Chapter 2
Taehyung was quiet the whole ride back.
He didn’t say much at the party either, but that wasn’t new. He was always the quieter one — observant, composed. He said little, but meant everything.
Still, something felt… wrong.
His silence on the drive wasn’t peaceful. It had weight. Like it had grown claws.
I asked casually, glancing over.
Jeon Taehyung
Just sleepy.
He didn’t fall asleep, though. Just stared out the window, eyes tracking nothing.
At home, we tucked the kids in — Seon begged for one more bedtime story, and Hana curled into Taehyung’s side like a cat. He smiled softly at them. Kissed their foreheads. Brushed their hair.
His hands were always so gentle. Even when I didn’t deserve them.
The next morning, he didn’t eat much. My mom complained the curry was too watery. He apologized. I said nothing.
By the third day, I couldn't ignore it anymore. The house was colder. Quieter. Even the way he walked felt distant, like he was shrinking into himself.
I found him folding laundry in our room, meticulously, like the routine was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.
I said, sitting beside him.
Jeon Jungkook
Are you mad at me? Did something happen?
He sighed and folded another shirt.
Jeon Taehyung
I want to work again.
Jeon Jungkook
You want to… work?
Jeon Taehyung
The kids are older now. I don’t need to be here all the time.
Jeon Taehyung
I want to do something.
I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know how. Not because I didn’t want him to but because the thought had never even crossed my mind.
In my head, Taehyung was always home.
Jeon Jungkook
But Tae… mom—
He laughed, short and humorless.
Jeon Taehyung
I knew you’d say that.
Jeon Taehyung
It’s always her.
Jeon Jungkook
No, it’s not that—
Jeon Taehyung
You know the worst part?
Jeon Taehyung
I waited. For years.
Jeon Taehyung
For you to ask me how I felt.
Jeon Taehyung
If I wanted something else. If I missed who I used to be.
Jeon Taehyung
But you never did. You assumed I was fine.
Jeon Taehyung
Because I didn’t complain.
Jeon Jungkook
That’s not fair. You never said—
Jeon Taehyung
You never asked.
All the noise in my head stopped.
And now, I didn’t know if he was still the same person waiting to be seen or someone already too far gone.
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