Jungkook's leg bounces restlessly as he sits in his section of the restaurant for the interview portion of the retreat.
He had already met with five or six other models but his nerves have yet to subside as he waited to meet with Taehyung.
"Get ahold of yourself." He says to himself as he grabs his glass of water and sips it.
"Are you ready for Mr. Kim, Mr. Jeon?" A woman asks stopping by his table.
No. "Yes. Whenever he's ready please." Jungkook nods quickly, forcing a small smile.
The lady leaves to escort Taehyung to the table and Jungkook has to force himself to be professional when he sees the older.
He stands out from the rest of the models without even trying and Jungkook can't help to stare as he approaches.
"Mr. Kim." The woman says, bowing to Jungkook who nods his head at her.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Kim." The younger says, forcing his eyes down to the scoring sheet he was supposed to be filling out as the interview went on.
He stays silent until the woman is gone, clearing his throat as he marks off a few things on the sheet.
He lifts his eyes momentarily to find Taehyung staring out the window with a hard expression, one he never thought he'd miss so much.
"How are you today, Mr. Kim?" Jungkook asks, sitting up straighter and trying his best to be professional.
"I'm well, and yourself?" Taehyung asks looking at Jungkook for the first time.
"I'm well." The younger says dropping his eyes to the list of questions he was supposed to ask. "This is the interview portion of the competition where each of our potential Vogue models sit down with each judge and have a conversation guided by a list of questions, each list unique to each judge."
Taehyung tunes out the boring monologue that he's already heard from each judge, his mind more focused on the fact that he was sitting across from the love of his life and he was acting like a complete stranger to him.
"Before we begin would you like anything? A glass of water or anything?" Jungkook asks to which Taehyung declines. "Very well then."
Jungkook clears his throat again, marking off another point on the scoring sheet.
"Do you think people have a negative view of the modeling industry, Mr. Kim?" The younger asks without looking up at him.
"Yes." Taehyung answers, directing his gaze back outside.
"Tell me why." Jungkook says writing something else down.
"It's a very intimidating field, not only from the outside but from the inside as well. The intimidation from the inside comes across as envy and envy grows into hate. Nothing looks positive when there's so much hate involved."
"Do you think people are intimidated by you?" The younger asks forcing himself to look up.
A smile tugs at Taehyung's lips, it doesn't break through but his eyes brighten a little like he's holding back a laugh. "I think so."
"Why are you participating in this competition this year, Mr. Kim?"
Taehyung falls silent for moment to think of his answer, looking away from the window and meeting the younger's eyes.
Jungkook is tempted to look away but he fights it, staring into Taehyung's unreadable eyes.
"My fans enjoy watching me in the show and I enjoy competing. It's more fun for me than competition honestly." The bluenette answers without looking away.
"And if you win what will you do with your winnings?" The younger asks, still holding his gaze.
"Donate it." Taehyung answers. "I donate it every year. I don't do this for the money."
"To what charity?"
"Min Yoongi's charity Lost Love. It gathers resources all around the world for people in toxic relationships and gives them hope and a chance to start fresh in anyway they want."
Jungkook nods, being the first to break eye contact. "I'm glad to hear that."
Jungkook mentally rejoices as he scratches the final point, he thought asking five questions would be a lot harder.
"The interview portion is now complete and is worth up to 25 points in your final score. If you answered each question truthfully and thoughtfully you'll have no worries and I will do my best to give you all the points you've earned. Thank you for completing your interview portion of the Vogue fashion competition. I can't wait to see you at the formal tonight."
The scripted words fly from Jungkook's lips like he's in a hurry to complete the interview, rushing the final monologue.
"Thoughts, questions, or concerns for myself?" He asks looking up at Taehyung who looks at him with a strange look in his eye.
"No." The model says despite being full of thoughts, questions, and so many concerns.
He wanted to know so much—wanted to hear Jungkook's voice, his actual voice, not the scripted tone of voice he's been using the whole time.
He wanted to know why he's lost so much weight since he's been gone and why he didn't call while he was gone.
He wanted to know who Lee Jongsuk really was and if he was treating him the way he deserved to be treated and if he loved him.
God he wanted to know if he loved that man.
"Thank you again, Mr. Kim~"
"Jungkook." Taehyung says before he can stop himself, catching Jungkook off guard.
"Yes?" He asks, his voice still heavily guarded.
"Are you okay?"
Silence settles between them for a moment or two, Jungkook's head tilting as if he's confused by the question.
"I'm fine." The younger nods, his eyebrows drawing together.
"Thank you for having me." Taehyung says before standing, bowing to him before walking out of the restaurant and into the hotel lobby.
He heads for the elevators quickly, wanting to escape as fast as possible.
"Taehyung-ah!" Jungkook's voice calls, his tone so much more familiar.
Taehyung stops, turning around to see the younger walking towards him and stopping a little ways away before speaking.
"Maybe, if you don't have to rush back after the retreat, we could meet up." He says forcing himself to smile a little.
Taehyung knew that it wasn't possible to just meet up as friends, not with so many lingering feelings—even if they were one sided. "Okay."
"Good luck." Jungkook says, bowing before turning and rushing back to his table.
He sits down and puts his head in his hands. "I'm an idiot. I'm such a fucking idiot."
"Are you ready for Mr. Park, Mr. Jeon?"
"What?" Jungkook snaps looking up at her, his eyes widening at his own tone. "I'm so sorry, yes. I'm ready. Send him whenever he's ready please."
The woman nods leaving to get the next model with a strange expression.
Taehyung sits in his hotel room staring off into space, his mind stuck on Jungkook.
He couldn't believe that after nearly two years he was already this much of a stranger to the younger.
After loving Jungkook so much and thinking he loved him the same, they were practically strangers.
🖤🖤🖤
YOU ARE READING
Jaded /vkook/taekook/
Fanfiction|COMPLETED| Jeon Jungkook is an aspiring designer in Seoul looking for a kickstart for his career in the world of designing. Kim Taehyung is a well known model that has lost all love he once had for the job, spending most of his time drinking and e...
