Forelsket - That overwhelming gut-rush euphoria exclusive to the beginnings of falling in love.
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In just a single day, everything Jeon Jungkook held dear was taken from him. His reason for living, his entire world, his love-Kim...
Jungkook emerged from the police station, his steps heavy and deliberate. As he stepped onto the street, he saw his co-partner, Xu Minghao, standing beside a black car parked nearby. Minghao's presence was a beacon of familiarity and support amidst the chaos. He straightened up as Jungkook approached, his expression shifting from concern to a faint smile of recognition.
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Jungkook gave Minghao a brief nod, his face a mask of weariness. He shook his head slightly in acknowledgment of the situation, a silent agreement to the unspoken tension between them.
Minghao's gaze softened as he looked at Jungkook, taking in the bruises and the rough state of his co-partner. "They really did a number on you, huh? How's it feeling?" Minghao teased, a small, sympathetic smile tugging at his lips.
Jungkook met Minghao's gaze with a blank stare, his exhaustion palpable. "Do you want to experience it yourself? I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for a new thrill," Jungkook replied with a shrug, his tone more resigned than playful. Minghao chuckled at the dry humor, shaking his head.
"Yoongi said he wants to talk to you," Minghao said, patting Jungkook's shoulder with a reassuring gesture. "I'm going to get the car and bring it around. Wait here, and we'll head over together."
Jungkook simply nodded, his expression softening slightly at the gesture of camaraderie.
As Minghao walked away to fetch the car, Jungkook stood alone, lost in his thoughts. The quiet moment was abruptly interrupted by a sudden voice from behind him.
"Shall I tell you a joke?"
Startled by the unexpected interruption, Jungkook turned around to see a young man with a bright, boxy smile. The stranger's cheerfulness seemed out of place against the backdrop of the police station and Jungkook's own grim mood. Jungkook squinted, trying to place the face, but it remained unfamiliar.
The young man, oblivious to Jungkook's confusion, continued speaking with an air of casual confidence. "You're not saying much. No response means you're agreeing, right?" he said with a grin. "So, here's a joke for you: Do you know what a thief's house is made out of? It's made of steal!"
The young man chuckled at his own joke, the sound of his laughter echoing slightly in the space. He didn't seem to notice Jungkook's lack of reaction, and after a brief pause, he launched into another joke.
"What kind of shoes does a thief wear? Sneakers!"
Taehyung laughed heartily at his own punchline, but his laughter soon trailed off when he realized that Jungkook remained silent, his face a mix of confusion and disinterest. The stranger's smile faltered slightly as he noticed the lack of response from Jungkook.
Jungkook, still looking at Taehyung with a perplexed and somewhat bored expression, didn't react to the jokes. Taehyung, pouting slightly, seemed disappointed by the lack of engagement from his audience.
"Hey, those weren't bad jokes, you know," Taehyung said with a hint of disappointment as he observed Jungkook's unamused expression. "Even if you couldn't bring yourself to laugh, you could have at least managed a smile."
He sighed, shifting his tone to something more serious. "Anyway, I actually need a favor from you. It's not about stealing, but I need you to kidnap someone. Will you do it?"
Jungkook stared at Taehyung as if he had just heard the most absurd request. His eyes narrowed in disbelief, and he shook his head slightly. "I'm not saying you should do it for free. I'm willing to pay you for this. I could handle it myself, but honestly, I don't really give off that 'kidnapper' vibe, you know? You, on the other hand, have that sort of... villainous aura about you."
Jungkook let out a weary sigh, rubbing his forehead with a hand. His gaze drifted over to where Minghao was standing, waving his hand in a gesture that signaled he was ready to leave. Clearly uninterested in Taehyung's proposition, Jungkook turned away and walked past him, heading towards the waiting car. He slipped into the vehicle, closing the door behind him, leaving Taehyung standing there, somewhat deflated by the lack of engagement.
As Jungkook sat in the car, preparing to leave, he heard a voice from behind him—the same one that had spoken earlier. He turned his head to see Taehyung hurriedly rummaging through his bag. With a look of determination, Taehyung pulled out a polaroid camera, its bright colors contrasting sharply against the gray backdrop of the parking lot.
The camera aimed directly at him, and before Jungkook could react, Taehyung's voice rang out once more, "Oi, Villian. Smile!"
Jungkook glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the camera flash. A moment later, a photo began to slide out from the device. Taehyung, with a wide grin, waved the developing photo towards Jungkook, who was now staring at him through the window of the moving car. Despite the situation, there was a brief, surreal connection between them, captured in the fleeting instant of the photograph.
