nighthawk | tk ✔️

22🚫

the distance was working better than i anticipated. taehyung was unraveling in a way that left me both amused and thrilled.

the frustration was etched into his features whenever he texted, his words short, almost desperate, as if he couldn’t decide whether to demand my attention or accept my absence.

but tonight, he finally caved.

taehyung: hey, want to grab drinks?

i stared at the message for a moment, letting the satisfaction settle in my chest. he wanted my attention, needed it. i could feel his frustration, his growing dependency.

me: sure. when and where?

---

the bar was dimly lit, a small place tucked into a corner of the city. taehyung was already there when i arrived, nursing a drink that looked far too strong for his usual preferences.

his eyes lit up when he saw me, a flicker of relief washing over his features.

“jungkook!” he greeted, a little too enthusiastically, his words already slightly slurred.

i offered a small smile, sliding into the seat across from him. “hey, tae. you okay?”

he shrugged, taking another sip of his drink. “just... stressed.”

i leaned forward, feigning concern. “because of the notes?”

he nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line. “they’re getting worse. i just... i don’t know what to do anymore.”

“i’m sorry, tae. i wish there was more I could do to help,” i said, my tone gentle, calculated.

his gaze softened, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “you’ve already done so much, jungkook. just being here helps.”

as the night went on, taehyung drank more than he should have. his words became looser, his laughter louder and his movements clumsier.

“you’re not drinking much,” he pointed out, his head tilting to the side as he studied me.

i shrugged. “someone has to make sure you get home safe.”

he grinned, a lazy, drunken smile that made my heart flutter. “you’re always looking out for me, huh?”

“of course,” i replied, my voice steady, hiding the storm beneath.

by the time we left the bar, taehyung was barely able to walk straight. his arm slung over my shoulder as i guided him to his apartment, his drunken mumblings filling the silence.

“you’re such a good guy, jungkook,” he slurred, his head lolling against my shoulder. “i don’t know what i’d do without you.”

“you’d be fine,” i lied, my voice soft. “but i’m here, so you don’t have to worry.”

---

inside his apartment, i laid him carefully on the bed, his body sinking into the mattress with a sigh. his hair was messy, falling into his eyes, and without thinking, my fingers brushed it back.

his eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused, but there was something in them that made my breath hitch.

“don’t go,” he murmured, his hand reaching out to grab mine.

“tae, you’re drunk,” i said, my voice low, though the words felt foreign on my tongue.

“stay,” he insisted, his grip tightening. his eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us.