Note: underlined and italicized text is to indicate that text is being read or spoken in English.

Also, for the full experience because I don't really like writing out the lyrics (yes someone is singing wink wink) have Perfect by Ed Sheeran ready, you'll know when you have to play it :)
—•

JJG

Jeongguk and Taehyung sat awkwardly at their table at a coffee shop near Jeongguk's apartment, sipping their drinks in silence. Jeongguk took occasional glances from his cup to look at Taehyung, and once in a blue moon he'd catch Taehyung looking at him too.

It's the first time he's seen him in more casual clothing. Just a pair of loose jeans and a sweater, yet he still looked effortlessly gorgeous. Jeongguk was feeling a little inferior in his sweats and oversized black shirt as he had felt too tired to change after his shower. Good thing the coffee shop they were at didn't call for fancy attire.

"So," Taehyung said, finally breaking the silence. "What did we need to talk about?"

Jeongguk set his cup down and looked at Taehyung without looking away this time. He bit his lip, cursing himself for not remembering a single thing he practiced to say earlier, but at least he knew where he should start.

"I'm sorry, Taehyung," Jeongguk apologized, saying his words slowly and clearly. Taehyung's brows raised ever so slightly, not excepting an apology of all things. What was more of a surprise is that he'd used his name once again instead of Mr. Kim.

"For what?" Taehyung asked, sounding clearly confused and wondering if his memory is faltering.

"For being a rude jerk. You didn't deserve to be treated like that. I should've put everything behind us but instead I decided to be petty."

Taehyung pressed his lips together and shook his head. "No, you have all rights to be upset with me."

"No I don't," Jeongguk said with a shake of his own. He was finally going to speak about it and not run away.

"Yes, the break up wasn't exactly mutual when it happened but I understand why we did, yet I pretended like I didn't. I put all the blame on you when I was as much to blame for why we didn't work out. I wanted to believe that if we didn't break up that day, that we would've worked out. I've gotten over us not working out, but I was still upset that you didn't put up a stronger fight, even though I didn't either."

Taehyung didn't interrupt so Jeongguk continued. "I guess over time I was convinced that everything was all your fault was the truth and honestly I still am, it'll take a while to completely get over it, but I will because I know now that it is not. So I want to put that all behind. I want to restart."

"Restart?" Taehyung repeated, wondering what he meant by that.

Jeongguk nodded. "I want for us to be able to come to work and not be such awkward grown adults. So, let's just forget everything that's happened," he said.

"Okay, a fresh start," Taehyung said, replaying Jeongguk sentences again and again in his head to make sure he didn't miss anything.

Jeongguk took in a large breath before he stretched out his arm towards the other.

"Jeon Jeongguk, nice to meet you," Jeongguk said.

Taehyung stared at the hand longer then necessary. He finally got where this was getting at. He smiled and took Jeongguk's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Kim Taehyung. Let's be good friends– or at least good co-workers."

Jeongguk smiled back and retrieved his hand. He expected to feel like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulder by something still wasn't right. For now, he could be happy that the weight had at least been halved.

"Before I forget, I was waiting for the right time to ask but it's been hectic. My dad's birthday is on Friday and he would be very happy if you'd join us at his restaurant. If you don't have any commitments, that is," Taehyung said.

"I wouldn't miss it," Jeongguk replied.

"So, does this mean we're on good terms now? Or do you still hate me?" Taehyung asked with a sheepish grin.

"Mm," Jeongguk sounded, tilting his head side to side. "A lil' bit, but I'm starting to question why it's even there so it'll be over with soon as I never had a real reason to hate you. Hates a strong word."

"It is."

"Well, I don't not like you. There's that."

•—•—•

For the first time in weeks, Jeongguk is finally once again happy to go to work. It didn't made sense why they couldn't be friends. Sure, things were nasty in the past but it's time to forgive and forget because Jeongguk knows how much of a wonderful human being Taehyung was and that he'd be a great boss too. There was no point in trying to put up whatever this fight was.

"Good morning!" Jeongguk chirped with a big smile as he placed drinks he'd gotten for everyone on their table.

"Someone's in a good mood today," Chaeyoung noted picking up her drink and nodding as a thank you.

"Well I understand. The scandal has died down and President Lee got his son to make an apology so everyone knows the truth. And we're going to karaoke tonight!" Jisoo said doing a little happy shake. They'd usually go for team dinner's or outings on Friday as the next day there would be no work but today was Sohye's last day. Although she was taking the day off, she'd join them later on.

Once Jeongguk finished passing around everyone's drink, he still had two left. Jeongguk went over to Taehyung's office, his smile not fading. As he was about to knock, the door opened itself and revealed the man himself.

"Oh, hi there," Taehyung said, surprised and amused at the same time.

"G'morning. I got you your green tea," Jeongguk said, raising the holder with their two drinks.

"That's very kind of you," Taehyung said then paused as if he was gathering the courage to say something. "Would you like to join–" Taehyung was saying but got cut off as the doors bursted open.

"My dear wifey!" the man yelled loud and sprinted towards Taehyung. Jeongguk quickly stepped back to make sure the man had enough room for when he attacked Taehyung in a hug.

Taehyung was shocked for a moment but when he processed everything, he shut his eyes and hugged back just as tight, lifting the man off his feet by a few centimetres in the process. Jeongguk stood there, thinking about how he'd seen the man's face before and then he realized.

"Jimin! What're you doing here?" Taehyung yelled pulling away from the hug but still holding him.

Jimin laughed. "Can't I be here?"

"It's not like that," Taehyung said with a wider smile.

"I know, I know. I just wanted to surprise you," Jimin replied, now pulling away completely. The man then finally noticed Jeongguk.

"Oh right. Secretary Jeon, this is Park Jimin. President Lee's third daughter's son," Taehyung introduced him. "And this is–"

"Jeongguk," Jimin finished the sentence for him, his tone sounding as if he was in awe. "It's very nice to finally meet you," the man said with a radiant smile and reaching for a handshake.

Jeongguk quickly took in the hand. "Likewise," he decided to say, a little glad that he didn't start speaking in English to him as well. Jeongguk couldn't help but notice his outfit choice that Jeongguk could only describe as a rich and unbothered idol.

Jimin raised a brow. "Taehyung's talked about me?"

"Umm." Jeongguk took back his hand when the grip loosened. How was he supposed to say he stalked him online?

Jimin shook his head with a frown. "Of course he didn't. I'm a nobody to him after all."

Taehyung playfully hit Jimin's shoulder with his. "Oh shut up, I'm not going around everywhere talking about you."

"You should. Anyways, hate to end this short but I have to go see gramps. We'll to catch up later," Jimin said to Taehyung then looked at Jeongguk. He gave him a smile that Jeongguk could tell there was more too, but he didn't let himself over analyze.

"Hyung," a new voice entered the room catching everyone's.

"Eunwoo-ah," Jeongguk called out, wanting to ask what it was that he needed. Eunwoo stopped at the door, not expecting to see anyone other than Jeongguk in the room.

"Who's that cutie?" Jimin asked while not so subtly checking Eunwoo out from head to toe.

"Jimin, no," Taehyung warned with a knowing smile.

Jimin just brushed him off and approached the man at the door. "Do you work in this office?"

Eunwoo was frozen still but still managed to nod.

"Good. See you around, cutie," Jimin said. He threw a wink at Eunwoo before leaving through the door behind him.

Jeongguk glanced at Taehyung when he heard him sigh but he didn't really understand what for. Jeongguk turned back to Eunwoo. "What was it that you needed?"

"Oh... j-just for you to proofread something," Eunwoo said, still a little flustered.

"Yeah I'll be right there," Jeongguk replied. He felt the weight on the cup holder lighten as Taehyung picked up his drink.

"Thank you," Taehyung said, lifting the cup a little higher to be more specific and then walked out of the room. Jeongguk watched him leave, remembering that Taehyung was about to say something earlier, but he shook that thought out of his mind quick. If it was important, he would've said it before leaving.

•—•—•

Work had finally ended and it was finally time for everyone to forgot about their worries for an afternoon. Even if there would no alcohol, things always got a little crazy at karaoke.

Sohye and her fiancé were already at the place when everyone arrived. They started by ordering food and just talking for a bit before they finally got started on singing and dancing like maniacs.

Taehyung came in exactly during everyone's peak insanity. He told them he'd come a little later as he was having dinner with Jimin.

"Oppa Gangnam Style!" Yoona was currently screaming at the top of her lungs into her mic while Eric and Chaeyoung were doing the dance quite seriously on either side of her.

Taehyung sneaked his way through and sat down without too many people noticing. By pure coincidence, that seat happened to be right beside Jeongguk who was clapping along to his co-worker singing. Jeongguk didn't notice until he looked over to his side. He nearly jumped out of his seat not knowing when the other got there.

"Hey! When did you come?" Jeongguk yelled over the loud music, successfully getting Taehyung's attention.

"Just now!" Taehyung replied into Jeongguk's ear.

The song ended and the room wasn't as loud again. After a round of applause, Eric was the first to call out Taehyung.

"Mr. Kim, sing a song," Jin said and everyone immediately jumped onto the wagon.

Taehyung shook and his and waved them off with his hand. He tried as much as he could to kindly refuse but his team had their ways. They shoved him with the music selector and mic onto the stage.

"Sing an English song!" Sohye requested, which then everyone began to chant the words until Taehyung agreed.

Taehyung selected a song and set the tablet to the side before facing everyone. The screen displayed "Ed Sheeran - Perfect". The soft guitar began to resonate through the room and everyone calmed down to listen as Taehyung began to sing. It was the first slow-paced song of the night but it was a very much needed break from all the energetic songs.

As Taehyung sang, Jeongguk was instantly reminded of when they went to karaoke all those years ago. When he sang so unenthusiastically that it was just hilarious and a little adorable, but he realized now that it was just the song choice. That song just didn't suit him, but this one... this one was something else.

Jeongguk was reading the translations to the lyrics and he didn't know why the story that was puzzled together felt so familiar. He finally looked at the singer and then only did he  realize Taehyung's eyes had been on him the entire time.

Everyone began swaying their body and really feeling the song, but Jeongguk sat still. Although he was frozen, his heart surely wasn't as it began to race fast and he felt like he was in high school all over again. No, this wasn't what Jeongguk wanted, not what he needed. He was finally able to get over him and here he was back in his life.

Jeongguk bit the insides of his cheeks as he could already feel the tears rushing to his eyes. Screw him for being such a cry baby.

Here he was, thinking everything would be alright between him and Taehyung, but of course the universe could not allow that. They could never be friends, they never were and they never will be.

The song finished and everyone was a little awestruck that they didn't react for the first few seconds. When Sohye began to clap, everyone snapped out of and started clapping as well. Normally, Taehyung would've felt flustered and shied away back to his seat, but his eyes were glued on Jeongguk.

"You changed the pronouns and everything," Rohan commented once the claps died down.

"Hmm?" Taehyung hummed, looking away from Jeongguk and at Rohan. "Oh, I guess I don't remember the song as well as I thought," Taehyung explained and glanced back at Jeongguk for a quick look.

Jeongguk head was now down as he played with his finger's aggressively. Taehyung bit his lip and passed he mic to someone else then took his seat.

"Is something wrong?" Taehyung asked, tilting his body down so that he could get a better look at him.

"Huh? No, everything's okay," Jeongguk lied and forced a smile. "You sounded much better than the last time I heard you at karaoke."

Taehyung smiled and looked away. "Thanks. It's one of my favourite songs."

The rest of the night went pretty decently although Jeongguk wasn't in the mood to sing any more songs. He just ate the snacks and cheered on. He did feel Taehyung's eyes on him quite often, but he just ignored it.

•—•—•

KTH

"Have a safe trip, Sohye-ah," Taehyung said giving the girl a hug. "Take good care of her," he then said to Rohan while giving him a hug.

"Of course. Wait here, I'll go get the car," Rohan said and left the two alone. The three were the last ones to leave.

Sohye crossed her hands and grinned, and boy did Taehyung know that look. The look when she knew something about him that Taehyung would never admit to.

"What?" Taehyung asked with a chuckle.

"Nothing," Sohye said, raising her shoulders and dropping them.

"Sohye, what?" Taehyung tried again.

Sohye hummed before finally talking. "I saw the way you were looking at Jeongguk-sshi," she said and began to move her eyebrows up and down.

Taehyung shook his head. "I don't know you what you're talking about."

"Mhm," Sohye stretched. "I know you know that song by heart, but you purposefully changed it because you were singing it to him. And damn are you in deep. By the song choice I'm assuming there's some history. I won't pry, but I just hope the best for you two."

"You know me too well, this is not good," Taehyung said with a short laugh. "But no. I had my chance and I blew it."

Sohye shrugged. "Well don't you deserve a second chance?"

Before Taehyung could say anything, Rohan pulled up. They said their goodbyes another time before Sohye got in. Taehyung waved at them until the car was no longer in sight.

He buried his hand in his pocket to find some warmth from the chilly night. On his walk to his car, his thoughts drifted off.

A second chance. Could they ever try to get back what they once had? Jeongguk was the best thing that had ever happened to Taehyung and he just let it go so easily, he didn't deserve another chance, or at least that's what he thought. Yet, he couldn't help but think of it. Jeongguk was special, he's always been. Since they first met.

See, Taehyung always understood all the lessons he was taught in class. He understood every word he read in his textbook. He understand every question on a test. If he didn't, he'd make sure he did.

Then there was Jeongguk. He just couldn't understand Jeongguk. It always amazed him that such a cheerful and happy boy would want to hang out with someone like him. It surprised him that the boy was never scared of him like the other kids. It fascinated him how Jeongguk could speak on for hours without Taehyung getting tired or sick of hearing his angelic voice. It absolutely enthralled him how much kindness and goodness a boy could posses. He couldn't understand any of it.

Although, he did understand one thing very early on. This boy was here to stay and Taehyung didn't mind that one bit. Then later on, he understood the foreign feeling he'd only feel being around Jeongguk was a special kind of love. Then as he grew up, he understood he couldn't imagine a future without him.

But here is now, not understanding how he managed to let all that go.

—•
Did anyone catch my attempt at foreshadowing something in this update from chapter two²?

Also I know Eunwoo is also a 97 liner and technically older than Kook but just go with it

Bye<3