I always plan what I'm going to write on a chapter but end up cutting the scene in half cuz I don't want ya'll choking on 10,000 words per chapter :) so I gift you 3000😃❤

•°³⁸°•Still With You─✵────────

Blasting Billie Eilish on full volume on his headphones and signing the lyrics off key in the confided space of his new room felt cozier than Taehyung had anticipated. Taehyung was glad that the Mrs. Hooper had left for grocery shopping not five minutes ago. Taking advantage of the situation, Taehyung decided to sing his heart out while he unpacked.

There weren't too many things he owned for him to take days to unpack. Throughout the couple of days after he had moved in, all Taehyung had done was sulk.

He didn't really think being away from Jeongguk would affect him so much. Their relationship had been entirely based on sex. At the beginning, Taehyung had thought there was zero chance of him catching feelings. But with time, Taehyung had found himself being entirely dependent on the older man's affection and care.

Be it because Jeongguk was the only person to want him for something more than sex or because Jeongguk was so easy to fall in love with. Either way, Taehyung's affection for the older man had rooted deep inside him.

The absence of him; his smile, his voice, his ever so sweet words, his scent, his touch had Taehyung's heart feeling heavy with something he didn't know to pinpoint as this or that. He longed to see him, touch him, feel him, and hear his voice. And it had taken too much effort for him not to dial up Jeongguk's number.

However, deep underneath, he felt like he had ruined Jeongguk's life. The guilt was so large that it had become the main reason he didn't call. Not even to ask how things were going.

It broke him to know that he had to leave Jeongguk alone to figure out solutions for his problems, that Taehyung had had a part in causing. He left Jeongguk when he needed him the most.

Taehyung started stacking up his note books on the small cupboard by the table in his room, humming to Billie's voice since he couldn't remember the lyrics. He was about to pick up a massive text book when the music abruptly stopped and the music of his ringtone started playing.

He took off his headphones and rushed to the bed, where his phone laid.

Jeongguk

Taehyung gulped as he saw the contact name. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Jeongguk would call him. Jeongguk, the man who kicked him out of his house. Taehyung sucked in a breath, contemplating whether or not to pick up.

Should he?

It felt wrong for some reason. If he picked up, he would only feel more dreadful. But he longed to hear his voice. He needed it so badly. Maybe Jeongguk had felt the same. Maybe he was calling out of impulse. Maybe...fuck it.

Taehyung slid his finger over the call icon.

"Hello?"

"Taehyung" Jeongguk's voice was a whisper. He sounded out of breath.

"Jeongguk?" Taehyung said. Butterflies erupted in Taehyung's stomach. His heart bubbled with happiness after hearing Jeongguk's voice. But...

"Tae" Jeongguk said breathily. "Where are you?"

Something was not right. "In that new place" Taehyung said hurriedly. "Are you alright?"

"Can I come over?"

Taehyung was so confused. "Why, what's wrong? Jeongguk is everything alright?" Taehyung was starting to panic.

There was a silence. And then: "No"

Taehyung's heart started hammering in his chest. "Gguk" Taehyung whispered.

"Can I come over?"

"Yeah. Yeah" Taehyung said quickly. "I'll text you the address"

"Thanks"

"Wh-what's wrong?" Taehyung asked, gnawing at his bottom lip.

There was a silence at the other end. It stretched far more than it should. And far more than Taehyung liked. When Jeongguk spoke, he sounded more broken that Taehyung had ever heard him.

"Everything"

-

Almost twenty minutes later, Taehyung heard the doorbell ring. He ran downstairs and opened the door.

On the porch was a very dead-looking Jeongguk. He wore jeans and a t-shirt. There were bags under his eyes, hair a messy array of curls atop his head. His eyes were rimmed red, puffy, as if he had been crying.

Jeongguk took heavy steps inside the house, as if a burden weighted down his existence. His eyes, that seemed to be fixated on the floor slowly raised up to meet Taehyung. Taehyung's heart sank upon seeing Jeongguk's beautiful eyes. His eyes, which Taehyung loved getting lost in, loved staring at as they talked, that used to twinkle with excitement whenever Jeongguk spoke. His eyes, with myriad galaxies embedded in them, light seeping from the millions of stars inside his orbs, were a pure black now, as Taehyung watched him. Blacked out. Dead.

There was no longer any lights inside them. No stars. Just dead and blank darkness.

Jeongguk took a step towards Taehyung and lunged himself at the younger, collapsing on him, making Taehyung instantly wrap his arms around the older man.

Jeongguk hugged Taehyung so tight that the breath was knocked out from his lungs. He knew something was very wrong. Something huge had happened, to break Jeongguk so much.

"Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered.

The next this Taehyung knew, Jeongguk was sobbing.

"Baby" Taehyung said, panicking now. His heart aced. Whatever made him this way? Who?

"Tae" Jeongguk sobbed.

"L-Let's go to my room" Taehyung said. Jeongguk let himself be guided upstairs. He made the dreadful-looking man sat on the bed and locked the door before coming to sit beside Jeongguk.

Taehyung wrapped his arms around the man whose face was drenched with tears, new tears continued to make their way down his face.

"Gguk" Taehyung himself was in the verge of tears. "Please. What happened?"

Jeongguk sobbed against Taehyung's shoulder.

Taehyung caressed the older man's back, trying to give him some comfort and Jeongguk continued to sob his heart out.

"It's going to be alright" Taehyung said, choking on his own words.

"No" Jeongguk said between sobs. "It's not"

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm not leaving" Taehyung said.

Jeongguk sniffled.

They stayed like that, basking in each other's warmth as Jeongguk sobbed. He didn't utter a word. Just let out heart wrenching sobs. And the only thing Taehyung could do was offer him a shoulder to cry on.

Taehyung didn't know how long they stayed like that. But Taehyung let Jeongguk sob until he could no longer let any tears out. Until he was choking on his dry tears. Until he finally drew away.

Taehyung wiped Jeongguk tears with the pads of his thumbs, cupping his hollowed cheeks that Taehyung was so sure were full the last time he saw Jeongguk.

"Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered.

"Whatever made you like this?" Taehyung cupped Jeongguk's cheek with one hand and the other held the older man's hand.

Jeongguk leaned into the touch and finally raised his gaze to meet Taehyung's.

"Aria" Jeongguk whispered. His voice was barely audible.

"What about her?"

"She got in an accident"

Taehyung gasped. "Is she alright?" wait...is she...?

"She will be" Jeongguk said.

Taehyung sighed in relief. Jeongguk wouldn't be able to take it if something happened to Aria.

But why was Jeongguk...

"What happened Gguk?"

And Jeongguk told him. Everything.

By the time he finished, tears were streaming down Jeongguk's cheeks as Taehyung tried to process what he had just heard.

"But..." Taehyung began. He couldn't form words. Aria...Jieun...how...

"I've been so foolish," Jeongguk said. "I wasted my whole life for a kid who isn't even mine" Jeongguk sounded so hurt that Taehyung could feel his own heart tearing up.

"But Jieun...was so...nice"

"All of it was a façade. She was...like...too good to be true" Jeongguk said as he held Taehyung's hand.

"She's...a bitch"

Jeongguk huffed through his nose. "Yeah"

"I just can't believe it," Taehyung said. "Why does my dad have to fuck everyone? Ruining everyone's lives" Amidst the whirlwind of grief, anger sparked up at the thought of his father.

"This...this is just ridiculous you know?" Taehyung continued, "Aria...and I are related? Like what the fuck?" Like fuck. They almost fucked.

Jeongguk stayed silent.

"And...and Jieun. Oh god! I just...how could she even...how could she ruin your life like that? Like there were so many more things she could've done if she didn't want to abort it! She could've...I don't know! Well there's a lot of things she could've done except ruin your fucking life! This is absurd!"

Jeongguk squeezed his hand. "Yeah"

"Jeongguk I...I don't know what to say. I don't know how this must feel for you. I don't know what I'd do if this happened to me like...you're so strong, my love. I...I just...you're so strong"

Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jeongguk again, embracing him as hard as he could.

"I'm not strong, Tae. I...ran away. I'm running away from my problems"

"Well what else could you do?"

Jeongguk sniffled. "I should be out there trying to figure shit out. Not to weep. And I shouldn't be even here. But I had nowhere to go and-"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung said, drawing away. "I still love you"

Jeongguk looked at him with wide eyes.

"I love you. I'm here for you. Did you really think I'll be able to let you go just like that? That I wouldn't want to be here for you? That's not how love works, Jeongguk"

Another tear escaped Jeongguk.

"Thank you" Jeongguk said. "I...I shouldn't have let you go..."

"No it's okay. When we started this we knew damn well that there was no future for us. We knew this would have to come to an end. Falling in love wasn't part of the plan. I'm not angry or hurt that you told me to go. But that's not important now, is it? I love you. Don't think I will be able to let you go for a while"

"I don't deserve you" Jeongguk whispered.

"But I deserve you"

Jeongguk looked up at Taehyung. "What? No you don't deserve someone as selfish and fucked up as me"

"I think I'll decide that" Taehyung said, cupping Jeongguk's cheeks. "You're anything but selfish. If you were, you wouldn't have taken responsibility of Aria all those years ago. You're so selfless that you're willing to sacrifice your happiness for her"

"She isn't even mine" Jeongguk uttered brokenly.

Taehyung sighed. "Just don't cry. I'm here"

New tears started to make their way down the older man's cheeks. And Taehyung wiped them away with the pads of his thumbs. Jeongguk looked absolutely wrecked. Jeongguk had cried in front him before. But not like this. Not when the sorrow weighted him down, had him on his knees, as vulnerable as he could ever be. Not when he's trapped in the darkness of a destiny he couldn't control. Not when his heart had shattered into minuscule pieces, broken beyond repair.

And the only thing Taehyung could do was wrap his arms around him, hoping his love would mend him back together.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world" Taehyung whispered. A tear escaped his eyes and he bit back the sob that threatened to escape his throat. He couldn't bear to see Jeongguk so broken. And there was nothing he could do practically to get Jeongguk out of this situation.

Jeongguk stayed silent with his chin against Taehyung's shoulder, arms tightly wrapped around Taehyung's scrawny body.

"It's just...I can't believe it. I...Aria isn't my daughter. She's not mine" Jeongguk let out another sob. "I spent my whole life raising her and I'm not her father"

Taehyung moved his body away from Jeongguk to face him. "Jeongguk! That's not true! Aria is your daughter. You're her father. You may not be her biological father but she is your daughter. You raised her. You sacrificed so much for her. Not some other fucker. So she is your daughter. She knows that. Everyone does. Biology has nothing to do with who a person's father is. You guys are still family. And you're one of the best dads I've ever seen"

"I'm not"

"Yes you are! My dad doesn't even call me! And even though you aren't the best husband, you were the best dad Aria could've had. You care so much for her. And you prioritize her over everything. I call that dedication. Jeongguk, Aria couldn't have ever had a better dad"

Jeongguk kept his gaze down." Just..." Jeongguk whispered. "I feel like I've been living a lie my whole life"

"I understand you," Taehyung said, squeezing Jeongguk's hands. "But let's not think about that, hmm? Now you know the truth and now everything around you is true. Including me. I'm right here"

Jeongguk nodded, lips stretching into a small smile. It was the first time he smiled...in hours.

But it faded away, the sorrow knotting his brows together and lips forming a sad curve. Another tear made its way down his drenched cheek. "Please don't leave me," Jeongguk stuttered out, looking into Taehyung's eyes with an expression so sad that Taehyung felt his heart break a million times. "Everyone keeps leaving me. Please...please don't leave me..."

"I'm not leaving you, Jeongguk. I'm staying right here. You got me. I'm not going anywhere"

Jeongguk nodded, as if trying to process what he had heard. He then dragged Taehyung towards him and embraced him. Taehyung stumbled forward and collided with Jeongguk's body, but nevertheless hugged him back, as he sat on his lap.

"I love you so much" Jeongguk said. "How did I ever even decide that we should be apart?"

"You just had a bigger priority, baby. And that's okay. If I had a kid, I would probably do the same"

"Doesn't justify what I did to you"

"You didn't do anything. Like I said, we were supposed to end this sooner or later," Taehyung said. "But I'm right here now. And everything is okay. You loving me is enough for me"

Jeongguk sniffled into Taehyung's shoulder. Taehyung was his one and only sanctuary. His home. His safe place. His true love. Where else was he to turn to, other than Taehyung?

When they finally drew away, Jeongguk didn't look as sad as before.

"I'm glad I have you. Don't know what to do without you" Jeongguk whispered as he squeezed Taehyung's petite waist. "I love you so much"

"I love you too" Taehyung whispered and cupped his cheeks.

He placed a soft kiss on Jeongguk's forehead. Jeongguk closed his eyes for a second, basking on the comfort and bliss. When he opened them again, his dark orbs twinkled. Taehyung felt his stomach flutter with butterflies and his heart felt heavy with love. He truly did love this man.

Taehyung traced his thumb over the apples of Jeongguk's soft cheeks. A pink hue cover them ever so prettily. The dried tears had left trails along his face. His eyes were red and puffy. Even while being an emotional wreck, Jeongguk managed to look angelic.

Taehyung's face was only a couple of centimeters away from Jeongguk's as he traced his finger over the older man's reddish lips, swollen and bitten.

Taehyung looked once at Jeongguk's eyes before diverting his gaze towards his lips. Jeongguk watched him with his half-lidded gaze, dreamy.

Taehyung leaned in slowly and placed his cold lips over Jeongguk's hot lips.

Jeongguk instantly responded, tightening his embrace and pulling Taehyung closer to himself as he kissed back.

Jeongguk parted his lips a little, tilting his head to kiss Taehyung harder but Taehyung took control, pressing his lips against Jeongguk's and loving the way his body and mind was at bliss. He continued to kiss his lover softly, expressing his love towards the older man, pouring all of it out.

When he finally pulled away, Jeongguk's eyes opened slowly, as if he was at bliss. When he looked up at Taehyung, smiling softly, his eyes twinkled. He looked so much better already.

They laid on the bed afterwards, hugging each other, basking in each other's comfort and affection.

"You look dead, you know that?" Taehyung muttered against Jeongguk's neck.

Jeongguk hummed.

"How many hours did you sleep last night?"

"I didn't. But I slept for an hour or so today" Jeongguk said.

Taehyung sighed. "Did you eat yesterday? Or today?"

"Had a burger this morning"

"That's it. I don't have any food so I'm ordering pizza. You've got to eat something" Taehyung tried to wiggle out of Jeongguk's embrace to get his phone. But Jeongguk only tightened his embrace"

"Stay"

"Jeongguk-"

"Stay. Cuddle me" Jeongguk said in pout.

Taehyung sighed. "Fine" he looked up at Jeongguk. The older man had his eyes closed. But his brows were knitted together, slightly. As if he was still hurting. Taehyung knew he was. To find out that the child, who you knew to be yours and sacrificed your whole life to raise, wasn't yours...what a shock it must've been. What a betrayal. Jieun didn't look so cruel at first glance. She didn't look like someone to do such a cruel thing to someone.

But then again, looks are deceptive.

Taehyung was cruel himself. He stole her husband from her. But now, Taehyung felt like she deserved it.

Jeongguk's frown slowly ceased, the skin between his eyebrows softening until he looked totally peaceful. After a few minutes, soft snores started escaping him, and his whole body was lulled from sleep.

Taehyung smiled to himself. He was ecstatic that Jeongguk was with him again. He didn't know how long this would last but he wanted to cherish this as long as it lasts.

He wondered if they could be together. To actually date. Maybe even live together! Jeongguk should divorce Jieun, right? How could he even live with her?

Taehyung could keep Jeongguk happy. He could make Jeongguk happier than he had ever been. He wanted a future with Jeongguk.

And finally, Taehyung could see a future where they were together.

》♡《

What do you think jk would do at this point? Stay for Taehyung or leave for Aria?

Will try to update asap!
Until then, be happy❤ ily❤