Forbidden Love ➸ Taekook ✓

- Forty-sixth -

John couldn't hide his disgust, a grimace forming on his face.

"I've got nothing to say to you. You got what you wanted, now I'm going to hang up."

However, the long sigh he heard at the other end of the line prevented him from acting. The threats Taehyung had made hadn't left his mind, and he could feel his anger all the way here. And he could say what he wanted, he was perfectly aware of the fear that Kim Taehyung inspired in him. Even before he knew about his relationship with Jungkook, the man had already impressed him enormously.

"I get what I wanted?" Taehyung asked with a dark sarcasm in his voice. "I guess you didn't quite understand what I wanted then."

He paused for a moment, during which the world seemed to stop spinning. This was proof of Kim Taehyung's power. He gave the impression of dominating everything, even when he was the one in trouble. John had the upper hand, he had Jungkook and no one but him knew where he was. But that wasn't how he felt at all.

"I want Jungkook. I'm going to get him back."

John chuckled at that.

"You don't even know where he is."

"I'll find him. It'll probably take me a while, but I'll get there. Or you'll save us all some time and tell me where you are right now."

John's eyes widened in surprise. Had Kim Taehyung lost his mind? How could he think he'd give him that information? The two men were not on good terms, that was nothing new. And the few words they had just exchanged were proof of that. John didn't want Jungkook to go back to him. So how could he imagine that he would tell him where they were? Especially as he suspected that Taehyung was vengeful. He feared what might happen to him if the two men came face to face again.

"I don't even understand how you found the nerve to ask me that. I won't tell you."

Another sigh, which this time made the young American's blood run cold.

"John, John, John... I don't think you fully understand the situation... What are you, ten years old? You're acting like a kid who doesn't want to share a toy. Jungkook is not your fucking toy. Your fuckin' ego tells you not to lose to me, but do you really think you're doing him a favour?! You're inflicting him one of the worst traumas of his life!"

John felt his chest tighten, his gaze instinctively shifting to Jungkook. The boy's eyes were riveted on the phone, as if it was his only link with Taehyung. His eyes were red and swollen, and tears were still escaping from them. He was feeling bad, it was obvious. Yet John refused to believe Taehyung's words.

"Your ego speaks just as loudly as mine."

"Unlike you, I know what makes Jungkook happy. I know him inside out. You can think what you like about our relationship, I don't give a damn. But the truth is this: we spent our childhood together, I was always with him, looking after him. I know him better than he knows himself. Whereas you know nothing. Get out of your bubble for a moment. You're turning into the same monster you accused me of being."

John didn't like the way this discussion was going at all. The two men were nothing alike. He refused to be associated with a man like Kim Taehyung.

"Your relationship is toxic, and you know it." John spat, his bitterness evident. "Your love should never have existed, you should never have got so close to him! You should have stuck to the big brother figure!"

"Wake the fuck up!" Taehyung shouted, his voice so full of anger that John couldn't help but jump; even Jungkook heard him, at the other end of the table. "Pure, wholesome romances only exist in books! All loves are tinged with black, each in their own way! Yes, there may be nothing normal about our relationship, but look Jungkook in the eye, talk to him, and tell me that what he wants is a normal relationship! You're not what he wants, and that pisses you off!"

This was too much for John. He hated the idea that Taehyung's words sounded so right. Because Taehyung was wrong, and he was right. Their relationship was abnormal and dangerous. It would eventually blow up in their faces. It was better to put an end to it before that happened.

"Goodbye, Taehyung."

He hung up before the man could reply. The room fell silent again, and John didn't dare meet Jungkook's eyes. Yet he could feel his gaze on him, burning his skin.

"Why did you hang up?"

John didn't answer, keeping his gaze fixed on his empty plate. However, for the first time since he'd arrived here, this silence didn't please Jungkook at all.

"Why did you hang up?" he reiterated, grinding his teeth, his sadness replaced by deep anger.

"Because our conversation wouldn't have gone anywhere."

"Why are you doing this to me?"

This time John looked up at the boy, his eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you want to hurt me so much?"

The man shook his head frantically.

"You're wrong, Jungkook, that's the last thing I want."

"Then why are you stopping me from returning to Taehyung?"

He sighed.

"He's not a good person, Jungkook."

"Who are you to judge?"

"There's no point in arguing, not tonight. Let's talk about it again with a clear head."

Jungkook wasn't finished yet. He suddenly stood up, banging his fist violently on the table. John was startled, not used to seeing the young man in such a state of anger.

"No, on the contrary, let's talk about it now! Seriously, you come out of nowhere, I don't know anything about you any more than you know about me, and you decide you're going to control my life?! Who's more toxic, you or Taehyung?!"

"Don't compare me to him! He'll end up hurting you!"

"But that's the whole point of love!"

John stopped, his wide eyes looking into Jungkook's angry ones.

"Huh?"

"Love makes you suffer, it has to! We've already hurt each other dozens of times! And yet our love has never wavered! And if tomorrow he has to leave me, so be it! Because I would have been happy for the time we were together! But I refuse to let someone else decide our fate! If we have to tear each other apart, kill each other with a stab in the heart, then be it! We'll do it ourselves! So stop trying to keep us apart!"

The young man was out of breath, having shouted these words at the top of his voice. John honestly didn't know what to say, and so much the better. Jungkook hadn't finished yet.

"I'm not interested in you! You want an honest relationship between us? Well, I'll give you one: I find you boring! I'd end up slitting my wrists if I had to stay by your side! I wanted to spare you this truth, but you left me no other choice! I don't want the kind of relationship you're proposing! The thought of spending a single day with you makes me want to vomit!"

He paused, not caring about the deep pain that had formed on John's face. His words were hurtful and difficult to accept.

"Let me go back to the man I love. Because that will never be you."

~🍁~

I didn't plan to make John a bad guy when I imagined the story, but the more I wrote the more it came naturally to me (lol). It seems I can't prevent myself to create hateful characters beside Bangtan 😂