Neighbor|Taekook - Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Tuesday went as usual, Jungkook ended up studying with Jimin after school. He noticed that there was something off with his study buddy.
"Hey hyung, is everything okay? You seem a bit...weird today,"Jungkook whispered to his friend sitting across the table.
Jimin smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach his eyes like it would usually do. "Do I? Sorry, it's probably all the stress..."
"Why are you stressed? You said you don't have any tests..."Jungkook looked at him with concern.
"I...there's something...I don't want to worry you..."
"No, please...If you want to talk, I'm all ears,"Jungkook gave him an encouraging smile.
"I don't think you'd understand..."
"I could try?"
Jimin sighed and rubbed his tired eyes,"you see I had an argument recently...a pretty bad one...But the worst thing is, it was my fault, yet I put the blame on someone else..."
"An argument? What was it about? I don't want to pry, but it would probably be easier to understand, if you know what I mean."
Jimin looked at Jungkook for a long while, as if deciding whether it was a good idea to tell him what's been bothering him. "There's....there's someone I like...but, I'm not too sure..."
"Oh...you're not sure of your feelings?"
"That's not quite right. I know what I feel, but I'm not sure if I'm fully committed...or even want to be fully committed...And I really don't want to hurt that someone."
"So it's not the right person then..."
"I don't know...I feel like it is, but there are complications..."
Jungkook nodded,"I understand."
"The argument...we still talk to each other, it's weird...Aish, I'm not good talking about stuff like this."
"Me neither, hyung,"Jungkook laughed quietly,"but at least we're in the same boat."
"Okay, lately...I might've neglected that person a bit, but since they don't really show emotions much, I just assumed that everything is okay. It was really stupid of me...I thought that I knew them well, that nothing could slip past me. We...we used to have much stronger bond, but now...I think I ruined it...Because I've become too focused on myself. Just me, me, me, only what I want. And..."he covered his face with his small hands.
"Hyung?"
Jimin's shoulders trembled. "Hyung!"Jungkook stood and walked to Jimin, he squatted down and tried to pull away his hands. "Are you crying?"
"No...I'm not,"his eyes were glistening with tears.
"Seriously, what happened?!"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you..."
"Who is that person? Someone from school? I haven't seen you with anyone..."
"Jungkookie, please don't worry. I'll be fine really...It will get better, I'm sure of it. As I said, we're still talking, trying to work thing out...I just feel really bad on the inside, because it's all my fault."
"I doubt that, hyung. It's hard to image you, hurting someone."
"It's even harder for me to accept that. You know, when you find someone you really like, the thought of hurting them seems like the worst thing ever. But when you actually really hurt them, it IS the worst thing ever."
"I didn't even know, that you're seeing someone..."
"I keep it secret."
"Why the hell would you do that?"
"I wonder if you would understand...Something tells me that you might, but then again I got burned so many times before...I don't want to risk it."
"I swear, you're making me so confused. You're the first person, who bothered to talk to me after I moved here all those weeks ago. It means so much to me...And you ended up being my first friend here...You may not know, but you've helped me to realize some very important things about myself. I wouldn't be talking to you now with so much peace in my heart without that. I really care about you...I know you have friends here, whom you've known longer than me, but I...I don't make many friends. I like to think, that if I make friends, those are friends for life."
"You're so cute Jungkookie...And that's the problem."
Jungkook waited for Jimin to say something more, but that was it.
"That's the problem?"
Jimin nodded.
"Oh come on, I hate aegyo, if I ever do it, it's to just annoy you, hyung. It's meant just as joke, if you hate it, you should've told me."
"I wish there were more pure souls like you in this world."
"Damn...now I'm even more confused..."
"See? I should've just kept quiet,"Jimin looked even more miserable.
"What the hell? Why are you blaming yourself for everything? I don't understand... What's going on? It's...it's scaring me...seeing you like this..."
"I didn't mean to scare you...Don't worry, hyung will be fine. Now, let's study more,"Jimin put on his noise-canceling headphones as a sign, that their debate was over.
Jungkook sighed, he still didn't understand anything, so he tried his best to forget about it and focused more on his homework. However his thoughts were reeling, he really wanted Jimin to open up, he wanted to help him somehow. It was so strange to see him in a state like this and he couldn't stop worrying.
Maybe if I open up instead, it would make him feel comfortable enough to talk more..
He put down his pen, cleared his throat and waved a hand so Jimin would notice him and take off his headphones.
"I'm going to Jeju on Thursday, so I won't be able to come here and study."
"Okay,"Jimin looked beyond tired.
"Hyung, have you been sleeping well?"
"Yeah,"he gave him a smile, which Jungkook knew was fake.
"Wait. You're going to Jeju?! Why? On Thursday?"
"Yeah, for a trip."
"Oh man, I envy you so much. Are you going with your parents?"
"Uhh, I got invited...no...well it was more like a lost bet-" What am I saying?! "I'm going with Kim Taehyung."
It looked like Jimin's soul has left his body. "Don't go."
"What?"
"Kim Taehyung...you can't go with him."
"Why not? I believe the plane tickets are already paid for."
"Say you can't go. Say that you're sick or something."
"Why? Didn't you say you envy me? Why suddenly tell me I shouldn't go?"
"You don't know what you're doing. Some things are getting into motion, I can feel it."
"Jeez, now you talk like him...making zero sense..."
"Jungkookie, you're playing with fire."
"He said that you're his closest friend, his best friend. Or at least used to be. Why would you tell me to not go?"
"He was right, and that's why I know him a lot more than you."
"I know him too!"
"I'd told you to be careful around him..."
"He's my neighbor, I see him pretty much every single day, I don't see why I should be careful around him...He isn't dangerous..."
"It's always the pure souls like you..."
"I don't get what you're talking about, but I'm just letting you know. I'm coming back on Sunday."
"I suppose we learn from mistakes...But some mistakes, Jungkookie might be too great."
"Is this about skipping school?"
Jimin laughed with a crazy expression on his face,"I wish it was...Has he ever...Has he ever said anything strange to you?"
"Hyung? He always says strange things, I call it TaeTae language,"he laughed to lighten the mood, even though he didn't feel like laughing.
"I'm not talking about what he says, but what he really talks about."
"Yeah, that too. But I've given up on trying to understand, it's the same as with you today. The more you say, the more I get confused."
"What's your relationship with him?"Jimin looked straight at him.
Fuck! He felt his cheeks getting hot. I should've been quiet! Relationship?
"Uhhhh....a neighbor? I don't know...a friend? It's just a trip, Jimin-hyung, relax."
Jimin shoulders slumped,"do you...do you like him better than me?"
"What kind of question is that? Are you...jealous?"Jungkook had a smug grin on his face.
"Just asking..."
"I like you both equally."
"Taehyung...he...It's your goddamn face...how obvious..."
"First you hate on my aegyo, now my face?"
"Jungkookie, sometimes my patience run low. It's actually happening now...and I feel like if we weren't in the library, I would yell at you on top of my lungs for being so dumb."
Jungkook shook his head, closed his book and shoved all his stuff into his backpack. "I think you really need some sleep, hyung,"he slung the backpack over his shoulder, patted Jimin on the shoulder and quickly left before he could diss him more.
Maybe I should contact Yoongi-hyung. Tell him to check up on him while I'm gone...And I definitely need to figure out who that girl is...if she's making Jimin-hyung this miserable, maybe I should have a little chat with her. But what would I say? I don't even understand what the core of their argument was...
When he got home in the evening, mom approached him, when he was eating his dinner.
"I heard about your trip from Mrs. Kim, why haven't you told me about it?"
Oh God, here we go...
"I...I wasn't sure whether I wanted to go."
"And now? Do you want to go?"
"Yeah...I guess it would be a nice trip...I feel kinda tired from all that studying, I feel like I need a little break."
"Fine, you can go. But I'm only letting you go because it's with Taehyung-ssi. He seems responsible enough. I heard that his grandparents paid for everything, so you better be thankful that he invited you."
Oh really? Grandparents?
"Of course I'm thankful. Yesterday, I spent hours in the library teaching him Maths and I didn't ask for anything in return, so I think I deserve it."
"Ah Jungkookie, you're still helping him?"
"He's smart, but not very good with Maths... I'm...I'm not very good at human anatomy, so he's helping me with that in return..."
I will burn in hell, for all of these lies.
"Soon enough, you'll forget Yugyeom has ever existed,"she laughed.
"Mom...that's mean. No one can replace Yugyeom."
"Sure, but you're getting really close with Taehyung-ssi."
You have no idea...
"I have to admit,"she continued,"I did ask him when we moved here to look out for you. I was worried that you will get depressed here, because you didn't have friends. However it seems that you two get along really well, so I'm glad it all worked out."
"I have other friends beside him too, you know? The only difference is that he's a neighbor, so obviously I'll meet him more often."
"Anyway, enjoy your trip. I already made a call to school, letting them know that you'll be absent. I hope that you'll study hard and make up for those skipped days after you return."
"Don't you know your son? Always hard working,"he grinned at her.
She only rolled her eyes, shook her head and started talking to his dad instead.
After the dinner, Jungkook had some free time, he played enough games with Yugyeom on Sunday, so he didn't feel like playing again. He took out his sketchbook and wanted to draw something. As the lead of the pencil touched the paper, any inspiration to draw was lost. He tapped the pencil few times, but his mind was blank. Instead, he just glided the pencil over the page creating a coil on lines.
He sighed as nothing was coming in his mind. Then, his fingers moved on their own accord. He wrote ㄱ followed by ㅌ, going over the characters few times with his pencil. Then he drew one curved line, connecting it with another, basically putting those two letters inside a heart. He smiled and flipped the page.
For days, he's been thinking about the strange melody he had hummed on the Mapo bridge. He couldn't understand, how after so much time, it was still stuck in his head. He knew that he had to write some lyrics to it.
Why don't I try and make it a song for hyung? It would be a nice present... He grabbed a pen and hesitated for a while, not knowing what the lyrics should be about. Then he decided to not think too much and just go with the flow. He tried to match the melody with a certain kind of feel, humming it over and over, writing words to embellish the sound. After about an hour, he was happy with it.
He tore out the page, folded it and put it in his wallet. He realized how tired it made him, so any plans for drawing were over, he flipped the page back, trying to make out something out of the lines he had drawn before, but it proved to be impossible so he pushed his notepad away and collapsed on his couch.
He grabbed his phone, laid down and mindlessly switched between apps on his phone, looking at different videos and photos. His eyelids got heavy and he almost dropped his phone on his face, if it wasn't for a sudden ringing. He flinched and the phone fell on his face anyway.
"Ugh,"he groaned annoyed, as the phone was still ringing.
He looked at the screen, it was Taehyung wanting to facetime with him.
What? Why is he calling me now? A video call? He immediately sat up and straightened himself. He quickly brushed through his hair with his fingers. He then realized than he had a dinner earlier, so he sprinted to his mirror to check if he had any food in his teeth, then sprinted back to his couch and picked up.
"Hyung, why a video call?"he asked a little bit out of breath after sprinting across his room.
'Good evening to you too, Kookie. I heard from my mom, that your mom let you go,'Taehyung's voice sounded a bit distorted.
"Aren't you at work?"
'I have a short break now...and I miss you, so I wanted to see your face.'
Jungkook felt flattered that his hyung, who even in the low resolution looked so handsome, bothered to call him during his work break.
'Anyway, on Thursday we have to go to the Gimpo airport at five in the morning. I checked the weather in Jeju, it shouldn't rain, but it's going to be fairly cold, so pack some warm clothes. Don't forget to pack spare socks, underwear and some pajamas. Also bring your passport, it's a domestic flight, but just in case-'
"Hyung, hyung...it's not the first time I'm packing...I literally moved all of my belongings across the country two months ago."
'Okay, I'm just making sure that you won't forget anything...Why are you so out of breath?'
"I...I just had to run across my room to pick up my phone."
'I told you that I'll call you, you should've been prepared,'Taehyung laughed,'but you being out of breath, gives me bad ideas...I shouldn't be complaining...'
What a pervert....
"I miss you too,"Jungkook blurted out automatically hearing the clear sound of Taehyung's laugh which he adored so much. "Actually, I have this,"he grabbed his blanket,"you used it when you were sleeping over and it still has your scent. It's my favorite blanket...and I still have the remains of your candle burning, look,"he panned the phone to his nightstand, where the candle Taehyung gifted him was burning bright,"so it's not so bad."
'Aish, you are the most adorable, precious boy...Hyung needs to be scolded for having such bad thoughts about such a pure boy.'
Jungkook got some strange fuzzy feeling inside, something like butterflies in his stomach, but completely different at the same time. A warm, comforting kind of feeling wrapping him on the inside, just as his blanket was wrapping him on the outside.
'Just seeing your strawberry lips, I want to kiss them.'
For some reason, Jungkook got shy. Taehyung wasn't saying anything dirty to him, but his words made him even more shy than usual. God, I need to get a hold of myself...his words make me feel so giddy...
'And when you blush, you're even cuter.'
"I'm not blushing, it's probably just this filter..."he could feel how fast was his heart beating in his chest.
'Either way, you are cute,'Taehyung kissed the camera.
"I'm so sleepy...and your voice is so soothing, hyung."
'Just one more day and we'll be together. In Jeju, you can sleep for hours and hours.'
"I like the sound of that,"Jungkook smiled and stretched his limb, while yawning.
'Sleepy bunny needs to go to bed, I won't bother you more. Just please double check that you've packed everything, okay?'
"Sure thing, hyung."
'I have to go now, so go to bed, nuzzle that blanket and imagine me giving you soft goodnight kisses all over your face.'
Jungkook was half asleep, too tired to feel shy this time, so he just nodded and kissed his camera in return.
'Goodnight, baby bun.'
"Night, Tae,"he ended the call, walked to the bed, blew out the candle and fell asleep.
The next day, his timing was right, so he was able to go to school hand in hand with Taehyung. After the never ending classes, he rushed straight home. He made a short list during the breaks in school, writing down all the things he needed to pack. He knew that next day he was leaving early in the morning and that he needed to go to bed much earlier than usual. Taehyung didn't contact him anymore, he was probably still working or busy packing as well, so Jungkook didn't want to disturb him.
That night, Jungkook couldn't sleep. He was too excited and woke up before his alarm went off. He was up even before his parents and the whole apartment was super quiet. He took a speedy shower, put on oversized black hoodie and soft comfy sweatpants. Despite the flight being only a little bit over one hour long, he hated flying in uncomfortable clothes. He didn't have time to eat breakfast, it was too early anyway, so he just grabbed his carry-on suitcase and his backpack. He knew that he overpacked, he was considering taking his weights for working out, but he crossed the weight limit, so he had to take them out. However he did take his wireless speaker, a loyal companion on all of his journeys.
When he closed the apartment door, Taehyung was casually leaning against the wall in the corridor, in that nonchalant way of his. Plus he was looking way more put together, even matching with his baggage.
"Morning,"Jungkook waved half asleep, with dark circles under his eyes.
Taehyung walked to him and ticked his chin to wake him up. "Did you not sleep well?"
"Well? I think I didn't sleep at all!"he grunted and automatically took Taehyung's handbag.
"What are you doing?"Taehyung asked bemused.
"I'm stronger than you, let's go."
Their taxi was already waiting for them in front of their building and luckily the traffic was good, so they arrived at the airport on time. After a check-in, they searched for a food court.
Taehyung made Jungkook sit down at a bench in the food court and went to order them something. He came back, bringing waffles and cocoa for the younger one and some eggs and toast for himself.
"I'd rather drink some coffee,"Jungkook mumbled.
"Try the cocoa, I had it here once and it's delicious. Besides, I want you to sleep a little bit. We have few hours until the departure."
Jungkook took a sip of the steaming cocoa, it warmed him up and he realized he's been starving. He tucked into his fluffy waffles right away and Taehyung was watching his baby with a keen smile on his lips.
"I'm sorry hyung, but I didn't check anything about Jeju even though it's my first time going there...I haven't planned anything. I have to admit that I have somehow gotten used to you taking care of everything. I've been expecting you to plan everything...But I just realized that I could've been wrong...You could've totally skipped any preparation...I need to take more responsibility."
"Don't worry, I have a plan. A pretty vague plan at this point, but I thought that we can decide on what to do when we're there. I'm afraid it's just as you assumed, I'm actually fine taking care of things, including you. Your role is, just looking cute...And I have to say, you are doing a splendid job of that."
Jungkook felt his heart fluttering, but refused to show any emotions. "It's cool that we don't have school."
"Hopefully, you don't get used to skipping school, your mom would definitely not be happy about that."
"I could actually get used to this,"he slid down the bench a but, chewing the syrup drenched waffles. "Your company alone is something I could get used to."
Taehyung touched Jungkook's foot with his foot under the table, playing footsie. "We can plan a little weekend trip any time. Just for two days, no skipping school."
"I don't have money for that. Maybe I should find a job like you."
"No,"Taehyung raised his voice suddenly, scaring Jungkook.
Seeing Jungkook all startled, Taehyung's face softened,"domestic flights are inexpensive and I've told you numerous times, I've been saving up for a while...I've always wanted to go to Jeju."
"I heard your grandparents gave you the money for this trip."
"Huh?"Taehyung looked at him surprised. "Who told you that?"
"Your mom told my mom."
"That's...that's not true...They do send me money regularly, but it's not for this trip."
"What for then?"
"Other things..."Taehyung moved to sit beside Jungkook, putting his arm around his shoulders. He grabbed his chin and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"Not here!"Jungkook pushed his hand away.
"Hmm, you taste so sweet,"Taehyung licked his lips after kissing Jungkook.
A waitress passed their table, Taehyung pulled away, but it was too late and she gave them a weird look before turning away.
"You know sometimes I worry, what if someone sees us? Someone from school, or someone who knows my parents?"Jungkook asked embarrassed after being seen by the waitress.
"When we get to Jeju, you won't have to worry about that. Nobody will know us there,"Taehyung put his arm back to reassure him.
Jungkook sighed,"I wish we could stay there for a month...not having a care in the world..."
"We will enjoy these four days enough, I'm sure of it,"he rubbed Jungkook's shoulder.
After their airport breakfast, they moved to the lounge area to wait for their flight.
Jungkook sinked in one of the comfortable chairs, taking a nap on Taehyung's shoulders.
He got woken up by him shaking him slightly. "Come on Kookie, they announced our flight."
He opened his swollen eyes with difficulty, but grabbed Taehyung's handbag regardless and they headed together for their gate. After heaving their boarding passes checked, they were sitting together in the small plane.
"You were sleeping so well that I didn't have the heart to wake you up, even though I was bored,"Taehyung said while fastening his seat belt.
"Don't worry hyung, I'm not going to sleep anymore, I'll stay awake during the flight."
Few minutes after the plane had taken off, Jungkook was sleeping soundly, making a pillow out of Taehyung's shoulder again. His hyung just sighed, pit on headphones and started listening to some music.
Taehyung unbuckled Jungkook's safety belt,"rise and shine, we're here."
"I didn't sleep, I promise...I just closed my eyes for a second."
"Sure..."
"I swear, I'm completely alert."
"After that much sleep, you should be,"Taehyung playfully ruffled his hair.
After retrieving their baggage, they went out of the terminal. The air was unmistakably different here, a lot fresher with a hint of saltiness from the sea.
"I totally forgot to ask, are we staying in a hotel?"
"Where else?"
"I don't know...some cheap accommodation? I'm fine with anything as long as it's clean."
"I booked us a normal hotel."
"Hyung, you're amazing."
"You should be saying that more often,"Taehyung remarked.
"Should we take a taxi or a bus?"Jungkook asked while a subtle breeze played with his black hair.
"If you wait here for a minute...I just need to get something,"Taehyung left him with their baggage.
Jungkook sat down on his suitcase and took a deep breath. The air is the same as in Busan...I need to buy a house here one day...Maybe settle here? No, that's far future...I should focus on present not future. He's been sitting there, daydreaming for a long while when Taehyung suddenly came back. "Sorry it took so long."
"I think we just missed the shuttle bus, it just passed through here."
"That's not a problem,"Taehyung said.
"We have to wait another thirty minutes for the next one,"Jungkook whined annoyed.
"No we don't."
"Are we taking a taxi then?"
"Nope,"Taehyung shook his head.
"Jeez, are walking to our hotel or what?"Jungkook was getting more and more grumpy.
Taehyung shook his head once again, amused by pouting grumpy Jungkook. He reached for something in his pocket and then shook it in front of Jungkook's face.
"Huh. Wait...are those car keys?"
"Yup,"Taehyung couldn't contain his grin,"let's go,"he pulled at one of the strings on Jungkook's hoodie.
"Oh my God..."Jungkook gasped stopping in the middle of the parking lot,"is that ours?!"
Taehyung didn't bother answering, he just chucked his suitcase into the boot of a shiny Mustang. He went to take Jungkook's baggage too. "What? You don't like it?"
"Hyung, you are amazing,"he said again. "I forgot that you have drivers license."
"I warn you, I'm not the best driver. It took me two tries to get my license. You better hurry and get yours, so you can be my personal driver,"he winked at dazed Jungkook and sat in the driver's seat. He turned the key and the vrooming sound of the engine brought Jungkook back to reality. He hurried and got inside the car, when he got amazed by the leather interior.
"It's a convertible too!"Jungkook's amazement had no end. "How can I repay you for all of this?"
"No need for that, just think of it as a little gift. There was a good deal on renting this particular car anyway."
They drove along the beautiful coast bathing in the October sun. The deep blue water mass Jeju Strait was calm with occasional ripples caused by the refreshing coastal breeze, contrasting with the much lighter blue of the sky.
Jungkook was dreamily looking at the breathtaking view from his seat. His face was almost glued to the car window, when Taehyung's voice broke though his daydreaming.
"You know why I chose this particular island for our trip?"
"I don't know..."
"It's because Jeju also has another name, which I think it's quite fitting."
"What name?"
"The Honeymoon Island."