Chapter Text
When Jungkook asks the other members of Bangtan Boys, the unanimous reply is: “Bad idea.”
They’re gathered together in their tiny, shitty excuse of a dorm, seated on the hardwood floor in a circle. It’s a brittle winter, already a month into 2015, with nothing but the memories of unsuccessful promotions, and Jungkook wants more than anything for this year to be different. Big Hit Entertainment his ass, he thinks, not when their continuous promotions have proved that their influence in the idol industry is almost non-existent.
“Why not?” Jungkook asks, folding his arms. “Everyone in the industry has them.”
“We’ll get popular off of our music,” Yoongi replies, voice tinged with fatigue. Jungkook knows how often Yoongi pulls all-nighters to perfect his songs, and he doesn’t want all that effort to go to waste just because they have to wait until their company finds the funds to promote their next mini-album.
Completely unprofitable had been CEO Bang Sihyuk’s words about the group that he had debuted, and Jungkook wonders just how in the red their company is because of them. It’s not like the company had always relied on them, but after a few scandals and expired contracts for the other groups in the company, BTS had soon become the only way Big Hit Entertainment could make up for their losses, since newer groups would’ve required even more money. The company executives and BTS were at a stalemate – they had no choice but to keep going, but they didn’t have enough to move forward.
“You already sing and dance and rap and the majority of our fans are yours,” Seokjin says, giving him a small smile. “You already do so much for BTS; there’s no way we can ask you to keep sacrificing yourself so that we can keep promoting as a group.”
“Yeah,” Hoseok agrees, tapping his fingers against his knee, “getting a sponsor is no joke. I’ve heard it’s like prostituting yourself, if you’re unlucky.”
But it’s funny, because they’re already unlucky. BTS, a six-membered group, had debuted in 2013, and had failed to leave a mark on the industry, already overshadowed by newer groups from larger agencies.
Although they’re from a smaller agency, BTS had tried it all: difficult, in-sync choreography; the school boy concept to capture the hearts of middle and high school girls; variety shows filled with fan-service that showed their ‘true’ selves; Japanese releases to utilise the Hallyu wave; yet, none of it had been enough. Their ‘DARK&WILD’ album had sold dismal copies, and like many other male idol groups, they had no presence in the digital market. They’re only two years old, but it already feels like they’ve been shafted into the tsunami aftermath of long forgotten idol groups.
Namjoon looks him in the eyes and says, “We all signed with Big Hit because we thought it’d give us the best chance at making the music we love, so please don’t feel like you owe any of us or the company to fix the situation we’re in; not like this, at least. We’ll work something out, as a team.”
The discussion ends then. Jimin envelopes Jungkook in a hug while they’re waiting to use the bathroom. There’s only one bathroom for the six of them, and after a long day of dance rehearsal, Jungkook wishes he wasn’t the youngest so that he wouldn’t have to wait for his hyungs to shower first.
“I’d rather sign myself up for a sponsor than you,” Jimin murmurs. “You’re too young.”
“I’m nineteen,” Jungkook says, rolling his eyes.
“Well, I’d rather we all get part-time jobs to pay for the shit we need than for you to have to do this,” Jimin says, and his eyes express how upset he is about this.
“I can’t ask that of you, or of the hyungs. I already know some of them use the money they get from their songs to pay for us. Look, I can handle a sponsor. Who knows, maybe they just want someone to treat like a son rather than…” Jungkook trails off, because even he doesn’t believe his words, no matter how much he may want to.
“In today’s world, in this industry, getting a sponsor is synonymous with whoring yourself out,” Jimin tells him, patting him on the back before he heads to his bunkbed.
Jungkook considers Jimin’s words of caution and finds that he doesn’t care, not when his dreams – all of their dreams – are on the line.
*
Through one of their managers, Jungkook organises a time with Big Hit Entertainment’s CEO to discuss contracting a sponsor. Bang Sihyuk is an imposing man with numerous credentials under his belt but has always been kind to Jungkook. When Jungkook had been a thirteen year old trainee, the CEO had sent him to America so that he could learn to dance with feeling – an investment he had yet to pay back.
When Bang PD hears Jungkook’s request, he acquiesces. “Yes, you’d probably be worth the most with your young age and your good looks,” he says.
Jungkook says nothing, despite his growing discomfort at how his CEO had said something so creepy so casually.
The first sponsor Jungkook is set up with takes him drinking. She’s a prominent lawyer in her mid-forties with cash to spare and seems to be easy to spend time with up until the point she begins to rub Jungkook’s thigh. She says, “Let’s head to a hotel.”
Jungkook purses his lips, because he doesn’t want to. He shakes his head, keeping his head down. All talk, no walk, but he doesn’t care, and the sponsor thankfully doesn’t either. “Figured you wouldn’t,” she says, sighing, as she downs another shot of soju. “Not desperate enough, huh?”
He still gets a scolding from Bang PD and his managers, who tell him to take the sponsorship deals seriously. Successful sponsorships last for more than one day, with the sponsor providing both connections in the industry, and money for the sponsored idol. What Jungkook has learnt about the entertainment industry is that it’s incestuous – everyone knows everyone; everyone is related to another in some form; and everyone sleeps around, simply because sex and money are what’s required to stay in the limelight. By having a connection to one powerful person, he’d have access to everything else.
The second sponsor is a beefy thirty-six year old from Mnet, who promises them a reality show for their comeback in return for lewd videos. Even though reality shows bring in much needed fans, Jungkook’s gut feeling is that this man is someone he shouldn’t associate with, so he backs out of the contract signing with forced tears in his eyes, hoping that his naiveté is believable so that he doesn’t offend the older man. The sponsor gives him a stiff frown, but Jungkook is thankful he’s out of the room and hopefully never has to see him again.
Hurrying to the dance practice room, he feels a desperate worry bubbling up when he sees the other five members of BTS, exhausted yet still practicing the choreography of ‘I NEED U’, the song they intend to come back with but can’t.
Jungkook knows the song is good, the mini-album is solid, the choreography is decent, and the concept isn’t too marginalising, but the worst part of all this is that they can’t even try. What money Jungkook had gotten from the first sponsor had gone straight to the company’s bank account and used to pay for a choreographer to clean up the ‘I NEED U’ dance.
Whatever Jungkook is doing, it’s not enough.
*
Before any meeting with a potential sponsor, Jungkook has to sign a non-disclosure agreement. A non-disclosure agreement protects both the sponsors, who often have motives that are less than pleasant and can’t be divulged to the public, and the idols, who are better off scandal-free.
Today, however, is the first time Jungkook sees an army of lawyers in the room. Whoever the sponsor is, Jungkook imagines they’re extremely rich and powerful, more so than the average variety show director or song composer.
Since Bang PD had caught onto Jungkook’s complete avoidance of sponsors with sexual interests, he had tried to sign on the rare sponsors who were willing to do strictly platonic activities with Jungkook. They paid less, and never paid for more than one day. His meet-ups with his sponsors were so uncommon that the other members had yet to catch on to the fact that he was selling out even though they had tried to discourage him.
The woman in front of him looks like she breathes money. Limited edition Prada handbag, tailored designer dress, manicured nails and an entourage consisting of her seven lawyers and two personal assistants.
Jungkook greets her with a low bow and sits opposite her, next to Bang PD. “Hello, I am Jeon Jungkook, the youngest of Bangtan Boys,” he says, giving his standard greeting, although it feels awkward when it’s only him saying it.
The lady doesn’t reply; instead, her lawyer speaks for her. “Hello Mr. Jeon. This is Mrs. Kim, the wife of the chairman of the KT Group.”
Jungkook’s eyes widen at the mention of the business conglomerate, and the wife to the chairman? Jungkook mutters, “Holy shit,” when he realises just how much money he’s dealing with, and they want him? Him, some no-name from a no-name group? It doesn’t make sense.
Bang PD gives him a warning look at his outburst, but Mrs. Kim looks amused, and she opens her mouth to speak. “Jungkook-ssi, how old are you?” Her voice has a sweet lilt, the kind that reminds Jungkook of his own mother’s.
“I’m nineteen,” Jungkook answers, biting at his lip.
Mrs. Kim seems to sense Jungkook’s hesitancy, and chuckles behind her hand. “Oh, Jungkook-ssi, don’t worry. I’m very much in love with my husband. Actually, I have a son. He’s two years older than you, but he has no friends and he gets really lonely at times, so I was thinking of getting him a friend. He’s incredibly musically talented, and he always wanted to be a musician growing up. We probably would’ve let him become an idol if he wasn’t the heir to the KT Group,” Mrs. Kim says, as she motions to a lawyer to hand Jungkook a ten page contract.
“Why me?” Jungkook asks, keeping his eyes on the woman in front of him instead of being distracted by the contract. “Why not a female idol? Or a more popular idol?”
Mrs. Kim smiles. “Well, you’re one of the few idols who’s up for offer who refuses to have sex with sponsors. See, I can’t have my son spending his time with people who sell their bodies so quickly or so cheaply. And, as I said before, I want him to have a friend, and you seem friendly. My son is quite, for a lack of a better word, different – sometimes it can be off-putting to others.”
Albeit wary of what “different” might entail, Jungkook figures that he can’t be that bad if Mrs. Kim is any standard to go by. He’s given the opportunity to scan through the contract, which he learns is only for one meeting with Mrs. Kim’s son, Kim Taehyung. There’s a lot of legal jargon he isn’t familiar with, but phrases like “No sexual contact” and “No bodily harm” bring relief to Jungkook, whose anticipation had caused him to assume the worst.
“If my son likes you,” Mrs. Kim says, “then we’ll have a contract prepared so that he will be your sponsor for a year.”
When Jungkook gets to the last page, he sees the price he’s being offered, eyes widening as he counts the zeroes. “Are you serious? All of this for one meeting?” he asks, incredulous, while Bang PD takes the contract to read through it in depth.
One of Mrs. Kim’s lawyer answers, “Yes, you will be well reimbursed for your time. We are very serious about finding a companion for Young Master Kim, and if possible, we will have the meeting tomorrow. We’ll pay 30% of the fee upfront, and deposit the remaining 70% after the meeting.”
Jungkook doesn’t need to ask any more questions; even Bang PD is quiet as he watches Jungkook sign the contract. They thank Mrs. Kim for her time, and watch her and her entourage leave.
“So I guess a BTS comeback is happening now?” Jungkook asks, voice hopeful.
Bang PD gives him a thin smile. “But this time, we have to make it a success.”
And Jungkook knows what Bang PD means. For the comeback to be successful, he has to keep this sponsorship.
*
Jungkook wonders if he’s underdressed when he’s greeted by a bodyguard at the entrance of Big Hit Entertainment. There hadn’t been any specifications, so he’d chosen to wear his black leather jacket, dark blue jeans that cling to the outline of his legs, and khaki boots.
“Jeon Jungkook?” the bodyguard asks, and Jungkook nods, showing him his I.D.
The bodyguard opens the limousine door, motioning for him to get in. While Jungkook sits down on the leather seats, the bodyguard sits in front, next to the chauffeur.
All of this feels surreal. Being with the BTS members when Bang PD had walked in and told them the comeback would be happening had been surreal – everyone’s relieved faces; Hoseok and Jimin who had shed tears; the group hug they had shared. “I hope we can win first place,” Namjoon had said, his face split into a grin, and everyone had nodded, even though they knew that with their miniscule fan-base, it’d be near impossible. And Bang PD had promised them a new, more spacious dorm if they did, giving them another goal to strive towards.
It takes twenty minutes for them to arrive at The Silla, a grand hotel in Seoul. The bodyguard requests Jungkook to follow him. When he sees rich foreigners and businessmen mulling about in the lobby, Jungkook’s growing anxiety about his shabby appearance hits him. “Oh my god, I’m meeting a chaebol, and I chose to dress like this,” Jungkook mumbles to himself, wanting to pull at his hair for not thinking this one through.
The bodyguard gives him a strange look – whether it’s for talking to himself or for what he said, Jungkook doesn’t know, but Jungkook would also totally side-eye himself in this current situation. Stepping away from the main lobby into another corridor, they take a lift, which the bodyguard says will take them to the presidential suite. The bodyguard presses the button for the highest level.
Jumping up and down a few times to rid himself of his anxiety, Jungkook looks in the reflection, glad that the make-up noonas had helped him. His eyes are rimmed with black eyeliner, and he’s pretty sure they put flavoured lip gloss on him too. Licking his lips, yep, he tastes strawberry. It’s enough make-up that he looks like he had the decency to put some thought into this meeting – the amount similar to what he receives when filming music videos or for TV performances.
When the doors of the lift open, the bodyguard informs him, “We’ll leave you two to introduce yourselves, and when you’re ready, you or Young Master Kim can knock on the door and we’ll transport you two to where you will dine together.”
Jungkook nods, his eyes darting around as he takes in the highest level. There is only one room, already guarded by two bodyguards. A guard scans the key card and opens the door, allowing Jungkook to enter.
Jungkook’s body walks on autopilot, and he hears the door shut ominously behind him. He can’t back out. He won’t back out.
Gathering his courage and swallowing his nervousness, Jungkook calls out, “Kim Taehyung, are you there?”
There is no response.
The presidential suite is beyond large, and walking around the lounge room, he realises that just one room is even bigger than his dorm. He takes in the LCD screen that takes up one whole wall, the indoor swimming pool that is a staircase below, the broad windows that give a stunning view of the city of Seoul at night. The vast luxury renders Jungkook speechless, so awestruck that he forgets for a few heartbeats that he’s meant to be looking for Kim Taehyung.
Jungkook wanders through the many rooms before climbing up a winding staircase to the top level of the suite. When he opens the door to the master bedroom, he almost turns back around, thinking there’s no one in the room since the lights are off. But then he sees the outline of a figure, appreciating the outside view, sitting in a plush chair with his back turned to Jungkook.
Whoever the person is says, “Come in,” surprising Jungkook with how deep and pleasant his boyish voice is. “Don’t turn the light on.”
Jungkook pauses at the threshold, wondering if Mrs. Kim’s description of “different” equates to disfigured, secretly a murderer, or perhaps he’s over-worrying and over-thinking everything; perhaps Taehyung is completely normal, just a little shy when making new friends.
Taking a step, then another, Jungkook walks towards who he assumes is Kim Taehyung.
The chair swivels around and Jungkook pauses a few steps from him, admiring the way the city lights cast shadows across a conventionally attractive face. If anything, Taehyung looks like an idol himself, with his small face, small features, and the way his dark fringe falls directly above his eyes.
Lit by moonlight, Jungkook swears he sees the glint of a smile. Taehyung rests his chin on one hand and says, “Get on your knees.”
Jungkook freezes, eyes wide. Despite the suggestive connotations behind the command, Jungkook forces his legs to move into the kneeling position.
“Take your jacket off,” Taehyung orders next, and Jungkook looks up at him, wondering what he has planned.
Jungkook follows, unzipping his jacket and placing it to the side to reveal a plain white shirt.
Taehyung doesn’t say anything. He stares at Jungkook, contemplative. The quietness and the intensity of Taehyung’s gaze puts Jungkook on edge, making him wonder what there is to see. Can he even see in this shitty lighting?
Taehyung’s eyes meet Jungkook’s, and Jungkook tries to stare back, defiant because his position makes him uncomfortable, but after a few heartbeats, he looks away to the side, the tips of his ears flushing red.
“Look at my feet,” Taehyung finally says.
Jungkook does, squinting in the darkness, being careful not to move.
Taehyung asks, “Do you like my socks?”
Socks. Jungkook wants to punch himself for scaring himself with strange ideas. Leaning forward, Jungkook sees Taehyung wriggle his One Piece sock-clad toes, and Jungkook says, “Chopper from One Piece?”
“Yeah, do you watch it?” Taehyung asks, making Jungkook wonder if this is a trick question.
“I used to,” Jungkook answers, trying to remember the last time he had the time to watch anime. “I got too busy to keep up with it when I debuted though. I just watch it on and off, whenever I have the time.”
To Jungkook’s surprise, Taehyung is easy to talk to despite Taehyung being both his sponsor and two years older. “Just call me Taehyung hyung,” Taehyung says, after Jungkook formally introduces himself. When Taehyung questions Jungkook on why he had sought out a sponsor, Jungkook tells him about BTS, and Taehyung nods his head in understanding. “Yeah, I’ve never even heard of Bangtan Boys actually, and you said you’re already two years old?”
“Most people don’t know us,” Jungkook says. “Our official fan-cafe has around ten thousand fans, which isn’t much, but we appreciate the support we do get.”
“I’ll make sure to join then.” Taehyung smiles, his lips curling upwards, and then he stands up. He motions for Jungkook to stand too.
After Jungkook has shaken off the feeling of pins and needles in his legs from kneeling so long, he looks at Taehyung and realises that they’re of a similar height. Jungkook is sure that his shoulders are slightly broader than Taehyung’s, but beside the physical similarities and differences, Taehyung emits a striking aura that draws Jungkook in, the same way a burning comet is pulled by gravity.
Taehyung grabs Jungkook’s hand, dragging him outside the room. Taehyung’s soft hand is warm, and even though Jungkook isn’t used to strangers touching him, often shaking them off out of immense dislike at the unnecessary contact, he lets Taehyung.
“I’m glad you’re not wearing formal attire,” Taehyung says as they make their way down the stairs to the entrance. He notices Jungkook’s confused expression and he adds, “We’re gonna go for a run, yeah.”
As Taehyung slips into his white sneakers, Jungkook takes in Taehyung’s outfit: a white cashmere shirt with strange triangular cuts around the shoulders that reveal Taehyung’s collarbones, a light blue denim jacket, ripped black jeans. Jungkook doesn’t doubt that all of Taehyung’s clothes are of the highest quality, but it’s also strange seeing a chaebol dressed so casually.
“Running?” Jungkook asks, wondering when Taehyung is going to let go of his hand.
“Yeah.” A smirk spreads across Taehyung’s face as he explains his plan.
Either this is going to get Jungkook murdered by Mrs. Kim, her team of lawyers and the bodyguards waiting outside, or he’s going to risk disappointing Taehyung. Deciding the latter would be worse, Jungkook agrees to the plan.
Taehyung flings open the main door, hand still holding onto Jungkook’s.
“Yo, let’s go,” Taehyung says, tugging Jungkook to stand closer to him. The guards look disgruntled, as if they’re used to Taehyung not following their instructions.
Two bodyguards follow them into the lift. “The chauffeur will drive the both of you to Jung Sik Dang in Gangnam.”
“Wait, won’t that be expensive?” Jungkook asks as Taehyung’s thumb starts stroking his wrist, and although the sensation is unusual, Jungkook refrains from shrugging him off.
“What, you think I can’t afford it?” Taehyung responds, making a noise of amused disbelief.
Jungkook shakes his head. “It’s not that. I just thought we’d be splitting the cost, since that’s what I always do when I’m eating out with my friends.”
“Well, I’m your sponsor, so you’ll have to get used to me paying for everything,” Taehyung says, flashing him a peace sign and smile as though he’s taking a selca, “as long as you do what I ask of you.”
The lift pings. They make their way out the hotel towards where a car is parked, waiting for them.
“Oh my god!” Taehyung shouts, pointing randomly at some far off object and drawing the attention of all the guards. In that moment of distraction, Taehyung and Jungkook break out into a sprint, ignoring the shouts of the guards.
Taehyung is a fast runner, but Jungkook is the idol who’s experienced hours and hours of relentless dance practice. He can feel the air burning through his lungs, because out-running a legion of bodyguards is no mean feat, but somehow under the pressure of impressing Taehyung, he had done it. The darkness of the night helping them weave through the side-streets unnoticed, they arrive in front of a convenience store.
Taehyung breaks into laughter, the sound raspy from heavy breathing. When he finally catches his breath, he says, “Wow, you can run. I’m surprised. I thought you’d chicken out.”
Realising he’s still holding hands with Taehyung, Jungkook removes his hand, wanting to shove his hands into his pockets, only for Taehyung to grab it again to drag him into the convenience store. “I’ve never eaten convenience store food, so forgive me if tonight’s meal is lacklustre.”
“You’re joking,” Jungkook replies.
“Nope, I’ve never been in one of these,” Taehyung says, throwing a smile at the cashier. They walk around all the aisles, allowing Taehyung to peruse all the items. “What’d you want to eat?”
“I’m fine with just banana milk,” Jungkook says as he remembers that he’s supposed to start dieting now that a comeback is imminent.
Taehyung frowns, an exaggerated expression that brings a peal of laughter from Jungkook.
“I’ll take you to a proper restaurant then,” Taehyung says, grabbing two bottles of banana milk and paying for them with the KT Group company card. He sticks a straw into one bottle, hands it to Jungkook, and then does the same for himself – all without letting go of Jungkook. At this point, Jungkook wonders if Taehyung is like Jimin and just enjoys physical contact that much, or if it’s something else entirely.
Taking a stroll through the streets hand in hand and sipping on banana milk, Jungkook is reminded of the dates he had with ex-girlfriends in junior high. Yet, this is nothing alike, because even though Taehyung is male, he’s still so attractive and Jungkook finds that he doesn’t mind the contact as much as he thought he would.
They end up at a fried chicken outlet, since Taehyung has never tried fried chicken from a fast food outlet, having only had seasoned chicken, and Jungkook’s diet is non-existent in the face of fried chicken. When the plate of honey soy chicken is placed in front of them, Jungkook stares in abject awe at how quickly Taehyung can scarf down so much food; Taehyung doesn’t even pause to swallow the food already in his mouth before he’s stuffing another piece of fried chicken in.
“You can fit a lot in your mouth,” Jungkook comments absently, taking a sip of his banana milk.
Taehyung’s response is a wiggle of his eyebrows and then a pointed look downwards at Jungkook’s crotch area.
Jungkook chokes on his drink, coughing into his fist as he fights the flush on his face and refusing to meet Taehyung’s amused gaze.
He tries to make small talk for the sake of building the relationship between sponsor and idol. Jungkook learns that Taehyung has a pet dog, two younger siblings and an empire to inherit. Jungkook discovers that Taehyung’s favourite idol group is Girls’ Generation, although the only song of theirs that he can actually remember off the top of his head is ‘Gee’. And Jungkook answers all of Taehyung’s questions as honestly as he can. What’s his ideal date? (Walking along a beach.) What’s it like being the youngest in BTS? (The hyungs are really kind.) Who is his favourite singer? (Big Bang, IU, Zion.T to name a few.)
It’s not until after they’ve left the restaurant and Taehyung is waving down a cab that Jungkook remembers what Mrs. Kim had said about Taehyung. They step into the cab together, Jungkook giving the address to his dorm.
“What did your mother mean when she said you were ‘different’?” Jungkook asks, hoping that his curiosity doesn’t come off as rude.
“Oh,” Taehyung says, turning his attention away from the outside city lights to focus on Jungkook. “That’s just a nice way of my mum telling people that I’m gay.”
“Gay?” Jungkook reiterates so loudly that the cab driver gives them an irritated look in the mirror. Eyebrows furrowing, Jungkook tries to figure out where he fits in this equation.
“Yeah, like,” Taehyung says, moving so close to Jungkook that their thighs are touching and Taehyung can whisper into his ear, “I want to fuck your ass right here right now type of gay.”
Jungkook chokes on air, his face flushing.
Taehyung continues, “Like I want to rub my dick on your thighs and eat out your ass type of gay. So, really, really gay, y’know?” Taehyung moves away, his smirk growing as he takes in Jungkook’s flustered reaction.
“W-why are you telling me this?” Jungkook asks, hiding his burning face with his hands.
“Because I like you,” Taehyung says, laughter no longer ringing in his words, “so you might as well know what you’ll be getting into if you sign the year-long contract.”
*
True to Taehyung’s word, the KT Group lawyers deliver the documents to Bang PD, who then presents Jungkook with the two hundred paged year-long sponsor contract, and a pat on the back for a job well done. Even though Jungkook doesn’t know if he wants to even sign the contract, he has a health check-up and gets tested for sexually transmitted diseases as part of the requirements specified on the contract.
From a quick read of the first few pages of the contract, Jungkook sees that each month is paid for in advance, with the money being divided 75% to the company and 25% to Jungkook, and that there’ll be at least four meetings per month. The nature of such meetings is up to the sponsor, but there are no restrictions to what may occur. Failure to meet the demands of the contract will result in having to pay double the original amount to the sponsor.
The BTS members’ reaction to seeing the sponsorship contract is mainly positive. They all scan through the pages, pausing when they see the total minimum sum of money that is being offered.
“Is this for real? This is an actual amount that people make?” Hoseok asks, throwing his arms around Jungkook and squeezing him.
Because that’s what it comes down to: money – whether money will make signing the contract easier to do, whether money will make their dreams of succeeding as musicians a reality, whether money will allow Jungkook to stand on stage in sold-out concerts filled with screaming fans, bringing happiness to other people through their music.
Both Seokjin and Namjoon catch the less than pleasant implications in the contract. “There’s a clause,” Namjoon says as he flips through the pages again, getting a papercut in his rush, “that says you can’t be romantically or sexually involved with anyone except the sponsor, and this other clause says your sponsor can literally tell you to drop everything and go see him and you have to. Oh, but at least they try to protect your privacy since this part says there can’t be any digital recordings of whatever happens between the two of you unless both parties agree to it.”
Seokjin adds, “Whatever he demands, you have to do it. But you’ve never been one to just follow people’s orders blindly. I don’t think there’s anything in this contract that protects your freedom of choice if your sponsor demands something.”
Jungkook replies, “I don’t think Taehyung would demand anything too unreasonable,” leaving out the part where Taehyung had insinuated what kind of activities they’d be doing. His hyungs are worried enough as it is.
Surprisingly, it’s Yoongi who comes to his room early in the morning and points out a line in the contract. They had all photocopied the contract so that they could read through it and report back to Jungkook about any findings, since they agreed that it would be too much to read by oneself. “There is this part that says if you say ‘no’, then the sponsor has to back off. So, I know that I was all ‘our music should be the reason why we get popular’ but I also get that we need this if we ever want people to actually give our music a chance.”
“I’m touched that you sacrificed your sleep to help me,” Jungkook teases, breaking out into laughter when Yoongi pulls a mock-offended face.
Yoongi ruffles Jungkook’s bed head and says, “I’m sorry that it came down to this, and I’m sorry that as your hyung I didn’t do more. I’ll work harder to make your efforts worth it.”
And Jimin is the one who sneaks into his bed at night and says, “So what’s the chaebol like? He’s not fifty and balding, right?”
Jungkook slaps Jimin’s arm playfully. “Nah, he’s the same age as you, and better looking, and taller.”
Jimin mimics a wound to his heart, and says, “Ouch, Kook, that really hurts. But, seriously bro, if word gets out that you and he are a thing…”
“Yeah, I know,” Jungkook says, sighing. Noticing Jimin’s worry, Jungkook flashes him a smile that he hopes comes off as reassuring, even if he feels the same apprehension as Jimin does.
“One rumour can destroy a career,” Jimin says, eyes sad.
“There won’t be a career to destroy if I don’t do this though,” Jungkook ends up saying.
Jungkook signs the sponsorship contract two weeks later.
*
To Jungkook’s surprise, his first meeting scheduled with Taehyung under the year-long contract that begun on the first of March isn’t a private one. Instead, Taehyung insists on meeting the other members of BTS.
Jungkook is taking a drink from his water bottle, watching Jimin help Yoongi perfect a part in the ‘I NEED U’ dance, when he hears a clamour from outside the dance studio. He had warned the other members Taehyung would be coming sometime today, but he didn’t think it’d be at 7:25 A.M. Jungkook jumps to his feet, following the other members to form a line.
The door opens and Taehyung enters with his entourage of bodyguards and personal assistants, and Bang PD in tow.
“Hello!” Taehyung’s eyes light up as he sees Jungkook and he flings his arms around him, enveloping him in a hug. Trailing his eyes over the other members, Taehyung pulls away from Jungkook and gives a slight bow to them all. “I’m Jungkook’s sponsor, Kim Taehyung of the KT Group,” Taehyung says. “I hope we can all be friends!”
With the other members, Jungkook does the standard BTS greeting. Starting from their leader Namjoon, they introduce themselves.
After a moment of getting to know one another, Hoseok asks if they can show their ‘I NEED U’ performance to Taehyung. Taehyung nods his head eagerly, moving to sit at the back of the studio.
When the music starts, Jungkook focuses on getting the choreography right. A few times, he finds himself locking gazes with Taehyung, and he’s pleased to see that Taehyung watches him more than the other members.
“I like it,” Taehyung comments, and looking pointedly at Jungkook, he adds, “especially those body rolls. When’s the comeback?”
“April, I think,” Namjoon replies, looking at Bang PD for confirmation. “Yeah, April at the earliest.”
“I have a request,” Taehyung says. “I have a song I composed. It’s called ‘Hold Me Tight’ and I want to have it on your album.”
“You can compose music?” Yoongi asks, eyebrows furrowed and voice dripping in cynical disbelief. Jungkook is just as confused, but then he remembers Mrs. Kim having mentioned Taehyung’s musical abilities.
Taehyung nods. “It’s a hobby of mine.”
“Let’s hear it then,” Namjoon says.
Taehyung takes out his phone, putting it on speaker and playing the song. The first few chords of music play and Jungkook is taken aback by how it doesn’t sound like a complete mess. The song has no voice accompaniment, not until a minute in when the chorus starts and Jungkook hears Taehyung’s voice – deep and soft, soothing and beautiful. Holy shit, because Kim Taehyung, his sponsor, can sing and compose.
Turning to look at Taehyung, Jungkook breaks into a smile realising how proud Taehyung is of his composition, seeing him lip-sync along to the song.
Jungkook isn’t the only one who is impressed, with everyone else sharing looks of confused wonder. Kim Taehyung isn’t an amateur. The more Jungkook thinks about it, the more it makes sense that Taehyung would be able to curate his musical abilities, given his immense repository of musical tutors.
Yoongi is the first to speak. “It’s really good. Wow, I’m actually surprised, no offence or anything. But it’s really good. I think it’d fit the mood of the album well.” Gaining approval from Yoongi, who takes so much pride in his work, is as rare as Seokjin refusing to eat food. “We can work with this.”
The others nod their heads, also liking the song and having no qualms with it being on their mini-album. Jungkook doesn’t need to wonder if the lack of opposition is because of Taehyung being his sponsor, because he knows the song is good, and in any other case, they would’ve also happily worked with it.
When the clock strikes ten, Taehyung bids them all farewell, saying he has a company meeting to attend to.
“It was lovely meeting all of you!” Taehyung says, and Jungkook can tell from the friendly smiles on his team members’ faces that Taehyung has left a favourable impression on them.
Jungkook is swept into another hug, one that he returns as eagerly as Taehyung has been nothing but kind to him, making Taehyung grin. Then Taehyung leaves.
“He’s really not what I expected,” Hoseok says, and then clarifies, “in a good way. He’s unexpected, but it’s good.”
Agreeing with Hoseok’s statement, Jimin nods, smiling so brightly that his eyes curve into crescents. Jimin tells him, “I’m really happy for you.”
*
His next few meetings with his sponsor are short, barely reaching past one hour before Taehyung is called in for work or something related. They go on small dates for lunch or dinner in private restaurant rooms.
Sometimes they talk about whatever is happening in their lives: for Jungkook, he speaks about how comeback preparations are going, how they filmed the music video already, and how he’s so excited to finally have a comeback; for Taehyung, he mentions how stressful work is yet everyone goes easy on him because he’s the heir, and it’s frustrating since he wants his employees to take him seriously.
Sometimes they don’t talk much at all. Sometimes Jungkook eats the luxurious food presented to him by chefs who are ecstatic to be serving food to a chaebol and his friend, while Taehyung says that he’s full and settles for watching Jungkook eat.
BTS’ comeback is scheduled for the end of April, and in the days leading up to it, Jungkook notices articles popping up about them. It’s the first time he’s seen so many positive articles about them, talking about how hard they’ve been working and how amazing the album and MV teasers are. Not only that, but there are thousands of people interacting in the comments that Jungkook can’t help but feel like something is suspicious, not when the previous few articles about them hardly had anyone commenting.
When the MV drops, the keywords ‘Bangtan Boys’ and ‘I NEED U Music Video’ skyrocket to the top of Naver’s trending searches. Jungkook calls Taehyung in a moment of complete shock and comments, “There’s no way this is happening.”
Taehyung’s reply is: “I own Naver, remember?”
Jungkook hangs up, because, no, he doesn’t remember. He calls Taehyung back a second later, apologising for his earlier rudeness and Taehyung laughs, saying, “You’re so cute.”
The media-play reaps positive rewards, with their official fan-cafe jumping in numbers and comments on articles like: “I can’t believe I never paid attention to them before. Their music and looks are so refreshing.” For the first time, their music video breaks a million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours.
“Okay, but if this is the response to the music video,” Jimin says, voice giddy from a mix of happiness and anticipation, “then imagine the response to the album.”
They don’t have to imagine the response to the album. Every song on the album, including their version of Taehyung’s composed song, hits the top ten on every digital music site the moment it’s released, with ‘I NEED U’ at number one. Jungkook has no doubt this is Taehyung’s doing, but ‘I NEED U’ remains first a day later, and Jungkook hopes that it’s because the public like their music.
Broadcasting promotions start too, but the difference this time is that they’re upgraded to a bigger waiting room, and they perform towards the end, which are the times reserved for big name artists. And when they perform on stage, for The Show, for M Countdown, for Music Bank, for Music Core, for Inkigayo, for wherever, there are fans, hundreds of them, chanting along to the song and screaming for them. Along with Jimin, Jungkook gets the opportunity to be a special MC for Music Bank. Although it’s his first time being an MC, his nervousness fades away the moment the cameras flash on.
“I get that money can persuade journalists to write about us and stuff, but there’s no way that money can buy fans. Not like this,” Yoongi comments, and the sentiment is shared in their van on the way back to their dorm. Still remembering how loud the fan-chants were, Jungkook hasn’t felt this level of excitement since he first debuted.
Jimin answers, “Because people are actually interested in us. I talked to a fan before and she said that she was a new fan, that she had no idea who we were more than a week ago, but now she wants to know everything. Isn’t that amazing?” Jimin directs the last part at Jungkook. “We were worth something all along. It just took the right kind of publicity to get the ball rolling.”
Unfortunately publicity can be bad too. BTS gets accused of sajaegi, due to their album sales exploding like never before. Fans defend them saying that the album is amazing and that there are plenty of new fans, both domestic and from abroad, so it makes sense. Likewise, Bang PD confirms that he had never attempted sajaegi since the move would’ve been a financially detrimental decision.
Despite this, Jungkook learns the real reason behind the sajaegi accusations.
From: TaeTae hyung♥
guess how many cds I bought hehe supporting my fave (you) ♥
Jungkook looks at the attached photo and sees a whole room stacked to the ceiling with ‘Hwayangyeonhwa Pt. 1’ albums.
To: TaeTae hyung♥
omg how many did u buy…
From: TaeTae hyung♥
17k ㅋㅋㅋ
To: TaeTae hyung♥
omg this is why we have sajaegi rumours
From: TaeTae hyung♥
eh dw everyone in the company is gonna be gifted with an album and I’ll be keeping a hundred just so i can have a few of your photocards ♥
Although he keeps in touch with Taehyung through the occasional phone call and text, the both of them are too busy to meet up until a week into the promotional cycle. He’s in the waiting room, dressed in the ‘I NEED U’ performance clothes, the high of winning their first trophy still buzzing through him, when there’s a knock on the door. Jungkook looks up, recognising the person who enters. She’s one of Taehyung’s personal assistants and she hands his manager a note.
The manager nods his head and calls Jungkook over.
“Follow Ms. Park. She’ll be delivering you to your sponsor for your meeting,” his manager says.
As much as Jungkook wants to celebrate his first win with the other members, he knows that when his sponsor calls, he must come, so he nods his head, bidding goodbye to his team members and the make-up and coordi noonas.
Jungkook follows Ms. Park to a black van, made to look like the ones idols are transported in, which waits outside the recording studio. Fans screech his name, the flash from cameras just as loud, and he waves at them, hoping that none of the sasaeng fans follow him.
The drive to the hotel is slow in peak hour. Instead of the hotel they first met at, the van stops at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. When Jungkook climbs out of the car, a bodyguard throws a black cloak around him so that no one will see him in his performance clothes and recognise him. Fisting his hands in the material and pulling it closer, Jungkook follows Ms. Park, who leads him to the elevator and presses the button for the highest floor of the building.
She swipes open the door to the hotel room with her key card and motions for him to enter. “Young Master Kim will be with you shortly, Mr. Jeon. Please make yourself comfortable,” Ms. Park says, taking the cloak from him as he steps inside. She closes the door.
Taking a deep breath, Jungkook decides to sit down on the beige leather couch in the living room. While he’s waiting, he turns on the television, turns it back off after a few seconds, then stands up to grab a glass of water from the kitchen. The hotel suite is grand, as are all the things Taehyung has to offer.
While Jungkook is staring at the patterns of the marble kitchen counter, he hears the door open. Placing his glass down, Jungkook hurries out of the kitchen to the living room where Taehyung is. Jungkook’s mouth goes dry seeing Taehyung in his formal office-wear.
Taehyung looks tired, stressed, exhausted, but he still flashes Jungkook a bright smile when he sees him. “I heard you won first place on The Show. Congrats,” he says as he tugs at his skinny black tie, loosening it.
Walking towards him, Jungkook swallows and returns the smile. “Thanks, but it couldn’t have happened without you.”
Throwing his tie on the floor, Taehyung slumps down on the sofa and motions for Jungkook to come closer. “Kneel down on the floor,” he says, and Jungkook doesn’t even blink as he drops to the floor, his bare knees pressing into the soft rug.
Jungkook feels a hand in his hair, pulling him forward roughly. “Wet hair?” Taehyung asks, his words coming out in a drawl.
“It’s part of the concept,” Jungkook replies, trying to calm his sudden harsh breathing.
Taehyung releases him, settles back into the comfort of his seat, then says, “You don’t have to do anything today – just watch.”
Jungkook wets his lips. He nods.
The moment Taehyung moves his hand to his crotch and unzips his pants, all of Jungkook’s mental preparation flies out the window. He feels his cheeks burn, but he keeps his eyes trained on Taehyung.
Jungkook watches Taehyung slip his hand into his underwear, pull out his dick and fist it. Taehyung is half-hard, and he strokes himself as though he’s putting on a show for Jungkook, his mouth falling open in a quiet gasp, as he keeps his gaze level with Jungkook’s.
Jungkook bites down on his lip, having never watched another man jerk off in front of him. Instead of feeling like a creepy voyeur though, Jungkook knows Taehyung wants him to watch, that Taehyung is probably getting off to the idea of Jungkook watching him, that Taehyung only wants Jungkook and Jungkook alone to see this vulnerable side of him. And even though Taehyung is the one baring himself to Jungkook, Jungkook doesn’t feel in control at all.
Not with the way Jungkook’s eyes draw themselves to how Taehyung’s tongue flicks out to lick his lips every now and then. Not with the way Jungkook feels the urge to stretch out his hand and help Taehyung reach his climax. Not with the way Jungkook has to bite down on his tongue to stop himself from moaning when Taehyung manages to make everything he does look so erotic.
Taehyung’s hand is slick with pre-come and with his other hand, he motions for Jungkook to come closer.
Jungkook feels the burn of the carpet as he slides nearer. Being so close now, Jungkook can’t help but look away, wanting the walls of the room to distract him from the sight of Taehyung’s flushed cock.
“Look at me,” Taehyung demands, his soft voice a pitch lower and raspy.
Jungkook obeys, admiring the way Taehyung’s dark hair falls over his eyes.
Taehyung stands up, grabbing a fistful of Jungkook’s hair and pulling his head back. He says, “I’m going to come on you,” as if it’s an adequate warning.
Jungkook’s eyes squeeze shut out of reflex, and he hears the tugging of skin against skin before he feels Taehyung’s come land on his face. He flinches at the sudden warmth.
Taehyung says, “Don’t open your eyes just yet.”
He hears Taehyung zip up his pants, and then walk away. He’s not sure how long he waits for Taehyung to come back, but he stays in his kneeling position with come on his fucking face – he can feel it on his eyelashes, across his cheeks, on his lips; and then he hears Taehyung return.
“Sorry for the wait,” Taehyung says, and there’s a sound that reminds Jungkook of a Polaroid being taken.
Jungkook’s eyes flicker open, gritting his teeth when he sees a developing Polaroid already in Taehyung’s hands.
“What are you doing?” Jungkook asks, barely able to contain the disbelief in his voice. The contract had specified no digital recordings, but Taehyung had found a loophole that Jungkook hadn’t considered.
Taehyung glances at the Polaroid he took, smiles, then focuses his camera and snaps another instant Polaroid. He replies, “You look the best like this. When you’re mine.”
Jungkook remains quiet, because he knows Taehyung is right. Because Jungkook is Taehyung’s, not just because Taehyung pays for everything, not just because Taehyung makes Jungkook’s cheeks burn hot and his stomach erupt with butterflies, but because Jungkook wants to be Taehyung’s.
And when the realisation strikes Jungkook, he stands up, surprising Taehyung out of his photography, and he presses his lips to Taehyung’s, kissing him.
Taehyung deepens the kiss, his hands stroking Jungkook’s waist, and the kiss is nothing like what Jungkook expects nor anything like he has experienced before. Taehyung is both rough and gentle; he wants and takes what he pleases, and Jungkook doesn’t know how to keep up. And when Taehyung pulls away, Jungkook is left breathless, eyes wide and chest heaving.
“You should go clean up,” Taehyung says, eyes warm, as he slides a hand through Jungkook’s hair and mussing it up. “Go take a shower.”
Jungkook nods, and then notices how Taehyung’s eyes trail down to Jungkook’s bulge in his shorts. Blushing, Jungkook shakes his head when Taehyung asks, “Do you need me to take care of it?”
Shaking his head, Jungkook disappears into the bathroom as quickly as he can, embarrassed. He’s a mess, as confirmed by the lovely bathroom mirror. He tries to clean himself up as much as he can, wiping away the come on his face with a wet towel. Then he strips and takes a shower.
When he’s finished, he wraps himself in a towel and discovers a stack of folded clothes in a bag in front of the bathroom door. Taking the bag, he notices the handwritten note that’s resting on top, and picking it up, reads:
My personal assistant will drive you back to your dorm. Here are some new clothes that I wanted to gift you, picked out by me. It’d make me really happy if you wore them. Sorry, I had to run because something came up! Thanks for today & see you next time. Tae ♥
Uncertain if he’s disappointed or relieved that Taehyung is gone, Jungkook goes back into the bathroom to put on the clothes. Jungkook slips on the soft white and navy blue silk shirt. There’s even underwear, which Jungkook puts on, thankful that he doesn’t have to go back to his dorm commando. There are black leather pants that are incredibly tight around his thighs, but he figures if Taehyung wants him to wear them, then he will. While he’s unfolding the black jacket, an object falls out, clattering on the bathroom tiles. Bending down to pick it up, he realises the object is a wavy ring, a simple bright silver band with his initials etched on the inside.
When he arrives back at his dorm, he finds his phone, takes a picture of the ring and sends it to Taehyung.
To: TaeTae hyung♥
what is this?
Taehyung’s reply comes two hours later, after Jungkook’s brushed his teeth, changed into his pyjamas, and headed to bed.
From: TaeTae hyung♥
couple ring!
Attached to Taehyung’s message is a picture of the same ring on Taehyung’s middle finger. Taehyung has pretty hands, Jungkook thinks.
Taking out the ring that he had stored in his pocket, he slips it onto his finger too. The weight is unfamiliar, but he’s sure that he’ll get used to it with time, just like how he’s growing accustomed to Taehyung. Jungkook takes a picture of the ring on his finger and sends it to Taehyung.
And Jungkook realises how clever Taehyung is. The ring is hardly flashy; fans wouldn’t notice it, wouldn’t think twice of it, not when it’s such a commonplace design. But the ring is pretty too, and Jungkook is reminded of what Taehyung had said earlier that night.
“You look the best like this. When you’re mine.”
*
Jungkook’s not used to Taehyung causing trouble. After all, Taehyung is the one who presents solutions to his problems, having helped BTS crawl out of the hole of nugudom and into the spotlight. But then again, Taehyung is hard to follow and Jungkook is wrong to assume Taehyung’s actions are easily predictable.
At the Gwanghwamun fan-sign, Jungkook smiles at each and every fan, asking where they’re from, what they’d like to be called as he autographs their CDs. There are familiar faces, the fans who he’s seen since debut, and unfamiliar ones, the new fans who he loves just as much as the older ones. Sometimes when there’s no one he’s signing for, Jungkook talks to the fans sitting in the front row, asking them about their day among other topics.
He’s answering a post-it note from a curious fan when he hears the door to the room open. Looking up, he notices Taehyung; this time he’s not followed by guards and his personal assistants, who are ordered to stand by the entrance instead. Taehyung looks angelic dressed in all white, and Jungkook discovers that Taehyung’s couple ring has been fashioned into a necklace. Biting down on his lip to stop himself from smiling, Jungkook finishes his signing and gives the fan a pat on the head.
Male fans are rare enough as it is, so Taehyung’s entrance draws the attention of some of the seated fans. But then he skips the waiting line, walking straight onto the stage without being stopped by the managers or security, and that’s when the fans realise he’s not just a tardy fan but someone important.
“Wow, he’s so handsome,” he hears a fan-site owner of his whisper to her friend. “Is he a trainee?”
To Jungkook’s amusement, some of the fan-site masters start snapping pictures of Taehyung, possibly to figure out who he is later. Taehyung greets the members, having his album signed by each, and chats with them.
By the time Taehyung is having his album signed by Hoseok, who is seated beside him, Jungkook grows distracted from being so close to Taehyung that he forgets he’s meant to be signing for a fan until she whines, “Oppa, I’m right here!”
Embarrassed, Jungkook draws extra hearts on his page to make up for his lapse in judgement. He can’t help it if Taehyung looks ethereal.
And when Taehyung arrives in front of him, the devilish smirk he wears makes Jungkook swallow his thoughts.
“What’s your name?” Jungkook asks, deciding it’s for the best if he acts like he doesn’t know Taehyung.
Taehyung replies, “Call me TaeTae hyung,” and while Jungkook is writing, he says, “Make sure to add a love heart at the end, ‘kay?”
Amused, Jungkook draws the love heart and says, “Where are you from?”
“Daegu,” Taehyung replies, and Jungkook nods as he writes a generic message for Taehyung.
While Jungkook is busy signing the album, Taehyung says, “Actually, I hope it’s okay if I also ask for you to sign this for me?”
Jungkook looks up from the album, the smile on his face frozen when he realises what Taehyung is taking out of his pocket. The blood drains from his face and all he feels is blind panic.
Taehyung slides the Polaroid in front of him, an expectant smile on his face, and Jungkook grabs the photograph, hiding it in his hands before anyone else sees. The graphic image of Taehyung’s come on his face, his eyes closed, his lips made bright red by the filter, a stark contrast with the white – the memory alone makes the tip of Jungkook’s ears turn red, and yet the photograph manages to exemplify the lewder elements. He can’t have anyone seeing this, not even his fellow teammates, lest his reputation go to absolute shit.
“What are you doing?” Jungkook asks in a low voice. There are still fans beside Taehyung who are having their albums signed. Plus, Seokjin, seated beside him, is already looking in their direction, curious to why Jungkook had reacted like that.
“I just want an autograph,” Taehyung whines, his lips forming a pout. He pitches his voice higher, trying to do aegyo. “Won’t you sign it for me? I’m your biggest fan!”
Jungkook can hear Seokjin burst into laughter and pat his shoulder. “You should just sign whatever it is,” Seokjin says, his smile bright at seeing Taehyung tease Jungkook.
But Jungkook is in no mood to be teased, not with this at least. He shakes his head. “No,” he says, adamant in his refusal. He hides the Polaroid in his pocket, knowing that if he tears it in front of everyone watching, it’ll reflect badly upon him for destroying a fan’s gift. Turning his attention to the next fan, Jungkook ignores Taehyung.
Taehyung retaliates, taking out more Polaroids from his pocket. “Hmm, how much should I sell these to your fans for? 2000 won?” he asks, a smug smile on his face as he walks away from the signing table, jumping off the stage. “Hey, ARMYs, I have these never seen before pictures of the beloved maknae, Jeon Jungkook! Who wants to buy one off of me?”
The BTS members turn to look at Jungkook in confusion, and Jungkook feels just as confused. Taehyung can’t be serious, can he?
Taehyung is serious.
Fans raise their hands, some taking out their wallets and Taehyung waves the Polaroids around like they’re nothing.
Jungkook can feel himself shaking, partly from anger, partly from humiliation. Because that’s what this is – Taehyung is trying to humiliate him, and Taehyung knows exactly how to do it. Jungkook stands up abruptly, knocking back his chair in his haste, and runs towards where a fan of his is already trying to hand Taehyung money.
Jungkook doesn’t think much about what he’s going to do; all he knows is that he has to stop Taehyung. So, he wraps his arms around Taehyung’s waist and picks him up.
The fans shriek in excitement, wondering what’s going on.
“Why did Kookie pick him up?”
“Oh my god, what kind of pictures did he have if Jungkook reacted like that?”
“Do you think they’re friends or something?”
“Holy shit, Jungkook’s been hitting the gym!”
Taehyung is surprisingly light, and Jungkook hears Taehyung laugh as he carries him, walking up the stage and then making it back-stage.
When Jungkook lets go of Taehyung, he sees Taehyung’s eyes are bright and heady.
“Why’d you do that?” Jungkook asks, his voice laced with frustration. The threat of nearly being caught weighs heavily on Jungkook, but the thrill of having gotten away masks the majority of it now.
Instead of saying anything, Taehyung cups Jungkook’s face and presses a kiss to his lips. Jungkook returns the kisses, yielding to the soft movements for a few heartbeats, but then he remembers he has a fan-signing to attend to. He pushes Taehyung away, wiping at his lips.
“Not right now,” Jungkook says when Taehyung gives him a hurt puppy look. “I have a schedule.”
“Technically I can make you drop it so that you can spend more time with me,” Taehyung says, lips curling into a smirk. “I’m a busy man after all. Busier than even the busiest idols.”
“But you won’t, because you know how much this means to me,” Jungkook replies. How long had he worked for this moment: to have every fan-sign filled with fans, to have fans buying multiple copies of their albums just so they could come to a fan-signing, to have fans who dedicated so many hours of their lives to support him?
And Taehyung understands, because he ruffles Jungkook’s hair and says, “All right, go be my favourite idol then.” He leans in and whispers, “But I still expect an autograph for that Polaroid.”
Jungkook flushes red and nods. “I won’t disappoint my biggest fan.”
When he returns to the fan-signing table, he’s handed the microphone to explain the situation to the excited fans.
“Sorry for the disruption, but that was a friend of mine from Daegu. He likes to cause trouble,” Jungkook says, as the fans break out into laughter. “He’s gone now, since he’s busy too.”
“Will we ever see him again?” a fan shouts.
“Maybe,” Jungkook says, “but I thought you were all here to see me! I’m ARMY’s boyfriend after all.” Even though his words are cheesy and his fans are used to hearing them, they manage to distract the fans, and they start chittering about his international playboy image. Some of his fans love his image to the point where they write fanfiction about him having multiple girlfriends but falling for the one special fan; and some of his fans hate his image, saying that he’s too innocent and kind-hearted to be a playboy.
While Jungkook is greeting another fan, he wonders what Taehyung thinks about his image.
Taehyung probably hates it, probably hates the idea of Jungkook being anyone’s apart from his. The thought brings a smile to Jungkook’s lips. Among the growing pile of secrets he’s harbouring, Jungkook enjoys this secret the most: out of everyone Taehyung can have – and Taehyung could have had anyone – Taehyung wants only Jungkook.