The next week was a bit of a challenge for Taehyung.

And Jungkook, attentive as ever, took no longer than six days to sus him out.

So there they sat, coddled up in Taehyung's apartment on day 7, the younger eagerly waiting for an explanation.

On day one he'd had that nice slow morning- so low pressure at times he even managed to forget that he was supposed to be stressed.

He'd laid in bed that night, well Jimin's bed, blissfully unaware other than a vague nagging in the back of his mind. Tomorrow's problem.

Day two he awoke to Jimin hastily shoving at his shoulder. He whined and swatted him away but his partner refused to let up. Eventually he was awake enough to hear a frantic plea- "Babe, don't you have work, come on you shouldn't be late,"

Begrudgingly he agreed and dragged himself from the warm embrace that was Jimin's duvet. Jimin wasn't wrong, he actually did have work.

With all his unfortunate circumstances considered he couldn't afford to be missing shifts.

So he buckled in for a ten hour day of fulfilling orders and stocking shelves. One that passed far too slowly and too quickly when his back hit his own creaky mattress and he realised to his disdain, another full day had passed.

Blearily he reached for his phone and put in in a simple search for work, narrowing the qualifications down until only shitty entry level jobs appeared.

Suddenly he didn't like his apartment or what it represented.

Day 3 that changed.

Jungkook was sat curled up in a blanket on the foot of his sofa, Taehyung's legs slung over his lap and the students laptop sat atop his calves. He was scowling down at the screen and typing away with rigour, eager to finish up his own dull work and attend to more fun things.

Taehyung had his own laptop open on his stomach, secretly updating his CV with as many half decent points as he could come up with.

Something about having Jungkook sat in his ratty little apartment made it infinitely more valuable. He loved having a private little space for them both where he could unwind after a day of lectures or practice. Where they both settled into their own little routine, Taehyung still something of a student at heart despite having technically moved on.

He was only a single academic year above Jungkook and had he been more academically inclined they'd probably be working together by other means.

Instead Taehyung squinted at his CV, wondering if he could somehow twist his experience to suite a salaried job. Technically he had been something of a secretary afterall.

Jungkook's loud sigh and the thump of his device slamming shut, definitely before his work was completed, drew his attention.

The laptop was relocated to the coffee table and Jungkook crawled up, placing himself between Taehyung's legs...

Day 3 came to a close.

The fourth and fifth were nothing spectacular. His shifts were short leaving room for many applications. Many. He applied to more places than he could count. At some point he'd stopped tailoring his CV and sampling shot out applications on a whim, hopeful someone would take the bait.

Unfortunately at the expense of a night with Jungkook and Jimin, who teased of their fun without him with a series of pictures.

Nothing too explicit but still all too telling- a zoomed in gash, cuffed hands, a pained expression. Jimin made sure to caption well enough that little was left to the imagination.

He smiled fondly knowing how much Jungkook would be enjoying knowing he was being watched and objectified, then again with a bitter smirk at how much Jimin knew he had the power to wind him up.

But while one night didn't account for much he supposed it was still suspicious. What reason did he actually have to skip? It was out of character.

Which brought them to day 6.

A lovely influx of rejection emails had somehow already filled his inbox despite barely having applied.

Taehyung tallied his losses and gulped down the bitterness rising in his throat before opening his laptop again, broadening his search to include another town over.

Jungkook arrived unannounced, told only by a discrete text asking him to open his front door.

He was dressed in slouchy cotton based clothes as he tended to after a fun night.

It didn't stop him gently reaching out his arms and resting a head on his shoulder.

"Missed you yesterday,"

Taehyung had to hold back a pout. "Oh? Looked like you had plenty of fun," He pinched Jungkook's waist and he squirmed.

"Would've been more fun with you," He admitted with a coy smile, fingers grazing down his chest, catching on the fabric of Taehyung's shirt.

Taehyung's mouth practically watered at the subtle implication. He loved fucking Jungkook the day after a session. He was so tired and pliant, freshly bruised and sore, crying out in pleasure at even the most gentle of touches.

He caught Jungkook's hand in his. "I'm still not feeling great,"

His smile fell just slightly, corners of his lips dipping before shining brighter. He would never hold it against him for being unwell Taehyung knew, he was disappointed because he knew he was lying.

Guilt simmered fresh in his mind as he watched the carefully masked hurt in his eyes.

"It's not you baby, you're perfect," He reached to carress his waist, relishing in the soft gasp he caused.

"Then why?"

He pursed his lips, wanting to drop his hands but continuing his gentle motions for Jungkook's sake. "I'm busy, working on a little project is all. Give me a week or so hm?"

"I can help," Jungkook volunteered without a second thought, slinking his arms around the others shoulders. "Is it for Jimin, is that why you're keeping it secret?"

"Kind of," He uttered reluctantly, guiding Jungkook towards the sofa. "Just trust me okay?"

Clearly displeased Jungkook nodded. "I at least want cuddles and icecream, didn't walk all the way here for nothing," He accompanied his speech with a mini jab from his foot ushering him along.

Taehyung could only laugh and fetch the promised snack from the kitchen, grabbing his laptop before accompanying him back in the living room.

He could do with the company himself after all the shitty news.

And with some rerun of a film on in the background a happy partner curled at his side the whole situation felt a lot less dire. For a while he flicked around the website containing his rota, examining his final shifts and the remaining holiday pay he could be entitled to. Unfortunately for him there wasn't a lot, he tended to use it all to financially recover every time he did something stupid or made a dumb purchase.

That gave him one idea at least, he could sell things for a little while, just to bridge the gap and get by.

Hoping to save it as a last resort he went back to his phone, screen brightness as dim as possible and held above Jungkook's head to look for a while longer.

It wasn't that he didn't want to confide in him. It's what he wanted more than anything, the release some of the load on his shoulder and complain about the shitty job market. And while he knew it was his own fault really, he cursed at fate for coming for his ass the second he actually wanted to do better.

He didn't need a wakeup call now, he'd already had one.

But that didn't stop his current situation, a nice warm lump on his lap all sleepy and sore while his eyes ached from squinting at his screen, rows and rows of equally shitty jobs most of which he was under qualified for or had already applied to.

Two weeks was barely any time at all, he realised now.

As he scrolled through abundant vacant listings he saw the clock tick over. Just as Jungkook stretched and turned in his lap, wrapping his strong arms around his waist, another day had passed.

He was already one week down.

Which brought him to day 7. Bundled up in bed with Jungkook who was carefully tracing patterns on his skin, fingertips dancing across his shoulder until his eyes slowly fluttered open.

He was glad he wasn't alone because if he was he'd definitely have rolled over and gone back to bed. The carefree bliss he woke to and the subsequent weight on his chest that reminded him exactly what he had to deal with still. Instead he pecked a kiss to his forehead and buried his head in the crevice of his shoulder and neck.

Jungkook played with his hair for a while before convincing him to get up.

It wasn't until they were both showered and dressed, each with a muffin and cup of coffee in lieu of breakfast that Jungkook started talking properly.

"So, your project, how's that going?" He started.

Taehyung tensed. "Decent," He lied, peeling away the wrapper.

Jungkook sighed discontentedly. "You can tell me things you know, I won't be mad,"

"I know,"

"Is... Is anything up with work?"

Slowly Taehyung turned to look at him, a brow raised. "Why- why would you think that?"

He shrugged, picking at the cake and letting the crumbs fall onto his plate. "You haven't been talking about it like usual. Normally you complain about you shifts or meetings and stuff. You've been quiet,"

He forced a chuckle but it came out dry. "And you assume somethings wrong? Why can't everything just be good for once?"

Jungkook held a stare for an uncomfortable moment. "I'm serious Tae, what happened? What are you working on? Are you looking for a new job?"

So there it was. Barely a week and Jungkook knew.

Taehyung stalled sipping his coffee but eventually agreed to explain.

He ran him through the day he got the news, watching Jungkook's features twist into concern made him want to lie again, an uncomfortable stab in his chest. So he minimised the next sections, just barely covering why he'd been preoccupied for a few days up to the present.

Jungkook was frowning hard, brows creased in focus. He'd picked up his muffin again at least even if he was pouting at it. It brought Taehyung some relief even if he was still tempted to snatch it from his grip as he picked it apart.

"Why didn't you tell us?" He voiced eventually.

Taehyung sighed and fidgeted on the spot. "I didn't want Jimin to know," Seeing Jungkook's suprise he knew he had to elaborate and open up a little more than he planned. "Before... I used to work for Jimin. And it was great at first but I um, he- it became too controlling. Jimin has a tendency to go overboard and it's nice for a while but it gets mind numbing. He couldn't understand that I needed space from him and eventually I left,"

Jungkook didn't give away his thoughts.

"I know he'll want to help me and I'm scared of falling back into that routine. I liked being his sub but I didn't have enough autonomy. I couldn't help but give it up to him everytime," He added with a huff.

A short silence dragged before Jungkook nodded. "I think I understand... I can see how it could get like that. But still you should've told us, Jimin would never coerce you into anything,"

"He doesn't do it on purpose but he definitely does. He gets sidetracked on whats best for you and forgets it's not his decision to make," Taehyung tried to soften the blow with a small smile. "I love him but there's some things that are trickier to handle. Jimin and I tend to fall into the same patterns,"

Jungkook put the plate on the coffee table, hands folded in his lap. "Do you think it's different now?"

Taehyung pursed his lips. "It's different when I have independence. I like having control. I think I just need my own space. Which is why I need to be able to pay for this place,"

He didn't seem satisfied with the answer. "But long term, won't you want to live together again sometime?"

Taehyung heard the unspoken addition, wouldn't the three of them live together some day? Every angle he imagined it from sounded perfect.

"I would but Jimin is too rigid," He admitted softly. "It's relaxing for a little while but longer term it's not my thing. Always wants everything done his way, too inflexible,"

"I see..."

"For now I just want things to stay the same. We can deal with the rest later,"

Jungkook hummed in tepid agreement, slumping back against the sofa.

Taehyung gripped his mug of coffee tight. He didn't want to be overly dependent on Jimin for necessities, he wanted to feel like the were equals, not him being pandered to and pampered constantly. Even if he enjoyed it a lot of the time he knew it was in moderation. Jimin couldn't help but spoil him given the opportunity. The thought alone made him blush, it was nice to fully relax and let someone else be in control.

But equally he needed his own room for expression and experimentation.

"I can help you look," Jungkook offered, breaking his train of thought. "But I think you should tell Jimin too, so he knows. You can have boundaries but not secrets, he'll find out eventually anyway,"

"I'll tell him by the end of the week," Taehyung promised, relaxing under Jungkook's hold as he wrapped an arm around his shoulders, soft hair tickling his jaw.

"Good,"

He in fact, did not.

Dozens more rejections filed into his inbox. At this point he didn't even was to open his incoming emails.

He had had two interviews but neither were spectacular. He didn't really want either of the jobs anyway but beggars couldn't be choosers so he was grateful to have the chance. Somewhere deep inside he had a slither of hope they would accept him but he wasn't as naive as to stop looking for more work in the meantime.

On the two week mark, his official contract expiry, he didn't actually have a shift.

The day prior he'd stocked his last shelf, handed over his ID and uniform to an infuriatingly apologetic looking Seokjin and gone home to sulk and keep searching. Admittedly Jungkook had his ways of cheering him up.

But on the fourteenth day. Nothing.

Not even a sad little email slipping in to remind him he wasn't needed.

Just quiet.

Quiet and the dawning realisation he had yet to speak to Jimin.

He'd barely even seen him throughout the week in fact. With the growing aggression of his texts Taehyung half believed he'd come and knock his door down witn arms full of home cooked meals and blankets.

He knew he really should still be looking for work. But as he scrolled through countless lisitngs for the same jobs he'd looked at yesterday and the day before he couldn't help but grow irritated.

And before long he was shooting Jimin a short courtesy text and shrugging on his coat to come and sulk at him in person.

He was greeted by an overly styled Jimin, nearly parted hair without a strand out of place, a sleek grey shirt adorned with custom cuff links Taehyung had bought him on his first birthday together as a joke that flew over his head.

Jimin smiled and Taehyung took it upon himself to bury his face in his chest, squeezing tight around his waist for just a moment.

"Hello doll," Jimin spoke barely loud enough to be heard, the front door closing with a click. "You're lucky, I was just on my way home when you messaged,"

"It's a Saturday," Taehyung scowled.

Jimin shrugged dismissively. "I have to train my new employees,"

A groan erupted from Taehyung's throat before he could pin it down, tredging over to the sofa to throw himself down amongst the cushions. "Workaholic." He accused.

The other wasn't phased, walking up behind the piece of furniture and leaning over to gently fix Taehyung's hair. "Hm... It's temporary. I lost a lot of business when- well, you know. Building up a viewerbase takes work but I'm nearly there,"

Taehyung stared up at him incredulously. "Mark said people left because you was stressing everyone out,"

It was true, Taehyung could only believe.

Jimin had always been ambitious but there'd been a balance. At it's core it was a project with an aspiration, any win was huge and any setback a learning opportunity.

Now he felt like he'd have to pry the business from his cold, dead hands.

His fingers that had been nimbly picking and relocating each strand of hair sprawled across his forehead paused. "I may have created a questionable work environment for a while... But I am working on it,"

"Right..."

Jimin shifted to fuss at the collar of Taehyung's shirt which he was sure was perfectly fine but the older just wanted to touch him. "Why do you ask?"

He thought of so many things to say but stayed silent. Nothing encapsulated it quite right. He could see any of the options starting a fight.

Of course his silence was an answer in of itself.

Jimin's features contorted with concern. "Tae?" He asked softly, hands hovering as Taehyung sat up properly.

"Um, I need to talk to you about something. I- I've spoken to Jungkook already and I just need you to- to not do anything okay?"

Jimin pulled up a chair and sat across from him, expression all too serious. His fingers were intertwined and lifted to his jaw, elbows rested on his knees. He gave a sharp nod and Taehyung glared.

"You're already taking this too serious what is this a fucking interview? Gonna bring in another ugly dom in here and sit us down for a quiz?"

Jimin's irises flicked back behind his eyelids and he placed his palms down flat on his thighs. "I really don't see the need for the attitude,"

Taehyung had to bite his tongue, all too tempted to wind him up and get shot down.

He always loved playing with Jimin when he was dressed up. Or dressed down. Or anytime actually.

He took a deep breath. "Just no business man for a minute okay? Just be my boyfriend. I promise I have it under control,"

"You're making me nervous, you know you can always talk to me. I'll always help you doll,"

Exactly.

"Babe I don't want your help. This is why I didn't tell you. You need to let me deal with my own problems,"

"I can try but sometimes you just need to accept the help. Why do you want to do everything alone so badly? Is it so bad to need me?"

Taehyung frowned and forced himself (barely) not to respond impulsively.

Why didn't he want the help? He felt a storm of emotions but no clear answer. He'd always wanted to be alone, since he knew what it meant he wanted to be fully dependent. His favourite part of leaving home was gaining that much desired independence.

Every problem was his, he demanded control and attention, he was bratty and arrogant and annoying. People loved his charisma and hated his personality but it didn't matter because he didn't need them.

Maybe that was why he loved his deal with Jimin so much.

In the early days, a stupid college student and a naive entrepreneur experimenting with a strange underfufilled part of the market. As soon as he met Jimin he knew he was unphased by his antics, even better, he could control him.

He gave him the sweet release of not looking out for himself after a lifetime of being overly aware and distrusting.

It was nice at first. As things grew deeper and more got involved, he got overwhelmed. Jimin needed him and he needed Jimin.

After all this time he'd never actually given it that much thought.

He knew he felt suffocated and overwhelmed and that when he tried to express exactly that his partner was dismissive or simply added to the problem with his so called solutions. Until eventually he left it all behind. Exactly as he always had.

But it hurt more than the other times. Because he genuinely cared.

He hadn't realised how lost in thought he'd become until Jimin leapt from his seat and moved behind him, a gentle thumb pressing against his tearline.

"Baby?" He asked softly, voice tentative.

When he inhaled it was shakey, an irritating tug on his diaphragm revealing more of his emotional state than he'd have liked.

An arm wrapped around his back, another around his head pulling him in, surrounded. "You're okay, take your time,"

He nodded. After some time his breathing settled and he squirmed out of his hold.

"What's wrong? Can you tell me? Please,"

"Sorry I just... I don't like depending on people, it makes me anxious," He admitted for the first time, largely to himself. "I know you want to help but it just makes it worse, I want to be able to rely on myself,"

Jimin thought about, brows furrowed. "It's not a bad thing to depend on people. You know I depend on you too. We all do for eachother," The brush of Jimin's thumb over his cheek was soothing, he couldn't help but let his eyes fall closed. "I'm sorry I haven't always been understanding, I was so happy with how things were, I was scared to try anything new, didn't want anything to change,"

Taehyung found himself tucking further into Jimin's side, an age old comfort he'd missed countless times in their time apart.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to keep things from me or that you can't accept my help. I like knowing I can provide for you and I don't want you to struggle,"

Taehyung nodded slightly in recognition. He did like it to an extent, how Jimin would pamper and play with him. Knowing he could turn up at any time and not have to worry about a thing. And he knew Jimin liked that too.

"I need to keep some level of control over myself," Taehyung reaffirmed. "I know I don't have a lot going for me but I need my own life,"

Jimin pursed his lips. "I think I understand. What was it you wanted to tell me?" His hand fell to his thigh, rubbing in rhythmic circles.

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut, rewording it in his head but finding nothing worth saying. Eventually he just said it. "I got fired."

A long pause.

He didn't want to look up. Didn't want to see the worried expression he already knew was on Jimin's face.

"I've been looking for work but all the jobs suck and they don't want me," He let out a humourless chuckle. "Jungkook figured it out so I spoke to him yesterday, he said he'll help me look but I doubt he'll find anything I haven't already,"

The time stretched on and Taehyung shifted to look Jimin in the eye who gave him a coy smile. "I think you know what I want to say,"

"Yeah," Taehyung agreed with a bemused smirk. "I know,"

"I won't force anything but you have to let me know if it gets too bad, okay? How about I bring some food over, just focus on job searching I'll cook," He squeezed his hand reassuringly.

Taehyung gnawed on his lip, heart warmed at the gesture, knowing it was Jimin's way of caring and trying to accept his boundary. "That would be great, thank you,"

His bright smile made it worth it, Taehyung couldn't help but chuckle as he was squeezed into a hug.

"If you need anything you have to let me know, and I can always commission you too, you'd be doing me a favour really. But I understand if you aren't interested in that sort of work anymore,"

Taehyung flushed. "It feels like it's just an excuse to give me money,"

"It isn't" Jimin vehemently disagreed. "We lost so many subscribers after you left, I still get requests every month asking to have you back. I bet I could give you a huge cut and still profit more than a regular shoot,"

It was far more tempting than he'd like to admit.

"No pressure just if you feel like doing it, don't feel forced I'll help you out if you need it too-"

"Jimin" Taehyung interrupted.

He looked guilty. "I'm not coercing you into sex work because you need the money, there's options,"

"I don't feel coerced Jimin," He said bluntly. "I'm a grown man I can make my own choices,"

Jimin sighed. "Everyone can bend to bad decisions when they're in need, I need you to know it's not like that. I've been meaning to bring it up if you're interested anyway but I thought it might be a sore topic. Didn't want to mention too soon,"

"Keep second guessing yourself and I'll start my own business and steal your clients,"

"That's not funny,"

"Why because it's true?"

"That's exactly why," He hid his smile somewhat successfully.

Taehyung tilted his head and hummed. "Maybe I should just start an only fans,"

Jimin pinched his side. "Or I work for you and you get professional photos and videos,"

"You work for me? I like the sound of that,"

"Of course you do," He cooed, fingers tangling in his hair. The small tug was essentially muscle memory.

Taehyung leaned into it allowing his neck to be exposed. "Yeah," He agreed hoarsely.

He was almost disappointed when Jimin let go, not immediately launching into more. By the way he looked at him Taehyung could tell he was replaying their conversation in his mind, overananalysing, looking for ways to help. Taehyung was impressed with how much he kept himself together.

Realising he wasn't going to get anywhere more fun he sighed and slung his legs over Jimin's lap who gently massaged them if only to keep his hands busy.

He thought over the offer a little more himself. Of course he wanted to, there was so question there. His only reservations were about the potential pitfalls in their relationship. Whether it was a cam of worms worth opening when things were going so smoothly keeping them private.

He'd have to tell Jungkook at some point if they continued. Of course he would be accepting but surely he'd look at him differently too?

Taehyung supposed it would involve going back to conferences and conventions. The local celebrities they had become for that brief while. It had been quite fun. Not that they had to take it all the way.

He wondered if it was possible for that to impact future work, if the site did grow bigger as Jimin seemed to believe it had, Jimin tended to be fairly accurate on these things. At what point would he risk being recognised? It was dangerous he thought.

Then again he rarely applied foresight to anything in his life.

Maybe that was something to work on. Another time. He mentally bookmarked it in the same way he did everything else he entirely forgot until it came crashing down.

He watched Jimin stare straight ahead, resisting the urge to press his thumb between his brows and smooth out the crease that formed there. As much as his demeanour was calm Taehyung knew he was anxious. If for no other reason than knowing the implication of his happenstance for Taehyung.

He hadn't told him about his notice or his lack of savings, the failed interviews and the even more abundant failed applications. He didn't need to. Jimin would fill in the worst case scenarios all on his own anyway.

"Why don't we go out tonight, hm?" He offered a distraction. "Have dinner someplace nice," Nice meant something very different between the two of them and they both knew it. The ambiguity hung in the air for Jimin to decide.

"That sounds nice," Jimin admitted, after a second his smile faltered slightly. "Is Jungkook free? I don't want him to feel left out,"

"Jungkook and I eat out without you all the time," Taehyung chuckled. "Don't overthink it. Besides he has practice tonight."

"You do?" Jimin raised his brows in mock offense. "Being left behind in this relationship clearly. Stolen from me,"

Taehyung grinned. "Hm looks like you'll have to work harder for us,"

"Oh yeah?"

Taehyung feigned thought before twisting to face him with a coy smile. "Sounds like you're behind in the wooing Jungkook department, I'm definitely winning. Have you even taken him out,"

Jimin laughed, fully aware Taehyung's idea of 'out' mostly consisted of having McDonald's delivered. "I try but he gets flustered easily, not used to the attention,"

He couldn't help but coo. "Gonna make him combust. I'd pay to see him malfunctioning on one of your fancy ass dates, so over the top,"

A smack to his thigh had him squirming and giggling in no time. He cried out as Jimin wrestled him across the sofa with a firm grip on his thighs. "You'll wrinkle my clothes" He whined.

"Since when do you iron?" Jimin retorted half accusing and half smug.

"I look hot even in wrinkly clothes," He was a little breathless.

"You do," Jimin agreed, taking the opportunity of hovering above him to fix up his shirt again, knuckles grazing the tan skin of his neck a little longer than appropriate. "But I know a few ways you look better,"

Heat already rushing to his cheeks Taehyung yelped, shoving him off. "Shut up,"

He hadn't known until that moment that Jimin's laugh was exactly what he needed to hear to ease the painful tension that had been cramping in his neck.

Within the hour they were out and perusing a menu over a glass of wine.