Three days later, Jeongguk was sprawled on the couch with his camera in hand and Taehyung had left earlier that morning to run some errands. It was afternoon when the front door opened and Taehyung appeared in the doorway, holding something behind his back. Jeongguk looked at him from the couch, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he took off his glasses and placed them on the cushion beside him.

"What's that?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung gave him a boxy smile as he approached. "Guess."

Jeongguk squinted suspiciously, setting his camera aside. "Is it food?"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung chuckled and pulled a small bouquet of fresh white lilies and pale pink roses from behind him, holding them out.

Jeongguk gasped. "For me?"

"For your grandma" Taehyung rolled his eyes. "Of course it's for you"

Jeongguk pouted adorably. He sat up straighter, his heart skipping a beat. "You bought me flowers?"

"I did." Taehyung knelt in front of him, his grin softening into something more tender. "I saw these and couldn't stop thinking about you"

Jeongguk took the bouquet, cheeks turning crimson as he inhaled the delicate floral scent. "I love flowers"

"I know" Taehyung whispered. He took Jeongguk's hand in his and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles. "Just a flower liking flowers"

"You're so cheesy," he muttered, but his smile gave him away.

"You like it, though." Taehyung tilted his head, watching him intently.

Jeongguk bit his lip, a shy giggle escaping him. "I love it."

"Good," Taehyung said, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to Jeongguk's lips. "I want to make you happy"

"I am happy" Jeongguk whispered. "As long as you're mine"

"I will always be yours. But I want to give this relationship more attention. You... and I.... this relationship means a lot to me"

"I know it does, Hyung" Jeongguk whispered. "I know you love me and you love us"

Taehyung threaded his fingers with Jeongguk's. "I didn't realise but I do miss the things we did together. I was too busy to stop and think about it. I can't imagine how much you might have missed all the things we used to do before I got this busy"

"I did miss it a lot" Jeongguk murmured. However, after they discussed everything three days back, things returned to normal. Taehyung had been paying more attention to him. He had been working but his work no longer felt like an issue; a barrier between them, now that Jeongguk was no longer in the dark about what was occupying Taehyung's time. And Jeongguk was no longer bothered or anxious.

He was relieved, and happy.

Taehyung nodded. "I won't let you feel like that again" He whispered, "You said you're free for the rest of the day, right?"

"Yup," Jeongguk took a whiff of the flowers, humming in delight. "Smells so nice"

Taehyung smiled. "Let's go somewhere tonight"

"What? Really? Where?" Jeongguk's eyes widened.

"It's a surprise" Taehyung grinned. "You just need to be ready by seven. Just doll yourself up, yeah?"

"Okay" Jeongguk giggled softly. "I'm excited"

"Good. I'll make it worth it"

"What's the dress code?"

"Smart casual"

Jeongguk's heart skipped a beat. Is this what he's thinking this is?

"Can't wait"

-

By seven, Jeongguk was ready. He wore a dark red lacy shirt tucked into beige slacks and boots. Jeongguk wasn't a make-up enthusiast, but tonight he decided to put on a little glitter on his eyelids, and some lip gloss. He wanted to look pretty for Taehyung.

Taehyung donned a green silk shirt that he too tucked into his black slacks and black loafers. Handsome as always, Jeongguk thought. He couldn't wait to have Taehyung all for himself later.

Soon, they were seated in Taehyung's car, cruising through the city streets. Jeongguk stared out the window, watching the lights blur past in streaks of red, gold and white. Taehyung had one hand casually resting on the steering wheel while the other hand on Jeongguk's, their fingers threaded.

They pulled up at the front of a hotel and Jeongguk's jaw dropped. The building itself looked like something out of a dream—floor-to-ceiling windows lined with warm lights, greenery trailing elegantly along the entrances. A valet opened Jeongguk's door, and he stepped out, still staring in awe.

"Taehyung... this place..."

"You like it?" Taehyung walked around the car, sliding an arm around Jeongguk's waist.

"I... I mean yeah" Jeongguk muttered. "Isn't this the newly opened hotel that everyone was talking about?"

"Yup. You told me you wanted to come here, remember?"

"I did? I don't even remember telling you but I did want to come here! I heard so many stories about how it's the biggest and most expensive hotel in Korea and its restaurant was the best and most expensive..." Jeongguk trialled off. "Tae, why are we here? This place is too expensive!"

Taehyung chuckled, looking at Jeongguk with shining eyes. "You're worth it"

"Tae!" Jeongguk whined, walking into the lobby with Taehyung. "I might have wanted to come here but you shouldn't thrown your money away like this"

"I'm not throwing my money away. I'm spending it on making beautiful memories with you"

"You're impossible" Jeongguk said, but he couldn't help smiling. Jeongguk looked around him. The lobby shone golden all around him and a gleaming chandelier hung above them.

Taehyung pressed a soft kiss to the side of Jeongguk's head. "Shall we go to the restaurant?"

"Yeah"

They made their way to the restaurant and Jeongguk was in awe. He stopped at a few places to snap some photos as well, and took a few selfies with Taehyung. The hotel looked straight out of a fantasy novel and Jeongguk never wanted to leave. They reached the restaurant and warm smiles greeted them inside.

Inside the restaurant, everything felt warm and romantic. Golden chandeliers hung above them, reflecting light onto the polished wood and soft cream-coloured walls. A live band played classical music in one corner of the restaurant, Jeongguk noticed as his eyes glided over the interior. He smiled in delight as delicate notes of the piano floated through the air. He already knew that he was destined for a beautiful evening with Taehyung.

"Reservation for Kim Taehyung" Jeongguk heard Taehyung speak to the woman at the entrance and she guided them to a table.

Their table was by a window overlooking the city skyline. Taehyung pulled out Jeongguk's chair for him, earning another shy laugh. The restaurant hummed with the quiet chatter of other diners but Taehyung and Jeongguk seemed to slip into their own little world

A waiter brought them menus, and Jeongguk's eyes bulged out as he read the prices.

"Don't worry about the prices" Taehyung muttered, as if he read Jeongguk's mind. "You saw how much I make in a single day, baby"

"Still..." Jeongguk pouted.

"Tonight is about you. Go crazy. Let's eat a lot of yummy food"

Jeongguk smiled. "What's gotten into you? You're spoiling me"

"It's one of my life's purposes to spoil you, my darling"

"Hyung!" Jeongguk whined as Taehyung smirked.

Taehyung, being the wine expert, ordered them Chardonnay, which Jeongguk realized was one of the most expensive wines on the menu.

"Let's get two different dishes and share" Jeongguk proposed, still searching the menu.

"Order whatever and as much you want, darling. Don't worry about the prices"

"You never flaunt your money like this"

"I'm not flaunting it, baby" Taehyung smiled. "I'm spending the money I have earned. I want to spoil you"

"Our friends know that you earn a lot but they have no idea that it's this much" Jeongguk muttered. "And you don't act like you're a rich guy, either"

"I didn't make this website for the money. I started it because I had the capacity to give life to something I believe in. And slowly, as more dark web surfers started using it, I started making a significant amount of money too. But in like... the first year, I barely made anything. I earned through my other clients"

"So this website is why you didn't accept any of the high-paying jobs that were ready to hire you after you graduated"

"Yeah. I knew it would need a lot of time and effort to build the website and make it a secure platform on the dark web. I thought it would be easier after I finished building it and would be able to work on it as a hobby. But as it gained popularity, it was taking up most of my time. Maintaining it turned out to be difficult and time-consuming, especially as it gained popularity and a lot of people try to use it for their nasty businesses"

"But it paid off, yeah?" Jeongguk murmured. "You achieved your goal and also earn a shit load of money"

Taehyung shrugged. "True. I'm happy about it"

"Then I too am for you"

"You took this whole thing better than I expected. I'm grateful" Taehyung whispered, taking Jeongguk's hand across the table. "I regret keeping this from you"

"It's understandable but don't ever keep anything from me. My love for you is unconditional"

"I will remember that" Taehyung whispered.

"It's so beautiful here..." Jeongguk exhaled, looking around him.

"Not as beautiful as you."

"Taehyung!" Jeongguk hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard, but his cheeks glowed pink, and Taehyung grinned like he'd won.

"Why don't you order for me? Surprise me" Jeongguk smiled playfully.

"Really?" Taehyung grinned. "Game on, pretty boy"

Throughout dinner, Taehyung was relentless in his doting. He ordered so much delicious food that Jeongguk was full to the brim by the time the dessert came in. Jeongguk was giggling at something Taehyung had said, their hands laced together across the table when the waiter placed a ridiculously fancy dessert menu in front of them.

"Look at this," Jeongguk snickered, pointing to one of the items after the waiter left. "'Dark chocolate soufflé infused with lavender essence.' What's infused supposed to mean? Did they whisper lavender to it?"

Taehyung nearly choked on his drink, laughing loudly. "Don't ask me, you're the food critic here."

"Why is it so extra?" Jeongguk muttered, snapping a picture of the fancy dish.

Taehyung grinned, taking a spoonful of his Crème Brulée to Jeongguk's mouth. Jeongguk hummed as he savoured it.

"Like it?"

"So creamy! Love it"

Taehyung smirked, licking his lips. "I like your-"

"Don't even" Jeongguk cut him off with a roll of his eyes.

Taehyung chuckled, bringing another spoonful of his dessert to Jeongguk's lips and he gulped it down with a hum.

"Stop feeding me! I can eat by myself," Jeongguk whined, though he let Taehyung bring another spoonful.

"I like taking care of you." Taehyung's voice was soft, and the smile he gave Jeongguk was so tender it made his chest ache.

Jeongguk tried to hide his blush behind his water glass, but Taehyung reached across the table and brushed his knuckles against Jeongguk's cheek. "You're cute when you get shy, you know that?"

"I'm not shy!" Jeongguk grumbled, his voice a pitch higher than usual.

"You're adorable."

"Tae, I swear..."

They both dissolved into laughter, their quiet voices filling the space between them like a soft, warm melody.

-

By the time they returned home after their romantic dinner, Jeongguk was grinning ear-to-ear. Taehyung had spent the entire evening sweeping him off his feet—flowers, compliments, and sweet touches that made his heart flutter. As they walked through the front door, Taehyung grabbed Jeongguk's wrist and spun him around, pulling him close.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" Taehyung murmured.

"Once or twice," Jeongguk teased, his voice breathless as Taehyung leaned in.

"Well, you do," Taehyung said softly before capturing his lips in a kiss.

The kiss deepened quickly, Taehyung's hands cradling Jeongguk's face as he guided him back toward the wall. Jeongguk gasped against his mouth when Taehyung pressed their bodies together, fingers tangling in his hair. Taehyung cornered him against the wall, his back pressing firmly against the cool surface.

"Taehyung," Jeongguk whispered between kisses, his voice full of fondness and desire.

"Mmh?" Taehyung hummed, trailing kisses down his jaw and neck.

Jeongguk let his head fall back, hands clinging to Taehyung's shirt. "You're too good to me."

"You deserve it," Taehyung replied, his voice soft and reverent. "You deserve the whole world"

Jeongguk pulled Taehyung closer until there was no space left between them, their bodies perfectly aligned. Taehyung's hands roamed gently, tracing a slow, deliberate path up Jeongguk's sides, each touch sending a ripple of warmth through his body. Taehyung's fingertips lingered at Jeongguk's waist, pressing softly into the fabric of his shirt as if grounding him in the moment.

Jeongguk fisted his hands against Taehyung's shirt, pressing his lips against the elder once again. Taehyung kissed him back, the heat between them rising with every passing second. However, just as Taehyung tried to pull Jeongguk's shirt out of his pants, Taehyung's phone buzzed in his pocket. Jeongguk ignored it at first, focusing on the way Taehyung's lips felt against his and his touch on his torso.

The phone buzzed again and Taehyung pulled away from the kiss.

"Leave it," Jeongguk murmured, tugging Taehyung back toward him.

Taehyung huffed a laugh, kissing him quickly before pulling back. "It's probably nothing, but let me just check."

He dug his phone out of his pocket, frowning slightly as he looked at the screen.

"It's Dongsik," he muttered, the light-hearted mood starting to slip. "Give me a second, okay?"

Jeongguk nodded, stepping back reluctantly as Taehyung answered the call.

"Yeah, Dongsik?" Taehyung's tone was casual at first, but as he listened, his expression darkened.

"What?" he asked, his voice lowering.

Jeongguk watched Taehyung closely, his stomach twisting when he saw the shift in Taehyung's demeanour.

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, letting out a slow breath. "Are you sure?"

A pause.

"I'll check it. Keep monitoring it, Dongsik. Call me if anything changes."

He hung up, his phone still clutched tightly in his hand. Jeongguk stepped closer, his brows furrowed in concern. "What happened?"

Taehyung looked at him, the weight of whatever he had just heard settling heavily on his shoulders.

"Dongsik found some suspicious activity on the website," Taehyung said quietly, his voice edged with tension. "He thinks... it might be someone from the authorities."

🧊