hidden hearts » vkook (book 2)

13

Taehyung sat at the bar, a cold drink constantly pressed into his hand. He was maybe three drinks deep by this point, maybe four. His anxiety banked, but his anger was rising. His eyes followed Jungkook everywhere he went.

He watched as Jungkook hugged person after person. Watched as he posed for pictures. Watched as he took a round of shots with a group of loud women. 

He just watched.

In theory, Jungkook was supposed to be the same person he was three years ago. No one changes that much in three years. 

Except Jungkook did.

He was taller somehow. Taehyung didn't know if he actually grew or if he just held himself differently. Jungkook just seemed to tower over everyone in the room. His hair was black like Taehyung's, parted in the middle with little waves in it. He had earrings dangling from his ears and his lip ring was shining in the lights. He wore a dark suit like Taehyung and he caught glimpses of the tattoos on his hands.

Taehyung's chest ached. 

His fists clenched.

He lifted his glass and took a long, long drink.

"Hey." Yoongi slid onto the stool beside Taehyung. Taehyung didn't bother looking at him. He continued to stare at Jungkook. He was posing for a picture with a beautiful man. Taehyung's brain suddenly registered the man as Mingyu from Seventeen. 

"You're starting to freak people out, Tae." Yoongi leaned forward, keeping his voice low. "You need to get up and socialize and stop staring at Jungkook. People are bound to start taking pictures and you know how rumors spread."

Taehyung rolled his eyes. He finally took his gaze off of Jungkook and focused on Yoongi. "He looks good. He looks happy."

"He is." Yoongi nodded. "I talked to him for a while. He said he's proud of you for the Vogue cover."

Taehyung snickered. "Sure."

Yoongi shrugged. "He seemed genuine, Tae. You should talk to him. I think it'd be really good for both of you."

Taehyung looked back at Jungkook. Jungkook was heading out onto the patio alone. 

He didn't like this feeling of being hyper-fixated on someone. He didn't like the mix of emotions in his chest. One second he'd feel hot, burning anger, and the next he would feel a deep pang of sorrow. It was like a rollercoaster in his mind and heart. He tried not to think about the Jungkook he knew and loved three years ago, but it was so hard when he was right there. 

Taehyung sighed, drained the remainder of his drink, and stood from the stool he'd been seated on for the last hour.

"I guess this is as good a time as any."