Chapter 2: The Shadow

Four years flew by like a blur of bright summer afternoons and scraped knees. By the time Taehyung was nine, he was a whirlwind of energy, long limbs, and a laugh that could light up the gloomiest room. And wherever Taehyung went, four-year-old Jungkook was sure to follow.

To Jungkook, the universe revolved entirely around his Tae-hyungie.

It was a sticky July afternoon, and the two boys were in the backyard of the Kim residence. The older mothers sat on the porch, sipping iced tea and laughing as they watched their sons.

"Hyungie! Wait for me!" little Jungkook cried out, his chubby toddler legs pumping as fast as they could across the green grass. He was wearing an oversized yellow t-shirt that hung down to his knees, making him look like a tiny, waddling duck.

Taehyung stopped running immediately. He turned around, his eyes curving into happy crescents as he saw Jungkook struggling to catch up. Instead of keeping the soccer ball to himself, Taehyung sat down on the grass, waiting patiently.

"I'm waiting, Kookoo! Slow down, you're gonna trip!" Taehyung called out, stretching his arms wide.

Predictably, just a few feet away, Jungkook’s foot caught on a rogue tree root. He went tumbling forward, landing face-first into the soft grass.

For a second, there was total silence. On the porch, Jungkook’s mother started to stand up, but Taehyung’s mother held her hand back, whispering, "Watch."

Before Jungkook could even process the sting or let out a single tear, Taehyung was already there, pulling the younger boy into his lap. Taehyung carefully brushed the grass clippings off Jungkook's chubby cheeks and patted his messy dark hair.

"Oh, look at our brave Kookoo," Taehyung cooed softly, rocking the toddler back and forth. "No crying, right? Hyungie’s got you. Let me see your hands."

Jungkook pouted, his lower lip trembling as he held up his tiny palms. They were slightly red but not bleeding. He sniffled, looking up at Taehyung with big, glassy, doe-like eyes. Seeing Taehyung’s calm, smiling face instantly worked like magic. The tears running down his face stopped right in their tracks.

"Does it boo-boo?" Taehyung asked, gently blowing cool air onto Jungkook’s palms.

Jungkook shook his head rapidly, a tiny smile breaking through his pout. "No boo-boo. Hyungie fixed it."

"Good boy!" Taehyung cheered, leaning down to plant a playful, messy kiss on Jungkook’s cheek, making the toddler giggling madly. Taehyung then picked up the soccer ball and placed it right in front of Jungkook's feet. "Now, it’s your turn to kick. Show me how strong you are!"

Jungkook kicked the ball with all his might, sending it rolling a whopping three feet. Taehyung gasped dramatically, clapping his hands as if Jungkook had just scored a world-cup goal. "Wow! Kookoo is so strong!"

From the porch, their mothers watched with soft, emotional eyes.

"I swear, Taehyung loves your boy more than his own toys," Mrs. Kim said with a chuckle.

Mrs. Jeon smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "They’re inseparable. I just hope they stay this close forever."

Back on the grass, Jungkook wrapped his small arms tightly around Taehyung's neck, burying his face in his hyung's shoulder. He didn't understand the future, but he knew one thing for certain—as long as he held onto Taehyung, nothing could ever hurt him.

Thankyou for reading 😘

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