Exactly three days go by before Jungkook can see Seokjin again. Apparently, Seokjin had to go on a quick trip back home for two days because his mom—as the rumors say—needed help with setting up her new phone, and then he had a video chat meeting with Namjoon this morning when Jungkook tried to go and visit him, so now the only time he's going to get to see him is during the showcase, around other high-ups and fuck-all Kunwoo.

It's disappointing, truly. He wanted to talk things through with Seokjin before today, not wanting to avoid or be avoided because of ridiculous things such as silly rumors—though Jungkook is the initial reason why their little miscommunication is happening, but only because he didn't want Seokjin to think he was using him, so maybe it's best this way.

It's Thursday, which is usually a long day for Jungkook because it's the day he wishes it was Friday instead, so close to having the sweet taste of weekend air. Just like every other Thursday, Jungkook wakes up with dread, but this time he's also got an uneasy swirl of anxiety in his tummy. He's terrified of today's showcase.

What if he didn't edit well enough? What if the committee hates his editing style and editing choices? Would they like Kunwoo's more? What if Seokjin chooses Kunwoo over him? The voting is anonymous and the showcase of the third video will also be anonymous, not letting the committee know who they're voting for. Jungkook feels like puking just thinking about the possibilities.

"You're going to get this promotion," Jimin assures him, holding onto his arms to fiercely look him right in the eye. "I can almost guarantee it. I overheard one of Kunwoo's friends talking about his edits, and not in a good way." He smirks. "Love to see people going behind his back and talking shit, honestly. Deserved." He pats Jungkook's arm. "Go get 'em, tiger. You got this."

Jungkook is only mildly convinced by his friend's words.

He makes his way up to the conference room, which he's never been in before. Since he's never been in any conference room before and this is very important to him, he fixed his hair nicely, parting it to the side, and he's wearing the same outfit that he wore to the first interview with Seokjin: the gray blazer and slacks. This time, he's wearing a white button-up underneath it instead of a black one. He knows he looks nice, but looks aren't going to get him this promotion.

So, he heads into the conference room feeling sort of shy, greeting the unfamiliar faces who greet him to the table. An assistant leads him to a seat in the back of the room which is a few feet away from an identical one. He assumes it's Kunwoo's.

There's a big office chair at the end of the long conference table. It's clearly meant to be the CEO's, and Jungkook shudders as he imagines Seokjin standing up at it with his hands on the table, leaning over and eyeing the committee as he talks business-talk.

The thought distracts him for a good few minutes and it only leaves his brain whenever he finally notices a familiar face coming through the door. It's Kunwoo. And he was correct; the seat a few feet away from his is Kunwoo's. They're practically forced to sit in the very back and watch as all the committee members openly judge them.

Shit.

Jungkook gulps as he watches the assistant go to the projector screen. The screen is built into the ceiling, having a little string to pull down, which she does. It's a giant screen. Jungkook's tummy rolls and rumbles as she turns it on, meaning it's nearing time to show their works. He feels so nauseous he might just puke for real this time.

That is, until the door opens.

The chatter in the room immediately shifts. People don't stop talking, but they do quiet down for a second before they start welcoming the CEO and the former CEO who walks in behind him, with Seokjin holding the door open for his father.

"About time you showed up!" an older man on the committee jokes with the old CEO, making him laugh out.

Jungkook never knew how casual the man was, but as he watches Seokjin interact with the committee as well, he feels at ease knowing that they're lighthearted. And even if he does lose, the former CEO told him he'd vote for him and that's enough to have Jungkook smiling to himself. At least he knows one out of ten will vote for him.

It leaves him to wonder, however... Does Seokjin already know who he's going to vote for? Assuming he's already gotten someone in mind, Jungkook wonders if it's him or Kunwoo. Who's editing does he like more?

"Okay, okay, we should really get started," Seokjin announces, lightly laughing at something someone had said. "We shouldn't keep everyone here all day. I do believe my father has a spa appointment this afternoon."

Seokjin's dad pats him hard on the back as people laugh lightheartedly. "Of course! As a retired man, I must not be late to spa day." This earns more laughter and Jungkook feels more at ease than he's felt all week. But then the projector becomes brighter as the lights are turned off and suddenly all the anxiety rushes back over Jungkook like a punch to the gut.

It's his first edit that is shown first, and it's the assistant who is presenting, telling the committee that this is Jeon Jungkook's work, what all he's done for the company, and other important things to note. When she shows Kunwoo's edit, it's choppier, and she doesn't have much to say for Kunwoo when it's about what he's done for the company. Kunwoo has never worked with the CEO before or done any crucial edits like Jungkook has. A part of him wonders just how Kunwoo was chosen for the interview, anyway, but he knows it's because Kunwoo is good at editing. Seokjin must've liked his style. Fuck.

Their second edit is shown, which makes Jungkook feel better because Kunwoo's might be good, but Jungkook's gets more nods of approval and earns more hushed chatter between the committee members. He can hardly hear what they're saying, but he heard one woman tell the older man beside her, "This is how I would've edited this scene. I love that."

That woman is a blessing in disguise for Jungkook because she instantly has his shoulders lowering, no longer as tense, and he thinks about her style and how it must be similar to his; hopefully, he has her vote.

And apparently she's the angel that Taehyung had mentioned before because she practically butters up the people around her whenever the third anonymous edits come onto the screen. Jungkook focuses on her, nearly tearing up as she points out some distinct edit choices Jungkook made and talks so highly of them. People seem to love both edits, but it's Jungkook's which causes more of a commotion—the good kind.

Jungkook is so focused on everyone's reactions that he hasn't even gotten the chance to look for Seokjin's. And when he does, it's when the lights come back on. He's expecting Seokjin to be looking at the screen or talking with someone, but the older is already looking back at him. It makes Jungkook flinch back a little in shock, not expecting to see the fond, dreamy look in Seokjin's eyes as he examines the younger. He wonders how long Seokjin was looking at him for.

"Well," Seokjin suddenly announces, averting his eyes from Jungkook and standing up to get everyone's attention. Everyone is silent, waiting for him to continue. Seokjin smiles around for everyone to see. "That's the end of the showcase. The edits were lovely. Unfortunately, we can only have one editorial assistant, so we'll be taking votes now." He turns to look at Jungkook and Kunwoo. "You two did an amazing job. You may go back to work for the time being. Thank you."

He smiles at them, but his eyes linger on Jungkook for longer.

Jungkook and Kunwoo leave the room, and what sucks is that they have to go to the same place, so they walk in the same direction. Jungkook stands as far away as possible from Kunwoo, but the younger still trails close beside him, enough to make him think it's okay to speak to Jungkook.

"Your edits were really good."

Already irritated, Jungkook deadpans at his ex. "I really don't need you trying to compliment me. Go compliment your girlfriend or whatever."

"It's true, though." Kunwoo continues with a smirk, "Are you jealous? Of me being with someone else?" Jungkook rolls his eyes, and whenever Kunwoo takes one elevator, Jungkook rushes into a different one, not wanting to ride down with him.

When he gets back to his desk, he tells Jimin everything that happened in the conference room, including the compliments he'd gotten on his work, but he tells Jimin not to get too excited just yet. Just because he had some good responses doesn't mean he's won yet.

"You better win or I'll start a riot."

"Please, never do that." Jungkook chuckles.

Only about thirty minutes pass before Jungkook receives an email from Seokjin, which causes that same dreadful anxiety to wash over his entire body.

Jeon Jungkook-ssi (urgent!!!)

Please come to my office as soon as you read this email. I want to talk.

-Kim Seokjin

Sure, Jungkook is the one who wanted to talk three days ago, and he still wants to now, but it doesn't stop the tension from building up in his chest. With an inward sigh, he heads back up the elevator to the top floor. His legs feel wobbly as he makes his way down the halls and his hands begin shaking just a little. Just enough to prove to himself that he is in fact terrified of the conversation he is about to have.

He exhales, trying to calm himself down. It's not like Seokjin is about to crush his soul or anything—he hopes so, at least. The email sounded pretty urgent, and that's the main reason he's terrified. What if Seokjin fires him on the spot? What if he just heard about the rumors and decided to call off the interview and hand it over to Kunwoo by default?

By the time he and the secretary reach the office door, Jungkook's chest is heavier than ever with fear and concern. He holds his breath as she opens the door to let him in, and he only releases the breath because he might explode otherwise.

When he enters the office, Seokjin stands up from his desk. The brightness in his eyes and his joyous smile is the only reason why Jungkook's chest becomes lighter and he can finally breathe again. Seokjin isn't angry, at least. That's a good sign. And another good sign is the way Seokjin gestures for Jungkook to come behind his desk, urging him to hurry and look at whatever it is that he's pointing at on his computer monitor.

"I thought the meeting was over..?" Jungkook questions as he follows, stepping in behind Seokjin's desk.

He first examines the CEO, wondering just how someone could be so handsome with their hair perfectly parted to the side and black slacks tracing thick hips. He has his blazer laid over his chair, leaving him only in a light blue button-up, sleeves tugged over his wrists in which Jungkook gazes at just before following the point of Seokjin's index finger. He's pointing at the white screen and Jungkook has to squint to focus on whatever it is he's pointing at.

"Sorry I rushed you over here," Seokjin says, "but I wanted to be the one to tell you."

"Tell me..." Jungkook's eyes go comically wide whenever he realizes what he's looking at: tallies next to his name. Eight of them. Eight out of ten. He practically breaks his neck to look up at Seokjin, and Seokjin looks right back at him, smiling away cheerfully.

"You got the job," he tells Jungkook, causing Jungkook's heart to explode with mountains of joy and happiness. "And I knew it had to be you from the very moment I saw your portfolio," Seokjin exasperates, making Jungkook tilt his head in confusion. "My secretary told me I had to formally interview at least two people for the job. God, I wanted you to win so badly." He pauses. "Don't tell Kunwoo I said that."

Jungkook laughs out, relieved and so, so happy. He's glad that Seokjin told him the news in person, too, because not only does it sound amazing to hear Seokjin say he got the job, but knowing that Seokjin wanted him to win as well makes him even more glad.

"Did you vote for me?" Jungkook asks, not caring if it's unprofessional or supposed to be anonymous. Seokjin doesn't seem to care either. He looks offended that Jungkook even asked such a question.

"Of course, I voted for you. I'm serious, Jungkook-ah, your work is incredible and you've worked on serious projects before, so you were more fitting for the job. Everyone loved your edits, including my dad. Including me. You're so amazing."

Tears begin to form in Jungkook's eyes. He really doesn't want to cry in front of Seokjin a second time, but the emotions he's felt lately have all been horrible, terrible, and draining. His mental health and heart weren't ready for such happiness all of a sudden. Emotions all over the place, Jungkook sniffles and then wipes the stray tear that falls down his cheek.

Before Seokjin can even say anything, Jungkook decides that he deserves what he does next. He deserves the tiniest sliver of this. He takes one step forward, then another, and then he throws his arms around Seokjin's shoulders, dismissing the slight confusion in the older's eyes. He nuzzles his nose right into the collar of Seokjin's shirt and hugs him tight, clenching his fists tightly as Seokjin's hands land on his waist and then slide down to his lower back, hugging him in return.

"Thank you, hyung."

There's a blanket of warmth spread over his heart as Seokjin rests their heads against each other. It reminds him of their flight, when they'd fallen asleep against each other. Except this time it's on purpose, and there's something much more comforting now, as Seokjin's thumb caresses into the dip of his back.

"Don't thank me," Seokjin murmurs quietly, and his voice is so calm and soothing. "You're the amazing one here. You did this all on your own, Jungkook."

That's right. That's so right.

Jungkook did this all on his own. No rigging, no manipulation. Just his skills and hard work. Just years worth of learning how to edit with trial and error. Years of working at Golden Entertainment, making his way from the bottom to here, where he'll be working alongside Seokjin. He won fair and square. He deserves this more than anyone.

He pulls back only enough to lock eyes with Seokjin, merely inches away. The breath is taken right from him as Seokjin digs his fingers ever so lightly into his back as if to keep him there. The urge to push up into Seokjin's body is strong, but he holds back and instead lowers his gaze to Seokjin's lips, wondering how far he can push his limits.

When he'd first kissed Seokjin weeks ago, it was to feel something.

Now, Jungkook is feeling so many things that he wants to kiss Seokjin and share these emotions. The happiness, the joy, and the genuine excitement. He wishes he could celebrate all of these things with a kiss. Wonders if Seokjin would mind lifting his fingers under his chin again just to give him the same green light once more.

When he looks back up into Seokjin's eyes, his heart pounds once he realizes that Seokjin is looking down at his lips in return. In the moment, Jungkook decides that Jimin was right to say fuck everyone else and Taehyung's angels must be with him, hanging out on his shoulders, because he gets the balls to shift his hands to Seokjin's cheeks and earn his gaze again.

"You're staring," he tells the older. It's one of the first words Seokjin had ever spoken to him, but the weight of it now is a lot more than it was back then. "You could do a lot more than just stare at my lips, you know?"

Seokjin glances down once more, puzzled. "Well, what exactly do you want me to do?" he asks in a hushed voice, sounding genuinely unsure. Jungkook grazes his thumb just under the older's thick bottom lip, licking over the bottom of his own as Seokjin parts his in a small gasp.

"Kiss me," he quietly tells Seokjin. "For real this time, hyung."

The shock in Seokjin's eyes and the way his hands stiffen up makes Jungkook panic momentarily, but then Seokjin's eyes soften and he takes a step forward, pressing Jungkook up against his desk and leaning in. He smashes his lips into Jungkook's, eager to kiss him, and Jungkook has never felt his heart beat so strongly before.

Seokjin's kiss is much more desperate than Jungkook ever would've imagined it'd be. The grip he has on Jungkook's hips, the way he sucks gently on Jungkook's pink flesh, and the soft hums of pleasure he lets out—it all causes Jungkook's head to swirl, unable to keep up in real time.

He fists his fingers through Seokjin's hair and hums back, scrunching his brows together as he feels Seokjin's leg slot between his. Without much of a warning, Seokjin presses forward and Jungkook moans into his mouth, pulling back to catch his breath.

Seokjin pants for air too, his lips swollen and flushed, clearly kissed, but not nearly enough in Jungkook's opinion. So, he leans up off the desk and captures Seokjin's lips again, this time just as desperate. He kitten licks over Seokjin's top lip, shuddering as Seokjin licks out as well, their tongues meeting and not once pulling away, not even for air. The only air they get is from soft hums, needy moans, or desperate gasps. As Jungkook is pressed harder into the desk, he whines out, starting to get hard in his pants with the way Seokjin's leg brushes against his crotch.

For just a few seconds, Seokjin pulls away from the kiss and lifts his hands behind Jungkook's thighs, not caring to push things out of the way before helping Jungkook up onto the wooden desk. A soft moan leaves Jungkook's lips as Seokjin slots himself in between his thighs and locks his lips onto his jaw, suckling the skin and peppering kisses all over Jungkook's sensitive body.

"Hyung," Jungkook calls out in a little gasp. His doe eyes meet Seokjin's dark, alluring ones. The older tilts his head in question.

"What is it, baby?"

Jungkook was going to initiate an important conversation before diving into this, but Seokjin calling him baby has him tilting his head back into a soft moan, then cursing to himself because Seokjin's crotch against his own just isn't enough friction.

"You're so hot, do you know that?" he asks, pressing his lips right against Seokjin's.

"No, I didn't." Seokjin pecks him back. "I was told once that I looked like a model," he says with a smirk that has Jungkook shuddering.

"Oh, I remember. And my point still stands. You're a hot model." He brings Seokjin back in again, kissing the life out of him. This time, he wraps his legs around the CEO and pulls him in closer, breaking off the kiss with little moans of pleasure as Seokjin begins dry humping him.

Seokjin kisses right under Jungkook's ear, sucking a little spot as he huffs out breaths against his skin. His voice is perfectly clear to Jungkook, so damn sexy that it makes him leak in his pants as he listens to the little curses of pleasure.

"God," Jungkook sighs out as he feels tongue against his skin.

"Yeah," Seokjin lets out, agreeing. He places his hand right over the tent in Jungkook's pants, earning a groan. Jungkook swears he hears a whine in Seokjin's voice as he begs, "Please? Can I?" He tugs lightly at Jungkook's zipper and pleads with his eyes.

Jungkook nods. "Yes, hell yes."

With that, Seokjin unzips Jungkook's pants and spits generously into his palm before slipping the underwear out of the way and getting a loose grip on Jungkook's hard, aching dick. Jungkook grips the edge of the desk, bucking up into the feeling of Seokjin's slick hand and whining as he's jerked off.

He doesn't even ask as he lowers his hand to unzip the older's pants, eager to do the same in return. Seokjin hisses and plants his face in the crook of Jungkook's neck, leaving small spontaneous kisses while he moans into Jungkook's sweaty skin.

"Fuck, Jungkook-ah."

"Call me baby again," Jungkook immediately demands. "Please."

"Okay, baby." Seokjin lifts himself back up and attaches their lips, both breathing heavily into the kiss.

Jungkook's entire body feels like an elastic band about to break loose. His thighs are tense around Seokjin's waist and he's digging his nails into the desk while matching Seokjin's wrist's pace. The pleasure is enough to have him leaking precum over Seokjin's palm, and while he would normally feel embarrassed or shy, he simply doesn't. Not with the way Seokjin looks at him like he's hung the stars in the sky.

"This," Seokjin says as he tugs Jungkook's shirt up, "is in my way." He pushes it up and grunts as Jungkook pulls his hand away from his dick, just long enough to unbutton his own shirt. While he's at it, he takes the blazer off because it's way too hot, and now he's left with an open white button-up, revealing his abdomen and chest. "Perfect, baby," Seokjin says as he leans in and kisses from Jungkook's neck to his chest.

Jungkook spits into his palm once again before going back to nestling his hand in Seokjin's open pants, digging his fingers low enough to cup his balls and palm him. Seokjin bites into the skin on his chest, earning a hiss from the younger.

"I-I'm not gonna last long, hyung."

Seokjin licks over his nipple, the bud hard and sensitive. "That's fine, baby. Want you to come for me anyway."

Jungkook squeezes his thighs over Seokjin's waist hard, feeling a pool of warmth building up in his tummy. He desperately pants for air and gets lazy with his strokes on Seokjin's thick cock, letting the tell-tale signs of his orgasm swarm into a slow, beautiful embrace of pleasure.

His hips jerk up and he lets out little gasps as he begins spurting come all over his abdomen. Seokjin kisses him sweetly, telling him softly: That's it, baby. There you go.

"God," Jungkook groans out as he continues stroking Seokjin, this time faster just to make the older curse out a million times. Seokjin fucks up into his hand and it's such a gorgeous sight, now that Jungkook can pay attention to Seokjin rather than himself. His mouth basically waters at the sight of Seokjin's long, thick dick pushing up into the circle of his fist. "Damn, I wish you would fuck me over this desk. Make me come all over it."

His words draw a sharp gasp from Seokjin. His hips stutter and Jungkook pulls him impossibly closer, positioning his dick close enough so that as Seokjin comes, it's all over the same place Jungkook had released and all over Jungkook himself.

"God damn, Jungkook."

Jungkook chuckles, still easing every last drop from Seokjin until his orgasm calms down and come is merely drizzling over his thumb. He wishes they could've done this somewhere better, but the idea of being fucked in the big office by the CEO has Jungkook's body covering with chills.

They clean off with some wipes that Seokjin had in his drawer and then zip their pants back up; Jungkook gave him a questioning look because of the wipes, but Seokjin said the wipes were there because he snacks on a lot of candy. Jungkook giggles and they wind down, merely taking in each other's presence for a few minutes. Jungkook buttons his shirt back up in the meantime.

"I'm so confused by you," Seokjin suddenly confesses. His head falls onto Jungkook's shoulder and it makes Jungkook pout.

"What do you mean?"

A sigh. "I thought you didn't like me, and then you want me to kiss you, and I still don't exactly know what you want from me."

Jungkook lifts his hands to Seokjin's cheeks, bringing the older up and making him look into his eyes. "Is it because I was avoiding you? Because if so, I'm sorry. The rumors made me panic and I was scared you'd see me differently if I stayed near you."

Now, Seokjin's eyes narrow slightly and his brows furrow harder than ever before. "What rumors?" he asks, pulling away from Jungkook's hands and turning the conversation more serious. But Jungkook once again takes his cheeks into his palms and he kisses Seokjin's forehead.

"Nevermind. Don't worry about it."

Seokjin leans into his palm. "No, Jungkook. What rumors are you talking about? I'm obviously going to worry now." He sounds overly curious to find out and his smile is long gone. Jungkook sighs again.

"There were rumors going around about me. I-I'm sorry, I thought you knew..."

"No," Seokjin instantly tells him, "Don't apologize. It's just... I don't understand. What have people been saying about you, Jungkook? What did they say that could've caused you to avoid... me..." His voice trails off as he speaks the words aloud, another burst of confusion and anger seeming to flicker in his eyes. Jungkook lowers his hands back to the desk and frowns to himself.

"They thought I was coming onto you," he finally tells him. It makes Seokjin frown as well, raising his fingers to ghost gently over Jungkook's arms. Jungkook's heart feels nice and warm from the touch. "They said I was sleeping with you for the job—" Seokjin's expression twists in disapproval "—and I didn't want you to think that I was flirting with you because of that. I wanted to prove to myself and to the others that my editing abilities were good enough. They'll probably accuse me for sure, since I got the job."

Maybe it's the price he has to pay.

"Jungkook, not once did I think you were flirting with me for the job." Seokjin brushes his fingers through Jungkook's bangs, just enough so that Jungkook can close his eyes and lean into the touch. "Especially not when you started avoiding me. I thought you were doing it because I made you uncomfortable."

"No, not at all," Jungkook says, quickly opening his eyes again. "Hyung, I've had to force myself to not make you uncomfortable. The amount of times I've wanted to kiss you is so damn unbelievable."

Seokjin laughs. "I've wanted to kiss you, too. Ever since I left you at that bar, actually. I just didn't want to kiss you while you were drunk. I had to leave the bar before I took you home with me or something"

"I would've gone," Jungkook admits.

"Because you were drunk and heartbroken."

"No, because you're seriously so hot." Jungkook giggles happily as Seokjin laughs his windshield-wiping laugh. "I'm not drunk or heartbroken now! And look at me, jerking you off at work. So risky," he teases, loving the way Seokjin's ears turn red.

Seokjin tells him, "You're shameless." And then, "Will you let me take you out? As something serious. I don't want to have one night stands. I want to take you on a proper date, if you'll let me."

A proper date with Kim Seokjin?

"That sounds perfect, hyung."

It honestly does. The time that they spent at the mall was so nice. Going to dinner with Seokjin was nice then, and he can only imagine what it would be like if they went on a date instead of going out casually. Jungkook imagines holding hands, flirting with each other, and kissing by the end of the day.

It all sounds perfect—especially considering Jungkook is riding off a new happiness that he hasn't felt, well, ever.

If only he had known that his happiness was going to last very shortly, he'd have appreciated it at least a little better.

~~~

ho-ly-shit

FIRST OF ALL, OH MY GOD?????? jungkook won, they kissed, they did stuff, they talked a little bit, AND THEN... i ended the chapter like that.

what could possibly happen in the next few chapters ;o i mean, i promise a happy ending 🥺 get ready for cuteness, angst, emotions, anxiety, and even more cuteness 🤧

i hope you guys liked this chapter! i was so excited to share it with you guys omg but there's still more!!! the last few chapters are great, i promise 🥹 just hang in there lol

how did you like chapter 14?

ALSO!! look forward to another art from this chapter c:

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