JJG

Jeongguk and Chaeyoung rushed up into the building, quickly scanned their key cards and aggressively pressed on the elevator buttons far too many times. As soon as the door opened, they got in and closed the door, not bothering to check if anyone else wanted to get on.

The two were so used to their previous directors strict rules that they didn't even realize Director Kim would've most likely let it slide. Even then, it still doesn't sit right when you start the day with being late. Plus, they already had so much work on their hands that they really didn't have time to waste.

Once the doors opened to their floor, Jeongguk and Chaeyoug basically sprinted to the office. They both arrived, a panting mess getting questioning looks from their coworkers. The two plopped down on their chairs and finally caught their breaths.

"Thirty minutes late," Jinyoung pointed out the obvious, earning snickers from everyone other than the two.

"Nice shirt, Jeongguk-sshi," Yoona said with a grin. "Didn't know you bought two."

Jeongguk smiled at the girl, knowing well enough she was playing with him but he decided to just go along with it. "Well since everyone loved it so much yesterday, I went out and got myself another one. Didn't you know I value your opinions?"

"What we didn't know is that Chaeyoung wore scarves! I thought you said you hated them?" Jisoo asked, resting her chin on in her hand. Chaeyoung shook her head and decided to just ignore her inquiry, but they weren't about to let it go that easily.

"Hope you two don't have hangovers from yesterday," Eunwoo joined in.

"They don't seem to have one. Looks more like they had a great time," Eric added.

"Okay, alright, quit it guys. Nothing happened," Chaeyoug said, focusing her gaze on her computer and logging in.

"Alright, alright, it's none of our business," Jisoo stretched, raising her hand up. Just when the they thought it was over, Jisoo continued. "It's none of our business that Jeongguk-sshi's wearing the same shirt as yesterday, that you're wearing a scarf when you hate them, and that you both arrived late and the exact same time. Mhm. None of our business."

Everyone in their office began snickering at that, throwing suggestive looks at the two involved who were just groaning and kind of also joining in on the laughter. The two never minded their entire team always suggesting they get together and it was honestly funny since both knew it was never gonna happen.

"Fine," Jeongguk said in a sing-song voice. "We got too drunk and I crashed at hers. On her couch."

"And the scarf?" Yoona asked with her brow raised.

Chaeyoug groaned, knowing they'll never let them live it down but pulled the scarf down a little to reveal what she meant to conceal. "He accidentally gave me a hickey. Our dumbasses should never go drinking together."

Laughter erupted throughout the office as everyone commented random things like 'I knew it!' or 'just get together already'.

"Accidentally on purpose, hmm?" Jin suggested, wiggling his eyebrows. Jeongguk rolled his eyes and just as he was about to say something back, a cough grabbed all their attention.

"Director Kim," Jisoo acknowledged first and bowed from her seat, everyone copying right after.

Jeongguk bit his lips and looked at Taehyung, wondering how long he'd been standing there and how much he heard – not that Jeongguk cared, it didn't matter what Taehyung heard and interpreted it as.

"Director Kim, I'll be there in a minute," Jeongguk said getting up from his seat.

"It's alright, take your time. The printer is out of service again so I sent it to this one," Taehyung explained, walking over to the printer in the team office. Everyone watched in silence as Taehyung waited for all his documents to print, the whole atmosphere shifting slightly. When he finally got all his prints and left the room, they all let go of the breath they were holding in.

"He looks pissed," Eric spoke first after giving some time to make sure Taehyung would've gone back to his office.

"Probably because Jeongguk's late?" Chaeyoung suggested but Eunwoo shook her head.

"He came by earlier and asked where he was and looked more worried that upset. Maybe it's cause of the printer?"

Yoona hugged herself. "Maybe. His look pierced right through me, gave me shivers."

"Kinda hot though," Jisoo was the first to say.

"Hey, inappropriate language," Jin warned and Jisoo threw him a glare.

"You should probably go see what's up," Jinyoung said to Jeongguk.

Jeongguk nodded, grabbed the tablet and got up from his seat. He slowly but surely made his way to Taehyung closed office. He knocked twice and waited for the come in before opening the door and entering. He was glad that the man had already prepared himself his green tea.

He bowed and opened his tablet, but noticed that Taehyung eyes were glued to his papers. Taehyung always acknowledged his presence and gave him his undivided attention, but Jeongguk shrugged it off knowing Taehyung was already in a bad mood for some reason.

"Schedule seems to be clear for most of the day. You have a meeting written in with Director Go at 2. Is there anything you'd like me to add?" Jeongguk read out per usual.

Taehyung shook his head, still not making eye contact. Jeongguk stood there, waiting for the man to say something as he always had something to say. He held onto the edge of the tablet so tight that his knuckles turned white, stressed from the anticipation of what Taehyung might say.

Finally, Taehyung looked up. "Thank you. You may go now," he said, his words sharp and low, and returned right back to looking at his papers.

Jeongguk sucked in a breath. He bowed and left the room as quick as he could, no being able to understand the tense mood. He should've returned to his desk in front of Taehyung's office but he really didn't want to. He went back to his team desk and sat down on his chair, letting out a loud groan. He massaged his own temples, trying to recollect his thoughts on why the man was acting so strangely.

"Oh dang, Jeongguk-sshi hates him again," Yoona said with a smile to Jin, stretching out her hand. Jin groaned and pulled out a couple bills and handed it to her.

Jeongguk let go of his head and looked at the two as they made their exchange. "You guys bet on this? When did I ever say I hated him?" Jeongguk asked, confused.

"Dude you were literally burning holes through Director Kim. It was clear you had something against him. Don't know why, but we didn't want to pry," Eric explained.

"Hates a strong word," Jeongguk muttered, but it went unheard. He didn't hate Taehyung. Sure, the man made choices that he didn't like but he'd never hate Taehyung as a person. Jeongguk doesn't think he could.

"We heard you're going to America. Lucky you, get us souvenirs," Jisoo said looking through the computer gaps.

Shit. Jeongguk completely forgot about that. He hasn't even started packing. It'd be Jeongguk's second time on a plane, the first being his family trip to Japan as a child, but it would be his first to America. Taehyung would fit right in but Jeongguk? Jeongguk barely knew how to hold a conversation – there's only so much he could talk about when all he could say was "Hi, I'm Jungkook Jeon, nice to meet you" and "Where is the bathroom? Thank you". He's so going to regret not having brushed up on it.

•—•—•

The next morning, Jeongguk showed up bright and early with his luggage crammed with his all his necessities for the next few days, including a dictionary. Taehyung was already buckled in his car with his truck open for Jeongguk to put his things in. He was glad Taehyung had decided to dress a little more comfortable as Jeongguk did not want to be on a plane in his work attire.

The two exchanged as little as a good morning when Jeongguk got into the passenger seat. Without another word, Taehyung began driving to the airport. Throughout the ride, they were both silent yet the tension was so thick and Jeongguk just couldn't take it anymore.

"Did I do something to upset you?" Jeongguk broke the silence by asking. He made sure to look at Taehyung carefully, and the change in expression made it seem as if he wasn't even aware of what he was doing.

"What? No," Taehyung quickly answered.

"Then why aren't you speaking to me like you normally would?" Jeongguk questioned.

"I'm sorry," Taehyung said, glancing at Jeongguk for a moment then back at the road. "God, this is highly unprofessional of me."

Jeongguk rose a brow even though the other couldn't see it. "Well, let's say this is no longer work hours. What's wrong?" Jeongguk asked, determined to get to the bottom of this.

"It's just," Taehyung started and paused to wet his lips. "I didn't expect that I'd be this affected by seeing you in a relationship. It's just a weird ex-boyfriend thing I guess, that's all."

Jeongguk froze for a moment. This was new. He shook himself out of it and replayed what Taehyung had said. A small laugh left his lips. "I'm not in a relationship."

"But Ms. Son–"

"Nothing happened between us," Jeongguk quickly said and added, "Nothing ever will. She, unlike me, is in a relationship. Plus, I'm gay, so. Yeah."

Taehyung nodded slowly and Jeongguk could swear his lips curved upwards ever so slightly, but it could just be his eyes playing tricks on him.

It finally hit Jeongguk at that moment that all along, Taehyung's mood had shifted because the man thought Jeongguk was in a relationship. Why should that affect him even if they were in a relationship previously?

"Alright, let's not let these things be weird between us anymore. You can ask me whatever you want about my personal life, and I'll answer. Same with you," Jeongguk said, tired of this weird back and forth game they were playing in masking each other's history from the other.

Jeongguk originally wanted Taehyung to be completely out of his life but he knew now that that was impossible. There was no point in trying to keep everything so hushed. Taehyung was here and he was here to stay.

"Okay. Well, then how many relationships have you been in after... us?" Taehyung asked, hesitating at the last word.

Jeongguk was hoping he wouldn't ask that but he knew it was inevitable with his suggestion. It wasn't that he was embarrassed about it, he just didn't want Taehyung to think it was because he hasn't moved on. Jeongguk has surely moved on from Taehyung. For sure.

"None. None that were serious at least," Jeongguk answered truthfully.

"There's non-serious relationships?" Taehyung asked genuinely confused.

"You know, like hookups and one-night stands, and random blind dates that turn into two and then sex and then you never talk to them again?" Jeongguk explained, and by the red tinge in Taehyung's cheeks Jeongguk could tell the man wasn't so familiar with that life.

"What about you?" Jeongguk asked.

"None, both serious and non-serious."

Jeongguk's eyes widened. "No one? Really?"

"There were a couple blind dates but they never worked out. Then I got busy with work so didn't really have time," Taehyung elaborated.

Jeongguk nodded, feeling slightly nervous that he had overshared about his sex life. To be honest, it's been a while since Jeongguk had been out and about. Maybe three months? At first, he was going around bars and hooking up with whatever chick was there but when he discovered a gay bar near his apartment, Jeongguk was quite excited.

Entering the place for the first time was exhilarating. Knowing that they were all people that were just like him made him feel belonged. All that excitement made him forget about Taehyung as he let attractive men that wooed him with their flashy smiles and carefully chosen words into his bed. For a while, that is.

Eventually, it was no longer the pleasure Jeongguk wanted. He wanted more, he wanted love, but no one he met made him feel loved again. No matter how many praises the man got, no matter how many meaningless 'I love you's he heard, no matter how much attention he received, he never felt the same happiness he had once with Taehyung – and he absolutely despised that.

"How often did you visit Korea?" Jeongguk asked.

"Once or twice a year the first few years, then I was able to come once every two or three months," Taehyung answered.

"Did you ever think about seeing me?" Jeongguk asked.

After a long pause, Taehyung answered, "Everytime."

"Then why didn't you?" Jeongguk asked, his voice suddenly small, but he didn't care.

"Because nothing would've changed. Because I didn't think you wanted want to see me," Taehyung answered, his words coming out hoarse. Jeongguk shifted in his seat and looked out the window, not wanting to face Taehyung at the moment.

"Did you?" Taehyung asked, voice shaking ever so slightly.

Something in Jeongguk snapped at that. He felt upset and hurt and this sudden anger bubble in him. Jeongguk would've ran back to Taehyung in a heartbeat for years, but as time progressed, his hope was only crushed more and more.

"Do you think I spent days on days, even years, longing for the day you'd come see me again? That I didn't change my number for years thinking you'd call me one day? That I didn't have anything better to do then imagine what we could've been?" Jeongguk asked, each word articulated in way so that they struck through Taehyung like a million needles.

"Then you really must be the genius they say you are because goddamn it, would you be right," Jeongguk finished.

Jeongguk heard Taehyung suck in his breath, but he still couldn't look at the other. The two remained quiet, letting the words sink in and Jeongguk calm down. As soon as Jeongguk finished speaking he felt instant regret. He could've been the first one to call too, yet here he was making Taehyung look like the bad guy — again.

"I'm sorry," they both apologized at the same time. They looked at each other, eyes meeting for a second before they turned their heads away. The rest of the ride to the airport was spent in silence and no unnecessary words were exchanged until the boarding of the flight.

The seats were business class and they would've been quite comfortable if it wasn't for the fact that they had to sit right next to each other. When they reclined their seats back to head to sleep, they felt way too close for their likings. Sure there was the barrier, but it didn't change the fact that they were centimetres apart.

They had both faced away from each other and the barrier hid their heads so it should've been fine, but Jeongguk just couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts clouded his mind and everything kept replaying like a broken record.

Without his own consciousness, tears pooled at his eyes and every time he blinked, the hot tears came down his side. He brought his hand up to cover his mouth to make sure the sob threatening to leave his lips didn't come out. The lights were all dim so no one who would care enough to ask what's wrong would really notice but Jeongguk was still cursing himself for being so damn sensitive about it all. Since the day Taehyung had come, he'd done nothing but cry instead of facing it like an actual adult.

Suddenly, he felt a hand fall on his waist and he immediately froze up. His tears came to stop at the fear that Taehyung might be awake. He looked over his shoulder and saw Taehyung's body had turned to face him but he laid motionless. Taehyung did have a habit of tossing around in his sleep.

Jeongguk observed for a few more minutes, making sure that Taehyung remained still and in his slumber. Once he did, he relaxed a bit. He brought his hand and wrapped it around Taehyung's with the intent of lifting it and placing it on the barrier, but he couldn't bring himself too. Something about it felt oddly comforting, so Jeongguk just left their hands stay like that and eventually fell asleep. It was weird, Jeongguk had his first goodnight sleep in weeks.

•—•—•

KTH

Taehyung couldn't fall asleep. How could he when the boy he loves is right there? So close yet so far. Then he heard it. Heard the sniffs that he instantly knew the source of and probably the cause of as well. Taehyung slowly turned and lifted his body, trying to make as little noise as possible and peaked over the barrier.

He wished he didn't as the sight just shattered his heart. Someone so precious and delicate didn't deserve this. Taehyung wanted to do something but he didn't want to make the situation any more worse. He bit his lip and laid back down. Initially, he was going to tap Jeongguk and just go with the flow from there, but he got scared. Instead, Taehyung just let his hand drop around his waist, remembering that Jeongguk once said there's nothing in this world more comforting than a hug.

He pretended to be asleep, not wanting the situation to become awkward. What he didn't expect was Jeongguk placing his hand on his. For a moment, Taehyung was scared Jeongguk was about to just push him away. Then when he didn't, it took his all to not turn around his hand and intertwine them with Jeongguk's.

Oh how he missed holding those pretty hands. Holding them and taking walks around the park or their neighbourhood at night. Taking the long routes or wrong turns to stay with each other for just a bit longer. Oh what he'd give to go back to the days.

—•
WHOS READY FOR MOTS7???
IM SO EXCITED ON SOUNDS SO FRICKIN GOOD AND I CANT WAIT TO HEAR THE REST OF IT AND THE ALBUM

ALSO A LIL LATE BUT IT WAS HOSEOK DAY!!!! HOPE THE CUTE LIL BALL OF SUNSHINE HAD THE MOST AMAZING DAY!!

Bye<3