Chapter 48

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Jungkook was the first one to wake up from his deep slumber.

He couldn't recall when was the last time sleep felt so calming and not torturous.

Maybe it had been a while...

It had been 3months afterall.

His heart felt heavy and his mind light- it felt refreshing, it was a... nice change.

A change that Jungkook wanted to hold onto forever.

Jungkook smiled softly, noticing the mop of dyed raven hair next to him.

Although his back faced him, Taehyung had managed to press his feet against Jungkook's legs- which the raventte found absolutely endearing.

The sheets were all in a mess and most of it was huddled by the older, between his calves- letting Jungkook have none, but the male was used to it by now and let Taehyung hog up the duvet.

Carefully, Jungkook wormed his way closer to the other, attaching his torso with the older's back and as if Jungkook had pulled a switch- Taehyung swiftly turned in his position, facing Jungkook, to throw his leg over the male and hug him loosely over his waist with his lips letting out puffs of air on Jungkook's collarbones.

Jungkook literally couldnt just stop smiling as he cooed inwardly.

Taehyung's eyes were shut and his lips in an adorable pout with his eyebrows crushed to form a small line of frown.

Jungkook put his arms around the male and pulled him closer, with their naked selves aligning with each other as Taehyung let out a soft sigh.

Jungkook ran his fingers through Taehyung's hair, delving himself into the warmth that the older provided.

Everything about it- felt like home.

Jungkook had found home within Taehyung and the raventte, couldnt be happier.

It was as if- eveything he had desperately dreamed of, was finally falling into places and Jungkook couldn't help but question himself.

Was this reality?

However- his thoughts were washed away when he felt a stripe of kitten lick on his collarbone.

"Oh hello there- Goodmorning to you too" Jungkook mumbled, his smile sparking.

He heard a soft giggle, Taehyung's body rumbling for a bit before the innocent sounds ceased.

Taehyung looked up at the raventte, softly exhaling.

His eyes were droopy wanting more sleep- but his brown orbs were vibrant, they were more.... alive.

Taehyung smiled softly, making Jungkook's heart melt within.

"You're here...." Jungkook mumbled, softly rubbing Taehyung's bruised ear.

Taehyung's eyes saddened for a split second, before the male lift his hand to softly caress Jungkook's face.

"I'm here Koo" Taehyung replied, his tone soft.

It wasnt much- but the words meant so many things to Jungkook.

So many things- that kept Jungkook sane.

It was an assurance, that he wasnt living in a dream.

-that, it was the reality.

Taehyung wrapped up in his arms- was the reality.

Jungkook held onto Taehyung's hand and brought it down to his lips, gently kissing it.

The gesture was as soft as the wings of a butterfly- making Taehyung feel all sorts of things at once.

But wasn't that old news already?

Taehyung didn't have to hide anymore- he could let his heart run a mile in a second and not attempt on concealing it- because he was madly in love with Jungkook.

He let his heartbeats sync with that of Jungkook's.

His body heat embracing him as his heart thumped, loud enough for Taehyung to hear and feel.

Taehyung lovingly ran his hands over the Male's chest, resting it where the loud thumps continued, while Jungkook's fingers ran in circles on Taehyung's back.

They stayed there for a while- drowning themselves with a little bit of each other and trying to print each and every detail of the hour into their minds.

They didnt even have to say anything, when their hearts spoke so loud- and that was enough of a reply to almost everything.

Ofcourse, bad timings certainly played a major role- and there it was, buzzing loudly on the floor.

Taehyung whined softly, clenching his eyed shut while Jungkook chuckled.

"Tae... maybe it's one of our hyungs-" Jungkook reasoned, although the greater part of him was fighting to stay back in bed.

"Hyungs can wait..." Taehyung mumbled, burying his face into Jungkook's chest.

"Jimin will disown you, if he hears this" Jungkook bit down his lips, to hold back his grin all while trying to appear stern.

"I'm not Jimin's to be disowned- I'm yours" Taehyung replied, without holding back as his face turned beet red- but hiding into Jungkook's chest, had its pros.

Jungkook wouldn't lie- but hearing what Taehyung said- his heart did a whole a backflip, right there.

"I'm not gonna disown you baby- now, let me move so I can deal with that and get back into bed with you" Jungkook said gently kissing the crown of Taehyung's head.

"Ugh- okay fine. Only cause you asked me nicely..." Taehyung mumbled, moving away and letting Jungkook out of his hands.

Jungkook clicked his tongue, chuckling as he stood up from the bed.

"What were you gonna do, if I hadnt asked you nicely? Spank me again?" Jungkook teased.

"Yeah... I'm having a nice view here. Your asscheeks look like cherries by the way-" Taehyung commented ogling Jungkook from the bed.

Jungkook just shook his head and bent down to retrieve his phone from his pants.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Taehyung asked, with a smug face.

"Are you up for a 6th round?" Jungkook retorted, cockily and laughed when he noticed Taehyung's eye twitch.

"How does that ass feel baby?" Jungkook teased.

Taehyung grumbled incoherently and looked away, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I can't hear you" Jungkook added, with a smug grin on his lips as he fished his phone out.

"Destroyed! Happy?!" Taehyung declared, feeling the pain in his bottom and all the way upto his spine.

So much for cheesy, cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, cheesedip, cheesesticks, cheesy pizza and alright, she dropped the cheesecake- Taehyung had to limit his vocabulary to salty yellow cream or something- wait. that sounded hella worse and Taehyung swore he would rather die than have a McDonald's drivethrough lady gain a concussion with a 'salty yellow cream' or some shit.

Taehyung frowned at his thoughts and shifted his attention to the glorious sight of a naked Jungkook.

Maybe he wasnt that unlucky afterall- he did score a point in Jungkook's life, so maybe- just maybe.... Taehyung believed he wasn't entirely unlucky.

Jungkook crawled back into the bed after keeping his phone on the bedpost.

"Who was it?" Taehyung asked, rolling his shoulders a bit.

"Xi Luang" Jungkook replied, crawling into Taehyung's boundary- not like there ever was one, but with the way Jungkook was looking at him, Taehyung had to sprout up a boundary.

"What did he say?" Taehyung asked, desperately trying to keep the conversation alive.

"Nothing... anyway- where were we?" Jungkook smirked.

"Uh- Jungkook?" Taehyung mumbled, pulling the duvet upto his chest stealthily.

"Yeah baby?" Jungkook licked his lips, hovering over Taehyung

"Uh- I... I gotta water my plants" Taehyung mentally facepalmed himself.

"You mean the artificial ones?" Jungkook whispered, his voice sultry.

Taehyung shut his eyes and gulped, loving the closeness. "Yeah"

"Mm... thought so- any other excuses?" Jungkook whispered leaning in beside his ear.

Taehyung's hands wrapped itself around Jungkook's waist as the raventte began lightly kissing the older's neck.

"Mmhmm... you're giving.. nghm.. giving me a- ughm.. damned back maasage" Taehyung moaned out softly.

Jungkook pulled away and smiled, watching Taehyung's eyes flutter open.

"What are you looking at me like that for?" Taehyung asked, feeling shy from the heavy gaze.

Jungkook's lips cracked open a grin.

"You'll have to get used to this baby..." Jungkook answered, his eyes soft.

Taehyung snorted, buting his lips lips to hide his grin

"you're so ch- CORNY!" Taehyung yelped with quick realization.

Jungkook nuzzled his face into Taehyung's, kissing the older's rosy cheeks.

"Mm.. nice save." Jungkook chuckled, before pulling away and hooking his arms under Taehyung's body.

Taehhung yelped and wrapped his arms around Jungkook's neck, as the male hoisted him up bridal style.

"I wanna sleep some more... I got like- 4 hours of sleep" Taehyung whined, resting his head on Jungkook's chest.

"Well- dont blame me- you did ask for this afterall" Jungkook snorted, above him.

"Ask for this?! 5 rounds Jungkook. 5! You are carrying me everywhere now and I'm not taking a no for it" Taehyund emphasized, his voice a little comical.

"Hm... I dont remember you complaining last night" Jungkook teased, pushing the bathroom door open.

"Ofcourse you wouldnt remember you sex maniac machine!" Taehyung retorted, rolling his eyes.

Jungkook chuckled, placing the male on the countertop, beside the sink.

"Ow! Ow- ffuc-" Taehyung winced, grabbing Jungkook's biceps.

Jungkook's face morphed into worry as he gently began rubbing Taehyung's back.

"m'sorry going so hard on you... back massage on its way- I promise" Jungkook mumbled, his lips pressing sweet kisses on Taehyung's shoulder.

Taehyung sighed and chuckled softly "you're lucky you're cute and I love you"

Jungkook looked back up at Taehyung, his eyes twinkling. A simple smile said enough.

Jungkook shuffled back to the ceramic tub attached to the wall and filled it with warm water. The bathroom was no where as luxurious as the ones in Jungkook's mansion- this was just average in comparison.

However, Jungkook didnt mind- he wasnt that far up his ass with riches, despite being a millionaire.

While Jungkook prepared the bath, Taehyung continued staring at the male- it was a free real estate anyway.

Taehyung couldnt help but feel smug at Jungkook's back tattoo. The V crowned with flowers and the raventte's initials at the bottom.

Jungkook came back and picked up Taehyung from the counter, slowly playing into the warm bath.

Taehyung sighed softly, his stiff muscles relaxing.

"Join me" Taehyung murmured, but it was loud enough for the raventte to hear.

Jungkook hummed in response and dipped himself into the bath settling behind Taehyung- his legs propped on either sides of the older male.

Taehyung leaned his head back on the raventte's chest- as the two delved into the calming silence and warmth.

For more reasons than one- Taehyung couldnt believe, he would have missed all of this.

If Jungkook hadn't showed up earlier- he'd have been in Japan by now.

And the thought terrified Taehyung.

He hated how he had believed- running away from love, was freedom, when his freedom was right there all the time- with Jungkook.

Funny how things were so close to get even more worse- but, in the end it all fell in place.

Taehyung was thankful.

He sighed softly.

"Penny for a thought?" Jungkook asked, his hands soothingly rubbing him on his sides.

"Oh... um how did you get here, last night?" Taehyung quirked up.

"Oh- about that... Namjoon Hyung had hired a private helicopter." Jungkook answered.

"Namjoon hyung?"

"Mm.. he put it on the company's name- serves Director Choi right." Jungkook chuckled evily but then sighed "Namjoon hyung got fired though- but once I take back BH Lee, I'm firing Director Choi and putting Namjoon hyung in his stead"

"Mmm.. looks like a lot had happened..." Taehyung mumbled, playing with the water.

"Yeah... a lot had happened- but I'm glad it did, well except for Namjoon Hyung's part. Hani will be serving a long time in jail along with her father." Jungkook replied, sighing a bit.

"Its a relief... she wouldnt bother either of us anymore..." Taehyung sighed.

Jungkook hummed softly.

"Jungkook?" Taehyung asked, playing with the raventte's fingers.

"Hmm?"

"How did you... how did you know that I- I was..." Taehyung paused, feeling overwhelmed to complete the sentence and Jungkook tensed behind him.

"Jimin got a notification of a flight being booked to Japan..." Jungkook mumbled "that's how... that's how we figured it out"

Taehyung mumbled a small 'oh' his heart thumping steadily- but the fact that Jungkook was still tense, bothered him.

Taehyung sighed and put his arms on the edges of the tub, pulling his strength to his legs and turned around, straddling Jungkook's thighs.

He gently cupped the raventte's cheeks and looked into his eyes deeply. Taehyung leaned, pressing himself closer to the raventte and sitting directly up Jungkook's crotch as he kissed him passionately.

Jungkook's hands tightened around Taehyung's waist, as he put his heart and soul into the sweet kiss.

Taehyung pulled away slowly, watching Jungkook's eyes flutter open beneath him.

"I wont leave you Koo... ever. I wont even think about it. You are stuck with me forever so I'm your problem from now on. Dont complain later that I'm too possessive" Taehyung grumbled, his lips forming a pout.

Jungkook gripped onto Taehyung's hand which sat at the crook of his neck and brought it upto his lips, gently kissing the Male's knuckles.

"Be all possessive you want. I need only you- so, I guess I could say- we're both the same" Jungkook smiled, licking his lips.

"Good. I dont like sharing" Taehyung mumbled, leaning in for another kiss.

"Mm... neither do I" Jungkook mumbled through the kiss.

Taehyung's hand found it's way through Jungkook's raven locks, while his hips began moving on it's own against Jungkook's crotch.

Jungkook's grip tightened on Taehyung's waist, as he felt himself grow harder.

"Mm- baby-" Jungkook mumbled wanting to stop Taehyung, knowing he wouldnt be able to hold back- but also wanting Taehyung to continue with the sweet torture.

"Tae... mmm- you're making me hard" Jungkook hissed feeling Taehyung bite his skin in the crrok of his neck.

"I need you Koo" Taehyung mumbled, sucking a patch of Jungkook's milky skin.

"Yeah- I do too... but Tae you'll collapse.. oh God- if we have another round..." Jungkook groaned feeling how Taehyung's ass crack encased his length.

Taehyung didn't answer, apparently being drunk on Jungkook and wanting to push their doubts and worries away.

Taehyung continued painting Jungkook's skin with his lips and teeth, littering red patches all over his chest.

Taehyung swiped his tongue over Jungkook's pink nipple and seductively nibbled on it- eliciting a curse from the raventte as his fingers tightly gripped onto Taehyung's thighs.

"Tae." Jungkook growled with a warning tone and Taehyung snickered, going back to kissing Jungkook's neck.

"Know this you coconut headass Cult boy-" Taehyung whispered into Jungkook's ear, laughing inwardly- knowing that was his first ever impression on him as Jungkook snorted loudly.

"-I love you so damn much. More than 3am McDonald's. More than photographing. More than modeling. More than Vincent van Gogh's paintings. More than Gucci. More than stargazing. More than any person I've ever met and I have yet left to meet."

He tucked Jungkook's damp hair behind his ears- a gesture that was resorted to the other male.

"I love you more than I love myself- and I should tell you, I love myself a hella lot- so it should tell you, of how much I love you."

"You are my precious star, you are my only star. You are my Koo." Taehyung spoke softly, watching Jungkook's eyes brim with tears.

Taehyung's lips morphed into a soft smile watching, Jungkook's emotions pour out.

"Dont cry baby..." Taehyung cooed, trying to get Jungkook look up at him.

"You big baby- I asked for a back massage and you're making me comfort you instead" Taehyung teased praying Jungkook's hands away and tilting his head up, by holding onto his chin.

"This was the part where you were supposed to ask me to be your boyfriend" Taehyung clicked his tongue faking a sound of disappointment, while inwardly he was enjoying the whole scene.

"O-Oh.. I'm sorry- I'll ask you-" Jungkook said wiping his eyes with his trembling fingers.

"Nah.. now you ruined it" Taehyung snorted, holding back his grin "you really are unromantic..." Taehyung clicked his tongue

"Oh.." Jungkook pouted, his shoulders slumping.

Taehyung grinned and then cleared his throat.

"You can make up for it y'know- taking me on a date to some expensive restaurant, with fine wine and some nice exotic food and a long drive in one of your expensive cars and then... mmm some great sex-" Taehyung paused, to look at Jungkook's expression who was listening to it intently, but his eyes werent exactly sparkling- like how Taehyung knew.

Taehyung smiled "- is not required."

"Wait. What?" Jungkook paused.

"You dont have to take me to some expensive restaurant and eat some $500 bland squid soup to make me happy." Taehyung replied, his hand cupping the raventte's face and his thumb rubbing in circles against his cheek.

"All I need is your presence and your love to make me happy Koo. Not expensive restaurants and wines and lamborghinis... All I want is to go to that cheap McDonald's drivethrough and eat junk in my hopeless red Kia with you, while stargazing. And about sex- well... you never really disappoint, so that's just a plus" Taehyung chuckled noticing, Jungkook's eyes light up.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Jungkook asked, grinning.

"Mm... you hit my car to be honest- but okay" Taehyung shrugged, but when Jungkook laughed- Taehyung couldnt hold back anymore.

The two laughed heartily, the eager spilling out of the tub- but they couldnt bother to do anything about it.

Being in love felt so nice... Taehyung had to admit.

********

Taehyung exhaled softly, his nerves coursing with anxiousness and bits of fear, as he stared out of the window trying to busy his mind.

He licked his lips and sighed, shutting his eyes.

"Hey... it's okay. I'm here with you" a voice whispered beside him as a warm hand intertwined with his own.

Taehyung smiled weakly looking at Jungkook who was seated beside him.

"Not gonna lie... I'm a little bit scared." Taehyung replied.

"Its going to be an in and out- if you feel uncomfortable, then just let me know and I promise we'll head out... okay?" Jungkook said squeezing his hand.

Taehyung nodded and leaned his head on the Raventte's shoulder, trying to calm down.

Sure- Hani didnt have a chance to get out easily, but there still was Lee YongWon.

Taehyung didnt know what the older man's reaction would be- knowing Jungkook had openly declared he wasnt going to marry Hani and had come back to him instead.

Taehyung was affirmative that he did NOT like Lee at all and when he had heard that Xi Luang had called Jungkook, to meet up in the evening- it's easy enough to say Taehyung mentally jumped out of a window yelling 'mission abort!'

But there they were, in a nice sleek black colored car heading right into the Lion's mouth.

Taehyung noticed the nicer streets of Daegu, where the exceptionally rich stayed.

The journey continued and by the time, the car slowed down near huge black gates, Taehyung felt his heart in his throat.

He gripped onto Jungkook's hands tighter as the car, drove in through the parted gates.

Taehyung heard Jungkook sigh softly and they nodded to each other, as the driver opened the door on their side.

Stepping out, the duo were met by Xi Lunag, clad in his formal suit like always.

The man bowed and the two  returned their gestures.

Taehyung wasnt really feeling great about any of it. The worst of it was the pain up his ass and all the way to his spine, making him limp half the way and that was the most embarrassing shit ever.

Xi Luang's face was calm like every other time.

"Jungkook-shii, Taehyung-shii... my greetings" Xi Luang spoke softly.

Taehyung nodded same as Jungkook, who slowly held onto Taehyung's hand and twined it infront of Xi Luang, making most of Jungkook's intentions clear.

Xi Luang smiled softly and sighed, heading back to the car and walking out with a scarf.

The older male, stepped infront of Taehyung with it, and Taehyung glanced at Jungkook with confusion.

"My apologies Taehyung-shii... but it's better to cover your neck up before meeting SaJang-nim Lee" Xi Luang said with a soft respectful tone.

Taehyung's face ran crimson red and could only mentally curse at Jungkook for planting too many hickeys and himself for not having brought any turtlenecks from Seoul.

He hastily grabbed the scarf and wrapped it around his neck while Jungkook snickered, not even slightly ashamed.

"How's imo Mirae?" Jungkook asked casually looking at Xi Luang.

The older man smiled "ah... she's fine. Do come down and have lunch with us sometime- bring your boyfriend too..."

Taehyung clenched his eyes shut, wanting the ground to eat him up as embarrassment rushed to him.

Why was everyone being so carefree, when he was basically losing his shit? Taehyung could only wonder.

"I will Xi Luang-shii." Jungkook replied, smiling brightly.

Xi Luang smiled fondly, before exhaling and his expression returning to normal.

"Let me lead the way." Xi Luang said in his professional tone and turned on his heel, walking towards the beautiful house.

The two, stayed close and silently followed Xi Luang into a pair of double doors.

Taehyung wished, Jungkook had held his hands as he could feel nervousness wreck through him.

"SaJang-nim... they're here." Xi Luang spoke out, bowing to the man dressed in traditional hanbok, who was seated on the single seater couch.

Jungkook, however stood still- not bowing to the man, while Taehyung contemplated, whether to bow or not- but in the end he gave up and stood strong beside Jungkook.

"Are they?" YongWon asked as he closed his book and kept it on the table, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge to squint his eyes at Taehyung and Jungkook.

"Come sit. Will you both have tea?" YongWon asked with the same worn out cold voice.

"We're not here for tea SaJang-nim. Just let us know what you called us here for." Jungkook answered sharply, his eyes dark.

"Straight to the point I see..." YongWon chuckled dryly. "No wonder why I picked you as my heir- I see myself in you..."

Jungkook grit his teeth "I'm nothing like you."

YongWon chuckled as he poured himself some tea from the antic pot into a cup.

"BigHit Entertainment experienced a major drop in sellout this morning... its overwhelming-" YongWon said adding a cube of sugar into his cup "I dont know what you were thinking with publicly declaring you cared for someone else while being engaged..."

Taehyung's gaze shot down to his feet, feeling the words pierce through him.

"I can say whatever I want, if it's the truth" Jungkook snapped and Taehyung resisted the urge to hold him back- Taehyung wanted to hold Jungkook's hands.... but then again, he had to think twice in the presence of Lee YongWon.

"Oh?" YongWon looked up, the wrinkles on his face prominent but his eyes blazed with energy.

"Are you forgetting you have signed a contract to the company?" YongWon asked and it was enough gi shut Jungkook up.

YongWon stirred his tea and kept the spoon aside. He picked up the cup and sipped carefully- before placing it down on the table.

"I heard Kim Namjoon got fired... is this true Xi Luang?" YongWon asked looking at the assistant who stood in the room.

"Yes SaJang-nim... apparently, Director Choi and Kim Namjoon-shii engaged in an argument at the concert venue and as the argument heated up- Director Choi fired Kim Namjoon-shii on spot" Xi Luang replied, his tone respectful as always.

"Ah... looks like you'll have to set up a meeting with Kim Namjoon. I'd like to discuss some things with him..." YongWon said, sipping his tea again.

"Director Choi has been a deadweight for too long now... no wonder how our interior reports got spread to Jaehwa" YongWon spoke in the same unenthusiastic tone as ears perked up in the room.

Taehyung looked at the old man- he seemed calm and collected- like a withering fruit, but if one looked closely- they could see the clocks running in his mind just the same as those in his youthful days.

Lee YongWon had single handedly raised an empire with his bare hands and those wrinkles on his face? They weren't just wrinkles- they were his battle scars.

Never once being defeated in history- never once having a scar- his only worthy opponent was his dying age that could beat him. It seemed like death could only win a fight against great men like- Lee YongWon, himself.

"But it's a relief Jaehwa has been slammed down now.... they were nothing but pests." YongWon continued, looking into the distance.

"And you two..."

Taehyung subtly gulped, noticing YongWon's gaze on him.

"... well I suppose nothing much can be done for you two" YongWon clicked his tongue.

Taehyung jolted in his feet when he felt a firm hand grab his.

Jungkook's eyes were dark and solely focused on Lee YongWon, who looked at him.

"Just so that you know- I'm not gonna let this hand go. You can pull your dirty tricks all that you want SaJang-nim... but I swear, it will all go in vain this time." Jungkook spoke up, his voice strong and a sense of anger seeping out of it.

"Ah... young people these days... you once had said, you and Ahn Hani would be together- see where that brought you" YongWon clicked his tongue.

Jungkook grit his teeth while Taehyung felt his own flame burn in his chest.

How dare this dried grape put him in the same category as that mad bitch?!

Taehyung balled his fists.

"With all due respect SaJang-nim Lee YongWon- you are wrong. I do not intend to use Jungkook as his ex did and neither am I going to flaunt him like a golden trophy. You can say whatever you want to say, just the same as the rest of the people, who will question Jungkook's choices- but I, don't have to prove my worth to you or to them- because as long as Jungkook knows I'm not a mistake in his life, there's nothing that can tear us apart" Taehyung shot back, his chest heaving.

He felt Jungkook squeeze his hand and Taehyung returned the gesture

"And what if one day.... Jungkook wakes up and believes you indeed were a mistake, to begin with?" YongWon asked, his eyebrow raised but his tone calm.

Taehyung gulped- but his eyes never wavered from YongWon.

"Then I'll accept whatever comes our way." Taehyung replied, his deeper tone  more prominent resulting a splitting silence in the room.

Taehyung held YongWon's piercing gaze even if he was mentally shitting himself at the moment.

He didnt have to be afraid.

If Jungkook's ready to fight for their love and face the world- who was Taehyung to hide behind him? Taehyung wanted to fight for their love too- and this was Taehyung's third step onto the ladder already.

"I see..." YongWon mumbled, averting his gaze and gently rubbed his knees.

YongWon stood up and walked towards the duo, with his hands folded behind his back and Taehyung wondered if he should have just zipped his mouth shut instead of attempting on being brave.

"I have made a lot of mistakes in my life..." YongWon began "mistakes, I cannot undo and mistakes- I cannot bring back to life."

"But I continue on my path, regardless... because in the end- it's just me who is standing there and so on, I know- when I die, I'm going to die alone. However, this-paradise... " YongWon said looking up at the delicate artistry painted on the ceiling "-that I've built- it will stay back and to keep it a paradise, there should be someone in my stead. Someone, who thinks like me- who talks like me" YongWon paused to look at Jungkook and then at Taehyung "someone who can hold his line of sight like me."

"The Lee's used to be a big family, but know... I wouldnt call it a family. Most of them are not worthy for my seat. They are my children- but they are greedy, selfish, hungry for more power and they wouldn't hesitate to rob the poor" YongWon lowered his gaze, sighing softly as if he was in pain.

Taehyung was astonished. If there was any moment he had seen the raisin show any emotion other than that of a raisin- was at the current moment and that night at the anniversary ball.

"Its a shame that Sunmi and Wheein were the ones to be casted out..." YongWon mumbled.

YongWon looked up, to meet their gazes.

"I know, I'm asking too much... but I'm turning old and I no longer bare the strength of my youthful days... in 5 years from now, take my seat... Jeon Jungkook." YongWon said softly- not instructed or demanded.

Jungkook was at loss of words.

"Do... think about it, you can let me know of your answer later- sometime within 5 years." YongWon added, probably noticing Jungkook's dilemma.

Jungkook pursed his lips shut.

For the first time ever- the man infront of him, wasnt instantly forcing him into a role.

YongWon slowly turned to Taehyung, who stiffened.

"I am surprised Kim Taehyung... your sheer ambition is either going to cause wonders... or going to end up dangerous...." YongWon paused "I wonder which..."

"I showed you the power of money and made you take it from words you couldnt fight. But you came back fighting- with trying to find the man in the video that Ahn Hani had delivered.... for many reasons, you see and you dont- I did it for Jungkook." YongWon said calmly as the raventte's eyes narrowed down at him.

"I had never imagined for Jaehwa to strike like this- and I never saw it coming.... and when it did, I had no choice- but to accept their wishes- that is, to remove you out of Jungkook's life in exchange of protecting him."

Taehyung felt Jungkook jolt- as their hands were still connected.

"I must say- I didnt care about you or your intentions and I had nothing to lose with making you disappear.... I've made countless people disappear with whims of money and riches, but you returned for Jungkook- so I guess, you do hold some value that's greater than money in life..." YongWon paused to glance at Jungkook.

His gaze shifted back to Taehyung.

"Like I had said- I've made mistakes, that I cannot undo in life. This is... one of those mistakes... but if it's possible, forgive me of my deeds." YongWon spoke out clearly, as he lowered his head and bowed, a whole 90° to the two.

As if lightning had sparked into the room, Taehyung and Jungkoook froze- unable to move or think.

They heard Xi Luang squeak out a small 'Sajang-nim' out of despair and shock somewhere in the corner, but the two were too caught up in shock to see Xi Luang.

YongWon stood straight, his expression just the same as ever.

"Uh.. um- it's okay." Taehyung squeaked out from the pressure.

YongWon blinked formally- if that even existed- maybe it was a special Lee YongWon blink, which meant he acknowledged the words- or whatever. Taehyung was definitely losing it.

Jungkook on the other hand- didnt say anything, as he stared back at the man.

The stare battle went for few more seconds, before Jungkook broke it first, turning to Taehyung.

"Let's go Tae.."

Taehyung nodded, squeezing Jungkook's hand.

With an air of finality, Jungkook looked back at YongWon.

"Have a goodnight Hal-abeojji" Jungkook said, with eyes sharp.

And the two walked out, hand in hands.

It was funny how words can do so many things.

Words can hurt you, they can break you, they can mend you. Words can make you cry or make you feel the happiest person alive.

That's the beauty of words.

They bring out your rawest emotions.

YongWon smiled.

That was the first time ever, Jungkook had addressed him as 'grandfather' and not 'SaJang-nim' in his presence.

"Xi Luang-shii" YongWon called out, folding his hands behind his back.

"Yes SaJang-nim?" Xi Luang, responded, walking towards YongWon.

"Would you like to have some SuJeongGwa?" YongWon asked.

"Yes SaJang-nim...." Xi Luang replied, standing beside YongWon "but... what is the occasion for this special drink, if I may ask, SaJang-nim?"

YongWon chuckled, staring into the distance and then he looked at Xi Luang

"I am a grandfather... should there be an occasion?"

Xi Luang smiled in return having a hunch of what all of that was about.

"No SaJang-nim."

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Author's Note:

Omgggggggg this chapter made me feel so soft.

To everyone who called Lee YongWon a prick... how yall doing now? 💀😂

And those wondering who Wheein is, she's Hoseok's mom in this story. Hoseok's mom and Jungkook's mom are sisters. (She doesn't have much role in the story)

Oh- and if nobody noticed "aLriGHt she dropped the cheesecake" icon- I'm yeeting myself into an ocean
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KTH1 or mixTAEpe is on the way- and suddenly I do not know how to act like hahahahahhahahahahafuck.

I think I'll astral project to outer space.

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Oh- and next chapter's the last chapter  :((((( so yeah... I've planned on writing epilogue1+2 so yeah, this book will probably end in within two weeks.

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Anyway, thanks for your support

Take care yall!

Stay safe from Rona

Love,
Jaye