When the two made it downstairs to the dining room, the dinner table had long been set. Grandpa Jeon was at his seat, while beside him sat a middle-aged man and a beautiful, dignified woman. Taehyung guessed they must be Jungkook's parents.
Sure enough, without delay, he heard Jungkook call out to them, "Dad, Mom."
Taehyung followed along beside him, and just as it was before with grandpa Jeon, there he went again with that feeling of awkward reservation.
"Oh, you came down? Come, sit over there." Yejun said, beckoning them, her gaze lingering on Taehyung's body. The look was in no way malicious one, as the smile she wore seemed quite pleased. Regardless of this, Taehyung still felt a bit awkward. It looked like he felt no matter what status he had as he appeared in that place, would come off as a joke.
Jungkook with Taehyung beside him, made their way over, simply for the task of mutual introductions.
The awkward boy went on to say, "Hello Uncle, hello Aunty. I am Kim Taehyung."
"Have a seat." Jeon Jihoon motioned.
"Come on now, hurry up and sit. Stop standing around." Yejun instructed with a smile.
Both Taehyung and Jungkook took a seat just as Yejun spoke, "Taehyung, you don't have to be so nervous, since you and Jungkook will be married just think of us as your own family, alright." Even though she said those words, Taehyung just couldn't do so. He was only able to do his best to maintain a smile.
The dinner was fairly peaceful. Unexpectedly, it was not just grandpa Jeon who was very much bothered about his grandson's marriage to a man. Jihoon and Yejun were both also unconcerned about the matter, they were even asking about the wedding plans.
"So Taehyung, are you twenty yet? When are you two planning on registering the marriage?" Yejun probed. With same-sex marriages now being legal, the legal age for marriage was revised as well.
"He's already twenty, and I'm going to the Department of Civil Affairs next week," Jungkook stated.
Hearing what he said the chopsticks in Taehyung's hand froze, his lips drew together lightly, sealing themselves without a word.
"When's the wedding going to be? Do you have any ideas?" Yejun prodded, "Is there going to be a banquet, or are you two planning on travelling overseas to get married?"
"It doesn't matter to me, ask him." It was true, Jungkook really did not care about those things, it would all be left up to Taehyung's personal preferences.
This sentence of course prompted Yejun to turn her attention towards Taehyung," So do you have any ideas, Taehyung? You don't have to be so nervous, you know, whatever suggestions you have you can just tell us."
"I......" he felt his throat tighten, "I will."
He would because he simply lacked the power to not do so.
After he accepted, he was left in a daze, one which even Jungkook noticed. Not long after they had finished with their meal, he took Taehyung and left.
On their way back to Jungkook's apartment, Taehyung gradually relaxed. Even though that place also made him quite uncomfortable, compared to the Jungkook's family home, it was much better. In that flat, he would only have to face that man, but there, he would have to come face-to-face with that man's entire family.
It wasn't that he was afraid of them, just that he did not know how he should face those elders while they were in front of him, discussing and consulting him, about the wedding since he did not wish to be married. That he, in fact, wanted his own life, and no matter how friendly they were during this situation, they still were not his kin. His only relative was back in that tiny village, the old man he called, Grandpa.
Taehyung placed the two cases in front of Jungkook. The man's parents, and grandfather, of course, gave him those gifts. One, was a pair of Jade pendants, while the other, was a Patek Philippe wristwatch.[T/n: Patek Philippe watches are listed as some of the most expensive watches in the world. Starting prices is around a few thousand USD, one of the priciest sold for £2.98 MILLION. ]
Those were indeed expensive gifts. Not to mention, how many people desired such things, yet in his heart, there was no sense of excitement, not even the tiniest sliver of joy.
As Jungkook sat on the sofa, undoing his cufflinks, the younger man's current actions made him pause. Now standing before him, looking down at him, Taehyung's posture told him they were about to have a talk."I can't accept these gifts," Taehyung stated softly. In that man's family, maybe things like that were insignificant, but for him, it was just too valuable.
Jungkook had no response for the words just said to him. He only wanted to laugh but didn't, so the corners of his mouth twitched, then rose, lifting and lowering his chin in favour of the other man continuing with his speech."I don't want an undeserved reward, these are too precious. If I took them it'll be inappropriate. Also......" Taehyung hesitated, "Also, you said today that next week you're going to do the registration. Why didn't I get to know of this?""Don't you know about it now?" Jungkook arched his brow.
But you should've told me ahead of time and we could've discussed it. Don't go unilaterally deciding these things all on your own......""Why can't I?" Jungkook suddenly interrupted Taehyung's speech, slowly rising to his feet, then made his way towards Taehyung. His one hundred and ninety-metre physique brought with it the distinct feeling of oppression, his mein unlike how it was before was now relatively colder, "You have quite a lot of complaints, don't you."
"I was only......" Taehyung became a fraction more frantic after Jungkook's abrupt approach, he retreated by half a step. He wanted, at all costs, to maintain his calm demeanour but the tightening grip of his hands made it clear, he was quite nervous.
Jungkook stretched out his hand, resting it atop the nervous boy's crown, his fingers ran themselves through those soft black strands--gently. The soft, tender caress seemed like one that came from a lover. But the words that accompanied them, nevertheless, sounded cold, causing a feeling of apprehension, "Taehyung."
That was the first time that man called his name. Those two characters of his name were spat out from the man's thin lips, frigidly bringing with them a sentiment that would make anyone puzzled, yet it only made Taehyung's heart grow cold.
"Could it be that you think you can actually change how things are right now? The last two weeks were so you could adjust to the drastic change, do you still fail to realise the situation you're now in?" Jungkook's lingering fingers held a few strands between them.
"But we don't have deep feelings for one another, do we? How are two people supposed to stay together for a lifetime without those kinds of feelings? Don't you think that the way we've been getting along so far is a problem?" Taehyung emotions were stirred as he voiced his retort. His hand rose to brush away the other's lingering fingers, only to have the limb caught instead.
Jungkook's tight grip on his wrist made it clear just how much slimmer his own was, as the man somewhat ruthlessly, said, "So what of it? Why do you want me to say it over and over again? You don't have the power to oppose."
"......"
"The two were locked in a stalemate. After a while, Taehyung laughed out at himself until his smile fell, then whispered, "......I understand."
Yes, from the beginning, ever since he signed that contract with Jungkook he did not have the right to discuss conditions.
It was just, he did not sufficiently realize that was the reality of the situation. Those two weeks Jungkook conceded to accommodate him, made him believe there could still be room for discussion.
Seeing the clear despondent look reflected within Taehyung's eyes, and that obstinate mouth of his crinkle, Jungkook lips twitched to say something, but Taehyung instead broke free of his grasp, leaving one sentence behind him, "I'm going to take a bath." then left the room.
Jungkook stared at his own palm, uttered a groan before heading to his study.
After Jungkook was done with his business, he returned to the room where he found Taehyung already fast asleep. When he finished with his shower he came out to find Taehyung still in the same position as he was before, laying on his side at the edge of the bed, facing the window.
If I push him with my finger, he'll probably fall. Jungkook thought.
Lightly, He laid on the bed, thinking of wanting to pull Taehyung closer to himself, but at the same time, he did not want to wake him. After thinking it over a few times he ultimately chose to move closer to the sleeping man, fastening his own arm around the other's waist.
His motion was very light, so the sleeping Taehyung did not show a trace of awareness.
With Taehyung's back stuck to his stomach, this kind of posture made it look as if he was embracing Taehyung within his bosom. That sort of posture also allowed him to attain a small amount of relief from the bad mood he was currently feeling.
Seeing Taehyung's face, Jungkook muttered, "Right now, being like this isn't so bad, is it? So troublesome."
Watching him for while, Jungkook was completely satisfied embracing this man and soon fell asleep..............................................
T/n: remember folks he is an EXTREME Tsundere. (and a bit of a Donkey :/)