The trip to Jeongguk's house was short, but it gave enough time for Taehyung to learn some new things about the alpha. Like, Jeongguk lived alone in a small but luxurious apartment in the middle of Cheongdam-dong, or Jeongguk was a romantic according to his musical list that Taehyung had to listen on the way home, and Jeongguk almost as much as he loved to eat he loved to cook, obviously he was still learning since he didn't have much time to spend in the kitchen, but what he knew how to cook he did it well, and he promised to cook for Taehyung.

They exit the jeep parked in Jeongguk's spot in the building's parking lot and went towards the elevator. Taehyung felt giddy and warm inside while holding Jeongguk's hand, not even caring about the cold anymore or about his abandoned wings in the backseat of the Wrangler.

Taehyung was constantly questioning Jeongguk, earning laughs from the alpha every time the omega sounded like a reporter.

"And how long have you lived alone?"

Jeongguk hums thinking, while waiting for Taehyung to exit the elevator first, holding him by the small of his back with a hand. "Since I entered college" he tells, pausing to mentally count how many years he had been studying. "Five years"

Taehyung opens his eyes widely. "Are you in your last year?"

"No" Jeongguk says taking Taehyung's hand, leading him towards his apartment. "I'm still with law programs, and next year I have my final internship"

Taehyung watches him, Jeongguk was looking like it was an obligation of him to study in law school, he seems gloom and exhausted just by mentioning it, not like when he talks about boxing and body combat.

"Internships must be fun though" Taehyung says, observing Jeongguk put his door code and opening with his keys. "Seeing different cases like homicides or unsolved mysteries"

Jeongguk snorts, stepping inside the apartment and turning on the lights. "Come on in" he says taking off his boots. Taehyung enters taking his shoes too and eyeing the place with much curiosity. "I'm not a detective, Peachy" Jeongguk tells him sounding amused. "I do my practices in my family law firm. We mostly see political cases of corruption. Good money, really boring"

"Oh" Taehyung pouts watching Jeongguk throwing his keys into a bowl on the center table place in the middle of the living room, between a grey couch and a massive television, and equally massive speakers by each side of the TV set . "You hate it, don't you?"

Jeongguk looks hesitant for a minute. "Yeah... I do" he tells him with a grin, but Taehyung could tell there was nothing of amusement behind that grin. "Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure" Taehyung replies watching Jeongguk going towards to what he assumes to be the kitchen.

The omega sits in the couch, taking in the apartment. It seems Jeongguk didn't bother with decors, the living room was large but it only had the big and comfortable couch, the TV set and speakers, and the glass table keeping the apartment keys, car keys, and Jeongguk's wallet. Taehyung snorts when he sees Jeongguk's keychain of ironman.

"Why are you laughing?" Jeongguk asks suddenly, making Taehyung jolt surprised. Jeongguk laughs airily at that. "I don't know what you like but I took a guess" he says, handing him a glass of a red liquid.

"Thank you" Taehyung says, receiving the glass and smelling it before tasting it. His tongue make contact with the liquid, he furrowed his eyebrows recognizing the vodka but then the sweet flavor of strawberry and the sour taste of lemonade hit his tongue. "Hmm, this is nice"

"My sister always brings a bottle of flavored vodka every time she comes visit"

Taehyung perks up at that. "You have a sister?"

Jeongguk nods. "She's married and lives in Busan" he explains with a small smile, but Taehyung could see the fondness in his eyes. "She comes visit me once in a while"

"Is she your only sibling?"

"I have a brother too"

"Older?"

"Yeah"

"Ah, you're the baby of the family" the omega says and Jeongguk groans, rolling his eyes. Taehyung smiles at him, taking another sip of his drink and noticing Jeongguk was having a beer.

"What about you?" Jeongguk asks after taking a long drink of his beer.

"I'm an only child" Taehyung tells him with a shrug. "My parents died when I was a baby. My grandparents raised me"

Jeongguk cocks his eyebrows in surprised. "Sorry to hear that" he says but Taehyung just shakes his head smiling.

"It's okay, I don't remember them"

Jeongguk stares at him for a moment, then grins. "Come here, I want to show you something" he says offering a hand to Taehyung. The omega takes it, and the alpha helps him to stand up from the couch, leading him towards the balcony. "I fell in love with this small apartment because of this" Jeongguk tells him, opening the glassed doors after moving and the sight of Seoul at night came to view.

"Wow" Taehyung was mesmerized, walking to the edge of the balcony to appreciate the beautiful night view of the city and the Han river. "You can see the river so closely!" he exclaims, and Jeongguk grins nodding his head. "Jeongguk this is beautiful... it's way better than the hustle view from my aunt's penthouse"

"Yeah, the river is right in front of us" Jeongguk tells him, sitting on a black futon that he had on the balcony.

Taehyung looks around, noticing how big the balcony was. Jeongguk has more furniture out there, and the omega guessed the alpha spends a lot of time there. Taehyung breaths deeply, loving the fresh air of the night and how pretty the lights near the river looked under the moonlight, relaxing until he felt Jeongguk's hands grabbing him by his waist from behind and his mouth brushing his nape.

Taehyung felt his body tingling again, every time Jeongguk touched him his skin burned, but it was that kind of delicious burn that makes his head spin, and his heart beat in anticipation.

"I'm sorry about tonight" Jeongguk whispers and his hot breath made the skin of Taehyung's nape to erupt with goosebumps. "You said you didn't want to go so many times yet you-" he pressed his mouth on the conjuncture between his neck and shoulder, where the mark of a mated couple is placed, and he teased with his teeth lightly, "Yet you came, looking this beautiful and making me jealous"

Taehyung closed his eyes, feeling the alpha's mouth on his neck, kissing and nuzzling his nose against the skin. "I wasn't trying to make you jealous" he says honestly, even when he did enjoy having Jeongguk all jealous for him, as long as he didn't cross the line it was satisfying. "And you were perfectly fine on your own"

Jeongguk hums, kissing sensually behind Taehyung's ear, the hands on his waist tightening the hold, fingers playing with the loops of his pants, using it to pull his body closer. "I would change every omega in that party to be around you"

"Even Won?"

"Especially Won" Jeongguk snorts letting go of Taehyung's waist just to spin him around to face him. "Won is one of the bunch, she's probably in Gyu's bed right now"

Taehyung knits his eyebrows, scowling. "Your friend Mingyu?" he asks looking at Jeongguk's chill expression. He nods and snorts again. "Oh you and your friends are disgusting"

"I'm the least disgusting one" Jeongguk says amused and laughing at Taehyung's childish expression of disgust. "As long as you still want to kiss me you can call me whatever you want, baby"

"You're so cheesy" Taehyung tells, giggling when Jeongguk wriggles his eyebrows at him before leaning in and pressing their lips together.

Jeongguk grabbed him in his arms and kissed him again, And Taehyung was sure he was addicted to Jeongguk's kisses. Because the alpha kissed him like he was drinking from him, tantalizing his tongue and elevating his heartbeats. His scent of tonka beans and amber was making him dizzy, the whole balcony spinning and his head on the clouds.

The alpha had something so intoxicating about him that was making Taehyung high, so high up he only noticed Jeongguk dragging him inside his apartment when his back was pressed against a wall and Jeongguk's mouth was on his neck again.

"Jeongguk" he speaks in a breathless whisper. The first and last time he felt sexually aroused was when he was making out with the alpha that night before his fight, but at the moment, when Jeongguk was blatantly touching his ass and sucking on his collarbones he felt it again. Arousal.

As a prim and proper unmated omega he should be embarrased of himself for feeling so unashamedly aroused by an alpha, unless he was trying to lure him into mating, that was elders used to teach him in school. Because what his future mate would think of him after learning he was indeed deflowered by other alpha? Shame, shame for them, and shame for their families.

Taehyung always thought it was ridiculous, because they had to endure heats without alphas, and going through unnecessary pain if the suppressants pills caused bad side effects was terrible enough.

Thoughts of what his grandmother would think of him if she knew he was succumbing to his most basic instincts in that very moment haunt his mind, or what would Bogum scream at him for denying him a simple touch for years and yet here he was with Jeon Jeongguk, releasing his hazed vanilla scent because the alpha knew how to properly touch him, kiss him, and turn him on.

Taehyung wanted to let those nagging thought go and let himself enjoy the moment. Just for a little bit.

And when Jeongguk lifted him up,  instinctively Taehyung wrapping his legs around the alpha's waist, he allowed those thought to fade away for a moment.

He lets out another soft moan when Jeongguk came back to kiss his neck, pressing his body against him, and letting the omega feel how hard he was, and how much he wanted him.

None of Taehyung's omega etiquette lessons mattered anymore.

"I want to take you to my bed" Jeongguk tells him with that soothing voice of his, licking his lips and staring at Taehyung with starry eyes. "Can I?"

Taehyung felt his heart beating fast, a nervous knot bothering him in his stomach, but at the moment he thought he would do anything Jeongguk asked him to. "Y-yeah"

Jeongguk smiles at him, that toothy smiles that Taehyung finds so cute. Jeingguk took him into his bedroom, hands securely poised under his thighs to hold him firmly. Taehyung lets out a small squeal at the motion, grinning at Jeongguk and catching his lips in another kiss, until the alpha gently dropped him onto his bed.

Taehyung watches Jeongguk turning on a small lamp placed on the nightstand and taking off his coat and tie, throwing the items on the settee in a corner of the sizable bedroom, which just like the living room, only had a few things, a desk with a computer set and a closet the size of the wall.

The room stopped being interesting when Jeongguk begin to strip himself from his button up white shirt. The omega had seen the alpha shirtless before, in the pit about to fight his opponent, but this time it was wonderfully different, because in that room they were the only ones there.

Taehyung felt the knot of nerves in his stomach tightening when Jeongguk started walking near him with a hazy look on his face. His amber scent was pungent in the room, and it was making the omega to whimper in bed. Jeongguk grins, getting on top of Taehyung with ease.

"You're fucking perfect" declares Jeongguk, admiring the beauty under him.

Taehyung whimpers again, slightly panicking. Jeongguk kisses him, open mouth and passionate, tasting every inch of the omega's mouth. Taehyung kisses back, but he was tensed, almost scared, never in his life being in that position with an alpha.

Jeongguk starts kissing his jaw, sucking and biting teasingly, then his neck while his hands were working on the buttons of the black shirt Jimin lent him. Taehyung was breathing heavily, but more for the panic he was feeling than for arousal, but he was also scared of Jeongguk rejecting him if he stops him.

Jeongguk kissed his collarbones, hands going to grab his legs and spread them apart, positioning himself right in between, body firmly pressed against Taehyung's, and he was hard, extremely hard. Taehyung gulps, he wasn't ready, he was definitely not ready yet. Not with someone who couldn't commit himself to him.

"J-jeongguk w-wait" Taehyung chokes out. Jeongguk stops, lifting his head to look at the omega. "I... I can't"

"What's wrong?"

"I can't do this" Taehyung says, looking away from the alpha who was so close to his face once again. "I've never-" he starts but pauses, closing his eyes and gathering his courage. "I am a virgin" he finally says, feeling his upsetting tension finally leaving his body.

Jeongguk blinks, once, twice, and tils his head letting out a deep breath, pulling himself together again. He smiles, genuinely and asks, "You've never been with an alpha before?"

"No..."

Jeongguk didn't drop his smile, instead he pecks the omega's lips. "I won't pressure you, peachy" he tells, and Taehyung looks up at him slightly pouting, slightly smiling.

"Thank you..."

Jeongguk groans, lifting himself up from Taehyung's body and lying on his side. Taehyung watching every movement of his, still scared of any sign of rejection.

"Want to watch a movie in the couch?" Jeongguk asks, cocking an eyebrow, and again the relief Taehyung felt was so nice he felt like laughing.

"I'd love to" Taehyung tells him, rolling to a side and kissing Jeongguk softly.

"Go pick whatever movie you want" Jeongguk smiles at him, standing up and turning, Taehyung avoiding to look at his crotch, still very prominent. "Want me to lend you some clothes?"

"Oh... something comfy would be nice"

"Cool, because I can't make promises of behaving with you looking like that" Jeongguk replies, half joking and half saying the truth, still Taehyung chuckles, blushing. Jeongguk pass him a black hoodie and a pair of pajamas pants. "Change here, I'll be right back"

"Thank you Jeongguk" Taehyung says, watching the alpha winks at him and disappearing into the suited bathroom.

Taehyung sits on the bed, taking his shirt off and seeing a couple of small bruises in his collarbones, made by Jeongguk. He blushes again, putting the hoodie on, it smelt like Jeongguk, like tonka beans and perfume, and Taehyung wouldn't mind to be smelling it every day.

He had trouble taking off Jimin's leather pants, they were too tight for him, and he almost fell on his butt doing it. Thankfully Jeongguk was taking his time in the bathroom, and Taehyung could only do assumptions of what he was doing there.

He walks towards the living room, getting comfy on the grey couch and taking the remote to choose a movie that they would probably fall sleep after the first fifteen minutes of watching it. Taehyung didn't mind, he wanted to cuddle with Jeongguk and smell his scent all night.

Jeongguk returned to the living room after a good ten minutes, dressed also comfortable in a white shirt and black sweats. They ended up cuddling in the couch with Jeongguk as the big spoon while bickering about Taehyung choosing Inception to watch at 2 in the morning.

The omega fell sleep holding the alpha and burying his face in the crop of his neck, feeling Jeongguk's steady breathing, and smelling sweet tonka beans that lulled him to sleep.

--

The next morning, Taehyung woke up startled by his aunt's phone call, apparently Yoongi wasn't home either. And despite wanting to stay with Jeongguk longer, he chose to leave and work on his article about the Fight Dogs instead. Jeongguk of course drove him home, stopping on a café to buy them breakfast before taking Taehyung home.

"Thank you for the breakfast" Taehyung tells him, smiling. "And for the clothes"

Jeongguk grins at him, squeezing his knee in a comforting manner. "Just make sure to write only awesome things about me, alright?"

"I can't make any promises" Taehyung teases earning a chuckle from the alpha. "You'll have to wait and read it when it's done but I do promise to not be prejudiced anymore"

Jeongguk pretends to gasp. "You know great writers are indecent people, they live unfairly, saving the best part for paper" he says, smugly, trying to get a reaction from the omega.

But the omega was raising his eyebrows at him, unimpressed. "If you keep quoting Bukowski I'm breaking that promise"

Jeongguk laughs, wrinkles in the corner of his eyes and showing his toothy and pretty smile. "I can't fool you, peachy. But on my defense you seem to know Bukowski quite well"

Taehyung rolls his eyes but laughs at the end, taking the clothes he used last night and the wings, ready to get out from Jeongguk's jeep. "My confession is that I have read almost all his poems, sue me" he tells the alpha, who nods pretending to be shocked. "I do prefer Oscar Wilde"

"Relatable" Jeongguk grins.

"Good bye Jeongguk" Taehyung says, leaning in and kissing the alpha softly on the lips. Jeongguk put his hand on his cheek, thump caressing the skin equally softly, they said goodbye after.

Once Taehyung gets out of the vehicle, he knew he was displaying a silly smile on his face while smelling like Jeon Jeongguk, wanting nothing more than writing poems about the alpha and his starry eyes.

--

To be able to concentrate into writing his article, Taehyung turned off his phone, despite wanting to often check if Jeongguk had texted him. He got himself on his bedroom, comfortable, and with a cup of tea his aunt made for him. While writing about the Fight Dogs, he focused into highlight the close group of elite alphas who were invited, and how wonderfully fanatic they were for the sport and their fighters.w

Taehyung avoided naming any individual, neither he gave the location. He replaced Jeongguk's name to 'MC', emphasizing his charisma and popularity among the crowd, as well his skills as a fighter. He knew he was writing a bit biased, but the story was about the alpha and Taehyung wanted to express with word how fascinated he was by Jeongguk.

The story also needed an issue, so Taehyung decided to explore the illegality of the fighting club, and how alphas got away with it because their important positions and wealth, highlighting about people belonging to the Fight Dogs could be among their family, friends or even teachers.

By the end of the day, Taehyung was exhausted, and he was seeing the words double despite wearing his glasses. But the story was finished, and he was quite happy about it.

He asks Yoongi to read it, begging for a sincere opinion. Yoongi was the best about being brutally honest and wouldn't hesitate to roast him if it were needed. Taehyung watches his cousin reading the story in his computer, glasses on and a dead serious expression on his face. Taehyung keep biting his nails, impatiently waiting for Yoongi to finish reading.

"Are you done ye-?" Taehyung began to ask but Yoongi shush him, raising his hand without looking at the omega, and nodding his head while reading. Taehyung rolls his eyes at Yoongi's dramatic ways.

"Alright" says Yoongi. "I'm done"

Taehyung waits for the beta to elaborate, looking at him expectantly with his big eyes. "So???"

Yoongi looks at him profoundly serious, making the omega even more anxious, and then he gives his cousin the biggest smile. "I really enjoyed!"

"You did? You really did?"

"Yes, the story is very fact-finding, not boring at all, and I actually would like to read a part two..." Yoongi says to him, looking at the screen of the computer. "I want to know if MC is maintaining his championship or not"

Taehyung laughs, his eyes forming half crescents. "You know the MC is Jeongguk right?"

"He's cooler in my head as MC" Yoongi jokes, and Taehyung rolls his eyes. "But for real, Tae, it's really good"

"Thank you hyung" Taehyung smiles, proudly. "I will send it to the editor" he says and Yoongi gives him his thumbs up.

Neither of them talked about their whereabouts after the previous night, Yoongi had came back home at noon, so he actually didn't know Taehyung arrived at morning, and the omega wasn't planning to tell him because Yoongi could be really overprotective.

Taehyung got the e-mail ready to be send to Song Minji, still he re-read if he typed it correctly a few times, and then hesitates to press send some more times. Until he did it, almost at midnight, he did it, and he was nervous but also greatly confident.

--

By Sunday, after his aunt's Tea Party, they gathered as a family to watch the new drama everyone seemed hyper about. His aunt was sharing the couch with him, constantly squealing over the main alpha in the series to Yoongi's annoyance, who was on a settee watching too, claiming he didn't like cheesy dramas, but Taehyung knew the beta was enjoying it too, he wasn't even blinking while watching. And his uncle, who joined them after a busy day in the hospital, was half sleep half humming to everything his wife said to him.

Besides his grandmother, Aunt Hana was the closest thing to a mother to him and he shared a close bond with her. So having his head on his aunt's lap while the woman makes little braids on him was joyous. He misses his grandparents, of course he does, but the Mins had something his grandparents don't, which was sharing trivial moments as a family which was something Taehyung very much appreciates.

Still, the omega did not let go of his phone, constantly checking new messages from Jeongguk and sharing silly texts and funny emojis to make the alpha laugh during his tedious family dinner that served more as a business meeting.

He giggles when Jeongguk sends him a picture of him with a pouty face and wearing a suit. Of course he looked handsome, but he was adorable enough to make Taehyung giggle. Yoongi raised his eyebrows, narrowing his eyes at him with a playful grin.

"Is Jeongguk really that funny?" He asks, teases, making Taehyung to drop his phone onto his face.

"Jeon Jeongguk?" Aunt Hana asks, looking down at Taehyung with surprise. "Are you friends with him, darling?"

Yoongi's grin grows, but before he could tease Taehyung any further the omega replies. "Yes" he tells his aunt. "He has been kind enough to help me with my story"

"I'm glad" Aunt Hana replies, eyes focused on the TV's screen, but her lips were forming an honest smile. "He's a hard-working, smart kid" she pauses, and shakes her head. "Despite what people may say about him"

"He is" Taehyung agrees, not knowing why he felt such a happiness by hearing his aunt's positive words about Jeongguk. He looks at Yoongi, and he was smiling too.

The omega continues to text Jeongguk through the episode of the series they were watching, until it was time for bed. While brushing his teeth he got the e-mail reply from the Yonsei Daily staff and he almost choked on the toothpaste in his mouth, spitting everything and coughing after.

He opens the e-mail and reads.

Mr. Kim Tae Hyung

I am pleased to announce you your work has been selected for the monthly internship at The Yonsei Daily.

For more details you will be interviewed by our editor this Monday at 10:00 am in our headquarters.

If you have any questions please contact us by phone or E-mail.

Sincerely,

Moon Byul Yi

The Yonsei Daily Staff Management

Taehyung squeals so loud his aunt and Yoongi were knocking at his door asking if he was okay. And Taehyung jumped on them excitedly, resembling that one time when he got his acceptance letter to enter the University.

He texts Jeongguk before sleeping, sharing his news with a simple text saying, 'They like my article, I have an interview tomorrow'. And to his surprise Jeongguk called him right away.

"Hey" Jeongguk says through the phone, his voice raspy.

"Were you sleeping?" Taehyung instantly asks, smiling widely while hugging a pillow on his bed.

"Yeah" Jeongguk says again, and Taehyung bites his bottom lip at the sound of his voice so low and sultry. "What time is your interview?"

"At 10 in the morning"

"Are you nervous?"

Taehyung smiles at the concern tone of voice coming from the sleepy alpha. "A little bit" he tells, "Song Minji is really scary"

Jeongguk laughs, and it's still low and raspy, different from his usual chuckles. "You'll do great, Peachy" he says and pauses, then Taehyung hears him clearing his throat. "You're amazing"

It really makes his heart flutter, to hear those words coming from Jeongguk. "Thank you, Jeongguk. It means a lot coming from you"

Jeongguk chuckles gruffly again, and Taehyung decides his sleepy voice was one of the best things he had ever heard. "Want to meet up with me later?"

"Are you going to wine and dine me?" Taehyung teases.

Jeongguk hums. "I always do" he pauses, and Taehyung couldn't erase the fond smile the alpha caused him. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay"

"Good night, Taehyung. Sweet dreams"

"Good night, Jeongguk" He says, and the call is cut. Taehyung sighs, squeezing his pillow and burying his face on it.

When Park Bogum started courting him he had just turned eighteen years old, but never once the alpha made him feel like a teenager with a crush. Taehyung admits it did feel exhilarating having one of the most handsome alphas liking him, but it was more of flattery. Bogum was dreamy for anyone who would look at him from afar, but once Taehyung started knowing him he liked him because he was just as dorky as he was, but never once he made Taehyung feel that thrill of liking someone so bad it was driving him stupidly reckless.

Taehyung was only now feeling the thrill of liking someone so bad it was making his heart stops and beat quickly at the same time thanks to Jeongguk. He always thought of himself as a rational kid, but now he was just letting his heart to make the decisions for him, and somehow he wasn't afraid of having his heart broken anymore.

--

The Yonsei Daily headquarters were just like the library, an old structure of concrete and pillars, bookshelves full of different books and copies of old newspapers, and the main room full of computers with people working on them. A beta guy leads Taehyung towards the meeting room where two students were already there waiting, both were betas, a boy and a girl Taehyung recognized from the last time he was there.

Taehyung bows lightly, greeting them politely, and the two did the same for him. It didn't take long for Song Minji to appear, sharp and cunning as Taehyung remembered, and with that musky distinguished scent alphas wore.

"Hello" The alpha greets them, voice as stoic as herself. "Congratulations, you were the only ones decent enough to meet the standards we were demanding" she says, eyes cunningly watching each one of the three in the large meeting room. "We need someone in charge of the investigative journalism section of the newspaper, like a freelance journalist or in this case freelance practitioner. And if you are willing to write a decent piece every month then you're in" she tells them, handing them a card with the information of the newspaper staff. "Every article will be on our website at the end of the week" she says, and the three looked at each other with smiles on their faces. "But the better article will also appear on our monthly edition of the actual newspaper"

Taehyung raises his eyebrows, surprised, quite unbelieving a prestige newspaper like The Yonsei Daily was willing to publish an article written from a newbie, because the newspaper wasn't just for the students and teachers, it was for the whole city. He rose his hand and Song Minji pointed to him expecting his words. "You are actually publishing one of our stories?"

"Yes. The three of you were surprisingly good" Minji replies with a tight smile. "Good enough for the actual newspaper, but of course we can only publish one, the best one obviously"

The girl in front of Taehyung rose her hand and Minji nods at her. "How will you choose?"

"The three stories are going to be read by the journalism school faculty board" Minji explains, and Taehyung looks more shocked, really he didn't even know that existed. "Wait for the call, and if you're not chosen you are still one of the only works picked among others to appear on our website. Congratulations again"

--

"Where are we going?" Taehyung asks, sitting comfortably on Jeongguk's Wrangler Jeep and watching the street lights beginning to lit up the city.

He has been with the alpha for the whole afternoon, having lunch and then accompanying him to get new equipment for his boxing training. And now Jeongguk was taking him to their final destination and wouldn't tell Taehyung where it was.

"It's a surprise" Jeongguk tells him, glancing over towards the omega and grinning when he saw him hiding a small pout on his face. "So when am I going to be able to read your story?"

Taehyung turns to look at him, smiling widely and his eyes just as wide, with sparkles on, due the street lights reflecting on them.

"They upload the articles on Sunday night in their website" he explains, and he sounds giddy, like a kid on Christmas. "You have to wait until Sunday unless my story is chosen to be on the newspaper, that'd be on Thursday"

Jeongguk glances constantly over him, trying to keep his eyes on the road, and a fond chuckle leaves his lips as he shakes his head. "Come on Tae, you're going to be selected to be in the newspaper"

"I don't know" Taehyung tells him, his voice sounding softer, but his eyes remained the same, giddy and shiny and wide. "I really don't mind" he smiles, poking his tongue out and licking his bottom lip softly, Jeongguk follows the notion with his eyes. "To appear on the website is enough for me"

"Pretty and humble, huh?" Jeongguk asks with a teasing tone of voice, tilting slightly his head after stopping on a red light.

"Don't flatter me, Mr. Jeon" Taehyung teases back, easily. A common interaction between the two of them. "I am not easily impressed"

Jeongguk starts the jeep again, after the light set on green once again, and he hums, a smug smirk appearing on his face. "I like how that sounds coming from your pretty mouth" he tells him, not quitting the smirk. "Mr. Jeon" he says, glancing over Taehyung once again to wriggle his eyebrows. "I could get used to it"

"You're shameless" Taehyung scoffs, pretending to glare at him but not hiding the smile that Jeongguk draws from him so easily.

Their destination was Yeouido, and Taehyung was quite surprised to visit the large island in the Han River, home of various massive companies and famous for the ferry cruises. Taehyung walks by Jeongguk's side, their hands brushing but never interlacing, and he wonders if the alpha was actually planning on taking him on a cruise. So far, Taehyung had only heard from other how stunning the view of Seoul was from a boat, with beautiful lights and sometimes fireworks.

It was one of the most romantic things to do in the city according to his aunt, really unforgettable and special to make memories with friends, family or a lover. Taehyung's thoughts were replaced by the warmth of Jeongguk's hand finally holding his own, perhaps with the same hesitation to not make him uncomfortable, but when he took his hand he did firmly, interlacing their fingers together, and holding him tightly.

There were a lot of cruises with people inside, ready to start their romantic ride while enjoying the view. But Jeongguk didn't stop there, and he pulls Taehyung further, towards the Yacht Club area. Taehyung knew about those, his grandpa belonged to a Yacht Club when he was a kid and used to travel to Busan to have poker nights with his well-mannered colleagues.

"Jeongguk" Taehyung calls, eyes set on the cruises turning their colorful lights on, bands settling with instruments onboard, and some waiters accommodating the different buffets. "Are we going to watch the ferry cruises?" he asks, blinking his eyelashes but Jeongguk just chuckles at him.

"Why?" Jeongguk asks, steps stopping on a restricted area for the Yacht Club, two guards at the entrance. "Do you want to watch?"

"They are pretty..."

"Then yes, we can watch" Jeongguk says, letting go of his hand to wrap his arm around Taehyung's shoulders, pulling him towards the guards.

"Mr. Jeon" One of the men, beta of course, bows at him respectfully and let him enters. Taehyung greets the man too, polite as always, and enters the more privileged area.

Taehyung lifts his eyebrows glancing over towards the alpha with a questioning look. "You own a yacht?" he asks, curiously. It wasn't surprising, he learn the Jeons were one of the richest families in Seoul, and the wealthiest tend to own yachts, his own grandfather sold his when his grandmother told him he was too old to sail with his even older friends. It was a low blow to his grandpa's self-esteem.

Jeongguk nods letting out a small hum. Taehyung grins at him, watching from small motor boats to luxury yachts, every one of them securely stranded to the dock. The alpha takes the omega by his hand once again, helping him to go down some large wooden stairs at the dock, close to the river, and for Taehyung even the smallest boat looked enormous.

He also likes the smell of the water, it wasn't salty like the sea, but it still smells like fish and fresh water. Taehyung sniffs, smiling to the warm feeling surrounding his chest, to the tickling of the hand that was holding Jeongguk's.

"Pick one" Jeongguk says, pulling him down from the clouds in his head with that soothing voice of him, perhaps not down and just higher.

"Pick one?"

"Yeah" Jeongguk says, turning his face to look at Taehyung and smirks. "My family owns this club. These are belonging to my family"

Taehyung blinks again, dumbfounded. "Oh" he exhales, licking his lips and turning to look at the boats near them.

Every single one of them looked futuristic to him, but at the same time madly magnificent. The yachts were classy, graceful and modern, blending luxury with simplicity. Taehyung likes that, he likes the beauty of simple things, but at the same time he enjoys something elegant.

He let go of Jeongguk's hand, walking near the edge of the dock where the boats were floating with the river motion, and his eyes set on a pocket-sized sport yacht.

"This one"

Jeongguk laughs, and Taehyung pouts. "I knew you were going to pick this one" he says, sounding really amused.

"Why is that?"

"It's a D33 Cruiser" Jeongguk explains pointing towards the boat. "It's a fucking speedboat, Tae. I bet you picked it because it looks cute"

Taehyung's pout becomes prominent. "It looks chic" he says, voice soft. "Really stylish with pretty lights"

"Pretty lights" Jeongguk repeats with a snort. "LED lightning, peachy" he comments, waving his hand towards one of the guards who surprisingly saw him from afar and instantly went to guard's cabin to pick a key. "You're so easily impressed"

"I'm not" Taehyung defends himself, but his voice didn't have much of a defensive tone in it, instead he sounded giddy, because to his eyes the boat was that, really cute.

The beta comes running quickly towards the, bows again and he hands the key. "Thank you" Jeongguk says, and the man nods going back to his cabin. Jeongguk shrugs to Taehyung. "My father has them trained" he says, and Taehyung just looks at him, doesn't comment on it. But when Jeongguk offers his hand again Taehyung takes it with a smile, following him happily towards the boat.

The yacht was a solid 31-foot vessel with an elegant teak deck, retractable tables that seems to excite Taehyung every time he pulls them, a complete kitchen that was empty, two large enough bedrooms with brand new mattresses, and a convertible top. And of course, the LEDs throughout, very dazzling.

"Jeongguk this is so amazing" Taehyung tells him, lying down on one of the sun lounges while Jeongguk remove the top to see the darkening sky. "It's beautiful!"

"Yeah?" Jeongguk asks but he was more focused on the cabin with the control knobs that operate the boat. "Like driving a fucking car..." he mutters to himself, furrowing his eyebrows and entering the key, starting the engine.

Taehyung pays not mind to Jeongguk, doesn't noticed the alpha was trying to figure how to drive it, doesn't really care either, he was just super excited to keep trying the retractable furniture. Right down, there was a round seat with comfy tops, and every one of the spots hid something.

Taehyung gasps when he finds a stove under one seat, and the laughs when he finds a sink in the other, and then opens the other. "Oh eww" he says, seeing a toilet seat. "What the actual hell"

"Tae! Come here!" Jeongguk calls him from the surface.

"Jeonggukie, there's a toilet right next to the stove"

"There's another private one I think" Jeongguk says to him with an amused expression. "Or maybe you can eat and poo at the same time"

"Gross" Taehyung says, scrunching his nose at the alpha. And he watches him, trying buttons and deciphering the operation of the boat in the navigation station. "Please tell me you know how to pilot a vessel"

Jeongguk chuckles, shakes his head and starts to sail the boat. Taehyung yelps, holding himself in a near surface feeling the wavering motion under his feet as the yacht begins moving, not so fast but neither slow.

It took Taehyung a minute to get used to the movement of the boat, until it reached a fair speed, and he could move around the vessel without having to hold on to avoid falling. Meanwhile, Jeongguk looked like a child with a new toy. The alpha was enthusiastic, testing speeds and turning the handle when necessary. Taehyung grinned fondly when Jeongguk started laughing mischievously once he passed the crowded musical cruise, leaving a wave of water behind.

"Want to pilot?" Jeongguk asks, voice loud to be heard above the noise of the engine. "It's awesome!"

Taehyung smiles at him, feeling his heart warm just by seeing the alpha having fun so genuinely, dropping the suave act he usually carries, and just enjoying himself.

"No" he tells, sitting near him, arm securely place around the backboard. "I'm going to enjoy the view" he says, and his eyes were set on Jeongguk's side profile, the way his jaw locks every time he swallow, and how his cheeks hollow when he opens his mouth, leaving a sharp dimple to the view. The river and the lights were blurry for the omega at the moment, blurry because Jeongguk was the one taking his whole attention.

Jeongguk doesn't seem to notice Taehyung's gaze on him, "The fountain's lights are setting alight" he tells, his soothing voice a pitch higher, and his eyes large dripping with innocence, reflecting the rainbow colors of the lights beginning to appear flush and pretty in the night.

For Taehyung, Jeongguk had never look so genuine before, so different from the alpha who beats up other guys on a ring, from the alpha who has different omegas buzzing around him like flies. He was just Jeongguk, the guy who was sweet to him, the guy who shows him the city and takes him to eat in different places just for the sake of enjoying the simplicity of life.

And Taehyung likes every aspect of him, each one of his traits. And he craves to be the only one appreciating these sides of him, like right now, to be the only one important enough for Jeongguk to be on a boat with him seeing the Rainbow Fountain of Banpo Bridge.

"Do you like it" Jeongguk asks him, smiling at the view, clueless to the tumultuous of emotions going through Taehyung's heart and mind.

Taehyung blinks, smiles back and nods. "I love it" he tells him. "It's beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here" he says, feeling his cheeks heating up when the alpha's eyes met his. It was something so simple, something it was usual in two persons being together, yet no one has ever heightened such physical sensations in him just by a look.

A killer look of a pair of obsidian eyes that held ferocity and kindness at the same time. Taehyung realized how deep his feelings of infatuation were for him at that moment because his heart was about to burst, and all he wanted to do was to be held in those strong arms and kiss him.

Jeongguk tilts slightly his head, his eyelids dropping a bit, making those eyes look darker, and he smirks. "Come here" he calls, Taehyung immediately stands up from his seat, walking towards the alpha with firm yet slow steps. "You're looking at me like I just hung the moon to you"

Taehyung grins back, a shy grin. "It feels like you did" he says, feeling a hand securely place in the small of his back to pull him closer, another hand on his hips giving a gentle squeeze. He opens his mouth, a question in the tip of his tongue, but he feels shy, instead he licks his lips, studies Jeongguk's face at close, and lean forwards, pressing their lips together.

The kiss was soft, tender, the picture-perfect of a romantic evening with the jets of water falling from the fountain of the colors of the rainbow. Taehyung knew they looked perfect together, they fit like they did at least. And the question at the tip of his tongue was about to slip pass through his lips after savoring Jeongguk's sweet mouth.

Taehyung pulls away, shily looking down, licking his lips nervously. "Jeongguk..." he calls, and his voice sounded so weak it make Jeongguk to look at him with concern. "Do you like me?"

Jeongguk knitted his eyebrows together and sniffs, two digits touching Taehyung's chin, making him lift up his face, eyes meeting once again. "Of course I do" he says, smiling almost amused. "I thought I was making myself clear"

Taehyung smiles back, but it's weak. "I like you a lot, Jeongguk" he says, and shies away his eyes again, looking the now far away ferry cruises with colorful lights in the middle of the river. He exhales, staring at Jeongguk once again. "I like you way too much and I don't like liking you this much"

Jeongguk's eyebrows remained knitted together, and the smile on his face slightly wavered, curling downwards. "Why not?" he asks, now cupping Taehyung's face with his hand, fingers brushing lightly the apple of his cheek.

Taehyung sighs, it comes out shaky, and he close his eyes for a moment. "I'm scared to like you this much" he says, open his eyes and they sparkled with the rainbow lights.

"I won't break your heart, Taehyung" Jeongguk wasn't smiling anymore, he was just listening looking concern.

"I want to trust you but..." Taehyung begins, pauses. It was comical how much easy for him was to put words on everything while writing, but now, having Jeongguk looking at him so intensely it was making him struggle with his words. "But you're risky Jeongguk"

Jeongguk exhales a breath, let go of his face and wrap his arms around his waist, pulling him closer, pressed tightly again his chest. "I like you, peachy. You're the only one in my head right now"

"But I can't call you mine" Taehyung says, his voice sounding muffled against Jeongguk's neck, against his shoulder, where he had his face pressed on. "You don't want to be mine" he says, shakes his head against the fabric of his jacket, and tickles Jeongguk's jaw with his soft hair.

Jeongguk places his hand on the back of Taehyung's head, fingers interlacing in his hair, and he sighs. "Don't say it like that" he tells, voice low. "There're things you don't understand, Tae" he says, tries to comfort the omega on his arms with the tone of his voice and his gentle touch on his hair. "I'm not ready to drop my freedom but I want to take care of you" he murmurs, nuzzling his nose against the omega's neck, taking in his scent, so sweet and perfect. "Let me take care of you, baby"

Taehyung knew Jeongguk had a way with his words, smoothly avoiding the topic of commitment and replacing it with his charming words that made his heart beat furiously in his chest. He nods against his shoulders, hands squeezing the fabric of his jacket and arching his collar to let the alpha nuzzle his nose against the skin better, baring his neck, exposing himself. Jeongguk kissed there, nibbling on the skin with his teeth, it was something extremely intimate to do between an alpha and an omega.

The scent of vanilla was starting to cloud the air around them, and Taehyung lets him kiss his neck, his collar, the crook between his jaw and throat, he lets him. He was certain he lost any reasonable thinking in him, Jeongguk took the reasoning out of him with his words and kisses. And he decided he would let himself enjoy the casual 'relationship' he was having with the alpha.

Enjoy the moment, enjoying how overpowering Jeongguk felt on him. Enjoy his irrational feelings towards an alpha who wouldn't dare to reciprocate those feelings for him. Nothing mattered when Jeongguk was kissing him so deliciously under the stars and in front of the beautiful rainbow fountain.

Jeongguk was looking dangerously at him with hungry eyes, he smirks, and turns Taehyung around to make him watch the colorful show in front of them. Hard body pressed behind the omega, arms wrapped on his waist, and his mouth still latched on his neck.

"Jeongguk" Taehyung murmurs in a moan, eyelids half close, and starting to react to Jeongguk's touch. He was a tease, Taehyung was sure. Or perhaps a masochist because he could feel the alpha's breath getting shaky, and the scent of amber hitting his nose, just like how his crotch started to get hard against his butt. "Jeongguk" he calls again and Jeongguk grunts.

"I'm sorry" He groans, breathes heavy against his bare neck. "It's hard to control myself around you"

Taehyung grins, leaning his head back on Jeongguk's neck. He says with a husky voice. "You're not ready to drop your freedom and I'm not ready to have sex"

"That's forthright manipulation" Jeongguk complains, hands holding the omega tightly by his waist, pulling him towards his body to feel him better, to take on the shape of his curves, the dip on his back.

"No, I'm not forcing you to" Taehyung breaths, shakes his head lightly, closes his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the alpha behind his body. "Don't push me either"

"I won't push you" Jeongguk tells, nuzzle his nose on his hair before going back to pepper kisses on his neck. "I said I wouldn't" he sniffs, licks his lips and squeeze harder. "I'm just commenting on how difficult is to keep my hands away from you"

Taehyung inhales, and his exhale comes out shaky, breathless and his voice gravely low. "I don't mind if you do this" he says, and Jeongguk perks up, feeling Taehyung's hands grabbing his own and leading them towards his hips, his back and the curve of his ass.

"Yeah?" Jeongguk was even more breathless, his mind focused on the feeling of the beautiful shape of the omega's behind against his hands.

Taehyung grins, satisfied, leads the alpha's hand to squeeze. "You can do this too..."

"Peachy..." Jeongguk's voice sounds like a warning, but his hands were squeezing the round covered skin of his butt, still it felt soft, and plump, perfect. "What are you doing peachy?"

"I just like the feeling of you" Taehyung tells him, wriggling his hips a bit, letting Jeongguk feel him better, firmer.

"You're teasing" Jeongguk accused, but his hands didn't stop, neither his mouth close to Taehyung's neck again, leaving small kisses there, sucking the tender skin with necessity. "If you're not gonna take it, don't tease" He says again, squeezing harder to give a warning, making the omega to gasp with a whimper, and Jeongguk smiles contented. "I think you want me"

"You want me too"

"I do" Jeongguk tells him, goes back to grab him by his waist and pulls him against his body. "Very much"

Taehyung almost moans, feeling the alpha's hard body, so hard, everything about him was hard. And he found himself loving the feeling of leaning against him that way, against his chest, being held so tightly by his hips, it was bawdy, and hot. And he was letting himself experience those lewd emotions for once in his life, wondering if he was missing out.

To feel and know Jeongguk wanted him that much made him giddy, complimenting his ego, and he wanted him to keep wanting him, to crave him even, but he wasn't planning into give in so fast, not yet. Jeongguk has to earn it first, to make him feel secure about them and Taehyung wasn't there yet.

"But I'm going to control myself for the both of us" Taehyung says instead, laughing when Jeongguk lets out a groan by his ear of frustration.

"I need a cold beer" says the alpha, biting Taehyung on the neck playfully, and pushing him away momentarily to get a hold on himself, to cool off.

Taehyung was smiling when he turns to face Jeongguk once again. "Thank you" he says, getting closer with innocent steps. "For taking me here" he says, staring behind Jeongguk to the beautiful view of the river before setting his eyes on the alpha again. "Once again you showed me how wrong I was when I first judged you"

"That's in the past, okay?" Jeongguk shrugs, his lips curling into a grin. "Let's enjoy our present" he offers, extending a hand to the omega. "Let me enjoy you liking me this much, yeah?"

"Don't get cocky on me" Taehyung says back, but he takes the hand and let him pull him closer. "But I do" he says, pecking his lips softly "I like you so much"

Jeongguk smirks, triumphally, but then his face contorts into a fake upset expression, one eyebrow cocked, and his forehead creased. "You don't like me enough"

"And why is that?" Taehyung asks, hands resting on his shoulder, and unable to stop smiling silly at him.

"Because I really" Jeongguk begins, pecks Taehyung softly "really" he says again, pecks him again "really want you to take you to my bed again"

Taehyung wrinkles his nose, his eyes disappearing with the motion, and hits Jeongguk on the chest with his hand, almost playful almost serious. "Stop" he whines, hits again.

"I was kidding" Jeongguk laughs, taking his wrist "Half kidding" he corrects, tilts his head and chuckles at the omega's expression. "I won't push"

"Promise me" Taehyung says, more serious, still scrunching his nose.

"I promise" Jeongguk says, smiles widely at him and laughs.

"Don't laugh at me!"

"I'm sorry" says the alpha, but laughs again, taking Taehyung by his hands and plays with them. "But you look like an angry puppy, super scary"

"Shut up" Taehyung whines, trying to free himself from the hold but Jeongguk of course was stronger. "You look like a rabbit" he says, and Jeongguk gasps looking seriously insulted, and let go of Taehyung's wrists just to attack him with a kiss. A wet kiss that left a trail of saliva behind. "You're so gross" Taehyung complains, but stills laugh, specially when Jeongguk was laughing too, looking so entertained.

Taehyung likes him so much, he reaches for him, cups his face, and kiss Jeongguk. The alpha kiss back instantly, opening his mouth and letting their tongue meet. Taehyung's hand comes up to his hair, knotting his slender fingers with strands of black hair, and Jeongguk's hand slid down to his waist, where they belong, where they fit the best. He could kiss Jeongguk for hours, and it still wouldn't be enough.

And kisses don't last forever, not when it was time to go back. Taehyung still had classes the next day, and Jeongguk, as usual, drove him home, leaving him safe and sound outside his building after kissing him some more.

--

Hanging out with Yoongi, Hoseok and Jimin in the middle of the week to watch a movie and eat something delicious was beginning to be a ritual for Taehyung. That week was Hobi's pick, and he chose to watch Lady and the Tramp, despite Yoongi's complains about already watching it with him several times before. They were in Jimin's entertainment room, Taehyung lying on a comfy couch with his head perched on Hoseok's lap while Jimin was snuggling with Yoongi on the other couch. Jimin was usually alone during the weeks, and being an only child got the expensive apartment for just himself.

"TaeTae" Jimin calls, earning the attention of the other omega. "Pass me the popcorn, please" he says, pulling the fluffy blanket covering him and Yoongi up, and getting more comfortable.

Taehyung groans, disliking to leave his comfortable spot, but he does. He sits on the couch, earning a laugh from Hoseok because his ashy hair was messy, and curly, and sticking to every direction.

The coffee table in front of them had popcorn of different flavors, homemade by Jimin's maid. "What do you want?" he asks, voice groggy. "Caramel, butter, jalapeño or tutti-frutti"

"Who the hell makes jalapeño popcorn?" Yoongi snorts, his husky voice barely audible among the noise coming from the movie.

"It's jalapeño cheese" Jimin tells him with an eye roll. "And my nana makes them for me, alright?" he waves a hand to Taehyung, "Give me those TaeTae please"

"I'm not kissing you if you eat those" Yoongi says, lower than before, but Taehyung still heard him. And he snorts at them, grabbing the bowl of the popcorn.

Jimin gaps, eyes wide and big. "Fine! Caramel TaeTae please" he begs, making a grabby movement with his hand. Taehyung scoffs, shaking his head and leaving the bowl to take the other.

"Whipped" He mutters to the pair once he hands the bowl to them.

"You're one to talk" Jimin teases back, taking the bowl on his hands and accommodating himself on Yoongi's chest, blond hair tickling the beta's jaw, but he doesn't seem to mind, at all. "You been checking your phone since the movie started"

"No I haven't" Taehyung was quick to defend himself. "I was only checking because tomorrow is Thursday and they are picking the winning story" he says, and it was half true. Taehyung was expecting the e-mail, of course he was, but he was also expecting Jeongguk to text him back. The last time he spoke with the alpha was the previous day, in the morning, and he has not heard from him since then.

"I'm gonna be busy for a couple of days", was what Jeongguk texted him that day, and now his phone was off.

Taehyung was grumpy because of that. He knew Jeongguk usually has business to do with his family, but those two days were driving him crazy, especially because he was getting used to text the alpha every night before sleep, and every time his classes ended. Taehyung promised himself to be calm about it, if Jeongguk said to him he was going to be busy Taehyung wasn't going to be a desperate omega with an infatuation checking his phone every hour for a hopeful text, absolutely not, he has pride.

And Jimin seems to not buy it. He was looking at Taehyung with a mischievousness in his eyes, and a teasing grin on his face. "Right" says Jimin. "It has nothing to do with a certain alpha"

"What alpha?" Hoseok perks up, speaking with his mouth full of popcorn while his eyes were set on the big screen in front of them. "Do you have a new boyfriend, Taehyung?"

"No" says Taehyung, glares at Jimin and sits back on the couch next to Hoseok. "Jimin is delusional"

Jimin chuckles. "I am not" he says. "I have to admit that Jeongguk has been quite a gentleman with you" he teases, and Hoseok chokes on his popcorn. "He always bring you home"

"If he didn't I would hit his head" Yoongi grunts, stealing some of the colorful popcorn Jimin was holding in his lap.

"He's a boxer" Jimin rolls his eyes. "You're not hitting his head"

"In Yoongi's defense" says Taehyung, ignoring the look of shock Hoseok was giving him. "He used to hit the head of every alpha back in Daegu"

Jimin burst into a fit of giggles, throwing himself back against Yoongi, almost throwing the colorful popcorn from the bowl. Yoongi rolls his eyes, but his lips were curling upwards, in a tiny smile. And Hoseok, well Hoseok was watching Taehyung with a concern expression on his face, different from his unwind demeanor, and Taehyung looks back at him, his eyes seeming bigger.

"He's not my boyfriend" says Taehyung.

"I know" says Hoseok. "Jeon Jeongguk doesn't date"

Taehyung knits his eyebrows, tries to look casual about those words, because he knew that well. Jeon Jeongguk doesn't commit, he likes his freedom, and he is not dropping that, not for Taehyung, not anyone. But the words still stung in his chest, they made him feel insecure, even though Jeongguk promised to take care of him, even though Jeongguk promised not to be with anyone else.

The alpha was not his, not completely.

"I don't want to date him, hyung" says Taehyung. "I just broke up with my boyfriend".

It was the easier answer for him to justify his casual relationship with the alpha. It was something people would believe with ease because he had a bad break up and wasn't ready to start a new relationship. That was his only excuse, because the well-behaved Kim Taehyung would never fool around with an alpha who has multiple sex partners, never, that would be shameful.

"Taehyung has a fucking infatuation with Jeongguk" Yoongi groans from his seat, a hand curling around Jimin's waist. "Infatuations makes people dumb"

Taehyung glares at his cousin, watches his hand so comfortable resting on the other omega's waist, so tender yet possessive, and he felt jealous. He wanted Jeongguk to be there with him, holding his waist while watching a movie with their friends. But they never hang out with other people, only by themselves. And again, something was nagging Taehyung, yelling at him from the back of his mind to open his eyes because Jeon Jeongguk was risky to be with. Don't catch feelings, don't catch feelings.

"TaeTae" calls Hoseok, placing a friendly hand on his knee and smiling with gentleness at him, his eyes incredibly soft. "Don't let your infatuation end in tears, okay?"

Taehyung rolls his eyes, wanting to dismiss Hoseok's words with witty words, or something ironic, even sassy. But he didn't find more words, so Taehyung just nods, going back to put his head on the beta's thighs to watch the film. He was watching, but his head was in another place the rest of the movie.

--

Taehyung got the e-mail when he was in his literature class. Congratulations, your work was picked to be publish on The Yonsei Daily newspaper. He couldn't suppress his squeal, not minding some classmates looking at his way with curious eyes. He was beyond happy, proud of himself. His second accomplish that made his hard work to pay off, to not let others to bring him down. He was ecstatic.

At the end of his classes, Taehyung went to the Yonsei Daily building to acquire a copy of the newspaper. And he was greeted with various congratulations from the people who worked there, including Song Minji.

"You have the wood of a writer" says Minji, for the first time genuinely smiling at him. Taehyung bows at her, saying thank you for accepting him in the team, and for of course publishing his story.

When he went out from the building, Taehyung felt like walking in the clouds. A euphoric feeling burning in his chest, he was so happy. The first thing he did was to take a selca while holding the newspaper with his article showing and send it to his family and friends. But not to Jeongguk, he wanted to show him the article in person, after all it was about him.

Perhaps was for that euphoric feeling in him that made him decide to go and surprise Jeongguk. Taehyung knew where the alpha lives, it was close to the university, and he wanted to surprise him. When Taehyung took a taxi towards Jeongguk's building, his only wish was that the alpha was there, if he wasn't Taehyung was planning to pass the newspaper under the door so that when Jeongguk came from where he was he would see it and read it, it would be super exciting. Maybe Taehyung wouldn't be able to see his face, but Jeongguk would call him right away, to congratulate him and to tell him how amazing he was.

Taehyung pays to the driver, exiting the car with a smile on his face and holding the newspaper tightly on his hands. The concierge let him without words, judging by his Gucci denim jacket and how expensive he looked, the man just bowed, opening the door for him. The excitement filling Taehyung's chest was making his heart to pump faster, his smile wide and pretty, never ceasing from his face.

He arrives quickly at Jeongguk's floor, quick steps walking through the corridor until he was outside his door. The familiar sight brough memories back from when he stayed with the alpha, cuddling and sleeping, it made his heart flutter, of course it did. A knot of nerves invade his stomach when he knocks at the door and heard footsteps from inside. Jeongguk was there, and Taehyung was oozing with anticipation.

But nothing in his life had prepared him for the feeling choking him when he saw a boy who wasn't Jeongguk but smelt just like Jeongguk opening the door. He felt his previous excitement turning into cold sweat and shudders, dreadful shudders.

"Yes?" The boy asks, tilts his head scanning Taehyung with his eyes. He was pretty, at least he was pretty for a beta. Rose-gold hair messily arranged, like he was just waking up, and bruises decorating his neck and arms, and what made Taehyung felt his blood run cold was the shirt the boy was wearing. Jeongguk's shirt, Taehyung recognizes, and it smell like him, like him and sex, and it was the only clothing the beta was wearing, shameless. "Who are you?"

Taehyung swallows, his throat suddenly so very dry. "I-is Jeongguk here?" he asks, and in his head he was begging for the boy to say no. Perhaps he was just a friend of Jeongguk, who was with someone else there, someone who smelt terribly similar to Jeongguk, just...

"He's in the shower" says the boy, smiles at Taehyung, clueless of the inner twister the omega was living. "You can wait for him if you want" he says with a shrug, opening the door more, giving a better view of the apartment to Taehyung. "I'm sure he will be out in a minute"

It was messy, and the smell of sex and alpha pheromones pungent in the air. It made Taehyung feel sick, nauseous. He stood still there, almost shaking, grasping tightly the newspaper on his hands, and his vision was blurry. In that very moment Taehyung was sure he heard his heart breaking. A clean, shattered sound, but really small and soft at the same time, like when a petal is forceful pull from its stem.

He shakes his head, forces a smile to the clueless boy who was expecting for his answer. "No, it's okay" says Taehyung, his voice unbelievably unbroken. He raises his hands, handing the newspaper to the beta. "Can you give him this for me?"

The boy nods his head, taking the newspaper in his hands. "Sure, it's not problem" he says, eyeing the page where Taehyung had set the newspaper. "Any message for him?"

Taehyung wanted to run away from that place as fast as possible, but he remains in place. "Just... just tell him I hope he enjoys it" he shrugs, and now he was certain his voice was slowly breaking. "Tell him... he broke his promise.."

"Who are you again?" asks the boy, with a frown on his face.

Taehyung shakes his head, not wanting to stay any longer to keep hearing his heart breaking. "Thanks..." he says, turns around and leaves, almost running to the elevator.

The boy calls him with a worried tone, but Taehyung didn't listen anymore, the only sound sharp in his ears was the sound of his own shaky breaths.

Walking used to clear his head, and that's why Taehyung does after exiting Jeongguk's building. Walk, walk, and walk, with no direction. And he let himself cry, he cries until all the pain he was feeling, the betrayal Jeongguk put him through was just a void on his chest. And he gets angry at himself because he caught feelings for the alpha like an idiot, after promising himself he wouldn't.

He was an idiot, he let himself fall for someone who said to him countless of times he wasn't putting labels on their relationship. But still, Jeongguk promised to not break his heart and he did, he did not take care of him like he said he would. Jeongguk was a liar, and a thief, and Jeongguk was never his.

Taehyung had not right to hate him, because Jeongguk never belonged to him.