𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 | 𝐓𝐊

vii

The next day, Taehyung finds a small pile of clothes by the bedside, presumably what Jeongguk has offered to him. Some of the shirts look new or even untouched. He takes note to thank the Alpha for it.

He showers, changes and makes his way down. Taehyung only had the one pair of undergarments he had worn on his wedding day. Now he was only left with his bra which desperately needed a wash. So today, he didn't have anything to wear underneath. The shirt is yet again white but he feels grateful that it is thick and opaque. Small mercy honestly.

The shirt was paired with tan pants, surprisingly snug on his waist. He also dared to inspect his body in the mirror this morning, his neck was adorned with red marks, his thighs were littered with them too. In the privacy of the room, he had buried his face in his hands and groaned in embarrassment. His mother would have been horrified to see his state.

He also puts effort to style his hair. The blonde compliment his skin so well. They make him look soft and delicate. Needless to say, he feels pretty in himself when he finally leaves the room.

Since Taehyung woke up earlier than yesterday, he finds Jeongguk in the living room today. He is reading something from what Taehyung can see.

"You read?" He asks coming down the stairs.

Jeongguk nods his head, "Sometimes," he replies, "You woke up early today," he comments closing the papers he was reading and putting them aside then finally looks at Taehyung. He is wearing all black today, contrasting well with his pale skin.

"Wanted to be of help," Taehyung shrugs. He takes slow steps until he reaches the sofa and takes a seat beside Jeongguk.

"How's the foot?" The Alpha gestures to his feet. "You're still walking with a limp."

"Well, I can limp for mutiple reasons," Taehyung rolls his eyes, "But it's better. It's not swollen, the blue has lessened considerably too." He pauses a few beats then adds, "Why? Eager to kick me out?"

Jeongguk stretches his shoulders as he gets up. "Exactly that," he rounds the sofa and makes way to the kitchen, "You got a preference for breakfast, princess?"

Taehyung laughs as he twists his body to look at him, "You act like I bother you but you really like to spoil me, no?" Jeongguk does not reply and Taehyung doesn't exapect him to reply either, "Let me tell you before you kick me out and I never get a chance again, your cooking skills are as good as you are in bed." He bites his lip to hold back a giggle.

"I know," Jeongguk deadpans, although his expressions are one of smugness and pride.

Taehyung drags the Alpha to go for a walk with him later that day. Jeongguk first drapes him in a thick jacket then finally gives in and complies with the request.

The air is chilly, there is no sun in the sky. And since the days are shorter, it feels like it will get dark soon.

"You have terrible survival instincts, by the way," Jeongguk points out after Taehyung gives details about how he hated the forest the night he ran away, "If it weren't for me, you'd be honestly as good as dead."

"Listen, I was desperate, okay? I couldn't bring myself to marry that man." Taehyung wraps the jacket tighter around himself. He is wearing the same boots he wore with his dress. Thankfully, they look better with his pants than they did with the fancy wedding dress.

"Don't your parents love you? You could have convinced them, no?" Jeongguk says like it's obvious.

"Its... um," Taehyung struggles, "complicated." How does he tell the absurd excuses his mother had told to convince him of Jisung's "goodness"?