Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Every Thursday, Taehyung stepped out of his house to run the errands of the week. He would drive to the grocery store himself even though he could have easily sent one of the kitchen maids to do the shopping. He enjoyed getting the fresh air and picking out the things he knew they needed for the week. It was relaxing, Therapeutic.
It was also a welcome escape from the stifling air of his house. The Jeon-Kim’s house was always still and silent. Like the moments before a storm. Except the storm never came. Just endless building tension that Taehyung was glad to escape from. Sometimes he even lingered longer on purpose.
Anything to escape the oppressive atmosphere of his house.
Our story begins on a Thursday. Taehyung was strolling through the aisles with the cereal and milk, he remembered pausing to ponder on what type of cereal his reclusive beau might enjoy when his phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number and somewhere near his stomach he felt a strange tug. Almost a warning of unknown danger. He ignored it.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Jeon? Is this Mr. Taehyung Jeon?”
Taehyung stood up straighter, no one had really called him that since he got married to the Jeon heir. He preferred to be known by his own title.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Jungkook Jeon has been in an accident, you were listed as his emergency contact.”
Taehyung’s heart froze. “A-accident? Where?!”
He abandoned his cart and hurried out to his car, getting in and pulling out of the parking lot as soon as he got the name of the hospital that Jungkook was at.
The drive to the hospital was a blur. Taehyung could only think of all the bad things that could have happened. Of the state that the Jeon heir was possibly in. He tried not to panic but the emotions filling him up were almost too much.
He couldn’t think at all.
Taehyung was led to a private room where Jungkook was being kept for observation. He had been driving to a meeting when someone had broken the red light and hit his car head on. He was lucky to be alive, the doctors said. He escaped with minor injuries and a head wound, which still needed to be monitored as they were always notoriously tricky.
Taehyung’s heart was stuck in his throat when he saw Jungkook’s pale form laying on the bed. He was surrounded by beeping machines and he looked so small and pale under the harsh hospital lights.
Taehyung sat beside him and took one of his hands into his own. His wedding band sat heavy on his finger as he waited for his husband to wake up.
It was hours later when Jungkook woke up.
He knew that he should probably inform their families but he was trapped in his own thoughts. What would he do if something had happened to Jungkook?
Taehyung didn’t know and he couldn’t bear to think about it. Even though Jungkook seemed to dislike him and their marriage had been a loveless arrangement, Taehyung had a bit of a crush on the other man.
The thought of never being able to see him again or be a part of his life was unbearable.
Tears slipped down his face and he curled their fingers together in a weak attempt to have Jungkook closer to him. He didn’t know if he was still panicking or if he was just so relieved that the beautiful man was still with him.
His breakdown was loud and messy and Taehyung knew that he should get it together. Be the perfect, elegant spouse he was expected to be. But he couldn’t help it, it felt like his world was falling apart and being sewn back together all at once. It was overwhelming.
Flashback
Taehyung didn’t recognize himself. He stared at the mirror over his vanity. He was in awe of all the effort that the makeup artists had put on making him presentable. The bags under his eyes had disappeared, his skin looked healthy and glowing, cheeks a pretty rose pink and lips glossy and full. His reflection showed a different version of himself. Someone who was dressed in a white suit that looked formal and delicate and not like him at all. Taehyung would have much preferred wearing his paint splashed tee and comfy sweats, even if this was his wedding day and everyone would have gotten second hand embarrassment just looking at him. At least he would have been himself, he would have felt comfortable and confident and not at all like the uncomfortable queasy feeling churning around in his stomach. He just hoped that his breakfast wouldn’t make an appearance. Suddenly, having eggs didn’t feel like such a good decision anymore.
A knock at the door turned his thoughts away from the morbid path they were on. He was happy to be distracted by the arrival of his brother, Seokjin. He was standing in the doorway, a small smile that was probably meant to be reassuring painted onto his face. Tae’s lips twitched, trying to fake a smile himself but he just didn’t have the energy to hold it. A sigh tumbled out instead.
“Hey hyung.”
“Ah. Don’t look so down Tae, it’s not the end of the world.” He walked in with all his Kim Seokjin glory and confidence, settling down on the chair beside Taehyung.
“It isn’t for you…I’ve heard the Jeon heir is frightening. Hiding secrets and being aggressive whenever anything annoys him. It might be the last time you see me hyung!”
“Stop being so dramatic, Taehyung-ah. He wasn’t any of those things when I met him. I can assure you.” Jin reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet box. “In fact, he’s sent you a present. Something blue.”
Taehyung frowned but accepted the box, opening it after only a moment of hesitation. He gasped, reaching into the case and slowly removing its contents. A pair of teardrop diamond earrings, one pink and one blue. Taehyung had recently heard that the Apollo and Artemis set had been bought for a ridiculous amount of money, the news had saddened him because he had been dreaming of owning them for a while. He had never saved enough money to afford them though. They were the most expensive diamond earrings in the world. And here they were. In his hands.
Taehyung felt as if he was dreaming.
“Hyung….” His voice was hushed, shock and awe ringing through his words.
“You should wear them, I’m sure that was his intention with gifting them to you now instead of later.” Jin gestured for him to try them on.
He seemed completely oblivious to the fact that these earrings were worth more than their combined estate. Tae took a deep breath and decided to keep this to himself. He reasoned with himself that only a few people would actually know what the diamonds looked like and even if they did, no one would ever assume that he would be wearing the real thing. Jungkook would know but probably only him. And Taehyung.
It was like a secret passed between them. One that was boldly out in the open but no one else would know the truth of it.
Later, as he walked down the aisle, he couldn’t help but think that he had been bought by the Jeon family. His role in all of this was made clear to him in that instant. He was nothing but a prized possession for the Jeon heir. A decorative piece to accompany him to his galas and events. Nothing more.
He hated himself when the first sight of his fiancé stole his breath away and his heart started pounding away in his chest from the sound of his voice.
He knew that he shouldn’t get attached, that this would only end in disaster. But Taehyung was a weak, weak man. And Jungkook stole his heart with nothing but one glance.
End of Flashback
Taehyung cried himself to sleep beside his husband. He didn’t know then that this would be the moment when their love story truly began.