I L○VE Y○U Tⓦ○

3

Taehyung sat on the edge of the couch, his fingers gripping the mug of tea Yoongi had made for him. It was untouched, its warmth fading just like the resolve in his heart. Yoongi watched him silently, waiting for the younger man to speak.

Finally, Taehyung broke the silence, his voice trembling. “Hyung...I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

Yoongi leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but attentive. “What happened, Taehyung?”

Taehyung looked down at his lap, tears pooling in his eyes. “Jungkook...he brought Jimin to our home. Our home, Hyung. He...he married him.”

Yoongi’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his shock. “He did what?”

“He got married to Jimin,” Taehyung repeated, his voice cracking. “When he’s already married to me. He didn’t even think about how I would feel...how much it would hurt. And now...now Jimin’s living with us like it’s nothing. Like I’m...like I’m nothing.”

Yoongi’s jaw clenched. He could see the pain etched into Taehyung’s face, the heartbreak that no words could fix. “That’s...unbelievable.”

“I thought I was enough for him, Hyung,” Taehyung continued, his tears spilling over. “I thought...I thought he loved me. But now I don’t even know what to think.”

Yoongi leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on Taehyung’s shoulder. “Tae, listen to me. This...this situation isn’t fair to you. But running away isn’t the answer.”

Taehyung looked up at him, his eyes red and puffy. “I can’t do it anymore, Hyung. I just want to go somewhere far away, somewhere I don’t have to see them together. Somewhere I can...breathe.”

“No,” Yoongi said firmly. “You’re not running away. That’s not who you are.”

Taehyung frowned, confused by the intensity in Yoongi’s voice.

“Taehyung, you love Jungkook, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” Taehyung whispered.

“Then fight for him,” Yoongi said, his tone resolute. “Prove to him, to Jimin, to everyone, that you’re not weak. That you’re the one who deserves to be by his side.”

“But Hyung—”

“No buts,” Yoongi interrupted. “You have every right to be angry, to feel betrayed. But don’t let that push you into giving up. If anyone should leave, it’s not you. It’s Jimin. He’s the one who came into your life, your marriage. Don’t let him take what’s yours without a fight.”

Taehyung stared at Yoongi, his mind reeling. “But what if I lose? What if...what if Jungkook doesn’t choose me?”

“Then at least you’ll know you gave it your all,” Yoongi said softly. “But Taehyung, if you walk away now, you’ll always wonder what could have been. You’ll regret not standing up for yourself, for your love.”

Taehyung’s grip on the mug tightened as Yoongi’s words sank in.

“Hyung...it’s just so hard. Seeing them together, acting like I don’t exist...”

“I know it’s hard,” Yoongi said, his voice gentle. “But you’re stronger than this, Tae. You’ve always been stronger than you think. And you’re not alone. I’m here for you, always.”

A tear slipped down Taehyung’s cheek, but this time it wasn’t from pain—it was from the comfort Yoongi’s words brought him.

“You’re right,” Taehyung said quietly, his resolve slowly building. “I can’t let Jimin win. I can’t let him take away everything I’ve built with Jungkook.”

“That’s the spirit,” Yoongi said, offering him a small smile. “Now finish that tea before it gets cold. You’re going to need your strength for the battle ahead.”

Taehyung chuckled softly, a small but genuine smile gracing his lips for the first time in days. “Thank you, Hyung. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d survive,” Yoongi said with a wink. “But thankfully, you don’t have to.”

As Taehyung sipped his tea, a renewed sense of determination filled him. He wasn’t going to let Jimin—or anyone—take away his happiness without a fight.

____________

The next morning, the kitchen was already buzzing with activity as Taehyung moved around confidently, preparing breakfast. He wore his usual calm demeanor, though there was an undercurrent of defiance in every motion. Jimin entered, his steps deliberate, and stopped short when he saw Taehyung at the counter.

“I thought you wouldn’t stay here after what happened yesterday,” Jimin remarked with a smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe. “But here you are… quite cozy.”

Taehyung didn’t even flinch. He spread jam thickly onto a slice of bread, his voice cool but laced with sharpness. “Why would I leave? This is my husband’s house. I have every right to be here.” He turned to Jimin with a faint, challenging smile. “And if anyone’s leaving, it’s you.”

Jimin laughed, folding his arms across his chest. “We’ll see who leaves first,” he retorted, his eyes narrowing slightly.

As Taehyung continued with his task, Jimin’s eyes flicked to the breakfast being prepared. He noticed the generous dollop of jam being smeared over another slice of bread and couldn’t resist the opportunity to jab. “You know, Jungkook doesn’t even like jam,” he said with a sly grin. “And here you are, loading the bread with it. You really know nothing about him. Honestly, you’re just proving your marriage was arranged.”

Taehyung didn’t miss a beat. He picked up another slice of bread and slathered it with even more jam, his lips curling into a playful smirk. “Kookie!” he called out loudly, ignoring Jimin’s comment as he stacked the bread on a plate.

Jungkook, who had been lurking awkwardly nearby, perked up at the sound of Taehyung’s voice. He walked into the kitchen, looking hesitant but hopeful, his heart lifting at the thought of Taehyung calling him. “Tae, did you call me?” he asked with a small, cautious smile.

Taehyung turned, his expression softening just enough to make Jungkook’s chest tighten. “Yes, baby. Your breakfast is ready.” He handed Jungkook the plate with an almost theatrical flourish.

Jungkook’s face lit up as he sat down, taking the plate eagerly. “Thank you, Tae,” he said, biting into the bread with enthusiasm. He chewed for a moment before glancing at Jimin, who was watching him with an incredulous expression.

“Someone said you don’t like jam,” Taehyung remarked casually, a hint of smugness in his tone as he turned back to the counter.

Jungkook blinked, glancing nervously between Jimin and Taehyung. He swallowed his bite quickly, forcing a smile. “Who said that? I love whatever you make for me, Tae. Doesn’t matter if it’s jam or anything else.”

Jimin’s glare was immediate and sharp. “Jungkook,” he hissed, his voice low and pointed. His eyes practically screamed, You traitor.

Realizing what he had just said, Jungkook froze, his mind racing. Shit, he thought, mentally cursing himself for not thinking before speaking. He shot a panicked glance at Jimin, then at Taehyung, who was now looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

“Well,” Taehyung said sweetly, placing the jam jar on the counter with a little too much enthusiasm, “looks like someone appreciates my efforts.”

Jimin crossed his arms, his lips pressing into a tight line as he shot daggers at Jungkook, who looked like he wanted to sink into the floor. The room was thick with tension, but Taehyung was already preparing another slice of bread, humming to himself as if nothing had happened.

Jungkook sighed inwardly, knowing he had just made things a whole lot worse for himself.

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