Don't Fade Away *Taekook Short Stories*

Mr.Kim's goldfish... (pt.2)

Jungkook continued while thinking so hard with his goldfish memory - "Was that not the case? Did you perhaps kidnap me?"

Tae stopped midway, questioning his decisions suddenly - "No, I didn't kidnap you."

Realisation hit him hard, and he talked out his thoughts - "Or did I?"

Sighing at his disturbed mind, Tae placed the untouched cup aside and dragged Jungkook towards himself.

Tae cupped Kook's face, brushing away the tears - "My dear Jungkookie, don't stress your mind, okay? Yes. You are right with some things."

Tears streamed again, listening to Tae's words, but Tae leaned his forehead against the other. Jungkook continued, closing his eyes and feeling the warmth against his own forehead - "Then did you really kidnap me?"

Tae chuckled at the big baby - "No, I didn't. You know me, right?"

Jungkook tried looking up with a frustrated voice and spoke up - "I don't. I don't know or remember anything.

Tae giggled - "Yeah, yeah my bad. Forgive me, your highness."

Jungkook punched him lightly - "Is it funny to you, Mr.Kim?"

Tae laughed out loud, pulled him into a hug, taming the angry double bunny and mumbled to himself - "I will miss this soon."

Jungkook questioned staying in his embrace - "When will you start explaining things, Mr.Kim?"

Tae tightened his hug - "After filling our tummies, Mr.Kim."

Taehyung's grin was sly, a little too easy, as he shoved a piece of still-warm bread into Jungkook's hand.

"Eat first. Thinking is bad for goldfish," he teased, tapping the side of Jungkook's head.

That was how Taehyung ended it—like some cheeky magician who stuffed the last rabbit back into the hat and walked away before the audience noticed the trick. Jungkook stared at him across the small wooden table, torn between sulking and laughing. 

He continued to eat, glaring at him between bites. "You keep postponing." His voice cracked halfway—part frustration, part something more fragile. "One day you'll run out of tomorrows, Mr. Kim."

"Then I'll keep saying it until it sounds like music." Taehyung grinned widely, but there was a flicker—just a flicker—of something tight in his expression.

The next day flowed by with the same song of tomorrows. With the following explanations, Taehyung only laughed, the kind of laugh that was more nervous than real. It should have sounded playful, but Jungkook caught the hesitation hiding beneath. Tae's smile stretched wide, yet his fingers drummed the table, restless, guilty.

But Jungkook's heart squeezed. What is pain? fear? No. This is 'Guilt' of lying, of taking advantage. But this time, it wasn't Tae alone feeling those.

But he bit down on the truth and let the lie live. Because as much as he wanted answers, he wanted this more: the way Taehyung's hair fell into his eyes when he bent over the oven, the way he hummed off-key, the way flour clung to his arms.

Inside, his conscience gnawed at him. I already remember everything. I know my name. I know the weight of the empire waiting for me. And still—I sit here, pretending to be your clueless goldfish.

Days blurred into each other, stitched together with small rituals. The bakery was alive in its quiet way. The bell chimed, sunlight spilled across flour-dusted counters, and the oven hummed like a gentle heartbeat. 

Taehyung moved with that same unconscious grace—knead, fold, tap—his sleeves rolled, forearms dusted white. Jungkook leaned against the counter, chin in palm, pretending boredom while watching as he worked the dough with steady hands, setting aside loaves that weren't perfect.