Cell No. 9 | TaeKook

9 | Gratitude.

In a brightly lit stage room, the cheerful sounds of children singing filled the air, their innocent voices blending harmoniously as they performed. The audience, a mix of parents, teachers, and fellow students, watched with smiles and soft applause. Taehyung, seated among them, found a rare moment of peace in the joyful performance.

However, as he scanned the room, his gaze locked onto an officer standing near the back. The officer's eyes were fixed intently on him, a look that sent a shiver down Taehyung's spine. When Taehyung met his gaze, the officer quickly adjusted his cap and turned away, walking towards the exit.

Curiosity and a sense of unease gripped Taehyung. He rose from his seat and slipped out of the room, following the officer. The corridor outside the stage room was dimly lit and eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere he had just left. He trailed the officer at a cautious distance, watching as the man navigated through the winding hallways of the prison.

The officer moved with purpose, his steps echoing softly against the tiled floor. Taehyung's heart pounded in his chest as he continued to follow.

Suddenly, the officer stopped. Taehyung froze mid-step, his breath catching in his throat. The officer began to turn around, and panic surged through Taehyung. Before he could react, a hand grabbing him by the arm and yanking him inside a storage room.

Taehyung stumbled into the small, dark space, and the door closed behind him with a soft click. He turned, ready to defend himself, but found Jungkook standing there. Jungkook's eyes were intense. He quickly covered Taehyung's mouth with his hand, their faces inches apart.

"Shh," Jungkook whispered, his breath warm against Taehyung's skin. "Don't make a sound."

Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise, his heart pounding even harder. He could feel the heat radiating from Jungkook's body, their close proximity making him acutely aware of every movement. For a moment, everything seemed to pause.

Outside, the faint sounds of footsteps could be heard as the officer continued down the hall. Jungkook's hand remained over Taehyung's mouth, his other arm pressed against the wall behind Taehyung, effectively trapping him. The small room was filled with the scent of dust and old wood, mingling with the faint smell of sweat and cologne.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Jungkook slowly removed his hand from Taehyung's mouth, but he didn't move away. They stayed like that for a few more seconds, their breaths mingling in the confined space.

Jungkook's eyes blazed with a mix of anger and frustration as he whispered fiercely, "Are you crazy? How could you just get out of the stage room like this?"

Taehyung looked away, "S-sorry."

Jungkook's frustration only grew. "Seriously, why are you even apologizing?"

"I... don't know," Taehyung mumbled, his voice barely audible.

"Why were you following that policeman?" Jungkook demanded.

Taehyung hesitated, his eyes darting around. "It's just... he was looking at me. His behavior seemed weird."

As Taehyung spoke, his hand instinctively moved to his stomach, where he had been injured. Jungkook's gaze followed the movement and, without warning, he pulled Taehyung's hand away and lifted his shirt.