𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 || 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐄/𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐖𝐎𝐍

Chapter Twenty-One

Wonwoo sat by the pool, watching the brightly illuminated house. He could hear the laughter and music even from here. It was Taehyung's twenty-third birthday, and since Taehyung was practically living with his boyfriend these days, his birthday was being celebrated at the Hardaways' this year.

Wrapping his arms around his knees, Wonwoo smiled wanly. He was glad for his friend, glad that everything was finally going well in his life. Taehyung's happiness had been hard fought and won. It was nice to see that love this strong really existed and happily-ever- afters weren't a thing of fairy tales.

Biting his lip, Wonwoo lifted his eyes to the moon.

He should probably go back inside. But God, he was sick of being on the receiving end of pitying and concerned looks, as if he were terminally ill. He was sick of telling everyone that he was fine. No one believed him, anyway, no matter what he said.

It wasn't as though Wonwoo didn't understand where they all were coming from. As far as everyone was concerned, he'd been through hell in the last few months: first his kidnapping, then his father's murder barely a month after his escape. It was a lot. It truly was. But he was coping. He was all right. Why couldn't his friends understand that their pity and excessive concern just weighed him down, reminding him of things he'd rather forget?

Like the fact that it was probably his fault that his father was dead.

Not thinking about it, not thinking about it, not thinking about it.

A movement on the terrace caught his attention. Wonwoo smiled a little, noticing the two tall figures standing there in each other's arms. Jungkook and Taehyung were kissing under the full moon, hands in each other's hair, mouths greedy and tender at the same time. They kissed like they owned each other.

It must be nice to love and feel loved.

Realizing that he was staring at them hungrily, Wonwoo dragged his eyes away, to the smooth dark surface of the pool. Another burst of laughter came from inside the house. Wonwoo swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. Not for the first time since his return to England, he felt like an outsider among his friends. He didn't feel like he belonged here.

But then again, he wasn't sure where he belonged anymore. If he were honest with himself, it might be one of the reasons why he'd latched onto Namjoon so fast. Namjoon hadn't known him before. He hadn't known that Wonwoo was normally much more cheerful and easy-going than he was now. If Wonwoo went quiet and didn't feel like talking, Namjoon thought nothing of it. Namjoon had supported him through the hectic, almost surreal weeks that followed his father's death, a silent, comforting presence by his side, no questions asked, no judgment passed. Namjoon was kind of amazing. Wonwoo wished he were here tonight. Maybe then people would stop giving him those looks. Not to mention that Wonwoo...might be missing Namjoon? Maybe. They were not officially together yet—Namjoon wasn't rushing him, considerate of his father's death—but Wonwoo definitely missed the meaningless flirting, and the feeling of security Namjoon's presence brought.

Wonwoo wondered if this was how people began falling in love. He hoped it was. Namjoon was a man he could trust not to break his heart. He was nice, confident, and refreshingly straightforward and honest. Before leaving on a work trip to Japan, he had looked Wonwoo in the eye and told him he expected a positive answer from Wonwoo when he returned. It was a bit arrogant but charmingly honest of him. Namjoon didn't play mind games. Wonwoo adored that about him.

Behind him, a branch cracked.

Wonwoo stiffened, goosebumps running up his spine as the most peculiar awareness filled him.

He held his breath, his heart hammering against his ribs. Thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud.

It was silly. There was no one behind him. He was back in England. He was back home.