Work Text:
The last time, Taehyung has seen his ex-husband was when Jungkook dropped of their son Hanbin on Sunday evening. He told him, at that time, that he decided to marry again, his current boyfriend, Minhyuk. And Jungkook took it well. He didn't say much, smiled and nodded.
But now, when Taehyung's in front of his door, a week later, because he wants to ask Jungkook to take care of Hanbin for a few hours, the younger doesn't open the door. He doesn't react to the bell, not to Hanbin's yells for "Daddy!" and not to his phone. Taehyung's calls are immediately sent to voice mail.
"Maybe, Daddy's still at work, Binnie", he mumbles. Jungkook's a pediatric surgeon in the local hospital and the little boy pouts.
"But Binnie wants to spend time with daddy", he complains.
"I know, bun", Taehyung nods, but a bad feeling fills him, "Should we go there and check if daddy's still working?"
Hanbin nods, eyes glassy, because he misses his daddy, who hasn't called him for the entire week. Taehyung and Jungkook ended their relationship in a good way, both agreed on the divorce after being a couple for 8 years, 5 of it being married. At least, he always thought they agreed on everything.
Hanbin loves them both and of course Taehyung allows his bun as much time as possible with his biological father, especially after he started dating Minhyuk 1 1/2 years ago. Now, that he thinks about it, this is when Jungkook started to distance himself. He didn't stay for supper anymore, when he dropped off Hanbin, didn't talk much to Taehyung anymore. And until now, Taehyung thought, it's normal, a sign of moving on or something, but maybe their breakup, their divorce hurt Jungkook more, than he showed.
Taehyung and Hanbin make it to the hospital rather quickly and when they meet Yoongi, Jungkook's colleague and best friend, the older looks concerned.
"Taehyung. Did you hear from Jungkook?", he asks and the younger's heart stops beating for a moment.
"I-isn't he here?"
"No, he called in sick on Sunday evening...", Yoongi explains, "I tried to contact him but he never responded." Taehyung lifts Hanbin up in his arms and the boy clings to him. "Appa... where's daddy?", he asks and small tears run down his cheeks. "I don't know, bun..."
He takes Hanbin home again, every thought of the dinner date with his fiancee gone from his mind. He might not be in a relationship with Jungkook anymore, but he still deeply cares for the younger. They used to be best friends, started dating early and went through a lot together. First kiss, first sex, first fight and first reunion.
When Taehyung revealed to Jungkook, that they'd have a baby, it was the happiest day in their life. Taehyung isn't really sure, what happened to their love, to their bond, but everything went downward some day. And suddenly, 2 years ago, they agreed on getting a divorce. Hanbin had been 2 years old back then and they didn't want to make it harder for him. They still cared for each other and spending time together was never difficult.
And now, Taehyung's very concerned. When Minhyuk calls him, he's a bit confused because his fiancee is supposed to be at home already.
"Tae, where are you?", the slightly older asks and Taehyung frowns, while he cards his fingers through Hanbin's hair. His son is sleeping in his lap, after crying a lot. He misses his father and Taehyung had a hard time to calm him down.
"I'm at home", he replies, "Why?"
Minhyuk snorts a bit. "Did you forget about our date? I'm sure, Bin's with Jeon for hours already. Are you still coming to the restaurant?" And Taehyung bites his lower lip.
"Oh god...", he groans because he really forgot, "I'm sorry, Min. Can you maybe come home and we order take-out instead? I have Binnie here..."
When Minhyuk responds, Taehyung's practically able to hear the frown in his face. "Don't tell me your ex refused to take his son for at least a few hours." Minhyuk never got along well with Jungkook, even though Jungkook always tried to be friendly to him.
"He's not home...", Taehyung says, "Nobody's heard from him or seen him since Sunday..."
"Oh...", is all, Minhyuk says, "Fine, I come home then..." Taehyung knows from his tone that he doesn't like it one bit, but he doesn't want to have a romantic dinner, while his son's father is missing for days.
While he waits for Minhyuk to come home, he calls a few of Jungkook's and his mutual friends, but none of them has heard from the surgeon. When his fiancee comes home, he looks grumpy, pissed even, because it's been a while, since he and Taehyung were able to spend some time together in private, without Hanbin around them.
"Where is he?", he asks and places the take-out bags on the living room table. Hanbin looks at Minhyuk, drops the toy car to the ground and walks into his room. He knows, that his appa's new boyfriend doesn't like his daddy.
"Can you please be a little more considerate. My son misses his father...", Taehyung tells him, while he gets up from the couch to get them plates and silverware from the kitchen.
"I think he's just somewhere with his new partner and decided to not tell you", Minhyuk says, follows Taehyung to get something to drink.
"He has no new partner", Taehyung retorts.
"How do you know?", is the next question.
"Kookie would've told me", the younger insists and Minhyuk shrugs.
"If you say so", he replies before he heads to the living room again. Taehyung follows him and then, he tries to get Hanbin out of his room, but the little boy refuses. So he and Minhyuk end up having their supposed to be romantic dinner in Taehyung's 4 year old son's room, on the floor, with Pororo playing on the TV.
"That's not what I imagined the evening to be...", Minhyuk admits, after Taehyung managed to put Hanbin to sleep around two hours later and the couple's sitting on the couch, Minhyuk's arm around Taehyung's shoulder. The younger tries to find comfort in his fiancee's arms and hums.
"I know, I'm sorry...", he says softly and Minhyuk caresses his shoulder.
"It's not your fault, that Jeon's being irresponsible again and bums around somewhere", his fiancee replies.
Taehyung says nothing. Minhyuk's words hurt him, because Jungkook's never been irresponsible. He's always been a very considerate and good father, as much as his work allowed it.
"I go to sleep now", is everything, he says and Minhyuk looks confused.
"Did I say something wrong?", he asks and Taehyung just smiles, sadly.
"Think about your words and about Jungkook's actions whenever I asked him to take care of Binnie", he says and heads into the bedroom. That night, Minhyuk ends up sleeping on the couch.
Days go by without a word from Jungkook, but with Minhyuk apologizing to Taehyung for being an ass.
He even listens to Hanbin, when the boy tells him about the latest weekend he spent with his daddy and how many amazing things they did.
"And he promised, he'd go to the zoo with me, when the weather gets better", Hanbin says, clutches a ferret plushie close to his chest, while he sits next to Minhyuk.
"Hyukie? Do you think, daddy doesn't want me anymore?", the boy asks and Minhyuk sighs.
"Bin, your dad loves you. He'd rather give up on his job, then stop wanting to see you", he says, because he knows, how deep Jungkook's love for the boy is.
"But... where is he then?", the 4 year old asks and Minhyuk shakes his head.
"I don't know, champ, I don't know..." Taehyung watches the scene with a heavy heart, while he does the dishes and wishes he'd hear from his ex soon.
It's about two weeks later, a total of three weeks already, when Taehyung gets an unexpected call. He's at home, perks of being a children's book illustrator and it's like a huge weight falls from his shoulders, when the voice, he hears, is Jungkook's.
"Where are you?", he asks after they talked and Jungkook tiredly apologized for making him worry.
"I... I'm in a hospital in Busan. I wanted to go home... but can you come? Can we talk?" Taehyung is hesitant for a few moments, but he agrees. It's Jungkook after all.
"I... I would say, bring Binnie, but... I'm at the ICU and..."
"J-Jungkook...", Taehyung breathes and the younger sighs.
"I'm fine again", he says, "I just look awful and I don't want to scare him."
"Okay...", Taehyung breathes, his heart beating fast, like it hasn't for years while talking to Jungkook.
"Tell me the location and I just drop bun off at Jimin's. Then, I'll be there as soon as possible, Jungkookie..."
"Thank you. Uh... can you...?"
"I bring clothes, yes." Jungkook laughs softly and it sounds nice.
"Don't do something stupid", Taehyung says and ends the call to gather a bit of stuff for Hanbin, before he gathers his son in his arms. He tells him a little, white lie and drops him off at Jimin, before he gets a key for Jungkook's apartment from Yoongi and gives him a quick, brief explanation, before he heads over to Jungkook's home.
He didn't plan to travel to Busan anytime soon, especially not with the chance of meeting Jungkook's parents in the hospital, but there he is, in his car, a bit over 4 hours to go and it's luckily not that late yet.
He's happy that Jungkook's more or less fine, but he's also pouty, because Minhyuk just commented his unexpected journey with a mean comment again. He probably didn't even notice, that he was an asshole again and Taehyung maybe overreacted with his "I'd rather spend time with Jungkook than you now...", before he hung up.
He managed to get a room in a tiny hotel close to the hospital and now, he has his hopes high that Jungkook's going to be discharged soon. When he arrives at the hospital, he easily gets into the ICU area, because the nurses there know about Jungkook's call and he's slightly shocked, when he sees his ex.
Jungkook's face is not that badly bruised anymore, but his left leg and arm are in splints. He's sitting on the edge of a bed, sheepish grin on his lips, when he sees Taehyung.
"Hey", he waves his uninjured arm and Taehyung rushes over, carefully winds his arms around the younger.
"Do you have any idea, how worried we were?", he asks and it sounds like he's crying. "I haven't heard anything from you for three weeks, Jungkook, three weeks!! I already thought you died or something!", he complains and Jungkook sighs.
"Maybe, it was just luck, that I didn't...", he says and Taehyung lets go of him.
"W-what?"
"I can't remember everything but I obviously had an accident. I know that I started drinking, after I came home that Sunday. Called in sick at work, because hungover me isn't able to perform a complicated surgery...", he explains, "I also know, that hours later, I deemed myself sober enough to drive and on my way here, I had an accident. The other driver lost control over their car and it tumbled into my way. I wasn't able to dodge fast enough..."
"You were driving with alcohol in your system?", Taehyung asks and Jungkook shakes his head.
"No, I drove on Tuesday. There was no alcohol in my system. I... I probably was just too frustrated and hurt...", he says and Taehyung sighs.
"I thought, I was ready to move on, Tae. Ready to accept, that you and Hanbin start building a new family. But I was mistaken." Jungkook sends Taehyung a soft smile.
The older's quiet for a while, listens carefully, before a soft "Jungkookie..." leaves his mouth, "But I thought, it was a mutual agreement."
"I thought so too... but I can't help it." He shrugs. "But... please don't get me wrong. This is not me, trying to stop you from marrying Minhyuk. This is just me, wanting to be honest to you. And I'm just asking you not to forget me. We used to be friends and I still would love to be part of Binnie's life, even when I'm not much appreciated by your fiancee."
"I... Jungkook... you're Hanbin's dad. You'll always be a very important part of our life...", Taehyung says, voice soft and the younger smiles.
"Thank you." They're quiet for a while, Taehyung thinks about Jungkook's words, which basically told him 'I still love you.'
He needs to process this and that's why he changes the topic.
"I have a question", he says and Jungkook nods.
"Anything."
"Why didn't you call after the accident?" Jungkook scratches the back of his head with his uninjured hand.
"I... well I was unconscious for three days and after I woke up, I suffered from temporary amnesia. I couldn't remember much about the things that happened after the accident. I just remembered my name. And this lasted until I called you yesterday. You and Bin, I remembered you first and a few things are still blurry, but I know, who I am and everything about the past."
Taehyung's eyes are wide and Jungkook can see unshed tears pooling in them. "Hey, please don't cry..."
"Minhyuk said, you were bumming around with a new partner... and I was kinda afraid, that he was right...", Taehyung whispers. Jungkook shakes his head.
"No", he replies, "I'm so sorry for making you worry, Taehyungie." And Taehyung hugs Jungkook again, tight and the younger holds him with his fine arm, lets him cry against his shoulder and calms him with soothing words.
Later, when Taehyung's supposed to leave the ICU again, he says: "I'm here for three days now."
"Okay. I'll be transferred to a normal ward tomorrow", Jungkook replies. Then, he adds: "Will you come and visit me again?"
Taehyung nods. "Of course", he promises. And Jungkook smiles. It's nice to tell the truth, even when things are maybe over for Taehyung. At least he knows about Jungkook's feelings now.
And Taehyung comes back, when Jungkook's already on the normal ward again, meets him, when he's in the hallway with a female physiotherapist, who's actually busy with praising his efforts and batting her eye lashes at him. Taehyung stops in a safe distance, but close enough to hear every word of their conversation and pouts, when Jungkook lets out a chuckle at her "When you're discharged, Dr. Jeon, would you like to meet for a coffee? I was actually planning to move to Seoul and apply there."
Jungkook has already noticed his ex standing in the hallway and he grins at him, when their eyes meet. "Sorry, Mrs. Jang, but when I'm discharged, I'm going to dedicate most of my time to my son."
The therapist's face falls a little and Taehyung masks his chuckle with his hand. "Y-you have a son?", the woman asks and Jungkook nods, proud smile on his lips.
"Ahh... what a pity...", she mumbles, sees Taehyung then and says: "The nurse station is over there when you have a question." She sounds a little gruff now, mood obviously down now, but Taehyung ignores it, smiles instead, because it confuses people and replies: "Thank you, but I'm actually waiting for Jungkook."
The therapist's mouth forms an "O"-shape and she looks at her patient for confirmation.
"He does", the doctor says and she frowns with a cute pout. She's actually pretty, but Jungkook doesn't want to set his eyes on someone else yet. "Should we end that session then?", she asks and looks at Jungkook again.
Taehyung replies instead: "No, please. He needs the practice, so please finish whatever you still have planned." Jungkook grins and nods at Mrs. Jang. They walk along the hallway for another 20 minutes and when they stop at the nurse station, Jungkook asks one of the nurses politely, if Taehyung can have a tea. He gets one and is also offered a seat in the waiting area, where Jungkook joins him after the physio session.
"You did well", Taehyung says, when the younger sits down. He looks exhausted, but smiles at his ex's praise.
"I wanna go home quickly...", he admits, "But the doc said, they won't let me for another week or two, because of the coma..." Taehyung sighs, but he understands.
"Dr. Jeon, you wouldn't do that too", he says with a soft smile and rests his hand on Jungkook's.
"Yeah...", the other grumbles, then, he looks at Taehyung, "How's Binnie?"
"He's doing good. He knows, that I found you and is excited to see you. Should we video call Jimin?"
"Won't he be scared?", Jungkook asks, insecure, because he still has visible bruises in his face and Taehyung smiles a little, reaches out and touches one of them gently.
"I don't think so", he replies and brushes his thumb over the injured area and watches, how Jungkook's eyes flutter shut, feels how he leans into the touch. For a moment, his question is forgotten, because he lets Jungkook relish in the intimacy and somehow cherishes it himself. It's something special, something so different from when he touches Minhyuk...
But Jungkook's his first love and he will always love him in a very special way, even though he's going to marry Minhyuk in summer. After a while, Jungkook clears his throat and pulls his head back, a slight blush on his cheeks.
"L-let's call Jimin then", he says and looks away. Taehyung hums, slightly embarrassed too, because that was quite intense and there's nothing like this supposed to be between them anymore and to distract himself, he pulls out his phone, quickly dials Jimin's number and requests for a video call which the older accepts. He appears on the screen with Hanbin and his own daughter, Jayeon and Taehyung slides into the seat next to Jungkook.
"There they are!", the younger hears Jimin's voice and looks at the phone, a wide smile immediately forms on his mouth.
"Binnie-bun!", he greets and a sob leaves his son's throat.
"D-daddy!", the boy squeals, reaches out his tiny hands and it almost breaks Jungkook's heart, that he isn't able to reach him now.
"Are you hurt, daddy?", the boy asks, voice soft, waving and Jungkook shakes his head.
"Not anymore."
"But you have an ouchie!", Hanbin insists and Jungkook smiles at him.
"It's an old ouchie, baby", he explains, "It's not hurting daddy anymore and look, it's already yellow and greenish. You know, your ouchies are almost gone, when they look like this."
"Ohhh!", Hanbin nods eagerly, "Yes!! Hi, appa!" He notices Taehyung as well and the older chuckles, waves at his son.
"Hey, bun!"
"Will daddy come home soon?", Hanbin asks then, Jayeon clings to his arm and nods. "Come home soon?", she repeats and both their faces fall, when Jungkook shakes his head.
"Sadly no", he says and adds, when he sees Hanbin's glistening eyes: "But I try to finish things faster here, okay?"
The boy nods, pout on his lips, before he asks: "Are you helping other kids, daddy?" Jungkook glances over at Taehyung, who looks a little defeated.
He sighs, but also understands, why Taehyung didn't tell Hanbin about his accident yet.
"Listen, Bin", he starts and the boy's sole attention is on him, "This time, daddy needed help from a doctor. But that was already a while ago. Daddy's doing good again and you don't have to worry, okay? They just want to make sure, that everything is completely fine again, just as daddy does with the kids he helps."
"What did the doctor do to help Kookie?", Jayeon asks and Jungkook smiles a little.
"You know, Yeonie, I hurt my arm and he fixed it." He lifts his arm. The doctors took off the splints earlier and it's only bandaged now.
"Ohhh!", Jayeon makes and Hanbin eyes the arm, a little skeptically. Jungkook grins.
"He looks like you with this expression", he whispers to Taehyung and the older smiles a bit.
"Bin?", Taehyung asks and the boy huffs a bit.
"Just the arm?", he asks and Jungkook laughs loudly.
"The leg too, bun, but I'm not as flexible as I used to be at the moment. I can't show you. But, baby, please, daddy's already walking around again."
"Can we still go to the zoo?"
"Of course we can!", Jungkook nods, when Taehyung hands him his phone and mouths a "Restroom." Jungkook nods and the older leaves, Jayeon's left with Jimin as well, to do whatever and so, it's just Jungkook and Hanbin for a moment.
Jungkook sports a cheeky grin, when he jokingly says: "I take you to the zoo, when appa gets married." but Hanbin's reply makes his heart crack a bit.
"I don't want appa to marry Hyukie!", he says, "I don't like Hyukie anymore. He says mean things about daddy." Jungkook sighs and smiles sadly. Hanbin is old enough now to understand, that his daddy and Minhyuk aren't getting along well.
"I know, bun. But that's okay. Hyukie's maybe just scared."
"Scared?", Hanbin asks, confused. Why should someone be scared of his daddy, who's the nicest person in the world.
"Because daddy once was appa's husband", Jungkook says and before he can say more, Hanbin interrupts him: "Can daddy please be appa's hubby again? Jaemin's parents are together again now!" Jaemin is Hanbin's friend from kindergarten. "Can you do that too?"
Jungkook shakes his head. "I don't think so, Hanbin. Sometimes, it works out and sometimes, it doesn't." It's definitely not the conversation he planned to have with Hanbin anytime soon...
"Hyukie loves appa and he makes him happy, Bin. And that's what we want for appa, right?"
"And you, daddy?", Hanbin asks and Jungkook tilts his head to the side a bit. "What do you mean, bun?"
"Are you happy too?", the boy says and Jungkook swallows. No, he isn't happy. He's absolutely devastated, because he's still in love with his ex-husband and the knowledge that he was the main reason for their break-up doesn't make it better. But he smiles at Hanbin, the most honest smile, he can manage right now.
"I'm happy, Binnie", he says, "I'm happy because I still have you and your appa in my life."
"Daddy... I love you!", Hanbin says, pout on his lips and Jungkook's almost sure that he doesn't believe him. Children are empathetic and Hanbin's very clever for his 4 years.
"I love you too", he replies, "So much, Hanbinnie. You're the best, that could ever happen to me." The boy lets out a small giggle, when Taehyung re-enters the room and Jungkook looks up.
"What are you doing?", the older asks and Jungkook grins.
"We're confessing our undying love for each other", he replies and Taehyung snorts a little bit, but he smiles.
"Here", he places a paper cup of coffee on the table. "Bin, are you doing good, over there with Jimin, Hobi and Jayeonie?", he asks and takes a sip from his own cup. Hanbin hums. He doesn't look at Taehyung and Jungkook sighs.
"Hanbin?", he asks and the boy's eyes flicker over to him, "Daddy goes to the toilet now and has a short talk with the nurses. You talk to appa, okay?" Hanbin huffs a bit, but he nods.
"Kookie, what...", Taehyung starts but Jungkook shakes his head and gets up.
"He will tell you", he promises, "But it's probably my fault and you have every right to be mad at me after." Taehyung's frown just gets deeper at that. He watches, how Jungkook leaves the room, with his crutches and then, he looks back at his son.
"Hanbinie, what's wrong?", he asks and the boy mumbles something, he doesn't understand.
"Baby... you have to talk a bit louder. I can't understand." Hanbin sinks his front teeth, that look exactly like Jungkook's, into his bottom lip and bites down hard, so hard, that Taehyung's afraid, the sensitive skin will break and he sees tears pooling in his son's eyes. "Hanbin, what did you talk about with daddy?"
"Appa?", he starts, his fingers fumble with the the hem of his fluffy, dark blue sweater, "Do you really have to marry Hyukie?"
Taehyung swallows. He didn't expect that question, but maybe, Hanbin took the news of the wedding too well in the beginning. "I love Minhyuk", he replies.
"I love grandma too and I'm not married to her", Hanbin retorts and Taehyung chokes on his own saliva.
"Wh-what?", he sputters and Hanbin blinks. "Jimin said this to Hobi yesterday...", he admits and Taehyung sighs.
"Look, being in love with your boyfriend or girlfriend is something different than being in love with mom, dad, grandma or grandpa", he tries to explain.
"But I don't want you and Hyukie to marry", the boy says and Taehyung's eyes widen a bit.
"What did your father tell you?", he asks, but his voice sounds hesitant. Would Jungkook even try and use Hanbin for things like this?
"Nothing...", Hanbin says and stares at Taehyung, "But Hyukie says mean things about daddy!" He repeats, what he already told Jungkook.
Taehyung sighs. He's used to Minhyuk being jealous. He has quite a good relationship with his ex-husband and that scares his fiancee. A lot. They already talked about it and Taehyung learned quickly, that Minhyuk's a very jealous person, sometimes even a bit possessive and that's not a trait, he likes a lot. And now, that he's not at home, he already notices this again. This morning, he had 10 messages from Minhyuk and it annoyed him.
"I know this and I don't like it. But Hyukie is scared."
"But daddy doesn't hurt a fly!", Hanbin exclaims. Taehyung agrees. "I know, baby, I know."
"Then, why don't you marry daddy instead of Minhyuk? Daddy never said mean words!!" Taehyung sighs.
"Binie, this is nothing to talk about when we're on the phone. Can I explain this to you, when I'm back home?" He might even go back to Seoul earlier than planned... Hanbin huffs, but he nods.
"Appa... don't be mad at daddy...", he pleads and Taehyung wishes, it would be that easy, but it's already too late. Whatever Jungkook said to reveal Hanbin's thoughts, it makes Taehyung mad indeed.
Taehyung gets up from the chair and walks out of the room just to find Jungkook in front of the nurse station, talking to a nurse and he says, maybe a little too loud: "Hanbin, say bye to you dad." and the younger looks at him. He immediately notices, that Taehyung's pissed and sighs.
"Bye, Binie", he tells his son with a small smile.
"Daddy, I'm sorry...", the boy mumbles and Jungkook shakes his head.
"It's fine, bun, it's not your fault." The boy pouts and sends a small wave in Jungkook's direction.
"Bye, daddy! See you soon!" Jungkook smiles before Taehyung ends the call.
"Your room!", he says and Jungkook nods, leads his ex into the direction of the single room he currently resides in. As soon as the door's closed, Taehyung glares at him.
"You, Jeon Jungkook, have no fucking right to use my son to sabotage my wedding!", he hisses and Jungkook lifts his brows.
"I never intended to do this", he says, voice calm, apologetic and Taehyung snorts.
"Then, why did he tell me that he doesn't want me to marry Minhyuk? What did you say to him?" Jungkook sighs.
"I was joking, okay? He asked me about the zoo and I tried to joke, told him that I'd take him there, the day, you'd get married... but I never intended for him to reveal such a thing!", he explains and Taehyung narrows his eyes.
"So you're implying that this was his own idea?"
"Binie isn't dumb, Tae, and he understands, when someone says things, that aren't okay and fair", Jungkook replies and sits down because his leg starts to hurt, "I don't like you being together with Minhyuk, but your happiness is my top priority. I fucked up once, but I'd never try and ruin your chance of being happy again. But I also have eyes and see, when our son isn't happy. And he isn't happy because Minhyuk doesn't treat him bad or something. He's unhappy because Minhyuk directs mean words towards me. I can deal with this, I'm used to it, it has been like this since day one of you two dating, but Minhyuk hurts Hanbin with his words and this isn't okay!"
"Minhyuk is scared, Jungkook! We're close and I'd be scared as well, when he would be close to his ex..."
"I know that and I understand it. But Binie doesn't understand this and he doesn't have to understand it now. He's 4 years old, he should be allowed to relax and not deal with mean words his stepdad throws at his biological dad at each given chance...", Jungkook sighs, clutches the fabric of his sweat pants in his fist.
"He's worried, Tae, he doesn't like this, because I'm still important to him."
"And that's how it should be...", Taehyung interrupts and Jungkook nods.
"But still, I want you and him happy, so when Minhyuk makes you happy, then this is perfect for me, but he needs to provide happiness for Hanbin as well. Talk to him, please. Tell him to refrain from cursing at me, when Binie is close to him." Taehyung sighs and nods.
"I shouldn't have said the zoo thing, I know this now and I'm sorry... I'd never take him away from you when it's such an important day", Jungkook adds and Taehyung bites his lower lip. He nods again, before he looks at Jungkook.
"I return to Seoul tomorrow", he says, quietly but determined, "I have to explain some important things to our son and have a talk with my fiancee..."
Jungkook nods. Taehyung's pissed and he understands, because he triggered Hanbin's reaction with his inconsiderate words. "Okay", he replies.
"Need to cool down as well, have time to process some things and that's not so easy when you're around...", Taehyung adds and sees, how Jungkook swallows, because yes, it's about the younger's confession from the day before.
"Do you need something?", he asks. 'You back by my side', Jungkook /wants/ to say but he shakes his head.
"I'm good", he replies quietly, eyes directed to the floor.
"I'll come over again tomorrow morning before I leave, so text me, when you make up your mind", Taehyung says. The entire situation is awkward now and he wants to get out of the room.
"Can't. My phone's trash", Jungkook replies, while he maneuvers his body back into the bed, "Just come over to say bye tomorrow, yeah? I'll be fine." He won't and Taehyung knows this, but he feels suffocated with Jungkook close now.
"Okay", he says, "I leave then. Oh... and call your parents, Jungkook. I'm sure the nurses will borrow you a phone."
"Will do, take care, TaeTae." The younger sends a weak smile towards Taehyung, the response he gets is a little crippled and then, Taehyung leaves.
But he leaves with a heavy heart, knowing that Jungkook's not fine in his single hospital room, that he's suffering badly from the heartbreak and still they're not a couple anymore. No matter how much Taehyung cares about his ex, he has his own family, his own fiancee to tend to, a wedding to plan, even when the thought of marrying a man, who makes his son unhappy doesn't appeal to him...
When he comes back the next morning, he has to wait until Jungkook's done talking to his doctor, but even after this, they don't talk much. Taehyung's still thinking too much and Jungkook's still too much in love with him. He sighs.
"You... you want to leave again, hm?", he says after half an hour and sees, how Taehyung bites his lower lip, "It's okay, Tae. I... called my mom, she and my dad will be here in a bit. They provide me with stuff for the time, I'm here." He smiles.
"Jungkook... I...", Taehyung starts, but Jungkook shakes his head.
"It's my fault... I messed up... again", he says and adds: "Just consider the marriage thing... for Hanbin's sake." Taehyung hums.
"Bye, Kook", he mumbles and leaves the room, leaves a sad Jungkook behind. But Taehyung also feels like he leaves a piece of his heart behind even when this should be with Minhyuk after all.
His talk with his fiancee doesn't go too well, because Minhyuk keeps telling him, that Hanbin's too sensitive because it's his biological dad he was talking about, but he promises to apologize to the boy. He doesn't tell Minhyuk, that Hanbin mentioned, he doesn't like him anymore, but when he watches their interactions, it's obvious, that Hanbin isn't very fond of Minhyuk's company anymore.
A few days pass and Taehyung watches, how his son gets sadder and one evening, when Minhyuk's out with some of his friends, he asks Hanbin about it.
"Bun?", he starts carefully and Hanbin looks at his appa, takes his eyes away from the TV. "Yes?"
"You're sad, I know this", Taehyung says and feels, how Hanbin snuggles closer. He mumbles something into the fur of his plush otter, Jungkook gave him for his last birthday and Taehyung replies: "Baby, you have to speak a little louder. Appa didn't get what you said."
"I miss daddy", Hanbin repeats and it's what Taehyung expected. He's seen how the boy stared at the picture frame in his room, which shows him and Jungkook together and sometimes, he even got up after Taehyung bid him goodnight already and took it to bed with him.
"Do you want to go and see him? We can ask grandma and grandpa to stay the weekend?", he suggests. Taehyung still isn't very fond of the idea of spending time with his ex-parents-in-law, even when they're still on good terms, but he'd do it for Hanbin.
"Can we?", the boy asks and his father nods.
"I will call them tomorrow."
"Thank you, appa!", Hanbin sits up and climbs into Taehyung's lap. His bottom lip wobbles slightly and he even has tears in his eyes.
"I miss him so, so much, appa!", he mumbles and Taehyung pulls him closer. "I understandbthat, Bun."
"Don't you miss him too, appa?", Hanbin asks, voice hopeful and it breaks Taehyung's heart a little.
"It's very complicated, baby", he admits, "Your daddy means a lot to me, of course I miss him, but it's complicated and not so easy to explain." Hanbin isn't really happy with this, but he just huffs and snuggles closer against Taehyung. "At least we will visit him."
And they do. Two days later, a fuming Taehyung tells Hanbin to go and sit in the car already, while Minhyuk's standing in front of them, arms crossed over his chest, expression gruff. "Taehyung, that's the second weekend in a row, you spend with Jungkook instead of me."
"I'm spending time with my son", Taehyung argues, "And..." Minhyuk interrupts him: "...and with a mediocre, alcoholic surgeon, who managed to get himself into a car accident, because he was sulking over the fact, that you moved on!"
Taehyung opens his mouth to reply, but he has no idea, what to say. So, he just turns around and enters the car, drives away and stops a few meters away from their house to cool down again. He hands Hanbin his tablet after putting on a movie for him and when he's sure to be able to drive safely, he starts their journey.
It's rather calm in the end, with Hanbin watching movies and sleeping and when Taehyung stops in front of Jungkook's parents' house, his mother's already waiting. She catches Hanbin in her arms, when he runs over to her and cuddles him, while Taehyung greets Jungkook's dad. It's a little awkward, but better than he expected. They have a late breakfast together and then, Taehyung and Hanbin head off again for the hospital.
It's a surprise for Jungkook and Taehyung asked his parents to not mention their visit to their son. So, when he lets Hanbin knock on his daddy's door and hears a soft "Come in!", he opens for the boy and watches how he disappears inside as soon as the gap's big enough to let him through.
"B-Binie?", he hears Jungkook's surprised voice and an excited "DADDY!" follows. Taehyung laughs a little, when Jungkook asks: "Bun, how did you manage to come here? What..."
"Appa's outside!", Hanbin explains and Taehyung chuckles. He hears a rustling blanket and a soft: "Tae?" He enters the room with a soft smile on his lips. The things, that happened last week, aren't forgotten, but Taehyung made a lot of decisions, for Hanbin's sake and coming all the way to Busan again wasn't a hard decision, when he sees, how Hanbin's eyes are glistening.
"Hey, Koo", he greets and sees, how the younger's eyes widen. He hasn't called him "Koo" for a while now, but somehow, especially now, Jungkook radiates home and safety. More than Minhyuk does.
"It's... amazing to see you two", Jungkook mumbles and Hanbin giggles, throws himself into his dad's arms and snuggles closer. "I missed you, daddy!"
"I missed you too, Bun", Jungkook replies, smiles softly at his son and the boy asks: "When are you coming back home?"
"Next weekend, baby", is the reply and Taehyung's eyes widen a bit.
"For real?", he asks and Jungkook nods.
"Yes. I'm just not sure, how I get home." He sighs. "By train maybe...", is the next thing, he says and Taehyung bites his lower lip. He remembers Minhyuk's words and already knows, how he'll react, but...
"You can't go from Busan to Seoul by train after such a long hospital stay...", he grumbles and two pairs of eyes are suddenly directed at him.
"Hm?", Jungkook tilts his head and blinks. "I'll come and get you", the older explains and Jungkook lifts one hand.
"No, Tae! This would be the third weekend for you to come here. I have no problem going by train." But Taehyung shakes his head.
"Nonsense! I come and get you!", he insists and sees, how Jungkook suppresses a tiny smile. "Okay", he agrees.
"Can I come too?", Hanbin asks and Taehyung shakes his head again.
"Binnie, you're invited to Jihyo's sleepover birthday party over the weekend, remember?"
"Oh!", the boy nods and snuggles even more against Jungkook now, "Yes. Jihyo's mummy said she's planned a lot of fun things. Uhm... daddy? Would it be okay for you, when I go to that party?"
Jungkook's eyes flicker over to Taehyung, before he pouts playfully. "Ahh... I think I'll barely handle this, but I try my very best to be super strong, okay?", he mumbles and Taehyung smiles.
"You can do it, daddy!", Hanbin cheers, "And you still have appa! You can talk about all the boring adult things."
"That's a good idea, bun."
"I'm a genius!", Hanbin throws his small arms into the air, hands formed into tiny fists and Taehyung smiles. It's incredible how happy his son is, when he's with both of them. But that's what he's used to, Jungkook and Taehyung; Taehyung and Jungkook. They're his parents and Taehyung understands, why Minhyuk will never be able to be loved as much by Hanbin as Jungkook is. And he knows already, that his fiancee's going to hate this, loathe it, even. But Jungkook's and Hanbin's relationship really is something absolutely special.
And Taehyung notices, how much he enjoys seeing them together. He enjoys the little pokes, Jungkook gives to Hanbin's nose with the tip of his finger, enjoys the giggles, Hanbin lets out, when Jungkook tickles him and enjoys the fluttering feeling that takes over when he sees them cuddle. It's something so natural, so beautiful and Taehyung had no idea how much he missed seeing this until now... How much he actually missed seeing Jungkook-Hanbin-Interactions...
The time they spend during the weekend is filled with laughter and a lot of cuddles, but in the end with some tears, when Hanbin has to bid his daddy goodbye on Sunday evening, because he and Taehyung have to leave early on Monday morning. The boy's definitely not used to seeing Jungkook less than twice a week and it makes him sad, that he won't be able to see him for another week. But Jungkook promises him to have a sleepover as soon as it's possible and that satisfies Hanbin's small, daddy-craving heart.
The following week passes by in a rather calm way and Taehyung has a lot of time to think. Seeing Jungkook and Hanbin interact showed him how much of a good man and father his ex actually is and how happy he makes the boy. It soothes his heart, makes him feel warm and he realizes once again, that he probably never stopped loving the younger.
Their shared path just parted at some point and they chose to walk different lines. And for a while, their only common ground was Hanbin. Now, Taehyung slowly notices, that he and Jungkook still have way more in common than their child. He spends not much time with Minhyuk during that week, because his fiancee is very busy with a project for work and rarely comes home, while Taehyung's still awake and mostly is gone again, when he wakes up.
So, Taehyung has no chance to tell Minhyuk about his plan to get Jungkook back home, until the day, before he leaves. He just comes home from dropping Hanbin off at the birthday party and surprisingly finds his fiancee sprawled out on the couch in the living room.
"Hey", he greets, waves and sends a tired smile Taehyung's way.
"Hey", the younger says back and watches, how Minhyuk reaches for the beer bottle on the table.
"Come, babe, sit with me", Minhyuk says, pats the couch and Taehyung shakes his head.
"No, sorry. I just take a quick shower and head to bed then", he explains and his fiancee frowns.
"What? It's barely 9pm...", he replies and sits up.
"Yes, but I have plans for the weekend", Taehyung mumbles, while he puts his phone on the charger.
"Another weekend in Busan?", Minhyuk asks, sounds clearly unamused and Taehyung hums.
"Jungkookie gets discharged tomorrow."
"I see. Let me guess... he asked you to pick him up and you agreed immediately? Taehyung, we have a wedding to plan and you prefer to spend the third weekend in a row with your useless ex? I bet he will loose his job as soon as they find out that he was drunk driving!"
"It was actually the other way round, Minhyuk. I suggested and he refused, but I insisted. And I know, that we have a wedding to plan, but I can't let him go by train...", Taehyung says and clenches his teeth, when he hears the older's next words.
"He's not useless!", Taehyung exclaims, "And he wasn't drunk driving! You know this!"
"I don't know anything about that accident! What I know for sure, is, that the dumbass still loves you and would do anything to get you back! Anything, even sabotage our relationship. Don't you notice it?"
"I think, you're getting delusional and possessive, Min. And yes, maybe, he loves me, but he's not trying to sabotage anything!" Taehyung sighs. "I'm tired, please let's not discuss that now."
"But I want to discuss that now! You left me standing like an idiot last time, when I had the weekend off and decided to go and see your ex instead of spending time with me, your future husband! And for what? For giving your precious little /bun/ what he wants...? You're spoiling him way too much, he's going to turn into a little brat, when you continue like this!"
"Don't you dare to say anything against my son, Minhyuk! One more word and I swear, I'll overthink the entire wedding...", Taehyung hisses, "You already make him unhappy with being inconsiderate, with cursing at Jungkook at any given chance, not caring whether Hanie's there or not! He has feelings too, Minhyuk! It's not just you, who feels... and calling his dad a mediocre, alcoholic surgeon in front of Hanbin was absolutely unnecessary!"
"He didn't even hear! He was already in the car!", Minhyuk argues. Taehyung snorts.
"He did! He asked me why you would be so mean to his daddy, when he never did anything to you! You hurt him, Minhyuk!"
"I already told you, he's too sensitive!" Taehyung sighs.
"You know what? I should have noticed earlier, but now I know... you'll never treat Hanbin with the respect he deserves..."
"Taehyung, he's a child..."
"Yes, he's /my/ child and that means he deserves to be treated with as much respect as you should treat me with. But you don't do this. You're only interested in your own pleasure and satisfaction and that shows me, that you will never be such a good husband and father as Jungkook was to me and Hanbin and maybe..." Taehyung stops, when a harsh slap echoes through the room...
Taehyung's hand flies to his cheek and he stares at Minhyuk, who glares at him. "Don't you dare...", he starts, but Taehyung cuts him off.
"Get out!", he yells, tears burning in his eyes, while he presses his palm against his stinging cheek, "Get the fuck out of my house!"
It dawns on Minhyuk, what he just did and he takes a step towards Taehyung. "Tae... baby... I'm sorry... I didn't mean..."
"I said, get out!", Taehyung cuts him off again, "I don't want you near me or Hanbin ever again!" Maybe a strong reaction, but Taehyung never knows, if Minhyuk wouldn't leash out against him again or even against Hanbin. "Leave, before I call the fucking cops!"
"Tae...", Minhyuk tries again, but without anymore words and a certain finality in the gesture, he points at the front door. Minhyuk sighs. "Think about it..."
"No!" After that, it's obvious to Minhyuk, that he messed up. One "tiny", imprudent action ruined his entire relationship and he retreats to the door.
"I love you", he mumbles.
"I stopped along the way", Taehyung says, "I don't love you anymore!" He isn't sure, if it's completely true but he clearly doesn't feel the same for Minhyuk anymore as he did just a while before. And he doesn't need something, that might evolve into an abusive relationship, not for himself, not for Hanbin and cutting strings off now, is the only reasonable solution, Taehyung can think of.
Tears start running over his cheeks, as soon as Minhyuk left the house and Taehyung falls to his knees, hides his face in his hands and sobs. He needs a while to calm down again, needs Jimin to talk, but he just tells him that things with Minhyuk are over. For him, things are over. He's ready to cancel the wedding because he has to protect not only himself, but also Hanbin. And a husband, who looses his temper and might hurt his son isn't worth a try. Taehyung's heart breaks a little, because he didn't just spent bad times with Minhyuk. They had a lot of good times, but he witnessed how jealousy took over and Minhyuk evolved into someone, Taehyung didn't like. Sooner or later, he probably would have demanded to cut off all contact with Jungkook and that's not even a possibility.
Taehyung manages to take a shower and dresses in an oversized sweater after (which may or may not belong to Jungkook, but no-one needs to know...) He curls into himself on the couch. His cheek really stings and he's almost sure, that Minhyuk hit him hard enough to create a bruise He knows, that Jungkook will see it and that he'll hate it. Taehyung hates it himself. But for now, he feels a strange wave of relief washing over him, knowing that he won't have to deal with an overly jealous fiancee anymore, even when he still has to get used to his new "freedom". Now, he's tired and after setting his alarm and deciding to not move into his bed, he falls asleep on the couch.
His drive to Busan feels kind of lonely this time, but Taehyung's also happy, that he won't have to explain the blue-ish bruise on his cheek to Hanbin yet. He'll struggle enough with explaining it to Jungkook and he's sure, that the younger won't stop asking, before he tells him, what happened.
Taehyung arrives at the hospital just a few minutes after 9am, the time, he and Jungkook agreed on. When Taehyung enters the ward, his ex stops him with a soft call of his name. He's sitting in the waiting area, papers already in his hands.
"Hey", he greets with a soft, embarrassed smile, because he's not entirely sure whether Taehyung picking him up was a good idea. Jungkook's smile falls quickly, when he sees Taehyung's cheek and opens his mouth already, but Taehyung weakly shakes his head.
"Not here, please", he pleads and Jungkook notices, that his eyes are rimmed red and puffy and he dislikes the older's devastated look. But he agrees.
"Did you eat?", he asks instead, Taehyung shakes his head again. "I didn't feel like eating this morning", he admits and Jungkook huffs a little.
"Let's go then, I'll take you to the best bakery here, so we can eat", he decides and Taehyung smiles a little. 4 hours and nothing more than a cheap hot chocolate from a gas station in his tummy isn't the best. So, he gladly agrees to Jungkook's offer.
They attempt to leave, but Jungkook stops at the nurse station to say goodbye and Taehyung witnesses, how two or three nurses slip their numbers to the handsome surgeon. He doesn't like it... because... yeah, because what...? He's not his /Jungkookie/ anymore, can choose, who he wants to go out with and maybe, he's ready to move on.
Taehyung's not so sure, whether he likes it or not. Just a few months ago, he believed that Jungkook was over him, learned a few weeks ago, that he never was after all and now? Now, he hears a tiny voice inside of his head, that whispers: "Maybe, you want to give him a chance again?" But Taehyung bans that voice, because not even 24 hours earlier he broke up with his fiancee and now, he's definitely not ready to act head over heels, just because it's Jungkook. His ex, he divorced for a reason...
When they arrive at the bakery, Jungkook tells Taehyung to take a seat at the coffee shop area of the store and goes to the counter himself. Just a short while later, he comes back with a tray. It's full of delicious looking food, breakfast western style and Taehyung likes how Jungkook's mind works.
He tries to forget what happened yesterday and focuses on the tiny, dumb jokes, Jungkook cracks, to lift his mood and to make him smile and Taehyung relishes in the warmth, that washes over him, when the younger rewards his smile with his own. Taehyung has always loved his bunny smile. It's so cute, so unique and absolutely Jungkook and it's something, Hanbin inherited from his father, but it's different. Hanbin's mouth forms into that rectangular shape, Taehyung calls his own, when he smiles, but he has Jungkook's bunny teeth.
"Tae?", Jungkook's voice pulls him out of his thoughts and he hums. "Do you sometimes miss /us/?"
Taehyung takes a deep breath and watches, how Jungkook stirs his black coffee, but looks at him. "I do", he says.
Jungkook remains quiet. He misses /them/ as well but Taehyung knows this already. And the fact, that they ended what they had, was mainly his fault.
"Tae, you know, that I'm still sorry... I knew, you hated being alone and I didn't pay enough attention to you", he says. "You and Bin should have been my top priority and not work... I know this now, but... you just notice, what you lost, when it's gone, hm?", he smiles into his mug, but it's a sad smile and Taehyung bites his lower lip.
Yes, he and Jungkook ended their relationship because the younger was too focused on his work, spent most of the time in the hospital during his internship and the specialist registrar and Taehyung missed him terribly at the time. He knew, he was working hard, determined to provide for his husband and their child, but that wasn't what he imagined their life to be. Only seeing Jungkook, when he came home after hours of surgery, exhausted and passing out on the couch as soon as his head hit the pillow.
And Taehyung remembers well, telling him to take a break, to spend time with his family, because they missed him and even 2 year old Hanbin noticed, how tired and exhausted his daddy was. But at some point, Jungkook even spent the nights at the hospital and when Taehyung informed him about filling a divorce, he was beyond shocked. Because in all his dedication for his work, he never really noticed how much he neglected his husband and son.
Taehyung remembers as well, how much he tried to fight for them after, how much he pleaded and promised to make it up to them, but at that point of their relationship he had been too tired and disappointed to give the younger a chance again. His decision was final and Jungkook noticed it soon... and signed the papers with a heavy heart.
"I know quite well, that it's my fault", he says and pulls Taehyung out of his thoughts, "I should've paid more attention to you, as you deserve. And I still feel like the worst husband in the world. I should've noticed... and I'm so sorry..."
"Kookie...", Taehyung sighs, "It happend and we reacted to it. But we can't turn back time now and it is how it is."
He bites his lower lip again and swallows. He wants to tell Jungkook, that he needs to move on, he really wants to do so, but he can't. Something is stopping him.
"But maybe, we can spend more time together with Hanbin now?"
"Sure", Jungkook agrees, a little bit surprised and he wants to ask about Minhyuk, because he's sure, the other will detest this, but he doesn't... already has the feeling, that Taehyung's bruise has something to do with his fiance.
"Do you want to join, when I take him to the zoo?"
"I'd love to", Taehyung smiles, "He'll get overly excited when he sees otters or ferrets." Jungkook laughs.
"Oh yes", he nods and the sad, awkward moment is suddenly gone. "We did quite a good job raising him", he adds and Taehyung smiles.
"Yes." Their son is what connects them, holds them close and they're both so proud of him. Hanbin's just 4 years old now, but Taehyung's sure, that he will grow up into a fine man, with his heart at the right place and loving parents, who will guide him.
They leave the bakery soon after, eager to go back to Seoul now and the journey's quite long. But each other's company is great and they talk a lot. When they take a break, Taehyung sees, how Jungkook rips the nurses' phone numbers into tiny pieces and throws them into a nearby garbage bin. He smiles and as soon as he notices, he tries to hide it.
"Would've been a good chance, though?", he says and wants to hit himself. "Hm?"
"Some of them are very pretty", Taehyung explains and Jungkook just shrugs.
"Not interested", he replies with a soft smile. The love of his life is right in front of him and it will definitely take a while for him to be ready to move on.
"Are you sure?", the older asks and gets a nod in return.
"Very sure. It's maybe hopeless, but... it's always been you, TaeTae. Always." And those words let Taehyung's heart beat wildly in his chest... He probably never fell out of love with Jungkook either.
But Taehyung's mood falls, the closer they get to Seoul, because that means, he won't have Jungkook to distract him any longer and he will be alone during the night. So, Taehyung tries to drag the time, to spend more hours in good company and he manages to take his ex to a restaurant, when Jungkook's stomach growls.
"You need to eat, Jungkookie!", he insists, overly excited and Jungkook laughs.
"Why? For getting all tall and strong?", he asks and Taehyung nods with a grin.
"Yes, of course", he jokes. A waiter comes over to their table, lights a candle and asks for their orders. Taehyung smiles a little bit, when Jungkook orders for both of them and gets everything, he wants, completely right. Not everyone's paid that much attention to his preferences. It's a nice gesture and Taehyung cherishes it a lot.
And when they sit in his car, at the end of the day, in front of Jungkook's apartment building and Taehyung's out of ideas how to spend more time with the younger, Jungkook carefully rests his hand on his arm.
"Something burdens you", he says, "Do you want to come upstairs and have a tea with me? We can talk, if you want, but we don't have to. We can also just sit on my couch and drink tea."
And Taehyung has never before been that grateful for a cup of tea as he is now. He immediately agrees and they get out of the car. Taehyung looks a little surprised, when Jungkook reaches out his hand for him, but he takes it. It's something, they've already done, before they caught feelings for each other... when one was distressed, the other comforts him by holding his hand. That's always been their thing, but Jungkook hasn't offered his hand for a while now.
"Taehyungie...", he says and Taehyung lets out a soft gasp, because he hasn't heard that nickname from Jungkook for a long time now, "I wanna be there for you. I want to help you." And Taehyung knows, that Jungkook's sincere. Has always been.
"I know. I trust you", he says and then, they enter the building.
As soon as they're in Jungkook's apartment, the younger offer Taehyung to sit down on the couch and prepares tea.
When he comes back, Taehyung looks comfortable on the couch, but the bruise on his cheek bothers Jungkook. It's gotten darker in color through the day and he really wants to know, what happened. But, of course, he won't pester Taehyung too much. When he doesn't want to talk about it, Jungkook will accept it. He hands Taehyung the tea and the older thanks him with a soft smile, before he pats the spot next to him.
"Let me tell you...", he whispers and Jungkook sits down, cross-legged, so he can watch Taehyung carefully.
"I... broke up with him yesterday", the older mumbles, looks into his tea and sighs, "He... things got out of control... and he even directed his words against Hanbin... and when... when I told him that he'll never be such a great husband and father as you have been to us, he slapped me..."
Jungkook ignores the fact, that Taehyung just complimented him, maybe said the biggest compliment to him, he could ever get, because the fact, that Minhyuk slapped him is prominent in his mind for now.
"That... asshole...", he hisses, "He... has absolutely no right to do this!"
"He... he probably didn't mean it, I know this..."
"Tae, don't try to find an excuse for his behavior!", Jungkook interrupts and Taehyung shakes his head.
"I'm not... it's inexcusable, even when it maybe was just a slip, but... he's been loosing his temper a few times lately. I mean, he never lashed out against Binie yet, but... now, that he did this, I don't want to risk him being hurt or something... and... through the last weeks, I noticed, that my feelings changed... because he changed... and maybe I changed as well... but I think, it's for the best..."
And still, Taehyung is sad. Jungkook notices it and carefully reaches out his hand, cups the older's cheek and turns his head to face him.
"I hope you know, that nothing of this is your fault", he says and runs his thumb over the soft skin.
"Ahh, I'm actually not so sure...", Taehyung replies and Jungkook snorts.
"You did nothing wrong... on the contrary, Taehyungie... you did, what's in your core, you chose to protect yourself and your child and... that's probably the best thing you could do", he replies and gets a small smile in return.
"Thank you...", Taehyung whispers and a tear falls from his eyes, rolls down his cheek and over Jungkook's fingers. He doesn't bother, instead, he takes Taehyung's mug with his free hand and places it on the table in front of them.
"Come here?", he asks. Taehyung looks hesitant for a few moments, but he decides to ignore that weird feeling in his stomach and slides over to Jungkook. The younger's always been his 'home' and it doesn't feel different, when he leans his head against his shoulder. Jungkook's arms wrap around him protectively and Taehyung closes his eyes, when he feels, how the other nuzzles his nose into his hair.
"Tae, you know, that you did the right thing...", he whispers, "And I'm not saying this, because I think you need to hear it and not, because I'm still... head over heels for you... I'm saying this, because I believe it and because it's the only reasonable thing you could do. It's in your instincts and there's nothing wrong with it. So... now, please stop looking for a reason to make yourself feel guilty." He hums softly and snuggles closer.
- 2 months later -
Taehyung watches with a smile, how Hanbin happily bounces on Jungkook's shoulders, who carries him through the zoo, walks everywhere, the boy wants to go to and they stop at each animal cage, Hanbin's heart craves for. It's summer now, the time of the year, he had originally planned to get married. He's seen Minhyuk once again, after he complimented him out of the house. The older tried to reason with him, apologized again, but Taehyung's remained strong.
Especially with the support of his friends. Jimin and Yoongi helped him to call all their supposed wedding guests, Hoseok helped him to cancel the location and the catering and Seokjin and Namjoon helped him to get all the money back, he and Minhyuk spent in advance. And Jimin has been with him, when Minhyuk came over to get his things back, tried to convince Taehyung to think about their relationship, their love again. But Taehyung just handed him moving boxes and a check with his share of the money. (Actually the bigger one, but Taehyung couldn't care less...)
This part of the 'wedding' was actually even more stressful than planning it before and Taehyung's always been very relieved, when Jungkook came over, first to drop off Hanbin, who he spent time with during his days off or after work and second, to feed Taehyung. Because he knows the older well and is pretty aware that he isn't eating, when he's stressed.
But during that time, having a /picnic/ in front of Hanbin's small TV in his room, while eating became quite a frequent in their life and brought them all closer again.
That's why Taehyung's actually really happy, that Jungkook really asked him to come to the zoo with him and Hanbin. The day's nice, the sun is shining, Hanbin's laughter follows him everywhere and Taehyung had a chance to heal and to open up his mind for the thought of letting Jungkook back into their life.
When the boy, who's birthday just passed by a week ago, is happily playing with another child at the playground area and Taehyung's sitting next to Jungkook on a bench after two hours of watching animal feeding sessions and entertainment shows of dolphins and seals jumping through rings, he hesitantly rests his hand on the younger's thigh, not so sure, if that's a little too bold, but he's thought about something and needs to tell Jungkook an important change of his mind.
"Hey...", he mumbles and watches, how Hanbin helps the other boy to fill up their toy bucket with sand. Jungkook looks at him. "Yeah?"
"I actually thought a lot about something and I came to the conclusion, that I've been quite the asshole... when I handed you the divorce papers without giving you a second chance... I... I should've done this, before making things final... and decide everything without letting you explain or even try to make it up...", he mumbles and Jungkook frowns a little, wants to say something, but Taehyung's faster, "Two people make a relationship work and I didn't do a lot, honestly. I watched everything, but I didn't give you a hint or something, because I expected you to notice what you did... wrong... well... what I thought you did wrong..."
"But... Tae... you're right, I should've noticed..."
"Yeah, maybe, but I could've told you anything, give you a hint. Instead, I dropped those papers and made everything final, without noticing, that you've been struggling as well. That has been an asshole move and I sincerely want to apologize."
"It's fine", Jungkook replies, slowly, surprised, because he never expected words like this and he never thought about their divorce that way.
"What did you say a while ago? It happened and we can't change anything about it", he smiles, "I'm happy, when you and Binie are happy, so things are okay."
"Maybe, we can change things about it", Taehyung replies and smiles at Jungkook, "Would you want to stay over for supper tonight?"
Jungkook does. He stays over and watches Pororo with Hanbin, while Taehyung's in the shower. And he carries his sleepy son into his room, when his eyes almost fall shut, while he rests on top of him. He tucks him in and straightens the blanket, presses a soft kiss to Hanbin's dark hair and watches his relaxed expression. And when he wants to move back into the living room, the boy's tired voice startles him: "Daddy?"
"Yes, bun?"
"Are we going to have breakfast together tomorrow?" Jungkook smiles softly.
"I don't know, bun, maybe", he replies and returns to Hanbin's bed.
"And... will you sleep in a bed with appa again?", the boy adds another question and Jungkook frowns.
"Huh?", he's surprised and Hanbin smiles tiredly.
"That would be nice, daddy", he mumbles and closes his eyes, rolls to his side and cuddles the otter plushie tight against his chest.
"Yes, that would be very nice", Jungkook whispers, runs a hand through Hanbin's hair and then, he leaves the room. He finds Taehyung in the hallway, dressed in an oversized lavender shirt and black shorts, a smile on his lips.
"Are we going to have breakfast tomorrow, Kookie?", he asks and repeats Hanbin's question.
"I don't know, do you want to?", the younger retorts and the smile remains on Taehyung's lips. He steps closer and cups one of Jungkook's cheeks with his palm.
"You've been residing in my head and heart a lot, Jeon Jungkook, so... yes, I'd love to have breakfast with you and Bin together tomorrow. And... if you want, we... maybe should try and work on our relationship? Because... there's still something, something hesitant, but strong and my heart tells me to keep you in my life now..."
"A second chance, you mean?", Jungkook leans into the touch of Taehyung's hand and the older nods.
"Yes... but let's start slowly and not jump into it right away", he adds, leans in and presses a gentle kiss to Jungkook's other cheek, "Because... you... we deserve that second chance..."
Jungkook hums, before he hugs Taehyung. "You've been in my head and my heart all the time, Kim Taehyung...", he whispers and maybe, their second chance will work out. At least, Jungkook hopes this, because... he'd do everything for Taehyung, for Hanbin and this time, he knows better to not give up on them easily.