Chapter Fourteen

...Current Timeline...

A sudden breeze hits the soft skin of Taehyung. Taehyung, who was seated on a Bench outside of his home, hadn't noticed how long he was outside. His hands were cold and his face was covered in redness. He sighs not knowing when tears were falling from his eyes.

He looks at the seaside view with eyes glittering when the sun gets near the blue horizon. His body itches from his long stay so he gets up from the swing and turns only to meet with the screams of his children.

"Papa!" Yu-Na runs into the house and straight to find her papa. "In the garden!" Taehyung yells back and in moments he hears the running footsteps coming for him.

"Papa!" Yu-Na jumps onto Taehyung's arm when he caught her. It has always been like that, wherever Yu-Na went always from him she could come running in his arms.

"How many times have I told you not to run? You get hurt baby" he scolds while tightly embracing her.

"For my papa, no pain is big enough" she teased while kissing his cheeks.

"If your melodrama is over can I greet my papa now?" YeonJun comes behind and grabs Yu-na by her collar and pulls her away from Taehyung.

"Papa" he whines but YeonJun ignores her and falls into Taehyung's arms. "Missed me, Papa?" He teased him too.

"I always do too," Taehyung replied, which caused YeonJun to smile. Breaking the hug Taehyung looked behind them expecting a certain someone to walk in but like always no one was behind.

YeonJun noticed the disappointment in Taehyung's face so he said "Appa had an important meeting so he had to leave in a hurry papa" he tried to cheer him up.

Taehyung didn't reply to that and only smiled "you guys must be hungry. Let me go prepared food, you go change" they both nodded and rushed to their rooms.

Taehyung makes his way to the kitchen when the phone rings which was placed on the counter. He went to pick up the line not knowing that Yeonjun was on the other call. "Hello" Taehyung answered and YeonJun listened.

"Taehyung" Ji-Eun's voice could be heard on the other side. "Hey" he replies.

"I almost forgot to inform you that tomorrow we are hosting a birthday party for Kai. so I called to let you know," she said excitedly.

"Ah yes I will let the kids know, they will be there-"

"No, The invitation is not just for the kids Taehyung." There was a pulse when Ji-Eun said that.

Taehyung, who didn't know what to say. All this year he had managed to keep himself away from everyone and no one had questioned it. Now he was being invited to be part of something and he doesn't know what to feel.

"W-what?" His voice whispers as if he misheard what she said.

On the other side of the phone, Jungkook was also listening to the conversation between the two. He looks away when Taehyung's voice gets small. Something in him felt wrong.

"You know I can't....he won't like it if I am there," Taehyung said, holding back the sadness.

YeonJun looks down. He wished his papa and Appa were like Ji-Eun and his Appa. YeonJun might be young but he understands where his parents stand. He knows how much his appa hates his papa though he never knew why. He just hopes one day his family can truly be completed.

"Please Taehyung, Kai will be upset if you don't come. And don't worry about Jungkook he can suck it up for a day" Ji-Eun looks up at Jungkook with a warning look and jungkook frowning.

Taehyung still had no words for it... Even if she wanted him there he can't have Kai's father be upset the night of his birthday. He can't ruin something so special by attending it. "I am sorry but I can't," he said.

The little Kai looks up at his Appa with teary eyes. He also was there listening to the conversation. "If TaeTae doesn't come, I don't want Party!" Kai cries out.

Taehyung, who heard the little boy cry, felt guilty instead. "Appa never lets TaeTae come! I don't like Appa" Kai screams with tears floating out of his eyes. The little boy runs to his room with tears streaming from his round eyes.

Ji-Eun glares at her husband and sets the phone down "you made my son cry so it's up to you to make him smile. For once stop being selfish for yourself. If not others, at least see your son's happiness. He wants Tae, so do I.you better make this right" she also walks away towards her son's room.

Jungkook stares at his wife back in surprise. He knows how much of a problem he has created because of his ego but never was he confronted about it. Especially not by Ji-Eun but now that she does he feels upset. But for his son, he has to let his guard down so he unknowingly picks up the phone. He says nothing because he doesn't know what to say. Heck, no one would know what to say to someone who you haven't talked to in years.

"Taehyung" Jungkook whispers.

As if someone had taken Taehyung's ability to breathe he stood stunned hearing the voice he had almost forgotten. Yeon Jung covers his mouth with his hands because it was the first time he heard his father taking Taehyung's name. YeonJun's eyes were matching Taehyungs right now.

"Y-Yes" Taehyung hates that he shuttered.

Jungkook paused for a moment to man up "you should come. Kai wants you here" he thanked whoever was above that he was able to speak properly.

Taehyung wouldn't believe that Jungkook was talking to him, let alone inviting him to his son's party. He doesn't know what to make out of this. "W-what?" he wanted to hear it again just to make sure he wasn't imaging.

"You are invited to Kai's party along with the kids" and Jungkook hangs up because he can't continue the conversation. Jungkook walks away from the phone as if nothing happened.

What he failed to notice was the figure of a woman and her 11-year-old son peeking from their rooms and listening to Jungkook. "Now can I have chocolate?" the kid asked hidden behind his mother.

"My son is mine" she dances in happiness lifting the boy in her arms. "We can have all the chocolate in the world. You're gonna be an actor just like me baby" she happily took her on towards the kitchen for his reward.

Taehyung was still lost in his thoughts while holding the phone. It feels unreal that Jungkook wanted him to be part of his family. Not knowing what he should feel, his eyes slowly tore while heavy sighs were leaving his chest.

"Papa," Yeonjun said, coming behind Taehyung. Taehyung turns around to see YeonJun smiling at him.

"Y-yes" He tried to stay calm. But having YeonJun run to him and embrace him in his arms made him feel weaker. Taehyung being smaller than his son easily disappears in the 17-year-old arms.

"I am so happy for you papa" he whispered, holding back his emotions.  Taehyungs can guess that his son heard it all. He also holds him with the same force "me too" he lets out.

For him, his son is someone who can give him comfort. Someone who he realize, He had YeonJun when his life was taking turns for the worst but even so YeonJun somehow brought him courage. From the day Taehyung found out he was there Taehyung felt a strong will to fight for his life for him. YeonJun faced many struggles after he was born too. The thing that could leave a child trumurzie for his baby was strong and brought along his Papa. YeonJun always believed in Taehyung even when he wouldn't give him the life a child needs.

"I love you" Taehyung kissed his forehead. YeonJun smiles at his papa's beautiful face and wipes this coming year "I love you more Papa" YeonJun said which got him smiling.

"I know you love him more but don't make it obvious" They both turn to see Yu-na standing by the kitchen and pouting.

"Come hear Bert '' YeonJun calls his sister but earns a smack from Taehyung ''be nice to your little sister" he warns.

Yu-Na comes running and pushes YeonJun a little so she can be in the middle. Her arms going around Taehyung "I love you papa" she said and Taehyung giggles "I love you too baby" he holds her in his arms as he did to YeonJun.

"Disgusting" YeonJun crumbling his nose together in disgust.

It was noon when YeonJun went out to meet his close friend Soobin. They were sitting near the cold riverside. Two coffee cups beside them as they stare off at the glazing water. It was the fresh week of spring so the air was still cold but the little light coming from the dying sun was enough to keep them warm.

"So your Appa finally talks to Papa" Soobin started. From the moment they met today, YeonJun was going nonstop about how his Appa talked to his Papa and he was so excited about it.

Soon in has known YeonJun since their school days and he understands the oldest situation. How much the other wanted his parents to be together. "Yah! You should have seen the reaction when Yu-Na found out that Appa also wanted Papa to come to the party. The whole house was full of her screams and papa giggles. I have never seen Yu-Na or papa so happy" YeonJun looks at Soobin with excitement in his eyes. He looks like a little kid who was given an early present of Christmas.

"I am glad to know uncle is happy. I also wanted him and your apps together. Do you think it will happen?" Soobin also eagerly waits for it to happen.

The question makes the smile drop from Yeonjun's face and Soobin regrets it immediately. YeonJun again looks towards the floating water and sighs "I don't know.." he begins.

"Now it seems like a faraway dream that I can't even see anymore. It would be nice if appa was to treat my papa the same as he does to his wife...or even little but I know that can't be" YeonJun's voice changes into a sad one. Soobin doesn't speak and lets the older speak his heart.

"But Appa loves aunty Ji-Eun. I don't hate him for not loving my papa nor do I blame aunty Ji-Eun. I can see how much love they have for each other. You can't hate them for it....but between their love my papa's loves was lost." he stops talking and lowers his head.

Soobin brings his hands and places them over YeonJun's hands. "Seeing them happy while my papa has to suffer doesn't make me feel good. I may not hate it but I don't feel good about it either. I don't know what their life was before this, or what got them in this situation but seeing him hurt...it painful."

"If appa doesn't love papa then at least he didn't make papa feel worthless. Seeing him hide away whenever he comes to pick us up. Or seeing him stand behind the curtains just to see a glimpse of his human I feel like something stabbing me. Having to leave him alone each week to go over the appa house is hard. I know how lonely it gets for him" YeonJun tears unexpectedly fall from his doe eyes.

"Do you ever wanna talk to your appa about it? You said you have a lot to ask him." Soobin gently rubbed the back of YeonJun's hands.

"I don't know....I don't think I ever will be able to hear why Papa's life came to be so memorable" YeonJun somewhere in his heart knows that maybe the reason behind his father's endless pain was him.

Not that he has told himself that he was the reason but he has heard it enough. His grandmother from his appa side has constantly told YeonJun that he was the reason to ruin everyone's life was enough for him to know.

Soobin sees the lingering pain in YeonJun's eyes and something in him hurts. It is no surprise to anyone that Soobin likes yeonJun, has been a long time. But knowing how the other usually tells him that he doesn't believe in love caught him back from letting his feelings out. But still, it was painfully obvious to others how much he likes YeonJun. And even YeonJun knows but he is not ready to face it.

Soobin brings YeonJun closer to lean on his shoulder. He doesn't say much but "everything will be okay". Oh How much YeonJun wants to deny that nothing will ever be okay. His papa will never be happy again. He will never see his family together but he holds them back.

"Beomgyun the love birds are here" one of the kids yelled which grabbed the two attention. Beomgyu Yeonjun's cousin comes running with heavy breathing and falls on his knees.

Yeonjun instead runs to catch the smaller man in his arm "Beomgyu what happened? Why are you like this?" YeonJun asked with worried eyes. Soobin by his side.

"H-Hyung R-ui and his many are bullying the new student. W-we try to help but the seniors almost beat us" Beomgyu was breathing. His clothes are dirty.

"Let go!" the soonbin side running away with the other student. "What is his name?" YeonJun was running with the others.

"I don't know!" Beomgyu answered as they reached the courtyard.

Soobin was the first to reach the courtyard. His fist clutches when he sees Rui throwing the smaller-looking boy onto the cement ground. He runs faster as Rui was about to kick him but before that Soobin tackles him down onto the cold ground.

YeonJun makes for the fallen boy "are you okay?" he asked but couldn't see the boy's face because he was hiding.

The boy had utter words but YeonJun wasn't able to make anything out of them. He can hear the boy breathing hard with everything in him. "I-nha-ler" the boy stagger coughing painfully.

Yeonjun, thankfully, understood the boy and searched for the inhaler but he wasn't having any luck with it. "Where is it?" he asks and the boy points at the bag that was thrown away from him.

"Beomgyu bring the bag!" YeonJun yells which he does. Second, YeonJun finds the small baby blue inhaler and brings it to the boy's mouth.

"Stay down!" Soobin was punching the bully while gripping him on the ground.

The boy's breathing came back to normal but still, his chest was rising heavily. The boy with round teary eyes looks up to YeonJun. The boy was holding tightly onto his hand as if he was scared to let him hho.

Rui saw that Soobin's attention was on Yeonjun so he takes advaget of the moment and pushes Soobin harshly before running away from them. Hyunjin comes to his side and helps him off. "Are you okay?" Yeonjun asked the smaller man.

"I am. Thank you" he said, coming to stand on his feet with YeonJun's help. "Why was he trying to hurt you?" YeonJun asks and others come to surround him.

"I didn't give him money. My Dad gave me food and he wanted to take it. I refused him and he hit me. ''The boy tried not to cry but YeonJun could see right through him.

"What is your name?" Soobin asked.

"Taehyun," the little one smiling widely.

"Taehyun, if he bothers you again, come to us. We will make sure he doesn't hurt you. Don't be afraid of that idiot. I am Soobin but you look young so you can call me Hyung" Soobin said smiling Wildey and YeonJun gave Soobin a cute look.

"I am 12 so I will call you Hyung," He said slowly smiling.

"I am yeonJun and Hyung too. Same with Beomgyu and Hyunjin" YeonJun introduces and the others nod.

"Taehyun, I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?" Hyunjin said and Taehyun nodded.

"I live in Japan. My dad brought a new resort here so I am staying here for the summer" Taehyun said and all the others' jaws dropped hearing that.

Rich.

"Will it be nice to know you? If you need friends we are here for you" There was something in Beomgyu's eyes that YeonJun had a question about and he looks aww streak.

Just then a big truck rolls a little far from them. The boys turn towards the black truck. A man fully suited steps out of the vehicle. "Dad!" Taehyun runs towards his father.

"Don't run, you get hurt!" The older man looks worried towards his son who comes jumping in his arms.

"Dad, I made friends! Look!" He points towards the 4 boys who give a small smile. Hoseok smiles widely at his son and his friends.

"I am happy to see you getting along. We have to go to aunty Lisa's home today" Hoseok said, making the boy excited.

"Yes! I get to play with Aunty Lisa and Ross!" Taehyun clapped. He waved to his new friends and hopped into the truck with the help of Hoseok.

Hoseok turns towards the boys and smiles "thank you for being his friend" He said and others were happy about his attitude.

"It's alright! Taehyun seems like a nice kid" YeonJun steps forward and smiles at the older man. Hoseok pulses when he takes a good look at the boy.

He stands stunned seeing how much resembles the kid had with someone he knew....from those almond eyes to those plumed lips. Even the smile on the face matched with the person.

YeonJun feels awkward seeing the man just standing and staring at him. Soobin wasn't very pleased with Hoseok's stares either.

"Dad let go!" Taehyun yells back at Hoseok from his thoughts. "Coming!" with a last glance at YeonJun, Hoseok makes his way back into his truck and drives away.

"Weird" YeonJun said before turning away.

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