68
Third Person Pov
It was morning. The sunlight spilled weakly through the blinds, soft but somehow harsh, pressing against Taehyung's tired eyes.
His body ached in every possible way.. limbs heavy, muscles stiff, back throbbing with reminders of last night's.
.. events. He swallowed his medicines with difficulty, wincing at the bitter taste.
The nurse had already scolded him, her words echoing in his head: Your body is still weak.
Don't push yourself. Taehyung could only nod mutely and apologize.
What else could he do? He felt like hell.
Every joint, every muscle, every nerve seemed to remind him that he was human, fragile, and completely exposed.
Gyubin's small voice cut through the dull morning haze. "Appa... why are you walking like that?"
Taehyung forced a weak smile, trying to appear nonchalant. "I... I fell," he said, brushing a hand over his back as if to erase the lingering pain. Gyubin didn't press further, thankfully, but his worried gaze lingered, heavy with concern.
And yet, it wasn't the physical pain that kept Taehyung's heart racing. His mind replayed Jungkook's words... I love you.
Taehyung's chest tightened, breath hitching involuntarily.
He wanted to scream, to throw something, to erase that confession from existence.
Jungkook... loving him? After everything, after all the control, the manipulation, the torment he had been forced to endure, how could Jungkook claim to love him?
But then a small, ugly part of Taehyung's chest betrayed him. That part... the part he hated, that he wished didn't exist felt a stir of warmth at the thought of Jungkook's attention. A part that still craved it, that still longed for the man who had made his life unbearable.
Taehyung's fists clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms. I can't. I won't. He's dangerous. He's everything I hate and fear. He repeated it like a mantra, hoping it would suppress the conflicting emotions.
But somewhere deep inside, the truth lingered, sharp and unwelcome. He wanted Jungkook. Not just his presence or his touch, but something more something he dared not name. And it terrified him.
The alcohol from last night still throbbed through his veins, dulling some of the pain but sharpening others.
His head pounded, a constant drum that echoed the chaos in his chest. Even now, sitting on the chair, attempting to fold the clothes.
.. Gyubin chattering, his mind was far away.
. tangled in Jungkook's gaze, the way his words had lingered, the weight of his hands, the cold fire in his touch.
Gyubin, oblivious to the storm raging in his father's mind, leaned in with a bright smile. "Appa, do you want me to bring you some juice?"
Taehyung blinked, forcing himself to focus on his son's innocent face. He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Yes, sweetheart."
As Gyubin ran off, Taehyung leaned back in his chair, staring out the window. The world outside seemed muted, dull... gray and heavy. The thoughts of last night pressed against him relentlessly.
Taehyung ground his teeth, hating himself for the heat that pooled in his belly, for the way his heart betrayed him. He hated Jungkook fiercely, deeply yet a tiny, insidious part of him longed for the same man's attention. That part hated itself for even existing.
He closed his eyes, pressing his palms to his face, willing the memories and the ache to fade. But they wouldn't. The words echoed relentlessly, mingling with the memory of Jungkook's hands, the dominance, the control, the reckless desire that made his body ache in shame.
And he realized no matter how much he tried to convince himself, no matter how much he hated the man, that part of him, the part he despised, had already surrendered.
☆☆☆☆
Taehyung held Gyubin's school bag as they stepped out of the room. "Do your test well, okay?," he reminded, and Gyubin nodded, already excited to leave.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs. Taehyung's grip on Gyubin tightened Jungkook was walking down, adjusting his suit, calm as ever. Taehyung tried to look away and move past him.
Then a commotion caught his attention. A woman was being dragged inside by two of Jungkook's men, her arms flailing. "Let me go, you fools!"
Taehyung froze. That voice... he knew it.
Gyubin whispered, "Appa... she's saying bad words."
Taehyung blinked. Sohee.
She finally broke free and stumbled forward, looking a bit flustered. "Taehyung! Oh-hi! Wow, your... people are, uh... very handsy." She shot a nervous glance at Jungkook, who was now standing in front of her, hands in his pockets, expression sharp and curious.
Jungkook's gaze sharpened. "Why were you with him last night?"
Sohee's mouth opened, then closed. She cleared her throat, a little nervous. "I-uh-well, I saw him sitting there all alone, and... my friend ditched me, so I, um... kept him company. He looked like his third husband divorced him."
Taehyung's jaw dropped. He tried to shrink behind Gyubin, suddenly very aware of the CEO's piercing gaze.
"Alone with him?" Jungkook asked again, calm but firm.
Sohee gulped, then tried a small smile. "Yes... but I swear, it's not what it looks like! I just... didn't want him to drink alone. No-no funny business Mr.CEO." She gave a weak little shrug, clearly intimidated.
Jungkook said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly, and Sohee immediately straightened, with a nervous smile.
Taehyung just wanted the floor to open up and swallow him.
Jungkook didn't break eye contact with Sohee, his silence sharp. The tension in the air was thick until the sound of footsteps echoed from the main door.
He turned his head slightly. Seokjin was walking in, calm but with a seriousness that always seemed to carry weight.
Sohee followed Jungkook's gaze, and when she saw who it was, her eyes went wide. Oh, no way. She blinked rapidly and straightened her posture like a guilty student caught skipping class.
Seokjin's gaze landed on her first just for a second before shifting straight to Taehyung.
Sohee's brows furrowed. There was something in that look... something warm, protective even. And Taehyung sweet, awkward Taehyung smiled faintly, eyes dropping to the floor.
Okay, Sohee thought, something's fishy here.
Seokjin walked over, his calmness making Sohee instinctively step back half a pace. He came to stand beside her, his eyes flicking toward her once more before he asked in a measured tone, "Why is she here?"
"She was in the club with him," Jungkook said simply, his voice cool and detached as he gestured toward Taehyung.
Seokjin's eyes shifted to Taehyung again, expression tightening ever so slightly. "Oh."
Just one syllable, but it carried layers.
Sohee glanced between all three men, utterly lost but very aware that she'd somehow wandered into a minefield. "Okay, wow," she mumbled under her breath, "so many faces, so little context."
Jungkook's cold stare snapped back to her, and she quickly straightened again, awkwardly smiling. "I mean-uh-carry on with your... family drama? Mafia meeting? Whatever this is. I'll just... be quiet."
Taehyung tried not to smile. Jungkook, however, didn't even blink.
Instead took a slow step forward, his presence alone enough to make Sohee's pulse quicken.
She instinctively stepped back, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"If you even think of doing something stupid," Jungkook said, voice dangerously calm, "or try to play smart..." His gaze flicked toward the end of the hall. "You'll end up beheaded in that tank."
Sohee followed his line of sight only to freeze.
A massive glass tank stood there, the water glinting under the chandelier's reflection. And inside, circling lazily, was sharks.
Her mouth fell open. "A freaking shark tank? In a house?" she whispered, eyes wide.
She looked helplessly at Seokjin, who stared back at her, utterly expressionless. That didn't help her case one bit.
"I-I didn't do anything!" she stammered, hands raised like she was surrendering to the police. "I'm just-existing!"
Taehyung, who had been quietly watching from the side, felt a pang of sympathy. His features softened as he took a step toward her.
"She's not a threat to anyone," he said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Jungkook's cold stare shifted to him. Taehyung didn't look up, didn't dare meet his eyes. He just kept his hand steady on Sohee's shoulder, his voice calm. "Don't scare her."
For a long moment, the air hung heavy between them. Then Jungkook exhaled, his jaw tightening as he finally looked away.
Sohee blinked, then offered Taehyung a small smile. "Thanks," she whispered, "for saving me from becoming fish food."
Taehyung just nodded at Sohee's thanks, voice quiet. "I should go. Gyubin's getting late for school."
Before he could move, Seokjin spoke, smooth and calm as ever. "I'm going that way. I'll drop him."
Taehyung looked up, caught off guard. His eyes softened, lingering on Seokjin's face for a moment before he nodded. "Thank you."
Seokjin smiled faintly, the kind that never reached his eyes, and stepped toward Gyubin. The boy immediately reached up, small hand fitting into Seokjin's palm. Taehyung bent to fix his son's bag straps, fixed his tie. Jungkook watched all of it from behind... his gaze dark.
The way Taehyung smiled so gently at Seokjin made his fingers twitch for reasons he didn't want to think about.
"Please drop me too!" Sohee suddenly said, snapping the tension for a moment.
Seokjin blinked, turning to her. "Pardon?"
"There's no bus stop nearby," she said quickly, glancing toward the two men in black who stood near the entrance like statues. "Just... drop me to the nearest one. I don't wanna go with those guys again. They look like they enjoy throwing people to sharks for fun."
One of the guards almost smirked. The other looked offended.
Seokjin's brow lifted slightly. He looked toward Taehyung for direction. Taehyung exhaled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Please drop her off."
Jungkook's head snapped toward him, his eyes narrowing just enough to be noticeable. He hated that tone, gentle that was not for him. And he hated even more that Taehyung still refused to look at him. Not once since morning.
"Alright," Seokjin agreed after a pause.
Sohee smiled, a little too brightly.
Seokjin took Gyubin's hand again, leading him toward the door. Taehyung followed a few steps, his voice soft. "Bye, binnie boo."
"Bye, appa!" Gyubin called, his smile wide and bright enough to warm the whole room.
Taehyung waved, lips curving into a small, tired smile.
"Bye, Taehyung!" Sohee added cheerfully, already heading after them. "I'll text you!"
Taehyung nodded once, calm as ever. "Okay. Take care."
And with that, the three of them left Gyubin's laughter fading down the hall, Sohee still mumbling something about sharks and guards, and Seokjin's low voice steady beside them.
Silence settled again.
Taehyung turned, only to freeze for a second. Jungkook was still there standing, his hand resting in his pocket, eyes locked on him. There was no expression on his face, just that cold calm that made Taehyung's stomach twist.
Without a word, Taehyung looked away, heading toward the kitchen. Jungkook's gaze followed him till he disappeared around the corner. His jaw flexed once, his knuckles whitening in his pocket.
He hated being ignored. Especially by him.
Jungkook sat on the edge of his desk, his sleeves rolled to his elbows as he stared absently at the papers in front of him. But his focus wasn't there... it hadn't been since morning.
Across the room, Taehyung stood at the counter, slicing fruits in quiet rhythm. His movements were slow, precise, but there was a faint tremor in them. The younger looked pale, the dark circles under his eyes more prominent than usual.
Jungkook noticed everything. the sluggish way Taehyung moved, the way his shoulders seemed to sag as if the weight of exhaustion had finally caught up.
He leaned back on the chair, letting out a long breath. His gaze softened for a second.
Taehyung brought the bowl of fruit to the couch and sat down, silently munching, eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
Jungkook's gaze drifted again this time to his own wrist. The faint bite mark stood out against his skin, purplish and dark.
Taehyung's teeth had sunk deep the night before.
A mark born of defiance, of frustration. .. but still his.
The CEO's lips curved slightly... an involuntary smirk, half amusement, half memory.
When Taehyung finished eating, he set the bowl on the table and rose from the couch. Without sparing him a glance, he picked up the small basket of gardening tools and made his way toward the backyard.
Jungkook didn't move, but his eyes followed him through the glass doors the sway of Taehyung's figure, the quiet grace of someone pretending to be fine.
.
.
.
Taehyung set his gardening tools aside, the metal glinting faintly under the afternoon sun. He sank to his knees, fingers sinking into the damp soil as he dug, muttering incoherent words under his breath, soft, distracted, almost like a prayer. His focus never wavered from the earth before him.
A neat line of potted plants waited patiently nearby, their leaves trembling in the breeze. Behind them, the peonies bloomed vivid and alive, glowing softly as though they had finally found what they'd been yearning for. Maybe care. Maybe love.
From a distance, Jungkook watched hands buried deep in his pockets. Taehyung's hair fell loosely over his eyes, the sunlight kissing strands of brown and gold. Every small movement the tilt of his wrist, the slow drag of his fingers through the soil looked almost sacred.
Jungkook was in daze. Without realizing, he began to walk closer.
Taehyung heard the faint crunch of footsteps on gravel.
He stilled for a second, the rhythm of his breathing shifting, before pretending not to notice.
His hands kept moving carefully, methodically making space for the next plant, as though ignoring him would make the presence behind him fade away.
But Jungkook didn't stop.
"Make me a coffee," Jungkook said flatly.
Taehyung paused, the small shovel stilling in his hand. His eyes flicked toward Jungkook, sharp and unimpressed. "You've got plenty of workers, Mr. Jeon. Ask them. I'm already caught up."
The CEO's jaw flexed as his eyes narrowed. He didn't like being refused. His gaze dropped to the way Taehyung was planting the new sapling,,, a bit too tightly, the roots nearly strangled.
"You're doing it wrong," Jungkook muttered, stepping closer.
Taehyung didn't even glance at him. "It's fine," he said curtly, pushing the soil in place but froze when Jungkook suddenly crouched beside him.
Before Taehyung could move, Jungkook's hand slid over his, firm and deliberate, guiding his touch. The warmth of his palm seeped through Taehyung's skin, steady and unyielding.
Taehyung's breath hitched. He tried to pull back, but Jungkook's grip tightened not painful, but enough to remind him who held control here.
"Don't-" Taehyung's voice came out quieter than he intended. "Don't you have work?"
"Why would I hire people if I have to work all the time?" Jungkook murmured, his tone almost teasing but threaded with authority.
Taehyung pressed his lips together, saying nothing, his fingers still caged beneath Jungkook's. The air between them was heavy thick with earth, silence, and something neither of them wanted to name.
Taehyung tried sliding his hands out of Jungkook's grasp, but the CEO didn't let go. His grip only tightened, fingers wrapping firmly around Taehyung's wrist like he owned it.
"Leave my hand," Taehyung said through clenched teeth, voice low but dangerous.
Jungkook didn't move. His eyes stayed on the soil, calm as ever, like he hadn't just crossed a line. That silence that deliberate quiet... made Taehyung's blood boil.
"I said-" Taehyung snapped, jerking his hand back with all the force he could muster. The pull sent him stumbling, and before he knew it, his butt hit the soft mud, his palms sinking into the wet ground with a muffled splat.
Jungkook blinked. For a second, he looked almost surprised then his lips twitched upward. A smirk.
Taehyung glared up at him, fury burning through his veins, but Jungkook only dusted off his pants slowly, as if Taehyung had just performed something mildly entertaining.
"You're unbelievable," Taehyung muttered, struggling to stand. His pants were stained, hands covered in dirt, and he could already imagine the nurse scolding him later.
Before he could regain balance, a sudden drizzle of water fell over his head.
Taehyung froze mid-motion, his lips parting as the cold drops hit his neck, shoulder, his hair sticking to his forehead. His head tilted up sharply.
And there stood Jungkook, tall and smug, watering can in hand pouring it over him like he was tending to a garden.
"What the- what are you doing?" Taehyung hissed, trying to dodge the stream. His voice came out half-sharp, half-shocked.
Jungkook didn't even blink. "Watering you."
"Watering me?!"
"You're burning in anger for no reason," Jungkook said matter-of-factly, tilting the can again. "Thought I'd cool you down a bit."
The corners of his lips lifted in quiet amusement as Taehyung's expression twisted... his jaw tight, cheeks flushed a deep pink from both anger and embarrassment.
"You're in-insane," Taehyung muttered, brushing his sleeves uselessly as the droplets rolled down his skin. "Completely out of your mind."
Jungkook hummed, still watching him with that unreadable glint in his eyes. "You look better when you're angry."
Taehyung's throat bobbed. His chest heaved slightly... part frustration, part disbelief. "Do y-you enjoy humiliating people, Mr. Jeon?"
Jungkook tilted his head, studying him. "Just you."
The answer came too quick. Too casual. And it left Taehyung frozen for a heartbeat before he turned away, muttering something under his breath as he picked up the small shovel again. His movements were harsher now stabbing at the soil like it had wronged him.
Jungkook just stood there, hands in his pockets, watching him with the faintest smile tugging at his mouth.
Taehyung gritted his teeth. The frustration, the anger... it all tangled up inside his chest until it hurt to breathe.
He dug harder into the soil, muttering under his breath, his shoulders trembling with every motion. The next second, the sound of the shovel hitting the ground turned faint softer because his hands had started shaking.
He blinked, once, twice, before realizing the mud below was blurring. His throat burned, and when he tried to take a breath, it came out broken. The tears slipped before he could stop them.
Jungkook's smirk faded. He dropped the watering with a dull thud against the grass. For a moment, he just stood there, frozen, staring at the man in front of him, the same man he had been teasing not even a minute ago.
He stepped closer, hesitantly. "What happened?" His voice came out too level, too businesslike like he was trying to cover up his own confusion.
Taehyung didn't respond. His fingers tightened around the shovel, but he didn't move.
"I asked you something." Jungkook's tone dropped, low and firm, but there was something unfamiliar beneath it worry maybe.
Taehyung stiffened. Slowly, he placed the shovel down and stood up, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground. He took a shaky breath, his jaw trembling slightly before he finally spoke.
"Stop-" his voice cracked before he steadied it, "stop messing with me. With my emotions... with my feelings."
Jungkook didn't speak.
"I don't like it. I- I'll never like you." The words came out tight, almost whispered, but sharp enough to cut. "So don't act like everything is fine between us when it's not. Nothing is."
His fingers curled into fists. "What do you even expect from me?" He looked up then, eyes red, tears clinging to his lashes. "To just do whatever you say again? To smile? To pretend you didn't-" his voice broke again and he swallowed hard, forcing it steady, "-you didn't ruin my life?"
Jungkook's eyes flickered, but he stayed still. Too still.
Taehyung laughed under his breath, bitterly, shaking his head. "You used to hate me. You made sure I knew that every single day. And now suddenly you- love me?" His lip quivered. "You think that fixes anything?"
Jungkook clenched his jaw at that, his expression hardening, but he didn't interrupt.
Taehyung's voice trembled now... low, raw. "So what now? You want me to love you back? Tell me, do you even deserve it?"
Silence.
"What do you even have in you," he breathed out, eyes glassy, "that would make someone love you?"
He took a step forward. "You don't respect anyone. You're selfish. You're arrogant, you're-" his voice cracked again and he pressed his lips together, "you're cold. You're cruel. You're every bad thing I've ever known."
His chest rose and fell unevenly as he finally spat the last words, his voice barely a whisper. "Why should I love you?"
For a moment, all that filled the space was the sound of wind brushing through leaves.
Taehyung blinked back the tears, but one slipped anyway,. "You... you caged me," he said, quieter now. "You took my son away from me. Adopted him like I was nothing." His throat constricted, his voice shaking. "Do you think I've forgotten how you told me to throw him away!?"
That last line hit like a punch. Taehyung's lip trembled as he tried to keep his voice steady, but it broke again. "How dare you-" he whispered, "how dare you think I could ever love you after that."
His words hung there heavy, trembling before his breath hitched, and he turned away, wiping his face quickly with the back of his hand as if ashamed to cry in front of him.
Jungkook stood still. Silent. His face calm except for the faint twitch in his jaw, the way his knuckles turned white in his pocket. Every word Taehyung said seemed to hit him like a blade, but he took it all... quietly.
Because somewhere deep down he couldn't help but agree.
Taehyung's breathing was still uneven when he finally looked up at him. His face was flushed not from embarrassment, but from pure, burning fury. each second stretching like wire pulled too tight. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse, trembling, but steady enough to slice through the silence.
"You once said," Taehyung began, his gaze locking on Jungkook's without wavering, "that you needed sexual favors from me." His lips curved, not in amusement but in disdain something bitter curling at the edges. "And I gave them to you. Countless times."
Jungkook's jaw flexed, muscles twitching under his skin, but he didn't move.
"I'm not denying it," Taehyung continued, his tone lower now, quieter but weighted with exhaustion.
"I had my needs too. I'm not some saint, and I'm not pretending to be one.
" His voice faltered for a second before he forced the words out.
"Because for some pathetic reason..." He let out a shaky breath, but it died halfway through.
"I-I can't bring myself to touch anyone else. "
The admission hung in the air like a confession he wished he could take back. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes glistening, but the tears refused to fall. "But that's all you'll ever get from me."
Jungkook's expression darkened.
"No love," Taehyung said quietly, shaking his head as though saying it aloud might finally make it true. "Never love. Because you don't deserve it." His next words came out like a blade drawn across skin. "You deserve my hatred, not love."
He turned, his movements sharp, final ready to walk away and leave Jungkook standing there with the weight of it all but before he could take another step, Jungkook's hand shot out, wrapping around his wrist. Hard.
The pull was sudden, violent enough that Taehyung stumbled forward, his breath catching as his face stopped just inches from Jungkook's.
"Why do you think," Jungkook's voice came low, almost too calm, too controlled "that I'll just keep taking whatever you throw at me?"
Taehyung's pulse jumped beneath his skin. He tried to wrench his arm free, but Jungkook only tightened his hold, the veins in his forearm standing out under the strain.
"Last night," Jungkook said, his tone quiet but razor-sharp, "whatever I said... I meant it. Every single word." His eyes flicked downward, landing briefly on Taehyung's trembling lips before finding his gaze again. "But I didn't say it to earn something back from you."
Taehyung's breath trembled, his throat tightening as the air between them grew suffocating.
"I had to let it out," Jungkook went on, his voice roughening slightly, almost pained. "If you hate me-" his tone softened, though his eyes still burned with an intensity that made Taehyung's heart twist, "then I'll give you even more reasons to. Because at least you'd feel something for me."
Taehyung's brows furrowed. "You think this-" his voice cracked as he pulled harder, "-this is feeling?"
Jungkook didn't answer. Instead, he leaned closer, the space between them closing until Taehyung could feel the warmth of his breath ghosting against his ear.
"I'll make sure it stays that way," Jungkook murmured. His voice dropped to a whisper, raw.. very genuine. "Deep. Real. Something you can't erase."
A shiver ran through Taehyung before he could stop it. His glare didn't waver, but his voice came out quieter, smaller almost pleading, though he hated how weak it sounded. "Let me go."
Jungkook's grip lingered, his fingers flexing as if he was fighting something inside himself hesitation, anger, longing before he finally released him.
The moment his wrist was free, Taehyung stumbled back a step, clutching the spot where Jungkook's fingers had been. His chest heaved, his breaths shallow, uneven. He looked at Jungkook not with fear, but with something far heavier. A tired ache that not even hatred could bury.
"I'm waiting," Taehyung said, his voice steady again, though softer, frayed at the edges. "For the day you'd finally leave me yourself."
Jungkook didn't reply this time. His eyes followed him as Taehyung turned away, his silhouette cutting through the faint drizzle, footsteps sinking into the wet grass.
The silence that followed was suffocatin, the kind that pressed against the chest until breathing hurt.
And Jungkook just stood there, his jaw tight, his throat working as if he was swallowing words he didn't dare speak.
And for the first time in a long while, Jeon Jungkook didn't know whether he wanted to destroy something... or fall apart himself.