Lyric One Shots: Taekook Edition

Forever (Part Two)

There is something about Kim Taehyung that Jungkook cannot understand. The chestnut-haired boy is always smiling, always friendly, always obedient, and always kind. Jungkook has noticed him helping teachers in his free time, working in the infirmary between or during classes, and assisting in student counselling before school hours. He is one of the first to arrive after that first day, but also one of the first to leave. As soon as that bell rings, Taehyung hurries home, never accepting invitations to hang out which harshly affects his popularity. And Jungkook knows it bothers the smaller boy. Taehyung winces every time someone asks him, and then instantly snaps at him when they are rejected. He sees the frown on Taehyung's face when people tell him he's too antisocial and too isolated. Jungkook knows Taehyung doesn't want to be, and yet something keeps him from accepting invitations. And Jungkook seriously wants to know why.

One Monday several weeks into the school year, Jungkook arrives to school earlier than expected. He leans against the side of the building, playing on his phone as he waits for his friends to show up even though he knows they won't be here for another thirty minutes. He debates going inside where the air conditioner blows and he can probably find an empty classroom to take a nap. The shouts and squeals and laughter of the other students drive him crazy, much rather preferring a silent room to the loud rambunctious courtyard.

"Taehyung-oppa, hi!" a girl cries, and Jungkook looks up instantly, his gaze locked onto the brown-haired boy. Taehyung smiles at her, a thin-lipped smile, instantly telling Jungkook something is wrong. Taehyung's usual smile is a big boxy grin that shows off his perfectly pearl white teeth. He doesn't smile a thin smile unless something is wrong or he is unwell. Jungkook's eyes graze over Taehyung's form, noticing how he wavers just a little bit as he is stopped by someone wanting to talk. The school uniform hangs messily off of Taehyung's torso, seeming to not fit as well as if the boy lost weight. Not like he needs to. His body is perfect for Jungkook. Jungkook forces himself to look away as he realizes what he just thought. Taehyung is perfect for him. But it never can be. Nothing can come from pursuing a relationship with that secretive boy...but that doesn't mean Jungkook can't find out what those secrets might be. He follows Taehyung into the school building, concern running through his veins as he notices Taehyung stagger a bit. The chestnut-haired boy rests his head against the cool metal locker as he spins the dial, quickly putting in his code so that he can get the door open and his textbooks out. Yet curiosity has Jungkook intervening and he slams Taehyung's locker shut again. The smaller boy jumps, looking up at Jungkook with wide eyes filled with surprise and wariness.

"Can I help you, Jungkook?" Taehyung asks, his deep voice trembling slightly. Whether with fatigue or anxiety or frustration, Jungkook isn't sure. The raven-haired boy leans against the locker, his arms crossed over his chest as he stares down at Taehyung, his face calm except for the concern pooling in his gaze.

"You don't look well, pup" Jungkook blurts out, surprising himself and Taehyung as well. The boy gapes, his lush lips moving though no sound comes out. Jungkook reaches up, gently resting the palm of his head against Taehyung's forehead even though the small boy flinches slightly. Taehyung's skin is warm--almost feverish--which concerns Jungkook even more, "You're really warm..."

"How..." Taehyung whispers and Jungkook sighs, moving his hand down from Taehyung's forehead to his cheek, causing the small boy to blush brightly.

"You just don't seem like yourself..." Jungkook says, not wanting to admit that ever since last year he has had his eyes on Taehyung, wanting to learn more and more about the secrets this boy may keep. Taehyung steps back slightly, letting Jungkook's hand naturally fall away from his face.

"I'm fine. Just tired. Thank you for the concern though," Taehyung replies with a tight-lipped smile. Jungkook's eyes narrow slightly, annoyance boiling through him as he sees Taehyung's mask fall into place.