Chapter 5 — “The Place I Belong”

A few days later...

The weather was bright for once.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warming the living room.

Jungkook sat on the couch reading through a report while occasionally sipping coffee.

Peaceful.

Productive.

Quiet.

Which should have been the first warning sign.

Because whenever Kim Taehyung was quiet...

Something was wrong.

Or he was planning something.

Most likely both.

Jungkook looked up from his papers.

The apartment was suspiciously silent.

Very suspicious.

"Taehyung?"

No answer.

Jungkook frowned.

"Baby?"

Still nothing.

Immediately he stood up.

Now he was concerned.

Because Taehyung usually answered before the first syllable even finished.

After checking the kitchen and bedroom, Jungkook finally found him.

Curled up on the balcony swing.

A blanket wrapped around his shoulders despite the warm weather.

His knees pulled to his chest.

Just staring at the city.

Jungkook's expression softened instantly.

Without a word, he walked over and sat beside him.

The swing shifted gently beneath their weight.

For several moments neither spoke.

Then Jungkook quietly asked:

"What's wrong?"

Taehyung smiled.

But it wasn't his usual bright smile.

"Nothing."

Jungkook wasn't convinced.

Not even slightly.

So instead of arguing, he simply opened one arm.

An invitation.

Taehyung looked at him for a second.

Then immediately moved closer.

Of course he did.

The omega tucked himself against Jungkook's side while Jungkook wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

Comfortable.

Familiar.

Home.

"Bad day?" Jungkook asked softly.

Taehyung nodded.

"A little."

His voice sounded unusually quiet.

Jungkook waited patiently.

Eventually Taehyung sighed.

"I saw my parents today."

Understanding immediately crossed Jungkook's face.

"Oh."

Taehyung laughed weakly.

"They asked if I was still being dramatic."

Jungkook frowned.

Taehyung looked away toward the skyline.

"It's funny."

The smile on his lips didn't reach his eyes.

"No matter how old I get, they still treat me like everything I feel is too much."

The words made Jungkook's chest ache.

Because he knew exactly how much courage it took for Taehyung to be emotionally open.

And how much it hurt when people dismissed it.

"They said I depend on you too much."

Silence.

Then Taehyung whispered:

"Maybe they're right."

Jungkook immediately turned toward him.

"No."

The certainty in his voice surprised Taehyung.

Jungkook gently lifted the omega's chin.

"Wanting support isn't weakness."

Taehyung looked at him quietly.

Jungkook continued.

"You depend on me."

His thumb brushed across Taehyung's cheek.

"And I depend on you."

The omega's eyes softened instantly.

"That's what relationships are supposed to be."

For a moment Taehyung looked like he might cry.

Again.

Which wasn't exactly unusual.

But this time it came from somewhere deeper.

"You really mean that?"

Jungkook nodded.

Without hesitation.

Without doubt.

"I do."

Taehyung stared at him for a long moment.

Then suddenly buried his face into Jungkook's shoulder.

A tight hug.

Almost desperate.

Jungkook held him immediately.

Protectively.

Patiently.

As if he had all the time in the world.

"You're not too much," Jungkook whispered.

Taehyung's grip tightened.

"You're not needy."

Tighter.

"You're not difficult to love."

A shaky breath left the omega.

And finally—

A few tears.

Jungkook simply wiped them away.

Like always.

Carefully.

Gently.

As if every tear mattered.

After a while, Taehyung finally laughed softly.

"You know..."

"Hm?"

"I think you're the first person who never made me feel guilty for needing affection."

Jungkook's heart squeezed painfully.

Because nobody should have to feel guilty for wanting love.

Not Taehyung.

Not anyone.

The omega lifted his head slightly.

His eyes still looked a little red.

But there was warmth there now.

Comfort.

Safety.

The kind that only appeared around Jungkook.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

Jungkook smiled.

"Always."

Taehyung hesitated.

Then whispered:

"When I'm having a bad day..."

His fingers slipped between Jungkook's.

"I just want to come home to you."

The confession was simple.

But it hit harder than any grand declaration.

Jungkook felt something warm bloom inside his chest.

Home.

Taehyung called him home.

Slowly, Jungkook leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his forehead.

Then another.

And another.

Until Taehyung started laughing.

"You're being affectionate."

"Maybe."

The omega gasped dramatically.

"Maybe?"

Jungkook smiled.

Then pulled him into his arms completely.

Holding him close.

Secure.

Certain.

Like he belonged there.

Because he did.

"Taehyung."

"Hm?"

Jungkook rested his forehead against his.

The city glittered behind them.

The afternoon sun warmed their skin.

And for a moment the whole world felt distant.

Small.

Unimportant.

Compared to this.

Compared to them.

"You know where you belong, right?"

Taehyung blinked.

"Where?"

Jungkook's arms tightened slightly around him.

"Right here."

The omega froze.

His eyes immediately filled with tears again.

"Oh no," Jungkook sighed fondly. "You're crying."

"It's your fault."

"How?"

"You keep saying things that make me fall in love with you all over again."

Jungkook laughed softly.

Then kissed the tip of his nose.

And Taehyung smiled.

The bright one this time.

The real one.

The one Jungkook would gladly spend the rest of his life protecting. ❤️

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