The A.I

Chapter 9

When Taehyung steps out of the room, the rest of the apartment is dark. It's quiet and cold compared to the warmth of his bedroom. The entire apartment has an open floor plan, with very few doors separating the various rooms, allowing Taehyung to see the living room from the doorway and even though Taehyung knows every inch of it by memory, just looking at it now doesn't provide him with the regular feelings of comfort and safety. He feels like a stranger in his own home and he hates how distant he has become to the things he loved.

From where he's standing, he has a complete view of the living room: of the couch, the coffee tables, the chairs, everything. But there's not a trace of him, the real him anywhere. There are no random books or tea mugs littering the coffee table. The blankets are all properly folded and placed in their baskets instead of sitting in a welcoming nest on the couch. Pillows don't litter the floor in front of the fire place where he loves to spend his time reading or working. The curtains are closed, making the room feel unpleasant and it makes his eyes prickle.

Compared to the happy bubble he's created, the world outside his bedroom seems so cold and unwelcoming, as if urging him to retreat back into his cocoon. He almost does, taking a step back and placing his hand on the doorknob but his pep talk filters through his thoughts, reminding him of his original goal.

With a deep breath, Taehyung moves into the living room and yanks open the curtains, wincing when the bright light blinds him momentarily. Blinking away tears, he turns around and gently smiles at how different the room looks, so bright and welcoming. He walks over to the couch and after some pondering, grabs a couple blankets from the basket and unfolds them, leaving them in a messy pile half on the couch and half on the ground, just for the hell of it. Satisfied with the small amount of mess, he makes his way to the kitchen and goes straight to the stove and turns his old fashioned kettle on.

Taehyung feels Chris's eyes on him, surprised at his outfit and that he's finally willingly leaving his room but Taehyung ignores it, focusing more on the pretty red of the element.

"Um, morning?" Taehyung hears the unsureness in his boyfriend's voice and he turns around, years of experience telling him to automatically run into those strong arms, to make the weirdness in his voice go away but he steels himself. He makes a small sound of acknowledgment but doesn't say anything, instead turning back to the screaming kettle.

"I'm glad to see you're up and about." Again, Taehyung doesn't say anything. Leaning back against the counter he watches Chris over the edge of his mug, taking in the black suit paired with a red dress shirt pulled tight over his chest when he sits up straight. His blonde hair is parted in the middle, styled and perfect. It makes Taehyung's fingers tingle with the need to mess the strands up, to tug and pull until everyone on the street knows who Chris belongs to. But even with being dressed so immaculately, Taehyung can see the bags under his eyes and how his aura feels a bit dimmer, almost anxious as he glances between his lover and his phone. A selfish part of Taehyung is glad that Chris isn't looking his best but the caring part feels saddened that his attitude has taken such a toll on the man. However, the high from his one-on-one time is still running through his veins, making him feel like he's on top of the world over the insecurities and when he notices the suitcase at the door, he's surprised to find the usual sadness at Chris's upcoming absence missing.

"H-uh, are you going into work today?" Chris asks, clearing his throat against the sudden dryness when Taehyung bends over to grab a skillet from the lower cabinet. The shorts ride up his long legs, showing of the pretty contrast between the stockings and his skin, the high waisted material accenting his ass perfectly. An awkward silence falls over the room and Taehyung smirks as he retrieves the pan. So what if he bent over a bit longer than normal. The pan may have gotten a bit stuck, that's all.

Keeping his back turned to Chris, Taehyung feels something light bubble inside his chest at the way he can feel his boyfriend's gaze on his ass. Deciding he likes this sudden shift in power, Taehyung turns around, cocking his head to accent his necklace, taking some satisfaction at how the corner of Chris's mouth tightens briefly. "Maybe? Probably for an hour or so." Chris's jaw ticks at his vague answer and Taehyung feels a laugh build beneath his sternum but he swallows it down with a gulp of his hot tea, wincing when it burns his tongue. Still, the second he notices Chris's eyes on his mouth, he can't help but let his lips part, running his tongue soothingly over the flesh to relieve the hurt.

It's amusing to Taehyung to see the tables shift. To see his confident and self-assured boyfriend's eyes flirt nervously, as if unsure of where he should stare and for how long. "You're going dressed like that?"

The jealousy makes his voice hard but for once Taehyung doesn't have the energy, nor motivation, to care. As of right now, he's over it. It's not his problem anymore. It's not his insecurities making things tense between them so why should he have to take the hits for his partner's inadequacies? Taehyung almost rolls his eyes at how Jimin-sounding the voice in his head is. "Sure," he replies instead, dropping the teasing act. "Why not?"

"It's a bit slutty, don't you think?" Taehyung freezes at the words, spatula freezing in his path across the hot pan. Seeing him stiffen, Chris doubles back. "I mean it's a bit cold and normally you dress so professionally," Chris backtracks but Taehyung's done. It's been so long since he's felt like himself, like he's worth something and now, the minute he's back on his feet, something has to try and ruin his mood.

"You don't like it," Taehyung says, turning off the stove, appetite gone.

"I like it," Chris replies hastily. "Love it! But I'd rather you wear something...different," he says, gesturing vaguely in Taehyung's direction.

Taehyung pretends to think about it. "Nope, it's cute."

"Tae-"

"When do you leave?" Taehyung interrupts, no longer interested in the conversation. It's not uncommon for Chris to leave on overnight business trips but after their recent fight, something unpleasant settles in his stomach.

"What?" Chris stares in confusion at the abrupt shift in topic, not used to his partner dismissing him so curtly. Taehyung points to the bag sitting by his feet. "Oh, pretty quick here, actually." Taehyung hums noncommittally, watching over the edge of his mug as the blonde's hand reaches for his hair, probably to run his fingers through the strands, as per his nervous tick, before he remembers the product styling it in place. With a sigh, his hand drops, fingers curling around to pick at the chip in his coffee mug. "Look Tae, I know I just got back early this morning but something urgent came up and there's a mess I've got to resolve."

"Okay." What else is there to say? Taehyung thaws a bit at the sincere apology in his tone for having to leave again but it is what it is. He's never been one to compromise anything for his work and he would never expect Chris to do the same, knowing how busy the man gets.

The room falls into resigned silence again before Chris breaks it. "Tae, you don't still think... that I cheated on you, do you? I mean, I've literally sent you play by play of my every move and done everything I can to prove my fidelity to you." At the reminder of his heartbreak, a fresh wave of hurt pulses through him. It's muted, much more than before but it still hurts, the wound too fresh for any prodding. "Y-you believe me, right?"

The desperation in his voice almost has Taehyung caving, the urge to hug and reassure his boyfriend so intense he's almost vibrating. This is the longest he's gone without another's touch, the knowledge almost making his knees tremble with need, but he can't. He's just not ready to touch Chris or vice versa. But does he still feel betrayed? The answer is yes, but surprisingly, not for the reason he thought. Oh, he's still plenty furious about the financial fraud and it'll be a long time before he trusts Chris with his money, if ever. But does he truly doubt his boyfriend's feelings for him?

Regardless of their numerous fights, the thought of Chris cheating has never crossed his mind. He won't deny that the transactions and the random hotel stays aren't suspicious but the blonde has stayed true to his word; never leaving Taehyung in the dark of his whereabouts or actions and thoughts. Even though he doesn't trust him, he does believe him, but there's still something there.