85

Jungkook

My gaze followed Taehyung around the room, I couldn't take my eyes off him, he moved fluidly, his steps filled with purpose.

Taehyung moved around like he owned the room… like he owned everything.

And it was reality.

I liked his strength and the dominance he exuded.

The pull I felt toward him made my body hum with pleasure.

Taehyung shrugged on his dress shirt, quickly buttoning it up, his form was the most perfect I had ever seen. Not that I had seen a lot, he was perfect in my eyes.

Inside and out.

I got off the bed and took his suit jacket in my hand. He gave me a warm look as I helped him, my hands made their way to his chest. I laid my palms there, over his chiselled stomach. I could feel every muscle definition through his shirt. Taehyung's hands held my hips, moving me closer.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, running his fingers over my hips.

"Perfect," I smiled up at him.

He nodded, a sudden shadow crossed his face. Taehyung looked thoughtful for a moment, then he swallowed hard like he ate something big. I could feel that he was suddenly nervous.

"What's wrong?"

"This is going to be huge, Jungkook. We thought it's time for you to know," he started.

"Know what? What's wrong?"

My eyes went wide as panic started to course through my system. Taehyung placed a gentle finger over my lips.

"Shh… calm down, Angel. Everything is fine... Hae-jin wants to talk to you."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Hae-jin? But why?"

Hae-jin had barely said any words to me, he never talked but I caught his stare now and then. It felt like he wanted to speak but he just didn't know what to say. If I wasn't mistaken, he was avoiding me, just watching from behind the shadows sometimes.

It was strange, I never thought much of it.

"He has a lot to say, Angel but he means well. Okay? Just keep that in mind. He's not the bad guy,"

Taehyung explained, staring at me expectantly. I nodded then jumped in fright when a sudden knock sounded on the door. I was too tensed, my muscles locked tight.

"That's him," Taehyung muttered before calling out, "Come in!"

I stood, staring at Taehyung as the door opened. He gave me a small smile and turned me around so I was facing Hae-jin.

"Hey," Hae-jin started with a tight smile.

He looked nervous, his hands were fisted by his sides, he fiddled around on his feet. It was a once-in-a-lifetime type sight, to see a man like him nervous.

"Hi," I replied almost timidly.

Taehyung walked us to the couch and sat down before pulling me on his lap. He settled me sideways, his hands drawing circles over my waist. I breathed out a sigh of relief and stared at Haejin expectantly. He swallowed again and looked around before moving his gaze back to me.

"This is going to sound crazy, you might even hate me after this but I think you need to know. I need to tell you. It's driving me fvcking insane keeping it inside for so long," Hae-jin started.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's going to be okay," I replied, trying to make him as comfortable as I could.

After my years of torture, I had learned that it was easier to see the positive in things. Let the wave of negativity flow around you but never let it affect you. I guessed I was my own medicine to the virus. My eyes caught Taehyung, his attention was already on me. Or maybe he was my medicine?

I smiled internally at the thought.

My saviour.

I had the sudden urge to kiss him again but quickly bit on my lips and tried to concentrate on Haejin again. When Hae-jin started talking, he had my full attention as he continued his story. My heart ached with each word, and tears slid down my cheeks. Taehyung caught them for me, he soothed me with his touch.

Every word Hae-jin uttered broke my heart further. When he was done speaking, he let out a loud breath and stared at me, watching my reaction. I sat still and stared back in shock.

My throat closed as I tried to speak, "You knew my mom?"

He nodded.

"You loved her?"

He nodded again, a wave of pain crossing his face.

My eyes blurred with tears.

"I can't remember you."

"Of course, you can't, Jungkook. You were only a year old," he replied gently.

My heart stuttered at his fatherly voice.

"I wish I could remember you," I whispered. "You were more a father to me than my own ever was. You cared for me."

"I always cared for you, Jungkook. Since the very first time, I laid eyes on you. Even when I thought you were dead, I still loved you. You were my son."

I sniffled and choked back a sob.

How long had I craved to hear words like these?

To have a father who loved and protected me?

For years, I dreamed of my father looking at me with soft eyes… if only just once.

He never did.

He treated me as if I didn't even exist but this man standing in front of me, he was looking at me with the love my father should have had for me. I stood up from Taehyung's lap and went to Hae-jin. He straightened up instantly, standing to his full height.

"I never had a father," I said, stopping in front of him, "I prayed and wished that I did, that never happened. I didn't have anyone. What I didn't realize was that I had a father, loving me from afar."

Before he could move a muscle, I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. He was startled, freezing in shock. Hae-jin sighed, sagging with relief. I felt every tense muscle in his body relax, he slowly brought his arms up, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save your mom. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. All these years-" he broke off.

My emotions clogged up my heart and throat, "I don't hate you and it's not your fault. We can't blame ourselves for something that wasn't in our

hands."

"You sound so much like your mother, Jungkook," he said softly.

"Am I like her?" I asked curiously, my heart beating just a little faster.

"You look so much like her. The first time I saw you, I thought it was a dream. I thought I was being haunted," Hae-jin replied, slightly pulling away so he could look at my face, "And you have her wisdom too. So gentle. Just like my Myung-hee. I don't think I will ever forgive myself for not being able to keep my promise to her. Having you here, safe and loved now, I think I can live and breathe a little better," he finished, his eyes glazed with unshed tears.

My chin wobbled, I nodded. Taking a deep breath, I uttered the most important question, "Can I still be your son?"

I felt like a child, hoping and looking for a scrap of love. My mind went back to when I was just a few years old. I always waited for my father to see me. I wanted him to play with me, put me to bed, read me stories.

Anything…

I just wanted a small bit of his time and attention.

Maybe just a few minutes.

One soft and loving look but I got none of that.

At this moment, I got all of that.

In just mere seconds, Hae-jin Kim gave me years of love that I was yearning for from a father.

"You were my son and still are. Always will be, Jungkook."

I sniffled and closed my eyes, Hae-jin pulled me into his arms again, "Thank you," I murmured through my tears.

"You were always meant to be a Kim. From the very beginning," he replied as we pulled away.

I felt Taehyung standing behind me, his heat warming my back, I moved slightly back. Our bodies moulded together, his arms went around me. I felt his face in my neck as he placed a kiss there. Hae-jin smiled and shook his head, muttering something under his breath.

"I will see you both downstairs for lunch."

He gave me a final look and smiled, a huge warm smile that lit up his whole face. I smiled back, feeling my heart flutter with absolute happiness. Hae-jin walked away, and I turned around in Taehyung's arms, facing him.

"Thank you for giving me this. It was meant to be, you know. Me finding my way into your car."

Taehyung chuckled, his lips turned up in a small sexy smirk, "Thank God I parked my car there."

We laughed, then he kissed me, our laughter falling silent.

~~~

"Sooo…"

I heard Jimin's voice and I turned my attention from my dessert to him. He had an eyebrow raised, regarding Taehyung curiously.

"Have you proposed yet?"

Thank God, I wasn't eating or I would have choked. My heart stuttered to a stop and then started again.

Faster and harder against my ribcage.

What was he doing?

I sent him a warning glare before my gaze moved to Taehyung.

His spoon was paused in mid-air.

He was frozen in his seat.

My throat went dry, I wanted to smack my head on the table.

Jimin!

This boy!

Taehyung placed his spoon down slowly and cleared his throat.

"What?"

"I was just wondering if you've proposed yet?" Jimin asked again.

"Why do I have to propose?" Taehyung asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

Seokjin and Hoseok looked like they were hiding their laughter behind their fists. Even Namjoon was smiling knowingly. Seung-won and Hae-jin just shook their heads and carried on eating their desserts.

"You said so yourself a few days ago. Jungkook was a 'Kim.' But did you propose?"

Taehyung spared me a glance before looking at Jimin again, "Was I supposed to propose?"

Jimin's face turned red, his eyes bulging out. He held his fork and knife tighter and speared Taehyung with a glare. I had a feeling he was plotting his murder.

"Did you even ask Jungkook if he wanted to marry you?" Jimin hissed.

Taehyung looked completely confused and oblivious. I could feel my cheeks heating up, I looked down at my dessert plate.

"Jungkook, do you want to get married?"

What?

WHAT?

Taehyung's question was imprinted in my brain.

Did he just ask that?

In front of everyone?

I looked at Jimin again, he was about to have a heart attack.

But he was going to kill Taehyung first.

I turned to Taehyung.

"Uhh…"

He looked at me expectantly, waiting for my answer.

Everyone was waiting for my answer.

Feeling flustered, I played with the hem of my dress shirt nervously.

"Yes?" I answered hesitantly.

No wasn't an option.

It was never an option.

Taehyung nodded, looking proud of himself, "Okay. We're getting married then."

If it wasn't for Namjoon holding Jimin down, he would have leapt over the table, "That was hardly a proposal," Jimin hissed with a tight smile.

Taehyung looked confused again, "I asked and Jungkook said yes. We're getting married."

My shoulders sagged.

That was it?

Taehyung went back to eating. Seokjin and Namjoon chuckled and coughed, hiding his amusement. Hoseok laughed heartily before he continued eating too.

A few seconds later, I picked up my fork too. Jimin was still glaring holes in Taehyung's forehead but his shoulders went down in defeat. When our plates were almost cleared.

Taehyung leaned closer. "I love you, Angel. I don't care about getting married. it doesn't change anything. I will give you my name. You will be a Kim,

Jungkook. That's my promise to you."

His words were low enough for only me to hear and they made their way straight to my heart. I turned to him, my lips stretched in a smile.

It was impossible not to smile.

Taehyung smiled back, his eyes filled with so much love for me.

"Okay," I agreed.

I guessed I didn't need a proposal after all.

Just being with Taehyung… was enough to make me the happiest man alive.

~~~

After playing the piano, I settled on Taehyung's lap.

We stayed like that for some time, both of us refusing to move. He played with my hair, my head laid against his shoulder. I placed a kiss there, and he held me tighter.

"What do you need, Jungkook? What do you need from me? I want to be the man you deserve," he said, breaking the silence.

I brought my head up and looked at him.

He looked a little lost.

Holding his face in my hands, I brought our lips together. I kissed him softly, pouring all my love into the kiss. He kissed the tip of my nose and hugged me.

"Only you. You're all I need," I whispered against his lips.

Taehyung's eyes held mine.

Blue to brown.