The Boxer and the Barista

Chapter 1

The chime of the bell over the door rang out, a sound that normally slipped into the chinking mugs in the middle of the hubbub of voices in the shop. It was a sharp intake of breath, a clear slice through a lot of noise, such as the one you read today. Jungkook glanced up, rag in hand, anticipating the blank face of a customer to smile at. Except that it was different from any other customer.                                                                                                                                                                                 "T-Taehyung?" It was a name that felt foreign yet familiar, like something heard in a previous life that now confronted him with skin and bone. Against the edge of a door, a shadow in memory and desire.                                                                                                                                      "Hello...Jungkookie," his voice was an echo so deep it resonated off the café walls.

The world went suddenly quiet, past and present colliding in the small space between them. What Jungkook had known as his safe haven, his little café in Busan became the host to what was now a very unexpected reunion. Taehyung was there, no longer the neighbourhood scrapper, but a world-famous boxer known even in the silent void of Jungkook's life. They had both grown older, time had bent them both a little, but the sense of an old magic, of that which Jungkook thought the world had smoothed away, was still waiting, ready to be unearthed.

The air was thick with anticipation as Jungkook stood there, his heart pounding in his chest. The years had stretched out like an endless tapestry between the last time he saw Taehyung and now, each moment a stitch in the fabric of his life without him. As Taehyung stepped into view, a flood of memories washed over Jungkook—their shared laughter, the dreams they wove out of  ambition, and the sad goodbye that neither had wanted. 

Jungkook was scrubbing away at the cafe bar, lost in his thoughts while watching Taehyung's every move. It was another day like any other – a day where he was ignored by customers and treated like trash by his boss. He was exhausted, hungry, and desperate for a break. Suddenly, "Jungkookie?" The familiar voice cut through the noise of the café, causing Jungkook to look up in surprise. It was then that Taehyung noticed his old friend's appearance. Bruises littered his body, dark bags hung beneath his eyes, and his hair was matted and unruly. Taehyung's heart sank as he took in the sight of the boy who had once been so full of life and spirit now reduced to this state.

Jungkook froze, his face flooding with shock and embarrassment at being seen in such a state. He hastily tried to cover himself, pulling down the sleeves of his shirt over his bruised arms and awkwardly running a hand through his hair. "Uh...hi," he mumbled, unable to meet Taehyung's gaze.
Taehyung stepped closer, his eyes full of concern and anger. "What the hell happened to you, Jungkookie?"

Jungkook's head snapped up, surprised by the concern in Taehyung's voice. "Ah, oh – nothing, really. Just work's been a bit rough lately."
Taehyung wasn't fooled for a moment. "Yeah? So you just fell face-first into a punching bag, huh?" He gestured to the bruises on Jungkook's arms.

Jungkook blushed, feeling exposed and vulnerable under Taehyung's scrutiny. He stuttered out a response, "I – it's not what you think, Tae. I promise."
Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why do you look like you haven't slept in days? And don't think I didn't notice that you're practically starving – when was the last time you had a proper meal?"

Jungkook sighed, the weight of his situation bearing down on him. He hesitated before finally speaking. "It's been a while... My boss doesn't pay me much, and there's barely anything left for food." His voice trembled slightly, revealing his inner turmoil. "I'm just tired, Tae. Tired of everything. And I don't know how much longer I can keep going like this."