nighthawk | tk ✔️

53

it was the first time in weeks that i was taking taehyung out. he'd been so good, so obedient, never once trying to test my patience. he passed all my tests, every single one, and it made my heart swell with pride.

i knew he was mine now. he wasn’t just pretending. he wasn’t waiting for a moment to escape. if he was, he would have taken the phone when i left it within reach. he would have grabbed the key, would have done something—anything—to get away from me. but he didn’t. he stayed. he chose to stay.

so i was giving him a reward.

i dressed him myself, picking out a soft, oversized sweater and jeans, something comfortable, something warm. he let me, standing still as i pulled the fabric over his head, his lips curling into a small smile when my fingers brushed against his skin.

"excited?" i murmured, fixing his collar, letting my hands linger.

"mm," he hummed, tilting his head slightly. "it’s been a while since i’ve gone out."

the words made something curl in my chest, something dark and possessive. but i pushed it down, choosing to focus on the warmth in his voice, the way he wasn’t begging to go alone, wasn’t asking for space.

"then let’s go," i said, fingers wrapping tightly around his wrist.

---

the air was crisp, the sun peeking through the buildings, bathing everything in soft gold. i kept taehyung close as we walked, my grip firm but not painful. i could feel his warmth through the sweater, feel the way his fingers twitched slightly beneath mine before finally settling, relaxing.

he looked beautiful. the light caught on his skin, made his eyes shine. he glanced at me, his lips parting slightly, and then he smiled.

it felt real.

it felt genuine.

i wanted to believe it was real.

"where are we going?" he asked, voice soft.

"somewhere quiet," i said. "a café."

he nodded, not questioning me, not pushing for more. just accepting.

---

the café was tucked away on a side street, away from too many people, too many prying eyes. i picked a table in the corner, close to the window, close to the exit.

taehyung sat across from me, his hands wrapped around his cup, fingers tapping lightly against the ceramic. he was relaxed, sipping his drink, occasionally making small conversation. it was perfect. he was perfect.

my chest ached with something indescribable, something too heavy to name.

but then he said it.

"can i use the restroom?"

my grip on my cup tightened.

my mind raced.

he hadn’t been out of my sight in so long.

what if this was a trick? what if he’d been waiting for this moment all along? what if everything had been a lie?

i stared at him. his face was unreadable, waiting patiently for my answer.

he wouldn’t do that. he loved me now. he accepted me. i knew that. i knew that.

but my heart was hammering against my ribs.

i hesitated before nodding, forcing my fingers to unclench. "don’t take too long," i murmured.

taehyung smiled. "i won’t."

i watched him disappear through the door.

i already made sure to choose a table that gave me a clear view of the restroom. but i couldn’t see inside. i couldn’t see him.

i stared at the door, counting the seconds.

ten.

twenty.

thirty.

one minute.

two.

three.

too many minutes.

my fingers drummed against the table, my throat tightening.

had i been fooled?

had he just been acting?

my muscles tensed, my body buzzing with the need to move. to storm in, to drag him out, to remind him who he belonged to.

i was already standing when the door opened.

and there he was.

taehyung walked towards me, his eyes soft, his lips slightly parted in confusion. "jungkook?" he murmured. "what’s wrong?"

i couldn’t even speak.

relief crashed over me, making my legs feel weak.

he didn’t run.

he didn’t leave me.

he really had accepted this.

my lips curled into a small, shaky smile as i reached for his hand, squeezing it tight, grounding myself in his warmth.

"nothing, love," i murmured, pulling him closer. "let’s finish our date."