It's been two days since the incident at the darkroom. Jungkook and Taehyung hasn't spoken to each other eversince, as the younger is completely ignoring Taehyung.
Taehyung couldn't stand the silent treatment anymore, so he decides to pack a few things and stay at his parents house for the meantime.
No, he wasn't mad at Jungkook; but, rather, at himself, for being the cause of it all. He wants to fix it. However, he still hasn't decided what to do and what to say to JK. In the meantime, he opted to give him space, thinking that it would be easier for the younger not to see him for the time being.
Taehyung was on his way out of the guest house when he saw Jungkook doing laps at the pool, he thought of telling him that he was leaving, but decided not to. As he turned towards the door, Jimin — who was sitting by the poolside — saw Taehyung and shouted his name. Jungkook heard it so it made him stop swimming and looked at where Taehyung was standing. Jimin jogged towards Taehyung.
"Hey, going somewhere?" Jimin asked as he noticed the duffle bag Taehyung was carrying.
Taehyung looked down at his feet and answered Jimin without looking at him. "Yes. I'm going home for a few days. It's been a while since I went home. So....yeah."
"But, you won't be long right? We're leaving in less than two weeks, Taehyung. You two should really talk. Running away won't make the issue go away, you know." Jimin said softly.
"I know." Taehyung looked up and as he did, Jimin saw tears in hs eyes. "I'll be back soon."
Taehyung left and Jimin went back to the pool area where an anxious Jungkook was waiting. While Jimin and Taehyung were talking, Jungkook was just looking at them the entire time. Though he could not hear the conversation, he could see them through the glass walls of the house.
"What was that all about Jimin? Where is Taehyung going?" Jungkook asked as he was getting out of the pool.
"He's staying with his parents for a while."
"What?! What do you mean for a while?! How long is a while?" Jungkook sounded desperate.
"He didn't say for how long. He just said he'll be there for a few days."
Jungkook quickly wiped himself with a towel, wore his shirt and was about to run after Taehyung. Jimin grabbed his wrist.
"Kook, just let him be. I think he needs to figure this out by himself. We can't force him to make a decision right now. The first thing that we don't want to happen is for him to make a hasty one and do something half-hearted. Give him time to think. He'll come around."
"Chim, what if he decides to stay?"
"Then, the two of you will talk and figure something out. I don't know why him saying no is non-negotiable for you. Hear him out first."
"I need him beside me all the time, Chim."
"And him going to Seoul with you, will make that possible? You know how our schedules go, Kookie. We barely even see our families. There will be instances that he will be alone most of the time when we go on tours and travel for shows and other things. Have you thought about that too?"
Jungkook gulped. Jimin had a point. He won't be able to guarantee Taehyung that he will be there for him all the time. He felt so helpless at that point.
"Think about the many possibilities, Kook. Meanwhile, just take it one day at a time. I know it's easier said than done, but worrying about it won't help at all. Just know that we're all here for both of you."
Jungkook felt lost. He's not sure what the future would bring for him and Taehyung. But, one thing he's certain about is that he wants to be with Taehyung right now as he misses him terribly.
An idea popped in his mind so he grabs his phone and called someone.
***
"Eomma! Appa! I'm home." Taehyung shouted as he walked inside of their house.
"Taebear!" Yong Jun was surprised to see his son.
"Appa!" Taehyung ran to his father and hugged him. Yong Jun felt that something was wrong as he knows his son too well. When Taehyung gets this clingy towards him, he knows that something's up.
"I'm glad to see you home. What brings you here?" Yong Jun asked.
"I just missed both of you. Can't I come home just to be with you?" Taehyung pouted.
Yong Jun wasn't buying it. Seeing his son not carrying that boxy smile of him gave it all away. But, he decides not to probe this time.
"You want some strawberry ice cream?" Yong Jun asked.
Taehyung smiled and nodded.
"Then come on. Let's go indulge ourselves while your mom's not here to scold us for ruining our appetite before dinner." Yong Jun winked and dragged his son to the kitchen.
Yong Jun grabbed the bucket of ice cream from the fridge while Taehyung took some cups and spoons for them. They went back to the living room and plopped themselves on the couch.
"You wanna watch a movie?" Yong Jun asked.
"Okay." Taehyung replied.
"What do you feel like watching?"
"Any."
Yong Jun scanned their options and decided to play Avengers Endgame. Everything was going well at first, until a scene with Ironman pops on the screen.
Taehyung started crying. It reminded him of Jungkook as the latter loves Ironman.
Yong Jun noticed and was surprised. "Hey, why are you crying?!"
"It's Ironman." Taehyung said in between sobs.
"Okay? What about him?"
"He reminds me of Kookie."
Yong Jun then realized what's wrong.
"Did you two fight?"
Taehyung shook his head, wiping his tears with the back if his hand.
"So, what's wrong?"
"He asked me to go with him to Seoul."
"And you don't want to?"
"It's not that I don't want to. I want to be with him, but what am I going to do there? Gurye has been my life. I love my job. I love how steady things are. You're here, my friends are here. When Jungkook returns, he will just pick up where he left off, but what about me? What am I supposed to do?"
Yong Jun finally knew what was happening.
"You know, Taebear, you may have missed it but just so you know, you always shone wherever you are in whatever it is that you're doing.
The very first time we brought you to school you never clinged to us. You didn't even cry nor look back at me or your Eomma when you entered the classroom.
Normally, kids would cry on their first day of school, throw tantrums and won't let go of their parents. You're a pre-school teacher. You've witnessed that countless of times. But, you and your 4-year old self, didn't. You went straight to other kids and made friends instantly. You became the teacher's favorite.
You went home that day, proudly showing us the very first star stamped on your hand. Right then and there, I knew that you were special."
"But, what if something goes wrong? And I fail? What if Jungkook leaves me, then I'd be alone there."
"Then all you have to do is stand back up. Then, try again. If your relationship doesn't work, you won't be alone. You can always go back home to us. And, besides, if you two break up, I don't think it would be because of Jungkook leaving you. That boy is too smitten with you. That won't happen.
You'll be fine, bear. You will explore, meet new people and find things to do that you'd be good at. And most importantly, you will have Jungkook with you. And that's the cherry on top right there. What more can you ask for?"
Taehyung looked at his dad fondly. "You're loving this moment aren't you? You've been wanting me to leave this place for a long time now."
Yong Jun chuckled.
"I've been encouraging you because I know you can do so much more, Taebear. Live life a little. I can't keep you hidden. It would be a shame to hide a star as bright as you. And, I want to share that glimmer for everyone to see."
Taehyung jumped off the couch and gave his dad a big hug.
"Thank you, Appa."
Just then, Hee-ae arrived with grocery bags in her arms.
"Oh, Taebear, you're here?! What did I miss?" Hee-ae asked.
"Just a little father-son bonding." Yong Jun said, chuckling.
"Really? Well, I had a little bonding session with a certain someone as well." Hee-ae said with a smirk on her face.
"Huh? With whom?" Taehyung asked.
The front door opened and closed and a few seconds later, someone came in with grocery bags in his arms as well.
"Where do you want these, Hee-ae?" The boy said.
"On the kitchen counter please." Hee-ae said.
The boy went to the kitchen followed by Hee-ae.
Taehyung and Yong jun had a stunned look on their faces. They watched the two go to the kitchen and stayed in the living room, dumbstruck.
"What just happened?" Taehyung asked.
"I have no idea. Why don't you ask him." Yong Jun laughed.
The boy with Hee-ae went back to the living room.
"Good afternoon, Yong Jun."
"Good afternoon to you too, Jungkook. Are you staying with us too?" Yong Joon asked giving Jungkook a big smile.
"Well, it all depends on Taehyung."
Taehyung was so happy, he ran to Jungkook and jumped on him. Jungkook caught him and placed Taehyung's legs around his torso.
"Of course, you can stay." Taehyung giggled.
Hee-ae came back to the living room seeing the position the two boys were in.
"Hey! Not in front of the parents!" She teased the two.
Taehyung blushed and wiggled his way out of Jungkook's arms, Jungkook gently placed him down.
Hee-ae then saw the bucket of ice cream on the table.
"Seriously? You two ate ice cream before dinner?!?" She shouted, looking at Taehyung then at her husband.
"Oops." Yong Jun said and gulped.
They all laughed. And that was how the rest of the day went.
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