He performed several songs before stepping away from the mic - all peaceful, relaxing melodies that filled the café with that irreplaceable atmosphere which made people want to come back again and again.
Jungkook was absolutely entranced. To say the very least. Just like he had promised, he ordered something off the menu but ended up forgetting about it entirely thanks to Taehyung.
He watched unblinkingly as the man carefully made his way off stage. Jungkook stood up and started walking towards him - he had already paid for his coffee so he didn't care if he never came back to the table for it. Taehyung was more important right now.
However Taehyung, evidently, did not appear pleased by the sight of Jungkook walking in his direction. He stopped by the entrance to the bathrooms.
"Taehyung, you were in-"
"This needs to stop."
Terse. These four words wiped the smile clean off Jungkook's face. Nervous all of a sudden, he swallowed his breath and lifted a tentative gaze to Taehyung's cold, merciless eyes. "What do you mean, I just-"
"All of it, Jungkook, it just needs to stop." The man released a sigh of exasperation. His tense hands tugged at his hair for a moment, then were shoved carelessly in the pockets of his jeans. "I know I told you that you could come here but I really don't know why you insist on following me everywhere. You know where I live, where I work, what college I go to 'cus you go there, too. Next thing I know you could have my social security number in your hands and then what am I supposed to do??"
Jungkook couldn't find words to justify himself. He couldn't find words at all, in fact, and found himself rendered utterly speechless and guilt-heavy by Taehyung's harsh, yet completely reasonable accusations. His chest clenched and his heart felt punctured.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, the boy stuttered out an apology and turned his back to Taehyung, making his way quickly out of the café as though his life depended on it.
He didn't want to let it bother him. Taehyung really didn't need to let it bother him. The last thing he needed right now was something else to weigh on his mind on top of all the other issues he was dealing with.
To his distress, however, it did bother him. Throughout the rest of his work day and on the drive home, though thankfully at that point he was at least able to push it slightly out of his mind's eye. But it still lingered.
He arrived back at his apartment later that evening and went immediately to take a shower. Then he made himself something quick and convenient to eat before collapsing on the couch. For a brief period of time, Taehyung attempted to study, to go over his notes and prepare himself for the next day's classes, but he soon found it virtually impossible to focus. So he resorted to scrolling mindlessly through social media to pass the time. If he were lucky it would bore him and he'd get tired before too long.
Unfortunately, the opposite happened.
Something caught his attention. A lot of people's attention, apparently. A trending tag.
#theboywithpurpleblood
And just like that, Taehyung experienced that all too familiar, recurring sensation of his heart dropping to his stomach.
He clicked on the tag.
There were quite a few posts by now, the majority of which were obviously made by students from his college.
So the boy with purple blood is a thing apparently.
I thought it sounded cool at first but reading people's comments has kinda got me creeped out.
Like, he's never been to a hospital? What if it's a disease?
He could be putting people in danger. It's freaky...
He was always quiet but now he's just straight-up refusing to talk to people. It's possible he knows more about it and doesn't want other people to know...
Guys whoever is looking at this tag, I found out he used to live in Daegu but moved because people found out about it. Some things happened there and people got really scared of him. It's vague but ngl I'm kinda creeped out. I'm glad I'm not a music major...
I don't go to the same college but I did go to high school with him. His friend touched his blood accidentally and ended up sick for a long time. He seemed okay when he came back to school but people were really suspicious. Manic behavior...it could spread.
I don't know why he doesn't just go to the hospital. Maybe they could give him some kind of shot or medicine for whatever he has but apparently he just won't do it. It's like everyone's saying. It's suspicious...
He's not a freak. Leave him alone. You don't know him. Just leave him alone.
The one comment. Made by the same person who added on to everyone else's posts with an almost identical comment.
Taehyung didn't have to ask. He knew it was Jungkook.
This boy, for whatever reason, seemed set on sticking up for him. And it absolutely boggled Tae's mind, because he didn't see any possible way Jungkook could benefit from it. And perhaps this was one of the primary factors that contributed towards his distrust for the boy.
Taehyung had difficulty trusting people as it is. But people who seemed to have good intentions when there was no room for mutual benefit, they were the ones who truly wore on him. Aka Jungkook.
Yoongi was the only trustworthy person.
Yoongi, who had known Taehyung as Taehyung before knowing him as the boy with purple blood. Yoongi, he could trust without limits. Yoongi and only Yoongi.
For his own safety, for the sake of his paranoia, this is what Taehyung told himself on a daily basis. Because he could never see himself coming to terms with the belief of there being someone else out there like Yoongi.
Regardless of these thoughts spinning relentlessly through his head, Taehyung once again suffered the striking guilt and uncertainty that accompanied this boy named Jungkook.
He struggled, he fought with himself, to resist letting the thoughts gnaw at him any more.
Tragically, deep down, what Taehyung wanted more than anything was to trust again. So he lost to the urge and blamed it on his conscience.
Taehyung
i might have been a little harsh earlier
Taehyung
i probably could have put my words more delicately, but i didn't, so i'm sorry
Taehyung
you kept your word, you ordered something. hoseok told me. so i shouldn't be mad.
Taehyung
i just don't understand you
Taehyung
it's human instinct to be on guard when it comes to things we don't understand. i know that quite vividly by now.
It was but mere moments before Jungkook replied.
Jungkook
no, you shouldn't be apologizing
Jungkook
you had every right to say what you did
Jungkook
honestly i'm surprised you haven't filed a restraining order by now haha
Jungkook
i'm sure anyone else would have
Jungkook
you're a saint
Jungkook
i'm just the weird quiet kid who's been creeping you out these past few days. if you ask me i'm the one they should be calling a freak, not you.
Taehyung
no you're not a freak you're just sketchy
Jungkook
haha sketchy
Jungkook
yeah...is there still no way of me convincing you i'm not sketchy and that i just want to be friends?
Taehyung
tell me your social security and credit card number
Taehyung
that way if you turn against me at least i have those
Jungkook
deal!
If Taehyung had been drinking anything at the time, he would without a doubt have sprayed it all over his phone screen. Instead, his eyes shot open.
Taehyung
you're kidding
Taehyung
please tell me you're not that dumb
Jungkook
what? it seems like a small price to pay to earn someone's trust. or at least, semi-trust...?
Jungkook
besides i don't have a lot of money
Taehyung
yeah but your social security number
Jungkook
i'll send it if you like
Jungkook
should i mail my credit card?
Taehyung
ok you know what actually wtf
Taehyung
you know this is actually just making you seem more suspicious right??
Jungkook
oh crap no rewind pls
Jungkook
I'll never tell you my social security number!!
(● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾
Taehyung
wtf am i supposed to do with you
Jungkook
be friends?
Jungkook
i'm pushing my luck aren't i
Taehyung
a little
Jungkook
darn
Jungkook
let's start over
Jungkook
hi i'm jungkook
Taehyung
who do you work for
Jungkook
starbucks
Taehyung
where were you born
Jungkook
my mother's womb
Jungkook
also typically i think with introductions both people say their names?
Taehyung
this isn't an introduction this is an interrogation
Jungkook
oh okay you see i get the i words mixed up
Taehyung
you're so freaking weird
Jungkook
it's better than being sketchy!! :D
Taehyung
no you're still sketchy
Jungkook
:O
Jungkook
how to undo
Taehyung
unfollow me to my apartment
Taehyung
un-ask me where i work
Taehyung
un-give me your phone number without me asking
Taehyung
un-willingly offer to give me your ss# and card information??
Taehyung
who tf does that??
Jungkook
me apparently
Jungkook
wait no we started over as of now all you know is that my name is jungkook and i was born in my mother's womb that's it
Taehyung
i'm feeling exhausted stop messaging me
Jungkook
till tomorrow potential friend!!
He honestly didn't know what to make of it. Either Jungkook was an incredibly good actor, or the boy truly was the dumbest person Taehyung had ever met.
He was too tired to contemplate it any more. It had temporarily taken his attention away from the negative spotlight about his condition, but now the attention returned.
Regretful repetition of history.
He quietly set down his phone and lay himself on the couch.
The ceiling fan spun slowly, circulating air but Taehyung still felt suffocated.
He released a shaky breath.
"I miss Yoongi..."
*
*
*
end of chapter five.