ALPHA ; taekook

4| In the Alley

KIM TAEHYUNG

"Cool your jets, lover boy."

Jimin gestures "woah-woah" slowly with his hands, albeit Taehyung can't see. "Speak slower because I don't understand anything you just said."

"Jungkook and I totally had a moment... I think. I was getting lost in his eyes."

Jimin pulls his phone from his ear just as Taehyung lets out a loud squeal. "Tae, for the love of–"

Taehyung's voice bursts through the phone, giddy and excited, cutting Jimin's threats before they could spill. "Jimin, you don't get it. He was just so..." he trails thoughtfully.

"He's just.." The words left just as fast as they came. Taehyung feels his cheeks burn hot— heart thumping in his throat. His eyes wander around the room.

"Just what?"

"No, it's nothing, never mind. You know what? It's just a little crush, it'll go away soon."

The silence is deafening, and Taehyung feels Jimin's glare even from miles away.

"Just a little crush? Yeah, right."

"Hey! Weren't you the one who told me not to be delulu?"

"Yeah, but I didn't say to squash your feelings, dumbass. I just meant to not put unrealistic expectations on Jungkook. It's fine to progress your relationship, but be realistic."

Taehyung sighs, picking up the sprite can beside him and downing it in one go. "I will," he mutters, crushing the can in between his fingers. "I remember the last time my hopes and expectations got too out of hand."

Jimin's voice softens. "Just take it slow, Tae. Enjoy the moments, and who knows what might happen. Maybe it's not just a crush."

Taehyung nods, even though Jimin can't see him. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Jimin. I'll talk to you later, okay? I need to pick up some medicine for my sister."

"Okay... I'll let you go. See you in class tomorrow?"

"Yup!" Taehyung hangs up before Jimin could bid his proper goodbyes.

"Ugh," he groaned, stopping to take a slight breath. "Stupid, complicated emotions."

•••

Above him, the night draped the world in a shroud of unsettling eeriness, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with malevolent intent. The moon, a cold and distant observer, struggled to pierce through the thick veil of mist that clung to the air like ghostly fingers.

"This is not the vibes..." Taehyung whispered, wrapping his arms around himself, plastic bag with sleep medicine dangling awkwardly from his wrist.

The eerie hush that enveloped the night seemed to intensify, the quiet broken by distant echoes. As Taehyung walked along the deserted sidewalk, the wind whispered through the branches of trees, creating a symphony of unsettling melodies.

"Maybe I should've done this in the morning," Taehyung mumbled to himself, quickening his pace. His breath hung in the chilly air, visible in the dim light.

Just as he turned the corner, a hand pulls him into an abandoned alley, and presses him up against a building. The suddenness of the action sends a jolt of fear through Taehyung, his breath catching in his throat. The dim light reveals a silhouette, and panic courses through him as he tries to make out the features of his unexpected assailant.

"Shh, stay quiet," a hushed voice whispers, the tone simultaneously urgent and restrained. The hand on Taehyung's shoulder feels firm, a silent plea for compliance. Despite the fear, Taehyung can't help but notice the familiar voice that rang by his ear.