Detecting Falsehood

(Okay this is the last extra update for a while most likely. This is because it was my best friend's birthday yesterday and since the day was pretty shit ngl I decided that this week will have to make up for it. So expect a few updates on different books, as per her wishes, to make sure that she ends up enjoying her first week as a 17 year old.

Love ya 🐰)

(K)181472622426

I miss you.

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"Taehyung, I'm going to need to wake you up," Jungkook hisses at me, his voice sounding desperate, and my eyes fly open in seconds, only to see his stressed face a mere ten centimetres from mine.

"What the hell?" I ask, suddenly wide awake, my eyes flicking over his face, unable to stop themselves at the sheer close proximity of it. For the first tine ever, I actually look at him, and realise how attractive he really is.

Strong cheekbones, a razor sharp jawline, practically flawless pale skin, perfectly shaped eyes that are just the right shade of brown, a mouth that looks like it would be good at kissing, and that's just the face. I know for a fact how strong he really is. And that only adds to how hot he seems.

"You okay, Taehyung?" he asks quietly, moving back, and I'm forced out of my thoughts instantly.
"Yeah, I'm f-fine," I return, nodding too quickly, mentally cursing at the fact that I just had to stutter at the worst possible time.

He raises an eyebrow, but chooses to ignore his suspicions, much to my relief. Though I know one day he will question me, now is clearly not the time. He's here for another reason, whatever that may be.

"Anyway, I wasn't here just to randomly question you on your well being," he says slightly awkwardly, "I was also here to tell you that I've managed to argue your case with my father. He's a lot calmer now than he was, and he's willing to cut your punishment to only one meal missed."

He manages a wry smile, leaning back so that he's sitting cross-legged at the end of my bed. "It took a lot of persuasion, but I think you should get something within the next hour, give or take. I know it's still time to wait, but-"

I cut him off by leaning forward and giving him a massive hug, the action surprising him more than I was expecting it to. "Thank you," I say simply, and he smiles, nodding a little and returning the embrace without complaint.

"I know it seems odd, but I do genuinely care about you," he says quietly. "Sure, it's technically my fault that we are in this situation in the first place, but I am going to do my best to help us get out of it."

I tilt my head at him, a little confused. "You always say 'technically'. What does that even mean? You are the reason I'm here. There's no technicality about it. Sure, you're helping me now, but that doesn't mean you always did." He raises an eyebrow at me. "He said you told him who to kidnap."

He frowns in confusion. "But I didn't. I have no control over who he decides to capture for any of his stupid schemes. He's the only person who can decide these things. He's the leader, it's what he does. That's the whole point of his role. Why would he give me any say in that?"

My own bafflement only increases at that, as he's telling the truth, but his father was as well. There must be more to this puzzle, some sort of link between the two stories that makes them both true. Even if they directly contrast each other, somehow they're both the reality. I just don't get it at all. Someone will have to explain it to me.

Or I could try to figure it out myself.

"So why say 'technically'?" I ask, and he shrugs.
"I'm guessing I'm involved somehow, otherwise he wouldn't have called you one of my friends when he first told me that he had a new hostage. He was like 'oh, Junghoon, I have a new hostage, I think you know him? One of your friends, I believe.'"

"That's weird," I return, shrugging and closing my eyes, trying to see if the connection between the two stories is clear that way.

It's not.

"Then again, this is my father. Nobody really understands why he does anything. There's never any sort of reason for his actions. He never explains himself," Jungkook says thoughtfully, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't know how we'd be able to sort this mess out."

He glances over at me, a slightly regretful expression on his face. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this, Taehyung," he says quietly. "Whatever I may have done to cause my father to choose you as the one to be kidnapped, I didn't mean it. I want to fix this. I need to fix this, if I can."

I nod in understanding, sending him a grateful smile. "Like 21 said, we're all trapped in some way or another. It's just the type of entrapment that's different. I think you're also trapped, too, in your own way. You can't be yourself anymore. That can't be easy."

He shrugs. "I guess not, no. I'm used to it now, so it doesn't seem like such an issue anymore. But I get your point." There's a second of silence, as he contemplates the idea, then he nods to himself. "Yeah, I suppose Junghoon did trap me. Even if he didn't realise what he was doing, it's still technically his fault that I have to be him still."

I run a hand through my hair, sighing slightly. "Is there anything we can do to stop you from having to be him?" I ask, frowning. "Or anything we can do to persuade you father to let me go once all of this company bullshit is over?"

He shakes his head. "No. He never lets hostages go, and he's been distracted by your outburst. Keeps trying to research what you could've meant. It's almost obsessive, in a way."

I curse under my breath. "Dammit, that doesn't help at all. Why did I have to get so pissed off? I could've just screamed or punched the wall when he left, that would make more sense. I don't know why I got annoyed, I think it was simply because it was so much lying at once. I'm used to it now, but even so, it can get on my nerves."

Jungkook tilts his head. "How could you tell?"
"I'm just good at reading people," I reply perfectly calmly, knowing by now exactly how to lie properly. He frowns a little, but nods in understanding.
"I suppose you are, having noticed my own deception as well. That makes sense."

There's a moment of silence, as he considers something, then he shakes his head, letting it go. "I need to get going, but hopefully you should receive some sort of food sometime soon." I nod in understanding. Our friends are okay, relatively speaking, so don't worry. No major changes there. They're worried, obviously, but other than that, they're fine."

"Thank you," I say genuinely, standing up as he does and giving him a hug. "Honestly, it does mean a lot that you're trying to help so much. And I'm glad I get to eat soon."

He manages a wry smile, returning the gesture surprisingly calmly. "You're the only person here I feel okay to talk to about this kinda shit," he responds quietly, "you can't hurt me or tell anyone, and for some reason I know you wouldn't even if you were able to. It's good to get this out of my head after so long."
"Healthier, I guess," I agree, "when we consider your mental state."

He glances at the ceiling. "That, I'm not sure about," he admits. "I'm probably all kinds of messed up by now because of what I've gone through. Surely there's parts of that which will never recover?"
"There are, but there are also parts of you which are incredibly strong and incredibly good at bringing yourself back to a normal, good health. Don't worry. You can do this."

I smile slightly, thinking of the trauma of my early childhood, the loss of my sister, being kidnapped and beaten. "If I can manage it, you can."
"You haven't-"
"I wouldn't be so sure, Jeon," I tell him simply, raising an eyebrow at him. "You aren't the only one who went through stuff as a kid. Now isn't the time, however. I'm sure you have places to be."

He nods, looking a little dazed, and I chuckle at the expression on his face. "I'll be back some time," he promises, pulling the mask over his face and walking over to the door, raising a hand in farewell.
"Good. Tell 21 to appear as well," I request quietly, and he smiles through the mask, nodding.

"I will. She'll be here sometime today, if I can sneakily schedule her a visit. It'll take me at least an hour to sort it out, but hopefully that's okay." I just nod in response, and he slips away, closing and locking the door behind him as he goes, leaving me alone once more with my thoughts.

And alone with my confusion as to why I suddenly find him attractive.