Taehyung went on a date with Seongwoo the next day. He had been calling it off for a while now, and he couldn't help but feel guilty about it. So he decided to say yes, and honestly, he wanted to see how it would be to go on a date with a guy. Or more precisely, a guy other than Jeongguk.

They went for a beer and Taehyung did have a great time. Seongwoo was a mature intellectual man, who shared the same passion with him about art. He was a catch in every aspect.

When he dropped him at his house, Seongwoo leaned in and kissed him out of the blue. It was a short kiss with their tongues barely brushing against each other, but it was good. And maybe that was the problem for Taehyung. That it was just good. It wasn't amazing like when he kissed Jeongguk. It didn't have the tingling sensation it had when he kissed Jeongguk. It didn't make him ask for more. It didn't make him hard.

But Taehyung thought that maybe it was still early. The events with Jeongguk happened only four days ago and they were fresh in his memory. If he gave it time, maybe it would feel different later. Right?

So he did give it another chance. He went on another date with him three days later, and they ended up kissing again, but it felt the same as the first time for Taehyung. Disappointed for not feeling something stronger, he wanted to break it off with him. But he didn't venture to do it when he saw how excited the other was after the kiss.

He also thought that doing it over a message would be heartless. So when he went to his house, he texted him to ask when they could meet again. Seongwoo told him that he was available only tomorrow at two o'clock. Although Taehyung would be at school at that time, he really needed to talk to him, so he agreed to meet him then.

And finally, the next day came, and Taehyung was brimmed with nervousness. He didn't know how Seongwoo would react, and he could only hope he wouldn't hurt him or his feelings.

"Hey, Taehyung!" Seongwoo said in a fit of excitement as he pulled him into a hug.

"Hello." Taehyung wrapped his arms around him as well, patting his back.

"You don't have a class now, right?"

"No, I have one more in about two hours."

Seongwoo espied his stiff posture and awkwardness in his tone. "Why are you so tense?" He frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Taehyung peeked at him, chewing on his lower lip. "Look, Seongwoo, you're truly an amazing guy, but I don't think you're right for me."

Seongwoo, despite the gloomy feeling that settled on his chest at his words, smiled. "Well, I kind of figured that you're not so excited about this thing between us. But I wanted to try it because you're really kind and good looking."

"You are too, and I'm really sorry I have to do this. It's just... It doesn't feel right."

"It's fine, Taehyung. I mean, it's a shame, but it's fine. At least you told me the truth fast enough." Seongwoo presented another smile, more genuine that reflected his appreciation hidden in his last remark. "Can I have a goodbye hug?"

"Of course," he uttered, matching his smile, and enclosed him in his embrace.

"It was nice meeting such a fine man like you."

"I can say the same thing about you."

"Take care, Taehyung."

Okay, it wasn't so bad. Thank God he was civil and didn't start cursing at me. He chuckled at his thoughts as he watched him stroll off and headed back inside once he disappeared from his vision.

If only he knew he had his conversation with Seongwoo in a place that was clearly visible from Jeongguk's classroom. If only he knew Jeongguk had witnessed the whole thing since he was already staring out the window when the two came into view. If only he knew how hurt Jeongguk was to see him talk so closely and hug a man that wasn't him.

But Taehyung didn't know any of these things. And Jeongguk would never tell him.

The last three days, Jeongguk ignored Taehyung, and Taehyung had left him alone. He didn't make an effort to talk to him, and Jeongguk didn't know if he should be happy about it or not. But seeing him with another guy meant that he truly didn't care anymore. If he even cared in the first place.

Jeongguk had an idea, and he wasn't proud of it. He could ask Dongmin if he wanted to go out sometime with him, but he would only do that out of impulse. He didn't want to be anything more than friends with Dongmin. So he just stayed mute, disregarding his thoughts, and sank in his seat.

"Why are you sulking?" Jimin whispered as he leaned closer.

Jeongguk sighed before fishing his phone out of his pocket to text him.

Kook: Just saw Taehyung talk to some guy and hug him

Jimin snapped his head in his direction again, gaping at him with surprise glittering in his wide eyes.

Jiminie: Probably it was Seongwoo. They went on a date on Saturday, Hoseok blabbed

Kook: What? Why didn't you tell me?

Jiminie: I didn't want to make you sad. I'm sorry

Jimin cast him a saddened glance as he didn't receive a response.

Jiminie: Either way, you should talk to him. Do you think you're ready?

Kook: It doesn't matter. It clearly didn't mean anything for him. My assumptions were right

Jiminie: This is still an assumption though since he didn't say it himself

Kook: He went on a date with another guy. I think the message is pretty clear

Jiminie: I'll ask Hoseok to see what's going on

Kook: No, don't. It doesn't matter

Despite Jeongguk telling him not to ask Hoseok anything, Jimin went to find him at the break.

"Hey, hyung!" he exclaimed as he ran into him in a hallway.

"What's up?"

"Is Taehyung dating Seongwoo? You said they went on a date, but you didn't say anything else about that yesterday or today."

"Why do you care?"

"I'm just curious, you know me," Jimin said, giggling, and thankfully Hoseok seemed to believe him.

"Right. Well, they went on another date yesterday. That's all I know."

"Apparently they went on another one because I saw a guy hug him. I'll assume that it was Seongwoo."

"What? Where did you see them?"

"They were at the yard and I saw them through the window."

"I don't know anything about that. But Taehyung's a little weird lately."

"What do you mean?"

"He told me to go for a drink on Sunday. Taehyung never drinks if the next day he has classes. And when I went to his house two days ago, he had beer bottles all over the place. And overall he looked sad. As many times as I asked If he was okay, he said yes, but I wasn't convinced."

Jimin pondered over his words, a soft hum flowing through his lips. "Remember when you told me that Taehyung and Jeongguk started talking again? And you were afraid that if they continued, it would be too late at some point?"

Hoseok's brows knitted in a frown. "Yeah."

"I think it's too late."

"What do you mean? Do you know something?"

"Look, I don't know anything, but I think they grew fond of each other and now it hurts both that they can't do anything about it and have to ignore each other. But it's only my assumption, don't take it too seriously."

"How do you know they've been ignoring each other?"

"It's no secret, hyung. Jeongguk basically runs away when he sees him and Taehyung hasn't been talking to him. I think it's quite obvious."

"Now that you're pointing it out..." Hoseok trailed off, finding Jimin's words to be true the more he thought about it.

"They have to talk it out. Or we'll end up with a sulky weeping Jeongguk and an alcoholic Taehyung," Jimin joked, but deep down, he was horrified his concern might come true.

"How can we do that?"

"I have an idea. You just have to tell Taehyung to come to your place on Friday. Don't say anything else and don't mention that we'll be there too."

"So you want me to lie to him." Hoseok folded his arms over his chest, disapproval creeping over his features.

"It's not lying, it's just not saying the whole thing." Jimin's shoulder lifted in an impish shrug, causing the other to snort.

 
Maybe Taehyung didn't make an effort to talk to the younger, but he wanted to. He knew they couldn't be together since they were teacher and student, but he needed to explain that Jeongguk wasn't the only one who had some sort of feelings. That it was more than sex for him too. That he didn't want it to be just a onetime thing.

Although they didn't have a choice in that, he sincerely didn't want it to be just a onetime thing.

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