Jeongguk went to work an hour earlier.

He didn't know why, or maybe he just didn't want to admit the real reason. He wanted to see if V would be there. He had to talk to him about what he did, even though he was terrified to do so.

He knew he would be mad; he spoke to Solji disrespectfully and told her that she's more than welcome to leave. He actually told her to leave. Who? Jeongguk, just a twenty-year-old server who didn't know shit about V's club or his boss.

He left his bag in the usual room and trudged towards his office. He knocked thrice and waited until he heard his deep voice telling him to come in.

And he did.

Once he opened the door, he spotted V sitting on the couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand and brows creased in curiosity. Their gazes met, but he just lowered his head again, rather indifferent by his visit, and took a sip of his drink.

Seeing his reaction, Jeongguk's wary smile was replaced by a frown and his shoulders drooped as he neared him. At least V didn't tell him to leave. Well, that was something.

He peeped at him, trying to ask for permission to sit, but V didn't spare him another glance. He chewed on his lower lip, unsure, and tentatively sat next to him.

The silence between the two was thick and awkward for the younger. He had to do something. He saw some clean glasses on the table and took one. Then he eyed the bottle of whiskey that was on the table, but as he reached out to grab it, V snatched it first. He poured an almost tiny amount of whiskey into his glass without making eye contact.

Jeongguk's eyes remained glued to his face until the moment V turned around again and faced the front. The amount of alcohol in his glass seemed so small to him he thought he could drink it in one go. And so he did.

When he swallowed it, a disgusted expression engulfed his face, his tongue sticking out as a small whine seeped through his lips. He could see the side of V's face, and he noticed how the corner of his lips twitched. "Are you laughing at me?"

Jeongguk didn't have to look at him then to know he was indeed laughing since he heard his low, stifled chuckle. "You're mean," he mumbled and extended his hand to get hold of the bottle, wanting to drink some more.

But again, V beat him to it. "This is strong, and you're not used to drinking."

"Just one more," he said in a hushed tone, puppy eyes making their appearance, as well as a pout on his lips.

V twisted his head and glimpsed at him with what seemed like a blank expression to Jeongguk. This little bun, he thought as he picked up the bottle and poured a tiny amount into his glass again.

This time, V didn't take his eyes away from him. He spectated as Jeongguk raised his glass and gulped down his drink in one go. He was thankful he didn't miss that. Jeongguk's grimace with his tongue peeking out and tiny whines coming out of his mouth. Why the hell did he look so cute?

Unable to control his face, V cracked a smile and snapped his head away, not wanting to be seen.

"You're laughing at me again," Jeongguk complained, brows puckered.

"I'm not, you're just—" He stopped himself before he got to blurt out his previous thoughts, and he took a swig of his drink, finishing it.

"I'm what?"

"Nothing." V's hand drew closer to the bottle to refill his drink, but Jeongguk held his wrist, stopping his movements.

"How many did you have?"

"It's not something you should worry about," V said, voice deep and velvety, but didn't attempt to free his hand from Jeongguk's loose grip.

"You said it's strong," he argued back in a murmur. V's skin under his touch felt smooth, tempting him to caress it.

"Three." V's gaze traveled to his wrist that was being held by Jeongguk with such delicacy that his stomach fluttered with unexpected warmth.

"That's a lot." Jeongguk followed his gaze and stared at the same spot. It was like his body took over the lead and his fingertips brushed against his soft skin so lightly it tickled him.

V didn't stop him nonetheless.

"I can handle it, little bun," V muttered with an inaudible, satisfied sigh as the feeling of his gentle fingers trailing his skin was surprisingly pleasant and... soothing.

Jeongguk was too lost in the moment to even hear what he said; he was the one touching him, but for some damn reason, he felt tingles course through every fiber of his body.

V's regard was now set on his concentrated face, examining it. His eyes were a tad bigger than usual, his lips parted, and it seemed like he was holding his breath.

And maybe V didn't know it for sure, but Jeongguk actually was.

V was so mellowed, serene, as if he couldn't feel anything else except for his tender caress. At that very moment, he realized no one had ever touched him like Jeongguk. It was such a simple touch, such a simple and small action, but the effect it had on him was undeniably big.

V's outright relaxed state led his hand to twitch imperceptibly, and when he thought Jeongguk didn't notice, he was proven wrong. Because a second later, he wrenched his hand away and kept it in the air as his eyes enlarged even more.

What did I just do? What the fuck was that?

He dropped his hand to his side and shrank in his seat, avoiding V's now intense gaze at all costs. His heart pounded at an irregular pace against his chest so hard it was actually painful for him.

V still had his hand placed exactly where it was as his whole body froze after he pulled away. He blinked in a daze, unable to think about anything, his breath coming in quick, shallow puffs. He licked his dry lips and swallowed thickly as he curled his fingers around his wrist to see if he could make the sizzling sensation from Jeongguk's touch go away. He clasped it and squeezed it a few times before he released it.

Surprisingly, it didn't go away.

Without thinking about it too much, he seized the bottle and poured some whiskey into his glass. He glanced over at Jeongguk's empty glass and pondered over if he should let him have another one. He settled on the thought that one more sip wouldn't hurt him, so he poured him a small amount too.

V was surprised to see Jeongguk pitch forward right away to grasp the glass with shaky hands and guzzle it. V didn't know it, but Jeongguk really needed that drink.

Scarcely a little calmer, he reclined again and looked at V's crouched posture. "Where were you yesterday?"

The question caught him off guard and made him a notch nervous. Was he supposed to say that he left because he couldn't see him cry anymore? Because he didn't want to see him so worn out and simply... torn apart anymore?

Yeah, he couldn't do that.

"I had to do some things." The lie spewed from his mouth with ease, but he felt rather uncomfortable with it. "Did something happen?"

And the moment Jeongguk feared the most came. "I did something. Something I shouldn't have."

"What did you do?"

V's phone started ringing then, startling both. He broke the stare and glanced at his phone that was on the table. As soon as he saw the name, his eyes popped. "Leave."

Jeongguk shook his head as he sat bolt upright, eyes filled with unease by V's reaction.

"Jeongguk, I need to take this. Leave."

"Is it Kang?"

V was left dumbfounded at his question, but he didn't have time to argue with him. He had to answer the call. "Don't make a sound," he warned as he walked as far away from him as possible and cleared his throat. "Yes, sir."

"Ah, V. Took you long enough. For a moment I thought you wouldn't answer your phone."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't find my phone."

"Well, good thing you did because I need to ask you something. Why are you hiring kids that can't please their customers?"

Hearing Kang's question, he shot a glance at Jeongguk, who had his distressed eyes riveted on him. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why am I not surprised?" He tsked. "Solji said that some kid told her to leave and some other things I don't even care about. I only care about keeping them happy, and you're making it very hard with all the problems you're causing me lately. I want the kid gone."

"Sir!" He had to think about what to do fast. Although it would be for the best if Jeongguk stopped working there, he knew Jeongguk didn't want to leave for whatever reason, and he couldn't let him down. "Can I make a suggestion?"

"Do you really think you're in a position to make suggestions?"

"I will only say it if you want me to, sir."

"Fine."

"How about we keep him here but only as a server? Without making him keep company to the customers?"

"That would mean you have to hire another one. Can you afford that? Because I'm not increasing the club's budget, V."

"I can."

"Hmm, but that seems so nice of me. I can't just let you do that. What will I get in return?"

"Whatever you want, sir," he murmured, and all he could do was pray that Kang wouldn't say what he dreaded to think of happening again.

"You know what I enjoy the most, V. How about you say it for me?"

He gulped as he locked eyes with Jeongguk for a split second and turned his back to him. "To watch others get beaten," Taehyung muttered, his voice so quiet and weak, hoping Jeongguk wouldn't be able to hear him.

Kang laughed in amusement. "If you take the beating, I'll let you do it."

"I'll take it, but... can we do it in a few days? I still haven't healed."

"Don't you think you're asking for too many things? I let you do what you wanted. You should say thank you now, you ungrateful useless piece of shit," he growled at him, and right there V knew he was screwed. "I'll send my boys whenever I want."

V's body grew unnaturally stiff once the call ended, struggling to fathom what was about to happen to him again, and clutched the phone as he lowered his tremoring hand.

"Did—Did you just say... to watch others get beaten?"

A whisper rang close to his ear, and it took him a moment to perceive that Jeongguk was standing right in front of him. "I—I did it, little bun. You don't have to deal with those people anymore."

Spikes of worry blended with alarm perforated his chest upon studying V's face. He could distinguish fear in his eyes for the first time, and although V was looking at him, it felt like he couldn't see him. Like he were plunged into another world Jeongguk couldn't reach.

"V." A heaviness, a veil of agony drew his traits downwards as his hands ventured closer and clawed at the sleeves of his dress shirt. "I screwed up... I made Solji mad and—and she put the blame on you. I didn't want that to happen... I didn't think that would happen." Remorse swept over him, spilling the tears burning his eyes. "Please just—just don't hate me—I didn't mean to... I didn't—didn't want to put you in danger," he spluttered, his emotions building up so much they suffocated him.

V's gaze became focused again as his attention shifted to him, putting aside what was about to happen to him for the time being. Something strangely painful, awful clenched his heart as he watched the younger cry, his shoulders quivering with his muted sobs. He twined his fingers around his wrists, drawing his tearful eyes to him. "You did the right thing, little bun. I told you to not let these people change you, and you stood up for yourself. You didn't do anything wrong."

"But you—you might get hurt again. I can't—I can't see that again."

"Don't worry, little bun. I won't let you see it."

"Wait, you weren't supposed to say that," Jeongguk said, restless, as he jolted forward without realizing it, effacing the gap between them. "You were supposed to say it won't happen again!" The tone of his voice increased with consternation, eyes searching for his gaze in vain.

"You don't need to worry about me," he said below his breath, keeping his head down.

"Of course I worry! It's going to happen again, right? That's why you mentioned something about getting beaten and—and that you still haven't healed. That's why you did it because it's going to happen again, and it's going to be my fault again!" he hollered as he jerked his hands away in frustration.

"Kook, listen to—" He drew closer to get hold of his hands, but Jeongguk lurched back.

"No! This is not happening because of me again, I won't—I can't let that happen. Fire me, I don't care, just don't—don't let them hurt you." He was barely able to push the words out before he broke into another round of choked sobs with the new wave of tears streaming down his face.

"Jeongguk," he called, firm and decisive, as he cupped his wet cheeks in a strong grip, trying to stop him from shaking. "It's already done. It's too late. I chose this, so don't feel bad about it." He wiped his tears away with his thumbs, gazing at him like he were the most fragile thing in the world. "Stop wasting your tears on me."

Despite his words, Jeongguk only cried harder. Small whines fell from his trembling lips as more tears rolled down his cheeks. V heaved a deep sigh and looked heavenwards, blinking the wetness from his vision.

Suddenly, Jeongguk felt a hand on his nape pull him against a toned chest.

V slid an arm around his waist in a secure hold as he caressed his nape, giving it comforting squeezes. "It's okay," he whispered into his ear. "I can take it."

Jeongguk then buried his face into the curve of his neck, arms crawling around him to ring his body. "But I can't. How am I supposed to live with myself knowing that I'm responsible for what happened to you and for what is going to happen to you again?"

"Shh." He firmed up his grip, raking delicate fingers through his hair. "Don't think about it that way. Don't think about it at all."

As if time rolled in slow motion, they remained clung to each other while the placatory effect of his embrace ceased Jeongguk's tears and diminished his shudder until his entire body melted against him.

V carried on leaving tender caresses on his nape and back as he rested his cheek against his head, Jeongguk's heady, fruity scent trickling through his system with each drag of air. It felt good. Too good. He hadn't felt that kind of warmth from a simple hug before, and to be honest, it felt heavenly. Like for a moment, nothing else mattered. Like for a moment, he could forget everything. No Kang, no Solji, no Wang, no beating, no trauma, no sadness. Only Jeongguk and he.

"My name is Taehyung." The whispering words leaked out of his mouth glibly, and he sensed the endearing boy flinch against his hug seconds later.

Jeongguk untucked his head and dragged his big, questioning eyes to him. "Why would you—"

"I don't know," he cut him off in a gentle tone, his shoulders lifting in a half shrug. "It just felt right." He held eye contact and couldn't help but smile as he discerned something fond creeping into Jeongguk's eyes and a bashful smile forming on his lips.

"Taehyung," he uttered, loving the feeling of the unfamiliar name rolling off his tongue. "Taehyung," he repeated just a drop louder.

Taehyung's smile stretched into a bigger one as he dropped his head for a moment. "You like it?" He pushed a strand of hair behind his ear, eyes returning to his gorgeous face without much thought.

Jeongguk nodded his head multiple times with his sheepish smile, and that was enough to draw out a dulcet chuckle from him. Too immersed in the adorable boy and the heart-fluttering effect he had on him, Taehyung glided his hand up and down his back.

It was then when both became conscious of their current state. They were still holding each other for no reason at all.

First, it was Taehyung's smile that faded as he released him and reluctantly took a step back. But Jeongguk's smile soon followed and dissolved. Instead, an awkward one popped up as he glanced down, self-conscious, feeling heat warm his cheeks.

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