Truth Between Us ??

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋🎧ྀི playing - Once Again by Mad Clown/Kim Na Young

⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳ ✦ ⊹

Jungkook lay curled on the bed, his body turned slightly to the side, his breathing shallow, as though even in sleep, he carried the weight of the pain. The dried tear tracks on his cheeks glistened faintly under the dim bedside lamp, his eyebrows furrowed as if he was still fighting a battle in his dreams.

Taehyung sat beside him, his fingers moving through Jungkook's hair with an absentminded tenderness, brushing the strands away from his forehead. He exhaled softly, adjusting the blanket over him, tucking it securely around his frame. Jungkook shifted in his sleep, instinctively snuggling closer, as though seeking warmth.

Taehyung's chest tightened. His thumb gently traced over Jungkook's cheek, feeling the dried remnants of the tears he had shed. A pang of guilt struck deep in his heart as he whispered, 

"I only ever make you cry, Luxe."

He leaned down, pressing the gentlest of kisses against Jungkook's cheek. His lips lingered for a second longer than necessary before he pulled away, swallowing the weight of his emotions.

From outside, the faint sound of voices reached his ears. Taehyung's brows furrowed. He cast one last glance at Jungkook, ensuring the blanket was snug around him before getting up. Moving quietly, he walked toward the door and pulled it shut behind him before stepping out into the living room.

He stopped in his tracks.

Seokjin stood by the dining table, his face lined with barely concealed panic as he looked at the man seated in front of him.

Minho.

Taehyung stiffened.

"Dad, why did you come here?" Seokjin asked, his voice filled with tension.

Minho lifted his gaze from his plate, first glancing at Seokjin, then at Taehyung. His eyes were unreadable, but the weight of his presence made the air thick.

"I heard someone was hiding things from me," Minho said, setting his spoon down and wiping his hands with a napkin. "So I had to come and check for myself."

Seokjin shot Taehyung a glance filled with worry before stepping closer to his father. "Dad, please..." His voice was almost pleading as he reached for Minho's hand.

Minho didn't react, his gaze cold as he looked between them. "I still had to meet my son-in-law and give him my blessings."

Seokjin's grip on his father's wrist tightened, his voice urgent. "Dad, No."

Minho let out a slow breath, his sharp eyes studying both of them. Then, in a lower, colder voice, he asked, "Do you both remember the most important lesson I taught you?"

Silence.

"Never be weak to emotions. Never let our goal be compromised," Minho continued, his words deliberate, laced with disappointment. "But it seems I didn't teach you well enough, since now you're even lying to me."

Taehyung clenched his fists at his sides and stepped forward. "Uncle, they are not compromising anything."

Minho scoffed. "Yet. Who's to say they won't turn their backs on you and expose everything? I thought I made it clear not to trust anyone except yourselves."

Seokjin shook his head desperately. "No, Dad... they won't. Please, trust us."

Minho's gaze darkened. "Trust you?" He let out a dry laugh. "Tell me how I should trust you when you've done nothing but lie to me? Not only that, but you've allowed yourselves to get distracted from our original goal."