Chapter Text
heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another
“Okay, I just got a text from him. He’s gonna be here in a minute,” Namjoon says, taking a deep breath before setting his phone back on the table. He glances around the room and notices how everyone is so terrified they’re starting to sweat. “Guys, it’s going to be okay. There's no need to be scared. Just don’t say anything that can piss him off… even more. Be direct and concise while speaking.”
Yoongi snorts, a chuckle escaping his lips. “Who are you talking about? The grim reaper, perhaps.”
“With his sour attitude, he's gotten worse lately.”
The door suddenly swings open as soon as the words leave Namjoon's mouth, and Jeongguk walks in with his hands in his pockets. His penetrating eyes do a quick, assessing sweep of the room, causing a ripple of discomfort among those present. He reaches the center of the table, and with a sharp yank, draws a chair back, dropping into it with an air of authority. His elbows come to rest on the table, fingers intertwining under his chin as he leans forward a bit.
“I heard you’ve got a mind-blowing plan so come on, tell me,” Jeongguk says, his lips curling into a sneer. “I want to know just how incredible it is that it couldn’t be printed out and sent to my fucking office. Instead, you’ve summoned me here in person.”
Yoongi and Namjoon exchange knowing glances.
Everyone else in the room seems to be on edge; looking so anxious and scared as if they’re either about to explode under the pressure or bolt from the room to escape the wrath radiating from Jeongguk in waves.
The tension. The silence. It’s all suffocating.
Yoongi sighs. “Can you calm down?”
“Should I get you a cig?”
“I am calm,” Jeongguk retorts with a tilt of his head, his tone carrying an icy chill. “I’m just dealing with a lot right now, so I might look like I’d put a bullet in someone’s head if they get on my nerves, but I will not. Trust me, I am calm. I don’t even have my gun.”
There are a few horrified gasps.
Namjoon sighs. At this point, no one is going to utter a single word, let alone pitch an idea that Jeongguk might find completely offensive. Therefore, he’s got to do it. He reaches for the file, quickly opening it before handing it over to Jeongguk. “Here.”
The moment Jeongguk lowers his eyes to the pages, his attention is immediately drawn to a photograph of a woman sitting in the center. His lips instinctively curl into a frown as he stares at her. She’s undeniably attractive; with beautiful black hair, doe eyes, straight nose and natural-looking pink lips. She is familiar but Jeongguk struggles to place where he’s seen her before, the name printed beneath the photograph failing to ring any bells. “Who is this?"
Now, the gasps full of disbelief.
Yoongi scoffs. “Of course, you don’t know her. Even though her face is plastered on billboards throughout Seoul.”
“Her name is Yoon Se-ri,” Namjoon says, sounding somewhat exasperated. “Top actress in Korea. Nation’s sweetheart.”
Jeongguk grimaces. “How can you say that with a straight face?”
Namjoon sputters, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “It’s literally the title given to her by the public.”
“How dumb,” Jeongguk says, making a sour face. “Anyway, I don’t understand why you’re showing me a pic of her… wait,” his eyes narrow suspiciously, “you’re not expecting me to do a fucking drama or something, right?”
“No!”
Jeongguk sighs in relief. “Okay, then. Continue.”
Namjoon pauses.
Yoongi nods, urging him to continue.
“I want you to date her instead,” Namjoon blurts out.
Jeongguk’s head snaps up, his eyes widening in disbelief and his face contorting with a mixture of shock and vehement distaste. “What? Absolutely not.”
Yoongi lets out a sigh, running a weary hand down his face. “At least hear him out.”
Namjoon hums, leaning forward to sift through the papers in the file spread out in front of Jeongguk. “We’re not doing this to play a prank on you, Jeongguk. We’ve done our research, and she’s the best candidate. It’s not going to be a real relationship. Yoon Se-ri has a massive following on Instagram, with a remarkably high brand ranking. There is not a single negative article about her when you look her up on Naver. She’s maintained a spotless reputation— only a couple scandals. She's very popular, both in Korea and internationally. If you're seen with her, it could dramatically boost your public image and our company’s stock prices. Your relationship with her will be scandalous enough to erase all the negative tags attached to your name.”
Jeongguk frowns, his eyes taking in all the statistics and reports.
“A local coffee shop was on the brink of closure due to poor sales, but a single Instagram post from her not only got it business but turned it into a thriving hotspot with a perpetually long queue outside. All the time.”
“Jesus. Over a 100 million followers?”
“Yeah, crazy, right? Her posts get just as much engagement. All her TV shows have broken records, and she's won the Actress Of The Year award for three consecutive years,” Namjoon elaborates.
Jeongguk hums. “Won’t this affect her reputation, though? How is this going to benefit her?”
“We’ll need to offer her something in return, obviously,” Yoongi replies with a nonchalant shrug. “I had a brief meeting with her and the CEO of her company a couple of days ago to see if they're interested. She's already familiar with you and agreed to help, but she's outlined a set of conditions we'll need to meet in order to proceed.”
Jeongguk raises an eyebrow. “And what might those be?”
“Go to the last page.”
- 1 billion won in cash.
- A luxurious apartment in Gangnam.
- The opportunity to become the face of JM Group’s new campaign.
- A main character role in the movie ‘Hellbound’ directed by Song Pil-won.
“Wow.”
Yoongi winces. “I know. But if we meet these conditions, they’re willing to move forward with this arrangement. All that remains is for you to agree, and for us to draft a foolproof contract.”
“She’s asking for a lot— and for what? A week of dating,” Jeongguk says, his voice tinged with incredulity.
“It won’t be just for a week,” Namjoon chimes in with a chuckle. “You’ll need to hang out with her for a week before we orchestrate a leak through Dispatch, releasing pictures suggesting something romantic between you two. Following that, neither of the companies will comment on the dating rumours to create mystery. We’ll drop subtle hints on her Instagram posts that can be connected to you— if you wear a suit jacket one day, the next day she’ll post a pic wearing the same one. That’s how we’ll keep the talk going. You’ll also need to be seen together at events, or after parties. This will span over a few months before we announce a breakup due to busy schedules.”
“And if our stock prices don’t rebound after all this— who am I going to sue?” Jeongguk deadpans, his expression dead serious.
“It will work. Trust me.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
"Yes, I'm on board. It’s absolutely ridiculous and likely to give me a headache, but it does seem promising. Tomorrow, I need a contract and a detailed plan meticulously outlining every step on my desk. Once I go through it and agree to proceed, set up a meeting with Yoon Se-ri and her CEO. I need to make sure she’ll solve the problem, not become another one,” Jeongguk says, waving his hand to signal the end of the meeting.
“Are you okay?” Namjoon can’t resist asking once they’re alone.
“Of course. Why will I not be?”
Namjoon pauses. “Do you want me to give Taehyung a call and let him know it’s all fake, so he’s not surprised once the article comes out?”
“No,” Jeongguk says, getting up from his chair. “There’s absolutely no need to do that. We’ve broken up, remember?”
▸
It's been two weeks.
And with each passing day, Taehyung feels more and more like he is living in hell.
On the outside, there is a permanent smile on his face, warmth in his eyes, and he’s got a cheerful personality that everyone has grown to love. He’s making an effort to participate in club activities and stay in touch with the few friends he’s made in class. However, on the inside, he battles a deep sense of loneliness. As soon as he’s alone, his smile drops, as if it had been draining every last ounce of his energy to maintain it.
Suddenly, it dawns on him that he'd been taking a lot for granted, assuming they would always be there for him. The sheer luxury of waking up to a breakfast spread laid out for him on the table, either prepared by Jeongguk or the chef. The convenience of having his laundry meticulously sorted and managed by the housekeeper. Having a closet full of clothes for every occasion imaginable, as well as enough space to fit them all. He never bothered to check the price tag before buying anything, nor did he save items for special occasions, living in a state of perpetual indulgence. He misses having a spacious bathtub full of relaxing bath bombs and a plush bed that felt like sleeping on clouds.
Most importantly, he misses Jeongguk.
Even though their relationship wasn’t perfect; he was still around to dote on him.
He’s at a loss for what to do most of the time now. He struggles with even the easiest of tasks, each of which feels like a massive challenge. It almost makes Jae-hyuk suspicious.
"Are you from a chaebol family? How come you don't know how to do laundry, hyung."
“Hyung, no! You can't eat it right now. We're going to save meat for special occasions."
“Is that a Gucci shirt? Holy shit.”
“You want me to… cook rice for you?”
It’s almost surreal how Taehyung ended up with a roommate who is both kind and incredibly patient. There is never a single twitch of annoyance in Jae-hyuk’s when Taehyung messes up— accidentally burns their food because he’s distracted or fumbles through simple chores like mopping or dishwashing. Taehyung can't help but feel a twinge of guilt for making so many mistakes and relying on Jae-hyuk so much, especially considering he's supposed to be the older and more responsible one between them.
With Jae-hyuk around, it’s a little easier.
On the rare nights when Taehyung manages to fall asleep due to sheer exhaustion, he’s tormented by his nightmares. In the beginning, it feels like a sweet dream that provides a fleeting sense of comfort, as Taehyung notices Jeongguk sitting on the edge of his bed, gazing at him with the same loving expression Taehyung yearns to see again. Sometimes, he is brushing Taehyung’s hair away from his face or caressing his cheek.
However, it all soon turns into a gruesome nightmare as blood begins to spill from Jeongguk's mouth, his eyes going wide with horror and pain. And when Taehyung's eyes start to scan Jeongguk's body in panic, he sees a knife buried deep into his stomach, slicing into his gut. The sight is frightening, the hilt jutting out obscenely from the flesh, the blade slick with blood. Other times, he dreams of Jeongguk sleeping beside him, only to have that warm body swiftly turn cold and lifeless, becoming a rotting corpse.
Taehyung's eyes snap open in an instant, his body jolting upright as he cries out in terror. Tears start rolling down his cheeks as his shirt clings to him like second skin, all wet with sweat. He’s so close to a panic attack every time— hyperventilating. In that moment, Jae-hyuk rushes to his side, wrapping his arms around his trembling body and whispering desperate reassurances into his ear. He even goes as far as scenting him, softly murmuring, “It's okay, hyung. You're fine. It's just a stupid dream. I'm here with you. You're not alone.”
Surprisingly, it works like magic.
It calms Taehyung down.
Jae-hyuk never brings it up the next day; there are no probing questions or strange looks that suggest there is something wrong with Taehyung. Instead, Taehyung is always greeted with a warm smile and a cheerful, “Good morning, hyung. Rise and shine.”
Initially, Taehyung wasn’t keen on the idea of sharing his private space with someone else, but now he can't imagine living alone.
With Jeongguk, it was easy and comfortable.
With Jae-hyuk, it’s different.
Every day seems like a new challenge because he keeps pushing Taehyung to step out of his comfort zone, meet new people, and embrace new experiences. He claims that this is what college is all about. And so, Taehyung is now at a restaurant in Itaewon, reluctantly attending a small party organized by the seniors in his department. At first, Taehyung declined the invitation as politely as he could, but Jae-hyuk somehow managed to convince him that it is absolutely mandatory to attend.
"You can’t skip! It’s disrespectful to the sunbaenims."
“And how else are you going to get to know the people in your department? You can’t survive alone in college.”
“It’s gonna be super fun.”
It certainly is not… super fun.
It’s just so loud. The sound of voices, laughter, clinking glasses, sizzle of meat on the grill— everything is getting on Taehyung’s nerves. People around him are playing dumb drinking games, hitting on each other, and the atmosphere is charged with a chaotic energy that is making Taehyung's head ache. He isn’t sure why he’s finding all this so annoying, but the irritation bubbles up within him, making him want to retreat into a quiet corner or just go home.
Perhaps, it's because he's spent so much time with Jeongguk and his group of friends, who are not only sophisticated but also value their personal space and would never, ever be a part of something like this. Naturally, he has picked up some of their habits. He’s grown accustomed to only drinking wine and expensive alcohol to the point where soju or anything else makes him feel sick. His taste buds have been trained to appreciate higher-quality meat because he has primarily frequented restaurants that are either high-end or provide a quiet respite.
Taehyung had been living in a small bubble all this time, and now he realizes this is how life is outside of it. He’s in college now, about the same age as most of these people. He can't afford to go to Michelin star restaurants or indulge in premium alcohol regularly either. This noisy, chaotic setting is his new reality, and it’s a stark contrast to the serene and refined world he was used to.
It all feels jarring.
Makes him want to cry.
Here, the smell in the air is making him want to barf.
People keep trying to talk to him, hit on him, and force him to drink.
He's got a smile on his face as he politely declines every attempt at pouring him a drink or getting his number, but it is becoming increasingly difficult as the minutes pass.
“Taehyung-ah! It’s your turn to drink. You can’t say no this time,” Choi Daniel declares, slamming a jar full of beer in front of him and slapping his back a little too hard for it to be friendly. The liquid splashes a bit from the impact, spilling over the rim and wetting the table.
Taehyung wrinkles his nose in disgust at the sight. As soon as he’s hit with the sharp smell of cheap beer, he feels a wave of nausea washing over him. He forces a strained smile on his face while still trying to remain polite. “No, thanks. I'm not in the mood,” he says, his voice tight as he looks up at Daniel.
“I’m afraid I can’t take no as an answer,” Daniel says, his voice low and threatening, his smile devoid of any real humor. He’s clearly getting defensive— taking Taehyung’s refusal as a sign of disrespect. He is one of the seniors Taehyung absolutely despises; he is not only loud and overbearing, but his behavior is one of a typical bully. He has a habit of throwing his weight around, using his seniority to intimidate and control others.
Ever since Taehyung got here, he’s been noticing Daniel dominate conversations, cutting others off mid-sentence to make his point. His voice carries above the din, demanding attention whether it is wanted or not. Taehyung has also seen him belittling juniors, mocking their attempts to contribute or participate, and forcing them into uncomfortable situations just for his amusement.
Without warning, Daniel’s hand closes around Taehyung's shoulder, his grip tight. Taehyung winces, the discomfort evident on his face. The pressure of Daniel's fingers digging into his shoulder sends a sharp jolt of pain through his body, and he struggles not to let out a sound. “Come on, don’t be a killjoy.”
The chatter around the table dies down.
The hybrids can probably smell the tension in the air.
And the humans can feel the strain.
Taehyung's eyes flash with rage, the color in them starting to shift, a telltale sign of his rising emotions. He really does not want to make a scene or draw more attention to himself, but he also can't stand by and allow someone to trample over him like this.
He was taught better.
If someone hurts you, you hurt them back.
So, with a swift motion, he reaches out and wraps his hand around Daniel's wrist, squeezing tight and digging his fingertips into his skin before forcefully ripping his hand off his shoulder. He keeps his tone lighthearted, but lets it drip with venom as he says, “Can you be my black knight and drink in my place, instead? Unless it’s too big of a glass… even for you?”
There are a few sharp gasps.
Across the table, Ji-eun's lips curl into an amused smile, while Siwoo gives him a wink and a subtle thumbs up.
Daniel scowls, but then reluctantly picks up the jar and starts drinking. He squeezes his eyes shut, clearly struggling near the end. Despite the challenge, his pride and need to save face spurs him on, and he manages to finish off the drink.
Taehyung grins, letting out a surprised gasp. “Wow, sunbae. You’re the best. Who else needs a black knight? Daniel sunbae is here to the rescue.”
There is a chorus of, “Me! Me! Me!”
Daniel clenches his teeth, his voice barely above a whisper as he hisses, “You’re gonna pay for this.”
Taehyung tilts his head innocently, a smirk playing on his lips, “You mean… for the drinks? I thought it was your treat, sunbae?”
With a scoff, Daniel walks off.
“I didn’t know you had it in you!” Ji-eun says, giggling under her breath.
Siwoo hums, before leaning in to whisper, “I've heard rumors about Daniel. Apparently, his dad is a well-known producer in America, and Daniel got involved in some seriously messed-up shit over there. That is why he's finishing his education here. He’s in his final year now, but he’s a total bully. So many people have transferred out of our department just because of him. You need to be careful.”
“I’ve dealt with worse people,” Taehyung chuckles darkly, his eyes momentarily distant as quick memories flash through his mind— Min-ho, Seol-hee, and everyone else he’s killed in the past. Ripped apart. The sheer amount of blood on his hands makes Daniel feel like an insignificant insect he could crush under his shoe. “Trust me.”
Si-woo stares at him for a moment, his expression a mix of curiosity and unease. And then, he nods, downing a shot of soju and shoving a couple of pieces of meat from the grill into his mouth. “If you say so,” he mumbles around the food with a shrug.
The atmosphere relaxes once more, the tension easing away like a gentle breeze through the room and chatter fills the space again. Taehyung lets out a sigh of boredom, wanting to go back home and continue binge-watching The Office with Jae-hyuk. But for now, he's stuck here— at least until his friends are done eating. And so, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, instinctively opening his photo gallery and slowly swiping through all his pictures with Jeongguk.
There are so many.
It’s a vault of memories.
Taehyung has to delete them, but every time he tries, he is unable to press that final button. Instead, he has meticulously organized them into a hidden folder on his phone, labeled with a stern warning: DO NOT OPEN. Ironically, he keeps opening it. Again and again.
His eyes are glued to his phone, and he is deep in thought when a shrill voice pierces the air. “Oh my god! Guys, check out what dispatch just posted!” Taehyung raises his head at that with a wince, exchanging a questioning glance with Ji-eun and Siwoo.
“She’s dating?”
“No way.”
“Fuck. I’m heartbroken.”
“As if you ever had a chance with her, dude.”
“Still!”
“What’s going on?” Ji-eun leans over to ask the girl sitting beside her.
“Yoon Se-ri is apparently dating someone. Dispatch just posted an article about it!”
Taehyung rolls his eyes.
Ji-eun gasps, getting caught up in the buzz. “Se-ri’s dating? Oh my god? I’m sure a lot of men are gonna be heartbroken right now. Who’s the guy?”
“I don’t know. Some businessman,” the girl answers.
“Who? I hope he’s not some old hag.”
Perhaps it is time for Taehyung to leave.
He doesn't want to be a part of this gossip fest, especially since it's about something he's not interested in. His chair makes a scraping noise against the floor as he pushes it back, ready to excuse himself from the conversation.
“No, he’s fucking hot. Wait— here it is. His name is Jeon Jeongguk.”
Taehyung freezes.
His heart goes absolutely still in his chest.
“What?” His head snaps towards the girl, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Who?”
“Jeon Jeongguk. He’s the owner of JM Group.”
The room starts spinning around him.
Adrenaline surges through him, causing an overwhelming rush of disbelief and confusion to momentarily paralyze him. His heart is pounding with such intensity that it seems to reverberate through his entire body, making him tremble. His chest feels like it might burst open, and ears ring with a disorienting buzz— making his stomach twist into an uncomfortable knot. Before he can completely process what's happening, his instincts kick in, making him lunge forward and snatch the phone from the girl’s hand to look at the screen. His pupils tremble as he starts reading the article, desperately hoping it’s just speculation— perhaps because they attended an event together or were merely seen chatting somehow.
EXCLUSIVE: JM Group's CEO Jeon Jeongguk and Nation's Sweetheart Yoon Se-ri Make Sparks Fly!
There’s an entire article Taehyung can’t bring himself to read. Instead, he scrolls through the screen with a mix of anxiety and dread, his eyes skimming over the words that jump out at him amidst the blur of text: Intimate. Romantic. Charming. Relationship. Love. Each word feels like a blow to his heart, and his face starts to crumple.
He needs proof.
And there it is.
The pictures. Only of the two of them together.
It is Jeongguk.
Taking a walk in the park late at night with Yoon Se-ri. She is covered from head to toe, trying to shield herself from prying eyes, while Jeongguk's entire face is on display as if he doesn't care about being seen. They aren't holding hands, but their fingers are brushing together subtly.
It is Jeongguk.
Sitting in a car, in such an intimate and confined space with Yoon Se-ri. The photograph captures a candid moment of them looking at each other, deep in conversation. Their faces are illuminated by the soft glow of the dashboard lights, creating an atmosphere that feels too personal, as if Taehyung is intruding on a private moment not meant for anyone else's eyes. The way they're slightly leaning towards each other makes Taehyung feel like he's been punched in the gut. The hollow feeling inside him grows, spreading through his chest and settling into a deep ache.
It really fucking is Jeongguk.
In the parking lot of what is claimed to be Yoon Se-ri's apartment building. They're both heading towards the elevator. The moment is captured in low light, with shadows dancing across their figures as they walk side by side. Jeongguk's posture is casual, his hands tucked into his pockets, while Yoon Se-ri walks slightly closer to him, her head tilted as if she’s listening intently. They're probably going up to her apartment.
Taehyung can’t breathe.
He can’t believe this.
The days are blurring together for Taehyung, each one a struggle to get through. While he's missing Jeongguk every second of the day; the pain so intense that it burns through every fiber of his being, Jeongguk cannot be out there with someone else. He cannot move on so easily. He cannot forget him in less than a month.
“It’s embarrassing how I’m a business major but I don’t know him.”
“Apparently, he was the most influential man last year.”
“Wait, isn’t he the one that was caught up in a scandal some time back?”
“Oh, fuck. Yeah. It’s him.”
“I don’t know. This seems like a PR stunt to me.”
“Why would either of them feel the need to do that? Se-ri is always in the news, even when she’s just simply existing, and he has more than enough money to easily bury any scandal.”
“He’s so fucking hot, though.”
“They’re definitely a good-looking pair.”
“Next thing you know, there'll be a marriage announcement because she's pregnant.”
Taehyung retches in absolute horror.
Tears spring in his eyes.
No. No. No. No.
He can’t do this anymore.
“I-I have to go,” Taehyung mumbles, his voice cracking. With a trembling hand, he returns the phone to the girl before suddenly getting up from his seat and running out of the restaurant without waiting for a response. Outside, it's still chilly, the kind of cold that seeps into your bones. The breeze ruffles his hair and prickles his skin, leaving it all numb and red. He starts walking down the road, pushing past people in a hurry to get away, knowing he has nowhere to go. No destination in mind.
He will go wherever his destiny takes him.
However, all he can hope for is that it does not lead to Jeongguk. Ever.
He doesn’t cry, not yet. The tears are there, lurking just beneath the surface, but they don’t fall. He shouldn't even be surprised; it was bound to happen sooner or later. If not her, then someone else would have taken his place in Jeongguk's life over time. He just didn’t expect it to happen so soon— when the wounds are still fresh, when he’s still clinging to their memories to survive, and when he still gets giddy with happiness everytime he glances at his watch because it’s from Jeongguk.
“Stupid,” Taehyung mutters under his breath. “You’re stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” The words come out in a harsh whisper, filled with self-loathing and frustration. He clenches his teeth, feeling a surge of anger at himself for holding onto something that only brings him pain. He wants to delete all the pictures, block Jeongguk’s phone number, and rip the watch off his skin and throw it as far away as possible in order to get rid of the constant reminder of Jeongguk.
But he can't do any of that.
He can’t even bring himself to put a scratch on the fucking watch.
He just keeps walking aimlessly, unsure of the time or where he is. The bustling noise seems to have disappeared completely, and it is now so quiet that Taehyung can hear his own heartbeat. Only then does he notice a bar nestled between two buildings. Its neon sign flickers, casting a faint glow onto the sidewalk. Without a second thought, he heads in, the door creaking as he pushes it open.
The bar is dimly lit, with a few people scattered around, lost in their own world. Taehyung makes his way to the counter and takes a seat on one of the worn leather stools. He feels a strange sense of detachment, as if he’s watching himself from afar.
The bartender approaches him with a warm smile on his face. “What shall I get you to drink?”
Taehyung pauses for a moment before replying, “Something that burns.” This pain. This love. This heartbreak. These memories. Me.
▸
“Home, sir?”
Jeongguk stares at his phone screen, his eyebrows furrowing as he notices the blinking green dot showing Taehyung's location in a bar in Itaewon. It’s not even a famous one, just a small, suspicious-looking place hidden into the corner of some alleyway.
“Uh,” Jeongguk pauses, contemplating. Taehyung is most likely there with some friends because it's cheap, and they're college students who can't afford anything else. But it’s late, and Jeongguk feels uneasy. There's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind; and Jeongguk knows that if he does not immediately make sure Taehyung is safe, he won't be able to rest. “Blind Spot, Itaewon. Let’s make a quick stop there first.”
Today has been hectic.
Jeongguk is tired, both physically and mentally.
The dating scandal is out, and it's been chaotic, both at the company and outside. The media is all over him, and he is now being followed by Se-ri's obsessive stalker fans as well. He's been explicitly told to stay out of the public eye, to keep quiet in order to create more buzz. But here he is, jeopardizing the entire plan because he can't stop himself from getting worried. He’s going to a random bar to check up on a tiger hybrid— someone he’s broken up with, and someone he’s apparently supposed to have no connection with. He'll screw it all up, but he can't bring himself to care.
I’ll just watch him from afar, Jeongguk promises himself. I will not get involved, no matter what.
Shrugging off his coat, he steps out of the car wearing a form-fitting turtleneck, a black hat and a mask to keep himself from being recognized. The bar is a compact little space, with just enough room for a few small tables and a handful of bar stools. The walls are aged and worn, adorned with eclectic posters, faded photographs, and withering graffiti. The air is thick with the scent of spilled beer and aged whiskey, mingling with the faint aroma of fried food from the small kitchen in the back. Jeongguk’s eyes search the dimly lit interior before coming to an abrupt halt on a figure hunched over the counter, sitting on a bar stool.
Jeongguk’s lips part.
It’s him.
Taehyung.
And he’s all alone. His face is buried in his arms so Jeongguk can't see his expression, but he can tell the hybrid's awake from the delicate sway of his tail behind him.
Jeongguk keeps an eye on Taehyung as he crosses the room and settles into a leather chair in the corner, intentionally keeping his distance. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he pretends to look busy with it while occasionally stealing glances at the hybrid. In only a couple of minutes, he realizes Taehyung is completely drunk; not entirely unconscious, but clearly not in his right mind either, considering that he hasn't raised his head or looked around even once. Even ignored the bartender who approached him, most likely to ask if he wanted to pay or order more drinks.
“What are you doing?” Jeongguk mutters under his breath with a sigh. “How do you plan to go home now? How can you be so careless and defenseless? I clearly told you to take care of yourself,” he continues, frustration creeping into his voice as he stares at Taehyung’s back.
Barely a few minutes later, he notices a man making his way towards the hybrid. He’s wearing a cheap-looking leather jacket and baggy ripped jeans that hang precariously low on his hip. He looks like a regular in places like this, someone who might slip something into your drink when you’re not looking, someone who preys on the vulnerable.
Jeongguk's eyes narrow, a sharp sense of danger prickling at his instincts. Everything about the man's attitude screams trouble, and Jeongguk's protective instincts kick in immediately. Still, he’s made a promise to himself to stay out of trouble, to avoid unnecessary confrontations, so he remains in his place and silently observes.
He watches as the man tries to get Taehyung's attention, leaning in close to whisper something into his ear. When Taehyung does not respond or react in any way, perhaps because he is too drunk to notice, a smug smirk spreads across the man's lips— as if he's just confirmed an easy target. He reaches out to brush his filthy hand against Taehyung’s back, his fingers trailing down the hybrid’s spine in a way that makes Jeongguk's skin crawl. And then, he wraps his arm around Taehyung’s waist, his grip possessive and controlling, and tries to pull him off the stool.
Jeongguk’s resolve cracks, crumbling under the weight of his growing fury. He didn't want to get involved, but there is absolutely no way he’s going to let some no-name-fucker take advantage of Taehyung like this. He's immediately on his feet, his heart pounding with a mix of rage and adrenaline as he marches over, his eyes blazing with anger and jaw set in a hard line.
His instincts are screaming at him to hurt, but he holds back. Instead, he reaches out to grab the man's arm with a grip of steel, yanking it away from Taehyung’s waist with such force that the man stumbles back. “Fuck off,” Jeongguk hisses, stepping in between them and shielding the hybrid with his body.
“What the fuck?” The man spits out, caught off guard.
“I said,” Jeongguk’s voice drops to a menacing whisper, “fuck off.”
“Who the fuck are you?” The man growls, his voice louder now, desperate in his attempt to assert dominance. “Mind your own fucking business, dude.”
“He is my fucking business,” Jeongguk snarls, his voice low and seething with anger. His lips curl into an eerie, threatening smile as he continues, “So if you don’t want your family to find your chopped-up corpse in a fucking trash can tomorrow, get out of my sight right now.” There must be something incredibly dark and menacing in Jeongguk's eyes; because the man noticeably shivers before taking a step back, fear washing over him. He realizes it's not worth the trouble, so he mumbles something incoherent under his breath before turning around and walking away.
“Fucking pussy. I didn’t even have to take out my knife.”
Jeongguk sighs, taking a seat on the stool next to Taehyung.
“What would you like to have, sir?” The bartender asks, approaching him. He'd been quietly watching from a distance but made a wise decision not to intervene.
“A glass of whiskey, please. Neat.”
All Jeongguk wants is to catch a fleeting glimpse of Taehyung's face because it’s been too long, and he misses him so much. However, once his eyes land on Taehyung’s face, he can't look away. He keeps staring, as if he is in a trance. His eyes slowly drink Taehyung in, moving with hungry desperation and tracing every curve and contour, taking in every little detail.
It's only been two weeks, but it feels like an eternity.
Taehyung's eyes are closed, and his lashes cast delicate shadows across his cheeks. Jeongguk unconsciously leans in, perhaps driven by an instinct to get closer to Taehyung, but that's when he notices it: a tear slipping from the corner of Taehyung's eye and rolling down the bridge of his nose. It makes Jeongguk's breath hitch and his heart to come to an abrupt stop in his chest, causing a dull ache to spread throughout his body. He instinctively reaches out to wipe the tear away, but as soon as his finger brushes against the warmth of Taehyung's skin, the hybrid wakes up.
And their eyes meet.
Jeongguk immediately draws his hand back, as if he’s touched a flame. His reaction is swift and sharp, full of dread. He averts his gaze, instead turning to look at the meticulously lined up wine bottles against the wall. He unconsciously reaches out to wrap his fingers around his glass of whisky, but only moves it around to make it appear like he's about to take a sip. He never raises it to his lips because he cannot remove his mask and risk being recognized by Taehyung.
It’s better this way.
There is a moment of silence in which Jeongguk can feel Taehyung’s eyes on him, the intensity of his gaze almost drilling a hole in the side of his head. Jeongguk's heart pounds in his chest, every beat ringing in his ears as he tries to seem indifferent. And then, there’s a soft murmur of, “You… look like someone I know.”
Jeongguk's heart jumps to his throat. “Oh, yeah?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Is he the one making you cry?”
“I’m not crying,” Taehyung says, sounding almost defensive. But when Jeongguk turns to look at him again, he notices how his eyes are glassy, brimming with tears.
“So, you’re just sad then?”
Taehyung sucks in a sharp breath. “Nope. I’m very happy.”
Jeongguk stares. “Is that why you’re here all alone, drinking by yourself?”
“I just wanted some alone time.”
“Are you in college?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You really wanna hear about that?” Taehyung chuckles wetly, rolling his eyes. His smile does not quite reach his eyes, and although he's slurring, his words are clear enough to understand. His fingers drum casually on the bar, revealing a sense of restlessness that contradicts his attempt at nonchalance. His gaze flickers to Jeongguk's glass of whisky, and with a quick, almost impulsive motion, he reaches out and snatches it from Jeongguk's grip. Before Jeongguk can react, Taehyung brings the glass to his lips and downs it all at once, the amber liquid quickly disappearing. “It's really boring.”
Jeongguk blinks in surprise. “I’m sure it’ll be better than my stories of my day job.”
Taehyung laughs. “Right, of course. Now, where should I start?”
“From the beginning,” Jeongguk says with a shrug. He pauses for a moment before reaching out and grabbing Taehyung's stool, pulling it closer with a quick jerk that makes a screeching noise against the floor. Taehyung startles, lurching forward involuntarily as his hands shoot out to grab Jeongguk's arms for support.
Their eyes meet, and for a fleeting moment, Jeongguk braces himself for Taehyung’s reaction— anticipating a push or a wave of annoyance. However, to his surprise, Taehyung breaks into a sudden fit of giggles, the sound ringing out in the quiet ambience of the bar. He's so drunk. “What are you doing? Oh my god, I thought I was gonna fall.”
Jeongguk sighs in relief. “I wouldn’t let you fall,” he reassures Taehyung softly. “And I just wanted you to come closer. I can't really hear you over the music," he effortlessly lies, because the music playing in the bar is soft and barely audible. The truth is, he simply needs an excuse to get closer to Taehyung. And now they are close, their knees knocking and their legs tangled together. He can feel the warmth radiating from Taehyung's body as well as see every flicker of emotion in his eyes. The vulnerability. The pain he’s desperately trying to hide.
“Oh. Can you hear me now?” Taehyung asks innocently.
Jeongguk’s lips curl into a fond smile behind his mask. “Yeah. A lot better.”
“So… I just started college.”
“Uh-huh.”
Taehyung starts right from the beginning by describing how he had to drag his luggage across campus because he hadn't realized the dormitory was so far away. He then speaks animatedly about his first meeting with his roommate, which was embarrassing and awkward. “He was half-naked and he had a banana hanging from his mouth. I was so shocked, I didn't even know what to say!” Taehyung giggles, the memory clearly still vivid and amusing to him.
Jeongguk can’t help but raise an eyebrow at that, a twinge of jealousy creeping into his expression. He didn’t know Taehyung had a roommate, let alone that he was living with someone else— a predator hybrid, no less. “Is he good looking?”
“Who?”
“Your roommate.”
“Hyuk-ie? Oh yeah, he’s super good looking,” Taehyung says with a twinkle in his eyes. “Not only that, he’s also so kind. This one time, I burned all of the eggs we were gonna have for breakfast and he didn’t get mad at me. At all. We do grocery shopping together. He's great at bargaining, and literally everything else too! I really enjoy the movies and shows he recommends. Right now, we are watching The Office together.”
For once, Jeongguk is glad he's wearing the mask because Taehyung can't see the frown that's made its way onto his face. And he's so drunk that he probably can't sense the bitterness in Jeongguk's voice as he replies, “That's great.”
“He’s an angel.”
“Sure.”
Completely oblivious to the subtle chill in Jeongguk’s tone, Taehyung keeps going on about his classes, professors, and the small circle of friends he's made in college. His voice is full of excitement as he describes every little incident with great detail, and Jeongguk listens intently, offering input and asking questions to show his genuine interest. Taehyung gives him a summary of the two weeks they've spent apart, and Jeongguk soaks it all in, greedy and selfish because he doesn't want to miss out on anything. “Why’d you decide to come to Itaewon, though? It's not particularly close to your campus.”
Taehyung blinks. “The seniors in my department planned this little party today at a restaurant somewhere around here. It was so loud and boring, everyone kept drinking and hitting on one another. The games were dumb too.”
“Did someone try to hit on you?”
“Yeah, but someone also tried to bully me.”
“Oh?” Jeongguk freezes for a moment, his eyebrows screwing. “Who?”
“There’s this guy… uh, yeah, Daniel. He tried to make me drink a lot of beer, but I didn't want to, so I refused. I was very polite about it. But then he started forcing me, so I got mad and stood up to him, and shut him up. Daniel is apparently a big bully in our department, and Siwoo is afraid he's gonna take revenge and make my life a living hell, but I am not scared of him. I’m a tiger hybrid, y’know.”
Jeongguk hums. “Yeah, of course.”
“I’ve seen and done worse things. That’s it, though. It’s kinda dumb, now that I think about it. I was gonna stay a bit longer for my friends, but then…” he pauses, his breath catching in his throat. He blinks a couple of times before his pupils start to tremble, as if he’s recalling something that is causing him pain. The memory seems to grip him, making it difficult for him to continue. It's as if he'd momentarily forgotten about it while chatting with Jeongguk, but now he remembers again— why he was crying, why he was here in the first place.
Jeongguk notices Taehyung's chest starting to rise and fall faster, a clear sign of his growing distress. Just as he's about to ask what’s wrong, Taehyung’s expression twists and his entire face crumples with anguish. He lets out a choked sob— the sound raw and heartbreaking, echoing in the quiet space between them. And then, tears start streaming down his face, uncontrollable and relentless, as if the emotional dam he’s been holding back has finally broken.
“Hey,” Jeongguk murmurs, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. He reaches out a hand but pauses just inches away, unsure if his touch would be welcomed or if it would make things worse. “Kit—what’s wrong?”
“It hurts,” Taehyung cries, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. His voice is raw, dripping with the kind of pain Jeongguk can almost feel in his bones. In a matter of seconds, Taehyung is sobbing uncontrollably— crying his heart out as his emotions burst out. His entire body starts quivering, the tremors running through him in waves. Tears roll down his face, soaking his cheeks and dripping onto his clothes. “It hurts so much.”
“What? Where?” Jeongguk's voice cracks with desperation, and he’s feeling utterly helpless.
Taehyung leans forward almost unconsciously, as if seeking warmth or someone solid to ground him and ease his pain. Jeongguk goes absolutely still when the hybrid rests his head against his chest, fisting the front of his turtleneck with trembling hands. The grip is tight and needy. “Please. Please. Please. Make it stop.”
Jeongguk instinctively wraps an arm around Taehyung's waist, pulling him closer until the hybrid is almost out of his stool and sitting on his lap. With one hand, he starts to rub Taehyung's back, up and down, with his fingertips slightly digging into his skin. He buries his other hand into Taehyung’s hair, stroking between his ears with gentle, reassuring motions. “It’s going to be okay. I promise. Whatever this is about, it’ll be okay.”
“It’s not!” Taehyung’s voice is completely wrecked. It breaks Jeongguk's heart. “It’s never going to be okay. It’s all my fault.”
“Can I take you home? How about you just sleep—”
“I can’t! I can’t sleep, no matter how hard I try. I don’t even want to… when I see all that,” Taehyung's words are jumbled together and broken. Jeongguk cannot make sense of any of it.
“Okay. Let’s just stay here for a while.”
Jeongguk keeps quiet as Taehyung weeps into his chest, not uttering a word of complaint even as he feels his turtleneck becoming damp with tears. He simply holds the hybrid in his arms, waiting for him to calm down. And then, slowly, as the minutes pass by, Taehyung's sobs begin to quieten. His tears cease and his trembling stops. Jeongguk feels him pressing closer, tucking his face into the crook of his neck and breathing him in— even rubbing his nose under his jaw.
“You feel familiar,” Taehyung says softly, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. “You smell like home. Thank you, and I’m sorry for all the trouble.” His voice is gentle and distant, his words drifting as if exhaustion and sleep is slowly taking over him. “Oh, I didn’t tell you my name. It’s Kim Taehyung. It’s nice to meet you. What’s yours?”
Jeongguk doesn’t reply.
The silence lingers.
Despite everything, Taehyung sinks into him and eventually passes out, exhausted from all his crying. Jeongguk waits until he's certain the hybrid is sleeping—feeling the steady beat of Taehyung's heart and the gentle rise and fall of his chest against his own. And then, he leans in to press a kiss on the crown of Taehyung’s head and whispers, “It’s Jeon Jeongguk. Nice to meet you too, kitty.”