Second Chance (Taekook)

CHAPTER - 17

Tender Reflections

Taehyung and Jeongguk were still embracing each other after Iseul left, not caring about how much time had passed.

Taehyung had been hugged before, but never like this. The embrace was unlike any he had experienced, wrapping around him with a depth and warmth that felt profoundly right. Since returning to the present timeline, he had never experienced such an intimate embrace. There was something profoundly warm—something that felt right and smelled right.

He let his body sag; his muscles became loose. Jeongguk had always given him the respect of an equal, but right now he is cradling him like a cherished child. In that embrace, he felt his worries loose their keen sting and his optimism raise its head from the dirt.

Since the moment he returned to this timeline, Taehyung had been constantly nervous, fearing that any misstep might lead to a repeat of the mistakes from his previous life. But right now, nestled in Jeongguk's embrace, he felt an unexpected sense of calm. He felt everything was going to be alright. Jeongguk's fingers gently brushed his hair back, and soft, tender kisses landed above his head, reinforcing that feeling of peace.

For Taehyung, being in Jeongguk's embrace felt like the world had come to a standstill. There was no sense of time, no wind, no rain—just a profound peace that enveloped him. He marveled at how he had once failed to recognize the purity of Jeongguk's love: unselfish, undemanding, and free. As he nestled closer, feeling the warmth and softness of Jeongguk's body, he understood, for the first time, the true depth of what he had been missing.

This was the love he had yearned for and prayed for after losing his husband—the embrace he craved to experience. He alone knew the nights he spent crying, clutching his husband's shirts to his chest, wishing for the man to return and hold him close again. Inwardly, he thanked God for this second chance, holding Jeongguk even tighter.

A lover like Jeongguk was meant to be cherished for a lifetime—something he had failed to do in his previous life. But this time, he vowed to treasure him fully. At last, he felt he was home.

For Jeongguk, it was like a miraculous moment of pure pleasure. It was the first time he experienced such an unforgettable touch through a hug. In that instant, he lost all sense of self, enveloped completely by Taehyung's remarkable fragrance. This was the first intimate gesture Taehyung had made towards him, and to Jeongguk, it felt far more profound and meaningful than any peck could.

His eyes grew moist, his heartbeat raced, and in that moment, he felt like the happiest person in the world. It was the first time he had ever held Taehyung, the person he had loved since childhood, and the intensity of the moment made his hands tremble. They felt cold and damp with sweat, but despite the nervousness, he tightened his embrace around Taehyung.

He also felt a bit awkward, as it was his first time hugging someone outside of his family, and this was the person he had always dreamed of. Not accustomed to such a feeling, it was like experiencing heaven on earth. That genuine, simple hug provided him with a sense of security, happiness, and excitement that surpassed even the thrill of a kiss.

To both of them, that embrace brought an assurance that everything would be resolved, healed, and accomplished. It provided a profound sense of achievement and satisfaction, instantly brightening their day.

Both of them were afraid to open their eyes, scared that it was again a silly illusion of their mind, afraid that it was just like those dreams. But still they parted away from each other, a bit reluctantly though.

They made eye contact, still holding each other's hands even when their hands had gotten sweaty. There was a beautiful smile on their faces, a trace of happiness in their eyes.