Enveloped with Love! (Taekook)

CHAPTER VI

December 24th, 2021 - Seoul, Jeongguk's residence

The weeks leading up to Christmas had passed pretty quickly for Jeongguk. His days had a routine now. His days started and ended with reading or rather re-reading Taehyung's letters since he opened new ones only when he struggled with his dialysis. He had to since the pile of unread ones kept going down as each day went on and Jeongguk didn't know what he would do once they were all over!

He was honestly amazed at the patience Taehyung showed since it was obvious he never received any replies. He felt angry at this Jae-Hyun guy. Why would he not check his mail? He probably gave Taehyung this address and then left without a care of what's happening to people he's left behind. What kind of person does that?

Jeongguk felt conflicted. He could only imagine the pain and disappointment Taehyung had gone through when none of his letters received replies.

To be completely honest, Jeongguk felt connected to Taehyung, strange as it may sound. On many levels he couldn't help but feel similar to his situation. Taehyung was trying to move on in life and Jeongguk was also trying the same.

They both had things in their life that had shattered them completely... one being a lover and the other being a disease.

Jeongguk perfectly understood Taehyung's fear of dating again. He himself hadn't been able to bring himself to date anyone since he was diagnosed. The boyfriend he had that time had left the moment he realized he's facing a downhill battle with such serious sickness, he had bolted. He was so devastated at that time because truth be told, he had imagined a future with this person. Jeongguk doesn't think he'd ever have the courage of seeing someone again, what if they leave too?

Jeongguk couldn't help but be proud of Taehyung. He himself had many times thought of ending his life, doing it himself on his terms before the disease took over... but held back for his parents... just like Taehyung for his Yoongi hyung and his Jimin, his true family.

These letters were doing things to him if he was honest. Ever since being diagnosed and losing everything he held dear, he had just felt empty. Always angry and ready to lash out at everyone and everything. For the first time, he was feeling calm and in control of himself.

How can reading about something, someone you don't know, wrote make you feel as if you've known them forever? He feels low key connected to Taehyung and even a little with the Yoonmin couple... he laughed a little at that name, who even comes up with that? For some reason he just knew it was Jimin.

He also can't help but marvel at the strength that was shown by Taehyung. He had graduated with a literature major, not surprising since he wrote so well. On scholarship while being by himself without parental support. He couldn't imagine what he would do if his dads never spoke to him again. Taehyung had also gotten a small place for himself and hoped to write a bestselling book one day.

Jeongguk had a feeling that Taehyung was absolutely beautiful. Inside and out. For some reason, he just knows that Taehyung was really attractive. If the number of times he was hit on is to go by, then that surely seems like the case.

He just had one final one to go through.

How apt that he would read the final one on Christmas day. The first one that he's ever spending alone!

******

December 25th, 2021 - Elsewhere in Seoul - Taehyung's residence

Taehyung rubbed his eyes groggily. He struggled to open them and had a tiny battle with the blankets that he had rolled around himself like a burrito wrapper to fight the stinging cold.