Haunted By The Secrets [Vmin Au]

S e v e n t e e n

The night had stretched on endlessly, heavy with the weight of his memories. Sleep had eluded Taehyung, leaving him staring at the ceiling with exhaustion.

A dull throb pulsed in his temples, a constant reminder of the restless night. But the physical discomfort paled in comparison to the storm brewing inside him.

It was the unsettling similarities between Jimin and Jaehyung that gnawed at him the most. Each detail, like a jagged puzzle piece, seemed to fit together, creating a disturbing picture.

He remembered the panicked look in Jaehyung's eyes after he returned from his long disappearance, the way he flinched at loud noises, and the way he withdrew from everyone.

The scars etched on Jimin's chest, hidden beneath his shirt, echoed the undeniable similarity with Jaehyung. The nightmares that plagued them both, the shared fear of violence, it couldn't be a mere coincident.

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shut out the images that haunted him. He pictured Jimin's kind smile, the nervous energy that crackled around him.

It couldn't be, could it? Was Jimin somehow connected to what happened to Jaehyung? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

He forced himself to open his eyes, blinking against the harsh morning light that streamed through the window.

He needed answers, He couldn't let Jimin suffer the same fate as Jaehyung. A sense of determination hardened his features. He wouldn't let history repeat itself. He had to do something, anything, to protect Jimin.

As Taehyung prepared himself for his date with Jimin, he decided, "Whatever it is, Jimin, I'm going fo find out" He thought.

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Jimin arrived at the Gangnam cafe, he pushed the door opened and stepped inside. It was packed with customers, slow jazz music playing in the background.

Jimin momentarily checked each table and saw Taehyung sitting at the table near the window, looking handsomest in his black hoodie under the leather jacket, paired with jeans and sports shoes. He took a small sip of his iced caramel macchiato and made a disgusting face.

A nervous chuckle escaped Jimin's lips. His heart thudded loudly in his chest like a drumbeat. A million butterflies fluttered in his stomach. "What's happening to me?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper.

Hesitantly, like a child, Jimin took a step forward, then another. His feet felt heavy, rooted to the spot as if by an invisible force.

Yet, a powerful pull, a magnetic attraction towards the table, urged him onward. He approached with a cautious curiosity, his every sense on high alert.

"Hey Taehyung... sorry I made you wait" Jimin warmly greeted, his hand ruffled his the back of his sleek hair, as he settled himself on a chair across Taehyung's.

"Hmmm... you're almost an hour late" Taehyung pointed.

A playful shrug rolled Jimin's shoulders, followed by a light, mischievous giggle that trilled from his lips.

His small, doe-like eyes, usually so expressive, crinkled at the corners and momentarily vanished into little crescents. The way he tilted his head and bit his lower lip, a hint of shyness peeking through, made him look absolutely adorable.

Taehyung, trying to appear nonchalant, fought back a smile that threatened to split his face in two. His heart, did a little jump in his chest.

"Anyway I ordered your drink already" Taehyung said, struggling to control his emotions.

"Thanks" Jimin shortly greeted, he took a small sip and then widened his eyes, "Taste so good" He passed a compliment.

"Don't you forget to something?" Taehyung said, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh yes...your notes" Jimin said, taking out his notebook, he extended towards Taehyung, "I had to do double work for you" He pouted.

"Why?" Taehyung asked Curiously.

"I can't let our teachers know that I'm the one who making you notes" Jimin said.

Taehyung chuckled, "Quite clever" He said, " And specially the way you approached me"

Jimin expressed a proud smile, "Thanks to you Junseok and his friends stopped bullying me" He said.

"Of course they know who I am?" Taehyung muttered.

"But I don't know who Kim Taehyung is?" Jimin said, his voice laced with concern and curiosity.

Their eyes met, and a hush fell between them. Then, a slow, sorrowful smile spread across Taehyung's face. It wasn't a happy smile, more like the sun peeking through a storm cloud a glimpse of something bright hidden beneath layers of pain.