HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

A cool breeze swept into the room through the thin slits of curtains of his new apartment— the previous sunrays that pooled into the room now fading behind the white clouds that roamed the sky, signifying that it could possibly rain soon.
However, Jeongguk paid no mind to it, too busy checking himself out in the mirror and scrunitizing his own appearance as he dried his hair with a towel. He stood amidst the room, shirtless and only donning a pair of jeans. Eyes trailing down his naked torso as he checked out his abs after a long day of workout.
Jeongguk was finally living the life he had always dreamt of. Being alone and living on his own.  Although it wasn't how he planned it be, at least he was finally living on his own. He spent his own money on things he found to be necessary, bought what he desired and saved some for later.
His apartment consisted of the basic furnitures, nothing too fancy. It was the most he could possibly afford for now. His living room consisted of a single couch, he had made a mental note to buy more furnitures for himself later when he's capable enough.
Although it wasn't much, he felt proud of himself. He was finally progressing bit by bit. He was still on the early stages of his job anyway. And Taehyung has been paying more than he'd ever imagined. It was a high pay for a mere job of being an assistant, but Jeongguk wasn't complaining.
Perhaps he made the right choice when he signed the agreement. For he had been struggling with rejections and depression of being a total failure, that he couldn't stand on his own without actually depending on someone. Taehyung had saved him from himself when he was actually falling apart and dwelling in his own toxic thoughts, picking on ways he never thought he'd follow.
He doesn't need to know.
Although the two of them would pretend to be exasperated about this whole agreement issue, deep down, they were both glad for being saved from the inevitable problems that could've possibly prevailed if it wasn't for the stupid contract that came in the way and saved them from drowning.
A flamboyant knock ricocheted from the living room, followed by the constant ringing of the bell that pulled the ravenette out of his thoughts as he snapped his head towards the open door of his room, brows creasing together in a small frown.
The constant ringing didn't seem to simmer down any sooner, which only fuelled the boy's annoyance as he dashed out of his room and towards the front door— absolutely forgetting about the fact that he was shirtless.
Jeongguk swung the door open with a scowl on his face, ready to beat some brains into the person, only to hault and freeze in his tracks once he acknowledged who it was. And he was taken aback by the sudden appearance and the embrace as a certain someone jumped on him and wrapped their arms and legs around the male, baffling and suffocating him from the sudden attack.
"Jeongguk!! I missed you so much!" His voice came out muffled as he buried his face in his shoulder and Jeongguk could feel a smile making it's way to his lips.
"You don't even receive my calls anymore! I was so damn lonely and sad knowing you're— WHAT THE HELL Jeon Jeongguk?! You're building muscles?!" A certain short blonde haired male yelled out in surprise once he retracted from the hug, eyes widening as he pinned his gaze to the toned chest of the younger, a wide grin spreading on his parted plump lips.
"How did you know I'm here?" Jeongguk queried instead, stepping to the side and allowing the male to enter his small, yet decent apartment before closing the door shut and facing the short male.
"I thought you knew me by now, ggukie." Jimin muttered softly, a bright smile etching on his face as he walked around his friend's living room, taking in the furnitures that were positioned in the room. "I've my ways."
"Fucking stalker." Jeongguk rolled his eyes and walked away to his room, picking up the white T-shirt   placed on the bed and drapping it over his frame. He then exited his room and ambled into the kitchen facing the living room— pouring himself a glass of water as he glanced at the older. "When did you come back?"
"Yesterday, there were some issues in the company so I had to stay back a little longer. But now I'm finally here." Jimin muttered with a soft smile, plopping down on the white couch. "You've a nice apartment, not too small and not too big. The perfect size."
"Thanks. Taehyung hyung helped me find it."
"Oh? And how's he treating you so far?" Jimin queried, a soft frown decorating his face as he glanced at the younger who exited the kitchen and walked over to him.
"He's... great? And weird. Like... he's nice sometimes and a total asshole every other time. It's complicated, but in a good way." Jeongguk mumbled, uncertainty laced in his voice as he took a seat across from Jimin and flipped the TV on after taking a quick glance at the clock hung on the wall. He flipped through the channels, searching for his favourite show, the frown on the other's face going unnoticed.
"He didn't say anything right?" Jimin queried nervously, peering up at the younger through his thick eyelashes, watching how the ravenette frowned in confusion and turned to the male. "What do you mean? He wanted to say something?"
"N-No— I mean, did he say anything weird?" Jeongguk pondered over the question for a while before shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, shifting his eyes to the male again. "He says a lot of weird things on a daily basis, I don't know what counts on your question."
Jimin nodded, licking his lips as he leaned back in his seat comfortably, glancing at the TV to see the younger's favourite show playing on the screen. A moment of silence followed after Jeongguk's response, the only sound in the room being the noises from the TV that filled the apartment.
"Why didn't you tell me before that you were friends with the Kim Taehyung? You never told me about the others either." Jeongguk turned to the male, taking in his reaction once the hazel brown eyes snapped at him from the TV.
"Well, I didn't think of it before. And back then, things were kinda messy— like... we weren't together. Taehyung was busy as always and the others were the same. I never had the chance to introduce them properly to you." Jimin paused, pursing his lips with a slight shrug.
"But then— I wanted to surprise them. For you're my special friend who's been a secret for like... years? Over the years, you've become my closest friend besides Taehyung. I'm sorry I kept it from you." Jimin glanced at the boy apologetically, watching how a soft smile crept up to his lips.
"Its fine." Jeongguk pursed his lips as he glanced at the television, contemplating his thoughts. A moment of silence passed by with Jeongguk battling internally with himself, attempting to fight the urge of questioning what had possibly happened that ruined their friendship. He knew it was personal yet he couldn't help it. At the end, his curiosity took over him, causing him to blurt out in a whisper, "Why.. why weren't you guys together?"
"Um— it's a long story but... let's say, an accident took place that ruined our friendship." Jimin mumbled, his expression softening and dropping to a melancholic look. He noticed the puzzled look on the younger's face and sighed softly, avoiding the younger's eyes. "T-Taehyung's wife... she passed away in an accident which took a toll on him. It's what ruined our friendship mostly."
"Oh." Jeongguk dropped his gaze to the floor in thought, a blank look embedding on his features. His eyes snapped up at Jimin when he spoke up again.
"He pushed us away. All of us. Even his own parents... and overworked himself almost everyday. Without him, it wasn't fun at all. So... we all just drifted apart and lost contact. But I guess... he has moved on from her now. Maybe he's accepted the truth."
"He loved her a lot it seems." Jeongguk mumbled, thoughtfully.
"Of course he did. He was nothing like now. He was a hopeless romantic and a social butterfly, always goofing around. He was totally different in the best way." Jimin smiled softly, eyes spacing out as he reminisced the bitter-sweet memories.
"He's an asshole." Jeongguk retorted, a look of distaste appearing on his face as he shifted his eyes to the television that played a commercial advertise. Jimin snapped out of his daze and glanced at the younger with slightly widened eyes.
"He wasn't. He became one after her death." Jimin sighed, eyes flickering to the TV. "If she was here, he probably still would've been the same. Bet you would've liked that side of him."
"Yeah, whatever." The ravenette scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Anyways, wanna eat or drink something?"
"No thanks, I'm good." Jimin leaned back in his seat and made himself comfortable, eyes moving to the screen of the television. "Let's watch a movie, 'm bored."
"Where are we going, dada?" A soft squeaky voice queried, big doe eyes sparkling with curiosity and wonder as they snapped to the male beside him, who had his eyes focused on the road ahead of them with an unreadable look on his face.
"Somewhere." The male uttered, his gaze unwavering as he steered the wheel with ease. The five-year old boy huffed and slouched in his seat with his small arms folded over his chest, a frown appearing on his face as his lips shaped into a pout. His eyes flickered to the window of their car, analysing the random things on the street that sped past.
"You never come early. Why the sudden change?" The boy decided to ask, gaze glued to the window.
Taehyung glanced at him for a moment before refocusing on the road with a sigh, "Maybe someone had knocked some senses into me."
"What?" The boy failed to catch on what his father had mumbled under his breath, too busy watching the scene outside. He then turned to his dad with a puzzled look.
"I'm a bad daddy, aren't I?" Taehyung exhaled deeply, tongue slipping over his lips as he kept his gaze on the road. "I'm trying to make up for it."
"Well, of course you are. You never buy me chocolates like other dadas do, how you never take me out or play with me when I'm sad. You never attend the meetings in my school, Minho does. So I'd say, Minho is a better dada in my opinion." The boy stated, eyes flickering to his dad who sighed softly.
"Ah. . . don't say that. I'm trying. You know I've never really raised a child on my own before. You know everything, Jun." A subconscious pout formed on Taehyung's lips, brows creasing together in a frown. "I know I'm lacking on a lot of things. But you also know my dad doesn't spare me from work."
"Grandpa is a bitch." The boy muttered under his breath, scowling as his lips formed a pout. Hoping it'd go unnoticed by Taehyung, however internally cursing at himself for saying it out loud when he noticed the frown on his face.
"Jun, don't ever say that. He's your grandpa, respect him."
"But he's the only one between us. He never allows you to see me or spend time with me. I hate him." Minjun scowled, leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring out the window. "He's a bad man. He wants me to have another mommy. I don't want a mommy! I want you only!"
"Why not a mommy? You say I'm bad, it'd be great, right?"
"No! Step-mommies are bad. They'll try to kill me!" The boy exclaimed, frowning at his dad who simply raised an eyebrow in return. "Don't tell me you're really marrying a girl!"
"Who says?" Taehyung turned the steering wheel, eyes narrowing slightly on the road ahead of him.
"Brian! He has a step-mom and she hates him! She only wants his daddy to herself. She even locks him up in his room so he wouldn't annoy them!"
"Okay, kid. I'm not marrying anyone. You're not getting a step-mom, don't worry." Taehyung chuckled softly, parking his car somewhere in front of a fancy colossal building. He then stepped out of the vehicle and rounded the car, opening the door to the passenger seat and hoisting the boy up in his arms.
"Where are we?" The boy whispered in awe, eyes trailing up at the colossal building that towered over them. Taehyung smiled at the boy's reaction, loving eyes taking in his features. "We're in a mall. You wanted a teddy bear, remember? Also, your favourite clothes. I'll buy you everything you want today."
"Wow." The boy was awestruck by the fancy lighting that decorated the structure, unable to form words in his mouth to speak. He then turned to his dad with a calculating look, "You're acting weird today. What's changed?"
"I wanna be a better daddy." Taehyung flashed him his boxy smile before making his way ahead to the entrance of the mall.
All the while they wandered around the mall and bought the stuffs Minjun had spoken of, Taehyung couldn't seem to keep his eyes off the small boy. His doe eyes that glimmered in the light reminded him so much of his own wife, which made his eyes sting from how hard he attempted to not tear up.
The way his lips curled up into a smile reminded Taehyung of how Sora used to smile. It made him think back to the time he first proposed her for marriage and how she teared up in joy, how the two of them grinned like fools in love. He could reminisce the moments over and over again, like a broken tape.
He barely remembers her voice, however, it was sweeter than honey. And when she sang, he wouldn't be able to think of anything else just closing his eyes and humming to the tune of her voice.
And now, when he actually takes a closer look at his son, he's baffled to be reminded so much of her and hurt at the same time because she wasn't here anymore to see their moments. In fact, she was nowhere, completely out of his life and just a piece of memory for him to remember.
After messing around and having the time of their life, they were back in the car, laughing uncontrollably at a joke Taehyung had made, or most likely heard Seokjin saying his group once. Tears pricked Minjun's eyes from how hard he was laughing, clutching his stomach as he threw his head back in his seat. Taehyung chuckled, the smile on his lips etching wider at how his son couldn't stop laughing.
Soon the laughter simmered down and the two found themselves sitting in a peaceful silence. Taehyung then sighed and leaned back in seat, closing his eyes, "Did you have fun?"
"Hmm, but there's still one thing left. Only then I'll forgive you." The boy mumbled thoughtfully, lips twitching as his brows creased together in a small frown, eyes glued to nothing in particular.
"What is it?" Taehyung shot his eyes open and glanced at the boy beside him, lifting a perfectly arched eyebrow.
"You need to take me to bunny. Only then, I'll forgive you." He narrowed his eyes at his dad, a frown appearing on his face as his lips formed into a subconscious pout. "That's a promise."
"Fine, little guy." Taehyung chuckled, rolling his eyes as he sat upright in his seat and started the car before driving off.