Bonus Chapter: A Forever Kind of Love

The living room was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, the golden light filtering through the sheer curtains and casting patterns on the walls. Taehyung sat at the grand piano, his fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys as a gentle melody filled the air. It was a tune he had composed on a whim—a song that felt like their family: warm, imperfect, and utterly beautiful.

On the plush carpet in front of the couch, Taeko was busy constructing what he declared to be the “biggest castle in the world.” His tiny hands moved swiftly, stacking colorful blocks into a lopsided tower. Every so often, he would glance up at Taehyung with a grin that could melt glaciers, as if seeking approval.

Leaning against the doorway, Jungkook watched them both. His dark eyes softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. These moments—simple and unscripted—were the ones he cherished the most. For years, his life had been chaos, filled with misunderstandings, betrayals, and endless battles. Yet now, standing here, he felt a kind of peace he never thought he deserved.

“You’ve been staring for five minutes,” Taehyung teased, his voice cutting through the melody. Without breaking his flow on the piano, he cast a knowing glance at Jungkook.

“Can you blame me?” Jungkook shot back, pushing off the doorframe and walking into the room. “It’s not every day I get to see you looking so... happy.”

Taehyung’s fingers faltered for a moment before he stopped playing and turned to face Jungkook fully. “You say that like I’m some brooding loner.”

Jungkook smirked, crossing his arms. “You kinda were when we first met.”

“Fair point,” Taehyung admitted, his lips quirking into a small smile. He stood from the piano bench and made his way toward Jungkook, stopping just a foot away. “But I had my reasons.”

Jungkook’s gaze softened. “And now?”

Taehyung’s eyes flickered to Taeko, who was too engrossed in his castle-building to notice the exchange. “Now, I have my reasons to smile.”

Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat. He reached out, his hand brushing against Taehyung’s cheek. “You’re such a sap.”

“Only for you,” Taehyung murmured, leaning into the touch.

Before Jungkook could respond, Taeko’s voice cut through the tender moment. “Daddy! Papa! Come help me build the castle!”

The two men turned to see Taeko beaming up at them, his arms outstretched as if inviting them into his little world.

Taehyung chuckled, pulling Jungkook toward the floor. “You heard the boss. Let’s get to work.”

For the next hour, the three of them worked together, constructing a colorful and slightly wobbly castle. Taeko’s laughter echoed through the room as Jungkook pretended to topple over while placing a block too high. Taehyung, ever the perfectionist, tried to stabilize the structure, only for Taeko to insist it looked “cooler” when it was crooked.

As the castle neared completion, Taeko plopped onto the carpet, clearly exhausted but delighted with their creation. “It’s perfect,” he declared, his voice tinged with pride.

Taehyung ruffled Taeko’s hair. “Just like you.”

Taeko yawned, his tiny body leaning against Jungkook’s side. “I’m sleepy.”

Jungkook scooped him up effortlessly, cradling him close. “Let’s get you to bed, little boss.”

“Nooo,” Taeko mumbled, his eyelids already drooping. “Want to stay here... with you and Papa...”

Taehyung smiled, his heart swelling at the sight of his son curled up in Jungkook’s arms. “How about we all stay here for a while?”

Jungkook nodded, settling onto the couch with Taeko in his lap. Taehyung joined them, pulling a blanket over the three of them.

The room fell into a comfortable silence, save for the soft hum of the wind outside and the faint sound of Taeko’s breathing as he drifted off.

“You ever think about how far we’ve come?” Jungkook asked quietly, his eyes fixed on Taehyung.

Taehyung tilted his head, meeting Jungkook’s gaze. “Every day. Sometimes it feels like a dream—like I’ll wake up and none of this will be real.”

Jungkook reached out, intertwining their fingers. “It’s real. And it’s ours.”

Taehyung smiled, leaning closer until their foreheads touched. “I never thought I’d have this—someone who loves me, who chooses me every single day. And now, with Taeko...” He trailed off, his voice thick with emotion.

Jungkook’s grip on his hand tightened. “You deserve all of it, Tae. The love, the happiness, the family. You deserve everything.”

“And so do you,” Taehyung whispered.

They sat there in silence for a while, their hearts speaking in a language only they understood.

Eventually, Taeko stirred in his sleep, mumbling something incoherent before settling again. Jungkook chuckled softly. “Looks like someone’s dreaming of his castle.”

Taehyung smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Taeko’s face. “He’s our little miracle, isn’t he?”

“Our biggest blessing,” Jungkook agreed.

As the night deepened, the stars outside twinkled like they were celebrating the family’s journey—the trials they had endured, the love they had found, and the future they were building together.

For Taehyung and Jungkook, this wasn’t just a chapter in their story. It was the prologue to a life filled with laughter, love, and countless memories.

Their forever had only just begun.