• Take My Hand • | A Taekook fiction|

(Chapter 36) • Silent Promise •

[Potential TW: talks about self harm, and a somewhat detailed description of a suicidal scene, as well as blood! Please read ahead with caution, if any of these topics trigger you!]

Narrator's POV

Three days had passed since the ravenette started to temporarily live with Jungkook, and things weren't going too smoothly, but it was still manageable.

Of course, the horrible nightmares, unforeseen meltdowns, and the intense mood swings Taehyung experienced on a daily basis, still existed. They hadn't simply disappeared just because he'd somewhat moved in with the older boy he loved.

But since Jungkook was there with him through everything, it had been much easier for him to handle these draining occurrences. Yet, he felt guilty because the older had to deal with what he saw as rubbish, and so he felt like just another burden in Jungkook's life. But the older always reassured him, asserting that the things he felt were normal, and that he did not find being there for the younger as burdening at all. And those really were his genuine thoughts.

V would front, as he always did, whenever Taehyung felt like he couldn't handle himself. Which was a lot more often these days. And since he wasn't at his best for protecting Taehyung either, he resolved to self-inflicted violence; punching the walls with his bandaged fists while isolating himself from Jungkook and pushing him away. He didn't want to be near Jungkook, mainly because he couldn't see the older the same way as Taehyung did, and also as he didn't want to hurt Jungkook by treating him as just a friend.

But of course, there had been times when they had to interact, like during breakfast, lunch or dinner, or just in general when V couldn't exactly lock himself away as he pleased.

And during those times, Jungkook would feel confused and hurt, just as the alter had feared.

One minute the younger was seeking comfort within Jungkook, and the next he'd somehow treat him as a friend whilst ignoring him. And that would leave Jungkook feeling hurt, confused, and a bit angered. There had been rare times where he doubted their relationship; if the feelings were truly mutual or not, if the younger was just using him for his merit. But those doubts would immediately be flushed down the drain the next time Taehyung would initiate a kiss as an apology, as well as for reassurance.

And as for Taesuk, he had fronted for about two times these past three days, and both times were just before they had to call it a night. Jungkook hadn't minded that at all, in fact, he loved spending time with him. To him, Taesuk was like a cool breeze on a blazing summer afternoon, or like the warmth of the hearth on a freezing winter night; like the tranquillity he needed when he felt unsettled.

And it wasn't like Taehyung made him weary or agitated, he simply felt glad seeing the younger being so carefree and innocent, in contrast to other times when he was anything but that. Sure, Taesuk also had times when he would be upset and cry because he couldn't see his Halmoni anymore, but at least Jungkook could calm him down with his words and put him to sleep easily. He had to thank his melodic voice for that, it did wonders to the little alter.

And today was one of the nights where he had Taesuk lying on his stomach on top of him, while he lulled the younger to sleep by singing soothing songs.

As Jungkook landed on the ending note, he noticed Taesuk was already fast asleep, silent breaths fanning the side of his neck. He smiled, feeling warm inside because of the endearing sight of a sleeping Taesuk. Slipping his hand inside the younger's shirt like he always did to caress his back, Jungkook turned his head to gently press his lips on Taesuk's squished cheek, before closing his own eyes to let sleep take him in its soothing arms.