Seoul, 11:30 AM:
"Are you sure?" Jungkook asked as he handed Taehyung a cup of coffee and sat beside the said guy on the couch, crossed-legged. A coffee mug in his hand as well.
Taehyung thanked the blonde head silently while accepting the mug of coffee, "Yeah. I am the CEO after all. I need to go back to my company after. . .what happened." Taehyung answered, looking down at the coffee mug with floating marshmallows over it. He leans down and takes a sip.
"Can't your secretary handle everything?" Jungkook asked, hesitant eyes roaming all over the elder lad's side profile while he bit the inside of his bottom lip. Jungkook felt his heart drumming into his chest and he felt a slight hint of fear trying to coil inside him but he was doing his best to surpass the feeling.
He does not want Taehyung to leave the house. At least for a few days.
"Yoongi said there are press gathered outside my company trying to barge in. My office staff is feeling uncomfortable. If I don't go I will leave a bad impression as a boss for leaving my staff in the middle of something they are not accountable for." Taehyung replied calmly, glancing down at the coffee mug once again before he takes a sip from it, letting the warm liquid slide down his throat and spread alleviating warmth through his tight chest.
Jungkook curses under his breath. Of course, the press. The fucking press. They always like to draw a situation that is already at its worst into an absolute fiasco.
Jungkook flinched when Taehyung turned on the TV and the first thing he came across was the news reporter showing the current situation in front of the enormous gate of Taehyung's company. The security guards along with SWAT teams were also trying to hold back the reporters from trying to break into the company.
Taehyung felt the same anxiety and nausea bubbling inside him when the chants "Kim Taehyung we need answers!" echoed inside his ears. He felt like the two sips of coffee he downed through his throat would come out anytime.
The crowd, the chants, the cameras, and the absolute mess that is happening in front of his own company is making him question if he should really go. He was trembling. But then he saw the fear in his worker's eyes. He just can't leave them there abandoned? He's their guardian, a leader and that's not what a wise leader should do. Abandoning their workers at the worst times, for something the leader is responsible for.
Jungkook side glances at Taehyung wearily before snatching the remote from his hand and turning off the TV. He placed his hand over the roof of Taehyung's thigh and squeezed them. Silently reassuring him that he's here and he won't let anyone bring any harm to him.
But Taehyung was far gone from even paying attention to Jungkook's gentle touches.
🥀
" Let me come with you."
Taehyung sighed as he shook his head. "Don't forget, you are the main issue here. You are the 'answer' the press wants. They want to hear about you. Bringing you there will create more chaos and I don't want that." Taehyung muttered in a serious tone, dull foxy eyes looking down at the younger with all solemnity.
Jungkook rolled his eyes and jerked his head in annoyance but didn't argue further. Honestly, he doesn't want to leave Taehyung alone at this moment but he knows the older is right. Fuel will add to the chaos if the press sees Jungkook entering the company with Taehyung. The guy who started the whole issue.
The older bites down on his bottom lip and moved closer to Jungkook. The blonde head eyes Taehyung's facial features with a tender gaze yet there was concern written all over those doe orbs. A sigh of contentment escaped through Jungkook's parted lips when Taehyung connected his forehead with his own, and both gently shut their eyes close. "I will be fine." Taehyung breathed out, reassuring the younger. He tilted his head upward and left a small peck over the younger's forehead.
"You better be," Jungkook responded, subtly smiling because of the forehead kiss. "Because I will be watching you from the TV."
"Mr. Kim!" Taehyung flinched and came out of his thoughts when he heard someone yelling his name. He looks around and that's when he realized the car he is sitting on right now is already entering his company gate, moving through the countless press and their cameras shoving towards his car window.
The CEO gulped and immediately bowed his head down. He balled his hands into two tight fists and gritted his teeth. Taehyung closed his eyes shut as his heartbeat was beating abnormally when the reporters were slapping their hands against the window glass.
It feels like all the people in the world are gathered around his car and will break through at any given second. Taehyung felt scared.
The car finally was able to reach the front of the main office gate. Taehyung gulped hard, his hands were shaking. He does not want to come out of the car but he has to. He can't hide inside his car like a coward while all the other people are trying to get a glimpse of him.
The CEO looks to his side when the car door was pulled open by a security guard. "Mr. Kim, we will lead you the way." The guard said politely. Taehyung sighed heavily and nodded his head before coming out of the car. He didn't wait for any second and immediately started to make his way inside the company as the security guards were giving him full protection.
"Mr. Kim, what is your relationship with Attorney Jeon?" A reporter asked which was ignored by Taehyung as his main goal is to reach his office as soon as possible.
"Mr. Kim, what do you have to say about the betrayal your brother did to you?"
"Are you going to get a divorce from your Husband now?"
"Mr. Kim, you can't ignore us. You have to give answers!"
Ignoring all the questions and the cameras that were shoved to his face, Taehyung was finally able to make it to the elevator. He let out a loud sigh of exhaustion and hit the back of his head against the elevator wall as the noises died down after the door was slowly closed. Sweat formed over his forehead as he felt the metal box moving upward.
The elevator door opened after it reached a certain floor. As soon as Taehyung stepped outside the elevator, deadly silence erupted on the whole floor that was once filled with murmurs. Everyone's eyes were on Taehyung. Some gave him pitiful looks while some were softly whispering gossip around.
If it was some other day, they wouldn't dare to whisper gossip about Taehyung in front of him. But today, today he has lost all his respect and leadership. He is ashamed and vulnerable.
"Mr. Kim," Yoongi, his secretary called and signal him with his eyes to move forward. With a last nefarious glance at his workers, Taehyung decided to move forward, Yoongi following him behind.
Taehyung pushed open his office door, a little bit aggressively and straight went to the huge transparent wall of his office room. He could see from up here the crowd of reporters gathering outside of his company like tiny ants surrounding a sugar cub.
"I am sorry, Mr. Kim. We have tried our best to stop all the reporters. Even called the SWAT team but they won't budge without an answer." Yoongi started respectfully, one hand holding the Ipad while the other resting behind his back out of manners as he stood there holding his posture straight as a ruler, peering at Taehyung's back who was watching the crowd blankly.
"Where's father?" He finally asked, his voice deeper than usual.
"Mr. Kim is handling some political matters. Since what happened last night, he has become weak to other politicians. They will definitely try to take his place. So he's trying to settle the matter before it's too late." Yoongi explained. Taehyung's grip around the metal rod against the glass wall tightened. His jaw muscle clenching and unclenching.
"He told me he believes in you. That you can settle the matter alone." Yoongi added further. But this time, his tone was way more gentle and filled with raw concern. After Taehyung's secretary, he is a good friend too, after all.
Taehyung remained silent for a few seconds before he strolled toward his desk and pulls out a drawer. He took a box of cigarettes from there along with a lighter. He is stressed and after hearing that his father has faith in him, Taehyung has to handle things smartly. He can't mess things up. It's not the time to be scared and hide. If he keeps hiding from the questions and reporters, he'll be considered a loser. A leader who failed his task.
The CEO whirls his leather chair and faces it to the transparent glass wall before he sits over it. Spreading his legs, Taehyung placed his elbows over the roof of his thighs and lit the cigarette. Taking a long drag before letting the smoke evaporate with the thin air.
"The staff also raising fingers at you. They are uncomfortable and scared to death. I'm afraid the only way to settle this matter, for now, is to answer their questions." Yoongi spoke firmly. Taehyung nodded, tilting his head upward, he lets the smoke escape from his parted lips.
He remains silent for a few minutes as he peers outside the transparent wall. After what seemed like profound thinking, a battle to himself in his mind, Taehyung spoke again, "Prepare everything for me."
🥀
There was again silence around the corner. The office workers were peering up at their boss from the cubicles and Taehyung was also staring down at his workers. The said man took a deep breath and nodded his head as if telling himself that he got it. That he can do it.
"I am extremely guilty and ashamed for the inconvenience that is going on. As a leader, my job is to keep my workers as much comfortable as possible at work and also reassure their safety." Taehyung started, eyeing every single office staff before he continued his speech again. "It's my job to make sure no matter what happens to me or the company, my workers shouldn't be affected. Especially when it's a family matter." He took a deep breath after saying that, shifting on his spot, Taehyung shoved both of his hands inside the pockets of his slacks. Yoongi standing right behind him.
"Please continue your work. I will go down and will try my best to settle the matter. I promise that after your shifts, hopefully, you don't have to face any trouble leaving for home." Taehyung finished his sentence and all the staff bow down their heads to show their respect. Taehyung nodded but look away instantly.
For the first time in this company, he felt like he did not deserve that treatment.
"We are sorry for what happened to you, Mr. Kim," A staff said. Taehyung clenched his jaw because he could note the pity only through the tone of the person. But instead of saying anything, he turned around and made his way towards the elevator, Yoongi following him from behind.
🥀
Taehyung's standing in front of the press at the moment but two security guards were standing by his side to protect him. He stared blankly at the reporters who were going crazy with their questions. Every single reporter trying desperately to get the answers to their questions before the others can do.
"Please, Mr. Kim. Answer our questions." Is the only thing that is echoing inside Taehyung's ears.
"Calm down." The CEO finally spoke and surprisingly the crowd did go silent at his command.
On the other hand, Jungkook bites down on his lips when Taehyung spoke for the first time. He was feeling extremely restless when Taehyung appeared on the screen and didn't speak anything. But what confuses Jungkook is, looking at Taehyung eyes, they seem different. He can't really figure out what it is or is it because he's watching him through the screen?
Taehyung eyes look more. . .Fierce? When Taehyung left his place this morning, he remembers correctly that the other's eyes looked dull. Hell, his eyes were looking dull since last night. Since the disaster happened. But why do they look so vicious now? Why do they look so toxic?
This is so not Taehyung.
Or is he trying to mask his fear?
Jungkook's trail of thoughts was interrupted when Taehyung's voice bloom through the TV speaker.
"Please lower down your questions and ask individually. I came here, I respected you guys. So I expect the same treatment for myself." Taehyung stated confidently, his head held high as he roams his eyes around the crowd.
"After last night's event, there's no respect left for this family." A reporter said from behind. Taehyung instantly snapped his head towards the reported and glared subtly but he didn't say anything.
Even though from the outside he was looking tough and was glaring daggers through his sharp orbs, from the inside, the words the reporter just spat at him left a pang in his heart that almost made him suffocate.
Jungkook cussed silently and gripped the remote tightly. He is a pinch close to grabbing his car keys and driving to Taehyung's company but he also remembers what the older lad said to him. He's the main issue now and he will be the fuel to the chaos. So he does not want to make things even worse for Taehyung by showing up.
"How do you feel about the betrayal your brother did to you?" A reporter asked. Taehyung avert his eyes from the previous reporter and looked to his front where the question came from.
"How do I feel? Actually, I don't understand. My brother betrayed me, my feelings were hurt, and my trust was broken. I don't understand why you are so curious about it. What do you even going to do knowing how I feel? Are you going to take it to the grave or hang it on your wall?" Taehyung responded with a straight face, tilting his head to the side as he peers down at the reporter. Pure mockery lingered through his tone.
"It's between us brothers. It's a family matter." Taehyung continued, he looks at the reporter who asked the question and smiled subtly, "Can I ask you something? When you have family issues, you settle them with your family members, right? Or do you call the neighbors to fix things for you?" He asked, smirking subtly when the reporter went completely silent.
"Will you like it if the neighbors get too nosy in your family business?" This time, Taehyung let out the question through gritted teeth while holding a fake smile the same time.
"Are you going to give divorce to your Husband?" Another reporter asked. Taehyung parted his lips to let out a breath to calm himself down. He closed his eyes shut for a mere second before opening them again, his eyes coming across the reporter as soon as he does that.
"Well I don't have a choice, do I?" Taehyung replied blandly, a tad bit of arrogance also present in his tone.
"Is that why you are having an affair with attorney Jeon?" As soon as the question echoed into Taehyung's ears, his eyes changed instantly. Where they were drastic and confident seconds ago are now looking culpable. He gulped and lowered his gaze instantly. He can feel his hands getting sweaty inside his slack pockets.
"Speaking of that, what is your relationship with Attorney Jeon?" Taehyung tensed up and gulped hard. Should he reveal their relationship? Is he even ready to do it? I mean he is not even divorced yet, how can he just confirm a relationship with someone else right now? But more importantly, he and Jungkook actually aren't official.
So this is what it came to? This is what his and Jungkook's relationship looks like now. An affair. Which is fundamentally right. But Taehyung still was feeling uncomfortable with the statement.
"Why are you silent now? Please don't give us the silent treatment."
"We need to know what is your relationship with Jeon Jungkook."
"He is your brother's ex, right? Are you having an affair with your brother's ex?"
"Is that some kind of revenge?"
"We heard he is also your husband's close friend."
Taehyung clicked his tongue as he felt anxiety yet again coursing through his veins. The questions were making him feel dizzy. Why? Because he does not have a confident answer to what Jungkook and his relationship really is. He knows it's an affair, now, but it wasn't an affair before. Their relationship was more based on pleasure.
On the other hand, Jungkook stared at Taehyung's frightened face through the screen with anticipation. He was honestly confused. Why wasn't Taehyung answering their questions? Why is he not telling the truth on their faces? While Taehyung was having his own insecurities in his mind and questioning their relationship, Jungkook was actually expecting him to address him as his lover.
Taehyung finally gather up the courage to look up. He stared at the reporters who were repeatedly asked about his and Jungkook's relationship. He breathed heavily and opened his mouth to speak, "You wanted to know about the scene from last evening and my final answer to it is that it's our family matter and we know how to handle issues between us. So I beg you to not raise any questions against it anymore and leave this topic right here, right now. Don't bother my company again, thank you." Taehyung dismissed the topic but it only made the reporters throw another hell amount of questions at him.
Especially about him and Jungkook.
Taehyung looks to his side and drew his face closer to one of the security guards to whisper something. "Make them go way, no matter what." He demanded before turning around to leave. The security guards immediately started to harshly shove the reporters out of the gate after the command. Some reporters were giving up while a few of them were still trying to get their unanswered questions.
"You are not innocent either, Mr. Kim!" Taehyung heard one of the reporters yelling at him which made him halt on his spot with wide eyes but he didn't turn around. If he remembers correctly, from the voice, it's the same reporter who said there's nothing left to respect his family.
"You were also having affair. Park Jimin is not at fault alone." Taehyung gulped as he stared at nothing with wide terrified eyes. Every word was leaving a wound in his heart because he can't deny that it was true. He did have an affair. He did sleep with someone with no strings attached.
"You have such a loose character, Kim!" Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut at that. He balled his hands into two fists and clenched his jaw before starting to walk toward the elevator again. He can feel his eyes swelling up with tears.
"You all three brothers are sick. This family is a mess!"
"Kim family should be boycotted!"
This is the last thing Taehyung heard before the elevator door closed itself. But unfortunately only he was the one who heard those offensive remarks coming from that reporter because everyone else was too busy asking their own questions while the security guards were trying to shove them outside the company gate.
Meanwhile, Jungkook was disappointed as he switched off the TV. Disappointed because Taehyung didn't answer any of the questions regarding their relationship.
Jungkook rested his back against the backrest of the couch and took a deep breath. He blankly stared at the black screen of the TV and that's how Jungkook ended up overthinking and having doubts over Taehyung again.
🥀
The red cold liquid streamed down from inside the thick walls of the alcohol bottle, splashing over the small ice cubes that are placed inside the crystal-like glass. Taehyung took both the glasses after pouring the same amount of alcohol inside them and then turned around to place them back over the kitchen counter. He pushed both the glasses forward until they were in front of the two guests that he had called this evening.
Taehyung took a sit for himself in one of the tools situated around the kitchen counter and took a small sip of the alcohol. He looks to his right where Jimin was sitting with his head hung low and the glass of alcohol left untouched. He then looks to his left and the same case with Namjoon. They both were sitting there in silence with their heads hung low in utter shame.
The CEO cleared his throat before he took another sip of the alcohol. The clanking sound that resonated inside the silent Kitchen after Taehyung placed the glass of alcohol over the hard-tiled kitchen counter was louder than usual. "I didn't call you two here to celebrate minutes of silence with me. Are you going to explain or not?" Taehyung asked. He placed both of his forearms over the cold surface of the counter and tilted his head to the side to peer at his elder brother.
Namjoon shifted on his spot when he felt the strong gaze of his younger brother boring holes at him. He cleared his own throat and slightly glanced back at Taehyung before looking away again. "I—I don't really know where to start." Namjoon let out, taking a deep breath after.
"Don't worry. I will help you." Taehyung responded before leaning back. He took the alcohol glass in his hand again and proceeds to twirl his wrist in a circular motion to stir the alcohol and the ice together inside the transparent glass.
"Have you always hated me?" Taehyung asked calmly. From how he is looking at his brother, he had no distinct expression on his face to describe his emotions. He is just staring while expecting an answer, staring at his brother with his dull, lifeless orbs.
"To be fair, I have never hated you. Why would I? You have never done anything wrong to me." Namjoon responded, his own dragon orbs staring down at the white marbled tiles. "I just took father's anger on you." he then added, this time there was prominent anger can be spotted in his tone.
"So I was just a tool for you?" Taehyung asked but it came out like a statement rather. He shook his head from left to right while clenching his jaw in disbelief. Jimin bites down on his bottom lip and raised his head to look at his husband. "You know, it's worst than hating someone. I'd rather be hated than used by someone as a tool." Taehyung let out darkly. The way he was gritting his teeth was prominent through the way his jaw muscle was clenching and unclenching. His grip around the glass also tightened.
He then glances at Jimin who flinched at the dark gaze coming toward him. "Not only someone. I was used as a tool by multiple people." He then added while glaring at the silver head who lowered his gaze again.
"Do you think father left any choice for me?" Namjoon suddenly snapped with annoyance lingering through his voice. But he didn't dare to meet Taehyung's eyes.
"He didn't," Taehyung answered which resulted in a scoff from Namjoon. "But you could've made one." the gray head stilled on his spot after the last statement of his younger brother before he slowly raised his head to stare back at Taehyung with a questionable gaze.
"How?" Namjoon asked.
This time, Taehyung scoffs out a dry laugh and took a huge sip from the alcohol, suddenly feeling frustration surging through his veins to his scalp at his brother's stupid question. "Just because you are a selfish bastard that doesn't mean I am too, Hyung," Taehyung replied through gritted teeth, anger eminent in his voice. His tone was harsh yet his voice was extremely low-pitched. He was growling, with anger.
Namjoon spun his head towards Taehyung in shock. This is the first time his younger brother has cussed at him after all.
"You know how much I loved you? You know how much I had respect for you? If you would tell me, just fucking tell me that you and Jimin have something going on I would've canceled the marriage right fucking then!" Taehyung yelled, Jimin flinched when the younger lad hit the bottom of the glass over the counter but thankfully the glass didn't break since the glass is pretty heavy and dense.
"Then father would've abandoned me from the property share because he would've suspected me for the revocation of the marriage." Namjoon, who wasn't affected by the younger's yells, spat back frustratingly with the same energy.
"You are not getting the property anyway." Taehyung let out in a sarcastic tone, taking a sip from the glass again. This time, Namjoon glared back at Taehyung too. The two brothers set there in silence for a few seconds as they glare back and forth at one another before the younger leans forward over the counter table again and gazes up at his brother closely.
"Father gave me choice. He didn't force me, he didn't order me. He gave me the choice to cancel the marriage if I didn't have any feelings for Jimin. You could have grabbed the opportunity and told me but you didn't. Because you didn't want the whole responsibility of Kim Innovation on your shoulder. You just wanted the property share and Jimin by your side. Just admit that you are a selfish guy who wants to do the least but get the most." Taehyung growled out in an extremely deep and lower pitch tone with utmost hatred lingering through his voice. His sharp foxy eyes glared up at Namjoon in exasperation.
He then leans backward with a subtle smirk when Namjoon didn't say anything. The younger looks to his side and peers down at Jimin. He let out a satirical laugh towards his husband who stared back at him in perplexity. "Do you even love him?" Taehyung asked. Even though he is looking at Jimin at the moment, Namjoon still got the hint that the question was directed at him.
"I do love him!" Namjoon gritted out in offense and was a tad bit passive-defensive too.
Taehyung chuckled and shook his head while looking down. He raised his head and smiled at his elder brother. "I believe that you love him, Hyung. But not more than yourself. Not more than the property papers. This kind of love is not even love. It's like a norm rather. You are trying to fit in." Taehyung stated, smiling sadly at his brother as his eyes sprawled up with unshed tears. Jimin widened his eyes at the realization and he glances at Namjoon before trailing his gaze down at the white surface as if he was zoning out.
"Even though Jimin has done terrible things to me, I can't be mad at him. Because first of all, you were manipulating him. You were misleading him. You were in charge of him. He was just a tool mad and blind in love, just like I was. And second of all. . ." Taehyung trailed off, taking a deep breath which caused his chest to move up and down. He gulped, taking the glass of alcohol from the counter again.
"I cheated on him too. I slept with Jungkook, multiple times. So I can't really blame Jimin alone." Both Namjoon and Jimin look at Taehyung after the last statement. Jimin's eyes glossed up with a thick layer of tears. Not because Taehyung mentioned that he slept with Jungkook. He doesn't even dare to have a say on this since he knows damn well he lost all the rights to say anything. He actually teared up because Taehyung is not mad at him. Even after the injustice, he brought to his husband, Taehyung is ready to forgive him because he understands his situation.
Because Taehyung knows how love can make the smartest person on the planet commit stupid actions just for a little glimpse of affection. How love can make you lose your sanity and turn them into insanity. How love can switch off your right way of thinking and shut down your active senses.
He understands because he experienced it.
While Taehyung was trying to earn Jimin's love, he didn't know Jimin was expecting the same thing from Namjoon. They are two people on the same boat.
Taehyung turns his gaze back to Namjoon again, gazing up at his brother for a few seconds before slowly uttering. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" Taehyung asked.
"What do you want me to say?" The gray head questioned back.
Taehyung crooked his lips downward, making a thinking face while raising both of his eyebrows. "Apology." He stated with a shrug.
"You know how my situation is right now, Taehyung. I am the most fucked up and vulnerable here right now." Namjoon deadpanned while placing one of his palms over the tiled counter.
"And who's fault is that?" Taehyung spat back, tilting his head to the side, he beams at Namjoon with a raised brow.
"Father's! It's father's fault. Father is responsible for all of the mess. He should apologize to me, us!" The gray head let out aggressively while jabbing a finger into his own chest. His both eyebrows crooked together deeply as he breathed heavily, fuming with anger.
"It's between you and father. I am talking about myself. I deserve an apology too." Taehyung replied, ignoring the whole tantrum that Namjoon just threw at him.
"Taehyung—"
"Ah, I get it." He interrupted Namjoon when the said guy let out the youngers name in a warning tone. "A narcissist like you will never apologize to me. Because you don't even admit that any of this is your fault, correct?" Taehyung stated, smirking afterward while shaking his head in disappointment.
"Get out." Taehyung suddenly lets out in an exceedingly cold tone as he looks away from his brother with a clenched jaw.
"Taehyung?" Namjoon let out in disbelief, eyebrows knitted together into a deep frown.
"Just like father is going to disown you from his property, I am disowning you as my brother too. Get out of my house now." Taehyung stated the last part harshly while staring at anything but his brother. Even though he is acting all tough and mean, a part of him was breaking inside when he formed those words towards the person he used to admire a lot. His own brother. That's why he is having a hard time to even looking his brother in the eyes while telling him to get lost.
"Tae—"
"I said get the hell out of my life!" The honey-brown head growled out loud, turning his gaze back to his brother to glare at him with utmost rage.
Namjoon stilled for a second with wide eyes and mouth hung open in shock. The fresh tears that formed inside Taehyung's eyes but were masked by the anger also didn't go unnoticed by Namjoon. The gray head slowly avert his gaze from his younger brother and nodded his head subtly before he stood up.
But he didn't move. Namjoon stood there for a few seconds without a word as he stares at nothing. He took a deep breath, balling his fist and squeezing his eyes shut, he let his lips move to form two certain phrases. "I'm sorry." As soon as he said that, he turned around instantly and rushed out of the dining room.
A loud sigh escaped from Taehyung that sounded louder than usual into the now silent dining room. Taehyung took the glass of alcohol in his hand and gulped down the whole thing before he stands up and walks away. Jimin remained on the same spot, his eyes seems zoned out and unfocused. But he was soon seized back to reality when a file was thrown over to the surface of the kitchen counter, in front of him.
Jimin blinked before he looks up to see Taehyung towering over him. "Sign the divorce papers, Jimin." Taehyung let out groggily.
Jimin didn't seem surprised at all. He let out a long sigh that even caused his shoulder to slump down before he let his lips form into a small smile. The smaller male stood up and looks up at Taehyung. He smiled a little more seeing the poker face of Taehyung before nodding his head.
"I am sorry, Taehyung." Jimin let out genuinely. His own eyes tearing up watching how Taehyung was holding himself back when he was clearly looking like he was on the verge of crying.
"You could've just asked me, Jimin. I was your best friend, wasn't I?" Taehyung let out above a whisper. His shimmery glossy eyes stared down at the older lad with nothing but disappointment. Jimin bites down on his bottom lip to hold himself back from breaking down too.
"If you'd just tell me that you want Namjoon Hyung and not—not me, I would've sacrificed you for Hyung. I would've sacrificed my love for yours." And that was the last straw for Jimin as he actually broke down in front of Taehyung. He leans forward and placed his forehead over Taehyung's chest as he cried heavily. His shoulders tremble with every loud hiccup that escapes his mouth.
Taehyung just stood there like a pillar. No movement, no expression, just a pair of orbs with shimmery glossy vision staring outside at the darkness of Seoul city through the transparent walls.
Jimin sniffled and slowly lean back to look up at Taehyung. He forced his lips to stretch into a smile but Taehyung could clearly see how his lips were trembling, wobbling because he was holding back himself.
"Before I sign the papers, can I request something?" Jimin asked, suddenly. Taehyung slightly glanced down at him and nodded his head. "Hmm."
Jimin smiled, a genuine one. His tiny fist comes up to hold the collar of Taehyung's shirt. "I know I was too late to appreciate your love for me. I was too late to realize my own feelings. Now look at me, I married you with no feelings but divorcing you after growing feelings for you." Even though Jimin had a stupid smile on his face, his eyes are telling a whole other story. They are showing regret but acceptance at the same time. He knows no matter how much he regrets it, Taehyung is not his anymore. Especially not when the other male stared down at him with little to no sentiments where those majestic eyes used to hold so much love and warmth for him.
And now they are just two pairs of cold eyes filled to the brim with nothing. Only void.
Taehyung felt Jimin's hand that is fisting his collar right now is trembling badly, so he guided his own hand to hold Jimin's. A simple action that says he is worried for his bestfriend and not his husband. Even though he is not showing concern through his demeanor.
"After I sign the divorce paper, I will disappear from your life. After that one sign, we will be back to strangers again. So to relish the last moment as your husband, can I ask a small favor?" Jimin asked in a small, precarious tone, tilting his head to the side as his sore pleading eyes stared up at Taehyung. His perfectly sculpted fluffy cheeks continuously get wet with the tears.
"What do you want?" Taehyung asked above a whisper.
"Can I kiss you, Tae?" Taehyung stilled for a moment after hearing the request. He even subtly leans backward from Jimin but not entirely. His eyes slightly got wide at the request.
"What do you—"
"Just for the last time. I have never got to respect your love. I have never got to relish you. And now that we are putting an end to everything, can I end it on a good note? Can I have at least one good memory with you in the last moment of being your husband?" Jimin requested, tears kept rolling down his cheeks as the rims of his almond eyes were also turning red and puffy.
"I won't kiss you back," Taehyung replied which Jimin responded with a small watery chuckle.
"I know. You don't have to. Because now, at the moment I am the one with feelings, you are not, anymore." Jimin uttered with a sad smile. His small hands reached upward to cup one of Taehyung's cheeks. His teared-filled eyes admired Taehyung's features lovingly. Knowing that this is probably the last time Jimin will see Taehyung was paining his heart even more. He just wants to stare at Taehyung the whole night, to print the younger lad's face in the back of his head, in his memories for the rest of his life.
Taehyung felt a hand cupping his nape to hold himself still even though Taehyung didn't move a bit the whole time he was standing with Jimin beside the kitchen counter. He felt the proximity of their faces, he felt the warm breath hitting his skin and soon a pair of lips making contact with the corner of his lips. Taehyung noticed how Jimin didn't kiss him on the lips directly. He was respecting the fact that Taehyung doesn't have feelings for him anymore but still granted his wish because that's how he is. A people pleaser who can never say no.
It was a simple peck at the corner of Taehyung's mouth that lasted for a few seconds only before Jimin leaned back and showed Taehyung a smile of gratitude but the pain wasn't unnoticeable either. "Thank you." He said after and lean forward again to pull Taehyung into a tight hug. Just like the honey-brown head didn't respond to the older's kiss, the same way he didn't hug Jimin back as well. He just lets Jimin cherish the last moment with him until they part their ways, forever.
🥀
As soon as Namjoon walked out of Taehyung's apartment, the taller male flinched and stumbled on his steps when he suddenly came across Jungkook who seem to make his way toward Taehyung's apartment.
Jungkook eyed Namjoon's figure from head to toe with a smirk while his hands are shoved inside the pockets of his slacks. He raised an eyebrow cockily, noticing how wrecked Namjoon was looking.
"You look like shit," Jungkook commented with an arrogant smile.
"Are you happy now?" Namjoon asserted through gritted teeth as he glares down at the blonde head who only smiled confidently.
"Never been happier," Jungkook responded almost at an instant, chuckling when Namjoon stormed off from his sight that even he could feel the air brushing against his skin when the taller man walked by him.
Jungkook stared at the back of Namjoon's disappearing figure before veering around to make his way inside Taehyung's apartment to check on him