"I know you're thinking I'm heartless
I know you're thinking I'm cold
I'm just protecting my innocence
I'm just protecting my soul"

"Kookie?"

Jungkook's heart stopped beating.

His hands stopped rubbing on his thighs.

His eyes stopped blinking.

The entire universe shut down for a second. The noise in the cafè stopped. The people in the world outside stopped moving.

The only thing moving was the tear on Jungkook's cheek.

He slowly stood up from his chair and turned to face the owner of the voice. He felt his heart break and be taped back together at the same time.

The man in front of him was skin and bone. He had horrible bags under his eyes, his cheeks caved in slightly. The man's tan arms were covered in bruises. His hair was a faded brown color. Even from a few feet away, Jungkook could spot the freckle on the man's nose.

"T-Taehyung?" Jungkook cursed himself for letting his voice crack. He couldn't move, his feet were sinking into quicksand. He pinched his arm numerous times, sure that he was dreaming.

Taehyung took a step forward. Jungkook couldn't help but notice the slight limp in his step. "I missed you so much, Jeon Jungkook." Taehyung had a few tears falling down his tanned cheeks.

Jungkook rose out of the quicksand and tackled Taehyung in a tight hug, squeezing the air out of him. The older immediately returned the favor, not able to squeeze as hard as he was obviously weak. They stood in each other's embrace for the longest time. Taehyung's head was buried into Jungkook's neck. Jungkook breathed in his familiar scent of strawberries, with a hint of vanilla.

Finally, Jungkook broke the hug, motioning for Taehyung to sit down, which he did, wincing a little as he did so.

"H-How are you here?" Jungkook's mind was clouded. He wanted to ask a million questions.

Taehyung gave a small smile, but Jungkook could tell that it was forced. "That part I can explain later." He readjusted himself in the metal seat, once again wincing.

Jungkook's worried side took over. "Are you in pain? What happened? Do we need to go to the hospital? Jin!" Jungkook turned to face Jin, who was still sitting their with his mouth agape, his eyes tracing Taehyung. "Jin-hyung!" Jungkook snapped a little, making both of his hyungs flinch.

"W-What? Oh. Yes, he should go to the hospital. No offense, Tae, but you look like shit." Jin gave Taehyung a hug before walking back to the kitchen to get back to work.

Taehyung chuckled a little, gripping his stomach. Jungkook stood up and reached a hand out to Taehyung. "Let's go get you checked out." Taehyung seemed reluctant, but eventually nodded, grabbing a hold of the younger's hand.

•
Jungkook sat in the hospital room, gripping Taehyung's frail hand. He was still in shock, unable to form coherent sentences. His heart hadn't stopped racing.

Finally, the doctor came in, looking at the chart. "Kim Taehyung?" Taehyung nodded, his lips in a thin line. "I'm Dr. Choi. I need you to tell me what happened."

Jungkook could feel Taehyung tense up. His breaths sped up ever so slightly. Taehyung inhaled sharply, clearing his throat. "I, uh, I can't give you the details. Let's just say, um, I would only eat one small meal every other day, sometimes once a day. I have a pain in my ribs and stomach." Taehyung's eyes met Jungkook's, and the younger watched a tear fall as Taehyung turned back to the doctor. His voice cracked, and the words were barely audible. "And I n-need a r-rape kit."

Jungkook's breathing became heavy and labored. He found himself on the ground, struggling to breathe. He could see people running over to him, rubbing his back, trying to get him to steady his breath. Someone placed an oxygen mask on him, and Jungkook closed his eyes, focusing on the oxygen flowing in and out of his lungs.

His breathing stabilized, and a nurse helped him back into his chair. The doctor had left the room and it was just him and Taehyung, alone again. Taehyung reached out his hand, but Jungkook didn't take it. He watched as Taehyung's face dropped.

"Jungkook, I-"

The younger held up a hand. He took the oxygen mask off before he spoke. "Y-You were raped? Did he r-rape you?" Jungkook could feel the anger boiling inside him.

Taehyung took a second to answer. "H-He wasn't alone this time. When we l-left," Taehyung's voice cracked once more, and that's when Jungkook decided to put his anger aside and hold Taehyung's hand. "He took me to live with an old friend of his. I-I don't know which one r-raped me."

"How do you not know?"

Taehyung's eyes wandered around the room before landing on the box of gloves on the opposite side of the room. "They would have me blindfolded for days at a time. I was chained to the bed, I couldn't move. I-I couldn't s-stop t-them, I a-am so s-sorry." Taehyung started to sob, putting his face in his hands.

Jungkook jumped out of his chair and enveloped Taehyung in a hug, running a finger softly through his thinning strands of hair. "Shh, Tae, it's okay." Jungkook whispered softly, rocking them back and forth while the older sobbed uncontrollably into Jungkook's white t-shirt. "Shh."

"K-Kookie?" Taehyung's sobs were slowing down now, and he pulled back, making direct eye contact with Jungkook.

"Hmm?"

Taehyung gulped. He fiddled with the sheets that covered him. "I love you. So fucking much." His voice came out clear as day.

Jungkook wiped Taehyung's cheeks before kissing them both softly. "I love you so fucking much too, Taehyungie."

Taehyung gripped Jungkook's hands, which were still located on Taehyung's cheeks, and he pulled them off, dropping them in the younger's lap. Jungkook looked at him with confusion in his eyes. "I love you, Jungkook, but-" he inhaled sharply, his eyes not leaving Jungkook's. "I want you to get out of my sight."

Jungkook gasped quietly. "W-What?"

Taehyung finally averted his eyes, once again finding the box of gloves on the counter. "I want you to leave. I don't want you here, I don't want to see you or hear from you again. Now, get the fuck out of my hospital room."

Jungkook stared at Taehyung in silence for a minute before slowly getting off of the bed. He grabbed his keys and phone from the table before turning once more to look at the man he loved so deeply. "Kim Taehyung, I will never forget you for making me the man I am today. I am sorry that all of this happened to you. I'm not sure what I did, but I will respect your wishes and never see you again. Even if it kills me." Jungkook's voice was quiet. He held back the tears as he heard Taehyung's response.

"Goodbye, Jungkook."

•••

{edited}