Worlds Apart - Taekook - Book 2

Chapter 251 - Obstacles

"Try and keep your cool this time, eh?"

Kyong looks to the ceiling and rolls his eyes as Han-Shik speaks. He'd hoped that they could get through this visit without any bickering but there it was... and before Jungkook could react, Kyong intercepted, "Right! I think we all need to think about why we are here? We don't know how long Ryan has got and whatever answers we need, we need to make sure that is the priority..." he looks at Han-Shik to address him, "... pissing each other off is NOT the priority."

Jungkook performs the usual eye roll, feeling chastised but pleased that the elder brother stepped in or he would have bitten back, without doubt! He'd made the usual promise to Taehyung before he left the Paradise... and arranged to meet with him afterwards. It was reassuring to know that the CEO had a conference call today and virtual meetings with both Bo-Hyun and Stefan... which meant he would be distracted and busy. Jungkook didn't like the thought that his husband was consumed by irrationality as that was detrimental to him personally and them as a couple.

They had maintained their ceasefire agreement this morning when they awoke. There was a few moments when they each opened their eyes and no words were spoken, but the love between them was felt by both. A lazy, slow make-out session followed by a shower before breakfast had started the day nicely and Jungkook wanted every day to be like that, even if he accepted that they would need to revisit their problems so they could fix them at some point. He needed to speak to Marie but he knew that would have to wait and every time it entered his head, he told himself that he didn't have the capacity to deal with that right now.

Things were stable with his husband and they loved each other... that was enough to get him through, for now.

"And the nurse definitely said that they hadn't seen Eomma this morning?" Kyong asks.

"You two need to stop phrasing everything like you're accusing me of lying... YES! That's what she said." Han-Shik reaffirms.

"Maybe you should stop taking everything personally... it was a question for confirmation." The eldest brother replies.

"It's not ALL about you, Han-Shik." Jungkook adds.

"That is the most accurate thing you've said, Kook." Han-Shik mutters. It was something he'd known a long time ago. He would say that none of it was about him. Before Jungkook's eighteenth birthday, it hadn't mattered so much that he felt invisible because he had a younger brother who always had time for him. They would discuss stupid things and there was an air of normality in what felt like a fake regime. After Jungkook left, he wasn't allowed to express himself and couldn't talk about the brother he missed. He simply didn't matter, even when he was breaking rules and treating life like it was a permanent party. Everyone covered for him, made excuses and overlooked him and his actions. The businesses ran, home life ran, everything continued, without a thought for his wellbeing.

Kyong's departure threw Han-Shik into the spotlight. He was suddenly needed and important. That was stepped up when Ryan reached out to him and they started their clandestine meetings. He was important to Emi... he mattered to her and reconnecting with his brothers made him feel that he was important to them.

It was encouraging when they entered the hospital room and Ryan was sitting up more than he had been the last time they visited together. Ryan smiled as the trio walked in and he wasn't surprised when two of the three took a seat beside the bed.

Jungkook ignored the third chair and chose to stand. He didn't feel relaxed or comfortable. He just wanted to get this over with and meet up with his husband. Situations like this one emphasised how much Tae was his safe place. The dancer didn't regret his decision to come here without his husband as he still believed that this was between Ryan and them... but the safety of Taehyung's arms, was where he'd rather be... even with the imperfections they had as a couple.