COME BACK HOME ➤ KIM TAEHYUNG

DEVIL IN DISGUISE | page 24

Taehyung wasn't even fazed when Esra suddenly appeared before him again, dressed in a white coat and suit that matched his hair. Taehyung's meltdown had long passed and taken all his energy and emotions with it.

Esra's face remained stoic as he took in the state of his creation: hair a complete mess, eyes red and tired, clothes crumpled, the growing stubble only adding to his raggedy look. He had forgotten to clean him up again.

Taehyung was sat in Esra's chair, leaning his arms on the table as he stared up at his enemy.

"You look good." Esra muttered as he took a seat on the other side of the table.

A thick silence filled the room. Taehyung didn't bother answering the man, deciding to wait for him to get to the point instead.

"Come on, Kim Taehyung, speak to me!" Esra complained childishly. No reaction.

He then decided to cup his cheeks and pout cutely: "I'm bored, Tae Tae. Entertain me, pretty please?"

Still nothing.
Only a single thought from Taehyung that Esra couldn't hear: 'so that's what I look like doing aegyo.'

Esra groaned, leaning on the table lazily: "Are you still mad at me? It's not my fault I have strict rules to follow and things to do. I'm quite popular too, you know."

The silence was starting to annoy him. He leaned over the table, closer to Taehyung.
Esra decided to boop his nose with his finger, which did get him a reaction: a blink. While that made Esra giggle a bit, he wasn't satisfied. It was time to drop the big news.

"Okaay," he dragged out, "I have good news. You'll be waking up soon..."
Esra stared carefully at the man, waiting for a twitch in his eye at the very least, but none came. He'd have to press further.

"...That is if Hoseok and Riza cooperate."

That did it. Taehyung's eyes hardened.

Esra gave him a couple more seconds to speak, hearing no sound, he continued himself: "I paid them a visit. Jung Hoseok, that guy, he's quite a handful."

Taehyung leaned back in his seat, eyes never leaving Esra's.

"I gave them the cure. It's up to them wether they trust a handsome stranger or not," he smirked, as if holding back a laugh.

"They didn't recognise you?" Taehyung spoke up for the first time, earning a raised brow and grin from Esra, "It's been long enough for them to forget my face already?"

Esra let out a rumble of laughter, finding it all amusing; from Taehyung's strained voice to his unknowingness. He leaned towards Taehyung, resting his head on his hand: "I borrowed a friend's body for that, don't worry."

He paused dramatically, knowing Taehyung was secretly wanting to now how much time had really passed and if his friends still remembered or cared about him.

"I guess I haven't told you about the time here. It's different. It operates differently, you could say.. For your loved ones... it's been about, what? Three or four days?"

He grin widened when he saw just the reaction he was hoping for: a look of pure and utter disbelief and shock.

"That's right, Taehyungie, a single day for them is three years for you."

"You're lying." Taehyung gritted his teeth, fists clenched to the point his palms bled.

"When have I ever?" Esra laughed manically, leaning back in his seat, a glint of pure euphoria in his eyes, "You've been rotting down here for nine years and who knows how many more days it'll take for your friends to decide to feed you the cure."

Taehyung shook his head frantically, a burning feeling in his chest, "Stop. Stop-"

"You didn't even notice, did you? How long it's been- I don't blame you. The ones here never know, bless their souls," Esra could barely contain his excitement. Was this the entertainment he was craving so bad?

"The hell do you want from me? What are you gaining from this?! Nine years and I don't know any more than I used to!" Taehyung yelled, slamming his fists on the table.

Esra only grinned devilishly, kicking the chair back as he stood up and turned around, making his way towards a door that wasn't there before.

"Fucking tell me!" Taehyung stood up, ready to run after him.

The white clad devil stopped.
"You'll see."

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haven't updated in like 15 days i am an imbecile😔