels off. It’s as if there’s something no one is saying. Certain rumors could have reached his family after all, but they’ve chosen to pretend nothing happened. From time to time, Madam Jeon’s searching eyes linger on Jungkook just a little too long, and his brothers seem quieter than usual, almost like they’re waiting — for Jungkook to bring it up first.

Junghyeong casts a long, silent glance at their mother before turning to Jungkook.

“Welcome home, hyung,” he says at last. “How long are you planning to stay with us?”

Jungkook stares at his hands, unsure what to answer to that. He hasn’t even thought that far ahead.
His dreams are shattered into pieces. The most important man in his life hates him. He doesn’t have a job any longer. And tabloids still occasionally spread lies about him. All he’d wanted was to escape the nightmare, so he came back to Busan.

“I’m not sure yet,” he shrugs. “I’ll probably stay until the end of summer.”

“Please stay with us as long as you can, sweetheart,” Jungkook’s mother, So Yeon, says softly. “It’s been too long. We’ve missed you—and there’s so much to catch up on.”

“I have a game on Saturday!” Hajoon suddenly blurts out, excited. Jungkook silently thanks him—his little brother, without even knowing it, is somewhat easing the tension in the room. “You’ll come cheer for me, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world,” Jungkook promises, ruffling his hair. Then, he adds quietly, turning to the others. “I’d love to stay as long as I can. My thesis defense is in September, but until then, I’ll try to find some part-time work here in Busan. We’ll see what happens.”

So Yeon doesn’t miss the sadness behind her son’s eyes, and it breaks her heart in a way only a mother can understand. She knows her eldest boy better than anyone—and she’s never seen him like this before. He puts on a steady face, but the dullness in his once-bright and sparkling eyes says it all. Something in him is broken, and the most painstaking part is knowing there’s nothing she can do to fix it.

“Are you going to live with us?” Hajoon blurts out suddenly. He’s so thrilled to have his always-absent brother home—someone he’s only seen on holidays most of his life—that he completely forgets about his food.

“Of course,” Jungkook answers with a soft smile, setting his chopsticks down. “Where else would I go?”

“We need to hang out sometime,” Jaehoon chimes in. “Guys' night. Just like old times.”

“It’s gonna be fun!” Hajoon adds, looking up at his brothers with hopeful eyes. He’s been longing to be part of their world now that he’s old enough to join them.

“Let’s enjoy this time together—like a real family,” Junghyeong smiles, gently easing the conversation to a close, offering Jungkook the breather he clearly needs.

After dinner, Jungkook retreats to the guest bedroom that’s been set aside just for him. A bit of personal space had always felt like a luxury in their old house. Back when he was a kid, he never would’ve even even dared to dream of such kind of comfort.

Before he moved to Seoul, the family lived in a poor neighborhood. He had shared a dim little room with Junghyeong and Jaehoon, bunk beds stacked against the wall. And yet, Jungkook finds himself missing that place—quietly promising to visit the old neighborhood again. Maybe catching a glimpse of the house he’d lived in since birth would help revive a spark of that lively, energetic version of himself he once used to be

***

The Jeon brothers pull up outside Junghyeong’s restaurant to unload inventory. While So Yeon unlocks the front entrance, getting everything ready for the day ahead, Jaehoon walks over to Junghyeong.

“What do you think? Jungkook… He seems different.”

“Different?” Junghyeong frowns. “Not just different—he’s completely wrecked. I’ve never seen him like this. Even his voice over the phone didn’t sound like him.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s like … like someone drained the life out of him, you know?”

“You think the stuff in the papers was true?”

“I don’t know.” Junghyeong’s face darkens. “But we need to talk to him. And if any of that turns out to be true, I swear — that rich bastard will pay for what he did. Kim Seokjin will regret the day he was born for ruining our brother’s life.”

***

It’s been several weeks since that day when Seokjin learned the truth and dropped everything, racing to Seoul, desperate to see Jungkook and explain himself, to beg for forgiveness. 

Every morning he wakes up in despair, on the verge of tearing his hair out, haunted by the memory of what he said to Jungkook in that furious outburst of jealousy and rage. Words so cruel could have shattered anyone, let alone someone so soft-spoken, timid and gentle, like his secretary. And now he can’t do a damn thing to fix it. Because Jungkook is gone. And Seokjin doesn’t know where to find him. It’s like he vanished into thin air. After the scandalous article came out, Jungkook blocked his personal number. With pushy journalists calling nonstop day and night, he deleted all of his messenger apps and instagram profile.

Even Yoongi’s search didn’t bring any results. The only clue he managed to find was that about a month ago, Jungkook had bought a high-speed train ticket to Busan. It makes sense. After losing everything he’d want to go back where his family lives. But how do you find one person in a city of three and a half million? Seokjin has no idea where to even start.

People always say time heals all wounds—but Seokjin feels the exact opposite. Time means nothing when the pain of loss cuts this deep, as a blade stabbed into your chest, pressing deeper with every passing day. Because life without Jungkook feels like an endless desert—bone-dry, lifeless, with the blazing sun scorching through his soul. 

His appetite has long gone and he barely manages to sleep at night. His daily routine has blurred into a string of random, aimless actions. He forces himself out of bed, drinks tasteless coffee and then sits for hours in front of a screen, playing some random video game he doesn’t care about. Sometimes he falls asleep in the morning and wakes up at dusk. He rather exists in his life, not really living it anymore.

At first, Namjoon or Yoongi try to drag him out of his house, back into the world. But it doesn’t help to ease their friend’s pain. Nothing does.

Seokjin dials Jungkook’s number every single day. But all he ever hears are short, empty beeps on the other end of the line. He dies inside each time his own phone buzzes with a new notification. Eventually, he turns it off altogether, realising he’ll lose his mind if it keeps going like this. Besides, every now and then his number gets leaked to the reporters who are refusing to let him live just like this.

As for Kim Enterprise—once thriving, his pride and life’s work — it’s now on the verge of collapse. And now Seokjin couldn’t care less. Despite the years he poured into the company’s success, his father is capable of throwing it all away – out of sheer principle. In one of their latest confrontations, Ji Sung told Seokjin he wanted to hand the business over to his eldest son — a man completely lacking any real business instincts. The same man Ji Sung’s been deceiving all his life…just as long as he lied to Seokjin. But human feelings never mattered much to Ji Sung.

No wonder, then, that when Seokjin—desperate and heartbroken after being betrayed by the man he loved—reached out to his father, in need of understanding and comfort. And all he found was cold detachment. In Ji Sung’s eyes, Seokjin had no one else to blame but himself, and his own naivety and foolishness.

And now, many years later, Ji Sung reacted just as predictably. Without even trying to understand the situation, he was convinced Jungkook had been conspiring with Choi. And Seokjin, scarred by the bitter experience from the past, too consumed by fear of once again facing shame and humiliation in front of his family, of once again disappointing the people who mattered the most—shut out even the slightest possibility that Jungkook could’ve been innocent.

But the nightmare he feared most has become reality. Now the whole country is laughing at him. Filthy accusations and rumors of Seokjin abusing his position and coercing subordinates are plastered all over the internet. Namjoon has filed lawsuits against the biggest outlets, but the damage is done. The lies have taken on a life of their own, and at this point, stopping them is nearly impossible.

Occasionally, Seokjin finds himself back at the bar that holds the fondest memories. It was here that he and Jungkook went on their first—and last—date, when Seokjin opened up for the first time, told the truth about who he really was and spoke about the things he’d experienced in the past.
That night, he knew he could entrust his heart to Jungkook. Not much time has passed since then, but the memory of that night already feels like an illusion. What if those beautiful moments with Jungkook were just a dream that never truly happened?

Acknowledging his presence with a nod, Yeonbin doesn’t ask any questions. Maybe just one look at Seokjin says it all. The familiar bartender reads perfectly into his silence. You don’t need superpowers to know where that sadness comes from — the kind that dulls his once bright and lively eyes. Yeonbin remembers the night Seokjin introduced him to the boy named Jungkook — something he’d never done before. He looked at him in a way he’d never looked at any other guy. Stayed close by his side all evening, guarding him like something precious, as if trying to shield him from every prying eye. Yeonbin knew it right from the first second: that boy was someone special to Seokjin. And now he is here, all alone, looking utterly miserable. It’s the kind of story Yeonbin knows far too well. It’s not something you ask about. And Seokjin wouldn’t talk anyway.

“It’s on the house.” Yeonbin settles down a double whiskey with ice in front of Seokjin.

“Oh? If I’d known you were giving these away for free, I would’ve started coming here sooner.” Seokjin lets out a crooked smile.

“Don’t thank me,” the bartender replies, already turning away to pour him a glass of water and place it beside the whiskey. The bar is excessively loud tonight. It’s decorated for some kind of celebration. Crowds of young people press in from all sides, filling the room with an irritating buzz that cuts through the air. A pair of pretty girls keep glancing at Seokjin, trying to catch his eye, giggling like schoolgirls. Seokjin lets out a weary sigh. If he were in a better place, maybe he’d buy them drinks. But tonight he’s not in the mood. Not even close. He doesn’t want to drink alone at home, but not this, either. He wants to hide from the others and lose himself in alcohol. Perhaps, coming here was a bad idea. Among this noise and lights he feels even more miserable and alone.

Not far from him, two guys stand with their backs turned. Seokjin catches sight of one of them and a sudden chill runs through him. Everything about the way he holds himself, the way he moves, feels so familiar. Before he can think, Seokjin gets up quickly. He walks to the man, reaches out, and touches his shoulder, calling out — barely recognizing his own voice. 

“Jungkook?”

The young man flinches and turns around, confused, eyes meeting a stranger. From the back there was a faint resemblance to Jungkook. But the face is all wrong: thick eyebrows, a narrow nose with a slight upturn. None of it matches. Seokjin’s heart drops with a thud. Jungkook no longer exists in his reality. He’s gone—completely out of reach. And no matter how badly Seokjin wants it, he can’t bring him back.

Muttering some awkward apology, he goes back to his seat at the bar and asks for another whiskey. The disappointment stabs so hard, it leaves him too drained to even cry. Can he really try to go on living, knowing there will never be another Jungkook? The weight of helplessness presses down from the inside, like invisible chains wrapped around every cell. There’s a deep, endless void left inside him, because no one else will ever make him feel what he felt for Jungkook. This longing, the unbearable ache makes him search for Jungkook in every stranger’s face. He would give anything just to look into those beautiful eyes one more time. Just to be near him for a single second.

Throwing back another shot, he winces at the bitterness, feeling the burning liquid spread through like molten metal, searing as it goes, though dulling the pain just a little. He’s lost count of how many he’s had by now. But it doesn’t matter. Not if alcohol can fill the hollow inside, even for a moment. Seokjin bitterly thinks he deserves this punishment. He’s suffering as he should—paying his dues, making up for the pain he caused to someone who never deserved it. He did nothing when Jungkook begged him to trust, tried to reach him. Seokjin purposefully ghosted him. Shut him out. He abandoned Jungkook, made him face it all alone, without even a thought how much the boy might be suffering because of him. Humiliated in front of the whole office, treated like some petty thief. When all he ever gave was five years of quiet loyalty and devotion. That gentle boy was left alone, defenseless against the vultures ready to tear him apart. Seokjin heartlessly shoved him away, telling Jungkook he hated him. When the truth was he could’ve trusted him blindly. When Yoongi brought the flawed results of the investigation, Seokjin’s intuition screamed that Jungkook had nothing to do with the Choi family’s crimes. But he chose to ignore it. If only he’d looked past his own insecurities, had the courage to believe, they could’ve walked through all of this hand in hand together. And Jungkook would still be here.

The sweltering air in the bar becomes unbearable, and the strong liquor only worsens heavy burning in his chest. It’s overwhelmingly loud. Seokjin’s head feels like it’s about to split—each throb pounding like a drum from deep within. And the thoughts won’t stop. Obsessive flashes of Jungkook keep invading his mind. What if Jungkook’s already moved on? Forgotten him. Met someone better. And if he has…then Seokjin has no one to blame but himself.

A noisy group of five guys nearby is seriously getting on his nerves. One of them, who looks much younger than Seokjin, is practically looming over him, rudely invading his personal space. Their voices blend into a meaningless cacophony, the kind that makes him want to cover his ears. Their laughter is obnoxious, only worsening his already frayed state. Irritated, Seokjin sets his glass down on the bar—but the motion comes out too sharp. A splash of liquor lands on the shirt of the guy standing closest to him.

The guy stares at his shirt, stunned. Then he shoots Seokjin a sharp glare full of frustration.

“Idiot! Don’t drink if you can’t handle it! Look what you’ve done to my new suit!”

Seokjin’s features harden, his stare turning venomous. He has zero intention of apologizing—especially not after a reaction like that.

“Brat,” he sneers, eyes narrowing with contempt. “Do you even know how to drink yourself? Who are you trying to impress with that donkey laugh?”

A second later, a rough shove slams into his shoulder.

“How dare you talk to me like that, you bastard?” the guy snaps, looking like he’s seconds away from throwing a punch. “You’ll pay for this, you freak!”

“Piss off,” Seokjin spits through gritted teeth.

The guy’s face blanches with rage. He whirls around abruptly and storms up to Seokjin, now chest to chest. His friends crowd up behind him like a wall.

“What did you just say?”

“Trying to act like a tough guy? Come on then—show off,” Seokjin cannot bring himself to care that he’s outnumbered five to one. His alcohol-clouded brain can no longer recognize the danger—let alone the ridiculousness of the situation. He tenses up for a punch, half expecting to be grabbed by the collar.

But then— someone unexpectedly steps between him and his opponent. Startled, Seokjin squints, trying to make out the shorter figure who just appeared out of nowhere and seems too familiar.

Park Jimin.

The last person Seokjin ever expected to run into in a place like this.

“Easy. Calm down, alright?” Jimin steps in just a split second before the fight erupts, pulling the men apart. “If you start fighting, security’s gonna get you both out of here.”

“And who the hell are you supposed to be?” The stranger’s anger now shifts to Jimin.

“I’m here for him,” the blond replies calmly, unfazed. He slips a hand under Seokjin’s elbow and gently tries to steer him away.

“Just come with me. You’ll thank me later,” he orders in a tone that leaves the alcohol-dazed Seokjin no room to argue.

“Yeah, get the hell out of here,” the guy mutters, spitting curses under his breath, clearly satisfied now that his opponent is backing off.

Seokjin loses it all over again, trying to break free to go back and to deal with the guy, but Jimin’s grip is unexpectedly firm. Luckily, Yeonbin sees what’s going on and quickly hurries over to help. Together with Jimin they manage to get the troublesome regular outside.

Out in the fresh air, Seokjin calms down a bit, clearly not even remembering what just happened. Jimin watches him with confusion, unsure what the hell he’s supposed to do now. Helping this arrogant bastard who ruined his best friend’s life was never part of the plan. And yet something keeps him from just walking away and leaving him alone like this.

Yeonbin waves down a cab and helps Jimin ease the now quiet and no longer resisting Seokjin into the back seat.

Jimin’s already turning to head back to the bar when the cab driver stops him.

“Hey! Where am I supposed to take him? And who’s paying?”

The second his head touched the backrest, Seokjin passed out. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Jimin walks back. He pulls the rear door open and leans in, trying to wake him. 

“Mr. Kim, where do you live?”

But every attempt ends in failure. Seokjin shifts, getting more comfortable on the back seat, completely ignoring him.

Jimin rolls his eyes. How did he even get himself into this mess? Where’s the justice in any of it—this was supposed to be his night, the one he planned to spend hanging out with new people. He hurries back into the bar, says a quick goodbye to the dancers, explaining there’s been an unexpected situation forcing him to leave. Then he returns to the taxi, climbing into the seat next to the driver. Seokjin’s loud snoring comes from the back. So now there’s nothing left to do for Jimin but give the driver his own address — and hope he doesn’t end up murdered in his own apartment once the former vice president wakes up.

***

Yoongi rubs his eyes wearily, stifling a yawn.

He’s been working for twelve hours straight without a break, drafting a recovery plan to pull Kim Enterprise out of the wreckage. It’s not an easy task. But he’s painfully aware of his own share of responsibility for everything that has happened.  If he hadn’t been the one to bring Taehyung in, a lot of problems could have been avoided.

Everything that happened feels like a bad dream. Blinded by love, Yoongi didn’t just risk his own reputation, he put the company on the line, and the entire Kim family along with it. He misjudged someone who turned out to be nothing like the man he pretended to be. Taehyung had only pursued his own selfish goals, lying shamelessly and manipulating without a trace of remorse, fully aware of his power he held over Yoongi. He fooled them all. And ended up ruining both Jin’s and Jungkook’s lives.

Even despite the betrayal, Yoongi’s feelings for Taehyung remain just as strong. Call it madness, but deep down, he still believes Taehyung meant it when he said how much he regretted everything he was forced to do. He only carried out the Choi family’s orders against his will, because they threatened and blackmailed him. Barely awake after a difficult surgery, with his parents standing right there, Taehyung confessed his feelings, and Yoongi simply can’t doubt his sincerity after that. He doesn’t even have it in him to stay truly mad at Tae.

It’s been only three days since that conversation, and Min still hasn’t decided what to do with it all. He understands that forgiving Taehyung just like that would make him come across as weak. It’s bound to leave a negative impact on his professional reputation. Once again, just like after his divorce, Yoongi is reminded of just how little he understands people. They may be calling him the Nostradamus of Kim Enterprise, but his so-called foresight seems to apply only to business strategies— not at all when it comes to reading human nature. 

Taehyung had sent a shy message, asking when they might see each other again. Knowing he won’t be able to think clearly once he’s around Taehyung, Yoongi takes his time before getting back to him. But keeping their distance for too long, with so many important things still unresolved, is clearly not doing either of them any good.

Finally pulling himself together, Yoongi makes his way to Tae’s hospital room. He pauses outside the door and then knocks softly. A pleasant baritone calls from inside, inviting him in.

Taehyung  bears it all in silence, jaw tight, never uttering a single complaint. But the gentle furrow in his brow, the downward curve of his lips — give away how much he’s hurting. He can’t stand on his own feet. And in a moment like this, all Yoongi wants is to be his support. To offer care and comfort Taehyung needs.

Taehyung’s face lights up the second he sees who’s coming in. The furrow smooths out instantly, and his beautiful eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected but welcome visit.

“Hyung,” he whispers, eyes flickering anxiously to Yoongi. He instinctively attempts a move toward him, but his legs won’t cooperate and he lowers his head in silent frustration.

“Hey.” Yoongi steps closer, calm on the surface, deliberately ignoring the storm of emotions on the younger man’s face. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay, I guess. Still alive, at least.” He shrugs, joyless. “But I’ve been better. There’s a chance I’ll end up disabled for life.”

“I’m so sorry. Truly…”

“I missed you so much.” Taehyung looks like he's about to break down at any moment. “I even thought you’d never want to see me again.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t come earlier. I just… needed time.” Yoongi lowers himself onto the edge of the bed, eyes locking with Taehyung’s.  Being in the same room with him and not reaching out feels almost unbearable.

“Can you forgive me?” Taehyung makes no effort to hide how much this means to him — finally facing the one person he needs the most. His heart bolts into a frantic gallop as he waits for Yoongi’s reply.

“I’ll be honest. After what you did to me, I feel used.” Yoongi’s voice is quiet, heavy with sadness.

“I’m sorry.” Taehyung’s head sinks under the weight of guilt, his shoulders beginning to tremble. Unwelcome tears sting his eyes. These past three days, the uncertainty has caused him far more suffering than the pain of a bullet tearing through  his side. Nothing terrifies him more than the thought of losing Yoongi.

“I respect that you found the courage to tell me the truth, to take responsibility. But still… I’m not sure I can ever trust you again.”

“I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t leave me,” Taehyung pleads. His eyes shine with tears, holding nothing but genuine regret.

“You lied to me, Tae. You betrayed us. The company nearly collapsed. Innocent people got hurt because of your actions. Seokjin fired Jungkook because all the fake evidence pointed at him.”

“I know others got hurt because of me, but I never meant for that to happen!” Taehyung cries out, his voice raw with bitterness. It’s so hard — being trapped in a body that won’t obey, unable to move even his toes. “I’m ready to take whatever punishment you think I deserve. Just please… Let me try to earn a second chance. I didn’t mean to fall in love with you this much. But now I know— I won’t survive if I lose you.”

Against all odds, Tae’s words awaken something in Yoongi’s heart. Hope dares to grow there again.

“Even if that is true, things between us will never be the same. I just can’t trust you anymore.”

“Please, give me a chance. Let me prove I can be someone worthy of your trust.”

“I just need to be sure you won’t cause any more harm to me or anyone else again.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes.” Taehyung grips Yoongi’s hands with desperate urgency, as if afraid that he might slip away at any moment. He’s made an awful mistake and it feels unreal that the man he betrayed is here, within reach.

“I’m not asking for much. All I need is your honesty. No more secrets or half-truths.”

“Hyung, it’s the very least I can do for you!”

“How do I know you won’t deceive me again?” Yoongi takes Taehyung’s hand, his dark eyes cutting straight into his soul.

“I swear I’ll never let you down again!” Taehyung’s voice trembles with desperate sincerity and determination. “I’ll be the best person I can be — just for you, hyung.”

“How did you feel about me when we moved in together?” Yoongi asks, weakening his grip on Taehyung’s hand.

Taehyung tenses as Yoongi pulls away, trying to read his face.

“At first, I didn’t have any strong feelings,” he admits honestly. “Sorry. Being with you was fun, — it felt good. Very good. But over time, I started to appreciate how much you cared for me, and I grew attached. The moment I realized I was falling for you, I panicked. I was scared Youngjae would find out and use you to control me even more. So, to protect you, I thought it would be safer to create some distance. That’s why I moved out.”

“You should’ve just told me everything!” Yoongi’s breath grows heavier and he speaks more quietly, leaning closer to Taehyung’s ear.

“I’m sorry.” Taehyung swallows hard, a heavy lump caught in his throat. His pulse spikes as Yoongi moves his hand to rest on his knee.

“Did it ever feel like I was using you?”

Taehyung blinks, confused. “Why would you say things like that?”

“You’re the one who said it. That night, when you lied about working with Jungkook in the office but actually went to report to Choi, you came back drunk and acted strange. You cried a lot… and said I was only with you because I wanted your body.”

Taehyung doesn’t remember saying that at all. But maybe, deep down, he did believe it. Scared for his future. Afraid Yoongi might get tired of him and cut him off and he’d end up on the street.

“Maybe I really did think that,” he admits, rubbing his face. “You were always so intense about my looks. I guess I thought all you really cared about was my body — not who I was inside. I’m sorry.”

“I guess I gave you a reason to think that,” Yoongi says with regret. “It’s just… I was so crazy about you. I couldn’t think straight whenever you were around. I should’ve held back more. I’m the one who should really apologize.”

“But I don’t want you to hold back!” Taehyung’s cheeks flush with color. It’s strange — but somehow, even after everything they’ve been doing with Yoongi he suddenly feels shy.

“If only you knew how much… I was willing to do anything for you.”

“Hearing you speak about it in the past tense …. It really hurts,” Taehyung says softly.

“My feelings for you haven’t changed,” Yoongi says quietly. “I just can’t go back to the way we were before.”

Tae understands him. In Yoongi’s place, he would have probably felt the same. Yoongi is too kind to stop Taehyung from holding him close, pressing their bodies together. It’s a gentle touch. One they both need just as much. Taehyung craves him with desperation — his strength, his comfort, his hope. Without Yoongi, he has nothing left.

“Please… don’t leave me. Just one more chance… I’m begging you.”

“If I am to give you a chance, it’ll be the last one. Don’t let me down.” With a quiet sigh, Yoongi presses his forehead to Taehyung’s, eyes still closed.

“I’ll never let you down. I love you, hyung.”

Such simple words — yet they turn everything upside down inside Yoongi. And he can’t hide his feelings anymore.

“I love you too, Taehyung.”

Taehyung smiles through his tears. If this isn’t a dream, then he is the happiest person alive. He is going to give Yoongi all the time he needs and everything he has, just to prove he can truly make things right. He shuts his eyes and pulls Yoongi closer, burying his face in his shoulder, unwilling to let go for even a second. He’ll earn back his trust. No matter how hard it is going to be.

Chapter Text

Seokjin wakes up in an unfamiliar place with a throbbing headache. Slowly opening his eyes, he scans the room in confusion, unsure how he ended up here. The outlines blur before him; his mouth is dry and foul, and his skull feels like it’s splitting apart. With a sigh, he closes his eyes again, trying to recall the previous night, but nothing comes to mind. He wonders if Namjoon or Yoongi brought him here, but after another look around, he’s certain he’s never been in this apartment before.

He’s lying on a comfortable sofa in a lovely space with soothing cream-colored walls and potted plants in the corners. Someone has thoughtfully covered him with a light blanket. His jacket from the night before is draped over a nearby chair, and his shirt and pants are fully buttoned—nothing suggests he slept with anyone last night and forgot about it. On the contrary, he has the unsettling feeling that he got into a serious fight, but he can’t recall any of it, no matter how hard he tries. Maybe going out drinking so much away from home wasn’t the smartest decision. What if reporters saw him? The thought of yet another humiliating article makes his insides twist into a tight knot. The possibility that he might have picked a fight with a journalist and doesn’t remember it fills him with nausea.

Throwing the blanket aside, he quickly sits up, scrambling to find the bathroom.

Returning to the room a few minutes later, Seokjin freezes in the doorway, instinctively taking a step back. His imagination must be playing tricks on him—or maybe he’s still drunk and hallucinating. Park Jimin is now sitting on the same couch where he had just been sleeping, frowning and glaring at him with a cold, piercing look.

“Where am I?” Seokjin wobbles on unsteady feet, one hand bracing against the wall just in case.

“My place. But that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”

“Likewise,” Seokjin sneers. “How did I end up here?”

“You were drunk and nearly got yourself into a fight. I had no choice but to take you with me—you were about to punch someone in the face. You blacked out in the taxi and didn’t give your address, so I had to bring you here.”

“I don’t need your pity,” Seokjin says wearily, sitting down across from him and dropping his head into his hands. His ears burn red with shame. An utterly ridiculous situation he should never have gotten himself into.

Jimin’s eyes get dark with fury, as he glares at the man in front of him. “Then go to hell,” he snaps.

"Hey! How dare you? And what exactly happened last night?"

“I don’t know, and I don’t care what you were up to yesterday. I saw you causing trouble and tried to help. And believe me, I’ve regretted it a hundred times since.”

Now, fragments of memories from the night before come flooding back to Seokjin. He remembers spilling whiskey on a stranger’s shirt, and just as that man was about to make him pay for it, Park Jimin showed up — like a damn cherub — and pulled him out of the mess mid-fight.

Seokjin wants to despise this little runt, but after everything that happened, he just can’t even bring himself to.

“What have you done, Park Jimin…” Seokjin mumbles into his hands, eyes closed in exhaustion.

“You know what? Handle your damn mess yourself! The way you’re acting hurts everyone around you — and, most of all, yourself. Maybe chill out, cut the drama, and stop hating everybody for once!”

“How dare you?” Seokjin snaps, outraged.

“Just because you don’t give a shit about the people who actually care about you doesn’t mean you have the right to wreck them!” Jimin growls, eyes flashing with anger as a memory of Jungkook flickers through his mind.

Jimin stands now, his shoulders jerk forward, while his chest rises with shallow, quick breaths.

Seokjin seethes with indignation.

“Who do you think you are, lecturing me? You’re no one to tell me how to live.”

Jimin scoffs, pushing the mug of coffee he’d brought for his guest farther away, watching him with disgust. What else could you expect from an arrogant jerk like him? What on earth did someone as kind and wonderful as Jeon Jungkook ever see in this man? Jimin has no intention of putting up with him for another second.

“I won’t let you insult me in my own home! Life has a way of making people pay for what they’ve done—and you will, for what you did to Jungkook. That’s all I have to say. Now leave.”

Seokjin freezes at his words. Narrowing his eyes in contempt, he takes a step closer—but Jimin doesn’t flinch. His jaw tenses, arms fold tightly across his chest.

“What did you just say?”

“That you’re not worthy of someone like Jungkook,” Jimin throws in his face, no longer bothering with any pretense of formality.

“Oh, I see... You clearly know Jungkook intimately enough to judge who deserves him and who doesn’t.”

“You’re insane if you believe there was something between me and Jungkook—and if that’s why you hate me.”

“Oh, really?” Seokjin grips his forearm roughly. “You think I’m just going to believe you after I saw you together? The whole office has been talking, saying that Hoseok quit because his boyfriend cheated on him. And that happened right after you spent the night at Jungkook’s place!”

“You see only what you want to see. Yes, I cheated on Hoseok—but not with Jungkook! And yes, I stayed the night at his place, not because anything happened between us, but because he’s my best friend, and he was the only one there for me when I needed someone! Your insane jealousy broke him!” Jimin’s voice rises into a full-on shout. “I’ll never forgive you for the suffering you caused Jungkook. Now get out!”

Seokjin lets go of him, stunned by these words—by the raw pain and anger in Jimin’s voice.

Jimin won’t even look his way, eyes burning as he tries to hide the tears. He just wants this nightmare to end. He’s at the breaking point, no longer able to hold himself together. And now, Seokjin begins to understand what Jimin has been trying to hide all along.

“You hate me because of him too… don’t you?” Seokjin says quietly, stepping back half a pace.

“I don’t hate you because of him. It’s just the fact that you never saw the worth of what you got so easily, without even lifting a finger,” Jimin says softly, his voice dull and hollow. “I never did anything against you. And I won’t lie—at first, I liked Jungkook too. A lot. But he made his decision. He chose you. The truth is, to him, there was never anyone else in the whole world but you.”

“I saw the way you looked at him. And you two seemed… close,” Seokjin replies much more calmly now. “And it looked … to say the least suspicious.”

“Believe it or not, I’m not worth your wrath. Yes, Jungkook and I grew close—but only as friends. There was never anything between us, and there never will be. He doesn’t see me that way. And my heart has long belonged to someone else.”

“Then who did you cheat on Hoseok with?” The conversation has reached the point of no return, and Jimin knows that if he doesn’t tell the whole truth now, Seokjin will never believe him.

“Namjoon. I made a mistake… and I lost someone who means everything in the world to me.”

Seokjin can sense that Jimin is telling the truth. He recalls a conversation with Jungkook in Pyeongchang, when the younger man had briefly mentioned Jimin being romantically involved with Namjoon—but Seokjin hadn’t believed it at the time.

“No way. Namjoon’s not even into men.”

“Oh, he used to say that a lot,” Jimin replies with a bitter laugh. “For a long time, I was only his dirty little secret. I seriously doubt he’d ever back me up on it. Namjoon’s always been too much of a coward to face that part of himself. But that’s my past, and it has nothing to do with you or Jungkook.”

Seokjin runs a hand through his hair, blinking wearily. Listening to Jimin, for the first time ever, he feels sympathy for him. He, too, had lost someone he loved because of his own mistakes.

“Jungkook was devastated when you turned your back on him,” Jimin says, his words sharp as a scalpel, cutting into an old wound again and again. “You pushed him away… and never even gave him a chance to explain himself.”

“You know nothing about my relationship with Jungkook,” Seokjin replies with a heavy sigh. He realizes now that Jimin isn’t his enemy—and that all those thoughts about Jungkook cheating were nothing but delusions, twisted fantasies born of a mind poisoned by his own ego. “But… thank you for your honesty.”

Jimin doesn’t say anything. His face is still twisted with anger, but his shoulders relax slightly when Seokjin thanks him.

“You hurt my best friend. That’s why I was so harsh with you,” he replies calmly, sensing the tension between them slowly beginning to dissipate.

“Every day without him feels like hell,” Seokjin admits unexpectedly. Jimin’s honesty moves him—and for the first time, he chooses to let his guard down.

“I understand you very well,” Jimin murmurs, almost in a whisper.

Seokjin watches him with quiet curiosity, as if seeing him for the first time. There’s something strange about seeing Park Jimin like this—stripped of his usual attitude, without the filter of bulletproof arrogance, revealing someone kind and deeply empathetic underneath it all. That’s probably why Jungkook found such a good friend in him.

With a soft blush coloring his cheeks, Jimin folds his hands in his lap as he lifts his eyes to meet Seokjin’s.

“I know what it’s like to screw things up and not be able to take it back. That morning—when you came to Jungkook’s and assumed we’d spent the night together—I was there because Hoseok broke up with me after I’d finally told him the truth about me and Namjoon. Moments like that are hard to go through alone.”

Seokjin nods, realizing just how much they have in common—both had made mistakes that cost them the one person who mattered most.

“Do you still, uh… think about Hoseok a lot?” he asks with sincere curiosity.

Jimin lowers his gaze. It’s incredible how their conversation has taken such a turn—when initially, they could barely stand being in the same room. He doesn’t really owe Seokjin any explanation. And yet… part of him wants to be honest all the way.

“I’m burning in hell every day too. And I miss him like crazy.”

“That makes us alike,” Seokjin says, a faint, humorless smile tugging at his lips. “I know we didn’t start off on the right foot. Maybe we’ll never be friends. But I do appreciate what you did for me yesterday.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Jimin replies. “Jungkook is my best friend. And if I’d acted any differently… he would’ve been really disappointed in me.”

“I’m sorry for judging you unfairly,” Seokjin says seriously, and this time Jimin glances away, visibly flustered.

Without a word, Seokjin extends a hand toward him, palm up.

Jimin hesitates for a moment, but then takes it. He remembers Jungkook saying the boss wasn’t as heartless as he tried to appear. For the first time, being in the same room together, they don’t feel any hostility toward each other. And finally, the ice between them begins to thaw.

***

Jungkook barely leaves his room, pretending to be busy with his thesis. Over the course of two weeks, he finishes the work and sends the completed draft to his academic advisor for review. Suddenly, he has a lot of free time on his hands — and starts thinking about finding a job.

Realizing that her son needs love and support, So Yeon longs to ease his pain, to listen, to dry his tears — but she doesn’t know how to reach him. Every time she tries, Jungkook insists that he’s fine, and she respectfully backs off, hoping he’ll open up to her when he’s ready. But with each passing day, the weight of his silence only deepens her despair. What could be worse than the suffering of your own child — when there’s absolutely nothing in your power that you could do to help them?

He only told them in general about leaving Kim Enterprise, deliberately avoiding any detail. His family knows something isn’t right, but Jungkook continues to dodge the conversation, even though he feels guilty shutting them out when he knows they want to talk to him openly.

The wound in his heart is still deep and aching, and he doesn't know how to carry it. Life has split into “before” and “after” Seokjin—his first and only love, now forever left in the past. His former boss has made it clear: he hates Jungkook. Most likely, Seokjin has long forgotten him, as if they had never met at all. He’s probably somewhere in Seoul, in his beautiful office, buried in work and drowning in deadlines—maybe even with a new secretary.

But Jungkook still aches for him to the point of desperation. He misses their conversations, the way Seokjin used to assign him tasks, his praise, his quiet support. It's hard to stop thinking about something that gave your life meaning for five whole years. Fleeting memories—moments of happiness when they looked into each other’s eyes—make him yearn to see Seokjin just one more time.

How do you move on, start a new life, when feelings that intense refuse to let go?

Pretending he needs help at the beach café, Junghyeong invites his brother over—just to take his mind off the darker thoughts.

It’s quiet after the lunch rush, the place nearly empty. After spending a few hours arranging inventory boxes in the storage room, Junghyeong suggests they take a break. He treats Jungkook to his signature caramel frappuccino.

“Here, give it a try.” Junghyeong sets the refreshing drink down in front of his brother and settles onto the barstool across from him. Though slightly tense, he tries to keep his voice gentle when speaking to Jungkook.

Jungkook thanks him with a smile. He knows his younger brother well—so well that he can already see where this is going.

Though they’re only two years apart, things shifted after high school, when Jungkook moved to Seoul. Their roles quietly reversed—now it’s the younger one acting like the older brother: always looking out for Jungkook, always trying to protect him.

Junghyeong watches him carefully, picking up on even the slightest shift in his expression.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened back there?”

Jungkook holds his breath. He knew his brother would bring it up eventually, but he still doesn’t know what to say.

“Have you heard much about what I was involved in, back in Seoul?” he asks carefully.

Junghyeong’s face hardens as he struggles to keep his composure.
“Yeah, I read a few things in the papers and online. Learned quite a bit about your former boss.”

Jungkook closes his eyes in defeat. His worst fear has just been confirmed.

“Did that bastard rape you?” Junghyeong blurts out.

Jungkook is paralyzed with shock. His mind refuses to process the absurdity of what he just heard.

Had his family really seen Seokjin that way all along?

“That’s not true! It’s all… lies! Did anyone else read that?”

Junghyeong’s face goes rigid, his eyes flashing with anger. His fists clench involuntarily, and the tension in his shoulders is so intense, it feels like it might tear through his skin.

“We all read it. Mom’s blood pressure spiked that day—we had to take her to the hospital.”

Jungkook presses his hands to his temples, overwhelmed with guilt for keeping the most important people in his life in the dark for so long. So consumed by his own pain and thoughts of Seokjin, he hadn’t even considered how much his family might be suffering without knowing the truth.

“None of what they wrote is true—it’s all horrible slander!” he says quickly. “Seokjin has never forced anyone into anything!”

Visibly embarrassed, Junghyeong clears his throat.
“There’s a photo… of you two kissing.”

Jungkook is hit by a powerful wave of shame and humiliation. His brother is clearly upset and doesn’t know what to think. But no matter how painful the truth may be, Jungkook no longer has the right to hide it.

“Seokjin and I… something happened between us. It was mutual. Nothing like what they’re writing. And… I wanted it more than he did.”

“So it’s true then—you like men?” Junghyeong asks, not giving his brother a moment to recover.

“I guess I do,” Jungkook admits.

“You never really paid much attention to girls anyway.”

“It’s not that… I do like women, just… not like that.” Jungkook shifts awkwardly in his seat, scrambling for the right words. He wasn’t ready for a conversation this big. “Do I disgust you now, because of it?”

Flustered, Junghyeong hurries to explain himself. “Disgust me? No, Jungkook—never! I would never judge you for who you love. Sorry, that’s not what I meant to say at all.”

“I was scared,” Jungkook exhales, a wave of relief softening his voice.

“Tell me what really happened.”

Jungkook tells him everything—from the very first day he met his boss to the scandal, the bitter breakup, and the last words Seokjin said to him before their paths split for good.

“That damn Seokjin you were so into… he’s a heartless bastard and a moron,” Junghyeong snaps, unable to hold back his anger after hearing the whole story. “He’s not worth your pain. Nothing good would’ve come out of it anyway. People like him don’t change.”

“He wasn’t always like that. At first, he was really kind and helped me with everything. I’d never felt anything like it before. My heart went wild every time he looked at me. It was scary and good at the same time. I wanted to be around him constantly, but I didn’t believe a guy like me even had the slightest chance with someone like him.”

“Only a total fool wouldn’t give a guy like you a chance!” Junghyeong objects. “And I’m not just saying that because you’re my brother.”

“He tried to stop me. I wanted to quit back when I thought he was having an affair with Namjoon. But he didn’t want to let me go. I should’ve just walked away and not listened to him.”

“That bastard was playing with your feelings!” Junghyeong’s anger flares up again.

“Not at all. He told me honestly from the start that he wasn’t looking for anything serious with me. I was fine just being with him as it was, and I never asked for more. But I let myself hope… and that was my mistake—letting my feelings get the better of me.”

“You can’t control your feelings. He was supposed to protect you—not leave you to face it all alone when your name was dragged through the press.”

“It wasn’t just about the scandal. There were other reasons why he left me.”

Jungkook tells him the whole story—about the data leak, the malicious scheme Mr. Choi and Youngjae orchestrated to get back at Seokjin’s father, how they used Taehyung to bring down Kim Enterprise, and how they made Jungkook the scapegoat.

Junghyeong listens without saying a word, face buried in his hands, struggling to comprehend how such cruel injustice could really happen.

“Once the false evidence was in place to frame me, Seokjin accused me of intentionally seducing him—to distract him, to lower his guard. Like it was all some kind of trap. And then he said he hated me.”

Remembering any of this without breaking down is hard. Jungkook draws in a deep breath, barely holding back tears, his voice trembling.

“I tried to explain everything, but he wouldn’t listen. He humiliated me in front of everyone when he fired me—and told security to throw me out of the building.”

“It’s not your fault, hyung.” Rage boils inside Junghyeong, but he forces himself to stay calm for his brother’s sake. “What they did to you was unforgivable—and they can’t just walk away from it. Taehyung, all of them, your boss… they destroyed your life.”

“I should’ve known better, but I let myself get too involved. Kim Taehyung is to blame, but he was only doing what they told him—because they threatened him, and he was scared. In the end, he confessed everything, and that’s what cleared my name.”

“You deserve so much more than just being his errand boy, hyung.” Junghyeong’s voice trembles with quiet anger and genuine sympathy. “You’ve always been worth more. You just stopped believing it.”

“I’m sorry I kept all this from you for so long. I should’ve told you and Mom sooner… I just couldn’t.”

“And your former boss didn’t even try to apologize after the truth came out?”

“We haven’t spoken since. I heard he’s having family problems. His father had kept a huge secret from him and his brother—that before marrying their mother, he’d been with another woman, and that his older brother turned out to be her son. I suppose, with everything going on, clearing things up with me wasn’t exactly his top priority.”

“That man treated you cruelly and heartlessly. He doesn’t deserve your regret—or your forgiveness,” Junghyeong says firmly, then quickly reins himself in, remembering how much this conversation is hurting his hyung. “You deserve someone who’ll value and respect you. Someone so much better than that arrogant bastard. He used you, humiliated you, and walked all over you. The sooner you forget about him, the better.”

“Everything that happened between me and him is in the past,” Jungkook says, wiping his eyes. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Junghyeong stares out the window, watching the grey waves crash loudly against the sand. The weather has suddenly turned cold, and a strong wind has picked up.

A few minutes later, once Jungkook has pulled himself together after the emotional storm, he remembers something he’s been meaning to talk to his brother about for a while.

“I wanted to ask you something, Junghyeong.”

“Of course, hyung.”

“Do you know any place where I could find a job? I can help out in the kitchen or do some warehouse work. I don’t mind physical labor—as long as I can be useful somehow. Maybe one of your friends or coworkers knows of something?”

Junghyeong flushes with embarrassment. How had he not thought about the fact that Jungkook might be struggling financially after losing his job?

“The kitchen’s full for now. Mr. Ri would rather drop dead than give up his station to anyone.” Junghyeong rubs his chin thoughtfully, a smile playing at his lips at the thought of his assistant.
“I’ll lend you some money! How much do you need?”

“What? No way!” Jungkook protests quickly. “I’d never burden you like that!”

“It’s really no burden at all,” Junghyeong replies. “Our little business is finally doing well.”

“I can’t accept that,” Jungkook cuts in. “It would feel like losing my dignity.”

Suddenly, an idea sparks in Junghyeong’s mind. “Do you have a lifeguard certification?”

Jungkook arches an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah, I got it back in high school when I wanted to work as a pool lifeguard.”

“When you mentioned my friends or coworkers, it reminded me of someone who once said they were looking for a beach lifeguard. Of course, it’s nothing like the office work you’re used to, but I thought… maybe it might interest you.”

“Oh, I’d love that — I’m up for anything!” Jungkook’s eyes light up with excitement.

“Great. I’ll get in touch with Sombun and check if they’re still looking.”

Jungkook grips his brother’s hand with gratitude, meeting his eyes with an open, sincere gaze.

“Thank you so much — for listening, and for not judging me.”

Junghyeong turns away awkwardly, not wanting Jungkook to see him wiping away a tear.

“No need to thank me, hyung. I really hope you get this job. We’re honestly just glad you came back.”

***

Jungkook wakes at dawn, anxious about the upcoming interview. For the first time since returning to Busan, a fragile hope appears inside him.

The night before, Junghyeong had confirmed that the beach lifeguard position was still available and asked Jungkook to come to the restaurant by opening time, where his friend would show up to take him to the interview.

Jungkook spends a long time debating what to wear. He finally settles on dark trousers and a white shirt that subtly highlights his well-trained body. He ties his wavy hair into a neat bun at the back of his head, completing the look with a sporty shoulder bag.

Mrs. So Yeon has been up for a while. She’s waiting for her boy with breakfast ready, hoping to bring him a little comfort.

After coming back from Junghyeong’s, Jungkook talked to her about everything he went through in Seoul. He didn’t go into the specifics of his relationship with Seokjin, but he did admit that the press had printed lies about his former boss. And he confessed that he had fallen in love with a man—finally opening up about his sexuality.

But Mrs. So Yeon doesn’t look surprised.

“I’ve always known,” she admits.

“You’ve known? How?” Jungkook asks in disbelief.

Mrs. So Yeon just shrugs.

“Maybe mothers just have their ways,” she says, gently stroking her son’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter if the one you love is a man or a woman. As long as you’re loved and happy with them, that’s all that matters.”

Over breakfast, they talk about the upcoming interview. Mrs. So Yeon is simply happy that Jungkook is opening up to her again, speaking openly about his worries. She reassures him that he’ll do the best he can—and that no matter the outcome, she’ll always be proud of him.

Encouraged by his mother’s words, Jungkook sets off for Junghyeong’s restaurant.

His brother is waiting for him in the company of a good-looking stranger. As soon as they see Jungkook, both men rise from their seats to greet him.

“Hyung, this is my friend Sombun Sudham,” Junghyeong says, introducing them. “Sombun, this is my older brother, Jeon Jungkook.”

Sombun bows, pressing his palms together at chest level.

“It’s nice to meet you. How have you been?” Jungkook replies to the younger man’s polite greeting.

“Hello, Jungkook-nim. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sombun,” the young man replies with quiet courtesy, clearly mindful of Jungkook’s seniority. A slight accent gives away his foreign roots, but it adds a unique charm to his speech. There’s something instantly captivating about his warm smile and deep black eyes. His shirt, buttoned only up to the third button, offers a glimpse of his broad, tanned chest. “Your brother told me you’d be a perfect fit for the beach lifeguard position. My friend Jae-wook is in charge of safety coordination and is looking for someone just like you. He’s ready to meet you today.”

Jungkook smiles, even as the nerves twist tighter inside him. “Great. Let’s go, then. I’m ready.”

The walk to the coordinator’s office takes fifteen minutes. Along the way, Jungkook learns that his new acquaintance is originally from Thailand, moved to Busan four years ago, and now works as a diving instructor at the beach — which is how he met Junghyeong.

Sombun turns out to be easy to talk to. He listens attentively, answers all of Jungkook’s questions, and keeps a warm smile on his face the whole time.

Lee Jae-wook, Jungkook’s potential employer, is a man in his mid-forties. His toned build and upright posture hint at a past in the navy. He speaks to Jungkook almost as an equal, skipping formalities and asking about his previous work experience. He explains the responsibilities of a lifeguard and checks what kind of conditions Jungkook would be comfortable with.

Sombun’s presence during the interview has a strangely calming effect, and the encouraging words Jungkook’s mother said that morning help him feel more confident.

“We still have three more interviews scheduled for today,” Jae-wook says frankly at the end, “but I’m almost certain you’re the right fit for us. If you're selected for the next round, you'll be required to undergo a physical fitness assessment. The demands are quite different from your previous office background, so I strongly recommend focusing on your physical conditioning. That said, I don’t think it’ll be much of a challenge for you—looks like you’ve kept yourself in good shape, even with a desk job.”

After they say their goodbyes, Sombun walks Jungkook out. They head down to the beach parking lot together, where Sombun’s motorcycle is parked.

Jungkook stares at it in open awe. He’s always been fascinated by motorcycles but never got the chance to ride one.

“I can help you get ready for the test. There’s a workout zone right on the beach — it’s got everything you need,” Sombun says with a smile, fastening his helmet. Then, with effortless ease, he swings his leg over the seat and slips the key into the ignition.
“I run group training sessions four times a week. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join.”

“Thanks for everything,” Jungkook says sincerely, genuinely happy about the new acquaintance.

“Anytime,” Sombun replies, starting the engine. “See you around.”

Jungkook stands still, watching him disappear into the distance, deep in thought. It feels like he might have found a new friend.

***

With the return of his dance career, Jimin’s life has taken a dramatic turn over the past month. From the very first class, he was chosen as the leader of his dance group.

Being surrounded by interesting and talented people who share his passion inspires him and sparks a renewed sense of life. Jimin is overflowing with energy, even though he barely has any free time.

He’s taken time off work just to properly prepare for the upcoming dance competition.

Many of the worries that once haunted him now seem almost ridiculous. The only thing time hasn’t managed to heal is the ache he still feels for Jung Hoseok. There’s a lingering sense of unfairness about that loss.

It’s nothing like the pain he experienced after being abandoned by Kim Namjoon. He’s cried enough tears to learn how to let go of those who, for one reason or another, choose to walk away from his life.

When he said goodbye to Jungkook at the train station, Jimin made a solemn promise to try to be happy—and he’s doing everything he can to keep that promise. After all, life isn’t endless. Now, having found his way back to doing what he truly loves, he no longer feels quite so lonely.

His relationship with Kim Seokjin has taken an interesting turn. Since the honest conversation they shared—when Jimin stepped in to help Seokjin avoid yet another scandal—a quiet yet distinct bond has begun to grow between them.

To this day, Jimin doesn’t fully understand what compelled him to reach out to someone he had always thought so poorly of, someone he once saw as nothing but a terrible person. Undoubtedly, he did it for Jungkook—because Seokjin had been someone truly special to his best friend.

But after getting to know him personally, Jimin has to admit they have a lot in common. Seokjin revealed a side of himself Jimin hadn’t expected, and now he understands that Jungkook was right: Seokjin isn’t as cold as he tries to seem. He’s not the arrogant, self-important jerk Jimin once believed him to be. Choosing not to leave him in trouble that fateful night, Jimin has never once regretted his decision.

Jimin still can’t forgive Seokjin for the way he treated Jungkook—not believing him, and turning his back on him when he was at his lowest. But now, little by little, he’s beginning to see things from Seokjin’s perspective.

Lately, a trace of humor has started to slip into their occasional exchanges over messenger. Seokjin remains reserved and sparing with words, but now and then, he lets his guard down—and his true self shows through: a vulnerable man, full of insecurities and self-doubt.

They run into each other by chance at a café near Kim Enterprise, where Jimin stops in before practice. He takes a seat at a table by the window.

Seokjin spots him instantly as he’s passing by. Jimin sits alone, staring blankly out the window, his tired gaze quietly following the passersby.

When their eyes meet, Jimin offers a restrained wave and a small smile. He’s still a little wary in Seokjin’s presence, but the old hostility he once felt toward the former vice president is gone.

“Hey. Thought I’d return the favor for that coffee you made me last time,” Seokjin says, setting a steaming cup down in front of him.

“Funny how we keep running into each other. Thank you, though — you didn’t have to,” Jimin replies gratefully.

“I’m no longer a vice president, and I’m not your boss,” Seokjin cuts in, taking a seat across from him. “There’s no need to talk so formally. I’m just a regular person now — an acquaintance of yours.”

Jimin’s lips curl into a faint smirk.

“Now that we’re speaking casually, I suppose that calls for a little celebration.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I think… it’s the right thing to do. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’ve always been unfair to you, even though you were never my enemy, never acted against me.”

“I’m glad you finally see that,” Jimin says softly, looking at Seokjin with newfound trust. “Don’t worry about it anymore. I wasn’t exactly an angel either. I snapped at you too, even when I shouldn’t have. You’re older, and you’re my sunbae. I still can’t believe you didn’t fire me back then… and here we are, just sitting like this, speaking so casually.”

Sparkles of amusement glow in Seokjin’s eyes.

“Oh, you’ve no idea how much I wanted to fire you! Thank Jungkook for stopping me,” Seokjin says with a short laugh — then falls silent, his smile fading just as quickly as it came.

He doesn’t need to say anything else — Jimin understands everything.

Swallowing hard, Seokjin offers, “How about a fresh start? Would that be okay with you?”

“I’d really like that,” Jimin says softly.

Not too long ago, they genuinely couldn’t stand each other. But now, there’s nothing left but a quiet sense of peace and ease in the way they spend time together. The intense dislike has shifted into mutual understanding, and the fragile connection forming between them only continues to grow. They may not be best friends just yet, but they’ve come to feel comfortable around one another.

“I’d better get going,” Jimin says, glancing at the time. “Practice starts in twenty minutes.”

“Have a good one.”

Jimin gets up from the table and grabs his bag. Then he turns back, hesitating for just a moment.

Making up his mind, he reaches into the side pocket of his backpack and pulls out a glossy envelope.
“It’s an invitation to my competition. I got two — one’s with Minji, and I didn’t really have anyone else to give the second to. Since we’ve started talking more casually… I thought maybe you’d want to come and cheer me on.”

Seokjin takes it carefully, flipping it over in his hands, lost in thought. Then he gently slips it into the inner pocket of his jacket.

“If you don’t come, I’ll understand,” the younger man adds quickly.

“I’ll do what I can,” Seokjin promises.

He’s starting to understand why Jungkook saw a true friend in this guy.

***

The competition is approaching with relentless speed, and each day, Jimin grows more anxious. He’s taking it seriously and training as hard as he can, afraid of letting his team down.

He needs support now more than ever. If only Jungkook would read his message and find a moment for a video call. Jimin has so much he wants to share with his bestie.

At first, he believed it was in Jungkook’s best interest not to bring up the incident with Seokjin—and to keep them as far away from each other as possible. Jungkook needs time to heal from the past, to focus on his new life, and to build a healthy relationship with someone who truly deserves him more than Seokjin ever did. He doesn’t need to relive all that pain.

But after getting to know the real Seokjin, Jimin isn’t so sure anymore. He sees now that Seokjin genuinely regrets everything—and that he’s still hurting. And maybe, just maybe, Jungkook deserves to know that too.

Jimin takes second place in the competition with his dance team.

Seokjin never showed up to support him, and Jimin finds himself almost disappointed. But as he heads backstage, Minji — visibly thrilled and beaming with pride — catches up to him and hands him a note.

Someone had arrived late with Jimin’s invitation and didn’t make it in time for the start of the competition, but they’re now waiting for him in the auditorium. They asked Minji to pass along a message — a handwritten note from Seokjin.

Perplexed, Jimin unfolds the note, instantly recognizing the handwriting of the former vice president of Kim Enterprise.

Dear Jimin,

Thank you for inviting me to your dance competition. It means a great deal to me that you thought to include me in something so important to you. I’m sure you gave it your all, and whatever the outcome, you have every reason to be proud. But something very urgent came up — something I absolutely couldn’t postpone — and I wasn’t able to be there to cheer you on. But I gave my invitation to someone who can congratulate you far better than I ever could.

Jimin frowns, setting the note aside, and steps out of the dressing room. With every step toward the auditorium, his heartbeat grows louder in his chest.

And there, in the hallway connecting backstage to the audience, stands an overwhelmed Jung Hoseok — clutching an enormous bouquet of roses with trembling fingers.

***

Seojeong Beach stretches out like a golden carpet, unfurling for miles along the shore. Waves crash against the coast with a thunderous roar, glinting under the sunlight in a dazzling play of color. A gentle sea breeze carries the faint scent of salt, brushing coolly against the cheeks — a reminder of the ocean’s endless majesty.

Jungkook adjusts the strap of his backpack with clammy hands, getting ready to start his first day working on the beach. His fingers twitch slightly as he struggles to calm the restless flutter in his chest.

Two weeks of intense training paid off — he passed the physical exam with solid results. Still, it’s hard to shake the nerves, even though this new calling gives him something he’s been longing for: a reason to feel needed.

The beach is crowded with both tourists and locals — some swimming and sunbathing, others playing beach volleyball or enjoying a picnic. Jungkook keeps a close watch on the windsurfers and those in the water, never letting his guard down for a second.

Being a lifeguard means carrying a great deal of responsibility; he’s the one people rely on in any unexpected situation. But with each passing minute, his confidence grows, and the job begins to feel more natural. He chats easily with beachgoers who come to him for advice — after all, he grew up in these parts and knows the area inside and out.

Now, as his workday draws to a close, the sun glides smoothly toward the horizon, casting warm rays and painting the sky in soft shades of pink and orange.

After making sure there are no swimmers left in the ocean, Jungkook begins to close out his shift — methodically collecting lounge chairs and umbrellas, and checking the rescue equipment.

Having waved goodbye to his students, Sombun locks up the dive equipment store and slowly walks over to Jungkook. He’s been attentive to him all day—checking in between dives, offering help whenever he could—and Jungkook is genuinely grateful. After the job interview, it was Sombun who offered to help him train for the professional certification exam.

For several days now, Sombun has been trying to work up the courage to ask Jungkook out to dinner. But each time, the fear of rejection holds him back.

With his hands buried deep in the pockets of his shorts, he stands there nervously, biting his lips as he watches the soft rays of sunlight glide across Jungkook’s beautiful face while he casually gathers the rescue equipment. Sombun can’t help himself—suddenly, he feels flustered, like a teenager.

Finally, Jungkook looks up and spots him, offering a warm smile. “Hey, Sombun.”

“Hi. How was your first day?” Sombun asks, attempting a casual, relaxed tone—trying to regain his cool, though he can’t help being distracted by the way Jungkook’s damp hair slides back from his face.

“It was fine. A bit tiring, but I hope tomorrow will be better,” Jungkook exhales. He looks content, brushing his hair from his forehead — visibly more at ease than he was earlier in the day.

"You did so well today," Sombun says sincerely, filling his lungs with air as he steadies himself, mustering the courage to say what’s next.
"We should celebrate. You passed the test, got your job. Would you like to have dinner with me? There’s a great place nearby — I think you might like it."

Jungkook hesitates for a moment, a little unsettled by the way Sombun’s gaze lingers on him. But eventually, he nods.

“Yeah, sure. Let’s do it. I’m starving.”

Sombun is polite and friendly with everyone, but Jungkook can’t shake the strange feeling that there’s something different in the way he treats him — something more attentive, more personal.

The restaurant is nestled on a cliff, just a ten-minute walk from the beach. A waiter greets them with a polite smile and leads them to a table with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

“Wow, this place is gorgeous! Have you been here before?” Jungkook asks, his eyes wide with awe as he takes in the vast view of the sea stretching out below.

“A few times. They’ve got the best seafood in town,” Sombun replies, doing his best to ignore how his palms are suddenly sweating just from looking at Jungkook.

“It really is amazing here,” Jungkook says with a smile, finally lowering his gaze to the menu.

While they wait for their food, Sombun makes an effort to spark a casual conversation, genuinely curious to get to know his striking companion a little better. His knees feel weirdly weak under the table, and he knows he’s babbling every time he meets Jungkook’s eyes — too big, too expressive to handle.

“So… what made you want to be a lifeguard? Like… was it something you always wanted to do, or did it just kind of… happen?”

For a heartbeat, Jungkook grows quiet, his gaze drifting out toward the horizon.

“Not exactly. I’ve always loved the water, and I guess… I just wanted to do something that matters, you know? Helping people—it makes me feel like I’m worth something.”

“That’s admirable,” Sombun nods, a touch too eagerly. His admiration for Jungkook’s quiet nobility and selflessness grows with every passing second.
“Not everyone’s willing to take on that kind of responsibility.”

Jungkook doesn’t answer. He just gives a slight shrug — like he’s brushing off the praise, unsure how to take it.

Their food arrives. Just as Sombun had promised, it’s insanely good. Both of them are in good spirits, enjoying the comfort of the place and the calm that settles around them.

“How is it?” Sombun asks, watching Jungkook eat — hungry, focused, clearly enjoying every bite.

“It’s good. Why aren’t you eating?” Jungkook glances up at him.

“Just thinking about something,” Sombun replies, casting an awkward glance away.

Jungkook studies him for a moment, a questioning look in his eyes. Suddenly — and for no clear reason — he feels a stir of nervousness.

“Just… that you’re interesting to talk to,” Sombun blurts out before he can stop himself.

“Oh. Okay,” Jungkook mumbles, caught a little off guard, still unsure where this is going.
“You’re interesting too. You’re a great person, and I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”

Encouraged by those words, Sombun takes the plunge.

“You know… you’re really beautiful.” A blush creeps into his cheeks, and he quickly looks away.

Jungkook’s eyes widen in surprise. He nearly chokes on his water, completely unprepared for the compliment.
“Uh… thanks, Sombun. You’re… not bad either.”

Sombun immediately senses the shift. The genuine confusion on Jungkook’s face douses his enthusiasm in an instant. It’s painfully clear that Jungkook doesn’t feel the same — and now they’re stuck in a heavy, awkward silence.

Suppressing panic rising in his chest, Sombun adds quickly. “Then maybe we should open a modeling agency! Seojeong’s Lifeguard & Diver. We’d be a total hit!”

Jungkook breaks into a dazzling smile and bursts out laughing.

Sombun laughs too — and just like that, the tension lifts. A hint of bitterness creeps in as he realizes how close he came to messing things up. He wants Jungkook to like him — badly — but maybe that kind of thing just takes time. And if it does… then for someone like Jungkook, he’s willing to wait.

“Maybe we should,” Jungkook giggles, a mischievous spark in his eyes. He’s a little embarrassed for misreading Sombun’s intentions at first, but mostly relieved the conversation didn’t take the turn he’d feared.

Time slips by far too quickly. Sombun savors every minute spent in the company of this beautiful guy. But after his earlier misstep, he’s careful not to seem too forward or overstay the time Jungkook has freely given him. So he suggests getting the bill and calling it a night.

As they step outside, with that same teasing smile still on his face, he turns to Jungkook.

“Want a ride home? My bike’s just around the corner. You’ll enjoy it.”

Jungkook narrows his eyes, raising a brow in mock suspicion.

“Oh yeah? And why are you so sure I’ll enjoy it?”

“You should’ve seen yourself checking out my bike the day of your interview. Pretty sure it left an impression.”

Jungkook can’t hold back his laughter.
“You got me. I’ve always wanted to try, just never had the chance.”

That smile makes Sombun’s heart skip a beat. In that moment, all he wants is to be the reason for Jungkook’s happiness—again and again.

Jungkook’s excitement builds with each step as they near the motorcycle, its frame softly illuminated beneath a nearby streetlamp.

Sombun hands him the helmet. “You’re driving.”

Jungkook turns it over in his hands, feeling the weight of it. He hesitates. “I’ve never driven one before. Always wanted to learn, though. Maybe this is the right moment, huh?”

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll teach you,” Sombun says, his voice low and reassuring.

Jungkook climbs onto the motorcycle, fastening the helmet with eager hands, then grips the handlebars tightly.

“Ready?” Sombun asks as he settles in behind him, arms coming around on both sides to steady him.

“Can’t believe I’m actually doing this!” Jungkook says, a wild mix of excitement and thrill rushing through him—unlike anything he’s ever felt before.

Sombun’s eyes linger on him for a beat, nerves coiling in his chest. Because it’s Jungkook. Right here, with him. And he wants to make it work between them—maybe someday.

“You’ve got this,” he says gently. “Put your feet on the pegs and turn the key.”

Jungkook does as told, the engine rumbling to life beneath them.
“What if I mess it up?” he asks, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“You won’t,” Sombun replies, pressing his chest lightly to Jungkook’s back, his heart pounding from how close they are. He guides Jungkook’s hand to the clutch, his lips close to his ear. “Just trust me. Ease off the clutch… then give it a little gas.”

The motorcycle begins to move, then picks up speed.

A few minutes later, they’re racing through the deserted streets on the outskirts of Busan, full throttle. Jungkook’s smile stretches wide as he lifts his face to the wind, overwhelmed by a rush of freedom and euphoria unlike anything he’s known. His eyes sparkle with sheer delight.

Sombun is torn between joy and longing. Sitting behind Jungkook, arms wrapped around him, breathing in his scent, feeling the soft tickle of his hair against his face—it all feels too good to be real. He absorbs their closeness with every inch of his body, already imagining what it’ll be like to put the helmet back on when it still carries the scent of Jungkook’s hair.

This moment feels so perfect, Sombun wishes it could last forever.

Ten minutes later, they reach the coastline. The rumble of the motorcycle fades into the quiet of the night. The Jeon family house is just nearby—a single light still glows in Hajoon’s room.

Jungkook gets off the bike, unfastens the helmet, and hands it back to its owner.
“Wow, this was amazing,” he says, his wide eyes shining brighter than the stars. “Thank you for tonight. I really needed it.”

“I’m happy you enjoyed it,” Sombun replies softly. “I had a great time with you too.”

Jungkook’s face is lit by the warm glow of the porch light outside his mother’s house. Sombun can’t stop looking at him—can’t get enough. Can’t help imagining what it might feel like to lean in, just a little, and press his lips to those soft, inviting ones.

His chest tightens with everything he wants to say but keeps inside. So instead, he stays silent, holding on to the beauty of this quiet moment—just the two of them, alone beneath the stars.

Noticing the shadow of confusion on Jungkook’s face, Sombun knows he has to accept what’s been offered—for now. Jungkook is just his friend—his kind, beautiful friend—and he’ll wait. Patiently. Until the moment is right.

Clearing his throat, Sombun fumbles for the right words.

“So… I’ll see you at the beach tomorrow?”

“Yeah, of course. Good night, Sombun. And thanks again for everything.”

Jungkook smiles, gives a small wave, and pulls his house keys from his pocket.

“Any time. Thank you too, Jungkook. Good night.”

As he watches him disappear inside, a quiet ache settles in Sombun’s chest. Still, he clings to the hope that maybe—someday—he’ll be someone who brings a little more joy into Jungkook’s life.

***

A week passes, but Sombun’s desire to be with Jungkook doesn’t fade in the slightest. He watches with quiet frustration as two girls—pretending to be lost tourists—cling to the handsome lifeguard for what’s been at least half an hour, bombarding him with endless questions.

He knows he has no right to be jealous. Jungkook isn’t his. But the heart wants what it wants—and logic has no say.

Sombun steps in, politely offering the girls a suggestion, hoping to redirect them elsewhere—but they pointedly ignore him, holding tighter to Jungkook’s attention and launching into another round of questions.

With a small shrug, he meets Jungkook’s eyes, a quiet apology in his expression for not being able to rescue him. But Jungkook stays nonchalant, calmly explaining the way to the panoramic train, like he’s got all the time in the world.

The truth is, he looks outrageously sexy today — no wonder people keep finding excuses to talk to him. The salty sea breeze plays with his damp hair, and his soaked shirt clings to his skin, revealing the firm lines of his chest and the definition of his sculpted abs. His shorts, cut mid-thigh, show off his lean, athletic legs.

He’s quite a sight to take in, and Sombun feels heat pooling low in his stomach. He’s losing his mind — desperately craving, yet unable to kiss this maddeningly beautiful man.

He needs to find the courage to tell Jungkook how he feels. And soon.

Suddenly, Hajoon appears on the beach — breathless and racing straight toward his older brother. Jungkook’s face tightens with concern, and he breaks into a sprint to meet him.

“Hyung,” the boy pants, trying to catch his breath, “I tried calling you, but then I remembered—you never check your phone while you’re working.”

“What happened, Hajoon?” Jungkook asks, visibly alarmed.

“There’s some guy. He says he came from Seoul and he’s looking for you. Really handsome—like an idol.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen, a sharp breath catching in his throat. No… it can’t be. But what if it is?

“Keep an eye on things here, please,” he says to Sombun, his voice rough with urgency. “I’ll be right back.”

He takes off before Sombun can respond. His pulse hammers in his temples, teeth clenching as a shiver courses through him. His heart feels like it might burst from the sudden spark of hope igniting in his chest.

His legs carry him home on instinct, faster than thought. He doesn’t even register how he ends up on his street, in front of his mother’s house. The familiar scent of the ocean offers no comfort this time. The distant crash of waves mirrors the storm of emotion tearing him apart from the inside.

Seokjin’s figure materializes as if conjured by thought—and in that instant, nothing else matters. The world goes still. Silent. They stand face to face for the first time in what feels like a lifetime. Looking into Seokjin’s eyes—so full of despair and raw regret—the eyes of the man who means more to him than anyone else in the world, Jungkook feels his chest tighten, a rush of emotion so intense it knocks the air from his lungs.

He’s really here. Seokjin came all this way to find him.

Chapter Text

After getting his ticket to the dance competition from Park Jimin, who admitted he had no one else to invite to cheer him on, Seokjin decides to pay a visit to Jung Hoseok.

He and Hobi had parted ways rather abruptly when the latter broke off his partnership with “Kim Enterprise.” Upon learning the circumstances behind Jimin’s breakup, Seokjin can’t blame Hobi. Quitting the job just to avoid someone who had caused him so much pain is understandable.

Hoseok is genuinely startled to see his former boss on the intercom screen. Wearing simple jeans and a sports jacket, Seokjin gives off a very different impression from the impeccably dressed vice president of a massive international company.

“Mr. Kim? What a surprise! What brought you here?”

"Hi, Hoseok." Seokjin gives him a warm smile. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Yeah… it really has.”

“How’ve you been?”

"I'm doing okay, thank you."

They stand there for a bit, neither of them saying anything. Then Seokjin nods, deciding where to start.

"Honestly... I haven’t been doing so great. I keep thinking about how everything turned out. You left so suddenly, and we never really had the chance to talk things through."

Wordlessly, Hoseok gives a guilty nod and steps aside to let him in. He really should have explained himself to his boss when he decided to leave Kim Enterprise.  But the truth had felt too humiliating to say aloud, and he had never been good at lying.

The living room is small but inviting, with a kitchen nook tucked into the corner. Seokjin steps inside, and Hoseok quietly gestures to an armchair by the coffee table.

"Would you like some coffee or tea?"

"I’d love some tea, if it’s not too much trouble."

While Hoseok moves around the kitchen, pouring the tea, Seokjin’s eyes drift over the room. The furniture is simple, the floor tiled, the air conditioner humming at full blast. In the corner, on a small side table, sits a framed photo from the last interdepartmental sports competition at Kim Enterprise. Several staff from the advertising team and Yoongi’s department smile brightly at the camera. Jungkook is proudly holding up the gold medal he won for first place. Next to him stands Park Jimin, one arm wrapped around Jungkook’s waist, grinning just as joyfully. Seokjin’s mind races back to that day. He can’t even pinpoint the exact moment he started falling so hard for Jungkook —  but he remembers this clearly: it was the first time he ever truly felt real jealousy.

Blinking himself out of a daze, Seokjin turns his attention back to Hoseok, silently accepting the cup from his hands. The ceramic holds the pleasant warmth of the tea, soothing his chilled fingers, and the floral aroma brings a quiet sense of calm.

Hoseok watches him closely, eyes wide with quiet surprise.

“Thanks,” Seokjin lets out a quiet breath. “So, what have you been up to?”

"I joined a modeling agency two weeks ago," Hoseok says. "For now, I’m getting individual gigs, but my agent says there might be a chance for something more permanent."

 "Well, I’m really glad to hear that," Seokjin replies. "It’s good you’ve found a worthy use for your talents."

Hoseok clears his throat awkwardly before addressing his former boss:

“Mr. Kim, I’m sorry I just left like that, without really explaining myself,” Hoseok says. “I wasn’t in the best place back then, so… please don’t take it personally.”

“There’s no need to explain. I’ve learned about what happened between you and Jimin — and I understand,” Seokjin says, interrupting him, catching Hoseok completely off guard. “You probably know Park Jimin better than anyone else. I was hoping we could talk about him."

Hoseok tenses up as the memory of Jimin’s complicated dynamic with Seokjin surfaces in his mind. Jimin still means a lot to him, and the last thing he wants is for him to get into any sort of trouble.

“What exactly do you want to know? I haven’t spoken to him in a long time,” he says, stirring his tea.

Seokjin gives a small nod, sensing concern behind Hoseok’s words.

"Everything I thought about him changed because of one incident," Seokjin goes on calmly, watching the surprise spread across his former employee’s face. "One night, I had too much to drink and almost got myself into trouble. By some twist of luck, Jimin was at the same bar that night. He spared me from a scandal, even though he could’ve easily turned his back and just walked away. What he did was brave and noble — and I truly regret having treated him so unfairly."

Hoseok’s expression softens, but his eyes are clouded with sadness. It’s clear that thinking about Jimin still hurts.

“Among other things, Jimin didn’t know my address, and I completely blacked out in the taxi. So he brought me to his place. The next morning, we talked. He told me what had happened between you two — and swore there had never been anything between him and Jungkook.”

Hoseok freezes in surprise.

“Oh—so you thought Jungkook and Jimin were…?”

“For a long time, I did,” Seokjin replies. “But it seems I was wrong.”

“I had my suspicions too, at first. But that’s not the case. They really are close friends. Jimin is interested in someone else.”

“Kim Namjoon…” Seokjin finishes for him, shaking his head in disbelief. “I still can’t believe he dates men!”

“He and Jimin had a thing,” Hoseok says with a grimace, “and from the looks of it, it’s still not exactly over.”

Sensing how much it still hurts Hoseok, Seokjin chooses not to steer the conversation in that direction. But he feels it’s important that Hoseok knows Jimin isn’t thinking about anyone else. Only him.

“Hobi,” he says quietly, searching his eyes, “I’ve talked to Jimin a lot. A lot of things between us have cleared up and finally fell into place. It might sound strange coming from me, but I know now that Jimin’s a good person. And he genuinely regrets what he did. As far as I can tell, based on our conversations, there’s nothing going on between him and Kim Namjoon—they don’t even talk anymore.”

“Wait — you talked to him about this?” Hoseok asks, stunned.

“I know it might sound strange,” Seokjin says with a faint smile, “but Jimin and I actually found we had a lot in common. We made peace. He even invited me to the dance competition.”

As he says this, Seokjin slips a shiny envelope out of the pocket of his track jacket.

“He’s gotten really into dancing lately,” Hoseok says, blushing.

He still follows his ex on Instagram and keeps up with what’s going on in his life.

“I know better than anyone how hard it is to forgive — and to trust someone again. But everyone deserves a second chance. I know for a fact that Jimin’s no longer involved with Namjoon. And he really misses you.” Seokjin says quietly.

“I still think about him,” Hoseok admits with a sigh, “but I’m not sure I can forgive him.”

“Your situation is very different from mine. But right now, I’d give anything to turn back time and give Jungkook a chance. Everyone around me kept saying that he had stolen our database and was leaking company information to the competition. Deep down, I always felt it wasn’t true, but I didn’t let myself trust my instincts – and look where I am now! I’ve lost him forever.”

His former boss's sudden honesty unsettles Hoseok visibly. Their relationship had always walked the line between friendship and professionalism, but apparently Seokjin no longer cares about the boundary that once defined them.

“What happened between you two?” Hoseok finally dares to ask.

“After Jungkook was cleared of the charges, I never got the chance to talk things through with him. He left for Busan, and we lost touch.”

“Do you regret it? Would you have wanted to talk to him?”

“It’s all I can think about every day." He didn’t deserve the way I treated him.”

“That must be hard. I saw how much he liked you.”

“Really? You think he had feelings for me?”

Hoseok pauses. There’s no point denying what’s obvious.

“Yeah. I think it was really serious for him.”

Seokjin lets out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes in exhaustion. He’s been such an idiot.

“He deleted his Instagram profile. His old number is not available anymore. And I …I’d give anything just to hear his voice again.”

“Mr. Kim,” Hoseok says, carefully meeting his eyes. “Please don’t take this the wrong way — I know it’s not really my place to give you advice. But still… I think you should try to find him.”

“But I don’t know how!” Seokjin bursts out, no longer able to hold back his emotions, and slams his palm against the table. “I’ve been trying for two months. Yoongi found out that the house in Busan where he used to live was sold two years ago. We don’t know where his family moved after that.”

Hoseok looks taken aback, his brow furrowing.

“Wait, I think…” He suddenly gets up and heads to the cabinet, pulling open one drawer, then another, rummaging through them for a few seconds. “I have this feeling Jungkook gave me his family’s new address in Busan when he invited me over for Chuseok.”

Seokjin watches him with bated breath, hardly daring to believe it’s possible. How had he not thought of asking Hobi for help before?

The young man pulls out a small leather-bound notebook.

“If I’m not mistaken, this must be Jungkook’s mother’s new address,” he says, handing Seokjin a slip of paper.

“No way…” Seokjin nearly snatches it from his hands, as if afraid it might vanish if he delays. He immediately types the address into Naver Maps.

Hoseok watches him with keen interest. Seokjin had said that everyone deserves a second chance at love — and something tells him his former boss will be rushing to Busan that very night.

“Thank you. Really.” In a split second, Seokjin is already at the door. “And by the way — it’s still your decision. Think about it,” he adds, gesturing toward Jimin’s invitation left on Hoseok’s coffee table.

Hoseok absentmindedly turns the slip of paper over in his hands, studying the printed address. What if Seokjin is right — and everyone really deserves a second chance at love?

***

Seokjin books a ticket on the high-speed train to Busan without a second thought. He can’t afford to waste even a minute. What if he’s already too late? What if Jungkook no longer needs his apology? It’s entirely possible this is doomed to fail — that the distance between him and his former subordinate is simply too great to bridge. But even if Jungkook never forgives him, Seokjin knows he has to at least try — just once — to look into the eyes he loves more than anything in the world and find the right words. He owes it to himself — and to Jungkook. Whatever the outcome, he has nothing left to lose. Inside, he’s already dead without that man.

The seaside city glows under the afternoon sun. The yearning to see the one he loves pulls at him from the inside — his head spins, his heart pounds, and his palms won’t stop sweating. As he approaches the longed-for house — slowly, as if walking on sacred ground — Seokjin feels his helplessness and self-doubt deepen with every step. The weight of guilt presses down on him, and the situation feels utterly hopeless.

As he steps onto the porch, his heart is pounding in his chest. The doorbell rings out like the crack of ice beneath his feet — as if he's standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall. The air is heavy with tension, and he can barely keep the surge of emotion inside him.

A young man, bearing a striking resemblance to Jungkook, opens the door. It doesn’t take much to recognize him as the younger brother Jungkook once mentioned on a date — the one he pointed out in a photo of his family.

Seokjin gives a friendly smile.

“Hi. Does Jeon Jungkook live here?”

“Yeah, this is his house,” the boy replies, studying Seokjin with obvious curiosity.

“Is he home? I’d like to talk to him,” Seokjin manages.

“He’s at work,” the boy replies. “Is it something urgent? I can pass along your message when he gets back, if you want.”

Seokjin frowns in disappointment.

“Damn, that’s a shame. I came all the way from Seoul, and I really need to speak with him in person.”

“I’ll call him.”

Before Seokjin can say a word, the boy is already dialing his older brother’s number — but Jungkook doesn’t pick up. He snatches a pair of sneakers by the door and pulls them on in one quick move.

“Hang on a second, I’ll go check where he is.”

And with that, Hajoon takes off down the street, leaving a bewildered Seokjin alone on the sidewalk.

The cozy atmosphere of Sejong Beach, with all its serenity, feels like mockery beside the turmoil inside Seokjin. A light sea breeze cools his flushed face, but with each passing second, the anticipation of the long-awaited meeting grows stronger — sending a tremor through his chest and pushing his whole being to the edge. He feels it with desperation — Jungkook is somewhere nearby.

The moment Jungkook appears at the far end of the street, Seokjin begins to tremble. He wants to run to him, to close the distance in an instant — but his legs feel chained to the ground. Fear floods over him, leaving him frozen, unable to move a single muscle.

His breathtaking Jungkook — the most stunning, beautiful man in the whole world — is finally here, standing before him, gazing at Seokjin with those enormous, dark eyes, deep and still, like shadowed water — as if afraid he might vanish at any moment, like a vision. Every flicker of pain in those bottomless oceans — once reflecting every star in the galaxy — ricochets straight through Seokjin’s heart. It’s his fault that now they hold nothing but sorrow and pain. All he wants is to drop to his knees, weep helplessly, and plead not to shut him out.

He takes a shaky breath and speaks — barely a whisper, his voice trembling with emotion, so raw it feels almost foreign.

“Jungkook… Forgive me. I never should’ve stopped trusting you.”

Jungkook’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. He’s trembling too, fists clenched, swallowing a sob as he struggles to contain the storm of emotions raging inside him.

“I’m alright,” Jungkook says. He feels the urge to turn away, to hide his vulnerability — but he just can’t bring himself to do it. After all, he never thought he’d see Seokjin again. “It’s been a long time. I’ve almost forgotten everything.”

To Seokjin, Jungkook’s words are heartbreaking — even though the sound of his voice still feels like a balm to his soul.

“I never stopped thinking about you,” Seokjin murmurs, taking a hesitant step forward. His knees feel weak, as if they might give out at any moment.

“Don’t,” Jungkook warns, his hand rising in a quiet stop. Inside, he’s burning up — aching to fall into this man’s arms and erase all the pain Seokjin ever caused. But the voice of reason keeps insisting that nothing good can come of this reunion. He can’t let his feelings be toyed with anymore. Seokjin never even took him seriously enough — not even as worthy of the simplest respect. His games left nothing but pain. He kept driving Jungkook insane with his distance and coldness — deigning, on rare occasions, to offer even a little tenderness and hope. And in the end, he simply got rid of him — threw him away like something disposable. That absurd jealousy, that stubborn silence, and the way he refused to talk things through. Why is he here now? Just to torment him all over again? Hasn’t he done enough? And yet, Jungkook had almost finished piecing himself back together — ready to start over.

"Jungkook," Seokjin pleads.

"You hate me, I know you do. But that’s all in the past now. I’ve done nothing wrong, and I’m not going to ask Kim Enterprises for any sort of moral compensation — if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t want anything from you. Just leave me alone and let me live in peace."

Bitter words fall like a rockslide, and Seokjin doesn’t dare object. He searches Jungkook’s eyes — they’re full of pain. He hopes to find the faintest trace of forgiveness in them, but it isn’t there.

"I swear I never wanted any of this!" he finally protests fervently. “I curse myself every day for what I said to you that day — and I’m ready to spend my whole life making up for it. It was inhuman, and I’ll never forgive myself for it. I would give anything to take back every tear you cried because of me. Please, forgive me. I was a pathetic excuse for a boss, a fool and a coward. Jungkook, you are everything to me. Without you, I don’t want anything in this life. I’m begging you — forgive me. I need you so much."

Before Jungkook gets the chance to react, a beat-up Toyota slams to a halt beside them. Junghyoung jumps out, his face twisted with fury as he storms straight toward Seokjin.

"How dare you come here?"  he shouts, lunging at the stunned Seokjin.

Seokjin guesses this must be another one of Jeon brothers — but he’s too caught off guard to react.

"After everything my hyung went through because of you?" Junghyoung keeps yelling, gesturing wildly. "How dare you show up like nothing ever happened — after everything you put our whole family through?!"

Seokjin instinctively raises his hands, palms facing outward. He hadn’t expected Jungkook’s family to welcome him with open arms — but such blatant hostility still stings.

"I’m truly sorry."

"Sorry?" he barks, shooting a quick glance at Jungkook. "You think it makes up for what you did to him? Get the hell out — or you’ll have even more to be sorry for!"

Junghyoung’s rage is seconds from erupting — but Jungkook gently stops him, gripping his forearm just firmly enough. With a pointed look, he pulls him away from Seokjin.

"Junghyoung, please. That’s enough."

Throwing one last deadly glare at Seokjin, the young man turns on his heel and storms into the house. The door slams shut behind him. 

"You should go," Jungkook says quietly, refusing to meet his eyes.

As crushing as it is, Seokjin isn’t welcome here — and he has no choice but to leave. After everything he went through to find the only light in his life, he now has to let go of him. His soul feels like it’s being torn apart, but there’s no other way. Looking into his eyes one last time, Seokjin quietly adds,

"I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you or your family. I just hope that one day, you’ll be able to forgive me. I’m staying at the Park Hyatt by the harbor for the next week. If you ever change your mind and feel like talking… I’ll be waiting for you. I mean it. Very much."

As Seokjin walks away, the hollow grief swallows Jungkook whole and it is the worst thing he’s ever known. His soul is split in two: one half is aching to forget Seokjin, while the other is desperate to chase him down and say he’s forgiven. But his family keeps telling him it’s time to put himself first. He’s tired of being the object in his former boss’s twisted games.

Maybe his life would’ve been so much easier if he’d never crossed paths with—and never fallen in love with—Kim Seokjin.

***

Taehyung's discharge from the hospital is fast approaching. Mr. and Mrs. Kim are planning to take him to Daegu, where their son will undergo rehabilitation and continue recovering from his injury.

But this turn of events doesn't sit well with Yoongi. He feels under pressure, knowing he must make an important decision — one that could shape his and Taehyung’s future.

He’s scared and unsure if he’ll ever be able to trust again, but at the same time he can’t picture his life without Taehyung. It’s madness, but Yoongi still loves him — and he simply can’t let anyone take him away.

They spend entire days together at the hospital. There’s a quiet sense of presence in simply being with each other. Yoongi works remotely, bringing his laptop along, while Taehyung reads or sketches on his tablet. Each is focused on their own task, but being close feels natural and just right.

But the time for avoiding the conversation has run out.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Yoongi lets Taehyung rest his head on his lap, gently threading his fingers through soft strands of his hair as he takes in the perfect features of his face. Damn it — Taehyung is still so beautiful it takes his breath away. Falling for him, completely and irreversibly, had been the easiest thing in the world. Feelings like that are impossible to push down, especially when they’re just as intense as they were in the moment they first laid eyes on each other.

Taehyung presses his cheek tighter against Yoongi’s thigh, melting into the softness of his gentle touch. Now he cherishes every moment they spend together, well aware it could be all over soon. In just two days, they’ll be miles apart, on opposite ends of the country — and Taehyung will miss him so badly it’ll hurt. But right now, he’s trying not to think about it.

“How am I supposed to go on without you?” he exhales, casting a longing glance at the one he loves.

“Tae,” Yoongi says seriously, as he studies Taehyung’s expression, “I need to talk to you about this.”

Taehyung immediately props himself up on one elbow, worried look crossing his face.

“What if you don’t have to be without me at all? You asked for a chance — and I’m giving it to you. You told me I wouldn’t regret it if we started over. I can’t imagine a long-distance relationship — and I don’t want to be apart from you. “So,” he says softly, catching Taehyung’s hope-filled gaze, “will you move in with me?”

“You want me to move back in?” Taehyung echoes in disbelief — it almost sounds too good to be true.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Yoongi confesses. “I’m not gonna lie — after everything that’s happened between us, and everything I’ve learned about you, a big part of my trust is gone. But I can’t let you go — and I know I’ll never be truly happy if you’re not by my side.” He takes Taehyung’s hand in his and places it over his chest. “That’s why I’m choosing to take the risk — and start over. If you want it just as much as I do.”

“I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my life! You’re the only reason why my life still has some meaning. I was so terrified you’d given up on me.”

“If you’re certain about this,,” Yoongi says, eyes warm with affection, “then want it. I want us.”

“Of course! Of course I’m certain! I want to move in with you so badly,” Taehyung beams, letting Yoongi brush the dampness from his cheeks.

“Then tomorrow, we’ll start moving your stuff over to our new place in the countryside.”

In the next moment, Taehyung’s smile fades as his eyes fall with sadness on the wheelchair beside the bed.

“I’m afraid I’ll never be the same again.”

Yoongi cups his face and turns it gently but resolutely, not letting him to look away.

“Even if you’re never the same again, I’m not going anywhere. I want this — not out of pity, but because I need you. And I’m never letting you go.”

Those words stir the most delicate strings of Taehyung’s heart. Never before had anyone cherished him so deeply. Touched by the kindness and honesty in Yoongi’s words, he holds on to him even tighter.

“Do you really need me?”

“More than you’ll ever know.”

“Then I can’t wait for us to wake up together again,” Taehyung murmurs, his cheeks flushed, relief shining in his eyes. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

At last, they’ve regained the quiet ease of their old connection. Forgiveness soothes and clears the mind, and now, finally, both can rest from the fears and anxieties that had haunted them for so long.

The very next day, Yoongi requests a private conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Kim. He needs their approval but also a chance to show how deeply committed he is to their son.

“Your son is very important to me. I want to stay by his side and support him through his healing and recovery,” Yoongi says, his voice tight with nervous emotion.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim are profoundly affected. Yoongi has proven more than once that he’s worthy of their trust — a sincere man who loves their son with all his heart. Still, their worry for Taehyung runs deep. Right now, he’s in a completely vulnerable state.

The strain of the past few days has taken a toll on Taehyung’s father. The fear of losing his only son has led him to finally accept Taehyung as he is. Mr. Kim made a solemn vow never again to try and mold him into his own expectations.

“We know you love each other,” Mrs. Kim replies cautiously. “But living with someone who’s bound to a wheelchair and can’t manage on his own is an incredibly heavy burden. It’s not just about Taehyung’s physical needs, but his emotional well-being as well. We just want to protect him from the pain if things don’t turn out the way you hope.”

Yoongi nods, taking a deep breath. He understands  why Taehyung’s parents are afraid  — they want to protect their son from more heartache if things between them were to fall apart. But Yoongi is sure of himself, and he has no intention of turning back on the decision he’s made.

“I know this is a big responsibility,” Yoongi says. “But I promise I’ll protect Taehyung and do everything I can to make him feel safe and comfortable. I’ve thought it all through. My apartment in the city isn’t suitable for someone in a wheelchair, so we’ll be living in the countryside house. It’ll be easier to adapt to his needs. And the quieter environment will help him recover faster.”

“But Taehyung needs regular access to medical care for his treatment and rehabilitation,” Mr. Kim objects, his voice full of concern.

“There’s a rehabilitation facility not far from the house. I’ve studied the recommendations, and I really think it’s the right place for us,” Yoongi says with an encouraging smile.

After a brief silence, Taehyung’s father finally breaks it.

“Taehyung is our only child. He’s done things I’m deeply ashamed of — things I still struggle to accept. But I know he truly regrets them. You’ve taken on a heavy burden by choosing to take responsibility for him. But I also understand that his happiness lies in being by your side. You have my blessing, Yoongi.”

Yoongi bows low, his voice is unsteady with emotion as he replies,

“Your son is the most precious thing I have, and I’ll always be there for him.”

Mrs. Kim wraps him into a firm embrace.

“Thank you, my boy. You have such a big heart, and I’ll never stop being grateful for everything you’ve done for us and for Taehyung. You’re part of our family now—our son, too.”

“We trust that Taehyung is in good hands with you,” Mr. Kim adds. “But please promise us — if it ever becomes too much, and you need help, you’ll let us know right away. We’ll always be ready to support you.”

“I promise,” Yoongi vows. “Also, you’re always welcome in our home, for as long as you wish. You can stay with us for as long as you’d like. Together, we’ll help Taehyung heal, stand up on his feet and walk again.”

***

Seokjin wakes up in the enormous bed of a luxury suite on the top floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel. The bright sunlight pouring through the untinted glass stings his eyes. Shielding his face, he fumbles across the nightstand for the remote control to lower the shades. The view from the suite is nothing short of spectacular: vast floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a breathtaking panorama of the Gwangan Bridge and the endless ocean stretching out along the horizon. The marina glows in the golden light, boats lined up and waiting to whisk their owners away on bright adventures beneath the open sky.

But Seokjin couldn’t care less about the idyllic view. The whole world feels empty and meaningless. Every day without the one he loves so much begins like yet another slow torture. Seeing Jungkook left him with a bittersweet aftertaste.

Seeing the face he loves most in the world after so much time apart feels like a gift from above. Jungkook hasn’t forgiven him — but Seokjin has no intention of giving up that easily. He’s going to try again — no matter what. If that’s what it takes, he’s ready to spend his days on the Jeon family’s doorstep — until his precious boy gives him a chance to earn his forgiveness. Jungkook needs to see that Seokjin has changed for him, that he deeply regrets what he’s done, and truly wants to make things right. For far too long, he’d been a coward — afraid of acknowledging what he truly felt, not only to Jungkook but to himself. By creating that messy, undefined not-quite-a-relationship — a love disguised as something casual — he doomed both himself and Jungkook to enormous pain, torturing him with ambiguity, when all he truly longed for was to be Jungkook’s in every sense.

Junghyeoung’s open hostility only adds to the bitterness inside his soul. Of course, Jungkook went through a thousand times more pain when Seokjin refused to trust him and, in a fit of anger, lashed out, saying outrageous things that never should have been spoken.

He remembers their only date with aching longing — the moment when the urge to confess his feelings had felt so right. But Seokjin hadn’t dared. Now he no longer has the right to hesitate. He must do what’s right — if only Jungkook will still let him.

Once again, Seokjin finds himself at the doorstep of the Jeon family home. His heart pounds like a drum, pulse throbbing in his temples as he lifts his hand to knock. A storm of thoughts and raw memories from yesterday races through his mind — along with the dread of facing another blast of rejection and hostility. The door swings open just as his knuckles are about to meet the wood.

A gentle-looking woman appears in the doorway. Her posture is straight and quietly confident, dark hair framing her face — but the huge, glistening eyes, so painfully familiar — in shape and softness Seokjin has seen before, give away her vulnerability and concern. It isn’t too hard to guess — this is Mrs. Seo Yeon, Jungkook’s mother.

Seokjin bows low,  expressing deep reverence.

Seo Yeon says nothing, studying her visitor. Faint creases on her forehead give away tension, as if she’s trying to read what intentions brought this man here, and what he truly wants.

Seokjin does his best to stay calm. His tall, well-built figure gives him a quiet kind of authority — but his eyes are clouded with unmistakable worry.

“Are you Kim Seokjin?” Seo-yeon asks, watching him warily.

“Yes, I’m Seokjin.” His voice is barely above a whisper, as if he’s afraid that speaking any  louder might shatter the fragile connection he’s trying to build with this woman.

“You are even more handsome in real life than in the photos.”

Seokjin’s ears turn a vivid crimson. He looks down, flustered, gathering his thoughts and carefully choosing his words:

“I’d like to see Jungkook … if you don’t mind.”

Seo Yeon carefully weighs her next move, eyes narrowing in thought as she studies Seokjin closely. Naturally, she’s well aware of what happened yesterday – how, in a fit of rage, Junghyeong nearly physically attacked Jungkook’s former boss.

The abrupt shift in her son since last night is proof enough of how much this man truly matters to him. It feels as if Jungkook has suddenly shaken off the deep trance that’s held him since he arrived in Busan. There’s no doubt Seokjin has played a significant role in his life — and he wouldn’t be seeking to see him so persistently if he didn’t have a serious reason. Seo-yeon wants nothing more than to protect her boy’s fragile heart — but more than anything, she wants to see him truly happy.

The silence stretches on, each second feels like an eternity. Seokjin shifts nervously from foot to foot, tucking his hands into his pockets. The heat in his cheeks and the restless rise of his chest betray the mounting tension inside him.

Apparently having reached a decision, the woman lets out a sigh and speaks. “My son isn’t home. He’s at work and won’t be back until the evening. Why are you here, Seokjin?”

He looks up, confused, and meets her steady, eloquent gaze.

“Why are you coming to our house? You fired my son and accused him of financial crimes he had nothing to do with. Now Jungkook has been cleared, and all charges against him have been dropped. He did nothing wrong. So why are you trying to reach him now, if everything’s already been resolved?”

Something inside Seokjin breaks with every word she says. Struggling to breathe, he forces the words out.

“Because your son… he… I know he did nothing wrong. I just…”

“Then what exactly are you after? Why can’t you just let him be?”

Seokjin steadies himself against the doorframe, as if balance is something he can no longer trust.

“Because I can’t. There’s something important I have to tell him.”

There’s something in his expression, his gestures, and his voice that’s uncannily similar to the inconsolable Jungkook who arrived in Busan a month ago. There’s something in their sorrow: achingly familiar, unmistakably shared.  And with that, Seo Yeon can no longer question his sincerity. She feels just how deeply he regrets everything.

 When she finally speaks, her voice sounds much softer.

“Jungkook will come to Junghyeong’s beach café. You may wait for him there. Go down this street to the end, then turn right, cross the road, and you’ll see the café.”

Seokjin’s eyes go wide with surprise. Not quite believing his luck,  he bows deeply to Seo Yeon.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, his voice trembling, filled with overwhelming gratitude and reverence for this woman. He knows he has no right to fail her.  “I’m sorry for the intrusion. And… truly — thank you.”

Seo Yeon watches him retreat, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. This could very well be a mistake. But Seokjin’s emotions are sincere, and his feelings for Jungkook are strong. Putting obstacles between them would be wrong. They need to have this conversation, to get closure, to say what’s been left unsaid, to find peace, no matter where it may lead.

***

Seokjin hurries to the beach café. The conversation with Jungkook’s mother has left him with more resolve and kindled a small spark of hope. Mrs. Jeon has granted him an immense amount of trust — and he knows he has no right to let her down.

A storm of conflicting feelings brews inside him. All he can think about is how he’s supposed to go on if he can’t get Jungkook back. If the man he loves has chosen to build his life with someone more worthy than Seokjin… then what’s the point of it all?

Junghyeong’s café takes up the ground floor of a two-story building overlooking the shoreline. From the wide-open doors and windows, the laughter of guests pours into the street. The pleasant, inviting atmosphere urges one to take a step inside.

Junghyeong raises in the doorway, a kitchen towel in his hands. His piercing black eyes eloquently express his dislike, throwing daggers at the unwelcome guest. The sharp line of his jaw is tight, betraying the stress he’s under at the sight of Seokjin, despite his best effort to maintain a calm facade.

Seokjin squares his shoulders, ready to stand his ground. He’s well aware he’s not welcome — and he admits he hasn’t exactly made the best impression so far. But he has no intention of leaving without speaking to Jungkook first. 

“Wasn’t it made clear enough that you’re not welcome here?” Junghyeong mutters through gritted teeth, his eyes locked in a dark, frowning stare.

“I am here to see your brother,” Seokjin explains patiently. “I know you don’t like seeing me, but I’m not here for you, I came here for him.”

“I won’t let you hurt Jungkook,” Junghyeong says coldly, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I get that you don’t trust me. But I came all this way because I need to talk to him,” Seokjin objects quietly.

“‘Don’t trust you’ is a serious understatement. If I haven’t knocked your head off yet, it’s only out of respect for hyung.” Junghyeong’s blood is starting to boil. His chest rises and falls in sharp bursts as he fights to rein in his anger through sheer force of will.

“Listen—”

“No, you better listen to me!” Junghyeong steps closer, pinning him in place with a glare full of fury. “You’re an arrogant, self-centered bastard who never bothers to consider anyone else’s opinion. I honestly don’t understand how my brother put up with working for you all that time. But I won’t let you use him or screw up his life any longer. You’d better get out — while I’m still asking.”

Seokjin lets out a heavy sigh. Unfair accusations and sharp words wound his pride, but he convinces himself not to take offense. Junghyeong worries about his brother and is wary of letting in someone who once caused him pain. Deep down, he respects that kind of stance, and even envies his former subordinate, just a little. He can hardly imagine his own brother, Yoon, standing up for him with that same fierce protectiveness.

"You're wrong! And I'm not leaving until I speak with Jungkook," he says firmly.

Just as Junghyeong rolls his eyes, ready to walk away, a young waiter dashes over, his whole demeanor shouting urgency.

"Seonbae, we’ve got a problem. Mr. Lee’s daughter just called. She said he broke his leg and won’t make it to his shift. We’ve already got eight orders! There’s no way we can keep up without a cook."

Seokjin listens intently. After a quick glance at the menu board, he walks over to them.

"I can cook all of these dishes. Let me help."

Junghyeong turns his words over in his mind in disbelief, trying to catch some kind of a hidden motive—but there isn’t one. If the situation weren’t so desperate, he’d probably burst out laughing, picturing the vice president of Kim Enterprises behind the stove in his kitchen.

"Besides, I actually enjoy cooking—and I’m pretty good at it," Seokjin adds. "And I’d really like to help, if you’ll let me."

Seokjin’s genuine sincerity and eagerness to help leave Junghyeong no choice but to give in. Or perhaps it’s just desperation that compels him to accept the offer of such an unlikely visitor without further protest. He says nothing, just turns and heads toward the kitchen, letting Seokjin follow behind.

Seokjin hadn’t lied when he said he was pretty good at cooking. Rolling up his sleeves, he follows instructions with precision, helping the two kitchen assistants. They handle the incoming orders with ease, and the atmosphere gradually begins to relax. The waiters warm up to him quickly, laughing at the jokes he throws in now and then.

The tabloid-crafted image of Mr. Kim, firmly ingrained in Junghyeong’s mind, is falling apart right before his eyes. Seokjin is respectful, considerate, and fully committed to helping. There isn’t a hint of the arrogance or self-importance the press so eagerly wrote about. Junghyeong watches in disbelief, struggling to reconcile what he sees with everything he’d ever heard or read about the man.

As the lunch rush fades, the flow of customers slows down, and Junghyeong visibly relaxes. Undeniably, Seokjin’s help has saved the day. He seriously considers how exactly he’s supposed to apologize to Seokjin for the way he treated him before.

Meanwhile, Seokjin unties his apron and stretches, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness. It's the good kind of tired—one that comes from genuinely wanting to help Jungkook’s brother. As he leisurely brews a cup of coffee, the bell above the door jingles, signaling the arrival of a new customer.

The moment Jungkook steps in, all eyes are on him and with just one look, Seokjin forgets how to breathe. The man is simply breathtaking. The fabric of a thin shirt glides over his toned, well-defined chest, and light-coloured shorts cut mid-thigh reveal his long, exquisitely slender legs. His hair is messily damp, curling ever so slightly from the humidity. It’s grown much longer now, and Seokjin’s fantasy offers up images of how it would look tied back in a ponytail. He swallows hard, not rushing to look away, shamelessly taking in every inch of that impossible beauty.

Jungkook's eyes go wide in disbelief when he sees Seokjin behind the counter. Framed by espresso machines and rows of coffee cups neatly arranged on tall shelves, he looks almost like a hallucination. What feels even more surreal, though, is Junghyeong’s calm composure, as if there were nothing unusual about Seokjin being here.

A moment later, another guy walks into the café right behind Jungkook. Seokjin stiffens instantly, realizing they must have come here together.

With an unspoken question written all over his face, Jungkook walks up to his brother.

“I just heard about Mr. Lee! I’m sorry I couldn’t come here to help,” he says with genuine regret. His velvety tone is smooth, brushing the ear like a melody.

“It’s really not your fault,” Junghyeong assures him. “You’ve got your own job now. And besides, someone else already did a lot to help me out.”
He nods toward Seokjin, who is now eyeing Jungkook with quiet intensity and yearning. Junghyeong is still confused about the man’s behavior but the hostility is no longer there.

“He helped you?” Jungkook licks his lips nervously, doing his best to avoid looking at Seokjin.

“Mr. Kim came here to speak to you, but as soon as he heard we were short of staff, he offered to help. It was right after we found out about Mr. Lee’s accident,” Junghyeong explains.

Jungkook tenses slightly at the touch, but offers a small smile and returns a quick, friendly side-hug.

The sight of that smile is beautiful, but Seokjin’s face instantly clouds over. He knows it wasn’t meant for him.

Junghyeong doesn’t miss the shift in his unusual helper’s demeanor. Letting out a sigh, he turns to Sombun. “There are a few crates of wine in the attic that need to be moved to the restaurant. Do you mind giving me a hand?”

Junghyeong and Sombun head off upstairs, leaving the two alone.

Seokjin quickly wipes his hands on a kitchen towel and walks over to Jungkook, who meets him with a worried look.

Nothing could have prepared him for this. Seokjin is speechless again, captivated by Jungkook’s beauty, drowning in his bottomless eyes, forgetting everything he wanted to say.

“Thanks for helping my brother,” Jungkook says quietly, lowering his gaze, his long lashes casting shadows over his cheeks. 

A soft rasp in the younger one’s voice sends a delicious shiver down Seokjin’s spine. His mouth goes dry as his eyes land to the undone buttons on Jungkook’s smooth, exposed chest. Seokjin can’t think straight with him standing this close: the way he smells drives him wild, turning every coherent thought to fog.

“It was nothing. I wanted to help.” Clearing up his throat, he inches closer and gently breaches into the younger man’s personal space. He reaches up to Jungkook’s hair, fingers carefully brushing a silky strand behind his ear.

Jungkook is standing so close, Seokjin can see the quick rise and fall of his chest. Thankfully, he doesn’t step back. A faint blush colors his cheeks, and Seokjin is losing his mind over the need to kiss his sweet lips, to love him—and every inch of his perfect body—and never let him go again. His patience is wearing thin, and the desperate yearning is completely blurring his reason.

“Jungkook.” Seokjin gently takes his hand, brushing his thumb over the knuckles before reaching up to cup his chin, urging him to meet his eyes.

There’s not a hint of blame or judgment on that delicate face. His beautiful eyes only hold an overwhelming anxiety. Jungkook is going to be his ruin, his blessing, and his redemption all at once.

“Please, forgive me,” Seokjin begs, leaning in closer. “I’ve wronged you so much but I’ll do anything you ask to make it up to you.”

With these words, Seokjin sinks to his knees.

“What are you doing?” Jungkook exclaims, clearly flustered by the gesture. “Please, stop it!”

“There’s no excuse for what I did. I was such a fool not to trust you. Stupidly jealous.” Seokjin looks up at him in despair, wrecked with unbearable regret and a burning need.

“Please, get up,” Jungkook says again, but Seokjin only moves closer, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist and pressing his face gently into Jungkook’s stomach.
Jungkook shudders, the contact sears through him like a live current.

Pushing himself up on unsteady legs, Seokjin closes the distance between them, and Jungkook instinctively backs away until he finds himself pinned between the kitchen table and the heat of his ex-lover’s body.

“So beautiful. What am I supposed to do with you?” Seokjin breathes against his trembling lips, leaning in with aching tenderness.

Jungkook’s breath hitches as Seokjin kisses him, gentle, tentative, impossibly careful. Letting out a ragged sigh, unable to pull away or break the moment, he realizes he’s already lost, surrendered to the intoxicating closeness simply because he doesn’t know how not to. Maybe he will regret letting Seokjin this close ten times over, but resisting is pointless. Nothing can ever compare to the euphoria he feels with this man alone.

Seokjin feels like he’s dying and coming back to life all at once when Jungkook hesitantly kisses him back. He really tries to hold himself together, but the moment the younger lets out a muffled moan and parts his lips to deepen the kiss, Seokjin breaks and responds – greedy, fervent, completely undone – indulging the part of his soul that has been so starved for this man.

“I need you so fucking bad, baby,” he whispers as his hands slide down, seizing Jungkook’s thighs and coaxing a truly sinful moan out of him.

It’s like a fever dream, and neither of them wants it to end. Jungkook licks into Seokjin’s mouth, tongue sliding against his with the same eager intensity, releasing the heat that’s been devouring him from within for far too long.

“Jungkook!”

Junghyeong stands frozen in the doorway, his face caught in a comically shocked expression. Witnessing such an explicit scene involving his brother in his own kitchen leaves him visibly flustered, his eyes darting anywhere but at Jungkook, as if avoiding the sight might somehow undo it. Beside him stands Sombun, pale as a sheet.

Jungkook jerks back, nearly stumbling, putting as much distance between himself and Seokjin as he can manage. His head is spinning, heart pounding in his chest. Torn out of that blissful euphoria so suddenly, he doesn’t even know which way is up.

Seokjin tries to steady his breathing, his eyes still burning as they stay locked on Jungkook. He mutters some quick apology to Junghyeong, but he doesn’t look the least bit sorry.

Junghyeong does his best to look stern, but Seokjin could swear he caught the tiniest hint of a smile ghosting across his lips.

Jungkook shoots Seokjin a reproachful look.

“You... Don’t ever do that again!”

But it doesn’t sound convincing at all. Now Junghyeong has witnessed how weak and helpless he gets around his ex-boss. Great. 

He dashes out of the restaurant without saying goodbye. Sombun hurries right after him.

Frowning, Seokjin watches them go.

Jungkook’s last words hit with sudden coldness. Once again, he’s pushing Seokjin away — even though their attraction to each other still feels strong. Jungkook had ignited like a match in his hands. And now that Seokjin senses there might still be a chance, he’s ready to fight for it.

“We’re closing. Thanks, and have a safe trip home,” Junghyeong says, once they’re alone with Seokjin.

Seokjin suddenly feels lighter. The unexpected shift in Junghyeong, who had been downright unfriendly that very morning, gives him a boost of encouragement.

“Why are you helping me?” he asks, genuinely surprised. “I thought you hated me.

“Hyung’s different when you’re around,” Junghyeong replies. “Let’s just say I’ve reconsidered some of my earlier assumptions.”

“Thank you,” Seokjin says sincerely, understanding that adding anything else is unnecessary. And yet, he can’t help himself. “That guy with Jungkook — who is he?”

“That’s Sombun. Just an old acquaintance,” Junghyeong says casually, watching Seokjin from the corner of his eye and catching the way his neck tenses at the words. “He helped hyung get the lifeguard job. They get along pretty well.”

“Seems like they spend a lot of time together,” Seokjin remarks, still trying to appear unfazed.

Junghyeong sets the keyring aside and gives him a hard look.

“If I were you, I’d keep an eye on Jungkook. Wouldn’t want someone else taking your place.”

Chapter Text

Jungkook can't stop thinking about what just happened between him and Seokjin. A sharp jolt of adrenaline and arousal floods through him — nothing in this world compares to Seokjin's kisses.

He hasn’t been able to find peace of mind since the moment Seokjin showed up at his door, asking for forgiveness. After today's incident, the tension between them has only intensified. This can’t go on forever. His former boss's persistence — his heated plea for forgiveness — leaves little room to resist such sincere desire. But what if he does forgive him? Would that make Jungkook a spineless fool, unwillingly dragged back into a game of friends with benefits he no longer wants to play?

Running his fingers over his lips, he tries to hold on to the fleeting sensation of that touch, to carve it deep into his soul forever. But it’s no longer enough and Jungkook wants more.

“Jungkook,” Sombun calls after him, trying to catch up. His face is flushed, irritation radiating from him, even as he struggles to hide it behind a fake smile. “Sorry, I guess you’re too busy.”

Lately, he’s been acting rather strangely. There was a time when hanging out together felt light and effortless, but ever since Seokjin stormed back into Jungkook’s life, the easy camaraderie they once shared has completely vanished. Sombun has grown sullen and much less friendly, even though he still clings stubbornly by Jungkook’s side.

“Yeah, I’m a little tired,” Jungkook replies with a shrug. The thought strikes him that Sombun is, unfortunately, not the person he wants chasing after him right now.

“Back at the restaurant,” he says with a frown, his cold stare piercing into Jungkook. “You and that man—what was that supposed to mean?”

Jungkook closes his eyes in exhaustion. He doesn’t really feel like having this conversation right now, though he thinks his friend might have the right to hear the truth. 

“The man you saw at the restaurant is my ex-boss, Kim Seokjin.” 

A shadow crosses Sombun’s face.

“Wasn’t it his fault you got into trouble? Didn’t he abandon you when you needed him the most?”

Jungkook sighs in resignation. The last thing he wants right now is to justify himself or explain what happened between him and Seokjin.

“It’s not what you think,” he says wearily, just to end the topic as fast as possible.

“Then why was he touching you?” Sombun won’t stop pressing.

Jungkook throws up his hands in frustration.

“Can we not talk about this right now? I’m really not in the mood.”

“Why won’t you talk to me, Jungkook? Can’t you see this man has used you and he came back just to cause you more damage!”

Jungkook lets out a huff. Who does Sombun think he is, making assumptions like that when he doesn't know Seokjin at all?

“You shouldn’t talk like that,” Jungkook tightens his arms across his chest, growing more tense with every second. “I’m fully capable of thinking for myself, and I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt again!” Sombun steps closer, his gaze soft and persuasive, and Jungkook fights the instinct to flinch back.

“You’re smart enough to know that Kim Seokjin manipulates people. He’s messed up a lot of lives, and no one would say a good word about him. You’d better watch yourself, so you don’t end up disappointed again!”

Jungkook grows increasingly annoyed, sensing the manipulative undertones. By slandering Seokjin, Sombun is certainly not earning any points in his favor.

It’s getting late. See you tomorrow,” Jungkook cuts him off as they near his house.

“Jungkook.” Sombun rushes after him in desperation, trying to hold him back. Panic tinges his voice.

Seizing Jungkook’s moment of hesitation, Sombun places his hands on his shoulders and kisses him on the lips before he can react.

The touch is unpleasant and feels wrong. Jungkook pulls back immediately, instinctively brushing his mouth with his shirt sleeve, and glares sharply at Sombun.

Turning pale, Sombun flinches as he realizes the awful mistake he has just made.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jungkook yells, at a loss for how to handle this absurd situation.

“I am so into you. Please, let me be with you!” the younger one implores.

“What do you mean?” Jungkook snaps. A sickening chill pierces him to the bone. Having his personal boundaries violated this way feels utterly revolting. 

“There’s no point.” Jungkook shudders with repulsion. “I don’t feel the same, and after what you just did, I’d rather limit our contact.”

“I’m ready to wait!” Sombun hastily grabs both of Jungkook’s hands. “You’re just confused and unsure of what you want.”

“Give it up!” Jungkook yanks his hands away in fury and steps back a good distance. “I’d rather you stayed away from me.”

“Have you no pride left? Do you actually enjoy being used so much?” Sombun growls, his voice sharp. “The moment he whistles, you drop everything and run at the first call?”

Anger rises in Jungkook. He doesn’t need to listen to this or waste his time on such rubbish.

“Enough!” He spins around and strides toward his house, refusing to look back.

Sombun is desperate: no one has ever driven him to the edge of losing his mind or made him feel so utterly degraded.

“Fine, go on, chase after him!” he snarls with rage. “Keep acting like a cheap little nobody without a bit of pride or self-respect! Mark my words, Jeon Jungkook! You’ll regret it!”

These words sting, leaving a bitter aftertaste, completely erasing the fleeting comfort Jungkook had felt from his brief encounter with Seokjin at the restaurant. Being deceived hurts the most. Jungkook had believed he’d found a true friend in Sombun, somebody he could rely on. But that trust turned out to be an illusion. Sombun’s friendliness and helpful gestures masked entirely different intentions, and Jungkook’s naivety had blinded him to the deception.

***

Initially, Hoseok resists his longing to see Jimin, stubbornly denying his own feelings at all costs. Yet Seokjin’s words that everyone deserves a second chance at love aren’t easy to get out of his head. Before leaving, Seokjin hands Hoseok a handwritten note for Jimin, in which he apologizes to Jimin for not being able to support him in person and earnestly asks Hoseok to give it to Jimin himself. It seems like he is subtly setting things up so that Hoseok won’t be able to avoid meeting his ex.

Hoseok’s feelings for Jimin are far stronger than any hurt or resentment he felt when Jimin confessed to cheating. No, he hasn’t forgiven him, yet he still cannot forget this person.

As the date of the dance competition approaches, the desire to bridge the gap between them grows stronger with each passing day.

Without a doubt, Hoseok goes to the competition. He genuinely supports Jimin and cheers for him. Watching the performance, he can sense the passion radiating from every movement. Despite all the pain this man caused him, Hoseok now feels true joy watching his exquisite dance. Seeing Jimin shine under the spotlight and receive his award with a joyful smile fills him with the most intense emotions.

Meeting Jimin face-to-face after the performance turns out to be easier than expected. Minji spots Hoseok almost immediately as the hall lights up. Her smile grows wider, and she waves at him animatedly.

“Jung Hoseok! What a surprise! I didn’t know you’d be coming too! Did you like the performance?”

“I just got here,” he lies for some reason.

Minji stares at him perplexed, biting her lip. She seems flustered.

“Could you do me a little favor?” he asks, taking a note out of his pocket.

“Of course! How can I help?” she asks, curious.

“Someone really wanted to give these to Jimin,” Hoseok says, handing her a bouquet with a note. “Would you mind passing this to him?”

“Give this to Jimin?” Minji repeats, taking the note but not touching the flowers. “Wait a minute, I’ll be right back.”

With each passing minute, the anticipation grows. Hoseok begins to regret embarking on this little adventure, ready to get rid of the doomed bouquet, when soft footsteps echo from the end of the corridor. A tremor runs through his entire body at the sight of Jimin, so breathtakingly beautiful despite the sweaty performance. Even with damp ash-colored hair and smudged makeup, he is still the most dazzling and magical creature in the world.

They stand speechless, staring at each other, without blinking. Jimin’s eloquent gaze is filled with surprise, delight, and a thousand unspoken words.

At last finding his voice, Hoseok speaks shakily.

“Jimin, I… I just wanted to tell you … your performance was incredible. Congratulations,” he says, holding out the roses.

Jimin keeps blinking, trying to reassure himself this isn’t a dream.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect to see you here.” His voice falters as he takes the gift absentmindedly, awkwardly fixing his eyes on the beautiful flowers.

Hoseok shifts from foot to foot, feeling his uneasiness deepen even more.

“I know, it’s been a while since we last spoke. I’m sorry for barging into your life again so suddenly. Seokjin mentioned the competition, and I wanted to see how you were doing.”

Jimin’s heart tightens at these words. A wry smile crosses his face as he thinks of Seokjin. Who would have thought that this person would act as cupid, trying to bring him and Hoseok together?

“I appreciate it, it really means so much to me,” he says softly. “I think about us all the time... And I’m so deeply sorry.”

“Jimin, I’ve missed you so much. We can’t get back what we had, but maybe… we should at least try to talk.”

Jimin’s eyes begin to glisten. A lone tear rolls down his cheek, and he quickly wipes it away, trying to hide it.

“I really want that. If I could go back and change the past, I swear I’d never have hurt you like that.”

The weight of their history and unresolved emotions presses heavily on them both. The distance, both emotional and physical, feels impossible to bridge.

Hoseok opens his mouth, but just as he’s about to reply, a group of dancers appears in the corridor, making their way straight toward them.

A dancer from Jimin’s team turns to them, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she addresses them.

“Hey, you two! We’re heading to a party. You’re coming with us, no excuses!”

Jimin looks at his ex, his eyes wide with nervous excitement.

Hoseok hesitates for only a moment, but to his own surprise, the chance to spend more time with Jimin makes him nod in agreement. Seeing the timid smile on Jimin’s lips awakens a long-forgotten flutter of butterflies in his stomach.

The party takes place in one of the upscale venues in the university district. Neon lights cast long, shifting shadows across the entire hall, dancing along the walls and ceiling, forming ever-changing patterns with every beat. The DJ plays a smooth mix of light dance music, drawing everyone into the groove and letting each person lose themselves in the harmony of the music.

Jimin stays with his friends, who had insisted on them coming along, while Hoseok heads to the bar for drinks. A tall, dark-haired woman keeps hovering near him, leaning in to say something amusing in his ear over the loud music. Hoseok’s face lights up with a wide grin. Jimin looks away, silently chiding himself — he shouldn’t have a reason to feel that light sting of disappointment. His friends drag him onto the dance floor and he keeps his eyes away from the bar, fighting the urge to track his ex-boyfriend’s every move.

After a few minutes on the dance floor, Jimin feels someone’s hands carefully settle around his waist. He doesn’t need to turn around to recognize the touch. His heart pounds with the beat, overflowing with joy, as the only person he’s longed to dance with is finally here, by his side.

A little shy yet certain, Hoseok pulls Jimin closer. An invisible force draws them to each other, like a magnet to its other half. Their movements follow the music tentatively at first, but little by little the melody helps them relax and let go. Awkward tension gradually gives way to compelling, tender sensuality.

Hoseok’s eyes lock with Jimin’s, and in that instant, time itself seems to stop. The younger one gently entwines his fingers with Hoseok’s, his gaze heavy with longing, stripped of any attempt to hide his vulnerability.

“Jimin,” Hoseok’s voice almost breaks, carried away by the music. “No matter what I do, I can’t help this. My feelings for you are so strong.”

“I feel the same.” Hope stirs in Jimin’s eyes again.

With a soft sigh, Hoseok’s grip tightens around his waist.

“Do you still have feelings for Namjoon? Are you still seeing him?”

“Kim Namjoon is long gone, a thing of the past. We haven’t spoken since the last time we met, and honestly, I didn’t want to,” Jimin confesses bitterly. “He means nothing to me!”

“All that we once had is gone. Yet, perhaps we can take a lesson from it and try to build something new?”

Jimin’s lips quiver.

“I didn’t even dare hope that one day you’d agree. If only you knew how sorry I am for what I did… to you, to us. And I want you to know that I’ll never, ever hurt you like that again, I swear.”

“Let’s take our time and see where this leads.”

“It’s only ever been you,” Jimin says, smiling despite the pain. “May I…  kiss you?”

“You don’t have to ask for permission,” Hoseok responds, the same words Jimin told him in Pyeongchang the day they shared their first kiss.

Time and cruel challenges couldn’t destroy their sincere, genuine feelings. Jimin and Hobi are taking their first hesitant steps to rekindle the true love that was born between them from the very first moment.

***

Seokjin leisurely eases himself out of the bath, reaching for the heavy terry towel. He dries himself slowly and fastens it around his waist. His flushed skin glows red from the steam, radiating freshness after his long soak in the water.
.
There’s a gentle knock at the door, and he moves over lazily to open it, rubbing his damp hair with a smaller towel.

Behind the door awaits the most incredible surprise, someone he wouldn’t have even dared to dream of. Jungkook looks so breathtaking that not a single comparison could ever do justice to his beauty. He could be a cover model for a biker magazine: his long hair is tied back at the nape of his neck, his broad chest concealed under a black jacket, and his tempting, slender hips wrapped tightly in leather pants. At the sight of Seokjin, his eyes widen in awe, pupils dilating instantly as they trace the lines of the other man’s finely sculpted body.

For a split second, Seokjin is caught off guard, his hand instinctively twitching to cover his exposed shoulders. But instead, a smug smile curves his lips as he opens the door wider in silent invitation.

Flustered and fully unprepared for such aggressive seduction, Jungkook stands rooted to the spot, unable to bring himself to make a single movement.

Yet Seokjin is utterly unfazed by his discomfort. He intends to take full advantage of the situation, and there’s no reason to hold anything back here. Watching the guest attempt to avert his eyes, reluctantly looking down and awkwardly clearing his throat, only amuses him. 

“Sorry, I must have arrived at the wrong moment,” Jungkook mumbles, trying at least to keep himself from stuttering. A deep blush spreads across his cheeks and neck.

“Jungkookie,” Seokjin purrs, a sweet smile playing on his lips. He still has the decency to pull a robe over his shoulders. “For you, there’s no such thing as a wrong moment! You can’t even imagine how glad I am to see you.”

The tone of that last phrase alone makes goosebumps erupt across Jungkook’s skin and his throat constricts. For some reason, his mind gets stuck on the single thought that Seokjin is completely naked underneath that towel.

“I… I can,” Jungkook stammers, trying to clear his throat, but his voice betrays him, “come back at a different time.”

“I’m really happy you’re here.” Just the way Seokjin looks at him leaves the poor boy stunned, setting every nerve on fire. 

Seokjin is shamelessly seducing him. Jungkook’s legs won’t obey, and before he knows it, he is inside the room. A million alarm bells are going off in his mind, but he can’t stop himself. Showing up at his ex-boss’s place at this hour, just to speak face-to-face and ask him to stay away, was a reckless decision.

Seokjin’s suite is spacious, with a breathtaking view of the ocean that stretches out from the twenty-seventh floor. Jungkook walks up to the window, and gazes at the nightscape, mesmerized.

“Like what you see?” Seokjin quirks an eyebrow. He shifts, jutting his half-exposed chest forward slightly, the question clearly not just about the ocean.

The younger man tries again to pull himself together.

“You’re the rich one here, so this is nothing special for you. A night in a suite like this is worth a full month's pay for an office worker.”

Letting out a low, self-satisfied chuckle, Seokjin ignores the biting remark without a second thought.

“That’s a shame. I was actually trying to impress you, you know.”

He’s clearly teasing.

“As you can see, it worked.” Jungkook takes a step back, struggling to hold onto whatever semblance of self-control he can. “I’m here on an important matter.”

“Is that so?” Seokjin eyes him closely, his mischievous glance traveling down Jungkook’s face, cheekbones, and neck, fixating unabashedly on the line of his shoulders and chest beneath the fabric of his shirt.

Jungkook’s breath comes faster under the heat of that stare. Heavy languid heat pins his body, leaving him unable to move even a finger. It’s incredible, the hold this man has over him.

“Right, it’s a serious talk,” he mumbles, his voice completely devoid of any conviction.

Seokjin sits down on the edge of the couch, patting the cushion beside him in invitation, and shamelessly spreads his legs, the towel pulling tight across his thighs. A smug smile never leaves his handsome face.

Jungkook mutters under his breath that he’d rather stand, resisting this infernal seduction with every last ounce of his willpower. Kim Seokjin is the pure, undisguised embodiment of lust and debauchery. He doesn't even need to say anything: just the way he looks at Jungkook, parts his mouth and runs his tongue over his full lips sends a treacherous shiver down his spine as a sweet tension pools in his groin. Jungkook really shouldn't have come here.

“I… I came here to ask you to stay away from me,” Jungkook blurts out, words coming too quickly. He bites his lip, managing to tear his eyes away from the flawless skin of Seokjin’s ivory neck at the very last second. His body gives a slight, sudden shudder.

Seokjin sees everything. He angles his head a little further to the side, offering up a vulnerable curve of his neck with calculated grace— a single, deliberate move to push his former subordinate into a quiet panic. 

Jungkook doesn’t move a muscle. He has never been good at hiding what’s on his mind, least of all with Seokjin, and now his former boss is using it against him, shamelessly, without a single qualm.

“Oh really?” Seokjin murmurs, drawing the words out lazily as he lets the silence stretch. His voice drops an octave, deepening into a low, velvet growl. “Now tell me the truth.”

This game has grown far too merciless. Balancing on the edge, Jungkook can already taste his own inevitable downfall. Every last shred of common sense is screaming for him to run, right now. But before he can even make the decision, Seokjin closes in, eyes dark and scorching, pinning him in place. Leaning closer, he gently pulls Jungkook to sit next to him, offering no room for choice. His mouth hovers inches from Jungkook’s cheekbone; warm breath brushing against his skin, sending a storm of goosebumps through his core. 

“The real reason you’re here is because you want me.”

Before Jungkook can even think to stop it, his body responds. The feel of naked chest pressing against his side is enough for his eyelids to flutter shut, a sound breaking free from his throat dangerously close to a moan. 

“No, you’re just imagining things. You just want that to be true.”

Jungkook’s heart pounds in a frantic beat beneath the fabric of his thin black shirt. Seokjin senses this instantly, and his smile grows wider.

“But if I do as you ask, you won’t get to feel me, or touch me.” As he speaks, his hand glides up the inside of Jungkook’s thigh, and Jungkook arches his back into the touch, parting his legs in complete surrender, offering himself up to whatever Seokjin wants.

Seokjin squeezes his eyes shut in pleasure as Jungkook lets out a muffled, throaty moan. It's a sweet, intoxicating sound, and Seokjin realizes just how desperate he's been for it.

Threading his fingers into Seokjin’s hair, the younger man pulls him close. He stares wildly, his fevered eyes clouded with lust, pupils blown so wide they almost swallow the irises whole. He moves in on him like a storm, crashing his lips against Seokjin's with a desperate hunger knowing Seokjin is just as starved for him. No one kisses like Jungkook — gentle and insistent all at once, surrendering under dominance as he demands more. It is impossible not to fall for him – and it always has been. Their constant push-and-pull had utterly worn Seokjin down, but now, with Jungkook so pliant, turning into molten heat in his arms, he would seize every opportunity and make no more compromises. He is done holding back.

Claiming the younger one’s mouth, Seokjin pulls the elastic band free from his hair, watching the soft strands cascade over his face, pleasantly tickling against his skin. He’s been fantasizing about doing exactly this from the first moment he saw Jungkook again. With an ecstatic moan, he buries his fingers into the silky locks, dissolving himself completely, forgetting the rest of the world.

“I can’t be without you,” Seokjin breathes out.

Those words resonate deep within him, touching him to his very core, and Jungkook is suddenly ready to let Seokjin do anything to him, knowing he will never regret it. No one else but Seokjin can love like this, so completely, making him feel so achingly desired.

“This is what you came for, isn’t it?” Seokjin murmurs with a smirk, easing Jungkook’s jacket from his shoulders, scattering kisses across his neck and collarbones, relishing the way the younger man trembles in his arms. “You’re here because you missed me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Jungkook exhales, but he can’t help himself. It would be a lie to say he hadn't come in desperation. He needs this just as badly as Seokjin does.

Seokjin’s hands slip under the younger man’s t-shirt, impatiently pulling the fabric up to bare his flawlessly sculpted abs. Holy hell–there’s nothing more perfect. This man is pure perfection, and everything Seokjin has ever wanted in life. He would trade his soul just to be with him for the rest of his days. And he’ll be damned if Jungkook ever chooses someone else over him.

“I’ve dreamed of this so much,” Seokjin confesses, his hands caressing every line of that beautiful body. His mouth follows, tasting a slow path down Jungkook’s chest and lower still, until Jungkook's head falls back with a ragged breath. “...imagining you coming back to me.”

With aching tenderness, Seokjin takes his hand, helps him up to his feet, and guides him to the bed.

But Jungkook stops, and with a sudden, firm pull, he brings their bodies together. His kiss is wet and insatiable as he tears the robe from Seokjin’s shoulders and pushes him onto the bed. Kneeling between his parted thighs, he unties the towel at his waist and strips it away.

Balancing on the edge of blacking out, Seokjin watches Jungkook close his mouth around him. His lips are impossibly beautiful; there’s an absurd innocence to him even as he does something so obscene. Trying to rein himself in, Seokjin squeezes his eyes shut. He knows that if he keeps watching, he’ll come—long before he’s had the chance to truly taste and savor him. He can’t let that happen. He simply refuses to let it be over so fast, so shamefully.

Holding his breath, he props himself up on his elbows and opens his eyes to meet Jungkook’s heated stare. He runs his fingers through the boy’s hair, stroking his face, before he gently eases him back, his hands tilting his face upward. Only to draw him in again, crushing their lips together. The kiss is head-spinning; his own taste on Jungkook’s tongue feels so right, exactly as it should be.

Gently but firmly, Seokjin shifts their positions, flipping Jungkook onto the sheets. Possessed by an overwhelming need to take care of the younger man, please him and prove that no one else could ever make him feel this good, he gives in to the emotions, letting them take over his mind and pull him into a whirlpool of delirious sensuality. Each heartbeat only makes him fall harder. Perfection like this is impossible to resist.

“You’re so flawless,” Seokjin exhales, longing to handle him with care, as if he were the most precious thing in the world.

He is completely oblivious to how breathtaking he looks at that moment. Jungkook lies back, eyes shut, giving himself over to the euphoric sensuality. He jolts when Seokjin parts his knees, gently caressing the tense muscles of his thighs through the fabric as he unhurriedly pulls down the zipper, making his way toward the most alluring and desired part of his body.

“Let me make love to you. I’ll do anything you want.”

Jungkook aches for this desperately. Never before has he hungered for anything so badly that he’d let Seokjin do whatever he's offering. Seokjin is the only one capable of awakening such profound emotions within him and his heart will never resonate like this with anyone else. He answers with a silent nod, giving his consent.

With reverent care, Seokjin strips away the last of his clothes, letting out a breath of awe at the sight of beauty revealed before his eyes. He adorns the smooth skin with countless kisses, eliciting soft moans from Jungkook’s parted lips. The supple body writhes beneath his skilled touch, begging for more. Such an ardent response is worth every bit of effort, and Seokjin would gladly overturn the world itself for the privilege of being the only one who can take this gorgeous man to this state for the rest of their days.

“Jungkookie,” Seokjin exhales against his knee, placing another sensual kiss against it and squeezing his eyes shut, terrified that this perfect dream will dissolve. “I’m losing my mind over you. What have you done to me?”

In response to his words, Jungkook merely opens his eyes, following Seokjin as he pulls back to reach for the lube. When he comes back, his lips claim Jungkook’s once again — long and tender, as though Seokjin is afraid to scare him off and break the spell. Yet the fear is needless, as Jungkook wants him to go on more than anything in the world.

Letting out a sharp breath, Jungkook leans into him, his kiss hot and unrestrained. His hand wraps around Seokjin’s length, stroking him skillfully up and down, never breaking eye contact, his gaze teasing and challenging the entire time.

Seokjin’s self-control is failing. Giving in to the storm of lust raging within him, he’s dangerously close to a quick release, especially with Jungkook whimpering and squirming so seductively beneath his body. Pinning him to the mattress with his weight, Seokjin is barely fighting the urge to take him right then and there, without any prep.

Jungkook’s sudden boldness, his raw impatience and urgency raise a flood of unsettling questions. Seokjin can’t stop himself from wondering if he’s been with other men, and if they ever made him feel as good as this. The thought claws at his heart, yet voicing it would be wrong in a moment like this.

“You’re thinking too loud,” Jungkook says softly.

Seokjin holds his breath, waiting for what comes next. Part of him is desperate for the truth, yet another part wants to clamp his hands over his ears, terrified of a truth he isn’t prepared for.

Jungkook shatters every last one of his doubts with a single mesmerizing gaze. 

“I’ve missed it all so badly … this, with you. You make me feel so good.”

His heart skips a heavy beat at the words. Seokjin captures his mouth, his tongue invading, while his fingers gently press inside Jungkook, exploring slowly, to prepare him for what’s to come.

A violent shudder wracks Jungkook’s entire body, forcing his back to arch, as Seokjin’s fingers work so skillfully, pressing against the most sensitive spot deep inside him where pleasure amplifies every feeling. His lips simultaneously attack the younger one’s neck, branding it with a trail of hot, blazing marks.

“Hyung…” Jungkook moans, throwing his head back as he grips Seokjin's forearms, his brows knitting together in a way that’s almost painfully beautiful.

"Does it feel good?"

“Yeah, I need … ah—what are you—?” Jungkook’s body convulses, lost to the wave of uncontrollable sensations, undone by Seokjin’s touch. Seeing him this open and vulnerable is unbearably hot, exquisite torture. A soft whimper of disappointment escapes him when Seokjin removes his fingers, reaching under the pillow for a condom. That’s new. A million intrusive thoughts crash into Jungkook's mind in a single second. They’d never used protection before, because they were exclusive lovers. A silent question hangs in the air, but Jungkook doesn't dare ask.

Seokjin remains unfazed. He deftly rips the condom wrapper open with his teeth and quickly rolls it down his shaft. He kisses the younger one again, sensing the faint frown that creases his brow. He pushes into him with deliberate tenderness, filling him with nothing but gentle care. The moment their lips meet again, Jungkook visibly calms down, letting go of any stray thoughts.

Starved for each other, they give in to a desperate, burning passion. At times, Jungkook’s grip on Seokjin’s hips turns almost painful; sometimes Seokjin is the one grinding him into the mattress with a raw aggression, capturing his wrists and pinning them above his head, leaving pale red marks on his skin. Seokjin is on the brink of despair, realizing just how badly Jungkook wants him. Never before in his life had he experienced sex so feral, so utterly wild and unrestrained. Jungkook’s broken sobs are an exquisite melody to his ears. They fuel him, push him to move harder, faster, to pound into that pliant, waiting body with raw abandon. The wet slap of his hips against Jungkook’s skin blends with the younger one’s sweet moans, completely shattering what’s left of his sanity. With insatiable desire, he pushes Jungkook’s thighs open wider, marveling at his incredible flexibility. Jungkook is undone, his body arching and convulsing, consumed by a desperate hunger for more, while Seokjin gives every last piece of himself, holding nothing back. A hot knot of pleasure coils low in his gut, and a choked sound tears from his throat as Seokjin throws his legs over his shoulders and thrusts in fast and deep, hitting that perfect sensitive spot inside.

“Please,” Jungkook gasps, scorching hot at the peak of his pleasure. Flushed and slick with sweat, he fixes Seokjin with a pleading gaze—and Seokjin understands everything without a word.

“I’m close too. Let’s come together,” he breathes, his hand tightening on Jungkook’s cock, as he jerks in a ragged rhythm in sync with his own thrusts. Jungkook cries out, a sinfully sweet moan, as he shoots his cum over his stomach. Seokjin climaxes hard right after, burying his face in Jungkook’s soft hair, nuzzling his neck and murmuring sweet nothings against his skin, feeling the younger’s body still trembling, held tight in his arms.

To stay like this, tangled in each other's arms forever—it’s all Seokjin could ever wish for. The reality of what had just happened between them is better than the most beautiful dream, more perfect than any daring fantasy.

Once their breathing calms and their heartbeats slow, Jungkook slips free from Seokjin’s hold, leaving the other man confused.

 “You’re leaving… Already?”

Jungkook gets up quickly and starts picking up his scattered clothes, avoiding to look at Seokjin.

“It’s getting late. I should get back home. I’ll just use your shower, if that’s okay.”

Dropping his gaze to the floor, Seokjin can't ignore the sharp ache of disappointment. This must be exactly how Jungkook felt—every time Seokjin wouldn’t let him stay the night, every time he pushed him away, every time he forced that absurd friends-with-benefits arrangement on him that neither of them truly wanted.

Too much time has passed since they were on good terms, and sometimes things can change so fast. Besides, Jungkook had never actually confessed his love, or spoken about his feelings. Their separation was truly dreadful, and it would be no surprise if he no longer felt the same affection. Good sex in itself doesn’t mean their feelings for each other are mutual

With a heavy sigh, he picks up the damp towel to wipe the traces of their lovemaking from his stomach. Only moments ago, he had been so determined to open up and confess his feelings. But now the courage to speak those important words to Jungkook has deserted him.

After a few minutes, Jungkook returns from the shower, smoothing back his damp hair. He’s clearly in a hurry, and Seokjin’s throat tightens with the weight of everything he wants to say. Yet the awkward silence between them is not easy to break.

Jungkook wearily accepts his jacket from Seokjin’s hands but refuses his help to put it on. It feels as if he'd truly gotten everything he came for, and simply lost interest now that they’re done.

“Night,” he says curtly, already hurrying and disappearing down the hallway.

Before locking the door, Seokjin lingers for a long moment, with a lost look on his face. Junghyeong’s words echo in his mind — someone else can steal Jungkook away soon. And what if it’s already happened, and he only came tonight because he was trying to make his final choice?

***

The sun slowly moves toward the horizon, casting a golden glow, as Yoongi's car makes its way to the Min family cottage.

Situated on a picturesque meadow by the lake, safely hidden away from the noise and bustle of the big city, the house rises proudly among the hills. Here, the fresh air and the serene birdsong promise idyllic peace and healing. Surely, this is the perfect place to start a new life.

Taehyung secretly watches Yoongi, admiring the curve of his man’s profile as he turns off the engine and takes the key from the ignition.

Yoongi can sense the melancholy that has settled over his beloved one. Looking at him with deep affection, he tenderly takes his hand and presses a soft kiss to his knuckles. His heart swells with urgency, desperate to do something to make Taehyung feel better. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Yoongi pulls him closer, leaning in to rest his forehead against his temple.

“I can’t believe this is our new life,” Taehyung says, his voice full of awe.

“That’s right, my love,” Yoongi replies with a soft smile, leaning over to help unbuckle his seatbelt. “This is our new home, our new beginning. Here, let me help you out.”

He swiftly gets out of the car and comes around to the trunk to get out a foldable wheelchair. Then he opens the passenger door and carefully assists Taehyung out of the car and into the chair.

Taehyung’s eyes roam over the fairytale landscape, yet his heart grows heavy with an unspoken grief. He knows he will never walk through these surroundings or go for a morning run. He tries not to show his despair, not wanting to burden Yoongi, who is already doing everything he can to cheer him up. The inability to stand on his own legs drains the joy out of his life.

They are met by the familiar coziness of the interior. Yoongi spent the whole day here the day before, getting the house ready and making it comfortable for Taehyung. All of the younger one’s belongings have been moved over from the goshiwon. They are neatly packed in boxes, waiting for their owner to unpack them.

A faint lavender scent lingers in the air, mingling with the quiet creak of wooden floors underfoot, bringing back the memories of the time they shared. This place carries vivid memories for them both. Once Taehyung moved to Seoul and started working at Kim Enterprise, he was adamant that their relationship stay secret. Hiding the true nature of their connection and the way Tae got the job, they spent countless passionate nights in this cottage. They only had to step inside and close the door before clothes were torn away and dropped to the floor, exposing their bodies, glowing in the dim light. In such moments, the world outside ceased to exist. Nothing else existed but their desire for one another

They’ve gone through so much together since then. What began as a fragile bond has become a real love, one that proved strong enough to resist the toughest of challenges.

“When I think about us, it scares me sometimes. I’m afraid I’ll just be a burden to you,” Taehyung confesses with a sigh, his eyes turning wistfully to his packed-up things.

Crouching down beside him, Yoongi affectionately brushes a hand through his hair.

“That’s never going to happen.”

“But this is all new for us,” Taehyung says, overwhelmed by his doubts. “It’s going to be so hard. And I… I might just break.”

“I won’t let you,” Yoongi vows. “No matter what, I’ll be right here to put you back together.”

Time passes quickly, and Yoongi remains true to his promise. They are getting along beautifully, growing used to their new life together. Taehyung wants to resume his studies in the fine arts department and is actively preparing for part-time enrollment. Yoongi works from home, making sure to provide his beloved one with all the support and care he needs. Three times a week they attend physiotherapy sessions. The treatment is showing slow, but hopeful results: Taehyung now moves his toes, though he still cannot stand or hold his own weight.

Yoongi treats Tae with incredibly delicate care, and gradually the younger man finds himself starving for a different kind of attention from him.

Taking advantage of a day when Yoongi is away in Seoul on urgent matters, Taehyung arranges a romantic surprise — an outdoor picnic. He orders a food delivery and hires a courier to help.

Yoongi is deeply touched by the effort, though he’s also worried.

“Oh sweetheart, you really shouldn’t have,” he says softly, helping Tae settle onto the blanket spread out on the grass.

“I just really wanted to surprise you,” Taehyung says with a grin, mirroring the delight in Yoongi's face.

They relax on the grass, sipping red wine and enjoying the warmth of the evening as they watch the shimmering stars above.

“Honestly, this is the best surprise anyone’s ever done for me,” Yoongi confesses, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. “Being here feels so perfect!”

“It’s being with you that’s perfect.” Taehyung closes his eyes, melting into Yoongi’s warmth. “You know… I’ve missed you,” he adds, giving him a suggestive look, deliberately switching on the irresistible seducer persona – the one he knows Yoongi fell for at the start of their relationship.

That look alone makes Yoongi’s mouth go dry. “I’ve missed you too,” he says softly, his voice low, swallowing nervously.

“I want you so badly,” Taehyung murmurs, his sinfully beautiful, straight fingers gliding down Yoongi’s sternum to his stomach.

“Are you sure we should?” Yoongi bites his lip nervously, his eyes devouring every inch of Taehyung.

“I want to make love.”

Yoongi has waited so long for this moment. The ardor, fueled by long restrained passion, spreads through his veins like wildfire. 

A raw, insatiable need engulfs them both. The anticipation reaches its peak, and there is no way back now. Every touch makes their skin burn hotter, their hands explore each other’s curves and lines, marking out territories of pleasure known only to them. They move in perfect sync, guided by the silent knowledge of each other’s need, a proof of the depth of their connection.

It’s a special moment, filled with heady euphoria, and it seems as though nothing could ever disturb their bliss. Entirely lost in each other, they have no idea of the danger waiting so close by.

Hidden in the shadows of a giant oak, Youngjae observes them, his mouth twisting in disgust as he spits. “Soon, my little boy. Soon you’ll feel some real heat."

With those words, he heads toward the SUV parked nearby and starts unloading the trunk.