Hearts on the line

Chapter 22 : The Stand For Love

Taehyung stood frozen for a moment, his heart racing and cheeks turning a light shade of pink. He was still holding Jungkook protectively, the weight of the situation dawning on him. His eyes lingered on Jungkook with a soft adoration that didn’t go unnoticed. But before he could collect himself, Taehyung’s mother’s voice broke through the tension.

"What the hell is going on?" she called out, her voice laced with confusion and disbelief.

Taehyung immediately snapped back to reality, his body stiffening as he looked at his mother. But Jungkook, still in his arms, had other plans. With a teasing smile, Jungkook let out a soft pout and gently slid from Taehyung’s hold, standing up to grab the bouquet of purple lilies and the box of chocolate strawberries.

"I’m not done yet, baby," Jungkook said, his voice low and playful as he took a few steps forward, holding the gifts in his hands. He walked right back to Taehyung, stopping in front of him with a devilish grin. Without a second thought, Jungkook kneeled down in front of Taehyung, placing the bouquet and the chocolates on his lap.

"For you, my love," Jungkook teased, his voice dripping with sweetness as he glanced up at Taehyung, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Taehyung’s face burned with embarrassment as he shifted uncomfortably, looking at Jungkook in a mix of confusion and adoration. His mother and father exchanged bewildered glances, and Aera stood frozen, jaw dropped, unable to process what she had just witnessed.

Taehyung, now more flustered than ever, opened his mouth to say something, but his words caught in his throat. He felt a mix of panic and fear—what was happening? Was this real? His heart was pounding in his chest as he looked down at Jungkook, the teasing still lingering in the air.

Before he could react, Jungkook stood back up, smiling up at him with that charming, mischievous look. Without saying a word, Taehyung quickly reached out, pulling Jungkook to his feet with a soft, almost frantic tug. His fingers intertwined with Jungkook’s, his grip tight as he tried to steady himself. Jungkook gave him a soft smile, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on Taehyung.

For a moment, they stood there, hand in hand, surrounded by the stunned silence of Taehyung’s family. Taehyung’s blush deepened as he looked away, not knowing how to respond. The teasing had thrown him completely off balance, and the last thing he wanted was for his family to see him this vulnerable, even if it was with someone like Jungkook.

But no matter how much he wanted to pull away, the warmth in Jungkook’s touch was undeniable, and Taehyung didn’t want to let go.

The air was thick with confusion and surprise as Jungkook gave Taehyung’s hand a gentle squeeze, sending a quiet message that only the two of them seemed to understand.

Taehyung took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he glanced at his parents, then at Jungkook, his fingers still tightly entwined with his. The weight of the moment settled over him, and he could feel the tension in the air. He had to say it—there was no turning back now.

“Mum, Dad...” Taehyung began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “He is Jeon Jungkook, and I love him. We are in love.”

The words hung in the air like a bomb about to explode. Taehyung’s parents—Taehi and Minjae—seemed to freeze for a moment, their eyes widening in shock. Slowly, they both dropped back onto the sofa, as if the weight of Taehyung’s confession had physically drained them. The room was eerily silent, and Taehyung, despite the panic building inside him, didn’t let go of Jungkook’s hand. He couldn’t.

Jungkook, on the other hand, only had eyes for Taehyung, his expression soft but unwavering, silently supporting him.

Aera was the first to break the silence, her laughter filling the room, though it was filled with disbelief. “Oppa, is he really your lover?” she asked, her tone almost in surprise.