Jeongguk doesn't start to come around until a little over a week later.

For the past nine days Taehyung's has been with him, watching him and making sure he didn't leave the apartment. Even when he begged him to let him go, or when he used threats to try to get out, Taehyung didn't let him. Some nights he had to sit in front of the front door just so he wouldn't leave.

But after a few sleepless nights, Jeongguk starts to come around.

Taehyung is in the kitchen making some ramen when he hears him shuffle out of the room. He turns around thinking he was trying to leave again but he sees him sitting down on the couch.

"Hey," Taehyung says, smiling as he walks over to him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Jeongguk nods, avoiding his eyes awkwardly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Taehyung says smoothing Jeongguk's hair down. "I was just making you something to eat, if you're feeling up to it."

"Sure," Jeongguk nods, fidgeting with his sleeves. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Taehyung says, kissing the top of his head before walking back to the kitchen.

"Are you going anywhere today?" Jeongguk asks, looking down as he messes with the sleeves of his shirt.

"No," Taehyung says looking over at him for a second before turning back to the stove. "Why? Do you need something?"

"No..." Jeongguk says. "I just don't want to be alone."

"You won't be," Taehyung says as he puts the ramen in two bowls. Carrying them out to the living room and handing Jeongguk his. "It's good to see you up, Gguk."

"Thank you," Jeongguk says taking the bowl. "Y'know, Tae, I'm really sorry about~"

"You don't have to apologize," Taehyung says sitting down next to him. "I love you, nothing will change that."

"I love you too," Jeongguk says, a small smile forming on his face.

"Let's watch a movie or something," Taehyung says grabbing the tv remote. "I waited for you to finish our show."

"Okay," Jeongguk says, relaxing a little in his seat. He was worried that Taehyung would treat him differently after seeing him at his lowest, but now he sees that Taehyung didn't see him any differently.

That made him feel better.

~

Jeongguk is mostly back to himself the following days, he's gotten a bit of his humor back and he doesn't seem so down.

Taehyung tries not to overthink it, but there's still a part of himself that is prepared for Jeongguk to go away again. He hated to admit it, but he was worried.

"I'm worried about leaving you," He admits as they stand in the kitchen doing the dishes together one night.

"You don't have to worry," Jeongguk says, smiling softly at him as he hands him a plate to dry. "I already told you that I'd call if I needed you. Yoongi said I could call him too."

"I know," Taehyung says looking down at the plate in his hands as he dries it. "It still makes me nervous."

"Hey," Jeongguk says bumping him with his hip. "I promise I'll be fine. It's just a few hours, and I'll call. I swear I'll call."

"Okay," Taehyung says, forcing a smile as he looks up at him. "I'm gonna call you every now and then too."

"I'll answer," Jeongguk smiles. "Don't worry, okay?"

"Okay," Taehyung nods.

There was no way he wouldn't worry.

~

"I'm still doing the exact same thing I was doing an hour ago, Tae,"

"Okay,"

Jeongguk chuckles softly on the other line, Taehyung can almost see the smile on his face.

"Are you having a good day at work?" Jeongguk asks after a moment.

"Yeah, it's not busy," Taehyung says glancing back at the register from where he stands by the door. "I'll probably be back sooner than I said."

"Okay, well I'll be here," Jeongguk says. "Don't worry too much, I love you."

"I love you too," Taehyung says, sighing as he ends the call.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Hoseok asks when he gets back to the register. "You look stressed."

"Yeah, everything's fine," Taehyung nods, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm just tired I think."

"You looked worried while you were talking to Jeongguk," Hoseok points out. "Is he alright?"

"Yes, Hoseok, he's fine," Taehyung says shortly, not wanting to talk to Hoseok about anything going on with him and Jeongguk.

"Okay, just making sure," Hoseok nods.

The bell chimes getting both their attention as Namjoon walks into the shop. Taehyung sighs, he really wasn't in the mood to be feeling any extra emotions right now.

"Hey," Namjoon says stopping at the register.

"What can I get for you?" Taehyung asks.

Namjoon chuckles softly. "I was actually hoping we could talk. I came yesterday and you weren't here."

"Talk about what?" Taehyung asks.

"Are you okay?" Namjoon asks. "You don't look so good."

"Talk about what?" Taehyung repeats, he knew he didn't look great, he's heard it from three people now.

"I was just wondering why you stopped texting me all of a sudden," Namjoon says. "I thought we were in a good place."

Taehyung sighs, he hadn't texted Namjoon since Jeongguk asked him not to. He felt guilty for ghosting him without an explanation, but he didn't think he needed to give one. "We were, that's why I stopped texting you. There was nothing left to say."

"I was hoping that we could be friends," Namjoon says, Taehyung knows that he means that. He's always told him that he wanted to stay friends even if they didn't work out romantically.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Namjoon," Taehyung says. "I'm sorry."

Namjoon nods. "Is there a reason why?"

"I don't think I can just be your friend," Taehyung says. "I'm in a relationship now and I don't want to jeopardize that."

"Is that relationship the reason you look so bad right now?" Namjoon asks.

"Excuse me?" Taehyung asks, his eyes narrowing as he takes offense.

"I'm serious, Taehyung," Namjoon says lowering his voice. "You don't look like you're doing well. Tell me what's going on."

"Nothing that concerns you," Taehyung says, he was too tired to get upset. "If you don't want anything you can leave."

"I'm just worried about you," Namjoon says. "I didn't mean to make you upset."

"Whatever, Namjoon," Taehyung says looking down. "Just mind your business and leave me alone."

Namjoon sighs, standing there for another moment. "Alright, Taehyung," He says before walking away, leaving the shop without another word.

Taehyung follows him with his eyes as he leaves, watching him get in his car and drive away.

"Do you need a minute, Tae?" Hoseok asks, making him realize that there were tears welling in his eyes. "I can take the register if you need me to."

Taehyung nods, reach behind himself and untying his apron as he walk from behind the counter. He walks to the bathroom, walking into a stall and leaning against the door as he types on his phone with shaking hands.

Are you okay?

He tries to breathe as he waits for a response, but his throat feels constricted by his tears. "Come on," he whispers, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.

I'm okay, I promise :)