chapter 2

The morning sun filled Jungkook's room with soft yellow light. Taehyung was still sleeping on the bed~ his mouth open~ his hair was messy like a bird's nest.

Jungkook was already awake. He was sitting on the edge of the bed~ watching Taehyung with curious eyes.

He had never shared his room with anyone. He had never let anyone sleep in his bed. But last night~ Taehyung had just fallen asleep right there~ talking about his friends until his eyes closed.

Jungkook had stayed awake for a long time~ watching the rise and fall of Taehyung's chest. It was strange to have someone in his space. But the room didn't feel small. It felt… warm.

Now~ Taehyung's eyes flutter open. He blinked at the ceiling. Then he turned his head and saw Jungkook.

A big smile spread across his face.

"Good morning~ Kookie!"

Jungkook's ears turned pink. "Don't call me that."

"Kookie!" Taehyung said again~ just to be playful. He sat up and stretched his arms wide. "What's for breakfast~? I'm hungry! Auntie makes the best pancakes! Does she make pancakes~? I love pancakes! With syrup! And strawberries! Do you have strawberries~?"

Jungkook blinked. It was seven in the morning. Taehyung was already a storm of words.

"My mom makes pancakes~" Jungkook said quietly.

"YES!" Taehyung jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.

Jungkook sat there for a moment. Then he slowly got up and followed.

---

The kitchen was warm and smelled like butter. Jinim was standing at the stove~ flipping pancakes. She was wearing a pink apron and humming a song.

Taehyung ran to her and hugged her legs.

"Auntie! Kookie said you are making pancakes! I love pancakes!"

Jinim laughed. "I know~ baby. Sit down. They are almost ready."

Taehyung climbed onto a chair. He looked at the table. There was syrup~ strawberries~ and whipped cream. His eyes went wide.

"This looks like a birthday party!" he said.

Jinim placed a tall stack of pancakes in front of him. Taehyung's jaw dropped.

"You are the best auntie in the whole world!" he declared.

Jinim kissed his head. "Eat well~ my love."

Jungkook sat down across from Taehyung. He took one pancake and ate it quietly. He liked his pancakes plain. No syrup. No strawberries.

Taehyung watched him with confusion.

"Why are you not putting syrup~? Syrup is the best part!"

Jungkook shook his head.

Taehyung picked up the syrup bottle. "Here~ let me—"

"No~" Jungkook said quickly~ pulling his plate away.

Taehyung pouted. "But it tastes better with syrup!"

"I like it without."

Taehyung stared at him for a moment. Then he shrugged. "Okay! More syrup for me!"

He poured a huge amount of syrup on his pancakes. Then he added strawberries. Then whipped cream. Then more syrup.

Jinim watched and laughed. "Tae~ that's enough sugar for a week!"

Taehyung took a big bite. His cheeks puffed out like a squirrel.

"It's perfect!" he said with his mouth full.

Jungkook watched him eat. Taehyung was messy. Syrup was on his chin. Whipped cream was on his nose.

Jungkook's lips twitched. He wanted to laugh but he held it in.

---

After breakfast~ Taehyung was full of energy. He ran around the living room~ jumping on the couch.

"Let's play outside!" Taehyung shouted. "Let's run! Let's catch bugs! Let's climb trees!"

Jungkook was sitting on the floor~ reading a picture book. He looked up with wide eyes.

"I don't want to play outside."

Taehyung stopped jumping. He looked at Jungkook like he had said something crazy.

"Why not~? Outside is fun! The sun is out! The birds are singing!"

"I like it inside~" Jungkook said quietly. "It's quiet."

Taehyung walked to him and took the book from his hands. He closed it and put it on the table.

Jungkook stared at his empty hands. His mouth opened but no words came out.

"Come on!" Taehyung grabbed Jungkook's hand and pulled him up. "We are going outside!"

Jungkook wanted to say no. He wanted to pull his hand back. He wanted to go to his room and close the door.

But Taehyung's hand was warm. And his grip was firm. And his smile was so bright.

Jungkook let himself be dragged outside.

---

The backyard was small but green. There was a big tree in the corner and a small garden with flowers.

Taehyung let go of Jungkook's hand and ran in circles.

"Look! A tree! Can we climb it~?"

"No~" Jungkook said quickly. "My mom will get angry."

Taehyung stopped running. He looked around. His eyes landed on the garden.

"Flowers! Let's pick flowers for Auntie!"

Jungkook shook his head. "Those are my mom's flowers. She will be sad if we pick them."

Taehyung pouted. "Then what can we do~?"

He thought for a moment. Then his face lit up.

"Let's play tag! You run and I will catch you!"

Jungkook took a step back. "I don't want to run."

Taehyung grinned. "Then I will catch you without running!"

He walked toward Jungkook slowly. His hands were out like a monster.

Jungkook took another step back. Then another.

Taehyung walked faster. Jungkook stepped back faster.

"You can't catch me!" Jungkook said. His voice was louder now. There was a small smile on his face.

Taehyung's eyes sparkled. "Oh~ I can't~? Watch me!"

He lunged forward. Jungkook squeaked and turned around. He started running.

Taehyung chased him around the yard. Jungkook was fast but Taehyung was faster.

"You run funny!" Taehyung laughed. "Like a bunny! A running bunny!"

Jungkook tried to run faster but his feet got tangled. He stumbled and fell on the grass.

Taehyung fell on top of him~ laughing.

"I caught you! I caught the bunny!"

Jungkook was breathing hard. His face was red. But he was laughing too. A small~ shy laugh that escaped his lips.

Taehyung heard it and stopped. He looked down at Jungkook with wonder.

"You laughed! Bunny!"

Jungkook's face turned redder. He pushed Taehyung off and sat up.

"No~ I didn't."

"Yes~ you did! I heard it!" Taehyung sat up too~ his eyes shining. "Your laugh is like a bunny too! A happy bunny!"

Jungkook looked away. But he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

For the rest of the morning~ they played outside. Taehyung showed Jungkook how to do a cartwheel. Jungkook showed Taehyung how to balance on one foot. They chased butterflies. They made a fort with sticks.

Jungkook was tired. His legs hurt. His face was sweaty.

But he was smiling.

---

The afternoon passed quickly. Taehyung talked nonstop. Jungkook listened and smiled.

By evening~ Taehyung was getting tired. He sat on the couch~ leaning against Jungkook. His eyes were half-closed.

"When is Uncle coming home~?" Taehyung asked sleepily.

Jungkook's body went a little stiff. "He comes home at dinner time."

"What is Uncle like~?"

Jungkook was quiet for a moment. "He is… quiet. Like me."

Taehyung nodded like he understood. "My Papa is loud. But Papa is clumsy. He breaks things. Mama says he has destroy king tag!"

Jungkook didn't know what that meant but he nodded anyway.

---

The front door opened at 7 PM.

Jeon Jeun walked in. He was tall~ with broad shoulders and a calm face. He was wearing a simple shirt and pants from working at his cafe. His face was tired but his eyes were kind.

He saw Taehyung first.

The small boy was sitting on the couch~ his legs swinging. When he saw Mr. Jeon~ his whole face lit up.

"Uncle!"

Taehyung jumped off the couch and ran to him. Mr. Jeon froze for a moment. He was not used to such excitement.

In his hands~ he was carrying a small box and a bag. He had stopped at the cafe and brought some cakes and sweets for the boys.

Taehyung looked at the box with wide eyes. "What is that~? Is it for me~?"

Mr. Jeon blinked. Then a small smile appeared on his face. "Yes. For you and Jungkook."

He handed the box to Taehyung. Taehyung opened it carefully.

Inside were small cakes with cream and strawberries. There were also cookies shaped like animals.

Taehyung's mouth fell open. His eyes became wet with happiness.

"For me~?" he whispered.

Mr. Jeon nodded. "From the cafe. I thought you might like them."

Taehyung dropped the box on the couch and ran back to Mr. Jeon. He jumped up and wrapped his small arms around Mr. Jeon's legs.

"Thank you~ Uncle! Thank you! Thank you!"

Mr. Jeon's body went completely still.

He was not used to hugs. Jungkook never hugged him like this. Jungkook was shy~ like him. They showed love with silence~ not with touch.

But this small boy—this loud~ bright~ happy boy—was hugging him like he was the best person in the world.

Mr. Jeon slowly raised his hand. He patted Taehyung's head. It was awkward. But his eyes were soft.

"You are welcome~" he said quietly.

From the hallway~ Jungkook was watching.

He had come out when he heard his father's voice. He was standing in the doorway~ his hands at his sides.

He saw his father pat Taehyung's head. He saw the small smile on his father's face. A smile that Jungkook rarely saw.

Something hot rose in Jungkook's chest. His stomach twisted.

His father was looking at Taehyung. Paying attention to Taehyung. Smiling at Taehyung.

Taehyung was getting the hug that Jungkook never gave. The smile that Jungkook never asked for.

Jungkook's hands curled into fists.

He didn't understand the feeling. It was too big for his small heart. It was hot and sharp and painful.

It was jealousy.

He looked at Taehyung—Taehyung who was still holding his father's leg~ giggling about the cookies—and something changed in his eyes.

He turned around and walked back to his room. He closed the door. Not loudly. Just a soft click.

But it felt like a wall.

---

Dinner was served at 8 PM. Jinim had made a big meal—soup~ rice~ and grilled fish.

Taehyung sat next to Mr. Jeon. He was still talking about the cakes.

"The strawberry one was my favorite! But the cookie was a bear! A bear cookie! Have you ever seen a bear cookie~ Uncle~?"

Mr. Jeon nodded slowly. "I make them at the cafe."

"You make them~? You can make cookies~? You are like a magician!"

Mr. Jeon's ears turned red. He was not used to compliments. He looked down at his plate.

Jungkook sat across from them. He was not talking. He was pushing his rice with his chopsticks. His face was blank.

Jinim noticed. "Jungkook-ah~ are you not hungry~?"

Jungkook shrugged.

Taehyung looked at him. "Kookie~ you should eat! The fish is so good! Auntie is the best cook!"

Jungkook's jaw tightened. He didn't look at Taehyung.

Taehyung didn't notice. He turned back to Mr. Jeon.

"Uncle~ do you have a big oven~? At your cafe~? Can I see it one day~? I want to see where the bear cookies are born!"

Mr. Jeon let out a small laugh. It was a rare sound.

Jinim's eyes went wide. She looked at her husband. He was laughing. Actually laughing.

Taehyung was making her quiet husband laugh.

Jungkook saw it too. His chest burned again.

He put his chopsticks down. "I'm full~" he said.

Jinim frowned. "You barely ate."

"I'm not hungry." Jungkook got up from the table. He walked to his room without looking back.

Jinim looked at Taehyung. Taehyung looked confused.

"Is Kookie okay~?" he asked.

Jinim smiled softly. "He's just tired. It's been a big day. Don't worry."

But Taehyung was worried. His eyes followed Jungkook down the hallway.

---

Later that night~ Jinim prepared a room for Taehyung. It was a small guest room with a soft bed and yellow blankets.

She tucked Taehyung in. "Do you want me to stay with you~? Are you scared~?"

Taehyung looked at the dark corners of the room. The shadows on the ceiling looked like monsters. His heart was beating fast.

But he was a big boy. He was seven years old. Big boys are not scared.

"I'm not scared~ Auntie~" he said with a brave face. "I'm a big boy now."

Jinim kissed his forehead. "You are very brave. Good night~ my love."

She turned off the light and closed the door.

The room became dark. Very dark.

Taehyung pulled the blanket up to his chin. His eyes were wide open.

The wind outside made the tree branches scratch against the window. Something creaked in the hallway.

Taehyung's lip started to tremble.

He closed his eyes. But the darkness was behind his eyes too.

He thought of his Papa's warm hugs. He thought of his Mama's soft voice. He thought of the night light in his room at home.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

He was scared.

He waited for ten minutes. Then twenty. The fear did not go away.

Finally~ he pushed the blanket off. He slipped out of bed. His feet were cold on the floor.

He walked to the door. He opened it quietly. The hallway was dark but there was a small light from the kitchen.

He walked to Jungkook's room. His heart was pounding.

He knocked softly.

No answer.

He knocked again. A little louder.

The door opened.

Jungkook stood there. His face was not soft anymore. His eyebrows were pulled together. His lips were pressed in a thin line. He looked like an angry bunny.

"What~?" he said. His voice was cold.

Taehyung's lip trembled. "Kookie… I can't sleep."

Jungkook stared at him. "So~?"

Taehyung looked down at his feet. "I'm scared."

The anger on Jungkook's face flickered. But he didn't soften.

"Go back to your room~" he said.

Taehyung shook his head. "Please. Please let me sleep with you. Please~ Kookie."

Jungkook's jaw tightened. "I want to be alone."

Taehyung looked up. His eyes were wet. His cheeks were pink. He looked small and scared.

"Please~" he whispered. "I won't make noise. I promise. I just… I don't want to be alone."

Jungkook stared at him. The jealousy from dinner was still burning in his chest. He wanted to push Taehyung away. He wanted to close the door.

But Taehyung was crying.

Small tears were falling down his cheeks. He was trying to be brave but he was failing.

Jungkook's heart twisted. The anger in his chest mixed with something else. Something softer.

He stepped aside.

"Fine. Come in."

Taehyung's face lit up. He quickly walked into the room.

"But don't touch me~" Jungkook said firmly. "You stay on your side. Don't come near me."

Taehyung nodded quickly. "I promise. I won't touch you."

He climbed onto the bed and lay on the very edge. He was so far that he was almost falling off.

Jungkook climbed onto his side. He lay down and turned his back to Taehyung.

The room was quiet.

Taehyung was quiet too. He kept his promise. He didn't move. He didn't make a sound.

But Jungkook couldn't sleep.

He lay in the dark~ staring at the wall. His mind was full of messy feelings.

He was jealous. He knew that. He was jealous that Taehyung hugged his father. He was jealous that his father smiled at Taehyung.

But right now~ Taehyung was in his bed. He was scared. He needed Jungkook.

And Jungkook had let him in.

Why~?

He thought about it. He was jealous of Taehyung. But he was also… something else.

He was jealous of his father~? Because his father got Taehyung's hug~? Or was he jealous of Taehyung because his father smiled at him~?

He didn't know. The feelings were too tangled.

He heard a small sniff from behind him.

Taehyung was still crying. Quietly. He was trying to hide it.

Jungkook closed his eyes. His chest felt tight.

He didn't turn around. He didn't say anything.

But he moved his hand back. Just a little. His fingers touched Taehyung's fingers.

Taehyung stopped crying. He held Jungkook's finger.

Just one finger.

They stayed like that. Not talking. Not looking at each other. Just holding one finger in the dark.

Jungkook felt the jealousy slowly fade. It was replaced by something warm. Something confusing. Something that made his heart beat faster.

He didn't know what Taehyung was to him. A cousin~? A friend~? A rival~?

But lying there~ holding Taehyung's finger in the dark~ he knew one thing.

He didn't want Taehyung to leave.

His eyes grew heavy. The warmth of Taehyung's hand spread through him.

He fell asleep~ still holding on......

.

.

.

.

.

.

To be continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***