Stuck With You [Taekook ff]

23 | He Cried With Him

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"You're Dead."

Jungkook stood still on the paved parking lot in front on the FBI building. He looked zoned out, his eyes looking straight forward, not on Taehyung. Once Jungkook started letting silent tears drop, Taehyung led him to sit in the chairs the smokers used outside the building.

Taehyung could think of nothing to do at first but to keep holding his hand. He couldn't tell what type of reaction Jungkook was having. Was Jungkook in shock because of what he just heard? Was this a panic attack?

As Jungkook trembled, lost in the grip of what seemed like a flashback, Taehyung gently pulled him into his arms, his voice soft and soothing. He whispered reassuring words, his fingers tenderly brushing through Jungkook's hair, trying to ground him in the present.

"You're gonna be ok." Taehyung tried to reassure him.

Taehyung could feel the tension in Jungkook's body, the way his breath came in short, ragged gasps, maybe memories overwhelming him. Without hesitation, Taehyung held him closer; he thought his warmth and steady heartbeat would be a comforting presence, silently reminding Jungkook that he wasn't alone. "I'm here," Taehyung murmured, his lips brushing against Jungkook's temple. "You're safe. I've got you."

Jungkook had had a problem recalling some of the specifics of what happened on that evening. Not remembering had haunted him. That evening, it was always there, lurking in the corners of his mind, ready to pounce when he least expected it.

Today was the day.

The sound of distant sirens blaring through the city streets seeped into his mind, dragging him back to a time when those very sounds marked the end of his world.

Jungkook's breath hitched as the memories began to flood his consciousness, pulling him into the depths of that haunting evening—the quiet conversation, the shots, his mother's scream. He closed his eyes, gripping Taehyung's hands tightly, as if they were the only thing anchoring him to the present.

....last week...

It was a warm, and cozy evening. Jungkook had just graduated from college and had moved back in with his parents as he was preparing to go to law school. He was curled up in his favorite spot in the spacious living room of their luxurious home.

The glow of the projected tv screen casted flickering shadows on the walls as they watched the news, trying to get settled after sharing a wonderful meal. His parents argued about something political, but Jungkook didn't offer his opinion out loud.

His father, a hardworking businessman with natural good looks, possessed a gentle soul. Even if his mom and dad argued over silly things, his dad was always tempered by the kindness in his eyes. His mother, a woman with a fierce spirit and an infectious laugh, would give as good as she got, but their fights always ended in quiet apologies and soft laughter. It was their way, a dance they had perfected over the years.

Jungkook was happy to be back with his parents for the summer. He was home. It was his resting place. His grounding place. A solid foundation. If he were to ever fall, his mom and dad would be there to pick him up.

But that evening, after watching the news, something started to feel different. There was an unnatural foreboding that Jungkook couldn't shake. He shivered on the couch trying to ignore the feeling of tragedy that was lurking. He tried to shake it off, focusing on the commercial playing on their very grand movie type projector screen, but the feeling was impossible to ignore.

And then, there was a house alarm. It detected movement from outside. They typically never had visitors come to their home without it being planned. Jungkook was alarmed at the sudden movement. And surprised.