THE AFTERGLOW | | vk

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After reading all of your feedback, I've made a few changes to the plot. So, this isn't exactly how I initially wanted to write the chapter, but there are just small modifications that will have no impact on the plot.

This is not a book for people who are looking for angst. Because this book is designed to make you joyful, I'll stop the sad section in this chapter or the next. I can't make this a slow burn because it's only supposed to be fluffy.

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Taehyungs was sitting alone in the cafeteria, playing with the promise ring that Jeongguk gifted him. He had been through a lot since the last week. It had been a week since jimin took the younger away from him. Missing him was an understatement. 7 days might be really less for a few, but it felt like 7 decades to Taehyung. The apartment turned gloomy. Jimin and he barely talked to each other in the past week. 

Taehyung tried to make conversations with the elder but the elder just dodges the topics. He felt really sad about it. He knew Jimin for years, and a conflict is leading them to part ways. He tried to ask about Jeongguk but just got ignored.

He is really worried about the younger. He wonder if he slipped into his headspace. He wondered who and how took care of him in his headspace. He wondered how the younger is if he has not slipped into his headspace. It will affect his health with the mental pressure. He wondered how much Jeongguk hates him right now. He wondered if Jeongguk still loves him. He wonders if the younger still wants him and come back to him. He will be the most affected person if the younger find a new caregiver,

 And again, it's really a short time to judge anything. Somewhere in the corner of his heart, he believes that Jimin might not be that cruel to break them apart. Taehyung's and Jimin's relationship is admirable. They had each other's back in their hard times. They were true homies. 

If Jeongguk loves and is babied by Taehyung, Taehyung loves being babied by his hyung. He is his favourite of all. He couldn't get angry cuz he knew Jimin and Jeongguk didn't know what actually happened at the washroom. He also Understands that Jimin has terrible anger issues that take the best of his feelings. When he is deeply concerned about someone, he acts in a certain way. It does not necessarily have to be romantic all of the time.  He smiled sadly when he had a flash of sweet memories from his past with his hyung and his baby. They both had their own importance in taehyung's life but with jeongguk, a little more than anyone.

 His train of thoughts were cut off when someone tapped his shoulder. He looked up to see namjoon smiling at him softly. "Hey, you feeling good?" He asked as he took a seat beside him. "Yeah, I'm good," Taehyung replied back with a smile. His tone was bittersweet and namjoon caught it. 

"Taehyung, I know you are going through a situation right now but please don't be sad and gloomy. we all know that it's not your fault. we also know how jimin behaves when he is angry. Let them have their own time, Jeongguk especially. He might have misinterpreted the scene. we know that you would never cheat on someone and you are not a cheater. Jimin didn't mean it when he said that." namjoon rubbed younger' back to soothe him. 

"But it really hurts, hyung. They are not ready to listen to me at all. All I ever want to do since the past week is to explain myself to them. My side of the story to them. But jeongguk isn't with me anymore. Jimin hardly gives a glance at me, let alone talk." Taehyung spoke sadly. "Everything in the house reminds me of Jeongguk. His clothes, his books, his drawings, his Pacis, his sippy bottles, the candies a,d whatnot. It just makes me wanna cry my eyes out but crying isn't gonna help me in any way." Taehyung spoke as little tears threatened to fall down from his lashes. 

"I am trying to be strong, hyung. at least for Jeongguk." Taehyung said bent back to blink his tears away. "Yes!! Good job!" namjoon appreciated as he ruffled younger's hair with a fond smile. "Now, cheer up! You've got to assist Mr Wang with the interviews today! You remember that right?" Namjoon chimed trying to cheer up the situation. Taehyung laughed and nodded his head. He was happy that he still had friends who cared about him even after knowing what happened to them. But still, deep down he was lacking for someone's presence in his arms.