GOLDEN TALENT | VKOOK ✓

42 | I LIKE YOU; WE CONFESSED

 "We are going to keep talking and everything, and whenever we have needs, we could," Jeongguk motioned, ''you know.''

''Friends with benefits?'' Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck and asked. ''We are not even close friends. We are not even hardcore rivals anymore.'' With the question, "Frivals with Benefits?" Taehyung's brows furrowed.

"Well, kind of." As Jeongguk licked the inside of his cheek, he raised his brows. ''Thing is, I feel like doing this with you. I can't go around and try out different guys around campus. Not only is it risky, but I don't feel comfortable with it since it's, well, new.''

''I'm in.'' He replied almost confidently, ''But I don't want us to jump on each other starting tonight. To make us feel more at ease, I'd prefer that we actually have some conversations.'' He concluded.

''I'm not kissing you, Kim.'' 

"I'm not expecting you to." 

"We're fucked up, you know?"

''All in all? Yes. We are at least screwed up together.'' 

"May I tell you everything? Can I?" In the most fragile, quiet voice possible, he spoke.

"Taehyung," The other one mumbled. He was there, sitting directly beside him. "Whatever you want."

''And on top of that, I just feel so ugly.'' He muttered, ''Maybe I'm overly sensitive right now. But I mean it. I feel so ugly.''

''You are the prettiest thing, Taehyung. You are gorgeous. Stunning. So handsome in every way possible. The most handsome boy I've seen.''

"Just pick up the damn phone, Taehyung," Jeongguk muttered in frustration. Despite multiple attempts to reach him, Taehyung remained unresponsive. An hour had passed, and the absence of any sign of Taehyung in his dorm intensified Jeongguk's anxiety. He couldn't bear the uncertainty, the worry gnawing at him.

He decided to check the chat once more, and there it was – the message had been marked as 'seen.' Panic surged through him as he desperately pressed the call button, only to be met with the same unresponsive silence. Realization struck him, and he remembered a detail that could potentially lead him to Taehyung's whereabouts.

They rarely used the Snapchat app, but both of them still had it on their phones. Jeongguk recalled that Taehyung might have forgotten about the location-sharing feature. Swiftly, he opened the app, and there it was – Taehyung's location marked on the map. Dongho Bridge, Han River.

Cursing under his breath, Jeongguk's worry turned into urgency. He grabbed his keys and rushed to his car, determined to find Taehyung. The drive was fueled by concern, and his mind raced with thoughts of what might be going through Taehyung's head.

As Taehyung stood on Dongho Bridge, the winter wind biting at his face, he felt a mix of emotions swirling within him. His puffiest jacket provided some comfort against the cold, but it couldn't shield him from the turmoil he felt inside. He knew he needed this time alone to process everything, but the constant buzzing of his phone in his pocket was a persistent reminder of the world he was trying to escape.