Uncharted | k.th. (Limited Time)

40| Devil's Advocate

Silence grounded Noel for most of dinner. She displayed nothing less than courtesy and kindness to her guests, but every courted moment she was near Taehyung-Jungkook's words whispered to her as if he played devil's advocate, sitting comfortably on her shoulder, keeping the memory vibrant in her thoughts. His last words lingered the most, seeing as though it was a night she couldn't remiss.

Taehyung was to visit her the night Jungkook spoke of and he didn't. She remembered going to him instead. The events which transpired between them after his return made her stomach flutter. She gulped as tears rushed her, but shook them away. She's been having to do this most of the night.

Noel's behavior didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung, whose wonder brewed to concern. From the moment she returned that morning, her distant behavior was clear. He figured she may have been in her five-day window so he didn't want to bother her, though something heaved within him as it being more.

He smiled, admiring the kindness Noel exhibited as she hugged Jihyeon and Yoongi before saying their goodbyes. Jihyeon happily reminded them of the engagement party. Noel graciously nodded, assuring their attendance. Taehyung closed the door behind them and turned to Noel. Her gaze twitching as she lowered it. Her nerves rushed her, peaking the point of weakening. She hurried away from his advance.

Noel meandered in the kitchen, not eager to clean, but maybe it would allow her mind to settle. Jungkook's taunts were still in her ear, drumming louder in every turn.

Shaking his head at her sudden departure, Taehyung followed behind Noel. "Elle?" He called.

She kept her gaze low. "Y-Yeah?" Her lips quivered with hurt, obstructing her speech. She closed her eyes, cursing her shuddered breath, but remained focused on her task until Taehyung softly placed his hand to hers, forcing her to look at him.

The redness in her eyes made his heart skip. His mind, an instant frantic mess but he didn't want to portray a worry until he knew what was bothering her. "Sweetheart? Is there something wrong? You've been quiet since you came back this morning."

Noel contemplated many excuses to cover the truth, too hurt to admit what was eating away at her. A waterfall of tears rushed her face with every passing thought.

Taehyung's heart thumped as his mind began running through memories, wondering if he said or did anything he wasn't aware of to hurt her, feeling nervous by the second.

Noel wanted to speak. You're not me... burst loudly through her thoughts. Noel suppressed a scream raking her throat.

"Elle, I'm worried. Did something happen?" Taehyung held her face into his hands. "Sweetheart, talk to me, please."

Noel's mind clocked in on that night once more. Taehyung didn't know how much she cherished it more than any of their intimate moments. There were many times when just the thought of it and the romance that blossomed because of it made her shiver with happiness. Now it's tainted. Is being with me just another reason for him to escape? Her stomach tossed with fear and doubt. "I need to be alone." She said before breaking out of his clutch and scurried to her room, closing the door and locking it behind her.

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