airplane mode; kv ✓

fourty eight.

Taehyung uncomfortably rolled his shoulders as he stepped out of Jeongguk's car, blinking rapidly due to the pounding headache that he had. After a long boring day at the office, the two were finally out.

But, Jeongguk had insisted on taking Taehyung out to dinner since he was sick of watching the boy devour ramen or beg to order some unhealthy street food.

"But I hate your stupid French restaurants," Taehyung whined as he held onto Jeongguk's bicep and swayed around tiredly.

"It's not French, it's Korean," Jeongguk moved the boys hands down to his hand instead, not noticing the click of a camera in the distance. He was too immersed in Taehyung whose face lit up.

They were seated at a table and Taehyung was slightly annoyed that Jeongguk was sitting in front of him since it meant he can't latch onto him like a baby again.

Once again, Taehyung let Jeongguk order for him since he was way too tired to make any decisions. He just wanted to go home and knock out, but he knew how badly Jeongguk wanted this dinner together so he reluctantly agreed.

"How was your celebration with your friend?" Taehyung decided to ask Jeongguk who was shamelessly staring at his tired eyes.

"It was fun, we just drank a lot and talked about whatever," Jeongguk shrugged. Truthfully speaking, he had spent most of it missing Taehyung and imagining how much better it would be if he was there instead.

Taehyung nodded and attempted to think of something else but his mind was just blank.

"Tae, what was the nightmare about? I know it's bothering you, you've been out of all day and not just because you're tired," Jeongguk decided to ask Taehyung. He carefully watched the flicker in Taehyung's expression; from distressed to humorous.

"Just some stupid nightmare about when I was younger, they come and go no matter what medication I get put on," Taehyung shrugged and eyed the food being placed on their table. He muttered a quick thank you whilst Jeongguk was thinking of what to say.

"Stupid? It sounds pretty serious, do you not want to let it off your chest?" Jeongguk raised an eyebrow at the boy who uncomfortably shuffled on his seat.

"So now that the orphanage plans have been approved, are you going to start focusing on opening up that branch in Malta?" Taehyung switched topics, keeping his eyes on the food whilst waving his chopsticks around as he thought of what to eat first.

Jeongguk decided not to push it out of Taehyung, "No, things are moving fast and there's been a lot of events in the past few months. I'll wait until a few years before starting another branch elsewhere,"

"Oh what? I was excited for our two weeks in Malta," Taehyung pouted, oblivious to how that made Jeongguk's chest grow warm.

"We'll go anyway, as a couple trip. When do you want to go?" Jeongguk asked Taehyung who let out a heavy sigh.

"Whenever you want. But um, I had a thought last night because I couldn't sleep," Taehyung hesitated at first, "I...I think I'm gonna step down from being a secretary." He let out after a while, keeping his eyes casted down.

Jeongguk swallowed the lump in his throat, "Why?"

"I'm just really tired. My whole life I've been pushing myself to continue being one because I didn't want my disorder and background to leave me unsuccessful. It always made feel like I'll never be enough and I'll never be able to have some high level qualifying job,"

Jeongguk hummed showing that he was listening.

"But I realised that, just because someone has a job like a secretary or a doctor or whatever else is considered big means the others aren't successful. I can be successful if I don't know...open up a shop or something, because I'm still working regardless of my background and condition. I could be making thousands less than I am, but at least I'm financially stable enough to support myself. I think that's what matters most."