Forbidden Threads Of Fate | TaeKook

20

Taehyung sat at the dining table, staring blankly while his breakfast grew cold. The spoon had been in his hand for five minutes, untouched.

“We’re getting late,” Namjoon said, snapping Taehyung out of his trance.

“Yeah… I’m done. Let’s go,” Taehyung muttered, standing up abruptly.

“You didn’t even touch your food, Tae,” Hana said softly. He glanced at her, but didn’t respond. He didn’t want to talk to her.

“Tae, my son… forgive me. Eomma is sorry,” Hana said, reaching out and holding his hands.

“You always say the same thing. Then you do it again… and again,” he replied bitterly, pulling his hands away.

“I promise, Tae. I’ll never raise my hand on you again. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me,” she pleaded, her eyes growing glossy with unshed tears.

“One last time… after this, I won’t even talk to you,” Taehyung mumbled, then pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back with trembling arms.

As he embraced her, images from last night flashed through his mind. The warmth of Jungkook’s arms around him—it had felt good. It had felt… different. Unlike this.

“Um… we’re getting late?” Namjoon whispered awkwardly. Hana chuckled at his eagerness, just as Jungkook walked past, ears catching every word.

“Don’t worry, I’m not stealing much of your date time. He’s all yours for the whole day,” Hana laughed teasingly, making Namjoon flush a dark shade of red.

Jungkook’s hands clenched into fists. He knew his feelings were wrong—Taehyung was his grandson—but lately, he couldn’t help it. He turned and walked away.

Taehyung noticed and a sense of urgency welled up inside him.

“Mom! Stop—we’re not dating! Namjoon’s just a friend. A really good friend! I’d never even think of dating him!” Taehyung exclaimed, but Jungkook was already gone.

Namjoon, however, heard every word. His heart cracked into pieces, and Hana saw it clearly. She gently patted his shoulder, offering him a small smile. Namjoon managed a weak one in return.

“Ugh… now he thinks I’m seeing Namjoon,” Taehyung muttered.

“You said something?” Namjoon asked.

“No—let’s go. We’re seriously late. Jimin’s gonna be mad,” Taehyung said, pulling Namjoon with him. But Namjoon suddenly stopped.

“Jimin? I thought we were going alone… to the mountain,” he said, clearly disappointed.

“No, silly! How can two people go alone somewhere so dangerous? And Jimin’s my soulmate—I can’t go there without him,” Taehyung said casually, tugging on Namjoon’s hand.

“You think I can’t protect you?” Namjoon asked, tone laced with frustration.

“You can. That’s why I want you with us. I just need to talk to Jimin about something important, and the mountain is a secret place,” Taehyung explained.

“So I’m only coming to guard you while you and Jimin talk in private?” Namjoon asked. He hoped Taehyung would say no.

“Yes!” Taehyung chirped innocently, and that one word crushed Namjoon.