✔ || Save Me [[SEQUEL to DISTRACT ME]]

Chapter 33

"What's wrong with me?"

Jeongguk pursed his lips. "What do you mean, Tae?"

Taehyung huffed, sitting up. "I mean, I've been abused. Why do I want it rough?"

Jeongguk worked his jaw thoughtfully, trailing his fingertips up and down Taehyung's warm back as he came up with a response. "Well," he started, "I've never hurt you, right?"

"Right," Taehyung nodded, capturing the maknae's every word.

"Okay, so," Jeongguk said carefully. "So, maybe you always liked it rough, you know? And Ra - your ex just took advantage of that to do whatever he wanted." Jeongguk sat up too, continuing earnestly, "Just because you like to be dominated doesn't mean that it's okay to hurt you. And I'll do whatever it takes to show you the difference between good pain during sex and bad, okay?" Then, sheepishly, he added, "That is, if that's what you want."

Looking down bashfully, Taehyung nodded. "I'd like that."

Jeongguk lay back down, pulling his boyfriend with him. "So," he said wryly after a moment. "You want to be choked, huh?"

Taehyung bristled and said quickly, "That was an accident. I shouldn't have said that."

"So you don't?" Jeongguk asked.

Taehyung lifted his head, eyeing the maknae. "Do you? I mean, to me?"

"Only if you want to," Jeongguk promised. "I would never touch you if you didn't want me to."

Taehyung rested his head again on the maknae's chest. After a beat, he whispered, "I'll think about it. I mean, I want...I don't know what I want."

"Okay, hyung," Jeongguk murmured soothingly. Then, "Are you hungry?"

"I'm always hungry," Taehyung replied instantly.

Jeongguk rolled his eyes. "Are you hungry right now in particular?"

"Ah," Taehyung giggled. "Yeah. Wait, you're not going to cook anything, are you?"

Jeongguk bristled. "Need I remind you that you're the one who can't cook for shit?" When Taehyung snorted, Jeongguk added indignantly, "And no, smartass, I'm not. I was going to reheat something in the fridge. But you know what, fuck you."

He was giggling by the end of his fake tirade, and the older boy was too. The sound of Taehyung's laughter was the definition of happiness - bright and energetic and warm - and Jeongguk was intoxicated.

"What time is it?" Taehyung asked as Jeongguk rolled out of bed, searching for boxers.

The maknae squinted at his clock. "A little past noon. Why, got somewhere to be?"

"In your pants."

Jeongguk coughed, his head whipping around to face his boyfriend. Taehyung's melodious giggles once again graced Jeongguk's ears, and the maknae couldn't help grinning back. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Tae."

"Make me food?" The elder suggested.

"I'll reheat you food, you animal," the maknae huffed playfully, "since, according to you, I suck at actually making it."

"I love you anyway," Taehyung promised. "Do you know what time the others will be home?"

"No idea," Jeongguk said, offering the elder a hand. He took it, and the maknae heaved him to his feet. "I'm guessing it'll be pretty late, though. They're doing photo shoots this evening, and you know how photographers get when they want -"