Falling For You

34 | the apology he deserved

"Kook, can you put her bottles in my bag?" Taehyung asked Jungkook, who had finished dressing Ara in some clothes.

"Yup!" He replied, heading towards the kitchen. After Taehyung finished his shift yesterday, they spent a lot of time at the park.

They sat under a large tree, the shadiest part of the park. Taehyung enjoyed yesterday. It was nice spending time in a different environment.

Ara seemed to be fascinated by the grass that kept brushing against her bare feet. Jungkook took heaps of pictures of her at the park.

Even with her not being able to walk or crawl yet, it was heartwarming to see her so happy. Her little squeals and mumbles as she grabs the grass.

The brunette enjoyed it because Jungkook was with him. He loved watching the interactions between Ara and Jungkook.

It was a sight to see. "Ready to go?" Jungkook walked into the lounge, bag over his shoulder as he looked at the male who had Ara in his arms.

"Yup, let's go."

"Are you going to see Jiu?" Jungkook asked Taehyung, who was heading towards that classroom.

"Yeah, is that okay?" Taehyung questioned, turning to the raven, who smiled brightly— nodding his head.

"Here is the bag. I have to go see coach about something anyways." Taehyung nodded, smiling when Jungkook pecked his forehead and Ara's before jogging down the hallway.

The brunette gripped the bag in one hand while Ara was in the baby wrap. He walked towards the door and smiled when he saw Jiu sitting against the couch, Rosie in her lap, playing with a toy.

"Morning", Taehyung greeted happily as he walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Morning, Tae", Jiu replied.After Taehyung made Ara her bottle and sat against the couch, Jiu and him got straight to chatting.

He loved this. He loved having someone to talk to who was going through something similar.

"You still apartment hunting?" Jiu questioned, adjusting Rosie in her lap.

"Yeah, I found an area that I like, which is close to my job and the daycare. The apartment has a park next to it. Pool and gym in the building, carpark space. It is also safe. The guy I was talking to said that the building has a great security system."

"That sounds great!"

"Are you still looking for somewhere?" Taehyung questioned

"Yeah, I have not found anywhere yet" She sighed, rubbing her eyes before looking back at him. Taehyung could tell she was tired, he did not want to pry into her business, but he knew how she might be feeling.

"Have you been sleeping?" He whispers

"No. The stress and overthinking keep's me awake" Taehyung nodded his head. He knew what she meant.

"I am going to look at some of the apartments today. I can ask the guy showing me around if he has any spaces for more people and give him your number?" Taehyung offered.

"You would do that? Thank you so much." The brunette noticed how it took a bit of weight off her shoulders.

"How many rooms would you be looking for" Taehyung was saying when he got cut off by the door opening and a male who walked in with some food.

"Jiu, they did not have that apple pie you like there. I got you that cheesecake you always talk about," The male said, closing the door fast.

"Choi?!" Taehyung gasped once they made eye contact. Choi's eyes widened. He completely forgot that Taehyung would stay in the room.

He felt guilt trickle down his stomach as he stepped forward, placing the plastic bag on the table as he sat next to Jiu, who looked confused.

"Hey", He whispered, making eye contact with Taehyung, who was still in shock. "W-what are you doing in here?" The brunette stuttered, eyes not moving away from Choi.

"Jiu is my best friend. I have been helping her with Rosie," He whispered, looking towards the ground. Jiu looked between the two, awfully confused.

"I am sorry. I know this looks bad" Choi sighed, rubbing his forehead. The amount of guilt he was feeling felt overwhelming.

Taehyung did not know what to say. Every time he goes to open his mouth is closed. He was fumbling with his words.

What was he meant to say? He looks like a huge hypocrite right now. The brunette was not mad, not in the slightest, just confused.

"What is going on?" Jiu questioned, shuffling back a little to get a better view of the two boys who could not form words.

"I am just going to be open and honest. You know Jake?" Choi said to Jiu, who rolled her eyes but shortly nodded her head afterwards.

"Jake and I treated Taehyung like shit. It got worse when he had a kid, rumours went everywhere, and I felt pressured. I never hated you, Tae. I am so sorry for treating you like shit. I was scared of Jake," Choi stated, confidence now back in his voice as he looked at the brunette who was listening carefully.

"I grew up with Jake. Whenever I had a different opinion, he would get defensive. He never validated how I felt. When I would open up to him about things I am insecure about, he would judge me or constantly bring them up."

"I admired him when I was younger. It had always been just the two of us. He has changed. He only cares about popularity and bullies people when they are not on the scale. He was jealous of you, Tae. That is why he was so mean to you."

"I am sorry for the stuff I did. I know I did not treat you right but know that if you give me a second chance, I will never hurt you again."

Taehyung believed him. Jake was the main one he did not like. He was the mouth. Choi never really did anything. It was more how he never stood up for him, which hurt him. He was a massive believer in second chances. He knew Choi felt terrible.

"I forgive you. Thank you for apologising," Taehyung whispered.