His Buried Past| Taekook

Chapter 23

"So you still don't know who it was who tried to kill Taehyung?" Jungkook's hand tightens around the slim phone, his voice hard.

"Not yet. I've been checking with some of the connections I have, but so far nothing." Baekhyun sounds equally irate at the lack of progress.

"Do you think it's the same person who tried to have him killed 6 years ago? Or do you think it's possible it's retaliation for a previous victim of his?" The younger's face is grim as he ponders the possibilities.

Baekhyun's sigh fills his ear, "It could be either. Although V has always worn his mask when he's acted, so I don't know how they could have tracked him down the other night. Even around the rest of my men, he's never gone without his mask. Only Chanyeol, Suga, and myself ever saw him with his face uncovered and stayed alive afterwards. Without his disguise, he doesn't look anything like what people would expect from a killer, so I don't see how anyone would realize he's V."

The older sounds discouraged as he continues,"If it is the same person who tried to kill him before, that's frightening. We tried everything to track them down before, and couldn't do it. That's why we left Kim Taehyung 'dead'. How could they have figured out he was still alive? Are you sure none of your people let the information slip out?"

Jungkook shakes his head, despite knowing the other can't see him,"I'm positive. The only people in my organization who know V's identity are myself, Namjoon, Seokjin, Hoseok, and Jimin. Each of them love Taehyung like a brother, and if they had wanted him dead, they had plenty of opportunity but didn't do it."

There's silence on the other end of the phone before Baekhyun sighs, "Alright, I'll have to take your word on that. The only reason I'm trusting that it isn't you behind all this is the fact that you had the chance to kill him when you grabbed him, and didn't. For now, I still have one more person I need to get a hold of that might be able to help. I'll let you know when I have more information."

After disconnecting the call, Jungkook meets Namjoon's eyes across the desk. The older had heard enough of his conversation to know what was going on. "No progress?"

The ravenette's head falls back against his chair in disgust, "Nothing. We don't know who wants him dead, or why."

The older's eyes are calm as he nods, "We'll figure it out Kook. We won't let anything happen to Taehyung again."

The mafia leader is quiet as he gazes at nothing. Namjoon sees the worry in his boss's dark eyes. He knows how terrifying it is for the powerful man to be faced with the threat of losing his love just after he's finally gotten him back. "So how are things between you and Taehyung?"

The younger considers the question a moment before nervously clearing his throat, "We sorta kissed."

The mouth of the older falls open in surprise before forming a grin, "And? How did he react?"

Jungkook thinks about what he learned, that V is also a serial killer and had gone to find a victim that night. "He was a little...upset, at first. But later on he said that he'd liked it." His face heats as he mumbles the last part, embarrassing the younger.

Namjoon restrains a chuckle as the mafia leader blushes. "So what about now?"

The dark haired man sighs, "I'm not sure. He seems to think that I'm just using him as a substitute for the Tae that we used to know. Like I don't want the man he is now."

The older nods, his gaze steady as he observes the frustrated younger, "And how do you feel?"

Jungkook considers the question, his expression thoughtful. "Taehyung's always been my everything. I loved sweet, innocent, gentle Tae. The boy who was an adorable little puppy, who I wanted to protect. And that's not who he is any more, although I still see occasional glimpses of that boy."

He takes a deep breath before continuing, "The person he is now is violent and unpredictable. He's a fvcking serial killer for God's sake. And I don't know how he feels about me, or if he'll ever remember the way we loved each other." Raising dark eyes to the older, he snorts, a bitter smile on his face, "And you know what, hyung?"

Namjoon doesn't answer as he waits for the older to continue. The younger man runs a hand over his face as he sits forward, resting his elbows on the desk between them. "None of that fvcking matters. I don't care that he's a murderer. I don't care that he's violent. Hell, maybe it makes me sick, but it turns me on that he's a little crazy and unpredictable. I love adorable Tae, and I love violent V. It doesn't matter who he is now. Taehyung will always be it for me. He's my soulmate, period."

There's silence as the older processes the information before he shakes his head, a rueful grin on his face. "You do always love a challenge man." Standing to leave, the older looks down at his dongsaeng, "Well? I think it's about time you go get your soulmate, don't you?"

V's Room

The silver haired man lays on his bed, looking at the stuffed lion he's holding up in the air, chewing his lip in confusion. He's been avoiding Jungkook since the time he'd admitted to liking the kiss they'd shared. Part of him is too humiliated to face the elder after that incident, but another part of him also finds himself longing to see the other again. 'I've only really known him a few days!', he berates himself. 'I mean, not counting all the years I can't remember. And why did he kiss me in the first place? Was he kissing Taehyung, or V?' Frowning, he remembers the way the other had given him his Tan back. 'Can he really like me, when I'm so different from what everyone says I was?' Chocolate eyes widen at the inadvertent thought, 'Wait, why do I care if he likes me or not? It's not as if I like him, do I?'

A loud knock at his door yanks V from his thoughts. Making his way to the door, he has Tan held against his chest as he pulls the door open, eyes widening in surprise at who he sees.

Jungkook's eyes flick over the younger, taking in the sweater that's too large for V's slender frame, exposing his fragile looking collarbones and covering his hands. It's hard to believe the boy with sweater-paws, holding a stuffed lion to his chest, is a violent serial killer and cold-blooded assassin. Swallowing, he's unaware of how his gaze darkens as it rakes over the long, slim legs that are exposed by the other's shorts. Looking back up at the doe eyes of the smaller boy in front of him, the ravenette's voice is demanding as he steps forward, shutting the door behind him. "We need to talk."

AN: OMG, y'all, I can't believe this is over 5k reads! I'm honestly shocked at how many of you are enjoying this story. I 💜 all of you!