"I'm sure. If you really feel bad, can I ask for a favor? Sell him to me instead. You know I can afford the money. But I didn't bring cash today."
"You wanna buy him back? But even if you don't, I'll find a way to take him out of this mess. After all, we used to play together once. This much, I can afford to do."
Jungkook smiled, "Never knew gangsters could be so loyal. You're already switching the candidate, I don't wanna create more chaos for you. Moreover, his safety is important. I can't afford to loose it."
Ricky signed, "Fine. He sold himself for as expensive drug. But the boss wanted to sell him to a brothel so he ordered to give him a light drug instead. It's not an addictive one. Don't worry, after a month, it's trace will disappear too. But the account should not arise suspicion. I'll fill it in for now. Pay me back when it's possible for you. I know you'll keep your promise."
They greeted each other and Ricky brought Tae's unconscious body in front of the hotel JK mentioned and dumped him there so that people think he's drunk and got wasted.
Ricky explained how to present the case in a way that would lessen his penalty to the minimum.
Flashback ends
Tae couldn't help but hug Jungkook tightly and shed silent tears. He kept apologizing and sobbing as his heart was breaking.
"You see? That's the reason I didn't wanna tell you. Why are you apologizing, huh? It was an accident. Moreover, didn't you go out for a drink because you were mad at me?"
Tae jerked up, "So you're aware of it?"
"Of course I am. I just wanted to make you a little jealous and confess to you later but things didn't turn out like I planned. No matter what, I'm the one to blame. So, please don't say sorry, most importantly, don't cry. Ok? You're making me even guiltier."
At this moment, there was a knock at the door. Tae wiped his tears quickly and said, "Please come in."
It was Yeonjun and others. They rushed in and hugged Tae rashly.
"We went home, took a shower and rushed here. Who knows? Mr Kim could have bullied you again." Said Jack, sneering.
Tae pulled his ear, "Is that the way you talk to your teacher, huh? Where's your manners?"
"Ah ah.... sorry sorry hyung leave me alone. It hurts, I know I was wrong."
"Good that you know."
"But it was indeed Mr Kim who bullied you earlier. We never saw him bullying like that." Yeonjun said in a low-key voice.
"Mr Kim, huh? You like my surname so much, don't you?" Tae smirked.
Jungkook smiled, didn't say anything. He started to take out the food they brought for Tae. Tae smiled at that sight and told them, "Don't worry, he'll never bully any of us again. He promised me."
Jungkook brought porridge for Taehyung, about to feed him, "When did I promise that?"
Taehyung took a spoonful and said, "So, you won't promise?" He glared at Jungkook. Jungkook smiled back and said, "Fine, I will. I'll promise you."
"That's more like it."
The boys were stunned at the sight. Sunjae whispered, "Did he take the wrong medicine? I never knew he could smile like that."
"Look at his glances, black doe eyes like a little pet. Is he really the Mr Kim we know?" Jack whispered back.
"At least you didn't see what I witnessed. You'd be shocked to death." Yeonjun stated.
Their chattering was going well till they had to stop as Jungkook walked away to dump the box and Taehyung's focus was back on them.
"What are you three whispering about, hmm?"
Yeonjun said, "Nothing hyung!"
Jungkook came back inside. Of course they dare not expose themselves.
"You're definitely acting suspicious. Anyway, gimme my bag."
Jack passed the bag and Tae took out a box from it. Then he shouted, "Jungkookah!"
Jungkook smiled and looked at him replying, "Hmm?"
Taehyung threw the box, "Catch." And he caught it effortlessly like always. Taehyung looked into his eyes and uttered, "Happy Birthday Bunny!"
Jungkook was literally shocked this time. He couldn't say anything for a good minute.
"What? You thought I'll forget?"
" No, but I didn't expect you to buy a gift either."
"I have three more. Why? So touched?"
"I..."
"Mr Jeon, the professor is looking for you. Please come with me."
Being interrupted by the nurse, Jungkook looked at Taehyung. Tae said, "It's ok, you should follow her first."
He followed the nurse out. The boys jumped over the bed immediately, as if they couldn't take it anymore.
"So he's the legendary Jeon Jungkook???" They said, almost screaming.
"My goodness I can't believe we have been under his training for a whole year."
"Wait wait wait! You know him?" Taehyung was surprised
"Of course we know. Newbie fans might not know him. But we know you two since your college days. We were eager to see two legends play together."
"I don't understand why the hell did he lie about basketball?"
"Why else could it be? Of course to hide himself well so that his best friend couldn't find him."
"That brat bunny! You know how upset I was when hyung said, 'We don't talk anymore'? In fact the half fandom cried that day."
"Yesterday, the person you were missing was him, right? So, today is his birthday.'
"The question is, how did their fight turn out to be so serious that Jungkookie hyung literally ran away?"
"Exactly, didn't Jungkookie hyung say Taetae is the reason I play basketball? Then why?"
"Hyung you tell us why!!!!!!"
"Calm down, you three!!! Take a deep breath first. Then I'll tell you."
Just then, the Doctor entered with Jungkook. It was none other than Dr Charlie, the same person who used to take care of them in college days, he was only an intern back then. Taehyung greeted him. He checked the pulse of Taehyung and said, "I heard Jungkookah made you run for three hours? I can't believe you two are still fighting!!! You should be almost 25 by now. Still bullying each other like old days. Aren't you tired?"
Taehyung quickly defended himself, "But professor, this time it was his fault. I really didn't do anything at all."
Dr Charlie raised his eyebrows, "Are you sure you haven't planned for revenge yet?"
Taehyung laughed weakly, "Professor, you really know me well."
Dr Charlie slapped on his head lightly. "Now tell me how your allergies turned into a head injury? You're the captain of our national team. How could you be so clumsy? And you stupid Jungkook! Aren't you supposed to keep an eye on him? How did you let this happen? Ah, with you two, I just can't!!!"
Jungkook asked, "Professor, when can he go back home?"
"He's totally fine now. You gotta go back and heal at home. Don't waste our cabin here."
He went out angrily. Jungkook followed him, probably to finish the formalities. Taehyung smiled, "He's still as hot headed as ever. No wonder he's still single."
Jack rolled his eyes, "Aren't you single as well?"
Sunjae said, "You dummy!!! Is it the same?? Hyung is single coz...."
He didn't complete the sentence. Yeonjun said, "Why so shy, bro? It's so obvious. He's single because he was waiting for his brat bunny."
They said Awwwwww together making Taehyung red as hell.
"Hey, shut up! We're not even friends."
"Hyung you think we're blind? You two undoubtedly look like new-weds." Jack teased.
Jack was the one to start the never ending saga of Awe and it continued till Jungkook came back and lifted Tae up and told them to follow him downstairs where his car was parked.
"Yaa! Jeon Jungkook! Put me down. I didn't hurt my leg, alright?"
"I know. But with your clumsiness, what if you trip on something and hurt that dumb brain of yours again? I don't want a silly rival."
"Oh, so that's how you're gonna play huh?"
They kept bickering.
"Only a few moments ago I called them new weds. How come they're arguing again!" Jack was frustrated.
"Babe, I guess you forgot they're known as best rivals, sworn enemies. Of course the title didn't come out of nowhere."
"What rival? It definitely should be called an old couple bickering at each other." Sunjae smirked.
And on the way, the old couple kept bickering, the kids kept enjoying themselves. When Jungkook started to drive towards their apartment after dropping three kids off their home, Taehyung had already fallen asleep. Looking at his innocence sleeping face, Jungkook's heart ached. How could he call him a useless sentimental kid? No matter what the reason was....How dare he call him a boy toy!!! How could he...
His thoughts were forced to come to a pause.
"Kookie, are we home?" Taehyung whispered.
"Not yet, it's a red light."
Taehyung forced to open his eyes. But Jungkook put his hand on his eyelids and said, "Sleep a little more, I'll wake you up later."
Taehyung smiled subconsciously and grabbed Jungkook's hand. Putting a kiss on his hand, Tae went back to sleep again.