Until We Fall In Love | Taekook ✔

19. Freedom

Days and months passed. Autumn falling and the world is much better now. Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jeongguk are the same. Idiots in love. Falling for each other whenever their gaze meets.

Nevertheless, they do fight. The little arguments end up with sorry and heartwarming cuddling sessions. Jeongguk sometimes forgets to understand that living in a city where once you used to hate the most is difficult for Taehyung. And Taehyung sometimes fails to understand the wanderlust veins of Jeongguk.

It was another day where Taehyung was a bit cold towards Jeongguk. They had a small argument in the morning and walked out with a poker face. He doesn't understand why Jeongguk being stubborn over some trip. He was feeling down because the male didn't even try to comfort Taehyung.

With a sulky face, Taehyung walked out of the office room. He finally got a chance to exhibit his artwork at the Lotte world museum. Isn't that amazing?

Taehyung never thought his life will turn out like this. Success engulfing him like never before. His artworks are appreciated a lot now. Moreover, he never thought his paintings will be exhibited in Seoul.

The artist agrees that it's all because of Jeongguk. If that male doesn't happen in his life, all of this will be a mess, he would be suffering. But that's not happened. Thank God, Jeongguk saved him.

With a smile, Taehyung walked through the museum. Tracing the paintings with his eyes, he stumbled when his eyes met someone he knew. The other male also found him.

"Taehyung, long time...how are you?"

The short male said. Smiling under his face mask, Taehyung replied.

"I'm all good, Jimin.

How are you? What are you doing here?"

Jimin leads Taehyung outside of the museum from the crowd so they can talk freely.

"I'm here with one of my clients. Showing around the Seoul."

Jimin said. The artist knows Jimin and Jeongguk are from the same industry. So, when Jimin asked about Jeongguk, Taehyung choked on the air because it wasn't so pleasant to hear.

"Jeongguk is still here, isn't he?"

"Yeah...?"

Taehyung looked dumbfounded at the male. Jimin sighed and said.

"I don't know what stops him here that made him reject all the proposals to go abroad. Even to his favorite places.

You don't know how we were struggling to survive after the pandemic. And this guy...

I don't understand him. Why he's being stubborn to stay here with local clients."

Silence. It was like someone stabbed him with a sharp knife. A pang on his heart. Taehyung felt his air knocked out and he's going to die. Because he has this feeling- the reason what makes Jeongguk stay here in Seoul is him. And Taehyung wants it to be like that at the same time doesn't want it.

The artist looked at the desperate eyes of Jimin when he was saying about Jeongguk. Jimin is sad that Jeongguk staying here. He can see that. Is Taehyung the only one who doesn't recognize the sorrow in those doe eyes?

Taehyung hates to stick somewhere. He hates to grip on something too long unless it isn't Jeongguk and his love. How can he expect Jeongguk will stay there leaving his passion and desire behind forsake of their love?

The Jeongguk with whom Taehyung fell in love is the one who wanders around, whose eyes hold maps of different places, whose veins pop out at the thought of stuck somewhere. And now- he lost Jeongguk, he lost the real Jeongguk whom he fell in love with, he lost him forsake of their love.

Taehyung felt like he's the one who made Jeongguk like this. The one he isn't. Stealing the reason for his existence from Jeongguk and making him something he isn't- it was the unforgivable crime Taehyung did. He regrets it now.

Jimin left there after their random talks. Walking through the footpaths to his apartment, Taehyung thought of their life. How it all changed. How he's happy because of someone struggling behind him to be the one they're. The artist felt guilty and pathetic at himself.

He may be wrong, but no, he isn't. As he entered inside, he found Jeongguk is sleeping on the couch, a drama was playing on the abandoned TV. Taehyung crouched down to Jeongguk eyes level. His hands ruffled Jeongguk's mint choco hair. Kissing lightly on his forehead, the artist whispered.

"You're not supposed to be here with me. You're born to travel, explore. You will be free from now on. Forsake of our love"

Taehyung's eyes sprinkling with tears, heartbreaking apart when thinking about Jeongguk far away from him. But he couldn't forgive himself when Jeongguk will be here struggling to be himself. Taehyung doesn't want that. He admires Jeongguk and his charms.

But staying here will let Jeongguk move far away from his happy pill. And Taehyung will never let that happen. He is decided. He will let Jeongguk free. Free to be the charming wanderlust he is.

I 💜 you

~AnecdotesOfABroken