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Beomgyu stood in his office, the air scented faintly of bubble tea and pine-scented candles. A hastily scribbled sign taped to the door read: "Beomgyu’s Breakup Recovery Agency – Get Over Them, Guaranteed!" Beneath it, in smaller writing, was the agency’s tagline: "Because closure is overrated."
Stacks of handwritten revenge playlists, breakup karaoke schedules, and pamphlets on "Petty but Legal Ways to Feel Better" littered the room. His most popular service, the "Personalized Pity Party," had just seen a wave of success thanks to his dramatic use of props (including but not limited to glitter cannons).
Beomgyu had just finished typing an email to a client about incorporating breakup memes into their healing journey when the door slammed open.
A man stormed in, his sharp, honey-brown eyes scanned the room, taking in the glitter bombs, mismatched furniture, and scattered papers with a mix of disdain and judgment before scoffing and looking at him.
“Are you Choi Beomgyu?” The other demanded, eyes narrowing. His presence was as cutting as a laser beam, and Beomgyu straightened up in alarm.
“Depends. Are you here to sue me or sign up for a breakup karaoke session?” Beomgyu shot back, leaning against his desk for support.
“Neither,” Taehyun snapped, tossing a crumpled flyer onto the desk. Beomgyu picked it up then smoothed it out, smirking at his own dramatic lettering: "10 Steps to Make Your Ex Jealous!"
“I’m Kang Taehyun,” he introduced, his tone clipped. “And I’m here because you’re the reason my roommate is currently trying to ‘accidentally’ run into their ex at the grocery store every day,” Taehyun said flatly. “Do you realize how bad your advice is?”
Beomgyu shrugged, unfazed. He crossed his arms looking at Taehyun. “Sounds like they’re taking initiative. What’s the problem?"
“The problem,” Taehyun said, his voice rising, “is that your terrible advice is making them spiral. Breakups are hard enough without someone encouraging bad decisions.”
Offended, Beomgyu uncrossed his arms, gasping. “Excuse me, but I’ve helped dozens—no, hundreds—of people move on. You’re just bitter because your roommate didn’t consult you first.”
Taehyun raised an eyebrow. “Bitter? I’m trying to prevent them from embarrassing themselves further. If you think stalking an ex is a valid coping strategy, you’re the one who needs help.”
Beomgyu bristled, but his ego wasn’t about to back down. “Fine,” he challenged, a mischievous glint in his eye. “If you’re so smart, why don’t you come up with better breakup advice?”
Taehyun took a step forward, unruffled. “Gladly. How about we start with actually dealing with your feelings instead of drowning them in petty revenge?”
“That’s boring,” Beomgyu scoffed, rolling his eyes. Taehyun really is challenging his belief. “Petty revenge is therapeutic.”
“Not as therapeutic as journaling, going to therapy, or, I don't know, just talking it out with someone," Taehyun retorted, clearly trying to be reasonable and rational which for him Beomgyu doesn't know how to.
“Therapy is expensive. Glitter bombs are free if you know where to shop.” For a moment, they locked eyes in a silent battle of wills. Beomgyu couldn’t help but notice how intense Taehyun’s gaze was, how his no-nonsense attitude made him seem annoyingly competent and that made Beomgyu wants to match that look on Taehyun’s face. As many already knew, Beomgyu isn't Beomgyu without his petty spirit. Meanwhile, Taehyun couldn’t decide if Beomgyu’s confidence was infuriating or weirdly endearing.
“Tell you what,” Beomgyu said, leaning closer, distance getting smaller and smaller as they try to prove their point. “Why don’t we make this a competition? You give me your ‘healthier’ breakup tips, and I’ll stick to my methods. Let’s see who wins.”
“And how do we judge that, exactly?” Taehyun asked, skeptical. He doesn't trust Beomgyu and his judgement if not for Beomgyu's office giving it away already, but he still listened to what Beomgyu will suggest.
“We pick a random client and let them decide whose advice works better,” Beomgyu suggested. “Winner gets bragging rights. Loser has to admit they were wrong.”
Beomgyu smirked as they stare at each other, trying to size up who will back down. His agency literally helped many people cope with their break-ups so Taehyun doesn't have any right to slander the only source of his inspiration to keep helping. Beomgyu raised his eyebrows when Taehyun leaned a little more closer that Beomgyu can now see Taehyun's eyes up-close. It really is besutiful. Then his gaze went to Taehyun's lips when he smirked, not passing up to compete and prove that his ways can work, too.
“Deal,” Taehyun said without hesitation. He didn’t plan on losing.
------
Their first client was Hyejin, and Taehyun’s practical advice—journaling, self-reflection, and taking up pottery—quickly overshadowed Beomgyu’s glitter-fueled antics. Beomgyu let Taehyun occupy his other table to entertain his clients. He hated to admit it, but Taehyun was… good at this. The way he listened to Hyejin, the way he encouraged her without being overbearing—it was impressive.
It was also infuriating.
“Fine,” Beomgyu admitted one evening after Hyejin had declared Taehyun’s advice the clear winner. “Your tips worked. But mine are more fun.”
“Not everything has to be fun,” Taehyun replied, a rare smile tugging at his lips. Clearly enjoying to see Beomgyu realize that it's not always fun and games to cope. “Sometimes it’s just about doing what’s right for you.”
Beomgyu stared at him for a moment, surprised by how attractive Taehyun looked when he wasn’t scowling. “You’re annoyingly smart, you know that?”
“And you’re ridiculous,” Taehyun shot back, but there was no malice in his voice.
The competition stretched on for weeks. Hyejin was only the first of many clients they worked on together, their methods clashing but, surprisingly, complementing each other. Taehyun would suggest grounding exercises; Beomgyu would add a karaoke night to help the client scream their feelings away. Slowly, Beomgyu found himself looking forward to Taehyun’s visits—not just because of the challenge, but because of Taehyun himself.
It wasn’t just his competence (though that was annoyingly attractive). To Beomgyu, Taehyun was infuriatingly captivating. His eyes were sharp and clear, a honey-brown hue that could switch from piercing to soft in an instant. Beomgyu swore they glinted with a quiet challenge whenever Taehyun argued with him, but there were other times—when Taehyun was lost in thought, or when he smiled—that those same eyes softened into something warm and unexpectedly kind. It was in those moments that Beomgyu found himself caught off guard, his usual teasing words stuck in his throat.
And that smile. Especially when Taehyun smiled fully—rare and fleeting, his teeth showing—it lit up his whole face. His eyes crinkled just slightly at the edges, and a dimple would appear, it was devastatingly endearing. It wasn’t just a smile; it was a reward, something you felt lucky to witness. The way he didn’t take any of Beomgyu’s nonsense but still stuck around.
And it was becoming increasingly obvious to Beomgyu that he's starting to like and adore him.
----
One evening, after a particularly emotional session with a heartbroken client, they found themselves sitting on the floor of Beomgyu’s office, eating leftover pizza. The air between them was quieter than usual, it was more… warm. Both of them leaning on the wall as they quietly just enjoy each other's company.
“You know,” Taehyun said, breaking the silence, “you’re not as terrible at this as I thought.”
Beomgyu blinked, almost choking from the pizza, turning to look at Taehyun beside him. He swallowed the pizza before he dies. “Was that… a compliment? From you?”
Taehyun rolled his eyes, but there was a small smile on his lips. Beomgyu's eyes dropping to Taehyun's lips like a magnet every time that happens. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” Beomgyu said, grinning. But then his expression softened, and he hesitated. “You’re… not bad at this either. I mean, you’re kind of insufferable, but you care. I like that.”
Taehyun’s cheeks flushed faintly, meeting Beomgyu's gaze. “Is that your way of saying you like me?”
“I—uh—maybe?” he said, his voice cracking slightly. Beomgyu feels his heart starts to pick up its pace. He grips the fabric of his pants, suddenly feeling nervous.
Taehyun raised an eyebrow, “Maybe?”
Beomgyu groaned, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. “Okay, fine! Yes, I like you. Happy?” The words tumbled out in a rush, louder than he intended, and now they were hanging in the air between them, impossible to take back.
“You’re really bad at this, you know,” Taehyun said, chuckling as he leans back against the wall still looking at the other.
Beomgyu gaped at him before narrowing his eyes, “You said I'm not bad at it? Which one is true, make up your mind!”
“By confessing I mean,” Taehyun corrected as he rolls his eyes at Beomgyu. “You’re all over the place.”
Beomgyu sputtered, his cheeks heating. “Well, sorry but what was I supposed to do? Just keep pretending I don’t get stupid butterflies every time you show up here? That I don’t—” He stopped himself abruptly, realizing how much he was rambling. Beomgyu groans, clicking his tongue as he avert his gaze to nothing across from him just to escape Taehyun's eyes. “Ugh, never mind. Forget I said anything. Why’re you so intimidating?”
Taehyun blinked at that, his cheeks flushing deeper this time. For the first time, there's a crack in his usual calm facade but was still clearly trying to hide it. “You think I’m intimidating?”
Beomgyu let out a weak laugh, waving a hand still not looking at him. “I mean, yeah. Have you seen yourself? You walked into my office that first day like you were here to repossess my soul.”
Taehyun tilted his head, his lips twitching upward into a small, genuine smile, observing how Beomgyu is avoiding his eyes by hiding it using his bangs. “I wasn’t that bad.”
“You were terrifying,” Beomgyu insisted, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of that teasing smile again when he took a glance at Taehyun. “But, you know… in a hot way.”
The words were out before he could stop them, and Beomgyu immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide. Taehyun stared at him, his ears turning a deeper shade of red. For a moment, the room was dead silent, save for the hum of the overhead light. Then, to Beomgyu’s surprise, Taehyun let out a soft laugh, shaking his head.
“You really don’t have a filter, do you?” Taehyun said, but there was no edge to his words, just quiet amusement.
“Apparently not,” Beomgyu mumbled through his hand, sinking lower against the wall like he was trying to disappear.
Taehyun sighed, his gaze softening as he leaned slightly closer to Beomgyu. “For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “I think I can tolerate your chaotic attitude.”
Beomgyu blinked, lowering his hand as he met Taehyun's gaze. “You think?”
Taehyun nodded his head, the faint smile still lingering on his lips as he observe Beomgyu being a mess. “Yeah. You’re honest. Super chaotic, but… it’s kind of endearing.”
Beomgyu felt his heart stutter at the word endearing. He swallowed hard, searching Taehyun’s face for any sign that he might be joking. But Taehyun’s gaze was steady, his expression sincere, and Beomgyu felt the tension in his chest ease just a little.
“So, uh…” Beomgyu said awkwardly, fiddling with the edge of a flyer, near his hand on the ground. His office really needs a clean up. “Does that mean you… like me back? Or are you just really good at letting people down gently?”
“You’re exhausting,” Taehyun sighed then he leaned in some more, closing the small distance between them. His movements were careful, slow, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, like he wasn’t entirely sure he was doing the right thing.
Beomgyu’s breath caught as Taehyun’s lips brushed against his, tentative and feather-light. It wasn’t like the dramatic, sweeping kisses Beomgyu had imagined (and yes, he’d imagined it once or twice). It was awkward in the way all first kisses are—unsure, a little uncoordinated, but so, so real.
When they finally pulled apart, Beomgyu blinked, dazed. Taehyun met his eyes through his eyelashes, smiling bashfully, "If that wasn't quite clear, I like you too.”
The corners of Beomgyu’s lips twitched upward, and before he could stop himself, he broke into a wide, boyish grin. Heart pounding fast, happy that it's not one-sided. “So… does this mean I win?”
Taehyun laughed, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”
Beomgyu grinned, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years. “And you’re stuck with me now.”
And when Beomgyu reached out, tentatively brushing his fingers against Taehyun’s, Taehyun didn’t pull away. Instead, he intertwined their fingers together, his grip firm and warm, and Beomgyu decided that he definitely won. At least won Taehyun, at that.