Inward Beauty | Taekook

- Chapter 46 -

The world seemed to pause for a moment. The heat of the fire, the noise of the chaos-all faded as Jungkook's lips pressed against Taehyung's. The loud booms and crackles of celebratory burst added to the surreal quality of the moment.

As soon as the weight of the situation crashed on Taehyung and he realized what was happening, his palms pooled on Jungkook's cheeks and pushed him away farmly. "J-jungkook-" his voice stammered as his breath came in ragged gasps. "You- you can't just do that while you have a boyfriend!"

Jungkook's face crumbled, guilt and regret immediately flooding his expression. He flinched away from Taehyung, the weight of his actions hitting him like a physical blow. "I- I couldn't," his voice sounded choked with emotion. "I didn't mean- I just-" He couldn't find the words, his mind reeling.

Jungkook took a few steps away, his eyes largened and filled with regret. The flickering lights cast shifting shadows over their faces, the heat of the moment being a constant reminder of the perilous situation. "I'm sorry," he muttered hurriedly, his voice barely audible over the roar of the atmosphere. Taehyung stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. He watched as the blond turned swiftly and sprinted away, his figure disappearing into the smoky haze.

Jungkook raced towards his family, who were a bit away but thankfully hadn't noticed the kiss. He halted just before Mingyu. His heart was heavy with remorse and confusion while he pulled his boyfriend down by his nape and crashed their lips together, desperate to find some comfort and stability the embrace could possibly provide him.

Hyeji gasped and covered her mouth which soon stretched into a big smile behind her palm, feeling an immense happiness for her son.

The kiss was urgent and fast, giving Mingyu no time to register what was happening, although, his hands instinctively found their way to his boyfriend's hips. He pulled away from the kiss when a certain kind of wetness met his cheeks. "Jungkook? You're crying-"

The blond shook his head and buried his face into the crook of the latter's neck. "I'm j-just glad that we're all safe," he stammered, trying his best not to sob out loud. "I got- I got scared-"

Mingyu shushed him "It's fine. Nothing happened," he reassured, his voice own trembling with an odd uncertainty.

The elder came forwarded and patted her soon to be son-in-law's back in comfort. "Everything's okay, dear."

Meanwhile, the moment Yoojung saw her mother kissing Mingyu she backed away from the scene and ran to her handsome ajussi. Taehyung, who was frozen on his spot with nothing but blankness surrounding his visage upon seeing the newly occured actions, tried to stretch his lips in a smile when the petite body of his daughter collided against him. He dipped his head down and ran a hand down her shoulder.

The father's movements were slow and tired while he crouched down before her, palms sliding up to Yoojung's cheeks in a gentle caress. "Did you get hurt anywhere?" he asked in a slow drag of his tone. Taehyung didn't know why but his eyes began to gather tears on their own as she cried to him.

"Y-you scared me. What if- what if something had happened to you?" She sobbed and hugged the man's neck. Taehyung's arms dropped to wrap around the kid and he chuckled in an exhausted manner.

"I'm safe and sound, sweetie pie. Nothing happened to me."

Yoojung trembled in his hold, every bit of her emotions pouring through tears. "I got really, really scared. Don't leave me, papa."

Taehyung stilled, the comforting caress he had just commenced to offer halted abruptly. His eyes widened in utter astonishment and disbelief. "W-what-"

Yoojung broke away from the hug, inclining her head eagerly. "I know," she revealed, her bottom lip trembling as she valiantly fought to suppress another sob. The lawyer regarded the young girl in a state of mute bewilderment.