Taehyung and Namjoon sat silently on the grey leather couch spread in the drawing-room. They watched their kids running around the room. Their laughter filled the room, making both fathers delighted.

Namjoon was a little nervous. He was never nervous or shy. He became the total opposite of nervous and shy as a result of his profession. However, sitting next to his favorite idol made him experience all the nerve-wracking emotions.

He shifted his gaze to Taehyung, who sat to his left. Taehyung was flashing his boxy grin as his eyes followed the energetic kids running around.

Namjoon cheered for himself so he could start the conversation. "Uh..." He gazed at Taehyung, but couldn't seem to get his attention.

Oh, Lord! Why is it so difficult? It's not like you are on a blind date. Just focus and initiate a talk, Joon.

He coughed louder and was successful in attracting the attention of his favorite idol. "I'm your fan." He spoke while fiddling with his fingers and gazing down.

Why is he acting like a newly married wife? I'm not your husband, hyung.

Taehyung smiled and shook his head as he brushed his thoughts aside. "Yeah! Aera told me. She is a wonderful daughter." He said, looking at the girl as he flashed a genuine smile.

Namjoon looked up and noticed Taehyung's loving gaze on his daughter. All his nervousness vanished within a second as he flashed his dimple smile. "Indeed! I grew her up well, didn't I?

Taehyung nodded once more as he turned to face the elder. "You did! Where is your wife, if you don't mind me asking?" He kept his gaze fixed on Namjoon, unsure if the question was more personal or not.

It was the first time they met, so it may be personal. Since the time Taehyung and Ji-hu arrived, he hadn't seen anyone else other than Namjoon and Aera. So, he thought to take a chance and ask the question.

Namjoon replied with a sigh, "I'm not married." He didn't feel any remorse. He was simply saddened by the reminder of those days. "Actually, Aera happened while we were engaged. I was overjoyed to find that she, I mean my ex-fiancee was expecting our child. However, I discovered that she was in love with someone else." He let out another sigh.

Taehyung scooted closer and took the elder's hands in his. "It's fine, hyung. You don't need to."

"No, Tae! I'm fine. I'd like to share. I don't have many friends, and I'd be delighted to have you as one." Before proceeding, he smiled and looked at Aera.

"She wanted to abort and asked me to do that. Can you believe, she asked me to abort my child?!" He locked his gaze on Taehyung's befuddled expression. To say he was perplexed was an understatement.

"I understand. You must be confused." Namjoon's remark was met with a nod from Taehyung.

"Well, I'm a gynecologist. My hospital and patients had always kept me occupied. She felt as if my work will always get in the way of our relationship. So she started seeing someone else, which I found out later. When I found out she was pregnant, I promised her she only had to bear the kid, and then she would be free."

Taehyung sighed and returned his gaze to Namjoon, he couldn't see any grief, though.

He looked with a questionable gaze, which made Namjoon continue as though he could see through the younger.

"Taehyung, I have a lot of patients who haven't been able to conceive naturally. I'd always wonder what I would do if that was my fate too. However, Aera... Since the day I found out my ex was pregnant, I've been the happiest person on the planet. So I'm grateful she consented to give the child to me."

"Did she marry someone else?" Taehyung inquired inquisitively.

"Well, yes! She did, and she is happy. I called off the engagement later on. My parents were upset because it was they who had chosen her for me. But they couldn't think of anything else once they held little Aera in their arms." Namjoon flashed a genuine smile.

"And here I was thinking I was the only one having problems." Taehyung, who was still clutching Namjoon's hands, looked down.

Namjoon pulled his hands and placed them on Taehyung's, rubbing the back of his hands in soothing circles. "Do you want to share? I'm all ears."

Taehyung looked up and contemplated if he should share or not. His heart melted as he continued to look at Namjoon's soft expressions.

How can someone look so mature yet soft, so strong yet gentle, so older yet friendly?

He smiled and continued to share his story.

Taehyung couldn't explain why he felt compelled to tell Namjoon everything. They had only met for the first time, yet Taehyung felt as if he had known him for years. He felt like Namjoon was his elder brother, who would shield him from harm.

I've always wished for an elder brother, and I can almost see you as one. I might be your friend, but you are like my older brother now. Thanks, hyung!

🥀

"Uncle? This is delichous" Ji-hu commented, giggling and clapping his hands.

"Baby, it's delicious." Taehyung corrected his kid before turning to face Namjoon, who sat across from him with Aera to the elder's right. "Yes, hyung. It's delicious. You cook so well." He made a remark that elicited a dimple smile from the older.

"Thank you, Tae. Eat well!" Namjoon grinned and began to eat.

Taehyung and Ji-hu began stuffing their mouths with a similar pout. Namjoon admired the father-son duo who ate their kimchi fried rice identically. He took his phone from his pocket and snapped a picture of them before switching it to silent mode and turning off the flash.

Namjoon set his phone next to his plate on the table and turned to his right to face his daughter. She looked so happy seeing Ji-hu. He then looked at the father-son duo.

Not all relations are by blood. But some relations give us a different level of peace and fullness. I'd love to have Taehyung as my younger brother. Thanks, Ji-hu. I've never seen Aera so joyful. It seems like the presence of you two will only make us happier.

____________________

I was bored to give a chapter today, but I wanted to since I wrote it.

So yeah! That's it. I hope you liked it.

See you all tomorrow ♥️

Taehyung's expressions here will never not be funny 😂😂