Taehyung

— Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

The heavy scent of ozone and cheap tobacco mingled with the aroma of strong espresso, which had already cooled on the paper-strewn desk. Only a single, old spotlight burned in the office, cutting through the dense gloom and illuminating a map of Seoul, dotted with red markings, on the wall. Taehyung stood with his back to the door, his long fingers slowly sliding over the spines of the archived files. Hearing the familiar click of the safety catch and the sound of footsteps, he didn't even flinch—he felt Jungkook's presence with every cell of his body.

"Five in the morning, Jeon. Your punctuality will be our undoing one day," Taehyung said without turning around. His voice, deep and vibrant, sounded almost intimate in the silence of the empty lot. "I've found a connection between the third victim and that club we were at last week. Looks like we were looking for the wrong person."

Kim slowly turned around, buttoning one button on his dark gray coat as he went. His razor-sharp gaze scanned Jungkook's face, lingering on his lips just a little too long. A tension sparked between them that couldn't be attributed to work alone. Taking a step forward, Taehyung came dangerously close, so close Jungkook could feel the cold metal of his badge pinned to his belt.

"We have exactly forty minutes before shift change to disappear from the station and check this trail unofficially." Taehyung chuckled faintly, his hand briefly resting on Jungkook's shoulder, squeezing it possessively. "Are you willing to break protocol for me, partner? Or will I have to curb your ardor alone?"