Reluctant Hearts ✔️

Chapter - 7

☾⋆⁺₊🎧✧ lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıı

playιng: [Treated You Better] - [Shawn Mendes]

˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･

I hope he loves you more than I ever could,

And makes you feel special, just as you should.

But deep down I know, no one can love you like me,

Still, I wish I had treated you better, endlessly.

˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ *˚˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･˚₊ ˚ ‧₊ .:･

Present

The dining table buzzes with quiet conversation as everyone, except Taehyung and Jungkook, gathers for lunch. Mr. Jeon breaks the silence, his voice low but firm, "Now that one issue is resolved... when are we going to talk to them about it?"

Namjoon, ever the voice of reason, shakes his head slightly, "Definitely not today."

Mr. Kim lets out a dry chuckle, "Yeah, right... Otherwise, they'll disown us for bombing them with all the shocks in one day."

Mrs. Jeon sighs, looking concerned, "How about the day after tomorrow? Let them celebrate Christmas in peace."

Everyone at the table nods in agreement. Jin, who has been quietly observing the situation, adds, "They haven't come out of their rooms since morning."

Mrs. Kim, her worry evident in her voice, says, "And they haven't eaten either. Let me call them."

Just as she begins to rise from her chair, the door to Taehyung's room creaks open. Taehyung steps out, freshly clothed, his appearance much improved from the disheveled state he was in that morning. A few seconds later, the door to Jungkook's room opens, and he emerges as well, looking equally refreshed.

Their rooms are on the upper floor, at the end of the hallway. They exchange a brief glance before quickly looking away, both clearly uncomfortable. Taehyung is the first to move, descending the stairs with a deliberate pace. Jungkook follows a moment later, maintaining a distance as he trails behind him.

As they enter the dining room, the atmosphere grows tense. The room falls silent, all eyes turning to watch the two of them take their seats on opposite ends of the table. It's painfully obvious to everyone that they are pretending not to notice each other, their awkwardness palpable.

Mr. Jeon clears his throat, trying to break the tension, "Glad you both could join us."

Taehyung nods slightly, keeping his eyes on his plate as he reaches for a glass of water. Jungkook does the same, his movements stiff as he tries to act as though nothing is amiss.

Mrs. Kim, still concerned, offers gently, "Are you both feeling better now?"

Taehyung responds with a polite but distant, "Yes, thank you." Jungkook only nods, too focused on avoiding eye contact with Taehyung to say anything.

The meal proceeds in awkward silence, with everyone at the table acutely aware of the strained dynamic between the two.

As they go on with their meal, Namjoon, seated directly in front of Taehyung, breaks the silence, "Tae, when is Jimin joining us?"