NEXUS || A Kim Taehyung Fanfiction Ft. Jungkook

15

Taehyung's eyes softened as he watched Ava and Jungkook converse. It was rare to see the siblings interact, their complex family dynamics often keeping them apart. A warm smile spread across his face, pleased to see them share a moment. His gaze drifted to Ruby, standing alone at the edge of the room. Her face was etched with confusion, her eyes fixed on Ava and Jungkook. Taehyung's expression turned sympathetic. Ruby didn't know about Ava's connection to Jungkook. He recalled the pain Jeon Alex had inflicted on Ruby. No wonder she looked frightened. Ava's conversation with Jungkook must be unsettling for Ruby. Taehyung's instincts urged him to reassure Ruby, comfort her.

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Ava's voice trembled with emotion as she confronted Jungkook  near the bar. "We need to talk, Kook." Jungkook's expression turned icy, his eyes narrowing. Ava's words spilled out in a rush. "I know what's going on, and I won't let you get away with it. You and Father...what you're doing to Ruby is despicable." Jungkook's face remained impassive, his gaze piercing. Ava's voice rose. "You're using Ruby to get back at Tae and Him , aren't you? How could you, Kook? Ruby's innocent. She doesn't deserve to be caught in Father's web of deceit." Jungkook's expression didn't waver, his silence deafening. Ava's eyes filled with tears. "Leave Ruby alone, Kook. Tell Father to back off. She's suffered enough." Jungkook's gaze never left Ava's face, his jaw clenched in a stern line. He didn't flinch, didn't respond. Ava's words hung in the air, met with Jungkook's cold, unyielding silence. Finally, Ava's shoulders sagged, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're just like Father." Jungkook's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to freeze, his gaze cutting Ava deep. Without a word, Jungkook turned to walk away, leaving Ava shaken.

Ava's voice trembled with emotion. "Kook, stop being a villain. You know Father's influencing you, turning you into something you're not. My brother wouldn't do this." Jungkook's expression remained icy, but his voice dropped to a low growl. "You don't know what you're talking about, Ava." Ava stepped closer, her eyes pleading. "I do know. I know you're better than this. Father's manipulating you, using you for his own gain." Jungkook's gaze flashed with anger. "You think you're so pure, Ava? You think you're above Father's influence?" Ava's voice rose. "No, Kook, I'm trying to save you from him. You're being consumed by his ambition." Jungkook sneered. "You're so naive. You think you can save me?" Ava's eyes filled with tears. "I know you, Kook. I know my brother. He wouldn't hurt Ruby like this." Jungkook's expression darkened. "Ruby... You think you know her so well?" Ava nodded. "I do. She's innocent, Kook. Leave her alone." Jungkook's voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you know whose daughter Ruby is?" Ava's voice was steady. "Yes, I do."

Jungkook's eyes widened, shock etched on his face. "You know?" Ava nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yes, Kook. Everyone knows but you." Jungkook's expression froze, his mind reeling. What did Ava mean?  How did she know?

Ava's words cut through Jungkook's stunned silence. " I know you have a lot to process, and even more questions for me to answer." Jungkook's gaze drifted, his mind reeling from the revelation.

Ava's voice remained steady. "I knew Ruby is Min Lucas's daughter. That's why I made her work at Taehyung's company, despite...everything." Jungkook's eyes snapped back to Ava, curiosity sparking. "You know Taehyung and Ruby had a past they shared," Ava continued. "But that's not the point. The point is, I knew my father would stop at nothing for revenge. I had to protect Ruby." 

Jungkook's expression darkened. "Father...-"Ava nodded. "Yes. He'll do anything to destroy Ruby and everyone she cares about. That's why I kept her close to Taehyung – to keep her safe. But she is fired. Thanks to father." Jungkook's eyes narrowed. "He told me to do it. Does Taehyung know it?" Ava's lips pressed into a thin line. "No one knows except me...and now you." The weight of Ava's words settled upon Jungkook like a shroud.
Jungkook's face darkened, anger simmering. "You protected her, Ava? The daughter of the person responsible for Mother's death?" Ava stood firm, her voice measured. "I understand the pain, Kook. I feel it too. But punishing Ruby won't bring Mother back. Her father's actions were his own, and he's already paid the ultimate price." Jungkook's eyes flashed with resentment. "You think that justifies protecting her?" Ava's expression softened. "No, Kook, it's about justice. Ruby's innocent. Punishing her won't heal our wounds." Jungkook sneered. "You're so quick to forgive." Ava's voice took on a gentle tone. "Mother wouldn't want this, Kook. She wouldn't want you consumed by hate and revenge." Jungkook's gaze snapped, his voice icy. "Don't mention Mother. Mind your own work, Ava."