VHope Fluffshots

[Un]Forgiven Pt 4

Hoseok refused to put Charlie down all day. They ate breakfast together, then watched some anime Taehyung had gotten their daughter addicted to almost a week ago. And Charlie gladly stayed in her father's arms with no objections; days after nights like last night tended to be slow and not very productive. Charlie rested her head against her father's bare chest while she dozed, slowly drifting to sleep while Hoseok rubbed her back slowly. "Baby girl, wanna go nap with Appa?" he whispered and earned a nod, then two small arms wrapped around his neck.

With great care, he carried her upstairs and into his room, where Taehyung had been sleeping for about five hours. The younger man was on his side with half of his face buried in Hoseok's pillow, faint tear-tracks down his chubby cheek. He had been crying. It always hurt to see him cry. But Hoseok ignored it and laid Charlie down, smiling lightly when she immediately curled up into her other father's large warm chest. They both had the same sleepy pout on their faces while they slept. So much like Taehyung, Hoseok thought as he stroked Charlie's pretty black hair and kissed her temple.

Against his better judgment, Hoseok ran a hand through Taehyung's soft brown-black hair - which he was trying (and succeeding) to grow a mullet. He leaned over and placed a light kiss to his temple as well, then slowly walked out of the room and back downstairs.

Hoseok's phone vibrated in his pocket and, without checking the ID, he answered.

"Hey, Hoseok." Jinhwan. Fuck.

"Hey, sorry I didn't call. I fell asleep as soon as I got home." There was silence for a minute.

"Hoseok, I don't think we should see each other anymore. Don't get me wrong, you're a great person. You're honestly amazing and the best person I've ever been on a date with. But I think there is someone in your heart and it's not me."

And Hoseok started to cry. Because Jinhwan was right. "Shh, Hoseok. I get it, I really do. He's the father of your child. It's okay."

"I'm sorry, Jinhwan. I'm so sorry I n-never got over h-him."

"Taehyung is a very understanding man. You know that more than anyone. I've talked to him before and I could see how much he loves you. He's going to listen to you and try to help you. Talk to him, please. For me?"

"Okay. I'll talk to him. I'm sorry I couldn't love you like you deserve."

"Awe, don't worry. I'll always be here for you."

Taehyung hummed happily to himself as he ate ice cream in the dining room. Charlie was in bed; on bad days like this, she was always given an early dinner and put to bed early. Hoseok simply watched with a fond smile as the younger man acted like the three year old he was deep down. He always loved seeing Taehyung so happy and carefree because then he knew everything was right in the world.

"We need to talk." The younger man sighed and nodded, pushing away his finished bowl of ice cream and patting the chair next to him for the older. Hoseok complied and sat down in the chair, staring at his folded hands on the table as he felt those loving, concerned eyes pierce the side of his face. "I can't do this anymore, Taehyung. I just can't."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he took a deep, calming breath. "For five years, I've tried. Five long-ass years of trying to move on from you while seeing you every single day, hearing your voice once again. And I know why you're here. You're here for our daughter and to take some of the burden off of my shoulders. And I haven't forgiven you. But for some reason, I just can't enjoy myself. I can't go out on a date and genuinely have a good time."

A sigh left Taehyung as he leaned over to rest his elbows on the table. "You know, Charlie told me something yesterday while you were on your date. She said that you were happier here with me and her than out on your dates. She said that every time she greeted you when you came home, you seemed happier. And when you left, you looked sad. She didn't like Jinhwan because he didn't make you happy."

Quiet. Taehyung was so quiet and gentle when he snapped out of his playful mentality and became the adult he truly was. He was good at easing into things, especially serious things. Hoseok lowered his head onto the table. "Our baby girl is so smart..." His voice broke at the end of his sentence and he started to sob into his arms, only crying harder when he felt a big hand soothe circles into his back.

And he just let him cry. Every single time they ever had a serious conversation that led to Hoseok crying, Taehyung would rub his back and let him cry as much as he needed. No words of reassurance or consolation, nothing. Just the fact that he was there and patiently waiting to listen to what the older man had to say made Hoseok feel better.

Five minutes later, Hoseok lifted his head and took a deep breath. "Every single kiss, I think, 'Tae does it better.' Every single compliment or flirty gesture, I became uncomfortable instead of how I felt when you did it. And even the sex, I think, 'Tae always made it feel better.' None of them compare to you and I just - Why do I have to be so miserable?"

Taehyung wiped away the older man's tears with his thumbs. He held Hoseok's hands in his and squeezed them with a sigh. "Hoseok-hyung, look at me," he mumbled gently and the older man lifted his teary eyes to him. "I could be selfish and say come back to me. You know I'll love you with everything I am like I did last time. But I'm not going to be selfish." He wiped a few more tears away and patted Hoseok's cheek lightly. "What do you want me to do right now, hyung?" he whispered, his eyes searching in the older man's for something, anything.

"Hug me." And Taehyung complied.

He lifted Hoseok into his arms and onto his lap, setting his head on his shoulder and holding him tightly. The older man cried into the crook of Taehyung's neck, breathing in his comforting scent and feeling his warm skin against his cheek. He felt so small, but so loved and ever so slowly, he calmed down.

Hoseok's death-grip relaxed and he breathed in deeply, sighing against Taehyung's neck. "Tae," he mumbled and the younger man grunted, resting his head against Hoseok's. "Lay in bed with me. Please. I want to sleep peacefully for once." A pause. "Okay."

Maybe things would get better from here.

someone asked and I delivered. Happy Days!

- Tae