~☆~
The soft evening glow poured through the expansive windows of their cozy apartment, bathing the room in a warm, golden light. Taehyung sat on the couch, one hand cradling his small but noticeably swollen belly, while his other hand aimlessly flicked through TV channels, each image blurring into the next without registering in his mind. This should have been a time of pure joy-he and Jungkook were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. Yet, at six months pregnant, the emotional whirlwind of the journey had begun to weigh heavily on his heart.
Pregnancy hormones had transformed him into a tempest of feelings in recent weeks. One moment, he radiated with happiness, his excitement about their baby spilling forth in animated conversations; the next, he found himself teetering on the brink of tears over the most trivial inconveniences. Even Jungkook, whose patience seemed boundless, was not exempt from his sudden outbursts.
Tonight, however, everything felt distinctly off-kilter. His back throbbed with discomfort, his feet were swollen and heavy, and the tightness of his shirt seemed to mock him. Even the ambient noise of the television grated on his nerves. He hadn't seen Jungkook since morning, and the absence gnawed at him like a persistent ache.
With a sigh that felt almost like a whisper of defeat, he stared at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Jungkook had promised he would be home early, but the specter of work had once again eclipsed their evening plans. Taehyung knew it was not Jungkook's fault-he was working tirelessly to provide for their little family-but the resentment simmered within him nonetheless. The smallest inconveniences, magnified by his emotional state, felt insurmountable tonight.
At last, the front door creaked open, and Jungkook stepped inside, a weary smile breaking across his handsome face at the sight of Taehyung. He removed his coat and shoes, making a beeline for him.
"Hey, baby," he greeted softly, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on Taehyung's forehead. "How are you feeling today?"
Taehyung's heart fluttered at the tender gesture, yet his frustration simmered just below the surface, refusing to dissipate. He averted his gaze from Jungkook, fixating on the television screen despite not watching it. "You're late," he muttered, the sharpness of his tone betraying the depth of his annoyance.
Jungkook blinked, a flicker of concern flashing across his face. "Yeah, I know. I got caught up with work," he replied, kneeling beside the couch and pressing a soft kiss on Taehyung's hand. "I'm sorry, love. How was your day?"
"Not great," Taehyung responded coldly, pulling his hand away, a deep frown etching itself across his features. "I've been here, alone, waiting for you for hours. And you're always late. You say you'll be home early, but you never are."
Jungkook's smile faltered, the warmth in his eyes dimming as he absorbed the weight of Taehyung's words. "I'm sorry, Tae. I didn't mean to make you feel like this."
But Taehyung was far from finished. "It's not just today! You've been doing this for weeks, Jungkook. Ever since we found out I was pregnant, it feels like you're not even around anymore. And don't say it's because of work," he snapped, cutting off Jungkook's attempt to explain. "I get it; work is important, but what about me? What about us?"
Guilt gnawed at Jungkook's insides as he bit his lip, his heart aching at Taehyung's words. He reached out, attempting to take Taehyung's hand again, but Taehyung pulled away, crossing his arms defensively. "Tae, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I love you, and I love our baby. I'm just trying to make sure everything's ready for us."
Taehyung's eyes brimmed with unshed tears, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Well, it doesn't feel like it! It feels like I'm doing this all by myself! I'm the one who's tired all the time, I'm the one with swollen feet, and I'm the one who has to deal with all these emotions. You don't even notice half the time! You don't see me struggling to get up the stairs. You don't notice when I can't even sleep because my back hurts so much. And you don't notice when I'm sitting here alone, waiting for you to come home!"
