His steps were rushed yet they weren't loud enough to echo in anyone's ears. Not when the waves are so feral today. It's almost scary. The pace and force of the breeze were also almost skin peeling.
The further he jogs toward the huge ocean, the more trails of footprints he's engraving behind into the soft sand of the beach.
And that's when he saw him, sitting over the wavy sands of the beach while a taller and broad-shoulder guy soothes him. He was running his lanky arm over the shorter male's biceps to comfort him, plumpy lips moving in motion to form sweet words and his eyes looking down at the crying man with concern.
Jungkook's rushed steps slowly shift to a much slower pace. He was for the first time hesitant to approach Taehyung. His hand's ballad into two fists as he took deliberate yet prudent steps.
Seokjin was comforting his younger brother sitting by his side, over the sand while his younger brother couldn't stop his sobs. Taehyung couldn't gulp down the lump that formed inside his throat. He felt betrayed, of course, he felt used but useless at the same time. He felt fucking pathetic.
Even when Jungkook's steps weren't rushed enough, he still made it to the two brothers sooner than he would like to. He wanted to prepare himself for the serious talk, he wanted to prepare himself before confessing why exactly he did what he did back at the birthday party.
Wow, the highly paid and most preferred lawyer needs to prepare himself before having a simple talk with someone. The attorney who never lost a case is nervous about having a face-off with someone.
He was hesitant. He admits he did fucked up but he was in a rage too. He couldn't find any other effective way to destroy Namjoon for his low action. Tell Taehyung the whole story in private and let Namjoon off the hook? Tell me, what would've happened if Jungkook did that? What would've happened if he actually reveal the whole situation in private? Only Taehyung would've known the situation and he would still get hurt. The betrayal wouldn't feel any less if it was done in private.
But what would change is, that Namjoon wouldn't be as affected as he is right now if the situation was revealed in private. Mr. Kim wouldn't know his true colors because, c'mon, Jungkook is not a little birdie to sing around the whole situation in everyone's ears one by one? Of course, he had to do it in a way where everyone will know what his intentions are.
Of course, he had to make sure he is doing things in a way where there will be no room for Namjoon to make excuses let alone escape the situation. If the whole thing was done privately the world wouldn't know, they wouldn't know about his sick games. Namjoon deserved the humiliation for being someone who was not only planning to betray his own father but used his brother's naiveness for his own good.
And even if he told the truth to Taehyung, what if he refused to tell anything to his father because he's too much of a people pleaser? What if he forgave Namjoon for everything because he is too forgiving? Nah, Jungkook is too much of a 'karma' person to let that happen. He had to go through all the 'what if's' before taking any actions and he still does not think he did something wrong.
What makes him nervous is Taehyung's reaction. He will be so frustrated if Taehyung gets mad at him for what he did. He highly hopes Taehyung understands him and looks at the positive side of the situation.
As if his thoughts were loud for anyone's ears, Seokjin turned his head and looks up at Jungkook. Jungkook gulped and look away. He can feel the stern gaze of his therapists slicing through his head. A look that says Seokjin was extremely unpleased but he wasn't mad at the same time. As if he is not mad because they got to know Namjoon's intentions through Jungkook but he was repugnant because of his brother's situation at the same time.
Surprisingly, Seokjin stood up and spared a last glance at Jungkook before walking away. He didn't say anything. He actually lets Jungkook be alone with Taehyung because, at this moment, only Jungkook can calm Taehyung down, and also he can get an opportunity to explain his side.
It was dead silent on the beach, even the loud wheezing of the breeze and the wild waves of the ocean felt extremely tranquil to Jungkook. The waves were oddly mild today. There wasn't any storm, it was winter then why was the ocean so aggressive today, so perilous? It was almost like the ocean was angry.
Jungkook sighed and took two more steps forward before he crouched down and sits on the spot Seokjin was sitting on a few seconds ago. He turns his head and peers at Taehyung. He's sure Taehyung felt his presence too since the older is not sobbing anymore. His tear-stained eyes were a little too perceptible under the moonlight. The cold breeze blew both of their hairs elegantly. Taehyung's vest was long gone from his body. Even though it was December winter and freezing cold outside, the shivery sensation seems not to affect Taehyung who's only wearing a simple white button-up right now with a pair of slacks.
"I know I fucked up, okay? I know it's your birthday and I ruined it—"
"I don't even care about my birthday anymore." Jungkook was interrupted through his midsentence by Taehyung's groggy voice. He spun his head towards the older who was looking oddly calm, a calmness that can make anyone uncomfortable. "I told you I don't like my birthday." He then added.
Jungkook wasn't really convinced with the answer. Of course, Taehyung has some questions for him. He should be mad at him, yell at him or even not talk to him at all but why's the older seem so oddly calm? The silence was irritating Jungkook. He wants to hear Taehyung's thoughts, his feelings, and his raw emotions. He wants to see some actions, not silence.
"Listen, Taehyung. You can tell me okay? You can tell me how you are feeling. If you're angry at me, Just tell me. Don't sit here in silence, It's bizarre for me. I want you to say something—"
"Did you come to my life to take revenge on my brother only?" Taehyung asked, interrupting through the younger's midsentence yet again. Jungkook sighed and shook his head even though Taehyung isn't looking at him. If he being honest right now, he did anticipate this question.
"I did not. Even I got to know Namjoon is your brother just yesterday. I mentioned it in the audio as well where your brother naively told me everything from the start to end." Taehyung remained silent at the statement but he let his body answer Jungkook's proclamation as he nod his head gradually.
"How did you get the. . .pictures?" Taehyung detonates another question and Jungkook did not fail to notice the slight hesitancy before he mentioned the pictures. Of course, he was feeling uncomfortable bringing up the topic but he needs to clear his doubts and curious questions.
"I know you will judge me after that. Call it lawyer instinct but I knew there was something off about Jimin and the way he treats you. There must be a reason why he is not happy with the marriage. So I. . .stalked him and I was turned out correct, he was indeed cheating behind your back. I caught him with another man in a farmhouse. I then hired someone to keep an eye on the farmhouse—Namjoon's farmhouse specifically and my hired man collected the evidence." Jungkook explained, knitting his eyebrows when Taehyung let out a scoff along with a dry chuckle.
"And I wondered where he used to stay the night at." There was pure mockery in Taehyung's tone, a mockery to himself for being so witless because the cheating thing never crossed his mind, not even once. He had that much trust in Jimin. The corner of his lips tilted upward into a bitter smirk and he balled his fist, cringing over his past self for being this blind.
"Another thing, why did you—why did you stalk Jimin?" Taehyung asked but Jungkook seem to not get what he actually meant, "I told you, because—"
"No, I mean, why were you so interested in his marriage life?" Taehyung asked again, this time, turning his gaze to look at the pretty blonde head.
"Because you were involved," Jungkook replied at an instant without wasting a second. "Even though I did not realize that I was falling for you, I still had this strong urge to get you out of this mess, or probably because I saw you suffer?" Jungkook then added, averting his gaze from the ocean to peer at Taehyung who was already looking at him.
"And also because I wanted to make you mine." silence erupted between the two after Jungkook's little confession. Both beam at each other as if the world around them never existed in the first place and they are the only creature present here. As if not looking at each other would be a sin. A sin that Taehyung committed because he suddenly avert his gaze and nodded his head in understanding.
Jungkook bites down on the inner skin of his bottom lip. The more he stares at Taehyung the more he gets agitated. Taehyung was oddly silent but Jungkook can see the storm in his eyes. He can see the boiling rage inside those orbs but at the same time, they looked dull. As if he could see his soul made of translucent glass shattering into pieces through those transparent spheres.
He knows Taehyung is holding back. He knows he is holding himself back a scream right now with that huge lump inside his throat. He knows he wants to throw a tantrum at his brother for answers.
But Taehyung wants it to be a nightmare. He wants it to be just a bad dream and he desperately wants to wake up from it but is stuck.
"Are you going to face Namjoon?" Jungkook asked and for a second Taehyung felt thrilled because he was just thinking about his brother, thinking about all this turning out a bad dream only. A nightmare.
"I will. I need answers. I have a lot of questions for him. I need to know why he exactly did that." Taehyung responded, murky eyes staring at the tumultuous waves of the ocean as if each harsh splash of the water weren't terrifying him.
Jungkook nodded. It's better if Taehyung actually talks everything out with Namjoon but he does not really look forward to the honey brown head forgiving his brother easily. He'd be furious if he does.
"You were badly in love with my brother, weren't you?" Taehyung asked after a few minutes of silence. Jungkook averts his gaze from the ocean and glances at Taehyung, kind of shocked by the question.
"I mean, he was my first ever serious relationship. But yeah, I was in love with him." Jungkook responded with a shrug.
"I am sorry for what he did to you." Jungkook was taken aback by the statement. Taehyung is sorry for him? The man who got betrayed the most, who got played, used, and tossed around like a puppet in this family is sorry for him? When he's actually the wretched one here?
"Why are you sorry for me? It's not your fault." Jungkook replied with crooked brows but sighed after Taehyung didn't respond anything to that.
"We became boyfriends in my first year of college and our relationship lasted for a year until I found out he was cheating on me for the last two months with Jimin. But I didn't know it was Jimin who he was cheating behind my back nor does Jimin know that Namjoon was in a relationship with me, at least that's what he claims. I don't believe him though." Jungkook started, rolling his eyes at the last part, earning another silent nod from Taehyung. Jungkook sough audibly and crawls closer to Taehyung until he was kneeling in front of the older, his knee caps disappearing inside the soft sand.
"Tae, look at me." Jungkook breathed out, careful gaze roaming all over Taehyung's face as his hands came forward to cup the older's face. Taehyung cooperated and looked up, Jungkook's eyes softening at the redness around his eye rims.
"I love you, okay? I did not take revenge for myself only. Hell, if it was only about me having a grudge against Namjoon for cheating I wouldn't pull up all these dramas. I would've settled the matter in private because it's not that deep for me anymore. I moved on, I don't love him anymore that's why I fell in love with you in the first place." It was probably the first Taehyung has seen Jungkook this vulnerable with mounds of tangible emotions flashing through his orbs. So much exposure and desperation were lacing through his tone.
"I did it because of you. I did it because Namjoon was getting out of control. He was not only betraying you but also your father. I know your father is not a good man but Namjoon's actions were still unacceptable and I couldn't let him win just like that." Jungkook could see Taehyung's eyes swelling up with fresh tears again. His lips curved downward but he was trying his best to not break down again. As if looking at Jungkook's concern for him made him more sensitive and the words were adding more fuel to it.
"Don't cry," Jungkook whispered softly as his thumb brushed against the tear that had just slid down from the corner of his eye.
"I love you, I really do. Don't- don't- don't misunderstand me—"
"I love you too."
Jungkook stilled on his spot at an instant, his heart drumming inside his ribcage violently and a huge wave of adrenaline rush washed over his entire body at those foreign words coming from the older lad only for him.
"What did you say?" Jungkook appealed in disbelief.
"I love you too," Taehyung replied again without a second thought or even a slight hint of hesitancy in his thick groggy voice.
"You're—you're serious, right?" The blonde questioned again. His eyebrows were crooked together yet his eyes almost popped out of his socket because of how shocked he was.
"Why would I not be serious? It's a serious matter, right?" Taehyung responded, that even though his tone was bland because of the ugly situation and his mood was not as optimistic as it was before, there were actual emotions there. He meant what he said. Yeah, it's probably not the most pretty way to confess but to be fair, Taehyung himself didn't know how the words slipped. It felt natural. He felt like it would be a crime not to answer back.
Proposals with lots of balloons, a picnic date, champagne bottles, delicious snacks, and a bouquet of roses are only a fairy tale and a tad bit cringe too. The reality is not that appetizing and as appealing as how movies portray it.
"Because—Because for what I did back in the party?" Jungkook reasoned, to be honest, he was sure Taehyung would be furious at him for what drama he had pulled in his birthday party. If someone would've told him that Taehyung is going to confess his love for him right after a disaster he will create in the older's life, Jungkook would've probably cussed at them for messing with him. But oh well, here he is now.
"I love you for not only what you did at the party but also for being patient with me. For waiting for me. For never giving up on me. For staying beside my side and for being there whenever I would get in trouble. For bringing solace to me and also the truth. For everything." Even though Taehyung didn't look the best right now, even though he wasn't in the right state of his mind, he tried to pour out his honest sentiments. He tried to portray how Jungkook mattered in his life.
Sure, at first Taehyung thought Jungkook was extra with his action, but now that he thinks about it, he wouldn't have a single idea of his brother's intentions and hatred for him if it wasn't for Jungkook. So he can't be a selfish freak and sue Jungkook just because he was humiliated in front of the press.
What's even there left to be humiliated? He was about to announce the divorce to the world anyway but he knows society would think there was something wrong with him for the divorce and would bash him instead.
Jungkook closed his eyes and rest his forehead on Taehyung's shoulder blade when he felt his lashes wetting and his vision blurring. He waited for this single moment for so long. He craved to hear those three words from Taehyung's velvety rich tone and now that he finally got what he wanted, he couldn't maintain the 'tough Jeon Jungkook' character he always uses as a shield.
A shield to not get hurt. A shield to protect his self-esteem, his self-respect. But now that he can rely on Taehyung, now that their feelings are mutual, now that love is involved, he can come out from behind his shield and show his true self.
Jungkook promised himself once that he will only show his fragile side to someone who can respect it, and not take it for granted.
Someone who can handle him with care.
His lips tilted upward into a watery smile when the warmth of Taehyung's arms wrapped around his dainty waist. He can get used to it.
🥀
"Lay down there and sleep or do you want to freshen up?" Jungkook asked as he guide the older lad to sit on his hotel chamber bed. Jungkook sighed for the nth time at the silent treatment and how Taehyung still hasn't come out of his dilemma.
I mean it's understandable but Jungkook was trying his best to at least make Taehyung forget about the whole fiasco even for a minute.
"Right, just lay down and sleep. Will help you to cool down your mind." Jungkook muttered softly as he gently pushed Taehyung to lay over the bed which the older obeyed without any protest. Actually, it didn't even feel like he obeyed, it's like his body is completely powerless and anyone can manipulate him however they want.
After the blonde head successfully laid the taller male over the bed, he crouched down to his feet level and pulls down the shoes along with the socks before tucking him under the blanket.
Jungkook peers down at the older's face for a few seconds who was already fast asleep. He raised his hand and ran his finger's through Taehyung's honey-brown locks. He felt bad and somewhat in a way responsible for the older's condition but he had no other choices.
The truth had to be revealed.
Letting out a final sigh, Jungkook leans down and planted his lips over the older's exposed forehead, mumbling a soft, "You will get over this."
He unbuttoned the first three buttons of Taehyung's shirt, untucked the hem from inside his slacks and pulls out his belt so that he can lay there comfortably, and turned off the lamps before getting rid of his own suit and lay beside Taehyung only in his slacks and a white shirt also.
.
.
.
The sound of heavy breathing resonated inside the room. Taehyung gripped the sheets tightly as sweat was dripping down from his neck and forehead. His chestal area that was heaving up and down has a huge black patch over it from the sweat and his eyes were squeezed shut along with his eyebrows scrunched together.
A loud gasp of air, as if he was out of breath- which he literally was -left Taehyung's mouth when he snapped opened his eyes, and look up at the ceiling with wide terrified eyes. It felt like he was under the water the whole time and he finally got to come out to the surface and breath properly.
Maybe it was sleep paralysis because he felt paralyzed? He wanted desperately to come out of the dream but couldn't. It's like someone was forcing him to stay in the dream and suffer.
Weirdly, Taehyung does not remember what exactly nightmare he was having as soon as he opened his eyes. As soon as he forced himself to wake up from the dream, the images started to get blurry and evaporate at the back of his head and he forgot every single detail of the nightmare.
He just knows that it wasn't a good kind of dream and he wanted to get out of it desperately. It was like he was having an anxiety attack even in his sleep.
The honey-brown head raised his upper body from the sheets and looks to his side. He knitted his brows when he realized Jungkook was sleeping next to him. "What is he doing here?" Taehyung mumbled to himself before the previous memories crash down on him.
The explanation, the confession, and then Jungkook leading him here to rest. He shut his eyes and turn his head forward again, carding his fingers through his locks as he slowly felt the headache surging through his veins and scalp.
Taehyung removed the comforter off of his body and slide down his legs from the bed. He placed both of his hands on each side of his thighs over the edge of the bed and looks down at his naked feet blatantly.
The male then turned his gaze to the nightstand and noticed it was 3 in the morning right now.
Taehyung sighed and decided to sit there at the edge of the bed silently. He stares outside the balcony, noticing how bright the moon is today that making the whole room shimmer with its rich grace.
Taehyung bites down on his bottom lip and his hand instantly flew to his stomach when he felt the raising anxiety washing over him as soon as he got reminded of what happened back at the party. He felt sweat forming on his skin and tears prickling up when the words, the pictures, the press, and guest's judgmental looks towards him, pitying him, murmuring gossip, his brother's silence, Jimin's guilty face, everything flashed before his eyes.
How the whole party was a mess yet he was the only center of attention and he can see himself dealing with the same thing when he return to work.
Taehyung felt the anxiety dangerously rising at the mere thought of returning to Seoul and facing the questions, the looks, the fake sympathy. He felt nauseous even imagining their faces. Fuck, he felt like throwing up.
Taehyung jump off the bed and ran towards the bathroom, making sure to close the door behind him so that he does not wake Jungkook up and embarrass himself in front of the other male. Taehyung straight head towards the toilet sit and threw up there.
A tremor ran down his arms and his whole body and he barely could maintain his sitting position and flop over the floor from how badly he was shaking. Taehyung breathed heavily as he stared down into the toilet bowl but he could barely see anything clearly. His vision turned blurry, anything he lays his eyes on just feels like they separate from each other like some sort of clone and just becomes the carbon copy of the others. Basically double vision.
Taehyung jerk his head and blinked his eyelids to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling but was in vain. He somehow managed to crawl towards the basin and splashed some water on his face before putting his head under the running faucet. Even though the water was freezing cold, he felt at ease and sighed in contentment.
The dizziness slowly started to subside and he gently closed his eyes to enjoy the cold sensation over his heated scalp.
After a few minutes, Taehyung flushed the toilet and dry off his hair with a towel, feeling so much better and so much lighter now. He went back to the bathroom door and pulled it open, eyes immediately landing on Jungkook's sleeping figure, a sigh of relief left through his parted lips.
The tired man then stroll towards the balcony and closed the transparent sliding door behind him. He doesn't want to disturb Jungkook for his own pathetic self. He set on the cold tiled floor of the balcony and stare outside.
"Fuck," He exhaled, hitting the back of his head against the wall. A pool of tears again started to formate into his foxy orbs, the terrible feeling again started to crawl up inside him, and he again felt the lump forming inside his throat. No matter what, Taehyung just can't get rid of the hideous memories.
Hell, it's not even 24 hours since the incident happened, how can he?
The man he loved betrayed him with his own brother, his own brother used him for his own good, and his father offered the company to him because he was the second choice, the last choice. How can he even stop feeling terrible for himself? His skin itches from even thinking about the days when his brother was good to him, consoled him, and was there for him. He feels infuriated, he feels like he could punch a hole into the wall just at the mere thought that everything was fake.
His brother's care and support were fake and rather just a mere distraction for him to not divorce Jimin so that he can continue his plan.
Taehyung harshly wiped the tears from his eyes with the sleeves of his button up but new tears were keep sliding down through his tan skin. He shivered as the cold breeze brushed against his skin but he was careless about it.
That night he couldn't sleep a bit because his mind was occupied with how is he going to face his brother without breaking down. What about the press? The news? The people? How is he going to face all of this?
He couldn't sleep because of the train of thoughts running wild inside his mind.
🥀
It was 5:30 in the morning right now. The sun didn't even rise, it was pretty dark outside since winter nights are long. Taehyung got up from the cold marble tiles and step inside the room, the warm temperature of the room instantly alleviating his freezing skin cells from staying outside in the cold for two hours straight.
He himself couldn't figure out how time flew so fast.
Taehyung strolls toward Jungkook's sleeping figure and licked his dried rough lips when he was standing beside him. He stretch out his hand and shook the younger's body gently. "Jungkook." He called watching the said male fluttering his eyes open but his somnolence evaporated at an instant when his gaze met with Taehyung's dull features.
"What happened?" Jungkook asked groggily and looks at the clock to see the time, furrowing his eyes even deeply at how early it was. "Do you need something?" He then added, concern written over his face. Taehyung shook his head.
"I want to go back hom—Seoul. Before everyone wakes up." Taehyung was about to say 'home' but he halted himself before even he could utter that word because, to be honest, did he even have a home? What is even home to him anyway?
Jungkook first stare up at the older with a mixture of concern and confusion before he understood what exactly the older meant and nodded his head. "Okay."