Enveloped with Love! (Taekook)

CHAPTER XI

January 14th, 2022 - Seoul - Jinny's cafe

Taehyung sat in his favorite spot at his favorite coffee shop as he worked on his article that would be due in a few days. His hot (now cold) chocolate sat forgotten next to his laptop as his fingers moved over the keyboard speedily. His eyes not leaving the screen, brows furrowed in concentration, he put down everything that he had penned in his journal to finish what could be described as his best piece yet.

Yes, Taehyung had finally managed to get rid of his mental block with writing. It had happened on the morning after his birthday when he had woken up extremely well rested with a sudden surge of ideas for his articles. After that night of reading the kind stranger's response to his letter, Taehyung had somehow found himself with a new found sense of self. He was less depressed, more active and energetic, not to mention he was not struggling to write anymore. This was his 9th piece he had completed in almost 2 weeks which had to be some kind of record for him. He still didn't have a plot for his book but this was still huge!

He had managed to get a small time with a new publishing firm that made up for the one he had lost on his birthday. The money was once again good enough to get him by. It wasn't a lot but he didn't need to skip any meals. If he continues with his writing streak and if he manages to save a bit, who knows, maybe he'd be able to buy a heater in a few months.

All in all, life was at least shining a little bit for Taehyung. He had made up with Yoongi and Jimin who had shown up at his place by noon the day after the fiasco of his birthday. Taehyung was shocked to see them but didn't waste a second to hug the shit out of both of them, apologizing over and over again for being the bitch that he was to his soulmate. Both were quick to forgive him, he was, after all, their baby. Not to mention, they ditched Jimin's family but nothing was more important for the couple than Taehyung's well being. He may have lost his birth family but the universe did bless him in the form of Jimin and Yoongi. And as promised, Jimin did make sure they had an amazingly fun-filled day at the ice skating rink to celebrate Taehyung's birthday.

Taehyung often found himself smiling these days which was a shocker, not just to himself but also everyone around him. Yoongi and Jimin had pestered him to spill the secret of his new found excitement but Taehyung had just shrugged them off pretending to not know what they were talking about.

What would he even tell them? I wrote to my dead boyfriend for seven years and received a reply from some stranger who pretended to be him and that made me happy?

"You wouldn't believe even if I told you..." was his standard response.

Of course, he knew what had caused him to be the way he was being. A precious letter sitting safely in his journal which he had read and reread a million times in the past two weeks. He had contemplated several times if he should write back. He knew it was not Jae-Hyun and some person that had probably ended up receiving his letter. He wasn't sure if he should write back, and if he does, should he write to Jae-Hyun or this stranger who calls himself J?

If he was honest to himself, he did want to write back...

 Desperately...

Even the thought of having to send back his reply to the letter that touched all the strings of his heart had his pulse quickening. A strange kind of giddiness filled his tummy as if he was riding a rollercoaster. His hands always went clammy and his feet were jumpy.

Taehyung couldn't understand this reaction, why was he acting like a 13 year old school girl who got a letter from her crush? He's 26 for crying out loud. He needs to act his age but it felt like his heart didn't get the memo as it fluttered at the thought of getting another letter from the mysterious stranger who had such a way with words. It was unbelievable how much the letter had soothed Taehyung's broken heart.