Taehyung bounced his knee, fiddling with anything he could get in his hand. The flight had been tiring, and when they arrived at the hotel late at night, Taehyung thought he'd be out the second he made contact with the bed. That certainly wasn't the case. He'd been up all night just thinking if he'd even get to talk with Jeongguk. Jimin had stayed up nearly the entire time with him, texting him words of encouragement and helping him organize his thoughts. Now, Taehyung was also a nervous wreck in the car ride.

Mr. Kim placed a hand over his son's fidgeting fingers. Taehyung stopped and looked at him. His father smiled. "If this boy really likes you, he'll listen. Don't worry, okay?"

Taehyung nodded. He bit his lip as he saw they were approaching their destination. Soon, the car stopped in front of a large and luxurious building.

"Call me and I'll send a car. You'll be alright?" his father asked as Taehyung slowly unbuckled his belt and got out. The boy nodded, doing his best to collect himself as he forget literally everything he wanted to say to Jeongguk. Mr. Kim smiled and raised his fist, "Fighting!"

Taehyung smiled back and nodded once again, copying with his fist. "Good luck at your meeting too." With that, Taehyung shut the door close and watched the car drive off. He breathed out, shaking his hands lightly then rubbed them together. Although all the snow had melted away, the weather was still very cold.

He turned to face the building, then began walking towards it. He opened the first glass door, only to be met by another, but this one held a keypad with both letters and numbers. Taehyung cursed to himself, he really hadn't thought this through. Before he convinced himself this was all a big idea, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Somi who gave him the address.

A few minutes passed and Taehyung was still staring at the open chat, waiting for a response. He heard faint footsteps in the distance and looked up, only to see the boy he's been looking for. Taehyung saw him first, but when their eyes met, Jeongguk froze shocked. The younger stopped in his tracks and looked back as if he wanted to just turn back, but then raised his mask from his chin and continued walking towards the doors.

This was Taehyung's chance. As Jeongguk opened the door, the older began talking. "Jeongguk–" Before he could even say another word, Jeongguk continued to the next door leaving the building. The other, still a little dazed, followed right after him calling out his name. Seeing he was being ignored, Taehyung grabbed Jeongguk's wrist as he was about to open the door to his taxi.

Jeongguk turned his head harshly. Through gritted teeth, he said, "I'm not afraid to call security. Stay the fuck away from me." Taehyung let go immediately. His tone was just so frightening, every single word felt like a sharp dagger.

"I-I," he stuttered, but Jeongguk wasn't standing around to listen. He quickly got inside the car and requested the driver to start. Taehyung watched him drive off with a frown. He was expecting Jeongguk to be angry with him, but he thought he'd at least be able to talk with him. He sighed, contemplating wether he should leave or not. "No Taehyung, the day has only started. You're not leaving without telling him the truth you idiot!" he thought to himself.

With that in mind, Taehyung took a look around and found there to be a café right beside the building with a couple tables set out at front. Of course no was sitting there as the weather was so cold. He went into the store, got himself a hot drink and sat on the table outside closest to Jeongguk's building.

A couple hours passed but the car Jeongguk had gone in finally returned in front of the building. Taehyung rose from his seat immediately and ran over to the boy getting out of the car. Jeongguk headed in, ignoring Taehyung running over to him. Before Taehyung could reach the boy, the glass doors shut behind him. He could only watch as the younger headed over to the elevators and disappear. Taehyung turned around and saw the car still being there. He assumed it was a taxi before but it might actually be his personal driver.

Seeing the car wasn't leaving, Taehyung knew Jeongguk would be coming back down. That guess was right, the boy came but now with a sports bag in hand, probably heading to the gym. Taehyung stood at the entrance and watched Jeongguk walk right past as if he was a ghost. The older didn't run after this time, but he yelled, "I'm not going anywhere, Jeon. I'm going to stay right here until you listen to me. You hear that!? Right here!"

He was sure Jeongguk heard it, heck everyone heard from how loud Taehyung was, but most were just confused as they weren't Korean-speakers. Taehyung once again watched the car drive off. He was planning on just standing there, but he saw some employees from inside staring at him. His Cantonese wasn't all to well so he definitely did not want to be getting in trouble here. Taehyung decided to return to his table in front of the convenience store and, once again, wait.

The younger had gone for much longer than the first trip, and from not getting any shut-eye the previous night, Taehyung fell asleep leaning back on the chair.

When Jeongguk stepped out of the car, a gush of strong wind hit him, immediately wanting to be in the warmth of his room. He looked around first, seeing that the older wasn't where he said he'd be. Just when Jeongguk thought he had given up, he spotted Taehyung sleeping in front of the café. He watched as the older was slightly shivering, hugging himself and breath coming out in puffs of white clouds. The day was really cold.

Jeongguk rolled his eyes at the other's stubbornness. He shook his head and made way inside, but before entering, he stole another glance at the boy. He frowned, mad at himself for somehow still managing to care for him. He's only been concerned about his mother or sister before, and now someone who's lied to him.

Jeongguk shooed the thoughts away and went inside. He used his card to unlock the door and headed up to his flat. He just needed to put back his gym bag and grab his school bag for tutoring. His life had completely flipped upside down once he entered Hong Kong. It was as if Jeongguk from eight years ago had come back. From now on all his focus was going to be on his studies. He was going to study hard, get a good job, and build a company to destroy his father's. Sure, his dream was a little too big, but it was the only thing motivating him at this point.

Once he got the needed supplies, Jeongguk changed into a bigger jacket. His eyes trailed around to land on the suitcase at the corner of his room. It held things Jeongguk didn't want to look ever again, like his past school uniforms, or birthday presents from his father given with no thought or love, bought through secretaries instead of himself. He sighed, not knowing what exactly he was doing. He unzipped the suitcase and dug through until he found the bright red knitted scarf. It still felt nice under his fingertips. His hand grazed over it before he bunched it up in his hands. He took the garment and closed the suitcase, then headed back down.

He instantly regretted not zipping up his jacket when he stepped foot outside. Jeongguk looked at the scarf in hand, then at the older still asleep. Even as he walked towards the table, he kept contemplating wether he should just turn back or not. Once he was already in front of him, Jeongguk knew there was no point in changing his mind now.

As creepy as it sounds, Jeongguk liked watching the older sleep. He was just so peaceful and beautiful. So calming, making him wonder how such a boy could inflict such pain.

Jeongguk placed the scarf over his head, not really bothering to uncover it, still internally yelling at himself for his dumb actions. He convinced himself that he was being the bigger person, he would've done it for anyone — Jeon Jeongguk is now a changed man. Taehyung hadn't woken up, so the younger just turned on his heel not wanting to face him and got inside the car.

Taehyung stirred in his seat, his eyes opened slowly and felt something atop his head. He carefully took hold of whatever it was, and a smile instantly lit up his face. He felt warm just by looking at it. His head snapped up, looking around to see if the younger was still there, but to his dismay, neither Jeongguk or his car was to be seen. Taehyung held the scarf tight to his chest, hugging it. His dying hope had been lifted, and he knew there was still a chance to fix his mistakes. Taehyung closed his eyes again, sleeping, but this time with a smile.

Another hour or so passed before Jeongguk returned from his tutor session. Tired, he thanked his driver and got out. There were no more places he needed to be going. After seeing the car drive away, his eyes wandered casually until the spotted Taehyung. Jeongguk tsked looking at the older hugging the scarf instead of actually wearing it. It was as if Taehyung felt the younger's stares, because right then he woke up.

Their eyes met and Taehyung was instantly up from his seat. He took a good look at his surrounding, surprised the sky has gotten so dark from the last time he was conscious. Jeongguk realized the situation, unfroze from his spot and began heading towards the glass door. Through his peripheral vision, he could see Taehyung running to him. Jeongguk let go of the door handle and turned, making Taehyung nearly stumble from stopping so suddenly.

"What?" Jeongguk asked coldly, making Taehyung frown. The younger  didn't like seeing him frown. He wished he didn't. He wished Taehyung would just take his stupid frown and leave, stop making Jeongguk feel so guilty when he's the victim.

"I just want to talk, please. Just give me five minutes, please," Taehyung begged.

The younger sighed. "Fine. Five minutes, no more, no less." He waited for Taehyung to speak, but the boy was just blinking.

"Oh, h-here? I was thinking somewhere more–"

"God," Jeongguk groaned, wanting to stomp his feet. "Fine, come."

Taehyung followed closely behind as Jeongguk used his card once again to open the door. When they got to the elevator, Jeongguk pressed the button and looked at the older. "Take the stairs."

"What?"

The elevator pinged before the doors opened. Jeongguk got inside and gave the older a blank look. "Seventh floor. I'll know if you took the stairs or not."

"Which numb—" Taehyung started, but was cut of as the elevator doors closed. He swiped his tongue over his bottom lip, hands on waist. He breathed out heavily, wanting nothing more than to scream. "You deserve this, Kim Taehyung," he whispered out. "Okay, seventh floor. You could do this. Let's go!"

And so, Taehyung began his journey. Might I add each floor took up three staircases all with steps that are more than what Taehyung wished them to be. He really shouldn't have tried running through all of them in the beginning because his energy was completely drained out by the third floor. Somehow, he managed to reach the seventh floor without dying. The door had a lock that obviously wasn't meant for just anyone to open. Taehyung knocked twice before the door was opened by Jeongguk. Taehyung almost forgot how rich Jeongguk was, of course he owned the whole floor.

"Took you long enough," Jeongguk sneered before walking into his apartment. He walked to the middle and turned to watch Taehyung awkwardly shuffle in. "So, what do you got to say?"

Taehyung pressed his lips into a thin line. This was the moment he was most afraid of. He took a quick look around.  "Nice apartment." The room was empty, other then the singular piece of white couch placed randomly at the side, there was no decorations.

Jeongguk raised a brow, already regretting letting Taehyung come in. "Four minutes."

"Thanks for the scarf."

"Wasn't me. Three and a half minutes."

"Okay, well, um. The– Um... T-The dance club!"

"Dance club?"

"Yeah! The dance club needs you. Y'know, the solo position? Yeah um, we can't find any better replacement. So, um, we need you there. T-To dance."

"You flew all the way to Hong Kong to ask me to participate in a dance competition?"

"Y-Yes?"

Jeongguk closed his eyes. "Get. Out."

"Okay okay! I'll just– I'll start from the beginning," Taehyung said. He looked up to see Jeongguk standing there bored. He took in a deep breath. "Um, that night, when you went to get your things, you weren't the only one to meet with you father." He paused to check on the younger again, who's expression changed at the mention of Mr. Jeon. "Remember how I left to get you banana milk?"

"Yeah."

"He stopped me on the way back. Told me a bunch of shit, then–"

"What kind of shit?" Jeongguk said through clenched teeth. You could definitely feel the anger rising in him. Taehyung wanted to avoid it for that very reason.

"He, um, told me your mother was sick, heart problems."

"W-What?" Jeongguk said getting closer, eyes big.

"No, god don't worry, she's okay. He lied, but I didn't know then. He told me he was going to get a divorce, and after hearing you talk about how much she seemed to depend on him, I knew it wouldn't be good on her, especially if she was having health issues. And so, your father said he wouldn't do it if you went to Hong Kong. He proposed a deal, I rejected it just in case he decided to boast about it after. I knew he'd do something, anything, to get what he wants. So before he had the chance, I created a plan of my own to make you leave. "

"Jennie," Jeongguk said simply.

"I only recently found out your mother was alright."

The younger scoffed, then opened his mouth a few times but just didn't know what to say. "God why didn't you just tell me?"

"I should've, I know. I was scared, Gguk, I knew you would've gone straight to him and cussed him off. I was scared something would happen to your mother, I know how much she means to you. I couldn't let anything happen to her."

"So you fell for his lie, just as I fell for yours. And now we're here. Just fucking great!"

Taehyung looked down. "I'm so sorry, Gguk."

"You should've told me, oh my god, you should've told me!"

"I'm sorry, I'm just... sorry," Taehyung spoke quietly. He finally had the courage to look up to see Jeongguk placing his hands over his face and groaning. The older couldn't stand in front of the boy muttering out profanities, intended at probably both Taehyung and Mr. Jeon. He turned around and lifted his head to blink back the tears forming.

Suddenly, Taehyung froze when he felt warmth hit the back of his body and two slender hands wrapping around his waist.

"You're so fucking dumb. Idiot. Fucking idiot," Jeongguk kept going but his grip only tightened. "How could you do that to me?"

Taehyung turned around so he was facing Jeongguk glaring again. "I'm sorry."

"Stop saying sorry."

"Sorry."

"Stop it."

"It's my fault."

"Nothing's your fault."

"I'm so dumb."

"That you are."

Taehyung pouted, which somehow managed to break Jeongguk cold stare and scowl and turn it into a smile, which quickly turned into a frown. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

The older shook his head. "You went through worse. I really should've just told you."

"Yeah, but I know how manipulative that asshole can be."

Taehyung smiled, relieved things went much better than he thought. He realized he wasn't even hugging Jeongguk back. He looped his arm through the others and pulled him closer.

"I honestly thought you wouldn't even give me a chance to speak."

"I feel like a real softie. This is bad."

Taehyung laughed softly. They stayed in that position for a few seconds before Jeongguk face once again changed. He stepped away and crossed his arms. "I can't believe you kissed Jennie!"

The older's mouth dropped. "I didn't, I swear!"

"Yeah? Well I saw everything. Her twirling her hair, smiling like she's never seen someone from the opposite sex before while she was all up on you like that."

"Like what?"

"Like this!" Jeongguk stepped back closer and placed a hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "And you were all up on her–"

Taehyung tilted his head and brought it close to Jeongguk. "Like this?"

"Yeah..."

"And that was it, Bun."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, nothing more."

"But I want more," Jeongguk breathed, words barely heard.

"Hmm?"

Jeongguk didn't even let Taehyung try to think over what he just said when he grabbed him by the collar and connected their lips. It reminded him of their first kiss, but this one was different in so many ways. They didn't move their lips aggressively like before, they just let it stay connected and turning ever so slightly, but it conveyed so much more emotions and feelings then any other. They both felt as if they were on cloud nine.

The younger was the first to pull away. "I missed you, Softie."

"Me too, missed you so fucking much."

Jeongguk smiled and hugged him again. He buried his head into the crook of his neck. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"I don't know if the offer still stands, but to your question from the campfire. Yes."

"That offer expired."

Jeongguk lifted his head to see the older smiling wide. "Be my fucking boyfriend, or else."

"What a romantic. Or else what?"

"Or else I'll chop your dick off."

"Ahh, I'm scared."

Jeongguk frowned, pulling back his hands from Taehyung who still held on. He leaned his forehead against the younger's and gave him a small peck on his nose. "I'm all yours."

"Good, because I really like you, Kim Taehyung."

"And I really like you, Bun."

"Stop calling me Bun."

"I'll stop when you stop being so adorable."

"M'not adorable."

"Sure."

"You know what, it's over!"

Taehyung watched as Jeongguk pried himself off and began walking away deeper into the room. He smiled, getting himself ready to be running after the boy more than just this once. He'd do so much more than just stand outside in the freezing cold if it meant he could be with Jeon Jeongguk.

—•
it was an angel's birthday 😢💖

Look at him being so damn perfect without even trying just wow
I hope he had an amazing day ♥️

anyways, i hope you guys liked this long ass chapter !

this fic is coming to an end y'all :(
one more chap plus epilogue to go!
Bye<3