Taehkook , BL

In a city that always smelled of wet asphalt and cigarette smoke, Kim Taehyung was a man everyone knew by his name. Taehyung was the leader of a gang that was run by order; not by violence. Every appointment, every moment, every breath had to be in place. If a chair was crooked, the meeting wouldn’t start. If there were three forks on the table, the food would go cold. And if he mentioned Park Hyun’s name, Taehyung would wash his white gloves three times and say, “It’s over. Don’t mention his name again.” Hyun: “The boy Taehyung loved...but Taehyung’s enemy...made Hyun die” had died five years ago. Taehyung remembered that rainy night; the blood on the asphalt, the car lights, and the sound of the piano coming from the window of the house. Since that night, Taehyung had built a glass greenhouse. He planted seven white roses. He watered them every morning. Every night he counted the number of fallen petals. The greenhouse was the only place Taehyung could breathe, without counting. But even there, Hyung was in his shadow.

One night, as the rain washed the windows, Minho came and said, “A florist has come to deliver an order. He says it was your order.” Taehyung stood with his back to the door, touching one of the roses with his finger. Without turning around, he said, “Send.” The door opened and a wet wind blew in. Taehyung turned. The boy was wet, his sweat stuck to his forehead, the box of flowers shaking in his hand. Taehyung held his breath. His face... his face was the same. The same jawline, the same eyes, the same little movement of his lips. Taehyung whispered his name, “Hyun?” The boy looked confused and said, “Excuse me?” He cleared his throat and asked, “What’s your name?” The boy said, “Jeon Jungkook.” Taehyung counted in his mind: Jungkook, seven letters. It wasn’t a good number. But it was beautiful. It was so beautiful.

Taehyung offered Jungkook a job. He said, “Take care of the greenhouse. Good pay. A room in the mansion.” Jungkook asked, “Why me?” Taehyung said, “Because the flowers calm down in your hands.” Minho warned after Jungkook left, “Taehyung, this boy is like him. This is crazy.” Taehyung just said, “I’m holding the flowers.” Minho said, “You’re holding the dead.” Taehyung didn’t answer. He washed his hands three times.

The next few days, Taehyung’s mansion was filled with silence. Jungkook worked in the greenhouse. Taehyung watched him through the glass. He adjusted the greenhouse’s environment himself. He knew Jungkook’s bedtime. He had changed the color of his clothes; all white, like Hyun. Jungkook was standing in the kitchen one night when Taehyung came up behind him and put his hand on his. Taehyung said, “Your voice, I want you to talk to me forever.” Jungkook turned and said, “What...” Taehyung said, “Your voice sounds like Hyun...” Jungkook said, “I’m not his place, Taehyung..” Taehyung held his breath and said, “I know. But I want you. Not because of him.” But his eyes said something else. His eyes said you’re who you’re supposed to be. You’re who I’ve been looking for for years.

One evening, Jungkook packed his suitcase. Taehyung stood in front of the greenhouse door. “Go. But this greenhouse is dying without you. And so am I.” Jungkook said, “This isn’t love, this is prison.” Taehyung said, “Maybe. But I’ll lock the door to make sure you don’t get lost again, little boy.” The lock turned. Jungkook realized that the prison was soft; glass, transparent, but closed. He could see the world through the glass, but he couldn’t touch it.

That night Taehyung woke up from the nightmare. His breathing was rapid. His hands were shaking. He started counting: “One... two... three...” Jungkook entered the room. He took his hand. “Seven breaths. With me.” Taehyung said, “I can’t count you. I want you.” A kiss was exchanged between them; loving, but sick. Jungkook knew he had to escape. But he couldn’t. Every time Taehyung took his hand, it was as if the world stopped counting for a moment. And Jungkook was lost in that silence.

After the rival ward attacked, the mansion collapsed. Kang Saman, the leader of the rival ward, attacked at night. Taehyung hid Jungkook in the greenhouse and was injured himself. After the fight, Jungkook searched Taehyung’s room for medicine. He opened the drawer. It was full of photos. Hyun’s photos. And his own. From months ago. From before Taehyung had seen him. Photos from the window of the house. From work. From playing the piano. From the street. From the rain. Jungkook froze. His hand shook. The photos fell to the floor. Taehyung stood behind him. Wounded, pale, but calm. “From a year ago,” he said. “At first I thought he was back. Then I realized it wasn’t you. But it was too late. I loved you, Jungkook. Not like him. You.” “This isn’t love,” Jungkook said. “This is possession.” “I know. But it’s all I have.”

Jungkook picked up the gun from the table. His hand shook. Taehyung stepped forward and put his forehead to the gun. “Shoot. Or stay,” he said. Both have the same result for me: you will stay in me forever.” Jungkook lowered the gun. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He said, “I’m going.” Taehyung said, “Go. But come back to the greenhouse every night. Even if you just look through the glass.” Jungkook left. Taehyung was left alone. He started counting: “One... two... three...” He paused at seven. He said, “...Jungkook.” Outside, behind the glass, Jungkook stood. It was raining. And for the first time in five years, Taehyung didn’t say the whole number seven.

Taehyung and Jungkook's Dialogues

What does Taehyung call Jungkook

"Little boy" — when he wants to spoil him and look at him contemptuously at the same time

"Come here, little boy. Give me your hand. You're freezing, didn't I tell you to wear gloves?"

"My vanilla" — when he smells his honey through his whiskey

"My vanilla... where were you today? The whole mansion smelled of you and I went crazy."

"My honey" — when he wants to be gentle, calm, close to his ear

"My honey, breathe. Seven. With me. One... two..."

"My son" — when his possessiveness blooms and his tone turns cold

"You're my son, Jungkook. Wherever you go, my name is on your back."

“Baby” — When he’s in bed next to him and his tone softens

“Baby, come back. It’s still cold. Let me stay a minute longer.”

“My sweet boy” — When he laughs and Taehyung melts

“My sweet boy… if you laugh like that, I won’t be able to count anymore.”

“My rabbit” — When Jungkook runs away and Taehyung calls him with a dangerous smile

“My rabbit, did you think you could hide from me? I’ll crawl everywhere. Even under your skin.”

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What does Jungkook call Taehyung

“Taehyung” — Simple, when he wants to keep his distance

“Taehyung. Take your hand off. I’m not your baby anymore.”

"Alpha" — When his scent intoxicates her and she doesn't want to accept it

"Alpha... No. No. I don't want to. Take your hand... Don't take your hand, damn it."

"Boss" — When she's angry and wants to push Taehyung away

"Boss, don't do this. I'm not your employee to visit me every night."

"My wolf" — When she gives in and hugs Taehyung

"My wolf... You're so cold. Why so cold when I love you so much?"

"Taehyung-ah" — When she gets spoiled and Taehyung melts

"Taehyung-ah... Come to sleep. Stop counting. I'm here."

"My crazy" — When she falls in love with his crazyness and doesn't run away anymore

"My crazy... If you count my photos one more time, I'll take the gun myself. But not to shoot. To stay by your side.”

(An important point... Please be very careful: Jungkook has shortness of breath, that’s why Taehyung always counts to 7 for Jungkook... So that Taehyung can breathe by himself... So that he can breathe better... But because Taehyung is afraid of the number 7... Instead of the number 7, he says Jungkook’s name..