“This is the place…” the driver said as he pulled up in front of the Guest House of Vogue Vista.

Taehyung looked out of the window at the towering gates. A security guard approached their car. The bodyguard stepped out and walked over to the guard. Through the glass, Taehyung watched their brief conversation, his fingers nervously tapping on his knee. Moments later, the gate creaked open, and the car rolled forward.

His heart pounded as the car came to a halt. It had been years since he’d seen them. Years of thinking about meeting them again, yet deliberately staying away. But today, he had finally given in. The car door opened, and Taehyung stepped out, his breath hitching at the sight of familiar faces rushing toward him.

“Tae!” Jungwon was the first to reach him, wrapping him in a tight hug. “We missed you so much!”

Taehyung’s lips quivered as the others followed, surrounding him with warmth and affection. “Tae…” they called out one by one, their voices filled with emotion. Taehyung blinked rapidly, trying to hold back his tears.

The driver and bodyguard exchanged a glance, sensing the heaviness in the air.

“Jimin hyung?” Taehyung asked, his voice trembling.

“Soobin,” one of the others replied, pointing toward the entrance. “He’s inside.”

Taehyung nodded, swallowing hard. With shaky steps, he made his way inside the guest house, his heart beating louder with every step. It had been so long, yet the memories felt fresh, like he’d just walked out yesterday.

And there he was—Jimin. Standing in the middle of the room, his gaze piercing through the space between them. Taehyung froze for a moment, taking him in. Jimin looked different—slightly taller, his figure a little fuller—but that face… That face still held the same ethereal beauty, the same quiet intensity that made Taehyung’s chest tighten.

“Hyung…” Taehyung’s voice broke as he closed the distance and pulled Jimin into a hug.

Jimin hesitated briefly before wrapping his arms around Taehyung. “Where were you, Taehyung?” he whispered, his voice soft yet weighted with years of unanswered questions.

“I’m sorry…” Taehyung murmured, his voice barely audible, as if saying the words might shatter the fragile moment between them.

***********

The cousins were amazed at the transformation in Taehyung. Gone was the quiet boy they remembered; in his place stood a talkative and confident man who effortlessly charmed everyone around him.

“Tae, where have you been all these years?” Rose asked, breaking the silence with her curiosity.

“Two years with Appa in America,” Taehyung began, leaning back in his chair. “Then I went to London for studies. Actually, Appa kind of forced me to go.”

“What did you study?” Yeonjun asked, his excitement evident.

“Law,” Taehyung replied casually, watching their surprised reactions with amusement.

“Law? Are you serious?” Jungwon exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yes,” Taehyung said with a proud smile. “I’m a good lawyer now.”

Lisa leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “How did your father find you? We thought you’d vanished into thin air!”

“That’s a long story…” Taehyung sighed dramatically, waving a hand. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, I have something more important to discuss.”

The room grew quiet as everyone’s eyes turned toward him. “What is it?” Jimin asked, sensing the shift in Taehyung’s tone.

Taehyung hesitated for a moment, then looked down, his voice softer. “I want Jungkook.”

The room stilled, and the cousins exchanged uneasy glances.

“I went to meet him yesterday,” Taehyung continued, pouting slightly. “But he refused to see me.”

“You probably annoyed him during the meeting,” Lisa teased, trying to lighten the mood. “That’s why he didn’t let you in.”

“But I don’t have time!” Taehyung exclaimed, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “Appa gave me only seven days to prove myself, or he’ll send me back to the UK.”

“Tae…” Jimin began, his voice cautious. “It’s not that easy. Hyung is with his mother now, and—”

“I know everything,” Taehyung interrupted firmly.

“How?” Jimin frowned, puzzled.

Taehyun take a sip of his juice. Well, once  I came back, I started asking around about all of you. And now, my prime goal is Jungkook. I need him back. Please help me.”

“Tae,” Rose said softly. “We all want hyung back too. But he’s dealing with a lot—confusions, misunderstandings—”

“I don’t care,” Taehyung said stubbornly, like a determined child. “I want him back. And I need your help to make it happen.” He looked around the room, his eyes pleading. “Jiminy, Binny, Yeonjun, Jungwoo, Lis, Rosyy… Please. Please help me. I want Jeoni back.”

The cousins exchanged glances, their expressions softening. No one could say no to Taehyung when he looked at them like that.

“Fine,” Jimin sighed, a small smile forming on his lips. “Let’s do this.”

*********

Jungkook paced back and forth in his room, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “What the hell is going on?” he muttered under his breath.

Why was that kid—Taehyung—getting under his skin? Why couldn’t he stop thinking about him?

“Who even is he?” Jungkook said aloud, his voice tinged with irritation.

But deep down, he knew. “He’s Jimin’s fiancé…” he whispered, the words tasting bitter in his mouth.

“No!” Jungkook suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the empty room. His heart thudded painfully as he stumbled back, collapsing onto his bed.

“Taehyung…” he whispered the name like a confession, letting it hang in the still air. Closing his eyes, he felt the weight of emotions he didn’t understand pressing down on him.

Jimin sat on the floor with an old photo album in his lap. The soft glow of a table lamp illuminated the pictures as he flipped through the pages. His fingers paused in a particular photo.

“Tae…” he murmured, his eyes fixed on Taehyung’s bright smile in the picture.

“You’ve changed so much…” Jimin whispered to himself as he zoomed in on the image. His gaze lingered on Taehyung’s sharp features, the twinkle in his eyes, and the soft curve of his lips.

“Beautiful…” Jimin breathed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Taehyung sat on his bed, hugging a worn-out teddy bear tightly to his chest. The room was dim, save for the moonlight streaming through the window.

“I miss you…” Taehyung whispered softly, burying his face in the teddy bear.

His fingers instinctively brushed against the silver ring on his finger. He brought it to his lips, pressing a tender kiss against the cool metal.

The ring Jungkook had given him.

Another kiss.

Another silent wish.

And the softest whisper. “I miss you, Jeon Jungkook…”