[ Ascertainment ]

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The interview with Taehyung and the officers had ended after an hour. They had asked him a lot of questions. Precisions on his actions, his departure. Information about Jooha or Daejung. Taehyung had said that his former student didn't have enemies. And that therefore, his death, his murder had nailed him on the spot. That, was true. The day his student had been stabbed before his eyes, Taehyung had had the scare of his life. He had also transmitted his condolences to the family, though the hazel haired knew the hidden side of Daejung. The side of an incest rapist. However he hadn't said anything. By respect and to not drag any other person in this dark case, devoid of concrete clues or any track.

The officers had precised the fact that they wanted to meet Jooha. The interview had been planned for the end of the week, friday. They wanted to question her, hear her version. Then Taehyung would probably be called again. After a few days of intense reflection, only then, the authorities would validate Taehyung's alibi or not. If if it went well, the teacher could go back to his work at the university, as well as his small life in Seoul. It was already a first relief to the hazel haired. He had passed the interview. He had answered all the questions. The proofs he gave, were real. Now it was Jooha's turn to play her part and if everything went well, Taehyung would be definitively detached from this case. They had taken his DNA in case, but in vain. It wasn't anywhere on the crime scene. There was no other DNA than the victim's. The policemen were already believing the theory of the perfect crime. After more than two months of daily work, the hopes were evaporating a bit.

Finally Taehyung went back to his home. After signing various documents, but also a certificate of surveillance authorization. The hazel haired could be tapped. And monitored by agents if they wanted to. It didn't bother the young forty-four-year-old man. He wasn't going to call Jooha, she didn't have a phone and she knew what she had to do. Jungkook ? He hadn't left him any phone number. However, he had brought him the letters in his own mail box, while the hazel haired was being interrogated. Just letters, that Taehyung could hand to the police. Nothing more. At this thought, Taehyung was nostalgic. While walking in the street, his eyes narrowed. The black haired hadn't said farewell. He had said, good bye. It is just a goodbye, I know it. His beautiful velvety voice had whispered in front of the door before escaping for ever. His devil lips, who was charmed him. Taehyung had almost fallen in love with their shape, their sweet scent, their cotton texture but yet so dynamic. The hazel haired thought about it, it was a fact.

It had happened the day before, it was still all so fresh. The teacher couldn't detach this scene from his mind. It was hard. To forget everything. To forget his scent, his intoxicating and attractive fragrance. To forget his shiny orbs, filled with indomitable charm like wild beasts. To forget his masculine face, to forget his masculine face, of a dreadful marble when Taehyung had the privilege of hearing him laugh, of seeing him smile, of seeing him playful or angry. To forget these two months and a half spent with a man, being a hitman. A man he had despised, then hated. Then a feeling of neutrality had manifested before turning towards, a prompt and delicate appreciation. A beginning of a good relationship. Then, a good atmosphere. At the end ? Attraction. Fucking mutual. Fucking devastating. And the worse, was that both of them knew. Since the beginning, it had only been a dangerous game. 

« Danger and desire... » Whispered the hazel haired, to himself.

How could he have wanted to kiss him ? Taehyung had wondered again. When he knew the answer. Jungkook had given him a part of his trust. His name. Precious name, which had been the topic of numerous questioning for the literature teacher. The effect that this simple sentence had had on Taehyung was maddening. A lip urge, the will to share something forbidden. Audacious and surprising, it still was to the teacher. The day of his birthday, it had been more intimate, more exhilarating. The hazel haired furiously blushed when he opened his building's door. That day, what a satisfaction. Taehyung had succumbed to Jungkook's charms, in every way. Physically, certainly. Morally, undeniably. Everything had made him fall. In his arms and his behaviour. 

The hazel haired hurried to come hom, he had felt so hot thinking about it. They hadn't even pushed vice to the end, it had been only futile touches between them. And yet Taehyung kept an explosive memory of it. Jungkook's teasing tone, he wasn't ready to forget it. His teasing tongue in his neck, neither. His teasing words, they still echoed in his mind. The literature teacher was forced to admit it to himself. Especially since he had dared to taste Jungkook. Until the end. And that, Taehyung hadn't done it a lot. Only with Yoongi, his first real boyfriend. Now, there was also Jungkook. Taehyung's flushed cheeks calmed down, he stopped thinking about these moments, about his life besides the ravenette who had turned his life upside down.

He was thinking about it now cause everything was fresh, he had just left the police station and because the young teacher was actually lost. Not knowing what to do. Call his parents and his friends first. Then the university. Then he would go visit his family and his friends. He suspected that his return would be diffused on the television news but the hazel haired really didn't want it. People talking about him, judging him, Taehyung didn't want it. The only thing he desired was to go back to his life from before, peacefully, unhindered. That was the literature teacher wished for. Calm, serenity, and even banality. Nothing more. Nothing less. Actually, maybe a sign from Jungkook, one day. But for now, Taehyung knew the ravenette was really going to disappear from his life. A sigh left him. Then with his landline phone, Taehyung called his parents.

❝ - Taehyung ? His mother yelled in the handset, at the sight of his number.

- Hey mom... The son sighed. I'm sorry. So sorry. That I made you worry, that I didn't give you any news, sorry I-

- Taehyung, my son, you scared me so much, I want to see you right now ! His mother interrupted him. Are you home ? Come to our house, me and your father are waiting for you.

- Fine. I'll be here in thirty minutes. I love you, see you soon. ❞

It was both a relief and a stress. Taehyung was relieved to hear his mom but he was going to have to confront his parents, and lie to them. Thing that Taehyung couldn't stand. Not towards his family nor his friends. Only, it was important to do it, he knew his parents, he knew that, if he dared to tell them the truth, Jungkook would be in prison the day after. Taehyung didn't want such consequence. He wasn't mad at the ravenette anymore. He had given him his freedom back. With an alibi and a chance to rebuild his life, without him. Ironic, isn't it ? Jungkook had asked that, life, this bitch, that she'd make sure that the reconstruction of Taehyung's life is traced with him. But no. The hazel haired was visibly going to rebuild it without Jungkook. Sad karma. Sad observation.

✦

The hazel haired had joined his parents in bus. From his place, it would only last about twenty minutes, and he arrived to the family house. The one he grew up in. Taehyung walked towards his house he hadn't seen in at least three months, nostalgia rushed through his veins. He was scared. However, he had to confront his parents. Make them believe this version and make sure that his life goes back to normal. Taehyung believed it, he just needed a bit of determination and courage. His hands in his suede jacket, his orbs fell on the house. He was there. Finally. He pushed the little portal leading to the main alley. Nothing too long, the opposite, it was short but cute. It hadn't changed. Pansies lined along the stone slabs. The small garden lights accompagnied the decoration, it was identic. The teacher took a deep breath, it was good to come back here after all. To go back to his roots, which he thought he had lost for ever.

« Taehyung ! » Said the feminine voice of his mother.

Instantly, the hazel haired raised his lost eyes towards the shiny ones of his mom, Aeji. His father was on the porch, he was as happy as his wife, but he tried to contain himself a minimum. When his mom arrived, she took her son in her arms, she was crying because the emotion was invading her too fast.

« Oh my son, I was so scared for you, my baby, my lovely boy. » Her pained voice admitted.

Even if Taehyung was twenty-four years old, Aeji considered the hazel haired like her little boy from before. This perspective had always amused the literature teacher, his mom was really affectionate and attentive towards him. Being a unique child, his parents had pampered him a lot.

« Mom... I missed you. » He whispered to her, honestly.

He hugged her tightly in his arms, as his mother was crying the return of her son. After a motherly hug, Taehyung went to hug his dad too. He was also happy to see his son again, safe and sound, healthy. Kosung's hand ran through Taehyung's hair, in a protective gesture.

« Happy to see you again Taehyung. » He breathed out.

Following these first real reunions, the Kim family stepped inside the house. They instantly went to the living room, the teacher was finding the house of his childhood again, melancholic. He was still happy to be able to come back here, at his parents' who cherished him. His mom quickly went to prepare something to eat and drink. She came back around fifteen minutes later, during this time the father and the son had talked a bit, though the subject of the disappearance hadn't been evoked between them. They were waiting for Aeji to come back and sit down, in order to talk about it once and for all and close this subject considered sensitive. The dark haired woman came to sit in front of her husband and Taehyung, her hands were betraying her impatience for the explanations the hazel haired was going to give them.

« So why didn't we get any news from you during two months and a half, Taehyung ? Aeji asked really quickly. We were really worried about you, we thought we'd never see you again... We were so scared... » Her voice broke at the end.

The hazel haired lowered his head. He felt bad, the pain he had inflicted to his parents. It wasn't actually his fault, but with his alibi, he was going to have to endorse this responsability. His hands were clasped, he glanced at his parents before warmly apologizing. Then he started. The same story he had said in front of the policemen. In the same way, with the same details. Many questions were asked from his parents after his story, but Taehyung had asked them to wait and ask them at the end. Because he didn't want to be bombed by questions while telling something fake. He was ashamed enough. He just wanted to move on from this, and enjoy reuniting with his family.

« So... You met this woman at a park, you said ? » His father started.

« Yes. The hazel haired nodded. We sympathized quickly despite the fact we were almost twenty years apart. While talking about literature, the feeling passed very well. » Admitted Taehyung.

« But... Is she your lover ? » Muttered Aeji.

« No ! The teacher hurriedly contested. No... She's a friend, that's all. She doesn't have any contact nor family. She needed me to help her recover, I accepted because she's adorable. » His hoarse voice continued.

« Maybe. His father sighed. But you could have warned us Taehyung. It was irresponsible from you to not tell us anything. We were worried sick... We thought you had disappeared, or even were murdered, can you imagine ? »

« I know... I'm sincerely sorry. It was a rushed decision... He whispered despite his guilt. I didn't even take my phone. And then I didn't know I had gone missing like I explained to you. Jooha lives a bit outside the world, so I have no idea. I could have managed to call you but honestly... I needed to take a step back from my life. To detach myself from all this. I know it was wrong because you were worried for me and I apologize for it. His deep tone confessed. Sorry. I won't do it again, you are way too precious to me to make you panick like this. »

Aeji nodded, her husband too. They were relieved to see their son alive, healthy, they couldn't believe it. Maybe they were processing the fact that Taehyung was really back, in front of them.

« What matters is that you are fine. And even if you needed to take a step back, warn us. Just a message. Because we couldn't even sleep at night... His mother's voice explained to him. Jimin and Seokjin were just as worried for you. But now, everything's gonna go back to normal. I hope we'll be able to meet this Jooha. » She requested.

« Yes, of course. Mumbled Taehyung. She'll be happy to see you. And about Jimin and Seokjin, I'll go see them tonight or tomorrow. My two best friends... I hope they won't be too mad at me. »

« No... They appreciate you, they're going to be happy to see you again, safe and sound, Taehyung. » Had specified his father.

The reunion conversation continued between the parents and the hazel haired, happy to find each other, to enjoy these new moments.

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Chapter 39 !  ♥

I just watched We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal MV and I'm sobbing 🥺

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