Taehyung and Jungkook ate breakfast with the elder's parents the next morning before heading to Jungkook's house. The boys were excited, giddy even, to share the news with one last set of people. After that, everyone who was important to them would know they were together.

Jungkook knocked on the door once they arrived, a big smile on his face. He really had missed his parents.

"Jungkook!" His parents said once they opened the door. They both pulled him into a hug, happy to see their boy.

They greeted Taehyung with smiles of their own and invited both boys inside. They were directed into the kitchen, where Jungkook's mother began preparing tea.

"How was your night, boys?" She asked, putting the water on the stove.

The two looked at each other and shared a secret smile. They spent the night cuddling in Taehyung's bed, talking about their hopes and dreams for the future. It would be easy enough to say they were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. But the two knew better. They'd been through tough times to get where they were now.

"It was nice," Jungkook answered simply.

"My parents said to say hello," Taehyung added.

Jungkook's mother hummed in acknowledgment as she worked over the stove.

His father came in and joined them at the table. "What else is new, Kook?"

Jungkook looked at Taehyung, who nodded in confirmation. It was time.

The younger placed his hand on top of Taehyung's, threading their fingers together. "I'm in a new relationship," he told them.

Jungkook's mother, whose back was towards them, cooed. "Oh, what is her name?"

His father didn't say anything. He was too busy looking at his son's hand playing with Taehyung's. Too busy seeing how lovingly they were looking at each other.

"What is this?" Jungkook's father finally voiced. "Is this some kind of joke?"

Jungkook's eyes widened as he turned to face his father. "No, this isn't a joke. Taehyung and I are together. We're in love."

His mother turned around to look at the two boys and saw them clutching each other's hand. "Jungkook," she started.

But his father cut in. "You two are not in love."

"Yes, we are," Jungkook said strongly.

"So, what? You're gay now?" The older man asked, anger coating his tone.

"Honey . . . " Jungkook's mother tried to calm his father, but was ignored.

"I don't care what I am. All I know is who I love. And I love Taehyung." Jungkook was starting to get defensive. He hadn't expected this type of reaction, especially after seeing how Taehyung's parents took the news.

"I love him, too, sir," Taehyung added, wanting to be as supportive as Jungkook was yesterday. "He means the world to me and I'd do anything to make him feel happy and safe and loved. We've built a home within each other."

Jungkook's mother put a hand over her heart, but didn't say anything.

"Are you going through something, Jungkook? Did something happen at school? Because surely you cannot be telling me that my son is fucking a boy."

"Is that what this is about?" Jungkook asked. "Sex? Because I can assure you, our relationship is not just about being intimate. I love him for being him and not for how he fucks me."

Jungkook's mother gasped. "Jungkook!"

"I thought you'd be happy that I was happy. Taehyung makes me the happiest man in the world. He's shown me that I am loved time and time again. Don't you want that for me?" Jungkook's voice wavered at the end.

"Jungkook," his mother said at last, "it's just that this is a surprise, that's all. It's not what we would have anticipated from you. Especially after you told us you wanted to move out and into your own apartment. We assumed you and Taehyung had a falling out."

"Trust me, neither of us anticipated this either. But it happened and we are so grateful that it did," Jungkook tried to explain. "And yeah, we had a miscommunication. But we live together now."

Jungkook's father slammed his fist on the table, causing both younger boys to flinch. "We did not rent that apartment so you could shack up with him."

Jungkook felt a lump in his throat as he fought back the urge to break down. Taehyung squeezed his hand harder, unsure of what to say to rectify the situation.

"Sir - " Taehyung tried to interject but was interrupted.

"I don't want to hear anything else from you," the man barked. "And you, my son. If you wish to remain in school with a roof over your head, you best end this farce right now."

"Dad!" Jungkook gasped.

"Please, sir, just hear us out!" Taehyung tried to reason with the man.

Jungkook's father turned to him. "You. Get out of my house."

Taehyung's heart sank. This was not how it was supposed to go. He hurt for Jungkook. He hurt for himself. He'd known the younger's parents for so long now. Thought they loved him like family, too. So this rejection was like a hard slap in the face.

"Taehyung," Jungkook's mother said to the elder. "We need some time as a family. You and Jungkook can speak later."

"Like hell they can," the older man said. "Mark my words, Jungkook. I will cut you off if you do not come to your right mind."

"I am in my right mind, father. I know what I feel!"

Taehyung stood up, heart aching but knowing there was nothing he could do. He didn't want to make the situation worse for Jungkook. He didn't want to be the reason the boy he loved lost his education, his family . . .

"For your son's sake," Taehyung said, staring Jungkook's father dead in the eyes, "I hope you reconsider."

Taehyung nodded to Jungkook's mother before heading out of the kitchen. Jungkook ran behind him, following Taehyung to the front door.

"You come back here right now, Jungkook," his father snarled loudly enough for them to hear.

Taehyung opened the front door but didn't leave yet. He pulled Jungkook into him and kissed him hard, silently showing how much he loved him.

"Text me later and I'll call you, okay?" Taehyung said, breaking the kiss.

Jungkook nodded, but he looked completely lost and hopeless.

"I love you," the elder said fiercely. "Never forget that. I love you, Jungkook."

Jungkook kissed him one last time. "I love you, too."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

This one was tough to write, especially after Tae's parents' reaction in the last chapter T-T

I feel like a broken record at this point, but again I want to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who is reading this story. Your reads, votes, and comments have made me so happy (omg especially the comments haha). I didn't expect to find such a great community when I started writing this, so thank you for showing me so much love and support. You guys rock.

I have a couple new works in progress, so I'll drop a synopsis for the next story soon! If you like my writing and are interested in what's to come, feel free to follow me and I'll post updates soon ^o^