Work Text:
Today was Thursday.
Taehyung had befriended 6 people during his time at the campus. It was one of his concerns when he decided to come here, but now he was fine. Those people were nice and friendly and Taehyung had no trouble adjusting.
One friend kinda stood out the most to him but he kept his cool as usual.
He could not get attached.
While his friends lived in the dormitory, Taehyung lived outside the campus by himself. He had a nice little house just a couple of minutes walk away and he didn't have to comply to any curfew. He thought of inviting his friends over, but he felt that it was too fast. So he waited first.
"Tae, do you have this handout?" One friend asked. His name was Jimin and he had been very helpful to Taehyung and his study. They had Literature and History class together.
"Let me check," Taehyung said although he remembered not attending the class yesterday; therefore, he did not have that handout. But if he answered right away, Jimin would know he skipped class and Jimin would ask like normal friends did. "I can't find it. Do you have extra copies?"
Jimin nodded and handed him the handout. Taehyung murmured a thank-you along with his grateful smile. Jimin returned a bigger one.
"Hey guys," his other friends arrived. Hoseok and Namjoon. They were still freshmen but they had some classes with the sophomore. Taehyung heard that was because they were smarter and quicker.
He told himself to be more cautious and study his surroundings two times more than he normally did.
"Free period?" Hoseok asked while casually shoving Taehyung's bag to make room. Taehyung quickly pulled his bag away and Hoseok grinned. "Thanks,"
"Professor's busy." Jimin replied. "And you guys?"
"The sophomore had a workshop. We're free for the day."
"I'm envious," Jimin pouted. Taehyung reached over and patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Don't be. Our time will come." He said. Namjoon nodded and pointed, showing he agreed.
"So that means Jin and Yoongi will be busy for the rest of today too?" Jimin continued. "Since they're sophomore too."
He didn't get to see the two aforementioned much since sophomores' class schedule was different than freshmen', nevertheless, the two were great people to hang with. They never asked much and they tended to understand Taehyung even without words. Sometimes it was a blessing; other times Taehyung was afraid that his thoughts could be read by them.
"Then we only have to wait for Jungkook." Hoseok said. Taehyung perked up at the name. Jungkook. It had been a while since he had started hearing and calling that name, but to still get taken by surprise every time it was mentioned was new to him too.
"Jungkook has Art class today," Taehyung said. He hoped no one asked why he knew Jungkook's schedule.
No one did.
"So he'll just hole up in that studio for the rest of the day, then." Jimin concluded. "Shall we go?"
"Go where?" Taehyung pushed back a few thoughts. He thought today was the day.
"Shall we go get something to eat? And then just play?"
He didn't want to play. He didn't want to waste any time not doing his work.
"I was thinking of going back home and sleep." Taehyung said quietly, concerned that they might get upset with him. But they were nice people and they understood.
"It's okay, then. Go and rest." The three stood up and waved. Jimin said, "See you tomorrow, Tae."
Taehyung waved back.
He wasn't sure if he'd still be here tomorrow.
When they were gone, Taehyung picked up his bag and stood up. He took out a wallet-sized photo and stared at it. He remembered the first day he found that photo; he had thought the person looked somewhat ridiculous. His front teeth made him look like a bunny when he grinned. And when he met the boy in person, his smile was even more like a bunny. Or a squirrel, even.
Taehyung flipped to the back of the photo and a hasty handwriting wrote Art major in red ink.
Taehyung headed to the Art section of the building. Normally, Jungkook would spend his remaining time after class painting random pictures. He said it was for practice because practice made perfect. Taehyung agreed. Practice was the sole reason he could be where he was today, with the trust and respect he had.
He stopped in front of studio A. Before he entered, he peeked inside to make sure he got the right one. In there, he saw Jungkook immersed in his painting. Not wanting to bother, Taehyung didn't knock. He opened the door carefully not to make a sound as he entered.
Jungkook did not look up but he said, "Hey, Tae."
Taehyung paused and gave up. He stood up straight and took three confident strides toward his friend. "How do you know?" He asked.
Jungkook smiled, now putting down his brush. "You wear my favorite cologne. I can smell you from the hallway."
"That's creepy." Taehyung shook his head at that.
Jungkook chuckled and beckoned at him. Taehyung stepped closer. As Jungkook moved, Taehyung knew he had to sit down next to him. And so he did.
"What do you think?" Jungkook asked him. Taehyung considered the painting. There were streaks of colors here and there and a lot of black lines. And then there was this overlaying circles he couldn't tell what they were supposed to be. In the end, he shook his head.
"I don't like it."
Jungkook burst out laughing. "I love that you tell me honestly. Jimin would just say he loved it and we both can move on."
"There's nothing to love about this painting." Taehyung commented. "There's no… soul."
"You're right." Jungkook smiled, and nodded as he said again, "You're right."
"So what does it mean? Why do you draw it?"
"I don't even know."
Taehyung let silence took over as he had nothing else to respond. If even the painter himself didn't understand, how was he supposed to say anything anymore?
"Tae," Jungkook called. Taehyung looked up. There was something in Jungkook's gaze he couldn't quite understand. Fear? Why was he afraid? Taehyung hadn't done anything yet.
"What is it?"
"Kiss me."
Taehyung let the words sink it for a few seconds. He waited for Jungkook to burst out laughing or joking at how awkward it was, but those moments never came. And now Taehyung felt breathless.
"What?" He finally responded. "Did you just-"
"Yes. I asked you to kiss me."
"Why?"
"Because you're my muse."
"Okay. But why a kiss?"
"For inspiration." Jungkook looked him straight in his caramel eyes. "And I saw the way you look at me. I know you want it too."
Taehyung almost chuckled. He wanted to say that the way he looked at Jungkook would no way mean that he wanted to kiss him. He wanted to do more.
"I can't kiss you." Taehyung said. The disappointment disappeared from Jungkook's face as quickly as it came.
"Why not? We're alone here."
"It would be against my promise."
"Your promise with who?"
"Myself. I promised I wouldn't get attached."
"Just a kiss," Jungkook requested again, this time there was desperation in his voice. "No commitment, no attachment."
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into," Taehyung warned. Already, he reached for his bag. But Jungkook took him by his wrist and yanked him away. "Jungkook-"
Jungkook pushed him against the wall and kissed him. His kiss was so heavy and full of hunger that for a moment, Taehyung lost his mind. His hands gripped tightly onto the firm arms of Jungkook's, his fingers dug into his damp shirt.
Jungkook moaned into their kiss and he pushed Taehyung harder against the wall, pressing his body against him. Taehyung could feel the tongue slipping into his mouth and he held back his own moan. He let Jungkook taste him, explore him, touch him. He just let him.
Jungkook pulled back momentarily, his breathing short. He stared deeply into Taehyung's eyes before he traced his finger down to Taehyung's swollen lips. He caressed it with his thumb, for a second, before he leaned in and kissed him again. This time more gently. When he felt satisfied, he pulled away and started kissing down his chin, his jawline, down to his neck.
"Jungkook?"
"Hmm?"
"I can't do this."
Jungkook stopped. He looked up and found Taehyung tearing up. His chest tightened at the sight.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know you didn't want this."
Taehyung could only shake his head. He bit his lips to hold back his sob.
"Tae? Please don't cry. I'm so sorry, I'd do anything to make up for this." He reached over wanting to wipe the tears away but Taehyung did it for himself.
"Do you mean it?"
Jungkook quickly nodded, "Yes. I'll do anything."
Taehyung calmed, then, and pulled something out of his bag. Jungkook couldn't tell what it was for the first few seconds. But when Taehyung aimed it at him, he finally realized.
"Good, then. Die for me, Jeon Jungkook."
The silencer worked perfectly, as always. Taehyung watched as Jungkook fell limp and blood oozed out of the hole between his eyebrows.
He pulled out the photo and looked at the back of it again.
Art major
$12,000
Friday
A message beeped and Taehyung grinned at the amount being transferred into his account.
$13,000
He was one day early.
He hugged his phone.
On to the next assignment.