It was amazing to Taehyung how quickly Jaybumâs mood changed from gloomy to excited.
He had no idea how much joy a little cooking could bring, but if it meant putting a smile on Jaybumâs face, Taehyung was more than willing to take the challenge.
"Alright, letâs get you ready first, and then weâll make the best breakfast ever," Taehyung said, standing up and extending a hand to help Jaybum out of bed.
Jaybum took his hand eagerly, now fully awake and filled with excitement. "TaeTae, what are we going to make?"
Taehyung thought for a moment. "How about a nice soup? Something warm and yummy to fill your belly."
Jaybum giggled and nodded eagerly. "Soup! Yes, I love soup!"
With that, the two of them quickly finished Jaybumâs morning routine, and Taehyung couldnât help but smile as he thought about what a great day this would be.
The morning light seeped through the large windows as Taehyung guided little Jaybum through the bustling kitchen.
Jaybum sat on the counter, swinging his small legs as he eagerly handed over ingredients to Taehyung, his galaxy-like eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Okay, my little chef, pass me the carrots," Taehyung instructed playfully, tapping the cutting board with his finger.
"Here you go, Tae Tae!" Jaybum chirped, passing over a handful of carrots with a proud grin, his small hands gripping them tightly.
"Thank you, my sous-chef!" Taehyung said dramatically, earning a burst of giggles from Jaybum.
The maid, standing quietly in the corner, watched the scene unfold with a fond smile. It had been a long time since the mansion had been filled with so much warmth and laughter.
Taehyung skillfully chopped the vegetables as Jaybum leaned forward, his face scrunched up in concentration. "Tae Tae, donât cut your finger! Dadda says knives are sharp," Jaybum warned seriously, his little eyebrows furrowing.
Taehyung laughed softly, his heart warming at Jaybum's concern. "Donât worry, buddy. Iâm a professional," he teased, holding up a perfectly diced carrot.
Jaybum clapped his hands, clearly impressed. "Wow! Youâre better than Dadda!" he exclaimed, and the maid stifled a chuckle behind her hand.
"Letâs keep that our secret, hmm?" Taehyung whispered, winking.
As the soup simmered on the stove, filling the kitchen with its inviting aroma, Taehyung turned to Jaybum. "Alright, chef Jaybum, itâs time for the final touch. Sprinkle in some of this salt for me."
Jaybum eagerly grabbed the salt shaker, his tiny hands careful as he added a pinch. "Like this?" he asked, looking up at Taehyung for approval.
"Perfect! Youâre a natural," Taehyung praised, ruffling Jaybumâs soft hair.
By the time they finished, the table was set, and the light soup sat steaming in the bowls. Jaybum beamed with pride as he looked at their work. "Tae Tae, we did it! It smells so yummy!"
"It does, doesnât it?" Taehyung agreed, his heart swelling as he saw Jaybumâs joy.
Taehyung smiled softly as he continued to feed Jaybum spoon by spoon. The little boy eagerly gulped down every bite of the soup, his face lighting up with each delicious taste.
Every time the spoon met his lips, a satisfied moan would escape him. He was so proud of his contribution to the meal, and it warmed Taehyungâs heart to see Jaybum so content.
When Jungkook finally entered the dining area, his eyes softened at the sight before him. There was his son, eating without hesitation, without complaint..a rarity that filled Jungkookâs heart with warmth. For so long, feeding Jaybum had been a battle, but today, the sight of Jaybum eating so happily was proof that maybe, just maybe, appointing Taehyung to help was a good decision.
"Dadda, look!" Jaybum squealed with excitement, bouncing in his seat. "We made my breakfast today!" His little hands pointed proudly at the soup in front of him.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Oh my god! Never knew our Jaybum was a secret chef," he teased, walking over to Jaybum and ruffling his hair affectionately.
Jaybum beamed, his face full of pride as he grinned from ear to ear. Taehyung couldnât help but smile at the heartwarming scene.
There was something so pure about watching Jaybum so happy, and Taehyung felt a sense of fulfillment that heâd helped make this moment happen.
As Jungkook sat down at the table, the maid placed his usual breakfast in front of himâa bowl of porridge.
She excused herself and left the room quietly, leaving Jungkook alone with the others. But as he took his first spoonful of the porridge, his face fell slightly, the blandness of the taste making him grimace internally as always.
He didnât say anything aloud, though. After all, there was no other choice.
But Taehyung, ever observant, had noticed. The slight furrow of Jungkook's brow, the brief hesitation in his eyes as he swallowed Without a word, Taehyung stood up and grabbed the extra bowl of soup he and Jaybum had made. He approached Jungkook with the bowl in hand, feeling a little nervous but determined.
"I⦠umâ¦" Taehyung hesitated, trying to gather his thoughts, "We made some extra soup, so⦠if you want, you can try it." His voice was soft, almost shy as he placed the bowl in front of Jungkook.
Jungkook looked at him in surprise, his gaze unreadable. For a moment, the air was thick with silence.
Taehyung started to think he had overstepped, i.. um...."
Taehyung said and took another spoon , taking a spoonful of soup gulping it himself.
"It's not poisoned okay?" Taehyung said ,he thought Jungkook doughted him.
Though Jungkook wasn't doughting ,he was just surprised by the sudden offer.
Taehyung went back to feeding Jaybum.
And Jungkook didnât say anything, but his gaze softened, and he picked up the spoon from the bowl Taehyung offered. He stirred it for a moment. Then, he took a bite.
Taehyung watched, unsure of what Jungkook would think. But then, to his surprise,
Jungkookâs eyes widened. He dropped his spoon with a sudden clatter, banging his fist on the table in frustration.
Taehyung and Jaybum both startled, looking at him with wide eyes. "Um⦠you donât like it?" Taehyung asked quietly, fearing he had misjudged the situation.
Jungkook quickly realized his outburst and cleared his throat. He looked at Taehyung, his expression shifting from surprise to something more neutral, though his voice remained firm. "Itâs alright," he said, as he couldn't voice out the fact that the food was amazing.
He almost moaned out loud from the taste yet he composed himself.
As the last spoonful of soup disappeared from Jaybumâs bowl, Taehyungâs stomach betrayed him,
growling loudly enough to make his face flush red. He hadnât eaten since the night before, too busy with the morningâs preparations for Jaybum. His gaze quickly flicked to Jaybum, who looked up at him with concern.
"Are you hungry, Tae Tae?" Jaybum asked, his voice soft and full of worry.
Taehyung quickly waved it off, trying to hide his embarrassment. "No, bun, itâs alright. Eat up, you have to be strong, right?" He smiled at Jaybum, hoping to
distract him. But deep down, he couldnât ignore the gnawing hunger in his stomach. He was embarrassed that both Jaybum and Jungkook had noticed, but it was too late now.
It was when , Jungkook got up from the table. He moved over to Jaybum and ruffled his hair affectionately, the warmth in his actions clear.
"Baby, Iâll be heading out. Be a good boy and stay with your Tae Tae, okay?" Jungkook said softly, his voice tender and full of care.
Jaybumâs eyes lit up, and he wrapped his tiny arms around Jungkook in a hug.
"I will, Dadda!" he said, his voice muffled against Jungkookâs chest.
Jungkook chuckled, pulling back slightly. "Iâll be back around six or seven. You can go home after that, okay, ?" Jungkook told Taehyung.His voice was firm but not unkind.
Taehyung nodded, trying his best to sound composed despite the small flutter of unease in his chest.
"Understood," he said, giving a polite smile.
After a while,
Taehyung found himself seated on the plush couch, with Jaybum curled up next to him, watching cartoons.
The little boy was content, his attention absorbed in the animated show. Taehyung, however, couldnât shake the hunger gnawing at him.
Before he could distract himself further, a maid approached, a warm smile on her face as she placed a bowl of soup on the coffee table in front of him.
"Mr. Kim," she said softly, "please give young master Jaybum to me and have your breakfast. Iâll look after him while you eat.
Taehyung hesitated, his instincts telling him to refuse. "Uhh... itâs alright. I can watch over Jaybum," he replied, not wanting to burden anyone.
But the maid didnât waver. She smiled again, the kindness in her eyes clear. "Please, Mr. Kim. I insist. Head master Jeon
specifically told me to make sure you eat." Her tone was firm, but gentle, as she had been instructed by Jungkook himself.
Taehyungâs heart skipped a beat at that. **Jungkook told her to make sure I eat?** The thought lingered in his mind as he stared at the bowl of soup before him, the steam rising from the rich broth, its smell enticing.
It wasnât that he didnât want to eat; it was the surprise at the thought that Jungkook had cared enough to give such a command. The kindness in that simple actâtelling the maid to make sure he ate made his chest tighten in an unfamiliar way.
He turned his gaze back to Jaybum, who was blissfully unaware of the exchange. The little boyâs innocent joy was enough to soothe Taehyungâs nerves.
With a reluctant nod, Taehyung handed Jaybum gently to the maid. "Okay,  thank you," he murmured softly, still thinking about Jungkookâs words.
As the maid took Jaybum to another part of the house, Taehyung sat down and finally took a spoonful of the soup. The warmth spread through him as he ate, but it was the small gesture from Jungkook that kept his thoughts occupied.