He immediately listens to your words, closing his mouth and silently parking on the side. His hands move with hesitation as he stops the car, fingers grabbing the steering wheel tightly as if needing something to hold onto.
He's staring at you again and i thought i'd never feel the power of his gaze on my face— i knew his eyes were intense, that there was a spark in them i didn't see on anyone else, but being on the receiving end of his gaze makes you shake noticeably, diverting your own eyes as i feel the strokes of embarrassment crawl under your skin.
And even though the memories of the other world are still fuzzy— you still remember the rules before becoming a guardian, clear and firm in your head as your own brain recites them over and over.
This is forbidden. I remember, body tightening with certainty. He can't see me. He shouldn't see me. They'll take me away from him—
"Please, go back home." my words are small but pleading, and ignoring the way my voice wavers as another cold wave of mortification tickles your back. You let your instincts take over, and it feels almost natural to go back to your previous state, turning into the spirit you're supposed to be.
It's almost relieving, and it's now that i realize how much effort you were putting into letting him see you— it feels tiring, and i'd close my eyes for a few minutes, but Taehyung's still sitting completely frozen in the driver's seat, and when my eyes find his again i can't bring yourself to look away— even though he can't see you anymore.
Taehyung seems to react a couple of seconds later, blinking as his mouth parts again.
"Wait, come back," he says, eyes still wide and searching. "Are you still here?"
"Yes," i whisper, knowing he's unable to hear you now. i bite my lip as he lets his back fall back on his seat, taking a deep breath as he fixates his eyes on the empty road.
And then he just laughs. He's chuckling, a light and ecstatic sound, full of relief, and his eyes are shining in a way you've never witnessed before.
"So I wasn't crazy, after all," he mutters, the smile almost permanent on his lips as his shoulders continue to shake softly with contained chuckles. "Or maybe I've gone completely nuts now."
He looks at the place you're sitting again, and you're too stunned to react, sitting completely still as his eyes try to find something in the empty spot. "Can you show up again? Please. I've thought about this moment too many times— you can't leave me hanging now."
...He knew about me. You were always aware that Taehyung was more perceptive than the normal human, that he wasn't supposed to react to your touches so vividly— but the look full of joy on his face is almost impossible to understand, as if he was expecting for you to show up sooner or later, to look at you in the eyes and give you that wide, boxy grin of his that always managed to melt your heart.
Taehyung sighs, licking his lips before he grabs the steering wheel again. "Look, I don't know who you are or why you're with me— but I always felt some sort of... reassuring presence by my side," i can see the ghost of a blush appear on his cheeks, spreading to his neck and ears as he looks at his own hands pensively.
"I was sure of it for a couple of months— but then forgot about it, because... let's face it, the thought of some sort of good spirit trying to help me was just... ridiculous." he laughs again, but this time it's dry and short. "I don't know if you're still here, but... seeing you look at me so worriedly, like you actually cared... it felt— it felt nice," Taehyung swallows, and i imitate the gesture as the emotions start to swell in your chest. "I just— I wanted to say thank you, I guess."
I contain the urge to grab his hand, forbidding your body to materialize again as a pleasant warmth spreads through your soul. "Taehyung..."
"Fuck, what am I doing, speaking to myself, ive gone mad after she died" Taehyung laughs again, voice light and void of its previous deepness. Even though the new blitheness that seems to surround him and the way he's beaming brightly appeases the nervousness in your heart, you still don't let your guard down as Taehyung goes back home, watching the road cautiously as he drives less recklessly. I allow myself to relax when we finally arrive home, looking at the driveway of the house warily as Taehyung steps out of the car with the bottle in hand.
I flinch when Taehyung's uncle opens the main door, his bloodshot eyes throwing daggers at his nephew, who walks up to him lazily without a single trace of fear on his expression.
His uncle seems to be containing his anger, chest lifting as he inhales sharply. "What the—"
His voice vanishes when Taehyung gives him the bottle, and the man takes it confusedly, the delight gradually flushing his cheeks as he stares at the brand.
"Good job," it's all his uncle says, and it makes you feel sick, but he's letting Taehyung inside without any complaint and you can't deny that it makes the relief lift all the pressure from your shoulders.
I float behind Taehyung as he runs up the stairs, unable to ignore the shift in the atmosphere as i watch him silently, eyes following his figure as Taehyung lets himself fall on top of the bed.
His eyes are fixed on the ceiling and there's a tiny smile dancing on his lips, and i can only wonder if he's thinking about what happened mere minutes ago, if he's thinking about you and the sound of your voice, and the feeling is pleasant but forbidden, as if you got a taste of something you were not supposed to enjoy, a sin not many guardians allow themselves to indulge in. Taehyung's eyes flicker around the room, ignoring the mess on the floor as they travel around every corner he can find.
