Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"Huh?"
"Are you an angel?"Jungkook asked.
"Why?"the man looked at him intrigued.
"I must be dead... I have always imagined the afterlife differently..."he looked around, the bridge looked exactly the same, everything looked the same, except the man who was standing in front of him.
"I am an angel,"the man's figure looked tall and the light coming from a street lamp behind him was surrounding him with a shimmering warm glow.
"I thought so..."Jungkook straightened his clothes and brushed through his hair with his hand. "But why are we here?"
"What do you think?"
"I have no idea, I was imagining some kind of paradise..."
"I am your guardian angel."
"Really? So you were with me my whole life?"
"No, and you are not dead. You are drunk."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you remember jumping off the bridge? Hitting the cold water? Your clothes getting soaked, pulling you down to the bottom? Your lungs filling with water? Do you remember any of that?"
Jungkook shivered hearing those words. What is going on? I'm not dead? But how? I did jump...or not?
"Who are you, then?"he pointed his finger at him, puzzled.
"As I said, your guardian angel."
"Bullshit,"Jungkook frowned.
The stranger didn't move at all, there was no emotion readable on his handsome face. He was just closely observing Jungkook as if he was some kind of circus attraction.
"What are you looking at?"he scoffed annoyed.
"You were about to climb back? It didn't look that way..."
"Yeah, I was about to go and buy a cupcake,"Jungkook said serious.
The stranger covered his mouth and tried to hide his laugh. "You are definitely drunk."
"No I'm not, I'm telling you, I wanted to buy a cupcake,"he brushed his clothes one last time, scowled are the stranger and walked off. Walking was difficult, his muscles were stiff from the adrenaline rush and he was definitely drunk. At least he was able to slow down his fast heartbeat.
So I'm really alive...fuck that...now I have to deal with this...Good job Jungkook...you failed at killing yourself...I should have bought another bottle, hyung told me that I have a good alcohol tolerance...Hyung...I'm thinking about him again...I just just get used to the fact, that I'm never getting him out of my mind...Kim Asshole, I knew it from the start...Where am I even going?
He heard a clacking sound of dress shoes behind, the stranger caught up with him. Jungkook tripped and found himself supported by the man's arm.
"How about, we both go and get the cupcake together. I happen to know one place, which has amazing cupcakes..and it is still open,"he put his arm around Jungkook making sure he didn't trip again.
"No, thank you."
"I'll buy you every cupcake they have there."
"No thanks..."
"Okay, then I'm going there by myself...take care,"he patted him on the shoulder and quickly walked ahead.
I'm so hungry...What's his problem? Who is he anyway?! Guardian angel? Yeah right...Why is everyone causing me trouble in this city? Whatever, I have my own money, I don't need anyone buying anything for me... I'm certainly capable of buying myself a fucking cupcake. I just need to find where...That is a big problem...where can I buy one? At this hour? Ugh...
"Wait!"he stumbled to catch up with the stranger.
"Changed your mind?"the guy looked at him, raising his brows.
"Every cupcake they have?"Jungkook couldn't resist the temptation.
"Yes."
"Fine."
"It's not too far away,"a small smile appeared on his face.
Geez, another good looking guy...They are only good for ruining my life...I need to stay away from them...But hyung...how can I avoid him? He's my neighbor!
"What's your name?"
"You don't need to know my name,"Jungkook replied.
The man just nodded,"I'm sorry, if I scared you...I made a mistake, it could've ended badly."
"Apology accepted."
"You're not going to thank me, are you?"He chuckled.
"For what? Almost pushing me into the river?"
"I suppose, that wasn't your intention at all."
"No, I just wanted to get a better view at the river,"Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Then why did you cry?"
"What? I didn't!"
"Then why is your face and eyes so red?"
Jungkook rubbed his face,"I might be a bit drunk...But I definitely didn't cry."
"Okay..."the guy made sure, that Jungkook was as far from the railing as possible to prevent him from doing something stupid again.
"Why do you even care?"
"Was I supposed to just watch, how some young man takes his life in front of me?"
"I didn't..."
"There's always a reason for our actions, so you must've had a reason too."
I do...But maybe it was a stupid reason...definitely stupid...
"That's not your problem."
"Of course, but if you want to talk about it, or just need someone to listen, I'm here."
"I don't even know you, I don't know where you're taking me, you could be a murdered for all I know..."
The guy laughed,"I could...but at least I'm offering to buy you cupcakes."
Jungkook looked up at his handsome profile and felt strangely protected. This complete stranger was devoting his time to him, making sure he's fine, he saved him...Out of nowhere, his tears started to flow again, accompanied by a whimpering sobs.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
Jungkook shook his head and tried to wipe his tears with the back of his hand. The stranger stopped and without hesitation hugged him.
"I...I wanted to do it...I wanted to j...jump...I really almost did it,"his voice was breaking as he was crying against his chest, completely defended.
"Shhh...it's alright, you're safe now,"he rubbed Jungkook's back and hugged him tighter. "You had a reason for it, you're probably very hurt, and that is okay. But it's never okay to end it like that, to give up...You are removing the chance of your life getting better."
"I'm so scared,"he shivered.
"I'm here...you don't know me, I don't know you...We are strangers, but we are humans... and humans help each other, we support each other."
I should've said the same thing to hyung...
"Or run away like cowards..."
"If that's the case, it's okay too...There's no perfect formula for life. Come,"he pulled at his arm and they finally walked off from the bridge.
How can I undo the things I said to hyung? I wish I could turn back time, go back and keep holding his hand. Be strong for him...instead of choosing the easy way out. But maybe it's better like this...I don't know what to think anymore...
"You must be cold,"the guy took off his wool scarf and wrapped it around Jungkook, who was still quietly sobbing.
"Thank you...I'm sorry, about calling you an asshole..."
"It's fine,"he smiled at him,"I was wondering, where did you get this jacket?"he tugged at the lapel of his leather jacket.
Even after weeks, the faint masculine scent of Taehyung was still there. "Oh this one? I...I bought it a long time ago...I don't remember where...Why?"
"Just asking,"he shrugged. "We're here,"he crossed the road, closely followed by Jungkook. In front of them was a tiny coffee shop on the corner, tucked between larger stores. Unsurprisingly there were no customers there, but in was warm inside and it looked cozy, with little lights hanging on the walls.
The man offered to take off Jungkook's jacket and put it on the hanger along with his coat. Jungkook sat down, surrounded covered by large colorful cushions, while the stranger went to order. He came back, carrying a tray with two cups and two cupcakes.
"What is this?"Jungkook asked.
"Hot chocolate for you and cupcakes."
"No, I mean why two cupcakes?"
"Two for you."
"Two?"
"Yeah."
"Is that seriously what you meant by every kind of cupcake they have?!!"
"Yes, one vanilla and one chocolate cupcake."
Ugh...I was imagining something way more generous... But I suppose I can't get angry, he really did get every kind...
"We can share them, which one do you want?"Jungkook asked.
"They are both for you, I'll just have a coffee."
"You could've ordered a coffee for me too..."he took the large cup of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream.
"Aren't you a bit too young for that?"
"Young? I'm not young."
"So, no underage drinking?"
"What the hell...Do I look like a kid or what? Besides you look the same age as me..."
"You have a baby face,"he took a sip of coffee, looking at Jungkook with that intense look again.
Instead of talking back, Jungkook took a big bite of the vanilla cupcake. The man moved his hand towards him, then up reaching for his face.
"Wh..."
"You have frosting here,"he wiped the frosting from Jungkook's lips with his thumb, then licked it.
What the fuck?! What?! Is this what all Seoul guys do? Or is this...some kind of flirting? Jungkook frowned at him, but he couldn't deny how handsome and charming he was. With perfect features, dark hair and a beautiful smile. Is this what girls mean, when they say they want a gentleman? Jungkook blushed involuntarily.
"So you're not underage?"
"What kind of perv question is that?"he tried to compose himself, ignoring the flirty gesture of the stranger, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. He made sure to wipe off the whipped cream from his lips.
"You admitted, that you're drunk and if you're not an adult, it's illegal. And you can be sure, that I will report it."
"Are you a police officer, or what?"
"No."
"Do you want to see my ID?"
"It's not needed, I just want to make sure, that you won't go back to that bridge. Do you have a place to stay at?"
"Yes."
What if I said no?
"Good. I'll walk you there."
"There's no need,"Jungkook devoured the entire chocolate cupcake in one bite.
"I'm just trying to help you, please don't think I'm some weirdo...I'm genuinely concerned."
"I'm fine now, really... There's no need to worry."
"So you must be a student, right?"
"Yeah...is this an interrogation?"
"No, if it's making you uncomfortable, I'll stop."
"I don't mind,"Jungkook shurgged.
"Was it...because of a girl?"
The strange feeling of being protected was still lingering. Jungkook felt incredibly comfortable in his presence, despite always being shy around strangers. Also, the whole anonymity between them was giving him courage to speak up.
"Do you really care?"
"Why would I bother with all of this, if I didn't? Good deeds will never go unnoticed...Maybe next time, I will be the one in a need of a help, in a need of someone to save me...and there might be someone, to do a good deed, so the cycle can repeat again."
"It was a girl...it was because of a guy..."
"Oh...friendship problems?"
"You could say that...this guy, he needed me...and I ran away. Because I got scared..."
"Scared of what?"
"I don't know...judgement?"
"So you were selfish, not thinking about his feelings..."
"I guess so...
"He was in a need of a help, but there was no one to help him...How do you think he must've felt? Imagine, me not being on the bridge at the right time...You would've drowned, you would be dead."
I left him all alone there...to drown...
"I panicked...now I regret it."
"I hope you regret going to the bridge as well."
"I do...I'm so stupid,"Jungkook buried his face in his hands.
"It's okay, we all make mistakes, but I as your self proclaimed guardian angel forbid you from doing something this stupid ever again, understand?"
Jungkook nodded, pulling his cheeks down with his hands,"I don't know how to pay you back, I suppose you don't feel suicidal..."
He smiled,"no...there's no need to pay me back, the good feeling of helping a pretty boy like you is enough."
Jungkook looked at him with a blank expression, but despite his upmost effort, his cheeks were getting pink. Why?! Why am I even reacting to this? He's just...oh my God...I can't...What is he doing to me? What would hyung thing?
"I have to go,"he downed his hot chocolate, put down twenty thousand won and hurried to get his jacket.
The stranger picked up the two paper notes from the table and following Jungkook, he put it back into his hands,"I already paid for everything."
"Oh, t...thank you...I really have to go...it's so late..."he threw his jacket on.
"You can keep the scarf,"the man was also putting his coat on.
Jungkook knew how cold it was outside, and how far he'd have to walk in order to get to his apartment. And how warm the soft scarf was. But smelling the familiar scent of Taehyung on his jacket, he gave the scarf back,"my jacket is warm enough."
He walked out of the coffee shop, followed by the stranger keeping an eye on him. "Are you sure, you don't want company? Won't you get lost?"
"Why would I get lost?"
"You're not from here...Busan, I'm guessing..."
"I know the way home, don't worry...thank you very much, for everything...I'll make sure to do a good deed,"he bowed deeply.
"Wait,"the man pulled out a paper from his pocket and scribbled something, then he handed it to Jungkook."If you ever need to talk to someone, or feel lonely and want to talk to someone, you can call me."
Jungkook nodded, turned around and started walking back home. He couldn't resist, but turn back just for a second, almost making sure, that the stranger was real. He was already walking away. Are you really my guardian angel?
He shoved the paper with the phone number into his wallet and still remembering the melody from the bridge, he started humming it again. He pulled out his phone and turned it on again, he had several more missed calls from Taehyung, he sighed and started walking faster, with his hands in his pockets.
When he was about to call a taxi, because he was freezing and feeling tired, the apartment complex finally emerged in front of his eyes. Soon enough, he was inside and with shivering hands, he pressed the elevator button. When he got to his floor, his hand searched automatically for the key, then he stopped.
Taehyung was sitting on the floor, leaning against the door to Jungkook's apartment, with his face in his hands.
"Hyung..."he whispered.
Taehyung flinched and looked up, he looked like he was crying. He quickly stood up and smacked Jungkook across his face.
"Don't ever do this again!"
Jungkook pressed his hand against his burning cheek, but he knew he deserved it. He was ready to face Taehyung, he was ready to be yelled at. Instead, his hyung embraced him.
"I was so worried, you have no idea...Oh God, I'm so glad you're safe,"he gently kissed Jungkook's red burning cheek. "I'm sorry, but you deserve it."
"I know."
"Did...did you drink?"
"Just one bottle of soju..."
"Why did you do that? Why did you run away?"
"Tae...I really mean what I said..."he tried pushing him away.
I don't...
"No, stop saying that, please...You can't do this to me..."
"We are not..."
"Shhh...don't say that...If you knew how much I care about you, if you knew how I feel...You would never say that."
Jungkook sighed and Taehyung hug him tighter,"hyung, it's breaking my heart...you care so much about me, I don't understand...You shouldn't care so much...please..."
"Do you know why I care so much?"Taehyung whispered against his neck.
Jungkook shook his head.
"Because, you're my everything."