My Sweetest Thing (I Will Devour You) TAEKOOK COMPLETE (18+)

Chapter 9

The first sign of something being off is the shocked surprise on Jungkook's face when he opens the door. Something anxious flashes across his features when his eyes steal a side-ways glance toward the bedroom. He shoves the money in his hand into the pocket of his sweats. He was expecting someone else.

Just like that, all the lightness inside Taehyung disappears, only to be replaced by an anxiety digging deep in his chest.

"Taehyung... I-I wasn't expecting you."

Jungkook holds the door only half-open, standing in the gap. "H-hey!" His shout doesn't stop Taehyung when he pushes in with force and walks a few steps inside before he turns. Jungkook follows him but retreats, eyes wide, when Taehyung takes a step toward him.

This is all wrong.

There is a darkness festering inside Taehyung, a hollow desperation that makes him feel sick to his stomach. It feels like he's the only one who doesn't know what's happening.

"I-I... had some questions..." He mumbles, confidence suddenly not there at all. His legs move as if on their own toward the bedroom, faster by the step. There is something there and Jungkook is trying to hide it.

"No, wait!" Jungkook stands too far to stop him when he runs.

Taehyung stops at the door, his things cluttering onto the floor at the shock.

He takes in the sight of the mess, the open suitcase, mostly packed with clothes and a few of the books and papers. He turns to Jungkook although he can't even see him for all the stupid tears brimming in his eyes.

"You were just going to leave? ...just like that?" His voice trembles, vision clearing when the tears start falling, one by one. Suddenly, the wide eyes are there, staring back at him, so full of sorrow and regrets, apologies. There is an infinite amount of pain in the dark wells that sparkle like the night sky.

"I can't – I'm going to hurt you... I don't want to hurt you, Taehyung." He hangs his head, lifting his palms up helplessly. He tucks them under his arms as if to keep them from touching anything else... from touching Taehyung.

A flash of anger burns through the sadness and the hurt, it blisters away everything else in Taehyung's mind.

"How can you leave when there's a cure!" He blurts out and points a shaking finger toward the book on the floor, conveniently forgetting about the statistical improbability of Professor Lee's theory ever succeeding.

Jungkook knows exactly what Taehyung is talking about – he has read the book a million times over the years, cover to cover, the last chapter used to be his only solace, his only hope. But now that he knows Taehyung, the identity of the actual Cake who would have to risk their lives in the process... he knows he could never do it. He'd rather leave.

His heart aches. He has to force the words out.

"It's a theory. Not a cure. No one has succeeded and I am not willing to try..."

"Why NOT?" Taehyung steps closer, face dark like thunder and Jungkook bumps against a wall when he steps back. Blood hisses in his ears, Taehyung smells so good.

Step.

"I-I... please don't c-come any closer..." Jungkook puts up a shaking hand. Taehyung's sweet scent teases his senses, his whole being filling with an urge... too strong.