Chapter 17: 16.Flower Ring

The next day, Taehyung made his way to the Jeon mansion, excited for a day out with Jaybum and Jungkook.

He dressed in comfortable clothes loose jeans and a simple T-shirt ready to enjoy the sunshine and have some fun with the little one.

As he rang the doorbell, it opened almost immediately, and standing there was Jungkook with a warm smile.

Behind him, Jaybum was bouncing on his heels, excitement written all over his face. Without hesitation, Jaybum dashed forward, wrapping his tiny arms around Taehyung’s legs.

“TaeTae!” Jaybum squealed happily, and Taehyung chuckled, lifting him up into his arms effortlessly. “Hey, buddy,” he said, giving the little one a playful kiss on the cheek.

“You two ready for the park?” Jungkook asked, standing in the doorway.

Taehyung nodded, smiling down at Jaybum, who was already wiggling in his arms. “Of course! Let’s go make today fun,” Taehyung replied, carrying Jaybum inside.

After quickly gathering the essentials—snacks, sunscreen, and water bottles—Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jaybum were

all set to head out. They piled into Jungkook’s car, and with Jaybum’s chatter filling the backseat, they drove to a nearby park.

The park was bustling with families enjoying the beautiful day. As soon as they arrived, Jaybum jumped out of the car with boundless energy,

dragging Taehyung to the playground.

"Tae Tae , let’s go on the swings!" Jaybum pleaded, holding Taehyung’s hand with an excited grin.

Taehyung chuckled. “Okay, okay, let’s see if I can keep up with you,” he teased, following Jaybum to the swing set.

Meanwhile, Jungkook stood nearby, watching them with a soft smile.

He couldn’t help but notice the way Taehyung was so natural with Jaybum ,so caring and playful. It was impossible not to appreciate the bond they were forming.

Jungkook leaned against a tree, his gaze lingering on the two.

“Push me higher!” Jaybum yelled as Taehyung started pushing him on the swing.

Taehyung laughed, his face lighting up with joy. "I’m going to try, but you’ll have to hold on tight, little guy!”

As the swing soared higher, Taehyung’s laugh was genuine, carefree.

Jungkook felt his chest warm at the sight of them. There was something about seeing Taehyung with Jaybum that made him feel at ease, even though he’d never expected that.(Taehyung is his enemy btw)

Under the golden glow of the afternoon sun, the trio moved toward the park's sand pit, Jaybum leading the way with endless energy.

"Let’s make a sandcastle, TaeTae! Dadda, you help too!" he chirped, already grabbing a tiny bucket and shovel.

Taehyung knelt beside him, a soft smile on his lips.

“Alright, Bun, let’s make the best sandcastle this park has ever seen,” he declared. Jungkook, though hesitant at first, sat on the other side of Jaybum, rolling up his sleeves.

The three of them got to work, with Jaybum enthusiastically piling sand while Taehyung and Jungkook shaped the walls and towers.

Taehyung’s creative streak kicked in as he carved intricate details into the castle, using a stick to draw little windows and flags on the turrets.

You’re good at this,” Jungkook commented, glancing at Taehyung as he smoothed out the sand with delicate precision.

Taehyung chuckled, flicking a bit of sand at him playfully. “Of course. I’ve had years of experience in babysitting and castle-making. This isn’t my first masterpiece.”

Jungkook shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Show-off.”

Jaybum, oblivious to their playful exchange, beamed as he added a moat around the castle with his tiny hands. “This is amazing! It’s the biggest castle ever!” he exclaimed.

“Every big castle needs rooms, right?” Taehyung asked, crouching down to Jaybum’s level.

“Yeah!” Jaybum nodded eagerly. “This one,” he said, pointing to the largest tower, “is Dadda’s room. And this one,” pointing to a smaller but neatly designed turret, “is TaeTae’s room!”

Taehyung laughed softly, brushing the sand off his hands. “What about your room, Bun?”

Jaybum tapped his chin thoughtfully before pointing to the center of the castle. “Right here, in the middle! So I can visit both of you anytime!”

Both Jungkook and Taehyung paused at the sweetness of Jaybum’s declaration, exchanging a glance that neither could quite explain.

“You’re the king of the castle, huh?” Jungkook teased, ruffling Jaybum’s hair.

Jaybum grinned, his eyes sparkling with joy. “Yep! And Dadda and TaeTae are my knights!”

“Knights? I better start practicing my sword skills,” Taehyung said, pretending to hold an imaginary sword, which made Jaybum giggle uncontrollably

As the castle neared completion, Jungkook found himself relaxing more than he had in months.

At one quiet corner of the park, Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jaybum sat on the soft grass, surrounded by tiny, colorful wildflowers.

The last few sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over them. Taehyung, ever so playful, began plucking small flowers and weaving them between his fingers.

“Bun, do you know how to make a flower ring?” Taehyung asked, his voice gentle and teasing.

Jaybum tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his big eyes. “Flower ring? What’s that?”

With a soft smile, Taehyung quickly braided a few flowers together, forming a delicate ring. “This,” he said, holding it up for Jaybum to see, “is a flower ring. Show me your fingers.”

Jaybum eagerly extended his small hand, and Taehyung carefully slid the ring onto one of   his tiny fingers. The boy gasped in delight, his smile widening. “TaeTae! That’s so cool! Teach me how to do it!”

Jungkook, who had been quietly observing the scene, found himself mesmerized. He watched as Taehyung patiently taught Jaybum the simple craft, his every movement tender and filled with warmth. For a moment, Jungkook forgot everything else...the stresses of his day, the busy world around them.

All he could focus on was the sight of Taehyung laughing softly with Jaybum, the two of them seeming to belong perfectly in that moment.

Jaybum, now equipped with his new skill, started creating a multitude of flower rings.

He proudly adorned his own fingers, filling them with his colorful creations, and even managed to make Jungkook craft one himself. Jungkook’s attempt was clumsy at best, but Jaybum applauded him as if he’d created a masterpiece.

After filling his own hands with flower rings, Jaybum noticed Jungkook had one ring left but no free fingers to wear it. Turning his gaze, he saw that Taehyung’s hands were still bare.

“Dadda, give this ring to TaeTae! His fingers are empty,” Jaybum declared, his tone insistent.

Jungkook froze momentarily, his gaze darting to Taehyung, who was already looking at him with a raised brow . Clearing his throat, Jungkook held out the flower ring toward Taehyung.

But Jaybum had other ideas. “No, dadda! You have to *make him wear it!*” Jaybum insisted, his hands on his hips like a tiny authority figure.

Taehyung chuckled softly, extending his hand toward Jungkook. “It’s alright, Mr. Jeon. Jaybum just wants me to feel included,” he said, his tone lighthearted but his gaze warm.

Jungkook hesitated, unsure why such a simple gesture suddenly felt so significant. Slowly, he reached for Taehyung’s hand and was about to slip the ring onto his thumb when Jaybum gasped dramatically.

“No, dummy!” Jaybum exclaimed, pointing at Taehyung’s ring finger, the one associated with far deeper meaning. “Put it on this finger! It’ll look prettier!”

Jungkook froze, his hand hovering awkwardly. “Bun, it’s fine—his thumb is just as good,” he tried to reason, his voice suddenly a little strained.

But Jaybum wasn’t having it. “No, dadda! TaeTae’s hands will look *perfect* if you put it on this one,” he said, nodding to himself as if it were a fact.

Taehyung, watching the exchange, felt his heart race slightly. He tried to play it off with a laugh, but when Jungkook glanced at him, silently seeking permission, something in Taehyung softened. Wordlessly, he held out his hand again, this time allowing Jungkook to decide.

Jungkook swallowed hard, his fingers brushing against Taehyung’s as he reached for the ring. The touch was fleeting but electric, enough to make both of them pause for a split second.

Just as Jungkook was about to slide the ring onto Taehyung’s ring finger, he stopped, his gaze flickering to Taehyung’s face.

And in that moment, time seemed to slow. Taehyung’s soft expression, the gentle curve of his lips, the sunlight catching in his hair it was all too much. Jungkook’s heart skipped a beat, though he couldn’t say why.

When neither of them moved, Jaybum huffed impatiently and grabbed Jungkook’s hand.

“Fine! If you’re too slow, I’ll do it!” With surprising determination, Jaybum guided Jungkook’s hand, making him place the flower ring firmly on Taehyung’s ring finger.

“There! Now it’s perfect!” Jaybum exclaimed proudly, clapping his hands.

Jungkook and Taehyung looked at each other, the air between them thick with something unspoken. Taehyung glanced down at the ring on his finger,

Jungkook, still flustered, rubbed the back of his neck. “Jaybum’s got a strong sense of aesthetics, apparently,”

he muttered, avoiding Taehyung’s gaze.

But as Taehyung smiled down at the little ring on his finger.

Jungkook couldn’t help but think that maybe...just maybe Jaybum wasn't entirely wrong..it did look pretty on his hand or perhaps.....the owner?