When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about.
~Haruki Murakami

43.

Jungkook entered his house and threw his bag in the living room. He went to the kitchen and back hugged Eomma. She ruffled his hair, asked him to freshen up and come down for brakfast. It was already 9.40.

It was a month since Jungkook had taken over the company. That it hadn't gine very smooth would be an understatement. Two days after he had ordered the investigation, all the managers responsible were fired along with their teams. Nutritionists and Psychologists were interviewed and set in place within a week. The producers and senior managers had revolted. Not wanting people who had worked so long to go. But Kook knew the values he stood for. Over the month, he had been slowly establishing his dominance, very slowly trying to change the vision of the company. He was trying to make it more inclusive. Letting idols date whoever they wanted, letting people from the LGBTQ+ community work in the company. But giving so much encouragement to the lowest resources who would be idols soon meant him being sapped out of all his energy. The fact that management did not approve his decisions and were openly hostile to him didn't help. Of course, none dared to show disrespect openly but their small plans and booby traps meant new problems created that Kook would have to waste time solving. The time he could use for the betterment of the company.

He had so often made the headlines in the past few weeks. Some sided with him and some against him. Right now his reputation was on a precipice. Investers wanted to back out and some who held on only did so because they felt obligated to Taehyung.

To Jungkook's disappointment as soon as eomma had gotten fine, she had taken charge of home. Kook knew she should be resting and that he should be the one helping her. But he was so stuck in his circumstances, that he could do nothing. Tae had been so helpful and encouraging even though he himself felt exhausted after his long days at the company.

He went to his room and hugged Tae. It was a routine now. He hugged Tae till he felt like he could now stand on his own and wind down for a bit. Tae kept tracing his fingers on his back. Finally, Kook backed out and went to the washroom where Tae had drawn up his bath.

Kook didn't bother locking the bathroom, knowing Tae wouldn't come in and he didn't have the energy honestly.

Tae was worried. He had seen his husband come home everyday and eat and go back to work. He knew Jungkook was eating better at least thanks to his eomma but the dark circles on his husband's face didn't go unnoticed. Nor did the fact that Kook was losing weight. Kook needed help but he was intent on doing everything alone. Tae had offered help many times but Kook had refused saying he needed to handle this own his own. Tae was getting frustrated watching helplessly from the sidelines everyday. Tae sighed. Kook still hadn't come out. It was 9.55. This was unusual. Kook took very less time to shower, always hungry after his long day. Tae knocked the door but he heard no reply. Tae suddenly got scared. What if kook had fainted? He was barely sleeping these days. Tae opened the door expecting resistance but to his shock, the door opened easily. He saw Kook sleeping in the bath tub. Tae sighed. He emptied the tub of bath water and refilled it with warm water. He shook Kook gently.

'Hey baby?'

'Ahh! SHIT. Sorry. I feel asleep. For how long have I been out?' kook asked confused.

'Just some time, come on. Clean up and come out. Let's go and eat.' Tae said softly.

Kook came.out after five minutes dressed in shorts and a long T shirt.

They made their way down. The help was yet to out the plates and Kook.kept his head on the table before he knew he was softly snoring. Ye Sura entered with food only to notice that Kook had slept on the dining table.

'Let him sleep mom. Ask someone to keep a plate in our room. I will take him up. Don't worry Eomma.' Tae said.

'He is working too hard. Do something Tae' Ye Sura said concerned about him Kook.

'I will Eomma.' Whatever inhibitions Tae had went away..nothing would stop him now. He was going to do what he thought was best. He knew it would possibly lead to fight with Kookie but he couldn't see him this way.

After they were done, Tae picked up Kook and took him to bedroom. He gently laid him in the bed and covered him.

Inline every other night, he didn't cuddle him to sleep. Tae went to his library. He researched about some people and called Yoongi.

The best friends had a long call that night. There were a few arguments. But eventually Yoongi relented.

After the long call, Tae knew what needed to be done. He made a list of names. He called the one person he knew could be trusted with secrets.

'Hobi hyung, I am sending you a list of people. Tell them their resignations should be on Jungkook's table before he reaches his office tomorrow morning or Kim Taehyung will make it personal mission to make their life hell.'

Tae sat silently in the library. He knew it was the silence before the storm.

But sometimes destruction lead to constructive consequences.

An: I apologise for not updating yesterday. Also, trouble in paradise. Please vote. :)

I am so tempted to end this story so that I can nominate it for Wattys. But I know that won't be fair to the story. There is so much more that I have planned for it. I need all your love. Please vote and share the story. I want to keep going. Maybe, I will nominate it next year. Ahhh! This poor heart.... I am half agony, half hope.