The sound of the front door clicking shut echoed through the quiet mansion as Jungkook and Taehyung stepped inside. The weight of the day hung heavy in the air, and the tension in Taehyung’s posture hadn’t eased even after they had driven home in silence.
Jungkook glanced at his husband, who was now toeing off his shoes, movements mechanical and devoid of energy.
The normally vibrant Taehyung was buried beneath layers of frustration, exhaustion, and grief, and Jungkook could feel the weight of it pressing down on both of them.
Taehyung didn’t say a word, heading straight to the living room, his body tense as if holding onto some invisible thread that might snap at any moment. He sat down heavily on the couch, leaning his head back against the cushion and closing his eyes as if the mere act of breathing was an effort.
Jungkook followed quietly, watching him with concern etched across his face. He wasn’t sure if Taehyung was still angry or just too drained to even be angry anymore.
Either way, he needed to be there.
He moved over to sit beside Taehyung, hesitating for a moment before reaching out to place a hand on his husband’s knee.
“You wanna talk about it?” Jungkook asked softly, his voice careful, not wanting to push too hard.
Taehyung didn’t open his eyes.
“No......”
Jungkook bit his lip, his heart aching for him. He had seen Taehyung angry before, but this—this was different. The anger wasn’t just directed at Jongmin, though Jungkook knew that his father’s words had cut deep. It was everything—the stress of Taejoon’s condition, the pressure to hold everything together, the weight of being the strong one when all he probably wanted was to break down.
Jungkook leaned back against the couch, his fingers still resting on Taehyung’s knee, thumb tracing gentle circles in an attempt to offer some comfort.
“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to,” he said softly. “But just know I’m here.”
For a long moment, there was silence. Taehyung’s breathing was steady but shallow, and Jungkook wondered if he was going to retreat even further. But then, Taehyung’s hand, heavy with exhaustion, reached out and covered Jungkook’s, squeezing it lightly.
“I just…” Taehyung started, his voice a little hoarse. “I hate him.”
Jungkook stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue.
“The way he talked about my dad… like he’s already dead. Like it’s just about dividing assets and property.” Taehyung’s eyes opened, staring at the ceiling with a distant, pained expression. “I know my dad doesn’t have much time, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to… to act like it’s already over.”
Jungkook squeezed his hand, staying close.
“You don’t have to act like it’s over, Taehyung. It’s not. He’s still here, and you’re doing everything you can to be there for him.”
Taehyung let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it.
“And what good is that doing? I’m just sitting there, pretending like it’s all going to be okay when I know it’s not. My dad’s slipping away, and I can’t even… I can’t even let myself feel anything because I have to be a strong one.”
Jungkook’s chest tightened. He hated seeing Taehyung like this—so lost, so overwhelmed, and feeling like he had to carry everything on his own.
“You don’t have to be the strong one all the time,” Jungkook said quietly. “It’s okay to let go. You don’t have to keep it all bottled up.”
YOU ARE READING
Trouble Tamer
Fanfiction"Sorry, but your name?" Jin asked softly "Min Hoyoon," Jungkook blurted out with a panicked smile. "Yes, Hoyoon," Jin chuckled, clearly enjoying this far too much. "Taehyung, show him around, will you?" And in that moment, Jungkook just knew. He w...
