"Do you have to go out tonight, Taehyung?"

Taehyung immediately rolls his eyes as he roommate follows him out of his bedroom, adjusting his hair as he grabs his keys and wallet.

"I already told you I'd stay in tomorrow, Namjoon." The brunette says, tilting his head with a pout. "Don't bring my mood down right now, please?"

"I'm not trying to bring your mood down, it's just, you've been going out a lot lately." Namjoon says, his worry for the younger evident in his eyes. "I just want you to be safe. Why don't you get Jimin to go with you?"

"Because you and Jimin are practically the same people, and face it, hyung, you guys hold me back." Taehyung says, he didn't have time for distractions tonight, he just wanted to have a good time.

"Look, Tae, I know finding a new job has been hard on you, and I know you just want to have fun." The older says, voicing his thoughts like he always does when he's concerned. "But I need you to really be conscious of what you're doing. I'm not just talking about going out."

"What are you saying, hyung?" The brunette asks, his brows drawing together as he tried to understand his words.

"I'm just saying~"

Taehyung's phone pings with a notification. "Oh, my ride's here. I'll see you later, Namjoon. Don't worry about me."

Taehyung leaves the apartment without looking back at Namjoon, leaving the older alone.

He knew Namjoon was right, he was stressed about finding a job and he was just looking for a way to relieve that stress, but it wasn't easy.

After losing his paid internship, due to budget cuts in the company, Taehyung had been living off of his savings and his parents for the past two months. It was absolutely excruciating watching the money in his account dwindle as he kept up with his portion of the rent, the bills, and the household necessities, while still trying to uphold his degree.

The only time he wasn't stressing over his grades and money was when he was out numbing his anxiety and, hopefully, getting laid.

It was easy to find a decent stranger to take home around this area, especially with so many fellow university students looking for the same experience.

It's a warm summer night, so the clubs are packed tonight.

Taehyung feels the adrenaline already coursing through his veins as he forces his way through the crowd, heading directly to the bar. There was a process Taehyung had to having a good night, and it worked like a charm every single time.

First he orders himself a drink, or two, while he scans the crowd. Hopefully catching someone's eye as he does so.

Then, when the alcohol in his system boosts his confidence enough, he approaches the stranger he's got his eye on.

And finally, if they are everything he's looking for, he devotes his night to getting in his pants.

It's quite simple, actually.

But tonight he doesn't have to look far, or look at all for that matter, as someone catches his eye before he's even had his first drink.

The stranger isn't standing out from the crowd, or drawing attention to himself at all, he's sitting alone at the bar staring down at his drink as if it's betrayed him in some way.

Taehyung is tempted to approach him immediately, but he knows he'll make a fool out of himself without any alcohol in his system, so he trusts the process as he usually does.

"Hey, Tae, you came again."

Taehyung smiles charmingly at Jinseok as he walks over to him. "How are you this time?"

"I can't really complain, actually." The older says, throwing a towel over his shoulder as he returns Taehyung's charming smile. "What can I get for you?"

"Hm..." Taehyung hums, glancing off as if he's thinking about it. "Surprise me."

"You'll regret that." Jinseok warns, smirking daringly.

"I hope so." The brunette responds, winking at the bartender as he goes to make his drink.

His eyes travel over to the dark haired stranger, he takes the time to fully take in his appearance.

He wears a worn, black, sleeveless t-shirt that shows off his tattooed arm, acid washed black jeans and a pair of heavy black combat boots. His hair falls forward into his face but he doesn't bother to move it, his strong hands adorned in rings.

"You got your eye on him?"

Taehyung flinches slightly at the sound of Jinseok's voice, snapping out of his thought. "Sorry?"

"I see you checking him out." The older chuckles as he sets Taehyung's drink in front of him. "I'll go ahead and warn you, he's already turned away three people."

"Well, did they look this good?" The brunette asks gesturing to himself.

"Hm...no, I can't say they did." Jinseok smirks.

"I didn't think so." Taehyung says, glancing over at the dark haired stranger.

"You think you can get him?" The older asks. "He seems like a tough nut to crack."

Taehyung laughs a little. "I know I can. I just have to trust the process."

"Well, good luck with that."

"Are you doubting me?"

Jinseok chuckles, rolling his eyes a little. "Yeah, I am."

"Just watch, he's taking me home tonight." Taehyung says, taking up the challenge of getting through to the perfect stranger.

"If he does, your drinks are on me next weekend." The older says, highly doubting that Taehyung will get through to him.

"You better save your tips then." The younger says, winking again as the older goes to tend to his other customers.

Taehyung bites his lip as he looks back towards the stranger, watching him finally bring his glass to his lips and swallow the dark beverage.

The man had done absolutely nothing, yet he intrigued Taehyung.

He had to have him.

——

•Earlier that evening...•

"This is the third assignment you've failed to complete, Jeongguk. How do you expect to even compete with your brother at this point?"

Jeongguk looks his father directly in the eye as he's being scolded, learning the hard way to never look away when he's like this.

    "Answer me." His father snaps impatiently, looking at him in disappointment.

    "I don't know, dad." Jeongguk answers, clenching his jaw to keep from avoiding eye contact.

    "You'll never be inducted at this point." Mr. Jeon says, turning in his chair and standing up. "What is it? Are your assignments too difficult?"

    "No." The younger answers, his words tense as he forces himself not to cower as his father approaches him.

    "Then can you please explain to me why I've had to save your ass for the third time this month?" His father asks, anger setting in his features. "And don't tell me you don't fucking know why."

Jeongguk stays silent, he honestly didn't know why it was so hard for him to finish his assignments.

He had only turned 21 last year, which is of age to be inducted into the family mafia, but he couldn't be inducted unless he got his hands a little dirty first.

His father has sent him on four missions in the past two months.

He could easily complete everything up to the final stage of the mission, but he couldn't bring himself to kill his targets.

His father's fist connects swiftly with his jaw, sending him stumbling into the man's desk, grabbing his face in pain.

    "You're going to end up getting yourself killed, do you understand that?" The man yells, fuming at this point. "How are you going to lead this organization if you can't even kill someone?"

    "I'll try again, I'll do it this time. I swear." Jeongguk says, blinking away the tears that sprung in his eyes after the unexpected hit. "Give me another chance~"

    "You don't get any more chances." His father says. "You need to find a way to prove yourself, or you're out."

    "Dad," The younger says, the ultimatum coming as a shock.

    "Get out of my face." The man says, turning away from his son and taking his seat behind his desk.

Jeongguk leaves the office, his jaw still throbbing from the impact.

He had no idea how he was going to prove himself to his father.

That's what lead him here, to the closest place that served alcohol in the city.

He sat at the bar, completely preoccupied with his thoughts as he nursed the same drink for almost an hour.

    "Did you come here alone?" A woman asks, smiling sensually at him.

    "Yes. I'm leaving alone too so don't waste your time." He says, rolling his eyes as he looks away from her.

The woman scoffs, obviously offended as she calls him an asshole and walks off.

    "Are you still good down here?" The bartender asks him, noticing that he hasn't touched his drink. "I can get you something else~"

    "No, I'm fine." Jeongguk answers. "Thanks."

    "No problem." The guy says before he turns away. "Hey, Tae, you came again."

Jeongguk follows the bartender's gaze and he sets eyes on, probably, the most beautiful person he's seen tonight.

He doesn't stare too long, instead he steals a glance or two as he talks to the bartender like they're old friends.

The stranger has soft brown hair and striking features, he seems almost impossibly gorgeous.

Jeongguk could blame the sudden desire he feels on the alcohol, but he's barely taken a sip since he's been here, so he knows that the attraction is entirely genuine.

"Just watch, he's taking me home tonight." He hears the brunette say.

"If he does, your drinks are on me next weekend." The bartender says, obviously doubting him.

"You better save your tips then."

Jeongguk chuckles, finally bringing his glass to his lips and downing the bitter alcohol.

He feels the beautiful stranger's eyes on him, but he refuses to look over as he orders another drink.

A good fifteen or twenty minutes go by, Jeongguk finally giving in and returning a few of the brunette's glances, smirking softly as he downs his third shot.

The brunette eventually gets up, making his way towards Jeongguk who turns in his seat to face him.

    "Hey," The brunette says, a smile playing on his lips as he takes a seat at the barstool next to Jeongguk.

    "Hey," He responds. "I hear we're drinking free next weekend if I take you home."

The brunette laughs, it's an endearing laugh that even has Jeongguk smiling softly. "I'm sorry, we weren't betting on you or anything."

    "It's fine, I don't mind." Jeongguk responds, keeping his eyes on the brunette as he brings his glass to his lips  sipping his drink. He had enough alcohol in his system already.

    "I'm Taehyung." The brunette says chuckling softly for no reason, other than he was kind of tipsy.

    "Jeongguk."

Taehyung smiles as he shakes Jeongguk's hand. "So, Jeongguk. Are you having a tough night?"

    "Why do you ask?" The ravenette asks, wondering what he did to give that impression.

    "You looked pissed at the world when I first got here." Taehyung answers flicking his hair away from his eyes. "Did someone piss you off?"

    "You could say that." Jeongguk says laughing shortly. "Why were you watching me?"

    "For the same reasons you were watching me." The brunette says taking Jeongguk's glass from his hands and finishing the bitter alcohol without flinching. "My friend told me you were turning people away. Why haven't you turned me away yet, Jeongguk?"

    "Because, I'm pretty sure only an idiot would do that." The ravenette says, his eyes shamelessly raking over the brunette's face and body.

Jeongguk smiles softly at the way Taehyung looks away when his face flushes, covering his mouth to hide the smile on his face.

    "I didn't take you as the shy type." Jeongguk says, calling him out on his reaction to his words.

    "Oh, I'm not shy." Taehyung says looking at him again. "I guess I just didn't take you as the shameless type."

    "Am I being shameless?" The ravenette asks, his eyes purposely lingering on the brunette's lips.

    "Very." He responds, purposely biting his lip sensually.

    "I guess it's just hard for me to hide how bad I want you." Jeongguk says, looking the brunette in the eye again, smirking softly when he sees his face flushing deeper. "I know why you came over here, so stop acting so modest."

    "If you know why I came over then why are we still sitting here talking?" Taehyung challenges. "When you could be somewhere having me."

Jeongguk chuckles, pulling his wallet out and dropping some bills on the counter, more than enough to pay for both their drinks. "Let's get out of here, then."

Taehyung smiles as they stand, shooting a look at Jinseok as Jeongguk puts his arm around him and leads the way to the exit.

Who knew that night would change everything...

~

Yes, I started this book last October.
Yes, I completely forgot about it.
Yes, I will be posting chapters regularly pretty soon.
Yes, you should add this book to your library/reading list.
Yes, it's going to be a long one so if you aren't into long reads you might want to skip this one.
Yes, I know nobody's asking these questions.
Yes, I am answering them anyway.

Thxxxxx 💜✨