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Chapter Text

Life exists everywhere.

Life is in every sharp intake of air, whenever he closes his eyes to feel. There is life beneath his caress, breathing against his lips and moving with burning desire as fierce as crippling guilt.

There are many types of life in the world, and this is his.

This is how everything begins.

Jeon Jeongguk’s life is an unapologetically lavish version of Beverly Hills Beverly Park Circle.

At the ripe age of 26, Business Korea coined him as the most successful entrepreneur of this decade. He then became known as the genius who stunned the business world. His success brought him fame, awe, and envy. Elle Korea, on a cover spread of their Top 20 Richest Men of South Korea, granted him the moniker: The Most Sought Out Bachelor of this Era.

The general public swoons over his dashing looks and expressive eyes. But what men and women love the most about him wasn’t his gorgeous appearance. It’s his exceptionally fat bank account. Everybody praised his capacity to afford unlimited nights in five-star penthouses, fussed about his wardrobe filled with every designer brand. They envied his collection of houses and sports cars, all of his assets the human tongue could pronounce. They drooled after his wealth, the glitz and glamour his status could provide.

The power he holds as the man on the top.

Jeon Jeongguk is synonymous to the word illustrious. Everybody familiar with him in the business world could attest the veneration he commands as the savvy Chief Executive Officer of J.N. Global. He’s a man of many talents, the very definition of a debonair. He’s respected as the man commanding an empire, the untouchable emperor. Someone who is feared as he never cared about anything apart from going higher.

Still, variables exist.

However, he has yet to encounter a mountain he couldn’t conquer. And he will soon see that this mountain is a lot closer to him than he thought.

the black swan effect

Jeongguk is currently sporting one of the ugliest cases of headache possibly known to mankind. It could’ve been worse, he could’ve ended up crashing his car, or getting robbed, among a list of few things, but he feels bitter for a different reason. Nothing beats waking up alone in the coldness of his bed and the messy sheets covering half of his body.

He feels rough, like he’d been run over by a truck multiple times and for good measure. He can’t even remember how he got home and thinking only made things worse for his situation. The after effects of the party pill he had taken just to make sex in a cramped VIP room exciting is nowhere near in wearing off.

Jeongguk tossed and turned, leg out of the sheets, toes curling, trying to let his skin catch the cool breeze of air. Snuggling against his pillow, he listens to the murmurs of his room — the soft sway of the blinds, the whirr of the air-conditioner, the low hums of the television he forgot to turn off — and he lets those lull him back to sleep. He was floating in the empty space of his thoughts, attempting to get rid of the pounding in his head, when he heard footsteps heading towards his bedroom. He furrows his brows, tuning out the headache and focusing on the new sound until he hears his door slowly creak open.

“Jeongguk?” A small, deep voice calls. Lights then cascade the once dark room, causing Jeongguk to burrow deeper into the comfort of his blankets. The voice announces: “I’m coming in.”

It’s Taehyung.

Kim Taehyung — or Vante, the moniker Taehyung uses in the Entertainment Industry — is Jeongguk’s childhood best friend. They’re tight as thieves and shares the bond of blood-related siblings. In this cruel world, Taehyung is one of the very few people he trusts. Jeongguk may not be one to let people in, but once he does, he isn’t the type to let go that easily. He has treasured Taehyung for so long, he considers him the equivalent of a real brother.

And Taehyung is now headed towards the bed, jumping on him. Earlier, he’s feeling more like dead weight. Now, he feels like a sinking ship, Taehyung making it difficult to breathe.

“Wake up, sleeping dumbass,” Taehyung pokes, and then squishes Jeongguk’s cheeks. Repeatedly. “I would’ve called you beauty, but dumbass suits you better.”

Mustering the strength he has left, he attempts to push Taehyung off of him but fails. He rasps, voice thick with sleep, “Go away.”

“Seriously, Jeongguk-ah. How long are you planning to sleep? The entirety of Seoul is awake. It’s three in the afternoon already.”

“Leave me alone,” Jeongguk groans, limbs crying for help and eyelids heavy. Again, he tries shoving Taehyung off, only to get enveloped in a tight hug. He curses, complaining, flailing his arm blindly. “Jesus, let me sleep.”

Taehyung clicks his tongue, climbing off of him.

Jeongguk sighs in relief, inwardly celebrating his then short-lived freedom. For Taehyung suddenly blows on his ear. He scrambles awake in surprise, wincing at the heavy pounding in his head, vision swimming from the sudden movement, he goes dizzy. Seems like he’s in a more miserable shape than expected. Sore muscles, aching body, hazy memory. Bad combination. He’s never taking party pills, nor hooking up in public, ever again.

“Fuck,” he bleats in agony. “I feel like shit.”

“Serves you right,” Taehyung chides, flicking the side of his head. “When will you start taking care of your public image? I saw articles about last night. They’re all over.”

“Can we not talk about this right now?” He begs.

“Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook,” Taehyung says, sternly. “Stop trying to make a mess of yourself. Money can’t buy you everything, Jeongguk.”

Getting scolded with a splitting headache isn’t what Jeongguk needed at that moment. He needs peace and quiet, perhaps a glass of cold water, or a long sleep, whichever works. His throat is too dry and he feels like something is scratchy underneath his skin. He clutches the side of his head, fingers massaging his skull to dull the ache, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiff knots grating his bones. He does these on repeat, until he feels mild relief stave off the extreme soreness.

Eventually, he cracks an eye open to throw a withering glare at Taehyung. “No offense, I love you, but you’re annoying right now.”

“Why do people keep saying that?” Taehyung asks, irritated. “Saying ‘No offense’ then follow it up with something offensive?”

“...what.”

“Anyway. It’s not my fault you chose to get wasted without me last night.”

“I’m not the one getting married,” he shoots back. “Your fiancé probably has several sticks up his ass. He doesn’t let you have fun anymore.”

Silence cascades.

Taehyung sighs. “Jeongguk...”

At that, Jeongguk flops back down, arms spread out. He feels Taehyung climb next to him, and then he’s used as a pillow, Taehyung snuggling him close, head resting on his chest. His fingers find their way to play with Taehyung’s hair.

“Don’t blame my healthy relationship for the lack of yours,” Taehyung grumbles, dipping his nose into Jeongguk’s shirt. They sink in a comfortable lull, interrupted when Taehyung, face squished against Jeongguk’s chest, mumbles, “It’s your fault for not trying to get to know Seokjin-hyung when you had multiple chances.”

There truly wasn’t an ounce of effort made on his part, and he was mainly impassive about the man in question. He knows Taehyung like the back of his hand, but he didn’t care about the fiancé. He wonders if Taehyung ever felt slighted with his indifference. If he could be honest, he doubts the sincerity of it all. Moreso after Taehyung had announced the engagement out of the blue.

Jeongguk knows stuff about the long-term boyfriend-turned-fiancé. But it’s not enough for him to desire getting to know the other past the surface.

Frankly, he could care less about Kim Seokjin, the person. However, he is definitely interested with Kim Seokjin, the Chairman of one of the biggest labels in the country: Seraph Entertainment.

And he must admit, Seokjin is impossibly beautiful. He thought he was immune to gorgeous people, after being friends with one since he was young. But Jeongguk is still human. He has eyes and he sure knows how to appreciate beauty when he sees one.

Shaking those weird thoughts off, Jeongguk lowers his hand and gently squeezes Taehyung’s arm. “How come you’ve never declared your relationship? Don’t you want the world to know he’s yours?”

Taehyung looks up at him, a hint of desolation flashing across his eyes. “It’s because my relationship isn’t for the public to feast on,” he explains.

He furrows his brows.

Taehyung curls back to his side. Silence. He thought he wasn’t going to receive any answer.

But then: “I can’t do anything about it,” he hears Taehyung say. “We’re protecting our privacy and reputations this way. Besides…”

He hums.

“...fame is a tangible thing. It’s extremely fragile as much as it’s incredibly harmful,” Taehyung says wistfully. “If news got out that I’m getting married, projects might become scarce for me."

Pause.

“You know I’m here for you, right?” Jeongguk nudges, softly. “Always.”

“I know,” Taehyung whispers, hollow. “I know that very well.”

In a world where youth is equivalent to gold and relationship status is a career-defining factor, Taehyung’s worry regarding is understandable. Whereas if it was Jeongguk, he’d hardly care. Taehyung has always approached life in a colourful lens, a quality that opposed Jeongguk’s approach to the world and what it has to offer.

Taehyung is kind. Yet, he’s also someone who grabs everything he can with a vice grip. His tenacity doesn’t allow him to be detered by his own limitations.

Jeongguk views himself differently. Circumstances has made him greedy. He knows how to get what he wants, and no matter the method, he will get it.

This made him wonder, many times he could count, if their friendship would eventually tip. Him and Taehyung had been friends forever, it’s absurd to imagine them not getting along.

They fall quiet again. Taehyung is tapping his fingers on Jeongguk’s abdomen, staring at the ceiling. Meanwhile, Jeongguk notes how bare his bedroom is, all muted grays and black furniture.

This is not a home. To him, this is simply where he sleeps.

“Jeongguk-ah?” Taehyung hums. “Do you ever feel lonely in such a large house?”

Solitude, no matter where, has the same face. The bottom of the barrel is lonely and the pinnacle of success is no different.

But Jeongguk lies. “I like it just fine.”

Seraph Entertainment, despite its prestige, has been facing investment problems. And Jeongguk has used that information to his own benefit. He wouldn’t lose anything. Seraph is an established name and has potential. If it doesn’t drown first from its declining stocks.

“Taehyung? Does your fiancé know about the merger?”

“He does,” Taehyung answers. “But he’s being stubborn about it.”

“I figured. It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

“He built the company from scratch,” Taehyung says around a tiny chuckle. “He even calls it his baby.”

Jeongguk smiles at the adoration in Taehyung’s voice. But, he’s concerned whether his best friend’s fiancé understands how fast things could go south due to split-second decisions. He exhales. “He doesn’t have much time left.”

Taehyung untangles himself from him. Props himself up on his elbow. He asks seriously, “Won’t you give him the chance to let the company recover first?”

“This is business,” Jeongguk says matter-of-factly and sits up, the blanket pooling on his lap.

Taehyung sits up, too. Legs crossing, arms folded over his chest, his expression a tad displeased. Jeongguk gives him a quick do-over. Taehyung is dressed in a maroon floral-patterned polo shirt and white capris. Styled hair messy from laying down. Handsome. Must have come here straight from an appointment.

“He values the label,” Taehyung sighs. Lowering his head, fringes falling atop his eyes. “I value it as well. I don’t think he should be the sole to blame on the investments that weren’t paying off.”

“Your fiancé made a mistake. It’s natural he face the consequences,” he says bluntly.

There is a shift in the air.

“Stop being arrogant,” Taehyung reprimands gently.

“Am I being arrogant for telling you the truth? Or are you upset because it’s your fiancé getting picked at?”

“...”

“Taehyung-hyung.”

“That’s the first time you paid me any respect today,” Taehyung frowns.

Jeongguk sighs. “That’s not the point—”

“You haven’t met him yet,” Taehyung insists. “If you met Seokjin-hyung, I don’t think you’ll be able to say bad things about him.”

“Huh. Then I’m glad I haven’t met him at all,” Jeongguk makes a face.

“That’s not something you say to someone who agreed to make you my best man. He could have said no to you and chose a dog in your place.”

Jeongguk gives Taehyung a blank stare. “You don’t have any best man other than me.”

“I’m starting to consider the dog,” Taehyung pretends like he’s actually considering it.

“Look,” he says weakly, knuckles rubbing over his eyes. “I don’t care about your fiancé. I’m attending the wedding for you, alright?”

“Thanks for the love,” Taehyung chuckles.

Jeongguk ribs, “It’s not for free.”

“Stingy. Did you forget I’m the only one who can tolerate you?”

“Only you?” Jeongguk laughs softly. “You forgot my mom, my lawyer, my employees,” he says. “And, well — Seojun.”

Taehyung snorts. “You’re still with that B-lister?”

He hums, leaning back on the bed, hands pressed flat on the mattress to support his body. “I was with him last night.”

Pause. Then: “Jeongguk-ah,” Taehyung says, “I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t be,” Jeongguk shrugs. He knows what he’s doing. “You know I can fix it, if something even happens.”

“Don’t pull that on me,” Taehyung presses on. “Don’t even try to deny you’re taking whatever shit he gives you. I know that look on your face — you have the afterglow.”

“Hyung,” Jeongguk groans. Just when he was successful in keeping the headache at bay, he got reminded by it. It’s back to a barrage of jabs against his skull. “I can handle myself.”

“Still—”

“I’ll be careful,” he negotiates, conceding. “I promise.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I’m untouchable. Did you forget?” Jeongguk says with a smile, brows raising up and down.

“Whatever,” Taehyung counters with a wide grin, his face morphing into a look of amused exasperation. He pinches Jeongguk’s cheek which makes him chuckle.

There’s no denying that Jeongguk is fond of Taehyung. For he embodies everything Jeongguk could never be. Looking at Taehyung has him feel envy and adoration. He sees the same boy who showed him there are different kinds of love, who treated him as his own flesh and blood. The Taehyung who offered friendship, back when they were simply children whose eyes weren’t open yet to the world’s true cruelty.

He sees the Taehyung who was by his side building castles on the sand, who consoled him on nights wherein even breathing hurts. The Taehyung who was with him, patiently waiting for his mother to come home. This is the Taehyung he grew up with, and stayed with him as they began chasing their futures.

And in front of him is that same Taehyung glowing with something else apart from success. Taehyung shines, and it’s not related to his awards. He’s brimming with passion towards someone.

Taehyung is in love. Deeply, irrevocably, in love.

The thing about love is that it has many forms. There is love in asking to put the seat belt on. Love in good mornings and good nights. Love in first hellos and painful goodbyes. There is love shared between friends, and a love shared between lovers.

And Taehyung shines with the glory of the latter.

“You look in love,” Jeongguk wrinkles his nose. “It’s kind of gross.”

“One day, you’ll meet your equal and they’ll knock you off of your high horse,” Taehyung huffs, more amused than offended. “And I’ll be laughing at you, with you, as you go through the dilemma,” he then adds softly, “But I’ll make sure to be a good brother and help you, if you need me.”

“Yeah. Right.” Jeongguk laughs. The thought itself is ridiculous. It’s hilarious, imagining himself actually falling in love. It will never happen. He just can’t see himself in that light, no matter how hard he tries to picture it. He shudders. “Relationships are messy. I doubt anyone is willing to suffer for love.”

“You’ll be surprised,” Taehyung muses. “The world is so small, Jeongguk-ah. One day, you’ll meet the one who will change your mind. Like how I got lucky in meeting Seokjin-hyung.”

“Uh-huh,” Jeongguk mocks. Looks at Taehyung with a raised brow, teasing, “I can’t wait to get my life ruined.”

Taehyung reaches forward with a laugh, cupping Jeongguk’s cheek and uses it as leverage to bump their foreheads together. Despite the years, nothing has changed. He smiles, closes his eyes and enjoys Taehyung’s comforting presence. Then he wraps his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders, pulling him into a gentle embrace.

“I’ll be happy if you get to know Seokjin-hyung better,” Taehyung says. “My two most favorite people in the world getting along? That’s my perfect life.”

Seeing just how much Taehyung loves the man, Jeongguk supposes he should make an effort to meet him. There are two occasions wherein he could do that. The wedding rehearsals and the meeting for the merger. He wants to see Taehyung happy. And if him befriending Seokjin would put a smile on Taehyung’s face, he would do it.

Anything for the person who stayed by his side since the beginning. Anything to repay the kindness that was given to him.

“If you get to know him, you’ll understand why I love him so,” Taehyung says.

“I’ll try for you,” Jeongguk affirms.

“You’ll love him,” Taehyung says as he nestles into Jeongguk’s embrace. “I have no doubt about it.”

In business, there is a phenomenon known as The Black Swan Theory that necessitates extreme caution. It’s a black hole, a kind of negligence equating to rationalized miscalculation. It’s dangerous because it’s unpredictable, and it’s unpredictable because it happens without a warning. There are an infinite number of cases, and even the finest of people have succumbed to it.

No soul is immune. Not even Jeongguk.

The wings of the Black Swan fluttered, and the first miscalculation began.

Jeongguk was powerless against the swan’s trajectory, unprecedented on how far its wings would extend. For the instant he laid his eyes on Kim Seokjin, all of his suppositions regarding the enigmatic man behind Seraph Entertainment had melted. He stands in the face of the unknown, staring into Seokjin’s deep and expressive gaze, stunned by how unearthly Taehyung’s fiancé is. He couldn’t put a name to this magnetic tug, and it wasn’t until Seokjin flashed him an iridescently charming and seductive smile, that he garnered a glimpse of understanding.

In lieu of verbal greeting, a hand was offered.

“Kim Seokjin,” the introduction came.

It is the lilt of a siren, Seokjin’s voice luring him into the depths of an abyss. And yet, despite the possibility of drowning, his curiosity flared brighter than any flame.

Jeongguk looks at Seokjin’s hand before he, firmly, grasps it within his own.

“Jeon Jeongguk,” he says.

The opposite ends of the spectrum finally connects.