Unloved | tk

ch38 the date

"did he spill anything yet?" Taehyung leaned in, eyeing the young man with a mix of impatience and determination.

"Nah, nothing but his camera," Da-jong shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "He's been tight-lipped."

Taehyung let out an exasperated sigh, eyeing the half-conscious figure before him. With a clenched fist, he delivered another blow, the guy already sporting a swollen face, busted lip, and an assortment of bruises. "Sorry for barging in on your study time, but keep him breathing. We need him to spill the beans, got it?" He emphasized, his voice edged with determination.

"Got it, hyung. And don't sweat the college stuff, I'm on break anyway," Da-jong reassured, a faint smile playing on his lips as he handed Taehyung a damp cloth to tend to his bloodied knuckles. "Looks like you're getting used to the sight of blood. What's up with that?" He quipped.

Taehyung's lips curled into a hesitant smile as he reached out to accept the cloth. "It's not exactly a walk in the park to erase those haunting memories, you know," he confessed, his tone tinged with a mix of reflection and optimism. Da-jong, catching the weight behind his words, offered a sympathetic nod, silently urging him to continue.

"Yeah," Taehyung continued, his voice gaining a hint of determination, "but I reckon I'm making some progress, you know? Especially after that whole ordeal with that jerk who dared to threaten someone I'd give my life to protect. Guess that kind of shook me back into believing in myself a bit more," he added with a self-deprecating chuckle.

A grin tugged at Da-jong's lips as he listened, genuine admiration glinting in his eyes. "You've always been the resilient type, hyung," he remarked, his voice filled with appreciation. "And speaking of moving forward, guess what? I'll be strutting out of that university next year with a shiny business degree, all thanks to your support and guidance," he declared proudly.

Taehyung's hand landed gently on Da-jong's back, a warm gesture of affection. "Nah, it's all you, buddy," he countered modestly, a hint of pride seeping into his words. Memories of Jae, Da-jong's brother who was ruthlessly murdered in front of Taehyung's eyes, who had shared dreams of conquering the business world, flickered in Taehyung's mind, painting a bittersweet smile on his lips.

"Yeah," Da-jong sighed wistfully, a shadow passing over his expression. "If only this messed-up world hadn't snatched Jae away from us," he lamented, his voice heavy with regret. "He'd be out there, killing it in some fancy corporate job by now."

Taehyung's agreement was soft, his gaze distant with melancholy. "True," he murmured, a silent acknowledgement of the cruel twists of fate.

A soft chuckle bubbled up from Da-jong's throat, breaking the sombre mood as he playfully nudged Taehyung's side. "But hey," he teased, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes, "Jae would've been green with envy seeing you with your mysterious beau. That guy's a real catch, you know."

The blush that flooded Taehyung's cheeks was undeniable as he stammered, "He's, uh, not my boyfriend, Da-jong."

Da-jong's eyebrow arched in playful scepticism, but he relented with a knowing smile. "Sure thing, hyung," he replied with a wink, wisely deciding to drop the subject for now.

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Jungkook found himself standing before the mirror, his fingers fidgeting with the strands of his fluffy hair, each adjustment made with meticulous care. There was a palpable sense of nervousness coursing through him, a cocktail of excitement and apprehension swirling in his stomach like a tempest. After all, tonight marked a significant milestone for him – he was finally going on a date with Kim Taehyung, the object of his affection, his crush for what felt like an eternity.