Chapter 18

✨

After two days

11:00 | Sunshine's Café

The small café was filled with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Soft music played in the background, blending with the faint sounds of coffee machines whirring and distant conversations. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a golden glow over the wooden tables and chairs.

It was a regular morning, but for a few people inside, it was a moment of quiet companionship.

Aera was at school, and Jungkook, as always, was helping Hobi with the orders. Though the café had two more employees, Hobi preferred working closely with Jungkook. They shared a bond deeper than just coworkers—Hobi considered Jungkook as his little brother.

At a corner table, Taehyung and Yoongi sat side by side, their focus on their laptops. The steady clicking of keyboards and occasional shifting in seats were the only signs of their presence. Across from them, Jimin scrolled through social media, waiting for Jungkook and Hobi to finish their tasks. His foot bounced slightly under the table, the anticipation of their planned gaming session making him restless.

After twenty-five minutes, Jungkook and Hobi finally joined him.

"Finally! Took you both long enough," Jimin huffed dramatically, closing his phone.

Jungkook chuckled. "C’mon, Hyung, we had work to do."

xYeah, yeah. Now, let’s play!" Jimin said excitedly, opening his laptop.

The three quickly immersed themselves in their online action game, fingers flying over the keyboard as they strategized and battled their virtual enemies.

At first, they played in silence, their eyes fixed on their screens, but within minutes, Jimin’s loud voice broke the quiet atmosphere.

"Hobi! Follow me, now! No, no, go left!" Jimin exclaimed, panic lacing his voice.

"Jungkook! Be careful, enemy at three o’clock!"

"Sh*t! Jungkook, help me! HELP!"

Yoongi, who had been typing away on his laptop, paused and turned toward Jimin. A soft smile formed on his lips as he watched his husband get so deeply involved in the game. Jimin’s eyebrows were furrowed, his lips pressed together in concentration. His worried expressions, the way his fingers moved frantically, and his occasional gasps made him look downright adorable. Yoongi couldn’t help but shake his head with amusement.

Taehyung, on the other hand, was watching Jungkook—but not for the same reason.

Jungkook looked like a professional gamer, completely immersed in the game. His sharp gaze was locked onto the screen, his left hand moving swiftly across the keyboard while his right hand controlled the mouse with precise, calculated movements. His brows were slightly furrowed, his jaw clenched in focus.

There was something undeniably attractive about the way he looked—his serious expression, the slight anger in his eyes as he strategized, the way his fingers moved quickly over the controls. It was effortless, natural, and oddly mesmerizing.

A small smile formed on Taehyung’s lips. He knew Jungkook had no idea he was being watched, and that made the moment even more endearing.

After nearly forty minutes of intense gameplay, the trio finally finished their match. As soon as the victory screen appeared, Jungkook and Hobi turned to each other with wide smiles.

"Yeah!" they cheered in unison, raising their hands in excitement.

Yoongi and Taehyung, who had been unknowingly watching the entire time, suddenly realized how long they had been staring. They quickly averted their gazes, but the younger ones were too busy celebrating their win to notice.

Just as the excitement settled, Taehyung’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen—it was his Appa, Namjoon.

A warm smile graced his lips as he picked up the call.

"Hello, Appa," he greeted, his voice filled with affection.

"Hello, Taebear" Namjoon’s voice came through, gentle and loving. “Umm… are you working, cub?”

"No," Taehyung replied, still smiling.

"Do you have any meetings today?"

"No… Why, Appa?"

"Your Eomma and I have something to talk about with you."

Taehyung’s smile faltered slightly. "Okay… then I’ll come home in a few."

"No, no. You stay. We’ll come to the office."

"But Appa, I’m not in the office right now, Taehyung said, shifting in his seat.

"Oh? Then where are you?"

"In Hobi Hyung’s café… Appa, is everything okay?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.

"Yes, cub. Everything is okay. We just need to talk."

Taehyung frowned slightly at the way Namjoon spoke—calm yet slightly nervous. "What is it about, Appa?"

"We’ll talk when we get there."

Taehyung sighed but nodded. "Okay, then."

As soon as he hung up, he noticed the curious stares directed at him.

"What happened, Tae?" Yoongi asked first.

"I don’t know, Hyung. Appa said he and Eomma want to talk to me about something," Taehyung replied, brows slightly furrowed.

"Oh…"

"Are you going back home, then?" Hobi asked.

"No, they’re coming here," Taehyung said casually.

"Ohh wow, that’s great! Eomma and Appa are coming!" Hobi beamed.

"Yeah! It’s been so long since I last met them," Jimin added excitedly.

However, amidst all the chatter, someone else was feeling nervous—Jungkook.

He wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like he was Taehyung’s boyfriend meeting his parents for the first time. They were just… Taehyung’s parents.

So why did his hands feel a little clammy?

Taehyung, noticing Jungkook’s sudden silence, turned to him. “Jungkook, are you okay?”

"Me? Yeah, I’m fine—"

"Hey! Today Jungkook is going to meet our Namjin couple for the first time!” Jimin exclaimed, cutting Jungkook off.

"Namjin?" Jungkook asked, confused.

"Yeah," Taehyung chuckled. "He means my Eomma and Appa. ‘Namjin’ is like a nickname for them—‘Nam’ from Namjoon Appa and ‘Jin’ from Seokjin Eomma."

"Ahh… that’s cute," Jungkook said with a small smile.

Taehyung looked at him fondly, his heart warming at the sight.

—

Twenty minutes later, the café door swung open, and in walked Namjoon and Seokjin.

Taehyung, Jimin, Hobi, and Yoongi looked up, their faces instantly lighting up.

Before anything else, Jimin and Hobi launched themselves at Jin, hugging him tightly.

"You both are still five-year-old kids," Jin huffed, squeezing them.

"Eomma, it’s been so long!" Jimin whined.

"Oh? So you missed me?" Jin smirked.

Jimin nodded eagerly.

"But still didn’t come to visit?" Jin playfully scolded, grabbing their ears.

“Ahh, Eomma, that hurts! Sorry, sorry!” they yelped.

Jungkook watched, a soft smile playing on his lips. There was so much love in their interactions—it felt warm, like a real family.

Meanwhile, Taehyung’s eyes were on Jungkook, admiring his gentle smile.

Finally, Taehyung stood up. "Eomma, Appa," he greeted warmly.

Namjoon and Jin turned to him, their eyes then landing on Jungkook.

Before Taehyung could introduce him, Jimin beat him to it.

"My best friend!" Jimin announced proudly.

"Not only yours, pabo," Taehyung teased.

Jungkook smiled and bowed slightly. "Hello, Mr. and Mr. Kim. I’m Jungkook—Jeon Jungkook. Nice to meet you."

Jin’s face lit up. "Oh, little bunny, don’t be so formal!"

Jungkook’s cheeks turned pink at the nickname.

"Joonie, look! He’s so cute!" Jin gushed, squeezing Jungkook’s cheeks.

Namjoon chuckled. "Hello, Jungkook. I’m Kim Namjoon, Taehyung’s father."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim, Jungkook replied.

With smiles all around, they all took their seats, ready for whatever conversation awaited them.

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