peace | taekook

chapter eleven

the family home was something to be admired. it was large and demanding, elegant but still cozy. tae found himself outside the front door with his hands shoved in his pockets pretending that his mother's spirit wasn't floating around waiting on him.

he was able to push her from his mind often, to forget the hard times, the sad times. the times he spent pent up in her room watching shitty romantic comedies that they found in the depths of whatever streaming service they were plowing through that month.

it was rare, an invite here. his father typically opted for anywhere but the dinner table where he'd have to stare at the vacant head and picture his wife; the love of his life.

a maid poked her head out, "taehyung? is that you?"

"bea!" his almond orbs crinkled at the familiar figure. she'd been a second parent, tutoring him and sneaking him midnight snacks, "how are the babies?"

she chuckled remembering her grandkids, "they're good, and you? how are you sweet boy? you never come around anymore." she slid the jacket off of his arms, opening the coat closet to hang it up.

he gulped noticing a fur number sitting in the back; one that hadn't been worn in years, "i- i've been good. surprised dad wanted to have dinner here tonight!"

"your grandmother is surprised too! she's upstairs resting. she'd love a visit from you later though." she used both her hands to cup one of his, "you get more handsome every time i see you. your mother would be proud!"

he knew it was meant to be a nice comment, one of comfort. unfortunately it left him with a pit in his stomach as he navigated to the family room. his brother and father already deep in an argument over lord knows what.

"nice of you to join us." namjoon didn't even glance up from the report on his tablet.

"sorry i'm late." tae slid onto a vacant love seat, "what's the occasion?"

"it's been a long time." his father spoke with no emotion, no regard for the fact this was out of character behavior, "thought you might miss the place. thought you might miss mom."

tae felt a finger run along the little lines that had just been tattooed on his skins. the one that reminded him of his mother. he wondered if her spirt was sitting around with them, wishing him well; surely he'd feel her eventually, "thanks for the invitation."

"bea made your favorite!" namjoon twitched his nose about, sniffing the air to take in all the herbs and spices.

tae couldn't help but break into a boxy smile at the thought of his childhood comfort food being served, "she really made her bolognese?"

"been working on it all day!" his father shut the tablet the two had been staring at, tucking it away with the knowing that both his sons were here now. it would be best to bond.

"namjoon, remember when you brought that girl home and bea made it and you spilled it all over your white shirt?" tae smiled at the memory.

namjoon couldn't help but crack up a bit himself, "that's why i now stick with black shirts when it's possible- lessens the embarrassment."

"bea tried to teach your mom how to cook once. she failed miserably!" his father shook his head at the idea of his wife in the kitchen, "bad cook, beautiful hostess."

"beautiful person." tae felt the words slip from his tongue, leaving everyone silent, stuck in memories.

"tae, you left abruptly the other day?" his father had a glass of whiskey on ice that clattered in his hand every time he moved.

"i actually had a photo shoot. for a new brand!" he omitted the part about jungkook.

"what designer?"