CHAPTER TEN:
Wish you'd be happy
Taehyung dropped the bookmark onto the table, shuffling back in surprised, and accidentally kicking Jimin's empty box back with the backside of his foot in the process. He looked at it, and suddenly all his senses came flooding back. When his head moved up Jeongukk and Jimin were looking at him in concern, no longer submersed in the argument they were previously having. "You okay?"
"Yeah.." Taehyung gulped, eyes flickering between the both of them. "I-I'm fine." He breathed, although it seemed like he was slightly struggling to do it well. "I'm going to the bathroom."
He got up from his seat quickly, ignoring the calls from the both of them.
3 hours later
Jeongukk walked out of his advanced calculus class, sighing in the process. He was extremely tired, and school—along with extracurricular activities—had been kicking him in the ass. He walked his way to his locker, before he felt a hand slip into his, pressing their cheek into his arm. "Hi."
"Hi, Tae." He responded, ruffling his hair in a way that made Taehyung's nose scrunch up. "Why do you always do that?" He questioned cutely, Jeongukk wanted to boop him in the nose.
"Why? You don't like it?" He asked, looking to him as they stopped by his locker.
"No. It's not that." Taehyung pouted, stumbling a little as he tripped over his shoe. Jeongguk momentarily pulled his hand away, the other going to wrap his arms around his middle instead.
"I could never not like anything you do, you know? You're special." He mumbled into the brunettes chest as he rummaged through his organized locker.
Jeongguk smiled, looking down at the boy clinging to him for a brief second. He wasn't even completely sure what to say—how do you respond when someone that you adore greatly tells you that you're special? So he went for the next best thing. "You too."
His half-expressed response seemed enough for Taehyung however, as he smiled at Jeongukk and jutted his lips outward. The brunette lightly laughed, before moving his head down and pecking him on the lips sweetly.
Jeongukk went back to what he was doing before. Once he was done, he held his hand out for Taehyung to take again. He did so gladly.
They were almost outside, before Jeongukk looked to him for a moment. "Hey, about earlier.."
Jeongukk didn't even have enough time to finish his sentence because Taehyung was responding. "I know." He looked up to see Jeongukks concerned face. "I'm okay—I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Jeongukk furrowed his eyebrows. "Tae, I was just worried." He rubbed his back in a soothing way.
"That's why I'm sorry." He pouted.
Jeongukk couldn't help but stretch his lips into a smile, although it was borderline unnoticeable. He squeezed his hand in his. "Don't be. I worry too much."
Taehyung responded with a nod, letting his lips stretch into a similar smile. "Okay."
"You're sure you're fine, right?" Jeongukk continued walking.
"I'm perfect." Taehyung responded, bumping his shoulder into the boy. "Good."
...
Jeongguk threw the ball to the end zone as time ticked down, they were down by a field goal.
Taehyung and Jimin were sat on the bench next to Jin and the part of the team that wasn't in. Their hands squeezed the water bottle holders in anticipation.
"Come on, come on, Jae-ho." Taehyung cheered under his breath, watching as the ball flew gracefully into the chilly air. It was in the air for what felt like minutes, before it was landing in the boys hands and he was diving into the grasp of a touchdown before the other team had a chance to tackle him.
The crowed erupted in cheers, and although the whole team was slapping Jae-ho on the back and bumping their helmets into his, Taehyung couldn't help but see Jeongukk. His smile as he ran down the field to celebrate, taking his helmet off and holding his hands up. Taehyung felt like he was all he could ever see.
But then Jimin was flicking him on the back of the head lightly, motioning for him to get up. "Come on, we need to go hand out the waters." The blonde nodded, before following after him.
They watched the team line up to high five the other team. By the looks on their faces, the two of them could tell that they were pretty happy about it although they tried their best to keep themselves composed. Emphasis on best.
Taehyung laughed as they jogged over to both of them to retrieve the Gatorade squeeze water bottles in their hands. Once everyone had at least a bit of water, he was quick to stand on a bench and clear his throat aggressively.
"Taehyung, what are you doing?" Seokjin blinked in mild surprise, although knowing Taehyung— he really shouldn't be too surprised.
"I have an announcement." He clasped his hands together, before bringing them over his head and waving his hands.
"Well," Jimin raised his eyes, amused at the blondes always unpredictable behavior. "what is it?"
"I was getting to that, shit—let me speak." He rolled his eyes, and ignored whatever Jimin's response to that was.
He spoke quickly in hopes of not getting interrupted once again. "I got us reservations to that new restaurant that opened up across from the gas station. 'Hào chī.'" The boy wiggled his eyebrows after finishing.
He stifled a laugh as the team let out ah's in satisfaction all simultaneously, it was pretty funny if you'd ask him. Jumping off the bench onto his feet, his message had already been received and his announcement was already done—however he caught a certain brunette still looking at him.
He quirked an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for?" Jeongukk didn't take long to respond to the unneeded question. "You got us reservations? I thought it was nearly impossible to even get a name on the waiting list."
Taehyung tilted his head to think, pursing his lips and tapping his own left cheek lightly. "Maybe I told the owners that the number one division one team would be willing to take a picture to hang on their wall in the front."
"Number one? But we've been tied with this team for the past two weeks all the way up until today. How would you have known?"
The boy smiled. "I just did. I knew you guys would win." Taehyung flicked a piece of grass off of Jeongukks shoulder, he wasn't sure how it had gotten there. He didn't have time to ponder some more, since Jeongukk began asking another question. "Why do they want a picture of the team?"
"Something about wanting to make the restaurant more community related since a lot of people assumed that it's from a large restaurant chain. Y'know, because it's so fancy schmancy."
Jeongukk laughed in amusement, but Taehyung could tell than another question was coming. He answered it before it could even be said aloud. "I found out from my cousin."
The other quickly closed his mouth, getting the message that he could probably shut up.
"C'mon, let's go. I'm hungry."
Jeogukk didn't need to hear that twice.
__
In the restaurant, they all finished their food quickly. Seokjin went home straight after the game, already having plans to finish grading papers. So, it was just the team members that agreed to go. Looks of utter disgust made up multiple of their faces, not because of the food—no the food was delicious. Jeongguk would let anyone forget how good it was. But the undying truth, no matter what you eat, delicious or not, it's gonna make you feel absolutely disgusting if you eat too much. Once the owner kept coming back with more and more food, it was starting to get a little hard to ignore.
They appreciated it however. Taehyung couldn't help but be reminded of his grandmother whenever she was present... if his grandmother were mandarin that is. It was nice.
"I'm so fucking full it's not even funny." Jackson swore loudly, earning dirty looks from nearby tables.
"Roger that, I'm going to throw up if I even see another plate of sweet and sour pork." A dramatic gagging noise was made, and Taehyung rolled his eyes, looking over at Jeongukk who was looking down at his feet, eyes unfocused. He felt him looking however, and looked up.
"You gonna throw up too?" Taehyung raised his eyebrows, but Jeongukk shook his head no lazily.
He scoffed, looking around at everyone (including Jimin who was passed out hard on the table), before he patted the table enough to draw attention to himself. Once they were all looking, he crossed his arms. "Hey, at least we got to eat here. You're acting like I got us reservations to that Pizza Hut that got exposed on the news because an employee scratched their dandruff into the pizza."
Everyone groaned in response, the mental image not mixing well with the already unsettling feeling in their stomach. "So shut up you ungrateful shits, I think the food was exquisite." He said the ending word loud enough for the restaurant owner to hear him, or at least he hoped.
The complaints stopped quickly, and everyone picked up their expressions.
"Yeah, I mean—the food was good. So good. Delicious. Delectable."
Jackson was quick to agree. "I know. Why is the restaurant called Hào chī, it should be Měiwèi de."
It wasn't long until Taehyung bursted into a fit of laughter, nudging Jeongukk on the side.
"They're so dramatic, they didn't need to do all that. I just meant for them to stop complaining."
Jeongukk joined in upon the sight of his laughter. He wished he could see him laugh forever.
___
It was a few days later, and Jeongukk was sat in front of his desk, on the very edge of falling asleep. The sun had already set and with the bright shining star went all of his energy, although it was already minimal to begin with. His eyes shut and if he did end up falling asleep he decided he'd let himself. After all he had went the longest time without having the proper amount of sleep. Whatever that was exactly. His homework could always wait until tomorrow.
Not even five seconds had passed before he was being interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. He groaned in annoyance, but picked it up anyway.
The caller ID showed that it was Yoongi, which surprised him—peaked his interest because for the most part, Yoongi never called.
Rubbing his tired his, he swiped the screen to answer the call and pressed the phone against his ear.
"Hello?" He greeted, voice coming out deeper than he had expected, most likely due to how he hadn't spoken aloud since school ended a few hours ago.
"Jeongukk?" Yoongi said through the phone, the brunette could barely make out what he was saying, his words coming out muffled and blocked out by loud background noise.
"Yeah? What the hell is going on in the background?" His eyes were slightly squinted, still fighting sleep despite participating in a conversation.
"I'm at Hoseok's, he's having this huge party." He hears Yoongi let out a loud "shit" under his breath a moment after, and Jeongukk guesses that he must've stumbled.
"So, what does this have to do with me?" He answered boredly, wanting nothing more than to be done with the conversation so that he could go back to sleeping peacefully.
"Oh, yeah." He hears someone yelling in the background and as time goes on he gets more and more grateful that he isn't at that party right now.
"Taehyung's here right?" He says, and upon the mention of the boys name he suddenly more awake then before. He sits up in his chair. Taehyung had told him that he was sleeping over Jimin's house over text message an hour or two ago.
Before he's about to tell Yoongi that he's wrong although he appreciates the concern, he hears a loud and faint voice in the background. "You're a McAsshole!"
He sinks back into his chair, squeezing his eyes shut and holding his arm over his face. "Who is he talking to?"
"He's facing a wall, Jeongukk. He's blackout drunk. You should probably come pick him up." Yoongi says, but Jeongukk is up before he can even finish.
"Yeah, I'm coming. Thanks."
Within a few minutes, Jeongukk is opening the front door of Hoseoks house. He could've swung the door open on someone's head, but that was the last thing he was concerned about. Pushing through crowds of people, he could find either Yoongi or Taehyung.
He wondered if Jimin was even with him or he had just lied about being with him completely.
He turned a corner towards one of Hoseok's rooms incase the blonde was roaming through hallways but that idea was quickly debunked as he found him leaning against the wall, babbling about something and holding a red solo cup in his hand. Not long had passed before Taehyung noticed his presence and his face had basically lit up. "Jeongukkie!" He grinned, opening his arms and running into the brunettes.
Jeongukk's eyebrows were furrowed when he looked up, noticing some dude a few feet away from him. The guy walked up to the two of them. "Hey, man I was talking to him." He said.
He really felt like the world was constantly testing him. "Not anymore, 'kay. We're leaving." He tried to say it nicely, but the guy continued pushing it. "Who the hell are you, I said I'm—"
Jeongukk pushed him against the wall harshly, ignoring his groan in pain. "I said were leaving." He muttered. "Okay?"
He nodded, so Jeongukk let his grip loosen until he leg go completely, grabbing Taehyung's hand.
"Why are we leaving? I need to tell Hyung that we're going out first!" He announced, turning his head back. "Seokjinnie—Hyung! Jeongukkie's taking me somewhere!"
Jeongukk makes no effort in correcting him or quieting him down, his actions had minimal impact on anyone around them because of the loud music and mass conversations.
On the way to Jeongukk's house Taehyung wouldn't stop talking. The brunette was the opposite, saying nothing because he figured that from how hammered Taehyung seemed, as much as he talked it just wouldn't be comprehended. He wouldn't understand until morning.
It doesn't mean that he isn't pissed off. He could care less about Taehyung going to party, that isn't what he's upset about. But what was the purpose of lying to him. He thought Taehyung would know that by now.
So he just let the other talk endless amounts of nothing important, all the way up until they arrived at his house. He unbuckled, shutting his door before making his way to Taehyung's side, opening it unamused.
"Guk, there's two of you if I do this." Taehyung giggled, crossing his eyes and reaching out to him with extended arms. Jeongukk rolled his eyes in result of the action, still leaning over and unbuckling him from the seatbelt.
"Why are we at your house, silly? I thought we were going out on a date. This doesn't look like McDonald's." He jumps out of the car, stumbling pathetically over a curb.
The other nearly groans at the scene in front of him, wanting nothing but to facepalm himself, maybe throw himself over the curb as well.
"Ow." Taehyung whines, and Jeongukk listens as he begins to pathetically cry as if someone had just beaten him up and took all of his lunch money. It doesn't take long for him to pick his boyfriend up off the ground, pushing the annoyance to the back of his mind and focusing on just getting them up to his room so that he can finally sleep and deal with this later.
The fall must've sobered Taehyung a little bit, because he immediately stopped crying. Either that or he was so drunk his emotions were all out of whack. Jeongukk was placing bets on the second one.
He ended up carrying Taehyung up the stairs on his back. The blonde could stop babbling words into his ear and moving around, letting go of his neck as he attempted to hold him in place. All in avoidance of dropping him.
Finally they made it up and Jeongukk placed him on the floor, rubbing his eyes once out of exasperation. He paused only for a second, but walked over to his closet to retrieve clothes.
Taehyung was standing in front of Jeongukk's wall of pictures, placing lots of kisses over the one with the two of them on their class trip to a museum a year ago. The brunette turned him around, fingers grasping the hem of his shirt. He pulled it up over his head and Taehyung just went with it, holding his arms up so that he could take it off completely. If only he could've been this obedient the whole night.
He snatched one of the shirts that he picked out off of his bed and threw it over Taehyung head, watching as it popped out of the whole at the top. His face had a present pout on it, but still let Jeongukk pull his arms out of the holes. "Why are you putting my shirt back on?"
"It's not your shirt, it's mine." He answers back for the first time in the last 20 minutes. He goes away for a moment to throw the dirty shirt in the laundry. Then he's back and Taehyung's lying on his bed in an awfully uncomfortable looking position.
"Oh my gosh." He muttered under his breath, pressing his eyes together tightly before walking to the bed. Jeongukk pulls his pants off with struggle, Taehyung being no help this time, body limp on the mattress. Once it's off Jeongukk breathes out, aggressively throwing the peace of clothing across his room into the hamper. Then he pulls a pair of sweatpants onto his legs in record breaking time.
He's quick to pick himself clothes so that he can change into more comfortable ones as well. A few seconds later he hears a voice from behind him, just as he had finished pulling his own shirt over his head. "Jeongukk are you mad at me?"
Jeongukk knows he sounds sad, but he also knows that he's drunk as hell too. He couldn't know what he's saying. "Go to sleep, Taehyung. We'll talk in the morning."
There's a silence after that and Jeongukk almost thinks that he listened to his words. He's getting into bed when he hears it again. Same hushed tone. "Can you cuddle me?"
Jeongukk doesn't respond, hears the way Taehyung shuffles in the bed. Soon he feels Taehyung's arm come around him. He's facing the wall. "Stop. I'll talk to you later, okay?" He thinks he might've been too cold as he pushed the boys arm off, even if it was lightly. Especially when he can basically see the sad pout on the others face, even without facing him. From the shift in the bed, Jeongukk knows that he probably rolled over and faced the other way. He can hear his breathing, and even that sounded pathetically sad.
Jeongukk looked over his shoulder in temptation, and just as he expected saw the boy facing away from him. It took him no longer than a few seconds to give in, sighing. "Come here, baby." He said, hooking his right arm over Taehyung's stomach and pulling him more towards himself.
He felt Taehyung's cheeks lift up as he pressed a sweet kiss there, hand rubbing his torso in a circular motion. The blonde turned around to face him, hugging him back.
Jeongguk thinks he's sleeping a minute or two in, but he's proven wrong when another whisper is heard. "Guk?" He hums gin response.
"I'm sorry." He says.
Jeongukk runs his hand along the others hair. "I meant it earlier. We can talk in the morning. Just rest for now." He quickly shushes him, using his thumb to brush a strand out of his face.
"It hurts." Taehyung says instead, and it has Jeongukk furrowing his eyebrows, scanning his face. "What hurts?"
"Just.." Taehyung trails off for a moment, "..everything."
"Hey, if you're not feeling good for real you need to tell me." Jeongukk attempts to sit up, but Taehyung pulls him back down and places his head onto the brunettes chest.
"I'm telling you now because I won't tell you in the morning." Taehyung mumbles into it, his cheek smushed.
Jeongguk listens intently as he continues talking. "I lied earlier."
"About what?"
Taehyung pauses. "About being okay."
"I'm not okay. I guess I just..."
"I really miss my mom."
A moment passes without another word, and Jeongukk notes how the others eyes were closed. "Baby?" He whispered, but received no response. His lips were parted slightly, looking more peaceful than ever, although an angel always.
Maybe he held Taehyung a little tighter that night.
—
oh my gosh this chapter has been in progress for like 2 weeks. Sorry for the extremely delayed chapters for all of my books, I've just been having to deal w some stuff:/ That's why this chapter might not seem like most well written. Sorry about that, but I will make the next ones better. Thank you for bearing with me and Zara who just finished school.
—Cal