Chapter 09 : Paris : The City of Love

[Dinner After the Engagement Ceremony]

The long dining table at the Kim estate had never looked more vibrant.

Laughter echoed through the room like music, the golden chandelier casting a warm glow over the spread of delicious food Seokjin had proudly prepared. The atmosphere was a mix of joy and calm—like the lingering happiness after a long-awaited rain.

Everyone was there.

Namjoon and Seokjin sat at the head of the table, their fingers laced as they watched their two sons—Taehyung and now Jungkook—with quiet pride. Jimin was beside Jungkook, his ever-glowing energy lighting up the room. Yoongi, his boyfriend, sat beside him, wearing his usual calm expression but with a twinkle in his eyes.

Even Jungkook’s family had been invited.

His father sat stiffly at one end, trying to blend into the background. His stepmother wore pearls and a frozen smile, barely eating. Soojin sat beside her, arms crossed and lips pursed the whole evening, unable to hide her distaste every time Taehyung looked at Jungkook with tenderness.

But Jungkook?

He looked like he belonged here.

Wearing soft ivory, his engagement ring catching the candlelight, he sat beside Taehyung—his hand sometimes brushing the older’s under the table, his eyes always watching the family with wonder and warmth.

“Jungkookie,” Seokjin said sweetly, lifting his glass. “Now that you’re officially ours, we thought it was time you met everyone properly.”

Jungkook looked up with wide eyes.

“This,” Jimin gestured beside him, “is Yoongi. My grumpy, sleepy, ridiculously smart boyfriend who rarely talks unless it’s to insult me or flatter you.”

Jungkook blinked, surprised, then smiled shyly and picked up his notepad.

Nice to meet you. Thank you for always standing up for me.

Yoongi leaned forward, his voice deep but soft. “You don’t have to thank me for that. It’s natural to protect what matters.” He paused, then added, “You’re part of this family now, Jungkook. You’ll never have to stand alone again.”

Taehyung looked at Yoongi with genuine gratitude, his hand squeezing Jungkook’s under the table.

But before Jungkook could respond, Seokjin clapped his hands.

“Now, we do have a surprise,” he said, smiling like a man holding in a secret.

Namjoon stood, raising a small envelope in his hand. “This is a little gift from us—and from Jimin and Yoongi too. Something you both deserve.”

Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged confused glances as Namjoon handed over the envelope.

Taehyung opened it and read silently, then froze.

Jungkook peeked over his shoulder, and his mouth parted slightly.

Two first-class tickets.

To Paris.

“A week,” Namjoon said. “Just the two of you. To spend time, breathe, fall in love all over again—before the wedding madness starts.”

Jimin grinned. “The Eiffel Tower, the rain, the streets, the food… perfect for stolen kisses and cute selfies.”

Jungkook stared down at the tickets, then at everyone else, then finally at Taehyung.

Taehyung reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind Jungkook’s ear.

“Paris with you,” he whispered. “It already sounds like my favorite memory.”

Soojin scoffed quietly, but Yoongi shot her a glance so sharp she went silent instantly.

And when Taehyung leaned in and kissed the back of Jungkook’s hand, right there in front of everyone, even the silence between them spoke louder than words:

They were in love.

Undeniably. Unshakably.

Forever kind of love.

And with everyone clapping, glasses clinking, and Jungkook’s soft blush blooming under Taehyung’s gaze, it became clear—

This was just the beginning.

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