Chapter Text
“Jeongguk,” Taehyung called from the bedroom, “do you know where my brown sweatshirt is?”
“Didn’t you wear it Sunday? It should be hanging in the guest room closet,” Jeongguk answered, before stuffing the rest of his banana into his mouth as he slouched against the couch.
Taehyung appeared behind him and leaned in, with his face right next to his boyfriend’s. “This is why I love you,” he smiled and planted a kiss on his puffed up cheek while brushing his fingers through his hair.
“Because I remember where your shit is?”
“No!” Taehyung had made his way to the kitchen and opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water. “Well, maybe.”
Jeongguk scoffed then giggled, scrunching his nose. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” His eyes followed Taehyung as he walked around the counter and stood near his bag by the front door that was all ready for him.
“No, it’ll be fine with just me and Namjoon hyung. Plus you need to be here for Seokjin hyung’s arrival.”
Jeongguk reluctantly sat up, slowly lifting himself off the couch and joined his waiting boyfriend in the doorway. “Be safe,” he placed a gentle kiss on Taehyung’s lips, smiling as he pulled back.
Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jeongguk’s neck and leaned in for another kiss. “I will,” his reply was soft. “I can’t believe we have to go all the way to Gwangju for some damn centerpieces,” he added, with a grumble. “I’ll text you when I have info about Seokjin hyung.” His arms dropped from their position around the younger’s neck and he grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. “I love you,” he said as he walked out, shutting the apartment door behind him.
Jeongguk turned and grabbed the banana peel off the coffee table and slid on his socks into the kitchen to throw it away. As he was walking back to the couch, his phone lit up, vibrating on the cushions. He rushed to snatch it before it stopped.
“Hello?”
“Jeongguk! What are you doing? Where are you?”
Mingyu.
“Hey, I was just helping Taehyung before he left. What’s up?”
“What’s up?” a different voice spoke into the phone. “Jeongguk, it’s Yugyeom’s birthday! We’re on our way to the club!” It was Eunwoo.
“Ah, shit,” he muttered. “I’m sorry, this week’s been hectic and I forgot–”
“It’s fine! It’s not too late to join us, we haven’t even arrived yet.”
Jeongguk paused, before sighing into the phone. “I can’t. I have to wake up early.”
The past few months had been stressful to begin with, but the last week was enough to make Jeongguk never want to get married. Well, at least not have a wedding. Taehyung’s older brother Namjoon was the first out of his siblings to be getting married, and since Taehyung was the only brother in the same country, it was only natural that he was the best man. And of course the best man had a huge part in helping with the wedding.
Jeongguk liked Namjoon. Jeongguk liked his fiancé, Yoongi. But he had only met them a handful of times. Hell, he had only been dating Taehyung for a little over a year. However, he tried to help when he could. And that included tomorrow, which his boyfriend had been frazzled about for days.
His other brother, Seokjin, was flying into Seoul in the morning, and no one would be in town to pick him up. That’s when Jeongguk had spoken up, volunteering to take on the responsibility. He had never met Seokjin. Never talked to him. He had never even seen what he looked like. The oldest brother was elusive, but if it helped his boyfriend’s stress levels, then he was happy to do it.
Seokjin lived in the United States, and from what Jeongguk had heard, this would be the first time he was coming back to South Korea in four years. All he knew was that his flight arrived at 7:30 am, and he was to pick him up and bring him back to their apartment, where he would be staying for the duration of his visit.
Jeongguk remembered eavesdropping on Taehyung’s conversation with him about the plans. His brother repeatedly mentioned about just staying in a hotel, but Taehyung insisted that he stayed in their guest room, guilting the older about not coming home in so long. Eventually it worked and Seokjin agreed to stay with them.
“Who goes clubbing on a Wednesday, anyway?” He spat.
“Screw you, man!” the birthday boy, Yugyeom, shouted over the phone, Jeongguk laughing at the reaction. “Come on. You missed my birthday last year too, and you said you wouldn’t next time.” The voice paused. “The drinks are half off on Wednesdays.”
Jeongguk pinched the bridge of his nose, regretting the words before they even left his lips. “Fine. But I’m not staying that long!” He had to hold the phone away from his ears, as the loud cheers erupted. He laughed, shaking his head at their excitement. It had been a while since he hung out with them, so tonight should be fun.
💋
“Bottom’s up!”
Seven heads thrown back, as they swallowed the shots, liquid burning down their throats.
“Okay, that’s it,” coughed Jeongguk, sliding his glass onto the table. “I’ve only been here for ten minutes and you’re already trying to get me drunk.”
A hand snaked around his neck, pulling him closer. “The idea of the shot,” Mingyu said into his ear, “was to loosen you up. You dressed for the club, now act like it.”
It’s true that Jeongguk had put some extra thought into his outfit. Not for any particular reason, other than his confidence. A black jean Calvin Klein shirt half buttoned, sleeves rolled up with a white shirt underneath. Bangs parted, forming a comma over his forehead with his fresh haircut. When he had walked into the club and spotted his friends, they immediately started whistling at him, even when they were dressed similarly. Maybe it had to do with the fact that his usual attire for the past year had consisted of hoodies and sweatpants.
“Happy birthday!” Jeongguk slapped Yugyeom on the back, interrupting his flirting with some girl a few tables over. Did it count as flirting if it only included occasional staring?
“Thanks, man,” Yugyeom pulled him into a half hug. “So are you going to do a shot with me?”
“What?” Jeongguk furrowed his brow at the question.”I just did a fucking shot!”
“That didn’t count!” Yugyeom shouted back over the music. “That was a group one. Consider this your birthday gift to me.”
Jeongguk glared at him with no hint of emotion. Yugyeom pouted his lips as far as he could. The guilt got him again, and Jeongguk sighed, running a hand through his hair that bounced back in place immediately. “Make it whiskey.”
“That’s my boy!”
Jeongguk chuckled. His friends were so easy to please.
“My treat. I’ll be right back,” he said as he left the table, heading toward the bar.
Squeezing his way through the crowd of swaying bodies, Jeongguk found himself at the counter of the bar which to his surprise, was a bit empty. However, the bartenders were still running around filling drinks without a break, so he could only guess that everyone had large orders. He tapped his fingers on the counter with the rhythm of the music as he watched one bartender pass by him, taking the order of the person at the end of the bar. Eyes following, he glanced at the man giving his order and the tapping stopped.
The man was beautiful– no, ravishing. Hair styled similar to his own, wearing a white shirt, half unbuttoned, hands dripping in silver rings and bracelets, and one earring and matching ear cuff. Jeongguk found himself captivated by the stranger. He observed as the man talked, watching those luscious, pillowy pink lips move. He swore he could see them bounce with how plush they were. He had never seen someone so gorgeous.
Taehyung–
What the fuck was he doing? Jeongguk blinked, and immediately snapped his head away from the interaction. He was here for his friends. He had a handsome and loving boyfriend.
“What can I get you, sir?”
Jeongguk glanced up to find the bartender waiting for him to order. “Two fireball shots,” he answered, his voice barely heard over the hammering beat of the music, as he slid a few bills toward him. The bartender nodded and turned to grab the alcohol and glasses. As he watched the bartender, a woman suddenly appeared next to him, her elbow propped on the smooth countertop as she tried to catch another bartender’s attention. Jeongguk’s gaze drifted over her shoulder, and he noticed the man had left, leaving the end of the bar empty.
He grabbed the shots from the bartender as he nodded his thanks, and carefully walked back to his friends, attempting to avoid any sort of bump or shove.
"Finally!" Yugyeom exclaimed as Jeongguk returned. "I thought you'd abandoned me.”
"Never," Jeongguk grinned, handing over one of the shots. They clinked shot glasses and downed the fiery liquid.
"Whew!" Yugyeom shouted, slamming his empty glass on the table. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
As the night continued, and laughs were shared, Jeongguk found himself loosening up, thanks to the alcohol. He wasn’t drunk, and he was barely buzzed, but it released the tension in his muscles. The music pulsing through his body as he danced with his friends, laughing at their ridiculous moves. Jeongguk was swaying to the music, eyes closed, until he felt a dull jab at his back.
“What the fuck–”
“Bro, do you know him? He was staring at you,” Mingyu asked, voice carrying over the music. “He's fucking hot too, damn,” he added in a lower voice, but it still caught Jeongguk’s ears. He turned around and followed the direction Mingyu had nodded toward.
There, on the opposite side stood the attractive stranger from the bar. Jeongguk froze, his heart skipping a beat as he locked eyes with the man across the crowded dance floor. He swallowed, suddenly very aware of the heat that surrounded him from the close contact of moving bodies, and the sweat beading on his forehead.
"I don't know him," Jeongguk shouted in reply. “I just saw him at the bar earlier.”
Well, he sure seems interested in you," Eunwoo chimed in, his smirk suggestive.
"Knock it off," Jeongguk muttered back, pulling his eyes away from the stranger to glare at his friend. "I have a boyfriend, you asshole.”
“I call dibs!” Mingyu called out.
“Can’t wait to see you get rejected,” Eunwoo grinned, earning a shove to his shoulder.
“Let me just get some more alcohol in me first,” Mingyu continued, ignoring the comment as he started to walk back toward their table. “Jeongguk, you coming?”
Jeongguk turned back to the dance floor, but the moment had passed, and the stranger was gone once again. The drops of sweat felt like they were scorching his skin. He needed to get away for a second.
“Go ahead, I’m gonna hit the bathroom,” he replied, and started weaving through the maze of bodies toward the side of the club with the large restroom signs.
Jeongguk pushed through the heavy door that muffled the thumping bass slightly as it closed. He walked up to the sink, splashing cool water onto his flushed face. As he looked up at his reflection, he couldn't help but notice how messy he appeared.
"Get it together," he mumbled to himself, gripping the edge of the sink hard enough to whiten his knuckles. He snatched a few paper towels to blot the water and sweat mixture from his face and neck.
As he reached for another, the door swung open. Jeongguk's heart leapt into his throat from the loud clash of the door against the wall. When he glanced up, his eyes were met with the stranger’s from the dance floor, as he stood there, looking just as surprised as Jeongguk had been. Up close, the man was even more breathtaking; sharp jawline, dark almond eyes, and those plush lips agape as they gasped.
Jeongguk directed his eyes down at his hands as they sat in the sink, and the stranger walked around him to the other sink, turning on the faucet to wash hands. He ran his own hands under the running water of the faucet in front of him, as if that had been what he came in there to do in the first place.
Finishing up, Jeongguk reached out to grab more paper towels, but instead of feeling the soft paper material under his fingers tips, it was the soft, wet skin of the man who had grabbed it at the same time. Jeongguk quickly retracted his hand.
“Shit! Sorry, go ahead.”
The stranger chuckled, pulling down on the towels. “Thank you.”
Jeongguk watched as the man dried his hands thoroughly, making sure to go over every inch of them.
“You’re staring.”
“Huh?” Jeongguk’s eyes went wide as he looked up at the mirror and saw the pair of eyes and a pretty smile staring back at him. “Oh–”
Slowly, the man inched closer to him, leaning in as Jeongguk leaned back slightly. He could smell the cologne wafting off his neck and it smelled delicious. Peach, with a hint of... vanilla? The stranger reached his arm out, turning off the faucet in front of Jeongguk that had still been running.
“We don’t want to waste water, right?”
Jeongguk felt the warm breath grazing his skin, a sign of how close they were to each other. His gaze lingered on the lips just inches away, and suddenly any semblance of control he had was gone. He lunged forward, lustfully meeting their lips in a fervent kiss, while his still-damp hands cradled the stranger's jaw. The man responded with fingers tightening around Jeongguk's arms, as if it were natural, as he was guided backwards until the stranger's back collided with the wall, eliciting a grunt between their entwined mouths.
Their kiss deepened as Jeongguk pressed his body closer to the stranger’s, one hand sliding around to cup the back of his head while the other wrapped around his waist, pulling him flush against his own erection. The stranger moaned as his fingers moved to dig into Jeongguk's back. The music from the club was a distant beat compared to the deafening of Jeongguk's heartbeat against his ears. He pressed closer, his body acting on autopilot while his mind was hazed with lust and greed.
He knew it was wrong. But the alcohol flowing through his body shut off any careful decision making his brain might try. At least that’s what he had told himself. In reality, he was mostly cognizant, having turned down the majority of the drinks offered to him throughout the night. So he should put a stop to this. But a flutter of those captivating eyes, and the thought dissipated before Jeongguk could even fully grasp it.
The stranger's tongue traced Jeongguk's bottom lip, requesting entry that Jeongguk granted without hesitation. As the foreign tongue explored the inside of his mouth, Jeongguk rolled his hips, causing another moan against his lips. He shifted lower, eagerly spreading kisses across the neck and collarbones that he had stared at for too long on the dance floor.
“My hotel is just down the street,” the man said, as he panted into Jeongguk’s hair.
He should’ve thought about it. Should’ve said he had a boyfriend. Should’ve at least pretended to hesitate.
Instead, he locked fingers with the pretty man, and carefully looked around as they exited the club, making sure none of his friends had spotted them.
💋
Jeongguk entered the room first, the man closing the door behind him, along with the lock. As soon as he turned around, Jeongguk’s lips returned to their previous position on his neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses anywhere he could. The stranger gasped softly, tilting his head to give him better access. His hands found Jeongguk's waist, fingers sliding beneath his shirt to touch the warm skin.
“I’m Jeon–”
“I don’t care,” the stranger interrupted, exhaling a shaky breath as the soft lips continued their attack on his sensitive skin. He reached up to grab Jeongguk’s face, leading him back to his own lips, as if he was suffocating and Jeongguk’s oxygen was the only cure.
Jeongguk’s own hands instinctively clutched the slim waist, pushing him further into the door. “Can I get your name?”
“No need for it,” the stranger answered between kisses. Jeongguk slowed, and leaned back to look into the man’s eyes clearly.
“Well, what can I call you then?”
"Call me whatever you want," his breath hot against Jeongguk’s ear as his fingers reached up to thread through his hair. Jeongguk’s impatience with the material barrier between them was running thin, and he was quick to unbutton the rest of the white shirt, letting it fall off one of the stranger's shoulders.
"You're so gorgeous," Jeongguk murmured, his fingers trailing along the man's collarbone. He likely heard the word all the time. This time wasn’t unique, it wasn’t special. At least for him, probably. But for Jeongguk, the word held meaning, and the stranger was the epitome of it.
The stranger's hands were just as busy, tugging at Jeongguk's black shirt until it completely loosened from his jeans. Again, their lips met, this time hungrier. It was as if the words exchanged had kept their mouths from each other’s for far too long. They stumbled toward the bed, neither willing to break the kiss even as they fumbled with the rest of their clothes.
When the stranger's calves hit the mattress, he fell, sinking into it and pulling Jeongguk down on top of him. His hands were immediate to touch Jeongguk's bare chest, following the dips and curves of his muscles.
"I've never been complimented so much at one time," the stranger's airy breath light as he moved to outline Jeongguk's jawline with his thumb. Each touch sent electricity through his body, making him forget everything beyond this room and beyond this moment.
Jeongguk's mind was a haze of desire, as his eyes watched the face below him. “I find that hard to believe,” he countered.
The stranger glanced up to meet his eyes and for a single moment the room was still. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, they captured each other’s lips in another hungry kiss, devouring until they were red and puffy. Moving from his face, Jeongguk's hands slid down the silky skin, gripping his bare waist and shifted the stranger’s body further up the bed. He moved his kisses down, along the neck, the collarbones, paying attention to each nipple, until he reached his stomach, placing light kisses on the soft skin.
"I need your cock," the stranger breathed, “now,” his voice in a husky whisper that sent shivers down Jeongguk's spine. Wasting no more time, his fingers traced the waistband of the stranger’s boxers before he yanked them down, the man’s cock springing free from the cloth. “My bag,” the stranger said in a hurried tone, “the bag on the dresser, it has a condom and lube.”
Jeongguk reluctantly left the man alone, backing off the bed to find the bag that the stranger had mentioned. It was larger than he expected, making it a bit more difficult to find the items he was looking for. After a minute of searching, his fingers landed on the bottle and foil. "Bingo," he whispered, mostly to himself, and tossed them onto the bed, glancing up to see the man's chest rising and falling rapidly, his breaths shallow with anticipation. The stranger's eyes followed Jeongguk's every move, and when their gazes met, Jeongguk slid his fingers in the waistband of his briefs, slipping them from his hips, causing them to slide down his legs.
“Fuck,” the man groaned, his head falling back onto the mattress.
Stepping out of his briefs, Jeongguk leaped onto the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight as he settled between the stranger's parted legs. “Turn over,” he directed, but took initiative himself, gripping the man’s hips and guiding him to roll over. “Ass up.”
Gasping, the stranger, now on his stomach, pushed himself onto his knees, reaching for a pillow to tuck beneath his head for comfort. Jeongguk flicked the cap of the lube, pouring the cool liquid onto his fingertips, feeling its chill spreading on his skin.. He had been fully hard ever since they arrived at the hotel room but he was focused intently on making sure the man was thoroughly prepared.
Dragging his hand along the smooth skin of the cheeks in front of him, he pulled them apart, revealing the pink puckered hole and Jeongguk felt his cock twitch, instantly aroused by the sight. Unable to control himself, he leaned in, placing wet kisses along his tailbone, further down until his lips were on the man’s entrance. The stranger's body arched into the touch of Jeongguk's greedy lips, a soft gasp escaping his own.
Slick dripped down Jeongguk’s free fingers ready to be used, but his mouth was selfish, continuously wetting the rim with his saliva. His tongue pushed against the tight muscle, stroking it until he found his way inside.
The stranger jerked forward, surprised at the intrusion. “Oh shit,” he groaned, almost breathless, as he attempted to thrust himself against it. “I didn’t know you were so skilled with your tongue,” he panted, and then another moan as Jeongguk jabbed further inside, pressing along the constricting walls.
A drop of lube fell onto his thigh, pulling Jeongguk out of his carnal appetite. He leaned back, removing his tongue which the stranger responded with a muffled whimper.
“Here we go, baby,” Jeongguk grunted, testing out the nickname. Slowly, he inserted a dripping finger into the puckered hole that was already glistening with his spit. “Fuck, you’re so tight.”
Jeongguk’s erection was throbbing; he wanted nothing more than to just ram himself inside and fuck the man until he was crying on his cock.
He watched as his finger thrust in and out, and when it was taken well enough, he slipped in a second. The stranger’s ass wiggled slightly, as he tried to pleasure himself more on them. With a smug smirk, Jeongguk curled his fingers just right, provoking a broken moan against the pillow. He latched onto the man’s hip with his free hand, keeping him in place as he quickened his pace, scissoring his fingers inside.
With barely a third finger inserted, the stranger lifted his head off the pillow, attempting to look back at Jeongguk. “Fuck me,” he pleaded with a throaty groan. “I’m ready, just fuck me.”
Between the shaky legs, Jeongguk could see the man’s cock leaking precum onto the sheets, red and bobbing slightly from his movements. “Hold on, baby,” he huffed, rubbing at the rosy complexion on his hip caused by his tight grip. “It might hurt if I go now.” The squelching from Jeongguk’s fingers filled the room, along with ragged, impatient breaths and suppressed moans.
“I don’t fucking care,” his voice sounding strained, as he clenched his fists’ grasp on the sheets.
Every whine, whimper, and moan tore at Jeongguk’s restraint until he practically ripped his fingers out of the stranger. Feeling around the sheets, he searched for the condom he dropped on the bed until his fingers landed on the cool foil.
With his already lubed hand, he pumped his cock a few times, wincing at the painful touch while using his teeth to tear through the wrapper. Slowly, he rolled the condom down his curved erection, exhaling harshly through his nose until it was fully unrolled.
“God, hurry the fuck up,” the stranger panted, his voice laced with impatience and irritation.
Positioning himself in line with the stranger’s fluttering hole, Jeongguk guided his cock to the slick entrance, pushing the tip in slowly.
“Shit! Wait, wait– Oh fuck,” the man stammered, taking deep breaths as he was stretched around the thick cock. “You’re– just give me a minute.”
Jeongguk’s hips froze in place, waiting for the man to adjust. “Breathe baby, you’re doing good,” he rasped, the nickname feeling natural coming off his tongue.
After a moment, the stranger let out a long exhale, shifting his ass backwards a bit, taking in another inch of Jeongguk. “Okay,” he sighed, “continue.”
Urgent to move, Jeongguk followed orders, as he resumed sinking his cock into the tight entrance until bottoming out, his hips flush with the stranger. He paused for a second to give the man a chance to object, but when there was none, he slowly pulled out, dragging against the walls squeezing against him. When the head of his cock caught on the rim, Jeongguk tightened his grip on the stranger’s hips, before ramming back in, jostling him up on the bed.
A gasp-turned-mewl escaped the man’s lips as Jeongguk repeated the thrust, each time faster than the last. In and out, his hips snapped against the man’s ass, the slap reverberating against the walls of the hotel room. He was rough with his thrusts, eager to hear more from the stranger, quickly becoming addicted to his voice.
Digging his fingers hard enough to leave memories of himself into the man’s skin, Jeongguk leaned against his back as he slowed, rolling his hips and grunted into his ear, “Louder, beautiful. I need to hear you.”
He leaned back, slamming once more into the stranger, causing him to let out a high pitched whine and a string of expletives. “Harder,” he begged, sounding as if he was struggling to get the word out.
Jeongguk could feel the heat pooling low in his abdomen from how wrecked the man already was. His hands slid up the body, sticky with sweat, until they met his tiny waist, slotting perfectly against it and gripping the soft skin. He began pounding into him faster, while also pulling him by his waist onto his cock. The thrusts were hard, rough, dizzying, and everything in between. Jeongguk watched as the man’s muscles tensed with every penetration, and listened as every moan was broken by his enthusiastic jabs into his prostate.
Their movements were filthy, their breaths hot. The stranger attempted to reach down and wrap his hand around his cock, but he had to quickly grab back onto the sheets to steady himself. Jeongguk could tell he was close, and for a second he thought about reaching around and grabbing the cock himself, but the thought of him coming untouched made Jeongguk’s toes curl.
“Cum for me, baby,” he growled, taking a hand to the man’s back and pushing down, arching him for a deeper reach, as he continued his relentless pace.
“Holy fuck,” the man whimpered at the change of position. “There…right there. I’m so close–”
Taking a deep breath, Jeongguk hammered his hips with more force. “Oh God,” he choked out, feeling the stranger constrict around him. He was starting to cramp but held his momentum.
“I’m coming, I’m–” the man’s legs were trembling as he released onto the sheets below, as well as his own stomach and Jeongguk’s legs, as his cock bobbed back and forth from the speed of the thrusting.
Jeongguk was at the edge of his own orgasm, the heat intensifying, and constant whines from the stranger was enough to push him over. As he spilled into the latex, his hips stuttered, losing their strength but grinding enough to drag out his high.
He pulled out carefully, watching as the pink puffy rim fluttered around nothing. Jeongguk collapsed next to the man, uncaring of the mess under him. Their ragged breaths were in sync, and Jeongguk desperately wanted to shift closer, wrap his arm around the man’s stomach, kiss his neck, anything, but he was too weak. Exhausted, and achy, he closed his eyes, focusing on the stranger’s breathing until he dozed off.
💋
The warmth from the sun peeping between the shades hit Jeongguk directly in the face, producing a stir in the large bed. He groaned from being woken up, and rolled onto his other side, facing away from the bright light . Just that slightest movement was enough for his muscles to scream, the ache felt everywhere in his body. Jeongguk’s arm was spread out on the empty bed, and he–
Empty bed?
He peeked an eye open to find that his hand was not lying, and the other half of the bed was indeed empty, except for a napkin. Jeongguk grabbed the napkin, bringing it inches from his face, as he squinted his only open eye, to find a note on it.
had plans and had to leave. don’t steal anything <3
He let out a chuckle, closing his eye once more. Jeongguk sighed, sinking deeper into the cushiony mattress. Only seconds passed, and both eyes snapped open in realization of the time.
Of where he was.
Of what the fuck happened last night.
There wasn’t enough time to digest that last one. Jeongguk practically fell out of the bed, scouring the pile of clothes on the floor to find his phone in his jeans. A struggle between him and the tight pockets of the pants, but after winning, he pulled the phone out to find a list of missed calls and texts from his friends as well as two calls from Taehyung and three texts, one from six minutes ago.
Unlocking the device, he opened the messages app.
6:55 am
change of plans. hyung got in last night so you don’t have to pick him up. Instead, we’re having brunch at 8:30 so meet us at tavolo 24 ♥️
7:45 am
making sure you’re awake sleepyhead!
8:09 am
Jeongguk get the fuck up
Jeongguk glanced at the time; 8:15 am.
Shit.
Fifteen minutes. There was no way he’d make it on time, and definitely no time to stop by their apartment first. Jeongguk jumped up, sliding his legs into the jeans and pulling his shirt on. He ran to the bathroom, scanning the counter, and found a tube of toothpaste. He sighed, grabbing the tube and squirting some of the paste onto his finger.
Rubbing his finger across his teeth, Jeongguk glanced up and his eyes widened at his disheveled appearance. Parts of his hair were sticking up, his lips were still a bit puffy, and his black shirt was slightly wrinkled. Finishing with his “brushing”, he wetted his fingers under the faucet and combed them through his hair, trying to tame the loose strands. He was in luck that the stranger had gotten ready earlier and left all his toiletries out. Using some mousse as well as a few drops of cologne, he felt satisfied enough to be seen in public, but only barely.
Thanks to his skilled Uber driver and the lighter than usual traffic, Jeongguk arrived at the restaurant only eleven minutes late. As he opened the large door separating their private room from the public tables, Taehyung turned around, eyes lighting up at his arrival. He stood, rushing to his boyfriend and pressed a kiss against his cheek and wrapped their arms together as he dragged him to their table.
“Where were you?” Taehyung whispered, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance. “You always answer your phone in the mornings.”
“Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep last night so I was knocked out,” Jeongguk answered, hoping his voice sounded steady.
“My poor baby,” Taehyung said with a pout.
When they approached the table, Taehyung’s mother, Haewon, turned to face them, and Jeongguk bowed in greeting, before taking a seat at the end, next to Taehyung.
“Good morning, dear!” Haewon replied with a cheery voice. “Our orders were already taken, but Taehyung-ah ordered for you. We’ll call the server to take your drink order, though.”
Jeongguk smiled in response, grabbing the menu set in front of him, and Taehyung leaned in close, breath hot on his ear. “I hope it’s okay that I ordered for you.”
“Of course, my love.”
Taehyung moved in closer, tilting his head slightly to inhale against Jeongguk’s neck. “You smell different. Almost familiar,” he pulled back to meet Jeongguk’s eyes for a split second before taking another whiff. “Peach? You smell like my brother, I think he has the same cologne,” he giggled.
Jeongguk swallowed the pool of spit forming in his mouth. “Oh really? I was with the boys last night, so. You know how touchy they are.”
The echo of the large door being opened interrupted them, as well as two sets of footsteps. Thankful for the distraction, Jeongguk’s eyes swept over the drinks section of the laminated menu in front of him, carefully deciding on what to order.
Voices were alternating, a conversation in progress, and he recognized Namjoon’s deep voice. As they drew near the table, the other spoke, words clearer than when they first entered the room.
Jeongguk stiffened.
He realized he knew the other voice. How could he forget it? Just hours ago it was full of life, imprinting into his brain. The sound he craved the second it quieted, his addiction to the moans caused by his own body.
Namjoon took his seat next to his mother, leaving the chair across from Jeongguk open for his brother. The menu separated their eyes, but he almost wished he could see through it.
“Jeongguk, meet my brother Seokjin,” Taehyung tugged on his arm, lowering the menu.
The barrier between them was no more, and Jeongguk watched as Seokjin’s expression changed subtly, the shock in his eyes becoming more apparent by the second and then again, in an instant, disappeared.
Seokjin bowed his head in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Jeongguk-ssi.”
His voice was different when it wasn’t moaning or begging.
“Jeongguk.”
He felt a nudge on his rib and realized he was staring at Seokjin while everyone else was staring at him, waiting for him to speak.
“Oh– yes, it’s nice to finally meet you as well, Seokjin-ssi.” The reply was forced, but it was enough to satisfy the rest of the table, as they resumed their conversations. Jeongguk, however, snuck another glance at Seokjin, who’s eyes were on the bouquet, the silverware, the table. Everywhere except him.
While lost in thought, the servers had arrived at the table with their food, setting each plate in front of the corresponding person.
“Sir, are you ready to order your beverage?”
The sudden voice next to him startled Jeongguk, as the server stood there, patiently waiting for a reply.
“Ah, I’ll have uh–” he pulled out his wallet to grab his license but the usual pocket for it was empty. Unusual, considering he never had to take it out except for getting carded. Maybe one of his friends had it from last night. “I’ll just take an orange juice,” he replied, handing her the menu.
“Of course, sir.”
💋
The brunch was awkward, to say the least. Jeongguk hardly participated in any of the ongoing conversations, choosing to focus on the pajeon he was poking, which grew colder with every passing minute. He continued stealing glances toward Seokjin, only to be met with other angles of his face each time.
Everyone was finished with their meals and busy talking about the wedding plans in detail, when Seokjin pushed his chair away from the table and stood, walking with a slight limp to the exit of the room.
Now was his chance. Jeongguk waited for a minute to pass and turned his head toward Taehyung, who was engrossed with whatever his mother was saying.
“I’m going to the restroom, my love,” he planted a kiss on his cheek before getting up and walking in the direction Seokjin had left.
Reaching the restroom, Jeongguk quietly shut the door, locking it behind him. As he rounded the corner of the large room, Seokjin was standing in the middle of the sinks, washing his hands. Taking a quick glance at the stalls to make sure they were empty, Jeongguk approached the man, who startled upon seeing him.
“Shit,” Seokjin almost clutched his chest with his wet, soapy hand when he noticed Jeongguk next to him, but instead stopped just before dripping on his blue button up shirt.
“What are we going to do?” Jeongguk leaned against the counter, rubbing his face with both hands.
Seokjin finished washing the soap from his hands, making sure to get every bubble, before replying. “Last night didn’t happen,” he said, grabbing a handful of paper towels from a basket between two of the sinks.
The hands on Jeongguk’s face stopped, hearing Seokjin’s words. His reply was so nonchalant. And even though he was right, the words stung. Forget? Like hell he could forget. Even if he could, he didn’t want to. Last night was burned into his brain. Seokjin’s touches seared into his skin.
“I’m not good at lying, Seokjin!” Jeongguk followed Seokjin’s steps toward the trash bin as he threw the towels away, and when he turned around Jeongguk was only inches from his face. “I just cheated on your brother!” His eyes flashed toward Seokjin’s lips before they met his eyes once more.
“Yeah, I was fucking there," Seokjin snapped back. "Well, you’re going to have to try. He’ll hate us both if he finds out,” he added, leaving no room for discussion as he pushed past him, to exit the restroom.
Jeongguk turned toward the counter, gripping the edges as he leaned on his arms, sighing. Slowly, he lifted his head, watching himself in the mirror. Wondering how he got himself into such a mess in less than twelve hours.
Returning back to their private dining room, Jeongguk was greeted with everyone standing in a group away from the table.
“Baby,” Taehyung called to him, “We have to stop by hyung’s hotel room to pick up his stuff and check him out.”
Fuck.
With all the chaos this morning, Jeongguk had forgotten that he was staying with them. Taehyung started walking towards Jeongguk and the door, with Seokjin trailing behind him.
“Taehyung-ah, I can just stay in the hotel since I’m already there. I don’t want to be a bother.”
The two brothers walked past Jeongguk, and he turned, following them out of the restaurant.
“No way, hyung! I haven’t seen you in years, you’re staying with us. I’ve already prepared your room!”
Seokjin slid the key card through the slot and pushed the door open, holding it for the others to enter. Taehyung walked in first, then Jeongguk, who lingered in the doorway. Seokjin brushed past him, stopping just behind Taehyung.
“Damn, it reeks of sweat and sex in here, hyung,” Taehyung remarked, amused at the fact, before heading toward the bathroom.
Jeongguk’s eyes darted to Seokjin, who’s jaw visibly clenched at the comment. He waited for the man to glance back at him, to make eye contact, but Seokjin just followed his brother’s path, and joined in gathering the toiletries from the bathroom counter. Jeongguk walked to the chair in the opposite corner of the room that held Seokjin’s suitcase. Luckily he had mostly packed before he left earlier that morning, but there was still a small pile of clothes on the floor. Unzipping the suitcase, Jeongguk grabbed a fistful of the clothing and stuffed them into the bag, zipping quickly before they spilled back out.
He pulled on the handle, dropping the bag to the floor, and as he started rolling it to the doorway, Jeongguk stopped, noticing something under his shoe that wasn’t the carpet.. Shifting his foot, his eyebrows rose with surprise as he stared at his license partly under his shoe. Jeongguk glanced toward the bathroom, noticing that the other two were still busy, and bent down to snatch the card, shoving it into his back pocket.
“You got everything?”
Jeongguk twirled around to see Taehyung and Seokjin staring at him, each with a bag in their hands.
“Oh, yeah I think so,” he answered, looking down as he walked to the door with the luggage rolling behind him.
“Let’s go!” Taehyung skipped past him, swinging the bag as he entered the hallway. Seokjin rushed past him as well, keeping his eyes straight, and letting the door glide shut behind him.
Jeongguk, alone in the room, inhaled a deep breath, closing his eyes as he let it out. His nerves were increasing each minute he was near Taehyung.
He couldn’t look him in the eyes. Couldn’t say more than a few words to him without feeling as if he’d burst like a dam, spilling every detail of last night. Jeongguk had never lied to Taehyung before. Not really. Nothing bigger than saying he was almost home when he had just left work, or that the cookies he made didn’t taste burnt even though they were clearly black on the bottom.
Sighing, Jeongguk pulled the door open and left the room that was still fresh with memories of passion from just hours before.
💋
Taehyung was the first to enter the apartment, walking backwards until Seokjin walked in behind him. “Here we are, hyung! Let me show you to your room,” he said, leading them to the nearly empty guest room.
As they were in the bedroom, Jeongguk set the suitcase outside of the room and plopped down on the couch, finally taking a peek at the numerous notifications his phone accumulated overnight. He hesitated to open the messages from his friends, afraid that one of them had seen him leave the club with someone.
Jeongguk huffed a sigh of relief when the messages were just asking where he went.
Where are you?
Jk, where’d you go?
are you okay???
His breath hitched when he saw the preview of the last message.
you left with…
Without hesitation, he tapped Mingyu’s name.
you left without saying bye? what the hell man? Jaehyun said he saw the back of your head as you walked out the door. i almost called tae… you owe me a drink for leaving so fucking early!!!
Jeongguk slumped against the back of the couch, rubbing harshly at his eyes. What the fuck was he thinking? For the last 16 months he hadn’t even looked at another man once. And in a matter of hours, he risked it all, lusting over a pair of pretty eyes. Eyes that shared the same DNA as his boyfriend. He was happy with Taehyung. He was–
Was he happy? Or was he content?
The question never presented itself before today. He loved Taehyung. How could you not when you’ve spent every moment with someone for so long. But was he in love with him?
Someone in love wouldn’t commit the acts he did last night. Someone in love wouldn’t continue to think about those acts even now. Wouldn’t constantly have that person on their mind.
Seokjin was on his mind. Of course he was, because he hadn’t left it. Jeongguk couldn’t stop thinking about him, even when Taehyung greeted him with a kiss; even when the guilt ate at him.
Jeongguk was jolted out of his thoughts when the bedroom door opened, with Taehyung and Seokjin walking out.
“The bathroom is just across the hall here,” Taehyung pointed to the door, but before he could continue the mini tour, his phone buzzed. “Ah, damn…we forgot to take the centerpieces out of the trunk. I have to meet Joonie hyung to transfer them.”
“I’ll come with you,” Seokjin spoke up.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll only be gone for like ten minutes, max. You can finish settling into your room.” Taehyung grabbed his keys from the island counter. “Jeongguk, make hyung some tea while I’m gone. I’ll be right back!”
He left before anyone could get a word in, leaving a beat of silence surrounding the two.
Seokjin grabbed his suitcase and turned around, rolling it into his room, leaving Jeongguk alone once again.
One shirt after another, Seokjin neatly placed each piece of clothing on the empty hangers, then hooking them on the bar inside the closet. He had been so focused on his task that he didn’t notice Jeongguk had eventually followed him to the room.
“Seokjin…” Jeongguk was leaning against the door frame, waiting for any sign of acknowledgment, but when there was none, he pushed off, walking deeper into the room. Seokjin continued to unpack his luggage, as if he was the only one there.
“I’m sorry, Seokjin. This is all my fault,” he stepped closer, knowing it was selfish to ask for his apology to be accepted but had to say it anyway. “I–”
“Yeah, it is,” Seokjin interrupted, eventually pulling his focus away from the clothes to study the emotion on Jeongguk’s face. “You have a boyfriend, Jeongguk. My brother. And it doesn’t matter that you were just another stranger to me last night. The moment he finds out, our relationship changes forever. He’ll be devastated, and I’m part of the reason.”
Jeongguk opened his mouth, ready to reply; ready to spit out anything to make the pain in Seokjin’s eyes fade, but nothing came out. No excuse was good enough to voice. Nothing he said would change last night. Saying what happened was a mistake wouldn’t erase the burns scorched into his skin left by Seokjin’s touches.
The faint whistling of the tea kettle going off in the kitchen broke the stillness between them. Instead of leaving the room to deal with it, Jeongguk stayed, taking one of the only chances they’d have alone.
“You’re right,” he agreed, taking another step forward, now next to the bed that the suitcase was spread out on. “And I’m sorry that you’re in that situation because of me. But…” Jeongguk trailed off, trying to choose the best words for what he wanted to say. “But I don’t re–”
The front door slamming shut cut off his sentence, and Jeongguk scrambled backwards, farther from Seokjin, when Taehyung appeared in the entrance of the bedroom.
“Jeongguk, you left the tea kettle running,” Taehyung huffed, walking past him to grab an empty hanger from the closet, handing it to Seokjin.
“Sorry, I was just helping your brother,” Jeongguk’s murmur was so soft, it was almost a whisper. He turned around without another word, leaving the room, and missing the glance Seokjin had given him.
💋
That night, Jeongguk laid in bed, the mattress dipping from the weight of Taehyung joining him. Shifting closer until his head was on Jeongguk’s chest, he wrapped his arms around the naked skin.
“Goodnight, baby. I love you,” Taehyung’s words were warm against Jeongguk’s body.
“Goodnight.”
No term of endearment.
No i love you.
Taehyung’s breathing evened out, tired from the long and busy day. But Jeongguk… Jeongguk lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling, with only one thing on his mind. One person on his mind.
Kim Seokjin.