JEON JUNGKOOK

The journey to Taehyung’s house was a torment, each passing moment tightening the coil of anxiety churning in my stomach. It wasn’t the kind of nervousness that could be brushed aside—it was a tidal wave, crashing and surging, making it almost impossible to breathe evenly. I fought to quiet my erratic breathing, though every skipped breath made me feel like I was suffocating. Jimin’s occasional glances in my direction didn’t go unnoticed; each time he offered me a small, reassuring smile, and though it helped tether me to reality, my thoughts remained in turmoil.

Inside, my mind was a hurricane.

The closer we got to the house, the more the nausea clawed its way up my throat, threatening to undo me. My vision blurred, and the world outside the car seemed to tilt. My hands balled into fists, nails digging into my palms, the sharp sting grounding me, albeit briefly. When the car finally stopped, I unclenched my fists, revealing crescent-shaped marks—angry and red, evidence of my fraying composure.

“Fuck,” I muttered silently, releasing a shaky breath.

My hands trembled as I opened the car door, my legs feeling like lead as I trailed behind the others toward the house. Every step was a monumental effort, as though I were dragging the weight of a thousand lifetimes. I didn’t want to be here—not now, not like this. The rawness of my emotions was suffocating, my mental state a fragile house of cards ready to collapse.

When we entered, the sound of chatter met my ears. Taehyung and his pack were gathered in the kitchen, their voices mingling in casual conversation. The moment my eyes landed on Taehyung, I froze, my breath catching painfully in my throat. He stood there, dressed in a fitted black shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his intricately inked skin. The fabric clung to his form, outlining the sculpted lines of his body. He looked devastatingly perfect, and the sight of him only twisted the knife lodged in my chest.

A gentle hand pressed against my back, startling me. Jimin was by my side, his ever-present smile offering a small balm to my racing heart.
“You okay?” he asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, barely managing a response. “I guess,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

His fingers curled around my arm, his grip firm yet comforting. “I’ve got you,” he said quietly.

I nodded, my gaze falling to the floor as the weight of the room pressed down on me. I heard Taehyung’s pack greet ours, Yoongi’s laughter booming amidst the subdued chaos. I couldn’t bring myself to meet anyone’s gaze, let alone his. My silence was my shield, my smiles a thin veneer to mask the storm within.

Then, Taehyung spoke.

“Thank you all for coming,” his voice resonated through the room, sending a shudder down my spine. Jimin noticed and subtly placed his hand on mine again, grounding me.

I bit my lip, staring at the floor as Taehyung continued.
“You’re probably wondering why I asked you all to gather here,” he began, his tone steady yet tinged with vulnerability. “But I need to share something with you all.”

Dread pooled in my stomach, heavy and oppressive. My mind raced with possibilities, each one more painful than the last. Was he going to announce that he was leaving? That his father had arranged a marriage for him? My heart fractured at the thought. My breathing quickened as I fought the tears threatening to spill.

“You have no idea how hard this has been for me,” Taehyung continued, his voice faltering slightly. “But I’ve found my mate.”

His words were a thunderclap in the room. My head snapped up, my eyes locking onto him, though he wasn’t looking at me. He stared at the group, his expression conflicted yet resolute. I drew in a sharp breath, the weight of his confession pressing against my chest.

“I found my mate a few months ago,” he admitted, his voice soft but resolute. “And I’ve kept this from some of you for far too long.”

Confusion rippled through the room, the others exchanging puzzled glances. Hoseok and Zara appeared particularly bewildered.
“And the reason I’ve kept it a secret…” Taehyung hesitated, his hands gripping his arms tightly. His next words came out firm, steady. “Is because he’s a guy.”

The room fell into stunned silence. A few gasps echoed faintly as the reality of his revelation sank in. My tears, held back for so long, finally broke free, cascading down my cheeks in a torrent. Jimin’s hand found mine once again, his fingers intertwining with mine in silent solidarity.

Taehyung released a deep breath, a genuine smile breaking across his face. It was a smile of liberation, of relief. He looked lighter, as though shedding a burden he’d carried for years.
“You have no idea how good it feels to finally say that,” he said, his voice brimming with pride. “I admit I was scared, but I can’t keep this hidden any longer. I owe him that much.”

Tears blurred my vision as I processed his words. The raw honesty in his voice was both heartbreaking and beautiful.

“What might surprise you even more,” he continued, “is that my mate is in this room.”

The air grew thick with tension as everyone began glancing around, their curiosity palpable. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing like a drum. I quickly wiped at my tears, willing myself to remain composed.

“And now you’re all wondering—who is he?” Taehyung’s voice softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Well, I’ll tell you.”

My gaze flitted anxiously around the room, mirroring everyone else's movements as we all tried to deduce the identity of the person Taehyung was about to reveal. My fingers brushed away stray tears as quickly as they came, and I let my hand fall limply by my side, trembling slightly.

“And now you’re all thinking, who is he?” Taehyung's smile was enigmatic, almost playful, but his voice carried a gravity that made my chest tighten. “Well, I’ll tell you who he is.”

Instinctively, I clutched Jimin’s hand, gripping it tightly as if it were the only tether keeping me upright. His firm squeeze reassured me, though my legs felt unsteady, ready to collapse under the weight of anticipation.

“He is the most caring and humble person I have ever met.” Taehyung’s words resonated through the room, each one striking my heart like a melodic chord. “He’s brave and intelligent. And he has a heart of gold.” His tone was resolute, his gaze sweeping across the room with raw sincerity.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks unbidden, my body betraying me as it struggled to process the moment. My heart hammered relentlessly, each beat echoing his words.

“Ever since I met him, I’ve become a better person. He makes me better.” His confession was vulnerable, his voice tinged with regret. “I’m not proud of some of the choices I made while knowing he was my mate. I only hope he can forgive me—fully, one day.”

Taehyung raked a hand through his hair, the movement almost as agonised as his words. Slowly, methodically, he stepped forward, his presence commanding every ounce of attention in the room.

“I never knew I was capable of loving someone as much as I love him,” he admitted, his voice trembling slightly, though his steps were purposeful. As he weaved through the gathered crowd, he stopped mere paces from me. Our eyes met, and I felt my breath catch painfully in my throat. Tears welled anew, blurring the sharp edges of his figure. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

“He makes me the happiest person in the world,” he murmured, his gaze unwavering, brimming with something pure and all-encompassing. He closed the distance between us with measured grace, his presence engulfing me. Jimin, ever so gently, released my hand and stepped aside, leaving me exposed yet tethered by Taehyung’s proximity.

Taehyung’s hands cupped my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that streaked my cheeks. The heat of his touch was electric, coursing through me like a soothing fire.

“I’ve made mistakes,” he whispered, his voice rich with contrition. “I know I’ve messed up, but I swear I’ll prove to you that I can change. I will change.” His words were a solemn vow, his eyes piercing through every layer of my soul.

My body quaked under the weight of his presence, his words anchoring me in place even as they threatened to undo me entirely.

“I want all of you,” he murmured, his lips pressing softly against my forehead, the words seeping into my skin. My eyelids fluttered closed, a semblance of peace settling over me for the first time in what felt like forever.

When he pulled back, his hands still cradling my face, his gaze locked onto mine with tender intensity. “Why are you crying, pups?” he asked, his brows knitting together in concern. “Please don’t cry.”

A shuddering breath escaped me as I sniffled, attempting to steady my voice. “You… love me?”

His smile, so dazzling it could light up the darkest void, took my breath away. “Yeah,” he whispered, the word reverberating with an undeniable truth. “I love you, pups.”

Fresh tears spilled down my face, my chest heaving as I tried to contain the storm of emotions. Taehyung’s concern deepened, his hands shifting slightly as though trying to shield me from the weight of my own feelings.

“Should I not have said that?” he asked softly, his voice almost hesitant.

“No one’s ever told me they love me before,” I admitted, my voice fragile. “No one has ever loved me before.”

“That’s not true,” he said instantly, his tone firm, his eyes blazing with conviction.

All I could manage was a faint nod, my emotions too overwhelming for words.

“There are so many people in this room who love you,” he continued, his voice insistent, almost desperate for me to believe him. “Jimin, Yoongi, Jin, Lisa—they all love you.”

My gaze drifted to Jimin, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He nodded encouragingly, hastily wiping at his cheeks as though trying to compose himself.

“Please don’t give up on us, pups,” Taehyung implored, resting his forehead against mine. His voice dropped to a whisper, so quiet it felt meant for me alone. My heart ached, the rawness of his plea stripping away any hesitation I had left.

“I’m not giving up,” I murmured, my voice cracking. “I just thought… we needed some time apart.”

A small, relieved smile graced his lips, and he straightened, his hand sliding down to grasp mine. Turning to address the room, he spoke with unyielding authority. “Jungkook is my mate, and I expect nothing but respect and support for him—for us.”

The room was silent for a beat, and then Jimin began to clap. The sound ignited a chain reaction, applause erupting from every corner. Laughter mingled with cheers as warmth and acceptance filled the space.

Hoseok stepped forward, embracing Taehyung with a hearty laugh. “Congrats, mate. I had no idea.”

Zara wasted no time enveloping me in a hug. “Oh my God, you two are perfect together!” she gushed, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so happy for you.”

For the next several minutes, the room buzzed with celebration. Taehyung’s arm remained firmly around me, his pride radiating like a beacon. What should have felt overwhelming instead felt like home. For the first time in my life, I felt surrounded by family—a family I never knew I needed.

Jimin, his eyes red from crying, wrapped me in a fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you, Jungkook,” he whispered. “You deserve this—everything.”

When he finally released me, he turned to Taehyung, his expression hardening. “You so much as make him frown, and I’ll personally make you regret it.”

“Jimin!” I gasped, scandalised.

“I mean it,” he said firmly, his gaze still locked on Taehyung. “Jungkook deserves nothing but happiness.”

Taehyung nodded solemnly. “I won’t ever hurt him. I swear it.”

As Jimin finally relented, wiping his cheeks, a grin broke across his face. “Right, then. Are we celebrating or what?”

Taehyung pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Damn right we are,” he murmured, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

That night, amidst the laughter and love, I finally understood what it meant to belong.

Words— 2100
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