Chapter Text
Things are a little tense between him and Yoongi after their argument. It's not unusual, they're both stubborn men, both tenacious in their ways. It'll blow over, it always does. But for now, they need to cool off, or they'll clash heads again. It's happened enough times over the years that they know how to handle it by now. Whenever they see each other at the house, they swerve each other, and Hoseok's the one to explain to the others why the brothers aren't falling all over each other like usual. Every aspect of their relationship is strong, sharp, so it makes sense that when they argue, it's no different.
Taehyung's always looked at Yoongi as his best friend. Lame as it is, he does, and he always will. Growing up, he used to follow his brother everywhere. Hang out with him and his friends, who never particularly liked Taehyung hanging around. Aside from Hoseok, who he's been close with ever since. He always put his brother on a pedestal, wanted everyone to idolise him the way Taehyung idolised him. Wanted nothing more than to be just like him. When Yoongi got his first underground rap gig, Taehyung snuck out of the house to go and watch him perform. When Yoongi found him in the crowd after his performance, he almost yanked his ear off dragging him home, Taehyung in tears, his hyung telling him that what he did was stupid, that he got have gotten seriously hurt. But in Taehyung's mind, nothing and no one could hurt him while he had his big brother around.
He still believes the same to this day, really. Not just on the minimal no bullies are gonna pick on me while Yoongi-hyung's around level like he did when he was a kid. But he feels safe with his brother around, like every part of him is protected, and he's always been grateful for that. They've been practically attached at the hip since Taehyung was born, and not just because he never left Yoongi alone. Yoongi kept him around, brought him out with him, took him places, let him sleep in his bed.
When Yoongi went off to college, Taehyung was lost. He'd spent his every waking minute with Yoongi, and when he was suddenly gone, it severely affected his mood. Looking back now, though, it was probably a good thing. No kid should constantly be in the literal shadow of their older sibling, they need to be able to make their own mistakes, discover their own passions. Half the stuff Taehyung loved growing up was stuff that Yoongi liked. It also made all the times Yoongi came down from school that much more special.
In times like this, when they're not talking, it makes Taehyung reflect on that stuff, on their life, on their bond. He thinks Yoongi sometimes forgets that he's not a kid anymore and he's not going to follow his word by law. He's got his own principles, his own mind, and sometimes that leads to petty arguments.
So when he wakes up one morning to a call from his brother, he knows that their little spat is to be done with. He answers with a yawn and smile, rolling over to bury his nose into his pillow. It still smells a little like Jeongguk from the time he stayed over. It's a nice thing to wake up to. That, and his brother's voice.
"Morning, hyungie," he greets, no malice in his voice.
"Morning, bug. I was thinking we could go and catch a movie together. They're showing Spirited Away at the cinema. It's been a while since we watched it together." Yoongi's voice is as gruff as his own, the voice he has on when he's just woken up. Yoongi doesn't usually attempt to rise until after eleven - it's nine now - so he knows he's had trouble sleeping. He always sleeps poorly when they fight. Taehyung always poke good natured fun at that.
("Aw, you missed me! Just admit it. You slept terribly because you missed me," Taehyung coos.
"No. Shut up. I slept badly because I thought you'd wind up dead in some gutter without me.")
Taehyung hums at he idea, rolling onto his back once again, rubbing at his bleary eyes with a fist. "Can we sit in the middle? And get every flavour of slushie?"
"Always."
He climbs out of bed with a lazy smile, stretching his back out and ruffling a hand through the back of his sleep mussed hair. Taehyung just so happens to look out of the window, and what he sees has the last of the tiredness oozing out of him like tar, replaced with trepidation. "Yoongi?" He says slowly.
"I said we could get the slushies, Tae."
"No, I--" He swallows down the sudden nauseating feeling inching up his throat. He quickly moves to the side of the window, pressing his back against the wall beside it. "There's people outside. They look the same as the ones that were outside Junseo's school." Silence. "Hyung." He hears the start of an engine. "What are you doing?"
"How many of them are there?"
Taehyung takes a breath and risks a quick glace, eyes darting over the group standing by the hood of the car. "Five or six."
"Okay, I need you to do exactly as I say alright? Hyung's coming, but I need you to do some things for me first. Tell me you understand, Taehyung."
He lets out a deep breath, leaning back against the wall. "Yeah. Yeah, I understand."
"Stay away from the windows and go lock the door right now. Do that and then go and hide under the bed."
Taehyung slides down on the floor, holding the phone to his ear as he crawls over to the door, stretching up to lock it before following the next instruction and going to lay beneath his bed. "Yoongi, don't come alone. Please tell me you're not coming alone."
"I've messaged the guys, they're on their way. I'm almost there. Just hang on, Tae."
He nods even though his brother can't see him, pressing his forehead against the cool floor. It smells murky with dust, makes his nose itch, but it's somehow comforting. He breathes it in as he listens to Yoongi's voice on the other end.
"Okay, I see them. I'll be right there, kiddo, just hang tight." And then he hears a distant, "Hey!" Which he can hear from outside too. It's his brother yelling and it instantly makes him that much more anxious. If anything happens to Yoongi, Taehyung's not sure what he'll do.
He's panicked. He's so panicked. The people that were watching Junseo's school know where he lives. Were they waiting for him to come out? Were they staking out the place? God, it reminds him of the fact that Jeongguk managed to find out everything about him. Why would it be any different with someone else. If the resources are out there, then they can be found.
A few minutes later, the sound of his door opens and Taehyung holds his breath as he hears quick footsteps, a pair of shiny brogues coming into view. Then a voice, "Taehyung?"
"Jeongguk," he breathes, suddenly feeling the air rush out of him like a deflating balloon.
Jeongguk's suddenly crouching down by the bed, sighing a breath of relief at the sight of him. When he offers his hand, Taehyung doesn't waste a second before grabbing it, letting himself be helped out and back up onto his feet. He's got his arms around the man in a flash, wrapped tight around him, just as Jeongguk does the same, pressing his nose into his hair. "God, fucking-- I'm so glad you're okay."
Taehyung nods, gripping at the back of Jeongguk's blazer until his fingernails hurt from the pressure. "Are they gone?" He asks once they've pulled back from the tight, borderline desperate hug.
Jeongguk doesn't answer him, his face hard. It's the same face he saw the day of the school incident. "Grab whatever you need. We need to leave. Now."
He blinks, but doesn't let himself question it, just pulls back and starts collecting up his things, packing his laptop, his tablet, pictures, some of his most precious things. In the other room, Taehyung can hear Jeongguk doing the same, packing briskly. A few minutes later, the door's opening and closing and Jeongguk's out of the bathoom in a flash, grabbing Taehyung by the hip and forcing him behind him.
"Tae!" It's Yoongi, and once again Taehyung feels the oxygen just gush out of his lungs. When his brother steps into view, he's got a bruise blooming on one cheek and blood dribbling down his chin.
Taehyung steps around Jeongguk and goes for his brother, packing momentarily forgotten. Yoongi reaches for him just as Taehyung does the same. "Shit, you're hurt."
Yoongi shakes his head, hands patting him over. "I'm fine. Are you okay?" When Taehyung quickly nods, Yoongi's attention turns to Jeongguk. "It's done."
Taehyung looks over his shoulder at Jeongguk, just catching him give a sharp nod. "What's done? What are you talking about, hyung?"
Namjoon bursts in then, Jimin and Hoseok following close behind. "We've gotta go."
"What is happening?" Taehyung asks his brother in a whisper, eyes wide and frantic.
Yoongi meets his gaze and squeezes at his waist before stepping around him to pick up where he left off with packing. Taehyung's left in the dark as Jimin grabs him and guides him out of his apartment, taking him downstairs and into one of the waiting cars. It's not until Jeongguk and Namjoon have pilled in and are driving him away from his apartment complex that he hears it.
"Is there someone in the trunk?" Taehyung asks, glancing behind him when he feels a thud against his back. No one answers him. He looks over at Jimin, facing the window, split knuckles in his lap. He faces forward, eyebrows suddenly knitted. "Someone needs to tell me what the fuck is going on. Right now." Nothing. "Jeongguk."
Jeongguk meets his eyes in the rearview mirror before facing forward again. "Yes."
He blinks. "Yes what?"
"Yes there's someone in the trunk."
Taehyung can only gape, leaning forward and turning to look at his seat, picturing someone in the cramped space behind him. "Is it one of them?" He demands. Once again, he's met with silence. "What the fuck is this, twenty-one questions? I need a proper answer right now!"
"It's one of them, yes," Jeongguk speaks up again.
Taehyung lets out a uneven breath, shaky fingers reaching up to push through his hair. "This is so fucked."
No one says anything else for the rest of the drive, and once they get to Jeongguk's house, Taehyung stands and watches as some of the security open up the trunk and pull out the guy who's been kicking and trying to scream out. It makes him feel sick, watching them pull the guy to his feet. The man is sweaty, his face covered in cuts and bruises, hair sticking to his forehead in damp strings. He watches as he's dragged inside, Jimin, Hoseok and Namjoon following behind.
"You should head inside. Go play with Junseo," Yoongi tells him, eyebrows pulling together when Taehyung shakes his head.
"I wanna come with you."
"Taehyung..."
He shakes his head again, holding himself as he follows after the others, leaving his brother behind. Taehyung's a part of this. This guy was outside his apartment, watching, waiting for him, he doesn't know. But he was there, and Taehyung wants to know why. Wants to know why he's involved with this now.
Everyone is in Jeongguk's office, the guy from the trunk now tied to a chair, hair hanging limp over his eyes as Hoseok finishes the knots behind his hands. Taehyung watches as Jeongguk shrugs out of his blazer, tossing it down on one of the couches. "You can make this easy for everyone. Tell me who sent you," he orders, though his voice is calm, level. It sets Taehyung on edge, because it's eerily calm. It's not his usual soothing lilt. It's dangerous.
"Go fuck yourself," the guy in the chair spits.
Jeongguk hits him. And it's not a hit that Taehyung is used to, nothing like the ones he's learning to throw, learning to take. It's a whole body punch, and it sends the guy toppling over onto the floor and makes Taehyung flinch, Yoongi resting his hand on his back. "We'll try this again, shall we?" He asks as Jimin and Hoseok pick the guy back up and right him into the same position. "Who. Sent you, friend?"
As bruised as the guy was before, he looks ten times worse after one hit, spitting out a mouthful of blood onto the floor. "Your whore mother."
Jeongguk chuckles, and it's not the soft laugh Taehyung's come to know. He drops his head back, looking like he's recalling a fond memory. "You're right. She was a whore. But she's also dead. So wrong--" he punches him again, "--answer."
It's scary seeing Jeongguk like this. Seeing him as The Notorious Jeon Jeongguk. Mob boss. Top dog of South Korea. It's terrifying, seeing it with his own two eyes. And it's all he can do to watch for the next ten minutes as Jeonnguk asks questions, doesn't get the answers he wants and beats the man tied to the chair. It's eventually too much and Taehyung turns away, Yoongi who was seemingly enthralled with watching switching his attention to him.
"Tae?" He asks softly and Taehyung shakes his head.
"I can't - I can't be in here. I'm just gonna--" he leaves before he can say anything else, taking a deep breath once he's back in the foyer, closing the doors behind him, leaning against the cool wood. Though it only lasts a second when he hears another muted thud, quickly pushing himself away and heading upstairs, slipping into Junseo's room and practically diving head first into a hug with him.
Junseo doesn't question it, just hugs him back. And he wonders briefly if this kid knows more than he lets on. God, he hopes not.
They play together for a while, and Taehyung feels guilty that he can't give it his full attention, still thinking about the scene happening downstairs. Junseo doesn't seem to mind, though, just talks and plays enough for the both of them. It's a little while later that there's a knock at the door and Taehyung's eyes refocus from where he was staring a hole into the wall.
Jeongguk opens the door slowly, face smoothed over as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. It makes Taehyung wonder how many times he's seen Jeongguk after a similar incident, and he's just managed to hide it in a mask. "Hey, boys. What you doing?"
"Playing with my dinosaurs," Junseo beams, lifting his purple tyrannosaurus up in the air.
Jeongguk smiles. "That's great, kiddo. Looks like a lot of fun." His gaze shifts over to him then, and his smile drops a fraction. "Taehyung. Can I speak to you for a minute?"
Taehyung nods, clearing his throat as he pushes himself up to his feet, brushing his fingers through Junseo's hair as he passes, stepping outside and leaning back against the wall. "Is it done?" He asks once the door is securely closed, and he can't hide the way his voice breaks.
Jeongguk sighs softly. "Taehyung..."
He holds his hand up. "I shouldn't have gone in there, I didn't want to see that. I'm an idiot. But I don't think what you did is right, Jeongguk. Good or fucking bad, you shouldn't kidnap someone!" He whisper-yells, making sure not to be too loud and possibly alert Junseo.
"It had to be done. He could have had valuable information. How do you think this thing is ever going to end if I don't take action?"
Taehyung grits his teeth, knowing he's got a point, but the whole concept of it makes him feel sick. "But did you have to do that? Wasn't there any other way to go about it?"
Jeongguk's face says what he's thinking, that no, there is no other way. "They were watching you, Tae. Do you expect me to just let that slide?"
"No, but--"
"No. No, I." Jeongguk stops and takes a deep breath before reaching up and holding onto Taehyung's shoulders. "I'm sorry that you had to see that, okay? I didn't want you to. But I'm not sorry for doing it. If it means I can keep you and Junseo safe, then I'll do it. I'm sorry for a lot of things, Taehyung, but I'll never be sorry for wanting to protect you."
Taehyung feels his chin quiver, his teeth threatening to rattle in his mouth as he meets Jeongguk's sombre gaze. He just gives a weak nod, arms wrapping around himself, thumbs pressing firmly into his own biceps. It still doesn't put him at ease, but he understands it. He knew what he was getting himself into. "Did you find out anything?"
The elder shakes his head. "Not yet. Whoever it is really doesn't want to be found out. They've got to be pretty powerful, or be offering something big to have this guy not breathing a word."
"Boss," Namjoon's voice calls suddenly from the end of the hallway. "Sung Joon and Park Haejin are here." With a nod, Namjoon heads back downstairs, Jeongguk's gaze turning back to Taehyung.
"Joon and Haejin are here? Why?" Taehyung asks, brow furrowed.
"They think it might be linked with Sungrok."
His eyes widen. "But I thought--"
"No, he's dead," Jeongguk fills in with a nod. "But when he died, a lot of his men didn't want to be allied with me. They've made minor attacks over the years, nothing this threatening. But Haejin's had his ear out and he heard that a new gang may be forming, and they're after my head."
It makes Taehyung blood run cold, nails digging into his skin. "Then wouldn't you know the guy downstairs?"
Jeongguk shakes his head. "Like I said. We think he's hired. It could be a distraction, could be a play. We don't know. But I'll figure it out, Taehyung, I promise." He can't believe it. Jeongguk knows that there's people after him, out to kill him, and he's worried about Taehyung. It just makes everything he's feeling double tenfold. "You're not safe back at the apartment. You're gonna stay here until this all blows over, alright? Until I've managed to sort it all."
Taehyung nods, chewing at his thumbnail. This has become his second home by now, it wouldn't be that much of a change. But he will miss his apartment. It was his first independent space. But he understands how minor that detail is when something like this is happening. "Okay."
"I've gotta get back down there... We okay?" The other asks, and Taehyung looks up from his bitten skin.
"Yeah. Yeah, we're okay," he whispers out, and he still feels wrong about all this, doesn't feel right knowing what he does, but he also doesn't feel differently about Jeongguk. It's just a lot to take in. He's constantly being shown parts of this life that he never wanted to know.
Jeongguk pulls him in and presses a firm kiss to his forehead, hand on the back of his head. "I just wanna keep you safe," he breathes against his skin before pressing their foreheads together. They stare at each other for another long moment before Jeongguk's pressing one more kiss to his forehead and pulls away to head downstairs.
Once he's gone, Taehyung lets out a deep, shaky breath and leans back against the wall, his head pounding. He really hopes this all ends soon.
-- -- --
"Again."
Yoongi sighs, wiping his forehead on the bottom of his shirt. They've both been at it for hours now, fighting in Jeongguk's home gym, dripping with sweat and exhaustion pulling heavy at their bones. Since he's moved in, his fighting regime has picked up, everyone more willing now that they realise that Taehyung really could use the training, could really benefit from the self defence. He goes to the gym with Jimin, runs with Hoseok and works on throwing his weight with Namjoon. He spars with Yoongi, though. He's the one who isn't afraid to push Taehyung past his limits, push him to his full potential. He makes him train even when Taehyung's whining that he's already sore.
They both face each other, arms raised and bodies poised. They grapple and punch, and eventually Taehyung ends up back on the floor. He pulls his weight around in his legs and--
"No. Taehyung," Yoongi heaves a breath, hair pushed back with a bandanna. "How many times? Don't use your thighs, kid. Use your shins. You'll have way more momentum there, more power. Come on. Up."
Taehyung nods, pushing himself back to his feet, his hamstrings screaming at him. "So..." He starts, blocking a punch to the face.
"So what?" Yoongi asks.
"So how did last night go?"
Yoongi freezes, his arms lowering for a second and Taehyung takes the opportunity to smack the side of his head. "Ow, fuck!"
"Always keep your guard up, hyung," he sings. "Tell me."
"It went... fine. It was good."
"What did you do?"
"I took her to dinner."
Taehyung's bites back a groan when he's given a jab to the ribs. "Who paid?"
"We split the bill."
He hums. "Non traditional, I like it."
"Do you really think she likes me?" Yoongi asks as he pins Taehyung to the floor beneath him, punching at the arms blocking his face.
Taehyung can't help but laugh. "Oh, hyung. I feel like we're back home and I'm asking you if-- ow, fuck --if Ahn Dante will like me if I give him my shrimp crackers. Do you wanna give your shrimp crackers to Jueun, Yoongi?"
"Shut up." A punch to the gut that has Taehyung kneeing his brother's back in retaliation. "Do you?"
"Do I think you should give her your shrimp crackers?" He asks and Yoongi goes to punch him again, but Taehyung gets his arm beneath his brothers thigh and flips him over, wrapping his arm around his neck.
"Tae. Be serious."
"You be serious. You've gone on what, five dates now? God knows what else you've done. Jueun doesn't seem like the type of woman to keep calling you back if she doesn't want anything to do with you," he assures, keeping his brother in a headlock, other arm resting on top of his head.
"You know I'm not good with this stuff," Yoongi wheezes, still trying to punch at Taehyung's thigh where it's got his legs locked to the ground, and eventually he taps out and Taehyung lets him go with a wide grin.
He rolls onto his back beside his big brother, both of them staring up at the mirrored ceiling. "You've got nothing to worry about. I've seen the way she looks at you. And I wish I hadn't. It's sickening. She definitely likes you."
Yoongi looks over to him, face red with exertion. "Yeah?"
"Yeah," he replies with a smile. They lean forward and knock heads gently, Yoongi scrunching his nose up.
"You stink," he whispers.
"That's just you." Taehyung groans through a laugh when Yoongi elbows him in the ribs before he climbs to his feet, offering a hand down to him and pulling him up.
"Nice work, by the way. You've definitely improved, big time. Just keep working on your leg sweep. Shin. Not thigh." When Taehyung nods to show he's heard, Yoongi stretches his back and rubs his neck. "I need a shower. And a neck brace."
Taehyung laughs as brother head out, though he's not left alone for long before the door opens again and in steps Jeongguk, dressed in shorts that show off the gift that is his thighs - which Taehyung thinks are the secret eighth wonder of the world - and a muscle tank.
Jeongguk's eyes look him over as he tosses his towel to the side. "You look good."
He snorts as he takes a sip of his water. "What, battered?"
"Sweaty," the elder teases with a grin as he passes him, laughing when Taehyung shoves at his shoulder. "You been training?"
Taehyung nods. "Just finished up a round with Yoongi. I pinned him," he sniffs smugly.
"Min Yoongi pinned? Unheard of," Jeongguk compliments, giving him a nod of approval. "You wanna help me out?"
"What do you need?" He asks, setting his water down and stepping over to the other and watches as he wraps his hands, gesturing to the punching bag.
"Hold it for me. Wanna work on my speed."
Taehyung slips up behind the heavy bag, pressing his chest up against it and bracing it in place with his hands, resting his cheek against the cool plastic cover as he eyes Jeongguk appreciatively. The guy's got some arms on him, alright, thick with muscle. It's such an opening for Taehyung's imagination, but all he's thinking about is how funny it would look if Jeongguk drew a little person on his bicep and made them dance with each flex. Priorities. "Like this?"
Jeongguk nods, raising his fists and starts punching. "How's training going, anyway?"
Taehyung has to pull back a little, feeling the air get knocked out of him as Jeongguk punches the bag, swallowing back a winded cough. "I'm getting better. More importantly, though, me and Yoongi were talking about him and Lim Jueun," he confesses with a wag of eyebrows.
The elder huffs a laugh. "Yeah, I heard about that. They finally together?"
"I think they're technically "dating". They go on dates. That's all I care to know," he shrugs, voice shaking with each hit of the bag against his chest.
Jeongguk looks up to him briefly between hits, then back at his target. "We should do that."
"Do what?"
Jeongguk doesn't miss a beat. "Date." Taehyung blinks, watching the man continue to lay into the bag before stopping at the clear silence. "Taehyung? You okay over there?"
"You don't date," is all he can think to say.
He gets a snort. "Says who?"
"Says me. You're a gangster. Gangsters don't date. They woo and pillage."
Jeongguk punches the bag roughly, winding Taehyung briefly. "I can date, thank you. Let me prove it to you."
Taehyung narrows his eyes, head cocked suspiciously. "By going out on a date with me?"
"Yes."
"No guards or guns?" A pause. "Jeongguk. No guards or guns."
Jeongguk sighs, but then nods, leaning his own weight into the bag so their faces are close together. "No guards or guns."
Taehyung purses his lips before stepping back. "Deal," he agrees, pulling the bag into him and shoving it into Jeongguk's body, grinning when he splutters out a curse. "Prepare to have your heart woo'd and pillaged, Jeony boy."
"I think you just pillaged my spleen."
-- -- --
"Here."
Taehyung looks up from his laptop - his impending final deadline drawing closer - and to the small, gold box presented to him. His eyebrow raises, gaze shifting up to Jeongguk. "What's this?"
"Wear it for our date tomorrow night," Jeongguk tells him, looking a little too pompous for Taehyung's liking.
His eyes narrow, pushing his glasses up into his hair. "Is that an order?" He asks, perching his elbow up on the back of the couch in "his" bedroom. "I don't take kindly to being told what to do."
Jeongguk's tilted smirk slips as he blinks, eyeing the box in his own hand before clearing his throat. "I mean, I - I got it for you. You don't have to wear it for our date, but I thought it'd be nice?"
And god, Taehyung is lapping this up. A nervous Jeongguk. This is something he could get used to seeing. He stares before tilting his head. "Are you trying to claim me?"
"What?! No, I--"
"Because I'm not someone who can be claimed, Jeon. I--"
"Taehyung," Jeongguk all but whines, and it has Taehyung softening, reaching out and taking the box. It's too much fun to screw with Jeongguk.
He pulls off the lid and peals the delicate tissue paper back, revealing the thin choker-necklace cushioned on what looks like a crushed velvet pillow. It's somehow not what he expected, honestly didn't know what he expected. But it wasn't something so fragile looking, something clearly so hand picked for Taehyung and his love of accessories. "Jeongguk..." He starts, slouching where he's siting, brushing a careful finger over the silver chain. "It's beautiful."
"I know how you like your chokers - you've got Junseo asking me for them," he chuckles before his voice hushes again. "And I thought this one would look nice on you."
Taehyung lifts his head at the sound of Jeongguk's almost shy toned voice, sounding so hesitant, the facade of nonchalance gone. "I love it," he says genially, reaching up to take one of Jeongguk's hands in his own, thumb brushing over the back of his ring clad fingers, the ring on his own thumb clicking against the silver signet ring of the elder's index finger. "Thank you." He leans down and presses a kiss to the back of Jeongguk's hand, just a press of lips before smiling up at the man. It falls as quickly as it came, though, glancing down to the man's hand before dropping it as if he'd just been burnt. "Ew. That was such a Godfather thing. Kissing the ring of the man who's marrying my daughter, the great--"
He's cut off by lips against his own, face secured between warm palms, having the last of his words dying on his tongue. Taehyung leans into the kiss for as long as he's given it, hand coming up to swallow up the back of the one on his face, fingers curling around Jeongguk's palms when he pulls away.
"Wow," he breathes, voice a little rough. He clears his throat, nodding and looking up at Jeongguk. "Nice."
Jeongguk laughs quietly, and Taehyung doesn't miss the breathless hint to it. "I thought that'd shut you up."
Taehyung hums, eyes still closed. "Effective. Dirty. But effective." He runs his teeth over his bottom lip as their foreheads press together, breathing in the smell of scotch and day worn cologne. It strikes him to the very core, and instead of outright saying what he wants, he makes it more difficult. "Don't think you can just shut me up by kissing me, I'm--" He's once again stopped short, Jeongguk's lips pressing more firmly against his this time, lips slotting together. It has Taehyung shifting in his seat, turning more to face his-- Jeongguk. He doesn't let himself think about what the fuck was about to surface in his mind, and instead does what he does best. "I'll have you know--" Another kiss. Harder. Deeper.
"I'm onto you," Jeongguk mumbles against his mouth as Taehyung pushes his laptop and gift to the side so he can turn and twist his body up to meet Jeongguk's.
He hums into his mouth, laying back as Jeongguk climbs over the armrest, knee planted between Taehyung's thighs. "What's that, then?"
"You're talking so I'll keep shutting you up."
Taehyung pulls back, licking his lips as he tugs down the zip of his hoodie, exposing bare skin beneath. "You complaining, Guk?"
Jeongguk's eyes take in the newly exposed skin, and Taehyung feels both smug and raw, like an exposed vein, ready to be tapped. "Definitely not, no," he rumbles out, voice sounding smaller but deeper, like it's coming from the pit of his chest.
Taehyung's slow building arousal slips into amusement as Jeongguk just continues to stay perched on the arm rest, eyes still getting a good look at his bare torso. It's not what he expected. He thought he'd be ready to pounce without a second to spare. Taehyung thinks he likes this better, though. Likes seeing the fact he can affect the guy who holds himself up so high, like he's got the whole world wrapped around his pinkie. He's known for the longest time now that Jeongguk isn't all that he makes out to be. He's soft for his son, cares for the people who work for him, he's gentle with Taehyung. He's also heard him giving the baby voice to Mocha and Podo, along with pretending to do work while he really just watches whatever anime Taehyung and Junseo have playing.
So he'll make the first move, because it's what he does best. He can walk the big boss man through this.
He slides forward on his ass, thighs spreading to bracket Jeongguk's body, hand pressing against his stomach to push him back into a standing position before he's following suit and wrapping a fist around the loose opening of the other's shirt. He uses it to push him back towards Taehyung's bed, fingers loosening to start pulling open buttons as their foreheads bump together.
"What - What you doing?" Jeongguk asks, eyes pointedly fixed on where Taehyung's got his teeth sunken into his bottom lip.
Taehyung gets the last button undone, thumb sliding over the patch of skin from Jeongguk's navel to the top of his slacks. "You were taking too long."
"I was admiring you."
"You've had months to do that," he mumbles as he brushes his lips over Jeongguk's jaw, gentle and tender before he shoves the man back with a rough hand to the stomach, watching as he falls back onto the bed. As hypocritical as it is, he takes his own turn to admire Jeongguk, laid out on his bed, shirt unbuttoned and fanned out on either side of him. His eyes run over his chest and stomach, the dark ink over his rising and falling chest having Taehyung's heart lurching. Big, infamous mob boss with his son's name printed over his heart.
Jeongguk's got a good body. Not that he's surprised. He's seen glimpses of it in his tight work out clothes and the one time he saw him stepping out of the bathroom with just a towel slung low around his hips - Taehyung may or may not have almost bitten a hole into his pillow that night to muffle the sounds of his curses and groans as he got a fist around himself - but seeing him up close and personal, the thoughts and glimpses never did him justice.
Taehyung shrugs out of his hoodie, tossing it to the floor as he lays himself down between Jeongguk's legs, pressing kisses up the centre of his belly - can it be called a belly when it has abs? - and up along his sternum, lavishing the skin with hot drags of his tongue, licking up any muscle twitches and trembles. His ears don't need to strain hard to pick up the shuddering breaths and throat hitches; they're loud in his skull, and make his cock twitch in his sweats. He can feel his cooling saliva against his own stomach as he slides up Jeongguk's body, pressing one last open mouthed kiss against his jugular, biting down just enough until he feels the resistance of the man's skin beneath his teeth.
"Taehyung," Jeongguk breathes, voice cracking on the last syllable, and if it were any other time, Taehyung might tear him apart over it. But for right now, he thinks it's sexy, hearing him so wrecked and they haven't even started.
"Don't worry. I got you," he assures, meeting his eyes as he lifts his head, gazes locking as he brushes his palm up along Jeongguk's ribs, holding onto his waist as he presses his hips down, makes it very clear that he's hard, that he wants this. He's not left disappointed when he feels the line of Jeongguk's dick against his thigh, just as hard as his own. He grinds down into it, stomach jumping at the shock of friction, feeling pleasure shoot down the length of his spine like an electric current. He keeps at it for a minute before the buckle of Jeongguk's belt is becoming increasingly more annoying, digging into his stomach with each roll of his hips.
He sits up and works deft fingers on Jeongguk's belt, tugging it out of the loops with ease. Taehyung folds it up and smacks it against the skin just asking for it, the leather snapping against Jeongguk's stomach with a satisfying slap. He smirks at the hiss he gets as he discards the belt on the floor, fingers next going for Jeongguk's slacks. The abs are one thing, but the thighs are in their own ball game, and it's all Taehyung can do to sit at the edge of the bed with his chin on his fist and sigh.
"Fuck you and your thighs," is all he can say as Jeongguk nudges him with his foot, bringing him back to attention. He pushes out of his own sweats a lot less gracefully and retakes his position between Jeongguk's wonder thighs, getting his mouth on his again. This time, when he rolls his hips, the intensity is tripled, the thin fabric of their boxers the only thing separating them.
"You feel so good," Jeongguk rumbles against the corner of his mouth when they pull back to breathe, and the edge to his voice has Taehyung grinding down harder, the elder's hips pushing up to meet his in a slow, push and pull of restraint. The room is quiet other than the sound of mattress shifting - because it's too nice to creak - the sound of their shaking breaths and the occasional groan. The air feels hot and thick, suffocating in the best way, suffocating on the smell of sex.
Taehyung's pretty complacent with getting off like this, working up to a slow, ground-rocking orgasm. But when Jeongguk gets his hand down the back of his boxers, pulls and says, "You don't know how long I've wanted this," it sends the last of Taehyung's blood rushing down. It makes him a little frantic, the thought of Jeongguk picturing him when he gets off. Maybe late at night after a long day, just his thoughts to get him there. Maybe in the shower after a heavy dream that woke him up in a cold sweat. It has Taehyung sliding his arm above Jeongguk's head and curling fingers in his hair as he ruts down with a new found desperation, head turning to nip at the skin of the other's jaw.
"How long?" He all but growls into damp skin, fingers giving a tug as their hips clash, Jeongguk's fingers tightening on his ass. "Tell me how long you've wanted this, Jeongguk."
Jeongguk curses, chest shaking with it, the vibrations of a moan building in his chest beneath Taehyung. "From the moment you called me an asshole." They both huff out quiet laughs, shoulders shaking with it, muffling them into each others skin before Jeongguk's dick twitches, and suddenly it's not so funny anymore.
It's all too much and not enough, and Taehyung decides he wants more, sliding his free hand down between them to push down the sides of Jeongguk's boxers, feeling his dick curl up between their bodies. He pulls his hand away long enough to lick over his palm and wrap it around the other's cock, fisting him slowly, and swallowing the groan he spills without closing his eyes, lids heavy. He wants to see it all, wants to see the way Jeongguk looks when he feels good, what he must look like when he touches himself at night to the thought of Taehyung.
He eventually gets his own boxers down too, another lick to his palm and he's wrapping his fist around as much of them both as he can. The sensation has Taehyung's toes curling and his thighs briefly trembling, feeling the muscle in his stomach jump. It's so hot, the feeling of them pressed together, nothing between them and wet with spit and precome.
"Tae," Jeongguk breathes, and he knows. He just knows he's already got Jeongguk there, got him hanging in the balance, teetering over the edge. His fingers tighten on the skin of Taehyung's ass hard enough to bruise, can already feel the throbbing spots under the pads of his fingers. He's left his own little smattering of bruises too, so he's satisfied with the equality of it, of being marked.
"I've got you," he repeats against the shell of Jeongguk's ear as he tightens his hand on them, pushing his hips down harder and quickening his pace, all the while mumbling encouragement. Taehyung is close. He's so fucking close. But he's gonna make Jeon Jeongguk come first, come all over his hand and his dick and his own stomach. He's gonna make a mess of him, tear him down to the studs and only then will he let himself come.
It doesn't take long, Jeongguk grunting out a string of curses mixed in with Taehyung's name, and it's dangerously close to having him coming too, the wrecked, rough groans of his name on the other's tongue. But he starves himself of relief for one, two, three more seconds before Jeongguk's spilling between them, his back arching off the bed and cock pulsing in his hand. It has Taehyung cursing shakily, staring down between them as his hand tightens in Jeongguk's hair, gripping it tight, teeth bruising his bottom lip at the sight of the elder twitching in his hand, stomach spasming and thighs clenching. Taehyung can't hold back his own orgasm any longer, the sight of Jeongguk beneath him so frayed and vulnerable after coming pushing him over the edge. He turns his face up and presses it into the man's shoulder, hips stuttering and fist quick as he comes over Jeongguk's already messy stomach, biting out a curse as he does.
Once they've both ridden out the last few tendrils of pleasure, Taehyung falls to his side and tries to catch his breath, staring over at the side of Jeongguk's face as the elder stares right back at him. It's quiet aside for their breathing, Taehyung fingers now loosely curled in dark strands, stroking through them instead of yanking and tugging. "About time that happened," Taehyung sighs once he's gotten most of his breath back, licking over his bitten lip as Jeongguk laughs.
"So how long have you wanted to do that?"
"From the moment I called you a dick."
Jeongguk snorts. And not in an obnoxious way, but the dorky kind of way, and it makes Taehyung's eyes widen and chest swell with a slew of jabs. But he can't bring himself to unleash them, because it was cute. And if Jeongguk feels comfortable enough to openly snort around him, then there's no way he's gonna scare that off. He's too selfish to give in to his sharp tongue. "You have a colourful vocabulary."
Taehyung thinks back to that moment he first called Jeongguk a dick - to his face, at least - and it has his curiosity peaked. "That night, did you really ask me to babysit just so you could go get laid?"
Jeongguk eyes him for a long minute before shaking his head. "No. I actually had a business meeting. But then you made a comment about getting paid, and I thought that's all I was to you. So I brought that girl back. I wanted to make you jealous. It was petty, I know. She was one of my friend's--"
Taehyung tugs Jeongguk's hair to tell him to shut up, because he doesn't want to know. "Wait. You thought I thought it was just money? I thought you thought it was just money. When I looked after Junseo that time and I came back and you left the money, I was pretty hurt."
The elder's gaze seems to soften then after an initial look of surprise, rolling onto his side so they're face to face. "I left you money because I felt bad that you went out of your way to look after Junseo. I didn't want you to think I was taking advantage of your kindness. Taehyung. I sent you flowers every day. Did you really not realise that I liked you?"
He thinks that through. How irritationally upset he'd gotten, after them having a Moment the night before, with him cleaning Jeongguk up. He hadn't really considered that when Jeongguk sent him all those flowers that it was an actual sign of interest, and thought it was more of a cheap way to woo him and get him into bed. "I thought you were just looking to get laid?" Is all he can offer, feeling very sheepish all of a sudden.
Jeongguk laughs quietly, feels his breath ghosting over his face. "I don't send flowers."
"Yeah, well. I didn't know that."
"Now you do."
Taehyung runs his teeth over his bottom lip, shifting a little closer, thumb lifting to ghost over Jeongguk's lips. "Yeah. Now I do."
-- -- --
"Look at you. Looking sharp, kid."
Taehyung looks up from where he's tucking his laces into his shoes, smiling at the sight of Sung Joon stepping over to him, apple and knife in hand. "Not too much?"
Joon shakes his head, giving Taehyung a once over as he cuts another slice of apple and eats it straight off the blade. "Nah, you look good. Hot date?"
Taehyung gives a diffident look, not really sure if he can mention it. Not that he thinks Jeongguk is hiding him away, they've made their affections after the past month for each other very clear. But he doesn't know if it's appropriate to say anything to one of Jeongguk's business partners, and one of his closest friends. The godfather of his son.
Joon must pick up on it because he chuckles, setting his apple down and stepping closer. "Don't worry. I've known Jeongguk a long time. He hasn't been making any good attempt at hiding the stupid grin of his face all day. Where are you going?" He asks as he fixes Taehyung's collar for him, tucking it inside his jacket.
"I don't know. Some Chinese restaurant down town."
"Tai Won Mein?"
Taehyung nods.
"That's his favourite spot. He's definitely looking to impress," Joon beams with a wag of his eyebrows, stepping back and looking at his work. "There. Good to go. Knock him dead."
Taehyung chuckles, giving a bow of thanks before Joon retreats back into the kitchen, hearing him calling out for Junseo to come play with him. A man child, really. Since Taehyung's been more involved in what goes on around the house - and since what Jeongguk told him about Joon and Haejin - he's made more of an effort to get on with them both. Haejin still makes him a little uneasy, clearly still thinks Taehyung is just getting in the way, but Joon's been nothing but nice to him. And seeing them and Jeongguk interact together, it makes it worth while. They manage to make him smile away from the rest of the allies, manage to make him see reason into things, help him out, give gentle guidance. Jeongguk must look at them as older brothers. Some of Jeongguk's men are older than him, but he's only ever heard him call Haejin and Joon hyung.
Anyone that looked out for Jeongguk and Junseo were good in his books.
He steps into the kitchen after Joon after another minute of looking himself over in one of the mirrors, and heads over to Junseo where's he's in the midst of playing some game on Joon's phone, sat in his lap.
"Hyungie's going on his big date now, Junseo. He needs a kiss goodbye," he pouts, giving a little stomp of his foot as he stops beside the kid. They haven't hidden anything from Junseo either, because if anyone deserves to know what's happening in Jeongguk's life, it's his son. He wasn't surprised when Taehyung told him one night that he liked his father, and asked him if that was okay. If it wasn't, then it would end there. Taehyung wouldn't want to ever make Junseo feel uncomfortable. But he just said a yeah, I know, TaeTae and that was that.
Junseo sets Joon's phone down and holds his arms up to be lifted, which Taehyung obliges, puckering his lips until he gets a peck with matching mwah's. "Bye, Taehyungie. Give daddy a kiss from me too."
Taehyung nods. "Be good, bug. You know how to use my tablet if you want it, yeah?" When he gets a quick, excited nod, he grins and presses one more kiss to Junseo's forehead before setting him down. "Love you!" He calls over his shoulder as he heads out, and once again internally keens at the cute little love you! he gets back, and then snorts when Joon calls his own mock one back.
He's meeting Jeongguk at the restaurant because he had a meeting, and to say he's nervous would be a wild understatement. It's been a long time since he's been on a date. A guy attending uni can only go on so many dates while balancing overwhelming coursework and casual hook ups. Not that they were all that common either, Taehyung's never been one in need to get laid every weekend. His own hand and imagination sufficed him just fine. From what he's been told, it's been a long time since Jeongguk's gone on a date too. He tried it a few years ago, but he could never differ between people who just wanted his power and money and actual companionship. So it's almost new for the both of them, dating.
Jimin is doing him the favour of driving him there, and the grin on his face he's had for the last few minutes is starting to irk Taehyung.
"You got something you wanna say to me, Jimin?" He demands after Taehyung checks his new necklace out in the visor mirror once again. "I'm all ears."
Jimin just shakes his head, thumb drumming along the steering wheel. "It's just about time."
Taehyung sniffs and closes the visor once again, not willing to let the guy see the twitching corners of his lips. Luckily, Jimin doesn't poke fun again, and they both talk about the elaborate workout he has set out for him tomorrow. He honestly doesn't know what's worse. Yeah, it's great to be in better shape, but he's learned that the gym in Jimin's name really stands true. He's a fanatic.
Ten minutes later, they'll pulling up across the street from the Chinese restaurant and Taehyung feels butterflies erupt in his stomach at the sight of Jeongguk standing there, waiting for him and holding flowers. Fuck, he hopes Jimin doesn't see or--
"Aww. Look at that, he bought you flowers, you--! Ow." He's cut off with a punch to the thigh, and he only sulks for about three seconds as Taehyung climbs out of the car. "Have fun!"
Taehyung shuts the door in his face when he leans over the console to say something else.
He turns and faces Jeongguk across the street from him, and his eyes settle on Taehyung after one last skim of the street, and christ. When they land on him, Taehyung feels like all the air gets sucked right out of his lungs, suddenly feels like he's burning up in this mild weather. He stands and watches as Jeongguk crosses the street to him, fingers curled around the bouquet of lilies, because yes, he'd been right when he guessed that lilies were his favourite.
Everything seems to go in slow motion then, the sound of tires against the tarmac and the sudden blinding headlights flashing over the side of Jeongguk's body as he keeps on walking towards him. Jimin must see it happening too, because he's suddenly out of the car in a flash and yelling out for his boss to move. But Jimin's too far away.
Taehyung's not.
He looks between the car and Jeongguk before he's pushing himself into a sprint, and running for him as fast as he can. "Jeongguk, move!" He yells, watching the smile slip from the man's face as his head turns towards the car only a few feet away now, his face bleached in white light. But Taehyung's there and he's shoving as hard as he can, and then the sound of impact is so deafening in Taehyung's ears.
And then there's pain.
Taehyung's gets hit with the full force of the car, body folding over the hood like a piece of wet paper, head hitting the windshield, the glass spider-webbing and his vision goes black.
"Taehyung!"
And then everything falls silent.