Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You promised what??!!” Kim Seokjin asked, raising his voice at his father.

He had entered his parent’s house, less than half an hour ago, his luggage still strewn at the entrance of the house.

Kim Hyun Jae, his father, took a deep breath. He looked small in his huge leather chair behind his huge desk in the grand but soul-less study room. He did not make eye contact with Seokjin but continued to stare at his half-finished glass of whiskey. 

“There was no other way, Jin.” He answered quietly. “There is going to be an investigation. We need them to think that the two Companies were considering a merger for a long time else we’ll …”

“... end up in Jail. As you should!’ Jin completed the statement, his voice booming across the room. “No other way but to pawn your own son?! Do you hear yourself?” He added losing his cool. “What are you? A feudal lord who trades in human beings?”

“Jin! What is this about” Kim Mi Hye, his mother asked, who had rushed in after hearing the commotion.

“Your husband and Jeon Jung Min think everyone who isn’t furthering their business is a commodity to be bought and sold, including Tae” Seokjin spat.

“Could either of you explain this to me in laymen terms without raising your voices” his mother snapped.

Seokjin took a deep breath. “Jeon Jung Min has been one of our biggest business rivals in the market- being the owner of the only other big airline in the country. The ticket prices for both our airlines used to always be competitive- so that one could outsell the other. If one company raised their prices, the other would sell more and the other way round.

“Last year, Father and Mr Jeon decided to enter into a cartel, which means that they secretly decided that they would both raise their prices together. This means that the public had no other option but to buy expensive tickets as between the two of them they are operating maximum flights in the country. Which means that both the companies earned more and the people suffered. This is called cartelization and its illegal.”

“Now they are facing an investigation which is going to reveal that they used to raise their prices exactly at the same time. As Chairmen, both Jeon Jung Min and Father are likely to face prosecution and jail time. To avoid that, they are trying to merge the two companies. They will try to sell a story that the companies were working closely together because they planned on becoming one. Of course the investigators will call their bluff on this last minute merger. And for that reason, they are trying to marry off their sons! So that they can say that their sons have been dating or married for a long time and that is why it made sense for the companies to merge.”

Mi Hye looked at her husband for confirmation, chewing her lip in worry. He did not raise a single objection to whatever Jin had said, thus silently corroborating the entire story.

“Their boy, Jungkook… he’s courteous every time I have met him… isn’t he nice,” she asked quietly.

Jin scoffed. “Have you all collectively lost it? He is ruthless… worse than his father! Do you what he is known for? For buying out his own uncle’s company and then stripping him off all his assets. He doesn’t care about his own family… and you want him near Tae?”

Mi Hye glared at her husband. “And you sent Tae to meet him, knowing all this?”

“You sent Tae to meet him,” Jin screamed, massaging his temples.

“I didn’t force him to go. Just asked him to consider dating Jungkook" His father said slowly, stressing on every word.

"So what will you do if he says 'No'?"

His father stayed quiet for a few seconds. "I will request him to reconsider to save our business."

Jin scoffed. He hadn't feared his father in ages. Especially when it came to defending his brother. 

“You mean to say you will guilt him? You are fully aware that Tae has lived his entire life with the knowledge that he doesn’t mean shit to you because he isn’t interested in your business and if you tell him that you need him to go marry a man to save your business, he’ll do it. He'll do anything to get your validation.”

"This isn't just to save me. This is also to save the business which all of us, including Tae depend upon," Hyun Jae shouted, finally revealing his temper.

"Let me tell you again Father, Tae doesn't live on your money. He got his degree in Wildlife Conservation on a scholarship. He survives on the honest buck he makes. He is way stronger and more independent than you would imagine. So stop finding reasons to guilt him for something that is your own fault," Jin continued.

Hyun Jae was silent for a very long time. "I know you are angry. But think again. Maybe I am not guilting him. Maybe I am asking for a favour. Maybe he doesn't live on this business, but you do. The business did raise you both and supports a million other people. If his pretension for some time will keep his father out of jail and all the people dependent on us to continue living a peaceful life, is it really that big a sacrifice?"

Seokjin knew he was losing ground. "And what about Jungkook?"

"Jungkook wouldn't hurt a hair on Tae's head... Jeons have as much as stake as us. And if I were to believe you, Tae is way stronger and more independent than I imagine, right?"

The last time Kim Taehyung had been to a place this noisy was when he had helped birth a Rhinoceros while volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary. He chuckled at his own thought process. Here he was, dressed up to the nines, at a fancy club thinking about a rhinoceros in labour. It was a professional hazard, he thought. He couldn't help comparing human beings to animals all the time. For instance, his brother reminded him of a dolphin- beautiful, loyal, protective, and smart. The bartender here was definitely a fox- clever and curious. Taehyung chuckled. He really needed to get away from his work more. 

His outfit was his own but it felt really alien to him. He hadn't dressed in a blazer and jeans for a long time. His staple was loose khaki trousers with the first tee shirt he could rummage out of his wardrobe. 

It had been a strange day. He had flown in from Beijing, at his parent’s urgent request. He knew that Jin was also taking the next flight home. Such family gatherings were unprecedented. His father and mother had a strong bond with each other but not so much with their children. Jin and him weren't really emotionally reliant on their parents. 

The moment he had walked in, he was ushered to his father's office. He had been told that his parents wanted him to consider ‘dating’ Jeon Jungkook. He had waited for one of them to break into a laughter, only to realize that his parents were serious. They hadn't given a reason. He would have guessed that it was a business strategy, but he wasn’t really sure because he knew that the businesses were competitors. Taehyung was anyway the last person to show interest in his father's affairs. Later his mother had taken him aside to tell him that he need not feel pressurized to seal the deal- whatever that meant.

He was lost in thought, nursing his wine glass, with his back leaning on the bar counter in the loud club. This was the first time his father had asked him for something. Probably the first time his father had considered him worth asking for something.  It was a bizarre request. (One, he was sure would go flying out of the window, once Jin heard about it!). So what was he actually doing here? He hated to accept it, but the small voice in his head said that he hadn't given up trying to impress his father. He still wanted to feel a little more worthy of Mr Kim Hyun Jae's affection.  

To add to his woes, he did not know anything about the Jeons, except for the fact that they were business competitors. He knew even less about Jeon Jungkook. They had probably been introduced on one of the few social events he had attended years ago. But he really did not remember much. He was always lost when he went for one of those show-of-power events. He imagined Jungkook to be one of those reprehensible cunning types who looked in their habitat when they were inside boardrooms.

He sighed and put a hand at the back of his neck, gently massaging one of the many spots on his body which felt stiff after the long day. And that's when his eyes met someone else's, rather pretty ones, across the room. 

It was a while since Taehyung had dated. He knew it was his fault. He wasn't easy to figure out. He was made up of contradictions. He looked fragile, but he was really strong. He pretended that he didn't need love, but he actually craved it.  And he had come over today thinking that he was ready to give this bizarre dating arrangement a chance, but he was currently stuck on the dazzling eyes and their equally attractive owner across the dance floor, who seemed to be surveying him with equal curiosity.

To say that the stranger was handsome, wasn't enough. Handsome didn't really begin to cover it. He was dressed in a formal suit, as if he was here to unwind after a long day at work. He was sitting alone with his drink, but he didn't look like he had ever had a problem getting a companion. His black hair was long but gelled meticulously in place. There was something magnificently sensual about his posture. It wasn’t haughty, it wasn’t vain, it was just supremely confident. Jaguar, he was probably a jaguar. Or may be a wolf, an alpha' Taehyung mused. He looked exquisite to Taehyung. And rather interested.

Taehyung had just pulled out his mental notebook to make a list of all the reasons as to why he should not be ogling at strangers but looking around for Jeon Jungkook, when that remarkable specimen of a man cocked his head and gave a small smile. And that was the moment when Taehyung threw away the mental notebook along with any plans to meet up with any Jeon Jungkook. He was surely not ready for a date, much less an arranged one, if as little as two glasses of wine plus a smirk from (an exquisite) stranger was making him lose all his resolve. He needed to avoid all Jeon Jungkooks at any cost, and he needed a plan for it, right now because getting out of the club wasn’t an option. His father would know.

Taehyung looked around and found that most people in the Club were accompanied by friends or dates. He needed to find someone to hang around with so that he didn’t look like he was waiting for someone.

And in his desperation, he decided to do something fairly out of character. He decided to cross the floor and ask the marvellous glamour boy to keep him company.

Taehyung put aside his empty wine glass, took a deep breath and started walking. He watched the stranger look him in the eye without batting an eyelid and square his shoulders. And that’s when he knew what animal this stranger was.

He was a smilodon, a sabertooth.

"Hi my name is Taehyung and this is going to sound strange but can you pretend to be my boyfriend for a few hours. I'm trying to avoid someone."

The stranger looked down and smirked. "Sure…Would you like to hit the dance floor with me?"

This, Taehyung thought, was what he'd miss if he goes ahead with the strange match his parents had set up -the thrill of walking up to the hottest man in the club n asking him out!

"I'd like that very much," Taehyung said, his cheeks giving away the fact that blatant flirting wasn't probably his thing.

Sabertooth could move, Taehyung thought. He could move and he could really get Taehyung to move along. He had not had this much fun in as long as he could remember. He wasn't sure which song had been playing when they had put their arms around each other. But he was sure that either of them weren't ready to let go. Somewhere in the back of Taehyung's mind, he was also sure that anyone looking at them at this moment would think that they were lovers. 

An hour later, or may be it was more, they made their way to the club's terrace to get some fresh air, their hands still on each other's back. Taehyung took a deep breath and almost forgot to breathe out at the sight before him.  The stranger was gleaming with sweat, his drenched white shirt translucent against his body revealing each and every beautiful contour. The man was a predator - irresistible and Taehyung could see himself falling into the trap.

The stranger arched his eyebrows in question. "What is it," he asked.

Taehyung blushed. "Nothing... I think I scared him away, the boy I was trying to avoid" Taehyung said laughing. 

"On the contrary, you got him hooked, Kim Taehyung," the stranger said quietly to an immensely shocked Taehyung. "Hi, I'm Jeon Jungkook. I came over today to tell you that I intend to call it off- because I refuse to be tied down to a stranger."

Taehyung gaped at him for a few seconds. "Exactly..." he whispered.

"But now I think I'll get married to you if they ask me to… So dear fiancé, tell me if you know a good tailor."

"Huh?" Taehyung asked weakly, relying more and more on Jungkook's hand across his waist, for balance.

"For the wedding tuxedo... unless you want to elope, which is fine with me too," Jungkook said with a smirk. His eyes were twinkling. 

Taehyung took more than a few seconds to get his mental faculties functioning. "You are Jungkook?!"

Jungkook nodded and chuckled. "Indeed."

"You knew me when I approached you?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook nodded, trying to keep from laughing. "I have seen you before a couple of times."

"You aren’t serious about the fiancé thing you just said, are you," Taehyung asked.

"May be,” he said laughing. “I wasn't till a few hours ago. But now I'm wondering how bad can it be," Jungkook said playfully. But the way he looked at Taehyung didn't look playful. Jungkook looked fond, a little enamoured, maybe. 

Taehyung knew he should come up with flaws in this plan. But he could surely not find any with Jungkook.

"I think we should talk somewhere private, say what," Taehyung asked.

Jungkook nodded, grabbed his hand and whisked him out of the club and into a fancy sports car.

Jungkook drove them away from the noisy neighborhood to a place atop a small hill. He parked the car such that they had a view of the entire city. It looked beautiful, Taehyung thought. At least, as beautiful as an urban landscape could look.

"This was my secret spot, growing up." Jungkook explained.

They spoke about their childhood. Taehyung spoke about growing up with Jin. His lack of interest in his father's business and his love for animals.

Jungkook wasn't much of a talker, but Taehyung could see that he was making an effort. He told Taehyung about growing up a single child. His only friend being his cousin Namjoon, his love for travel, his fitness regime, and his passion for wheels.

Taehyung was totally smitten. Jungkook was so easy to fall for. He was being so honest in the way he laid down his life bare before Taehyung.

Of all the things about Jungkook, Taehyung thought, his honesty was the sexiest.

"... what else, I think I am a good cook. But you don't have to take my word on that. Let me cook for you some time." Jungkook said with a smile.

"Are you a good kisser, Jungkook." Taehyung asked, with a straight face but a challenging tone.

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating" Jungkook said breathily before he unbuckled both their seat belts and slipped a hand around Taehyung's neck to pull him closer. 

Jungkook was a good great kisser. His lips were softer than Taehyung had imagined. And the way he deepened the kiss was intoxicating. Taehyung almost moaned in pleasure. He couldn’t remember the last time he had enjoyed a kiss so much. He pulled Jungkook’s collar to convey his desperation for more. Jungkook was more than happy to oblige.

Taehyung was almost in a daze when they ended the kiss.

Jungkook took his lips off Taehyung but he couldn’t take his eyes off.

“Bedroom eyes…” he said in awe.

“What?!” Taehyung asked to reconfirm if he had heard Jungkook right.

“You have bedroom eyes… its that half lidded, sultry look. You are hot Kim Taehyung.” Jungkook whispered, almost with reverence.

Taehyung chuckled nervously. “Have you ever looked into the mirror.”

They might have kissed again and again. Or it was probably the same kiss which continued for a long time. By the time they disentangled, their lips swollen and faces flushed, in the beautiful aftermath, it was already past midnight.

“I hope no one is waiting for me at home.” Taehyung realised, belatedly as Jungkook started driving him towards his place.

“Do you have to pick up your car from the club?” Jungkook asked.

“Oh I didn’t drive there.’ Taehyung replied. “I don’t own a car.”

Jungkook took his eyes off the road to look at Taehyung with amusement.

“Why?” he asked.

“Can’t afford one.” Taehyung replied.

Jungkook scoffed. “Your family is amongst the top 20 richest families in the country Taehyung!”

“My father is rich. Not me.” Taehyung replied with a shrug. “I hope you didn’t want to marry me for my money.” he added with a smirk

Jungkook was enjoying the banter. “Umm… in case you aren’t aware, and I hate to show off, but I am what they call- really rich. I bought a private plane last month and this car last week.”

“Aaaah! That explains. So you have gone broke after this extravagant shopping spree and are now looking to marry a rich boy to get some dowry!” Taehyung added cheekily making Jungkook laugh.

They were almost near Taehyung’s parent’s place.  

"So why do our parents want us to date?" Taehyung asked seriously.

Jungkook mulled over the question. "I really don't know! I mean... what would the business possibly gain if two rivals’ children are seen together. Maybe they thought we would click."

"You are a businessman and you still didn't do this homework before coming to meet me?" Taehyung asked not entirely convinced.

Jungkook shrugged. "Maybe I am not that great a businessman. But tell me about your work. Its more interesting. Last I heard, you were saving orcas. Still at it?"

Taehyung smiled. "Giant pandas. I have been working on conserving giant pandas. I am almost sad that my assignment is ending."

Jungkook laughed. "They are cute."

"Oh Yes." Taehyung answered. "But they are a handful! They are lazy and can be grumpy on days. Much like me."

Jungkook gave his fond smile again. “I can relate you to a panda for sure.”

“Oh my god! You play my favourite game!” Taehyung exclaimed.

“Which is?” Jungkook asked intrigued.

“Never mind, it’s tough to explain. I just like to compare humans with animals.” Taehyung laughed.

They had just entered Taehyung’s family home and were moving slow on the driveway towards the entrance porch to the house. 

Taehyung was glad for the slow speed, he really didn't want this date to end as yet.

Taehyung saved his number in Jungkook’s phone and dropped a message to his own phone which was now lying discharged in his pocket.

“So what animal am I?” Jungkook asked curiously.

Taehyung smiled. “Sabertooth. A sabertooth tiger.”

“What?” Jungkook laughed. “Sabretooth?! The marvel character?”

“Geek!” Taehyung giggled. “No silly, sabertooth, the predator, the prehistoric extinct animal which existed around 11,000 years ago.”

They had just parked the car at the porch which housed the stairs leading upto the huge mansion.

“Nerd!” Jungkook shot back. “But interesting! Why am I a prehistoric predator?” he asked in amusement.

But their conversation was unceremoniously cut short as they saw Seokjin coming down the stairs looking livid.

“WHERE IS YOUR PHONE TAE?” he screamed as Taehyung got out of the car almost immediately and Jungkook followed suit.

“It got discharged Hyung! Is everything okay?!” Taehyung asked in concern.

“Of course not!” Jin spat back.

“Umm Hyung… you know Jeon Jungkook.” Taehyung asked uncertainly. It was so odd for Taehyung to see Seokjin being this unhinged, that too when they had company.

“Of course, I do!” Seokjin said venomously. “So! Jungkook! Whose brilliant idea was this? Was it yours? How do you intend to force him if he turns down the offer?”

Jungkook froze.

“What is this about Hyung?” Taehyung asked in shock, looking from Seokjin to Jungkook. “Jungkook did not force me to do anything...” he said cautiously.

Jin scoffed. “And did he tell you that you have no option but to get married to him else our father, his father and probably him are all going to jail?”

Taehyung’s eyes went wide. He looked at Jungkook for an answer.

But Jungkook didn’t meet his eyes.

“You said, you didn’t know.” Taehyung said quietly, trying to come to terms with everything. Something felt really heavy in his heart.

Jungkook took a deep breath.

“I need to get going.” He said, getting into his car.

“No damn it! Stop!” Taehyung said in a hurried low voice, his heart breaking into a million pieces. “What all did you lie to me about? Was the entire evening a lie? Please tell me, I need to know...”

“I am sorry Taehyung. I have nothing else to say at this point.” Jungkook said through clenched teeth, as he stepped on the accelerator and sped away, his silence hurting Taehyung more than his lies.

Chapter Text

Jungkook wasn't a big fan of speeding. He hated speeding tickets even more. But he drove like a maniac to get to the other side of the town in the middle of the night, the roads reverberating with the humming engine of his brand-new car. He was almost shaking with anger.

 

He parked his car haphazardly, rushed to get up the lift and get down to getting some answers.

His incessant ringing of the doorbell was answered almost immediately by a sombre looking Namjoon, his cousin and perhaps his only friend.

No salutations were exchanged. Jungkook pushed him aside unceremoniously, with a hand on Namjoon’s chest and entered the house. He stopped only once he had reached the middle of the living room. Namjoon slammed the door shut and followed him slowly.

"Sit." Jungkook barked.

Namjoon slumped into the winged chair in front of Jungkook and rubbed his eyes as if doing so would take away the unpleasantness from the situation.

"Now start talking." Jungkook said, stressing on every syllable.

Namjoon sighed. "What do you want me to tell you, Kook?"

"Oh, I don't know? Let’s start with the truth. What the fuck is happening with you guys and the Kims?"

"I can't tell you or I would have, and you know that." Namjoon said quietly. "I still work for your Father’s Company and I owe my loyalty to him."

"AND YOU OWE THIS DECEIT TO ME? I CAN'T BELIEVE I FUCKING WALKED INTO THIS BAIT! YOU PLAYED US BOTH? DID YOU AND FATHER HAVE A GOOD LAUGH ABOUT IT? ABOUT USING TAEHYUNG AND ME FOR GOD KNOWS WHICH BUSINESS SCHEME THIS TIME?" Jungkook yelled.

There was no change of expression on Namjoon's face. He was listening intently. 

"HE. CAN’T. LET. ME. BE. HAPPY. FOR. EVEN. A. DAY?!" Jungkook yelled and punctuated every word with lifting a show piece from the nearby table and throwing it on the ground. He had lifted the brass globe and was about to throw it too when he noticed a sleepy little girl, no older than 10, standing in the passage dividing the rest of the apartment from the living room, in her PJs, looking at him curiously.

"Hi Kyra." Jungkook said, lowering his hand.

"Hi Uncle Kook. Please don't break that. I won it at the School Science Fair."

Jungkook sighed out loud as he rubbed his eyes. "Did I wake you up?"

Kyra nodded.

"Can I tuck you back in the bed?" he asked.

"Umm... I am a little too old for that now, but sure." She said shrugging.

Jungkook carefully put the globe back on the table and quietly followed the little girl to her room. He waited for her to sink into her bed, before tucking the corners of her blanket under the mattress... just how she had always liked.

He carefully sat down near the headboard and petted her head. "I am sorry."

"It's okay." Kyra responded with a smile. "I hadn't seen you in such a long time. I missed you."

Jungkook kissed her hand. "I am sorry about that too."

"Uh-huh." she replied, shunning the apology. "Are you and Dad about to have a fist fight?"

"No baby." Jungkook replied honestly.

"Oh okay. If you do, I just want you to know that he didn't turn up for my Science Fair or my last PTA." Kyra ratted out without remorse.

"I'll keep that in mind." Jungkook said with a little smile.

"You are upset about something." she remarked.

Jungkook didn’t respond.

“Am I still your second-best friend after Dad?" Kyra asked, curiously.

Jungkook chuckled and nodded. “Yes.”

“Then do you want to talk about what is making you upset?"

Jungkook sighed. "I broke someone's heart. I didn't want to. I like him." Jungkook explained.

"Kim Taehyung?" Kyra enquired.

Jungkook sat up with a start. "How do you know about him?!"

"You got drunk at my birthday party and told everyone about a boy called Kim Taehyung whom you liked."

"Ugh!" Jungkook groaned in frustration. "Wait! Who all were there at your birthday party?" he asked after a moment.

Kyra smiled. "We celebrated it at an amusement park. All my classmates and their parents were there. My friends even googled him later. He's handsome."

Jungkook chuckled again. "Alright angel. I am sorry if I made a scene at your party. I want you to forget what I said. I'll bake you something nice, as a token of my apology."

 "Will you bake something for Kim Taehyung too?" Kyra asked after a moment. "As a token of your apology?"

Jungkook smiled at her fondly. "I'm afraid it’s a bit more complicated. Now please sleep tight”, he said, switching off the bedside lamp and stepping out to have a much more unpleasant conversation with Kyra's Dad.

 

Jungkook picked up two cans of beer from the fridge and walked up to the terrace attached to the living room. He found Namjoon looking over the night lights, resting his arms on the edge of the terrace. He handed over a can to Namjoon and got busy opening his own.

"Why did you miss Kyra's PTA and Science Fair?" Jungkook asked.

"I was stuck at work. It's been bad. I don’t know how much I can tell you." Namjoon responded, looking tired.

"Look, I am not trying to pry into father's business. I have already stepped down from it. I just want to understand how Taehyung and I feature in this grand scheme of things. What warped business deal was supposed to work out if we got together?" Jungkook asked, trying to keep his calm.

"Father called me out of the blue today morning and asked me to meet up with Taehyung. He said it was a good match... That both our parents wanted us to get together. That he thinks I have been so lonely… I thought that for once they were really looking out for me." Jungkook said.

"It got even better when Taehyung approached me at the Club by himself, even before he knew who I was. It was perfect. He is... " Jungkook sighed. "... perfect. It felt like a beginning of something great. The only thing that I wanted to keep from Taehyung today was the fact that I have been a goner for him for years. But the evening ended with Seokjin telling him that I would now be forcing him to get married to me. And Seokjin and Taehyung think that I am on board with some kind of a sinister plan. So, don't give me that – ‘this is a business secret’ shit. Because I just had the best 4 hours of my life ending up in a ditch for the sake of some business arrangement that I am not even aware of!" Jungkook spat angrily.

Namjoon sighed. "Your father... he fucked up."

"Story of his life. What did he do this time?"

"Price manipulations. With Kims."

Jungkook raised his eyebrows. "And everyone was on board with it?"

Namjoon shook his head. "Your father pulled some solo show here. Didn't involve us. With you gone, it’s not really difficult for him to manipulate the Board. But it was so poorly executed that it got spotted within no time."

"Fuck." Jungkook expressed articulately. "So Seokjin and you decided to involve Taehyung and me and say that pricing secrets got leaked because we are dating?"

"Oh no. That's not the plan! And God forbid- Seokjin was also not on board with this. That man scares me." Namjoon exclaimed.

Jungkook frowned. "So, what is the plan and what are you guys trying to achieve? And what's wrong with Seokjin? I mean, sure, he's tough. But he seems like a level-headed guy. So much better than that useless father of theirs."

Namjoon sighed. "Your father's initial plan was to set me up with Seokjin. To make it look like that the Companies are merging because the Kim heir is now involved with Mr Jeon's nephew."

"A merger?!" Jungkook said in shock. "We are going to merge with them. How badly have you guys fucked up?"

Namjoon just let out a long breath.

"And why did that plan not take off?" Jungkook asked.

Namjoon weaved his eyebrows together in thought. "Because Kim Hyun Jae seems to be a little scared of Seokjin, which I swear I don't blame him for. Also, Kim Hyun Jae doesn't really think much of Taehyung. He just offered him for marriage without even consulting Taehyung, as if the boy has no will or voice. It was disconcerting to watch."

Jungkook mulled over the information. He didn't like the thought of Taehyung not being important to his parents.

"Which reminds me, I wasn't consulted either." Jungkook said, with heavy sarcasm.

Namjoon sighed. "That was my doing. I told your father that you have always had a thing for Taehyung and so instead of trying to push me into a sham matrimony with Taehyung, they could have you both dating for real and getting married."

 Jungkook grunted in despair. “Then why weren’t the Kims in on that plan?! Why did Seokjin tell Taehyung that I was there to force him into a marriage. What the hell is this mess, Joon?! 

Namjoon looked in despair. "I thought we had time Kook. I told your father not to rush you both into a make-believe relationship. To give you guys some time and space so that you could get to know each other organically. I knew you fancied him. I was certain you'd make him fall for you too. But timing was a bitch."

"I still don't get you." Jungkook snapped.

"We thought we had time before the agencies get a whiff of it and an investigation starts. Only yesterday we realised that we had none. That is why Seokjin and Taehyung were rushed into the country. That is why they set up a date for you immediately."

“Aargh!” What a load of mess!' Jungkook exclaimed covering his face. "Anyway! I don't think he'd ever even want to see me again." Jungkook said in a low voice. "Our date ended so sourly. You should have seen Taehyung’s face. He looked so hurt. I wanted to kill all of you in that moment. Seokjin was livid but I don't blame him. He obviously assumed that I knew everything."

"Why didn't you tell them that you knew nothing?" Namjoon asked.

Jungkook laughed dryly. "Who'd believe me? My reputation precedes me. I'll always be the heartless guy who ruined his own Uncle and left him penniless."

"Well your Uncle is my father and I know why you did, what you did." Namjoon said matter-of-factly.

Jungkook chuckled. "Yeah, but you aren't the guy I was kissing tonight, right? No one’s interested in my sob stories. I can't believe I lost him after coming so close to having him in my life. Thanks to the amazing fathers in our life, Taehyung will never trust me again."

"Well, too bad for him because I don't think either you have a choice." Namjoon said with a shrug.

"What do you mean? I am not getting into a pretend relationship with him. What's the worst that'll happen?" Jungkook asked.

"I don't think you are understanding the gravity of allegations here. It wasn't a one-time thing Kook. Your Dad and Mr Kim have been involved in it for months now. We aren't looking at some petty fines, we are looking at solid jail time." Namjoon explained seriously.

"For who all?" Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your Dad, Mr Kim and all other Directors which includes Seokjin and me. And if the timing of price manipulation overlaps with the time you were on the Company's Board, then probably you too." Namjoon sighed.

“And what if I still refuse to marry him.” Jungkook challenged.

“Then I’ll be marrying him.” Namjoon explained miserably.

Jungkook stayed quiet for a while and sipped his beer pensively. "How much time do we have before the investigation starts?"

"Hardly any. We have set up that penthouse at Songpa-gu. You'd have to shift in together immediately. There’ll be a wedding soon."

Taehyung believed he always got punished for being happy. There was no other explanation. Every single time he chose to bare his soul to someone, he was met with disappointment or deception.

He wasn’t even sure whether he should be angry at Jungkook in this situation when his own Father thought he was dispensable. He just couldn’t understand why Jungkook had to go through this entire charade of being interested in him.

“You really don’t have to do it.” Seokjin said, breaking his reverie.

They were currently in Taehyung’s room with Taehyung sprawled on his bed, still in his outfit from the club. Seokjin was pacing around. Their father was still in his study probably. Their mother had retired to her room long back, crying.

“What is the alternative?” Taehyung asked him.

“I’ll marry whosoever they want. It’s no big deal.” Seokjin shrugged.

“If it’s no big deal, then let me do it.” Taehyung said after a long pause.

“I don’t trust that boy around you.” Seokjin said bitterly.

“You all really need to stop treating me like a weakling, you know?” Taehyung finally said, getting up from the bed. “I can take care of myself. Alright, so I got played by Jeon Jungkook today, but I’ll be on my guard in the future. We’d have to pretend we are a happy couple in public, right? I’ll do it. Its temporary.”

 

Seokjin rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know Taehyung. It might be a long affair. Such investigations go on for years sometimes.”

“That’s okay. I have to get back to China anyway. Once I am away, you can keep selling to media that we are a happy long-distance couple.” Taehyung tried convincing his brother and even himself.

Seokjin clucked his tongue. “Once you are a part of an on-going investigation, they won’t let you leave the country Tae.”

 
Once Seokjin had left and Taehyung had snuck into his bed, he tried not thinking much too much about the mess that he was in. He instead focussed on the logistics of cutting short his assignment in China, postponing his next assignment for which he was to head to Thailand and his pending research papers. He wanted to think about anything and everything but his impending marriage, the circus that his life was about to become, and the boy named Jeon Jungkook.

He picked up his phone to look at the time. Saw the text from Jungkook’s phone which he had sent to himself and threw his phone against the wall in frustration.

 

Jungkook laid on his bed, trying to remember Taehyung’s face when they had locked eyes across the room, his laughter when they were on the dance floor, how warm his body had felt when they were wrapped in each other’s arms, the feel of his lips on his own and his bedroom eyes…

But every time he closed his eyes, the only thing he could remember was the hurt in Taehyung’s eyes when he had asked if the entire evening was a lie.

He picked up to check the small cryptic text that Taehyung had sent to his own phone from Jungkook’s phone.

Sabertooth Tiger back from extinction. Can’t slack anymore!

He grazed his fingers over the words on the screen. It bothered him to no end that he would not be able ask Taehyung what the text meant. He could delete it, but it was the only proof of those amazing few hours for which he had scored Taehyung’s heart… made him laugh and had the honour to hold him and kiss him. He knew he would be looking at this text a lot for a very long time- a bitter testimony to a precious lost moment.

When Namjoon said that they had no time, he really meant it.

A very apologetic Seokin woke Taehyung up to mentally prepare him for the day.

"You really sure about this Tae?"

A very sleepy Taehyung nodded his head, as he sat up in his bed.

"Alright then." Seokjin said, ruffling his brother's hair fondly.

"Jungkook would come to pick you up. Jeons have a penthouse in Songpa-gu. You'd have to move in with him. The wedding would be by the end of this week. Meanwhile, you'd have to be seen around with him. So, dates n all, maybe?" Seokjin said, observing his brother for any signs of discomfort.

Taehyung was indeed supremely uncomfortable with the plan, but he did not want his brother to know that. He simply nodded.

"Why is he coming to pick me up, though?" Taehyung asked massaging the back of his neck.

"Optics, Tae. Optics." Seokjin said with a sigh.

"Is Mom okay?" Taehyung enquired as he got out of his bed. They didn't really get along but Taehyung knew she was always concerned about him and he respected that. Ever since Seokjin had told her about Jungkook's harsh reputation, she had been beyond disturbed.

"Cried till late at night while the old man sulked in his study." Seokjin said softly. "I think it would be best to not tell her about how things played out last night. I told her..." Jin hesitated. Taehyung raised his eyebrows in question. "This morning I told her that you got along with Jungkook."

Taehyung took a deep breath and let it out noisily. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. No point troubling her."

Half an hour later, Jungkook halted his car right outside the Kim's residence. He had rushed out of those very gates less than 12 hours ago. He felt uneasy and awkward to be doing this, but Namjoon had insisted that it was important, and that Taehyung had agreed to it. He took some deep breaths and passed through the gates again without stopping for the guards who had already seen him with Taehyung the night before.

Taehyung was seated on his small carry-on luggage bag at the porch outside the main building of his house. He was in Khaki trousers, a white t-shirt and summery tan sandals. He was also wearing black sunglasses- the basic Ray Bans, if Jungkook's guess was correct and his curly black hair was in a deliberate mess.

So effortlessly handsome- Jungkook thought.

Taehyung was flanked by his mother, who was clutching her son's forearm. When his sports car drew closer to the porch, he could also see Seokjin standing with his hands in his pockets, on the stairs leading up to the house.

 
Jungkook parked his car right in front of Taehyung and his mother and opened the winged doors to his sports car as he got out to greet everyone.

Seokjin gave him a curt nod, which he returned with a proper bow. As he walked towards Taehyung's Mother, he took a closer look and realised that her face was red and puffy. He bowed deep and greeted her.

She gave a genuine smile. "How have you been, Son?"

Jungkook nodded genially.

"Did you both have a good time last night?" She asked.

Jungkook froze. He looked at Taehyung, but he couldn't really get a signal, thanks to those sunglasses. He decided to use his better judgment.

"Yes Ma'am. It was wonderful. We had a great time." Jungkook responded with a practiced smile.

Kim Mi Hye smiled fondly and petted Jungkook's cheek. "Take care of yourselves and send my regards to your mother. I will pay her a visit soon to discuss the wedding."

Taehyung cleared his throat to distract everyone. "Is there even a trunk in your car. Where does my luggage go?"

Jungkook was tempted to chuckle at Taehyung's taunt but he restrained. He leaned into his car's driver-side window to open the sleek trunk and extended his hand to reach for Taehyung's luggage, but the latter walked around him to help himself.

As Taehyung hugged his Mom, Seokjin strolled upto Jungkook. "I'll see you soon" he said. It wasn't genial, it wasn't threatening; it was a mere statement.

"Sure." Jungkook replied as Taehyung settled into his car.

It was an uncomfortable ride. Jungkook wanted to start a conversation but he could feel the disdain Taehyung felt for him. The hate was almost palpable as if it was right there, sitting on the backseat of the car.

Jungkook was great at dealing with his own feelings and incredible at handling the most difficult of situations. But all his talents and skills were worthless when it came to Taehyung. He didn’t know where to begin. He couldn’t even offer sincerity and even if he did, Taehyung wouldn’t believe him.  

"Do we head to the penthouse or do you want to make a stopover somewhere?" Jungkook asked after a few minutes.

Taehyung bit his lip as he considered the offer.

"I need to pick up some clothes if I'm not going back to China." He said in a resigned voice.

“Shopping then. Sure.”

Jungkook soon turned his car towards the by-lane leading upto a glitzy mall.

"Tch." Taehyung exclaimed.

"Hmm?" Jungkook asked distractedly as he looked for the valet parking.

"We can't go in there." Taehyung said, sternly.

"Why not?" Jungkook asked perplexed, "you said you wanted to shop, right?"

Taehyung huffed in exasperation. "I can’t afford any of the brands here. I am looking to buy clothes in bulk. Can we please go to a cheaper place?"

Jungkook had never really been made so aware of a class divide. He didn't know how to deal with it.

"Listen, Taehyung. You or I can't be seen in another mall. It'll be bad for business." Jungkook said, as he opened the wing doors of his sports car.

"That makes no sense! Why would it be bad for business?" Taehyung was on the edge.

"Because, I own this mall." Jungkook said with a shrug, stepping out of his car.

Taehyung stepped out, his annoyance and defiance manifesting themselves in the way he was dragging his feet.

Even if Jungkook hadn't mentioned that he owned the mall, it wouldn't have been difficult to guess that, from the way all the staff was pouring over him.

Taehyung noticed how there wasn't even a flicker expression on Jungkook’s face. He was stoic and calculated even in his body language. Taehyung could tell from the stiffness of Jungkook’s nods and the intensity of his handshakes as to how much he liked a particular person. Taehyung wondered if everyone found Jungkook attractive or was it just his own masochism which was making a predator so alluring to him.

Taehyung was walking alongside Jungkook, still deep in thought when he felt Jungkook's hand on the small of his back. He froze at the contact.

He looked up to see Jungkook smiling at him. It was a fake smile. He could tell. It was different from the one at the club. The one at the club looked genuine. Or maybe Taehyung was blinded by the charms yesterday. He couldn’t decide.

"Please shop as much as you want. And please use my card. It'll look convincing. Call me once you are free." Jungkook said softly, as he slipped his card in Taehyung’s trousers' pocket and flashed him a smile. And as if that wasn't unnerving enough, he placed a small peck on Taehyung’s temple and left.

To any passer-by, they'd have looked like a couple exchanging a private moment.

Taehyung tried to calm his beating heart. He realised that he'd have to constantly remind himself that this was all a facade. Jungkook was so convincing. This pretension would cost him a lot more than he had expected.

A few minutes later, Jungkook’s phone beeped with a text indicating the swipe of his card. He smiled a little at the knowledge that Taehyung had listened to him. However, when he did not get any texts for any other expenditure for over an hour, he began to wonder. He walked over to the shop where Taehyung had made the sole purchase, noticing that it was a small accessory shop. Probably the cheapest one in the mall.

“A tall, good-looking, curly-haired boy was here an hour ago. Do you know which showroom he went into, after he was done here?’ Jungkook asked, trying to look composed.

“Mr J-Jeon.” The shopkeeper said, stuttering in awe. “He walked out of the Mall.”

Jungkook took a deep breath and then smiled. “That was my fiancé. Thank you for assisting him well. So, what did he buy?”

“A cap and a face mask.” The shopkeeper replied.

Jungkook waited for another hour in his car in front of the mall. Taehyung had switched off his phone and had not used Jungkook’s card for any transaction ever since he bought a cap and a face mask.

He was considering calling Seokjin when a tap on his window made him look up. His run-away fiancé was standing there with more than half-a-dozen cheap shopping bags, a drink and some fries in his hands.

“Could you open the trunk please.” Taehyung said from behind his mask.

Jungkook saw him stuff the bags mercilessly and walk around to slip into the seat next to him, clutching his fries and coffee.

“What do you think you were doing?” Jungkook asked, trying to keep his calm.

“Shopping! I got excellent bargains.” Taehyung replied, his face a little flushed from the walk and effort.

“I told you to shop here.”

“No, you told me that we couldn’t be seen anywhere else. And thus, I covered my face.” Taehyung responded.

“Listen Taehyung- don’t make this difficult. You are to pretend to be my f…”

“And so, what Jungkook?” Taehyung snapped. “Does being your fiancé mean that a person can have no self-respect? Does it mean that I have to splurge your money on things I do not need? I know we are just pretending but is this what marriage means to you?”

Jungkook gripped his steering wheel tightly. “Just tell me when your change plans next time and keep your phone switched on. I was concerned.”

Taehyung scoffed.

“What does that mean?” Jungkook asked, the cracks in his patience now showing.

“It means that we can limit the pretence to when we are in public. You really don’t have to pretend when its just the two of us. I have learnt quite a lot about you since our last meeting. Between ripping your uncle and abandoning your father, you don’t come across as someone who will be concerned about a stranger! So yeah, keep it real, Jeon Jungkook.”

Jungkook frowned and looked at Taehyung through his creased eyes. He looked intimidating. “You don’t have to like me Taehyung. I don’t expect that. Just help me make this work. We are both putting a lot at stake for our families. We can’t let it fail because of petty indifferences. Beyond that, I need no character certificates from you.” Jungkook said dryly as he pulled the car out of the parking and hit the road.

“No. I am putting things at stake for my family and you are doing it for saving your own ass. And if my opinion matters so less, why were you trying to impress me yesterday?” Taehyung asked.

“You have got me all figured out already Darling. Just come up with your own theory for this too.” Jungkook snarled as they drove to the penthouse, this time with double the hatred.

Taehyung closed his eyes and took deep breaths and waited for this never ending ordeal to get over.

Songpa-Gu was known for luxury apartments and cultural centres. Jungkook drove into a sophisticated underground parking lot which, Taehyung assumed, would take them to their abode.

The moment they were parked. Taehyung looked for the panel which had the touch buttons to unbuckle his seatbelt and swing the open the doors.

Jungkook helped him since Taehyung was still holding his drink and chips and now his cap and mask too. Before they could step out, Jungkook tapped open the glove compartment and retrieved a small box. Taehyung followed his movements with his eyes.

“Props for the drama.” He said, as he popped open the box to reveal two platinum bands. “I’d rather we put them on before the residents and the staff sees us together.” Jungkook said quietly.

Taehyung was holding multiple objects in his hands. Before he could put them down, Jungkook tugged on his ring finger and slipped the ring on it. He did not make eye contact with Taehyung as he held onto his finger for a moment longer than was necessary. He sighed and slipped his own ring on his finger and got out of the car to head to the trunk.

Taehyung hated the way his heart fluttered, and his breath came heavy, at a gesture which obviously meant nothing to Jungkook.

Chapter Text

The Penthouse at Songpa-gu was on the 32nd floor and built to exploit the 360-degree vistas of Seoul. It boasted of three bedrooms including a corner master suite with spa bath and walk-in closet, and a fancy kitchen with a centre island- entirely too big for two people and too lavish for either of their tastes.

It was one of the many properties that the Jeons owned. It wasn’t really something that had been purchased for residential purposes. May be as an investment, may be as a guest house… Jungkook didn’t know and didn’t really care. That is, before this day.  He looked around with as much curiosity as Taehyung. It was his maiden visit too. 

“Tch.” Taehyung exclaimed.

“You don’t like it?” Jungkook asked quietly, keeping conversation minimal. He was already repenting the fact that he had lost his cool at Taehyung earlier in the car. He was also repenting the weak moment he had had back in the car when his mental faculties had gone for a toss at something as small as slipping a ring on Taehyung's finger. He didn't want a replay.

Taehyung chuckled. “It looks like one of those sample houses which realtors show to prospective buyers- spick and span. Not a thing out of place.”

“You don’t like that?” Jungkook asked frowning.

“It doesn’t look lived in. It looks… make-believe.” Taehyung explained.

“Oh… So, what do you propose we change? New furniture, maybe?” Jungkook asked.

Taehyung chuckled again. “I bet I can’t even afford to change a doorknob in this house.”

“Could you for once stop making everything about…” Jungkook was about to snap, however he checked his anger at the last moment. “Please don’t worry about finances as long as you are here with me.” he said ominously .

Taehyung opened his mouth to object but Jungkook cut him short. “I am not saying this to indulge you, if that is how it came across. It’s purely optics. We might have investigators in this house in the future. It needs to look convincing. ‘Lived in’, as you say. So, let me know if you have any ideas. I will get them implemented.”

Taehyung nodded curtly. “Which one is my room?”

"Just pick any. I don’t care". 

"I don’t care either." Taehyung snapped icily.

It had been relayed to Jungkook (through a long channel of people which included Seokjin and Namjoon) that since Taehyung was cancelling his traveling assignments, he shall be working on his research papers.

"Please take the master bedroom then... it should be the last room down the corridor. I wouldn't want my movement or the entry and exit of my visitors to disturb you." Jungkook said.

'Oh!' Taehyung said with a straight face. "Of course, there'd be those!" he blurted sarcastically without thinking. 

Jungkook gauged his reaction with a frown. He wasn't sure why Taehyung was acting difficult at the moment. "I shall ensure that I don't disturb your privacy and I'll also ensure that you get a head's up if someone is coming over." 

Taehyung scoffed. "Yeah, right. Thanks, I guess!" He mumbled as he dragged his luggage down the corridor noisily.

He entered a swanky bedroom bathed in grey, blue and mustard interiors. He scoffed again- this time at the contrast between his last living arrangements and this. He had been staying in modest accommodations with basic furniture ever since he had moved out of his parent's house nearly a decade ago. He considered running hot water a luxury, and here he was, with what looked like a jacuzzi in one corner of the room.

It's not that Taehyung disliked the opulence. But he certainly hated the cost at which it came- the unscrupulous games, the cold-hearted players and a business which became more important than love and family. His father was the prime example of one such insensitive person who had not even found Taehyung worthy enough to be told as to why he was to get into this matrimony. Jungkook seemed to be a close second.   

Taehyung laid down on the huge bed and for the first time since he had arrived in Seoul, he found time to think peacefully. Everything had happened at such an accelerated speed, that he had still not been able to process how he felt about the entire situation. He was likely to find himself in the middle of an investigation and was expected to lie to save two families and thousands of employees. He was going to be working only on his research assignments and not on the field, which meant that he would get paid half his salary. He was suddenly engaged and about to be married to Jeon Jungkook within the next 7 days.

He still did not know what to make of Jungkook or his temper which always seemed to be on the boil. Taehyung wondered about his motive for lying to him and his efforts to seduce him. It all seemed so unnecessary.

Out of all the people who were responsible for putting Taehyung in this position, he hated Jungkook the most. He was not only dangerous but also dishonest. Something about his demeanour told Taehyung that Jungkook was brimming with secrets. He seemed dark yet so alluring. Taehyung could feel his breath hitching at the memory of their kisses last night or even the peck on his temple this morning. His heart had skipped a beat when Jungkook had slipped a ring on this finger. Maybe he hated Jungkook because he felt so defenceless around him.

And of course, he would have visitors, Taehyung thought bitterly. There would be lovers, hook ups or may be even hookers. Taehyung did not expect him to be celibate. The man oozed sex appeal. However, the thought of Jungkook with someone else, under the same roof, was so unsettling.

Taehyung groaned in irritation. He needed to get a grip on his animal instincts if he needed to survive in this cage with this predator. The godforsaken Sabertooth.

He decided to not step out of his bedroom at all, the entire day, surviving on the soggy fries and fruit basket in the room.

Jungkook wouldn’t accept it, but he was anxious all evening, waiting for Taehyung to step out, wondering if he could knock. Jungkook’s and Taehyung’s bedrooms were also connected with a common patio which had a small swimming pool. He could have peeped into Taehyung’s room as he stepped out on the patio. But he had more self-control than that. They had been through enough unpleasantness for one day. And on that note, he hit the gym, to keep all thoughts of his husband to be, at bay.

Jungkook was a light sleeper. He woke up at the first buzz of the doorbell early next morning. He checked the time- it was a little before 7am. He dragged himself out of the bed in his PJ bottoms, not bothering to put a shirt on.

He opened the door to find a hassled looking Seokjin in his PJs and house-slippers and Namjoon dressed for a board meeting.

“What the he..” Jungkook was about to swear but both his Cousin and Taehyung’s brother almost pushed him aside to enter and shut the door behind him.

“We don’t have time Jungkook”, Namjoon said urgently. "We just got tipped off, the investigating officers are on their way."

“Where is Taehyung?” Seokjin asked, moving towards the corridor leading up to the rooms.

“He’s sleeping in his bedroom, the last door down the corridor.” Jungkook replied.

“Why the hell were you in two different bedrooms?” Namjoon muttered between clenched teeth, rushing towards the interior of the house after Seokjin.

“No halt! Hang on both of you!” Jungkook suddenly burst out. “What is happening? Who tipped you off? Why couldn’t you just call me? It’s not even 7am!”

Before they could answer, Seokjin’s phone rang which he answered on first call.

“We suspect that your calls are being tapped. That’s why we both rushed to tell you!” Namjoon mumbled hurriedly as he entered Jungkook’s bedroom. “Now we quickly need to make it look like both of you were in the same room. Let’s tidy this room and shift your stuff into the master bedroom.”

“Shit!” Seokjin spoke into the phone making both Namjoon and Jungkook stop in their tracks. “They’re downstairs. We can’t get out of here, Namjoon.”

Namjoon sighed loudly, as he handed over Jungkook’s belongings which were strewn all over the room, to him.

“Quickly go settle into Taehyung’s room.” He told Jungkook. “The building security shall keep them engaged for 5 minutes or so. We’ll figure out how to explain our presence here.”

Jungkook stepped out leaving a very hassled Seokjin and a stoic Namjoon behind.

“Why are you dressed formally so early in the morning?” Seokjin asked Namjoon, as he messed his own hair in frustration.

“I drop my daughter to school before work… anyway, besides the point…”

“Lose the clothes and get into the bed.” Seokjin said authoritatively.

“Huh?” Namjoon’s eyes were at their widest.

“Just do what I say, Namjoon. And quickly.”

Jungkook slipped into the master bedroom balancing his laptop, his phone, his tablet and a couple of his official documents in one hand. Taehyung seemed to have drawn black-out curtains and it took his eyes a few seconds to get accustomed to the dark. He quickly placed his belongings on the table besides the door.

He hurried towards the bed but froze in his tracks.

A single ray of light which was filtering through the gap in the curtains was directly falling over a spot on the bed near the headboard, illuminating Taehyung’s face, as he slept peacefully. His curly hair was strewn over the pillow and his lips were slightly parted. The comforter was pulled up till his chest and he wasn’t wearing a shirt. One of his arms was over his head, under the pillow, the other one was on his chest, clutching the edge of the comforter.

Jungkook’s throat felt dry. He almost forgot why he was in the room.

“Taehyung” He said softly. But his whispering did not wake Taehyung up. Jungkook repeated himself, still softly. Taehyung stirred a little but did not wake up.

Jungkook knew he wasn’t supposed to be playing gentle at the moment. But he just couldn’t bring himself to force Taehyung awake. It felt wrong, almost unforgivable.

He would have stayed rooted to the spot, staring shamelessly had he not heard the doorbell buzz again. He trusted Namjoon or Seokjin to attend to the visitors.

He quietly slipped into the bed, under the comforter, next to Taehyung. It was warm inside with Taehyung’s body heat. And he smelled heavenly- sweet yet woody. Jungkook could feel his resolve slipping. Somewhere in the back of his head, he was still conscious of the investigating officers in the house, but he just couldn’t concentrate on that, not when Taehyung looked, felt and even smelled divine.

He slipped his arm under Taehyung’s head, being careful not to wake him or his own desires up. Taehyung might have subconsciously felt his presence. But instead of waking up, he rolled over to his side and leaned into Jungkook’s body, his breath falling on Jungkook’s chest, right over his heart and his loose fist resting against Jungkook’s abs.

Jungkook thought he could give anything in that moment to be able to pull Taehyung closer, kiss those lips again and watch him melt in his arms. He could feel a stinging ache in his chest from the amount of restrain he was exercising.

His thoughts came crashing down as he heard a commotion outside the door. He could hear Seokjin’s loud protests to whosoever was trying to advance to the master bedroom.

“YOUR WARRANT GIVES YOU PERMISSION TO SEARCH PREMISES! BUT IT SURE AS HELL DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR YOU BARGING INTO PEOPLE’S BEDROOMS AT ODD HOURS, OFFICER!” Seokjin was screaming.

Jungkook was so focused on the conversation outside his door that he didn’t realise Taehyung stirring next to him.

“Whaathefuck!” Taehyung said in a husky morning voice as he squinted at Jungkook through his half-lidded eyes, drawing the latter’s attention, but Jungkook covered his mouth with his hand to keep him from being loud.

“Shhh… its me. Play along, please.” Jungkook warned him in quick whispers.

Taehyung nodded to indicate that he understood and was on board. Jungkook did not realise that he had put his arm around Taehyung’s body out of some subconscious urge to shield him from whatever danger they were in.

Just when they were focusing on the door, they heard rattling of knobs on the glass door which led to the patio. Someone was trying to force their way in, and very violently so. Jungkook sat up with a start as he heard the door being pushed open, but before he could act, a huge alarm clock went hurling past his head and hit the intruder straight on his forehead.

A piercing wail shot through the room followed by the noise of glass breaking as the intruder fell back on the glass door with all his weight.

Jungkook turned around to see Taehyung now holding on to a vase to launch it next.

Half a second later, when Seokjin and Namjoon flanked by two burly officers barged through the door, switching on the lights, they realised that Taehyung had split the head of one of the investigating officers who was trying to force his way in through the patio.

“WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?” One of the officers behind Seokjin barked in a penetrating voice. They saw one of their officers on the floor and ran up to him to help him to his feet.

Amid all the screaming and commotion, which mostly comprised of the 3 officers shouting about consequences of hitting an officer, Jungkook silently took the vase our of Taehyung’s hand and kept it away. Its contents – mostly water, had all spilled over Taehyung as he had picked it up to hurl it.

“It’s okay. You did nothing wrong.” He told Taehyung gently, making Namjoon roll his eyes at them.

Taehyung looked from Seokjin to Jungkook to Namjoon to the officers in confusion.

It took them a good half an hour to assuage Min Dong-Il, the head Investigating Officer. He was a burly man in his late 40s. His subordinate officer had to be rushed out for medical attention for the split in his forehead and removal of shards of glass which had embedded in his skin due to the glass door breaking from his fall.

Taehyung apologised profusely. Even Namjoon and Seokjin apologised on his behalf.  However, Jungkook told Min Dong Il that they should have been ready for such a reaction when they had tried forcing their way in!

After hours of deliberation, a truce was reached with the 4 men agreeing to cooperate with the officers and the officers mirroring the data on Jungkook and Taehyung’s laptops.

Once the officers were out of the house, the four men sat around the kitchen island in varying degrees of sour mood.

“Why the hell did you hit the man Tae?!” Seokjin cried out.

Taehyung remained quiet. Jungkook looked at him intently before speaking in a low voice.

“Its not his fault. He woke up with a start with the sound of that man trying to force his way in.”

“And why the hell did you not wake him up before that Jungkook!” Seokjin said exasperatedly. “We literally sent you to do that 10 minutes in advance!” He cried out.

Jungkook silently toyed with his coffee mug. He wasn’t used to justifying himself. He could never get himself to do it.

Seokjin waited for an answer. Namjoon, who was well aware that nothing came out of questioning Jungkook for his motives, left the table to make his share of phone calls. Taehyung observed Jungkook closely.

After a rather frustrating conversation in which Seokjin expressed his displeasure at Taehyung and Jungkook for handling the situation poorly, Namjoon and Jungkook stepped out the patio to have a conversation of their own.

“Why are you wearing my bathing gown?” a much baffled Jungkook asked Namjoon. He had just realised that Namjoon had entered the house fully dressed in the morning.

Namjoon looked flustered. “Kim Seokjin made me do it.”

“WHAT? Made you do what?!” Jungkook asked in surprise and may be a little amusement.

“We needed an explanation as to why we were at your place early in the morning, so we made it look like we slept over.” Namjoon said, looking tired and embarrassed.

“So, you made it look like you two are… like you two fucked?”

“Can you not?” Namjoon said between clenched teeth as Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head.

Seokjin and Taehyung were in the master bedroom, surveying the damage.

“God only knows how much ego massaging of those wretched officers we’d have to do over that crazy attack!”

Taehyung remained pensive. He had too much on his mind.

“I still don’t understand why that jerk didn’t wake you up!” Seokjin said, his annoyance still brimming. “His whole façade of being the protective fiancé was on point. But he could have just given you a heads up!” Seokjin was pacing around in anger.

Taehyung sighed. “Maybe he tried waking me up. I’m a heavy sleeper.”

Taehyung had no idea why he was defending Jungkook before his brother. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

Seokjin huffed. “Whatever! I think I’ll get going. I have had enough adventure for a day.”

Taehyung stepped out to see his brother off. Namjoon also seemed to be leaving, fully dressed for work now.

“Kook, Kyra wanted to come and meet you, if that’s fine with you?” Namjoon said, just before stepping out.”

Taehyung froze. Just when he had felt a little warmth in Jungkook’s gestures, the Kyras and Mariahs of the world were descending. He couldn’t believe he kept fooling himself into believing that Jungkook cared about him.  He was so lost in thought that it took him a few seconds to realise that Jungkook and Namjoon were both looking at him, for permission?

“Yeah, sure! I’ll step out whenever you want to entertain whoever.” Taehyung said flatly, trying to keep all bitterness out of his voice.

“Naah. I’d rather you be here when she comes.” Namjoon said with a small smile. “I think she wants to meet you more.”

“Oh” Taehyung exclaimed. “Sure, I guess.”

Taehyung returned to his room, cursing himself in his head. He had woken up curled up against Jungkook. He had no idea, how long they had been in that position. But Jungkook was obviously not into him. He needed to stop hoping for it to happen. This was getting frustrating.

His marathon thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door which was already ajar. A shirtless Jungkook stood there with his hands in his PJ Bottom pockets.

“And now he knocks!” Taehyung said sarcastically. “Yes, Mr Jeon, what can I do for you?”

Jungkook strolled inside and stood facing Taehyung. “For starters, please wear slippers inside the room till I get someone to clear the shards and replace the glass.”

Taehyung surveyed Jungkook with disdain. “Sit. I think we need to lay down some ground rules. And wear this.” He said, throwing his spare t-shirt at Jungkook.

Jungkook sat down at once and didn’t protest as he put the t-shirt on.

“I’m no damsel in distress Jungkook. I don’t know what gave you the impression that you need to protect me and keep me safe. I am pretty much capable of taking care of myself. So please learn to drop this façade as soon as we are alone. I have no idea why you did not give me a heads up today when you knew that the investigators were here. We could have saved a lot of drama. But if you think you did it to save me from a difficult situation, you dare not do it again.”

Jungkook heard the entire tirade without batting an eyelid. He was leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees and his face resting in his left palm. His face gave away no emotions.

“And, dare you touch me again without my permission. If you do, it’ll be your head I’ll be splitting open, next time.” Taehyung said, quietly, stressing on every word. “Wherever we are, whatever the circumstances, you will tell me before touching me and I’ll do the same.”

Jungkook stared at Taehyung with a poker face. It annoyed Taehyung to no end that he was clueless as to what Jungkook was thinking.

Jungkook kept staring for another few seconds, gave a curt nod and got up. “Is there anything else that you need to make you more comfortable?”

“A writing table. I need a writing table. There’s none in the master bedroom. But the most basic one, please. Preferably the cheapest.”

The next day passed uneventfully.

However, in less than two days, Jungkook became acutely aware of all the things he did not know about setting up a new house. At the same time, he was in awe of all the things Taehyung seemed to know about it.

 He was also becoming aware of the fact that he hadn’t really thought this through. It was one thing to have a crush on a boy he had first seen at a party 7 years ago. It was another thing to see him every waking minute, walking around bare feet, gorging on strawberries, talking to himself softly… It felt like he was living in a virtual reality where he could feel everything, but it was still an illusion.

Taehyung had just unpacked his writing table which had been delivered and sat down to work on his assignment when there was a knock on his door.

“Its open.” He said loudly.

He had expected to see Jungkook, however his new visitor made him sit up in surprise.

“Mr Kim Taehyung? May I come in?” Kyra asked cautiously, as she peeped into the room.

Taehyung got up to hold the door open for her.

“Hi! Who are you?” he asked animatedly as he sat back into his chair next to his writing table.

“I am Kyra. My Dad said I could meet you now.”

“Yeah sure… wait a minute! Is Jungkook your father?” Taehyung asked in alarm.

Kyra giggled. “Uncle Kook is my Uncle. My father’s name is Namjoon.”

“Oh!” Taehyung hated the relief he felt at that.

“But Uncle Kook is my godfather.” Kyra said happily, as she settled on Taehyung’s bed.

“Is that so?” Taehyung said, feigning interest. He hated to tell the little girl that that heartless man was of little use as a godfather.

“Yes, my Dad says, that if I am in trouble and if he isn’t around, I should always find Uncle Kook. He’ll take care of me.”

Taehyung smiled against his will.

“What are you doing?” Kyra asked him curiously.

“I am writing a paper.”

“You mean you are writing on a paper?”

Taehyung chuckled. She was a raccoon or may be a mountain goat. He couldn’t decide as yet.

“So did Uncle bake you a cake?” Kyra asked without waiting for an answer for her previous question.

“Was he supposed to bake me a cake?” Taehyung asked, as he organised his papers.

“Hmm.” Kyra nodded her head. “You and me both. Apology cake.”

Taehyung looked up at Kyra at once but before he could ask a question, his door swung open to reveal a sweaty Jungkook in his track pants and a towel around his neck hardly covering his bare torso.

“Hey Kyra! When did you get here? Who let you in? I am sorry, I was in the gym and missed your Dad’s text.”

“No problem. Dad let me in and left for a meeting. He said he’ll pick me up when he’s free. Taehyung was keeping me company.” Kyra said chirpily.

Jungkook gestured for Kyra to step out. “Come, I’ll make you some pancakes.”

Once Kyra had stepped out, he looked at Taehyung. “I’m sorry you were disturbed.”

Taehyung shook his head to dismiss the apology but Jungkook had already left.

“No pancakes for Taehyung?” Kyra asked with genuine concern.

“Please don’t call him by his name. He’s much older to you.” Jungkook rebuked.

Taehyung overheard the conversation from his room. When he spoke to Kyra, Jungkook sounded the way he had sounded on the night they had met- light-hearted, genuine, and warm.

He wished he could have that Jungkook. Or those pancakes at least. But he wasn’t offered either.

The wedding preparations were in full swing, even if Taehyung and Jungkook showed zero interest in it. They couldn’t put off the impending shopping for long and braced themselves for a long day of public appearance and pretension.

This time Taehyung did not fuss over the visit to the mall owned by Jeons. He held it together as he tried his tuxedos and Jungkook showered him with ‘fake’ compliments.

“Everything looks good on you baby.” Jungkook told him with a smile as the designer made Taehyung try every single style piece from their latest collection.

Taehyung hated how he blushed in real for a fake compliment.

He still held it together while Jungkook tried his clothes and looked at Taehyung for approval.

But as they walked out of the Mall towards their car, Jungkook brought his lips close to his ears and whispered- “Now I’ll hold your waist, pull you closer and kiss you Taehyung.”

Taehyung melted into his arms and into the kiss as Jungkook kissed him gently against his car.

He regretted ever asking Jungkook for a heads up. The heady whispers were going to be the end of him.

That night when Jungkook was about to go to sleep, he found a note and a wad of cash on his table.

I checked the price of my writing table at the mall today. It costs as much as my half month’s salary. You shouldn’t have bought something so expensive. Please accept this cash.

- Taehyung

Jungkook opened his drawer and carefully kept the cash inside it. He regretted buying an expensive table, and disturbing Taehyung’s finances. But he wouldn’t disrespect a self-made man by returning it.

Moreover, it had come from Taehyung’s blood and sweat. It was more precious to him than any money he had ever earned.

Chapter Text

Taehyung had never really given a thought to marriage. He knew people made a fuss about it, but just like his father's business, it held no appeal for him.

And yet here he was, dressing up to celebrate his fake wedding and struggling with his cuff links. He always hated cufflinks: epitome of pointlessness. Whatever happened to good old buttons!

A knock on his door made him look up. Lately the house had been frequented by several people- caterers, decorators, event managers. His privacy was a thing of past. His parents and the Jeons had decided to host an after-party at their Penthouse after the Wedding Reception. He wasn't entirely thrilled about it because it had involved shifting Jungkook's belongings into his room since the house was being frequented by so many strangers. 

"Come in." Taehyung called out from in front of the mirror. 

But it wasn't someone from the staff, it was Jungkook who walked in looking like a billion-dollar showstopper. He was in his black tuxedo, his hair gelled in place yet not slick. 

"Are you ready?" He asked Taehyung gently. They had been so occupied with avoiding each other, especially after their kiss outside the mall, that Taehyung couldn’t even remember the last time they had had a conversation

Taehyung stared at him for a moment too long and almost forgot about the cufflinks he was struggling with, which slipped out of his hands and onto the carpeted floor. 

Jungkook picked them up and motioned for Taehyung to extend his wrist so that he could fix them for him.

"We might be asked about things like where we met and how we started dating." Jungkook said calmly as he fixed Taehyung's cufflinks.

"Hmmm" Taehyung said distractedly. Jungkook was too close for his brain to come up with coherent sentences.

"I think we could say that we met at the fundraiser organised by the Lee family 7 years ago." Jungkook explained, as he motioned for Taehyung to extend his other wrist.

"Oh... I did attend that one!" Taehyung said in surprise as he offered his other wrist to Jungkook.

Jungkook gave a hint of a smile. "Hmm. I know."

"I remember Mrs Lee's terrible singing. At some point I put two chairs together and slept off." Taehyung giggled.

Jungkook's features softened for a moment. He remembered that all too well. He also remembered sitting close-by to make sure that Taehyung didn't tumble over in his sleep.

"So yeah... meeting at that fundraiser sounds plausible." Taehyung said. "Thanks!" he said looking at his cufflinks.

"I put some people to look into how many times we've been in the same country at the same time in the last 7 years. That way, we can make it look like we kept in touch all along. So far, we know that I was in California for a week once while you were there for your undergraduate course. I happened to be in UK for three days while you were doing your Applied Wildlife Conservation Course. You were in Canada for saving orcas for a year. I visited Vancouver twice for business meetings in that duration. You've been in China since last two years. I visited China 5 times in the last two years. Besides that, all the times you came back to Seoul during your semester breaks and vacations while I was also in the city, have also been taken into account."

Taehyung looked impressed but a little deep in thought. Jungkook picked Taehyung's tuxedo jacket and held it up for him to put his arms into it.

"Well, all that's fine. But if you make it look like you were traveling to different parts of the world to meet me, it'll make you look like a whipped lover!" Taehyung said with mirth as he let Jungkook help him with his jacket.

Jungkook did not respond, he just smiled as he fixed Taehyung's collar. "Ready to go?" he asked.

"Yes" Taehyung said with a small smile. Jungkook's proximity was making him dizzy.

They were about to step out of the house when Taehyung noticed an envelope which Namjoon had sent over earlier that week. It was a pre-nuptial agreement. But they hadn't even looked at it.

"Umm... what about this?" Taehyung asked, while Jungkook waited for him at the door.

Jungkook gave a little smile and motioned for Taehyung to step out. Once they had entered the lift he spoke quietly- "I never planned on getting married. So, I really don't care about terms and conditions."

"What if I divorce you and run away with all your money?" Taehyung asked, tongue in cheek. 

Jungkook looked at him smirking as they exited the lift into the parking and towards his car. "I'd love to see you do that, Mr Would-Pay-For-My-Own-Table!"

Taehyung chuckled. "You underestimate my vile side. What if I refuse to divorce you?"

Jungkook pursed his lips. "Sounds like your loss."

Taehyung chose not to respond to that. 

"Jungkook..." he said, as they settled into his car. Jungkook looked at him, raising his eyebrow in question. "You know so much about me. I don't know much about you. I mean, I know what you told me about yourself the day we met... but I hardly know anything about your, education, work or dating history. What would I say if anyone asks me about you?"

Jungkook smirked. "Just tell them that you fell in love with the enigma that I am."

Taehyung feared that might be true.

“You handled things well the other day with my mother, but I thought I should tell you- she doesn’t know about… umm… she thinks we get along.” Taehyung explained as they were approaching the Jeon Mansion.

Jungkook nodded. “I’ll make sure she continues to think that way.”

“Thanks.” Taehyung said softly. “What about your mother? Do we have to pretend before her too?”

Jungkook smirked, as they entered through the rear gate of the mansion to avoid the media before the ceremony. “Don’t worry about my mother. No matter how we behave, she thinks that I have been in love with you for a very long time.”

Taehyung frowned in confusion but did not ask any questions.

Once they had parked their car and stepped out. Taehyung took deep breaths. Seokjin had told him that a lot depended on their acting skills today. They had to look like a couple who was madly in love in front of a lot of people throughout the day.

“We might have to pretend to a be a bit more affectionate today.” Jungkook said, seriously.

Taehyung nodded to say that he understood.

Jungkook offered his hand. Taehyung exhaled loudly and clasped it. Jungkook looked at their clasped hands and smiled, as they walked towards the wedding venue.

“Did something happen? I have never seen you smile so much.” Taehyung observed softly.

Jungkook looked at him in amusement. “Are you fucking kidding me? I’m getting married today, Taehyung!” he said with a wink making Taehyung grin against his will.

The venue for the wedding was the lawns at Jeon's mansion. For all their flaws, the Jeons threw amazing parties. It was a wonder how they had put together such a grand scale wedding in such a short time. The show was being run entirely by Jeon Suk Eon, and Kim Mi Hye, Jungkook and Taehyung’s mothers.

Jungkook didn’t let go of his hand as they met hundreds of people. Both took turns to introduce each other to their side of the family. They made a beautiful couple, even if it they were fake.

Taehyung was having second thoughts about the condition that he had imposed on Jungkook to give him a heads-up before every intimate moment. His purpose of putting that condition was to ensure that he was never caught getting embarrassingly turned on by a sudden touch. But somehow, the hoarse whispers in his ear, were proving to be more of a turn on-

“Lean on me, Taehyung.”

“I’ll now kiss the nape of your neck.”

“I will now lace my fingers with yours.”

“Hold me Taehyung.”

To any observer, they looked like a couple whispering sweet nothings and racy promises to each other. The photographers loved it too, they had hundreds of photo-ops.

Jungkook followed his instructions to a T. Even at the altar.

“Taehyung” He whispered, their faces inches away, breathes fanning each other’s lips.

“Hmm?” Taehyung responded, his eyes alternating between Jungkook’s eyes and lips.

“This old man with the book, he’s asking me to kiss you.” Jungkook said, being a tease.

Taehyung chuckled.

“Do it” he said, softly before he himself latched onto Jungkook’s waiting lips. The last thing he saw before he shut his eyes in pleasure were Jungkook’s intense eyes boring into him.

All those witnessing the wedding saw probably the most desperate altar-kiss ever, which ended only when the priest cleared his throat.

The wedding reception which followed was attended by the Who’s Who of the country and even the world. The media went into a frenzy over the star-studded event.

“Are you an actor?” A very curious Kyra asked Seokjin.

The family members had all assembled for some photographs. It was a somewhat strange gathering since they still did not know each other but were pretending to be close-knit.

“Huh?” Seokjin replied, being clueless, for once.

Jungkook pursed his lips to keep from smiling, however Taehyung chuckled.

“Kyra!!” Namjoon called her name out like a warning.

“What?! I’m just asking a question Dad.” Kyra said defensively.

Taehyung and Jungkook laughed out loud. It wasn’t too often that Seokjin was out of words. It was even rarer to find someone who wasn’t scared of him.

“I’m sorry Seokjin.” Namjoon said.

“What?! No please don’t apologise on my behalf Dad! This gentleman is so good looking. I thought he may be an actor I don’t recognise. Why are you being sorry? Isn’t he handsome?” Kyra asked rather indignantly.

Namjoon opened and closed his mouth but no words came out of it.

Seokjin was definitely blushing now.

“He is my brother Kyra. He is a businessman like your father. And he is very flattered by your compliment. Aren’t you, Hyung?” Taehyung said cheekily, barely managing to hold back his laughter.

“Yeah, thanks.” Seokjin said sheepishly.

“See! He’s sweet too!” Kyra shrugged and walked away leaving behind two very embarrassed men.

“I think Kyra would approve of your bathing gown adventures, Joon.” Jungkook whispered into Namjoon’s ear, earning the dirtiest look from his cousin.  

At some point while socialising with people, the grooms soon found themselves in the proximity of their fathers. Neither of them looked too keen on introducing each other to their respective patriarchs.

Jungkook however, noticed Taehyung observing Jeon Jung Min, his father.

“So what animal is my father?”

Taehyung looked down and smiled sheepishly at the fact that he had been caught.

“Am I that easy to read?” Taehyung asked.

“Maybe I am just good at reading you!” Jungkook quipped.

Taehyung raised his champagne glass, Jungkook clinked his glass softly against it.

“Hawk, I think he is a hawk. He looks like a keen observer.” Taehyung explained. “Just like my own father. But my father is more of a vulture.”

“What’s the difference? Aren’t both of them birds of prey?” Jungkook asked curiously.

“Hawks feed on smaller animals. Vultures feed on the dead. Sometimes they sit next to the dying creatures and wait for them to die.” Taehyung said pensively as he observed the bubbles in his champagne.

Jungkook wished he could go punch Kim Hyun Jae in the face for whatever he had done to hurt Taehyung.  

“Interesting.” Jungkook said after a long pause. “I thought your father would be a walrus, with that bushy moustache and tall and broad body.”

Taehyung looked at him with a small smile. “It’s more to with the vibe than the appearance.”

“Which makes me wonder why I am a sabertooth!” Jungkook mused out loud.

“Keep guessing!”  Taehyung said with a smirk and walked off.

Taehyung hated to admit it, but as the evening progressed, he was thoroughly enjoying putting up their little act. Jungkook was playing the part of a smitten husband like a pro. He was being so overtly attentive to Taehyung as if he had rehearsed it a million times.

With a little more champagne, Taehyung let himself believe that it was all true. It made the entire ordeal so bearable. He initiated the kiss on the dance floor, tugged Jungkook around to make him meet his favourite cousins, drank champagne out of Jungkook’s glass as if it wasn’t a big deal and even fixed Jungkook’s hair for the cameras.

Jungkook was intrigued and amazed by this carefree Taehyung. It felt like a sneak-peak into the real Taehyung. A Taehyung who did not hate him. A Taehyung he didn’t deserve. It crossed his mind that someone in the world was lucky enough who shall get this Taehyung to love them for real. It stung his heart that it wouldn’t be him. He too had a little too much of champagne to numb the pain and drown out the voices in his head which kept telling him that this was all a sham, and that the boy whose face was currently buried in the nook of his neck would probably not look at him twice once the crowd had dispersed.

Taehyung found a moment alone amid all the craziness. He was resting against the edge of a table and looking at Jungkook and Kyra.

Jungkook was sitting on the grass in a squatting posture and showing something to Kyra on his phone, while she leaned over his back with her chin propped up on his shoulder.

Something about the sight made Taehyung happy.

He was watching them so keenly that he didn't realise when Mrs Jeon had walked over to him.

He got up to bow but she gestured for him stay seated as she also rested against the edge of the table to look at Jungkook and Kyra.

“Kyra breaks down all his walls.” Jeon Suk Eon remarked fondly.

Taehyung smiled and nodded.

Jeon Suk Eon was a graceful woman. Tall and beautiful with defined cheekbones. She carried herself with utmost poise.

A beautiful white swan- Taehyung thought in his head.

“Taehyung, I am sorry if my son confuses you. He makes himself so inaccessible sometimes. Maybe I am to be blamed for it” Jeon Suk Eon said quietly.

“No, that’s not true” Taehyung protested feebly. He wasn’t really sure what to say or what to make of it.

“This one time when he was really young… may be as young as Kyra, I came back home to a broken glass table. It was a precious table- an antique which I had inherited from my grandmother. I knew Jungkook was into sports those days. I assumed he was responsible. I screamed like a deranged woman at him for playing indoors, for causing so much loss, for being irresponsible.” She narrated wistfully. “He didn’t say a word in his defence. I sent him away to his room without dinner. Took his football away too. He quietly bore it all.”

Taehyung could feel that Mrs Jeon repented it to this day. She sounded like she was holding back her tears.

“A few months later, one of the housekeepers walked up to me, trembling with fear. She said, she had slipped while dusting the table and broken it. She couldn’t muster the courage to tell me that before.”

Mrs Jeon sighed. Her voice shook a little. Taehyung didn’t really know what to say, so he took her hand and held it between both of his. She smiled fondly.

“I asked him later as to why he never spoke out, why he never put up a fight. He simply said- You didn’t trust me, so what was the point.” Mrs Jeon sighed again and shook her head. “And that’s the kind of person he is. I think that’s why he loves Kyra and Joonie so much. Those two trust him with their lives… What I am trying to say is that please do try to trust him if you can. My son dotes on you. He will never let any harm come upon you.”

Taehyung nodded and smiled at his mother-in-law.

Jungkook turned around to see his mother and Taehyung talking to each other while Taehyung lightly held her hand. It warmed his heart.

The close family members soon moved to the penthouse for the after-party, the one which was thrown so that the family could get to know each other.

Jungkook soon got called over by his father to share a drink with Taehyung’s father, Seokjin and himself- the mastermind group behind this sham marriage minus Namjoon. Something about Kim Hyun Jae irked Jungkook more than his own father did. Jungkook wasn’t sure what about his Father-in-law made him so vary- perhaps the fact that Taehyung thought him to be a vulture was enough.  

"I am glad you agreed to do this Jungkook. I hope my son makes up in his personal life what he lacks professionally" Kim Hyun Jae said rather disdainfully as Seokjin grunted in annoyance.

Jungkook stilled. His eyes darted around the room for Taehyung. He found him, some feet away, in conversation with Namjoon and Kyra.

"Can I borrow my husband for a moment, Kyra?" Jungkook asked in a soft voice, the one which he always reserved for Kyra.

“Sure!” Kyra smiled.

"Hey Panda Bear, can I borrow you for a moment, I need to show you off." Jungkook said loud enough to make everyone in the room turn around.

Taehyung looked from Jungkook to his extended hand, stunned. He had no idea what was happening. He grabbed Jungkook’s hand, nonetheless.

Jungkook pulled him closer and kept his hand on the small of Taehyung’s back.

"Taehyung's research papers are being used as course material in universities around the world. At any given point of time he has employment offers from the governments of multiple countries, but he always chooses to work on the cause which seems closest to his heart. His PhD thesis is being used as a basis for drafting laws and policies on wildlife conservation. I don't think anyone of us present in this room has achieved so much in our respective fields as much as Taehyung has."

"Jungkook..." Taehyung whispered softly looking thoroughly embarrassed. "What are you doing?"

Jungkook bumped his forehead against Taehyung's and smiled at him. "Just being proud of you. Thank you for your time, Mister."

Taehyung looked at him with those dizzying half-lidded- bedroom eyes before he walked away.

Jungkook turned back to his father-in-law who had a rather stony expression. "So, as I was saying, unless you have a son I don't know of, Father-in-Law, I don't think either of them are lacking in any way at all."

Seokjin laughed out loud.

Around midnight, all the bedrooms in their penthouse were occupied by guests who were too tired to go back home.

Taehyung found Jungkook sitting alone with his drink, deep in thought. He quietly sat down next to him, quite buzzed himself.

A small smile played on his lips even though he didn’t look up at Taehyung.

“Jungkook.”

“Hmm?”

“Are you drunk?”

Jungkook chuckled. “I guess so.” He said

“Are you the types to divulge secrets when you get drunk?

Jungkook chuckled and shook his head in a no. “You can try, but I won't tell you anything.”

“Why did you say all those things to my father?” Taehyung asked.

“Which things?’

“Tch! You know which things I am talking about!” Taehyung said a little exasperatedly.

“Because they're true and he didn’t seem to know. I was just stating facts” Jungkook replied.

Taehyung shook his head. "Really? Because you just stopped short of wearing a cheerleader's uniform and grabbing two pompoms."

Jungkook sniggered. "I'm not into that kind of thing but I can get that costume if that's how you fantasize me!"

Taehyung couldn't help giggling.

“Listen….” Taehyung said after he had composed himself. “I keep telling you again and again…. But I really don’t need you to save me, Jungkook.”

Jungkook mulled over it before he finally looked up at Taehyung and spoke slowly and softly.

“If you don't need saving, Taehyung, how about YOU save ME.”

Taehyung frowned. “Who do you need to be saved from? Your father?”

Jungkook tilted his head back till it hit the back of the couch. “Mostly myself”

Taehyung couldn't fight the urge to touch Jungkook. He carded his fingers through Jungkook’s hair gently. His husband closed his eyes, as if he was trying to memorize the touch.

Taehyung’s brain said that he was doing it only as a façade- part of the drama they were in. But in his heart, Taehyung knew that he was just doing what his heart and his body wanted him to do.

When he stopped, Jungkook opened his glazed eyes and looked at Taehyung with such intensity that Taehyung could feel his body burning.

“Now I'm going to look at you as if I'm madly in love with you Taehyung and then kiss you like I can’t resist you.” Jungkook whispered the heads up, honouring his pact with Taehyung.

Taehyung held back the moan that almost escaped his lips, but he couldn’t do anything about the goosebumps on his body. His breath trembled, and yet he leaned right into the kiss. His hands found their way to the back of Jungkook’s neck as the latter deepened the kiss, parting Taehyung’s lips with his tongue, demanding more and more.

Jungkook tasted of champagne but his fragrance was more dizzying than any alcohol Taehyung had had all day. He smelled of cologne mixed with his own scent – something heady and spicy. Taehyung clung on to the last bit of self-control in his body to keep himself from burying his nose into that sweet spot in Jungkook’s neck.

Namjoon and Seokjin watched Jungkook and Taehyung devouring each other in a dark corner, from across the room.

"I can’t figure out your cousin.” Seokjin said contemplatively.

Namjoon huffed. “It takes time.”

“You know I'd kill him if he harms Taehyung, don't you?" Seokjin asked calmly.

Namjoon gave a breathy chuckle. "I do. But do you know he’d do the same to you if you ever harm Taehyung?"

As part of their ongoing drama, Jungkook and Taehyung retired to the master bedroom. The party didn't seem to be ending anytime soon.

Taehyung was quite tipsy under the influence of the uncountable champagne glasses he had downed. To add to that high, their heady make out session had left him feeling dizzier than ever.

"I'll take the couch." Jungkook announced.

“Umm... it’s a huge bed. Just sleep here comfortably.” Taehyung murmured as he struggled to get out of his shirt, gave up and all but collapsed on the bed. Sleep claimed him soon enough.

Taehyung woke up a few hours later to find himself alone on the bed. He sat up, trying to make sense of time and place.

“Did I wake you up?” Jungkook’s voice sounded raspy.

Taehyung looked around for him only to realise that he was inside the Jacuzzi in his room.

"Sorry, I didn't ask you before using your Jacuzzi." Jungkook said over the constant humming of the water jets.

Taehyung pulled himself out of the bed and towards Jungkook. He stumbled a little. His buzz from the drinks had still not worn out.

He knew that he had gotten married to a gorgeous man, but nothing had prepared him for the sight his eyes met- Jungkook looked like he'd walked out of a wet dream. His wet hair looked like it had been carded back with firm fingers. His naked torso was resting against one side of the tub, his hands sprawled on either side, resting on the edge of the tub. He had thrown his head back, resting it on the edge too.

Taehyung gulped. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I was getting distracted."

"By what?" Taehyung asked genuinely.

Jungkook chuckled. “A giant panda!”

Taehyung sat down on the edge of the tub unsteadily. He couldn't take his eyes off Jungkook.

"Don't do that Tae. You are making it worse." Jungkook said in a soft murmur.

“Hmm?” Taehyung asked distractedly. His shirt buttons were open, his hair was dishevelled.

Jungkook took a shaky breath. “Fuck it! Do you want to join?”

Taehyung was mesmerized. He was hardly registering Jungkook’s questions.

Jungkook looked at him intently. "Just come in. I promise to behave."

Taehyung smirked as he got up to lose his clothes. Jungkook closed his eyes and threw his head back again.

"What if I don't behave, Jungkook?"

Jungkook chuckled without opening his eyes. "I'd like that very much."

Taehyung stepped into the Jacuzzi in just his boxers and sunk into it, humming in contentment as the hot water lapped his body and his tired muscles. His gaze kept drifting to Jungkook. He looked so hauntingly beautiful

“Jungkook?” Taehyung said after a moment.

“Hmmm”

“Your mother said you love people who trust you.”

Jungkook laughed. “Can’t believe mother and you tried psychoanalysing me.”

“I want to trust you too Jungkook. But you’d have to help me.” Taehyung said softly.

Jungkook opened his eyes with a start. “Does that mean… do you mean… do you want me to love you?”

Taehyung chuckled, closed his eyes and leaned back against the tub. “Can’t believe you are trying to psychoanalyse me.”

They stayed quiet for the next few minutes. Jungkook increased the pressure of the water jets and the water temperature too. 

But as soon as he had done that, Taehyung started moaning in a low guttural voice, enjoying the feel of gushing warm water on his body.

"Fuck" Jungkook said softly under his breath. He had plunged into the jacuzzi to control his inebriated mind from wanting to touch his sleeping bed mate. And now here he was, the man who featured in his wildest fantasies, sitting across him in barely any clothes, moaning shamelessly.

Jungkook could not take it anymore. "Taehyung! Are you absolutely clueless as to the effect you have on me, or are you doing this on purpose?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.

Taehyung smiled with his eyes closed and his head thrown back. He was glad for that champagne. It was making him bolder and loose-tongued. "A bit of both, I guess."

"You fucking tease!" Jungkook grumbled and grabbed Taehyung's leg under the water, pulling him closer.

Taehyung giggled. Once he was closer, Jungkook turned him around and pulled him between his own legs, resting his back on his chest.

He touched Taehyung all over in mad urgency and kissed his neck, leaving glistening marks all over, eliciting the most wanton moans. In no time, Taehyung was squirming in his embrace. Jungkook slipped his hands down to Taehyung's boxers, pulled it lower and waited for a moment. "Please tell me you won't regret this in the morning." 

But Taehyung was too far gone to have a logical conversation. "Touch me Jungkook! Please don't stop."

Jungkook groaned in frustration. "No damn it! I can't. You aren't sober. This means something to me. I can't unless I am sure that you won't regret it. Please tell me Taehyung!"

Taehyung was literally thrusting his hips in a frenzy. "Let’s just pretend we are doing it for cameras... like everything else we do" he said deliriously.

"Pretend what?" Jungkook asked, barely managing to keep it together. 

Taehyung freed his cock, took Jungkook's hand and made him stroke it. 

Jungkook's brain blacked out with desire.  He muttered a slew of curses but didn't stop. His own erection was hot and heavy in his boxers.  Taehyung turned around and struggled to lay his hands on Jungkook's length. 

His eyes were shut, and his lips were agape. Jungkook was getting harder just looking at Taehyung. He looked so obscene and yet so angelic.

Jungkook stroked him reverently until he came and collapsed on Jungkook. Taehyung did not stop pleasuring Jungkook even as his body spasmed in orgasm. Jungkook did not last long after watching him come undone. He screamed out as he shot streams of heat inside the jacuzzi, into Taehyung's hands. 

They both shivered even when they were immersed in hot water.

Taehyung had almost passed out. "We need to get out of the water, panda bear." Jungkook said indulgingly as he kissed his forehead and whispered endearments in his ears.

It took Jungkook considerable effort to get his husband out of the jacuzzi, dried up and tucked in bed.

Once he was also insider the comforter, his own fatigue claimed him and he dropped asleep, cuddled up to the man he was about to dream of.

Jungkook woke up to sunlight pouring into the room. He groaned in resentment. 

"Ugh! Why is it so sunny?" he mumbled groggily.

"Because its past noon." Taehyung's fully awake voice rang from somewhere around him.

Jungkook raised his head a little to see Taehyung lying next to him, his hands tucked under his head, as he looked around the room as if surveying the mess. His face bore no expression.

The events of the night flashed in his head. He hissed as he remembered their drunken sex-capade, if it could be called so.

"Taehyung?" he said cautiously. He wasn't even sure where they stood, if Taehyung remembered everything, if he regretted it, what he was thinking at the moment.

"Hmm?" Taehyung replied after a few seconds.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am okay."

"What are you thinking?"

Taehyung let out a long sigh. "We don't have a washing machine."

"What!?" Jungkook asked to confirm if he had heard it right.

"We have no washing machine, Jungkook. We can't give everything to the concierge to get laundered, for example our wet boxers. Please order a washing machine." 

Jungkook buried his head under his pillow and laughed in relief and disbelief. He had woken up to a conversation about laundry. He was definitely married. 

Taehyung saw his husband shaking with laughter and fought his own urge to laugh along. 

Chapter Text

Jungkook always hated being called over for a ‘chat’ with his father.

For as long as he could remember- ‘chat’ meant that his father had found a reason to disapprove of him. He would have gladly avoided it had it not been for the incessant calls he had been receiving from his father’s secretary, requesting for a meeting.

“Good Morning Mr Jeon, your father will see you in fiv…”

But Jungkook did not really hear the rest of the words that his father’s secretary spoke as he strode past her and barged straight into his father’s room.

Jeon Jung Min was a formidable man. His face didn’t belie his personality. His vileness had manifested in his aura. Everything about him screamed 'sly'.

He looked up from the documents he was pouring into as his only son stormed in.

“I wasn’t expecting you this early,” Jeon Jung Min said with a blank face.

“Cut to the chase,” Jungkook said curtly, as he noisily pulled a chair across the table from his father, and slid into it.

“Very well, Son.  I hear you have been manipulating and bribing the authorities to get the current investigation team replaced,” Jeon Jung Min snarled.

“Yes,” Jungkook said without wasting a second.

“May I ask why you shall pull such a stunt when you know we are not exactly in a bargaining position. Is this the time to be playing manipulative games? You know how much trouble we are likely to be in!"

Jungkook scoffed. "It sounds so strange to listen to YOU telling someone to stop manipulating others? Pot calling the kettle something."

Jeon Jung Min clenched his teeth in anger. "I am not in the mood for listening to your jokes."

"And I am not in the mood for listening to you!" Jungkook snarled back in the same tone. "But lets get a few things straight. You did not ask me to get married. You tried manipulating me into thinking that you wanted this in 'my best interests'. So we aren't really in this together."

"That investigation team was in a rough with Taehyung and me, and I don't trust them to be fair. I don't trust them to treat Taehyung with respect," Jungkook said in one breath.

Jeon Jung Min looked like he was seething with anger. "They were mad because that stupid boy assaulted their man."

"My husband, whose name you might want to remember Mr Jeon, is Kim Taehyung- he is anything but stupid. The investigation team tried breaking into his room and I stand by what he did," Jungkook replied, stressing on every word.

"Before you lose focus, I should remind you that you got into this marriage with that useless son of Kims because our businesses are at stake. So stop making your 5 day fuck into some eternal romance that you need to protect. I don't care how that investigation officer treats your little fuck buddy as long as we get a clean chit, you hear me?"

Jungkook smirked.

"How are you always this clueless, Father? I give a rat's ass to you or your business. I shall gladly see you off to Jail... even join you in the next cell, if it comes down to it. I agreed to this marriage only because of Taehyung. So you might as well pray that my 5 day fuck-affair is indeed an eternal romance or no one's more doomed than you and your beloved business!" 

Jungkook got up to leave declaring this to be the end of this conversation but his father wasn't done as yet. Jungkook had barely reached the door when his father's voice boomed from across the room. "You think you are better than me? You think you have a greater purpose in life? You think you have something else to live for other than your business? It's a bitter pill to bite, but you will end up exactly like me; actually worse if you don't get off that moral high ground that you think you have. You'll be lonelier and more miserable"

Jungkook could think of a million things to say. He could pull out episodes from the past which they had both been brushing under the carpet for years now. But he restrained himself, the way he always did. "I may not be a better person, Father, but I would never step on my own son." he spat before he barged out of the room and out of the huge building which used to be his office too.

He was shaking with anger as he buckled himself in his car and waited for his nausea to pass. His father always had that effect on him. No one knew about the number of unresolved issues they had. He knew that they could never reconcile, especially since his father did not even acknowledge his wrongs. 

But as he pulled his car out of the parking lot, to head to his own workplace, Jungkook couldn't help wondering if his father was right. If he too would get consumed by his hatred for his father, his uncle, all the things they had done, all the things he had done... and end up like his father.

He was still trying to calm his nerves, clenching the steering wheel so tight that his knuckles turned white when his phone started to ring- the display panel on his car reflecting Taehyung's name.

He rammed into the car in front of him.

Taehyung had never called him before. And ever since their wedding, their wedding night particularly, things had been slightly awkward. They had salvaged the morning-after, somehow. But with the wedding guests gone, they had run out of reasons for staying in the same room.

Now, almost 3 days later, both of them had gotten busy with their respective professional lives and were doing a stellar job of staying out of each other's way. 

So a phone call was the last thing Jungkook was expecting.

He hit the accept tab at once, even as he stepped out to survey the damage.

"Umm... Jungkook?" Taehyung's somewhat preoccupied voice filtered through the phone.

"Yeah, tell me?" Jungkook tried to sound calm, as he pulled out his visiting card to hand it over to a driver who was creating a ruckus over an invisible dent in his car. "Please send the bill to this address!" he loudly whispered to the driver and ran back into the car to block all the honking noises which were not letting him hear what Taehyung was saying. 

"...parcel delivered for you. The delivery guy has handed over a fat bill for it. I am in the middle of a work call and don't have too much time to spend on this. Do you have a clue or any instructions as to what you want me to do?" Taehyung said, in one breath.

Jungkook sighed. Taehyung sounded a bit annoyed. "Just tell them that I shall get the money sent over to them in 10 minutes."

Taehyung was silent for a moment. "Look, I'd rather pay him, since he has already asked for money."

"Okay... umm!" Jungkook said as he put his car into gear again, "open my table drawer, you'd find a key to my safe."

He heard shuffling noises over the phone as Taehyung must have walked over to his room and opened his drawer. He could hear impatient voices in the background which sounded like they were coming from Taehyung's laptop. 

"Umm... Jungkook... I don't see the key, but I see wad of cash. Can I use this money?" Taehyung said hurriedly.

"No! Not that money! Don't touch that money!" Jungkook said more aggressively than he intended to. 

Taehyung sighed loudly. "Never mind. I'll handle it." he said rather curtly, before he hung up unceremoniously.

"Aaargh!" Jungkook grunted before he threw the phone on the back seat in frustration. He wasn't having a good day.

His father had always said the most hurtful things. He couldn't understand why he was feeling so extra-riled up over it today. But as he was pulling into the side-lane leading up to his office-building, he realised that the heaviness in his heart had nothing to do with his father. 

He turned his car around. 

Taehyung missed most of his work call which ended with his co-workers being cross with him for not paying enough attention. He walked out of his room exasperated and switched on the huge television in the living room to play some music. It always calmed his nerves.

Jungkook emerged from the lift to see a huge parcel blocking their penthouse's entrance door such that the door was ajar. He  had just managed to push the heavy parcel inside when he heard the sound of music and singing filtering into the foyer. 

He made his way into the living room and stopped dead at the entrance. His almost perfect husband was dressed in a t-shirt and the cutest little shorts and was grooving to some music on the television. He was singing along and even mirroring the dance steps of the performer on the screen. It sounded like a retro cover of some popular Chainsmokers' song Jungkook had heard before.

He couldn't help smiling. And as he leaned against the door frame, watching the back of an oblivious Taehyung vibing, he had a comforting thought-

He would not end up miserable like his father. He had something to live for.

Jungkook waited for the entire song to end before he made his presence felt, knocking on the open door.

Taehyung jumped in alarm. "HEY" He exclaimed. "When did you come in!?" he sounded both embarrassed and annoyed in equal measures. 

"Sometime between 'Aaa-aa-aa-aa, can't stop' and 'Baby pull me closer' " Jungkook replied with a subtle smile.

Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut and looked away. "This is so embarrassing," he mumbled. "Why are you even here at this time?"

Jungkook chuckled lightly as he walked closer to Taehyung. "To install your washing machine which you had left unattended at the door."

Taehyung gave a surprised expression. "That enormous thing is a washing machine? Why is it so huge? And so expensive?"

Jungkook shrugged lightly. "I just called up the store and asked them to send over the best one."

Taehyung sighed loudly. "I am sorry, I was in the middle of something back then, I hung up on you..."

"Don't..." Jungkook said softly.

"... and I can't lift heavy objects. I have an old injury in my left shoulder which flairs up if I strain it so..."

"Taehyung, STOP!" Jungkook said loudly, making Taehyung stop mid sentence. "Stop apologizing for mundane things. It's okay, I don't care."

"It's not about whether you care or not, Jungkook... I don't want you to misunderstand my intentions. Its important to me that you know the truth." Taehyung explained, as he massaged his forehead with one hand.

Jungkook looked at him intently. "Well if you are into that kind of thing, I do need you to tell me something."

Taehyung raised his eyebrows in question. He felt oddly nervous. It was amazing how Jungkook could change the air in the room in a moment, just by changing the tone of his voice. 

"That night... our wedding night..." Jungkook said softly, stepping even closer to Taehyung, looking into his eyes. "Do you remember it, or were you too drunk?"

Taehyung avoided his gaze for a moment before meeting it. He nodded his head in yes, biting his lower lip worryingly. "I remember it."

Jungkook was observing Taehyung's each and every small movement. The way he met his eyes, the way he chewed his lip, the way he had nodded his head lightly.

He was drinking in every detail so that he could romance every little thing about him in his head. 

He was fighting a mad urge to touch him and be touched by him but he needed answers before that.

"Do you regret what happened between us that night? Do you regret our night together?" He asked squinting.

Taehyung frowned as he formulated his answer. Jungkook held his breath.

They were much too close for either of their comforts or sanity. 

"I don't regret the night... but I do have some regrets from the night." Taehyung said quietly.

"Oh" Jungkook exclaimed looking away, stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets and taking a step back.

"What I mean to say is that..." Taehyung started but he never got to finish his statement. 

The buzzing of the doorbell interrupted them. Jungkook gave a long look to Taehyung, his poker face not giving away any hints on what he was thinking, before he walked away .

"Hey Kyra! How did you get here, baby? Why do you look so low?" Jungkook asked as he crouched down and lifted Kyra up. She held on to him, wrapping her hands and legs around like a koala and placing her head on his shoulder.

Chapter Text

They were three days into their honeymoon. Jungkook was lying on his yacht's deck, basking in the sun while using his husband's bare thigh as a pillow.

At some point he turned his head around and pecked on Taehyung’s knee, only to have the entire husband squirm like an eel.

"Dude! That tickles," Taehyung screamed, making Jungkook laugh.

He was learning new adorable details about Taehyung and loving every moment of this education.

So far he knew that Taehyung was ticklish, loved Van Gogh, carried chocolate bars in his pockets and could steer a boat like a pro.

But Jungkook was learning as many things about himself as he was learning about Taehyung.

So far he'd learnt that he loved sunsets, stolen kisses and being snuggled. Of course the appeal of the sunsets, stolen kisses and snuggling lay in doing it with Taehyung.

"Just because I'm looking into this book, doesn't mean that I don't know that you are staring at me," Taehyung said, without taking his bespectacled eyes away from his book.

Jungkook smiled but didn't stop looking at him. "Does it bother you?"

Taehyung was quiet for so long that Jungkook thought that maybe he hadn't heard the question.

"Uh-huh. I guess you are familiarizing. I see it all the time with rescued animals. They keep staring at you, wondering if they can trust you. Take your time. And then you owe me some answers to the questions I asked you back in Seoul," he said, eyes still fixed on his book but his fingers mindlessly playing with Jungkook's hair.

Jungkook shook his head in amusement. It wasn't a normal day if his husband wasn't comparing him to an animal. "Why should I tell you things I've never spoken to anyone about," he challenged.

Taehyung ruminated on that. "Well... for whatever it's worth, I'm your husband. So there's that.... Also, I'm really good at keeping secrets.

At the most, I might get drunk and slip your secret to an elephant in Thailand on my next assignment."

Jungkook chuckled. The fact that Taehyung was his husband was worth everything to him. But he didn't think he could say that out loud without scaring Taehyung. "I don't know... are elephants chatty," he asked. Taehyung sniggered.

"My Father and Uncle had a very unhealthy sibling rivalry, growing up," Jungkook said softly as he got up to sit next to Taehyung, both resting their backs on the wall that separated the cockpit with the deck.

Taehyung shut his book and kept it away, giving all his attention to Jungkook.

"They were both sly and lacked a moral compass. Both were fairly detached from each other. My Aunt and my Mother were close, and that's how Joon and I got to meet other so much and become the best of friends."

"When Uncle realised that he shall never be able to break my Father's supremacy at business, he decided to expand the business to get away from Seoul. He moved across Asia with my Aunt, leaving Joon behind to live with us."

"Over the years, Uncle suffered major losses and kept coming back to borrow more and more from my Father. He was delusional. He would never acknowledge his mistakes."

"I think my Aunt kept him somewhat sane so he went even crazier after she died. We still don't know what happened to her. He came back to borrow money and casually mentioned that his wife died some months ago! Joon was barely 14. He was devastated. So was my Mother. She became really protective of Joon... kept him away from Uncle as much as she could."

"My Father trusted Joon a lot. We all did...  Even when we were growing up, he was bright and dependable. He always had my back. Unlike our fathers, we never had a rivalry. He got his degrees in business finance and I got mine in management. We joined my Father's business around the same time."

"Joon overtook the then Chief Finance Officer of the business group, in a fair and square manner. Our business started flourishing. It was around that time that we surpassed your Dad's business," Jungkook said with a small smile.

Taehyung smiled back. "So what went wrong?"

"My Uncle came back. He confessed to my Dad that he was broke and needed to join him. It was a first for him to admit to his mistakes. My Father, in a first ever show of compassion, let him join us. We had a small side-business of ground-handling services at Seoul Airport. My Father let Uncle head it. It wasn't worth too much, so we really didn't care even if it wasn't very profitable as long as it wasn't running into losses."

"Uncle moved in with Namjoon. But something about the new development seemed off. He was suddenly affectionate towards Joon, suddenly concerned about his well-being and suddenly interested in Joon's work."

"My hunch was that Uncle felt slighted with the work that he was doing and was thus trying to get into my Father's business through his son. I told Joon about my apprehension but he was convinced that his father was genuinely proud of him, which was a plausible theory, in all honesty. Joon was doing extraordinarily well, any father would be proud of a son like him."

"I still didn't trust my Uncle too much. I put some people to watch his movements and sure enough, he was showing too much interest in Joon's work. He was trying to get closer to our Company's accountant, Min-Ki, who was Joon's most trusted man and So-Min, Min-Ki's wife and Namjoon's Secretary."

"At some point my father got to know about this investigation that I had been carrying out. He brushed it aside- said his brother would not dare to pull something under his nose. He also said that I reminded him of my Uncle- we had the same suspicious personalities, he said. I was sure that my Uncle was up to something, but I dropped the investigation, I guess I wanted my father to suffer."

"We didn't have to wait long to uncover a scandal. My Uncle had used Joon, Min-Ki and So-Min to gain access into the Company's employee funds and swindled all the money to infuse it into his own business. It was more than enough to bring the entire Company down. Employee funds are basically the long-term contributions which the employer and the employees make towards their own benefit programs- for their retirement. It is a sacrosanct fund, and it was huge. My uncle had used Min-Ki to gain access to the documents and So-Min to get Joon's signatures. They were both clueless as to how they had been used but once they realised, there was no end to their grief."

"When it became known to us, Joon was broken, and my father was ballistic. I was desperately trying to think of ways to salvage anything that I could. If we couldn't find a way, we were not only looking at the closure of the Company but also imprisonment for all of us. The laws are so stringent when it comes to employee benefits. It is their lifelong savings after all. Everyone was sure that we were all going down. But no one was more devastated than Min-ki and So-min. Joon treated them both like family. He was instrumental in getting them together. He was the best man at their wedding. He even named their daughter. They couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for the downfall of so many people especially Joon and before we could make sense of the situation, they both committed suicide."

Taehyung gasped. 

"They both ingested poison. I think they intended to feed it to their daughter too but couldn't do it at the last moment. And that's how Joon found Kyra, next to her dead parents with a note of apology."

"Oh my god" Taehyung whispered. He was holding his head in despair. "Kyra... Oh my God!"

"Yeah..." Jungkook said, taking a deep breath to keep his tears from spilling. "Kyra was his god-daughter."

They sat in silence as Taehyung came to terms with the information. "Does Kyra know that...?"

Jungkook nodded. "She doesn't remember much. But she knows that Namjoon adopted her. We took her for therapy for a year when she got a little older."

Taehyung nodded, biting his lip in desperation. "So Namjoon saved Kyra?"

"Actually, the other way round. Kyra saved Namjoon. All of us to some extent. Namjoon picked himself up for Kyra. His world revolves around her," Jungkook said with a wistful smile. 

"What happened after that?"

"I sold my shares in the Company and used that money to buy out my Uncle's Company in a hostile takeover. It was a challenge to keep things under wraps until such take over was finalized. Once I had bought over his business, I highlighted every single irregularity in his business to ensure that all his allies were either fined or arrested for the same. The pace at which that business was built- it was a given that they had flouted laws and regulations and so it wasn't really difficult to find faults and attribute them to my Uncle. I made him pay fines till the time every single penny that I had paid to him was given away to the authorities. After that, I sold his business again and this time adjusted the proceeds towards the employee funds."

Taehyung petted Jungkook's hair lovingly. "So, my husband saved the day, huh?"

Jungkook blushed a little, but shook his head. "I brought upon the ruin, Tae. I knew my Uncle was up to something. If I had not given up on the investigation back then, none of this would have happened. Even once things had flared up, it took me months to come up with a remedy. Had I been quicker, may be things would have never spiraled out of control. May be, we could have still had Min-Ki and So-Min alive."

"That's a lot to blame yourself for... why do you think it was all your responsibility?"

“Someone had to take control of the situation. And I knew it had to be me. I didn’t mind playing the bad guy- forcefully buying out my Uncle's business, ripping off every Director in that company, all vile games... It was necessary. It’s just that… never mind,” Jungkook trailed off.

Taehyung pulled his knees close to his body, kept his head on them, facing towards Jungkook.

“I’m listening.”

Jungkook heaved a sigh. “I just wish it wasn’t so easy to believe that I am the bad guy. No one questioned it. People I worked with, my family… the entire company… everyone believed it. They said, I was a match for my Uncle. I was the only one who could set him right. I was just like him.”

“I didn’t even realize when I had become the person I most hated” Jungkook said with a sad smile. 

"But you aren't," Taehyung replied softly, "you are so not the person your Uncle is. You did what you did to save people... not harm them. You put others before you. Hell! you didn't mind taking the entire blame of things. You aren't like your Uncle at all. If anything, you are his anti-thesis. You could see through your Uncle and bring him down because you have the brains, not because you have dark intentions like him."

Jungkook stared at the sunset without saying anything. At some point, they decided to lay down right there.

"I'm no psychologist, Jungkook, but you really need to let go. You are holding yourself responsible for a lot of things that you shouldn't hold yourself responsible for. Your father and uncle's rivalry is not on you. Nor is Kyra's parents' suicide. You couldn't have possibly imagined the extent to which your Uncle could go to wrong his own brother or use his own son. Let go... It's not on you."

Jungkook didn't say anything for a long while. He rolled over and buried his face in Taehyung’s chest.

Taehyung rubbed his back comfortingly.

"Are you okay..." Taehyung asked, ruffling his hair softly, after almost half an hour.

Jungkook chuckled a little. "It’s funny how you hold it together for so long and then someone asks you if you're okay, and everything gushes out."

Taehyung tightened his hold around Jungkook. "I won't judge you if you cry a little. I promise I won't tell anyone about this even when we aren't together," he whispered.

Jungkook tried smiling. Somehow the prospect of them not being together was more unsettling to him than the prospect of Taehyung talking about his vulnerabilities.

"Never blame yourself again. Think of it as a favour you are doing to me." Taehyung said as he patter Jungkook’s hair.

"Does this mean that you'll also not blame yourself for disappointing your father by not joining his business?"

Taehyung would have been annoyed had someone else asked this. But he owed sincerity to Jungkook even if it meant saying uncomfortable things out loud.

"I did disappoint him, though," he said wistfully.

Jungkook was bad with comforting but something in his chest felt heavy at the prospect of Taehyung being upset.

"No... Listen," he said frantically, "you can’t disappoint anyone. I don't think it's possible for you to be a disappointment. I mean, look at you! You are perfect. You are smart, so well-spoken, successful, so self-respecting... and you swim like a frigging merman, and you have... the best collarbones and you're crazy in bed... so unbelievably sexy..."

Taehyung tried keeping a straight face. "I don't think my father will be impressed with those last few things," he said, before they burst out laughing.

Jungkook asked Taehyung a lot of things about his life that evening. About his relationship with his brother, his interest in his work, his love for animals, his shoulder injury, his past relationships and his future plans.

He was in awe of Taehyung.

But what Jungkook did not know was that Taehyung was beyond smitten. Their day of sharing secrets had proved to be more intimate than they had expected. They held hands and caressed each other's faces as they spilled fears and hopes that they had both stowed away for so long.  

And when Jungkook trapped Taehyung with his body against the cockpit of the yacht, pinning his hands above his head, Taehyung licked Jungkook's ear erotically- "Naah, not like this. I want you to lose control today. Let me take you," he purred. 

Jungkook pulled his face away to look at Taehyung intently. "I haven't... its been a while since I..."

"Since you let anyone fuck that firm, round, delectable peach of an ass?" Taehyung asked with a straight face.

Jungkook laughed. "We really need to do something about that mouth of yours... Yes, its been a while since I bottomed."

"We don't have to if its not your thing..." Taehyung said, pecking Jungkook's nose.

"I want to... its just... I really haven't trusted anyone enough since a long while," Jungkook said with a frown.

"Do you trust me," Taehyung asked, more nervous about the answer, than he should possibly be.

Jungkook kissed Taehyung to convey that he did trust him.

"Just don't tell the elephants."

Taehyung patiently waited as Jungkook took a long shower and prepared himself for their night together.

He almost forgot to breathe when Jungkook emerged on the deck with his hair wet and his body glistening in the moonlight.

Taehyung kissed every inch of it before he made Jungkook hold on to the deck railing as he took him from behind. 

And for once, he skipped the dirty talk for whispering endearments in Jungkook's ear. He told Jungkook how beautiful, hot, kind and dependable he was. How amazing he made him feel. Just how much he loved the sound of his broken moans.

Taehyung was endowed a little too much and he knew exactly how to use his gift. Jungkook, for once really lost control. He never knew he would love it so much to be at Taehyung's mercy. His legs would have given away if Taehyung wasn't holding him up.

His heart had already slipped away a long time back.  

The rest of their honeymoon was one of the best holidays either of them had ever had. They moored their yacht at the dock and spent weeks discovering small beach towns and cozy restaurants. Jungkook had never really used his phone's camera before, but he just couldn't stop clicking Taehyung's pictures. He hoped that no one could tell that he was so madly in love. 


On their way back, right after they had become proud members of the mile-high club, courtesy the bed in Jungkook's private jet, Taehyung pulled Jungkook closer to cuddle with him.

"This might be too early. And you really don't have to feel pressurized to say it back... But I think, I really like you."

Jungkook smiled, his eyes shining bright. "Believe me, its not early at all."

They came back to a notice from the Investigation Agency to be present for an investigation the very next day. Jungkook was expecting it. They had irked the Authorities enough with their sudden disappearance. He was a little relieved to see that the notice was signed in the name of a new officer. At least, it was a new team handling the investigation.

Jungkook was not expecting Taehyung to be so calm about it.

"They'll grill you and might ask trick questions," Jungkook cautioned him for the nth time.

"Relax..." Taehyung said, surveying him over his reading glasses as he poured into his work documents a night before. "I'll be fine."

Next day, they walked into the Investigating Agency's Office, hand in hand. Jungkook was expecting them to be questioned separately however, to his surprise, they were called in together. 

The Investigating Officer was a tough but genial looking man. 

"Hi, my name is Park Byung-Un. I hope you had a good honeymoon."

Jungkook was rather suspicious of the geniality but he didn't let it show. "It was amazing, thank you," he said before exchanging a smile with Taehyung. 

"So where did you two meet? And how long have you been together?" He asked Jungkook.

Now that they were together, Jungkook realised that he didn't have to hold back his answers in the fear that they might not match up.

"It was Mr Lee's fund raiser dinner, 7 years ago. That was the first time I saw Taehyung. I'd say I have been crazy about him ever since."

Taehyung looked away to smile a little.

"Is there anything else, you remember from that evening? What did you guys talk about?" 

Jungkook hesitated for a moment. "He was wearing a Black Suit with a cream shirt and an emerald brooch. He wore his hair even longer back then. He was thoroughly bored. His parents were still socializing and his brother had sneaked out at some point. So Tae decided to fall asleep. I sat next to him for sometime till his parents came around to wake him up. We didn't really talk that evening."

"We were introduced for the first time at the wedding of Moon Tae Ri, the daughter of the owner of Moon Industries." Jungkook said confidently.

Byung-Un asked them several questions none of which seemed like grilling. It was as if he was genuinely interested in knowing their story. 

"So you went to California for his graduation?"

"Yes, he graduated with 3 Gold Medals." Jungkook said proudly.

Taehyung didn't let his surprise show.

"You say you visited him in London too. Did you guys hang out?" The Officer asked.

"The day I was to meet him turned out to be the day of his book launch. That launch wasn't planned. His PhD guide, Professor Stephen Cross, arranged for it as a surprise. So we couldn't really go around town, but I did visit the book launch. It was held in this small shop called Brick Lane Book Shop near the Liverpool Street."

The officer didn't say anything for the longest time. He then switched off the camera that was recording them. 

"Mr Jeon, I don't think you recognize me, but I don't blame you. You were pretty drunk when we last met."

Jungkook frowned. "I am sorry, I can't place you."

Byung-un gave a wide smile. "My daughter goes to school with Kyra- Namjoon's daughter. I was at her Birthday party last year. So was one of the other officers from my team. We heard your love confession for Mr Kim, loud and clear and over and over again," he chuckled.

Taehyung looked from Byung-un to Jungkook. His confusion apparent for the first time since they had stepped into the room. 

"When they asked me to question you both on this, I checked on the timeline of the allegations against your companies. They are a few months old. The party happened last year, which was months before the alleged price manipulations. I don't really doubt your relationship, Mr Jeon. This was just a formality."

They stepped out of the Investigation room after half an hour. 

"Wait! Jungkook! All those things about me..." Taehyung said, in a slight daze, almost forgetting to keep his voice hushed.

"Later, Tae," Jungkook said with a poker face as they walked hand-in-hand, down the long corridor of the Investigation Agency's building towards the parking lot.

Taehyung was aware that they were being watched but he had more burning issues to worry about.

"How did you know what I was wearing at the Lee's? That was 7 years ago! And that book launch? I never told anyone about my book launch... even Jin Hyung didn't know about it... And... and... that gold medal..." Taehyung said, as he struggled to recall more of what Jungkook had told the Investigating Officer.

Jungkook squeezed his hand to calm him down. "Tae." He said his name like a warning.

Taehyung was barely able to keep it together. "Was I being watched all those years?" He asked exasperatedly, the moment they had reached their car. "Did my father give you all that information? Just tell me Jungkook! Whatever happened to telling the truth to each other, damnit! I'm asking you something..."

"Why do you jump to the worst conclusions about yourself? If these details about you are true, then may the reason that I provided for knowing all this, was also true. Have you ever considered that?" Jungkook snapped as their car hit the road.

"What reason are you talking about? You said you have been crazy about me for 7 years and that's why you remember every single detail... " Taehyung froze.


Jungkook’s face betrayed no emotion.


"Pull over, Jungkook," Taehyung whispered.

"Why d..."

"Just do it!" Taehyung snapped almost menacingly.

Jungkook huffed in frustration before pulling over. He parked the car, turned around in his seat to face Taehyung and held up his palms in a 'what' gesture.

"You told me at our wedding that your Mum thinks that you've been in love with me for a long time."

"So what about it?" Jungkook snapped.

"Why would she think that way? And the things you told back at the investigation... and what happened at Kyra's birthday!?"

Jungkook sighed. "You really want to have this conversation right now?"

Taehyung nodded seriously.

"I got drunk at Kyra's birthday and told all the guests that I liked you," Jungkook said with a straight face.

Taehyung frowned even as his eyes looked softer. "B-but we didn't even know each other back then..."

"YOU didn't know me. I knew you." Jungkook corrected him. "And my mother thought so because you are the first and the only boy I've ever spoken to her about. And I know what you wore to Lee's fundraiser all those years ago because I paid attention. Because you had this weird habit of falling asleep anywhere and everywhere, even back then.... You had put two chairs together and gone off to sleep. You'd have fallen flat on your face, had you rolled over. So I..."

"So you put chairs on either side so that I don't fall." Taehyung said in a whisper, remembering what he had found when he had woken up.

"Yes. Now can I drive?" Jungkook said looking away.

But before he could even switch on the ignition, he heard the unclicking of Taehyung’s seat belt and the next thing he knew was that his tall and muscular husband had climbed into his lap and sat down, facing him!

"Woaaah! What do you think you are doing... Tae!? People can see us!" Jungkook exclaimed, pushing his seat back to accommodate Taehyung between his body and the steering wheel.

"Isn't that a good thing though... that people can see us?" Taehyung lowered his voice dangerously low, cupped Jungkook’s face, swiped his thumb across his lower lip, before latching onto it in a kiss.

Jungkook was powerless to anything Taehyung wanted, especially to his kisses. He knew he wouldn't even have been able to resist it had Taehyung pulled this before the Investigating Officer.

He kissed back just as passionately. His arms pulling Taehyung closer... drinking into that kiss.

When they pulled back from each other, they were panting. Taehyung kept caressing Jungkook’s face with his thumbs, as if admiring the face. He finally pecked him on his cheek and got up to go back into his seat.

"What was that?" Jungkook asked recovering, trying to ignore the crowd of curious pedestrians around their car as he switched on the car again.

"That was my way of saying - You are so frigging hot and I like you too," Taehyung said imitating Jungkook's straight face.

But to his surprise, Jungkook laughed, his nose wrinkling in the process. "Tell me again when we reach home... I don't think I heard you clearly over the traffic noises."

Taehyung wasn't exactly fond of kids, or at least he had never given it much thought. But Kyra was... Kyra. And she was more than fond of him.

"So what animal do you think is my father?" She asked Taehyung as she looked up from her homework yet again to interrupt Taehyung for the 20th time.

They were both seated on the living room floor with their respective homework decorated on the center table. The deal was to work silently but 3 minutes into the arrangement, Taehyung had realised that the deal was off.

"Your father, I think, is a lone wolf," Taehyung said with a smile as he continued to pour into his notes.

"And what about your brother?"

"Jin Hyung? Jin's a dolphin," Taehyung replied.

Kyra was deep in thought. "Do wolves marry dolphins?"

Taehyung bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Do you think your father should marry my brother?"

"Yeah. They hug all the time and keep saying things in each other's ears and giggling. And they call each other 'Mona and Jinnie'. It's so embarrassing. And, oh, they kiss so much… It's gross! Eww! So, yeah... I think they should get married."

Taehyung couldn't help howling with laughter.

Kyra didn't look impressed. "Why is that funny?"

"You do realise that if they get married, Jin will be your Dad too? Are you okay with that?"

"Hmm... sure." Kyra nodded like a person wiser than her 10 years. "I like him. And he makes Dad smile so much."

Taehyung smiled. "Alright, now let's go back to homework, Kyra!"

But a minute and half later she perked up like an alarm- "What animal do you think is Ms. Bae? My home room teacher?"

Taehyung put his head down on the table and groaned.

"Kyra Baby, I think you should go have a nap… You must be tired."

By evening, Taehyung had gotten considerable work done (and Kyra had been asleep all that while) when the doorbell buzzed. Taehyung smiled, getting up from his desk, expecting Jungkook back from work or Namjoon to pick up Kyra.
But he opened the door to a stranger. An older person in a golfer's hat and somewhat shabby clothes. He looked somewhat familiar but Taehyung could still not place him.

The man looked just as surprised to see Taehyung.

"Hi... I guess you are Mr Kim's son. I saw your wedding pictures in the newspapers. I'm sorry I wasn't expecting to find you here. I saw the lights on in this flat and thought Namjoon is here."

Taehyung smiled pleasantly. "Yeah, I'm Kim Taehyung. I'm sorry, I don't recognize you."

The old man was about to introduce himself when a sleepy Kyra walked out rubbing her eyes. "Is dad here, Uncle Tae?"

Taehyung turned around. "No Kyra. You could go back to sleep."

"I heard someone say Namjoon and thought maybe he's here." She sleepily said before going away.

Taehyung turned around to speak to the stranger but he was gone.

When Jungkook rang the bell and hour later, Taehyung activated the video doorbell. He didn't open the door till he was sure it was Jungkook.

"Hey…" Jungkook entered, kissing Taehyung immediately. "Is everything OK? Why did you have to activate the video bell?"

"I am not sure but there was a strange man at the door who came looking for Namjoon. He looked a little off. I had turned around to speak with Kyra for a moment and when I turned back, he was gone." Taehyung narrated. "Do you think the investigation officers are still keeping an eye on us?"

Jungkook frowned. "Can't write that off. Let me also check with the building security if they have a footage."

By the time the security footage could be retrieved, Namjoon and Seokjin were over to pick Kyra up. They all watched the footage on the screen but the golf cap hid the visitor's face.

"Get security beefed up in the building, Jungkook." Seokjin said. Jungkook nodded in agreement.

"The man didn't look dangerous though." Taehyung said pensively.

"Can't be sure Tae. It may be a disgruntled ex-employee. This property was bought almost 5 years ago. Initially, Joon was to stay here. But it was somewhat far from Kyra's school. So it's definitely someone who knows us from back then." Jungkook explained.

Taehyung and Seokjin were still pouring over the security footage when Kyra walked over to Seokjin with her assignment. "I got an A+ in Japanese!"

Seokjin looked impressed. "I am so proud of you," he said petting her head.

"Really?" Taehyung scoffed. "I got straight As all the time! You were never proud of me, though!" He said crossly, only half-joking.

Seokjin laughed. "He's mine now," Kyra said putting her hands around Seokjin's waist.

"Yeah! Whatever…" Taehyung scoffed again.

"No Uncle Tae, that's not how you do it! You need to put up a fight… You are no fun!" Kyra said giggling.

"Is that so?" Taehyung challenged. He tugged at Jungkook's arm, who was deep in conversation with Namjoon. "Well then, this one's mine," he said wrapping his arms around Jungkook's waist from the back and propping his chin on his shoulder. 

Jungkook tried steadying his heart but he was sure Taehyung could have felt it hammering all the way from the back too.

Once Seokjin, Namjoon and Kyra had left, Jungkook slipped his hands around Taehyung and buried his nose into the crook of his neck.

"I missed you so much all day." He whispered.

Taehyung shook his head but brought his hands around Jungkook too. "I missed you too, Kook!"

They stayed like that for what seemed like seconds but was actually over a minute.

"What will you eat?" Jungkook asked.

"You." Taehyung said without missing a beat.

Jungkook chuckled against his neck. "I mean, what do I cook for you?"

"Anything. Just cook naked." Taehyung said with a shrug.

"You are crazy!" Jungkook said, shaking his head as he stepped away to freshen up.

But he did cook naked that night. At least he tried.

"That apron is hiding all the good parts!" Taehyung said as he sat on the kitchen counter and looked at Jungkook stirring the sauce.

"You wildling! You want me to get all the sauce on my 'good parts'?"

"Get.. sauce.. on.. your.. good.. parts.. oooh" Taehyung repeated in a dramatic whisper.

Jungkook stopped stirring and looked up. "No! No to whatever you are thinking Tae! Who'd have thought you are so filthy!" He blabbered as he watched Taehyung get off the kitchen counter with an excited expression and move towards the refrigerator.

"I refuse to cook the moment anything cold or sticky touches my skin! I'm warning you." He screamed. 

He did keep his side of the bargain. He stopped cooking the moment Taehyung poured chocolate sauce over his cock and licked it clean. He did intend to keep cooking but he was powerless to anything Taehyung wanted. And somehow, his body wanted Taehyung way too much. 

They had sex on the kitchen floor that night. Taehyung rode him, moaning noisily the moment Jungkook was fully inside him. He riled up Jungkook,  challenging him in his own way- talking dirty without shame. But nothing had prepared Jungkook for the moment when Taehyung bent down to embrace him and whispered- "You're mine, all mine - Jungkook!" His orgasm was explosive.

They ended up ordering take out that night because whipped for his husband or not, Jungkook refused to cook- he was a man of his words. 

1. 
   
   And as they lay in bed later that night, cuddled up under the comforter, Jungkook fought a mad urge to tell Taehyung that he was madly in love with him, and that he'd never felt like this way before, and that he'd do anything to be with Taehyung- even follow him around the world, and that this marriage was more solemn to him than anything else in the world.
   
   But he really wasn't sure if Taehyung wanted for hear all this or if he even had the right words.
   
   "Tae?"
   "Hmm?"
   "That money in the drawer..."
   "Hmm?"
   "That's what you paid to me for your table. Frankly, I think I got the table for much less... the store is inside the mall you own. The owner wanted to gift it to you. I insisted he charged for it. Money you earn with all your hard-work is precious, I couldn't use it."
   
   Taehyung could feel his eyes watering. He couldn't think of what to say, so he just held on to Jungkook tighter, hoping that would convey what he felt.
   
   "Wait! What do you mean by 'mall you own'?" Taehyung asked suddenly.
   
   "I think I told you. I gifted it to you for our wedding. Didn't you sign some papers?"
   
   Taehyung sat up in the bed, his eyes wide in shock. "You gifted me a mall? I thought those documents were for registration of our marriage!!! Are you fucking mad!? Who gifts a fucking mall to someone? I can't accept it!"
   
   Jungkook chuckled. "But you already did, sailor-mouth!"
   
   Taehyung sat in the bed looking totally distraught.
   
   Jungkook tugged at his hand to pull him down on the bed again and spooned him. "Please don't be so bothered. It's not a big deal."

"It is, Jungkook! And I can't give you anything in return." Taehyung said sadly.

"Tell me again that you like me." Jungkook said quietly as he peppered Taehyung’s bare shoulder with little kisses.

"Jungkook please! That's no match, is it?"

"No. It's not. No material gift will ever make you feel so happy as it makes me when you say that." Jungkook said.

Taehyung rolled over and buried his face in Jungkook’s chest. "I like you so much, Jungkook. I like you more than I've ever liked  anyone."

Jungkook kissed him softly on his head. "Thank you! Now please never feel burdened."

"Don't tell me what to do and what not to do, Jungkook. I fucking own a Mall! Also, do you think I can break that cotton candy que next time we're there?" Taehyung asked, making them both burst into giggles.

"To what do I owe this pleasure of getting picked up by Mr Jeon Jungkook today?" Namjoon said teasingly as he settled into Jungkook’s car.

"Kyra asked me to make pasta for her this evening. So I thought we could go pick her up from school together and then you could join us for dinner too." Jungkook explained.

"I'm off the picking-up duty today though. The love of your life is picking up the love of my life from school." Namjoon said drumming his fingers on his thigh to whatever song was playing on the radio.

"You mean Taehyung is picking up Seokjin from school? Really? What's Seokjin doing at school?" Jungkook mocked with a straight face.

Namjoon scoffed. "No! Love of my life is Kyra and I like how you don't deny that Taehyung is the love of your life!"

Jungkook ignored the gibe. "How come Tae is picking her up today?"

Namjoon frowned. "I didn't really understand what that means, but Kyra said she needs Taehyung to analyse Ms Bae, her homeroom teacher, for what animal she is...?"

"You know what Kookie, I was thinking that now that Jin and I are actually dating, and the investigating authorities are also likely to get you off the hook- you guys can actually divorce and get on with your lives, you know!" Namjoon said with a sly smile. "I mean, this pretension must be really tough for you!"

"I will push you out of the car and make it look like an accident, if you don't shut up." Jungkook threatened but he was smiling.

"Hi! My name is Kim Taehyung! I'm here to pick up Kyra." Taehyung said brightly from the entrance of the classroom to a woman he assumed to be Ms Bae.

She ogled at him as she walked towards him.

'Hen' he thought in his head. She was a hen. She stared intensely with her huge eyes, for no reason and looked like there were no thoughts in her head. He almost laughed at his observation. 

"I'm here to pick up Kyra. Her father must have called you to inform that she was being picked up my me, today." He repeated.


Ms Bae looked aghast. "M-Mr Kim.... someone just picked her up saying you sent him since you couldn't be here... less than a minute ago... I-I am so s..."

But Taehyung didn't wait to hear another word. He ran towards the direction she was pointing in, as fast as he could.

"That smells good...!" Namjoon said taking a whiff of Jungkook's cooking. "What do you want me to do?" He said, wearing an apron.

"Ahhh...I'd rather that you stay away from the kitchen Joon. I don't trust you with anything sharp, hot or anything that is likely to spill." Jungkook said in all seriousness.

"Fuck you!" Namjoon said, taking off his apron and throwing it dramatically.

"Just call Tae and check how long are they going to be." 

Namjoon dialed Taehyung's number on his phone and put it next to Jungkook's face. It was answered after a while.

"Tae, its me, where are you?"

"Aah! Just the man I was looking for, but I couldn't seem to locate your number on his phone." a slow croaky voice said.

Jungkook and Namjoon stilled.

"How have you been nephew? And the fact that this screen says Namjoon, I believe my son is close-by too. How convenient..."

"Where. Is. Taehyung?" Jungkook said slowly and menacingly.

"Lets see, Jungkook... And you must understand my predicament. I intended to take away only the little girl and ask for a tiny allowance from my son. But this ferocious man made my job so difficult. He beat up the men I hired. He is wild- this husband of yours! It took three men and a lot of blows and blood to control him."

Jungkook looked blanched. Namjoon's knuckles were white from how tightly he was holding on to the phone. 

"Don't hurt them or I'll..." Namjoon started but Jungkook squeezed his hand to make him stop.

"What do you want?" he said, sounding eerily calm.

Jeon Dong-Min laughed. "Jungkook, Jungkook! Always the businessman. I like you kid. You remind me of me!"

Jungkook stayed quiet, the nerves of his neck protruding from how hard he was clenching his jaw.

"I had a figure in mind. But that was only for Min Ki's daughter. I wasn't sure how much she's worth. But now I have your husband and the way he was ready to die for her, she must be worth a lot too! The stakes have gone wayyyyy higher. Let me re-asses the market value and get back to you. Meanwhile, don't call the cops or I would know- just the way I knew which day to pick up this girl from school. Also, I must tell you, I do not shy away from killing. Your mother did not just drop dead on her own, Joonie boy!"

Chapter Text

It was dark and smelled damp.

The walls looked as if the place had not been inhabited for long. The floor was dirty and strewn with glass. It clattered under Jungkook's shoes as he desperately ran down the long corridor.

He could hear Taehyung’s voice but couldn't really figure out what he was saying.

There were way too many doors but he somehow knew which door to open- the last one. He was almost there when he saw blood seeping out from under the door.

He jerked open the door.

"You're late, nephew." His uncle's croaky voice was laced with mirth.


Jungkook woke up with a start.

It took him a few seconds to make sense of his surroundings. He was in the living-room of his penthouse. Namjoon was sitting stiffly on the couch across him, his eyes bloodshot and his hair disheveled. Both their phones were on the table between them and Namjoon was staring at them intently, as if willing them to ring.

"He hasn't called as yet." Namjoon whispered. 

Jungkook sat up and rubbed his eyes harshly. "I can't believe I slept off!" He muttered in self-disgust.

Namjoon sighed. "You were hardly asleep for a few minutes Kook. Its 7am. Its been over 14 hours since that phone call. Don't be so harsh on yourself. Don't worry, I haven't taken my eyes off the phones for even a moment."

Jungkook slammed the back of his head on the head-rest of the couch. "You are suffering so much more than me... Kyra, your mother... I should be the one consoling you and not the other way round."    

"That's simply not true Jungkook." Namjoon said quietly after a few seconds. "Don't downplay your suffering. You don't have to say it... but I know what Taehyung means to you. I am worried sick about Kyra... it's killing me... But I have a little solace knowing that Taehyung is there with her- That he put his life on the line for my little girl... You chose so well Jungkook." Namjoon said, wiping his tears on his shirt sleeve. 

Jungkook didn't say a word. He needed to keep his head clear and hold it together. He couldn't afford a break-down at the moment.

"As for my mother... I think, somewhere all of us already knew that the scum of my father was responsible for her death. It was just one of those things we did not say out loud or it would have made us all the more miserable... I feel..."

But before Namjoon could finish his sentence, his phone rang showing an unknown number. He picked it up at once and put it on speaker.

"That's the fastest you've ever answered my call, Joon!" his father's mocking voice rang on the line. 

"Shut the fuck up." Namjoon said through his clenched jaw.

"I was expecting you to run to your Uncle for help, by now. I am amazed that you still have not done that! Always trusted your Uncle more than your Dad, right? Loyalty lay with the money."

"You are a disease, Jeon Dong Min." Namjoon said quietly.

"Now now! I would have loved to have a swear match with you, but not today, Son. Put Jungkook on the line."

"I am listening." Jungkook said hoarsely.

"You sound too cool for someone who's husband is lying battered on the floor, Jungkook. I don't like this." Dong Min said in mock disbelief.

Jungkook's shivered involuntarily. The nerve under his eye was twitching in anger. But he composed himself within a moment.

"You will get nothing out of hurting Taehyung." Jungkook said under his breath. "If you are doing this to get back at me, you are not doing a good job- we only have a marriage of convenience. Also, in doing this, you are messing with Kim Hyun Jae and Seokjin for no reason. You know they aren't forgiving people."

Dong Min scoffed.

"Tae... " Jungkook said slowly. He wanted to say more but he was afraid that his voice might break.

Taehyung looked right into the camera.

"Jungkook, if I don't make it, I wanted to let you know something. Pandas were not always laid back. They were carnivores who hunted at night. They became slack after predators like sabertooth tigers became extinct. So if sabertooth tigers showed up again, pandas would become ferocious again. They'll have no choice. It'll be for survival. And smaller animals' survival would also depend on them. Remember that one time when a panda at the Chinese Zoo devoured half a dozen vultures over night."

"Alright now weirdo!" Dong Min cut in. "You hear him Jungkook, he's gone cuckoo already! Better get me my money if you want your crazy man and this worthless girl back! I am not holding them any longer than tomorrow morning 7am."

Jungkook listened to him in rapt attention till the line got disconnected.

"Oh my God!" He gasped as he stood up with his hands on his head. 

"What? What is it?" Kim Hyun Jae asked.

"He's going to fight them tonight. Taehyung... he will try to take them on. He doesn't think Dong Min will release them. We need to get there before the night."

"What? Jungkook, they'll kill him if we don't arrange the money..." Kim Hyun Jae said loudly. He was quite shaken with the battered visual of his son.

"Noo... you heard him! He's ready to take them down- there are 6 of them, at least 'half a dozen vultures', he said. He needs us there, needs ME!" Jungkook explained, "We need to call the cops". He reached out for his phone.

Seokjin held his hand, restraining him from touching his phone.

"Jungkook, you are not making any sense!" Namjoon said what everyone was thinking.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU? DIDN'T YOU HEAR HIM?" Jungkook screamed as he shirked his hand out of Seokjin's grip.

Everyone in the room looked at him with varying levels of concern.

He huffed loudly and patted his forehead with his fingertips, trying to calm himself down. He was not in a habit of justifying his actions to anyone. But his husband had told him to explain himself every now and then.

"You know how Taehyung compares everyone to animals, right? It's his thing... this game he plays all the time..."

His audience looked clueless except for Seokjin who nodded.

"I know about it too." Namjoon added. "Kyra told me I'm a 'lone wolf'.

"Exactly!" Jungkook continued. He had a mad glint in his eye as he tried to frantically break down his husband's message to a bunch of people who seemed to know nothing about the love of his life.

"He's the Panda and he calls me Sabertooth... he said if Sabertooth appears, Panda will become ferocious, it'll hunt at night and will take down the Vultures! He says the Panda will have no choice... which means that he doesn't think that Dong Min will release them. He said the survival of smaller animals will depend on it- 'smaller animals' is Kyra. He will fight tonight and try to escape and he wants us to help him!"

"That makes sense." Seokjin whispered.

Kim Mi Hye looked blanched. Jeon Jung Min looked unconvinced but he stayed quiet.

"Bullshit!" Kim Hyun Jae bellowed. "You believe this rubbish, Jin?"

"Yes." Seokjin said after a moment. "It's exactly the kind of thing Taehyung would say."

"I'm calling the cops." Jungkook said as he rushed out of the room followed by Namjoon and Seokjin.

"You believe this dumb theory?" Kim Hyun Jae said to the remaining people in the room.

"My son is anything but dumb, Mr Kim." Jeon Suk Eon snapped.

Kim Hyun Jae looked at his wife for support. She was clutching Jeon Suk Eon's hand. "They're husbands and they're in love, Hyun Jae. You need to trust Jungkook when he talks about Tae. He really knows him and certainly better than we do."

"My son's life is on line because you Jeons can't even handle your own fucking family feuds! If this is a ruse to save money and my son gets hurt, I swear to God, I'll ruin you all." Hyun Jae threatened Jeon Jung Min, pointing a finger in his face.

"I don't think you'll have to even try..." Jeon Jung Min said, as he got out of his chair to help his son, "If something happens to Taehyung, Jungkook will burn the city down, anyway."

Things started moving like clockwork. There were many perks of being a rich conglomerate in the country. One of them was authorities treating you at top priority. Cops knew that even a small slip up could have repercussions.

It wasn't difficult to trace Dong Min's whereabouts. He had made phone calls and ordered food from a rooftop apartment at Seongbuk-gu, one of the poorest districts in Seoul.

"He isn't trying to hide. He is confident that we wouldn't call the cops." Namjoon told Seokjin.

Jungkook was deep in conversation with the team of cops who had taken over his dining as their work station.

"We can take them down right now, Mr Jeon" the cop-in-charge said. "Why do you want us to wait till it gets dark?"

"Because that was my husband's message. He mentioned 'night' twice." Jungkook said with a blank face, indicating an end of the discussion.

The cops were unconvinced. Jungkook looked supremely confident.

"Mr Jeon, don't get me wrong, but I can't flag off an entire operation based on a cryptic message which only you seem to understand. If its a misunderstanding, it will make the entire department look dumb."

Jungkook smirked humorlessly. "Believe me officer, if something happens to my husband or niece, you'll have a lot more to worry about than looking dumb... your reputation would be the least of your concerns."

Namjoon sensed that from this point forth, there was no way to dictate any terms to Jungkook. He took over the coordination with the cops insisting that Jungkook took a break.

Jungkook reluctantly walked out of the dining room to the corridor. Kim Mi Hye, his mother-in-law was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall.

Jungkook's first instinct was to turn around and leave. He kept reminding himself that he could not afford a break down. But she was shaking as she cried. Jungkook could not leave her alone. She was, after all, the woman who had brought Taehyung into the world. He owed her a lot.

He sank down next to her on the floor and put a hand around her. She immediately put her head on his shoulder as her tears spilled.

"I'm so scared, Jungkook."

Jungkook struggled for words to console Taehyung’s mother. He knew he should. He knew he needed to.

"Me too." He said sincerely after a long pause.

"Did he mean it? Will he fight them?" She asked.

Jungkook nodded.

Kim Mi Hye broke down again. "He is such a gentle boy."

Jungkook took a deep breath. By now they had a little audience in the form of Jungkook's parents, Kim Hyun Jae, Seokjin and Namjoon.

 
"Do you know what happened when Taehyung had gone to the elephant sanctuary last year?" Jungkook asked her gently.

Kim Mi Hye shook her head, as she dabbed on her tears with the hem of her scarf.

"Taehyung and a sanctuary driver were going through the Jungle in the middle of the night when a herd of angry elephants toppled their car. The driver got injured. Taehyung waited inside for the herd to pass, hauled the driver out, pushed their vehicle upright again, helped the unconscious driver in and drove to their camp. He dislocated his left shoulder that night and yet he managed all that by himself. He couldn't get medical attention for another 24 hours, but endured the pain." Jungkook said with a small proud smile.

Everyone looked aghast.

"I never knew about this." Mrs Kim said dejectedly.

Seokjin looked shocked too.

"My husband is tough and he's brave. And I'll get him back."

Taehyung's hunch had proven to be true. Dong Min was not so much after the money. He wanted to take a revenge on the Jeons, particularly on Jungkook. He had said so to Taehyung, in so many words.

Taehyung suspected that Dong Min would keep Kyra and him alive for now but maybe kill or hurt them tomorrow morning. Right before Jungkook and Namjoon's eyes. He knew he needed to act tonight.

He hoped Jungkook had understood his message. He gave a small smile when he realised that Jungkook finally knew why he was Sabertooth-

Because much like the way Sabertooth Tigers made Pandas wild, Jungkook made him act out of character too. He had made a move on Jungkook the day they had met- something he had never done before. He was adventurous, crazy and vocal in bed with Jungkook- something which was alien to him before he had met Jungkook. He trusted Jungkook beyond anything. So much so that he was ready to fight 6 gunned men because he was confident that the secret language that they had devised over their shared life would make Jungkook come to his help. 

It was an overwhelming feeling to let someone mean so much to you. But instead of scaring Taehyung, it made him feel stronger. On a normal day, he'd have wondered why he felt this way about his husband. But today, in these drab surroundings, with every part of his body in pain and death looming on his head, the explanation came easily- He was madly in love with Jeon Jungkook. 

Jungkook was loading his gun in the living room. It was still late afternoon but the drive to Seongbuk-gu was 40 mins long and they needed to be there before the sunset. 

The head cop watched him carry out the exercise. "How do you have a gun at home? Isn't it supposed to be stored with the authorities outside the hunting season?"

Jungkook ignored the officer for a while. "It is hunting season, Officer." he said matter-of-factly.

"Mr Jeon, I must tell you here that I am not going to allow you to come to Seongbuk-gu with us." The officer said cautiously.

Jungkook chuckled. "Who is asking for your permission, anyway?"

To the cops' misery, they couldn't prevent Jungkook, Namjoon, Seokjin or Jeon Jung Min from coming along. 

"You do realise that we cannot have cops protecting you high worth individuals during an operation like this?" The cop in charge had screamed in a futile exercise to discourage the small party from joining them. But to no avail.

"Repeat your instructions, Captain Kyra." Taehyung said softly to Kyra, trying to normalize the situation as much as possible for a little girl.

"I hide behind the pile of furniture if I hear a gun shot or any commotion. I wait for the cops, Uncle Kook or Dad to call out for me and only then emerge from my hiding place. If I get caught by the bad guys, I pierce their eyes with my hair pin or fingers and kick them hard like a goal kick, and run out." Kyra said in one breath. 

Taehyung kissed her on her head. "You are the bravest 10 year old I have met. You're a honey-badger!"

"Honey badger?" Kyra repeated. "Why?"

Taehyung petted her head with his injured hands. "Because honey-badgers are the most fearless animals on earth. They don't hesitate to attack animals much larger than them- even lions and crocodiles!"

However, their conversation was cut-short by the loud screaming of the goons "Its the cops!" "There are people approaching!" "Get the hostages out from the back door".

"Now!" Taehyung screamed at Kyra to go hide, before he himself got up to take position behind the door with a wooden plank in his hands. 

What followed was a chaotic fight between Taehyung and one of the goons who was taken unaware when Taehyung had hit him in the face with the plank. He fought two of them as they tried to get to the place where Kyra was hiding. So high was his adrenaline at the moment that he forgot all about his broken body and the pain. He fought with all his might. 

He could hear gunshots and people breaking into the house but he knew that he couldn't stop fighting and resisting the goons who wanted to drag Kyra and him out. He took multiple blows to his already battered body. The last thing he remembered seeing or may be he dreamed of was Jungkook shielding him with his entire body, before pain claimed all his senses.

Chapter Text

"We are starting our downward descent. We will be landing soon. The air-strip is a 4 and a half hours' drive away from Hukaung Valley, Mr Jeon." The pilot announced. "But this was the closest one. It hasn't been used in a while. The permissions were difficult to come by."
Jungkook smiled- something he now did often. His eyes crinkled behind his gold rimmed glasses.

"We haven't arranged for a vehicle for your onward journey, Mr Jeon. We have been given to understand that you already have a pick up." The flight steward added, politely.

"That's correct." Jungkook responded distractedly, as he continued to pour over his laptop.

When the airplane door was opened, they found an almost deserted strip except for an officer waiting to stamp his passport and an old rickety truck parked on one side. A genial looking local was standing in front of it with a sign board that said-

'WELCOME MR JEON'

Jungkook looked at his conveyance and laughed. The flight steward carried his luggage down the ladder and helped him load it on the truck. He looked like he had a 100 questions but did not dare to ask them.

"Happy to finally meet you, Mr Jeon!" The friendly local chirped, extending his hand.
Jungkook shook it warmly.

Their drive wasn't the most comfortable but it was scenic. His companion spoke less and smiled more and Jungkook appreciated such company. He quietly enjoyed the views.
They finally arrived at a small settlement in the middle of the jungle. There were some bamboo huts at varying distances.

"Its time to feed Jungkook. Come." The local said.
Jungkook smiled genially. "Thank you. But I ate on the flight."
"No no! You must come. It's Jungkook-feeding time."

Jungkook followed him to a clearing but stopped dead at the loudest tiger roar he had ever heard. It set birds flying away noisily.

There was a tiger in a cage in the middle of the clearing. It was huge.

But even in all its majesty, it was still not as impressive as the human near it.

Jungkook saw Taehyung walk towards the cage carrying a huge bucket full of raw meat. To his ultimate shock, Taehyung opened the cage door and stepped inside it.
Jungkook stood frozen at a distance.

"Tae is feeding Jungkook." The local explained helpfully.

Jungkook watched mesmerized as Taehyung held out a huge chunk of meat to the tiger who sunk its teeth into it and chewed mercilessly. It seemed like that angry roaring tiger was a tame cat in Taehyung's presence.

Jungkook was awestruck with Taehyung- even after all these years.

The feeding exercise went on for a bit after which Taehyung stepped out and shut the cage door again. He stood right outside and watched the tiger eat.

Jungkook finally remembered to walk and approached Taehyung.

"I hear there has been a case of identity theft. I hear of another Jungkook" Jungkook said seriously.

"It just seemed like the perfect name for it." Taehyung said without taking his eyes off the tiger.

Jungkook couldn't help smirking. "Why?"

Taehyung sighed. "A poacher was trying to hunt it. This young thing, attacked back and killed the poacher. But since the poacher died, this one has been declared to be a threat to humans and ordered to be put down."

"Hmm... That is unfortunate. But that still doesn't explain- why he's 'Jungkook'?"

Taehyung turned to look at the human Jungkook and smiled. "Something to do with misunderstood tough assholes. I am fighting with the department's order to put this one down. I have appealed the decision. The authorities aren't happy, they've cut our funding. But I am trying to prove that it's a harmless animal who attacked because it was threatened... Its been a while since I've been riled up enough to step out of my comfort zone and act out of character... the last time it happened, it was because of a man named 'Jungkook'.... Looked like a apt name for it. Don't you think so?"

That was the last explanation Jungkook had expected. But that was the charm of being married to Taehyung. He was so unique and so full of surprises. Jungkook had never met someone like him in his entire life.

"That's weirdly hot." Jungkook observed as he pulled Taehyung in a hug.

Taehyung moaned wantonly as he melted in the embrace. "You're hot. God! I missed you so much."

"You smell of raw meat." Jungkook said with disdain but he didn't let go of Taehyung.

"Oh! I have been thinking about your raw meat, for so long now! Getting off to it every night"

Jungkook threw back his head and laughed. "How do you come up with new raunchy shit all the time, Tae!"

Taehyung chuckled. "Why is your luggage so huge? You are carrying way too many clothes for someone who is going to spend the rest of his stay naked in my bed."

"Aaaarghhhh! How do I shut that dirty mouth of yours?" Jungkook said between peels of laughter.

"Try putting your raw meat in my mouth?!"

Jungkook covered his eyes with his hand! "You are fucking relentless, Kim Taehyung."

Later that evening they were inside a cozy bamboo hut- Taehyung’s home since the last few months; and had a rather wild and sultry session which had involved both of them being noisier than the tiger a few hundred meters away.

Jungkook lay peacefully on top of Taehyung, hugging his waist, his head resting on his husband's bare chest.

"By the way, my luggage is huge because I'm carrying your books which your father wants autographed, gifts for you from your Mum, my Mum, Kyra and yeah... there's a big box from Kyra's boyfriend."

"Kyra has a boyfriend?!!!" Taehyung screamed, rising up on his elbows, making Jungkook almost topple over.

"She's 20, Tae." Jungkook said, shaking his head. "You Kims are really weird about this dating thing, aren't you? Jin and your mother reacted the same way. They are playing sulky Dad and disapproving grandmother, for no reason. He is a good kid."

Taehyung stayed pensive for a few moments before lying down again. "Tch! Alright, maybe you're right. It's time." He said with a sigh. "How is he like, this boyfriend?"

Jungkook frowned. "Kyra told me to tell you that he's a koala and that you'll understand the rest. What does that mean?"

Taehyung smirked. "That she is a clever girl. She knows that koalas are my favorite and she wants me to like him. Why is he sending me gifts, though?"

Jungkook laughed. "I can't believe I have to explain this to you- you are her childhood hero. She's grown up idolizing you. Anyone who wants to be loved by Kyra would have to look up to you the same way she does or at least get used to the idea that your importance in her life is never going to fade.

Taehyung felt an emotional pang but smiled widest and peeped into the box from the koala boyfriend. It was full of strawberries. "Well, colour me impressed!" He said amused, while stroking Jungkook’s hair.

"What are you thinking?" Jungkook asked after Taehyung hadn't said anything in a while.

"Umm... I am scared one of these days you'll just refuse to follow me around to these remote jungles." Taehyung said quietly.

Jungkook scoffed at the absurdity of it. But when Taehyung stayed quiet he raised himself up on his elbows and looked at his husband's face in panic. "No wait! You aren't seriously thinking that way, are you? After all these years? Tae! I have been in love with you all my life... I will fucking follow you anywhere... I love watching you do what you love... my heart bursts with pride... you are my Adonis or Dionysus or whoever is the hottest God and... "

Jungkook caught Taehyung trying to hold back his laughter.

"...and fuck you! You were kidding! I SHOULD HAVE BLOODY KNOWN KIM TAEHYUNG! YOU ARE EVIL!" Jungkook barked angrily over Taehyung's laughter as he rolled to the other side of the bed to get away from Taehyung. But Taehyung caught him and spooned him.

"I am sorry but you are so hot when you are mad, Sabertooth! But I will tell you what I was really thinking about." Taehyung said softly. "There is a meadow not far from here, I think we should have sex there."

Jungkook sighed. "Yeah that sounds more believable- the kind of thing you'll think about. So, how many places have you shortlisted for us to fuck at, you pervert!"

Taehyung sat up and started counting them excitedly on his fingertips. "Behind this really beautiful waterfall, then there is this small clearing by the stream, also, there is a huge shady spot, 5 minutes away from the waterfall..."

Jungkook chuckled as he watched the love of his life in his element, his fondness for him rising every second. He didn't remember life before Taehyung. Perhaps, Taehyung was his whole life, he mused. He definitely was his whole life.

Which only meant that his life was beautiful, fearless, purposeful, bold... a bit too saucy at times. And he wouldn't have it any other way.