Chapter 23 : "Vulnerable Hearts, Playful Souls"

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In the room, Jungkook was still clinging tightly to Taehyung, his legs wrapped around Taehyung's waist like a lifeline. Taehyung sat down on the bed, keeping Jungkook on his lap, one arm firmly around his waist while the other gently rubbed his back.

"It's okay, baby," Taehyung whispered soothingly, pressing his lips lightly against the crown of Jungkook's head. "I'm here now, hmm? Just let it out, love. I've got you."

Jungkook's soft sniffles gradually subsided, and his breathing evened out. He let out a small sniff, making Taehyung's heart do an unintentional flip. Despite the tears staining his cheeks, Jungkook looked heartbreakingly beautiful, his face flushed and his eyes red-rimmed but full of vulnerability.

Taehyung cupped Jungkook's face, his thumbs brushing away the remaining tears

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Taehyung cupped Jungkook's face, his thumbs brushing away the remaining tears. He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to Jungkook's nose, making him scrunch it adorably.

"Why is my baby crying?" Taehyung asked softly, his voice filled with a mix of tenderness and concern.

Jungkook didn't respond immediately. He lowered his gaze, his fingers playing absentmindedly with the lace of Taehyung's bathrobe.

"Come on, baby," Taehyung coaxed gently, tilting Jungkook's face back up. "Look at me."

Jungkook's lips quivered as he finally spoke in a soft, almost childlike voice, "Really? You won't leave me like Mommy?"

Taehyung froze for a moment, his heart clenching painfully at the words. A single tear slipped down his cheek before he pulled Jungkook closer, his voice firm but gentle.

"No, baby," he whispered. "I would never leave you. Hyungie promises, okay? You're mine, and I'm yours. Forever. I won't ever let you go."

Jungkook hesitated before wrapping his arms around Taehyung's neck, burying his face in his shoulder. Taehyung began to rock him gently, his hands moving soothingly up and down Jungkook's back.

Jungkook's soft voice broke the silence, trembling slightly. "Mommy left me after giving birth to me," he admitted, his words cracking with suppressed emotions.

Taehyung felt his heart shatter into pieces as he listened. He pressed a tender kiss to Jungkook's hair, holding him tighter as if shielding him from the pain of the past.

Jungkook continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was Butler Uncle who raised me. Him and his wife... but she's gone now, too."

Another soft sniff escaped Jungkook, and Taehyung tightened his hold, his jaw clenching as emotions swirled within him.

Jungkook's voice grew even softer, almost as if he was afraid of saying the next words aloud. "Daddy... he would come home drunk a lot."

Taehyung's brows furrowed, his grip instinctively tightening around Jungkook. His thoughts spiraled as he tried to piece together what Jungkook was saying.

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