Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The dimly lit room, tucked away at the far end of the apartment, was organised, methodical, and left little room for distractions. A sturdy desk dominated the room, its surface empty, save for the laptop in the middle, and the two computer screens, currently turned off. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and the books were aged with usage. 

A desk lamp glowed luminous, illuminating the man seated at the desk. The white light of the lamp made his sandy blond curls appear white, almost. A deadly silence surrounded the man hunched over the laptop, save for the furious clacking of keys, a symphony of urgency against the otherwise stillness. 

The glow of the screen cast sharp shadows over his angelic face. His fingers danced across the keyboard, swift and deliberate. His thick eyebrows were furrowed, mouth a thin line. 

On the screen, lines of code scrolled endlessly, cryptic to the untrained eyes but to Taehyung, they were the language of control. He was as fluent in this language as he was in his mother tongue. 

A soft ping followed by a notification that popped up from the bottom right of his screen caught his eye:

“Suspicious activity detected: unauthorised login attempt blocked”

Taehyung’s furrowed eyebrows knitted further. However–

“Repeated login attempts detected. Immediate action required”

“Fuck!” Taehyung cursed loudly, the first break in the room’s oppressive calm. 

He leaned closer to the screen. He switched from one tab to another, hurriedly typing code. His long fingers danced across the keyboard at a speed close to lightning. The room, once still, now was alive with tension as Taehyung worked against an invisible opponent threatening to unravel his carefully constructed world. The surrounding air grew heavier with each passing second as if the very walls were closing in on him. Taehyung’s breath came in shallow bursts, the tension tightening in his chest as his mind raced. 

The notification kept flashing, each ping a reminder of the danger creeping closer. Unauthorized login attempts. Repeated access attempts. Someone was getting dangerously close. Too close.

How dare they? It was his website. 

This was his world. He had built it, brick by brick, with a purpose in mind. He had built it in shadows and this world required precision, anonymity, and constant vigilance.

His pulse thudded in his ears as he typed faster, desperate to lock down the entry points. But there was no telling how long he had before the hackers overpowered him. He shut down one hacking attempt after another. It felt like he was working against the clock to defuse a bomb. 

The darkness of the digital world had a way of making everything feel like a slow-burning fuse– you never know when things will fire back at you. 

Taehyung’s fingers worked frantically, sealing gaps, fortifying barriers, and encrypting everything deeper. Another notification popped up… he was almost there… just a little more. However-

Beep

The familiar sound of the front door unlocking sent a jolt through Taehyung’s body. His head whipped towards the closed door of the room, right in front of him. His ears strained as he heard the front door open.

“Babe, I’m home!” a melodic voice flowed through the house and Taehyung gulped.

“In here!” He called and brought his eyes back to the screen. His fingers continued their work, slamming the keys at a rate that Taehyung feared their longevity. 

Lines of code blurred together on the screen in front of him. He could hear footsteps now, and shuffling. Jeongguk was putting his things down in the living room. And then footsteps again. Closing by on the study, where Taehyung was at.

Taehyung cursed under his breath, increasing his speed. He heard the footsteps stop at the door and heard the creak of the door handle. He didn’t have to look up to see the door opening, flooding the dimly lit room with the light of the afternoon and— Jeongguk.

Taehyung hit enter one last time just as Jeongguk entered, having secured his website, and slammed his laptop shut.

He looked up and flashed a grin at his boyfriend, who was walking in with a soft smile that brightened up the whole room. But his eyes lingered for a moment too long on the laptop, and Taehyung’s hand, which rested protectively over it.

“Hey,” Jeongguk greeted, his voice soft and affectionate.

Taehyung spun in his chair, his features breaking into a soft smile. “Hey,” he replied casually, as if he hadn’t just been working like his life depended on it.

“What were you working on?” Jeongguk asked, tilting his head, his tone curious.

“Nothing exciting,” Taehyung said with a small shrug, taking off his glasses and placing them on the table. “Just work.”

Jeongguk chuckled, stepping closer. “You looked like you were in a fight with that keyboard.”

Taehyung grinned. “Just wanted to get it done so I could focus on you properly”

Jeongguk scoffed, but his cheeks had dusted pink. He sat across Taehyung’s lap, one arm circling around the older man’s neck. 

“Flattery”

“I’m not lying!” Taehyung whined softly as he held Jeongguk’s waist. “I thought you would be late”

“I was able to finish up sooner than I thought” Jeongguk smiled. 

“Yeah?” Taehyung whispered, pressing a soft kiss onto Jeongguk’s lips. 

Jeongguk hummed, kissing back softly. He was smiling as he drew away.

“Are you done with your work?” the younger asked.

“Yup”

“I brought something for you. Come” 

Taehyung grinned. “What did you bring?”

He stood up with Jeongguk, and the younger man guided him out of the room. Taehyung shot one last look at his laptop as he walked out into the living room. 

Jeongguk sat down on a stool at the kitchen island, patting the seat next to him. Taehyung obliged, placing his phone on the counter, and his eyes widened in excitement as Jeongguk took out a plastic box, wrapped with a purple ribbon.

“That’s so pretty” Taehyung grinned. “Is that cheesecake?!”

“Yup,” Jeongguk giggled.

“This is for me? Did you have any?”

“Yeah. I had some at the wedding. They gave me two boxes because I was the photographer”

“Perks of being a photographer at the wedding, huh?” Taehyung chuckled as he dug in. Jeongguk watched him with soft eyes, shaped into crescents. 

“Yummy?”

Taehyung moaned in delight. “Oh yeah. I was starving”

Jeongguk’s eyes furrowed. “Did you not have lunch?”

“I had a brunch”

“What did you have?”

“Cereal?”

“Tae!”

“What?! I was busy, okay?” Taehyung muttered with a mouthful of cheescake.

Jeongguk groaned. “We should order in tonight”

“I was going to cook for you, though” Taehyung pouted. 

“I don’t want you to tire yourself. You haven’t had a proper meal the whole day!”

“But…”

“No buts. Let’s order a good meal. I got paid and they gave me a $200 tip!”

“Oh my god!”

“I know! They’re rich! I didn’t think they would. I mean, I only started my career like… 3 months ago. I have barely done any projects yet. They said they loved the photos and tipped me $200!”

“It’s because my baby is talented”

Jeongguk grinned. “I’m so happy”

Taehyung smiled softly. He scooped up the last piece of the cake and pressed the spoon against Jeongguk’s lips. He parted them open as Taehyung fed him the piece. They both smiled, munching on the cake.

“I’m full now” Taehyung smiled. 

“After I shower, let’s order something”

“Fine”

“Don’t frown”

“Thought I turned you on when I frowned”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes. “That’s when you’re turned on. Now you look like a wounded puppy”

“A wounded puppy?!”

“Yup”

“Oh yeah? How about I—” Before Taehyung could finish his sentence, Jeongguk was pressing his lips against Taehyung’s.

Taehyung’s eyes widened momentarily. However, he kissed back with the same amount of passion. Subsequently, as Jeongguk sat on Taehyung’s lap and their hand circled one another, the elder couldn’t help but lick into the younger’s mouth, tasting sweetness on his tongue.

Taehyung wanted to smile. Jeongguk always tasted divine. As their tongues met, Jeongguk let out a soft moan and Taehyung responded with a small groan. His body thrummed with arousal and their kisses got deeper and needier. 

Jeongguk broke the kiss, breath heaving. His hands fiddled with Taehyung’s hoodie throwing it over the elder’s head. Taehyung attached his mouth to Jeongguk’s once again, his own fingers working on popping Jeongguk’s shirt buttons. His hands quickly caressed the soft skin of Jeongguk’s torso, eager to feel him. 

Taehyung’s hands swiftly moved to Jeongguk’s pants, with the intention of having Jeongguk naked in front of him and Jeongguk’s hands were no different, fiddly and eager. Jeongguk broke the kiss once again to attach his lips against Taehyung’s neck and the older man momentarily paused his actions, eyes fluttering close as he relished the feeling of Jeongguk’s lips against his skin, when–

Ding

His eyes darted to his phone on the counter. His eyes narrowed as he took in the screen with a single message notification. 

“I couldn’t access the website ten minutes ago” The message read, “But I can access it now. I figured that you took care of the issue. Did you delete the files and wipe away the traces?”

“Fuck” Taehyung cursed. He forgot to do that. 

Jeongguk stopped in his actions, probably sensing the way Taehyung tensed. 

“What?” Jeongguk asked. His eyes were glassy. From arousal, Taehyung knew.

Taehyung looked at Jeongguk apologetically. 

“I have to do something…” Taehyung muttered. “I will be back. Just give me five minutes”

Jeongguk frowned. “What do you have to do?”

“Just work, baby. I have to finish it up. Five minutes?”

“Can’t your work wait fifteen minutes? Until we’re done?”

“I…” Taehyung gulped, not knowing what to answer. He wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it until he deleted everything. And it couldn’t wait. 

He won’t be able to properly focus on Jeongguk if they start this now. 

“What’s so urgent?” 

Taehyung gulped. He searched for words but none came into his mind. 

Jeongguk sighed, looking away from Taehyung’s eyes. There was a hint of disappointment on Jeongguk’s face. Taehyung gulped, guilt making his heart ache.

“Forget it” Jeongguk muttered, getting off Taehyung’s lap.

“Baby…”

Jeongguk picked up his shirt from the ground and walked to their bedroom, without sparing Taehyung another glance.

Chapter Text

Jeongguk woke to the tantalizing aroma of something cooking. He stretched lazily, a smile tugging at his lips as he inhaled deeply, the scent already making his stomach rumble. Rolling out of bed, he followed the smell to the kitchen, stopping at the doorway.

There Taehyung stood, shirtless, stirring a pot on the stove. The early morning light caught on his honeyed skin, and Jeongguk’s heart skipped a beat. His gaze trailed to Taehyung’s bare back, noticing faint red lines he recognized all too well. Memories of the previous night flooded his mind, and he bit his lip, stifling a giggle.

Taehyung always made him feel so good. He was a service top, as Jeongguk liked to call him. He loved worshipping Jeongguk’s body and then making love to him in the most passionate ways. Jeongguk had already forgotten what he was annoyed at Taehyung the previous day. Taehyung made sure to make it up to him the same night. 

Taehyung, oblivious to Jeongguk’s presence, moved with practised ease. He cracked eggs into a pan with one hand, his other already reaching for the spices. Jeongguk leaned against the doorway, savouring the sight.

Jeongguk was practically drooling. Taehyung had always been a great cook and Jeongguk loved eating whatever he cooked. Taehyung was passionate about cooking for Jeongguk and making sure he got 3 full meals a day.

Taehyung turned around to grab some utensils from the kitchen island and spotted Jeongguk. His eyes lit up when they landed on the younger. 

“Hey baby” Taehyung grinned.

“Hey” Jeongguk said softly. “Good morning”

“Good morning to you too, gorgeous” 

Jeongguk giggled. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Rice with side dishes, soup, and pork. The eggs are for you.”

“Yum,” Jeongguk said, slipping his arms around Taehyung’s waist. “Smells amazing.”

Taehyung kissed his forehead, then his lips, soft and lingering. “I’m almost done. Go shower and come back—I’ll have it ready by then.”

“Okay” Jeongguk smiled at him before walking out of the kitchen.

After a quick shower, Jeongguk returned to find breakfast laid out on the counter. Sliding onto a stool, he hummed in appreciation as Taehyung pulled him close, burying his face in Jeongguk’s neck.

“You smell so fucking sweet” Taehyung murmured, his voice low. “I want to eat you up”

“No!” Jeongguk whined but the grin never left his face. “My ass is still sore from last night”

“Maybe you should stop using all these fruit-scented bath products which make you smell like a ripe fruit and I might be able to stop getting all these unholy thoughts”

“Maybe you should learn to control yourself”

“Control myself? I’m afraid those words don’t operate when I’m around you”

Jeongguk groaned. “Such a flirt! We have been together for eight years but you’re still flirting with me like you met me yesterday”

Taehyung laughed. “Has it really been eight years?” He hummed to himself, “Yeah, we started dating when you were fifteen and I was seventeen, back in school”

“Yeah, I had just started high school and you were in the third year of high school”

“And after a year of dating, I graduated” Taehyung laughed. 

“Why did it take you so long to ask me out?” Jeongguk whined. “I have known you since I was four. It took you eleven years!”

“If you liked me first, you should’ve asked me out!”

“I was too shy! You were two years older and looked like you had your life together—so confident, so cool. And you had such a promising future. I didn’t even know if you liked guys! It didn’t look like you did!”

Taehyung tilted his head, pretending to ponder. “I don’t know about guys, but I did like you. Don’t you think it was bound to happen, though? We were the only boys in the neighbourhood, so naturally, we became best friends. Then we ended up going to the same elementary school, middle school, and high school. Our parents were best friends, too—it was like the universe decided we were stuck together.”

“Yeah you really stuck with me through and through. It wasn’t a surprise that we fell in love”

“Hmm.” Taehyung’s gaze softened as he watched Jeongguk scoop up some rice and side dishes. Without a word, he picked up a piece of pork with his chopsticks and held it out. Jeongguk leaned forward, accepting the bite with an appreciative hum.

“I changed the recipe. Do you like it?”

Jeongguk’s frown deepened—a sure sign he loved it. If Jeongguk looked angry when he ate something, it meant he loved it. “It’s savoury and spicy. Definitely better than the sweet and spicy pork.”

Taehyung grinned. “Noted”

He silently watched Jeongguk enjoy his food, eyebrows furrowing with every bite. It was something Taehyung loved about Jeongguk; how he made sure to enjoy every bite he took. 

“It’s funny” Taehyung muttered, “I don’t even know if I had a crush on you back then. I think I was just... already in love.”

Jeongguk giggled. “I knew I had a crush on you. But I don’t exactly know since when, but I realized it when my heart started beating faster and I felt so happy every time I met you or when you talked to me. I used to tell all my friends how handsome you were and they gave me weird looks because I was surely talking about you more than I should have for a straight person”

Taehyung laughed. “I knew I wanted to have you close to me so I decided to say fuck it and ask you out. And I kind of felt like you had a crush on me because you were blushing whenever I held your hand or complimented you”

Jeongguk groaned, covering his face with his hands. “I was a goner!”

“You were” Taehyung pressed a kiss onto the side of Jeongguk’s head.

Jeongguk peeked out from behind his hands, his voice softer now. “I’m so glad you asked me out. I never would’ve had the courage. I probably would’ve taken that secret to my grave.”

Taehyung smiled, his tone teasing but gentle. “You bottle things up too much, my love. You’ve got to let them out—life’s too short.”

“I know.” Jeongguk looked at Taehyung with heart eyes. “I love you.”

Taehyung’s eyes softened further. “And I love you.”

Jeongguk flashed him a toothy grin, finishing up his food. 

“What are you up to today?” Taehyung asked after they both finished eating. He picked up the dishes as Jeongguk walked over to grab water.

“I have a photoshoot for that fashion magazine I was telling you about”

“Oh right, that’s today?”

“Yeah” Jeongguk sat back down with a glass of water in hand. Taehyung started washing the dishes. “I’m excited!”

“I’m excited for you! I’m sure you’d do well”

“There are going to be other photographers too. I hope they won’t notice that this isn’t my first time”

“Come on, baby. You won awards at university for your photography. You’re going to kill it”

Jeongguk chuckled softly. “I wish I believed in myself as much as you believe in me”

Taehyung smiled. “Well, for now, don’t forget who the fuck you are and go give your best”

“I will” Jeongguk whispered with a sigh. “Oh, I completely forgot!”

“What?”

“Hoseok asked if we could join him for drinks tonight”

“Tonight? What’s the occasion?”

“Hyung, Hoseok’s girlfriend broke up with him, remember?”

“Oh fuck” Taehyung cursed. “Yeah, I remember him saying so in the group chat last week”

“He said he wanted to meet up last week but my schedule’s been hectic. So I told him that we will come today. You don’t have anything planned for tonight, right?”

“So far, no”

“Okay, I’ll talk to him and text you the address. Be there by seven? My shoot is supposed to end in the evening so I could make it by seven”

“But should I come? He’s your best friend. What if he wants to talk to you privately?”

“No, he told me to bring you too. Besides, it would be nice. It’s been some time since we went out to meet a friend”

“Okay then”

Jeongguk took out his phone, checking for messages when the other phone that was on top of the kitchen island vibrated. Jeongguk’s eyes glided to the lit screen of Taehyung’s phone, only to see a notification pop up. Jeongguk wasn’t intending to, but the sender’s name came into view. 

Dongsik , the sender’s ID read. Jeongguk’s eyebrows furrowed together. Jeongguk hasn’t heard about a Dongsik in Taehyung’s life. 

“Who’s Dongsik?” the words were out of Jeongguk’s mouth before he could stop them.

Taehyung turned from the sink, eyebrows raised. “Huh?”

“Dongsik,” Jeongguk repeated, gesturing at the phone. “Never heard of him before.”

“Oh, just... a colleague,” Taehyung said, a little too quickly.

“Oh” Jeongguk gulped, nodding. He didn’t want to pry. Taehyung was a software engineer. He worked with various people and clients, Jeongguk knew. 

Taehyung never went into details about what he did. And Jeongguk never quite asked for details either. Being a photographer, he wouldn’t understand what Taehyung does in depth anyway. And Jeongguk didn’t want to bother him and ask him a lot of questions; as if Jeongguk was suspicious of Taehyung or anything of that sort. 

Taehyung was a genius. He had participated in so many tournaments, competitions, and events and won awards from them more times than Jeongguk could count. IT, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, AI… Jeongguk only knew a fraction of what those were about. He never had any passion for technical things like that, so he had no knowledge of them. 

Taehyung had jobs lined up when he graduated from university with honours in Software Engineering. He had another degree in Cybersecurity. Taehyung was a tech genius.

However, Taehyung decided to work freelance after he graduated. He had many clients, Taehyung had told Jeongguk. And Taehyung earned a lot. A lot more than Jeongguk. What Jeongguk made in a month, Taehyung made in a day, sometimes. 

Therefore, Jeongguk knew that whatever Taehyung was doing, was not simple. And he understood when Taehyung said he was too busy to hang out with friends or stayed up the whole night.

However, Jeongguk also noticed that Taehyung had been sitting in front of his laptop on his massive computer screen more often, than he did the previous year. 

Maybe it was just Jeongguk.

But he hadn’t taken Jeongguk out on a date in three months. Not since Jeongguk graduated from university three months ago.

“He helps me out… with my work” Taehyung tried to explain. “Provides me feedback sometimes”

“So not a co-worker?”

“He kind of is… he’s also a software engineer”

“Met him online?”

“Yeah, through my work”

Jeongguk nodded. “You’ve never mentioned him” he muttered, though not accusatory. 

Taehyung shrugged. “I mean, I have never met him. He’s just a colleague. I’m not close to him on a personal level”

“Right,” Jeongguk nodded. True, it’s not like Jeongguk tells Taehyung about every single he meets at work either. That was unnecessary. 

“I should go now. I should be there in an hour” Jeongguk said, standing up from his seat. 

“Okay love” Taehyung turned off the faucet and followed Jeongguk to the front door. He watched Jeongguk put on his jacket and throw his camera bag over his shoulder. 

“Make sure to have lunch. There are leftovers from last night in the fridge if you don’t have time to cook. Just make sure to eat something” Jeongguk said, walking over to the elder and wrapping his arms around his neck.

“I will” Taehyung smiled, circling his hands around Jeongguk’s waist. “You too. Don’t starve”

“You know I won’t” Jeongguk muttered.

Taehyung pressed a soft kiss onto Jeongguk’s lips. “Be safe. Call me when you’re free”

“I will” Jeongguk smiled, pecking Taehyung’s kiss one last time before turning around. He waved goodbye to Taehyung before opening the front door and walking out of their apartment. 

“I love you!” Taehyung called after him.

“Love you too!”

Chapter Text

Jeongguk finished his work at the photoshoot around six in the evening, bidding goodbye to the staff, models, and other photographers. As he exchanged Line IDs and business cards with some of them, he felt a flicker of pride. The six other photographers at the shoot were clearly more experienced, with impressive portfolios and work histories. Fresh out of university, Jeongguk couldn’t help but feel a bit starstruck listening to their stories.

He had made plans earlier with Hoseok to meet at a bar, a twenty-minute drive from the shoot location. Before booking a taxi, Jeongguk called Taehyung again to remind him of the plan, but the call went straight to an engaged tone. Figuring Taehyung was still caught up in work, Jeongguk sent him a text instead.

The drive to the bar was quicker than expected. He got off the taxi to enter a small, cosy bar that wasn’t too busy for Jeongguk’s taste. He was welcomed with warm golden light, the faint scent of aged whiskey, soft jazz, and the low hum of conversation with the occasional clink of glasses. Scanning the room, Jeongguk spotted Hoseok lounging in an armchair in the corner, waving him over.

He and Hoseok had been friends since middle school, where they met through the school’s dance club. He was the same age as Taehyung but it was Jeongguk who introduced Hoseok to Taehyung. Since Taehyung and Jeongguk started dating, their friend groups mingled and formed a single friend group of seven guys. And it also led to more couples being formed inside that friend group. 

“Hobi!” Jeongguk grinned, quickening his pace to hug his best friend.

“It’s been forever!” Hoseok laughed, pulling Jeongguk into a warm hug.

“Too long,” Jeongguk agreed, taking a seat opposite him. “I can’t believe I survived so many months without venting to you about literally everything”

“I know, right? We used to meet every other week at least. Don’t tell me you’ve been that busy.”

Jeongguk sighed. “Both busy and preoccupied. I’ve had at least one photo shoot a week, and when I’m not shooting, I’m meeting clients or editing. I’ve also been trying to get into urban photography—portraits are great, but I don’t want to limit myself. And then there’s Taehyung…”

Hoseok gave him a knowing look. “Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on.”

“I thought that I would be more free after I graduated since there were no exams. But I was so busy working and trying to find work” Jeongguk sighed. “But enough about me. How are you?”

“You already know everything since I have been crying to you for days ever since Juseon and I broke up. You know all the tea” Hoseok chuckled. “Other than the post-breakup depression,  I have been alright. I missed you so much”

“I missed you too!”

“Is Taehyung joining us?”

“He should be” Jeongguk sighed, taking out his phone. Jeongguk checked his phone, frowning when he saw his texts remained unread. “I reminded him this morning, told him the location this afternoon, and called after work, but no answer.”

“He must be busy,” Hoseok said. “Being a software engineer and all”

“Then so are you. You’re an Architect” 

Hoseok shrugged. “Taehyung doesn’t work anywhere, right? He works from home”

“Yup. Freelancing” Jeongguk dialled Taehyung’s number once again, only to be met with the same engaged tone. 

“What exactly does he do?”

Jeongguk felt his breath catch in his throat. He gulped as he raised his head from his phone to meet Hoseok’s gaze. “Well, he has clients” Jeongguk muttered. “He does software engineering…stuff. Like coding. Cybersecurity… and building websites.”

Hoseok tilted his head, unconvinced. “That’s pretty vague. Does he not talk about his projects with you? You’ve been together for years.”

Jeongguk glanced down at the menu, avoiding Hoseok’s gaze. “I mean… not in detail. It’s not like I’d understand it anyway.”

“But you tell him everything about your work. Every shoot, every concept, every person you meet…”

“Yeah but anyone can understand that”

“Honey, it’s not too difficult to say ‘I’m working on this website for this company, who wanted this and that. And I talked with this executive from this company’… anything like that”

“Hobi…” Jeongguk sighed. “It’s fine”

“If you say so” Hoseok said, not pushing further. 

“I’m having a cocktail”

“Why do I feel like you would need something stronger than that?”

Jeongguk groaned, gesturing to the waiter. “I think we will have to order before Tae. I don’t know when he’ll get here”

“He didn’t come to our group hangout last month either. Is he doing okay?”

“Seemingly. He’s been busy, I think”

“You think!”

The waiter reached their table. “I’ll have whiskey, on ice” Jeongguk said.

“I’ll have the same, thank you” Hoseok smiled at the waiter.

“Of course” the waiter walked away with a smile and a nod. Their drinks arrived soon, and Jeongguk checked the time—7:30 p.m. Taehyung still hadn’t read his texts. Annoyance bubbled up, and he took a sip of his drink, feeling it burn as it went down.  

“Are you having relationship problems?” Hoseok asked. 

“Nope. Everything’s perfect”

“I’m here if you want to talk, you know. I’m your best friend”

“I thought we met up to talk about you.”

“Honey, my love life is non-existent” Hoseok laughed, earning a crack of a smile from Jeongguk too. “There’s nothing to talk about”

“True. You told me everything already. Some things, multiple times”

“I did? Girl, I was heartbroken”

“I know” Jeongguk smiled. “Are you doing better now?”

“Yeah, work’s been busy, so I’ve been distracted. I think I’m getting over it.”

Jeongguk nodded. “I’ve never been through a breakup.”

“Good for you. You found someone to stick to. Maybe I should try dating a guy.”

“If you find the right one,” Jeongguk said, taking another sip. The whiskey was too strong. He wondered if he should’ve ordered a cocktail. He liked sweet things.

So did Taehyung. They both had a sweet tooth. Taehyung, more than Jeongguk. They have been scolded countless times for snuggling out sweets from either of their houses and eating them when they were not supposed to. 

Taehyung didn’t like strong drinks. He didn’t like beer either, though it was not strong. He said he didn’t like the taste. He liked Soju and loved wine. He liked cocktails, like Jeongguk. Occasionally, he drank whiskey. But not often. Not as much as Jeongguk. 

Jeongguk loved it when Taehyung drank wine. He would get wine-drunk, as Jeongguk liked to call it at those times. He became the most romantic man on earth at such times.

“Taehyung is perfect” Jeongguk muttered, almost absent-mindedly. “He treats me well”

“Yeah?”

“I love him. I know he loves me too. He pays attention to me when I’m around. He loves cooking for me. He makes love to me often”

Hoseok smiled. 

“But his work…” Jeongguk sighed. “He works so much, and I get it—he’s the one making money. I make nothing compared to him. He’s been working full-time since he was 22. He’s been coding since he was a teenager. He’s been working part-time throughout uni and after he graduated 3 years ago, he started working full-time. He didn’t get time to catch a break at all”

Hoseok nodded.

“He moved into our place right after he graduated, paid off part of the apartment, and took a loan for the rest. I don’t contribute to the loan at all, even though I also moved in with him back then. He’s been handling it all.”

“Well, you just graduated. You haven’t made much yet,” Hoseok said.

“I know. But he’s so impressive, and I feel so ungrateful complaining. He takes care of everything. I can’t complain about his work—it’s just… he’s always working .”

“I understand, but you can be grateful and still find things in the relationship disappointing. And that’s okay”

Jeongguk shook his head. “It wouldn’t make sense of me to tell anyone that he’s too busy. He doesn’t ignore me. He still gives me attention. A lot of it”

“Then what’s wrong?”

Jeongguk sighed, staring into the distance. After a few moments, he spoke again. “There are times that his work disrupts our moments together. There’s no time for him to clock out of work. He says something is urgent and we have to stop whatever we are doing and he runs to his computer. This happens quite often”

Hoseok nodded. 

Jeongguk paused, then continued. “He’s always planning our dates, but lately, he hasn’t. I planned something a few months ago—asked him to the Halloween carnival—and he cancelled last minute. Then when I got paid for my first-ever official photoshoot, I wanted to treat him to something nice, but he said not to worry, he’d handle it. But he never did.”

Hoseok frowned.

“He’s also been skipping our group hangouts. Like today—he said he’d come, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

“His work is getting in between your relationship” Hoseok observed.

“Yeah” Jeongguk let out a deep breath. “But I don’t want to sound ungrateful! In 3 months, we haven't gone out together for anything nice or fun. And that’s not normal for us”

“You’re allowed to feel this way,” Hoseok said gently. 

Jeongguk nodded, voice tight. “Maybe I’m overthinking. I have more free time now unlike back in uni when I was busy studying, so I notice everything. I’m home more, and he’s locked away in his study, typing away.”

Hoseok nodded. “You need to talk to him about it”

“I thought talking to you about this would make me feel better. But letting everything out had just made me realize how shitty the situation actually is. And how shitty of me to complain like this!”

“I think you’re just deprived of the affection he used to give you. You feel a difference”

“Yeah, I do”

“You’re allowed to feel this way, Koo. You’re his boyfriend and you love him. It’s normal for you to want him closer”

Jeongguk shook his head. “I don’t want to be a burden. I don’t want him to think I’m ungrateful.”

“I get you. I really do. But I think that’s the only option”

“I don’t want to lose him. He’s my everything. I love him so much”

“He loves you too. We all know it”

“Fuck!” Taehyung cursed at his screen. “What the fuck is the problem with these guys?!”

Through the snug fit of the headset Taehyung wore, a voice crackled to life, a tone of humour evident in his voice: “They’re probably mad that you banned their account” 

“How could I not? They were going to sell weapons! It’s illegal and that’s not what I stand for over here”

Dongsik’s deep voice floated through Taehyung’s headset. “Illegal? Fucker, you talk as if anything else on your website is legal”

“Fuck off, you know what I mean. It’s too illegal, even for me” Taehyung’s lips cracked into a smirk as he typed away code in his laptop.

“The cops won’t think so if they find your website. You know they’re about to get you”

“Did your friend working at the Intelligence services tell you anything recently? Are they close to tracking me down?”

“No, he didn’t say anything. But I don’t think they are. It’s the dark web. It’s difficult to find identities here” Dongsik said.

Taehyung hummed. “Can you access the website now?”

“It’s loading. They’re still on the attack, it seems”

“Why not find some other website to sell their weapons? I have stated explicitly that arms sale isn’t allowed”

“Come on, man. Your website is the most popular platform on the dark web to sell illegal goods. It’s famous among us dark web surfers. There’s not a single person who doesn’t know about it. Considering its popularity and the thousands of people who access it every day, it’s fair that they want to use the platform and make some money”

Taehyung sighed. “I get it but if I, the creator of the website say no, it means no. And that’s final”

“Wow” Dongsik chuckled. “I like that”

Taehyung had known Dongsik since he first created this website, three years back. Dongsik had been of a lot of help, especially since he was an expert in software engineering and cybersecurity, himself. He was more experienced than Taehyung and his expertise had got Taehyung off tough situations throughout the years. Taehyung needed it, since he was a fresh university graduate when he started this business and could use some guidance. 

Dongsik and Taehyung carried the same beliefs, which was how they connected. He met the older man through the dark web and Dongsik happened to be an enthusiast and an avid user of Taehyung’s website. 

Since they were, after all, involved in some sketchy shit, they kept their identities a secret from each other. They only knew each other’s first names and communicated through the Line app, which they were on a call with right now. The app didn’t require a phone number, making it perfect for their anonymity. They knew scraps of each other’s lives since they were something close to friends, but the people in their lives were anonymous to each other. They only knew that the two of them lived in Korea, and nothing else about whereabouts. 

“I will show them who they’re messing with. Whatever they do, they can’t disrupt my website” Taehyung grumbled. 

“You’re losing thousands of dollars because of this”

“Right? Bastards” Taehyung cursed. “I think it’s done. I blocked their attacks and built another security wall”

“Let me check” Dongsik muttered. “Yup. it’s up. Great work, Taehyung” 

Taehyung sighed in relief. “Finally” 

“Don’t forget to delete everything and wipe off any traces” 

“On it”

“How did you forget it yesterday? You aren’t usually absentminded like that”

“My boyfriend came home and you know I haven’t told him about this. So I put the website back up and closed the laptop. Then I was with him until you texted”

“Apologies if I disturbed you. But you can’t risk it. The cops are after you. Keeping traces will help them find you”

“No, don't apologize. I ought to thank you. It completely slipped my mind” Taehyung said. He was finishing up wiping off any traces when his eyes darted to the time at the corner of his screen.

“Fuck!” He shouted. “I’m so fucking late, fuck fuck fuck”

“Got a date with your boyfriend?”

“I’m meeting him and a friend” Taehyung groaned. It was almost 8.30 p.m. He was supposed to meet Jeongguk at a bar at 7 p.m. “I’m so fucked. I know he’s going to be mad at me”

“You had no choice. They would’ve completely fucked things over if you didn’t fend off their attacks. The website was glitching. Even more than yesterday”

“It would take them some time to break the new security barrier,” Taehyung said. He closed all the tabs on his laptop and shut it down. 

“Sometimes I’m glad I’m divorced,” Dongsik said with a chuckle. “I can give priority to my work, that way”

“Yeah but…” Taehyung sighed. “I don’t know”

“Things have been quite hectic with the website recently, right?” Dongsik asked.

“Yeah, man. Ever since the cops caught a whiff of the shit happening on the website, things have been so hectic. So much work. The amount of times I had to build new and rebuild security barriers and firewalls? Insane”

“For real. I can’t believe it took them two years to find out about the website, though” Dongsik laughed. 

“I did a great job hiding it away, didn’t I?” Taehyung smirked.

“That’s why you’re one of the best IT experts of this generation”

“You flatter me” Taehyung grinned. “And those guys had been bothering me for the last 4 months, ever since I banned their account”

“I’m surprised they didn’t try to make a new account” 

“Wouldn’t be any use, would it? Nothing on the website escapes me. I would ban them again”

“That’s true. It would be useless”

“Thanks for the support today, Dongsik. You have been my saviour for the last three years”

“Happy to support you, man. I’m honoured to even talk to you”

Taehyung chuckled. “I’m going offline now. Call me if anything happens”

“You know I will. But I think you would be able to relax, at least for a few days”

“Hopefully” Taehyung smiled. “Catch you later”

“Bye!”

Taehyung took off his headset as the line cut. He grabbed his phone from the table and went through his call log. He saw five missed calls from Jeongguk. 

“Fuck” Taehyung cursed. He dialled Jeongguk’s number, but the other man wasn’t picking up. Jeongguk hardly ever missed Taehyung’s calls. 

He had been on a call with Dongsik for the last three or so hours. No wonder he missed Jeongguk’s calls. He should’ve paid more attention to the time but he had no choice. He had to secure his website and fend off the attacks of the hackers. Otherwise, his website would’ve gone down, making him lose millions of dollars. 

He tried calling Jeongguk again, but again, there was no answer. He rushed to his room to change his clothes. After throwing on some fresh clothes, he walked out of the apartment, and onto the garage. He got in his car and in seconds, he was driving into the busy streets of Seoul. 

He only hoped he would be able to make things right with Jeongguk.

Chapter Text

Taehyung arrived at the bar ten minutes before nine. He parked quickly and ran towards the entrance, but as he reached the door, two figures stepped out slowly.

“Jeongguk”  Taehyung muttered, his heart sinking as he ran to them.

Hoseok had an arm around Jeongguk, whose head was lowered. Hoseok saw Taehyung approach and sighed in relief.

“I’m so glad you’re here” Hoseok let out. “He’s a bit drunk. I was about to call him a taxi but now that you’re here…”

Taehyung nodded, wrapping an arm around Jeongguk and taking him into his embrace. “Baby, hey”

“Mmmm,” Jeongguk muttered. He raised his head to look at Taehyung. “Oh! Look who’s finally here. My so-called boyfriend” his words were slow and slurred. 

“My love” Taehyung whispered. “I’m sorry”

“Fuck you”

Taehyung glanced at Hoseok, who shot him an apologetic look. “Take care of him”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. I was stuck with some work. Didn’t realize how late it was—only saw the time when I finished and it was almost 8.30 p.m. already.”

“I know you’re busy. Jeongguk understands too,” Hoseok muttered. “But…”

“But what?”

Hoseok shook his head. “Never mind. I think you guys need to talk some things out”

Taehyung felt his heart ache at that. Had he done something wrong? Was it his work? Was Jeongguk so disappointed at him for not making it to their hangout that evening?

“Is he okay?” Taehyung asked. 

“Yeah. Just had two glasses of whiskey”

“He’s a lightweight” Taehyung looked at the man who clung to his side. “My baby”

“I’ll be going then. Let’s meet again soon, okay?”

“I promise I will make it next time. Work is just unpredictable, you know?”

“I understand, but make sure you make it next time. And please text back in the group chat.”

Taehyung smiled. “I will”

“See you, then”

“Shall I give you a lift?”

“Nah, I’m going the other way, anyway. I booked a taxi. Get going with Jeongguk, now”

“Alright,” Taehyung bid goodbye to Hoseok and guided Jeongguk to the car slowly.  Jeongguk didn’t resist, letting Taehyung help him into the passenger seat before buckling him in. Taehyung climbed into the driver’s seat, casting a glance at Jeongguk, who stared ahead, eyes half-lidded.

The engine roared to life as Taehyung drove through the busy streets, city lights blurring past.

“Did you have something to eat?” Taehyung asked Jeongguk.

“No”

“Let’s grab dinner, then”

“I’m not hungry” 

“Baby”

“Don’t baby me”

“I’m sorry” Taehyung whispered, momentarily glancing at Jeongguk who continued to stare blankly ahead. 

“Did you have lunch?” Jeongguk muttered after some time.

“I did. Let’s have something yummy for dinner?”

“I just want to go home. I’m sleepy” Jeongguk muttered. 

“I will stop and get some takeout then. What would you like?”

“I would like you to come to a place at a time when I tell you to”

Taehyung sighed. “To eat, my love”

“Let’s just have some ramen at home”

“Alright” Taehyung smiled. “I really am sorry. I will try my best to not be late next time. You know I don’t do it purposefully”

Jeongguk sighed, running his hands through his hair. He looked much sober now. “I know. You don’t need to apologize to me, Tae. I know you have a lot of work”

“Yeah but I still am sorry. I might not have been able to help it but it was still wrong of me not to turn up there in time. So I’m sorry”

Jeongguk bit his lip, contemplating. “I am mad at you”

Taehyung nodded. “I deserve it”

Jeongguk shook his head. “You shouldn’t. You’re working hard to provide for us. And I’m always grateful for you”

“You’re my boyfriend. It’s an honour and a privilege to provide for you, my darling”

“Tae…”

“I’m still sorry”

“I accept your apology”

“Let me make it up to you. How can I?”

Jeongguk gulped, still staring ahead. Taehyung could sense that something was still bothering Jeongguk. Jeongguk had always been the type to keep things inside. He would rather die inside and let things out, sometimes. 

“Talk to me” Taehyung whispered. “What’s on your mind?” He placed his hand over Jeongguk’s, squeezing his soft hand. 

Jeongguk shook his head. “Let’s just go home and cuddle”

“Baby, tell me what’s bothering you”

Jeongguk was contemplating again. He shrugged. “I’m just annoyed, I guess”

“Because I didn’t come on time?”

Jeongguk shrugged again and it took him a moment to answer Taehyung. “Yeah. But you already apologized so…”

Taehyung hummed. “I will make it to the next one, I promise”

“Okay,” Jeongguk nodded. “I’m hungry. Shall we get something to eat?”

Jeongguk didn’t want to eat. But he was hungry. Alcohol made him sleepy, but if he went to sleep with an empty stomach, he would wake up in the middle of the night. Therefore, he sat with Taehyung at the kitchen island, eating the Chinese takeout Taehyung had bought on the way home. 

Jeongguk spoke to Taehyung about his day, like he always did, at dinner. He told Taehyung about the things Hoseok had told him, except for the parts about Jeongguk and Taehyung’s relationship. 

Jeongguk didn’t want to ruin the mood. Everything was fine with them at the moment.

However, he couldn’t help the way his heart felt heavy. As if there was a wound at his heart. A dull ache that didn’t seem to go away. 

And just like every other day, Taehyung didn’t go into details about what he had been occupied with throughout the day. Not even what made him so late. Just-

“There was some urgent work. I had to get it done at that time. I couldn’t postpone it”

Taehyung felt so… distant from him.

Maybe it was how Taehyung didn’t give the relationship as much attention as before. He was so preoccupied. Busy. With his work. 

His work took up most of his time. And when he was done with work, he barely had any time for Jeongguk. 

He did take care of Jeongguk. Inside the house, he did. But Jeongguk wanted to go out of the house with him. Have fun. Like normal couples do. Like people his age does. Jeongguk was only 23. Taehyung was 25. They were still so young. Jeongguk wanted to have fun when he could.

He wanted to go on dates, hang out with their friends, and grab drinks with them. He wanted to do all these things with Taehyung . It didn’t need to be anything grand, nor often. 

But in the last 3 months, Jeongguk doubted Taehyung had gone out of the house very often. On some weeks, he only went out of the house to pick Jeongguk up from work. And it hurt Jeongguk that they hadn’t been on a date in 3 whole months. And it wasn’t for Jeongguk’s lack of trying to plan dates and Taehyung just had to show up. But no. 

It sometimes felt like Taehyung wasn’t giving this relationship much attention. He gave Jeongguk attention, sure. But not the relationship. Does that make sense?

“Take a shower before bed. You hate not showering before bed” Taehyung’s voice came as he put away the empty food containers

“Don’t wanna” Jeongguk whined. “Sleepy”

“Come on, baby” Taehyung muttered. “Be a good boy, now”

Jeongguk’s stomach fluttered at that. “Don’t turn me on, now”

Taehyung smirked at that. “Get in the shower”

“Join me” 

Taehyung smiled. “What for?”

“Bathe me” Jeongguk whispered. “Want you to take care of me” 

Taehyung licked his lips, a smirk playing at his lips.

“And fuck me well”

“Don’t I always fuck you well?”

Jeongguk smiled. “Of course. But I have forgotten how well”

Taehyung chuckled. “Really? It has barely been 24 hours”

“That’s so long ago!”

“Will your ass be okay?”

“Good thing I don’t have anything planned tomorrow”

Taehyung shook his head, laughing. “Strip and wait for me in the bathroom”

“Why don’t you strip me?” Jeongguk flashed a sultry smile as he got up, swaying his hips.

“You’re going to regret saying that.” Taehyung growled, stepping toward him. But before he could reach him, Jeongguk darted away.

“Catch me if you can!”

“You won’t like what happens when I do.”

It was past midnight when Taehyung tucked Jeongguk into their bed, after a lengthy and rough session of sex in the bathroom. Jeongguk was already asleep, breathing evenly.

Taehyung had made sure to shower Jeongguk well. He liked taking care of Jeongguk. Jeongguk was perfectly submissive when he wanted to be. Taehyung loved it.

Taehyung pressed a kiss onto Jeongguk’s forehead and sat down on the bed next to the slumbering younger. He opened his laptop, placing it on his lap. 

He entered the dark web. He checked his website, finding it functioning smoothly. There were 11.4k users online, and 1,874 transactions had occurred that day. The day’s profit was $21,892.56. Taehyung felt a sense of relief—despite the few hours of downtime, things were running smoothly.

He checked his phone. Dongsik had sent a few messages, which he had probably missed when he was in the bathroom with Jeongguk. 

He was asking about how the hangout went and with a smile, Taehyung replied to his messages. They were friends, even though they barely knew anything about each other. 

“There were no issues after I fixed things, right?” Taehyung texted him.

He was waiting for a text back when-

“What are you doing?”

Taehyung’s eyes widened in alarm. He turned his head to see Jeongguk looking at him.

“Oh I um…” Taehyung gulped. Realizing he still had his laptop turned on, the website displayed on the screen, he quickly pushed the device shut. 

Jeongguk furrowed his eyebrows together. His eyes shifted to the laptop and then the phone in Taehyung’s hand.

“Work again?” Jeongguk asked. 

“Yeah” Taehyung gulped. “I wanted to check something before I went to bed”

Jeongguk sighed. He looked disappointed and annoyed. Taehyung was about to put his phone away when the phone dinged with a text notification. 

“Who are you texting?” Jeongguk asked.

“Dongsik” Taehyung answered. He looked at the screen but-

“So late at night? Why is he texting you at this time?”

Taehyung was trying to read the text, which looked long. He felt a pang of anxiety on his chest. He wondered if there was an issue on the website again. 

“Taehyung–”

“Can you please stay silent?” Taehyung snapped. He hopped off the bed with his laptop and phone in hand. “I have something to do…” he muttered, reading the text from Dongsik.

“Tae” Jeongguk’s voice came again.

Taehyung quickly read the text, where Dongsik was asking him to check the security walls of the website again. 

“I have some work. I’ll be right back” Taehyung muttered.

“What work? Who’s making you work in the middle of the night?!” Jeongguk was seated on the bed, watching Taehyung with furrowed eyebrows. 

Taehyung’s mind was racing and anxiety brewed in his chest. He started texting Dongsik, asking if there was an issue he spotted. 

“Taehyung, what are you hiding from me?”

Taehyung’s head snapped up. “I’m not hiding anything” Taehyung’s voice came out sharp, more than he intended to.

Jeongguk recoiled slightly, hurt.

But before Taehyung could take in the hurt in Jeongguk's eyes, his phone pinged again. Without looking at Jeongguk, Taehyung rushed out of the bedroom, heading to his study.

Chapter Text

Jeongguk didn’t sleep well that night. He lay awake, thoughts spinning. However, he felt Taehyung return to bed not fifteen minutes after he had left. Without realizing Jeongguk was still awake, Taehyung quietly climbed into bed and closed his eyes, his breathing steady almost immediately.

The next morning, Jeongguk woke up alone. His eyes lingered on the empty side of the bed for a moment, before the familiar scent of cooking reached his nose. As usual, Taehyung was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Jeongguk walked to the bathroom, washed up, and afterwards, threw on one of Taehyung’s hoodies, which swallowed his frame, before heading to the kitchen.

That morning, Taehyung spotted Jeongguk the moment he entered. A boxy smile stretched on his perfect lips as he took in Jeongguk. 

“Good morning, gorgeous” 

“Morning” Jeongguk muttered, despite the way his tummy fluttered at Taehyung’s words. 

Taehyung pouted. “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t act all innocent”

“Does your ass hurt? Is that why you’re mad at me?”

“Taehyung” Jeongguk glared at the elder. 

Taehyung threw his hands up in defeat. “Is this about last night? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. But my mind was elsewhere”

“Can’t even talk to you, nowadays” Jeongguk muttered, his voice breaking as he tried to mask the hurt.

Concern flashed across Taehyung’s face. “I was…anxious, okay? Dongsik… he helps me out. I told you. I wanted to focus on it and… I’m sorry I snapped at you. I really am. I know I’m in the wrong. It was very wrong of me”

“It was”

“I’m sorry, I know I hurt your feelings”

Jeongguk sighed. “Why were you anxious?”

“Because of work. I thought there was an issue with what I was working on earlier. So I had to double check it. It turned out to be fine”

“What were you working on?”

“On the security of a website”

Jeongguk nodded. “A client?”

“Uhh…Something like that?” Taehyung scratched his head. 

“But that’s the work you receive from clients. You don’t share those with Dongsik, do you? Isn’t that breaching confidentiality?”

Taehyung opened his mouth to answer but he looked surprised, more than anything. 

Was Taehyung lying to Jeongguk right now?

“Well…” Taehyung was struggling for words. “It wasn’t exactly a client…”

Jeongguk waited. But the words never came. A long silence stretched between them, and Taehyung seemed to retreat into himself, growing distant with every passing second. Jeongguk’s heart ached as he watched his boyfriend's evasive behavior.

“Forget it. What’s for breakfast?” 

Jeongguk could hardly swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue. The façade of normalcy felt so thin.  It was obvious that Taehyung was lying to Jeongguk. Or he was avoiding the truth? Jeongguk might have no professional knowledge about what Taehyung does for a living. But he wasn’t dumb.

“I was making kimbap” Taehyung answered.

“Okay” Jeongguk muttered, his stomach twisting in ways he couldn’t explain. The hurt was deep, but it was only beginning to settle in.

Taehyung had never raised his voice at Jeongguk. Not like he did the previous night.

They had had their share of fights, but it had always been Jeongguk who raised his voice, who got frustrated. Taehyung had always been the calm one. But this… this felt different.

It felt like Taehyung was bothered by Jeongguk's questions, even though they were reasonable. Jeongguk was his boyfriend of eight years—who else should be asking him these things?

Taehyung was hiding something from Jeongguk. Jeongguk was sure. 

Was he cheating on Jeongguk?

The thought was too painful to consider, but the idea wouldn’t leave his mind. To accuse Taehyung of cheating felt like a sin beyond atonement.

Jeongguk mentally shook his head, dismissing the thought. Jeongguk has known Taehyung almost his whole life. Taehyung would never do that to Jeongguk. 

Jeongguk knew Taehyung…

Right?

Jeongguk gulped. His breath caught on his throat and he looked at Taehyung who had his back turned to him, stirring something on the stove. 

Jeongguk ought to trust Taehyung. But it was becoming difficult with every passing day; when Taehyung was obviously hiding things from Jeongguk. 

He felt so fucking guilty for all these negative thoughts he was getting about Taehyung. However, he couldn’t help himself. Not when Taehyung was the one facilitating them himself. 

“You want kimchi?” Taehyung asked, placing a pot of soup on the kitchen island, in front of Jeongguk. He placed two rolls of kimbap and started cutting them. 

“We still have some my mom brought, right?” Jeongguk muttered. He couldn’t even meet Taehyung’s eyes. 

“Yeah” Taehyung smiled. “Would she visit anytime soon? We have almost run out of kimchi”

A small smile appeared on Jeongguk’s face. He stood up and walked to the fridge and took out the tub of kimchi. 

“I will tell her that her beloved Taehyung needs more kimchi”

“You mean her future son-in-law” Taehyung grinned. “Your mom’s kimchi is the best”

Jeongguk’s smile widened, despite the ache in his chest. He took a pair of chopsticks and picked up some kimchi. He brought it to Taehyung’s mouth, who grinned and opened his mouth. 

He hummed in satisfaction as he chewed on the kimchi. “I will marry you just for your mom’s kimchi”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes. “Tell my mom to adopt you. That would work better”

Taehyung laughed and Jeongguk couldn’t help the grin that formed on his own face. He was in love with Taehyung. So of course Taehyung made everything better, even though he was the cause of Jeongguk’s heartache. 

“Let’s eat. I added some sausage too. The way you like it”

Jeongguk didn’t have any photoshoots for the rest of the week, so he stayed home with Taehyung.  Taehyung cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner, except for one evening when they decided to order in. The conversations between them were brief, almost curt. 

It wasn’t unusual for Taehyung to be busy. After breakfast, he would retreat to his study, only emerging briefly to prepare lunch. Jeongguk would help, and in those moments, they felt like any other couple. They kissed, exchanged small smiles, and Jeongguk would remind himself that Taehyung was a perfect boyfriend.

But it wasn’t enough.

For three days, Jeongguk followed the same routine. He spent his time editing photos, posting on social media, or running small errands like visiting the camera shop a few blocks away. On the surface, everything seemed fine. It was a rhythm they had settled into over the years, one that should have been comforting. And yet, a quiet unease gnawed at Jeongguk.

Two of those nights, Taehyung didn’t come to bed with him. Instead, he stayed in his study, working, or so he claimed. Jeongguk felt a pang in his chest each time he found the bed empty, knowing that Taehyung was likely caught up in something. Taehyung’s absence lingered like a shadow, filling the room with a heaviness Jeongguk couldn’t ignore.

During their limited conversations, nothing seemed amiss. Taehyung smiled, joked, and looked at him with the same love that always warmed Jeongguk’s heart. But outside those fleeting moments, Jeongguk felt like he was home alone. The silence stretched long and unforgiving, and Taehyung’s door remained firmly shut.

He couldn’t help craving Taehyung’s company. The lack of which made Jeongguk’s heart ache. Drawing connections with the things that had happened recently and in the last few months didn’t help at all. Things kept piling up in his mind and he knew he needed to talk to Taehyung about all of this. But he couldn’t find the courage to, nor the perfect time.

Maybe Jeongguk had too much time on his hands. He was nowhere as busy as Taehyung so he was overanalyzing things. 

By the second night, Jeongguk mustered the courage to ask, “Why aren’t you coming to bed?”

“Work,” Taehyung replied, his voice distracted. He didn’t elaborate, and Jeongguk didn’t push. He convinced himself it didn’t matter. Taehyung had always been dedicated to his work—so why did it bother him now?

On the third morning, Jeongguk found Taehyung asleep in his study, slumped over his laptop. His boyfriend looked so small and vulnerable, his face softened in the haze of sleep. And yet, even in that moment, the distance between them felt immense. Jeongguk stood in the doorway, his heart aching with the weight of unspoken words, before quietly retreating.

The sight stayed with him, the image of Taehyung so near yet so far away.

By the fourth day, Jeongguk was a bundle of nerves. He couldn’t stop the spiralling thoughts that crowded his mind, each one adding more weight to the burden he was already carrying. The unanswered questions. The unspoken words. The distance between them. He couldn’t bear it any longer.

Jeongguk didn’t feel ignored, exactly. But he felt… less. Less important, less needed. Like an afterthought in Taehyung’s world. It wasn’t deliberate—Taehyung wasn’t pretending to love him. But the growing distance, the way Taehyung seemed buried in his own world, left Jeongguk feeling small and insignificant.

But Taehyung looked fine, as he always did. Jeongguk was in chaos. 

He stood in front of Taehyung’s study, contemplating. The sky was painted with beautiful hues from the dying sun. The city was slowly basking in darkness. Taehyung was still working.

He wanted Taehyung close to him. He missed his boyfriend, even though he hadn’t gone anywhere. Even though he had seen the elder every day, many times. They had been living mere meters away from each other and sleeping in the same bed on most days.

His chest tightened. His breath hitched. But he summed up the courage to push the door open. Taehyung sat in front of his laptop. A familiar scene, for Jeongguk. He looked up as the door opened, revealing Jeongguk.

“Hey baby” Taehyung smiled. “What’s up?”

“Nothing” Jeongguk muttered, taking slow steps into the room. 

“Are you hungry?”

Jeongguk shook his head.

“Do you need anything?”

“Will you only pay attention to me if I need anything?” Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung smiled. “Oh I see. You need attention”

“Didn’t say that” Jeongguk watched Taehyung through long lashes. 

“Give me five minutes, my love. I’m just finishing up something”

“What?”

“Just some boring code”

“Can I watch?”

Taehyung watched Jeongguk for a few long seconds and then nodded. “Sure, but there’s nothing to see”

Jeongugk walked behind Taehyung’s chair and Taehyung started typing again. It was only a black screen on which Taehyung kept typing some letters and numbers. 

“Is that code?”

“Hmm”

“I’m disturbing you. I’m sorry” Jeongguk muttered and walked to the armchair in the study. He plopped down and watched Taehyung concentrating on the screen. His hands flew over the keyboard with practised ease. His jaw was set and his eyebrows were furrowed slightly. It was hot, Jeongguk thought.

He hadn’t even been able to properly admire Taehyung in the last few days. It felt like Taehyung was no longer his.

There was a deep unsettling feeling inside Jeongguk that said something was wrong. But he didn’t know what was wrong.

He knew all the thoughts that made him feel like something was wrong. But he didn’t exactly know who was in the wrong. Had Taehyung actually done anything wrong? Had Taehyung wronged Jeongguk in any way? Jeongguk didn’t think so. 

Then what the fuck was wrong?

Was it the suspicion that Taehyung had lied to him? Or the way Taehyung was clearly keeping things from him? But even if he was, wasn’t it just work-related? 

It wasn’t like Taehyung was cheating on him. Of course not. The man rarely went out of the house.

But the thoughts wouldn’t stop swirling, pulling Jeongguk into an endless loop of doubt and confusion. He didn’t know how to name what he was feeling, couldn’t label it as anger or sadness or even betrayal.

All he knew was that he felt... shitty . Shitty in a way that made it hard to breathe, that made his chest tighten whenever he looked at Taehyung. Shitty because he couldn’t figure out what exactly was wrong—or worse, who was in the wrong.

“Tae” Jeongguk called.

“Just a minute, baby”

It was around a minute or so that Taehyung finally shut his laptop close and turned to the younger. 

“What’s up?” So causal. 

“Nothing’s up”

“Well, something is up. I can tell. You look worried”

“You didn’t get much sleep last night. You slept in here” Jeongguk muttered.

“I got a few hours. Nothing new, right? We used to pull all-nighters in uni and school all the time”

“Yeah but…” Jeongguk sighed. “You have barely even spoken to me in the last few days”

Taehyung looked surprised. “What? What do you mean? We did speak”

“You have been in here most of the day!”

“I had a lot of work”

Jeongguk exhaled, looking straight ahead at the blank wall in front of him. “I don’t feel so good”

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows in concern and stood up from his chair. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

Jeongguk shook his head. “No. I just need you”

Taehyung watched him, contemplating. He still had the look of concern. Of course, Taehyung understood. He knew Jeongguk well. 

“Jeongguk…” Taehyung’s voice was soft. He took a few steps forward, closing the space between them. “Talk to me”

“I…” Jeongguk hesitated, his throat tightening. The close proximity between them felt a bit suffocating. 

He wasn’t sure how to put it into words, not without feeling exposed, vulnerable. But that was exactly what he craved, wasn’t it? To be stripped bare—not just physically, but emotionally. To let Taehyung take control and drown out the chaos in his head.

“I need…” Jeongguk started again, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked down, unable to meet Taehyung’s gaze. “I want you to—” He bit his lip, stopping himself. The shame crept in, hot and suffocating. But it was Taehyung. It was always Taehyung. If there was anyone who could understand, it was him.

Taehyung’s hand reached out, fingers brushing against Jeongguk’s arm. The touch was gentle, grounding, and Jeongguk felt himself exhale shakily. The elder cupped Jeongguk’s face, kneeling in front of him. Jeongguk leaned into the touch, and tears were already pooling in his eyes.

“I need—” Jeongguk stopped himself again, the words tangling on his tongue. He turned his face away, his jaw tight, the shame burning hot in his chest. He couldn’t say it. 

“Come here,” Taehyung said, his voice low but steady. He stood up and gestured Jeongguk to do the same. 

Jeongguk hesitated, but the pull in Taehyung’s voice was undeniable. He stepped closer, his movements stiff, as if his body didn’t quite trust his mind to follow through. When Taehyung’s hand slid to the nape of his neck, Jeongguk felt the tension in his muscles begin to loosen.

“I need…” Jeongguk tried again. “I need it to stop. I n-need…”

“You don’t have to say it,” Taehyung murmured, his thumb gently pressing into the soft skin at the base of Jeongguk’s neck. His words weren’t a question, nor were they an assumption. They were a quiet acknowledgement of something unspoken, a truth that Jeongguk couldn’t bring himself to articulate.

Jeongguk’s eyes glistened as he looked up at Taehyung, his lips trembling slightly. The silence stretched between them, heavy but not suffocating. Finally, Jeongguk nodded, the motion small but deliberate.

“Okay,” Taehyung said softly, his hand sliding down to Jeongguk’s shoulder. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to Jeongguk’s forehead. A gesture of reassurance—a reminder that Jeongguk was safe, that he didn’t need words for Taehyung to understand.

“Let’s go to the bedroom”

Chapter Text

The concepts of submission and dominance were not new to Jeongguk and Taehyung.

Jeongguk had always been the submissive one in their relationship. He liked it when Taehyung took control. And Taehyung liked being in control. 

Being together for eight years, they didn’t need words to communicate what their bodies needed. Sex, Taehyung would say, had been something that was second nature to their relationship. 

He admitted that he hadn’t been intimate with Jeongguk in 3 days. His mind had been elsewhere, not only with work on his website but also with the work of a few clients he was handling at the moment. 

And Jeongguk often got needy. 

Could the lack of sexual intimacy between them be the reason for Jeongguk’s… request?

Jeongguk’s request… though not verbal, wasn’t unfamiliar to Taehyung. Jeongguk was Taehyung’s submissive. And it was normal for the submissive to crave submission. To completely give up control to a Dom. 

And today… Jeongguk was craving the exact same thing. This time, it wasn’t only his body that craved it. But also his mind. 

For a moment, Taehyung wondered if Jeongguk was facing an issue of some sort. Jeongguk always bottled things up.

However, if this is what Jeongguk needs right now, Taehyung didn’t want to deny him that. 

Taehyung reached the bedroom a minute or so after Jeongguk and he found the younger man kneeling on the bed. The oversized hoodie he wore reached mid-thigh. 

Taehyung halted in front of the bed, looking at the younger. “Stand up,” Taehyung said, his voice even.

Jeongguk obeyed, his movements hesitant but fluid, his arms dropping to his sides. He bit his lip, his gaze flicking downward, avoiding Taehyung’s eyes.

Taehyung stepped closer, his fingers hooking into the hem of the hoodie Jeongguk wore. He tugged it upward, his touch firm but not rough.

“This doesn't belong on you”

Jeongguk looked up at Taehyung with glassy eyes that shone in the dim lights of their bedroom. 

Both hands hooking on the hem of the hoodie, Taehyung lifted it, taking it off Jeongguk’s small figure. Jeongguk’s puppy eyes didn’t leave Taehyung, dark eyes as the younger’s naked body came into view.

“No underwear?” Taehyung hummed, eyes hungrily scanning Jeongguk’s bare skin. “Naughty boy”

“Hyung” Jeongguk whined softly, a blush forming on his cheeks. 

“Kneel”

Jeongguk sank to his knees fluidly, palms flat on his thighs. His cock was half-hard and he looked up at Taehyung with wide eyes. Taehyung’s fingers tangled gently on Jeongguk’s locks before tugging them back with just enough force to push his head back. Jeongguk breathed through parted lips, eyes fixated on Taehyung. 

Taehyung observed Jeongguk’s face for a few long seconds before releasing Jeongguk’s hair, letting his head dangle. Jeongguk inhaled sharply and raised his head to look at Taehyung once again. 

Taehyung threw his shirt over his head and cupped the back of Jeongguk’s head. He slowly pushed his head forward so his face pressed against the front of Taehyung’s sweatpants. He didn’t have to guide Jeongguk any further. The younger opened his mouth, tracing the outline of Taehyung’s semi-hard cock over the fabric, with his lips. Taehyung watched Jeongguk press soft kisses on his cock. He lapped the fabric with his tongue, keeping his eyes on Taehyung, for a few seconds.

“Cock” Jeongguk whispered.

“You want cock?”

“Mhm”

“Not yet, darling” Taehyung groaned. “You want something else before that, don’t you?”

Jeongguk gulped. He looked like he was in a trance. Was he slipping into subspace? But it was too soon for him to. They had barely begun.

“Yes,” Jeongguk whispered. “Want you”

“You want pain”  Taehyung stated.

Jeongguk continued to watch Taehyung with glassy, puppy-like eyes. Galaxies swirled inside them, full of wonder. Jeongguk had always had the most magical pair of eyes Taehyung had ever seen.

Jeongguk didn’t deny Taehyung’s statement. He brought his tattooed hand to Taehyung’s waistband. He tugged at it, asking for permission. Taehyung grabbed Jeongguk’s arm, removing it harshly from his body. 

“No touching, until I allow you” Taehyung spat. His fingers caressed Jeongguk’s tattoo sleeve before dropping the arm. Jeongguk pouted, placing his hand back on his lap. 

Taehyung took a step back and walked to the bed, sitting down. “Come here”

There was a beat of hesitation before Jeongguk pushed himself up and moved closer, his steps tentative but deliberate. 

Taehyung reached out, guiding Jeongguk to stand between his legs. His hands settled on Jeongguk's hips, warm and firm, before trailing up his sides. Jeongguk shivered under his touch.

“I said you want pain” Taehyung repeated his earlier statement. “Confirm or deny it”

Jeongguk took in a shaky breath, his eyes glistening. He exhaled softly and his eyes that wandered around the room finally landed on Taehyung’s dark eyes. 

“I do” Jeongguk whispered. “I want pain. I n-need…” He inhaled shakily. “I n-need i-it. W-want you…” He mumbled

"Good," Taehyung murmured and patted his knee.

Jeongguk moved and Taehyung guided him down, pulling him across his lap. The position was intimate, almost tender. Jeongguk had knees on the floor and his torso across Taehyung’s legs. He was bent over Taehyung’s legs. His cock brushed against the side of Taehyung’s leg.

One of Taehyung’s hands rested on Jeongguk’s lower back, steadying him, while the other traced over the curve of his ass. Both his hands caressed Jeongguk’s soft skin slowly, and Taehyung watched goosebumps form in its wake. 

“Breathe,” Taehyung reminded him, feeling the way Jeongguk’s body tensed under his palm.

Jeongguk exhaled shakily, his breath hitching slightly when Taehyung’s hand pressed more firmly against his back.

“I’m giving you what you want” Taehyung whispered. “Ready?”

“Ready” Jeongguk whispered. 

“You know how to stop me”

“I do”

Taehyung hummed in approval, his hand lifting. He raised his hand and it met Jeongguk’s ass in a loud slap.

Jeongguk gasped. Taehyung felt the ripple of tension in his body and immediately placed a soothing hand on his ass, caressing the burning skin softly...

“Count” Taehyung muttered.

“One” Jeongguk whispered breathlessly.

Another smack followed, then another, each one deliberate and measured. Jeongguk’s body jerked with every strike, but he stayed in place, his breathing growing heavier.

“Four” Jeongguk’s voice broke. A hiccup followed, and then a sniffle.

Taehyung spanked him again.

“Five” Jeongguk was sobbing. 

Another one.

“Six” Jeongguk cried. His whole body shook with sobs that continued long after the spank. 

Taehyung froze, his hand lingering in the air.

Jeongguk’s sob deepened, his shoulders shaking violently as he buried his face in the crook of his arm. Tears spilt freely down his cheeks, and his breathing came in shallow, uneven gasps.

Taehyung had seen Jeongguk cry before—overwhelmed by pleasure, sometimes by the cathartic release that their sessions provided. But this… this wasn’t the same. There was no release here, no hint of euphoria in the way Jeongguk's body quaked against him. Something was off.

“Baby?” Taehyung’s voice was heavy with concern. 

He reached out, placing his hand gently on Jeongguk’s ass cheeks, where the skin was still warm and flushed.

Jeongguk didn’t respond, his sobs coming faster, louder.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, then let his hand trail down, brushing over Jeongguk’s hip before he cupped his cock between his thighs. Taehyung’s eyes widened in alarm as he felt no hardness against his palm. Only a flaccid cock.

Jeongguk had never, ever been flaccid during their sessions. And never during spanking, which Jeongguk had a history of loving.

Taehyung’s chest tightened and he felt panic settle in him. “Jeongguk” He gulped, eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”

Jeongguk kept sobbing.

“Baby, please” Taehyung was close to tearing up. He didn’t know what was wrong. “Look at me, please”

Carefully, Taehyung lifted Jeongguk, guiding him upright and to sit on the bed beside him. Jeongguk’s tear-streaked face was devastating, his eyes red and swollen, lips trembling as he tried and failed to stifle his sobs.

Taehyung carefully wrapped his arms around the younger and Jeongguk hugged back, climbing onto his lap in the process. Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Taehyung like a koala and kept sobbing onto his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” Taehyung asked, after minutes. His hands moved to cradle Jeongguk’s cheeks, thumbs brushing away the tears that kept spilling. “Tell me, my love. Please.”

Jeongguk shook his head, biting his lower lip hard enough to leave marks.

“Take your time,” Taehyung murmured, his voice low and soothing as he rubbed slow circles into Jeongguk’s back. “You’re safe. I’m here.”

It took a while for Jeongguk’s sobs to subside, his breathing evening out into shaky but steady exhales. He had his head buried in Taehyung’s chest and Taehyung whispered sweet nothings to him, attempting to calm him down.

“I’m sorry,” Jeongguk finally whispered, his voice hoarse. “I—I didn’t mean to ruin this.”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” Taehyung said firmly. “But something’s wrong, Jeongguk. I can feel it. You can tell me, okay? No matter what it is.”

Jeongguk didn’t respond immediately. His breathing was still uneven, his chest rising and falling against Taehyung’s. For a long moment, it was just the sound of sniffling in the room, muffled as he buried his face deeper into Taehyung’s chest.

When he finally spoke, his voice was raw, almost inaudible. “I don’t even know how to explain it.”

“Start anywhere,” Taehyung encouraged, his hand moving gently over Jeongguk’s back. “I’ll understand. Just tell me what you’re feeling.”

“I feel like I’m drowning” Jeongguk whispered brokenly. “I d-don’t know how to tell you these things… w-without sounding ungrateful”

“Baby, what?” Taehyung whispered. “You’re the love of my life. You can tell me anything and I will listen and accept you”

Jeongguk sniffled. “I’ve been feeling so… restless. So angry at myself for feeling this way, at everything, and I just—” He paused, his fingers wrapping around the side of Taehyyung’s neck. 

“I feel suffocated and every day that passed, it got worse” Jeongguk whispered. “So I wanted to drown out that feeling”

Taehyung nodded, encouraging Jeongguk to keep going.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” Jeongguk said, his voice trembling. “I thought… I thought maybe if I could just feel something else, even for a little while, it would make everything better. I thought if I asked you to—” His words faltered, caught in his throat.

“Jeongguk,” Taehyung murmured softly, his tone steady and reassuring. “It’s okay. You can say it.”

“I thought if you… hurt me, it would make everything stop,” Jeongguk whispered. He moved his head to look at Taehyung.

Taehyung watched him with concern and curiosity. 

“I wanted pain. I wanted you to hurt me” Jeongguk finally admitted, the words spilling out in a rush. “I didn’t know how else to let it out. I’ve been so angry, and sad, and just… lost. And I thought maybe if I felt that pain, it would drown everything else out.”

“Baby” Taehyung felt his heart break. 

“You know I like a little pain in our play” Jeongguk sniffled. “So I thought it would make me feel better this time too”

Taehyung’s breath caught, his heart clenching at the vulnerability in Jeongguk’s words. He had always known that their sessions could be a space for release, but this… this was something deeper.

“What were you feeling?” Taehyung asked finally, after the truth sank in, “Tell me what’s bothering you, please”

Jeongguk inhaled shakily. He hesitated, unable to meet Taehyung’s eyes. 

“Jeongguk, I love you. You don’t have to carry anything alone. That’s why I’m here. We share everything, be it happiness or grief”

Jeongguk nodded slowly. “It’s not just one thing,” Jeongguk finally whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s everything. I feel like… like I’ve been shoved into this tiny space inside my own head, and I can’t breathe. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t get out.”

Taehyung’s hands stilled on Jeongguk’s back, his full attention locked on him. He didn’t interrupt, knowing Jeongguk needed the space to let this out.

“I’ve been trying to ignore it,” Jeongguk continued, his voice cracking. “Telling myself it’s nothing, that I’m just being dramatic or needy or whatever. But it’s not going away. And I don’t know how to fix it.” He paused, swallowing hard. Another tear spilled from his eye.

Taehyung pressed a soft kiss to Jeongguk’s temple, his arms tightening around him. “Keep going,” he murmured gently.

“I’ve been feeling so alone, even when I’m with you. I know it’s stupid because you’re here, and you love me. I know that. But I just… I don’t feel it the same way anymore. Not like I used to.”

Taehyung’s heart clenched painfully, but he stayed silent, letting Jeongguk say what he needed to.

“You’re always busy,” Jeongguk whispered, his voice so quiet Taehyung almost didn’t hear him. “And I know that’s not your fault. I’m not angry at you for it. But it feels like you’re so far away, even when you’re right in front of me. Like… I’m not enough to pull you back.”

Tears welled in Jeongguk’s eyes again, spilling over onto his cheeks. “I hate myself for feeling this way. For being so… so clingy. You’ve never given me a reason to doubt you, but I can’t stop. And the more I try to push it down, the worse it gets.”

Taehyung’s throat tightened, but he finally spoke, his voice steady. “Jeongguk, you’re not clingy. You’re not too much. You’re everything to me. Do you hear me? Everything.”

Jeongguk shook his head, his tears falling faster. “Then why do I feel like this? Why does it feel like I’m fading into the background of your life?”

Taehyung’s breath caught, and he realized with a sinking feeling that Jeongguk truly believed that.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Jeongguk said, his voice trembling. “So I asked you to—” His words broke off, and he wiped at his face roughly. “I thought maybe if I felt something else, something stronger, it would stop this... this ache in my chest. I thought maybe it would remind me that you’re still here, that I’m still here. But it didn’t work. It only made it worse.”

Taehyung closed his eyes, guilt weighing heavily in his chest. He rested his forehead against Jeongguk’s, his voice a soft whisper. “I’m here, Jeongguk. I’m here. And I’m so sorry that I made you feel like I wasn’t.”

“You… you barely talked to me in the last 3 days. A-and we haven’t been on a date in the last 3 months. I know it’s because you’ve been busy but…” Jeongguk was sobbing once again, “A-and you haven't been coming to our group hangouts. Everyone’s asking me why you didn’t come and all I say is that you’re busy. But Namjoon’s literally a doctor and he makes time too. So I feel shitty making excuses for you every time”

Taehyung cursed to himself.

“And I don’t know what you do. You claim to be busy but you never go into details about what you do. I may not understand much but you can still tell me. You stay up all night and you barely have time to speak to me during the day and I don’t know why you’re like that. It felt like you were distant from me” Jeongguk kept going,

“I know that you’re hiding things from me. I’m not dumb, Tae. And my mind keeps spiralling about what kind of things you’re hiding from me. And why me? The person who had known you your whole life?”

Taehyung sighed, shaking his head. It felt as if someone was stabbing a knife in his chst. Jeongguk was stabbing him, with his words. And Taehyung deserved every stab. 

“You have been paying attention to me. I know that. When we are together, I’m your main focus. But when you’re in front of that computer, I don’t exist to you” Jeongguk met Taehyung’s eyes. 

Taehyung gulped, guilt eating him from the inside.

“You have been focusing on me at times, Tae. But not about this relationship. Not in a long time”

Taehyung’s shoulders slouched. He had fucked up. Everything Jeongguk had said was true. He had been focusing mainly on his work and…

Jeongguk didn’t know what work he did. 

He could not bring himself to tell his beloved Jeongguk, who had always been a law-abiding citizen… who never even went against the word of his teachers back in school…

That Taehyung was the creator of the largest website on the dark web for providing illegal goods and services.

So he was keeping Jeongguk in the dark and to hide that truth, he had been telling Jeongguk half-truths and hiding important information for him. 

He should’ve stopped to think that it was damaging his relationship. And the consequences of his secret had finally caught up to him.

“I'm sorry” Taehyung whispered, defeated. “I have wronged you”

Jeongguk didn’t respond, he only watched the elder. 

“You’re right. I have been too occupied with my work and I didn’t stop to think that I was paying less attention to you. I didn’t think I was missing anything because I was too pre-occupied”

“I know”

“I didn’t think I wasn’t treating you right, Jeongguk” Taehyung whispered. “But everything you said is absolutely right. I haven’t been paying attention to our relationship at all. I should’ve given us more effort and attention”

“I knew you were busy and it was fine. But you know that I tried planning dates but you turned me down, saying you would do it all. But you never did”

“I know, I’m sorry. It slipped my mind” Taehyung sighed. “I fucked up”

“You didn’t fuck up anything. I’m still here, am I not?”

“If I paid attention to you more, I would’ve figured out that you were carrying so much. I will pay more attention to you, I promise. I’m so fucking sorry, Jeongguk”

“You don’t have to miss out on your work for me. That’s not what I’m asking. But I wish there would be more… balance”

Taehyung nodded. “I understand”

Jeongguk sighed. “I feel better” a small smile crept up his face. “I feel good about telling you everything”

“Thank you for telling me” Taehyung whispered, pressing his forehead against Jeongguk’s. “We are in this together and I want you to remember that” 

“I know. I’m sorry”

“What? What are you apologizing for? You did nothing wrong!”

Jeongguk shook his head. “I don’t want to be a burden to you”

“You will never be a burden to me, you hear me? Never” Taehyung grunted. “Don’t you dare think that”

Jeongguk pouted. 

“How are you feeling now?” Taehyung asked. 

“Much better” Jeongguk whispered.

Taehyung searched Jeongguk’s eyes. Should he? 

Taehyung supposed this was the best time. He couldn’t let his secret life be a detriment to his relationship. He doesn’t want to lose Jeongguk. Jeongguk meant the world to him. 

“I have been hiding something from you” Taehyung confessed. 

Jeongguk raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Taehyung sighed. 

“Come with me. I have something to show you”

Chapter Text

Jeongguk followed Taehyung to his study, his hand firmly clasped against Taehyung’s. His hoodie brushed against his thighs as he walked, heart feeling much at ease after confessing everything to Taehyung. The night had settled in outside. It was way past their dinnertime.

Unease gnawed at the corner of Jeongguk’s mind but he was relieved, in a way. As long as there were no secrets between them, Jeongguk was okay. 

Taehyung took a seat on his swivel chair and patted his thigh. Jeongguk sat down on Taehyung’s lap. The elder turned on his laptop and Jeongguk waited.

“I have been hiding this from you for a long time” Taehyung whispered, making Jeongguk look at him. 

Jeongguk’s lips parted open.

“I know… I know it’s going to hurt” Taehyung whispered, concern etched on his eyebrows. “But I can’t keep pretending everything is fine. Not after all the stress this very thing has been causing you. You deserve to know, and I’m sorry it took me so much time”

Jeongguk frowned, worry blooming in his chest. “Okay,” he said slowly, his voice soft, though a trace of unease crept into his tone. “What is it?”

Was Taehyung a porn star? Did he sell his nudes online? Was that why he was so rich?

No, that didn’t make sense. Was he actually unemployed and had been lying to Jeongguk all this time? No, that was ridiculous!

Had he been gambling online, maybe? Yeah, that was a better explanation.

Taehyung inhaled deeply, steeling himself. “Before I tell you what it is… I need you to understand why I did it. Why I started it.”

Jeongguk blinked, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Started what?”

“You’ve always known I have strong feelings about fairness. About freedom and control. How I’ve always hated the way power is concentrated in the hands of so few people—the ones who decide what’s acceptable and what’s not. The ones who profit off controlling everyone else’s choices.”

Jeongguk nodded slowly, not interrupting but watching Taehyung intently.

“I wanted to change that,” Taehyung continued. “To create something that gave people back their agency. Something that allowed them to make their own choices, without interference, without judgment. I know that sounds… idealistic, maybe even naïve. But I believed in it. I still believe in it.”

Jeongguk tilted his head, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as Taehyung spoke. “That doesn’t sound bad,” he said cautiously. “It sounds like you were trying to help people.”

“I was,” Taehyung said, his voice barely above a whisper now. “But the way I went about it… That’s where it gets complicated.” He paused, his throat tightening. “I built a website, Jeongguk. A marketplace. It’s on the dark web.”

Jeongguk blinked, his confusion deepening. “A marketplace? Like… for what?”

“To facilitate things people need but had been made illegal by the government”

Jeongguk’s face shifted from confusion to disbelief, his mouth opening slightly before he managed to form words. “Taehyung… what are you saying? Are you—are you running something illegal?”

Taehyung visibly gulped. “Yes” He sighed. “It is illegal. But when I started it, I didn’t think of it like that. I thought of it as a way to challenge the system. To give people a choice. I thought it would be… revolutionary.”

Jeongguk stared at him, his eyes wide. He could not believe what he was hearing. “And you’ve been doing this… for how long?”

“I started planning it around… four years ago. I built the website 3 years ago”

“After you graduated and moved into this apartment” Jeongguk muttered. “With me”

“Yes”

Jeongguk felt his heart ache, for some reason. “And I had no idea what was going on with my boyfriend… under my own roof”

“Jeongguk…”

The silence that followed was heavy, pressing down on both of them. Jeongguk looked away, his jaw tightening as he processed what Taehyung had said.

“How illegal is it?” Jeongguk finally said. “What happens there? Do you sell things?”

“No. I only created the platform and people use it to sell things on there”

“Like that?”

“People sell drugs-”

“Drugs?!” Jeongguk shouted. “Are you insane?”

“Not…” Taehyung sighed. “Not every drug under the sun”

“What… you know what drugs are good and bad?” Jeongguk’s said, voice rising.

“No, listen. I can moderate what people sell, okay? So if I feel like I don’t want something on my platform, I ban that user”

“What do you ban?”

“Firearms, some drugs that I know which are very harmful to people. Drugs that do more harm than make you high”

“Tae, all drugs are bad”

“Weed is legal in a lot of countries, even though it’s illegal here. That’s what’s being sold the most on my website”

Jeongguk only stared.

“I don’t allow anything like human trafficking or sex trafficking. In fact, one time it looked like someone was attempting such a thing and me and… Dongsik…”

“Oh so he’s in this too” Jeongguk cocked an eyebrow.

“Listen. We hacked into this guy’s server and exposed him to the police. Our hunch was right. This guy had kidnapped someone and it was on the news too. He got caught because of our help!”

“So you’re like spiderman”

Taehyung smiled. “I won’t say spiderman. He won’t do anything illegal”

“What else?”

“I don't allow hitmen services and sale of porn”

“Oh” Jeongguk nodded. “What do you allow?”

“Prohibited medicine that many people need, counterfeit goods, hacking tools and services, illegal software, banned books, banned documents, encrypted communication tools, financial services… things like that. And many people sell legal things too. Things that could be cheaper but capitalism doesn't allow anyone to sell for that cheap”

Jeongguk watched Taehyung with furrowed eyebrows. He didn’t know what to feel about what he had just heard.

“The thing is, I moderate my website well. Dongsik helps me a lot too. The moment I see something that goes against my ideologies, I ban that user. I keep the website clean”

Jeongguk nodded. “But it’s not very… widespread, right? I don’t know anything about the dark web. But it’s not that popular, right?”

Taehyung opened his mouth but his face turned apologetic.

Jeongguk’s heart sank. “Oh no…”

“It’s… very popular. Let me show you” Taehyung said and started logging into his laptop. He opened a browser and started typing some things. A dark screen popped up and…

“This is the website” Taehyung muttered and then switched to a different tab. “I’m going to log in as the moderator”

Jeongguk watched Taehyung type some commands and enter into a different window.

“Here, you can see the statistics,” Taehyung said. 

Jeongguk leaned closer to the screen to see some moving numbers. He gasped. 

“What? You have 9342 users right now? 2130 real-time transactions!” Jeongguk gasped. 

“Do you see the profit I have made today?”

Jeongguk’s eyes moved down the screen to a different statistic and his eyes bulged out. “$37,283.03!”

Taehyung let out a small chuckle.

Jeongguk turned to Taehyung, eyes still wide from surprise. “That’s more than what I earn in a month! You made all of this today?”

“Yeah. This year, the popularity of the website doubled up so I have been making at least $20,000 per day, every day of this year. I also get paid in bitcoin”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me”

“I get a percentage of every transaction on the platform and it differs from the type of good or service. And most transactions are worth thousands of dollars”

Jeongguk gaped at Taehyung.

“Baby, I have been buying you the finest clothes and I even bought you a car for your graduation. How do you think I did all that?”

“I didn’t think it was from running an illegal website! This is like working for a mafia!”

Taehyung shrugged. “I’m doing something good, Jeongguk. I’m not hurting anyone. I feel good about doing my part to stand against capitalism. I’m doing what I believe is right”

Jeongguk sighed, nodding. 

“Are you mad at me? Disappointed?”

“No. I’m not. I’m just… surprised and concerned”

“I can understand why”

“You haven’t gotten in trouble for this?”

“No” Taehyung smiled. “There have been people trying to hack into my servers and the website but that’s it. It’s no biggie for me”

Jeongguk exhaled. He placed his forehead against Taehyung’s. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“I wanted to tell you sooner,” Taehyung said softly. “But I was afraid. Afraid of how you’d look at me. Afraid of losing you.”

“Because I’m such a law-abiding citizen?”

“Yeah. You’ve always been so righteous. I didn’t know how you would take it. I thought you might be mad at me or would break up with me if you knew what I did for a living”

“Is this the only thing you do for a living?”

“I have clients. I have built a few websites for some corporations and I work for those companies as a freelancer too. I have told you this”

Jeongguk nodded. 

“I know I hurt you by hiding it. And I’m so sorry, Jeongguk”

Jeongguk didn’t reply. There was an ache in his chest. 

They had known each other for over a decade— since childhood, through awkward teenage crushes, fumbling first dates, and trials of adulthood. Jeongguk had thought there was nothing about Taehyung he didn’t know. He thought he knew the elder through and through. Yet, here they were, and the depth of what had been hidden from him felt like an abyss he couldn’t quite fathom.

Taehyung thought of hiding something so important and detrimental from Jeongguk, the man he had loved for eight years and known for 19 years.  

“I wish you had chosen to tell me about it” Jeongguk whispered. “I always knew that you were opinionated about many things. But I didn’t think it would go beyond that. Did you think I wouldn’t understand your choices?”

“Partly. I was scared of losing you if I showed you the real depth of my passion”

“I wouldn’t judge you, Tae. You’re the love of my life. We have known each other forever. I wish you had trusted in me enough to keep your secret”

“No, baby. It wasn’t about whether you would be able to keep this secret. I was scared to lose you. That you wouldn’t approve of what I did. Please understand me”

“Yes, but I wish you had more trust in me to know that I will understand you” Jeongguk whispered. “You said that we share everything. You lied. And you told me a lot of lies because of this website too, didn’t you? While you were trying to hide it from me?”

Taehyung sighed. “I’m sorry. I was scared”

“But we are a team. I’m hurt that you kept it from me, Tae. I don’t like things being hidden. Especially when you’re the one hiding. I trust you not to hide things from me”

Taehyung nodded, eyebrows furrowed in guilt and worry. “I’m so sorry, baby. I really am. And this is the only aspect of my life that I have ever hidden from you. I have only lied to you about this. But I didn’t do it to hurt you. I just didn’t want to lose you. Please believe me”

Jeongguk nodded slowly, letting out a deep exhale. “Okay”

“I’m sorry”

“From now on, don’t hide anything from me. I love you for you and I feel like I have never known you completely”

“I didn’t think of it like that. I don’t want you to think that you don’t know me. You did. You just didn’t know an aspect of what I did for work”

“But it’s not just work, is it? It’s what you stand for”

Taehyung sighed. “That’s true”

“Who else knows about this?”

“No one in my life does. Not my friends, not my family”

Jeongguk nodded. “I understand why you didn’t tell me. But I’m still hurt that you kept it from me”

Trust, Jeongguk thought bitterly, wasn’t just about the years you shared or the history you built together. It was about effort. About vulnerability. About choosing, over and over again, to let someone in, no matter how messy or complicated things got. Even a lifetime together wasn’t enough to erase the need for openness, for communication. 

He felt sad, almost betrayed, that Taehyung had decided to carry this burden alone instead of trusting Jeongguk with it. It stung not only because of the secrecy but also because it was a reminder of how relationships, no matter how long-standing, required constant tending and effort to stay afloat. Trust wasn’t static. And no matter how comfortable they had grown in each other’s presence, and no matter how long and well they have known each other, that comfort could never replace the hard work of truly staying connected.

“I won’t do that again. I swear” Taehyung whispered. Pleaded . “Please believe me”

Jeongguk searched Taehyung’s eyes. “I believe you” He whispered before pressing his lips against Taehyung’s.

The kiss was tender at first, a balm for the wounds they had unknowingly inflicted on each other. Taehyung cupped Jeongguk’s face, his thumb brushing away the tear tracks that lingered on his cheek. Jeongguk’s hands found their way to Taehyung’s chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt as if grounding himself in this moment, in this man who was his everything despite the pain.

“I’m sorry,” Taehyung murmured against Jeongguk’s lips, his voice breaking.

“I know,” Jeongguk replied, kissing him again, deeper this time, his lips parting as if to draw Taehyung closer, to seal the cracks between them. The apology, the forgiveness—it was all there in the way their mouths moved together, desperate and yearning.

“Are you okay?” Taehyung whispered once again.

“Yeah, just kiss me” Jeongguk whispered back, capturing Taehyung’s lips in a kiss once again, but Taehyung pulled away.

“Please don’t keep things inside. If there’s anything bothering you, please tell me. I can’t have any issues between us. I want to clear the water” Taehyung whispered with desperation.

“The water is clear” Jeongguk whispered. His fingers caressed Taehyung’s cheeks softly. “I promise”

“What are you feeling now?”

“A little sad” Jeongguk admitted. 

“Because I hid this from you?”

“Yeah, and because I thought I knew everything about you but I apparently, didn’t” Jeongguk muttered. “So that hurt”

Taehyung nodded. “Okay. Anything else? Are you mad at me?”

“I’m not” Jeongguk smiled. “I’m not mad at you for doing what you do. I genuinely understand why you kept the secret from me, too. But I do feel sad about it. I think that’s it”

Taehyung nodded. “The water’s clear?”

“Crystal. And it will remain crystal clear unless you hide more things from me”

“I won’t hide anything from you again” Taehyung promised. “I won’t lie to you again”

Jeongguk nodded. “Okay. I believe you”

“What can I do to make you feel better? Less sad?”

Jeongguk smiled, fingers tracing the outline of Taehyung’s lips. “For now, just this” He pressed his lips against Taehyung’s. Taehyung kissed back as the younger’s eyes fluttered close. His tummy burst with butterflies as Taehyung’s hands squeezed his hips. 

Jeongguk parted his lips, pressing his tongue against Taehyung’s. Their tongues met, the kiss deepening and Jeongguk’s hands wrapped around Taehyung’s neck. The elder sucked on Jeongguk’s tongue, earning a small sound of pleasure from the back of the latter’s throat. 

Taehyung shifted, pulling Jeongguk closer until their bodies were flush. His hands slid down Jeongguk’s back, tracing familiar curves, as if trying to remind himself of what was real—what he could never risk losing again.

“Jeongguk,” Taehyung whispered, his voice low and reverent, his forehead resting against Jeongguk’s. “I love you.”

Jeongguk’s breath hitched, his heart clenching at the sincerity in Taehyung’s tone. Taehyung’s words sounded like a plea. And Jeongguk wanted to believe it, to feel it, to drown in it.

“I love you too,” Jeongguk whispered back, his lips ghosting over Taehyung’s jaw, trailing warmth down the line of his neck. The shift was subtle but electric, the air around them sparking with a different kind of tension.

Taehyung’s fingers found the hem of Jeongguk’s hoodie, tugging it up as if asking for permission. Jeongguk answered with his lips, hungry and insistent, his body leaning into Taehyung’s touch.

The study was dim, the warm glow of the desk lamp casting shadows that danced on the walls, but neither of them paid it any mind. Taehyung stood up from the seat as Jeongguk got off his lap. Taehyung guided Jeongguk back, pressing him against the edge of his desk. Their lips were back on each other, hungrily kissing. One hand resting on Jeongguk’s narrow waist, he closed the laptop with his other hand, pushing it away to give Jeongguk space to sit on the table.

Jeongguk got the sign. He was naked against the cold wood and Taehyung stood between his legs. The elder pushed Jeongguk’s hips towards him and the younger’s half-hard cock pressed against Taehyung’s pelvis.

“Here?” Jeongguk asked, a hint of surprise laced in his breathless voice.

Taehyung’s lips curved into a small smile, his eyes darkening with something primal. “Here,” he confirmed, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers racing down Jeongguk’s spine.

Jeongguk smirked and pushed his tongue into Taehyung’s mouth once again. Taehyung groaned, pinching Jeongguk’s sides. Jeongguk’s hands slowly reached Taehyung’s clothes, pulling the shirt over his head before reaching for his waistband. They were kissing feverishly when Jeongguk pushed his hand inside Taehyung’s pants and wrapped an arm around the warm flesh.

Taehyung moaned against Jeongguk’s lips, the kiss breaking in the process. Jeongguk took out Taehyung’s cock, pulling the fabric down. He stroked it up and down a few times, earning low sounds of pleasure from the elder. 

“I wanna fuck you” Taehyung groaned. 

“Hyung” Jeongguk whispered. “Fuck me”

“I’ll go get the lube” Taehyung whispered. 

“No need. Let’s do it like this”

“We need lube” 

Jeongguk brought Taehyung’s hand to his mouth and wrapped his lips around two digits, sucking diligently. 

“Fuck” Taehyung cursed. “How filthy”

Jeongguk wanted to smirk but Taehyung pulled his fingers out. 

“Spit” Taehyung ordered. 

Jeongguk obliged. The next thing he knew, Jeongguk was pressed firmly against Taehyung as the elder scissored two fingers inside Jeongguk, fingering him open. Jeongguk moaned as Taehyung’s fingers brushed against his prostate.

“Your cock” Jeongguk moaned. “Now”

Taehyung harshly squeezed Jeongguk’s ass. “Ordering me, are you?”

“N-No hyung”

“Say the magic word”

“Please” Jeongguk whispered breathlessly. “Want your cock”

“That’s a good boy” Taehyung smirked. 

He pulled his fingers out of Jeongguk’s ass and spread his legs apart. Jeongguk leaned back, his elbows on the table. Taehyung licked his fingers and started stroking himself, spreading the saliva and pre-cum on his length. He smirked at Jeongguk before pressing his tip against the younger’s stretched hole.

Jeongguk’s breath hitched as Taehyung slowly pushed in. Jeongguk gasped at the way the pain kicked in with the stretch. Taehyung was lengthy as well as girthy. Jeongguk could never get used to him. 

Taehyung bottomed out in no time, his balls pressed against Jeongguk’s plush ass. 

“Move” Jeongguk whispered soon. He was impatient and needy. 

Taehyung dragged his hips back and slammed back into Jeongguk and the younger gasped. Taehyung repeated the action, a rough growl leaving him.

“So fucking tight” Taehyung let out. 

Jeongguk moaned. Taehyung’s hips moved, the pace building up and coming to a rhythm. It didn’t take long for the pleasure to properly kick in as Taehyung’s cock brushed against Jeongguk’s prostate with every thrust. Shockwaves of heavenly pleasure shot through Jeongguk’s body and at one point, his elbows gave up and his whole upper body was laid flat on the desk. 

Taehyung held one of Jeongguk’s legs and his other hand held his waist, keeping him in place for him to fuck. 

His thrusts were hard and fast, just the way Jeongguk needed it. The perfect pace to drive him into his climax.

“I’m close, h-hyung” Jeongguk moaned.

“Me too” Taehyung replied. He removed his hand from Jeongguk’s leg and brought it to Jeongguk’s torso. He caressed down his chest, brushing past his erect nipples and onto his erect cock that dripped pre-cum. He wrapped his hand around it, jerking it. 

“Hyung!” Jeongguk let out. Tears pooled in his eyes and his cock twitched in Taehyung’s hand. “Please– please… I want… close” Jeongguk couldn’t form a sentence. His mind was in shambles and every thrust drove him closer to the edge.

However, Taehyung didn’t need words to understand Jeongguk’s body language. He pulled Jeongguk up, embracing him and Jeongguk wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck and his legs around his waist. Taehyung’s thrusts only faltered for a second, before picking up the usual pace. 

Taehyung pressed soft kisses up Jeongguk’s neck and captured his lips in a kiss. So when they both found their release, they were kissing, gulping down each other’s sounds of ecstasy.

They kissed lazily as they came down from their high, chests rising as if they had run a marathon. 

“I’m not letting us drift apart again,” Taehyung murmured against Jeongguk’s lips, his voice barely audible but heavy with resolve.

Jeongguk’s fingers caressed Taehyung’s neck, holding him close. “We won’t,” he whispered; his words a promise, as their world slowly began to feel whole again.

Chapter Text

Three days later, Jeongguk was sprawled on the couch with his camera in hand and Taehyung had left earlier that morning to run some errands. It was afternoon when the front door opened and Taehyung appeared in the doorway, holding something behind his back. Jeongguk looked at him from the couch, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he took off his glasses and placed them on the cushion beside him.

“What’s that?” Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung gave him a boxy smile as he approached. “Guess.”

Jeongguk squinted suspiciously, setting his camera aside. “Is it food?”

“Jeongguk” Taehyung chuckled and pulled a small bouquet of fresh white lilies and pale pink roses from behind him, holding them out. 

Jeongguk gasped. “For me?”

“For your grandma” Taehyung rolled his eyes. “Of course it’s for you”

Jeongguk pouted adorably. He sat up straighter, his heart skipping a beat. “You bought me flowers?”

“I did.” Taehyung knelt in front of him, his grin softening into something more tender. “I saw these and couldn’t stop thinking about you”

Jeongguk took the bouquet, cheeks turning crimson as he inhaled the delicate floral scent. “I love flowers”

“I know” Taehyung whispered. He took Jeongguk’s hand in his and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles. “Just a flower liking flowers”

“You’re so cheesy,” he muttered, but his smile gave him away.

“You like it, though.” Taehyung tilted his head, watching him intently.

Jeongguk bit his lip, a shy giggle escaping him. “I love it.”

“Good,” Taehyung said, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to Jeongguk’s lips. “I want to make you happy”

“I am happy” Jeongguk whispered. “As long as you’re mine”

“I will always be yours. But I want to give this relationship more attention. You… and I…. this relationship means a lot to me”

“I know it does, Hyung” Jeongguk whispered. “I know you love me and you love us”

Taehyung threaded his fingers with Jeongguk’s. “I didn’t realise but I do miss the things we did together. I was too busy to stop and think about it. I can’t imagine how much you might have missed all the things we used to do before I got this busy”

“I did miss it a lot” Jeongguk murmured. However, after they discussed everything three days back, things returned to normal. Taehyung had been paying more attention to him. He had been working but his work no longer felt like an issue; a barrier between them, now that Jeongguk was no longer in the dark about what was occupying Taehyung’s time. And Jeongguk was no longer bothered or anxious. 

He was relieved, and happy.

Taehyung nodded. “I won’t let you feel like that again” He whispered, “You said you’re free for the rest of the day, right?”

“Yup,” Jeongguk took a whiff of the flowers, humming in delight. “Smells so nice”

Taehyung smiled. “Let’s go somewhere tonight”

“What? Really? Where?” Jeongguk’s eyes widened. 

“It’s a surprise” Taehyung grinned. “You just need to be ready by seven. Just doll yourself up, yeah?”

“Okay” Jeongguk giggled softly. “I’m excited”

“Good. I’ll make it worth it”

“What’s the dress code?”

“Smart casual”

Jeongguk’s heart skipped a beat. Is this what he’s thinking this is? 

“Can’t wait”

By seven, Jeongguk was ready. He wore a dark red lacy shirt tucked into beige slacks and boots. Jeongguk wasn’t a make-up enthusiast, but tonight he decided to put on a little glitter on his eyelids, and some lip gloss. He wanted to look pretty for Taehyung.

Taehyung donned a green silk shirt that he too tucked into his black slacks and black loafers. Handsome as always, Jeongguk thought. He couldn’t wait to have Taehyung all for himself later.

Soon, they were seated in Taehyung’s car, cruising through the city streets. Jeongguk stared out the window, watching the lights blur past in streaks of red, gold and white. Taehyung had one hand casually resting on the steering wheel while the other hand on Jeongguk’s, their fingers threaded.

They pulled up at the front of a hotel and Jeongguk’s jaw dropped. The building itself looked like something out of a dream—floor-to-ceiling windows lined with warm lights, greenery trailing elegantly along the entrances. A valet opened Jeongguk’s door, and he stepped out, still staring in awe.

“Taehyung… this place…”

“You like it?” Taehyung walked around the car, sliding an arm around Jeongguk’s waist.

“I… I mean yeah” Jeongguk muttered. “Isn’t this the newly opened hotel that everyone was talking about?”

“Yup. You told me you wanted to come here, remember?”

“I did? I don’t even remember telling you but I did want to come here! I heard so many stories about how it’s the biggest and most expensive hotel in Korea and its restaurant was the best and most expensive…” Jeongguk trialled off. “Tae, why are we here? This place is too expensive!”

Taehyung chuckled, looking at Jeongguk with shining eyes. “You’re worth it”

“Tae!” Jeongguk whined, walking into the lobby with Taehyung. “I might have wanted to come here but you shouldn’t thrown your money away like this”

“I’m not throwing my money away. I’m spending it on making beautiful memories with you”

“You’re impossible” Jeongguk said, but he couldn’t help smiling. Jeongguk looked around him. The lobby shone golden all around him and a gleaming chandelier hung above them. 

Taehyung pressed a soft kiss to the side of Jeongguk’s head. “Shall we go to the restaurant?”

“Yeah” 

They made their way to the restaurant and Jeongguk was in awe. He stopped at a few places to snap some photos as well, and took a few selfies with Taehyung. The hotel looked straight out of a fantasy novel and Jeongguk never wanted to leave. They reached the restaurant and warm smiles greeted them inside. 

Inside the restaurant, everything felt warm and romantic. Golden chandeliers hung above them, reflecting light onto the polished wood and soft cream-coloured walls. A live band played classical music in one corner of the restaurant, Jeongguk noticed as his eyes glided over the interior. He smiled in delight as delicate notes of the piano floated through the air. He already knew that he was destined for a beautiful evening with Taehyung.

“Reservation for Kim Taehyung” Jeongguk heard Taehyung speak to the woman at the entrance and she guided them to a table. 

Their table was by a window overlooking the city skyline. Taehyung pulled out Jeongguk’s chair for him, earning another shy laugh. The restaurant hummed with the quiet chatter of other diners but Taehyung and Jeongguk seemed to slip into their own little world

A waiter brought them menus, and Jeongguk’s eyes bulged out as he read the prices.

“Don’t worry about the prices” Taehyung muttered, as if he read Jeongguk’s mind. “You saw how much I make in a single day, baby”

“Still…” Jeongguk pouted. 

“Tonight is about you. Go crazy. Let’s eat a lot of yummy food”

Jeongguk smiled. “What’s gotten into you? You’re spoiling me”

“It’s one of my life’s purposes to spoil you, my darling”

“Hyung!” Jeongguk whined as Taehyung smirked. 

Taehyung, being the wine expert, ordered them Chardonnay, which Jeongguk realized was one of the most expensive wines on the menu. 

“Let’s get two different dishes and share” Jeongguk proposed, still searching the menu. 

“Order whatever and as much you want, darling. Don’t worry about the prices” 

“You never flaunt your money like this”

“I’m not flaunting it, baby” Taehyung smiled. “I’m spending the money I have earned. I want to spoil you”

“Our friends know that you earn a lot but they have no idea that it’s this much” Jeongguk muttered. “And you don’t act like you’re a rich guy, either”

“I didn’t make this website for the money. I started it because I had the capacity to give life to something I believe in. And slowly, as more dark web surfers started using it, I started making a significant amount of money too. But in like… the first year, I barely made anything. I earned through my other clients”

“So this website is why you didn’t accept any of the high-paying jobs that were ready to hire you after you graduated”

“Yeah. I knew it would need a lot of time and effort to build the website and make it a secure platform on the dark web. I thought it would be easier after I finished building it and would be able to work on it as a hobby. But as it gained popularity, it was taking up most of my time. Maintaining it turned out to be difficult and time-consuming, especially as it gained popularity and a lot of people try to use it for their nasty businesses”

“But it paid off, yeah?” Jeongguk murmured. “You achieved your goal and also earn a shit load of money”

Taehyung shrugged. “True. I’m happy about it”

“Then I too am for you”

“You took this whole thing better than I expected. I’m grateful” Taehyung whispered, taking Jeongguk’s hand across the table. “I regret keeping this from you”

“It’s understandable but don’t ever keep anything from me. My love for you is unconditional”

“I will remember that” Taehyung whispered. 

 “It’s so beautiful here…” Jeongguk exhaled, looking around him. 

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“Taehyung!” Jeongguk hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard, but his cheeks glowed pink, and Taehyung grinned like he’d won.

“Why don’t you order for me? Surprise me” Jeongguk smiled playfully. 

“Really?” Taehyung grinned. “Game on, pretty boy”

Throughout dinner, Taehyung was relentless in his doting. He ordered so much delicious food that Jeongguk was full to the brim by the time the dessert came in. Jeongguk was giggling at something Taehyung had said, their hands laced together across the table when the waiter placed a ridiculously fancy dessert menu in front of them.

“Look at this,” Jeongguk snickered, pointing to one of the items after the waiter left. “’Dark chocolate soufflé infused with lavender essence.’ What’s infused supposed to mean? Did they whisper lavender to it?”

Taehyung nearly choked on his drink, laughing loudly. “Don’t ask me, you’re the food critic here.”

“Why is it so extra?” Jeongguk muttered, snapping a picture of the fancy dish. 

Taehyung grinned, taking a spoonful of his Crème Brulée to Jeongguk’s mouth. Jeongguk hummed as he savoured it. 

“Like it?”

“So creamy! Love it”

Taehyung smirked, licking his lips. “I like your-”

“Don’t even” Jeongguk cut him off with a roll of his eyes. 

Taehyung chuckled, bringing another spoonful of his dessert to Jeongguk’s lips and he gulped it down with a hum.

“Stop feeding me! I can eat by myself,” Jeongguk whined, though he let Taehyung bring another spoonful.

“I like taking care of you.” Taehyung’s voice was soft, and the smile he gave Jeongguk was so tender it made his chest ache.

Jeongguk tried to hide his blush behind his water glass, but Taehyung reached across the table and brushed his knuckles against Jeongguk’s cheek. “You’re cute when you get shy, you know that?”

“I’m not shy!” Jeongguk grumbled, his voice a pitch higher than usual.

“You’re adorable.”

“Tae, I swear…”

They both dissolved into laughter, their quiet voices filling the space between them like a soft, warm melody.

By the time they returned home after their romantic dinner, Jeongguk was grinning ear-to-ear. Taehyung had spent the entire evening sweeping him off his feet—flowers, compliments, and sweet touches that made his heart flutter. As they walked through the front door, Taehyung grabbed Jeongguk’s wrist and spun him around, pulling him close.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Taehyung murmured.

“Once or twice,” Jeongguk teased, his voice breathless as Taehyung leaned in.

“Well, you do,” Taehyung said softly before capturing his lips in a kiss.

The kiss deepened quickly, Taehyung’s hands cradling Jeongguk’s face as he guided him back toward the wall. Jeongguk gasped against his mouth when Taehyung pressed their bodies together, fingers tangling in his hair. Taehyung cornered him against the wall, his back pressing firmly against the cool surface.

“Taehyung,” Jeongguk whispered between kisses, his voice full of fondness and desire.

“Mmh?” Taehyung hummed, trailing kisses down his jaw and neck.

Jeongguk let his head fall back, hands clinging to Taehyung’s shirt. “You’re too good to me.”

“You deserve it,” Taehyung replied, his voice soft and reverent. “You deserve the whole world”

Jeongguk pulled Taehyung closer until there was no space left between them, their bodies perfectly aligned. Taehyung’s hands roamed gently, tracing a slow, deliberate path up Jeongguk’s sides, each touch sending a ripple of warmth through his body. Taehyung’s fingertips lingered at Jeongguk’s waist, pressing softly into the fabric of his shirt as if grounding him in the moment.

Jeongguk fisted his hands against Taehyung’s shirt, pressing his lips against the elder once again. Taehyung kissed him back, the heat between them rising with every passing second. However, just as Taehyung tried to pull Jeongguk’s shirt out of his pants, Taehyung’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Jeongguk ignored it at first, focusing on the way Taehyung’s lips felt against his and his touch on his torso.

The phone buzzed again and Taehyung pulled away from the kiss. 

“Leave it,” Jeongguk murmured, tugging Taehyung back toward him.

Taehyung huffed a laugh, kissing him quickly before pulling back. “It’s probably nothing, but let me just check.”

He dug his phone out of his pocket, frowning slightly as he looked at the screen.

“It’s Dongsik,” he muttered, the light-hearted mood starting to slip. “Give me a second, okay?”

Jeongguk nodded, stepping back reluctantly as Taehyung answered the call.

“Yeah, Dongsik?” Taehyung’s tone was casual at first, but as he listened, his expression darkened.

“What?” he asked, his voice lowering.

Jeongguk watched Taehyung closely, his stomach twisting when he saw the shift in Taehyung’s demeanour.

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, letting out a slow breath. “Are you sure?”

A pause.

“I’ll check it. Keep monitoring it, Dongsik. Call me if anything changes.”

He hung up, his phone still clutched tightly in his hand. Jeongguk stepped closer, his brows furrowed in concern. “What happened?”

Taehyung looked at him, the weight of whatever he had just heard settling heavily on his shoulders.

“Dongsik found some suspicious activity on the website,” Taehyung said quietly, his voice edged with tension. “He thinks… it might be someone from the authorities.”

Chapter Text

Taehyung didn’t come to bed that night. He was in the study when Jeongguk gave up and went to bed late that night, and he was in there when Jeongguk checked up on him the following morning. There were deep bags under his eyes.

“Did you get any sleep?” Jeongguk muttered, the clacking of laptop keys loud in his ears. 

“No” Taehyung answered briefly, his eyes glued to the screen. The other two screens were on as well, which was a rare sight, Jeongguk had noticed. 

“I think you should get some sleep” Jeongguk whispered, pulling his cardigan closer against his chest. 

“Yeah, in a bit”

“Do you need anything? Something to drink?”

Taehyung’s eyes found Jeongguk. He looked exhausted. “Yeah, that would be great” He nodded. 

Jeongguk doubted he had anything to drink since the previous night. He was still in the clothes he wore to dinner, a few buttons undone, revealing his chest. His otherwise neatly combed, dyed blond hair was a mess. Glasses, that failed to cover his eyebags, rested on his nose.

Jeongguk sighed, walking to the kitchen. Jeongguk was worried about his boyfriend. He didn’t quite understand what was going on. When he had asked what was wrong the previous night, hoping for an explanation of some sort, Taehyung had replied with “Don’t worry about it, I will handle it” and disappeared to his study. 

Jeongguk wanted more than that. Authorities? Did he mean the cops? If Taehyung was caught, would he be arrested? Would he be thrown in jail?

Anxiety brewed in Jeongguk’s chest but he figured that this wasn’t the time to be clingy and ask Taehyung a million queestions. He trusted Taehyung would tell him everything, now that there were no secrets between them.

Jeongguk was making Taehyung a hot chocolate when he felt hands snake around his waist and a head against his shoulder. 

“Hyung” Jeongguk whispered. “Are you done?”

“For now, yeah”

Jeongguk gulped, contemplating. “W-what happened?”

Taehyung took a deep inhale. “I will tell you. Later”

“Then you should get some sleep now” Jeongguk whispered. 

“I should” Taehyung whispered. “But I want something else right now”

“What?”

Taehyung pulled Jeongguk’s cardigan off one shoulder, revealing bare skin. He pressed a kiss onto his shoulder, right over the tattoo of a flower. 

Jeongguk smiled. “You want me?”

“Yeah. I need to relieve some stress” Taehyung whispered. 

Jeongguk turned around and wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck. “I would love to help you but I think the best thing you can do right now is sleep”

“I want you, baby” Taehyung whispered and dove into Jeongguk’s neck, kissing up to his jaw and capturing his lips in a chaste kiss.

Jeongguk kissed back for a few seconds before pulling away. He sighed. “I have known you almost my whole life, Kim Taehyung”

“Full government name? Damn”

Jeongguk smiled. “I know when something is bothering you. You’re trying to distract yourself”

“Is it so wrong?”

“No but…” Jeongguk sighed. “Wouldn’t it help you talk to me about it?”

Taehyung took a step back, a little lost in thought. “I don’t want to worry you” Taehyung whispered at last.

“There’s something I should worry about?”

“No, I… I have it under control, okay?”

“Tell me, please. I want to know. I’m your boyfriend. I want to be here for you when things get difficult”

Taehyung nodded. “I know… I just…” He shook his head. “I’m not trying to keep things for you but I don’t want you to worry”

“Tell me”

Taehyung sughed, giving in. “Dongsik has a friend who works in Intelligence services. He had told Dongsik that the authorities had found out about my website and are searching for who’s affiliated with it. It’s been about a year since they found out but they still haven’t even come close to finding me”

“You didn’t tell me about this earlier”

“Yeah because it’s not something worth even mentioning. There had been many people trying to disrupt the functioning of my website over the years and I was able to manage all of those” Taehyung said, “I told you what I’m doing is illegal. It was only a matter of time before the authorities figured out that the origin of the website was Korea. But the authorities had never given me any trouble”

Jeongguk massaged his temples, worry taking over him. 

“In this case, I’m the creator and the only moderator of the website. No one has access to control it other than me. So it’s more difficult for anyone to figure me out because it’s just an individual”

Jeongguk nodded. “So what happened last night?”

“So under each item or service for sale, there’s a comment section. There was a user who had left like a hundred comments under such posts asking if anyone knows who’s the owner and who moderates the website and that he wants to support it”

“Oh”

“Dongsik told me that last night and I had to delete all those comments. Luckily, no one had replied to them and no one other than Dongsik even knows who moderates it. Then I tried to hack and find out where this user was from. That’s what I was doing all night. It was quite difficult to reach him because there was a firewall and a lot of security barriers. It was in the morning that I finally found out where he was accessing the site from. It’s Seoul and the computer is from a lab belonging to Intelligence Services”

“Oh my god” Jeongguk whispered in disbelief. “So they are onto you”

“Yeah but they didn’t find anything yet” Taehyung shrugged. “I panicked because I thought it was a bigger issue”

“But they won’t stop trying until you’re caught”

“Yeah but we’re safe for now”

“For now” Jeongguk let out a deep exhale. “They will find you someday”

“I won’t let that happen”

“You’re just one person against the whole intelligence force” Jeongguk said in disbelief. “It’s only a matter of time”

“Jeongguk,  I don’t want you to stress me out more than I already am”

“I’m not trying to! I’m just concerned for you… and me. And our future”

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re making a bigger deal out of this than what it is”

Jeongguk scoffed. “I might have no knowledge about your IT stuff but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you’re in danger”

“I have been in danger since the day I decided to create this website. I took a risk for what I believe in and it paid off” Taehyung’s voice was stern and sharp. “I’m still fine!”

“But they’re closing onto you!” 

“I will handle it”

“But–”

“Don’t” Taehyung snapped. “I’m tired. I’m gonna shower and sleep”

Jeongguk watched Taehyung storm off to their bedroom with a heavy heart. He sighed. The hot chocolate had gone cold. He wrapped his hands around it, his heart brewing with anxiety. He couldn’t help worrying, even though there was nothing he could do. 

What could possibly be the way out of this mess Taehyung was in? Was there any way out at all?

A loud, shrill beeping pierced through the stillness of the afternoon, shaking Taehyung awake. For a moment, his sleep-addled brain couldn’t place the noise, but as the shrill continued, his body moved on instinct. That sound meant only one thing— trouble.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath, throwing off the blanket and sprinting toward his study, He caught Jeongguk watching him with wide eyes by the kitchen. The cold hardwood floor bit at his feet, but adrenaline drowned out the discomfort.

Swinging the door of his study open, his eyes immediately locked onto the flashing alerts across his two monitors. Unauthorized access attempt detected scrolled repeatedly across the screen.

His fingers flew across the keyboard, his mind running on autopilot. This isn’t a regular breach, he realized, his breath catching in his throat. “Fucking amateurs,” he growled, quickly scanning the logs. Someone—or some group—was trying to penetrate his firewall. The attempts weren’t subtle; they were deliberate and coordinated.

Taehyung was stuck in the study for the hours that followed. He was on line with Dongsik from time to time, the other man helping him out as well. Jeongguk came by a few times, once to place a plate of foot on his table and twice with some tea and biscuits. 

Taehyung worked to shut down one access point after another, re-routing proxies, strengthening encryptions, and deleting traces of any sensitive data. His jaw clenched as he fought to stay one step ahead of whoever was on the other side of the breach. He and Dongsik had their suspicions that this might be people from the authorities, but he couldn’t be sure. He cursed under his breath when a second wave of attempts hit. They were not giving up.

By the time the breach was neutralized, it was late in the night. His eyes burned, his back ached, and his head throbbed from exhaustion. He leaned back in his chair, releasing a long, shuddering exhale. 

The sound of the door opening pulled his attention. Jeongguk walked in, a plate of food in hand.

 “It’s late,” Jeongguk said softly, setting the plate on the desk. “I made you dinner”

Taehyung gave him a tired smile. “Thanks.” He picked at the food, taking a few bites before pushing it aside, his focus already shifting back to the screen.

“Taehyung,” Jeongguk said, his voice tinged with concern. “You’re not eating.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You barely ate anything for lunch either”

Taehyung sighed, his fingers pausing mid-type. “I just need to finish this.”

Jeongguk lingered by the door, watching him with a worried expression. After a moment, he stepped further into the room. “What happened?”

Taehyung hesitated, rubbing his temples. “There was an attempt to breach the firewall. I had to reinforce everything.”

“Authorities?”

“Probably”

Taehyung wasn’t looking at Jeongguk but he sensed the way his expression darkened with worry. He hated worrying Jeongguk, which was why he hesitated to tell the younger anything. But Jeongguk was persistent. He loved Taehyung, after all.

“How serious?”

Taehyung rubbed his temples. “A team, not just one person. Coordinated. I managed to block them before they got through, don’t worry.”

“How can I not?” Jeongguk’s brows deepened with worry. “They’re getting closer, aren’t they?”

“They haven’t found anything yet”

“But they’re trying! How can you sit there and act like this isn’t a big deal?”

“Because it isn’t!” Taehyung snapped. “I know what I’m doing, Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk took a step closer, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “And what happens when they finally do find you? What happens to us then?”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. “Look, I don’t need this right now.”

“No, you don’t need me questioning you, right? You want me to just sit back and watch while you risk everything for this—this website!” Jeongguk’s voice cracked with frustration.

“Exactly!” Taehyung shouted, his voice echoing in the small room. “If you’re not going to help me, then stay out of it!”

Jeongguk froze, his lips parting in shock. Hurt flashed across his face, quickly replaced by anger.

“Fine,” he said, his voice low but trembling with emotion. “If that’s what you want, I’ll stay out of it. But don’t expect me to sit around and pretend like this isn’t tearing us apart.”

With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

“Fuck!” Taehyung shouted, slamming his fist against the table. The silence that followed was deadly. He sat back in his chair, head dangling from the headrest and closed his eyes, letting the anger, anxiety, grief, and guilt swallow him whole. 

Chapter Text

Taehyung barely came out of the study for the next 2 days. He ate the food Jeongguk either prepared or ordered for him, but barely. He only went out of there to use the bathroom and shower. One morning he caught Taehyung asleep on his desk when Jeongguk visited him in the morning but the other two mornings, he found Taehyung staring at the monitor with dead-looking eyes as his fingers flew across the keyboard. 

The conversations between them were short and Jeongguk was still mad at him. But he was more concerned, than angry.

He didn’t want to talk to Taehyung but at the same time, he did. He was too angry. Taehyung’s words hurt and he knew that the elder was frustrated as well. 

And Jeongguk was also getting frustrated.

Taehyung had been shutting Jeongguk out, and shutting the whole world out, only working on the website, for the last 3 days. Four, if you take the day after their dinner date.

Thus by the evening of the 4th day, he couldn’t take it anymore. He needed to talk to Taehyung properly.

“Taehyung,” he called softly.

Taehyung didn’t respond at first, but then he sighed, turning slightly. “Yeah?”

Jeongguk hesitated before stepping closer. “I want to know what’s going on”

Taehyung’s shoulders sagged. He rubbed his temples and leaned back in his chair. “There’ve been more attempts” He said after a few seconds of silence. “The authorities are trying harder. This isn’t just an investigation anymore. It’s a hunt. They’re determined.”

Jeongguk’s chest tightened. “They’re hunting you down”

“Trying to”

Jeongguk felt his heart leap with worry and fear. “And what are you doing about it?”

“Blocking them. Setting traps. Buying us more time.”

“For what?” Jeongguk’s voice rose, unable to contain his frustration. “So you can spend the rest of your life holed up here, fighting them? Is this how you see your future?”

Taehyung’s eyes darkened. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“You always have a choice,” Jeongguk shot back. “And you’re choosing this website over everything else—over me, over your health, over us .”

“That’s not fair,” Taehyung said, his voice low.

“Isn’t it?” Jeongguk stepped closer. “You were a genius, Taehyung. You had offers from some of the biggest companies in the world. Do you realize what you’ve thrown away? All your potential, your achievements—everything you worked so hard for, wasted on this .”

“This is important to me,” Taehyung countered.

“More important than us?”

Taehyung froze, his jaw tightening.

Jeongguk took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. “Do you even think about our future anymore? Because I do. And the only way I see this ending is with you being captured, thrown in jail, and me left to pick up the pieces. Is that the future you want?”

Taehyung’s eyes flashed with defiance. “I’m not going to get caught.”

“You don’t know that! And even if you don’t, what kind of life is this? Are you going to spend the rest of your life locked in this room, fighting off attacks from the authorities, running away from the… government? You will spend the rest of your life obsessing over a website?”

“I’m doing what I believe in,” Taehyung said sharply. “And I’m sorry that you’ve never had something like that in your life, Jeongguk and you can’t understand how important this is to me!”

“Oh forgive me for wanting a peaceful life without anything radical…” Jeongguk scoffed. “Or illegal! Something that would jeopardise everything that I have built in my life, including my friends, family and my love life”

“You really don’t get it, do you?” Taehyung stood up from his seat, hands on his hips. “I’m taking a risk because I want to give back to the community”

“Oh you and your ideologies!” Jeongguk groaned. “Be realistic, Taehyung”

“Realistic” Taehyung chuckled humourlessly. “I’m doing this for a reason. And don’t act like my work hasn’t bought us everything we enjoy right now. We wouldn’t even have this apartment or be able to live comfortably in this economy without the money from my website”

“And what about me? What about us?” Jeongguk’s voice cracked. “Do I even factor into your plans anymore?”

“Jeongguk—”

“No,” Jeongguk interrupted, his voice trembling. “I need to know, Taehyung. Because I can’t keep watching you destroy yourself like this. And I can’t keep pretending you have a future, from the way things are looking right now. The only thing you care about right now is your website.”

“I do care about us!” 

“I don’t think you care enough,” Jeongguk shot back, tears of frustration pricking at his eyes. “Not enough to see what this is doing to us.” 

Taehyung took a step closer, his jaw clenched. “You’re not understanding how important this is to me”

“Is this the only thing important to you? Not your future, your family, not the person who had loved you for the last 8 years?” Jeongguk’s voice cracked as he shoved Taehyung’s chest, his small hands trembling. “I can’t watch you kill yourself over some ideal while we fall apart”

Taehyung caught Jeongguk’s wrists before he could pull away, his grip firm but not harsh. “I’m not letting us fall apart,” he growled, his breath hot and heavy. “I won’t. Just give me more time. I will solve this issue”

Their breaths mingled as they stared at each other, the air between them thick with tension. Jeongguk tried to wrench his hands free, but Taehyung’s grip was strong and firm.

“And you can spend the rest of your life running away from the cops?” Jeongguk whispered, eyebrows knitted together in anger and sorrow. “I don’t want a life like that with you”

“So what, you’re breaking up with me?”

“I…” Jeongguk paused. The thought had never crossed his mind. Never. Not even once, regardless of the ample fights they’ve had. “And what if I am? You would choose that website over me anyway”

“I’m not letting you go,” Taehyung said through gritted teeth, his gaze dropping briefly to Jeongguk’s lips before snapping back up. “I can’t.”

“But you are letting me go” Jeongguk shot back, his voice a mere whisper. “Every day you continue to fight this battle against the authorities, knowing full well that you are either going to lose or spend the rest of your life fighting… you are letting me go, Taehyung”

Taehyung shook his head. “I’m not. I need you in my life. I just need you to trust me”

“You’re not listening to me… or yourself!”

Jeongguk watched him through a frown, anger flaring and Taehyung’s glare was equally intense. The next moment, their mouths crashed together in a heated, desperate kiss. It wasn’t gentle or tender—it was messy and raw, teeth clashing and tongues battling for dominance. Jeongguk’s hands found their way to Taehyung’s hair, pulling hard as if to punish him, but it only seemed to spur Taehyung on.

Taehyung’s hands roamed Jeongguk’s body, gripping his hips and pulling him closer, their anger translating into a fierce, consuming need. Jeongguk whimpered against Taehyung’s mouth, his frustration melting into something equally intense but far more primal.

“You drive me insane,” Taehyung muttered against Jeongguk’s lips before lifting him effortlessly onto the desk, scattering papers and equipment. “How dare you tell me I don’t care about you?”

Jeongguk’s legs wrapped around Taehyung’s waist, tugging him closer as their lips reconnected, the kiss deepening. Taehyung’s hands slid under Jeongguk’s shirt, his touch firm and possessive, drawing a shiver from Jeongguk.

Jeongguk broke the kiss just long enough to catch his breath, his eyes blazing as he tugged Taehyung’s shirt over his head. “Then show me,” he demanded, his voice breathless but commanding.

Taehyung didn’t need to be told twice. His lips trailed down Jeongguk’s neck, biting and sucking until soft gasps turned into moans. His hands worked quickly, undoing Jeongguk’s jeans and pulling them down just enough to give him access.

The rest of their clothes were a blur, discarded haphazardly around the room as their movements grew more frantic. Taehyung’s kisses grew rougher, his hands gripping Jeongguk’s thighs as he pressed their bodies together.

“Do you feel it?” Taehyung growled into Jeongguk’s ear, his voice low and dripping with intensity. “Do you feel how much I need you?”

“Yes” Jeongguk moaned, their cocks rubbing together. “Fuck me. Please”

“Not here” Taehyung grunted, picking Jeongguk up from the backs of his thighs. Jeongguk gasped and wrapped his legs tightly around the elder’s waist as Taehyung walked out of the room, into their bedroom.

Taehyung placed Jeongguk on the bed and on instinct, Jeongguk spread his legs open for Taehyung in invitation. A smirk appeared on Taehyung’s lips at that but he walked over to the closet. He walked out with a black tie in hand.

“How dare you even think about breaking up with me?” Taehyung growled, climbing on the bed. He took both of Jeongguk’s hands in his and started tying his hands together with the tie. He then tied both hands to the bed, restraining Jeongguk from moving them.

Jeongguk wordlessly lay in bed, letting Taehyung do as he pleased. Arousal buzzed in his veins. He loved it when Taehyung took control like this. 

Taehyung climbed on top of the younger, one hand caressing down Jeongguk’s tattoo sleeve.

“You’re fucking mine” Taehyung grinned sadistically. “I’m never letting you go”

Jeongguk felt his cock twitch at that. He opened his mouth, sticking the tip of his tongue out. Taehyung leaned closer, their tongues meeting. They kissed open-mouthed. It was filthy, with drool dribbling down Jeongguk’s chin but it made Jeongguk’s arousal sky-rocket.

Taehyung broke the kiss to catch his breath but proceeded to press kisses down Jeongguk’s jaw, neck and chest. He bit down on the skin between his collarbones and neck, making the younger whine in pain. He sucked on the skin and did the same to multiple places on his neck, collarbones, and chest, leaving a trail of bruises before sucking and biting down harshly on his nipples. 

“H-Hyung” Jeongguk moaned, pressing his thighs together. “I will cum if you continued”

“Aww, is that so?” Taehyung’s voice dripped honey. “Jeonggukkie can’t control his little cock from dripping like a slut?”

“Hyung!” Jeongguk whined in embarrassment. 

Taehyung pulled away from his nipples and pressed kisses down his flat stomach and onto the cock that lay heavy on his pelvis. He took it in his hand and brought his mouth to the tip.

“Fuck!” Jeongguk gasped, tugging harshly on his restraints. His hips jerked and Taehyung kept sucking his cock. But he didn’t go on for long. He spread open Jeongguk’s legs and dipped down to lick a stripe along the crack of Jeongguk’s ass. Taehyung continued to eat him out, his other hand working on his cock.

“Hyung, y-you’re gonna make me c-cum!” Jeongguk gasped out, unable to contain the pleasure he was being provided. Taehyung continued and Jeongguk could feel the familiar heat building up in his stomach. His hips jutted and just as his orgasm hit him, Taehyung pulled away entirely, preventing it.

Jeongguk groaned in anger and frustration. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I want to” Taehyung grinned, straightening up. He licked Jeongguk’s pre-cum off his fingers. “You’re mine, to do whatever I want with you”

“Ugh you’re so annoying” Jeongguk muttered, despite the way his tummy erupted with butterflies. 

“You love me for it” Taehyung smirked, grabbing the lube from the bedside table. He squirted some on his fingers and pushed inside Jeongguk. The younger’s body jerked at the sensation, as well as the pain from the stretch.

Taehyung was quick with the prepping, which Jeongguk was glad for and soon, Taehyung was lining his cock against Jeongguk’s stretched-out hole, and the younger was eager and impatient.

“Quickly”

“Don’t order me around, darling” Taehyung muttered lowly. “Unless you want to be punished”

That shut Jeongguk up. “P-Please,” He whispered. “Hyung”

“That’s more like it” Taehyung grinned, leaning down to capture Jeongguk’s lips in a kiss and he pushed in.

Jeongguk gasped into the kiss, his legs subconsciously wrapping around the elder’s waist. Taehyung pulled his hips back and pushed back in, making Jeongguk’s eyebrows furrow together in pain and a hint of pleasure. 

Taehyung started with slow thrusts until Jeongguk adjusted to the stretch and soon, he had found himself a rhythm that had the younger moaning as Taehyung’s cock brushed against his prostate with every thrust. Jeongguk moaned uncontrollably, pleasure shooting up his spine in shockwaves. It didn’t take long for the familiar heat to appear at the bottom of his stomach once again.

“H-Hyung” Jeongguk moaned.

“Fuck, I love when you moan that word”

“Hyung” Jeongguk whined, staring at Taehyung through half-lidded eyes. “‘m close”

“Me too, baby” Taehyung groaned. 

The pleasure was building up with every thrust and he was so, so close.

“Harder, please” Jeongguk whispered breathlessly. “Faster”

Taehyung complied, picking up his speed that perfectly aligned with Jeongguk’s needs. It only took a few more thrusts for his orgasm to rip through his cock, his whole body shuddering and his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

“Fuck!” Taehyung groaned. “You’re clenching around me”

Jeongguk didn’t have any energy to respond. He fell back on the bed and Taehyung continued to fuck his lifeless body. He knew Taehyung was close when he lost his pace, his thrusts more hurried and his groans grew deeper. And with one last thrust, Taehyung emptied himself inside Jeongguk. 

He fell on the bed next to Jeongguk and pulled him against himself, spooning the younger. Jeongguk smiled, enjoying Taehyung’s warmth as he came down from his high. Taehyung always cuddled him after sex. He was the big spoon and Jeongguk was his little spoon. 

They lay on the bed like that for what felt like hours, Taehyung playing with Jeongguk’s hair and pressing soft kisses onto his skin. Jeongguk thrived in Taehyung’s love and affection. and as they snuggled on the bed, everything felt perfect. Nothing felt out of place. It was just them against the world. Them, in their little love bubble, kissing and cuddling. 

Taehyung pressed a kiss onto Jeongguk’s forehead and sat up, after a while. He walked to the bathroom and brought a wet towel to clean the both of them up. 

Jeongguk watched his boyfriend as he cleaned off the drying cum off his body.

“My love” Jeongguk whispered. 

“Hm?”

“We can’t keep doing this.”

Taehyung closed his eyes, “I know,” he murmured, his voice heavy with regret.

Jeongguk sat up, wincing a little from the pain on his backside. “I’m not telling you to do anything…”

Taehyung looked at him with those mesmerizing dark eyes of his. 

“But just think about what I said” Jeongguk whispered, taking Taehyung’s hand in his. “I understand why you do what you do. And I’m proud of you for chasing your dreams and making your goals come alive. I admire you for being passionate about what you believe in”

Taehyung smiled, nodding.

Jeongguk squeezed Taehyung’s hand, placing his head on the elder’s shoulder. “I’m not leaving you and I will stick with you until the very end. But I’m sure you know what kind of a path you’re going to take if you continue this. Unless you can come up with a foolproof and permanent solution for this problem which won’t have you dying inside every 3 days, you need to think about what you really want in life”

Taehyung sighed heavily.

“You need to make a choice” 

Chapter Text

The quiet hum of the monitors was deafening in the stillness of the night. Taehyung sat in his study, head in his hands, as the events of the past few days played in a relentless loop in his mind. The fights, the desperation in Jeongguk’s voice, and the exhaustion etched into his own reflection haunted him.

It had been four days since they last fought and made up. Jeongguk hadn’t stirred up any arguments with him after that, nor asked him about any of his work. Or why he didn’t come to bed on some nights. Maybe Jeongguk knew that Taehyung hadn’t been able to catch a break from the authorities. It was clear that the authorities were not stopping their hunt until they had the person behind the website. 

The conversations between them had been short but Jeongguk had a photoshoot and some errands to run, so he had been quite busy too. They haven’t talked much. There was nothing to be said. Jeongguk had spilt his guts out that day. It was Taehyung’s call, now; to make a decision.

Jeongguk’s words reverberated in his head:

“You don’t know that! And even if you don’t, what kind of life is this? Are you going to spend the rest of your life locked in this room, fighting off attacks from the authorities, running away from the…government? You will spend the rest of your life obsessing over a website?”

“You’re choosing this website over everything else—over me, over your health, over us.”

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut, his chest tightening. He had always been so certain about his ideals, about the purpose behind his actions. The website had been his way of fighting back against a world that seemed unfair, his way of making a difference. But at what cost?

No matter how skilled he was, or how many attacks he fended off, there would always be another. Another breach. Another risk. Another sleepless night spent hacking through layers of firewalls, living in constant fear of the authorities closing in. It was a game of cat and mouse, and he was just one man against an entire system. And perhaps, the entire government. 

And Jeongguk… Jeongguk was right. Even if Taehyung managed to stay a step ahead, his life would still be consumed by the website. The constant vigilance, the paranoia, the weight of keeping it all hidden. He would be living in constant fear of getting caught. It wasn’t sustainable.

His eyes drifted to the corner of the desk, where a framed photo of him and Jeongguk rested. It was from years ago, back when their lives were simpler. Jeongguk’s bright smile was infectious, his arms wrapped around Taehyung in a way that made him feel like the luckiest man in the world.

But that Taehyung felt like a stranger now.

He had been pushing Jeongguk away for so long—first with the secrecy, now with the endless stress of the website. It hurt to realize how much damage he had caused– to his mental and physical health, his future and most importantly his relationships.

He doesn’t remember the last time he had visited his parents in Deagu. It must’ve been a year, now. And he hadn’t met them after they came to Seoul to celebrate Jeongguk’s graduation. He hadn’t called them in weeks . And Jeongguk hadn’t visited his parents either. He couldn’t visit without Taehyung— they would ask where Taehyung was and Jeongguk would have to make excuses. 

His actions were jeopardising not only his life, but also Jeongguk’s. His poor Jeongguk, who loved Taehyung with his whole heart. 

Taehyung was destroying the most precious things in his life, all because of his ideals. His passions. His website; the product of his novel aspirations. 

Even if Jeongguk manages to stay with Taehyung with everything that’s going on, he would get tired of living in constant fear of losing Taehyung. Jeongguk didn’t deserve that. Jeongguk had always dreamt of a peaceful life. 

Jeongguk deserved peace. He deserved the life they used to dream about together.

A memory of them together rushed into his mind. 

Jeongguk was 20, Taehyung was 22, both of them were in university. They were lying under the stars in a quiet park in Deagu that summer, their hands intertwined. Jeongguk had turned to him with a soft smile, his voice filled with hope.

“I want us to have a house in a quiet corner of the city,” he had said. “Somewhere peaceful, where we can just be ourselves. Maybe with a garden. Kids, too”

“Kids? How many?” Taehyung teased. 

“Two? A girl and a boy” Jeongguk giggled. “I want to have a peaceful and beautiful life with you. I want to wake up next to you every morning and the day that is possible, I will be the happiest man alive”

Jeongguk had sighed, watching Taehyung with dreamy eyes and Taehyung had watched him with a grin, heart heaving with happiness. 

“I want us to eat our meals together. At least breakfast and dinner. I want to come home from work and cook you dinner. Would you work at a big company, hyung? Will you be late when you come home from work?” He had asked but hadn’t waited for Taehyung to answer. “That’s okay. I will come home early and cook us dinner so we can have dinner together while talking about our day!”

“Yeah?” Taehyung had whispered. 

“I want to grow old with you, Tae.”

Taehyung had chuckled, teasing him about how they would have to order takeout every night unless Jeongguk’s cooking improved, but deep down, he had wanted the same thing. Word-for-word. A future filled with love, laughter, and stability. With Jeongguk.

He wanted to marry Jeongguk. He wanted to have a perfect life with him. He wanted to give Jeongguk the best life possible; the life Jeongguk had been dreaming about since they started dating back when they were teens. Most importantly, he wanted Jeongguk to be happy.

But how could they have that now? How could they build a life together when his work kept tearing them apart? How would Jeongguk ever be happy with Taehyung like this?

The epiphany that hit him was cold and merciless. Painful. But it was the truth. 

He needed to let it go. 

The website was simply not worth sacrificing every other aspect of his life for.

For so long, he had believed in its purpose, in the change it could bring. But the cost was too high. His mental health was crumbling under the pressure, and he was losing the one person who mattered most.

Jeongguk mattered more.

Taehyung took a shaky breath, his vision blurring as tears welled in his eyes. He didn’t want to let it go. The website meant so much to him.

But it didn’t come close to Jeongguk. 

And he didn’t want to live like this anymore; spend his days running, hiding, and fighting. He wanted to wake up beside Jeongguk, to share quiet mornings and loud laughter, to build the life they had always dreamed of.

He wanted peace.

With trembling hands, Taehyung reached for his phone. His fingers hovered over Dongsik’s contact for a moment before he tapped it.

“Hey, man” Dongsik’s friendly voice answered after a few seconds. 

“I need to talk to you. About the website.” Taehyung said, his voice steadier than he expected.

There was a pause. “What about it?”

“I…” Taehyung took a deep breath. “I think I’m going to sell it”

“What? Tae, are you serious?”

Taehyung nodded, even though Dongsik couldn’t see him. “I made the website and I don’t want to take it down. But I don’t want to be the owner of it anymore. I can deal with the authorities but I can’t deal with the damage it’s doing to my life”

“Taehyung…” Dongsik sighed. “I get it but…” He paused. “All your hard work? You built this, man. This is your legacy”

“I know” Taehyung sighed. “It means a lot to me but…” He gulped. “I can’t…”

“Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? Look, I can help you through these attacks. I have been hepling you, Taehyung. We can get through this. Please think this over, Taehyung. This isn’t a simple decision”

“It’s not simple but…” Taehyung exhaled shakily. With a less shaky voice, he explained to Dongsik what he’d been thinking. When he was done, Dongsik sighed. He spoke after a few seconds of silence.

“You have done a great thing, you know that? What you built—it’s not just a website. It’s a revolution. You stood up for your beliefs in a way most people could never even imagine. Do you have any idea how many people on the dark web call you a mastermind? A legend?”

Taehyung let out a shaky breath, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. “It’s not easy, hyung.”

“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. And your boyfriend, though I don’t know his name. I know you love him like crazy. You two deserve happiness”

Taehyung’s voice was firm, even as his eyes filled with unshed tears. “I promise”

“So how much?” 

They talked for a while longer, and Taehyung hung up with a promise to finalize the price. Dongsik, being an avid fan and a surfer of Taehyung’s website, had a few businesses as well, and was a millionaire himself, even though he never went into the details. 

Thus, they agreed that Dongsik, with his deep appreciation for the website's purpose and vision, would take over as its new owner, ensuring its legacy continued in safe and capable hands.

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the darkened screens of his monitors. For the first time in what felt like forever, he allowed himself to imagine a future without the website.

A future where he could breathe.

A future with Jeongguk.

As the first rays of dawn broke through the window, Taehyung felt a weight lift from his chest. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but for the first time, he felt like he was heading in the right direction.

He stood, his legs unsteady, and made his way to the bedroom. Jeongguk was still asleep, curled up on his side with his face half-buried in the pillow.

Taehyung climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around Jeongguk and pulling him close.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into the quiet room. “But I’ll make it right. I promise.”

Jeongguk stirred slightly, his hand reaching out to rest on Taehyung’s arm, even in his sleep.

And for the first time in a while, Taehyung allowed himself to believe that they could be okay.

-

“You’re selling the website?!”

Jeongguk’s voice was loud in the quiet of the afternoon, as they both sat across each other at the kitchen island, having a late brunch. 

“Yeah” Taehyung nodded. “It’s decided”

“But…” Jeongguk muttered, his doe eyes wide with surprise. “I didn’t want to tell you to do that because I can understand it matters a lot to you and…”

Taehyung shook his head. “I know, my love. But I want this. I have been thinking about the things you said and did some self-reflecting, and… the website is important to me. But you, my future and us… is more important to me. And such things that are truly more important to me are slipping away because I keep giving my all to the website”

Jeongguk nodded. “It’s true but… aren’t you sad?”

“I am” Taehyung smiled. “But I’m also relieved. I’m glad I took this decision”

Jeongguk sighed, taking Taehyung’s hand in his. 

“It’s still going to be out there, thriving, just under someone else’s care,” Taehyung said softly. “I built it, made it what it is, and its legacy will live on—even if I’m no longer the one behind the curtain.”

Jeongguk smiled. “I’m proud of you. Sometimes, letting go takes more strength than holding on” 

“I love you”

“I love you too” Jeongguk whispered, squeezing Taehyung’s hand.

“There are some things we need to do after I sell the website” Taehyung’s voice was calm, but held a tone of gravity. 

“Like what?”

“I have to delete every trace of my involvement,” Taehyung explained. “That means wiping all data from my devices, selling off my equipment, and ensuring nothing links back to me.”

Jeongguk nodded. “Okay, you can buy new equipment again. There’s no issue right?” 

Taehyung sighed, his fingers drumming against the table as he searched for the right words. “Digital footprints are risky. “Even with everything wiped, there’s metadata, cached traces, and patterns of activity that could lead back to me. If the authorities are determined, they’ll eventually piece things together. Staying here means we’ll always be looking over our shoulders.”

Jeongguk’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So, what are you saying? That there’s no way to fully erase everything?”

“I can try my best. They already know that this is done by someone in Korea so regardless of how I try to erase my tracks, even after I sell the website and they figure out that someone else is now moderating the website… me staying here would remain a loose end”

“Oh” Jeongguk exhaled slowly, trying to process the weight of Taehyung’s words.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment before his gaze softened. He reassuringly caressed his boyfriend’s knuckles, a soft smile forming on his lips. 

“Jeongguk, what do you feel about moving to another country?”

Chapter Text

1 year later ~

“Kim Taehyung!”

The loud, sharp voice early in the morning made Taehyung shoot up on the bed, hair dishevelled and all sense of reality disoriented.

“Eh?”

His blurry eyes focused to find Jeongguk looming over him, hands on his hips. “It’s eight in the morning!”

“What?!” Taehyung’s eyes widened and his head buzzed like someone had hit him with a frying pan. 

“You overslept!” Jeongguk said, yanking the blanket off him. “Your meeting’s in two hours, and you’re still in bed?”

“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

Jeongguk grabbed Taehyung’s wrist, hauling him out of bed with an exasperated but amused look. “I tried, but you mumbled something about code and rolled over. You’re lucky I love you.”

Taehyung stumbled toward the bathroom, muttering, “You should’ve slapped me awake!”

“You looked too adorable for me to wake you up”

“Aha! So it’s your fault that I didn’t wake up!”

“But I tried and you didn’t wake up!”

“You were too whipped for me” 

“Your investors aren’t going to like your excuses” Jeongguk huffed out. “Get your ass in there”

“This is not how I planned my morning.” Taehyung shook his head as Jeongguk pushed him into the bathroom. 

“Breakfast is ready!”

Twenty minutes later, Taehyung burst out of the bathroom, shirt half-buttoned, hair still damp, and trying to pull on a sock while hopping across the room. Jeongguk caught him mid-stumble, steadying him with a laugh.

“Slow down or you’ll break something,” Jeongguk teased, handing him his tie.

“I’m already late,” Taehyung huffed.

“Late-ish,” Jeongguk corrected. “And looking very handsome.”

“Not helping,” Taehyung shot back, but a grin tugged at his lips despite himself. 

Jeongguk took hold of Taehyung’s shoulders, steadying him. Standing on his toes, he straightened up the elder’s collar, and fixed his shirt, tucking the parts that weren’t properly tucked in. 

Taehyung was struggling to tie the knot of his tie, muttering “Fuck’s sake, this thing never goes right when I want it to”

“Let me” Jeongguk whispered, taking the tie in his hands and in seconds, his skilful hands tied a perfect knot.

“You’re a lifesaver”

“I’m just your to-be husband” 

Taehyung hummed. “Can’t wait to marry you”

Jeongguk giggled. He straightened out Taehyung’s look, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear as well. Taehyung’s heart melted as he watched his boyfriend. 

“Now you look perfect,” Jeongguk said as he took a step back to admire Taehyung’s physique. “Like a top-class businessman”

Taehyung smiled. “Thank you, my love”

Jeongguk helped him shrug into the blazer. “You’ll be fine today, by the way. You’ve been preparing for this for weeks. And you’re brilliant. Don’t forget that.”

Taehyung paused, looking at him. “What would I do without you?”

“Probably sleep through all your meetings,” Jeongguk quipped, and they both laughed, the sound filling the room with warmth.

“Eat” Jeongguk whispered, gesturing Taehyung towards the dining table.

“I need to be quick”

“You will not step out of this house without having a proper breakfast”

“Yes sir!”

Ten minutes later, Taehyung was stepping out of their home, the crisp morning air sharp against his skin. Their house was tucked in a peaceful suburb about a 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto, surrounded by tall maples and quiet streets. It was cosy, a red-brick two-story with a wraparound porch and potted plants Jeongguk adored. The gentle clang of windchimes mingled with the distant hum of city life. Though the bustle of his workplace awaited him in the heart of Toronto, this quiet neighbourhood was their haven—a balance of Jeongguk’s dream for peace and Taehyung’s drive for ambition.

They moved here six months ago. 

It was after much consideration that Jeongguk and Taehyung decided that Canada was where they wanted to move to. After selling his website, Taehyung had taken quick steps to erase all traces of his involvement with the website, online and offline. After that was done, they slowly started discussing where to move to and while Taehyung finished off the work he was doing with other clients he had, he started planning the next steps of his future. 

He was still passionate about giving back to the community. As much as he could easily get a high-paying job in a leading Company in Korea or any other country, the thought of working for such corporations didn’t fit right with him. He wanted to do something innovative and meaningful that aligned with his ideals and background. Besides, he had gained avid knowledge from working on the dark web for over 3 years. 

Therefore, after much consideration, he decided to start his own Company.

Thus, here he was in Canada, a country that had welcoming policies for entrepreneurs and a growing tech scene. Besides, Jeongguk liked the laid-back culture, which is also why they decided to move into this peaceful area in Toronto, away from the busy and crowded streets. 

Taehyung arrived at his office, which was a single floor he had rented out for his start-up company. He had big plans but he needed more people on it, including investors, software engineers, and simply put, more brains. Currently, he only had around 15 staff members, who felt like a second family to him since they too were passionate about the objects of his company, just like him.

When Taehyung walked in, he was welcomed with warm smiles and greetings from his staff. Luckily, he arrived fifteen minutes early, which gave him enough time to run through his presentation.

He was about to sit down at his table in his small office when a woman knocked at his door.

“Mr Kim, good morning” Carol, his secretary greeted him.

“Good morning” Taehyung smiled. 

“Everything is ready in the conference room. Would you like to check it out?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. Give me a few” Taehyung nodded. He took out his phone, dropped a text to Jeongguk that he arrived at the office and walked over to the conference room.

Minutes later, the conference room started filling up. The men and women who started streaming into the room were investors who had shown interest in his business. Taehyung greeted each of them; and started his presentation:

“Thank you all for being here today. At EthiNet, our mission is simple: to create accessible, secure technology that empowers communities that are often overlooked by traditional tech giants. We specialize in privacy-focused software and affordable cybersecurity tools tailored for small businesses, non-profits, and individuals who deserve the same level of protection as large corporations. Beyond that, we’re building platforms that foster inclusivity and collaboration, helping marginalized groups thrive in the digital age. We aim to make our technology accessible to more countries, even those with fewer resources and limited funds. So our goal transcends the profits we plan to make. Our goal is to build a legacy of trust, empowerment, and innovation that benefits everyone ”

The meeting took longer than expected, and Taehyung was satisfied with the interest all the investors showed. It had him feeling hopeful. If this works out, he would be doing what he believes in and giving back to the community, in a more legal way.

Taehyung felt content throughout the day and he was excited to share the news with Jeongguk. He drove home, feeling giddy and as he imagined, he found Jeongguk sprawled on the sofa with a mug of coffee by five in the evening, his laptop open and the camera resting next to him. 

“Hyung!” Jeongguk hopped off the sofa as Taehyung walked into their cosy little house. 

“Baby” Taehyung grinned, stretching his arms for Jeongguk to walk into. He wrapped his arms around the younger tightly, and pressed kisses all over his face, making him giggle loudly.

“I’m guessing the meeting went well?” Jeongguk grinned, his arms wrapped around Taehyung’s neck.

“Indeed” Taehyung smiled. “Better than I expected”

“Tell me everything!” Jeongguk gasped and tugged Taehyung towards the sofa. “You worked your ass off for months, preparing for this. It paid off?”

“I did my best and the investors were happy with what we are doing. All of them looked interested in investing”

Jeongguk gasped, “That’s amazing! What did they say?!”

And Taehyung told Jeongguk everything. He loved how enthusiastic Jeongguk was about this, even though this wasn’t even his field. Jeongguk was always encouraging Taehyung and supported Taehyung’s dreams and ambitions as if they were his own.

“I’m so proud of you” Jeongguk whispered with glassy eyes. “I remember you telling me how you didn’t want to give up on your ideologies and I thought you were being ridiculous and that it’s not unrealistic. But you found a way to stay true to your values and what you believe in. It’s not just an unrealistic dream and you taught me that in the best way possible. You’re changing lives and making an impact, and I can’t be prouder to stand beside you through it all.”

Taehyung smiled, pressing a kiss onto Jeongguk’s soft lips. “I’m the luckiest man alive to have someone as supportive as you by my side”

Jeongguk grinned. “I love you so much. And I love how your dreams are so close to becoming a reality”

“Me too. I can’t believe that it’s finally happening”

“All your hard work is going to pay off” 

Jeongguk leaned his head on Taehyung’s shoulder, his voice soft yet filled with admiration. “You know, I always envied how fearless you are when it comes to chasing what you believe in. Most people would’ve just given up when things got this hard.”

Taehyung chuckled, wrapping an arm around Jeongguk’s waist. “Fearless? You’ve seen me pacing around this house, stressing out about every little thing.”

“But you always pull through,” Jeongguk countered, looking up at him. “Even when you’re terrified, you don’t let it stop you. That’s what makes you… you.”

Taehyung kissed Jeongguk’s temple, a warmth spreading through his chest. “And you always know exactly what to say to keep me going.”

“Because I see you, Tae. Every part of you. And I’ll always remind you of just how extraordinary you are.”

“Baby” Taehyung whispered. “You know I couldn’t have done anything without your support”

Jeongguk smiled. “Well, you’re gonna have that support for the rest of your life, whether you like it or not”

Taehyung grinned. “Can’t be happier”

Jeongguk kissed Taehyung’s cheek. “You know, I got paid today”

“Really?!” Taehyung’s eyes widened. “I’m so happy for you”

“Yeah, like finally” Jeongguk chuckled. “It took me 6 months in Canada to find a client”

“It’s harder for creative professions out there, my love. But you made it! You have a few more photoshoots booked in the coming weeks, right?”

“Yeah, I do. I owe it to you for introducing me at your Company dinner two months ago. It was after all, one of your colleagues’ relatives who hired me for her wedding”

“You wouldn’t have gotten the job if it weren’t for your talent, baby. Don’t forget that. And you found all the other photoshoots to do on your own”

Jeongguk shrugged. “There’s a long weekend coming in 3 days. I want to treat you to something nice”

“What for?”

“Because I got paid for the first time since coming to Canada! Please, let me. I know you love spoiling me but let me spoil you too, please”

“Fine” Taehyung smiled. “What do you have in mind?”

“Shall we go for a vacation?”

“A vacation?” Taehyung’e eyes widened. He doesn’t remember the last time they went on a ‘vacation’. The only times they went a little far away from their house to stay at some place was when they visited both their parents' houses, before they migrated. 

“Yeah! You deserve some cool down time. You’ve been working so hard since we step foot in Canada. You have been supporting us, funding your business and paying off loans back home all by yourself”

“That’s because I have the money” Taehyung smirked. “From all the illegal work I did back then”

Jeongguk groaned, rolling his eyes. 

“And I have bitcoin worth enough to buy out all my investors’ businesses”

“No need to flex like that!” Jeongguk whined. 

Taehyung chuckled, pressing kisses all over Jeongguk’s face once again. 

“As I was saying,” Jeongguk pushed Taehyung’s face away. “Let’s go on a vacation. Let’s leave on Saturday and come back on Monday”

“Where do you have in mind?”

“That’s none of your business. But it is going to be away from the city. I’m thinking a little far away, but not out of Canada”

“Canada is a massive country”

“With many places to see” Jeongguk smiled. 

“Sure. Up to you, then. I will follow you wherever you go”

“That’s the spirit”

Chapter Text

Taehyung was excited for the vacation. This might be the first time Jeongguk had planned something like this, even though he had always bought things for Taehyung and taken him out on dates quite a few times throughout their relationship. 

Taehyung preferred to be the one to plan the dates and spoil Jeongguk, but the younger had always been a brat. However, Taehyung made sure that Jeongguk was the one being mostly pampered in the relationship. Besides, Jeongguk was, without a doubt, being constantly pampered well in bed. 

They took a taxi to the airport and boarded the flight early Saturday morning. The flight was no more than 4 hours and when they landed at the Calgary International Airport, Jeongguk quickly went to a booth to rent an SUV. Taehyung watched him, impressed. Jeongguk had really planned everything out. 

Jeongguk took the wheel, navigating the winding highways as towering mountains and endless forests rolled into view.

“I never thought you would come to this side of Canada!” Taehyung mused, “But it’s such a perfect choice. I love the mountains and lakes, over sunny beaches”

“I know” Jeongguk smiled, “That’s why I chose Alberta”

“Are we going to stay by the mountains?”

“You will see”

“Or are we going to Lake Louise? Or Moraine Lake?”

Jeongguk didn’t answer him, which made him laugh. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“You’re too smart for your own good” Jeongguk grumbled.

“I just know my geography” Taehyung grinned, “But hey, I never thought we would be going on a trip to this area”

“The surprise isn’t over yet, by the way”

“Fuck, really? I can’t wait”

Jeongguk grinned. After a two hour drive through forests and mountains, they arrived at a car park, with a few more cars parked. They took their bag packs and started walking down the trail. Jeongguk took the lead, fishing out his phone to navigate.

“The cabins are about a ten minute walk” Jeongguk said. 

Taehyung looked around him. “That’s Lake Louse, isn’t it?” He grinned, pointing to the distance. “I’m so excited”

Jeongguk smiled. “Come on!”

Just as Jeongguk said, they walked for ten minutes through a bunch of cabins, some with people residing in them. However, just as they were about to take a turn on the trail, Jeongguk stopped.

“I need you to close your eyes” Jeongguk turned to him. 

“What for?! I already know that it’s going to be near Lake Louise!” 

“Just do as I say” Jeongguk said, fishing out a cloth. He folded it in half and started wrapping it around Taehyung’s head, standing from the tips of his toes. Taehyung chuckled as Jeongguk covered his eyes completely. 

“Kinky” Taehyung smirked.

“Shut up!” Jeongguk groaned. He took his hand in his and started walking slowly. “Let’s go”

Taehyung compiled. A few minutes later, Jeongguk stopped. “We’re here” He announced and the next moment, Taehyung’s blindfold came off. 

Taehyung’s eyes fluttered open, his eyes adjusted to the bright, open view before him. And then, for a moment, he was utterly speechless. 

Lake Louise stretched out before him, its turquoise water shimmering as if dusted with diamonds. Mountains covered with trees loomed in the distance, their snow-covered peaks blending in with the cloudy sky. They reflected beautifully in the mirror-like surface of the water. 

Taehyung let his eyes flutter close and took a deep inhale of the clean, cold air. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine, and the stillness was broken only by the occasional call of a bird. 

“The view from here,” Taehyung murmured, his voice soft, almost reverent. His eyes fluttered open. “It’s like a painting.”

Jeongguk grinned next to him. “Is this not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?”

“Mother nature always takes my breath away” Taehyung exhaled. “But you will always be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen”

“Tae!” Jeongguk whined softly. “Not the time”

Taehyung chuckled. He took a few steps forward, towards the breathtaking view in front of him. The sound of the waves against the lakeshore was a beautiful symphony in itself, blended with the crackle of leaves of trees as the wind swept them by.

“This is perfect” Taehyung whispered. He still felt a little breathless. He turned around to see Jeongguk who smiled at him, and their cabin nestled under the evergreens, its wooden exterior glowing golden under the afternoon sun. His eyes landed on the porch of the cabin, which was adorned with cosy chairs and a table for two, perfect for watching sunsets.

Jeongguk bit his lip, nervous. “Do you like it?” he asked, his voice soft. 

“Is that even a question?” Taehyung walked back to his boyfriend. “I love it. I’ve never seen anything like it”

“I wanted it to be special. You deserve a break… and I wanted it to be somewhere peaceful. Just us.”

Taehyung’s heart swelled at the love in Jeongguk’s voice. He reached out, pulling Jeongguk into his arms. “You’re amazing, you know that? Every time I think I can’t possibly love you more, you go and do something like this.”

Jeongguk giggled softly, his cheeks turning pink. “I just wanted to see you smile like this.”

Taehyung kissed the top of his head, holding him close as they stood in silence for a moment, the serenity of the lake and forest wrapping around them. When he finally pulled back, he took Jeongguk’s hand. “Come on. Let’s see the inside.”

The cabin’s interior was as charming as its exterior. Warm wooden walls, a stone fireplace, and plush furniture made it feel cosy and inviting. Large windows in the living area framed the lake perfectly, and the bedroom boasted the same stunning view. Taehyung was already envisioning lazy mornings wrapped up in Jeongguk, watching the sunrise over the water.

As they set their bags down in the bedroom, Taehyung caught Jeongguk staring at him, a soft, affectionate look in his eyes. “What?” Taehyung asked, smiling.

Jeongguk shrugged, a little grin tugging at his lips. “You just… you look happy. Really happy.”

Taehyung stepped closer, cupping Jeongguk’s cheek. “That’s because I am. You always know exactly what I need, my love. Thank you for this.”

Jeongguk leaned into his touch, his eyes fluttering shut as Taehyung pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. When they pulled away, Jeongguk’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Taehyung said, his voice steady and full of conviction. “More than anything.”

Jeongguk leaned in for another kiss and Taehyung kissed back, pouring all his love and gratitude do the kiss. 

“Hungry?” Jeongguk asked. “I made some food in the morning. Shall we have a picnic?”

Taehyung beamed. “A picnic?” He laughed. “Just when I thought this moment couldn’t get any better!”

Jeongguk giggled. “Answer the question”

“Yes, I’m starving”

“Let’s set things up” Jeongguk smiled and picked up one of the bags he was carrying earlier. 

Fifteen minutes later, Taehyung and Jeongguk sat in the lakeshore, on a red and white cloth Jeongguk had brought. A variety of food was set out between them, including sandwiches, cake, biscuits, cheese and a salad. Jeongguk had brought one of Taehyung’s favourite wines and the elder was able to find 2 wine glasses for them in the cabin.

Taehyung took a sip from his wine, watching the serine view in front of him. 

“This must be what fulfilment feels like” Taehyung whispered. 

Jeongguk turned his head to him, smiling.

“I’m having a picnic at a place that looks like a scrap of heaven, my business is going well, I’m close to making my dreams and goals a reality, I’m rich and in good health, and I have the most beautiful man in this whole world next to, who supports all my dreams no matter how ridiculous they are. This is perfection”

Jeongguk giggled. “Your dreams aren’t ridiculous. They’re inspiring and I adore you for being so driven about your goals”

Taehyung turned to Jeongguk, his gaze softening. “You always say things like that, but sometimes I wonder… is it hard to love someone like me? Someone so caught up in his ambitions?”

Jeongguk tilted his head, the corners of his mouth lifting into a tender smile. “It’s not hard to love you, Tae. Challenging, sometimes, maybe—but not hard. Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s the most natural thing. You fit with me like a puzzle piece”

“That’s beautiful” Taehyung grinned. “You’re my person”

Jeongguk giggled. “But Hyung,” He whispered, voice growing serious. “I don’t think relationships are meant to be easy, you know? They require effort too”

“Yes but” Taehyung sighed. Taehyung’s brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of vulnerability passing through his expression. “But I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt you before with my choices… with my secrecy. My secrecy was intentional”

Jeongguk reached over, taking Taehyung’s hand in his and lacing their fingers together. His touch was grounding. “Yeah, we’ve had our moments. But we got through them. Because you’re willing to grow, to be honest now. And because I know your heart, Tae. I know you’d never intentionally hurt me. I know that you didn’t keep it from me with bad intentions. What’s important is that you decided to trust and tell me, even if it took some time. You have grown”

Taehyung smiled, nodding.

“Don’t you think what’s most important is changing and growing?” Jeongguk asked. “No matter how long you’ve known someone, there’s always more to discover about them, and relationships—real, lasting ones—take effort every single day, but through all of it, we’ve grown stronger together, and that makes it all worth it.”

Taehyung nodded. “That’s true” He stared at their joined hands, his thumb brushing over Jeongguk’s knuckles. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve you. You’ve always been this constant in my life, this… light. You have always guided me when I’m lost, You’re my anchor. Even when I was too caught up in my world, you were always there, pulling me back.”

Jeongguk’s voice softened. “And you’ve been mine, Hyung. You ground me in ways I didn’t know I needed. You push me to dream bigger, and to see things differently. I think… that’s what makes us work. We balance each other.”

“We balance each other out” Taehyung repeated, grinning. “I love that” 

“A relationship is going to be fine as long as the people in it are willing to accept their faults and learn and grow from them. In the future too, I’m sure we will face a lot of challenges and make mistakes. We’re no gods, to make no mistakes”

“You really are my balance. The Yang to my Yin” Taehyung smiled. “Every day I thank whatever deity above for giving me such a perfect boyfriend”

“You’re perfect too. You’re my perfect man”

Taehyung’s chest tightened, a warmth spreading through him. “You know, I’ve spent so much of my life thinking about what I want to achieve, what I want to leave behind. But sitting here with you, I realize… none of it means anything without you.”

Jeongguk’s lips curved into a soft smile, his eyes glistening under the fading sunlight. “Then it’s a good thing you’re stuck with me.”

As they basked in the rays of the dying sun reflecting off the water of the Lake before them, they sat together in comfortable silence, content smiles decorating their faces. 

It was nighttime and Jeongguk had just taken a shower and slipped into his pajamas. He sat on the bed, a book in his hands as he quietly read it. The cabin was silent, save for the crack of wood from the fireplace that he and Taehyung had lit up in the evening after their picnic, and the shower running in the bathroom occupied by Taehyung. 

The cabin was bathed in the soft glow of the fireplace, its warmth chasing away the evening chill and it was perfectly comfortable. Jeongguk’s heart hadn’t felt this light in some time. Perhaps not since they decided to move to Canada. The days had always been filled with something to do, some arrangement to make, and someone to say goodbye to. 

Jeongguk didn’t originally want to leave his country. He never had a plan to. Hadn’t hoped for it in his wildest dreams. Coming to peace with the decision to leave for Canada was more difficult for Jeongguk than Taehyung. Jeongguk always grew more attached to things and people than Taehyung. Therefore, saying goodbye to his family, friends and… everything he had ever known was more than just difficult. 

However, he supposed things happen and you always got to go with the flow. Besides, he would follow wherever Taehyung went. Jeongguk understood why it was important for them to move. Taaehyung had explained it to him in detail. 

And Jeongguk supposed this would be a good change for them. Moving to another country and starting a life there. It sounded exciting and scary. And it turned out to be the biggest challenge in Jeongguk’s life. But both of them had successfully faced and overcome it. 

The most important thing was that Jeongguk wasn’t alone. Taehyung had undoubtedly taken more weight in their move and then in establishing his company, working to hire people, developing his software and finding investors. It had been Taehyung who had planned everything: renting a house, purchasing a car after coming, registering them with local authorities… Jeongguk didn’t even know to name everything. 

And Jeongguk had helped whenever he could. He had mostly been in charge of selling their belongings in Korea, including their house and 2 cars. 

Settling in had been another challenge on its own and Jeongguk was feeling hopeless for months since he couldn’t find any work, but Taehyung had helped him with that too.

Regardless, Taehyung had been busting his ass in the last 12 months. And Jeongguk could not catch a break either. Which was why a vacation was needed for both of them. 

Jeongguk was happy. They have finally settled in properly in Canada, they both have jobs and Taehyung’s company was doing well too. Everything seemed to have fallen into place. 

The sound of the bathroom door opening snapped Jeongguk from his thoughts. Taehyung stepped out of the bathroom, a towel hanging low on his waist and a few droplets of water falling from his towel-dried hair.

Jeongguk’s eyes scanned his body, almost involuntarily. From his thick, veiny neck, and his slightly toned arms. His chest was defined and his stomach was flat, with little definition on the muscles. His thighs were thick and a tiny tattoo lay on one. 

The tattoo, which Taehyung had gotten on Jeongguk’s eighteenth birthday; on which day the younger too got his first tattoo on his arm.

Taehyung ran a hand through his damp hair. He pushed the locks back from his forehead and Jeongguk found himself drooling a little.

Taehyung’s eyes landed on Jeongguk, and they softened. He smiled. “Hey”

“Hey” Jeongguk whispered, distracted.

“What ‘chu reading?”

“Me? Uh…” Jeongguk glanced at his book. He shrugged. “Just a novel I’ve had for a long time but couldn’t find the time to read”

Taehyung grinned, crossing the room to Jeongguk. He sat down on the bed, the towel slipping from his leg to reveal his inner thighs. Jeongguk pretended not to notice that.

“I haven’t seen you read anything in like 2 years”

Jeongguk laughed. “It hasn’t been that long! I’m sure I read books for my studies no less than 2 years ago”

“You didn’t have much to read in your final year, did you?”

“Yeah, true” Jeongguk shrugged. “Why are you always right?”

“Because I’m smart”

Jeongguk scoffed. “Right”

“Oh please, stop acting like my intelligence wasn’t one of the things that attracted you to me”

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung in disbelief.

Taehyung smirked, “You’re a sapiosexual”

“If I got horny every time you said something smart, your dick would’ve fallen off by now”

Taehyung laughed, hunching over. Jeongguk chuckled as he watched his boyfriend. Taehyung shook his head as he straightened up. “God, I love you”

“I love you too” Jeongguk whispered. 

“You look at peace, you know” Taehyung smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind Jeongguk’s ear. “I love it”

“I am. It’s so peaceful here. I think we both needed this.”

Taeyung’s fingers traced over the back of Jeongguk’s hand, the simple touch making Jeongguk’s breath hitch. “I’ve missed seeing you this relaxed,” Taehyung said softly, his thumb brushing against Jeongguk’s palm. “It’s been a long time since we could just… be.”

He turned to face Taehyung, his eyes filled with quiet affection. “And I’ve missed you looking at me like that.”

“It has been so long since we… you know” Taehyung whispered, his eyes not meeting Jeongguk’s.

“It’s always been rushed, hasn’t it, in the past year?” Jeongguk smiled. 

Taehyung’s gaze met Jeongguk’s. His hand gently cupped Jeongguk’s cheek, his thumb brushing over the soft skin there as his gaze deepened. He leaned in closer, his voice low and steady, a hint of something burning beneath it. “Let’s take our time this time,” he murmured, his lips almost grazing Jeongguk’s as he spoke, “Let me show you how much I’ve missed you.”

Jeongguk’s breath caught at the intensity in Taehyung’s eyes, the words igniting something deep within him. His chest rose and fell with anticipation as he whispered back, “I’m yours, Taehyung. Always.”

Slowly, Taehyung closed the space between them, his lips capturing Jeongguk’s in a kiss that was unhurried yet full of intent. Jeongguk responded instantly, his hands finding their way to Taehyung’s neck. 

Taehyung pushed the book off Jeongguk’s lap. He leaned over Jeongguk, guiding the younger back against the soft sheets.

Jeongguk’s fingers curled into Taehyung’s hair, tugging gently as their lips moved together. His breath hitched as Taehyung nipped lightly at his bottom lip, drawing a soft gasp from him.

“You’re so responsive,” Taehyung murmured against Jeongguk’s lips, his deep voice tinged with affection. “It drives me crazy.”

Jeongguk’s cheeks flushed, but the way his body arched subtly into Taehyung’s touch gave him away. “I can’t help it,” he whispered. “Not when it’s you.”

The corners of Taehyung’s lips curved into a smirk as he trailed kisses along Jeongguk’s jaw, down to the sensitive spot beneath his ear. “Good,” Taehyung murmured, his voice dropping an octave. “I want every part of you like this. Completely mine.”

Jeongguk shivered at the possessiveness lacing Taehyung’s tone, his hands gripping the now loose towel around the elder’s hips. He pulled at it and the fabric came undone, revealing Taehyung’s nudity. Jeongguk’s eyes dipped south momentarily and his heart skipped a beat with excitement. 

Jeongguk wrapped his hand around the Taehyung’s cock and started stroking him. Taehyung moaned against Jeongguk’s skin and in no time, Taehyung’s cock was a full erection against his palm. The elder trailed kissed up Jeongguk’s jaw and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. Jeongguk parted his lips, letting the elder lick into his mouth. Their tongues clashed and Jeongguk’s cock twitched from time to time, making him moan into the kiss. 

He knew a tent had formed in his pants and his any remaining doubts about the same were erased as Taehyung cupped him, pressing his hand softly against Jeongguk’s cock. 

His other hand tugged at Jeongguk’s shirt, “Off”

Jeongguk broke the kiss to take his shirt off. Taehyung’s hands were already tugging at his pants and he slipped them off his smooth thighs quickly.

“Nothing underneath?” Taehyung smirked, his hand smoothing over Jeongguk’s soft, thick thighs. “I love it”

“I’m always ready for you” Jeongguk whispered shyly. 

“Aren’t you…” Taehyung dipped down, pressing kisses over Jeongguk’s chest. He took layers of skin between his teeth and sucked on it, leaving bruises on his wake. 

Every time they had fucked, Taehyung left marks on him. Jeongguk liked it. Loved it, and it aroused him, even; to have Taehyung claim him as his every time. 

And that day too, he left more marks than Jeongguk could count. He lay on the bed, moaning from time to time, as Taehyung took his own time worshipping his body. By the time he pulled away with swollen lips, Jeongguk was a mess, inside out. A pool of pre-cum had gathered on his stomach, giving proof of his neediness.

“I wanna–” Jeongguk whispered breathlessly. “Wanna…”

“What?” Taehyung asked, his gaze soft.

“Want you in my mouth” Jeongguk whispered. “Let me”

Taehyung smirked and Jeongguk didn’t wait for him to answer. He straightened up and knelt on the bed. He pushed the elder back so he was seated on the mattress and wrapped his hand around Taehyung’s cock. His hand was soon replaced by his mouth; plump lips wrapping around the wet tip and his tongue swirled around it. 

Taehyung groaned. Jeongguk, satisfied with the reaction, started bobbing his head up and down, the tip meeting the beach of his throat with every bob. One hand stroked the girth that he couldn’t take in his mouth and the other hand fondled Taehyung’s balls; the way Taehyung loved getting his cock sucked.

He went on for a minute or so, making sure to pull off the cock a few times and slurping down Taehyung’c pre-cum. Taehyung was pulling him off of him soon, fingers threaded against Jeongguk’s curls.

“Close” Taehyung whispered. His face was scrunched with pleasure.

Jeongguk smiled, wiping his mouth. 

“Your mouth’s a blessing” 

“I should suck you off more often” Jeongguk grinned.

“Not opposed to that idea” Taehyung smiled, pushing Jeongguk back on the bed. “But now, I’m going to make love to you”

Jeongguk giggled. He wrapped his arms around Taehyung’s neck, pressing a kiss onto Taehyung’s mouth. Taehyung kissed back for a few long seconds, before pulling away. He sat up to grab the lube from the bedside table, where Jeongguk had placed it earlier when they were unpacking. 

“I don’t need prepping,” Jeongguk said quickly. “I’m loose from yesterday morning”

Taehyung nodded. “Let’s see”. He squirted some lube onto his cock and stroked it a few times to spread the liquid. Soon, he was lining himself against Jeongguk’s hole. He slowly pushed in and Jeongguk’s eyes pinched close from the pain.

“Keep your eyes on me” Taehyung grunted.

Jeongguk opened his eyes to see Taehyung’s face inches away from him. Jeongguk nodded, tugging at Taehyung’s wet locks and keeping his eyes locked with Taehyung’s dark chocolate orbs. 

Taehyung bottomed out and soon, “Go on” Jeongguk gave Taehyung the signal.

Taehyung moved with deliberate slowness at first, his gaze never leaving Jeongguk’s. Every roll of his hips drew soft gasps from Jeongguk, their breaths mingling in the intimate space between them. 

The heat between them grew with every thrust and their bodies moved in sync; their rhythm effortless as if their bodies knew each other’s desires without needing words.

Jeongguk’s hands slid up Taehyung’s back, holding on tightly as Taehyung’s movements became deeper and more purposeful. Soft moans escaped Jeongguk’s lips, mixing with Taehyung’s low groans, the sounds filling the cosy cabin. Taehyung leaned in, capturing Jeongguk’s mouth in a kiss that was slow but full of heat, their lips moving together with passion, desire, and love.

“Just like that,” Jeongguk whispered, his voice barely audible but full of trust and need. Taehyung smiled against his lips, his pace picking up slightly, pulling Jeongguk closer, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.

“You’re always so fucking tight for me” Taehyung groaned, sending shivers down Jeongguk’s body.

“Hyung” Jeongguk moaned, “Faster, please”

Taehyung grinned, his thumb brushing over Jeongguk’s flushed cheek before he quickened his pace. “Is my baby close?”

“Yes” Jeongguk whined. He could feel the familiar heat at the bottom of his stomach. “S-So good, Hyung”

“Hyung’s making you feel good?”

“Y-Yes” Jeongguk let out, “Oh! Fuck, don’t stop”

“Not planning to” Taehyung murmured. 

Every powerful thrust, as the tip of Taehyung’s cock brushed against his prostate, sent shockwaves of pleasure up Jeongguk’s spine which fuelled the fire burning at the bottom of his stomach.

Jeongguk’s back arched, his fingers clutching at Taehyung’s shoulders as his orgasm built up. The room seemed to dissolve around them, leaving only the two of them, the rhythm of their bodies, and the soft sounds of their love filling the air. 

“Hyung,” Jeongguk gasped, his voice trembling, his entire body taut like a bowstring about to snap. Taehyung leaned down, pressing their foreheads together, his breath warm against Jeongguk’s lips.

“Cum for me, baby,” Taehyung whispered, his voice deep and full of affection. “Let go”

With one final, perfect thrust, Jeongguk’s body shuddered, his release crashing over him like a wave, pulling him under in pure, blinding ecstasy. He cried out Taehyung’s name, his whole world narrowing to the man above him. Moments later, Taehyung followed, a low groan escaping his lips as he buried himself deep, his own climax washing over him and Jeongguk silently took in the look of pure bliss on Taehyung’s handsome face.

Taehyung collapsed next to Jeongguk and they stayed like that, bodies entwined, foreheads still touching as they both caught their breath, the air between them warm and thick with love. 

Taehyung pulled out of the younger, after they both had come down from their highs pulling him close until their bodies were flush against each other. His hand traced soothing patterns along Jeongguk’s back as their breaths mingled in the quiet of the room.

Jeongguk nestled into Taehyung’s chest, a small, contented smile tugging at his lips. “Hyung,” he murmured sleepily, “I love you.”

Taehyung pressed a tender kiss to Jeongguk’s forehead, his own voice soft and steady. “I love you too, always.”

The glow of the fireplace danced over their entwined bodies. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they drifted into a peaceful slumber, the weight of the world fading away as the night cradled them in its embrace.

Soft morning light filtered in through the cabin's windows, gently waking Taehyung as he lay beside Jeongguk. He shifted quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful sleep his boyfriend was in. His eyes lingered on Jeongguk’s naked form, covered in blankets, sleeping so prettily. Soft snores escaped his parted lips and Taehyung’s eyes caught the reddened bruises on his neck and chest, a reminder of the beautiful and passionate night they shared. 

Through the curtails, Taehyung could see the lake glimmering with the light of dawn. He checked the alarm clock on the bedside. Five in the morning. It wasn’t usual for Taehyung to wake up this early but it was for the best, he concluded. 

He decided to check his emails and quickly attend to any work, if his attention was required. He wanted to finish it off before he started his day with Jeongguk so he could focus entirely on his boyfriend throughout the day.

He hopped out of bed and gulped down some water before taking his laptop out of his backpack. He sat at the small table across from their bed. Turning on the device, he started going through his emails, checking to see if there were any that were urgent. Being the owner of a start-up company wasn’t easy, after all. 

It took him a few minutes to look through the new emails and he concluded that none of them needed his immediate attention and they were problems for the coming work week. He sighed, looking at Jeongguk who slept soundly. 

He wasn’t sleepy enough to go back to bed. He was wondering what he should do when he realized that there was something he hadn’t done in a while. He contemplated for a few minutes. Should he?

Why not?

Turning on his VPN and taking other security measures, he entered into the dark web, the once-familiar server now almost foreign. He used to be on here every day, most hours of his day were spent here. But he hadn’t entered this domain in a year.

Not since he sold his website.

He had nothing to do on the dark web, after all.

He typed in a few words and soon, he was clicking a web address that was familiar but unfamiliar at the same time.

Nostalgia washed over his body as he entered the website he once called his own. He scrolled through it but he didn’t feel the tension he would usually feel when he would enter the website in the past; weary of hackers, scammers, and authorities. There was no rush, no feeling of responsibility. Just a moment to remember how things were. 

A smile crept up his lips. The website was exactly how he had left it. Nothing had changed. Dongsik had changed nothing; the website layout, fonts, web address, name– every possible detail about the website remained untouched, preserved like a piece of history. Yet, it bustled with activity, Taehyung could see, thousands of people buying the things they needed, but were not allowed to by governments. 

He sat back, eyes soft as he took in the sight of the website. It felt surreal, to see it again. Memories rushed into his mind; 3 years of non-stop work, busting his ass to protect what he had created. 

The website was alive and well, functioning as it was supposed to. He hadn’t given instructions to Dongsik about how to moderate the website. Dongsik knew how Taehyung moderated it and by the look of things, he had been keeping his legacy alive, just as he had promised. And Dongsik had altered nothing. He felt content, as he was reminded once again that leaving his website to Dongsik had been the right choice. 

The website felt like a distant memory now, a chapter that had ended without much fanfare, but it was okay. He had let it go, and that was all that mattered. He closed the browser and shut the laptop gently, the faintest flicker of nostalgia melting into something softer: gratitude and peace.

Selling his website was a choice he had made for the benefit of his future. It wasn’t an easy decision—letting go of something he’d poured so much of himself into—but in the end, Jeongguk was worth more than all of it. The website had been his ambition, his creation, but Jeongguk was his heart, his constant.

Jeongguk was his past, present, and his future.

Taehyung knew he’d make the same choice a hundred times over. No success, no dream, was worth putting their relationship in jeopardy. What they had built together was infinitely more valuable than anything he could ever achieve alone.

The cabin was silent, save for the barely audible sound of the forest around them. Jeongguk was still sprawled on the bed, his messy hair and serene expression nothing short of a scrap of heaven for the elder. Taehyung climbed back into bed, pulling Jeongguk close. As Jeongguk instinctively nestled into his chest, Taehyung pressed a kiss to his temple and closed his eyes.

The future was uncertain, as it always would be but as long as he was with Jeongguk, he knew everything would be fine. For the first time in a long while, as he embraced Jeongguk against his chest, eyes fixated on the view of the serine lake and mountains through the space between curtains, Taehyung felt like everything was exactly where it was meant to be.

THE END