BunBun Mine // taekook

Chapter 28

With a salty stream of tears falling nonstop, Jin covered his face with his sleeves. The irritation that had lingered on Taehyung’s face slowly faded, replaced with a sense of disappointment. In a frustrated voice, he said,

“Are you not planning to stop this endless crying, Mom?”

Jin took a deep breath, his voice stern and filled with resentment.

“Why should I? Go ahead, keep doing these politics. None of you value my words anymore. Was there any need for you and your brother to jump into all this mess?”

“Mom, listen to me. This isn’t a bad career at all. In fact, it’s incredibly helpful. When you have power, you can accomplish a lot. Using that power to help others becomes easier. Walking this way might mean taking a few hits, but do you really think I’m hurt that bad? I’m alive, right here in front of you. Just a minor injury doesn’t weaken me.”

Jin’s eyes lingered on the bandage on Taehyung's arm, clearly troubled. Gently, Jin started rewrapping the injury, his voice laced with a sorrow that weighed heavily on him.

“The other day, you got hurt after going to see Jungkook at your uncle’s place. Now you got hurt again after taking him to that invitation in the next area, where you ended up being attacked. Do you even remember how many times you've been on the brink of death? Is it worth living a life filled with uncertainty and pain in the name of politics?”

Jin paused, struggling to breathe steadily. With a sudden thought, he looked at Taehyung. “And Jungkook? How is he? Did my angel get hurt too?”

“Do you think he’d be harmed while I’m around? As long as I’m alive, your angel will be completely shocked safe.”

“You’re protecting him while leaving your  fiancee at home?”

Jin’s voice held a clear accusation. Taehyung bit his lip, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he replied,

“Your offended tone is lovely, Mr. doctor mom. I bet Mr. Kim Namjoon fell for you the moment he heard it.”

Jin was about to slap Taehyung’s arm playfully but stopped, realizing how long it had been since his son had spoken to him like this. Inside, a wave of happiness, joy, peace, and pride washed over him. As he finished bandaging the wound, Jin’s voice softened.

“You still haven’t told me how you managed to get hurt, bear? Have you,?”

Taehyung closed his eyes briefly, the lashes brushing against his lower lids. A hint of sarcasm tinged his voice.

“How else would I get hurt? This is all thanks to the schemes from the rivalry. I can’t even bring your own nephew to our home because of your dumb course brother. And look at my situation after I went to see him. I had to sneak around like a thief. Lisa aunt ran over, saying, ‘Taehyung, Yoongi is by the front door, you’ll have to go out through the balcony.’ Do they think I’m some action hero who can just jump out of a balcony? But your sister-in-law insisted, and I ended up stepping on glass and injuring my leg. If I had gotten hurt doing something romantic, I’d have accepted it without a single regret, despite all the humiliation. But mark my words, I’ll get justice for all this, and your that dumb of an angel will be part of that.”

Jin gave a soft smile, an admirable smile, a lot like Jungkook's one with two front teeth peeking out. Taehyung’s voice grew heavy as he added,

“That smile of yours—how did he get it from you, Mom? A smile that can split my heart right open. Every time I see it, I want to cover his mouth and tell him not to show it to anyone else.”

Jin’s lips curved into a mysterious smile as he replied playfully,

“You know, you’re getting engaged tomorrow. Your fiancée is pacing outside, worried about you. Should I send her in?”