Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 27 - legal

It's been exactly a month since Jackson asked me to be his girlfriend. In that brief span, he's been nothing but kind—thoughtful, respectful, genuinely caring. His consistent sweetness is almost surreal; every day I find myself falling a little more, even as I try to guard my heart. I never quite get used to how he makes me feel—how his kisses send my cheeks heating up, or how I blush when he holds my hand in public. And of course, there's the backdrop of opposition.

A lot of it, actually.

Most notably, his sister, Lisa—well, she's not exactly thrilled about us. That much is obvious. But honestly, what can she do? Jackson loves me, and I care for him. Her disapproval only fuels a strange sense of satisfaction. Does she hate me? Maybe. But I'd say the feeling is mutual.

"Hey, you okay?" Jackson's voice pulls me back, his hand warm in mine.

"Never been better," I respond, leaning in to kiss his cheek. His smile is soft, reassuring, and we start moving toward the school gates, the afternoon sun casting long shadows.

Today marks what I plan to be a turning point: telling my parents about us. Jackson's been over a few times recently, and I think my mom has picked up on the hints. She's always been supportive—she likes Jackson more than I could have hoped. The rest of my family? Well, they're a mixed bag. My brother's friends, Taehyung and Suga, seem less inclined to approve. Suga's aloof by nature, so that's not surprising. Taehyung—his attitude confuses me. I can't quite decipher what's bothering him, but I've learned to let it go.

I try not to dwell on it as Jackson asks, "Do you think your father will like me?"

The question feels weighty. His nerves are palpable, and I wish I could ease them more. Still, I remind him, "He's met you before, and he liked you. My mom did too. Just be yourself."

We arrive at our house, and I press the doorbell. Taehyung opens, his expression guarded. His eyes flick to Jackson with a look that I interpret as suspicion or perhaps annoyance. Whatever it is, I ignore it.

Inside, I lead Jackson to the living room. The boys are already there, and to my surprise, Suga greets him with a smile. That's unexpected. Taehyung remains silent, barely acknowledging Jackson, which I find a bit rude but choose not to dwell on. My mom approaches, wrapping Jackson in a warm hug, and Eun Gi follows.

"I've heard a lot about you," Eun Gi says, his tone friendly but with a hint of curiosity. Jackson's nervousness is obvious, and I squeeze his hand reassuringly.

Dinner is prepared, and we settle in. Eun Gi asks Jackson about his studies, and I notice his tension. "I'm majoring in dance," Jackson answers softly, voice a little shaky.

"That's wonderful," Eun Gi responds, smiling kindly. "You don't need to be formal with us. Just be yourself."

Jackson's shoulders relax as I hold his hand tighter. It's a simple gesture, but it means everything. The warmth, the connection—it's proof of what we share.

Then, Eun Gi unexpectedly asks, "Are you guys dating?"

A collective pause. I can feel Jackson stiffen beside me. My mother quickly defends, "That's not really appropriate to ask outright," but the tension lingers. Eun Gi's question hangs in the air.

"Of course they are," my mother insists confidently. "Right, George?"

I nearly choke on my food. Jackson quickly hands me a glass of water, and I take a sip, trying to mask my surprise. The room feels suddenly charged with anticipation.

"Is that what you're going to tell us tonight?" she presses with a smile.

I hesitate, then nod. "Yeah. We've been together for a month."

Silence. The atmosphere shifts, and I notice Taehyung's expression—an unreadable mix of skepticism and indifference. I catch his glance but decide not to read too much into it.

Eun Gi breaks the silence first, smiling warmly. "Congratulations, then."

Jackson and I bow slightly in gratitude, and I feel a strange sense of relief. For all the tension, it's a step forward.

As we continue dinner, my mother adds, "Jackson, welcome to the family."

In that moment, I realize this isn't just about telling my parents. It's about embracing the uncertain, the complicated, and the genuine connection that's been growing between us. And for Jackson, maybe it's the start of something even more meaningful than he realizes.

The rest of dinner proceeds with a gentle warmth—an unspoken acknowledgment that, despite the initial tension, we're all trying to find some common ground. Jackson remains quieter than usual, but I catch him stealing glances at me, a flicker of reassurance passing between us.

After the plates are cleared, my mom suggests we move to the living room for some casual conversation. The atmosphere feels lighter, but I know that beneath the surface, Jackson's nerves are still simmering.

As we settle into the couch, Eun Gi leans back comfortably, his eyes flickering between Jackson and me. "So," he begins, voice playful yet curious, "what made you two decide to tell us now?"

Jackson shifts uncomfortably, but I answer for him. "It just felt right. We didn't want to keep it a secret anymore. Plus, I wanted you both to hear it from us directly."

Eun Gi nods, smiling softly. "That's mature of you. Honesty is always the best approach."

My mind drifts for a moment, reflecting on how much has changed in such a short time. Just weeks ago, I was hesitant about sharing this part of our relationship, hesitant about how it would be received. Now, I feel a strange sense of relief—like I'm finally stepping into something real.

Jackson leans into me slightly, his hand finding mine again. I can feel the tremor in his touch, but beneath that, there's a quiet confidence—an unspoken promise that we're in this together.

Suddenly, Taehyung enters the room, his expression still unreadable. He pauses for a moment, then speaks quietly. "I guess I was wrong about you," he says without looking directly at Jackson. "You seem... alright."

Jackson looks surprised but offers a small nod. "Thanks, I guess."

Taehyung shrugs, then takes a seat across from us, settling into silence. It's not exactly a warm gesture, but I interpret it as a tentative step toward acceptance. Maybe, just maybe, he's processing all of this in his own way.

Minutes pass, and the house is filled with a comfortable quiet. I lean my head on Jackson's shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart. I know this isn't the end of the road—there will be challenges, doubts, and perhaps even more opposition. But right now, in this moment, I feel a quiet hope blooming inside me.

My mother glances over, her eyes soft with pride and a touch of worry. "You're both brave," she says gently. "And I'm proud of you for being honest."

Jackson gently squeezes my hand. "Thanks, Aunt Ane. For everything."

I smile, feeling a warmth that's more than just affection—it's a sense of belonging, of finally embracing something I've wanted for so long, despite the obstacles.

As the night settles in, I realize that this is just the beginning. There will be hurdles ahead, but with each step, I feel more confident that we'll face them together.

And I know, deep down, that Jackson feels the same.