CHAPTER 10

cold sheets
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"Well done, Taehyungie."

Yoongi pads Taehyungs back as they walk side by side backstage, heaving for their breath, sweat running down the sides of their faces. Taehyung curtly nods at him, giving him a fist bump in return before he makes a turn and head inside a waiting room.
No one is in there, thankfully, so he close the door and slide his back down the cold wall until he sits on the floor.

The only sound heard in the room is his own panting, his ragged breath bouncing off of the walls. Running a hand through his electric blue hair he sighs out wearily, watching how his chest heaves up and down. The choreography for Boy With Luv isn't even that hard compared to some of their other dances — but still, the whole process of getting ready for the stage, the performance, the styling — it's just too much for him.

Taehyung jolt as the door behind him pushes against his body, someone trying to open the door to the room. Scooting over he makes room for the person to come in, but he remains in his position on the floor, his eyes low.

"Hyung?"

The sound of Jungkook's voice makes Taehyung lift his drowsy eyes, that instantly meet the always energetic younger male. Jungkook has a small frown between his brows as he watch how his older brother is crunched down on the floor, his skin looking pale.

"Are you okay?" He asks, handing the cold cloth in his hand to Taehyung who grabs it and runs it over his head, feeling the throbbing inside of it easing.

"I guess so." Taehyung breathes out and reach his hand up for Jungkook to grab.
The younger does as pleased, helping Taehyung on his feet once more.

"You did great out there." Jungkook praise him, pulling him in for a quick hug.

Taehyung roll his lips together, sending a tight-lipped smile in return.
"So did you. As always."

Jungkook opens his mouth to speak as Taehyung turns his back to him, so instead he just ends up biting his lower lip in deep thought. Watching how his slumped posture gather his stuff inside his bag, he watch his own reflection in the mirror — and what he sees is a fucking pussy standing there, staring right back at him.

"Taehyung, you know you can talk to me right? About anything?" Jungkook then say, sending a mocking glare to his own reflection.

Taehyung keep his back to him, continuing to pack up his things.

"I know."

Jungkook takes in a breath before closing his eyes briefly, a clench in his jaw. All or nothing.
"What did your girl say about you going on tour, then?"

Taehyung freeze in his movements, his back tensed up under the white shirt fabric.
Turning around he meets Jungkook's eyes that are now narrowed slightly, a small smirk on his face.

"What girl?"

"The one that made you like your old self these past weeks." He answer, nibbling on his bottom lip.

Taehyung sighs out, the mention of Harin making him irritated somehow. It had been 10 days since their call — they didn't see each other like they had talked about. All he had heard from her were a few texts, none of them explaining the sudden ending of their phone call. He want to see her so badly, he wants an explanation. He wants to touch her, he wants to listen to her sweet voice, feel her warm skin, kiss her soft lips.

"I haven't told her."

Jungkook frowns, almost dropping the banana in his hand that he just peeled. "What? What do you mean? She doesn't kn—"

Taehyung shakes his head slowly, making Jungkook realize what he mean.

"You're telling me she doesn't know us?" He raise an eyebrow and lets out a small scoff.

Taehyung clench his jaw. "She doesn't know me. I'm just Tae to her."

Jungkook swallows the piece of banana, nodding his head — he brings his jacket over his shoulders and grab his stuffed bag, not telling Taehyung his thoughts on his concern about this girl not knowing who he is. Or rather not telling him that she does. . .

"Lets go. The others are waiting outside." Is all he say and smile to Taehyung who still seem to have a stoic expression on his face, his phone in his hand.

Unlocking it swiftly, he goes in his contacts to the girl he wants to see so badly and tell her to come to his apartment as soon as possible, before he turns off the light in the room and follow Jungkook out the door.     

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"Why haven't you responded to my calls?"

Harin close her eyes, wanting to somehow merge into the cover that's under her — Taehyung's voice is humming softly on the back of her neck, his warm lips almost touching her skin. His arms are wrapped around her waist as they cling to each other in his huge bed, the much-needed contact received by snuggling up, their soft touches easing their minds.

It's late in the evening — the orange sheer from the setting sun outside is the only thing illuminating the room. Soft tunes of Frank Ocean fill the room as their only background noise alongside their slow breaths.  

"I— I've been having a lot on my mind recently." She then breathes out, her fingers gently playing with Taehyung's bigger hand that's securing her body close to his.

He hums in respond, the vibration making Harin bite her bottom lip unconsciously.

"Are you mad at me for leaving for a while?" He then whisper, before placing a small peck in the crook of her neck.

"No. That's not it." She feels how her voice crack slightly, a lump in her throat forming as Taehyung's grip on her tightens, a gentle squeeze telling her that he cares about her.

"Then tell me what it is."

"I can't." Harin whisper, the pillow under her head suddenly damp from silent fallen tears. She feels how Taehyung lets out a sigh and retreat his hold on her.

"I'm sorry— I just can't tell you right now. . ." She turns around and face him, seeing him stare at the ceiling in exasperation, how he swallow at her words.

"Why not? I have the right to know I would say." Taehyung keeps his stare on the ceiling, his attitude starting to annoy Harin who sits up in his warm bed, her brows furrowed slightly.

"And why exactly is that? It's not like you own me." Harin defend herself, rubbing her arms slightly due to the lack of warm from Taehyung's embrace.

Now it's Taehyung's turn to frown as he sits up, watching the smaller girl in front of him, how her eyes are filled with a pretty, dark ocean inside of them.

"No, but I thought we trusted each other. You're keeping something from me. Don't you think I see the dark fucking bruises that are all over your body?" Taehyung's voice is cold, his eyes dark as he watches Harin shift in her position.

She bite her bottom lip, the dark ocean spilling down her cheeks as she stands up from the bed, her feet moving along the wooden floor. Grabbing her jacket she's ready to run out the door as a warm hand catch her wrist.

"Don't go. Just tell me the truth." Taehyung pleads, his expression still stern — which sends Harin over the edge.

"The truth, huh?"

Harin pulls her wrist from Taehyung's hand, making him widen his eyes in surprise.

"Who the fuck are you to tell me anything about trust, about keeping things to yourself!? You never even told me your true identity— you've been lying to me for weeks! So before you point fingers at others do yourself the favor of looking at yourself, Kim Taehyung. . ."

Taehyung's lips part at his name leaving her beautiful lips — his mind overworking itself, as he watch her walk away from him, how the tears spill down her rosy cheeks. How icy her voice is as she talk to him, but at the same time how painful her expression is as she takes a final glance at him, before running out the door as Taehyung feels like he's caught in slow-motion — his body frozen, his heart in pain.

Leaving him speechless and alone in the now ice-cold bedroom.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A/N NOTE 💌:
a little surprise update. but then not quite —
i won't be able to update this tuesday since i'll be working instead of having my day off.

hopefully you liked this update !!
i sure hope you did.
thank you again for reading. i often feel like i'm not totally satisfied with my writing, but your votes and comments makes me keep motivated — so thank you.
see you in the next update ✨🧡