Family Dinner

Taehyung started feeling more and more anxious as they traveled closer to Jungkook's house. Even though Ms Jeon seemed to really like him, they had never met in person. Taehyung wasn't sure if she would like him still once they met or once she finds out what Jungkook is planning to do for him.

"Jungkookie...ummm...when are you going to tell your mom about the bonding ceremony?" Taehyung asked shyly.

"We can tell her today since we will be there." Jungkook said in his usual unbothered manner.

"Shouldn't you guys may talk alone first? She may feel uncomfortable talking about it with me there." Taehyung said glancing at Jungkook.

"I don't see why, she loves you so I don't foresee any problems." Jungkook said shrugging.

Taehyung gets anooyed and punches Jungkook in the arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" Jungkook asked confused and with a scowl on his face rubbing his arm.

"HOW ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT ALL OF THIS?!" Taehyung said loudly whispering.

"Uh, how should I be?" Jungkook asked still not understanding.

"Oh my gosh! I take back everything, I can't stand you!" Taehyung said annoyed.

"Hey! What? What did I do?" Jungkook asked.

"You are like all cool with everything going on while I am having mini panic attacks every five minutes! This is a lot, ok?! Like we were just friends and roommates and now we are going to be bonded and we are meeting each other's parents! I mean this is a lot!!!" Taehyung said slightly panicking.

Jungkook just watched Taehyung squirming in his seat and biting his mouth. Jungkook wasn't great at interpreting people's moods but it definitely seemed like Taehyung was anxious. He thought for a minute, and just went with the first thing that came to mind. He reached for Taehyung's hand and held it tightly. This made Taehyung pause and slow his breathing.

"Don't worry about anything, ok? Let's just have dinner today and worry about the rest later. My mom cooks really well!" Jungkook said giving Taehyung a little smile.

Taehyung nodded and rested his head on Jungkook's shoulder for the rest of the ride.

"Oh we should take a selfie real quick!" Taehyung said happily.

"I don't really take pictures." Jungkook complained.

"Well that's definitely not going to work because I love taking pictures and you will have to be in some of them! Also you are too cute not to take pictures of!" Taehyung said with a big grin.

"Have you taken other pictures of me?" Jungkook asked skeptical.

"Maybe! But that's for my private collection so you can't see them!" Taehyung said sticking his tongue out at Jungkook.

"Wait, seriously? You took other pictures of me? Tae? Answer me!" Jungkook yelled as Tae rushed off the bus when they arrived at their stop.

Jungkook finally caught up with Tae at the end of the street, and he was still laughing from watching Jungkook chasing him. They both stopped trying to catch their breathe before walking again.

"You better show me those pictures later Tae!" Jungkook huffed.

"I'll think about it! Come on, which way?" Tae asked.

Jungkook pointed to theri right and they started walking down the street. A few blocks down they reached a cute little white house with a green roof. The black metal gate led into a small flower garden with a stone path to the door. There were so many different flowers and it had to be the best looking house on the street. The other houses looked very basic and minimal, which seemed to be because the street's residents were Amaroks.

Amaroks have an unattached personality apparently applied to even their homes. The homes were functional but non-personal. Unlike the Jeon home which was beautiful. They had just walked into the garden when the front door opened and Ms. Jeon stepped out.

"Oh my goodness! You guys are here! And this is Taehyung in the flesh!! Oh my goodness you are even more handsome then in our video chats!" She said walking forward and hugging Taehyung.

He was stunned. He had not expected this kind of welcome at all, but he loved it! Ms. Jeon was so sweet and he didn't hesitate to hug her back. Jungkook stood watching a little taken aback by the way his mom was acting. She was a very good mother but didn't show much affection because she knew Jungkook didn't like it.

"Taehyung I am so glad you could come, let's go inside!" Ms Jeon says taking Taehyung's hand and leading him inside.

Taehyung glanced back at Jungkook but all he did was smirk at the sight of his mom and Taehyung together. He followed them inside seeing his brother standing holding the door open. What was with his family today? They were both acting so weird. They never acted like this with him.

"What are you doing?" Jungkook asked his brother.

His brother shot a snobish look at him and pushed him inside and closed the door.

"Mom wants to make a good impression, ok?! Trust me she has gone all out for this dinner. She has been cooking since last night. She even went and bought fancy dishware. It's like she thinks the president himself is coming!" He said groaning and walking toward the dining room.

Jungkook turned the corner entering the dining room soon after to see Taehyung sitting at the head of the table looking slightly terrified. So Jungkook decided to take the seat next to him before his mom or brother did.

"Doing ok there Tae?" Jungkook asked.

"Don't patronize me. I wasn't expecting all of this!" Taehyung admitted.

"It seems that my mom is trying to woo you." Jungkook said with a totally straight face.

Taehyung gave him an annoyed look. Seriously Jungkook's humor needed some work.

"Ok so Taehyung I made all of Jungkook's favorites plus a few other dishes that I thought you would like!" Said Ms Jeon adding three more plates to the four that had already been on the table.

"You really didn't have to do all this Ms. Jeon!" Taehyung said shyly.

"Yes of course I did! You deserve to taste lots of good food today, you are a special guest!!!" Ms Jeon said. "Jungkook serve Taehyung please!"

Jungkook nodded and stood taking Taehyung's plate.

"Oh no that's not necessary!" Taehyung said objecting.

"Nonsense! You are our guest and should be treated like a King!" Ms Jeon insisted.

Taehyung just blushed from all this special attention he was getting. Jungkook covered the plate with some of each dish his mother had made and in a separate bowl he filled with rice. He set everything in front of Taehyung who thanked him. The Jeon family then served themselves and began eating. It was silent for a little while, like most of their family meals. The silence was making Taehyung feel even more nervous, thankfully it didn't last.

"So how is school going for you boys?" Ms Jeon asked.

"Most of my classes are pretty easy and I will be transferring to a special program after my birthday in a couple of weeks." Taehyung replied.

"What kind of program? Will you leave the dorms?" Ms Jeon said worried.

"No I will still study my other minor subjects but since I will replace my mother as the council head in a couple of years I need to undergo training." Taehyung said taking a bite of his food.

Ms Jeon froze. She did not know that Taehyung's family was so important or that Taehyung himself would soon hold such a high position. Her excitment dwindled a little. She had hoped that maybe Jungkook and Taehyung had a special relationship and that maybe they were becoming more than friends. Now she thought that Taehyung would not be able to pursue such a relationship after all.

"I see." Is all she said going back to eating.

Jungkook hadn't said anything up to that point, he focused on eating as did his brother.

"Jungkook anything new since we last talked?" His mom asked.

"I completed my first psycology examine and got an A. We start interviewing specialist in the field for our research papers next week. I will also meet Taehyung's parents about the bonding ceremony next week as well." Jungkook said without looking up or slowing his eating pace at all.

He said it so casually and with little emotion Ms. Jeon almost didn't catch it. When she realized what he had said she was stunned and Taehyung had tensed up at the drop of the news. He had hoped to ease into the subject but Jungkook being the u effected socially awkward king just blurted it out like it was no big deal.

Ms Jeon turns to look at Taehyung who was harshly blushing and keeping his eyes fixed on his plate. Jungkook's brother just looked highly amused at everyone's reactions and laughed softly at how awkward everything was getting.

"Jungkook what did you just say?" Ms Jeon asked.

Jungkook looked up now but still hadn't realized why everyone looked so uncomfortable.

"Which part mother?" He asked calmly.

"Did you say you are going through the bonding ceremony with Taehyung?" She asked in a higher toned voice.

"Yes. On his birthday. I will inform you of the details after I meet with his parents mother." Jungkook said.

Ms Jeon looked across the table the Taehyung who looked highly uncomfortable and would willingly jump out a window at this point.

"Taehyung, is this true?" She asks.

"Yes ma'am. I had hoped to ease into the topic with a little more explanation, but it seems like Jungkook had other ideas. I'm really sorry, I had hoped to get your blessing before Jungkook made any final decisions." Taehyung said apologizing.

Ms. Jeon still looked completely stunned and at a loss for words. Jungkook and his brother continued eating as if nothing had happened while Taehyung and Ms. Jeon sat in awkward silence.

"Taehyung why don't we go in the living room and talk and you can explain everything to me?" Ms. Jeon suggested.

Jungkook didn't seem to notice anything had happened and went on eating while glancing down at his phone.

Ms Jeon showed Taehyung to the living room and asked him to join her on the couch. Taehyung did as he was told, and felt almost like he was about to pass out. Me Jeon didn't speak right away, but instead watched Taehyung carefully. She was worried when he started shaking a little, so she reached out a rested a hand on his arm.

"It's ok Taehyung don't be so nervous." She told him.

He looked up at her and she gave him a sympathetic look.

"I am so sorry Ms Jeon! I wanted to talk to you about everything and explain. But I didn't get that chance." Taehyung said apologizing.

"Please Taehyung don't apologize! My son has no idea how to ease into conversations, he just blurts things out without thinking. I should apologize to you for how he told us. But are you sure you want to go through the bonding with Jungkook? He may not be able to make you happy." Ms Jeon said with concern.

"He has told me the same thing. That Amaroks don't connect romantically with their partners, and do not stay with them long. I also asked him if he was sure that he wanted to make this kind of commitment, and he would not change his mind. But I know he had plans too and I don't want to get in the way of that." Taehyung admitted.

"My son had many goals that is true and he has very determined personality. He does not like to give up on anything until he is the best at it. I am not sure if this is the reason he does not want to change his mind, he may see this as a challenge that must be overcomed. Which is not a good enough reason, he should do this because he actually cares for you." Ms. Jeon said saldy.

"I agree, I don't want him to just do this if he will be unhappy. I admit I care about him a lot even though he does not show me that he cares for me in a romantic way, but he does notice things when I think he isn't paying attention." Taehyung says smiling a little.

"I have noticed that too! He seems to know several little things about you that I would think would be trivial to him. Even though I have not seen you both together much, there is something different there. He smiles more when he is with you and seems a lot more calm. That makes me very happy, and if you think you can overlook his faults then he may change over time. Even though it's in his instincts to keep his emotions suppressed and to distance himself from creating emotional bonds, he wants to be more than his instincts. He has always wanted to be better, to be different. I hope he can be that for you." Ms Jeon said smiling at Taehyung.

"Are you ok with him doing this for me?" Taehyung asked.

Ms Jeon paused for a minute dropping her gaze.

"I know that there is so much he is capable, and if he wants to change I believe he can. But insticts run through our bodies like blood does, and can be hard to fight. You are so sweet Taehyung and I would love to call you family, but I also don't want you to be hurt because Jungkook can't give you everything you need. You deserve to be happy Taehyung and I want that for my son as well, but I just want to be sure you know what you will be up against." She said sadly.

"I don't know how or why, but I understand him. I see him even though he gives off this cold persona, he is more than that. When he wants to be he can be really sweet, and I see him trying even though it's unfamiliar and awkward for him. I don't think any of this will be easy for us, but I also don't trust anyone to be this for me than him." Taehyung said confidently.

This makes Ms Jeon smile brightly. She had never heard anyone speak so sweetly about Jungkook before. He had always been misunderstood, and yet this sweet and kind creature saw past all of that and found the good in her son.

"I would be honored to have you in our family Taehyung! And if Jungkook ever gives you a hard time you tell me and I will beat him up!" Ms Jeon said jokingly.

The two laughed together and hugged again.

"Are you guys hugging again?" Jungkook asked as he entered the room.

The two released from their hug to give Jungkook almost identical annoyed looks.

"I am giving you my blessing Jungkook to be bonded with Taehyung, but if you dare hurt him you will no longer be my son! Do you understand me?!" Ms Jeon said standing and pinching Jungkook's arm.

"Ow! God what is it with you two and hurting my arm?!" Jungkook yelped.

Taehyung giggled watching Jungkook flinch as his mother passed by him. He had never seen Jungkook intimidated by anyone before.

"What did you guys talk about?" Jungkook asked taking his mom's spot on the couch.

"She was telling me all of your bad traits that I should look out for. I have to say, there are quite a lot of them! But she also is happy that I will be part of your family, and I have to admit I kind of really love her so I'm happy too! At least I get a sweet mother-in-law out of this arrangement!" Taehyung teased.

Of course this created the exact reaction form Jungkook that he had hoped for, because pouty Jungkook had to be the cutest thing in the world.