Please... Love Me

36

Jungkook is seated by the window, his hands wrapped around a cup of tea. He glances at his wristwatch, visibly uncomfortable. Taehyung arrives, breezing in with a bright smile, and sits down across from him.

He received a phone call first thing in the morning, asking him if they could possibly have a lunch out for some good talk. It was Tae who called him.

Taehyung cheerfully greeted him
"Jeon Jungkook! I’m so glad you agreed to meet me. It’s wonderful to get some friendly talk time, you know? Some "kiki" talk?"

Jungkook slightly forced, and smiled back
"Yes, it… seemed like a good idea."
While watching the other, eyes showing no interest on him.
Taehyung sipping his coffee, with a laugh

"You know, I almost didn’t recognize you the other night at the gala. So much has changed since we last met"

Jungkook slightly defensive,, without rolling his eyes
"It was months ago, Taehyung. A lot has changed for Jin too."

Taehyung sighs
" Oh, believe me, I know. But it’s funny how some things never really change, right? Like, I can still remember how he’d get that adorable frown whenever he was concentrating on something- and oh! That pout on his lips!"

Jungkook's face tightens slightly, but he forces a smile.

Jungkook smiling tensely with eyes on his cake.. faking a slice on it
"He doesn’t frown much these days. I like to think he’s happier now."

Taehyung leaning in, with an innocent tone
"Of course! I didn’t mean anything by it. Actually, that’s part of why I wanted to see you. I feel like I didn’t get a proper chance to apologize for the pool incident."

Jungkook slightly skeptical, he looked at him sarcastically
"You mean when you accidentally nudged me into the pool?"

Tae with a slight smirk on his face
" Exactly! Total accident, I swear. But… I hope it didn’t give you the wrong idea. I’m really just here to reconnect with old friends."

Jungkook takes a deep breath, trying to hide his unease and a slight irritation about what's Taehyung was saying

Jungkook slowly asked
"And… you think Seokjin wants to reconnect, too?"

Taehyung was a bit taken a back
" Oh, I’m sure he’s happy with his life now. But Seokjin has always been kind, you know? So when I told him I was going through some things, he was kind enough to offer a little help here and there."

Jungkook looks at him intensely, raising an eyebrow
"He did mention that to me. Anyway he said
An old friend asking him some- weird things-
He never said it was you, and I never thought it was you . And I shrug it, he simply told me it's nothing- really nothing special

Tae forced to smile with that obvious disappointment on his face
"I’m sure he just didn’t want to worry you. Yeah, It’s nothing serious—just a little support from an old friend. Sometimes it’s nice to have people who remember you from before… well, everything changed."

Jungkook’s expression turns cold as he catches the undertone in Taehyung's words.

Jungkook speak in calm but firm
"Taehyung, I appreciate the apology. And I’m quite sure  Seokjin is happy to help, but he’s got other priorities now. And you're right-
Everything changed "

Taehyung placing a hand over Jungkook's
"Of course, Jungkook, I’d never dream of getting in the way of what you two have. I just… I can’t help but remember the way things were. You know, back when it was just him and me."

Jungkook takes away his hand and crossed his arms with a steely look on him
"I’m sure it was a great time, but that’s the past, Taehyung. I get that You are a part of his past, but will you understand that Seokjin and I are now building a future together—a family, a  happy and loving family"

Taehyung with a sly smile on him, picking his cup of coffee and pretend a sip on it
"Then I guess you have nothing to worry about, do you Jungkook?"

Jungkook’s jaw clenches as he studies Taehyung’s face, uncertain if Tae’s friendliness is genuine or something more dangerous.

"Why do I worry? I trust my husband."
But I don't trust you- Jungkook wanted to tell that at his face.
He said with a smirk, putting an obvious emphasis on the word "husband".

---

On the Evening.
Jungkook sits on the couch, watching Seokjin as he enters the room.

Seokjin sitting beside him
"Chim told me you had a lunch with Tae? Why did you not told me about it, Jungkook?"

Jungkook shrug it, he turns away and lower down the mini theater
"It's just a lunch, why do I need to tell you about it?"

Seokjin looks at him silently and straighten his back
" I know it’s… a little strange, but he seemed like he wanted to make peace from last night"

Jungkook pauses, choosing his words
" It was… interesting. He mentioned you’ve been helping him out with something?"

Seokjin slightly taken aback
" Oh, it’s nothing major. He was just dealing with some issues, and I thought I’d be nice. Didn’t think it was worth bothering you with. "

Jungkook stayed quiet but firm
" Jin, I get that you’re trying to be a good friend. But I need to know if there’s anything more I should be worried about. You know he's not just some good old friend- He is Kim Taehyung, the idol that everyone dreaming of- do you even clear things out on him or Am I just assuming a place in your life?"

Seokjin, listening sincerely. Clear things out?
"Jungkook, remember when I told you? you and our child are my priority now. I mean it. He’s just going through a rough time, and I was being polite, that’s all."

Jungkook nods, but a shadow of doubt remains in his eyes. He leans into just to assumed him, feeling his warmth, but his  mind is still on Taehyung’s words.

Jungkook turn to lean his head on his chest so Jin won't see that doubt on him, softly he whisper
"I just… I hope that’s all it is"

As Jungkook sits silently, holding Seokjin’s hand, while her mind races with questions and unspoken fears.

"Baby.. is everything okay?"
He heard Seokjin said.. gently pressing a hand over his shoulder

"Kim Seokjin.."
Jungkook said in small voice while gently caressing the hand that's running over his shoulder
"Just once.. can you please..
Love me? For real?"
Tears streaming own his face seeing Seokjin's unstable look on his face

He wanted an assurance.

Is he asking too much?