My EverHeart~power bottom

chapter 13

Enjoy reading

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“Did you take everything?” Jungkook asked for the third time, while Taehyung, already nodding for the ninth.

“Yes, I did. It’s not like we’re leaving forever or anything,” Taehyung replied with a hint of impatience.

Jungkook sighed. “I was talking about the medicine and reports, you dumbo.” He began straightening up the bed they had messed up in their rush to pack for a stay at Jungkook's family home, which could last several days.

“I’ve got it, my butterfly. Now, can I have a kiss? I only got one hug after breakfast.” Taehyung’s playful tone made Jungkook laugh, but he leaned in and kissed Taehyung’s cheek. Taehyung didn’t stop there, pulling him in for a soft kiss on the lips.

“Alright, that’s enough. We’re already late,” Jungkook said, smiling as he pulled away. Taehyung picked up their luggage and headed downstairs.

Jungkook took a final look around their bedroom. Everything was neat and tidy, thanks to him, but something still tugged at his mind as if he had forgotten something.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mrs. Kim, Taehyung’s aunt, and a few neighborhood women were gathered.

“Taehyung, are you going somewhere?” Mrs. Kim asked, eyeing their bags with frown.

“Yeah, Mom. Jungkook was missing his parents, so we’re going to visit them,” Taehyung explained just as Jungkook appeared behind him.

“Tae, go ahead. I’ll be right there,” Jungkook said. Taehyung nodded, turning to his mother and aunt.

“Take care, Mom. You too, Auntie,” Taehyung said, leaving his mother standing speechless.

“Jungkook, how long will you two be away?” Taehyung’s aunt asked, her curiosity apparent.

“We’re not sure yet. But don’t worry, Mom, if we stay in touch. I’ll let you know,” Jungkook reassured them, making his way to the car, eager to avoid the lingering stares of their guests, who seemed to be looking for something to gossip about.

“You see how they treat you like a stranger? I told you he’s no good for Taehyung, but you never listen to me,” Taehyung’s aunt muttered, her voice laced with bitterness.

Mrs. Kim stood frozen, torn between the nagging words of her sister in law, and the emptiness in her son’s eyes. His usual spark was missing.

Taehyung’s voice, once filled with warmth, now sounded distant, like he was holding something back.

Was this new, or had she been too late to notice?

Had Taehyung lost weight over the past few months?

Or she was overthinking things?

Yet, as hard as she tried, she couldn’t recall the last time she had truly taken the time to think about Taehyung.

On the way to Jungkook’s house, they made a stop at their school. jungkook, fast asleep on taehyung’s chest, was gently laid against the headrest as Taehyung placed a pillow under his neck. He instructed the driver to watch over Jungkook while he stepped out for a moment.

Taehyung took a long look around the school, taking in the familiar surroundings. Talking with the trustees had gone smoothly, and postponing the event, while challenging, had been handled well by both him and Jungkook. Thankfully, the investors were gracious and understanding.

“If anything comes up, call me or Jungkook,” he told Namjoon, who nodded in agreement, promising to handle things while they were away.

“Want to meet the new art teacher?” Namjoon asked. Taehyung agreed, curious. As they approached the classroom, Taehyung was shocked to see the new teacher was none other than his old friend.

“Ji Yoon? Is that you?” Taehyung exclaimed in surprise.

“Surprised?” Ji Yoon replied with a teasing grin.

“You really caught me off guard,” Taehyung laughed, hugging him.

“You two know each other?” Namjoon asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, he’s my childhood friend. But what are you doing here? You don’t need a job; your family’s business is worth millions,” Taehyung said, still surprised.

“I just wanted to do something for myself. You know how much I love art, so I thought I’d try something new,” Ji Yoon explained.

“That’s amazing! Good luck with the job,” Taehyung said, genuinely happy for his friend.

“Thanks! I heard you’ll be gone for a while?”

“Not too long, but yeah, we’ll be taking some time off,” Taehyung explained.

“Is your husband handling everything while you’re away?” Ji Yoon teased, making Taehyung smile.

“If I’m not here, neither is he. That’s why we needed the emergency teacher to fill in for both of us.”

“Oh, I see. Are you two going on a honeymoon?” Ji Yoon joked.

Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. “No, it’s something else.”

After some brief goodbyes, Taehyung returned to the car, feeling satisfied. He was looking forward to some time off, grateful the investors had been so understanding. Otherwise, canceling the event at the last minute would’ve damaged his reputation.

At the school, the teachers and staff had shown genuine concern for his health, which surprised him. Even his father and brother had called earlier to check in on him. No one knew about his illness, rather than Jungkook, but their concern frightened him.

How would they react if they found out? How would he handle their worry?

Had they already suspected something was wrong? After all, what more could they expect from someone as weak as him?

Was he overthinking everything? Was he being ungrateful, feeling annoyed by their concern, while at the same time yearning for the affection he never got from his mother?

Too much attention is suffocating, but too little leaves a heart hollow.

It’s a paradox—the heart always craves what it has never had.

But isn’t it our fault, too? We often place our feelings on others without knowing if they can bear the weight. Why don’t we stop? Stop for a moment and let them grow on their own, discover who they are, learn that they are capable of walking their own path, fighting their own battles.

Sometimes, we suffocate the ones we love, leaving them breathless and insecure, making them believe they aren’t enough on their own. We plant seeds of doubt, even in their own decisions.

Instead of asking, “Are you sure you can do this?” why not say, “I know you can do this. You’ve got this.”

Taehyung wished he had heard the latter more often. But instead, it was the former that echoed in his mind. Was he truly capable?

The growing tightness in his chest and shallow breaths reminded him he was overthinking, which wasn’t good for his health. He was snapped out of his thoughts when the driver announced they had arrived.

But I see them in the back of my mind,

all the time...

Like a fever, like I am burning alive on their side..

song- Billie Eilish