Chapter 2 : “Threads of Light”

For a moment, no one moved.

Eunha’s tiny fingers clutched Jungkook’s coat, her face buried in his stomach as if hiding from the world. Her small body trembled, so faintly no one but Jungkook would have noticed.

Taehyung did.

Jungkook slowly lowered himself, crouching to her level, hands steadying her shoulders.

“Eunha,” he said softly, the kind of softness no one at the hospital had ever heard from him. “What are you doing here? It’s not daycare time yet.”

Her lip wobbled. “They called. They said you need to pick me early.”

Jungkook’s heart dropped. “Why? Did something happen?”

She shook her head, pressing her rabbit tighter. “No.. but I felt lonely. They said I was quiet today and.. I didn’t want to be alone anymore.”

Jungkook’s throat tightened painfully.

Behind him, Taehyung stood completely still, no judgment, no pity. Just quiet observation, eyes softening in a way Jungkook wasn’t prepared for.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Eunha whispered, shoulders curling inward. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Jungkook cupped her cheek immediately. “You’re never a bother. Never.”

Something in Taehyung’s expression flickered, like the words hit him too.

He cleared his throat quietly. “If you need to step out, I can handle the charts for now.”

Jungkook stiffened. He hated people seeing his life bleed into work.

“I can manage,” he said curtly, lifting Eunha in his arms. She wrapped herself around him like she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go.

“But she needs you,” Taehyung said gently.

Not pushy. Not intrusive. Js'.. stating a truth Jungkook couldn’t deny.

Jungkook turned slightly, trying to shield Eunha from the stares in the hallway, his voice low. “I’ll take her to the break room. It’ll only be a moment.”

“I’ll come with you,” Taehyung murmured.

The words made Jungkook tense.

“You don’t need to–”

“I know.”

Taehyung’s eyes met his.

“But I want to.”

Something fragile and dangerous fluttered in Jungkook’s chest.

He nodded once.

Barely.

The break room was quiet. Too quiet.

Eunha sat on the couch, rabbit hugged to her chest, small legs dangling. Jungkook knelt in front of her, brushing stray strands of hair behind her ears.

“Sweetheart.. why didn’t you stay at daycare?”

She shrugged. “I felt.. empty.”

The word hit Jungkook like a punch.

Empty.

A feeling a seven-year-old should never know.

He breathed in slowly, steadying his voice. “Do you feel sick? Did someone say something?”

Eunha shook her head. “I just.. I missed you. And it felt scary.”

Jungkook lowered his forehead to hers, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“You always say sorry,” she whispered. “But I don’t want sorry. I want you.”

The ache in his chest grew sharp, slicing.

A chair scraped quietly. Jungkook hadn’t realized Taehyung had sat across from them, hands folded, gaze gentle and unbearably understanding.

“Hi, Eunha,” Taehyung said softly.

She peeked over Jungkook’s shoulder, shy but curious.

“Hello..” she whispered.

“I’m Dr. Kim. I work with your dad.”

He gave her a small smile, soft, not overwhelming.

Eunha blinked. “Are you nice?”

Taehyung pretended to think. “I try to be.”

She studied him a second longer.. then nodded as if deciding he passed some invisible test.

Jungkook looked between them, something tight curling inside him. Taehyung wasn’t just good with kids, he was natural, like warmth that didn’t demand anything in return.

And Jungkook wasn’t sure what scared him more, how easily Taehyung fit into this moment…

or how badly a part of Jungkook wanted him to.

“I’ll take her home.”

Jungkook finally stood, holding Eunha’s hand.

“You don’t have to,” Taehyung said quietly. “I can cover your rounds for the afternoon.”

Jungkook turned sharply. “No. I don’t need–”

“Help?” Taehyung finished gently.

“Everyone needs help sometimes, Jungkook.”

The words landed like a weight.

No sympathy. No pity. Just truth.

Jungkook swallowed.

Eunha tugged his sleeve. “Dada.. are you sad?”