Time flowed like a halcyon river on a sunny day for Jeongguk; no anger, no nightmares, not even an argument with another student.

He had almost turned into an utterly different person. Even Mr. Kung was astounded by the change, although he knew the reason.

Everyone knew the reason.

He was happy. Cherished. Loved. By someone other than his friends. And that someone was more than he could ever ask for. He could finally breathe because of him. Enjoy his life. Live each day instead of just getting through it.

And he could only pray for things to stay the same from now on.

 
For Taehyung, it was just as peaceful. Just as heavenly.

He completed his novel and started proofreading it, he endured the dull business classes he had with a positive mindset, and he found the courage to free himself from the weight of his parent’s pressure to be perfect — to succeed in something he wasn’t interested in.

He was determined. Determined to finish this academic year and change his course of study the next year to what he truly wanted to do.

Even though that decision pricked his heart and brimmed it with guilt every time he thought about his parents, he couldn’t bear to live in misery because of them. Not anymore.

They hadn’t gotten in contact with him since the incident with his father sixteen days ago. And Taehyung didn’t venture to phone them, not even text them. The fear of getting yelled at or being ignored was too dolorous to handle.

He also mentioned to Jeongguk what Haejun had told him about his father and his plans to appeal his conviction since he believed he had to know, but the younger already knew about it.

He had kept contact with an attorney from the prosecution who was in charge of his father’s trial, and she had called him the first time he wanted to appeal his conviction. Thankfully, his request was denied back then. And she let him know again the moment she found out. That was even before he met Taehyung.

🥀

Taehyung checked the clock for the nth time, eager to finish his shift to meet his friends and boyfriend at the night out they had planned.

“You’re spacing out again,” his boss, Seowoon teased, taking him by surprise since his mind was floating far away in colorful bubbles where Jeongguk’s astonishing face was engraved.

“Sorry, hyung. I’m going out tonight with my friends and I can’t wait. It’s been so long since we had a night out.”

“Why don’t you go out more often?”

“Everyone has their schedule and it’s difficult to find a day that works for all of us.”

“I see. Well, you can leave now if you want. We don’t have a lot of customers, anyway.”

“It’s okay, I only have ten minutes left.”

“Exactly. You won’t be missed.”

“I don’t know if I should thank you or be mad with what you just said.” Taehyung folded his arms over his chest, a fake pout adorning his traits.

“Come on, you know what I mean, Tae,” he answered with a chuckle as he ruffled his hair. “Go.”

“Wait,” he said, preventing him from leaving. “I wanted to ask if I can work more hours. Is it possible?”

“Why would you do that? You won’t have any free time with the uni and stuff.”

“I... fought with my father and he said he won’t give me any money from now on. I was coping until now since I had some extra money saved up, but with the bills and everything I have to pay in a few days, I’ll be broke.”

“I wish I could help you, Tae, but I already have Jinseo from ten to six. I can only give you an extra morning shift on Saturdays, but it won’t be much.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I’ll figure something out. Thank you, though. You’re the best,” Taehyung said, giving him a grateful smile.

“I’ll have it in mind if I hear anything. Go change now.” Seowoon returned the smile before he trod behind the bar.

 
After he changed his shirt, Taehyung said goodbye to his boss and skipped towards the exit, his excitement going through the roof.

But the blood glaciated in his veins, bringing him to an abrupt halt when his gaze fell on a very familiar car parked near to the cafe. He watched with restless eyes as the chauffeur stepped out of the luxurious vehicle and motioned him to get inside with a cordial smile.

Taehyung forced his muscles to unclench so he could bow to the young man and then inched closer, his eyes anchored on his small, hesitant steps. He cracked the back door open and slid into the seat, chin buried in his chest, not daring to meet his father’s gaze. “Hello, dad.”

“To Taehyung’s house, John.”

“Yes, sir,” the chauffeur said and started the engine right away.

The disregard of his greeting hurt — he couldn’t deny that — even though he should have been used to it by now. “How... have you been?”

“How do you think, Taehyung?”

His guilt mixed with sadness petered into something fiercer at his biting behavior. “Why did you pick me up? To make me feel more shitty or mock me?”

“Watch your mouth in front of me,” he spat, voice cautionary and stern enough to smother any ounce of his audacity. “Mr. Kung called me. He said you’re doing well in your classes, which surprised me. Why is that?”

“Honestly? Because I don’t have you and mom pressuring me to do better when I’m already trying my best.”

Haejun tossed him a glance as the need to swallow reigned over him. “Fair enough. I know my ways to parent you aren’t the best and don’t always work. But I’m trying, just like you. And, um”—he cleared his throat as he shifted in his seat—“I realized after discussing it with your mother every day that cutting you off completely isn’t right.”

His doe eyes traveled to his father at the unforeseen statement and fixed on his profile. “You... changed your mind? Really?”

“It’s that damn guy’s fault.”

“Who are you talking about?”

Haejun gave him another fleeting look before he responded. “That Jeon Jeongguk. What he said about living without his parents. I hadn’t thought about it that way. When I said that to your mother, she started crying. She can understand him since her parents died when she was still young. I can’t imagine my life without my parents. And I don’t want you to live without yours since you have the option to live your life with them in it.”

“Dad,” he whispered, feeling a warmth sprawl on his chest that touched his heart and overflowed his eyes with tears. “Thank you. I don’t want to live my life without you, either. But I also don’t want to live the life you want me to.”

“I know. And your mother knows. But you need to meet us halfway, Taehyung. We’re not some random people. We have a name in the business. And you’re our son. If you want to do what you want to do, you have to be successful. Or else you’ll end up working under me.”

“I promise I’ll try my best to succeed, dad. Just give me a chance.”

“I will. That doesn’t mean you’re allowed to skip classes and—”

“No. I promise I won’t. I’ll finish this year with one of the top ten scores. But I’ll change my course of study next year.” His voice dropped to a murmur as he twisted his head away, the dread of his reaction soaring up.

“I heard from Mr. Kung,” he uttered with a frustrated sigh, clearly disapproving his decision. “I was furious at first. I wanted to come and give you a good beating, I won’t lie. But your mother calmed me down. Even though she was more furious than me, she stopped me from meeting you. Do you really want to study for another four years?”

“The course at the uni I’m attending is only for two years. I have everything planned out, dad, don’t worry. Just trust me.”

“You better not disappoint me again.”

“I won’t.”

🥀

All arrayed in fancy clothes for a change, they hovered around the teeming streets of Itaewon, admiring the lurid lights of the lined-up bars. The frequent jostle they had to bear as they contemplated where to go was rather irritating, but they should have seen this coming; they chose to come to this place on a Saturday night.

“Who proposed to come here and why did I agree?” Seokjin grumbled, looking askance at a clump of people who were too loud for his liking and some even bumped into him, adding fuels to the ever-increasing annoyance in his gut.

“Just chill, hyung,” Jimin chirped, flashing him a goofy smile. “We’re almost there.”

“We’re going somewhere specific?” asked Taehyung.

“Of course! I made a reservation—Holy shit, is that Mr. Kung!?” Jimin staggered to a stop when his wandering gaze landed on the familiar figure sitting in a lavish restaurant with three other men.

“What? Nah, there’s no way—” Jeongguk’s remark found an abrupt death as his eyes popped. “It’s really him.”

“Let’s go say hi!” Jimin pushed his way through the vast crowd and managed to arrive right beside his table, a grin etched on his face. “Mr. Kung. I never expected to find you here.”

“Jimin, let the man have a good time,” Yoongi scolded in a soft tone as he grabbed his hand to take him away, but Jimin didn’t budge.

“It’s okay. I see the whole group is here.” Mr. Kung chuckled and offered a genial smile to the boys who just arrived. “You all seem too surprised for some reason.”

“We just didn’t expect to see you here,” Namjoon explained.

“Well, I don’t come here often, but this place has great food.”

“So we won’t see you go wild in some club later?” Jeongguk teased, causing the three older men to chortle and Mr. Kung to shoot him a glare, unamused.

“I better not see you go wild in some club later, brat.”

The group burst into chuckles at his cute comeback. “Don’t worry, Mr. Kung. We’ll take care of him,” said Hoseok.

They bid their farewell after they wished him to have a great time and bundled off. With a bit more shoves, they reached their destination, which was a cozy, elegant bar compared to the other flashy ones they passed by.

They settled at their reserved table — Jeongguk, Taehyung, and Jimin sat on the couch, Yoongi on a chair beside his baby, and the other three boys across from them. They ordered two bottles of soju for starters when the server came and two beers for Yoongi and Jeongguk, who wanted to mix them.

As they began chatting, the caramel-haired boy slithered an arm around his baby’s waist, bringing him flat against his side. And once Taehyung turned his head in his direction to question the sudden action, he planted a swift kiss on his pretty lips.

“You’re gorgeous, love,” Jeongguk whispered into his ear and drew a wet kiss on his neck, instantly sensing the older tense up.

“Yah, don’t do this here,” he said, voice coming out as if pleading him to stop.

“Why? What’s the problem?” he goaded, his face still tucked into the curve of his neck, and he let his lips graze over his smooth skin, knowing well the stimulating effect it’d have on him.

“As if you don’t know,” Taehyung muttered through gritted teeth as he fidgeted in his seat to subtly readjust his semi-hard length. “If you continue to tease me, I’ll fuck you until you won’t be able to walk.”

The challenging declaration raised an artful smirk from the younger as he guided his mouth to his ear. “If someone’s getting fucked tonight, it’s you, baby.”

“Yah!” Jimin cried out, attracting attention from the people sitting close to them. “Sorry, sorry,” he mumbled with an apologetic smile and whipped his head to the lovebirds. “I want my Taetae back, okay? You always have him glued to your side. We can’t even gossip anymore because of you!” He tugged Taehyung closer to him by his forearm, evoking a subdued squeak from the boy.

“You had him all your life while we just started dating. Let me enjoy it!” He yanked him to his side, another yelp flying off his mouth.

“You even live together. I only see him at the uni!” Taehyung was once again pulled to Jimin’s side, something that sparked a fire of vexation in the poor boy’s chest.

“And you spend all of our breaks together yapping on without letting him talk to me.” Before Jeongguk could get a hold of his hand, Taehyung burst out of his seat with a frustrated groan.

“You know what? I don’t want to sit next to you guys anymore.” He made his way around the table and sat on Hoseok’s chair since he was understanding enough to give him his seat.

“Come on, baby—”

“I don’t wanna hear it.”

“But Taetae—”

“I said I don’t wanna hear it. You’re always bickering, and I don’t know what to do. I’m trying to please both of you, but one of you ends up sulking every time!”

A veil of fragile silence fell upon them as the two boys dropped their heads in remorse.

“Here are your drinks,” the server announced with a cheery smile that faltered an inch when he sensed the frosty atmosphere. “Enjoy,” he added after he placed the bottles on the table.

“Thank you,” uttered a few of them, and Namjoon set his eyes on the sulky duo. “Taehyung is right and you know it. You’re not kids to fight like this. The only thing you get from that is making Taehyung sad. Is that what you want?”

“No,” they murmured in unison.

“Then apologize and don’t do it again.”

“Sorry, baby.”

“Sorry, Tae. We overreacted.”

“Great! Now let’s drink,” Seokjin said as he passed a filled glass to each of them.

“Thank you, guys.” The violet-haired boy returned to his original seat and gave them a tight hug, bringing content smiles to their lips. “Let’s make a toast,” he said, holding his glass in front of him. “To friendship. You guys are the best friends I could ever have and I love all of you so much. Even when we bicker or complain.” A few chuckles were heard along with his. “And to love. I’m so lucky to have you, Kookie. And I’m so proud of you. Cheers.”

“Cheers!” they yelled all together as they clinked their glasses and gulped down the bitter liquid in one shot.

 
The night carried on with loads of laughter and the rounds of drinks increased so much only Jeongguk and Yoongi could continue drinking. The two drivers, Hoseok and Seokjin, had stopped in the second round already.

Taehyung, of course, wanted to have another soju, but he was slurring his words by now, and Jeongguk strictly warned the other boys not to let him drink anymore.

“Why you allowed to drink and m’not?”

The caramel-haired boy chuckled, deep and velvety, as he twined a steadying arm around him. “Because I’m not drunk, angel. But you already are.”

“M’not drunk, who’s drunk?” He perked his head up and whipped it from side to side, his dopey eyes narrowing to a pinprick. “You drunk?” He pointed a faltering finger at Jimin. “You drunk? You drunk?” He did the same to Yoongi and Namjoon and broke into giggles, but then he collapsed on his baby. “I think I’m drunk.”

“Yeah, you don’t say.” Jeongguk snorted as he flicked a clump of hair in the boy’s face away and raked his hand through it until it rested on his nape. “You’re adorable, though.”

“And you’re hot, Kookie. So hot.” His gaze lingered on his exposed collarbones, and he set a hand between them, gliding it downwards.

Panicked, Jeongguk snatched the dangerous limb and gave a once-over to their surroundings. “We’re not alone, baby.”

“Home then, let’s go home.”

“Even if we go home, we won’t do anything. You’re too drunk.”

“M’not so drunk. Just a little dizzy.”

“Still.”

“But I want to have sex wi—”

Jeongguk threw a frantic palm over his mouth, silencing his loud remark. He directed his eyes to his friends, who were cackling at what just happened and cleared his throat, embarrassed. “I think it’s time to go home.”

“Yeah, he seems ready to jump you at any minute,” Hoseok commented with a snicker, noting how Taehyung was latched onto him.

“Not funny, hyung.”

“I’m not joking.”

Jeongguk settled for a stern look instead of replying. “Can you bring the car? I don’t want him to walk all the way there.”

“Yeah, don’t worry,” said Hoseok.

“I’ll come with you.” Seokjin rose to his feet, and soon everyone followed.

They exited the bar after they paid their bill, and as the two drivers went to their cars, the other boys hived on a bench they found nearby.

The crisp breeze seemed to help Taehyung’s intoxicated condition a fraction, and he glanced up to the caramel-haired boy. “I love how you take care of me.”

Jeongguk's stomach fluttered at the sweet confession. “I always will, angel.” He tipped closer and connected their lips into a tender kiss.

Their three friends spectated the endearing sight with fond smiles painted over their characteristics. “It’s funny how things change,” Jimin softly said. “Remember when you wanted to make out with someone and I said you should ask Jeongguk? And that assface rejected you. What would have happened if he had said yes?”

“You told him to ask me?” the younger questioned, surprised.

“Well, he wanted an asshole so.”

“I didn’t like him back then, though,” Taehyung chimed in.

“You had called him hot, Tae. I think you liked him alright.”

“Say more, please,” Jeongguk said in a teasing tone, unable to conceal the smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” The violet-haired boy delivered a playful punch on his thigh.

“Very.”

“You’re not the one to talk, Kook,” Yoongi joined the conversation. “When you guys fell asleep in the living room, Jeongguk was pretending to sleep until you woke up because your hug was warm and comfortable, as I recall.”

“Yah!” Jeongguk cried as his eyes swelled in shock and embarrassment.

“Aww, baby—”

“No, don’t do that.” He furiously shook his hand and turned his back to him as flushed circles bloomed on his cheeks, wishing for someone to save him from the pitfall of shame.

“Come on, don’t be embarrassed. It’s cute. You’re the sweetest.” Taehyung draped his arm over his shoulder and tucked him in his hug. “I love you, Kookie.”

The younger melted in his warm embrace, smiling fondly at the sugary words, and girdled his torso. “I love you too.”

🥀

Jeongguk got off the car with a sleeping Taehyung in his arms, delicate, suave snores floating in the air that had him cooing over his baby.

“Goodnight, guys,” he whispered once they entered their house, and he pattered to his room. He leaned over and carefully placed him in the bed, but the grasp around him tightened before he could release him.

“Kookie.”

“I’m right here, baby.” Instead of standing up, he slipped into the bed next to him, nesting him inside his hug.

Dozy eyes split open, absorbing Jeongguk's affectionate gaze and stunning features. “You are.”

“And always will be, love.”

“Me too.”

Jeongguk drew a chain of kisses on his head as he ran a hand up and down his back. “Let’s undress and sleep, hmm?” His mellow hum was all the confirmation Jeongguk needed to help him remove his clothes except his boxers. “Remember when you had fallen asleep in my room and woke up in your bed?”

“Yes. You kept insisting that you didn’t know how that happened.”

After tossing his clothes somewhere on the floor next to his, he cuddled up to him again. “I lied. I carried you to your room.”

“I knew it was suspicious! Why did you lie?”

“Because I was stupid. I didn’t want you to think I was soft for you.”

Taehyung flashed a gentle smile, a ray of fondness gleaming in his eyes. “But... were you?” His smile stretched into a grin as he discerned his tiny nods. “Why are you saying this now?”

“I just recalled it when I carried you here from the car. I had to put your pillow in your hug because you wouldn’t let me go. Then I stared at you for a while. You were so pretty. You still are.” He stroked his cheek with his knuckle, his heart pulsing harder with the all-consuming emotions that seized his entire existence under his gaze.

Feeling pure bliss filter in his bones, Taehyung released a slow-paced sigh, his fingers drawing up his back to cup his nape. “I wish you could feel how happy I am with you. And how much I love you.”

“I can see it in your eyes. And feel it in your touch. I hope you feel it too. How much I love you. And how happy I am with you.”

“I do.” His breathy response was the final thing that was said between the two as they mutually merged their lips into a longing, tender kiss, their tongues brushing against each other in a savory manner, and their hearts melting in the flames of fullness.

⚜✳⚜

We're one chapter away from the end...
I already have mixed feelings 😟