The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. Taehyung stood at the doorway, holding a tray with breakfast prepared—simple but thoughtful. His eyes flickered over to Byeol, who was hopping on her tiny feet with excitement.
“Should I wake up Mumma?” Byeol asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
Taehyung glanced down at her, the corners of his lips twitching slightly. “Uh... sure. But you tell her that maid auntie put it here, okay?” he said, trying to mask his reluctance.
Byeol frowned, her tiny lips jutting out into a pout. “Nu-uh! Appa, you give it to Mumma! Mumma will like it more!” she declared, her conviction unwavering.
Taehyung scoffed softly, shaking his head at her persistence. “You’re really something,” he muttered, but his gaze softened when it fell on Jungkook. The boy was still sleeping, his face buried partially in the pillow, looking so small and vulnerable in that moment.
Taehyung sighed, his heart wavering. He felt the invisible walls he had built around himself crack just a little more. “Alright,” he said finally, his voice low but gentle.
Byeol immediately lit up, her face beaming as she hurried over to the bed. “Mumma! Mumma, wake up!” she chirped, shaking Jungkook’s arm with her tiny hands.
Jungkook stirred, letting out a sleepy groan, his brows furrowing slightly. “Hnn... Byeol, baby, it’s early...” he mumbled, his voice hoarse from sleep.
“Nu-uh! Appa brought you something!” Byeol said excitedly, clambering onto the bed and tugging on Jungkook’s sleeve.
Jungkook blinked his eyes open, groggy but curious. His gaze shifted to Taehyung, who stood a few steps away, holding the tray. Taehyung avoided Jungkook’s eyes at first, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“It’s... uh, breakfast. Byeol wanted you to have it,” Taehyung mumbled, placing the tray on the bedside table.
Jungkook propped himself up on his elbows, staring at Taehyung in surprise. “You... made this?” he asked, his tone softer than he intended.
Taehyung hesitated, his gaze flickering to Byeol, who was watching them with wide, expectant eyes. “The maids helped,” he admitted, his voice gruff. “But... yeah.”
Jungkook’s lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, he looked at the tray—simple toast, scrambled eggs, and a small bowl of fruit. Nothing extravagant, but the effort behind it spoke volumes.
“Thank you,” Jungkook said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
Taehyung shrugged, trying to downplay the moment. “Eat it before it gets cold,” he said, his tone neutral, but there was an unmistakable gentleness beneath it.
“Mumma, eat! Appa made it for you!” Byeol chimed in, clapping her hands in excitement.
Jungkook chuckled softly, pulling Byeol into his lap. “Alright, baby. Let’s eat together, hmm?”
Taehyung watched them for a moment, his chest tightening. He wanted to stay, to bask in this small, fleeting moment of warmth, but a part of him held back, afraid of wanting too much.
“I’ll... leave you two to it,” Taehyung said, turning to leave.
“Hubby,” Jungkook’s voice stopped him in his tracks.
Taehyung turned slightly, his expression guarded.
Jungkook smiled, a soft, genuine smile that reached his eyes. “Thank you. Really.”
For a moment, Taehyung didn’t respond. Then, with a barely perceptible nod, he left the room, the ghost of Jungkook’s smile lingering in his mind like a bittersweet melody.
