♡ ˎˊ˗ RAINY MORNINGS ARE the worst nightmare of someone who's forgotten to set an alarm, especially when they wake up in a stranger's house on a Saturday morning (read: at noon). The rain offers this sense of weightlessness, timelessness, makes one forget the world is still out there for everyone to catch up with. Taehyung's still dreaming, his sweaty skin pressed to the soft white sheets, his hair a mess on the stranger's pillow.

His sleep is interrupted by the buzzing of his phone that seems to have been going on for hours and hours and he searches for the device blindly before picking up. "Yoongi hyung."

"I've called you, like, four times."

Taehyung grins. "Well, you've reached me now." With a stretch, he stands up and picks up his jacket, dusts it off to make sure lying on the floor for hours hasn't damaged it. It's his favourite. He unzips a pocket and pulls out his pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "How can I help you?"

"I just met up with Kim Namjoon and---"

"Isn't he in Paris already?"

"Why should he---? No, I've told you already. He's leaving tonight."

"But Jeongguk---"

"Jeongguk and Hoseok are already there, yes." Yoongi sighs. "I talked to Namjoon about how we should start promoting the project already. We can't exactly say anything about it yet because we don't have enough info, but we can still make it work with you two. He has an idea."

Something about this doesn't sound right. Kim Namjoon has an idea, and those don't seem to be the best options. Not for everyone, at least. Somehow, despite seemingly fighting for the good of his 'project', Namjoon seems to make Jeongguk suffer the most. Jeongguk, in a way, appears to be the collateral damage of his own success.

"Fine," Taehyung agrees, tentative. "I'm listening."

"Are you home?"

"I can be."

"Great." Yoongi snorts. "Meet you there."

"Can't we just discuss it over the phone?" he whines.

"We can. But I wanna see you," Yoongi explains. "I'll be there in an hour."

"As will I." Taehyung hangs up the phone with a sigh and wraps his lips around the cigarette once more, his tense nerves almost easing with every inhale.

Min Yoongi has been more serious about the project ever since he found out about Jeongguk's efforts. Taehyung hasn't told him everything yet, isn't planning to, but Yoongi knows Jeongguk's working. That's enough for him to keep in touch with Kim Namjoon and deal with everything Taehyung isn't even remotely interested in or familiar with. Manager business. Keeping them relevant. Him and... well.

Jeongguk left for Paris a few days ago with Hoseok and the rest of his team, with the exception of Namjoon and Jimin; they're still here to finish up a thing or two (including, apparently, that meeting with Yoongi). It's been quiet, mostly. Taehyung expected it and he isn't surprised now.

There have been glimpses of Jeongguk here and there, when Jeongguk sent this vlog by this famous person Taehyung was apparently supposed to know about, and it was a video on that Ghibli museum and everything anime-related that Tokyo had to offer. When Taehyung said he wasn't really into anime, Jeongguk apologised and didn't contact him for another few days, until Taehyung called to ask about Hoseok's whereabouts because he would absolutely not call Hoseok. That's when Jeongguk picked up, curt at first, replies snappy and flat before they melted into fluid, light monologues about his flight and how nice Paris looked at night. He even sent a few photos and Taehyung was not jealous at all.

So he's buried himself in more books and magazines and monitored more photoshoots than ever before, because when he's busy, he doesn't think about wishing to be there, getting to see the beauty of France himself and to take his own photos, to travel all over the country and actually feel inspired enough to draw and create something new.

"I was gonna ask you to sign an NDA, but I can tell from the way you look at me you've seriously got no clue who I am."

Taehyung's head snaps away from the black screen of his phone and he locks eyes with the man on the other side of the bed. He's smiling curiously, head tilted as though he has any idea about Taehyung, about what he knows and what he thinks. Certainly, he has gentle, practiced hands and a tongue made in heaven, and he knows Taehyung likes it slow, but that's as far as his knowledge on Taehyung goes.

Objectively, the man --- Mr Hwang, if the stack of business cards sitting on the bedside table with a huge elegant HWANG GROUP is anything to go by --- is the clueless one.

"I'm afraid so," Taehyung says. He wonders if Jeongguk asks his hook-ups to sign NDAs, too. He then wonders why the fuck the question's crossed his mind.

"Right." He receives a nod. "Name's Hyunjin."

"Hyunjin," Taehyung repeats the name with a nod, and it's no wonder he didn't ask to hear it last night. It's boring, not worth repeating and, despite the young man's undeniable beauty, utterly uninspiring.

And when Taehyung's by the door with his last night's clothes on and his phone in his hand and needs to remind the stranger he doesn't kiss on the mouth in order not to be pressed against the wall in a poor excuse of a pointless goodbye, it's also no wonder that this Hwang Hyunjin person receives no name in return.

Taehyung gets Yoongi's text as he unlocks the apartment door and has about thirty minutes to shower, get dressed and have something to eat. His stomach has been making funny noises in the taxi the whole ride back home and he can't wait to scrub his skin clean and finally raid the fridge.

There's a clean blue t-shirt on him, a pair of sweatpants, and he even gets to do his hair and put on some concealer, before he's in the kitchen, digging through the boxes of frozen meals Seokjin's left for him. He chops up vegetables as the meat reheats and munches on some cucumber slices along the way and when he chases down three big bites with a glass of some leftover gross green smoothie thing that he and Yoongi made on Saturday, he knows there's at least one person who's proud of him. At least one.

"It's open!" Taehyung shouts when Yoongi rings the doorbell. His mouth is full and his hands are greasy, but he manages to stand up and wipe them off on a random tissue, before he stumbles out of the kitchen to greet his guest. He can finish later.

"One lie and one truth, go." That's become a thing.

Taehyung pauses by the door although Yoongi's already inside and hums in thought. "I used to sing at a small jazz bar on the other side of Seoul during my freshman year. Also, I have a pet sheep at home."

"You do seem like the type to keep all sorts of pets. I'm betting on the sheep story."

"That one's the lie, actually." Taehyung shuts the door and Yoongi plops down onto the couch. "The band that played at the bar was short a singer. I happened to be sitting there, having a drink after a long day, I helped them out and we made it a routine soon after. I didn't earn much, but it was enough at the time, especially for a side job."

"And a jazz band at that? You're fascinating, Kim Taehyung." Yoongi gapes at him. "You should use your talents more."

"Thank you, but hearing me sing is something I now keep limited to my friends and family only. I'm much more comfortable that way."

Yoongi hums. "That's a shame." He lets out a heavy sigh and rubs the back of his neck, rolling his head around as though to relieve some of the tension there. "Jesus, traffic is crazy. I left home three hours ago, can you believe that? No idea how you're never late to work with how far you live."

"I am, sometimes," Taehyung admits. "Mr Choi doesn't necessarily mind. He doesn't show it in a way that could affect me, at least."

Yoongi slumps down onto the floor, back resting against the couch now. "You know, there's a brand new apartment building literally two blocks away from Choi Fashion. Right next to mine. It's got a great view, plus there's that air filtration system so your hyung won't mind it when you smoke."

"Oh, he doesn't--- It's alright." Taehyung nods and sits down on the couch. "I'm more than fine laying off the cigarettes when he's around."

"Sure." Yoongi narrows his eyes at him, but nods. "My offer always stands, though."

As good as the new apartment might be, there's something sweet about their little place, the place they worked their butts off for and made into their own piece of the world. Taehyung doesn't think he could trade it for the view or anything remotely as insignificant.

"You've come to talk about something, correct? I'm listening."

"Right, right, so!" Yoongi clasps his hands together. "I have good news. I got you in."

Taehyung raises his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"The picture. You're officially in the picture." He straightens up in his seat, a little more alert, a little more awake. "Namjoon and I talked, we discussed the progress you guys have made on the project, and we concluded that it's taking a long time, that you two, you and Jeongguk, should be seen together in order to promote it."

Taehyung quirks an eyebrow. "Isn't that what we're already doing?"

"Yes, but unofficially. This way, you two will not only meet up outside of work to be seen together, but will also have intertwined schedules." When Taehyung only blinks at him, Yoongi huffs. "Alright, listen, for example, Jeongguk's returning in a week or so and he'll have a few days before he needs to go to Milan." And then to New York and then to Tokyo, then back to Seoul for Eunchae's birthday party and then to Tokyo once more because the first Japanese tour dates are basically right after Tokyo Fashion Week. "According to Namjoon, he's planning on filming this... vlog thing, this--- a camping vlog! That's right."

"Hyung, Jeongguk has an interesting schedule and I've always known that, even as a fan. What are you trying to say?" Taehyung tilts his head, amused. "Do you want me to go camping, is that it?"

Much to Taehyung's horror, Yoongi nods. "You're going with him, that's right."

"Are they sure that's wise?" he has to ask. "Shouldn't those kinds of videos be reserved for close friends? He's done them in the past, but only with his best friends, and they've all been blurred out of all the footage, anyway. Isn't it a risk?"

"For him?"

"Yes. His fans already don't like me that much. Won't they be upset to see us sharing a small space for days, being friendly?"

"I don't think so," Yoongi admits. "Even if they are, it'll still get us views. Views mean attention. Attention means you're in the damn picture."

"Okay, but---"

"He'll be filming everything, you'll be seen with him, you two will act all friendly and nice with each other instead of trying to kill each other like you normally do---" Oh, he has no idea. "---and everyone will see that you're not just feeding into this one rumour, but that there's something officially happening. They'll be expecting an announcement regarding any sort of collaboration."

"And what are you going to tell them?"

"About what, Taehyung?"

"About the collaboration. I mean, you and Kim Namjoon have been intent on dealing with the promotion yourselves, but what are you promoting exactly when we're not even sure about the way to start? Don't you think it's too risky?"

Yoongi laughs. It's an odd sound against the empty walls, an odd sound coming from someone usually so stiff. "Listen, kid. You two signed a contract. There's gonna be something. And the public, the public will eat it up because it's Jungkook. They're going to see it and they're going to swoon and they're going to fucking love it because their bias, or whatever those are called, made it. We just have to keep them on their toes for as long as you need to get it done."

Jeongguk. It's about Jeongguk, again. It's always been, and Taehyung understands it, but it's never come from Yoongi, of all people. Yoongi's always been about creativity and Taehyung's inspiration and the opportunity to grow.

Now, it seems like the opposite.

Before he leaves, Yoongi tells him to either get a gym membership or start a healthier diet lest he look weird next to Jeongguk on camera. "You look pale," he says with a pat on Taehyung's shoulder and Taehyung's appetite dissipates. "You should try eating more."

When Taehyung dials Jeongguk's phone number, it rings about five times before he even considers the existence of timezones and fuck, it's two o'clock in the morning in Paris--- "Kim?"

Jeongguk doesn't sound sleepy. He sounds out of breath. "Jeongguk, has Namjoon mentioned my joining your little camping trip when you get back?"

"Shit, uh, hold on a sec." His voice sounds more distant, yet somehow lower, when he speaks. "Chez vous ou chez moi?" 'Your place or mine' --- your, as in, plural. As in, he's either addressing someone he respects extremely, or he's addressing multiple people. A soft giggle follows, a woman's, and then a male voice, in French, obviously a native speaker, says that Jeongguk's place is just fine, the informal tone telling Taehyung everything he needs to know. Jeongguk attempts to suggest they find a cab; he gets all the articles wrong and mixes up his tenses, but the message goes through just fine, it seems. "Uh, actually, it was my idea."

"Yours? Really now?"

"I mean, the--- the camping... thing. It's not really camping, actually, because I don't--- It's travelling, that was my idea, but... Not you, no. When he said you and me should try and film stuff together, I suggested going live, but he remembered the camping stuff and just--- yeah, that's how it went down." A pause. "Couldn't manage to change his mind, you know what he's like." Taehyung's very familiar with Namjoon's insistence on making decisions for Jeongguk.

"Sadly," he agrees. A smile finds its way to his chapped lips as he considers teasing Jeongguk, saying something along the lines of I'm sure you're quite disappointed you are to spend an entire weekend with me, but there's a chuckle on the other end, Jeongguk's, and broken French shines through as he replies to the man he's with that they could find a place to eat first — Taehyung never knew the word grignoter could sound so sexy, but Jeongguk's voice is deeper when he speaks French, huskier; then the woman giggles, and Taehyung's not really in the mood. "Have a good night, Jeongguk."

"Will do, Kim. Try not to miss me too much."

The rest of the week goes by smoothly. Taehyung spends his mornings with his fork buried in salad or, on occasion, oatmeal, spends his afternoons digging through YouTube for videos of last year's fashion shows, going over old articles and the latest predictions, and wastes his nights in beds of people he doesn't remember when the sun rises. It's all so familiar, all so predictable, this little pattern of his, but there's no Seokjin to tell him to slow down, to eat some actual food or get some sleep, to go outside on occasions that don't include going to work or to a club where people may or may not recognise him.

He's not entirely sure what he's searching for when he looks up old articles and video clips, but there's this urge to draw, to create, to show that yes, he's working with Jeon Jeongguk, but no, that won't be the only reason their project will be a success because he's prepared, he's experienced, he's good and he can do this --- and yet, he ends up staring at blank pages whenever he opens his sketchbook to actually work.

When his phone rings, it's usually Eunchae. She explains how, despite the fact that she lives in Korea, Paris is the most important event of the year to her, how France expects her new clothes every year and how failing in France means failing altogether. She adds that she and Hwang Hyunjin (who turns out, not that shockingly, to be her favourite cousin, because Taehyung just loves sleeping with everyone Hwang Eunchae knows) had dinner with the Nakamoto family and that Jeongguk had to miss it, but he's generally been by her side the entire time. Taehyung feels that familiar bitterness in his mouth that he gets whenever he remembers his boss leaving out his name when listing off the team members who'd be going to Tokyo, when he remembers receiving the invitation only after establishing connections to these two people.

He'll realise it's nighttime only when she gushes about how much she's missed sunrises in Paris. He'll end up dozing off during yet another episode of this boring drama he's already promised Seokjin he'd watch (apparently, the ending is worth it), and he'll dream of Rei Kawakubo's blacks¹ and Jeongguk's glittery blues.

Eunchae and Jeongguk's return to Korea is what temporarily awakens him from this odd state of flat, dead emptiness, and seeing Daegu again when he walks into Eunchae's apartment one rainy Monday after work fills that seemingly infinite void a little bit. Eunchae hugs him until he can't breathe and offers a drink and things seem to be back to normal.

On Tuesday, Jeongguk messages him that he won't be able to make it to their meeting and that it'll be just Taehyung and Hoseok. Namjoon picks him up, pleasantly quiet and mild, except for when they bring up the crazy weather, and it feels like he's getting a hang of this again, of living.

Seokjin calls that early Wednesday morning, and they end up arguing over the boring drama. Although he hangs up on Taehyung with a scoff, Seokjin calls back a minute later and tells him he has a point.

Hoseok is oddly bearable on Thursday, as well, and Taehyung hopes he doesn't receive a text like this from Jeongguk next week.

On Friday, Taehyung messes up an order of materials at work and Mr Choi warns him that he won't tolerate carelessness again. That night, Taehyung sleeps over at Yoongi's and Yoongi promises to show him the possibilities that the nightlife of Seoul brings to those people like them.

Saturday, Yoongi fulfills his promise, takes Taehyung to a VIP club, and introduces him to his friends. They're models. One of them buys Taehyung a Glenmorangie, then a few more and the rest of the night is a blur.

He's hungover on Sunday.

It's finally normal. Whenever he's around people, he's back to normal and it's all just right. He doesn't glare at his sketchbook, hoping his eyes will somehow burn holes through the empty pages, doesn't think about the way he can almost make his forefinger and thumb touch if he curls them around his own bicep, doesn't reminisce the warm brush of Jeongguk's knee against his own. He's socialising, he's working, he's getting things done, everything except for what he should actually do.

It's normal. Even more so when Jeongguk asks to meet up with him so Taehyung can give him his portfolio (the irony) and Jimin shows up at his door an hour later, a bag of steaming pork dumplings in his hand. "Don't question Jeongguk's ways," he says, lifting the bag with a grimace. "Shall we?"

Taehyung makes himself comfortable in the passenger seat as Jimin plays around with the radio to find a decent station. He gives up after a few minutes of shuffling through the stations and simply leaves it on the most random one where a woman is going on and on about something in English. Taehyung can't be bothered to think about it, simply enjoying the background noise.

"Sorry your information got leaked," Jimin says after a while, seemingly unable to sit in silence. "It was my fault--- I mean, not exactly, but---"

"I know," Taehyung interrupts. "Jeongguk's explained it all already. It's not your fault."

"But he trusted me with it," he murmurs. "We're best friends, you know? It's not in my job description to go around and take care of the media stuff, but if my best friend who's given me a job and a career and never treats me like I'm anything less than him, wants me to take care of it, I should take care of it!" He huffs, rubbing his jaw. "We still don't know what happened exactly. We suspect the girl who stalks JK."

"The one that was with us at the café? When Eunchae invited me?" Taehyung lifts his eyebrows. "She targeted me?"

Jimin sighs. "We don't know yet, but you're hanging around Jeon Jeongguk. It's bound to happen." A pause. "They suspect shit about me, too. Things I don't want to make public, but I'm constantly scared will be revealed by someone, anyway. I know how you feel."

"How do you cope with it?" Taehyung asks.

Jimin only smiles. "It's my job."

When Taehyung realises they pass J Entertainment, Jimin explains they're not really going there. Jeongguk's finishing up an interview and a photoshoot and he's asked Jimin to bring Taehyung there.

"He bosses you around a lot, doesn't he?"

Jimin reaches over absentmindedly and digs into the bag in Taehyung's lap, stuffing an entire dumpling into his mouth. "Eh." He swallows with a pained expression, probably struggling to chew fast in order to respond as soon as possible. "Not really. I don't mind doing this. I get paid, like, a lot and I get to live in a fancy house. Also, he's my best friend, so... duh."

"That's sweet," Taehyung admits.

Jimin's smile softens now, into something else, something fond. He's staring ahead, but his eyes are gentle, crinkling around the edges, turning into crescents. He might be remembering something and Taehyung's nothing if not curious.

"How did you two meet?"

There's a shift in the man's expression. The smile drops suddenly, his eyebrows furrow, but there's no anger, no real malice. It's almost as if the memories don't bring out the best of feelings.

"Honestly, I was broke as fuck." Jimin snorts. "I was working any gig I could find, carrying boxes, fixing shit. I was in this fight club in Busan. Jeonggukie started showing up, watching us, training with us. He was, like, eighteen, I think. He was big already, but not as famous as now, so he had no problem being alone in public, watching us, participating. Not to brag, but I was pretty good. The other guys there, they... didn't like me very much. Didn't believe I could make anything of myself like that, because I was different." Taehyung remembers, vaguely, the trans flag pin Jimin has on that one bag he never wears in public. "Should have said that when they lost against me every time."

"Impressive." Taehyung nods and Jimin laughs.

"Thanks. Jeonggukie thought so, too. He was jealous, actually." He shakes his head with an impressed grin. "He trained for months. He beat every single one of them --- well, except for me, of course. He was so pissed he couldn't beat me. And rivalry can be fun."

"Is that so?"

"Yup. We hooked up."

Oh.

Taehyung thinks back to every single interaction between them that he's witnessed, to the way they look at each other like there's something that no one sees except for the two of them. He wonders if that's a consequence of their unprofessional relationship.

"I knew there had to be something between you two," he says. "I should have guessed."

"But hey, it's not like that anymore, I promise. There's nothing there. He's like a brother to me now, which is pretty weird to say, all things considered, but it's true." Jimin nods, grabbing another dumpling. "When he came back to Seoul, he made his father let him go back for me. He hired me and said he couldn't see anyone else taking care of him."

Gosh. And it really is true, isn't it? The way Jimin treats him, it goes beyond the barrier of professionalism, makes them something more than the bland, clean employer-employee relationship. He truly cares. And Jeongguk, with how fiercely he reacts, how quick he is to both attack and defend Jimin, feels the same way.

Taehyung can't help but wonder if that's how Jeongguk is with hook-ups. He wonders if he and the man he caught him with are still talking, if their relationship now is strained because of what they've done, if Jeongguk can go back to that neutral starting point afterwards. He wonders if working with Jeongguk would still be possible if he were to give in.

"That's certainly an unexpected outcome," he says. "It must have been difficult for you, leaving your life there, moving here. You're practically with him all the time, it must've been a huge change."

"Well, not all the time. Sometimes I'm with you," Jimin corrects, smug. Taehyung scoffs, prepares to fire back something just as witty, but the sad smile Jimin offers stops him. "It was hard, yeah. I didn't wanna leave my dad. He worked his ass off to pay for my treatment and surgery --- gender-affirming care isn't cheap, especially not here." Taehyung doesn't miss the glance Jimin shoots his way, tentative, and offers an encouraging nod to get him to continue talking. Jimin's voice is not as rough, not as tense when he resumes. "He sacrificed everything for me. Coming here sucked at first, but he's my biggest support and I want to be able to provide for him the way he did for me."

There's an odd fondness blooming in Taehyung's chest when Jimin finally falls silent. It's something akin to the feeling he gets when his Seokjin hyung drinks a lot of soju on Christmas Eve and starts snoring loudly in the middle of their yearly Harry Potter marathon or when Hyejin gets all nervous and stuttery and her face becomes all red.

And yet, there's a bite of jealousy simmering beneath the warmth at the words, and Taehyung thinks back to the last time his dad called. That was over a year ago. He can't remember the conversation, but he's fairly certain it was uneventful.

"You gonna finish that?"

Taehyung's attention snaps back to Jimin's confused gaze, then to the empty bag in his own lap, to a half-eaten dumpling in between his fingers that he doesn't remember biting into. "Uh, I don't think so."

"Can I have it?"

The car stops in front of a building that has Taehyung's mouth hanging open, but he'll never tell Jeongguk that. The skyscraper stretches up infinitely, it seems, sleek and modern, as expected, just the way Taehyung remembers it from the photos he's seen online.

"Hurricane? Really?"

Jimin chuckles as he leaves the car and walks over to open Taehyung's door. "Jeonggukie's so excited. Don't tell him I said that."

Taehyung simply rolls his eyes and puts on his mask, steps out and follows Jimin inside the headquarters of the biggest fashion magazine in all of Asia.

Jeongguk's been featured on the covers of many Korean magazines, even a few foreign names, but he's never been here, doing a photoshoot for a magazine that's had only the biggest stars. Half of Eunchae's extended family's been interviewed and photographed by Hurricane --- Taehyung now knows why Hwang Hyunjin looked so familiar. Taehyung's pretty sure Taemin himself was once on the cover, perhaps, a few years ago.

Hurricane is the real deal. It's noticeable, not only in the exterior of the headquarters, but in the way everything inside is... clean. It just looks clean. Polished. Even the staff, they all appear identical, with perfect smiles and polite bows. Taehyung's so out of place.

"Mr Park, you're here," a young man says when Taehyung and Jimin exit the elevator, having finally reached the eighth floor. He's tall and athletic, with vibrant pink hair and a stunning smile that he offers to Taehyung when they lock eyes. He's the only one actually standing out in the mass of clone-like employees. "And you must be Mr Kim." He bows. "It's a pleasure. I'm Park Seonghwa."

Taehyung takes a quick look down his frame and smiles back. "The pleasure is all mine."

Jimin chokes on what sounds like a short and pats Seonghwa's shoulder. "I'll go see how Jeonggukie's doing."

Seonghwa nods and the movement makes light reflect in his earrings. They're dangly and sparkly and he imagines himself wearing something like that. They even make the subtle shimmer in the inner corners of Seonghwa's eyes more prominent.

"I love your jewellery," Taehyung blurts out and Seonghwa lets out a startled, awkward laugh.

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, no need to call me that, please." Taehyung shakes his head and leans back against the wall, giving the man another look. He has wide shoulders, yet his waist appears quite slim. The dress shirt doesn't exactly display everything properly, but Taehyung can see as much. The proportions are similar to Jeongguk's, only Seonghwa here seems to have slightly shorter torso and slightly narrower hips. His legs are longer than Jeongguk's and the muscles Taehyung's seen in Jeongguk's thighs are not as prominent here. "What's your occupation, Seonghwa?"

"Oh, uh, I'm an assistant. Mr Choi in there, Choi Hyunjae, you must've heard of him." Taehyung nods, vaguely familiar with having caught the name beneath Taemin's photo. "Well, I work for him, basically."

"Interesting," Taehyung muses. He eyes the way Seonghwa slouches at that. "So you don't model, I imagine?"

Seonghwa blanches at that, blinking a little too quickly. "Gosh, no, I--- I've never done that."

"Would you like to?"

"It's..." He sighs. "I guess I've always wanted to try it."

"To try what?"

The voice forces Taehyung's eyes away from the young man, because Jeongguk's standing right outside the door to a studio, hands in his pockets, and is currently impossible to look away from.

Don't get Taehyung wrong, there's something about Jeongguk that makes him impossible to look away from at all times, but right now, with his shirt unbuttoned, skin on full display, glistening with sweat (Taehyung doubts that it's real sweat), he simply steals all the attention.

He stands against the doorframe, lean and tall, with a cock of his head and an arch of his brow as his eyes flicker from Taehyung to Seonghwa, and then back. He chews on his tongue, licks the corner of his mouth and Taehyung's gaze immediately follows the motion, spotting a brand new lip piercing next to the old one.

"Seonghwa, get back here!" a voice barks out from the studio and Jeongguk purses his lips.

"I think your boss wants you to get back inside," Jeongguk informs Seonghwa, voice deep. There's an emerald green shimmer on his eyelids. Seonghwa, wide eyed and adorable, bows again and scurries back inside.

"You've just ruined a perfect business opportunity for me," Taehyung mutters, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Too bad." When Namjoon calls out from back inside, Jeongguk rolls his eyes, but gestures towards the door to his left. "Wait in here. Meet you in, like, fifteen."

Before Taehyung can protest, Jeongguk's gone back inside and there's nothing else to do but follow the instructions.

The room turns out to be a dressing room. There's an entire wall of mirrors, LED lights framing each of them to secure enough light for the make-up to look flawless, done at the tables right beneath them. The tables are covered in all sorts of products, glittery and colourful, and Taehyung imagines all those heavy layers on his skin and lets out a scoff, a little worried, a little intimidated. He's no stranger to make-up, but photoshoots can be intense. So can the looks one might have to pull off.

He almost laughs at his own ability to recognise which table Jeongguk was sitting at by the used products alone. Whilst the make-up on the other two tables is neatly stacked up, the third one has setting powder dusting the surface. Taehyung's sure he spots flecks of emerald green glitter, too.

The wardrobe is simple enough. It's Jeongguk. There's leather, there's denim, there's silk, all hanging, perfectly ironed, waiting to be worn. There's a discarded skirt thrown over an armchair; dark black tulle, long and sparkly.

The door is pushed open and Taehyung stands up from his claimed armchair. It's an odd action, it feels almost stilted, rigid, and Taehyung freezes up even more at the unfamiliarity of it all, but ignores it promptly, setting his eyes on Jeongguk.

Oh, and up close, Jeongguk's stunning. His hair is wild and curly and he runs a hand through it with a yawn. His eyes water and the glitter around them is even more noticeable now. His lips are a muted brick red and they stretch into a smirk when he catches Taehyung looking.

"Like what you see?"

Taehyung shakes his head. "I was just thinking about how it brought back memories." He promptly rakes his eyes over the undone buttons on Jeongguk's shirt. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Jeongguk blinks once, then again, and nods curtly, stepping closer. He almost trips over a random scarf on the floor. "Fucking shit."

"Careful, darling," Taehyung says, placing a hand on Jeongguk's arm to stabilise him. Jeongguk promptly kicks the piece of fabric he tripped over. "I'm afraid falling for me wouldn't do you any good."

"Oh, fuck you, Kim."

Taehyung laughs. "Yes, I quite missed you, too."

Scoffing, Jeongguk rolls his eyes, yet clasps a hand on Taehyung's upper arm and pulls him in with a chuckle. Taehyung's body goes still.

Vanilla. Jeongguk smells of vanilla and hairspray. His chin is warm against Taehyung's shoulder, his palm scalding hot against the back of Taehyung's neck. That's when he freezes, too.

"Whoops, sorry. Habit." He pulls back and Taehyung gets to notice the blush they've put on his cheekbones. It's a warm red. He obviously didn't notice it right away. It matches the red of Jeongguk's lips that slightly fall now, lowering into a flat, indifferent line, before his eyebrows draw together, high on his forehead. "The fuck happened to you?"

Taehyung's jaw goes slack. He can almost hear his own heartbeat slow down, all in order to let him process it all, to help him understand, but all he sees is Jeongguk, warm, tired eyes searching his for something that he himself can't identify, Jeongguk, blinking slowly down at him, lips pursed in what can only be described as concern, Jeongguk, with his hand still on Taehyung's back.

"Work," Taehyung croaks out.

"I've seen you work. This isn't you working." Jeongguk pauses. "This is you not working."

"Jeongguk—"

"This is what you were like when I set you up with Hobi hyung," Jeongguk says. He does a quick once-over of Taehyung's frame and Taehyung holds his breath. "You're not working. That's what's fucking with you."

Taehyung sighs. "Why don't I just put this right here," he offers and steps back to place a folder on the table, the skin on his back oddly cold, "and be on my merry way?" He could have just emailed the fucking portfolio, honestly. "Because it's a long story."

"Long enough for you to tell me over coffee? Perfect. That's great." Jeongguk nods enthusiastically and brushes past him, disappearing behind the curtain. There's that sharp sound of a zipper sliding down, the ruffle of fabric. "Actually, the sandwiches here suck. I need actual food. It'd be really nice to eat with you, if you're cool with that." Jeongguk's head pokes out, hair all messed up, one bare shoulder visible.

"But what about the shooting?"

Jeongguk rolls his eyes and disappears back inside. "A guy's gotta rest every now and then. I got nothing before seven."

"I don't appreciate your free time being wasted on this. We can do this the next time I come to J Ent, I'm really in no rush." Taehyung's protests die in his throat when Jeongguk slides the curtain open and casually strolls over in a leather jacket and riding pants, as if this most mundane outfit isn't lethal on him. "Don't you need to sleep?"

"Please." Jeongguk stops by the desk to grab the folder and put it into his backpack. "I'm dedicated to every aspect of the job, I can plan my own routine. Don't you worry about that."

They leave out back, and Taehyung almost asks why, but Jeongguk's wearing black leather gloves now and oh.

"You keep proving to me how surprisingly... unsurprising you are," he says as Jeongguk walks over to his motorcycle. It's black and sleek, reflecting the lights in all its shiny and spotless glory. Red lines seamlessly melt into the black, and Taehyung's never seen a vehicle that's so Jeongguk.

"That's a good thing, right?"

His gaze catches on the swing of Jeongguk's leg over the bike before he straddles it. Practiced. Effortless. "I'm afraid so."

"Okay, so, bad news, we only got one helmet," Jeongguk announces. "If you fall off and hit your head, I'll live, but if I get hurt, you'll crash."

"I'm not entirely sure that---"

"Plus, I'm more famous and I gotta preserve my privacy. I think the choice is obvious here."

Taehyung gapes at him. "How about a taxi?"

"Like that's much safer."

"It quite literally is, though."

Jeongguk groans into his gloved palms before grabbing the helmet and putting it on. His voice is muffled when he speaks again. "It's your choice. But you gotta let loose at some point, okay? Also, you're taking the backpack."

Shifting his weight from foot to foot, Taehyung eyes the vehicle. His heart is drumming in his chest, his palms are soaked with sweat --- yet only a part of it is a result of fear. Taehyung finds himself anticipating the adrenaline rush that comes with riding a bike, anticipating the wind in his hair and the cold in his fingertips.

Also, despite all odds, he trusts Jeon Jeongguk enough to walk over and sit behind him. As soon as he steps closer, Jeongguk shrugs off the leather jacket and hands it to him. "Not a helmet, might still help."

"Just be careful," Taehyung says, overwhelmed by the smell of leather when he slides on the jacket, then the backpack, and attempts to make himself comfortable behind Jeongguk. How does one get comfortable on the back of a fucking bike?

"Always am. There's no handlebars, though, obviously. Just hold on tight."

"Hold--- like this?" Taehyung places his palms on Jeongguk's shoulders tentatively. "Am I doing this right?"

Sighing, Jeongguk places his hands over Taehyung's, guiding his arms to wrap around his waist. Trapped in the absolute predicament that is having his chest pressed flush against Jeongguk's back, Taehyung clears his throat.

"You good back there?"

"Yes, I'm--- I'm... good. Right," Taehyung responds. "Anything I should keep in mind?"

"Watch out for turns. Just do what I do. Hold on. Don't fall off."

"Helpful as always."

He can hear the grin in Jeongguk's voice. "You're welcome."

"Right." Taehyung's mouth is dry. "Are you sure you're not busy? Running off in the middle of a bloody photoshoot---"

"I'm making time for you, sweetheart," Jeongguk drawls. "Be grateful."

Any complaints Taehyung might have are tuned out when the engine comes to life, so he doesn't bother. He just holds on for dear life, wondering when exactly Jeon Jeongguk will be the end of him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
my english teacher says i write like tolstoy and idk if that's a good thing-

6k words of nothing much!! we love to see it!! still, even if it was uneventful, i liked this chapter. i finally got to show more of yoongi and jimin. i'm really excited to hear what you guys think of them!

things are getting serious. tae's been all hypothetical about it up until this point, but now he's actually thinking about hooking up with jk! it's real, it's palpable, it's happening!! again, i keep revisiting this and wondering if i should make them hook up at this stage or if i should wait until the end. sometimes i even think they should have fvcked at the very beginning and become fwb right away.

still, this way, they're both somewhere in between being strangers and friends and it's much more complicated, emotionally. they're not comfortable enough to know hooking up wouldn't ruin what they have. they're new and on shaky ground and any move could potentially be detrimental to their relationship because it's all so fresh. i think that'll be fun to write, them balancing the friendship with the hook-ups and recognising their feelings. your thoughts??

anyways, the next chapter will probably be in tokyo or on the way to tokyo, so things will get pretty interesting! i would really appreciate votes and comments, as well as promoting my book however and wherever you can. how is the book so far, overall? what are your expectations and opinions on each character?

thank you so much for reading and i hope you're taking care. i love you all so much<3

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¹"In the 1980s, the color black quickly became synonymous with Kawakubo's aesthetic. When Comme des Garçons made its Paris Fashion Week debut in 1981, the clothes drew attention in their absolute absence of color - an impression that was underlined by interviews with Kawakubo, herself invariably dressed in blacks. Note the plural: Kawakubo used so much, it was possible to see shades and nuances of black in her collections." -new york times