-

Sunlight filtered through the windows, a cool breeze grazing Jungkook's cheeks as he grumbled, annoyed at the cold that disturbed his sleep.

A deep chuckle was heard, as a soft pair of lips touched Jungkook's forehead, almost tenderly.

"Morning baby"

Jungkook's heart fluttered at that deep husky voice, eyes squinting open, only to meet a warm pair of brown orbs looking at him, just inches away from his face.

His body stilled, breath staggering as he realized the proximity of his mate, so close to his own face, hands placed on the bed, on either side of Jungkook, caging his body.

"T-taehyung??", Jungkook whispered, squirming to get out of that position but to no avail.

"Hmm", Taehyung didn't make any attempt to remove his arms, instead, his eyes traced Jungkook's pretty features, filled with adoration.

"Do you know the mole on your chin looks like a choc-chip? ", Taehyung asked absentlymindly, his eyes tracing Jungkook's lips now, "It makes you look so edible"

Jungkook gulped. What was happening?

Why was his mate so close to his face so earlier in the morning? Why was Taehyung looking at him like he was going to devour him?

"Are you c-close to your rut Taehyung?", Jungkook couldn't help but ask. There was only one explanation to Taehyung's behavior and that would be his rut.

Taehyung chuckled, amused at the way Jungkook's mind instantly went to his rut.

"No baby. Why? Can't I just admire my mate unless I have my rut?", he asked tenderly, lips leaning forward to peck Jungkook's cute button nose, taking Jungkook by surprise.

"You look so breathtakingly beautiful baby"

Jungkook blushed pink, unable to control his face from heating up. Just what was happening?

Taehyung smiled, rubbing his nose against the younger in an eskimo kiss, unable to stop himself. Jungkook looked so soft, so pretty and that blush, it looked so beautiful on Jungkook's cheeks. Taehyung just wanted to bubblewrap his mate and keep him by his side.

"Freshen up. You have work today right?  Breakfast is ready.  Please dont skip it. I'm going to work. I'll be back home by 6 today, okay baby?"

Taehyung didn't give Jungkook a chance to say anything, rather, the Alpha placed a kiss on the corner of Jungkook's mouth, missing his lips by just a small fraction, smiling before getting up and leaving.

Jungkook couldn't move, his body was in shock as his mind scrambled to find an answer to his mate's odd behavior.

What the fuck just happened?

Sure, they have gotten closer over the past few months but the skinship had been very minimum. Forehead kisses had been a regular, but this level of intimacy was very new. Taehyung waking him up like that was new.

Jungkook was so confused right now. Did Taehyung hit his head or something?

His fingers traced the corner of his mouth, touching the skin where Taehyung's lips had brushed, still feeling the phantom touch of those heart shaped petals.

His mind couldn't comprehend what just happened.

Was this a dream?

Jungkook pinched himself, wincing when it hurt, just to make sure that it wasn't really a dream.

Did Taehyung just wake him up like that?

Fuck.

His alpha kissed him so close to his lips. Just an inch closer and it would have been a direct kiss on his lips. It would have been Jungkook's first kiss. What the fuck?

What was Taehyung playing at?

-

Taehyung was almost giddy as he skipped his way into the office, only to find Jin already waiting for him.

"So, did you confess?", Jin asked as soon as Taehyung entered through the door, not even bothering to greet the younger.

Taehyung shook his head, indicating a no but the smile on his face didn't dim a little bit.

"What? Why? Tae, you need to tell him how you feel", Jin scolded the younger, not understanding why Taehyung wouldn't just tell Jungkook already.

Taehyung placed his bag on the desk, before grabbing his already prepared coffee, courtesy of his secretary.

"Hyung, I can't just tell him like that", he replied, making Jin huff in annoyance.

"And why is that?", Jin asked.

Taehyung smiled widely, his big boxy grin adorning his face.

"Well for starters, he won't believe me. He will just think I'm either lying or just saying it out of guilt. Plus hyung, actions speak louder than words right?"

Jin frowned, confused as fuck.

"If I tell him I love him, he won't believe me but if I show it to him, though my actions, he will start to believe it slowly. I want him to feel my love hyung. I don't just want him to hear it, I want him to feel it and believe it. "

Jin hummed, deep in thought. Taehyung had a point. Jungkook will definitely not believe his words right now.

"What if he doesn't understand the "actions" as love? What then?"

Taehyung took a sip of his coffee, eyes glinting with happiness.

"Well, that would mean that I will just have to try a little bit harder. I will make him believe it, no matter how long it takes. I just want to make him happy hyung. I don't want to overwhlem him with my feelings. So I'm just going to treat him with love until he is ready to believe and accept it. Until then, I won't tell him that I love him. I'll only tell him when I know that he is ready to accept it. "

Jin looked at his brother in surprise. Well, that's one way to look at it.

"Okay. So what now?", Jin asked, eyebrows raising.

Taehyung grinned.

"Now, my dear hyung, I need your help to prepare a party"

-

Jungkook was late in getting home today. His phone had died, his habit of not charging it becoming a major problem nowadays.

His meeting with his publishing house had gone a little longer than expected and then he had to go meet with the art curator who was offering him a place in the next art gallery viewing.

You see, not many knew about Jungkook's other profession. Only a chosen few were aware of it.

Jungkook was not just a writer, but also a famous photographer who was known to the public by the name "JK".

The public didn't know what JK looked like or who he or she was. All they knew about the mysterious photographer was his insane photography skills, especially the white and Grey photographs.

It was another part of Jungkook that he absolutely adored, but tried to protect.

Photography was his hobby, his favourite pastime while reading was his safe place.

Nonetheless, it didn't excuse the fact that Jungkook hadn't informed Taehyung about his whereabouts, but can you really blame him?

Taehyung was never interested in knowing where Jungkook was and so, it had slipped Jungkook's mind completely.

As jungkook opened the door and stepped inside, he was pulled into a warm embrace, his alpha hugging him tightly, leaving Jungkook feeling bewildered.

"T-taehyung, wha-?"

"Where were you? I was so worried baby. Your phone wasn't going through. Yugyeom had no idea where you were. I just.. I panicked. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Jungkook blinked incredulously at the Alpha who was checking his body for any injuries.

One side of him was endeared by the care the Alpha was showing him, while the other side was a little pissed at being treated like a baby.

"I'm fine Taehyung. My phone died and I had to eh.. meet a friend. I'm okay. And I'm not a baby. I can protect myself."

Taehyung huffed, a little annoyed but he decided to not let it show.

"I know you can protect yourself baby. I know you know how to fight. But I can't help but be worried about you okay? You cannot ask me to not worry", Taehyung leaned forward, softly pressing his lips on Jungkook's forehead, hands on his waist, lightly applying a little pressure.

His lips peppered little kisses on Jungkook's checks, his jaw and his eyes, and finally his nose, all throughout which Jungkook was rooted frozen in his place.

Taehyung smiled endearing, "You may not be an actual baby, Jungkookie, but you are my baby and I will always be worried about you"

Jungkook's breath hitched, mouth opening and closing but no sound came out.

Taehyung chucked, lightly kissing his nose again.

"Go Freshen up. I made dinner. It's your favourite", Taehyung said quietly, hands leaving Jungkook's waist as he sauntered off.

Jungkook suddenly felt faint. He was sure he would pass out at this rate.

Just what was wrong with Taehyung?

Was the Alpha playing another game with him?

-
Hey... all I have to say is.... baby steps Tae, baby steps😊

Thoughts?