Jungkook narrated everything that happened the previous night to his team and Seokjin, and they were left throughout appalled and mostly worried for Taehyung. After explaining that Taehyung was thankfully doing better, Jungkook cut to the chase. 

“Ha Soo Gun. Find everything about him.”

Seokjin gave a firm nod and punched his name on the keyboard. “Anything else you know about him? I got a bunch of results.”

“He lives in Songpa-gu. Wait, I’ll call Taehyung to tell me what he knows.” Jungkook did exactly that, and Taehyung picked up seconds later. 

“Jungkook?”

“Hey. How are you?”

“Fine. My friends are still here. We’re eating pizza.”

“Good.” A tiny smile budded on Jungkook’s face, but it vanished when he locked eyes with Seokjin. “Um, can you tell me what you know about that Soo Gun?”

“He’s from China. He lives in Songpa-gu. He’s forty-one years old. He has a crime organization. That’s about it.”

“Do you have a picture?” Seokjin asked. 

“Oh, am I on speaker?”

“Yeah. My whole team is here.”

“Hi, team!”

They all chuckled at his cheerful tone and greeted him as well. “What about the picture?” Jungkook asked. 

“Wait a minute.” Taehyung dropped the piece of pizza into the box and pressed the phone against the couch. “Do you have a picture of Soo Gun?”

Jimin nodded at once and grabbed his phone, then he quickly sent him a couple of pictures that were in the file he made for Jin Mo. 

“I just sent you a few pictures,” Taehyung said a bit later. 

“Thanks. I’ll call you again later.”

“Okay. Bye, guys.”

Jungkook hung up once everyone said their goodbyes. He transferred the photos to Seokjin’s computer, and the other immediately analyzed them through his programs. 

“It usually takes a while for the results,” Seokjin said. “You know how it—oh my—what the hell is this?” He pitched forward straightaway as a match popped up onto the screen. At the top of the page just above his picture, with big, red letters, was written the word ‘Wanted’. 

“What? What?” Jungkook asked impatiently and sprang up from his seat. 

Soon, everyone gathered around Seokjin’s computer and stared at the screen in pure shock. “His real name is Wang Jianhao,” Seokjin muttered. “He’s wanted in China for multiple murders. He doesn’t run a crime organization, guys. He’s a murderer.”

“What the fuck?” Jungkook was reading himself what Seokjin just recounted, but the information was too shocking to digest. How did Taehyung get involved with a man like him? 

“His murder weapon is an eight-inch knife. There are pictures of the crime scenes.” Seokjin scrolled further down but screwed his eyes shut once the first victim appeared on the screen. It was so badly tortured with the knife he felt his stomach convulse with disgust. “God, I can’t look at it.”

“I can’t either,” Seung Ho muttered as he squinted his eyes and eventually dropped them to the floor. 

While everyone shared the same disgust, Jungkook felt drunk with fury. That motherfucker was planning to do that to Taehyung? Only at the thought, his body began to twitch with his wrath. 

“How the hell did he leave China?” Namjoon questioned. He scrolled up his file since Seokjin seemed too dazed to do it himself and gave his shoulder a palliative squeeze. 

“He couldn’t fly here,” Hoseok said. “He took a boat for sure. There’s no way he was able to travel legally since he’s wanted in China.”

“We have to start an operation right now,” Jungkook announced. 

“Let’s go to the chief.” 

With Namjoon’s remark, they went off to the chief’s office and related the situation. He immediately called Chinese authorities with the help of an interpreter, and they told him to catch him as soon as possible and that they would come get him. 

The violent crimes unit one and two prepared a thorough plan with the chief about Wang Jianhao’s arrest, and about an hour later, they got into two sprinter vans. 

Seokjin tagged along as his hacking skills were needed at the moment. They were unaware of how many men he had in his house, and getting a visual on the inside would be a more effective way to arrest him safely. 

They parked as far away as possible, but just close enough for Seokjin to hack his security system. The unit two got off the van and hid closer to the house in case something happened. The process went smoother than expected, and with no traps in his way, Seokjin got access to his CCTV in under thirty-five minutes. 

The luxurious interior of the house sprang up into the screen soon enough. He located Wang in his bedroom, lying in his bed. An unknown man was in the room with him, sitting on a chair with crutches in his hold. Another man was in the surveillance room, monitoring the cameras. 

“There are only three people inside, including Wang Jianhao and one injured man,” Seokjin informed. 

“Okay. It’s perfect then,” Jungkook said, scanning the screen as well. 

“Jungkook, we got movement.”

Jang Hyuk’s voice sounded through his wireless earpiece, and he immediately whipped his eyes towards the house, but it was too far to see anything. “Specify.”

“I got two black-dressed, masked men approaching from an alley. They’re armed.”

Jungkook worked through the information fast. “They’re here to kill him. We have to get them quietly.” He signaled his team to get out of the van.

“In fifteen seconds, they’ll be outside of his house and be seen from the cameras. Do we shoot or not?”

“Stop them before they get there, but do not shoot if unnecessary.” Jungkook and his team raced towards the house, but once they were close enough, a gunshot went off and two more followed. He found both men down with gunshot wounds in their legs, but Ahn Jeong was on the ground as well, embracing his left shoulder. With adrenaline and unease going through the roof, he pressed the button on his earpiece. “Call an ambulance! Namjoon, break that door down right now. Seokjin, what’s going on inside the house?” He crouched down, lifting Ahn Jeong’s head. “Yah, you’re gonna be okay. Don’t you dare die on me.”

Ahn Jeong could only muster a half smile before groans spilled from his mouth. 

“They’re alarmed. But Wang doesn’t seem well. He’s struggling to walk. The ambulance will be there in five,” Seokjin said. 

Namjoon knocked down the door with the Halligan bar as quickly as he could, and they scrambled into the house, with Jungkook following right behind. 

“Freeze!” Namjoon screamed when the unnamed man from the surveillance room was seen running down the hallway. He chased him with Hoseok as the other four scanned the rest of the house until they found Wang in his room, collecting his precious belongings. 

“Stop where you are. Put your hands behind your head,” Jungkook commanded. He nodded at the injured man beside Wang for Seung Ho to handcuff him. 

“Put your hands behind your head,” Seung Ho said as he neared him at a creep. The man curled his fingers into fists but did as he was told at the end. 

“Seung Ho, hold.”

The said man halted in his tracks at Jungkook’s order, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. 

“Wang Jianhao. Put your hands behind your head and walk away from the closet.”

“Aish, fuck,” Jianhao hissed. “Is this really my end?” His back went rigid when he sensed the barrel of a gun press into the side of his head. 

“Yes,” Jungkook said in a chilling, low voice. “Give me a reason to shoot you. I beg you. Give me a reason to at least beat you to a pulp, man.”

A revolting chuckle spewed from Jianhao’s mouth. He caught with the corner of his eye his right hand being handcuffed and slowly raised his hands. “I won’t give you the satisfaction, Jeon Jungkook.”

“You did your homework.” Jungkook gripped his hand and brought it down, locking the handcuff, before repeating the action to his other hand. 

“And you did yours. How did you find out my real name? I thought I left it in China for good when I left.” 

“Nothing stays hidden forever, you pathetic piece of shit.” He holstered his gun and conducted a pat-down for weapons. “Where’s your precious knife, huh?” He yanked him forward, causing him to stumble. “Collect everything,” he said to Baek Jun and Hee Cheol, then harshly led Wang outside, with Seung Ho following him. 

Their vans were already moved outside of the house by Namjoon and Jang Hyuk, and the man Namjoon and Hoseok caught was handcuffed and locked into Jang Hyuk’s van. 

Jungkook opened the sliding door of his van and beckoned Seokjin to get out. Once he did, he pushed Wang inside and shut the door, then locked it. “How’s Ahn Jeong?”

“The paramedics said it was a perforating wound to his shoulder. He has lost a lot of blood,” Jang Hyuk informed. 

“What the hell happened, Jang Hyuk?” 

“I ordered them to stop. They didn’t listen. One of them reached for his gun and shot in a second. I haven’t seen this speed before.”

Jungkook seemed skeptical about his words. “Where are they?”

“In the ambulance. They’ll take them to the hospital.”

“Seung Ho, go with them.”

He saw Seung Ho head off right away, and then Baek Jun and Hee Cheol came out of the house.

“We found his fake ID, cash, and a knife,” Baek Jun said as they presented the items to Jungkook. 

“Good job. Let’s go back, guys.”

 
The return was glorious. Not only Jungkook caught the man who dared to make Taehyung suffer like that, but he caught a wanted criminal. It had been so long since he felt that level of pride overwhelm him. The first time it was during his first arrest as a detective. He thought only catching Jin Mo would rouse that feeling again. He was pleasantly wrong. 

The two men in the house turned out to be from China and wanted as well. They locked them up and waited as they were instructed for the Chinese authorities to take them. 

Seung Ho informed Jungkook when the one of the two masked men woke up from his surgery. The other’s surgery was more complex as his anterior thigh muscle was damaged badly by the bullet. 

They interrogated him about why they were there. Ju Man seemed quite reluctant to help them in any way, but he confessed they had some unfinished businesses and they went there to sort them out. By killing him. 

Something didn’t sit right with Jungkook as he thought over the events. Was it just a coincidence that they chose to kill him that night? Why hadn’t they done it already? Ju Man’s answer was, “Because today we found out where he lives.” But still, something prevented Jungkook from completely believing his words. Was it his detective intuition? 

No. It was because everything was too well-calculated to be just a coincidence. 

. . .

It was after one at night, Jungkook observed when he glanced at his watch, as he trod out of the hospital with Seung Ho. They also made sure that Ahn Jeong’s surgery ended well before leaving, and they paid him a visit, although he was still unconscious. 

Seung Ho studied his thoughtful expression for a while now, and only when their ways would part he spoke up. “Did you believe him?”

His question snapped Jungkook out of his chaotic bubble of contemplation. “Honestly? No. Something... just doesn’t feel right.”

“I know. I feel the same way. He confessed for their intention to kill him, so we can arrest them and interview him again. We have to see what the other has to say as well.”

“I feel like he’ll say the exact same story.”

“Me too. But we can’t know for sure.”

Jungkook checked his watch again. “Get some rest. Good job today.”

“Thank you, detective Jeon. You should rest too. You went through a lot yesterday and today.” Seung Ho offered him a smile as he bowed his head. 

Jungkook surprisingly matched his smile. “See you tomorrow.”

“You definitely need some sleep,” Seung Ho muttered as surprise covered his features. “You just smiled at me.”

Jungkook snorted at his playful remark. “Go.”

Seung Ho bowed once again and bundled off to his car as Jungkook got into his. Taehyung emerged into his mind again. Would he be sleeping? Probably yes, given the late hour. Was he okay? He could only hope. 

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and located a missed call from Taehyung, which was made three hours ago. Without thinking about it twice, he called him. 

And Taehyung picked up only seconds later. “Hey—”

“Are you okay? Did something happen?”

Taehyung let out a quiet laugh at his anxious voice. “I’m fine, Jungkook.”

Jungkook’s head collapsed against his seat with a quivery sigh. “Why did you call?”

“I was curious about what happened with Soo Gun. And kinda bored.”

“Do you mind if I come over? We have to talk.”

“Um, sure, but is everything okay?”

“I don’t know yet.” A strained moment of silence passed after Jungkook’s murmuring remark. His hand went limp to his side, and he ended the call before Taehyung could say anything else. 

 
In ten minutes, he was outside of Taehyung’s apartment. He found the door open and entered, then closed it behind him. There was a flicker of apprehension exuding from Taehyung’s seated form as he trudged closer, and he plopped down into the armchair. 

“Why aren’t you lying down?”

“I’m too tense. What happened?”

Jungkook’s eyes crawled to the floor, letting a few beats of silence roll by. “Soo Gun’s real name is Wang Jianhao.”

“Okay. I didn’t expect his real name to be Soo Gun, since he’s Chinese.”

“Did you expect him to be a wanted criminal in China? Because that’s what he is.”

Instantly, Taehyung’s forehead puckered with puzzlement. “What?” 

“He doesn’t run a crime organization, Taehyung.” A grave stare accompanied his low-spoken statement. “He’s wanted for multiple murders. And now you’re going to tell me how the hell did you meet a fucking murderer.”

The revelation was too much to take in, even for Taehyung’s seasoned mind. His gaze eclipsed by a look of bewilderment and betrayal at the thought of Jin Mo knowing Soo Gun’s real identity and forcing him to get close to him despite it. If he were so worried about him dying, he wouldn’t send him to a fucking murderer, right? Oh, how much he wished he was right. 

“Don’t space out on me.”

Taehyung’s eyes regained their focus at the faint growl of Jungkook’s voice. He couldn’t maintain eye contact. “I heard about him from my friends. I staged our encounter as an accident. They definitely told me he was into different deals, though.”

“They lied. Or you’re lying to me right now.”

“I’m not lying!” Taehyung didn’t know where he found the boldness to raise his voice and act as if he were offended when one more lie erupted from his mouth. 

Jungkook reclined in his seat. The unreasonable, insufferable oppression drove deeper into his chest. “We went to arrest him. Before we could make our move, two masked men appeared. They were there to kill him.” The only change he perceived in Taehyung’s demeanor was the discreet grasp of the corner of the couch. “Do you know anything about that?”

“How—How would I know?”

There it was. The faltering tremble of his voice, which Jungkook truly, wholeheartedly wished he wouldn’t hear. “Why are you stuttering then?”

“I just didn’t expect it.” Taehyung mustered what little was left of his courage to keep up with the lies and composed himself. Why was it getting so hard to lie to him? He lied every day for the past seven years. “Why did they try to kill him?”

“Because he tried to kill you.”

Damn, each one of Jungkook’s responses yanked Taehyung into a cesspool of shock. Why couldn’t he control his reactions anymore? “That’s not possible,” he spat out, near frantic. “I didn’t say anything to anyone except Jimin and Yoongi, and they’re not killers, I can assure you.”

Although Jungkook could pick up on his harried behavior, he sighed and redirected his eyes elsewhere. “I lied. They had unfinished business and wanted to kill him.”

“Yah! Why did you lie?” Aggravation slithered into every crease on Taehyung’s forehead, his eyes flashing with the same displeasing element. 

“Because I feel like you’re hiding something. I feel like there’s someone behind you. Someone’s helping you. Telling you who to meet. And that someone ordered the killing of Wang Jianhao because he tried to kill you. No?”

It was at the very least horrifying how accurate Jungkook was. But he couldn’t possibly reveal it to him. “The only ones who help me are Yoongi and Jimin. And if you still don’t trust me after everything, fuck off. Seriously.” If he could storm out, he would without a second thought. The words rolled off his tongue with ease, but his heart grew more and more ponderous with guilt.

He had no right to get mad. He had no right to demand from him to trust him. He had no right to tell him to fuck off. But there he was, doing all that and pummeling himself deeper and harder into his wretchedness. 

“Don’t be mean.” Jungkook’s voice wafted in a fragile tune. “I’m sorry. I’m just overthinking again.”

Taehyung didn’t think he could feel worse for his pretended persona. And Jungkook just proved him wrong. His words were like deadly shards that gouged into his chest in search of his steely heart to rip it out of its place and tear it to shreds. And they did. He was sure they did, because all he could feel was a wrenching emptiness.

Jungkook watched Taehyung’s internal battle through gloomy, weary eyes. He saw every scintilla of emotion fade from his expression at some point. It bothered him more than he thought. “Can you forget what I said? I’m too tired. My brain just spews nonsense. I trust you, Tae.”

Taehyung twisted his head as far away from him as physically possible. He wasn’t about to cry in front of him because of his guilt — because of something he couldn’t explain to him without revealing his secrets. No, he wasn’t. He wouldn’t. He slipped under the thick blanket and lay down, hoping no tears would ooze out of his closed eyes. “I’m tired too. I want to sleep.”

Jungkook’s brows knitted in a baffled frown, his lips unconsciously pulling into a pout. “Are you mad at me?” At the lack of his response, he shifted to a kneeling position beside him. “Tae? I didn’t mean to upset you. Can you forgive me?”

“I’m not mad. I’m just tired.”

Jungkook filled his lungs with a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “Do you want me to leave?”

“Yes.”

Jungkook’s head dropped onto the edge of the couch in frustration, his hands clenching into fists. Why did he have to exaggerate and suspect Taehyung like that? “I’m really sorry, though.” It was his last effort to get him to talk or simply look at him. 

Taehyung, though, remained mute and unmoving. Only the weight over his existence intensified by Jungkook’s apology. 

“Fine, I’ll leave.” He sat back on his heels and surveyed Taehyung’s unresponsiveness for a while in silence. “You know what, I’m not leaving. Your sulkiness won’t win. I won’t leave until I shoo it away.” He discerned his features softening and couldn’t help the smile that surfaced on his lips. 

“You’re really that stubborn to fight with my sulkiness?” 

“Yes. So now stop pretending to try to sleep and look at me.”

Taehyung’s watery eyes split open. He hoped Jungkook wouldn’t perceive his unshed tears or at least wouldn’t acknowledge them. He did both. 

“That’s what you were hiding from me?” Jungkook drawled. 

“I didn’t cry.”

“I almost made you. Fuck, I’m sorry.” He laid his forehead on Taehyung’s chest in a moment of internal scolding. 

“What the hell happened to you? Stop apologizing. You sound like me.”

“And you sound like me now,” Jungkook said as he lifted his head, and the tip of Taehyung’s mouth barely twitching came into his focus, making his eyes widen. “Don’t hold back. Smile. Let me see your pretty smile.”

Taehyung wasn’t intending to, but his words imposed a bashful smile on his face effortlessly. “You’re a dork. Saying nonsense to make me smile.”

“It’s not nonsense. Your smile is really pretty. Everything about you—” He faked a cough. “Scratch that.” 

“Everything about me is pretty?” 

“Yes,” Jungkook rushed to say. “I mean...” He accepted his failed attempt to save himself with a sigh. “Okay, yeah.”

“You find me pretty?” Taehyung asked silently, his doe eyes filling with that familiar fondness. 

Jungkook sensed a spike of timidity in his chest, which almost prevented him from replying. “You are pretty, Taehyung.” 

“I know, but am I pretty to you?”

Jungkook’s eyes positioned on his face, finding a glint of eagerness dancing around it. You’re the prettiest to me. “Yes.”

“You’re pretty to me too,” Taehyung spoke through a timid smile. “And hot. You got everything. And I like you.”

“What?” The muscles in Jungkook’s face stiffened at his last statement. 

“I-I mean, your company. I like hanging out with you.” 

“Oh.” The tension seeped out of him just as fast. He smiled again. “I like that too. It feels nice.”

Taehyung tittered, agreeing to his words with a nod. He didn’t just confess his feelings to him, right? Was he out of his mind? Probably. But thankfully Jungkook seemed to believe him. 

And as the ambiance got more comfortable and warmer, Taehyung’s guilt didn’t disappear, but he at least was able to fence it in a box at the corner of his mind, deciding to savor the limited moments he had with him to the max. 

What Jungkook didn’t know couldn’t hurt him, anyway, and Taehyung would handle the consequences when the time would come. Even if they shattered him internally every now and then. Even if they crushed him in the end. Getting to know a man like Jungkook — even falling for him — was all worth it. 

“Don’t sit on the floor,” Taehyung uttered after a brief silence. “The couch is more than big enough. You can sit here. Or even lie down with me.”

“If I lie down, I’ll sleep in no time.” Jungkook heaved himself off the floor and settled down on the couch instead. 

“You’re that tired, hmm?” Taehyung asked, a sense of empathy glooming his traits. 

“Yeah. It was an exhausting day.”

“You did well, Kook. I’m proud of you.”

The veil of weariness on Jungkook’s face distorted beautifully with a tender smile, and his eyes, which were fixed on him, regained their sparkle. “It feels good to hear that from you. Thank you.”

“You should be proud of yourself too.”

“Today, I am. And you gave this case to me, so you did well too, informant.”

Taehyung giggled at the recognition of his playful tone, but his phone ringing stole his attention. 

Jungkook reached it from the table and frowned at once. “What’s this?” He gave the phone to Taehyung, despite his puzzlement. On the screen was displayed only the number one without the phone number, as it should. 

Taehyung’s stomach lurched with anxiety upon glancing at the screen, and he declined the call right away. “Um, it’s because of a program. It hides the phone numbers.”

“And how do you remember who’s who?” 

“I talk to them almost every day.” Another flare of the same stomach-flipping anxiety passed through him as the phone in his hand rang again. “Aish,” he muttered so quietly Jungkook wouldn’t have heard him if he weren't sitting so close. What the fuck is wrong with him? “Sorry.” A single glance at Jungkook was enough to detect his curiosity, but he dismissed it and sent a brief text to Jin Mo instead. 

Taehyung: Not alone

It was unlike Jin Mo to keep calling when Taehyung declined his first call because he had discussed this with him; if he declined his call, it meant he wasn’t alone. Jin Mo knew it. Why the hell did he call again? 

And when the phone rang yet again, Taehyung was at a sheer loss. 

“You know what, it seems urgent,” Jungkook managed, despite his blazing curiosity. “I’ll just go to the bedroom.”

“Thanks, and sorry. It’ll be quick, I promise.”

Jungkook forced a smile and retreated to Taehyung’s bedroom, but he didn’t close the door. 

Taehyung was barely able to contain his fury when he picked up the phone. “I’m not alone. What do you not understand?” 

“You told Jungkook about Soo Gun? Are you fucking serious?” Jin Mo’s thunderous voice boomed through the phone, and Taehyung had to turn down the volume because it was truly so loud he thought for a second Jungkook would hear him. 

“Jungkook is here,” he gritted out as silently as he could. “Do you really want to talk right now? Because I have a few things to yell at you about too.”

“That’s perfect!” Jin Mo exclaimed and broke into deranged cackles. “Get that motherfucker on the phone. It’s all his fault. He ruined everything! He ruined my plans!”

Taehyung pulled himself to a sitting position, his face stretching into a mask of befuddlement at the faint slurring of his words. “Are you fucking drunk?”

Jin Mo cackled again and mumbled some incoherent words. 

“Where’s your right hand?”

“Ah In? Ah In is right here!”

“Give him the phone.”

“No. You give the phone to Jeon Jungkook. I have to yell at this fucker!”

Taehyung groaned as he listened to Jin Mo and Ah In fighting over the phone, and a bit later, Ah In’s voice was heard. “What do I do with him?”

“Take his fucking phone and lock him in his room. Sedate him, knock him out, I don’t care! He’s about to give me a heart attack.”

“Okay.”

Taehyung ended the call and flung his phone onto the floor in raging exasperation. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, his head buzzing with the spate of turmoil. Why did he say that? What did Jungkook ruin? His plans about what? 

Jungkook emerged from behind, his eyes falling on the scattered phone. He picked it up and examined it, then glanced at Taehyung. “The screen cracked.”

Taehyung released a drained chuckle. “I didn’t break it completely? Let me try again.”

Jungkook placed the phone on the table and perched next to him, leaving no space between them. “You sounded angry. Yes, I tried to eavesdrop, but I could only hear some words here and there.”

“Thank you for the honesty.” Taehyung throttled an urge to rest his head against his shoulder. “I was angry. It was a buddy of mine. He was drunk, that’s why he kept calling. I didn’t even understand why he called. He made no fucking sense.”

As if Jungkook sensed his urge, he folded his arm over his nape and pulled his head against him. “So you’re not a fan of drunken calls. Noted.”

It was amazing, really, how Jungkook managed to bring a smile to his lips so effortlessly. And Taehyung delighted in it. “It would be interesting to get one from you, though.” He untucked his head from his shoulder to lay his gaze on Jungkook. “I’m curious...” he trailed off, for a moment forgetting what he wanted to say upon peering into Jungkook’s dreamy eyes. “I’m curious about what you’ll say to me when you’re drunk.”

A slanted smile touched Jungkook’s lips as he brushed a delicate hand down the back of Taehyung’s head. “I’d probably be full of shit. Don’t pay attention to me when I’m drunk. Just tuck me into bed, and I’ll be out in seconds.”

Taehyung’s chest fluttered with a husky giggle. “When was the last time you got drunk?”

“Hmm, it’s been a while.” His eyes rolled in a circle of thought. “I haven’t been completely hammered in like a year.”

“And what happened that last time?”

“Nothing interesting. I started drinking at the bar. I hang out there often, so the bartender, Derin, knows me well. He didn’t let me drink more than ten shots. I wanted to drink more, so I took a taxi to go home. After the second soju, I don’t remember anything.”

“Hmm, you’re right, it wasn’t interesting,” Taehyung teased. “I was expecting some spicy story.”

A chuckle slipped out of Jungkook as his eyes glittered with a sly ruse. “I got a spicy story for you, if you want to hear it.”

“Hell yeah.” Taehyung twisted his body to face him, crossing his legs over the couch, and gave him his full attention. 

At his enthusiastic reaction, a flash of nervousness crossed Jungkook’s insides. “Do you have alcohol? Anything will do. Just need a boost.”

Taehyung, although perplexed at his sudden request, nodded. “I got soju, beers, and tequila.”

“Let me drink a couple of shots of tequila and I’ll be back.”

Taehyung nodded again, and Jungkook rose to his feet. “Tequila is in the last cupboard. But why do you suddenly want to drink? Is it an embarrassing story?”

“No, not at all.” Jungkook spotted the said tequila and fished it out, along with a shot glass. He filled the glass and gulped the liquid at once. “It just feels weird to share things,” he lied, then guzzled another shot. His eyes shut momentarily at the burning warmth expanding all over his insides. 

Taehyung monitored him from afar as he gulped another shot. “Don’t drink the whole thing. I’m in no condition to take care of a drunk Jungkook. Let’s repeat this in ten days when I’ll be all healed and able to carry you to bed.”

Jungkook chuckled, feeling a lot lighter after his fourth shot. “You won’t be able to carry me either way, Tae. I’m too muscular for you.” He stored the tequila and set the shot glass in the sink before walking back to him. 

Feigned offense seized Taehyung’s face. “I’m stronger than I look.”

Jungkook broke into a smile at the sight of his cute expression. He took his seat next to him again. “And I’m heavier than I look.”

“Yeah, because you got all these muscles.” His eyes wandered towards the said muscles, but Jungkook’s sweater obstructed him from seeing them. Thankfully. “Anyway, let’s not talk about that.”

“Okay. Story time then.” He took off his shoes and folded one leg over the couch as he sat sideways. “So I was sitting at the bar when someone bumped into me. I was lightly dizzy. I got angry and snapped at him. I was ready to fight him, but Hae Dong, the security guard, threw me out. When I walked away, someone bumped into me again. I was furious. I snapped at him too, but the moment I looked at him, I froze. He was gorgeous. Most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” 

A moderate twist budded between Taehyung’s brows as he watched him talk with such keenness about that random guy. He couldn’t admit it even to himself, but his stomach knotted with jealousy. “And... what happened?”

“I was so amazed I lost my words. I couldn’t talk to him. Until he tried to leave. Then I asked for his name. I remember I had never been this eager to know someone’s name before. But he refused to tell me what his name was. I was so out of it I almost asked him if he was gay.”

The twist between Taehyung’s brows deepened. The story sounded ridiculously familiar, but his brain couldn’t connect the dots. 

“Of course, he realized what I almost asked. It was embarrassing. He must have thought I was desperate.”

“You were just interested in him. He probably found your eagerness flattering. If not, he was an asshole.”

“I didn’t know if he was attracted to me, though. And I just went all in for him.”

“Come on,” Taehyung scoffed with an eye roll. “Who wouldn’t be attracted to you? Everyone would be dying for you to hit on them.”

Small circles of heat bloomed on Jungkook’s cheeks at the compliment. Or was it because the effect of the alcohol kicked in deeper and stronger? He didn’t care enough to ponder over it. Taehyung’s unawareness of the situation was too thrilling to focus on something else. 

“Thanks for that.” He sent him a wink that had Taehyung squeaking internally. “Anyway, he told me he was gay. And the flirt between us was so fucking hot. I was hard before I knew it. He almost walked out on me, and fuck, I really became desperate then.” He angled his head away as the vivid memories entered his mind like a thunderstorm. “I pressed his back against my body.” His voice seeped through heavier than before, with a breathy element around the edges. “I lost it when his ass pressed against my cock.” It was as if Taehyung’s presence had eluded his awareness, and he was simply narrating this to himself. “I told him I wanted to fuck him so bad. And it was the first time I meant it truly.”

His growing erection was too all-consuming to remember to check Taehyung’s reactions to his words. That was the whole point of this. But he seemed to have erased it from his mind by now. 

“The last thing he told me at that moment made my knees weak. I can’t forget it. It still comes to my mind. Tempting me. Driving me crazy.” A stuttering breath fell from his lips. “He said, ‘Drunk or not, I still want you to make me a mess with your cock.’ And you know the rest.”

His last remark echoed in Taehyung’s ears in a dizzying ring, his heart prancing. His round eyes, flooded with the shocking realization, stared in stupefaction. “You were t-talking about me this whole time?”

At the sound of his strained voice, Jungkook ventured to look at him. “It took you a while, didn’t it? But you found out eventually.”

Nothing else passed from Taehyung’s mind than climbing over him, seeking that smoldering heat that destroyed him and built him all over again. And he did. He straddled him, his shaky hands gripping his shoulders. 

Jungkook flinched at his unexpected action, digging his back into the couch. He squeezed his eyes shut and snapped his head away from him. “Fuck, don’t do this, Tae.” He grasped the drape of the couch fiercely enough for his fingers to hurt. “It’s already hard enough.”

“You want me,” Taehyung drawled, his mouth watering at the sight of his exposed neck, craving for a taste. “Just like I want you.”

His erected cock gave an unintentional twitch of excitation at his words. “It was supposed to be fun,” he mumbled, his eyes unfolding. “That’s why I said the story. You wouldn’t expect me to talk about you. I would tease you for not realizing it right away. We would laugh. And that would be it. That was my intention.”

“Jungkook, please.” His voice was shattered with lust, breathy and desperate. “Let me touch you how I want it. Hmm? Please. I’m going crazy right here. Crazy for you, Kookie.”

Jungkook gulped, his muscles straining with how on edge he was. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. “I told you not to beg anyone for that. Especially me. Now please get off.”

God, what he was supposed to do to tear down that fucking wall of Jungkook’s restraint? Begging didn’t work. Calling him Kookie didn’t work. Touching him without his permission wasn’t right, and he had already crossed the boundaries when he straddled him. Was he supposed to just accept defeat and pretend like nothing happened again?

“You can’t demand me to get off after what you did. You caused this. You made me this desperate with your story. It’s your fucking fault.”

It was a mistake to look at him. Taehyung’s eyes betrayed the said desperation and the poorly suppressed want for him. He craved to get high on it, let it overtake him, and obliterate him. He was such a mess. Such a weak mess for Taehyung. But the last faint traces of his rationality caught up with him. And put a stranglehold around his desires. 

“I know. And I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention. I was stupid for doing this. So please get off. Before I make you.”

Taehyung’s head fell with the fast-flowing defeat. He slid off him without a protest this time. The awkward silence expanded. Until an absentminded murmur emitted from Taehyung’s pouty lips. “You’re a jackass.”

“I know,” Jungkook whispered. “Sorry.” He crouched to wear his shoes. He arose without a word and slipped his coat on. He didn’t have the courage to say anything else to him. So he dragged his feet towards the door. His hand grabbed the handle. 

“Why does it always have to be so awkward between us?” Taehyung’s muted voice barely reached him. “I want to laugh it off. But why can’t I?”

Jungkook preserved his silence for a stretch. “I don’t know. Because I can’t do it either right now. Promise we’ll forget it tomorrow?”

Would Taehyung be able to forget it? No. Aside from the boner he caused him, Jungkook called him gorgeous. The most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He narrated their first encounter from his perspective, and it was the least addictive. He wanted — needed to hear more. “Promise.”

Jungkook managed a semblance of a smile. “Promise.”

And after their sweet lies, Jungkook disappeared without looking back.

───⭒───༺🌑༻───⭒───

I know you're frustrated and you want them to fvck, but you have to be patient for Jungkook's restraint to crumble. And I love torturing you, of course, so no smut yet😅