ENTICE || JJk•PJm•KTh

Chapter 39 || Saviour

it takes everything within yoongi to enter jiah's room, especially after what he just witnessed outside. it's truly disheartening to see the girl he practically raised, this scared and dependent on somebody else, completely something she's never been. even when her parents abandoned her during her pregnancy, jiah wasn't in such a bad condition. she cried for sure, cursed taehyung with all her heart, but it was still okay. at least she wasn't leaning on taehyung for justice, like she's doing right now.

yoongi knows it's not really her fault, rather it's taehyung who forced her into believing him until she couldn't trust herself anymore. it hurts yoongi more than words can describe, standing by the door of her room as he watches with a soft gaze the way jiah stands by jihun's crib. she holds the toddler's hands as he stands up, giggling at her and mumbling something in his baby voice.

"jiah," yoongi calls out softly, approaching the girl and her child, gaining attention from both. jihun reacts first with a gasp, followed by a giggle and extends his arms out, already leaning on the rail of his crib at the sight of yoongi.

"yoo'gi u'cle!" the toddler is restless in his place, struggling against the crib that keeps him from running off to yoongi. the man breaks into a chuckle, taking one large step close to the crib and lifts jihun up in his arms.

"hey champ, long time huh?" he pats the baby's back, who jumps in excitement hugging yoongi's neck with his little arms wrapped around it like he was running away. jiah watches the interaction, smilling a little to herself and sighs softly, stepping back. she fixes her hair, eyes traveling back to the door in search of her child's father, wondering how taehyung even let yoongi, and well jungkook too, come inside.

he's not there. she frowns, eyes looking behind jungkook to see if taehyung was coming, but he never shows up. she gulps nervously, ignoring the men and her blabbering toddler, and walks up to the door that opens in the short lobby leading to the living room. taehyung is nowhere around and then it hits jiah that yoongi might have threatened him to leave. she's about to turn around when a hand is placed on her shoulder gently, making her flinch and twirl around quickly.

"sorry, didn't wanna scare you." jungkook hushes out, removing his hand and smiles a little, "taehyung's gone, okay? relax."

"why?" she asks, frowning at him.

"he's hurting you, baby. just take a look at yourself. he's messing up with you." jungkook steps near her, cupping her face while his other hand holds hers, caressing her wrist slowly. "now tell me the truth, how are you? what did he do?"

jiah stares at him, her head tilted up due to his height and the proximity. she opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out, so she just ends up shaking her head. jungkook's eyes soften at that and he gradually pulls her in a hug, "i missed you," he whispers, "i was so worried that taehyung might... nevermind. i'm so relieved to see you now."

"stop it," jiah mumbles.

"what?" jungkook breaks the hug to glance at her face, not quite catching what she said and waits for her to repeat it.

"stop it, jungkook. you're gonna get hurt," she says, lowering her head, eyes fixed on the floor. jungkook, although, makes her look at him again, holding an eye contact and smiles, leaning closer.

"i don't mind." he assures, triggering some tears in jiah's eyes, despite her looking away, "really. believe me, jiah. what hurts me is you pushing me away when i know all you wanna do is hug me and cry. i guess i know you that much, don't i?" he chuckles softly, stroking her hair.

"tae loves me and i— i need him. jihun needs him. he's jihun's father afterall." jiah says.

"and you guys didn't know that until just a few weeks ago?" yoongi hisses, before jungkook replies. he lets go of jihun and stands near jiah. "you didn't know what raising a kid alone means? you didn't know that jihun would need a father any sooner than taehyung started talking to you? stop lying to yourself, kiddo. taehyung's just playing with your head, you don't need him. you never needed him."