UNDER HIS SPELL { taekook }

二 ; １５

Yerin gathered the neatly stacked papers she had salvaged from the floor, placed them onto the coffee table and wiped the side of her forehead. It hadn't been a surprise to her when she had walked in, to see Taehyung's apartment in shambles, perhaps from a surge of rage that had taken over the man. Thus, she had spent a couple of minutes cleaning up the knocked items from the floor and restoring them to a presentable appearance, then rewarded herself by 'borrowing' a bottle of soju from Taehyung's fridge.

She sighed in a long breath, glancing over at the sleeping man on the couch. Yerin was glad, at the very least, that she had been able to calm Taehyung down for now. But it didn't mean all her worries had dissipated with his slumber.

It seemed she'd always be worrying about him, no matter what. And truthfully, it was quite the exhausting full time job.

"Alright.." she finally mumbled to herself, placing the empty glass bottle beside the trash bin and grabbing her jacket. Yet, just as she turned to exit the apartment, the front door suddenly swung open.

Yerin's eyes enlarged as her gaze settled upon the familiar tall man who had appeared through the doorstep.

"Oh," Namjoon uttered, blinking back at her with surprise that matched hers. "You're here."

The corner of Yerin's lips lifted into a small smile as she nodded. "Yep. I was just about to leave."

Namjoon shut the door and looked over at the sleeping Taehyung on the couch, then his gaze was back on the small woman, eyes narrowing.

"You two, uh... were hanging out, hm?" the older man commented while taking off his sweater and stepping closer into the apartment, feet strolling towards the couch where he took a seat beside the pillow Taehyung's head rested on.

"Joon. Please," Yerin scoffed. "What are you implying?"

The man placed the back of his hand over Taehyung's forehead to check for his temperature as he fell silent. Then, without looking at the woman he gave his reply.

"I don't know.." Namjoon's voice was firm, but quiet. "You two had a bad habit of being on and off. Who knows what it is you guys are thinking half the time."

"That was in the past," Yerin was quick to counter him. "You know that. Besides, I have Hoseok now."

"And who does Taehyung have?"

Yerin paused, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

"He has you. And Bangtan."

"You know that's not what I mean," Namjoon bit his lip, ran a gentle hand over the younger one's hair and inspected his dozing features one last time before finally turning to look up at Yerin.

The woman had a faint scowl on her face, fists gradually relaxing as she proceeded to slip her jacket back on. "Whatever, Joon. I have to go. Will you look after him?"

Namjoon sunk back into the couch and put his feet up, giving her a dismissive gesture with his large hand.

"You know I always do."

※ ※

Jeongguk came home with an accelerated heartbeat.

He had been so flustered after the events that had taken place back at the gay club, that he decided to shed off his embarrassment by running home. He had thought the exercise would make him feel at least a little more rejuvenated, but all Jeongguk felt was confusion.