CRIMSON LIES (TAEKOOK)

16.(FAMILY, RIGHT?)

..🍜

Jungkook lay on his bed, phone in hand, as he waited for the familiar ring to connect him with his parents. After a couple of seconds, jin picked up.

"Jungkookie!" Jin's warm voice came through, and Jungkook instantly felt a surge of comfort. Namjoon's deeper voice followed in the background, "Hey, kiddo!"

"Hey, Jin appa, Namjoon dad ," Jungkook greeted, smiling to himself. "How are you both?"

"We're good," Jin replied, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "But let's talk about you. What's been going on? How's college, and... Taehyung?"

Jungkook hesitated, then sighed, deciding to give them a short version. "Well, college is fine... but Taehyung had a really rough day. Some girl bullied him. She's, um... my ex. She said some pretty awful stuff because... well, Taehyung's intersex. It hit him really hard."

There was a pause on the other end before Jin's voice filled with disbelief, "She *what*? Your ex-girlfriend?!"

Jungkook gulped. He could practically see Jin's face turning red. "Appa, relax, I-"

"Don't 'appa, relax' me!" Jin cut him off, sounding absolutely livid. "How dare she? To bully someone over... *that*? That's just..." Jin seemed too furious to finish, sputtering in outrage.

Namjoon, however, sounded more measured, though Jungkook could sense the simmering anger in his tone. "Jungkook, I'm really sorry to hear that happened to Taehyung. But your ex stooping so low... that's pretty pathetic, to be honest."

Jin jumped back in, unable to contain himself. "I don't even know what I'd do if I met her right now-maybe throw a *bread roll* at her! She deserves it!" He huffed, then muttered, "No one messes with my future son-in-law."

Jungkook's face flushed, flustered. "A-appa! We're not even-"

"Oh please," Jin interrupted, his tone turning slightly teasing. "Jungkook, everyone knows. The way you talk about him... it's written all over your face. Even Namjoon knows."

Namjoon chuckled. "He's not wrong. You and Taehyung have always had something special. But seriously, Jungkook... how is Taehyung holding up?"

Jungkook's voice softened, his gaze distant. "Honestly? He was upset, but he managed to smile by the end of the night. He's... stronger than I think he realizes. And I want to be there for him, just like he's always been there for me."

Namjoon's tone was gentle, full of warmth. "Sounds like you're a good match, Jungkook. Being able to comfort someone like that... that's special."

Jin, still fuming but softening at Jungkook's words, spoke again. "You're both so young, but you have such big hearts. Just promise us you'll take care of each other, alright? And if she bothers him again... well, you know who to call." His voice dipped into a comically ominous tone. "Jin appa will take care of it."

Jungkook burst out laughing, a mix of emotion and gratitude filling his chest. "Appa, I think I can handle it, but... thank you. It really means a lot to me."

There was a pause, then Namjoon added, his voice slightly choked, "We're proud of you, Jungkook. For standing up for him. And for being such a good friend... or, whatever else he means to you."

Jungkook felt a lump rise in his throat. "Thanks, appas. I'm really lucky to have you and we're in a relationship in an...i mean i confessed ...."

Namjoon looked up, now interested, and Jin called out, "Namjoon-ah, come here! Our Jungkookie has some news."

Jungkook chuckled softly. "Well...you remember how I was telling you about how I felt about Taehyung?"

Both Jin and Namjoon's attention was fully on Jungkook now. "Yeah, yeah, of course," Namjoon replied eagerly. "Did you finally-?"