Bound by Silence |Taekook | COMPLETED?

The air inside the penthouse felt thick, almost suffocating, as Taehyung's trembling fingers hovered over the play button on the vintage voice recorder. His face was pale, eyes dark with anticipation and fear. Jungkook could feel the tension radiating off him, his heart aching for the man he loves.

Without a word, Jungkook leaned in, gently cupping Taehyung's face, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. It wasn't rushed or desperate, it was grounding, like an anchor pulling Taehyung back from the storm brewing inside his heart.

Taehyung's eyes fluttered shut, allowing himself to melt into the warmth of Jungkook's touch. When Jungkook pulled back slightly, their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling.

"You're stronger than you know my Babybear, " Jungkook whispered softly, his thumb brushing over Taehyung's cheek. "And no matter what's in there, we'll face it together."

Taehyung nodded, drawing in a shaky breath. His trembling finger finally pressed the play button.

The First Recording:

A faint crackle erupted from the recorder, followed by the soft hum of background noise... waves crashing gently, distant seagulls crying, and the faint rustle of the wind.

Then came the voice."Date: 23rd August 2002. Time: 10:23 AM."

"This is June, reporting from Jeju Island. I am here to investigate illegal coral reef exports. It may seem insignificant to some, but the absence of coral reefs is an environmental disaster in the making. The ocean is our lifeblood and its ecosystems are fragile treasures we must protect, not exploit."

Her voice was calm but carried a fiery undercurrent of passion, the kind that made Taehyung's chest ache with pride and grief all at once.

"Coral reefs aren't just pretty underwater scenery. They hold anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, bone repair, and neurological benefits. In the pharmaceutical world, they're more valuable than diamonds due to their rarity, found only in specific regions. Governments allow limited extraction to balance economic gains with ecological preservation."

There was a brief pause, the sound of waves growing louder.

"But a certain company, with the help of a powerful politician, Kim Seokmin, my very own husband, is exploiting this resource illegally. They extract large quantities and export them to Arab countries without any official records. I am gathering more evidence as of now."

The tape clicked, signaling the end of the first recording.

Jungkook felt his heart race, his mind reeling from the revelation.

"Your father..."Jungkook whispered, unable to finish the sentence.

Taehyung clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists, but he didn't speak. Instead, he reached for the recorder again, his fingers trembling slightly as he pressed the play button for the next recording.

The second recording:

"Date: 30th September 2002. Time: 5:30 PM. Location: A local village in Jeju."

The background was different this time. Gone were the gentle waves of the sea; instead, the muffled voices of villagers filled the air, mixed with distant chatter, the occasional bark of a dog, and the rhythmic creaking of wooden boats at the shore.

"I'm here to speak with local villagers who've agreed to share their experiences off the record," June continued, her voice steady but laced with tension. "They're scared, but they know the truth needs to come out. This is bigger than all of us."