Heartfelt Chronicles: Echoes Of Affection
"Hearts Across Eras"— 7
Jeon Taeyong asked, his brows creasing into worry.
“He ran away from home. Said his mother hurt him. We ran his prints through the system and you came back as the father. It seems you did a paternity test 8 years ago.” the Captain explained, arms crossed.
Taeyong
“You don’t have to check if his mother is the assailant. He’s telling the truth. Just arrest his mother.”
Jeon Taeyong ordered and sidestepped them, walking towards Jungkook. Jungkook didn’t know what to do, and he just looked up at him from his seat, standing tall and foreboding.
Jungkook
“Mr. Jeon, I told them not to call you.”
Jungkook tried to explain, fear filling his voice as his face contorted into a terrified expression,
Jungkook
“But they said if they didn’t, they’d have to call my Eomma since they have no proof that she hurt me.”
Taeyong sighed and tapped the shoulder of the paramedic, gesturing for him to move from Jungkook's side, then pulled a chair, sitting down next to him.
Taeyong
“I’m glad they called.”
He said, exasperated. Jungkook's eyes widened a fraction, and his lips fell open. He had to stop himself from taking a sharp inhale. His mother had filled his head with stories about how terrible of a person his father was, and he loathed him. But somehow, whenever he saw his face on TV, something told him it wasn’t like that. She always told him that if he went to his father, he wouldn’t care about him, and he would hurt him worse.
“He doesn’t even care enough to call you on your birthday. You think he gives a shit about you?” She would say.
But…Here he was. In front of Jungkook. His features were soft, and his expression was wracked with worry as he scanned Jungkook's injuries, and all those stories were flushed from his mind in an instant, replaced with this new piece of information.
The slate had been wiped clean from one look, and Jungkook's brain filed away the old memories, creating a new folder with this face as his first real memory of his father.
Taeyong
“How are you feeling, kiddo?”
Taeyong asked, moving a stray hair from in front of Jungkook's face. The gentleness in his touch was something that Jungkook had never felt in his life, and as his lips stayed agape, a sharp pain started to form near his nostrils, as though he smelled something pungent. A dull ache spread through the back of his head, on top of the migraine that was already ensuing from the pain, and a choked sob got caught in his throat.
His vision clouded over, and a tear fell from his eye, dripping down his cheek, as he sniffled, not having the energy to wipe it away.
Jungkook tried to say, but Taeyong cut him off.
Taeyong
“Just Taeyong’s fine.”
His voice was smooth and cut through Jungkook's swirling thoughts.
Jungkook
“Why didn’t you call me on my birthday?”
Jungkook asked, scared that the question would get him hurt again, both emotionally and physically, and Taeyong turned his head to the side.
Taeyong
“I and Hyunjin sent you a card every year with an allowance. She never gave them to you?”
He asked, and Jungkook shook his head. Once again, more of his memories were reorganizing themselves, and he looked at the face of his father.
Jungkook
“You came for me…"
Jungkook finally realized aloud.
Jungkook
"You actually came."
He repeated in disbelief.
Jeon Taeyong's brows lowered, causing his eyes to sweetly glimmer with concern.
Taeyong
"You're my kid. Of course I came."
Taeyong explained, and Jungkook raised his hands to his face, rubbing the stray tears from his cheeks.
Jungkook
"I thought you would kill me if you found out I'm the reason you got dragged out here."
Jungkook whispered, and Taeyong's eyes shut as he sighed in exasperation.
Taeyong
"Those are the stories she’s told you, huh?"
Taeyong asked knowingly, and Jungkook nodded.
Taeyong
"Nothing like that’s going to happen."
Taeyong started as he leaned towards Jungkook.
Taeyong
"Let’s go, sweetheart."
He said and stood up, starting to walk away from Jungkook. Jungkook looked at the paramedic, and he shrugged. He quickly stood up, trying not to trip over himself on his sprained ankle. Taeyong turned to Jungkook, seeing him limp. He sighed, getting down on one knee and gesturing to his back.
Taeyong said, and Jungkook looked at his broad back with confusion and surprise coloring his face. Taeyong looked over his shoulder and rolled his eyes.
Taeyong
“I’m not going to make you limp around. I’m only offering once, so hop on or suck it up.”
Though his words were harsh, his tone was exceedingly soft. Jungkook shakily put his arms around Taeyong's neck, locking his hands to avoid falling. Taeyong stood up, hooking his arms beneath each of Jungkook's knees. He turned to the Captain and the officer who were watching him.
Taeyong
“Call me if you find out anything else.”
Taeyong dug into his pocket and fished out his business card.
“Will do.” Captain Sang Woo reached for it and spoke with his heavy Busan accent.
Jungkook felt his heart beat quicker as he realized the situation he was in. One day, he was watching his mother throw a beer bottle at Jeon Taeyong's face, calling him worthless and telling him he never cared, and the next day, he’s on his back, and Taeyong is proving to him with every passing second that that was never the case.
Taeyong secured Jungkook in the passenger side of his car, helping him with the seatbelt and closing the door before getting into the driver’s side, unbuttoning his suit jacket with a nod to the officers outside. He put his sunglasses on, and just like that, he put on the stern billionaire doctor mask, and Jungkook watched him with interest.
Jeon Taeyong asked as he drove, his eyes never leaving the road. Jungkook flinched, looking out the window instead.
Jungkook
“Nothing. I’m sorry.”
Jungkook quickly replied.
Taeyong
“What’re you sorry for?”
Taeyong sounded confused, his features not changing.
Jungkook
“I’m sorry I looked at you for too long,”
Jungkook said and squeezed his eyes shut. Taeyong’s brows furrowed, and he was about to say something, but Jungkook receded further into his chair, closer to the door in an attempt to put some space between them. He covered his head.
Jungkook
“Please don’t hit me.”
Jungkook whimpered, and Taeyong's heart practically shattered in two. What had she done to him, a nine year old boy? Taeyong quickly pulled over to the side of the road, and Jungkook's heart began to beat faster, expecting to be hit with a sharp slap.
Taeyong
“Okay, let’s get one thing straight.”
He started, and Jungkook hesitantly turned back towards him.
Taeyong
“I’m not going to hurt you. I will never ever raise my hand at you, hit you, or injure you in any way. I know it’ll take some time getting used to, but that’s how it’s going to be with your Appa.”
He said, and Jungkook's breath hitched in his throat as he heard Taeyong use the word ‘Appa.’
Taeyong
“And one more thing.”
He gave Jungkook a look, and he waited in anticipation.
Taeyong
“I will never, never, not ever, let your Eomma get to you again. You understand me?”
His words were once again sharp, but his tone and his expression were soft and kind. Jungkook slowly nodded. Taeyong was amazed at himself for reacting so well to a child he had never known being dropped at his doorstep. He supposed it was because he always had an inkling that something like this might occur. He even told himself he wouldn’t take Jungkook in back then, and would find him some other place to live, but all that went out the window the second he heard Jungkook could be in danger. He never had a chance to let his fatherly instincts develop with this child, but maybe they were always there.
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