"Let's go for a walk," Sunwoo suggests after lunch. Taehyung nods slowly, keeping a few steps behind him at first, but then Sunwoo slows down and smiles at him, reaching out his hand. It’s an unexpected gesture. Taehyung stops and looks at Sunwoo’s hand for a few seconds before lifting his own arm and taking it. It's such a small thing, but it's enough to make his heart beat a little faster.

Although it's already past noon, the city is still crowded. Shops are getting ready to close for the lunch break, but their windows are still bright and colorful, blasting loud music into the streets. People of all ages mix along the sidewalks, each rushing toward their own destination, yet Taehyung feels as if he and Sunwoo are inside a bubble, separated from everything else.

Sunwoo’s fingers lace through Taehyung’s, their palms pressing together. Taehyung moves close enough that even their arms brush lightly. "You know, I thought I’d never be able to date anyone again," he says. The surrounding noise nearly drowns out his voice, but Sunwoo seems to catch it anyway.

"Really? Why did you think that?"

Taehyung falls silent. During dinner, Sunwoo had said something very wise — that it would be easier to open up now, when they were practically strangers, rather than later when they might be too close for such honesty to feel comfortable. So he decides it’s better to bring out his biggest skeleton from the closet right away — whatever happens, happens.

"A while ago, I met an alpha online. He seemed like a nice, sweet person. Back then, I was feeling extremely lonely, and I thought the best thing to do was to start seeing someone," he adds mentally, finding it almost unsettling — both the parallel and the precise pattern his mind seems to follow whenever it's trying to solve his problems. He puts that thought aside for later. "So I accepted his invitation to meet up. That night, he slipped something into my wine and tried to take advantage of me," he says. "But someone managed to stop him before he went any further."

Sunwoo stops in his tracks and looks at Taehyung with an expression that's equal parts shocked and horrified. "Oh my god, Tae, that's awful."

"Wait… it’s not over yet."

Taehyung gives himself a moment to take a deep breath. "That alpha started obsessing over me. He would come to my house when I wasn’t there — I’m not even sure what he was hoping to do. One night, he banged violently on my door and tried to attack me. He screamed horrible things at me. After that night, I moved out. I was convinced that a change of scenery would make the problem go away — and for a while, it actually did. But then one day, as I was stepping out of the elevator at work to head home, I found him standing right in front of me."

"Jesus Christ," Sunwoo breathes out.

"Yeah," Taehyung says. "I didn’t even realize he had a knife until he stabbed me in the stomach."

It's as if the whole city falls silent around them. Taehyung knows it’s just a feeling, but the shock he sees so clearly in Sunwoo’s eyes makes it feel like he’s reliving it all over again. "I was in a coma for a while. In fact, I spent more weeks in a coma than have passed since I woke up…"

"Tae—" Sunwoo now looks worried. He steps closer, brushing Taehyung’s cheek with his free hand. "Are you sure you’re okay? You should’ve told me — if you want, we can sit down, or—"

Taehyung shakes his head. "No. It’s not necessary. I’m fine, really."

"What happened to that asshole?"

"I have no idea. They never caught him, that much is certain. He just vanished."

"Which means he could show up again," Sunwoo says, giving voice to his deepest fear.

Taehyung nods slightly. "Yeah."

"Fuck..."

"You know," Taehyung says then, "I think that’s also part of why things between me and Jungkook are so tense and strange."

"Jungkook? What does he have to do with this?"

Taehyung lowers his gaze, focusing on a crack in the asphalt at their feet. "He was the one who saved me the first time, when that lunatic drugged my wine... And he was the one who saved me again the second time. We were supposed to meet that day. He found me unconscious in the elevator, completely covered in my own blood."

Taehyung doesn’t have the courage to look up and see what kind of expression Sunwoo might be wearing right now.

"He never really said it out loud, but I think that experience scarred him. Last night he wasn’t happy at all that I met up with you alone — he wouldn't be happy now either. I don’t think it’s jealousy. For a moment, I thought it was, to be honest, but looking back now, going over everything…"

Sunwoo lifts his chin gently and meets his eyes. "You think he just doesn’t want to relive what he’s already been through?"

Taehyung nods faintly. "I think his behavior… is a kind of armor he puts around himself to protect against his own trauma."

"But by doing that, he’s hurting you. His trauma was just a reflection of your situation — you’re still the one who was actually vulnerable in all this."

"I hate being vulnerable," Taehyung says with a bitter laugh, though it’s short-lived. "I hate it. I’ve never thought of myself as someone who needed protecting — I’ve gotten by without anyone my whole life."

"That's not what I meant. I meant— you were targeted by a crazy person who wanted to hurt you, and you have no idea when or how he might show up again. In that situation, anyone would be vulnerable, don’t you think? Even an alpha. It’s not about you."

Sunwoo knows what to say. He knows how to speak, even the tone to use. They've stopped in the middle of a crowded sidewalk, yet Taehyung feels as if they're completely alone in the world, as if they were lying in bed, hidden under the sheets, having a quiet conversation. The calm this boy radiates… Taehyung wishes he could feel it in his own heart. He wishes he could be a part of that peace he now realizes he desperately needs.

"I wanted to tell you. I think it’s the right thing to do, before you even think about... seeing me again, I guess. I’d understand if you didn’t want to. Since that person was never arrested..."

"Don’t even say that," Sunwoo almost scolds him, but his voice is still soft, still gentle. "I want to get to know you, Tae. I wanted that last night, and I wanted it before tonight’s dinner, and I want it now, even after everything you’ve told me. I really want to know you. If you’ll let me, of course..."

Taehyung’s lips curve into a warm smile. "I think I’ll accept..." he says playfully, and Sunwoo smiles back. For a moment, they lean in so close it feels like they might kiss — if only they weren’t standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by the traditional citizens of Seoul.

"How about we go somewhere a little more...?" Sunwoo murmurs.

"Like a hotel?" Taehyung teases.

"Bold," Sunwoo retorts, just as teasing. "I don’t believe in sex on the first date."

Taehyung laughs and shakes his head. "Think about it — it’s still the place where we could talk most quietly and without interruptions," he says, adding only in his mind: and kiss. Definitely kiss.

Sunwoo shrugs and lets out a small, amused huff through his nose. "Alright then. But let it be noted for the record that it was your idea."

For a brief, very brief moment, Taehyung indulges in an absurd fantasy. He imagines walking hand in hand with Sunwoo toward a love hotel and catching a glimpse of Jungkook — maybe walking along the same sidewalk, but in the opposite direction. He imagines locking eyes with him and seeing everything there: jealousy, anger, possessiveness. In the fantasy, they each continue on their way — but if he pushes the thought a little further, he can picture Jungkook grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him away, far from Sunwoo.

He feels guilty for having such thoughts. They shouldn’t be allowed while he’s holding the hand of an alpha he clearly likes, even if he doesn’t know him that well yet. Taehyung tries to shake the thoughts away. Meanwhile, they step through the glass doors of a mid-range hotel.

The check-in process is simple and formal. A few quick steps, polite words, and complete discretion. The receptionist hands them a key card — the key to their room — and soon enough, the two of them are slipping into an elevator, giggling.

"I feel like I’m doing something forbidden," Taehyung confesses. "It’s ridiculous."

"It is," Sunwoo agrees, "but I feel the same. I wonder what the girl at reception thought—"

"Who cares," Taehyung snickers.

Sunwoo tries to suppress his laugh, pressing his lips together. Then the elevator doors open, and they make their way into the room matching the number on the key card.

It’s impossible not to have a flashback to several months ago, when Jungkook had taken him to a hotel with the sole intention of devouring him — and had tried to trap him into an absolutely unwanted threesome.

Sunwoo sits on the edge of the bed and stretches out his legs. Taehyung sits next to him and places a hand over his. The atmosphere is completely different from back then. He feels completely different. He looks into Sunwoo’s eyes and says clearly, "I like you. It’s crazy. I’ve known you for just a second, but I like you. You seem like such a... genuine and calm person. It’s something I think I really need," he confesses.

Sunwoo reaches out and brushes Taehyung’s cheek with his hand. He looks into his eyes, his thumb gently stroking over Taehyung’s cheekbone. "You should think it over a bit. Like I said... I’m not the type for casual flings or short-lived things. I don’t want to fall for you and end up heartbroken."

Taehyung feels a slight sting at those words, but he understands, so he nods. "I’m willing to take it slow. No rush. With the handbrake pulled tight."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure," Taehyung confirms.

"Good," Sunwoo says. "But maybe not too tight," he adds.

"Huh?"

Sunwoo leans in and presses his lips to Taehyung’s. Taehyung startles for a second, but then he feels a warm wave crashing into his heart. His eyelids flutter shut as their lips begin to move slowly against each other.

Sunwoo’s lips are so soft... so sweet, even. Taehyung sucks lightly on them while Sunwoo’s hand dives into his hair, tugging the strands gently and tilting his head slightly. Taehyung sighs and parts his lips; their tongues brush, and his breath immediately shortens. Even Sunwoo’s taste is delicious. Taehyung closes the distance between them, placing a hand on Sunwoo’s thigh, while Sunwoo’s hand tightens around his waist. The room soon fills with the sound of their kiss.

When they finally pull apart, Taehyung already wants more. He watches Sunwoo’s glossy lips curve into a half-smile.

"That's enough for today."

Ugh.

He loves that Sunwoo wants to take it slow and that he isn’t like all the other alphas who just want to get straight to the point and toss you aside afterward — but at the same time, he craves something deeper so badly he feels like he might implode.

"Everything okay?" Sunwoo asks.

Taehyung nods. "Yeah. Of course. God, you're so—"

"No," Sunwoo interrupts, frowning. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

Taehyung frowns in confusion. "Yeah? What do you mean...?"

"You're super pale," Sunwoo says. "Stay right there, don’t get up."

Actually, Taehyung does feel strangely weak. His head is buzzing slightly. At first, he thought it was just from the intensity of that damn kiss, but now he’s starting to think it might be something else. Sunwoo moves toward the little minibar area with the kettle, tea, and instant coffee. He grabs a sugar packet and returns to him with a small, amused smile. "You know, this is the first time I’ve ever made an omega faint from kissing him…"

Taehyung would blush if he weren’t already as white as a sheet. "Oh, stop it…"

He downs the sugar, and the dizziness suddenly gets worse. Luckily, he’s already sitting on a bed. He just leans back slightly and sprawls out comfortably. "Maybe I didn’t digest properly," he grumbles. Sunwoo lies down next to him and lightly strokes his cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

"Could be. You’re getting some color back, thank goodness."

Taehyung smiles and leans in just enough to press a kiss to Sunwoo’s lips. "So... what's the game plan?"

Sunwoo raises an eyebrow. "Game plan?"

"For us."

"Oh," he says, smiling widely, "Getting to know each other. Going out. Doing whatever we feel like, whenever we feel like it. Naturally and spontaneously."

"Can I ask you something?" Taehyung blurts out.

"Of course. Anything you want."

"What manga did you step out of?"

They both laugh. Sunwoo pulls him closer by the waist and kisses his forehead. "Who knows. I guess we'll find out as we go. Let’s just hope it's not a horror manga."

"No, please," Taehyung groans, clinging to Sunwoo’s shirt and hugging him tight.

"I promise. I’ll never hurt you. Never."

God... This boy manages to make his heart race even with all their clothes still on. Something truly rare.

"I won’t either," Taehyung whispers.

He knows he shouldn’t make promises like that — but he really means it.

He truly hopes that something pure and beautiful can grow between him and Sunwoo.

Something that warms the heart just by thinking about it.