Dark Devotion | Taekook

Chapter 2: The First Signs of Darkness

Words : 2001
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The morning sun streamed through the trees, casting dappled light onto the cabin as the seven friends prepared for a day of exploring the mountains. Laughter echoed through the air as they joked and teased each other, the bonds of their long-standing friendship providing warmth against the cool mountain breeze.

Jungkook was particularly energetic that morning, his usual bright smile lighting up the room. He was the kind of person who could effortlessly lift the spirits of everyone around him, a trait Taehyung admired deeply. Taehyung couldn't help but watch Jungkook as he bounced around the cabin, helping with breakfast and playfully tugging at Jimin's hoodie.

"Hyung, hurry up! We're going to miss the sunrise!" Jungkook exclaimed, tugging on Taehyung's sleeve.

Taehyung chuckled, nodding as he let Jungkook pull him along. The touch of Jungkook's hand, so familiar yet so electric, sent a shiver down Taehyung's spine. He could feel the darkness creeping at the edges of his mind, but he pushed it away, focusing on the warmth of Jungkook's hand in his.

The group set out for a hike, the trail winding up through the dense forest. As they walked, Taehyung found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the previous night's conversation. He had barely slept, haunted by the image of Jungkook smiling sadly as he defended Eunwoo once again.

During the hike, Jungkook stayed close to Taehyung, occasionally reaching out to hold his hand when the path became steep. Taehyung tried to enjoy these moments, cherishing the closeness they shared. Yet, every time Jungkook let go, Taehyung felt a pang in his chest-a reminder that, ultimately, Jungkook's heart belonged to someone else.

As the day went on, Taehyung's internal struggle grew. He could feel something within him shifting, a darkness that was no longer content to stay hidden. It was as if his frustration, jealousy, and unrequited love were manifesting into something more tangible, something dangerous.

The turning point came when they reached a cliff overlooking the valley. The view was breathtaking, with the sun hanging low in the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and orange. The friends sat down to rest, pulling out snacks and water from their backpacks.

Jungkook, ever the adventurer, climbed onto a large boulder for a better view. Taehyung watched him, his heart swelling with affection. But as he admired Jungkook's carefree spirit, he felt the darkness surge within him.

"Hyung, come join me!" Jungkook called out, extending his hand toward Taehyung.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. Then he smiled, pushing the dark thoughts away, and took Jungkook's hand.

As they stood together on the boulder, Taehyung noticed something strange-his reflection in Jungkook's sunglasses. For a split second, it wasn't his usual self staring back at him. His eyes looked darker, his expression more intense. It was as if a shadow had crossed over his face, giving him a glimpse of the darkness that was slowly taking over.

"Hyung? You okay?" Jungkook's voice snapped him back to reality.

Taehyung blinked and forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about how lucky I am to be here with you."

Jungkook beamed, unaware of the turmoil behind Taehyung's words. "Me too, hyung. This is perfect."

As they continued the hike, Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The darkness was no longer just a feeling; it was becoming a presence. And it was growing stronger with each passing hour.