*wipes a tear off my eye*

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Taehyung kissed Jeongguk.

The moment Taehyung slammed his lips onto Jeongguk's making him almost stumble back with the force. Taehyung's tight grip on him prevented it. Jeongguk's eyes fluttered close. His heart beat wild in his throat and adrenaline high in his veins, he kissed Taehyung back, returning the fierceness.

The world exploded around them and faded away, all the shouts and angry chatter dissolving into a numb buzz. Between them fireworks went off and Jeongguk was in an utter bliss. Liquid excitement roared through his veins as they moved their lips against one another.

It was them against the world.

Their kiss tapped into deep mines of memory, and all the dread, sorrow and bad memories fell away as if they were nothing. Instead the longing and love powered their kiss and Jeongguk pulled Taehyung towards himself until every possible inch of their bodies touched. He clutched Taehyung back with the desperation, clinging on as Jeongguk drank him, his lips parting to taste him. Taehyung tasted like he always did: an addictive combination of strawberry and musk. Jeongguk couldn't get enough of him.

Taehyung kissed him as if telling a secret, told to his mouth instead of ear; secrets of love and tenderness. Jeongguk could feel it, from the way he kissed him, from the fierceness and the way their mouths collided and teeth crashed together, the way Taehyung squeezed Jeongguk's waist every now and then that he was pouring his everything into that kiss. He was proving his love for Jeongguk and Jeongguk was on top of the world.

It was a kiss to level mountains and shake stars from the sky. It as a kiss to make angels fall from grace and demons weep...a passionate, demanding, soul-searing kiss that nearly knocked the earth off his axis.

When Taehyung pulled away at last, Jeongguk saw him for real. His chocolate orbs glinted ever so beautifully as he started into Jeongguk's eyes. Jeongguk loved the way Taehyung looked at him. He always looked at him like he was a little miracle. And Jeongguk felt like he truly belonged with Taehyung, his home, his only safe place.

"I'm sorry" Taehyung whispered. A tear trialed down from his face but Jeongguk was quick to wipe it away. Before Taehyung could say anything else, Jeongguk connected their lips again. His hands travelled to his hair, pulling it. Jeongguk tilted his face to better access to Taehyung's mouth as they kissed deeper. He couldn't control the happiness blossoming inside him. In that moment, everything was perfect.

Until they pulled away and the reality flooded back around them.

Their smiles fell as they took in the situation around them. People were staring at them, talking among themselves. Cameras flashed around them, the reporters shouting in the entrance.

"What have you done?" It was Taehyung's father. He looked at the two men in disbelief. His mother had a hand on her mouth, trying hard not to cry.

Taehyung gulped. "Father, it is he that I love. I can't live in this lie anymore"

"You fucking-" Taehyung's father started. But no one saw what was coming.

A hand flew towards Taehyung, ready to slap him across the face. Jeongguk's watchful eyes caught what was going to happen. Before the woman dressed in white could slap her almost-husband, Jeongguk's hand stopped her. He grabbed her arm right before it hit Taehyung.

Jennie looked at Jeongguk in bewilderment. She looked as if she could kill somebody, her whole face was red with rage. She screamed, making everyone look at her. "Let me go! You faggot" She spat.

"The fuck did you say to my boyfriend?!" Taehyung stepped in. His eyes bore into her, anger flaring.

Jeongguk stopped him. "My sexual and romantic preference is my business. At least I wasn't pathetic enough to plot a scandal against my boyfriend's company so he would end up marrying me"

"What?" It was Taehyung. "Gguk, what do you mean?"

"What is this Jeon talking about?" Taehyung's father barked at Jeongguk.

"What is going on here? Jeongguk! What is this blasphemy?" It was Jennie's father. Jennie's mother was crying in the back.

"Mr. Kim Yeonbin, Mr. Kim Eunjin" Jeongguk said, glancing at Taehyung's and Jennie's father respectively. "It was Jennie who plotted everything. She planned it all so there would be a chemical in the first batch of products and for Rose to use it and to file a lawsuit. Then after the downfall of Tan Corporation Taehyung would have to marry her"

"What kind of ridiculous accusation is that? Watch your mouth, boy!" Eunjin said.

"Mr. Jeon, I don't know how much you love my daughter's fiancé but I won't have you spitting these baseless words-" Yeonbin's words were stopped when Jeongguk raised his hand. A silence fell over the group of men and women.

"I have proof" Jeongguk said, revealing the voice recorder in his hand. He pushed the play button of the recorder.

"Because he doesn't love me..." Jennie's voice was cringe-worthy, coming from the small device.

The crowd watched in disbelief. "No! That's not me!" Jennie screamed, trying to take the recorder from Jeongguk's hand. Taehyung pushed her back, scowling.

"You planned this all?" Taehyung asked, utterly bewildered.

"I did it because I loved you!" Jennie said.

Taehyung's face portrayed utter disgust.

"It was her plan. Jeon Mina and Kim Seokjin helped her too" Jeongguk said.

Taehyung eyed him, surprised.

"Jin?" It was Namjoon. Jin was standing in the back of the crowd. Namjoon looked betrayed, more from Jin than his own sister. Namjoon was a good person. Jeongguk pitied him, having to know the truth that his boyfriend/ lover/ whatever their title was, was a liar.

Jin held his head low. "I didn't know Jennie was involved in this until recently"

"Not like that would stop you from continuing your work in this" Jeongguk said. Jin didn't respond.

"So your aunt was a top contributor in the scandal to bring our company down, huh?" Eunjin spoke up.

"I think she wanted revenge for what you did to her" Jeongguk said. "I'd have stopped this if I knew any sooner"

"But why?" Eunjin questioned.

"Because he's my boyfriend" Taehyung answered for him. "We've been seeing each other for months now"

A loud sob left Taehyung's mother. A look of hurt flashed across Taehyung's face as he saw her.

"This is ridiculous! He's your enemy! The Jeons are nothing but scams-"

"Is that what you should be worrying about? How I fell in love with my enemy? Shouldn't you be worrying about the woman who almost became your daughter-in-law who turns out to be the one who scammed us and ruined our company's reputation and also made us lose our deals with other companies? Also lose millions of dollars because of it?" Taehyung said.

"And that a Jeon is the one who saved us all from getting scammed again" He added.

Everyone was silent after that.

"Jennie, you actually did that?" Yeonbin asked. "They're one of our closest business partners. Our friends since generations. I can't believe this..."

"The police are on the way" Jeongguk said, and as if on cue, police sirens started blaring in the distance.

Distressed, the crowd thinned around Jeongguk and Taehyung. Namjoon was arguing with Jin. Jimin embraced Taehyung, patting his back and reassuring him. Jeongguk was watching them with Hoseok, who squeezed Jeongguk's shoulder. Jeongguk felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned only to see Yoongi grinning at him.

"Yoongi! When did you arrive?" Jeongguk asked, grinning himself.

"I followed you. I was standing at the back, watching the whole thing. You're so brave, Jeongguk. I'm proud of you"

Jeongguk smiled at him, glad to have him as his best friend. He was about to thank him when he felt someone hug him from the behind.

He grinned and closed his eyes, not needing to look to who the strong arms belonged to.

"I'm so sorry" Taehyung whispered behind him.

Jeongguk sighed and turned around the embrace. "Can you stop apologizing? I didn't come here for that"

Taehyung supped Jeongguk's face in his hands. I don't know what to do without you, Jeongguk. Thank you for being there for me, always. I hate myself for choosing to let you go"

"You didn't have much of a choice, Taehyung. I know that sometimes, responsibilities are more important"

"I love you. You're my only happiness, Jeongguk. I just...I know I promised to never let you go but...I just won't ever again, okay? You can kill me or something if you did" Taehyung stammered.

"Stop it" Jeongguk whined. "I understand your situation, okay? You got me, right? I won't let you go. Even if you want to. From now on we'll fight our battles together and figure out answers to our problems together. That's what dating is all about"

"Yes" Taehyung said. "I'll never stop loving you. I will never leave you again. You mean the world to me. I'm just a spineless coward-"

"Taehyung" Jeongguk said, "I love you. And I saved you this time, just like I should because you were helpless. I saved you because you've saved me numerous times"

"I have?"

"Yes. Every second I spent with you felt like an escape from all the emotional exhaust awaiting me at home" Jeongguk said.

Taehyung swept a stray curl out of Jeongguk's face, looking down at him with eyes filled with love. "You're so strong, you know that, my Ggukkie? The strongest and bravest person I've known in my whole life. I could've never had the courage to do what you did. My baby" He pecked Jeongguk's forehead. "My angel. I'm so proud of you. I'm so glad to have fallen in love with you"

Jeongguk's cheeks had heated up embarrassingly. "Stop" He whined, hitting Taehyung lightly on his chest. "You're strong too. I can't imagine the courage it must have taken for you to step down from that altar in front of everyone"

"You make me strong, Jeongguk. If it wasn't for you, I'd never make it. I'd be living a lie for the rest of my life, drowning in despair" He'd be drowning in the consequences of what he'd done and what he hadn't.

"Every day you help me become a better version of myself" Taehyung added.

Jeongguk grinned up at him. Taehyung looked at him with so much love in his eyes that it made Jeongguk's butterflies erupt uncontrollably. He looked at him like he was his whole world. Taehyung maybe the master of his universe but he looked at Jeongguk like his whole universe revolved around Jeongguk.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Jeongguk closed the space between their mouths in a passionate kiss.

When they drew away shortly, they were both grinning.

"You made such a dramatic entrance earlier, my love" Taehyung said.

Jeongguk giggled. "Do you want to make a dramatic exit with me now?"

"Huh?"

Jeongguk took Taehyung's hand in his and together they ran to the entrance of the banquet hall, in to freedom.

-

The azure sea danced in the wind in the form of waves, crashing against the yacht that had stopped in the middle of the vast waters. The lullaby of the sea was like a heavenly symphony in Jeongguk's ears. His senses were engulfed with the scent of salt and sea, his raven locks wildly dancing in the wind. He took a deep breath, feeling lighter than he'd ever felt, in the middle of nowhere, almost as if lost at sea, but worriless and carefree nonetheless. His small hands that were gripping the railing at the front of the boat came free and he spread his arms like wings. He closed his eyes and the wind was fast against his body, making him wonder if this is what flying would feel like.

Jeongguk eyes fluttered open and a gasp escaped his mouth when large hands held his thin waist. A smile immediately stretched his lips upward and he leaned back, only to be met with a broad chest. He felt a pair of lips on the nape of his neck and he giggled.

"Enjoying yourself, darling?" A deep voice said making a shrill go down Jeongguk's spine.

"More than I thought I would" Jeongguk said, turning around in the other man's embrace to look at the perfectly sculptured face and chocolate eyes staring at him with so much love. His blond hair danced in the wind, exposing his forehead, making him look so intimidating that Jeongguk sucked in a breath.

"I've always loved the sea" Jeongguk said.

"I do too" Taehyung said. "Always felt at peace in the middle of the ocean"

They were in one of Taehyung's many yachts. The two businessmen decided to spend their weekend in the middle of the ocean, away from humanity, alone. Needless to say, Jeongguk was ecstatic. The idea of him and Taehyung in the middle of the ocean, alone, was just too good.

"Look" Taehyung pointed behind Jeongguk, who turned round. "The sunset is beautiful"

It indeed was. The red sun bathed in the vast sea at the edge of the world, her reflection making the sea a pool of vibrant fire. Rich hues of red blended with oranges, purples, crimsons in the vast sky grateful sky. The darkness approached from the opposite side of the world, as the ocean swallowed the red ball of fire.

The two lovers watched the sunset silently in wonder, bodies pressed together.

Six months had passed since everything settled down. Six months since Taehyung's failed wedding. Six months since Jeongguk cut off all contact from his family. Six months since the lawsuit regarding the scandal of Tan Corporation progressed, everyone who took part in the scandal sent off to prison or released with charges. Six months since Jennie had been imprisoned.

Six months since Taehyung and Jeongguk started dating officially.

The response for the news that the CEOs of Korea's biggest companies are dating, had been...rather positive. The news and social media blew up with the information and so did the news about the scandal and Jeongguk appearing at Taehyung's wedding and the groom kissing his life-long enemy in front of the whole world. The news didn't die down for weeks, the series of events taking everyone by surprise.

They were invited to countless TV shows and interviews. They appeared in a few, where the audience was full of fan girls rather than the usual fellow businessmen. Though Jeongguk still doesn't know what one TV show host said about 'the fan fictions coming to life' meant.

Taehyung had been the victim of many scolding and his father had been hospitalized again the day after the wedding due to another stroke. Jeongguk didn't hear his own father out, that once he visited his house to get his belongings before he moved in with Taehyung. The face of Aunt Mina when she was dragged into court in many court hearings was still etched to Jeongguk's mind; that look of pure betrayal, by her own blood. But that was the exact same way Jeongguk felt when he found out that it was she who had supported in ruining his and his beloved's lives; for her own treacherous and vengeful desires. He despised Jennie more. He wanted to throw up every time he thought about her.

But all of that was in the past. Their announcement of dating had made many adults outrageous, they both knew, including many of their allies. But their sales had only risen after the announcement; majority of the sales being from teenagers and young adults. Their allies hadn't displayed any kind of disapproval, those homophobes. Jeongguk guessed the reason for that must be the fact that two of the biggest companies together means world domination and world domination only.

It's pure idiocy to get on the CEOs' bad side, or to cancel their deals.

The Tan Corporation and Jeon Corporation together had introduced a product a few months after the announcement of dating. It was as if to seal the deal: The rivalry has ceased to exist. They are allies thereafter.

Taehyung and Jeongguk together decided to only focus on themselves, so they wouldn't have to go through another contradiction in the future and suffer individually. They were together on whatever happens.

"The sunset is beautiful" Taehyung said now, his arms tightly wrapped around Jeongguk's torso and his head on his shoulder.

Jeongguk hummed in approval. In the middle of the ocean, the sky in vibrant colours around them, as if the heavens itself had created this beautiful scenery for them alone. But then again, every moment they spent together, everything was perfect.

"Not as beautiful as you though" Taehyung said.

Jeongguk giggled, turning around to face Taehyung. His face was lit up with golden light. His blond hair was on fire and his face shone like a thousand golden urns. Whether be it under the silent moon or the dying sun, Taehyung looked ethereal.

"That's cheesy. You're a simp"

"Only for you" Taehyung grinned adorably. Jeongguk cooed and pecked his lips, unable to help himself.

It was then Taehyung took a step back, grinning. Jeongguk smiled back at the golden boy in front of him.

"You know Jeongguk" Taehyung started. "You're the best thing that happened to me in my life"

Jeongguk blushed and giggled.

"That day you fell into my office, I fucking hated you. I hated even seeing your face and I wished I'd never get to see it again on the face of this earth. I wished for that every day because I hated you that much"

Jeongguk was grinning now.

Taehyung continued.

"But it was only recently I realized that I actually thought about you every day. Not a single day passed without a few thoughts that doesn't involve you in it. I'm fucking glad that you fell to my office that day and I'm fucking glad that you were horny"

Jeongguk laughed.

"I'm fucking grateful for the universe that we kept meeting like that. Even when we stupidly decided to fuck without feelings. I was so stupid, I swear. Just wanted to keep seeing you. It was never about lust"

Jeongguk wasn't laughing anymore. Because Taehyung fished out a small black box from his back pocket and got himself on one knee in front of Jeongguk.

"I'm stupid for not realizing this sooner. But remember that day when we first met? When you were five and I was six?"

Jeongguk nodded, tears in his eyes and hands clasped together in front of his mouth.

"I think I loved you since that day. But I was so stupid and corrupted by ideologies about what I should be that I was brainwashed into hating you. But beneath that fog of forced hate, I've always loved you. You were the first friend I had. The first person I've loved. The first person who made a home away from my family. You're my forever and always. It's with you I belong. I will never find another person who lights up my world the way you do. And from the second I met you, I knew that there was something about you I needed Turns out it wasn't something at all. It was just you.

"You complete me, Jeongguk. I love you more than the vast space. I love you more than the stars love the night. The sun dies every dusk to let the moon live. But I love you more than the sun's love for the moon. I love you more than love itself"

Tears were streaming down Jeongguk's face. Tears of pure joy. The sun still enlightened the world with her last few rays of light, making everything glow in a hue of orange. Everything around them looked so dreamy.

"I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little. And I promise to love you every moment of my forever. It would be my greatest achievement to have you by my side, to support you and love you throughout your every victory and fail, your every happiness and sorrow. I promise to be your stone pillar forever, which you can hold on to"

Taehyung opened the box and inside lay two identical silver rings, diamonds etched in them in a pattern. Jeongguk was reminded of stars upon seeing them.

"So Jeon Jeongguk" Taehyung said, eyes gleaming. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Jeongguk said in a heartbeat and leapt to Taehyung, wrapping his arms around him. Jeongguk couldn't help the tears cascading down him cheeks like a waterfall. He had never felt so happy in his whole life.

They rose to their feet, arms still around themselves in a bone-crushing embrace. When they pulled away to look at each other's faces, Jeongguk saw that Taehyung's eyes were glassy and he could see himself in them.

Taehyung cupped Jeongguk's face with his right hand, smiling at him in the most heartfelt way possible, eyes gleaming with love. Jeongguk's heart leapt at the sight. The older slowly ran his thumb over his face, wiping the tears.

His thumb traced over his rosy lips ever so softly before removing his hand. He took the box in his hands and took out the rings.

"Beautiful" Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung flashed him a smile. "You like them?"

"I love them. It's perfect"

"I'm glad" Taehyung said. "I was afraid you might not like them"

"I'd love anything you get me, Tae"

"You're love blind"

"So are you" Jeongguk said. Taehyung laughed, the beautiful sound soon swept off in the wind.

"Not going to argue with that" He said. "I had them designed"

Taehyung took both rings in his hand and showed them to Jeongguk. "There's stars in your one and the moon in mine"

"Oh my god" Jeongguk said, picking one of them up; Taehyung's one. There was a small crescent moon carved on the side of the ring.

"You remind me of the stars. There's galaxies in your eyes. I'm the moon because...well because stars and the moon belong together. And I love you more than the stars love the moon"

Jeongguk giggled. "It's beautiful" He turned the ring around in his hand and something caught his eye. "Oh god there's our names carved in the ring!"

"Yeah" Taehyung said.

Jeongguk took his own ring and saw that on the inside of the ring, Jeongguk was carved in italics. Jeongguk just loved it.

Taehyung took the ring in his hand and took Jeongguk's hand in his. "May I?"

Jeongguk nodded. Taehyung took the ring between his fingers and put it on Jeongguk's ring finger. It slid down, fitting perfectly at the base. Jeongguk grinned

He took Taehyung's hand in his and slid his ring down his long, bony and soft finger.

Then he raised his head to look at Taehyung. The sun had set and darkness surrounded them, except for the lights from the yacht. The stars and moon gleamed above them, drowning them in silvery light of the moon.

And Taehyung looked absolutely angelic under the heaven's spotlight.

Taehyung smiled down at the younger and cupped his cheeks with both hands. Then he brought his mouth closer and Jeongguk closed his eyes. And his fiancé's tender lips met his.

Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Taehyung. They softly ran their lips over one another and then tilting their heads slightly to kiss each other harder, more passionately. They were kissing and smiling at the same time, unable to keep in the happiness. Between the secret lip bites and smiles, they pulled away and looked at each other.

It was then Jeongguk realized the whole deck had been lit up with fairy lights and lanterns. He looked around him in awe. The massive deck of the yacht was decorated vibrantly. The lights changed colours and so did the lanterns. There were flowers in the railings. And at the far end of the deck, a table was set up for two people. Jeongguk swore that the table was empty and the deck wasn't decorated like that when he came to watch the sunset earlier.

The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

"When did you organize all these?" Jeongguk asked. He couldn't believe that Taehyung had prepared all of this for him.

Taehyung grinned. "That's not all"

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung with confusion but he was turned around. In the distance he could see another ship. And seconds later, there was a distant boom and lights...

Fireworks.

Dozens and hundreds of fireworks shot up from the ship towards the sky. Jeongguk clasped his hands over his mouth once again as he watched the stunning display of fireworks. Different kinds of fireworks lit up the sky and Jeongguk jumped on the balls of his feet as he watched them with bubbling happiness. There were tears in his eyes but he quickly wiped them away, unable to afford to miss a fraction of the display.

The fireworks went on for minutes before they stopped.

"Oh my god Taehyung!" Jeongguk jumped towards the older and hugged him. "You didn't have to!"

"I wanted this to be memorable. And I want to give you all the good things in the world" He said.

"But I have you and you're the best thing in the world!"

"Don't be cheesy. I just love you a lot. Take it or...just take it"

Jeongguk laughed. "Just you being by my side is more than enough for me. But I loved this How did you know I loved fireworks?"

"I just took a wild guess"

Jeongguk narrowed his eyes at Taehyung but before he could reply, Taehyung was kissing him again. And Jeongguk let himself be kissed, and held and then be kissed again.

And then made love to...multiple times...on every flat surface of the yacht.

~*~

A happy ending? 👀

Next is epilogue :)

I'm curious...
Who was your favourite character?
What was your favourite scene from the book?

Thank you for reading!

Ily🥺💜