Chapter 33

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Author's Point of View

The soft glow of the morning sun streamed through the grand windows, casting a golden hue over the elegant dining hall. The long wooden table was set with an assortment of breakfast dishes, the aroma of fresh bread and brewed tea filling the air. The atmosphere was warm, yet something felt incomplete to Taehyung as he took his seat at the table.

“Good morning, everyone,” Taehyung greeted with a cheerful voice, a genuine smile gracing his lips.

Everyone returned his greeting, their voices blending into a harmonious chorus of warmth. However, even as they exchanged pleasantries, Taehyung’s heart itched with anticipation. He hadn’t seen his Halmeoni yet.

Not even a minute later, the soft sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, followed by the gentle presence of the very person he was waiting for.

His grandmother entered the room, a serene smile on her face, her silver hair neatly tied, and eyes brimming with tenderness. Seeing her, an uncontrollable joy surged through Taehyung. His chair scraped against the wooden floor as he stood up in excitement, his heart swelling with longing.

“Halmeoni, I missed you so much!” he exclaimed, rushing to her and wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.

A chuckle escaped her lips as she patted his back, her touch comforting and familiar. “I missed you too, babybear.”

Hoseok and Jimin, unable to hold back, followed right after, engulfing her in a hug as well.

“You have no idea how much we missed you, Halmeoni!” Jimin added, his voice soft yet full of emotion.

“You all are making me emotional early in the morning,” she laughed, her warm presence soothing the room like a gentle breeze.

As they all took their seats again, Namjoon’s voice carried through the dining hall. “How are you feeling now, Eomma?”

“I’m fine, Joon-ah,” she reassured him with a gentle smile.

Her eyes wandered across the table, landing on Yoongi, who returned her gaze with a polite nod. Then, her gaze shifted to Jungkook, who, with his signature bunny smile, greeted her sweetly.

“Good morning, Halmeoni,” Jungkook said, his voice kind and respectful.

Her smile deepened. “Good morning, dear.”

Then her gaze settled on Aera, who was sitting quietly with her big, round eyes staring curiously at the older woman. Aera was an observant child, hesitant around unfamiliar people, but something about the elderly woman’s aura intrigued her.

“Come here, little one,” Grandma called gently, extending her hand toward Aera.

The child hesitated, immediately looking at Jungkook, silently seeking approval. Jungkook gave her a small nod, his expression soft. That was all she needed. With tiny steps, Aera made her way toward the woman.

“Tell me your name, darling,” Grandma asked, her tone full of warmth.

“My name is Aera… and I’m four years old,” Aera answered in her tiny, proud voice.

The elderly woman chuckled. “Do you know who I am?”

Aera shook her head, her curious eyes blinking up at her.

“I’m your Jong-halmeoni,” she revealed, watching as the little girl’s expression shifted into one of pure excitement.

“Really?” Aera’s voice was filled with wonder, her lips curving into a wide smile.

“Of course, darling,” Grandma replied before lifting Aera onto her lap, holding her close.

And just like that, Aera was completely stolen by her great-grandmother.

The rest of breakfast was filled with lighthearted conversations and laughter, the family cherishing the rare moment of togetherness.

—

After breakfast, everyone moved to the living room, chatting among themselves, while Aera played outside in the garden, giggling as she ran around with the house staff.

But amidst the cheerful atmosphere, there was an underlying tension. Jin, who had been oddly quiet throughout the morning, finally decided to speak up.

Clearing his throat, he hesitated before saying, “Tae… we have something to tell you.”

Taehyung’s brows furrowed slightly at the nervousness in his mother’s voice. He could sense something was off. “Yes, Eomma? What is it?”

Before Jin could continue, Grandma placed a hand on his shoulder, gently stopping him. “Jinnie, let me talk to him.”

Taehyung’s confusion deepened. His sharp eyes darted between his mother and grandmother. “Is something wrong? What happened?” His voice held a hint of concern.

Grandma took a deep breath. “Nothing is wrong, Taehyung-ah. It’s just… I want you to get married.”

A beat of silence filled the room.

“M-Marriage?” Taehyung muttered, his surprise evident. He hadn’t expected that at all. His eyes flickered toward Jungkook, but before he could process anything, his grandmother spoke again.

“Yes, marriage,” she confirmed. “I want you to marry Jungkook… I know I might be selfish, but before I leave this world, I want to see you settled and happy.”

Her words sent a ripple of emotions through the room. Worry. Sadness. Shock.

“Eomma!” Namjoon exclaimed in concern.

“Halmeoni!” Jimin whispered, eyes wide with distress.

But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Taehyung remained silent. Expressionless.

The tension in the room was thick, the air heavy with unspoken truths. Taehyung’s sharp gaze was locked onto Jin.

His voice was sharp, firm. His dark eyes bore into his mother’s, demanding honesty.

“Eomma, I want to hear from you. What has actually happened? And don’t even try to lie—I know there is something.”

Jin flinched at his son’s tone, fingers trembling as they clutched the fabric of his sleeves.

“Ta—” Jimin tried to step in, hoping to calm the situation.

But Taehyung didn’t even glance his way. His voice cut through the air again, unwavering.

“Eomma, I asked you—what has happened?”

The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even the air felt heavier.

Jungkook’s heart pounded in his chest. He had never seen Taehyung like this before—his usually composed presence now charged with something dangerous, something he couldn’t name.

It was then Jungkook understood why Jin had been so anxious in Seoul, why he hesitated to tell Taehyung the truth. This wasn’t just anger—it was something deeper. And that scared him.

Jin swallowed, struggling to find the words. His voice trembled as he finally spoke.

“T-Taehyung… I— I’m really sorry. I—I should have told you earlier, but I was scared, baby. Trust me, I was terrified.” His hands clenched into fists on his lap. “Eomma, She has to go through an operation as soon as possible.”

The room went still.

Jin took a shaky breath, his voice breaking. “But she—she is refusing un—until you get married because the doctors said— the chances of success are low.”

Taehyung’s expression didn’t change. His face remained void of any emotion, but his knuckles turned white as he clenched his hands.

Jin continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “Your Appa and I tried many times to make her understand but she—”

Yoongi and Hoseok, who had been silent until now, widened their eyes in shock. Jimin pressed his lips together, stealing a glance at Taehyung, while Grandma’s eyes showed concern for Jin.

But Taehyung—

Taehyung didn’t move.

He just sat there, staring at Jin with unreadable eyes. Seconds stretched into minutes. The weight of his silence filled the entire room.

Then, without a single word, he stood up.

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

Taehyung’s face remained void of any emotion, his movements eerily calm as he turned on his heels and walked away.

No one had the chance to stop him.

Jin’s lips parted slightly, watching his son leave, but the weight of that silence crushed him. His chest tightened, and before he could stop himself, tears slipped down his cheeks.

He didn’t expect this.

He expected anger, shouting, even accusations. But this?

This silence hurt more than anything.

Jungkook’s gaze flickered between Taehyung’s retreating figure and Jin’s shaking form. His heart twisted at the sight of the elder’s tears.

Without hesitation, he moved.

He knelt before Jin, his hands gently cupping the elder’s face. “Eomma, please don’t cry…” His voice was soft, pleading. “Hyung can’t be angry with you. You are his Eomma. He is worried, sad. You know him, right? Please don’t cry.”

Jin sniffled, his lips trembling.

Grandma, watching the scene, smiled faintly, trying to lighten the moment. “Jinnie, why are you crying? I’ll beat him if he’s angry at you, don’t worry.”

Jin let out a weak chuckle, but the tears didn’t stop.

Namjoon, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “Jungkook… I think you should talk to him.”

Grandma nodded in agreement.

Jungkook turned to Jin again, wiping away the fresh tears rolling down his cheeks. “Eomma, please… don’t cry. At least for me?” His voice was so gentle, so warm.

Jin gave a small nod, his gaze lingering on Jungkook as if drawing strength from him.

With that, Jungkook stood up and made his way toward Taehyung’s room.

—

The door was slightly open.

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before peeking inside.

Taehyung stood near the window, his tall figure bathed in the dim glow of the evening sky. His hands were in his pockets, his gaze fixed outside.

Jungkook stepped inside quietly, careful not to disturb the moment.

As he came closer, his eyes followed Taehyung’s line of sight—Aera was outside, playing in the garden, her tiny laughter echoing softly in the distance.

But Taehyung wasn’t just watching.

His face, which had been devoid of emotion moments ago, now held something different—something softer, something lost.

He looked deep in thought, his eyes distant.

Jungkook’s lips curled into a small smile at the sight, but he knew he had to break the silence.

“Hyung”

Taehyung didn’t answer immediately. A few moments passed before he turned suddenly, catching Jungkook off guard as he pulled him into a tight embrace.

Jungkook barely had time to react before he felt the warmth of Taehyung’s body pressing against his, the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath his ear. The way Taehyung was holding him—desperately, as if anchoring himself—sent a pang through Jungkook’s chest.

Taehyung rarely showed vulnerability like this.

Without hesitation, Jungkook wrapped his arms around him, holding him just as tightly.

“Hyung,” he whispered, running his fingers soothingly along Taehyung’s back. “Talk to me.”

For a moment, Taehyung just breathed, his face buried in Jungkook’s shoulder. Then, in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper, he finally spoke.

“Eomma should have told me earlier.”

Jungkook said nothing, letting him continue.

“I should have been here. I should have known.” Taehyung’s grip on Jungkook’s waist tightened. “Halmeoni is refusing surgery because of me.”

Jungkook stiffened slightly at that.

Slowly, Taehyung pulled away, but only enough to look into Jungkook’s eyes. His hands remained on Jungkook’s waist, fingers brushing the fabric of his sweater absentmindedly.

“I’ll do what she wants me to — I will do it” Taehyung said, voice steady but laced with something deeper. “I’ll marry.”

“I will marry you”

Jungkook’s breath caught.

Not because he didn’t want this.

But because he could hear what Taehyung wasn’t saying.

Swallowing, Jungkook reached up, cupping Taehyung’s face gently. “You’ll do it” he repeated, his voice quieter this time.

“Because you want to? Or because you feel like you have to?” He asked.

Taehyung’s eyes widened slightly.

Jungkook took a small step back, enough to look at him fully. “Hyung, we promised—no decisions out of obligation. Not with us.” His thumb traced Taehyung’s cheekbone. “I need to know… is this truly what you want?”

Taehyung stared at him, his lips parting, but no words came out.

Jungkook didn’t look away, didn’t let him retreat into himself. “If this isn’t what you truly want, I—” he took a shaky breath, “I’ll find another way. We’ll find another way. But I won’t let you do this if your heart isn’t in it.”

For a long moment, Taehyung just looked at him.

Then, suddenly, he let out a quiet chuckle.

Jungkook blinked.

The next thing he knew, Taehyung was leaning in, closing the space between them, pressing their foreheads together. His hands slid up, cradling Jungkook’s face, his touch soft but firm.

“Jungkook,” he murmured, “I love you.”

Jungkook’s breath hitched.

Taehyung’s thumbs brushed against his skin. “I’m not marrying you because I have to.” He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Jungkook’s gaze. “I’m marrying you because I want to. Because I have choose you— The day i fell in love with you, I knew it's either you or no one else.”

Jungkook’s chest tightened, emotions crashing over him like a wave.

Taehyung smiled softly, eyes warm and unwavering. “But only if you choose this too. Only if you’re ready.”

Jungkook let out a shaky laugh, his hands sliding up Taehyung’s arms before wrapping around his neck. “You’re really asking me if I want to spend forever with you?”

Taehyung smirked, tilting his head slightly. “It’s only fair, isn’t it?”

Jungkook shook his head in disbelief before whispering, “Hyung, I’ve already chosen you. Again and again.”

Something shifted in Taehyung’s gaze—a warmth, a fire. His hands tightened on Jungkook’s waist as he pulled him in, and before Jungkook could process it, their lips met.

But this wasn’t just a kiss.

It was deep, slow, and filled with everything Taehyung had never been able to say. His lips moved against Jungkook’s with urgency, with devotion, like he was memorizing every inch, every feeling. Jungkook melted into him, arms tightening around Taehyung’s shoulders, fingers slipping into the soft strands of his hair.

The kiss grew more intense, Taehyung’s hands sliding down Jungkook’s spine before pulling him impossibly closer. Their breaths mingled, their hearts racing in sync, and in that moment, nothing else existed. No worries, no fears—just them.

Jungkook sighed into the kiss, tilting his head as Taehyung deepened it, taking his time, savoring him. His lips were soft, warm, and the way they moved against Jungkook’s felt like a silent vow, an unspoken promise that he was his—fully, completely.

When they finally pulled away, their foreheads remained pressed together, both breathless, both trembling slightly from the overwhelming emotions coursing through them.

"Together?" Taehyung whispered, his voice raw.

Jungkook smiled, his hands still tangled in Taehyung’s hair. "Together."

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To be continued