"Who's that?"
Yoongi whispered loud enough to break the silence of the hallway, the anxious look on the lawyer Namjoon and Hoseok broke for a moment. Oh, cut the crap.
Yoongi was curious. He wanted to solve this mystery as soon as possible. He wanted to wrap this whole enigma of Jeon Jeongguk into something he can believe, something that was enough to satisfy Taehyung's thirst for the man. But it all got more tangled up, and no one was willing to help them. Yoongi couldn't help but wonder why fate was making everything a mess, nothing less nothing more, perfect chaos.
"She's Jeon Jooan. Jeongguk's daughter."
Hoseok was the one who answered, not really caring about the surprise that adorned the two male's faces. Well, Yoongi was fine, reserved, and nodded his head as he understood the words. So, what's the big deal? Jeon Jeongguk, who claimed to be in love with Kim Taehyung, has a four-year-old daughter and a very protective Doberman named Jeon Bam.
The Jeons.
Yoongi uttered in his head, slightly peeking at Taehyung who stood in the middle of the hallway as if the world stopped. Just by that one glance, Yoongi could tell that Taehyung was having a battle with himself. The pain, the misery, the guilt, the helplessness- Taehyung was doing a very terrible job of hiding his true emotions from Yoongi. And the lawyer regrets agreeing to help the younger man find details about Jeongguk.
He might be brave, but that doesn't mean Yoongi will torture himself for nothing by seeing Taehyung breaking down again and again. The realization was already chanting inside the lawyer when they walked past the bedroom of Jooan, with Taehyung's eyes stuck on the closed door, the tiny glint of hope was missing. Taehyung loves kids.
"She's still... "
"We understand... It's okay. We're just... You know..."
Namjoon's words were cut off by Yoongi but then again, the lawyer had to stop. He doesn't know if he should complete it or just leave it like that. The frustration of his questions being unanswered was evident on his face. And he knows. Namjoon wasn't any stupid. The other lawyer can simply read the look on Yoongi's face, so he decided to speak up.
"I'm sorry, we didn't tell you about Jooan. It's because we're scared. What if the culprit has an eye on Jeongguk from the start and it would be difficult for everyone if he reaches out to our Joonie? We did it to protect her."
Understandable. Yoongi thought. As they stopped in front of the door next to Jooan's, they all took a deep breath as if they were entering a forbidden kingdom. But for Taehyung, it felt like a dream. A fantasy he has always been addicted to but never knew it was this intense. Now that he stood in front of the wooden door, Taehyung couldn't help but imagine a world where it's all fascinating like a vintage portrait, where it's all intoxicating as jazz music, where it's all bliss like a sunset after a long run.
And when the door opened, Taehyung took a long whiff, steps hesitating to walk forward. He's sensitive to musky scents. He's allergic to the smell of an old library stack. He hates black. He hates the royalty that color furnishes. He hates when everything is perfect.
It would be a lie if Taehyung said that the room wasn't beautiful. But at the same time, it has an aesthetic that was enough for him to remind how he hates to be alone in the dark. The moment he entered inside, with Yoongi on his side, Namjoon and Hoseok behind, Taehyung felt he was being bewitched by the charms of the room. He was levitating. Without any reason, he was intimidated and delighted.
Taehyung could feel it through his every nerve that there's no way back. He's entangled in a maze he chose for himself. When Namjoon closed the door slightly, Taehyung realized. He should've listened to the small voice in his head telling him Jeon Jeongguk is a bad idea. Had only Taehyung listened to it, he wouldn't be struggling to breathe so hard now.
The room was first and forever, black. With the luxurious bed in the center, luminous interiors, and a string of light coming from the window shields, the room was a dark shade. Even though it was cozy overall, making him comfortable in the interiors, Taehyung felt a need to relinquish the idea of exploring Jeon Jeongguk. It was dangerous. Taehyung knew it. And he didn't want to give up.
There was a small study area, as neat as it could ever be, with no stuff scattered on the table, and suiting the whole vibe of the room. The chaoticness was what Taehyung missed.
An elegant wardrobe section welcomed them, organized and scented with the intoxicating rain on the soil and ink pens. It wasn't supposed to smell that good, but surprisingly, Taehyung was trying his best to not lose himself to the enthralling scent of the most black and white wardrobe section.
The exploring didn't stop there until Hoseok opened the glass door to the right showing a terrific gym area. If the whole place doesn't amuse Taehyung, then the gym did a good job of changing Taehyung's complex mind. He couldn't quite believe that he was entering a place where a soul spent like a thousand hours building up the passion and keeping it close to his heart.
Taehyung was an intruder to Jeongguk's little universe. He felt guilty.
Just when he thought everything was done, and he could finally let out the breath he was holding, he heard Namjoon whispering from behind, eyes traveling from the room, Yoongi, and then landed on Taehyung for milliseconds. Taehyung wanted to know what the elder had for him. What Namjoon conceals under his tough aura always fascinated the younger.
"Uh... This is Jeongguk's room. No one enters here other than---"
"Why did you bring him here?"
The little sound made them turn towards the four-year-old, Yoongi sighed, while Taehyung stiffened. Namjoon stood in front of Jooan, silence was the only answer he had for the girl. Bam was next to her, standing protectively, their expressions were almost the same. But Taehyung doesn't like it when kids don't smile.
There were questions to ask. Namjoon knows. They have the right to know. He wanted to convey everything to them. At least to Taehyung. But he was afraid. He picked silence over everything from the very beginning of this mystery for something that could do no good to anyone. Namjoon has a reason. Poorly, the world will never know. Why did he choose the secret demeanor when it comes to Jeongguk his tales were still vexing, but Namjoon went on being quiet. Nevertheless, Yoongi doesn't trust him.
"Appa will never love to see this scene, Joon. You know this is his safe place. Why did you let him enter here?!"
Jooan is adorable, beautiful, and has a charm. She grabs the attention of the people around her. It's almost like she's the big lawyer here and not Namjoon and Yoongi. Because when the four-year-old started speaking, the room went quiet, only their breathing filled in the air while her words cut the tension sharply. She spoke clearly, authoritative and fearless. Yoongi and Taehyung were in awe. Of course, a little part of them wanted to know from whom she inherited this bold side, her Appa or her---
"Joonie, he's not that---"
"Bad? Cruel? Oh yeah..."
The little girl passed a humorless chuckle at the lawyer, who stiffened at the spot. Namjoon loves Jooan, more than anything. He would give her the world in a snap if she asks, he would bring her the stars to sing her lullabies. Jooan is not only Jeongguk's but all of their safe place, the dream of the family.
It wasn't that difficult to pick up the obvious protectiveness of Namjoon towards Jooan because even if he's taking the side of Taehyung, the people in the room know really well that Taehyung still has a skeptical shadow looming over him. He's not free in this household. He will never.
"Don't think that I don't know anything. I'm not stupid. I've seen my Appa smiling because of this man, and...
you've seen me crying because of this same man.
I'm not letting you help this man to lay a finger on my Appa's belongings."
Jooan is strong. Strong enough to point a finger at Taehyung and control her tears stinging in her beautiful chocolate brown orbs. That was the first thing that came to Yoongi's head. Sure, he's not as fond of kids as Taehyung is, but something in Jooan captivated him. Yoongi couldn't take his eyes off the girl who had a hand around Bam, defensive gaze landing on Namjoon and then Taehyung.
Speaking of him, Taehyung was not thinking straight. He's been hearing a lot of insults these days for overstepping Jeongguk's life and taking away their happiness. Sure, he didn't do anything but still, the abuse didn't stop. And now, it's a four-year-old girl, Jeongguk's daughter, with a charming soul, and a brave heart. Here he's, listening to this girl with a numb heart. His lips were dry, words weren't coming out of his mouth and he stood next to Yoongi. It was so difficult for him to not look at that adorable face, pull her into a warm hug and join all the broken pieces of her heart. Yet he stops. He can't. Jeon Jooan hates him. Taehyung doesn't have the right to console Jooan.
"Boo... He did not---"
Namjoon tried again, patting the head of Jooan slowly, in an attempt to calm her down. His usual sharp eyes changed to soft ones, the sweet melancholy replenishing his disturbed and tired orbs. Taehyung wondered about the power Jooan has on Namjoon. The lawyer couldn't complete his sentence when someone else cut him off in the middle, leaving everyone in astonishment.
"Princess..."
Jooan turned at the man with a bewildered expression. She couldn't believe someone called her that. Someone who's not her Appa, not Jin or Jimin. The voice was smooth, not a bit wavering, eyes were not harsh, unfamiliar but never fake. Jooan isn't stupid. But she's her father's princess, a heart made of gold, the soul made of stars, eyes of desires, and the smile of a universe. She has been told that she's the most beautiful when she's kind to those who respect her, despite her age. Jooan couldn't help but skip a beat when she heard someone calling out for her, in a very genuine way.
"Princess... He's Taehyung. And he didn't do anything, trust me..."
Of course, Min Yoongi knows. He knows how an innocent soul like Jooan could be trapped in a lie. He realizes the quest of those eyes to know the truth and the suffocation of living with false hope. She's a little one, naive and adorable but she's also understanding. Jooan's insight into the world mesmerized Yoongi in a snap and he couldn't help but kneel in front of her and cup her cheeks while whispering those words softly.
Not only Jooan, Yoongi knows Taehyung. Yoongi knows if Jooan deserves to be protected from the cruel realm around them, then, so is Taehyung. And Min Yoongi doesn't break promises given to himself.
"He killed my father..."
She whispered sternly, yet her eyes were a little soft, the gleam of naiveness was there which made the room look at her in awe.
"No, he didn't. He was betrayed... Just like your Appa..."
Yoongi paused to read the expression of the girl. Her puzzled face was enough for the lawyer to continue his words. No one spoke a word when Yoongi caressed Jooan's cheeks and held her little hands in his.
"Betrayed by whom?"
Jooan asked her raised eyebrows questioning everything in the room, whatever she heard. Taehyung on the other hand, stood silent, his heart skipped a beat when her eyes landed on him, the shine of hate was obvious. But he couldn't care less. She doesn't know the truth. Taehyung told himself.
"He was betrayed by his brother "
Yoongi paused, only to hear a scream that resonated in the room. More like a plea, to be precise.
"Hyung!"
It was sudden. Unexpected. Taehyung hated it. He couldn't figure out what was happening around him. Even if it's a lie, Taehyung didn't want his innocent brother to be dragged into this, only to save him. Taehyung doesn't want that, and nor does his brother deserve this. Yoongi shouldn't have forgotten how much this pains him, how much his heart breaks down when the lawyer took his brother's name like that. Taehyung hated every bit of it, but Yoongi continued.
"Taehyung was betrayed by his brother. Because his brother was in love with your Appa...
His brother wanted to kill him, with the help of his friend but... Unfortunately, the plan..."
The room fell into an unbearable silence. The sudden words made them take a walk back and the face of officer Minho flashed in front of their eyes. It didn't take a lot to feel the way their breath hitched at the thought, because what Yoongi said was a trustable lie. And if no one, he thought Jooan believed him.
Or she played along.
"I'm four, not a fool. Watch your words, lawyer."
Yoongi tried his best to bite back a smile that was lingering on his lips. Because this time, Jooan sounded innocent, like the four-year-old she's. The kid in her has an elegance and it was beautiful. Caressing her hair softly, Yoongi stood up, glancing at the people in the room. However, she still had her expression frowned and the grey never left her flawless features. Jooan's gaze broke and landed on Taehyung.
With his hand balled tightly, and eyes weary of everything, Taehyung maintained eye contact with Jooan. He wanted to call her sweet names as Yoongi did, he wanted to make her smile and treat her like a princess so that she could forget all the worries that were eating her head. He wanted to keep her comfortable from the winter. But Taehyung barely forgot that even though he doesn't have a safe place, he doesn't have a warmth to share.
So, he stood still, like a frozen stone. Even when Jooan walked past Yoongi and stood in front of him, eyes upon his face, Taehyung stood lifeless. What should he say to a little soul who cries to sleep every night because of him? What should he say to Jooan when he knows she hates him to the moon, from the bottom of her heart? Taehyung wasn't brave enough to cut the silence between them.
But, Jooan was.
"Maybe you never loved my Appa... But for him, you were the entire universe.
And for me... My Appa was my life. Now you know how I'm feeling."
I don't have a life anymore.
Hurt. Betrayal. Longing.
Jooan had everything masqueraded with her each phrase. She didn't smile, but her lips were tightly pressed not to whimper, her eyes were a void of hope, and her wings were unseen. She looked fallen to the world, but still an angel to Taehyung's eyes. He wanted to hold her little hands of her and call her once forever. He wanted her to be his angel. His angel baby.
He doesn't care. Taehyung doesn't care if Jooan hates him or if she was abusing him or hurting him. His pain was nothing in front of her loss. She lost her only hope. She lost her family too. She lost her safe place too. But she was braver and more unflappable than Taehyung. Yoongi, Namjoon, and Hoseok figured it out in a snap.
"Welcome to the Jeon Mansion. Hope you have a good time here, Taehyung-ssi..."
Jooan said, and the people in the room skipped a beat. Her deep voice laced with dominance almost made them wonder from where she got the vigor to reply like that. Jooan took a step backward and turned to go with Bam on her side. Don't know why, Taehyung thought nothing but fell to his knees, stopping her by holding her hands and hugging her from behind. It was too much.
The sweet chamomile scent was replenishing his blue and greys while the soft delicate body of her leaned a little on his chest, his strong hands caged her and they both closed their eyes, tears falling at the very instant when their warmth mixed, scents blended, and pain conveyed through silence.
"I'm sorry..."
Taehyung doesn't know why he said that. Maybe it was an instinct. He thought that that words can heal Jooan a little. Or at least he felt a big burden on his heart just moved away. He's not the one who should say sorry, but the thought of him being a little part of Jooan's pain made him ask her forgiveness. Without releasing the hug, they stayed like that. Even Jooan let him hold her like that. And they cried their hearts out.
Namjoon, Yoongi, and Hoseok stood flabbergasted witnessing the scene in front of them. Tears stung in their eyes but they couldn't let them out. They can't lose themselves to the misery of the two souls in front of them. Because they have to stay strong for the sake of Jooan and Taehyung. Life is unfair. Fate doesn't know the pain it causes people to go through.
Later when Jooan released the hold and walked away without even pausing to look at him or wipe her tears, Taehyung stayed broken and lost in the room. He let the breeze come from the window to dry his tear stains and stood up slowly. His blurry eyes landed on the ebony wall, a grey quote scribbled on it, while Taehyung tried to read through the lines.
Rather be dead than cool.
It didn't take Taehyung to feel shivers running through his spine. He could bear the whisper closer to his ears, chanting inside his heart. He wanted to find a way out but also, drown deep like there's no tomorrow. He was torn between longing and giving up. He wanted to trace the letters. He wanted to chant them again. It was intoxicating. And the love of Taehyung to write his name on every forbidden thing- Yoongi knows.
Namjoon cleared his throat when he found Taehyung's eyes stuck on the wall for a long time, the younger's gaze drops to the neat wardrobe section then scanned the room and---
"This..."
Yoongi stared at the photo frame on the bed stand, with Jooan and a man, hugging close, their cheeks squished and lips formed into a pouty grin. It was the first time Taehyung and Yoongi saw Jooan smiling wide, her bread cheeks flushed and adorable like always. While the man next to her had chocolate brown eyes, a perfect nose, and rosy cheeks, has caged Jooan in his hold, he looked like a bunny. He had piercings- ears, eyebrows, and lips. The silky smooth black hair fell on his eyes, covering the eyelashes. He looked soft yet dominant. He was handsome and his aura was intense.
"Jeon Jeongguk."
The one and only.
Yoongi wanted to add, while a small smirk adorned his lips. As if he was waiting for this meeting. The lawyer passed a look at Namjoon when he answered, then he glimpsed at Taehyung.
Jeon Jeongguk had a beautiful, innocent smile, and chocolate brown orbs that hid the whole galaxy, his charisma was something that could pull people towards him in an instant, at first sight. He was never like Taehyung, in one or more ways. Jeon Jeongguk looked like he was truly in love, made of love, yet unloved. Taehyung held his heart and controlled his soul. No.
No.
Never never fall. Oh, dear spring. Don't plant a flower that can't be bloomed. Don't fall in love with a dream that can't be true. That can't be yours.
Taehyung told himself. His heart intonated the lines, again and again, and his soul accepted the truth. The faux silky grey curtains moved because of the wind, the digital clock showed 04:05, and even the hush felt like a ballad playing softly as they paused in the room. With his hands itching to touch the photo frame on Yoongi's hands, and his dizzy mind sketching the portrait of Jeon Jeongguk in monochrome, Taehyung heard his conscience telling him again, only to make him more vulnerable and lead him through the odds.
Don't leave. Autumn doesn't stay forever.
~ 🍁 ~
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Jeon Jeongguk
Father of Jeon Jooan.
Street dancer of the band Ddaeng.
Died on 30th Dec at Hangang.
Claimed to be in love with Kim Taehyung.
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Jeon Jooan
Daughter of Jeon Jeongguk
Four-year-old.
Clever and understanding.
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Jeon Bam
Jooan's best friend.
Jeongguk's only son.
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[HTA; Fact of the day: Jeon Jooan was supposed to be Jeon HanJoon, but I changed after Chakho was released😁]
So...
Welcome to Hangang In The Autumn© officially.
Hope you guys will enjoy the journey. Share your thoughts, questions, and feedback...
See ya next time... Take care...
~Rin