Ego || •KTH• ✔️

Quite a Bitter Taste

Taehyung tapped his pen against the back of his paper, but it was already complete. His copy of his resignation forms. For some reason, he didn't shred them as soon as he saw them. There was a certain novelty to having them, like he was fooling the world. A CEO resigning so young was rare if not never heard of. Taehyung loved breaking barriers, but not like this. But this was different. He wanted a normal life. A chance at one, anyway. Granted, he couldn't go anywhere without being recognized, but he wanted to try. At least try.

There was a knock at his door, him calling for whoever was there to enter, and he wasn't surprised when his best friend revealed himself with an eye smile on his face. "Tae Tae, wanna go to the park today? Maybe get some food after?"

"I'm a little tired today," he replied, shrugging, "but thanks for offering."

"No problem," Jimin said, fiddling with his fingers, "wanna do something tomorrow then? Maybe a restaurant? I found this Thai place, looks promising."

"Aren't you going out with your girlfriend tomorrow?"

"Sure, but that doesn't mean we can't hang out during the day. We're going out at night so..."

"Jimin, it's okay, you can focus on your lover, I won't be mad at you. We don't need to hang out every single day."

The older man pouted, his forehead creasing. "But... what if I want to?"

"I need some alone time every once in a while, I can't go out all the time, but I appreciate you thinking of me. Plus, I just got a call. I got the job at that ice cream place, hoping to start tonight."

"Tonight? Really?" Jimin asked, leaning against the wall. Strange, from here he looked tall. Taehyung knew that wasn't true and mentally teased him, but at least Jimin seemed tall in some areas. Speaking of some areas, God definitely gifted him in other... places. Wait. Taehyung. Shut up.

"Yeah, maybe I'll learn how to do mundane things."

"You think ice cream is mundane?"

Taehyung tilted his head, puffing out some air and leaning back in his seat. "Maybe." Tae eyed Jimin, noting the man was fiddling with his fingers still. He motioned to the man's small hands. "You tell her you love her yet?"

"No of course not, I'm not confident enough for that."

"You were a porn star for two years."

"I never showed my face, just my massive, girthy, veiny, juicy, beautiful, thick, coc-"

"Where's the tape when you need it?" Tae asked in a mumble, grumbling a few curses to himself while searching his desk for duct tape.

"Don't touch these plump lips, they're not free." Taehyung blinked at his friend, Jimin shutting up and lowering his gaze, falling serious. "I um... I really love her so... I don't know what to do."

"Tell her. Everyone and their dead ancestors can see she loves you too. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pick up my uniform from the parlor, then I'll be back here doing some research."

Jimin knit his brows together. "Research?"

Tae glanced out his window, a grin gracing his lips while he stared. "I think I'll go to my patio and sit under the Sun for a bit. I don't know... just feels like a good day for it."

Jimin returned Taehyung's expression, the younger of the two standing, wincing right after. "Woah, you good bud?"

Taehyung chuckled, stretching himself. "I really need nature, I haven't stood in hours. See what that desk job did to me? Now I can't even stand without feeling pain." Jimin gazed at him with a frown, Taehyung shaking it off. "Let's hang out sometime soon, alright? And tell your girl you love her, the longer you wait, the more likely she thinks the relationship isn't serious."

"It is. At least, I don't know, it is to me."

He approached, patting the shorter boy on the shoulder. "Tell her."

Jimin crossed his arms over his chest, sighing. "On one condition." Taehyung raised a brow. "Get me free ice cream." Taehyung's boxy smile filled the room with light, Jimin giggling at the expression.

"You know what Park? I'll get you free rocky roads for the rest of your life..."

~~~

The problem with being a college kid about to graduate was you needed money. A real job, and you needed it fast. Not this part time bullshit. Not that you minded part time, but the point was you were working constantly. Today you had a long shift. 2-10. You relieved the morning shift and were now expecting to man the afternoon and night shift borderline by yourself. That was why you were immensely surprised when a certain Kim Taehyung strolled into the parlor like he owned the place.

Rene was there, going to him right away and handing him a cardboard box. Oh great, the uniform box. That meant he was accepted in like 24 hours, not even. It took you two weeks to hear back from this place, but he got it instantly. Not that you blame Rene, having a face like Taehyung's in the business would increase sales. Regardless, you were still bitter. Maybe that was a toxic trait of yours; you had a tendency to get jealous and bitter despite not having a true reason to. Taehyung was successful, and you had a job. You had no reason to be upset. But fuck logic, you were going to be upset anyway.

Taehyung thanked Rene, and you thought that would be when he left to go try the uniform on, but he didn't (of course). He ended up coming to the front counter, Rene observing him like you were. "Can I help you, Mr. Kim?" you asked, forcing a sweetness in your voice you wouldn't have anywhere else.

"We're working together tonight," he said, you swiveling your head to glare at your boss.

"Is this a movie? Why are you pairing me with him?"

"Because you're my best worker and I'll be honest, it'll be funny to see the chaos you create," she replied.

"It's your business, you want chaos?"

"If it's funny, sure."

"I better get a promotion," you mumbled, leaning on the balls of your feet. "I'll play nice, only if you do Mr. Kim. I just hope you know I don't necessarily agree with you taking this job."

Taehyung pursed his pretty lips, flicking a strand of hair out of his face. "May I ask why?"

"Of course, I wouldn't hide my feelings, especially if we're working together. I think a millionaire taking a common job is a bad idea. You're taking a potential job away from someone like me, who's struggling for money. I respect you being here, but I'd also like to respectfully disagree with you taking on common-class work when you can live in luxury for the rest of your life with the money you made sleeping last night."

Taehyung grinned, and you were truthfully surprised that Rene didn't fire you for those comments, but Rene was as big of a believer in free speech as you were. As long as you weren't rude to customers, of course. "You make a fair case, Miss L/n. But I hope you know I have my reasons for taking this job, just as you have yours. The reasons may not be what you're expecting."

"Please do enlighten me, then."

The grin stuck on his face like glue, the door ringing to signify a customer walking in. Tae backed off, holding the box closer. "Well, if you're lucky, maybe one day we'll get close enough for you to find out," he said, the teasing tone he had secretly pissing you off. But, at the same time, you had to admit that his teasing was hot. Oh come on, you were still a girl. Hot man teasing you, how were you supposed to not mentally die a little? You were a college kid, hormones were your middle name at this rate.

"Maybe," you agreed, adjusting your cute visor as he stepped away.

"I'll see you tonight, Miss L/n." You let out a breath, him departing before you got a chance to speak. The customer was approaching, but you kept your eyes on where Taehyung left. Another breath parted from your lips, and before the customer could come up, you uttered one last sentence...

"See you tonight, Mr. Kim..."