THE BODYGUARD | JAEYONG NCT

15: Rejection Hurts

Taeyong knew he shouldn't have run off like that but he couldn't help himself. He scolded himself at his impulsive decision making and rubbed at his arms. He was wearing a hoodie but the evening cold still managed to travel under and nip at his skin.

Taeyong wasn't exactly sure where he was anymore. He ran out of the carnival's venue after unbuckling himself and stumbling away from Jaehyun in shock and embarrassment. Jaehyun's face was painfully seared into his mind and Taeyong grimaced. He had been rejected.

It was painful but in a way, part of him had seen it coming. A part of him was surprised at his actions, a part of him was surprised that Jaehyun had kissed him back. But the largest part of him was proud of himself for taking that first step.

Sometimes he felt like Jaehyun felt the same way from his lingering touches and captivating stares. But it was times like this that made Taeyong doubt it, doubt himself.

What was I thinking, he probably isn't even gay. Yup, you just kissed a straight man.

It was so painfully comical that Taeyong let out a loud laugh. He kept walking further and further, not wanting to turn back and retrace his steps just yet. He was sure he was lost anyways, Taeyong was never good at directions. So, he just kept walking.

He figured maybe he'd eventually run into some sort of motel that was scattered across the city. He still had a few bucks so he could probably pay for a room for the night. Taeyong's heart was hurting, smashed into two, yet he still wanted to see Jaehyun. He still wanted the man to come running up after him with that stupidly boyish grin like he always did. He missed Jaehyun and it had barely been twenty minutes.

Regardless, twenty minutes was a lot of walking and Taeyong had found himself in a more deserted street. The streetlights buzzed and flickered and Taeyong's feet were tired. He found an alleyway and decided that would be the perfect place to cry.

Settled in a slump, Taeyong sniffled softly to himself, his knees bent down in a crouching position. He was hungry, tired and heartbroken.

"Is this how Johnny felt?" he laughed wryly with a snivel. Taeyong wiped his tears and blinked, he wanted to give himself some time before walking back. Unfortunately for him, he had already been found.

Taeyong noticed a shadow at his feet and smiled, it must've been Jaehyun again. He placed his hands on his knees to stand but frowned when the shadow had doubled. He looked up slowly from his crouching position, falling back unto the floor in shock.

There were two large men dressed in sharp black suits and tinted black shades. There were unnaturally wide and eerily intimidating. Taeyong cowered in fear, he knew these weren't just any ordinary, petty criminals.

Flashbacks of the beach day sprung up in his mind. Were these the same two men? He was too far away and panicked to had taken a good look at them last time but these two men seemed eerily familiar.

Taeyong stood up with his knees crackling and dusted his palms off on his trousers awkwardly. "Uhm.. hi, I think I should just get out of your way.."

He smiled lopsidedly and tried to side step one of the men, the bald one, but the man stepped in front of him. That's when Taeyong knew the dreaded feeling in his stomach was right. It was screaming at him to get out of there and fast, something seemingly impossible to do as they were cornering him.

"P-Please," he stammered but the men were unrelenting. Tayeong took some unconscious steps back until his back hit a hard wall and he gulped. His heart was thudding loudly in his ears and he screwed his eyes shut, almost painfully, wishing that they'd be gone when he opened them.