The Hoax

18

"Now that you're settled at the new job, when am I going to hear your stuff?"

Yoongi chuckled as Taehyung leaned forward on his elbows, almost spilling a cup of hot cocoa. The two were catching up at a cafe, with the younger asking question after question about Yoongi's work as a producer at a new entertainment company.

"It's only been two months since I started, Tae. I'm still learning the basics of the industry," the elder explained with a small smile. "But it's been going really well. I've never been so excited to go to work each day."

"I'm proud of you, Yoongi," Taehyung said through his signature wide grin. "You've really come into your own."

Yoongi took a sip of his coffee, savoring the rich taste. "Only took twenty seven years, but better late than never. How's the gallery?"

Taehyung launched into a full rundown of his gallery's latest accomplishments, including visits by some of the most influential people in their country. The boy was all animated facial expressions as he recounted the President and his wife's time at the gallery, sharing how stunned he was when the two asked for a private tour.

"And they hugged me," Taehyung concluded, disbelief making his eyes big and bright. "Me! Our nation's leaders gave me a hug, can you believe it?"

"I actually can," the elder commented with a playful roll of his eyes. "You're just so adorable."

The younger shook his head humbly. "I just think they're big fans of Van Gogh."

Yoongi paused for a moment as another question came to mind, but he was a little hesitant to ask it outright. "How's everything else at the gallery?"

Taehyung caught on quickly, the corners of his lips tilting up knowingly. "If you wanted to know how Jungkook was doing, you could have just asked. I know it's been a while since I've given you an update."

After Yoongi and Jungkook spoke a couple months back, the elder had a long conversation with Taehyung. The two friends spoke about what Jungkook meant to each of them, with Taehyung revealing he saw the younger as his intern and his intern only. Yoongi filled him in on his complicated relationship with Jungkook, and ever since, Taehyung took it upon himself to let Yoongi know how the boy was faring.

According to the curator, Jungkook started breaking out of his fog shortly after the confrontation with Yoongi. The boy put a lot of time and energy into his work, slowly returning to his energetic and friendly self. Sometimes a twinge of sadness would remain, but overall Taehyung saw a positive improvement in the younger.

"Well, for starters, he isn't an intern anymore," Taehyung intoned, raising his eyebrows high. "He's been officially promoted to my assistant. He has a strong future at the gallery if he wishes to stay there."

Yoongi nodded his head, unable to help the happiness he felt over hearing of Jungkook's promotion. He was so proud of him and everything he'd amounted to in such a short period of time.

"I'll have to text him later in congratulations," the elder murmured, already planning out what he would say.

"How often do you guys talk?" Taehyung asked after taking a long swig of his drink.

Yoongi considered for a moment, recalling the limited messages they'd exchanged over the last two months. "Not too often. We've been true to our word about giving each other space, so we'll only share some of the most important bits every now and then."

"Have you seen him at all?"

"No," Yoongi shook his head. "But god, I want to so badly. I want to see for myself that he's happy and doing well, that he's healthy and fulfilled. Though I still want to give him the time he needs. I don't want to show up out of the blue and pressure him into deciding what our future will be . . . if we will have a future together."