Chapter 38: A Reunion of unlikely sorts

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A/N: lost track of words with wanting to squeeze in the set of events in one chapter and wrote over 8k. Yeah- *sighs*

i had been excited to write this chapter but then I faced a writer's block and had to delay... but, I love how this chapter turned out omg....

Sweetness overload at the end- ;-;♡
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For many days, Seoul Police Department struggled amidst the chaos. It seemed as if they were put down on a paper boat, against a torrential rainstorm of tumbling hopes and utter despair.

It wasn't easy... the relentless pressure from both- the public and the media that had set down to the streets, despite the control and cooperation, was nothing but slash of shame and incompetence to the whole face of the Department.

The news of the horrifying serial murders, had long passed through the barriers, invoking interests from lot more foreign nations than it would have.

If anything, it was disappointing... shameful even.

But amidst the chaos, a ray of sunshine had finally sparked up over the blizzard-ridden days.

Maybe it was how Hoseok would simply say it outloud sometimes, 'God hasn't abandoned us...'

And although, Taehyung was no longer a believer, he couldn't help but subconsciously agree...

Maybe... maybe that's what it was.

He pushed the door open to the sturdy white interrogation room. His eyes flickered towards the one way-window that casted his reflection.

Pulling onto the lapel of his jacket with one hand, he gripped the file with the other.

His gaze then drifted down to the man who was cuffed to the table. His face was grim, his eyes dark and foul with hidden madness. His hair was slicked back, to reveal his face that held fine lines of aging- but it didn't conceal his odd charm, showing the man may have been handsome during his youthful days.

Yet, the sneer he wore on his lips- the same sneer, that every convict with ties to the bearer of hush-money proudly wore, was a little too aggravating even for those who watched the interrogation unfurl behind the one-way window.

"Han SoJoong..." Taehyung somberly called out, dragging the empty chair to take his seat opposite to the man.

Taehyung read out from the file"...aged 38, charges for robbery, illegal importing, illegal production and distribution of illicit drugs, lethal drugs, Deceit, Arson, attempted murder charges..." Taehyung looked up, his face blank as ever "..tax evasion."

"These are the charges filed against you from the past 15 years." Taehyung continued, folding his fingers on the table.

"For someone who graduated from a prestigious university of Science, why would you go about and create something as lethal as DrugD2?"

SoJoong returned his gaze, just as calm as the Detective.

"Is that what you all call? DrugD2? I was hoping for something creative at least..." he mocked, not letting go of the sneer on his lips.

"And why would I create it, you ask?" He chuckled, throwing his head back leisurely "who knows?"

"All great villains were great men, exceptional, brilliant... you could say, I looked up to them haha"

"..."

Taehyung pursed his lips, before sweeping his gaze at the man once more.

"So you do take the credit for producing and distributing DrugD2 illegaly, against the law and the approval of the National Drug Committee.. yes?"

SoJoong shrugged "yes... yeah- I mean- I had no reason to not to."

Taehyung's eyebrow shot up "no reason not to?" He enquired. "Your whole project was funded?"

"Funded?!" SoJoong guffawed, seemingly amused. "I wouldn't say that Mr.Detective... who would invest in a rip-off pharmaceutical professional with a criminal record afterall?"

He grinned maniacally "well ofcourse its an exception for the kind lady who saw potential in my creativeness"

"Lady?" Taehyung cut in "is this lady you speak of, your partner in crime? Or a debtor?"

"Oh- oh- haha no- not a partner in crime... not for the most I suppose- maybe- maybe not... but debtor it is..." SoJoong quickly replied.

Taehyung's eyes slightly narrowed, his tongue rolling back to his molars. He exhaled, clicking the tip of the the pen as he straightened his posture.

"Have you seen this woman? What is her name? What does she look like?" Taehyung asked, although he wasn't really hoping for an answer looking at the man's strange behaviour.

But SoJoong simply shrugged, "never seen her, never heard her either... she would show up and disappear when it pleased."

"How is that you've never seen her, if she would show up and dissappear whenever she wanted then?" Taehyung questioned, a little too skeptical and confused from noticing that Han SoJoong was giving away his debtor just like that.

Taehyung couldn't help but wonder, if the man was even telling the truth or was simply driving them in circles.

The more Taehyung stared into SoJoong's darker irises, the more of an unsettling feeling rested deep into his bones.

"She covers her face... they all do." He answered, his fingers tapping rhythmically tapping on the desk.

Taehyung could feel the intense atmosphere, even the pressure emitting from the other side of the window, but he didn't give in to look at their way.

"There are more?" He calmly asked instead, looking at SeJoong.

Those big black irises, although venomously dark, seemed ghostly pale for some reason.

There was just... something... sinister about it, not murderous- but sinister, almost as if it were beckoning evil.

Almost... almost... soulless.

"There never is One, Mr. Detective... not among us. Father-Father, Mother-Mother, Brother-Brother, Sister-Sister, Friend-Friend, Teacher-Teacher, Lover-Lover... it could be me, it could be you, it could be them" he paused, tilting his head in the direction to the window that casted their reflection

He grinned "...it could be anyone. Yet, we can't be the One... so, there can only be more of us instead. Heart to Heart. Mind to Mind. Eye to Eye. And Soul to Soul."

Taehyung lowered his gaze, the stiffling silence swallowing the interrogation room, same as the room adjacent to it.

Lieutenant Mingyu, Johnny, Seulgi, Hoseok, Jihyo and few others from Unit4 who were witnessing the procedure, all had their lips sealed.

A light frown danced on Lt. Mingyu's face.

Johnny, like many others in the room held an aggravated expression from the bizzareness of what the man had spouted.

Hoseok stayed neutral for the most, but his warm eyes naturally hardened with discomfort. His gaze momentarily flickered to the floor, before it picked up to run across everybody else's expression in the room and then to permanently rest on Taehyung and SoJoong.

However, Jihyo and few others held a grim expression, unaffected but discomfort still managed to creep up to them.

"You have crossed paths with the Reaper havent you Mr. Han?" Taehyung finally looked up, a hazy mist in his dark irises.

Han SoJoong leaned forth, the metal chains jingling as it reeled in. His eyes glimmered with surprise and a menacing grin stood proudly on his lips "what makes you think, I myself am not the Reaper, Mr. Detective?"

Taehyung shot a half smile with complete mocking intent "I don't know Mr. Han... my gut tells me so."

SoJoong laughed at that, seemingly amused even though there was nothing to laugh at.

"You're impressive Mr.Detective...  yes yes, I'm not the Reaper... I can't really stand the sight of blood." He admitted, leaning back into the chair, quite relaxed.

"Who is the Reaper? Are they the same person as your Debtor?" Taehyung asked, his thumb clicking onto the tip of the pen.

The timed clicking sound resonating in the quiet room.

"Going straight to the point, are we?" SoJoong sneered, his canines jabbing wickedly.

"Answer the question Mr. Han."

"Ah~ who knows? I've never seen the Reaper for one and my Debtor keeps changing, so there is no point in asking me if I know a face, for I know none- besides... not everything you see is as it seems Mr.Detective...Faces are deceptive" SoJoong whispered, madness dancing in his irises.

Taehyung pursed his lips "are you telling me, you are Deceptive, Mr.Han?"

SoJoong's lips parted, a grin making its way through his cracked lips. The teeth that seemed white not too long ago seemed to be tarnished with pale yellow and green.

As if, stuck in an illusion- the man before Taehyung no longer seemed to appeal a charm- his clean skin, seemed to carry wide patches of red and purple.

Taehyung blinked, inhaling air through his nose with his teeth in a grit, his line of vision finally coinciding from the sudden trance.

"I am as I am, but I am true Mr. Detective." SoJoong meekly replied, yet the amusement didn't rest in his eyes.

Taehyung looked down at the file, an odd sensation gnawing at his insides, but he didn't let it show on his face.

He shifted his gaze back to SoJoong, and continued with his unnervingly calm tone. "For someone who drew hands with a Serial Killer, aiding and providing- you seem pretty relaxed, even whilst giving away your debtor, giving away yourself... how could we know if what we're seeing right now, is as it seems? How can I know you're nothing but a deception?"

SoJoong's expression slightly darkened at the words, but he quickly recovered from it. "You have no other choice but to trust me Mr. Detective"

"I find it questionable Mr.Han. Although you seem to view your position in this whole mess to be high-ground and then your Debtors and so the Reaper that you look up to- why is that let their hold off of you this time?" Taehyung asked, his tone and gaze intense and piercing, knowing the right measures to prick at.

"You sure did seem to have a lot of help to escape the previous attempts of your capture, you had the benefits from your Debtor and their armed men beside you. But this time, nor did you have their aid in your escape, nor did you attempt on escaping. Why did you still sit back to be caught?"

"Caught?" SoJoong picked out with a chuckle, his tone humorless, an odd sense of distaste dripping from it. He tilt his head and then proceeded to talk,  "what makes you think, you caught me and not, I let myself be caught?"

Taehyung pulled his lips into a taut line, knowing well he had finally managed to get under the man's thick skin.

Taehyung smiled, devoid of humor "well if you say that- then it shows your debtor no longer had any use of you."

"Even if you played high ground for once, in the end you are still discarded."

Han SoJoong grit his teeth at the sentence, his eyes simultaneously darkening at it. His fingers curled on the desk as vein popped up on his forehead.

"Its quite the shame, isn't it?" Taehyung blinked innocently, his tone low and dark, slithering like a poisonous viper "to finally find someone who would invest so much in your abilities, but would still throw you away like a used papercup?"

"You intended to distribute your knowledge to hurt people in return, just to favor their attention... its a little pathetic isn't it?" Taehyung chuckled, his bright eyes observing each and every movement.

Feeling the tension intensify, Taehyung murmured a 'bingo' in his head.

"Your knowledge.. your struggle-"

"You know Nothing!!" SoJoong suddenly yelled with rage, jumping to his feet but not quite enough for him to stand straight, since he was still cuffed to the table.

Hunched over the table, he spit venomously trying to recover his mask as he jeered "I've got nothing left to lose..."

Taehyung, unfazed continued smiling at the man. He could almost forsee few of the officers from the room adjacent, scurry out and into the interrogation room to completely restrain SoJoong.

"You've lost Han SoJoong. This is the end of the line for you."

And just as Taehyung said, he heard the door to the interrogation room and few hurried footsteps step in.

"No- it's not-" SoJoong managed to sneer, when he was forcibly pulled back into his chair by the officer who grit out a 'sit back down you-'

Taehyung hopped to his feet, looking down at the man who was restrained but still had his hideous grin plastered on his lips.

Hair frenzied and forehead sweaty, he croaked out with a menacing look in his eyes.

"I've seen hell already... there is no end of the line for me." He laughed out evily, his chest heaving as he struggled against the officers "Giving myself away for a greater cause is what I will be rewarded for in the future. When it will finally rain fire you will realize, that my debtor hasn't abandoned me- but it will be too late for you! Too late for you all hahahah!"

Taehyung casted a mere cold glance at the man, before turning away on his heels.

"Lock him up."

"Your time will come Detective Kim! Your time will come!!" He yelled out, malice dripping from his tone. His nerves strained against his skin, throbbing wildly.

The madness in his eyes didn't rest for once, as he hissed, laughed and roared all at once. The fire of insanity beamed bright, almost frighteningly, quivering and shaking all over.

The officers unlocked the chain to the desk, and pulled SoJoong up to his feet, manhandling him into walkimg forth as the man struggled in their arms.

"...Hahaa Too late! And then you will know what being abandoned truly means like- abandoned- abandoned by God himself! Hahahhahahahah hahaaahaha"

SoJoong lunged on Taehyung, but the latter was swiftly pulled back by a form hand.

SoJoong narrowed his eyes, hissing like a viper and foaming with his teeth bared- not looking any different than a captured beast. His nerves straining on his neck, his eyes dark, he incoherently cursed out. His words disordered and not quite understood.

The officers let out a grunt and gripped SoJoong even more harshly, taking him away and out of the Interrogation room.

The trace of his crazed laughter and curses enveloping the air before it grew completely silent.

Taehyung exhaled, his eyes stuck to the closed door, the unsettling feeling blooming in his stomach.

"You okay?" A warm voice cut in, and Taehyung turned to face Jihyo. Her face calm, yet embracing a frown at the same time.

Taehyung nodded, pursing his lips. His tanned features, bearing a sheen layer of frost. Unfazed and Unprovoked, he stood still, only being able to recall- but not decipher the disordered whisper that SoJoong managed to grit through his teeth.

"Cripes- and they say everyday we strive farther away from God." Johnny clicked his tongue, his voice booming in the quiet of the room.

With his arms propped over his waist, he continued "...might as well go light some candles and incense now- what? I'm just saying-" he scoffed, noticing the disapproving looks he received from the officers that soon began to disperse out of the room.

"That's messed up man.." Hoseok sighed exasperated, shaking his head.

"Taehyung- this is the recorded clip you asked for." Hoseok piped up, pulling out a rectangular black device in his hand.

"Where did you get that from?" Jihyo asked, surprised and amused at the same time.

Hoseok paused midway, smiling sheepishly "uh- I've got a friend who's all up in technology and all-"

Jihyo scoffed, "alright- don't let this friend of yours steal all of my light. I've got a reputation to keep in here." She chuckled lightly.

"I'm gonna go check over the rest of the tapes we receieved and let yall know. I'm on a diet by the way, so don't wait up for me!" She announced, lazily throwing her hands up, walking past the three and out of the room.

"Uh Hoseok?" Taehyung called out, turning to face the male.

Hoseok blinked rapidly, turning to look at Taehyung "Oh- oh yeah- sorry. Zoned out a bit there haha" he chuckled awkwardly

"here. Take it"  he said, handing over the device to Taehyung, who mumbled a thanks and shoved the device into his pocket.

"Where's the Lieutenant?" Taehyung asked, looking at the two.

"Oh- Jaekyun is keeping him occupied right now." Johnny answered, as the three moved to the door to exit the room.

"Jaekyun? Oh- right. Unit 2 and 3." Taehyung hummed to himself. Jaekyun, had afterall climbed up the ladder of promotion, receiving the label of the star officer who led Unit 2 and 3, successfully capturing the criminal, Han SoJoong and his main base.

"The casualties?" Taehyung asked, his hands popped up on his waist.

"None actually- few had surprisingly fainted just from thin air... its suspected to be some sort of gas leak-  but we had the Doctor check up on them. They said, its nothing too complex, but since we're speaking about air from someone's lair who created DrugD2- everyone on the mission are made to take complete tests and scans... just to be safe "

Taehyung exhaled, nodding in agreement.

"You know what Taehyung-" Johnny paused, his expression deep, as if he were contemplating whatever he was about to say "I've been thinking- you know... maybe we should- bring a therapist- uh psychiatrist when we interview Han next?"

"A psychiatrist?" Hoseok repeated, his eyebrows scrunched up with confusion.

"What are you both looking at me like that for?!" Johnny pointed at the two "atleast be glad Hoseok hasn't yet said an exorcist!"

"Why would I say an exorcist?!" Hoseok retorted, annoyed and baffled all together.

"Because you are the first one to shit pants when it has anything to do with this The Conjuring- alike shiz!!" Johnny shot back, wiggling his fingers and twisting his facial expressions in an attempt of looking scary.

"Fuck you! Don't touch me bastard!" Hoseok hissed, annoyed and embarrassed at what Johnny said, because he indeed had thought of it for a split second when Han SoJoong began yelling and babbling about some Rain of Fires and what not-

Throwing a wicked glance he moved away from Johnny who erupted into a teasing laughter.

Johnny heaved a sigh, ruffling his hair up "It was trippy... all that he said. I'm not really deep into religion and all of that. But damn- I had goosebumps all over me. Felt like I was at a shootout."

Taehyung sighed, a little tired "well we'll have to just see how it goes for now... if there comes a time, where we'll need external help for answers, we can introduce a third person." Taehyung paused, his gaze firm and bright "besides, the fact that he collaborated with the Reaper is what is important right now."

"Although he confessed that he has never seen the Reaper, we must not leave it at that. We have to look into each and every possibility."

"His debtor could indeed be the Reaper, or if its how he says- that his debtor kept changing, we cannot assume the Reaper either. Or maybe, his debtor knows the Reaper... it could be any of them. He said his debtor is a woman, but the person I came across at the Cosplay Con was a man. One of them might be the Reaper, or both could be on the same line as that of the Debtors. So... they necessarily might not be the reaper, but more of them under a single title... "

"And if thats how it is, it explains why none of the victims had any correlation"

Hoseok hummed in agreement. "That makes sense... we have to keep looking through all the angles. The Reaper may no longer be one person... or even if it is, there are a lot of people backing them up..."

"Well- it's safe to say that if we managed to trap Han, the Reaper isn't far off from our hands..." Johnny added, a warm grin on his lips, brightening the atmosphere with his optimism.

Taehyung and Hoseok both simultaneously smiled at that. Hoseok's smile was comparatively bigger and warmer, whilst Taehyung managed to pull through a small smile, just as warm.

"Look at the hour- sheesh.. its past 2pm. Hungry anyone?" Johnny groaned, stretching his limbs.

"Yeah let's get ourselves some chicken for the massive feat Unit2 and 3 acc-" Hoseok followed up, to receive a jab from the taller male. Rolling his eyes, he continued "Unit2 and 3 and Johnny who navigated the mission through the line. Happy?"

"Very much haha!" Johnny grinned at the appraisal.

They chuckled along, walking beside each other.

"Heart to Heart. Mind to Mind. Eye to Eye. Soul to Soul... that's how you figured it out, wasn't it? I just realized. " Hoseok looked at Taehyung.

"It was too specific but blunt at the same time. Plus... I've got this nasty feeling that the victim's missing organs didn't go on donations..." Taehyung pursed his lips, his tone low and aggravated. His ice cold features brimming to the notch, but it no longer was hostile.

"Same." Johnny joined in, his lips tugged downwards with distaste. He looked up, lazily scratching his head and his eyes immidiately lit up.

"Ah! Ah! Jennie! Hey!" Johnny hollered and the woman turned to him, surprised and then annoyed when her gaze fell on Johnny, but just as her gaze drifted, it muddled up into disguised irritation and hurt.

"Hey- you wanna join us for lunch? I can treat you if y-" Johnny continued with his approach, but was however blatantly ignored when the woman passed right past them, with a soft 'no thankyou'

Johnny pursed his lips, feigning a hurt expression as he clutched his chest, where his heart rested. He heaved a sigh, obnoxiously loud from the blatant rejection.

"Ah.. women." He mumbled, dazed. Hoseok, holding the same expression as the other.

"Hya- Taehyung" Johnny grumbled, looking at the said male who more or less looked expressionless, even when a whole beauty seemed to have shed tears over him.

He continued, "...did you say anything to make her mad? She casted one look at you and then went to throw up."

Taehyung scoffed, uninterested on the most but couldn't help but take offense at the deliberate tone.

The rest? He couldn't really bring himself to care- besides, it was none of his business eitherway.

"I'm leaving." He rolled his eyes and began walking off.

Striving to hold his laughter in, Johnny followed with a panicked tone ans a chuckling Hoseok "Hey- hey! I was kidding! I was just kidding! Taehyung! Take some pointers for once or you are gonna end up being a monk! Taehyung!!"

*******

Taehyung followed Hoseok into the familiar restaurant. His cool numb fingers immidiately, warming up to the air. He let out a sigh of relief as his body accustomed itself to the indoor warmth, in comparison to the harsh cold wind and snow outdoors.

Winter in Seoul was again, brutal as ever- leaving his skin flushed and cold.

Taehyung hated the cold.

"Hello sirs! Welcome to Joohi's." A woman chirped up, her eyes bright.

"Hi! Uh- can we have a table?" Hoseok enquired.

The waitress pressed a taut smile on her lips. "Unfortunately, there is no seat available. If you're willing to wait for 15 more minutes, then perhaps we could arrange you one."

Fifteen more minutes?

The three simultaneously thought, sighing inwardly. They had driven to two other places, where one had already closed and other demanded 30minutes leeway.

It was frustrating.

At dire times like these, they shared the same braincell, wishing it was certified to flash their batches and gain quick access- but oh well... not only was it frowned upon, it was also illegal to do so.

"Sure! We'll wait!" Hoseok pulled a forced smile, glancing back at the two with a atleast-they-didnt-ask-us-to-wait-for-30minutes.

The waitress bowed and quickly dispersed.

Taehyung sighed, pulling out his phone to check his messages.

There really wasn't anything amusing and even if there was, Taehyung didn't indulge into it, unless the discussion itself has something to do with him, Hoseok, Johnny, Jihyo or Jin... the rest- well... he was not much acquainted with the rest. He was a quiet person like that.

He was about to shut his phone, but a message soon popped up on his  screen.

Areum?

"Hey- hey- doesn't that look like-" Johnny mumbled, his voice distant in Taehyung's ears.

Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed, his thumb hovering above her name on the illuminated screen. He pressed the icon, the message reading, hi, can you call me back?

"-Jungkook?" Johnny murmured, but the name itself was enough to stun a certain someone.

Taehyung froze almost abruptly, his chest expanding and eyes widening, but  he didn't dare to turn around and confirm to wherever Johnny and Hoseok, both were looking at.

"Yeah- it is him." Hoseok mumbled with confirmation.

"He still comes here to eat? Isn't he like some millionaire or something? I thought he only complied because Taehyung is a minima- commoner like the rest of us" Johnny coughed, glancing at the Detective who hadn't yet spoken a word.

Shit.. did he hear that? Johnny panicked.

Taehyung pursed his lips, his face layered with frost, ignoring everything as he swiped on the screen. Areum's profile illuminating brightly on his screen.

Hoseok, who quickly assessed the atmosphere meekly spoke up, chuckling nervously "I think this is taking too long, we should go elsewhere-"

"Or we could just go to his-" Johnny whipped his head to look at Hoseok, who was pleading a desperate no but Johnny was too dense with hunger to even realize the coldness wafting behind him, wasn't the aircon but rather Taehyung, himself.

"..he's eating alone as well. Old buddies bro code okay? Just follow my lead!" Johnny assured, patting Hoseok's shoulder.

"Ah ah ah- Johnny- maybe there is someone else coming. Let's not disturb him alright?" Hoseok grabbed onto the taller male's arm and pulled him back, cursing as much as he could in his head for being blatantly stupid!

Old buddies bro code- what?

What about the already existing bro code? Bro code that Taehyung had apparently become Jungkook-repellent?? What about THAT?! Hoseok cried in his head.

"Someone else? For a guy who is looking miserable and sickly as him, I don't think anybody is coming-" Johnny pointed out his hunger invading his rationality.

Hoseok craned his head over, yeah- Jungkook indeed looked tired and sick. His appearance wasn't spotless and it seemed like he was digging his chopsticks into his bowl of soup, dazed.

Taehyung blankly stared at his screen, his thumb hovering above the 'call' icon.

Jungkook looked miserable? Sick?

Taehyung couldn't help but wonder, if he was alright- but just as soon the thought crossed his mind, he mentally slapped himself.

For someone as sly as Jungkook- he might already have had noticed their presence long ago before they did and settled down to feign a miserable expression, to earn some sympathy.

Taehyung cursed out in his head.

Why should he care?

Its none of his business.

None of his business.

None of h-

Taehyung turned around, equal parts curious and worried, but he perfectly masked his face, not letting the cool frost drop out of order and his eyes fell on the raventte- who, like Johnny had said, seemed to be wallowing in sadness.

Or pretending to do so-

Either way- it didn't seem to stop the taller of the three, to stride forth with a grin on his lips.

"Ah! Jungkook! What a surprise!" Johnny called out, waving his hand.

Surprised, the raven haired male looked up, his face lighting up. His gaze, drifted over to rest on Taehyung, who inhaled sharply, almost instinctively and looking a tad bit meaner with an aura of I'm-not-reconciliating that poured out of him.

Taehyung remained stiff, as he peered into Jungkook's eyes- those ironically bright orbs of eternal abyss that seemed warmer than his own blood.

A small smile curved up Jungkook's lips- seemingly devoid of any of the usual malice or trickery, but withholding a sense of... guilt and shame?

Taehyung's face blanched.

Jungkook really must be sick.

The raventte averted his gaze "Ah! You guys... its been a while I guess?"

Taehyung pursed his lips, an odd feeling of irritation tugging onto his sleeves.

"Yeah! We came down for lunch but uh- the whole place is packed as you see. Do you mind if we join you?" Johnny slapped his hands together, almost comically pleading.

Jungkook chuckled "yeah sure! I dont mind"

With the permission granted, Johnny slid in around the 4-seater table and taking his seat opposite to that of Jungkook.

Hoseok quickly followed the lead and slipped in right next to Johnny all the while avoiding Taehyung's burning gaze that could have dug a hole in his head if it were possible.

The three who were seated around the table, simultaneously looked up at Taehyung, each having different frame of thoughts.

Johnny: sit down and let's order already. I'm starving!!!!

Hoseok: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please forgive me.

Jungkook: ..... Detective Kim?

Swallowing his pride, irritation and anger, Taehyung sat down, taking the only vacant seat- right next to Jungkook.

They didn't talk, nor did they greet each other, completely relying on Johnny who became the source of light amidst the awkwardness.

Truly, hunger could indeed cause miracles in this case.

"You're a life saver! Thought we'd have to skip lunch again" Johnny thanked, sighing.

Jungkook quirked his eyebrow, hearing again and then cautiously glanced at the man seated beside him.

His hands rested on the table, his slender nimble fingers slightly curled.

His bodily warmth profused deep into the Devil's skin, numbing and exhilarating with turns. He could hear his mortal heart thump with a disordered rhythm, like a prey full of hot-blooded lush and life, quivering and shaking to walk into the woods where eyes never rested and the fangs never withdrawed.

Yet, the Detective held an expression so icy calm, that Jungkook, himself could perceive his own observations as incorrect.

He's still mad... Jungkook snickered under his own falsified calmness.

Jungkook who sat so close next to the Detective, was completely doused with the mortal's scent. It was light, breathable but suffocating and dense to Jungkook at the same time. It wasn't bad....

It was good.

Infact too good, that Jungkook felt his throat dry up.

The urge to lean and breathe in the enticing warmth straight up from the Detective's skin was too strong. The gushing blood in his veins, the patch of teasing skin that peeked out of his collars, the exhilaration.... the close proximity didn't help either.

Jungkook could press his nose under the juncture of the Detective's earlobe and his mouth against the peeking taut tanned skin if he could, inhaling as much as he wanted with a single swoop, like a drug.

A drug, so addicting that couldn't restrain the Devil himself.

Jungkook gulped, blinking he looked away.

No... No.

Think about Silver Gates.

Think about your rotten siblings.

Yeah... think about that. Think about old folks retirement homes.

Jungkook chuckled nervously, the fire that was set ablaze within him dying out.

He looked at Hoseok who had suddenly asked him a question amidst his internal turmoil.

"Oh- yeah- not frequently, but sometimes I do come here for food. I'm used to it and can't quite get rid of the flavor haha" he replied, looking at the male.

"Oh by the way- I saw your feat in the news.... So the guy who made DrugD2 was caught huh?" Jungkook said, clasping his fingers together "Han SoJoong, was it? Nasty man, nasty luck." He clicked his tongue.

"What about the Reaper? Is there news about him yet?" Jungkook asked to which Johnny was about to reply but Taehyung cut in quickly, rather coldly.

"Inside information shouldn't be relayed to outsiders."

Cripes...

A single sentence from the man and Johnny felt his hunger dissipate, even if the harshness wasn't really directed at him.

The news that Detective Kim no longer had a partner had run down the Department like a wildfire would. Everyone knew, the only flaw the exceptional officer had- is that he sucked at partnerships. He couldn't mediate, nor did he care enough to- knowing the other would leave eitherway, having already subconsciously attested that the other was not compatible with his skills or knowledge for that matter of fact. And because of this, he'd been regarded as bossy, scary, intimidating, whatnot... On normal days and intervals of not having a partner, Taehyung looked more or less... normal.

But the days after his 'supposed' partner would get transferred or replaced... Taehyung would be back to his conserved, unapproachable episodes.

It was unbearable actually... although Taehyung wouldn't blatantly lash out, yet his merciless remarks did enough damage.

No one really had seen it coming- well they initailly did, but seeing how Taehyung had grown comfortable around Jungkook, they thought, perhaps maybe this time the arrangement would last for atleast a year....

But oh well-

Truth be told, not many knew about what caused the closure between the two. Most of them suspected that Jungkook quit his consultant position on wanting to focus on his own existing job.

But few, suspected an argument- to which Jungkook had to be interrogated under, for its 'certain questionable invalid reasons' but that was it... there wasn't anything more to it.

Jungkook pursed his lips, lowering his gaze as he awkwardly scratched his nape.

Taking pity, Hoseok trudged out of his own uncomfortability he averted the conversation, "I've heard you've been busy these days..."

"Ah yeah... a lot of events are scheduled during this time of the year." Jungkook smiled, with a little shrug "however, I wouldn't say I'm as busy as you are..."

"Ah haha don't say that- work is work" Hoseok waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal, crying inwardly from the stagnant atmosphere

"Excuseme we'd like to order please" Taehyung curtly voiced out, unamused and uninterested.

But none of them complained, quietly ordering their food before succumbing into silence.

Johnny had already pulled out his phone to scourge through global social rubbish on it (which was infact more interesting than his current reality)

Hoseok drifted between finding the ceiling more ceiling-y or the table more table-y all the while he blocked out his entire existence from the restaurant.

As for Taehyung, well... it wasn't all that great.

It felt too suffocating.

He wanted to vent out, maybe run a mile while he was at it- but all he could do was sit tight with his lips sealed.

He could only see Jungkook's hands drawn on the table, beside his bowl that had long gone cold. The Rolex on his wrist shimmered, in an alluring glare.

He could feel Jungkook's eyes, discreetly observing his actions.

Taehyung was very awkward in general.

He couldn't join two and two, and pull out a sentence in an awkward situation, therefore always relying on the other party in these instances.

But Jungkook in this instance- was not opening his mouth at all!

Where the fuck did he leave his brain now?

Did he jabber away all he could while he was still his partner, and then suddenly become spellbound or something?!

Taehyung let out a howl of distress in his head.

Agitated to his limits, he whipped his head to look at the raventte.

"What?!" He barked, annoyed.

Mildly startled, Jungkook chuckled a bit "nothing... I was just- wondering how you've been-"

"Mind your business." Taehyung snapped, ripping his gaze away to stare straight ahead "dont even look at me."

"I-" Jungkook sighed "Detective Kim, you're being unreasonable now."

Taehyung scoffed, incredulously "how am I being unreasonable?"

"Well- this.. this whole thing you're doing right now-" Jungkook replied, not really putting much thought into his words and being completely honest- like the disease it was in dire situations like these.

Taehyung's eyes widened challengingly, his lips curving into a sneer. Offended at the remark, he narrowed his eyes back at the male "oh really? Well all the more reason for you to mind your business then."

"Detec-"

"You quit Jungkook!" Taehyung snapped, glaring furiously "you quit and I accepted it. We were colleagues, but we no longer are. So there's nothing more left for us to talk over about."

Jungkook exhaled, exasperated.

If he had known the Detective would become high-maintenence on bad terms, he would have chosen the option to lie through and stick to good terms, rather than being honest and flipping to the other side.

"But we are friends Detective Kim" Jungkook voiced out, wronged and pitiful.

Those of few who were sitting adjacent to their table and eavesdropping onto the conversation, clicked their tongues and sighed, buying the bait that Taehyung refused to buy.

We are friends.

Taehyung wanted to snort.

For many reasons unknown, the sentence itself felt like someone had poured a pot of oil into his fiery rage, buring brighter to a point where it could no longer burn, but resort to succumb into golden red embers and then down to the blackened ash.

Taehhung grit his teeth, his fingers curling.

"We are not friends Jungkook." Taehyung bit back, with anger dripping from his tone. He shot up to his feet and strode out of the restaurant without another word.

Surprised and baffled expressions sprout out around the table, but Jungkook didn't sit still and quickly took off, following the Detective's trail out of the restaurant.

It was long past noon, yet there was no sight of the blazing sun as heavy clouds crowded overhead, taking the spot. The streets  and car tops were ladened with snow, the cold wind passing through.

"Detective Kim! Wait a minute! Detective Kim! C'mon you can't do this to me" Jungkook groaned, watching the said male hastily wipe off the snow settled on his car's window.

"What am I doing?!" Taehyung grit out, not even turning to face the male.

"This. Ignoring me."

Taehyung abruptly stopped, pursing his lips and turned to face Jungkook with an irritated expression.

"Jungkook. I'm asking you to leave me alone-"

"No I'm not going to-" Jungkook retaliated, frowning.

"You cannot jabber away nonsense and expect people to accept. You cannot quit and then act like you care Jungkook." Taehyung angrily replied, his face flushing from the cold.

Taehyung knew he was being unreasonable... but he couldn't help it.

For once, he had higher hopes, yet it crashed right infront of his eyes. He really couldn't help it.

It hurt.

It was stupid.

But it hurt.

He was only human.

His unreasonable-ness was valid to his own emotions, no matter how bizzare it seemed.

Or perhaps maybe... just maybe- he wanted to hear something... maybe the truth, maybe a reason, maybe an apology...

"Detective Kim..." Jungkook mumbled, his voice low and frail, like a quivering winter blossom petal. Soft and sweet.

"...I care for you. Regardless if I'm your partner or not... it doesn't change that." Jungkook continued with a tone of hurt.

Taehyung, who heard the saccharine tone turned stiff to his feet, unable to process amidst the chaos in his mind, he could only look back up at the male, helpless.

"Its all turning into a mess. I know. I was pretty stupid to lash out like I did... I don't even know what got into me to ask you to drop the case. That was stupid of me. I'm sorry." Jungkook whispered, lowering his gaze to his feet.

"What I had told you regarding the Reaper, was just a speculation, you don't have to take it to your mind..." Jungkook sighed softly, looking back up at the male "it was something I had come across when I was abroad... perhaps I could get you a book and you could look at it?"

"Serial Killers do take inspirations from certain things right? The scriptures and all are a little too familiar. Maybe I'm just a little paranoid and stressed out, but if it would help you with the case, it should be good right?" Jungkook smiled, a little hopeful as his insides twisted uncomfortably.

Jungkook had bullshitted through with his truth-rule, to end up as an utter failure previously, so now, as the supposed 'scheming-evil-cruel-unholy' Devil that he was, he resorted to his crowned nature to lie straight through his teeth, yet it felt horrible.

How could even mortals lie and be so carefree about it?!

Lying to Detective Kim felt absolutely the worst.

Although it wasn't a complete lie- yes, he did feel sorry for what he did as the Master of Spontaneous dumb choices. Yes, he was paranoid and stressed out when it happened. Yes the scriptures were definitely familiar.

But the whole book-he-came-across thing? Nah...

If the Detective were to buy this sort of believable trash, Jungkook had it sorted out that he would return to forge the very book he speaks of, under the name of an anonymous author who died in the 1850s.

If that would mend their breaking friendship and provide certain safety measures for the mortal, Jungkook didn't care to lie, even if it felt horrible.

"A book?" The Detective questioned, clearly suspicious.

"Yep... you know what they say- knowledge is power. I didn't say so before because I was called delusional enough..." Jungkook shrugged.

Taehyung seemed to contemplate and then he looked up, "fine. Get it then. I'll have a look at it myself."

Jungkook grinned, pleasantly surprised but his expression soon fell noticing that the mortal was adamant on leaving eitherway.

"Ah- ah Detective Kim-" Jungkook called out, pausing when the said male turned to face him.

Small flakes of white had settled down on his unruly dark locks, and his face flushed with a peach pink color from the cold.

His eyes seemed soft, his lips pursed together to withdraw from the cold.

"I.. I have something to ask you." Jungkook mumbled, dazed at the sight.

He stepped a foot ahead, closer to the Detective to gently wrap his hand around the Detective's fingers.

Taehyung jumped at the gesture, as if singed by a burning metal, he instinctively backed away only for his back to collide against his car.

Jungkook, who held no perception of personal space whatsoever crept closer, and boldly tightened his grip around the Detective's cold hand, letting his own unyeilding warmth perfuse through the mortal's icy skin.

It wasnt like he didn't respect the other- he did, infact more than anyone would and he was sure, if the Detective was really uncomfortable with the gesture, the mortal would have long smacked him with the his dominant hand.

"W-What are you doing?! Let go" Taehyung managed to put forth few words, flustered and shocked. A jolt of electricity shot up his arm, spreading to his chest, his head, his legs, everywhere, muddling up his senses like a prey caught at the fangs of its predator, Kim Taehyung, could only watch Jeon Jungkook.

"Detective Kim..." Jungkook breathed softly, his expression again set down stream carrying a sorrowful boat to wade through it.

"Do you... do you think I'm selfish too?" He asked, his voice tender, almost remorseful carrying an untold hint of pain and hurt.

Taehyung was mildly startled at this. With his emotions and senses in a disarray, he wanted to bark out a 'Yes! Now get lost!'

But the more he looked at the raventte, the more he felt his chest twist into a coil, sealing away his spiteful tongue.

It felt, like there was more to what he had said.

Taehyung was only used to the Jungkook's loud, teasing, taunting, incomprehensible chattering nature. As of for this side of his- Taehyung really didn't know what to make of it.

The last time he had witnessed this face, was when Jungkook had asked the meaning behind of 'being loners'

And the way that night ended-

Taehyung felt blood rush up to his face and neck- and this time, the cold had nothing to do with it.

"H-How am I supposed to know?! Ugh- let go of me now!" Taehyung fumbled with his words.

"Please Detective Kim" Jungkook pressed on.

Taehyung paled and reddened simultaneously.

Is Jungkook really sick?!?!?

Not only was he saying Sorry, he even pulled out a Please.

Taehyung was now extremely worried for some reason.

"To keep going forth despite all the signs to stop, to keep pursuing despite the danger... to keep pushing through my conscience to cater my needs..." Jungkook lips quivered a bit, his breaths low and hot, "the only thing I need..."

"Am I selfish... to do so, Detective Kim? Am I selfish, to pursue something I finally want?"

Taehyung leaned back from the closing warmth that wrapped around him. Brimming brighter and hotter with each second, as if it were to swallow him whole. To tear through his skin and lick his bones. To drink him dry to his soul.

Taehyung swallowed a lump in his throat, his heart rate escalating, as he subconsciously wished for a cave to open up and teleport him away.

Taehyung wasn't even sure of what Jungkook was speaking about anymore. The only thing he could manage to focus on, was his entiwned hand with warm fingertips pressing tightly onto his skin and his own erratic heartbeat, which he feared the raventte would hear.

Kim Taehyung... was infact panicking down to his very last bone.

He couldn't hear the male talk anymore either, it seemed like he had long gone silent. With his eyes lowered to the snow ladened ground, Taehyung could no longer see Jungkook to confirm or deny- perhaps maybe he had managed to hear his heart-

His face paled.

Taehyung wanted to run.

Taehyung wanted to run as far as he could, yet he was chained.

How did it end up like this?!

Amidst Taehyung's mental turmoil, a warm hand cupped his cheek, slowly raising his head.

Taehyung could hear alarms blaring in his head.

As if he were paralyzed, he could no longer contort his get-away mean expression on his face. With his eyes widened, flushed face and a confusion drifting on his features, Taehyung no longer wanted to know what he looked like at the moment. He didn't want to hear it at all.

But when he looked up at Jungkook, who held a comforting smile on his lips, his dark irises of endless abyss shimmering with a thin glaze, Taehyung couldn't find it within himself to deny the man's sheer beauty.

Jeon Jungkook... was indeed a handsome man.

"You are cold..." Jungkook exhaled softly, his thumb gently caressing on Taehyung's flushed cheek.

"You don't have to answer me, Detective Kim..." he continued, smiling sadly

"Guess I am a little selfish..." Jungkook muttered, as if he were convincing a bitter truth to himself.

Taehyung didn't respond, remaining starstruck, his voice locked away.

Jungkook solemnly withdrawed his hands, his gaze lowered as if he were guilty to look straight into the Detective's eyes.

The cool breeze blew harshly, but it wasn't as cold Taehyung's skin that was no longer embraced by the hearth of eternal flame.

It felt cold.

Taehyung grit his teeth, inhaling sharply when a soft fabric of a familiar scent flew over him.

With a focused gaze, the raventte wrapped the scarf around Taehyung's neck. Tediously attending, he tied down a loose knot at the crown of his collarbones.

"You need to stay warm Detective Kim... you'll worry me otherwise..." Jungkook spoke, still focused on the task while Taehyung stared down at the mop of raven hair.

Unbridled sprouts of long-forgotten emotions pricked out of Taehyung's heart, bleeding with warmth, to tug onto his ribs and push its way out of his chest. Innocent and hungry, for the affection.

To tear and claw open, just for a bit of the affection.

His heart bled.

Like a patch of dry land, that never had its chance to bloom, a small flower had finally sprouted in the vast emptiness. Pitiful and quivering, still scared.

It bloomed.

Taehyung bit his bottom lip, blinking away his unshed tears and looked away, hiding from the bright black irises that had cast him into a sea of emotions.

Luckily for Taehyung, Jungkook didn't tamper much around anymore, maintaining a proper distance between the two.

Taehyung noticed Jungkook put his hand into his coat and pull out something, which he pressed it into the Detective's cold hand.

"Here... I won't trouble you anymore. Please go back inside and have your lunch...hm?" Jungkook said, his expression soft. He smiled a bit, satisfied and then stepped away.

Taehyung opened his mouth and closed, wanting to say something, but then his rationality slammed straight into his senses, as he blurted out, almost immidiately "Call me when you find the book."

Taehyung pursed his lips, cursing inwardly and then slowly continued "I- I'll come to collect it"

Jungkook chuckled, his smile full. He hummed "Mm, will sure do!"

And with that, the raventte turned around and walked off, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Taehyung remained in his spot, almost until he could no longer see Jungkook.

He then looked down, inhaling the pleasant scent wafting off the scarf that warmed his neck

A shy smile made its way on his lips, his chest feeling light.

He raised his hand and then unfurled his fingers looking at the cream colored beverage bottle left behind by Jungkook.

Banana milk?

Taehyung scoffed, amused and then chuckled at the thought of Jungkook finally giving in to the sweet flavoured milk.

He exhaled and then looked up at the sky.

Shaking his head and his new-found thoughts away he traced his steps back to the restaurant, mumbling a what even in the hell am I doing?

But little did he know, it would be quite the reverse for events somewhere far away and ahead in the future.

____________

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Author's Note:

Lol. I couldn't help but add that bit.

T: what even in the hell am I doing?

Me: ...... lol same but- *furiously types down scenario for the timeskip*

Me: *looks up* what do you mean by, 'what even in the hell am I doing?' Boi. You're not doing anything. The hell is doing you. Yeah the King from hell is d-

*author gets slapped by the mc*

Sob sob T_T

----

Pftttttt lmao anyway- Comeback season yalllllllll omygawwwddddddd.

I just hope I don't have tests lol I'm gonna die :")

Anyway, thanks for all the love and patience.

Please stay safe everybody♡

Love,
Jaye