When Taehyung arrives at the restaurant they agreed on for dinner, he wasn't sure what he expected. Really. 

Didn't know if Jungkook would be early or late. Dressed business or casual. Is it a date or not? 

No. It's not, it can't be. Because no office relationships. He's really kicking himself for that one and then he see's Jungkook leaned up against the brick outside the restaurant and he's really kicking himself. 

If office Jungkook in his fitted button ups and round glasses, drives Taehyung crazy...then casual Jungkook in his baggy shirts and fluffy hair, drives Taehyung absolutely mad. 

"Was starting to think you stood me up, Taehyungie" he smirked as the man walked up. 

"That'd be kind of horrible of me to stand up my assistant for dinner don't you think?" he coughs, eyes averting from Jungkook's as they enter.

They talk about work and the upcoming weeks schedule. Jungkook tells Taehyung how he spent his day off and also how the employees basically think he has a magical wand that he waves over Taehyung to make him nice again. 

Even if Jungkook only told him, to see his reaction--he doesn't need to know that. What he does need to know though, is that this? Is definitely a date. 

Jungkook loves to fluster Taehyung. Starts an innocent game of footsies. It's just a tap at first, then he's legitimately stroking Taehyung's calf and ankle with the toe of his foot and watches Taehyung struggle to complete his sentence.

"Could you stop that?!" 

"Stop what?"

"You know what!!" 

"Aish, you're so hard to please. I guess modern flirting doesn't work on big boss type men" Jungkook huffs looking away, but catches Taehyung's blush in his peripherals. 

"Why are you so bold today, huh?! What are you after?!" Taehyung whisper shouts and Jungkook leans forward, let's his fingers fiddle with the thin silver rings adorning Taehyung's index.

"Maybe spending a day away from the office and spending the majority of it thinking about you, opened my eyes to things--is that so bad?" he winks and is pretty sure he watched any life Taehyung had drain from his body. 

Taehyung adamant on changing the topic, successfully does so. 

They're walking out of the restaurant and Jungkook, the ass man that he is, catches a glimpse of Taehyung's and suddenly their night at the club comes back in full color. Has to bite on his lower lip just at the memory to suppress the groan that wants to escape. 

Is quick to grab Taehyung's wrist before they separate to go to their cars, "by the way, I think this was a lovely first date" he murmurs against the shell of Taehyung's ear and is pretty sure he could feel the man's body shiver under his touch. 

With a flying kiss and a wink Jungkook is walking towards his car, and Taehyung? Doesn't give a damn about his rule anymore. 

|||

Taehyung has a newfound confidence heading into the office this morning. Decides that he's a grown ass man and is the owner of the Bangtan Bomb. If anyone is allowed to break one of his rules, than it's him. 

Which is exactly why he's headed to the cafe early this morning. Having already texted Jungkook not to worry about picking him up anything, wanting to surprise his assistant with breakfast and a coffee and maybe ask for a second date?

He doesn't know but after everything that's happened since the moment they met, he can't deny it. There's just this chemistry--it's the only word that makes sense to describe the way it feels. They just click. Jungkook's personality meshes perfectly with his. Thinks they make a great team in the office and maybe even a better one outside of it.

Hasn't been able to wipe the foolish-grin off of his face all morning, until it's wiped off by the man who caused it himself. Because as Taehyung is walking into the cafe, he sees none other than Jungkook with his arms wrapped around Park Jia's waist on the sidewalk--barely any space between them. 

Feels like a damn idiot for thinking the guy was actually interested in him. Should've known, everything about Jungkook's aura said 'fuckboy'. Even though it didn't, at all and Taehyung is only telling himself this to make him feel better. 

Doesn't have the willpower to pass by them so he just turns around and heads straight to work. 

~

When Jungkook arrives to the office, he's cranky as hell. After running into satan's spawn herself first thing this morning, the last thing he was in the mood for was to come into the office and deal with employee whining. 

Which is exactly what happened. 

Heading to the break room to put away his lunch, he sees a girl. He recognizes her as the new receptionist--the one he spoke to about Jia last week. She's sobbing into the phone, asking for someone to pick her up. 

Once she puts it down, he takes a seat next to her. 

"Everything okay?" 

She looks up and rubs her eyes, "M'fine Mr. Jeon...um, I just wanted to say thank you for being so kind to me. I've enjoyed my time here."

His eyebrows raise at her words, already knowing something must've happened, "are you going to tell me why you got fired?" 

She nods her head, eyes fixated on her fingers, "a-apparently, I majorly risked the safety of everyone in the building when I let that lady in last week. Mr. Kim said he couldn't jeopardize his employees like that so he had to let me go.."

Jungkook groaned, fingers rubbing through his eyebrows--he handled this, can't understand why Taehyung would be on about it a week later. Puts a hand on her shoulder assuringly, "I'll talk to Tae. Don't worry about it, you aren't fired." he smiles and she stills

"B-but Mr. Kim--" 

"I said don't worry about it, you'll be fine. Now go back to the front desk and don't give him any other reasons to fire you, yeah?"

She's quick to get up and so is he, hasty in his footsteps right up to Taehyung's office. Scoffs when he finds the door locked. Knocks, once--twice--three times. 

"Kook, Tae locked you out?" Jimin smirks, coming up behind him with keys dangling from his fingers. 

Jungkook sighs in relief, "Thanks. Have a feeling he's not in a great mood today." 

Jimin just laughs, having already heard Taehyung's venting session first thing when he arrived, "you have no idea." 

Opening the door, Taehyung's head is rested against his chair, back to the door. 

"Jimin... I told you I'm fine, just leave me alone for the day" he hears, Taehyung voice sounds soft. maybe even sad?

"M'not Jimin-ssi, but I can go get him if you'd like" 

He notices the way Taehyung stands up immediately, "get the hell out" 

"Excuse me?!" he returns, brow raised and stepping towards Taehyung 

"I said, get out of my office." 

"and since when do you have a problem with me being in here?" he crosses his arms, still stepping towards the other. Doesn't stop until they're practically chest to chest. 

"Since you decided to pretend to be interested in me just for shits n giggles" Taehyung's words are bitter and he shoves a finger in Jungkook's chest. Watches as the man's stoic features soften once he hears Taehyung's words. 

Grabs the man's hand and holds it in place "What are you talking about?" 

Taehyung yanks his hand back and walks towards his desk, plopping into his chair and swiveling away from Jungkook, "Just forget it. Will you please go?" his voice is quiet, and definitely sad. 

"Taehyungie... why would you think I pretended to be interested in you?" he asks, walking over and sitting on Taehyung's desk right beside him. Tries to turn the chair to face him but fails. 

Taehyung doesn't respond either. 

"I re-hired Sara" he says, Taehyung turns around at that. 

"and who the hell gave you the right to undermine my authority?" he scowls

"the person who handled the very situation you fired her, last week" he returns, places his legs on the outsides of Taehyung's chair so he can't turn it away. 

Watches Taehyung's face heat up when he realizes he's trapped between Jungkook's legs. 

"Well, she shouldn't have let that tramp in here and then maybe she would still have a job" he pouts eyes fixated on the ceiling and Jungkook has an epiphany. 

Taehyung is jealous. Holy hell, THE Kim Taehyung is jealous over one of HIS ex's. "Tae... does Park Jia have anything to do with why you think I'm pretending to be interested in you?" his voice is coaxing, smooth as he leans down to grab onto Taehyung's arms. 

Takes the man by complete surprise when he yanks him out of his chair. Hands immediately going to his shoulders to massage the tension out, has to bite back the laugh that wants to come out as he sees Taehyung's near permanent pout. 

"You tell me." 

"How could I tell you? I can't read inside your brain, Taehyungie" 

"I saw you." 

"When?" 

"This morning" it's quiet. soft. and Jungkook feels like an idiot. 

"Fuck--Tae, I promise whatever you think you saw, is not at all what it was." 

The man scoffs, flicks Jungkook's hands from his shoulders. "I'm not stupid." 

"She stopped me, said she missed me, tried to freaking kiss me in the middle of a busy street like a complete lunatic. I was discreetly cursing her out, trying not to draw attention to the scenario." he tries to reach for Taehyung's arm again and smiles when he manages to catch his elbow. Pulls him closer, just a tad. 

"Why were you holding her then.." Jungkook could coo at how damn cute Taehyung looks all sulky and jealous. Thinks it's his new favorite look--though he doesn't like the attitude and resistance that comes with it. 

"I was holding her to keep her from getting any closer than she was--which as you saw, was pretty damn close. If you'd have stayed long enough you would've seen her smack the hell out of my face after I told her I'd rather be castrated than ever be with her again." 

Taehyung almost  smiles at that but seems to be refusing to give in. 

"Tae..." he tries to get the man to look into his eyes, moves his head all kinds of directions and angles until finally they do meet. Taehyung's eyes are the kind that he knows he'd get lost in if he stares long enough. 

Uses the light grip he has on his forearm to pull him the littlest bit closer. Almost in between his legs but not quite "I promise, that's all it was and I promise I really am interested in you... I thought you knew that" 

"I don't know what I know.." Taehyung mumbles and Jungkook smiles at that. Thinks maybe all hope isn't lost. 

"Well why don't we go out this weekend and I can help you connect some dots, hmm?" 

Taehyung locks eyes with him, face emotionless--contemplative, looks like he's squaring Jungkook up and analyzing every word he said before finally he sees the smallest curve on Taehyung's lips. 

"Okay.." 

"Okaaaaaay?" he coaxes, brings his hands back to Taehyung's shoulders. The man relaxes this time, eyes closing as Jungkook works out the tension the way he always does. 

"Okay, we can go out again--connect the dots or whatever." he murmurs, still pouting and still so damn cute.

 Jungkook laughs "aaaaaaaaand?" it's teasing, he knows he's pushing his luck, but smiles so big whenever he watches Taehyung huff "and Sara can have her job back" 

Jungkook pulls Taehyung close as he continues his ministrations on his shoulders, leans into his ear and whispers so softly "progress, Taehyungie--progress"