LOVE YOU TO DEATH | TAEKOOK

26. I Know I Know I Know

*content warning for lanuage, vague references to trauma and self harm*
♾♾♾

TMZ: A new photo of JJK was released today. He was seen getting out of a car and going into a doctor's office this week, accompanied by a mystery man.

♾♾♾

Jungkook and Taehyung didn't speak for the entire walk. Neither of them said a word, both too paralyzed by their own self-consciousness.

When the loop led them back to where they had started, Jungkook paused. He looked down and shook his head, "Sorry," he mumbled, annoyed at himself.

Taehyung blew out a long, noisy, breath. He pursed his lips and nodded, "No problem," he sighed, heading back inside without a word.

He wasn't sure what he expected in the first place.

It took Jungkook two more tries to finally say something, though he made valiant attempts.

A few days later, when he knocked on Taehyung's door for the second time, the older answered with a guarded look on his face.

"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" Jungkook tried again with careful hope lacing his tone.

Though Taehyung didn't realize that Jungkook wasn't hopeful that he would agree to the walk. He was hopeful he would be able to come up with something meaningful to say instead of walking in silence. Again.

But, as they plodded along side by side, keeping a wide berth between them, they were both disappointed.

At the end, Jungkook couldn't bring himself to look up, whispering, "I'm sorry," under his breath and slouching home.

The third time, when Jungkook knocked on his door, Taehyung almost didn't open it.

"Will you go for a walk with me?"

Taehyung wanted to laugh. Or cry.

"Really?" He asked, skeptical. He made an uneasy face and waited.

Jungkook nodded, "I'm sorry. But, yes, really," he affirmed, voice quiet.

Taehyung felt helpless. He shook his head in vain, "Why do you still want to do this? Do you really think I need the exercise this much? Is this your way of calling me fat?"

Jungkook's face fell. He opened his mouth and closed it again in dismay.

"No? No, not at all. I don't think you need to exercise? It's healthy but, no, you look, um, amazing with a little extra-, fuck, nevermind," he uneasily stammered, "and I'm not calling you fat," he shook his head, backing away.

"Then why do you keep dragging me out here? It seems like some sick form of revenge," Taehyung admitted, gesturing with his hands.

Jungkook kept edging backwards, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to say," he said, heaving a sigh, "I'll go. I'll stop. Sorry."

Taehyung rolled his eyes and marched out of the house, "Let's go, it's fine," he grumbled.

It took a solid fifteen minutes for Jungkook to speak, all of which were torture for Taehyung. He got more angry with each step.

"H-how are you?" Jungkook finally asked, tone soft, tentative.

Taehyung gave a tiny snort, "I can't believe you're asking me that," he stifled a laugh. This was insanity.

"After all this time, why do you even want to talk to me? You made it clear that this wasn't a thing anymore," he continued, gesturing between himself and the younger as they walked along.