His Darkest Desire ||Taekook||

chapter seventeen

As the sun slips toward the horizon, casting long shadows over Jungkook's mansion, a heavy silence settles among them. No one dares to speak—not out of fear, but because words feel fragile here, unable to hold the weight of what's happening. They follow quietly behind the youngest, who carries Taehyung gently, as if holding something more fragile than a person. Watching Jungkook pass through the guarded entrance, bowed to with unquestioned respect, a quiet question lingers in the air—what has changed between them, and what does this moment really mean?

Mina hesitates—of course she does. Why would she willingly step into the house of the person who took both her parents away? A sickening churn twists in her stomach, and she comes to an abrupt halt. Yoongi notices immediately, his frown deepening as he catches the troubled look clouding her face. She doesn't meet his eyes; instead, she stares blankly at the ground beneath her feet. Without a word, Yoongi takes a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Jimin stops too, unsure of what to say or do. He feels the weight of Mina's pain deeply, and the guilt gnaws at him relentlessly. Yet, he swallows his words, biting his lip, and keeps his distance—just a few steps behind—as he watches quietly. His eyes follow Yoongi as he gently reaches for Mina's hands, locking eyes with her, trying to offer some unspoken reassurance in the midst of the silence.

"I know you're not okay. Jungkook's an asshole—but what did you expect?" Yoongi's words hang awkwardly in the air before he quickly falls silent, realizing they're doing nothing to ease Mina's pain. His eyes shift to Jimin, who meets his gaze with a look Yoongi can't quite read—an expression tangled with something between understanding and something else he can't place.

"I don't know if I want to go in. I'm still scared. Taehyung's not safe here. He's not safe with Jungkook." Her voice barely rises above a whisper, fragile and trembling, her hands beginning to shake. Yoongi lets out a heavy sigh, eyes drifting upward and around the quiet surroundings, searching for some kind of answer—any solution. But he doesn't know what to do.

Jimin stood by the door, listening quietly to Mina's trembling words. It was hard to believe she was feeling the same raw fear he'd known—the same panic that had gripped him when he thought about losing Jungkook. Scared. That word echoed in his mind as he watched her worry for Taehyung's safety, a worry that felt all too familiar.

He swallowed hard and stepped forward, joining Yoongi and Mina, standing close to Yoongi but unsure what to do next. His thoughts kept circling back to Taehyung—the boy they all needed to protect. He should have watched over him better, made sure he came back safely, so none of this pain had to happen.

"If you want to stay here," Jimin said quietly, "there's an extra room you can use, or you can stay with Taehyung. I know you hate Jungkook, but he won't harm him."

Mina paused, wrestling with her thoughts, and then Yoongi gently turned her to face him. He knew if she went back home, painful memories would flood back, and he couldn't bear the thought of her being alone. Who knew what she might do in that darkness?

"If you want, I can take you to Hoseok's place," Yoongi offered. "I still need to talk to him, work things out. We have to stop this childish behavior and act like adults."

The mention caught Mina's attention. A small grin tugged at her lips as she reached up and pinched Yoongi's cheek. He hissed and rubbed the spot, a pout forming on his face.

"Since when did you become an adult? Last I checked, you're still a big baby."

Yoongi scoffed, throwing her a mock glare, clearly offended. Jimin watched the exchange silently, his lips pressed tight as he glanced from one to the other.

"Oh really? Because last I checked, I'm still three years older than you," Mina snorted, and their bickering continued—unaware of Jimin standing there, quietly observing.