hidden voice » vkook (book 1)

30

"So..." Jungkook cleared his throat, his eyes scanning the street below and the apartment across from them, looking anywhere but at Taehyung.

"So..." Taehyung echoed. God, this was awkward.

It fell silent between them again. The music still thumped from the other side of the sliding glass door. Taehyung twisted in his green plastic garden chair, peering inside his own apartment. More people had filtered out and only Hoseok, Yoongi, and Jimin remained. Jimin sat perched in Yoongi's lap. Yoongi's face was a bright red.

Glad it was going well for them.

"Listen, I know I've said it a million times, but I'm really sorry about what happened," Jungkook finally said. He talked with his hands a lot. "I didn't realize what you struggled with, and I didn't realize how it would effect you, and I didn't-"

"It's okay," Taehyung breathed a chuckle, halting Jungkook's rambling. "You wouldn't know. It's okay."

"You sure?" Jungkook's shoulders visibly dropped when Taehyung nodded. "Okay," He breathed, his gaze settling on Taehyung.

They stared at each other, nothing but the sounds of the city life from below filling the night. Taehyung was faintly aware that the music inside his apartment had stopped.

Gentle knocking pulled them from their trance, both turning their heads to find Jimin at the door. Taehyung reached over and slid the door to the side.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we're heading home," Jimin said. Taehyung peered around Jimin and noted Yoongi by the front door, Jimin's coat in his hands. Interesting. 

"Ah, okay," Jungkook said. He fiddled with his fingers. "Namjoon and Jin still going at it?"

"Sounds like it," Jimin laughed. "You really can hear everything through these walls."

Taehyung and Jungkook pointedly didn't look at each other.

"Did you wanna crash at Hoseok and Yoongi's place with me, Kookie?" Jimin asked, bouncing forward on his toes. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

Jungkook opened his mouth to answer, but Taehyung suddenly blurted, "He can stay with me."

Jungkook and Jimin both looked at Taehyung. Taehyung felt the slow pricking in his neck but took a deep breath, willing away the dreadful sensation.

"At least until Namjoon and Jin stop. You know, since I'm only right next door," Taehyung cleared his throat and quickly added, "It's only convenient."

Neither of them spoke. Jimin looked at Jungkook, asking with his eyes what he wanted to do.

"I mean, it is convenient," Jungkook said.