'Til We Meet Again | Taekook AU

Chapter 46

[Unedited]

**

Just as Taehyung was about to turn to the next stall, Jungkook stepped out, and the expression on his face made Taehyung frown. Why did he look so depressed?

"Hey? Are you alright?" he asked, making Jungkook look up. His eyes widened as he spotted Taehyung.

"What?"

"You look as if someone stole your favorite puppy." Taehyung said, using one of the phrases he had heard the humans used. They were still among the locals, and he didn't want anyone pointing fingers at him, thinking he was the weird one out. He had to blend in, they had to blend in...right?

"Uh..." Jungkook didn't respond and gave him a strange look.

"It's nothing." He said after a pause.

"Sure." Taehyung shrugged and was about to head to the next stall, but something caught his eyes making his frown.

This wasn't supposed to be here, he thought and pointed a finger at the object under Jungkook's arms.

"Why do you have the painting? I thought I gave it to the painter."

"Oh...uh...yeah. The painter handed it back to me, saying we should keep it." Jungkook said and licked his lips. Why was he nervous? Taehyung wondered.

He watched the boy in front of him with curious eyes – Jungkook's hand tightening on the painting, his eyes not meeting his gaze, and thought the other was lying.

"Really?" Taehyung raised an eyebrow, fixing a glare on Jungkook. Why would he lie to Taehyung and take the painting that wasn't meant for him? It didn't make sense.

Silence passed between them, and when Jungkook didn't break, Taehyung decided to let it go. It wasn't important where the painting ended up, it didn't matter in whose hands it went, because for Taehyung that memory was a reminder of his bloody past, and he didn't need it right now.

Instead of calling out on Jungkook's behavior, Taehyung nodded and started walking towards the next stall.

"Hey Taehyung?" Jungkook called out, and Taehyung stopped in his tracks.

"Yeah?"

What did Jungkook want now?

"We're friends right?"

Taehyung frowned. "What do you mean?"

Why was he suddenly asking this question? Wasn't it already clear that they had moved on in their relationship and were friends? Why else would Taehyung be hanging out with him, if they weren't?

Taehyung didn't answer right away.

Jungkook glanced at him and then looked away. Taehyung didn't know what he was thinking, but he watched him as the boy bit down on his lips, drawing red marks. Taehyung was tempted to pull the abuse lip away from his teeth, as he gnawed at it. Truly, they shared the same soul, Taehyung thought and shook his head. He remembered trying to stop his Jungkook from biting his lip when he was nervous or thinking, and stop his skin from breaking. This Jungkook had the same habit.

"I know I kind of forced you to agree to be friends with us." Jungkook said.

"Of course, you did." Taehyung replied, his voice sharp and held a hint of annoyance.

It wasn't his intention to get upset over Jungkook's question, but he couldn't help it. He had tried to avoid meeting Jungkook and Jimin. He had tried his best to keep distance and not have the Elders involved in his slip-up this time. But Jungkook being Jungkook had gone and dragged his hand into this mess.

Without Taehyung's consent he had gone and declared them as friends, he didn't even wait of his reply, that brat. And Taehyung, fearing the Elder's wrath, had gone along with the plan, to assure there would be no such meetings in the future.

In fact, Taehyung had already made up his mind to leave in the next two days. He was going to say his goodbyes to Jungkook and Jimin after their visit to the art exhibition ended.

It was better this way. He couldn't have Jungkook around him, and nor Jimin. It was a great risk to them and him.

"So...you don't consider us as friends?" Jungkook stuttered and that caught Taehyung's attention.

Jungkook never stuttered unless he was emotionally wrecked on the inside and his feelings got in the way of his speech. At least his Jungkook had behaved as such, was this Jungkook the same?

Taehyung blinked, and stared at the boy. He was careful not to show any thoughts on his face as he looked at Jungkook.

The other boy peered at him, the worry and fear shone in his eyes. "Taehyung?"

Taehyung didn't want him to be upset. It was the last thing on his mind. Of course, he hadn't wanted this friendship and he was going to try and break it soon, but in that moment, Taehyung wanted to wipe away the fear and sadness in Jungkook's eyes. Even if it was for a little while, they could still stay friends.

Taehyung made up his mind and replied. "Yes."

"What?" Jungkook blinked in confusion.

What was wrong with him? Taehyung had replied to his question, and now, he looked so clueless.

"I said yes." Taehyung repeated, slow this time, using the voice humans used for children, when they have trouble understanding the basics.

"Yes what?" Jungkook asked and the previous anger in Taehyung's chest bubbled up to his throat.

He was this close to smacking Jungkook up the side of his head. Was this kid purposely trying his luck and trying to get Taehyung mad?

"Dammit Kookie!" Taehyung let out a frustrated growl. "I said, yes I do consider you as my friend."

"Oh..."

"Oh?" Taehyung glared at him. Was he always this slow or was today Jungkook's first time? "That's your reaction?"

His words had a drastic effect on Jungkook. One moment he was sulking and the next moment, he had a bright smile, blinding Taehyung with its suddenness.

"That's great!" Jungkook said and clapped his hands. He bounced where he stood, and Taehyung stared at him. The way his moods changed, were giving Taehyung whiplash. What had he eaten this morning? Surely, something in the breakfast had messed up Jungkook's system, for him to act this way, Taehyung thought.

"You're acting weird." Taehyung said and shook his head.

"I'm-" before Jungkook could say anything further, his phone started ringing in his jeans pocket.

He pulled it out and frowned, looking at the screen.

"Who is it?" Taehyung asked. He was standing away, and couldn't see the name on Jungkook's phone screen.

"A friend from the a-agency." Jungkook said and turned around, taking a few steps away from Taehyung.

His actions made Taehyung laugh. It wasn't like he couldn't eavesdrop on them. With his powers, he didn't need to be physically present to listen in on them. He could simply stop his own time and creep up on Jungkook to listen in. But he didn't.

Instead, he took a few steps in Jungkook's direction, and stopped when he was close enough, but hidden, so as to not catch Jungkook's attention.

"Hello?" Jungkook spoke into the phone.

"Hey Jungkook! I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Taehyung froze, his heart skipping a beat when he heard the voice.

It can't be...no...this isn't possible!

Why would he call Jungkook? Why him out of all people?

Taehyung stared at Jungkook, wondering how the two had met. Questions and more questions popped in his head.

Had Jungkook lied to him and hid this knowledge from him on purpose? What was the meaning behind this secretive call?

How did he know Jungkook? What did he want from Jungkook?

**