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“I am a bit nervous...” Taehyung added, gluing himself to Seojoon. “And I don’t know anyone, Yong-kyu hyung…” Seojoon stopped his walk and truly looked at Taehyung, “Taehyungie, you are literally a member of the most successful Boyband right now, with the most twitter followers, A Grammy nominated? AMMA winner? Winning how many daesangs already? Winning the most handsome person in the world? I can go on and on, but it will sound like a brag at this point. What are you nervous about?” Taehyung didn’t take the bait, instead he lifted one brow in a high arch and pouted.“Taehyungie, come on. You are a VVIP guest, just like me. The founder, Ms. Chow invited you herself. Plus, the President of Club Sound, Park Jun-hee who hosts the event seems to like you.” And when Taehyung still looked at him with eyes wide and expectant, Seojoon added while pinching Taehyung’s bread cheek, “You know I will not leave your side, baby maknae.” A fond smile formed on his lips. Taehyung beamed, “You are my favorite hyung!”Seojoon rolled his eyes, “Nah, I don’t want to die young. Hyungsik will strangle me to death. Then all the hyungs around you including your BTS members will hunt me down and bury me somewhere deep in mountain.” Taehyung scoffed, “Drama queen.” He muttered under his breath making Seojoon laughed. It was a nice evening, with several elites of the Korean entertainment industry gathered at a party for the alcohol brand ' founded by fashion designer Ms. E.C. The party was intimate and secluded, safe from paparazzi or media. The place was cosy and elegant. Not too crowded, despite what Taehyung claimed. It was because he was not used to be in a place with lots of A list of South Korean entertainment industry and especially by himself - without any of his group member. He was invited and Seojoon convinced him to attend, he said it would be good for networking. As if his Wooga members had not already dragged him left and right. And Taehyung knew for a fact that it was Seojoon doing.His Wooga friends loved doing that apparently. Even Hyungsik parents’ too. But that’s for another story. Eventhough Taehyung should admit, all people that they introduced to him was great people, again, as if those people had not been carefully selected and filtered to be introduced to him. Taehyung mentally sighed, his Wooga hyung was borderline overprotective, he knew. And if Yong-kyu hyung insisted that he should come to this party, he knew he wouldn’t say no. Taehyung would follow Seojoon to mingle with the people there. He was nurturing himself with the second glass of champagne when Seojoon nudged him with his elbow, “Let me introduce you to someone.” Taehyung adjusted his stance. “Hello Seojoon-ssi” The male looked so tall, maybe as tall as Seojoon. He had fairer skin and looked so regal. And Taehyung couldn’t help but trying to hide himself behind Seojoon. “Soohyuk-hyung.” Seojoon nodded. “And Taehyungie, I assume?” Taehyung had to force himself to lift his gaze up. “Yes, I am Taehyung, Lee sunbaenim.” “Call me Soohyuk hyung. It’s okay. We don’t need rigid formalities at party, now we?” Taehyung nodded. Well, Lee Soohyuk was his senior by any means. He debuted as a model in designer Jung Wook-jun's Lone Costume fashion show in 2006, for god’s sake. Taehyung was not even a trainee at that time. And that was exactly how Seojoon and Taehyung were now. They went to the quieter corner in the private lounge with Soohyuk. Seojoon and Soohyuk were talking about some dramas and the upcoming photoshoots, and Taehyung was mostly just listening. Taehyung would either be brooding or fidgeting when Soohyuk’s eyes glanced at him. They chatted for a while, and when Taehyung mentioned that he liked arts and blabbered about it for five minutes straight, Soohyuk seemed amused by it. “You should hang out with me and my friends, they also love arts and wine. They do even collect paintings that I do not even understand how come it’s worth a god-damn apartment in Cheongdam.” Taehyung’s smile back in full force. Soohyuk’s smirked, “He is so cute. No wonder you barricade him so well, Seojoon.” Seojoon raised his cocktail glass grinning. “You should see how Hyungsik does, then. He is way worse than me.” “Are you in relationship, Taehyungie?” Taehyung was looking at Seojoon frantically in panic. He was already tipsy, and he did not know whether it’s alright to answer that truthfully or did he have to lie? Or did he need to tell only half-truth? But before he could answer, a voice was heard, scolding Soohyuk. “You can’t ask that kind of question to people, Hyuk-ah. That’s rude.” He plopped down on the couch infront of Taehyung. Hair coloured and styled. The tattoo was peeking from the side of his neck. He wore red velvet coat, he looked super-sophisticated elegance mixed with strong streak of playfulness. “Jiyongie.”Tae didn’t know that Gdragon would join them, but he also knew that Soohyuk was so close with Jiyong-ssi. They have been friends for decades; they even had this famous inner circle. But, for him to be appearing out He almost felt like his heart dropped to his feet. Damn. That rumor. That freaking stupid rumor with that girl. Taehyung chewed on his lip in indecision, should he apologize to Jiyong? It must be so uncomfortable if your girlfriend’s being rumored with somebody else. Fuck it. He wouldn’t like it at all if Jungkook also been rumored with any girls. Taehyung cursed mentally, he could feel the headache was coming.He really should apologize, eventhough he was not at fault really. Kwon Jiyong smiled.“Pleasure to meet you, Seojoonie, Taehyungie. And don’t listen to the dumb shit he asked.” Jiyong pointed his strawberry daiquiri to Soohyuk resulting to him snorting. Soohyuk huffed, taking out a cigarette, lighting it up and taking a long drag… “Am I not allowed to be curious? I know for a fact that Seojoon has been single after the last time he broke up with his girlfriend of his.”Soohyuk’s eyes wandered to Taehyung’s, from his head to toe, appreciating. Jiyong tsk-ed, exasperated at his friend’s ridiculousness, “You are so loud Hyuk-ah.” “I am single as fuck, that’s an excuse to be annoying. And you are like already married for 20 years and being loud whenever you-”. Soohyuk’s mouth snapped shut when Jiyong threw him some snacks. “Wait, what? Married? Are you married hyung? Who is she? But I thought you are… dating someone that I am rumored with? I was ready to apologize…” Taehyung genuine surprised make him rambled, and the rest of the group laughed, feeling endeared. Taehyung looked so flabbergasted, but Jiyong was so calm about it. He shuffled his legs awkwardly, in which Seojoon patted his back in support. “A he, actually.” Jiyong smiled, his face looked solemn. Content with happiness.Tae looked around the room before his eyes fixed to the source of the voice, Jiyong. Soohyuk snorted. “Taehyung, he is Kwon Jiyong. He even dried hump a cardboard standee of his boyfriend on stage at one point, do you think he is straight?” Taehyung was struck by the image of the Jiyong doing that on stage that he didn’t realise that the atmosphere was a bit quiet. Taehyung hand’s gripping the glass. Inhaled. Exhaled. “I am dating too...” “I mean I am dating a guy too.” Taehyung quickly added. “I am dating my fellow member, Jungkookie. And we are both guys, I mean I am guy, you know it. Oh by the way, Jungkookie idolise you so much.” The others all turned to look at Taehyung making him fidget. This kind of miscommunication is mortifying. Now, Taehyung never wanted to hide his relationship. Heck, given what he truly wanted, he so wished he can flaunt to the world that he was dating the golden magnae of BTS. But life ain’t fair, and he knew it first-hand.Admitting that he’s in relationship, with a man nonetheless would be the doom for not only him but everyone else involved. Of course, he knew that in SK entertainment industry it’s almost like a public secret. Taehyung sank further down into the cushion, trying to merge out with it out of sheer force of will.“I am blabbering, aren’t I?” Jiyong could see Taehyung’s pout from across the table. He’s adorable Jiyong thought. “Lucky him! You do make a pretty boyfriend.” Soohyuk complimented. His eyes landed on Seojoon, mentally laughing at the subtle change of expression. “I guess the boyfriend has not got the stamp of approval yet, huh?”“On progress” Seojoon said after a moment.“Possessive...” Soohyuk waved him off, laughing. Taehyung felt embarrassed enough that he was trying to hide his face behind the glass with almost empty drink. “Wait… What do you mean by – she? someone you are rumored with? Who am I supposed to be in straight relationship again this time?” Jiyong cocked an eyebrow. “Am I in another Dispatch reveal again? I thought Hyung-Suk hyung do not have another agreement with Dispatch aside from the usual one?” His eyes sharpened, Soohyuk only shrugged. The models under YG had less pressure than the idols, especially Jiyong. Taehyung bit his lip, he gave the group this long suffering smile. “There is a rumor of me with you know… Jennie-ssi… Stupid, I know… I am not even her friend and the only interaction we have is breathing in the same award show room.” “And you thought I dated her? That's why you wanted to apologise to me?” Jiyong’s lip quirked up before his laugh bubbled out of him. "Oh Taehyungie, don't take the blame for something you can't control. Especially for fan-war, ship-war, media playing or even agencies' greed. You should know by now, right? these stupid agencies would have one particular member to plant as the 'it' person to draw scandals in order to cover up other issues or to promote stuffs or whatever sick-minded goals they have. Me, You, Jennie even..." Jiyong took a deep breath to calm him self before speaking. “And about my rumor with her. First of all, that’s gross. I guess I vomited a bit in my mouth.” “She is like my sister. Less annoying sister comparing to Dami, my biological one, if you will. I was her mentor since her trainee day. I literally raised her. Before their group even debuted, I asked her and Rose to also take parts in my solo album.”“Damn, She and I even sang a song about how bitter I was when I broke up with my now fiancé. Sure, the gossip between her and I couple years back, you know damage control.” Jiyong spitted the word with the most bitterness, it was alarming. “We live in sick world. The first time I had to do damage control was with my dear friend from my inner circle, my dearest friend, Kiko. She is not even totally straight. Seunghyunnie was so hurt by that arrangement. I had to spend Christmas with her and left Seunghyun alone. It was so messed up. That was… all because our footage during privacy time was leakage in award show.” “You are in love with your Jungkookie, right Taehyungie?” Jiyong asked, staring into Tae’s eyes meaningfully. Like sharing a secret of happiness. “Yes... I love him. I am in love with him…” Taehyung replied, voice low but with confidence. Jiyong nodded. “Me too. I have been in love with Seunghyunnie since I could remember. I couldn’t even remember when I am not in love with him.” His finger played with the ring adorned on his finger unconsciously. “I fell in love with him when I didn’t even know what love was. I was not even 10 years old. I have spent two third of my life loving him. First love, first heart break, first everything…” “First kinkiness and only God knows what too” Soohyuk added receiving glare from Jiyong. “But you know we are idols from South Korea… you know all the drills…” His voice changed from fondness to sadness.“And that’s what my compromise to the agency. I do damage control. Because Seunghyun can’t do it. He is a very genuine person. He couldn’t lie. And even less believable if he had to parade as a straight guy. Me on the other hand, I am used to do public stunt. Much more than him.” Taehyung’s chest ached when he breathed, listening carefully to what Jiyong said. “We are together now, but not without paying hefty price. He got depressed, we fought a lot for things that matter, things that are not. We broke up and made up, I lost count already to be honest. And we have to accept the fact that we won’t be freed or being opened about us.” Taehyung sniffed, “It sounds so sad… Jungkookie and I, we have not talked much about future. But, I cant imagine my future without him in it. We are just like given for each other…” Taehyung looked away, “I know it would be hard… and it frightens me to be honest.” Jiyong’s eyes softened, “You know Tae? My fiancé called us the lost angels.”Taehyung’s eyes rose up to Jiyong’s, as if asking for a confirmation of hope. And Jiyong gazed meaningfully at him as he parted his lips. “Sometimes love is not enough.” “It may be enough to bring two people together but not quite in carrying them through the journey of life, especially our kind of life. Love is an emotional process, compatibility a logical one. Both are needed in equal measure to build a balanced partnership.”“We would have to endure one too many blows, we will get lost many times. But we will use our love to each other to navigate our way through the journey. And it’s enough.” Taehyung’s heart thumped. “But you guys are happy now, right? And in love?”Jiyong nodded, nothing but raw honesty on his face. “Yes, we are in love, we learn to love everyday. We do have establishment here, and in Japan. But we do also have on in Los Angeles, for us, the lost Angels – his idea not mine. We will spend time together here and there. And I can freely call him mine there." "And to think about it now, it's good that I have been being gossiped with her, you know. So everytime I go to LA for Chanel, or whatever, people will focus on us. Instead of me and Seunghyunnie, because I want to protect him. I want to protect us. It might not be the perfect or ideal situation. But I am happy.” “I am happy for you, Jiyong hyung…” Tae nodded, lips pressed tightly together to stop them from trembling. He wiped a stray of tear that had managed to escape. Listening to Jiyong, it gave him something to hope for. A remembrance that him and Jungkook would have something to fight for together, a peek into their future. “Come here...” Jiyong said, opening his arms to Tae. Tae came easily, accepting the warm embrace from the thinner guy. Jiyong held him and stroked his hair. “It is okay as long as you love him and he loves you back, Taehyungie.” Seojoon and Soohyuk were sitting down silently, too afraid to break the comfortable atmosphere. And Seojoon understood that Taehyung needed to hear those words. A reassurance from the much more experienced guy with matured relationship.Jiyong chuckled lightly when he let Taehyung go, seeing that the younger pouted.“Too bad I can’t adopt you. You are too grown up. Also, I bet your Wooga here and your BTS members would fight me tooth and nails. You and Seunghyunnie would be best friends with your penchant love for art and wine.”Jiyong sighed, “And we can’t be seen close since I am supposed to have whatever shitty and gross rumour with Jennie, ugh I am puking in my mouth, and whose idea was that for me to be rumoured with a kid I literally raised.” Jiyong massaged his temple. “And I love dick, but that’s beside the point. Also, the netizen would have field day if we are seen hanging out together with all those conspiracies garbage.” Jiyong cracked a grin, “But, feel free to contact me whenever you have schedule in LA, bring your Jungkookie. Or here in Seoul actually, Seojoon knows our hidden hang out place.” He winked which Seojoon raised his glass and smiled widely as acknowledgement, knowing full well which place he meant. Moods were a funny thing, they could shift from playful to hollow, to hopeful with barely a pause. Soohyuk was the one who spoke first after 10 minutes of silence. “So, you.” He pointed at Jiyong. “I am your best friend, and I don’t even know whether you have married yet or not. You might elope or register your marriage already in US and I would have no idea knowing with how impulsive you are and how whipped Seunghyun is vice versa. But!” He waved his hand trying to make a point. “I will settle of you and Seunghyun naming your first kid after me.” “And you!” Soohyuk turned his body to face Taehyung. “You are absolutely welcome to hang out with us, if you want to bitch about love, life. Or if you have trouble in paradise.” Soohyuk paused for a second, brows knitted when he’s aware that Seojoon glared at him. “So long you put leash to tame your guardian dog here.” “Jiyong needs to understand he is not the only queen.” Soohyuk seemed far too drunk. Taehyung giggled while Jiyong snorted. “So, cheers for love?” “Cheers...” They all raised their glass, and the sound of muffled giggles echoed the room, filling Tae’s heart with somewhat encouragement. That night, when Taehyung lied awake in his bed, lulled by a soft snore beside him, his mind wandered. Everybody knew the different between villain and hero. Hero would sacrifice the one they love to save the world. But villain would burn the world if needed to save their loved ones. But, Jiyong hyung and his partner,Him and Jungkookie, They were neither hero or villain. They were just human being. They were just in love.