HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Fear.
He's felt this a lot of times, became familiar with the term as a child. As a helpless child, who once feared the dark and loved to sleep with his mum, thinking she'd keep him safe from the monsters lurking in the dark. Not knowing she was battling some of them within her own mind, and losing it in the end. And instead of protecting him, left him to be with the man who became the monster he once feared as a child.
At this point, the emotion was oh-so familiar to him. Yet, somewhat different. As this time, it wasn't the fear of being caught by his dad, rather it was the fear of losing something. Or perhaps, a certain someone, who unknowingly became an important part of his life.
So much that when he saw the sight in front of him, fear was the only emotion to trigger his heart. The fear. . of losing him forever. Like his own mother. As he couldn't be on time to save him from the demons he'd been battling within his own mind.
Blood.
Droplets of blood, splattered all over the floor near his bed. A pool of crimson staining the once shiny marble floor, dripping from the older's hand that hung down from the bed. Taehyung, who laid lifelessly on the king-sized bed—  face buried onto the pillow.
And for a moment, Jeongguk's breath caught up in his throat, as he thought of the worst possibility. Which had all the colors draining out of his face, as fear claimed it's position in his heart, that hammered rapidly in his pigeon chest.
The aforementioned male then slowly lifted his head at the sudden yell of his name, baffled delinquent eyes meeting Jeongguk's own panicked catastrophic orbs, who wasted no time and hastily jumped into the room, rushing towards the bed. An utterly frightful look painting his features, as he took in the male's appearance.
Bruises. His once flawless face was covered in bruises. A busted bottom lip, slight cuts all over his arms and face. The slight dark circles underneath his eyes signifying the sleepless nights he'd been through. And it only made him wonder, what'd occurred, that made him appear so broken. That made him seem like he was beaten up.
Jeongguk then sat on the space next to him, and slowly lifted the male's hand dripping crimson— doe eyes seemingly dilating even more at the sight of a large slit across his palm. Crimson smearing onto his own hands.
"H-Hey! Don't panic! I'm okay, really—" Taehyung attempted to speak, yet Jeongguk didn't seem to listen, as he then stood, pivoting on his heels and running to the bathroom connected to his room. Hastily looking for the first-aid box with a frightened look on his face.
It wasn't the sight of blood that terrified him, no. Rather it was the sight of him, that made him panic, all due to the negative thoughts clouding his mind. Of course, it was ridiculous of him to come up with the wrong conclusions. As none of them were true, instead the exact opposite of what he'd thought. In the worst ways possible.
His breath ragged as he shuffled through the drawers and shelves of his bathroom in haste, knocking some of the items in the process. Brows furrowed, and seemingly frustrated for not being able to find it.
But once he did, Jeongguk hurriedly left the bathroom, scuttling away towards Taehyung, who was now seated with his back leaning against the headboard. The older watching him with a concerned, yet exhausted look. As he was afraid, he'd terrified the younger male with the sight of blood. Perhaps, texting him to come over wasn't the best option.
The younger male then sat on the space next to him, and began retrieving the items from the box; before taking the older's hand. This had him wincing slightly, hissing when he'd pressed the alcohol pad to the wound, watching Jeongguk with slightly squinted eyes as he treated his wound, before wrapping the bandage around his hand.
Jeongguk then stilled, pausing for a moment before eventually letting go of his hand. It was then when the pieces of a shattered flower vase on the ground, caught his eye. Alongside the pieces of a shattered glass on the floor, with water spilled all around. A stern look then settled on his face, as he turned to the older male, meeting his eyes. As though expecting him to speak up, and provide him a logical explanation of whatever commotion had occurred.
Taehyung simply averted his gaze in shame, softly grazing his teeth onto his busted bottom lip, only to wince slightly, releasing it from his teeth. "Its not what you think... I-I was just trying to get the glass of water, but then I just knocked over the vase and... slit my hand."
But of course, Jeongguk wasn't convinced by that.
Taehyung seemed dead.
Almost as though he was dead inside, yet still alive. Monotone. As though he'd given up on everything else, given up on the hopes for a better time.
He seemed broken. Although he attempted to mask it, yet failing miserably. As he couldn't hide the look in his eyes, that gave away all the answers known to him. The deepest secrets of his soul, conveyed by the mere look in his orbs. Although many couldn't read him, including Jeongguk himself, Taehyung seemed exhausted to keep up the mask he'd worn for too long.
Jeongguk pursed his lips, meeting the older's gaze after a moment of tense silence, "The bruises on your face tells a different story." His eyes then flickered to his bruises, a soft look flashing in his eyes. "Who did this, Taehyung?"
He fell silent at that, simply averting his gaze. This had Jeongguk's expression softening, yet the frown still evident on his face. Shoulders dropping, a slight scoff of disbelief then evoked from his lips. "What's wrong with you? You're not the Kim Taehyung I know."
"Jeongguk. . . I don't want to talk about it now." He finally spoke after a long moment of silence. Leaving Jeongguk bewildered, the million questions in his head, unanswered. Yet, he chose to stay silent, seeing how Taehyung clearly wasn't in the mood to bring it up.
"Okay." He mumbled, hesd bobbing softly as he looked away, pursing his lips. "Just know, that you could trust me... I'd never fail you."
Taehyung simply looked away, a lump forming in his throat as tears burned within his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, yet no words seemed to come out, as his mind had stopped forming words, that'd describe the pain he was going through. The pain, that made him crave for death oh-so badly.
He hadn't noticed the younger male treating the cuts on his arm. Causing him to wince slightly due to the burning sensation, eventually snapping out of his trance and darting his gaze down to his arm.
"Take your time. I won't force you to tell me." He spoke softly, meeting the older's gaze once he was done. He then bit his bottom lip, before leaning closer to the older male. Which caused the older's eyes to dilate slightly, bewildered. And he'd almost thought that Jeongguk wanted to kiss him, if it weren't for him holding his face instead, for a closer look at the wounds.
And the soft look on his face as he did so, made Taehyung's heart hammer rapidly against his chest, as though about to explode. Their faces being only a few inches away, his breath hitting the older's face. Yet, Jeongguk didn't seem to notice it, as he seemed awfully immersed in treating the older's cuts and bruises.
Taehyung's eyes then unknowingly darted to his lips, breath hitching in his throat at the sudden urge to pull him into a kiss. And it befuddled him, by the way he couldn't seem to resist the younger. It'd never been this way before. As he was never so intrigued by anyone, so much that he craved to feel their lips upon his own.
Yet, one thing he knew for sure was that it was tempting it. Utterly irresistible.
But when he was about to close the distance between them and lock their lips together out of temptation— Jeongguk had leaned back, seemingly unaware of his actions. As an innocent smile then grew onto his princess lips once he was done with treating the older's wounds.
"You look cute," He grinned, nose scrunching slightly. "The superman bandages look good on you."
Taehyung simply blinked at him, dumbfounded. As he attempted to control his breath, heart beating erratically. He then licked his chapped lips, attempting to regain his composure. What the hell were you going to do, Kim Taehyung? Have you lost your fucking mind?
Taehyung stared off into the space where Jeongguk once sat in front of him, now being vacant due to the younger male who'd left to get a mirror. Only to come back a minute later and flash it in front of his face, startling him beyond belief. It was then when he noticed a cartoon bandage on his forehead and one down on near his jaw. The ones he'd bought for Minjun a long time ago, when he'd hurt his knee.
"Penny for your thoughts?" He queried, moving the mirror out of the way. Now gazing into the older's delinquent stormy eyes. And Taehyung found himself being tongue tied, perhaps due to what he was about to do and how he couldn't seem to resist him, or even take his eyes off him.
It's never been this way. At least not before the day of the masquerade event. And although he clearly remembered the words he'd said, at this point, he didn't know if he was truly being honest or simply attempting to convince himself that he wasn't attracted to anyone, that it was all a trick of his mind.
But was it really?
It couldn't be a foolish trick of his mind, not when he felt things for the younger. Feelings that he'd attempted to not acknowledge a lot of times, hoping they'd cease or maybe die in his heart. Yet, it turned out to be the opposite— the feelings, simply grew more, to something indistinguishable. More to something he didn't know of, something that made him crave to have him in his life. The need to see him, the crave to feel him.
And Taehyung has never craved so much for anyone, not after the loss of his dear wife. Until he met Jeon Jeongguk, whose problematic self simply brought a sense of joy to his awfully dull and plain life. The way he loved messing with the wrong things, even whilst knowing that he'd be in trouble at the end. Although anyone would believe for him to be an innocent boy, all due to the way he seemed to appear, Jeongguk was anything but innocent in Taehyung's eyes.
As he could see through him, his true self that he attempted to conceal with an innocent mask. Jeongguk attracted trouble like a magnet. And perhaps, Taehyung found himself being attracted to his disastrous self. So much that, he began causing troubles in his own life. And now, he feared of the consequences, bad ones, that is.
That'd result in a terrible outcome, if he were to give a second chance to love.
"Thank you," The two words left his lips after a moment, being the exact opposite of his thoughts. Unexpected of course, yet he was truly being honest of his words. He then met the younger's soft brown eyes again. "Thank you, for being here... for me."
"Don't mention it. I'm always here for you." A pleasant smile was present on his face as he the male's gaze for a moment before averting his gaze to the messy floor of his room, then looking around, pursing his lips. "Have you eaten?"
Jeongguk then turned to him, only to frown slightly at the older's silence. Yet, he gave in eventually. "No. . ." An exhausted sigh evoked from his lips, eyes dropping down to the grey blanket over his lap. "No one's home. And... I don't know how to cook, or leave my bed for that matter."
"But I did order food, told my guards to bring them at times." Taehyung delivered a quick nonchalant shrug, attempting to seem composed, yet his tense shoulders gave it away. Although Jeongguk wasn't the best at being observant or reading people's minds, he could see how anxious the older seemed, and it concerned him. For he didn't know the truth or what was going in his life, and Taehyung clearly didn't seem to be in the mood to talk about it.
"Where are they? I didn't even see one of them around." A soft frown then appeared on his face, unconvinced. As Taehyung clearly didn't seem like he'd been eating healthy in the past two weeks. Or perhaps, it was just due to how exhausted, and sleep deprived he seemed to be.
"They. . .uh. . ." He trailed off, pausing for a moment. "Let's say Mr. Kim had an emergency and had to take them away."
This had Jeongguk quirking up an eyebrow at him, perplexed as to why he'd need to take all of them with him. Yet, more so on how Taehyung addressed him. "Mr. Kim? Your father?"
A swift nod was sent his way, Taehyung lowering his head as he began tracing random patterns on the blanket on his lap. Jeongguk didn't question further, simply staring at him for a moment, the concern evident in his gaze. The silence felt tense all of a sudden, as though filled with unspoken thoughts, and feelings. The two of them, immersed in their own heads filled with a million unspoken questions.
"I'll get you something." Jeongguk then rose from his seat, haulting when the older male snapped his eyes up to him, baffled. "You know how to cook?"
"Maybe? I live alone... you could say... I learned a few dishes for myself." Jeongguk shrugged nonchalantly, scrunching his nose as a shy smile crept up to his lips. He then pivoted on his heels, walking out of the room. Taehyung simply watching his retreating back disappear out of the door till he was out of sight.
He found himself staring at the closed door across him, now all alone with a million thoughts clouding his mind. He'd lost himself in his ocean of a mind, thinking of the threats that concerned him the most. One wrong move, and things would fall apart in just a matter of seconds.
Falling in love was a losing game, at least for Taehyung. As he thought, perhaps, love wasn't meant to be for him. Maybe, being trapped in someone else's dream was what destiny had in store for him, with no escape. Being caught up in their expectations, to work his ass off to be up to their assumptions, to live their dreams was perhaps the sole purpose of his life. As his entire life, he's been taught to do these. To meet up people's expectations, and grow their empire in the business world.
Did his parents ever ask him of what he truly wanted in life? The answer was a simple word, 'no'. Of course, they never cared about his dreams, or what he truly wanted to be. Instead, trapped him in their hold, snatched his freedom away from him and raised him to be a mindless robot who obeyed all his father's commands. And if he didn't, threatened him or worse, beat him up for him to stay in his limits.
But when did Taehyung ever stay in his limits?
For even after being threatened a lot of times, he went against everyone, and married the woman he loved. To show his father that he too, could be stubborn, that he could cross all limits to do what he wants truly. However, his father watched it all happen in silence, dead silence. Not a work spoken, not an action taken. And Taehyung had almost believed that his father had probably learned from his mistakes, and became a better man.
Of course, he was wrong.
It was only after the death of his wife, when his father began taking his revenge. To ruin his life, to manipulate the people close to him.
As he'd broken a rule. An important rule of the Kim family. To always obey his father, and stay in his lane. A ridiculous rule of his broken family. As families were supposed to be loving, yet his were distant. Almost as though they were strangers living in the same house. Everything about his family was ridiculous and incredibly stupid, yet he couldn't ever say it to their faces.
At this point, he felt numb. Unable to trace any sort of pain, physically or even mentally. As his eyes were dried of tears, no more tears left to cry over something that's fated for him. His defeat.
The door then swung open, Jeongguk walking in with a tray of food in his grip. Startling Taehyung for a moment, who snapped out of his trance and darted his gaze towards the door, only to relax at the sight of the younger male who approached him.
The older male then rose his eyebrows in utter amusement, once he caught on the smell of food that wafted through the air upon the younger's arrival, hitting his nostrils. His previous thoughts now dissipating in the air. "What's that?"
Jeongguk simply hummed in response, taking a seat next to the older male, and placing the back of his hand over his forehead. "Chicken soup. You've a light fever, it's better for you, I guess."
This had Taehyung simply watching him in utter amusement, as he grabbed the bowl of soup from the tray, now holding a spoon full of it in front of his mouth after blowing over it a few times. He then knitted his brows together in an exasperated frown, "Open your mouth, dumbass."
The older simply complied, and parted his lips, eyes never leaving the younger's face. It was surprising, at least for Taehyung. Surprising to see someone caring so much about him. As he'd no one look after him in moments like this, other than the maids, and butlers whom he ordered around. As someone who grew up deprived of love and affection, it was truly amusing to see someone care for him.
Make him feel worth it, even for once.
"Can I ask you something?" Jeongguk was the first to break the overbearing silence that took over, right after his saying. Taehyung simply nodded for him to continue, as he fed him. "Why's no one home? I mean. . where are the maids?"
This had Taehyung pursing his lips, averting his gaze down towards his lap for a moment. "Well. . . I fired most of them, and the only one I had, she needed a few months of break. So. . I sent her away." Taehyung shrugged nonchalantly, wrapping his lips upon the spoon the younger brought forward, eyes never leaving his soft doe orbs.
"Minjun? Where is he?" A look of pure concern and confusion flashed in his eyes upon the mention of his name. As he hadn't seen the small boy around, or even thought of him in the past few hours, head absolutely occupied with Taehyung, and his whereabouts.
The older male simply chuckled, the sound of it, ricocheting through the room, and bouncing off the walls. "Don't you fret. He's okay, with Jin and Namjoon."
This had Jeongguk haulting in his movements, a pause then following as he knitted his brows at that. "You sent him away to them. . ." He trailed off, shooting the older a quizzical look. "You told everyone, didn't you?"
"Told what?"
"That you're sick." His brows  then pulled down together in a disappointed frown, lips subconsciously shaping to a pout. "Why couldn't you tell me? Or even answer my calls or messages for that matter?"
"Well. . . I-I didn't want to trouble you." Taehyung gazed at him with an apologetic look, seemingly guilty of his actions. "You were stressed already, with the shit load of work pressed upon you. It's all my fault and. . I-I didn't want to be a burden."
"Bullshit," His gaze then softened at his words, yet even so, the scowl still present on his face. "You're never a burden. You could always call me if you're in trouble. I'd be here, for you." He then leaned forward, feeding him the last of soup. "Its still stupid of you to not answer my calls or messages."
"I'm sorry." Jeongguk could clearly see the guilt flashing in his delinquent orbs as he averted his gaze, attempting to avoid the younger's eyes. The two words, he's said for the second time, perhaps only to him. As Kim Taehyung was known to be someone who never apologised for his actions, let alone be guilty of them. Perhaps, they were simply rumours spread by his haters who envy his success, or perhaps the truth.
But to Jeongguk, it could never be the truth. As he could see, the true self of him. How much of a true social butterfly he was, as said by Jimin once. And how he wasn't at all the person the media describes him to be. Instead, the exact opposite of their perspective. A kind soul, living a life of depression, deprived of love and comfort. A fallen angel.
And perhaps, a part of him felt the need to be his source of love and comfort, to brighten up his plain life.
"If you told them. . why didn't they come over to look after you?" Taehyung met the younger's eyes at that for a moment, his scintillating doe orbs filled with concern and disappointment, along with a hint of confusion. As  he still couldn't wrap up his mind around the situation, something felt off, and Taehyung was probably hiding a few things from him.
Perhaps, he couldn't trust him completely yet.
"Not the whole thing though. . just that I was out on a business trip, and to look after my son." Taehyung pointed out, attempting to avoid the younger's eyes. Seemingly troubled, and utterly exhausted to figure out an answer from the depth of his mind. Although he pretended to be composed, Jeongguk could see it all, how anxious he seemed whenever it came to opening up about his life.
This had the curiosity burning within him, as he craved to know of the older, his life and what circumstances made him the man he was. Perhaps, even forced him to be someone he didn't wish to be. Jeongguk craved to know the answers to his million questions buried deep within his mind, scared to be voiced out, as Taehyung would probably never answer them or switch the subjects.
It was meant to be that way anyway.
Yet, he couldn't help but bring forth his curiosity, that was too obvious to be concealed. And perhaps, Taehyung might've even caught a glimpse of it, due to his curiosity glazed orbs. "Why'd you lie to them?"
"I've reasons, Jeongguk. Everyone does." His sharp delinquent eyes then met his own onyx orbs, a stoic expression now appearing on his face, brows knitted ever so slightly. "Every action, every word, every situation has a reason. And sometimes, those reasons are better left untold. As you never know, some troubles could even ruin your life."
"Ruin my life?" He quirked up a brow in surprise, the curiosity of knowing more clearly evident, even with the risk of involving himself in a mess he'd never be able to untangle himself from. "What is it that's troubling you so much, Taehyung? That you feel like. . . it'll ruin the life of others around you?"
"Everything has a way, Jeongguk. And it's not always fun to get yourself in trouble, you never know, they could even be more perilous than you've ever envisioned." A pause then followed, an absent look evident in his gloomy eyes, shoulders dropping slightly as he then averted his gaze, seemingly lost in thoughts. "Its better to stay away."
His brows then creased together in a soft frown, as though unable to register whatever the male was  saying. Or perhaps, he did, however chose to not acknowledge it. Yet he knew one thing for sure, that Taehyung was struggling with something big, that was killing him on the inside. But when was Jeongguk ever the one to listen to the warnings?
"But what if. . I want to help you?" He murmured, almost inaudibly, yet it didn't go unnoticed by the older male, all due to the silence that dawned over them. This had Taehyung darting his gaze up to him, a look of disbelief painting his features. Jeongguk then averted his gaze, gulping nervously, all due to his intense eyes that were solely focused on him.
"What if I don't want to be safe?"
A scoff of disbelief followed with soft chuckle evoking from his lips. "Y-You still want to aid me, huh? Even while knowing. . The dangers of getting yourself in trouble?" A look of pure amusement then embedded on his face. "You can't. For I can never be saved."
"There's always a way. And I've been through the worst. I think I could take a little more pain, if it means to save you."
"You don't get it." His lips curved into a painful smile as he lowered his gaze, shaking his head slightly, "You can't. You don't even know what you're getting yourself into."
"Give me a chance, Taehyung. Please. . I don't know what it is,  but. . I want to help you out." A melancholic look glistened in his dilated doe orbs, as though attempting to convince himself that there was hope, and that, Taehyung was lying to him. Although a part of him wished to believe his words, the other half of him denied it all.
Taehyung was living in a bubble of lies.
"This. . All this, the bruises on your face, the blood, I know you're dealing with something really terrible. You're stuck. I'm just. . Trying to help you. Please." The crestfallen look on his face broke Taehyung's heart, a pang of pain surging through him as he attempted to refrain himself from breaking down entirely.
"Just. . forget it, Jeongguk. Pretend like nothing's ever happened. It's the best, for both of us." Was all he could mutter out, before allowing the silence to consume the atmosphere again, this time, consuming it in a melancholic embrace.
And now, it was all clear to Jeongguk. As he could see the pained look in his eyes, the gleam of hope, now absent in his dull, and gloomy orbs. Broken. The exact opposite of the person he'd known him to be. The walls he'd once built to keep his heart a safe place, now crumbling. Due to someone who's seen the broken side of him, how miserable he really was. That someone being Jeongguk, who had now known that he was struggling with something awfully appalling, something that was killing him on the inside.
Known a small part of his true self. A small part, that could result in something big, something unpredictable.
That could be the end of them both, or perhaps not.
"Take these, they'll help you." Jeongguk then changed the subject, knowing how it was affecting the older male. Handing him the painkillers he'd found in the kitchen, along with a glass of water. And Taehyung complied wordlessly, swallowing the pills in a matter of seconds, before placing the glass away; now shifting his eyes towards the window.
"It's getting late," Jeongguk then began after a long moment of silence, eyes shifting to the window for a moment before flickering to the older, analysing his flawless side-profile, that he secretly found himself admiring. "Take some rest, you'll feel better."
"You're leaving?" He then turned  to Jeongguk, watching him lift himself from his seat, surprised for a moment, seemingly unwilling to let him leave. Jeongguk simply shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Its midnight already it seems."
A wavering silence then followed, Taehyung licking his chapped lips for a moment, contemplating the odds in his head, hesitant. "You could stay. . . For tonight."
"But there's work tomorrow—" Taehyung cut him off, seemingly disheartened to be left all alone, with the inconspicuous dangers that lurked within the darkness surrounding his once safe abode. The only thing to keep him company, by watching over him like a hawk all night as he slept. "Skip it, for once. Just. . please, stay."
The ravenette held his gaze for a moment, slightly taken aback by the look in his eyes, how fraught he seemed to be left alone. And perhaps, there must've been a reason behind that, something Jeongguk had no clue of. And of course, Taehyung wouldn't obviously reveal the truth, despite his countless attempts. A soft exhale then escaped his princess lips, nodding softly as he averted his gaze. "If that's okay with you."
"Of course," His face relaxed at that, an inaudible breath of relief escaping his lips, as a satisfied smile then formed onto them. And Jeongguk could see the faint sparkle in his obsidian orbs, despite the dullness of the room. The ravenette was the first to break the eye contact, heart fluttering in his pigeon chest as he looked away. The corners of his lips curving upwards into a soft beam as he then turned to the room, back facing Taehyung.
"Uh. . ." He wondered, looking around. "Guess I'll be in the guest room then." He turned to the older, looking for approval. Taehyung immediately shook his head in disagreement, eyes dilated slightly as he averted his gaze down to the bed. "No, uhm. . ."
The assistant was taken aback by his answer, causing him to lift a brow, quizzically. "What?"
Taehyung simply licked his lips, pursing them for a moment, before gnawing at his bottom lip. Seemingly distressed and anxious about his thoughts. "We could uhm. . . share the bed, I guess?" And oh god, Taehyung sounded fucking ridiculous when he said that, internally cringing due to the amount fear planted in his heart. So unlikely of him, indeed. Yet, he couldn't help it. This was a bad idea, he knew it all too well. But if it weren't for the current circumstances, he wouldn't ever dare to be in the same room as someone, let alone share the same bed with them.
The brunette refused to meet the younger's eyes, knowing that he must've been surprised or perhaps perplexed, or just simply attempting to hold his laughter, due to how ridiculous he sounded. Taehyung couldn't help the anxious thoughts in his mind, which only made him appear more nervous than he ought to be.
"If you want. . I've no problem." That was certainly not the response he expected, the exact opposite of all the negative responses he'd predicted in his mind. This caused him to snap his eyes up towards the younger male, a quizzical frown present on his face. "W-Wait. . . Really?"
The ivory skin between Jeongguk's brows creased together in a soft frown, as he sent him a nonchalant shrug, as though not getting the older's point. "Yeah. . why?"
He was fretting for no apparent reason.
"N-No. . Nothing actually." An awkward smile crept up to his lips as he then averted his gaze, shifting on the bed to create more space for the other. "Hop in."
The younger male haulted in his tracks, looking down at his clothes for a moment, before darting his gaze around, lips agape slightly. "I'll need to change."
"That's the closet, pick whatever you want." The brunette gestured towards the door across the room, that he hadn't noticed before, regardless of the times he'd been here. Or maybe, it was due to the colour of the door, and how it blended with the walls, as though non-existent.
Nevertheless, Jeongguk complied after a moment— only to come back a few minutes later, this time, donning a simple over-sized black T-shirt, with a pair of indigo sweat pants. The older male followed him with his eyes, as he approached the other side of the bed, climbing into the sheets, and leaving enough space between them.
Switching off the lights, Jeongguk turned to the older male, only to see him staring back at him with an absent look on his face. This caused the younger's facial expression to contort to a frown. "What?"
The older male then flinched slightly, blinking rapidly at him for a moment before averting his gaze, shaking his head. "Nothing."
"What's on your mind, Tae?" He queried softly, only to pause at what he'd just blurted, and quickly correct himself. "I-I'm sorry. Taehyung."
The aforementioned male turned to him, a lazy smirk forming onto his lips. "It's okay, you don't need to apologise. I like it."
Their eyes met for a moment, and Jeongguk felt the sparks coming back again, the oh-so familiar sparks he felt whenever he looked at him in the eyes— And even in the dark, Jeongguk could make out every one his delicate features, all due to the moonlight that swept in through the curtains of his room, illuminating every object with its light.
Jeongguk then averted his gaze, face heating up due to the way he gazed at him, although he was certain of why. "What're you thinking?"
The older then simply dropped his gaze, pursing his lips for a moment, "Its nothing, really. I'm just. . tired. Get to sleep now, gguk. Goodnight."
Taehyung dismissed him, simply turning away. However, haulting when his gaze darted towards the open window. The ravenette was perplexed by that, how the older tensed up just by looking towards the window, and how he got off the bed to shut it, allowing murk to consume the room entirely.
He came back a moment later, wordlessly lying down on the bed and turning to the other side, pulling the sheets along with him. Jeongguk, however, kept his eyes fixated on the male's back, a discombobulating look present on his face. Yet, even so, Jeongguk complied after a moment, muttering a small 'goodnight' and settling down under the sheets, facing the other side. The two of them, lost in their own head.
Jeongguk, having his own doubts about the older, and Taehyung, who simply couldn't cease the million thoughts clouding his mind. Brows knitted ever-so slightly, he found himself glancing towards the window in sheer distress. As the thought of being watched ate him whole on the inside.
And perhaps, he was right. There were people, specifically men clad in inky suits lingering outside his residence, taking over their positions to guard his residence, people who weren't his own, rather working on someone else's commands. It was only with their approval, that he could call out to Jeongguk for help, the last person on his mind, if he didn't wish to die, that is. But now, he found himself torn between whether or not, it was the right thing to call out to him, and expose him to a possible danger.
As now that they knew of him, involving him in his problems would bring out the worst consequences, something he didn't wish to think of.