**Shattered Trust, Rebuilt Love**. (Tae Centric)

**Chapter 7: The Path to Healing**

The following days were a delicate balance of care and patience. The Kim brothers had to adjust to a new routine—one centered entirely around Taehyung’s needs and his recovery. Every interaction with him was carefully measured, as they tried to earn his trust without overwhelming him.

Jin, with his medical expertise, took on the task of treating Taehyung’s physical wounds. Each day, he would gently clean and bandage the scars that covered Taehyung’s fragile body, his heart breaking a little more with every new injury he discovered. Despite the pain of the procedures, Taehyung never complained. He remained silent, his eyes downcast, accepting the care as though he didn’t deserve it.

Jungkook, on the other hand, rarely left Taehyung’s side. He was determined to be a source of comfort for his younger brother, even if Taehyung couldn’t yet see him as such. Jungkook’s presence was constant and reassuring, a silent promise that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to Taehyung again.

But the road to healing was not easy. Despite the brothers’ best efforts, Taehyung remained deeply fearful and distrustful. He would flinch at sudden movements, and any raised voice—no matter how harmless—would send him into a panic, his body trembling uncontrollably.

One evening, as the sun began to set, Taehyung sat in a corner of the living room, his knees drawn to his chest. He was watching the other brothers quietly as they talked amongst themselves. The scene was unfamiliar to him—this easy camaraderie, the way they laughed and teased each other. It was so different from anything he had ever known.

Jungkook noticed Taehyung’s distant expression and walked over, sitting beside him on the floor. “hyungie,” he said softly, “you don’t have to sit here by yourself. You can join us, if you want.”

Taehyung looked up at Jungkook, his eyes filled with uncertainty. “I… I don’t know how,” he whispered. “I don’t know how to be… with people.”

Jungkook’s heart ached at the sadness in Taehyung’s voice. “You don’t have to do anything special,” he said gently. “Just being here with us is enough. We’re your family, hyungie. You don’t have to earn our love—you already have it.”

But Taehyung shook his head, his gaze dropping back to the floor. “I’m not sure I know what family is,” he murmured, his voice so quiet that Jungkook had to lean in to hear him. “All I know is… pain and fear. I don’t know how to be anything else.”

Jungkook felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he blinked them away, determined to stay strong for his Taetae hyungie. “I know you’ve been through so much, hyung,” he said softly. “But you don’t have to be afraid anymore. We’re going to protect you, and we’re going to help you understand what it means to be loved. It might take time, but we’ll be here every step of the way.”

Taehyung remained silent, his mind struggling to process Jungkook’s words. Love was a concept that felt foreign and distant to him—something he had always been denied, something he believed he didn’t deserve. But as he looked into Jungkook’s eyes, he saw a sincerity that made him want to believe, even if just a little.

Jungkook offered a small, encouraging smile. “How about we start small?” he suggested. “You can sit with me while we talk. You don’t have to say anything—just being with us is enough.”

Taehyung hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t used to being included, to having his presence valued. But there was something about the way Jungkook spoke to him, the gentle kindness in his voice, that made Taehyung want to try.

Slowly, Taehyung nodded, and Jungkook’s smile widened. He helped Taehyung to his feet and guided him over to where the other brothers were sitting. They made space for him immediately, their expressions warm and welcoming.

As Taehyung sat down, he kept his eyes on the floor, his body tense with anxiety. But he could feel the warmth of Jungkook’s presence beside him, and it gave him a small sense of comfort. The brothers resumed their conversation, careful to keep their voices low and gentle, aware of Taehyung’s sensitivity.

Yoongi, who had been watching Taehyung carefully, spoke up, his voice calm and soothing. “Tae, you don’t have to worry about anything here,” he said quietly. “We’re just talking, sharing stories. You’re part of this family, so you’re welcome to be here with us, no matter what.”

Taehyung nodded slightly, his hands gripping the fabric of his pants tightly. He didn’t know how to respond, but he appreciated the effort Yoongi was making to include him. The brothers continued their conversation, and though Taehyung didn’t contribute, he listened quietly, his mind slowly beginning to understand that this was what family was—being together, supporting each other, without fear of judgment or punishment.

As the evening wore on, Taehyung began to relax, if only slightly. The brothers’ laughter and light-hearted banter, though unfamiliar, started to feel less intimidating. There was no cruelty here, no harsh words or angry voices—just the warmth of a family that wanted him to be part of their world.

When the time came for bed, Jungkook walked with Taehyung back to his room. As they reached the door, Taehyung paused, looking up at Jungkook with a hesitant expression.

“Do you… do you really think I can be part of this family?” Taehyung asked quietly, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

Jungkook’s heart swelled with emotion as he gently placed a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. “I know you can ... , hyungie, ” he said softly. “You already are. You’ve always been part of this family, and now that we’ve found you, we’re never going to let you go.”

Taehyung’s eyes filled with tears, but this time they weren’t tears of fear or pain—they were tears of something new, something he was just beginning to understand. Maybe, just maybe, he could believe in the possibility of being loved.

As Taehyung settled down on the floor to sleep, Jungkook knelt beside him, tucking a blanket around his brother’s small frame. “Goodnight, Taetae hyungie,” he whispered, brushing a gentle hand through Taehyung’s hair. “I’m right next door if you need anything.”

Taehyung nodded, his eyes closing as exhaustion overtook him. For the first time in years, he felt a small flicker of safety—a tiny, fragile hope that maybe things could be different. And as he drifted off to sleep, he held on to that hope, clinging to the idea that one day, he might truly believe that he was part of this family.

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