Heartfelt Chronicles: Echoes Of Affection "Hearts Across Eras"— 14

Jungkook

Well, no. They’re not ever concerned with my business.

Jungkook explained, and even though he didn’t give it away in words, Taehyung learned one thing about him— he doesn’t have any friends in this office. Jungkook tried his best to ignore them and went to his desk, Taehyung’s chair and his still sitting there, and they both plopped into them, ready to get the day started.

The last few days were stressful and tiring; he now was so sick of being the center of attention. He hated crowded places, nearly as much as he hated the spotlight, and it had been shining brightly with him dead in the center since the day of the explosion.

The day went by quietly, with everyone mostly leaving him and Taehyung alone. He went through all his emails and wrote pieces of code before handing it off to whoever needed it. After that, he made a project proposal and sent it to his boss.

He was done with all his work for the day, rapidly going through everything at an alarming rate, and before long, it was time for lunch. In an effort to escape the prying eyes and curious whispers, he invited Taehyung to lunch at a popular restaurant across the street.

Jungkook

Sorry I made you wait for so long. I know you didn’t eat this morning.

Jungkook said to him, and Taehyung didn’t say anything in response.

Jungkook

Pick whatever you want. On me.

Jungkook offhandedly replied as he looked through the menu, trying to pick something to eat.

Unbeknownst to him, Taehyung was looking up at him, his head not turning away from the menu so that he didn’t alert him to the fact that his eyes were going over his frame.

He took in his features, noting the soft edges of his eyes and how small he was in comparison to him. Taehyung’s gaze then moved down to his nose and lips, taking in the curve of them every time he licked his lips or inhaled.

Reading him was easy for Taehyung once he figured out where to look; his lips were as good as his eyes in painting a picture of emotion, the two features mirroring each other to color his face with whatever expression he decided to wear.

He was quite attractive, even Taehyung could admit that, but he wondered if he not having any friends at work had anything to do with how observant he was.

He kind of admired it, but it also pissed him off because he didn’t like him seeing through him entirely. It annoyed him. He thought he’d mastered looking and being detached, but whether he liked it or not, he brought something else out from him.

Maybe it was because he was always kind and considerate with him, always shocking him with his answers to his questions and always putting his comfort before his.

He’d only known him for a few days, and Jeonghan’s words continued to ring true, even within the first 10 minutes of meeting him. Taehyung recalled his case file and how he had turned up at the 11th precinct one day, all bloody and bruised, having suffered abuse from his mother and fed lies about his father for his whole life.

There was even one detail he remembered clearly; Taeyong had paid what was necessary for rent, food, and school, but when his mother didn’t have enough to feed her drinking habits and drug addictions, she took him out of school when he was 7 and used that money for her own gain.

Taehyung believed he had reason to be angry with the world, and perhaps the thing that annoyed him so much was that he actually used his anger to shut people out. How come he didn’t? How was it that he had the ability to avoid that? It fascinated him.

The people at the office weren’t really respectful to him; in fact, he had mentioned to Taehyung that their attitudes have gotten worse since he was outed as a Jeon, though he did notice a few people trying to suck up to him.

He hated all of them; that much Taehyung could see, even though he rarely talked back to them when they were standoffish with him. He tried to avoid the emotions it stirred in his heart, but Taehyung could tell that some of the things they said stung. It made him mad for him.

He remembered how one of the agents came up to him and checked on him.

“How’s that concussion? I hope you’re doing better,” He had said, and he gave him a look.

He didn’t turn back to him, and Taehyung watched as he continued to work, his eyes a shade darker than they usually were, and his face was devoid of that observant curiosity he seemed to constantly wear. That was the moment Taehyung learned something else about him. He was used to this.

After they took their orders and received their drinks, he noticed another desk worker from his department walking past him; he gave him a glare as he passed by, and he kept a mostly straight face as a masculine scent wafted up to his nose. His eyebrows lifted slightly, and his eyes sparkled for a second before subsiding.

He hummed as he left the restaurant.

Taehyung

What?

Taehyung asked, following the agent with his eyes to see if he could conclude whatever it was that he found out.

Jungkook

Nothing.

He replied as usual, picking up his glass and sipping his drink innocently through the straw. He looked up and around the place, his eyes wandering to every spot. Taehyung gave a slight smile.

He was slowly learning that his ‘nothings’ always meant something, but he also watched him as he looked around the room, eyes filled to the brim with a mischievous glimmer, a lingering effect that he connected back to his little discovery.

Even though he might not have had the perfect poker face, neither did Jungkook. And yet, he couldn’t help but wonder what intrigues his hectic mind was weaving. All he knew was that he wanted to find out, and a thought weeded its way into his mind before he could stop it. He’s so cute.

After Jungkook returned to the office, Taehyung continued reading his book, and Jungkook went back to work. The office was bustling as usual, people taking calls and walking from place to place to make sure everything was in order, the mailman pushing a cart and handing off letters and packages to whomever had something delivered.

Jungkook

Do you want a pair of headphones to listen to music?

Jungkook asked Taehyung, and he looked at him briefly, shaking his head.

Taehyung

I’m good.

Taehyung replied, and Jungkook nodded.

Jungkook

Okay, let me know if you need anything.

He said and turned away from him. Jungkook kept clicking the keys, the silence between them stretching for several minutes before Taehyung said something.

Taehyung

Why are you so nice to me?

He asked one of the other questions that’s been on his mind. Jungkook froze, his fingers no longer clicking the keys down. He turned around and looked at Taehyung.

Taehyung

I’ve not been that nice to you since we first met.

Taehyung admitted, not looking up from his book.

Jungkook

You’re nice to me in your own ways.

Jungkook replied, and Taehyung furrowed his brows, finally looking up.

Taehyung

What?

He shook his head, confusion taking up his face.

Jungkook

You’re not outwardly nice to me, but you do little things to show that you care. And I appreciate that.

Jungkook replied and turned back to his computer. Before Taehyung could say anything else, a man dropped a stack of files on his desk.

“If you have time to be chatting, then you have time to work.”

He coldly sent a glare his way.

Taehyung saw that mischievous glimmer return to Jungkook's eyes as he looked at him, leaning back into his office chair, and he recalled the man as the same one Jungkook saw in the restaurant.

Jungkook

He asked me a question and I answered it, Kang. I don’t see the issue.

Jungkook replied, and he leaned in.

“Don’t think I’m going to be treating you different because now you have a bodyguard and you’re Jeon’s son.”

He spat, and Jungkook looked up at him, giving Taehyung a quick glance.

“What? Looking to your bodyguard for help?” He asked.

Jungkook

Nope. I don’t need him to tell me that you’re sleeping with the intern.

Jungkook mumbled, and Taehyung nearly choked on the air. He could feel the beginnings of a laugh bubbling up in his throat, but he held it in. What he couldn’t suppress was his expression of shock and interest. His brows furrowed, and his lips fell slightly agape as he watched the scene unfold.

“What’re you talking about?”

He asked, stuttering, looking at Jungkook as the laughter got caught in his throat, and Kang turned back to him.

Jungkook

Xia ji is wearing a very strong cologne today. Did you sleep with him before or after he put it on?

Jungkook put a pen horizontally in between his lips as he looked up at Kang with a blank expression. Kang's eyes shifted to the right.

Jungkook

After. So this morning before work? Got it.

He replied, stretching out his final words before turning back to his laptop.

“Just do your work.”

Kang spat and left quickly, not before trying to sniff his shirt to see if there was actually cologne on it.

Jungkook looked over his shoulder at Taehyung. He was still making a face; it wasn’t contorted or changed much beyond his normal expression, but it was just enough to make Jungkook realize that he’s thoroughly surprised him.

He never expected anything of the sort to come out of his mouth, and it was pleasant for him in a way. He enjoyed it, not that he would ever admit it.

Jungkook

What?

He asked Taehyung as he saw him looking at him with his lips still parted.

Jungkook

Oh, come on. You’re telling me I can’t be petty?

Jungkook asked him, and he shrugged his shoulders.

Taehyung

Never said that.

Taehyung shook his head, turning back to his book.

Jungkook

I’m sure even you have your moments.

Jungkook said to him. He didn’t say anything then, so Jungkook decided to put headphones in and listen to some music as he went through the files.

When Taehyung was sure he wasn’t listening, he murmured something under his breath.

Taehyung

I once edited a Wikipedia article to win an argument I was wrong about.

He thought for sure Jungkook heard him, since his hands stopped for a second, and he swore Jungkook had a slight smile on his face.

“Mail for you,” said the mailman as he walked past Jungkook’s desk, handing him a letter addressed to him with no return address.

Jungkook took his headphones out, and he looked at it in the mailman's hand, hesitantly taking it. He never had anything delivered there, so it was a wonder as to why it turned up.

Taehyung seemed to notice Jungkook’s reluctance as he stood up, walking closer to him as he looked at the back.

There was no specific department listed, just a postage stamp next to the address of SSKIELD Tower and Jungkook’s name. That told him that whoever sent it to him didn’t know what department he worked in.

Jungkook felt around the letter and put it up to the light, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. He shakily opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of paper, neatly folded over itself. Once he pulled it open, his breath hitched in his throat. Emblazoned in the center, neatly typed out was a single sentence:

"I DREAM OF THE DAY YOU BEG ME TO STOP, DARLING"