Between Chances And Choices

Chapter 18

Taehyung smacks his lips, salivating, at the chunks of beef brisket before him. He eyed the kimchi soup and compared it to his bowl of lonely boiled chicken breast and steamed vegetables.

"Can I have a little?" He asked Jungkook beside him.

"No." His husband replied firmly.

"Just a taste. I miss it."

"No."

"Just a bit. Just so I can taste it on my tongue."

"No. It will start with that and the next thing you know you can't stop yourself already."

He puckered his lips. The younger was given a steaming bowl of white rice.

"Ahjumma, I'll have the quinoa too." He said while putting it aside.

Taehyung looked in front of Jungkook. He could have what the others are eating but he's always having what Taehyung is having too. He smiled at him.

"Why?"

"Nothing."

He grabbed his chopsticks and took a slice of chicken in his mouth.

"Shall I tell grandma?" He murmured.

Jungkook raised his eyebrows in response.

"Grandma." He started.

Along with Namjoon, she stopped and turned to him.

"We'll tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Jungkook and I...We're thinking...We want to live separately."

Taejoon briefly froze but continued on as if he heard nothing.

"Why?"

"There's no reason for us to stay here."

"Taehyung."

"That's nonsense." Namjoon chimed in.

"My mom isn't married to your father anymore."

"Tae."

"Besides, me being here is just making it hard for us. He's not comfortable in his own home. And frankly, I don't feel good being here either."

They silenced, contemplating if it will really be for the better. It's not good to put Taehyung under that kind of stress too.

"But won't it be better if there's someone else besides just the two of you?"

"We'll be fine." Taehyung assured.

Jungkook nodded his head in agreement.

"Just let him." Taejoon interrupted coldly. "If he wants to go, just let him."

"Hyung." His younger brother lightly scolded him.

"Why? It's for everyone. It's better for everyone."

That day, the couple looked for listings in search of a potential new home. By evening, Jungkook's mother called, having heard of their plan from Taehyung's grandmother.

"Your cousin was promoted at her work but she was transferred to the countryside. She brought your auntie and uncle with her since the company gave her a house and a small lot there. Their house sits empty at this moment. Why don't you two live there?"

"Live near you? I'm not so sure." Jungkook joked.

"You rascal! Think about it. You two have privacy. You have your own house even though you're just a few meters away from us. Besides, you can't live alone. You might need someone if ever something happens to Taehyung."