Jeongguk had gotten carried away.

He thought that trying to forget Lee Seojun and pretending he never even existed would solve all his problems somehow. But the reality was that Seojun did, very much, still exist. And he still went to the same college as him. Even had the same lecture as him once a week. He had been foolish to think he'd never have to see his face again. In fact, not seeing him would prove to be more difficult than he had expected. There was no easy way out.

The blazing sun bathed him in its warmth, but Jeongguk felt it was smothering him. He was restless, out of breath, unsure of where he had ended up after all that running. He didn't even have a plan on where to go, and mindlessly roamed the streets in a desperate attempt to forget the encounter he'd had just minutes ago.

But when he looked up Jeongguk had taken note of how his surroundings were a bit more secluded. He was stood beside a utility pole, an alleyway of garbage bags to his left, a long narrow road to his right. In the distance he could see a row of small, grubby apartment buildings and the area seemed eerily quiet.

He squatted down and lifted his head, eyes settling wearily up at the blue sky.

"Will we always be together?"

"I wouldn't ever leave you, Gguk."

"...You promise?"

They had been so young then. So pristine. Unknowing. About love, about the world; everything. But even then, Jeongguk believed him. Believed they'd always have each other. Love each other.

Now? He wasn't sure what love was.

"You're not crying this time."

Jeongguk's eyes flickered over to see Taehyung, who stood a few feet away from him, dark eyes blatantly staring at him, lips pressed into a firm line. Jeongguk found he couldn't ever tell what this man was thinking, yet he always managed to appear before him.

"How... do you always find me?" he let out in a shaky voice, not bothering to hide his emotions anymore.

Taehyung slipped a hand into his pocket casually, stepping closer towards the boy before he sat on the pavement beside him.

"Instinct, I presume." He clicked his tongue, "I have a good sense of awareness."

Jeongguk blinked back at the man and turned to look at the sky again. There was a silence that overtook the air around them, once again in the isolated street that seemed a bit too quiet, and Jeongguk could hear the sound of distant honking and ambulance truck alarms. Sounds of the city. Truthfully, it was a stunning day out. The kind of day you'd go on a picnic with friends on, or enjoy a day at the amusement park with family. A day to bask in the joys of being alive. But Jeongguk didn't feel joy in any of those things right then. He was the kind of person who would rather be alone when he was upset, yet for some reason he didn't mind Kim Taehyung's company. A man he barely even knew, whose existence he'd been ignorant of until just days ago.

"What are you thinking about?" Taehyung's husky voice. Jeongguk looked to the floor, unable to answer him. "That son of a bitch?"

Still no answer.

Taehyung let out a hefty grunt as he then stood to his feet, hands digging to his pockets coolly while he began walking forwards. When a good enough distance grew between them the man stopped and looked at Jeongguk.

"You can sit there and mope around like some lovesick pup, or..." he spoke, his looming eyes making the younger's heart race all of a sudden. There was intensity in his voice, prompting whoever heard it to take his words seriously. Taehyung seemed to have that effect on people, and Jeongguk found he envied that about him.

"Or, you can follow me now. And I'll show you a world without that heart ache of yours, Jeon."

※ ※

The boy's footsteps felt heavy against the concrete pavement, the sunlight gradually warming up the evening sky. It was clear that it would soon set, wash the city in its orange glow and disappear into the horizon until it left nothing but darkness across the city of Seoul.

Jeongguk often wished he could disappear as such. Come back in the morning, maybe when he'd feel better. But this time he wasn't sure if he could ever feel the same, or like himself. Though when he thought about it, he wasn't quite sure who he even was. All his life he had followed directions, been obedient, kind towards others. He was blessed with good friends, great parents, a humble lifestyle. He never had to starve, or worry about financial matters.

He had a good life.

But he couldn't understand it. Would he rather live in comfort and not know himself nor have purpose, or would he rather experience hardships and really know himself for who he was?

Currently Jeongguk followed behind Taehyung, the streets around them quiet, their footsteps loud. Much like the night they had met, Jeongguk didn't know where the man was taking him, and he knew maybe he shouldn't trust so willingly. But he couldn't help that. With the discouragement in his heart right now, he wasn't even sure he'd mind if Taehyung lead him into danger. Maybe anything was better than sulking on the floor of the dirty streets, reminiscing over days and memories he'd never gain back again in his life.

Ever since he'd met Taehyung, there were things he didn't understand. Things he hadn't had exposure to. Unanswered thoughts in his head. The man drew him in like ions—he was the positive charge, Taehyung was the negative. In a magnetic field, these forces would attract each other; and wise people would constantly preach that opposites attract. Something within the very concept of being indifferent towards each other made two forces gravitate together. Jeongguk never really understood that. Until now, in that precise moment his eyes settled at Taehyung's back.

It seemed the more time he spent with this man, the more he felt things he hadn't even known were possible. It was a new world to him; one that was terrifying, yet thrilling. Like the climax of those suspense movies Jimin always loved. Taehyung kept him hooked with every passing moment.

"Here we are," Taehyung's voice pulled him from his thoughts, and Jeongguk looked up to see a parking lot establishment looming over them. "Let's head to the fourth floor."

Jeongguk's brow rose, watching as Taehyung continued towards the parkade structure. "You... own a car?"

He heard the man snicker softly as he scurried to catch up to him, this time settling his walking speed beside him. They passed a booth where Jeongguk swore was usually occupied with some guard to check a vehicle in, but this one had been empty. He figured maybe it was the staff's break time, since Taehyung wouldn't be walking in here had they been closed for the day.

But he followed without asking questions, all the way to the elevator and up to the fourth floor where Taehyung casually strolled towards an isolated vehicle parked at the far right. Jeongguk's large eyes widened in awe. It was a stylish looking Hyundai model, the exterior a slick navy blue with tinted windows.

"Holy cow!" Jeongguk whistled, dashing towards the car to get a good look at it up close. "This is a sweet ride, hyung! How on earth did you afford this?"

Taehyung smirked at the boy's excitement and dropped his backpack to the floor, leaned down and unzipped it. "Stop yapping and c'mere," he chuckled, digging into his bag to pull out two cans. Jeongguk slowly stepped closer towards him and tilted his head as he realized that the cans were spray paint.

"Are you-?"

"Well you're gonna help me paint it, right?" Taehyung looked up at him with amusement on his lips, and the younger stared back in shock.

"You're gonna paint over this expensive car?" he blinked. "Why do you-... Why even entrust me to do anything to it?"

Taehyung tossed the red paint can towards the boy and Jeongguk flinched before catching it. "You're in the art club now, no? Who else would I trust for it? Besides, painting is good for letting out frustrations, y'know. I'm just trying to help you." He stood back up and began to shake the can with the purple cap on it. "Now c'mon. Draw a skull or some hardcore shit. It'll make it look cool, don't you think?"

Jeongguk continued his surprised stare, watching as Taehyung pressed down on the nub and metallic purple paint began to scatter on the car door. A small smile tugged at the side of his lips.

It looked like fun, and Taehyung trusted him. So why not? The man was good at helping him forget. He had met him at the right time, it seemed. Maybe it had been yet another one of his life blessings.

"I'll draw some badass bunny so you'll remember me every time you go on a drive," Jeongguk laughed softly, making his way to the other side of the vehicle to paint over the opposite door.

"Mmm... give him cool fangs." He heard Taehyung hum across from him. "And an eyepatch. Ah, and a cigarette."

"Careful, I'm a great artist. With all those requests you may have to commission me for my job," Jeongguk teased, giving the red can a shake before squatting down to start his artwork on the bottom side of the car door.

"How much d'you charge an hour?"

"Hm," Jeongguk hummed, hopping to the left. "A large bowl of ramen per hour?"

There was a brief pause of silence, the only noise Jeongguk could hear were the pshhh! sprays coming from both their cans.

"Jeon Jeongguk, are you asking me out for dinner?"

His heart fluttered when he heard Taehyung's deep hearty laugh, and a blush was quick to tint Jeongguk's pale cheeks. He gnawed at his bottom lip, flustered at the older's sly comment.

"Well, just-... I thought maybe, uhm... Maybe we could spend more time together..." he kept his eyes on his work, reaching up to spray on the bunny's long ears. He then heard some more spraying noises in response, and just as he stood to try and look at Taehyung across the car windows, there was a small ding in the distance.

Jeongguk turned his head, watching as a man in a suit stepped out of the elevator he and Taehyung had also walked out from. The guy strode forward while staring at his phone and then looked up at the two boys with their spray paints, pausing all of a sudden.

"Hey!" the business man shouted, his voice echoing across the large parking lot level. "You fucking assholes kids, that's a new car!"

Jeongguk froze, his grip on the paint can tightening before he felt a tug behind him, where Taehyung had suddenly appeared.

"I said move it," Taehyung whisper-yelled. "Run. Now."

The older's hand enveloped Jeongguk's wrist, grasping it firmly while he dashed to the side. Jeongguk followed him hurriedly, trying to keep up with his pace while they made a run for it, the businessman behind them tailing after the two.

"I thought—... Hey, I thought that was y-your... your car?!" Jeongguk called out breathlessly while Taehyung led him towards the emergency staircase.

"I never said it was mine," Taehyung huffed out, "Now be quiet. He's still after us."

A long exhale left Jeongguk's lungs incredulously, sweat forming at his temple while they bolted down the flights of stairs hastily. He could hear faint steps above them, indicating that the guy was still chasing them. Then they reached the main level, and Jeongguk looked to Taehyung in bewilderment.

"W-What do we do, we're-... He's right behind us!" he whispered in a panic. Taehyung was quick to pull him behind a pillar just beside the staircase exit, then walked the narrow path behind a row of vehicles that remained parked in the dark corner.

"Quiet." Taehyung held the younger's waist, shifting to squeeze both their bodies into a compact concrete alcove, hoping it would hide them from the guy's vision. Jeongguk sucked in his breath and squirmed at the tight space between them, their chests pressing against each other inevitably. He could hear Taehyung's soft breathing; wondered if the male could also feel his rapid heartbeat.

He was so, so close. So damn close. Jeongguk's nose was a mere three centimeters from Taehyung's chin, his warm body heat exuding into Jeongguk's skin. And good god, did he look even better up close. He even had this serious, alerted look on his face, head pivoted to the side in aware for the guy's footsteps. Jeongguk thought it was fucking hot. He felt strangely safe as long as Taehyung was around. Like no matter what situation was presented to him, he'd be alright. The man seemed dependable like that.

Jeongguk was so immersed in Taehyung's scent now, his breaths, his sexy furrowed brows, that he had totally missed how the businessman's footsteps came closer and then subsided, leaving to search for the two boys outside the parking garage, perhaps.

"That was so fucking close..." Taehyung's deep voice vibrated over the younger's entire body, and Jeongguk shivered a little in response, a low whine leaving his lips. And when he looked up he saw Taehyung staring directly at him with dark eyes.

Jeongguk stared back, a bit alarmed at the look on his face. "W-What...?"

He felt Taehyung's large hands release his hips, and that's when Jeongguk had taken notice of it. The reason Taehyung was looking at him like that. And, holy shit, he wanted to cry out in embarrassment.

Because right there, in their tight squeeze, their waists pressed firmly against each other's, bodies rubbing with every movement, was Jeongguk's erection digging into Taehyung's crotch.

✱ ✱ ✱

this book reached 1k reads already... u guys have no idea how grateful I am ;-;

tysm for everyone voting & commenting ( or just silently reading :3 )

ur the best 💜