VMINKOOK / THE ART OF BEEKEEPING

39

— PART THIRTY NINE.

Taehyung truly doesn't believe he is in love with Jimin or Jeongguk. How could he be? He doesn't even know them, not really. And yet, his heart is squeezed between the their clutching, scraping, haunting grasp, forcing his mood into something of great dejection.

His head burns and he really wishes he didn't decide to drink so much, he thinks their particular choice of alcohol didn't much agree with him. The events of the previous night blanket over any other coherent thought he dared to have; the entangled emotions of pain and confusion, fear and comfort.

Oddly enough his interaction with Yee Juri is what pries most upon his mind (as his wilting, mahogany heart tried to uncover the depths of his emotions), his inquisitive brain couldn't help but be tantalised by the woman's terrifyingly tranquil presence. He thinks he could simultaneously picture her upon the cover of Vogue, or clawing out of your television screen like Samara.

He thinks perhaps he's just distracting himself with her, trying to focus on the mystery and allure of her, rather than the mystery and allure of the boys who broke his heart. He doesn't much care, at least he's self aware.

Taehyung's reflection is the same as always on a Sunday morning: blonde hair redolent to the mane of a lion, with thick, black bruises of sleep deprivation pressed into his skin beneath his eyes, his lips chapped and his clothes ruffled, baggy and barely clinging to him.

With a disgruntled sigh, he shakes the penetrating thoughts of dread from his mind, yet they still manage to cling to his heart, shocking little parasites of horror and despair, leeches clinging to all the anxiety he wishes he could disperse, and he really wishes he never even went to that stupid engagement party.

Inhale. Exhale.

Close yours eyes. Count to ten.

Inhale. Exhale.

It's just as his heart beat begins to slow back into normalcy that he's shocked out of his skin by the egregiously harsh sound of the door bell. Fuck. He scrambles to get into some sweatpants, knowing who it must be at the door. There's only two people that would ever visit him who don't already have a key (like Seokjin).

He knew this talk was inevitable and, while tossing and turning last night, he'd somewhat concocted a great speech. Of course he could hardly remember it in his current daze, but, he definitely knew how to play it. He rocks back and forth on his feet, muttering encouragements under his breath and he almost wants to laugh, because, what the fuck was he doing?

He doesn't even like them, if he even has a single positive feeling towards either one of them, it's because they'd manipulated him into it. That's what he'd constantly reminded himself as Jin drove him home the night before. There's no reason for him to feel sad, this is actually a perfect out from their toxic little game. This was a perfect opportunity for his article. That's it. Everything was in his favour. He had no reason to worry.

Taehyung's still shaking a little as he gears himself up, walking steadily towards the front door. He pauses momentarily, fingers glossing over the air around the handle. This was it. He could finally get rid of them.

He twists the door open and is prepared to greet them, but his eyes are not blessed with their familiar intoxication, no, there's not even a glimpse of their belittling, resentful darkness within the soft gaze of the woman stood in front of him.

"Oh." She says, clearly just as surprised as Taehyung, her full lips upturning, as her warm, brown eyes take him in.

She's short, her cheekbones high, with soft dimples imprinted into her smooth, dark skin, her eyes alight and benign, like pools of caramel. Polychromatic braids spool around her back, swarming her curvaceous figure in party streamers. There's something so jovial and content in her appearance, her body supple yet toned, and wrapped up in a floral summer dress, despite the the bite of the fast approaching winter. She smells warm, with the scent of hot, rich, spice rolling off her, a comforting aroma of chilli and chai.