Chapter 20

Edited
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Taehyung woke up extra early that morning, finishing with his morning routine and dressing into a white tee and checkered shirt on top of it and matched it with black Jeans

There wasnt any need for his regular clothes as he wouldnt be spending time at the company for the day, but instead at the variety show venue.

Slipping on a hair band to rake his silver locks behind, he grabbed onto his camera bag and headed out of the room.

The whole place was calm and not a single soul in sight, except for Jin who was meditating on his yoga mat.

"You're up early"

Taehyung looked at Jin who still had his eyes closed.

"Its VTV show today- I'll get time to prepare if I'm early. Did I disturb you?" Taehyung questioned looking at the male.

"No- I heard your door creak open." Jin answered, opening his eyes and leaning back on the mat.

"I havent made any breakfast yet"

Taehyung looked up at him, a slice of bread in his head.

"Nah- it's fine..  I can make pbj sandwiches" Taehyung grinned from the coubter as Jin smiled shaking his head and going back to meditation.

Taehyung quickly ate his breakfast and grabbed his bag, heading towards the door.

"Good luck!!" Jin yelled at his back, making Taehyungbturn around and give a thumbs up with a grin.

The silver haired male walked out, the cold air jabbing him in his skin. He wrapped his arms around himself a s looked around, to find a car waiting out near the sidewalk.

He quickly skipped his way to the car and pulled onto the passenger door and popped in.

"Hey Goodmorning!!" Taehyung grinned.

"You owe me big time mister. Waking up at this asscrack hour of the day ain't it" Jooyoung groaned on the steering wheel.

"Ah- I love you Jooyoung-ah" Taehyung grinned cheekily.

The woman rolled her eyes and scoffed, a grin making way on her lips.

"Ofcourse you do."

******

Jooyoung pulled outside Starbucks on Taehyung's request of needing his daily starter fuel.

The two walked in, the coffee bean aroma travelling up their nostrils.

Taehyung swore, if drugs were made to smell like coffee bean- it would be the end of him cause like fuck Travis Scott- there's going to be only one person Highest in the Room and that was gonna be him.

"Goodmorning sir.. ma'am, what would you like to order?" The woman behind the counter asked, smiling- although she seemed a little sleepy.

"Strawberry Acai venti" Taehyung replied.

"Mmmm Ice coffee and cream" Jooyoung replied squinting at the menu.

"Your names sir.. ma'am?"

"V and Young" Jooyoung smiled.

The woman typed down something on her computer, as Taehyung handed over his card to pay. On tearing the number receipt, and handing it over back to Taehyung along with his card the cashier looked back up at them "please be seated, I'll call you names when your drinks are prepared. Thankyou"

Jooyoung groaned and slumped on the table.

"Today's gonna be a pain in the ass"

"Who are you in charge of anyway?" Taehyung asked leaning back.

"A rookie boy group- TXT. On noticing my makeup abilities are good- they put me on the makeup team for the show. I should have pretended that I am a dumb bitch. I could have slept the entire day and watched kdrama or some shit" Jooyoung let out a fake cry and Taehyung chuckled.

"Are they troublesome?" Taehyung propped his chin on his hand supporting his elbow on the table.

"Troublesome? Oh God- dont even talk about it. It feels like I'm monitoring an elementary class" Jooyoung sighed making Taehyung laugh.

"You're in charge of Jungkook right?" Jooyoung lift her head up.

The silver haired male nodded with affirmation.

"God- that must be easy" Jooyoung pouted.

Ah..  you have no idea, Taehyung thought in his mind knowing nothing with the raventte came in the same context as 'easy'

Taehyung chuckled awkwardly "I guess so?"

"Anyway-" Jooyoung lightly slammed her palms on the table with excitement "I've been hearing this rumour..."

"What rumour?" Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed.

"A rumour saying that you both hate each other" Jooyoung licked her lips with anticipation "I mean- the last time I saw you both together standing in the same place- he was literally glaring at you. Remember that parking lot incident where I quickly excused myself??"

Taehyung remembered.

Yeah- Jungkook seemed a little over the edge that day....

Except for the teensy little fact that he, himself was slammed onto a mattress and brutally fucked till he passed out of exhaustion.

So much for hating-

If the example were to be taken on the current situation between the two- Taehyung would have agreed.

Jungkook did hate him for a reason and to say Taehyung had no clue.... would have been an understatement.

He literally... had no clue.

"V! Young!" The woman from the counter called out to their names.

Taehyung shrugged looking at his friend as they walked towards the counter "I guess he hates me- but that's upto him"

********

People rushed around the hallway as Taehyung zipped through, getting yelled at and apologising to people not even looking at their faces.

BigHit Entertainment wasn't a small company... it was only a part of the multimillionaire franchise of BH Lee, so you can only imagine how big the entire franchise was.

The VTV show was exclusively taken over BigHit for the year to showcase their artists and with the amount of artists performing, their individual crew and staff and security literally meant 10 people or more.

So saying the backstage of the venue was like Grand Central Terminal on a Monday morning- it... wasnt a joke.

Finally catching onto someone who knew where his assigned room was, Taehyung caught the sight of the room, the security checked on his badge and let him walk into the room.

The comdiotioned air hit him and he sighed with comfort.

He took out his camera, flipping it on and checking for clarity.

Another door in the spacious room opened, revealing a raventte in a simple black tee.

The raventte went on sat on the stylist chair, waiting for the stylist to prepare him for the performance.

Taehyung walked over- knowing all too well he had to get a damn video if he wanted to keep his job... regardless if Jungkoom didnt want him there.

He stood next to Jungkook who was engrossed in his phone- or probably pretending to be.

Taehyung cleared his throat catching the males attention who looked at him through the reflection and simply rolled his eyes.

Annoyed and frustrated, Taehyung held onto his shoulder and whipped the chair to face him.

"I know you hate me- but I have to take this video. For the your sake of your fans, please cooperate with me" Taehyung replied, bending down to the raventte's height

Jungkook looked away and sighed, giving up. He couldnt say no to his fans... they were just like his family.

Taehyung grinned with victory as he held the video camera and lowered down to a seated Jungkook.

"3... 2... and we're rollling" Taehyung announced slowly and Jungkook put up his natural face locking away the annoyed looks he had put up a minute ago.

"ARMY..... hello" Jungkook smiled at the  camera asTaehgung gulped subtly.

The smile was sweet... the eyes folding into crescents and bunny teeth with the little nose scrunch... made Jungkook look... so adorable.

Taehyung naturally smiled unbeknownst to his own self.

Jungkook who noticed this, quickly looked away- Taehyung's soft box smile may or may not have tipped some bricks from the wall he had set up around himself.

The raventte kept on talking- as if he were talking to real people- when he was just talking to a camera, for message that would be delivered later for the fans... that's what Jungkook had felt all these years- but suddenly... for once, he felt like someone was actually listening fo him at the moment.

For once... someone who was filming him- wasn't frowning or urging him to quickly finish his talk. Taehyung allowed him to talk to his heart's content and it was warming to see Jungkook smiling.

"... I'm going to get dressed now" Jungkook mumbled as the stylist finished with his hair and makeup.

His hair was parted in the the side to let a lock of hair to fall on his forehead. His eyelids were brushed lightly with an orange brown eyeshadow to accentuate his natural doe eyes. Lips tinted to light red and applying a chapstick- Jungkook's final look was complete.

Taehyung almost felt breathless.

Goddammit.

Jungkook stood up to face the camera, his eyes briefly glancing at Taehyung who still had his thin metal hair band on.

Jungkook scoffed slightly, a subtle smile on his lips but quickly loomed away not allowing Taehyung to decipher his facial emotions.

"I'm so excited to see everyone... it's been so long. It feels like there are firecrackers in my skin.... I hope everyone enjoys the performance. See you on the stage" Jungkook grinned waving at the camera.

Taehyung gave a curt nod and stopped the recording, saving it and closing his camera.

Taehyung looked up and smiled at the raventte "good job!"

Jungkook snorted with a cocky smile on his face "I know"

The raventte turned around and walked straight to the changing room without letting Taehyung reply.

The silver haired male simply watched with a slight pout of annoyance on his face.

Taehyung scoffed with a roll of his eyes "rude"

********

It wasnt much later when Jungkook had finished dressing up and walked out with a shiny black Tee and skinny Jeans.

The T shirt had a low neck revealing Jungkook's milky skin, that a certain silver haired male couldn't bring himself to forget.

And dont even talk about the jeans- the black fabric hugged his thighs perfectly accentuating the toned muscles.

Taehyung had to literally force his gaze away to keep his own dick in his pants.

Dont drool. Dont drool. Dont drool.

Taehyung thought about the most bizarre things to get his mind off of Jungkook. Now... ending up with a boner in middle of work... wasn't that much of a great feat... now was it???

Taehyung flipped the camera back on since he had to film Jungkook again.

Jungkook smiled or more like smirked at the camera.

Or more like smirked at Taehyung.

Dont mind Taehyung- he calls himself delusional for his thoughts...

"So what do you think?" Jungkook swirled on his feet to look back at the camera.

Taehyung didnt know what to do

Was he supposed to say something??

But he was told to not speak when he's filming anybody.

So what was Jungkook doing?

"Ah my looks not completed-" Jungkook announced as he grabbed onto the white jacket and slipped his arms in and tugged on the lapels of the jacket to give it a more authentic effect.

"What about now?" Jungkook smiled with his arms stretched. "How do I look?".

Taehyung's eyes widened and racking his brain he remembered, quickly moving the camera in a nodding manner.

Jungkook grinned "I look good dont I?"

Taehyung moved the camera again, sucking his own lips in.

Fuck it- his sex deprived self and Jungkook looking like a whole buffet.

"I'll see you ARMYYYY~ cheer for me okay??" Jungkook smiled.

"Hwaiting!!"

Taehyung let out a sigh as he stopped recording.

Goddammnit his hormones were acting up lately.

"Do you need water?"

"Huh?" Taehyung looked up at the raventte.

"You are all red" Jungkook remarked, his lips hiding a smirk that wanted to make way.

Taehyung scoffed with disbelief and being caught so bluntly.

No fair.

"I- I'm not red.." Taehyung replied quickly, sucking in a breath.

Jungkook chuckled, the soft sound filling up Taehyung.

His eyes beamed as he saw Jungkook smiling.

Smiling at him.

This day isnt that bad afterall, Taehyung thought to himself smiling back at the raventte.

However their little moment was brutally cut off when Jungkook's phone rang.

The raventte picked his phone up- the familiar look of anguish, fear and anger morphing on his face- disintegrating the smile.

His face had hardened all over again as he pressed the phone to his ear, eyes on Taehyung.

"Yes sir"

Taehyung intently watched the raventte's behaviour, the way his face became emotionless, eyes soulless and fingers curling into a fist.

It was the same caller.

The same damned caller.

Jungkook turned on his heels and walked away to the changing room and closed the door behind him.

Taehyung let out a breath he didnt even know he was holding.

Who was the person?

Taehyung knew it was none of his business.... but the way Jungkook looked when he spoke to the caller- he could say Jungkook needed help.... an escape.

It was none of his business.

But Jungkook was his friend.

Atleast... he thinks Jungkook is his friend.

And when it comes to friends.... their shit is Taehyung's shit.

Their happiness is his happiness.

Their sadness is his sadness.

And even if Jungkook doesn't consider him as a friend anymore.... for Taehyung, the name still stands valid.

And for that- he was willing to dive.

********

"Jungkook stage 10 minutes-" the Show staff announced walking into the room and left with a list in his hands.

Taehyung furrowed... it had been over 10 minutes Jungkook was on the call and he had not returned into the room.

"Taehyung- can you get Jungkook?" A staff called out to him and the silver haired male nodded, his feet already taking him to the other door.

He opened the door and stepped inside, piles of clothes on hangers were propped on a trolley on one side.

The light was dim but he could outline a figure at the end of the room.

"I SAID I DONT WANT TO!"

Taehyung froze.

"LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!" Jungkook yelled, his tone laced with anger.

"I DONT CARE. I DONT WANT TO. I DONT WANT IT. I DONT WANT ANY OF IT!!"

"P-Please.... please-" his voice broke down, making it sound small "Tell him- please tell him..."

Taehyung felt his heart squeeze in his chest.

He had never heard the raventte sound so broken.

Who was he talking to?

"He cant... He can't take this away from me. I've... I've worked so hard... I'm still young... I'm just 22- I can't- I cant let go of my dreams... I dont want to let go of my dreams... seonsaengnim... please do... something" Jungkook pleaded, his voice only cracking more.

(Seonsaengnim= Honorific for an elder male or a woman)

There was sudden silence and Jungkook had stopped talking. It was so silent that Taehyung could hear his own heartbeat in his ears.

He slowly walked up to the male.

"J-Jungkook?"

The raventte whipped his head to look at Taehyung and gripped his hand mid-air.

His eyes were glossy but they were fierce, like slow burning ember.

"Dont. Touch. Me" Jungkook snarled, his  voice laced with venom.

Jungkook squeezed Taehyung's hand harshly and the latter winced from the pain. The raventte grit his teeth and glared for few more seconds before he tossed Taehyung's hand away, walking past him.

His footsteps receded and the door slammed, leaving Taehyung in the dark.

Taehyung let out a feathered breath and sucked his lips in.

"That bastard..." he mumbled to himself, rubbing his hand that had reddened from Jungkook's grip.

Oddly enough, his hand hurt less than the masked pain in his chest, that tugged onto his whole self.

He was stupid.

Stupid enough to indulge himself in somebody else's business, only to leave him hurt- as ridiculous it sounds.

Taehyung shook his head and steadied his breaths, before walking out of the room only to realise Jungkook was no where in sight.

On inquiring with the staff that were still in the room, he found out that the male had already left for his performance.

Thanking the staff, Taehyung rushed out- trying to find Jungkook.

Like I said, Taehyung knew he was stupid.

But that didnt mean he was going to let his friend slash asshole bastard rude coconut Cult boy to drown.

And like it was mentioned before, Taehyung was a man of his words... he would keep his word to the end of the line.

And Taehyung would go any extent to keep his word.

********

The silver haired male watched Jungkook perform- it was just as perfect as he had seen in the rehearsals.

The raventte moved to the beats of the music while singing his heart out with probably one of the most intense footwork Taehyung had ever seen being performed live.

And although it seemed crystal clear.... something felt wrong.

Something... drove fear in Taehyung's veins watching the male.

"You make me begin"

Jungkook closed to the end of the song with a change of note and a higher vibrato as the crowd cheered for him.

Taehyung watched his sweaty face and his stance, straight as a needle- but then slowly tipping back as Jungkook's eyes rolled back slightly.

Oh no.

No.

On instinct, Taehyung's hand slammed against the spot light panel switching off the lights on the entire set, the crowd releasing confused cheers and resolving into an irritated chatter and yells.

The staff around him yelled curses at the silver haired male but he didnt care as he ran across the now darkened stage and all the way to the center only to realise his suspicion was right.

There in the middle of the stage, cradled in the arms of worried backdancers....

was a very unconscious Jungkook.

Taehyung's breath hitched.

He leaped into action, instructing the backup dancers to help him carry Jungkook off the stage.

Avoiding the prying staff of other groups and any other people with unnecessary presence- Jungkook was rushed into a secluded room in the backstage.

Pushing off all the contents from the table, they slowly laid him down.

"GET NAMJOON HYUNG! AND CALL A DOCTOR! NOW!" Taehyung barked orders as the backup dancers scattered to get help.

"Hey... Hey.. Jungkook- Kook... Stay with me okay? Stay with me- we'll get you help. Dont worry... " Taehyung whispered above him, his trembling fingers  caressing the raventte's cheek.

Namjoon and San barged in first.

"JUNGKOOK!! SHIT! SHIT! GET A DOCTOR GODDAMIT!" Namjoon yelled striding towards the male.

"Somebody has already gone to call him-" A voice spoke up among the back dancers.

"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! HOW DID T-"

"Just as Jungkook sunbaenim finished with the last chorus, the lights went out and Yunho and I saw him tipping back and we caught him before he hit the ground" San replied looking at Namjoon, the other brunette named Yunho nodded.

"I shut the lights- when I saw Jungkook lose his balance" Taehyung answered standing up.

The doors slammed open and a man rushed in, with a kit in his hands.

"I'm Dr. Oh.. please step aside so that I can assess him" the man bowed a little and the small crowd shifted to the sides.

Taehyung nervously bit his lip watching the whole scenario.

The doctor stood up straight and turned to face Namjoon.

"Thankfully, he's okay- there's no concussion or anything. He passed out due to exhaustion. He may have overworked his body through the performance leading him to breakdown." Dr. Oh spoke out, Namjoon released a soft sigh of relief.

"But by any chance, did he go through any pre-performance jitters... or any kind of trouble before the performance?"

Namjoon thought for a second and then looked at Taehyung, who was just as stunned.

Taehyung sighed and stepped forward, a little unsure if he should any thing.

"He... He did recieve a phonecall..." Taehyung replied.

Namjoon grit his teeth at the response and then looked at the Doctor

"Thank you very much Doctor"

The Doctor looked up at Namjoon and smiled "sure, it's my duty to help people. Anyway he'll wake up any time now- so no need to worry. If you spot anything unnatural... then do take him to the hospital just to be sure."

"Thank you doctor" Namjoon smiled genuinely as the doctor bid his goodbye and walked out of the door.

"Alright- all of you, can take your leave now. Thankyou for your cooperation... and for Jungkook's sake and as the code of conduct- no word is to reach an outsider's ear. Am I clear?" Namjoon asked and the backup dancers stood straight and replied a 'yes' as one by one they walked out.

"Taehyung- wait." Namjoon called out.

"There's something I want to talk to you"

*******

Taehyung watched the raventte as he gulped water.

He looked skinnier and tired, but despite that he was trying to look calm.

The two didnt talk much- the moment Jungkook caught his presence, he simply lowered his head and looked away.

The simple meaningless act left Taehyung drowning in guilt even more deeper.

Was Jungkook never gonna talk to him again?

Who was the caller?

Why did Namjoon tell him to never mention about it?.

Does Namjoon know too?

Does Namjoon know that Jungkook's hurting?

Taehyung sighed and bit his lower lip.

Taehyung was going crazy.

Namjoon walked into the room and sighed.

"The crowd broke out outside. The exit ways are blocked by people and they are not agreeing to move"

Taehyung scoffed "well then tell them to move!"

"We're trying- the security has opened the pass but we cant pass through without them almost toppling over us"

Jungkook let out a feathered breath as he played with his fingers.

"Oh God no-" Namjoon whispered to himself, a flash of panic zipping past him as he walked towards the raventte who seemed extremely restless.

"Hey- hey Jungkook. I'll get you out of here- okay. Just stay together. Okay?"

Jungkook's rugged breaths increased as silent tears cascaded down his cheeks.

"Shit! Taehyung! Take care of Jungkook- we have to get him out of here now!!! I'll go pave a way!!" Namjoon yelled- running out of the room not explaining a thing to the silver haired male.

Taehyung rushed forth and crouched to meet Jungkook's eye level.

His instincts throttling in, as he took Jungkook's trembling fingers in his hand.

"Hey- Hey... koo... breathe.. breathe.." Taehyung whispered softly, as Jungkook looked up at him with teary eyes.

"Hold me tight" Taehyung whispered, as he laced his fingers with Jungkook's and gently squeezed it. Taehyung felt his own eyes getting glossy from watching the raventte.

"Can you trust me Koo?" Taehyung asked softly "Can you trust me?"

The raventte nodded slightly with pursed lips.

"Then don't let go of my hands. Don't let go of me... I'll hold you okay? I'll protect you"

"Just hold me tight" Taehyung repeated watching Jungkook gulp.

"I wont let go of you... I promise"

"Promise?" Jungkook squeaked.

Taehyung leaned in, his lips meeting Jungkook's. The kiss was brief and gentle- not like the ones they had shared before, it wasnt rushed or pulled- they simply pressed their lips together savoring the sweet taste in silence.

Jungkook closed his eyes in content and warmth- his mind syncing with the familiarity of Taehyung's touch, as the silver haired male leaned back.

The mild salty taste of tears lingered on Taehyung's lips that slowly curved into a small smile watching Jungkook's doe eyes flutter open, his whole state a little calmer than before.

"I promise."

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Author's Note:

This chapter made me sad....... tbh and if it made you guys sad too I'm sorry :(  

Honestly... Hold Me Tight, hits me in the face everytime I listen to it. Like heLLo- stop making me cry... it's literally one of my favourite songs and I love it so much.

Next chapter will hold a lot more surprises and an insight on Jungkook's secret caller, so I can assure that you'll love it hehe.

Thanks for reading, voting and commenting... ily♡

Lemme know your thoughts on this chapter.

VOTE.COMMENT.SHARE.FAN

Stay safe yall-

Love,
Jaye