If I Ain't Got You (vsoo...ft. liskook)

" A mother understands what her child does not say."

; ) Chapter 22

Later that night, after the heartfelt conversation with his parents, Taehyung found himself sitting in the living room, his mother beside him on the couch. The silence between them was comfortable, but there was a curious spark in his mother's eyes. She had been watching him ever since the family gathering, and tonight, she seemed more intrigued than usual.

Taehyung leaned back against the cushions, trying to relax after all the emotional weight he had unloaded earlier. He hadn't expected things to feel this different, this lighter, after opening up to his parents. But now, with the tension gone, his mother's playful tone brought him back to the present.

"So," his mother began, her voice light and teasing, "who exactly changed you? I mean, the Taehyung I know would never have had that conversation with us."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a slight smile. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." She leaned toward him, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Who is the girl who made you call us 'mother' and 'father' again? You even smiled tonight. I haven't seen that in years."

Taehyung froze for a second, caught off guard by her question. He cleared his throat, trying to brush off the sudden rush of emotions that came with her words. "What are you trying to say, mom?"

His mother laughed softly, raising an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb. I'm just curious. Who is she? When do I get to meet her?"

Taehyung's face turned a little pink at the sudden attention. "What do you mean 'meet her'? There's nothing to meet, really."

"Oh, come on," she teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Don't tell me you're not serious about her. I see the way you've been acting lately. You're different. There's something about you. What is she doing to you?"

Taehyung swallowed, trying to maintain his calm exterior. "It's not like that, mom."

"Oh really?" His mother raised her eyebrows. "Then tell me, when will I get to meet this mysterious girl? The one who made you so... well, different."

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, shifting uncomfortably. He wasn't quite sure how to respond. His feelings for Jisoo had developed so suddenly, so unexpectedly. But he couldn't deny that something about her had changed him, had made him open up in ways he never thought he could.

"Hold on," he finally muttered, "you seriously want to meet her? Why? What are you planning?"

His mother put on an innocent look, raising her hands as if defending herself. "What? What do you think your mother is capable of? I just want to meet the girl who brought my son back to me. The one who made you smile like this, who made you want to connect with us again."

Taehyung sighed, giving in. He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips as he thought about Jisoo. "I don't know, mom. She's... I don't know if she's ready for that yet."

His mother leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, I'm ready to meet her. And when you're ready, I'll be waiting."

"Fine, fine," Taehyung said, rolling his eyes playfully. "You'll meet her when the time is right."

"I'll hold you to that," his mother said with a grin. "But I have to say, it's good to see you like this. Happy, at peace. You know, I've missed this version of you."

Taehyung chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're just glad you finally got through to me, huh?"

"Maybe," she teased. "But more than that, I'm happy that you're finding your way, Taehyung. That's all I've ever wanted for you."