Raw Marks | KOOKV✓

Chapter-52

Gasp after gasp escaped Taehyung's trembling lips, followed by soft, broken whimpers that filled the once silent room. And then, a loud, wrenching cry broke through, shattering the stillness of the night. His body shook violently, drenched in cold sweat despite the chill that hung in the air. His clothes clung to his damp skin, and he fought for breath, his lungs burning with every heave. Desperately, his eyes darted around the shadowy room, searching for something, anything to calm the storm within him. His gaze landed on the water bottle by his bedside, and he fumbled for it, gulping down mouthfuls of water. But even as the cool liquid slid down his throat, it did nothing to ease his rapid breathing or the uncontrollable trembling that overtook him

It was 3 a.m. and the nightmare had dragged him from sleep, leaving him raw and exposed. Taehyung hadn't woken up like this in years. He had long since stopped seeing Jungkook in his nightmares. But tonight... tonight was different. The courtroom scene had played out again, vivid and relentless in his mind. The same feelings of pain, disbelief, and anger clawed at him, tearing at old wounds that had never quite healed. And now, his emotions lay bare, vulnerable, as tears began to spill from his eyes, hot and uncontrollable

He tried to steady himself, but it felt as though the walls were closing in, suffocating him. Panic clawed at his chest, and in his desperation, he reached for his phone, his hands shaking as he dialed the number of the last person he ever expected to call in a moment like this-Jeon Jungkook. The very subject of his nightmare

It had been a month since Taehyung had let his guard down around Jungkook. They texted regularly now, and every morning, he stopped by to pick up his meals. Although Taehyung and Byun, the other client, usually arrived at the same time, Jungkook seemed to gravitate toward him, offering him a warmth and familiarity that made the once-rude psychologist fade into the background. Taehyung cherished these moments, even though they were subtle

This past month had not been intense. It was slow, cautious, a dance of two people growing comfortable in each other's presence. Taehyung had even invited Jungkook to his small apartment recently, a step that felt monumental. Misang had been overjoyed to see them growing closer, and Taehyung... he had begun to feel something he hadn't allowed himself in a long time. He wasn't alone anymore. The constant ache of loneliness that had gnawed at him for years was finally easing. He no longer felt like he was merely surviving, trudging through each day

Sometimes, after work, he would visit Jungkook and spend time with Bam, and if Misang joined them, the atmosphere would grow even more lively, filling the space with laughter. They were beginning to feel like friends. Real friends. It was a huge step for Taehyung, a man who had spent so long guarding his heart

And Jungkook... Jungkook's affection was almost overwhelming. He noticed everything about Taehyung-the tiniest details, just like he had done ten years ago. But now, it felt different. It felt healthier and more grounded. The older responded in kind, always treating Jungkook with respect, appreciating his kindness and acknowledging it in ways he hadn't in the past. Yet, with every sweet gesture from Jungkook, a familiar fear crept in. The fear that this happiness was fleeting, that it would crumble like a fragile dream. He had been happy for an entire month-a full thirty days without pain or hardship-and that was something he wasn't used to

And it was this fear that had manifested in his nightmare tonight, dragging him back into the darkness

When the phone rang, a groggy voice finally answered, thick with sleep "Hello?"

Hearing Jungkook's voice, soft and familiar, only made the ache in Taehyung's chest deepen. His grip tightened on the phone as he struggled to keep his composure, but it was futile "H-Hey, Jungkook" he stammered, his voice thick with emotion, a bitter sniffle escaping as he tried-and failed-to hold back the tears that now flowed freely