Chapter 41: 40.Reward

The hallway leading to Jungkook’s office buzzed with quiet conversation as Taehyung and Jimin approached.

Taehyung was chuckling lightly at Jimin's teasing remarks, his earlier emotional state now replaced with calm, though the evidence of his tears still lingered on his face.

As they reached Jungkook's door, it opened suddenly, revealing Jungkook himself.

His expression shifted immediately when he saw Taehyung’s reddened eyes and the faint streaks of dried tears on his cheeks.

“Taehyung! What happened? Were you crying?” Jungkook asked,his voice thick with worry as he pulled Taehyung inside the office and guided him to the couch.

“Jungkook, I’m fine,” Taehyung insisted softly, trying to reassure him. “It’s nothing serious.”

But Jimin, who had been silently enjoying the growing tension, decided to stir the pot. With a sly smile, he interjected, “Kook, he’s lying. He fainted in my cabin earlier.”

“What?!” Jungkook exclaimed, his eyes wide with alarm as he stood abruptly. “Wait, I’m calling the doctor.”

Before he could grab his phone, Taehyung quickly reached out, catching Jungkook’s hand. “Jungkook, stop! I’m really fine. I don’t need a doctor.”

Jimin, sensing the brewing drama, smirked mischievously and excused himself. “Well, I’ll leave you two to sort this out. Bye!” He waved cheerfully, slipping out of the room before Taehyung could protest.

As the door clicked shut, Jungkook turned his full attention to Taehyung, his expression dark with frustration. “Are you kidding me, Kim? You fainted, and you’re saying it’s nothing?” He crouched down, gripping Taehyung’s shoulders gently but firmly. “Did you overexert yourself? Do you need blood?”

“Jungkook, I—” Taehyung began, but Jungkook didn’t let him finish.

Without hesitation, Jungkook started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing the smooth expanse of his neck. He tilted his head to the side, baring his skin. “Here. Drink.”

Taehyung’s eyes widened as he tried to stop Jungkook. “Jungkook, no. I don’t need blood. It’s not that—”

But Jungkook wasn’t listening. He grabbed the back of Taehyung’s neck, pulling him closer. His voice was low and commanding. “Drink, Taehyung. Now.”

Taehyung sighed, realizing there was no arguing with Jungkook when he was this worried. “Fine,” he muttered, his fangs elongating. He leaned in, his lips brushing against Jungkook’s neck as he sank his teeth in.

Jungkook winced slightly but closed his eyes, his hand resting on Taehyung’s nape, holding him steady. Taehyung’s fingers curled lightly against Jungkook’s shoulder as he drank, taking just enough to satisfy Jungkook’s concern.

When he finally pulled back, he licked the small puncture marks, sealing them instantly.

“Are you alright now?” Jungkook asked, his voice still tinged with worry as he studied Taehyung’s face.

Taehyung sighed, leaning back. “Jungkook, listen to me. I didn’t faint because I was weak. Jimin was lying.”

Jungkook frowned, his confusion evident. “Wait, you didn’t faint?”

“I did,” Taehyung admitted, “but not from hunger or weakness. I fainted because I was overwhelmed with happiness.”

Jungkook blinked, his frown deepening. “Happiness? What does that even mean?”

Taehyung smiled softly and began recounting what had happened in Jimin’s cabin earlier—the revelation about Jimin and Yoongi being mates and how deeply it had affected him.

By the time Taehyung finished, Jungkook’s shoulders relaxed, the tension melting away.

But then his expression darkened again, and he muttered,

“That midget… Wait till I get my hands on him! I thought something serious had happened! I was losing my mind.”

"Wait! Where is Jaybum!" Taehyung asked worried.

"Don't worry he's in his playroom, sleeping" Jungkook said.

Taehyung let out a breath of relief and said ,

"I'll go check on him then" .....but?

The moment Taehyung reached for the door, ready to leave Jungkook’s office, a hand slammed against the wood, halting him abruptly.

Startled, Taehyung turned to find Jungkook standing close behind him, his dark gaze locked on Taehyung with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.

“Jungkook?” Taehyung asked, his voice trembling as he instinctively took a small step back, only to realize there was nowhere to go.

Jungkook didn’t respond immediately. His hand remained pressed against the door, and his other arm lifted,as h locked the door with his free hand.

Bracing against the wall beside Taehyung’s head, effectively trapping him in place. Taehyung’s heart raced as he glanced up, meeting Jungkook’s piercing gaze.

“Do… do you need something?” Taehyung stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook leaned in slightly, the air between them growing heavier. “Hm, I do,” he murmured, his voice low and velvety.

Taehyung swallowed hard, his hands instinctively gripping the edge of his shirt. “W-What is it?”

Jungkook’s lips curled into a small smirk, his eyes never leaving Taehyung’s.

“You know,” he started, his tone calm yet teasing, “I took care of Jaybum for over an hour, gave you my blood without a second thought… Don’t you think I deserve something in return a reward or something?”

“A reward?” Taehyung asked, confusion mixing with the nervous energy coursing through him.

Jungkook nodded, his smirk widening slightly. “Exactly.”

Taehyung blinked up at him, his cheeks starting to flush. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered, trying to avoid the weight of Jungkook’s stare.

Jungkook chuckled, the sound rich and slightly teasing. “Yesterday, you told me to ask for what I wanted. Well, I’m asking now, Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung’s brows furrowed, his confusion deepening. “Ask for what?”

Leaning in closer, Jungkook brought his lips dangerously close to Taehyung’s ear, his voice dropping to a whisper. “ pheraps A kiss.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched, and his eyes widened as Jungkook’s words sank in. His face turned crimson, but he quickly tried to compose himself. “A kiss?” he echoed, his voice barely steady.

Jungkook pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes, his expression soft yet firm. “You weren’t this nervous when you kissed me yesterday,” he teased, the corners of his mouth lifting in a sly grin.

“That was—different!” Taehyung protested, his hands flying up in defense as his face burned hotter.

“Different how?” Jungkook pressed, his tone playful yet persistent.

“I was just trying to make you flustered!” Taehyung blurted, his hands flying up in defense as his face burned hotter.

Jungkook laughed softly, his deep chuckle vibrating through the space between them. “Well, it worked,” he said smoothly, his eyes gleaming. “But now I want another one. A real one.”

Taehyung let out a shaky breath, realizing there was no way out of this. After a moment of hesitation, he reached up, cupped Jungkook’s cheek with trembling hands, and leaned in to place a quick, light kiss on his cheek. Pulling back, he avoided Jungkook’s gaze and mumbled, “There. Happy?”

Jungkook blinked, clearly unimpressed. “A cheek kiss? That’s all?” he asked, his voice dripping with disappointment.

“Take it or leave it,” Taehyung muttered, already turning to leave. His entire face was flushed, and he wanted nothing more than to escape this overwhelming moment.

But before he could take another step, Jungkook grabbed his wrist, spinning him back around. “Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily,” Jungkook said, his tone firm yet laced with amusement. With one swift motion, he pulled Taehyung back against the door, pinning him there once again.

“You think you can get away with just a cheek kiss?” Jungkook whispered, his voice low and sultry. “I know you can do better than that, Taehyung.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched as Jungkook’s face inched closer. The proximity was overwhelming; he could feel Jungkook’s warm breath against his skin.

“Jungkook, I—” Taehyung began, but his words were cut off as Jungkook closed the distance between them, capturing Taehyung’s lips with his own.

The kiss was firm and insistent, yet it held a tenderness that took Taehyung by surprise. His hands instinctively moved to Jungkook’s chest, pushing lightly at first, but the warmth of the kiss melted his resistance. Slowly, his fingers curled into the fabric of Jungkook’s shirt, pulling him closer.

Jungkook deepened the kiss, one hand sliding to the back of Taehyung’s neck while the other rested on his waist,steadying him. Taehyung felt his knees weaken as Jungkook tilted his head, the kiss growing more passionate.

Their lips moved in perfect sync, each movement igniting sparks that left Taehyung breathless........