Bound by Fate

Chapter 67: Shadows of Jealousy and New Beginnings

Namjoon and Jin's relationship is slowly mending, but the remnants of that fateful night still linger between them. They both find solace in focusing on Jaemin, who has become the center of their lives. Jin spends hours teaching him how to speak, delighting in every new word Jaemin utters. One morning, Jin sits on the floor with Jaemin, pointing to different objects, repeating their names slowly, while Jaemin's tiny voice echoes back.

"Can you say 'apple'?" Jin asks softly, holding the fruit close to Jaemin's curious eyes.

"Ah... apple," Jaemin stammers, his small lips forming the word with difficulty.

"That's right!" Jin beams, scooping the boy into his arms, placing a kiss on his head.

Nearby, Namjoon watches them from the doorway, a faint smile on his face, but there's a sadness in his eyes. Even as they rebuild their life around Jaemin, the space between them feels vast. Namjoon walks over and kneels beside Jin, brushing Jaemin's hair.

"You're doing amazing," Namjoon says gently, his voice carrying an unspoken tension.

Jin looks up at him, his gaze lingering longer than usual, sensing the unspoken words between them. They're both tiptoeing around a delicate intimacy, wary of breaking the fragile peace they've established since that night.

"I think he gets it from you," Jin chuckles, changing the topic, as he sets Jaemin down to play with his toys.

Namjoon sits beside him, their knees almost touching. "Maybe," he says softly, his hand resting on the floor just inches from Jin's.

The silence stretches. They used to be so close—both emotionally and physically—but now, the intimacy they once had feels like a distant memory. Neither knows how to bridge the gap without triggering the painful memories of that night, the scars still too fresh.

Meanwhile, across the palace, Yoongi is enjoying the more vibrant chaos that comes with fatherhood. Minji, with her lively personality, is always by his side. The palace is filled with her giggles as she runs around Yoongi, her energy a stark contrast to his calm demeanor. Jimin stands nearby, watching the two of them with an amused smile.

"Yoongi," Jimin says, laughing, "I carried her for nine months, and she turned out to be your exact copy. How is that fair?"

Yoongi, holding Minji up in the air as she squeals with laughter, smirks. "We're perfect together," he says with a straight face, but the playful glint in his eyes matches Minji's mischievous smile.

Minji chimes in, mimicking her father, "Perfect together!"

Jimin shakes his head in exasperation. "Look at them," he mutters to himself, trying to suppress a laugh. Yoongi and Minji are like two peas in a pod, and despite the chaos, the sight of them together always warms his heart.

As Minji runs off to play with her toys, Yoongi walks over to Jimin, wrapping his arms around him. "I love you," he murmurs into Jimin's ear, his voice soft and genuine.

Minji, ever the mimic, toddles over and wraps her small arms around Jimin's leg. "I love you!" she repeats in her high-pitched voice.

Jimin can't help but laugh, pulling both Yoongi and Minji into a tight hug. "I love you too," he says, feeling the warmth of their little family surround him.

Back with Namjoon and Jin, their evenings often end in silence. They sit together, sometimes reading or just watching Jaemin play, but neither has the courage to bring up the topic that weighs heavily on both their minds. They've respected each other's space for so long, too afraid to take the next step. The memory of that night has left its mark on both of them, and the idea of breaking that delicate barrier seems overwhelming.