Work Text:
Never before in his life had Jeongguk ever felt more relief at hearing the ear piercing scream of the school bell that signals the end of the day. It is only 3:30 p.m. but it felt like the school day had dragged on for eternity. Eagerly, he rushes through the corridor, not caring for anyone he happens to barge into, moving toward the main entrance. He bursts through the doors and immediately spots Seokjin, Yoongi and Hoseok standing where they usually all meet after school.
They all greet him as he approaches and they all move to exit the main school gates. Just like every other day, the walk is spent with mindless chatter and loud laughter, mostly from Seokjin and Yoongi’s occasional grumbles.
“Are we all hanging out at Yoongi’s place?” Hoseok asks, skipping ahead.
“Of course! I’ve been dying to get round there ever since he told us he got that new video game. What is it, the one with the zombies?”
“You guys are only with me for my video games,” Yoongi mutters under his breath.
“Actually . . . um, I can’t tonight,” Jeongguk slips in casually, glancing around. He spots a convenience store to his right and a cramped alleyway down its side. “I, uh, have to pick up some stuff for my mother.”
His three friends turn to look at him. He hadn’t spoken much on the walk but he had barely noticed, his mind consumed by his plans for later. They accept his excuse as the truth, smiling widely as they wave him off and continue down the road.
Sure, Jeongguk feels bad about constantly lying to his friends all of the time but he understands that it has to be done.
He ignores the convenience store, walking past it and down the alley at its side. Shortly, it breaks onto another road, one he’d walked many times before. The familiar journey only takes just over five minutes, having perfected it in the past two years.
Without even realising, he breaks out into a grin when the house comes into view. It’s a relatively small house, only two bedrooms with a single bathroom on the second floor. The living space is small and has a door leading directly into the kitchen. There is no dining room, only a circular table with three chairs pressed against the wall opposite the short length of counters. It has a limited backyard but it works. It doesn’t just work, it’s perfect; although it’s small, it feels like home.
Stepping up the wooden steps onto the front porch, Jeongguk takes out his keys. They clink together as he slots one into the keyhole, opening the door.
Immediately, he’s greeted by soft yaps and a ball of fluff speeding around his feet. He coos internally, reaching down to pick it up.
“Ah, Tannie!” The tiny dog licks his nose, clearly excited to see the boy. “You’re so cute.” He giggles as he receives the dog’s affection.
Setting the puppy down, Jeongguk shrugs his backpack onto the floor and slips off his sneakers, placing them neatly beside the front door. Yeontan eagerly on his heels, Jeongguk jogs up the stairs and automatically pushes open one of the only three doors, entering the master bedroom.
He moves straight over to the set of drawers, sliding them open and pulling out a pair of gray sweatpants and puts them on. He abandons his tight jeans on top of the draws but not without folding them neatly first.
Picking up Yeontan, Jeongguk rushes back down the stairs and flops onto the couch. He curls up with Yeontan in his arms and turns on the television. Only after spending minutes searching for a channel is he immersed in a new show, one he has never heard of before. An hour flies by and before he realizes, the program has ended and he’s left to find something else to watch. His searching is interrupted by the front door clicking open.
The sound of keys and a light gasp is heard and a grin immediately erupts on his face.
“Gukkie?” His favorite voice fills his ears, that velvety deep timbre bringing warmth. “Are you here?”
The question is automatically answered when Jeongguk sees him step into the house, shoes shuffling against the hardwood floor.
“Hey,” Jeongguk breathes out. He doesn’t get a chance to say anything more as a pair of soft lips are pressed against his own. His skin tingles, his entire body thrumming with excitement. He shifts to move so he’s resting on his knees, applying more pressure with his lips as he pushes himself against the man’s body, wanting, needing more.
Chuckling, Taehyung gently pushes him away with his large palms that rest on either side of his face.
“Calm down, Guk-ah,” he laughs, a throaty laugh that electrifies his spine.
All the younger does is groan, pulling away fully and flopping back down onto the couch. Taehyung laughs at the younger, finally placing his bag on the floor and moving around so he’s stood in front of the couch, staring down at Jeongguk. He lifts Yeontan from his lap and pushes his face into the puppy’s soft brown fur, closing his eyes. Only once he’s inhaled deeply does he open one eye to peek up at Taehyung who still looks down at his with a certain fondness in his eyes, one reserved only for Jeongguk.
“I missed you,” the younger boy mumbles into the silky fur.
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Could you say that again?” Taehyung teases, reaching out to thread his long slender fingers through the boy’s raven hair.
Groaning, he pulls away from the animal slightly. “I missed you!”
A large smile graces Taehyung’s perfect face. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear.” They share a smile before Tae speaks again. “Now move over.”
Without a moment of hesitation, Jeongguk sits up, leaving space for Taehyung to sit beside him on the cramped couch. As soon as he does, Jeongguk rests his head on the older man’s shoulder.
“How can you miss me if it’s only been five hours since I last saw you?”
“I always miss you, Taehyung,” he says as if it should be obvious. “Idiot,” Jeongguk grumbles into the other’s shoulder, nudging his nose into the warm skin there, breathing in the smell of the man’s cologne.
“Idiot?” Taehyung scoffs, turning to press his face into the younger’s hair. “I would be careful if I were you, unless you want a surprise math test tomorrow.”
Laughing lightly, Jeongguk says, “You’d never, unless you don’t want anymore kisses, ever.”
“Ever?” Taehyung questions as if it’s the most outrageous thing ever.
“Ever. A test on the second week back to school deserves no less.”
“You’re so cute, Gukkie,” he mumbles, pressing a firm kiss to his soft hair. “Love you.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Could you say that again?” Jeongguk taunts, using Taehyung’s words from before against him.
“I love you, even though you’re an absolute pain in my ass.”
Ignoring Jeongguk’s protests, Taehyung pulls away to go upstairs and change from his work clothes. When he returns minutes later, he’s dressed in more comfortable attire—a pair of sweats identical to the ones Jeongguk is wearing and a baggy white t-shirt. Jeongguk thinks he looks absolutely sinful in the basic ensemble.
He resumes his place beside Jeongguk on the couch, this time half laying down and pulling Jeongguk into his lap. The younger immediately snuggles into Taehyung’s side, pressing his face into the soft material of his t-shirt. Jeongguk has always marveled at how Taehyung managed to use the perfect amount of fabric softener every time.
“What are we watching, then?” he enquires.
“Dunno, this was just on.”
“Dunno,” he imitates Jeongguk. “I’m a math professor and even I can’t stand your poor english skills.”
Ignoring the man’s mocking, Jeongguk grumbles, “There’s nothing good on TV today.”
“You’ve just been watching television this whole time?”
Jeongguk just hums to confirm.
“Didn’t even attempt a start at your homework?”
Jeongguk stays silent for a moment before mumbling, “Don’t have any.”
This draws a chuckle from Taehyung.
“We both know that’s a lie. I personally gave you a sheet of equations to complete earlier.”
“Yeah, thanks for that, by the way. ‘S too hard.”
With a deep sigh, Taehyung looks down to meet eyes with Jeongguk.
“I made it easy since it’s only the start of the year.”
Jeongguk groans, pressing his face against the man, nosing at his collarbone.
“Well, it’s still too hard. I don’t understand any of them.”
“Then we’ll do it together tonight, hm? I’ll help you.”
Finally satisfied, Jeongguk smiles and presses his lips against the irresistible honey skin that’s not even an inch away.
“Thanks. You’re so perfect.” He pauses. “You would be perfect if you didn’t give us such difficult work.”
“You’re only with me because I help you with your homework,” Taehyung moans.
“I only need help with my homework because you make it so difficult.”
“Ah, you love me anyways.”
Before Jeongguk can make a witty retort, Taehyung tilts the younger’s chin up with one finger and connects their lips. As they meet, Jeongguk gasps into his mouth, their tongues immediately tangling, Taehyung automatically taking control. Whimpering, Jeongguk pushes closer, trying to get closer, closer, closer—
Until Taehyung pushes him away. Again.
He whines, “Taehyungie. Why do you always do this?”
“You know why,” he scolds. “We’ve spoken about this.”
“And you know how stupid I think it is . . .”
Taehyung scoffs. “Stupid? It’s the law.”
“‘S not the law. It was my eighteenth birthday like two weeks ago.”
“Exactly. It has only been two weeks. I don’t want to have sex immediately after you turn eighteen.”
Jeongguk groans. “Why?”
“So it doesn’t seem like I’m with you just to have sex. I don’t wanna rush it just because you’re eighteen now.”
“Taehyungie,” Jeongguk says in a sing-song voice before continuing in a quiet whisper, “I’ve gone eighteen years with only my hand, Taetae . . . I don’t know if I can wait much longer.”
Smirking, Taehyung’s dark eyes bore into Jeongguk’s. “My needy little Gukkie.”
He notices how Jeongguk’s eyes widen at his words. “Mhm, need you Taetae.”
“I suppose I’ll just have to fuck my little Gukkie then.”
Jeongguk lets out a short gasp. He’s wanted to hear that for the past two years. “Really?” he asks, tongue darting out to wet his lips, subconsciously.
“But not tonight,” Taehyung whispers against his lips and Jeongguk immediately deflates. “I want it to be special for you. It’s your first time and it needs to be special so I need some time to prepare. Also, don’t you need to be at home tonight? Or are you staying for dinner?”
“Home.” The younger scoffs. “That place is not my home. This is my home, here, wherever you are.” He snuggles closer.
Giggling, Taehyung presses his lips to Jeongguk’s forehead before pulling back to stare at his wide doe-eyes. “That is very sweet and romantic, Guk, but please don’t say that. It makes me sad to hear and they’re your family, they love you.”
“We both known that’s not true . . . not anymore.” He sighs wistfully. After a pause, Jeongguk speaks again. “You’re okay if I stay over tonight?”
“You’re always welcome here, my love,” Taehyung reassures, pulling him closer to himself. “I’ll even make your favorite. My world-famous japchae.”
Rolling his eyes, Jeongguk grunts. “You know japchae is your favorite and I don’t have a favorite food. I’ll eat anything, even your shitty japchae.”
Absolutely outraged, Taehyung gasps. “You don’t like my japchae? I though you liked my food . . .”
Cooing, “Aw, Taetae, I love your food. You put so much effort into it. Was just joking.”
“Stop being such a brat.” He threads his fingers through the younger’s hair, pushing it off his forehead. “Why do I even love you?”
“Because I’m so cute.” Jeongguk pouts, jutting out his pillowy lower lip and widening his eyes. “Gukkie loves you, Taetae.”
“Is this really the same person that was begging me to have sex with him just a minute ago?”
Scowling, Jeongguk shifts from Taehyung’s lap and curls up on the other end of the couch. Taehyung giggles, watching the younger’s cute behavior before tackling him, pouncing and smothering him in kisses all over his adorable face.
He pats Jeongguk’s ass and moves off the couch, padding into the kitchen. “Move your cute butt and make me dinner.”
They enjoy a delicious meal, prepared by Jeongguk of course. One of Jeongguk’s favorite things is to spend time with his boyfriend like this, just casually. He can image being in the same situation years from now, wedding bands secure on their fingers and being able to go outside with their hands clasped together, openly showing their affection to the world.
Full of food, they curl up in bed, tangled together in a mess of limbs, noses brushing against each other occasionally as they speak quietly together, basking in the serenity and domesticity of the atmosphere.
For a moment they just stare at each other. Admiring the younger’s beauty, Taehyung gently lifts a finger and traces it down the slope of Jeongguk’s nose, his touch barely there. He drags it down to glide across his cupid’s bow and draw along the sharp defined line of his jaw.
Jeongguk giggles quietly, nose scrunching at the elder’s cute behavior.
“You’re so gorgeous, Gukkie.”
“And you’re so cute.” Leaning forward, Jeongguk places a delicate kiss on the mole on the tip of Taehyung’s nose. “Go to sleep, Tae. You’re especially sappy when you’re tired.”
“‘M not. ‘S just the truth.”
Flustered, Jeongguk leans his head forward and tucks himself beneath Taehyung’s chin.
He presses his nose into the soft skin of Taehyung’s collarbone and falls asleep enraptured by his warmth.
Usually, Jeongguk won’t sleep over at Taehyung’s house. It’s always been easier for so many reasons. One of which being Jeongguk would either have to go home and ride his bike into school the next morning to make it seem as if he’d cycled to school as he usually would or Taehyung could drive them both into school which was extremely risky so they avoided it as often as possible.
On mornings like these, however, they don’t mind making exceptions.
Waking up to see Taehyung’s peaceful expression and face void of worry or stress, Jeongguk knows he could watch his boyfriend sleep for hours, no matter how creepy it may seem.
Eventually, though, his long eyelashes flutter and his deep brown eyes are revealed, immediately sparkling when they take in the younger’s face. Tightening his arms around Jeongguk’s waist, he snuggles his face into the crook of the younger’s neck.
Petting Taehyung’s hair, a gentle smile graces Jeongguk’s lips at the older man’s cute behavior. “Mm, morning.”
“G’mornin. Love you.”
“I love you too, Tae.” He cranes his arm behind him awkwardly to reach for his phone. “We have to get up, though, if you wanna be on time.”
Grumbling, Taehyung nuzzles further into the younger’s skin. It’s minutes of Jeongguk trying to coerce Taehyung out of bed and just as he feels his will power wearing thin does Tae finally relent.
They take turns showering, Taehyung gently explaining to Jeongguk that they don’t have enough time to make out right now and he knows that’s exactly what will happen if they’re both naked in a cramped hot space together. Instead Jeongguk brushes his teeth and washes his face and Taehyung showers, then they switch.
The domesticity of it all makes Jeongguk feel fuzzy. He absolutely loves eating breakfast opposite Taehyung, sharing short kisses whenever they pass as they go about getting ready for the day ahead.
Much to both of their disappointments—Jeongguk’s especially—Taehyung’s clothes are way too big for Jeongguk to wear. Due to him being a few inches shorter and Taehyung’s broad frame, whenever he wears one of Tae’s t-shirts he finds himself drenched in material.
He pulls on the tight long sleeve tee he was wearing yesterday and one of Taehyung’s baggy t-shirts on top, accompanying it with the tight ripped jeans he was wearing yesterday—all black.
It’s become his signature look at this point, long sleeves with a t-shirt on top. He wears it so frequently because Taehyung said it looked cute on him one time and so he never really had a need for a change in style.
Being the better cook of the couple, Jeongguk is making breakfast when Taehyung walks into the kitchen, drying his hair with a towel, still shirtless with only his work slacks. He approaches silently, creeping up behind Jeongguk and encircling the younger’s tiny waist in a hug, pulling his back to his chest.
Nosing at the shell of his ear, Taehyung whispers, “Smells good, Guk.”
“Mhm.” Jeongguk only hums, too focused on the toast he’s spreading strawberry jam on. Only once he’s done, spreading it perfectly to the edges, does he turn around in Taehyung’s arms and notice Taehyung’s bare chest. He whistles appreciatively at the sight, eyes blatantly dancing over the exposed caramel skin. “Hello there.”
“Good morning, my love,” Taehyung says. “Ready for school?”
Humming and nodding slightly, Jeongguk holds a piece of the toast and nudges it gently against the seam of Taehyung’s soft lips. Eagerly, he bites a piece off, chewing the younger’s hard work, humming at the delightful taste.
“I’m ready to go,” Jeongguk confirms, eyes still lingering on the other’s chest. “You’re not?”
Snickering around another mouthful of food, Taehyung jogs back upstairs and returns moment later with a charcoal gray dress shirt tucked in and adjusting his tie with his long slender fingers.
Without any warning, Jeongguk leans forward and licks away a small residue of strawberry jam that rests on the man’s lips.
“Tasty,” he remarks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Slapping Jeongguk’s butt firmly—revenge for his teasing comments—Taehyung moves away to shrug into his long coat and pick up his bag.
The journey is much shorter in a car than it usually takes Jeongguk on his bike. It’s barely ten minutes before Taehyung is directing the car into the staff parking area of the parking lot. The thrum of the engine dies down eventually as they come to a stop.
Neither of them move as they sit side by side, facing straight out the front window.
It’s just after 7:45am so there aren’t any students yet, only occasional members of staff wandering around.
Eventually, Taehyung turns to face the boy. “I should head in if I don’t want to be late.”
Nodding, Jeongguk meets his eyes. “Mhm. I hope you have a good day, love.”
“I know you’re a half hour early so you can stay in the car until your friends get here?”
“Yep, that works.” Jeongguk’s deep sigh after doesn’t go unnoticed. Taehyung reaches to thread their fingers together, cradling his hands in his lap.
“I wish it wasn’t like this, Guk. You know it has to be this way . . .”
Silently nodding, Jeongguk looks down at their intertwined hands. He pauses for a moment before replying. “I understand.” He squeezes his hands reassuringly before looking back up with a firm gaze. “I love you, now go. Don’t be late.”
Looking around outside to make sure there’s nobody watching, Jeongguk leans forwards and seals their lips together in a passionate kiss. Even when they pull away, their foreheads stay pressed together as they linger, breathing in each other’s air.
They join their lips together one last time, before pulling apart. Pulling the keys from the console of the car, Taehyung hands them to Jeongguk. “I will see you later, love.”
“Bye Tae!” After the car door slams shut, Jeongguk pulls out his phone and opens a random game.
The time passes by slowly but eventually he sees Yoongi, Seokjin and Hoseok walk through the school gates. Getting out, he presses on the car keys, locking it multiple time just to be sure and jogs over to them.
“Hey guys!” He says, placing them in a secure pocket inside, zipping it up for maximum insurance.
“Guk, hi!” Hoseok greets, bouncing on his toes and waving excitedly.
Yoongi just nods before casting his eyes away, gaze absentmindedly wandering over the surroundings.
Pulling Jeongguk into a tight hug, Seokjin squeals. “Hey Guk!”
Easing the tight arms from around him, Jeongguk steps back, shyly waving to his friends. They all start toward the main doors, chatting along the way.
“No bike today, Guk?” Hoseok asks.
Shocked by the sudden question that should be seemingly innocent, he stumbles over his answer. “Oh, um, I— no, I . . . no.”
Amused by the his stuttering, Seokjin presses further. “What were you up to last night, then, hm? I know you didn’t leave early this morning just so you could walk.”
“I was just—”
“At the secret boyfriend’s house?”
It’s a joke the other three came up with around a year ago, back when Jeongguk started staying over at Taehyung’s more frequently and they started to notice he wasn’t going straight home and would sometimes get to school early but with no bike. Of course, Jeongguk could never come up with a reasonable excuse to sedate their constant questioning and Hoseok had once suggested he was staying at his boyfriend’s house.
Ever since, it’s become a running joke that Jeongguk has a secret boyfriend. They all seem to find it funny and it means they don’t ask constant questions about where he is so he doesn’t fight it. How funny they’d find it if they realized they were right, Jeongguk thought.
Trying to sound like he’s genuinely laughing, Jeongguk replies, “Yeah, definitely.”
“Hm, long night, then?” Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, Seokjin winks.
Outraged, “What— No! I did not have sex last night . . . and I won’t be anytime soon.” Jeongguk mumbles the last part, remembering Taehyung’s words about them and sex the previous afternoon.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Hoseok comments, throwing an arm around Jeongguk’s shoulders, pulling him close to his side. “Lets not pretend our little Gukkie isn’t still a virgin.”
“Ugh, whatever.”
“Wait— seriously? Guk, you’ve never—” Seokjin sputters.
“I only just turned eighteen!” Jeongguk defends.
“But–”
“Leave him alone, you idiots,” Yoongi mumbles, slapping Seokjin’s shoulder. Then he grumbles, “As if either of you two have had sex before . . .”
“I’ll have you know . . .”
Their bickering continues all the way to their first lesson and picks up again between classes. Seokjin and Hoseok always find something to get into a heated debate about as Yoongi and Jeongguk just typically observe and try to ignore their stupidity.
Even at lunch, Hoseok still can’t move from the topic.
“Seriously, Guk. I understand if you haven’t had sex yet but there’s not even a single person that you at least have a crush on?” he presses. “You never open up to us about this stuff.”
As if he’d been mentioned, Taehyung pushes through the doors at the entrance of the cafeteria, immediately walking toward the row of vending machines by the entrance. Jeongguk watches as he waits for his food to be dispensed, the older man absentmindedly gazing around the room.
For a short moment their eyes meet and Taehyung flashes him a charming smile, displaying his straight white teeth. As if nothing had happened he bends down, taking his snack and strides from the room, posture perfect and confidence in each step. All the while, Jeongguk just stares dumbly.
His friends quickly notice his lack of an answer to Hoseok’s question and follow his line of sight to where their math proffesor just strut from the large hall.
Whistling, Hoseok winks at Jeongguk as Seokjin fails to stifle a laugh.
“Got eyes for Mr Kim, Jeongguk?” Hoseok chuckles.
“I’m sure the secret boyfriend wouldn’t be happy about this,” Seokjin adds.
If only they knew, Jeongguk thinks.
“No! I just—”
“Don’t dignify their idiocy by answering, Jeongguk,” Yoongi tells him, face stoic, before going back to his food.
Staring at the table, grumbling, “He just looks really good in a suit . . .”
“Aw, Guk is blushing.”
“It would explain why he’s suddenly gotten really interested in math,” Seokjin teases.
“What? No, I just— exams are coming and I want to improve . . . I’ve been focusing more in math, that’s all . . .” Jeongguk attempts a justification.
Hoseok looks as if he’s about to press further but luckily the bell rings before he can get his words out. Immediately, Jeongguk stands up from the metal bench and rushes from the room. He jogs through the corridors that luckily haven’t been flooded with students just yet until he’s stood outside the door of his math classroom.
He doesn’t knock before pushing inside, throwing the door open dramatically.
Taehyung is stood hunched over his desk as he sorts through a stack of paper, brow furrowed. At the sudden click of the door opening he directs his attention to the doorway. At the sight of Jeongguk stood, still slightly panting from his run through the halls, his stressed expression melts.
“Gukkie, what are you doing here?” He looks shocked at seeing the other’s ruffled state but not at all disappointed to be seeing Jeongguk.
Stepping further into the room, Jeongguk shuts the door behind him and approaches Taehyung’s desk.
“You have my class right now and I thought I’d come early and return your car keys.” He retrieves them from his bag and holds them out to the man. Taehyung takes them, quickly throwing them on his desk and interlocking his fingers with Jeongguk’s still outstretched hand.
Silently, he drags the younger in for a quick kiss, pulling away almost immediately after their lips meet. At Jeongguk’s whine, Taehyung warns him, “The rest of your classmates will be here soon, be careful.”
Grumbling, Jeongguk shuffles over to his desk, Taehyung lightly patting his ass on the way. “Hypocrite.” Jeongguk mumbles under his breath.
Shortly after Jeongguk has sat down, other students begin to flood in and take their seats. He sits in the corner with a pair of girls beside him and two of their friends in front of him; he’s practically surrounded by girls. It means he’s given the privilege of hearing their conversations, which he usually tunes out.
Today, however, one sentence in particular catches his attention.
“OMG, you guys, look at Mr Kim.”
His eyes flit up to where Taehyung is gathering sheets in his hands and beginning to distribute them to the people along the front row of desks.
“Ah, I know! He looks so fine today.”
“I mean— that suit on him.” There’s a chorus of squeals. Subconsciously, his teeth grit together.
He tries his best to ignore them fawning over his boyfriend. Tries being the key word.
They continue to squeak about how good Mr Kim looks in his suit and—although they are speaking the truth—it’s getting on Jeongguk’s nerves.
“Jeongguk, don’t you agree?” Yujin asks.
It’s no secret that Jeongguk’s gay. He had a boyfriend freshman year and has occasionally taken part in discussing good looking men with the girls that surround him in math. Therefore, it’s no surprise that they ask him and it would just be suspicious if he didn’t take part in their discussion, right?
He looks up, meeting eyes with the four girls.
“Um, yeah, he does look really good.” Jeongguk can feel the blush rise on his cheeks.
“I knew you’d agree, Guk,” Hyunseo giggles.
“I mean he does have eyes,” Wonyoung says, “Of course he agrees.”
It makes Jeongguk laugh. Although it was annoying him earlier, he finds he actually enjoys having people to talk about Taehyung with. So, he indulges.
“The dark suit goes really well with his hair, I think.” The girls all nod enthusiastically as Jeongguk twirls his pen with his fingers.
Hyunseo sighs wistfully, staring off into the distance. “Imagine how soft it feels.”
Wonyoung verbally agrees, going on about how silky their teacher’s hair looks.
“I wonder what conditioner he uses. It probably smells amazing,” Yujin speculates.
Without thinking, Jeongguk blurts out, “Strawberry.”
They all turn to look at him. His blush grows furiously as he realizes what he’s said.
Quickly, he backtracks. “I just meant his hair probably smells like strawberries.”
Eagerly, they all nod aggressively.
“Strawberries?” A deep velvet voice comes from above him. His face flushes as he realizes Taehyung overheard their conversation. “I don’t think that has anything to do with the work, Mr Jeon.”
Yujin, Hyunseo, and Wonyoung immediately find their math equations infinitely interesting. Jeongguk stares up at the professor.
“‘M sorry . . .” Jeongguk mumbles, shy under the other’s scrutiny. There’s a pause where the man just stares at Jeongguk, expectantly. Confused, Jeongguk just blinks before realizing and rephrasing, “Oh, I’m sorry Mr Kim.”
“It’s okay, just stop talking and do your work . . .” He’s about to move away before he pauses. “Are you staying after school for an extra study session again today?” Taehyung asks, a slight lilt to his voice, suggesting studying isn’t what he’s truly asking about.
“Um, yes. If that’s okay?”
Taehyung smiles at Jeongguk slightly, raising his eyebrows as if to say ‘seriously?’ He’s made it abundantly clear in the past that Jeongguk is always welcome.
A question from another student draws him away from in front of Jeongguk’s desk, moving to help others. Jeongguk understands that their interaction around others has to be limited for obvious reasons but it doesn’t stop the pout on his face as he watches the man walk away.
For the rest of the day Jeongguk feels grouchy, thinking about the girls in his math class speaking about how attractive Taehyung is. Even his friends pick up on it, asking why he’s quietly sulking but Jeongguk grumbles weak excuses so they don’t ask again. Nor do they question it when he randomly announces half way through their walk home that he has somewhere to be. He doesn’t even bother looking back as he sprints to Taehyung’s house.
As soon as he arrives, like usual he’s greeted by Yeontan happily yapping at him. Once he’s laying on the couch staring at the ceiling he doesn’t even know why he bothered running here; Taehyung won’t be home for at least another hour and a half. Suddenly overcome by exhaustion, he drifts off to sleep, Yeontan curled in beside him.
When he’s awoken, he opens his eyes to stare straight into Taehyung’s dark chocolate brown ones. Confused, blinking awake, Jeongguk moves to sit up and almost hits his forehead against Taehyung’s.
“Mm, Taehyungie . . .” he grumbles, rubbing his eyes and slowly sitting up.
He hears Taehyung giggling close beside him. “Gukkie, why did I come home to find you asleep on my couch?”
Taehyung crawls onto the couch, cuddling up to Jeongguk with his face pressed against the younger’s defined collarbones. Automatically, Jeongguk’s hand flies up to thread through his silky locks, leaning down and smelling the faint scent of his strawberry conditioner.
“Um, I kinda ran here and was really tired when I got here and so I lay down then Tannie lay down on top of me and so I didn’t want to move and then I just fell asleep.” Jeongguk explains, his explanation sounding strange as he says it.
There’s a pause in which Taehyung considers his words before leaning forward, pecking Jeongguk on the lips and smiling widely at the boy. “You’re so cute, Guk.”
Blushing, Jeongguk covers his face with his hands. Memories of the girls in math come flooding back and his scarlet toned cheeks intensify. He pulls away, looking at Taehyung’s gorgeous face, their words about him echoing in his mind.
Surging forward, Jeongguk seals their lips together in a deep kiss, tongue insistently prying apart the seam of the man’s lips. Eventually Taehyung relents and their tongues meet, dancing and intertwining together. Moaning, Jeongguk presses his body against Taehyung before adjusting his position and straddling the man, wrapping his legs around the other’s waist. His fingers thread through Taehyung’s hair, tugging at the roots. As usual, it makes Tae let out a deep moan causing his mouth to open wider and effectively giving Jeongguk greater access to his mouth.
Normally Taehyung will pull away, stopping anything from happening further but to Jeongguk’s surprise he cups the back of Jeongguk’s head with his large palms, holding him close against him.
However soon after they are forced to pull apart, gasping for air, but Jeongguk wastes no time before ducking down, pressing his swollen lips to the honey skin of Taehyung’s defined jawline. He trails his mouth down, pressing wet open-mouthed kisses, biting and nipping enthusiastically at any of Taehyung’s skin that he comes into contact with. Heat curls in Jeongguk’s gut as he sucks at Taehyung’s soft skin, gently biting and leaving blossoming patches of scarlet in his wake. The man’s heavy panting and light moans above him serving as the only encouragement he needs.
All good things must end, and, alas, Taehyung tugs at Jeongguk’s hair attempting to pull the younger from his neck.
“Mm, Gukkie . . . stop.”
Groaning, Jeongguk reluctantly moves his lips and pulls back, although still sat in Taehyung’s lap. He fixes Tae with a frustrated stare but seeing his fond expression, Jeongguk whines and buries his face back in Taehyung’s neck.
“Taetae.”
“I know.” He strokes Jeongguk’s soft hair. “Maybe tell me why the sudden attack on my neck?”
“‘S embarrassing.”
Cooing, Taehyung attempts to pry Jeongguk’s face from the crook of his neck where he gently kisses and licks over the hickies that blossom there, satisfied with his work.
“You know you should never be embarrassed when you’re with me. I love you no matter what.”
Sighing, Jeongguk relents, pulling back to look into Taehyung’s deep brown eyes.
“Fine! There were these girls talking about you in math, saying how attractive you are ‘n I just got . . . possessive, I guess.”
Blinking owlishly, Taehyung just stares at Jeongguk before bursting out into laughter. Moaning petulantly, Jeongguk weakly hits the other’s chest.
“Tae! You said I shouldn’t be embarrassed. Stop laughing!” It takes a moment before Taehyung’s giggles die down into sputters of laughter.
“‘M sorry, Guk-ah. I just love you so much,” he says, petting Jeongguk’s hair absentmindedly, staring at him with a fond look in his eye. “Honestly, how dare you be so cute?”
Not replying, Jeongguk rests his head on the older man’s shoulder, once again fondly kissing the delicate skin.
Taehyung sighs, smoothing out Jeongguk’s eyebrows, tracing the bold shape with the pad of his thumb. He mumbles against the top of the younger’s hair, “You know I have to cover it for work, right?”
“. . . Whatever. As long as I know it’s there . . .”
“I love you Jeongguk.”
“And I’m in love with you, Kim Taehyung.”
“Ah, my little romantic.” Taehyung giggles.
“Let’s get married.”
“A little less romantic . . . proposing to me on my couch?”
“Fuck off, I’m being serious.” He nips at Taehyung childishly.
“And I’m being serious. When you propose to me it better be surrounded by roses—”
“—Unoriginal—”
“—Or beneath the stars, at least . . .”
There’s a hesitant pause. They both seem to sense how serious the atmosphere has become.
“. . . You’d say yes?”
“Of course! Never doubted it for a minute.”
“Even when you saw me for the first time when I was fifteen? I don’t know, sounds kind of suspicious to me.”
It’s Taehyung’s turn to whine and complain. “No! You know what I mean. Besides, you weren’t even in any of my classes until you were sixteen and a sophomore anyways . . . I just meant that when we first got together and when I realized I was falling in love with you, since then, I’ve never doubted that you’re the one that I wanted to spend my life with.”
The sincerity in Taehyung’s voice makes Jeongguk’s heart stutter. The determination in the set of his jaw makes Jeongguk feel lighter. The sparkle of devotion in his eyes makes Jeongguk realize that this is the man he will marry.
Taehyung is the man he will spend his life with and he couldn’t be happier.