♡ ˎˊ˗  THE INVITATION TO Tokyo Fashion Week that Taehyung glares at through his screen marks the beginning of July and, with that, he's hopeful.

Juggling multiple projects is as difficult as it's always been, with Taehyung's lack of sleep and a chaotic schedule that comes with being seen with more important people, being relevant. He's really famous now, apparently, because he's the last person Eunchae and Jeongguk were seen with before their engagement was broken off. Also, because Jung Hoseok is huge, according to Yoongi, and reluctantly grabbing a coffee with him one day after work makes him a hot topic for an entire week.

Hoseok is, as it turns out, bearable. He asks an awful lot of questions, unnecessary, detailed questions, and expects such answers, as well. He talks about himself, about the company and how it's been, working there, and sometimes says things he shouldn't say and regrets them immediately, but Taehyung bears with him for that exact reason. He never brings up their history in a bad manner, only introduces Taehyung as an old friend he used to work with, leaving out the part where Taehyung literally disappeared so he could get rid of him, changed his goddamn number and took a vacation, only to find Hoseok gone when he came back. He either wants to cover it up or he doesn't see it that way. Neither of these would surprise Taehyung.

Plus, Hoseok's planning skills turn out to be quite fascinating because he has pages and pages of notes that he's written down on their project and prepared to make reality. He's into it, whatever it is. They have yet to figure out the concept, the actual theme to stick to, but Taehyung decides to settle the basics first, like finances. Regarding the theme, he tries to postpone making that decision, no matter how much Hoseok tries to hint at already having an idea or two. He can't do it now, not yet.

There's an odd development regarding him and Jeongguk, as well. He isn't sure whether it's actually all coming together, whether Jeongguk's decided to actually be civil, or it's all just temporary until he changes his mind and decides to act all weird again. But for now, Taehyung appreciates the calm. Occasionally, he lets himself forget that Jeongguk's the person who insulted him to the point of tears, just like many had before him, and slips into the kind of mindset that allows him to appreciate his (dumb) humour, the way his eyes sparkle and his nose scrunches up when he talks about Jimin or Eunchae.

They discuss their plans for Tokyo because apparently, Jeongguk's attending, too, and for some reason, Jimin thinks it would be good to have them interact there, in front of the cameras. Taehyung doesn't complain because it's true. He might already have attracted the attention of those curious enough to invite him to such a huge event, but that doesn't mean it has to end there. Attending, being photographed with Jeon Jeongguk of all people, is exactly the kind of thing he's doing all of this for. He can't miss it.

Plus, Jeongguk still seems a little reluctant, a little annoyed at the idea, and that makes Taehyung like it more.

JAYKAYY
ur not sitting next to me jsyk

ur gonna be like

all the way in the back

cz no one knows u lol

TAEHYUNG
And is there any particular reason this should bother me? You're not exactly giving me any.

JAYKAYY
nah

just telling you

we can like take a pic or two

joon hyung will probably make us do it but that's it

so don't get any ideas k?

TAEHYUNG
I understand.

JAYKAYY
oh btw kim

TAEHYUNG
Yes?

JAYKAYY
stop doing that

the . thingy

makes you sound angry

r u angry

?

TAEHYUNG
I'm not angry

JAYKAYY
k

TAEHYUNG
Are question marks okay

JAYKAYY
yup

everything is okay as long as it's not like

.

just at the end

and then u leave

you can use it lie

like*****

in the middle of a text

easier if it's a long one

but not at the end

looks angry

friendly advice

TAEHYUNG
It's very much appreciated

Seokjin leaves for Tokyo and the apartment feels oddly vacant. His voice screeches through the phone in all the wrong ways when Taehyung tells him about the invitation and Taehyung's echoes a little too much when he sings to himself in the middle of his living room. The lock on the door to his makeshift office has no purpose because no one barges in with a huge breakfast, yelling at the top of their lungs that Taehyung should eat lest his braincells stop functioning. ("You need your cute little braincells to work, don't you, Tae?")

So perhaps Taehyung's just a little all over the place.

Therefore, he does what he does best. He works.

Hoseok is running late today and Taehyung's already escaped a terrifying mass of people in front of the building, calling his name, screaming questions that he can't hear over the security, and headed for the office --- Jeongguk's office. The one functioning elevator is crammed and his chatter with Chaeryoung, one of the trainees, ceases when the door opens and in walks Jeon Jaehwan, the CEO and founder of J Entertainment. Jeongguk's father.

Jeongguk, Taehyung can't help but think, scarily resembles the man whose back he's staring daggers into right now. All sharp lines and smooth planes, broad shoulders and bulky arms. His dark hair is streaked with silver strands, although there's barely any sign of ageing on his face, save the small creases below his round eyes. He nods politely at the way Taehyung bows, no particular expression on his face. Taehyung forces himself to play a shy little employee, the way he knows best.

Jeongguk might not be willing to discuss his family life with Taehyung, but Hoseok's more than happy to slip in a detail or two about how Jeongguk's dad loves the idea of Jeongguk dipping his fingers into as many pies as possible by dedicating some of his time to the world of fashion, about how he's accepted to secure the money needed for their project, not even bothering to see where they'd go with it, about how lazy Jeongguk's dad thinks his favourite son is, but how proud he is to have him inherit the company one day, how hard Namjoon is working to keep Jeongguk in line. Hoseok blabbers about it all, about the messy divorce that happened years ago and removed Mrs Jeon from her child's life altogether, and Taehyung lets him.

He knows who he's dealing with and, with how stuck-up Mr CEO appears when they're, at one point, all alone in the elevator, his first impression seems to be correct, finally.

"So you're the gentleman working with my oldest," the man's voice rings out and Taehyung inhales sharply. "I do hope you're managing. He can be quite a complicated person to approach."

For a few seconds, Taehyung isn't entirely sure what to say. He blinks at the man, mouth dry, before offering a smile and nodding.

"Yes, sir, that's me." He sighs, smile still present, still so awfully plastic. "But I will have to disagree with you, because Jeongguk's a pleasure to work with. He has been so from the very start. I'm sure our project will be an interesting new experience for both of us."

He's not sure why he settles on a lie. Something about Jeon Jaehwan simply sets him apart from Hwang Eunchae, who appears to be on Jeongguk's side. This man, although family, seems to have hoped to get a different answer.

And so, Taehyung simply doesn't want to give it to him.

The elevator door opens and he notices it's, unfortunately, not his floor yet, but it seems to be Jeon Jaehwan's, because he nods and takes a few quick, powerful strides out, before turning around to offer Taehyung one final smile. "I hope he'll at least begin to attend your meetings now that he owes you for causing trouble."

Taehyung's smile slips right off as the door closes, the man's eyes the last thing he sees before he's all alone, fuming.

He knows. He's known all along, he's aware of Jeongguk and his antics, aware of the chaos, and he let Taehyung speak, let him lie to his face only to be able to grin at him from the other side of the door and leave the conversation at that.

Now that he owes you for causing trouble. What's that supposed to mean? He doubts the man knows why exactly they're working together, doubts he's aware Taehyung practically threatened to out Jeongguk to his fiancée, but he can't get those words out of his head.

The entire floor echoes with shouts as he finally exits the elevator and nears the office. His heart drops at the sound of two familiar voices.

One of them belongs to Jimin, bright and sharp even through the walls. The other one, lower, louder, rougher --- it's Jeongguk's.

"I think you should calm down," Jimin says. "It's being taken care of---"

"I don't give a fuck, okay? You were supposed to be there!" Jeongguk's words sound as though they're being ripped out of his throat against his will. "You fucked this up for me. You did it, so I'm sorry if I'm making a big fucking deal."

"Jeonggukie, this isn't something we can control anymore."

"Fuck off," Jeongguk spits. Taehyung can hear the sneer in his voice, hear the familiar anger that he's been a victim of once before. "It's all your fault. It's all you and he's gonna blame me 'cause he always fucking does."

The thudding in Taehyung's chest is the only audible sound for a few seconds, before he hears footsteps, slow and soft. "Jeonggukie, please. You're doing it again. You have to trust me. I'll fix it."

"You dont know that." Jeongguk's response is flat. "And I don't want you here right now. You should go."

"Are you gonna tell him---?"

"That's none of your business. Leave." Taehyung clamps his mouth shut and presses himself against the wall, into the wall, hopes to fucking melt into the collage of posters and wallpaper as Jimin storms out of the office, completely failing to notice him and rushing towards the elevator, smoothly avoiding the one with a huge OUT OF ORDER slapped on the doors and entering the working one, not before pressing a phone to his ear and uttering clearly into the speaker:

"Sir, it's Kim Taehyung---" And the elevator doors shut.

Taehyung stands still, frozen, for what feels like hours. He's torn between rushing after Jimin, forcing him to explain what his name has to do with this, and stepping into the office casually, pretending to know nothing about the conversation that's just taken place. Yet, his decision is made for him.

"Kim."

His head snaps in the direction of the office, the movement so sudden his neck hurts, and there is Jeongguk, leaning against the doorframe, jaw tight and eyes on Taehyung's.

"You seem cheery as always," Taehyung utters, clearing his throat and straightening up his posture to appear less utterly fucking confused. Jeongguk moves to the side, motions for him to come in, and he does, sauntering right in, his shoulder brushing against Jeongguk's lightly.

"Don't give me that bullshit. I know you heard it."

He promptly takes a seat on the couch, crosses his legs and raises an eyebrow at the way Jeongguk looks at him. "Well, then I assume you're also aware that I know it concerns me. Tell me what's happening."

Jeongguk steps farther into the room, grabs his phone and a few more items Taehyung isn't sure he can identify with how swiftly he moves. His back is tense as he fiddles with whatever he's holding, muscles appearing strained through the fabric of his black hoodie.

"Nothing you should be worried about right now," he finally speaks.

"That can't be true." Taehyung scoffs and stands up, every step getting him closer to where Jeongguk stands, knuckles white against the lip of the table, head hanging low. "I've heard everything. You can't expect me not to wonder. Tell me the truth."

"Fuck off."

Taehyung laughs. "Oh, we're not doing this again. You're irresponsible, I understand. But if it's as serious as you're making it seem, it's not just your reputation that's at stake. You have to tell me---"

Jeongguk's palms slam down against the table with a deafening noise and Taehyung flinches, stepping back. Jeongguk follows. "You wanna know what's going on? Fine. I fucked up. I fucked up and blamed Jimin hyung 'cause it's so much easier than admitting it." His face is close, too fucking close, but he's not doing anything. Not touching Taehyung, gripping him harshly, slamming against walls or hotel room doors. Standing so close, he's trying to prove a point, make sure Taehyung hears when he says, "But I'll fix it."

Taehyung blinks at him, eyes darting around his face, around the harsh line between his perfect eyebrows, his clenched jaw, his pouty lips pressed so tight together that they lose their colour, pale against his skin.

"What are you going to do?" Taehyung croaks. He lets out a sharp breath when Jeongguk takes a step back, then another one, long legs taking him to the door --- as quickly as his father left the elevator earlier, with that determination, that confidence that's so incredibly Jeon --- and turns around one final time to face him.

"You told me to take the fall," he says, no trace of a smile on his face. "This is me doing it."

He's still at the door, waiting for Taehyung's reaction, expecting a reply, but Hoseok's voice breaks through the silence and he shows up next to Jeongguk. "Oh, Jeonggukie, you joining us today?"

Before Taehyung can utter an answer, tell Jeongguk to wait, to explain himself, Jeongguk shakes his head and slips out of the office, leaving Taehyung with Hoseok once more.

♡ ˎˊ˗ AFTER AN HOUR and a half of nodding along and bobbing his knees up and down, attempting to stay concentrated on the notes handed to him when all he can think about is that pair of cold eyes, that tense jaw and clenched fists, the hurt in that low voice, Taehyung's had enough.

He presses his palms against the table, maybe slams them, when he thinks about it, and stands up, the chair screeching behind him. "Excuse me for a second."

"Is everything---? You okay, Tae?" Hoseok's smile falters. He stands up, hesitant. "Is it something I did?"

"No. I need to make a phone call." He's already at the door. "I'll be back in a few." Without another word, he leaves Hoseok in the office to blink in confusion.

TAEHYUNG
Where are you?

JAYKAYY
lol miss me already?

TAEHYUNG
Why was Jimin talking on the phone to someone about me? I think I should know

JAYKAYY
don't worry about it

TAEHYUNG
I'm being serious. You're already neglecting your responsibilities by not attending the meetings at all. I think you should come back and explain it all to me. Was I the reason for your disagreement with Jimin earlier?

His message remains unread, no matter how much he glares at it, so he locks his phone and stuffs it into his pocket.

This wasn't the plan. They didn't agree on this, on Jeongguk leaving him all alone to deal with their project, on making him feel all weird and guilty and storming out like never before, without his usual company. He's sure Namjoon's not in on it, on Jeongguk's antics, and that makes it all much worse.

Namjoon's not picking up his phone. Taehyung doesn't have Jimin's number. Jeongguk's ghosted him, all angry and weird. Taehyung's name is going around. He does the only thing reasonable at the moment --- starts going from door to door.

He checks the practice room Jeongguk pulled him into that day when he signed the contract, every room on that same floor, before moving on to the next. The other studios, the main office, the fucking canteen. Namjoon's office is empty, too, yet when he turns to leave, he slams against what feels like... a chest.

"Is everything okay, Taehyung?" Namjoon raises an eyebrow at him and he backs off, feeling heat prickle his face. "Where's Jeongguk?"

Taehyung sighs. "I was about to ask you the same. I've been looking for him, I've looked everywhere."

"God, did he leave again?"

Fucking obviously. "Yes? I mean---"

"Was Jimin with him?" Namjoon's shift in expression, from confusion to alarm, doesn't go unnoticed, with the way his jaw tenses and his eyes widen. "Taehyung, did you see Park Jimin leave with him?"

His heart drops at the question and he swallows. His mind races back to the man slipping past him in the hallway, Taehyung's name on his tongue, to Jeongguk remaining in the office before storming off.

"I didn't," he answers. "They fought and then Jimin left and... Jeongguk left alone."

Namjoon lets out an exhale, sharp and through the nose, and takes a step back, one hand reaching up to rub at his face.

"Fuck." The word comes out so smoothly Taehyung barely registers it, almost misses it. "Fuck, fuck, this is bad. This is really bad."

"Bad? Is there something you're not telling me?" Jeongguk's left countless times before this, both alone and with others and there's no need to have a meltdown over it. Not the way Namjoon is having one right now.

Yet, Taehyung can't shake the memory of the tension in Jeongguk's stance, of his voice, painfully raw against the deafening silence as he all but screamed at Jimin that he'd fucked up, the guilt in his eyes when Taehyung faced him, can't ignore the uneasy weight in his chest and the feeling that something is terribly wrong.

"Trust me, it's better to stay out of it because it's a fucking disaster. He's upset, he could be doing absolutely anything. The last time he and Jimin--- the last time he disappeared---" Namjoon sighs. "Well, that's when you found him."

The hotel. Stumbling out of a stranger's room, smelling of wine and sex.

"So this is something he does, then?" Namjoon nods. "He leaves and---"

"And does absolutely anything he wants to do."

"But why?"

It's a question that's been bothering him ever since that day. The reason. The reason why one with so many options, so much privacy already provided and secured, would take the risk of doing something so irresponsible, take the risk of getting caught. Caught by someone like him who would use it, abuse it.

"He's angry." Namjoon takes out his phone, taps the screen once, twice, three times, and presses it to his ear, waiting. "If he fought with Jimin of all people, he's really fucking angry. And when he's angry, he acts out. Puts himself in danger. It's his thing and--- Jimin's not picking up. I'll have to look for him. I'll let the security know, too, they'll check the cameras. I'll be notified when either of them are seen."

Puts himself in danger.

"What can I do?" Taehyung's mouth opens on its own, words slipping out before he can think them through.

Namjoon's already turned away, but he pauses and looks over his shoulder. The confusion in his eyes is visible even from a distance. "What do you mean?"

"Jimin brought me up. They were talking about me. Do you know something about it?"

Namjoon sighs. "Nothing I can tell you right away. There's been a leak--- Just try and stay calm. I'm sure Mr Min will reach out soon to explain it all, I just really need to find him right now---"

"If it's about me, that makes me involved." Taehyung raises his eyebrows. "What can I do?"

Namjoon sighs, expression still tense, lips parted, but so much left unsaid. "Try not to get dragged into it."

And he's gone. Cryptic. Weird. Just like everyone else in this fucking company.

Taehyung didn't mean to say it. Saying it made it real, materialised the way he still fucking cared, despite everything. He's human, after all, and despite the thing between tolerance and borderline hatred Jeongguk shamelessly shows for him and his own urge to make him regret all his bullshit, he's not immune to it all. Not when there's a risk Jeongguk could harm someone. Harm himself. He didn't mean to say it, but fuck, it's terrifying how much he actually meant it, because he is involved if it's about him.

And he does try. He storms through every floor. Opens every door that's not locked. Receives confused glances and shakes of heads and nothing more.

There's a weight settling somewhere deep in his chest, thundering inside him like the ugliest of storms. He decides that he absolutely hates it and that maybe, finding Jeongguk before he fucks something up might calm it somehow.

A text notification forces his attention to the phone in his pocket and he unlocks it quickly to see a new text from Jeongguk, a response to what he said earlier.

JAYKAYY
i think you should mind ur own business kim

pretty please

TAEHYUNG
This is very much my business

I just talked to your manager

JAYKAYY
boo hoo im so scared

TAEHYUNG
Don't do anything stupid, Jeongguk. Just tell me where you are before something goes wrong

And you should be scared. He seems furious. I'm pretty sure he'll tear this place down

JAYKAYY
good thing i'm not inside them lol

then*** no glasses smh

TAEHYUNG

Where are you, Jeongguk?

JAYKAYY
not inside

duh

Taehyung's scoff echoes through the hallway, scaring off a group of trainees standing by the vending machine. He stomps his feet and slips the phone back into his pocket before strutting down the stairs.

Not inside. It feels like a hint, like Jeongguk's curious to see whether or not Taehyung will actually go to look. Go outside, go through a crowd of fans to look.

They're here every time Taehyung comes to the company, all in hopes of catching Jeongguk with him, seeing him, even for a second. It's overwhelming, each time.

They scream as soon as he gets out. There are no dramatic love confessions or photographs to sign. Only questions.

"Taehyung, where's Jungkook?"

"Are you still friends with Victoire?"

"Do you have a boyfriend, Taehyung?" Holy shit, they know.

"Are you two friends?"

Having a phonecall while there's a security guard fighting off fans beside him isn't the smartest decision ever, but when Taehyung's phone buzzes, he has a feeling it's someone he's been desperately trying to reach.

He takes a few long strides back to the door, reminding himself oddly of that particular someone, before pressing the phone to his ear, a fake smile on his lips once more to avoid a scandal. His heart is still racing because fuck. These people know about him. "Where are you?"

"Not inside. You having fun out there?" There's amusement in Jeongguk's tone, amusement that Taehyung wants to punch him for. He knows where Taehyung is.

"Oh, absolutely." His teeth grit. "You're enjoying the fresh air, I presume?"

"Fresh air? Come on, Kim, it's Seoul. Air's the freshest in a public restroom."

"So you're still in Seoul, that's good." Taehyung rubs at the back of his neck, feeling sweat collecting in the hair on his nape.

"Jesus, what did they tell you about me?" Laughter. Jeongguk finds this entertaining, again. "Of course I'm in Seoul, where would I go!"

Taehyung hums, trying to conceal the shortness of his own breath as he leans against the wall, eyes on a random fan --- he's holding a photo of Jeongguk and has a huge KTH scribbled on his forehead. Jesus. The boy starts screaming and Taehyung quickly averts his eyes, fixates them on the clear skies, on the skyscrapers above him. "I don't know," he humours him because, this way, at least Jeongguk's talking. Most likely not doing something bad. "Where would you go?"

"You're a menace, Kim, really. If I wasn't---"

"Weren't," Taehyung blurts out.

"Fucking whatever, if I weren't--- oh, goddamn pigeons! Fuck off!"

A dry laugh escapes Taehyung's lips at the exclamation, before it's cut short by a sudden movement in the sky. It's small, unnoticeable, but Taehyung's already looking and he can't miss it. A flock of birds --- Jeongguk's goddamn pigeons --- swarming the rooftop of the company building. Two jean-clad legs dangling off the edge.

a/n:

soooo a cliffhanger... literally.

don't worry tho, no one's dying lmao. this scene serves to develop taekook's dynamic a little bit. it'll bring a lot of development, some realisations... negative or positive, we'll see

what do you think jikook were fighting about?

i hope namjoon's reaction to jk leaving shed some light on this situation and jungkook's character. I know a lot of you really dislike him, but i would like to remind you all that things are never exactly as they seem :)

also no ceo's son x client romance is complete without some family drama to spice it up, hopefully you'll find it interesting

i really want to portray this right. i hope i will. take care of yourselves!! next update is coming soon to show more of taekook's antics, it'll be more conversation based but it's high time these two talked, don't you agree? the chaos is nowhere near over but it's time for small developments. thank you for reading <3