Captured | KOOKV (Instagram AU) ✔

141: Taejin

Taehyung hesitantly followed the attendant as she ushered him inside the restaurant.

It was the day he's flying to Paris with Irene for the Fashion Week, and here he was meeting up with Seokjin in the last minute.

They weren't able to talk right after Jimin's birthday celebration, so they decided to meet up the next day, only for Taehyung to find out that the flight to Paris was scheduled that same day in the afternoon.

Both of them would be busy in the coming days, so Taehyung just decided to meet the older before his flight.

"Did you wait long?" Taehyung asked as soon as he entered the private room where Seokjin was already waiting for him.

"I'm sorry if I'm late. I had to pack for my flight this afternoon." He added to which the older just smiled and gestured for him to sit on the opposite chair.

"It's alright. I just arrived not too long ago." Jin said.

The attendant took their orders before leaving the two of them alone.

"We really haven't gotten the chance to talk with each other last time. How have you been doing, Tae?" Jin asked as he looked at the younger in the eyes.

"I'm doing good, hyung. How about you?" Taehyung asked back.

"Just the same." Jin answered.

There was a long silence that followed as if the two of them were testing the waters when Taehyung finally decided to speak.

"What is it that you wanted to talk about, hyung?" He asked, not wanting to prolong his anxiety.

The older smiled as he tenderly held Taehyung's hand on top of the table.

"We should eat first before anything else." Jin uttered to which Taehyung silently nodded.

He could feel that the older was also anxious and hesitant, so he didn't push the matter to pressure him.

As the food finally arrived, the two of them silently ate and from time to time would talk about random things.

It made Taehyung be a little at ease until they were able to finish their food and there was nothing left to do than to face the conversation both of them seemed to be avoiding too much.

"Uh.. I don't actually know where to start.." Jin whispered, looking at his clasped hands.

It was the first time Taehyung had seen him lacking confidence, which only added to his anxiety.

"You see... Jeongguk didn't want me to have a talk with you. I'm doing this in my own accord, so I hope you wouldn't think I'm just doing this because he asked me to." Jin clarified and Taehyung knew about this even without him saying.

"I understand." He answered, looking at the older in the eyes.

He saw him hesitate once more before finally deciding to continue.

"As you know, Tae. Jeongguk and I practically grew up together. Even before Namjoon and the rest knew him, I was the one who's always by his side." Jin said with a tender smile on his face.

"He was a bit unruly during his high school days, always getting into trouble from fights and all.. but that was until he met Hansung." The older said the last word with caution, making sure to take note of Taehyung's reaction at the mention of the name.

Taehyung sighed, remembering the man's face almost a copy of his own. However, he didn't say a word as he let the older continue.

"He was a good influence to Jeongguk, no doubt about that. I saw how he changed and went back to being the real him, the sweet and fragile him." Jin added, remembering those times.