✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

tap
tap
tap

taehyung could hear the sound of water droplets gently hitting the sink, accompanied by the rhythmic ticking of the clock. it reached taehyung's ear but then it didn't.

because of how loud the thoughts were inside his head.

that mere text from jungkook.

you need to see this.

the strange feeling it evoked lingered within him. after countless days or perhaps even months, jungkook decided to reach out to him. and not just through a simple text message, but with the intention of meeting face to face, to show him something.

taehyung couldn't afford to spend any more time idly contemplating the implications of the message. instead, he needed to prepare himself to meet jungkook, to find out what it is that jungkook was eager to share with him.

however, that strange feeling was forbidding him from doing so.

something didn't feel right.

but he had no time to waste. jungkook had sent him an address and taehyung failed to recognize the place. if he had to go, he needed to go right now.

ruffling his already messy brown hair, taehyung let out a sigh as he finally stood up and grabbed his car keys.

he wanted to sever all ties with jungkook, yet his heart insisted on their rendezvous. taehyung, unfortunately, was powerless against the sway of his heart's wishes.

"this is the last time"

----

while putting the address into the gps, taehyung observed that the route was identical to bogum's workplace, not in the same area but nearby.

the weird feeling just got weirder.

it took taehyung approximately thirty minutes to arrive at the destination. it was around eleven p.m. when he exited his car, and he was quite surprised to find himself standing in front of a bar.

what the hell jungkook wants to do with him in a bar?

he hoped the raven head didn't have any funny ideas going on. but again, jungkook has always been respectful and cautious in his actions, even when he felt desperate at times.

he also wondered if bogum would be worried when he gets home and doesn't see him there. will he become worried again or maybe overly paranoid, thinking he might be with jungkook again? taehyung shook his head to dismiss such thoughts.

since he had already come, he needed to see jungkook at any cost. his heart yearned for a glimpse of the raven head.

as he found himself immersed in thoughts, his eyes fixated on the vibrant illumination of the bar's lighting banner. suddenly, his attention was abruptly diverted as his phone vibrated within his pocket, jolting him out of his reverie.

he fished out his phone and saw jungkook was calling. gulping his saliva he picked it up, nervous to hear his voice after so long.

"h-hello?" taehyung internally slapped himself for stuttering but his mind stopped working when the other side spoke in the same familiar soothing voice.

"hyung?"

"y-yeah?"

"have you reached the place?"

"mhm. i'm standing in front of the bar. . . where are you?" the question felt heavy on his tongue. asking where jungkook is, what a strange turn of events after ending everything with him.

"come in. i'll be meeting you inside"

"okay"

staring down at the ended call, taehyung bit down on his lower lip. why was his heart beating so fast?

without any further delay, taehyung swiftly made his way into the bar, his hurried steps coming to an abrupt stop as his gaze landed on jungkook, who was standing right before him.

jungkook gazed at him, his eyes resembling those of a gentle doe, devoid of any trace of animosity or dissatisfaction. jungkook's lack of anger perplexed him. after being ignored countless times, why did he make the effort to reach out? taehyung was at a loss, his mind blank as he stood face-to-face with the younger, who exuded his usual towering and inviting presence.

jungkook's outfit consisted of a black hoodie and pants, with a cap shielding his long locks and concealing a portion of his face. yet, despite the enigmatic appearance, taehyung couldn't help but catch a glimpse of a slight smile gracing his pierced lips. the fact that after all that, the raven head still found a reason to smile because of him left taehyung feeling unsure of how to proceed. the weight of confusion and uncertainty settled upon him, leaving him at a loss for what to do.

jungkook took the initiative and started approaching the brunette, who seemed to be in a state of shock, unable to take his eyes off jungkook's face. with the dim lights of the bar casting a soft glow, taehyung's eyes appeared even prettier in the eyes of jungkook.

"hyung"

taehyung licked his lips and looked away.

"what did you want?"

starting a conversation with such a foolish question was definitely not the way taehyung wanted to approach things. the last thing he wanted to know was that particular piece of information. all he really wanted to ask jungkook was how he had been, and why he had suddenly vanished without a trace.

taehyung was genuinely concerned about how jungkook was doing, both physically and emotionally, and whether he was taking care of himself in terms of eating, working, and overall living. however, despite these genuine concerns, taehyung found himself lacking the necessary courage to broach the subject with jungkook.

"straight to the point huh?" jungkook emitted a soft chuckle, his intention not to ridicule taehyung. however, the brunette misinterpreted it as such, observing him once more. upon analyzing the younger's face, he discovered the presence of weary, dark circles beneath his eyes, his hair slightly disheveled beneath the cap, and his complexion exhibiting a faint redness.

jungkook didn't look okay.

but taehyung couldn't bring himself to ask about it. he clenched his fists and looked away.

jungkook noticed the hesitancy in taehyung's actions.

"i don't wanna waste your time, but you really need to see this" he then took taehyung's hand in his which caught taehyung off guard as he widened his eyes but before he could resist in any way jungkook dragged him somewhere.

they successfully navigated their way through the dense crowd within the bar, going through the sea of people until they finally reached the corner of the bar counter where jungkook decided to halt.

"what are you doing?" taehyung finally had the chance to get his hand out of his grip. it was way too overwhelming to have such a skin-to-skin connection with the raven head after what happened.

jungkook stood protectively over him, positioning himself to shield taehyung from the bustling crowd. he inclined his head, gazing deeply into taehyung's eyes with an intense and unwavering focus.

but it wasn't a look of lust, love or even desperation. rather it was sympathy. a look that screamed jungkook was sympathetic towards taehyung. and the brunette didn't know why would he look at him with such emotion.

"i'm sorry hyung"

"a-about what?"

"i didn't want to show this to you. . . but. . ."

"show me what?"

"look straight ahead"

taehyung's eyes moved from jungkook's face to straight ahead and as he did, he felt his heart drop to his stomach.

his eyes widened when they caught the sight of a familiar face. a face he has seen almost all his life. a face that meant everything to him once.

bogum.

how taehyung wished it was only bogum he saw. but he felt excruciating pain when he saw someone else with him.

a woman.

the world around him turned silent as he watched them laughing and talking with their faces all up on each other. the girl's body being pressed sideways to bogum who was sitting comfortably on the couch with a drink in his hand, eyes on her and her only.

a look bogum once had all for him.

however, maybe all that wasn't enough when taehyung tightly clenched his fists watching the girl close the gap between them that was barely there by putting her lips over bogum's.

and bogum fucking kissed back.

"hyung. . ." jungkook almost put his hand on taehyung's shoulder but he stopped himself. he just stared at the side of taehyung's face, noticing tears glistening in his eyes.

taehyung was completely oblivious to the fact that his vision was becoming hazy and his heart rate was gradually decreasing. he couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight of bogum deeply kissing another person with an intense passion. it was a familiar scene, reminiscent of the way bogum used to kiss taehyung. the way their tongues intertwined inside her mouth, the way bogum gently tilted her head, and even the way he lovingly stroked her hair, were all actions that taehyung was once the recipient of.

taehyung's heart shattered to pieces.

he didn't want to watch any longer but how could he not?

when he thought it couldn't get worse, it actually did when they broke the kiss and the girl leaned to his ear and whispered something which made bogum smile. he nodded tipsily and they both stood up.

jungkook slightly covered taehyung so they wouldn't notice them as they both watched bogum and the girl leave the place. bogum tipsily side-hugging her while walking.

when they were out of sight. jungkook uncovered the brunette and sighed,

"i'm sorry. . . you had to see all that-"

taehyung didn't reply, instead he started to walk off and jungkook was fast enough to grab his hand in time.

"wait where are you going?!"

"i need to see where they are going" taehyung's voice was hoarse and shaky as if he was this close to crying. he didn't even look behind at jungkook.

"you sure? what's there more to-"

"please let me. . . please" taehyung almost sobbed. it meant he needed jungkook's cooperation. the brunette knew he couldn't handle himself in this situation alone.

jungkook slightly nodded which taehyung couldn't see, "okay"

with that they sprinted towards the exit and taehyung saw them getting in a cab. he still had the chance to back up but something in him urged him to follow them. he wanted to see the end of it. wanted all of it to be a big joke.

taehyung rushed to his car and jungkook followed, sitting in the passenger seat as taehyung shakily took the steering wheel.

jungkook glanced at his trembling hands and worried further, "i can drive hyung, you don't have to"

"it's okay." when the cab started to drive off, taehyung also started the engine and followed the cab while maintaining distance. but he doubted bogum would notice when he was so busy being all over her.

clenching the steering wheel under his fingers, taehyung bit his lower lip to prevent himself from crying. jungkook looked at the brunette and even though he had a lot to say, he didn't. all taehyung needed was him by his side right now, nothing else.

after following the cab for some time, he stopped the car when they stopped. taehyung's eyes slowly looked up at the place where they had stopped.

really, how could it all worsen further than this?

jungkook also noticed where they were and immediately looked at taehyung. his heart sinking seeing the look on taehyung's face.

his eyes were completely devoid of any light, while tears streamed down his cheeks in large droplets. taehyung reached a point where he could no longer keep his emotions in check.

motel.

bogum and that girl were getting inside a motel.

how funny, how ridiculous. taehyung still wanted to believe otherwise. but how could he when he saw bogum smiling tipsily while being all over her as they entered the motel?

what else did he need as proof?

that park bogum was cheating on him?

"tae, hey, hey look at me! tae!" jungkook grabbed taehyung's face with his hands and made him look at him.

the raven head felt like shit watching tears hungrily streaming down taehyung's face, watching that look of heartbreak in his eyes - as if taehyung had lost everything.

"let's get out of here yeah? please?"

taehyung said nothing more and just cried while nodding his head. he didn't want to be here anymore either.

taehyung couldn't drive anymore so jungkook took the steer instead as he decided to drive off to his place.

the drive back home was silent.

the dull sound of the door unlocking was the cue for them to enter. jungkook made space for taehyung to step inside and he watched him do so while keeping his head low, trying to hide his swollen face.

jungkook locked the door behind him and guided taehyung to sit down because it was clear the brunette didn't have the strength to keep standing up. when he plopped on the nearest couch, jungkook brought a glass of water to him. taking the glass, he chugs it down rather harshly.

everything was hurting so much that taehyung didn't know what to do anymore.

it made him wonder when did he ever know what to do? all he ever took were wrong decisions. all wrong.

jungkook took a seat beside him and placed his hand on the older's thigh who wasn't bothered by such skinship anymore. taehyung's head was just too occupied with what he saw a while ago.

jungkook decided to keep the silence, thinking taehyung might not be okay with talking right now. however, the older was first to break the awkward silence with a throaty chuckle. a chuckle so bitter it worried jungkook slightly as he stared at the side of taehyung's stoic face.

"no wonder he was always coming home late"

"hyung. . ."

"i have known him forever yet turns out i never actually knew him" another bitter chuckle left his lips.

"i don't even know. . . should i be mad at him? he cheated, yeah so what did i do? what the hell did i do then jungkook?" taehyung turned his head to jungkook. his tearful eyes seeking answers from the raven head who just helplessly stared back at him.

"you and that bastard aren't the same"

"yeah? what makes me different?" taehyung grabbed the hand that was on his thigh and put pressure on it. "what jungkook?"

"you tried loving him, despite everything he did to you. you even broke things with me because you thought it was wrong. you realized your mistake tae, which that son of a bitch will never!"

"but that doesn't make a difference jungkook. i still. . . i still cheated, i still slept with you and i still fell for you while being with him. . . so what gives me the right to be mad at him for doing the same?"

"yeah maybe not. maybe you two are the same, and so what? at least you don't tell him you love him anymore, do you?"

taehyung gazed into his eyes and parted his lips in shock. "how. . . how do you know?"

jungkook smiled subtly and grabbed both of taehyung's hands. stroking them while he lowered his head, "you're pure tae, you might think you are dirty now that you have feelings for me while being married. but you did your best to save that broken marriage. you tried your best even though you wanted to be with me. you prioritized him over yourself, your own happiness. who does that to someone who fucking raped them? who turns out to be cheating on them?"

taehyung just looked into jungkook's eyes. he had no words, he didn't think he was a saint here nor he believed he was in the right. but jungkook, this man was still here for him. despite all the shit he put him through.

"why?"

"huh?"

"why are you still here? after what i said to you? why do you still care?" taehyung let out, in a whisper.

"why you ask?" jungkook inched his way toward taehyung, closing the distance between them until their arms were touching. their faces were so near that they could clearly hear the sound of each other's strong and rapid heartbeats resonating in the air.

"because i love you tae, i love you so much"

"even after all that i put you through?"

he playfully scrunched his nose and nodded. "even after all that"

"but why?"

"love is stupid hyung. it has made me vulnerable" jungkook half-heartedly smiled as he looked down at their tangled hands.

"plus, remember i said i'll be here whenever you need me?" he tilted his head and looked into taehyung's tearful eyes.

once again, tears cascaded down taehyung's face, his sobs reverberating through the room. not able to keep himself together anymore, he buried his head against jungkook's shoulder. the weight of his emotions consumed him and he couldn't help but let the tears flow freely.

jungkook wrapped his arms around the older and stroked his hair, closing his eyes as he said words of comfort. just like he always does.

once taehyung had regained his composure, he gently moved away and settled himself against the comfortable couch, his gaze fixated on the expanse of the ceiling above. jungkook followed and positioned himself beside taehyung.

a few minutes passed and taehyung again spoke first,

"he said he loved me. what a bullshit"

"told you, he was a real asshole" jungkook shrugged.

"i've been with him for such a long time that it got to a point where it felt like we were practically the same person. it was like i could read his thoughts and he could read mine. i thought we had a really strong understanding of each other. but look at us now." taehyung sighed, he didn't feel like crying anymore but his heart was heavy, so heavy.

"do you regret it?"

"regret what?"

"falling in love with him?"

"maybe not" jungkook glanced at him, a hurtful expression on his face which taehyung didn't notice as he was staring up at the ceiling.

"i mean, it was nice as a teenage love. but maybe taking it so far as marriage was a horrendous decision" taehyung chuckled bitterly again.

"but still, everything was fine a few months back. why did he have to go ruin it all?" taehyung hid his face with his arm and sighed.

he didn't love bogum anymore but he did treasure his time with the male. they had each other's back all this time, of course if someone was with him forever, he was allowed to miss it, wasn't he?

but unexpectedly, bogum's attitude towards him took a drastic turn for the worse. starting with the abrupt harsh behavior, then his abusive tendencies and constantly seemed to be annoyed by his presence. it was as if the love that once radiated between them had completely vanished into thin air. and turns out he did really fall out of love.

so why did he lie? tell him he loved him? why did he look so desperate to fix things? why the hell did he look so lifeless? was all that just an act?

"maybe it was destiny" jungkook spoke.

"which brought you to me" hearing the raven head, taehyung shifted his gaze from the ceiling towards his side, where he found jungkook already looking back at him, a warm smile adorning his face.

their eyes locked.

and taehyung smiled.

but then his smile dropped as he asked with a soft voice,

"it hasn't been long since we met. so why does it feel like i have actually known you for years?"

jungkook's eyes slightly enlarged at the question.

"i don't know, do you?" jungkook grinned.

"hey, i'm being serious!"

"yeah yeah" jungkook chuckled.

"seriously, you. . ." taehyung trailed off when he realized they had gotten closer again which he didn't think they will after what he did.

"jungkook"

"yes?"

"i love you"

jungkook's eyes lit up.

"and it doesn't feel wrong anymore" taehyung confessed, his eyes shining under the light.

"so you won't run away anymore?"

"no" taehyung said out clear.

"you won't leave me again?"

"i won't ggukie" the familiar nickname gave jungkook butterflies. he childishly smiled and asked again,

"will you leave him for me?"

taehyung paused.

his smile wiped off.

jungkook's smile faded too.

until,

taehyung leaned closer and kissed him.

taehyung gently placed his soft, heart-shaped lips onto jungkook's, creating a seamless connection as they delicately met. after a tender moment, he leaned back, allowing their sweet connection to linger in the air.

jungkook, being shocked stared at the now grinning brunette.

"is that even a question?"

jungkook didn't need to ask anything else. all he did was smash their lips together harder this time. wrapping his arms around taehyung he passionately kissed him.

this time, as lovers.

not as an affair anymore.

━━━━━━━━━━

been so long i forgot how to write lol. hope it was bearable to read :"D

a lot more coming ahead, buckle up your seats~