Ice Heat (Taehyung FanFic)

Chapter Thirteen: Stories

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

I raised my eyebrows, uncrossing my legs and getting up from where I was sitting. "Where did Taeyong go?" I asked cautiously, afraid that he might pop up any second. "He went out to run some errands, now come," he urged, holding his hand out towards me.

I stared at it in dismay.

"I'm not holding out a snake towards you, Loren," he laughed, soft and soothing, "come. I bet you could use a shower –" he trailed off, a small smile playing at his lips. That got my attention, and I took hold of his warm hand without another word.

Jungkook led me through the dark abyss quietly, his warm hand firm and comforting on mine. I took this time to study his features closely. The way light veins snaked their way through his forceps, disappearing into his shirt-clad biceps, the way his slightly tousled hair fell over his eyes and how he constantly pushed it back. The way he smelled wonderful – like warmth and summer. And through those quiet moments, I wondered why I felt oddly at ease with him.

He suddenly stopped after a while, reaching towards his left. Something creaked, and there was light everywhere, and the next thing I knew, I was inside a modern looking apartment – undertones of black and white making it look sleek and fancy.

"How – " I trailed off, lost as I looked back, only to find Jungkook behind me, urging me to move forward. "It doesn't matter," he said, answering my unspoken question. I looked around as he led me through a space with elegant leather couches, my feet sinking into lush carpet beneath me. It was impossible that somewhere in this house, or living arrangement, a dark cell existed – cold and veiled. "I'm guessing this is your home?" I asked.

"You could say that. This is temporary. Our house is much better than this." I chuckled lightly, thinking about Taehyung's house – the fountain and sculptures, the expensive security system.

"Are you all showoffs or does it come naturally?" I asked, "You all?"

"Niara. Does being rich come with the package or..." he smiled, stopping in front of a tall creamy-white door. He opened it and led me in – coming face to face with a spacious elegant bathroom. "Persuasion is something that comes easily to us," I raised my eyebrows at that comment, thinking of how I could use that to my advantage, "and money is easy to get by once you have that skill. But of course it doesn't work on us," he finished, deflating any blooms of hope that were starting to sprout.

"Towels are in the racks by the left, soap and shampoo are by the right. Feel free to take the bath tub or the shower." I smiled, looking up at his soft features. "I'm one lucky hostage, aren't I? I even get a shower." I joked as he turned around, existing the room. "I told you I'll make it better," he said, and with that, he clicked the door shut behind him and left.

--

I probably spent an hour inside the shower – trying to get rid of the dirt, blood and grime off me, but also soaking myself with the scalding hot water, trying to get the soreness out of my system. I hadn't realized how much I take showers for granted at home, the way they make you feel like yourself again – well, remotely in this case, but much better nonetheless. I could have stayed there forever, but the knock on the door startled me and I abruptly shut off the hot water.

"You alive in there?" Jungkook called, his voice muffled by the door, "Yeah, sorry. I'll be out in a minute." I quickly stepped off the shower and wrapped myself in a soft towel, not bothering to dry my hair. The mirror in front of me reflected myself back – showing me a face that had a light bruise over the left cheek, a cut on the neck and the right elbow, a deep gash on the back and swollen lips. A stranger stared back at me, one that seemed older yet alarmed, a flush permanently stuck to its cheeks. I sighed and left the room, finding Jungkook standing by a rack with CDs.