Invisible Affection | Taejin

42. Somewhere between then and now

By the time they left the hotel driveway, the city was much quieter. Taehyung drove with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gearshift. They stayed silent during the drive, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

The drive took less than twenty minutes. When they reached the Han River, Taehyung pulled into a small, quiet complex away from the main roads. Soft lights hung over the golf practice area, lighting the grass. The steady sound of golf balls being hit mixed with the calm night.

​Taehyung parked at the far end of the lot and got out, phone in hand, as he walked to the entrance. A small booth glowed beside the glass doors. He tapped his phone on the scanner, and the gates opened with a soft click.

"You have a membership here?" Seokjin asked as they walked inside.

Taehyung glanced at him briefly and nodded. "Something like that."

The employees at the counter greeted Taehyung warmly, calling him by name. He nodded in return and led the way to one of the open bays. Without a word, he grabbed a bucket of balls and set them on the mat.

​Seokjin joined him, noticing how quiet it was. Only a few people were spread out across the bays, their soft voices mixing with the distant sound of golf balls. It was quieter than he expected, almost soothing.

​Taehyung picked up a club and handed it to him without looking up. "Try it."

​Seokjin hesitated for a moment, glancing from the club to Taehyung. "I've never done this before."

​"You haven't?" Taehyung asked, placing another ball on the tee, his tone casual but curious.

​"No," Seokjin admitted as he took the club from him, his eyes roaming briefly across the range. "Especially not somewhere like this." He paused, resting the club lightly against his shoulder before adding, "Is this what you do when you can't sleep? Come out here and hit golf balls in the middle of the night?"

​"Sometimes," Taehyung replied, his voice even. "Either this or the gym. Both help."

​Seokjin's lips curved faintly as his gaze flicked over Taehyung. "I can tell," he said. "Looks like the gym has been working in your favor."

​Taehyung didn't say anything to the comment, but a small smile formed at the edge of his lips as he set another ball on the stand. "Go on," he encouraged. "Give it a shot."

​Seokjin adjusted his grip on the club, fingers curling tightly around it as he stepped up to the mat. He glanced at Taehyung, his brows lifting slightly. "I'm warning you, this isn't going to be good."

​"That's okay," Taehyung said as he walked around him slowly. "It takes time."

​Seokjin tried to copy how the others stood, but Taehyung noticed and stepped closer, standing behind him. He gently put a hand on Seokjin's shoulder and made small adjustments to help him get the right posture.

​"Not like that," Taehyung murmured. "Relax here." He tapped just below Seokjin's collarbone, then gently repositioned his hands on the club. "You're holding it too tight. Keep your grip light, and shift your weight a little forward."

​Seokjin tilted his head slightly, glancing at him over his shoulder. "Are you sure you're not secretly an instructor?"

​"I'm sure, but I have been here enough to know what helps," Taehyung said, stepping back once Seokjin was in position. "Now try."

​Taking a deep breath, Seokjin swung his golf club but completely missed the ball. He stood still for a moment, then slowly lowered the club and turned to Taehyung with a serious expression.