Virgin And The Hooker • Taekook

Chapter 8 : Busan

Jungkook needed a break from the city that now felt empty without Taehyung. Seoul, once full of life and meaning, no longer felt like home. Seeking comfort, he decided to visit his hometown, Busan, for a much-needed escape. Though he had been left to fend for himself at a young age, the streets of Busan had been his constant companion, shaping him into who he was today.

Returning to his roots filled him with a sense of pride. As he wandered through the familiar streets, the scent of street food in the air, he felt a deep connection to the city that had raised him. He indulged in the simple pleasures-tasting local dishes, feeling the energy of the night life, and relishing the freedom of being back in a place that still felt like his.

He wasn't here to escape forever, just to breathe-away from the crowded life of Seoul, away from the constant memories of Taehyung. Walking through the bustling markets, he stopped at a street vendor, savoring the comforting taste of hot tteokbokki. The spices burned his lips, but it was a good burn, one that reminded him he was alive, that he still had a life outside of what he had lost.

As the night deepened, Jungkook wandered through the neon-lit streets, watching as Busan came alive. He smiled to himself, proud of how far he'd come from the boy who once ran wild in these same streets. The city was his first companion, the place that shaped him. Now, he felt like he was rediscovering it with new eyes, as someone who had carved a space for himself in the world.

He strolled along the beach, the soft sounds of the waves crashing gently against the shore, the distant laughter of others enjoying the night. For the first time in months, he felt at peace, the weight of his emotions lifting-if only for a moment. The ocean was endless, a reminder that life kept moving forward, no matter how heavy his heart felt.

Still, even with the sense of freedom, the thoughts of Taehyung lingered. Jungkook sighed, kicking at the sand. "I wish you were here to see this, Hyung," he whispered to the sea. But tonight, he was just a man in his hometown, lost in the beauty of it all, trying to find pieces of himself that had gone missing.

Soon the night seemed darker than usual, a suffocating quiet hanging over the streets of Busan as Jungkook hurried back to his rented apartment. His footsteps echoed faintly against the pavement, and a strange sense of unease gnawed at him. The city he once felt a connection to now felt foreign and distant, casting shadows that stretched longer than they should.

He didn't see it coming-one moment, he was walking briskly, and the next, he felt a harsh bump against his side. His heart leaped into his throat as he glanced back, catching a glimpse of the man who had just brushed past him. His face was obscured, but the predatory energy was unmistakable. Jungkook's pulse quickened, and in that instant, fear took control. The criminal on the loose. The one the news warned about.

Without thinking, Jungkook ran.

His breath came in quick, shallow bursts, his legs carrying him faster than they ever had before. The streets became a blur of lights and shadows, his mind racing with thoughts of escape. But as he turned a corner, his vision swimming with panic, a hand shot out from the darkness, yanking him forcefully into an alley.

A strong arm wrapped around his waist, and before he could even register what was happening, a hand clamped down over his mouth. Jungkook's eyes widened in pure terror, his heart hammering in his chest. His instincts screamed at him to fight back, but something about the grip, the strength-it wasn't malicious. It was controlled. Protecting.