Love And Rejection, Both At First Sight. - Taekook Love Story (2nd Version)

10 - 'it's not you, it's me'

Building the new home for Lee elders took about 3 weeks. Pretty much everyone in the small town got together and helped however they can.

Taehyung got leave from his shops so he was helping full day. There wasn't much work at the tech shop and Yugyeom said he can manage.

Hoseok and Yoongi were not able to come that much and same was with Jimin, who works as a teacher in the local kindergarten.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the circumstances made Taehyung and Jungkook work together pretty much the entire day. In a way it was awkward but at the same time, it felt right.

They didn't talk to each other at all, if they could help it but didn't ignore each other either. There was a strange tension between the two of them which made the other people uncomfortable so everyone left them to themselves.

They were taking a break and having a cool drink that Jin brought.

"H-how's the leg?" Taehyung asked tentatively, speaking with Jungkook for the first time after days.

Jungkook gave a sigh before replying.

"It's fine now. Don't worry about it."

"Jungkook I didn't mean to-"

"I know. Sorry for snapping at you."

"I'm sorry." Taehyung said as he looked directly at the boy's face.

"No, I'm sorry. I was being unreasonable a-and.... immature. I was being a baby. It's not your fault." Jungkook said with a small smile.

"You are a baby. A precious one." Taehyung muttered to himself but Jungkook heard him clearly and he couldn't help giving a small smile.

Jimin normally comes in the afternoon and lights up the mood a little bit. Taehyung and Jimin hit it off pretty well and anyway Jimin is a fun loving person so the trio have a good time.

Taehyung thought he saw Jungkook smiling few times. It was not the same bright, bunny smile one that he gave when they met for the first time, but it certainly an improvement. His heart ached at the thought of being the one responsible for taking that smile away from Jungkook's life.

Mr and Mrs Lee came from time to time and thanked everyone for their work. Mrs Lee specially cared for Taehyung and Jimin as an appreciation for what they did.

Taehyung really loved being pampered by Mrs Lee. It was so long ago that he last felt a motherly love.

After all the efforts and team work, the house was completed. Mr and Mrs Lee sponsored a dinner party to thank everyone who helped.

Everyone was laughing and enjoying the simple party. Taehyung was sitting between Hoseok and Jimin and was listening to Yoongi telling about their police adventures. A thrilling story about saving a cat who was stuck in a tree.

"But what's so difficult and thrilling about bring down a cat from a tree?" Taehyung asked in surprise.

"Ah my friend, the thrilling part is not about the cat. It was about the owner." Yoongi said with a mischievous vibe.

"You see Taehyung, this particular fine lady, happens to be our very own Hoseokie's ex-girlfriend. And....you could say that the breakup was not very well handled." Yoongi wiggled his eyebrows while everyone else howled with laughter.

"Oh crap!!" Taehyung said when he was able to stop his laughing.

"Crap indeed. Here I was, trying to get that poor cat down. And Hoseok was having a full blown fight in the middle of the road. I had one hand on my gun. It was a very dangerous situation. But thrilling." Yoongi concluded.

"Well, I knew I can count on my partner for my protection." Hoseok said, reaching his hand for a handshake.

"You bet, partner." Yoongi promptly shook his partner's hand.

Jungkook was sitting next to his brother and had his head on Jin's lap where the elder stroked it gently. He was stealing occasional glances at Taehyung and his laughter reduced with each look.

Jungkook was feeling bad about himself actually. He wanted to talk and laugh freely with Taehyung but he knows that Taehyung will not allow it. All because he was not able to mask his feelings better.

But it's just that Jungkook has never had the need to mask his feelings. He was a simple boy, happy with his family and friends. He was loved and treasured and never known this much sadness.

Unable to sit there anymore, Jungkook stood up and walked outside. Everyone stopped their talking as the baby of the group walked out in very visible sadness.

Taehyung felt his chest tighten at the change in the group. He felt as if he's intruding in someone else's happiness. He's the one who doesn't belong here.

"I should go home." Taehyung said as he got up from his seat and everyone started to protest.

"No, it's fine. I'm little tired anyway." Taehyung said again.

"Tae, sit your ass down." Jin said sternly.

"Please hyung. He shouldn't be the one to leave. I'm sorry for everything." Taehyung left without letting anyone else say anything.

Once he was outside, he saw Jungkook sitting on a log in the garden. Unable to stop himself, he walked towards the boy who was watching the moon.

Jungkook turned sideways when he heard the footsteps and looked back at the moon.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jungkook gave a humorless laugh.

"I'm going home. Y-you should go inside." Taehyung said gently.

Jungkook just hummed in agreement. Just as Taehyung turned to leave, Jungkook spoke again.

"Do you know what I want?" Jungkook asked.

"What?" Taehyung whispered.

Jungkook fully turned toward Taehyung and held his gaze for few seconds before answering.

"I want to feel loved."

"Jungkook you are very much loved. There are so many people that love you."

Jungkook shock his head.

"I want to feel loved.... by you."

Taehyung felt his heart aching again. He watched in silence as he didn't know what to say.

"What's wrong with me Taehyung? Why am I not good enough to be loved by you?" Jungkook asked again.

"There's nothing like that Jungkook. Nothing's wrong with you. I'm the one with the problem here." Taehyung said in a desperate tone.

"Oh... is this the famous 'it's not you, it's me' moment?"

"Jungkook listen. Listen very carefully. I'm the one who's not good enough for you. There are... there are some very bad people after me. They always find me, no matter where I go. It might take a month or a year, but they will eventually find me. And when they do, everyone I care about, everyone who is important to me, will be in grave danger. They will hurt you and they will kill you. I can't let that happen to anyone, specially not to someone precious like you. I live in a hell. I can't drag you down here. Do you understand?? So yeah, it's not you. It really is me."

There was a silence as Taehyung finished his rant. Jungkook's face had an unreadable emotion and Taehyung found it difficult to look at the boy. He turned around to go and before he even took two steps, Jungkook called again.

"Taehyung." Jungkook waited till Taehyung turned to face him before speaking again.

"I don't know what kind of danger or pain future will bring. But I know one thing for sure. You are hurting me now. It hurts so much that I wish I was dead right now. Do you understand that??"

With that, Jungkook walkedback inside the house, leaving Taehyung alone to his thoughts. And they werenot happy ones.