𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋🎧ྀི playing - See the Light by Lim Hyunsik
⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳ ✦ ⊹
The quiet clinking of utensils filled the room as Jungkook absentmindedly pushed a piece of fruit around his plate. His gaze was unfocused, his mind elsewhere, swirling with thoughts he didn't quite understand. Across the table, Taehyung noticed the lack of enthusiasm in Jungkook's eating. With a faint smile, he flicked his fingers against Jungkook's forehead, making the younger man blink in surprise.
"Eat with focus," Taehyung said, his tone half-scolding but light.
Jungkook hummed distractedly, rubbing his forehead. His gaze flitted back to Taehyung, and just like that, the memory of last night came rushing back—Seokjin's hand lingering on Taehyung's, the way they had stood together outside under the moonlight.
It's nothing, Jungkook told himself. It's Seokjin hyung. He loves Namjoon hyung. But the uneasy twist in his chest wouldn't go away.
Clutching his fork a little too tightly, Jungkook blurted out, "You and Seokjin hyung look really familiar with each other. Why does it seem like you knew each other from before?"
Taehyung's brows furrowed in confusion at the sudden question. He set his fork down and leaned back slightly, studying Jungkook's expression. "Because we do," he replied simply.
Jungkook's grip on the fork tightened further. His knuckles turned white as his eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh, really? Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Taehyung sighed, shaking his head at the younger man's sudden interrogation. "Because it's nothing much," he said, his tone calm but firm. "We met once, a long time ago. During a rescue mission. Mr. Kim was stuck in a building, and I was part of the team that got him out."
"That's it?" Jungkook pressed, his voice unconsciously sharper.
Taehyung leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as his eyes locked onto Jungkook's. "Yes, Mr. Jeon, that's it. Stop sending your brain into overdrive. Mr. Kim didn't want me to mention it because he didn't want to worry his husband. That's all."
Somehow, hearing that explanation made Jungkook feel a little relieved.
Taehyung picked up a piece of grilled chicken from the platter, placing it onto Jungkook's plate. "Eat more," he instructed, his tone softening. "You've been eating too little these days." Without waiting for a response, he picked up a slice of fruit with his fork and brought it to Jungkook's lips. "Here. Eat this too."
Jungkook hesitated for a moment, blinking up at Taehyung before taking the fruit into his mouth. A faint blush crept up his cheeks as he chewed. "Cap, you take care of me so well," he said with a shy grin. "Aren't you afraid I'll fall for you?"
Taehyung smirked, his lips quirking into a teasing smile. "Don't worry," he said smoothly. "You wouldn't be the first one to tell me that."
The words hit Jungkook harder than he expected. That ugly feeling surged back, stronger this time, twisting in his chest like a knot. He frowned, "Excuse me," he muttered,
Taehyung watched, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. "What's this? Are you jealous?"
Jungkook scoffed, turning back with a sharp glare to walk away. "As if. Please."
But before he could storm off completely, Taehyung leaned in and closed the distance between them. He reached out, gently tilting Jungkook's chin up with his fingers, his thumb brushing along the line of his jaw.
"Don't sulk, luxe," Taehyung whispered, his voice low and dripping with a teasing edge. His face was so close that Jungkook could feel the warmth of his breath. "No one has ever excited me anywhere near what you do."
Jungkook's breath hitched, his eyes widening slightly as his pulse quickened. Taehyung's lips were tantalizingly close, their proximity sending a shiver down Jungkook's spine.
"Taehyung," Jungkook murmured, his voice barely audible, caught between surprise and something else he couldn't quite name.
Taehyung let his fingers linger for a moment longer before sitting back with a knowing grin. "Now, finish your food. I don't want you fainting on me later."
Jungkook stood frozen in place, his mind a whirlwind of emotions as he watched Taehyung return back to eating with an infuriatingly calm demeanor. Swallowing hard, he slowly again played around with the food, his thoughts far too chaotic to focus on the meal in front of him.
This wasn't jealousy. It couldn't be. Right? No way this was jealousy... he thought, trying to convince himself. It's just uneasiness. That's all.
Jungkook's phone pinged, breaking the quiet in the room. He frowned, unlocking the screen to check the message. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the sender—his mom. His fingers tightened around the phone as he read her reply:
"I'm in Seoul for a show. We can meet, but carefully. Your father can't know."
Surprised and elated, Jungkook couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at his lips.. After messaging her earlier that morning, he hadn't expected her to be in the same city. Excitement bubbled in his chest, but it was quickly tempered by the reality of their situation.
Jungkook glanced across the room at Taehyung, who was calmly sipping his coffee while scrolling on his phone. A sense of conflict washed over him. He needed to ask Taehyung for help, but he wasn't sure how it would go. Clearing his throat, he called out hesitantly, "Cap, umm... I need a favor."
Taehyung looked up, instantly catching the serious tone in Jungkook's voice. He set his coffee mug down and leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. "What is it?"
Jungkook took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the table. "My mom... she's in the city. I want to meet her, but my dad can't know."
Taehyung's brows furrowed as he processed the request. He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. "Your dad doesn't know you're here yet, or at least we think he doesn't. Meeting her could be risky. If his people catch even a whiff of it..."
"I know, I know," Jungkook interjected, his voice pleading. "But I really need to see her, Taehyung. I miss her. I'll do anything you ask—please."
Taehyung studied Jungkook's face, his heart tugging at the desperation in the younger man's voice. After a long pause, he let out a resigned sigh. "Alright," he said slowly. "I think I can manage it, but we'll have to be extremely careful. Thirty minutes. No longer."
Jungkook's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Taehyung. I swear, I'll be quick."
Taehyung held up a hand. "Listen to me. Outside, there are eyes on you. Maybe not all the time, but enough that we can't afford to slip up. I'll tell you the location—your mom needs to meet us there. It's safer that way."
Jungkook nodded eagerly. "Got it. I'll tell her."
Later that day, Jungkook and Taehyung set off in a sleek black car, the windows tinted to obscure the interior. Taehyung was behind the wheel, his expression calm but his eyes sharp and alert as they navigated the outskirts of the city.
As they reached a road leading toward the city center, Jungkook noticed a car similar to theirs driving just a little ahead of them. His brows furrowed, but Taehyung didn't seem concerned, his hands steady on the steering wheel.
When they entered a tunnel, the car ahead of them came to a stop under the dim lighting, but Taehyung didn't slow down. Instead, he drove past it without hesitation.
However, at the second tunnel, things played out differently. Another car, identical to theirs, was waiting just under the bridge. This time, Taehyung slowed the car to a stop, waiting for five minutes for the car to cross the bridge before resuming their drive.
This is something they always do while going out for schedules.
Jungkook frowned, his curiosity finally bubbling over. "Is this much caution really necessary?"
Taehyung's eyes flicked to Jungkook briefly before returning to the road. "Yes," he said firmly. "We don't know who's watching or how. These extra steps make it harder for anyone to track us. They'll get confused about which car we're in or where we're going."
Jungkook's mind flashed back to their countless drives. The detours, the long routes, the seemingly unnecessary pauses—it all suddenly clicked. "So... is that why you always take the long way back home? I thought you were just dragging out the drive because..." He trailed off, his ears tinting red.
Taehyung's lips curving into a teasing grin. "Because what, Jungkook?"
Jungkook crossed his arms, staring stubbornly out the window. "I don't know... maybe because you wanted more time with me or something."
Taehyung chuckled, his deep voice sending a shiver down Jungkook's spine. He glanced at Jungkook, his smirk softening into something gentler. "You're not entirely wrong."
Jungkook turned to look at him, his lips parting slightly in surprise. Before he could respond, Taehyung added, "But don't let it go to your head, luxe. I still value my job over your company."
Jungkook huffed, leaning back in his seat with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Cap."
Despite the risks, there was a warmth in the car now, an unspoken understanding between them. And as Jungkook's phone pinged with a confirmation from his mom, he couldn't help but feel a little more at ease knowing Taehyung was by his side.
⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳ ✦ ⊹
The shoot was intense, the lights blinding, and the cameras capturing every angle of Jungkook as he moved through his scenes. Despite his professionalism, his thoughts were elsewhere. He had followed Taehyung's instructions earlier and sent his mom the location of the set. But now, he wasn't sure what Taehyung had planned.
The first half of the shoot wrapped up, and Jungkook was given a short break. He retreated to his vanity room, feeling the weight of anticipation settle in his chest. Taehyung was nowhere to be seen—one of the other bodyguards stood stationed outside the door. Jungkook fidgeted with his phone, unlocking and locking it repeatedly as his nerves got the better of him.
A knock on the door startled him, and he called out, "Come in."
The door opened, and Taehyung stepped inside. His expression was calm as always, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes that immediately put Jungkook on alert. "Mr. Jeon," Taehyung began, "there's a reporter here for an interview. I've set her up inside and told her she only has thirty minutes."
Jungkook blinked, momentarily confused. "Oh, right," he mumbled, remembering the interview scheduled for today.
But then, as he caught the subtle smirk on Taehyung's lips and the way his eyes held a knowing spark, something clicked in Jungkook's mind. His heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened as realization dawned.
Taehyung, sensing his understanding, gave a small nod and stepped aside, gesturing for the visitor to enter. Another figure stepped into the room, and Jungkook instantly recognized her.
"Mom," he whispered, his voice barely audible as emotion overwhelmed him.
Mrs. Jeon smiled softly, her eyes shimmering with tears as she took a hesitant step forward. "Kookie," she said, her voice breaking slightly.
Jungkook didn't hesitate. He closed the distance between them in two quick strides and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. His eyes shut as he buried his face in her shoulder, taking in her familiar scent and the warmth of her presence. "Mom... I'm so glad you are here," he murmured.
She held him just as tightly, stroking his back gently. "Me too, my son," she whispered, her voice laced with both relief and sadness.
Behind Taehyung walks out, closing the door behind.
Pulling back slightly, Jungkook looked at her with a wide smile, his eyes crinkling despite the faint sheen of unshed tears. "I can't believe you're here. It feels like forever since we last met."
Mrs. Jeon smiled, cupping his cheek. "I'm so happy to see you again, Kook. And..." her eyes flickered briefly toward the door, "I see you have someone by your side that you can trust."
Jungkook followed her gaze and realized she was referring to Taehyung, who had discreetly stepped out to give them privacy. He nodded with a small smile. "You're right. He helps me a lot. He... he's always looking out for me."
Mrs. Jeon's smile deepened, though there was a touch of sadness in her eyes. "I'm glad, Kook. You need someone like that in your corner."
They sat down on the small couch in the vanity room, and Jungkook quickly shifted the conversation to her. "How was your show? Everything's been going okay for you, right?"
Mrs. Jeon nodded. "It's been fine. Busy, but fine. And the show was a success. But enough about me—how have you been holding up?"
Jungkook hesitated before answering. "I'm managing," he said vaguely, though his tone betrayed his underlying stress. "But, Mom..." He swallowed hard, bracing himself. "I know you told me not to look into the case, but I couldn't help it. I found some things... and now I need you to confirm something for me."
Mrs. Jeon's expression instantly changed, her brows knitting together in panic. "What? Jungkook, no! I told you to leave it alone. What if your father finds out? Oh, Kook, why would you do this?"
"Because I need answers!" Jungkook cut in, his voice firm but not unkind. He leaned forward, his eyes searching hers. "I can't just let it go, Mom. Please... tell me the truth. Was Mr. Kang really guilty? And Mrs. Jung... she didn't commit suicide, did she?"
Mrs. Jeon froze, her eyes widening in alarm. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched her lap. "Jungkook..." she whispered, her voice wavering.
"Mom," Jungkook pressed, his tone softer now but insistent. "Please. I need to know. You can trust me. I won't let anything happen to you."
Mrs. Jeon looked away, her breathing uneven. "Oh, Kook..." she murmured, her voice filled with anguish. "It's not myself, I am worried about,"
Jungkook reached out, placing his hand over hers. "I just need the truth, Mom. Did Dad twisted the case..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Mrs. Jeon's lips pressed together tightly, and for a moment, it seemed like she wouldn't answer. But then she exhaled shakily, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I can't tell you everything, Kook," she whispered, her voice shaking. "But... Mr. Kang wasn't guilty. He was framed...."
She paused, her gaze flicking toward the door as if ensuring no one could hear. Lowering her voice even more, she spoke barely above a whisper. "And no, Mrs. Jung didn't commit suicide. But I can't tell you more than that. Mr. Jung didn't kill her either. She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Jungkook's stomach churned, and a wave of nausea washed over him. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the table to steady himself.
"Then why?" His voice was barely a whisper, so soft it almost felt like a confession. "Why was it all covered up? Who's behind this?"
Mrs. Jeon took a step back, her eyes were filled with an overwhelming sadness. "I shouldn't have told you this, Kook," she said, her voice trembling. "Please, promise me you won't dig any deeper."
Jungkook's jaw clenched, the fire inside him growing stronger. "What happened to Mrs. Jung, Mom? And where is Mr. Kang now?"
Mrs. Jeon shook her head slowly, her face crumpling with the weight of her grief and fear. "You don't understand how dangerous it is to dig into this, Kook. Your father... he's not someone you can cross so easily. Over the years, he's made too many connections. Too many people owe him favors." Her voice dropped to almost nothing, as if the very mention of his name made her sick.
But Jungkook wasn't about to back down. His gaze sharpened with determination, his body brimming with a desperate need for answers. "I can't promise that, Mom." His voice cracked slightly. "Please, tell me. Do you know where Mr. Kang is?"
There was a long pause before Mrs. Jeon's expression twisted with pain, as if the truth hurt her more than anything. Her eyes welled with tears as she spoke softly, "He... he's not alive, Kook. Two weeks after the ruling, he... he committed suicide."
Jungkook's eyes widened in shock, his body freezing in disbelief. The words didn't register at first—he couldn't comprehend them. "What... what? But... there's nothing on it. No reports, no investigations..." His voice faltered as the horrible truth sank in,
His mom lowered her head, her face creased with sorrow. "Of course there's nothing on it. He was erased. Forgotten. Like he never existed."
Jungkook's heart raced as he processed her words. His mind screamed for answers, but the questions kept coming, faster than he could form them. A fear, deeper and darker than he had ever felt before, crept into his chest. "And Mrs. Jung? What happened to her?" His voice shook with the rawness of his emotions.
Mrs. Jeon's face tightened as if the weight of the question was too much to bear. "Just like me," she began, her voice quiet but heavy with sorrow, "she found out what her husband was up to. But unlike me, she couldn't save herself from the people her husband worked for. They took care of her. The same way they'll take care of anyone who gets in their way." Her eyes locked with his, filled with an indescribable pain. "Kook... this is bigger than you think. Your father is tangled up in something dangerous. You have to stop."
Jungkook's hands balled into fists, the rage and confusion mixing with a helplessness he couldn't shake off. "Who are these people, Mom? Does Dad work for them?" The desperation in his voice was palpable as he grasped at her hands, his grip tight, the fear in his chest nearly suffocating him.
But before his mother could respond, the door to the van suddenly opened with a sharp click, and Taehyung entered, his posture straight and urgent. He shot a quick, apologetic look at Mrs. Jeon. "Sorry, Mrs. Jeon, but you need to leave now," he said, his tone almost too professional, too impersonal for the moment. "Mr. Jeon is on his way here. He'll be here in ten minutes."
Jungkook felt his heart stop, the blood draining from his face as his mind raced. "What?" He turned to Taehyung, his voice suddenly louder, more frantic. "I—Mom, we—"
Taehyung's gaze cut to him, sharp and decisive, leaving no room for argument. "There's no time, Jungkook," he said, his tone low but unwavering. "She has to leave now."
Mrs. Jeon was already on her feet, her face etched with worry as she reached for Jungkook's hand. Her voice was soft but urgent. "Kook, listen to me," she whispered. "You have to be careful. Promise me you'll stop digging. Please." Her grip on his hand tightened, her desperation evident.
Jungkook opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat. He could only nod, the storm in his mind raging too fiercely to find the right words.
Taehyung motioned for Mrs. Jeon to follow him, his hand resting lightly on her back as he escorted her out of the van. Jungkook watched helplessly as his mother disappeared through the door, his heart heavy and his mind spinning.
A few minutes later, the door reopened, and Taehyung stepped back inside, shutting it firmly behind him. His demeanor was calm, but there was a tightness in his expression.
"I was going to inform you earlier," Taehyung began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of frustration, "but your father found out about it first."
Jungkook frowned, his tone edged with suspicion. "About what?"
Taehyung sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the wall. "Those guys who attacked in Mexico... they were hired by the opposition."
Jungkook's brows furrowed deeply, his confusion evident. "What? Are you sure about this?"
Taehyung gave a curt nod. "From the sketch we got, I was able to track the kidnapper. He's been in contact with a member of the opposition party. The connections are solid."
Jungkook's frown deepened. "But why would they target me? What do they gain from it?"
Taehyung crossed his arms, his voice calm but laced with a quiet intensity. "Probably to pressure your father. They wanted to use you as leverage to get him to withdraw, knowing the votes are already in his favor."
Jungkook's fists clenched at his sides, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "So that's why he's coming here now? To pull me into another one of his messes?"
Taehyung nodded. "He wants you to confirm the claim in a press conference. It'll strengthen his position if you speak out about the attack."
Jungkook's jaw tightened, and he let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it. "No matter how far I try to run from him, he always finds a way to drag me back into the life I don't want to be a part of anymore. I can't keep doing this."
Taehyung's gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained pragmatic. "It's better if you talk to him here, face-to-face. If you refuse to meet him now, he'll come looking for you at the apartment. You don't want him to find there's a fake living there."
Jungkook gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "But I'm not going to do what he wants. I'm not going to stand in front of cameras and give him what he needs to win. I'm done being his pawn. What do I do, Cap?"
Taehyung studied him for a moment, his sharp mind clearly working through the possibilities. After a beat, he straightened, his tone confident. "If you want to convince him, you have to speak his language—power and perception. You can't just refuse outright. You need to give him a reason to back off."
Jungkook frowned, unsure. "What kind of reason?"
Taehyung's eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned closer. "Spin it as something that could backfire on his campaign if the press gets ahold of it. He won't want to risk it."
Jungkook considered this, his brows furrowed. "You think he'd buy that?"
Taehyung nodded firmly. "It's not about him believing you. It's about him not wanting to take the risk. He won't gamble with his campaign if there's even a chance it could backfire."
Jungkook frowned, unsure. "What do I say?"
Taehyung nodded "Just tell him that the opposition might be waiting for us to take that bait. If we publicly accuse them, they could already have a counterattack ready. They could spin it to make it look like your father is orchestrating the narrative for political gain. That could put his entire campaign at risk, and trust me, he knows it."
Jungkook stared at Taehyung, realization dawning. "So, you're saying I use that risk to corner him without actually making it public?"
Taehyung gave him a small, approving nod. "Exactly. You don't need to say anything outright. Just let him think you're prepared to blow it up if necessary. It's the leverage he won't want you to use. He can't afford that kind of risk."
Jungkook exhaled slowly, his lips pressing into a determined line. "Alright. Let's do it your way."
When Jungkook's father arrived at the set, the entire place was eerily quiet. Taehyung had cleared most of the staff and shifted the shoot to a secondary location nearby, ensuring absolute privacy. The vanity van stood isolated, with Taehyung's team discreetly stationed at key points around the area.
Jungkook was sitting inside the van, his jaw tense, his mind replaying Taehyung's advice. The door swung open, and his father stepped inside, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed impeccably. Taehyung followed closely behind, his expression unreadable as he shut the door and stood by it, his arms crossed.
"Let's not waste time, Jungkook," his father began, his tone brisk and impatient. "I assume Taehyung has already explained what you need to do. The press conference is tomorrow, and I need you to confirm that the attack in Mexico was orchestrated by the opposition. It will solidify our position and leave no doubt in the public's mind."
Jungkook's hands curled into fists on his lap, but he kept his expression neutral, just as Taehyung had coached him. "He told me," Jungkook said, his voice steady but low. "But I don't think it's a good idea."
His father's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse me?"
Jungkook took a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "If we go public with this, the opposition might already have a plan to flip it against us. They could claim it's fabricated, and worse, they could have evidence to discredit us. If that happens, your campaign could take a serious hit."
His father's jaw tightened, his gaze shifting briefly to Taehyung, who remained silent, watching the exchange closely. "You don't think I've considered that? This isn't a gamble, Jungkook. We have evidence."
Jungkook leaned forward slightly, his tone firmer now. "Do we? Enough to withstand a counterattack? Because if we make this public and they turn it against us, it won't just damage your campaign—it'll destroy it. And you know it."
For a moment, silence filled the van. His father studied him, his sharp eyes assessing every word, every nuance in his tone. Jungkook felt the weight of the man's scrutiny, but he refused to back down, holding his gaze steady.
Finally, his father exhaled sharply, pacing a step away. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were defending them," he said, his voice clipped.
"I'm not defending anyone," Jungkook shot back, his tone unwavering. "I'm protecting your campaign. You don't need me to speak out publicly to win. The votes are already in your favor. Why take a risk when it's unnecessary?"
His father stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing once again. "You've gotten smarter, haven't you?" he said, his voice quieter but laced with an edge. "I wonder who I should thank for that."
Taehyung finally spoke, his tone calm and professional. "Your son has always been sharp, Mr. Jeon. He's just making sure there's no misstep at a critical moment."
Jungkook's father glanced at Taehyung briefly, then back at Jungkook. "Fine," he said after a tense pause. "I won't push for the press conference. For now. But don't mistake this for leniency, Jungkook. If I need you, I expect you to be there."
Jungkook met his father's gaze head-on, his voice firm. "Understood."
With that, his father turned and strode toward the door. Taehyung opened it for him, stepping aside as the elder Jeon exited. As soon as the door closed behind him, Jungkook slumped back in his seat, the tension finally releasing from his body.
Jungkook exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair. "That was..." he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Handled," Taehyung finished for him, his tone even. "You did well."
Jungkook looked at him, feeling tingles in his stomach. "Thanks," he said quietly. He meant it straight from heart. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Taehyung gave him a small nod, his gaze steady. "You're stronger than you think, Jungkook. Remember that."
Jungkook clutches his stomach with a hitched breath. DID HE JUST GOT BUTTERLFIES??