accidental encore | taegyu

the next few days felt like freedom.

taehyun and beomgyu roamed around new york city, hand in hand, sunglasses perched on their noses, unbothered.

they didn't care about the occasional paparazzi snapping pictures from across the street. they didn't mind the excited gasps from fans who recognized them. if anything, they welcomed it.

"oh my god— it's them!" a girl whispered to her friend before hesitantly approaching. "taehyun? beomgyu?"

taehyun turned, flashing his signature smirk. "that's us."

beomgyu chuckled as the two fans practically vibrated with excitement. "you guys want a picture?"

they nodded frantically, and beomgyu reached out to take the phone from them.

"wait— you're taking the selfie?" one of the fans gasped.

taehyun laughed. "yeah, he's nice like that sometimes."

"only sometimes," beomgyu teased, angling the camera for a perfect shot before snapping a few pictures.

the killa's managers had long since given up. after multiple failed attempts to keep them lowkey, they just let them be.

"fine. be public, whatever. but be wise."

but taehyun and beomgyu already knew how to handle it. they weren't reckless— they weren't going around making headlines for the wrong reasons.

they were just happy.

happy to be able to walk down the street with fingers interlocked.
happy to sit at a café without having to constantly look over their shoulders.
happy to be able to go on dates— real, actual dates— without the fear of being caught.

"we should go to that arcade later," beomgyu suggested, nudging taehyun's side as they walked through soho.

taehyun hummed in agreement. "you just wanna beat me in racing again."

"and i will," beomgyu grinned.

taehyun scoffed, leaning over to press a quick, fleeting kiss against beomgyu's cheek.

beomgyu froze for a second before dramatically shoving him. "yah! in public?!"

taehyun smirked. "what? we're public now, aren't we?"

beomgyu groaned but couldn't hide the huge smile on his face as they continued walking— completely and utterly free.

—

life was good.

the killa had been spending their nights doing occasional gigs at bars, playing just for fun— no grand arena stages, no intense production setups, just music, energy, and a crowd that loved them.

and somehow, every single time, taehyun found a way to announce his boyfriend to the crowd.

"this next song," he said into the mic one night, voice smooth and teasing, "is for my amazing boyfriend."

the crowd erupted into cheers— some screaming, some whistling, some chanting beomgyu's name even though he wasn't there.

"wow, you really never shut up about him, huh?" yeonjun joked into his mic, tuning his guitar.

taehyun smirked. "never."

—

of course, with attention came rumors.

there were occasional articles popping up— baseless, obviously false, and desperate to stir drama.

"taehyun caught out alone! where's his boyfriend?"
"trouble in paradise? beomgyu unfollowed someone on instagram— here's why it might be taehyun!"
"insiders claim the killa's lead singer is 'distracted' due to his relationship— is this the end of the band's era?"