Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Hearing those words, Jungkook swooned in Taehyung's arms. "Tae..."he whispered and kissed the soft skin of his neck.
"Where were you?"Taehyung stroked the back of his head.
"I went for a walk."
"If you were triggered by those people saying those things, don't worry it doesn't affect me. It's sad, but I'm used to it and it doesn't make my life more difficult or anything like that...So please, tell me you didn't mean what you said back there...about us..."
Maybe I did...
"I think sometimes you forget how I feel, hyung...How it made me feel..."
"I'm sorry..."
"I need to go and get some sleep."
"I feel like I shouldn't have introduced you to alcohol...now you're going to drink every time you're upset."
"Don't worry about me Tae."
"Would you mind, if we sleep together, again...one last time, before your parents return?"
Jungkook shook his head,"we need a break."
"A break from what?"
"We...we just need a break."
"No we don't..."
"I need a break, hyung...This is all too much for me...My life has literally turned upside down, since moving to Seoul."
"Have I been too pushy? Forcing you? I can fix that, I can change..."
"No. Listen to my words hyung, I need a break from you. I don't want to spend time with you, talk to you...at least for now."
"If you do that, I'm gonna go crazy, Kookie..."
"I might already be crazy,"he pushed Taehyung away, turned the key in the keyhole and walked into his apartment, slamming the door shut in front of Taehyung's face.
He sighed, took off his shoes and walked across the empty, dark apartment. He searched the pocket of his jacket, looking for the cinema tickets. He threw them away, in the kitchen. The snacks which Taehyung hauled into his apartment earlier this week, were already gone.
I'm not hungry anymore...I should just go to bed, get some sleep.
He went into his room, took off his jacket and the rest of his clothes and stood naked in the middle oh his room. What a week... With a hot water running in the bathroom, he took a quick shower, brushed his teeth and didn't bother putting on any clothes, before collapsing on his bed. He didn't check his phone...he didn't want to...He didn't set an alarm either, closing his eyes he hoped for the sleep to come soon.
It was already noon, when Jungkook woke up. His head hurt, his sleep was restless, filled with strange dreams of black wings flapping, drowning him in a dark icy water. The bed seemed less comfortable without certain someone beside him. He grunted and rolled off the bed. He threw on some sweatpants and a white T-shirt and sat down at the dining table with a bowl of chocolate cereal as his lunch. The apartment didn't look messy either, but he figured that it could use some cleaning. After eating the last spoon of cereal infused milk, he scrubbed the kitchen clean. Then he vacuumed the living room, arranged the cushions on the couch neatly and folded the blanket thrown on top of it.
This blanket...The image of Taehyung crying in the middle of the night during that storm popped in his mind. He hugged the soft, fluffy material and nuzzled it. Why can't it be easy? Why are there so many obstacles? The whole world against us? Or maybe it's just me who thinks that... He sighed and brought the blanket into his room. He spent a good amount of time to cleaning his room as well and finally in the early afternoon, the apartment looked spotless.
Jungkook decided to go and buy some food and restock the fridge. I wonder what kind of lecture mom has prepared for me...But she wouldn't be able to deny that I didn't burn down our place and that it's really tidy and clean...plus a full fridge...Yes, that will give her an idea, that I was sitting on my ass whole week, studying hard and being responsible, instead of...Instead of living on the edge... He smirked as his phone beeped and he reluctantly looked at the screen.
- -We will arrive in the evening- - A message from mom.
He checked his inbox, biting his lips. No messages from Taehyung. He felt almost... Disappointed? He did tell him, that he doesn't want to talk to him, yet he was expecting Taehyung begging him to talk to him. And now when none of that happened, he couldn't help but feel hurt. What was I expecting? His patience isn't infinite...
It was getting darker, so he quickly put on some jeans and grabbed his jacket. The soju bottle was still in the pocket. He took it out and looked at the green colored glass. He looked for his wallet and opened it almost hoping that the small, folded piece of paper wasn't there. The white paper looked stark against the paper notes. The number written on it with black pen, was still there. Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and saved the number in his contacts.
That piece of paper evoked a feeling of disgust in him. The soju bottle in his other hand wasn't any different. I have to get rid of these...forget that night... He flipped the paper and laid it flat on his table. He quickly scribbled on it, outlining the pen strokes, so that the letters were white. He rolled the paper and put it inside the bottle, with that he put it back into his pocket and left his apartment.
The first stop was the Han River. I will not let the memory of that night ruin such a beautiful place for me... A chill ran down his spine when he saw the metal construction of the Mapo Bridge in the last rays of setting sun. He walked along the river bank, to get under the bridge.
Water was shallow there and was flowing slowly. He squatted down and reached over the reed bush growing on the bank and tossed the bottle into the river. It got taken by the stream right away, the sunlight hitting is just at the right angle, so it looked like a glowing emerald gem.
Jungkook turned and walked away. He looked at his phone, still no messages from Taehyung, he felt like tossing his phone into the river as well. He stopped at a supermarket and bought food, after that he went straight home. As he was standing in front of his door, he looked behind him at the door to Taehyung's place. He had an urge to knock.
I hate myself...My heart wants what it wants...But I need to listen to my mind more... I'm sure I'll benefit from this break...and him as well. Maybe he'll realize, that I'm not as amazing as he thinks and he'll move one. Jungkook knew deep inside, that it would be for the best, but he couldn't ignore the pain he was feeling thinking about that.
It was already evening and just as he finished putting the last groceries into place, his parents returned. He got hugged tightly and lectured right away about how his whole family was disappointed about him not coming to Busan for Chuseok. Yet got praised by his relatives, for his hard work studying and scholarly ambitions. Jungkook just nodded awkwardly and pretending to be exhausted from all the studying, he retired to his room.
He organized his school material for Tuesday, as it was Hungul Day on Monday, which meant one extra day without school. He found the notepad with the sketch of Taehyung he did. A small smile spread though his face, and a feeling of affection through his heart. He sighed and crawled to bed, with the blanket Taehyung used in his arms.
When he woke up, it wasn't dark anymore, confused he looked at his phone. It was Monday morning. Did I really sleep for that long? He fell asleep fully dressed, still wearing his jeans. A strong feeling of hunger hit him and he was really glad that a home cooked breakfast was waiting for him in the kitchen.
"Oh, Jungkookie you must've overdone the studying, it wasn't even 9 pm yesterday and when I went to your room, you were already sleeping,"his mom looked at him worried.
"I'm fine, mom,"he dug in his breakfast.
"You...you haven't taken a break from the studying? The whole week?"
Jungkook shook his head.
"So you were inside the whole time?"
"I want to do well in school,"he replied with full mouth.
"I see..."his mom opened her mouth, ready to say something, but then she just turned around, chopping the vegetables for lunch.
"Yugyeom is coming this week, he can stay with us, right?"
"Oh, that's great...Sure, I haven't seen him in a long time. Do you two contact each other regularly?"
"Actually, not that much..."
"What about Yuki?"
Jungkook shook his head.
"Any reason behind it?"
"Not really..."
His mom pressed her lips together and nodded. "We were just talking with your dad yesterday about how tidy the apartment looks. You are a responsible adult now...we're so proud...You have a bright future in front of you, just make sure to let no one distract you from your goals."
"What do you mean?"
Does she know? How would she find out? Has any of the neighbors said anything? No...I'm pretty sure none of them has seen me and hyung.
"I'm just reminding you, that you should focus on yourself."
"Oookay... I will."
Later in the day after eating lunch with his parent, Jungkook decided to spend his free time playing Overwatch. Suddenly, a notification appeared on the screen. It was Taehyung, requesting to join his group. Oh my God! I thought he's going to forget me and my existence forever...His heart jumped with joy, but then he reminded himself to not be so easily swayed by his emotions. He didn't accept the request and kept playing. I'm sorry hyung...
On Tuesday morning, he set his alarm forty minutes earlier, just as he used to do in September. He quickly put on the yellow uniform he hated so much, tied his usual messy tie knot and after hastily eating the breakfast, he hurried to catch an earlier bus to school.
It took him several weeks, but now he finally learned the names of all the students in his classroom. It didn't help with getting closer to them, nor did they show any interest in him anyway, but at least he felt a little bit comfortable in the new environment. Over the lunch break, to his delight he got joined by the two students who actually seemed to be interested in him.
"Jungkookie! What happened to you, you like you've aged over the Chuseok,"Jimin said, smiling brightly, closely followed by Yoongi.
"Jiminie-hyung! Yoongi-hyung!"
"Jimin-a, is that really the first thing you say to him? I was right about Holly..."Yoongi sat down at Jungkook's table.
"Holly?" Jungkook asked.
"Yes, Holly is the only good boy out there."
Jimin rolled his eyes and sat down too,"why did I even bother going to Daegu..."
Oh right Jimin-hyung went to Daegu for Chuseok...
"Oh Jiminie, don't tell me Holly has become your rival..."Yoongi teased him.
"I don't need your attention, hyung...Jungkookie is much nicer to me,"Jimin smiled at the youngest one.
"Jungkookie knows his place, doesn't he?"Yoongi looked at Jungkook with raised brows.
"I guess...I'm a bit confused..."
"Ready to start with the library study sessions again, Jungkookie?"Jimin was ignoring Yoongi at this point.
"Yeah, I haven't studied at all last week."
"That goes for both of us, doesn't it Jiminie?"Yoongi interrupted.
Jimin elbowed him,"stop it, hyung..."
"Wait, you two were together over Chuseok?"
"Why else would I go to Daegu?"
"Ooh...that's nice."
"Anyway, now I prefer your company,"Jimin said to Jungkook.
"You really seem to like him..."Yoongi was slowly eating his fries. "I was thinking Jimin-a, he could join us, you know for the cozy nights if you like him that much."
"Shut up!"Jimin hit Yoongi's shoulder.
"I can totally join! Do you watch movies, or something like that? I would love to join you!"
It could be a good distraction...
"Yeah, something like that,"Yoongi chuckled, put his arm around Jimin and whispered something to him.
Jimin pushed Yoongi away, obviously annoyed,"why do I even bother with you, hyung...you're driving me crazy..."
"It's because I own your as..."
"Yeah, you totally own my...ass...assembled...One Piece figure collection,"Jimin quickly cut his words, his cheeks blushing.
"You like One piece, hyung?"Jungkook asked.
Jimin nodded flustered,"by the way it's my birthday on Friday, I'll have a small party, you're invited Jungkookie."
"Oh really? Thanks!"
"I'll give you my adress and all the details later."
"You're inviting him? I guess afterwards, all three of us really could have a cozy night..."Yoongi smirked.
"Sure!"Jungkook was excited that someone wanted to hang out with him.
"You heard him Jimin,"Yoongi nudged him.
"Holly might be a good boy, but his daddy is far from that..."Jimin stood up and tugged at Yoongi's uniform. "Let's go hyung, you're scaring Jungkookie as always..."
"I'm not sc..."
"See? He's scared...,"Jimin almost dragged Yoongi away from the lunch hall table. "See you at the library, Jungkookie,"Jimin waved to him.
"B...but your food..."Jungkook said confused, looking at the half eaten food his hyungs left on the table.
Yoongi just smirked and saluted to him.
They are definitely in their own world...just two of them... They also spent Chuseok together...I wonder if I could ever have a friendship like this with...him... He looked around, luckily there was no sight of Taehyung. I already miss him...but I don't...
That afternoon, he met up with Jimin at the library and tried to somehow make up for a week of no studying. His effort was quite unsuccessful because he couldn't concentrate well, but Jimin's presence motivated him to work harder.
When he got home all tired and sleepy, his mom knocked on his door. He was nuzzling his newfound favorite blanket, when his mom brought him something. "This is for you."
"What is that?"he asked, his eyes half closed.
"It's from Taehyung-ssi."
Jungkook's body shot up into a sitting position, his eyes wide open. "He gave it to you?"
"Not him, Mrs.Kim is back from her overseas trip and she said, that Taehyung-ssi is sending it to you, I think it's clothes...Why would he send you clothes?"
Jungkook quickly grabbed the linen bag and looked inside. He pulled out its content, it was his own clothes. Shit! I'm an idiot! Of course, he washed my clothes after we both got muddy at the fortress...
"Aren't those yours?"
"Y...yeah...uh...he liked the style of my clothes, s...so he wanted to buy some for himself, so I...I borrowed him some of mine, so he could try if the style would suit him."Jungkook quickly lied.
"Oh, so he also stayed here during Chuseok? I forgot to ask Mrs.Kim..."
"I...I don't think so...I borrowed him these some time ago..."
"Oh, okay...Anyway, you should get some sleep, you look tired,"she was about to walk out.
"Did...did his mom said anything?"Jungkook called.
"Huh?"
"Was it all? Did his mom said anything else?"
"No...I don't recall anything..."
"Okay,"his shoulders slumped. So he's really given up on me... His mom walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Jungkook went through the clothes, looking for some message, note, anything hidden from Taehyung. He found nothing. I really have nothing... He took his phone and apart from few old text messages from him, he didn't have anything, which would warm his lonely heart. He looked at that one bed selfie he sent him weeks ago. Fuck! I already miss him so much...for how long will I be able to do this? Resisting what my heart wants? It's been just a few days...am I really that weak? This break has been really, really needed...I need it...to resist him...To focus on other things, just as mom had said. He went back to snuggling his blanket and fell asleep without dinner.
The next two days went exactly the same. He woke up earlier to avoid his neighbor, went to school and afterwards went to the library with his study buddy Jimin. Luckily, it seemed that Taehyung wasn't going to the library anymore. Jungkook couldn't see him in school either, and despite his effort to ignore him, he was starting to get worried.
That Thursday evening, he was quietly chatting to Jimin about his birthday party.
"So who's invited?"Jungkook whispered.
"Only my closest friends...but maybe more people will turn up. I didn't really want a party, but I somehow started a tradition among us guys of celebrating and giving gifts to each other."
"Is it okay if I bring someone?"
"Sure,"Jimin smiled at him.
Jimin had to leave earlier to get some stuff for tomorrow's party and Jungkook didn't feel like studying alone, so he went with him. As they were walking from their usual spot at the library down the stairs, a pair of dark eyes pierced him from the opposite side of the library.
It was Taehyung, sitting alone at a small table one floor below. Jimin noticed him too and bowed his head slightly. Jungkook copied the action and with all his willpower, he looked away. His heart was racing, the corners of his mouth turned slightly upwards.
Just one second of seeing him and I'm so happy...and excited... The intense stare of those dark eyes knocked air out of him, but his body reacted with a strong desire to see those eyes above him as he was... Jungkook snapped out of his fantasy and briefly hugged Jimin before making his way home. Taehyung didn't bother running after him and Jungkook was thankful for that. The whole journey home, Jungkook was fighting with his dirty mind, which was creating the most sensual images of Taehyung. I can't trust my mind either...He has taken my heart, my body and now my mind...What else will he take? I need to shift my focus somewhere else...damn it!
When he got back home, he decided to call Yugyeom, who was coming the next day to visit. He asked him to go with him to Jimin's birthday party, in hopes that he will feel less awkward among all the people. Yugyeom agreed without hesitation, because he knew how shy Jungkook was. The fact that his best friend from Busan was coming to stay with him for the weekend made him incredibly happy. A piece of happiness in this mess...I wonder what he'll think of my life here...
On Friday morning, Jungkook went to school earlier as usual and after the classes, he went straight to the Seoul Station to wait for Yugyeom's train to arrive. For some reason he was getting nervous. Will he think I look weird? Different?
Maybe he'll be able to tell right away, that I'm...messed up... The train from Busan stopped at the platform and among the countless people rushing out, he spotted the familiar smiling face of his friend. He ran to him and Yugyeom spread out his arms to embrace him.
"Hyung missed you,"Jungkook wrapped his arms around Yugyeom and hugged him tightly.
"Shut up Kook, you are no hyung of mine! You're just like two months older!"
"Exactly. That makes me your hyung,"Jungkook laughed and poked him
Both of them kept joking and laughing all the way to Jungkook's place, where Yugyeom got greeted brightly by his parents. He put down his suitcase in Jungkook's room.
"I'll sleep on this couch, you can have the bed,"Jungkook pointed at his bed with freshly washed sheets.
"Hyung is treating his dongsaeng nicely, I see,"Yugyeom remarked. "This city changes people...they become nice...some of them, for the first time in their life..."he dramatically closed his eyes.
"Yah! What are you talking about?! I've paid for so many of your meals over the years, I can't even count them! How dare you say I'm not nice?!"Jungkook tackled Yugyeom to the ground.
They kept teasing each other until the evening and after a small dinner, both of them got dressed to go to Jimin's party. Jungkook tried his best to neatly pack a small One Piece figurine he got for Jimin and afterwards they headed out.
Jimin's parents were tone for the weekend, leaving their apartment free for him. When Jungkook and Yugyeom showed up, it was already pretty lively there, however to Jungkook's surprise it was only a small amount of people. gathered there. Jimin greeted him right away, shouting over the loud music. He immediately pushed a cup filled with unknown liquid into his hands as he was introducing Yugyeom to him. Jimin disappeared somewhere and came back right away, only to shove a full cup into Yugyeom's hands too.
After Jungkook gave him the birthday present, Jimin drifted away, leaving Jungkook and Yugyeom on their own. The lights were off in the apartment, so Jungkook couldn't really see the faces of people gathered there properly. Out of nowhere Yoongi appeared and wrapped his arm around Jungkook.
"Are you still up for the cozy night?"Yoongi seemed to slur his words more than usual.
"I...I'm here with my friend Yugyeom, so... I'm not really sure..."
Yoongi turned to Yugyeom and looked him up and down,"he can join us too,"he nudged him and then walked away.
"What exactly is this cozy night?"Yugyeom asked over the music as he sipped from his cup.
"Something like a movie night,"Jungkook replied and tasted the content of his cup too.
Both of them were looking around the apartment, with blasting music, balloons and confetti scattered on the floor. Jimin said he'll introduce them to his other friends, but Jimin's face was nowhere to see. Jungkook spotted an empty couch, so gestured to Yugyeom for them to go and sit there. However when he looked around one last time, his heart skipped a beat. Instead of Jimin's face, he saw another very familiar face in a small group of people, standing in a corner. A face with a pair of eyes looking nowhere else but at him, scanning his every move.
Jungkook quickly turned around, trying to not panic. Why the hell is he here?! I don't want to talk to him!!! Should I leave?! How will I explain it to Yugyeom?! Quick, I need to think of something! With his heart almost jumping out of his chest, he resolved to his last option. With a faked confidence, he put his arm on Yugyeom's waist and then slid his hand even lower. Then he lead him to that empty couch and after they sat down, he moved his hand to Yugyeom's thigh.
He dared to look in the direction of those brooding eyes and the facial expression he saw was telling him nothing else but...I just made a huge mistake.