Speeding Into Trouble || Taekook

7

Taehyung walked down the dimly lit street, dragging his feet like a man auditioning for the lead role in My Life Sucks: The Musical.

The weight of the day pressed down on him like his father’s endless lectures about “real careers” and “what will people think.”

He’d stayed late at school, grading exams like a diligent little hamster on a wheel, mostly to avoid his dad’s soul-crushing tirades about how teaching isn’t a “man’s job.” Yeah, because apparently, inspiring young minds was just so last season.

He sighed dramatically, the kind that could win an Oscar for Best Performance by a Man Completely Over It.

The echo of his footsteps on the empty street was the only sound, but suddenly, something felt... off. His teacher-senses tingled (or maybe he was just paranoid, who knows), and he stiffened.

Then it happened. The footsteps. The classic horror movie soundtrack to You’re About to Have a Very Bad Time.

He quickened his pace, trying to act all cool and unbothered, but let’s be real—he was this close to sprinting like a contestant on a reality show titled Who Wants to Live Another Day?

Before he could channel his inner Usain Bolt, a rough hand yanked him back like he owed it money.

The next thing he knew, he was slammed against a wall, face-to-face with a man who looked like he got kicked out of Thieves R Us for being too cliché.

“Give me your money and that fancy watch, pretty boy,” the thief growled, brandishing a knife like he was auditioning for a low-budget action film.

Taehyung blinked, his brain doing cartwheels as he mentally screamed, “Pretty boy? Really? At least rob me with some originality!”

He was just about to attempt a move he’d probably regret (read: get himself stabbed) when—

“Get the fuck off him,” a voice cut through the tension like a steak knife through cheap butter.

Enter Jeon fucking Jeongguk, looking like the devil himself, minus the pitchfork but with twice the attitude.

He stood there, all dark and broody, as if he’d just stepped out of a music video where the theme was I’m Too Hot to Be Bothered.

The thief glanced over his shoulder, irritated. “Mind your own fucking business.”

Jeongguk tilted his head, his eyes narrowing with an air of menace. “Are you sure, Jeehun?”

The thief’s face drained of color, eyes widening in recognition. “Shit... Jeongguk ssi,” he muttered under his breath. In an instant, he bolted, not daring to face Jeon Jeongguk any longer.

Taehyung exhaled in relief, composing himself and adjusting his disheveled clothes.

He looked up to find Jeongguk staring at him with an unreadable expression. Silence hung in the air until Jeongguk finally murmured, “Your shirt.”

Taehyung frowned. “What?”

Jeongguk’s gaze flicked to his chest, and he raised an eyebrow. “Your fucking shirt, genius. Or are you trying out a new look? Homeless chic?”

Taehyung glanced down and realized that in the struggle, a few buttons had torn, exposing part of his chest.

Embarrassed, he quickly covered himself, trying to fix his shirt as best he could. He began walking away, muttering under his breath, but Jeongguk wasn’t done. Oh no, Captain Cocky had more to say.

“You shouldn’t be out walking this late,” Jeongguk called, his voice laced with faux concern. “Especially with that face.”

Taehyung paused, briefly wondering if Jeongguk was actually trying to be nice. But then Jeongguk continued, because of course he did.