"How did it go yesterday with Luci?"

Taehyung's eye roll is enough itself to make Hoseok and Yoongi's laugh fill the space between them.

"That good huh?"

"I just don't understand, how I end up having to pay her support funds when Eujin is with us. If anything I should be paying you guys support funds."

"Don't worry about us, bear. We're more than fine, you know this. Just stay strong until the court dates. You've got all of the documentation you need now, Jin's father even said your case is in the bag."

Taehyung looks up from where he's playing with Eujin's feet, "that is if she ever ends up showing. This will be our third reschedule."

"Well, one more reschedule and it automatically goes in your favor. Isn't that what the judge said last time?"

Even if he nods, he has a hard time believing that they will actually honor that. Still, he refuses to let the nonsense of everything ruin his mood today.

Not when he spent the better half of last night texting back and forth with Jeongguk. Which of course Yoongi can't let the afternoon pass by without saying "I'm guessing your hot date is responsible for all of the giggling I heard last night? You and Eujin must've kept each other up all night"

Taehyung looks down at his giggling baby, laughing and smiling and oh so happy, "yeah...I feel so silly, but I've never felt so excited before, it just feels different" seeing the expression on Yoongi and Hoseok's faces, Taehyung groans "I know.. I'm ridiculous."

"No.. you're falling in loooove" Hoseok laughs, coming to sit next to them on the floor.

"Euj, what are we gonna do when Appa falls in love and doesn't have time for Hobi-hyung anymore?"

"Yah! Stop it...no matter what happens, and I don't know if I'm falling in love, I'm just.. enjoying whatever this is with Jeongguk. I'm always going to have time for you hyung. I wouldn't even be here without you guys"

"Okay okay, enough of that." Yoongi cuts in with plates of food "where are you going tonight?"

"It was my turn to pick... I'm not really sure too much about what he likes but there's the small vendor fest in Yeouido, so I figured we could walk around there? Is that lame? You're looking at me like it's lame.."

"It seems like a great second date to me, Taehyung-ah, don't worry."

"okay, I'm gonna put this one for nap and then I've got to head to the shop."

.•*

"Hey hyung!"

"Sungho, thank you so much for working for me this evening. You're okay with closing up?"

"Yeah, I mean. I don't know how to reconcile your paperwork but I can leave it for you."

"That's perfect, it's what I expected anyway.."

Walking up to the storage area, Taehyung's eyes blow wide at the sight of four ridiculously large boxes. Opening them he sees variations of books. Children's, young adult, adult. Some large name titles, some new.

"Hey, Sung-"

His words stop at the sight of a small slip of paper attached to one of the boxes.

I've got connections, hopefully this replenishes some of what I depleted. -JK

He's not used to this, has no idea why this man he just started seeing feels the need to do so much for him. There's an aching feeling in the back of his mind to be cautious, but he refuses to acknowledge that right now. Not when his stomach is fluttering and his cheeks have to be crimson from how hot they feel.

The hours seem to pass quicker than he thought and surely he wasn't prepared when the door to the shop opened and Jeongguk was standing there. Hair tousled, a bit messy... "hi" is all that he says when he reaches where Taehyung was seated on one of the chairs.

"You're early"

"I couldn't wait to see you"

Taehyung's jaw drops momentarily, really he wasn't expecting such comments and he really wasn't expecting Jeongguk to walk right up and tap his mouth closed.

"So, you were supposed to tell me this morning where we're going.."

"Let's go" he smiles, waving to Sungho and guiding Jeongguk out of the shop.

.•*

"You know, you didn't need to buy all of those books for me. I can stock the store myself.." he looks away, so he misses the way Jeongguk's face falters just momentarily.

"I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable.. I just, I'm not good at showing things and I'm not good with words, all I really have is what I can show but I don't know how to show you how much I like you without being ridiculous I guess.."

It's Jeongguk's turn to miss Taehyung's reaction, turning the corner to reach the vendor fair. Taehyung grabs onto his forearm "I didn't mean it like that.. I just.. don't know how to repay you for such things I guess? I don't even know really where you work so I couldn't do anything similar?"

There's only a few ways to describe the first time you touch. it's subtle when Jeongguk's hand cups over Taehyung's but it doesn't fail to bring all of those butterflies from this morning right back "I don't want you to repay me, just spare some time for me. That's all I ask."

Carrying on is easy, almost too easy. Talking about hobbies and the things they've experienced. Taehyung finds himself completely lost in the way Jeongguk's eyes light up when he talks about the things he's passionate about.

"So, when will you stop being so mysterious about your job? You know where I work, what I do..." Taehyung trails off, munching on the churros they found at a small stand.

"Ah, I'm not mysterious for any reason in particular, just my job has brought problems for me in the past. It's irrelevant really, especially because I make most of my money now from my channel on you-tube....so it's just a place I waste time"

Taehyung looks at him curiously but doesn't pry any longer. The popping of fireworks tells that the evening is coming to a close and the vendors are as well but it's so early still and he's just not ready to part ways yet.

It's a moment of confidence when he says "Would you like to come back to the shop with me? I have some paperwork to file... of course, you don't have to.. but if you do I could make some tea?"

"if it means I get to stay with you longer, absolutely."

The urge to be closer to Jeongguk is strong, but Taehyung isn't sure. It's been so long since he's dated anyone and he doesn't know what's crossing a line and what isn't. Has no idea how to decide if he's going to far or not far enough.

In the midst of his inner turmoil Jeongguk laughs, bringing him back to the present. Taking his breath away entirely when there's a hand slipping into his own, the warmth has his throat feeling full.

"Is this okay?" Jeongguk asks but isn't looking directly at Taehyung, he thinks if there were a little more light outside that he could see pink dusting Jeongguk's cheeks.

"perfect"

There's a comfortable silence throughout the shop as Jeongguk sits on the small sofa and waits for Taehyung to complete the paperwork. A soft humming of the tea kettle going fills the space and almost in perfect time Taehyung is finished.

Looking over he sees Jeongguk flipping through one of the many comics he snagged, Taehyung refuses to acknowledge how much he enjoys the sight of Jeongguk in his space.

There's a space next to Jeongguk and a chair across from him. He's unsure, but still he forces himself to walk over to the sofa. Such little room between them but he finds a brilliant smile on Jeongguk's face when he looks up.

"all done?"

"finally.. thanks for coming with me. I don't like being here alone so late at night. It feels lonely."

"I meant what I said, I enjoy spending time with you. I'd spend more time here than I'm willing to admit, if I wasn't terrified of scaring you away."

Jeongguk sets his cup down on the table before them and turns just a little. One knee bent side ways on the sofa as one arm comes up to rest behind it. Taehyung only glances slightly at the way Jeongguk's fingers fidget with the hem of his short sleeve.

"You don't scare me, Jeongguk."

The man smiles a little, Taehyung wonders if he's crazy or if Jeongguk just scooted closer. "Don't say that, if you tell me you aren't scared than I'm not going to hold back."

"Don't.." it comes out rushed and breathless and that's really not what Taehyung meant he just..he doesn't know how to explain the feeling thrumming throughout his body as they speak. Jeongguk's finger tips are warm against his arm.

It's the faintest touch and Jeongguk's eyes are loaded. Contemplating something and Taehyung is too. Taehyung notices the way Jeongguk's eyes glance just barely at his mouth before he looks away.

There's a red hue rising to the tips of his ears and Taehyung's heart feels like it might beat out of his chest.

"Can I be honest, Taehyung?"

"always"

"I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever met"

"Jeongguk.." he laughs and it's breathless "you can't just say things that aren't true"

"It is true though, really..."

Taehyung looks away, only briefly... but it's enough for Jeongguk to reach out. Hand grabbing onto the one that was resting in Taehyung's lap "I really, really, enjoy spending time with you"

He let's his hand relax, finds that he enjoys the way his fingers intertwine with Jeongguk's.

"I enjoy spending time with you too, a whole lot."

Taehyung isn't prepared for the way he takes in a sharp breath when Jeongguk slightly tugs on his hand, pulling him closer. Just close enough that their noses are so close to brushing. "I really want to take you on a third date, and a fourth..and a fifth and well.. yeah a lot of dates. I mean no pressure, god I'm embarrassing, just.. I like you a lot Taehyung. I know I've said that already, but I feel like I've come off wrong."

Taehyung smiles, finds it difficult to force his eyes up from Jeongguk's lips "you've come off just fine.. and I like you a lot too, Jeongguk. way more than I should considering we only met not too long ago.."

"that's okay.. I mean like me as much as you want.. you know, it's fine"

Taehyung's head falls forward a little with his giggles, only then does he really notice how close they are because he can feel Jeongguk's nose against his forehead. The hand holding his own tightens and tugs again when he looks up.

"Taehyung, I really want to kiss you"

the lump in his throat is large when his eyes look into Jeongguk's "yeah?"

Jeongguk smirks a bit, it's subtle and so so sexy. Taehyung thinks he might die, especially when Jeongguk leans the rest of the way forward, their lips practically touching "is that okay?"

"yeah.. yeah that's fine"

It's so soft, a gentle cautious pressing of plush lips against his own. Taehyung feels his entire body melt because when was the last time he kissed anyone? Can't remember. but he's certain it didn't feel like this.

Jeongguk pulls away not for too long, long enough for their eyes to meet and Taehyung is certain he can feel all of the oxygen leave his lungs when he watches Jeongguk's eyes close again.

The second kiss is firmer, it knocks the little wind he had left completely out of his body and feels himself caving. Jeongguk's hand let's go of his, slowly. Gliding along the side of the sofa to rest gently on Taehyung's lower back.

Feels himself being held and it's unconscious the way his arms slip up Jeongguk's shoulders to rest there. His entire body shutters just from the touch, their lips are moving together languidly.

He gasps when he feels the slightest slip of Jeongguk's tongue between his lips. Everything is cautious and so exciting. His stomach feels like it's flipping over and over with the way their mouths flow.

Parting has Taehyung unable to look up, their foreheads rest together and the laughter that bubbles out of his throat is light and airy. Jeongguk's hand moves from his lower back to rest in front of them again.

"told you I'd get carried away" he says playfully, eyes finally locking and Taehyung can't help the way he leans forward to peck Jeongguk's swollen lips once more.

"and I told you, I'm fine with that"

.•*

||| I hope this makes up for the 6 day wait, I'm sorry <3