Chapter 5: Morning Light and Sweet Whispers

The morning sun filtered softly through the sheer curtains of Taehyung’s bedroom, casting long, honey-colored stripes across the messy duvet. The quiet rain from the night before had left the air fresh and cool, carrying the faint earthiness of damp leaves through the cracked window.

Taehyung stirred, blinking slowly against the warm light. He didn't move away—he couldn't.

A heavy, warm arm was wrapped securely around his waist, anchoring him to the mattress. Pressed flushed against his back was Jungkook, breathing in slow, deep rhythms. Jungkook had tucked his face right into the crook of Taehyung’s neck, his dark fringe tickling Taehyung’s skin with every quiet exhalation.

Taehyung smiled, a soft, sleepy expression taking over his face. He carefully shifted onto his side to face the younger boy, making sure not to break the embrace.

In the pale morning light, Jungkook looked effortlessly soft. The sharp, intense look in his eyes from the night before was replaced by round, relaxed cheeks and slightly parted lips. He looked younger, tender, and completely at ease.

Taehyung lifted a hand, his long fingers gently hovering over Jungkook’s face before lightly tracing the soft slope of his nose down to his Cupid's bow.

"If you keep staring, I might just demand another sketch," a low, gravelly morning voice murmured.

Taehyung gasped softly, his fingers freezing mid-air.

Jungkook’s eyes slowly fluttered open, dark and heavy with sleep, a lazy, breathtaking smile spreading across his lips. Without warning, his arm tightened around Taehyung’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest and burying his face back into Taehyung’s shoulder with a content hum.

"Good morning, Hyung," Jungkook grumbled adorably into Taehyung’s neck, his morning raspy voice sending a shiver of delight down Taehyung’s spine.

"You were awake this whole time?" Taehyung teased, nudging Jungkook’s chin with his knuckle.

"Only because someone was poking my face," Jungkook replied, peeking up through his messy bangs. His eyes held a warm, affectionate glint. He leaned forward, pressing a warm, soft kiss directly against Taehyung’s cheek, holding it there for a long, lingering moment. "Did you sleep well?"

"The best I have in three years," Taehyung admitted quietly, his hand resting over Jungkook’s heart, feeling its steady, reassuring pulse.

Jungkook’s expression softened instantly. He raised his hand, his thumb catching Taehyung’s chin and tilting his head up. "Me too. I kept waking up just to check if you were still here... to make sure I wasn't just dreaming."

Before Taehyung could formulate a smooth reply, his phone on the nightstand violently buzzed, shattering the cozy atmosphere with an energetic rhythm.

BZZZZ. BZZZZ.

Taehyung groaned playfully, reaching over to check the screen. The caller ID read: Park Jimin.

Jungkook leaned over Taehyung’s shoulder to look at the phone, letting out a soft laugh. "Don't answer it. He’s going to ruin the moment."

Taehyung giggled, swiping the green button anyway and putting it on speaker. "Good morning, Jiminie..."

"Tae! Finally!" Jimin’s high-pitched, energetic voice burst through the speakers. "Are you still asleep? Hoseok-hyung and Yoongi-hyung are at the studio already! We're supposed to review the new track arrangements together at ten! Did you forget?"

Taehyung’s eyes widened slightly as he glanced at the wall clock. It was already 9:15 AM.

"And by the way," Jimin added, his tone suddenly dropping into a suspicious, mischievous tilt, "Jungkook isn't answering his phone either. You wouldn't happen to know where our precious maknae is, would you?"

Taehyung froze, looking down at Jungkook, who was grinning like a cat that just got the cream.

Jungkook leaned directly toward the phone’s microphone, his voice dripping with playful smugness. "He's right here, Jimin-hyung. And we're going to be late because Taehyung-hyung won't let me out of bed."

"WHAT?!" Jimin’s shocked gasp echoed loudly from the phone, followed immediately by Seokjin’s dramatic shout in the background: "WHAT DID HE SAY?! JEON JUNGKOOK IS WHERE?!"

Taehyung’s face flushed bright red. He slapped a hand over Jungkook’s mouth—though Jungkook was laughing so hard his eyes were crinkling into tiny crescents—and quickly brought the phone to his ear.

"We'll be there in thirty minutes!" Taehyung squeaked out before immediately hanging up.

He dropped the phone back on the nightstand and turned to glare at Jungkook, though the fond smile tugging at his lips completely ruined the effect. "Jeon Jungkook! You did that on purpose!"

Jungkook pulled Taehyung’s hand away from his mouth, kissing the palm of it before flashing his bright, bunny-toothed smile.

"Of course I did," Jungkook said proudly, pulling Taehyung back down so they were nose-to-nose again. "I want the whole world to know you're mine now."

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