'Til We Meet Again | Taekook AU

Chapter 48

[Unedited]

**

Time had passed by quicker then Taehyung would have liked, and now, soft evening light perched on Jungkook's brunette curls.

He had never thought, this Jungkook would be the one to bring him to such an art exhibition, exclusive for humans, or that Taehyung would once again try his hand at painting. It had been refreshing, albeit the memories that came with it, which weren't as fun.

But his mood had dampened considerably, after finding about Seojoon. Namjoon hyung has warned him, and Seokjin had hinted on the dangers Jungkook might face, still Taehyung had convinced himself that they had time. He could figure out how to keep the younger safe, in a couple days.

Unfortunately, this time, Seojoon had acted first, and added to Taehyung's fear. Now, he needed to stay glued to Jungkook's side.

There was no way around it.

Taehyung's mind worked at a furious pace, trying to come up with an excuse to get Jungkook to stay with him without raising his suspicion.

The younger was already walking towards their car, now that the exhibition has come to an end.

"We're going to my apartment, first." Taehyung blurted out.

"Wait? What?" Jungkook came to a stop in front of the car, one hand on the handle and Jaco giving them a questioning look from behind the driver's seat. "Why? Jaco, can you drop you off at your apartment after I get down at SKYLARK. Jimin is waiting for me, Taehyung."

Jungkook had been looking at his phone for the past ten minutes, and the device had chimed plenty times to let Taehyung know someone insisted on having a messaging competition.

It had to be Jimin.

"Yes, I know he's waiting for you to return. But...no."

"But-"

"I'm sick." Taehyung threw in the lie. "I'm sick." He repeated, watching Jungkook's shocked face. "I-I have been feeling dizzy ever since we came here.

Taehyung took a deep breath and continued, even though he knew it was the most shittiest excuse he had come up with till date. "I don't think I'll last the trip to SKYLARK. I-I might faint in the car."

Jungkook stared at him, as if he had grown a new head, and Taehyung didn't blame him. He, himself was trying to come up with a plausible reason as to why Jungkook should accompany him, that didn't sound so fake, but right now, his mind had come up empty-handed and he would have to play the random magical sickness card for now.

"You were fine, a minute ago." Jungkook's eyes wandered from head to toe, watching Taehyung's every move. "You don't look sick to me."

"It's not a physical sickness. M-My essence has depleted and I'll slip into a fitful coma if we don't act fast." Taehyung added a bit of urgency to his voice.

Sickness related to his essence? Taehyung cringed on the inside. As if that was such a thing, his conscience berated, and Taehyung ignored it.

If any of the other deities had witnessed this scene they would be laughing their heads off. Even Seojoon wouldn't have let him live it down.

Taehyung's essence was perfectly intact. He couldn't possible have any infection or sickness related to his essence, because nothing affected his core. But, Jungkook didn't need to know that part.

Taehyung kept his fingers crossed and prayed the boy would believe him.

Jungkook was still frowning at him, but gave a slow nod. "Okay. Fine. Get in the car."

Taehyung let out the breathe he was holding and opened the door, sliding into the backseat of the car.

"Take us to his apartment building." Jungkook said to Jaco.

The bodyguard nodded in reply, putting the car in reverse gear and backing out of the parking spot, while Taehyung and Jungkook settled into their seats.

Hearing about Seojoon, about his lies that had lead Jungkook and Jimin to believe in him, and the fact that Seojoon had made Taehyung the villain in his story, had got him mad. Taehyung couldn't sit still nor have Jungkook separated from him now. The need to plot an attack, the need to keep the clueless boy beside him safe, and the fear from his past mistakes that had caused Jungkook to suffer before, everything boiled down to one word – protect.

He had to protect Jungkook at any cost, and that meant creating something to keep a track of his movements.

If his powers had been at their prime, Taehyung could have easily pulled out an artifact out of thin air and presented it to Jungkook, letting him wear it on his body. But the Elders and their punishments had taken that choice from him.

Now, the only way he could mold an artifact with his essence poured into it, was within his apartment walls, in his old room. It held enough of his power and influence of time, that it would make his job easier.

But would it...work?

Self-doubt crawled up his spine and into his mind. Would his artifact work against Seojoon and his mind games? There was no guarantee, Taehyung knew, but at least for now, it could provide some form of protection to Jungkook. If things went south, it could call upon Taehyung's time for a brief few seconds.

"It had to be enough." Taehyung muttered, and Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him.

"Did you say something?" He asked, to which Taehyung shook his head.

"No."

Taehyung hadn't planned what shape the item would be. But he knew it had to be something small and portable. It had to be something that Seojoon wouldn't be suspicious of.

Maybe, it could be a small pendant, a necklace around Jungkook's collarbone, touching his skin – that wouldn't alert Seojoon...right? Or maybe a ring was the better option? Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, and his eyes lingered on the looped earring. The guy didn't seem to be much into jewelry except that earring. Should Taehyung gift him ear cuffs? Or a single ear stud?

Taehyung leaned back on his leather seats, tired from all the thinking.

A part of him was glad there were returning to his apartment, because it meant safety for Jungkook. The wards built around his place would keep out unwanted attention, and Jungkook too would be momentarily hidden from the Elders radar. With Jungkook safe within the walls of his apartment, Taehyung would be able to work on his essence item.

But another part of him wondered, if Jungkook would start questioning his actions after this. He hadn't divulged much into his past history, including Seojoon. Jungkook had yet to make the connection between the two, and Taehyung wanted to keep it that way. He couldn't drag the younger into his mess, not after everything the Elders had put his soul through.

No, he just needed to be safe and away from the dark chaos within Taehyung.

Yes...that was it.

He needed to get Jungkook to his apartment, even if it meant getting him there through illogical means or methods.

**