Work Text:
“I can’t believe I’m finally doing this!” you said excitedly, locking your car doors and jumping up and down a little. The day you’d been waiting for had finally arrived.
Ever since you were young, you’d always wanted a pet. You couldn’t count how many times you’d begged your parents for a dog, or how much time you’d put into creating powerpoints about why you needed one. But no matter how persuasive you could be, your parents still weren’t buying it. To be fair, your mother was very allergic to dogs, and your dad was a little scared of them (which he refused to admit, but every time he saw one on the street he would dodge it like it was something deadly). You lived your whole childhood watching all of your friends get dogs, which is exactly why when you finally moved out that one of the first things you did was go to a shelter.
“What kind of dog do you want to get?” your best friend, Namjoon, asked. Over the years that he’d known you, your favorite breed had changed dozens of times. When you were 7, all you ever talked about was German Shepards. But then when you were 8 Namjoon adopted a Husky and those became your favorite dogs. Nearly every year you fell in love with a new breed, so your friend really had no clue what dog you’d want to get this time around.
“Hmmm,” you pondered, unable to hide the smile that was creeping along your face as you walked across the parking lot of the shelter with Namjoon in tow. “I guess I’ll just see which dog speaks to me.”
“Every dog is going to speak to you, Y/N. I’m coming with you specifically to make sure you don’t walk out of here with 10 dogs.”
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s wrong with adopting 10 dogs?”
“You’ve never even taken care of a fish, I think it’s safest to start with just one dog for now. Plus, we’re roommates. Any dog that’s yours is essentially mine too.”
You pouted at him as he held the door open for you, and then you entered the noisy shelter. The sound of barking met your ears instantly, and you nearly skipped over to the first cage. A small black pug sniffed up at you in its cage, and you instantly dropped to the floor and started cooing at it, smiling and waving your fingers at it. Namjoon crouched next to you and held his hand out to the cage to let it sniff.
“I love it already,” you said, looking around for the sheet that had information about the dog written on it. She was named Minnie, and you could already imagine yourself rolling around with her and playing fetch.
“Y/N, I know what you’re thinking. How about you walk around and see what other dogs they have first?”
With a sigh you stood up and let him take your hand, leading you to the next cage. Over the next 20 minutes, you fell in love with every single dog that you saw. A Pit bull puppy had your heart melting, and an older Border Collie had Namjoon tugging you away because you didn’t want to move. You had no idea how you were going to choose just one pet; you wanted to take them all home.
And then you saw him: a small, fiery red Shiba Inu puppy, curly tail wagging excitedly as it played around in a pen with a few other dogs. An employee let you into the pen with them, and the second you entered he was bounding over to you. You pet his head in between his adorable pointed ears, and he instantly started biting your shoelaces.
“Stop that!” you giggled and moved your feet away, but no matter where you went his mouth followed.
“That one’s got a lot of energy,” the employee told you with a smile on her face, and when you picked him up you never wanted to let go.
“How old is he?” you asked.
“He’s just a pup, a little over 3 months old.”
The dog’s big brown eyes looked up at you eagerly, and he started trying to lick your face. You laughed and squeezed your eyes shut, trying to move your head away.
Namjoon was playing with a Beagle in the pen with you, but when he looked up he knew you’d found your new best friend.
“Not gonna lie, I really only know them from the doge meme,” you admitted.
“They’re a very sweet breed,” the employee said. “A hunting breed, so keep them on a leash unless you want them running for every small animal they see. Can be a bit stubborn, but very loyal and kind.”
You nodded your head, but you knew that no matter what the employee had to say, you were already attached to this dog.
“I think you’ve looked at all of them by now,” Namjoon said. “Do you know which one you love best?”
You looked up at your friend, and you could tell with the little glimmer in his eye that he already knew. You’d put the Shiba down on the ground, and he went back to chewing endearingly on your shoelaces. You weren’t even trying to stop him anymore.
“Yes, I know exactly which one I love.”
“They told you Shiba Inus were stubborn,” Namjoon said, trying to keep the smirk off of his face. You were currently being tugged along by your energetic little pup. You’d had Haru for about three weeks now, and they’d been three weeks of near torture.
You loved him, but you were in hell.
“I can handle stubborn, this dog came straight out of the pits of hell,” you grumbled, but you both knew that you absolute adored him. Haru had become the biggest part of your life, even bigger than your new job and apartment. He was all you thought about 24/7, mostly because he had you up nearly 24/7.
The last three weeks had been filled with lots of barking, numerous “accidents” in which he ruined the new rug you’d just bought, and several jailbreaks in which he slipped his collar and made a run for it.
Needless to say, you’d gotten very little sleep and were at your wit’s end. But every time he’d crawl into your lap and lick your hand, your heart melted all over again and you knew exactly why you’d chosen him.
“Do you want me to take the leash?” Namjoon asked hesitantly when Haru yanked you forward again, chasing after a leaf blowing in the wind.
“I can handle him,” you huffed and wrapped the leash around your hand a third time to get a better grip.
“Is it all you thought it would be?” Namjoon asked and looped his arm around your free one.
“What?”
“Owning a dog.”
“Oh!” you said. “It’s a little more work than I was expecting, but after all he is just a puppy.”
“I cannot believe Haru already got kicked out of puppy training school,” Namjoon laughed.
“It’s not his fault!” you exclaimed. “Haru is just very inquisitive.”
“He sniffed another dog’s butt and all hell broke loose.”
“He caused a momentary commotion, but the other dogs started running around and barking too so I don’t really see why it was all his fault.”
“Nevertheless, the instructor told you to never bring him back. You officially have a dropout on your hands.”
“That instructor was a dick,” you sniffed. “Haru is an absolute angel and I can train him by myself.”
“Just a minute ago you said he was from hell.”
“Well, he is. But he’s also an angel. My perfect little angelic demon dog. The perfect companion.”
You and Namjoon had reached the dog park entrance, and you let Namjoon open the gates for you so you could keep ahold of Haru. You’d been taking Haru for several walks a day, but when Namjoon suggested a dog park you could feel a weight lifting off of your shoulders. Being able to let Haru run loose and burn some energy sounded exactly like what you needed right now.
As soon as Namjoon closed the second gate, you bent down and let Haru off of his leash. He paused for a second, but as soon as he realized he was free he bolted away from you, hopping across the yard with his tail wagging.
“Haru!” you yelled and waved the new tennis ball you’d bought in your hand. The energetic puppy turned around at your voice, tongue wagging. You threw the ball in a wide arc, and he jumped into the air to catch it.
Unsurprisingly, once he had the ball he ran in the opposite direction with it.
You sighed and sat down on the bench, and Namjoon joined you a moment later.
“A boyfriend probably would’ve been easier,” he remarked.
“Namjoon!” you yelled.
“What? You wanted a companion, right? At least you’d get some sleep with a boyfriend.”
You ignored your best friend and watched Haru chasing a dog around the park. The dogs seemed to be having fun, but soon enough the owner of the other dog called it over to them and shot you a dirty look.
“So when are you going to start training him?” Namjoon asked and leaned back against the bench, tipping his head up toward the sun.
“I already am,” you responded. “Haru, come!”
Haru did not come.
“He’s very independent, just like his mommy.”
“That is such a load of shit,” Namjoon said with his eyes closed. He didn’t even have to look to know that Haru was definitely not coming.
You rested your head on Namjoon’s shoulder with a sigh. “He’s a pain in the ass, but he’s my pain in the ass.”
“I could say the same about you.”
“Shut up,” you said half halfheartedly, cozying up closer to your friend. You had a few moments of peace before you had to jump up and run to Haru, who had decided to eat garbage for lunch.
It took you twenty minutes to finally catch Haru and get him back on his leash, but the second you got out of the dog park and stepped into the parking lot he slipped his collar. You watched in horror as he wiggled his head out and then ran for it, and you screamed his name and started running after him. He wove in between parked cars, and your heart was pounding as you tried to catch up with him.
“Haru!” you yelled, clutching the leash in your hand and looking around for him desperately. Your throat was getting tight, and your breathing hitched when you saw red in the corner of your vision. Haru was standing next to a sandy haired man, and when you caught up to him you saw that the man had treats and was holding them above Haru’s head.
You walked up slowly as to not scare Haru off, and the man glanced up at you and gave you a small nod. He continued to shake the bag of treats while you crept up on Haru and finally got ahold of him. The stranger helped grab the collar from your hands and put it around Haru’s neck.
“Thank you so much,” you said, your heartbeat finally slowing down.
“It’s no problem,” you stranger replied and petted Haru on the head. “You’ve got an excited one here, don’t you?”
“He likes to break free.”
“You should try a harness, that way he can’t slip out of it.”
Haru started pulling on the leash again, distracted by a dog passing by.
“What’s his name?”
“Haru.”
“Can I give him a treat?”
“Sure,” you replied with a shrug.
“Haru,” the stranger said and shook the bag of treats again. “Come.” Haru turned around and looked at him, and then pranced over. The stranger bent down and gave him a treat.
“Are you trying to train him?” the stranger asked.
“I was, but he kinda got kicked out.”
“I see.” He looked down at Haru, who was trying to chew on his shoelaces.
“I’m Taehyung,” he said and stuck out his hand for you to shake.
“Y/N.”
“I work as a dog trainer, if you’re interested?”
Haru tried to bolt again, barking loudly at a Chihuahua that was walking past, and you had to pick him up to make sure that he wouldn’t slip his collar again.
“He’s really stubborn,” you admitted.
Taehyung smiled, his mouth boxy and his brown eyes bright. “I don’t mind a challenge.”
You struggled with Haru in your arms, and when you set him down Taehyung shook the treats again and repeated the come command until Haru was at his feet, waiting for a treat.
“What’s your rate?” you asked hesitantly. You’d just moved to this area, and you had lied to your parents about what you’d eaten for dinner the past week (instant ramen every single night). You didn’t have a lot of spare change to spend on private training.
“For someone so gorgeous? I can do the first few lessons free.”
“Are you hitting on me?” you asked, incredulous.
Taehyung looked at you and then looked pointedly down at Haru. “I was talking about this handsome man right here.” And then he shot you a wink.
“Is everything alright?” Namjoon asked, coming around the car. “I couldn’t even figure out where you’d ran to.”
“Yeah, Haru just decided to make a new friend,” you replied.
Namjoon gave Taehyung a nod and came up to your side.
“That would be really nice of you,” you finally responded to Taehyung. “But I can’t ask you to do that for free.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he said, opening the back door of his car. A couple golden retrievers hopped out, and Haru started barking uncontrollably.
“Can you help?” you asked you friend. Namjoon grabbed Haru and started walking away with him to stop him from barking.
“I suppose he really does need some training, but I still feel bad having you help for free.”
Taehyung shrugged. “I come here almost every day; I walk some people’s dogs as well so this is pretty much my second home. I don’t mind giving you some tips while I’m here. I’m just sitting around anyway.”
“Haru, no!”
You glanced over and saw Namjoon pulling Haru away from a puddle of mud.
“I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” you said when you turned back to Taehyung.
“I’m usually here around this time, so I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
“Thanks so much.” You shot Taehyung a smile and then gave him a small wave before you ran and help stop Haru from bathing in mud.
“Haru, come,” you commanded. Haru looked at you and wagged his tail. “Come!”
It was a few days later, and thankfully only a couple other people were in the dog park. Taehyung had brought treats again, and you had a few of them in your hand as you tried to teach Haru his first command. Taehyung and you were sitting across from each other, and he was holding Haru’s leash. Each of you were taking turns calling Haru, and each time he’d come over you’d give him a treat.
You sighed after you’d called Haru for the tenth time.
“Just be patient,” Taehyung said, ignoring Haru’s inquiring nose at his hand.
“I’m the most patient person there is,” you retorted.
“I’ve only known you for a few days, but even I can tell you that’s false.”
You glared at him but then took a deep breath, determined to stay calm and patient.
“Haru, come!” Nothing. “Come!” A turned head, tongue sticking out. “Come!” Haru’s tail started wagging. “Come!”
Finally he came over, and you smiled wide as you gave him a treat. “Good boy!”
Taehyung spent some time calling Haru over, and the two of you sat there for almost an hour having Haru stubbornly walk back and forth between you. Taehyung had a poodle with him today, and it sat next to him calmly, head down on the ground as if this were boring them.
“Is that your dog?” you had asked when you first spotted Taehyung in the dog park.
“Nope, this is my neighbor’s dog.”
Now, with Haru resting his head peacefully in your lap, you asked Taehyung about his own pets.
“I actually only have one dog at the moment.”
“Really?” you asked, surprised. “I assumed you’d have a ton of dogs.”
“I do, in a sense. All the dogs I train are kind of my dogs.”
You smiled at him and petted Haru. “What kind of dog do you have?”
“A Pomeranian,” he answered. “His name is Yeontan. I just adopted him a little while ago.”
“Maybe some day him and Haru can go on a play date.”
Taehyung laughed and sat back on his elbows. “That sounds like a good idea, once we get Haru trained.”
The sun made Taehyung’s hair shine, and leaning back he looked like a work of art. You blushed when you realized you were staring, and focused on the sleeping pup in your lap.
“Is Haru your first dog?” Taehyung asked you a few moments later.
“He is.” You smiled down at Haru and kissed him on the head, causing him to nuzzle his head further into your lap. “How many pets have you had?”
“I’ve had pets all my life.”
“Is that why you went into dog training?”
Taehyung shook his head no. “I’ve loved animals forever, but I didn’t want to go into training until I started volunteering at a shelter. People give up animals so easily when all the dog needs is some training.”
You thought back to the nights you’d spent crouched over a mess Haru had made and wondered how many people would’ve given up by then.
“So many abandoned pets came into the shelter, and I realized that I could help in some way.”
“That’s really admirable of you,” you said.
Taehyung sat up and smiled at you. “It’s not, it’s just my way of putting some good into this world.”
“I really appreciate you helping train Haru. He’s a little devil but he has the softest heart.”
“I don’t mind at all. Besides, who else can say they get to spend time with someone so charming?”
“You’re talking about Haru again, aren’t you?”
Taehyung winked at you. “I’m talking about you this time.”
You blushed again and busied yourself with untangling Haru’s leash, as he’d knotted it up going back and forth between you two.
“Have you lived in this area very long?” you asked him.
“I’ve been here for a couple years now. But you must be new, right? I’d remember seeing you around town.”
The fact that he was determined that he’d remember you made your stomach flip in ways you hadn’t felt in a while. “I just moved here last month. I lived a couple hours away from here, but my friend needed a roommate and I really wanted to move out.”
“Have you liked it so far?”
You shrugged. “It’s been okay, but I really just stick around my friend Namjoon. I haven’t really made any friends at work or around town yet.”
“I’m your friend!” Taehyung said nonchalantly.
“You’ve known me collectively for around an hour.”
“So?” he asked. “I can already tell I like you.”
Haru yawned in your lap and you looked down at him to avoid Taehyung’s gaze.
“That’s sweet of you, but you barely know me,” you said.
“Can you give me a chance to get to know you?”
“How so?”
Taehyung stood up and held his hand out to you to help you up. “See you here next week?”
Over the next several weeks, Taehyung trained Haru faster than you’d even imagined. Of course, Haru was still incredibly stubborn. Every time you told him to come and he’d just stand there wagging his tail at you, your blood boiled. He knew the commands, he just didn’t always choose to obey them. But you and Haru had become inseparable, as if you’d been waiting your whole life for him (and, in a sense, you had).
You started growing anxious once Haru had learned most of the common commands. You were enjoying spending time with Taehyung more than you cared to admit, finding yourself hanging on his every word and blushing whenever his hand brushed against yours when you passed the leash over to each other. You feared that you’d run out of excuses to keep meeting him. After all, you already felt bad having him train Haru for free. You certainly couldn’t expect him to go above and beyond in training when you weren’t even paying him.
You wondered how Taehyung kept finding things to teach your pup. Haru had already learned how to come, heel, sit, lie down, and fetch. Haru had become a little tamer, no longer constantly running for every moving object that he saw.
“Hey, buddy!” Taehyung said one day when the two of you finally got to the dog park. He petted Haru between his ears and then took out his usual bag of treats. “Let’s teach you how to high five today.”
You laughed, thinking he was joking. But sure enough, he started trying to teach Haru how to high five. Your heart melted a little as you sat on the bench and watched Taehyung bent over, fluffy sandy hair covering his eyes and a big smile on his face when Haru finally put his paw in his hand.
The next week, you were certain Taehyung would tell you this was the last lesson. You couldn’t even think of more things to teach Haru at the moment. You’d achieved your goal: having a dog that didn’t drive you absolutely nuts. What else was there that Haru absolutely needed to learn?
But this time around, Taehyung had decided to teach Haru how to roll over.
The next week, he wanted to teach Haru how to play dead.
“Running out of things to teach him?” you asked when your session was over, walking out of the dog park with Taehyung. He had an adorable Bulldog with him today and you let her lick your hand before she hopped in his car. He closed the door and leaned against it, a small smirk on his face.
“You can never run out of things to teach a dog,” he replied.
Haru barked once at a passing dog, but when you commanded him to be quiet he sat at your side silently.
“He’s absolutely perfect, Taehyung,” you said, sadness filling your voice. Taehyung didn’t have to train Haru anymore, which didn’t give you much of a reason to spend time with him at the dog park.
“He is,” Taehyung responded, voice sounding equally as disappointed. You felt like your time with him was almost at an end, and your head started spinning trying to come up with an excuse to see him again.
Finally, you knew the perfect excuse.
“Do you want to go out for drinks soon?” you asked. “As a way of paying you back for training Haru.”
Taehyung stood silently for a moment, and then a smile brightened his face.
“Sure, I suppose that would be fair payment. I’ll pick you up this weekend.”
“You asked him out for drinks?” Namjoon asked you later that night as you plopped down onto the sofa next to him. You put a pillow on his lap and rested on it, looking up at your best friend and the dimples you’d adored since you were little.
“Yeah, as a way of thanking him for his help.”
“Are you sure that’s the only reason why?” he asked.
“Namjoon, what are you implying?”
“I’m just saying that you’ve been taking Haru to get trained for weeks now, and half the things he knows he’ll never even need. Plus, every time you come home from the dog park you have a goofy grin on your face.”
“I do not!” you exclaimed.
“Yes, you do. I’ve known you my whole life, I can tell when you like someone.”
You huffed and turned so your back was to him. “I don’t know if he even wants to be friends with me.”
Namjoon rolled his eyes at you. “Y/N, it’s so clear he’s been wanting to spend time with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Did Haru really have to learn how to play dead?” he asked.
You bit your lip, not having a response. You had been very aware that Taehyung didn’t need to teach Haru any of the tricks he’d taught him these past few weeks.
“He’s been looking for any excuse to see you every week. You two are driving me nuts.”
When he put it that way, it did seem a bit obvious. Most of your training sessions were spent with the two of you just chatting anyway, and Haru certainly didn’t need more training right now.
“When are you going out with him?” Namjoon asked you and started braiding your hair.
“This weekend, he texted me the time he’d pick me up.”
“Alright, just text me if you need me to clear out of the apartment for you two.”
“Namjoon!” you yelled and picked up the pillow you’d been lying on, throwing it at him and walking away in frustration.
When Taehyung buzzed your apartment, you could feel your own nerves buzzing beneath your skin. You took a deep breath and gave Haru a pat on his head before leaving him alone with Namjoon.
You were dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans, and Taehyung was dressed much the same. The two of you walked together to the nearest bar, the air between the two of you feeling heavy and weighted. This wasn’t a date, you reminded yourself. You were the one who asked him out, and it was purely so that you could thank him for all of his help. So what if he had the most gorgeous brown eyes you’d ever looked into, or a laugh that made your knees weak?
You hoped he wouldn’t notice that your hands were trembling a little.
This wasn’t a date. This wasn’t any different than spending time with him in the dog park. Except this time you didn’t have Haru as a distraction and a buffer.
“How’s Haru doing?” Taehyung asked you to break the silence. You’d been sitting tracing your finger along the rim of your glass, too nervous to speak.
“He’s doing well,” you replied, nodding your head but still not looking up at him.
“Are you alright?” Taehyung asked, lowering his head to catch your eye.
You finally looked up and gave him a small smile. “Yeah, I guess it’s just weird seeing you outside of the dog park.”
“To be honest, I’ve been looking for an excuse to see you out of that godforsaken dog park for a while now.”
You widened your eyes at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t want you to think I was coming onto you.”
“You weren’t?” You pouted jokingly, although you secretly meant it.
“I meet a lot of people because of my job, but you’re one of my favorites.”
You blushed and stirred your drink before taking a sip. “Thank you so much for training Haru, you were my savior.”
“It really was my pleasure. Besides, if I hadn’t then I wouldn’t be sitting across a pretty girl right now.”
You choked a little on your drink and coughed.
“What do you do for fun, other than training and walking dogs?” you asked, desperate to change the topic. Taehyung had been a flirt ever since you knew him, but the alcohol was making you take him seriously tonight.
“I’m really into music, always have been. I’m in a jazz band. I actually play here some weekends.”
“No shit?” you asked, sitting up straighter in your seat.
“Yeah, but what about you?”
“Funnily enough, I love listening to jazz music in my free time.” You winked. “Go figure.”
Taehyung tipped his head back and laughed, and you joined him, the alcohol finally making you mellow out.
A couple hours and several drinks later, you had your feet up underneath you and you were leaning in close, laughing at the stories Taehyung was telling you. Without Haru distracting both of you, you finally had a chance to fully get to know Taehyung.
“And I shit you not, Hobi passed out at least three times on that ride. He’d scream and then a second later be completely knocked out.”
“Oh my god,” you said in between your laughter. “Next time you go to an amusement park with your friends, please bring me with.”
“You’re welcome any time,” he said. “My friends are your friends.”
You smiled and leaned back in your seat.
“Finally feel like you have friends now?” he asked you.
You scratched your head and acted like you were thinking about it. “I think I do.”
“Do you always play this hard to get with your friends?”
“Unless you’re a dog, it takes a while to win over my heart. But you’re getting there.”
Taehyung nodded and downed the rest of his drink. “I should be getting home.”
“Me too,” you agreed, noticing that the room was spinning a little bit. When you stood up, you had to hold onto the table as to not fall over.
“Let me walk you home,” Taehyung said and threw some bills down on the table, taking your hand and leading you out before you could protest.
“I was supposed to pay for those!” you complained, swaying as you walked.
“I’m not sure you can even count properly right now. Besides, we’re friends. I don’t mind paying. You can pay next week.”
“Next week,” you promised and leaned into him. The two of you were quiet until you got to your apartment.
“I had fun,” Taehyung said. “Now go get some rest.”
“I did too,” you confessed. “See you later, Taehyung.” You fumbled with your keys but finally got in. Before the door closed behind you, you gave him a wave.
“You can call me Tae, by the way. All my friends do.”
He turned away before he could see your sloppy, drunken smile.
Every week, you met Taehyung for drinks. And every week, he walked your tipsy ass back home. Namjoon still joked that he could always clear out of the apartment if necessary, and you acted like you couldn’t hear him. It’s not that you hadn’t thought about it; Taehyung was very attractive and he still made your stomach flip when he smiled. But you’d been friends for some time now, and you figured that’s how he wanted it. You told yourself you were fine with that.
But whenever Taehyung ran his hands through your hair, you felt a pang in your stomach. And when he held your hand as you walked home from the bar, you could feel your heart skip a beat.
“Goodnight, Y/N,” Taehyung said every time he’d drop you off at home. He’d help you open the door and then kiss your forehead before you stumbled up the stairs.
You were fine being just friends.
At night, though, you sometimes found yourself thinking about him. It felt wrong, thinking about your friend this way as you writhed in bed. But everyone fantasized every once and a while, right? It didn’t mean anything.
You were totally fine being just friends.
“Tae, you were amazing!” you said one night, leaping into his arms after his jazz performance. “I’m so glad you invited me finally.”
“I’m glad you wanted to come,” he replied. “I thought you were joking about liking jazz music.”
“I kinda was. But you’ve made me a fan now.”
Taehyung’s eyes were sparkling in the dim bar lighting, and your heart rate increased. Somehow, even though both of you were surrounded by dozens of people, this moment felt more intimate than when the two of you were tucked in a corner alone.
“You’re very talented,” you said, your voice so low that he probably couldn’t even hear you over the noise of the bar.
He was about to say something when a dark haired woman touched his arm and yelled his name.
“Taehyung!” She pulled him away from you and threw her arms around him.
“Nayeon, I didn’t think you were going to show up.”
“I couldn’t miss my favorite guy performing,” she said. She’d pulled away from her hug, but she still had her hand on his arm and her eyes were sultry as she looked up at him. “Who knew jazz could be so sexy?”
You suddenly felt like you shouldn’t be here anymore. In the months you’d known Taehyung, plenty of girls had flirted with him. But none that he clearly already knew. Not wanting to intrude, you acted like you needed to get a new drink and excused yourself from their company.
Taehyung turned to talk to you but Nayeon squeezed his arm a little and stepped closer to him, grabbing his attention again.
Walking straight past the bar, you slipped into a crowd of people and left the bar, cool air hitting your face as you walked outside. You walked home completely sober, and you wondered if that’s why things felt so wrong to you. Your stomach churned and your palms were sweating.
By the way Nayeon had been clinging to Taehyung, she clearly wanted to go home with him tonight. And as his friend, you should want that for him. You knew he was single, and any person your age deserved a good fuck every once and a while. Besides, she was adorable and he seemed to know her. They’d probably make a cute couple.
You were sweating now, and by the time you got up to your apartment your breathing was labored. The idea of your friend getting laid tonight shouldn’t bother you this much. Namjoon had had plenty of girlfriends and boyfriends over the years, and you’d never once felt sick thinking about it.
“Are you okay?” Namjoon asked when you slid down the door as soon as you closed it. You landed on the floor with a soft thud and closed your eyes, trying to regulate your breathing.
“Y/N, are you alright?” He was at your side now, hand pressed against your forehead. “Did something happen?”
“Tae’s probably going home with some girl tonight,” you mumbled and kept your eyes closed.
You heard a sigh and then Namjoon sat down next to you, taking your hand and holding it in his. “I knew this would happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“You were bound to figure out your feelings eventually.”
“I don’t—”
“You might be able to lie to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. Finally figured out you don’t just want to be friends with him, didn’t you?”
You stayed quiet, unsure of what to say. Is that why you felt so sick? The thought of Nayeon clutching Taehyung’s arm made your throat tighten.
You were not fine being just friends.
“I don’t like this feeling,” you whispered.
“I know,” Namjoon said and gently pushed your head onto his shoulder. “But you’re gonna be fine.”
Haru walked up to you and placed his head in your lap, and you finally felt yourself break. All this time with Taehyung and you’d convinced yourself that friendship was all you wanted. But reality had hit you hard tonight, and it was a feeling you didn’t like.
The three of you sat there for a while until your tears dried on Namjoon’s shirt and you fell asleep.
No longer having training sessions for Haru, you were able to avoid Taehyung during the week. And when his texts came in, you acted like you didn’t see them. He buzzed your apartment that next weekend as he always did, but Namjoon covered for you and said you weren’t feeling well.
“How long are you going to keep this up for?” he questioned the next week when you asked him to cover for you again that night.
You shrugged. “Until my feelings go away. Or until he gives up.”
Namjoon sighed. “Maybe you should just talk to him.”
“Namjoon, I really don’t think he’s interested. He’s probably wrapped up in Nayeon anyway. Talking to him will just complicate things.”
“You can’t keep avoiding him.”
“Why not?”
“Because for all he knows, you hate him now.”
You curled up under your blanket and ignored your best friend. Haru nudged your hand, his sign that he wanted to go for a walk.
“Go take Haru for a walk and get out of this house. You only leave to go to work now, and it’s getting a little sad. I can’t be your only friend.”
“You’re not my only friend!”
“Haru doesn’t count,” Namjoon countered. “Go take a walk, get some fresh air, talk to some strangers.”
“I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”
“Get out of this apartment before I kick you out.”
“What if Tae is out?”
“Just go to the other dog park. Stop looking for excuses and go.”
You groaned and then sat up, shooting him a glare before you put Haru in his harness and finally stepped out of the apartment.
Avoiding your usual dog park, you took a longer route to get to the dog park Namjoon had mentioned. Haru seemed to perk up when you rounded the corner, and you realized why a moment later. Taehyung was in the middle of the park standing next to what appeared to be a ball of fur. It moved, and when you looked closer you saw that it was a small, brown Pomeranian. This must’ve been his own dog that he was talking about.
You were just about to turn around and walk back when Haru started barking. “Quiet!” you whispered, but it was too late. Taehyung was looking up at you, and when he caught your eye he waved you over.
Not wanting to be rude, you walked your traitorous dog over to him.
“Hey, buddy!” Taehyung said and bent down, petting Haru. Yeontan blinked up at you, two angry looking eyebrows above his eyes, a stark difference from his excited tail wagging. You bent down too and gave him a little pet, if nothing but to ignore the fact that you were standing in front of the guy you’d been avoiding for several days.
“I should get going,” you said.
“You just got here.”
“I was just taking Haru out for a small walk.” You started to pull Haru away, and he whined pitifully as Yeontan got farther away from him.
“Y/N, can we talk?”
“I really have to get back home. I, um, have water boiling for my tea.”
“You left your water boiling?”
Your back was to him by now but you paused, knowing your excuse was absolutely moronic.
“The least you could do is invite me over for some tea.”
“Tae—”
“You’ve ignored me for two weeks. Can we please talk?”
You turned around, and you could see the hurt in his eyes. Namjoon had been right—you couldn’t ignore him forever. Taehyung had become one of your best friends, you owed it to him to let him know why you were avoiding him now.
“Okay.”
Haru and Yeontan went running off into your apartment when you opened the door, and Taehyung took a seat at the kitchen table as you rifled in the cabinets for your tea. Namjoon was nowhere to be found, so the apartment was quiet save for your dogs playing.
“Has everything been okay?” Taehyung asked.
“Yeah,” you replied. “I’ve been fine.”
You finally found the box of tea and took two sachets out, plopping them into mugs and starting your boiling water. Your back was still turned to Taehyung, but you could hear him readjust in his seat.
“Why haven’t you texted me, then?”
“I’ve just been busy.”
“Bullshit.”
You turned around, eyes wide. Taehyung actually looked mad, his jaw clenched.
“I—”
“If you don’t like me anymore, just tell me. Don’t ghost me.”
“No, that’s not it!”
“Then what is it? Why have you been ignoring me for weeks? Why can you barely look at me?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Don’t give me that excuse, tell me why you’ve been ignoring me.”
“Because I like you!” you blurted out.
The apartment was silent. Haru and Yeontan must’ve settled down somewhere.
“What?”
“I like you, Taehyung. And it hurt too much seeing you with someone else.”
“You like me?” he asked. The water beeped that it was done, and you turned your back to him and distracted yourself with pouring the water into the mugs.
“I like you,” you said quietly. “But we’re just friends, right?”
“We’re both idiots,” Taehyung said behind you.
You heard a shuffle and then he was turning you around, his chocolate eyes inches away from you.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Tae, I didn’t—”
“I should’ve been the one to tell you.”
You cocked your head to the side. “What?”
“God, Y/N, why are we both so clueless?”
Your head was spinning, and you leaned against the counter to steady yourself. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been flirting with you for months.”
“You flirt with everyone,” you said.
Taehyung shook his head and took a step closer to you. “Not like I do with you,” he said softly.
“So are you saying that you like me too?” you asked.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
You were breathless, unable to say anything.
“You kept brushing off my advances so I thought you just wanted to stay friends.”
“I thought you just wanted to be friends!”
Taehyung rested his forehead against yours, and your breath mingled together.
“I really don’t want to be just your friend.”
“But what about Nayeon?” you asked.
Taehyung put his hand on your hip, rubbing small circles into it which made your stomach flip.
“I just walk her dog a couple times a week, she doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“But—”
“Y/N, for the love of god, please stop talking so I can kiss you now.”
You shut up and your eyes fluttered closed as Taehyung wrapped his other hand around your head and pressed his lips against yours. You’d imagined what it would be like to kiss him, but your imagination couldn’t even compare to the real thing. His lips were soft, and he moved slowly against yours before he ran his tongue against your lip and you opened your mouth against his. He tasted like strawberries, and you leaned in closer to him and sighed softly. His hand moved from your hip to your back, pulling you as close as he could.
“The tea,” you mumbled against his lips, and he pulled you away from the counter, still moving his tongue against yours.
“Fuck the tea,” his voice was husky, sending a shiver down your spine.
He pushed you against the kitchen table, and you sat on it and wrapped your legs around him as he continued kissing you, making your head swim. His hands were everywhere but it somehow wasn’t enough, and you arched your back into him and wove your fingers into his hair. He trailed kisses from your lips to your neck, going down further until he reached the neckline of your shirt. He looked up at you devilishly, and you pulled your shirt off without a word. He reached behind you for the clasp of your bra, and then he finally had his lips wrapped around your nipple.
“Tae,” you said breathlessly, gently pulling on his hair.
“I can’t tell you how long I’ve imagined this for,” he said, and you moaned softly and grinded your hips against him.
“So have I,” you admitted, not even caring about the blush that was creeping up your neck. Not when he had moved to your other breast and was softly sucking on your nipple.
You kept moving your hips, and Taehyung finally pulled away with a glint in his eye. He tugged gently on your waistband, and you wiggled your hips and let him pull your jeans down. He pushed you back further on the table and bent down, kissing along the band of your panties before he slowly, achingly pulled them down your legs. You were sure you were absolutely red in the face now, completely naked in front of him, sprawled out on the kitchen table. But he looked down at you as if you were found treasure, a mixture of awe and hunger on his face.
“You just going to stare?” you asked, suddenly nervous.
“I want to remember this for the rest of my life,” he said. His voice was even rougher now, and before you could respond he ran his middle finger in between your folds, causing your breath to catch in your throat.
“You’re already dripping, holy shit.”
“You always make me this wet,” you said.
His head snapped up and he looked at you. “Have you thought about me before?”
“Sometimes at night.”
He groaned and tipped his head back. “You’re so fucking hot.”
He moved his finger again and you dropped your head to the table, unable to think straight. He teased your entrance with his finger, but then he moved it away and you felt his breath against you. His hot breaths made you tingle, and then his tongue was on you, lapping up your juices and pressing against your hole and your clit in cycles. You were moaning now, your head foggy with pleasure. His fingers joined his tongue, and he finally moved one finger in, curling up and making you pull his hair harder.
“You like that?” he asked against you, lips pressed up against your clit.
“Fucking hell, yes,” you gasped out, and then Tae grabbed the backs of your knees and slung your legs over his shoulders, pulling you closer to him. He inserted another finger, pumping in and out slowly as he sucked on your clit. You thought you were going to go insane, bucking your hips up into his face and moaning his name. Your orgasm was building already, and with every curl of his fingers you were seeing lights in front of your closed eyes.
“Look at how filthy you are,” he said. “Wet and moaning on a kitchen table. You’re already dripping and you haven’t even had my cock yet.”
“Oh my god,” you moaned, grinding your hips into his tongue. “Keep talking like that, please.”
“Really?” he asked, and the innocence in his voice made you pick your head up. He was looking at you with a twinkle in his eyes. “So you like it dirty, don’t you?”
“Quit teasing, you asshole.”
He pumped his fingers in harder this time and you bit down on your lip to stifle your gasp.
“My fingers are soaked, do you always get this wet for guys?” he asked, continuing to thrust his fingers in harder and faster.
“No,” you said, moving your hips into his thrusts. “Only for you.”
“What was that?” he asked. “I couldn’t quite hear it.”
He put pressed his tongue against your clit and you screamed, “Only for you! Fuck!”
“That’s my girl,” he hummed against your clit, curling his fingers up again. Your thighs were trembling against his face, and you had to stop yourself from squeezing them shut so that you wouldn’t suffocate him.
“Keep hitting right there,” you said breathlessly, your orgasm building. You smacked your head against the table and massaged his head as he continued to thrust into you, and before you could even warn him, you were clenching around his fingers, your release making you moan his name. He continued to pump in and out of you slowly until you finally came down, and then he inched up your body and kissed along your hairline before pressing his lips to yours.
“I bet you can taste yourself, can’t you?” he asked when he pulled away. You sat up and nodded, and he ran his thumb against your bottom lip. “Are you going to clean off my fingers?”
He didn’t have to ask you twice; you took his fingers into your mouth and wrapped your tongue around them, cleaning your juices off of him and then releasing them from your mouth with a pop.
“That’s one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen,” he groaned, and you could see his bulge straining against his pants. Your hands were still shaking from your orgasm, but you were able to unzip his pants and push them down, and then you dipped your hand into his briefs and pulled out his dick. It was red at the tip, already leaking a bit, and when you dropped to your knees and licked your tongue against the slit he hissed and wrapped his hand in your hair.
“I take it back, this is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, looking down at you with his cock in your mouth. You bobbed your head up and down his dick, all the while looking up at him. He was biting on his lip as to not make a sound, but you could tell by his tightening fist that he was probably going to lose it soon.
“Do you like that, baby? My thick cock filling your mouth?”
“Hmmm,” you moaned against his dick, and the vibration made him throw his head backwards. Your hand ran up his thigh and fondled his balls, and he groaned and stepped backwards, making his cock fall out of your mouth.
“If you keep doing that I’m going to cum.”
“Isn’t that the point?” you asked innocently.
“Where’s your bedroom?” he asked.
You pointed to the closest door, and then he was pulling you toward it, slamming the door behind you two so that no one could enter. He was kissing you again, slowly pushing you backwards into the room until your knees hit the bed and you fell onto it. He pulled away to finally take his shirt off, exposing his tanned chest. He hovered over you, arms around your head as he dipped down and kissed you. You bit down on his lip a little, causing him to moan against you.
“You like it rough, you dirty girl?”
“Fuck yes,” you said, wrapping your legs around his waist. But he shook his head and moved your legs away from him.
“Get on your hands and knees.”
Pleasure shot through your core at his command, and you did as he said, waiting for his touch. When he finally palmed your ass, you moaned and rested your head on the bed.
“Keep your head up,” he said, grabbing your hair and pulling just enough to be a little painful. You moaned again and dipped your head down a little bit so he’d pull it up again.
He rubbed his dick up and down your slit, and you thrust your hips back against him.
“You’re eager, aren’t you?” he asked, teasing you by pushing the tip against your entrance and pulling away.
“Fuck me, Tae,” you begged. “I’m on the pill, just fuck me already.”
“I can’t believe you’re bent over begging for my cock,” his voice sounded nearly strangled, and then he thrust into you swiftly, burying himself up to the hilt. He stayed there for a few seconds, letting you adjust, and then he was snapping his hips back, setting a bruising pace. He filled you up every inch, and your arms were growing weak trying to keep yourself up. You’d never felt so full, and so complete, in your life. His hips smacked against your ass, the sound obscenely loud in your empty apartment.
“You’re so fucking tight,” he said, thrusting into your harder. “When’s the last time you got fucked?”
“I don’t even remember,” you confessed, breathless. “Never like this.”
“No one’s ever fucked you this hard?”
You dropped your head down, and he pulled on your hair again. You screamed and clutched the sheets, thrusting your hips into his.
“No, no one’s ever fucked me this hard, oh my god!”
“Do you like it, baby?” he asked, tilting his hips to hit a new spot.
“Oh my god, yes!” you screamed, nearly tearing into your sheets. “I’m so close.”
He suddenly pulled out of you and flipped you onto your back, wrapping your legs around his waist. You were grateful to no longer have to keep yourself up, your chest heaving with your heavy breaths. You were absolutely throbbing, seconds away from your orgasm.
“I want to see your face when you cum,” he said, and thrust into you again, hard and deep. “Cum around my cock, baby.”
At his words, you came, screaming his name and bucking your hips against him as you rode out your orgasm. Your nails scratched down his back and with a couple more thrusts he was joining you, stifling his moan by capturing your lips in a heated kiss. He slowed down as he came against your walls, filling you up so that when he finally pulled out, his cum dripped out of you mixed with your own juices.
The two of you lied there for a while, tongues pressed against each other and soft hands cupping each other’s faces.
Just when you thought your lips were going to bruise, Taehyung pulled away.
“You’re going to have to wash your sheets,” he said sheepishly.
“I might just throw them away,” you admitted, looking down at the mess you made. You started to get up but Taehyung pushed you back down and got up instead, walking to your bathroom and running a washcloth under the sink. When he came back, he kissed up your thighs and wiped you down, cleaning up the stickiness between your legs. Then he pulled your toward his side of the bed and you curled yourself around him, legs interwoven.
“Did that really just happen?” he asked incredulously.
“It really did,” you said, equally surprised.
“Was I too rough?” He sounded genuinely concerned. When he looked down at you, you smiled at him.
“No, you were perfect. I see why you’re a trainer now, though,” you said with a giggle.
“Shut up,” he grumbled, but pulled you closer to him.
“I bet you can teach me some new tricks,” you said, tracing your finger along his chest.
“You’re never gonna stop with the trainer jokes, are you?”
“You’re the one who wanted to do it doggy style,” you pointed out.
“Okay, you make a good point there. But that was a coincidence.”
You giggled and sighed against him. “I can’t believe you trained him for free. I sincerely hope you charge your other clients.”
“I’ve only ever trained your dog free of charge,” Taehyung said softly.
“Wow, you really did want to get in my pants,” you said.
He hugged you closer and rested his chin on the top of your head. “I told you I’d get to know you, didn’t I?”
“I suppose you did.”
You were absolutely spent, and you felt your limbs grow heavy and your breathing slow as you laid against him.
“Get some rest, angel,” he said, his lips brushing against your hair. He hummed a song and rubbed your back, and you were finally lulled to sleep.
When you woke up a few hours later, the bed was empty. Taehyung’s shirt was no longer on the floor, and you opened your door and looked around. He was nowhere to be found. You walked around the apartment and saw that Namjoon still wasn’t home, and then you noticed that Haru was also missing.
Unless Taehyung had fucked you in an elaborate plan to steal your dog, he was most likely out taking the dogs for a walk. You stilled your thumping heart by pouring out the now cold tea and cleaning up the mugs. By the time you were done he was knocking on the door, and when you opened it Taehyung was standing before you, two leashes in one hand and a tray with coffee in the other.
“The tea got cold, so I figured I’d pick up something to drink,” he said, smiling at you.
You let him in and picked Haru up, giving him a kiss on the nose before setting him back down and giving equal attention to Yeontan.
“He’s the angriest looking dog I’ve ever seen,” you said when you picked him up, holding his fluffy little form in front of you.
“The second I saw him, I fell in love,” Taehyung said and set the coffees down on the table.
“That’s how I felt about Haru.” You set Yeontan down with a little pat on the head and then sat at the kitchen table, taking a coffee and staring down at it. You’d just fucked your friend, and you didn’t know what that meant now.
“Did I worry you by disappearing?” he asked. “I wanted to leave a note but I couldn’t find any paper. Do you and Namjoon have something against paper in this house?”
You laughed a little and looked up at him. “We try to keep our paper usage to a minimum.”
“I’m sorry if I was, um, too much earlier.” Taehyung wasn’t looking at you now, and you could have sworn he was blushing.
“I like it like that,” you said, putting your hand on his chin and tipping his face up so he’d look at you. “Did you like it?”
“I liked it a lot,” he said with a small smile.
“So…” you trailed off.
“Are you going to ignore me again?” Taehyung asked.
You shook your head no. “You know how I feel now.”
“And now you know how I feel too.”
The two of you looked at each other in silence for a few moments, and then both of you started speaking at the same time.
“I really want—”
“Do you want t—”
“Sorry, you go ahead,” you said.
“Do you want to go on a proper date with me?” Taehyung asked you.
“Oh!” you replied. “I was actually going to suggest that.”
He pulled your chair closer to him and pecked you on the lips. You could feel him smile against you, and you leaned forward and kissed him again.
“Just so you know, I only do exclusive relationships,” Taehyung said.
“Is this already a relationship?” you asked, nervous to hear his answer.
“Of course it is.”
You kissed him again, and your tongue was just brushing against his lip when Namjoon came in the door. The two of you jumped away from each other, but you could see Namjoon roll his eyes.
“It’s about damn time,” he said, dropping his keys on the table and nodding his head at Taehyung. “How did you like that new dog park?”
“Thanks for suggesting it to me, I found exactly what I needed,” Taehyung said.
“Wait!” You looked in between the two boys. “Did you set this up?”
“I just suggested the same dog park to both of you, and you both happened to go to it at the same time.”
“Oh my god,” you said, reality sinking in. Your friend really managed to finally hook you up with Taehyung.
“Did you know I was going to be there?” you asked.
Taehyung threw his hands up in defense. “I didn’t, but I had a feeling you might show up.”
“Men,” you huffed, but you shot Namjoon an appreciative glance before he went into his room and closed the door.
“Hey, do you regret going there now?” Taehyung asked, pulling your chair closer to him again.
You sighed and threw your arms around his neck. “No, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Haru came up and pressed his nose up against your leg, and you looked down at him and smiled. “It’s really all thanks to this furball from hell,” you said. “If I hadn’t gotten him, I never would’ve needed a dog trainer.”
“Maybe you can get another dog and I can help you train that one.”
“Or maybe we can just go on dates like normal and stop coming up with new tricks for my dog just to spend time together.”
Taehyung leaned in and you could feel him smiling against your lips again. “Sounds like a plan.”