Chapter Text
"So how soon can we get a divorce?" Jeongguk asks as he pushes forward his trolley with one too many suitcases that were definitely not enough to pack in all his belongings. He looks around the busy airport wondering how he is to get home.
Home, where he grew up feeling anything but loved. The home that he knew only gave him pain. Enough of it to make him run far away to escape the claustrophobia he had developed for his so-called ‘home’.
"Breathe for a minute maybe? You just stepped foot in Seoul after five years and that's the first thing you want to do?" He hears Jimin's exasperation through the phone.
"Chim you know I need to get this off my back. I can’t. I won't let him dictate my life just because he decided to marry me and I didn't have a fucking choice."
Jeongguk knows it's the only thing that will set him free. He's been bound to his parents, been demeaned just because he had the sad luck of being born as the second son, been pawned off because his greedy father thought more money could never harm anyone. Who cares what he wants right? He is sick and tired of being treated as a mere commodity, with no emotions and wants of his own.
"Kook I know. And while I understand your need you've also got to understand that he was forced into it as well," Jimin tries to reason with him but to no avail.
"Don't you dare side with that fucker!" Jeongguk exclaims as he comes to halt outside the airport, the wheels of his trolley screeching. "He could have met me, or at least spoken to me before deciding for both of us!" At this point, he knows he's yelling and the passersby are throwing judgmental looks his way but he cannot bring himself to care. He doesn't like the guy who's been instrumental in putting him in his misery and nobody can make him.
"Kook you need to stop painting him as the villain. He was left with no choice as well! You may hate your parents for what they did to you but the guy worships his. Don't hate on him for being a good son."
Jeongguk really believes Jimin is his husband's secret ally and that frustrates him. He didn't expect his friend to switch sides so easily. Why was he always given the worst lot!
He concentrates on tapping on the handle of his suitcase, breathing heavily through his nose, willing himself to calm down. His blood pressure seems to skyrocket at the simple mention of his husband. He doesn't know what he's going to do now that they'll have to face each other every day. He knows he's going to be suffocating so he feels the need to end his misery before it can multiply in intensity.
"Kook, you there?" Jimin asks, wary of his impulsive nature.
"Mhmm" Jeongguk hums in answer, not composed enough for a proper response. He walks around his trolley pinning his gaze on anything and everything to distract himself from bursting out. Whether from anger or pain, he’s not quite sure.
"He let you leave everything behind and pursue your MBA, didn't he? Didn't question why you suddenly wanted to drop out of art school and study business all the way across the world. Handled all the shit media was spreading about you and your family and his own business all alone."
Jimin’s words remind him of his worst days. He doesn’t want to find himself back there again having to make one of the toughest decisions of his life. Months had passed before he actually began to let himself lose but even then the constant burden of excelling in a field unknown to him and something he doesn’t truly enjoy, was taking a toll on him.
Although he did graduate at the top of his class, he’s far from naïve to think his struggle is over. Proving himself and his worth in the business world is the harder part but he bets it would be more gratifying. Not wanting to dwell more on those thoughts he chooses instead to ramble off on a tangent that comes as naturally to him as sleeping.
“If he’s so efficient on his own, why the fuck did he have to marry me in the first place? Could have just done all this ostentatious handling to prevent it!” Jeongguk spits out but he’s nowhere close to being done.
Before letting Jimin respond in favour of his husband he quickly adds, “And since he’s greatness personified I’m sure he can cut me off and enjoy his bachelor life like I desperately need to.”
Jeongguk thinks he’s got some of it out of his system but then he remembers he hates him too much to be done already. When he does want to speak some more to make use of the unusual silence Jimin is granting him he realizes he doesn’t even know his husband well enough to humiliate him. That makes him stop and rethink all this supposed hatred he has towards him. If he doesn’t know the man apart from the one decision he has taken, can he hate him at all?
Jimin’s voice drags him out of his haze. “Kook I think you should get to know him first. It’s my personal opinion and you can totally reject it but I think he’ll be good to you. I’ve met him a couple of times with Joon to look into his legal matters and he’s been nothing but wise and kind. I really think you should consider giving it a shot.”
“Giving it a shot? I’m not gambling with my life Chim! Especially not for a pretentious fucker like him.” Jeongguk thinks Jimin has made it his life’s mission to advocate his husband’s cause and he intends to stop him right then.
“Kook you should know better than to talk about gambling. That’s all you’ve been doing since you were born!” Jimin exclaims, his scale having risen at what he believes is Jeongguk being insolent. He suddenly pauses and then resumes in the most solemn voice Jeongguk’s ever heard from him. “And since I know him better than you do, because let me remind you, you’ve not even met him once, I think out of the both of us I’m the only one who has any right to give an opinion about him. So what I say is final.”
“He could have met me though, since he so graciously decided to marry me, and yet, he didn’t! He just pretends to be the saint he’s not,” Jeongguk bites back. He’s never seen the man, only his signature on their marriage papers. He doesn’t think it could get any more contractual. The man didn’t put a dime of an effort into the marriage he initiated so Jeongguk will see him for what he is, an arrogant asshole who has made his life hell.
“Jeongguk. You could have met him too you know? But did you? You chose to run instead so if there’s anyone that should share the blame, it’s you.” Just when Jeongguk was convinced he was all good and his husband all bad, Jimin just had to point out his flaws, some best friend he is.
“Now don’t be a brat and promise me you’ll not put him through hell. He’s had enough of that already.” Jimin waits for his answer and Jeongguk doesn’t hesitate to give him one.
“Oh, he’s gonna wish I would just do that because hell’s a better place to be in than on Jeon Jeongguk’s bad side,” Jeongguk smirks knowingly, his ability to drive people up the wall is underrated if anything, and he will make sure it gets due credit.
“Lord bless my soul and Taehyung’s!” Jimin sighs out, giving up on trying to make him listen. Jeongguk listening to others when he thinks he has a fully functional brain capable of genius is a miracle yet to occur.
“Don’t worry shortie, you have all my blessings” Jeongguk smiles picturing Jimin’s helpless face. He’s really fond of annoying him, what else are best friends for? “Also since when are you on a first-name basis with my husband?” Jeongguk remembers to question.
“Serves to prove how well I know him compared to you,” Jimin gibes back still struggling to make Jeongguk at least consider his advice.
“Oh, it must be because of his hot CEO friend huh!” Jeongguk exclaims, jumping at the realization. He notices then that he’s disrupted the normal morning routine of the ground staff who are now openly staring at his antics. He modulates his voice that now, comes out too soft to be heard. “The one you’ve been gushing about for the past month!” he supplies, the childish glee in his voice evident.
“Why on earth are you whispering Kook? I can’t hear a damn thing!” The sound of a slap is heard and Jeongguk is sure Jimin has smacked his forehead out of frustration. “Anyway, who’s receiving you from the airport?”
Now that Jimin’s asked the question Jeongguk realises that he doesn’t even know. He had let his father know he was returning today, only because the man has been paying for his education and residence there, so he felt the need to be courteous. But he hasn’t heard back from him yet.
“Hey Chim let me check up on my ride and call you back? I don’t know who dad has sent and although I do enjoy driving you mad, I’m too tired to keep standing here. Imagine if I faint and some handsome young man comes to my rescue,” Jeongguk lets out a dreamy sigh, picturing a classic Hollywood romance taking the reins of his otherwise dreary love life.
“Hate to burst your bubble man, but you’re married.” Jimin laughs out enjoying his best friend’s agony a bit too much to Jeongguk’s liking.
“Yeah, whatever. Go dream up your love story because clearly, it ain’t going anywhere unless you make it happen. You and I both know you’re far from it.” Jeongguk hangs up saying the last word. He’s aware of Jimin’s tendency to overthink and this time he wants him to consider taking the first step. Hopefully, all the thinking will do him good.
He retrieves his phone from his pocket and dials his father’s number only for it to be forwarded to another, probably his secretary’s. He’s beyond irritated with how long he’s had to stand out there and he’s about to cut the call when it’s received on the third ring.
“Sorry I’m a little busy, if it’s nothing urgent can I get back to you in some time?”
Jeongguk is startled. That’s not his father or his secretary’s voice. He’d know because he’s been seeing him all his life. His dad spends more time with him than with all of his family combined. He realises he doesn’t know who he’s speaking with so he resolves to find that out first.
“Umm, who are you?” His question comes out blunt but Jeongguk hates beating around the bush for the sake of niceties and the man’s busy so he decides to cut to the chase.
“Funny you ask because you’re the one calling me,” the man on the other end of the line chuckles out. The timbre is deep and rich in texture. The sound makes him want to spew out nonsense to hear more of it.
“Huh, I guess you’re right. But that doesn’t mean you know who I am either. For all you know, it could be a cross-connection or an incorrect dial.” Jeongguk answers. He thinks he’s rather smart for coming up with something practical when his mind is still stuck up on the chuckle and the voice that sounds so pleasant to his ear.
“Yes that could have been the case had I not had your number saved,” the man says airily. Jeongguk thinks he hears the turning of a chair and the shuffling of some papers in the background.
“So then you know who I am?” he enquires.
“Of course I do, Kim Jeongguk. Now if you have nothing more to ask may I resume my work?” The voice responds smoothly.
Jeongguk doesn’t know who to expect on the line. Nobody he knows calls him that. They know better than to instigate him into a rant about how he should get to decide what he wants to be called. He’s Jeon Jeongguk and will remain so till he decides to.
“Ok Mr. Know it all, let me know who you are at least?” Jeongguk’s impatience is building up and he has almost forgotten the purpose of the call only needing to know who he speaks with now.
“It’s a shame you don’t have your husband’s number saved darling. I recommend you do that soon, now that you’ll need me more often.” Jeongguk feels the derision that accompanies his words and he hates it.
Jeongguk never met him before and neither did they ever talk so why would he have his number saved? He wasn’t going to get hold of it until he was contacted first but he never was. It’s why he didn’t bother getting it. If his husband did not think it necessary to communicate with him, he wasn’t going to be the one to suggest it.
“Oh, so the great Kim Taehyung does know I exist.” Jeongguk scorns.
If he did have his number why hadn’t he called or messaged him? “I wouldn’t think you knew considering we haven’t even spoken once. Whatever makes you think I’ll need you more often now when I haven’t all this while.”
“Limited knowledge can be terrifyingly destructive. You might want to look into some facts before you proclaim such things.”
Taehyung’s reply makes him stop and reconsider. Come to think of it, his father’s number forwarding his call to Taehyung was strange in itself. Jeongguk needs to figure out what exactly has been happening in his absence before he ends up digging his own grave.
“Anyway, I need to get back to work but just want to let you know that I thought of your existence, always, so no need to sulk.” Taehyung sounds like he is talking with a smile. Jeongguk doesn’t think he’s given him any reason to believe he was sulking over it, although he kind of was, is.
“Whatever, I don’t care,” Jeongguk lamely retorts. He doesn’t know how to keep the upper hand when there are a lot many things he’s unaware of so he chooses to be a brat instead because that always works.
“Oh but you do darling,” Taehyung says, the chuckle inherent in his voice, “I’ll see you at home.” He hangs up before Jeongguk can even say anything. Oh, how he hates not having the final say!
The only times Jeongguk has seen his supposed husband has been on tabloids and brochures applauding his entrepreneurship. Apparently, that was sufficient for his mind to conjure images of him smirking as he spoke to him just because he knew more than he did. Arrogant asshole!
When a traveller brushes past him he is jolted back into his reality. He still doesn’t know who’s supposed to pick him up but what rings the alarm in his head now is where he is supposed to go. A certain someone’s home may be too uncomfortable for him to visit, especially in his absence.
A light breeze blows rustling the leaves of the trees lined by the road, making him pull on his leather jacket. He begins to surf through his phone to search for a cab service to take him where he intends to go when a man of a much bigger build than himself, dressed in a formal suit greets him.
Jeongguk’s immediate shock at a random person calling him out fades when the man introduces himself as Jung Soohyuk, Taehyung’s bodyguard.
“Did Taehyung ask you to come receive me just some time ago?” Jeongguk wants to know so he can find a flaw in his husband’s plan of action.
“Yes, Mr. Kim. I’m sorry for the delay. He had instructed me to be here by 4 pm sharp but there was a major accident on the road I had taken to the airport which deferred me.” Soohyuk answers promptly. “He had originally said he would pick you up himself but a last-minute meeting made him change plans.”
Jeongguk’s earlier victory in finding a flaw in Taehyung’s plan falls flat on this disclosure. Although he appreciates Taehyung having thought of picking him up personally, Soohyuk addressing him as Mr. Kim helps fuel his resentment towards him that does not let him steer away from his scheme.
As he sits in the backseat and makes himself comfortable in the expensive BMW his husband has the money to afford, he begins to think of the ways in which he can become an obstacle in his path, one that he will be forced to remove for the sake of his own sanity.
He rolls the window down to feel the excitement in the air as he begins his journey of getting back all that he has lost because of his father, and because of Taehyung.
“We should reach the Kim mansion in an hour, sir. I was instructed to keep some light snacks and blankets at the back so you can have a comfortable ride back. Is there anything else you need?” Soohyuk asks.
“Yes,” Jeongguk instantly replies, “Take me to the management headquarters of Kim Telecommunications & Holdings Inc., I want to see my husband”.
The shock is evident on Soohyuk’s face but he obeys the command and alters his path. Jeongguk rests his head on the backrest as he wraps the blanket around him, preparing to take a nap that would power up the brat in him.
Kim Taehyung better beware because he doesn’t know what’s about to hit him.
*******
The car comes to a stop in front of a building Jeongguk supposes to be one of the grandest in Seoul. The glass and chrome of it mirror the style of the surrounding buildings and yet the distinctive architecture adds character to it. Something so similar and yet so different from all that surrounds it. Being passionate about art and architecture, Jeongguk is quick to notice its peculiarities. He understands it’s the brainchild of modern fusion where contemporary minimalism meets the traditional wooden panels in a fascinating blend.
He hurriedly disposes of the blanket and gets out of the backdoor before Soohyuk even has a chance to open it for him. Stretching his cramped legs and stiff back after the forty-seven-minute long journey from Incheon to Jung District feels as satisfying as receiving a massage. Jeongguk mentally notes to get one of those full-body massages soon, lord knows he needs it! He breathes in the cool evening air as he takes a moment to inspect the imposing structure that is his husband’s workplace. He believes it to be some sort of a reflection of him. He can only be surer once he has examined his cabin and house which only piques his interest further.
“Sir, I think you should inform Mr. Kim that you’ve chosen to drop by” Soohyuk dutifully tells Jeongguk.
“Inform? I barely do that for my dad. A husband won’t change a thing Soohyuk” Jeongguk scoffs. He takes a few seconds to evaluate if his clothes are fit to make an appearance and decides to go ahead with it. Once he gets through the entrance with the help of Taehyung’s bodyguard, he makes his way straight to the reception area. The horde of office-goers leaving the building makes it difficult for Soohyuk to keep up and Jeongguk doesn’t wait for him.
He notices the interior of the office has an appeal of its own, much like its exterior. The marbled floors and high ceiling grant it the luxury it exudes. When he’s done reviewing the setting with a critical eye he turns to look at the blonde receptionist who looks at him disbelievingly. He estimates it’s the clothes that are drawing that reaction out of her and all the others that have passed him by.
“I’m here to meet Taehyung,” Jeongguk says confidently.
Her eyes only get bigger making her shock evident. Before she can respond to him, Jeongguk finds Soohyuk by his side who chides him for not waiting for him. Some words of advice are imparted to him which he most skilfully ignores. What he doesn’t ignore, however, is the concern etched on Soohyuk’s face. The guy looks older than him and his dedication to his work seems genuine so Jeongguk pats his shoulder to calm him down and promises to inform him before disappearing again. Soohyuk only mutters something under his breath and moves to speak to the receptionist.
“I’ll be taking him to Mr. Kim. No need to put his name on the register,” Soohyuk says.
“But Mr. Jung even esteemed guests are recorded here you know that. They’ll think I’m slacking off if I don’t put him on the list.” She says, conveying her apprehension.
“The ‘him’ in question is Mr. Kim Ms. Shin,” Soohyuk clarifies seriously, “boss’s husband”.
The incredulity that paints her face now is comical, to say the least. Jeongguk can’t help but splutter out a laugh at her eyeing him up and down. He lets himself be guided towards the all-glass elevator that allows him a view of the inner enclosure of the office. The place is huge. He doesn’t know how he’d ever run this place if it were his. Taehyung may have a little bit of genius too he supposes.
The elevator announces its arrival on the topmost floor of the building which turns out to be the 30th floor. Soohyuk escorts him towards what he believes is Taehyung’s private cabin but before they can enter they see a man of roughly the same age as him leave the cabin with a few files in his hand.
“Um excuse me, why are you leaving Taehyung’s cabin with his files?” Jeongguk asks suspiciously.
“He’s boss’s secretary Mr. Kim,” Soohyuk responds on his behalf.
On hearing Soohyuk address Jeongguk as Mr. Kim, the secretary bows showing respect. When he straightens and looks Jeongguk in the eye an uneasiness creeps up on him. He’s not sure why but the gleam in his eyes unnerves him. He doesn’t read much into it though, thinks his ability to read people has been tampered with.
“So Mr. Secretary since you must know where he is, can you please take me to my husband? I really wanna see him,” Jeongguk presses.
“He’s currently in a meeting with a company he wants to invest in. I don’t think he would approve of you interrupting that,” the secretary says dismissively.
Jeonnguk stops for a minute and really looks at him now like he’s trying to understand why he would risk disrespecting his wishes. Is it because Taehyung gave him strict instructions not to disturb him, even on his account, or especially because of him?
“You will still take me there Mr. Secretary,” Jeongguk says confidently with a raise of his eyebrow. “Do you know why?”
At receiving no response other than the secretary’s puzzled expression Jeongguk continues, his lips curling into a smirk, “It’s because I don’t need his approval”.
He turns around then to walk back into the hallway but before he can take a step he tilts his head to the side to look at the secretary. “So are you going to lead me to him or should I find him myself?”
“I’ll do the needful,” the secretary replies curtly as he starts moving past Jeongguk to walk before him. Jeongguk follows him with Soohyuk in tow. He looks around the space and finds he really does like it. The ambience, the workers, the professionalism, everything is just so well balanced. Apart from the one secretary that is. Maybe Taehyung does some weaknesses after all. Not everyone can be a genius at reading people like he is and he’s happy to conclude that he’s a level above him in that respect at least. He has no way to prove it yet, but he’ll figure that out later.
The secretary stops in front of a boardroom, as do Jeongguk and Soohyuk. Through the glass door, he can see it’s a small one. Too small for a company so big. It seems like one of those where you meet a smaller group of people for a close circuit meeting. He scans the number of heads in the room which totals eight before his eyes settle on a man with his back to him.
His posture looks casual yet refined, the contrast makes Jeongguk stare some more. The man turns his head to look at another by his side and stretches out his hand to receive a file being passed to him. Jeongguk takes a moment to appreciate what he sees. The strong jawline and sharp slope of his nose hold his attention for a while before it shifts to his well-defined brows.
He is pulled out of his admiration for the man when the secretary opens the door to the boardroom and apologises for his delay. Jeongguk follows him in without an introduction, he cannot wait to have a look at the man who his eyes have been studying from afar, cannot wait to see him up close.
As seems to be his inherent tendency, he once again forgets that he’s here with a purpose and the only man he should be looking for is his husband, not someone who he feels momentary fascination towards. When he rounds the chair to face the man the secretary was addressing, a sharp gasp escapes him.
He parts his mouth to say something, anything at all but nothing seems to find its way out of his throat. His body is as shocked as his brain, both struggling to come to terms with the fact that the man he was openly gawking at, is his husband, who he’s supposed to hate. He shakes his head to rid himself of any infatuation he may have developed for the man and steels the brat in him to make an appearance. He’s here to cause trouble after all, not fall for the man just because he looks above average. A big understatement considering his side profile was enough for Jeongguk to openly gape at him but he’s not one to concede.
“Where were you all this while?” Jeongguk abruptly asks when he deems himself mindful enough to speak.
“I’m sure you can see for yourself, Mr. Kim”. Clearly, he isn’t mindful enough but Taehyung didn’t have to mean about it.
When Jeongguk narrows his eyes at him for being unnecessarily rude he sees Taehyung watching him. His eyes trail a path up Jeongguk’s body, lingering on his hips, waist, and chest a little longer than required, finally coming to settle on his face as he returns his gaze.
The glint in his eyes and the appreciative tilt of his lips infuriates Jeongguk. He cannot believe the man just blatantly checked him out in front of his workers. He feels hot where he stands, his jacket stuffy and his leather pants hugging him a little too tight. He can feel his shirt clinging to his body and he hates it. Hates the feeling of being put on the spot, where he appears ridiculous, but what he hates, even more, is the hot flush crawling up his neck. He cannot fathom why his body reacts this way or why his brain doesn’t protest at being openly ridiculed.
He knows he hates people mocking him (excluding Jimin, of course). He is sure there’s nothing he likes about being degraded, in fact, he detests anyone speaking to him that way or looking down upon him for any reason. But strangely enough, he finds himself in control, no contempt bubbling out of him at the lack of respect shown. He thinks the brat in him may have been tamed and is looking for a push. The occasion easily presents itself before him and Jeongguk is more than happy to take the bait.
“Doesn’t appear that you have anything more to add, so please excuse us, we have more constructive things to do than participate in idle talks.” Taehyung turns his chair around, facing his back to Jeongguk and that is enough to trigger him. He doesn’t think this is the welcome he deserves.
“I’m not nearly done but if you wish for me to converse with you right here then I’d be more than happy to comply, husband,” Jeongguk stresses on the last word, amused at the reaction it draws out of the employees that surround them. Taehyung turns his chair back to look at Jeongguk, a frown indicating that he’s trying and failing to understand what Jeongguk hopes to achieve by doing this.
“Should I start or?” Jeongguk asks sarcastically, well implying the talk he wishes to have should only have a private audience of him.
Taehyung rolls his eyes knowing he’ll have to give in. He scans the eight pairs of eyes watching their interaction with bewilderment and chooses to take the matter outside. His private life is not something to be flung at his workers. He doesn’t know what came over him to behave so unprofessionally but he will curb it while he can.
“Mr. Park, Mr. Choi please review the growth strategy you have decided for the product. And get your team to alter the segmentation, targeting, and positioning of it accordingly. You don’t want to infer incorrect tactics and implement them because not only will they cost you more money but also derail you from achieving the desired result.”
Taehyung hopes he has made it clear because although he’s only supposed to be investing in the project, he cannot help but want to do more. They’re only a group of boys trying to invent something new and he would hate for them to get eaten by corporate sharks that cannot stand the growth of the meritorious. He’s invested plenty before but never felt so attached to a bunch of boys with a small team. He doesn’t know why he feels so protective over this lot. He presumes it’s probably their youth and their relentless pursuit of a dream that binds him to them, him not being all too different just a decade ago. He won’t allow them to face the pressure he did.
“This is the most crucial stage and I hope you will allow me to guide you through it,” Taehyung says as he looks at their team leader and managing partner, Mr. Park for a response. He finds the confirmation he’s looking for when he speaks up on behalf of the rest.
“Yes sir, we’ll get on it immediately. We know you’re not supposed to do all this for us but we’re so grateful to have you by our side. The nights we lose the drive to continue, your words keep us going. You’re so much more than just our investor sir. I hope we can return all that we’re receiving from you.”
Having pursued his MBA in Marketing, Jeongguk understands Taehyung’s directive and why it is so important. He also understands why Mr. Park’s team feels so indebted to him. Finding investors willing to help a start-up with the right kind of guidance instead of just throwing money is rare but what is even rarer is them not pressurising the team to return their money tenfold and at the earliest. Although he’s annoyed at Taehyung, he’s happy to know his husband is just a stuck-up asshole for now, not an exploitative and abusive one.
“Don’t thank me, Mr. Park, I’m just glad I can be a part of your journey,” Taehyung says as he stands up and begins to walk towards Jeongguk.
Jeongguk’s resolve seems to have become the target of many blows today. While he struggles to recover from Taehyung’s looks, his wisdom, his generosity, and the authority he wields even over people he’s meeting for the first time, (namely Jeongguk), Taehyung just decides to give him more reasons to remain captivated. His broad shoulders, surprisingly slim waist, and towering frame make Jeongguk wish for things he shouldn’t.
“You treat me like your own. I hope that never changes.” Mr. Park says stepping forward and in front of Jeongguk, extending his hand for Taehyung to take.
Jeongguk can’t see his face now, can only look at the back of his head but he’s sure many curses would have flown out of his mouth had they been in a different setting. He doesn’t know why nobody catches on to it, but the remark was too personal to make, especially without the ‘sir’ that should have accompanied it. It is so very unprofessional of him to forget his boundaries and Taehyung should remind him of that—
“It’s not likely to Mr. Park.” Taehyung shakes his hand as he looks at him intently. He could have been mean to him like he was to Jeongguk, his own husband, just minutes ago but he’s not. The guy really does only hate him so Jeongguk will only return the same favour.
“I’d like some privacy with you if you’re done with your professional handshake Taehyung,” Jeongguk spits out, unable to contain his annoyance any further.
He isn’t here to stand and stare at whatever is brewing between the two so he turns to leave but he finds he cannot. A hand grabs his waist and it happens so fast that he stumbles back into a warmth unknown yet not unwanted. He can guess whose it is so he refrains from turning over and satisfying him with the startled reaction he hoped to evoke from him, at least that’s what he settles on when the temptation to turn around and find him up close chews at his brain.
He feels a hot breath of air on his neck, the firm chest behind his back becoming more pronounced as the fingers adjust themselves to his slender waist, digging into the flesh only to hold on tighter.
“Behave yourself, darling, this isn’t your father’s playground. You don’t get to act like a brat just because you aren’t getting what you want. You’d do better to understand that now,” Taehyung grits out, teeth barely separating to speak the words, lips almost touching the shell of his ear.
Jeongguk can feel the shiver run up his spine, his ears growing red as the flush spreads over him completely. He knows he shouldn’t provoke him but now that he’s already tasted the flicker, he only wants to see the fire that would burn them both down.
Jeongguk angles his head to the right, closing the miniscule gap between his ear and Taehyung’s lips. He feels Taehyung’s mouth close around an inch of his ear but none of them move away, determined to stay, to play the game the other thinks they’re winning.
It’s ludicrous the way their bodies are so intimately connected when none of them want it, when all they want is to tear each other’s hair out. The private game has now turned into a public show of affection neither of them had anticipated, one they must continue till they reach the confinement of Taehyung’s cabin.
“Is it not though?” Jeongguk knows he shouldn’t have said that, he’s aware Taehyung was forced into this marriage as well and yet he dives into the gamble that ignites the pyre of his rebellion.
Taehyung doesn’t react.
Jeongguk waits and waits, and yet he doesn’t. A frown mars his brows at his failed attempt at instigating him. He turns his head completely to see why, when he catches Taehyung looking down at him rather calmly, his nose burying itself in his right cheek more lovingly than it should, his lips kissing the reddened skin there and once again, remaining, as if it were meant to find its way there.
To any outsider, all they would see is a couple embracing lovingly, unaware of what actually plays out between the two.
Mr. Park coughs awkwardly. Jeongguk thinks it’s because he wants them to part, desiring Taehyung’s attention solely on himself. He’s severely mistaken if he thinks Jeongguk will let that happen, even if Taehyung wants it, especially if Taehyung wants it.
He lifts his left hand and places it over Taehyung’s. He would do more than that had he not been distracted by how Taehyung’s fingers almost reach the piercing at his navel while his palm rests on the edge of his waist.
How long were his fingers again?
Jeongguk really needs to revaluate his turn-ons because the last thing he wants is to develop a fetish he cannot have.
“I know what you’re doing,” Taehyung smiles knowingly at Jeongguk’s eyes growing wide. He feels the next words seep into his skin as Taehyung’s lips never once stray away from his cheek, even as he speaks. “Sorry to disappoint you darling, but riling up your husband will require more tact than the mediocre stunt you’re trying to pull”.
Taehyung once again leaves him stupefied. He doesn’t think he’s made his intentions that clear, neither was he obvious in his actions then how? Maybe Taehyung had a little bit more genius than Jeongguk gave him credit for.
Before Jeongguk can reply, Taehyung moves his head to look at Mr. Park who seems to be eyeing the two closely, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, or so Jeongguk believes he sees.
“Please excuse us, my husband wants some privacy and it’s what I must provide him.”
Taehyung’s movements are agile when he guides Jeongguk out of the meeting room. They’re not hurrying, yet they’re fast, there’s a smoothness with which Taehyung transports him through the corridor and into his cabin. But even in those very few minutes, Jeongguk cannot ignore the hand that continues to hold on to his waist, sparking something electric in him that he doesn’t want to recognise.
He doesn’t get a chance to look at the surroundings as they walk to Taehyung’s cabin, nor does he take in the ultramodern yet traditional décor of Taehyung’s workstation, only the hand on his waist that connects him to Taehyung receiving all the prominence.
Jeongguk only notices the ambience of the cabin when he feels the hand on his waist losing its grip, like it’s letting go. It’s not something Jeongguk ever thought he’d rather not lose but it’s something he must, so in a show of arrogance the brat makes a reappearance to surpress the needs that have suddenly arisen in him.
“Don’t ever touch me again,” Jeongguk snarls as he slaps away Taehyung’s already retreating hand from his waist.
“Oh, I’d much rather pet an alligator, believe me!” Taehyung sneers, “but it’s what we must do, now that you’ve so boldly affirmed our relationship”.
Taehyung walks up to the all-glass panels that bestow a surreal view of central Jung District, all the attractions making their presence known through the diverse architectural marvels, that from the top appear as some sort of a road map of hotspots. Jeongguk wonders what it would be like to have a closer view of it, especially at night, but he shifts his attention back to the matter at hand when he’s accused as the cause of their current predicament.
“What was I supposed to do huh? Stand there and let you belittle me just because you’re some hotshot CEO? I think not! Also, your hand looked way too comfortable on my waist so cut the alligator bullshit.” Jeongguk could very well be yelling now but somehow he isn’t. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s an unknown place and an unknown man that keeps him in check or maybe it’s the glare Taehyung is levelling him with as he walks back to stand right before him.
“You don’t expect me to stop everything I’m doing just because you’re in town right? Because that’s far from happening. The sooner you accept it, the better.” Taehyung knows he could have done an infinitely better job at handling the situation but the coolant of his brain seems to have given out the moment Jeongguk stepped within his radius, all his thoughts and words getting misappropriated to everything wrong.
“And just because my hand held you well doesn’t necessarily mean the experience was enjoyable. Don’t be fooled by me. Unlike you, I’m a great actor.” The only person Taehyung is fooling by those words is himself. Even to his own ears, they sound unbelievable.
When he saw Jeongguk turn around to leave he felt his hands move in automation and fit right on his waist, a place Taehyung had not-so-subtly eyed the moment he stood in front of him. When he did realise the touch could feel uncomfortable to him, Jeongguk had turned his face and Taehyung’s brain positively stopped working. All that he could manage to do is just be there and take everything the unplanned moment was allowing him.
Given a chance he would relive it again but Jeongguk need not know that. He’s too much of a brat without the praise as it is.
“The least you could have done is let me go back to my house. But you chose to send me back to yours, a place alien to me, that too alone! It’s because you’re an insensitive prick I decided to have you take me home, and I’m damn sure I can get you to do that.” Why Jeongguk is divulging his plan to Taehyung he doesn’t know, but in order to not spill out more of the repressed contents, he holds inside him he stops himself.
“Also fuck you! I literally saw you eyeing me up and there’s no way that was an act. I know an interested man when I see one!” Jeongguk should have thought better than to say this. He should have estimated where the conversation would steer and yet, he didn’t.
Taehyung takes a step forward and then another till he’s well into Jeongguk’s space. Jeongguk hates that he loves the feeling bubbling inside of him. The sudden rush of electricity making him unsteady and wanting more.
“Glad to know your eyes work fine,” Taehyung breathes out in the space between the two.
Jeongguk had expected Taehyung to deny this like he had all other things before. Now that he has admitted to being interested in him, he isn’t sure how to respond anymore.
“Yes they do, but don’t grab me anymore”. Jeongguk’s irritation has mostly dissipated. Even as he says the words, he knows they lack the force they should have had, coming out as a weak mumble.
This only drives Taehyung to take another step, closing the remaining gap between the two. “Yeah? Then don’t make me.”
Jeongguk is hypnotised. He cannot look away from the man’s face even as it is a hair’s breadth away from him. He doesn’t want to. It’s strange how he should be feeling uncomfortable but he’s nowhere close to it.
He unconsciously leans it, his body lured in by Taehyung’s dark glare as both his hands come back to rest on his waist, encircling him in a burning touch he doesn’t want to escape.
Taehyung looks into his eyes and then for a fraction of a second his gaze falls to his lips but before his body can take charge again and make him commit things he would regret later, a knock on the cabin door startles them apart.
Taehyung’s hands immediately fall from his waist and Jeongguk jumps back a step as the secretary, for whom his dislike is steadily increasing, enters the cabin. But he guesses that his timing was impeccable because a second later could have him discover them in a compromised state. Jeongguk doesn’t know how he could allow it to come to this. He’s known the man for mere minutes and he’s already giving in easy. It must be his silly weakness for handsome men exerting power!
“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” the secretary begins and Jeongguk already finds his apology pointless because he did end up disturbing them anyway, “but Mr. Park and his team have decided to revert to us on Monday after making the necessary alterations. Since it’s 7 pm already would you be going home or?”
“I have some paperwork I need to review from the finance department but I don’t need you for that so you can call it a day”. Taehyung smiles at the secretary and envy slithers up Jeongguk’s spine because the man hasn’t smiled at him once since he arrived but seems to be doing so for everyone he speaks with, just not Jeongguk.
As Taehyung walks towards the door signalling his departure, Jeongguk calls out to ask, “Hey, what about me? You’re supposed to take me home!”
“I’m not holding you back, am I? You’re free to go but if you’ll have me take you home, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. A brat only gets what he wants when they’re being good don’t you know? Be good for me and then we’ll see.” Taehyung smirks as he pushes open the large wooden door to leave.
“B-but,” Jeongguk stutters and Taehyung turns one last time to look at him when he says, “the sofa is quite comfortable in case you need to rest”.
“I’m not here to laze around in your office Taehyung!” Jeongguk is adamant about being a brat but before he can say anything else to trigger him, Taehyung disappears from sight, an exhausted “suit yourself” floating in the air.
Jeongguk stands there for a while, debating whether he should follow him out and start becoming the pain in the ass he wants to be but he reckons there’s enough time to carry out his ministrations so he lets himself explore.
Left to his own Jeongguk tours the rest of his cabin amazed at everything he sees. The dark wooden furniture makes the cabin feel grounded and earthy while the large glass panes and contemporaneous design lends it the modernity and grandeur it emanates. Taehyung really does have an eccentric taste and Jeongguk finds himself taking a liking to it. As someone who’s always fascinated by art and architecture, his anticipation over what Taehyung’s, rather their house would unveil to his eyes only increases.
There are too many shelves of work files but amidst it all, he comes across a reading room with a library of its own. Jeongguk’s eyes pop open at the variety of books displayed there and he scans through the collection to find one befitting his palate.
He’s not surprised to see a whole section devoted to books on art from where he picks out a book on literature and the arts to peruse while he waits for Taehyung to return. There’s enough space in the reading room for him to rest but he walks back to the sofa to test out Taehyung’s advice, finds himself taking a long pause in front of a painting on his way there.
The painting is of a landscape in the countryside with a horse cart at the centre, looking so ordinary where it is hung, yet managing to pull Jeongguk out of the concrete jungle he is in. The greenery makes him feel the serenity of nature while the blue of the sky brings him instant relief. A little bit of red on the horse’s caparison arrests his attention.
He tries to read the painting as he does everything he sees but he’s more intent on decoding why Taehyung had allowed this painting so much importance when he’s certain there could be any other he could have, especially the more modern ones because he sure seems like the type to own them.
The dated painting makes him ruminate and he subconsciously connects it to the architecture of the building and Taehyung’s cabin to decipher the man that he is from his tastes.
The wooden furniture and the green of the painting convey a humble grounding, whereas the glass and chrome project authority and power. The skyline resembles hopes and dreams and the horse, the determination to go on. The little bit of red, however, seems misplaced and something he cannot quite put a finger on. Could it possibly mean that amidst this all, he seeks a little bit of passion, hidden by the exuberance of the rest of the colours but still very much present?
The conclusion he infers has him liking Taehyung more than he should so he stops himself from delving further into reading the man and ambles back to sit on the sofa, which to his delight is extremely cosy so he discards his leather jacket and lies down on it, resting his head on an equally comfortable cushion placed on the armrest to begin reading his choice of book.
Sleep comes to him easily, his tired body giving out at the first hints of warmth and comfort as he snuggles closer to the cushions and dozes off thinking about a certain pair of eyes and hands and the power they hold over him.
*******
Taehyung returns from his intensive scrutiny of the financial report handed to him for their last campaign. He only needs to document the findings on his computer so he makes his way toward his cabin from the boardroom. Usually, he would do this work from his cabin but he needed some space to think things out. He didn’t want to act impulsively and make a bigger mess of things for himself and Jeongguk.
When he returns, he looks around the cabin searching for the figure he could not tear his eyes away from just an hour ago. He walks into the room and finds him fast asleep on his sofa looking so delicate and innocent, nothing like the brat he is when awake.
His eyes roam his body and fix on his unclothed waist which must have been exposed due to his movements. He feels mortified to be gazing at him when he’s unconscious so he looks away.
The need to look back at him grows as he hurriedly steps toward the closet at the back of his cabin to retrieve a blanket. He’s sure Jeongguk must be freezing from the central air-conditioner set to the lowest temperature because Taehyung becomes itchy when he perspires.
He returns taking longer strides to lay his eyes on Jeongguk once again and thinks himself a pervert when he gazes at his naked waist for too long before wrapping him up in the blanket. In his effort to keep him warm he covers up every inch of his body as if mummifying him, only leaving his head peaking out.
He settles on the sofa beside him as he runs his fingers through his mess of hair. The boy really is young, too young to have his fate tied down to Taehyung’s. It’s why he let Jeongguk pursue his studies abroad because even if an escape, it would give him the freedom he desired.
As he smoothens out the knots in his hair, his eyes study the slight frown of his brows, the long lashes fanning his pink cheeks, the round button nose that makes him look much younger than he is, and the pointed jawline that adds a certain degree of masculinity to him. The youthful glow in him seizes Taehyung’s attention but what keeps him gaping are the contours of his lips and the fullness of them, looking so pink and so soft that he just wants to feel them against him.
Recognising the familiar trail of thought he was subjected to uncountable times today, he moves back to clear his head and decides to get back to his work so he can take the beautiful man that is his husband back home soon.
What this new journey will unfold, Taehyung cannot wait to discover.
*******
Jeongguk’s movements are restricted as he tries to stretch out his hands and legs. In an attempt to fight off whatever force is detaining him, he ends up, expectedly, on the floor. The sudden thud causes Taehyung to jerk in his seat and his chair squeaks at the impact of it, making Jeongguk open his heavy eyes and look up to where Taehyung sits.
He squints his eyes and blinks several times to purge himself of the sleep hovering in them when he notices Taehyung has divested himself of his suit jacket, loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves to reveal veined forearms that are guaranteed to be the death of Jeongguk, along with the long fingers surely.
He shifts his focus to his face and peers at him in silence for a few minutes when he sees glasses perched atop his nose. He scrunches his eyes some more to double-check if they are betraying him by making a handsome man appear even more charming than he already is. Maybe Taehyung would mistake Jeongguk drooling over him as something his sleep-laden mind has permitted and not a conscious act of his brain that cannot gauge how to react to Taehyung’s beauty.
“You look pretty hot in glasses but are you blind?” Why Jeongguk always ends up vomiting out everything that comes to his mind without a brain-to-mouth filter, especially when his own dignity is at stake, he realises he will never know.
“That’s absolutely comical coming from you when you’re the one squinting your eyes every five seconds,” Taehyung laughs and it's so genial that Jeongguk openly ogles the fine specimen of a man seated before him, seeing him smile so much for the first time since he arrived, that too at him.
“And thank you for the compliment but I’m not sure if I can return the same,” Taehyung jests some more, making Jeongguk huff out yet another “Fuck you”.
Taehyung gets up from his chair and walks around his table to see Jeongguk’s limbs tangled with the blanket as he moves towards the door. “I’m going to get myself a cup of tea and you,” Taehyung says as he turns to look at him from outside the cabin, “make yourself comfortable on the floor, looks well-suited”.
Jeongguk hurls a cushion at him followed by a few more “fuck yous” when Taehyung expertly dodges it and strolls towards what Jeongguk supposes is the office pantry. Jeongguk is annoyed but somehow it is not an angry annoyance but a happy one. He feels light on his feet so he proceeds to untangle himself from the blanket wanting to trail after Taehyung to irritate him as he had done him but he stops when he realises that he hadn’t taken any blanket with him to sleep.
No one else could have known he was happily asleep in his cabin apart from one. The one that he is trying so hard to hate but failing to. He traces the path Taehyung took while revisiting the day of their contractual marriage. Had he missed out on some important bits of information when he had his outburst over being forced into this union?
If there’s one thing that he has consistently done in the past five years, it is hate him, a name that had pressured him into agreeing to do what he had always reserved a special place in his heart for, only to become a public joke. He hadn’t seen him then, didn’t want to out of spite and remained in the unknown till Jimin, on one of his visits to Stanford showed him an article on the tabloid.
It would be a lie to say that he didn’t find him attractive then but being forced out of his comfort zone, although of his own accord, had only made him hate him more. He found it easier to blame him for everything that went wrong with him, however, in the quiet and most sane spaces of his mind he knew, that if there was anyone to blame, it was his father. But he had already hated the man enough to rid the planet of him and was looking for another person to vent it out on. Taehyung presented himself as a worthy replacement for his father, though not as cruel and selfish, and since then the antipathy just built.
Meeting the man in the flesh did not alter all his perceptions of him but did show him there was more to him than meets the eye. Jeongguk realises not having a strong basis of judgment really does complicate things.
However, he has only Taehyung to blame for a dull love life with no romantic interest. He’d be a hypocrite to say he did not have flings during his time abroad but they were always when he was at his lowest points or severely drunk and never went past a one-night stand. He could count on the tips of his fingers the number of times he had hooked up but he felt guilty about it nonetheless, after all he was married.
Now that he’s back, he cannot ignore the faint simmer of excitement he feels in the pit of his stomach. Maybe it has something to do with his tastes and preferences maturing over time, or maybe it has entirely everything to do with his husband, who, he at this point cannot believe he ran away from. Yes, he is a stuck-up asshole but he thinks he kind of deserves the treatment considering he chose to leave him and run away.
Wait. Was Jeongguk willing to share the blame that too without any force from Jimin? The world really was tilting on its axis. How can some time with a man make him realise so many things years spent apart could not? Maybe Jimin was right, just this once (everytime really). It wouldn’t hurt giving it a shot and Jeongguk had almost made up his mind to tone down the brat in him and try to be respectful as he reached the door that led to the pantry.
“Taehyung just once more. Last time wasn’t nearly enough, you know it never is when it comes to you.”
Jeongguk stops in his tracks. He cannot see anything yet but he’s sure a step into the pantry would grant him the vision he doesn’t want to see. He doesn’t want the bubble of possibility, of romance and love that he’s been building to burst yet again. He must have been cursed at birth to have a husband who’s already taken because clearly, his last boyfriend cheating on him was not nearly enough.
As much as he doesn’t want to burst his bubble, he knows he needs to. He knows this would help flare up the hatred in him that would act as a catalyst in his plan. So he strides into the room with forceful steps till he is faced with Taehyung’s back to him. A shift of place gives him a better view of who stands before him, an attractive dark-haired woman who looks closer to Taehyung’s age than his. Her hands are on his shoulders and she appears to be leaning into him, wanting to remove whatever little space subsists between the two.
“Please step away from me Ms. Han, this is too inappropriate even for you,” Taehyung says attempting to push her away. “And in case you haven’t noticed, my husband is back. The last thing I want is for him to find us like this.”
“Ms. Han? That’s not what you called me the other night. And there’s no need for you to act all saintly now that he’s here. I know you’re bound in this contractual marriage, which cannot even offer you sexual pleasures, let alone love. At least let me give one of them to you, if not both?” The woman sure does raise some valid points.
Jeongguk thinks Taehyung will give in. Call him a masochist, but he needs him to give in. The little flicker of hope in his chest needs to be extinguished before it wreaks havoc in his heart and he will have it so.
He sees Taehyung bend the slightest bit and feels his resolve breakdown for the umpteenth time that day. The man’s practically a stranger, why can’t he watch him close to another!
He’s pathetic, that’s exactly why.
Not finding the courage to witness his husband engaged with her, he dashes out of the pantry in quick steps, vision blurry and his tears threatening to spill out.
“Jeonggil just this once….” he hears Taehyung’s hushed voice and he rushes out faster than he came, the dam having finally broken with tears trailing down his cheeks.
Maybe there was a reason nobody loved him and found even the smallest of reasons enough to leave.
Maybe he was too unlovable for anyone to stay.
This would present itself as the most convenient reason to make Taehyung leave and while that should make Jeongguk happy, it just doesn’t. No matter how hard he tries to convince himself that his task just got a whole lot easier he cannot deny that suddenly he finds no happiness in it.
There’s no fun and no joy. And certainly, no love. That’s how his life is and will be, always.
It’s not something he didn’t know all along but right now, he isn’t sure if he’s strong enough to endure it.
*******