Brothers Next Door | KookJin

🚪 #8

Jin woke up earlier the following morning to prepare for the day. He's going to have his milk tea shop blessed today and do the soft opening ceremony too.

He's really looking forward to this day, so he decided to take Jungkook's advice the night before - he'll just continue on what he started. And he's hopeful that he will make something meaningful for him and his sons.

Jin whipped up his usual kale smoothie, and then he cooked garlic rice, bacon and eggs for his sons and Taehyung. While he gets the dishes to set the table, he was greeted by Taehyung who came into the kitchen quietly, "Morning, Jin.."

"Good morning."

Taehyung embraced Jin's waist and kissed his neck, then he whispered, "I missed you last night, babe. Can we at least start the day with a quickie--"

"No." Jin cut Taehyung's words as he escaped from his arms. "You can eat breakfast now with the boys while I go to the shop. Everything's ready, just leave the dishes in the sink, I'll do them later."

He was hoping to exit the kitchen quickly, but Taehyung caught him by his arm to stop him. "Wait-- aren't you going to have breakfast with us?! C'mon, babe. Stop being like this. It's not everyday that I'm here, can you at least--"

"Tae! I am trying to get used to 'you not being here'.. so please! You are not helping at all! I am just letting this one time slip coz you're already here and you're leaving me with no choice, but this will be the last time.

As we have agreed, you are going to set me and our sons free. You can still see them, but just during our agreed time. No more surprise visits, no more weekend stayovers, no more breakfast together!"

Jin then sighed deeply, then he continued, "Please, Tae.. I don't want to start this day with an argument with you."

"What do you want me to do, Jin?! Just so we can go back to the way we used to be.. do you really want this?! Your sons are getting affected by this!"

"You're always using them against me, when you can't even be honest with them! They want to be with you freely, Tae. And you're giving them false hopes! When the truth is, we're just like this - as if we're a portrait of a happy family - but only within the walls of this house!"

"Jin! Our sons are smart! Aren't they supposed to understand that you and them are just supposed to be kept as a secret?!!.. For as long as we could keep this my secret!! I'm sure they knew that, knowing that I'm already married!"

Jin sighed, "Exactly, Tae. That's why I don't want that anymore for them. Coz they deserve better than just being kept as a secret. Please.. can you at least do this for your sons? Just let me do this for them - without you interfering."

Taehyung took Jin's hand and kissed it gently, his eyes almost teary, "B-but how about us?! You know I love you, right?! I love no one else.. Do you know how much it hurts to think that you're trying to find someone else to replace me in your life?!"

Jin took a deep breath to stop the tears that were threatening to fall, his lips were almost trembling when he spoke, "D-did you ever think how much it hurts for me to accept the fact that I can never-- never ever replace your wife beside you, even if you keep telling me that you love me?!

I'm just tired, Tae. You can continue being a father to your sons, but I am now out of the picture."

Taehyung let out a deep breath, then he let go of Jin's hand. "Okay, Jin.. If I can't have you anymore, then you can keep your sons! It's a whole package deal for me. I don't want just tiny bits and pieces!"

Jin's eyes widened at what Taehyung said, he pointed to his own chest as he spoke as softly as possible, "Excuse me-- what?! Now, they're just my sons??"