Only If You Stay Late Nights & Locked Files

9:46 PM

KTH Corp, Floor 17, Records Department

The office is hushed and dim under the sleepy buzz of overhead lights. Most of the building has emptied out. Only the distant hum of machines and the occasional flick of flickering bulbs remain.

Jungkook sits alone at a corner desk, sleeves rolled, the glow of the monitor reflected in his tired eyes. A stack of reports waits beside him, and Taehyung's file request blinks steadily on the screen. He types quietly, unaware of the silent figure watching him from behind the glass wall.

Taehyung stands with arms crossed, eyes narrowed—not in irritation, but in thought. His gaze follows the movement of Jungkook’s fingers, the slight sway of his shoulders as he hums softly under his breath.

Inside Taehyung’s Office

Taehyung, seated at his desk, pretends to be deep in paperwork, but his eyes keep drifting to the Beta just outside.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

He hums when he works? Who does that this late at night... and still looks that focused?

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

Quiet, not distracting, Calming. I don’t usually allow noise... but this isn’t noise.

His gaze lingers longer than it should.

Then, without warning, he gets up and enters the room

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(low): You don't have to do this alone.

Jungkook flinches slightly, startled, and looks up.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

I didn't realize you were still here.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

Furthermore, I wasn’t. I came back for the signed contract... and found you humming like a house cat in accounting.

Jungkook lets out an awkward little laugh.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(murmurs): I didn’t want to miss your deadline.

Taehyung walks over slowly, stopping beside him. Their shoulders nearly brush.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

You didn't spill coffee this time. That's improvement.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(soft laugh): Small wins.

He smiles—genuine, tired, boyish.

Taehyung blinks once. Looks away.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(quietly): Thank you again... for earlier.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(without looking at him): I already forgot about it.

Lie

10:12 PM - Filing Room

Jungkook pulls at a drawer labeled: Confidential — Executive Only. It won’t budge.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(muttering): This one’s locked... says ‘Authorized Alpha Access Only.'

He hums again—just a bit.

Taehyung hears it and says nothing.

Taehyung steps beside him, takes the card gently from Jungkook’s hand, and unlocks the drawer with a muted beep.

The cabinet slides open with a soft click. He leans in slightly. Their shoulders almost touch again. The air is still.

Their faces are lit only by the screen’s glow.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

*He doesn’t shrink around me like others. But he doesn’t challenge me either, It’s... quiet.*

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

*He’s not cold right now. Just... still. I can’t tell if he’s angry, calm, or tired. But it’s not cruel.*

Their eyes meet.

Just for a moment.

Neither looks away and still— Not a single word is spoken.

Then, they break eye contact.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

I didn't know CEO'S worked this late.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

I didn't know secretaries hummed lullabies at their desks.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

You heard that?

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

I hear everything

Jungkook lets out a soft, embarrassed breath.

Taehyung watches his fingers brush against a folder.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(after a pause): Don’t stop doing it... the humming.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(surprised): You like it?

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

I didn't say that.

They sort files side by side. Silence returns—but it’s no longer awkward. It’s filled with something slower, heavier.

11:09 PM — Elevator Lobby

The hallway is empty. Lights dimmed. They step inside the elevator together. Taehyung presses the button. The doors slide shut, stillness.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(after a moment): Can I ask you something?

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(startled): Oh—

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(glancing at him): Ask anyway.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

Why do you watch me like that sometimes?

He doesn’t say sir. He hasn’t for a while now. Maybe because when they’re alone like this… the title doesn’t feel like it fits anymore.

Taehyung doesn’t look at him. Then slowly, he does.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(quiet): Because you don’t know how loud your silence is.

Jungkook says nothing.

The elevator doors open.

But they don't move.

11:27 PM — Outside the Building

Jungkook steps into the cool night air, files hugged tightly to his chest. The breeze bites softly.

He shivers—not just from the cold, but from the weight of exhaustion and something else he can’t name

Behind him, through the tall glass walls of KTH Corp—

Taehyung still stands inside, Watching.

Not because he has to, But because he can’t stop.

A moment later, footsteps.

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

(quiet): You forgot your coat.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

(surprised): I... didn’t even realize.

Taehyung gently drapes the coat over Jungkook’s shoulders. His hand lingers near his collarbone.

Jeon Jungkook(Beta)

Thanks...

Kim Taehyung(Alpha)

You don't have to thank me. You deserve it.

He turns and walks off into the dark.

Jungkook watches him leave. Clutching the coat. A strange warmth blooming in his chest.

He doesn’t know what this is but something is happening and it's only just begun.

TBC

Author

"Sometimes the quietest moments are the loudest not because of what is said, but because of what is felt... and left unspoken."

Author

Every story has a heartbeat. If you felt it today- Like the chapter.