SCARRED AFFECTIONS

Chapter 4

Taehyung smiled as he walked up the steps to Jungkook's house, feeling a sense of warmth spread through his chest. It had been a long day, but the thought of seeing his lover always brought a bit of light into his dark world. He knocked on the door, expecting Jungkook to greet him with his usual bright smile and warm hug.

However, when Jungkook opened the door, something felt different. There was no excited smile, just a soft, quiet greeting. "You're here."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, a little confused. "Of course I am. I missed you today," he said, stepping inside. He leaned in to give Jungkook a kiss on the cheek, but Jungkook only nodded and turned away, heading back to the kitchen.

Taehyung's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly followed Jungkook inside, trying to brush off the strange feeling in his gut. "What are you cooking, love?" he asked, watching Jungkook move silently around the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove.

"Just something simple," Jungkook mumbled without looking up. His voice was flat, lacking the warmth that usually filled their evenings together.

Taehyung tilted his head, watching his lover closely. He could feel something was wrong, but he wasn't sure what it was yet.

"Smells good," Taehyung attempted, hoping to spark a conversation. But all he got was a short, "Mm-hmm," in response.

They ate dinner in silence, the sound of clinking plates and cutlery filling the room. Taehyung watched Jungkook carefully-his lover barely touched his food, simply moving it around on his plate. He tried to start a conversation several times, but Jungkook's responses were short, barely more than a word or two. The lively spark that usually brightened their moments together was nowhere to be found.

After dinner, they cleaned up together. Taehyung washed the dishes while Jungkook dried them. The air between them was heavy, filled with tension that neither of them addressed.

By the time they went to bed, Taehyung was restless. He couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to wrap his arms around him, hold him close, and ask what was wrong.

As they lay in bed, Taehyung slid his arms around Jungkook's waist, pulling him closer, pressing his lips softly against the back of Jungkook's neck. "What's going on, baby?" Taehyung asked, his voice barely above a whisper, brushing his fingers tenderly along Jungkook's cheek.

Jungkook lay still for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, his face expressionless. Then, without looking at Taehyung, he whispered, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. You can ask me anything," Taehyung replied, tightening his hold around Jungkook's waist.

Jungkook shifted slightly, finally turning to face him. His eyes, once full of love, now looked tired. "Are you just using me?" he asked quietly.

Taehyung blinked, stunned by the question. He quickly sat up in bed, looking down at Jungkook in disbelief. "What? Using you? Baby, where is this coming from?"

Jungkook sat up too, the blankets slipping off his shoulders as he crossed his arms over his chest, his expression cold. "Are you just using my body for your pleasure? Is that all this is to you?"

"Jungkook..." Taehyung gasped, his heart sinking. He cupped Jungkook's face, desperately searching for the warmth he once knew in those doe eyes. "Baby why would you think that? How could you even say that?"

"Because..." Jungkook's voice trembled as he blinked back tears. "Because you don't seem serious about us. You've never talked about a future. You've never even mentioned marriage. Am I just... just a toy to you? Do you even love me Taehyung?"

"Jungkook, no-what are you saying?" Taehyung ran his hand through his hair, feeling panic rising in him. "You know I love you. You know I'd never use you like that!"

"If you love me, then why won't you marry me?" Jungkook's voice cracked, his emotions finally bubbling to the surface. His eyes locked onto Taehyung's, searching for answers, searching for the man he fell in love with five years ago.

"You say you love me, but you never talk about our future. It's been five years, Tae," Jungkook's voice trembled. "Five years, and we're still here. You never say anything about us getting married, about having a family."

Taehyung felt a sharp pang of guilt. He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration growing. "Kookie, you know why it's not that easy. I'm a mafia leader. I'm a mafia leader. My life... it's dangerous. My enemies-they'd target you. You're my weakness."

Jungkook's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "So, what? We're just going to stay like this forever? Hidden away? I'm tired, Taehyung. I'm tired of waiting."

Taehyung felt his heart break at the sight of Jungkook's tears. He reached out, cupping Jungkook's face gently. "Baby, I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you, but I'm scared. I can't risk your life. I can't put you in danger."

Jungkook shook his head, tears finally spilling over as he pulled away from Taehyung's touch. "So, what are we doing then? If we don't have a future, why are we even together?"

Taehyung opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. He didn't know what to say because deep down, he didn't have an answer that would ease Jungkook's pain.

Jungkook stood up from the bed, his legs unsteady as he wiped his tears. "I've spent all these years dreaming of a life with you. A family. A future. But it's never going to happen, is it?" His voice broke as he started to cry harder, his shoulders shaking.

Taehyung quickly got out of bed and came in front of him, his hands reaching for Jungkook's, but Jungkook pushed him away, his sobs growing louder. "You ruined my life, Taehyung. You made me fall in love with you, and now you're telling me there's no future for us."

"Jungkook, please-" Taehyung tried to grab him, but Jungkook pushed him again, his fists hitting Taehyung's chest as he cried.

"Why did you make me believe in a future that doesn't exist? Why did you do this to me?" Jungkook's voice cracked, his hands trembling as he pounded weakly against Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung's heart broke at the sight of Jungkook's pain. He grabbed Jungkook's wrists, gently stopping him from hitting him again. "Baby, stop. Please," he whispered, tears forming in his own eyes.

Jungkook sank to his knees in front of Taehyung, his body shaking with sobs. "I can't do this anymore. I can't keep pretending like we're going to have a future."

Taehyung cupped Jungkook's face, his thumbs wiping away the tears that were streaming down his cheeks. "I love you so much, Jungkookie. I do. I just don't know how to keep you safe and give you what you want."

Jungkook looked into Taehyung's eyes, his own filled with despair. "If this relationship has no future... then I don't want it anymore," he whispered, his words cutting deeper than any knife ever could.

"What?" Taehyung's voice trembled, his world crashing down around him.

....to be continued.