Taehyung held Jungkook on his bed, allowing the younger to lean back against his chest. He had been surprised to see Jungkook at the door earlier in the day. Even though he told Taehyung they'd meet up, a small part of him was worried the boy's parents wouldn't let him go.

When Jungkook filled him in on the morning and what happened, Taehyung got very emotional as well. He felt so sad that the younger's parents wouldn't accept their relationship. They were like a second family to him and he, too, would have to grieve this loss. But despite the sadness, Taehyung felt incredibly loved. He felt so lucky to share his heart with someone like Jungkook.

He had his arms wrapped around Jungkook's stomach, hands preoccupied with destroying the sticky item he held.

"This was not what I had in mind when I bought these," Jungkook said, letting the elder feed him the candy from the edible underwear.

Taehyung broke off another segment and lifted his hand to the younger's mouth. "Who knew these would be so tasty."

Jungkook groaned. "They'd be fucking delicious if I was eating them off of you."

"No way. I don't want your teeth biting anything off of my dick." Taehyung said, giving up on the candy and putting it to the side. "And look at the mess it created!"

Jungkook grabbed Taehyung's sticky and candy-stained hands and pulled them to his mouth. He placed a soft kiss on each of the elder's palms before intertwining their hands together. "There. Now we're stuck together forever."

"You're cute," Taehyung said, kissing the boy on the side of his head.

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. "Hi boys, can I come in?" It was Taehyung's mother.

Neither of the two changed their position; Taehyung kept his arms around Jungkook as he told his mother to come in.

She smiled upon taking in the two. "I packed you both a lunch for the trip back. Do you need anything else?"

Taehyung and Jungkook decided to cut their trip home early after what happened. The younger tried convincing Tae that it was alright to stay, but Taehyung wanted them to go back to their own place. Their own home. Besides, Taehyung's parents offered to come visit the two in a few weeks anyway.

"I think we're all set, thank you," Taehyung said, smiling at his mother. She waved and shut the door behind her.

"One last chance to reconsider," Jungkook offered, leaning his head back on Taehyung's shoulder so they could look at each other.

Taehyung bent down and kissed the younger on the mouth. "You ask me that one more time and I'm going to spank you."

Jungkook grinned at the elder's threat. "Are you sure you don't want to stay longer?"

"That's it. When we get home, you're in for it."

"Perfect," the younger replied, pecking the other boy's lips before standing up. They each took one of Taehyung's bags and brought them to the front door.

Taehyung's parents joined them, offering lots of hugs and reassuring advice. They'd been briefly filled in on the situation with the younger's family, and although they were livid, they did their best to make sure Jungkook knew how much they loved him.

They were all hugging one last time as someone knocked on the front door.

"We weren't expecting anyone," Taehyung's mother told the group.

Taehyung opened the door and his hand clenched into a fist. He took in Jungkook's parents and stepped in front of the younger, shielding him from them.

Jungkook's heart started slamming in his chest. He didn't want another confrontation with them. After getting everything off his chest this morning, there was nothing more he needed to say.

He stepped out from behind Taehyung's back and stood next to his boyfriend, purposefully grabbing his hand. If his parents came to intimidate him, to get him to back down, they'd not be successful.

Jungkook's mother placed a hand on her husband's arm, nodding to him slightly.

"I . . . ," the older man started, fidgeting with his hands as he looked at his son. "I'm so sorry, Jungkook."

Taehyung heard Jungkook suck in a slight breath, most likely shocked to hear his father apologize.

"I have no excuse. I had no right to speak to you - or Taehyung - that way. I wish I could go back and change my reaction. Because I might not completely understand, but I love you. And I didn't show you that at all. You have made me so proud all of your life, and in the moment you may have needed me most, I let you down. I am sorry you could not be proud of me."

He reached out to Taehyung then, presenting him with the stack of his letters. "I now see how much you love my son. I'm so sorry, Taehyung, that I didn't let you tell us this in person earlier. But I now know that as long as Jungkook is with you, he will have someone who will love him unconditionally."

Taehyung accepted the papers, nodding to the man.

Jungkook's father looked back to his son. "I failed you. But I will work each day to make myself a better father, so if you ever choose to forgive me, I will be deserving of a son like you. A son that follows his heart and does not give up, but fights, to protect his love."

Jungkook's parents were openly crying now, ashamed for how everything had went down.

"We love you so much, Jungkook," his mother sobbed. "We are so sorry."

"I love you, Jungkook," his father added. "You are so much more than I ever hoped for, and you will go on to do great things. I am so proud. I hope one day you can find a way to forgive me."

Tears threatened to fall from Jungkook's eyes, but he didn't bother wiping them away. His parents' apology meant everything to him. But it still didn't take away the pain he had endured.

"I love you both, too," he said, emotion making his voice heavy and thick. "I always will. And I forgive you, too. I just need . . . time . . ."

"Take all the time you need. We will be here for you if you want us to be," Jungkook's father said. "And as for the money for school and the apartment . . . I take it all back. I could never cut you off. I said such hateful things . . . and I . . . "

His father broke off, unable to speak through his sobbing. Jungkook's mother quietly consoled him and they turned to leave.

Jungkook looked to Taehyung, who was already looking up at him. Love and support shone from his eyes. No matter the younger's decision, he'd support him all the way.

"We're going to have Tae's parents visit in a few weeks. You can come if you want," Jungkook said, gripping Taehyung's hand for dear life. Taehyung squeezed back harder, showing the younger he was there for him.

"Let us know the time and date, and we'll be there," Jungkook's father said.

Jungkook nodded and watched them walk away. Taehyung closed the door, securing them inside. His parents left the room, giving the boys their privacy.

"You're so brave, Kook. So brave, and tolerant, and forgiving," Taehyung said, gently cradling Jungkook's face in his hands.

"That was really hard, Tae," Jungkook admitted. "Part of me wanted to turn them away. But a bigger part didn't want to lose them."

Taehyung ran his thumb over the younger's cheek. "It's okay to love them, despite everything, baby. What they did was hurtful, I know. But they also realized how badly they messed up. That must count for something?"

Jungkook stepped closer to Taehyung. "I was afraid years would pass by and we wouldn't be speaking with one another. That really scared me. I'd rather try to help them understand than to not try at all."

Taehyung dropped his hands to Jungkook's neck, pulling the younger to press against his body. "And that's why I love you, Jeon Jungkook."

Jungkook clung to Taehyung, taking comfort in his embrace. He pulled back so he could look into the elder's eyes. "Aren't you supposed to tell me the exact reasons you love me after saying something like that?"

Taehyung nodded seriously. "Yes. I love you because of your muscles. They make me feel things that I've - "

Jungkook cut him off with his mouth. He kissed him passionately, silently thanking Taehyung for just being there for him the last couple of days. For not running the other way when things didn't work out like they planned. For standing by his side through it all.

He broke away and smiled at the elder. "Let's go home."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

I like to think that after all Kook had been through in this story, he's learned that hearing people out and forgiveness is very important. It would have been easy to refuse his parents after what they put him through, but at the end of the day, he let love win instead of hate.

And again, I want to say thank you to all my readers. I am so glad you guys have been enjoying this story!! Your constant support and love had meant the world to me, and I know the success this book has seen is because of all of you!

Also, I'm like crying because 17.2k reads is something I never thought would happen. Never thought #1 in #vkook or #2 in #fanfiction would happen either. It's all thanks to you. I love you all so much <3