Jaded /vkook/taekook/

41

"I was in and out of the hospital with alcohol poisoning for months. Even though I was sick I kept drinking. I hadn't been able to book any shoots because I had lost so much weight and then I started smoking and...I just didn't look great at the time. H-Hoseok and I, our relationship had gotten to a bad place. The worst it had ever gotten. We were fighting each other, physically fighting. And we were just so mean to each other. For months we were like that before I started drinking more than before. Then I just got drunk before he made it home so I didn't have to deal with him while I was sober."

Jungkook nods along with Taehyung's words.

They were still sitting on the ground when Taehyung had started telling the story suddenly after his crying calmed down.

"After I went to the hospital the first time I knew that it was a possibility that I could...I could die if I kept abusing alcohol like I was." Taehyung continues. "But I wanted to die so it just made me drink more. Hoseok alway told me how disgusting it was and h-how I was gonna get fat if I kept drinking so many calories. He didn't even care that I was dying. He just wanted to make his own life easier.

"But then, I booked this gig in Japan. It was for small artists in big companies, like me. It was gonna be a huge break for me. So I immediately took the offer and started working to get better. I had stopped drinking and tried to stop smoking. I started to gain weight, and I think I looked healthier. But when Hoseok found out why I was trying to get better he was so fucking upset."

Jungkook runs small circles into Taehyung's back to try to comfort him.

"We fought, but it wasn't like other times we fought. It wasn't like he was hitting me because I hit him. He was just...anyway. I left that night and I called him from my hotel room to tell him I was going to take the offer. If I could get away from him I could better myself. He wouldn't be there to tear me down every chance that he got." Taehyung laughs but it's humorless. "The next morning he had leaked our relationship and he'd told some reporters about my recent hospital visits and why I was there. First, news got out about me being an alcoholic. Then he started to tell people that I...took advantage of my staff. H-He made it seem like I was forcing people into being with me when I was only ever with him. He told them that I slept with producers and directors. And I hadn't done anything like that since Jimin and I modeled together years prior.

"My label cut me without even asking me if any of it was true. I was costing them more money than I was bringing in at that point. And I was drunk all the time at work so they had firsthand knowledge of my alcoholism. I tried to meet with Hoseok to ask him why he did all of this but he never answered my calls. Jin-hyung followed me when I got fired. He tried to keep me sober for a while but, it didn't really work. I was completely ruined and I didn't think I was going to come back from this. Especially since every tabloid had a picture of me on the front looking terribly ill."

Taehyung falls silent looking up at Jungkook who was listening intently.

"2-3 called me and asked if I was still modeling, this was about a year or so later. Everyone probably thought I was gone for good. I was still drinking heavily but Jin put me on a strict diet that was mainly for health and not weight loss. I went in for the interview with 2-3 and they asked when I could start. So that's when I started building my crew. I hired hair and makeup. Then I looked for a stylist, that took a lot longer because...well everyone looked like they could stab me in the back like Hoseok did."

Jungkook nods, bringing his hand up to wipe away Taehyung's tears.

"I interviewed so many people. By the time you came I was ready to give up." Taehyung chuckles a little. "But you were so...naive I guess."

Jungkook's eyebrow quirks, was he?

"I knew you didn't know what you were doing." Taehyung says. "So I knew you wouldn't manipulate my situation. Not only that, you were the only person that didn't bring up my previous situation during your personal interview. So I hired you and brought you in."

Jungkook smiles a little, that day changed his life so much.

"I promised myself that I'd never relive the past, I wouldn't let myself fall for another guy again. Especially not my stylist." Taehyung says, still looking up at Jungkook. "I was such an idiot to make such a promise, wasn't I?"

Jungkook is slightly confused so he just continues to listen silently.

"From the moment I met you I knew you were going to change me. And you did. You make me want to me better, and I don't know how you do it but, you make me want...want to live." Taehyung explains. "I can't drink without thinking 'damn, Jungkook probably wouldn't want me doing this.' I can't smoke a cigarette without thinking 'Jungkook's right, I definitely need to quit.' And every time I overthink my diet I think 'well Jungkook thinks I'm fine the way I am.'"

More tears fall from Taehyung's eyes as he speaks.

"You make me want to be a better person." Taehyung says. "And even though I know I shouldn't, even though I promised myself I wouldn't. I can't help that my heart beats faster when I'm with you. Or that it literally skips a beat when you smile or that it nearly stops all together when you laugh. I can't help that, even though I try to fight it, I can't help that I let myself fall in love with you."

Jungkook's breath hitches and his eyes widen slightly.

"I can't help that I want to hold you close and learn everything single thing about you. I can't help that I want to protect you from anything bad in the world. I can't help that I want to make you as happy as you make me. Because believe it or not I never smiled before you."

Tears well up in Jungkook's eyes at Taehyung's words. "Tae."

"I think about you all the time. Even when we're together I'm dreading being apart. Even if it is just for a few hours." Taehyung confesses. "The other night when you confessed, I was so scared. I was afraid that the past would repeat itself so I let you go but I was stupid because I know you'd never hurt me. You're the only person, besides Jin, that I know has my best interest at heart."

Jungkook blinks rapidly as tears fall from his eyes.

"That day....that day on the rooftop. That day... I knew I'd fall in love with you."

"Taehyung." Jungkook says in a breathless sob, hiding his face in the crook of the older's neck.

"You saved me, in more ways than one." Taehyung says. "I can't ever repay you."

"You saved me too." Jungkook says looking up again. "I can't repay you either."

Taehyung smiles. "I'm never going to let anything bad happen to you again, Jungkook. I swear."

"Do you really love me?" Jungkook asks looking down shyly.

Taehyung taps Jungkook under his chin to make him look up. "I'm in love with you."

Jungkook nods, hesitantly leaning forward, slowly closing the space between them until their lips touch in a tender kiss.

Taehyung kisses him back, emotions overcoming him and making tears fall down his face.

They pull away and meet each other's tearful eyes.

"Don't cry. We've got each other now."

🖤🖤🖤

Ohhhhh it's far from over y'all...🤠