𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱☪ - Taegyu

Episode XI

"If only you knew how much I want you for myself," he confessed, still sniffling and rubbing his red nose. Sincerity, determination, and perhaps a hint of pain, mirrored in his gaze as he met Beomgyu's eyes.

It was all mapped out since he first stepped into the Jedi Temple: a vision where he, the accomplished Jedi he strongly envisioned, would one day stand beside Beomgyu in marriage. Even if the chosen path ahead wasn't all roses and cotton candy.

"I just- I don't know what's good for us. I'm so afraid-" Taehyun admitted, an echo of his younger self resurfacing within him. Opening up his vulnerability to Beomgyu was not a rarity, but opening up his heart was, for he was aware that once the gate that kept his feelings was unlocked, a harsh reality of Jedi entanglements would choke him alive. History whispered tales of Anakin Skywalker– perhaps too distant, but what about his father? What about the fragments of his once-happy family?

"That's not how romance works," Beomgyu reassured him, taking Taehyun's hand into his own. As their fingers intertwined, Taehyun marveled once again at their perfect fit.

Taehyun knew it too well, witnessed through the countless times his mother had held his father's hand. If he inquired of his parents, they'd still choose to be married and bring him into the world. Because in life, there was no looking back, all they had was the present and beautiful memories.

"You told me to ignore those voices and look at you? I don't know how to silence my thoughts, but when I focus on you, I find my present, and I need nothing else," This time, Beomgyu cupped Taehyun's cheeks, gazing at him intensely, anchoring him amid the tempest.

Taehyun sucked up his courage and leaned in, planting a soft kiss over Beomgyu's new scar. "Beomgyu, you have always been my present. You're my past, present, and future... I love you."

"You love me? When you don't know who I truly am?" Beomgyu questioned, a flicker of insecurity still lingering.

Just then, Taehyun's communication ring beeped with TC-14's voice message. "Master Taehyun, your father wishes to see you."

"Roger," Taehyun sighed, reluctant to release Beomgyu's hand. Yet, he had to. Balancing the roles of a Jedi Padawan and the son of a Jedi Master was no less than a walk along a tightrope.

"Go, you should talk to him," Beomgyu freed his hand, nudging him towards the door.

Once Taehyun excused from the room with gray clouds over his head, his father, Master RM was right before him, arms crossed, leaning his back against the wall.

"I disappointed you." Taehyun admitted to the tall man. What a great way to start a conversation with his father.

"Never asked you to stay away from him. Maybe I should have." Master RM responded. The duality as a father and a Jedi Master weighed on him. Since Taehyun's mother passed away, their conversations had taken on shared responsibility as Jedi rather than the father-son talks.

"You are not my Master." Taehyun retorted, fist tightened to hold back his outrage. Attempting to leave, Namjoon stopped him with a raised voice, "I'm talking to you as your father!"

Ha, father," Taehyun scoffed, a bitter acknowledgment.

"You cannot let it affect your decision. His parents sided with the Empire-" Namjoon began. As a guide, or as a father, his concerns weaved through. However, it only exasperated Taehyun even more. The boy turned around, ready to unleash his pent-up emotions, "His parents, it's not about him."

"The Sith almost had him today."

Namjoon's words hit Taehyun hard, but he wasn't ready to back down. Instead, he brought up a painful subject–

"How about my mother, huh? Where were you when she was sick? You thought TC-14 could replace my mother? You pushed the Sith back and became the hero, while my mother was suffering alone. Beomgyu is all I have, no one can take him away from me! Not even the Sith!" Taehyun yelled at his father, each syllable a dagger dipped in unspoken pain. It only made perfect sense, since it was Beomgyu who always had his back when his mother left him, not his father.

Master RM was stunned by the rage and the mention of Taehyun's mother. Faced with his son's accusation, he had no excuses. He, who could defend the entire galaxy in the name of justice, couldn't be there for his wife at her last breath.

"Son..." Namjoon's expression was a mix of shock and sorrow, unable to find the right words.

Regret flashed in Taehyun's eyes. His anger, though justified, felt like a storm out of control, raging against the shores of their relationship. He took a deep breath, trying desperately not to let it carry him too far away, as he was reminded of the battle he faced within himself amidst the Sith's whispers.

He admired his father as a Jedi Master but failed to accept him as a person, especially as a grieving husband. So he had assumed that, by being in his father's place, he could comprehend the Jedi's struggle. Yet, till this very moment, he was far from understanding the path his father had tread in his loss and duty.

"Even so, I want to become a Jedi, to make you and mum proud," Taehyun managed to say, holding back tears. He had to be strong, for himself and for Beomgyu.

The chasm between them held its ground until a calm presence entered their sight– Master SUGA walking through the corridor in silence.

As SUGA passed by, Taehyun wiped away the threatening tears and bowed politely, like the well-taught Jedi he was. SUGA, the wise and reserved Master, didn't speak. He simply nodded at the two before entering Beomgyu's room.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✭,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

The hunter's cruise was on the verge of landing on Coruscant. Yeonjun, nestled in Soobin's arms safely, was peacefully asleep until he screamed himself awake, jolting Soobin from his slumber as well.

"Hey, are you okay? Nightmare?" Soobin comforted, gently stroking Yeonjun's cheek. The distress on Yeonjun's face suggested he had seen more than just a dream.

"The Sith!! He's coming-"