Bound by Silence |Taekook | COMPLETED?

The atmosphere was thick with tension as Taehyung entered the five-star restaurant, his footsteps deliberate as he approached the private booth. He had arrived thirty minutes late, intentionally, to annoy this Jungkook guy.

Jungkook, on the other hand, arrived exactly at 2 PM, on time, as expected. He had convinced himself that this was something he had to do for his family-something that would protect them, even if it meant he had to give up his own happiness. But as he sat there, waiting in the booth for Taehyung to arrive, his anger began to rise. Why didn't this guy have the decency to show up on time?

His thoughts were interrupted when Taehyung finally arrived. The sight of him made Jungkook freeze for a second. Taehyung walked in wearing a casual black hoodie and track pants, an outfit that seemed disrespectful in the refined atmosphere of the restaurant, but he was effortlessly handsome. It was almost unfair. He could have worn a potato sack and still looked better than anyone Jungkook had ever met.

And then it hit him.

Wait... I know this guy...

Jungkook's eyes widened as he recognized Taehyung as the same handsome but rude stranger he had bumped into twice.

Once at the hospital, where their encounter had been icy at best, and once at the cemetery, where it had been no better. Both times, Taehyung hadn't left a good impression . So he couldn't help but ask, "You again?"

Taehyung, with no visible reaction, just sat down across from him, immediately pulling out his phone and beginning to type.

Jungkook, confused, furrowed his brow. He expected some kind of greeting, but Taehyung seemed to be ignoring him entirely.

Jungkook's patience snapped. "Are you serious? You're late, and now you can't even say hello? Look, just because you're ridiculously good-looking doesn't mean you get a free pass to act like a jerk. I didn't even want to be here, but here I am. so at least try to pretend you care."

Taehyung froze mid-typing, his gaze slowly lifting to meet Jungkook's. There was no anger in his expression, only a strange calmness that made Jungkook feel like he'd just snapped at a wall.

After a beat, Taehyung turned his phone around. The screen read:

I'm not ignoring you. I am mute.

Jungkook froze, his words dying in his throat. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He had assumed Taehyung was just a stuck-up jerk, too proud to acknowledge him. But instead, Taehyung was mute.

A wave of guilt washed over Jungkook. "I'm sorry... I didn't know..." He stuttered, feeling the weight of his mistake.

Taehyung offered a small nod, his expression calm but distant, as if he was used to this sort of misunderstanding.

Trying to make amends, Jungkook hesitated before saying, "I know sign language."

That got Taehyung's attention. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise breaking through his guarded demeanor.

"Why would someone like you know sign language?"

He typed out, sliding the phone back to Jungkook.

"I'm a social worker," Jungkook explained, " I learned it to communicate with people who are differently abled."

Taehyung studied him for a long moment, his guarded expression unreadable. Finally, he signed, his movements slow and precise.

"Why would someone like you bother to learn?"

Jungkook chuckled softly, scratching the back of his neck. "Because it's important. Everyone deserves to be understood. Besides, I've met some amazing people through it."