Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Jungkook had no idea, what just happened. He took the bus home after he parted ways with Yoongi.
That was the strangest thing ever... Who on Earth would just walk up to someone they don't know, pay for their meal and then lecture me... Jimin is his? What the fuck was that all about?! Well... at least I'm not starving anymore...
The bus stopped and some students in yellow uniforms got on, his eyes quickly searched for the one face he's been looking for. He wasn't among them... One girl from his school sat down next to Jungkook and he shifted uncomfortably closer to the bus window. Her skirt was ridiculously short almost exposing too much, Jungkook immediately averted his eyes and kept looking at the dried leaves rustling along the road as the bus was speeding down.
Wait... isn't she from my class? He peeped at her carefully, she caught him looking at her, fluttered her eyelashes and tucked her long hair behind her ear in a flirty manner.
Oh my God...oh my God...oh my God... He swallowed hard. Where is the next goddamn stop!
She cleared her throat, ready to say something, but when the bus stopped, Jungkook pushed through her out of the bus and started walking away quickly.
Please don't follow me... don't follow me... please... The bus drove by and he was too scared to look behind him, to see if she got off the bus too. After walking for few minutes, he dared to look back. There was no one. However he had no idea where he was.
Phew... that was close... Thank God... He wrapped his jacket closer around him and decided to walk instead of waiting for the next bus. I'm a dumbass... Oh why am I so stupid... He kept kicking fallen acorns from the sidewalk. Oak trees were lining the road on both sides, coated in warm rusty colors. I could've talked to her... She's one of the prettier ones in the class... She's actually really pretty... ugh, I'm not good with girls, I always panic. It seemed like she wasn't with that group of students... so she was alone... That was a perfect chance to talk to her... I messed up... Well there's always another chance... maybe I can try and talk to her in school. But that flirty behavior... wasn't it a bit too much? It was more off putting, rather than alluring... It made him really uncomfortable.
He walked along some street vendors, who were starting to sell bungeoppang, he couldn't resist to buy one. He took a bite of the sweet pastry and continued walking... I somehow don't find that behavior exciting anymore... thinking back... was there a time when I liked it? I just followed whatever the other guys liked and were doing... they used to laugh at me saying that I'm scared of girls... Honestly ... I... I don't think I've ever like girls that much... He sat down on the bench to process his thoughts, his heart beating fast. Have I always been like this? Just ignoring it?! The sun almost set on the horizon, the shadows of the trees long. Jungkook was thankful for the breeze as he had difficulty breathing... I... I can't believe it... I've probably always been like this... He started shaking, not wanting to accept the truth. Then, that means I've lied to so many people... my first girlfriend, my best friend, my parents... What will they say?! It's not just a little secret... it's who I am... as a person. He heard some dogs barking in the distance and noticed the street lights were already turned on and it was dark.
For how long have I been sitting here? I need to get home... His limbs were not listening, he walked like zombie, not caring about the cars passing by and honking at him, when he walked off the sidewalk onto the road. I might just get hit by a car... I can't live like this... I hate myself... He snapped back when some ajooma shouted at him and cursed him for getting on the road, he started running. He ran as fast as he could, his backpack bouncing on his shoulders. He kept running mindlessly, until he ran out of breath and slowed down, feeling all dizzy.
It's going to be okay... I'll figure this out... it doesn't mean anything... only that no one in this society will accept me... Great... or maybe I can hide it forever... Haven't I always been hiding it? Not even aware of it myself? Maybe it's not that difficult... Keep the monster locked away... But, that would mean living as a liar for the rest of my life...
He realized that he was lost, not knowing where he is. Tears started rolling down his cheeks, from the overwhelming emotions. He searched his pockets with shaky hands, looking for a phone and dialed a number.
'Hyung,' he sobbed into the phone
'Jungkookie? Are you okay?'
'I think I'm lost,' he sniffled,'I'm freaking out.'
'Calm down Kookie. What happened?'
'I... I don't know, I think I'm too... I got lost...,' Jungkook's voice broke.
'Just try and take a deep breath. Can you tell me, what you see nearby? Any street names?'
'I can't see,' he wiped the tears from his eyes,'Dobong,' he whimpered.
'Okay. Are you with someone?'
'No. What do I do hyung? I can't think right now...'
'Are you hurt?'
'No.'
'So you're safe?'
'I don't know, there are dogs barking... I'm scared... it's cold...and dark.'
'Listen Jungkookie, just find somewhere to sit, a well lit place and don't move.'
'What then?'
'I'm coming to get you.'
Jungkook hang up and shivered as he felt the cold wind against his wet cheeks. He sat down on the curb and cried more. He felt stupid, embarrassed. I always brag about being an adult and now I'm like a child...
He was sitting there for what felt like eternity, shivering. He wasn't crying anymore, tears dried up on his cheeks.
"There you are, thank God."
Jungkook lifted his head to look up.
"Hyung, you came..." his voice was weak.
"Of course," he sat down on the curb next to Jungkook.
"Your face is all swollen and red. Why did you cry, you pabo, huh?" Taehyung attacked him with tickles.
"Where were you these past two days? I didn't see you in the morning or in school."
"Were you worried about me?"
"Of course I was!" Jungkook felt like crying again.
Taehyung leaned his forehead against Jungkook's.
"Stop being so cute, Kookie."
"I'm sorry, hyung... you probably had stuff to do... I just didn't know who to call...or what to do... my mind went blank."
"Don't worry, I told you, you can contact me any time you want. Why didn't you call your parents though?"
"Because I feel safe with you, hyung," he hugged him tight and put his head in the crook of Taehyung's neck.
He instinctively nuzzled the soft skin of his neck. He smelled so good. He lightly brushed his lips against the skin. Little goosebumps appeared on Taehyung's neck. The older one pushed him away gently and then pulled him up from the curb. "Let's go," he grabbed Jungkook's backpack.
His skin... his fucking skin... his neck... what would I give to... kiss that spot... He freaked out again, realizing what kind of thoughts he's having... No, no, no...
"Thank you for coming," he said, trying to act normal, yet staying as close to Taehyung as possible.
"Any time," they stopped at the zebra crossing. " I got once lost here, first when I moved to Seoul..."
"And there was also someone to save me at that time," he continued.
"Who was it?"
"Oh, we have a green light, let's go," he grabbed his wrist and dragged him through the crossing like a rag doll.
"When you get home Jungkookie, you should eat something, wrap yourself in a warm blanket and when you're done with your homework, message me and we can play Overwatch together."
"Really?" Jungkook didn't care about what people passing by might think as he put his head on Taehyung's shoulder.
"You really are a baby, Kookie."
"Hyung?"
"Yeah?"
"I like it, when you call me Kookie."
At home, his mom was worried about him, his eyes still looked a bit red, he blamed it on the strong wind. He had no idea how he'd explain the situation to her, so he lied. He did all the things Taehyung told him to. I can't believe, he actually came to help me... Would I do the same for him? I kind of doubt it... It just show how much more mature than me, he is...Still, I didn't get an answer, did he skip school or not? What a weird day today... I definitely need to ask Jimin-hyung about Yoongi-ssi. He messaged both Jimin and Taehyung, asking one for meeting after school and the other to go online and play the game.
Whilst playing, he could hear Taehyung's voice in his headset. He felt like he could listen to the sound of it for the rest of his life. It was like Taehyung was his medicine to soothe and ease all the pain, all the worries, calm him down, make him feel safe. A very addictive medicine...
After about an hour of playing, Jungkook started feeling sleepy and ended the gaming session. He plopped onto his bed and snuggled the soft duvet. Before he drifted to sleep, Taehyung sent him a message. It was a voice message.
'Sweet dreams baby Kookie, sleep well.' Taehyung's voice was low and soft.
He sent a photo right after.
Jungkook got a strange warm feeling inside, he hugged a pillow next to him and imagined he was hugging Taehyung.
How can he be so sweet? Oh God, I'm melting....If only I could... sleep next to him...
--Good night, hyung.-- he typed back, trying to compose himself.
Before he turned off the small lamp on his nightstand, he kissed the screen of his phone with Taehyung's photo.
The next day, he met up with Jimin, luckily Yoongi wasn't with him. They took their usual route to the library.
"What's going on Jungkook-a?" Jimin asked wrapped in a huge scarf.
"Nothing."
"You seem like you're in a good mood. You're face is all lit up."
"Is it?" Jungkook looked down. "Hyung there is something I wanted to ask you," they reached the city library.
"What is it?" Jimin whispered as the got inside the quiet interior of the library.
"I don't know if you know about yesterday," Jungkook started, keeping his voice quiet.
"Yesterday?" Jimin took off his scarf and coat and sat down at their usual study table.
"I thought you'd know..." Jungkook sat down across the table.
"Know what exactly? Be specific Jungkookie."
Jungkook hesitated, not knowing whether he should tell him or not. "Your... your friend... Yoongi-ssi... he bought me a meal yesterday."
Jimin looked at him surprised, then looked down, smiled and shook his head," what did that fool want from you?"
"He... he just invited me to the restaurant and we talked... but it was so random. He knew my name and everything."
"Of course he knew, I've told him about you," Jimin couldn't stop smiling.
"You did? At the beginning I was scared..."
"Oh yes, hyung... he can be a little intimidating..." Jungkook could swear, that Jimin's ears turned red.
"And... there was one thing he said... I'm not sure I understood him..."
"Oh God... What did he say?" Jimin whispered.
"That... that you... Jimin-hyung belong to him."
Jimin covered his face, scrunching his nose and giggled quietly. "Hyung can be a little bit possesive," Jimin's chubby cheeks were blushed.
"Are you two... best friends?"
"You could say that... just ignore him, if he says things like that again..."
"Okay... But, I actually quite liked him, he's cool. The opposite to you..." Jungkook teased Jimin.
"Yah!" Jimin hissed and punched him in the shoulder with his tiny hand.
"Mochi-hyung, we should hang out sometimes, all three of us together."
"That would be... I don't think you'd enjoy it..."
"Why? Do you not want me to be friends with him?"
"It's not that, you know when I'm with hyung, we... we tend to ignore others..."
"I'm used to being ignored," Jungkook sighed and pulled out notes from his backpack.
"If you are bored of my company, the apartment complex, where you live, there's one guy from our school living there. You asked me once, who he was, remember? I have a feeling, he would like to be your friend."
Oh shit!
"Why?"
"Because of your face."
"My... face?"
"Yes, exactly."
"What's so special about my face?"
Jimin got all quiet," ah never mind, forget about it..."
Is this supposed to be another secret or what?
"If you're speaking of Kim Taehyung, we've already met and talked."
"Oh?" Jimin looked shocked and examined Jungkook closely with his eyes. "Is he..."
"Is he what?"
"Nothing..."
Why is everyone so ambiguous...
"Do you know each other well?" Jimin asked.
I don't think so... "Yes, we do."
Jimin looked even more surprised and stayed quiet.
"Is there anything wrong?" Jungkook asked concerned.
"Do you really, know him well?"
"Quite well, I think."
"Hmm... maybe not that well."
"What do you mean, hyung?" Jungkook got chills.
Jimin refused to say more, but after Jungkook nagging him, he spoke. "Be careful around him... some things might be triggering for him..."
Jungkook had goosebumps all over his body. I think I've noticed that...
"Is he a bad person?" He asked timidly. "Why would you mention him, then?"
Jimin smiled sadly," not at all... he's a sweetheart..."
Seeing Jimin's expression heart Jungkook's heart. "So you... you know him well?"
"Let's say... I have a history with him... "
So Taehyung-hyung is a good person... but why do I have chills? And why is everyone so mysterious?! Even Jimin-hyung, he got so serious...
"Why did you get so quiet all of a sudden, hyung?"
"Jungkookie, maybe you should get to know his family better... maybe then, you'd understand."
His family? What would I understand? What do I need to understand? And why did Taehyung-hyung said I WOULDN'T understand... understand what? Why is everyone keeping secrets?! And why the fuck is no one willing to tell me?! It's getting on my nerves...
"Before we get too distracted, we should study," Jimin poked him in the ribs and smiled at him. The smile didn't reach his eyes.
Thursday flew by, Jungkook didn't want o meet Jimin and he hasn't heard from Taehyung either. He sat down on the floor in his room. He felt like it would be weird to message Yoongi, as he didn't know him that well. He didn't want to bother Yugyeom and there was no way he'd talk to his parents. After moving to Seoul, he'd rarely see them, either he'd get home too late or they'd work overtime. There was one person, who he hasn't spoken to in a long time. He wasn't sure if he should, in the first place. He felt very lonely, though, so after hesitation, he sent her a message.
--Hey :) How is life?--
After waiting for about half an hour he got a reply.
--Sorry, busy. Can't talk.--
Wow... Why did I even bother... it seems like she moved on quickly... No wonder... she's pretty and smart... probably got herself a new boyfriend... and me? I'm a mess... She deserves someone better... someone who's not lying to her... or himself...
Someone knocked on his door.
"Yeah?"
"Jungkookie, I have a letter for you," mom said.
"Huh? A letter?"
She handed him a white envelope. It was light, almost as if there was no letter inside.
"Who is...," before he could ask her where she got it, she'd left.
There was not returning address, nothing... Only 'to Jungkook' written on it. He opened the envelope carefully. This is probably some kind of prank... Inside, there was a single piece of paper folded inside, with neat handwriting.
-Meet me at the elevators, tomorrow at 10pm. Dress warmly.-
-Tae-
Oh right... tomorrow is Friday... Ten in the evening? Isn't it too late? Warm clothes? What is he planning? Probably not a dinner... ugh I want to know... After, what Jimin-hyung said about him... to be careful? I don't know what to think anymore... it seems like I don't know him at all... yet the feeling of knowing him for years is still there...
Jungkook couldn't help, but feel excited for tomorrow. He has never gotten a letter like this. It was... romantic? He desperately wanted for tomorrow to come, so he went to bed really early.
On Friday morning, he didn't see Taehyung-either. If he didn't see him that night when he got lost, he'd be seriously worried. He was daydreaming through all the classes. Yuki didn't bother to send him a message back. That was a clear sign, that she didn't want to talk to him at all. Jungkook was fine with that, it seemed like she was happy...
When he got home, first thing he did was to take a good look at his closet. I need warm clothes, at night... if we're going to be outside, which I think we are... it's going to be very cold. He chose jeans made from a thick denim material, his favorite boots and a warm wool sweater. Then he saw Taehyung's leather jacket tucked in the corner of the wardrobe. Taehyung was little bit taller than Jungkook and despite Jungkook being much more muscular, Taehyung's shoulders were wider and his overall built was bigger. That jacket would fit perfectly over this thick sweater... But wouldn't he find it weird? Me wearing his clothes? Not bothering to return it? Jungkook smirked. I want to see his reaction... I will behave like it belongs to be...
After assembling his outfit, he took a shower. He formed a habit of revising Japanese in the shower, to prevent himself from thinking about Taehyung. When he was all naked and thinking about him, he would always get sexually excited, which disturbed him. He washed his hair, shaved the stubble forming on his face. He didn't put on any perfume, he wanted to enjoy the smell of cologne lingering on Taehyung's jacket.
In the evening he made sure to eat a lot, he told mom, that he'll come back late and to not worry about him. She didn't ask where he's going. Jungkook figured that the letter she gave him, was most likely given to her by Taehyung himself.
He got dressed, grabbed his wallet and phone. He opened the window in his room, luckily it wasn't raining and the night sky was clear. He put on his boots, said bye to his parents and walked out of the apartment. Near the elevators, there was already Taehyung waiting, tall and handsome, all dressed in black.
"Is that my jacket?" was the first thing he said.
Jungkook fought a smile and kept his poker face.
"Flag on a conquered fortress" Taehyung mumbled quietly with a smirk on his face.
"What did you say?" Jungkook couldn't hear him clearly.
"I hope you'll like the place, where we're going tonight ."
"As long as I'm with hyung, I'm happy no matter where we go."
The elevator door opened, Taehyung smiled and gestured for him to enter. They took the subway, not talking much. There was some awkwardness between them. More than usual. Jungkook had a feeling, that tonight is somewhat special. He was with a person he admired, found beautiful and interesting, someone who was just meant to be his soulmate. He knew it. It was some ancient instinct, his core, telling him that. Once again he felt magnetized, pulled towards Taehyung, he couldn't help it. The subway was full of people, but it felt like Taehyung was the centre of his universe.
After several stations, more and more people got off the subway. It was just them sitting inside, it was more intimate. "This is our stop," Taehyung interrupted his thoughts.
Jungkook followed his hyung, not recognizing the station. They walked side by side in silence and Jungkook's heart was beating fast.
I need to calm down... I always do stupid things when I'm nervous...
At this hour, only few people were strolling on the streets. They got to a building with a sign 'Namsan Cable Car' on it.
"Cable car?" Jungkook blurted out.
"Yes," replied Taehyung with a smile,"I hope you're not scared of heights."
"Nope... this... this is awesome, hyung."
"And it seems like we are the only ones here," he went to buy tickets.
"Ready?" Taehyung asked, he couldn't stop smiling, when he saw the excitement on Jungkook's face. Excitement of a little child.
"Ready."
They got on the cable car and started slowly ascending up to Namsan. It was really just two of the inside. They could see all the lights of the city, glittering in the night. Jungkook placed both of his palms on the window of the cable car and stared at the view with open mouth.
Taehyung was sitting in silence, spending more time looking at his dongsaeng, rather than the view. When he called Jungkook cute, he really meant it. Everything about him was just cute. The way he'd get excited, how he'd blush or look down, when he was shy. How he kept fidgeting his hands or biting his lips, when he was nervous or thinking hard. His bunny smile, the way his eyes would crinkle, when he was laughing. He really adored him and there was no going back for him. He fell hard...
The cable car reached it's top," how did you like it?" Taehyung asked.
"It was awesome. Thank you, hyung... no one has ever done anything this special for me."
"Well, look up, we're not done yet," he pointed at the N tower above them.
"Whoah!"
"Let's go, it's going to close in a little bit, we better hurry."
They got inside the elevator, again just two of them and reached the top of the tower. Choosing to go this late was a good idea, there were no tourists anymore. Jungkook ran out of the elevator to see the view all excited.
"This is... amazing hyung... I have no words..."
"There is no need to say anything," Taehyung walked to stand beside him and also admired the view. "I wanted to come here... once... " he didn't finish his sentence. "I wanted to take someone special here, and now I'm here with you," he smiled.
When Jungkook looked at him, he wasn't sure if it was all the lights of the city, but it seemed like Taehyung's welled up with tears. Jungkook couldn't resist and hugged him tightly, not saying a word.
"Don't squeeze me that much. You're going to ruin it."
"Ruin what?"
"Remember, why we came here? To celebrate your birthday?" Taehyung pulled out of his pocket small candle and a lighter. Then a tiny box, which was squished, because of the hug. When Taehyung opened it, there was a vanilla cupcake inside. He lit up the candle and stuck it on top of it.
"I know it's not a birthday cake, but at least something."
Taehyung looked at Jungkook and in the warm glow of the candle he said," make a wish Junkookie."
Jungkook blew the candle, then closed his eyes to make a wish. He kept his eyes closed tightly, concentrating hard on his wish... Then suddenly he felt soft, warm Taehyung's lips on his cheek... He opened his eyes quickly, shocked.
"W...wha... hyu... hyung..." Jungkook was stunned.
"We have to go, the tower is closing soon," Taehyung said as if nothing happened," enjoy the view for a little bit more and then we are going."
The elevator ride down was even more awkward, Jungkook was holding his cupcake and looking at nothing else, but his cupcake. Outside, Taehyung lead him somewhere. He bit into his cupcake, and kept doing nothing, but eating his cupcake. They made their way to a love lock terrace, filled with countless padlocks.
Jungkook holding his cupcake in both hands, looked at what Taehyung was doing. He was searching through his pockets. Then he pulled out nothing else, but a small padlock.
"Hyung, aren't these, love locks?" Jungkook asked with full mouth.
"You're right," he had a marker in his other hand.
"What are you doing?"
Taehyung drew something on the lock. When Jungkook looked closer, it was a tiger and a bunny.
Jungkook had no idea what it was supposed to mean. Taehyung chose a spot for the padlock and locked it with a key. Then he looked at Jungkook and threw the key away.
"Hyung...Isn't this... what... lovers do...?" Jungkook asked, having hard time believing what just happened.
Taehyung just smiled.
"So, did you enjoy tonight?"