beneath the table, tae can't help but smile as he reads over the text that jungkook had sent him. the sight was far more charming than what sat across from him-

his ex with his california dream boat. tall, tan, and blonde with teeth the colors of pearls; he looked like something from a movie.

he attempted to come up with a response, nervously picking what to say like a typical high schooler with a crush despite being years beyond that.

: just got out of bed; kept hoping you'd come back.

: i should have stayed. instead i'm enjoying an americano with my ex... and his new boyfriend... is it bad that i want to throw it at them?

: where at? maybe i could do the americano throwing. it would look more accidental that way!

: that's a bit psychopathic of you. can't deny it would make me laugh though... we're at the place on the corner of your street- the one with the cats right inside.

: see you soon.

tae could only shake his head, knowing the younger was kidding but appreciating the sentiment none the less he turned back to the couple across from him, "so, how did you two meet?" his voice was laced with bitterness, both boys oblivious to the tone as they stared longingly at one another.

"it was incredible. we were just at a job sight and the next thing we knew..." bogum's forehead leaned to his boyfriend, nuzzling the tip of his nose against freckled skin.

it made tae sick to his stomach, "sweet. and work is good?"

"it's excellent in fact, i don't imagine myself ever moving back here full time. is that crazy?" the boy across from him seem dazzled by his own revelation.

tae started to speak but he saw bustle coming from the doorway, each body in the room turning because of the person who had just entered.

the person who was headed right towards taehyung.

the older let his mouth fall in surprise at the sight, baffled to see jungkook strolling through in a leather jacket that was certainly too warm for the weather outside, "tae, babe, i'm so sorry for being late!" his lips planted themselves directly, an evil smirk as his eyes darted to the guests across from them, "you must be bogum and this is... the replacement? i'm assuming?"

jungkook was nothing if not petty, his arm sliding around the other boys shoulder and pulling him closer, the chair sliding across the floor in the process, "i have to say- i don't quite know why you let this one go but, i'm so happy you did."

taehyung's cheeks flushed red at those words, "jungkook..."

"jungkook as in jeon jungkook? like you are the-," bogum seemed to be tripping over his words as he gawked at the boy in front of him.

"i'm sorry. did you need to see some identification?" his lips shifted to a mischievous smirk, gaze directed at tae who was still in shock by his actions.

"how- how did you two meet?" it was an absolute thrill to see his ex stumble over his own words, confused by the sight in front of him, even a tad envious by what was unfolding.

"do you want to tell him or should i?" jungkook smiled and the whole world seemed to halt, dissipating around the two boys who had found themselves unexpectedly together for the second time today.

"go ahead..." tae's voice was so shy, his curiosity brimming as he imagined the story that jungkook would come up with.

the younger could only laugh, darting his eyes down a bit nervously, "you see, tae wasn't interested in me one bit! i spotted him performing with a quartet at that quaint little martini bar in the old district- we all know i love to drink but, i hadn't had a sip. drunk on tae before my glass even arrived!" his fingers tapped, hazelnut orbs meeting in a world entirely their own; it almost felt real and romantic the way he was envisioning such a moment, "i of course tried to over tip for his performance. a crisp bill with my number on it but, feisty as he is, he crumpled it up and shoved it back at me!"

"sounds like our tae..." bogum chimed in, clearly bothered by the words being exchanged.

his boyfriend seemed put off by the way he still claimed his ex, like harbored feelings still lingered and now he felt like the most awkward fourth wheel.

"i- a bit creepy, really- found out what nights he'd be playing and i just kept going back until i convinced him for a single date. lucky for me, it turned into so much more..." jungkook wrapped his fingers with the boy he sat next too, eyes scanning the look of pure bliss on the older boy's face, as smitten as he has appeared last night when they were tangled in the sheets.

"i guess i was just nervous to get hurt... again..." tae's eyes shifted to bogum, making sure he got the subtle jab, "but jungkook isn't like that."

"you got that right." the younger leaned in for a second time, his lips catching tae's and indulging his fantasy for just a second more. something about playing his boyfriend felt all kinds of perfect.

"that's not what he reads like?" bogum was visibly heated, the tips of his ears and the apples of his cheek laced with fury, the color of blood, "didn't you cheat on your wife?"

"didn't realize we had such a scholar in the mix!" jungkook let the sarcasm linger like fog, "don't believe every article you read, people pay good money for lies."

taehyung smiled at that, the layers of jungkook far deeper than he ever could have predicted, "babe, can we go look at the cats?"

"of course! we'll be back." jungkook let his fingers lace with tae, the two headed to a perch where a ball of white fluff sat with a stoic expression and eyes the color of gold flecks.

"you shouldn't have come." tae let the pad of his finger rub the cats chin until he had it purring, satisfied by the scratches.

the words he said didn't match the genuine happiness on his face and jungkook could tell, his hand gripping to the boys chin and turning so their eyes could meet, "why do you say that?"

taehyung huffed out of mild frustration, pushing his bangs to the side to get a clearer view of the handsome man in front of him. the one who was chivalrous and kind and made him feel like magic, "they could leak it to the press that we're dating or something!"

"you don't think the press has enough to print on me? you think one more thing will hurt me any further?" jungkook saw the concern, woven between tae's furrowed brows and hungry eyes and he had to kiss them away.

despite they had only been intimate once, it felt so natural to fall into peppered kisses and manic giggles before stepping back to reality, "when i tell you, i'd be lucky to have the world think we're together, i mean it."

a cage of butterflies released in tae's stomach upon hearing that, "you mean it?"

"entirely! now do you want this cat?" jungkook rubbed the back of its ears, causing a delighting meow to echo through the cafe, "because i think he's kind of purrfect."

tae rolls his eyes at the lame attempt at a joke before imagining his cousins expression if he were to bring anything living home, "i think jin would actually kill me so no thank you! not today."

"but maybe someday?" jungkook imagined owning a pet with tae, taking it for walks, cuddled up on the couch- he reattaches their hands like a picture perfect couple, "should we go back so i can rub all of this in bogum's face some more?"

taehyung only nodded, the boxy smile on his lips faint, not going unnoticed by jungkook who squeezed the older boy's hand a tad tighter, "you know you're going to find somebody so much better than him, right?"

he shifts in his spot, nervous under doe eyes and the gentle lighting, at barely a whisper he manages to mutter out, "i think i already have..."