Stay With Me

Come Back Home

Taehyung's POV

When the sunlight rolls in and my eyelids open, I'm in Jungkook's arms. I breathe in deeply, clearly, the thrum of his heartbeat keeping me sedated. This... is happiness.

I lift my head drowsily, searching for Jungkook's eyes. His lashes flutter but his eyes stay closed, the light huff of his breath telling me that he's fast asleep. I smile and rest my chin on the backs of my hands, admiring what's mine.

How did I ever get so lucky?

I know I should let him sleep, but I can't help myself. I lean up and press my lips against his, savoring the delicate touch. He doesn't stir, but breathes deeply, his chest rising and falling beneath my palms. Affection bursts in my chest, and I pepper his face with soft kisses, unable to keep myself reigned in.

Last night, we finally connected. It was perfect. It was everything I wanted. Finally, we can breathe a little. Finally, we can stop worrying, and focus on us.

A light buzz catches my attention on the nightstand to my right, and I know without looking that it's my phone. I roll off of Jungkook and reach for my phone, curious to see what I've missed out on. Last night was the first time in a long time that I completely put my phone down and embraced the moment. My heart sinks when I see what's on the screen. I almost wish I hadn't looked.

7 Missed Calls. 3 from Sihyuk, 4 from Namjoon.

13 Texts.

I glance at Jungkook before getting up completely, clutching my phone tightly against my chest. His peaceful face stays oblivious and untouched, like I want it to be. Nerves springing into my joints, I carefully get out of bed, and walk out of the room. I make sure the door is mostly closed behind me and stumble into the living room, plopping down on the couch. My hands shake as I lift my phone and look again. I don't even bother to read the messages; I tap on Sihyuk's name.

Elbows on my knees, I chew on my nails as I listen to the droning of my ringing phone. Anxiety creeps up my neck and it takes everything I have not to pull at my hair. When the person on the other side of the phone finally picks up, I remember to breathe.

"Taehyung?" Sihyuk asks. "Did you see my messages?"

"No," I admit, afraid to speak. "I saw that you and Namjoon hyung were trying to reach me, so I thought that it'd be better to just call."

"Okay."

There's a brief pause, then, "Taehyung, I don't know how to tell you this. First of all, take a deep breath."

"Did something bad happen?"

"I'll tell you. Just take a moment and calm down, first."

Is it that obvious that I'm freaking out?

I push my fingers through my hair, lean into my palm, and close my eyes. I focus on the contraction of my lungs, obeying without a second thought. Hyung is right. I need to calm down.

"Okay," Sihyuk starts, once my breathing has leveled. "I wanted to wait to tell you this in person, but the sooner you are aware, the better. To make a long story short, we've been contacted by a few reporters that say that they have evidence of you and Jungkook being intimate. They've built up their so-called evidence over the years, and they've threatened to release articles about it. Normally I shouldn't be telling you this. It's unprofessional. But I am telling you, because you're involved, and it may affect you. I thought that it was only right for you to be aware of the situation, and... there was one person in particular that seemed dangerous. I..."

Sihyuk holds his breath, and I become more and more alarmed.

"What is it, hyung?"

"I don't know if I should tell you this. Anyway, I just want to warn you, so that you can focus on  being safe. For now, we've handled the situation. We've done what was requested of us and we're still in negotiation, but please, Taehyung. I'm begging you, be careful. We'll up the security, but I need you to be careful. This person may really be dangerous to you, specifically."