Heartfelt Chronicles: Echoes Of Affection
"Hearts Across Eras"— 17
Taehyung
You talk to him again, and I will kill you.
Taehyung threatened and let go, glaring at everyone in the room before leaving to look for Jungkook.
Taehyung had no idea what Jaekhyung was talking about, but he could understand the gist, and all he knew was that Jaekhyung deserved far more than just a punch to the face. He left the office, searching the whole floor to see if he could find Jungkook. He was having some trouble, not knowing where Jungkook went.
Taehyung cussed as he rounded every corner of every room on the third floor.
He would call, looking inside storage closets and underneath desks to see if he could find him.
Taehyung
Come on. Come on.
Taehyung murmured as he scoured the whole third floor, worry starting to creep up on him.
Taehyung
Jeon is going to kill me.
He said to himself as he continued to look, not giving up. Then all of a sudden, his phone rang. It wasn’t a number that he recognized, and he answered it frantically, hoping it wasn’t a call from Jungkook's abductor.
Taehyung
📲Hello? *he answered, and a soft voice came from the other end*
“📲 Hi, Sergeant. It’s Minyoung.”
Taehyung didn’t know what to say as he stayed silent, waiting to hear what she had to say.
“📲 Jungkook’s up in my office. Could you come get him?”
Minyoung asked, and Taehyung heaved a sigh of relief as he collected himself.
Taehyung
📲 Yeah. I’m coming right now.
He said and hung up, heading towards the elevator as he tried to relax. He had never been so worked up over Jungkook like this, and he didn’t know if it was because of Hyunjin possibly murdering him or if it was something more than that.
Either way, Jaekhyung really crossed the line, leaking the story to the press and bringing up a past that Jungkook clearly hasn’t dealt with.
Even though Taehyung and Hyunjin were still not that close, he was going to advise Hyunjin to fire the entire floor, as his friend.
Before he made it to Minyoung’s office, he stopped by Hyunjin’s, who was working on some business-related issues. Hyunjin seemed to be distracted, constantly checking his watch and fidgeting with his fingers as Taehyung entered.
Taehyung knocked on the glass door of his office, and Hyunjin looked up.
Hyunjin
Kim, where is Jungkook?
Taehyung
He’s with Minyoung. I’m going to get him in a minute.
He said, and Hyunjin’s brows furrowed.
Hyunjin asked, and Taehyung shook his head.
Taehyung
I didn’t do anything, Jeon. But I can tell you who leaked the story.
Taehyung said, and Hyunjin's ears immediately perked up as he gave Taehyung a look. Hyunjin could see the concern on Taehyung's face, and this was the one time he refused to hide it; he was too pissed to care.
Taehyung
This f*cker named Jaekhyung.
He said, and Hyunjin sighed.
Hyunjin
I should have known.
Hyunjin leaned back into his chair, rubbing his stubble in contemplation.
Taehyung
My advice? Fire the entire f*cking floor.
Taehyung offered, his voice carrying venomous anger, and Hyunjin's face contorted into one of confusion.
Hyunjin
Has it been that bad?
Hyunjin asked. Taehyung wordlessly nodded, and Hyunjin clearly started to get angry.
Hyunjin
Son of a b*tch. Why didn’t Jungkook tell me before? *Hyunjin wondered*
Taehyung
I think he’s trying not to bother you. But in doing that, he’s causing himself a lot more hurt.
Taehyung explained. Hyunjin knew he was right; Jungkook was always a good kid.
Hyunjin
What else did this Jaekhyung guy say?
Hyunjin had a feeling there was more to this story; otherwise, why would Jungkook go running to Minyoung?
Taehyung hesitated to say, and he looked at Hyunjin.
Hyunjin
It’s fine, Kim. Just spill it.
Hyunjin straightened up, clutching his hands together and resting them on the table, knowing that something bad was going to be coming up.
Taehyung
Called him a wh0re and brought up an Agent Yoon.
Taehyung admitted with a sigh, and Hyunjin slammed his fist on the desk.
Hyunjin
God f*cking damnit!
Hyunjin shouted and immediately put his landline on speaker phone, dialing the number for the head of the security team.
“Hello, Mr. Jeon,” a voice came on the phone.
Hyunjin
Everyone in the R&D department on floor 3 is fired. Escort them off the premises now. And tell Jaekhyung from that department that he’ll be hearing from my lawyer.
Hyunjin ordered and hung up. He groaned, rubbing his face with his hands. His heart hurt, thinking about the dormant pain that must have been brought up by Jaekhyung in his single sentence. He wished Jungkook had told him more; then maybe he would have been able to protect him a bit better than he has been. Jungkook is his little brother; his first and only brother, and it kills him that he couldn’t take care of him like he wanted.
Taehyung
Don’t beat yourself up, Jeon. He trusts you, but he doesn’t want to feel like he’s throwing his weight around because he’s your brother.
Taehyung said, and Hyunjin looked at him. Taehyung met his eyes and then left the room, going around the floor to make it to Minyoung’s office.
There was a security guard just outside her office, and he nodded at Taehyung while he knocked on the door.
A soothing female voice called, and Taehyung entered, going inside and closing the door behind him. He looked around the large space, not seeing signs of Jungkook anywhere.
Minyoung greeted with a sad smile as she sat behind her desk. Taehyung's eyes were questioning, and Minyoung cast her gaze down to her lap.
Taehyung reluctantly walked forward, going around the desk to see Jungkook sitting on his knees with his head resting in Minyoung’s lap; tears streaming down his face, and his quiet sobs causing irregular movement in his chest.
Taehyung called as he crouched down. Jungkook looked at him with his red cheeks, and Taehyung's face contorted into an expression of pain. He reached out to Jungkook with his hand, and Jungkook put his hand in his, letting him guide him out from under the desk.
But before either of them could stand up, Jungkook flung his arms around Taehyung, throwing his weight into him. Taehyung caught him and held onto him tightly as Jungkook cried in his arms.
Taehyung
I’m so sorry, Jungkook.
Taehyung whispered in his ear.
Taehyung repeated in his ear as he caressed his hair with his hand and let his other arm wrap tightly around his waist.
Jungkook tucked his head in between Taehyung's shoulder and jaw, taking in his scent and letting it wrap around him and consume him. Taehyung's arms were so safe and warm, his chest was strong and reliable, and Jungkook had never felt more protected in his whole life.
Taehyung had seen Jungkook at his best, at his smartest, at his snarkiest, at his most vulnerable, and now at his worst, and it didn’t drive him away; it made him come closer. It made him want to hold him and it made him want to protect him even more.
Taehyung
You’re too precious for this cruel world.
Taehyung affectionately whispered his realization before he could stop it, and Jungkook clutched onto him tighter.
Minyoung called as she watched the exchange between the two of them.
Minyoung
Take him home. I don’t want him coming in for at least a week or two. We need the press to calm down.
Minyoung said, and Taehyung nodded.
He stood up, reluctantly releasing Jungkook and then helped him stand up by his hand. He took him out of the building through the back exit, thinking it would be easier, but there were just as many reporters there as there were out front.
Taehyung kept Jungkook shielded behind him as he walked him out of the crowd, his presence parting the sea of camera flashes and shouting voices. Jungkook had forgotten his sunglasses in his purse, so he kept his head pressed to Taehyung’s back while his hand reached around to keep hold of his shoulders.
"Jungkook! Do you have a bodyguard because of the supposed threat on your life?!"
"Jungkook! Is Taeyong-shi planning on releasing a statement regarding your relationship?!"
"Jungkook! How does it feel to be the thing that ruined Jeon Taeyong’s career?"
The last question caught Jungkook's attention, and he froze.
He asked in disbelief and turned in that direction, when the man brought his camera close and clicked it in his face, causing a light to flash directly into his orbs.
Jungkook groaned, covering his eyes with his hands from the disorienting fluorescence. He nearly fell over when Taehyung caught him with his arm and then used his other arm to snatch the camera and smash it onto the ground, shattering the glass lens into nothing but tiny shards and causing a lot of the pieces to go flying in all directions.
Taehyung guided Jungkook away from the reporter, but he called out.
"Hey!" The man shouted, and Taehyung turned towards him, giving him a menacing glare, causing him to shut up and shrink away.
Taehyung made sure Jungkook was okay all the way to the car, getting him situated in the passenger seat as he got into the driver’s side and quickly peeled out of the space before anyone could get another glimpse at him.
Jungkook blinked his eyes, trying to rid his vision of the streaks of color he was seeing every time he blinked.
Taehyung asked, concern making its way to his face as he rested a hand on Jungkook's shoulder and kept one hand on the wheel, his eyes briefly glancing over to him before refocusing on the road.
Jungkook
Better now that we’re out of it,
Jungkook replied, his already bloodshot eyes having a hard time focusing.
Taehyung asked, and Jungkook swallowed, looking down at his fingers and fidgeting with them, interlocking and releasing them to distract himself.
Jungkook
For protecting me.
Jungkook replied, and Taehyung smiled gently. He turned back to the road, his face becoming hard again as he shifted gears and replied to Jungkook in his mind—
Taehyung
(I’ll always protect you.)
A few days had passed with Jungkook and Taehyung just lounging around the safe house, watching TV, reading, and trying to entertain themselves.
Suddenly, Jungkook decided to watch a movie with Taehyung at the safe house, since the press still hadn’t died down. He let Taehyung choose one since he wasn’t picky about what the two of them decided on.
Jungkook watched as Taehyung scrolled through the movies on a streaming service, looking through what was coming up as popular. Taehyung was clearly having difficulty choosing something, as he pursed his lips into a thin line and clicked through the movie posters.
Taehyung
Why are there so many?
Taehyung mused, and Jungkook giggled.
Jungkook
It’s always difficult to pick, isn’t it?
Jungkook asked, and Taehyung gave him a look.
Jungkook asked him, wondering why Taehyung was looking at him in annoyance.
Taehyung
If you’re not going to help me, don’t comment on how difficult it is.
Taehyung rolled his eyes, turning back to the screen.
Jungkook
You wanted to pick, and I said fine! I didn’t realize you wanted my help.
Jungkook straightened up, paying more attention to the movies and TV shows Taehyung scrolled past. Taehyung then stopped clicking through them, pausing to think.
Jungkook watched his features as he concentrated on choosing something. He clearly took it very seriously, with his brows furrowed and lips pressed together. It was the face Jungkook imagined he would make if he was on a mission, ready to shoot a gun or while he was sneaking around and scouting.
Jungkook puckered his lips to avoid smiling as he looked at Taehyung's handsome features, clearly treating this task as he does every other; with utmost importance and needing his full attention.
A thought weeded its way into Jungkook's head, and he couldn’t stop it before it appeared. Taehyung is so cute. Jungkook stopped breathing for a second, and his eyes widened. He turned his head away from Taehyung, unable to continue looking at him with the new lens that had suddenly fixed itself onto his vision.
Yes, he was attractive, but that wasn’t what he was thinking about. It was his demeanor and how adorable it was that he was treating this mundane task as though it was something crucial.
Jungkook glanced back at him, and he could feel a blush creep up to his cheeks as his gaze flicked over Taehyung's features. Taehyung was astoundingly beautiful, almost unfairly so, and Jungkook's heart skipped a beat.
His mind went completely blank, only swimming with images of him; when he smiled, when he spoke, the way his lips moved, and the way his features shifted and changed and how he’s only readable to Jungkook.
He knew from the minute he started doing it that Taehyung hated that he could see right through him. And somehow, that feeling has seemed to disappear from him since they first met. Jungkook could tell it has, and a question bubbled up in his brain. Does he think about me, too?
Jungkook had never questioned himself in this way; everything that came across his mind was always a statement; a sure thought and something that he knew as fact.
This confusion and uncertainty were new to him, but with Taehyung, he knew something about him was different. His guard was let down completely, and he only focused on Taehyung.
That was also unfamiliar to him; a large behavior shift that he had never known.
Jungkook looked up at Taehyung, seeing him sigh and tilt his head up towards the ceiling in thought, and his eyes moved down from his face to his neck and his strong arms that he had felt so safe in, then his abdomen and his long legs.
Jungkook turned to the side again, squeezing his eyes shut as his face exploded into a blush. How had he not noticed that Taehyung was devastatingly handsome before? What was going on with him?
Taehyung exclaimed, leaning forward and clicking to the search function, typing out letters. Every time he typed out a letter, Jungkook wracked his brain to think about whether Taehyung thought about him the way he thought of him, and this was the first time Jungkook couldn't separate fact from fiction; reality and wishful thinking that gave him a reason to believe that he had crossed Taehyung's mind.
The way Taehyung smiled at Jungkook was warm and gentle; he had never seen Taehyung make that face at anyone else, and it was refreshing. It made Jungkook feel special.
The way Taehyung held him that time in Minyoung’s office and let him hug him in the parking lot. Jungkook's face reddened at the thought of Taehyung's strong arms wrapped around him the way they were.
His eyes whenever they gazed at Jungkook. They used to be in contempt and irritation, but they shifted somehow to an emotion that Jungkook couldn’t place. Just the idea of them made his pulse quicken.
His last thought made him realize something; something that solidified most of what he wondered as fact… Or was that still his wishful thinking again?
Jungkook
Sherlock Holmes? Are you kidding me?
Jungkook asked as he realized what movie Taehyung had pulled up.
Taehyung
Oh, come on. You have to tell me if these are accurate.
Taehyung teased as he put an older one on.
Jungkook
They are sometimes. I don’t know how this one’s going to do since it’s from the 80s.
Taehyung
What’s wrong with the 80s? *Taehyung seemed offended*
Jungkook
Nothing. I’m just saying it’s quite a bit older. *Jungkook shrugged*
Taehyung cringed teasingly and put a hand on his chest.
Taehyung
Really hit me where it hurts. The 80s is quite a bit older?
He looked at Jungkook with a face of disbelief.
Taehyung
I really must be ancient to you then, Yeobo.
The two of them froze. Taehyung’s eyes widened. Yeobo? Did he just call him Yeobo? Why did he say that, why was it so easy, and why does it suit him?
It was simply a slip of the tongue; something he didn’t mean, and yet… It felt like he did. It felt like he’s been holding it back, trying to keep their relationship professional.
That little accidental wording caused another realization to dawn on Taehyung. This isn’t just a job anymore… Is it?
Whether he liked it or not, Taehyung couldn’t stop his feelings from changing. Jungkook was no longer just the man he was protecting, and he knew that, but he hated the idea of it.
Taehyung kept his gaze away from Jungkook as the opening credits started, and Jungkook looked over at him, seeing him freeze up as he stared at the screen.
He cleared his throat and crossed his arms, readjusting his seating position to focus on the movie.
Jungkook
I like that nickname.
Jungkook's voice was barely above a whisper, and he didn’t know whether or not Taehyung heard him since he just kept staring forward, his shoulders just barely relaxing as he settled down into the couch, kicking himself internally for allowing his feelings to get in the way of work.
And with that, he made a silent vow to avoid getting any closer to Jungkook.
After the movie was over, the two of them just sat awkwardly on the couch, waiting for the other person to break the silence. The movie wasn’t bad; they both enjoyed it, briefly exchanging words and comments about certain scenes, but their words weren’t natural like they usually were; they were odd and out of place, as though they were both forcing themselves to speak to get past the interesting interaction they had during the opening credits.
Truly, Jungkook only felt weird because Taehyung was being awkward about it; Jungkook thought it was sweet, and Taehyung's use of the nickname made his heart flutter. He didn’t really know how happy hearing him call him ‘yeobo’ would make him, and that seemed to solidify the fact that he had some attraction to him.
But he wasn’t sure if Taehyung felt the same way towards him, or if his use of the word really was just an accident.
Jungkook
Taehyung, I think we need to stop avoiding this.
Jungkook finally said, and Taehyung scoffed.
Taehyung
I’m not avoiding anything. *he replied, and Jungkook gave him a look*
Jungkook
Then why won’t you look at me?
Jungkook asked, and Taehyung fell silent. He swallowed hard, trying his best to avoid giving away anything about his feelings. He absolutely could not reveal what he was feeling towards Jungkook; that much he knew.
Taehyung thought back to the moments leading up to this, when he was irritated by the sight of Jungkook and annoyed by the fact that he could read him like a book.
Seeing all of Jungkook's secrets, all of his worst parts, Taehyung found them beautiful anyway. He wanted to give Jungkook that much, too; give him a chance to look at his vulnerabilities and call them beautiful. Taehyung wanted to reveal all his secrets, and Jungkook became one instead. He became a part of himself that he never wanted to reveal, like a bug in his code or a broken window in a fortress.
That all came crashing down when he realized that one of his vulnerabilities was Jungkook. Taehyung shook his head and stood up, walking past Jungkook to head to the bedroom, and Jungkook grabbed his wrist. His head tilted forward, hair falling down to hide his face out of fear of looking up at Taehyung and seeing something he didn’t want to see.
Jungkook
Are you… Are you saying you never once found me attractive? Not even for one second?
Jungkook asked, voice trembling as agitated tears started to blur his vision. He was shocked at the words that were so naturally tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop them. His true feelings were flowing, desperately trying to reach the surface. It was as though the moment he tried to quiet his feelings, they clawed and rioted until he released them.
Jungkook tried to start, and Taehyung relieved himself of Jungkook's hand, pulling his arm away and walking from him, making his way towards the bedroom.
Taehyung
We have nothing to talk about.
Taehyung stated and went inside, slamming the door shut and locking it with a click. Jungkook watched his back recede, his form disappearing into the room.
His lips agape, features awash with shock, Jungkook clutched at his chest. He felt the tenseness of his shoulders release as his body drooped onto the couch, breathing in, trying to catch his brain up to the moment. It was then he felt something wet on his face and reached up his fingers in surprise, touching them to the water that had unconsciously started to spill from his eyes.
Jungkook gave a self-deprecating laugh, trying to rationalize his thoughts, and coming up with no rational answers. It was then he knew for sure—
Jungkook
(I like Taehyung.)
Taehyung pressed his back against the door, feeling his heart rap against his ribcage as though it was going to give out. The way Jungkook looked with his head tilted down from him made his chest ache painfully. He was partly glad that Jungkook wasn’t looking up at him in the moment, for if he were, he would have surely given into the urges he’d been having to hold onto for the last few weeks.
It had been nearly a month since the two of them met, and clearly being in Jungkook's presence for so long had started to have an adverse effect on him.
Just the thought of Jungkook was so achingly sweet that Taehyung didn’t know what to do with himself. Taehyung sat down on the ground, his back still to the door as he leaned his head backward.
He fiddled with his fingers, using the pad of his thumb to gently stroke the other four fingertips on his flesh hand thoughtfully. He knew what was happening to him, and he was afraid to admit it for the fear of solidifying it.
Taehyung put his face in his hands, leaning his elbows on his knees as he groaned. He could only run from it for so long, and it seemed that in the time he’d been sitting on the ground, he had avoided the thought countless times.
It had been hours by the time Taehyung had come to the conclusion; that it took more effort to run from it than it did to surrender to it. Just as he was about to decide to continue to fight it, he recalled a conversation he had with Minho a few months prior.
Taehyung
“I don’t know why you’re so desperate to get me to be friends with the team.”
Taehyung had said to him, arms crossed. Minho rolled his eyes, looking over at his friend.
Lee Minho
“You have problems opening up, Taehyung. You need to let people in,”
Minho explained, and Taehyung cast his gaze to the floor.
Taehyung
“I don’t need to ‘open up’ about anything,” *he murmured, arms crossed*
Lee Minho
“You’re holding your feelings back just like once I did, trying not to let them get in the way of work, and I admire that. But you should know that if you hold back feelings because you’re afraid of getting hurt, you end up hurting anyway, but it’s way worse,”
Minho had explained to Taehyung, putting a hand on his shoulder encouragingly and then leaving.
Taehyung cussed under his breath as he recalled the memory, and that was when the dam broke, letting all his emotions flood into him at the same time.
Taehyung knew he had two choices; drown trying to swim against the current or yield to the flow. Through the chaos of his mind, he tried to reset, just as Jungkook would have done.
Taking in a deep breath, then releasing it shortly after. And in that moment, he knew what he had to do to make it easier on both him and Jungkook; he succumbed to the flow—
Comments
Venizia
oh myyyy 😍😍😍 that was....I'm speechless
2024-03-31
0
Venizia
I knew it agonizing my taetae is so in looovvevee 😍🥰😍
2024-03-31
0
Venizia
😳😳😳😳 yeah u do in every form baby fictional or reality 😌😌
2024-03-31
0