Chapter Text
“Jungkook!”
Taehyung’s voice echoed through the grand hall, startling the maids who were carefully arranging porcelain dishes on the long dining table. She stormed inside like she owned the place—though after years of growing up alongside Jungkook, she almost did.
The marble floor clicked beneath her shoes as she planted herself near the table, arms crossed, cheeks puffed in irritation. Her huff was loud enough to make the maids exchange amused glances, but they wisely kept their heads down, continuing to set out breakfast.
Of course, Jungkook was late again.
Taehyung could have easily called for her own driver, could have glided to campus in the comfort of her sleek black car. But no—because of him, she had grown addicted to the thrill of speeding through morning air on the back of his dirt bike. Wind tangling her hair, her arms clutching his back, his reckless laughter filling her ears—he’d ruined her. And now she couldn’t go back to boring, chauffeur-driven rides.
“Always making me wait,” she muttered under her breath, tapping her foot.
From the staircase above came a gentle voice that made her irritation soften instantly.
“Oh, Taehyungie.”
Haru Jeon descended the grand steps with elegance that no amount of wealth could buy. Her long silk robe whispered around her ankles, but her eyes—warm, affectionate, sparkling—were focused only on the girl waiting below.
Taehyung’s pout melted into a smile as she dashed forward, giggling when Haru opened her arms. She buried herself in the older woman’s embrace, inhaling the familiar scent of jasmine and morning tea.
“My pretty girl,” Haru cooed, pressing a fond kiss to Taehyung’s hair. “You’re brighter than the sun itself this morning.” Taehyung laughed softly, still clinging to her. “You’re exaggerating, Auntie Haru.”
Haru pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Taehyung’s shoulders, but her gaze full of maternal warmth. “How was your night, sweetheart? Did you sleep well?”
Taehyung’s eyes curved into crescents as she nodded. “Mm, I dreamt about pancakes, and then woke up to boring toast.”
Haru chuckled, her heart aching with affection. She sometimes thought of Taehyung as her second child—though Jungkook would often sulk and grumble about it. “Tch, that son of mine insists I spoil you more than him. Can you believe it?”
Taehyung giggled again, a hand covering her mouth. She could believe it. Jungkook complained about it often, only to sulk harder when Haru sided with her.
But then Haru tilted her head, lips curving into a mock pout. “Let me guess… you’re waiting for Jungkook?” The pout returned to Taehyung’s own lips as she nodded sheepishly.
Haru sighed dramatically, the sound echoing through the chandelier-lit hall. “That boy. He’s probably still sleeping like the lazy prince he is.”
Rolling her eyes, Taehyung muttered, “Not surprised.”
“Come, darling. Eat before you leave,” Haru urged, patting her cheek gently. “You’ll need strength if you’re going to drag him out of bed.”
They separated reluctantly, Haru gliding toward the kitchen while Taehyung sank into one of the cushioned dining chairs, drumming her fingers impatiently on the polished wood. She could already picture him sprawled across his bed, hair a mess, mouth slightly open, completely unbothered, while she sat here fuming.
The nerve of Jeon Jungkook.
🐰🐻
After eating her breakfast, Taehyung marched to his room; she didn’t bother knocking. She slammed the door open, only to be greeted by the chaos that was Jungkook’s bedroom.
The curtains were drawn, leaving the room in shadows. His oversized bed was a crumpled mess of blankets, his guitar abandoned face-down on the rug. Empty soda cans and snack wrappers littered the floor like the aftermath of a teenage sleepover rather than a college senior’s room.
Taehyung groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Unbelievable. He’s older than me, but lives like a twelve-year-old.” With a huff, she bent down, picking up the cans one by one and tossing them into the trash bin, muttering under her breath about what a disaster he was.
That’s when the bathroom door opened.
Steam rolled out first, followed by Jeon Jungkook in nothing but a towel slung dangerously low around his waist. His damp hair clung to his forehead, droplets gliding down his toned chest.
“Boo.”
Before she could react, Jungkook crossed the room in three lazy strides, catching her by the waist and dragging her down with him onto the messy bed. “Ah—! Jungkook!” Taehyung shrieked, her arms flailing as she landed against his bare skin. Heat shot through her body like sparks against dry wood, her pulse skittering out of control.
He grinned at her wide-eyed panic, boyish and infuriatingly smug. “You’re insufferable!” she sputtered, shoving at his chest until he finally let her go. Jungkook only laughed, rolling off the bed. “But you love it.”
“I don’t!” she snapped, refusing to acknowledge the way her heart was still racing. She turned her back to him, resuming her task of gathering wrappers off the floor.
Jungkook leaned against the dresser, whistling low. “Such a wife material, Tae. If you weren’t my best friend, I’d definitely marry you.”
The words pierced deeper than he could ever imagine. Taehyung’s throat tightened, but she quickly masked it with a mocking scoff. She hurled a pillow at his head, which he dodged with a smirk. “Dream on.”
By the time Jungkook was tugging on a black T-shirt and jeans, Taehyung had wandered into his massive walk-in closet. She sifted through the racks of clothes until her eyes landed on an oversized hoodie. She slipped it over her head without hesitation, pulling the sleeves over her hands. It smelled faintly of his cologne—clean, warm, addicting.
Satisfied, she stepped out, only to find Jungkook staring at her with raised brows. “You know,” he said, tugging on his watch, “the number of hoodies you’ve stolen from me could fill a boutique.” Taehyung poked her tongue out. “Too bad. Finders keepers.”
She brushed past him toward the door, but before she could escape, a sharp smack landed on her backside. “Bro! What the hell?!” she squealed, spinning around in outrage. Jungkook’s grin stretched ear to ear. “What? That’s my daily motivation.”
Taehyung rolled her eyes, though her heart fluttered traitorously. “You’re insane. How do you expect my future boyfriend to understand this?” For a moment, his smirk faltered. Jungkook’s eyes locked on hers, unreadable. Then, just as quickly, he snorted.
“Your ass is off-limits to whoever. If some guy wants to touch it, he needs my permission first.” Half snort, half a sigh slipped past her lips. If only he knew how much she wished he’d claim her for real—not just in this careless, possessive best-friend way.
Jungkook reached out, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as if he hadn’t just shattered her heart with another casual joke. He snagged his bike keys from the nightstand. “C’mon, let’s get you to school.”
Taehyung narrowed her eyes at him. “And you? Don’t you have class too?” He flashed her that troublemaker smile that always got him out of trouble. “Maybe.”
🐰🐻
The morning sun greeted them as they stepped outside, gleaming against the polished marble of the Jeon estate. In the driveway, Jungkook’s dirt bike waited—matte black, sleek, and slightly intimidating, just like its owner. Taehyung groaned at the sight. “Why can’t we take the car like normal people?”
Jungkook swung his leg over the bike, adjusting his gloves with a smirk. “Because normal people are boring. And you love this.”
“I don’t—”
“Liar.” He tilted his head toward her, eyes gleaming with challenge. “Get on, Tae.”
With an exasperated sigh that fooled no one, she climbed on behind him, slipping her arms around his waist. She tried to keep the hold casual, but the second the engine roared to life, her grip instinctively tightened.
“Scared already?” Jungkook teased, glancing back with a grin.
“Shut up and drive,” she muttered, her cheek pressing against his shoulder as the bike jerked forward.
The wind hit them instantly, whipping strands of her hair into a wild mess. Taehyung squeezed her eyes shut for a second before laughter spilled out of her chest. Jungkook’s laughter joined hers, deep and carefree, echoing above the roar of the engine. He leaned slightly, taking a sharp turn, and she yelped, clutching him tighter.
“Jungkook!” she shrieked. “That’s my girl!” he hollered back, grinning like a devil as he revved the bike faster down the open road.
Her heart was racing for more reasons than just the speed. The warmth of his body, the security of his strong back under her arms, the way she could feel his laughter rumble through him—it was dangerous. Not the ride. Him.
“Do you have to go this fast?” she shouted against the wind.
“Don’t tell me you don’t like it!” he called back, voice teasing, taunting.
“I don’t!”
But the truth betrayed her—her smile was wide, her cheeks were flushed, and her heart was soaring.
The bike hit a bump in the road, and she almost lost her balance, letting out another startled yelp. Jungkook’s hand flew off the handlebars for a split second to secure hers tighter around his waist. “Hold on, princess. Don’t let go of me.”
His words sank deeper than they should have. She buried her face against his back, hiding the small, shaky smile she couldn’t suppress. By the time the dirt bike purred to a stop in front of the sprawling gates of Silver Crown Academy, the elite school where only the children of old money and high society dared to tread, the world was still spinning for Taehyung—not from the ride, but from him.
Jungkook killed the engine, tugging off his helmet, hair messy but somehow effortlessly perfect. He turned to look at her, smirking at her dazed expression.
“See? Told you it’s better than the boring car.” Taehyung rolled her eyes, shoving his shoulder lightly. “You’re insane.”
“And you love it.”
She bit her lip, refusing to answer. He swung off the bike in one smooth move, tugging his bag onto his shoulder. Before Taehyung could climb down herself, his hands were already at her waist, lifting her effortlessly to the ground.
“I can get down on my own,” she muttered, cheeks warming at his touch. “I know.” His lips curved in that infuriating smirk. “But why would I let you?”
Her heart fluttered despite herself, but she quickly masked it, brushing invisible dust from her skirt as they walked side by side into the school.
Like always, eyes followed them. Whispers trailed in their wake. Students swooned openly at Jungkook—the campus’ notorious bad boy, untouchable and magnetic in equal measure. Girls fanned themselves dramatically as he passed, their stares shameless.
Taehyung sighed, already used to the circus that came with being at Jungkook’s side. Jungkook noticed. He always noticed. His fingers tilted her chin up with a soft flick, making her look at him.
“Smile, baby,” he teased, eyes twinkling. Taehyung swatted his hand away with a roll of her eyes. “Shut up.” But the corners of her lips betrayed her, threatening to curl despite her best efforts.
They reached her locker—and immediately froze.
“Seriously?” Taehyung groaned.
Pressed against the very door she needed were Yoongi and Jimin, tangled in a lazy, unhurried kiss. Yoongi leaned casually, as if making out in public was as mundane as breathing. Jimin, however, broke away instantly at Taehyung’s voice, her face blooming pink.
“Ah—Tae bear!” Jimin squealed, abandoning Yoongi to wrap her in a hug. Taehyung sighed, but allowed herself to be squished. “You two are impossible.”
Behind her, Jungkook laughed, low and amused. “In front of her locker, though? Have some shame.” Yoongi only smirked, unbothered, while Jimin hid her face in Taehyung’s shoulder.
Before Taehyung could add another jab, a girl passed by, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She gave Jungkook a sultry look, lips parting in a silent invitation. Jungkook’s head turned, his gaze following her retreating figure without hesitation.
Taehyung’s stomach dropped. She quickly busied herself with her lock, pretending she hadn’t noticed. Yoongi’s voice cut through the air, blunt and knowing. “You’re gonna fuck her.”
It wasn’t a question.
Jungkook’s grin widened, shameless. “Hell yeah.” The words landed like a knife in Taehyung’s chest. Jimin’s eyes flicked instantly to her soulmate’s face, reading every micro-expression, every crack in her carefully built mask. Gently, Jimin squeezed Taehyung’s hand.
“Hey, um… We’ve got an early class,” Jimin lied softly. “So we gotta run.” Taehyung nodded quickly, grateful for the escape. She pulled her books from the locker, shoved them into her arms, and forced a smile.
Yoongi frowned. “Since when? You don’t have class until ten—”
“Eleven,” Jungkook corrected, eyebrows furrowed. “I know your schedule, Tae. Don’t bullshit me.” Taehyung snatched her bag from his hand, her smile tight. “Well, I have one now.” She turned to Yoongi, giving him a small wave. “See you at lunch.”
And just like that, she was gone, walking briskly down the corridor with Jimin at her side. Jimin pecked Yoongi’s cheek before following her, leaving Jungkook standing there, bag slung carelessly over his shoulder, confusion etched across his face.
He scratched the back of his head, staring at the spot where Taehyung had been. “What the hell’s her problem?” Yoongi shut his locker with a soft clang, eyes narrowing knowingly. He clapped Jungkook on the back.
“Figure it out, genius. Let’s go.”
But Jungkook’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure until she disappeared around the corner, a sigh leaving his lips before he could stop it.
🐰🐻