jiminspiring (Ao3)
kim taehyung isn't that financially well-off.
so when his boyfriend jeon jungkook finds out, all he can do is be mad at himself.
---
taehyung may look expensive.
but his living is most definitely not what that word could ever mean.
his boyfriend jungkook had no clue that taehyung was barely getting through each week. he would simply allow taehyung to pay for the food when they were on dates and frankly, taehyung really didn't want kook to ever know about it.
its not like everyone's financial condition is amazing right from day one of their job. okay, so his salary was a bit low, so what? he didn't want to let jungkook know that because then he'd be upset that taehyung didn't tell him earlier.
this also meant that if the couple in love were going out one night, taehyung would have to work 4 to 5 night shifts; overtime, just so that the date could happen.
was kim taehyung madly in love with jungkook? yes.
was kim taehyung smart enough to think that he could fool jeon jungkook ?
nope.
_
jungkook's eyebrows furrowed at the sight of taehyung not having picked up his calls for the past 3 nights. taehyung would never cheat on him, would he? no. that wasn't even a thought in his head. he could see the way the younger boy felt about him. he trusted him.
but there was an uneasy feeling within kook as he drove down the streets, lights flooding his car every few seconds as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
he decided to go to the nearest department store after he parked the car, even though it was 2 am, to get some food.
turns out, taehyung's office was right next to the store. in fact, taehyung was a regular at the store. this wasn't the best timing at all. for either of them.
"taehyung ?" jungkook called out as he saw a figure he couldn't ever forget even if he wanted to. he looked on as the man froze and turned around, apologetic eyes melting jungkook's heart in an instant.
the moonlight was making jungkook's skin shimmer and taehyung couldn't hold back as he walked closer.
"yes ?"
"may i ask what youre doing out at such an hour? its so unsafe around here and you weren't even picking up my calls. you didnt respond to any of my texts eith-"
"i had work."
jungkook scoffed.
"right. Sure you did."
"you ... dont believe me?"
"why would you have to work at this time? isn't it considered overtime?"
"yeah...it is."
"well, why is that ? its usually as a punishment or if you need more money."
"you pretty much answered the question yourself."
"well, what were you punished for ?"
"wasn't."
"you need...money?"
"yeah. look. jungkook. i don't want to talk about it right now. i'll call you in a while when I get back home. if you're asleep then i'll leave it and call you again in the morning."
"where are you going ?"
"back to work."
taehyung turned and jungkook blinked as he saw his boyfriend's figure disappear into the darkness again.
suddenly, he didn't feel like eating at all.
__
he sighed as he got into his car, leg bumping into the steering wheel.
"ah, fuck." jungkook muttered.
he couldn't get taehung out of his head. ever. but now it seemed like his entire body was fired up. he needed to find out about what taehyung was hiding and until then, he wouldn't feel okay.
"yeah. hi babe. no. no no, i'm awake. you- what? you're outside the door? okay im coming."
jungkook got up to open the door and taehyung walked in, dropping his bag onto the table and slumping onto the couch , letting out a loud sigh. the lights from the TV was flashing onto tae's face and jungkook snapped out of staring at him and asked.
"so, what is it."
"okay. i'm not that financially well off ? i dont even know what i'm doing with my life to be honest, and the only thing im sure about is loving you.
every single date ive paid for, i've had to work overtime to earn it. i didn't tell you because i know you would be mad. i didn't tell you because it wouldn't be what i wanted. But here i am."
to say jungkook was upset was a huge understatement. his eyes didn't see anything but the fact that taehyung was tired. and worn out. because of him. he wasn't physically healthy because of him. jungkook wasn't upset with taehyung, he was upset with himself for not noticing his boyfriend earlier.
"what the fuck?"
"indeed. again. didn't want to tell-"
"no, what makes you think that i would have found out ? why didn't you tell me earlier yourself? taehyung, this isn't exactly something light-hearted. you're giving up your goddamn health and safety for dates. for being with me."
"and what is so wrong about that jungkook. tell me. i'm not ashamed of the fact that i have something to work for."
"that is so stupid, taehyung. you really value me more than your own self?"
"i thought the fact that i was stupid was something you knew long ago, before you asked me out. i love my dumbass boyfriend, is it bad that i need to work to be able to go on nice dates with him?"
taehyung smiled as he got up and held jungkook's chin.
"honestly taehyung. not the time."
"what's that supposed to mean?" taehyung was the one to raise his voice this time.
"do you even get paid enough ? "
"not at all. which is why i work overtime."
jungkook let out an exasperated sigh.
"what do you think you would've lost if you told me earlier? did you think i would judge you?"
"i didn't even say that? i was just not comfortable with it kook."
"yeah and i want to know why."
"well its not exactly easy to go tell the love of your life that you barely get through each week because of a low-paying job that you have."
jungkook's breath hitched.
"the what of your life?"
"i said what i said. there's a reason i didn't tell you , jungkook. it's the same reason we're together. i just, simply, inevitably, in every universe will fall for you."
"you do know i love being with you. it doesn't need to be in an expensive restaurant at all. being at home, and in bed , just holding you is enough for my entire day to turn around."
"so, you're not mad anymore ?"
"was never mad. just a little upset at the fact that you worked so hard for my headass."
"turns out i'm in love with that headass."
"hm, is that so." jungkook pulled lightly at taehyung's shirt as they hugged each other , dancing around in circles in the middle of jungkook's living room, TV blaring in the background as the boys smiled in their warm embrace.
