CHAPTER 18

Question : what do you guys think, when will taekook come out?

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(Third person's pov)

Taehyung hated the fact that he had to get out of his comfort zone. It scared the heck out of him; horrified him to the point where he nearly envisaged going back to his uncle's house in Daegu to spend the holidays when this was the last thing he had planned on doing in the beginning. He was utterly clueless as to whom his new roommate would be but he knew two things for a fact - 1. It wasn't Jungkook and 2. The person probably knew about the Taekook drama and the probability that he would get bullied again about this just made everything more terrifying.

Seated onto a huge carton of clothes, he waited patiently for Yoongi's arrival. The latter had lovingly offered his help with the moving out and the nerd knew better than to decline the offer. He had so much boxes to move and he knew he would never be able to proceed alone. He could have asked Jimin but he himself was busy with his temporary shift.

Taehyung had started packing up on the previous night and the anxiety he felt wouldn't permit him to sleep. When exhaustion got to his body with vigour, he tried lying down into a now almost empty bedroom. The moment sleep managed to settle in, his mind had to venture to dangerous territories. He had a very explicit dream with both Jungkook and Jimin. Taehyung was even embarrassed to recall it now that he was fully awake. He wouldn't have minded if he had such a dream with either of them separately but it hadn't been the case. It was with the two of them together.

His cringe-worthy thoughts were interrupted by the pianist's entry. It was quite early - 6:57AM to be exact - and it was a miracle that Yoongi was even up at such an hour.

"Hi Taebear! You slept well?" The latter asked as he hugged his friend lightly.

"Sort of."

The younger's attention shifted to his phone as soon as the device lit up next to him on the box. His breath hitched while his mind waited for the worst to occur. Recently, when he received any sort of messages or notifications, his body reacted in a way as if the video of him sucking off the fuckboy had gotten leaked. His heart returned to its normal beating rate when he noticed it was simply a stupid YouTube notification.

The male got up and lifted up a box while the other did the same with a smaller one. Yoongi's silhouette disappeared behind the carton due to his small height. Taehyung couldn't help the giggle that escaped his lips despite the otherwise stress that was cramping up. The elder rolled his eyes before stepping out. The nerd however remained frozen on the spot. There was no way his feet would allow him to move.

He was panicking again. He was going to step into an unknown territory - one where students were rich, horny brats and mean. His usual self caused him to get bullied quite often and now people had other reasons to annoy him more. His new, still unidentified roommate could be the most obnoxious and inhumane individual out there but he still had to deal with it somehow.

There was also the fact that he would be moving to an area very close to Jungkook but the dweeb tried his level best to discard this piece of information from his brain. He had other more alarming things to deal with anyways.

"Tae? You coming or what?" The musician screamed from the corridor.

Reluctantly, the said guy forced his muscles to work. One step after the other, the pair reached their destination.

Room number 48.

Taehyung tried ignoring the factuality that room number 50 was a few metres down as he timidly knocked. For an amount of time which was logically too much for someone to answer the door, the younger debated on his next move. Maybe it was way too early and the male was sleeping. Maybe he was being disrespectful and clearly refused to have company. Maybe he was an antisocial with optimal social anxiety.

Yoongi knocked again but this time, with much more fervour. Taehyung almost ran away until the familiar sound of a door opening was heard. Next thing he knew, a handsome boy with dyed orange hair stood in front of him.

Wait.

Taehyung knew him.

****.

"Hey! I apologise for taking so much time. I was in the shower and lucidly couldn't open the door in a half ***** state. Please come in." The tall lad greeted jokingly before stepping away to allow the musical prodigy to enter. The redhead then turned to Taehyung who had remained paralyzed on his spot.

"You must be Taehyung, my new roommate. I'm Namjoon. Kim Namjoon. Maybe you know me through Seokjin's intermediary."

There was no hint of arrogance or meanest in the speaker's voice. His tone was so soft that the youngest thought he was tripping.

Namjoon swiftly grabbed the box from Taehyung's hands and helped him in. He had to be dreaming; Kim Namjoon, one of the guys who hanged out with the boy that humiliated him was actually... Nice?

He stayed frozen in the middle of the room.

There was movement around him until he eventually found himself alone with the orange-haired person. Yoongi had informed that he was going to fetch the remaining boxes but of course, Taehyung; who had zoned out; heard nothing.

"I'm glad to be finally meeting you Taehyung. I heard so much about you."

The boy being spoken to sucked in a breath. It was happening, Namjoon was going to mention the incident during the fancy fair and Taehyung would end up breaking down like the complete idiot he was.

Except nothing of the sort happened.

"The first thing you've got to know about me is my klutziness. I'm so clumsy that I basically break most of the things I touch. A little piece of advice, keep your belongings away from me."

The elder broke into a warm smile which had the other fellow feel intimidated. He didn't know much about the student council's vice president. However, there was one thing which was apparent - he was the kind of individual whose presence was immediately felt when he entered a room.

Namjoon had a lot of charisma and he looked like he had a lot of tact too. In addition, he appeared smart and Taehyung realised that he could easily engage in a talk with the other chap without fearing it to be boring.

However, the younger remained on his guards. He refused to allow someone to invade his private space again on the sole basis that he was being friendly, only to get back stabbed later on.

The absent guy returned with the remaining two boxes and a plastic bag with all sort of junks and candies.

Taehyung overheard the two others having a heartwarming chat while he busied himself with his boxes. They were in the middle of what he was now realising was a giant room and he didn't want to intrude and take too much space.

He took his time to admire his surroundings. The first thing which his eyes laid on was a good dozens of all sorts of anime, manga and cartoon characters figurines on a shelf. He also distinguished a lot of books - a few of which he had already read himself - coupled with a single huge bed and a couch which was the size of his own bed. Aside, the room looked a bit like Jungkook's - kitchenette, television, private bathroom and toilet.

Overall, the chamber was clean and pleasant. The white walls and windows gave a feeling of freedom which the youngest seemingly lacked in his room. In Namjoon's room, he somehow felt more free - as if there was plenty of oxygen available as compared to any other place. It was weird to actually attempt to describe what he felt but 'liberty' was close enough.

It was ironical that he ended up liking it when at first, he was dreading moving out.

"Taebear? I'll get going. Do you wanna hang out later?" Yoongi asked; pulling Taehyung out if his thoughts and intense staring session.

The aforementioned lad rubbed the back of his neck as he felt his anxiety slowly returning. If his friend left, he was going to be alone with someone he barely knew. Maybe another face of Namjoon would unveil itself; just like the way it happened with the playboy who lived further down. He was scared to be honest but he tried playing it cool nevertheless.

"Yeah... Maybe we can meet up. Jimin and I were planning on playing overwatch later, so maybe you can join?" He said.

"Oh gosh no. You play overwatch too?" The vice president questioned before the musician had an opportunity to place a word. Normally, Taehyung would have thought that he was being mocked but the tone of Namjoon's voice was so impassive that it could only have been a friendly comment.

"Yeah... I do... I really like it..."

"Two of my friends play too. They're actually obsessed." The room owner elaborated with a smile plastered on his face. A dimple was prominent and it allowed the male to appear even more comforting than he already was. He probably would be a good psychologist - anyone would feel at ease by merely looking at him.

"Yeah, I'll join you guys if I am not sleeping or composing!" The eldest informed. He hugged his friend a little longer than usual before bidding farewell to the new roommates. He was gone as quickly as he came.

Taehyung swiftly pretended he was busy unpacking when in reality, he was oblivious concerning the location where he was allowed to put his stuffs. As if the other fellow read his mind, he instantly interfered.

"I freed half of my closet for you. If you've got books or things of the sort, feel free to put them on my table or on the shelf; anything you're comfortable with. As for the bed, you can have it, I'll sleep on the couch; I don't mind. Just make as if you're in your own room."

This was beyond kindness and the nerd felt his heart do a flip at the considerate intention. He still couldn't believe that this altruistic guy talking to him was a friend of Jungkook.

He promised not to think of the player but it was harder said than done. He was in Jungkook's best friend's room and he was to stay there for as long as two and a half months. There was no way he would be able to go the entire summer without crossing the said boy's path.

"What's up kid? You look really lost in your thoughts." The elder pointed out. He was seated on the couch, skipping through various channels until he stopped on a science fiction movie. Inception it seemed.

"Hyung? Can I ask you something?"

"Returning my question with a question I see."

The one being spoken to let out a nervous laugh. He didn't want to ask what he was about to, but he had no choice. His stay depended on an answer. Else, he would really be thinking upon spending the holidays in Daegu with people he didn't particularly appreciate. At least his favourite cousin would be there though.

"First of all, drop the tension! You're good Taehyung, I don't eat people. I promise you that. Secondly, sure go ahead." The redhead teased.

"Does-does Jungkook come here often?" The younger asked timidly. He had to know.

It was Namjoon's turn to let out a neurotic chuckle. The boy got up and walked in direction of the other person in the room. He didn't look at ease at all, as compared to earlier. As for Taehyung, he nervously played with one of his comics; palms sweating and mouth dry.

"You know Taehyung... He's my best friend. And I know what happened between the two of you. I absolutely disparage Jungkook's disgusting behaviour but I judge neither of you for the activities you indulged in. What happened between you two was private and my friend had no right to disclose that."

The younger gulped. He didn't know where this was going but it sure wasn't exactly replying to his question.

"But no matter what, he's still my best mate and is someone I value and appreciate a lot despite his actions which are highly driven by hormones or a bad influence from a specific person... Anyways, to reply to you, Jungkookie comes here quite often yes..." Namjoon scratched the back of his neck before smiling sympathetically at the younger one, " and the thing is, I have no right to request him not to. Maybe he won't come here as frequently as before if he knows you're here though..."

Taehyung nodded frantically. He understood fully what his new acquaintance meant and he had no right to interfere. He was the intruder here, and no matter whether or not the fuckboy visited often, he had to cope with it. This wasn't his place and he didn't make the rules. He was playing in another court - one where people were merciless and crude. If he didn't purposefully put himself in retreat, he would end up badly injured. He couldn't play a game whose rules he knew strictly nothing about.

He had dived into the unknown.

"Yes, yes, I understand. I am sorry for asking such a thing." The shy one apologised rapidly.

A little pat on his shoulder surprised him.

"Hey relax kid! It's fine. May I help you unpack?" Namjoon queried softly.

And so, they spent the rest of the day unpacking, cleaning, before chilling on the couch. The duo had a lot of things in common - more than what they had expected. The two of them relished reading and had a similar passion for cartoons. They liked writing; even though they penned completely different contents. Namjoon was more focused on the creation of fiction; loving the way he could mould characters and give them life on a simple piece of paper while Taehyung was more into poetry and lyric writing. The junior felt a sense of escapism when writing songs for it was a more intimate and personal way of translating your emotions without others particularly understanding your point of view unless they found themselves in the same situation.

They ended up having a Disney movie marathon without much disturbance. They made themselves ramen and iced tea when it was lunch time while watching 'Tangled' which so happened to be one of the younger's favourites.

Weirdly, Jungkook had completely vanished from Taehyung's mind and it was better this way. He deserved to breath a bit. For once, he got engrossed in something other than sex or studies. The time spent with the vice president reminded him of his habitual gatherings with Jimin. His respect for Namjoon developed instantaneously. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, he made sure to stay on his guards. He would not let his weak heart have the upper hand. They knew each other for barely 24 hours.

Their Disney bubble was broken when the front door opened frenetically. The nerd's heart pulsated in his chest while his body threatened to collapse.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips when he did not recognise the mop of brown hair into which his fingers adored stroking. Instead, he was hailed by vivacious and blinding silver hair.

Oh no...

"Hey Joon! Jeon, Jung and I are going to grab a drink, wanna- Oh ****." Chan's shocked expression was hastily replaced by an amused one. A hysterical laugh which had a chill run down Taehyung's spine followed.

"Oh my gosh no! Tell me this is a fucking joke!" The male clad in black spat out. He was full on laughing. The room owner got up and marched in direction of his friend, leaving the other fellow on the couch. The silver-haired one smelled strongly of tar and the scent diffused throughout the enclosed space.

"Behave." He scolded, "Taehyung, this is Chan and Chan, meet my new roommate, Taehyung."

"Pff, come on Namjoon, I know this is Kim Taehyung. Gosh! This is unbelievable!" And the smoker got lost into some unrestrained laughter again.

"This is too funny. Does Jeon know about this?"

The silence which followed was enough as an answer.

"Oh ****! He doesn't? Oh my gosh I can't wait to tell him that his little slut is living with you!" Chanmin exclaimed. The level of disrespect was real. He was talking as if Taehyung wasn't in the room. Despite the scolding which he got right after, that did not stop him from laughing. An evil smirk curved on his lips; a grin directed to the boy seated on the couch.

"Get out, I have work."

"Oh my gosh you spend a few hours with this gigolo and you turn as stuck up as him?"

This was the optimum peak of impudence. Chan found himself forcefully thrown out of the room. His laughs echoed in the corridor. A flustered Namjoon was left to apologise to the younger.

"Gosh... Taehyungie... I'm so sorry. He's a jerk... I really apologise."

The said guy tried playing it impassive but deep inside, the despondent words had had a violent impact on him. Jungkook's little slut... That was how people saw him now. He had lost everything - chastity, dignity and the due respect owned by any member of the society. Because of whom? A guy who had no shits to give to him.

"It's fine. I didn't mind. I'll-I'll just take a nap... If you want, you can join your friends..." Taehyung whispered shyly as he got up. His face was crumbled and his eyes were glossy. Rapidly, he made his way to the bed where he forced his eyes to close until his breathing evened out.

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Goodnight/Goodmorning everyone!😴

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