A week had flown by.

The days seemed to be moving quicker than Jeongguk was used to; days of bringing Kim Taehyung food or cooking him meals, and nights he'd spend moaning out his name, clawing his nails into the man's large silky back. They've surely gotten much closer, had shared more intimate moments unlike anything Jeongguk had ever felt before. Truthfully speaking, he wasn't very experienced in the sex department seeing as he and Seojun hadn't made love quite like this. And yet, he couldn't say those moments with Taehyung were love. Surely, it was much too early for that. They were not lovers, but rather friends who sought out intimacy in each other. And these were moments that would end with the two regaining their breaths over Taehyung's mattress, patiently waiting for a return in energy that would end in either Jeongguk saying a sweet goodbye or a round two of the males becoming one.

Taehyung's body seemed to recover quickly. Jeongguk had learned that about him. During his days with him he'd also learned that Taehyung was a big eater, and that his morning voice alone was enough to make him hard. So deep, so sultry. Jeongguk would tremble every single time, without fail.

Yet, as soon as Taehyung had recuperated his strength he'd insisted on looking after himself again. The last time Jeongguk had seen him, they had promised to meet in English class, as usual. The boy had been excited to finally see him in class and sit behind him again, so much that he woke up an hour earlier just to pick out a nice outfit and take his time getting ready. Because he knew, when Taehyung walked into that classroom after being gone for so long, everyone would welcome him back like the beloved school heartthrob he was. And Jeongguk just had to be ready for the moment Taehyung would look him directly in his eyes and greet him sweetly, (he liked to think he wouldn't kiss him in front of everyone, as the two weren't quite a couple) earning the attention of others.

Well, he'd rather not catch the attention of any of his classmates, really. But he figured it'd be inevitable hanging around a man like Kim Taehyung.

Though one could imagine his surprise when he walked into the classroom that day and Taehyung had been absent. Again. Jeongguk texted him something short and sweet, a simple 'are you alright?' that had never received a response. He had visited his apartment, stood right outside his door and had patiently rung the bell a total of five times at precisely one-minute intervals before finally giving up and calling it a day.

That was six days ago. Six days of not hearing from Kim Taehyung, after all those days they'd spent growing closer together. Felt each other's skin, tasted their tongues. Jeongguk had thought they had developed something... special. Intimate. And now? Nothing from him.

"Gguk?" A voice tore right through his inner thoughts. The boy lifted his head from the textbook he'd been paying no genuine attention to, coming to realize his surroundings once again. He was sat at the school's outside tables, a latte with melting ice cubes to his right and his two closest friends sitting across from him. "Question number four, you idiot! What'd you get?" Jimin's infamous pout was evident on his face, narrowed brows of frustration as well as perked eyes fixated on him.

"Ah.." Jeongguk whispered and flipped the page of his book before he looked towards Hoseok. There was a short pause before he cleared his throat and spoke up shyly. "Hyung..?"

Hoseok tore his gaze from his notebook curiously. "Hm?"

"T-... Um. T-Taehyung..." he bit his lip, "Have you heard from him recently?"

"Kim Taehyung? No, I... don't see him too often, usually, despite everything. I thought you saw him a couple times while he was recovering."

"Uhh... Yo, can I just get the answer to question number four or what?" Jimin cut in with grinded teeth.

But Jeongguk was unfazed. "Yeah, but um... I haven't really heard from him in like a week now. He's not at home and... he doesn't return any of my messages."

"Hm..." Hoseok scratched the side of his head. "That's odd. But he is well known for disappearing for no good reason at random times, so I've heard."

"You don't think he's in trouble?"

"I doubt it, Ggukie. You shouldn't worry too much."

"Guys," Jimin interrupted again. "Question. Four."

"I see... T-Thanks, hyung."

"No prob, kiddo," Hoseok flashed his very contagious grin, and Jeongguk couldn't help but return a small smile. "Now I gotta go. Someone's gotta pick up Yerin from the airport later tonight and we all know who that job is for. Her return's been delayed long enough anyway—it's about time I finally see her."

"Yerin, she's... coming back today?" Jeongguk's eyes widened as Hoseok began to pack up his books.

"You know it! I'll make sure you guys get a chance to greet her later on when she's well rested. See you both later!" The red haired lifted his bag to his shoulder and swiftly sauntered off towards the distance, leaving Jeongguk to turn and look at this very ticked off friend.

"Oh yeah, just- just ignore Jimin because he practically doesn't even exist at all!" the blond shouted, slamming his pencil down to the table.

"Jimin, I'm sorr—"

"No, shut up! I bet if Yerin was here she'd get the fucking answer to question four from you assholes, or- or better yet she'd just figure it all out by herself because she's just so perfect and is coming back from her trip overseas from America with her perfect fluent English, right into her perfect boyfriend's arms. What's next? You finally realize that she's so much better than me and become her best friend instead, huh?! Is that what you'd do?"

Jeongguk blinked repeatedly, lips parting in surprise as he was caught off guard by the blond's behavior. He then let out a small breath and stood from his seat just to shift over and plop himself down beside Jimin.

"What are you saying, Jiminie...?" he spoke gently, landing a hand over the blond's shoulder. "Of course she can't replace you. No one can replace you... You're my best friend." His fingers rubbed slowly, massaging the smaller boy. "I'm sorry. I was so caught up in wanting to see Taehyung that I've totally forgotten how you must be feeling now that Yerin would be back here in Korea," Jeongguk pulled him into a hug. "It's alright... You'll be alright, I promise."

Jimin moved to return the hug, burying his face into his friend's shoulder, a quiet sniffle leaving him. "N-No, I won't. I can't even tell him how... how I feel.."

Jeongguk hushed him, rubbing the smaller boy's back soothingly as he let Jimin let out all those feelings he usually stored deep inside his heart. It was upsetting— a rare sight seeing him this way, but Jeongguk knew there was nothing more he could do than to listen to him and console him the way the blond was always doing for him.

It seemed Jimin, too, had been going through the complications that came with loving someone. Even before Jeongguk had gotten to experience that for himself.

※ ※

Jeongguk woke up with a yawn, his fingers digging into the sheets beside him, a faint ray of sunlight resting against his pale cheek. He stretched his limbs out over the mattress, gaze lifting to look up at the ceiling.

It was now early morning on a weekend. He'd be lying to himself if he thought he'd get out of bed and have a productive start to his day, prepping a well thought out breakfast and getting started on those projects that had been patiently waiting for him with their approaching deadlines. But as expected, his brain wouldn't be able to focus on any of those things one bit. Not when Kim Taehyung had been the only thing in his head.

He found that his body soon began to move on its own without much second thought, going through the actions of his usual morning routine only to dress himself in appropriate clothing for the fall season, and emerge from his home out into the chilly streets of Seoul.

His feet were leading him down familiar paths, habitual turns, daily sights and sidewalks. Although it felt as though he weren't really thinking about his pathing, as though he were mindlessly roaming the city, deep down inside Jeongguk knew that his active conscious knew exactly where he was going.

And it all lead to him finding himself back in front of Taehyung's apartment complex, stepping into the elevator and making his way nervously down the familiar hall. Last time he'd been here he'd been ringing the doorbell for someone who wasn't home for days now. But he just couldn't help coming back, because, why on earth would Taehyung disappear on him like that? He couldn't bare the thought of turning a blind eye to it like everyone else seemed to be doing. Yet, upon reaching the doorstep and reaching to press his finger over the bell, Jeongguk noticed that the door shifted a bit from the wind.

Until he realized it was open. The door was open. Granted, only slightly. But open nonetheless. Was Taehyung back? Why didn't he shut the door?

With light taps of his knuckles of the surface, he knocked gently and invited himself in before moving quietly to shut the door behind him. "Taehyung..?" he whispered, hoping he wouldn't startle the man had he run into him in his own apartment without direct permission. He made careful steps down the hall, the sunlight seeping through the glass windows illuminating his sight clearly. First he checked the living room, then the kitchen. Both of which were empty. And from there he began his journey towards Taehyung's room.

As he proceeded closer, he began to hear soft breathing, starting and ending in curt gasps. There was a jolt in Jeongguk's stomach. He sure hoped the man was okay.

"Taehyung?" he spoke again, this time a bit louder, and he reached to push the bedroom door open, his gaze fixating on a sight that he wasn't sure how he could have possibly prepared himself to lay eyes upon.

Jeongguk's jaw nearly dropped. There, in the middle of the bedroom, was Taehyung sat upon the mattress over the edge, his thighs apart and feet on the rug, fully naked. On top of him, on his lap, sat a woman with short pale pink hair, also naked, arms draped over Taehyung's neck for support while she bounced herself against the man's erection, soft sensual breaths leaving them both occasionally.

Jeongguk couldn't quite see Taehyung clearly as the woman's body had blocked him from his view, but at one point Taehyung's head fell to the side while he grunted out a moan. And in that moment, their eyes met.

Jeongguk looked at him; watched how the strong arms that had towered over him before were now gripping the small hips of a random woman—a stranger. In that second Jeongguk thought Taehyung would look surprised to see him there, maybe even get angry or ask how he'd gotten inside the apartment. But instead, with their eyes maintaining firm contact, a devilish smirk spread upon Taehyung's lips over the woman's shoulder, almost as a greeting.

"Jeon," the man spoke with his profound voice that never failed to make Jeongguk's legs tremble. At the sound of his voice, the woman slowed down on top of him and turned her head to look at Jeongguk, who stood at the doorway to the bedroom, frozen. Taehyung let out a somewhat irritated noise and thrusted upwards, causing her to gasp shakily. "Keep going," he commanded, and the pink haired woman was quick to resume her bouncing movements.

"I-I'm.." Jeongguk gulped after a moment, figuring he'd take the time now to explain himself. "I'm sorry... The door was open and I wanted to check in on you, and..."

"Shh," Taehyung interrupted, a hand sliding over the woman's ass cheek. Jeongguk quickly looked down to the floor, an embarrassed blush surfacing on his face. "Come here."

The younger's eyes widened as he reached to fumble his thumbs together. Was he... not interrupting something? Clearly, Taehyung had been hooking up with others. That was only a given, considering his reputation at the school and everything Jeongguk had heard about him. He'd be an idiot if he thought he was the only one getting intimate with the handsome man.

A few seconds passed, and Jeongguk found himself silently moving across the floor towards the two as he heard irregular pants or quiet moans from the pink haired woman, which had only made his cheeks turn redder. He then stood beside Taehyung, who watched him with eagle eyes, a stare that made Jeongguk want to melt from existence.

"Get on your knees," he said rather nonchalantly, and Jeongguk looked back at him with his dilated pupils.

"W-Wha—"

"Now, Jeon. I won't tell you again."

The boy bit his lip and sunk down slowly until his knees hit the rug below him. Taehyung's eyes had that darkness in them again—that empty void that he just couldn't decipher. It made shivers run down his spine, made him more attentive and obedient towards the man. It was a wonder how Taehyung even held that much power over him.

"That's enough." He heard Taehyung whisper towards the woman, then watched as the pink haired lifted herself from Taehyung's erection and plopped herself down on the mattress. And just like that Taehyung's piercing gaze was back on Jeongguk while he reached out to grab his chin, coaxing him closer until the tip of his cock pressed firmly against the boy's bottom lip. Jeongguk gasped out a gentle breath, which the man was quick to take action to by shoving his length inside his mouth.

"Mmph!" Jeongguk gagged for a second, big eyes looking up at Taehyung who was staring down at him with dazed eyes. It seemed he was close, because the minute his cock reached the back of Jeongguk's throat, the boy could taste Taehyung's load being dumped into him, the familiar salty taste filling him all at once. He heard the man exhale a low grunt, his head snapping back briefly before Taehyung eventually removed his dick from his mouth, leaving Jeongguk to cough slightly and wipe the tears at the corner of his eyes.

"Good boy," Taehyung husked and leaned forward to wipe residues of his cum beside Jeongguk's lips. And Jeongguk didn't know what had gotten into him, but... In that moment he realized just how hard he was from the action alone.

It wasn't long until Taehyung stood and grabbed his boxers from the floor, slipping them on and lifting one hand to rub at the side of his neck. His gaze went from the pink haired woman and back towards Jeongguk, and after a brief pause he signaled towards the bed. "Sit down."

And Jeongguk did. He didn't quite know what exactly it was he was feeling. It was as though he were on edge, and yet, oddly submissive towards the man. Yet, the minute he plopped himself onto the bed he felt a hand press against his bulge, and Jeongguk looked up to see the pink haired woman eyeing his crotch with her lip between her teeth. He flinched, instinctively moving away, and the woman lifted her hand in slight confusion.

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung, whose eyes were narrowed at him.

"What's wrong? Let her touch you." His deep voice boomed across the bedroom, and Jeongguk could only fear what would happen if he didn't obey.

Except, he had no interest in women. The last and only time he'd ever seen a girl naked was back when he was eleven years old, at a school camping trip. One of the girls had gotten into the men's bathroom, confusing it for the women's, and walked into the wrong bathhouse where Jeongguk had been in, staring back at her with wide eyes. In that young age, Jeongguk was quick to understand that he had zero interest in girls. And that he'll never gain any.

Yet there he was, letting a woman pull down his underwear and hold his half-hard erection in her hands.

He looked at Taehyung again, who watched them fiercely with no intent of backing down. Jeongguk gulped, raking his eyes towards the naked woman beside him who rubbed her hand up and down his dick. He let himself stare at her breasts, then looked further down and back upwards. But as he'd thought, his body wasn't getting excited at all. In fact, he was sure that if they kept this up any longer his dick would only go soft again.

And so naturally his gaze was back on Taehyung; letting it linger at the man's bulged biceps, his irresistibly tan abdomen, the way his long and fluffy dark hair fell over his sharp eyes. Even just standing there, he looked so damn fine.

Jeongguk moaned. Images of a sweaty Taehyung hovering over him were clear in his head. How he'd moan so deep in his ear, making the hairs on his arms rise. How Taehyung's large cock would brazenly slam over his prostate in a dominant manner, the bites he'd leave over Jeongguk's pale shoulder.

He moaned louder now, eyes closed as he could almost feel Taehyung's manly hands rub over him, remembering how hot they were over his skin. It seemed that by his reaction, the woman gained more confidence and began to stroke him faster, perhaps wanting him to cum now. And that was when Jeongguk's eyes shot back open at the sudden sound of Taehyung's abrupt voice.

"Stop," he said firmly, walking towards the two and gently pushing the pink haired woman back against the mattress. Jeongguk looked between them with his confused doe eyes, watching how the woman spread her thighs apart. "You're going to fuck her."

Jeongguk felt himself freeze, the words having drained all color from his face. What did he say...? Taehyung wanted him to do what?

He was quick to speak up, the words leaving him in pathetic stutters. "B-But I'm- I'm not—"

Straight. I'm not straight, is what he wanted to say. But he couldn't get the sentence out. In fact, he was sure Taehyung (or anyone, for that matter) could easily tell that a guy like him was so obviously gay. Interested in men. But the fear of disappointing him was still stored somewhere in that back of his head, which made the boy fall silent. Silence that seemed to aggravate the older.

"Fuck her, Jeon. You're a man, aren't you? For fucks' sake," he grunted, grabbing at his wrist and lifting the boy up. "Go on."

Jeongguk quivered out a small noise as he was placed right in front of the woman, who seemed to be waiting patiently for him, clearly turned on by all of this. He could feel his hands shaking, heart beating loudly in his chest, his palms becoming sweaty.

There was no way he could do this.

He'd never had sex with a girl. Never even dominated a man in the bedroom. In fact, his only experiences with sex were indeed those sad excuses for 'intimacy' with his ex. So this... Surely, this was impossible.

"I-I can't.." he whispered in one choked out breath.

"Speak louder. I can't hear a goddamn thing from you."

"I-... can't do it," he repeated in a louder voice this time, and Jeongguk suddenly felt himself being shoved back, his feet skidding over the floor. He watched as Taehyung mumbled incoherent words of frustration while slipping his boxers down again, his hand moving to pump his own length while he settled himself between the pink haired.

"Then take a good look, Jeon. Because I'm about to teach you how to be a real man."

✱