Imma cri

New York City burst with life that Monday morning. People flowed like rivers through the pavements dressed in sleek suits and outfits, rushing on and about to their destinations in a hurry. The blaring horns of vehicles and the chatter and shouts of the busybodies felt like a symphony of the city against Taehyung's ears as he stood in front of the entrance of a huge building.

Dressed in his plaid pants, white shirt that was a little loose and comfortable and a long coat, holding a briefcase, Taehyung stared in awe at the building that loomed over him. He had gotten here fifteen minutes earlier than he was expected to. He needed to leave a good impression on his co-workers since it was his first day at work.

Taehyung took a deep breath, the smell of smoke and hotdogs from the truck that was a few feet away filling his lungs. And his black hair swayed in the smoky wind. He was used to this atmosphere. He had lived in one of the busiest parts of New York for four years. All of the ruckus of the morning in the streets, that used to be so foreign to him around the time he had moved in, was now all too familiar to him. A day hadn't gone by without him listening to the symphony of city life. It now felt like home to him.

Taehyung checked his watch. There were only ten minutes left until the time he was supposed to report for work. Taehyung didn't know why he felt so nervous; it was a new beginning to him. Maybe because this was the first real, full-time job he was about to start. Maybe because the post he had been selected for seemed a little too high for a rookie in the field like himself. But Taehyung felt lucky to be selected as a trainee at one of the biggest entertainment companies in New York; Hybe.

With another deep breath to calm his nerves, he walked inside the building. The moment the guard let him in after checking his ID, a cold gush of air welcomed him. He looked around to see a lobby with a couple dozen people, walking around, probably heading to their own work places of the entertainment company.

After the receptionist gave him instructions of how to get to his department, he took the elevator. The moment he stepped out, he was welcomed by a girl who seemed around his age. She was dressed in work clothes, black hair tied up in a bun and her dark skin seemed to glow under the lights of the office.

"Hello! Good morning! Mr. Kim?" She chirped the moment Taehyung stepped out.

"Yeah. Good morning!" Taehyung said. "I'm Taehyung"

"I'm Amber. I'll be your trainer for your first six months. You will be working with me" he said, smiling at him.

"Oh nice to meet you" Taehyung grinned at her.

"Pleasure" She said with a smile. "You're a little early. I'm glad for that. Today is going to be a busy day and we can start work right away. I heard you graduated from New York Art Academy"

"Oh yeah"

"That's amazing. Maybe that's why you were chosen out of all other candidates. I'm sure you'll be a good asset to the company. The training period is going to be a little rough but everyone here had survived. I'm sure you will too. Art Academy students always do. Come on now. Follow me"

"I didn't know I was the only one selected" Taehyung said as he followed her in to the office.

"Well it was only one vacancy for this post anyway. We don't hire a lot of trainees. By the way, do you remember me? I was the one escorted you at the day of the interview"

"Oh my god! Yes!" Taehyung exclaimed after thinking for a few seconds. "I do! You told me that you hoped I get selected because there weren't much people of color working here"

"Yep that's me. And everyone else who were there were white. But don't worry. I haven't experienced any racism in this department. It's just most people working here are white. But they're really nice"

"I'm happy to work here. I wanted to work here since the time one of my friends told me that the entertainment industry is much better than the other fields"

"That's the spirit! And yeah, it's easier to last in this field. It's hard but at least the chances of you getting fired are low" Amber stopped in front of a cubicle. "This is your workplace. And you will be working under me for the first six months. And after that, you will be on the same level as me"

"Awesome" Taehyung said as he placed his briefcase on the table. "Thank you"

"My office is right there," Amber said, pointing to a small office a few cubicles away. "But let me show you around a little. Come with me"

"Thank you"

"You'll need a lot of tea or coffee if because there's no breaks until lunch and you'll be sitting in that little chair of yours and working your ass off"

-

Amber was right. Taehyung was exhausted by five in the afternoon. He plopped down on his chair after finishing typing the last document he was given to work on. He had barely gotten any time to talk with anyone, other than the two co-workers from the nearest cubicles.

Taehyung was putting his stuff back into his bag when Amber walked to him with a smile. "Bad day?"

Taehyung laughed. "I may have underestimated when you said it's going to be a busy day"

Amber laughed. "You can meet the art director tomorrow. He is basically the guy who controls this department. He's out of office today"

"Oh okay. Didn't I meet him in the interview?"

"Nope that was the CEO and some other managers," Amber said. "By the way, the Art Director is having an art exhibition today and me and my girlfriend were going to visit. It's about twenty minutes away and today's the last day. Maybe you can even meet him there and leave a good impression"

"Oh really? I don't know if I should..."

"You totally should! Besides a lot of us going today. You should come with us"

Taehyung nodded. "Alright then" he didn't have any plans for the evening anyway.

"Awesome! Let's go. My girlfriend is downstairs"

-

The walk to the art gallery hadn't taken more than thirty minutes. Amber's girlfriend, an Asian girl who was brought up in America, named Rose seemed like an amazing person and Taehyung loved talking with both of them. The three of them had taken their time walking towards the art gallery, talking amongst each other, telling each other about their college experiences. Taehyung was glad that he was able to become friends with his trainer on the first day. And she seemed really nice.

The three of them entered the venue together. Taehyung saw lines of art on the walls the first thing upon entering. There were more than twenty people, walking around. Over the sweet classic music that played inside the gallery, a low, lively chatter spread amongst the people.

Taehyung subconsciously stepped away from the couple he had walked in with, mesmerized at the variety of portraits and paintings that was displayed on the walls. He made his way towards his right side and stopped in front of a watercolor painting of a forest. He couldn't help but stare in awe at the details of the painting. He wished he could paint as fine as this.

Soon a waiter came and offered him a Champaign flute, which he took happily. He took a sip and walked to the next painting, another watercolor painting but this time of a shop. It seemed like a coffee shop and something about the painting made Taehyung felt nostalgic. The artist must be really talented to be able to bring out such feelings of the viewer.

Taehyung was about to move to the next painting when he felt stares on him. He tried to ignore it at first. But the he looked around, only to see a couple of people staring at him, whispering amongst themselves. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He couldn't be missing part of his outfit, right? Was there a huge stain on his clothes? Does he look weird? Taehyung quickly checked himself, only to find there was definitely nothing wrong with him.

Taehyung shrugged to himself and started to focus on the next painting, which he had to turn to his left to watch. He was about to look closely at the painting of a beautiful lake when he felt more stares on him. As if the whole crowd was watching him.

Taehyung looked to his left, where more paintings hung in rows. Feeling uncomfortable with eyes staring holes at him, he was about to glare at the people who stared at him when something caught his eye. Leaving the painting he was watching, he moved to his left, passing by the row of paintings with landscapes. He came to halt in front of a rather larger bigger painting.

It was a man, wrapped in silks of different colors. The man sat on a bed, silks that wrapped around his body covering his intimate parts but revealing all the tan skin, curves and muscles through the translucent silk. Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed together. The painting was definitely detailed. And everything seemed so beautiful and delicate and-

Taehyung dropped his Champaign flute. The glass shattered against the tiled floor, a loud crash echoing through the gallery. And the chatter died down, everyone's attention now on Taehyung.

But he didn't give a damn about that. Because how could it be? Taehyung's head buzzed with confusion and he felt light headed. His knees almost gave out beneath him. Because the painting in front of him was a picture of...

None other than himself.

Taehyung's hand came to his mouth, concealing the much audible gasp that left his lips. With wide eyes, he moved to look at the painting right next to it. It was another one of Taehyung. Taehyung felt like he was about to faint. Because all of the other paintings were of none other than himself. Different positions, angels, outfits.

Taehyung must be hallucinating. Or this should be some sick dream. Because who would draw him? Taehyung was about to pinch himself to see if this was a dream when-

"Taehyung?"

Taehyung stopped breathing.

Everything moved in slow motion around him. He felt the world around him fade away and becoming a numb buzz as he slowly turned his head to see who had called his name.

The voice felt like silver bells in his mind as it played over and over again. It unlocked mines of memory and the nostalgia crashed down on him, making him want to sink into his knees.

How could he ever forget that voice? That voice that he loved hearing first thing in the morning and last thing at night. That voice that gave him incomparable comfort and unrivaled heartache. That voice had whispered many unholy words to him as well as many sweet words. That voice, which had confessed the love of a man towards Taehyung many times over. That voice, Taehyung had once loved.

Taehyung's breath hitched upon seeing the man that watched him from a few feet away. The time had stopped around them and it was just them at that moment. It was them, against the world.

His eyes were scrunched at the edges as he smiled, bunny-like teeth in view and Taehyung swore his heart did a backflip at the view. His eyes shone so brightly that it could light up the whole world. He looked different. A good kind of different. His hair was parted in the middle, waves falling into the sides of his face, much similar to the way he had styled his hair all those years ago. He face looked more sculptured, cheekbones more prominent and he looked more mature. But no one could tell he was a man in his thirties. Because he looked like some kid who had just graduated college.

But that smile, and the way his eyes twinkled was the same as Taehyung remembered. And as he looked at Taehyung with those doe eyes glimmering, a grin that spread from ear to ear, the younger boy knew that this was the same way Jeongguk looked at him all those years ago.

So he said it. Said the name he hadn't uttered in years. Said the name of the man who he had cried himself to sleep because of, when he couldn't get him out of his head. Said the name of the man who he once loved and wished he never left.

"Jeongguk"

Jeongguk's smile only grew. His eyes were glassy and they shone brighter under the lights of the art gallery. Taehyung felt himself tearing up. But before all the emotions crashed down on him, he sprinted towards Jeongguk, closing the space between.

Taehyung crashed onto his former lover and wrapped his arms around him.

"Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered. He couldn't help it. He felt tears threaten to escape his eyes but he suppressed it. Because everyone in the art gallery was watching the scene unfold.

"Taehyung" Jeongguk's hold around Taehyung tightened. "God where have you been all this time?"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered again. He chanted his name like a prayer. Because this couldn't be true. He couldn't believe that after all this time, he had met Jeongguk.

"My love"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung let out again. "I missed you so much"

"I did too" Jeongguk said, voice breaking at the end. "I've been searching for you"

Taehyung pulled away and looked at Jeongguk with teary eyes. "When did you come to New York?"

Jeongguk smiled. "It's a long story. I think we should talk about it separately. Everyone's watching us" he whispered the last part.

"Oh" Taehyung said, blushing. It was only then did his whole mind absorbed the fact that a couple dozen people were watching them. Some discreetly, some, just staring as if it's a circus.

"You're adorable. Beautiful" Jeongguk said.

"You!" Taehyung said. "Look at you! You look...you look like some gamer boy!"

Jeongguk laughed. It was true. Jeongguk wore a button up white designer shirt with sleeved rolled up and black tight pants. He looked casual and formal at the same time and-

And are those fucking tattoos?

"You're hotter than you were" Taehyung let out almost unconsciously.

Jeongguk chuckled.

"And the tattoos" Taehyung was in a whole new stage of shock. How come he never knew Jeongguk was a tattoo kind of guy? Jeongguk had never mentioned his love for tattoos. But seeing his tattoo sleeve, Taehyung realized that he didn't just 'like' tattoos.

"Do you like them?" Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung blushed and hit Jeongguk's chest lightly, making the older man laugh.

"Wanted to you see them someday" Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung looked up at him. His heart ached and his tummy bubbled with happiness. This still felt like a dream. He could feel Jeongguk's scent, his warmth, feel his breath against his cheek. Everything seemed so surreal.

The visitors of the art exhibition had now lost interest in the two of them and Taehyung no longer felt stares carving into his back. But Jeongguk and Taehyung still stood in the middle of the gallery, close to each other.

"They look hot" Taehyung whispered, looking away to hide the blush that had covered the apples of his cheeks.

Jeongguk chuckled, looking at him with twinkling eyes.

"The exhibition ends in around thirty minutes. Would you like to stay so we can catch up? Only if you want to, of course" Jeongguk said.

"Of course I want to" Taehyung said in a small voice. "It's been so long"

"Amazing. There's a bar right across the street. Wanna go there?"

Taehyung nodded. "Yeah. I'd love that"

Jeongguk smiled and squeezed Taehyung shoulder. "I'll be around. Got some customers to talk to. You can look around until then"

"Okay" Taehyung whispered and watched Jeongguk turn around and walk towards a bunch of men who talked amongst themselves.

And as Taehyung turned to see the picture of himself yet again, he knew that the thump in his heart that still raced was not just because he was happy to see Jeongguk again.

-

"You still a whiskey kind of guy?"

Taehyung said as he brought his glass of alcohol to his lips.

Jeongguk smirked. He sat on the bar stool next to Taehyung, facing him. He had his elbow against the wooden counter of the bar, hand gripping his glass filled with whiskey. Their knees touched and Taehyung tried his best to not think about that.

The bar was crowded. They had luckily gotten two seats and all the tables were already occupied. Lively chatter and laughter from the people who had just come there to hangout or just have a good time was loud inside the rather small place.

"You still a I-don't-drink-all-that-much-alchohol-but-would-get-drunk-on-cheap-beer kind of guy?" Jeongguk asked with a grin.

Taehyung laughed. "Nah" He said. "I became a fucking alcoholic in college. Tried every drink out there and decided cocktails of any kind are my favorite. But if I wanna get drunk, it's always vodka"

Jeongguk grinned and took a sip from his glass. "How was college? Tell me everything!"

"It was amazing. I made a lot of friends and went to so many parties, got drunk, got high and did a lot of shit!" Taehyung chirped excitedly. "Also passed with flying colors"

"I always knew you were a smart kid"

"Now you sound like a teacher"

"I was your teacher!"

"We fucked!"

Jeongguk laughed. Taehyung giggled with him. "And what the hell are you doing here? Oh my god. What happened after I left?"

"That's a long story"

"Well I suppose this bar wouldn't close anytime soon"

Jeongguk smiled. "Okay so after you left, me and Jieun got divorced after a few months. We didn't push it because the only reason I wanted to rush the divorce and leave her as soon as I can was because I wanted to be with you. But since you were out of the picture, we kind of took things slow. Especially because of Aria. I moved out the week after you left so it didn't really matter at all. Since Jieun basically out of my life anyway"

Taehyung nodded. "It was a good decision to move out. Did Jieun still refuse to go for a divorce even after I left"

"No...not really. Actually she was fine with it. Didn't pull anymore shit"

"That's nice. I was worried. But if you moved out, the new baby? Oh my god, was it a girl or a boy?" Taehyung chirped.

Jeongguk flashed him a tight-lipped smile. Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows at that.

"Jieun had a miscarriage"

Taehyung felt his stomach drop. He was speechless. "Wha...how..."

Jeongguk shook his head. "I don't know...we didn't really look into it"

"God, I'm so sorry Jeongguk. When did this happen?"

"Um...that day you left"

"Excuse me?" Taehyung was taken aback. "You...don't tell me you..." Taehyung didn't want to tell what came into his mind. It couldn't be, could it?

"The moment I found out, I drove to the airport to tell you that I can come to New York too" Jeongguk smiled. "I wasn't thinking right. I just didn't want to let you go. But then I saw you with that friend of yours and you looked happy and you were excited to start a new life. I didn't want to get in the middle of that"

"Jeongguk..."

"I don't regret it. We needed to grow. I needed to grow. I had to do a lot of healing and it was only a few weeks after you left did I realize how fucked up I was. And that everything you told me was right. And I needed this. I needed this time apart. We both did"

Taehyung nodded. "Yeah...I feel like I changed a lot. I experienced a lot of things and...I mean being single wasn't bad at all"

"I know! I was single for a long time too!" Jeongguk said.

Taehyung felt his smile fading a little, the thought that had been crossing his mind since the moment he saw Jeongguk threatening to escape his throat. "Do you have someone right now?"

Jeongguk shook his head. "Nah. Single right now"

Taehyung felt himself relax.

"Do you?" Jeongguk asked, making Taehyung raise his eyes at him.

"No" Taehyung smiled. "Did you find someone else after I left?"

Jeongguk thought for a moment. "For about a year I didn't even think about moving on. Because well, I went to therapy"

"Therapy?"

"Yeah I kind of had depression" Jeongguk said with a small chuckle.

"After I left you? Was that the reason?" Taehyung was bewildered.

"Partly. But I just needed therapy, Tae. My therapist made me realize how fucked up I was. And she helped me get better and I think I'm a whole new version of myself. I realized that I needed this...break from everything a few days after you left. Because as you said, I was dependent on you for happiness. When you left, you took my happiness with you. And there was nothing that would make me happy.

"With therapy I started to realize that I have to be my own person. And that happiness comes from within. It helped so much, Tae. I needed it. Or I would have been fucked up my whole life"

Taehyung nodded. But he still felt heaviness in his heart. Just had he had feared, Jeongguk had gone through a hard time. However, taehyung was glad he had managed to make himself better.

"What about you? Found someone special?" Jeongguk asked.

"Well...I was hung up on you the first few months and I didn't even think about a relationship in the first year at art academy. But I went to a lot of parties and hooked up with random people so that wasn't bad at all"

Jeongguk laughed.

"In second year, I kind of had a girlfriend"

"A girlfriend?!" Jeongguk looked surprised. "I thought Aria may have turned you fully gay"

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "We only lasted two months. She wasn't for me. Then a few months later I dated a guy...a senior and it lasted about six months. He was nice. After that I didn't have anyone. Just hooked up with random people I guess. Oh! I also topped a couple of guys!"

"You what? I thought you were only joking when you asked to top me"

"I'm a switch okay? I just liked bottoming for you. But those dudes were like pillow princesses. There's no way any of them could top me"

Jeongguk laughed again. Taehyung's heart ached upon hearing it; his loud, bubbly, pleasant laughter. He missed hearing it.

"Want about you?"

"I guess I hooked up with a couple of guys after around one year. I didn't exactly look for a relationship. I felt like I wasn't ready, for some reason. And was kind of hoping I meet you someday"

"Oh Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered.

"You were worth waiting for"

"Gguk" Taehyung blushed. He felt like tearing up at Jeongguk's words.

Jeongguk smiled. "When I finally decided that I could actually do a relationship, I couldn't find anyone. I didn't want to go for anyone married, honestly. And all the younger ones are just looking for a hook up"

Taehyung nodded. "That's true. What brought you here, by the way? Don't tell me you came looking for me"

Jeongguk grinned. "It was Jin. We used to call back and forth all the time and he said he could let me a job at Hybe"

"Wow" Taehyung said. "So you're basically my boss now"

Jeongguk smirked. "First your professor and now your boss. I would call it fate"

Taehyung blushed. "Yeah"

"So you're the new trainee?"

"Yeah. Did you know I was?"

"Nope. I don't usually take part in the employment process. I should've known who the newbie was but I forgot to because I was busy with the art exhibition. I wasn't even at work in the last few days"

"The director post is kind of a high post. Do you like this job more than the previous one?"

Jeongguk nodded. "Yeah. A lot. I don't have to look at boring, horny kids for a whole day. Besides I have more free time in here"

"My days won't be so free for at least six months" Taehyung pouted.

"I joined Hybe as a trainee too"

"Really? Wow. Okay hold up. Can you tell me the story from the beginning? What happened after the divorce?"

Jeongguk grinned. "So I moved out. And then quit my job"

"You what!?"

"I quit right before the divorce went into trial. Because in case if my relationship- with you, a student gets revealed...I just didn't want to stay and look at how it would work out for me you know? So I quit before they could fire me or take my senior lecturer post away from me"

"That's actually smart"

"Right? After I quit, I started working at a small entertainment company. The salary wasn't as good as the lecturer post but since I was basically living alone it was enough"

"Aria?"

"Split parenting. I picked her up from school every day just like I did before. She came over to my place all the time and we hung out, went on small trips together. It was good. But she wasn't happy with the divorce. We kind of talked things out and I explained to her my side of the story. And I think she understood"

"Did you guys ever...?"

"No. we didn't. We decided she doesn't have to know. It's not going to change anything for me anyway. I don't want her to go through that. She's still my daughter no matter what"

"Yeah you're right. she would be traumatized if she finds out she tried having sex with her brother"

Jeongguk made a disgusted face. "Aren't you traumatized?"

"I was traumatized when she tried to rape me but finding out about that? Not really"

Jeongguk nodded. "Sucks, though. She was not a good kid. But I think the divorce made her a little more mature. I was in contact with Jieun, you see. We just talked sometimes. Hardly, but we talked to discuss about Aria and just check up on each other. And I used to call her a lot because she went through a miscarriage. I think Aria grew a lot emotionally because she had to take care of Jieun too. After she graduated high school, she went to law school in California"

"Oh my god, that's amazing!"

"I know. She's a smart kid. I think she changed a lot after the divorce. When she left for California, I looked for jobs and that was one and a half years ago, I think. And Jin told me about how he could get me a job at Hybe because he knew the CEO. So I came to New York, applied here and got the job as a trainee. I moved up the ladder pretty quick because I had the qualifications and a few months ago the CEO himself appointed me for the director post"

"Wow that's awesome. Bet it pays really well"

"It does" Jeongguk smirked. "And I finally held an art exhibition"

"And you painted me!"

"Most of them are ones I painted around the time you left. I hope you are okay with displaying them like that"

"Are you kidding? They look so amazing! I look really pretty in them. Did anyone buy them?"

"Oh many asked. But they're not for sale"

"Oh my god" Taehyung said, grinning. "They're all for you?"

"All mine"

Taehyung grinned. "What about Jieun? How is she?"

"She's still back home. Working at her law firm. She moved houses after Aria left. And around two years ago, she found herself a boyfriend. She's doing pretty well"

"I'm happy for her"

"Me too" Jeongguk smiled. "I was looking for you after I came here. i hoped to meet you someday"

"And I walked right into your arms"

Jeongguk smiled. "Yeah you did. We were destined to meet. It's fate. Just like you said"

"Yeah I suppose the universe wants us together after all"

"Suppose she does" Jeongguk whispered. Taehyung looked at him. Jeongguk was looking at his hand that was on the counter, close to Taehyung's own. Taehyung watched as he hesitantly moved it towards Taehyung's.

Taehyung waited, observing the older man's actions. He looked nervous. And Taehyung was too. He could feel his heartbeat rising in his chest.

He first felt a feathery touch against his knuckles. Upon seeing Taehyung not draw his hand away from him, he felt Jeongguk's fingertips graze against the back of his hand.

Taehyung smiled, his blush deepening. He moved his hand and took Jeongguk's hand in his.

Jeongguk grinned at him, his eyes twinkling and bunny teeth full on display. He looked adorable. Jeongguk squeezed Taehyung's hand and caressed his hand with his fingers.

"I missed you so fucking much Tae"

Taehyung felt like tearing up. "I missed you too, Gguk. You have no idea how many times I imagined how we would meet someday"

"There wasn't a day that went by without you crossing my mind"

"I thought about you to make myself happy when I was sad"

"After I decided to move on and found myself sleeping around, I realized that I was looking for you in every one of them. But they weren't you. and I decided to wait for you because...you are worth waiting for you"

"Oh Jeongguk" Taehyung felt a tear trail down his cheek.

"Hey don't cry" Jeongguk said softly. And the next moment, the younger boy felt arms wrap around him and Taehyung embraced him back, feeling the need to let out a louder sob. But he cherished the warmth he hadn't felt in four years, his touch that Taehyung craved too many times, that scent that Taehyung loved to inhale. Everything felt overwhelming. Unreal. But at the same time...perfect.

Everything was perfect. Jeongguk and Taehyung had met four years later, with no burdens on their shoulders, no responsibilities; no leashes tugging them back away from each other. It was just them. Alone. Together. Independent.

They had grown separately and they still fit like two missing puzzle pieces.

"You're so beautiful, Taehyung" Jeongguk whispered against Taehyung's shoulders. "I've been aching to tell you that since the moment I saw you today. I didn't want to flirt and make it awkward in case you had someone"

"Jeongguk"

"You're the most beautiful person I've met in my life. You're beautiful inside out. I feel like you've gotten more beautiful in these years"

They pulled away and stared at each other's eyes, a rosy hue covering both their cheeks.

"You've gotten hotter" Taehyung whispered.

Jeongguk chuckled.

Taehyung raised his hand to tuck a stray lock of dark hair behind Jeongguk's ear. And he felt the older man lean into his touch when his fingertips grazed his skin.

"I wanted to be a better person for you" Jeongguk whispered.

"Jeongguk there was nothing wrong with you"

"There was. And I promise I've changed now. I realized how much of a dick I was to you. and I changed a lot. Because I wanted to be a better man when we meet someday"

"Darling there was nothing wrong with you. You just needed to get out of that situation you were in and focus on yourself"

"And I did that. Just like you said. I focused on myself. I even got these tattoos because I've liked tattoos since middle school but never got to get one after I became a dad"

"That's amazing" Taehyung grinned. "They look good on you. You're like an upgraded version of Jeongguk"

Jeongguk laughed. "And you? Black hair suits you so well! I liked the blond but you loo hotter with black hair"

"Thanks" Taehyung giggled. "I tried a lot of colous but settled with this for now because it's my natural colour"

"It's weird because this is the first time I'm seeing your natural hair color"

"I liked blond"

"Me too. A lot" Jeongguk whispered. "Fuck you're gorgeous"

"You too, mister" Taehyung giggled.

They were standing so close. Their faces inches apart. And Jeongguk looked absolutely ethereal under the yellowish lights of the pub. Taehyung felt himself smiling as he saw Jeongguk's doe eyes sprang back and forth between the younger boy's eyes and lips.

"Can I kiss you?" Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung sucked in a breath. "Yes please"

Jeongguk leaned in and softly pressed their lips together. His hands cupped Taehyung's face and Taehyung placed his hands on the other man's chest as he felt the soft press against his lips. Taehyung's eyes fluttered close and his stomach burst with butterflies.

Taehyung's mind was blank except for the frenzy of thoughts about Jeongguk. The world faded away and it was only the two of them. The press against his lips made him reminisce all the memories of the past. All the happiness, sorrow and pleasure they shared together. Jeongguk poured his whole being into the kiss. As he moved his lips against Taehyung's ever so softly, Taehyung knew that Jeongguk hadn't just missed Taehyung or just his body. And that this wasn't just attraction. It was love.

True fucking love. That doesn't just fade away because they were separated for a few years.

Both of them had been yearning for each other. They had waited for each other and the moment was finally here.

Jeongguk's kiss was the sweetness of passion, a million loving thoughts condensed into a moment. It spoke volumes of love and longing. And Taehyung kissed back, the same thoughts crossing his mind as Jeongguk's. And Taehyung was finally home.

In his kiss was the promise of years and the sweetness of waiting for real love.

Taehyung clutched onto Jeongguk with desperation, not wanting to let go. Ever. Never again. He had always loved Jeongguk. He was Taehyung's first love. And he always had a place in the younger boy's heart. He always would.

He had been so determined on forgetting Jeongguk when he left for New York. But obviously it took more than he imagined to finally move on from him. And Jeongguk always remained at the back of his mind. But his memory only brought him happiness.

When they pulled away, Jeongguk's does eyes gleamed as if they had galaxies trapped inside them. Taehyung always loved his eyes. They were the most beautiful set of eyes Taehyung had ever seen. And he had always been afraid of looking at them too long for he would surely get lost amongst those stars.

Jeongguk smiled at him. The same way he did all those years. and Taehyung's heart bubbled with happiness. He didn't remember the last time he felt this wholesome. Probably around four years ago.

"Will you go out with me?" Jeongguk whisper broke the comfortable silence between them.

"Yes" There was no hesitancy.

Jeongguk grinned. "Thank you. Oh god I've wanted to ask you this since the moment you left"

Taehyung laughed. He wanted to kiss Jeongguk again.

"We have a lot of time. So we can take this slow this time. And enjoy ourselves a lot that way"

Taehyung nodded, eyes forming crescents as he couldn't control the boxy smile that split his face.

"Let's take things slow"

-

"Oh fuck yes right there!"

"Here, baby?" Jeongguk rasped as he thrust his fingers deeper into Taehyung, pressing over the almond shaped lump inside him.

Taehyung let out a moan and threw his head against the pillow of Jeongguk's bed. "Do that again!"

Jeongguk pulled out his fingers and pushed them back inside making another moan to erupt from Taehyung.

"E-enough now. W-want your cock, daddy"

"So needy, hmm? Missed my cock so bad?"

"Fuck yes" Taehyung moaned as Jeongguk scissored his fingers inside him, stretching him open.

"Me too, baby. Missed that ass so much" Jeongguk flicked his wrist. Taehyung's hips snapped up, a scream of pleasure erupting from the younger man's throat, and he gripped onto Jeongguk's tattooed arm, digging his fingers in.

"oh my god" Taehyung let out. "Need your cock now"

"Fucking needy. I'm can fuck you so good"

"Prove it"

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung who laid on Jeongguk's bed in his penthouse. They hadn't planned on taking their conversation to bed. Literally. When they stepped out of the pub it had been almost nine in the evening. Taehyung was about to bid goodbye to Jeongguk and leave for his house when he asked where the older man lived. To which Jeongguk answered as, 'sort of nearby. A twenty minute drive from here'.

Jeongguk had offered to drop Taehyung off and he agreed. Because Jeongguk had an Audi. That was hot. How did he suddenly get rich? It was too late when Taehyung realized making out in Jeongguk's expensive Audi wasn't a good idea at all. Because 'my place is the closest' and 'we can't do it here, there's so many people in the parking lot' had both of them stumbling into Jeongguk's apartment, hands wild on each other.

And here Taehyung was, sprawled naked across Jeongguk's bed and the older man's fingers buried deep inside him.

They were so desperate for each other that it almost embarrassed Taehyung. The passion, hunger and lust was just as Taehyung remembered. That fire they had those days was still sparking. And they both couldn't help it. They both had been waiting for this.

Jeongguk pulled out his fingers and leaned down to kiss Taehyung. The younger boy closed his eyes and let himself be kissed. Jeongguk thrashed his tongue inside Taehyung and the smaller boy writhed under the larger man.

They kissed sloppily, desperate for each other. Jeongguk still hadn't gotten rid of his jeans and only his shirt was off. His hardened dick concealed with the thick material of his jeans pressed against Taehyung's own leaking cock. Impatient, Taehyung rolled his hips against Jeongguk's and the older man broke the kiss, a ragged moan escaping his throat.

"Fuck me already"

"You're still a brat, I see"

"Always" Taehyung smirked.

Jeongguk stood up and started unbuttoning his jeans. Eager, Taehyung sat up and watched as Jeongguk slid off the jeans off his thick thighs. Je could see the massive bulge behind the Calvin Klein's Jeongguk wore and Taehyung's mouth watered at the sight.

Jeongguk removed the last piece of his clothing and his cock sprang free. Taehyung's eyes widened. His smirk was slapped off his face.

Because right in front of him stood Jeongguk's massive cock, red and wet and so ready. He suppressed the urge to lick it, feel it pulsate in his mouth. He just needed it inside him. As soon as possible.

"Fuck, have you gotten bigger?" Taehyung asked as Jeongguk picked up a condom and threw it on the bed. He started climbing on top of Taehyung again.

Jeongguk chuckled darkly. "I don't think that's possible"

"You've gotten thicker. All over. Your dick too"

Jeongguk laughed and kissed Taehyung again. He took the younger boy;s bottom lip between his lips and started sucking. Taehyung moaned impatiently.

The younger boy wrapped his hand around Jeongguk's red, hot cock and tocked it up and down, making Jeongguk break the kiss and stare at Taehyung with hooded lids. He could see his dark eyes swirling with lust behind them.

"Want you inside me. Please" Taehyung was begging at this point.

"Fuck, okay" Jeongguk said and quickly rolled the condom over his cock. He lubed it up and hovered over Taehyung.

Taehyung spread his legs wide and as he felt Jeongguk's tip prod against his entrance, he wrapped his legs around the other male, pushing him down, making the tip enter him

Jeongguk glared at him in warning. Being the brat Taehyung was, he giggled.

"Baby know your limits"

"Teach me, professor"

Jeongguk stared at Taehyung darkly.

"I mean...boss"

Jeongguk smirked and pushed into Taehyung.

"Fuck!" Taehyung let out, back arching and head thrown against the pillow as he felt himself stretch around Jeongguk.

"I'm going to be your boss, hmm? Maybe we can fuck in my office"

"Holy fuck that's kinky"

"But nothing new, hmm? Your whore behavior led us to fuck in my office back in Beverly too"

"Fuck you. You're the one who couldn't keep it in his pants even when you had a whole ass family"

Jeongguk pulled out and slammed his hips back in.

Taehyung howl in a mixture of pain and pleasure. He was adjusting to Jeongguk's size he was already starting to feel like he needed more.

"Keep going" Taehyung said.

Jeongguk obliged. He started to push and pull in and out of Taehyung in a slow, steady pace. And slowly built up pace.

Taehyung moaned as every thrust hit his prostate, making a delicious wave of pleasure course through his body. Jeongguk sped up and soon he was fucking Taehyung in a brutal space, unable to control himself.

"Daddy!"

Jeongguk moaned at the word, thrusts speeding up. "Say that again"

"Fuck daddy, I missed your cock so much"

"Me too baby. You like this? You like it when I'm rough?"

"Yes daddy! Love it"

"Mhmm baby you're so good"

Taehyung moaned, legs wrapped around Jeongguk's thighs and hands wild on his back. Jeongguk let out grunts of please, to which the younger boy's cock twitched every time. The bed shook from force and it had only been minutes but Taehyung could feel that heat of the bottom of his tummy threatening to escape.

Upon seeing Taehyung's leaking cock, Jeongguk started jerking him off. A few thrusts later, Taehyung was cumming into Jeongguk's hand, eyes rolling to the back of his head and toes curling in pleasure.

Taehyung fell back into the bed, feeling blissful with the electrifying orgasm that he had just had. Jeongguk kept fucking in and out of Taehyung's lifeless body and a few thrusts later, he came into the condom.

Jeongguk fell next to Taehyung on the bed. Both males panted in unison, trying to calm their erratic heartbeats.

A few minutes later, Jeongguk kissed Taehyung wordlessly and Taehyung cuddled to Jeongguk's chest as he felt the exhaust crashing down on him. He was about to slip into a slumber when-

"Tae" Jeongguk whispered against Taehyung's hair, making the smaller boy look at him.

"Hmm?"

"Are we boyfriends now?"

"Yeah. We're dating for real"

"Yayy"

Taehyung giggled. "You're adorable"

"You're the adorable one"

"I want you to fist me. Want that tattooed hand inside me"

"Taehyung what the fuck"

"What?! I love your tattoos"

"You're so horny"

"I also want to ride your thighs. They've gotten so much thicker"

"I work out"

"That's hot. You should fuck me after you come back from the gym. That's hot"

Jeongguk laughed.

"And how do you have a fucking penthouse?" Taehyung asked.

"I've always been kind of well off, Tae. I wouldn't have been able to let you stay at my house if I wasn't"

"Yeah that's true. I like this place, though. That whole city view is amazing"

"I know, baby. You should come here more often"

"Oh don't worry I will from now on"

"God I missed you" Jeongguk whispered.

"I missed you too, silly. I swear you said that like fifty times already. Don't worry, I'm not going to leave you this time"

"Promise?"

"Pinky promise" Taehyung said and entangled his pinky with Jeongguk's.

"It's sealed. You can't break it now" Jeongguk said and kissed Taehyung's forehead.

"I'm so happy, Gguk"

"Me too, darling. I can't express how happy I am to meet you like this. This truly is fate"

"I know right?"

Jeongguk planted a kiss atop Taehyung's head and cuddled him tighter. They laid like that, silently, basing in each other's warmth. It was perfect. Everything was perfect.

Because after so long, they had met. After building up their lives alone, independently. And they were both ready for each other now, more than ever.

A perfect future awaited them. A future where they were definitely together. And they both knew that this time, it was going to work out just fine. Because they didn't have a past, family, or any kind of problem to hold them back from staying together.

As Taehyung drifted off to a peaceful slumber, all he could think of it is that no matter how much the both of them had changed, they were still in love with each other. They were still waiting for each other.

That after all these years, nothing much had changed between them. They were still the goofy duo that loved in secret. The excitement was still fresh in their veins. And they were still, so much ready to fall in love with each other.

That they were still each other's...

Preference.

THE END

thoughts?

Hey guys! Thank you for hanging on to this book until the last chapter. It means a lot. Thank you for the amazing support. It means a lot.

I'm sorry if I had made any mistakes throughout the book. As some of you might know, English isn't my first language.

So this book was a total of 145,639 words🥰 so yayy that's a lot

Do you have any questions about the book? Complaints? Criticism?

Thank you again, for reading. Hope you guys would go and check out my new top kook book.

I love you guys!
That's all!
And this is Sara signing out of PREFERENCE- Taekook