Fragile Longing (Taekook) (On Hold)

Chapter Twenty Two

He turned his face away, not being able to take in all the emotions swirling in those big eyes where he was seeing nothing but himself.

"But I have been always stupid TaeTae."

That voice stopped him. This kid only calls him by that name when his tolerance of hurt goes beyond his limit. Like he did that night at the forest. He had to look back again. Look at eyes filled to the bream, water work ready to turn on again. It was a dam and He was standing right in the middle of it. Not knowing what to do. Or how to do.

"What if I am stupid? If I am stupid and I like you then it's ok right? Then you won't stop me from liking you right? TaeTae?" That kid sniffled. "Then..then if I am stupid..very very stupid..will you like me too?"

That broken voice broke him too. Those tears that were threatening to fall, those childlike questions uttered with that whispered tone that held pleading, it all stopped him. From answering in negative as he was about to do. In the end he couldn't do it at all. But he couldn't give an affirmative answer either.

What would he even say? How should he say so that those tars won't fall, that broken expression goes away and smile comes back? But how will he say? His life was nothing but filled with darkness. He doesn't even have a future. Everything looks bleak and muddy then how can he pull that kid into this mud? How can he let his life stain that innocence? He won't be able to. He won't allow himself to destroy this kid like that. He will never entangle this kid with his cursed being.

Yet..yet why it was only an yes that was coming in his mind. Why his heart wasn't allowing him to answer anything but that? Does he...does he like..no..no he won't go there. That road, that forbidden road, he won't take it. He won't.

"So many question in morning. Don't tell me you are trying avoid eating this food I am making." He tried to divert attention elsewhere. "Tell me in advance. Cause if you don't want it, I can call Younjun and....."

That was all it took for that kid to jump towards the kitchen counter, sitting like a obedient puppy, opening his mouth.

"Not again." Taehyung arched his brows. "I am not feeding you. Use your hands."

"Psychooooo..feed me."

That nickname bought relief to him. At least this one seems to divert from that topic for now. "Are you a baby hmm? Feed yourself."

"Nope. I am even better. I am a princess. Now heed my command you peasant."

He glared, or tried to before letting out a sigh and taking the plate in his hand, taking the egg omelet in spoon giving it to the boy who was again being in a good mood.

"Kook.." He gave another spoon filled with eggs.

"Hwm.." That one said while chewing food.

"Your parents, do they live here?" Taehyung never saw them in that mansion whenever he visited.

A wide smile spread across Jungkook's face at the question. "No. Papa is away most of the time. But he always make time for me when he is here. Though I miss him. But it's ok cause he loves me even if he is away."

Taehyung's lips corner lifted up too. The content and love he was seeing in the boy's face for his father was making him remember his. The face was hazy now. But that smile and those warm hugs still remaining in his memory. "You love your father." It wasn't a question.

"Yep. He is the best Papa in the world. He is now among the two people I love most in the world."

"Other is your mom?"