UNDER HIS SPELL { taekook }

二 ; ５９

"It's right here, just at this corner." Jeongguk's quiet voice filled the space between them.

Hiro's head swiveled to his right, hands pushing the car wheel toward the same direction until the vehicle pulled beside the sidewalk, next to the building where Jeongguk resided. The car remained parked there, a silence falling over the two men while they removed their seatbelts.

He couldn't help but notice that the boy seemed... distracted. Unlike himself.

After all, Jeongguk merely looked blankly ahead, teeth gently dug into his bottom lip. And Hiro stared at the boy's side profile, noting the way his cheeks were blushed red, probably from the cold. But one in particular seemed more red than the other. Perhaps, and he hated thinking such a thing, but it was the kind of lingering red that would stain pale skin from impact.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Hiro's words soon came in a whisper. A gentleness that Jeongguk could appreciate, though the numbness in his chest distracted him with his own busy thoughts.

So he merely gave a nod, and reached his hand to clasp the car door handle. "Thank you for driving me home, hyung." Jeongguk's head lowered in a polite bow. "I really really appreciate it."

Hiro's concerned brows narrowed, until he finally gave a low sigh, quiet beneath his breath, and turned to exit the vehicle.

"Hold on, I'll walk you up to the front."

Jeongguk's eyes widened before he let a chuckle slip past his lips. "I can walk twenty feet by myself, you know," he let his feet reach the ground before stepping out of the car as well.

Hiro returned the small laugh and walked around to reach the younger's side. "Yes, well. If something were to happen to you within those twenty feet I feel as though I'll hear a mouthful from Bangtan. You seem very precious to them."

Jeongguk's lips parted, eyes blinking in repetition, taken aback by the man's sudden statement.

"I-I don't think that's r-really the case.." He mumbled out, evidently flustered.

"Riight.. sure," Hiro gave a playful light bump at his arm. "So that's precisely why their number one captain ran to your rescue all on his own, right?"

Jeongguk didn't say anything, his gaze lowered to the floor while they approached his apartment building. He squeezed his grip over his bag strap and lifted his head upon reaching the small set of stairs, and saw that an unexpected man was seated over the concrete steps, waiting.

The man looked up at the two and quickly rose to his feet, stepping down to level ground and slipping his hands to his pockets.

"Jeongguk.." He spoke. "Welcome home."

Hiro glanced at the guy, then looked back toward Jeongguk, whose expression told him that the man's presence was clearly unexpected.

"Oh, h-hi Seojun.." Jeongguk responded after a while. "What, um... What brings you here?"

Seojun gave a bashful smile, one hand reaching to scratch at the back of his head. "Ah, well... Um, I.." he trailed off, took a moment to collect his thoughts before he finally cleared his throat and continued. "I saw you leave school. With Kim Taehyung, and-..."

Jeongguk simply looked at him, waiting on his explanation.

"I know it's-... I know it's late into the night, but... I was worried. I still don't fully trust the guy, and you two left so discreetly, so..." He lowered his hand back down to his side. "I wanted to make sure you got home safely."