A lie

part 22

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It was a quiet night, the kind where the world seemed to slow down just enough to let Taehyung breathe. The usual tension that weighed on his chest had settled into something lighter, but his vigilance never wavered. He stood at his usual post, just outside Jungkook’s bedroom, always within reach, always watching. Jungkook had insisted on some privacy tonight, claiming that he needed to unwind after the events of the day. Taehyung didn’t question him—Jungkook had been through so much lately, and he deserved a few moments of normalcy.

He had been standing guard, scanning the mansion with a practiced eye, when he noticed something unusual. Jungkook was on the phone, his voice low but audible through the thin walls of the room. He was laughing. Taehyung’s heart skipped a beat as he heard the sound of Jungkook’s laughter. It was different from the strained smiles he had seen in public or the tired expressions he had witnessed over the past few days. This was real laughter, free from the weight of the world.

As Taehyung moved closer, he saw Jungkook sitting at the edge of his bed, holding a glass of whiskey in one hand. His face was lit up in a way that Taehyung hadn’t seen in a long time, a flicker of life in his eyes. Taehyung stood by the door, unsure whether he should interrupt, but the sight of Jungkook’s smile—so genuine, so effortless—stirred something in him. It was as if the world around him paused, and for that moment, there was only Jungkook, completely alive in the warmth of that conversation.

A few minutes later, the call ended. Jungkook let out a long breath, his shoulders slumping as the smile faded from his face. The weight of the day seemed to return almost instantly, but there was a brief pause—a hesitation, as if he were unsure of what to do next.

Taehyung watched as Jungkook set the phone down and turned toward the bottle of whiskey, taking another sip. It wasn’t unusual for Jungkook to drink, but tonight, there was something different about the way he moved. He wasn’t as tense, not like he had been during the past few weeks. He seemed almost... human again.

When Jungkook’s eyes met Taehyung’s, there was a brief moment of recognition. Then, with a small smile, Jungkook spoke. “Taehyung, come join me,” he said, his voice softer than usual, almost inviting.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment. He knew better than to mix his duties with casual interaction. He was here to protect, not to indulge. But something about Jungkook’s invitation, the vulnerability he saw in his eyes, made it hard to say no.

“I’m on duty, si- uhn, I mean jungkook" Taehyung replied, his voice steady but distant. He needed to remain professional. That was what he told himself, anyway.

Jungkook tilted his head, his expression light and almost playful. “Just one drink. It won’t hurt,” he said, a soft chuckle following the words.

Taehyung hesitated, looking at the glass in Jungkook’s hand. It was only one drink. And perhaps, just perhaps, this was a moment for Jungkook to unwind, to be free of the pressures that had been surrounding him.

After a long pause, Taehyung relented. “Alright. One drink,” he said, stepping forward. Jungkook’s face lit up as he poured the whiskey, sliding one glass over to Taehyung.

The drink was strong, the warmth of the alcohol spreading quickly through Taehyung’s system. They sat together in silence for a few moments, both of them sipping their drinks. Jungkook leaned back in his chair, looking much less like the model or heir to an empire and more like a young man trying to find some semblance of peace in a world that never stopped moving.

“Thanks for sitting with me,” Jungkook finally said, his voice thoughtful. “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to be around lately.”

Taehyung shook his head, trying to ease the weight of those words. “It’s my job to be here, sir. You don’t have to thank me.”