'Nothing Like Us' taekook

" What the actual fuck is he doing here?" Yoongi blustered, blowing a fuss at Jungkook and SeenHe walking inside the villa from the main entrance, holding their suitcases. The second one was glowing and looking extremely pleased. It wasn't the case for Kook whose expression was plain and indifferent.

Jimin was as astonished as his husband, watching them coming together. Jungkook had kept it a secret and hadn't told anyone he'd have the man as his date. I guess after what had happened,he didn't trust them enough to let them know he'd bring that wuss along.

" I can't believe he fooled him again. He's smart..very smart!Our plan,in case Taehyung decides to come, is ruined."

" You think? We're screwed!" Yoongi was seriously pissed. He had gone to so much trouble arranging this party and it was on the verge of failing because of that asshole.

" I can't believe the nerve of that guy showing his face after what he did."

" He doesn't seem to mind." Yoongi noted nastily." He looks fine to me."

" Baby do something!"

" What can I do? Kick him out? Shoot him? It's not a bad idea though. It's not my house. Only MinJoon can send him to bloody hell and I hardly think that's the case."

" Oh I gotta hand it to him! He's a cunning fox!!" Jimin responded, holding the man's hand tightly, tangling their fingers together." Do you think they are dating again? Kook doesn't trust us enough to tell us." he daid pouting.

"Can't be sure. I bet he used Kook's guilt to his advantage. He's pretty good at that. He's a master at manipulation. His training paid off."

" And what happens if Tae comes?"Jimin nibbled his lips out of nervousness as his mere concern was the success of their plan that was now in jeopardy.

" One step at a time. First we pray. Second,we run. I don't want to talk to him right now." Yoongi dragged Jimin by the hand, leading him out in the back garden. Air! They needed fresh air to breathe and think. 

Taehyung hadn't appeared yet. Hyunjin informed Yoongi they spoke on the phone but that the man had his doubts about showing up and in spite of the younger 's insistence, he made no promises.

Things couldn't go any worse. Jungkook coming with SeenHe and Taehyung not appearing was the worst possible scenario. Only a few hours were left,four to be precise and the entire plan was hanging by a thread.

After finishing a quite awkward and late lunch, the family except Jungkook and the wuss, gathered in the study to discuss the current situation but reached no conclusion and found no solution.

They all wanted to kick him out and MinJoon volunteered to do it, however they were afraid of Jungkook's reaction and stepped back.Yoongi was barely holding his rage and praying that damn fool wouldn't fuck up their plan. 

As the hours passed and Taehyung hadn't showed up, their hopes were diminished and they had to come to terms with the fact they were fighting for a lost cause. The worst part was that Kook had lost the happiness he dreamt of since he was a child and it was partly their fault.

_______

Strings of lights hanging from one part of the ceiling to the other, exquisite chandeliers and snow- white candles spread around the venue,added warmth,luxury and charm. Well- designed table settings contributed to the overall ambience. White,linen tablecloths, exceptional porcelain dinnerware and glassware offered a classy style to the celebration. Expensive champagne flowing nonstop, mouthwatering appetizers by distinguished chefs dazzled the guests.

The couple was ambling around their guests, chatting, Namjoon and Jin sitting at a table at the right side of the dance floor along with Yoongi, Jimin,Hobi and Bogum who had arrived an hour earlier. Nervousness and anxiety was written on their faces making it impossible to enjoy the party. Their high expectations were crushed by the stark reality. Their plan was a long shot and they were aware of the consequences. There was no mood for partying.

Their last hope was shattered when they saw Taehyung trudging inside the venue, his glazed eyes scanning through the crowd in search of a specific person. He knew he shouldn't have come. It was a last minute,bad decision but he couldn't help himself from seeing his love one more time,being almost certain Jungkook wouldn't be alone. Nevertheless,he had to witness them with his own eyes to conceive his defeat.

Unable to face his friends and family, he stood in a corner across their table, grabbed a glass of champagne and swang it before getting another one. His five thousand dollars, custom-made Gucci suit made him look like a supermodel and a gangster at same time. Elegant and assertive but also callous and daunting. Taehyung was choking inside the suit,his body slightly quivering and hands sweaty and numbed. 

A thousand hollers were fighting to remain hidden and the ceaseless pounding of his heart squashing his chest, observing Jin and his brother marching through the guest to his way.

Jin smiled, standing in front of him and Hyunjin's glistening eyes looked sad. Jin gently held his hand without fear." I'm glad you decided to come,Tae. It's good to see you." he blathered, giving him a warm hug. There was nothing snooty in his tone of voice, amplifying the man's guilt. How could he be so kind to him after the horrible things he had done to his son? 

He timidly hugged him back,gulping and Jin felt the racing of his heart." It's good to see you too,hyung."

" You've done well coming tonight .Your brother has missed you."

" I know.. I've missed him too." he admitted not daring to eye his brother.

" Don't I deserve a hug then,idiot?"Hyunjin opened his arms and Taehyung got lost in them, getting pleasure from the warmth he had missed." I thought you'd bail on me and miss my anniversary."

" I wasn't sure if I was welcome. You know after.."

" You'll never be unwanted here,Tae. " Jin made it clear." We're your family and we'll always take care of you. Don't you forget that. Come, sit with us." 

Taehyung shook his head." No.. I'd rather keep a safe distance. I've pissed a lot of people."

" Here's your chance to make amends." Jin stated but observing the remarkable change in his eyes,he didn't continue and followed his gaze, turning his head around.

Jungkook,glowing in his black Calvin Klein suit, was heavenly slinging through the venue, holding hands with SeenHe,with the man parading his way along the room,looking overbearing and overconfident. The sneer coating his face was the clear, undoubtable evidence of him getting what he had worked for. Jungkook by his side and for the world to see.

Both men had met at the lounge as Jungkook had no wish to have him banging at his door with the prospect of entering and finding him alone. The lounge seemed safe. He had already regretted his decision to bring him here,afraid he'd get the wrong idea about them and end up misunderstanding his good intentions. Jungkook invited him out of the guilt SeenHe had cultivated the previous days.

When at the entrance of the venue Jungkook was calm, probably from the knowledge that Taehyung wouldn't show his face after practically running away to Vegas. SeenHe's sudden move to hold his hand found him unprepared and impuissant to react.

He was utterly oblivious to the fact Taehyung was standing across the venue while walking to their table to meet the rest of the family. SeenHe was unwanted and received angry, scornful looks from everyone present.

Taehyung 's jaw clenched tight enough to crack his white teeth, the veins in his neck and arms popped out,nearly smashing the glass he was holding, his heart palpitated and each heartbeat was electrifying. He had the urge to march up to them,grab Jungkook by the hand,claim his man shouting he belonged to him, drag him to his room, confess his love and fuck the shit out of him!

Instead, his teary eyes shut so much that flashes were the only thing he could see. He sensed everyone's gaze stuck on him and the turbulent feelings and thoughts he had suppressed for months came flooding his mind. His heart bled through its cracks,he sucked in a stuttering breath, seeing his love in the arms of his new boyfriend.

As badly as he wanted to tell that jerk Jungkook was his,it was pointless. He could never have him, realising that it was a reality he had to face. For the first time Taehyung witnessed the consequences of his mistakes and lived through the lingering effects of them. He had caused so much pain and humiliation that he couldn't blame him for choosing someone else.

It hurt.

It fucken gutted him.

But he provoked it.

It was all on him.

" I'm..sorry..I have..to..I.. can't..be here.." his stutters were barely audible while fleeing towards the first open door,out into the gardens and the starry night.

Hyunjin wanted to run after him but Jin stopped him, gripping his arm." Give him time. He needs to think and we need to find a way to deal with that jerk."

They returned to their seats and SeenHe was acting all joyful and blabbering about how wonderful the place was. How happy he felt being with them and occasionally holding Jungkook's hand, despite the younger 's efforts to stop him.

" What sentence do you think I'll get if I stab him in the heart and cut off his tongue?" Hobi whispered to Bogum, gnashing his teeth.

" Don't know but I'll help you. What a pompous asshole." Bogum lisped back, tapping his fingers on the table.

" See how he boasts about escorting Jungkook?"

" Why the hell did Kook bring him here?"

" Probably to piss his family for sticking their noses into his life." Hobi assumed and it wasn't far from the truth. He then turned to Jin sitting next to him."Where did Tae go?"

" Either to the back garden or he left. For good this time."

" I'll go find him." Yoongi responded because it was crushing his mentality to pretend to be all nice and polite with that idiot. He stood up and made his way through the guests, exiting the venue proceeding to the back garden. After clambering in search of Taehyung, he eventually located him, at the patio, leaning against the post, smoking.

" Nice hiding place." 

Taehyung wasn't startled and kept smoking and looking at the ground, rubbing one foot on the stone pavers." I'm not hiding."

" Didn't say you were. Can I have one?" He pointed at the burning cigarette in his fingers. The man took out his packet, offering him one and lighting it with his gold cigarette lighter.

Yoongi sucked the smoke gently with long, steady inhales straight to his lungs." I'd be grateful if we keep this between us. Jimin's gonna kill me." 

Taehyung chuckled." Afraid of your husband? I could have sworn you fear nothing." His cynical tone didn't escape Yoongi who laughed.

" We all have our weaknesses. What's yours anyway? Oh I forgot. Your brother and your feelings." he spoke in the same tone.

Taehyung remained quiet, throwing the cigarette on the ground and erasing it with his black, Italian shoe.

" How's work?" 

" Are you really interested in knowing?" 

" No..just being polite."

" Stick to what you know.Casual conversations aren't your thing." He straightened his body,his eyes stuck on the sky.

" I like you! " Yoongi suddenly blurted out."You've got balls."

" Since the day I was born. And in my line of work I'd better have or else I'll probably end up in a ditch."He arched his eyebrows curiously."Why did you insist I come here? Beating me wasn't enough that you have to see me bleed? I'm bleeding Yoongi. I'm as good as dead. Is that what you had in mind?"

" I didn't know Kook was gonna bring him here. He doesn't exactly share stuff with us anymore. I think meddling in his life was the last straw. He doesn't trust us."

" I shouldn't have come. It was a fucken mistake. Nobody wants me here. Especially Jungkook." He let out a heavy sigh, lighting up another cigarette. It was his only comfort. He'd leave, go to a hotel and drown his soul into tones of alcohol till his mind would go numb and pass out for days.

"Make the best of it. Claim him. Go back inside and show everyone who Jungkook belongs to. You only live once so make the best of it! I have your back. We all do." 

The man bitterly laughed." Even Jimin? Namjoon? They hate me as they should. I got lucky he didn't kill me at the hospital."

Yoongi moved closer and did something he hadn't done before or thought he would.He patted his back and rested his hand on his shoulder as a voiceless sign of comfort.

" Jimin is overprotective of his brother and tends to exaggerate in his attempt to defend him.You understand that, don't you? You've done the same for yours." he reminded him.

" I don't judge him. He was right to hate my guts. I'm a bad,bad person." 

" Simply misguided. That's the life you were taught to live. Nobody gave you a way out. We might come from opposite worlds but we're not that different. We found a way to survive."

" Does..does Jungkook.. love him?"It hurt to say it outloud. The most excruciating, searing pain ever, pricking his body.

" No. He doesn't love or will ever love SeenHe." he answered with certainty."Nothing has changed since last time we.. talked."

" SeenHe..SeenHe.." his fear had a name and he hated him with every fiber in his body. That man had everything he couldn't. A respectable name, a clean past and a bright future but above all Jungkook. He could stand beside him absolved of fears and shame.

" I'll leave you to think. Make the right choice this time Taehyung. The right choice." he emphasized, throwing his burnt cigarette and shuffling through the dense flowers.

As Yoongi's footsteps dwindled away into the raucousness of the people celebrating,the man flopped on the bench, hands hiding his scowled face, elbows resting on his knees. The lump in his throat was cutting off his air supply and his heart felt as if it was ripped out and clattered on the dusty ground. The things he wanted were colliding with the ones he couldn't have. 

Wouldn't it be selfish of him to claim Jungkook and make him part of his darkness when he clearly belonged to the light? Hell, he was the light! A beacon of kindness and gentleness and sunshine for him to condemn him to his corrupted life.

He was selfish. He needed Jungkook to breathe. To feel alive. To smile and lighten his piteous life. And he'd be a damn fool to let SeenHe rob him of his happiness and his man. Jungkook was his.

He belonged to him.

To Kim Taehyung. 

Jungkook 's master and slave.

________

Jungkook's heart was annoyingly and unexpectedly restless with no apparent reason. He kept stirring in his seat, fingers twiddling the glass of champagne and desperately trying to dodge SeenHe's hand from his thigh as the man kept insisting on touching him in inappropriate places. His dad's angry glances, his papa's rolled eyes and Jimin's vexed expression were adding more pressure on him, enforcing his uncomfortableness. 

At some point,he couldn't take it anymore and gripped his hand, nudging it away and crossed one leg over the other, ensuing he wouldn't do it again.SeenHe pretended to ignore his move and continued chatting with Hyunjin as the younger was well-mannered to tell him to fuck off. 

The man however was too indefatigable for his own good. His hand again softly travelled from Jungkook's muscular calf to his knee ending up on his sleek thigh. Jungkook unfolded his legs,gave him an evil eye and whispered to his ear." We need to talk." As he got up,he signalled him to follow and making his way through the crowd,he found a quiet spot at the lounge and waited for SeenHe.

He was so mad mostly at himself when SeenHe stood next to him all smiley as if nothing was going on."I invited you to my hyung's party as a friend and I'm beginning to think you got the wrong idea again." he began saying.

" What do you mean Kookie?"

There it was! The word 'Kookie' he hated hearing from him." You keep calling me Kookie. Touching me in places you shouldn't. Acting like we're boyfriends. We are not in a relationship SeenHe. And I regret inviting you here. You've got feelings for me and not friendly ones. Feelings I can't reciprocate and I explained why. I am in love with another man and it won't change. I don't want it to change. I can't forget him and despite the pain of the rejection he gave me I still love him. More than before." Jungkook's stomach was in a helix having to confront him so brutally but he didn't seem to grasp the situation between them and he had to put some boundaries.

" If you can't see me as a friend then I have no choice but to ask you to keep your distance and don't bother me again. I can't deal with you right now."

" I'm sorry I didn't think my touches would make you feel awkward. It wasn't my intention."

" Well they do. And stop saying sorry all the time." he flared up and instantly felt guilty for being harsh but that knot in his stomach created a round-the-clock anxiety he could understand.

" As you wish.. I'll be careful because I don't want to lose you." SeenHe was a bundle of nerves, boiling inside. His high expectations for tonight were smashed and he had to come up with a way to calm Jungkook down and ease his worries." I won't touch you again. I promise. Let's go back in or people will start wondering what we're doing."

" You go back. I need a few moments." He had to be alone for a while, get over this anger he had and face his family. They all seemed disappointed and irked with him. Most likely because he foolishly brought him to the party. What was he thinking? 

" Fine. Take your time." SeenHe turned around, heading for the venue. Jungkook started breathing again. He leaned back,resting his head on the wall taking deep breaths to calm his raging heart but it didn't seem too cooperative.

" Hello Jungkook." 

The younger was so mused in his thoughts that the soft, velvety voice sounded like a dream. His eyes felt heavy for some reason and he shut them feeling depleted,thinking his mind was playing games. It could be him. No..he was far away..

Taehyung had returned to the venue the exact moment Jungkook and SeenHe were leaving and he followed them. When the man left, he stayed behind trying to find the courage to face Jungkook.

" Jungkook? Are you alright?"

The voice in his head insisted and the younger slowly opened his eyes to meet the man he has been longing for months. Taehyung.

He was there in front of him in the flesh. His mind wasn't playing tricks on him. It was really Taehyung.

His stupid heart was frantically galloping in his chest, his mouth was as dry as the dessert and his breath coming out in gasps. Taehyung looked pale,his ocean eyes hiding sorrow and he had lost weight. He was still stunningly handsome,taking his breath away but something on him seemed different.

His first thought was to jump into his arms, kiss him,tell him how much he had missed him and that life was empty without him, had no purpose. However, he put on an expressionless face and staved off." What are you doing here?" His undertone slightly trembled.

" I was invited. It's my brother's party." Taehyung couldn't scrap the quivering in his body. Meeting him after so long,having him face-to-face, hearing his melodic voice triggered an ocean of emotions he knew he couldn't control.

" Your brother? Of course..I had forgotten that when your brother calls,you run."

He weeded out the direct hint." How are you?"

" Excellent! I'm doing great! And from what I can see, so are you!"

It was fiddly standing next to each other,talking and behaving like strangers, pretending there was no history between them. Taehyung crinkled his shiny hair,having jumbled emotions and trying to avoid asking the only question occupying his mind which he eventually did."The man you were with..Is he your boyfriend?" 

"What if he is? Why do you care? I'm free to do whatever I want and be with whoever I want."

" Jungkook please..answer me. Are you two.. together?" He was praying for a negative response. Hoping he was just a friend but friends don't hold hands that way. And Yoongi had told him there was someone else in his life.

" Yes, we are. He's my boyfriend. He loves me and I..love him. We are great together. He's sweet and tender and passionate and he wants me. Me. For what I am. He doesn't play games with my heart or my body." he lied straight to his face. Jungkook had no intention of looking like a lovesick puppy,stuck in a helpless, fictional story.

" You love him.."

Dismissing the hurtful look on his eyes and the paleness of his face,he gave him his answer."Of course I do. Why else would I accept him? I understand in your world of doms and subs the idea of love is a joke but the rest of us, normal people,do fall in love."

Taehyung was defeated,hearing the words he dreaded.He had lost the only person in his life that gave him courage and strength. Made him want to live, love, forgive. Yoongi was wrong. Jungkook could never be his. He belonged to SeenHe. The war was over and he had lost. But If that man could give Jungkook all he denied him, the love, care and respect he deserved,then Taehyung would step back, disappear and allow him to be happy.

" I'm glad you found someone to make you happy. Someone worthy to trust." The tears threatening to brim down his face were choked." I'm.. I'm sorry for hurting you..I guess I'm bad and I can't change even if I wanted to. My darkness could easily swallow your light. Be happy Jungkook..you deserve the world.."

He slowly turned around to leave this house,this country and go back to his sorrow and dreams. A world he could actually have Jungkook all to himself. A world where he was happy with the few things he had. Even if they were in his imagination. Taking two reluctant strides,his feet wouldn't comply with his mind.

The feeling of helplessness and powerlessness overtook him and he abruptly shifted his body, back hugging Jungkook, securely hooking his arms around him, nuzzling his face in his crook, inhaling the refreshing, familiar scent of vanilla and the warmth of his skin. His hot,gaspy breath exploded on his trembling flesh,giving him shivers and awakening yearning desires he was suppressing for months. 

Jungkook was totally ambushed but didn't push him away. He could feel the intense heartbeat smashing on his back, matching his own. His nails dug deep into his thighs, cocking his head to the side. No words could be said to describe the joy both were experiencing being in each other's arms after a year.

" I'm sorry baby..I didn't mean to hurt you..cause you pain..My life is so messed up and for the first time in years I'm scared..I don't know what to do..and I keep making mistakes and hurting people..can you forgive me baby? Can you..?"

Jungkook's stomach and heart and mind were snaked down. The slew of emotions and thoughts from Taehyung's words had blocked his logic. As much as he wanted to speak,the words were crammed and inadequate to become a sentence." Taehyung.."It was a whisper carried by the witherness of unspoken desires battling to be heard.

" Has he touched you? Have you slept with him? Oh God please tell me no..he can't touch you..only I can..me..just me.." He was swathed in guilt,pain,fury and despair with so many contradictory feelings twirling in his fuzzy mind, taunting him. He had no right demanding an answer. No right screwing up his life again. If he had one chance of happiness, if that man could give him that,then Taehyung would step back.

And he walked away. He left him once more, taking away the warmth of his flesh and pleasure of his words. 'Baby..' he had called him baby.. he had never done that before. It was 'doll','whore' but not baby.

A hope bloomed inside him. Could he possibly have some sort of feelings for him besides lust? Rooted to the spot,he smiled at the idea forming in his mind. He had to find him, talk to him. If they had a chance,just one Jungkook would do anything in his power to make it work. Fuck the past. Fuck the obstacles. Fuck everyone who objected. 

Taehyung mattered. His Taehyung. 

SeenHe had come back to check up on him when he witnessed the shocking scene. A man,a stranger, was hugging Jungkook with so much intensity and passion,it made his blood boil and the younger didn't dodge him. He seemed pleased. Was he the one Jungkook loved? His rival? Well if he was, the man had no intention of retrieving and letting him steal Jungkook. 

A plan was forming in his mind. He just had to find the right moment to execute it and eliminate the competition.

______

" I have the craziest idea." MinJoon stated as soon as Jungkook took a seat at their table."How about you sing for us?"

Jungkook was taken aback by the suggestion. He could sing,it was an activity he enjoyed from time to time but not in public with so many people around him." Hyung..I couldn't. I only sing in the bathroom. No audience."

"Your voice is amazing and consider it a gift to us!" MinJoon insisted and Hyunjin added.

" Yes! I'd love to hear you sing! Please!" He made cute, puppy eyes, blinking his thick eyelashes.

Jungkook glanced at his parents and hyungs nodding their heads and urging him to go. His face got shy and flustered at the prospect of appearing in a big crowd." I don't know..I haven't sung for a while. I'm afraid your guests will be running for their lives."

" They're too drunk to run." Hobi joked."So you're safe!"

" Come on Kook! Do it!" Jimin encouraged him,smiling." Just like at home."

" Go baby." Jin winked at his son. The younger unwillingly stood up,shuffling his feet to the centre stage, whispering a few words to the live orchestra his hyung had hired. He grabbed the microphone and a stool placing it in the centre as he sat on it,one leg on the shiny floor the other on the footrest.

Feeling nervous having the spotlights and so many sets of eyes piercing him but above all Taehyung 's but dared not look. The moment the first words of the love song he chose, hit his throat and left his mouth, he was deluged with overwhelming confidence,rhythmically swinging his body to the music.

His eyes met Taehyung's and locked,the crowd magically vanished. Jungkook couldn't hear anything but the beating of his heart while performing for the man he loved.

Taehyung upstanding in his corner,deep,dark eyes locked with Jungkook's like magnets, radiating a fierce, uncompromising need. He seemed hypnotized, utterly mesmerized by the heavenly, divine voice and the gorgeous, dazzling face, practically devouring each word, each expression unable to take his eyes off of him.

An angel..his baby was an earthly angel..

Dipped in a parallel world of pure delight,he neglected to observe the two people standing on each side. Hobi and Bogum flickered their eyes, exchanging odd looks.

" So beautiful..so damn beautiful baby.." he lisped breathlessly. He felt an unexpected wetness on his cheeks and realised that impulsively tears were drizzling down his face. Tears of joy and pain,mixed together. His weak heart wheezed in his puffy chest but he couldn't control it.

Every person in the venue understood the tension and longing, the anticipation lingering between them as their eyes travelled from Kook to Taehyung and vice versa. Jungkook was singing for him and only him! 

The family was over the moon. Perhaps there was still hope left and nothing was lost. Just one person was fuming in anger. SeenHe's slightly bushy eyebrows squinted in a deep frown. He concured his suspicions. That bloody man across the room was Jungkook's ex. His rival. The only obstacle and the reason Kook rejected him.

Carefully inspecting his surroundings for a potential opportunity to get close to him, the two men next to him deprived him of the chance for now. The night wasn't over yet. He'd have plenty of chances to execute his plan.

The sinister leer on his lips was detected by Yoongi and he had a bad feeling about it.

Jungkook finished the song, the music stopped but his eyes saw nothing but Taehyung. He had poured his love and yearning to the song to express the feelings he had for him. His undying love which grew stronger despite the distance between them. The audience exploded in an earth shattering applause bringing both lovers out of their trance.

The younger stood up,knees bending and legs shaking,bowed,his gaze never leaving Taehyung's and sauntering,he returned to the table where his family congratulated him on his excellent performance.

" Is he crying? Are you actually crying?" Hobi inquired in total confusion.

" I never thought I'd see the day V would shed a tear." Bogum declared,shaking his head and observing his friend.

" He's not V. I have the feeling Taetae is back." Hobi corrected his stunned boyfriend, knitting his eyebrows.

" I can hear you. I'm right here." His voice still held gentleness and softness even though it was meant to be strict.

"Aren't you too absorbed in devouring your..baby?" Hobi teased him.

" Watch your mouth Hoseok." Taehyung warned him.

" Or what? V is gonna kill me?" Hobi provoked him, grimacing.

Taehyung smacked his head." Go back to your table idiot and leave me alone."

" Is this how you greet your best friends after giving them the cold shoulder for months? You're an ungrateful,big brat!"

"Spare me the lecture, will you? Not in the mood."

Hobi sighed deeply at his stubbornness. That hadn't changed whether he was good,old Taetae or V." We'll go but you'd better pull yourself together and come sit with us. You're not grounded to sit in the corner.

He got no reply of course as Taehyung's eyes were fixed on Jungkook sitting next to his boyfriend,whose hand was caressing the younger's hair, smiling and whispering to his ear. They were so damn close Taehyung wanted to march and kick his butt. Going to their table was out of the question.

" I gotta go..I need air.." he whispered groaning,turning around and leaving through an open picture window, into the gardens.

" Why does he always run away?" Hobi questioned, barely holding himself from going after him.

" This is too much for him. He came here for Kook and saw him with another man. That's a huge blow for him." Bogum clarified,cloaking his hand around Hobi's waist." I need a drink..come.."

" Can we have our drink at the bar? " Hobi suggested." I don't want to sit next to that man. He's creepy. I don't like him. He pretends to be so kind and approachable but his eyes are wicked. Mean.He throws strange eyeglances when nobody's looking. Acting so superior! And he stares at Kook like he wants to eat him!Pff" he scoffed.

Bogum laughed at his vivid description,"You hate his guts,love." Hobi confirmed by giving him a nod."Bar it is then."

_______

" I haven't seen you around before." A steady, with a kind of mocking undertone,interrupted Taehyung 's thoughts. He had the impression he was alone in the back garden only to turn around and come face to face with the one person he didn't want to encounter.

SeenHe. Kookie's boyfriend.

He didn't blink or grimace but rather maintained a nonchalant expression.He hid his hands in his pockets,forming into fists and went back to staring at the bushes." Do you know everyone here?" he asked sarcastically.

" Most of them. Are you a friend of the family? A business associate? You're not working with Nam or Yoongi so you must be one of MinJoon's acquaintances."

" You could say that."

" I'm Kang SeenHe. Jungkook's boyfriend. And you are?" He extended his hand for a handshake and took it back when Taehyung didn't bother grabbing it but kept staring at the front.

"Taehyung." 

" Just Taehyung? No surname?"He cocked his eyebrow and a sneer painted his crooked mouth." You're not much of a talker, are you?"

" I got nothing to say." Taehyung's ears were buzzing with rage and snoke was practically coming out of them.

"Anyway..you can't be family because I haven't seen you in any of our gatherings and I've been with the family for long. I'm Namjoon's protégé and future son in law! I'm very lucky they accepted me into their home and family. Jungkook,the beauty who was singing,is my lucky charm." he boasted,making Taehyung even angrier. He wanted to break his bones, slit his throat,rip his head off, cut him to pieces and burn his body parts.

 SeenHe kept intentionally,blubbering nonstop."MinJoon and Hyunjin have been like brothers to me, supporting my relationship with Kookie. And their opinion means the world to my baby." 

" Is that so?" Taehyung was boiling inside. V was on the verge of submerging and teaching him a lesson he'd never forget. Even if it meant going to prison for beating a fucken cop!

"Family is a priority for them..I think Hyunjin has a brother somewhere but they're not close and barely talk. I haven't seen him around.He must be a real smack!"

" Has he told you that?" The man's voice trembled hearing him talk about his baby brother and their relationship. Who the fuck was he to judge? Who gave you the right?

" He doesn't really talk about him but it's easy to understand from the conversations between my family. They have opened up to me, entrusting me with more personal information. He lives abroad and is often in and out of trouble." He gave Taehyung a sideway glance, confirming he had his full attention." They seem to have better fun without him. Minjoon comes from a highly respectable family and that man is a disgrace or so they told me."

" Interesting..I didn't know you were that close." A disgrace..that's how they saw him? As a troubled freak tarnishing their good name?

"They have been so supportive to me and Kookie. Giving me advice on how to approach him. Tips on his likes and dislikes."He stood closer, smirking and spreading his poisonous lies like the venom snake he was."You see, my Kookie had an awful boyfriend in the past. An idiot who hurt him and made him sceptical about trusting people. Fortunately I won his trust and his heart." He smiled as if he had accomplished the greatest victory." With a little help from everyone! Jimin, Hyunjin, Namjoon..I can't exclude anyone."

The blood was drained from Taehyung's face,leaving him pale. Was this some kind of a sick joke? Did they all conspire against him, bringing him here under false pretence, feeding him lies just to get back at him? His best friends? His own brother? And they sent Yoongi to do their dirty work? Was he betrayed by his own family? An eye for an eye! And he fell for it like a damn lovesick idiot! 

His nails dug deep into his thighs and his lips pressed together forming a thin line."They must..love you very much."

SeenHe wiggled his shoulders,a beaming smile laced his lips." They do. It's a blessing they became my family and trusted me with Kookie. It's nice knowing you're loved and cared for." He elbowed him, winking." I'm gonna pop the question soon, take him on a honeymoon to Hawaii and show him how love can be. Got to tell you my boy is fire in bed!" SeenHe knew he was pushing his luck,talking that way but he deliberately wanted to show him how intimate and close they were. Thankfully the conversations he had eavesdropped came in handy.

That was the last drop. Taehyung gritted his teeth, muffled groans coming out of his scrunched lips, shutting his eyes to the urge of choking him to death and watching that asshole taking his last breath. The nerve of boasting about his love life with Kookie to a total stranger! Nobody touches his man! Nobody's dirty hands touch his Kookie! His head was spinning,his stomach curling and he needed to throw up. His insides were burning!

SeenHe continued to brag about his accomplishments, his stupid, imaginary plans and enjoyed watching Taehyung suffer in silence." Anyway, I think I'd better leave you alone.. nice meeting you Taehyung. Something tells me we'll see each other real soon." 

SeenHe, proud and glowing from satisfaction, pranced away from the man and into the venue. His plan to create doubts and spread discord between the family and his rival was brilliant! In one of the dinners he had attended at MinJoon's house,he had many times overheard the couple talking about a brother Hyunjin had and their troubled relationship. 

When he saw him today hugging Taehyung he assumed he was the long,lost brother. Then he stumbled across that scene between Jungkook and Taehyung at the lounge. Putting two and two together, he concluded Taehyung was in fact Jungkook's ex and the man he loved. 

From what he told him tonight, the bastard standing between him and Jungkook would leave again and he could pursue Kookie.

______

Taehyung was struggling to endure the pain of betrayal and simmer down his wrath for the sick game they were playing behind his back. It was bad enough that Jungkook was sleeping with that fool and getting ready to marry him, his own brother helped and gave him his blessings. He lured him here to make fun of him. To make him pay for his crimes and above all accepted SeenHe as part of the family. His family! 

A loud snarl echoed in the calmness of the night as he began punching his fist on his forehead. " Fucken fool! You were played! I bet they're laughing behind your back! Big mistake coming here! What were you thinking, asshole?" he snubbed at himself but deep inside he knew he had it coming.

After the things he had done,the awful way he treated them, it was time to pay. Nevertheless it hurt being betrayed by the people he loved and protected all his life. It was expected from Jungkook's family but his own brother? Friends? After all he had to endure to protect Hyunjin from evil in the past and ensure his happiness in the future? 

He didn't go back into the venue and had the intention of taking his stuff and leaving for good this time. He'd return to Vegas and shut the world out. He'd continue to be V and live with his memories and lost love. Knowing the only person he adored more than anything was married to that idiot and sleeping with him. Having him touch his body, kissing it, being inside him, seeing his vulnerable side..

Oh God! He couldn't breathe. Everything was spinning and his head would explode. He walked around the centre stage, avoiding to glance at their direction out of fear of attacking them, made his way to the exit, passed the lounge and up the stairs when a hand gripped his elbow, forcing him to halt and turn. 

" Where are you going?" his brother asked, puzzled.

"Speak of the devil ! Why do you care? Go back to your new family and your new brother!" he threw at his astonished face. 

" Tae.. what's gotten into you?"

" Me? I should be asking you, dear brother."

" Stop talking in riddles and answer me." Hyunjin demanded hoarsely.

"It was too easy for you, wasn't it? To fool me into coming here. To laugh behind my back.To replace me with that moron. I trusted you. I spent my entire life protecting you from uncle, from my life, from evil and this is how you repay me? I tricked him, tormented him, I betrayed him,gave up on Jungkook and lost him forever, just to make sure you got what you wanted. Because what Hyunjin wants, Hyunjin gets.I gave you your husband. A happy life. A secure future. I had to.. trade myself for you..so that that monster wouldn't touch you. And guess what!" He sucked in deep breaths,tears burning his eyes.

" He touched me..for days..weeks..months..and I took it. For you. My brother. The only family I had left! I drowned into a shit hole for you. I accepted my fucken fate and became a fucken criminal because it was the only way to keep you safe and give you a bright future." He banged his hand onto his chest till his breath was clogged." I understand them" he pointed his fist towards the venue" I used their son and brother, played with him..but you? I did it for YOU! Always YOU! And YOU betrayed me."

" Hyung..I wouldn't.." the boy seemed lost for words. He couldn't make sense.He felt so fuzzy that he wasn't in the state of mind to fully grasp the meaning of his words.

What made him think he'd replace him with someone else? He would never do that. He loved his brother dearly and even though they had their differences he owed him everything. Tae had sacrificed his life and future for him. He could have been a great man but instead he gave it up for him. Hyunjin wasn't ungrateful as he knew the huge sacrifices he made for his baby brother."Taehyung! I wouldn't let anyone come between us. You're my brother and I love you so very much."he sniveled, holding his hand only to be jogged away.

" Words.. meaningless words.. Actions speak louder so cut the bullshit. I wasn't born yesterday. Don't worry though. I'll grant your wish and get out of your life for good.I won't pollute your perfect,saint family!" he scoffed, 

Fear crossed Hyunjin's pale face,mixed with sadness,tears rolling down his cheeks." Tae please.. don't speak like that.." he tried to approach and hug him with the man stepping back, adding more distance between them.

" Go back to your new family and your new brother. SeenHe is what you've ever wanted. Successful, respectful and sophisticated. A man of honour.. not a defective,two-faced scumbag like me. He's got no blood in his hands..mine are soaked in it.. Jungkook is lucky.. he's got the boyfriend he always wanted..one his family will accept with open arms." 

His hurtful eyes blazed with intensity and pain as the corners of them crinkled. His lips curved into a bittersweet smile." Time to pay for my crimes.." He climbed up the staircase,two strides at a time,reached his room and locked the door behind him. Trembling hands running through his hair, pacing back and forth, cursing loudly.

Thankfully he hadn't unpacked, arriving late and hurriedly getting ready to attend the stupid party. He would wait till the party was over and sneak out. He had no desire to accidentally run into any of them. His suit was angrily discarded on the floor and replaced with a black,loose, cotton t-shirt,slim-straight, black washed denim, putting his black, satin bomber on the small couch across the bed. 

The bottle of whiskey on the minibar was too tempting to resist and Yosef wasn't here to stop him. Half of the bottle was easily consumed,making his head whizzy and his ears beeping. He stretched both legs, sitting on the couch and placing the bottle on his stomach. 

He had once again managed to turn his life into hell and he could only blame himself for that. He always had the tendency of making the wrong decision out of impulsiveness and look where it got him! He was left alone and miserable with his family and Jungkook downstairs partying with their newest addition! 

An improved version of him! A bloody cop with the right choices,a clean past and a brighter future! And he was stuck in the shit of being the notorious Kim V. A fucken killer! A loan shark! A master! Some master!

He raised his bottle, making a toast." To you V..a loser..a disgrace.." he barked out a laugh."And to them! You finally got rid of me.. congratulations!" He swung the rest of his booze and as it invaded his veins, he felt like flowing and loved the feeling.

The repeated knocking on his door made him whine but he didn't bother opening it. It was most likely his dear brother, wanting to feed him more lies.He was hardly in the mood to see or talk to anyone. 

He was done with them for good..