⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

There were 7 rhythmic knocks on the door, instantly giving away the person's identity. Knowing who it was, a smile smeared onto my lips almost instantly as I skipped towards the door.

I swung the door open, "you know you don't have to keep checking up on me, right?" I laughed as he shook his head.

"Need to know if you're feeling better." Taehyung looked at me, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he entered.

"Of course I'm feeling better, Taehyung." I rolled my eyes as he laughed lightly, "like how I felt better yesterday and the day before that and the week before that." I continued and his laughter interrupts me.

"Alright, I get it." He chuckled, preparing the takeout he had brought along with him. "Maybe I just enjoy your company." Taehyung said, beaming at me as he handed me a pair of chopsticks.

"Maybe a little too much." I teased, snatching the chopsticks away from him. All he did was shake his head as he contained his laughter.

It's been 2 weeks since I passed out and Taehyung had been dropping by often, close to every day, for dinner to make sure that I was okay since I was mostly alone.

My father had gone on a business trip and would only be back in a month while Aera had an attachment at a new firm which meant longer hours away from home.

"Aera ends her attachment the day after tomorrow, right?" Taehyung asked right before slurping onto his noodles. He sucks his teeth, hissing the moment he takes a full bite, probably in an attempt to cool it down.

"Mmhmm," I hummed in agreement, opening up my meal that was still piping hot. I stared at the light steam that floated out of the takeout box lazily into the atmosphere. "Which means no more dinners." I pout slightly, trying to dramatise my statement.

"You could tag along with Aera and me." He said with a hand over his mouth as he spoke with his mouth full.

"Please, and be a third wheel?" I laughed, kicking my feet up as I made myself comfortable on the couch. "I'll probably meet Jae." I said and he fell silent, simply nodding as he ate.

As we ate, I hear my phone buzz. "Speak of the devil." I said as I received a message from Jae.

"Jaesun?" Taehyung asked, eyes fixed onto his noodles.

I nodded my head yes as I read the message.

I'm really sorry. I wanted to make it up to you next week but my mentor just gave me extra paper work. I don't think I'll be able to see you.

9:21 PM

I slumped into the couch, tossing my phone before me with a groan.

"Is everything okay?" Taehyung asked, seemingly worried.

"I honestly don't know." I stared at the ground, "he apologised for before, you know." I looked to Taehyung and he nods.

I had told him about Jae and our relationship during one of our dinners and from then, I've been looking to him for help.

"But he's going back to his old habits." I ran my free hand through my hair frustratedly, taking in a deep breath as I tried calming my nerves. "Like I get it, being an intern can be tough but not having a single minute to talk?" I looked up at Taehyung who had his eyes fixated onto his food.

"Did you try talking to him?" He asked and all I could do was look at him, dumbfounded. "Right, I'm sorry." Taehyung shook his head, as though trying to get his head straight.

For some reason, he seemed disinterested in the conversation today. Not wanting him to feel burdened by the topic, I tried dropping it. But before I could, he spoke out.

"I said what I said for a reason." Taehyung breathed out as he looked at me. He placed his food onto the coffee table, turning to look at me with eyes burning with emotion.

My eyebrows fell as they knitted together in confusion, not knowing what he was talking about. "You're too good for him." He lets out bluntly through gritted teeth. I remained silent, not really sure how to react to such a statement, memories from that day flooding within me.

"Do you know how frustrating it is? To see someone so pure getting broken bit by bit by some filth." He was getting angrier by the second. His jaw clenched as his chest began heaving.

"Taehyung," I stopped him, feeling upset the moment he spoke ill of Jae. "Let's not talk about this, okay?" I said, finally taking a bite from my meal.

"I should get going." He says all of a sudden, standing up and reaching for his belongings.

"What?" I looked up at his frantic form picking up his things, "you're not done." I said, pointing to his food.

"I'm not hungry, I just need to go." He ran his fingers through his hair as he rushed towards the door.

"No, wait." I stood up, following behind him. "What just happened?" I asked, confused as to why he was so worked up.

"I just can't see you not accept the fact that that man's not good for you." He turned around, eyes glistening with a certain rage. "You were in such a low state two weeks ago and he put you there." His voice raised as he pointed a finger at me aggressively to get his point across.

"And I hate not being able to help whenever you talk to me about this." He said, the muscles in his body relaxing as his arms fell limp to his sides.

"Fine, then I'll just stop talking about this." I said and he sighed, shaking his head but before he could say anything against it, I spoke.

"I don't want you getting upset about this. If this is going to put a strain on our friendship then I just won't speak about it." I said, sitting back on the couch.

I picked up my chopsticks and resumed eating as I felt him linger behind me. I heard a sigh escape his lips as he made his way next to me. He plopped himself gently next to me as he picked up his food.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, "I just can't see people I care about, hurt."