Quid Pro Quo. TaeKook AU

Open communication

"Are you okay?" He asked as I got into his car, I thought some make up, and a shower would help conceal the fact that I was crying but apparently I failed. 

"I'm okay" I sighed as I rested my head on the back of the car seat 

"What happened?"

"A lot"

"Is everything okay with the shop?" He reached over and intertwined our fingers as he drove. I stared down at his pale hands, his veins pulsing under the skin, how small his palm was compared to mine and I smiled. Once upon a time I often wondered how his hands would feel on mine. On my neck, on my arms, on my waist, on my- everything. But now? I keep picturing Tae's long fingers intertwined with mine and my heart feels a pang of guilt and sadness that his aren't the hands I'm holding. 

"Everything's fine with the shop, but Tae came in today, he filled out an application, gave me his big sad eyes and I caved. He starts tomorrow..and honestly I'm not sure if I can handle it. And Yoongi, I'm so so sorry, but I'm still in love with him"

"I know you are" he smiled "you told me up front how you felt and I respect that" he nodded "don't worry about me kook, I have a crush on you but I'm not in love with you" he chuckled "I'm not going to be hurt when you two get back together"

"If, hyung. And that's a really big fucking if. I'm still hurt. He offered to monetarily compensate me for the sex we had. He basically called me a whore and sent me on my way. Thats so fucking disrespectful, and no matter how scared or upset I've ever been, I've never once pictured myself doing something that cruel to anyone. And especially not someone that I love" 

"I know kookie" he said softly as we pulled into the parking lot of a fancy restaurant "maybe now is your time to ask him about these things. Understand what his thought process was" 

"Yeah..about that. I don't think he'll try anything"

"Why?"

"I told him that I had a boyfriend" 

"Jesus" he shook his head and chuckled "well, consider this our break up date then okay?" 

"Really?"

"Yeah really" he laughed "You're officially back on the market. This is me your asshole 'boyfriend' dumping you at a fancy restaurant" 

"Wow, I'm hurt" I put my hand over my chest dramatically making him laugh 

"Wanna just go get some fast food and a beer?"

"I'd love to" I nodded "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the first date you wanted"

"Don't do that kookie" he shook his head "you can't help your feelings. We both knew what this was when we agreed to it remember? No expectations, no pressure, and we both said before that open communication is important. And you've followed through with that. I care about you and I respect you. I'm still your hyung, and I'll still be there for you always. And if things don't work out, you can still make it up to me" he smiled wide making me laugh 

"Okay, deal. And thank you" 

"Don't mention it kiddo" he let go of my hand to ruffle my hair which made me scrunch up my nose and laugh as he drove us to a drive thru. 

I paced around the shop waiting for Taehyung to saunter in, it was ten of, when he knocked on the door. I took a deep breath and unlocked the door letting him in 

"Morning boss" he smiled 

"Good morning Mister Kim. Follow me please" he quietly followed me into my office, I sat at my desk and he sat across from me. It definitely felt different being on the other side of things.