Second Chance (Taekook)

CHAPTER - 44

Threads of Fate

Taehyung strode through the polished halls of Jeon Inc., his heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He wanted to see Jeongguk before he embarked on the journey for his next show.

As he approached Jeongguk's cabin, the familiar sense of warmth enveloped him. He didn't hesitate to push open the door, knowing well that during this hour it would likely be empty except for Gguk. He was practically bursting with energy, ready to greet his fiance with the endearing nickname he had lovingly crafted just for him.

"Hey, Bunn—"

But his cheerful greeting faltered abruptly as his gaze met an unexpected sight. Sitting in the plush chair across from Jeongguk's desk was Min Yoongi, a man he had not anticipated to encounter today.

"Hyung" was the only word he managed to utter; the surprise was evident in his tone as he took a cautious step inside.

Yoongi's sharp, piercing eyes regarded him with a cool detachment, adding an unfamiliar tension to the already charged moment. Taehyung felt a mixture of unease and curiosity swirl within him.

"Taehyung," Yoongi replied, his voice steady and measured, betraying none of the emotions that might lie beneath.

Taehyung found himself utterly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events that had brought him face-to-face with Yoongi so early in his new life. In his previous existence, their paths had crossed only after he had married Jeongguk. But here, in this unfamiliar reality, he stood before the very man who had become his sole pillar of support following Jeongguk's tragic passing.

The memories of their past lingered like shadows in Taehyung's mind. He recalled the months that Yoongi had spent harboring resentment and coldness toward him. After all, it was Taehyung's own reckless decisions that had led to Jeongguk's untimely death, and in Yoongi's eyes, he had been the architect of that loss. Jeongguk had been everything to Yoongi, so it was no wonder that he struggled with the pain after Jeongguk's death.

Yet, despite the initial hostility, Yoongi had never faltered in his commitment to protect Taehyung. Even in his darkest moments, he ensured that Taehyung was safe and cared for, always checking in on his well-being and making certain he was eating properly. He had stood as a steadfast guardian against Taehyung's own self-destructive tendencies, offering a lifeline that allowed him to endure five long years of grief and despair after everything had fallen apart.

Now, standing before this younger version of Yoongi, Taehyung felt a rush of emotions that threatened to consume him. The urge to embrace the older man and weep in his arms was nearly overwhelming. He quickly averted his gaze, knowing that if he allowed himself to keep looking at Yoongi, his carefully constructed walls would crumble. This was their first meeting, a moment untainted by the pain of the past, and yet the weight of their shared history loomed large in Taehyung's heart.

He understood that this new beginning could not carry the same burdens as before. It was a fresh opportunity to forge a different path, but the temptation to reach out and close the distance was nearly irresistible. Taehyung took a deep breath, steeling himself against the tide of nostalgia and longing that threatened to spill over. In this life, they were strangers, and he was determined to honor that fragile newness, even if it meant suppressing the deep yearning to reconnect with the only person who had truly understood his pain.

"Taehyung?" The gentle timbre of Yoongi's voice pulled him from the tumult of his emotions, grounding him momentarily in the present.

"Y-Yes, Hyung. Wait, is it okay if I call you that?" Taehyung asked, uncertainty lacing his words.