✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

as morning came, the sun rays filtered through the cracks of the curtains, urging taehyung to roll over and continue sleeping but when his eyes stung with the light and he opened them, ready to turn around he paused and decided not to.

how could he, when there slept jeongguk- so close to him. his warm breath brushing against taehyung's skin, halting his movements and just stare at that beautiful face. their pinkies touched and heads bumped from the proximity and he wondered if he slept this close to jeongguk the whole night- the thought itself made him feel giddy.

a smile appearing on his heart shaped lips as he gazed at jeongguk's sleeping face. one side of his face was squished on the pillow, his pink lips puckered, detailing the mole underneath them and eyes closed, long eyelashes fluttering, soft hair scattered over his forehead and closed eyes which urged taehyung to move the hair strands away and get a better sight of that peaceful face.

just when he lifted his hand to do that, jeongguk's lips curled into a smile and suddenly the sleeping boy started to speak, in his hoarse voice.

"blessing your morning with my face, hm?" taehyung snatched his hand back, a blush creeping up his face when jeongguk's eyelids lifted, revealing his playful gaze that met the other's flustered one.

"... i just woke up" taehyung slowly drew the words out, still mesmerized by the sight in front of him. so close, so warm and so detailed- taehyung had this ridiculous urge to scoot even closer until there was no space left.

"how come you look this good even when you wake up? i can't ever understand no matter how many times i've woken up to this sight. you're breathtaking" jeongguk's gaze, still laced with sleep wandered over taehyung's flushed face, as if he didn't just blurt those words out.

"i... what" taehyung felt nervous at first but seeing that cheeky smile on jeongguk's face, he couldn't help but let out a giggle.

something he did whenever he was overwhelmingly shy. jeongguk knew that look really well and that just encouraged him to go on further- for jeongguk can never get tired of praising taehyung, it's one of his favorite things to do.

"honestly though, how can anyone look like this? how do you look like this tae? so fucking beautiful. i swear you have the kind of face that belongs in a museum"

this time taehyung couldn't help but hide his face in the pillow, hitting jeongguk's shoulder with his fist as he shook his head against the pillow. now this is the level of shyness only jeongguk can bring out of him and it's absolutely adorable to jeongguk who couldn't stop himself from wrapping his arm around taehyung's waist and scoot closer, rubbing his face against the side of taehyung's nape.

"look at me, let me see that unreal face but maybe i don't need to. every detail of your face is etched into my brain after all"

"ugh gguk!" taehyung sat up as jeongguk's nose was ticklish against his skin and he couldn't stop giggling.

he turned his head to expose his forehead and pointed at a pimple there, still trying not to shy away. "but see i have a pimple here!"

jeongguk blinked, in a daze. his lips curled into a soft smile, "even your pimple is so pretty"

oh boy how can taehyung not help but shy away this time? he shook his head while scrunching his nose, averting his gaze.

taehyung knows jeongguk really finds him good looking but taehyung also knows, a big part of jeongguk's compliments is because he knows how much taehyung loves praises. so jeongguk always showers him with them, without any reason.

jeongguk's hand that was around taehyung's waist tugged him playfully back onto the bed. taehyung erupted in a fit of giggles, the sound bubbling up uncontrollably as jeongguk continued to rub his nose against taehyung's cheek now that he was back laying beside him.

"my handsome taetae" jeongguk exhaled in a breath, dreamily staring at the flustered boy. "you're the most handsome man i've ever seen."

"oh my god ggukie-ah stop!" taehyung giggled further, his cheeks so red they could resemble tomatoes.

jeongguk chuckled along, "you're the no 1 handsome man for me! no lie!"

"i get it! i'm handsome, now let me go you idiot!" taehyung couldn't stop laughing, his hands not even that restraint against jeongguk's tight grip on his waist.

jeongguk's arms around the giggling male firm as he rolled him from one side to another.

the room was filled with their giggles, banters and just them. the room was so full of liveliness and jeongguk knew it was possible only because taehyung was there. because other times this very room is so dark, so dead that jeongguk feels suffocated.

thankfully not now- now his taehyung was here. his number 1 handsome man was here and that's all jeongguk ever needed.

this time taehyung had enough of being manhandled, so he playfully wrestled free of jeongguk's grip and flipped their positions, now sitting on top of the male, straddling his lap.

jeongguk's eyes became droopy as he gazed at taehyung with a knowing smirk, his hands now resting under his head to make him stare at the other better.

"you're doing it on purpose aren't you?" taehyung blushed further, trying his best to not chuckle again.

"i'm just telling the truth tae. you're literally so good looking it's not fair others get to see you for free" jeongguk spoke with his usual blunt honesty, completely unaware of the effect his words were having. taehyung groaned internally, wishing jeongguk could just stop talking for a second. because lord, how can he blush any further than this? he was red like tomatoes all the way down to his neck.

"god, just shut up"

"make me"

taehyung's smile wavered as his gaze met jeongguk's smirking face. a jolt of awareness shot through him. the playful wrestling, their close proximity suddenly felt charged with a different kind of energy. on top of it all, what was he even doing, straddling jeongguk's freaking lap?

his ass was so close to the other's crotch area- and shit, taehyung shouldn't have gotten so self-conscious because now when he wanted to get down, jeongguk's hands moved, trailing to his waist and holding him there firmly.

"come on, i know you like it when i praise you" jeongguk's fingers dipped down, caressing the sensitive clothed skin on taehyung's waist making an inaudible gasp tumble out of the flustered boy's lips. "maybe if you continue being a good boy, i'll praise you some more"

"i'm a good boy already though, aren't i?" taehyung bit his lower lip and tried to compose himself. jeongguk was just teasing and he likes to get all over him- this was normal, he should not lose his mind over his best friend being just the usual, which is not so usual to the world. it's barking mad but again, their friendship already borderlines on being questionable.

a low chuckle escaped jeongguk's lips before he licked them, shaking his head nonchalantly, "i don't think so. you have been a very bad boy. letting other boys touch you, take you out on drinks, let them hold you, get close to you... you are not a good boy at all taehyungie"

and taehyung knew what jeongguk was implying but he didn't find it in him to tell jeongguk that he wasn't interested in doohyun, that he thought of him the entire time while being with that man.

what was the point in clarifying himself anyway? he didn't remember much about what happened at the bar so it was better to play a fool.

his hands traced a path on jeongguk's torso, lingering on his stomach before travelling up his broad chest and smiled, that bordered on a smirk even though his insides were on fire. this closeness and intimacy- he can never get used to it.

"what? are you gonna punish me for being a bad boy then?"

most of the time, taehyung never is daring enough to flirt back or keep playing along with jeongguk but on rare occasions, when he does, jeongguk finds himself losing control. no, he won't shy away or break the character.

he will get even more daring- take taehyung's flirting as a challenge. and that's exactly what he did this time as well.

"oh yeah? you sound excited to be punished. what kind of punishment are you looking forward to hm?"

this was dangerous. taehyung knew he should back up and break this tension first because there was only so much of jeongguk he could take. it was pushing him to the limits but sometimes it was okay to act like you're not supposed to. after all, taehyung was curious too, to know how far jeongguk could take his this platonic flirting.

"surprise me"

jeongguk's eyes darkened.

his grip on taehyung's waist tightened, eliciting a breathless gasp from the other man. with a smooth movement, jeongguk sat up, their faces mere inches apart, noses brushing, eyes locked in a heated gaze- too close. maybe taehyung shouldn't have flirted back after all.

however he had no time to react as jeongguk spun him around making taehyung land on the mattress with a soft thud, his breath momentarily knocked out of him. his body bouncing once in the air before laying flat on his back with jeongguk hovering over him. his knees framed taehyung's body and arms bulging with muscle, rested beside his head. jeongguk's messy hair now obscured the sunlight from hitting his face as he brought it closer.

okay, taehyung regretted flirting back. he understood why he never did it and will take his lessons to not do it ever again. because having jeongguk's face so close, having him all breath to breath and their bodies almost pressed together in an obscene way- it was too dangerous.

"the kind of punishment i have in my mind... it's filthy" jeongguk smirked lazily, his facial features resting to the point it seemed as though this proximity didn't bother him.

of course why would it, he didn't take this closeness in the way taehyung was taking but taehyung still couldn't help but wonder how can jeongguk utter those types of words and never not think how double meaning they sound.

"gguk... cut it out. i was joking you know" taehyung gulped. fine, he lost. jeongguk won. now he just wanted to get out of jeongguk's grasp for if he stayed in such an intimate space any longer with him, he would do something he would regret.

"so am i though" jeongguk's gaze wandered to taehyung's lips and his grin faltered, eyes too focused on those pink heart shaped lips while he spoke in a whisper, "you don't like it?"

taehyung's gaze dropped to jeongguk's lips at the same time and he licked his own from staring which made jeongguk look back into his eyes. oh when he locked gazes in such a proximity it was impossible for taehyung to control anymore.

he pressed his hands over jeongguk's shoulders that tensed under his touch before he pushed him backward while sitting up himself. jeongguk hesitantly dragged his body back, now in a sitting posture. he watched as taehyung scratched his neck and looked anywhere but at him. he could see taehyung's ears a deep shade of red, so was his face.

"i... i've an exam tomorrow. i should better get going" taehyung started getting down from the bed and jeongguk stared, his fists clenching over his bent knees.

"tae" his voice boomed through the room, instantly halting taehyung in his tracks. he remained frozen for a beat as if caught in a spotlight before slowly turning his head to face jeongguk. the moment their eyes met, jeongguk was sort of taken back- the crimson blush flooding taehyung's face was impossible to miss.

his eyebrows knitted together as he got down the bed and rushed to taehyung, pressing his palm against the other's forehead. he was a little warm but it didn't look like he had a fever.

but then he figured it was because taehyung was blushing and jeongguk couldn't help but stiffle a laugh. taehyung's flushed face reddened further from embarrassment as he glared at him with pouty lips.

"oh my tae" jeongguk cupped taehyung's face in his hands and puckered those pouty lips further.

caressing his thumbs over his thick eyebrows, refraining them from knitting together. jeongguk couldn't say anything more but just stare at taehyung- oh he missed this face so much. that one week he spent without taehyung around was a total hell. perhaps that yearning for his best friend had gotten too strong, compelling him to make a blushing mess out of taehyung. he wasn't guilty though.

"you're too much gguk. where do you even learn to talk like that?" taehyung huffed, rolling his eyes to somewhere else. "save this flirting for your girlfriend idiot"

the playful glint in jeongguk's eyes vanished the moment those words left taehyung's lips. he made taehyung face him again before he looked into those brown eyes saturating brightly from the sun rays falling directly on them.

his lips in a thin line as he spoke, "i don't have a girlfriend anymore, remember?"

"y-yeah whatever. for the next one then"

"oh yeah?" jeongguk's jaw clenched for some reason, his fingers tensed over taehyung's warm face.

taehyung hardened his stare, "yeah"

"fine" jeongguk's hands slipped from taehyung's face as he stepped towards the washroom, glancing back at taehyung, "come on, let's brush our teeth."

and for some reason, taehyung could sense jeongguk was upset, though he didn't fret over it and followed him into the washroom.

~~~

as they sat at the dining table. having the breakfast prepared by jeongguk, taehyung was conscience-stricken. the food was delicious, gave him this urge to just crash over and gobble up the food jeongguk cooks day and night. but when the one who cooked for him ate in silence while scrolling through his phone, taehyung couldn't help but wonder if he said anything to upset him.

"the food's great. you should open your own restaurant or something" someone had to break the silence and taehyung took it upon himself to do so. jeongguk raised his gaze from the phone screen to him.

"i don't like cooking for others so that'd be a very bad idea"

"but you do it for me so willingly"

jeongguk put down his phone and rested his chin on his interlaced fingers as he gazed across the table. "because it's you, tae. you are not others"

he could sense jeongguk loosening up. maybe jeongguk really did want a push-up from him to start talking again and taehyung didn't know if he should regret it or not because jeongguk always seemed to make him flustered with his bluntness.

he just chuckled, continuing eating. this time the atmosphere is not that of awkwardness. after finishing eating, taehyung decided to leave. he has an exam tomorrow and if he didn't get to study now, he won't be able to do well in the exam.

with that in head, he started wearing his shoes, jeongguk following him to the front door. knowing his best friend would prioritize his study over his whining ass so he didn't bother.

"okay bye then-"

"wait" jeongguk noticed something now as taehyung turned to him. the white t-shirt he wore hung loosely on him, showing his sharp collar bones and much too of his smooth skin.

at first he hadn't noticed how big his shirt was on taehyung but now that he did, he rushed somewhere and taehyung just stood there dumbfounded before jeongguk returned with the jacket he gave him last night, throwing it on taehyung. "wear it"

"but it's hot out there-"

"just wear it tae" jeongguk came closer, now zipping up the jacket all the way up, satisfied with how it covered taehyung well. "didn't you want this jacket? take it"

"fine" taehyung sighed. he knew better than to not argue with jeongguk for it never changes the boy's mind anyway.

"text me when you reach home yeah?" jeongguk placed his hands over taehyung's shoulders, patting them.

his gaze wandering over his figure before settling on his face. a blue smile on his lips and taehyung didn't know why he looked so melancholic all of a sudden. it didn't feel like the kind of sadness jeongguk shows whenever he has to leave. it was a different kind of sadness, something he very rarely saw on his best friend's face.

"are you oka-" before he could ask, the front door suddenly unlocked after someone entered the code in.

as the door creaked open, both boys whipped their heads towards the door together. jeongguk's pupils dilated slightly upon seeing who it was. while taehyung stood there, surprised that eventually turned to anxiousness.

their eyes first landed on jeongguk's mother, a familiar sight. but a beat later they froze, taking in the unexpected presence next to her - jeongguk's father.

his gaze, sharp with age, landed on jeongguk first, scrutinizing him before flicking to taehyung.

at that time, taehyung didn't know why he felt small, so fucking small under those stern eyes that were glued to his figure while the man stepped in. it was like he had been caught yet again, doing some sort of a crime. this kind of nervousness that gripped him was new, he didn't feel this way even when mrs jeon caught them hugging that intimately. under the older jeon's eyes, it felt wrong to even stand beside jeongguk. but taehyung tried to not show it on his face as he immediately bowed.

"h-hello sir" he didn't know why he called jeongguk's father sir, it definitely wasn't the right term but that's all he could utter. the authority this man held from his mere gaze compelled him to be as formal and polite as he could be.

"tae-hoon, isn't it?" mr jeon asked, squinting his eyes to look at the boy.

"taehyung, yes." taehyung wiped his palms over his shorts, suddenly feeling all sweaty.

"oh how can you forget about him dear! do you remember my friend minhee? he's her son and our jeonggukie's best friend" mrs jeon chuckled elegantly as she always does while walking to the couch to put her purse down, the driver entered with their luggage.

"oh right, taehyung" mr jeon stood beside jeongguk and looked at him, looked at his son whose jaw was clenched as he looked away.

he slipped his hands into his suit pants pockets, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes as he looked at taehyung and taehyung noticed how similar the older man's smile was to jeongguk's. jeongguk definitely took his looks after his father and that meant, his father despite being old was definitely really handsome- handsomely intimidating.

"the last time i saw you was when you two were toddlers. it's been long"

jeongguk took in a sharp breath, directing his gaze towards taehyung as he finally decided to speak, "you should leave. you have an exam right?"

strangely enough, taehyung was thankful jeongguk meddled. he couldn't bear to be under those keen eyes anymore. even though the older man said nothing to agitate him, there was something about his gaze that warned taehyung, about what? that he didn't know but he somehow felt himself getting extremely uncomfortable.

"y-yes, i should leave now." with another bow to the older man, taehyung cast a sidelong glance at jeongguk. again, he was facing the other way. something was off about the way jeongguk appeared after his parents walked in but taehyung decided to not question it right now as he turned around, leaving.

after he was gone, jeongguk turned to leave but just then his father's voice halted him.

"you boys are still friends huh?"

clenching his fists by his sides, jeongguk tried to take in deep breaths. he can not talk to his father without losing his goddamn mind.

he turned to face him, his face contorted with anger that wasn't subtle at all. he should really tone it down in front of his old man but even seeing his face irks jeongguk's skin.

"since when do you care about my friends?"

"manners, jeongguk." the older sternly said. it's been a long time since jeongguk has seen his father, for he was always on business trips and emerged in handling his empire. barely ever home and jeongguk liked it that way the best because when his father even opened his mouth, he hated it. he hates his presence like nothing else. "don't anger me boy"

there was nothing left to say as jeongguk practically bolted from there, not sparing a single glance back and almost knocked a vase with his elbow on his way.

the old man rubbed his chin and thought, taehyung huh?

┅┅

"hah" taehyung sighed, plopping on his bed and stretching his hands. he stared up at the ceiling, recalling jeongguk's saddened face.

"will he be fine?" he muttered to himself. he knew very well how uncomfortable jeongguk gets around his parents, especially his father. taehyung hadn't met that man in years but the presence he holds is still so strong and intimidating that he couldn't blame jeongguk for not being close to his own father.

but the level of discomfort that showed on his face the moment his father walked in, taehyung wondered if something was going on that he wasn't aware of.

he might be the closest to his best friend but there was so much he didn't know about his family matters. jeongguk didn't look like he was comfortable enough to share either and taehyung oddly enough understood. after all, even he has his own secrets he wasn't comfortable sharing with his best friend- heck he won't share them ever in this lifetime. so who was he to complain?

engrossed in his thoughts, the sudden buzz of his phone in his pocket startled him and it was then when he realized he hadn't touched it since last night. he brought it out and looked at the screen- doohyun was calling him. shit, doohyun. how could he forget about him?

licking his lips, he sat up and picked it up. he didn't know what happened last night when they parted ways but he had a bad feeling already because of course, jeongguk came to pick him up. there was no way, nothing happened between jeongguk and doohyun.

"uh hello, hyung"

"taehyung, hey. i've been sending you texts since last night but you didn't respond so i got worried and called. are you okay?"

"oh you texted? i'm sorry, i didn't check my phone. 'was too out of it. sorry i made you worried and yes i'm okay. thanks for last night" the last sentence was awkward because taehyung mostly didn't remember what he said to doohyun and what doohyun said to him. he was too emerged in jeongguk's thoughts and remembered texting him. the rest, he couldn't remember at all until the rain sobered him up.

"no, it's okay. i erm... i'm sorry taehyung"

"huh? why?"

"i must have made you feel uncomfortable. i swear i thought you were single that's why i was trying out my chance... but you could have told me he was your boyfriend, you didn't have to lie"

taehyung's eyebrows creased together in confusion. he straightened his back, "wait a minute, he? who's this he are you talking about?"

"jeongguk. he told me he's your boyfriend... that explains why he reacts like that. but taehyung, you could have told me and i would respect that and not approach you again in that light"

hearing doohyun, taehyung's fingers clutched around the phone. he couldn't believe his ears. jeongguk told doohyun he was his boyfriend? but why would he say something like that?

"taehyung? hey you there?"

"uh ah... yes hyung..." taehyung licked his lips. "you don't have to apologize. i wasn't uncomfortable, it's fine. but yes i'm not interested... i hope you'll understand" taehyung didn't deny the obvious lie jeongguk told doohyun for it didn't feel worth it. he was really not interested in doohyun and so, giving him an explanation might just make things more complicated.

because how was he supposed to explain this anyway? that jeongguk got mad a man was hitting on his best friend? so despite being homophobic, he claimed to be his boyfriend just so doohyun will stay the fuck away from him? there really was no normal explanation for such behaviour.

"yes, i understand." there was dejection in the male's voice but there was nothing taehyung could do about it nor could he focus on anything else. his mind was now fogged with one question.

why would jeongguk lie about being his boyfriend?

"but if you want, we can be friends. aside everything, i honestly think you're a really cool person, taehyung"

"yeah... sure, hyung. we are friends. i'm sorry again for the inconvenience" taehyung rasped out, his thoughts all over the place.

"no worries. i'll hang up now then. bye"

"bye"

after ending the call, taehyung's hands loosely gripped the phone on his lap, staring at it but his mind somewhere else. why why why just why would jeongguk ever say something so absurd and so not true about them to doohyun?

he knew well about his best friend's overly possessive demeanour around people he didn't like that taehyung hanged with. but that still didn't give him the space to lie about being his boyfriend. that's actually crossing the line.

however, taehyung tried to calm himself down. of course jeongguk didn't mean it. he probably said it to get rid of doohyun. even though he promised he wouldn't meddle in his business like this anymore- he still went over and said something so absurd. there really was no telling what jeongguk could and could not do.

he wasn't going to talk about this to jeongguk. no, he was going to observe, see what else his best friend does and then come to a conclusion because this can't go on forever.

jeongguk needs to stop claiming him- when he's not his to begin with.

┅┅┅

when jeongguk got out of his house he felt like a colossal weight had lifted from his shoulders, he felt free and could breathe properly now. he wondered for how long his father will stay, would he get fucking lost any sooner or not but again that was his house and he lived under him. be as it may, that was the truth and the truth fucking sucks.

although he had a purpose to be outside. he fished out his phone and dialled mira's number, it took her only a few seconds before picking up the call.

"uhm hey, are you free today?" jeongguk asked and there was a pause on the line.

"... yes. why?"

"can we meet up? i have something to tell you" jeongguk walked to his bike, getting on it, holding the helmet with his other hand and mindlessly staring at it.

it took even longer this time for mira to answer which was quite a rare sight. considering jeongguk never ever really asks her out first so jeongguk expected her to be jolly about it but instead, a sigh came from the other side before she spoke, "okay. text me where you wanna meet up"

jeongguk hung the call and wore his helmet afterwards. it was better to sort things out today itself, as soon as he can.

~~~

jeongguk decided to meet mira at a park close to her university and when he approached the girl sitting on a bench, scrolling through her phone, suddenly jeongguk felt a bit guilty- scratch that, the guilt was really heavy on him.

he hadn't realized what a mess he made until taehyung pointed it out. telling him how could he do this to her and really how could he? mira didn't deserve to get dragged into his shit because he couldn't handle himself for fucks sake. but what's done is done, now all he could do was put a end to this relationship that wasn't even real to him.

"hey" jeongguk said first after sitting down beside her, jolting her from her trance.

she turned her head towards him and blankly gazed at him, "what's the matter? you never ask to meet first" she cut straight to the point, no pleasantries exchanged. the lack of her usual cheerfulness and touchy behavior made it feel like a different person sat before him.

"uh yeah, well had to tell you something"

"wait... don't say it now" mira exhaled and jeongguk noticed her fingers trembling while being clutched around the phone.

"are you okay?" jeongguk asked, a bit worried and a lot more hesitant than before. mira didn't look alright, even her eyes appeared swollen.

mira stood up, paced back and forth, took in the fresh air, stared up at the bright sun but nothing seemed to calm her down as she again plopped on the bench. she looked at jeongguk, then looked away before speaking, "last night... you went after taehyung right?"

"how do you know?" jeongguk sat upright, eyes slightly widened as he stared at the girl who was also looking at him now, hurt and angry. but why so, jeongguk couldn't tell.

"pfft that was just a guess" mira sneered, running her hand through her hair to mess it up but her mind might be the messiest right now. "when the fuck are you not with him?"

the sudden roughness heard in her tone irked jeongguk, irked him because the roughness was directed towards taehyung.

"that's none of your business" jeongguk said in offence. absolutely no one had the right to talk about taehyung in that tone and mira could tell that very well by the way he was glaring at her.

"oh really?" she chuckled, bitter and sharp. her gaze was not soft like other times and jeongguk might really think this wasn't mira, she never acted like this before.

"you go around acting like a fucking boyfriend with your so-called best friend and then say it's not my business? i'm your fucking girlfriend jeongguk!"

"watch your mouth. i told you already it's nothing fucking like that" jeongguk clenched his fists. his voice seething in anger and other times mira might have swallowed it all for the sake of love because that's what was she doing all along but there was a limit to everything and that limit, was broken now.

"yeah? for how long are you gonna fool me? even if it's not taehyung, i know you don't fucking love me nor will you ever do and yet here i am, waiting like a hopeless lunatic"

"then don't wait"

mira snapped her gaze up at his face. "huh?"

"you knew very well that i didn't like you and got into this relationship just to distract myself, didn't you mira?"

jeongguk wasn't going to be harsh on her, for he had promised taehyung he'll come off clean in a good manner and break up, giving this relationship a decent closure. right now his words was contradicting what he promised to taehyung, probably hurting mira a lot as well. but she shouldn't have brought taehyung into it knowing that his name alone spoken in a bad way can get jeongguk ballistic.

she curtly nodded her head, tears whelming in her eyes. she wiped one before it could spill, her knuckles white as her fists clenched tightly. "yes, i knew it all" she sniffled, trying to control her tears.

"i was foolish to think you'll ever love me but i hoped alright? it's stupid that i hoped for something that will never happen but love does that to you, turns you into a fucking lovesick fool and i have loved you since highschool jeongguk. do you really think i'd miss my shot when you finally gave me a chance?"

jeongguk sighed, glancing away to just breathe. this was complicated and maybe a clean break up wasn't going to happen.

"i don't know what on earth i was thinking. maybe i had lost my mind and it's no excuse, i know. i'm sorry for everything. you didn't deserve to be caught in the middle of my mess. but mira, you shouldn't have done that to yourself, when you were actually aware of it"

mira chuckled, a tear rolling down her eyes. "so it's my fault?"

"not only yours. we are equally at blame. this relationship, it was a playhouse to us both. wasn't it?"

"not to me, jeongguk. i loved you, i still do" mira abruptly grabbed jeongguk's hand and before he could take it back, she continued speaking. "can you not give this a second chance? do you really feel nothing for me?"

this time jeongguk pulled his hand away and looked into her eyes, appearing stern and truthful with his answer. "i'm sorry but no, i don't love you and i never will"

"i see... and why so?" mira blinked her tears away before bitterly smiling, "because you're in love with your best friend kim taehyung?"

jeongguk's jaw ticked and he was about to defend himself again before she continued speaking- this time firmer and bitter.

"don't fucking deny it again you coward! i saw that look on your face when taehyung heard about the kiss, it was like you were caught cheating on your fucking boyfriend. and yeah, i deliberately mentioned that kiss, just to see your reaction because i am petty and guess what? i was fucking right. you are in love with him jeongguk. that look on your face, your body language, the way you speak to him, the way you look at him- i can't fucking ignore it anymore!"

jeongguk stood up, his eyes boring into mira's as he let out, "we are over, mira."

she stared up at him in pure devastation. tears streaming down her face now and maybe a few people were already looking at them but none cared. this was inevitable she knew but still, the words that left jeongguk's lips were so painful, that she couldn't even stop the tears anymore.

"h-hah, we were over before we even began jeongguk. thanks to taehyung"

"don't bring tae into this" he gritted his teeth. mira can curse him all she wants, hell she can even hit him and jeongguk would take it all silently. because he knew he deserved the lashing but he would not stay silent if she brought taehyung into this. he will not hear a word against his taehyung- that was absolutely forbidden.

"or else what? does your tae even know about your feelings? or are you using him too?"

"if spewing nonsense is all you're gonna do then save it. i'm not hearing any of it. but i meant it when i said i'm truly sorry for everything and i wish you well." her eyes brimmed with more tears as he uttered, "goodbye mira" jeongguk turned around to leave and right then mira stood up as well.

"no you're actually fucking right. you don't love him, you can't love anyone jeon jeongguk. you're incapable of loving. in the end, he's going to get hurt, maybe far more than i'm hurting now. because you're fucked up. you only know how to ruin lives and i hope taehyung realizes that and fucking leaves you. because you don't deserve him and neither me." she sniffled, glaring at jeongguk's back. "you don't deserve love"

jeongguk's feet halted there for a few seconds after mira said those words out loud, screaming them for everyone to hear but that didn't matter, those words would have registered in his head even if she had whispered them.

he just stood there, took in what she said and then, walked away.

his parents were home. he had a terrible breakup. heard words that are now playing in his head like a broken recorder. now he knew only one person to run back to.

his taehyung.

but he didn't expect this when he reached taehyung's place.

"what the fuck is he doing here?"

━━━━━━━

this chapter is longer than usual lol could anyone tell? so much is about to happen, tbh im overwhelmed myself haha.

anywaysss,

happy 11th anniversary bts <3
my forever home !!
apobangpo💜

borahae !! 💜

today jin got discharged and i think we have truly come a long way. 6 more to go !