[ Meditation ]

✦

The landscape was covered in white. And the gray sky was droping this sparkling white snow. Taehyung observed the horizon, the trees' branches covered in this white powder, the open spaces that were buried in a blanket of snow. It was so pleasing to watch, Taehyung loved those snow flakes. Thankfully the roads were desalinated, especially the main axes such as highways. Jungkook was heading northeast, not far from Seoul. Taehyung had noticed the black haired didn't seem to enjoy the country's capital. He didn't go there often. Or at least, only when it was necessary. He suspected that Jungkook wouldn't take him in town. It was too risky.

« We're almost there. » Jungkook announced.

The hazel haired looked at the R8's driver, the hitman was staring at the road and he took an exit form the highway. Once again, the surroundings seemed devoid of industrialization, giant buildings and pollution. It was the Korean countryside. Beautiful forests, snow-stained fields, a different perspective of the capital and cities.

« But, where I want to go, we need to drive on small paths that will be covered in snow. So I don't know if I use my chains or if I park the car a bit further. » Jungkook mumbled, taking a road on the right.

Indeed, the hazel haired could see, quite quickly, that the few damaged roads were covered in snow.

« You see. »

« I'm going to go put the snow chains on. It may be a peaceful place here, I don't trust leaving the car here. » The black haired decided.

He parked his R8 on the side of the road. Because it didn't find it necessary, he didn't lock the car with Taehyung inside. The moment he stepped out, the cold hit his face. With his leather gloves, the professional assassin opened the trunk in which were the snow chains. A sigh left him, letting his warm breath that ressembled a small frozen cloud, form in front of him as the cold was present. Nothing like Christmas, when it had been warm, under the soft winter sun.

« Jungkook ? Do you want me to help ? » Taehyung proposed.

The black haired looked inside the car, the hazel haired was still sitting. As the trunk was open, they had no trouble hearing each other.

« No it's fine, stay warm. » He smiled, softly.

« I can help, wait. » The teacher insisted.

He stepped out of the Audi, before closing the door. Under Jungkook's gaze, he turned around the car to join him. The black haired had his chains in his hand, Taehyung had gloves too, suede gloves.

« You're going to damage your gloves, don't worry I'll be quick. » The younger tried to dissuade him.

« No, give me two, I'll do the two front tires and you do the back tires. » Taehyung was determined.

A bit shocked by the will of the hazel haired, Jungkook grabbed two chains, handing them to him. Before letting him go, he wanted to make sure of something.

« Do you know how to do it ? »

« Yes, what do you think. » Taehyung laughed.

And so they both did their tasks. Jungkook put the chains on the back tires as the literature teacher did the same thing on the front ones. It didn't take them long. Being two was more effective. There was nothing around them. Only miles and miles of snow, animals trying to find shelters to stay warm and that was it. No human life around. Finally, the black haired checked one last time around his R8 before going back inside with Taehyung. Warm again, the two men were relieved.

« Perfect. Thanks for giving me a hand. » The killer winked at the hazel haired.

Following this playful gesture, Taehyung bit his lower lip. His eyes looked outside. Jungkook was using his dark aura too much to impress the older. And what's worse is that it was actually working. The music echoed in the car, Jungkook drove back on the road. No hurry. No overflow. Only caution and concentration.

« I don't know where you're taking me but it looks dead here. » Taehyung couldn't help but laugh.

The black haired drove calmly on the snowy roads, sighing discreetly.

« Actually, we need to go to someone's. But I don't know if that person is still alive... I haven't seen them since I was fourteen. » He mumbled, melancholic.

Upon hearing this, the teacher turned to face Jungkook.

« See someone ? » He whispered.

« Yes... The killer smiled. I hope they still live there. »

Taehyung was dying to know more but the younger's tone dissuaded him. He sounded sad. So the hazel haired simply rested his head against the black tinted window.

« We'll be there in five minutes. » Jungkook pointed out.

And as planned, five minutes later, the black haired's face lighted up in happiness. She was still here. After seven years. Still here. A smile made its way on his face, Taehyung noticed horses in a handcrafted wooden shelter in the distance. He turned to Jungkook, eyes full of curiosity.

« I asked you if you liked animals. » The assassin chuckled.

« But... » The older stammered.

« I think this is gonna be a great anniversary for you. » His tone was gentle.

Taehyung didn't understand anything. A person ? Jungkook haven't seen her since he was fourteen ? And animals ? He couldn't define who this person could be. Jungkook was too mysterious. So much that we couldn't find those kind of clues. It was useless to think about it anyway, they were here. The black knew the place quite well, it was obvious. The engine's roar echoed, as he parked not far from the little countryside's house. He put the handbrake, and then the hazel haired looked at Jungkook.

« I'm lost... » The older whispered.

« It's normal. He smiled. Follow me. » He finally said, stepping out of the car.

Ten seconds later the two men were outside. It wasn't snowing anymore. But the cold was here, and the gray sky too. The black haired locked his car before grabbing Taehyung's hand. Shocked by the gesture, though they've done it before, the hazel haired stared at their intertwined hands. And, without a word, Jungkook walked to the little wooden door in front of them. A very old door, that had nothing to do with modernity. The hitman knocked. Dogs barking could be heard. He then heard noise coming from inside, and a feminine voice announcing she was coming. Not long after, the door opened, revealing a woman wrapped up in a thick blanket. She squinted her eyes a few times, but once she recognized Jungkook in front of her, her eyes started welling up with tears.

« Jungkook ? She whispered, stunned. Is it you ? »

Taehyung still didn't understand.

« Yes, it's me. » The black haired confirmed.

The woman bursted out in tears. Tears rolling down her cheeks, her black strands of hair fell on her cheeks and Jungkook took her in his arms.

« You grew up so much my Jungkook, you've become a man. » She mumbled, crying.

The professional assassin gently caressed her back. She had always been adorable and she still was. A lovely woman, attentive and loving, everything his childhood had missed. Finally he broke the embrace, a smile on his lips. He grabbed Taehyung's hand again, before getting closer.

« I grew up, yes Jooha. But I never forgot you. I'll always keep you in my heart. He breathed out. Tae, this is my nanny from yesteryear. Jooha, this is Taehyung... He paused without knowing how to define him. A close friend. »

Clumsy. Yes. But Jungkook hadn't dared to say something stupid, such as boyfriend. You'd never know how the older could react. Better be safe on the words he chose. The teacher's orbs landed on Jungkook before analyzing the woman in front of them. She was also watching them, gently.

« Nice to meet you, Jooha. » His hoarse voice whispered.

They didn't want any more second, the woman in her forties told them to come in. Two dogs appeared, a big Beauceron and a Doberman just as impressive. They scared a bit Taehyung, but the dogs seemed nice, just protective over their home. They could feel the house was heated by the chimney, with woods recolted in the surroundings. But it was a pleasant and natural warmth. The one that put at ease.

« Why did you disppear for so long Jungkook ? I thought I'd never see you again... » Her voice sounded pained.

The black haired grabbed the hands of the woman in front of him, he wanted to apologize.

« I'm really sorry. I had so many problems if you knew... I couldn't come here anymore. I even thought you wouldn't want to see me anymore. » He explained.

« Me ? Jungkook, I've always considered you like my own son. It's still the case. » Her eyes were shining with sincerity.

Taehyung, next to the killer, didn't dare say or do anything. The two dogs who were males, walked towards the hazel haired, who they were sniffling with curiosty. In conclusion, Taehyung who had at first had apprehended their size, the hazel haired and the dogs instantly got along well. He leaned down a bit, though it wasn't really necessary seeing their size, to pet them, as the Beauceron was almost licking his face.

« I missed you Jooha. I missed your kindness, I'm happy to meet you again. » He was sincere.

The ebony haired woman smiled, happiness had invaded her for this thirty December.

« I'm going to make some tea and bring something to eat. Go for a walk wherever you want. » She decided to propose.

Jungkook thought about this idea, it seemed pleasant.

« Can I borrow two horses ? » Jungkook asked.

« Yes, however cover them a bit. With this weather, I wouldn't want them to get sick. »

« Promise. » The black haired breathed out.

Taehyung, who had heard that, stood up. Jungkook grabbed his hand again, in front of Jooha, before they both walked through the other door leading to the garden covered with this white coat. Here, there wasn't any town. No urbanism. No overpopulation and population suffocation. Just blossoming nature. Fresh and pure air, and snow carpets for miles.

« So she's your nanny ? » The hazel haired couldn't help but ask.

« Yes. She's adorable. She has a big heart. » Whispered the black haired while walking towards the stable dedicated to the horses.

Their steps melted in the snow, the collapsing noise after each step on the powder echoed as they walked. Hand in hand. They walked. Jooha observed them from her kitchen's window, she couldn't stop smiling.

« It's obvious. She has a motherly side. I'm really surprised that you haven't seen her since you were fourteen... »

« Life is a bitch, Taehyung. Jungkook didn't resist the want to say that phrase. When you're good, she ends up screwing you. And you can't get the little happiness you had anymore. It's just an eternal fight to live. His voice sounded bitter. What kind of life, seriously. » A snicker left him.

Through his words, a duality settled. What Jungkook was saying, was also true for Taehyung now. This fatality of having been the teacher of an incest rapist, whose sister had asked for the hitman's services. Being at the wrong place at the wrong moment. Being brought to a guy's house who seem bad at first sight. And then finally, see that this little guy wasn't as dark as Taehyung had thought. His life from before didn't exist anymore. His family, he didn't see them anymore. Nor his friends. However, the hazel haired kept a tiny hope. The hope of seeing them again one day. He had had this hatred against life during the first month. Hatred, pain, lack and the cries. However, he had put it into perspective. His life wasn't the one he had dreamed of. But Jungkook, though it might sound mind blowing and insane, was both the light and the darkness of his new life. Absolute paradoxical, undeniable truth.

« Maybe. The hazel haired breathed out. Maybe life's a bitch, I could say so too. It had been a long time since the hazel haired had been coarse in front of Jungkook. Did I choose the fact that you dragged me with you ? No. But I am here. Next to you and alive. He mumbled. I'm here and I'm not unhappy. My life has been shattered, I'm building a new one. Will it be with you ? Life, that nasty bitch, will probably tell me one day. »

The black haired had just got verbally smacked. Taehyung talking to him like this, it was so rare. Talking to him so straightforward, with no filter, just with the words coursing his heart. It was rare but refreshing. His eyes bored into Taehyung's, the horses were that far anymore. A few meters maximum.

« I hope this nasty bitch, as you say, will make sure that the reconstruction of your new life will be with me. »

Jungkook was sincere. Lost in his life, not much light indicated him the way he should go. So he looked for it on his own, through the shitty things of his existence. To make it better. To make it more alive.

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Chapter 28 !

As I'm writing this, it is June 1st so happy pride month 🏳‍🌈 this book will probably be publish in a long time but 🤷‍♀️

Hope you enjoyed this chapter ♥

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