✵ ✵ ✵

Ever since Taehyung moved into the apartment complex three years ago he quickly found out that the apartment on the same eye level as his across the path was empty. Blinds and constant darkness, while active lights in other apartments showed life, Taehyung simply concluded that the owner of that particular place chose not to live there nor rent, thus the emptiness.

Taehyung knew his neighbors, he knew every single one of them. Who they were and what they are doing, even though he met and spoke only with a few of them daily. Taehyung was a writer and his job often consisted of observation of human behavior and the world around him. His style was mostly thriller/dramas with the realistic storyline and erotic touches here and there, just to make his characters spicy and more ordinary. He admired the heroes and loved happy endings in general, but he strangely never written one. He was not pessimistic, on the contrary, as a twenty-five-year-old he was a very positive person, but he deemed that in a harsh reality where his main characters lived was no room for miracles and utopia. His lines were brutally honest on one part and complex and deeply secretive in the next, his plots very intense and mind-taking which often took his readers on a true mental roller coaster, straining their brains to think of the story outcomes and catch the killers themselves. So, before every story, every book, it took months of careful preparation, curious investigation and observation.

And so, naturally, Taehyung knew everything about his neighbors, their habits and lifestyles, whos fighting, whos fucking, whos sad and whos happy. Taehyung knew it all, which made him especially curious about that empty apartment with the blinds always shut. He even wondered at some point if someone lived there, but never opened the window, which was ludicrous. He spent hours sometimes thinking of the reasons why or creating the plots and hidden crimes, but the fact remained, the apartment was empty.

Now sitting in his recliner chair, phone on the ear in one hand and his head in the palm of the other, completely exhausted from the almost third day without sleep, struggling with the writer's block, while his publisher Hoseok rant on the other side of the line.

-'Taehyung, you can't continue like this. You need to rest. I can't use you if you are dead tired with a writer's block on top.''

-''I don't have writer's block, I'm just tired.'' – Taehyung lied. He had a writer's block, he just didn't want to admit that.

-''Tae, don't lie to me. I know you very well. I know your breaking points. Besides you know how much I dislike when you lie to me.'' – Hoseok said his tone calm with the whiff of danger in it. Taehyung knew he should stop and just listen to him, obey, as he did before and just let go into the sensation of complete and utter bliss of the lack of control. Taehyung shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

-''Hyung, I'm telling you, I'm fine. My head is fine, it's just my body is tired, my eyes keep closing, but I can't sleep, my mind won't shut down.''

-''Then use the sleeping pills.'' – The other man suggested. Taehyung groaned.

-''I don't want to use that shit, they make me foggy. I just need to meditate a bit.''

-''The natural pills are not bad Taehyung. It could relax you and help you to sleep.''

-''I took one once and I slept for three days, Hyung. I can't have that, not when the date got closer and I only did like half of the book.''

-''You told me you finished 85% of it.''

-''I wrote 85% but I keep tumbling and changing things. I'm not satisfied with it, it needs to be perfect and it's not!''

-''Taehyung, it's ok, calm down.''

-''Nothing is good.'' – Taehyung groaned exasperatedly. – ''I'm stuck in the same daily routine, but I can't go out because I will lose track of time like I always do no matter what I try, you know how distracted I could be and then I won't get anything done. And I won't be able even to relax because I know I have a huge amount of work to finish and I'm just taping in one place, not moving anywhere and everything sucks and I...'' – Taehyung stopped, gulping for air, he was shaking. The plots and stories in his head were jumping in front of his eyes, mixing with his thoughts, making him anxious. The outer world beckoned him to come out and enjoy his life, while his conscience keeps reminding him of the deadlines and promises he made. It drove him crazy.

-''Tae, baby, calm down.'' – Hoseok spoke calmly, but stern, dominant. Taehyung shuddered, not unpleasantly, at the nickname, recognizing the tone of that voice.

-''Hyung.'' – He whined, closing his eyes.

-''Do I need to come to you?'' – Hoseok asked. Thinking for a few seconds, Taehyung shook his head, breathing out the air from his lungs and answered no in a much calmer voice.

-''Are you sure? Your mind needs a release, a moment to clear your thoughts and let go of your control. It worked before.''

-''I'm sure, I'm not there yet.'' – Taehyung spoke quietly and Hoseok chuckled.

-''Speaking like it's a bad thing.''

-''No, it's not that. Hyung, you know it's not. But we both know what I'm like after our sessions. I'm a mush, I can't do anything productive. I only cuddle.''

-''I like it when you get all cuddly. You look like a little cute tiger cub then.'' – He could almost imagine Hoseok's wide smile.

-''Yeah, but I don't have time for that now. No time for laziness, we can do that once the book is done. I think I would need it then.''

-''As you wish baby, but you know you can always call me if you change your mind. You know I'm here for you.'' – Taehyung shuddered again at his voice, it was low and seductive with a devilish smirk, he could tell. He always wondered how someone so bright and sunny as Hoseok on the outside, could be so dark, sexy and dominant on the inside.

-''Ok, Hyung.'' – Taehyung agreed.

-''Got to go, have another call to make. And Taehyung...''- Hoseok said. – ''Don't worry about the deadline too much, it could be changed. Your mental health is more important to me than this. You know I'm not a business monster who chases after the profit.''

Taehyung smiled. – ''I know, that's why I chose you. Thank you, Hyung.''

-''Bye Tae, get some pills and go to sleep.''

-''Ok, Hyung.''

-''I mean it Tae. Don't make me come and give to you myself.''

Taehyung shuddered. – ''I will think about it.''

-''Will you know?'' – His voice was suggestive.

-''I meant about pills, Hyung.''

-''I meant that as well.'' – The amusement noticeable in his voice, which made Taehyung roll his eyes.

-''Sure you did, Hyung.''

But Taehyung knew that Hoseok was right. He needs a release, the complete lack of control, just not yet. He needs a distraction, something fresh and new only for a few minutes at least. Yes, that would be enough.

-''Think of my words, Tae baby. Got to go. Bye now.'' - And with that, he hung up.

Taehyung took a deep sigh and placed his phone under his chin, his eyes lost in the gaze at some spot in the room as his thoughts swirl even more than before.

– ''Bye Hyung.'' – He said a minute too late.

It was a week later when he noticed something different, the blinds on the apartment across were open. Taehyung straightened a bit, looking up in the desire to see anyone there. The two windows were on the same floor as he was, but the ground under the other building was a bit higher so the floor was only slightly elevated. Taehyung could still see inside nicely. He saw two women cleaning the apartment. One was washing the windows while the other vacuumed the floors. Tae was surprised to see the walls, which are usually some light shades such as beige, white, lilac, cream, etc, but this one was painted in dark blood red color. It was different, dramatic and elegant at the same time. Taehyung loved it. The big sturdy black dining table was in the middle and Taehyung could see the front door in the back of the room. How interesting, really different. He wished it was something on that wall, a painting or some decoration, it would look perfect with good lighting. He wondered will someone, finally, move in.

And he had his wish a few days later. He was in the process of stretching after a very uncomfortable and short nap on his chair, tossing a glimpse through the window as he always does when his eyes fell on a stranger. A very handsome stranger.

He was around his height, muscled and strong, with somewhat longer dark hair that he tucked behind his ears, covered by several piercings. He wore black pants with a pair of boots in the same color, a white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. His strong jaw, cute face with a somewhat bigger nose and the two gorgeous dark brown doe eyes made Taehyung drool. He quickly swallows it.

It seemed that the young man waited for someone as he stood near the entrance with his back leaning on the wall next to it. He was a bit lost in his thoughts, brows a bit furrowed which gave him a more mature look, but Taehyung could tell that he was around his age. Suddenly his brows cleared, mouth spreading in the most adorable bunny smile that Taehyung had ever seen as another man approached.

The new guy was tall and handsome in a tailored gray suit that enhanced his figure to the fullest. His blond undercut hairstyle and black glasses made him even more stylish. He wore a briefcase that told Taehyung that he must be a businessman or a real estate agent, a successful one. His shiny shoes certainly screamed money.

He couldn't see his face, because he had his back to him, but he saw the interest and admiration in the other man's eyes in front of him. Taehyung wondered in what kind of relationship they are when the younger man bowed respectfully and then accepted the blond man's hand to shake. So, they were not shagging.

After a brief exchange of polite words, the blond ushered the other into the building. Taehyung groaned in exasperation, but the idea of the possibility flicker in his mind and his eyes ran up the building towards the empty apartment. The blinds were open and there were no curtains, just darkness.

Suddenly the lights were turned on and two men stepped into the red apartment. Taehyung pressed his face closer to the cold glass, smearing his nose and cheek on it, while his breath fogged the view. He had to brush at it several times before he got the wits to simply open the window. It was a sunny day, still a bit chilly since it was mid-March, so Taehyung grabbed the blanket from his couch and wrapped himself in it. He leaned in on the window seal, faking indifference while his eyes kept sliding carefully towards the apartment. He was grateful that the window was quite big and it gave a wide view of the room.

The two men kept appearing and disappearing from his view, probably checking out the rooms for a few moments before seating themselves on the dining table. They kept smiling and talking, almost flirting, Taehyung noticed. He could finally see the blond man's profile. He was cute, with full lips and... was that a dimple? Oh, my God! Taehyung bit his lower lip, he was always weak for dimples. No wonder the other guy was enamored.

Dimple took his suitcase and placed it on the table, retrieving a few pieces of paper with long elegant fingers. Is everything long and elegant on this man, Taehyung thought. He slid them across the table towards the other, while speaking something. The Muscle Bunny, as Taehyung named him, looked at him attentively, absorbing every word the man said, taking the papers in his hands to read them through.

Several minutes passed in silence as the dark-haired one read, probably documents, Taehyung concluded, while the other kept observing him shyly, chin rested on his knuckles, both of his elbows propped on the table. Taehyung wished he could be there, to see them better and to know what's going on. The combination of cuteness and manliness is something that drives Taehyung insane. He calls it ''Men that cause trust issue.''

Soon the Bunny raised his eyes and they exchange a few words that Taehyung could not hear, which annoyed him beyond everything. The blond man smiled widely, offering his elegant pen for the other man to sign. Taehyung saw keys exchanging hands with a firm handshake and wide smile.

A bunny and a dimpled smile, God kill me now. Taehyung whined. It's not fair being that hot and cute at the same time, times two, in one room.

His phone rang suddenly and Taehyung yelped in a surprise. He ran to his computer to see who is calling. It was Jimin.

I'll call him later, he thought, rejecting the call. Annoyed at the interruption he moved to the window and saw that the room is now empty. He cursed and leaned forward again, arms crossed, watching the pathway between the buildings, a few people walking lazily. The door of the building opened and Taehyung finally saw the blond man's face. He was so handsome, manly, with clever eyes behind the glasses and kissable lips. His phone buzzed in his hand and he smiled wide after checking it. His dimples were even more pronounced. He was sexy and cute at the same time. Jimin would like him. He knew his best friend's taste. He even thought of snapping a quick picture for him, when the window across opened and Taehyung choke on his saliva.

Right there out on the open stood his new neighbor, leaning slightly forward, hands gripping the edge of the window seal, his phone in one of them, and looking down. Taehyung followed his gaze and saw that he was watching the blond guy, who was casually strolling down the road, the phone still in hand. Once he was around the corner Taehyung returned his eyes on the window discovering, quite alarmingly, that he was carefully observed by none other than his hot new neighbor.

At that moment Taehyung forgot how to breathe. He wrapped the blanket tighter around his shoulders, shivering slightly, but not breaking the eye contact. The corner of the other man's mouth curved slightly into a smirk, eyes glistening with curiosity and interest. He gave an appreciative nod and leaned on his elbows as if to challenge Taehyung to a staring contest.

Taehyung's insides were burning from that intensity and suddenly he wasn't cold anymore. Smiling weakly, he politely bowed his head and retrieve back into his room. Only then did he allowed himself to breathe, chest rising up and down rapidly.

His phone startled him again and he cursed loudly. He wanted the distraction. He said so himself, but he didn't expect this. Not in this form, not so tempting. He already knew how obsessed he will become. Like a hound dog chasing his prey, he will be all over that. New person, a new enigma. Fuck, he is hot as hell.

The ringing sound was persistent and Taehyung finally answered.

-''Oh, Jiminie, I am fucked.''

-''Well hello to you too. What happened? Speak!''- Jimin said from another line.

-''I'm telling you Jimin, he is a bomb.'' – Taehyung said, after some fifteen-minute detailed description of the new neighbor.

-''Dammit Tae, you're making me curious. I wanna see him now.''

-''I'm telling you, he is perfect.''

-''Well order food and I'll bring ice cream and beers. It's a movie night.''

-''Jimin it's two in the afternoon.'' – Taehyung said exasperatedly.

-''It's two-forty five, soon three. And so what? Time flies anyway. I'll be there in an hour.'' – Jimin said matter-of-factly.

Taehyung rolled his eyes.

-''Jimin I have to work, I can't waste my time lazying around with you.''

Jimin gasped over the phone. – ''Are you telling me I'm a waste of your time? Your soulmate?''

-''Truthfully?'' – Taehyung teased.

-''Taehyung! Don't you dare!''

-''What? I can't say that you can never be the waste of my time?''

-''Aaawww Tae Tae, I'll let you pass this time.'' – Jimin purred in satisfaction.

-''Still, I do have a deadline and I can't be distracted.'' – Taehyung hurried to say. Jimin chuckled.

-''What? No more than you already are?'' – He teased.

-''Yes, especially now.''

-''Do you want to bet that you will spend your entire day gazing into that window in the hope to catch the sight of him again?'' – Jimin asked and Taehyung knew he lost. He sighed deeply in defeat.

-''Might as well do it with me then.'' – Jimin added victoriously.

Jimin did get a glimpse of the hot neighbor that day on his way to Taehyung's building one and a half hours later. The man was entering the cab but it was enough for Jimin to rake his eyes all over him. The first thing he said when he entered Tae's apartment was.

-''You were right Tae, you are fucked.''