The One He Tried To Forget | 18+ |

9

Thirteen years ago...

Jin looked up at the building before him. Another new school in another new city. Another new home to get used to. He wondered how long his family would be able to stay this time.

He was sick of moving. He was sick of being the new kid all the time. But most of all, he was sick of his father messing up again and again. This will be his ninth first day in his school life history and he was already tired.

Just get it over with, Kim Seok Jin. You know what to expect by now. This isn't your first rodeo and things won't be any different.

Surprisingly, things were different. Almost a year after he gave himself the talk, Jin was sitting in the middle of his school's dining hall, surrounded by friends; his boyfriend's arm on his shoulder, his long fingers caressing the back of his neck.

Boyfriend. Jin never dreamed that he would ever have friends, let alone a proper boyfriend. The nomadic lifestyle that his family lived, thanks to his father's actions, didn't allow for lasting friendships or relationships. But so far, his father had stayed true to the promise he made to Jin's mum after the last incident, and this was the longest that they have ever stayed in one place.

Jin turned to his boyfriend. As usual, his heart skipped a beat at the first glance. His boyfriend was so handsome. Sharp chin, defined jawline, thin but sensual lips, dark eyes that shone like polished marbles, and hair so black that it looked almost blue. Jung Kook was the best looking student in their school, and Jin had a hard time believing that he was his boyfriend.

Jin can still remember the first time Jung Kook approached him, and how he felt when Jung Kook invited him to sit at his table for lunch. It had been the beginning of a wonderful friendship which eventually led to what was now a fulfilling relationship.

It has been nine months since Jin accepted Jung Kook as his boyfriend. He tried to resist in the beginning, insisting that they remain friends, but Jung Kook was persistent and he had gradually worn down Jin's defences.

The first time Jung Kook kissed Jin was after their third date when Jung Kook walked him to the bus stop after dinner and a movie. Jung Kook had wanted to go on the bus with Jin and escort him to his front door but Jin had said no. He was not ready for Jung Kook to meet his parents, let alone know of his family situation.

He didn't want Jung Kook to view him negatively, and look at him with disgust because he had come to realise that Jung Kook was different from the boys that he had hooked up with at his previous schools.

Jung Kook was kind, brave, and protective. He was a man of substance, and Jin wanted to hold on to him for as long as time would allow.

A heartwrenching sob tore from Jin's lips as the memories assailed him. He thought he had gotten over the heartache of losing Jung Kook, and had moved on from his feelings for him. But seeing Jung Kook tonight proved that Jin had been fooling himself. Because deep down, the feelings were still there.

Deep down, Jin still loved Jung Kook. Even though Jung Kook has obviously moved on to someone else.

While Jin wrestled with his memories of a painful past, a handsome dark-haired man stood at the balcony doors of a luxurious condo on the other side of town with a glass of whisky in his hand as he looked out at the city laid wide before him.

Jung Kook's face was in shadow as his thoughts scattered. He had seen Jin tonight. Even touched him when he grabbed the front of his t-shirt. That brief touch had set electric sparks shooting off inside him, and he had been aroused. It was almost like the years apart had never happened. His body recognised Jin's and remembered it well.

Earlier, Jung Kook had taken his cousin's husband into their room and put him to bed. Ji Min had gone out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow. Jung Kook had left him in the clothes he wore to the event because he knew his cousin would not appreciate him seeing his husband in a state of undress.

Jung Kook felt terrible for using Ji Min the way he did in the car. The sweet man didn't deserve it. He had been intoxicated and didn't realise that the man he was propositioning in the back seat was not his husband. But Jung Kook couldn't help it. He had been so angry with Jin because the other had appeared cool and disinterested when he saw him, while Jung Kook's brain had gone haywire when he realised he was looking at Jin -- the only man he has ever loved.

It had incensed him that Jin was unaffected by his presence, because his entire being was screaming to pull Jin flush against him and never let go, as his heart called for Jin to come to him and never leave. It had played havoc with his mind that all he could think of was to provoke a reaction from the other man. Unfortunately, his actions had resulted in a response that he did not want -- Jin denying that he knew him -- and it had hurt. A lot.

The front door opened behind Jung Kook, and he saw his cousin reflected in the glass of the balcony doors. He watched as Yoon Gi stored his shoes neatly in the entryway, and waited for the man to notice him.

"Jung Kook? You're here? Why are you still up? Is Ji Min alright? Where is he?"

Jung Kook could hear the exhaustion in his cousin's voice. It was clear on his face and in his posture. He turned to reassure him about his husband.

"Ji Min is sleeping in your room."

Discovering that his husband had been drugged, and then finding him on the verge of being raped in the stairwell next to the event hall had taken everything out of Yoon Gi. He had come close to killing his husband's attacker but fortunately Jung Kook had followed him and pulled him off the other man. Jung Kook had then sat on the assailant until security came and took him into custody.

It had taken a while for Yoon Gi to calm down, and by then, they were no longer in the mood to remain at the function. Jung Kook had suggested that they leave, and Yoon Gi had agreed. But the venue security had called the police so Yoon Gi knew one of them had to stay to answer questions.

Yoon Gi told Jung Kook that he would call his car service and have them send his driver to collect Ji Min and Jung Kook. Initially, Jung Kook had wanted to argue that he could drive himself and his cousin's husband home in Ji Min's yellow mobile but he ultimately agreed when he saw the worry and anxiety on Yoon Gi's face. And so the unknown chauffeur had come, only to turn Jung Kook's world upside down.

"Hyung, when were you going to tell me?" Jung Kook asked as Yoon Gi headed to his bedroom to check on his husband.

Yoon Gi stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. His back was ramrod straight, and his shoulders had stiffened. Jung Kook wondered if he was going to lie about not knowing Jin. Though the two never met, his cousin knew of Jin and what he looked like because Jung Kook always talked about him and often shared his pictures.

"Tell you what, Jung Kook?"

"Tell me that you found Jin. How long have you known that he was back?"

Yoon Gi sighed and finally turned to look at Jung Kook. There was hurt in his young cousin's eyes, and his fingers trembled slightly on the glass he held in his right hand.

"I didn't find him, Jung Kook-ah. I was just as surprised when I met him."

"I see," Jung Kook nodded. "Is he going to be my driver now? The one you said you were getting for me?"

"That was my plan in the beginning after I realised Hobi had assigned him to me. But now I don't think it's a good idea. I've asked Hobi to appoint a different driver for you."

Jung Kook's stomach dropped. He didn't want another driver. He wanted Jin. Despite what happened tonight, and Jin denying ever meeting him, Jung Kook wanted to see him again.

"No, hyung. Please give him to me. I want him as my driver."

"Jung Kook, no--"

"Yes! You will give Jin to me!" Jung Kook cut his cousin off forcefully. "It's the only way, hyung. The only way I will ever come alive again. Please give Jinnie to me. I beg you!"