He stood there. Because memories from the past flickered in front...

He still remembered that day like it was just yesterday when he met Jungkook.
A twenty-year-old Taehyung was on his way to the staff room, holding a bunch of files in his hands.
"Taehyung, come here," His homeroom teacher's voice stopped him in his tracks.
#taekookau #taekook
"Taehyung, this is your new classmate. His name is Jungkook. Give him a tour of our campus and explain to him our class schedules, okay?" She said, and Taehyung could only nod in response.
'A transfer student?' he guessed.
The boy in front of him was breathtaking. He was unable to move his eyes from Jungkook.
He wanted to step forward and trace every inch of Jungkook's features with his fingertips.
"Hi Taehyung-ssi, I'm Jeon Jungkook," The boy politely bowed. Taehyung felt his heart beating faster.
His voice.
Oh God, it held the perfect thickness with a gentle touch of honey softness.
#taekookau
The promise he made to himself that he would never fall for someone and would focus on studies only, was fading from his mind.
The exact moment Taehyung got to know about him being gay.
He laughed at his inner confession. He should act normal, right?
Yeah, he should. It was love at first sight for Taehyung.
#taekookau #taekook
"Let's go, Jungkook. You'll love it here and I will make you comfortable here — NO! I.. I mean... our classmates will make you
Embarrassment was what he felt at that moment. Too much to act normal.
But in the middle of his misery, he got to hear the sweetest melody, Jungkook's laughter.
#taekookau
"So what are your hobbies, Taehyung?" Jungkook asked him. His eyes roamed on Taehyung's face.
"Staying in the library?" Taehyung blurted out. He shut his eyes and bit his tongue.
"Nice hobby, I guess. Reading books has it's own charm. You guys create a different world of fiction within yourself." Did Jungkook praise him instead of making fun?
Oh man, talk about the standards he raised.
It was the first time when someone understood him.
"And your hobbies?" he asked.
#taekookau
Taehyung playfully snickered.
"You're looking like you have dozens of them and you can't choose your favorite," he commented.
#taekookau #taekook
"I guess you're easy to read," Taehyung shrugged his shoulders as he said that.
Jungkook just stared at him without saying anything. Maybe something was going in his mind but he didn't
"So your hobbies?" Taehyung asked again, looking at him in anticipation.
Jungkook sighed.
"I don't have anything specific. I just like to do everything, I guess. I try everything and whatever matches my vibe, I enjoy doing it. But if I have to choose, I'll go with
There was admiration, excitement in Jungkook's voice when he said dance. It made Taehyung curious.
"Dance? Why?"
#taekookau #taekook
Taehyung thought Jungkook was dreamy.
Maybe his dream too.
#taekookau
A sudden tap on his shoulder made Taehyung aware of his surroundings. He turned to look at the person.
It was Hyungsik.
"Why are you daydreaming in the middle of the corridor?" he asked.
#taekookau #taekook
"Yeah, the Dean was calling you for something. I guess new staff arrived. So Mr. Tourist of this university, get back to work," Hyungsik laughed when
"But where is Eun?"
"He is already on his way there. Now go or they will send someone else to get you." Taehyung waved his hand in air and went ahead.
He sighed.
He showed Jungkook the entire school and explained everything. He even showed him his hidden corner in the library.
His mini world.
#taekookau
Jungkook taught him one as well.
Never trust someone fully.
#taekookau
When he reached the Dean's office, he straightened his clothes and smiled before knocking.
"Oh Taehyung, come. I was waiting for you. Gentlemen, this is Choi Eun and Kim Taehyung, our staff members, and they will give you a tour of the entire campus. And -
Taehyung and Eun turned around and bowed.
"Hello everyone, I'm Taehyu—" he stopped when his eyes landed on a person whom he never thought he would meet again.
His heart hammered painfully against his ribs, each beat echoing in his ears.
The sight before him was too much to bear, his voice caught somewhere deep inside him, unable to break free.
#taekookau
His knees wobbled. He stumbled a little back, not being able to stand and face the one, he never wanted to face.
Was this a dream?
#taekookau #taekook
It couldn't be him.
It was not Jungkook, right?
He was not seeing Jungkook...
Right?
#taekookau #taekook
After six years apart, it felt surreal to see him again, as if time had folded and brought Jungkook back into Taehyung's life without warning.
#taekookau
It was as if his entire history with Jungkook had come crashing down on him all at once.
#taekookau
The memories, he once cherished. Now they were nothing but reason of his pain and sleepless nights.
#taekookau
The world seemed to disappear as he stood face to face with Jungkook.
Jungkook, who was staring at Taehyung with equal shock and... longing?
#taekookau
What cruel twist of fate had brought Jungkook back into his life at this moment?
A lone tear fell from Taehyung's eye.
#taekookau
Taehyung turned to Eun, his heart still thudding inside his chest. He struggled to get himself together. He secretly wiped the tear left from his eye.
He gathered whatever courage he had left and managed to give a small smile to everyone present there.
He signaled them toward the door with his shaky hand and led their way.
#taekookau
It was the same as the past days. Taehyung always talked after calculating his words.
And this made Jungkook feel like someone had ripped his heart. Since when his Taehyung need to
#taekookau
Jungkook shook his head. "No, love. I'm here to talk about us, and this time, I'm not letting you run away."
Taehyung's heart raced. Why was Jungkook doing this to him? And what's with this nickname?
#taekookau
He glanced around, but the library was empty. There was nowhere to escape.
"Please Tae," Jungkook's voice broke.
"It's Mr. Kim for you, Mr Jeon. And there is no 'us' Mr Jeon." Taehyung replied firmly, his eyes sharp.
Jungkook gulped.
#taekookau
What the hell happened to made his Taehyung this cold?
"Just give me five minutes. That's all I'm asking for Taehyung. Please talk, Tae. I'm going crazy here...
#taekookau
Taehyung hesitated.
He could hear the desperation in Jungkook's voice. He could see how tired Jungkook looked. But why?
Wasn't that was all Jungkook wanted? Shouldn't he be laughing at him?
#taekookau #taekook
"Five minutes," he agreed. His voice barely above a whisper. Maybe this talk was the closure he needed.
"Tell me Mr Jeon, why are you here? To laugh at me or to see how miserable you had left me?" His words were like poison to Jungkook's soul.
#taekookau
His safe place.
Jungkook took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Taehyung's face, as if he was afraid that Taehyung would disappear if he blinked.
#taekookau #taekook
Taehyung's hands clenched at his sides, fighting the urge to run.
"Mr. Jeon, the past is in the past. We're colleagues now, nothing more."
"But Lov-"
"It's Taehyung," he corrected, his voice cold.
Jungkook flinched at the formality again.
#taekookau #taekook
Taehyung tilted his head, looking amused. He looked here and there as if he was searching for something.
Jungkook frowned, confused.
#taekookau #taekook
"W-what happened?" His voice came out broken.
Taehyung chuckled.
"I'm looking for the camera or your friends. Where are they? Must be hiding somewhere, no? —
#taekookau
But Jungkook's love was not just for words.
#taekookau #taekook
He could see Taehyung's soul crying, complaining to him.
"Love... P-please don't do t-this. You are hurting. Tell me what happened? I can't live like this a-anymore. Please, I will... I c-can't, Tae."
For a moment, Taehyung's mask slipped, pain flashing in his eyes. But he quickly composed himself.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Your five minutes are up, Mr. Jeon." He turned to leave, but Jungkook
Taehyung couldn't leave him. He wouldn't be able to hold his shattered heart pieces again.
"Love, please. We can't l-leave things like this."
Taehyung yanked his hand away. "Don't touch me," he hissed, as if Jungkook's touch burned him.
#taekookau
He felt a wave of fire rushing through his body, a burning sensation from one single touch.
"We're done here. If you need anything work-related, email me." With that, he rushed out of the library. Leaving Jungkook standing there, looking lost.
#taekookau
He still had an effect on Taehyung. On his soul. On his body. On his heart too?
A new determination hit him. He wouldn't give up. He wiped his tears with the back of his hand.
#taekookau #taekook
Jungkook clutched the ring he was wearing as a necklace and caressed it very tenderly.
#taekookau #taekook
—
Taehyung didn't stop until he reached the safety of the staff room.
He collapsed into a chair, his whole body shaking. He'd almost slipped up, almost revealed too much. He couldn't let that happen again.
#taekookau #taekook
Taehyung quickly gathered his things and headed to the Dean's office to request an early leave.
As he was leaving the campus, he caught sight of Jungkook in the distance, talking to some students.
#taekookau
On the drive home, Taehyung's mind was a mess of thoughts. Jungkook's confused face, his insistence on knowing what went wrong... Could he really not know?
#taekookau #taekook
He shook his head. No, he couldn't let himself doubt. He knew what he'd heard that day. What he had witnessed that day.
It had all been a bet, a game. Hadn't it?
#taekookau #taekook
Right now, Hana needed him. His daughter was his priority, his whole world. Nothing else mattered.
He climbed the stairs to their floor, his heart heavy but determined.
#taekookau
She deserved better than that.
Taehyung took a deep breath before opening the door to their apartment. "Hannii," he called out softly.
"Mama's home."
#taekookau #taekook
Days passed and Jungkook's attempts to talk to Taehyung became more frequent.
Each time, Taehyung managed to slip away, his words growing colder, his eyes harder.
His words and replies were becoming harsher. All as an attempt to guard his heart.
#taekookau #taekook
"Tae, can we talk?" Jungkook asked hesitantly.
Without looking up, Taehyung replied, "Mr. Jeon, unless this is about work, we have nothing to discuss."
#taekookau #taekook
"I'm busy," Taehyung cut him off, his voice icy. "If you need assistance with something, I suggest you email me or speak with Eun."
#taekookau #taekook
Jungkook's shoulders slumped. What to do now? He again went on his way, thinking about how to make Taehyung talk.
#taekookau #taekook
He was watching Jungkook's every failed attempt. He could see desperation and sincerity in his eyes and voice.
Because he could see things clearly.
#taekookau
That male was hurt deeply. He was blinded by it. He was doing everything to protect himself and Hana.
By now, Hyungsik had also connected the dots.
Jungkook was Hana's father.
#taekookau #taekook
Hell, if it was up to Taehyung, he might disappear with Hana and never come back.
Hyungsik sighed. He needed to do something.
#taekookau
And if anyone could heal Taehyung, then it was only Jungkook.
Not even Hana.
#taekookau #taekook
Next week was more frustrating for Taehyung.
One side Hana was not well and other side, Jungkook was not leaving his side.
Taehyung will be frank, he was behaving like a leech.
#taekookau #taekook
Both father and daughter decided to test his patience together.
Even though he'd leave room as soon as Jungkook entered, take different routes through the campus and always...
Taehyung found himself constantly on edge, his nerves always up from the constant fear.
One evening, as he was leaving, he nearly collided with Jungkook at the entrance.
#taekookau
"Taehyung, Mr Jeon" he corrected, 100th time. He was getting frustrated now. Can't they leave him alone!
"Please Tae, let's talk" Jungkook pleaded.
#taekookau
"But-"
"Goodnight, Mr. Jeon," Taehyung said firmly, pushing past him and hurrying to his scooter.
He went home while his mind was having a constant battle with his heart. He can't let his heart win.
As he pulled up to his home, Taehyung took a deep breath.
#taekookau
He had moved on. Or he thought so....
Whatever Jungkook wanted, whatever he had to say, it didn't matter. The past was in the past.
Taehyung was too stubborn for his own good. Sigh...
He opened the door to find Hana waiting, her face lighting up at the sight of him. "Mama!" she exclaimed, running into his arms.
It was nighttime when he was deep in thoughts. Hana was sleeping peacefully beside him. She was better than before.
His fingers were mindlessly playing with her hair, caressing it.
His phone buzzed, bringing him out of his thoughts. It was a text from Jimin.
He should have known Jimin would notice.
A small smile crossed Taehyung's face when Hana sightly coughed in her sleep.
Hana.
His anchor. His reason for everything.
As Taehyung hugged her tight, he pushed all thoughts of Jungkook aside.
#taekookau #taekook
Jungkook arrived at the university earlier than usual.
He hadn't slept well, his mind replaying his encounters with Taehyung over and over again.
As he walked through the quiet hallways, he found himself in front of Taehyung's cabin, staring at the closed door.
Jungkook turned to see Hyungsik watching him with a mixture of curiosity and sort of concern?
Were his dark circles visible? But he hide him properly.
'Act natural Jungkook' He whispered to himself.
#taekookau #taekook
Hyungsik raised an eyebrow. "In front of Assistant Kim's office?"
Jungkook felt his cheeks heat up. "I... It's not..."
#taekookau
A few minutes later, they were seated in the quiet campus café. Jungkook stared into his americano, unsure of what to say.
"So," Hyungsik began, "Want to tell me what's going on between you and Taehyung?"
Jungkook's head snapped up. "How did you...?" He cleared his throat, "There is nothing going on Mr Park. What are you talking about?"
Jungkook's shoulders slumped, accepting his defeat. Ofcourse Hyungsik will question it.
#taekookau #taekook
But he still not sure, if he should tell Hyungsik. But he too wanted to let things out.
Keeping everything inside... it was never good for his mental health. His insomnia was getting worst.
#taekookau
"And you have no idea why?" Hyungsik tried to dig further.
He already knows Taehyung's side story. He need to know Jungkook's side too.
"No.." Jungkook said, his voice cracking.
"One day we were planning our future and the next... he was gone. I've spent six years trying to understand what happened. I was searching for him in these six years without rest...
#taekookau
Hyungsik watched as Jungkook's eyes filled with tears. The younger man quickly wiped them away, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry," Jungkook mumbled.
#taekookau #taekook
Hyungsik nodded thoughtfully. "Jungkook, I can't pretend to know what happened between you two".
#taekookau
"But how can I fix it if he won't even talk to me?" Jungkook asked, desperation clear in his voice.
"Give him time," Hyungsik advised.
Jungkook nodded, his mind already racing through memories of their last days together.
There had to be something he was missing.
#taekookau #taekook
#taekookau #taekook
Jungkook looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and confusion. "I wish I knew, Mr. Park. Everything was perfect, or at least I...
"All his things, packed up and gone. No note, no explanation. He wouldn't answer my calls, my texts. It was like he had vanished into thin air." He said.
#taekookau
"No," Jungkook shook his head. "I tried everything. I went to his father side family, but they said they didn't know where he was. His friends... they all shut me out...
"And now?" Hyungsik prompted gently.
"Now?" Jungkook laughed bitterly. "Now he looks at me like I'm the one who left. But I don't understand why. What could I have possibly done to make him hate me so much?"
#taekookau #taekook
He said in defending manner.
#taekookau
No one can put a finger on Taehyung until he is there.
Hyungsik leaned back in his chair amazed. He can see how defensive Jungkook was. How protective he was behaving.
#taekookau #taekook
"But what could it have been?" Jungkook asked.
"Sometimes," Hyungsik said slowly, "it's the unintentional hurts that cut the deepest. Is there anything, that might have been misunderstood?"
#taekookau
Hyungsik nodded, then leaned forward.
"Jungkook, there's something else you should know. Taehyung's life...






