Third person's pov

After 1 month........

The once warm and lively atmosphere in the house had turned cold and desolate after Mrs. Lee's departure. Taehyung's late-night arrivals and Jungkook's night shifts at the grocery store left them like passing ships, barely acknowledging each other's presence.

One morning, as Jungkook tried to break the silence over breakfast, Taehyung's response was far from what he expected.

"T-tae-ehyung," he said, trying to draw Taehyung's attention. However, Taehyung remained silent, eating his breakfast without acknowledging Jungkook's presence.

Feeling the need for a response, Jungkook tried once more, "Ta-aehy-yung." This time, instead of a reply, he faced an unexpected outburst.

Taehyung, frustrated and perhaps burdened by his own emotions, snapped, "What is it? Can't you see I don't want to talk to you? I don't want to hear your annoying voice. Just get away from my sight!"

As the harsh words left Taehyung's mouth, he forcefully pushed the bowl of breakfast off the table, and it clattered to the floor, shattering the uneasy peace that lingered.

Jungkook flinched at the suddenness of the act, Taehyung, showing no remorse, hastily grabbed his bag and left without a second glance.

Jungkook sighed......

As Jungkook knelt on the floor, collecting the fragmented pieces of the shattered bowl, a sharp shard grazed his hand, drawing blood.

Unbothered by the physical injury, Jungkook meticulously continued his task, each movement laden with the heaviness of his emotions.

As he cleaned up he couldn't help but replay Taehyung's harsh words in his mind. The bleeding cut on his hand almost felt like a tangible representation of the emotional wounds inflicted by Taehyung.

After finishing the task, Jungkook retreated to Mrs. Kim's room. He sought comfort in the familiarity of her belongings, embracing the pillows and blankets that held echoes of her warmth and love.

Tears streamed down his face, wetting the fabric as he clung to the only tangible remnants of a time when the house felt like a home.

In the dimly lit room, surrounded by the silent remnants of Mrs. Kim's presence, Jungkook spoke to himself, his words barely audible through his tears.

"Why, wh-wy do-oes Tae h-hate Ko-oo? Wha-at di-id Ko-oo do wro-ong?"

His voice quivered as he continued to articulate the turmoil within,

"Ko-oo tr-ried, tr-ried to ma-ake T-tae happ-py. But it's alwa-ays wrong. Ko-oo's voice is anno-oying, Koo's prese-ence is irritating. Why, why does-sn't Ta-ae se-se m-my p-pain?"

"I m-miss you." he whispered, hugging the pillows tighter as if they could somehow fill the void left by Taehyung's absence.

As Jungkook wept in solitude, his heartache intertwined with the very essence of the room. Mrs. Kim's pictures on the walls seemed to offer silent condolences,

At night.........

As the bitter winds of December swept through the cold night, Jungkook, usually filled with anticipation for the upcoming Christmas festivities, found himself engulfed in an unfamiliar loneliness.

With Taehyung's dinner ready, Jungkook headed out for his part-time job, the chill in the air biting through his layers. The clock ticked away, and as he wrapped up his shift and began the journey home, the city draped in the serenity of the late night hours.

As Jungkook walked through the quiet streets, he spotted an old man standing alone. A sense of caution washed over him, sensing an eerie aura around the stranger. Instinctively stepping back, Jungkook considered continuing on his way, but curiosity prevailed when the old man called out to him.

"Are you alone?" The old man's voice was soft,

Jungkook, hesitating, nodded in acknowledgment. The old man extended an invitation, "I am alone too. Would you mind spending some time talking with an old man?"

Uncertain but intrigued, Jungkook seated himself beside the stranger. The next hour unfolded in an unexpected conversation, the old man sharing stories of his past, and Jungkook finding solace in the unexpected connection.

As the clock neared midnight, Jungkook abruptly realized the time. "I have to go," he gasped, standing up abruptly. The old man nodded, understanding.

Then Jungkook hastily retraced his steps, a myriad of emotions swirling within him.

The door creaked as Jungkook stepped into the silent house, the encounter with the old man still lingering in his mind. However, the tranquility of the night shattered when he found Taehyung waiting in the living room.

"Why the hell were you out? It's past midnight! I already told you not to stay outdoors for this long," Taehyung's voice, laden with frustration, echoed through the room.

Jungkook, startled, stammered, "I w-was co-omi-ing hom-me."

Taehyung's irritation flared as he dismissed Jungkook's explanation. "Don't lie to me! Your shifts end at 11, and you should be home by 11:20 as usual. Where the freaking hell did you go?"

Jungkook flinched, his attempts to explain drowned in the rising tension. "I m-met an o-old m-man o-on the w-way and st-tarted talking t-to h-him," he managed to say.

Taehyung, sighing in exasperation, berated him, "Look, I know that you are not normal, but at least have a little sense, will you? Who the hell talks to an old man this late at night on a silent street?"

Jungkook, teary-eyed, murmured, "H-h-he is s-swee-et."

Taehyung's frustration deepened, "I don't care! I don't want you doing that job anymore."

Jungkook, shook his head and pleaded, "Pl-please n-no."

Taehyung, losing patience, shouted, "Can't you speak without crying?" He continued with a stern warning, "Alright, do whatever the hell you want, but don't ever talk to that man, got it?"

With that, Taehyung abruptly turned away, retreating to the bedroom, leaving Jungkook standing alone in the quiet living room.

The next day.........

The next night, as Jungkook's shift came to an end, the manager handed him two bottles of banana milk and a small bag of snacks with a cheerful smile, "Consider it an early Christmas treat, Jungkook. You've been doing a good job."

Jungkook's eyes lit up, and he gratefully accepted the unexpected gifts. "Tha-ank yo-ou," he mumbled,

Equipped with the little treasures, Jungkook began his journey back home. The chilly air nipped at his cheeks, but the warmth of the offerings nestled in his hands brought a comforting glow.

As he approached the usual spot where the old man sat, the familiar figure called out to him. "Hey, young man!"

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, conflicted between the allure of conversation and the warning from Taehyung echoing in his mind. However, this time, he chose to heed the caution. Ignoring the old man's words, Jungkook quickened his pace, resolute in avoiding the potential confrontation.

The old man's voice faded into the distance as Jungkook ran past him. The soft jingling of the banana milk bottles in his bag accompanied the rhythmic tap of his footsteps, creating a melancholic melody in the quiet night.

Back at home, Jungkook sat alone in the dimly lit living room, the snacks and banana milk bottles quietly placed on the table.

He glanced towards Taehyung's room, where the soft glow of a phone screen hinted at the world of someone who was still awake. Gathering his courage, Jungkook approached the room and gently knocked on the door.

"Taeh-hyung, I... I thou-oght m-maybe w-we co-culd share a mome-ent toget-ther. I bro-ough-ht these sna-acks, an-ad I know y-you're tire-ed, but..."

Taehyung, sipping his coffee, looked at Jungkook with an indifferent gaze. "I told you, I'm sleepy. Just eat if you want."

The dismissal stung, and Jungkook retreated to the living room. Alone.

The following night, Jungkook wanted wait to meet the old man again to share the snacks with him. He made sure that Taehyung is asleep and then he exited the house,

As he approached the familiar spot, his heart sank momentarily when he didn't see the old man there. Disappointment clouded his face. Just as he turned to leave, a gentle voice spoke behind him.

"Missed me again, young friend?"

Jungkook turned around to see the old man with the same warm smile. His heart lifted, and he eagerly shared the snacks and banana milk with him. They talked about various things, from Jungkook's work to the old man's past. It felt like a genuine connection, something Jungkook had been missing for a long time.

After they finished, Jungkook bid the old man goodnight, feeling a sense of warmth in his heart. He returned home with a smile, feeling less lonely than he had in a while. Sleep came easy that night.

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So that was all for today's chapter, I hope you enjoyed reading it.

So how was it?

Did Jungkook did a good job meeting the man despite Taehyung's warnings ?

Jungkook is getting close to the man but he would regret it on Christmas......

Borahae,
Byee.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜