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Leaning against the car window, Jeongguk watched the orange streetlights flash by as he fiddled with his lip piercing. It helped calm his racing thoughts, which jumped from topic to topic.
"It's okay, baby. I promise we won't stay long," Taehyung assured Jeongguk, tenderly caressing the younger man's hand. "I'll just say hi to a few friends, have a drink or two and let the press take a few photos. Once that's done, we'll head back to the hotel, okey?"
Smiling slightly, Jeongguk looked at his lover. "Thanks, but it's okay if we stay a little longer. I'm fine with it."
An adorable smile spread across the alpha's lips as he gently squeezed Taehyung's hand.
"Oh, I don't deserve you, my sweet little angel," he chuckled, while adjusting the dark collar of his dress shirt with his other hand.
Over the years, Jeongguk had seen his boyfriend in many outfits, but the one he wore tonight surpassed them all. Perhaps it was because of his dark red suit that matched his black hair so well. Or it was the way the dress shirt revealed his well-built chest and neck. In any case, Jeongguk could hardly take his eyes off his lover.
"I wasn't planning on staying too long, though. After all, I heard that Cha Joonwoo will be there, too."
As soon as Taehyung mentioned that name, Jeongguk rolled his eyes.
"Ew… Why did they invite him to the charity gala?" the younger one grumbled.
"Well, he's quite famous in the acting world, which is exactly what the event organizers were looking for," Taehyung said, gently kissing his lover's hand to calm him down. "Besides, he earned a lot of money from the last two movies he starred in, so they're probably hoping he'll make a generous donation."
At that comment, the couple looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
"They're just wasting their time," Jeongguk laughed, shaking his head. "Joonwoo isn't interested in anything but himself. There's no way he'd donate a penny to charity."
Shrugging, Taehyung pressed his lips together after he calmed down. "Who knows? Maybe we'll witness a miracle tonight."
Skeptical, Jeongguk shook his head again and turned his gaze back to the window, his hand still holding his alpha's. He didn't believe in miracles. At least not ones where assholes turned into good people. After all, he had far too many negative experiences with Joonwoo.
He was one of those stupid, selfish alphas who only cared about success and wealth. Unfortunately, the entertainment industry was full of them, though Jeongguk's current boyfriend was an exception. Nevertheless, the film industry's tendency to attract snobby assholes was the reason why Jeongguk had always preferred the fashion industry.
Ever since he turned 21, he had been modeling for various agencies, though his true breakthrough came a few months ago when he modeled for Calvin Klein's latest underwear campaign.
However, the fashion industry came with its own set of challenges. At least for omegas, who still have a hard time finding jobs advertising anything other than underwear, since society still tends to stigmatize their bodies. Nevertheless, Jeongguk was grateful for the opportunity. After all, it brought him one step closer to his dream of walking the runway for the famous designer, J-Hope, one day.
Wide-eyed, the young man watched the activity on the street as their chauffeur turned onto the street where the venue for the charity event was located. The neighborhood was clearly one of the wealthiest in Paris.
Beautifully crafted streetlamps illuminated the old architecture of the buildings with warm light, while crowds of people in elegant dresses and suits walked toward the venue on the sidewalks.
Although he worked in the modeling industry and dreamed of walking the catwalk, Jeongguk struggled with anxiety around large crowds. Feeling nervous, he squeezed his boyfriend's hand tighter, to which the alpha responded by kissing his knuckles.
"Don't worry, baby. Everything's going to be fine," Taehyung reassured him as the car stopped.
Looking through the tinted windows, Jeongguk could already spot the paparazzi. They gathered around the entrance like a swarm of flies, cameras at the ready, waiting to take photos of the stars.
Taking one last deep breath, Jeongguk got out of the car. His alpha followed suit after telling the chauffeur in French to pick them up later.
Amidst the flood of camera flashes, Jeongguk couldn't help but reach out and take Taehyung's hand again.
"Over here! Over here!"
"Monsieur Taehyung! Monsieur!"
Surrounded by echoing voices and the constant click of cameras, the paparazzi kept snapping photos of the model and his boyfriend. However, based on their focus on Taehyung, it seemed they were more interested in taking photos of him.
Jeongguk was fine with it. After all, he was used to it by now. Still, he felt uneasy about being photographed from so many angles without having time to strike a more professional pose. Therefore, he forced a shy smile while Taehyung handled the situation the way he always did.
Casually, he struck a few relaxed poses, like the finger gun and two-finger heart, on the short red carpet in front of the magnificent building's entrance, all the while keeping close to Jeongguk. After winking at the cameras one last time, he politely waved to the crowd of photographers and went into the building with his lover.
Just after they passed through the entrance, Jeongguk and his boyfriend were greeted warmly by one of the well-dressed event staff. Their welcome included a flyer with important information and a small glass of champagne. Additionally, the staff informed them of the start time of the main event and the locations of the bar and restrooms.
However, Jeongguk wasn't paying much attention because his body was fighting its own battles once again.
"Everything okay, sweetheart?" Taehyung murmured softly to him as they took a few steps into the crowded foyer.
The interior of the castle-like building was even more impressive than its imposing façade, stealing the spotlight from the charity gala decorations.
"Yeah, I'm fine," the omega murmured back, gently squeezing his lover's hand.
Quickly, Jeongguk wiped the damp spot on his neck with the sleeve of his grey Dior suit. His scent gland was working overtime again, as it often did when he experienced strong emotions or stress.
"We can still turn ba -"
"No, no... it's fine. Everything's okay," he assured his lover, flashing Taehyung a fake smile to reassure him.
However, the alpha didn’t seem entirely convinced. Raising an eyebrow, he was about to say something when Katie Lee, Taehyung's manager, suddenly pushed her way through the crowd of well-dressed people.
"Taehyung-ie!" she called out to the alpha, who immediately turned to face her.
"Katie!? What are you doing here?" Taehyung asked in surprise, giving her a hug.
"What do you think? I'm working," she grinned, greeting Jeongguk cheerfully, too.
Katie Lee was a 47-year-old beta who had previously worked as a manager for several Hollywood actors. Although she was born in Korea, she grew up in the United States, which made her very familiar with the Western film industry. She was warmhearted and energetic, a combination of traits that caused Jeongguk to like her from the moment Taehyung first introduced her.
"Work? Here?" the alpha wondered, looking around in confusion, which caused the beta to grin.
"Yeah. Charity galas always attract famous people, including film producers. So I thought it wouldn't hurt to promote you a little," she said, winking as she reached into the inside pocket of her dark blue suit jacket, where she kept her business cards.
As Jeongguk detected the faint sour note in his alpha's scent, he began to play with his lip piercing again.
"That's not necessary..." Taehyung cleared his throat but Katie immediately objected.
"Of course it is. Such opportunities don't come around often, so it's essential to take advantage of them when they arise."
Frustrated, Taehyung crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't like this."
"I know. That's why I'm here," she said, placing her hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "You can enjoy the event while I smooth things out with the film producers."
"Katie..." the alpha began, while his scent thickened, giving Jeongguk goosebumps. "I get why you want to do that, but I'd be more grateful if you didn't. Tonight's event is about raising awareness for under-researched hereditary diseases, not increasing my popularity in the entertainment industry," Taehyung said, causing his manager to sigh.
Both Jeongguk and Katie knew how important this topic was to the alpha. After all, one of Taehyung's family members was affected by an under-researched hereditary disease, known as O.I.S.
"I know, I know. However, believe me when I say that your colleagues in the acting profession are also taking advantage of this situation. Joowoon's manager, in particular, is buzzing around the film producers like a fly around a pile of shit," Katie hissed quietly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I expected nothing less," Taehyung grumbled in response, but he didn't dwell on it further. Instead, he took a sip from his champagne.
Jeongguk did the same, while examining the vast hall more closely. He was already getting a headache from the crowd and overwhelming scents. However, he tried to ignore it all, hiding his discomfort with smiles.
"All right, then. You two, go shake hands with some people. There are still a few minutes before the presentation starts, so why not use the time to network?" Katie said and winked, looking especially at the omega.
Although she didn't bring up her plans for tonight again, Jeongguk was sure that she wouldn't shy away from charming some film producers despite Taehyung's disapproval.
"By the way, I've already heard your name mentioned countless times by various guests. It seems that your last modeling job made quite an impression," the beta complimented Jeongguk, who blushed a bit.
"Oh, really?"
She nodded enthusiastically, while Taehyung proudly wrapped his arm around the omega's waist, pulling him closer.
"Go on, you two. Enjoy the evening," she said as she pushed the couple toward the crowd of other celebrities and well-dressed people.
❀—••⚣•♡•⚣••—❀
"... It's not uncommon to have never heard of Osmoglandular Insufficiency Syndrome. After all, this autoimmune disease involving the endocrine system has only been studied for a decade."
Intently, Taehyung listened as Dr. Jules Dubois delivered his presentation standing at a podium in front of a massive screen displaying diagrams. The old man, now in his sixties, was a former genetic researcher with decades of experience. He was also the leading expert on O.I.S. and founded the organization that hosted tonight's charity gala.
Everyone in the hall was silent. However, some guests were more attentive than others during the presentation.
"At first, we assumed the disease only affected omegas because it was frequently found in their gene pool. However, research has shown that it occurs equally in omegas and alphas. It tends to latch onto the twenty-third chromosome pair in alphas, unlike in omegas where it latches onto the twenty-fourth," the doctor explained as images of the disease's effect on genes appeared on the screen behind him.
"Osmoglandular insufficiency syndrome, also known as O.I.S., is a condition that usually becomes apparent during puberty as secondary sex characteristics begin to develop. Those affected by the disease inherit all the characteristics of their secondary sex. However, their scent glands do not fully develop. As a result, they lack the ability to produce their own scent, limiting social interactions such as scenting and mating."
Suddenly, Jeongguk placed his hand on Taehyung's, causing the alpha to look at his lover. Smiling encouragingly, the omega kissed him on the cheek.
"However, this diseases affects more than just interpersonal relationships. Left untreated, O.I.S. can lead to tumorous growths rooted in the non-functioning scent gland."
A few graphic images followed, horrifying the audience. However, Taehyung remained unimpressed, as he was already familiar with them. His sister's doctor had already explained the aggressive progression of the disease to him. Ever since then, Taehyung has feared that his sister might one day develop ugly, painful-looking abscesses on her neck and wrists. So far, however, that hasn't happened.
"Although the number of patients diagnosed with this disease is growing every year, treatment options remain limited. That's why we need to take action, such as conducting more research, to better understand and identify its causes. Doing so may improve the lives of those who suffer from O.I.S. and help us find a cure. I greatly appreciate your support, whether through a donation or by raising awareness of this issue. If you have any questions about our organization or O.I.S., please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you all for coming and for your attention."
Following his speech, applause erupted, though he sounded somewhat disheartened. Understandable, since it was not an easy topic. As Dr. Dubois stepped down from the podium, soft jazz music filled the hall again. At the same time, a QR code appeared on the bigscreen with a note asking people to share the link on social media.
While the actor was doing that with his phone, the soft jazz music helped ease Taehyung's tension as he overheard the fancy-looking couple at the next table gossiping about Dr. Dubois and his work.
"I won't post anything on my Instastory unless I'm paid to," one of them said, frustrating Taehyung even more.
"Should I get you a drink, hyungie?" Jeongguk asked suddenly, running his hand over the other man's arm. "You look like you could use one."
"Yeah, that sounds good," Taehyung said in response, voice low and hoarse.
Gratefully, the alpha watched his boyfriend walk toward the bar. Although Taehyung knew his lover was handsome, seeing him from afar struck him even more. That curvy, athletic build. That slim waist and long legs. No wonder Jeongguk worked as a model. His beauty was made for the runway, meant to be seen by the world.
"Mr. Kim?"
Surprised, Taehyung turned around when someone tapped him on the shoulder. A friendly-looking elderly man accompanied by a pretty woman suddenly stood beside the table and looked down at the actor with a smile.
"Hello, I think we haven't met yet. My name is Timothy Burton," the older man said, causing the alpha's eyes to widen.
Without hesitation, Taehyung rose from his seat. He had been a fan of the filmmaker's work since his youth, therefore his heart leaped with excitement when none other than Tim Burton himself reached out to shake his hand.
"I-It's a pleasure to m-meet you, Mr. Burton. I'm a huge fan of your work," the alpha stammered as he greeted the other man with a firm handshake.
"Thank you, thank you," the film director laughed gently. "But I'm afraid I can only return that compliment. Your performance in "Just One Night" moved my beloved and me to tears, even though I'm usually not interested in that kind of film."
As the pretty woman next to Mr. Burton began to smile shyly, Taehyung couldn't help but smile too.
"Thank you very much," he said politely, bowing slightly.
Although "Just One Night" was released some time ago, it marked a turning point in Taehyung's career. The film led to his massive success, especially in the Western world.
"I know it's not the best timing, given that we're at a charity gala, but..." Suddenly, Mr. Burton pulled a business card from the inside pocket of his black tuxedo and handed it to Taehyung. "If you're interested, I'd love to cast you as the lead in my next work."
Stunned, the alpha stared at the black-and-white business card. Although he could hardly believe his luck, he tried to remain cool and composed.
"I'd be honored, sir," he said, accepting the card and tucking it into his inner suit pocket.
"Great," Tim Burton said as he prepared to say goodbye to the actor. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a few people waiting to meet me. Have a lovely evening, Mr. Kim."
Smiling, he strolled down the hall with his companion toward a huge crowd of well-known celebrities.
Overwhelmed with joy and excitement, Taehyung took Mr. Burton's business card out of his suit pocket once more. It was designed exactly as he had expected. Playful yet oddly creepy, just like his films and art. Excited to tell his beloved about his unexpected encounter, Taehyung turned in the direction Jeongguk had disappeared a few minutes earlier.
Of all the spaces at the gala, the bar was by far the most popular, bustling with people and famous faces. Yet Taehyung spotted his beloved in the crowd immediately.
Jeongguk's long, black hair and playful-designed gray suit immediately caught Taehyung's eye. However, the omega's pleading look as he turned toward Taehyung made the alpha wonder. At first, the alpha didn't understand why his lover was giving him that look, but as he hurried over, he figured it out.
Cha Joonwoo.
Even before he reached the bar, Taehyung could already smell the strong, sharp scent of the alpha.
"Taehyung-ah!" Joonwoo laughed, looking like he had had one drink too many.
"Joonwoo-ssi..." Taehyung greeted his competitor briefly, while wrapping his arm protectively around Jeongguk's waist.
"I thought you'd be here tonight, too. Although, I didn't expect you to show up with that pretty omega as your date, again," Joonwoo said, grinning and winking at Jeongguk.
Disgusted, the omega wrinkled his nose but remained silent.
"Here are your drinks, Monsieur," the bartender said, placing two glasses of red wine on the bartop.
"Wine? Since when have you gotten so fancy, Jeongguk-ah?" Joonwoo asked with a smirk, taking a sip of his honey-colored drink.
Thoughtfully, Taehyung accepted the glass of wine that Jeongguk handed him. Besides the fact that Joonwoo behaved as if he and Jeongguk shared a history, something else about him seemed off. Yes, he could be a bit of a jerk, but at least he knew how to behave at public events. After all, as a member of the upper class, he should have known that failing to follow proper etiquette could ruin one's reputation.
"Come on, Taehyung-ie. Let's go back. I can't stand his scent anymore," the omega whispered to his lover, who nodded in agreement.
"Enjoy your drink, Joonwoo-ssi," Taehyung said as politely as possible while the other man just snorted in contempt.
On the way back to their seats, the alpha pulled his lover closer. Jeongguk's sour scent clearly indicated that he was distressed.
"What happened? Did he do something to you?" Taehyung asked his lover, who took a sip of wine.
"No. I mean, he was a little pushy at first and touched my wrist, but that's it," Jeongguk murmured and showed Taehyung the spot where Joonwoo had touched him.
Without hesitation, the alpha grabbed Jeongguk's wrist and rubbed it with his own, covering it with his scent. If there was one thing the actor couldn't stand, it was when his beloved smelled like other alphas. Jealousy had always been a tendency of Taehyung's inner alpha, but since he started dating Jeongguk, it had gotten a lot worse. Sensing another alpha's scent on his omega made him see red and Joonwoo's scent was no exception.
"Not so rough...hey...that tickles," Jeongguk giggled, shuddering slightly.
"Sorry... I just can't help myself," Taehyung grumbled in response before finally planting a gentle kiss on the back of his boyfriend's hand.
After making sure that his omega was enveloped once again in his woody-spicy scent, Taehyung's inner alpha settled down and remained relaxed for the rest of the evening. Even when Jeongguk was surrounded by guests who wanted to congratulate him on his success in the fashion industry, Taehyung's inner alpha maintained its calm.
However, he remained to keep a close eye on his loved one, even when Taehyung ran into some friends among the guests. The alpha just started chatting with his longtime friend, Park Seojoon, when Jeongguk spotted his favorite celebrity in the crowd.
Excitedly, the omega began to stutter, "Oh my! T-That's J-Hope over there. W-What's he doing here? Oh no! He's heading our way. Oh no!" which made Taehyung chuckle.
He knew all too well about his boyfriend's admiration for the fashion designer.
"What a lovely surprise. I was told there would be some famous faces here tonight, but I didn't expect to see Calvin Klein's new supermodel," the fashion designer said with a smile as he greeted the three with a slight bow.
Paralyzed, Jeongguk just stared at J-Hope when he greeted him, so Taehyung had to step in.
"He isn't showing it, but these words mean a lot to him," he said, bowing slightly as he greeted the fashion designer. "He's a huge fan of your work and has always dreamed of working with you."
"Is that so?" J-Hope laughed and Jeongguk nodded awkwardly.
"Seok-ah, they don't have any food here except snacks. What should I - oh!"
A good-looking man with an appealing sweet scent suddenly joined them. Like J-hope, he wore a cream-colored suit with a playful design. However, their dress shirts differed in color: the pretty man's was soft pink, while his partner's was black.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, my love. I'll get you something to eat later, okay?" the fashion designer promised, kissing the shorter man on his button nose. Pouting, he leaned against J-Hope, who turned back toward Taehyung and Jeongguk.
"Well, if Jeongguk-ssi is interested in working with me, I'd be happy to collaborate. I'm still looking for models to showcase my upcoming winter fashion collection."
Suddenly, the omega dug his nails into Taehyung's arm, forcing the alpha to wince in pain.
"Does that sound like a good plan?" the fashion designer smiled warmly at the model.
"I...um...I-I'd be really happy to work with you," Jeongguk stammered excitedly, which seemed to please J-Hope very much.
"Good. Perfect. I'll pass this on to my management. I'm sure they'll contact you within the next week."
"Seok-ah..." the man standing next to the fashion designer began to softly whine again. "I can't wait… I'm hungry..."
Upon hearing that, J-Hope let out a sigh. "Yes, my love," he said, getting ready to say goodbye. "Gentlemen, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."
Accompanied by his lover, the fashion designer disappeared back into the crowd, leaving an excited, smiling Jeongguk behind.
At this point, Taehyung knew this was going to be a successful night. Not only did he and his lover make important career connections, but patients suffering from O.I.S. also received the attention they deserved. Taehyung couldn't have been happier. However, that changed when he ran into Joonwoo at the bar again a few hours later.
The actor, dressed in a crisp white suit, was engaged in a heated argument with the bartender about the smoking ban in the building. In response to the tension of their argument, the alpha's scent intensified, forcing Jeongguk to cover his nose.
Taehyung had no intention of paying the alpha any attention, so he waited until Joonwoo and the bartender settled their dispute. However, just as the younger actor was about to order another round, Joonwoo shifted his focus to Taehyung.
"Ah, it's the two lovebirds again," Joonwoo said with a mischievous grin, removing the cigarette from his mouth that he had been about to light.
As his longtime rival approached them, Taehyung stepped protectively in front of his omega. Suddenly, his inner alpha, which had been calm until then, sprang into action. In response to Joonwoo's aggressive scent, Taehyung released an equally intense amount of pheromones to warn him and keep him at a distance.
"What's your problem, Joonwoo-ssi?" he began to growl, while feeling Jeongguk holding onto his sleeve behind him.
Actually, Taehyung was good at controlling his emotions, but when it came to protecting his omega, he couldn't help but start acting impulsively.
"Problem? I'm not having a problem. I'm just enjoying myself. Your sweetheart here knows exactly what I'm talking about," Joonwoo said with a wicked smile, causing the omega behind Taehyung to flinch.
Slightly turning toward his lover, Taehyung noticed the shock and embarrassment on Jeongguk's face, which left him confused.
"What are you talking about?!" he hissed at the other alpha, who burst out laughing.
As their conversation became more tense, several other guests nearby turned their attention to them.
"He never told you, did he?" Joonwoo chuckled and took a sip of his drink. Judging by the hint of alcohol on his breath, it was probably his umpteenth drink that evening. "Jeongguk-ie, Jeongguk-ie... You didn't tell Taehyung-ah that we dated? Wow, I'm heartbroken."
Horrified, Taehyung glanced at Joonwoo and then at Jeongguk, who looked as if the world around him was collapsing.
"Well, then..." Joonwoo giggled with disgusting glee. "If you'll excuse me, I need to feed my nicotine addiction."
Smiling yet slightly unsteady on his feet, the alpha rose from the barstool to smoke a cigarette on the second-floor terrace. Meanwhile, Taehyung's mind was racing as his inner alpha began to run wild. Overwhelmed by this revelation, his senses were flooded with emotions, leaving him unsure on how to feel.
"...so sorry..."
When he heard Jeongguk's soft sniffle, the actor snapped out of his stupor and looked into his lover's glassy eyes. The younger man's scent also grew heavy, almost completely masking its usual sweet aroma.
"I...I-I'm sorry, Taehyung-ie. Please d-don't be mad at me," Jeongguk sobbed, his ears and cheeks turning red as big tears ran down his face.
His heart-wrenching whimpering caught several other guests' attention, putting the alpha in an unsettling spotlight.
"Jeongguk, please stop crying," Taehyung whispered, trying to calm his boyfriend.
Gently cupping Jeongguk's face between his hands, he wiped away a few tears before they could ruin the younger man's makeup.
"It's okay. I'm not mad at you... just a little…"
In vain, the alpha searched for the word that would express the storm of emotions raging inside him. A word that fits the feeling of the nasty knot in his stomach, the burning sensation in his chest and the urge to punch Joonwoo.
Jealous. He was jealous, without a doubt. But he had never felt it as intensely as he did in that moment. In fact, Taehyung was a little scared by it.
"I'm just a little surprised, that's all," the alpha said, lying to protect himself and his lover from the truth.
Gently, he kissed the omega on the forehead. "Don't cry anymore, baby. Shh, it's okay."
Unable to stop his tears, Jeongguk pushed himself against Taehyung, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist and pressing his nose against his alpha's scent gland.
The other guests remained curious and continued to stare at the two lovers, though some were more obvious about it than others. Jeongguk's emotional outburst, combined with the other guests' staring, made Taehyung decide to call it a night. He had already stayed longer than planned and no longer wanted to prolong the inevitable.
After Jeongguk had calmed down, Taehyung took him by the hand. Before they left, they said goodbye to Taehyung's friend, Seojoon and Katie. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when Taehyung gave her Mr. Burton's business card. Afterwards, they made their way to the exit. Their driver was already waiting for them outside, alongside the press and paparazzi who were still stationed by the entrance, snapping photos.
This time, however, Taehyung ignored them and hurried to the car with Jeongguk. Kindly, he helped the omega get in first before getting in himself and shutting the car door.
❀—••⚣•♡•⚣••—❀
Nervously, Jeongguk picked at the skin around his fingernail. He felt terrible, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. Sure, he could have told Taehyung about his relationship with Joonwoo, but who wants to talk about an ex?
For Jeongguk, talking about Joonwoo was like reopening an old wound. A painful memory that he would rather forget, which is why he never told Taehyung about it.
However, the heavy feeling in Jeongguk's chest told him that he had made the wrong decision. For some reason, he felt as if he had betrayed his beloved alpha.
Sighing in frustration, Jeongguk hesitantly turned his gaze toward his boyfriend. Ever since they got in the car, Taehyung had been quiet, staring silently out the window. His posture gave no indication that he was angry, but his strong, spicy alpha scent suggested otherwise.
The potent smell of oak nearly overpowered the usual soft, sweet daisy aroma, causing the omega to start overthinking.
Jeongguk had never been good at taking the first step in arguments, but then again, who is? Only when anger overwhelmed him did he feel confident enough to step forward in an argument. However, with the guilt that plagued him now, his tongue remained tied.
So Jeongguk said nothing until they arrived at their hotel. Fortunately, the walk from the car to the entrance was uneventful, as no paparazzi had followed them this far.
Turning his gaze down, the omega followed his lover, struggling to put his thoughts into words. Although he badly wanted to say something, Jeongguk could only manage a whimper as they rode the elevator to the top floor. It wasn't until they arrived at their suite, the heavy door falling shut behind them, that Jeongguk's tongue began to loosen.
"Um... Taehyung-ie?" the omega began softly, still fidgeting nervously with his fingers. "I-I think we should talk."
During the ride, the alpha never looked at Jeongguk, nor did he as he took off his suit jacket. Slowly, Taehyung unbuttoned the first button of his dress shirt, remaining silent the whole time, which only intensified Jeongguk's uneasiness.
"The thing between Joonwoo and me ended over eight years ago," he began, only to be met with a disappointed sound of his beloved, clicking his tongue.
Upon hearing this, Jeongguk's heart began aching so badly that he felt the need to explain himself and reveal more of his past with Taehyung's longtime rival.
"I met him at an event when I was just starting my career," he said, his voice cracking as he struggled to hold back his tears. "At first, he seemed polite, smart and friendly, so we became friends. Things were great between us, which is why our friendship turned into something more several months later. However, that didn't last long, because soon after we became a couple, he showed his true face, and I realized how much of a jerk he was. Believe me when I say that he means nothing to me anymore..."
Again, the omega felt tears running down his face, while his vision began to blur. Sniffling, he wiped his face, smudging his makeup in the process.
Given the circumstances, Jeongguk expected any outcome. Taehyung yelling at him, ignoring him, or insulting him weren't impossible, though the latter wasn't how his boyfriend usually handled arguments. Still, he would never have expected his lover to pull him into a hug and kiss him.
Wildly and passionately, the alpha pressed his lips against the omega's, almost as if he had been craving their taste. At the same time, Taehyung's scent wrapped around Jeongguk like a warm blanket.
"Hyu - ... Tae - ... uh..." Jeongguk whimpered into their kisses. "Alpha... ah... wait... mhm... wait."
As he pressed his hands against his lover's broad chest, the omega sensed the alpha's rapid heartbeat when he tried to push him away. Grumbling in annoyance, Taehyung pulled away from Jeongguk's lips once more.
"What are you doing?" he hissed softly through clenched teeth and Jeongguk felt a shiver run down his spine. The good kind.
"I-I don't u-understand. Aren't you mad that I didn't tell you about Joonwoo and me?" the omega wondered, breathing heavily as he fiddled with Taehyung's dress shirt buttons.
Already overwhelmed with emotions, his inner omega became even more confused when lust and longing entered the picture.
Yet, what could Jeongguk do about it when his boyfriend smelled so good and kissed him like that?
"Why would I be mad? Your past relationships are none of my business, so there's no reason to be upset about you not telling me about them," Taehyung said, wrapping his hand around Jeongguk's on his chest.
"But...but..." the omega protested, still feeling terrible.
"Jeongguk-ie, it's okay. I'm not mad at you for dating Joonwoo."
Looking into his lover's dark eyes, Jeongguk found himself searching for something. Indeed, there was no hatred or anger, but something else. Something equally troubling.
"But why is your scent so..." the omega wondered as a blush spread across his lover's cheeks.
"Yeah… I guess I'm not very good at hiding it," Taehyung sighed as things clicked for the younger man.
What he witnessed in his lover's beautiful brown eyes before was jealousy. Pure, untempered jealousy. Toxic, plain and simple.
Upon further thought, Jeongguk realized that he had seen Taehyung behave this way before. It only occurred, however, when the omega spent too much time with his alpha friends.
"Oh..." Jeongguk murmured, running a hand through his long hair. "Oh, Taehyung-ie..." he began to purr, moving his hand from his lover's chest to his cheek.
"Sorry... I know it's stupid, but I can't help myself when it comes to you," Taehyung mumbled, nestling into Jeongguk's hands. "I'm used to my alpha getting upset when he catches the scent of another alpha on you. But the way he's freaking out right now because I can't stop thinking about how that jerk must have touched you when you two were dating... it's driving me crazy."
Shyly, Jeongguk bit his lip. Although he didn't like possessive and jealous alpha behavior, he got excited when his boyfriend showed those traits.
Perhaps it was due to his deep love for the other. Or Jeongguk had lost more than just his heart to Taehyung.
"It drives you crazy, yeah?" he repeated, leaning in closer until their lips almost touched.
"So crazy," Taehyung whispered back. "I can't stop thinking about beating Joonwoo up just because he kissed those lips once."
At that, Jeongguk couldn't help but smile a little because he had to admit that he liked the idea. "Sounds nice. I'd love to see that."
"Really?" Taehyung asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yeah, watching you beat the shit out of Joonwoo... I don't know. Sounds kinda hot," the omega said, smiling sheepishly as he began to play with his lip piercing again.
"Oh..." the alpha purred, eyes turning dark with lust. "So that's what turns you on, yeah?"
"Mhm… a little… maybe," Jeongguk replied with his seductive, soft voice, as the tension between them grew.
Exchanging longing glances, the two remained frozen in place, hoping the other would make the first move. It was like a storm slowly brewing in the distance, with dark clouds looming on the horizon, but there was no thunder or lightning yet. A delicious tingling sensation spread across Jeongguk's lips, a sign of his rising arousal, until his boyfriend finally closed the distance between them.
Purring, Jeongguk returned the alpha's rough kisses, running his hands over Taehyung's sharp jawline and neck, while the other man caressed the omega with his warm, soft hands. A couple of soft moans escaped Jeongguk when his boyfriend began to squeeze his buttocks tightly.
Following their wild make-out session, came gentle scenting, which sent shivers down Jeongguk's spine once more. The alpha's thick scent softened as it mingled with the other man's sweetness, causing the omega's heart to speed up.
Scenting had always been one of the his favorite activities. The pleasant, warm feelings Jeongguk got from it were something he could never get enough of.
"Mhm... hyungie..." he whimpered into their kiss when Taehyung moved his hand from his butt to his clothed cock.
Teasingly, the alpha brushed his hand against the growing bulge, eliciting a satisfied growl from the omega.
"I want you so badly. Mhm, I want to kiss you everywhere… taste you... fuck you," the alpha murmured against Jeongguk's red, kiss-swollen lips.
"Uh... yes... please," the omega whimpered, massaging the alpha's scent gland until his fingers were coated with the musky-smelling juice.
Satisfied, Taehyung bit his lower lip and pleasured his lover even more with his hands, earning a soft moan in return. However, just when things were heating up, the alpha grabbed Jeongguk by the hair.
Surprised, the younger man let out a soft gasp that turned into a moan when Taehyung tugged harder on his hair, forcing him to bare his neck. Seconds later, something wet ran down Jeongguk's neck, something that could only be his lover's tongue.
In just a few minutes, the omega's neck was drenched in scent and saliva, while his lower regions became hot and wet. Ever since his alpha touched him there, his cock had been begging to be freed. However, that desire had been denied until now.
Unable to wait any longer, Jeongguk decided to handle the problem on his own. However, it was harder than expected since he couldn't look down. So, he had to ask his lover for help.
"Mhm...alpha... help me... please," Jeongguk murmured, pointing to the hard-to-reach buttons and belt on his pants.
Chuckling softly, Taehyung let go of the omega's hair, kissed him one last time on his scent gland before setting out to fulfill Jeongguk's request. Well, that's what the omega had expected, but Taehyung had different plans. Button by button, he not only undid Jeongguk's pants, but also his vest and dress shirt, revealing the omega's beautiful body.
Teasingly, Taehyung began tracing small circles around Jeongguk's sensitive nipples, giving him the shivers once again.
"Uh... hyungie!" Jeongguk moaned when his lover tugged on one of his sensitive buds.
A mischievous smirk crossed the alpha's lips, followed by an apologetic kiss on the nipple in question. Moaning softly, Jeongguk threw his head back and buried his fingers in his lover's black curls as the latter continued to caress his chest.
Slowly and deliberately, Taehyung undressed the younger one, letting the suit jacket, dress shirt, and vest fall to the floor one by one. Soon, the room was filled with loud moans and wet smacking sounds as the older one marked his boyfriend's chest with his teeth, lips and scent.
In no time, Jeongguk's chest was covered in red and blue hickeys that would certainly last a few days.
"Mhm... more... more..." he purred, already drunk with desire.
With each kiss from his lover, Jeongguk's knees became weaker, making it difficult to stay upright. Noticing this, Taehyung guided the half-naked omega toward the sofa.
When the cold white leather touched his hot skin, Jeongguk winced slightly, which amused the other man. Smirking, he crawled over Jeongguk and began to unbuckle his belt.
"So many stupid buttons, buckles and zippers," Taehyung growled, his lips glossy with his lover's scent fluid. "Next time, I'll pick out your suit. One with just one zipper so I can have my way with you without wasting any time."
With a quick flick of his fingers, Taehyung undid Jeongguk's belt and pulled off his gray pants. Hungrily, he glanced down at the omega's purple Calvin Klein boxers, which already showed evidence of his arousal.
"Wet and hard for me... as always," Taehyung purred happily, running his fingers along the outline of his boyfriend's cock.
At first, the alpha smiled, but that changed a second later, which caused Jeongguk to look at him with a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong, hyung?" he murmured softly, meeting Taehyung's eyes.
"I was just wondering…" the alpha growled. Something in his dark eyes reminded the younger one of his former high school teachers and how they looked when they were disappointed by his performance in class.
"Y-Yes?" Jeongguk whispered, feeling nervous about what his boyfriend was about to ask.
"Did you get this hard and wet when he touched you?"
A cold, chilling sensation ran down the younger man's spine. Although Jeongguk thought they had worked things out, the topic seemed to still be on his alpha's mind. Suddenly, Taehyung's scent thickened again, clouding Jeongguk's senses, while fear and shame paralyzed him once more.
"So, you did. I see," the alpha hissed, then grabbed his boyfriend's soaking wet cock.
"Alpha...ah!" Jeongguk began to whimper as Taehyung massaged him through his underwear with quick, firm strokes.
His boyfriend's rough touches were nothing new to Jeongguk, as he had helped him through ruts before. Usually, Taehyung was a gentle lover who preferred lots of kissing, scenting and cuddling during sex. However, Jeongguk had to admit that he liked it when his lover was a little rougher.
Having sex was great, but getting fucked like a slut was even better.
Whimpering, he squeezed his eyes shut and surrendered to the alpha completely. Soon, his body began to twitch and writhe as Taehyung explored all of Jeongguk's sensitive spots with his hands.
"I bet he fucked you nice and hard whenever he felt like it," the alpha continued, mumbling under his breath.
Shocked, Jeongguk stared at Taehyung as he nearly ripped the last piece of fabric from his body.
"H-Hyungie..."
A warm sensation spread across the omega's cheeks as he was stripped down to his birthday suit in front of his alpha. It wasn't the first time he'd been naked in front of him. However, Taehyung's slightly dominant attitude made the younger man feel small and vulnerable, sparking a whole new set of exciting feelings.
"Did he make you cum every time? Did he know how quickly and easily you can get off when someone touches you here?" Taehyung teased, lightly brushing his fingertips against Jeongguk's cock head. He was well aware of how sensitive the omega was there.
"Or here?" Gently, he traced the soft path down from the younger man's small balls to his slick, wet hole.
"Mhm...no..." Jeongguk whimpered and looked away, feeling shy and embarrassed.
"No?" the alpha echoed. "Don't lie to me, baby."
"I'm not... t-the few times we had sex... Ah! H-he was mostly interested to use my mouth," Jeongguk whimpered, feeling a wave of heat rush to his cheeks and ears.
Though he was embarrassed to talk about his bedroom activities with Joonwoo, he couldn't help but feel somewhat turned on when he shared them with Taehyung.
It was complicated.
"Oh," the omega heard his lover chuckle darkly. "So he's that kind of guy. Interesting."
"Ah!" was all that slipped out of Jeongguk's mouth when his lover shoved two fingers into his ass without warning.
Although there was enough slick to prevent pain, the stretch was noticeable, causing the omega's entire body to twitch.
"Ah... mhm... Taehyung-ie... mhm..." Jeongguk moaned, running his fingers through his tousled hair and nibbling at his lip piercing again.
Over and over, the alpha thrust his fingers hard and fast into Jeongguk's hole. With ease, his fingers glided through the pink muscle ring, which began smacking with pleasure only after a couple of minutes. At this fast pace, it didn't take long before Jeongguk's hard, heavy cock began to throb, reminding the omega that he needed to do something to prevent himself from cumming too soon.
However, Taehyung had other plans. Before the younger man could reach for his own cock, the older one slapped his hand away.
"No!" he growled, fingering the omega's hole fiercely. "If you're close, cum."
"Ah... but... hyungie," Jeongguk whimpered, feeling a familiar sensation in his lower abdomen.
He was about to reach his limit.
"Cum for me, omega," Taehyung purred, eyes fixed on Jeongguk's trembling body, which obeyed the alpha's command a few seconds later.
Gentle yet powerful, Jeongguk's orgasm surged through his body, causing him to tremble and jerk. Streams of thin cum splattered across his bare chest, while his hole clenched hungrily around Taehyung's fingers.
Following the peak of his orgasm, a sweet numbness spread over the omega's body, causing even the slightest touch to feel overwhelming. Yet the alpha's fingers never stopped, continuing their swift movements.
"Alpha! Oh! Oh... my... oh!" Jeongguk whimpered, feet curling from overstimulation. "I can't... uh... I can't..."
"You can take it," the alpha growled, continuing to fuck Jeongguk's ass with his fingers.
Wracked by these overwhelming sensations, the omega continued to moan and scream until it began to hurt. Suddenly, a sharp, stinging ache spread throughout his body, forcing the younger man to let out the loudest, most animalistic sounds.
Never before had Jeongguk heard himself moan like that.
Unable to endure this sweet torture any longer, hot tears began rolling down Jeongguk's burning cheeks. Apparently, Taehyung took notice of the younger one’s discomfort because he stopped suddenly.
"Are you okay, baby? Was that too much?" he asked, sounding worried while moving closer to the other man.
Unable to respond at first, Jeongguk breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm… g-good," he mumbled, legs still shaking.
"Such a brave, little omega," Taehyung purred proudly and planted a kiss on Jeongguk's cheek before pulling his fingers out of his hole.
As Jeongguk tried to slow his rapid breathing, his breath brushed against Taehyung's lips. He was already a mess, even though they hadn't started fucking yet.
"Mhm... alpha... hyungie," he whimpered, wanting more kisses from his lover, who was more than happy to oblige.
Gently, Taehyung pressed himself against Jeongguk, seemingly not caring that he was soiling his clothes in the process. All the alpha seemed interested in was his omega, clinging to his lips like a bear to honey.
"I'm not done with you yet, baby," Taehyung whispered during their cuddly make-out session.
With heavy-lidded eyes and teeth clenched around his piercing, Jeongguk watched his lover strip. Taehyung knew exactly how to perform for an audience. Showcasing all his attractive features, he teased his boyfriend, undressing so slowly that time seemed to stop for Jeongguk.
As his flawless, tanned skin finally became visible though, the omega's eyes immediately fell on the two dark nipples that crowned his boyfriend's nicely rounded chest. They were just as tempting and delicious as Taehyung's toned abs, which flexed with each breath.
Oh, he was such a sexy and pretty man.
Impatiently, Jeongguk tugged at the hem of Taehyung's underwear, the only piece of clothing left on his boyfriend's body. As much as he loved his alpha's pretty, honey-colored body with all its moles that begged to be kissed, he yearned to see Taehyung's best asset: His big cock.
Seeing only the teasing outline of the thick shaft was no longer enough. He needed to lay his eyes on it. Touch it. Feel it.
"So impatient," the alpha chuckled as he wrapped his hands around Jeongguk's.
With a cheeky grin, he pushed the omega's greedy hands away before grabbing him by the hips. Jeongguk was just about to start complaining when Taehyung suddenly yanked him onto his stomach, pressing his clothed cock against his ass.
Being manhandled like that caused the younger man to leak some more slick and purr softly.
"Can you feel it, omega? Can you feel how hard I am for you?" Taehyung panted, grinding his hips against the other's ass in soft, circular motions.
"Yes... oh, please..." Jeongguk moaned softly, pressing his face into the cold leather of the sofa.
"I bet Joonwoo was never this hard for you. Never knotted you the way I'll do," the alpha growled, making the younger one wince.
"No... oh no... never..." Jeongguk whimpered, playing along with his lover's fantasy.
Honestly, it turned him on to point out that his ex could never fully satisfy him sexually.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Taehyung purred as he spread Jeongguk's ass cheeks apart.
First, the cool air of the room brushed against his sensitive, slick skin until something hard and warm pressed between his cheeks. Moaning happily, Jeongguk bit his lower lip, enjoying the sensation of his boyfriend's dick rubbing against him.
Willing to be taken by the man he loved more than anything, the omega began to move his hips in sync with the other man's huge cock, which slid up and down between Jeongguk's ass cheeks.
"Fuck..." the omega heard his beloved moan, which caused him to smirk.
"Mhm... a-alpha," he purred, turning his head slightly to look at his lover. "Please... make me yours... please fuck me."
He gave Taehyung his sexiest, poutiest smile, which was instantly rewarded with a gentle one. Seconds later, Taehyung grabbed his big, hard cock and pressed its red, dripping tip against Jeongguk's entrance.
Taking his time, the alpha slowly eased his way into the omega's hole which welcomed his hot, thick cock with soft, wet sounds and plenty of fresh slick. Maybe it was just because Jeongguk's hole was made for it, but he loved the feeling of being filled. He could never get enough of the delicious, heavy weight pressing against his sensitive walls.
"Oh... mhm... yeah..." Jeongguk cooed, pressing his forehead against the leather sofa again while Taehyung bottomed out.
Once he was fully inside, the alpha wrapped his hands around Jeongguk's hip and began to thrust into him carefully. With each move, the omega's hole responded with wet, sinful sounds that the alpha immediately began to praise.
"Wow, your boypussy is already singing for me? It must have really missed my dick."
Embarrassed, Jeongguk moaned into the sofa beneath him even though his lover was right. His hole was wetter than usual, allowing the alpha to speed up after just a few minutes.
Gently rocking back and forth to the rhythm of his lover's increasingly hard thrusts, Jeongguk allowed the hottest moans and whimpers to escape his mouth. At some point, one of the alpha's hands wandered from Jeongguk's hips, across his arched back, into his messy hair. Grabbing it firmly, Taehyung pulled the omega's head back, eliciting a loud grunt from him.
That was when the alpha really started fucking him.
Hard and fast, Taehyung's hips snapped back and forth, creating a loud slapping sound that nearly drowned out Jeongguk's long moans. Meanwhile, his scent glands went into overdrive, dampening his neck, wrists and thighs, mingling with the tiny beads of sweat running down his skin. That mixture enveloped him and his lover, filling the air with a sickeningly sweet scent.
"Oh...my...uh!" Jeongguk whimpered and clawed at the sofa while Taehyung guided him deeper and deeper into pleasure town.
That delicious mix of pain and pleasure was something the omega really liked. However, there was a limit. Although he enjoyed having the alpha grip his hair tightly and getting fucked hard by his large cock, Jeongguk wouldn't tolerate any more teasing or pain.
Finding the right balance required skill and trust, two qualities Taehyung embodied.
He knew exactly how to play with Jeongguk's body. Knew where and how to touch, squeeze and rub. It was the exact kind of rough sex the omega enjoyed.
"Yes! Oh! Alpha!" Jeongguk whimpered between his boyfriend's hard thrusts, to which his lover immediately responded with praise.
"Yeah, that's my good omega. Scream for me, let me know how good you feel."
And Jeongguk did just that. Moaning and purring, he filled the hotel room with his cries of pleasure as his lover continued to fuck him stupid.
However, being fucked so good by an alpha as hot as his boyfriend quickly pushed Jeongguk's body to its limits. Although he wished he could enjoy their rough lovemaking longer, his upcoming climax couldn't be ignored.
But, just as his cock began to throb suspiciously, Taehyung started to slow down. Hard thrusts turned into gentle rolling motions that made Jeongguk's eyes roll back into his head.
"No, please… don't stop…faster…faster," he protested, immediately causing his alpha to giggle.
Suddenly, Taehyung pressed himself tightly against the younger man and forced him back onto the sofa, leaving the omega with almost no room to move. He was completely trapped beneath the alpha.
"Do you really think I'm going to let you cum so easily again?" the alpha whispered into the younger one's ear, low and threatening.
"P-please..." Jeongguk whimpered, grinding his ass against the other's hips in vain.
"Nuh-uh..." Taehyung grumbled, continuing to chuckle darkly as he began nibbling on Jeongguk's ear.
Typical. So sassy and playful.
Torturously slowly, Taehyung began to caress Jeongguk again. Tugged and pulled here and there, while kissing Jeongguk's ear and neck, forcing him to warm his cock. Things became even crueler when the alpha's thick knot began to press against Jeongguk's hole.
He wanted to finally feel it inside him. To be knotted and filled as he deserved.
Enduring this sweet torture was almost unbearable, but the omega persevered until he was nothing more than a moaning mess. The sofa was soaked with slick, pre-cum and scent gland fluid, while the whole room reeked of sex and their mingled scents, overwhelming Jeongguk's senses.
Unable to form words and consumed by pleasure, he pressed himself against his alpha, who guided him into the classic missionary position. While they were making out, Taehyung started moving again, but this time he was more gentle with Jeongguk.
"Oh, alpha… close... close..." Jeongguk whimpered against his boyfriend's lips as Taehyung pulled him closer.
"Me too, baby," he whispered back, pressing his forehead against Jeongguk's.
The moment Taehyung's knot entered the younger man's hole, they both surpassed their limits. Soft, drawn-out moans escaped their mouths as they clung to each other. Gasping and whimpering, Jeongguk dug his nails into Taehyung's back as he felt his lover's hot cum spill inside him, filling him to the brim.
Wave after wave of pleasure washed over the omega, letting him forget about everything for a moment. Pure bliss consumed him, followed by overwhelming exhaustion. Fortunately, Taehyung's gentle kisses and touches provided the perfect comfort.
As he enjoyed the aftermath of his orgasm, Jeongguk cuddled closer to his lover.
Feeling content, loved and safe.
❀—••⚣•♡•⚣••—❀
Lovingly, Taehyung ran his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. Their passionate lovemaking had left it tangled and frizzy, though a quick brush could easily fix that.
"Have I ever told you how great you look with your long hair?" Taehyung gushed dreamily as he smiled at his lover.
"Only a million times, but please, keep going," Jeongguk giggled back.
His voice was still hoarse, while his eyelids stayed heavy over his dark eyes. Surely the effects of his recent orgasm must still overwhelm his body, just as they did for the alpha.
"Okay... I love your pretty hair! I love your pretty hair! I love your pretty hair! I love your pretty hair!" Taehyung repeated again and again, until his lover pressed a hand over his mouth.
"That's enough," Jeongguk giggled and shook his head. "Silly alpha."
"Just for you," Taehyung flirted, pulling the younger man's hand away from his lips.
Once again, the alpha showered his lover with kisses on the nose, lips and cheeks until his knot softened enough to allow them to separate. However, this proved tricky because neither Taehyung nor his lover wanted to let go of the other. So, walking to the bathroom turned out to be quite challenging for them. Once they stepped under the soothing stream of water, they both sighed in relief as the sticky remnants of their passionate encounter washed away.
As Taehyung washed his hair, he couldn't help but feel proud of the hickies he had left on Jeongguk's chest. A similar feeling washed over him when he noticed how much cum came out of Jeongguk's hole as the omega cleaned himself down there.
"It's so much... fuck," the omega complained, glaring at the alpha as he whined and pouted in annoyance.
Unable to resist and overwhelmed by the sight, Taehyung pressed his lover against the shower wall. What followed was another round of passionate sex in the shower, resulting in more marks on the omega's body and a fresh load of cum inside his hole.
After they were finished showering and had gone to bed, Jeongguk snuggled up to Taehyung. He looked tired but happy. That sight alone was enough to finally put an end to Taehyung's lingering jealousy about Jeongguk's past with Joonwoo. Now that the burning ache in his chest and stomach had almost completely disappeared, the alpha fell asleep just as quickly as his boyfriend.
Snoring softly, he curled up next to Jeongguk, who murmured softly in his sleep.
What followed that exciting and steamy night was a gentle and peaceful morning. Wrapped in the soft, white sheets, Taehyung spent the early hours of the day in bed with his beloved, exchanging endless kisses and cuddles that occasionally led to tender sex.
Only hunger forced the two lovebirds apart, though not even that could get them out of bed since the hotel offered room service.
Still naked and snuggled up in their bed's soft blankets, the two lovers enjoyed the hotel's luxurious breakfast, served on the finest silver platters. As Taehyung fed Jeongguk strawberries, which came with the cinnamon crêpe, Jeongguk fed Taehyung sweet jam and croissants in return.
For the actor, it was one of the most relaxing and perfect starts of a day in a long time. Free from his managers' messages, he enjoyed every moment, secretly wishing every morning could be like this. Unfortunately, that was impossible because by the time the afternoon sun illuminated the spacious bedroom of their suite, his constantly ringing phone brought him back to reality.
Half-naked and with jam on his lips, Taehyung walked through the suite, fishing his phone out of the suit jacket that was still lying on the floor.
"Yes?" he muttered into the speaker without checking who was calling.
A high-pitched female voice called out, "Did you see the news?!" and he immediately figured out that it was Katie.
"What? What are you talking about?" Taehyung asked, confused, while Katie sighed in response.
"Turn on the TV!"
"All right, all right..." the young man murmured as he searched for the remote control of the small TV, which sat on the lowboard in front of the sofa.
After pressing a few buttons, the screen lit up. Thankfully, the TV was already set to the news channel.
"What the fu - ?"
The remote nearly slipped from Taehyung's hand when he saw the photos of Joonwoo being arrested by two police officers.
"Our ever-so-talented Joonwoo probably partied a little too much yesterday," Katie said, laughing, while Taehyung felt his heart flutter with satisfaction.
A thick, red-and-blue banner appeared over images of the actor's arrest. In French, it explained exactly what had happened. Reading that Joonwoo had been arrested for refusing to cooperate with the police after they caught him urinating in public, Taehyung couldn't help but smile.
"What an idiot," he said, turning the TV off again.
"That's going to cause quite a stir in his career! Ha! If he keeps making mistakes like that, you'll become the next big thing in no time, Taehyung-ie!"
Chuckling, the alpha shook his head.
Classic Katie, always focused on Taehyung becoming a superstar.
"Is there anything else you wanted to tell me, Katie?"
"Hmmm... Oh, yeah! I've already contacted Mr. Burton about his offer, but I'll discuss it with you when you're back in Korea," she said, which pleased the actor.
"Alright, thanks," Taehyung said, feeling relieved that his vacation plans remained intact.
"Oh...eh… Taehyung-ie?"
The actor pricked up his ears when he heard his manager shout into the speaker again.
"Say hi to Jeongguk-ie for me. Thanks to him, I got in touch with quite a few well-known filmmakers yesterday. Every alpha I spoke with yesterday was impressed by him. In fact, some of them wouldn't stop talking about how well he performed while modeling for Calvin Klein."
"I’ll do that. Take care, yeah? Bye-bye," Taehyung said before hanging up.
Learning how much other alphas admired his omega filled him with jealousy again, though not as much as yesterday. Yawning, Taehyung set his phone aside and returned to his lover, who was still waiting for him in bed.
"Who was it?" Jeongguk murmured curiously, snuggling up between the pillows and sheets.
"Katie," Taehyung replied, lying back down next to his omega and cuddling up to him.
"What did she want?"
"Oh, she just filled me in on her accomplishments from yesterday and told me to enjoy the rest of our vacation," the alpha said, deliberately avoiding any mention of Joonwoo.
Hopefully, he won't be running into them as much anymore if he keeps ruining his career the way he did last night.
"Oh, how nice of her! So, does that mean we have time to visit a few restaurants and shopping malls over the next few days?" Jeongguk smiled excitedly.
"If you want to. You know, I'll do anything for you," Taehyung smiled back, kissing his boyfriend on the nose.
Yeah, he would do anything for Jeongguk because he loved him so much, and nothing, not even negative feelings like jealousy nor people like Joonwoo, could change that.