Taehyung hadn't expected there to be so much people, but he guessed news could spread very fast. The nine of them were seated in a private dining room, courtesy of Jin, but despite the privacy, paparazzi were by the window trying to snap pictures of the famous group. None of them seemed to mind as Seulgi and Hoseok posed in front of them with silly faces, eventually scarring the paparazzi for them to finally retreat.
During the meal, he hadn't spoke to Jeongguk the whole time, the other boy either preoccupied with others or his girlfriend. His girlfriend. Kim Yeri was a part of the same girl group as Seulgi and had met Jeongguk during their tour in Japan where he was studying. Yeri and Jeongguk were the definition of domestic, the cuteness overloaded when Jeongguk would feed her, or when Yeri rested her head on his shoulder made Taehyung's stomach coil. It felt all too intimate, which made no sense because they didn't kiss as much as Seulgi and Jimin did. However, Taehyug felt tense as he had dated the boy beforehand, and god, it felt weird.
"I need to go to the bathroom," Taehyung said all of a sudden when Jeongguk brought Yeri's knuckles to his lips before kissing them lightly. The others around them gave Taehyung a weird look, but nonetheless let him go. Taehyung had made sure to exit the room normally before breaking into a hasty run to the restroom. He couldn't take the fact he was watching Jeongguk be so soft for another person.
"Get a grip," Taehyung muttered to himself as he checked his outfit in the bathroom mirror. "Jeongguk has a girlfriend and you are a single boy. You are a single boy Taehyung and need to move on."
"Single, huh," A oh-so familiar voice made Taehyung jump. He hadn't expected Jeongguk to follow him so fast. Recoiling back, Taehyung averted his gaze to the floor. He smiled shyly like a school-boy unable to view his crush. It felt all too close to home.
"I realized you never said anything to me yet," Jeongguk brought up, his voice sweetly quiet. "Are you still...mad? I mean, I shouldn't assume but Tae I'm worried."
"What makes you think that?" He snaps back a little to quickly, but Taehyung instantly recovers by taking a step back.
"Well," The other cleared his throat, "you have been avoiding me. Tae, I'm sorry but I'm with Yeri."
"I know."
"So please, don't make it hard for the both of us. I want to move on, and I know you do too," Jeongguk whispered rather roughly. "Please Tae, we have new lives. We aren't the same kids in high school."
Taehyung could feel tears well up in his eyes. "Prove to me you don't love me still," His voice hushed to the lowest tone.
"Tae," The younger sighed. Taehyung heard him scratch at his neck, his clothes ruffling as he shuffled. "I, um, I see myself marrying Yeri, having a family. I see Yeri in my future, not you Taehyung."
At that, Taehyung ran out. He never stopped running until he was far away from the restaurant, far away from Jeon Jeongguk. His heart was shattering with each step, the pieces sinking to the bottom of his gut.
He never knew rejection hurt like hell, but who was he to assume he could take Jeongguk back?
(after this, there is a five month time skip. just a note to avoid confusion! this was a quick buildup to where the story takes place)