In a world where appearances often dictate social circles, Kim Taehyung stands out as a gorgeous-looking nerd, his charm hidden behind thick glasses and a shy smile. Jeon Jungkook, the charismatic jock, effortlessly commands attention with his athle...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Chapter 10: Meet with him
Terror clenched at Taehyung's heart. The Jungkook before him was a stranger, a chilling distortion of the man he loved. The intensity in Jungkook's eyes was palpable-a lethal glare that could, if such things were possible, extinguish life with a single, searing look. His hands instinctively sought Jungkook's, covering the tightly balled fists, a desperate attempt to soothe the simmering rage he sensed.
Jungkook's gaze finally met his, a flicker of recognition briefly interrupting the storm in his eyes.
"Are you alright, Jungkook?" Taehyung's voice, though soft, trembled with worry. The question hung between them, fragile and vulnerable in the face of Jungkook's unsettling demeanor.
A sigh heavy with unspoken emotion escaped Jungkook's lips. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture both restless and self-comforting. A thin, strained smile touched his lips.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Jungkook's voice was low, almost a whisper.
"You... you looked terrifying," Taehyung confessed, the word hanging heavy in the air. The memory of that intense, hateful stare lingered, a cold knot in his stomach.
"Did I? I apologize. I didn't intend to." Jungkook's smile was unconvincing, a flimsy mask over the underlying tension.
The unspoken presence of Jimin hung between them. Taehyung knew, with a certainty that chilled him, that Jimin was the target of that venomous glare.
"Who was he? Did you know him?" Taehyung's question was a careful probe.
Jungkook's chuckle was brittle, devoid of humor. "Why are you asking? Does it look like I know him?"
"You were glaring at him as if you wanted to kill him," Taehyung insisted, his voice rising slightly with frustration and fear.
"Oh, it was nothing. A momentary headache," Jungkook lied, the words clumsy and unconvincing.
Taehyung saw the deception, the carefully constructed falsehood, in his eyes. A heavy silence descended, thick with unspoken words, with secrets Jungkook was desperately trying to conceal.
Taehyung's hand found Jungkook's again, their fingers intertwining.
"If there's something you want to say, anything at all, please tell me. I'll listen," he offered, his voice soft but firm, his smile a beacon of reassurance.
Jungkook's expression softened slightly, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. He bent, briefly pressing a kiss to the back of Taehyung's hand.
"I know. Thank you, love," he murmured.
A giggle escaped Taehyung, a blush warming his cheeks. The tension eased, replaced by a tentative intimacy.
The final notes of the program ceremony faded, replaced by the excited chatter of students heading for the cafeteria. Taehyung, with a gentle excuse to his friends, slipped away to meet Jungkook, a familiar routine that caused no surprise amongst his companions. The aroma of freshly prepared food hung heavy in the air as they found a quiet corner.
"Hungry, love?" Jungkook asked, his fingers scrolling through his phone while his other hand remained firmly, possessively, on Taehyung's waist.
"Starving," Taehyung replied, leaning against Jungkook and peering at the screen.
"Is there something you want to eat? Maybe we could go outside and eat there. I heard there was a popular restaurant there," Jungkook recommended while scrolling through his phone, but his other hand had wrapped around Taehyung's waist.
"Really? We could go and try that. But not spicy, please," Taehyung responded while looking at Jungkook's phone flickered beneath the surface.
"I know," Jungkook chuckled.
Their peaceful moment was shattered by Jimin's unexpected arrival. He stood before them, his expression a mixture of concern and accusation, a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of the cafeteria.
"Jungkook," Jimin began, his voice carrying a subtle edge, "Have you considered visiting your mother? It's been a while."
Jungkook's response was immediate, sharp, and laced with a biting sarcasm that sent a shiver down Taehyung's spine. "And if I choose not to?"
"She's been desperately searching for you, Jungkook. Don't you even feel a shred of pity for her heartbreak?" Jimin's voice, though measured, held a palpable undercurrent of frustration.
"I might consider it," Jungkook replied, his tone dripping with disdain, "If you and your father weren't constantly in the picture."
"He's your father, too! He's trying to repair your relationship. Show some gratitude for his efforts," Jimin retorted, his voice rising slightly.
"The moment you and your mother reappeared, our family was irrevocably broken. He destroyed it. He should be the one to fix it. But I don't care if he wants a 'perfect family' again. It's not happening as long as you're involved. You're not family," Jungkook's voice was low, dangerously controlled, each word a carefully aimed dart. The raw pain and anger were palpable, a simmering volcano threatening to erupt.
"He just wants his son back, Jungkook. It shouldn't be this difficult," Jimin argued, his voice strained with emotion.
"He has you, doesn't he? Be his perfect son if you want. Tell him to leave me alone, to pretend I don't exist. That should be easy for him; he's done it before," Jungkook's voice was ice-cold, his fist clenching, the knuckles white. The intensity of his anger was frightening.
Taehyung, his heart pounding in his chest, intervened. "Jungkook, please, calm down."
The air crackled with tension, the silence punctuated only by the distant clatter of cutlery. He placed a hand on Jungkook's chest, a gentle but firm gesture to create space between the two men. He was terrified of what might happen if Jungkook lost control.
"Please, Jimin," Taehyung pleaded, his voice trembling slightly, "This isn't the right time or place for this. He's... he's not himself right now. I'm so sorry, but could you please leave us alone? I don't want him to cause a scene; people will jump to conclusions."
Jimin hesitated, his gaze shifting between Taehyung and Jungkook, his expression a complex mixture of anger, concern, and resignation.
After a long, tense moment, he simply muttered, "Fine," before running a hand through his hair and turning to leave.
Taehyung watched him go, the silence that followed with the unspoken emotions that had just been unleashed. The delicious aroma of the cafeteria food was completely lost on him.
