Chapter Text
Dark envelops the sky as time runs to welcome the night, bathing every corner in inky shadows and misty coldwaves.
It’s autumn, a bit cold. Chilly.
The hospital’s atmosphere matches it. Just a bit more crowded and happening.
Nurses go in and out of the patient’s wards while doctors roam for final rounds of the night. It quietens soon.
Silence hovers as Jungkook walks a bit freely on the fourth floor, headed to his cabin. Hands tucked in lab coats’ pocket, humming a low tune, he moves without any second thought.
Unaware of what awaits him.
Soon he’ll be heading home, shift resting almost at the end phase. The joy of being free after a long day makes him uncaring of the sudden emptiness on the fourth floor, hallways quieter than usual.
It should be concerning, should ring alarming bells but he stays ignorant.
The door to his cabin comes into view and he twists it open, whistling while heading inside.
It takes him a second, a quick second glance to notice a man sitting on the examination bed out of nowhere. Out of set OPD hours.
He’s bloodied. Injured. In need of help.
But his stance screams ease and nonchalance. Completely uncaring of multiple wounds littered on his body.
Jungkook startles, then grimaces before raising his brows at the familiar face.
Same that comes to him almost every fifth night, severely injured and in need of immediate medical assistance. However, it’s not a normal patient looking for medical care.
He’s hidden from the world, never to be seen so publicly with those bruises which seem to always adorn his face as a mark of victory, courage and never to make him ugly.
It’s fascinating how smug someone can appear even in such circumstances.
“You’re here again?” Jungkook asks, folding his arms over his chest, looking straight at him.
This is almost a routine. One he can’t get used to.
But courage runs in his veins, preventing from losing sanity in front of a completely bloodied and definitely dangerous stranger.
The latter hums, pushing out a small smile, grunting a bit to pull himself up from slumping on the wall behind. He can sit straight now, the sight of his favorite doctor immediately dulling the pain.
“I am.” He murmurs with a nod. “Had to.”
Jungkook doesn’t buy it, “Who did you fight with this time?”
Taehyung just shakes his head, deeming it unnecessary. “Someone I won’t have to care about anymore. He was causing trouble.”
It’s said so easily as if such a declaration wouldn’t put you behind bars. But he isn’t the one who would be caught under any circumstances.
“Did you severely hurt someone?”
Worse. It hangs in the air.
There’s a chuckle, not humorous at all. “Look at me.” He points on the cuts on his arms and clothed chest, bruises on his face. “Do you think the one doing this much harm will be left unscathed?”
It’s silent.
“You’re not naive, angel. It’s futile to ask me and hoping for a different answer.”
The insinuation is crystal clear.
Jungkook squints his eyes, not liking how casually he gets addressed with nicknames by a human like him. “My bad. But you should head to the ER for treatment. There’s no use in sitting here.”
He knows it won’t happen. Taehyung never went there, all for reasons known to him.
The response is expected.
“But there is. You are here now.”
Absolutely not.
“I’m heading home. But you already know it.”
He does.
“I do.” However, it doesn’t mean anything. “Doesn’t mean anything though. You’ll be patching me up and then you’re free to go.”
There’s really no way out.
In a way his heart hammers at the sight of those familiar wounds on Taehyung, face filled with marks of a clear fight. It makes him uneasy despite it being an everyday thing with different patients.
But after months of treating Taehyung, it bothers him. Him being hurt. It renders him helpless to refuse and go in his merry way.
He can do that, but refrains.
Soon he sees a gun being pulled out of his hostler, Taehyung casually putting it on the bed with no care.
“I thought you stopped threatening me weeks ago.” He accuses, glaring at the offensive weapon kept on his examination table, as if it was nothing. Just a regular occurrence.
Like a reminder of where he has ended up with no possible way out.
“I did stop.” Taehyung declares, matching his gaze and making himself comfortable. “It’s not for you. I was just trying to sit more freely.”
Alright.
“Come here, angel. I’ve been waiting for a while now.”
Jungkook wants to say no, straightaway. Still he diverts. “I can’t. Someone might come looking for me soon.”
What an excuse. Taehyung raises his brows, deadpanned.
“I’m sure you’re clearly aware that no one will be here for a while, especially for you.”
He knows. Realizes how empty the entire floor was earlier, devoid of any presence. No one ever knocks on his door until Taehyung’s there.
It’s hard to figure out how he does it. But Jungkook has stopped questioning this when it comes to the man in front.
Who’s eagerly waiting for him to cross that distance and lessen it.
“Stop stalling, doctor. You have a patient to look after.” It’s almost an order, just missing direct instructions and a sprinkle of threat.
There’s no choice. As always.
Jungkook sighs and walks forward, stopping to stand right in front of the examination bed to assess the myriad of injuries littering on his body.
Tons of cuts on his arms, chest clearly bloodied, showing up from the tattered shirt hanging off his frame. A few bruises on his cheeks, a busted lip from the corner and reddened eyes. In short, he looks… bad.
Clearly saved from a brutal fight.
“Look at you grimacing like this. Is it that bad for you to be worried?” Taehyung jumps in the middle of inspection, halting his raking eyes.
“I’m not worried.”
Partially true. The latter catches it.
“Then start treating me. Why do you look hesitant?”
“I was just analysing your wounds.” He groans and picks up a cotton swab to start cleaning from his face. “Sit still.”
Taehyung does. Sits without moving an inch while Jungkook works on every nook and corner. It’s always like this. Complete, undisturbed silence.
It should be easy to do this. The routine pushed him to get used to it.
However, Jungkook fidgets, focusing on dabbing the cotton ball softly on every part to clear it out despite an unwavering gaze trained upon him.
With silence comes the staring.
Right on his face. So close. Every move being monitored with a silly stare.
Jungkook can never get used to it. How Taehyung makes it his mission to train his attention solely on him. Not a word here, not a glance there.
Just him and only him.
It’s overwhelming. Always too much.
“Stop staring.” He can’t help but point out.
It pulls out a smirk exactly like he imagined. Too smug. “What am I supposed to do then?”
“Stare somewhere else.”
There’s a tsk.
“I like this view better. It’s the prettiest one. Don’t you think so, angel?”
And there’s this. Compliments. Out of nowhere.
All made to fluster him which he hides well.
“Close your eyes.” He dodges the question and hears a grunt before complying. Jungkook doesn’t know how to respond to the obvious flirting. Mainly because it comes from someone… questionable, criminal.
After applying the ointment and bandages, his lids blink open again, continuing the one sided staring competition. Jungkook wants to wrap a layer of gauge over his eyes but refrains before his mind can approve this insanity.
Taehyung is distracting and for various reasons.
The doctor hardly patches up his face and neck before moving to the tougher part. His gaze morphs into a glare as Taehyung spreads his legs to aid Jungkook in standing between them, his smug smile telling a different story.
Next comes the shirt. He grabs a pair of scissors and professionally cuts it to avoid dragging the material against his wounds.
They’re definitely worse than the ones on his arms and neck. A few knife cuts, not too deep, bruises over the already scarred skin from years of fight, each one telling a different story.
He sometimes wishes to rake a hand over those, softly caress while hearing how brutally he got each one. Taehyung definitely has thousands of tales to display, secrets dug deep within.
Shaking his head to blow unwanted thoughts, he focuses on analyzing every cut, swiftly getting to disinfect them. They could’ve been worse. That’s all his heart supplies to placate itself.
Despite everything, he doesn’t like seeing him in pain constantly or taking those injuries like nothing. How most human things are usually not expressed by him under the veil of a strong man.
His fingers itch to soothe everytime Taehyung comes to him all battered up.
And he does what he should, every single time.
Is it moral to hide and treat a man who probably hurts many on a daily basis? Jungkook gulps that thought down, justifying it as his duty as a doctor.
His mind recoils for a minute as a hand comes to flick his chin, playfully. It doesn’t always happen. Some days he tends to be content with staring, on others he tries to be a bit forward.
Tonight seems to be the latter.
“Don’t.” Jungkook warns, only to be pulled closer by a push on the back of his thighs, aided by Taehyung’s legs dangling from the bed. He’s definitely in a mood.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
This man. Seriously.
“Let me do my work peacefully and don’t try anything.” His words come off stern but not like they do anything to affect Taehyung.
“I’m not.” He himself doesn’t believe this, just happy to be testing him. “I was helping you so you can inspect more clearly.”
Clearly, no.
Jungkook scoffs and resumes wrapping up his wounds carefully, covering every spot with precision.
It doesn’t take long. His hands work on muscle memory.
But he can’t help and comment. “What’s the use of all this?”
That catches him off-guard. It definitely sounds more like a complaint than pure curiosity. Almost as if he’s bothered by this.
Taehyung wishes to confirm. “What do you mean?”
Jungkook finishes the last bandage on his arm and keeps staring at it, heaving out a long sigh. “This… fighting and getting hurt every other day. What’s the point? I don’t understand.”
Right. That.
“It’s a part of my life.” He shrugs, nonchalant. “It’s normal. Power doesn’t come easily. We need to make sacrifices.”
It’s not tempting at all. “Power?” Something he doesn’t want to think about. “I don’t think it’s worth it. Whatever you do is dangerous and nothing can be tempting enough to end up in hospital every time.”
He’s right but Taehyung has different viewpoints. A soft-hearted doctor like him won’t be able to wrap his head around it.
He says as much, “It’s addicting, angel. Once you get a taste, it’s impossible to back out. I see the appeal and you don’t. Just different preferences.”
Maybe, but he’s too opposed to it. “Your morals are messed up.”
“I’m aware of that.” Not like he cares. It’s whatever. What he cares about is his sudden displeasure regarding Taehyung’s mystery work. Sure he can make out what he does.
It’s not everyday Jungkook talks this much. Not to him. Not so casually.
The doctor prefers staying quiet until Taehyung decides to leave with patched wounds. He stopped questioning once knowing the latter wouldn’t provide direct answers nor he would stop.
Not that he should care.
Suddenly, he’s pulled in towards Taehyung by a hand on his hips, body lurching in as he finds refuge on Taehyung’s shoulders with a loud yelp.
“What are you even trying to do?” He complains, irritated.
Taehyung just smiles at the proximity and the bewildered doctor between his legs who looks close to flushing bright red. He's so cute.
“How long are you going to ignore me?” He asks, gaining courage to finally do so. It's been a game of push and pull since a while now, but he has refrained from being too forward all this while.
Maybe it's the end of his patience and passiveness.
Not that passive, but for Taehyung not getting something at once is not a regular occurrence.
Whatever he wants, he gets by the next hour. Including humans who catch his eye.
By force or by their own will.
But with Jungkook he's been cautious, a little considerate with his actions. Something the other should appreciate in his opinion.
Jungkook yelps, looking fish-mouthed at him. “I wouldn't be here if I was actually ignoring you.”
Taehyung doesn't buy it. “What about my actions and words that you've been cleverly avoiding since the beginning? Hmm, angel?”
His tone is sweet, sugary.
Enough to melt anyone and pull them in a deeper cave of temptation, offering attention and honeyed words.
He's not the one to melt this easily though.
So with a menacing glare he dips closer, ignoring the hands on his sides and looks pointedly at the tender orbs pleased with their closeness. He can almost feel his breath on his face, it’s heart thumping.
“Whatever you’re trying to do, it won’t happen.” He grabs his shoulders and gives a rough shake to get that point across his head.
Taehyung purposefully winces, refusing to let his grip loosen under any circumstance. “I’m injured. You should be gentle with me.”
That earns him a quick smack in the same place, but with minimal force. Barely causing any pain.
He’s careful. Alright.
“Gentle and you don’t really go together. With the way you smile through treatment, these—” He points to his wounds, “don’t really matter to you.”
A smirk replaces the soft smile, “So you have been observing me.” He makes a note. “That’s interesting.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes, not at all amused. “Hard not to when you’re right in front of me with that stupid smile on your face all the time.”
“Stupid smile?” The fact that a similar expression shows up on his face just proves his point. “I guess I’ll take it.”
Not that he has a choice. He’ll probably take any observation coming from the pretty doctor who has long captivated his attention. Precisely a year back.
“Why do you always end up here? Like there are many options.” Jungkook enquires, trying his best to not look at his naked torso that’s too close to touching him. It’s distracting.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
It is. However, he doesn’t wish to acknowledge it.
“Not as much.”
Taehyung shakes his head, slowly to not jolt the man almost leaning on him for support with hands on his shoulders. “Do you really believe I can’t find doctors who would work solely for me if offered a hefty sum of money? Options are neverending, however I have different goals.”
Jungkook is surprised, genuinely so. “Wait, you have doctors working under you?”
“You shouldn’t be this surprised. I have a very efficient medical team.”
Maybe, he shouldn’t. It makes sense for a man dealing with illegal works to have everything under his wing without getting outed or compromised by anyone.
Still he’s shocked.
“A team?” It comes out loud, disbelief laced in it. He always thought Taehyung didn’t have many places to go and get treated so he captured one prey and threatened to do it for him. “Then why do you…”
This is amusing.
“Who do you think I am?” Taehyung has to ask, waiting for a response. He thought Jungkook would have an idea.
He takes a minute to think, looking everywhere but at the man on the examination table, who has him between his legs dangling off the surface. “I don’t know… a gang member or their boss? Maybe the one deals with illegal businesses?”
Taehyung hums, “You got one part right. For the rest… I’ll leave you to imagine.”
This won’t work though.
“If you have everything available, then why do you always come here?” This has been eating him for so long, a tangled mess he found himself in.
“I think it was given.” Taehyung wants to shake his head again, but he does the opposite. Pulls Jungkook in, nearly making him lose his balance as their foreheads collide, a shout following it.
“Can you stop!” Jungkook bellows, finding no way to actually pull himself back again.
He does try. Puts pressure on his chest to get stable on his feet. Though a yelp resonates, too real to not consider.
“Don’t move, angel. It’ll hurt if you pull back.” Physical or emotional pain, he doesn’t specify.
Jungkook listens at once, afraid for the newly patched wounds and bruises healing under ointment. He would never purposefully cause anyone any kind of pain. Never.
It goes more for the man holding him. Something he brushes off.
“You can’t be that clueless.” He whispers right there, catching Jungkook’s eye when he looks up once. “It’s true that I don’t have to come here, but I do like it here better.”
Jungkook huffs, glaring next. “Why?”
He so desires those answers from him. It’s cute.
“Want me to say it?” Taehyung smiles, not breaking eye contact. He just loves how close they are, merely a few inches apart. Something he has always desired when it came to this doctor. “I think I’ve found my favorite doctor and now I don’t wish to be treated by anyone else. Does that answer your question?”
Jungkook blinks, trying to let the words sink, right to the cave where he rested after melting under his gaze earlier. It reaches soon, causing his heart to start pumping a beat faster.
Having an inkling and hearing it being confirmed are two different aspects.
He experiences both with this confession.
There are real words supporting his visits now.
He’s so in trouble.
“What if that doctor doesn’t like you?”
Whispers jingle, forming a safe sense of bubble in which they talk after months. Right onto the topic that should’ve been discussed way before.
Taehyung’s been flirty, hot mouthed and expressive even before. But Jungkook’s passiveness has been evident, not even a word uttered out of professionalism.
Until now.
He hates how smug Taehyung is at this moment, uncaring if his back breaks with the way he’s been half standing and slightly leaning onto him for so long.
“That would be awful if it was true. But it isn’t.” He replies with confidence that rests right atop his broad shoulders, never wavering.
Jungkook scoffs this time, done with it. “You’re so full of yourself.”
“All for the right reasons.”
Something that’s hard to deny.
Criminal or not. He’s a fine man.
Sculpted face, drool worthy muscles, tall, tan and owner of a deep sexy voice.
If the situation was different, Jungkook would’ve been sold on the first meet.
In a few minutes of silence, Taehyung decides to take two steps forward, gaining some courage to actually go for it. Having such a pretty thing in your arm surely surges his confidence.
Playing fairly isn’t his cup of tea.
So he moves, starts to lean in near Jungkook’s face, mouth just an inch shy from touching his. The air heightens and his mind runs in an overdrive to just kiss him.
Though Jungkook gets alert and pulls out of their position completely. Away from the man who now sports a glare of his own, groaning at the suddenness of it. He was soooo close.
“Don’t even think of doing that! And stop playing with me.” His anger doubles, shout coming off much louder than intended.
Not that anyone would hear him, except for the men Taehyung might have told to guard the floor. He does it so seamlessly it gives him whiplashes.
“I’m not here to play you.” He doesn’t have ill-intentions, not towards him at least. “But you’ve been testing my patience for quite long.”
Jungkook takes big steps to go to the other side of the room and starts packing his things with an aggressive flare. “I can’t do these puzzles. Testing your patience, how?”
Without warning, a chest comes to touch his back, Taheyung now standing right behind him without making any noise. So skilled at sneaking up.
“You don’t realize how pretty you are.” He murmurs, noticing how he isn’t being pushed away or how Jungkook just resumes aligning his things into a bag. “And so skilled. Exactly what I need at times. Isn’t that a steal deal for me?”
He really wants to growl and tell him off. But it’s of no use. Not when all the points Taehyung makes are so real. He’s a package deal. Perfect for someone like him.
“It is.” He admits, the hair on his nape standing up as he rests his chin on Jungkook's shoulders, gluing himself more. “But maybe you’re not getting what you want for the very first time.”
There’s a small huff, maybe a chuckle. It makes his cheeks warm with how Taehyung must be enjoying this.
“I heard a ‘maybe’. That’s better than nothing.” It’s so smug, just so him. “I know how to turn maybe’s into a ‘yes’.”
“Not this time.”
Another chuckle. More menacing.
“I don’t think you realize but I’ve won half of the battle.”
Jungkook’s mind reels.
Perhaps he’s right about partially winning this.
He has the doctor in his arms, without being pushed away, has been treated by him for all these months without getting outed to the authorities. The threats played a crucial role to his compliance and was a major factor for long.
But now?
He isn’t sure anymore.
Because the proximity is delicious, tempting. It's hard to find courage and pull away.
He’s not looking for something with him, but it would be a lie to say Taehyung doesn’t intrigue him.
However, it’s not going to end up anymore due to his working profile. Jungkook doesn’t approve of his ways to live.
“Keep dreaming.”
He says and just when Taehyung’s nose comes in contact with his nape, the door bursts open, a man hurling in without any warning.
They separate with a jerk, looking back to see Jimin, one of Taehyung’s trusted members, eyeing them with a face of slight alarm. It seems he’s in a hurry.
“It’s been an hour. We need to leave.” He says, looking pointedly at Taehyung who’s near fuming with the unwanted intervention.
“Who told you to barge in without knocking?” Clearly, he isn’t in the mood to leave the tension they’ve built and a flare of newness surrounding them.
But Jimin doesn’t have time to respond to these little complaints. “The hospital staff will be on this floor to check and lock rooms soon. We don’t want them to be seeing all of this.”
He really doesn’t have a choice.
“You should go.” This time Jungkook speaks up, stealing his gaze from wandering towards the half naked man. “My shift ended long ago. There will be questions if I stay here.”
Taehyun groans, reluctantly putting on a new shirt brought by Jimin, who’s out of the room by now and gets dressed. Neither utter a word but the slowed movements happen seem to be intentional, giving them a few more minutes to stay here.
He waits till Jungkook’s done packing and goes to exit his cabin, a bag in hand and car keys in another.
Taehyung catches up and briskly walks to whisper in his ear.
“I might visit you tonight.”
Jungkook’s steps halt, while the latter disappears from his view soon.
It’s scary. A man so dangerous, who apparently knows his address without it being revealed and will probably come to his home later.
This thought makes him gulp, throat getting drier by every second.
He has never done this.
Taehyung’s visits were limited to the hospital. But after this short confession today, he’s taking a huge leap to let go of that slow pace. Waiting wouldn’t do him any good when Jungkook’s so skeptical even after months of regular visits.
Was he scared? Yes.
Terrified? Absolutely; not knowing what to expect.
“What have I gotten myself into…”
°°°°°
The air inside his pristine apartment is still. Too quiet for a person living there.
After returning home, it takes him a few minutes to check the premises for an unknown presence, body nearly shaking with every step he takes.
It's nerve-wrecking to think someone might be there, waiting for him.
Taehyung’s words clearly ring in his ears, loud and repeating. That self invitation to Jungkook’s place ringing in front.
Being careful is the only way when people like Taehyung can be anywhere at any time without anyone getting a hint of their arrival.
He's terrified, rightfully so.
Finding the apartment empty does a little to placate him. Only a little.
What worries him is the upcoming night. Everything's unpredictable. Questionable.
Why would he even want to come here? And the reason for doing so?
Blank.
For what he is, barging inside his place is a huge possibility. Even breaking in sounds more realistic.
Something he isn't ready for.
Dinner goes in vain as he keeps looking at the unmoving curtains, locked windows and doors and just about every place which could be opened anytime.
He doesn't feel at ease.
For the first time, he's afraid of sleeping alone.
Not that Taehyung has ever done anything to harm him. He never did. Always stayed at a respectful distance though his ways to lock a meeting with him were far from normal.
He's conflicted and out of positive thoughts.
Though what went a few hours back helps him to straighten up with a bit of courage.
He knows how Taehyung acts around him, how forward he can get. But Jungkook isn't the one to take everything as the other might want.
His boundaries will be respected in one way or other. He'll make sure of it.
Hours pass but there's no activity except the drag of slippers that he takes along with him to the kitchen to clean the dishes.
His ears stay strained even while the nightly routine follows, eventually leading up to him getting inside the covers in his well made bed.
Everything seems normal, like everyday.
Maybe he isn't coming after all?
He heaves a sigh before sleep begins to rest heavy on his lids.
It should be a good thing. It's just like every other day. But why does his heart pump a little heavier, holding an unwanted thought of apprehension, which he forcefully ignores.
Taehyung’s words being a lie shouldn't bother him. But it's disappointing how a man with big words always turns out to be empty in the real game.
Though it's none of his business. Not that he'll be thinking about it tomorrow.
°°°°°
It turns out to be right.
With the hectic schedule and twelve hour shift that started at six in the morning, Jungkook pushes everything in the back of his mind.
As always.
It's a routine.
Taehyung visits, says a few things, lands a threat or two when he becomes difficult and leaves with a promise of another time.
And Jungkook pushes it back the next day.
However, yesterday was varied from normal. Taehyung was forward, touchy and openly suggestive with his words and intentions.
Jungkook learned a bit more than before. About the reasons he ends up beside him.
It's mind boggling. Confusing.
Fortunately with tons of patients and a mountain of responsibilities, he doesn't have the time to think.
Day passes on a whim and soon it's near six thirty when he prepares to get off work.
Until his phone rings.
“Hello, Mingyu?” He picks up at once, happy to see his friend's name on the screen.
It's almost a month since they last had a talk and probably three since they met.
“Hey! Are you free now, kook?” Mingyu asks with a hint of urgency, as if he has prepared something.
Jungkook hums, looking at the clock with the bigger hand pointing at six and the smaller at one.
“Technically yes, I will be free in like twenty minutes. Why are you asking?”
There's a muffled voice, maybe of him rolling in bed, until he speaks again. “Would you want to go to a local concert with me?”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. I had two tickets but someone cancelled at the last minute and I don't want to go alone. So you are coming no matter what!”
Jungkook bites his bottom lip and assesses his state in the medium sized mirror. Disheveled, tired and exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes convey a similar tale.
He's not fit to go out.
“I look like a tired panda after this full day shift. I would rather rest than go out.”
Mingyu tsks, not taking any excuses. “You're not getting off this time, Jungkook. Get ready, make yourself the hot sexy man that you are and have fun for one day.”
“I don't know, Mingyu–” He's cut off immediately.
“I'm not hearing anything! We don't get time to hang out, so shut up. You have an hour to go home and get ready.”
With that the line cuts off and Jungkook sighs, preparing his mind for the unusual task added to his schedule.
But it's going to be fun, isn't it?
°°°°°
Concerts are fun. Definitely a lot more hyped than you can imagine through videos lurking on the internet.
And Jungkook finds himself enjoying more than he imagined.
The groovy beats, hundreds of voices singing along, loud cheers hyping it all up. Jungkook is soon mingling with the crowd, letting out shouts of his own.
His mind rests free at some point in the night, body swaying with the enchanting flare.
Out of nowhere, a body collides with his own, the action brushed off as a mistake due to the crowd. It doesn't faze him, until the man speaks up.
“Hey, are you with someone?”
Jungkook sees a rather good looking guy dressed in a t-shirt and some jeans. A young man sporting a look he has witnessed multiple times.
“Yeah, I'm with my friend.” He points at Mingyu jumping quite high a few feet ahead. He's totally immersed in joy.
The man smiles as if he heard something of his liking. “A friend? That's good.”
Jungkook just hums, focusing on the stage. He isn't here to mingle with others. Thank you.
“Are you a fan?”
Yeah he's really interested in talking, unlike Jungkook.
“Nah. He forced me to come but I'm having fun.”
The latter nods, not taking his eyes off him. With another push his arm comes to find balance on Jungkook’s shoulder, who tries to break free but a lot more subtly.
However, the arm stays there. That man probably finds it all working to his plan.
“It's so crowded.” He grins for no reason. “By the way, I'm Sameul. And you?”
It's too stuffy, clearly not to his liking. Definitely not with the man hanging off him. His intentions are so clear and unwanted.
“I uh… can you–” Before he can push him away, his phone rings and he finally finds a way to avoid him.
“Wait a second, I have a call.” He just hopes it's not an emergency.
Unknown number. Strange.
“Hello?” There's no sound for a minute but he notices the hand disappearing from his shoulder. “Is anyone there?”
A faint breath.
Silent but intentional.
He shouts once again.
“I'll hang up if you–”
“Angel.”
The world slips beneath his feet.
He instantly takes a double take on the screen, trying to find something familiar.
He knows this voice. Has heard that specific word spoken to his ear more times he can count.
But why was he calling him after lying to him?
“Did I send you to another dimension or…”
It breaks him off his silent monologue. This is really Taehyung.
“What do you want?” It comes off naturally.
“I think I've already answered that.” There's a sigh. “But hear it again. I want you.”
“Taehyung, you–” He closes his eyes at the familiar words, forgetting everything around him. “Why are you calling me?”
Taehyung hums casually. “I was forced to.” He can sense the confusion without it being uttered. “You forced me to call you.”
“How?”
So naive.
“I was content watching you from afar, but then you decided to get close to unknown men and well… that's not acceptable now. Is it?”
What the hell?
“I wasn't… what?” Jungkook immediately moves his head to look around, locating heads of jumping individuals but not Taehyung.
“You're here?”
“I am.”
Absolutely crazy.
“I can't see you.”
“You won't be able to, until I want you to.”
With that the line goes silent and a hand comes to grab his own.
Jungkook yelps but gets pulled by a strong grip, too tight to pull away. He doesn't know what's happening but till he's out of the crowd his mind has fogged up with the turn of events.
“This is exactly who you should be with.”
And he's pushed to a huge tree, the trunk colliding rather lightly with his back. Not so harsh.
The face that comes in front of him is Taehyung’s.
Of course that's him.
Wide grin, an arched brow, proud cheeks and blinding smile. Jungkook doesn't know how to react.
“Taehyung…” He whispers, still shaken from the sudden turn of events.
“Yeah, angel. It's me.”
It's familiar. A bit fond.
Jungkook’s head spins.
“Were you following me?” That's a logical start.
Taehyung scrunches his face before deciding the answer. “Not really.”
“Then how did you know where I was?”
“It's not tough to find out.” He shrugs, standing just a foot away. “Technically, it wasn't me following you but I have people who give me updates whenever I want.”
Doesn't make it better for sure.
But Jungkook just sighs, there's no point.
“How long have you been watching me?” He asks, curious.
Taehyung smirks before tilting his head. Attractive. “Since you arrived.”
“This is not okay.”
“I know.”
There's really no point in going back and forth.
Jungkook tilts his head on the trunk and looks up at the sky, only to be blocked by a thick leafy foliage of the tree. There's really no escape.
However, the latter seems to be enjoying this. The way his eyes scan Jungkook, stops at some points irks him.
“What?” He says, irritated.
There's that smirk again. “I must admit, seeing you out of the hospital setting is veryyyy different. I like it.”
This is not the time to blush but Jungkook does nonethless. Albeit a lot more mutely. Compliments sure do their work every single time.
“It's nothing special.” He tries to brush it off.
But Taehyung is adamant. “Tank top, cropped leather jacket, pants and bucket hat. I'd say it's pretty special. You're a cool doctor.”
A smile threatens to come over but Jungkook maintains the stoic face, glaring at him. “Enough with the flattery. Tell me why did you pull me away from the crowd.”
This wipes out the usual easiness of Taehyung who now glares back, remembering something. “I should be asking that. Who was that guy?”
“Who?”
“The one who was leaning on you.” He spits the words out, the thought messing him up.
Jungkook has seen a smiley, flirty and a pain clad Taehyung. But what is this? Anger?
Or maybe… jealousy?
“That wasn't…” He realises who he was talking about. “I don't know him but he wanted to talk.”
“Wanted to talk or he wanted to get in your pants.”
Forever blunt. Straight to the point.
This crime boss doesn't know how to filter his words.
Maybe he should have because Jungkook gasps and hits him on the chest, mouth agape at the shamelessness. “He wasn't! Stop projecting.”
“I'm not projecting. Yeah like I do want that but we match and he doesn't fit anywhere in this equation.”
He's going to lose his mind. “What are you even saying at this point?”
Taehyung calms down and puts hands on his waist to appear intimidating. “What I'm saying is, he touched you and I'm going to break his arm.”
Absolutely not.
“Taehyung!”
“I'm listening.”
“You aren't doing anything of that sort, oh my god!”
The latter just scoffs, not on board with his suggestion.
“I will.”
“I'm not treating you next time you come to me.”
Perfect threat. It actually works.
“Fine.” He groans, displeased at letting his prey go. “Don't get close to random men then.”
Jungkook’s about to hit his head somewhere. “I don't have time for that and even if I do, it shouldn't be of your concern.”
It ticks him in the wrong way.
“You're mine. Why wouldn't it concern me?” He says, straightforwardly.
“I'm not yours till I say otherwise. How are you so violent all the freaking time? Such a damn entitled man thinking everything is his and doesn't even–”
His angry train prepares to go on for longer but Taehyung pushes the brakes, not willing to hear him curse by the end of it.
Fuming Jungkook is cute but he'd rather not experience it today.
“Do you want to see the rest of the concert?” He tries to distract him and it works as Jungkook looks owlishly at him.
“I… yeah.”
Perfect.
“We can go together.”
Jungkook panics, wide eyed. “Wait! Why and what will I tell Mingyu?”
That’s not an issue. “I’ll handle it.”
°°°°°
He holds the doctor's wrist and pulls him back towards the crowd without giving any time to comprehend anything. While the latter scrambles to follow his pace, not sure how this is going to turn out.
When he left the house, Taehyung going after him or proposing to see the concert with him never crossed his mind. But this man was unpredictable on another level.
This time when he steps in the crowd it’s with a different feeling. A bit reserved but in a good way. There’s a hand holding his, a man guiding him and he has to just follow without a second thought.
It’s so easy. Probably very ideal.
He doesn’t hate it.
In no time they reach the designated spot beside Mingyu who looks worried sick at his absence, looking here and there to locate him.
Oh no. There will be questions.
Just in time Taehyung pulls him in front so he can stand beside his friend and positions himself just behind Jungkook. How convenient.
“Where were you?” His friend asks as soon as he spots him.
“I uh.. went to the restrooms. You were busy jumping around so I just thought I shouldn’t disturb you.” He replies sheepishly, hoping Mingyu will ignore the presence behind him.
But he does.
“It took you so much time though. You scared me.” Mingyu rightfully complains before glancing a curious look behind. “Who’s this?”
Right. What was he supposed to say?
Thankfully Taehyung intervenes as he said he would. “I’m one of his regular patients.” He passes a smile, conversing politely. “We bumped outside the seating area, so I decided to catch up.”
“Yeah.” Jungkook adds on, unhelpfully.
Mingyu seems to be thinking before he buys it. Or pretends to. Jungkook doesn’t really care as long as there are no direct questions.
“Okay.” He drags out and turns to face the stage again. Jungkook nearly sighs at his dismissal.
It doesn’t take long for the looming presence to ease out as he begins to enjoy the concert again, vibing to the music. Taehyung keeps quiet for once, opting to observe rather than comment.
It’s better like this.
He can be himself without worrying about anything while the crime boss does what he does best; observe everything carefully.
Especially his person of interest.
Jungkook.
The pretty doctor in his own element. Free of worries, tense chores and long shifts. While he’ll return to it tomorrow, this span of time is just his to enjoy.
The crowd aids in keeping them close, but neither mind for sure. Jungkook can feel Taehyung’s chest on his back at all times, the latter probably enjoying it more than he can imagine.
He finds this situation better than the unwanted man who was here before.
To name him, the same person nudges him again, sporting the same grin. “Hey, where did you go?”
Jungkook looks at the side with furrowed brows. “I had to take a call.”
He doesn’t wish to talk further but Sameul sure makes it his mission. “Got it. So as I was saying–”
Samuel doesn’t get to complete because a man cages Jungkook completely, away from his reach. His hands come to rest on the railing as the doctor gets trapped there, perfectly in his arms.
“Hey you—” His eyes go wide at the blatant display, mouth pulling into a snarl. “This isn’t appropriate.”
Taehyung could barf at those words. How performative. “He’s with me.” It’s said at once. Loud and clear. Leaving no room for doubts.
Samuel doesn’t believe it. “He said he came here alone.”
“He did. But now I’m accompanying him. Is there a problem?” He straight up challenges, glaring at his fuming orbs.
Jungkook looks back and forth between them, finding it hard to intervene. They’re stubborn and look seconds away from jumping onto each other, the venues’ energy hyping them up.
“He didn’t say you were with him. And I’m just trying to talk, so you better back off.”
That is certainly not the right thing to say because right then, Taehyung moves to pull the gun from his hostler, ready to teach him a lesson in front of all. He’ll have ways to get out of here undetected if it comes to that.
But a softer hand comes to stop him before he could actually pull this stunt. He sees Jungkook looking back at him, orbs wide in alarm as the sheen screams at him to just let go and not do something stupid.
There’s a subtle shake of head, clearly telling him no.
The thought of causing trouble around such an innocent soul restricts him from actually doing it.
With a deep breath he lets the idea go and takes Jungkook’s hand with him to rest on the barricade, only to cover it with his own.
Jungkook easily complies and it offers a great sense of relief, immediately putting his mind at once.
“You better not piss me off. And stay away!” He growls without glancing at Sameul’s way, letting the aggression in his voice do the work.
It does work with the way that man stops asking them anything further or aggravating Taehyung on purpose.
To use this opportunity to the fullest, Taehyung glues himself to Jungkook’s back, mimicking the position in the doctor’s cabin before they were interrupted.
This time there’s nothing pulling them away. Nor Jungkook is doing anything except squirming a little like a bunny. At one point the doctor finds it hard to freely jump to the beat due to strong arms caging his body.
Technically, they’re not holding him, rather are kept around to have his thrumming body in between.
He’s warm. Too warm from the sweaty and fired air surrounding the entire arena.
Also from the silent man guarding his back for almost an hour.
It’s surprising but nice. He’s probably too high on energy and fun to not see the depth of it. But right now, he doesn’t regret anything.
Mingyu passes a few looks here and there but he realizes it's a worry for another day.
“I like seeing you like this.” Taehyung says in his ear out of nowhere, not moving an inch.
The body behind is sturdy. Warm.
And Jungkook doesn’t mind leaning on it when his legs hurt. More so when there isn’t a single complaint. Rather he’s allowed to let go of his weight as Taehyung handles it all.
This is definitely nice.
“Like what?” He breathily says, starting to get tired.
Taehyung hears him loud and clear amidst chaos. “Like this. Happy and in your own element. You’re never carefree otherwise.”
“All for a reason. Imagine a doctor being carefree in his everyday life when they have to work most of the time. I’ll be putting my patients in danger like this.” He attempts to keep it light, ignoring how hearing that comment made him feel nicer.
He likes this carelessness too. At times it’s necessary.
“I was just saying.” Taehyung follows his pace, mutely adoring how casually they’re talking right now. Anyone looking in their direction would assume them to be a couple. It's what he wishes to turn true. “I know what your work demands, my angel.”
He chooses not to say anything to that.
But the latter continues. “I wish you could enjoy like this more often.”
He wishes that too. “Tough luck. Enjoyment doesn’t come that easily. Though I choose this line and I don’t mind it.”
“But you can try to make more time for yourself.”
Jungkook can. More so if there's a catalyst in his life to spend time with. All the free time goes in his apartment, pampering himself, watching a series or doing mundane things, but rarely some outdoor activity.
Occasional outings with his colleagues don't count.
“I can.” He agrees right away, without mentioning the latter part. It’s no use saying he needs someone to spend time with.
There’s almost an inkling but he can hear Taehyung thinking about something related to their talk. It can turn out to be positive or probably negative as far as his track record goes.
“That can be managed.” He says as if he can read Jungkook’s thoughts. In one way or another.
Jungkook doesn’t ponder much because the man behind him is warm, easy to let himself lose without a care of falling on his dead feet, and most importantly he’s not being annoying.
He can work with that for now.
Can live a dream till he wakes up.