Protect (Taekook) ✅

Old Wounds

Taehyung's POV

"Tell me." Jimin demanded. I sighed, and shook my head.

"I can't. I'm sorry, Jimin. I've already told you too much. I didn't want you to find out through me. It's something Jungkook has to tell you, because it's his secret. His pain."

"Dammit Taehyung!" Jimin yelled. I froze, shocked. Panic swept through me and I flinched as he rose.

He froze as well, his eyes widening. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I didn't--"

"It's fine." I said, interrupting him. I looked away. I looked down, pressing my lips together. My body reacted like this now. Like some damsel in distress. Some weak little thing that would flinched if someone even so much as raised their hand.

"Taehyung..." I flinched again as Jimin reached out for me. He quickly put his hand down. "I didn't mean to yell, I'm sorry. It's just...there's so much that I'm just learning how about Kook, about the two of you...it's starting to get to me a little."

"It's fine." I mumbled. "I understand."

"I'm sorry." He whispered once again, looking down. I could tell that he felt terrible, but so did I. I hated what I had become. Hated the way I reacted to simple gestures, hated the words coursing through my head, telling me that I was nothing but a filthy whore.

Jin came in suddenly, relieving some of the awkward tension. In his arms he carried a steaming bowl of soup.

"I don't know how much you'll be able to eat, since your body doesn't seen to be accustomed to a lot of food, so a light soup is what well start with. If you think you can handle more, just ask and I'll go make something else." He said, handing the bowl to Taehyung who accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you, hyung."

"Jungkook has been asking to see you for awhile now, is it okay if I let him in?"

"I guess."

Six years ago~

"Why do you keep inviting me over?" I paused and turned at the timid voice.

"What do you mean? You're my friend."

"I'm a freshman. A weak one who gets beat up everyday and you're just...you. Why am I the only one you hang out with? Why are you even hanging out with someone like me?"

"Because you're my friend." I repeated. I walked over to I'm and grabbed his hands, smiling. "You're cute, fun, and you don't care about my popularity or my looks. I really appreciate that about you."

"Y-you're looks?" He asked, blushing slightly.

"Of course. You've had to have noticed by now that I'm not exactly, well, ugly and a lot of people only want to be my friend because they think I'll look good next to them."

"S-so you like me because I don't think you're attractive?"

"Pffft!" I burst out laughing, patting his shoulder. "Oh my God! That isn't what I meant." I managed between laughs.

Jungkook merely blushed a dark hue. "I...think you're attractive." He whispered shyly.

"Thank you." I replied honestly. In truth, it made something move in my stomach. I hadn't noticed it before, but Jungkook was really cute. Super adorable.

"S-sorry, I just made it awkward and--"

"Nah, don't worry about. Lots of people tell me I'm attractive. But it means more coming from you. You're just adorable bun."

"T-thanks." He looked down, blushing even more.

"Now come on! Let's go play some video games!" (Me trying to start off the romance what O.o?)

Present~

"Hey."

"Hi..." I said awkwardly, looking down, not really sure what to do or say.

"Are you feeling better after eating something?"  He asked, making a pointed glance at the now empty bowl of soup sitting on the dresser near the bed.

"Y-yeah..." Jungkook sighed and walked over to me, sitting on the bed.

"I hate this. This awkwardness, Tae. I want to fix this. Fix us."

"Us? Is there even an 'us' anymore? Do you even--"

"Don't you dare say anything bad about yourself." He said lowly. I shut my mouth, since that was exactly what I was on my towards saying.

"I...told Jimin about...them." I suddenly said, changing the subject.

"Why?" He asked quietly.

"He wanted to know and I know you wouldn't have told him."

"He didn't need to know. And you're still hurting over it, I can tell. He's your best friend, Jungkook, he can help you."

"You're more important right now, not me. Those are old wounds."

"I'm fine."

"You are not fine! Tae...love, please. Don't do this. I know how it feels, don't shut me out like I shut you out. It doesn't help."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Jungkook sighed but didn't talk again for awhile. We say there in silence, until he opened his mouth.

"I'd...like to go back to the way we were before. Lovers. I still love you, Taehyung."

"We can't go back to that. That part of our life is over, Jungkook." I felt bad, seeing him deflate a little.

I took a deep breath, unsure of what would happen with what I would say next.

"We'll just have to start fresh. Make a new story for ourselves."