Omega's Bond [Taekook]

Chapter Six

~~~

A week had passed, and though life moved forward for the rest of the pack, it stood still for Taehyung and Jeongguk. Taehyung grappled with the impossible—how could the universe have chosen a six-year-old as his mate? Meanwhile, Jeongguk was adrift, lost in a sea of grief, struggling to understand how everything he knew had been taken from him in an instant. His new environment, filled with unfamiliar faces and rules, was overwhelming. He wasn't ready to trust this strange new pack or the people in it.

Yet, little by little, Taehyung chipped away at the walls Jeongguk had built around himself. Some days, Jeongguk allowed small conversations to bloom between them—simple things, like answering Taehyung's gentle questions or sharing a quiet moment. Other days, the boy retreated into silence, and Taehyung would just sit with him, never pushing, only offering quiet companionship.

One of those slow, quiet mornings unfolded with Jeongguk sitting cross-legged on the bed, coloring in the book Taehyung had given him. The little boy's tiny hand gripped a blue crayon tightly as he focused on staying within the lines. Taehyung watched from the edge of the bed, heart heavy but determined to help the boy step into the world again.

"Gguk," Taehyung said gently, not wanting to startle him. "I talked to my appa, and we decided to enroll you in school. It's important to keep learning."

Jeongguk's hand stilled over the page, but he didn't respond, his small shoulders rising slightly as if bracing himself.

Taehyung leaned closer, his voice soft. "What do you think, hmm? You can't stay in this room forever."

Still, no response. The boy's quietness gnawed at Taehyung, making him worry, but he knew he couldn't force anything.

After a long pause, Jeongguk whispered, "Okay."

Taehyung's heart lifted at the small word. He smiled warmly, nodding. "Okay, so how about today, or—"

"Can we go tomorrow?" Jeongguk asked timidly, biting his lower lip, his doe eyes full of nervousness.

Taehyung's chest tightened at the sight. "Of course," he said gently, reaching out to pat the boy's head. In the first few days, Jeongguk had flinched from every touch, but now, he allowed the soft pats without pulling away. Progress.

"You can trust me, Gguk," Taehyung whispered, his voice filled with quiet reassurance.

Jeongguk lowered his gaze, fidgeting with the edge of the coloring book. "My dad was supposed to take me to school..." His voice cracked slightly, and he quickly looked down, determined not to cry. His father had always told him to be strong—boys don't cry, Jeongguk, you need to protect others. And so, he swallowed his sadness, just as he had every day since losing everything.

Taehyung's heart shattered at the sight. Without thinking, he reached forward and cupped Jeongguk's small face with both hands, gently lifting the boy's head so their eyes met.