The How's of us

CHAPTER 14: I LOVE YOU

Tae was a nervous wreck the entire morning. His sweet husband had made breakfast for him and kept encouraging him to follow his heart, but Tae thought it was easier said than done. After breakfast, Jungkook had given him a pep talk about how if he hadn't told him all those years ago that he liked him, they wouldn't be this happy. Now, they were pulling up to Namjoon's office where Kook was dropping him off. Before Tae could alight, Kook grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him into a rough, demanding kiss. The kiss lasted for a few minutes, with them exploring each others mouths before they felt the need to breathe.

"My love... go in there, confess how you feel, and get our man. But always remember Tae, you loved me first, and I should always be your favourite. Just like you will always be mine." Tae couldn't help the chuckle that left his mouth. He had forgotten how possessive his husband was after they met Jin. "There are things you don't have to remind me of, Kookie. You will always be my favourite, sweetheart." He pecked Kook's lips a few times before picking up his bag from the back seat and exiting the car.

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It was his second time visiting this building. The first time he was here, he was given a tour of the building, but he still can't remember what or who was where. He contemplated calling Joonie before a man walked to him all smiles. "Mr. Kim, the CEO, asked me to accompany you to his office. This way please." Wow, Joonie had really kept his promise of telling them he was coming. As they walked towards the elevators, which he could now see, he couldn't help but notice how everyone along the way was bowing to him but also giving him a weird look. He, however, had bigger problems at hand, like figuring out how to confess to the man waiting for him at the top floor.

They got into the elevator, and Tae noticed it was only being opened by a key card. Mmh, it must be a private elevator. Okay, maybe he should turn around and go home. What in the world was he thinking. This man is out of his league. "Mr. Kim, are you okay? You look nervous. Do you need anything?" His companion, who he had forgotten about, asked him. "I'm fine, uuhm...sorry, I didn't get your name." Tae said sheepishly. "Jackson."

"Oh, thank you, Jackson. I'm okay. I will be." He wasn't sure whether he was assuring Jackson or comforting himself. However, Jackson gave him a big smile and dropped the topic. When they got to the 14th floor, Jackson stood aside and let Tae off the elevator. "When you turn to your right, you'll see his office. All the best, Mr. Kim." Before he could answer and ask why he was wishing him all the best, the elevator doors closed. 'Okay, Tae, you got this. Just be honest, and everything else will work out.' Tae gave himself a pep talk as he walked to the Secretary whom he remembered. She was nice to him the first time he was here.

"Hi Ms. Park, I'm here to see Namjoon. Oh, I mean Mr. Kim." To his shock, Ms. Park giggled. "Sorry, Tae, you're just adorable. Mr. Kim told us you are to be given the same treatment as his boyfriends. This means you don't need to check with me. Just go right ahead, okay?" Oh. So he had boyfriend status? Why the fuck were the funny flatters in his stomach so fucking active? Stupid butterflies. He blushed and excused himself. He walked up to the door and knocked. "Come in." Shit, he was really doing this!

Tae pushed the door open and walked in. Namjoon looked up from the stack of papers, and immediately, his facial structure was dawned with a smile. "Bear, you're here. You really don't have to knock, you know?" He said this as he stood up to walk up to Tae. He was going in for a hug but hesitated. He wasn't sure if Tae was comfortable with the skinship anymore. Tae couldn't help but pout. Why the fuck did he stop. He hated seeing the hesitation in Namjoon's eyes. He closed the gap between them and lay his head on Joon's chest as he wrapped his arms around him. Namjoon smiled and hugged him back. God, he loved his adorable baby.

"Were you busy Joonie, should I wait for you to finish what you are doing?" Tae looked up from Joon's chest as he asked. "No, Tae, it's okay. I will go back to work later." Joon guided him to the right side of the office where there were comfortable sofas. The pair sat down in one sofa, facing each other. "So, what did you want to talk about, Bear?" Joon asked. His hands were holding Tae's hands, and the latter could swear that he could feel his hands shaking. He didn't know where to start. Should he start with his concerns or confess first.

" I uuh....I..." He fucking stuttered. "Bear, you can tell me anything. If this is about yesterday, I promise to respect your decision if you don't feel the same way." Tae could swear that this man was an angel lost on earth. He now knew where to start. "I wanted to give you my answer. But first, I'm sorry for not giving it straight away. It's just that Kookke and I made a promise to talk to each other first before deciding on anything with you guys." He looked up at Namjoon, and all the latter did was nod and smile at him. "Joonie, thank you for always being there for me. I don't know if you realize it or if it was intentional, but you were my confidant when Kookie and I were navigating this new phase in our relationship. You showed up for me when I was working in my gallery, helped me find the perfect space, and you are even decorating my office for me. Thank you for being my biggest support system during the last month." Tae took a pause.

He lifted his face to look at Joon because he wanted the latter to see he was sincere. "Thank you for loving me. Thank you for introducing me to a love that is so pure and so giving. I love you too, Joonie. I love you so much that it scares me." As soon as the words left his mouth, Joon let out a loud sigh. Tae could see tears in his eyes, and he couldn't help but reach out to his face. "Why do you look like you are going to cry? Did I say something wrong?" Tae asked. "No, my love, you did nothing wrong. I was just scared that I was getting rejected today. I know you and Jin are not getting along well, and I was scared that would be a big factor in the decision you make about me bear." Tae hated seeing Namjoon look this miserable.

"Joonie, I'm sorry I kept you waiting for so long. I really am. Before, I wanted to try with Jin for Kookie. But now, I want to try with him because I have two people whom I love so much and who love him. I will try really hard, I promise." Joon pulled him into a hug and placed a kiss on his head. "Just knowing you love me is comforting, baby. Take all the time you need my love. I promise you, once you get to know him, you will love him too. In the meantime, what do you want to do? Do you want to get to know the others first before we take the next step?" Tae was the one who had a pool of tears in his eyes now. He could see why falling in love with Namjoon was so easy for him. He understood his concerns even before he raised them. He really had to put in twice the effort because he wanted to be with this man, too. He wanted to be able to call him his.

"If it's okay with you, I only want to join the relationship once I establish a connection with the rest. I told Kookie he could join the relationship because he really likes all of you a lot. But I might need some time." Tae explained. He now knew Namjoon would understand. His Joonie was always so understanding after all. He blushed at his thoughts. 'His Joonie?' Wow, he really was a goner.

"Take your time, Bear, but let's go for dates and get to know each other more too. Is that okay?" Namjoon suggested. The two of them might have fallen in love, but there was still so much to learn about each other. "Okay Joonie."

"I love you, Bear. I can't wait to be yours someday. "

"I love you too, Joonie."

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I wanted to post chapter 14 on the 14th of Feb. I mean, it's a good day to be in love!

Happy valentines day my readers♥️♥️