Trouble Tamer

14. You Shouldn't Have Come...

Taehyung stormed through the hospital corridor, his heart pounding in his chest. The sterile smell of disinfectant hung heavy in the air, mixing with the suffocating weight of his emotions. He reached his father’s room, pushing the door open without knocking.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense, but calm. Taejoon, lay on the bed, looking pale and weak, but still trying to engage in conversation. Jin sat beside Taejoon with a soft smile, nodding gently to whatever his father-in-law was saying. Namjoon stood in the corner, his face expressionless, staring into the distance as if lost in his own thoughts.

Jungkook, who had been quietly observing, took in the scene before his eyes finally settled on Taehyung. His husband, despite his composed exterior, was a mess of silent tension—his pupils dilating, fingers twitching slightly, his foot tapping rhythmically against the cold floor. Every small movement screamed of Taehyung's internal unrest, and Jungkook couldn’t help but silently pray for Taejoon’s health, hating to see Taehyung this way.

Taehyung moved to the other side of his father’s bed and gently took a seat, his expression unreadable. He opened his mouth, his voice coming out in a soft whisper. “Father…”

Taejoon’s tired eyes shifted to Taehyung, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face. “What are you doing here, Taehyung?” he asked, his voice weak but filled with reprimand. “You were supposed to be with your husband right now, Kim Taehyung!” There was irritation in his tone, but also a subtle, unspoken relief at seeing his youngest son in one piece.

Taehyung frowned, clearly worried, but Taejoon continued, muttering coldly, “Who told you?” His eyes scanned the room. “Jin wouldn’t... Namjoon?”

Taejoon sighed deeply, his strength faltering as he glanced at Namjoon. “I told you not to disturb Taehyung,” he scolded weakly, coughing into his hand. His voice lacked its usual authority, as his health clearly failed him.

“Father—” Taehyung started, but Taejoon interrupted with a shake of his head.

“You shouldn’t have come here, Taehyung…” His father’s tone was softer now, but still firm.

Jungkook, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke. His voice was gentle, but firm. “Why shouldn’t he be here, Mr. Kim?” he asked, meeting Taejoon’s gaze. “You needed him. He is exactly where he should be.”

Taejoon looked at Jungkook, then back to Taehyung, noticing for the first time the way Taehyung’s hand was clenched into a tight fist, his knuckles white as if he were trying to hold everything together. The elder’s expression softened, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and regret.

“Tae… hyung…” Taejoon’s voice wavered as he reached out weakly toward his son, calling out softly.

Taehyung stood abruptly, his voice cracking ever so slightly, though he tried to mask it. “I’m sorry, Father,” he said, his tone cold but breaking just beneath the surface. “I’m sorry for coming, but please… as your son, let me be here.”

Taejoon’s heart clenched at the hurt in Taehyung’s words, the regret of his earlier harshness gnawing at him. “Taehyung—” he began, but before he could say anything else, Taehyung cut him off.

“I’m going to talk to the doctor,” Taehyung muttered, and without waiting for a response, he turned and quickly left the room.

Before leaving, Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, who gave him a small, reassuring smile and nodded. It was a quiet gesture, but it made Taehyung’s heart swell, bringing the first hint of a smile to his lips in what felt like forever. Taehyung gave Jungkook’s hand a quick squeeze before walking out with him, his steps heavy with the weight of everything unspoken.

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Taehyung and Jungkook sat side by side on the cold metal benches outside the hospital room, the sterile lights of the corridor casting long shadows around them. Taehyung’s eyes were glued to the floor, refusing to look at the door he had just walked out of, and Jungkook sat close, watching him silently.

“Taehyung...” Jungkook started softly, but Taehyung interrupted him, his voice hoarse, filled with an exhaustion Jungkook wasn’t used to seeing.

“I tried, bun...” Taehyung whispered, his vulnerability stark, a far cry from the confident man Jungkook had always known. His voice broke, and for the first time, Jungkook saw the cracks in the mask Taehyung had been holding up for so long. The sight of his strong husband unraveling in front of him made Jungkook’s heart ache.

“Taehyung…” Jungkook murmured again, his heart sinking as he watched the other unravel.

“I tried being a good son…” Taehyung choked on his words, and the pain in his voice made Jungkook’s breath hitch. “I-I did everything to make him happy… I did everything he asked of me... but still—” His voice trailed off, his shoulders shaking slightly as he let out a deep, trembling breath. Jungkook’s eyes widened in horror as he saw Taehyung’s carefully constructed facade crumble entirely.

Without a second thought, Jungkook moved closer and wrapped his arms around Taehyung, pulling him into a tight hug. His hands gently rubbed soothing circles on Taehyung’s back as he felt the weight of the other's pain in his embrace.

“I hate being like this... I hate seeing him like this...” Taehyung’s voice was barely a whisper now, but each word was laced with raw anguish. “I did everything for him... even this marriage...” He hesitated, the unspoken truth hanging in the air between them, heavy and unaddressed. “But... he’s still not happy. He’s lying there, still sad... Am I wrong, Jungkook?”

Taehyung’s voice cracked, and he looked at Jungkook with wide, pleading eyes, searching for reassurance.

Jungkook shook his head immediately, his heart breaking at the sight of Taehyung’s distress.

“No, Taehyung. No. You’re not wrong,” he whispered firmly, his voice filled with conviction. “You’ve done everything a son could do... more than anyone could ever ask. You’re the best son your father could have. Please... don’t ever doubt that.”

Jungkook’s hand stayed on Taehyung’s back, offering comfort as he held him close. “It’s not your fault, Taehyung. You’ve done everything right,” he murmured, his voice steady, even though his heart was heavy. “You’ve made him proud... even if he doesn’t say it, I know he’s proud of you.”

Taehyung stayed silent for a moment, his body trembling in Jungkook’s arms as he tried to compose himself. The words didn’t erase the pain, but they offered a small sliver of comfort, and for now, that was enough.

Jungkook kept holding him, letting Taehyung break down in the safety of his embrace, knowing that sometimes, just being there was enough.