Secrets || VKOOK

Chapter 1

"You're sure you don't mind?" Jungkook's voice was tight with concern, his hand hovering over the steering wheel of the idling car.

Taehyung took a deep breath, feeling the familiar ache in his chest. "Yeah, I'm okay," he lied, flashing a reassuring smile. "It's just a check-up. You go ahead to the Hoseoks house, I'll catch up with you later."

Jungkook searched Taehyung's eyes, his own filled with worry. "If anything happens..."

"I promise," Taehyung said firmly, cutting him off. He didn't want Jungkook to miss the party, not because of his condition. The truth was, he was tired of it always being about his condition. It was a constant shadow hanging over their relationship, a secret he hadn't had the courage to reveal. He didn't want it to define him, but the fear of losing Jungkook was almost too much to bear. "I'll text you when I'm done."

With a nod, Jungkook leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, the warmth of his touch briefly soothing the pain. "Okay," he murmured. "But don't be too long, okay?"

Taehyung nodded as he cupped Jungkook's face and kissed him passionately, pouring all his love and fear into that one kiss. Jungkook's eyes searched his, questioning, but Taehyung managed to keep his emotions in check. He didn't want Jungkook to see the turmoil brewing inside him, not today.

As Jungkook drove away, Taehyung watched the taillights fade into the distance, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. He took a deep breath and started the engine of his own car, the purr a comforting sound amidst the cacophony of his racing thoughts. The hospital was a 20-minute drive, but it felt like an eternity as he navigated through the crowded streets, the weight of his secret pressing down on him with each passing minute.

When he arrived, the sterile smell of the hospital hit him like a wave, a stark reminder of the countless hours he had spent within these walls. He parked in the lot and made his way to the entrance, his heart beating a little too fast, his breaths a little too shallow. The receptionist greeted him with a forced smile, her eyes glazed over from a long day of checking in patients. He gave her his name and was directed to the cardiology wing.

The elevator ride to the third floor was painfully slow, each floor announcement echoing in his ears like a countdown to a fate he wasn't ready to face. He stepped out and walked down the hallway, the rhythmic beeping of heart monitors a grim soundtrack to his thoughts. Finally, he reached his doctor's office and took a seat in the waiting room, surrounded by the somber silence of patients and their loved ones.

The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one feeling like an eternity. He tried to distract himself by scrolling through his phone, but the cheerful messages from Jungkook about the party just served as a reminder of the life he was hiding from. Taehyung's eyes fell on a young couple holding hands, their faces etched with fear and hope. He knew that look all too well. The silent pact of love and strength in the face of uncertainty. It made his chest ache even more.

The nurse called his name, and he followed her down the hallway, his heart pounding in his chest. He'd been here so many times before, but every visit was a battle with his own mortality. As she took his vitals, she asked the usual questions about his symptoms and medication adherence. He answered automatically, his mind elsewhere. The doctor came in, a man who had seen Taehyung grow from a scared little boy to the man he was today. Dr. Kim's eyes held a gentle concern that never wavered, even after all these years.

"How have you been feeling, Taehyung?" Dr. Kim asked, his voice soothing. "Uhm, I'm getting chest pains more often than usual," Taehyung admitted, his voice low.

The doctor nodded, his expression serious. "We'll run some tests. And about the heart transplant process. We are not finding a donor. And even if we do have a donor, it would not be a match because of your unique blood type."