Chapter 42: 41.Borrow

Taehyung stumbled out of Jungkook’s office, his legs feeling like jelly and his mind spinning.

His lips were swollen, tingling with the memory of Jungkook’s kiss, and his face was a deep, unmistakable red. He paused in the hallway for a moment, inhaling deeply in an attempt to compose himself.

But no matter how much he tried, the warmth in his chest wouldn’t fade. His thoughts betrayed him, replaying every second of their heated exchange—the intensity in Jungkook’s gaze, the press of his lips, and the way his touch had felt so grounding yet electrifying.

Taehyung groaned softly, slapping his cheeks in an attempt to shake off the embarrassment. “Get it together, Kim Taehyung,” he muttered under his breath, though his heart didn’t seem to listen.

As he walked down the hall towards Jaybum’s playroom, his fingers unconsciously brushed over his lips, the blush on his face deepening.

The quiet corridors did little to distract him, the memory of Jungkook’s smirk and teasing words still lingering in his mind.

He reached the playroom, pausing outside the door to steady himself. He didn’t want to walk in looking like a complete mess in case Jaybum woke up.

Taking one more deep breath, he gently pushed the door open, his gaze falling on the small figure of Jaybum curled up on the cushioned mat, sound asleep.

The sight brought a wave of calm over Taehyung. He tiptoed inside, lowering himself onto a nearby seat as he watched the child’s peaceful expression.

Yet, even with the serenity of the moment, his thoughts betrayed him again, pulling him  back to the way Jungkook had whispered against his ear, the heat of his breath sending shivers down his spine.

“Damn it,” Taehyung muttered softly, burying his face in his hands. He could feel the heat rushing back to his cheeks, and he bit his lip in frustration.

“Why does he always get under my skin like this?”

But as much as he wanted to shake off the feeling, there was a small, undeniable part of him that didn’t entirely mind.

That same evening, Jungkook arrived home at his usual time. Taehyung and Jaybum came back hours ago.

The cozy warmth of the house greeted him as he stepped inside, the soft hum of Jaybum’s favorite cartoon playing in the background.

Jaybum was perched on the couch, his wide eyes glued to the TV as the colorful characters on screen danced around.

Beside him sat Taehyung, quietly focused on knitting something with nimble fingers. A new hobby he picked up few weeks earlier.

The sight made Jungkook pause in the doorway, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

He walked closer, his steps quiet, but as he loomed just behind Taehyung, he couldn’t help himself.

“What are you making?” he asked, his voice low and curious.

Taehyung visibly startled, nearly dropping his knitting needles as he turned abruptly, his wide eyes meeting Jungkook’s. “Oh my god, you scared me!” he exclaimed, clutching the fabric in his hands as if it were something precious.

Jungkook chuckled, tilting his head as he noticed Taehyung hurriedly hiding his work behind his back. “Why are you hiding it?” he asked, his tone teasing.

“It’s... I... um...” Taehyung stammered, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. “It’s nothing,” he finally said, avoiding Jungkook’s piercing gaze.

“Doesn’t look like nothing to me,” Jungkook said, arching an eyebrow.

“It’s just... a little surprise,” Taehyung muttered, glancing toward Jaybum.

“For who?” Jungkook pressed, crossing his arms, clearly enjoying how flustered Taehyung had become.

Taehyung hesitated before mumbling, “For Jaybum...”

Jungkook nodded, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “I see,” he said, deciding not to push further.

At that moment, Taehyung’s phone buzzed on the table. He quickly reached for it and glanced at the screen. “Yes, Hyung?” he answered, his voice soft.

Jungkook watched as Taehyung’s expression shifted slightly, his lips curling into a smile at whatever Yoongi was saying on the other end of the line.

“Yeah, I’ll be there soon,” Taehyung said, nodding. “Alright, see you.” He ended the call and stood, already gathering his things.

“Jungkook,” he said, turning to face him, “I’ve got to head out now. Hyung is waiting for me.”

Jungkook nodded slightly .

"Make sure you eat dinner, okay?” Taehyung added, already moving toward the door.

Before Jungkook could even respond, Taehyung was gone, leaving behind the faint scent of his cologne and the warmth of his presence.

Jungkook stood there for a moment, his eyes lingering on the spot Taehyung had just vacated.

Then, a small smile crept onto his lips, one he didn’t bother to hide. The reason for it? Even he wasn’t entirely sure.

And days passed on smoothly for everyone. It was days later when,

The days in the Jeon mansion had been flowing smoothly, filled with their usual routine. However, today brought a whirlwind of unexpected tension.

Namjoon’s deep, commanding voice echoed through the spacious living room, where Taehyung sat on the couch, knitting quietly.

“No, Jungkook, I’m not taking no for an answer!” Namjoon exclaimed, his arms crossed as he faced his younger brother.

Jungkook, equally stubborn, stood firm in front of him. “And I’m telling you, Hyung, you’re not taking Taehyung, even for a day!”

Taehyung paused mid-stitch, his wide eyes flickering between the two brothers. .

Namjoon groaned in frustration. “Oh, come on, Kook! New Year’s Eve is the day after tomorrow. I need Taehyung to help with preparations!”

Jungkook huffed, his brows furrowing. “Then take someone else! Why does it have to be him?”

Namjoon raised a hand, ticking off his points. “Because, for one, Tae is organized. Two, he’s creative. And three, he’s better at this than anyone I know.”

Jungkook scoffed, refusing to budge. “And what about Jaybum, huh? Who’s going to take care of him while he’s gone?”

Namjoon softened his tone, placing a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder.

“Relax, Jungkook. I’ve already planned for that. You’ve been working nonstop, so I took a few days off to help you. You can stay home with Jaybum, get some rest, and take a breather.”

Jungkook’s eyes went wide “Wait a minute, Hyung. Who’s the boss here? Me or you?”

Namjoon smirked, not missing a beat. “You’re the boss, sure, but I’m still your Hyung. And Tae’s my brother. I’m just borrowing him for one day.”

Jungkook looked incredulous. “He works for me, Namjoon! You can’t just ‘borrow’ him!”

At that moment, Taehyung decided to intervene. “Okay, okay, calm down, both of you,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. He placed his knitting aside and stood up, facing Jungkook.

“Jungkook, I think Namjoon Hyung is right. It’s good for you to take a day or two off. I can help Hyung in the meantime.”

Jungkook turned to Taehyung, his expression softening for a split second before he sighed. “But—”

"You know what kook? Come to my place with Jaybum tomorrow and help with everything " Namjoon said finally giving up.

Jungkook nodded muttering under his breath as he plopped down onto the couch beside Jaybum, his arms crossed in silent protest.

Deep down, though, he couldn’t shake the strange ache that came with the idea of spending even a single day without Taehyung nearby.

The countdown to New Year’s Eve was already underway, and excitement filled the air.

Namjoon had decided to host a gathering at his place this year—a cozy but lively celebration that everyone could enjoy. While he had organized most of the party preparations himself,he knew he couldn’t do it without Taehyung’s creative touch. Taehyung, his cousin brother, was a natural when it came to such things.

At first, Jungkook wasn’t too thrilled about the idea. “Why not just host it at my place?” he had suggested, his tone reluctant. He wasn’t too keen on being away from Taehyung or the comfort of his own home.

But Namjoon, ever the diplomat, had convinced him otherwise. “Come on, Kook, it’ll be nice for you to relax for once. You’re always overworking  yourself. This is the perfect opportunity to unwind. Plus, you can come with Jaybum tomorrow and join us early. Think of it as a family day.”

After much persistence, Jungkook finally gave in. The promise of being   close to Taehyung—even at Namjoon’s place—helped ease his reluctance.

Namjoon’s intentions weren’t entirely selfish either. Jungkook was like a younger brother to him, and he had seen the toll Jungkook’s relentless work ethic had taken on him over the years. Taking a few days off was Namjoon’s way of looking out for him.

Now, with the plans settled, Jungkook found himself surprisingly at ease.

Knowing he’d still get to spend time with Taehyung and Jaybum at Namjoon’s home brought a sense of calm he hadn’t expected.

...............................

You asked for another update babe so here i am. And you'll are not fucking ready for the new year's eve!!!!!!!!!

So stay tuned and read more to find out!