Crimson Threads

9

Taehyung's POV-

The bar was alive with the usual chaos—laughter, clinking glasses, and the low hum of conversation. I was sitting with Yujin, Jiho, and Mikey, my so-called partners in crime. They were more like brothers, really, each of us having each other's backs through thick and thin. The bottle in front of me was already half-empty, but it wasn't doing much to calm the storm raging inside me.

"You know, Tae," Yujin said with a sly grin, leaning back in his chair, "you've been acting different lately. What's up with that?"

Mikey, ever the instigator, nudged me with a smirk. "So, Tae, what's this we hear about you falling for some girl? You? Mr. I-don't-care-about-anything?"

Jiho, always the one to catch onto things, chimed in, "Yeah, man, you've been spacing out more than usual. What's going on?"

I shrugged, trying to play it cool, but I knew they weren't going to let it go. "Nothing much. Just thinking."

Mikey raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what? Or should I say... who?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. They weren't going to drop it, so I decided to just own up to it. "Alright, fine. I'm thinking about a girl."

The reaction was immediate. Jiho almost choked on his drink, Yujin burst out laughing, and Mikey just stared at me like I'd grown a second head.

"A girl?" Jiho repeated, wiping his mouth. "Kim Taehyung, the guy who never lets anyone get close, is thinking about a girl? This I gotta hear."

I took a deep breath, feeling that familiar tightness in my chest. "Her name's Y/N. I saw her a few weeks ago, and... I don't know, man. She's different."

"Different how?" Yujin asked, leaning in, clearly intrigued.

I tried to find the right words, but it wasn't easy. "She's just... beautiful, you know? Not in the obvious way, though she is, but it's more than that. The way she carries herself, the way she smiles... it's like she's got this light around her, and when she looks at me, it's like everything else just fades away."

The guys exchanged looks, clearly not expecting that from me. I wasn't the type to get caught up in feelings. My life was about one thing—getting stronger, tougher, and proving myself. I'd been picking fights since I was a kid, dreaming of becoming someone who could handle anything, anyone. That was my goal, my purpose. But ever since Y/N walked into my life, things had gotten... complicated.

"You sure you're not just drunk?" Jiho teased, but I could tell he was half-serious.

I shook my head. "I wish I was, man. But no, it's real. And it's messing with my head."

Mikey, always the level-headed one, asked, "So what are you gonna do about it? You gonna talk to her?"

"That's the thing," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know if I should. I've got enough on my plate already. The last thing I need is a distraction."

"A distraction?" Yujin laughed. "Dude, this isn't just a distraction. You're falling for her, whether you like it or not."

I grimaced, knowing he was right. "Yeah, maybe. But I've got bigger things to worry about. You know how it is. I've got a reputation to maintain. I can't just start chasing after some girl."

"Reputation?" Mikey scoffed. "Tae, we all know you're a tough guy, but you're also human. It's okay to have feelings."

"I know," I muttered, but it didn't make it any easier. I'd spent my whole life building walls around myself, pushing everyone away. I didn't need anyone, and I sure as hell didn't need to get involved with someone who could mess with my head. But here I was, doing exactly that.