Almost Always
I am going to marry him
The sun-drenched driveway of Jungkook’s new house. Boxes are visible through the open front door. Jungkook clings to his mother’s leg like a koala.
The Kim family approaches, drawn by the moving truck. Taehyung is practically vibrating with curiosity.
Mrs kim
“Hello! You must be our new neighbors! I’m Kim Soomin, and this is my son, Taehyung.”
Mrs Jeon
(Brightening, gently trying to pry Jungkook loose) “Ah, yes! It’s so wonderful to meet you properly. This is my son, Jungkook. Say hello, sweetheart.”
Jungkook buries his face deeper into her slacks, offering a muffled grunt. Taehyung, meanwhile, has stopped vibrating and is now just staring, his head tilted.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
(Whispering, but not really whispering) “Eomma. Eomma.”
Mrs kim
“Just a moment, Taehyung-ah.”
Kim Taehyung(4y)
(His eyes wide as saucers) “But Eomma, look.”
Before anyone can stop him, Taehyung takes two bold steps forward, his little finger shooting out to point directly at Jungkook’s half-hidden face.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
(His voice rings out, clear and declarative) “He is so good looking!”
A beat of stunned silence, then the adults burst into warm, indulgent laughter.
Mrs kim
(Trying and failing to sound stern) “Taehyung-ah! You can’t just say things like that! You’ll embarrass the poor boy.”
But Taehyung is on a mission. He turns his boxy, beaming smile to his mother, utterly confident.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
“I’ve decided. I am going to marry him.”
This sends the adults into another wave of laughter.
Mrs Jeon
(Patting Jungkook’s head) “Oh, isn’t that adorable? Jungkook, you have a friend already!”
Jungkook finally peeks out. His cheeks are flushed a bright pink. He meets Taehyung’s triumphant gaze. The laughter feels like a swarm of bees around him.
Jeon Jungkook(5y)
(Weird. This is so weird. Why is he looking at me like that?)
As the adults start chatting about the hospital, Taehyung breaks away and marches right up to Jungkook, ignoring his personal space entirely.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
“My name’s Kim Taehyung. What’s your favorite color? Mine is yellow. Like the sun. We can share my favorite dinosaur tomorrow. Do you like strawberries?”
Jungkook just stares, overwhelmed by the rapid-fire questions. He takes a half-step back, bumping into his mother’s legs again.
Jeon Jungkook(5y)
(I have to stay away from this one. Far, far away.)
Taehyung, seeing Jungkook’s retreat, just grins wider, as if this is all part of a wonderful game.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
“It’s okay. You don’t have to talk. I can talk enough for both of us. Come on! I’ll show you where the best worms live after it rains!”
Taehyung reaches out, his small hand aiming for Jungkook’s. The invasion has officially begun.
Welcoming Committee
The standoff between the scowling Jungkook and the beaming Taehyung is interrupted by a deep, warm voice.
Mr Jeon
“Well, look at this. A welcoming committee!”
Jungkook’s father, a tall man with a kind smile that mirrors his son’s, walks up the driveway.
And he isn’t alone. Holding his hand is the most ethereal little boy Jungkook has ever seen.
He has bright, inquisitive eyes and a gentle smile.
Jeon Jimin(4y)
(He gives a tiny, polite bow that is surprisingly graceful for a four-year-old.) “Hello. I am Jimin.”
Taehyung’s eyes widen, flicking between Jimin’s delicate features and Jungkook’s brooding ones.
He steps directly in front of Jungkook, puffing out his little chest in a display of pure, unadulterated possession.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
(Pointing at Jimin) “You are so beautiful.” (Then, pointing a thumb at his own chest) “But stay away from Jungkook. He is my husband.”
Jungkook’s jaw drops. He looks frantically from Taehyung to his father, his cheeks burning.
Jeon Jungkook(5y)
(Voice tight with indignation) “When did I agree?!” (He tugs on his father’s pants.) “Dad! Help me. From them. From both of them!”
Jimin, completely unbothered by the territorial dispute, tilts his head and assesses Jungkook with a critical, almost professional eye.
Jeon Jimin(4y)
(He nods sagely, then turns back to Taehyung.) “You like him? Hmm. He is not that beautiful.” (He leans in conspiratorially.) “Let me tell you, I know a lot of pretty boys. You should choose one of them.”
Taehyung considers this for a grand total of two seconds, his brow furrowed in serious thought.
Then, his face clears, lit up by a brilliant, world-conquering idea.
Kim Taehyung(4y)
“Okay! Deal! They can also be my husband.”
Jimin bursts into a fit of giggles, his whole body shaking with the sound.
It’s a contagious, bell-like laughter that even makes Mr. Jeon chuckle.
Mr Jeon
(Ruffling Jungkook’s hair) “Well, son, it looks like you have your hands full. And your future… is very complicated.”
Jungkook just sighs, the long, suffering sigh of a four-year-old Alpha whose life has just become infinitely more crowded and confusing.
First Day
That first meeting, a decade past, was etched into Jungkook's memory like a foundational myth.
And Kim Taehyung's claim that day had remained unwavering, a constant, buzzing presence in his life.
The boy had clung to him with the tenacity of ivy, through playground scrapes and piano recitals, through growth spurts and mumbled conversations.
The most irritating part? His own younger brother, Jimin, had become Taehyung’s chief strategist and most enthusiastic supporter.
And now, today, the dynamic duo was invading his high school.
Mrs Jeon
(Shouting up the stairs) “Jimin-ah! Are you ready? Do you have your schedule? Your pencil case? Did you eat properly?”
Jeon Jimin
(Yelling back, voice slightly muffled) “Yes, Mom! I’m perfect!”
Mrs Jeon
(Turning to Jungkook, who is slinging his backpack over one shoulder) “Kook-ah, you have to look after your little brother today. And Taehyungie, too. Don’t let anyone bully them, okay? Show them around.”
Jeon Jungkook
(He scoffs, adjusting his tie.) “Eomma, you should be saying the opposite. Those two are the biggest bullies I know.”
Jeon Jimin
(Bounding down the stairs, still stuffing a piece of kimbap in his mouth) “Yah! Whom did we ever bully?”
Jeon Jungkook
(He points a firm finger directly at his own chest, his expression deadpan.) “Me. The victim. Right here.”
Mrs. Jeon just laughs, used to their theatrics.
Mrs Jeon
“Just be nice, Jungkook-ah.”
As they step out into the morning sun, there he is.
Leaning against the gate, looking impossibly bright in his new uniform, is Kim Taehyung.
A wide, boxy smile breaks across his face the moment he sees Jungkook.
Kim Taehyung
(He skips over and immediately latches onto Jungkook’s arm, ignoring the older boy’s stiffening posture.) “Told you, Kookie. I told you I’d be here in a year.”
Jeon Jimin
(Pouting playfully) “I’m here too, you know! Don’t I get a greeting?”
Jeon Jungkook
(Trying to shake his arm loose) “I was genuinely hoping you’d both been admitted to a school on the other side of the country.”
Kim Taehyung
(His grip tightens, but his smile is soft.) “That’s impossible. How could I ever leave you alone?”
Jungkook sighed internally. This was their dance.
He acted cold and distant, a fortress of quiet Alpha pride, and Taehyung simply treated his walls like a fun new climbing frame.
But lately, Jungkook had noticed the way his own parents would sometimes frown at his brusqueness, a silent disapproval he chose to ignore.
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