There is more snow, the further North they travel. Sitting at the front of the bus, staring at the scenery in front of him, Taehyung would rather be anywhere else in the world than sitting in a coach full of cheerful employees, heading for a long weekend of mental and physical torture.

He loves his job – after all, he loved it enough to marry because of it – but right now, his head aches from too much noise and he'd much rather be alone, reading a book with a nice cup of herbal tea. His finger runs under the turtle neck that suddenly feels too tight and too high, wishing he were at home instead.

As a general rule, he has noticed over the years that being overly friendly with people leads to bad business, it makes it more difficult to maintain formal work relations. Yet, no matter how much he cultivates a reputation of ruthlessness, he always fails, it seems. There are always employees that are happy to see him, and talk to him, no matter how much he tries to stay distant.

Apparently, not even a moving bus puts people off enough to stop them from pestering him continuously, no matter how much he tries to ignore them. It's exhausting.

After several hours of torture, the bus finally arrives at Muju Deogyusan Ski Resort. Taehyung is rubbing at the persistent kink of tension at the base of his neck when the bus stops with a squeak and the doors hiss open.

A man, a glorious, delightful man steps inside with a breath of fresh air. The dark, large eyes under the messy bangs are bright and sparkly, his hair is long enough that it spills over the collar of his white, puffy jacket. Despite the thick, all-white clothing, it's obvious he carries himself with grace and strength. Ohlord.

The warm smile kicks all air out of Taehyung's lungs, he has to remind himself that he is a married man – at least on paper – with a reputation to uphold and a life to protect. But woah...

He fixes a polite smile on his face and prepares to listen, trying to ignore the tattooed hand resting on the metal railing right in front of him. Easier said than done when the dark eyes sparkle and linger long enough that Taehyung has to look away for fear of being lost in them.

"Hi everyone! I'm Jungkook, or you can call me JK, whichever you prefer," he smiles. "I'm one of your co-ordinators for your long weekend, so be ready to get to know me realllly well!" It's impossible to look away when, right on the last words, the dark eyes turn to Taehyung and it feels like he's speaking directly to him, only to him.

A forbidden warmth tingles somewhere in the quiet depths inside and, suddenly, it's difficult to breathe.

Taehyung zones out, lost in the soft, melodic voice when Jungkook outlines the plan for their stay, something about shared accommodation, going straight to the slopes... but his daydreams are rudely interrupted.

"Am I boring you already... Mr Kim, I presume?" Quiet titters fill the bus, no one dares to laugh out loud.

"Not at all... please, call me Taehyung." He can't stop the red he can feel rising up his collar. He instantly regrets offering his hand, the strength in the grip gives him too much to think about when the touch lingers, sending waves of cool travelling up and down his limbs ... the interest is oh-so-obviously mutual.

This is bad, so very, very bad.

The picture of perfection turns back to the rest of his audience but Taehyung's hand still burns from the smooth touch.

"We're doing things slightly differently at the moment because we have some avalanche warnings in place – don't worry, it's in a completely different part of the resort which is currently closed. The bus is going to take your things to the hut a little later – which has been stocked up and is all ready for your group culinary delights... by the way, I'm sure you're all looking forward to cooking together," he grins and Taehyung is sure he can hear some cooing from the back of the bus. "In the meantime, we're going to get you guys kitted up for the slopes."

Groans of dissatisfaction mixed with joyous hoots fill the claustrophobic space when everyone starts shuffling around, getting ready to leave the bus. Taehyung just stares, he can't pull his gaze away, he feels almost drunk, intoxicated by this young man clearly on this Earth solely for the purpose of tempting him.

Finally, he pulls himself together and for some reason decides to do the very thing he really shouldn't. He talks to the man.

"I'm sorry... Jungkook..." Even the name tastes sweet on his tongue. "... I fear you may have your work cut out for you with this lot..." He tries to smile, unsure if it comes out as such because he is suddenly overtaken by a nervous bubbling inside.... the kind he hasn't felt in... years.

"Oh, don't worry Sir, it'll be my absolute pleasure." The tone of his voice is like chocolate and his smile is so warm it crinkles the corners of his eyes. Taehyung has never had a "Sir" kink but he is beginning to see the attraction.

He gives himself a mental kick, it's been too long since he has last been touched, yes, but even that doesn't justify being a complete creep by chatting up ski instructors who look young enough to be barely out of school.

The self-chiding works only for as long as it takes Taehyung to get out of his seat and for Jungkook to offer a hand for him to get down from the bus like he were some Victorian maiden. No matter how much he tries to ignore the instant attraction and the attention given to him, his body is not listening.

Ears burning, he walks toward the ski rental hut, all the while telling himself to forget it.

It's too easy, really, Jungkook thinks.

In between checking the fit and tightening of the skiing gear, it's all too easy to touch.

But the most frightening thing of all is how much Jungkook wants to actually touch. As if it's not even about "the job" anymore, he is just completely drawn in by Taehyung himself and those dark eyes that are clearly fighting the attraction that is scorching hot between them, a blind man could see it.

"Have you skied before, Mr Kim?" He keeps speaking formally because every time he does that, the man blushes and, boy, is it a gorgeous sight.

"Please, call me Taehyung, you are making me sound so old – we are all equals today, right?" The soft, deep words skittle along Jungkook's skin, he almost forgets what they are talking about when the smile – brighter than the sun, surely – lifts on the man's face.

"I always get told I look young, I'm nineteen, Mist-, Taehyung, sorry..." He smiles, unable to stop falling into the soft, dark eyes – they are nothing like the sharp, hard eyes in the photo, he suddenly realises.

"Well, I imagine with skiing, I'll feel every year of the decade between us, I'm afraid I'm not very good at it." Taehyung returns the positively infectious smile and before he can help it, he flirts. "I'm afraid you'll have to hold my hand..." The way the dark eyes darken even more makes heat flush through him, instantly. He waits for an answer but it's a long, slow moment in coming.

"It'll be my pleasure," Jungkook says.

They have both already forgotten about the topic, only the thought of pleasure lingers in their minds.

It really was the best decision to catch some time on the slopes straight away and blow away the cobwebs, Taehyung thinks. He feels bad about the little white lie, he's actually rather good at skiing nowadays, after spending time practicing on previous trips. He has no idea what brought on the lie, he couldn't have said it just for the sake of flirting, surely?

But because of the lie, everyone else scattered to the bigger slopes and he is now stuck "practicing" with Jungkook.

Just the two of them.

Alone.

The longer he feels Jungkook skiing close to him, the more Taehyung realises that perhaps an easy course was a good choice to begin with, after all, because his knees are jelly and he can't concentrate for the life of him and he's ashamed to admit, it's all because of his own, personal ski instructor, who is simply too hot for his own good.

He is distracted to the point where he ends up falling quite badly – which is an impressive achievement, considering the slow speeds at the kiddie slope.

"Taehyung! Are you alright?" Jungkook glides over with practiced grace that puts Taehyung to shame.

All he can see is clear blue sky, his face is refreshed with icy snow already melting on his skin. He's unable to hold the laughter bubbling inside, despite the embarrassment, the whole thing is just so ridiculous! It billows and billows until they are both giggling on the hard snow with their skis tangling together.

But when Taehyung finally tries to get back on his feet, there is a pained squeal.

"I-I thought I was alright but I think there is something wrong with my ankle," he says, suddenly serious.

"Can you get down on your own?" Jungkook asks. They are almost at the bottom. "No, actually, I'll call the patrol, they can bring the sled." He pulls his gloves off and starts fumbling around in his pockets.

Taehyung grabs his hand, eyes wide.

"No! Please. I'm fine. It just needs some ice, it's no big deal. How about you take me back to the hut and you have a look at it, you have first aid training, right?"

It would be the perfect opportunity to advance Jungkook's agenda, but his training screams at him.

"No, you really can't be too careful, you could have a hairline fracture, moving now could make it so much worse. I need to take you to the medical centre for an X-ray, with a sled!"

"No, please, god, can you imagine the embarrassment!? They'll never let it go, I'll lose face with my underlings, they'll never respect me again!" Taehyung scoffs. "CEO falls over in the kiddie slope on his first run... I can already hear the headlines..."

He tugs at Jungkook's sleeve softly, tugging at his heart strings with those damned chocolate eyes that widen under the woolly hat and the lip juts out until years fall of his face and he looks like a little child...

Jungkook gives in too easily and they both know it.

"Alright. I'll protect your honour, Mr Kim." The soft eyes sharpen. "Taehyung."

Gloveless, their hands meet again... and again, Jungkook catches himself holding onto the graceful hand for way too long.

"My truck is parked at the bottom car park, we can take the skis with us – although the shoes will stay at the rental place, do you mind? They'll be safe there."

"Not at all, my Knight in Shining Armour, save me," Taehyung jokes, putting on a fake high voice.

They take their time coming down the slope, sliding down the rest of the way in a direct line, sideways, Taehyung holding onto his ski instructor's shoulder. When they reach the bottom, Jungkook joins the wrist straps of his sticks and offers one end to Taehyung.

"Here." When the CEO just stares at Jungkook and his sticks in confusion, he adds, "So I can pull you. You can save your ankle, it's really not that far but you should avoid moving it until we know what's happening."

Guilt niggles at Jungkook, every second only emphasises the realisation that he should not have agreed to the scam. He even agonises over how things could have been if they were just two guys who met at the slopes. It all seems too easy with Taehyung...

The truck really isn't far, but on flat land, it's almost impossible to move forward in the stiff, heavy ski gear with the bulky, angled boots. Quickly, Jungkook gives up on trying to ski and just walks, pulling Taehyung along with their makeshift stick link, carrying his own skis on his shoulder.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this, I'm going to be in so much trouble if they find out and I haven't written it in the accident report..." Jungkook mumbles under his breath.

"Hey. I'll take full responsibility, I'll look after you, don't worry." Taehyung pulls himself along the sticks until he can reach to hold a shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't think this could be trouble for you..." he adds quietly.

Jungkook just grins and waves it away as if it were nothing.

"They know me, I'm not the best with rules..."

Taehyung gasps dramatically and carries on in his fake high voice, pretending panic.

"Don't tell me I've been kidnapped by some scoundrel!"

They are both surprised when Jungkook plays along with his silly joke. In a quick move, he releases both of Taehyung's skis with a single well-placed step and lifts him onto his shoulder like he weighs nothing.

Oh.

Taehyung's ears hum, he barely hears the playful words that make his whole body burn. "Sorry, you're mine now..."

His hearing takes a moment to return when Jungkook puts him down gently, next to a shiny, black pick-up truck. All Taehyung can see are the smiling eyes squinting at him.

"Are you alright, I'm sorry, that was really silly of me. Do you feel dizzy?" Suddenly, Jungkook is too close, his hands are holding Taehyung's burning cheeks, dark eyes flicking from one eye to another.

The problem is, Taehyung's self-assured CEO persona seems nowhere to be found, in its place he finds nothing but trembling softness and that, scares him more than anything. Vulnerability.

"I-I'm alright, I think I just need to... sit down," he says, desperately aware of his wildly beating heart.

Taehyung barely registers Jungkook putting their skis into the back of the truck, nor the constant, friendly chatter on the background along the way. Occasional words like "resort" or "avalanche" register in the distance, but the low hum of his blood rushing in his ears muffles everything when he realises what a bad idea this is...

His notion is only strengthened when Jungkook carries him into the hut despite his protests, despite him trying his best to walk.

"If you've sprained it, using it will just make it worse. C'mon, it's no big deal," he simply says, swooping Taehyung into his arms with no effort whatsoever and through the door like they were newlyweds arriving at their honeymoon destination.

They enter through the small back door into a completely wood-clad, cosy room lit only by the fading daylight falling through the small windows. Taehyung is plopped down on a sizeable white couch.

The room is sparsely decorated, reminiscent of his childhood holidays, there is only a simple, wooden storage ottoman that serves as a table in front of the couch and the armchair next to it, a small cabinet in the far corner and the simple, brick fireplace in front of them. The only softness in the room, aside from the seating, is the large, grey rug that covers the empty space. There is nothing to take his attention away from the man that he should be avoiding at all cost.

"There's another, bigger lounge at the front, but since this one is nearest to the kitchen, let's use this. Now let's see..." Jungkook mutters, reaching down to unclip his own boots. He pulls them off and takes them back to the little alcove by the door with shelving for shoes, kicking the bits of snow already melting on the wooden floor back toward the exit on his way.

He reaches for the light switch, only to find nothing happens when he switches it on.

"That's strange. Oh, here. Let me help you." He rushes to Taehyung who is doubled over, trying to loosen the tight clips of his footwear.

Taehyung can't help the breathy gasp when Jungkook pulls the heavy boots off and his feet are finally released from their tight embrace.

"I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" Jungkook is suddenly too close, right at Taehyung's feet, dark eyes wide and sparkling, despite the gloom in the small room – that suddenly feels even smaller, suffocatingly so.

A warm hand is holding Taehyung's foot, there is only the thin fabric of the sock between their skins and ashamed of his thoughts, Taehyung wishes – despite everything – that he were sockless. That's how desperate he is to be touched – it's ridiculous.

He clears his throat and tries to focus.

"It's fine. I think it just needs some ice." He looks away, hoping the rising heat on his cheeks doesn't show. It's difficult to ignore the warmth that threatens to settle inside him while Jungkook fusses about him.

Soon enough, Taehyung finds his foot propped up on a small pouf, adjusted carefully so as to not put pressure on his ankle, after which Jungkook takes the stray boots to sit by the other pair. This kind of attention is not something Taehyung is very familiar with... because no one takes care of him, ever.

"Okay. Let me just check the electricity situation while I find you some ice," Jungkook says, smiling, and Taehyung melts all the more.

When the ski instructor disappears into the kitchen through the narrow corridor at the far end of the lounge, Taehyung stares at the wall above the fireplace, his eyes tracing the repeating dark stains of branch knots on the tree grain. He chides at himself for thinking that this was a good idea. It's like the worst kind of self-sabotage putting himself, in his current state, in an isolated situation like this with the hottest guy alive when he can't do anything about it!? What was he thinking?

Jungkook returns with ice wrapped in a small kitchen towel.

"Let me have a look at you," he says and gets down on one knee in front of Taehyung. Immediately, depraved filth fills his head... He can't even remember the last time he would have been this close to anyone, at work the large desk always provides a comfortable wall that puts distance between him and others. There are no walls here.

He hates that he can feel the blush on his cheeks when Jungkook stares at him for a long moment and leans closer.

"Are you alright? You seem a little quiet... and flushed." The backs of his fingers slide down Taehyung's cheek and for a moment he stops breathing because he feels it everywhere.

"Just a little worried, that's all," he makes up on the spot, unzipping his jacket in one sharp move in an effort to distract himself from the fact that Jungkook has grabbed his foot again and his hands are so warm, his touch, so gentle. Fuck. Just for his own sanity, he feels the need to add, "Don't worry, I'm not made of glass."

He then goes on to squeak when fingers travel up and into his ski pants at the back of his heel, feeling along the tendons and the muscles of his leg.

"M'sorry, is it sore?" Taehyung shakes his head, grateful that Jungkook decides to keep chatting away. "The fridges are stocked up but the electricity seems down, I checked the fuse box but everything looks okay there... the petrol for the backup generator hasn't been delivered yet..." He looks around and stands up. "I best make up the fire, once the sun goes down, it gets chilly quickly. You can lie back and put your foot up, it'll help with the swelling, while I go grab some firewood."

Well, isn't this awkward, Taehyung thinks. Not only is he not used to being looked after, but he is usually the one in charge of things.

"I'll help you." He stands up, only to find himself almost nose to nose with Jungkook. Oh. A hand on his chest pushes until he falls back into the couch.

"Don't be silly, you're injured. Just lie back and I'll sort you... it ...out."

If only being looked after was the worst of Taehyung's problems...

Jungkook returns with a big pile of firewood in his arms and Taehyung's mouth goes a little dry. He has to stop ogling at the guy, he doesn't have a strength kink, he doesn't.

"What time are the others back?" he asks, attempting to appear his most professional self, doing his best to swallow the want somewhere deep down.

"Oh, thanks, I need to go and radio in, they might be wondering where we've gone off to..." He winks again and Taehyung's heart skips a beat while the culprit organises the wood into a pile and heads out to the car, without a care in the world.

But when he returns, his face is as white as a sheet. He sits down at the edge of the couch, next to Taehyung, who can't help but to immediately ask,

"What's wrong?"

"There's been an avalanche. No people were injured that we know of, but it's the reason why the electricity is not working, nor the phones." He digs out his mobile phone out of his pocket and shows the lack of network bars. "No network. The local tower went down. We were so lucky that side of the mountain was closed..." Fingers push through the long hair and Taehyung has a strange need to comfort the man. "We only missed it by minutes, the road is completely covered."

Taehyung's heart starts beating faster.

"Our road? The road we took here?"

"Yeah, it just missed us."

"That was lucky..." They sit in silence, contemplating life, until Jungkook quips, smile creeping back on his face,

"Well, it depends on your point of view, I guess. You're stuck here with me for at least the weekend. There's no way out." He winks again, playfully, and suddenly, there is not enough oxygen in the air.

Oh damn.

"You alright, Taehyung? You've gone very pale all of a sudden."

The smooth, tattooed hand on his cheek is not helping Taehyung's thoughts, at all.

With Jungkook. Alone. For the weekend. Fuck.

Jungkook gets up and rushes to the tall unit in the corner of the room. He pulls out a simple, lidded carafe of alcohol, its warm colour glitters in the crystal tumbler when he passes it to Taehyung. He pours himself one too.

"Drink it. You look like you're about to go into shock." He turns to the large wooden ottoman serving as a table and pulls out a blanket. Carefully, he tucks it around Taehyung until he is like a burrito.

It's impossible to ignore the fact that Jungkook keeps treating him like he's some precious damsel and being all too adorable.

"You know where everything is..." A bland observation but it's better than kiss me already.

Jungkook smiles, even that's adorable.

"All the huts are the same, with the same equipment. The co-ordinators stay at the huts with the groups, it saves a lot of time..." He has a sip of his drink.

"What a temptation that must be..." Taehyung mumbles under his breath before he realises his mistake and tries to hide his words in his tumbler.

Jungkook blushes a little, but luckily, chooses to ignore the words.

"I'm going to make up the fire, okay?" All Taehyung can do is nod, because saying something, anything at all, might just lead to all the wrong words coming out...

It's obvious Jungkook is no stranger to lighting fires, because in only a few minutes, there are flames licking at the logs in the fireplace. He walks over to the same unit that stored the alcohol and comes back with candles.

"It'll be so romantic," he grins. Everything flutters inside Taehyung, even when it's clearly just a joke, he flushes again. The man is such a tease and Taehyung, seemingly, has reverted back to being a 15-year-old.

With great care, Jungkook lights the candles and dots them around the room, on the mantelpiece, on the wooden ottoman, in every corner, and just like that, the room is lit in a delightful glow of warmth, just like every romantic ski holiday brochure picture ever taken. Taehyung gulps.

"Ah, finally, it's getting warmer." Jungkook rubs his hands together in front of the fire and without any warning, or care for Taehyung's sanity, removes his jacket.

The puffy coat disappears to rest on the hooks on the inside of the wooden door and suddenly there are naked, tattooed muscles everywhere.

The man is only wearing a tight, white vest under his thick coat (who goes skiing like that, who?!) and Taehyung can see everything, every single contour and outline – the slender waist that disappears into the tight, high waist of the ski pants, the glorious chest, precisely the way he likes it – decent handfuls... He chokes on his drink.

"You alright?" Jungkook rushes to him, too close, hand tapping at his back gently, then sliding up and down...

"Yeah, just surprised... so strong..." He lifts the glass, implying that he's talking about the drink, but his eyes are stuck on Jungkook. Holy crap the guy is perfect. Tattoos peek from under the generous neckline and Taehyung has thoughts about ripping the flimsy thing off him. With his teeth.

"You must be hot, especially with the blanket. Let me help you." The blanket disappears and helpless to do otherwise, Taehyung allows the coat to be removed – at least he is wearing a safe turtle neck that covers every inch of skin between his jaw and his wrists and down to his ski pants.

But when Jungkook returns after hanging up the coat, his eyes keep returning to his thick pants.

"You should take your pants off too, don't want you getting too hot with the fire." The large eyes glint when he grins. "Are you decent underneath, Mister Kim?" Ohlord. "Should I help you?"

"O-ohno, no, it's fine, I can do it." Taehyung cringes at the stutter. If he weren't already roasting away, he'd leave everything on because he's only wearing a tiny pair of black shorts underneath – way too revealing.

"Well, let me know if you need a hand." It's impossible to say if Taehyung just imagined the deeper tone in Jungkook's soft voice, either way, the words travel down his spine, until he can't breathe.

If only that were the worst of it...