[ Nomination ]

♡

Taehyung was so excited. Finally he would be able to walk outside. That was the best surprise he could have. Jungkook really did great on this one. Because the teacher was really happy with this present. Even though they were still driving since a bit more than fifteen minutes, the euphoria just kept going up as the seconds passed. He had waited so long for that. Two whole months staying locked inside. Jungkook's apartment was comfy but not going on for so long had been really hard for Taehyung. Really. Now, he was exalted. He couldn't wait for one thing, go outside and enjoy the light winter sun. But as the hazel haired thought they'd drive longer, the black haired took the next exit.

« Where are we going ? » Taehyung mumbled.

« To buy something to eat for lunch and afternoon snacks. »

Jungkook didn't look at him, he was focused on the road. But he knew the hazel haired was looking at him, so he had dared tease him with a wink.

« Where are you going to buy all this ? » The teacher continued.

« Do you like bagels ? » Jungkook was curious.

A roundabout stopped the professional assassin, before he took a calmer road leading to a small suburban mall.

« Yes, sure. » The older admitted.

« Perfect. »

The engine of the R8 roared more powerfully on the straight road for two minutes, then Jungkook turned right. A mall was now in front of them. It was empty. As it was December 25th, almost all shops were closed except a few ones.

« Isn't it closed ? » The hazel haired was intrigued.

« Not this bagel shop. It closes at two. I looked it up before, don't worry. » The black haired explained, amused.

« People are working on Christmas day... Poor them. » Taehyung couldn't help but mumble.

« Life is hard for a lot of people, Taehyung. »

A sigh escaped the teacher's mouth. The younger wasn't wrong. Finally the hazel haired noticed this shop in front of the closed mall. Jungkook immediatly pulled in the drive-in, the same system as a fast food. That way the black haired won't have to leave Taehyung alone in the car. They arrived, the principal menus showing up and Jungkook moved his ebony pupils on the hazel haired.

« What do you want ? » He showed himself attentive.

« Mmh... I don't really care you know. »

« Take what you want. » The younger insisted.

Taehyung looked through the tinted window the menus offered. He could clearly see outside. But the people who looked inside Jungkook's Audi from outside, couldn't see the two men inside. The hazel haired focused on a menu he liked. Curry chicken and fresh vegetables. This bagel seemed perfect.

« Why not the chicken one ? » His hoarse voice mumbled.

« Yeah sure. The younger assured. Drink ? »

« Water. » The older smiled.

« And for dessert ? » 

« I let you choose. » Taehyung was serious.

Jungkook caved in, and when he also chose what he wanted he drove to the next screen. You had to do it yourself, and the employees would serve the order once it's ready at the last window of the drive. This system was quite practical because there wasn't a lot of people, so Jungkook didn't waste time. Quickly, he ordered the two menus, he also took their desserts and something to eat for the afternoon snack. Once he was really satisfied, Jungkook drove to the next window to grab his order. Not even two minutes later, a young lady had their two orders in hand. The black haired quickly opened his window, a smile on his lips as he grabbed the three bags of food and wished a Merry Christmas to the employee before leaving. Twenty seconds later, Jungkook had left the mall parking lot. 

« It smells so good. » Taehyung's tone sounded cheerful.

« You're a greedy one. » Jungkook snickered, looking relaxed.

« It's ok, I'll resist. » The hazel haired placed the bags on his lap but he didn't want to look at them anymore.

The only thing Taehyung heard, was the black haired's laugh.

« I'm watching you. The killer couldn't hold himself from continuing his teasing. We still have around an hour before arriving. »

« Where are we going ? »

« You'll see. » Jungkook concluded, a smile on his lips.

They didn't talk a lot during the trip. Taehyung had fell asleep for thirty minutes, and the rest of the minutes, he had longly stared at the Korean's countryside landscapes. Jungkook had fun speeding up with his Audi, while still staying reasonable. Once his radar detector ran, the black haired would slow down and respect the speed limitation. After all if the young killer had a powerful car, he might as well enjoy it. Taehyung didn't feel in danger. It was perfectly clear that Jungkook knew how to drive well, it could be seen in the easiness of his gestures as well as his very effective information gathering. The background music had felt a calm ambiance, and finally, an hour wasn't that long. Jungkook had ended taking the next exit on the rather empty highways.

« Are we here yet ? » Taehyung had whispered.

« Not yet. In ten minutes. » The black haired had calmly answered.

The R8 was still roaring loudly, especially when Jungkook had fun speeding up.

« Have you been driving for a long time ? » The hazel haired couldn't help but ask.

« I drove for the first time at fifteen years old. Illegally, of course. He let out a laugh. But I have my driving licence since I turned twenty-one. So four months. »

« Yeah but you got a beautiful and powerful car. So you should be able to drive it only when you're a bit older, right ? »

« Yeah. But I have contacts. Two acquaintances of mine work at the prefecture where they delegate driving licences. They owed me one. So it just needed a meeting with a superior and there, I could drive my R8. »

« That easy... The hazel haired mumbled. And you said you drove your first car at fifteen... Seriously ? »

« Yeah. I had already praticed with some other acquaintances. And I often drove illegally. He sighed. I got caught by the cops once. I only got a warning, the guy next to me took the wheel and yeah. Nothing really special. »

Taehyung looked up to Jungkook who was still focused on the road ahead of us, completely desert. The racing car droves between pines, the landscape was beautiful.

« I see. His voice whispered. And... I have a question. »

« I'm listening. »

« How did you pay for it ? It's expensive, right ? » Taehyung was curious.

« It's really expensive, yeah. Around 177 000 000* wons new. Taehyung almost choked hearing the price. But I got one of occasion, I bought it to a friend working there. It cost me 100 000 000** wons. A great price, seeing as it was in a good state. »

( * ≈ 140 000 € / 152 201 USD  and  ** ≈ 80 000 € / 86 972 USD )

« Are you kidding me !? The hazel haired looked distraught. It's enormous ! For a simple car, do you realize !? »

« I know. But I need this car, Taehyung. Not just for my own enjoyment, I need it for my job. And with how much I earn, it only tooks a few months of work. »

« Are you paid in cash ? »

« Always. Don't forget I have an illegal job, so it's like I was paid under the table. I don't want to owe the State anything. »

The teacher was speechless. His eyes didn't leave the young man, who turned on a dirt road on the right.

« So... How are you declared ? Unemployed ? »

« No. Hoseok knows a good friend of his who owns a cafe. He created me a contract with this cafe. And I'm supposed to work there. The only problem is that his friend risks fines if someone notice. But this guy is cool, there's no reason for it to go wrong. »

The more Jungkook explained those little information, more Taehyung was shocked about the life the black haired had. It was smart but really risky. The killer's life could break into pieces anytime.

« Your life is on the line... It's smart but nothing assure that you'll live a peaceful life one day. » The hazel haired muttered, almost pained.

« Actually. One day, I hope, I won't live like this anymore. It's one of my biggest wishes. »

This sentence seemed ordinary at first, but it had in reality a really important meaning. Way more soulful. Jungkook was opening himself more to Taehyung. After two months, he told himself he could seem less mysterious. More sincere. And Taehyung appreciated the black haired's efforts.

« I'm sure that, one day, you'll live a peaceful life, far from the crime. »

The killer's only answer was a smile, and their conversation had passed the time. They just arrived. Jungkook's german car arrived on a small parking lot in the forest, a beautiful lake in front of them, large pines and oak trees around them. Taehyung was breathless. Once the Audi was parked, Jungkook and Taehyung stepped out without wasting time. They left the food inside the car, the black haired had told the teacher that they would come back to get it later, instead of keeping it with them the whole time. When the teacher closed the car door, he deeply breathed in the fresh air.

« Wow... It feels so great. » He let out.

Jungkook walked closer. As the literature teacher couldn't believe his eyes, the killer looked around to check no one was here. To his biggest delight, there were no visitors for Christmas. Just the two men. It was perfect.

« Come on, let's walk. » Jungkook proposed.

Taehyung's eyes looked so bright, it was an amazing sight. A smile animated his tan face, his blonde strands gave him a jovial look and joy defined his state. Taehyung contemplated the landscape. Jungkook contemplated his landscape. And that was the hazel haired. The teacher was admiring the beauty of the place, he was amazed by everything around him. Pines sported the edge of the lake, pathways through the forest to take a walk. In front of them, on the other side of the aquatic area, were benches or big rocks. The lake was soft. A dark green because of the winter season, it was so big. So smooth and so opaque. The riverbanks were full of little rocks, and also small shells. It was beautiful. Really beautiful.

« Do you like it ? » Jungkook whispered, close to him.

« Yes. A lot. It's so beautiful, I love this place. » Taehyung didn't hesitate to say.

There was nothing frightening about the forest around the lake, nor dark. It seemed peaceful, inhabited by fauna and flora, with the soft sunrays trying to break through the thick oak leaves. This subdued appearance was pleasant.

« It's my peaceful place. » The black haired confided. 

« I didn't know we had such beautiful places only an hour and a half away from Seoul. » The older said.

« Diversity and discovery is the best. A smile made its way on his face. Being here, breathing the fresh and pure air of nature is, to me, a thousand times better than shopping or being in the city. When you're here, only the sun warms you. But the peace and quiet is really pleasant. »

Taehyung nodded, completely agreeing with the younger. The philosophy that Jungkook could see, intrigued the teacher. He seemed so mature at twenty-one years old. So calm and thoughtful.

« I think that it's probably one of the prettiest place you could have brought me to. » Taehyung was being honest.

Reassured by the literature teacher, Jungkook turned his head towards him.

« If you like it then it's perfect. » His charming voice said.

They walked together on the pathway in front of them. Between the big trees, the lac was only twenty meters away. Their shoes on the autumn dead leaves and acorns on the ground was the only sound. The birds' singing could be heard through the trees. Gentle to listen to. The sun had trouble getting through the numerous trees but the temperature was not unpleasant. Cold but bearable.

« How do you know this place ? » Taehyung's hoarse tone finally said.

« Thanks to my youth. I sometimes had the occasion to come here. I liked this lake and it always had a special place to my eyes. »

« People live around here ? »

« Not many. It's rarely frequented, no matter the time. » Jungkook explained.

Taehyung nodded. The two men were walking side by side, close, a few inches between them. Jungkook ran his hand through his black hair. And as he wasn't thinking about anything, the teacher's voice caught his attention.

« Why are you... giving me this chance to go out ? »

« Because you deserved it after all this time. I believed you had to come and recharge your lungs here. »

« Will we come here again ? » He lifted his eyebrows.

« If you want to, sure. »

A smile of happiness immediately appeared on Taehyung's cherry lips.

« Of course I want to ! »

Jungkook didn't hold his smile back. The hazel haired's smile was communicable. Even if Jungkook wasn't someone who smiled a lot, Taehyung always succeeded in making him smile. Magic and unbelievable.

« We'll come back then. »

A few minutes later, Taehyung had wanted to get closer to the edges of the lake. So he peacefully walked towards it. The shoes the black haired had bought him recently were so pretty that the teacher was careful as to not accidentally dirty them. His eyes fell on the lake facing him, thin breeze brushing through his golden hair, Jungkook was standing two meters behind him. Seeing Taehyung turning his back to him, the black haired had an idea. Was it the good time ? Probably. He needed to tell him. Hands in his black jeans' pockets, Jungkook let his eyes wander on the older's silhouette. A heavy breathing followed, his lips parted delicately and his unique tone exclaimed.

« My name's Jungkook, Taehyung. »

A smile brightened the killer's face. A wave of heat hit his body. The teacher, had been frozen for a bit. His eyes were blocked on the lake in front of him. But he gave a reaction. He gave one. But it had been a surpising one, to Jungkook but also to himself. So surprising that it seemed completely delirious. And yet, he had dared.

___________________ 

Chapter 23 fsdf

Jungkook finally gave him his name ! I was so excited while reading and writing this omg!

Also this is totally random, but I just watched the two first episodes of Break The Silence (May 12th) and I don't know when I'll start posting this fanfic BUT omg I cried and smiled and cried again ?? Like this one scene where taekook are alone and tae goes like "so it's just the two of us... what do you want to listen to ?" and he just plays one of his self composed song to Jungkook ?? and Kook encourages him to post it but,, he didn't ?? like omg those lyrics please post it i'll never shut up about it!

♕