This Love » vkook

chapter twenty-four

| Manhattan, NY |

The fun thing about birthday parties is when it's your birthday and the day is devoted for you. You get a cake, presents, and your loved ones are there to celebrate with you. It's not fun, however, getting the party ready for the guests. Jungkook knew that all too well.

Luckily for him, Jimin came over early to help set up. They got the table set up, got decorations hanged up around the house, and set up an area for the cake and presents. Jin and Alice had gone out to pick up the cake, balloons, and pizza. Jungkook didn't have time to make food for everyone, and besides everyone likes pizza. It sounded perfect for Taemin's birthday. 

"So, where did you send Jay and Taemin," Jimin asked Jungkook as he was clearing out Taemin's toys from the living room. 

"I gave Jay some money to take Taemin to the arcade. They should be back soon," Jungkook replied. "I'm gonna go change. Do you need to borrow a shirt or anything?"

Jimin shook his head. "I asked Jin to bring me a change of clothes."

"Alright then, I'll be right back," Jungkook said before he disappeared into his room. 

A few minutes later after Jimin had cleaned the living room, the doorbell rang. He walked over to the door and opened it to find Jin carrying a white box that held the cake inside and Alice with a bunch of balloons hiding her face. 

"We're here! Pizzas are in the car and I have your clothes in a bag next to the driver's seat," Jin said as he carefully entered the house. 

"Hey daddy," Alice said, greeting Jimin with a kiss on the cheek. 

"Where's everyone else," Jin asked as he greeted Jimin with a kiss, as well as his growing tummy. 

"Jungkook is in his room changing and Jay took Taemin to the arcade to keep him occupied," Jimin informed. 

"Taemin's going to be so excited for his party," Alice said as she scattered balloons throughout the living room.

"I'm going to get the pizzas from the car," Jin announced as he made his way back to his car.

"I'll help," Jimin added as he began to follow Jin.

"I got it. You just take care of our baby," Jin said. He didn't want Jimin to have to carry things just in case for their baby. He was being that protective husband that Jimin was annoyed with at times, but genuinely loved.

As Jin began walking back inside, a taxi stopped at the side of the entrance to Jungkook's house. It caught both Jimin's and Jin's attention when the car doors to reveal Taehyung, Jihun, and Hoseok. 

"Jungkook invited them," Jin asked as he stood next to Jimin by the stairs leading to the front door.

"Yeah, I guess so," Jimin replied. 

"I thought we were done with this," Jin added. 

Jimin shrugged his shoulders. "I think they're in a good place, even after everything that's happened. Just be nice." Jimin noticed Taehyung watching them so Jimin quickly changed his expression to a warm smile. "Hi guys, glad you could make it."

"Thank you, nice to see you guys again," Taehyung replied, holding out his hand for a handshake that Jimin happily accepted. 

"Jin, nice to see you again," Taehyung said, extending his hand to Jin. Jin wasn't so welcoming as Taehyung expected. 

"Don't be rude," Jimin told Jin in a low tone, hitting his shoulder with his own. Jin shook Taehyung's hand. 

"Oh, you're belly is getting so big," Hoseok exclaimed, talking about Jimin's baby. 

"Oh, thank you," Jimin said with a smile as he put his hand on his stomach. "The kid is already a handful."

"Are you guys having a boy or girl," Jihun asked, switching the present for Taemin to his other hand.

"They say they want to be surprised." Jihun was surprised to hear Alice, who was standing at the front door, sending a smile to the new guests. 

"Well, that's sweet. Hopefully one day I'll get to have a child of my own. Wouldn't that sound great, Taehyung," Hoseok said, looking at Taehyung. 

Taehyung simply nodded, not the answer Hoseok was looking for, and turned his direction back to Jimin. "Where's Jungkook?"

Jimin pointed to the house. "He's changing. Actually, why don't we go inside. We can talk there and get out of the cold."

Everyone agreed and made their way inside. Taehyung, Jihun, and Hoseok took off their coats and hanged them up. They made their way to the living room and looked pleased with how the decorations looked. 

"Where's the little birthday boy," Hoseok asked, taking a look at the birthday cake that sat on the table set for the cake and presents. 

"Jay took him to the arcade for a little bit. They should be back soon," Jin answered, moving the pizzas to the kitchen. 

"You all did a great job. I bet Taemin is going to be so excited! I can already see the look on his face," Hoseok exclaimed. 

"Alright, Jay and Taemin are on their way back, so—" Jungkook had walked back to the living room, now changed properly, when he noticed that Taehyung, Jihun, and Hoseok had arrived. 

"Hey, dad," Jihun said, making his way over to hug Jungkook. 

"Hey, Jihun," Jungkook said rather surprised, but his heart was glad to see him again. 

"You doing better, Jungkook," Hoseok asked, making eye contact with Jungkook. 

"Yeah, I'm doing good," Jungkook replied after he and Jihun ended their hug. 

"That's good," Hoseok nodded, with that subtle feeling that nobody noticed that he was disappointed. 

"Thanks for inviting us," Taehyung said and Jungkook's attention quickly shifted to Taehyung who kept his gaze on Jungkook. 

"You're welcome, I'm glad you could all make it," Jungkook replied. 

At first Taehyung hesitated, mainly because everyone was watching them, but Taehyung soon decided to embrace Jungkook in a hug. You could say that Jungkook didn't expect it, but Jungkook secretly was glad it happened. 

"I'm really happy to see you again," Taehyung whispered in his ear. 

Jungkook could see everyone's eyes on them as everyone got quiet. Jin and Jimin looked surprised and you could tell that Hoseok had a look of surprised that quickly bothered him seeing Taehyung being so lovey with Jungkook. 

Jungkook didn't say anything. Instead, he tightened his hug with Taehyung and closed his eyes, taking in the smell of his cologne and the subtle feel of his heartbeat against his that accelerated in a good, exciting way.

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Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and this cute little reunion! Let me know what you think in the comments and remember to vote! Until next time!

- A.